Athletic Misconduct

For generations it has been one of the great American axioms, accepted truth on diamonds, courts and gridirons everywhere: Sports builds character, instilling the values of teamwork and good sportsmanship. But amid fresh headlines of alleged cheating in auto racing, continuing controversies over steroid use in baseball, track and cycling and ugly brawls among basketball players comes a nationwide survey suggesting a decidedly darker vision of sports.

The NCAA is looking into allegations made by three former members of the Cal State Los Angeles women's cross-country team who accused Coach Greg Ryan of violating NCAA rules, misappropriating funds and mentally abusing them. Maria Lopez, who along with Gracie Padilla and Jeri Young filed complaints with the university in May, said she had been interviewed by an NCAA investigator at her home in Compton.

Boston College suspended 13 football players Wednesday for gambling, including two who allegedly bet against their school last month in a game against Syracuse. Thomas Reilly, the Middlesex County district attorney, said the two players did not influence the outcome of the game, which Syracuse won, 45-17. Although the two players were not identified, Reilly said one did not play in the game and the other played on special teams. "They realize that there are rules.

Suspended New Orleans Saint wide receiver Albert Connell surrendered Friday after arrest warrants were issued accusing him of stealing more than $4,000 from teammate Deuce McAllister. The first warrant alleges $863 was taken from McAllister's locker Dec. 5, and the second alleges $3,500 was taken from the running back's car Dec. 9, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office said. Connell surrendered a few hours after the warrants were issued, Sheriff's Lt. Ed Still said.

There was a punch, no question. A high school football player ran after a referee and struck him. As the player was restrained by a teammate and a coach, the referee fell, his glasses smashed, his left eye bleeding. Everyone at Beverly Hills High watched in disbelief. Millions have seen the punch replayed on television news and magazine shows. What triggered it? Why did Kumasi Simmons, an honor student at Compton Centennial High, punch referee Ken Smotrys, 34, in the Oct. 20 game?

Tip Lefebvre, the only varsity baseball coach in Santa Margarita High history, has been fired. "As of today, Coach Tip Lefebvre will not be returning to [the] Santa Margarita faculty or coaching staff," read a statement released Thursday by the Diocese of Orange. "We regret that we are unable to have him return. It was a difficult decision."

For the second time since his arrival in Los Angeles, Kwame Brown had a police report filed against him, this one involving a birthday cake. The Lakers center was accused of ruining a $190 chocolate cake belonging to a birthday celebrant, Alexander Martinez, who was holding it outside a Hermosa Beach club early Saturday morning. Brown was out with a group of teammates for Ronny Turiaf's birthday, when he exited the club at about 2 a.m.

An appellate court ruling in a long-running lawsuit against Reggie Bush opens the door for Bush and USC Coach Pete Carroll to be questioned about whether the running back received cash and gifts while playing for the Trojans. The decision, released Monday, represents the latest development in a suit brought by would-be sports marketer Lloyd Lake, who claims he gave cash and gifts to Bush and his family beginning around late 2004. The state court upheld an earlier decision blocking an attempt by Bush's attorneys to force the suit into confidential arbitration.

April 2006 Pacific 10 Conference begins investigation after several media outlets report that tailback Reggie Bush's mother, stepfather and brother had been living in a San Diego-area home owned by Michael Michaels, a would-be sports marketer. Bush says the situation was "blown out of proportion." He tells ESPN, "When this is all said and done everyone will see at the end of the day that we've done absolutely nothing wrong." Soon after, the New Orleans Saints make Bush the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft.

The deathless film "The Natural" resurfaced yet again this summer, when naïve commentators from small towns to syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer cited it while lauding Rick Ankiel's magical rebound from failed St. Louis Cardinals pitcher to Herculean St. Louis outfielder. As the latest incarnation of "The Natural," Ankiel qualified as a one-man antidote to a season of cynicism until the New York Daily News reported Sept.