Former coach Gillispie files suit against Kentucky

Former Kentucky men’s basketball coach Billy Gillispie sued the school Wednesday, seeking at least $6 million he says he is owed on his deal after being fired without cause.

Gillispie, who was dismissed last spring, was working under a memorandum of understanding but hadn’t signed a formal contract during the two years he coached the Wildcats.

He contends that he should be paid $1.5 million a year for four of the five years left on the deal. The suit also asks for an undisclosed amount of punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, court costs and interest.

The University of Memphis is responding to an NCAA notice of allegations accusing the men’s basketball program of major violations during the 2007-08 season under John Calipari, the Commercial Appeal reported.

The allegations include “knowing fraudulence or misconduct” on an SAT exam by a player on that season’s team, which finished runner-up in the NCAA tournament.

FOOTBALL

Charge against Walker dismissed

New Mexico State Coach DeWayne Walker was arrested for suspected drunk driving last weekend but authorities in Las Cruces, N.M., said the charge was dismissed because Walker’s breath-alcohol level was well below the state’s legal limit for presumed intoxication.

Police spokesman Dan Trujillo said the charge was thrown out Tuesday because Walker’s breath-alcohol content tested at .01% after his arrest early Saturday.

New Mexico’s threshold for presumed intoxication is at least .08%.

Buffalo Bills starting cornerback Terrence McGee hurt his right arm when he tumbled to the turf while defending receiver Terrell Owens during a voluntary minicamp practice.

McGee was hurt almost 30 minutes into the 90-minute session and did not return to the field after entering the trainer’s room.

MOTOR SPORTS

Robby Gordon is docked 50 points

Robby Gordon was docked 50 points by NASCAR for failing inspection after finishing third, his best finish in almost four years, at the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C.

Crew chief Kirk Almquist was also fined $50,000 and put on probation until the end of the season.

Vitor Meira was released from the hospital three days after breaking two bones in his back in a crash during the Indianapolis 500.

Wearing a back brace, the Brazilian driver left Methodist Hospital in a wheelchair but stood to talk with reporters.

COLLEGE GOLF

Hill, Henley are tied for lead

North Carolina State’s Matt Hill eagled his next-to-last hole to tie Georgia’s Russell Henley for the medal lead in the weather-delayed second round of the NCAA Division I men’s golf championship at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio.

Hill shot a two-under 69 and was at four-under 138.

CYCLING

Pellizotti wins Giro stage

Franco Pellizotti won the short 17th stage of the Giro d’Italia, going 52 miles in 2 hours 21 minutes 6 seconds with a solo breakaway on an uphill finish in Blockhaus, Italy.

Lance Armstrong launched a solo attack and attempted to catch him but couldn’t get closer than 25 yards.

Denis Menchov was able to retain the overall leader’s pink jersey.

ETC.

Beach volleyball tickets on sale

Tickets are on sale for the AVP Crocs Tour Manhattan Beach Open, July 16-19, and the Hermosa Beach Open, Aug. 6-9. For the Manhattan Beach event, tickets are required only for courtside seating. The cost is $50. For the Hermosa Beach event, courtside is $50 and general admission is $20 -- $10 for youths (under 18). The prices apply to the stadium court and outer courts 1 and 2. Extreme outer-court viewing is free.

-- Pete Thomas

Candace Wu, a tennis standout from Placentia Valencia, and Malcolm McGregor, a lacrosse and football player from San Diego Francis Parker, have been selected as a state scholar-athletes of the year by the California Interscholastic Federation. Each will receive $5,000 during a ceremony June 11 in Sacramento.

-- Ben Bolch