The Battalion PORTS

Sprewell sentenced iexas coaches assess season chances to home detention HOUSTON (AP) — Coaches from five ture in the majors, and he doesn't want Despite the assertion last week by MARTINEZ, Calif. (AP) — One day of the eight former Southwest Confer­ to see Ambres on that path. Spring star running back Ben Gay that before his trial was to begin, Latrell ence schools made their annual high "If they're going to ask (a player) to he's academically eligible to play at Sprewell pleaded no contest to a reck­ school convention appearances Tuesday, make that kind of gamble, they dang sure Baylor, Roberts said Tuesday that he's less driving charge and was each brimming with summertime pre­ better pay them a whole lot of money to not, but the school is appealing. How­ sentenced to three months season optimism. do it," Slocum said. ever, Roberts refused to say to whom of home detention. Yet each team must overcome its Baylor is appealing or what it entails, Sprewell, who was original­ demons, whether it's fan apathy, NCAA citing student confidentiality rules. ly suspended for one year and troubles, inexperience, a crumbling league Speaking of rules, Texas Tech's inability had his $24 million contract or pro baseball. tt We’ve got a to follow NCAA eligibility requirements terminated by the Golden Pro baseball? That's Texas A&M coach has stripped the Red Raiders of 14 scholar­ State Warriors last season for R.C. Slocum's biggest obstacle to winning ships in the next two seasons. The NCAA choking coach P.j. Carlesimo, the services of star high school quarter­ good, good component is expected to announce any day whether also was placed on two years back Chip Ambres, who must decide be­ further sanctions will come down. probation, fined $1,000 and tween Aggieland glory or minor-league of players, not a lot In the meantime, coach Spike Dykes ordered not to have a gun in his possession. riches in the Florida Marlins system. is confident he's making the most of his Sprewell swerved out of an exit-only lane "I think he's a rare talent in that he's got remaining slots. on a Walnut Creek freeway on March 1 and an excellent arm and excellent mobility/' of fluff. "We've got a good, good component of struck another car, injuring a couple. Mo­ Slocum said of the Beaumont West Brook — Spike Dykes players, not a lot of fluff," Dykes, who be­ torists had reported seeing Sprewell's car product. "And he's a winner." lieves he's got more players than ever that speeding and weaving in and out of traffic. Ambres, a first-round pick by the Mar­ Texas Tech Football Coach he thinks can contribute, said. The couple escaped with cuts and bruises lins, has said he'll choose baseball if Flori­ The coaches' news conferences are held and have said they intend to sue Sprewell. da makes the right offer. Ambres is ex­ Even without Ambres, the Aggies are each year in conjunction with the Texas Defense attorneys suggested the plea pected to take a few cuts in batting favorites to win the Big 12 South for the High School Coaches Association conven­ bargain to avoid gavel-to-gavel coverage practice Wednesday at the Astrodome second straight year. At the other end of tion, which alternates between Houston on Court TV. while the Marlins continue a series against the scale is Baylor, which went 2-9 under and Fort Worth every other year. Last week, Municipal Court Judge the Astros, Slocum confirmed. rookie coach Dave Roberts. Southern Methodist coach Mike Ca­ Bruce Mills allowed Court TV's request Slocum said all he can offer Ambres is The Bears' porous defense returns just van and Texas Christian coach Dennis to televise the trial as long as it did not a football career, an education and prepa­ one senior out of 14 regular players, Franchione didn't attend because of interfere with the proceedings. Because Baitauon file photo ration for his future. Slocum added the Roberts said. But he expects improved size WAC media day in Las Vegas. New the charges were misdemeanors, how­ \&M’s R.C. Slocum said recruit Chip Ambres minors are littered with men in their late and an experienced group of young play­ Texas coach Mack Brown was scheduled ever, Sprewell would not have been re­ I ij undecided on a professional baseball career. 