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In Sports from United Press Internationa

Tedford named Cal football coach

BERKELEY, Calif., Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Jeff Tedford, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the nationally number 2 ranked Oregon Ducks, was named head football coach Wednesday at the University of California.

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"As we went through this arduous six-week national search that involved many outstanding candidates, it became clearer and clearer every day that Jeff Tedford was the right man for the job," said Bears' athletic director Steve Gladstone.

Tedford, 40, has coached for 14-years with Oregon, Fresno State and the Canadian Football League's Calgary Stampeders. During his career, he has coached such quarterbacks as Akili Smith, Trent Dilfer, and Joey Harrington.

Tedford becomes the 32nd head football coach in Cal's 119-history. He replaces Tom Holmoe, who resigned Nov. 4 after coaching the Bears to a 1-10 season.


Nuggets coach accused of racial slut

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DENVER, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Denver Nuggets Coach Dan Issel may have landed in more trouble after being caught on videotape shouting a racially explicit insult at a heckling fan.

The incident came after a game with the Charlotte Hornets Tuesday night.KUSA-TV in Denver aired the footage on its broadcast and warned viewers the soundbite was offensive.

"Hey, go buy another beer. Go drink another beer, you (expletive) Mexican piece of (expletive)," Issel is heard yelling on the tape.

Issel left the building before the footage aired and was not available for comment.

A Hall of Famer, Issel appeared frustrated as he left the court after a 99-96 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.


Pre-Olympics airport sweep nets arrests

SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Authorities in Salt Lake City hoped to complete the arrests Wednesday of 69 airport workers who allegedly gave false information to conceal their criminal records or illegal immigration status in order to get jobs in secure areas of the airport.

The officials who announced the pre-Olympics sweep late Tuesday said that while there was no evidence any of the workers had ties to terrorism, they did have access to airplanes, runways and cargo areas.

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"These people were able to obtain security badges that put them one swipe away from access to the most secure areas of the airport," said U.S. Attorney Paul Warner.

Police and federal agents Tuesday swept through Salt Lake City International Airport -- the airport that will handle the bulk of the people flying in for the 2002 Winter Olympics -- looking for the 69 workers that were primarily charged with using falsified documents such as Social Security cards to obtain security clearances giving them access to secure areas of the airport.


Woods after season-ending win

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Although he had another great season, there's one more thing Tiger Woods wants.

"I would love to win here," Woods said Tuesday, two days before he hosts the $3.8 million Williams Open, an unofficial event featuring 18 of the world's best players.

The tournament will be held at the Sherwood Country Club, which is about an hour's drive from where Woods grew up in Southern California.

Woods, the world's No. 1 player and one of the most recognizable athletes in sports, expects to be followed by throngs of people. He always is, but this week is different.

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"This is how it used to be playing in junior golf," said Woods, who will be 26 on Dec. 30. "You would have mom and pop following you and your friends following you, and that to me is pretty cool."

Woods isn't the only elite player in the field. He is joined by David Duval, Davis Love III, Vijay Singh of Fiji and David Toms, among others.


UCLA star out for season

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- UCLA's Michelle Greco, who led the Pac-10 Conference in scoring last season, will miss the remainder of this season for medical reasons.

The senior guard was bothered by a history of mild concussions

during her sophomore and junior seasons and sat out games

against San Diego State and Colorado last week.

The UCLA sports medicine staff recommended that Greco take a

year off from competition. UCLA will submit a medical hardship

petition to the Pac-10 with the hope that she will be granted

another year of eligibility.


Santo facing major surgery

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Ron Santo, former Chicago Cubs All-Star third baseman battling circulatory problems in his right leg caused by diabetes, will have the leg amputated below the knee next week.

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Doctors said his deteriorating condition left no alternative.

Santo, 61, now a broadcaster for the Cubs, was to have his infected foot removed Wednesday and the second procedure to remove the lower leg on Monday. The surgeries will be performed in Scottsdale, Santo's winter home.

Santo's problems began last summer with a small ulcer on his right foot that would not heal, a signal of the circulatory problems common in diabetics. He underwent a series of treatments, including a vein transplant, to try to regain blood circulation. Last month, the toes of his right foot had to be amputated, and he had a heart pacemaker inserted after a cardiac episode.

He said he intends to return to his broadcast duties next season.

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