Sports briefs for December 4, 2003

Thursday, Dec. 4, 2003 | 10:41 a.m.

Sex scandal from 1966 costs N.C. State coach

John Candler resigned as North Carolina State's diving coach after an investigation turned up his 1966 conviction on a sex charge involving a 12-year-old girl.

The university said Candler will remain with the athletic department in an administrative capacity until he retires on March 31.

An investigation into Candler's past was triggered by an e-mail message sent Nov. 19 to Chancellor Marye Anne Fox's office by Jane Schneider, 53, of East Lansing, Mich.

According to court records in Michigan, Candler pleaded guilty in 1966 to indecent liberties with a 12-year-old girl. He served five years of probation.

Schneider had said she knew the victim in the Michigan case.

Candler told WRAL-TV in Raleigh that the university knew about the case in Michigan when he was hired.

Joseph on waivers

Goaltender Curtis Joseph was put on waivers by the Detroit Red Wings, who have tried for months to trade him since Dominik Hasek ended his retirement. If a team claims Joseph by noon EST Friday, it will assume the remaining portion of his two-year, $16-million contract.

Komiyama heads home

Former New York Mets pitcher Satoru Komiyama signed with Japan's Lotte Marines, where he will be reunited with manager Bobby Valentine. A 38-year-old right-hander, a seven-time All-Star in Japan.

Johansson returning

Thomas Johansson, the 2002 Australian Open tennis champion, will make his comeback after a yearlong injury layoff at next month's AAPT Championships in Adelaide.

Louisiana Tech firing

A day after telling coach Jack Bicknell he would keep his job despite a 5-7 record, Louisiana Tech fired defensive coordinator Rick Smith.

Trainer suspended

New York trainer Mark Shuman was suspended for 20 days and fined $5,000 after one of his horses had an ankle injected with a steroid too close to a race.

McEvoy grabs lead

Rookie Richard McEvoy of England shot an 8-under 62 today to take a four-stroke lead after the first round of the Hong Kong Open.

Retesting approved

The IOC today gave the go-ahead to retest drug samples from the 2002 Olympics for the steroid THG.