The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 21

2C, Tuesday, May 9. 2000 THE TENNESSEAN www.lennessean.com SPORTS: PAGE 2 Media watch News from TV radio, print and the Internet JoeBiddle Two races added to crowded slate i 1 v. 2 Busch Series driver Andy Santerre, left, and Indy Racing League driver Eddie Cheever arrive in style at a Chicagoland press conference. Random ruminations while wondering whatever happened to Carney Lansford This could be just light prescription cr Vcr.dy fcolbc! Gene therapy could be just what doctor ordered for Vandy football I read where Vanderbilt researchers plan to subscribe to a new "book of life" that contains all the genetic info needed to make a human being. Football coach Woody Widen-hofer has to be thrilled.

The Commodores will no longer have to battle Alabama or Tennessee for a recruit. They can grow their own. Woody can work with this. Linebacker go down with an injury? No problem Just drop by the lab, put in an order for a 6-7, 280-pounder who can run the 40 in 3.2 seconds and can bench press McGugin Center 20 times. It could revolutionize recruiting.

Imagine the money it would save. Recruiters would never have to leave campus. Their recruiting slogan could be: Vanderbilt Better Football Through Genetics. Packers sign Hutton The Green Bay Packers obvi By LARRY WOODY Sports Writer NASCAR announced the addition of races at new tracks in Chicago and Kansas City yesterday, raising questions about whether there will be room in the future Winston Cup schedule for the new Nashville Superspeedway. Counting two non-points events the Bud Shootout and The Winston NASCAR teams will be committed to 38 weeks of racing next year, and many drivers said that is all they can handle.

Has Nashville been crowded out of the picture? "Not at all," said Denis McG-lynn, developer of the $125 million racing complex in Wilson County which opens next spring. "You've got to look outside the immediate picture. I think that NASCAR today is where the NFL was 30 years ago. The networks began to push for Monday Night Football and Thursday night football. "NASCAR starts a new $2.4 billion TV deal next season.

That means there will be an 800-pound gorilla sitting at the table, helping shape NASCAR's future. "I see no reason why, for example, we couldn't have some Wednesday night races. They could come in the summer, when TV needs some live What about driver complaints that they are stretched too thin? "They used to run 51 races a year, and drove to all of them," McGlynn said. "Now they travel in private jets. I don't see that as a problem." As for the crews who prepare the cars and haul them to and from the races: "Every team has multiple cars," McGlynn said.

"I don't see any reason why they couldn't have multiple teams to take care of them. The same team wouldn't have to work every race. Certainly the dollars are going to be there to permit teams to expand their personnel." New $160 million Kentucky Speedway will open next month and, like McGlynn's track, hopes to get a future Winston Cup race. Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, California Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway all added to the schedule since 1997 have been clamoring for a second race, as has Phoenix International Raceway, on the Winston Cup schedule since 1988. But Mike Helton, senior vice president and chief operating officer of NASCAR, said that probably won't happen under NASCAR's current plans.

"Our strategy for growth does not include going back to tracks which already have a race," he said. With a Winston Cup race worth around $70 million to the local economy according to the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, more and more major cities are scrambling to join up. The first weekend of racing at the Illinois track will included a Busch Scries race on July 14, followed by a Winston Cup race on July 15. Chicagoland Speedway will hold an Indy Racing League event Sept. 2,2001.

The Kaasas track will stage a Busch Series race on Sept. 29 and a Winston Cup event on Sept. 30. Both tracks will seat 75,000 around a I'A-mile oval. The Kansas track is nearing completion, and the Illinois facility is scheduled for completion in spring 2001.

"Today's announcement continues our strategic planning to grow NASCAR racing by establishing new events in cities like Chicago and Kansas City to bring our sport to fans that live in these markets and crave the excitement of NASCAR," Helton said. Driver Sterling Marlin agreed. "People want their racing," he said. "Television is fine for the most part, but they want a chance to be there, too. "These tracks will cover two areas that weren't covered.

You start looking around and about all that's left is Denver and the Northwest We're already running in Southern and Northern California, in Vegas, in Phoenix, and in the Northeast and Southeast pretty strong." Dan the HBO man: Marino set to join Inside the NFL' Tennesseun Wm Services Dan Marino's retirement didn't last long. The former Miami quarterback, who ended his certain Hall of Fame career in March, will join HBO Sports as a commentator for Inside the NFL an industry source told The Associated lVess yesterday on condition of anonymity. HBO will announce the hiring at a news conference today. HBO Sports spokesman Ray Stallone would not comment on Marino, but he confirmed there will be a news conference about Inside the NFL today. Marino's agent, Marvin Demoff, did not immediately return a call.