20s with no higher education and no fu­ ers should make it an improved unit. to appear but did not. quired to attend the trial. teem oilier and &M’s Barnes suspended Aikman says he enjoys [her lunch; irter-Nm wincM Cowboys' open offense jvenile world organization Igravatedi WICHITA FALLS, Texas (AP) — even worse for the quarterback, iessaid. W YORK (AP) — 's national visory Committee, the athletes' voice in the na­ It's blast-furnace hot, but Troy part of his new burned down. And ning body is incensed over the drug suspen- tional governing body, which has taken a strong Aikman seems not to notice. he had an operation to take a can­ Ons of shot putter and sprinter stance against drugs. He has decided to run a few laps cerous mole off his neck. Mitchell by the sport's world organization. His suspension was handed down last week after two practices on a day when Along came Gailey, the former HtSATF is concerned and dismayed that the and represents his first drug offense. the mercury bubbled up to 106 de­ offensive coordinator at Pitts­ Rchose to temporarily suspend two Amer- The IAAF did not officially announce the sus­ grees. He jokes with teammates. burgh, who mniVai!‘ltWetes on kasis of unproven allega- pensions, and the precise terms of the punish­ He signs some autographs. He immediately lUUll‘ons ^ they have committed a doping of- ment have yet to be determined. gives a few interviews. earned Aik- Hi Craig Masback, executive director of These are two of the most prominent suspen­ Football is a joy again for the Dal­ man's re­ udduns 'S/4 Track & Field, said Monday night. "US- sions in track and field, following Ben Johnson at las Cowboys quarterback, and it spect. gtiez. Bobjects to the IAAF suspensions and will the 1988 Olympics, in 1990 and seems as though he hates to leave the "He's got a eartins otEnforce them. Mary Slaney in 1997. Midwestern State University field. way he does ilitaryho® flj.S. athletes are entitled to a full and fair hear- Johnson is banned for life after two suspen­ "I sense we're getting better every things and people ngprior to being declared ineligible to compete, sions, but has requested reinstatement. Reynolds day," the sweat-soaked Aikman said. doesn't vary leortofe pA’I F has on several occasions informed the served a 27-month suspension and now is com­ "We're having more peaks than val­ from them," ittle. The' Iff' of its obi iga ti ons u nder the Ama teu r Sports leys. This is a new philosophy for me Aikman said. peting. Slaney was found innocent after several llptlSill ileHear: tt.Therefore, we are outraged that the IAAF months and also is running again. and it's exciting." Aikman "He's definite­ o up of •ingly breached our confidentiality rules, The suspensions come at a time when IOC Aikman and new coach Chan ly in control." !ifcf lethatgi'W1 were Put ’n place to protect those ulti- president Juan Antonio Samaranch has suggest­ m. m m m Gailey have a relationship of re­ Aikman, now a 10-year-veteran, cemenl ate'v determined to be innocent." ed some performance-enhancing drugs be strick­ f « aw 9 spect, and it's obvious in the way feels so good he's even joking officers t! B16 International Amateur Athletic Federation en from the list of banned substances. they work together. about his age. woundedB°sed the indefinite suspensions Monday. They also come as U.S. track and field is Gailey demands discipline and "As long as John Elway, Dan (liejro;Basback said that Barnes and Mitchell would seeking to regain its prestige and reputation tolerates no nonsense on the field. Marino, Warren Moon, and Steve j jeeivethe full support of USATF until such time but has had difficulty attracting sponsors and They're the very two things Aik­ DeBerg are playing I really feel like ^ ^ mis determined that they have committed a television coverage. man found lacking in the departed a young buck," he said. Ppjng offense." In determining an athlete's drug test, the IAAF regime of Barry Switzer. Gailey has confidence and re­ AF spokesperson Giorgio Reineri said Tues- examines a urine sample twice. Reineri said from "I think the offense we had been spect in his "young" quarterback. e could not comment specifically on Mas­ Monaco that only the A sample from Barnes and running was a pretty good one," "Troy thinks he should complete 's remarks. But he said IAAF rules could not Mitchell have been tested. However, that is suffi­ Aikman said. "Those in football every pass," Gailey said. "I'm will­ idjusted for different national federations. cient to levy a suspension. Photo courtesy of Texas