In the News                                

Recreation Department Launches Floating Restrooms
The Press Enterprise, May 16, 2013, Thursday
Two new solar-powered floating restrooms were launched on Lake Elsinore earlier this month to replace a pair of decade-old toilets removed from the water last season.

Major League Baseball to Look at Expanding Replay
USA TODAY, May 17, 2013 Friday
Major League Baseball appears set for a vast expansion of video review by umpires in 2014 and is examining whether all calls other than balls and strikes should be subject to instant replay. Replay has been in place for home run calls since August 2008. Commissioner Bud Selig initially wanted to add trap plays and fair-foul calls down the lines for 2013, but change was put off while more radical options were examined. "My opinion has evolved," Selig said Thursday after MLB executive vice president Joe Torre gave an update at a quarterly owners meeting. Torre hopes for proposals by the Aug. 14-15 session in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Sun Life Stadium Still Good Super Bowl Site, Says Joe Robbie's Son
Palm Beach Post (Florida), May 17, 2013 Friday
Tim Robbie is not a neutral observer on the subject, nor could he be expected to be. Peel away layer upon layer from the marquee on what is now called Sun Life Stadium and you'll find the words "Joe Robbie Stadium," so originally named for the founder of the Miami Dolphins who in 1987 ushered South Florida into the facility after constructing it with private money. The late Joe Robbie, of course, was Tim's father.

Concussions: WWE Teams with Researchers in Battle Against CTE
USA TODAY, May 17, 2013 Friday
WWE is tag-teaming with medical researchers to take on CTE. World Wrestling Entertainment, known for past stars such as Hulk Hogan and current champ John Cena, says it is making a gift of $1.2 million over three years for research into treatment for chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The brain disease, associated with repeated concussions, has come under scrutiny amid concussion-related lawsuits by more than 4,000 ex-NFL players against the league. CTE has been linked to depression and dementia.

Competitive Balance Proposal for Ohio High Schools Fails Again
Dayton Daily News (Ohio), May 17, 2013 Friday
"We knew that the Competitive Balance issue would be close .... This is a very passionate issue,"OHSAA Commissioner Dan Ross says. A revised Competitive Balance Proposal was voted down by Ohio High School Athletic Association members for the third straight year Thursday. The proposal would have adjusted a school's numerical value based on students who reside outside its designated school district. That number would determine which divisions a school's teams would be assigned for the postseason.

Playing Squash Helps Students Focus on Academics 
Post & Courier (Charleston, SC), May 16, 2013 Thursday
Until three years ago, most students at Sanders-Clyde Creative Arts School probably thought of squash as a vegetable. But through the efforts of Chucktown Squash, they now know it also is a sport, one that can lead to other opportunities.

NBA Owners Vote for Kings to Stay in Sacramento
USA TODAY, May 16, 2013 Thursday
The NBA board of governors voted Wednesday to keep the Kings in Sacramento and not allow the club to move to Seattle. Commissioner David Stern said the relocation vote was 22-8 in favor of Sacramento. The Maloof family that owns the Kings has been wanting to sell the team to a group from Seattle led by hedge fund manager Chris Hansen and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, who wanted to move the team there. But now that the Seattle bid has been blocked, Stern said he was hopeful the Maloofs would finalize a deal with the Sacramento group headed by Indian-born software magnate Vivek Ranadive. "We will talk to the Maloofs and seek in the next 24 to 48 hours whether we can help facilitate an agreement to be signed between the Ranadive group and the Maloofs for the sale of the franchise in Sacramento," Stern said. "It is my expectation that we'll be able to make a deal with the Maloofs and the Ranadive group to transfer title of the team in Sacramento. It's not a certainty, but we're going to work on that result."

Residents Sue Over Proposed Demolition of School Gyms
The Salt Lake Tribune, May 14, 2013 Tuesday
Delta » In this rural Utah town, there isn't a Gold's Gym on every corner. Kids work out at the school or county gym, building roads toward athletic scholarships or away from grim realities. "A lot of these kids don't come from great homes," said Luke Beckstrom, a volunteer junior high wrestling coach. "I have kids come to meets with no food. For some of them, programs like this are the only thing going to keep them out of jail." The fear of losing the gyms led community activists to a file lawsuit on Tuesday asking for judicial review of several closed meetings' legality and a restraining order asking for the Millard County School District to halt any demolition of buildings. A judge signed the restraining order later that day.

Town Officials Find Solution to Park's Contaminated Water Supply
The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio), May 14, 2013 Tuesday
Plastic bags and tape cover drinking fountains and the bathroom faucets are dry at Homestead Park in western Franklin County, after park water samples tested positive for fecal coliform last fall.

