Wadsworth to Leave Notre Dame

Mike Wadsworth, Notre Dame’s athletic director, will resign as part of an athletic department restructuring, less than two months after Notre Dame’s first major scrape with the NCAA over rules violations.

Wadsworth and Notre Dame President Father Edward A. Malloy said in a statement Monday that Wadsworth would leave his post when his five-year contract ends this year. A specific date for his departure has not been set.

“I believe it’s in both the university’s and my best interests to end my tenure this year,” Wadsworth said.

The NCAA in December put Notre Dame’s storied football program on probation for the first time in the school’s history and took away two scholarships.

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Michigan Athletic Director Tom Goss is expected to resign as early as today, ending a rocky 29-month tenure, according to media reports. The Detroit News reported that word of Goss’ departure came after he had angered school President Leo Bollinger by not telling him of an NCAA investigation into the eligibility of freshman basketball player Jamal Crawford.

Pro Football

Police searched Ray Lewis’ home in suburban Baltimore, but would not disclose what they were looking for or what they found in connection with the murder charge the NFL star faces in Atlanta.

Officers were seen carrying large plastic containers and a computer from the home. Atlanta police spokesman John Quigley confirmed a search warrant had been executed but did not elaborate.

New York Jet receiver Wayne Chrebet and Indianapolis Colt running back Keith Elias were arrested after an incident early Sunday outside a bar, police in Seaside Heights, N.J., said. Chrebet, 26, was charged with disorderly conduct. Elias, 28, was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. . . . Cincinnati Bengal linebacker Steve Foley is free on $750 bond after having been charged with domestic violence in Monroe, La., his third arrest this year. . . . Bengal guard Matt O’Dwyer was sentenced to three years’ probation and ordered to undergo alcohol treatment counseling after admitting his role in a July bar brawl in Long Beach, N.Y.

The Miami Dolphins hired Mike Shula as quarterbacks coach, completing Coach Dave Wannstedt’s staff. . . . John Bunting will not return next season as co-defensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams. He is taking a job coaching linebackers at New Orleans, Ram Coach Mike Martz said.

Defensive back Deion Sanders, 32, might have played his final game for the Dallas Cowboys. “I had a wonderful time,” Sanders told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The team is expected to cut him June 2 to avoid a $12.7-million salary-cap obligation next season. Sanders recently signed a minor league baseball contract with the Cincinnati Reds. . . . Defensive end Charles Haley retired after a disappointing comeback with the San Francisco 49ers.

Miscellany

Former president J.T. Lundy and chief financial officer Gary Matthews of the Calumet Farm thoroughbred racing operation were convicted of conspiracy, fraud and bribery charges in Houston. While Calumet’s fortunes secretly evaporated, prosecutors say, Lundy and Matthews paid First City Bancorporation vice chairman Frank Cihak a $1-million bribe. Lundy and Matthews were convicted on four counts by a jury that deliberated less than three hours. Sentencing is set for late April.

The Sycuan Native American tribe, which runs a casino in San Diego County, will be the title sponsor of the San Diego Padres’ 2000 season, paying more than $1.5 million. . . . The Houston Astros and outfielder Roger Cedeno agreed on a $2.4-million, one-year contract, avoiding salary arbitration. . . . Right-hander Paul Byrd and the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a $1.885-million, one-year contract. . . . Tony Fernandez and Reggie Jefferson agreed to one-year contracts with the Seibu Lions in Japan’s Pacific League. . . . Fran Ganter, an assistant to Joe Paterno at Penn State for nearly 30 years, has become assistant head football coach.

Jim Davis, a motorcycle champion who won six national titles in 1928, died Sunday at a hospice in Daytona Beach, Fla. He was 103.