Terrelle Pryor leaving Ohio State, may enter draft
Terrelle Pryor’s career at Ohio State, which started with so much promise and potential, came to an abrupt and scandal-ridden end.
The Ohio State quarterback announced through his attorney Tuesday that he would not play for the Buckeyes this season. He had already been suspended for the first five games for breaking NCAA rules by accepting improper benefits from the owner of a tattoo parlor. He is expected to make himself available for an NFL supplemental draft.
The NCAA is looking into all aspects of Ohio State’s once-glittering program, including cash, tattoos and car deals for players and other potential violations.
Pryor’s announcement comes only eight days after Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel was forced to resign for knowing about the players’ improper benefits but not telling any of his superiors.
Ohio State’s athletic director, Gene Smith, quickly issued a statement wishing Pryor the best.
Few NFL draft experts consider Pryor to be a ready-for-the-NFL quarterback. With his speed and size, he might be better cut out as a big wide receiver in the mold of Plaxico Burress.
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Tennessee Athletic Director Mike Hamilton announced he decided to resign so the Volunteers would have a “clean slate” when they go before the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions later in the week.
Hamilton, who has been at the helm of Tennessee men’s athletics for eight seasons, said it was a personal decision and one that he hoped would help reunite the Volunteers fan base. During a three-year period, Hamilton fired a popular coach (Phillip Fulmer) and hired a controversial one (Lane Kiffin), and now the athletic department faces 12 NCAA infractions by the football and basketball programs.
Hamilton will join Tennessee Knoxville Chancellor Jimmy Cheek, former Tennessee and current USC football coach Kiffin and former basketball coach Bruce Pearl and other Tennessee representatives Saturday in Indianapolis to respond to the NCAA’s charges.
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The Bowl Championship Series has chosen dates for its five bowl games in an effort to avoid conflicts that could arise because of the NFL lockout, with flexibility to move the title game.
Although the BCS title game in New Orleans remains scheduled for Jan. 9, a Monday night, it could be moved either up to Jan. 7 or back to Jan. 10.
BCS Executive Director Bill Hancock said the mostly midweek dates were chosen in case the lockout causes the NFL schedule to be pushed back. He said the Rose Bowl will be played on Jan. 2. The Sugar Bowl will be played on Jan. 3, which is a Tuesday, then the Orange Bowl on Jan. 4 and the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 5.
ETC.
Softball title for Arizona State
Arizona State’s Katelyn Boyd and Alix Johnson each drove in three runs, Annie Lockwood homered, and the Sun Devils beat Florida, 7-2, at Oklahoma City to win their second NCAA softball title in four years. Dallas Escobedo (37-3) pitched a four-hitter to win her 19th consecutive decision.
The Sun Devils (60-6) used a mix of holdovers from their first Women’s College World Series title in 2008 and some freshmen to continue the Pac-10’s dominance of the event. The conference has won 23 of the 29 titles, including six in a row.
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Ray Allen has exercised his option to remain with the Boston Celtics next season.
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A memorial service for former UCLA assistant football coach Homer Smith will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame.
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Genaro “Chicanito” Hernandez, who ascended through the Southland boxing ranks to become a two-time world super-featherweight champion, died Tuesday at 45 after more than two years of battling cancer. He was 38-2-1 with 17 knockouts in a career that stretched from 1984 to 1998.
— Lance Pugmire
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