MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State sophomore forward Kaosi Ezeagu (Brampton, Ontario/GTA Prep/UTEP) has received a waiver from the NCAA that will allow him to play immediately in 2020-21, head coach Bruce Weber announced on Wednesday (May 27).

A 6-foot-10, 245-pound transfer from UTEP, Ezeagu enrolled at K-State on January 17 for the Spring 2020 semester and was able to practice with the team. He sat out the remainder of the 2019-20 season and was expected to do so for the Fall 2020 semester before earning the waiver. He will have three seasons of eligibility remaining.

"We are excited for Kaosi that he was able to gain this waiver and become immediately eligible," said Weber. "When we signed him, I thought he filled a big need, giving us an older, experienced big guy that has played Division I basketball. He made big strides on the court and in the weight room this past semester and helped raise the physicality and competitive spirit in practice. He really helped push (departing senior) Mak (Mawien) down the stretch. We are appreciative to Coach (Rodney) Terry, his staff and UTEP for supporting this waiver."

Prior to enrolling at K-State, the native of Brampton, Ontario played one season at UTEP for head coach Rodney Terry in 2018-19. He played in all 29 games for the Miners as a true freshman, averaging 3.2 points on a team-best 56.9 field goal percentage (37-of-65) with 3.4 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 12.4 minutes per game. He led the team with 24 blocked shots and registered at least 2 blocks in eight contests with a season-high 3 against Rice on February 23, 2019. Twice he scored in double figures, including 10 in his first game against UTPB on November 16, 2018 and a season-best 12 against Middle Tennessee State on March 6, 2019.

Ezeagu started each of the Miners' last seven games, averaging 3.9 points on 47.8 percent shooting (11-of-23) with 4.3 rebounds in 17.3 minutes per game. He nearly had a double-double in his final home game against Middle Tennessee State with 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting with 9 rebounds in a season-best 29 minutes.

Ezeagu was born in the Bahamas but went to prep school in Brampton, Ontario (a suburb of Toronto), where he was rated one of the top prep players in Canada after averaging 11.4 points and 10.4 rebounds at GTA Prep at Mississauga Secondary School in 2017-18. The only player in the league to average a double-double, he was named the Defensive Player of the Year by the National Preparatory Association. He was also selected as the co-MVP of the Signature All-Canadian Showcase.

Ezeagu joins an acclaimed recruiting class that includes community college transfers Rueadale "Rudi" Williams (Hamilton, Ontario/Forest Trail [N.C]/NE Oklahoma A&amp;M College) and Carlton Linguard (San Antonio, Texas/Stevens/Temple College [Texas]) as well as high school seniors Davion Bradford (St. Louis, Mo./Mehlville), Luke Kasubke (St. Louis, Mo./Chaminade), Seryee Lewis (Chicago, Ill./Compass Prep [Ariz.]), Selton Miguel (Orlando, Fla./West Oaks Academy) and Nijel Pack (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence Central).

The seven-man recruiting class ranks among the best in the country by several recruiting services, including No. 17 by Rivals.com and No. 30 by 247Sports.com. Historically speaking, it is the highest rated recruiting class under Weber and the highest collective class by K-State since recruiting rankings have been kept. Three players (Selton Miguel, Nijel Pack and Davion Bradford) are rated among the Top 150 players by both 247Sports and Rivals, while Williams and Linguard are both ranked among the best community college signees by 247Sports.

kstatesports.comMANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State sophomore forward Kaosi Ezeagu (Brampton, Ontario/GTA Prep/UTEP) has received a waiver from the NCAA that will allow him to play immediately in 2020-21, head coach Bruce Weber announced on Wednesday (May 27).A 6-foot-10, 245-pound transfer from UTEP, Ezeagu enrolled at K-State on January 17 for the Spring 2020 semester and was able to practice with the team. He sat out the remainder of the 2019-20 season and was expected to do so for the Fall 2020 semester before earning the waiver. He will have three seasons of eligibility remaining."We are excited for Kaosi that he was able to gain this waiver and become immediately eligible," said Weber. "When we signed him, I thought he filled a big need, giving us an older, experienced big guy that has played Division I basketball. He made big strides on the court and in the weight room this past semester and helped raise the physicality and competitive spirit in practice. He really helped push (departing senior) Mak (Mawien) down the stretch. We are appreciative to Coach (Rodney) Terry, his staff and UTEP for supporting this waiver."Prior to enrolling at K-State, the native of Brampton, Ontario played one season at UTEP for head coach Rodney Terry in 2018-19. He played in all 29 games for the Miners as a true freshman, averaging 3.2 points on a team-best 56.9 field goal percentage (37-of-65) with 3.4 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 12.4 minutes per game. He led the team with 24 blocked shots and registered at least 2 blocks in eight contests with a season-high 3 against Rice on February 23, 2019. Twice he scored in double figures, including 10 in his first game against UTPB on November 16, 2018 and a season-best 12 against Middle Tennessee State on March 6, 2019.Ezeagu started each of the Miners' last seven games, averaging 3.9 points on 47.8 percent shooting (11-of-23) with 4.3 rebounds in 17.3 minutes per game. He nearly had a double-double in his final home game against Middle Tennessee State with 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting with 9 rebounds in a season-best 29 minutes.Ezeagu was born in the Bahamas but went to prep school in Brampton, Ontario (a suburb of Toronto), where he was rated one of the top prep players in Canada after averaging 11.4 points and 10.4 rebounds at GTA Prep at Mississauga Secondary School in 2017-18. The only player in the league to average a double-double, he was named the Defensive Player of the Year by the National Preparatory Association. He was also selected as the co-MVP of the Signature All-Canadian Showcase.Ezeagu joins an acclaimed recruiting class that includes community college transfers Rueadale "Rudi" Williams (Hamilton, Ontario/Forest Trail [N.C]/NE Oklahoma A&amp;M College) and Carlton Linguard (San Antonio, Texas/Stevens/Temple College [Texas]) as well as high school seniors Davion Bradford (St. Louis, Mo./Mehlville), Luke Kasubke (St. Louis, Mo./Chaminade), Seryee Lewis (Chicago, Ill./Compass Prep [Ariz.]), Selton Miguel (Orlando, Fla./West Oaks Academy) and Nijel Pack (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence Central).The seven-man recruiting class ranks among the best in the country by several recruiting services, including No. 17 by Rivals.com and No. 30 by 247Sports.com. Historically speaking, it is the highest rated recruiting class under Weber and the highest collective class by K-State since recruiting rankings have been kept. Three players (Selton Miguel, Nijel Pack and Davion Bradford) are rated among the Top 150 players by both 247Sports and Rivals, while Williams and Linguard are both ranked among the best community college signees by 247Sports.

Ezeagu Earns Waiver to Play Immediately in 2020-21

HAYS, Kan. - Brandon Ball of Fort Hays State Wrestling landed on the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team for At-Large Sports a second-straight year on Thursday (May 21). Ball is one of just 10 student-athletes on the District 7 Team, chosen from several sports that are part of the At-Large category. Men's sports included in the at-large category include wrestling, fencing, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, rifle, skiing, swimming, tennis, volleyball, and water polo.

Ball is a Technology Studies major at Fort Hays State. He carried a 3.81 cumulative GPA into the 2020 spring semester. CoSIDA Academic All-District and All-America programs are voted on based off both a student-athlete's academic and athletic accomplishments. Ball was an Academic All-America selection for At-Large sports in 2019 and will be on the ballot once again this year with the All-District selection.

Ball was one of the top wrestlers in NCAA Division II throughout his career. He earned All-America honors for the third time in his career in 2020 by finishing 16-1 overall. After a fourth-place national finish in 2019, Ball was poised to make a run at the individual national title once again. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCAA Wrestling Championships were canceled. With no championship event to determine All-America performers this year, the NWCA voted on All-America honors for 2020. Ball held at No. 2 ranking at 141 pounds for the majority of the season.

Ball wrapped his stories FHSU career as the program's leader win percentage all time, posting a staggering 130-22 overall record (.855). He was very successful in the classroom as well, earning the MIAA Scholar-Athlete Award and NWCA All-Academic Award four times, while gracing the MIAA Academic Honor Roll five times.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590617289419.jpeg" alt="fhsuathletics.com" />
 <figcaption>fhsuathletics.com</figcaption>
 </figure>HAYS, Kan. - Brandon Ball of Fort Hays State Wrestling landed on the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team for At-Large Sports a second-straight year on Thursday (May 21). Ball is one of just 10 student-athletes on the District 7 Team, chosen from several sports that are part of the At-Large category. Men's sports included in the at-large category include wrestling, fencing, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, rifle, skiing, swimming, tennis, volleyball, and water polo.Ball is a Technology Studies major at Fort Hays State. He carried a 3.81 cumulative GPA into the 2020 spring semester. CoSIDA Academic All-District and All-America programs are voted on based off both a student-athlete's academic and athletic accomplishments. Ball was an Academic All-America selection for At-Large sports in 2019 and will be on the ballot once again this year with the All-District selection.Ball was one of the top wrestlers in NCAA Division II throughout his career. He earned All-America honors for the third time in his career in 2020 by finishing 16-1 overall. After a fourth-place national finish in 2019, Ball was poised to make a run at the individual national title once again. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCAA Wrestling Championships were canceled. With no championship event to determine All-America performers this year, the NWCA voted on All-America honors for 2020. Ball held at No. 2 ranking at 141 pounds for the majority of the season.Ball wrapped his stories FHSU career as the program's leader win percentage all time, posting a staggering 130-22 overall record (.855). He was very successful in the classroom as well, earning the MIAA Scholar-Athlete Award and NWCA All-Academic Award four times, while gracing the MIAA Academic Honor Roll five times.

