The Chicago Bears have restructured Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers' contract to create more salary-cap room for next season.

Bowling has long been one of the nation’s favorite recreational activities, and as a high school sport it enjoys a small but dedicated following. In the Chicago Public League 55 schools have bowling programs, averaging about ten bowlers per team.

Illinois lawmakers are taking a closer look at how to protect high school athletes from concussions.

The Chicago Bears have signed punter Richmond McGee to a two-year contract.

Dennis Rodman, Jamaal Wilkes and Tex Winter were among 12 finalists announced Friday for induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Carlos Boozer's grin was as wide as the lane.

Three years ago, when he was at UCLA, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute sustained a concussion that kept him off the basketball court for eight days, until he completed a series of neurocognitive tests.

The Illinois High School Association has suspended Chicago's Whitney Young High School and placed its basketball coach on probation.

Chicago defensive end Julius Peppers has been fined $10,000 by the NFL for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Aaron Rodgers in the NFC championship game that drew blood from the Green Bay quarterback.

The Chicago Bulls have had a difficult time putting away lesser opponents lately, and the bad habit nearly jumped up and bit them again on Saturday.

The refusal of a convicted steroids dealer to testify at Barry Bonds' perjury trial has already left the prosecution without key evidence, and the defense wants even more of it barred.

Cheeseheads, get ready for the Monsters of the Midway.

The NFL is helping craft legislation in states around the country that would protect young athletes from the long-term effects of concussions.

Football's oldest rivalry has a grand new prize: a spot in the Super Bowl.

The Chicago Bears know firsthand how dangerous the Seattle Seahawks can be.

Derrick Rose figured the only way to get over the Charlotte loss was to take care of Indiana.

All of Michael Jordan's moves lately seem to be working for the Bobcats. His old team learned firsthand on Wednesday night.

Earl Bennett has a chip on his shoulder and so do the rest of the Bears' receivers.

It's not a stretch to say the Chicago Bears have made some big strides since they last played the Seattle Seahawks.

Derrick Rose doesn't show his emotions too often on the court.

Derrick Rose drove by Rajon Rondo over and over again, usually slamming into Shaquille O'Neal or one of Boston's other big men as he made his way to the rim.

Sasha Vujacic was the second option, supposed to get the ball if the New Jersey Nets couldn't get it to Brook Lopez.

The Chicago Bulls clobbered another struggling team and got some rest for a couple of their key players.

Add this to the list of NFL records for Chicago's Devin Hester — highest punt return average in a season.

The Chicago Bears stayed healthy and regained their swagger on defense, too.

The Chicago Bears wanted to see where they stood in a hostile environment with the playoffs at stake. When they play in two weeks, it'll be their fans creating the raucous atmosphere.

There's no such thing as an ugly win when it clinches a playoff berth.

Never mind Carlos Boozer's early foul trouble. Or those missed shots.

Defensive end Julius Peppers, linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs and kick returner Devin Hester were selected to the Pro Bowl after helping the Chicago Bears win the NFC North.

Carlos Boozer had 31 points and 11 rebounds, and Derrick Rose added 23 points and a career-high 12 rebounds to help the Chicago Bulls beat the Detroit Pistons 95-92 in overtime Sunday night.

Jay Cutler threw three touchdown passes, Matt Forte ran for 113 yards and the Chicago Bears closed in on a first-round bye, beating the playoff-bound New York Jets 38-34 on Sunday.

The Chicago Bulls are 9-3 since Carlos Boozer returned after missing the first 15 games with a broken hand. He showed why Wednesday night — at the Washington Wizards' expense.

Derrick Rose and Luol Deng each scored 22 points, and the Chicago Bulls beat the Philadelphia 76ers 121-76 on Tuesday night for their eighth win in nine games.

Not long ago the Chicago Bears were all but buried, a team going nowhere under a pile of mounting losses.

Forward Taj Gibson was inactive for Chicago's game against Philadelphia on Tuesday, apparently still suffering from the effects of a concussion sustained last Saturday.

