COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Texas A&M is looking into joining the Southeastern Conference and contemplating remaining in the Big 12.
School president R. Bowen Loftin offered his first detailed comments on the Aggies’ rather public interest in joining the SEC.
“We’ve made no decision about terminating our relationship with the Big 12,” Loftin said.
Loftin met with reporters shortly after receiving authority from the board of regents to take any action he deems necessary in terms of realignment. He said Texas A&M is looking only at the SEC right now, but didn’t rule out other possibilities.
• Missouri senior offensive tackle and co-captain Elvis Fisher collapsed at practice, screaming in pain and clutching his left knee before he was helped off the field by two trainers.
• NCAA investigators visited the University of Miami campus, looking into claims that more than a dozen former or current football players received gifts and services from convicted Ponzi schemer Nevin Shapiro, his attorney said.
Umenyiora returns to team
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Having given up his bid for a new contract, two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora practiced with the New York Giants for the first time since training camp opened last month.
The 29-year-old Umenyiora worked with the first- team defense Monday, splitting snaps at right end with second-year pro Jason Pierre Paul.
Umenyiora declined to talk to the media.
• New Orleans coach Sean Payton says the Saints have released right tackle Jon Stinchcomb, who has started for the team since Payton arrived in 2006 and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2009.
Jets player found dead
COLEMAN, Alberta — Winnipeg Jets center Rick Rypien was found dead in his home, nine months after he took a leave of absence to deal with an undisclosed personal matter.
An official with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police called Rypien’s death sudden, but not suspicious. Rypien, a cousin of Super Bowl MVP quarterback Mark Rypien, was 27.
Fighting Sioux nickname to be changed
BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota’s Board of Higher Education decided to retire the University of North Dakota’s Fighting Sioux nickname by year’s end in a move that anticipates lawmakers will soon repeal a law requiring the school to keep the nickname.
The board, which has eight voting members, agreed unanimously to restart the process of dumping the nickname and a logo depicting an American Indian warrior, symbols that the NCAA says are offensive.
Footnotes.
Wyatt Koch blasted a three-run home run to carry Pennsylvania over New Jersey 5-2 and into the Little League World Series in Bristol, Conn.
Keystone will play Friday against the winner of the Great Lakes Region.
• Former American 100-meter champion Michael Rodgers tested positive for a stimulant found in an energy drink and could be ineligible for the world track championships later this month.
The Associated Press