Brandon Ball Named to CoSIDA Academic All-District Team for Second-Straight Year

Financially challenged schools considering cutting sports in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic are making difficult decisions of who gets to keep playing and who doesn’t.

The choices aren’t just about money when they involve women’s sports. And while Title IX doesn’t prevent women’s sports from being eliminated, the federal law is a huge part of the conversations.

“I wouldn’t say that women’s sports are more at risk,” said attorney Timothy J. O’Brien, who is based in Maine with a practice focused on employment and college sports law. “I would say that all sports in an economic downturn will be scrutinized. But it should be done in a fair and equitable manner so at the end of the day the institution is compliant with Title IX.”

The civil-rights law, which applies to each gender, is credited with expanding women’s opportunities and participation in sports.

With the shutdown of college and professional sports in March amid the pandemic, it’s unclear how many schools will be able to have sports on reopened campuses this fall. Some – including Appalachian State, Cincinnati, East Carolina, Furman and Old Dominion – have already cut non-revenue sports programs, but any move must ensure equitable treatment of remaining men’s and women’s athletics programs to comply with Title IX.

Established in 1972, Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity receiving federal funds, such as student financial aid. It applies to sports by ensuring men and women have equitable participation opportunities, as well as access to scholarships.

While schools are facing financial hardships, Boston-based attorney Janet P. Judge said that fact doesn’t nullify Title IX responsibilities.

“Title IX still applies,” said Judge, who focuses on sports and civil rights law. “It’s a federal law that still applies. It’s not suspended because there are financial challenges for the institutions.”

Schools are reviewing guidelines with college athletics facing an uncertain financial future – including big-budget programs that rely on football as the revenue driver through lucrative TV deals and the ability to fund lower-profile sports. There was also the hit from the cancellation of the NCAA Tournament, which meant far less money distributed to Division I schools.

O’Brien, who joined Judge in co-authoring the NCAA gender equity manual, said schools are “keenly aware” that decisions can’t be based solely on which programs cost the most money with the least return. That’s because any decision to cut sports can affect the “delicate balancing act” in complying with Title IX when it comes to the school’s gender breakdown of athletes and sports, he said.

Still, it doesn’t mandate schools offer men’s and women’s programs that are mirror images. As an example, NCAA guidelines require Football Bowl Subdivision schools to sponsor at least 16 varsity sports with a minimum of six for men or mixed-gender teams, and eight for women.

O’Brien said compliance can be measured in multiple ways, including whether the overall sports program’s gender breakdown is proportionate to that of the general student body.

“That’s really the focal point of the analysis: what’s left, not what was eliminated?” O’Brien said.

Like O’Brien, Judge does not believe women’s programs are at more risk because it “would be difficult” for schools to comply with Title IX while widely cutting women’s sports. So far, they’re right; more men’s programs (16) have been cut than women’s (four) in Division I as of Tuesday, according to a count by The Associated Press.

Old Dominion said in early April it would discontinue wrestling, saving about $1 million. The school said that decision followed a six-month outside study of its athletics program that included Title IX compliance considerations, with athletics director Camden Wood Selig saying the decision to cut a sport “became even more clear” with the pandemic.

Later that month, Cincinnati eliminated a men’s soccer program in existence since 1973.

In May, Florida International dissolved its men’s indoor track and field program. Akron eliminated three sports — men’s cross country, men’s golf and women’s tennis — to save $4.4 million. Bowling Green followed with the shutdown of baseball to reduce the athletics department’s operating budget by $2 million.

Last week, Furman cut baseball and men’s lacrosse, while East Carolina eliminated four sports — men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s tennis — in a plan to save $4.9 million.

And Tuesday, Appalachian State cut men’s soccer, men’s tennis and men’s indoor track and field in a plan to reduce the budget by $5 million for the 2021 fiscal year.

There are other financial considerations, too.

Wake Forest athletics director John Currie noted that non-revenue sports frequently have athletes on partial scholarships, meaning a team roster could have the equivalent of numerous athletes paying full tuition. So cutting a sport might reduce expenses for an athletics department yet cause a net revenue loss for a school more broadly.

It’s just one example, he said, of detailed evaluations any school must make while also fulfilling its Title IX requirements.

Meeting that threshold is not optional, though Currie noted a harsh reality: “Not every school can be everything to everybody.”

“Allocation of resources is among the most difficult decisions that leaders have to make, and the prioritization of how they’re going to allocate those resources,” Currie said. “Because there’s lots of great things we could do. We can’t do everything, if we want to do things in an excellent fashion.

“Despite what people want to believe, college athletics as a whole is an enterprise with some business principles. It’s not a business, because there’s no business that operates a predominant number of its programs at a net loss.”

Financially challenged schools considering cutting sports in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic are making difficult decisions of who gets to keep playing and who doesn’t.The choices aren’t just about money when they involve women’s sports. And while Title IX doesn’t prevent women’s sports from being eliminated, the federal law is a huge part of the conversations.“I wouldn’t say that women’s sports are more at risk,” said attorney Timothy J. O’Brien, who is based in Maine with a practice focused on employment and college sports law. “I would say that all sports in an economic downturn will be scrutinized. But it should be done in a fair and equitable manner so at the end of the day the institution is compliant with Title IX.”The civil-rights law, which applies to each gender, is credited with expanding women’s opportunities and participation in sports.With the shutdown of college and professional sports in March amid the pandemic, it’s unclear how many schools will be able to have sports on reopened campuses this fall. Some – including Appalachian State, Cincinnati, East Carolina, Furman and Old Dominion – have already cut non-revenue sports programs, but any move must ensure equitable treatment of remaining men’s and women’s athletics programs to comply with Title IX.Established in 1972, Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity receiving federal funds, such as student financial aid. It applies to sports by ensuring men and women have equitable participation opportunities, as well as access to scholarships.While schools are facing financial hardships, Boston-based attorney Janet P. Judge said that fact doesn’t nullify Title IX responsibilities.“Title IX still applies,” said Judge, who focuses on sports and civil rights law. “It’s a federal law that still applies. It’s not suspended because there are financial challenges for the institutions.”Schools are reviewing guidelines with college athletics facing an uncertain financial future – including big-budget programs that rely on football as the revenue driver through lucrative TV deals and the ability to fund lower-profile sports. There was also the hit from the cancellation of the NCAA Tournament, which meant far less money distributed to Division I schools.O’Brien, who joined Judge in co-authoring the NCAA gender equity manual, said schools are “keenly aware” that decisions can’t be based solely on which programs cost the most money with the least return. That’s because any decision to cut sports can affect the “delicate balancing act” in complying with Title IX when it comes to the school’s gender breakdown of athletes and sports, he said.Still, it doesn’t mandate schools offer men’s and women’s programs that are mirror images. As an example, NCAA guidelines require Football Bowl Subdivision schools to sponsor at least 16 varsity sports with a minimum of six for men or mixed-gender teams, and eight for women.O’Brien said compliance can be measured in multiple ways, including whether the overall sports program’s gender breakdown is proportionate to that of the general student body.“That’s really the focal point of the analysis: what’s left, not what was eliminated?” O’Brien said.Like O’Brien, Judge does not believe women’s programs are at more risk because it “would be difficult” for schools to comply with Title IX while widely cutting women’s sports. So far, they’re right; more men’s programs (16) have been cut than women’s (four) in Division I as of Tuesday, according to a count by The Associated Press.Old Dominion said in early April it would discontinue wrestling, saving about $1 million. The school said that decision followed a six-month outside study of its athletics program that included Title IX compliance considerations, with athletics director Camden Wood Selig saying the decision to cut a sport “became even more clear” with the pandemic.Later that month, Cincinnati eliminated a men’s soccer program in existence since 1973.In May, Florida International dissolved its men’s indoor track and field program. Akron eliminated three sports — men’s cross country, men’s golf and women’s tennis — to save $4.4 million. Bowling Green followed with the shutdown of baseball to reduce the athletics department’s operating budget by $2 million.Last week, Furman cut baseball and men’s lacrosse, while East Carolina eliminated four sports — men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s tennis — in a plan to save $4.9 million.And Tuesday, Appalachian State cut men’s soccer, men’s tennis and men’s indoor track and field in a plan to reduce the budget by $5 million for the 2021 fiscal year.There are other financial considerations, too.Wake Forest athletics director John Currie noted that non-revenue sports frequently have athletes on partial scholarships, meaning a team roster could have the equivalent of numerous athletes paying full tuition. So cutting a sport might reduce expenses for an athletics department yet cause a net revenue loss for a school more broadly.It’s just one example, he said, of detailed evaluations any school must make while also fulfilling its Title IX requirements.Meeting that threshold is not optional, though Currie noted a harsh reality: “Not every school can be everything to everybody.”“Allocation of resources is among the most difficult decisions that leaders have to make, and the prioritization of how they’re going to allocate those resources,” Currie said. “Because there’s lots of great things we could do. We can’t do everything, if we want to do things in an excellent fashion.“Despite what people want to believe, college athletics as a whole is an enterprise with some business principles. It’s not a business, because there’s no business that operates a predominant number of its programs at a net loss.”

