SPORTS DIGEST || The Butler to host Pirates’ food drive

The Butler to host Pirates’ food drive

YOUNGSTOWN

The Pittsburgh Pirates will hold their “Care-a-van” food drive at The Butler Institue of American Art on Dec. 7.

All collected food will be donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank.

The even is open to the public. A bag of nonperishable food items is the price of admission.

RVSPs are required by Saturday. To RSVP, call 234-228-8588 or email s_carfano@butlerart.com

Plans OK’d for James’ I Promise’ school

AKRON

The school board in LeBron James’ Ohio hometown has approved the plan for a public school being created in partnership with the NBA star’s foundation.

The LeBron James Family Foundation says the “I Promise” School in Akron will be geared toward educating students who are at risk of falling behind. It will have longer days and begin classes in the summer — weeks before other district schools — to encourage information retention.

It’s scheduled to open next fall for third- and fourth-graders and add more grade levels in future years.

The idea is based on the foundation’s existing “I Promise” programs that encourage struggling students to stay in school.

Supporters cheered after the Akron School Board approved the school’s plan Monday.

New York-based production company Warrior Poets says it will soon begin filming a documentary series centered on the school in partnership with LeBron James’ production company SpringHill Entertainment.

Source: Moorhead will be Miss State coach

A person with direct knowledge of the decision says Mississippi State will hire Penn State offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead as its next head coach.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday on condition of anonymity because a deal was still being finalized.

Moorhead replaces Dan Mullen, who left Mississippi State after nine years to become Florida’s coach. Moorhead has been with Penn State the last two seasons, calling plays for one of the best offenses in the country.

Before coming to Penn State, Moorhead was head coach at FCS Fordham University in New York. He went 38-13 at his alma mater with three playoff appearances. The 44-year-old from Pittsburgh also has been offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Connecticut and Akron.

NDSU dismisses 3 football players

FARGO, N.D.

Three North Dakota State players have been dismissed from the football team amid the FCS Playoffs for a violation of team rules.

Coach Chris Klieman announced the dismissals of freshman backup wide receiver Sean Engel, senior defensive back Darren Kelley and freshman third-string quarterback Henry Van Dellen.

In addition, Klieman said backup receiver Dallas Freeman was suspended for this weekend’s game, also for a violation of team rules. No details were given.

The No. 2 seed Bison (10-1) host San Diego (10-2) on Saturday in the second round of the FCS Playoffs.

Woods says he’s past pain and ‘loving life’

NASSAU, Bahamas

Tiger Woods says he is on the “other side” of too many years relying on pain medication to cope with his back surgeries, which led to his arrest on a DUI charge six months ago that he attributed to a bad mix of prescription drugs.

“I’m loving life now,” he said Tuesday.

Woods is making yet another return to competition this week at the Hero World Challenge, an 18-man event with no cut at Albany Golf Club. It’s his first tournament in 10 months and his first time competing since fusion surgery in April, the fourth operation on his back.

Early indications are that Woods is in a much better spot than when he returned a year ago in the Bahamas. According to those who played with him in recent weeks, his swing looks faster and more fluid, and Woods appears to be happy and healthy.

Staff/wire report