Oklahoma State coach gets ready for Insight Bowl
(12/29/07 10:02am)
Mike Gundy comments on the Cowboys practice at Corona del Sol High School Wednesday after arriving for the Insight Bowl.
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Hoosiers prepare for bowl competition
(12/13/07 10:45pm)
Coach Lynch, James Hardy and Kellen Lewis talk about the team's preparation for the Insight Bowl.
Rights groups want to press China on media restrictions ahead of 2008 Summer Olympics
(12/10/07 3:45am)
BEIJING – Rights groups have called on New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the International Olympic Committee to confront the organizers of the Beijing 2008 Summer Games over China’s media restrictions and human rights record.\nNew York-based Human Rights Watch said Bloomberg, who is visiting China this week, is obligated to express concern about media freedoms because of his background as founder of the global financial news service that bears his name.\n“Bloomberg should explain to the Chinese government how important media freedom is to China’s social, economic and political development,” the group said in a statement Saturday.\nBloomberg is scheduled to attend a series of meetings with government officials and business leaders in Beijing and Shanghai.\nSeparately, London-based Amnesty International said the IOC must push Beijing organizers at its Executive Board meeting this week in Switzerland for progress on reducing use of the death penalty and detentions of citizens without trial, allowing greater freedom of expression and ending harassment of human rights activists.\nWhile reforms are primarily the government’s responsibility, the IOC “can still make a significant contribution by using its influence to bring about positive change in line with the Olympics Charter,” the group said.\nChina is considered the leading jailer of journalists, with at least 29 behind bars, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, a New York-based advocacy group. Most independent reporting and criticism of the ruling Communist Party is blocked, and monitors erase critical commentary on the Internet and frequently jail cyber-dissidents. Scores of Web sites carrying news and opinion are blocked within the country.\nAuthorities have relaxed rules for foreign media ahead of the Aug. 15 opening of the Olympic Games, promising unrestricted access, visa exemptions, tax waivers for equipment and other benefits. However, harassment and occasional detentions continue, according to monitoring groups and foreign journalists.\nChina is believed to execute more people for crimes each year than all other nations combined and regularly sentences petty criminals and government critics to two or more years in prison camps without trial. Activists highlighting corruption and the denial of civil, religious, medical and labor rights are frequently threatened and detained.\nChina has repeatedly claimed it upholds civil rights in conformity with its constitution, while avoiding discussion of specific cases.
FALL SPORTS WRAPUP
(12/10/07 3:45am)
See the Monday, Dec. 10, edition of the IDS for a wrap of fall sports at IU.
Roberson scores 22 in IU womens basketball's road loss to Kansas
(12/10/07 3:41am)
The IU women’s basketball team fell to Kansas (7-1) 69-61 at historic Allen Fieldhouse on Sunday in the last game before finals week. The loss drops IU to 4-5 and is the team’s fourth loss in the last five games. \nThe game was the Hoosiers’ sixth game away from home since Nov. 17. The team has played in just one home game in that time, an 85-78 loss to then-No. 21 Florida State in the first ever Big Ten/ACC Women’s Basketball Challenge. \nJunior forward Whitney Thomas led the way with 13 points and 12 rebounds, her second consecutive double-double. Sophomore guard Jamie Braun also added eight points and 12 boards in 39 minutes of play in the contest. However, Braun – sixth in the Big Ten in scoring – poured in all of her points in the game’s first 10 minutes, and did not score again. \nOverall, IU shot just 36.8 percent from the floor compared\nto 50 percent for the Jayhawks. \nThe game also marked the return of junior guard/forward Kim Roberson, who missed the last two games on a leave of absence for what were described as personal reasons. Roberson came back in a big way, leading all scorers with 22 points in the contest. \nRoberson shot 3-of-4 from behind the arc, and after the game credited her teammates. \n“My teammates drove and sucked in the defense, and I was the recipient of that,” Roberson said in a Kansas athletics department press release. “I just tried to knock it down for our team.”\nBut Kansas put four different players in double figures and converted 18 IU turnovers into 23 points en route to an eight-point victory. Freshman center Krysten Boogaard led the way for the Jayhawks, scoring 13 points and grabbing seven rebounds. \nAt the postgame press conference, IU coach Felisha Legette-Jack said her team is learning from everything it does this season, including losing. \n“We are young and we are finding our way,” Legette-Jack said in the release. “I told our kids that they are going to have to learn some lessons and unfortunately sometimes you have to learn those lessons in defeat. We are going to be better later on, and we just have to stay together as a Hoosier family.”\nThe Hoosiers will take the next week off for finals, and return to the hardwood against Bowling Green at Assembly Hall on Dec. 16.. The team will play the Falcons, Cincinnati and West Virginia over the break before kicking off its Big Ten schedule on New Year’s Eve with a road date at Northwestern. IU will return to Assembly Hall to take on rival Purdue Jan. 3 in its first conference home game.
