FOOTBALL

MUNOZ QUITS FOOTBALL AFTER NOT BEING DRAFTED

Tennessee offensive tackle Michael Munoz decided to quit football after he was not chosen in the NFL draft over the weekend, his father, NFL Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz, said yesterday. The All-American started 46 games in his career despite injuries, including a torn rotator cuff that ended his senior year before the Southeastern Conference championship game in December.

Munoz graduated early from Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in political science and started working on a master’s in public administration last season. He was awarded the Draddy Trophy as the nation’s top scholar-athlete in December.

COMMISSION OPPOSES ADDITION OF 12TH GAME

The Knight commission, a privately funded group that promotes reforms and greater presidential control of college sports, urged the NCAA to oppose the addition of a 12th regular-season game for Division I football teams until the effects of recent academic reforms for players become clear.

The NCAA Division I Management Council has backed legislation that would allow Division I-A and I-AA schools to add a 12th game starting with the 2006 season. The NCAA Board of Directors will consider the legislation, which has the support of most athletic directors.

The NCAA’s latest academic reform movement is based on a points system that measures the retention and graduation rates of each team. Teams that fail to meet minimum standards – about a 50% graduation rate – are in danger of losing scholarships. Teams that persistently fall short of the NCAA’s minimum requirements might face postseason bans.

“This coming fall will be the first time juniors will be subject to the increased progress toward degree requirements, and the academic performance program will be in effect as well,” the Knight commission wrote in its letter. “The commission, by a substantial majority, urges the board to oppose the addition of a 12th football game until the impact of these academics reform is clear.”

LIONS RELEASE HAKIM, MARION

The Detroit Lions released receiver Az-Zahir Hakim and free safety Brock Marion, and signed defensive tackle Brandon Kennedy to a one-year deal yesterday.

Hakim became expendable when the Lions drafted Mike Williams and signed Kevin Johnson last week. Marion probably will be replaced by third-year pro Terrence Holt. Hakim signed as a free agent in Detroit before the 2002 season, but did not produce the way the Lions hoped he would after watching him excel for St. Louis. He had 31 receptions for 533 yards and three touchdowns, missing four games because of injury.

Marion, a 12-year veteran, signed with the Lions last year and started all 16 games, making 88 tackles and three interceptions.

BASKETBALL

DUKE’S WILLIAMS RETURNING FOR SENIOR SEASON

Shelden Williams will skip this year’s NBA draft and return for his senior year at Duke. Williams, the ACC Defensive Player of the Year last season, was considered a potential candidate for the draft.

Williams said in a statement yesterday that he has decided to pursue his goal of earning a degree at Duke. He averaged 15.5 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks while helping Duke to a 27-6 record and the ACC championship last season.

TENNIS

MAURESMO WITHDRAWS FROM J&S CUP

Top-seeded Amelie Mauresmo withdrew from the J&S Cup yesterday because of a strained abdomen.

Mauresmo, who won this clay-court event in 2003, injured herself during practice Friday for the France-Austria Fed Cup quarterfinal and gave up her place on the French team. With Mauresmo out, U.S. Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova has the highest seeding at no. 2. She and another Russian, third-seeded Vera Zvonareva, have first-round byes in the $585,000 tournament.

Also competing are former no. 1 players Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin-Hardenne.

BASEBALL

BLUE JAYS FIRE HITTING COACH

The slumping Toronto Blue Jays fired hitting coach Mike Barnett yesterday and replaced him with first-base coach Mickey Brantley. The Blue Jays were swept last weekend in Baltimore and outscored 24-7. Toronto is batting .270, seventh in the AL. The Blue Jays’ 95 runs rank sixth in the league.

Barnett, 46, had been the Blue Jays’ hitting coach since 2002. He was given a one-year contract extension last October 4.

– Associated Press