When the 38-year-old Marino announced his NFL playing days were over, he said he might be interested in TV work. Within a week of the March 13 retirement, Fox Sports said it had been contacted by Marino's representative about an analyst's job. There was also talk that he might have been a candidate for ABC's Monday Night Football. Inside the NFL airs Thursdays on HBO, airing highlights of the previous week's NFL games and previewing upcoming matchups. Derby ratings flat Ireliminary ratings for the Kentucky Derby were unchanged in ABC's final year of broadcasting the first leg of horse racing's Triple Crown.

The Walt Disney Co. unit drew a 6.6 overnight rating for the event, the same as last year, Nielsen Media Research said. The race garnered a 17 share, down from 18 a year ago. Fusaichi Pegasus will almost certainly be the favorite for the Preakness Stakes, the second race in the Triple Crown, which will be run May 20 at Pimlico Race Track in Maryland. NBA ratings down but better There's finally a bit of better ratings news for the NBA and NBC.

Well, not-as-bad news, anyway. Boosted by the most-watched game of the playoffs to date, NBC's playoff coverage this weekend drew fewer viewers than a year ago, but the percentage decline was in single digits.Sunday's triple-header averaged a 6.7 big-market overnight rating, a 6 slide from 1999's 7.1 for the equivalent day. Both days earned a 16 share. NBC hires Lalas for Olympics: Former US. soccer player Alexi Lalas will join Andres Cantor, owner of the distinctive "GOOOOAAAAL" call, in the NBC broadcast booth at the Olympics.

liilas, a defender with bright red hair and goatee, played in two Olympics and two World Cups for the United States. He was also the first American to play in the first division of the prestigious Italian League. He and Cantor, who created a following for himself during the past two World Cups with his drawn-out goal calls and fast-paced broadcasts on Spanish-language Univision, will be the first NBC Olympic broadcast pair seen from Sydney when they call a Sept. 13 preliminary round men's soccer game on MSNBC. NEWS SERVICES SPORTS A.M.

Compiled from Tennessean Staff and News Reports U.S. crushes Sweden 5-3 Brian Gionta scored twice and the United States extended its surprising run at the World Hockey Championships by handing Sweden its first loss of the tournament 5-3. The Americans, who had already secured a berth in the quarterfinals, will end the second round atop the Group standings with eight points, ahead of Sweden, Latvia and Belarus. "Our goal was to qualify for the quarterfinals, and now we've done that," American Coach Lou Vairo said. "Now we have to win our game Thursday or we go home.

Now we might be able to advance to the medal round." In other games, the Czech Republic beat Slovakia 6-2, Finland clinched a spot in the quarterfinals with a 7-4 victory over Norway, and Switzerland defeated Latvia 4-1 to secure its place in the quarters. pA i AP Poll: 40 want Knight fired Forty percent of the respondents in a CNN USA roJayGallup Poll think Indiana basketball coach Bob Knight should be fired for allegedly grabbing player Neil Reed around the neck while reprimanding him during a 1997 practice. Another 43 favored a lesser punishment for Knight. Only 7 said he shouldn't be punished, and 10 had no opinion. Two members of the university's board of trustees are investigating abuse allegations against Knight.

The trustees are expected to conclude their investigation by late June. No rough shift The NCAA committees governing men's and women's basketball want current rules on rough play enforced and introduced some changes to penalties for technical fouls. Both committees voted to recommend dividing the penalties for technical fouls. Under the recommendation, unsporting technical fouls would be penalized with two free throws, while lesser technicals would be penalized with just one. UCLA women's player arraigned: Ayesha Rembert, a reserve forward on the UCLA women's basketball team, was arraigned on a charge of residential burglary and two related counts.