Guillen, Gibbons suspended; no punishments for Matthews, Ankiel, Glaus
(12/07/07 5:05am)
Jose Guillen and Jay Gibbons were suspended Thursday for the first 15 days of next season for violating baseball’s drug policy, an indication how the sport might treat any players named in the Mitchell steroids investigation.\nGuillen and Gibbons were accused in media reports of receiving human growth hormone after January 2005, when it was banned by baseball.\nGary Matthews Jr., Rick Ankiel, Troy Glaus and Scott Schoeneweis also were linked to HGH, but baseball officials decided there was “insufficient evidence” to determine they committed a doping violation. The players were accused of receiving performance-enhancing drugs before 2005.\nFormer Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell was hired by baseball commissioner Bud Selig in March 2006 to investigate drugs in baseball, and his report is to be released by the end of the month.\nGuillen instructed the players association to file a grievance, which would be decided by an arbitrator. Gibbons will not challenge his penalty.\nEarlier in the day, Guillen and Kansas City finalized their $36 million, three-year contract.\n“We signed Jose knowing that was a possibility,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said of the free-agent outfielder. “While my initial reaction is one of disappointment, I am thoroughly convinced that Jose will put this behind him and we collectively support him as he begins a new chapter in his baseball life.”\nGibbons accepted responsibility and apologized.\n“I am deeply sorry for the mistakes that I have made. I have no excuses and bare sole responsibility for my decisions,” the Baltimore outfielder said. “Years ago, I relied on the advice of a doctor, filled a prescription, charged the HGH, which is a medication, to my credit card and had only intended to help speed my recovery from my injuries and surgeries.”\nThe 15-day penalties match what a second offense would have drawn under 2003-04 rules. Current rules call for a 50-game suspension for a first offense, a 100-game penalty for a second and a lifetime ban for a third.\nCleveland pitcher Paul Byrd was linked by the San Francisco Chronicle to purchases of HGH between August 2002 and January 2005. Byrd, who has not yet been interviewed by the commissioner’s office, said he took it for a medical condition and did so under a doctor’s supervision.\n“Other open investigations should be completed shortly,” MLB said in a statement.\nThe six players whose cases were resolved Thursday met with baseball officials after media reports that their names surfaced in a national drug investigation by the district attorney in Albany, N.Y.\nThe Chronicle reported last month that Guillen bought human growth hormone, two types of testosterone and the steroids stanozolol and nandrolone between May 2002 and June 2005.\nGibbons got six shipments of Genotropin (a brand name for synthetic human growth hormone), two shipments of testosterone and two shipments of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) between October 2003 and July 2005, SI.com said in September.\nAnkiel, a St. Louis outfielder, admitted he used HGH in 2004. The New York Daily News reported he received eight shipments of prescription HGH that year.\nGlaus, a Toronto third baseman, received multiple shipments of nandrolone and testosterone between September 2003 and May 2004, SI.com reported.\nMatthews, a Los Angeles Angels outfielder, received Genotropin in August 2004, according to SI.com.\nSchoeneweis, a reliever on the New York Mets, received six shipments of steroids in 2003 and 2004, ESPN.com reported.\nThe Chronicle said Byrd made 13 purchases of HGH between August 2002 and January 2005.
