age points over the past 15 years.B. David Ridpath, an associate professor and sports business and president of The Drake Group, an NCAA watchdog, said

Before the Womens British Open started today at the Woburn Golf & Country Club, several of the players did one of the most quintessentially British things they could think of -- they had a tea party, of course.Calling it -- what else? -- tee time, the event was hosted by local favorite Charley Hull in Woburn, the very town the idea of afternoon tea originated from in the 1840s. And yes, you should totally feel free to share that fun fact with your friends and co-workers today.She was joined by a group which included Michelle Wie, Lydia Ko, Brooke Henderson and Brittany Lang. The ladies sipped tea (in the literal sense) and dined on adorable sweets. And while that sounds perfect in itself, it might have been the decor that really sold this gathering. Please cast your eyes below to see a giant tea pot and cup. And it looked like Henderson and Ko really enjoyed themselves.If that doesnt prepare these golfers for a major, I really dont know what will. Now if youll excuse me, Im off to find a spot of tea and a scone.See something entertaining on social media that you think deserves to be shared? Let me know on Twitter, @darcymaine_espn.Bill Madlock Cubs Jersey . Irving scored 23 points, Tristan Thompson had 20 points and 10 rebounds and the Cavaliers beat the Denver Nuggets 117-109 on Friday night. Andre Dawson Jersey . JOHNS, N. https://www.cheapcubs.com/2020t-jason-heyward-jersey-cubs.html . John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo were also being counted on to slow down sizzling Rangers forward Rick Nash. That plan didnt go so well early. Craig Kimbrel Cubs Jersey . -- Ty Montgomery had 290 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, and fifth-ranked Stanford held on to beat No. Justin Steele Cubs Jersey .com) - The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks both take aim at their first wins of the season on Saturday, as the Canucks open their home slate at Rogers Arena.OLYMPICSDOHA, Qatar -- Los Angeles sought to allay concerns over Donald Trumps election, Paris played up its glamorous venues and Budapest set itself apart as a mid-sized alternative as the three cities made their first public pitches in the race to host the 2024 Olympics.With 10 months before the vote, the three candidates had a chance to deliver their message in 20-minute presentations to the general assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees, a gathering of more than 1,000 delegates from around the world.The meeting occurred exactly after a week after Trumps victory over Hillary Clinton in the American presidential election, a result that could have an impact on Los Angeles hopes of bringing the Summer Olympics back to the U.S. for the first time since Atlanta hosted in 1996.Trumps comments during the divisive campaign about Muslims and Mexicans and some of his foreign policy views may not help the California citys chances with some of the IOCs 98 members, who represent a range of nationalities, cultures and religions.PRO FOOTBALLFRISCO, Texas -- Tony Romo said Dak Prescott has earned the right to take his job as starting quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys.In a five-minute prepared statement, a solemn Romo described the difficulty of dealing with the news of the latest back injury to sideline him, and the 36-year-old reflected on his early days as an unheralded free agent trying to earn a job.Romo quickly left the brief news conference after saying he wouldnt take questions following his statement.With Prescott leading the way, the Cowboys (8-1) have the best record in the NFL after tying a franchise season record with eight straight wins. Romo broke a bone in his back in a preseason game.Romo is expected to be Prescotts backup Sunday at home against Baltimore (5-4). It would be the first time Romo is active for a game since Thanksgiving last year.SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Colin Kaepernick is standing behind his decision not to vote in the presidential election or even register to take part in the democratic process, saying he can effect change in other ways besides through a ballot.The San Francisco 49ers quarterback has knelt through the national anthem all season to protest police brutality and the treatment of minorities, drawing criticism and acclaim alike. He took more heat for not voting last week.I thought a lot of different things about the process and what I could and couldnt do, he said. Once again, the system of oppression is what I have an issue with. ... I dont agree with the system of oppression and thats something that I will continue to not agree with.COLLEGE FOOTBALLOhio State moved into second in the College Football Playoff rankings behind Alabama, with Michigan and Clemson still in the top four after losing for the first time this season.Louisville was fifth and Washington dropped from fourth to sixth after its first loss.The margin of separation between teams two and six was very small, selection committee chairman Kirby Hocutt, who is also the athletic director at Texas Tech, said.Clemson, Michigan and Washington -- the Nos. 2, 3 and 4 teams in last wweeks rankings -- all lost to unranked teams on Saturday.ddddddddddddThe Wolverines, who have three victories against teams in the selection committees top 10, did not move after losing to Iowa. The Tigers ended up dropping two spots to No. 4 after losing to Pittsburgh.Wisconsin was seventh and Penn State eighth, giving the Big Ten four teams in the top 10. Oklahoma was the highest rated Big 12 team at nine and Colorado was 10thBASEBALLNEW YORK -- Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers has won the National League Manager of the Year award and Terry Francona of the Cleveland Indians has earned the AL honor.Roberts won in his first year as a manager. A former backup outfielder, his highlight as a player was a key stolen base in the 2004 playoffs for a Boston team guided by Francona.Members of the Baseball Writers Association of America voted at the end of the regular season.Roberts beat out Joe Maddon, who led the Chicago Cubs to the World Series championship, and Washingtons Dusty Baker.Roberts led Los Angeles to the NL West title despite the Dodgers putting 28 different players on the disabled list, more than any team in the last 30 years.Francona guided a club beset by injuries and drug suspensions to a surprising first-place finish. The Indians had a 3-1 lead in the World Series before the Cubs rallied.Texas Jeff Banister was second and Baltimores Buck Showalter was third.COLLEGE BASKETBALLSOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The NCAA says 77 percent of black mens Division I basketball players who entered college in 2009 earned a degree within six years, up five points from a year earlier and a record high.The NCAA said improvement helped the Graduation Success Rates of all student-athletes match last years record high of 86 percent graduating within six years. Of all black Division I athletes, 74 percent graduated within six years. NCAA President Mark Emmert called the improved rates hugely significant.The statistics show graduation rate for black basketball players is up 31 percentage points over the past 15 years.B. David Ridpath, an associate professor and sports business and president of The Drake Group, an NCAA watchdog, said the GSR provides only a partial picture.PRO BASKETBALLINDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- LeBron James said he lost respect for Phil Jackson after the famed NBA coach used the word posse to describe the Cleveland stars business partners.James responded harshly to Jacksons use of the term in a recent interview. James says such comments underscore the difficulties young African-Americans have in gaining respect, especially in the business world.The Cavaliers superstar says he had no previous relationship with Jackson, the current New York Knicks president who won 11 titles with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers. James adds that he respected what Jackson did with those teams, but Ive got nothing for him.The three-time champion was criticized for surrounding himself with friends as business associates, but the group has built a highly successful enterprise. ' ' '