School District Updates Anti-Hazing Policies After Football Incidents
Bangor Daily News (Maine), May 14, 2013 Tuesday
DEXTER, Maine -- The SAD 46 board of directors have implemented new policies regarding hazing and overnight activities in the wake of several hazing incidents during a lockdown event at Dexter Regional High School last fall. During an overnight event for the high school's football team on Nov. 16 and 17, five hazing incidents occurred at the school. The perpetrators and victims were all minors. After the school's investigation, 12 students were suspended for their roles in the hazing, ranging from one to 10 days. The students were also barred from participating in competitive afterschool events for periods ranging from one week to one month. Everyone on the team also had to perform community service, which has since been completed.

High School Football Stadium Under Consideration for Pro Soccer
The Journal Record (Oklahoma City, OK), May 9, 2013 Thursday
Major renovations to a landmark high school football stadium in Oklahoma City are being planned with professional soccer in mind as well, sources confirmed Thursday. And there may be competition to secure a pro team for the city. Sold Out Strategies this spring announced that it is now managing a new Premier Developmental League amateur team, Oklahoma City FC, which is preparing for its inaugural game Saturday against the Austin Aztex. Sold Out Strategies partner Brad Lund said OFC’s home games will played at Stars Field at Oklahoma City University about a mile away from Taft Stadium on NW 23rd Street. “We’re very aware of the proposed renovations for Taft Stadium and we are in the due-diligence stage of not only reviewing the possibility of playing home games at Taft but bringing pro soccer to Oklahoma City as well, ” Lund said Thursday. “We currently own a PDL franchise, which is the highest level of amateur soccer in North America. … We feel like we will eventually outgrow the capacity at OCU, which is around 1,800. ”

Manipulation of Prep Basketball Players' Grades Questioned
South Bend Tribune (Indiana), May 12, 2013 Sunday
SOUTH BEND - Even as the school year winds down, the controversy surrounding allegations of grade manipulation that first surfaced in the fall at Washington High School continues. From a May 1 ruling by the Indiana High School Athletic Association that says three basketball players' grades were amended after the certification date for academic eligibility, to a police report filed by Principal George McCullough in which he acknowledges an incident of grade changing occurred, but points to the superintendent as being responsible, the issue has taken a variety of twists and turns. For months, there have been several critical, anonymously authored letters and e-mails sent to The Tribune, school board members and administrators claiming, among other things, the changing of more than one teachers' grades against their will. A related bumper sticker that says "Integrity in our schools" is in circulation.

Grants Fund Much-Needed Field Upgrades at New Jersey High School

The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 14, 2013 Tuesday
The empty chip bags, a comb, and a pacifier that littered the shoddy grass of the Camden High School football field Monday will be gone in coming weeks - scooped up by a bulldozer.

Boogaard Suit a Pivotal Moment for NHL

The Washington Times, May 14, 2013 Tuesday
Descend into the 53 wrenching pages of the wrongful death lawsuit Derek Boogaard's estate filed against the NHL late Friday and pill by pill, fight by fight, the reality becomes clear. Case No. 13L3945 in Illinois' Cook County Circuit Court delivered a transformational moment to the NHL with all the subtlety Boogaard used to smash opponents into the glass. "Boogaard's lawsuit could be a potential game-changer," said Paul Anderson, a Kansas City attorney who tracks concussion lawsuits at NFLConcussionLitigation.com. "It could have far-reaching implications not only to Boogaard's case in particular, but to all NHL players generally. I think this could be the first step toward the next wave of the NHL concussion litigation."

New York High School Receives $10K for Name Change

USA TODAY, May 15, 2013 Wednesday
Oneida Indian Nation representative Ray Halbritter plans to give a $10,000 check to Cooperstown (N.Y.) Central School at a board meeting today and to praise the students who pushed to oust the district's longtime name of Redskins.

ACC Considering TV Network

Pittsburgh Tribune Review, May 14, 2013 Tuesday
AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. - The Big Ten Network reaches 100 million households and 300 cable providers in the U.S. and Canada. The Southeastern Conference recently finalized a 20-year agreement with ESPN that includes the August 2014 launch of its own network that will televise more than 1,000 events in the first year.

Little League Benefits from Donated LED Scoreboard

Chicago Daily Herald, May 14, 2013 Tuesday
While the controversy continues to swirl around the Chicago Cubs' plans to install massive digital scoreboards at the iconic Wrigley Field, the Libertyville Little League has made another major upgrade to its Juniors baseball field.

Penn State Defends Medical Care Provided to Student-Athletes

The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 15, 2013 Wednesday
Penn State moved quickly Tuesday night to respond to a Sports Illustrated story that appeared to paint an unflattering portrait of the university's medical operation as it applies to football.