IU on the road again for Sunday game at Kansas
(12/07/07 5:05am)
The IU women’s basketball team (4-4) will be back on the road Sunday for the second time this week when it takes on the Kansas Jayhawks (5-1) at 3 p.m. in Lawrence, Kan.\nThe Hoosiers will look to end a three-game losing streak that dates back to their final game in the Paradise Jam Tournament over Thanksgiving. The Hoosiers’ three-game losing streak\n has come at the hands of three\ntough opponents that have had stellar starts to their seasons: No. 11 Texas A&M (6-1), then-No. 21 Florida State (6-2) and Dayton (7-2).\nThe Hoosiers will look to get back on track on the road, where they’re 1-1 this season. IU coach Felisha Legette-Jack said she knows her young team might struggle playing away from home. \n“Sometimes you take it for granted to go on the road, but we have eight newcomers and two new coaches on our staff,” Legette-Jack said after the team’s first road victory against Ball State. “The travel is different and you get out of your normal routine.”\nIn its 67-59 loss to Dayton on Wednesday night, IU struggled shooting the ball. The team combined to shoot 30.8 percent from the field, including an 0-9 clip from three-point range. In their four losses, the Hoosiers have shot a meager 36.6 percent from the field. With their shooting woes fresh in their minds, the Hoosiers will look for a better offensive performance against Kansas – a team that is averaging 72.8 points per game.\nThe Hoosiers struggled offensively in the Virgin Islands, dropping games to Wake Forest and Texas A&M. Sophomore guard Jamie Braun said she waited for the offense to come around in the two games, but it never did. \n“I always thought that we had our offense coming, but they denied a lot of our outside shots,” she said after returning from the Virgin Islands. “We need to work on our inside game and kicking back out and our mid-range game.” \nFreshman Jori Davis also acknowledged the Hoosiers’ struggles on offense, but credited their strong defensive play. \n“Our shots were off the whole tournament, but we still did a good job because we kept a lot of the teams under 59 points,” she said. \nAlthough recently the Hoosiers have struggled offensively, their defensive play has not faltered. IU held Dayton to 36.9 percent from the field and only 21 first-half points.\nBraun leads the Hoosiers in scoring at 14.9 points per game and has also contributed 5.8 rebounds a game. Junior forwards Whitney Thomas and Amber Jackson average 12.5 points and 7.6 rebounds, and 12.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, respectively. \nForward Danielle McCray averages 15.3 points per game as well as 7.3 rebounds, and guard Sade Morris is close behind with 13.3 points per game. \nThe Jayhawks play at historic Allen Fieldhouse and are off to a 4-0 start at home this season.
Colts gear up for trip back to Baltimore
(12/07/07 5:04am)
The Indianapolis Colts already know they are going to be in for a tough time Sunday night against the Baltimore Ravens. Emotions still run hot among Baltimore fans, former Colts fans from years past.\nNow, even after an emotional loss to New England, Baltimore is ready for another visit from the Colts.\n“We got a chance to see Baltimore on Monday night and saw what really makes them tough,” Colts coach Tony Dungy said Thursday. “They played New England very physical, a very strong running game, tough defense, all of the things we have seen the last four or five times we’ve played these guys. So we have to get ready to go.”\nAs always, the Colts can expect a less-than-friendly reaction from the Baltimore fans, many of them still bitter about the Colts’ defection to Indianapolis almost 24 years ago.\n“It’s pretty tough. I’ve only been there twice, but it’s definitely a real conducive stadium for crowd noise and that type of thing,” Dungy said. “They have a great atmosphere. And their defense is so tough. ... So I would say, yes, it’s one of the tougher places you go.”\nQuarterback Peyton Manning, who struggled in leading the Colts to a 15-6 win over Baltimore in the playoffs last season, knows what to expect, too.\n“Baltimore alone, it’s an extremely loud place to play,” Manning said. “It’s tough. They’re tough to move the ball against. And every yard that you get you kind of feel good about.”\nSix players did not take part in Thursday’s workout, including linebacker Gary Brackett (hip), defensive tackle Raheem Brock (rib), offensive tackle Ryan Diem (knee), receiver Marvin Harrison (knee), cornerback Tim Jennings (team decision) and safety Bob Sanders (team decision).\nReturning to practice after sitting out Wednesday were offensive tackle Charlie Johnson, running back Kenton Keith and defensive end Robert Mathis.\nBrackett and Sanders are expected to start Sunday night at Baltimore, but the status for the rest won’t be updated until after Friday’s practice. Whether Harrison, who went through a limited practice session Wednesday, will be able to play in the Ravens’ game remains uncertain.\n“Marvin went through a few things (Wednesday) in practice for the first time in a long while,” Dungy said. Thursday “was kind of his scheduled day off and running and doing some rehab work, so we’ll see how he is (Friday). If he has a good day of practice, by Saturday I think we’ll know what’s going to happen and there’s a chance he could play.”\nHe said Harrison didn’t show any signs of the bruised left knee that has kept him out of the Indianapolis lineup.
