Digest

A judge set a trial date Wednesday for a lawsuit against the
University of Colorado that touched off a scandal in the football
program over allegations that sex, drugs and alcohol were used to
lure recruits. A judge set a May 31 date for the federal suit filed
by a former student, who said she was raped by players or recruits
at an off-campus party in 2001. The lawsuit has been consolidated
with one filed by another woman with similar claims. Both women
accuse the school of fostering an environment in which women
routinely suffer sexual harassment in violation of federal laws
requiring equal access to education. School officials have denied
the claims. A total of three women have filed lawsuits alleging
they were raped by football players or recruits who attended the
2001 party. No criminal sexual assault charges were ever filed. The
football recruiting scandal erupted in January when a deposition of
Boulder County Prosecutor Mary Keenan by one of the alleged
victim’s attorneys was made public.

WOMEN’S TENNIS: Pre-qualifying rounds for
the Riviera/ITA Women’s All-American Championships get
underway Saturday at the Los Angeles Tennis Center. The main draw
will begin next week at the Riviera Country Club.

BASEBALL: The NCAA endorsed a plan that would
set March 1 as the official start of competition for Div. I
programs. In recent years, teams were able to play games as early
as late January. According to the NCAA, the decision was made to
enhance competitive equity. Previously, schools on the east coast
were at a disadvantage because of poor weather conditions. The plan
would also move the College World Series back one week, allowing
for the possibility that the championship could end in July. The
Div. I Management Council and Board of Directors will consider
implementing the plan in April.

From staff and wire reports