Sports shorts
Soccer Bracher is Jacket coach
Waynesburg College director of Athletics Rudy Marisa announced Tuesday that Stuart Bracher has been hired as the new men’s soccer head coach.
Bracher, a graduate of Bethany (W.Va.) College, gained his initial head coaching experience as head women’s soccer coach at his alma mater in 2003.
He takes over a Waynesburg College team that has struggled since it program-best finish 13-6-1 record in 2000. Last year, the Yellow Jackets finished last in the PAC with a 5-14 overall record and a 1-9 PAC record.
Basketball
Swink gets double-double
Connellsville graduate Beth Swink recorded her sixth double-double of the season with 17 points and 11 rebounds as the St. Francis women’s basketball team regained control of the Northeast Conference with an 89-69 win against Sacred Heart on Monday.
St. Francis will conclude its four-game homestand against Mount Saint Mary’s on Feb. 2.
8 charged in NBA brawl
ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. (AP) – Five Indiana Pacers players and three fans charged in one of the most violent melees in NBA history appeared in court Tuesday – each at a separate hearing – and were released on bond.
The Pacers players, charged with misdemeanor assault and battery in the brawl with Detroit fans at The Palace of Auburn Hills, appeared for about three minutes each before District Judge Lisa Asadoorian.
Three fans charged with misdemeanor assault and battery – John Ackerman, William Paulson and John Green – also appeared in court and were released on bond.
Football
Brady sick before game
FOXBORO, Mass. (AP) – New England quarterback Tom Brady had a 103 degree fever the night before the Patriots beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC championship game, Sports Illustrated reported.
The magazine said in this week’s issue that Brady had an intravenous line in his left – non-throwing – arm on Saturday night while fighting off chills in his Pittsburgh hotel room.