Ten-time Gold Glove winner Jones relocates to Los Angeles
(12/07/07 5:03am)
Andruw Jones is following Joe Torre to the Los Angeles Dodgers.\nThe Gold Glove center fielder and the Dodgers reached a preliminary agreement Wednesday night on a $36.2 million, two-year contract that gives him the fifth-highest average salary in the major leagues.\nJones, the former Atlanta star who has won 10 straight Gold Glove Awards, is coming off one of the worst offensive seasons of his career. But if he rebounds, he could give the Dodgers a desperately needed boost in the middle of their lineup. He must pass a physical for the deal to be completed, a person familiar with the negotiations said, speaking on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made.\nA five-time All-Star, Jones will receive a $12.2 million signing bonus, of which $5.1 million is payable next year, $2.1 million in 2009 and $5 million in 2010. He will receive salaries of $9 million next year and $15 million in 2009, and will also receive a no-trade clause.\nScott Boras, his agent, wouldn’t confirm the agreement but sounded as if a deal had fallen into place.\n“Being on a competitive team was a very, very important part of his process,” he said.\nJones hit .222 this season, his lowest average since he batted .217 in 106 at-bats as a rookie in 1996. His 26 home runs were his fewest since 1997. He drove in 94 runs for the Braves, but finished with a paltry .311 on-base percentage.\nHad Jones finished with big numbers, he likely would have sought a longer-term agreement. Boras said there were really only two options when it came to length.\n“Very, very long-term or very, very short term,” he said. “Nothing in between.”\nJones didn’t consider a one-year contract.\n“I wouldn’t put a player in that position, mainly because (he) just went through that,” Boras said. “That was never an option.”\nDodgers general manager Ned Colletti did not immediately return an e-mail seeking comment.\nJones is a .263 career hitter with 368 home runs and 1,117 RBIs. He was runner-up for the NL MVP award in 2005, when he had 51 homers and 128 RBIs. The following season he hit 41 home runs with a career-high 129 RBIs.\nHe made $13.5 million this year, the final season of a five-year contract. The Braves made no effort to re-sign him.\nJones’ $18.1 million average salary trails only those of the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez ($27.5 million), Boston’s Manny Ramirez ($20 million), the Yankees’ Derek Jeter ($18.9 million) and the Cubs’ Carlos Zambrano ($18.3 million).
Let the music do the talking
(12/06/07 5:00am)
Mozart's musical genius is a fascination that one could spend a lifetime studying and have a life well-spent. The recently released "August Rush" attempts to take the similar story of a musical prodigy and capture the imagination of all those who see and, more importantly, hear him. The result is a magical journey of music and sound that plunges headlong into the meanings of love, life and happiness.\nEvan Taylor (Freddie Highmore) is an orphan. But unlike many at his home, he believes his parents are looking for him and that he hears them every day, through the world's natural music. Having learned to play instruments, Evan runs away to New York City, where, after meeting street composer Wizard (Robin Williams), he adopts the name August Rush and sets out on a journey that takes him from corner guitar player to Julliard composer.\nHighmore's performance as Rush is worth celebrating for its simplicity. It is simple because he has only one goal -- finding his parents -- and because the story is driven by neither plot nor characters. It is driven by music. The film's soundtrack is amazing, making up for the sometimes flat characters and unexplained story line. While the film could have benefited from another 30 minutes to tie up loose ends and expand characters, most fans will enjoy it immensely because of its music. \nFor those heavily invested in the desire to discover the mysteries of the world of song and often wonder how far the sound of a few notes can carry humanity, this is your film. For those who didn't want to sit for an hour and half and watch some kid play a guitar, stop complaining and watch a movie trailer in the future. "August Rush" is happy and magical.
