SteelHounds open

SteelHounds open
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown SteelHounds begin their inaugural season tonight at the Maxwell Convention Center when they square off against the Tulsa Oilers at 8:35 p.m. The game will be broadcast on WBBW-AM (1240).
On Saturday, the SteelHounds visit the Bossier-Shreveport (La.) Mudbugs, the team SteelHounds coach J.F. Laforest coached from 1997-2000 and guided to championships in 1999 and 2000.
Youngstown will then be on hold until Oct. 28 when they travel to divisional rival Memphis. The SteelHounds then visit Forth Worth (Texas) Oct. 29 and Corpus Christi (Texas) Oct. 30.
The SteelHounds' home opener is Nov. 4 against the Oklahoma City Blazers. Tickets can be purchased by calling (330) 747-PUCK or by visiting www.steelhounds.com
Phantoms' Ciraulonamed by NAHL
*BOARDMAN -- Mahoning Valley Phantoms center Anthony Ciraulo was named NAHL Sherwood co-offensive player of the week.
In three games, Ciraulo scored three goals and added five assists, leading the Phantoms to two wins. In nine games, Ciraulo leads the Phantoms in scoring with 13 points (four goals and nine assists).
ACHA Showcaseat The Ice Zone
*BOARDMAN -- The American Collegiate Hockey Association Division I Showcase starts today at The Ice Zone.
Tickets are $15 for an adult one-day pass or $30 for an adult weekend pass. Student prices are $10 for a one-day pass, and $20 for a weekend pass with a valid student ID. Children age four and under are free.
Today's schedule is: Syracuse vs. Robert Morris, 10 a.m.; John Carroll vs. Michigan-Dearborn, 11 a.m.; Duquesne vs. Delaware, 1 p.m.; Towson vs. Washington & amp; Jefferson, 2 p.m.; West Chester vs. Cornell, 4 p.m.; Slippery Rock vs. Kent State, 5 p.m.; Arizona vs. Rhode Island, 7 p.m., and Buffalo vs. Ohio, 8 p.m.
REGION
Cincinnati hires A.D.
CINCINNATI -- The University of Cincinnati has hired Mike Thomas, athletic director at the University of Akron for the past five years, to take over its athletic department.
Thomas, 45, was introduced at a news conference Thursday. He succeeds Bob Goin, who is retiring.
Crew picks new coach
COLUMBUS -- Sigi Schmid, who led the Los Angeles Galaxy to three MLS Cup appearances and a championship, was hired Thursday as coach of the Columbus Crew.
He replaces Greg Andrulis, fired in July after leading the Crew to a 4-10-2 record. That was the worst in the Eastern Conference a year after Columbus had the best mark.
NCAA rejectsBradley appeal
PEORIA, Ill. -- The NCAA has rejected Bradley University's bid to be taken off a list of colleges whose American Indian nicknames, mascots and logos will be banned in postseason play starting next year.
An NCAA staff review committee ruled on Thursday that the Braves nickname creates an environment where fans, opponents and others can exhibit behavior hostile and abusive to Native Americans.
Duquette joins Orioles
BALTIMORE -- Jim Duquette has been hired as vice president for baseball operations for the Baltimore Orioles, a job that carries the responsibility of helping turn around a franchise that hasn't had a winning season since 1997.
Duquette signed a three-year contract Wednesday night. He leaves the New York Mets, where he served as general manager for 15 1/2 months before assuming the post of senior vice president of baseball operations on Sept. 30, 2004, working under Omar Minaya.
Duquette will assist executive vice president Mike Flanagan in the day-to-day operations of the department, including contract negotiations, salary arbitration and player personnel decisions at the major league level.
Tennis roundup
*ZURICH, Switzerland -- Second-seeded Amelie Mauresmo won only two games Thursday, losing 6-2, 6-0 to qualifier Katarina Srebotnik in the second round of the Zurich Open.
Mauresmo, ranked No. 4 in the world, made her second straight early exit after an opening-round loss in Moscow last week. She has won two titles this year.
*MADRID, Spain -- Robby Ginepri beat third-seeded Nikolay Davydenko 6-3, 7-5 on Thursday to reach the quarterfinals of the Madrid Masters.
Fourth-seeded Guillermo Coria also fell, to Fernando Gonzalez, 7-5, 6-3. Ginepri will play 11th-seeded David Ferrer, who defeated No. 6 Mariano Puerta 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-4.
Vindicator staff/wire reports