Football Player Drowns At Golf Course

A University of Mississippi football player drowned early today while attempting to retrieve golf balls from a pond at the Mississippi State University Golf Course near Starkville.

Joey Embry, a 6-foot-6, 300-pound offensive tackle, was pronounced dead at the scene. Oktibbeha County coroner Michael Hunt said Embry had diabetes and may have drowned during a diabetic seizure.

Embry and two companions were wading in the small pond about 4 miles east of the Mississippi State campus when the drowning occurred.

Embry, who missed the entire 1997 season because of a back injury, was listed as the No. 2 right tackle after spring practice this year.

-- Kivuusama Mays, a former North Carolina linebacker drafted by the Minnesota Vikings, pleaded no contest to assault charges stemming from a fight involving a UNC freshman outside a nightclub. Under the plea agreement, Mays must perform 24 hours of community service and write a book report before Aug. 17. He also will have to pay restitution of the victim's medical bills.

PRO FOOTBALL

Novelist Tom Clancy, heading a group trying to purchase the Minnesota Vikings for $200 million, did not show up at an NFL owners meeting in Coral Gables, Fla., to answer questions about the sale. Clancy requested a one-week postponement because he needed additional time to prepare his presentation, Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said in a statement.

-- Gene Atkins, former Miami Dolphin safety, was arrested in Miramar, Fla., and charged with hiring three men to fire-bomb the home of a former business partner. Atkins is charged with attempted second-degree murder, arson and battery conspiracy.

GOLF

Johnny Miller and Nick Faldo were inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, joining 71 previous members who were ushered into their new home at the $350 million World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla.

"This surpasses any week's moment," said Miller, who won the U.S. Open and British Open during his domination of golf in the mid-1970s. "This is a career."

Golf had been without a Hall of Fame since 1994, when the one in Pinehurst, N.C., closed after 20 years and the World Golf Village, backed by virtually every golf organization, slowly came to life.

Miller was elected on the PGA Tour ballot in November 1996. Faldo was elected last year on the international ballot along with Seve Ballesteros, who deferred his induction until next year.

-- Ford Olinger, who successfully sued the U.S. Golf Association to use a cart in a local qualifier for the U.S. Open, shot a 12-over-par 83 in his first tournament since being diagnosed with bilateral avascular necrosis.

AUTO RACING

Golfer Greg Norman, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder last month, will not be able to drive the pace car at the start of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday. The 43-year-old Australian will be replaced behind the wheel of the Chevrolet Corvette by former Indy winner Parnelli Jones.

HOCKEY

The Tampa Bay Lightning and its lease to the Ice Palace arena were sold to Palm Beach businessman Arthur L. Williams, a one-time Canadian Football League owner who made his fortune in insurance. While terms of the sale were not disclosed, Williams' offer is believed to be comparable to the $130 million that Detroit Piston owner William Davidson reportedly had offered.

-- Mike Milbury signed a five-year contract to remain coach of the New York Islanders. However, his role as general manager will be reduced to personnel decisions.

-- Jesse Boulerice, a prospect in the Philadelphia Flyer organization, has been banned from the American Hockey League until Nov. 15 because he hit an opponent in the face with his stick last month.

TENNIS

Australia beat the United States 2-1 and the Czech Republic defeated Sweden 3-0 in red-group play on opening day at the $1.9 million World Team Cup in Duesseldorf, Germany. Richey Reneberg, replacing injured Michael Chang, beat Todd Woodbridge 6-3, 7-6 (7-5). But Mark Philippoussis defeated Jim Courier 6-3, 6-4, and Mark Woodforde and Woodbridge downed Todd Martin and Reneberg 6-2, 6-2.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Brian Irving, 26, of San Francisco, became the third of four defendants to plead guilty to gambling conspiracy charges. Irving bet thousands of dollars in 1995 on Northwestern games that prosecutors say were fixed.