ESPN's SCOTT VAN PELT, perhaps the "most prominent and enthusiastic" Univ. of Maryland grad in sports media today, recently pledged to help cover the remaining costs of a UM student-run radio station's fundraising drive. WMUC Sports' five-week fundraising drive was set to end last week with organizers "still more than $1,000 short of their $8,000 goal." Incoming WMUC Sports co-station Dir LIAM BEATUS "sent a tweet to Van Pelt." Van Pelt responded, "What do you need to be fully funded?" Beatus answered, "We are $1,255 short of our original goal, but any donation you make is appreciated." Van Pelt: "I got you. Playing golf now. Will cover this later. You’re funded" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 4/14).
FULL-COURT FRENCH: In N.Y., Fabrice Robinet profiles GEORGE EDDY, an American-born sportscaster that is "perhaps the man most responsible for introducing" the NBA to France. French audiences were introduced to Eddy and NBA basketball in '85, when the premium cable network Canal Plus "began broadcasting reruns of regular-season games." NBA Europe Senior VP BENJAMIN MOREL said that Eddy's "colorful personality was instrumental in paving the way for American basketball’s success in France" (N.Y. TIMES, 4/17).
NAMES: Tennis player EUGENIE BOUCHARD's lawsuit against the USTA "remains unresolved, with both sides digging in their heels and a fall trial looking unavoidable." BENEDICT MORELLI, Bouchard's lawyer, said, "We've had two attempts at mediation, and both have failed. The USTA has yet to accept responsibility and concede liability for what happened" (ESPN.com, 4/17)....Lone Star Park's GIII Texas Mile has been renamed the Steve Sexton Mile in honor of the track’s former Exec VP & GM, who died in December at 57 after battling brain cancer (THOROUGHBREDDAILYNEWS.com, 4/13)....USF received a $1M gift from the family of former Rays Owner VINCE NAIMOLI that will support athletics facility additions and enhancement projects (USF)....Redskins LB KHAIRI FORTT will “portray murdered” former NFLer SEAN TAYLOR in an Investigation Discovery program about Taylor's ‘07 murder. The show is a part of a series called “The Perfect Murder” (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 4/15)....Sources said that Patriots QB TOM BRADY is “expected at the White House” when the team visits to celebrate its Super Bowl LI victory (POLITCO.com, 4/16)....Red Sox Owner JOHN HENRY and former MLBer DAVID ORTIZ recently “had dinner” (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/16).
