Irish's Rees arrested

NOTRE DAME quarterback Tommy Rees was pepper-sprayed and arrested early Thursday after he allegedly ran from away from an off-campus party and knocked the wind out of a police officer who caught up to him.

A probable cause affidavit says the 6-2, 210-pound Rees continued to resist even after being knocked down by police officer Brandon Stec, so Stec used pepper spray and was finally able to subdue him with the help of other officers.

Police Capt. Phil Trent said linebacker Carlo Calabrese tried to talk to police, and twice told officers: "My people will get you."

The 19-year-old Rees was charged with one count of battery, two counts of resisting law enforcement and one count of illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor. Police had filed a preliminary charge of felony battery on a police officer, which would have required him to stay in jail until being arraigned before a judge.

In other college news:

* Two people familiar with the situation said Charlotte is leaving the Atlantic 10 and rejoining Conference USA for the 2013-14 season. The university has scheduled a Friday news conference.

* Stanford athletic director Bob Bowlsby told his staff that he is leaving after 6 years to become the Big 12 Conference commissioner, according to a person with knowledge of the discussion.

The University of the Sciences was one of 24 NCAA Division II schools recognized as recipients of the first Division II Presidents' Award for Academic Excellence honoring athletics programs with 4-year academic success rates of 90 percent or more.

Former lightweight champion Andrew "Andy" Ganigan died at home in Las Vegas early Wednesday of end-stage liver cancer. He was 59. The 5-6 Ganigan was dubbed the "Hawaiian Punch." He won NABF and WAA titles, and had a 34-5 record with 30 knockouts from 1972 to 1983.