and two days of deliberation.This verdict reaffirms the principle, embodied in laws like Title IX and the Whis

WASHINGTON -- Maurice Josephs first head coaching job comes with an interim tag and after an awkward summer for George Washingtons basketball program.The 31-year-old understands his best attributes and is leaning on them as the Colonials Nov. 11 season opener against Maryland-Eastern Shore approaches.In the grand scheme of things, the major focus has been to bring energy and enthusiasm on a daily basis, which we always have done, and to focus on getting better on a daily basis, which we always have done, Joseph said Tuesday at the teams media day.Former coach Mike Lonergan, who led George Washington to its first NIT title in March and went 97-70 in five seasons, was fired Sept. 17 after the university investigated him and concluded he had engaged in conduct inconsistent with the universitys values.Joseph was named interim coach 10 days later.Joseph, who played at Michigan State as well as under Lonergan at Vermont, spent the last five years on the Colonials staff. That continuity has helped George Washington make the unusually timed transition, as has Josephs own positivity.Thats his biggest strength, forward Tyler Cavanaugh said. Hes young. He has positive energy and hes just had a rhythm and an upbeat sense to him throughout our practices. If you come in, youll see him running through drills with us. The way hes been able to work with the other assistants has been phenomenal. Everyones still engaged.Thats important after a wild summer. A Washington Post report in July included accusations of player mistreatment by Lonergan, though he remained as head coach during an August tour of Japan. Then came his ouster less than two months before the start of the season.A swirl is definitely a good way to put it, Cavanaugh said. It was crazy. There was just a lot up in the air and going from one thing to the next. But I think playing games and preparing really helps. The Japan trip, we got to focus on those practices and build toward the season. The four games there was a step. When we came back, it was out of our control, so we just had to move forward.Thats the attitude Joseph is taking with the Colonials, who were picked to finish eighth in the 14-team Atlantic 10s preseason poll.Theres really no time to dwell on emotions or what happened in the past, Joseph said. Like Tyler said, some of these teams in our league that were picked ahead of us or below us dont really care about the coaching change. When the ball goes up, theyre going to try to beat us. Nike Shox Sale . The Oilers come in having lost five in a row (0-4-1) and 16 of their last 20 games, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. Nike Shox Clearance Sale . Wilson hit Schenn from behind during Tuesday nights game in Philadelphia, earning a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct. He has a phone hearing with the department of player safety, which limits any potential suspension to five or fewer games. http://www.shoxoutletshoesstore.com/ . -- Brandon Jennings made the most of his first game with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. Nike Shox Nz . The injury bothered Bledsoe in the Suns victory over the Clippers on Monday and he sat out the teams home loss to Memphis on Thursday night. Nike Shox Clearance . Argentina winger Ezequiel Lavezzi and France midfielder Blaise Matuidi scored, with star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic setting up both despite having a poor game by his high standards. Forward Eduardo gave Ajaccio the lead in the sixth minute after being set up by right winger Benjamin Andre, and the Corsican side looked comfortable in the first half, with the lively Johan Cavalli causing problems with his probing runs from midfield. Former San Diego State coach Beth Burns has been awarded a $3.36 million judgment in her wrongful termination, whistleblower?lawsuit against the school.Burns sued in San Diego Superior Court in early 2014, alleging her 2013 firing was in retaliation after she complained about potential Title IX violations.This verdict brings a measure of justice to Coach Burns after a years-long struggle to vindicate her rights, attorney Allison Goddard said in a news release. It is also hard to miss the signal a verdict like this sends to schools and coaches across the country.A five-woman, seven-man jury delivered the verdict Wednesday after a month of testimony and two days of deliberation.This verdict reaffirms the principle, embodied in laws like Title IX and the Whistleblower Protection Act, that coaches who stand up for feemale athletes should not have to fear retaliation by their employers, Goddard said.dddddddddddd This protection is the cornerstone of Title IX, and cases like this prove how important that is.Burns, 57, had alleged breach of contract, saying she retired in April when told she would otherwise be fired.The lawsuit claimed the school told her she allegedly struck a subordinate. Burns says she never intentionally hit anyone and that the claim was an excuse to retaliate against her for demands that womens basketball get fair treatment.Burns is the winningest coach in Aztecs womens basketball history, going 295-186 in 16 seasons.Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. ' ' '