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Joe Nathe, a former Goaldiggers player, dies of heart failure

Joe Nathe, a former Goaldiggers player, dies of heart failure

■ DAYTON, Minn. -- Joe Nathe, who played for the Toledo Goaldiggers from 1975-81, died in Minnesota.

Nathe helped the Goaldiggers win the Turner Cup, the International Hockey League championship, in 1978.

Nathe, 59, died Monday of cardiac amylodosis, a buildup of proteins in the heart tissue.

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Nathe played at Bemidji (Minn.) State University and helped the Beavers win the 1973 NAIA national championship before turning pro in 1974. In 260 games with the Goaldiggers over six seasons, Nathe scored 89 goals and had 96 assists, including a career-best 27 goals during the 1978-79 season

■ The ECHL announced on Friday that the Walleye organization was selected as the 2011-12 recipient of the ECHL Team Award of Excellence.

The award recognizes the ECHL team that executes a well-rounded business plan including sales, marketing, media relations, and merchandising while also distinguishing themselves in the community, on and off the ice.

It is the second time in the three seasons of the franchise's existence that Toledo won the award.

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The team set a new club record with 8,250 fans for its home opener on Oct. 15 against Chicago. Toledo also had a 6 percent increase in sponsorship sales for the 2011-12 season.

Walleye general manager Joe Napoli said the organization excels at community involvement.

"I am honored and humbled to receive this award for the Toledo Walleye," Napoli said. "Our team -- the players and the front office -- work very hard to provide a great experience at a great value. The Toledo Walleye have the best fans who support the team and the community by turning out at the games and by giving generously when we have our auctions and fund-raising events."

NFL

DETROIT -- The Lions have accomplished one more goal this offseason, keeping another cog in the franchise's turnaround.

Detroit and coach Jim Schwartz, who had one year left on his deal, agreed on a contract extension. Details of the new contract were not released.

Schwartz helped Detroit reach the playoffs last season just three years after inheriting a team coming off the NFL's first 0-16 year.

The Lions gave the former Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator his first chance to be a head coach in 2009.

Golf

BETHESDA, Md. -- A punishing golf course. Temperatures that topped 100. Hunter Mahan still managed to make Friday at Congressional feel like a breeze.

Mahan finally had a good score to match the efficient way he has been swinging the club. He made seven birdies in the stifling heat for a 6-under 65, giving him a two-shot lead going into the weekend at the AT&T National.

Chris Couch sought medical attention and struggled to finish in the oppressive conditions.

One caddie had to stop after nine holes, and another vomited to the side of the 13th green from drinking too much water.

■ PITTSBURGH -- Defending champion Fred Couples birdied the final three holes for a 7-under 63 and the second-round lead in the Senior Players Championship.

Couples, the winner last year at Westchester Country Club in Harrison, N.Y., reached 11 under at Fox Chapel on a day when the temperature reached 96 degrees with a heat index of 105.

Joe Daley was a stroke back after a 64.

■ ROGERS, Ark. -- Veronica Felibert shot a career-best 6-under 65 to take the first-round lead in the LPGA Tour's NW Arkansas Championship. China's Shanshan Feng, the LPGA Championship winner this month, was a stroke back.

College football

ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia tailback Isaiah Crowell was dismissed from the team by coach Mark Richt after the sophomore was arrested on felony weapons charges.

Police found a gun in Crowell's vehicle early Friday morning. Georgia announced the dismissal Friday afternoon.

Crowell was arrested at a vehicle checkpoint on the Georgia campus at around 2:20 a.m. Among the charges he faces are carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a weapon on school property.

Crowell consented to a search after officers smelled marijuana in the vehicle. Police found a 9mm Luger pistol under the driver's seat with an altered serial number.

Crowell, 19, came to UGA in 2011 as the top-rated running back prospect in the country out of Carver High School in Columbus, Ga.

Gymnastics

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Bridget Sloan, the 2009 world champion, is out of the running for the London Olympics after spraining her left elbow during warm-ups Friday.

Athletes aren't allowed to petition directly onto the Olympic team, so the injury effectively ends her chances. The team will be named Sunday.

Sloan was working on the uneven bars when she hurt her elbow. The announcement that she was scratching came about 30 minutes later.

First Published June 30, 2012, 5:37 a.m.

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Joe Nathe.
Joe Nathe, who played for the Goaldiggers for six seasons and scored 89 goals, has died at the age of 59.  (The Blade)  Buy Image
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