NCAA wants to judge coaches by athletes' academic performances

Win-loss records shouldn't be the only measure of a coach, the NCAA's top policymaking board feels. It plans to compile individual academic progress rates illustrating how well their players fare in the classroom.

The Division I Board of Directors, made up of university presidents and chancellors, asked an academic committee Thursday to draw up a formula for the first-of-their-kind individual APRs, which would become part of a coach's career record. They'd be available for recruits, their parents and prospective employers to evaluate along with wins and other competitive and personal criteria.

"The rate is intended to function … as a lifetime batting average for coaches with respect to the academic performance of their student-athletes," NCAA President Myles Brand said. FULL STORY

Rebel Classic Starts On Halloween

LAS VEGAS - The UNLV men's tennis team will welcome players from six other programs to town this weekend for the Rebel Classic, which will close out the school's fall tournament season.

Schools scheduled to send competitors are California, Arizona, New Mexico, Arkansas, Fresno State and NAIA program Fresno Pacific.

The tournament kicks off at 9 a.m. PT Friday and will be made up of one flight of doubles and two flights of singles along with consolation play in both.


2008 REBEL CLASSIC SCHEDULE
At Fertitta Tennis Complex, Las Vegas

Friday, Oct. 31 9 a.m. PT

First Round Doubles First Round Singles Quarterfinal Singles

Saturday, Nov. 1 9 a.m. PT

Quarterfinal Doubles Semifinal Singles Semifinal Doubles

Sunday, Nov. 2 9 a.m. PT

Final Singles Final Doubles Final Consolation Play

MWC administration

Mountain West Conference Commissioner Craig Thompson announced the hiring of Dawn Anderson as Director of Championships.

Anderson joins the Mountain West staff after serving the past year as Director of Championships and Special Events at the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Her primary duties included championship implementation for men's and women's cross country, men's soccer, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's golf, and softball. Anderson also assisted with the development of in-season and championship policies and administrative agreements and coordinated the MAAC Merchandise and Sales program.

In her role at the Colorado Springs, Colo.-based Mountain West Conference, Anderson will serve as the liaison for eight regular-season Mountain West Conference sponsored sports in addition to serving as the championship contact for men's and women's cross-country, women's soccer, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field and men's golf.

Aztecs Eliminated from ITA West-South Regionals

MALIBU, Calif. - The San Diego State men's tennis team was eliminated from singles play on Saturday at the ITA West-South Regional Championships at Pepperdine's Ralphs-Straus Tennis Center. For the day, the Aztecs dropped two of three matches overall, including a round of 32 singles contest.

Bartosz Golas, the draw's No. 15 seed, was a tough-luck loser in the round of 32 against Southern California's Steve Johnson. Golas' USC counterpart advanced in the tournament after emerging with a 7-5, 6-3 victory.

In the consolation draw, Jordan Colman defeated Sean Peterson of UC Riverside, 7-5, 6-1, before dropping a 6-3, 6-1 decision to Ravid Hazi of Arizona in the fourth round.

The tournament wraps up fall play for SDSU. The Aztecs will return to action Jan. 21 when they play host to UC Riverside. FULL STORY

Can't-Miss Swiss

LAS VEGAS - UNLV junior Luca Barlocchi has advanced to the semifinals of main draw singles after Friday's action at the ITA Region 7 Men's Tennis Championships being held at the Darling Memorial Tennis Center.

The Swiss import outlasted 18th-seeded Corey Smith of Montana State 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 to advance. He will now face Martin Zimmerman of the University of Denver in one of Saturday's semifinals. The final is slated for Sunday. FULL STORY