Fast Break

Football

Sellers display dogged efforts

Looking for an Atlanta Falcons jersey with Michael Vick’s nickname, “Ookie,” on the back? EBay’s gotcha covered.

Maybe a Michael Vick action figure with a plastic dog biting his leg is up your alley. Or a bumper sticker that says, “My dog beat Mike’s dog!”

Not a problem. The site’s selling those, too.

His trial hasn’t begun yet, but that hasn’t stopped the development of a cottage industry commemorating the trials and tribulations of Falcons quarterback and Newport News, Va., native Michael Vick.

The 27-year-old faces felony conspiracy charges relating to dogfighting. He pleaded not guilty Thursday in a federal courtroom in Richmond.

A Vick supporter? There’s a shirt for you: “I’m Vick’s (insert five-letter word referring to a female dog here).” Angry at him? Try a T-shirt in Falcons red, black and white with Vick’s No. 7 crossed out.

Basketball

Low scores 14 during U.S. victory

Derrick Low scored 14 points and his Washington State University teammate Kyle Weaver added four as the United States defeated the Virgin Islands 84-58 at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The Americans (2-2) will play Panama for fifth place today. Panama defeated the U.S. team during Group B play.

For more on Pan American Games coverage, see C6.

COLLEGES

Stevens to replace Commons at WSU

Rod Commons will retire Tuesday after 31 years as the sports information director at WSU and will be replaced by Bill Stevens.

Commons began his career at Oregon State University in 1966 as a part-time assistant SID. He spent a year working in newspapers before returning to OSU as an assistant SID in 1968. He became the SID at Brown University in 1973 before taking the same position at WSU in 1976.

Earlier this month, Commons was inducted into the College Sports Information Directors of America Hall of Fame.

Stevens, who played four seasons of tennis for WSU, graduated in 1987 with a public relations degree.

Commons will continue to assist the WSU SID department in a part-time role starting Wednesday.