SOUTH BEND, Ind. - A Florida man pleaded innocent Wednesday in federal court to a charge of making a threat against Notre Dame football coach Tyrone Willingham.
Andrew French, 24, of Fort Myers, faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted on a charge of interstate transmission of a threat to injure. He is accused of threatening Willingham late last year.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Schmid said French also threatened other sports figures, including Lions quarterback Joey Harrington and former UCLA basketball coach Steve Lavin. No charges have been filed in those cases, Schmid said.
Lavin said he was aware of two threats against him but wasn't sure if either was allegedly made by French. Harrington's agent, David Dunn, did not return calls.
Schmid said he did not know why French allegedly sent the threats. He said the one against Willingham was made from a cell phone and left on voice mail.
A trial was set for Aug. 23.
MEN'S BASKETBALL: California forward Leon Powe, the Pac-10 freshman of the year, will be out until late December after bone graft surgery on his left knee. After the graft heals in 2-3 months, he will have reconstructive surgery. ... Former Lakewood star Marcus Morrison signed with Middle Tennessee State. He left South Carolina after one season and played last season at Garden City (Kan.) Community College.
GOLF: TCU beat Charlotte by 12 for its third consecutive Conference USA men's title at Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club in Dade City. USF was fifth. ... Tulane's women beat TCU by 18 for the conference title in Fort Worth, Texas. USF was third, 29 back.
BASEBALL: Eddy Martinez-Esteve and Bryan Zech homered and host FSU scored 10 in the first two innings to beat Florida 16-4.
USF: Randall Spetman, the former athletic director at Air Force, applied for the vacant AD position.
SOCCER: Israel can host games
A 21/2-year ban on international games in Israel was lifted because the European governing body is satisfied with security arrangements. Games must be played in the Tel Aviv area, and security guarantees must be provided.
MARADONA UPDATE: Diego Maradona, who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title, remained on a respirator in Buenos Aires three days after he was hospitalized with heart and lung problems.
U.S. WINS: Chicago midfielder Craig Capano scored in the 71st minute to lead the United States under-20 team to a 1-0 victory over Haiti in Fort Lauderdale.
HORSES: No advertising at Derby
Churchill Downs officials told jockeys scheduled to ride in the Kentucky Derby they could be barred from the track if they wear ads. The warning came two days after a rejected request by five jockeys, including Jerry Bailey.
KRONE TO RETURN: Jockey Julie Krone is expected to return during the Hollywood Park season, which began Wednesday. She sustained rib, chest, shoulder and back injuries in a fall in December. She returned for one day in February but felt soreness in her back.
TENNIS: Teen out of French, Games
Rafael Nadal broke his left foot and will miss the French Open and Olympics. Nadal, 17, who upset top-ranked Roger Federer at the Nasdaq-100 Open last month, was hurt last week during the Estoril Open.
MONTE CARLO MASTERS: Lleyton Hewitt came back from a set and 0-3 down to beat Gaston Gaudio 1-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 in Monoco. Hewitt saved two match points at 6-5 in the second set.
ET CETERA
PREPS: California State Sen. Jackie Speier introduced bills to mandate steroid testing of high school students and ban the sale of some performance-enhancing substances to minors. Even if they pass, financing it will be difficult in the cash-strapped state.
CYCLING: Mario Cipollini won a sprint to take the second stage of the Tour de Georgia in Columbus, moving into third overall. Gord Fraser leads overall by three seconds over Ivan Dominguez.
