UMaine student-athletes received league academic honors
Seven University of Maine student-athletes have received the 2014-15 America East Presidential Scholar-Athlete Award.
Scott Merrill of the track and field team majored in biology with a 3.77 grade point average. Courtney Anderson of the women’s basketball team earned a degree in elementary education with a 3.84 GPA. Carolyn Stocker of the cross country and women’s track and field teams majored in food science and human nutrition with a 3.96 grade point average.
Also, Vasiliki Papakotsi of the track and field team was a food science and human nutrition major with a 3.75 grade point average. Zoe Berkey of the field hockey team posted a 3.86 grade point average as a civil engineering major. Rebecca Paradee also of the field hockey team, finished with a KPE-exercise science degree with a 3.84 GPA. Women’s soccer player Liis Emajoe was a KPE-teaching and coaching major with a 3.76 GPA.
To be named, the student-athlete must be an undergraduate student-athlete and be graduating with a 3.75 grade point average or higher.
Sharks hire DeBoer as coach; Sabres pick Bylsma
The San Jose Sharks announced Peter DeBoer as their new coach on Thursday.
The Sharks had been searching for Todd McLellan’s replacement since April when it was decided that he would not return for an eighth season in 2015-16. McLellan, who had success in San Jose but could never lead the team to a title, has since been hired as Edmonton Oilers coach.
DeBoer has seven years of NHL coaching experience with the Florida Panthers and Devils, guiding New Jersey to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2012.
DeBoer’s 114-93-41 record with the Devils makes him the second winningest coach in franchise history behind Jacques Lemaire.
Meanwhile, Dan Bylsma was named coach of the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday.
Bylsma spent two days with Sabres officials, leaving only the compensation packages to be worked out Thursday. The Penguins are assured a third-round draft choice in return, and Bylsma is likely to command a healthy salary to replace Ted Nolan in Buffalo.
Eagles coach disputes racism claims
Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly on Thursday denied LeSean McCoy’s inflammatory insinuation that Kelly is a racist.
“I’ve got great respect for LeSean; however, in that situation, I think he’s wrong,” Kelly said in his first public response to McCoy’s comments in an ESPN The Magazine interview earlier this month.
“We’ve put a lot of time into looking at the characters and factors that go into selection and retention of players,” Kelly said, “and color has never been one of them.”
McCoy, the former star running back of the Eagles who was traded to the Buffalo Bills in March, said earlier this month that Kelly “got rid of … all of the good black players” in Philadelphia. McCoy specifically mentioned wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who was released after the 2013 season. The Eagles also let receiver Jeremy Maclin sign with the Kansas City Chiefs this year.
Kelly said he has tried to call McCoy twice, “and he didn’t accept my call.”
Nationals’ Werth out until August
Washington Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth reportedly has two small fractures in his left wrist and will be out until August.
Werth was hit by a pitch on May 15 and has been on the disabled list since May 19. A CT scan Thursday revealed the fractures, a source told The Washington Post.
Werth has had trouble with the wrist throughout his career. He suffered a torn ligament in 2005 and fractured it in 2012.
Werth was hitting .208 in 27 games this season.
Michael Taylor, Clint Robinson and Tyler Moore have been playing in left field in Werth’s absence.