Lawyer: Chatman did not freely resign

April 18, 2007

Pokey Chatman was given two hours to resign or be fired, says her attorney, arguing the former Louisiana State University women's basketball coach is entitled to damages and compensation for the final two years of her contract. "I don't believe her consent to the resignation was fairly obtained or freely given," attorney Mary Olive Pierson said. In an April 13 letter to LSU general counsel Raymond Lamonica, Pierson wrote Chatman will sue the university if an amicable resolution cannot be reached. Pierson valued the remainder of the contract at $850,000 to $900,000, but did not specify damages. Chatman resigned March 7 after assistant coach Carla Berry raised allegations of improper conduct with a former player or players.

Southern California junior Nick Young will pass up his senior season to enter the NBA draft. He said he will hire an agent, making his decision irrevocable. Young averaged 17.5 points and 4.6 rebounds this season. The 6-foot-6-inch swingman is sixth in scoring in Trojans' history . . . Big East player of the year Jeff Green said there is a "70-30" chance he will return to Georgetown for his senior season. Green and fellow junior Roy Hibbert submitted their names as early-entry candidates for the NBA draft last week. They have until June 18 to withdraw. Hibbert put his odds of returning at 50-50 . . . Indiana forward D.J. White said he will return for his senior year after leading the Hoosiers in scoring and rebounding last season . . . Oral Roberts coach Scott Sutton agreed to a seven-year contract extension . . . Brad Soderberg was fired after five seasons at Saint Louis despite the school's first 20-win season since 1998. Angres Thorpe was named interim coach . . . The Air Force Academy didn't look far to find its new men's coach, promoting assistant Jeff Reynolds. Reynolds will replace Jeff Bzdelik, who left for Colorado two weeks ago . . . Illinois women's coach Theresa Grentz resigned, saying the decision to step aside was her own.

Cycling

Tyler Hamilton, the 2004 Olympic champion from Marblehead, is in 46th place, 1 minute 22 seconds off the pace, after the second stage of the Tour de Georgia at Rome, Ga. Hamilton is competing in the US for the first time since serving a two-year suspension for blood doping. Ivan Stevic won the second stage, while Daniele Contrini retained the overall lead.

Baseball

Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano expects to miss about a week after straining his left hamstring while diving for a ball against the San Diego Padres Monday night. The Cubs considered putting the five-time All-Star on the 15-day disabled list, even though an MRI revealed no major structural damage. A key component in the Cubs' offseason overhaul, Soriano is batting .245 with no homers and one RBI . . . The Los Angeles Dodgers placed righthander Jason Schmidt on the 15-day DL with shoulder inflammation. There is no timeframe for his return . . . The Chicago White Sox placed outfielder Scott Podsednik on the 15-day DL with a pulled groin . . . The father of former Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker was killed in a traffic accident in Warner Robins, Ga. Jake Rocker, 63, of Macon was struck by a dump truck as he made a left turn, police said.

Miscellany

Brian Horan, who was the leading scorer in Division 3 hockey in 1990-91 and later coached the Suffolk University hockey team, leads the inaugural class to the school's new Athletic Hall of Fame. Charles Law, the first athletic director at Suffolk, who coached men's basketball and baseball, also will be honored May 10, along with current athletic director James Nelson. The school is also recognizing the men's basketball team of 1974-75 and the hockey team of 1990-91. Individuals being honored are Maureen Brown (basketball, softball, and tennis), Ellen Crotty Pistorino (basketball and softball), Donovan Little (basketball), Robert Rauseo (tennis), and George Doucet (baseball coach). The induction will take place at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge. For ticket information, contact Suffolk at 617-573-8514 . . . Former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier is suing his daughter for the return of his contracts, product endorsements, and other business papers. Jacquelyn Frazier-Lyde controls the documents because she served as her father's lawyer and business adviser from 1989-2004 . . . The start of the Louis Vuitton Cup sailing race was postponed for the second straight day because of light wind . . . Green Bay Packers receiver Koren Robinson will finish a 90-day jail sentence in Minneapolis by serving the final 45 days on electronic monitoring . . . Roger Federer labored to a 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-6) victory over Andreas Seppi in the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters in Monaco . . . Annika Sorenstam said she will play fewer tournaments because of a back injury that will cause her to miss at least a month from the LPGA Tour . . . Jim Rutherford, who recently completed his 13th season as the Carolina Hurricanes' general manager, signed a five-year contract extension . . . A Mineshaft was sold for a record $1.75 million at Keeneland's April Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, the highest price paid for a filly during the event.