Sports briefs for June 11, 2003

Wednesday, June 11, 2003 | 11:09 a.m.

NCAA investigation focuses on Fresno State

Former Fresno State athletic department administrators failed to sufficiently report violations that primarily involved men's basketball players, according to an NCAA enforcement staff-issued letter.

The joint Fresno State-NCAA investigation focused on the university's alleged lack of institutional control, historically one of the most severe charges the NCAA can levy.

Fresno State received the letter on July 24, 2002, but the university has not made the document public.

UNLV players go pro

Robbie Van became the third UNLV player to sign with a major league team, agreeing to terms Tuesday with Arizona. The Diamondbacks selected the right-handed pitcher in the eighth round of last week's draft.

Van joins senior closer Ryan Braun (sixth round, Kansas City) and junior first baseman Fernando Valenzuela (10th round, San Diego) as Rebels who have signed.

The status of outfielder Patrick Dobson probably will be determined today. UNLV coach Jim Schlossnagle had thought that Dobson would return for his senior year. But today he said Dobson may sign with the San Francisco Giants, who picked him in the 18th round.

The other UNLV player drafted, infielder/outfielder Brent Johnson of Durango High, has said he will return.

Hopkins bout off

A fight between Bernard Hopkins and James Toney at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas that had been scheduled for Aug. 9 was called off today.

Hopkins, the undisputed middleweight champion, had agreed to fight Toney, the International Boxing Federation cruiserweight champion, at 190 pounds but withdrew when promoter Don King allegedly asked him to accept a $500,000 pay cut.

Wyoming fires its AD

Lee Moon was fired as Wyoming athletic director Tuesday, after the school said a change of leadership was needed to secure more support for its proposed $2.9 million athletic plan.

Andretti fired by Petty

John Andretti was fired Tuesday by Petty Enterprises, where he has driven the No. 43 car since 1998. Christian Fittipaldi will replace him.

Penguins pick Olczyk

Ed Olczyk, a longtime NHL player who became a broadcaster, was hired today as the Pittsburgh Penguins' fifth coach in five years despite having no coaching experience.