Sports briefs for August 16, 2004

Monday, Aug. 16, 2004 | 9:12 a.m.

Ex-Penguins coach killed in car crash

Czech Republic national ice hockey team coach, and former Pittsburgh Penguins coach, Ivan Hlinka died today after sustaining serious injuries in a car crash, an official said.

Hlinka was taken to a hospital for treatment where he died, Czech national team spokesman Pavel Barta said.

The accident took place near Karlovy Vary, 69 miles west of Prague, at about 11 p.m. local time Sunday, Barta said.

Hlinka's car collided with a truck, he said.

"Ivan Hlinka was hospitalized with serious injuries and despite all efforts he didn't survive," said Zdenka Markova, spokeswoman for Karlovy Vary's hospital.

Hlinka was 54.

Hlinka, who was reappointed Czech coach in May, led the Czech Republic to gold at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics.

He then coached the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2001, taking them to the third round of the playoffs. He had a 42-32-9 record with the team before being replaced four games into the 2001-02 season.

Unseeded teen wins

Unseeded Nicole Vaidisova, a 15-year-old from the Czech Republic, defeated American Laura Granville 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the final of the Vancouver Open in only her third main draw event.

Nicholls coach out

Nicholls State football coach Daryl Daye was fired over accusations of academic fraud involving players and an assistant coach.

Former champs say no

Two former champions of the Reno-Tahoe Open -- 2003 winner Kirk Triplett and 2002 winner Chris Riley -- have removed their names from the commitment list for the tournament, which begins Thursday.

Women returning

The Women's International Bowling Congress, credited with pumping millions of dollars into the Reno economy during its four-month tournament last year, says it will return to the National Bowling Stadium in 2012, 2015 and 2018.