Social issues
FILE - Connecticut's Olivia Nelson-Ododa, left, drives around South Florida's Tamara Henshaw during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the American Athletic Conference tournament semifinals at Mohegan Sun Arena, Sunday, March 8, 2020, in Uncasville, Conn. UConn officials have discussed creating helmet stickers, warm-up T-shirts and altering athletic uniforms in other ways to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement. “I believe as athletes that we have this platform, especially here, we have a platform and a voice and we should use it, especially on topics like this that have been going on for hundreds of years," center Olivia Nelson-Ododa said last month. "And so the ability to speak out about it and advocating for the Black Lives Matter movement is very important to me, and I know for the rest of my team as well.” (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)
South Florida Bulls at Connecticut Huskies 3/8/2020

Sep. 13, 2020 09:34 AM EDT

UConn may go beyond patches in support of BLM

By Pat Eaton-Robb Sep. 13, 2020 08:25 AM EDT
STORRS, Conn. (AP) — University of Connecticut officials have discussed creating helmet stickers, warm-up T-shirts and altering athletic uniforms in other ways...

CORRECTS THAT THE GAME WAS AGAINST ST. JOHNS FOR THE BIG EAST CHAMPIONSHIP, NOT AGAINST HOUSTON FOR THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP - FILE - In this March 9, 1985, file photo, Georgetown NCAA college basketball head coach John Thompson poses with player Patrick Ewing after Georgetown defeated St. John's in the Big East Championship in New York. John Thompson, the imposing Hall of Famer who turned Georgetown into a “Hoya Paranoia” powerhouse and became the first Black coach to lead a team to the NCAA men’s basketball championship, has died. He was 78 His death was announced in a family statement Monday., Aug. 31, 2020. No details were disclosed.(AP Photo/File)
John Thompson spoke truth to power 'when it was hard to do'

By Jim Litke Sep. 01, 2020 03:01 AM EDT

FILE - In this March 9, 2013, file photo, former Georgetown coach John Thompson Jr., left, congratulates his son Georgetown head coach John Thompson III, right, after the Hoya's 61-39 win over Syracuse in an NCAA college basketball game in Washington. John Thompson, the imposing Hall of Famer who turned Georgetown into a “Hoya Paranoia” powerhouse and became the first Black coach to lead a team to the NCAA men’s basketball championship, has died. He was 78 His death was announced in a family statement Monday., Aug. 31, 2020. No details were disclosed. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
Coaching great John Thompson of Georgetown dead at 78

By Joseph White Aug. 31, 2020 10:20 AM EDT

This April 28, 2019, image provided by USA Volleyball shows Amya Small at the USA Volleyball Girls 18s Junior National Championship at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. Small contemplated suicide in 2019 while a member of Oregon State's volleyball team, taking handfuls of over-the-counter medication before calling 911 seeking help. She had her scholarship pulled shortly after that incident and is planning on attending Florida A&M on scholarship this fall. (Texas Star/USAV via AP)
Players describe abusive environment on Oregon State team

By Eddie Pells Jul. 30, 2020 01:13 PM EDT

FILE - In this March 7, 2020, file photo, South Carolina head coach Frank Martin talks to Jermaine Couisnard (5) and Alanzo Frink (20) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn. Martin is joining dozens of college basketball coaches in taking action on racism and diversity. The NABC announced Martin would chair a new committee designed to address issues of race and discrimination and not only within college sports. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
College hoops coaches move to eliminate standardized testing

By Dave Skretta Jul. 16, 2020 03:58 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2017, file photo, Northern Arizona guard Karl Harris drives on Arizona guard Allonzo Trier (35) during the first half during an NCAA college basketball game in Tucson, Ariz. Another dream, of playing in the NCAA Tournament, became a reality when Northern Kentucky clinched the Horizon League tournament title in March. Mere hours later, it was snatched away by a pandemic spiderwebbing across the globe. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, FIle)
Grit, resolve carry Northern Kentucky's Harris in hard times

By John Marshall Jul. 11, 2020 04:58 PM EDT

FILE- In this March 10, 2020, file photo, Northern Kentucky guard Karl Harris (14) celebrates following an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois Chicago in the Horizon League men's tournament championship in Indianapolis. Another dream, of playing in the NCAA Tournament, became a reality when Northern Kentucky clinched the Horizon League tournament title in March. Mere hours later, it was snatched away by a pandemic spiderwebbing across the globe. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Grit, resolve carry Northern Kentucky's Harris in hard times

By John Marshall Jul. 11, 2020 04:39 PM EDT

Syracuse University appoints diversity director for sports

By John Kekis Jul. 10, 2020 02:01 AM EDT
Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack has added a position to his department, bucking a trend toward athletic cuts during the coronavirus pandemic. ...

