Internationally
Strobl wins downhill
VAL D'ISERE, France - Josef Strobl of Austria made an impressive World Cup downhill debut Friday, streaking out of a late starting position to win the opening men's downhill of the season.
Strobl had raced in two giant slaloms last year with a best of 19th, but this was the 20-year-old's first appearance in a World Cup downhill.
The top American was AJ Kitt, 12th in 1:58.44. Tommy Moe, the 1994 Olympic downhill champion, finished 33rd in 1:59.24.
Nationally
Prop. 16 supported
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The leaders of the Knight Commission on Friday sent a letter to university presidents asking them to help reject attempts to relax higher academic standards for student-athletes.
The presidents were asked for their "direct, personal support" at next month's NCAA convention at San Diego, where Proposition 16, a rule adopted by the NCAA in 1992 and scheduled to take effect in 1995, will be challenged by some groups with revisions, postponement and even cancellation.
UCLA, Stanford seek title
AUSTIN, Texas - UCLA and Stanford, two of the most dominant teams and most heated rivals in women's college volleyball, meet Saturday night for the NCAA championship.
Stanford (31-1) is seeking its second NCAA title in three years. UCLA (32-3) is aiming for its third crown in five years.
Montana set to start
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Joe Montana confirmed Friday that he will start in the Kansas City Chiefs' final home game of the season.
"Not at this moment, no," Montana said when asked if there was any doubt he would start against the Houston Oilers Sunday. "Everything feels fine."
NHL still talking
NEW YORK - As the NHL lockout went through its 77th day, lower-level negotiators stayed in touch as a prelude to a return to the bargaining table.
Steve McAllister, spokesman for the NHL Players Association, confirmed that legal representatives for the players and owners would be meeting "sometime over the weekend" to continue recent discussions.
Rose Bowl questions
NEW YORK - Rose Bowl and Pac-10 officials said Friday they would oppose any effort to change their current contract with the Big Ten.
Some Big Ten officials, concerned that undefeated Penn State could be shut out of the national championship, have reportedly discussed the possibility of changing the Rose Bowl contract to allow the league champion to go to another bowl.
But Rose Bowl and Pac-10 leaders say they would fight any move to join the new Orange-Sugar-Fiesta bowl alliance or give the Big Ten champion the option to bypass the Rose and play for the national championship in another bowl.
ISU AD resigns
POCATELLO, Idaho - Randy Hoffman resigned Friday after 41/2 years as Idaho State University athletic director, saying he wants to get into private business.
Trevino earns honor
PONTE VEDRA, Fla. - Lee Trevino, who won six tournaments in a year curtailed by neck surgery in October, was voted Senior PGA Tour Player of the Year for the third time. Trevino, 55, also won in 1990 and 1992.
Locally
2 golfers play for charity
Mike Gale and Raymond Peterson of Salt Lake are playing in the Lexus Champions for Charity National Championship golf tournament in La Quinta, Calif., this weekend. They are competing against 340 top amateur golfers from across the country for a $60,000 charity purse with winnings benefitting the National Society to Prevent Blindness.
U. women face K-State
Off to a fine 5-1 start, the University of Utah women's basketball team faces a tough test this afternoon when it plays Kansas State at the Huntsman Center.
Tipoff is set for 3 p.m.
The Lady Utes are coming off a 67-38 win over Eastern Washington Thursday night. JC transfer center Amber McEwen led the win with 17 points and 8 rebounds. Freshman Julie Kromenhoek leads the Utes with a 16.5-point average.
The 5-2 Lady Wildcats are led by Shanelle Stires, who scores 18.5 points per game.