Lawyer for alleged Taylor gunman wants to discuss plea
(12/06/07 4:40am)
MIAMI – An attorney for the 17-year-old accused gunman in the killing of Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor wants to work with prosecutors to resolve the case.\nSawyer Smith, who along with his father, Wilbur, is representing Eric Rivera, said Wednesday his client was admitting no wrongdoing yet.\n“When the State Attorney’s Office is ready, we would like to sit down and begin discussion with them so we can move towards a resolution in the case that has the best interest of all parties in mind,” Smith said. “We want to minimize the impact of case resolution on the Taylor family and find a result that’s in the best interest \nof justice.”\nSmith added: “Plea negotiations are typical in criminal cases. However, we don’t know when or if that will occur.”\nCircuit Judge John Thornton Jr. denied Rivera bail Wednesday in his brief appearance via video conference in a Miami-Dade County courtroom. His three co-defendants were denied bail a day earlier.\nAll four – Rivera; Charles Wardlow, 18; Jason Mitchell, 19; and Venjah Hunte, 20 – have been charged with first-degree felony murder and armed burglary. Their arraignments are Dec. 21.\nRichard Sharpstein, Taylor’s former lawyer, said he expected them all eventually to be “severely punished.”\nTaylor died Nov. 27, a day after he was shot in the bedroom of his home. Police have said the 24-year-old player was a victim of a botched burglary.\nSmith said he was happy Rivera had been moved to Miami and had his first appearance in court. He said he understood it most likely would be some time before prosecutors would speak with him.\n“When they’re ready and in a position to discuss this case with us we’re looking forward to that day,” Smith said.\nWardlow’s attorney, David Brener, distanced his client’s actions from those of Rivera and said he expected to go to trial.\n“I believe that the acts of Mr. Rivera, who was the shooter of this case, constitute an independent act,” Brener said Wednesday. “My client never contemplated that Mr. Rivera was going to arm himself or use lethal force against Mr. Taylor.”\nSmith said the defense attorneys in the case have a history of working together, but he said he understood the grand jury’s identification of his client as the alleged gunman puts him in a unique position.\n“The other boys may be in a position to separate themselves somewhat from our client,” he said. “However, under the felony murder rule, if it can be shown that they’re involved in it, if they’re involved in the burglary, then it’s not a defense that they were not the one that pulled the trigger.”
Trial of Tinsley, Daniels delayed to Jan. 14
(12/06/07 4:39am)
The trial of Indiana Pacers players Jamaal Tinsley and Marquis Daniels, both facing charges stemming from a bar fight almost a year ago, has been rescheduled for Jan. 14.\nThe trial was to begin Monday, but defense attorney James Voyles requested the delay, the second since September, because the Pacers have a road game at Cleveland on Tuesday.\n“We’ll be all ready,” Voyles told The Indianapolis Star.\nA Marion Superior Court jury is expected to hear three days of testimony.\nA grand jury indicted Tinsley on a felony charge of intimidation and misdemeanor counts of battery, disorderly conduct and intimidation in connection with a Feb. 6 fight at the 8 Seconds Saloon. Daniels is charged with battery and disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors.\nAccording to a police report, the manager of the bar said Tinsley threatened to kill him during the fight. The confrontation with the players followed another fight involving a person who employees thought was trying to steal coats from the coat check area, police said.
Hoosiers drop road contest 67-59 to Flyers for third straight loss
(12/06/07 4:37am)
The IU women’s basketball team lost its third straight game in a 67-59 defeat to the Dayton Flyers Wednesday night at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio. \nThe Hoosiers (4-4) controlled the game in the first half, holding Dayton (7-2) to just 21 points, and went into halftime with a 24-21 lead.. The Flyers responded with a second half surge and built a 49-40 edge with 10 minutes remaining in the game. After Dayton extended the lead to as many as 14 points, IU cut the deficit to seven with 6:07 remaining. But Dayton’s Karah Cloxton responded with a three-pointer, extending the lead to 10 points.\nJunior forward Whitney Thomas recorded her first double-double of the year and the 10th of her career, with 20 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Hoosiers. Junior forward Amber Jackson and sophomore guard Jamie Braun joined Thomas in double figures with 15 and 12 points respectively. Braun fell just short of her second straight double-double, finishing with nine rebounds. \nDayton held off the Hoosiers thanks to its accuracy from beyond the arc. IU went cold from three-point range, shooting 0-9, while Dayton shot close to 50 percent from three-point range, \nfinishing 7-15. \nOverall, the Hoosiers shot an abysmal 30.8 percent from the field. The Flyers did not fare much better, shooting 36.9 percent, but their seven three-pointers were enough to put the Hoosiers away.\nIn their last game, an 85-78 loss to No. 21 Florida State, the Hoosiers struggled from the free-throw line, shooting 10-18. After the loss to the Seminoles, IU coach Felisha Legette-Jack stressed the importance of making shots from the charity stripe. Her words resonated with the Hoosiers, as IU shot 19-20 from the line against Dayton.\nThe Hoosiers will be back on the road Sunday when they travel to Lawrence, Kan., to face the Kansas Jayhawks.
