UM-Machias to host Special Olympics Spring Games
MACHIAS, Maine — For the 40th consecutive year, the University of Maine at Machias will host the Special Olympics Spring Games on Friday, May 8, in Reynolds Gymnasium. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. .and is co-sponsored by UMM’s Recreation Services and Special Populations class, Washington County Special Olympics Committee and the American Legion Auxiliary.
Events include the softball throw, standing long jump, 25-meter walk, 50-, 100- and 200-meter dashes, and indoor wheelchair races. There will also be an opening ceremony and parade. There will be additional recreational activities and games for the Special Olympians and supporters between scheduled events. The Ice Cream Truck from Darling’s will be on site as well.
For additional information, to volunteer or donate to the event, or to register an athlete, contact Jo-Ellen Scribner, 255-1228, or jscribner@maine.edu.
NCAA officials chief: Refs didn’t see key replay
While television viewers watched replays of a controversial out-of-bounds call during Monday night’s national championship game, the referees did not see the same pictures and stuck with their original ruling.
NCAA supervisor of officials John Adams said Tuesday during an interview with SiriusXM College Sports the that three refs were not able to view the play at the scorer’s table from the same angle as the television replay, which appeared to show the ball last touching Duke forward Justise Winslow.
Instead of reversing the call and awarding the ball to Wisconsin after a two-minute review, Duke was given possession with less than two minutes to play and a five-point lead. The Blue Devils went on to secure a 68-63 win in Indianapolis.
“We never saw on our monitor what everybody saw at home, if you can believe that,” Adams said. “We had been told time and time again, ‘Nobody at home will see anything you didn’t see.’ And I will tell you that’s not what happened last night. That is not an excuse. That is just laying it out for you.”
However, after the three officials returned to the court, Adams was finally able to view the broadcast angle and nearly called the referees back in an unprecedented move.
Illinois State assistant killed in plane crash
Torrey Ward, an assistant coach at Illinois State, was one of seven people who died in a plane crash after attending the NCAA Tournament title game in Indianapolis on Monday night.
Also killed in the crash near the Central Illinois Regional Airport was Illinois State deputy athletic director Aaron Leetch.
University president Larry Dietz confirmed that Ward and Leetch were on board the plane when it went down short of the airport just after midnight. Authorities said the wreckage was found around 3:15 a.m.
Before serving as an assistant at Illinois State, Ward was an assistant at Jacksonville State and Ole Miss. He played at UAB and guided the Blazers to the NCAA Tournament in 1999.
Duke braces for NBA exodus, another overhaul
INDIANAPOLIS — Allow Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski a moment to revel in his accomplishments. Just in the past nine months, he coached Team USA to a gold medal, collected his 1,000th career victory and capped it Monday with his fifth national title in nine championship game appearances.
Based on what could come in the next two months, Krzyzewski might need to savor this moment.
At least four players and potentially a fifth from Duke’s limited eight-man rotation in Monday night’s 68-63 victory over Wisconsin at Lucas Oil Stadium will not return. Point guard Quinn Cook and Mason Plumee are seniors, and freshmen Jahlil Okafor and Justise Winslow are projected to be lottery picks. Final Four Most Outstanding Player Tyus Jones might lean toward the NBA, too.
McCoy explains trade rationale
Former Philadelphia running back LeSean McCoy believes the reason he was traded to the Buffalo Bills last month has nothing to do with money, race or that his style of running did not fit the Eagles’ offense.
“I don’t think he likes or respects the stars. I’m being honest,” McCoy told the Philadelphia Inquirer on Monday. “I think he likes the fact that it’s ‘Chip Kelly and the Eagles.’”
Since Kelly was named coach in January 2013, the Eagles have cut top receiver DeSean Jackson and traded quarterback Nick Foles. Also, wide receiver Jeremy Maclin was allowed to leave the team as a free agent.