Sunday, June 29, 2008
Uga VI, the University of Georgia's beloved English bulldog mascot, died Friday night in Savannah, Ga., Cecelia Seiler confirmed to the Macon Telegraph yesterday morning.
"He didn't suffer," Seiler said of Uga VI, who died of congestive heart failure. "He lived right here in my den with me for 10 years. He was a happy dog."
Uga VII's readiness to take the field for the 2008 football season is a topic for school officials, Seiler said, and none could be reached immediately yesterday morning.
Sonny Seiler, whose family has owned all of the dogs, was at his office yesterday morning, his wife said, and could not be reached for comment.
Uga VI took the reins from his father, Uga V, early in the 1999 season. He would have turned 10 on July 22, and could have been the only one of the dogs other than Uga I to serve past his 10th birthday.
· BASKETBALL: Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard was forced to miss Team USA's only day of minicamp yesterday in Las Vegas with a stress fracture in his sternum. Howard said he suffered the injury during the Magic's second-round playoff loss against the Detroit Pistons, but it is not considered serious.
"It hurts, but I'm trying to get healed up from that," Howard said, adding that he wasn't concerned about jeopardizing his long-term health by playing in the Beijing Olympics. "I'm going to be ready. No worries."
Howard said he should be fine in time for training camp, which begins July 21 in Las Vegas. The United States has just three big men on its roster, with the 6-foot-11 Howard the only pure center. Injured players can be replaced until the day before the Olympic tournament begins. Roster changes have to be approved by the international and U.S. Olympic committees.
Team USA Managing Director Jerry Colangelo said last week that Hornets center Tyson Chandler is an alternate. But Coach Mike Krzyzewski said Howard sat only as a precautionary measure. "He's got three more weeks, so let's make sure he's healthy," Krzyzewski said.
· HOCKEY: With the free agent market set to open at noon Tuesday, Jaromir Jagr, the enigmatic Czech superstar, said he wants to play in the NHL for two more years but remains unsure whether that will be with the New York Rangers, which increasingly seems unlikely.
· OLYMPICS: Brandon English of Stafford, who trains at Novaks' Gymnastics Center in Dumfries, is among the American men competing for the lone Olympic spot Tuesday at the final qualifying event in Kansas City, Mo. . . .
World record-holder Usain Bolt beat Asafa Powell in the 100-meter final in Jamaica's Olympic trials, finishing in 9.85 seconds. . . .
· GOLF: Brinson Paolini never trailed and defeated Roger Newsom1-up in an all-Virginia Beach duel over 36 holes in Williamsburg for the Virginia State Golf Association's 95th State Amateur Championship on the River Course at Kingsmill Resort & Spa.
At 17 years old, Paolini is believe to be the youngest winner of the State Am since Chandler Harper won the first of his three VSGA State Am titles in 1930 at age 16.
Paolini, a rising senior at Cox High School, also won the VSGA Junior Amateur Championship last summer and is the first player to hold both titles at the same time.
"It feels great," Paolini said of approaching Harper's mark. "To be in the same sentence as somebody of his stature is a very big accomplishment. It makes me feel very blessed."
· BOXING: Manny Pacquiao captured a title belt in his fourth weight class, stopping David Diaz in the ninth round to claim the WBC lightweight championship in Las Vegas.
· SOCCER: Real Salt Lake defender Tony Beltran accidentally headed a free kick into his own net in the 89th minute, giving host Kansas City a 1-0 victory. . . .
Emmanuel Ekpo's first MLS goal gave the host Columbus Crew a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids. . . .
Steve Ralston scored once in each half to lead the New England Revolution to a 2-1 win over visiting Toronto FC. . . .
San Jose goalkeeper Joe Cannon saved three late attempts, and the Earthquakes and host Chicago Fire played to a scoreless draw. . . .
Dave van den Bergh scored for the visiting New York Red Bulls, who played to a 1-1 tie against Chivas USA.
-- From News Services and Staff Reports
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