WVU soccer gets probation

The West Virginia University men's soccer team was placed on two years probation under NCAA sanctions announced yesterday. The sanctions stem mostly from a former coach's unethical conduct and outside employment.

West Virginia fired Mike Seabolt in July after its own investigation turned up potential rules violations.

Josephine Potuto, chair of the NCAA Division I committee on infractions, did not disclose the ex-coach's name in a conference call. She said he was employed in the summer of 2002 and 2003 both by WVU and by a summer league during which he coached current and prospective players.

In addition, at least a dozen prospective players participated in preseason practices and were allowed to live free of charge with enrolled WVU athletes in the summers of 2002 to 2004, the committee said.

The probation does not include a ban on postseason play.

Boxing

Western Pennsylvania's contingent advanced to today's second round of the National Golden Gloves championships in Chattanooga, Tenn. The Lubash brothers of Munhall both won: Jesse at 152 pounds defeated Termaine Woodard of Akron, Ohio, and Jim at 178 decisioned William Ford-Walk of Toledo, Ohio. Also, at 201 pounds, Anthony Tettis of Ridgway beat Blake Handibode of Broadview, Ill. The rest of the Pennsylvania team, comprised of Philadelphia area boxers, had a lackluster 1-3 start with two others receiving byes until today.

Horse racing

Cobalt Blue and Xchanger were pulled out of Kentucky Derby consideration, opening the door for Teuflesberg and Imawildandcrazyguy to run in Saturday's race at Churchill Downs. The field is limited to the 20 horses with the highest earnings in major stakes races. Teuflesberg ($122,942) and Imawildandcrazyguy ($104,000) were ranked 21st and 22nd.

Trainer John Servis, who led Smarty Jones to wins in the first two legs of the Triple Crown in 2004, earned his 1,000th career victory when Love For Pleasure won the 10th race yesterday at Philadelphia Park.

Tennis

Sebastien Grosjean upset top-seeded Tommy Haas, 6-4, 6-4, in the first round of the BMW Open in Munich, Germany.

Auto racing

Talladega Superspeedway has permanently banned 14 fans from buying tickets at the speedway following their arrests Sunday for throwing objects on the track after Jeff Gordon's victory in the Aaron's 499 Nextel Cup race.

Actor Patrick Dempsey, a star of the TV medical drama "Grey's Anatomy" and a co-owner of the Vision Racing team, will drive the Chevrolet Corvette pace car for the Indianapolis 500 May 27.

College basketball

Former Tulane and Miami coach Perry Clark was hired as men's basketball coach at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, which is coming off its first NCAA tournament appearance.

Soccer

Liverpool advanced to the final of the European Champions League, beating Chelsea, 1-0, to force penalty kicks and then winning the shootout, 4-1, in Liverpool, England. Daniel Agger scored in the 23rd minute for Liverpool. Liverpool will play Manchester United or AC Milan in the final May 23 in Athens, Greece.

Baseball

Dan Williams hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth to put Pitt (20-19) ahead in a 5-4 win against Akron yesterday at Trees Field. Mike Bassage got the win in relief of starter Ryan Dunford.

Football

The RiverRats of the American Indoor Football Association extended the contract of coach Shawn Liotta through the 2008 season. The RiverRats have won five of their past seven games.

Sailing

Louis Vuitton Cup racing was postponed because of strong winds that could have resulted in damage to the yachts off the coast of Valencia, Spain. BMW Oracle Racing and Italian syndicate Luna Rossa lead the standings.