College Athletics
President Emmert supports effective, efficient NCAA
INDIANAPOLIS – Mark Emmert wants the NCAA to fast-track upgrades for college athletes, regardless of whether a player union is pushing for them.
One day before the board of directors meets in Indianapolis and two days before Northwestern football players are scheduled to vote on creating college sports’ first union, the NCAA president told The Associated Press that a new governance system could solve many problems by providing more opportunities for college athletes and their families.
A formal vote on the proposal is not expected until at least this summer.
The 57-page draft proposal would give schools in the five biggest conferences (ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12 and SEC) more autonomy to implement changes deemed to be in the best interests of their athletes. The list could include adding the full cost of attendance in scholarships, expanded health insurance, additional help with academic and career counseling and providing money for the families of athletes to travel to NCAA tournament events.
Cycling
Valverde wins Walloon Arrow, spring’s penultimate classic
BRUSSELS – Alejandro Valverde of Spain timed his climb on the closing Wall of Huy to perfection to win the Walloon Arrow classic ahead of Daniel Martin of Ireland and Michal Kwiatkowski of Poland on Wednesday.
Valverde won in 4½ hours.
The major spring classics will end with Sunday’s 100th Liege-Bastogne-Liege race.
Golf
Buck and the Shark to call Fox’s U.S. Open coverage
LOS ANGELES – Joe Buck and Greg Norman will call the U.S. Open when it moves to Fox next year.
The network signed a 12-year rights deal with the U.S. Golf Association in August to air the Open and its other championships. Fox said Wednesday that two-time British Open champion Norman would join Buck on its lead golf announcing team.
Buck is Fox’s top play-by-play voice for its Major League Baseball and National Football League coverage. An avid golfer, he currently plays at a 3 handicap.
NBC’s final U.S. Open will be at Pinehurst No. 2 in June.
NBA
Most improved team draws the most improved player
PHOENIX – Of course, the NBA’s most improved team would have its most improved player.
Goran Dragic, whose breakout season helped the Phoenix Suns make a remarkable transformation, was presented the most improved award at a ceremony Wednesday at US Airways Center.
The 6-3 Slovenian, who will turn 28 in two weeks, flourished under first-year head coach Jeff Hornacek’s double-point guard system, teaming with Eric Bledsoe to form a dynamic backcourt.
Dragic averaged 20.5 points and 5.9 assists per game, shooting 50.5 percent from the field, 40.8 percent on 3-pointers. He was the only player in the NBA to shoot better than 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3-point range.
Dragic received 408 of a possible 1,134 points, including 65 first-place votes, from a panel of 126 sports writers and broadcasters in Canada and the United States. Indiana’s Lance Stephenson was second with 158 points and 13 first-place votes, and New Orleans’ Anthony Davis was third with 155 points and 16 first-place votes.
NEW YORK – Four WNBA teams will take part in a preseason tournament in Orlando over Mother’s Day weekend.
The Indiana Fever will play the Chicago Sky in the opener May 9, with the Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury set to meet in the second game of the doubleheader. The two winners and two losers will play each other two days later.
Along with the tournament, the teams will conduct a full slate of autograph sessions, clinics and practices and in conjunction with an AAU girls basketball tournament that is taking place that weekend featuring more than 1,500 players.
Associated Press
