*COLLEGE FOOTBALL: The former high school coach of Notre Dame defensive tackle Derrell Hand told Blue & Gold Illustrated that a hereditary disease in Hand’s spinal cord may end his career. … Retired Northern Illinois coach Joe Novak will be inducted into the Miami (Ohio) athletic Hall of Fame on Feb. 9.
*COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Tim Flowers, a First-Team Tribune All-State selection who starred on Simeon’s 2006 and 2007 state championship teams, has left Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Wednesday. Forward Kevin Johnson, who played with Flowers at Simeon, is also off the team. … Former Ball State basketball coach Ronny Thompson, who resigned in July amid allegations of racial harassment, will get $200,000 as part of his settlement with the school.
*NHL: The Thrashers’ Ilya Kovalchuk was suspended for one game for his hit from behind on Rangers defenseman Michal Rozsival on Tuesday. Kovalchuk will sit out Thursday’s rematch with New York.
*ALSO: Retief Goosen withdrew from the Qatar Masters because of eye problems. … Michael McDowell will drive a NASCAR Sprint Cup car for Michael Waltrip Racing after Dale Jarrett retired.
———-
Edited by Mike Pankow from Tribune news services.
