Irish players may have to pay

A St. Joseph Superior Court judge has denied a motion by former Notre Dame player Derrick Mayes, who received gifts from convicted booster Kim Dunbar. The decision may force other former Fighting Irish players who took cash and gifts from Dunbar to be held responsible for repayment of the funds.

According to ESPN, an additional 20 demand letters will be sent to former players and their families starting next week. Dunbar, a former Fighting Irish booster, is accused of embezzling nearly $1.5 million from Dominiack Mechanical, Inc., and spending some of the money to purchase gifts and trips for Notre Dame football players.

The university is still facing a major violation case from the NCAA.

Vols' coach honored with street dedication -- Knoxville Mayor Victor Ashe and the City Council have voted to name the road leading to Neyland Stadium in honor of Volunteers coach Phillip Fulmer. The road has been renamed now Phillip Fulmer Way.

"Many honors have been bestowed on our team over the years and certainly over the last few months," Fulmer told reporters at the dedication ceremony on Wednesday. "But none means more to me than this. I am deeply appreciative and flattered."

Phillip Fulmer Way joins campus streets named for former quarterback Peyton Manning, Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summitt and Fulmer's predecessor, Johnny Majors. Knoxville has also announced plans to name a street in honor of Lady Vols four-time All-American Chamique Holdsclaw.

Funding approved for Mobile Alabama Bowl -- The Mobile City Council has agreed to provide $950,000 for the inaugural Mobile Alabama Bowl, which has been scheduled for Dec. 22. The game will be played at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, matching the bowl committee's second-choice selections from Conference USA and the Western Athletic Conference.

The bowl is expected to bring in about $5 million directly to the city, with a total economic impact of about $16.7 million. Each team must purchase 7,000 seats for a total of $14,000. In addition, each team will receive a minimum of $750,000 each. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.

Florida Police intensify investigation into agent -- Police at the University of Florida searched the office of a sports agent accused of illegal recruiting last week, searching for clues into allegations that William "Tank" Black gave money and cars to four former Gators football players.

Black is accused of giving money and cars to Jevon Kearse, Johnny Rutledge, Mike Peterson and Reggie McGrew while they still were playing for the Gators. A statement from university police said that information obtained during Friday's search "strengthens allegations" that Black and some of his employees gave improper cash payments and gifts to players.

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