HARTFORD, Conn. Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun said he plans to return for a 24th season at the school. Calhoun's Huskies finished the season 31-5, losing in the national semifinals to Michigan State.

Several off-the-court issues had prompted questions about Calhoun's future, including an investigation into UConn's recruitment of former player Nate Miles. Calhoun has acknowledged that he or his staff may have made mistakes in recruiting Miles.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. A Virginia judge has acquitted former Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonathan Dekker on an obstruction of justice charge.The charge stemmed from an incident in Alexandria's Old Town a week before the Super Bowl, when the football player fled from police and then gave officers a false name.A judge ruled Wednesday that Dekker's actions did not warrant the obstruction of justice charge. Dekker was facing up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.Dekker ran from police Jan. 24 after an officer told the football player he was going to arrest him for being drunk in public.Dekker has said he fled because he didn't want to distract his team by getting arrested just days before the Super Bowl.

BOSTON The Boston Red Sox are in discussions with the NHL to hold the next Winter Classic at Fenway Park.A baseball official, speaking Thursday on the condition of anonymity because no deal had been reached, confirmed that Fenway is a site being considered for the next New Year's Day game.Red Sox spokeswoman Pam Ganley referred questions to the NHL.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. A top aide to Gov. Martin O'Malley said Maryland faces the permanent loss of the Preakness Stakes and must do all it can to protect the asset in the current owner's bankruptcy proceedings.Joseph Bryce, O'Malley's chief legislative officer, testified Thursday on legislation that would increase the state's authority to either buy or exercise eminent domain over Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, where the Triple Crown horse race has been held for more than 100 years.Maryland has the right of first refusal to buy the race, but Magna Entertainment Corp. and the federal bankruptcy court in Wilmington, Del., have not acknowledged that right.