Sports briefs for May 5, 2004

Wednesday, May 5, 2004 | 9:35 a.m.

Rothermel rejoins athletic department

Former UNLV athletic director Brad Rothermel has rejoined the school's athletic department in a part-time capacity as an advisor to athletic director Mike Hamrick.

Rothermel, a member of UNLV's Athletic Hall of Fame, will be involved in what the school called "external relations."

"Brad Rothermel brings us a significant amount of knowledge along with a historical perspective of UNLV athletics," Hamrick said. "He was my first boss in this business and now he can help us in some important areas that fall under his expertise."

Hamrick worked under Rothermel at UNLV in 1981-82.

The school also announced the hiring of Mark Wharton as associate athletic director for development. Wharton is a 1993 graduate of East Carolina where he worked under Hamrick as the assistant director of the school's Educational Foundation. He comes to UNLV from the University of North Carolina at Ashville where he also held the title of associate athletic director for development.

Rebels fall at Riverside

The Southern California road woes continued for the UNLV baseball team (28-17) as it lost 7-4 to UC Riverside on Tuesday night.

Eric Nielsen finished 3-for-5 with an RBI, while C.J. Ebarb and Eddie Gill each finished 2-for-4.

On Tuesday, Nielsen -- a Silverado High graduate -- was named the Mountain West Conference Player of the Week.

U.S.' Toth suspended

American shot put champion Kevin Toth was suspended for two years Tuesday after testing positive for the steroid THG.

Toth tested positive in June, July and August last year, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said.