In brief: New Yorkers will get their Rutgers game
Cablevision Systems Corp., a New York-area cable TV provider, reached an agreement Friday with the NFL Network that will allow its customers to see a much-anticipated game between Rutgers and Kansas State University on Thursday.
Cablevision accepted an offer to carry the network for free for the week of Dec. 24 through 30.
“Bobby Bowden’s longest serving assistant coach, Billy Sexton, will leave the Florida State staff after 30 years to join the school’s fundraising arm in January.
“Boston College suspended kicker Ryan Ohliger for the second time this season, this one for the Eagles’ bowl game against Navy, for the violation of an unspecified team rule.
“Clemson cornerback Duane Coleman apologized to his team for a drug arrest that cost him the chance to play in the Music City Bowl.
Coleman, a senior who started all 12 games, was suspended after his arrest on a marijuana possession charge in Columbia, S.C.
“Kentucky coach Rich Brooks, formerly with Oregon, has agreed to a contract extension.
Terms of the deal won’t be released until January.
“Charles “Mad Dog” Thornhill, a linebacker on Michigan State’s powerhouse teams in the 1960s, has died. He was 62.
Thornhill, of Lansing, Mich., died of heart failure at Ingham Regional Medical Center at Lansing, MSU officials said.
Miscellany
Korean unity nearer
North and South Korea have taken a step closer to having a joint team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The International Olympic Committee in Lausanne, Switzerland, said the neighboring rivals still need to work out the technical details of combining the two squads.
The IOC said a meeting between representatives of the two countries earlier this month in Doha, Qatar, produced “productive discussions,” but the qualification process for athletes remains an unsolved issue.
South Korea insists athletes be selected based on performance. North Korea wants equal representation based on the spirit of a 2000 inter-Korean summit.
“Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich received a two-year contract extension that could keep him with the school for the rest of his career.
The new deal increases Jurich’s base salary to $440,000 and runs through 2016.
“Spanish cyclist Aitor Gonzalez was banned for two years for doping by the highest tribunal in world sports in Lausanne, Switzerland.
“The U.S. women’s soccer team will open its 2007 schedule against Germany on Jan. 26 at the Four Nations Tournament in Guangzhou, China.
“Olympic gold medalist Chris Witty ended a brief retirement from the sport with two second-place finishes at the U.S. Sprint Long Track Speedskating Championships.
Witty finished second to Elli Ochowicz in the 500- and 1,000-meter races.
Tucker Fredricks won the 500 in 35.48 seconds and Shani Davis won the 1,000 in 1:09.76.