Canes’ bowl game in jeopardy
The Miami Hurricanes’ plans to play in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 31 appear to be uncertain at best, after the school announced Tuesday that its football program has entered COVID-19 protocols.
The Hurricanes did not say how many players or coaches are currently dealing with virus-related issues. The team was scheduled to resume bowl practice in earnest this week after taking last week off for finals.
Miami (7-5) is scheduled to play Washington State (75) in El Paso. Officials in El Paso said their city has seen a COVID-19 positivity rate of about 15% in the past week.
“The university remains committed to its goal of participating” in the bowl game, the Hurricanes said, “while ensuring the continued health and safety of its student-athletes, coaches and staff.”
HOYAS, BC FORFEIT
COVID-19 concerns at Georgetown and Boston College have caused both teams to suffer forfeits in their conference standings.
Boston College’s men’s basketball game at Wake Forest scheduled for today is canceled in Atlantic Coast Conference play. Georgetown’s game today at No. 22 Providence is also canceled in the Big East.
The leagues announced the cancellations Tuesday. In both cases, the forfeits will count only in the league standings and won’t affect the overall record.
In the ACC, Boston College’s next scheduled game is Dec. 29 at home against Florida State. Wake Forest is also scheduled to play that day at Louisville, which paused team activities Monday due to multiple positive tests and
had to cancel its rivalry game with No. 20 Kentucky.
Georgetown is scheduled to play next Tuesday at Creighton. Providence hosts No. 15 Seton Hall on Dec. 29.
FLYERS-CAPS PPD
The Capitals-Flyers game scheduled for Tuesday night was postponed, the 50th NHL game delayed this season for coronavirus-related reasons.
The league said COVID-19 issues with the Capitals prompted the postponement. Defenseman Justin Schultz and forward Daniel Sprong began the team’s morning skate in Philadelphia but were pulled off after their test results came back.
Wiping out Capitals-Flyers left Tuesday’s Lightning-Golden Knights game as the only one left in the NHL this week. The league and players’ association agreed to begin the annual holiday break early and push off the games that were scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
“It’s not fun to see all these games getting canceled,” Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman said. “It’ll be interesting to see the make-up dates and when they’re going to fit those games in, but for us to focus on that, we can’t do that.”
EX-TIGER BARTEE DIES
Kimera Bartee, a former Major League outfielder and Tigers first base coach, died on Monday. He was 49.
The Tigers made the announcement Tuesday, saying Bartee died suddenly. They did not disclose the cause of death.
“Throughout his time in our organization as both a player and coach, Kimera was known as a kind soul but intense competitor who did his best every day to elevate those around him to do great things,” Tigers general manager Al Avila said. “While Tigers fans got used to seeing him in the first base coach’s box, Kimera’s impact on our ballclub went far deeper and will be sorely missed. In speaking with Kimera’s father, Jerry Bartee, we offered our condolences and support to his family.”
Bartee was an outfielder in Detroit from 1996 to 1999 and played the next two seasons with the Reds and Rockies. He was from Omaha, Nebraska, and played for his hometown Creighton University Bluejays.