College Football
Air Force, Army, Navy face another uncertain week
The service academy football teams are preparing to play this weekend’s scheduled games while still facing some uncertainty because of the partial government shutdown.
Navy athletic director Chet Gladchuk said Monday he and Naval Academy officials were providing more information to the Defense Department that shows the academy will not use government funds to play at Duke on Saturday.
“(Monday), I know that the Department of Defense is again reviewing addition information as it pertains to expenses and travel and no government spending. Hopefully we’re gaining even more confidence in the fact that we’re financially independent.
“No one has told us we can’t play.”
Air Force is scheduled to play a home game against Mountain West Conference rival San Diego State on Thursday night. Army will be at home against Eastern Michigan. Spokesmen for both academies said the teams are preparing to play.
Auto Racing
Tony Stewart recovering from leg surgery No. 3
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – NASCAR driver Tony Stewart is recovering from a third surgery on his right leg following an August crash at an Iowa sprint car track.
Stewart-Haas Racing said the procedure was done Monday to examine and close a wound on his shin stemming from the broken tibia and fibula he suffered in the Aug. 5 crash at Southern Iowa Speedway. He remains hospitalized for observation.
The team said the surgery was a proactive measure, and Stewart is expected back with the team next season. He also had surgery on Aug. 6 and Aug. 8, with the latter procedure done to insert a metal rod inside the tibia.
NHL
Winless this season, Flyers dump head coach Laviolette
PHILADELPHIA – Despite a preseason vote of confidence from ownership, the Philadelphia Flyers fired coach Peter Laviolette on Monday after an 0-3 start.
The Flyers made the announcement at a morning news conference, less than a day after Philadelphia dropped a 2-1 decision to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Assistant Craig Berube, in his seventh season with the organization, will take over as coach. He is the Flyers’ 18th coach in team history.
Laviolette dealt with rumors of his firing last season, a year in which the Flyers missed the playoffs after the lockout shortened the campaign. It was the only season in which he failed to make the postseason in Philadelphia. He was hired early in the 2009 season after John Stevens was fired and led the Flyers on an improbable run to the 2010 Stanley Cup finals, where they lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in six games.
NFL
NFL to meet with American Indian tribe over Redskins
WASHINGTON – The NFL said it will meet with representatives of an American Indian tribe from New York that is campaigning for the Washington Redskins to change their nickname.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Monday a meeting was scheduled for next month and could happen sooner.
The Oneida Indian Nation held a symposium on the issue Monday in Washington to coincide with the NFL owners’ meetings taking place across town.
skiing
Former giant slalom world champion Hoelzl retires
FLATTACH, Austria – Former giant slalom world champion Kathrin Hoelzl of Germany has announced her retirement after years of struggling with injuries and illness.
Hoelzl won GS gold in 2009 but had to pull out with back pains two years later while defending her title in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Hoelzl suffered from a metabolic illness and since has competed in just one World Cup race – in Lienz, Austria, in Dec. 2011.
Associated Press
