Northwestern Says Doctor Destroyed Wheeler Files

A Northwestern doctor destroyed records of a routine physical exam of Rashidi Wheeler, a football player who died three weeks later during practice, the school said Tuesday.

The doctor, Mark Gardner, who no longer works for the school, also indicated he knew Wheeler had been taking dietary supplements, according to a deposition taken in a lawsuit Wheeler’s family filed against Northwestern, the Chicago Tribune reported Tuesday.

School lawyers contend ephedra-containing supplements caused Wheeler’s death. Wheeler, a former standout at La Verne Damien High, collapsed during conditioning drills Aug. 3, 2001. Bronchial asthma was listed as the cause of death, although toxicology reports showed he had ephedrine in his system.

Ephedrine is the active compound in ephedra, a diet supplement blamed for nearly 120 deaths. It also is suspected in the death of Baltimore Oriole pitcher Steve Bechler.

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UCLA’s opener Sept. 6 at Colorado, home opener the following Saturday against Illinois and Pacific 10 Conference game at Washington State on Nov. 8 will be televised by ABC.

Fox Sports Net will televise a Bruin home game against Arizona State on Oct. 25. Other UCLA games are expected to be picked up by ABC and Fox Sports Net as the season approaches.

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Mike Deane, the men’s basketball coach at Lamar the last four seasons and a former coach at Marquette, was hired as coach at Wagner College in New York.

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An Atlantic Coast Conference delegation, led by Commissioner John Swofford, began arriving for a campus tour as part of the league’s attempt to lure Syracuse from the Big East.

The ACC voted May 16 to extend invitations to Miami, Boston College and Syracuse to begin formal discussions on joining the nine-team league.

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The Mountain West Conference voted to explore expansion possibilities, lifting a moratorium enacted when it was created four years ago.

Pro Football

Offensive specialist Chris Jackson of the Avengers was selected Arena Football League offensive player of the year and also signed a two-year contract with Miami of the NFL.

Jackson this year set Avenger season records with 117 receptions, 1,737 yards and 46 touchdowns. He scored 280 points.

Receiver James Jett, released by Oakland in February, signed with Buffalo.... Running back Jamel White signed a four-year contract with Cleveland that includes a $1.3-million signing bonus.... Running back Terry Kirby, an 11-year veteran who played with Oakland the last three seasons, signed a one-year contract with Tampa Bay.... Safety Lee Flowers, who started for Pittsburgh the last five seasons, signed with Denver.... Miami running back Robert Edwards had arthroscopic surgery to remove bone chips from an ankle but will be ready for training camp.... Cornerback Ray Crockett, a 14-year veteran, was released by Kansas City.

Golf

Hubert Green, who won the U.S. Open and PGA Championship along with 17 victories on the PGA Tour, has been diagnosed with throat cancer.

Green, 56, has won four times since joining the Champions Tour.

Miscellany

Although the contracts have yet to be signed, James Toney and Bernard Hopkins have agreed on a date and site for their International Boxing Federation cruiserweight title fight. Toney will defend his belt at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Events Center on Aug. 9.

Golfer Mikaela Parmlid of USC, softball player Natasha Watley of UCLA and tennis player Vilmarie Castellvi of Tennessee have been selected the most outstanding collegiate women’s athletes in their sports and each will receive a Honda Award.

T.J. Simers is on vacation.