Title IX major factor for colleges looking at sports cuts

The athletic department at the University of Kansas has told donors it will make across-the-board pay cuts and furloughs as it faces a budget shortfall of up to 20 percent, even if full football and basketball seasons are played.

Jayhawks athletic director Jeff Long said in an email that employees making less than $50,000 will face a three-week furlough this summer; those making up to $149,000 can choose between a 10-day furlough or a pay cut of either 3.5% or 5% depending on their salary; those making up to $299,000 can choose a 10-day furlough or cut of either 7.5% and 10%; and those making $300,000 or more will take a 10% pay cut.

Long joined football coach Les Miles and basketball coach Bill Self in taking pay cuts in April. When those are combined with the latest cuts, Long said the athletic department would save about $1.15 million.

“We prolonged enacting measures that impact our people as long as we could,” Long said in the email, “but it has become clear that the across-the-board reductions were necessary for the short and long-term financial needs of this department.”

The athletic department at the University of Kansas has told donors it will make across-the-board pay cuts and furloughs as it faces a budget shortfall of up to 20 percent, even if full football and basketball seasons are played.Jayhawks athletic director Jeff Long said in an email that employees making less than $50,000 will face a three-week furlough this summer; those making up to $149,000 can choose between a 10-day furlough or a pay cut of either 3.5% or 5% depending on their salary; those making up to $299,000 can choose a 10-day furlough or cut of either 7.5% and 10%; and those making $300,000 or more will take a 10% pay cut.Long joined football coach Les Miles and basketball coach Bill Self in taking pay cuts in April. When those are combined with the latest cuts, Long said the athletic department would save about $1.15 million.“We prolonged enacting measures that impact our people as long as we could,” Long said in the email, “but it has become clear that the across-the-board reductions were necessary for the short and long-term financial needs of this department.”

Kansas athletics facing imposing budget woes

Thur 5/287:00PM 1590KVGB/95.5FM – Royals Play Back – Royals vs Chicago White Sox 2014Sat 5/306:00PM 1590KVGB/95.5FM – Royals Play Back - 2015 World Series - Game 2Sun 5/3112:00PM 1590KVGB/95.5FM – Royals Play Back - 2015 World Series - Game 3Tue 6/27:00PM 1590KVGB/95.5FM – Royals Play Back – Royals vs Chicago White Sox 2015Thu 6/47:00PM 1590KVGB/95.5FM – Royals Play Back – Royals vs Minnesota Twins 2015Sat 6/66:00PM 1590KVGB/95.5FM – Royals Play Back - Royals vs Detroit Tigers 2015Sun 6/712:00PM 1590KVGB/95.5FM – Royals Play Back - Royals vs Baltimore Orioles 2015Tue 6/97:00PM 1590KVGB/95.5FM – Royals Play Back – Royals vs Seattle Mariners 2015

Eagle Radio and Hull Broadcasting PBP Schedule

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Former DePaul guard Jalen Coleman-Lands is joining Iowa State as a graduate transfer. He averaged 11.1 points per game for the Blue Demons last season. He will be eligible immediately pending his graduation from DePaul. Coleman-Lands began his career at Illinois, where he led the team in 3-pointers made in each of his two seasons. The Indianapolis native was granted a sixth year by the NCAA in early April after sitting out the 2017-18 season as a transfer and being limited to just nine games in 2018-19 because of injury.

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Texas Tech guard Davide Moretti is skipping his final season to turn pro with Olimpia Milano is his home country of Italy. His signing with the EuroLeague club ended a three-year Texas Tech career that included a school record in free-throw accuracy at 90.6%. Moretti played a strong supporting role in helping the Red Raiders reach the 2019 NCAA championship game. Texas Tech lost to Virginia in overtime. Moretti shot 46% from 3-point range and averaged 11.5 points per game as a sophomore. This past season, he was a 38% 3-point shooter while scoring 13 points per game.

NEW YORK (AP) — College football conferences and television networks have agreed to hold off on announcing start times for early-season games. CBS Sports, ESPN, Fox Sports and their affiliated networks typically announce early game times for the Football Bowl Subdivision conferences on June 1. The two sides decided to wait a few weeks for the 2020 season as sports like the NHL and NBA work toward returning after shutting down due to the coronavirus pandemic. The college football season is scheduled to begin with a handful of games on Aug. 29 and a full slate of games the following week.

UNDATED (AP) — Just in case the NHL season resumes, teams will go straight into the playoffs. Twenty-four teams would resume play. Under the expanded format, the top four teams in each conference will play for seeding while the other 16 face off in best-of-five series. The NHL and its players' union must still figure out safety protocols and other issues, including where to play in two host cities.

UNDATED (AP) — MLB players are said to be extremely disappointed with a sliding-scale compensation proposal by big league teams. Players had expected a 50-50 revenue-sharing plan that owners initially approved for their negotiators on May 11. The union said “the sides also remain far apart on health and safety protocols” aimed at starting the coronavirus-delayed season around July 4.

OAKLAND (AP) — Oakland Athletics owner John Fisher says the team will be placing its scouts and a significant number of other front office employees on furlough, suspending pay for minor leaguers and cutting the salaries of other executives as part of a cost-cutting move in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fisher called it a “tremendously difficult day.”

TOKYO (AP) — Japan's top-flight soccer league is ready to resume its season within weeks of the country's pro baseball league starting play. Both leagues have been on hold amid the coronavirus pandemic. The J-League is expected to officially announce its plans later in the week. Japanese news agency Kyodo reports that league matches will resume on June 27 or July 4. The resumption will be without fans. That is also the plan when baseball begins play on June 19.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles FC will seek a new name for its 2-year-old Banc of California Stadium after a restructuring of the bank’s partnership with the Major League Soccer club. LAFC didn’t announce a time frame for the removal of Banc of California from the stadium’s name or the selection of a new naming rights partner. The stadium will be known by its current name for the immediate future. Banc of California agreed in 2016 to a reported 15-year, $100 million deal to have its name on the $350 million stadium built by LAFC’s deep-pocketed ownership group.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Former DePaul guard Jalen Coleman-Lands is joining Iowa State as a graduate transfer. He averaged 11.1 points per game for the Blue Demons last season. He will be eligible immediately pending his graduation from DePaul. Coleman-Lands began his career at Illinois, where he led the team in 3-pointers made in each of his two seasons. The Indianapolis native was granted a sixth year by the NCAA in early April after sitting out the 2017-18 season as a transfer and being limited to just nine games in 2018-19 because of injury.LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Texas Tech guard Davide Moretti is skipping his final season to turn pro with Olimpia Milano is his home country of Italy. His signing with the EuroLeague club ended a three-year Texas Tech career that included a school record in free-throw accuracy at 90.6%. Moretti played a strong supporting role in helping the Red Raiders reach the 2019 NCAA championship game. Texas Tech lost to Virginia in overtime. Moretti shot 46% from 3-point range and averaged 11.5 points per game as a sophomore. This past season, he was a 38% 3-point shooter while scoring 13 points per game.NEW YORK (AP) — College football conferences and television networks have agreed to hold off on announcing start times for early-season games. CBS Sports, ESPN, Fox Sports and their affiliated networks typically announce early game times for the Football Bowl Subdivision conferences on June 1. The two sides decided to wait a few weeks for the 2020 season as sports like the NHL and NBA work toward returning after shutting down due to the coronavirus pandemic. The college football season is scheduled to begin with a handful of games on Aug. 29 and a full slate of games the following week.UNDATED (AP) — Just in case the NHL season resumes, teams will go straight into the playoffs. Twenty-four teams would resume play. Under the expanded format, the top four teams in each conference will play for seeding while the other 16 face off in best-of-five series. The NHL and its players' union must still figure out safety protocols and other issues, including where to play in two host cities.UNDATED (AP) — MLB players are said to be extremely disappointed with a sliding-scale compensation proposal by big league teams. Players had expected a 50-50 revenue-sharing plan that owners initially approved for their negotiators on May 11. The union said “the sides also remain far apart on health and safety protocols” aimed at starting the coronavirus-delayed season around July 4.OAKLAND (AP) — Oakland Athletics owner John Fisher says the team will be placing its scouts and a significant number of other front office employees on furlough, suspending pay for minor leaguers and cutting the salaries of other executives as part of a cost-cutting move in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fisher called it a “tremendously difficult day.”TOKYO (AP) — Japan's top-flight soccer league is ready to resume its season within weeks of the country's pro baseball league starting play. Both leagues have been on hold amid the coronavirus pandemic. The J-League is expected to officially announce its plans later in the week. Japanese news agency Kyodo reports that league matches will resume on June 27 or July 4. The resumption will be without fans. That is also the plan when baseball begins play on June 19.LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles FC will seek a new name for its 2-year-old Banc of California Stadium after a restructuring of the bank’s partnership with the Major League Soccer club. LAFC didn’t announce a time frame for the removal of Banc of California from the stadium’s name or the selection of a new naming rights partner. The stadium will be known by its current name for the immediate future. Banc of California agreed in 2016 to a reported 15-year, $100 million deal to have its name on the $350 million stadium built by LAFC’s deep-pocketed ownership group.

Wednesday Sports Headlines

NEW YORK (AP) — College football conferences and television networks have agreed to hold off on announcing start times for early-season games.

CBS Sports, ESPN, Fox Sports and their affiliated networks typically announce early game times for the Football Bowl Subdivision conferences on June 1.

