CHICAGO - A Northwestern University doctor acknowledged burning records of a physical he gave Rashidi Wheeler three weeks before the football player died during a 2001 training drill.
Dr. Mark Gardner testified for nearly 61/2 hours Thursday in a lawsuit Wheeler's parents filed against the university. Only lawyers for Wheeler's family got to question Gardner before the deposition ended for the day. He is expected to continue testifying at a later date.
His attorney, Richard Donohue, said the doctor destroyed the records days after Wheeler's death and then checked himself into a hospital.
Wheeler collapsed and died Aug. 3, 2001, after participating in a conditioning drill.
His parents sued Northwestern, claiming officials did not give their son, an asthmatic, proper medical treatment. Northwestern argues ephedra-containing supplements Wheeler was taking caused an irregular heartbeat that led to his death.
Handgun uncovered
Police are investigating whether a 9 mm handgun found in Waco, Texas, is connected to the disappearance of Baylor basketball player Patrick Dennehy. The pistol was found by Rory Guajardo, a landscaper, wrapped in plastic and hidden in a small hole under a rock next to the Beargrounds apartments near the university.
Foley: Gators staying put
Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley assured fans the Gators have no plans to become the ACC's 12th team.
"All I know is that from the University of Florida's perspective, we're proud to be a member of the Southeastern Conference," Foley said. "I see us being in the conference for many, many years."
FLORIDA A&M: Football player Carl Shazor, who police say tried to run down two officers with his car, was released from jail in Mount Pleasant, Mich., after a judge lowered his bond.
Shazor of Detroit is charged with two counts of assault with intent to commit murder. He posted the bond after Judge Thomas A. Beale lowered it from $500,000 to $250,000, Shazor's attorney confirmed.
Shazor faces 11 charges ranging from assault with intent to commit murder to conspiracy to sell crack cocaine near a school zone.
CENTRAL FLORIDA: Leeanne Crain was hired as coach of the women's rowing team.
LSU: Football coach Nick Saban survived a plunge into a lake near his vacation home in Georgia nearly two weeks ago, he told a New Orleans radio station.
Saban said he was knocked unconscious temporarily when he fell from his boat and hit his head against the dock. He said he woke up eight feet under water and paddled toward the surface, where one of the two friends he was with pulled him out.
OHIO STATE: The school formed a special committee to investigate allegations of academic misconduct in the football program and whether players have gotten preferential treatment in classes.
The university's actions follow a New York Times story July 6 that reported running back Maurice Clarett received assistance from a professor who allowed him to take two oral exams to pass a class.
TENNIS: S. Williams withdraws
Wimbledon champion Serena Williams withdrew from the Aug. 9-17 Rogers AT&T Cup in Toronto because of a scheduling conflict. She'll also miss this weekend's Fed Cup quarterfinal between the United States and Italy because of an acting commitment.
ET CETERA
Sumo wrestler, 15, dies
A 15-year-old, 308-pound sumo wrestler died of cardiomyopathy, a problem with the muscles in the heart. He is the first active wrestler in the ancient Japanese sport to die in three years.
The 6-foot-2 Yoshitake Maeda had been treated by doctors since April, the Kyodo news agency reported.
