Newsmakers

Wed., May 6, 2015

Returning Kentucky Derby winner American Pharoah is set to return to the track Thursday for his first jog since winning the Derby. The colt remained in Bob Baffert’s barn at Churchill Downs after Saturday’s race. Pharoah is scheduled to be shipped to Pimlico Race Course next Wednesday for final preparations before the Preakness on May 16.

Rehired MSG chairman James Dolan has rehired Isiah Thomas – this time to run the WNBA’s New York Liberty. Dolan’s Knicks didn’t win a single playoff game during Thomas’ stint as team president from December 2003 to April 2008 despite regularly owning the NBA’s highest payroll. Extended Mississippi agreed to a contract extension with men’s basketball coach Andy Kennedy that will keep him at the school until 2019. Kennedy has led the Rebels to the NCAA tournament in two of the past three seasons.

Scheduled The AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour will hold a tournament in Manhattan for the first time. The AVP New York City Open will be held July 16-19 at Hudson River Park’s Pier 26/25.

Hired Owner A.J. Foyt hired Alex Tagliani as his third driver for this year’s Indianapolis 500. The 41-year-old Canadian won the Indy pole in 2011 and finished the race 13th last year, driving for Sarah Fisher’s team.

• Richard Petty Motorsports hired Kevin “Bono” Manion as Sam Hornish Jr.’s crew chief beginning this weekend at Kansas Speedway. Manion replaces Drew Blickensderfer, who has been offered another position.

Named The coordinator of officials for the MAC and Summit League is the NCAA’s new national coordinator of men’s basketball officiating. The NCAA announced that J.D. Collins would take over for John Adams, who retired last month.

Omitted Colombian climber Nairo Quintana will not defend his Giro d’Italia title. Quintana and Spaniard Alejandro Valverde have been left off Movistar’s nine-man squad for the grand tour.

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Newsmakers

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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