Only Brett Favre could get hurt in a game he was supposedly too beat up to play in.

Leslie Frazier once played for Chicago, where winter weather was simply part of the late-season routine.

Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah was scheduled to have surgery Thursday to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb and is expected to take at least eight to recover.

The Chicago Bulls' latest win came with some bad news.

By hitting 10 3-point shots and finding easy transition baskets, Wichita State blew out Chicago State 91-51 on Wednesday night.

The Chicago Bears are trying to forget about their blowout loss at home to New England.

With Carlos Boozer back in the lineup, the Chicago Bulls feel like they are ready to move into the elite of the Eastern Conference.

By hitting 10 3-point shots and finding easy transition baskets, Wichita State blew out Chicago State 91-51 on Wednesday night.

Michael Jordan is finally being inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.

Still doubting the Chicago Bears? They're making it tougher.

Minutes into his new job, Tony Dungy did what he was hired to do: He offered an opinion.

It took 12 stitches to patch up that busted lip President Barack Obama got from a pickup basketball game — and now he's back on the hard court, but this time as spectator.

Jonathon Montgomery scored 17 points off the bench and Chicago State ran off the game's final 10 points to overtake Georgia Southern 64-59 on Friday at the South Padre Island Invitational.

The Curie Condors (9-5) weren’t one of the top picks to win the city title before the season began or going into the playoffs, but the Condors are flying high as Public League champions after outlasting Morgan Park 40-34 in a double overtime thriller at Gately Stadium.

With the outcome decided, the stadium nearly empty and the final seconds ticking down, many of the remaining fans were Chicago rooters chanting "Let's go Bears!"

Cullen Jones was about to race in his biggest meet of the year when he heard that six teenagers had drowned in Shreveport, La.

If the National Football League could throw a penalty flag at the players union, it would be for political interference.

Simeon’s season ended Saturday night at Gately Stadium with a 17-14 loss to Lake Zurich in the IHSA class 7A state quarterfinals.

Two-time Olympic speedskating champion Shani Davis has won his second straight World Cup race, edging rival Simon Kuipers of the Netherlands in the 1,500 meters.

Victor Scott scored 22 points to help Chicago State hold off Concordia, Ill., 79-75 Friday night.

Last month's game between Virginia and Eastern Michigan marked a milestone for diversity at college football's highest level.

For the fourth-straight week, the Grambling State Tigers (8-1) sit atop the latest editions of the Boxtorow.com/BASN HBCU FCS coaches and media top 10 football polls.

Quintin Dailey, a former All-American basketball player who also played 10 seasons in the NBA and made the 1982-1983 All-Rookie team, has died in Las Vegas. He was 49.

Tiger Woods returned to his mother's home country for a four-man charity skins tournament on Monday and left soon after winning only one hole in another disappointing performance.

Over the past ten years Morgan Park has been at or near the top of high school football in the Chicago area, and they’re on the march again this year as they enter the city and state playoff race.

LeBron James and Chris Bosh headed for South Beach, while Amare Stoudemire decided to star on Broadway. Allen Iverson? He's headed for Turkey.

Maurice Lucas, the fierce power forward known as "The Enforcer" who helped lead the Portland Trail Blazers to the 1977 NBA title, has died after a long fight with bladder cancer. He was 58.

Even though Caster Semenya can run in major track meets now, she's wondering if she can afford to.

New NCAA president Mark Emmert has seen the academic culture changing in college sports, and now he has the numbers to prove it.

The Chicago Bulls have exercised the fourth-year contract option on All-Star forward Derrick Rose and third-year options on two forwards, Taj Gibson and James Johnson.

Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs sounds hopeful he'll return to the Chicago Bears this week after missing a game with an ankle injury.

Derrick Rose understands the hot pick these days is in South Beach, that there's a recent champion in Boston and Superman is soaring around Orlando.

The Robeson football team is on its way to another winning season, and ninth consecutive Chicago Public League Illini Land of Lincoln conference title. They recently knocked off their closest rival Harlan 29-20, and are looking forward to closing out the campaign with a win against Clark this weekend.

