Coach Would Like To Throw The Book At Writer Who Told All About Ducks

Oregon women’s basketball coach Jody Runge says author Lauren Kessler betrayed the team’s trust with a new book on the Ducks.

Promoted as the first inside look at the increasingly popular sport of women’s basketball, “Full Court Press” leads readers through the 1994-95 season, when Oregon (18-10) went to the NCAA tournament.

Kessler sat on the bench during games, traveled with the Ducks, attended closed practices and went into the pre- and post-game locker rooms.

The result is a chronicle of the daily routine of high-pressure collegiate athletics, detailing Runge’s motivational tactics, her anger at perceived slights to her team and her use of obscenities.

In addition, Runge spent the season preparing to sue the university for a better contract for herself and better facilities for the team.

“There’s just so much negative stuff in this book,” Runge said. “I think it’s really going to hurt recruiting. I don’t think every parent understands all that goes on during a season. I don’t know what I can do about this book other than let sleeping dogs lie, but if I lose 10 recruits over it, I’ll have to do something.”

Runge said she granted Kessler, the director of the creative non-fiction program in the Oregon journalism school, access because she thought it would be good for the girls.

Oregon faces defending national champion Tennessee on its home court today’s second round.

Notre Dame at ease on road

You can boo them, holler at them, heckle them, make as much of a racket as you want. The women on the Notre Dame basketball team have heard it all before.

The only difference is that the people booing, hollering and heckling will wear burnt orange today instead of navy blue.

The Fighting Irish (28-6), who play at Texas today in an NCAA Tournament East Region women’s secondround game, already have played and lost twice to unbeaten Connecticut at Storrs, Conn.

UConn freshman injured

Top-ranked Connecticut will try to top off its perfect season without one of its top-notch players.

In the midst of their crusade for a second national title in three years, the Huskies (31-0) found out Sunday that they will have to play without freshman sensation Shea Ralph.

Ralph, a steady swing player who’s provided huge boosts as the first player off the bench, blew out her right knee during Saturday’s opening-round win over Lehigh.