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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Newsmakers

Signed The Seattle Sounders women’s soccer club announced Tuesday it signed keeper Hope Solo and forward Sydney Leroux for the 2012 season. The Sounders are part of the W-League and affiliated with the United Soccer Leagues (USL). Seattle plays in the Western Conference. Solo, a native of Richland who played at the University of Washington, recently led the United States to the title in the CONCACAF women’s Olympic qualifying tournament. Leroux scored five goals in one Olympic qualifying match against Guatemala.

Resigned Northern Arizona athletic director Jim Fallis is leaving the school after eight years on the job. The university cited “personal reasons” for Fallis’ decision not to seek a new contract when his current one expires on June 30. On Jan. 29, the Daily Sun newspaper in Flagstaff, Ariz., reported that Northern Arizona basketball coach Mike Adras violated multiple NCAA rules before he resigned in December.

Hired Oregon State hired Rod Perry as the Beavers’ new secondary coach. Perry spent five seasons with the Indianapolis Colts as a defensive assistant.

Ailing Hall of Fame outfielder Tony Gwynn had surgery to remove a new cancerous tumor inside his right cheek. Gwynn, now San Diego State’s baseball coach, previously had a malignant growth removed from the same spot in August 2010. Doctors don’t believe the cancer has spread.

• North Texas football coach Dan McCarney said he suffered a stroke over the weekend and expects to recover in time to lead his team through spring drills. McCarney, 58, is out of intensive care but remained in the hospital Tuesday for further treatment.

Extended A person familiar with the deal said manager Joe Maddon agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Tampa Bay Rays. The team scheduled a news conference to make a “special announcement” today. The Rays are 495-477, have won two A.L. East titles and made the playoffs three times in six seasons under the 58-year-old Maddon.

• The Kansas City Royals exercised their option on manager Ned Yost to keep him with the club through the 2013 season. Yost is just 126-163 since taking over the Royals in 2010, but he’s been credited with helping bring along one of the youngest rosters in baseball.