Dartmouth Issues an Apology for Brawl With Holy Cross

Bob Knight, left, who needs 11 victories to become the winningest coach in Division I, has a new deal with Texas Tech that would run through 2012. (By Stephen Dunn -- Getty Images)

The Dartmouth athletic department and football team apologized for the fight that broke out at the end of its game with Holy Cross last weekend as the college and police continued to investigate the incident.

After winning in overtime, Holy Cross players celebrated atop the Dartmouth "D" painted on the field, and fights broke out when the teams lined up for postgame handshakes. Some players were thrown to the ground and kicked. Coaches, campus security and Hanover, N.H., police broke it up. No one was hurt.

"It is obvious that many players and some staff of both teams were involved in this incident," Athletic Director Jo Ann Harper said yesterday. But she said she was not able to identify specific participants. The game was not televised.

"Coach [Buddy] Teevens , his staff and his players have acknowledged that the actions displayed Saturday were not in keeping with acceptable standards of behavior at Dartmouth, nor with the great traditions of Dartmouth football and Dartmouth athletics in general," Harper said. "They join me in apologizing to the Dartmouth community, the Holy Cross community and the public."

Acting Dean Daniel Nelson said if his review finds sanctions are warranted against individuals or the team under Dartmouth's standards of conduct, the matter will be handled through the normal disciplinary process.

Holy Cross will not discipline its players, sports information director Charles Bare said.

· COLLEGE BASKETBALL : Texas Tech Coach Bob Knight has agreed to a contract extension that would keep him with the Red Raiders through 2012. Knight, 65, has a career record of 869-350 in 40 seasons of coaching and needs 11 victories this season to become the winningest coach in NCAA Division I history. . . .

Guard Josh Thornton has left the Georgetown program, Coach John Thompson III said yesterday. Thornton played in six games last season as a freshman, averaging 1.7 points and 0.5 rebounds.

"Josh has made a decision to leave for personal reasons," Thompson said. "We respect his decision, appreciate the contributions he made while he was here and wish him all the best in his future endeavors."

· PRO BASKETBALL : Los Angeles Lakers center Kwame Brown will be sidelined approximately three to four weeks because of a bruised rotator cuff and bursitis in his right shoulder, meaning he'll miss the start of the season, which opens Oct. 31.