SPORTS DIGEST || YSU women soccer to host clinic

YSU women soccer to host clinic

The Youngstown State women’s soccer program will hold a college ID clinic at the Watson and Tressel Training Site (WATTS) on March 29, from 8 a.m to 12 p.m. The college ID clinic is designed for current high school athletes who want to test their skills against high-level competition and obtain evaluations from the Youngstown State coaching staff. This is a one-day clinic that will include technical and tactical training through drills, games and scrimmages. The cost is $65. The advanced skills clinic is directed by Youngstown State head coach Will Lemke and assistant coach Sarah Melhorn. Athletes should bring a water bottle/jug, cleats, a size-5 soccer ball, sneakers/sandals, shin guards and athletic clothing.

Umpire association meeting set for Sunday

The Youngstown metro umpire association will hold a OHSAA baseball/softball meeting this Sunday beginning at 1:15 p.m at Lucianno’s Banquet Center in Austintown. Umpires are reminded that they must attend four meetings to meet state requirements. Call John Mang at (330) 502-6665 for more information.

Elliott leads NASCAR Hall of Fame class

Bill Elliott headlined the sixth class of inductees into NASCAR’s Hall of Fame, a group that included three champions, the first African-American winner and a driver with movie star looks.

“Awesome Bill From Dawsonville” was NASCAR’s 1988 champion, a 44-race winner and the first driver to win the Winston Million bonus in 1985 for winning three NASCAR crown jewel races.

A 16-time winner of NASCAR’s most popular driver award, Elliott won two Daytona 500s and the Southern 500 three times.

His induction came one day after his 19-year-old son, Chase, was named by Hendrick Motorsports as the driver who will replace four-time champion Jeff Gordon in the iconic No. 24.

Introduced by Kasey Kahne, who replaced Elliott in the No. 9 in 2004, Elliott was inducted by former car owner Ray Evernham.

Hall of Famer Mikita has brain disorder

CHICAGO

The family of Stan Mikita said Friday that the Chicago Blackhawks Hall of Famer has been diagnosed with a suspected brain disorder and is “facing some serious health issues.“

He “is currently under the care of compassionate and understanding care givers,” his family said in a statement. They offered no other information on Mikita’s condition other than noting that he may suffer from Lewy body dementia.

Mikita, 74, played his entire 22-season career for the Chicago Blackhawks from 1958 to 1980 and was on the Blackhawks team with Bobby Hull that won the Stanley Cup in 1961. He is the franchise’s all-time leader in games played, points and assists and is second in goals.

Mikita was inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983 and has been a Blackhawks team ambassador since 2007. Mikita was at a ceremony in 2011 when the Blackhawks unveiled bronze statues of him and Hull outside the United Center. In 1980, Mikita’s No. 21 was the first ever retired by the Blackhawks.

Coach cutting hair sparks investigation

HILO, Hawaii

A friendly bet between a high school coach and a wrestler has led to a suspension and a police investigation in Hawaii.

Carla Fontes hadn’t cut her hair since intermediate school, but her coach at Waiakea High School, Stan Haraguchi, thought the locks flowing below her waist were interfering with the sport.

They bet if she lost a match, he would cut her hair. After a 3-0 start, Fontes lost her first match last week. She allowed the coach to cut her hair at a team meeting Monday, even though Fontes’ mother had expressly forbidden it. Fontes said she didn’t relay that information to Haraguchi.

The coach has been suspended, State Department of Education spokeswoman Donalyn Dela Cruz said. Arlette Fontes, Carla’s mother, said she will pursue charges against Haraguchi.

Staff/wire reports