Newsmakers

Died University of Minnesota linebacker Gary Tinsley, 22, was found dead in his campus apartment Friday morning, university officials said. He was 22. The cause of death wasn’t immediately released as authorities awaited autopsy results from the medical examiner. He lettered all four years and started every football game over his final two seasons.

Progressing English soccer club Bolton said Fabrice Muamba, 24, is making “strong and steady improvements” while recovering from his on-field cardiac arrest during an FA Cup quarterfinal last month.

Installed Workers installed eight banks of lights at Washington- Grizzly Stadium in Missoula, giving the Montana football program the ability to hold late afternoon practices or games and host night games. UM raised private money for the $1 million project.

Returning Ohio State basketball player Deshaun Thomas will return for his junior season. The 6-foot-7 forward averaged 15.9 points and 5.4 rebounds.

Granted The NCAA granted Purdue forward Drey Mingo a sixth year of eligibility, allowing her to play for the women’s basketball team next season. Mingo contracted a life-threatening case of bacterial meningitis in late November 2010. She then missed all of last season with a torn ACL.

Leaving Alabama basketball forward Tony Mitchell left the team after ending his junior season on suspension. Mitchell missed Alabama’s final 11 games after being suspended for conduct detrimental to the team.

Fined Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins has been fined $25,000 by the NBA for publicly criticizing officials after a loss to the L.A. Clippers on Thursday.

• New York Rangers coach John Tortorella was fined $20,000 by the NHL for his comments following the team’s loss in Pittsburgh on Thursday night. Tortorella called the Pittsburgh Penguins “one of the most arrogant organizations in the league” during a profanity-laden tirade that focused on Pittsburgh defenseman Brooks Orpik’s knee-to-knee hit on Derek Stepan.

Done The New Jersey Nets decided to shut down center Brook Lopez for the rest of the season after an injury- marred campaign in which he played in five games.

Suspended The NHL suspended Minnesota Wild defenseman Nate Prosser for a game because he head-butted Jamal Mayers of the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night.

Hired Miami University has named John Cooper head men’s basketball coach. Cooper has been the head coach at Tennessee State the past three seasons.