Tebow, McFadden in running for Heisman
(12/06/07 4:33am)
NEW YORK – Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, trying to become the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy, and Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, the runner-up for last year’s award, were among the four finalists selected Wednesday.\nMissouri quarterback Chase Daniel and Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan were the other finalists. They will all be in New York on Saturday night when the award is given to the top player in college football.\nThe Heisman race took a while to develop this season and seemed wide open until the last month when Tebow, McFadden and Daniel emerged as front-runners.\nSince the first Heisman was given to Chicago’s Jay Berwanger in 1935, all 70 players who have won college football’s most prestigious award have been juniors or seniors.\nTebow could break that trend. The ultimate dual-threat quarterback at 235 pounds, Tebow ran for 838 yards rushing and a Southeastern Conference-record 22 touchdowns.\nHe’s also the nation’s second-leading passer, having completed 68 percent of his throws for 3,132 yards, with 29 touchdowns and just six interceptions in his first season as a starter.\nTebow’s already had a historic season, becoming the first major college player to run for 20 touchdowns and throw 20 TD passes in the same season.\nMcFadden was one of the preseason favorites after finishing second to Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith last year. His candidacy lagged with a mediocre October, but he gave himself a boost with a spectacular November. In the final month of the season, McFadden tied the SEC record with 321 yards rushing against South Carolina, and ran for 206 yards and three TDs and also threw a touchdown pass to lead the Razorbacks to a 50-48 triple overtime victory over then-No. 1 LSU.\nMcFadden could become the fifth player to win the Heisman the year after being the runner-up, joining Tom Harmon of Michigan, Glenn Davis of Army, O.J. Simpson of USC and Herschel Walker of Georgia.\nDaniel was one of six quarterbacks to reach 4,000 yards passing this season. He threw for 4,170 yards and 33 TDs to get the surprising Tigers within a victory of reaching the BCS national championship game.\nBrennan led Hawaii (12-0) to the only perfect regular season in major college football and its first BCS appearance, but his numbers were down from last year because he lost some time to injuries.\nRunning the Warriors’ run-n-shoot offense, Brennan passed for 4,174 and 38 touchdowns. He also set the major college record for career touchdown passes with 131.
China says it will welcome reporters at 2008 Olympics
(12/06/07 2:01am)
BEIJING – Tuesday, China said it welcomes journalists covering the 2008 Beijing Olympics, responding to complaints by a media rights group that the Communist regime has decided to clamp down on reporting in the run-up to the games.\nIn an open letter last week, Reporters Without Borders cited “disturbing reports” about the way Chinese authorities are planning to deal with the tens of thousands of journalists expected to attend the Aug. 8-24 games in Beijing, including plans to compile files on them and to reserve the right to turn them back even if they were accredited by national Olympic committees.\nForeign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said the Paris-based group launched “consistent attacks on China” and reiterated that Beijing was “willing to provide services and facilitate” coverage.\n“The Chinese government and its people sincerely welcome reporters from around the world to cover the Olympic games and cover China in a fair and objective way,” Qin told reporters at a regular briefing. “This position will not change.”\nThe Olympics are a huge source of national pride for China and authorities have taken great pains to make sure nothing mars Beijing’s image.\nChinese officials last month denied widely published reports that a database was being kept on foreign journalists who plan to cover the Olympics, an issue that raised questions about the country’s pledge of increased media freedom – part of a successful campaign in landing the games six years ago.\n“It is becoming clearer and clearer that the organizers of the Beijing Olympics and the Chinese security apparatus have decided to control journalists very closely before and during the games,” Robert Menard, secretary-general of Reporters Without Borders, said in the letter.\nAddressed to Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympics Committee, the letter the group sent also complained that the IOC has remained silent on the issue.\nIn response, the IOC said it expects Chinese authorities to give the media full freedom to report.\n“The IOC believes in the good will of the Chinese to deliver the necessary environment for the 20,000 accredited media who will come for the games,” IOC spokeswoman Emmanuelle Moreau said last week.\nThe IOC also said it is standard procedure at all Olympics for accredited personnel to receive a background check by local security authorities.\nRogge stressed that the IOC is a sports – not a political or government – organization, and is not in a position to change Chinese policy on human rights or other political issues.
