TAMPA -- A civil rights group is calling for the U.S. Justice Department to investigate racism allegations in the South Florida women's basketball program and is warning prospective students not to enroll until the matter is resolved.

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference approved a strongly worded resolution at its board meeting last week in Montgomery, Ala., saying black athletes were subject to "Jim Crow and apartheid treatment" at USF.

The local and state chapters of the SCLC previously made similar statements. The policy of the Justice Department is to not acknowledge what investigations it is conducting. Eight former and current members of the team have filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against the university, USF President Judy Genshaft and former basketball coach Jerry Ann Winters. The players' attorney, Jonathan Alpert, also has backed an investigation.

USF spokesman Michael Reich said school officials intend to answer the SCLC's request with an invitation to visit the campus and view the progress made since the lawsuit was filed last year.

TENNIS: Michael Chang advanced to the second round of the Legg Mason Classic with a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Byron Black. ... Canadians Vanessa Webb and Maureen Drake were first-round casualties at the Rogers AT&T Cup tournament. Mariana Diaz-Oliva defeated Webb 3-6, 7-5, 6-1, while Evie Dominikovic defeated Drake 6-1, 7-6 (3). No. 14 seed Anke Huber defeated Barbara Rittner 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, and No. 10 Jelena Dokicbeat Nadia Petrova of 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-1. ... Andrei Pavel advanced to the second round of the RCA Championships in Indianapolis with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-1 victory over Mardy Fish. No. 14 seed Nicolas Escude beat James Blake 6-3, 6-3. The 16th seed, Tommy Robredo, eliminated Stefan Koubek, 7-5, 6-1. ... Magnus Norman will undergo hip surgery and miss the rest of the year. The 25-year-old Swede will miss the Davis Cup semifinals Sept. 21-23 against Australia in Sydney.

GOLF: Jay Delsing sank a 2-foot par putt on the fourth playoff hole to beat Jeff Freeman and win the Fort Smith Classic in Arkansas, his first victory on the Buy.com Tour. Delsing earned $76,500. ... Jenn Brody won her second tournament of the season by firing a final round three-under 69 at the Betty Puskar Futures Classic in Morgantown, W. Va.

SOCCER: Miami Fusion coach Ray Hudson was discharged from a Massachusetts hospital after complaining of chest pains and dizziness during an MLS game. A team spokesman said Hudson apparently is suffering from exhaustion and he will take a couple of days off.

BOXING: Pernell Whitaker, who once held six championships in four weight classes, was released from a Virginia Beach, Va., jail on $5,000 bond. Whitaker, 37, was arrested Friday after deputies said they found cocaine in his possession as he was being processed to serve a four-day jail term for two traffic convictions. He will be back in court Aug. 20. ... Tony Ayala's felony burglary trial was postponed while his lawyer attends to a sick family member. Ayala faces life in prison if convicted.

BASKETBALL: Indiana's Tom Coverdale was dropped from a Big Ten tour because he arrived late for the team's final practice before leaving for Europe. The Big Ten squad, coached by Indiana's Mike Davis, plays in England and Ireland this week. ... .The University of Kentucky will extend its lease agreement with Rupp Arena through the 2017-18 season.

HORSES: You caught favorite Cashier's Dream near the wire to win the $150,000 Grade II Adirondack Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Saratoga.

Back to Sports

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright

From the Times sports desk

Bucs
At first, yards scarce

D is less dominating than promised

Given chance, Hamilton plays brilliant QB

Outside of sack, top pick makes solid debut

Bucs schedule

Devil Rays
Brace yourself: Rays sweep

Up next: Yankees

Seay enjoys major turn of fortunes

Easy pickings? Not for Twins

Rays hire sales adviser

Lightning
Lightning rebuffs talk of trading Lecavalier

Motorsports
Mr. Popular stands aside for Earnhardt

Outdoors
Daily fishing report

Et cetera
Sports briefs

College football briefs

Pro basketball briefs

Preps
Jefferson completes 4A-8 schedule

Palm Harbor starts out with 9-3 win

Tampa to host state soccer finals

From the wire

From the state sports wire Jacksonville's Spicer placed on IR after leg surgery
FIU-Western Kentucky game postponed because of Jeanne
Brown anxious to face old team for first time
Dolphins' desperate defense readies for Roethlisberger
Former Sarasota lineman sheds tough-guy image with Michigan
Rothstein rejoins Heat as assistant
No. 16 Florida has history on its side against Kentucky
FSU and Clemson QBs both off to slow starts