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Hatchell out for now with leukemia

 
Published Oct. 15, 2013

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina women's basketball coach Sylvia Hatchell has been diagnosed with leukemia and said Monday she would temporarily step away to focus on treatment.

"I will remain very much involved with my team and day-to-day operations here at UNC and expect to return to my sideline responsibilities as soon as possible," Hatchell said in a statement. "My veteran staff and team will be well prepared and meet any challenges until my return. Don't forget I am a Tar Heel woman!"

Hatchell, 61, is preparing for her 28th season with the Tar Heels and has 908 career victories, one of three in the sport to win 900.

"Sylvia has our complete support and is in our thoughts and prayers for a full recovery," athletic director Bubba Cunningham said.

Longtime assistant Andrew Calder will lead the program while Hatchell is away.

more basketball: Saint Mary's coach Randy Bennett must serve a five-game suspension at the start of the West Coast Conference season and won't be allowed to recruit off campus after the NCAA upheld penalties for recruiting violations. … Alabama guard Levi Randolph is out for several weeks with a knee injury. … Georgia Tech forward Jason Morris is out 3-6 weeks after surgery for a stress fracture in his left foot. … UConn was a unanimous choice by the American Athletic Conference coaches to win the women's title, USF was picked third and UCF eighth. USF guard Inga Orekhova and UCF guard Briahanna Jackson, from Freedom and Lecanto high schools, were named to the preseason all-conference team. UConn's Breanna Stewart was the preseason player of the year.

Football

arkansas: Defensive tackle Robert Thomas is out for the season with a broken left leg, ending the senior's college career.

oklahoma: Nose tackle Jordan Phillips likely is out for the season with a back injury. Surgery is scheduled today.

new bowl: A Nassau bowl game will start in 2014. The Bahamas Bowl, which likely will be played before Christmas, will be part of a series of bowls shared by the Mid-American Conference, American Athletic Conference, Sun Belt, Mountain West and Conference USA.

speedway game: Tennessee and Virginia Tech officially announced a matchup at Bristol Motor Speedway scheduled for Sept. 10, 2016. Seating capacity is expected to be more than 150,000.