SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock University sophomore Shardea Croes is a finalist for the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award.

The award is presented by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education magazine and honors undergraduate students of color who exemplify the standards set by late tennis great Arthur Ashe Jr.

Croes is a two-year starter in right field for The Rock's softball team. To be eligible for the award, students must maintain a grade-point average of at least 3.2 and be active on campus or in the community.

The male and female winners of the award will be announced in the May 28 issue of the magazine.

CALIFORNIA, Pa. — Slippery Rock High School and Slippery Rock University graduate Heather Kearney resigned as head women's basketball coach at California (Pa.) University.Kearney has accepted the position of associate head coach at Division I Appalachian State University in Boone, Ky., reuniting with former SRU women's basketball coach Darcie Vincent.Kearney had been associate head coach on Vincent's staff at California before the latter accepted the head coaching job at Appalachian State a year ago. Vincent also was Kearney's coach at SRU.The Vulcans were 29-5 under Kearney last season, winning the Division II Atlantic Regional Tournament after making a ninth consecutive appearance in the PSAC championship game.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Brett Favre says he's retired, but Minnesota coach Brad Childress acknowledges it's likely the Vikings will at least assess their interest in the record-setting quarterback later in the offseason.Childress declined to directly answer a question Friday about whether he plans to speak to Favre soon. The coach said he has been too busy with the NFL draft and the team's rookie minicamp.

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Matthew Stafford looked spectacular at times Friday, fitting spirals in tight places and delivering pinpoint passes.It was easy to see why the Detroit Lions took him No. 1 in the NFL draft. The strong-armed quarterback did, though, look like a rookie once in a while trying to impress his bosses. He sailed some passes over receiver's heads and could've been picked off more than once.