Arizona puts basketball program on probation

Arizona has put its men’s basketball program on probation for the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons for violations by Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson related to an off-season AAU tournament in 2008.

The school also announced Friday that the basketball program will relinquish one scholarship for the 2011-12 academic year and cut the number of days coaches are allowed to recruit for the next two seasons. The Wildcats will reduce the number of official campus visits allowed by prospects and trim the number of coaches allowed to recruit off-campus at one time for summer 2010 recruiting.

Arizona also has disbanded a basketball booster group and undertaken a number of administrative and rules education changes. However, the NCAA may modify the self-imposed sanctions.

A final resolution of the matter isn’t expected for several months, the university said.

The school noted that Olson was dealing with a number of health issues at the time and it was later revealed by his physician and family that he had suffered a stroke that affected his decision-making abilities.

SOCCER

Chivas’ Marsch retires as player

Chivas USA and former U.S. national team midfielder Jesse Marsch retired as a player, and U.S. Soccer at the same time announced that the 36-year-old from Racine, Wis., has been added to the national team coaching staff as an assistant to Coach Bob Bradley.

Marsch played under Bradley at Princeton and later with D.C. United, the Chicago Fire and Chivas. One of Major League Soccer’s founding players, Marsch spent 14 years in the league, playing 358 games and winning three MLS championships and four U.S. Open Cups.

His retirement leaves D.C. United’s Bolivian forward, Jaime Moreno, as the only player still active who has played in every MLS season.

-- Grahame L. Jones HOCKEY

Burke’s son dies in car crash

Brendan Burke, the youngest son of Toronto Maple Leafs and U.S. Olympic hockey general manager Brian Burke, died of injuries he suffered in a two-car crash in Wayne County, Ind. Brendan Burke, 21, was the student manager of the hockey team at Miami University of Ohio.

-- Helene Elliott ETC.

Mater Dei, Taft play in showcase

There are nine high school boys’ basketball games scheduled for Saturday at Santa Ana Mater Dei as part of the Nike Extravaganza, but it will be the final two games that attract the most interest.

At 7 p.m., Mater Dei (21-1), ranked No. 1 by The Times, will face Las Vegas Bishop Gorman (23-1). At 9 p.m., Woodland Hills Taft (18-3) will take on national power Elizabeth (N.J.) St. Patrick (15-2).

Admission is $12 for the morning session and $12 for the evening session.

Here’s the rest of the schedule: Anaheim Servite vs. Westminster, 8 a.m.; Villa Park vs. San Juan Capistrano JSerra, 9:30 a.m.; Bellflower St. John Bosco vs. Ontario Colony, 11 a.m.; Los Alamitos vs. Upland, 12:30 p.m.; Torrey Pines vs. Santa Margarita, 2 p.m. Evening session: Huntington Beach Ocean View vs. Orange Lutheran, 4 p.m.; Los Angeles Fairfax vs. Marietta (Ga.) Wheeler, 5:30 p.m.

-- Eric Sondheimer The Chicago Bears promoted Rod Marinelli to defensive coordinator from defensive line coach. Marinelli will retain his title of assistant head coach.