Sports briefs for August 9, 2005

Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2005 | 9:16 a.m.

Court to be named after Tarkanian

UNLV President Carol C. Harter and athletic director Mike Hamrick announced plans for a permanent tribute to the Tarkanian era of Rebel basketball, with the dedication of the university's home court in honor of the legendary coach.

A dedication ceremony formally naming the Thomas & Mack Center court is planned for Nov. 26, at the UNLV-UNR basketball game.

"Jerry Tarkanian's tremendous successes truly put UNLV on the map," Harter said. "He not only developed a great basketball tradition with the Runnin' Rebels, but also raised the national profile of the university as a result."

During 19 years as UNLV's head basketball coach (1973-1992), Tarkanian posted a 509-105 record with the Rebels, took four teams to the NCAA Final Four and won a national championship in 1990.

"Coach Tarkanian is a one-of-a-kind living legend, whose tenacity, cunning strategy and take-no-prisoners winning attitude will always be synonymous with Rebel basketball," Hamrick said. "Tark assisted many outstanding athletes over the years, and his style has been emulated by many coaches. We are extremely proud to honor all that he has brought to UNLV, and to college basketball as a whole."

A.J. Foyt attacked by swarm of bees

A.J. Foyt was able to go to his office Monday, just two days after being stung by nearly 200 bees at his ranch in Hempstead, Texas.

Foyt spokeswoman Anne Fornoro told the Associated Press that the 70-year-old, four-time Indianapolis 500 winner was driving a bulldozer Saturday, clearing brush, when he apparently stirred up a nest of bees. She said Foyt jumped off the bulldozer and started to run for a nearby stream, but he tripped and the bees swarmed onto him.

He was stung dozens of times on the face and upper body before finally scrambling into the water.

Fornoro said a man working nearby called 911. Foyt was treated at the scene, but refused a trip to the hospital.

"He says he was stung in the mouth, the ears, the throat, all over his face and that his eyes are really swollen, but he's doing OK," Fornoro said.

Agassi dispatches Martin 6-4, 6-2

Andre Agassi defeated Alberto Martin of Spain 6-4, 6-2 in the first round of the Rogers Cup in Montreal.

Agassi's next opponent will Jonas Bjorkman. The 33-year-old Swede easily beat Vincent Spadea in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2.

Fifth-seeded Nikolay Davydenko of Russia defeated Frederic Niemeyer of Canada 6-2, 6-1, while Slovakia's Dominik Hrbaty rallied to upset 10th-seeded Tim Henman 3-6, 7-5, 6-1.

Gretzky takes over

Wayne Gretzky, the most accomplished player in NHL history, announced Monday that he had agreed to coach the Phoenix Coyotes, citing his desire to be closer to the competition on the ice.

"I've heard people say, 'Why would he want to do this?"' the 44-year-old Gretzky said during a news conference in Glendale, Ariz. "My answer is: Why not? It's what I love. It's what I know."

-- Sun wire services