Isch aims to meet Brand’s goals as interim NCAA chief

NCAA

Isch aims to meet Brand's goals

INDIANAPOLIS - James Isch wants to fulfill Myles Brand's unfinished goals at the NCAA. For now, that's Isch's job. He was named Brand's interim replacement yesterday, less than a week after the NCAA president died of pancreatic cancer at age 67.

Isch had been serving as the NCAA's vice president for administration and chief financial officer, overseeing the budget for the premier governing body of college athletics. "We will continue to focus on academic reform, the fiscal stability of our organization and, most importantly, continue to emphasize the student-athlete," Isch said.

NCAA Executive Committee chairman Michael Adams said the decision was made Monday night. He gave no timetable for naming a new, full-time president.

Coaches back health-care reform

WASHINGTON - NCAA basketball coaches who are sometimes rivals on the court came united to Capitol Hill to push for quick approval of health-care reform. "Now is the time to press full court," Notre Dame coach Mike Brey told about 200 American Cancer Society activists and others, adding, "and foul a little bit."

He was supported by Georgetown University coach John Thompson III, Ed DeChellis of Penn State, Oliver Purnell of Clemson and Tubby Smith of Minnesota. They are among hundreds of members of Coaches vs. Cancer, a group of college basketball coaches who have worked with the cancer society to help raise $50 million to help in the fight against cancer.

TAX TROUBLES

Thorpe pleads guilty in evasion case

ORLANDO, Fla. - Professional golfer Jim Thorpe pleaded guilty to failing to pay more than $2 million in income taxes. The 60-year-old central Florida resident faces a maximum of two years in prison and a $4.1 million fine when he is sentenced. He was charged in February with seven counts of failing to pay federal taxes on income he earned in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

Mayweather to pay $5.6 million

LAS VEGAS - Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. agreed to pay $5.6 million in back taxes before the Internal Revenue Service was poised to take the money from his purse after his Saturday fight with Juan Manuel Marquez. Nevada Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer said the IRS sent the commission a levy notice ordering Mayweather's unpaid taxes from 2007 to be deducted from his $10 million fight purse. Kizer said the IRS backed off one week later after Mayweather agreed to pay the money.

NBA

Nuggets get White from Houston

DENVER - The Denver Nuggets acquired swingman James White from the Houston Rockets in exchange for the draft rights to forward Axel Hervelle, a 2005 pick who has yet to play in the NBA. White has an average of 5.7 points and 2.0 rebounds in 10 career games with San Antonio and Houston.

• Guard Keith Bogans is set to sign a guaranteed one-year deal with the San Antonio Spurs before training camp starts next week. San Antonio will be Bogan's fifth team in seven seasons. Bogans, 29, averaged 5.6 points playing for Orlando and Milwaukee last season.

• Dallas forward Tim Thomas undewent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. No timetable was set for his return. Thomas, a 12-year veteran, was hurt while working out at his home in California.

• The Minnesota Timberwolves waived veteran point guard Chucky Atkins. Atkins was acquired in a trade with Oklahoma City in July.

TENNIS

Henin eyes Wimbledon title in return

BRUSSELS - Justine Henin is seeking the elusive Wimbledon title in her return to the WTA tour. It's the only Grand Slam the former top-ranked player hasn't won. And it loomed large in her decision to end a one-year retirement from the sport. "It is a dream of mine," Henin said.

Barely a week after compatriot Kim Clijsters capped her comeback from retirement with a second U.S. Open title, Henin announced her return on Belgian TV.

• Oscar Hernandez upset top-seeded Victor Hanescu 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 in the first round of the BCR Open Romania. Another unseeded Spaniard, Santiago Ventura, defeated fourth-seeded Igor Andreev 6-4, 6-1.

ELSEWHERE

• Chicago Blackhawks wing Adam Burish will be out for six months following surgery on his right knee. The team's physician, Dr. Michael Terry, said Burish suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during a preseason game Sunday against Minnesota. He said the team expects Burish to make a complete recovery.

• Former Preakness champion Summer Squall was euthanized at Lane's End Farm in Versailles, Ky., because of complications of old age. He was 22. Summer Squall finished second in the 1990 Kentucky Derby behind Unbridled, then returned the favor in the Preakness following a thrilling stretch duel in which he pulled away along the rail. He did not compete in the Belmont Stakes but returned as a 4-year-old and won the Fayette Handicap in 1991.

• Americans Jake Herbert and Tervel Dlagnev won medals Tuesday at the wrestling world championships in Herning, Denmark. Herbert won silver at 185 pounds after losing to Zaurbek Sokhiev of Uzbekistan in the final, 1-0, 1-0. Dlagnev beat Alex Modebadze of Georgia in the bronze-medal match at 264½ pounds 2-0, 2-0.

- From Wire Reports