Names In The News
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Donor Says $25M Gift Not In Jeopardy
After Rodriguez' Departure For Michigan |
West Virginia Univ. booster BEN STATLER, who in October announced a record $25M donation to the school, said that the gift is “not in jeopardy, nor is his overall support of WVU,” after the school let football coach RICH RODRIGUEZ leave for the Univ. of Michigan. However, there is an “organized group of at least seven West Virginia donors who had informed university administrators that they would no longer make gifts to the school” amid Rodriguez’ departure (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 12/19).
AIDING FORMER PLAYERS: The GRIDIRON GREATS ASSISTANCE FUND, which helps retired NFLers with health and financial problems, announced that “hundreds of current [NFL] players” have pledged around $400,000 from their December 23 game checks to the organization. Former NFLers LEN DAWSON, FRED ARBANAS and RICHARD BALDINGER, along with Chiefs OT KYLE TURLEY, attended a news conference yesterday, where Turley said that teammates WR EDDIE KENNISON, G JOHN WELBOURN, CB TY LAW and K JOHN CARNEY have agreed to donate to the cause. Chiefs RB LARRY JOHNSON and TE TONY GONZALEZ earlier announced their support (AP, 12/19).
NAMES: BRECK ARCHER, RYAN MCFADYEN and MATTHEW WILSON, members of the '06 Duke lacrosse team, have sued the school and former Durham County (NC) District Attorney MIKE NIFONG, claiming damages from the discredited rape case last year (AP, 12/19)….Olympic Gold Medalist SHAUN WHITE was issued a summons for setting off a fire extinguisher in a game room during the U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix last week in Breckenridge. White is scheduled to appear in court on March 10 (DENVER POST, 12/19)....ESPN's EMMITT SMITH will serve as grand marshal of the Comerica Bank New Year's Parade on December 31 in Dallas (Comerica Bank)..Sporting News named Patriots QB TOM BRADY its '07 Sportsman of the Year (THE DAILY).
IN MEMORY: Broadcaster DON CHEVRIER died Monday at the age of 69 in Palm Harbor, Florida. Chevrier called Blue Jays games as well as the Olympics, Grey Cup, Kentucky Derby and hockey, and worked for the CBC, CTV, ABC and NBC. NBC Universal Sports & Olympics Chair DICK EBERSOL said that he was “one of the best ever” (TORONTO STAR, 12/19).
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