SPORTS N STUFF

Cincinnati has given football coach Brian Kelly a contract extension, adding a year at nearly $1,5 million.

The school said Monday that Kelly is guaranteed $1.475 million to coach the Bearcats through the 2013 season. He had been signed through 2012.

The school said there are also performance-based incentives for Kelly and that the new deal also raises pay for his assistant coaches.

Kelly signed a five-year contract worth $6.3 million in December 2007 following his first full season at Cincinnati. The new deal must be approved by the schools board of trustees.

Kelly last season led the Bearcats to a Big East title and an Orange Bowl appearance.

George Belotti, a three-year football letterman at Southern California in the mid-1950s who was a member of the American Football Leagues first championship team, has died. He was 74.

Belotti died Monday in suburban Arcadia from complications of a stroke, the university said Tuesday. He lived in Covina.

Belotti played left tackle at USC from 1954-56, and appeared in the 1954 Rose Bowl and the 1957 Hula Bowl.

He was an eighth-round draft pick by the NFLs Green Bay Packers, but instead played center with the Houston Oilers in 1960 when they won the first AFL championship. In 1961, he played briefly for both the Oilers, who repeated as AFL champions, and the San Diego Chargers.

Belotti worked for Jorgensen Steel and Aluminum and Pacific Clay Products after his football career ended.

He is survived his wife, Marie, twin daughters Mara Spilker and Cristina Witham, and a granddaughter.

The Associated Press and other Florida news organizations sued the NCAA and Florida State University on Monday, charging they schemed to violate open government laws by not making correspondence public about an academic cheating scandal at the school.

This action concerns a scheme created to avoid public access, the 21-page lawsuit said. The scheme developed by the NCAA and aided by FSU and its counsel is particularly insidious to Floridas constitutional and statuory guarantee of access to public records.

The dispute is over a response the NCAA gave Florida State on its appeal of sanctions resulting from an academic cheating scandal. The school would be stripped of wins in 10 sports, including football. That would seriously hurt Bobby Bowdens bid to become college footballs all-time winningest coach.

Florida State President T.K. Wetherell said he wouldnt be doing his job if the school didnt get sued occasionally.

Im in the crossfire, added Wetherell, who is also named as a defendant in his capacity as president.

The NCAA will reserve comment regarding this lawsuit until we have received and had a chance to review it, NCAA spokeswoman Stacey Osburn said Monday. As customary with NCAA processes, the outcome of Florida State Universitys appeal will be made public once the decision is rendered by the NCAA Division I Infractions Appeals Committee.

The lawsuit filed in Leon County circuit court names attorneys of the GrayRobinson law firm, representing Florida State in the appeal of the NCAA sanctions, will represent the university in the open-records matter.

We look forward to the resolution of this lawsuit and hope it will lead to complete compliance with the publics right to know, said Betty Steffens, the universitys general counsel.

This falls eagerly awaited return of Minnesota football to campus after 27 years will feature nostalgia, pageantry and fresh air. But no beer.

University President Robert Bruininks is expected to recommend Friday that regents ban alcohol from the new TCF Bank Stadium following a dispute with state lawmakers.

We know people will drink before they get to our games. Were not naive, Bruininks told The Associated Press on Thursday. But we do think this is the best, most responsible way to manage our game days and to really make this a high-quality experience for our fans.

Lawmakers and Gov. Tim Pawlenty had set conditions for a stadium liquor license, saying the school could sell alcohol stadium-wide or not at all. They also blocked the university from serving free alcohol to fans in premium seating areas, such as luxury boxes and club rooms.

University officials opposed the conditions, saying stadium-wide sales would be out-of-step with campus stadiums in the Big 10 and send the wrong message to students about drinking. Lawmakers argued that limiting booze to people holding expensive tickets smacked of elitism.

The old campus stadium was torn down after the school shifted games to downtown Minneapolis in 1982. The novelty of the climate-controlled Metrodome wore off fast. Average attendance steadily slipped and fans began clamoring for a new home. Three years ago, state lawmakers authorized the $288 million, horseshoe shaped stadium with room for 50,000 fans.

