AFTER NEARLY 40 years of calling the shots, Joseph Mattioli decided to retire as owner and CEO of Pocono Raceway.
In an impromptu press conference yesterday that caught his family and associates unaware, Mattioli decided the time was right to turn the day-to-day operations over to his three grandchildren.
Not much will really change. Brandon Igdalsky, his grandson, was already track president as Mattioli scaled back his duties in recent years and has added CEO to his title.
Mattioli, 86, fought back tears as he talked about his decision to step down. He was in a wheelchair and held his wife's hand. Mattioli was a former dentist and known around the sport as "Doc."
Mattioli said, "It's about time that I got the hell out of here."
Pro hockey
Sean Avery is free on $20,000 bail after being arrested early yesterday morning in Hollywood, Calif., for battery on a peace officer, a misdemeanor charge that carries a potential penalty of up to 1 year in jail and/or a $2,000 fine. The Rangers' agitator has a Sept. 2 court appearance in Los Angeles.
Philly File
Temple Hall of Fame coaches John Chaney and Tina Sloan Green were among this year's recipients of the Sam Lacy Pioneer Award presented yesterday by the Sports Task Force of the National Association of Black Journalists. Heavyweight boxing champion Joe Frazier and Philadelphia basketball icon Sonny Hill were also honored.Other honorees include Philadelphia Tribune sports reporter Donald Hunt; pioneering race car driver, the late Wendell Scott; and four members of the Philadelphia Stars Negro League team: Bill "Ready" Cash, Mahlon Duckett, Harold Gould and the late Stanley "Doc" Glenn
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The Villanova women's soccer team will host Penn at PPL Park on Sept. 9. Tickets will be $5.
Soccer
The Union acquired full rights of defender Carlos Valdes from Colombian first-division club Independiente Santa Fe. Previously, Valdes was on loan with the Union. Additionally, the club announced that forward Carlos Ruiz has been officially dealt to second-division Mexican side Veracruz. The surprise transfer, which was revealed last Friday by Union manager Peter Nowak, was imminent pending approval from Major League Soccer. Ruiz led the Union with six goals and an assist in 14 matches played. Per MLS and club policy, terms of either agreements were not disclosed. Ruiz joined the Union on Feb. 22 via a free transfer from top Greek club Aris FC.
Colleges
Two days after several Ohio State freshmen proudly displayed wristbands supporting deposed Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel, the university has taken them away and refunded the players' money.
The woman convicted of trying to extort University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino has asked a federal appeals court to overturn her conviction and seven-year prison sentence. Attorneys for 51-year-old Karen Cunagin Sypher filed a brief with the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, claiming a broad conspiracy involving Pitino, the federal trial judge and Sypher's former attorney to ensure she would be found guilty. U.S. District Judge Charles Simpson of Louisville previously rejected those claims.