Celebrations, destruction on campus follow UConn victory
Some UConn fans pulled down signs and light poles, smashed windows and caused other damage after thousands of people, most of them students, spilled onto campus following the Huskies’ NCAA Tournament win over San Diego State.
Fifteen people had been arrested by early Tuesday and 16 were taken to the hospital during the celebrations. None of the injuries were thought to be serious, UConn spokeswoman Stephanie Reitz said.
“The vast majority of those celebrating the Husky victory last night did so safely and responsibly,” she said in a statement. “A small number chose to risk their safety and that of others by vandalizing or destroying property after the game.”
Most of those arrested were students, she said. Police were expected to investigate the damage, and those responsible could face expulsion if they are students.
BIDEN TO HOST CHAMPS UCONN, LSU >> President Joe Biden said Tuesday that he looks forward to hosting the NCAA men’s and women’s championship basketball teams, the University of Connecticut and Louisiana State University, at the White House, appearing to shut the door on a suggestion a day earlier by his wife, Jill, that the defeated Iowa women’s team be invited, too.
President Biden tweeted
NCAA
Tuesday that LSU and Connecticut “showed us the best of what this country can be.”
“We can all learn a lot from watching these champions compete,” the president said, “and I look forward to welcoming them at each of their White House visits.” He did not announce dates, and the comment suggests that Iowa will not be invited.
Following LSU’s victory, coach Kim Mulkey said she would go to the White House if the team, the Tigers, was invited. There was no immediate comment from Connecticut, but the team has made the trip to the White House after winning the NCAA title game in prior years.
The first lady, who is a big sports fan, had watched LSU’s 102-85 victory over Iowa from the stands in the Dallas arena on Sunday alongside tennis great Billie Jean King and several college athletes.
Women’s basketball SOUTH CAROLINA’S BREA
BEAL TO ENTER WNBA DRAFT >> Brea Beal’s time as South Carolina’s talented defensive stopper is over.
The fourth-year senior said Tuesday on social media that she was foregoing a fifth year in college that’s allowed due to COVID-19 and will enter the WNBA draft.
Beal is a 6-foot-1 guard from Rock Island, Illinois, who has been a centerpiece of the Gamecocks’ smothering defense.
Soccer NWSL ANNOUNCES NEW SAN
FRANCISCO BAY AREA TEAM >> A group of former players — including Aly Wagner and Brandi Chastain — has joined with global investment firm Sixth Street to bring a National Women’s Soccer League team to the San Francisco Bay Area.
The expansion team, which is set to begin play next year, was formally announced by the league Tuesday. Details about where the team will play and what its name will be announced in the future.
“It’s a historic moment for the league. We’re super excited about both the opportunity and what it means for the Bay Area and our league in the present, but also what it tells us about the future and where we’re heading,” Commissioner Jessica Berman told The Associated Press. “I feel like it’s coming at the absolute right moment in time to give us the moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and get us focused on the future of the league.”
Joining Wagner and Chastain as founders of the new team are Danielle Slaton and Leslie Osborne. All four have connections to the Bay Area and played for the United States. FULHAM’S MITROVIC
BANNED 8 GAMES AFTER GRABBING REFEREE >> Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic was handed an eight-game ban Tuesday by the English Football Association after getting sent off for grabbing the referee in the FA Cup quarterfinals against Manchester United last month.
Mitrovic was shown a straight red card after grabbing referee Chris Kavanagh, who had just given United a penalty and sent off Fulham winger Willian for a handball in the area. Fulham had led 1-0 before the penalty was awarded, but went on to lose 3-1 after going down to nine men.
NFL BROWNS WR WOODS RUPTURES
ACHILLES TENDON >> Cleveland Browns secondyear wide receiver Michael Woods II likely will miss the entire 2023 season after rupturing his Achilles tendon while working out with quarterback Deshaun Watson in Texas.
A sixth-round draft pick last year, Woods got hurt Monday while catching passes from Watson. A team spokesperson said Tuesday the 23-year-old Woods will need surgery. Recovery time for the injury can take up to a year.
“Odds never define the kid!” Woods posted on Twitter.
CHIEFS’ TRAVIS KELCE TO HOST MUSIC FESTIVAL >> Travis Kelce is living his best life: On the heels of winning the Super Bowl and hosting “Saturday Night Live,” the Kansas City Chiefs superstar tight end will cap his successful string with a music festival this month.
The two-time Super Bowl winner announced Tuesday that he’ll host his first-ever festival called “Kelce Jam” during NFL Draft weekend. The inaugural event will be held April 28 at the Azura Amphitheater in Bonner Springs, Kansas — a metropolitan area of Kansas City.
The event will feature performances by Machine Gun Kelly, Rick Ross, DJ duo Loud Luxury and Kansas City rap legend Tech N9ne.
Rugby NEARLY 400 EX-RUGBY, SOCCER PLAYERS IN CONCUSSION
LAWSUIT >> The number of former players from rugby union, rugby league and soccer who are taking legal action against sports governing bodies on claims they suffered brain injuries during their careers has grown to nearly 400, a British law firm said Tuesday.
The London-based Rylands Garth firm said Tuesday it would formally start the lawsuit on behalf of 260 rugby union players, 100 rugby league players and 15 soccer players, who say authorities in their sports “were negligent in failing to take reasonable action in order to protect players from permanent injury caused by repetitive concussive and sub-concussive blows.”
Tennis NADAL, ALCARAZ PULL OUT OF MONTE CARLO MASTERS >>
Rafael Nadal pulled out of the clay-court Monte Carlo Masters on Tuesday, saying he is not yet able to compete at the highest level.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion has been sidelined with a left hip flexor injury since the Australian Open. The Monte Carlo Masters begins on April 8.
“I will not be able to play in one of the most important tournaments of my career, Monte Carlo,” Nadal wrote on Twitter. “I am not yet in conditions to play with the maximum guarantees and I continue my preparation process, hoping to be back soon.”
Boxing RETIRED BOXER AMIR KHAN
GETS 2-YEAR BAN FOR DOPING >> Retired British boxer Amir Khan has been banned from all sports for two years after testing positive for a prohibited substance following what proved to be the last fight of his career.
Khan, a former light-welterweight world champion and Olympic silver-medalist, returned a positive result for anabolic agent ostarine after his loss to Kell Brook in Manchester in February 2022, UK AntiDoping said Tuesday.
NBA HEAT ARENA, FORMERLY
FTX, HAS A NEW NAME The arena where the Miami Heat play their home games now has yet another new name after MiamiDade County commissioners voted to enter into a 17year deal to call the facility Kaseya Center.
The name change takes effect immediately. Kaseya, a Miami-based software company, will pay $117.37 million over the 17 years, with much of that going to the county.