There’s No Rush to Designate Charity

Nearly a month after learning that JaRon Rush would have to pay $6,525 to a charity of UCLA’s choice as part of the penalty that went with the 24-game suspension, the athletic department still has not chosen a destination.

The Bruins say they have not even thought about possible destinations for the money since the first payment is not due until late summer. The NCAA said that was the amount Rush accepted in benefits and cash from his former Amateur Athletic Union coach, Myron Piggie, and agent Jerome Stanley.

Officials would not speculate on charities that will be under consideration, whether the money will go to an on-campus foundation or something else that has been closely linked with the athletic department. Say, something to do with the handicapped.

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The Pacific 10 Conference gave California center Nick Vander Laan a public reprimand and put him on probation for the Bears’ 2000-01 nonconference schedule for elbowing UCLA’s Dan Gadzuric during the March 2 game at Berkeley.

“From our review of videotapes of the game, it appeared the blows were intentional,” Commissioner Tom Hansen said. “Such conduct is against the rules of the game and the requirements for good sportsmanship on the part of the players and can not be condoned.”

Vander Laan had the ball after controlling a rebound and swung his elbows, but missed. When he swung again, he hit Gadzuric in the face. The Bruin center was knocked down, but not seriously hurt.

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The 24-point margin was UCLA’s worst tournament loss since the 94-68 setback against Kentucky in the 1998 Sweet 16. . . . The win was the 10th in a row for Iowa State and puts the Cyclones in the Elite Eight for the first time since 1944, when the field consisted of eight teams.