BCS PICKS NEW COLLEGE FOOTBALL POLL.

The Bowl Championship Series has a new poll, one that begins a month into the college football season and will include former coaches and players, plus media members. Called the Harris Interactive College Football Poll, it will rank the top 25 teams on a weekly basis, starting Sept. 25. Plans call for 114 voters.The BCS has said it would like to see the elimination of preseason polls. The season's first BCS standings will be released Oct. 17. - College Football -
The new poll replaces The Associated Press poll, which the BCS had used in its formula for ranking teams since 1998. In addition to the new poll, the BCS will continue to use the USA Today coaches' poll and a compilation of six computer rankings. The coaches will continue with a preseason ballot.JETS SIGN SAFETY MADDOX. The Jets signed fifth-round pick Andre Maddox, a 6-1, 200-pound safety out of North Carolina State. Maddox finished his career with 341 tackles, eight sacks, and one fumble recovery in 47 games played. He is the third Jets draft choice to sign a contract, joining running back Cedric Houston (sixth round) and defensive tackle Sione Pouha (third round). - College Football -
The Jets report to training camp July28.FIRST-ROUND NBA PICKS SIGN. The Minnesota Timberwolves signed first-round draft pick Rashad McCants, a 6-4, shooting guard who was the 14th overall selection. McCants averaged 17.6 points during his Tar Heels' career . . . Utah signed draft picks Deron Williams, a 6-3 point selected No. 3, and C.J. Miles, a 6-6 shooting guard from Skyline High School in Dallas . . . The Seattle SuperSonics signed Johan Petro. The 7-foot French center was selected No. 25.FORMER ST. JOHN'S STARS HONORED. Bill Wennington, a native of Montreal and a senior on 1985 Final Four basketball teamwas inducted into the Canadian Hall of Fame earlier this year. - College Football -
Former St. Jonn's pitcher and former Met Frank Violawho hails from Hempstead, was inducted into the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame.CYCLONES SWEEP HUDSON VALLEY. The Brooklyn Cyclones (13-7) took the finale of a three-game series from Hudson Valley, 9-8, to sweep the Renegades. The Clones banged out 11 hits and Rafael Arroyo, Ivan Naccarata, Joe Holden and Caleb Stewart each had two RBIs. - College Football -

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