Fast Break

College athletics

Students fight to keep mascot

Two students who portray the University of Illinois’ Chief Illiniwek sued the NCAA and the school’s board of trustees Thursday, seeking to preserve the 81-year-old American Indian mascot.

Dan Maloney, of Galesburg, and Logan Ponce, of St. Charles, sought an immediate restraining order to prevent the university “from capitulating to the NCAA,” according to a news release.

The NCAA in 2005 deemed Illiniwek – portrayed by buckskin-clad students who dance at home football and basketball games – an offensive use of American Indian imagery and barred the university from hosting postseason events.

Maloney and Ponce said they believe the university plans to eliminate Illiniwek, which they claim would infringe on their right to free speech.

NBA

Anti-gay remarks cost Hardaway

The NBA banished Tim Hardaway from All-Star weekend in Las Vegas because of his anti-gay remarks.

Hardaway, who played in five All-Star games during the 1990s, was already in Las Vegas and scheduled to make a series of public appearances on behalf of the league. But after saying, “I hate gay people” during a radio interview, commissioner David Stern stepped in.

“It is inappropriate for him to be representing us given the disparity between his views and ours,” Stern said.

Hardaway apologized for his comments, which came a week after John Amaechi became the first former NBA player to say he was gay.

College basketball

Whits will honor Fews tonight

Gonzaga coach Mark Few and his wife, Marcy, will be honored prior to Whitworth’s basketball game against Willamette tonight.

The Fews have played a big part in the local Coaches vs. Cancer effort. The efforts are close to the heart of the Whitworth basketball program. Jayme Hayford, the daughter of Whitworth coach Jim Hayford, has survived two battles with leukemia. She will present Marcy with an honorary Pirates jersey.

Whitworth president Bill Robinson will give the Fews a framed commendation.