Jury identifies gunman in Sean Taylor murder case
(12/06/07 2:01am)
MIAMI – The 17-year-old suspect in the death of Sean Taylor was accused Tuesday of firing the shot that killed the Washington Redskins safety.\nA Miami-Dade grand jury identified Eric Rivera as the gunman in its indictment.\nRivera and his three co-defendants were indicted by the grand jury on charges of first-degree felony murder and armed burglary.\nCharles Wardlow, 18; Jason Mitchell, 19; and Venjah Hunte, 20, were ordered to be held without bail during brief court appearances via a video conference from the Miami-Dade County jail. The three, who stood silently during the hearing, will remain at the jail under suicide watch after Judge John Thornton, Jr.’s ruling.\nRivera, still in custody in Fort Myers, was expected to be transported to Miami-Dade on Tuesday night and make a court appearance Wednesday. One of his attorneys said the grand jury’s identification of Rivera as the gunman was expected.\n“This does not come as a surprise,” said Sawyer Smith, who represents Rivera along with his father, Wilbur.\nThe 24-year-old Taylor died Nov. 27, a day after he was shot in the bedroom of his home. Police said he was a victim of a botched burglary.\n“I think he’s in disbelief over what occurred,” said Wilbur Smith of Rivera. “His expression to me was that ‘I can’t believe this kind of thing happened.’”\nAsked how he would defend his client, Wilbur Smith said simply: “Stay tuned.”\nAttorneys said the four young men were visibly agitated.\n“He’s very distraught,” said Hunte’s attorney, Michael Hornung. “He’s scared.”\nHornung offered glimpses of his client’s possible involvement. He said Hunte was the only suspect with a valid driver’s license and was behind the wheel at least part of the time. He said Hunte did not have a gun and did not know his friends’ plans.\n“Just a bunch of friends that evening said they were going to the East Coast, and he went along,” Hornung said. “He had no idea whatsoever what was going on.”\nHunte is cooperating with police, his attorney said, and would tell them everything he knows.\nProbable cause affidavits for Mitchell and Rivera said the two confessed to participating in armed burglary. According to the reports, Mitchell and Rivera admitted entering the home and said someone had a gun and shot Taylor, but they did not identify who. Police and attorneys have also said some of the young men confessed, though they would not elaborate.\nWardlow’s attorney, David Brener, did not return a phone message.\nWilbur and Sawyer Smith have said there is a fifth suspect, though police would not confirm that.\nThe court proceedings came a day after Taylor’s funeral, which was held at a university arena and drew about 3,000 mourners. Among those attending were NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, 300 members of the Redskins organization and actor Andy Garcia, uncle of Taylor’s girlfriend, Jackie Garcia.
Tigers on brink of acquiring Marlins Cabrera and Willis
(12/06/07 2:00am)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – While the Boston Red Sox appeared to be closing in on Johan Santana, an even bigger trade emerged Tuesday at the winter meetings: The Detroit Tigers reached a preliminary agreement to acquire Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis from the Florida Marlins for a package of six players.\nFlorida would get left-hander Andrew Miller, outfielder Cameron Maybin and four other prospects, a baseball official with knowledge of the talks said on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been finalized.\nThe players involved must pass physicals to complete the deal.\n“If it does happen, obviously they’re getting two very good players,” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi, who managed the Marlins in 2006. “Miguel Cabrera is one of the finest hitters in the game. He can do so many things with a bat, whether you want him to hit a home run for you, you want to hit and run, work the count, get on base. And Dontrelle Willis has been one of the premier lefties in the National League.”\nBoston, meanwhile, was focused on Santana, the Minnesota Twins’ two-time Cy Young Award winner. Finding the price too high, the Yankees ended their efforts to acquire the 28-year-old left-hander.\nYankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner set a Monday deadline for an agreement with the Twins.\n“A deadline is a deadline, it was pretty much done as of this morning,” he said. “He’s a fine pitcher, but there’s a lot of things that go into this. This isn’t fantasy baseball.”\nBoston offered the Twins packages built either around pitcher Jon Lester or outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, but not both.\nNew York proposed pitcher Phil Hughes and center fielder Melky Cabrera. The Twins dropped their demand that pitcher Ian Kennedy be included, but the sides could not agree on a third player.\n“To tell you the truth, toward the end, Minnesota negotiated in good faith. They really did,” Steinbrenner said. “I have no problem with them.”\nTwins general manager Bill Smith would not discuss the talks in specifics. He also refused to get into whether he was upset with Steinbrenner’s repeated public comments about negotiations. When asked about Steinbrenner, Smith responded with praise for Yankees general manager Brian Cashman.\n“I have the greatest respect for Brian Cashman. He’s a gentleman. He’s a classy professional in this game,” Smith said. “I don’t have any problems with the Yankees. They’ve been good to the Twins. They’ve been good to the Twins for a lot of years.”
