Ex-Wazzu skipper is new soccer coach

Eyeing a chance for the program's first winning record and tournament appearance, the athletics department hired former Washington State Coach Dan Tobias to head the University of Arizona soccer team.

Last week, Tobias, (who had a 0.495 winning percentage in Pullman) became the third coach of Arizona's youngest sport, which has yet to earn a winning record or a spot in the NCAA tournament. Under the Wildcats' last coach, Cathy Klein, the team improved its record each year, but it never won more than two Pac-10 matches in a single season. Klein resigned from the post last month. [Read article]

Former Arizona basketball star Luke Walton was picked by the Los Angeles Lakers at no. 32 overall, early in the second round of the NBA draft last week.

"It is a great fit for him and a great fit for the Lakers, and the way they run their offense," said UA assistant coach Josh Pastner. "He is a perfect fit for them. He's a great passer that makes others around him better."

After getting snubbed by the draft, Walton's former UA teammates Rick Anderson and Jason Gardner hope to catch on as free agents with other teams. Anderson is slated to play this summer for the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers summer squads, while Gardner remains undecided on where he will attempt to try out. [Read article]