LOCAL

LOCAL
Wildcats game change
STRUTHERS -- Due to a conflict, the Mahoning Valley Wildcats' game against the Akron Lightning Tuesday has been moved to Girard High School.
The game will be played at 7:30 p.m.
Golf winner
TWINSBURG -- Boo Timko of Girard, took first place in the 12-13 year old division as he shot 39-36--75 in the North Coast junior Golf tour at Gleneagles Golf Club.
Robert Reams II of Warren placed fourth as he carded 91.
Hulick earns Academic All-America honor
GROVE CITY, Pa. -- Grove City College women's tennis standout Megan Hulick (Butler, Pa./Butler) earned College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA)/ESPN The Magazine College Division Academic All-America Women's At-Large College Division First Team honors.
It is Hulick's second Academic All-America selection. As a junior, Hulick earned Third Team Academic All-America honors in 2004. Last month, Hulick earned First Team Academic All-District II recognition, advancing to the national ballot.
A four-year starter for Grove City, Hulick earned the Presidents' Athletic Conference's Player of the Year last fall by winning conference titles at both first singles and first doubles. A captain, she helped lead Grove City to an 11-1 record, the program's best record since 1999.
Hulick went 11-3 at first singles and 9-5 at first doubles in 2004. For her career, Hulick posted a 57-27 record. She won three PAC singles titles and two conference doubles titles.
St. Vincent to bring back football
LATROBE, Pa. -- St. Vincent College, which had a national recognized football program a half-century ago, has decided to bring back the sport beginning in fall 2007.
The school, which has hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers' training camp for 38 years, announced Friday that it would apply for membership in Division III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Presidents' Athletic Conference.
St. Vincent will begin provisional membership in the NCAA's Division III in 2006.
Correction
The Ohio Red Bulls, a minor league football team, will begin its inaugural season today with a game against the Penn Ohio Raiders at 4 p.m. at Campbell's John Knapick Field.
In Friday's editions, it was incorrectly reported that proceeds from the game would benefit Charkela Thompson, a Miss Ohio USA pageant contestant. Rather, the team is trying to help her raise money.
REGION
NASCAR gives Soap Box Derby exposure
AKRON -- Now under the wing of NASCAR, the All-American Soap Box Derby is getting some Hollywood-style exposure through the first national ad in its 70-year history.
A 30-second television commercial began airing over the weekend.
It contrasts with the derby's poor public image 15 years ago when participation and sponsorship reached a low point.
The commercial features a group of kids constructing a derby car in a wind tunnel under the guidance of NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson.
NASCAR became the derby's promotional partner in 2002 and made the competition a key element of the association's Youth Initiative Program.
About 7,000 youngsters will take part in Soap Box Derby competitions in their hometowns this year. Only about 500 of those will make it to the championship to be held at Derby Downs in Akron in late July.
Youth team forced out of baseball league
CANAL WINCHESTER, Ohio -- A baseball team of 11- and 12-year-olds has been kicked out of a recreational youth baseball team in this Columbus suburb -- not because they misbehaved or broke any rules, but because they were too good.
Other teams didn't want to play the Columbus Stars. "I wasn't going to subject my players to that," said one coach.
Since early May, the Stars have beaten the Red Sox 18-0, World Harvest 13-0, Sugar Grove II 24-0 and Sugar Grove I 10-2.
Other teams began complaining -- and canceling.
Michael Mirones, board chairman for the Canal Winchester Joint Recreation District, pulled the Stars from the league and returned their $150 entry fee. He suggested the Stars play in a travel league against better teams.
Stars coach Jerry Glick said the ouster is unjustified.
"I've been in amateur sports for 35 years," Glick said. "This isn't something I've had to deal with before."
Vindicator staff/wire reports