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Kyle Hightower

Former sumo wrestler takes on college football

Last updated Friday, April 1, 2011 - 4:35pm

BABSON PARK, Fla. -- Three years ago, Soslan Gagloev was on top of the sumo wrestling world.

A prodigy in Japan's celebrated sport, at the age of 19 the Russian was rising in the country's premier sumo division.

But an arrest for marijuana possession in September 2008 and his allegations of match-fixing weeks later eventually got him a lifetime ban and led to him leaving his adopted home of six years.

College Football, College Sports, Sports, Football Read more Comments

Motocross champ charged with impersonating officer

Kyle Hightower, The Associated Press

Last updated Tuesday, March 29, 2011 - 4:21pm

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Motocross star James "Bubba" Stewart has been arrested in Orlando after authorities said he tried to pull over two off-duty highway patrol troopers while impersonating a police officer.

According to Florida Highway Patrol arrest affidavits, the 25-year-old Stewart of Bartow was arrested Monday night along with 44-year-old Quinault Jehrrod of Corona, Calif.

Authorities say Stewart, who listed an address in Haines City, had red and blue lights in the dash area of his truck when he tried to pull over a car with two off-duty troopers who identified themselves. Stewart then sped off.

Outdoors, Outdoor Recreation, Sports, Motocross Read more Comments

Sweet 16 teams score with strong graduation rates

Kyle Hightower, The Associated Press

Last updated Thursday, March 24, 2011 - 3:20pm

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Only four of the 32 teams left in the men's and women's NCAA tournaments have a graduation success rate under 50 percent, according to a new study.

An updated annual report by the University of Central Florida's Institute for Diversity and Ethics released Wednesday showed that all 16 women's teams left graduate at least half of their players. Of the 16 men's teams left, only four -- Kentucky, Florida, Connecticut and Arizona -- didn't have graduation success rates above 50 percent.

Six of the women's teams and one men's team had 100 percent graduation success rates. Also, 13 women's teams and two men's teams have a GSR above 90 percent.

Study author Richard Lapchick said it marked the best round of 16 report card his group has issued.

College Sports, BYU Cougars, College basketball, Sports Read more Comments

NFL players get help with post football careers

Kyle Hightower, The Associated Press

Last updated Wednesday, February 16, 2011 - 5:52pm

ORLANDO, Fla. -- While NFL labor strife has put next season in jeopardy, one league executive is trying to ensure players think about their futures beyond the playing field.

Former NFL veteran and five-time Pro Bowler Troy Vincent just completed the first football academy designed to help current players interested in pursing post-playing careers in coaching and administration make that transition.

"I think football should not be Plan A. Education is what allows you to have financial freedom," Vincent said this week. "During my entire 15-year career I was fortunate to have people around me that reminded me to think about my next step beyond football. Sadly, many players aren't ready for what's next after they stop playing. (The NFL) wanted to make sure we had another resource to help our players live out their dreams and aspirations."

NFL, Sports, Football Read more Comments

Blind driver to debut new technologies at Daytona

Kyle Hightower, The Associated Press

Last updated Friday, January 28, 2011 - 5:23pm

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- It's a cloudy morning at Daytona International Speedway, but Mark Riccobono can't tell, nor does it really matter to him.

He walks up to the driver's side of a black, Ford Escape Hybrid parked on the start-finish line, opens the door, sits down and adjusts his seat. After a few minutes the car revs up and takes off.

NASCAR, Disability, Sports, Auto Racing Read more Comments

Jordan son more than namesake for Central Florida

Kyle Hightower, The Associated Press

Last updated Friday, January 21, 2011 - 5:21pm

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Marcus Jordan has always wanted to make a name for himself on the basketball court, and not be just known as the son of NBA great Michael Jordan.

He found the place to do it at Central Florida. Though not exactly known for its basketball tradition, the 6-foot-3, 205 pound guard knew UCF was the program for him.

College Sports, College basketball, Sports, Basketball Read more Comments