College coaches recommend required Black history courses

Jun. 22, 2020 12:47 PM EDT
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The new committee formed by the National Association of Basketball Coaches to address racism and diversity recommended Monday that high...

Judge dismisses discrimination suit that named Jim Calhoun

By Pat Eaton-Robb Jun. 19, 2020 03:05 PM EDT
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed a sexual discrimination lawsuit against the University of Saint Joseph that accused Hall of Fame men's...

Pitt, WVU extend basketball 'Backyard Brawl' 2 more seasons

Jun. 18, 2020 01:53 PM EDT
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The basketball version of the “Backyard Brawl” rivalry between West Virginia and Pittsburgh has been extended through the 2022-23 season. ...

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2018, file photo, Texas players sing "The Eyes of Texas" after an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas. A group of University of Texas football players and athletes across several sports on Friday, June 12, 2020, urged the school to rename several campus buildings, change the traditional school song and donate a percentage of athletic department revenue to organizations supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. (AP Photo/Brad Tollefson, File)
Texas at Texas Tech 11/10/2018

Jun. 12, 2020 07:22 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2018, file photo, Texas players sing "The Eyes of Texas" after an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas. A group of University of Texas football players and athletes across several sports on Friday, June 12, 2020, urged the school to rename several campus buildings, change the traditional school song and donate a percentage of athletic department revenue to organizations supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. (AP Photo/Brad Tollefson, File)
NCAA encourages day off from college sports on election day

By Ralph D. Russo Jun. 12, 2020 05:11 PM EDT

NCAA says it will review Idaho's transgender law in August

Jun. 11, 2020 05:42 PM EDT
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — NCAA officials will discuss Idaho’s law banning transgender women from competing in women’s sports amid calls for the organization to move...

FILE - In this Monday, May 13, 2019, file photo, Seattle Storm's Sue Bird talks with media members at the basketball team's media day in Seattle. Groups that advocate for civil rights and women’s rights have joined notable athletes in asking the NCAA to move the first and second rounds of the 2021 men’s basketball tournament out of Idaho after the state passed a law banning transgender women from competing in women’s sports. A letter sent and signed by a list of professional athletes including Megan Rapinoe, Billie Jean King, Jason Collins and Sue Bird calls for the NCAA to move the games set to be held March 2021 at Boise State University. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
Rights groups, athletes ask NCAA to move tourney from Idaho

Jun. 10, 2020 02:44 PM EDT

FILE - In this March 7, 2020, file photo, South Carolina head coach Frank Martin talks to Jermaine Couisnard (5) and Alanzo Frink (20) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn. Martin is joining dozens of college basketball coaches in taking action on racism and diversity. The NABC announced Martin would chair a new committee designed to address issues of race and discrimination and not only within college sports. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
College basketball coaches discuss racism, diversity

By Dave Skretta Jun. 05, 2020 05:25 PM EDT

FILE - In this June 7, 2019, file photo, former Oklahoma State assistant basketball coach Lamont Evans leaves Federal Court in New York. An NCAA infractions committee panel announced Friday, June 5 2020, that former Oklahoma State assistant men’s basketball coach Lamont Evans violated ethical-conduct rules by accepting up to $22,000 in bribes from financial advisers. (AP Photo/Kevin Hagen, File)
NCAA hits Oklahoma St with postseason ban in corruption case

Aaron Beard Jun. 05, 2020 02:23 PM EDT

South Carolina's Martin to chair hoops committee on race

Jun. 04, 2020 02:32 PM EDT
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — South Carolina coach Frank Martin will chair a new committee formed by the National Association of Basketball Coaches to address issues...

FILE - In this Sept. 7, 2019, file photo, Georgia Tech head coach Geoff Collins reacts during the second half of an NCAA college football game against South Florida, in Atlanta. In the wake of nationwide protests over police brutality, Georgia Tech wants to make sure its athletes take time to vote in November. The school said Thursday, June 4, 2020, that nine teams, including football, will cancel all mandatory activities on the Nov. 3 to recognize the importance of casting a ballot. Geoff Collins was one of the first Power Five football coaches to express his support for those protesting the treatment of George Floyd, who died while in police custody in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jon Barash, File)
Georgia Tech athletes get day off to vote on Election Day

By Paul Newberry Jun. 04, 2020 11:35 AM EDT