WORLD CUP SKIING
BEAVER CREEK (AP) – Most of the skiers are closely watching Aksel Lund Svindal these days, just to see what path he takes down the hill. Because his way is pretty much going to be the fastest way. That’s how much fellow competitors respect the powerful Norwegian, copying anything they can from the racer who’s been so hard to catch this season. His secret to being swift on the slopes may be as simple as this: Happiness and health. He’s dating Olympic gold medalist Julia Mancuso and training with more vigor than he has in years.
It’s carrying over onto the course, where he’s performing almost better than he has since, well, before that scary day in Beaver Creek five years ago when he suffered a season-ending crash in a training run.
CU COACHING CAROUSEL
BOULDER (AP) – Colorado athletic director Mike Bohn has fired three football coaches, two of them his own hires – Dan Hawkins and Jon Embree, who compiled 60 losses in seven seasons. He acknowledges he has to hit on this next one or he’ll be on the hot seat himself. Bohn is looking for the right man again after firing Embree following a program-worst 1-11 season that led to an erosion of the fan base and a drop in ticket sales.
Hawkins (19-39) and Embree (4-21) combined for seven straight losing seasons after Bohn fired Gary Barnett, whose tenure was marred by scandal and a 70-3 loss to Texas in the Big 12 title game after the 2005 season.
KC RUNNING BACK GETS PEYTON MANNING’S AUTOGRAPH
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles has caused a stir after asking for Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning’s autograph following Sunday’s game in Kansas City. Local television station KCTV aired footage of Charles waiting for Manning’s signature after the Chiefs’ 17-9 loss. Charles told the TV station he was getting the autograph for his mom.
The story was picked up by several national media outlets, some of whom argued it was in poor taste to ask for an opponent’s autograph after a loss, even though it’s common for professional athletes in most sports to exchange jerseys and autographs. Texans running back Arian Foster tweeted that he got Charles’ autograph at the 2010 Pro Bowl, and that he exchanges with players “damn near every game.” Charles tweeted Tuesday: “Thank for the support and relax on the P Manning story, just two warriors showing each other respect.”
ELSEWHERE IN SPORTS…
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) – Ndamukong Suh (ehn-DAHM’-uh-kehn soo) dodged a suspension for what he says was an inadvertent kick to the groin of Houston quarterback Matt Schaub during a Thanksgiving Day loss to Texas, but the Lions defensive tackle has drawn a $30,000 fine for his action. Speaking to reporters for the first time since the incident, Suh insisted he has no reason to apologize to Schaub.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Former NFL coach Jon Gruden denies a report that he has received an offer to take over the University of Tennessee football program as part of a deal that would include becoming part owner of the Cleveland Browns. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam is a brother of Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam. Gruden tells ESPN’s “Mike & Mike In The Morning” show that he’s happy working as an NFL analyst for the network and is just trying to keep his job.
NEW YORK (AP) – Knicks guard Jason Kidd will miss tonight’s game in Milwaukee due to lower back spasms that kept him from playing in New York’s 96-89 overtime loss to Brooklyn on Monday. Kid is listed as day to day.
CINCINNATI (AP) – The Reds have signed Jonathan Broxton to a three-year contract, giving the NL Central champions a potential closer and a chance to reconfigure their starting rotation. The veteran right-hander came to Cincinnati last July in a trade with Kansas City. The Reds’ brain trust is thinking about returning this year’s closer, Aroldis Chapman, to a starter’s role.
UNDATED (AP) – Louisville and Middle Tennessee have joined the parade of schools switching conference affiliations. The Cardinals are leaving the Big East for the ACC, and a person familiar with Middle Tennessee’s situation tells the AP that the Blue Raiders are jumping from the Sun Belt to Conference USA.
