Names In The News

Swarbrick In The Spotlight With Notre Dame   Expected To Fire Football Coach Charlie Weis

In N.Y., Pete Thamel profiles Notre Dame AD JACK SWARBRICK, and notes as an "inevitable search for a new coach becomes the biggest story in college sports this season, it will put the low-key Swarbrick in a high-glare spotlight." Swarbrick formerly served as a Partner at Indianapolis-based law firm Baker & Daniels, and his law background is "not considered a traditional one for an athletic director." Swarbrick's appointment at ND marked the "first on-campus job of his career." Thamel notes Swarbrick was a "finalist for the NCAA president's job that MYLES BRAND got in 2002," and those who have worked with Swarbrick "use words like 'visionary,' 'genius,' and 'consensus builder.'" The AD at Notre Dame "has long been portrayed as a puppet for boosters and trustees," but Swarbrick said that "having the autonomy over major decisions such as the future of [football coach CHARLIE WEIS] was paramount to him accepting the job." Swarbrick said "every meaningful decision that involves athletics involves two people:" Notre Dame President Father JOHN JENKINS and himself (N.Y. TIMES, 11/25).

LASTING LEGACY: In Sacramento, Marcos Breton writes the contributions of late Triple-A PCL Sacramento River Cats Owner and former Sharks President ART SAVAGE, who died Saturday, "won't be measured by words, but by concrete deeds accomplished against the fury of Sacramento-style politics." Savage brought pro baseball "back to the region after a long absence, but he had to bulldoze through hurdles to do so." The River Cats are the "best minor league baseball franchise in America," and Savage "didn't get it done by being a pushover" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 11/25).

COURT DATE: NASCAR has "asked a federal court to stop lawyers for suspended driver JEREMY MAYFIELD from collecting information" from NASCAR Chair & CEO BRIAN FRANCE's ex-wife, MEGAN. Mayfield's attorneys "subpoenaed Megan France last week requesting documents about a lawsuit filed against her by" Brian. The attorneys asked for "joint tax returns and mail addressed" to Brian. The Frances divorced in April '08, and Brian sued Megan in N.C. Superior Court in September '08. All documents "related to the case were sealed in December" (AP, 11/24).

Damon (l) And Johnson (r) Pose For Photos At The Empire State Building

EMPIRE STATE OF MIND: NASCAR driver JIMMIE JOHNSON  and free agent LF JOHNNY DAMON "took a private elevator Tuesday to the observation deck of the Empire State Building," where they took photos of each other "hamming it up." Tourists "snapped photos of Johnson and Damon taking photos of each other," and the surprise was that "as many people knew Johnson as knew Damon" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/25).

NAMES: Steelers WR SANTONIO HOLMES and Patriots RB FRED TAYLOR for the second straight year have bought Thanksgiving dinner for 200 families through the Boys & Girls Club in their hometown of Belle Glade, Florida (PALM BEACH POST, 11/25)....Brazilian Olympic Committee President CARLOS NUZMAN Tuesday received the U.S. Sports Academy's Eagle Award (AROUNDTHERINGS.com, 11/24)....Rock band Barenaked Ladies will perform the U.S. National Anthem for the December 3 Jets-Bills game at Rogers Centre (Bills).