Chairman of Maryland board resigns after furor
BALTIMORE >> The chairman of the University System of Maryland board of regents has resigned following the furor over the decision to reinstate football coach DJ Durkin.
The board’s decision to reinstate Durkin on Tuesday drew harsh criticism from students, players and state politicians. As a result, University President Wallace Loh fired Durkin on Wednesday.
On Thursday, board chairman James Brady stepped down from his post.
“In my estimation, my continued presence on the board will inhibit its ability to move Maryland’s higher education agenda forward,” Brady said in a statement. “And I have no interest in serving as a distraction from that important work.”
After reviewing external reports on the death of offensive lineman Jordan McNair and the culture of the program, the board decided to reinstate Durkin and retain athletic director Damon Evans.
Federer, Djokovic win
PARIS >> Roger Federer’s bid for a 100th career title remains on as he beat Fabio Fognini 6-4, 6-3 to reach the Paris Masters quarterfinals.
If he wins that, against Kei Nishikori, he could face Novak Djokovic in the semifinals — but Federer is thinking more about winning the season-ending ATP Finals, which start Nov. 11.
Djokovic also feels at home in Paris.
He is chasing a record-extending fifth Paris Masters title and advanced toward that when Damir Dzumhur retired trailing 6-1, 2-1. Djokovic, who will reclaim the No. 1 ranking next week regardless of where he finishes, faces Marin Cilic in the quarterfinals.
Uihlein leads in Vegas
LAS VEGAS >> Peter Uihlein topped the leaderboard at
8-under 63 in the Shriners Hospitals For Children Open, with Jordan Spieth two strokes back in his season debut.
Uihlein birdied six of his final nine holes in the morning round at TPC Summerlin.
Seth Reeves shot 64, electing to finish the
par-5 ninth after the horn sounded suspending play because of darkness. Harold Varner III and Robert Streb were two strokes back at 65.
Spieth followed at 66 his first career start in a domestic fall event.
WNBA cut short contract after 2019
NEW YORK >> WNBA players have exercised their right to terminate their collective bargaining agreement after the 2019 season, cutting the deal short by two years.
The current labor contract started on March 5, 2014, and had been scheduled to run through October 2021 or the day after the last playoff game, whichever was later. The move announced by the players’ union on Thursday ends the deal on Oct. 31, 2019, or the day after the postseason finale.
The move allows the sides to negotiate a new deal that would go into effect for the 2020 season during an Olympic year.
“We look forward to our upcoming discussions and negotiating a new agreement with the league,” the union said in a statement.
The league has seen growth in many areas since the current CBA went into effect in 2014.