Rembert, 21, did not enter a plea, and her case was continued in Superior Court to June 6 for a pre-trial hearing, said Deputy District Attorney Wendy Segall. 1 Chmura case to draw charges Charges will be next Monday in the alleged sexual assault case involving Green Bay Packers tight end Mark Chmura, said Waukesha County District Attorney Paul Bucher, but who will be charged with what won't be known until thea Speaking publicly for the first time since leaving for Russia days after the allegations broke, Bucher said he has received preliminary test results from the State Crime Laboratory. Also, Chmura's attorney Gerald Boyle said that Chmura's version of what happened was different from that of his 17-year-old alleged victim Down to business: Peter Warrick's agents have said they're serious about getting their client, the Cincinnati Bengals' first-round draft pick, signed in time to start training camp July 21 with his new team. Bucs re-sign backup QR Free agent quarterback Scott Milanovich re-signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. ously didn't like what they saw from punter Josh Bidwell during a recent mini-camp.

The Pack cut Bidwell, a fourth-round pick last year who missed his rookie season with testicular cancer. They did like what they saw of Tommy Hutton, who kicked at Tennessee, signing him to a one-year contract said to be worth $400,000. Both skies now He did it successfully at Georgia, and Washington Coach Norv Turner says he may use defensive back Champ Bailey some this season as a wide receiver. Turner doesn't plan to use Bailey as a kick returner, which should add to his NFL longevity. UK alums honor Newton The Greater Nashville UKen-tucky Alumni Club will honor CM.

Newton, who is retiring as the Wildcats AD. There will be a golf tournament, silent auction and dinner at Legends Golf Club, May 22. If interested in participating, call Joe Wallace (754-9769). Summer camp moving Don Meyer's summer basketball camp, the most successful camp of its type in the country when he was coach at Lipscomb University, will be moved to Cumberland University. Meyer used to attract campers from all over the country.

Fie probably will maintain a huge following, as he took his camp roster with him when he left Lipscomb. Canseco-bashing The Tampa Bay Flounders will be moving to the National League under proposed major-league realignment. If that happeas, they might be willing to part with one of the Bash Brothers, Jose Canseco. Jose can see $4 million next season, which would pay a lot of speeding tickets. One team that might go fishing for Canseco is the N.Y.

Yankees, who would cast him in a DH role. Time to step up Pearl-Cohn product John Henderson was one of five college football players singled out by ESPN The Magazine as having had hot springs. The Tennessee man-child started seven games at defensive tackle as a redshirt freshman, but turned his game up a notch in spring drills. D-line coach Dan Brooks told ESPN that with the loss of Shaun Ellis and Darwin Walker, he is counting on Henderson to be the bell cow. "He shows signs of being a dominant pass rusher," Brooks said.

Tennessee has played the 6-7, 295-pounder inside, although I contend his natural position at the next level would be defensive end. He could be a Reggie White type. OJoe Bkttle Is a Tennessean sports writer and columnist. He can be reached at 259-8255 or e-mail jbiddtetennessean.com. He can be heard weekdays 4-6 p.m.

on 99.7-FM's Sports Night. Andre Agassi returns the ball to Todd Martin in the Italian Open. Agassi won 6-2, 7-6. Courier hangs up racket Jim Courier retired from tournament tennis yesterday after winning four Grand Slams in the 1990s, accumulating more than $50 million in prize money and endorsements and having been ranked No. 1.

His decision to retire, six months in the making, came after fighting his way back from a debilitating arm injury in 1997. Ultimately, he'd had enough. "I just wanted to be ranked inside the top 100. 1 just wanted to be a professional athlete," Courier said. "And everything else really came as a bonus." Agassi tops Martin: Andre Agassi returned to Furopean clay for the first time since his dramatic French Open victory last year and found the slow red surface still to his liking.

Playing steady if unspectacular tennis, he held off big-serving fellow American Todd Martin 6-2, 7-6 (4) in the first round of the Italian Open. Other straight-set winners included third-seeded Magnus Norman, No. 5 Cedric Pioline, No. 6 Nicolas Lapentti, No. 8 Tim Henman, No.

9 Lleyton Hewitt and No. 14th Younes El Aynaoui. Stevenson wins at German Open: Alexandra Stevenson, a semifinalist at Wimbledon last year, beat Russia's Tatiana Panova 6-2, 7-6 (2) to advance to the second round of the German Open. Nebraska LB free on bond Nebraska linebacker Mark Vedral posted bond and was released from jail as authorities considered whether to file sexual assault charges against him. Vedral, who is accused of having sex with a woman while she slept, was released after posting $10,000 of a $100,000 bond.

