Former NHLer and coach STEVE LUDZIK is suing the NHL, alleging the league "failed to warn him of the significant risk of brain damage during his 10-year career." The suit, filed yesterday, claims the NHL "allowed and encouraged Ludzik, after suffering concussions, to return to play in the same game and/or practice." Ludzik suffers from Parkinson's disease and claims it is a "result of repeated concussive injuries" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 6/2).
CHARITY STRIPE: Ten college basketball coaches were in the Detroit area yesterday to take part in a "unique fundraiser" for the American Cancer Society, organized by Oakland Univ. men's coach GREG KAMPE. Coaches in attendance included Michigan's JOHN BEILEIN, Michigan State's TOM IZZO, Kentucky's JOHN CALIPARI, North Carolina's ROY WILLIAMS, Arizona's SEAN MILLER, West Virginia's BOB HUGGINS, UCLA's STEVE ALFORD, Tennessee's RICK BARNES and Memphis' JOSH PASTNER. Fans were "given an opportunity to bid on a two-day experience with each coach, including a dinner and a round of golf." Kampe said that the event "raised about $165,000, with more potentially to come" (MLIVE.com, 6/1)....The Triple-A Int’l League Pawtucket Red Sox have renamed their charitable foundation in honor of late club President JAMES SKEFFINGTON, who died last month. The Pawtucket Red Sox Charitable Foundation will now be known as the Skeffington PawSox Charitable Foundation (PROVIDENCE JOURNAL, 6/2).
COURT REPORT: Former Mississippi State cheerleader MICHAELA MILLS is "suing ESPN and the university" in U.S. District Court for injuries she suffered during the '13 Egg Bowl. During the game, an ESPN cart "ran over Mills' leg while she was wearing the mascot costume on the field." The accident "caused a compound fracture and led to two subsequent surgeries" (CLARIONLEDGER.com, 6/1)....AHMED ZAYAT, owner of Triple Crown-contending horse AMERICAN PHAROAH, is being sued for by HOWARD RUBINSKY, who alleges Zayat has not paid a $2M gambling debt. Rubinsky yesterday filed a $10M libel suit alleging that Zayat "maliciously defamed him when he told reporters that the original lawsuit was 'extortion, a fraud and blackmail'" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/2).
NAMES: Bengals DT DEVON STILL and his 5-year-old daughter LEAH will be honored during The ESPYs in L.A. next month, when they will receive the Jimmy V Perseverance Award for the way they have "handled Leah's inspirational fight with cancer" (ESPN.com, 6/1). Meanwhile, CAITLYN JENNER will receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the event (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 6/1)....Photographer WALTER IOOSS JR., who for about 12 years took pictures of MICHAEL JORDAN, on Friday set up a free outdoor exhibit of his best Jordan work near the north entrance of the Chicago Field Museum. The "Open Air" exhibit will run through Labor Day (ESPNCHICAGO.com, 5/29)....NFL Panthers coach RON RIVERA and his wife STEPHANIE last night celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary at the “Taste of NFL: Kick Hunger In Charlotte” event at Bonterra restaurant. Panthers K GRAHAM GANO, P BRAD NORTMAN and FB RICHIE BROCKEL were among those in attendance (THE DAILY)....Patriots TE ROB GRONKOWSKI is featured in DuJour magazine “running on the beach with a pack of bikini-clad babes,” and he is also “pictured reading books,” among other things (BOSTON HERALD, 6/2). Meanwhile, Gronkowski “will drive the pace car and serve as the co-grand marshal" for the June 20 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Chicagoland Speedway (LATIMES.com, 6/1)....Texas Motor Speedway announced that Pro Football HOFer-elect CHARLES HALEY “will serve as the honorary starter" for Saturday’s Verizon IndyCar Series Firestone 600 (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 6/2)....Pro Football HOFer DAN MARINO, who co-owns Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, yesterday was at the debut of the chain’s newest location in Westwood, Mass. (BOSTONHERALD.com, 6/2)....Lakers G NICK YOUNG and rapper IGGY AZALEA “are engaged” (LATIMES.com, 6/2).
IN MEMORY: JACK WILLIAMS, an “innovator in the sports information field who worked at North Carolina during DEAN SMITH’s early run and for 21 years at Virginia Tech, died last Tuesday at age 85 in Wilmington, North Carolina.” Williams joined UNC as SID in ’66, and his staff “created the Carolina Blue Book, a template for the modern-day media guide” (ROANOKE TIMES, 6/2).
