SPORTS DIGEST || Mahone to join Pelini and Penguins

Mahone to join Pelini and Penguins

YOUNGSTOWN

Will Mahone, an Austintown Fitch graduate who was suspended from the Notre Dame football program in June 2014, announced Tuesday night that he is joining Bo Pelini’s Youngstown State football team for the 2016 season.

Mahone, a linebacker, was a standout on both offense and defense for Fitch before graduating in 2011. He then appeared in just two games for Notre Dame (both in 2013), before being suspended for his actions during an incident in Austintown in June 2014, to which he later pleaded guilty to four misdemeanors.

Mahone also joined YSU prior to the 2014 season under former head coach Eric Wolford, but left the team shortly after.

Steelers to visit Leetonia for basketball

LEETONIA

Leetonia High School faculty and staff will play host to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ basketball team on March 10.

The Steelers’ Footballers Basketball Team consists of current players and alumni.

Tickets will be sold between from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. in the office. Tickets cost $10 and $20 for VIP floor seating.

Autographs will be available.

Former softball player sues Kent State

KENT

A former Kent State University softball player is suing the university and her former coach. She is accusing them of not properly responding after she reported she was raped by the coach’s son, a Kent State baseball player.

The civil lawsuit, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court, says former varsity softball coach Karen Linder pressured Lauren Kesterson to keep quiet in spring 2014 after she reported she was raped in 2012.

The lawsuit also claims that little was done after Kesterson reported the coach’s behavior to the university.

Cleveland.com does not name victims of sexual assault but Kesterson has agreed to be identified.

Rick Pitino awaits NCAA interview

Coach Rick Pitino said Tuesday morning that he is still waiting to be interviewed by the NCAA about an escort’s allegations that a former Cardinals staffer hired her and other dancers for sex parties at the team’s dormitory.

University President James Ramsey Friday announced a self-imposed one-year postseason ban for the men’s basketball team after the school’s investigation into allegations revealed violations did occur. Pitino has said he did not know about the incidents and that athletic director Tom Jurich does not believe he was aware of the activities.

Ole Miss cited for 13 NCAA violations

A person with knowledge of the investigation says the NCAA cited Mississippi’s football program in nearly half of the 28 rules violations levied against the school in the Notice of Allegations the university recently received.

The person said Tuesday that 13 of the alleged violations involved the football program, and nine of those occurred during current coach Hugh Freeze’s tenure. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing.

The violations are a mix of Level I — which the NCAA considers most serious — and Level II and III. Many have already been self-reported by the school. The school’s women’s basketball and track and field programs are also involved in the investigation.

SEC complains about Jim Harbaugh

The Southeastern Conference is asking for a rule preventing football teams from holding practices during spring break.

The move comes nearly a week after Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said on national signing day that the Wolverines would practice in Florida over spring break starting later this month.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said Tuesday that “intentionally public and prominent” decision seems to be a move in “the wrong direction” amid the talk about easing time demands on athletes.

Staff/wire report