Husson soccer players receive academic honors
Husson University women’s soccer student-athletes Michaela Bicknell and Katie Cyr and men’s soccer student-athletes Stephen Berenyi and Kyle Hargreaves have received National Soccer Coaches Association of America College Division Scholar All-East Region Honorable Mention accolades.
Bicknell, a senior fullback, boasts a 3.65 grade point average while majoring in psychology. Cyr, a junior fullback, has an impressive 3.94 GPA while pursuing her doctorate in physical therapy.
Berenyi, a junior forward, has a 3.60 GPA, and Hargreaves, a senior captain, has a 3.48 GPA. Both are pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy.
FCC declines to punish radio station for use of Redskins team name
WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday rejected a petition that asked regulators to punish a radio station for using on air the name of the National Football League’s Washington team, Redskins, a word some consider a slur to Native Americans.
Legal activist John Banzhaf III had petitioned the agency to strip the WWXX-FM radio station, which belongs to the team’s owner, Dan Snyder, of its broadcasting license for using the word “Redskins.” Banzhaf said the name was racist, derogatory, profane and hateful, making its use “akin to broadcasting obscenity.”
The FCC, which enforces broadcast indecency violations, said obscenity and profanity largely imply material of sexual or excretory nature. It also cited the broadcasters’ freedom of speech, among other legal reasons for rejecting the petition.
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has said he personally finds the team name offensive and that it should changed, but has reiterated that Banzhaf’s petition was reviewed on its merits through the standard FCC process.
A’s acquire pitcher De La Rosa
The Oakland Athletics obtained left-hander Eury De La Rosa on Thursday from the Arizona Diamondbacks in a deal for cash.
To make room for De La Rosa on the 40-man roster, the A’s designated right-hander Fernando Rodriguez for assignment and released right-hander Jorge De Leon.
The 24-year-old De La Rosa pitched in 25 games for the Diamondbacks last season and posted a 2-0 record with a 2.95 ERA in 36 relief outings spanning 36 2/3 innings.
Bucks’ Sanders receives one-game suspension
Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders was suspended for one game without pay by the NBA on Thursday after shoving Portland Trail Blazers forward Nicolas Batum in the back while in the air during Wednesday night’s game in Portland, Ore.
The flagrant foul-2 came with 3:01 remaining in the fourth quarter as Batum was going to the basket in the Trail Blazers’ 104-97 win in the MODA Center. Batum fell hard to the floor after a dunk.
Royals agree to contract with Medlen
Pitcher Kris Medlen reached agreement on Thursday with the Kansas City Royals on a two-year contract with a mutual option for 2017.
According to Fox Sports, the deal includes an $8.5 million guarantee and a $1 million buyout of a $10 million option.
Medlen sat out the 2014 season while recovering from his second Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery. He was non-tendered earlier this month by the Braves, who avoided paying him $6 million that he was expected to receive in 2015 through arbitration.
The 29-year-old posted a 34-20 record with a 2.96 ERA in five seasons with the Braves.
Warriors’ Bogut sidelined indefinitely
Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut is undergoing therapy on his injured right knee and lost to the team indefinitely.
Bogut will miss his fifth consecutive game on Thursday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder after undergoing platelet-rich treatment on his knee in consultation with Warriors doctors and his personal physician.
With an NBA-best 21-3 record, the Warriors are playing well without the 7-foot Bogut, who is averaging 7.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.2 blocks this season.