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News Nuggets, 01.22.06
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Houston coach's collapse leads to technical foul

BIRMINGHAM — Houston coach Tom Penders collapsed on the sideline late in the first half of the Cougars' 82-79 loss to UAB on Saturday night.

Penders, 60, was carried off the floor on a stretcher and given oxygen, but he returned to coach in the second half. He later attributed his fall to a heart condition and said he felt fine after taking the oxygen.

Penders fell to his knees as UAB's Wen Mukubu drove to the basket and drew a foul with 52 seconds left in the half and UAB leading 46-44. Officials called a technical foul on Penders, apparently thinking he was reacting to the foul call. But the game stopped and the crowd hushed when Penders didn't get up.

Assistant coach Melvin Haralson directed the Houston team in Penders' absence. Penders returned to the sideline at the beginning of the second half and led the Cougars the rest of the way.

"I have a heart condition and I've had several episodes where I stand up too fast and get light headed. I did a three-mile fast walk this morning and probably didn't get enough fluids before the game," Penders said.

The coach said he had no idea until later that he was called for a technical foul.

"I don't remember anything to be upset about. To get called for a technical foul for collapsing to the floor is extremely poor judgment on the officials part," he said.

Penders is in his second season at Houston and previously coached at George Washington, Texas and Rhode Island.

Memphis auction includes trip to Dowdy-Ficklen

An all-inclusive trip to see next fall's Memphis-East Carolina football game will be among the items up for bids in the University of Memphis's annual scholarship auction.

A complete travel package for the Tigers excursion next season to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium is but one of the highlights listed in the school's Friday announcement of its annual Tiger TV auction.

The fundraiser, which is hosted by the Memphis athletic department and WLMT/UPN30, will air live in the Memphis vicinity on Jan. 29, 2006, from 5-7 p.m.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Tiger Scholarship Fund, which is the fund-raising arm of the Athletic Department.

Included in the items up for auction this year are:

• High Roller Package, which includes a limousine ride to FedEx Forum to see the Memphis vs. Tulsa basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2006. The package includes tickets, a night at Horseshoe Casino and more.

• A hospitality suite at FedEx Forum for the Memphis vs. Houston basketball game on Saturday, Mar. 4, 2006.

• A skybox at Liberty Bowl Stadium for the Memphis vs. Tennessee football game on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2006.

• An autographed DeAngelo Williams Heisman promotional 1:24 scale die-cast car.

• Travel with the football team to see next season's Memphis vs. East Carolina game. Package includes airfare, hotel accommodations, tickets and dinner with the team.

• 52" HD RCA television.

From a Memphis Athletics release.

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Page Updated: 02/23/2007 12:44 PM