LOS ANGELES — The NCAA rejected Southern California’s bid to reduce some of the penalties imposed last year on its football program, including a two-year bowl ban and the loss of 30 scholarships over three years, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.
A USC spokesman confirmed the school has received a response from the NCAA regarding its appeal, but he said NCAA rules prevent USC from commenting on the decision until it is released today.
The NCAA had cited USC for a lack of institutional control.
Athletic director Pat Haden and the school’s legal representatives argued a two-year bowl ban and the loss of 30 scholarships over three years was excessive. The school sought to have the bowl ban reduced to one year, already served in 2010, and to have the scholarships reduction limited to five a year over three years.
Stewart interested in Patrick
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tony Stewart would be interested in signing Danica Patrick if she makes a full-time move to NASCAR.
But Stewart only would be interested in signing Patrick to a Sprint Cup ride for Stewart-Haas Racing, which does not field a second-tier Nationwide Series team.
“Anybody that’s got a Cup team that would have the availability would jump at the chance to do something with her,” Stewart said. “You would be crazy not to entertain an offer like that.”
Patrick is running a limited Nationwide schedule for JR Motorsports for a second consecutive year. She’s got an option year coming up on her contract with Andretti Autosport and is deciding whether to stay in IndyCar or make a move to full-time NASCAR next year.
• Roush Fenway Racing will hold Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne out of this weekend’s 900 miles of racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the fifth consecutive week he’ll miss because of an inflammatory condition.
Footnotes.
Right wing Kyle Okposo agreed to a five-year, $14 million deal to stay with the New York Islanders.
• Three-time Stanley Cup winner and two-time Olympic silver medalist Brian Rafalski confirmed he’s retiring after 11 seasons in the NHL, leaving $6 million and one year on his contract to spend more time with his wife and three children.
• Boxer Antonio Margarito, who underwent cataract surgery to repair what was considered a career-threatening eye injury suffered in a lopsided loss to Manny Pacquiao in November, could return to the ring as early as October.
• Michigan State basketball guard Russell Byrd is scheduled to have surgery on his left foot Friday, likely keeping him sidelined four months.
• Earnest Ross, the leading scorer (13.1 ppg) and rebounder (6.6 rpg) for Auburn last season, is leaving the program.
• The University of Michigan announced its men’s lacrosse team will be an NCAA Division I program next season and the women will begin varsity competition the following year.
• Alberto Contador maintained his overall lead, while Diego Ulissi won a contentious three-man sprint finish in the 17th stage of the Giro d’Italia.
The Associated Press
