Alex Mack, Cal's senior center, has been named a Playboy Preseason All-American.

Also, he has been selected to watch lists for three national awards -- Rimington Trophy (top center in the nation), Lombardi Award (top offensive or defensive lineman) and Outland Trophy (best interior lineman).

Last season, Mack was a first-team All-American according to The Sporting News. He also earned the Morris Trophy as the top offensive lineman in the Pac-10 as voted on by the league's defensive linemen.

Stanford: Senior Alex Fletcher is one of 42 of the top centers to be included on the Rimington Trophy watch list. He's also included on the Outland watch list. Fletcher, who'll move from guard to center for 2008 season, has started 31 games at Stanford.

Georgia Tech: Former Yellow Jackets quarterback Joe Hamilton resigned from his position at the school, a day after he was charged with marijuana possession, driving under the influence of alcohol and hit-and-run. The charges came a week after the 31-year-old was hired as assistant director of player personnel. "Today, I sadly accepted Joe's resignation," coach Paul Johnson said. Hamilton led the Yellow Jackets to the 1998 ACC title and was second in the 1999 Heisman Trophy balloting.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

UCLA: Freshman swingman Chace Stanback is transferring. Stanback, who played at Fairfax High School-Los Angeles, appeared in 25 games last season, averaging 1 point and 0.7 rebounds.

Arizona State: Sophomore guard


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Christian Polk has transferred to UTEP. He played in 22 games last season for the Sun Devils, averaging 3.5 points.

Georgetown: Sophomore guard Jeremiah Rivers will transfer. The son of Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers played in all 34 games last season, averaging 2.5 points and 2.4 rebounds.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

South Carolina: Dawn Staley, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, will leave Temple to become the Gamecocks' new coach. She'll replace Susan Walvius, who resigned after 11 seasons. Staley, 38, became Temple's winningest coach (172-80) the past eight seasons. She's also been on the USA Basketball staff since 2006 and will serve through this summer's Beijing Olympics.

BASEBALL

St. Mary's 6, USF 5: The Gaels (23-23-1) jumped out to an early 4-0 lead, then held off the Dons (29-21) in a nonconference game at Benedetti Diamond. Matt Lieb homered and USF had the winning run on first base in the bottom of the ninth but couldn't come all the way back. Anthony Aliotti (2-2) earned the win for St. Mary's, allowing two earned runs and two hits in 5ยช innings.

WOMEN'S GOLF

Cal: The 22nd-ranked Bears will compete in the NCAA West Regional, which begins today at the Lincoln Hills Golf Club in Lincoln. Cal is making its ninth straight appearance in a regional. Also in the 72-hole event are Stanford and San Jose State.

RUGBY

Cal: After Saturday's national title win over BYU, the Bears' fifth title in a row and 24th overall, nine of their players were tabbed as All-Americans by American Rugby News -- Chris Biller, Eric Fry, Gary Golding, Colin Hawley, Dustin Muhn, Rikus Pretorius, Louis Stanfill, Ryan Taylor and Joe Welch.

MISCELLANEOUS

Florida International: The school was placed on four years' probation by the NCAA and will lose scholarships for a variety of infractions. More than 40 athletes who competed from the 2002-03 through the 2006-07 academic years violated rules, the NCAA ruled. The school misapplied enrollment and financial aid rules, transfer requirements and eligibility rules. The men's basketball program lost one scholarship and the football program was stripped of three. In all, 11 sports lost scholarships.