Sports Briefs: Lieberman to be first female coach in developemental league

NBA

Lieberman scores breakthrough

DALLAS -- Former Old Dominion University star Nancy Lieberman is set to become the first female head coach of a NBA Development League team. A news conference is scheduled for today to introduce Lieberman as the first coach of the team that will begin play during the 2010-11 season in Frisco, a Dallas suburb.

Lieberman didn't return messages left on her cell phone and through e-mail. The Frisco team also will introduce Del Harris as its general manager and Spud Webb as president of basketball operations.

Lieberman was 18 when she played for the U.S. Olympic team in Montreal in 1976 and became the youngest player to earn a medal when the team took silver. A decade later, she became the first woman to play in a men's professional league when she joined the Springfield Fame of the USBL. In July 2008, at 50, she had two assists in a one-time appearance for the WNBA's Detroit Shock. Before then, she had also been the league's oldest player, when she was played at age 39.

Lieberman played at Old Dominion during 1976-80 and led the school to two AIAW national titles. She was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame three years later.

Magic's Carter sidelined

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Orlando Magic guard Vince Carter was sidelined against the Phoenix Suns last night with a sprained left ankle. Carter was first injured Friday against New Jersey. Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said Carter aggravated the ankle again Tuesday night against Detroit. Carter's status is day to day.

• Troy Murphy missed Indiana's game at New York with a bruised lower back, leaving the winless Pacers without their leading rebounder. Murphy was hurt Tuesday after a hard foul in the first quarter of the Pacers' 111-93 home loss to Denver.

• The Sacramento Kings signed swingman Ime Udoka to a contract. The team did not release terms of the deal. Udoka spent the preseason with Portland before being waived last month.

• Disgraced former NBA referee Tim Donaghy was a free man after serving most of a 15-month sentence in a gambling scandal.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Bowden signals intention to return

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Sounding as if he plans to coach next year at Florida State, Bobby Bowden said he'll choose the successor to longtime defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews.

In response to a question on the ACC coaches teleconference, Bowden said he would give his designated successor, offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, a lot of input in the selection, but that he would make the final decision.

Andrews announced his intention Tuesday to retire after 26 seasons at Florida State.

Bowden, who turns 80 Sunday, is on a year-to-year deal at Florida State with a final option for the 2010 season since the school has promised $5 million to Fisher if he is not the head coach by January 2011.

• The suspension of Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes for apparently trying to gouge the eyes of a Georgia running back was increased to a full game. Coach Urban Meyer said it was in the best interest of the team for Spikes to serve a full-game suspension when the top-ranked Gators play Vanderbilt on Saturday. Meyer had faced criticism for suspending his All-America linebacker for only the first half.

• The replacement for the Cotton Bowl game has been lined up. Dallas city leaders said the Dallas Football Classic is planned for New Year's Day 2011. The plan calls for using teams from the Big Ten to play teams from Conference USA and the Big 12 on a rotating basis. The Cotton Bowl game is moving to the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, this season.

NHL

Byers suspended; Tortorella fined

TORONTO -- New York Rangers forward Dane Byers was suspended one game for his role in a fight during the third period of Monday's game in Vancouver. Rangers coach John Tortorella was fined $10,000 because one of his players was deemed the instigator of the fight.

• Atlanta Thrashers goaltender Kari Lehtonen is expected to miss six to eight weeks after having a second surgery on his back.

ELSEWHERE

• Toyota is pulling out of Formula One racing. The world's largest automaker said yesterday it needs to cut costs and focus on its core business.

• North Carolina women's basketball coach Sylvia Hatchell said Jessica Breland's Hodgkin's lymphoma has gone into remission, though it's still unclear whether the senior will be able to play this season. Hatchell said that Breland finished her five-month course of chemotherapy last week and will have a scan next week that could determine whether she needs additional treatments. However, Hatchell said she is still leaning toward redshirting Breland this year.

AROUND THE STATE

Hampden-Sydney College will induct three individuals into its athletic hall of fame and salute a fourth before Saturday's 1 p.m. home football game against Salisbury. Class of 2009 inductees include football player Ed Keefer (1971-74), golfer Berk Jolly (1993-1996) and lacrosse player Jamie Worthen (1995-1998). Bill Blair, a baseball and football standout who graduated in 1953 and later achieved significant success as an athletic administrator at Fork Union Military Academy, will be honored with a special citation. -- From Wire Reports