CAMPUS
FOOTBALL CONTINUES COACHING SEARCH
The Wooster Athletic Department started to put the finishing touches on its search for a new head football coach this week. From Monday through Thursday, each of the four finalists gave presentations on the topic: “An Action Plan to Build a Successful Division III Football Program at the College of Wooster.” The presentations were part of the interview process. Each one was 20 minutes long and presented in the Wilson Governance Room of the Scot Center, followed by a question and answer session. The presentations were open to all faculty, staff and students. Mike Schmitz was the previous coach. He resigned on Dec. 31 following a 2-8 campaign.
NFL
CTE FOUND IN LIVING EX-NFL PLAYERS
Researchers at UCLA who performed brain scans on five former NFL players have identified a protein that indicates chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The neurodegenerative disease is caused by repeated head trauma, and has been linked to memory loss, dementia and depression in dozens of former football players. Most recently, former Chargers linebacker Junior Seau was posthumously diagnosed with CTE, which may have led to his suicide last May. The study marked the first time signs of disease have been found in living athletes. Medical researchers hope that that this discovery and further research will soon allow for earlier diagnoses and the development of preventative treatment.
NBA
CAVS COMPLETE TRADE WITH MEMPHIS
The Cleveland Caveliers acquired four players on Tuesday in a multiplayer trade with the Memphis Grizzlies for forward Jon Leuer. Joining the Cavs are Marreese Speights, Wayne Ellington and Josh Selby, in addition to a future first-round draft pick. This frees up more than $6 million from Memphis’s payroll, which will make it easier for them to attempt to retain Marc Gasol, Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph next year. It also adds some much-needed frontcourt depth to Cleveland’s lineup after the team lost star center/forward Anderson Varejao due to a blood clot in his lung. The draft pick could go back to the Cavs, depending on where the Grizzlies finish in 2015 or 2016.