8 Hurricanes football players suspended
MIAMI, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Eight current Miami Hurricanes football players must sit out at least one game as punishment for receiving improper benefits, the NCAA ruled Tuesday.
The suspensions were handed out in a case involving former University of Miami booster and convicted felon Nevin Shapiro.
The NCAA ruled the eight also must repay the value of the impermissible benefits, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported.
The harshest penalty was meted out to defensive end Olivier Vernon, who was suspended six games and told to repay $1,200 in benefits, the newspaper said.
Meanwhile, strong safety Ray-Ray Armstrong and tight end Dyron Dye will sit out four games and repay benefits, while five others -- defensive tackle Marcus Forston, linebacker Sean Spence, defensive end Adewale Ojomo, receiver Travis Benjamin and quarterback Jacory Harris -- were all suspended one game.
"The student-athletes involved have acknowledged receiving improper benefits and will now be responsible for restitution and, in some cases, the student-athletes will also serve game suspensions," Miami Athletic Director Shawn Eichorst said in a statement.
"They understand that their actions demand consequences."
Grocery firm hires ex-Vols coach Pearl
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Former University of Tennessee men's basketball Coach Bruce Pearl has taken a job with a Knoxville grocery wholesaler, the company announced Tuesday.
H.T. Hackney Co. said Pearl, who was fired as the Volunteers' coach in March amid a probe of recruiting violations, will join the firm Sept. 1 as vice president of marketing, The (Knoxville) News Sentinel reported.
"H.T. Hackney is a great company that has been doing things right for a long time," Chief Executive Bill Sansom said in a statement. "I've known Bruce Pearl for years -- his leadership, competitiveness and understanding of marketing is a great fit for our organization."
The newspaper said Sansom is a former member of UT's board of trustees and is also a director of the Tennessee Valley Authority.
"I worked for 33 years -- my entire coaching career -- to get to a place like Knoxville," the former coach said in the statement. "This is where my family lives, this is home."
Pearl coached the Volunteers for six seasons. He was banned from recruiting by the NCAA for three years this month after a lengthy investigation.
Nationals' Strasburg set for 2011 debut
WASHINGTON, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Former top draft pick Stephen Strasburg is expected to make his 2011 debut with the Washington Nationals next week, Manager Davey Johnson said Tuesday.
Strasburg, the first-overall pick in 2009, underwent elbow ligament replacement surgery last year and has been in the minor leagues all season recovering from the procedure.
Johnson said the fire-balling right-hander is due for a final minor league start at Class AA Harrisburg Thursday, and if that goes well he will make his 2011 major league season debut Sept. 6 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Strasburg posted a 5-3 record with an ERA of 2.91 in 12 games for the Nationals last season before going down with the elbow injury. He struck out 92 and walked 17.
Seahawks lose tight end Carlson to injury
SEATTLE, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Seattle Seahawks tight end John Carlson will miss the 2011 season after undergoing shoulder surgery, the team said Tuesday.
Head Coach Pete Carroll announced the fourth-year receiver will go on the shelf after tearing a labrum while diving for a pass during an Aug. 13 practice.
The need for surgery was confirmed by tests Monday.
Carroll had planned to alternate Carlson with Zach Miller, who signed with Seattle this month.
"We were really counting on this," the coach said. "We were so excited about having Zach and John play together. Unfortunately, that's not going to happen now."
Carlson has played in 47 games career games, totaling 137 catches for 1,519 yards and 13 touchdowns.