Julius Peppers batted the screen pass in the air, darted to the side and made a diving interception at the line of scrimmage.

Robert Gumede remembers the first rugby match he went to. Nelson Mandela was there, too.

Tiger Woods will play in a one-day skins tournament in Thailand next month, returning to his mother's home country for the first time in 10 years.

The New York Giants' pass rush was so good against Jay Cutler and Chicago Bears, it brought back Super Bowl memories.

Center Joakim Noah and the Chicago Bulls agreed Sunday on a five-year contract extension, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The New York Giants' pass rush was so good against Jay Cutler and Chicago Bears, it brought back Super Bowl memories.

Tommie Harris said he wants to stay with the Chicago Bears even though they benched him for the game against the Green Bay Packers on Monday night.

The defending city champion Simeon Wolverines are well on their way to winning the Chicago Public League Illini Red Bird Conference, and possibly having a perfect regular season record. The Wolverines are 5-0 with three games remaining.

The NFL received its highest grade ever for racial diversity hiring practices but is still behind on hiring women.

The Chicago Bears were going nowhere and hearing it from the crowd. Good thing the Green Bay Packers were intent on giving this one away.

Devin Hester turned up the right sideline, hurdled a lunging defender and jumped into the first row of fans after his 62-yard punt return for a touchdown.

The Ryder Cup is getting personal for Tiger Woods.

Mike Tyson is making a visit to the UFC's octagon for an up-close look at mixed martial arts.

The Chicago Bulls are ready to get going this season with a host of new faces — and they'd like Joakim Noah to be there, too.

Interested in hearing Gilbert Arenas describe the lessons he learned from serving time in a halfway house? Don't hold your breath.

Alcorn State University defeated SWAC conference rival Mississippi Valley State University 27-9 in the 13th annual Chicago Football Classic played this past Saturday at Soldier Field.

Tony Romo walked toward the locker room thinking about all the mistakes the Dallas Cowboys made and all the crucial plays they hadn't, the 0-2 hole they're in and the lack of an easy way out.

The father of a high school quarterback who died after collapsing during a game said his son was a dedicated athlete and student who woke up each morning to a mural of a Texas Longhorns helmet.

Edward Johnson scored two touchdowns, including one on a 70-yard punt return, and Alcorn State defeated Mississippi Valley State 27-9 Saturday.

Jim Brown, still angry over what he perceives as a slight from Cleveland Browns president Mike Holmgren, plans to skip this weekend's ring of honor ceremony.

Jim Brown isn't surprised by the rise in diagnosed concussions among NFL players and says the league and the union need to do more to protect those players.

One of South Africa's top sprinters said Thursday she was injected with a blood-boosting drug without her knowledge, the latest allegation to rock the country's track federation in the wake of the Caster Semenya gender dispute.

Reggie Bush is giving back the trophy. To many, though, he'll always be a Heisman winner.

Widely known as the nation’s largest reunion of alumni of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the 13th Chicago Football Classic will feature two storied football programs an highlight a critically important public service message aimed at addressing the unacceptable level of violence in the Chicago Community.

Lovie Smith insists he has no regrets and would make the same call again even though the Chicago Bears came away without a point.

Calvin Johnson was celebrating what he thought was the go-ahead touchdown catch, a leaping grab in the end zone that would give the Detroit Lions their first road win in three years.

She came to New York rusty, injured and, by tennis standards, aging.

At this point in a strange season, slow starts should be nothing new to Tiger Woods.

Washington Park has solid history with the game of baseball, and unlike many other city parks it continues to attract a steady flow of serious ballplayers to its ball fields.

Venus Williams brought the glitter. Rafael Nadal brought the grit.

Yahoo! sports is reporting that 2005 Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush is expected to be stripped of the award by the end of the month

A record 96 minority coaches have taken part in this summer's NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship.

Williams hasn't been too shabby at this tournament, either, with titles in 2000 and 2001, two runner-up finishes and nothing worse than a fourth-round loss. She looked pretty impressive Monday, becoming only the fifth woman with 200 Grand Slam match wins by beating Roberta Vinci of Italy 6-4, 6-1.