A&M Sports Information know it (the problem) was not the ing to concede that's not possible al­ fWe know what the problems and laws are in the If the B samples are positive, the IAAF then Former A&M Track and Field standout Randy system. We won three Super Bowls though I seek perfection. ■" Reineri said. "But we are the governing body rules on the severity of the punishment pending Barnes set the world indoor shotput record in 1989. with it. It wasn't the system. It was "He's just a great person. All ackand field for all countries in the world, and a hearing by USATF. If the B sample is negative, the execution." you have to do is play golf with ave to apply the rules for everybody." the athletes are cleared. stance) is 6:1. Anything above that level merits Now Aikman has a brand-new him to find that out. I doubt we'll esaid it was now up to the U.S. federation to Barnes was first suspended for two years an investigation. offense that sometimes features the ever go on vacation together, but exasstaiefpn the Barnes and Mitchell cases. starting in 1991 for the steroid methyltestos- Mitchell's suspension was handed down last shotgun, four-wide receiver sets he is a perfectionist and there's IitaryWjBarnes, the 1996 Olympic gold medalist and terone at a meet in Malmo, Sweden, in 1990. This week, after he finished fifth in the Goodwill and Michael Irvin in the backfield nothing wrong with that." was p| vorld indoor and outdoor record-holder, and time, the substance is androstenedione, a banned Games 100 and ran on the winning U.S. 400-me­ or in the slot. Asked if he was having fun, ernoon. [hell, the 1992 Olympic bronze medalist in the nutritional supplement. ter relay team. If Mitchell is banned, he and the re­ "Chan has a lot of confidence in Aikman said, "Yeah, for now. But deters, were cited by the IAAF for failing out- Mitchell tested positive for testosterone. If lay team of , Tim Harden and his ability to attack a defense," Aik­ we know the only fun is winning. bmpetition drug tests April 1. found guilty following the B sample, he probably Maurice Greene would be disqualified and forced man said. "He has some really good Last year wasn't. Now, I think we larnes, who could face a life suspension for a would receive a two-year ban. to refund all prize money from the meet. ideas. It all boils down to if we exe­ have a chance again to get back to End offense, was tested in Charleston, W.Va., Reineri did not know the testosterone level in Mitchell was entered in the U.S. Open at Ed- cute we will win. Everyone believes the playoffs." [Mitchell in Gainesville, Fla. Mitchell's sample. The allowable ratio of testos­ wardsville. 111., Saturday night, but the IAAF in what we are doing and it makes it Aikman has shown he can do litchell is president of USATF's Athletes Ad- terone to epitestosterone (another natural sub- would not allow him to compete. exciting to come to practice." wondrous things in the playoffs — [0! And, yes, contrary to popular he's 11-2 in the postseason, and 3-0 misconception, Aikman doesn't in Super Bowls. hate the shotgun. "Right now we're trying to get "I've never said I didn't like the our confidence back," he said. "We Editor aiming’s agent NFL owners unanimously approve shotgun," Aikman said. "It has its need to get comfortable with what ditor good points. I'm more than willing we're doing." 3 Editor to give it a chance. It gives you a lit­ On Tuesday, the rejuvenated Aik­ oducer grees to terms tle extra time to get rid of the ball." man did the unthinkable for some­ McCombs’ purchase of Vikings Aikman caught a lot of the one who has had seven career con­ vs Editor iNDERSON, Ind. (AP) — Peyton Manning's blame last year in the Cowboys' 6- cussions. He scored on a quarterback itand Indianapolis Colts president Bill Polian GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) — Red McCombs committee unanimously endorsed it Monday 10 season. He was sacked 33 times sneak during a live scrimmage. :hed agreement on contract terms for the top will be the new owner of the Minnesota Vikings. night. McCombs' partner, Gary Woods, said the and served up 12 interceptions. Asked what he thought of that, NFL team owners to­ sale should close by mid-August. ake tpick on Tuesday, the club announced, Then, to prove things could get Gailey said, "Well, he scored." earn spokesman Craig Kelley said no details day unanimously ap­ "I think this team