The two sides decided to wait a few weeks for the 2020 season as sports like the NHL and NBA work toward returning after shutting down due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The college football season is scheduled to begin with a handful of games on Aug. 29 and a full slate of games the following week.

A handful of conferences have plans in place to allow athletes in all sports to return to campus for voluntary workouts starting next month.

NEW YORK (AP) — College football conferences and television networks have agreed to hold off on announcing start times for early-season games.CBS Sports, ESPN, Fox Sports and their affiliated networks typically announce early game times for the Football Bowl Subdivision conferences on June 1.The two sides decided to wait a few weeks for the 2020 season as sports like the NHL and NBA work toward returning after shutting down due to the coronavirus pandemic.The college football season is scheduled to begin with a handful of games on Aug. 29 and a full slate of games the following week.A handful of conferences have plans in place to allow athletes in all sports to return to campus for voluntary workouts starting next month.

Networks, conferences delay announcing early-season games

CHICAGO (AP) — Mariana Ochoa worries about the effect of the COVID-19 crisis on her three boys. Their school is closed. She can’t take them to their favorite park at the moment. There is no backyard at their home on the southwest side of Chicago.

The fitness routines she gets from Chicago Run are a weekly highlight for Mariano, 9, Victor, 7, and Jesus, 5.

“They forget about all this stuff when we’re doing exercise,” Mariana Ochoa said. “Especially when we do exercise, they go to a different world.”

Nonprofit organizations like Chicago Run have become a key component of communities across the United States in an era of big-budget youth sports, providing fitness opportunities and activities for children from middle- and low-income neighborhoods.

The coronavirus pandemic has put many of those organizations in jeopardy, robbing them of locations for their programs and straining their already limited sources for funding.

“In the current climate, we’re concerned about our ability to maintain this programming at the same level,” said Danya Rosen, the executive director of Chicago Run.

Chicago Run normally serves about 18,000 students at 60 locations throughout the city, mostly at schools. It has fall, winter and spring sessions, along with a smaller summer program.

The ages range from preschool children to high school kids. About 85% of its participants come from low-income households.

“That’s why Chicago Run exists, to ensure that young people have equitable opportunities to engage in fitness and running programs,” Rosen said. “So what we do then, specifically, is we use running and physical activity then as a vehicle to not just develop physical health but also mental health.

”Our program builds resilience to stress and trauma, which is incredibly important in many of our communities experiencing rampant violence and trauma, and also to develop other social and emotional skills.”

After its winter season was suspended because of COVID-19, Chicago Run started creating virtual programming. The transition has been a challenge.

Some families have limited access to wireless internet or digital devices. The connection between coaches and participants also “is really hard to duplicate when you’re doing it digitally,” said Lauren Shirk, the direction of communications for Chicago Run.

Mariana Ochoa, who left her job in March to take care of her children after their school was shut down, said she hasn’t been able to use the online sessions because her computer is getting fixed. But Chicago Run sends out emails with its fitness routines, and she reads them on her phone before she goes through the workouts with her kids.

“If I don’t know some sort of exercise, I will Google it or I’ll YouTube it and I’ll let them know how to do the routine,” the 26-year-old Ochoa said. “Mariano is a big help because he’s been in the program since last year.”

Mariano ran a 5K race last summer. He said he likes going to Chicago Run “because we run and then when we run, we do games in the end.”

Chicago Run is planning to hold a virtual summer session. It could move to small in-person gatherings if restrictions are lifted. Officials hope to get back into schools in the fall, but nothing is certain at the moment.

In the meantime, Rosen said the organization is also assessing how programming “might look very different in the future and how do we continue just thinking creatively about the ways we respond to our community needs.”

“This is both a concern, but also a potential opportunity,” she said.

CHICAGO (AP) — Mariana Ochoa worries about the effect of the COVID-19 crisis on her three boys. Their school is closed. She can’t take them to their favorite park at the moment. There is no backyard at their home on the southwest side of Chicago.The fitness routines she gets from Chicago Run are a weekly highlight for Mariano, 9, Victor, 7, and Jesus, 5.“They forget about all this stuff when we’re doing exercise,” Mariana Ochoa said. “Especially when we do exercise, they go to a different world.”Nonprofit organizations like Chicago Run have become a key component of communities across the United States in an era of big-budget youth sports, providing fitness opportunities and activities for children from middle- and low-income neighborhoods.The coronavirus pandemic has put many of those organizations in jeopardy, robbing them of locations for their programs and straining their already limited sources for funding.“In the current climate, we’re concerned about our ability to maintain this programming at the same level,” said Danya Rosen, the executive director of Chicago Run.Chicago Run normally serves about 18,000 students at 60 locations throughout the city, mostly at schools. It has fall, winter and spring sessions, along with a smaller summer program.The ages range from preschool children to high school kids. About 85% of its participants come from low-income households.“That’s why Chicago Run exists, to ensure that young people have equitable opportunities to engage in fitness and running programs,” Rosen said. “So what we do then, specifically, is we use running and physical activity then as a vehicle to not just develop physical health but also mental health.”Our program builds resilience to stress and trauma, which is incredibly important in many of our communities experiencing rampant violence and trauma, and also to develop other social and emotional skills.”After its winter season was suspended because of COVID-19, Chicago Run started creating virtual programming. The transition has been a challenge.Some families have limited access to wireless internet or digital devices. The connection between coaches and participants also “is really hard to duplicate when you’re doing it digitally,” said Lauren Shirk, the direction of communications for Chicago Run.Mariana Ochoa, who left her job in March to take care of her children after their school was shut down, said she hasn’t been able to use the online sessions because her computer is getting fixed. But Chicago Run sends out emails with its fitness routines, and she reads them on her phone before she goes through the workouts with her kids.“If I don’t know some sort of exercise, I will Google it or I’ll YouTube it and I’ll let them know how to do the routine,” the 26-year-old Ochoa said. “Mariano is a big help because he’s been in the program since last year.”Mariano ran a 5K race last summer. He said he likes going to Chicago Run “because we run and then when we run, we do games in the end.”Chicago Run is planning to hold a virtual summer session. It could move to small in-person gatherings if restrictions are lifted. Officials hope to get back into schools in the fall, but nothing is certain at the moment.In the meantime, Rosen said the organization is also assessing how programming “might look very different in the future and how do we continue just thinking creatively about the ways we respond to our community needs.”“This is both a concern, but also a potential opportunity,” she said.

Virus crisis a challenge for youth fitness nonprofits

Friday		June
5	First Pitch Banquet

Saturday		July
25	SCL All-Star Game @ WSU

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590367717761.png" alt="Home games in CAPS and bold" />
 <figcaption>Home games in CAPS and bold</figcaption>
 </figure>Friday		June
5	First Pitch BanquetThursday		June
11	LIBERAL		7:00Friday		June	12	LIBERAL		7:00Saturday		June
13	LIBERAL		6:00Monday		June
15	MULVANE		7:00
Tuesday		June 16	@ Mulvane	7:00Wednesday	June
17	MULVANE		7:00
Friday		June 19	@ Mulvane	7:00Saturday		June
20	ROSE HILL	6:00
Sunday		June 21	@ Rose Hill	6:00
Monday		June 22	@ Rose Hill	7:00
Tuesday		June 23	Rose Hill @ WSU	5:00
Thursday		June 25	@ tba		7:00Friday		June
26	TBA			7:00
Saturday		June 27	tba @ WSU	5:00Sunday		June
28	TBA			3:00Tuesday		June
30	CHENEY		7:00Wedensday	July
1	CHENEY		7:00
Thursday		July 2	@ Cheney		7:00
Friday		July 3	@ Cheney		7:00Sunday		July
5	HAYSVILLE	3:00Monday		July
6	HAYSVILLE	7:00
Tuesday		July 7	@ Haysville	7:00
Wednesday	July 8	@ Haysville	7:00
Thursday		July 9	@ Liberal		7:00Friday		July
10	HUTCHINSON	7:00
Saturday		July 11	@ Hutchinson	7:00
Sunday		July 12	@ Hutchinson	6:00
Tuesday		July 14	Hutchinson @ WSU 5:00Wednesday	July
15	DERBY		7:00
Thursday		July 16	@ Derby		7:00Friday		July
17	DERBY		7:00
Saturday		July 18	@ Derby		7:00Monday		July
20	NEWTON		7:00
Tuesday		July 21	@ Newton		7:00Wednesday	July
22	NEWTON		7:00
Thursday		July 23	@ Newton		7:00
Friday		July 24	@ Liberal		7:00Saturday		July
25	SCL All-Star Game @ WSU
Monday		July 27	@ El Dorado	7:00Tuesday		July
28	EL DORADO	7:00
Wednesday	July 29	@ El Dorado	7:00Thursday		July
30	EL DORADO	7:00

Bat Cats announce 2020 Schedule

HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State head wrestling coach Chas Thompson announced he is resigning from his head wrestling coach position at Fort Hays State University. Thompson led the program for 12 years from 2008-2020.

"I want to thank Fort Hays State University and the Athletic Department for all of the opportunities given to me in my tenure in Hays," said Thompson. "I have many fond memories here. I will truly miss my FHSU Wrestling family, and I look forward to seeing them reach their goals. While this has been a very hard decision for me, with all this uncertainty due to COVID-19, I am looking into opportunities to get back closer to family."

