Postseason ban linked to grades OK’d

Colleges: Less than 24 hours after NCAA President Mark Emmert called for immediate changes in college sports, the NCAA’s board of directors approved a measure that would include postseason bans if teams fall below the new Academic Progress Rate cutline. The new mark for the four-year rolling average will increase from 900 to 930. In October, NCAA leaders will consider when the new rules will take effect.

Another race competitor dies

Extreme racing: Family members and experts are raising concerns after a second contestant who collapsed in sweltering heat during an extreme obstacle course race in Kansas City last month died, saying organizers proceeded with the two-day Warrior Dash event despite dangerous conditions.

Jeff Fink, 31, of Olathe, Kan., died Tuesday at a Kansas City hospital, the Meyers Funeral Chapel Northland in Parkville, Mo., reported on its website. Fink’s official cause of death hasn’t been determined, but a secretary at the Maynard, Iowa, school where his father works emailed staff that Fink was being treated for heat stroke.

Fink’s death follows last week’s death of 28-year-old Jeremy Morris, a suburban Grandview resident.

About 15,000 people registered for the July 30-31 event. High humidity pushed the heat index in Kansas City to above 100 degrees that weekend and forced officials to cancel the final 90 minutes of the two-day race. Extreme races requite participants do everything from leap over fire to crawl under barbed wire.

FIFA widens investigation

Soccer: Delving further into a scandal that shook the sport, FIFA will investigate 16 Caribbean soccer leaders about a bribery scandal involving former presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam.

The officials are suspected of being offered or taking $40,000 in cash to back Bin Hammam against FIFA President Sepp Blatter.

Schnellenberger to retire after season

College football: Howard Schnellenberger played for Bear Bryant, led the Miami Hurricanes to their first national championship, was the offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins’ perfect season and built a football program from scratch at Florida Atlantic.

The 77-year-old Schnellenberger announced Thursday that he’ll retire from coaching following the 2011 season at Florida Atlantic, his last stop on a journey that began more than 50 years ago.

Hammon leads Silver Stars to win

Miscellany: Becky Hammon scored 18 points and Sophia Young added 15 to lead the San Antonio Silver Stars (13-8) in a 72-59 WNBA victory over the Connecticut Sun (14-9) in Uncasville, Conn.

• Thompson wins PNGA girls: Morgan Thompson of Tualatin, Ore., defeated Kristin Strankman of Richland 2 and 1 to win the 56th Pacific Northwest Junior Girls Amateur Championship played at Arrowhead GC in Molalla, Ore.