has a very good chance e available on the agreement between Polian proved the Vikings' $250 of winning every game on the schedule," Mc­ StepW agent Tom Condon. He said final details on million purchase by the Combs said. agreement would be completed Wednesday. San Antonio business­ McCombs said he will spend a month eval­ nes ESPN reported the contract was worth $45 man and decided how to uating the team but does not anticipate a shake- Valderama fined record amount lion over six years with an $11.6 million bonus. stock the expansion up. He reiterated his promise to keep the team NEW YORK (AP) — Miami Fu­ games for kicking a ball which r Veroi# Negotiations to get Manning, who has missed Cleveland Browns. in Minnesota but said he understands fans' sion midfielder Carlos Valderrama struck referee Ruben Rodhas in the U practices since workouts began at Ander- The new Browns, who concerns about an owner who wants an NFL was fined a record $10,000 by Major Mutiny's 3-2 loss to New England a)i UPF University on Friday, were conducted for will begin play in 1999, team in south Texas. League Soccer Tuesday for refusing on July 4. st of the day at the team's headquarters. will get at least 30 veter­ On Monday night, the league's finance com­ to train with his American club. Miami won Wortmann's debut 2- ■rs. Polian and Condon weren't available for an players from other teams and 14 extra draft mittee unanimously approved McCombs' bid. The 36-year-old midfielder re­ 1 against the Revolution. Wortmann nment. They didn't immediately respond to choices in their first two years, commissioner That committee recommended accepting the bid fused to partiepate in practice on Fri­ was to meet with Valderrama later !phone messages. Paul Tagliabue announced. to the rest of owners. day, hours after Argentine coach Ca­ Tuesday to discuss his status for Mi­ The agreement came two days after quarter- Tagliabue and several owners said the plan will McCombs, who first bid $187 million for the che Cordoba was fired and replaced ami's home match Wednesday night kRyan Leaf, the second overall pick, reached allow the Browns to be competitive immediately Vikings in February, paid a reported $250 mil­ by Ivo Wortmann. He also failed to against Columbus. roir®3 eement on a five-year, $31.25 million deal with much like the Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville lion for the club. His bid was accepted by the show up for Saturday morning's Valderrama, voted MVP of the last _ San Diego Chargers that included an $11.25 Jaguars, the last two expansion teams. Vikings ownership group July 2. training session and Wortmann did two MLS all-star games, is scheduled llion signing bonus. Although Polian and Con- No decision was made on picking an owner "I'm very excited about it," McCombs said. not take the disgruntled player to to start for the World team versus the lf n didn't say so, it was believed they would for the Browns. At least seven groups have pub­ "I expected it to go that way, but it is a very nec­ Boston for Sunday's game against United States in this year's contest on pjujKi' it for the Leaf deal to be finalized to give them licly expressed interest in buying the team, essary step in the approval process and I'm glad the New England Revolution. Sunday at Orlando, Fla. » siKlWltfp etter framework for negotiations. which could go for $500 million or more. we got past it." The fine was double the previ­ The MLS' 1996 season MVP and ^ Polian had said while he had been seeking to tie Tagliabue said owners will meet again Aug. The author originally outbid McCombs and ous largest fine issued by MLS, a one of three finalists for the award 19 to consider bidding for the Browns, which he Vikings president Roger Headrick, but Clancy esw#; Manning for longer. Leaf's contract made the $5,000 sanction to Tampa Bay last year, Valderrama had played in 7843-1'11 Its more willing to accept a five-year contract. said will result in a sale by mid-September. skipped the required finance committee meet­ goalkeeper Thomas Ravelli earlier two league and one U.S. Open Cup Manning has said he wasn't determined to Approval of the Vikings' sale to McCombs ing when it became apparent he didn't have the this month. matches since his return from the at Leaf's deal. had been expected after the league's finance $200 million to back the bid. Ravelli also was suspended six World Cup on July 18.