NIYA BUTTS by Janie McCauleyAP Sports Writer SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — No doubt Arizona's women's basketball players are minding their manners. That is just part of the program for the Wildcats. On and off the court, sixth-year coach Niya Butts wants her players to be at their best in all settings and situations. So, the Wildcats visited a restaurant in Tucson for etiquette training again before this season — a lesson one evening at McMahon's Prime Steakhouse.
In this photo provided by ABC, NBA basketball veteran Jason Collins, left, poses for a photo with television journalist George Stephanopoulos, Monday, April 29, 2013, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/ABC, Eric McCandless) by Jeff Pearlman (CNN) -- It was merely a dream, wasn't it? That whole Jason Collins thing of six months ago -- never happened, right? The headline news of his becoming the first openly gay active male professional athlete in a team sport. The Sports Illustrated cover. The supportive tweets from everyone ranging from Barack Obama and Bill Clinton to Jason Kidd and LeBron James. The interviews. The raves ("Game-changing!"). The altered landscape.
In this Oct. 10, 2010, file photo, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice laughs after autographing a football following her visit with the Cleveland Browns coaches and players at the team's NFL football training facility in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, File) by Ralph D. RusoAP College Football Writer The most scrutinized committee in sports has been set. The members say they'll need thick skin, plenty of time and the ability to leave their loyalties behind to pick the four teams that will play for college football's national title next year. They say they are ready for the pressure.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Matt Latos, center, and his wife Dallas, right, touring the Reds museum in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/The Cincinnati Enquirer, Michael E. Keating) by Joe MandakAssociated Press Writer PITTSBURGH (AP) - Pittsburgh police say they're not filing charges against a Pirates fan accused of punching and pulling the hair of Cincinnati Reds pitcher Mat Latos' wife during the National League wild-card game. Sgt. John Fisher says police broke up an argument involving Dallas Latos and other Cincinnati and Pirates fans at a bar inside PNC Park during the Pirates' 6-2 win Tuesday night.
Serena Williams, of the United States, pumps her fist after winning a point against Francesca Schiavone, of Italy, during the first round of the 2013 U.S. Open tennis tournament, Monday, Aug. 26, 2013, in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) by Howard FendrichAP Tennis Writer NEW YORK (AP) — A decade or so ago, Serena and Venus Williams ruled tennis together, swapping the No. 1 ranking and meeting in Grand Slam final after Grand Slam final. Serena, the younger of the two, still holds a spot at the top of the game. Venus has not been there for quite some time.
Serena Williams of the U.S., right, shakes hands with Russia's Maria Sharapova, left, after defeating Sharapova in two sets 6-4, 6-4, in the women's final of the French Open tennis tournament, at Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Saturday June 8, 2013. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler) by Howard Fendrich LONDON (AP) — As her agent nodded along approvingly from a front-row seat, Serena Williams sounded contrite and composed. Well-rehearsed, too. Williams even managed to crack herself up with a couple of jokes during her news conference at Wimbledon as the defending champion, where the primary topic was hardly her 31-match winning streak or her bid for a sixth title at the All England Club or her injured sister Venus' absence from the field. Instead, more than half the questions at Sunday's session revolved around themes generating the most buzz on the eve of tennis' oldest and most prestigious Grand Slam tournament: what Williams was quoted as saying in a recent magazine article — and Maria Sharapova's surprisingly forceful verbal swipe in reaction to that story.
Serena Williams of the U.S. holds the trophy after defeating Russia's Maria Sharapova in two sets 6-4, 6-4, in the women's final of the French Open tennis tournament, at Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Saturday June 8, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) by Steven WinePARIS (AP) — Two hours before her French Open final, Serena Williams practiced on center court, the stands deserted as she whacked one winner after another to the distant sounds of a brass band playing on the plaza.
Oxbow, ridden by jockey Gary Stevens, wins the 138th Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Course, May 18, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) by Richard Rosenblatt BALTIMORE (AP) — Right from the start, a horse trained by one not so over-the-hill Hall of Famer and ridden by another took control of the Preakness. The result: a huge upset and the end of any hopes for a Triple Crown attempt at the Belmont Stakes.
