NEWARK, N.J. — In an effort to reduce the number of concussions and subconcussive hits, Ivy League football teams will be allowed to have just two full-contact practices a week, three fewer than the NCAA allows.
The league announced Wednesday that the presidents of its eight schools have accepted a series of recommendations made by a special committee that put the Ivy League in a leadership role in trying to limit concussive hits in football.
The recommendations, which will take effect this season, also limit contact workouts to one during preseason two-a-day workouts. The league also will put further emphasis on educating student-athletes on proper tackling technique, the signs and symptoms of concussion, and the potential short- and long-term ramifications of repetitive brain trauma.
• South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said “in all likelihood” senior quarterback Stephen Garcia will be back in the fold for preseason camp, adding, “I guess we don’t want to kick him out for stupidity.”
Garcia was suspended for the fifth time in April, this one for his behavior in a life skills seminar.
Jenkins retires from NFL
NEW YORK — Defensive tackle Kris Jenkins announced his retirement on his Facebook page after his last two seasons with the New York Jets were cut short by serious knee injuries.
• Former Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon was released from a Nevada hospital after suffering torn ligaments in his foot and trauma to his head, neck and back in a crash in a limousine Monday in Nevada.
• Myra Kraft, wife of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and a hard-working philanthropist dedicated to numerous causes, died in Foxborough, Mass., after a battle with cancer. She was 68.
Serena enters Open field with special ranking
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Serena Williams is using her special injury-protected No. 1 ranking to get into the U.S. Open field. Williams is ranked 172nd, and only the top 105 players have been granted direct entry into the field for the year’s last major championship, which starts Aug. 29 in New York. But because Williams was sidelined more than six months by a series of health issues, she has the right to use her special ranking to enter up to eight tournaments, including one Grand Slam.
Footnotes.
Goalie Patrick Lalime retired after playing for five NHL teams and going 200-174-48 over 12 seasons.
• The Detroit Red Wings signed Ty Conklin to a one-year contract after the goalie went 8-8-4 last season with the St. Louis Blues.
• Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik had hernia surgery and is expected to be back in time for the start of the 2011-12 regular season.
• Stephen McCarthy‘s header in the 73rd minute helped the New England Revolution snap a nine-game winless streak and earn its first road victory of the season with a 1-0 win over D.C. United.
• Brek Shea‘s goal in the 48th minute lifted visiting FC Dallas to a 1-0 win over Toronto FC.
• ESPN is moving Allen Bestwick into the booth as lead play-by-play announcer for its NASCAR coverage.
The Associated Press