Parks and Rec Department Facing Lifeguard Shortage

Charleston Daily Mail (West Virginia), May 13, 2013, Monday
Charleston Parks and Recreation officials are busy getting five city pools ready for business, but the department needs something that maintenance crews can't deliver - lifeguards. Only about 10 people have applied for lifeguard positions at city pools, said John Charnock, parks and recreation director. The department needs about 40 to staff the pools. This has become a perennial problem in recent years.

New Falcons Stadium Will Go High-Tech to Lure Fans

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, May 12, 2013 Sunday
For an important job interview, architect Bill Johnson prepared a slide presentation that included a photo of a fan settling into a plush seat in his basement to watch an NFL game on a high-definition big-screen TV, surrounded by all the comforts of a sports aficionado's home. "This is the guy we need to get back," Johnson told those deciding whether to hire him. "We have to get the guy in the man cave to come back to the stadium." Johnson, a senior principal at Kansas City-based 360 Architecture, got the job of designing the new Falcons stadium.

Students Given P.E. Homework See Results

South Bend Tribune (Indiana), May 12, 2013 Sunday
SOUTH BEND This year's students in St. Anthony de Padua Catholic School physical education classes worked to improve their health and strength and they did it for homework.

Budget Cuts Threaten Philadelphia HS Athletics

The Philadelphia Daily News, May 10, 2013 Friday
EVERYONE HAS heard the extra-rough rumor: Because of budget miseries, sports will not exist during the 2013-14 school year in the School District of Philadelphia.

OSU Athletics Offering Relationship Abuse Classes

The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio), May 11, 2013 Saturday
The life-skills classes attended by Ohio State University football players soon will include special sessions on "relationship abuse" taught by local domestic- and family-violence prevention advocates.

Columnist: NCAA Men's Basketball Needs Consistent Foul-Calling

The Virginian-Pilot(Norfolk, VA.), May 12, 2013 Sunday
COLLEGE basketball would be better served and more fun to watch if the rules of the game were respected. Seems like a simple enough idea, especially when applied to the not-so-radical notion of calling a foul a foul. Somewhere along the line, though, the rules have been sacrificed to the escalating physicality of the sport. The game's become too rough. Don't take my word for it; the NCAA men's basketball rules committee says so.

City Asks for Police Investigation into Rec Center Funding Mishap

Pittsburgh Tribune Review, May 11, 2013 Saturday
The city of Jeannette asked Westmoreland County detectives on Friday to investigate a Washington County contractor who accepted $65,000 in public money to build a recreation center. The city in 2007 hired Tim Bongiorni of Avella to build the center on Chambers Avenue. Bongiorni was then president of Quality Sheet Metal Erection, which is no longer in business. The $65,000 was to be a down payment with another $20,000 due to him.

Update: Prep Team Will Not Face Penalties for Ineligible Players

The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 12, 2013 Sunday
Prep Charter will not face penalties for using two girls' basketball players with falsified addresses, said Robert Coleman, the School District of Philadelphia's executive director of athletics.

Park Systems Considering Tobacco Ban

The Bismarck Tribune, May 11, 2013 Saturday
Mandan and Bismarck park systems will consider making their green space smoke-free next week. The Mandan Park Board, which surveyed its park users, will revisit the issue at 5:30 p.m. Monday.

PSU Football Finalizing Plans for Overseas Season Opener

Pittsburgh Tribune Review, May 10, 2013 Friday
Penn State remains in talks to play a 2014 football game in Ireland, and athletic director Dave Joyner said Thursday that plans for it could be finalized within the next week or two.

Assistant Pay Competitive Among Top Football Programs

The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio), May 12, 2013 Sunday
The salary range for coordinators in major college football has gone beyond $500,000 for upper-echelon schools, and Ohio State is determined not to get left behind. For the first time, the Buckeyes will have three assistants this year making at least that much: defensive coordinator Luke Fickell ($600,000), co-defensive coordinator/assistant head coach Everett Withers ($580,000) and offensive coordinator Tom Herman ($550,000). "We can't stay stagnant," athletic director Gene Smith said. "We had to respond to the market."

Utah State Moving Forward with New Basketball and Volleyball Facility

The Salt Lake Tribune, May 11, 2013 Saturday
The largest single gift in school history will kick off Utah State's latest big construction project: A $9.5 million basketball and volleyball facility to be named after late Aggies basketball star Wayne Estes. The school announced Thursday that its long-awaited facilities project will get underway after a $5.25 million lead donation by boosters Jim and Carol Laub. The couple have been behind some of the school's most ambitious athletic projects in recent years, and the 32,000 square foot Estes Center is expected to continue to help Utah State's ability to accommodate and attract athletes. "Carol and I are proud of Utah State University and the many great things it does for the state and beyond," Jim Laub said in a school news release. "Under the outstanding leadership of USU President Stan Albrecht and Scott Barnes, they have positioned USU for a dynamic and successful future. Carol and I look at this gift as an investment in Utah State University's future."