Accolades by officers of the law after they take off their badges often go unnoticed, but one Chicago police officer is making his presence known in an area outside of policing.

A native of the South Side, 27-year-old track and field star Consuela “Connie” Moore is known to many as one of the fastest women to come out of the city and is on the fast track to success.

Tiger Woods finally looked like the No. 1 player in the world.

The International Olympic Committee says up to 17 countries have expressed interest in hosting future Youth Olympics, including the United States and others from Africa and Latin America.

Retired slugger Sammy Sosa is upset with the Chicago Cubs for not retiring his No. 21 jersey, telling a magazine that the organization doesn't care about him.

A new documentary covers Michael Jordan's short-lived minor league baseball career.

In 35 years of women's tennis rankings, never before has the No. 1 player missed the U.S. Open.

As her first season in the WNBA comes to a close, Marion Jones is pleased with her progress and committed to continuing her development.

Don't blame LeBron James for leaving Cleveland. Don't fit him for a ring yet, either.

On a rectangle of dirt separating two arms of a congested highway, a game of soccer is under way — just as it is every day in cities throughout Africa. Not far away, a team of coaches from the NBA is trying to expand the continent's options.

Tiger Woods is feeling much better about his game than he did a few days ago.

On the field with some of soccer's biggest names, Sean Johnson stole the show.

The NBA is taking regular-season games to Europe for the first time.

Edwin Jackson had several reasons to be anxious about Wednesday night's start.

Usain Bolt thinks about winning the gold medal more than setting another world record.

Garfield Park is renowned as a breeding ground for great basketball players and also youth football, but the game of baseball is beginning to make its presence felt with the addition of the Garfield Park Little League.

Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, White Sox legend Frank Thomas and former Illinois football star Simeon Rice will be among the players, coaches and others inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame in September.

Snoop Dogg is expanding his youth football league to Chicago.

Jasmine Minor, a senior at Carmel High School in Mundelein, is playing in the USTA Girls 18 Clay Court Championships in Memphis. Minor, 16, is ranked fifth in Illinois.

Serena Williams is questionable for the U.S. Open because of her recent foot injury, according to the WTA Tour.

After 14 years, Pat Riley finally has Juwan Howard.

Ronnie Brewer saw a perfect opportunity with the jazzed-up Bulls.

Caster Semenya insists her times will get better. For now, she is running — and winning — again and that's what's important to her.

American sprinters who were stripped of their 2000 Olympics relay medals because teammate Marion Jones was doping have won an appeal to have them restored.

Insisting that the NBA's financial projections "strain credulity," players' association executive director Billy Hunter said Wednesday he's seen nothing to change his belief that a lockout is possible.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Delonte West has reached a plea agreement with prosecutors in Maryland on weapons and traffic charges.

Jesse Jackson criticized Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert on Sunday, saying Gilbert sees LeBron James as a "runaway slave" and that the owner's comments after the free-agent forward decided to join the Miami Heat put the player in danger.

At Higgins Community Academy on the South Side, education and enrichment is taking place outside as well as in. Students from ages 9 to 13 were given the opportunity to hit the green and swing away through a summer program sponsored by the Salvation Army’s sports day camp.

NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown is asking a San Francisco appellate court to overturn a federal judge's decision to dismiss his lawsuit against video game maker Electronic Arts.

Caster Semenya will make her comeback at a European meet but is not fit enough to compete at the world junior championships in Canada, the 800-meter world champion's coach said Wednesday.

Nigeria's anti-corruption agency plans to investigate current and former leaders of the nation's football federation.

Caster Semenya's father said she told him she is going to be cleared to return to athletics.

From Cleveland to Chicago, South Florida to the New York area, it was a mostly quiet Fourth of July in the NBA.

Dwyane Wade has said he wants to stay in Miami, but the Chicago Bulls are making him think about it.

Serena Williams has won her fourth Wimbledon title and 13th Grand Slam championship by sweeping Vera Zvonareva in straight sets in the women's final.

