Fast Break

Men’s basketball

Thomas will work for free

Here’s a sign of how badly Isiah Thomas wanted to return to coaching: He’s working for free at Florida International.

At his introductory news conference at FIU on Wednesday, Thomas said his salary the first year from the Golden Panthers will be donated back to the school’s athletic department.

Thomas was fired by the New York Knicks last year. The team still owes him around $12 million for the final two years of his deal there.

FIU athletic director Pete Garcia said that when Thomas learned about layoffs and budget cuts, he told the university president that the school should keep his salary.

Thomas said he took the FIU job because he enjoys challenges. He said he talked to Bob Knight, his former coach at Indiana, about what it took to build college programs.

“I like rolling up my sleeves. I like taking some from the bottom and building it to the top. There’s a lot of risk in that and there is also a lot of reward in that. But that’s how I grew up. I want to take FIU to the next level and I know it’s going to take a lot of hard work.”

Baseball

Fan sues over bathroom break

A baseball fan says he was ejected from Yankee Stadium for leaving his seat to use the bathroom while “God Bless America” played.

Bradford Campeau-Laurion filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday against New York City and the Yankees.

The lawsuit contends he was made a victim of political and religious discrimination on Aug. 26.

It says two police officers who ejected him were enforcing a Yankees policy that keeps spectators in their seats during the song.

Police said the officers ejected Campeau-Laurion, after they “observed a male cursing, using inappropriate language and acting in a disorderly manner while reeking of alcohol.”

Prep basketball

Area players honored by AP

Northwest Christian’s Chase Ramey, Colfax’s Kayla Johnson and Colton’s Kelsey Moser were named players of the year in their classifications on the Associated Press’ all-state team.

All three players led their teams to state championships – Ramey in 2B boys, Johnson in 2B girls and Moser, who shared the honor, in 1B girls.

The players of the year for all classes were Franklin’s Peyton Siva (boys) and Kentwood’s Lindsey Moore (girls).

Shadle Park’s Anthony Brown made the 4A boys first team. Lewis and Clark’s Jeneva Anderson made the 4A girls first team.

Clarkston players Dustin McConnell and Kellie McCann-Smith were honored on 2A first teams.

A list of local honorees is on Scoreboard, page B6.