College Basketball

A group of black Central Michigan basketball players said they have joined a lawsuit filed by their former coach, who was fired for using a racial slur in front of the team.

The university fired Keith Dambrot last week for using the slur after they lost a game last season and in reference to black assistant Derrick McDowell.

Dambrot, who is white, said he had an understanding with his team about the slurs, saying he used them to connote toughness and tenacity.