Around the Nation (Feb. 6): NCAA to receive results of Miami review next week

Associated Press Published:

ASSOCIATED PRESS

COLLEGE

NCAA to get results for Miami next week

INDIANAPOLIS -- The NCAA says it expects to receive the results of an independent review of inappropriate actions by members of its enforcement staff who have been investigating the University of Miami football program by the end of next week.

The NCAA announced in a news release Wednesday that the review has been completed and a final report is being put together.

NCAA President Mark Emmert ordered the review after it was learned the enforcement staff had botched the high-profile investigation of the University of Miami by improperly conducting at least two depositions while working with an attorney for booster Nevin Shapiro. Miami has been under investigation since the convicted Ponzi scheme mastermind said he had provided improper benefits to Hurricanes recruits.

BASEBALL

Reds renew rights with WLW through 2017

CINCINNATI -- The Reds have renewed their radio rights agreement with flagship station WLW through 2017.

The Cincinnati radio station first went on the air in 1922 led by Powel Crosley, Jr., who would later own the ballclub. The station first broadcast a Reds game in 1924 and has served as the team's flagship station since 1969. The club's radio network includes 93 radio affiliates in nine states, one of the largest in professional sports.

Marty Brennaman is starting his 40th year of broadcasting Reds games on WLW. He's one of three Reds radio broadcasters who have received the Ford C. Fricke Award from baseball's Hall of Fame, along with Red Barber and Russ Hodges.

Rockies' Todd Helton arrested on DUI charge

DENVER -- Five-time All-Star Todd Helton has been arrested on a charge of driving under the influence.

The Colorado Rockies first baseman was arrested at about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Denver suburb of Thornton.

In a statement released by the Rockies, Helton says he is embarrassed and apologized to his family, the team and the community.

He added, "I humbly ask your forgiveness."

Officials in Thornton say Helton was arrested after someone called police to report a drunken driver. They say Helton's blood-alcohol content was over the legal limit but they haven't released the number.

Helton is a career .320 hitter. The 39-year-old played only 69 games last year before undergoing hip surgery in August. He is expected to return for his 17th season this year.

Swarzak's cracked ribs came from wrestling

MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Twins pitcher Anthony Swarzak has two cracked ribs, the freak result of some ill-fated horseplay during a gathering with teammates last month.

Swarzak will miss at least the first two weeks of spring training, a setback to his bid for a roster spot as a long reliever.

General manager Terry Ryan said Wednesday that Swarzak was hurt the night of Jan. 25 when he was wrestling with other unnamed Twins. They were together that weekend for the team's annual fan festival.

Swarzak felt soreness on his left side that didn't go away, and he was recently diagnosed with the fractures. Ryan says the 27-year-old right-hander was not in a fight.

Rare 1865 card to be auctioned in Maine

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Six-figure bids are expected when a rare 148-year-old baseball card discovered at a rural Maine yard sale is auctioned.

Saco River Auction Co. in Biddeford is holding an auction Wednesday that includes a card depicting the Brooklyn Atlantics amateur baseball club.

The card isn't the same as a modern-day baseball card, which became common in the 1880s. Rather, it's an original photograph from 1865 mounted on a card, showing nine players and a manager.

The Library of Congress says it's aware of only two copies of the photo. The other is in the institution's collection.

The auction house says a man found the card inside an old photo album he bought while antique picking in the small town of Baileyville on the Canadian border.

ICE HOCKEY

Blue Jackets' Dubinsky fined, not suspended

COLUMBUS -- Blue Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky was fined $10,000 Wednesday, the maximum allowed under the new NHL collective bargaining agreement, for boarding Los Angeles defenseman Rob Scuderi in Columbus' 4-2 loss to the Kings on Tuesday. He will not be suspended.

The incident occurred at 11:29 of the second period, and set off a rash of penalties. Not long after, Dubinsky and Los Angeles forward Mike Richards fought. All told, 37 minutes in penalties were handed out, and Dubinsky was assessed a major penalty for the original incident, as well as a game misconduct.

Dubinsky was acquired over the summer from the New York Rangers in the trade for forward Rick Nash. He has four points this season.

Columbus options Johansen to AHL

COLUMBUS -- The Columbus Blue Jackets have assigned center Ryan Johansen to their American Hockey League affiliate in Springfield, Mass.

The 20-year-old Johansen has two assists in 10 games with the Blue Jackets this season. He had 14 goals and 13 assists in 34 games with Springfield before the belated start of the NHL season.

He won 8-of-9 faceoffs in more than 16 minutes on the ice in Columbus' 4-2 loss to Los Angeles on Tuesday night.

SOCCER

Honduras rallies to top U.S. in Cup qualifier

Jerry Bengston took advantage of a defensive mix-up to score the go-ahead goal in the 79th minute, and Honduras rallied to beat the United States 2-1 Wednesday in the opener of the final qualifying round for next year's World Cup.

Clint Dempsey put the Americans ahead in the 36th minute but the Americans, using a new-look defense that featured Omar Gonzalez and Timmy Chandler, gave up the lead when Juan Carlos Garcia tied the score in the 40th at San Pedro Sula.

BASKETBALL

Pau Gasol has torn plantar fascia on foot

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Pau Gasol has been diagnosed with a tear of the plantar fascia of his right foot a day after he said he felt a pop in the foot during the Lakers' victory over the Nets.

The Lakers said Wednesday that an MRI revealed the injury.

The team said the results will be sent to team doctors in Los Angeles for analysis and that Gasol will return Thursday to be examined by team physician Dr. Steve Lombardo and foot specialist Dr. Kenneth Jung.

The Lakers say they will give a timeline for Gasol's return after the examination.

Stern sees HGH testing coming to NBA next year

MINNEAPOLIS -- Commissioner David Stern says he thinks the NBA is on track to begin testing its players for human growth hormone, perhaps as early as next season.

Stern met with media in Minneapolis on Wednesday in advance of the game between the Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs. He says the league is watching developments in the NFL and Major League Baseball as those two leagues try to address testing for HGH. He says if both leagues get approval to test players, as he expects them to, the NBA will be right there behind them.

Stern says "It's not a commitment, not a promise" to have it in place for next season. But he complimented the players on their willingness to address drug testing and says "We're well on our way."

WNBA MVP Jackson to miss '13 season

SEATTLE -- The Seattle Storm will be without three-time league MVP Lauren Jackson for the 2013 season while she stays in Australia to recover from recent hamstring surgery.

The Storm made the roster announcement Wednesday. Her contract has been suspended and she is expected to play for Seattle in the 2014 season.

Jackson underwent surgery last month in Melbourne. She is expected to make a full recovery.

The WNBA season will begin on May 24.

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