Dwyane Wade has said he wants to stay in Miami, but the Chicago Bulls are making him think about it.

Dwyane Wade grew up in Chicago and still makes his offseason home there. The Bulls would like to see that arrangement become more permanent.

Former Pro Bowl cornerback and ex-Lion Dre' Bly is returning to Detroit.

Though thrilled that the World Cup has come to his homeland, South African soccer great Jomo Sono can't help but look back to his glory days in the apartheid era and wonder what might have been.

Swimming excursions can be some of the most fun times a youngster can have during summertime, but they can also lead to injury and death from drowning in an instant. Keeping the activity fun and safe is the goal of Olympic swimmer Cullen Jones, who brought a strong message of water safety to the young swimmers and their parents at Douglas Park on the city’s West Side.

Ghana expects Kevin-Prince Boateng to be fit for its World Cup quarterfinal against Uruguay after recovering from a right thigh injury.

Five-time champion Venus Williams was ousted in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon on Tuesday, losing 6-2, 6-3 to 82nd-ranked Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria.

As he dressed in his spacious corner locker, LeBron James glanced over at the news scrolling across the flat-screen TV on the far wall. The ticker read: "NBA: Kobe Bryant signs three-year contract extension with Los Angeles Lakers."

Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson was arrested Tuesday and charged with misdemeanor assault for allegedly punching a bar employee in the face nearly a month ago.

NEW YORK — The NFL is getting animated.

WIMBLEDON, England — Defending champion Serena Williams overcame Maria Sharapova 7-6 (9), 6-4 on Monday to reach the Wimbledon quarterfinals and avenge her loss to the Russian in the 2004 final.

HELENA, Mont. – The Harlem Globetrotters’ 2010 draft class includes former University of Montana guard Anthony Johnson and his wife, former Lady Griz guard Shaunte Nance-Johnson, the team announced Tuesday.

Kobe Bryant celebrates winning back-to-back championships and back-to-back Finals MVP Awards. He wants Phil Jackson back to coach to try for a three-peat.

Jonathan Gardner is Whitney Young Magnet High School’s first repeat state track and field champion.The high school triple jump champion is headed to Georgia Tech, a Division I school, on a track scholarship. He credits his success on the track field to his faith in God and avid studying of his field event. Gardner not only captured title in the sport he loves, but is also an accomplished student. Photo/Brenda Gamboa

LAS VEGAS — Former NBA all-star Antoine Walker has been ordered to appear for arraignment on felony charges alleging he failed to repay almost $1 million in gambling debts and penalties to three Las Vegas casinos.

JOHANNESBURG — The first World Cup ever held in Africa opened Friday in a dazzling burst of joy, color and noise — and just a tinge of sadness.

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Witnesses say a Somali Islamic militia group has arrested 30 people, including a 15-year-old boy, for watching a World Cup match on television.

SAN FRANCISCO — A divided federal appeals court has dealt the federal government a significant setback in its prosecution of Barry Bonds on perjury charges.

The triumphant Chicago Blackhawks rode through the streets of Chicago in double-decker buses as fans roared and confetti spilled from the rooftops of downtown buildings.

Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade's wife received permission Friday to dismiss her ninth divorce lawyer in about two years, but was warned by the judge she had better have a new attorney by the time of a scheduled July 19 custody trial.

The Mississippi Valley Delta Devils play against the Alcorn State Braves in this year's Chicago Football Classic Sept. 18 at Soldier Field

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court rejected the National Football League's request for broad antitrust law protection Monday, saying that it must be considered 32 separate teams — not one big business — when selling branded items like jerseys and caps.

