Price Files Suit Against School

Former Alabama football coach Mike Price filed a $20-million lawsuit against the university on Monday, claiming he was wrongfully fired after allegations arose about his conduct at a golf outing in Florida.

The lawsuit alleges Price was denied due process, his civil rights were violated, breach of contract, wrongful termination and fraud.

Price is seeking $10 million in punitive damages and $10 million in compensatory damages. He is seeking the same amounts in a lawsuit against Sports Illustrated, which published an article detailing Price’s alleged actions at a topless bar and hotel in Pensacola, Fla., that led to his dismissal.

College Sports

The Atlantic Coast Conference asked a judge to dismiss the Big East’s lawsuit against the ACC, which is adding two schools to the league. A hearing will be held Sept. 29.

Four Big East football schools are seeking millions of dollars in damages, contending the ACC conspired with Big East member Miami to join the ACC and weaken the Big East. The lawsuit was filed June 6 in Connecticut.

ACC lawyer Steven Errante asked Judge Samuel Sferrazza to dismiss the lawsuit, contending Connecticut courts do not have jurisdiction over the ACC.

Rick Clausen, a sophomore quarterback at Louisiana State, has transferred to Tennessee, where his older brother, Casey, is a senior quarterback. Clausen, who graduated from Woodland Hills Taft High, will have to sit out this season. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

Hockey

Greg de Vries gave up the comfort of playing defense for the Colorado Avalanche to become part of the rebuilding process with the New York Rangers.

The 30-year-old free agent signed a four-year deal reportedly worth $13 million.

Ranger Coach and General Manager Glen Sather is still trying to re-sign top defensemen Brian Leetch -- one of the few remaining marquee players on the free-agent market -- and Boris Mironov.

Longtime Boston Bruin defenseman Don Sweeney signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Stars, who were in need of a defenseman after losing captain Derian Hatcher to free agency. Sweeney has played his entire 15-year NHL career with the Bruins, breaking in during the 1988-89 season.

Tennis

Wimbledon quarterfinalist Alexander Popp lost in the first round of the Mercedes Cup, falling to Argentine qualifier Gaston Etlis, 6-3, 6-2, at Stuttgart, Germany. Wild card Maximilian Abel saved two match points and upset Anthony Dupuis, 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5). Abel is ranked 162nd.

Eighth-seeded Albert Portas of Spain was beaten by Luis Horna of Peru, 6-3, 7-5, in the Dutch Open at Amersfoort, Netherlands. Seventh-seeded Nicholas Massu of Chile defeated Hicham Arazi of Morocco, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (6).

Miscellany

Louisville reserve guard Bryant Northern was dismissed from the men’s basketball team after his arrest on theft and forgery charges. The senior admitted to police that he stole two blank checks from a home he was visiting and tried to cash them for more than $3,000.

Russian-born Irina Lashko won the one-meter springboard title for Australia in the World Swimming Championships at Barcelona, Spain. Conny Schmalfuss of Germany took silver and Blythe Hartley of Canada won bronze.

A month after being released from his contract with Petty Enterprises, John Andretti was behind the wheel for Dale Earnhardt Inc., testing a car for next month’s Brickyard 400.