July 17, 2020 2:27 pm
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – Several professional, semi-professional, amateur and college sports teams have submitted plans to the Pennsylvania Department of Health to have fans in the stands. The Wolf administration is declining to reveal which organizations, teams or colleges have submitted plans, or whether it has approved any. But the administration said Friday it continues to discourage spectators or fans from attending games to prevent transmission of the coronavirus. Penn State declined to say whether it had submitted a plan but says it’s working with various governing bodies on scenarios “for a possible return this fall consistent with physical distancing, mask wearing and other preventative safety steps.”
July 17, 2020 3:44 am
UNDATED (AP) – The NCAA has released its latest guidance to help member schools navigate competition during the coronavirus pandemic, and they come as the prospects of actually playing look grim. The NCAA says college football players should be tested for COVID-19 at least 72 hours before a game, players with high-risk exposures should be quarantined for 14 days and everybody on the sideline should wear a mask. NCAA President Mark Emmert said that if there is to be college sports in the fall, they need to get a much better handle on the pandemic.
July 17, 2020 3:43 am
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) – The New Orleans Pelicans say top overall draft choice Zion Williamson has left the club to attend to an urgent family medical matter. The Pelicans say Williamson intends to rejoin the team in the Orlando area for the resumption of the season. But the club has not said whether the former Duke star would be able to return or whether he’ll miss any games because of his departure on Thursday. Williamson will have to quarantine again when he returns to Central Florida. Williamson has averaged 23.6 points and 6.8 rebounds in 19 games this season after missing the New Orleans’ first 44 games while recovering from preseason arthroscopic knee surgery.
July 17, 2020 3:45 am
DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) – Tiger Woods got his first taste of playing competitive golf without adoring admirers since the coronavirus pandemic caused the PGA to hold tournaments without spectators.
Woods received near-dead silence as he opened and closed with birdies en route to a 1-under 71 in opening-round play at The Memorial. He’s five strokes behind leader Tony Finau, who birdied seven of his final 10 holes for a 66 that puts him one ahead of Ryan Palmer. Muirfield Village is the first club in 63 years to host back-to-back PGA events. Collin Morikawa won there last weekend at 19-under, beating Justin Thomas in a playoff.
July 16, 2020 2:25 am
The Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) voted on Tuesday to suspend all mandated conference athletic events and championships through the fall semester in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference has already undertaken a full review of its ability to shift fall sports competition and championships to the spring semester and fully intends to do so if a return to competition can be safely executed. “The entire conference has worked hard these last few months to prepare for the return of sports to our campuses beginning this fall,” said PSAC Commissioner Steve Murray. “However, it has become apparent that the safe conduct of sports under the guidelines of social distancing is untenable for our members. We cannot place our student-athletes at greater risk than the general student body. Despite our planning and collective efforts, it has become clear that we are not able to do so.” “We are committed to giving our student-athletes the chance to compete during this academic year,” said California University of Pennsylvania President Geraldine Jones, who was newly elected as chair of the PSAC Board of Directors. ”Many institutions and conferences are facing the same circumstances as we are, and if it is safe to return to competition, we will work with them and the NCAA to provide our teams with a championship experience during the spring semester. We know this is a huge disappointment for our student-athletes who work so very hard in their sport. This decision was not taken lightly and we feel saddened by having to do so.” The PSAC and its member institutions will develop guidelines for all teams to continue individual skill instruction, as well as strength and conditioning activities, under social distancing protocols by the end of the summer. The determination as to when winter and spring sports may begin workouts and practices will be considered at a later date. Seventeen Pennsylvania schools are part of the conference, including California University of Pa., Seton Hill, Slippery Rock, Clarion and IUP. Conference sports include; football, soccer, basketball, wrestling and swimming.
July 16, 2020 3:46 am
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett’s has signed a five-year, $125 million contract extension on Wednesday, making the talented edge rusher the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player. The deal includes $100 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network. Garrett received a six-game suspension last season after ripping a helmet off of Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph and striking him in the head with it.
July 16, 2020 3:45 am
UNDATED (AP) – The NFL’s reigning rushing leader has a new contract. The Dallas Cowboys’ starting quarterback does not. The Tennessee Titans have agreed to a new contract with Derrick Henry just before today’s deadline. The team announced only that it was a multi-year extension, but ESPN.com says it’s a four-year package worth up to $50 million with $25.5 million guaranteed. The Titans had to sign him Wednesday or let him play this season under the $10.2 million franchise tag he signed April 2. Henry ran for 1,540 yards and 16 touchdowns during the 2019 regular season before pouring it on in the playoffs, averaging 149 yards in three games. Dak Prescott is set to play the upcoming season under the franchise tag after failing to work out a deal with the Cowboys before the Wednesday afternoon deadline. The two sides have been working for more than a year on a long-term contract for a two-time Pro Bowler who has started every game of his career. Prescott signed his $31.4 million contract in June. The 2016 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year earned slightly more than $4 million total in the four years of his rookie contract after being drafted in the fourth round.
July 16, 2020 3:41 am
NEW YORK (AP) – Columbus’ John Tortorella, Philadelphia’s Alain Vigneault and Boston’s Bruce Cassidy are the finalists for the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year. Colorado’s Cale Makar, Vancouver’s Quinn Hughes and Chicago’s Dominik Kubalik are the finalists for the Calder Trophy as the top rookie. All three Jack Adams finalists come from the Eastern Conference, while all three Calder Finalists play in the West. Tortorella is the likeliest winner among coaches based on the Blue Jackets’ losses to free agency and injury. Makar and Hughes could be separated by just a few votes after strong debuts as defensemen.
July 15, 2020 3:46 am
UNDATED (AP) – The Southeastern Conference is postponing the start of volleyball, soccer and cross country competition through at least the end of August because of COVID-19. The league says that provides more time to prepare for a safe return to competition on an adjusted timeline. The decision includes all exhibition and non-conference games. Each school will be responsible for any rescheduling of non-conference contests impacted by the postponement. The league hasn’t made any announcement on the football season. The Big Ten and Pac-12 have opted to only play conference games.
July 15, 2020 3:49 am
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) – The New England Patriots have joined a growing list of NFL teams who hope to play home games this season in front of a significantly reduced number of fans to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. The team announced Tuesday that it plans to play in front of about 20% of Gillette Stadium’s capacity, if approved by state and local officials. The stadium’s capacity is just under 66,000. The Patriots also informed season ticket holders that if fans are allowed at the stadium, they will be asked to adhere to physical distancing of at least six feet. Tickets will be arranged in blocks of 10 seats or fewer, with the first eight rows of the stadium not in use. Face coverings will also be required at all times.