"We'd like to thank Chas for his efforts as our head wrestling coach over the years," said FHSU Athletic Director Curtis Hammeke. "We wish him and his family the best in their future endeavors."

Most recently in 2019-20, Thompson coached the Tigers to a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Super Region 4 Championships. Five of his wrestlers qualified for the NCAA Championships, which unfortunately were canceled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. It matched the most national qualifiers for FHSU since 2014, while two of the five received All-America honors based on voting by the NWCA.

In his 12 years leading the program, Thompson guided the Tigers to a dual mark of 91-77-1. He is the career dual wins leader among coaches in FHSU history, and the longest-tenured coach in the program's history.

Thompson coached 12 individuals to 17 All-America finishes. During the most recent season of 2019-20, Brandon Ball became the most decorated individual under Thompson's guidance, earning the third All-America honor of his career. Three other individuals under Thompson's guidance earned All-America honors twice. Ball also finished as the all-time leader in win percentage for the program's history with a record of 130-22 (.855). Jon Inman (2017 - 197 pounds), who previously owned the program's highest individual win percentage, and Tommy Edgmon (2009 – 125 pounds) claimed the highest national finishes among Thompson's wrestlers, both finishing second.

Fort Hays State was in the NWCA national team rankings multiple times during Thompson's tenure. A 12th-place finish at the NCAA Championships was the highest for the program under Thompson, accomplished twice (2010 and 2017).

Thompson's 2009-10 team posted a 12-5 record, the most dual wins in a season for the program in 45 years. The 12 wins were the second most for a season in school history. Then as members of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in wrestling, FHSU finished 8-1 in conference duals, placing second. It was the highest conference finish the program had under Thompson. The Tigers also set a school record for most consecutive dual wins that season with 10.

Prior to his 12-year head coaching stint at FHSU, Thompson was head coach for two years at Pratt (Kan.) Community College. Outside of his time at Pratt, Thompson has been part of the Tiger wrestling program for nearly two decades, wrestling from 1999-2002 before serving as an assistant coach from 2002-2005. He earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees at Fort Hays State. He came to FHSU after wrestling at Labette Community College for his father Jody Thompson, a member of multiple wrestling halls of fame.

A national search for a new head coach will begin immediately.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590365318097.jpeg" alt="fhsuathletics.com" />
 <figcaption>fhsuathletics.com</figcaption>
 </figure>HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State head wrestling coach Chas Thompson announced he is resigning from his head wrestling coach position at Fort Hays State University. Thompson led the program for 12 years from 2008-2020."I want to thank Fort Hays State University and the Athletic Department for all of the opportunities given to me in my tenure in Hays," said Thompson. "I have many fond memories here. I will truly miss my FHSU Wrestling family, and I look forward to seeing them reach their goals. While this has been a very hard decision for me, with all this uncertainty due to COVID-19, I am looking into opportunities to get back closer to family.""We'd like to thank Chas for his efforts as our head wrestling coach over the years," said FHSU Athletic Director Curtis Hammeke. "We wish him and his family the best in their future endeavors."Most recently in 2019-20, Thompson coached the Tigers to a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Super Region 4 Championships. Five of his wrestlers qualified for the NCAA Championships, which unfortunately were canceled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. It matched the most national qualifiers for FHSU since 2014, while two of the five received All-America honors based on voting by the NWCA.In his 12 years leading the program, Thompson guided the Tigers to a dual mark of 91-77-1. He is the career dual wins leader among coaches in FHSU history, and the longest-tenured coach in the program's history.Thompson coached 12 individuals to 17 All-America finishes. During the most recent season of 2019-20, Brandon Ball became the most decorated individual under Thompson's guidance, earning the third All-America honor of his career. Three other individuals under Thompson's guidance earned All-America honors twice. Ball also finished as the all-time leader in win percentage for the program's history with a record of 130-22 (.855). Jon Inman (2017 - 197 pounds), who previously owned the program's highest individual win percentage, and Tommy Edgmon (2009 – 125 pounds) claimed the highest national finishes among Thompson's wrestlers, both finishing second.Fort Hays State was in the NWCA national team rankings multiple times during Thompson's tenure. A 12th-place finish at the NCAA Championships was the highest for the program under Thompson, accomplished twice (2010 and 2017).Thompson's 2009-10 team posted a 12-5 record, the most dual wins in a season for the program in 45 years. The 12 wins were the second most for a season in school history. Then as members of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in wrestling, FHSU finished 8-1 in conference duals, placing second. It was the highest conference finish the program had under Thompson. The Tigers also set a school record for most consecutive dual wins that season with 10.Prior to his 12-year head coaching stint at FHSU, Thompson was head coach for two years at Pratt (Kan.) Community College. Outside of his time at Pratt, Thompson has been part of the Tiger wrestling program for nearly two decades, wrestling from 1999-2002 before serving as an assistant coach from 2002-2005. He earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees at Fort Hays State. He came to FHSU after wrestling at Labette Community College for his father Jody Thompson, a member of multiple wrestling halls of fame.A national search for a new head coach will begin immediately.

Thompson Resigns from Head Wrestling Coach Position

Eddie Sutton waited so long to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He couldn’t hang on long enough to make it to the ceremony.

The man who led three teams to the Final Four and was the first coach to take four schools to the NCAA Tournament, died Saturday. He was 84.

Sutton’s family said in a statement he died of natural causes at home in the Tulsa, Oklahoma, area, surrounded by his three sons and their families. His wife, Patsy, died in 2013.

“Dad and Mom treated their players like family and always shared the belief that his teachings went beyond the basketball court,” the family wrote. “He cherished the time he spent at every school and appreciated the support of their loyal fans. He believed they deserved so much credit in the success of his programs.”

Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on April 3, Sutton fell short as a finalist six times before finally being selected. He had said he believed that a scandal that ended his stint at Kentucky was likely the culprit for his lengthy wait. The NCAA announced 18 allegations against the program in 1988, and he resigned in 1989.

He certainly had a worthy resume. He was 806-328 in 37 seasons as a Division I head coach — not counting vacated victories or forfeited games -- and made it to 25 NCAA Tournaments. He led Final Four squads at Arkansas in 1978 and Oklahoma State in 1995 and 2004. He took Creighton, Arkansas, Kentucky and Oklahoma State to the NCAA Tournament. He was Associated Press Coach of the Year in 1978 at Arkansas and in 1986 at Kentucky.

Former Kentucky star Rex Chapman appreciated his time under Sutton.

“Eddie Sutton was a fascinating and complicated person,” Chapman wrote in a tweet. “He also was an unbelievable teacher of the game of basketball. I was fortunate and lucky to have learned from him. Grateful.”

Sutton’s retirement at Oklahoma State in 2006 came roughly three months after he took a medical leave following a traffic accident that resulted in charges of aggravated DUI, speeding and driving on the wrong side of the road. He pleaded no contest to the charges, received a one-year deferred sentence and was ordered to pay a fine.

Through it all, he remained wildly popular at Oklahoma State, often attending games while confined to a wheelchair. He would receive loud cheers as the camera panned to him and Aloe Blacc’s “The Man” played over the sound system.

“Oklahoma State University is deeply saddened by the passing of Coach Eddie Sutton,” Oklahoma State president Burns Hargis said in a statement. “A Hall of Fame Coach with more than 800 wins, he revived our historic basketball program and will always be revered and loved by the Cowboy family. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Sutton family.”

Even rivals had the highest respect for Sutton.

“Seems like just a few days ago we were celebrating the news that Coach Eddie Sutton had been elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame,” Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione said in a Tweet. “Now this very sad news of his passing. So grateful I had a chance to get to know him &amp; his family. Thinking about Steve, Sean &amp; Scott. RIP Coach.”

Sutton was born in Bucklin, Kansas, in 1936. He played at Oklahoma State under Hall of Fame coach Henry Iba, then stayed there to begin his coaching career as an assistant under Iba in 1958.

Sutton got his first Division I head coaching job at Creighton. He led the Bluejays to an 82-50 mark in five seasons from 1969 to 1974.

He took over at Arkansas in 1975, and the Razorbacks went 17-9 and 19-9 before beginning a nine-year stretch of 20-win seasons. He finished his run in Fayetteville nine straight trips to the NCAA basketball tournament. His 1978 Final Four squad featured versatile stars Sidney Moncrief, Marvin Delph and Ron Brewer.

Sutton left his mark at Arkansas — the practice gym there is named for him. Former President Bill Clinton, who was the governor of Arkansas for part of Sutton’s run there, once sent a video message for a ceremony honoring Sutton at Arkansas in 2016.

“Your time as coach was a defining era in Razorback basketball,” Clinton said. “You put our program on the map. You helped mold a generation of student-athletes into winners on the court and after they left. You made us think we could win again.”

Sutton moved on and replaced Joe B. Hall at Kentucky in 1985. While there, he compiled a 90-40 record, including two Southeastern Conference titles. But he slumped at the end, and his program endured NCAA scrutiny.

He led Oklahoma State from 1991 to 2006. The Cowboys reached the Sweet Sixteen his first two seasons as head coach. In 1995, Bryant Reeves and Randy Rutherford led the Cowboys to the 1995 NCAA Final Four. The Cowboys made it back to the Final Four in 2004, with Tony Allen and Joey Graham leading the way.

Sutton’s final coaching stint came in 2007-08 as interim coach at San Francisco, where he earned his 800th win.

