School athletics
Syracuse University appoints diversity director for sports

By John Kekis Jul. 10, 2020 02:01 AM EDT
Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack has added a position to his department, bucking a trend toward athletic cuts during the coronavirus pandemic. ...

Ricardo Zapata, left, a photographer for the Los Angeles Angels, has his temperature taken by Sarah Morris before entering Angels Stadium for baseball practice on Monday, July 6, 2020, in Anaheim, Calif. New protocols like temperature checks, social distancing, and limiting amount of people allowed in sports venues have been put in place due to the spread of COVID-19. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Latest: California CCAA moving all sports to the spring

By The Associated Press Jul. 09, 2020 06:48 PM EDT

FILE - In this March 12, 2020, file photo, Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren addresses the media in Indianapolis after it was announced that the remainder of the Big Ten Conference men's basketball tournament had been canceled. Warren, the first black commissioner of a Power Five conference, is creating a coalition to give the league's athletes a platform to voice their concerns about racism. Warren announced Monday, June 1, 2020, the formation of the Big Ten Anti-Hate and Anti-Racism Coalition, with athletes, coaches, athletic director and university chancellors and presidents. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Big Ten scraps nonconference football games due to pandemic

By John Zenor Jul. 09, 2020 04:17 PM EDT

Vanderbilt cuts at least 8 from athletics communications

Jul. 08, 2020 05:20 PM EDT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Vanderbilt has laid off at least two people with six more forced to re-apply for their jobs as the Southeastern Conference's lone...

Ricardo Zapata, left, a photographer for the Los Angeles Angels, has his temperature taken by Sarah Morris before entering Angels Stadium for baseball practice on Monday, July 6, 2020, in Anaheim, Calif. New protocols like temperature checks, social distancing, and limiting amount of people allowed in sports venues have been put in place due to the spread of COVID-19. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Latest: Houston athletics cutting operating budget

By The Associated Press Jul. 07, 2020 03:15 PM EDT

NC State hires ex-ECU head coach McNeill in advisory role

Jul. 07, 2020 12:10 PM EDT
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina State has hired former East Carolina head coach and Oklahoma assistant Ruffin McNeill for an advisory role on its football...

FILE - In this April 24, 2017, file photo, Martin Jarmond, newly hired Boston College athletic director, takes questions from members of the media during a news conference on the schools campus, in Boston. Most new athletic directors that take over in July have the luxury of getting acclimated to their new school before things really ramp up in two months. That is not going to be the case for the start of Jarmond's tenure at UCLA. Jarmond began in Westwood on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, after three years at Boston College. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)
Jarmond faces many challenges in taking over as UCLA's AD

By Joe Reedy Jul. 04, 2020 02:24 AM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2019, file photo, Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman warms up his team before an NCAA college football game against West Virginia in Manhattan, Kan. Kansas State football players say they will boycott all team activities until administrators create a policy that would allow a student to be expelled for “openly racist, threatening or disrespectful actions.” The move that most players announced Saturday on social media follows a tweet by a student about the death of George Floyd that prompted outrage on campus. Late Sunday, June 28, 2020, coach Chris Klieman tweeted his support: “Racism is NOT welcome at KSTATE now or in the future. ... I am excited to help every player unite for the solution NOW, so that that we can come together stronger than ever. Black Lives Matter.” (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, File)
K-State players end threat of boycott over Floyd tweet

Jul. 03, 2020 10:26 PM EDT

Vandy player expelled for violating sexual misconduct policy

Jul. 02, 2020 08:02 PM EDT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Vanderbilt football player dismissed from the team and expelled for violating the university's sexual misconduct policy in October...

FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2019, file photo, Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher talks with his team as wide receiver Ainias Smith (17) looks on as they play Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas. Texas A&M's football program was placed on probation and Fisher given a six-month show cause order by the NCAA on Thursday, July 2, 2020, after the Aggies were found to have violated recruiting and other rules beginning in January 2018. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins, File)
Texas A&M, Jimbo Fisher handed recruiting penalties by NCAA

Jul. 02, 2020 03:15 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2019, file photo, Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman warms up his team before an NCAA college football game against West Virginia in Manhattan, Kan. Kansas State football players say they will boycott all team activities until administrators create a policy that would allow a student to be expelled for “openly racist, threatening or disrespectful actions.” The move that most players announced Saturday on social media follows a tweet by a student about the death of George Floyd that prompted outrage on campus. Late Sunday, June 28, 2020, coach Chris Klieman tweeted his support: “Racism is NOT welcome at KSTATE now or in the future. ... I am excited to help every player unite for the solution NOW, so that that we can come together stronger than ever. Black Lives Matter.” (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, File)
K-State launches diversity programs after football boycott