Lancaster County Judge Jack Lindner ordered Vedral not to have contact with the woman and to appear in court again today. Vedral, 21, was arrested early Saturday on suspicion of first-degree sexual Cuban wants to defect to U.S. A Cuban college baseball player missing since the weekend surfaced in South Florida yesterday and declared that he wants to defect to the U.S.. Mario Miguel Chaoui will apply for asylum and wants to eventually play professional baseball. Qubmaker files lawsuit Callaway Golf Co.

has filed a lawsuit against the Royal Canadian Golf Association over the launch of a new driver that the association won't allow at its events. Os, Couples withdraw: Two former tournament champions, Ernie Els and Fred Couples, withdrew from this week's GTE Byron Nelson Classic, both citing back injuries. UT's Yarbrough gets invited to US. World Trials On the air Television and radio listings. Today NHL playoffs Phila.

at Pittsburgh, Game 6 6 p.m ESPN2 Pro baseball Atlanta at Florida 6:05 p.m TBS, 1450-AM Nashville at Calgary 8 p.m 560-AM NBA playoffs New fork at Miami, Game 2 7 p.m TNT Utah at Portland, Game 2 9:30 p.m TNT Tomorrow Pro baseball Atlanta at Florida 6 p.m Fox Sports Net. 1450-AM Chicago White Sox at Boston 6p.m ESPN2 Los Angeles at Arizona 9 p.m ESPN2 NBA playoffs Indiana at Philadelphia, Game 3 7 p.m TNT Phoenix at LA. Lakers, Game 2 9:30 p.m TNT lennmeiin Staff Report Tennessee forward Vincent Yarbrough has been invited by USA Basketball to the trials for the World Championship for Young Men qualifying team I le is one of only four SEC players invited, along with and Joe Johnson of Arkansas and Kentucky's Tayshaun I'rince and Keith Bogans. The trials for players aged 20 and under will be held May 26-28 at the US. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Golf: Amateurs Brad Story of Dickson and Matt Vick of Franklin tournament by beating Motlow State (43-13) in the final. Jill Crawford's ninth-inning, solo homer gave Chattan(X)ga a 4-3 wia Misty Claude of Volunteer State was named most valuable player of the 'IJCAA and earned all-state honors along with teammates Kelli O'l lara, Amanda Payne and Brandi Reid. Colege baseball Ashley Morgan's 13th-inning double keyed a two-run rally as No. 20 Motlow State took advantage of four errors to beat No. 1 Volunteer State 4-2 in the winner's bracket semifinals of the TJCCAA state tournament.

Motlow (49-10) meets Cleveland State at 6 p.m. while Vol State (48-9) meets Columbia State at 3. Volunteer State players Ronald Curnayn, Steven Faulkner and Billy IYister were named to the junior college all-state team Volunteer State Coach Jeff Smith, was named co-coach of the year along with Ken Campbell of Walters State. College golf: Led by Robert Hunt's 72-143, Tennessee State is third in the 14th National Minority College Golf Championship after two rounds. TSU is at 596, 21 shots behind Florida and just six behind Bethune-Cookman.

are tied at 68 for first place in the True Temper Classic with current U.S. Mid-Amateur champion Danny Green of Jackson, where the tournament is being held. Arena footbal: Wide receiver-linebacker Darryl Hammond of the Nashville Kats has been named the Arena Football League's Iron-man of the Week for his efforts in last weekend's 66-46 road win over the Arizona Rattlers. College softbal: Chattanooga State (45-6) earned a berth in the May 16 national junior college mm mm Pf Upcoming I sports highlights. Baseball Atlanta at Florida, 6 p.m.

TV Fox Sports Net. BasehaH Atlanta at Florida, 6:05 p.m. TV! TBS. Baseball Cob.SrjringsatNasrrville, 7 p.m. Radio: 560-AM.

Nashville at Calgary, 8 p.m. Radio: 560-AM. Cob. Springs at fvlashville, 7 pm. Radio: 560-AM.

Baseball Atlanta at Florida 6:05 p.m. TV: TBS Radio: 1450-AM NBAptayoffs Conference semifinals 7 9 30 p.m. TV: TNT Baseball Colo. Springs at Nashville, 7 p.m. Radio: 560-AM.

Arena football Nashville at New Jersey, 6:30 p.m. Radio: 99.7-FM. Baseball Atlanta at Ftiia, 6 pm TV! TBS. Radkx 1450-AM..