Nebraska fires AD Eichorst
Nebraska fired athletic director Shawn Eichorst, citing his failure to improve “on-field performance” by the Cornhuskers.
Chancellor Ronnie Green announced the move Thursday. Eichorst joined Nebraska in October 2012, and has about $1.7 million remaining on a contract that runs through June 2019.
Green praised Eichorst but says his “efforts have not translated into on-field performance. Green says winning “can and often does happen in concert with well-run, quality college programs.”
Eichorst and football coach Mike Riley have been under increased scrutiny with the continued mediocrity of the program. Eichorst hired Riley in 2014 to replace Bo Pelini.
BOXING
Light heavyweight champion Andre Ward retired from boxing with an undefeated record Thursday because he no longer has the desire to fight.
The 33-year-old Ward released a statement on his website Thursday titled “Mission Accomplished,” thanking those who helped him throughout his career and explaining his reasons for leaving the sport while still at the top.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who has played a part in my journey. You know who you are. I could not have done this without you,” he wrote. “I want to be clear — I am leaving because my body can no longer put up with the rigors of the sport and therefore my desire to fight is no longer there. If I cannot give my family, my team, and the fans everything that I have, then I should no longer be fighting.”
Ward is currently rated the best “pound for pound” boxer by Ring Magazine.
BASEBALL
It might be the shot heard around the baseball world: the rocket-like foul ball that hit a young girl at a New York Yankees game.
In the hours after the girl was struck in the face by the 105-mph screamer, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred vowed to push harder for all teams to extend protective netting to the end of the dugouts, and the Cincinnati Reds committed to do just that by next year.
In a statement Thursday, Manfred called the events “extremely upsetting.”
“Over the past few seasons MLB has worked with our clubs to expand the amount of netting in our ballparks,” Manfred said. “In light of yesterday’s event, we will redouble our efforts on this important issue.” The line drive off the bat of Yankees slugger Todd
Frazier on Wednesday hit the girl in the face in less than a second. The toddler remained hospitalized Thursday. Her father said soon after she was hit, “She’s doing all right. Just keep her in your thoughts.”
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Clemson has lost its kicker for the season after he was injured on the last play of practice. Coach Dabo Swinney said a defensive lineman rolled into Greg Huegel’s leg Wednesday after he kicked during a two-minute drill. Swinney said the junior walked off the field, but tests Thursday showed he tore his ACL.