STORRS, Conn. — Big East Commissioner John Marinatto, facing pressure from school presidents upset by his handling of the departure of several high-profile programs, resigned Monday after less than three years on the job. Commissioner of Big East resigns ADVERTISING
Commissioner of
Big East resigns
STORRS, Conn. — Big East Commissioner John Marinatto, facing pressure from school presidents upset by his handling of the departure of several high-profile programs, resigned Monday after less than three years on the job.
Pittsburgh and Syracuse made plans to leave for the Atlantic Coast Conference in September, and West Virginia bolted for the Big 12 the following month.
The Big East regrouped by adding Central Florida, Houston, Memphis, SMU and Temple for all sports and Boise State, San Diego State and Navy for football only.
Marinatto told The Associated Press Monday that trying to guide the conference through realignment took a physical and mental toll on him.
Hargrove’s says
he followed orders
NEW ORLEANS — Former Saints defensive lineman Anthony Hargove describes in a sworn statement how he was told by ex-defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and current New Orleans assistant head coach Joe Vitt to deny the existence of a bounty program to NFL investigators.
In a document obtained Monday by The Associated Press, Hargrove acknowledges that he acted on Williams’ and Vitt’s instructions to “play dumb” if asked whether he was aware of bounties being placed on former Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre or any other player.
The declaration does not go into specifics, however, about just what Hargrove knew or did not know about the bounty program in New Orleans, and for that reason it has become a point of contention between the NFL and the NFL Players Association.
Serena Williams
wins, Venus bows
out at Madrid
MADRID — Serena Williams beat Elena Vesnina 6-3, 6-1 to reach the Madrid Open’s second round, while sister Venus lost 6-4, 6-1 to Angelique Kerber on Monday.
The ninth-seeded Williams had 13 aces and 40 winners against Vesnina, who was struggling with her game on the slippery blue clay court. The Russian lost her balance in the sixth game and set up a break point for Williams, who pulled ahead to lead 4-2.
Williams’ ninth ace of the match provided a set point for the American to take the first set and wrap up the match against the 68th-ranked Russian in just over an hour.
“I’m feeling good but I wasn’t thrilled,” said Williams, who will face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia. “This is my first tournament in Europe so hopefully I will just keep my good form and just keep going,” she added.
Venus Williams’ third tournament since being sidelined by illness is over after being broken six times by the 12th-seeded German. The seven-time major champion reached the quarterfinals at Miami and Charleston, S.C., earlier this season.
Fifth-seeded Samantha Stosur rallied to beat Christina McHale 2-6, 6-4, 6-0 to reach the third round, as did French Open champion Li Na after winning 6-3, 6-1 against Silvia Soler-Espinosa.
Petra Cetkovska also advanced, beating Lourdes Dominguez Lino 6-4, 7-5.
Defending champion Petra Kvitova beat Marina Erakovic 6-2, 6-3 in her first-round match.
Hamels suspended for throwing at Harper
PHILADELPHIA — Cole Hamels earned a five-game suspension for the way he welcomed Bryce Harper to the big leagues.
The 2008 World Series MVP was suspended for intentionally throwing at the Washington rookie in the Philadelphia Phillies’ 9-3 win over the Nationals on Sunday night.
Major League Baseball announced the penalty Monday. Hamels also was fined.
By wire sources
