Sports briefs for August 18, 2005

Thursday, Aug. 18, 2005 | 9:45 a.m.

Simple sign puts Tennessee in violation

The NCAA passed new rules last year to stop schools from luring recruits with special perks and elaborate entertainment as a response to well-publicized scandals at Colorado and Miami.

Tennessee officials found out recently that even a welcome sign made from a piece of typing paper can cause trouble.

The new NCAA rules outlaw personalized jerseys and putting the recruit's name and picture on the scoreboard to simulate game day introductions. But they also cover anything special added to the locker room or other location just for the prospect's visit.

A Tennessee men's basketball graduate assistant thought he was just being creative and helpful when he made a color sign for a high school player on an unofficial visit on June 17 and posted it beside the locker room door in Thompson-Boling Arena.

A school compliance official saw the sign and determined it fell under the category of "personalized recruiting aid," which is now banned by the NCAA.

Mourning to return for another season

Miami center Alonzo Mourning announced Wednesday that he will return for another season with the Heat.

Mourning, 35, had been contemplating retirement since the Heat were eliminated by the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference finals two months ago.

"I remain more committed than ever to bring a championship to Miami," Mourning said in a statement released by the team.

Wednesday afternoon, the Sparks made official what many had assumed a night earlier when Bibby was abruptly replaced on the Sparks bench by Joe "Jellybean" Bryant less than 30 minutes before a game against Sacramento.

Bryant, the father of Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, will coach the underachieving, injury-plagued Sparks in their final five regular-season games.

Foye leads U.S. men to basketball semis

At Izmir, Turkey, Randy Foye scored 18 points to lead the United States past Australia 88-68 for a semifinal berth against Russia at the University Games.

The U.S. men's basketball team had been scheduled to play Lithuania in the quarterfinals, but tournament officials reviewed scores from the second preliminary round Wednesday and changed the opponent to Australia.

Longhorns to wear throwback jerseys

The Texas Longhorns would love to finish the 2005 football season like the 1963 team that captured a national title. And in this season's opener, the current Longhorns will have the look of a champion in a literal sense.

Texas will take the field for the Sept. 3 game against Louisiana-Lafayette wearing Nike-designed vintage jerseys, complete with numbered helmets and black shoes.

University officials disagree, arguing that home games inject millions of dollars into South Bend's economy each year by attracting thousands of football fans.

"I doubt they want us to have fewer (home games)," Notre Dame spokesman Matt Storin said, "but between the lines that seems to be what they are asking here."

-- Sun wire services