USA gymnastics tumbles
USA Gymnastics is turning to bankruptcy in an effort to ensure its survival.
The embattled organization filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition on Wednesday as it attempts to reach settlements in the dozens of sex-abuse lawsuits it faces and to forestall its potential demise at the hands of the U.S. Olympic Committee.
USA Gymnastics filed the petition in Indianapolis, where it is based. It faces 100 lawsuits representing 350 athletes in various courts across the country who blame the group for failing to supervise Larry Nassar, a team doctor accused of molesting them.
Kathryn Carson, who was recently elected chairwoman of the board of directors, said the organization is turning to bankruptcy to speed things up after mediation attempts failed to gain traction.
“Those discussions were not moving at any pace,” Carson said. “We as a board felt this was a critical imperative and decided to take this action.”
The filing does not affect the amount of money available to victims, which would come from previously purchased insurance coverage, she said. Carson said the insurance companies “are aware we’re taking this action and our expectation is they will come to the table and pay on our coverage.”
The USOC on Nov. 5 took steps to remove USAG as the sport’s governing body at the Olympic level – a step that’s taken only under the most extreme circumstances. In an open letter to the gymnastics community, USOC CEO Sarah Hirshland said “you deserve better,” and that the challenges facing USA Gymnastics were more than it was capable of overcoming as currently constructed.
AUTO RACING
Sam Mayer’s ascent through the stock-car racing world will take the teen from Franklin into the NASCAR K&N Series full time, the ARCA Racing Series for about one-third of its races and the Camping World Truck Series for a handful of starts in 2019.
Age is a limiting factor for Mayer, who turns 16 on June 26. NASCAR allows drivers as young as 16 to race in the truck series but limits 16- and 17-yearolds to road courses and short ovals.
Mayer is scheduled for four truck race with GMS Racing beginning Aug. 15 in Bristol, Tenn., the team announced Wednesday. Mayer's other races are Aug. 24 at the Canadian Tire Motorsports Park in Bowmanville, Ontario; Oct. 24 at Martinsville (Virginia) Speedway; and Nov. 8 at ISM Raceway in Avondale, Arizona.
GMS won the 2016 truck championship with Johnny Sauter and 2015 ARCA title with Grant Enfinger.
Seven ARCA dates include the June 14 race at Madison International Speedway in the Town of Rutland.
All told, including short-track specials and regional events, Mayer’s 2019 schedule will include about 30 dates, estimated his father, Scott Mayer.
HOCKEY
Joel L'Esperance scored two of Texas’ three goals in the second period and the host Stars defeated the Milwaukee Admirals, 5-1, in Austin.
Landon Bow stopped 29 of 30 Milwaukee shots, but Garret Ross scored for the Admirals (14-8-3) late in the third period.
BOXING
Two-division champions Donald Curry, Julian Jackson and James “Buddy” McGirt have been selected for induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Also to be enshrined are welterweight champion Tony DeMarco in the old-timer category, promoter Don Elbaum, referee/judge Guy Jutras, publicist Lee Samuels and broadcaster Teddy Atlas in the nonparticipants and observers category.
Journalist Mario Rivera Martino was selected in the observer category.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Former Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury has agreed to become Clay Helton’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Southern California.
Kingsbury is considered one of the top offensive minds in football despite being fired by Texas Tech on Nov. 25. He went 35-40 in six seasons in charge of his alma mater, but the Red Raiders consistently had one of the nation’s most dynamic offenses.