Sun, Oct 12, 2008

Sports

SPORTS SHORTS

After nearly 50 years, Sun Devils will bid adieu to Tontozona

Wire reports
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 07.08.2008
TEMPE — Arizona State is making Camp Tontozona a thing of the past.
The Sun Devils' football team has unveiled a preseason practice schedule that includes only one day at Camp Tontozona — their August retreat near Payson since 1960.
The Sun Devils will have a scrimmage at Tontozona on Aug. 16, but will spend the rest of their 18 activity days prior to the season-opening week against Northern Arizona by staying in Tempe.
Everything else will be conducted outdoors at the Kajikawa practice facility or inside the school's new, $8.4 million privately-funded practice bubble on campus.
"We're honoring ASU's great Camp Tontozona tradition by holding a scrimmage there for everyone to enjoy," football coach Dennis Erickson said in a statement while on vacation.
— East Valley Tribune
NBA
Ex-Wildcat Jefferson happy to be with Bucks
MILWAUKEE — Yi Jianlian didn't want to play in Milwaukee. The man he was traded for insists he does.
The Bucks introduced former UA standout Richard Jefferson on Monday after acquiring him from New Jersey on draft day in a trade for Bobby Simmons and the young Chinese star, who was the No. 6 pick last year.
Jefferson, the second-leading scorer in Nets history, was surprised by the trade.
"I didn't know anything was going on and then the next thing I know my phone didn't stop ringing for about a week," he said. "When this happened I was upset, but after calming down and evaluating everything I became excited.
"… This was a major move to get two guys that are both in the top 10 in the league in scoring on the same team," Jefferson said of he and Bucks' star Michael Redd.
NFL
Linebacker who was shot by cop settles lawsuit
SAN DIEGO — Former San Diego Chargers linebacker Steve Foley agreed to settle his lawsuit for $5.5 million against a police officer who shot him two years ago, ending his football career.
Foley's lawyer said his client wants to get on with his life. Foley reached the agreement last week with the city of Coronado and Officer Aaron Mansker.
Foley was shot in his leg, hip and hand in September 2006. Mansker was off-duty when the shooting occurred. He tailed Foley's car home from San Diego on suspicion the driver was drunk.
Miscellaneous
Knee injury forces Nadal to withdraw from event
STUTTGART, Germany — One day after winning the Wimbledon title for the first time, Rafael Nadal pulled out of the Mercedes Cup on Monday with muscle pain above his right knee.
The second-ranked Spaniard, who said he won't play again until healthy, traveled to the Weissenhof tennis center to tell the promoters personally of his withdrawal as the clay-court event's defending champion and star attraction.
"This was the least I can do. I'm disappointed that I can't play," Nadal said.
Nadal has played 47 matches since mid-March, winning six titles.
● James MacPherson threw for 326 yards and had a hand in seven touchdowns, and the Grand Rapids Rampage upset the Chicago Rush 58-41 on Sunday to advance to the Arena Football League conference finals.
MacPherson, a 1998 graduate of Mountain View High School, set a team record with 33 completions on 39 attempts, throwing six touchdown passes and running for a score.