Jonathan Jackson’s performance helped Lane Tech place first or second in 10 of 17 events to win the Public League’s city championship in track and field. The senior set a meet record (39.28) in his 300-meter hurdles win. Photos/Cassandra Geiger

LeBron James

This Dec. 27, 2009, file photo shows Football Hall of Famer and former New York Giants player Lawrence Taylor waving to fans during halftime of an NFL game between he Giants and Carolina Panthers, in East Rutherford, N.J. Taylor was arrested Thursday, May 6, 2010, in connection with a reported rape in the New York City suburbs, police said. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)

Floyd Mayweather Jr., right, connects with a punch against Shane Mosley, during their WBA welterweight boxing match Saturday in Las Vegas. Mayweather Jr. beat Shane Mosley in a unanimous decision to remain undefeated. AP/Isaac Brekken

The Simeon sports program has been busy this school year hanging banners for all types of athletic accomplishments.

CLEVELAND - Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose says his injured right ankle has improved and he will play in Game 5 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

St. Rita Catholic high school junior Jahwon Akui had a breakout year as a wrestler and as a running back.

Sugar Shane Mosley, right, spars with his trainer Naazim Richardson during a media workout in Pasadena, Calif. Mosley, who is currently deep in training in Big Bear, Calif. broke camp today to hold a media workout in Pasadena as he prepares for his mega-fight against Floyd Mayweather scheduled for May 1, in Las Vegas. AP/Nick Ut

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - The Chicago Bears looked at Florida’s Major Wright and saw in him a lot of their old free safety, Mike Brown.

Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith, left, smiles with Chicago Bears chairman Michael McCaskey as they chat before a game against the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco. McCaskey announced Wednesday, April 21, 2010, that he will retire after the 2010 season, and his brother George McCaskey will take over his role. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

LAKE FOREST, Ill.— For the second straight year, it will be a slow start for the Chicago Bears in the NFL draft.

Chicago Bulls' Joakim Noah, bottom, goes up for a shot against Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James in the second half of Game 2 in the first round of the playoffs Monday, April 19, 2010, in Cleveland. The Cavaliers won 112-102 to take a 2-0 lead in the series. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James, right, drives past Chicago Bulls’ Luol Deng in the fourth quarter of Game 2 in the first round of the NBA playoffs in Cleveland. James scored 40 points to lead Cleveland to a 112-102 win. AP/Tony Dejak

Two-time Olympic speedskating champion Shani Davis talks with Katherine Baker, 12, a skater in a program that Davis mentors, as they look at photos during an appearance for the U.S. Olympic Committee in Washington. AP/Toby Jorrin

Charlotte Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace, center, looks to pass out of a Chicago Bulls double-team by forwards Luol Deng, left, and Taj Gibson in the first half of a game Wednesday, April 14, 2010, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Chicago Bulls general manager Gar Forman is downplaying last month's confrontation between coach Vinny Del Negro and vice president of basketball operations John Paxson.

Jeremy Hall, right, lands a left jab against Jose Romero in his 147- pound semifinal victory at the Chicago Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament held over the last four weeks in Gary, Ind. The amateur competition can often lead to advancement in the sport of boxing.

Atlanta Braves Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, right, walks off the field with Braves rookie Jason Heyward after Aaron threw the ceremonial first pitch to Heyward before the Braves’ baseball game against the Chicago Cubs at Turner Field in Atlanta on April 5. AP/Rich Addicks

In this 1969 photo, Chicago Cubs baseball player Billy Williams is shown. AP/File

GRAMBLING, La. – Former Grambling State star Elfrid “SWAC” Payton has been inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

DePaul University introduced Oliver Purnell as the next men’s basketball coach at a Tuesday afternoon press conference.

Wearing a Washington Nationals jacket and a Chicago White Sox hat, President Barack Obama delivers the first pitch of the Washington Nationals home opening baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Monday at Nationals Park in Washington. AP/Alex Brandon

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Tiger Woods addressed several topics during his 35-minute press conference Monday at the Masters:

PHILADELPHIA – Donovan McNabb was famously booed upon being drafted and many fans were eager to see him go.

