Newsmakers

Declared Quarterback Darron Thomas declared he is going to skip his senior season at Oregon to enter the NFL draft. Thomas made the announcement on Saturday evening. He follows Oregon running back LaMichael James, who announced last week that he would also skip his final year of eligibility to go pro. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound junior passed for 2,761 yards and a school-record 33 touchdowns and only seven interceptions this past season. He has 66 touchdown passes in 31 games with the Ducks.

Died Former Denver Broncos owner Edgar F. Kaiser Jr., who oversaw the trade that brought Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway to Denver, has died, according to a charitable foundation Kaiser established. The Kaiser Foundation of Vancouver, British Columbia, said in a press release that Kaiser died Wednesday.

Signed The Golden State Warriors signed free-agent center Earl Barron, giving the team another big man with backup Kwame Brown likely sidelined for the season with a chest injury. The Warriors announced Barron’s signing before they played at the Charlotte Bobcats on Saturday night. Barron appeared in 21 games last season with Portland, Phoenix and Milwaukee. He averaged 3.8 points and 3.6 rebounds in 14.6 minutes per game, making seven starts.

Agreed Third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff and the Kansas City Royals agreed to terms on a minor league contract that includes an invitation to spring training. Kouzmanoff hit .235 with seven homers and 33 RBIs in 73 games for Oakland and Colorado last season. Kouzmanoff is a career .255 hitter over six seasons, including stops in Cleveland and San Diego.

Resigned Bucknell coach Kathy Fedorjaka has resigned. Fedorjaka, who is the winningest women’s basketball coach in school history with 209 victories, guided the Bison to Patriot League championships in 2002 and 2008. Assistant coach Bill Broderick will take over on an interim basis. Fedorjaka had been at the school for 15 years and ranked third in the Patriot League all-time for victories.

Celebrated Scores of guests gathered in Louisville, Ky., to celebrate Muhammad Ali’s 70th birthday with the boxing champ. As about 350 people mingled in a lobby of the Muhammad Ali Center in Ali’s hometown.