hA league of his own: Snoop draws in players

hA league of his own:Snoop draws in players
DIAMOND BAR, Calif. -- Snoop Dogg's new youth football league is a hot item in Southern California. Two years ago, Snoop, shown above with his son Cordell Broadus, 7, began coaching his son's team in the Orange County Junior All-American Football Conference, luring children from other squads with his star power. Players watched game video inside a school bus equipped with DVD players, TV screens and a booming sound system. The rapper and sometime actor also made personal phone calls to draw in top talent, and last year his Rowland Raiders went undefeated en route to a league championship. They also went on to win the "Snooperbowl," held a day before the Super Bowl, and took home custom-made trophies donated by Tiffany & amp; Co. for their effort. Snoop, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, is taking things to the next level this year, creating his own Southern California league. He lowered fees for joining a team from $175 or more to $100, which covers the cost of cleats and pads. He also loosened residency requirements. Children and some coaches have flocked to the eight-chapter Snoop Youth Football League, leaving supporters of old leagues dejected and wondering whether they were used. "I'm mad at Coach Snoop," said 10-year-old Xavier Bernal, a player for the Rowland Raiders. "He was so cool; he told me to play my heart out and to play everything I've got. But now I just want to ask him, why did he take all our players?" Nevertheless, a movie documenting the effort, and titled "Coach Snoop," is reported to be in the works.
Judge orders rocker Loveinto treatment program
LOS ANGELES -- Courtney Love tearfully admitted using drugs in violation of her probation terms Friday. The rocker-actress was ordered into a 28-day drug treatment program by a judge who said he had wanted to put her in jail. "I think that you need to hit rock bottom before you make a decision about what you're going to do in the future," Superior Court Judge Rand Rubin told the sobbing Love. She was in court after reportedly being under the influence of a controlled substance, which wasn't identified. Love's voice cracked as she said, "Yes, your honor," when asked by Rubin if she understood she was admitting to three probation violations. She is on probation in three separate cases. The 41-year-old Love was told to enter a drug treatment facility by the end of the day. Her attorney, Howard Weitzman, wouldn't disclose the name of the facility or whether it was a lock-down program. The judge ordered her back to court Sept. 16 for sentencing on the probation violations.
'Desperate' star to wed
NEW YORK -- "Desperate Housewives" star Marcia Cross is engaged. Cross last weekend accepted a proposal from her boyfriend, stockbroker Tom Mahoney, the actress's publicist, Heidi Slan, said Friday. "The happy couple have not set a date for the wedding yet," said Slan. It will be the first marriage for both Cross and her 47-year-old fiance. The engagement was first reported by Us Weekly. The 43-year-old actress, who plays Bree Van De Kamp on the hit ABC show, last month was nominated for a best comedy series actress Emmy. "Housewives" raked in a total of 15 nominations, including noms for her co-stars Teri Hatcher and Felicity Huffman. Cross's TV credits also include "Melrose Place" and "Knots Landing."
Today's birthdays
Writer-producer-director Walter Bernstein is 86. Singer-musician Isaac Hayes is 63. Broadcast journalist Connie Chung is 59. Rock singer Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin) is 57. Country singer Rudy Gatlin is 53. Singer-songwriter John Hiatt is 53. Actor-director Peter Horton is 52. TV weatherman Al Roker is 51. Actor Jay Acovone is 50. Actress Joan Allen is 49. TV personality Asha Blake is 44. Actor James Marsters is 43. Rapper KRS-One is 40. Rock singer Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit) is 35. Rock musician Brad Avery (Third Day) is 34. Actor Jonathan Ke Quan is 34. Rock singer Monique Powell (Save Ferris) is 30.