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class poses with their jerseys, Monday in Indianapolis. Receipients, from left, are Larry Bird who is representing the 1992 USA Olympic team, Walt Bellamy who is representing the 1960 Olympic team, Scottie Pippen, Robert Hurley Sr., Cynthia Cooper, Donna Johnson wife of Dennis Johnson and Terry Johnson, brother of Gus Johnson. AP/Mark J. Terrill

Chicago Public Schools students are making the message clear to school officials that the students, coaches and parents want to have sophomore-level sports reinstated within the school district. To help deal with a hefty system-wide cash crunch, CPS officials earlier this month made the decision to cut sophomore sports. The decision comes to the lament of athletes and coaches who want CPS to find another avenue for dealing with the budget deficit, without affecting sophomore sports.

AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn’s Tony Barbee doesn’t hesitate when asked about the significance of becoming the school’s first Black head basketball coach.

Mississippi State forward Jarvis Varnado (32) tries to steal the ball from Jackson State guard Phillip Williams, right, in the first half of an NIT college basketball game in Starkville, Miss., March 16. AP/Rogelio V. Solis

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The Chicago Bulls needed a win this week to boost their chances of a playoff spot.

Photo caption: In this Jan. 15, 2010 file photo, Washington Wizards' Gilbert Arenas arrives at Superior Court in Washington. Prosecutors say Arenas tried to pressure teammate Javaris Crittenton into covering up their locker-room confrontation in December. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Kavanaugh made the allegation in a court filing on Tuesday, March 23, 2010, as he advocated for a three-month jail sentence for Arenas for bringing guns to the Verizon Center. Arenas' lawyer is arguing for probation and community service. Sentencing is scheduled for Friday, March 26. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt, File)

Simeon’s Jaleni Neely, center, tries to hold on to the ball as Young players Ahmad Starks, left, and Kwai Pearson step up for the double-team. Simeon took the 4A crown Saturday with a 51-36 win. Defender/Worsom Robinson

The Chicago Cubs owe much of their identity to two factors — their 101-year drought without a World Series title and Wrigley Field.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Michael Jordan became a basketball star at North Carolina. Now he'll try to turn around the state's money-losing NBA team by becoming the first ex-player to be a majority owner in the league.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois got a rude reminder Sunday night that life outside the NCAA tournament is nothing like life in it.

Photo caption: Chicago Hales' Dominique Walls (21) leaps to block a long pass by Breese Central's Brandon Book (50) during the first half of the Class 2A third-place boys basketball game on Saturday, March 13, 2010, in Peoria, Ill. (AP Photo/The Peoria Journal Star, Adam Gerik)

DENVER — Suspected gang member Willie Clark was found guilty of murder Thursday in the drive-by shooting death of Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams after a New Year's Eve outing three years ago.

Labeled “dumb” as a young boy by his elementary school teachers, Olympic medalist John Carlos was very astute.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Anxious all week, Julius Peppers was finally getting some sleep at home in Charlotte when he found out just how serious the Chicago Bears were about acquiring him.

Going into the season neither Morgan Park nor Marshall were predicted to make it to the championship game. Marshall was overlooked mainly because last year’s star, Darius Smith graduated, and Morgan Park was doubted because of their youth in the backcourt and reliance on star junior forward Wayne Blackshear.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Tiger Woods apologized Friday for cheating on his wife and says he is unsure when he will return to competitive golf.

NEW YORK — The Bulls and Knicks both have their minds on trades as much as games.

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Bucks acquired guard John Salmons from the Chicago Bulls before Thursday's NBA trade deadline and sent the expiring contracts of forwards Hakim Warrick and Joe Alexander to a Bulls team looking to make a move in free agency this offseason.

The Chicago Public League basketball quarterfinals took place on Presidents Day at the UIC Pavilion and basketball junkies got a full eight hours of high-level hoops. Marshall, Morgan Park, Simeon, and Foreman high schools all advanced and they’ll play in the semifinals Wednesday evening at DePaul University.

Michael Wright competes in the 1-meter springboard finals during the USA Diving Winter National Championships Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

RICHMOND, British Columbia — Sounds like 2006 all over again. Shani Davis stirred up another dispute with U.S. Speedskating over team pursuit just two days before the start of the Winter Olympics, saying he decided not to enter the event because he felt pressured to be part of the national program.