DRUGS IN SPORTS

COMMITTEE APPROVES BILLS ON STEROIDS, BOXING

A House committee approved separate bills yesterday that would set minimum steroid-testing rules and penalties for professional sports, and create a U.S. Boxing Commission.

The Drug Free Sports Act, introduced in the wake of allegations of widespread steroid use in baseball, would set drug-testing policy for the NFL, NBA, NHL, and Major League Baseball. It calls for an athlete to be suspended half the season for the first offense, a full season for the second, and a lifetime ban for a third offense.

The boxing bill would license boxers, managers, promoters, and sanctioning organizations, and impose uniform health and safety standards, establish a centralized medical registry, and provide uniform ranking criteria and contractual guidelines.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved the steroids legislation, 38-2, and the boxing legislation, 25-16.

BASEBALL

SCHILLING SHINES IN MINOR-LEAGUE START

Curt Schilling took a big step toward rejoining the Boston Red Sox’ rotation by pitching five strong innings for Triple-A Pawtucket last night in his first start since injuring his right ankle in April. Schilling threw 78 pitches – 54 of them strikes – and allowed a run on five hits.

If there are no recovery problems the next few days, Schilling will pitch again Monday at Pawtucket. Another stellar performance could mean Schilling’s return to Boston before the All-Star break — just like he projected earlier this month.

GOLF

CAMPBELL TO REMAIN ON EUROPEAN TOUR

Despite his win at the U.S. Open two weeks ago, Michael Campbell said he plans to remain a regular on the European Tour. Campbell said he only intends to play major tournaments and world championship events in the United States.

“I’ve no reason to change. I tried America three, two years ago, but it didn’t work out,” the 36-year-old New Zealander said yesterday before this week’s European Open. “My kids go to school in England. I’m just so established here. There’s no way in the world that I want to ruin the routine now. The processes I’m using are obviously working.”

COLLEGE SPORTS

MARQUETTE WILL REMAIN ‘GOLDEN EAGLES’

Marquette will keep its Golden Eagles nickname after all. Following months of controversy, the school said yesterday that 54% of voters picked the Golden Eagles while 46% chose the Hilltoppers, the school’s old nickname. Last year, Marquette rejected an offer by two trustees to give the school $1 million each if it returned the nickname to Warriors, which was changed in 1994 because it was insensitive to American Indians.

– Associated Press