LOS ANGELES – The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) paid tribute to the key figures who have helped shape professional women’s tennis over the last 30 years.
The Tour hosted an elegant reception in downtown Los Angeles at the Palm Restaurant. Over 300 tennis dignitaries, players and media attended the event including former world number one players Martina Hingis, Tracy Austin, Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Lindsay Davenport, Kim Clijsters, Justine Henin-Hardenne and Jennifer Capriati.
The ceremony was hosted by Pam Shriver and the celebration continues this year by adding $30 to the singles winner’s check, making the purse $1,000,030 – the richest in women’s sports history.TUCSON, Ariz. – Mike Stoops was named head coach of the University of Arizona’s football program Saturday, Nov. 29. Stoops is the younger brother of Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops, whom he worked under as co-defensive coordinator since 1999.
Along with Mike, Arizona is bringing in Mark Stoops who coaches defensive backs at Miami. Miami head coach Larry Coker had no comment on Mark leaving, but the school is supposed to have an official statement soon.
Mike Stoops will help coach Oklahoma this Saturday in the Big 12 Championship game against Kansas State but will not stay around for their bowl game.
Stoops was a two-time All Big Ten defensive back at Iowa in 1983-84 and played with the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Gladiators (Arena League) before becoming a graduate assistant coach at Iowa in 1986. This is his first head coaching position.
BOSTON – The Boston Red Sox traded for five-time All Star Curt Schilling after the pitcher waived his no-trade clause Nov. 28.
The Arizona Diamondbacks received pitchers Casey Fossum, Brandon Lyon, Jorge De La Rosa and minor league outfielder Michael Goss for Schilling.
Schilling signed a contract extension that will give him $12 million in 2004, $12.5 million in 2005, and $13 million in 2006. His contract also includes a $13 million option for 2007 if Schilling reaches certain performance levels.
“I want to be part of bringing the first World Series in modern history to Boston,” said Schilling. “I guess I hate the Yankees now.”
*Quote from sportsillustrated.cnn.com