Eddie Sutton waited so long to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He couldn’t hang on long enough to make it to the ceremony.The man who led three teams to the Final Four and was the first coach to take four schools to the NCAA Tournament, died Saturday. He was 84.Sutton’s family said in a statement he died of natural causes at home in the Tulsa, Oklahoma, area, surrounded by his three sons and their families. His wife, Patsy, died in 2013.“Dad and Mom treated their players like family and always shared the belief that his teachings went beyond the basketball court,” the family wrote. “He cherished the time he spent at every school and appreciated the support of their loyal fans. He believed they deserved so much credit in the success of his programs.”Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on April 3, Sutton fell short as a finalist six times before finally being selected. He had said he believed that a scandal that ended his stint at Kentucky was likely the culprit for his lengthy wait. The NCAA announced 18 allegations against the program in 1988, and he resigned in 1989.He certainly had a worthy resume. He was 806-328 in 37 seasons as a Division I head coach — not counting vacated victories or forfeited games -- and made it to 25 NCAA Tournaments. He led Final Four squads at Arkansas in 1978 and Oklahoma State in 1995 and 2004. He took Creighton, Arkansas, Kentucky and Oklahoma State to the NCAA Tournament. He was Associated Press Coach of the Year in 1978 at Arkansas and in 1986 at Kentucky.Former Kentucky star Rex Chapman appreciated his time under Sutton.“Eddie Sutton was a fascinating and complicated person,” Chapman wrote in a tweet. “He also was an unbelievable teacher of the game of basketball. I was fortunate and lucky to have learned from him. Grateful.”Sutton’s retirement at Oklahoma State in 2006 came roughly three months after he took a medical leave following a traffic accident that resulted in charges of aggravated DUI, speeding and driving on the wrong side of the road. He pleaded no contest to the charges, received a one-year deferred sentence and was ordered to pay a fine.Through it all, he remained wildly popular at Oklahoma State, often attending games while confined to a wheelchair. He would receive loud cheers as the camera panned to him and Aloe Blacc’s “The Man” played over the sound system.“Oklahoma State University is deeply saddened by the passing of Coach Eddie Sutton,” Oklahoma State president Burns Hargis said in a statement. “A Hall of Fame Coach with more than 800 wins, he revived our historic basketball program and will always be revered and loved by the Cowboy family. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Sutton family.”Even rivals had the highest respect for Sutton.“Seems like just a few days ago we were celebrating the news that Coach Eddie Sutton had been elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame,” Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione said in a Tweet. “Now this very sad news of his passing. So grateful I had a chance to get to know him &amp; his family. Thinking about Steve, Sean &amp; Scott. RIP Coach.”Sutton was born in Bucklin, Kansas, in 1936. He played at Oklahoma State under Hall of Fame coach Henry Iba, then stayed there to begin his coaching career as an assistant under Iba in 1958.Sutton got his first Division I head coaching job at Creighton. He led the Bluejays to an 82-50 mark in five seasons from 1969 to 1974.He took over at Arkansas in 1975, and the Razorbacks went 17-9 and 19-9 before beginning a nine-year stretch of 20-win seasons. He finished his run in Fayetteville nine straight trips to the NCAA basketball tournament. His 1978 Final Four squad featured versatile stars Sidney Moncrief, Marvin Delph and Ron Brewer.Sutton left his mark at Arkansas — the practice gym there is named for him. Former President Bill Clinton, who was the governor of Arkansas for part of Sutton’s run there, once sent a video message for a ceremony honoring Sutton at Arkansas in 2016.“Your time as coach was a defining era in Razorback basketball,” Clinton said. “You put our program on the map. You helped mold a generation of student-athletes into winners on the court and after they left. You made us think we could win again.”Sutton moved on and replaced Joe B. Hall at Kentucky in 1985. While there, he compiled a 90-40 record, including two Southeastern Conference titles. But he slumped at the end, and his program endured NCAA scrutiny.He led Oklahoma State from 1991 to 2006. The Cowboys reached the Sweet Sixteen his first two seasons as head coach. In 1995, Bryant Reeves and Randy Rutherford led the Cowboys to the 1995 NCAA Final Four. The Cowboys made it back to the Final Four in 2004, with Tony Allen and Joey Graham leading the way.Sutton’s final coaching stint came in 2007-08 as interim coach at San Francisco, where he earned his 800th win.

Eddie Sutton, Hall of Fame basketball coach, dies at 84

UNDATED (AP) — The NBA is in talks with The Walt Disney Company on a single-site scenario for a resumption of play in Central Florida in late July. It's the clearest sign yet that the NBA believes the season can continue amid the coronavirus pandemic. Games would be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, a massive campus on the Disney property near Orlando. NBA spokesman Mike Bass said the conversations were still “exploratory,” and that the site would be used for practices and housing as well.

PALM DESERT, Calif. (AP) — Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf was arrested in Southern California on Friday. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said the second player taken in the 1998 draft was taken into custody on a domestic battery charge in Palm Desert, about 110 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Leaf was being held on $5,000 bail at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility. Leaf finished third in Heisman Trophy voting in 1997 and led Washington State to the Rose Bowl. Drafted by the Chargers, he won just four of 18 games as a starter in three seasons with the team.

UNDATED (AP) — The Washington Nationals have changed their plans for a virtual World Series ring ceremony after players decided they would rather wait until they could reunite in person to receive their new jewelry. The Nationals previously announced they were going to give out the rings during a show broadcast on television and online. They still plan to unveil the design of the ring Sunday, the anniversary of the date they began their turnaround from a 19-31 record to World Series champs.

UNDATED (AP) — Canada’s NHL teams have offered season ticket-holders rebate or refund options in acknowledgment that no more 2019-20 regular-season games will be played in front of fans in their respective buildings. The Canadian Press says all seven teams contacted their season ticket bases last week with options and/or deadlines to make a decision. Leagues and teams around the world are either playing in empty stadiums or trying to figure out a way to just resume play during the COVID-19 pandemic.

STERLING, Va. (AP) — President Donald Trump played golf Saturday for the first time since he declared the coronavirus pandemic a national emergency more than two months ago. The golf outing came a day after Trump said houses of worship are “essential” and he demanded that governors allow them to reopen during the holiday weekend. Photographs that appeared on Twitter showed him swinging a golf club and driving alone in a cart on the course at his private Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia.

UNDATED (AP) — The NBA is in talks with The Walt Disney Company on a single-site scenario for a resumption of play in Central Florida in late July. It's the clearest sign yet that the NBA believes the season can continue amid the coronavirus pandemic. Games would be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, a massive campus on the Disney property near Orlando. NBA spokesman Mike Bass said the conversations were still “exploratory,” and that the site would be used for practices and housing as well.PALM DESERT, Calif. (AP) — Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf was arrested in Southern California on Friday. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said the second player taken in the 1998 draft was taken into custody on a domestic battery charge in Palm Desert, about 110 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Leaf was being held on $5,000 bail at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility. Leaf finished third in Heisman Trophy voting in 1997 and led Washington State to the Rose Bowl. Drafted by the Chargers, he won just four of 18 games as a starter in three seasons with the team.UNDATED (AP) — The Washington Nationals have changed their plans for a virtual World Series ring ceremony after players decided they would rather wait until they could reunite in person to receive their new jewelry. The Nationals previously announced they were going to give out the rings during a show broadcast on television and online. They still plan to unveil the design of the ring Sunday, the anniversary of the date they began their turnaround from a 19-31 record to World Series champs.UNDATED (AP) — Canada’s NHL teams have offered season ticket-holders rebate or refund options in acknowledgment that no more 2019-20 regular-season games will be played in front of fans in their respective buildings. The Canadian Press says all seven teams contacted their season ticket bases last week with options and/or deadlines to make a decision. Leagues and teams around the world are either playing in empty stadiums or trying to figure out a way to just resume play during the COVID-19 pandemic.STERLING, Va. (AP) — President Donald Trump played golf Saturday for the first time since he declared the coronavirus pandemic a national emergency more than two months ago. The golf outing came a day after Trump said houses of worship are “essential” and he demanded that governors allow them to reopen during the holiday weekend. Photographs that appeared on Twitter showed him swinging a golf club and driving alone in a cart on the course at his private Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia.

Sunday Sports Headlines

DÜSSELDORF, Germany (AP) — Even when German fans are stuck at home, they can still be seen in the stadium.

Around 13,000 cutouts filled the stands on Saturday as Borussia Mönchengladbach hosted Bayer Leverkusen in a Bundesliga game which could help decide Champions League qualification.

Gladbach fans took pictures at home in a shirt or scarf and paid 19 euros ($20.70) to be turned into one of the “Pappkameraden” or “cardboard companions.” Season-ticket holders have their cutout placed in their usual spot, though some fan groups denounced the idea.

“It’s better to play in front of dolls than nothing at all,” Leverkusen coach Peter Bosz said before the game.

It was Gladbach’s first at home since the Bundesliga restarted without spectators amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The cutouts didn’t do Gladbach much good on Saturday. Leverkusen won 3-1 to overtake Gladbach for third in the table, as Gladbach missed good chances to score late on.

“Despite that it still looks really super,” Gladbach right back Stefan Lainer said. “It creates a certain atmosphere.”

Coach Marco Rose and some of his players were also in the stands in two-dimensional form, along with greats of the club’s past. They include Günter Netzer, who won the West German title with Gladbach in 1970 and 1971 and the World Cup in 1974. There’s even an away end with pictures of supporters from Leverkusen and other clubs. Gladbach said it was a nonprofit initiative with proceeds going to charity.

