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News Nuggets, 09.17.03
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Surgery on Blazers assistant coach turns up malignancy

BIRMINGHAM — Heisman Trophy winner Pat Sullivan, the offensive coordinator at UAB, was diagnosed with cancer following surgery on his neck.

"The good news is that it is treatable," Sullivan said Tuesday in a statement released by the school.

Sullivan, who won the Heisman as Auburn's quarterback in 1971, underwent surgery at UAB Hospital on Monday. Details were not released, but the team was told the 53-year-old Sullivan had an operation to remove three lumps in his neck.

"I appreciate all the prayers and kindness everyone has shown to me and my family. It has truly been overwhelming," Sullivan said.

Sullivan coached in UAB's 20-9 loss to Troy State last Saturday night.

Bearcats basketball player cleared of charges

CINCINNATI — Assault and domestic violence charges against Cincinnati forward Armein Kirkland were dropped Tuesday, clearing the way for him to stay with the team.

Kirkland, a sophomore, was arrested last month and accused of hitting his live-in girlfriend during an argument. His girlfriend also was charged with assault and domestic violence for allegedly biting Kirkland. Kirkland pleaded innocent to the charges, which were dropped after the girlfriend retracted her statements.

The university had decided to wait for the outcome of the court case before taking any disciplinary action against Kirkland, who averaged 3.4 points and 2.0 rebounds in 27 games last season.

D'Angelo's status unknown for Huskers visit

HATTIESBURG — An off week leading up to Southern Mississippi's Thursday, September 25 home game against 15th-ranked Nebraska has turned out to be a blessing for the Golden Eagles in more ways than one.

In addition to providing added time for USM to prepare for the Cornhuskers, the few days extra leeway offers the opportunity for questions concerning the health of Micky D'Angelo, the team's starting quarterback.

The prognosis for D'Angelo, who suffered a concussion in the Golden Eagles' victory over Memphis last Saturday, was optimistic but uncertain following a scheduled MRI exam Tuesday. The junior from Gulfport sustained the blow in the first half of the Memphis game and did not play in the second half.

Head Coach Jeff Bower says doctors say tentatively that D'Angelo can return to practice Sunday when the team reports back, following a couple of days off. But Bower noted that extra caution would be exercised in light of D'Angelo's past history of concussions.

"I understand that the MRI was negative," Bower said, "but the doctors will do a full evaluation again tomorrow, similar to what they did last year ... We just can't make any decisions until the doctors get their reports done.

"The doctors are the ones who will make the eventual call, in that regard. Certainly Micky and his family will have some input, but we want to get as much information as we can before he and his family make any decisions. I would have thought we would have more information today, but some of the doctors have been in surgery, and we just have to wait until we get everything we need to make a decision."

D'Angelo will not practice this week, and Bower says a decision on his practice availability for Sunday will depend on what happens in between. Bower also said the Eagles continue to work both the freshmen quarterbacks, Damion Carter and Jeremy Young, as co-number twos, and that a decision would be made on a No. 2 following Thursday's practice.

News Nuggets are compiled periodically from staff, ECU, Conference USA and its member schools, and from Associated Press and other reports. Copyright 2003 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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