The decision to go dry will be a change from collegiate games in the Dome, where fans could buy beer no matter where they sat.

By the time the Gophers host their first game Sept. 12, Bruininks said the university will have settled on a plan for keeping intoxicated people from entering the stadium and removing unruly fans who do get in.

Bruininks doesnt expect the Board of Regents to formally act on his alcohol-policy recommendation until June 24. He is also extending the no-alcohol policy to the hockey teams Mariucci Arena and the basketball teams Williams Arena. While alcohol isnt broadly sold in either, it has been available in suite and reception areas.

Southern California athletic director Mike Garrett and another senior administrator have gone online to discuss twin NCAA investigations involving the Trojans football and basketball programs.

Video statements from Garrett and Todd Dickey, senior vice president for administration, were posted on the universitys web site Thursday, two days after Tim Floyd resigned as basketball coach following allegations that he paid to have O.J. Mayo delivered to the Trojans.

Dickey addressed the fact that no one from USC has spoken publicly about the allegations of NCAA violations involving Mayo and Heisman Trophy-winning running back Reggie Bush.

Its actually happened before, but this is a guy who had an NFL career that most only dream of. Jason Fabini, a Bearcat from 1993-1997 is retiring from pro football after an 11-year career (eight with the Jets, a year with the Cowboys, and the last two with the Washington Redskins).

I found this out as I was approaching 471 on the way home from UC the other day after trying to track Fabini down for a couple days.

Im retiring, he confirmed. I played 11 years with some great organizations. I made some life-long friends and Ive had some great experiences. The last two years in Washington I really enjoyed. It was a nice group of guyswe were pretty goodbut never good enough I guess.

I mentioned to Jason that his retirement brought to a close that great recruiting class of April 98 that saw five Bearcats go to the league. (A refresher: Artrell Hawkins in round 2, Brad Jackson in round 3, Fabini in round 4, Derrick Ransom in round 6 and Rod Monroe in round 7.)

I guess thats good, Fabini said. We did have a good class come out in 98. We actually had some good talent on that team. I guess sometimes talent doesnt equal wins. I think everyone that plays sports knows that.

Not that the 97 team was a flop. Far from it.

Its just that Ive always said that team easily couldve been 10-1 going into that Humanitarian Bowl.

8-4 with the bowl game, I just think we had a lot of talent and we probably lost some games we shouldve won, Fabini said in agreement.

Like most of his class, the bowl game in Boise stands out in Fabinis college career.

Definitely, it was something that hadnt been done in 47 years and that group of guys on the team was able to do it, Jason said. I think now its a regular thing (bowl games) which is great. But, when we went it hadnt been done in 47 years. We were good enough my first year there to go to a bowl, but nobody wanted us (1993 Tim Murphy team that went 8-3). I think just by going to the bowl game that year put UC football back on the map somehow. It made people recognize that we did play football at UC and we had good players.

Individually, I recalled a touchdown Fabini scored late in 97. As the sideline reporter, I found his Mom in the stands and went up and put her on the air. (I never felt obligated to be tied to the sidelines.)
Yeah, I fell on one, Fabini recalled.

I told him years from now that fall will be a leaping grab in the endzone.

Yeah, high leaping catchmaybe a 20-yard-run too! laughed Fabini.

As many have seen, the football operations have changed dramatically since Jason Fabini played his last game as a Bearcat in 1997. Particularly, in strength and conditioning.

The training Im sure is a lot different you know, said Fabini. We had a great strength coach then in Mickey Marotti (left UC for Notre Dame, now with Urban Meyer at Florida).

Mickey didnt have near the facilities that Paul Longo has now.

When I was in town when we (the Redskins) played the Bengals, I went up there and Wid (Football Administrator John Widecan) showed me the new facility, Fabini said. Im telling you the weight room they have now is unbelievable! I saw the campus and its really beautiful. Its great to see it and to think about where the campus has come in 10 years. When I was walking around an NFL locker room, I had some pride in Cincinnati and the way theyve been playing football the last couple of years.