Gladbach’s form this season has echoed its golden age from the 1970s. The club led the table early in the season and is still fighting for a Champions League spot.

Not all of the real-life fans like their cutout counterparts. Some groups oppose continuing the season without spectators and feel the cutouts legitimize that.

“Football without fans is nothing,” read a large banner placed at one end of the stadium on Saturday.

“For Borussia, against ghost games,” read another.

“The bleak backdrop of empty stadiums is exactly what these games represent and deserve,” the Sottocultura group of Gladbach fans said in a statement. “We consider the initiative with the cardboard figures to be counterproductive. We understand the well-meaning, charitable idea behind it, but we consider the signal to be the wrong one.”

Gladbach isn’t the first club to try replacing fans with doppelgangers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Before the Bundesliga restarted, Belarus was the only country in Europe playing league games. Champion club Dynamo Brest printed off photos sent by supporters abroad and attached them to shop mannequins wearing a motley variety of old shirts.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590262506434.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure>DÜSSELDORF, Germany (AP) — Even when German fans are stuck at home, they can still be seen in the stadium.Around 13,000 cutouts filled the stands on Saturday as Borussia Mönchengladbach hosted Bayer Leverkusen in a Bundesliga game which could help decide Champions League qualification.Gladbach fans took pictures at home in a shirt or scarf and paid 19 euros ($20.70) to be turned into one of the “Pappkameraden” or “cardboard companions.” Season-ticket holders have their cutout placed in their usual spot, though some fan groups denounced the idea.“It’s better to play in front of dolls than nothing at all,” Leverkusen coach Peter Bosz said before the game.It was Gladbach’s first at home since the Bundesliga restarted without spectators amid the coronavirus pandemic.The cutouts didn’t do Gladbach much good on Saturday. Leverkusen won 3-1 to overtake Gladbach for third in the table, as Gladbach missed good chances to score late on.“Despite that it still looks really super,” Gladbach right back Stefan Lainer said. “It creates a certain atmosphere.”Coach Marco Rose and some of his players were also in the stands in two-dimensional form, along with greats of the club’s past. They include Günter Netzer, who won the West German title with Gladbach in 1970 and 1971 and the World Cup in 1974. There’s even an away end with pictures of supporters from Leverkusen and other clubs. Gladbach said it was a nonprofit initiative with proceeds going to charity.Gladbach’s form this season has echoed its golden age from the 1970s. The club led the table early in the season and is still fighting for a Champions League spot.Not all of the real-life fans like their cutout counterparts. Some groups oppose continuing the season without spectators and feel the cutouts legitimize that.“Football without fans is nothing,” read a large banner placed at one end of the stadium on Saturday.“For Borussia, against ghost games,” read another.“The bleak backdrop of empty stadiums is exactly what these games represent and deserve,” the Sottocultura group of Gladbach fans said in a statement. “We consider the initiative with the cardboard figures to be counterproductive. We understand the well-meaning, charitable idea behind it, but we consider the signal to be the wrong one.”Gladbach isn’t the first club to try replacing fans with doppelgangers during the coronavirus pandemic.Before the Bundesliga restarted, Belarus was the only country in Europe playing league games. Champion club Dynamo Brest printed off photos sent by supporters abroad and attached them to shop mannequins wearing a motley variety of old shirts.

Thousands of replica fans take over Bundesliga stadium

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The Alaska Baseball League has canceled its summer season, as the future of sports worldwide remains uncertain during the coronavirus pandemic.

“To operate this summer without the ability to keep all involved safe from exposure to the COVID-19 virus, we as a league have decided not to proceed this summer,” the league website reads.

The summer league season was scheduled to begin on June 29.

The five-team league is made up of college players from mostly the Lower 48 but also from places as far away as Taiwan. If competition resumed on time, travel and housing would have been a logistical challenge during the seven weeks of play, KTVA-TV reported.

The Mat-Su Miners proposed a short season in July and other teams have also expressed their desire to compete, officials said. League teams are expected to contact state and local governments about the plan.

Even Major League Baseball is trying to formulate a plan to get its players back on the field.

The Alaska Baseball League was founded in 1969 with five teams: the Anchorage Bucs, Anchorage Glacier Pilots, Chugiak Chinooks, Mat-Su Miners and Peninsula Oilers.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The Alaska Baseball League has canceled its summer season, as the future of sports worldwide remains uncertain during the coronavirus pandemic.“To operate this summer without the ability to keep all involved safe from exposure to the COVID-19 virus, we as a league have decided not to proceed this summer,” the league website reads.The summer league season was scheduled to begin on June 29.The five-team league is made up of college players from mostly the Lower 48 but also from places as far away as Taiwan. If competition resumed on time, travel and housing would have been a logistical challenge during the seven weeks of play, KTVA-TV reported.The Mat-Su Miners proposed a short season in July and other teams have also expressed their desire to compete, officials said. League teams are expected to contact state and local governments about the plan.Even Major League Baseball is trying to formulate a plan to get its players back on the field.The Alaska Baseball League was founded in 1969 with five teams: the Anchorage Bucs, Anchorage Glacier Pilots, Chugiak Chinooks, Mat-Su Miners and Peninsula Oilers.

Alaska Baseball League cancels upcoming summer season

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A group of Power Five coaches led by Michigan’s Erik Bakich is proposing a later start to the college baseball season to trim expenses in the post-coronavirus era, make the game more fan friendly and reduce injury risk to players.

Under the 35-page proposal titled “New Baseball Model,” there would be nine weeks of preseason practice instead of five, the regular season would run from the third week of March to the third week of June and the College World Series would wrap up the last week of July. The regular season currently begins the third week of February and the CWS runs into the last week of June.

Past efforts to push back the season were rooted in cold-weather schools’ concerns about competitive equity because they had to travel to warmer climates in the South or West to play games the first month of the season.

The impetus this time is budget management.

“We operate at a significant financial net loss among almost all teams,” Bakich said Friday. “There are only a few that operate where they are actually making a profit or covering their costs. The majority of college baseball is a drain on athletic departments, and in the post-COVID era that is not a good combination when universities are looking to improve their fiscal bottom lines.”

Bowling Green and Furman recently announced they’ve dropped their baseball programs to save money.

Bakich said he, Vanderbilt’s Tim Corbin, Louisville’s Dan McDonnell, TCU’s Jim Schlossnagle and UCLA’s John Savage began looking at changes to help the sport shortly after the college season was shut down because of the coronavirus outbreak in March.

The core group held Zoom calls with coaches from top baseball schools from all regions, and the discussions resulted in the proposal.

Bakich said the next step is to recruit athletic directors who will take up the cause, bring it to faculty athletic representatives and presidents, and get it entered into the NCAA legislative process. The hope is the new schedule would be in place in 2022.

Bakich said five-year attendance trends show college teams draw bigger crowds in April and May than they do in February and March, and the potential is there for even bigger turnouts in June.

“We looked at why that is,” Bakich said, “and even in warm-weather places it’s still cold in March. But it’s also basketball season. A collegiate fan can only invest their energy in so many places.”

The proposal said northern teams could save about $200,000 in travel costs by not having to go South and West early in the season and there would be more regional scheduling.

A 17-year Major League Baseball study showed the majority of arm injuries happen in spring training or shortly after the season starts. Bakich said there are no comparable studies for college baseball injuries because of privacy laws.

“The typical spring training for a professional team is six to seven weeks,” Bakich said. “We as amateurs get less ramp-up time than professional players, and that’s a problem. What we’re doing is flat-out dumb.”

Bakich said players miss one or two days of class each week they travel by airplane for games, and schools on a semester schedule would play about four weeks without academic conflicts if the season started later.

Opponents argue pushing back the season would harm summer leagues like the Cape Cod League. Bakich pointed out that players from about 235 Division I teams — ones that don’t make the NCAA Tournament — will be able to report to their summer teams by late June or early July. Non-Division I players will have opportunities to fill out summer rosters.

There also would be costs to keeping players housed and fed on campuses a month longer.

A later start probably won’t interfere with the MLB draft. College coaches believe MLB is leaning toward holding the draft in July instead of June going forward, and the possibility of minor leagues being contracted could impact the structure for rookie development.

Bakich said the proposal, first reported by D1Baseball.com, has received widespread approval from coaches.

“It is not a one-size-fits-all model,” he said, “but it is a one-size-fits-most. It’s the best thing for our sport and the for the growth of college baseball.”