Joe Paterno inducted into Hall of Fame
(12/06/07 2:00am)
NEW YORK – The College Football Hall of Fame news conference already started by the time Joe Paterno showed up and grabbed his seat at the end of the dais.\n“I apologize for being one year and 20 minutes late,” the 80-year-old Penn State coach said.\nNo apologies necessary, JoePa.\nThe second-winningest coach in the history of major college football was voted into the Hall of Fame in 2006, but his induction had to be put on hold because this time last year he was recovering from a broken leg caused by two players running into him during a game.\nThe rest of the class of 13 new Hall of Famers, including 1984 Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie and former Oregon star Ahmad Rashad, were voted in earlier this year and were to be inducted at a banquet Tuesday night at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in midtown Manhattan.\nPaterno, who led Penn State to an 8-4 record this season, was hoping to take his children back to his old neighborhood in Brooklyn while he was in town, but he has been too busy.\n“I’ll always be a New Yorker,” he said. “It’s great to come back.”\nPenn State threw a reception at another Manhattan hotel for Paterno on Monday night. About half of the 400 people present at the reception were Paterno’s former players, including Franco Harris, John Cappelletti, Lydell Mitchell and Todd Blackledge.\n“So many of the kids came back,” Paterno said. “It was very emotional. I didn’t get to spend enough time with any of them. It was like holding court.”\nPaterno will complete his 51st season as head coach at Penn State in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 19 against Texas A&M. No other major college coach has been at one school longer and his 371 career victories ranks second only to Bobby Bowden (373).\nBowden and Paterno were supposed to be inducted into the Hall of Fame together last year, but Paterno was still gimpy from a surgery to repair his broken left shinbone and torn ligaments in his knee.\n“I’m only sorry I wasn’t here last year with Bobby Bowden, somebody I respect so much (and) somebody I think has done a magnificent job at his school,” Paterno said. “We’ve been very fortunate. God’s given us good health. Every once in a while you get a little sloppy on the sideline and let somebody run into you.”\nPaterno became the head coach at Penn State in 1966, before any of the 12 players in the latest hall of fame class started college.
Colts have work to do after Jacksonville win
(12/04/07 2:25pm)
INDIANAPOLIS – Good enough. That was the sentiment of Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy concerning his team’s play in Sunday’s 28-25 win over Jacksonville.\nWhile the Colts’ defense has probably been the most consistent aspect of the team’s success this year, it was Indianapolis’ injury-plagued offense that received applause from Dungy.\n“We did get great effort and we knew that’s what it was going to take,” Dungy said Monday. “We played hard. I thought offensively we played as well as we’ve played in quite a while.”\nThe defense, meanwhile, struggled for most of the matchup with the Jaguars but was able to come up with some big plays in the second half.\n“We were just not fundamentally sound and (did) things that we don’t normally do. Just weren’t real sharp,” Dungy said.\n“I guess that I have to take a lot of the blame on that, that we didn’t get some things communicated,” he added.\nIndianapolis was buoyed by the return of rookie offensive tackle Tony Ugoh and veteran strong side linebacker Tyjuan Hagler to the lineup against Jacksonville. Ugoh had missed five games and Hagler four with neck injuries, but both saw extensive playing time against the Jaguars.\nDefensive tackles Raheem Brock (ribs) and Quinn Pitcock (knee) were hurt during the Jacksonville game. Pitcock was able to return, but Brock’s prognosis won’t be known for a couple of days. The Colts are hoping that offensive tackles Ryan Diem (knee) and Daniel Federkeil (concussion), along with cornerback Tim Jennings (upper leg), will be able to return to a full practice schedule this week.\nThe Colts are now 10-2 for the season and 4-0 in divisional play as they head into a road game at Baltimore. Their goals are clear as the season heads into the final stretch, Dungy said.\n“We’ve got to understand where we are right now, that we need a couple of more wins to clinch the division and we’ve got to continue to win to stay in front of Pittsburgh,” Dungy said.
Hoosiers pull off win; Gordon leaves at half with injury
(12/04/07 5:22am)
The Hoosiers defeated Tennessee State University 84-72 Monday night at Assembly Hall. Freshman guard Eric Gordan left the game in the first half with a "bruised backside."\nVisit the IDS Basketblog for more coverage.
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