And, Jason was able to be in Miami this past January for the Orange Bowl to witness more Bearcat history.

It was unbelievable, Fabini repeated. I actually went to the game. Unfortunately, we (the Redskins) didnt make the playoffs, so I was able to go. It was great. I couldnt believe all the people in the stands. It was unbelievable, it really was!

Not a bad response from a guy who actually participated in NFL playoff games in venues like Dolphin (now Land Shark) Stadium.

I was in nine, maybe 10, Fabini remembered. I did play in an AFC championship game (Jets in 99) but we couldnt beat the Broncos to go to the Super Bowl.

Now, the behemoth 6-7 312 -pound Fabini will retire at the ripe, young age of 34. Hell be 35 in August. After 11 years in the NFL, well do what Rick Minter would often say and take our hat off to him.

Next order of business?

Ive got four boys, Ive got a lot of work, Fabini said. I dont know. Starting this summer Im going to do an internship with the Kansas City Chiefs. Im going to go out there and work with my offensive line coach I had with the Jets my first four years. Im going to do that and see how I like it. Coaches are amazing, they put a lot of time into their craft and I dont know if Im willing to make that commitment at this time. But, Im going to go out there and see if I like it and see if its something I might want to do in the future.

While the 2008 season was a memorable one for USC and its fans, at least one Trojan is glad to have that done with.

Running back Allen Bradford had a forgettable year filled with transfer rumors, trouble for some of his closest friends on the team and a season-ending injury.

But instead of wearing the powerful running back down, the adversity has him working even harder and primed for a breakout season.

Im focused on what Ive got to do, Bradford said. I havent played since October. It feels like, man, forever. Just forever. Im just happy to go out there again and put work in.

Bradford has been participating in players-only workouts, and he expects to be a full participant in summer conditioning drills when they begin on Monday. Bradford said he still wants to be smart about his comeback, though.

Im going to be able to start workouts on June 8th. No nerves or anything. Im just happy to be back in the groove of things. I cant wait to be running out there full speed and see where my hips at, Bradford said. Im going to go all out as much as I can, but I dont think Ill be doing much heavy lifting on my legs yet. Im going to stick to my rehab with my legs and just do upper body.

Bradford enters the summer, hoping to put a tumultuous 2008 behind him. One of Bradfords closest friends on the team, Shareece Wright, broke his neck and was arrested. Bradfords roommate, Vidal Hazelton, left the team. And Bradford tore the labrum in his hip, ending his season prematurely.

But hes not thinking of that right now. Hes got another focus.

Thats what Im aiming for, to be the power back, Bradford said. I just want to do what I can do and play. Im going to take whatever Im given and just run with it.

Bradford wont let USCs other running backs change his style. He knows who he is and what he can don.

Im just going to continue to play how I can play, the way I did before I got hurt. Thats how I play. Im not going to go out there and try to act like Reggie Bush. Im not going to be C.J. Gable. Im not going out there to juke everybody; Ill do it if I have to.

Most of the time, Im just going to go heads up.

Bradfords approaching his past the same way. He knows that hes been through some rough times, but hes taken it head on with the hope of writing a better future.

Its over, but I have a long ways to go. I still have two years left, Bradford said. I still have to come back in August and show them I havent lost a step. I have to be ready in August and show them Ive gotten better.

Im playing with a chip on my shoulder. I just want to play hard and give it all every play.

im Owens, who led a resurgence of West Coast football during his 18 seasons as University of Washington coach, has died at age 82.

Owens died Saturday at his home in Bigfork, Mont., Washington athletics spokesman Richard Kilwien said.

Owens, who played at Oklahoma for Bud Wilkinson, coach at Washington from 1957 until his retirement in 1974. He went 99-82-6 in his nearly two decades as Huskies coach, including three Rose Bowl trips. He also served as athletic director at UW from 1960-69.