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A group of Power Five coaches led by Michigan’s Erik Bakich is proposing a later start to the college baseball season to trim expenses in the post-coronavirus era, make the game more fan friendly and reduce injury risk to players.Under the 35-page proposal titled “New Baseball Model,” there would be nine weeks of preseason practice instead of five, the regular season would run from the third week of March to the third week of June and the College World Series would wrap up the last week of July. The regular season currently begins the third week of February and the CWS runs into the last week of June.Past efforts to push back the season were rooted in cold-weather schools’ concerns about competitive equity because they had to travel to warmer climates in the South or West to play games the first month of the season.The impetus this time is budget management.“We operate at a significant financial net loss among almost all teams,” Bakich said Friday. “There are only a few that operate where they are actually making a profit or covering their costs. The majority of college baseball is a drain on athletic departments, and in the post-COVID era that is not a good combination when universities are looking to improve their fiscal bottom lines.”Bowling Green and Furman recently announced they’ve dropped their baseball programs to save money.Bakich said he, Vanderbilt’s Tim Corbin, Louisville’s Dan McDonnell, TCU’s Jim Schlossnagle and UCLA’s John Savage began looking at changes to help the sport shortly after the college season was shut down because of the coronavirus outbreak in March.The core group held Zoom calls with coaches from top baseball schools from all regions, and the discussions resulted in the proposal.Bakich said the next step is to recruit athletic directors who will take up the cause, bring it to faculty athletic representatives and presidents, and get it entered into the NCAA legislative process. The hope is the new schedule would be in place in 2022.Bakich said five-year attendance trends show college teams draw bigger crowds in April and May than they do in February and March, and the potential is there for even bigger turnouts in June.“We looked at why that is,” Bakich said, “and even in warm-weather places it’s still cold in March. But it’s also basketball season. A collegiate fan can only invest their energy in so many places.”The proposal said northern teams could save about $200,000 in travel costs by not having to go South and West early in the season and there would be more regional scheduling.A 17-year Major League Baseball study showed the majority of arm injuries happen in spring training or shortly after the season starts. Bakich said there are no comparable studies for college baseball injuries because of privacy laws.“The typical spring training for a professional team is six to seven weeks,” Bakich said. “We as amateurs get less ramp-up time than professional players, and that’s a problem. What we’re doing is flat-out dumb.”Bakich said players miss one or two days of class each week they travel by airplane for games, and schools on a semester schedule would play about four weeks without academic conflicts if the season started later.Opponents argue pushing back the season would harm summer leagues like the Cape Cod League. Bakich pointed out that players from about 235 Division I teams — ones that don’t make the NCAA Tournament — will be able to report to their summer teams by late June or early July. Non-Division I players will have opportunities to fill out summer rosters.There also would be costs to keeping players housed and fed on campuses a month longer.A later start probably won’t interfere with the MLB draft. College coaches believe MLB is leaning toward holding the draft in July instead of June going forward, and the possibility of minor leagues being contracted could impact the structure for rookie development.Bakich said the proposal, first reported by D1Baseball.com, has received widespread approval from coaches.“It is not a one-size-fits-all model,” he said, “but it is a one-size-fits-most. It’s the best thing for our sport and the for the growth of college baseball.”

College baseball into July? Coaches say it would save money

Southeastern Conference schools will be able to bring athletes in all sports back to campus for voluntary activities starting June 8 at the discretion of each university, and the Big 12 plans to welcome football players back to campus a week later.

The Friday announcements are the latest signs that a college football season will be launched in some form this fall. Other conferences are expected to follow, though decisions could be left to individual schools.

The move comes two days after the NCAA Division I Council voted to lift a moratorium on voluntary workouts on campus by football and basketball players, effective June 1. The NCAA updated that ruling Friday by saying voluntary activities would be allowed in all sports starting June 1.

“At this time, we are preparing to begin the fall sports season as currently scheduled, and this limited resumption of voluntary athletic activities on June 8 is an important initial step in that process,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said.

The SEC initially announced Friday that voluntary in-person activities could resume June 8 on SEC campuses only for football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball. But after the NCAA issued its updated ruling Friday afternoon, the SEC announced that June 8 date would apply to athletes in all sports.

Big 12 presidents and chancellors met Friday and decided voluntary activities could begin June 15 for football, July 1 for other fall sports and July 15 for all other sports.

SEC officials noted any workouts would take place “under strict supervision of designated university personnel and safety guidelines developed by each institution.” They referred to June 8 as the start of “transition period that will allow student-athletes to gradually adapt to full training and sports activity after this recent period of inactivity.”

Permitted actions are limited by the NCAA to voluntary activities supervised by strength and conditioning personnel. Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity said it was “only the first step with further details and plans coming over the next several days and weeks.”

“This is an important first step toward having a season this fall, and we will continue to collectively work together as our top priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches and staff,” Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said in a statement.

Defending national champion LSU said it will resume voluntary workouts for players on June 8 in accordance with the SEC decision.

“Our administration has worked very hard to make sure that all of the necessary safety procedures and protocols are in place to keep our team safe and healthy,” Tigers coach Ed Orgeron said. “This is a great first step to take in order for us to get back to playing the great game of college football in the fall.”

The SEC decided to resume athletic activities with the guidance of a league task force that includes public health, infectious disease and sports medicine professionals from each of the league’s 14 member schools.

The task force prepared a series of best practices for screening, testing, monitoring, tracing, social distancing and maintaining clean environments to serve as a guide for each school.

Recommendations included testing of symptomatic team members (including athletes, coaches and staffers) as well as screening athletes before they arrive on campus within 72 hours of entering athletic facilities and on a daily basis once they resume athletic activities.

Other recommendations include immediate isolation of team members who are diagnosed with COVID-19 or are under investigation, followed by contact tracing under Centers for Disease Control and local public health guidelines.

“Health and safety have been our top priority as we’ve gone about this planning process, and we’ll continue to follow guidance from medical experts and health officials as we navigate the coming weeks,” Tennessee athletic director Phillip Fulmer said. “Our staff and student-athletes should be prepared for a ‘new normal,’ as we’ll be implementing changes to how everyone accesses and uses our facilities.”

SEC officials said the task force’s recommendations could provide a guide to league members, Sankey noted that each school would get to make its own decisions regarding plans for how to make sure student-athletes return safely.

For example, even though the task force’s recommendations only mentioned testing symptomatic team members, Georgia senior associate athletic director for sports medicine Ron Courson said in a statement that the Bulldogs “will conduct COVID testing and perform medical evaluations on all student-athletes.” Florida announced that it also would be testing all of its athletes.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Friday he thinks college football will return on schedule with at least some spectators. Abbott has already issued new rules to allow youth sports leagues to resume in June and for some professional leagues to hold events without spectators.

Southeastern Conference schools will be able to bring athletes in all sports back to campus for voluntary activities starting June 8 at the discretion of each university, and the Big 12 plans to welcome football players back to campus a week later.The Friday announcements are the latest signs that a college football season will be launched in some form this fall. Other conferences are expected to follow, though decisions could be left to individual schools.The move comes two days after the NCAA Division I Council voted to lift a moratorium on voluntary workouts on campus by football and basketball players, effective June 1. The NCAA updated that ruling Friday by saying voluntary activities would be allowed in all sports starting June 1.“At this time, we are preparing to begin the fall sports season as currently scheduled, and this limited resumption of voluntary athletic activities on June 8 is an important initial step in that process,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said.The SEC initially announced Friday that voluntary in-person activities could resume June 8 on SEC campuses only for football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball. But after the NCAA issued its updated ruling Friday afternoon, the SEC announced that June 8 date would apply to athletes in all sports.Big 12 presidents and chancellors met Friday and decided voluntary activities could begin June 15 for football, July 1 for other fall sports and July 15 for all other sports.SEC officials noted any workouts would take place “under strict supervision of designated university personnel and safety guidelines developed by each institution.” They referred to June 8 as the start of “transition period that will allow student-athletes to gradually adapt to full training and sports activity after this recent period of inactivity.”Permitted actions are limited by the NCAA to voluntary activities supervised by strength and conditioning personnel. Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity said it was “only the first step with further details and plans coming over the next several days and weeks.”“This is an important first step toward having a season this fall, and we will continue to collectively work together as our top priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches and staff,” Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said in a statement.Defending national champion LSU said it will resume voluntary workouts for players on June 8 in accordance with the SEC decision.“Our administration has worked very hard to make sure that all of the necessary safety procedures and protocols are in place to keep our team safe and healthy,” Tigers coach Ed Orgeron said. “This is a great first step to take in order for us to get back to playing the great game of college football in the fall.”The SEC decided to resume athletic activities with the guidance of a league task force that includes public health, infectious disease and sports medicine professionals from each of the league’s 14 member schools.The task force prepared a series of best practices for screening, testing, monitoring, tracing, social distancing and maintaining clean environments to serve as a guide for each school.Recommendations included testing of symptomatic team members (including athletes, coaches and staffers) as well as screening athletes before they arrive on campus within 72 hours of entering athletic facilities and on a daily basis once they resume athletic activities.Other recommendations include immediate isolation of team members who are diagnosed with COVID-19 or are under investigation, followed by contact tracing under Centers for Disease Control and local public health guidelines.“Health and safety have been our top priority as we’ve gone about this planning process, and we’ll continue to follow guidance from medical experts and health officials as we navigate the coming weeks,” Tennessee athletic director Phillip Fulmer said. “Our staff and student-athletes should be prepared for a ‘new normal,’ as we’ll be implementing changes to how everyone accesses and uses our facilities.”SEC officials said the task force’s recommendations could provide a guide to league members, Sankey noted that each school would get to make its own decisions regarding plans for how to make sure student-athletes return safely.For example, even though the task force’s recommendations only mentioned testing symptomatic team members, Georgia senior associate athletic director for sports medicine Ron Courson said in a statement that the Bulldogs “will conduct COVID testing and perform medical evaluations on all student-athletes.” Florida announced that it also would be testing all of its athletes.Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Friday he thinks college football will return on schedule with at least some spectators. Abbott has already issued new rules to allow youth sports leagues to resume in June and for some professional leagues to hold events without spectators.“Once we get to college football season, our goal right now is to have college football season start as planned, with fans in stands,” Abbott said in an interview with Austin television station KXAN. “What we don’t know is what the capacity level would be.”