By Dave Skretta Jul. 01, 2020 11:44 AM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2019, file photo, Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman warms up his team before an NCAA college football game against West Virginia in Manhattan, Kan. Kansas State football players say they will boycott all team activities until administrators create a policy that would allow a student to be expelled for “openly racist, threatening or disrespectful actions.” The move that most players announced Saturday on social media follows a tweet by a student about the death of George Floyd that prompted outrage on campus. Late Sunday, June 28, 2020, coach Chris Klieman tweeted his support: “Racism is NOT welcome at KSTATE now or in the future. ... I am excited to help every player unite for the solution NOW, so that that we can come together stronger than ever. Black Lives Matter.” (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, File)
K-State players announce boycott after student's Floyd tweet

Jun. 28, 2020 03:01 PM EDT

Oregon, Oregon State drop 'Civil War' name for rivalry

By Anne M. Peterson Jun. 26, 2020 02:03 PM EDT
Oregon and Oregon State have agreed to drop the name “Civil War” for their rivalry games. The move Friday was made after discussions...

FILE - In this Dec. 11, 2016, file photo, former New Orleans Saints and University of Mississippi running back Deuce McAllister leaves Orleans Parish Criminal District Court after the verdict in the Cardell Hayes murder trial in New Orleans. McAllister was part of group of student-athletes in the late 1990s who helped push administrators into largely eliminating the Confederate flag from Ole Miss football games. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman, File)
College athletes using platform to address social issues

By David Brandt Jun. 25, 2020 02:01 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2020, file photo, LSU head coach Ed Orgeron holds the trophy after the team's victory over Clemson in an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game in New Orleans. LSU has begun asking a number of football players to self-quarantine in the past week because of instances in which some players tested positive for COVID-19 after social interactions outside of the Tigers’ training facility. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
Return of college athletes gives glimpse of back to school

By Ralph D. Russo Jun. 22, 2020 06:32 PM EDT

Head football coach Bob Wager, right, and sophomore safety Cameron Conley greet each other at the re-opening of strength and conditioning camp at Arlington Martin High School, Thursday, June 18, 2020, in in Arlington, Texas. While states have been easing the economic and social lockdowns prompted by the coronavirus pandemic, some are now letting high school athletes return for summer workouts before teachers have even figured out how they are going to hold classroom instruction. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
The Latest: American sailor Caleb Paine ends Olympic bid

By The Associated Press Jun. 22, 2020 11:28 AM EDT

FILE - In this May 1, 2020, file photo, people ride down an escalator at a shopping mall in Oklahoma City as it reopens from its closure since mid-March due to coronavirus concerns. Many businesses are requiring customers and workers to sign forms saying they won't sue if they catch COVID-19. Businesses are afraid they could face lawsuits even if they follow social distancing and other government guidelines as they reopen across the U.S. after coronavirus shutdowns. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
As athletes return to campus, what are they signing up for?

By Ralph D. Russo Jun. 20, 2020 12:22 PM EDT

In this April 25, 2020 photograph, a small Mississippi state flag is held by a participant during a drive-by "re-open Mississippi" protest past the Governor's Mansion, in the background, in Jackson, Miss. This current flag has in the canton portion of the banner the design of the Civil War-era Confederate battle flag, that has been the center of a long-simmering debate about its removal or replacement. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Following athletes, NCAA takes aim at Confederate flag

By Ralph D. Russo Jun. 19, 2020 04:32 PM EDT

Sporting's mascot lion waves from the empty stands during the Portuguese League soccer match between Sporting CP and Pacos de Ferreira at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, Friday, June 12, 2020. The Portuguese League soccer matches are being played without spectators because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Antonio Cotrim/Pool via AP)
The Latest: Inter Miami tests positive for COVID 19

By The Associated Press Jun. 18, 2020 09:31 AM EDT

Protesters take over the elevated Interstate 10 during a march in New Orleans, Tuesday, June 2, 2020, protesting the death of George Floyd, who died May 25 in Minneapolis after being restrained by police. In the background is the Superdome. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
The Latest: 32 positive virus tests for Superdome workers

By The Associated Press Jun. 16, 2020 01:08 PM EDT