Allen Reportedly Retiring to Take Broadcasting Job

Marcus Allen, who holds the NFL career record with 123 rushing touchdowns, will announce his retirement today and move into the broadcast booth, according to a CBS affiliate in Kansas City, Mo.

The former USC Heisman Trophy winner will leave the Kansas City Chiefs and take a job as an analyst with CBS Sports, KCTV reported Wednesday.

A week ago, Allen told Chief Coach Marty Schottenheimer that he would return to play out the final year of his contract.

A news conference was scheduled by the Chiefs for 4 p.m. EDT. The Kansas City Star reported that CBS also planned an announcement.

“Out of respect for Marcus, the Chiefs have no comment,” President Carl Peterson said.

“I would be remiss if I would say anything that would usurp the press conference,” said Ed Hookstratten, Allen’s agent. “Marcus Allen will announce his plans for the future at the afternoon press conference in Kansas City.”

Allen could not be reached for comment.

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Quarterback John Elway, who admits his mind changes every day, said that he will decide before the April 18-19 NFL draft whether to continue playing or retire.

“There’s a million things that are going to go into this decision,” said Elway, 38, “but the bottom line is what my gut tells me. I just want to give my gut plenty of time so I can make that right decision.”

Basketball

The American Basketball League announced that it is expanding to Chicago and Nashville, with both women’s teams to start play this fall.

The league has scheduled a news conference for today in Nashville to announce its expansion into Tennessee, a stronghold of women’s college basketball.

“That we could beat the NBA in here definitely factored into the decision” to expand to Chicago, said ABL chief executive and co-founder Gary Cavalli in Chicago.

Cal Poly Pomona has named assistant Tim Rapp as interim men’s coach to replace Tom Marshall. Neither the school nor Marshall would comment on the reason for Marshall’s departure. Marshall was 63-44 in four seasons at Pomona, including 15-12 last season.

Another assistant, Matt Purdy, retains his position, although he is under investigation by the university for his alleged involvement in a Northwestern point-shaving scheme.

Southern Mississippi Coach James Green, considered by many as the front-runner for the Mississippi vacancy, said Wednesday night that he doesn’t want the job. . . . Joe Mihalich, an assistant at La Salle for 17 seasons, was hired as coach at Niagara.

The Reverend Paula McGee, a former USC standout, was named the Dean of the Chapel at Fisk University in Nashville.

Tennis

Former U.S. Open junior champion Tara Snyder surprised seventh-seeded Irina Spirlea of Romania, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, in the second round of the $450,000 Bausch & Lomb Championships at Amelia Island, Fla.

“I just didn’t have the guts to play out there today,” Spirlea said.

Heavy rains suspended play in the afternoon with two matches in progress and postponed the night session.

Second-seeded Tommy Haas of Germany joined a growing list of seeded players to lose at the $340,000 Salem Open, falling to South African qualifier Neville Godwin, 6-3, 6-4, in the first round at Hong Kong.

Fourth-seeded Brett Steven of New Zealand was upset by Sebastien Lareau of Canada, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3.

Top-seeded Felix Mantilla of Spain beat countryman Javier Sanchez, 6-1, 6-3, in the first round of the Estoril Open in Oeiras, Portugal. No. 2 Carlos Moya of Spain defeated Bohdan Ulihrach of the Czech Republic, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

Boxing

Former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier blamed high blood pressure for his erratic driving and said a charge he was drunk behind the wheel in Philadelphia stemmed from a misunderstanding.

“They thought I was drinking,” said Frazier, adding that he takes eight kinds of medication. “I may have had a drink earlier in the evening. But they ran tests. I have a problem with my blood pressure.

“It was just some misunderstanding.”

Frazier was arrested Tuesday.

Miscellany

Olympic skiing gold medalist Picabo Street, who fractured her left leg in four places last month in a racing crash, underwent surgery in Vail, Colo., to repair her injured right knee.

Pete Marino scored the lone goal as the Kansas City Wizards defeated the Chicago Fire, 1-0, before 4,130 in a Major League Soccer game at Kansas City, Mo.

Long Beach goalie Mike Buzak stopped 16 of 17 shots as the Ice Dogs defeated Utah, 4-1, in an International Hockey League game at Salt Lake City.

Edgar Allen Ablowich, part of the U.S. 1,600-meter relay team that won a gold medal in the 1932 Olympics, has died at 84.