Slippery Rock University senior Jessica Markowski, a midfielder on the women's soccer team, was named third-team Academic All-District II College Division by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

An exercise science major, Markowski carries a 3.625 grade point average.

SRU is 13-2-2 this fall and opens PSAC playoff action at 2 p.m. today vs. Indiana (Pa.) at James Egli Field.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Steve Spurrier won't be returning to coach the Florida Gators.Spurrier Thursday removed his name from consideration to replace Ron Zook, who was fired last week after the latest in a series of embarrassing losses. Zook was hired at Florida after the 2001 season, when Spurrier left the Gators to coach the Washington Redskins.Spurrier resigned from the Redskins after last season. Washington went 12-20 in two seasons under Spurrier, losing 10 of the last 12.

ROME - The chief organizer of the 2006 Turin Olympics is quitting in a power struggle with the Italian government, just 15 months before the start of the Winter Games.Valentino Castellani, head of the organizing committee known as TOROC, said Thursday he will submit his resignation at a Nov. 24 board meeting.Castellani said he was undermined by the government's nomination of Mario Pescante, culture ministry undersecretary and former head of the Italian Olympic Committee, as overall supervisor for the Feb. 10-26, 2006 games. Pescante's appointment was confirmed in a meeting in Rome Wednesday.TOROC has come under sharp criticism for a $227 million budget shortfall. The games also have been hindered by a lack of public awareness and enthusiasm in Italy.

PHILADELPHIA - Charlie Manuel was hired by the Philadelphia Phillies Thursday to replace Larry Bowa as manager. The 60-year-old Manuel managed the Cleveland Indians from 2000-02.Manuel spent the last two seasons working as a special assistant to Phillies general manager Ed Wade, and serving as an instructor and a scout at the major and minor league levels. He was the second of the eight candidates interviewed by the Phillies after Bowa was fired with two games remaining in a disappointing season in which the Phillies finished 10 games behind first-place Atlanta in the NL East.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Charlotte Bobcats opened their first season with a 103-96 loss to the Washington Wizards Thursday, failing to become the third consecutive expansion team to win its NBA debut.Replacing the Hornets after they moved to New Orleans in 2002, the Bobcats are expected to struggle this season. Vancouver and Toronto both won their opening games as expansion teams in 1995.