Sports

Colleges

Canes freshmen plan to make an impact

Associated Press
Published August 6, 2005

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CORAL GABLES - Now it can be told why tight end DajLeon Farr, a product of football-crazed Texas, decided to move halfway across the country and play college ball at Miami.

The decision didn't stem from the Hurricanes' track record of developing NFL-caliber tight ends like Bubba Franks, Jeremy Shockey and Kellen Winslow Jr. Nor was it the weather, the campus or anything Miami coach Larry Coker said during the recruiting process.

No, Farr spurned LSU and many other schools because of something only Miami has: An Ibis as a mascot.

What was it about Sebastian the Ibis that caught his eye while watching television? "He's cool," the 6-foot-5, 240-pound Farr said.

The mascot won't be there today when the Hurricanes open practice for the 2005 season. Players reported for work Friday, although many were already in town and taking summer classes.

Headlining the class of incoming freshmen are defensive back Kenny Phillips - whom some considered as the nation's top high school defensive player in 2004 - of Miami Carol City High, and left tackle Reggie Youngblood of Houston. Both were Parade All-Americans a year ago.

"My goal for the season is just to play," said Phillips, who has jokingly told teammates that even if he doesn't start, he plans on leading the team in interceptions. "I don't have to start right away, but I do want to play."

NCAA: Tough penalties imposed

The association adopted stronger penalties for schools that fall well below the NCAA's new academic scoring system. Teams would receive a warning letter the first year; restrictions on scholarships, recruiting and playing time the second year; and a postseason ban the third year. If a school fails to meet the standard four consecutive years, all teams at that school would be ineligible for postseason play.

MORE NCAA: The association extended President Myles Brand's contract two years through 2009.

SOCCER: USF picked seventh

USF's women's soccer team has been picked seventh in its eight-team division in a preseason poll of Big East coaches, with no Bulls named to the 12-player preseason all-conference team.

Defending national champion Notre Dame, 25-1-1 a year ago, got all but one first-place vote to win Division B, while Connecticut got 13 of 16 first-place votes as the favorite for Division A.

BASKETBALL: Former USF star Jimmy Baxter has signed to play for JDA Dijon of France's Pro A League. Baxter, who last played for USF in 2004, played in Portugal last season, then played 19 games in the World Basketball Association, averaging 16.6 points for the Southern Crescent Lightning in Atlanta.

FOOTBALL: Matt Groelinger, who had 11 tackles as a senior defensive tackle at USF last fall, was arrested by Tampa police on a misdemeanor charge of battery. Groelinger, 24, was released on his own recognizance. ... Miami was ranked eighth in the USA Today preseason coaches poll. Defending national champion Southern California was a near-unanimous pick with 60 first-place votes. Second-ranked Texas had the other two first-place votes. Florida (7-5) was ranked 11th and Florida State (9-3) 12th. ... South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said sophomore QB Blake Mitchell will start the Gamecocks' season opener Sept. 1 against Central Florida.

SWIMMING: Florida's Leah Retrum placed first with a time of 2 minutes, 11.00 seconds in the A-Final of the 200-meter backstroke at the 2005 Conoco-Phillips National Championships in Irvine, Calif. Teammate Jamie Reid placed fifth with a time of 2:14.38.

Times staff writer Greg Auman contributed to this report.

[Last modified August 6, 2005, 01:37:26]

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