Weekend Hot Reads....

Browns LB Scott Fujita on the front page of today’s N.Y. TIMES sports section uses his personal history to explain why he supports gay marriage equality and why sports figures should speak out on social issues, as the Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments on Tuesday about California’s Proposition 8 (N.Y. TIMES, 3/24).

The L.A. TIMES' Ken Bensinger profiled Ron Holmes, the father of UCLA F Shabazz Muhammad, who has been “putting on a clinic on how to mint an NBA millionaire.” Holmes has “tirelessly promoted the Shabazz Muhammad brand to scouts, journalists, money managers and others.” With Muhammad “now projected as a top-five pick in June’s NBA draft, Holmes’ investment is about to pay off” (L.A. TIMES, 3/22).

Elsewhere:

• Big East Commissioner Mike Aresco discusses the league’s turmoil in a Q&A.
• Towson President Maravene Loeschke faces fallout from cutting two men's teams.
• The N.Y. DAILY NEWS’ Filip Bondy ranks notorious sports figures in his new book.
• Pep bands go beyond music to entertain NCAA Tournament fans.
• Aging NFL stars like Brian Urlacher present franchises with a tough choice.
• The rivalry between the Red Sox and Yankees “as we knew it is over."
• Most colleges resist the temptation to sell beer at football games.