BATON ROUGE, La. — LSU postponed its football game against Troy after Hurricane Gustav damaged Tiger Stadium and battered Louisiana’s capital city far worse than anticipated.
The university made the decision Wednesday, after having a full day to get a handle on damage to the stadium and the community, much of which is expected to be without power into next week.
“The welfare of the people of Baton Rouge, the uncertain power issues facing all of us and the condition of Tiger Stadium were all factors in making this decision,” LSU athletic director Joe Alleva said.
The Tigers’ game against the Trojans will be played Nov. 15.
• Pitt outside linebacker Adam Gunn could miss the rest of his senior season with a broken neck caused when he collided with teammate Scott McKillop during Saturday’s loss to Bowling Green.
• Michigan running back Kevin Grady will play against Miami of Ohio on Saturday after being suspended for the season opener.
• Sophomore Christian Ponder will start at quarterback for Florida State in its season opener against Western Carolina.
• Former Cincinnati quarterback Ben Mauk lost his final appeal to the NCAA for more playing time.
Bruins sign Yelle
BOSTON — Boston signed center Stephane Yelle, who spent the last five seasons with Calgary after seven seasons with Colorado. He has 85 goals and 239 points in 844 games.
• Forward Mats Sundin said he’s unsure if his 37-year-old body can handle another grueling year in the NHL and he “will not make up my mind before the season starts.”
WTA Tour to allow on-court coaching
NEW YORK — Women’s tennis players will be able to consult with their coaches during matches starting next year, though the WTA Tour’s motivation for the move seems to be aiding fans as much as competitors.
To visit their players on court, coaches must agree to wear a microphone so television audiences can hear the conversations. Coaches will be allowed to visit their players once per set, and only during the allotted changeover time. They can also come on court when the opponent takes a medical break.
Footnotes.
San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili had arthroscopic surgery to repair a ligament injury in his left ankle. He will be in a splint and on crutches for three weeks, at which point his rehabilitation schedule will be determined.
• Former Kansas stars Mario Chalmers and Darrell Arthur were sent home from the NBA’s mandatory rookie transition program for violating unspecified league rules.
• After weeks of speculation, Oklahoma City’s new NBA franchise revealed the team would be called Thunder.
• Tommy Bolt, the 1958 U.S. Open champion who had one of golf’s sweetest swings and most explosive tempers, died Saturday in Cherokee Village, Ark., after “his liver shut down,” according to his wife, Mary Lou Bolt. He was 92.
• Penske Racing hired David Stremme to replace Daytona 500 winner Ryan Newman.
The Associated Press
