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

Newsmakers

From Staff And Wire Reports

Granted An Indiana high school basketball standout who survived a plane crash in Michigan last year that killed his father and stepmother was granted an extra year of high school eligibility Wednesday, meaning he can play two more seasons. The Indiana High School Athletic Association said Austin Hatch was given another year of high school eligibility because he was not enrolled at Canterbury High School in Fort Wayne during the 2011-12 school year and received no academic credit. The 6-foot-6 forward averaged 24 points and nine rebounds as a sophomore. He committed to play at the University of Michigan shortly before the plane crash.

Filed A woman has sued Nebraska coach Bo Pelini’s foundation and offensive coordinator Tim Beck, alleging she suffered a traumatic brain injury while participating in a drill at a football clinic put on by the foundation two years ago. Beverly Morgan, 66, of Lincoln, Neb., said in the lawsuit that she fell and hit the back of her head during a drill in which a gantlet of women struck her with blocking pads. The fall caused her cap and earrings to fly off, according to the lawsuit. The one-day event held June 2, 2010, at the University of Nebraska raised about $100,000 for breast cancer research and treatment in Nebraska.

Hired The NBA selected former player and longtime league employee Mike Bantom as its executive vice president of referee operations. Bantom replaces Gen. Ron Johnson, who headed the department from its beginning in 2008 until resigning at the end of July.

Resigned The president of Madison Square Garden Sports, Scott O’Neil, resigned. Neither MSG nor O’Neil provided a reason for his departure. O’Neil has held the position since 2008. He worked at the NBA before moving to MSG. MSG Sports manages the NBA’s Knicks, the NHL’s Rangers, the Liberty of the WNBA, and the Connecticut Whale of the AHL.

Signed The Ottawa Senators signed center Zack Smith to a four-year extension worth $7.55 million. The 24-year-old Smith is coming off a career-best season in which he had 14 goals and 26 points.