Sports

Gearing up

After weather conditions forced Little 500 teams to practice away from Bill Armstrong Stadium this week, riders are anxious to get back on the right track, even if that track is a bit sludgy. Qualifications for the men's and women's fields are all day Saturday, where teams compete to determine the racing order for the April event.

Bonds plans law suit over 'Game of Shadows' book

SAN FRANCISCO -- Barry Bonds plans to sue the authors and publisher of a book that alleges the San Francisco Giants' slugger used steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs.

Hoosiers return from spring break success

While most students in Florida were thinking about beaches and fun, the members of the IU softball team won six games and took home a tournament title. The team looks to carry that momentum into this weekend's IU Classic when it takes on Western Kentucky and Wright State.

Colts on for Mississippi's first NFL exhibition

JACKSON, Miss. -- Mississippi's first NFL exhibition game in a decade will feature some significant ties to the Magnolia State.

Hoosiers return from spring break success

While most students in Florida were thinking about beaches and fun, the members of the IU softball team won six games and took home a tournament title. The team looks to carry that momentum into this weekend's IU Classic when it takes on Western Kentucky and Wright State.

IU hopes weather permits home game

The IU baseball team hopes the third time proves to be the charm, as it attempts to play its first home game of the season. The first two scheduled home games were cancelled because of inclement weather.

IU to face off against Boilermakers, Illini

When it comes to women's tennis, the recent IU-Purdue rivalry has been about as one-sided as a fight between a polar bear and a pussycat -- and at 35-2 all-time over their rivals, IU coach Lin Loring isn't leading the pussycat. Friday afternoon, the No. 35 Hoosiers will look to improve their conference record to 2-0 against the visiting Boilermakers, who come into the contest ranked No. 33. IU will also face Illinois on Sunday.

Uncharted Waters

For the IU women's basketball team, the postseason is uncharted waters. The last Hoosier team to make a postseason tournament was the 2001-02 squad that steam-rolled its way through the Big Ten Tournament and into the NCAA Tournament.

Student response mixed on departure

Junior Matt Conroy is embarrassed to be a Hoosier fan right now.

Search for replacement as up in the air as ever

After two conflicting reports in as many days from www.ESPN.com, more questions than answers surround IU's search for its next men's basketball coach. Tuesday night, ESPN columnist Andy Katz reported that Iowa coach Steve Alford was expected to interview with the University of Missouri today.

END OF THE ROAD

Portland woman planning 56th straight state tourney finals

PORTLAND, Ind. -- Doris Northam hadn't planned to attend the Indiana high school boys' basketball finals this year. After all, she's 87 years old, climbing stairs is difficult and, frankly, her interest just wasn't there anymore. But when her hometown team Jay County advanced to the Class 3A championship game, Northam decided to make the trek to Indianapolis one more time -- her 56th finals tourney in a row. "When I was a kid, you know, you went to church and you went to ball games. And that was your entertainment. It was just natural to me," said Northam, who has tickets for all four games at Conseco Fieldhouse on Saturday. "I would have been so disappointed if I had given up on going," she told The Commercial Review.

Oden named Naismith award winner

INDIANAPOLIS -- Greg Oden of Lawrence North High School was named Naismith high school player of the year Wednesday by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. The award, given each year to the top male and female high school players in the nation, will be presented March 29 at the McDonald's All-American Game in San Diego.

Soriano finally agrees to move to left field for Nationals

JUPITER, Fla. -- Alfonso Soriano's only chance in left field Wednesday was a reminder of the good old days, before the Washington Nationals finally persuaded him to change positions. Soriano jogged in a few steps to catch a routine fly ball by Albert Pujols, then threw to second base to double off David Eckstein. "I never think I'm going to make a double play in the outfield," Soriano said. "But I did it." Soriano agreed to make the move from second base only two days after refusing to take his new spot in the outfield. The Nationals had a day off Tuesday, giving him time to accept the switch.

COACHING CONFUSION

Despite recent speculation by some media, it is likely only two people know who will become the next IU men's basketball coach: Director of Athletics Rick Greenspan and President Adam Herbert. Those charged with shaping the future of much of the University, including trustees, members of the Bloomington Faculty Council and influential, wealthy alumni, said Wednesday they are out of the loop. Directors of the IU Foundation, whose efforts brought in more than $100 million last year for the Bloomington campus (approximately equivalent to one tenth of the operating budget), said they are concerned about who will fill the vacancy, but have no knowledge of the candidates being considered. Many at the foundation said they worry about the next coach's ability to rally alumni and increase donations, but cited a confidence in Greenspan's abilities to choose coaches.

Colts sign Patriots Super Bowl hero Vinatieri

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts are switching from the NFL's most accurate kicker to the best in the clutch.

Lawrence North on the verge of basketball history

INDIANAPOLIS -- Jack Keefer's not much of a history buff. What happens to his Lawrence North team for a couple of hours Saturday night means a lot more to him than what happened to Oscar Robertson and Indianapolis Attucks a half-century ago.

Hoosiers take second straight division title

In a weekend set that included two wins against ranked opponents and the end of a nine-game win streak, the No. 19 IU water polo team captured its second-straight Collegiate Water Polo Association Western Division regular season title.

Hoosiers fail to win first title

Before the Hoosiers headed to Rochester, N.Y., to compete in the 2006 American Collegiate Hockey Association Championship Tournament last week, IU coach Rich Holdeman pointed to one game that would decide how his team would fare throughout the tournament -- its matchup with Oakland University.

IU leaves shortened tournament with 3rd-place finish

Exactly two weeks after finishing its previous tournament, the men's golf team played Sunday in the Pinehurst Intercollegiate. Because of unplayable course conditions, the final 18 holes were canceled, leaving the Hoosiers with a third-place finish.