Sports briefs for February 18, 2004

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2004 | 10:02 a.m.

NCAA cites Washington over Neuheisel flap

The NCAA cited the University of Washington for lack of institutional control in the gambling flap that led to the firing of former football coach Rick Neuheisel.

While Neuheisel and other individuals apparently broke NCAA rules against gambling, the organization cited the university for failing to adequately educate its coaches and staff.

The finding is a first step toward what could be major sanctions for Washington. In cases where "lack of institutional control" is cited, the NCAA infractions committee typically imposes severe penalties.

De La Hoya's plans set

Oscar De La Hoya's boxing plans came into clearer focus Tuesday when he said he would likely fight Germany's Felix Sturm June 5 and then face Bernard Hopkins in September or November. De La Hoya and Hopkins will co-headline the June 5 card, which has been offered to the MGM in Las Vegas. Hopkins will likely face Robert Allen in June. Assuming De La Hoya and Hopkins each win in June, it will set up a fall fight in which De La Hoya will challenge Hopkins for his undisputed middleweight championship.

Double lung transplant

Marquette assistant coach Trey Schwab, who has continued to work despite a rare lung disease, received a double-lung transplant. He was reported in critical but stable condition at the University of Wisconsin Hospital after the surgery. He is expected to fully recover.

Dodgers hire Wallach

The Los Angeles Dodgers named Tim Wallach as their new hitting coach, giving him an offense that scored a Major League Baseball-worst 574 runs last season. He replaces George Hendrick, who was named interim hitting coach when Jack Clark was fired Aug. 4. The Dodgers were 29th among baseball's 30 teams with a .243 batting average, tied for last with 124 home runs and last with 544 runs batted in.

Armstrong near lead

Lance Armstrong cruised to the finish line with the lead pack today in the opening stage of the Tour of the Algarve in Portugal, which he is using to evaluate his early season form. The Texan, preparing to go for his record sixth consecutive Tour de France victory in July, covered the mostly flat 93-mile stage in 3 hours, 27 minutes and 50 seconds.