His accomplishments at UW were honored in 2003 when the university dedicated a statue of Owens outside one of the entrances to Husky Stadium. But that honor came with protests about his treatment of black players during his time at Washington.

To my players, I thank them and apologize for any hurt they may feel. I hope today we can begin to heal the wounds of the past, Owens said the day his statue was dedicated.

While having a successful playing career, Owens was better known for his efforts as a coach, quickly raising the profile of West Coast football in his early years at Washington.

Owens spent six seasons as an assistant to Paul Bear Bryant before taking over the Huskies program in 1957 from Darrell Royal at age 29.

It took only three seasons for Owens to get Washington to the Rose Bowl.

The Huskies capped a 10-1 season in 1959 with a 44-8 win over Wisconsin on Jan. 1, 1960. It was Washingtons first Rose Bowl appearance since 1944 and the first of three Rose Bowl trips for the Huskies under Owens watch.

Washington went 10-1 again in 1960 and beat No. 1 Minnesota 17-7 in the Rose Bowl. The Huskies only loss that season was 15-14 to Navy.

Owens also took Washington to the Rose Bowl in 1964, losing to Illinois 17-7.

But his tenure at Washington wasnt without controversy. In 1969, Washington was winless entering the yearly Apple Cup showdown with rival Washington State and Owens had weathered accusations of racism for suspending four black players who declined to pledge loyalty. That move led to boycotts and calls for his resignation.

Owens retired five years later, but met with two of his former suspended black players and apologized in 2003 before the university dedicated the statue. Leaders from the NAACP protested the school honoring Owens in 2003, saying his actions hurt black athletes at Washington and the black community of Seattle.

That was a painful time, especially for some of the black athletes we coached, Owens said the day before his statue was unveiled. Some of the decisions I made during that time were decisions I felt would be the best for the team. It was never my intention to single out the black athletes in any way.

One of the players Owens apologized to was Greg Alex.

I dont think anyone wants to cause pain. He apologized. And he wanted to do that, Alex said in 2005. Does that make up for what happened? No, it doesnt. A lot of people were hurt, a lot of families were hurt, by what happened … .

He asked each of us to support him. I said, We support the team, but I have to tell you that you are wrong, Alex said. In those days, you didnt tell a coach or anyone in a position of authority, You are wrong.

Former Arkansas defensive tackle Keith Jackson Jr was arrested on Friday on suspicion of felony drug charges after being found in an apartment with marijuana, cocaine and Ecstasy.

Prosecutors in Little Rock District Court said that 2 pounds of marijuana, 1 gram of cocaine and about 50 tablets of Ecstasy were found in the apartment. Three other people were also arrested, and police said two minor children were at the apartment when they executed a search warrant.

Jackson, 24, was arrested on suspicion of possession of marijuana, cocaine and Ecstasy with intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal use of anothers property.

Marvin Johnson, 22, of Little Rock was arrested on the same charges.

Police also arrested the pair who lived in the apartment – David Adams, 27, and Lacanna Smith, 24 – on the same charges, as well as maintaining a drug premises and endangering the welfare of a minor.

Jackson said nothing during a brief court appearance, his hands cuffed behind his back. He was later released on $50,000 bond.

Jackson was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in 2007 but released that year. He signed with the San Diego Chargers in 2008 but was again released. He is the son of Keith Jackson, who played for the Eagles, Dolphins and Packers in the 1980s and 90s.

Boston College quarterback Dominique Davis is transferring after his academic suspension. The school said Tuesday he has not decided where he will go.

The Eagles are coming off a 9-5 season and Davis was projected to start this fall. He started the last three games as a redshirt freshman following an injury to senior Chris Crane.

In six games, Davis completed 63 of 138 passes for 741 yards. He threw for six touchdowns and four interceptions.

Davis led a 70-yard drive in the final minutes of a 24-21 comeback win over Wake Forest. He completed passes of 36 and 21 yards before scoring on a 1-yard run with 1:12 left.