Sports briefs

UT concludes investigation into Tyler Smith recruitment The University of Tennessee has concluded its internal investigation into the recruitment of Tyler Smith.In April, the school began investigating alleged violations of NCAA rules during the recruitment of Smith. After a thorough probe by the UT general counsel’s office, the university found insufficient credible evidence of impermissible recruiting inducements.  The investigation did, however, turn up secondary violations because a booster made impermissible recruiting contacts with Smith and contacted him prior to and after his high school contests.  Based on these violations, the university has disassociated the booster from its athletics program for a period of two years.“We’re glad to have a conclusion on this. Anytime we hear of any allegations involving potential NCAA issues, we need to investigate them quickly,” said Mike Hamilton, men’s athletic director.UT submitted a report of their findings to the Southeastern Conference on Oct. 27. The SEC accepted the university’s actions and has forwarded the report to the NCAA. UT-Memphis set for VideoSeat pay-per view Tennessee’s Nov. 12 Homecoming date against Memphis at Neyland Stadium is being televised on a pay-per-view basis across the state by VideoSeat. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. Eastern time. Tennessee leads the overall series against Memphis 18-1, including a 49-28 triumph in the team’s most recent meeting four years ago. The Vols have won three straight against the Tigers since dropping a 21-17 decision in 1996.Fans should contact their local cable system starting Nov. 7 to order the game and receive pricing information. The game also is expected to be made available to Tennessee Dish Network and DirecTV subscribers as well as C-band dish owners. Per SEC rules, ESPN has the option to offer the game to fans outside the state via the ESPN GamePlan package. Riggs undergoes ankle surgery Tennessee tailback Gerald Riggs Jr. underwent right ankle surgery Monday at UT Medical Center to repair torn ligaments suffered during his run late in the Vols’ Oct. 22 game at Alabama.The play ended Riggs’ career and left him 13th on UT’s all-time rushing list with1,881yards. The Chattanooga native scored 10 touchdowns, all on the ground.“Our staff will work with Gerald as he looks to advance his career past the University of Tennessee,” head athletic trainer Keith Clements said.UT team orthopedist Dr. Greg Mathien performed the operation following an examination under anesthesia. Two Lady Vols soccer stars garner Player of Week honors Junior midfielder Ali Christoph was named Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Week, while senior goalkeeper Vanessa Phillips-Bosshart was selected SEC Defensive Player of the Week for their contributions in Tennessee’s SEC title-clinching 1-0 win at Georgia last Friday, the league office announced today. Junior defender Jenny Jeffers also garnered her second straight selection to the TopDrawerSoccer.com Team of the Week. Christoph picks up her second certificate this season and third in her career, while Phillips-Bosshart grabs her first award of the year and third of her stay on Rocky Top. Jeffers becomes the fifth Lady Vol selection this season by TopDrawerSoccer.com on its team of the week. Christoph returned to the starting lineup after missing the Alabama match with pneumonia and played all 90 minutes against Georgia. She tallied the only goal in the match from 12 yards out after freshman forward Jackie Acevedo found her at the penalty kick spot. The match-winner was Christoph’s third of the season, all in conference action, and seventh of her career, moving her into a tie for fifth all-time at UT with former standouts Sue Flamini, Kendyl Michner and Laura Lauter Smith. Phillips-Bosshart tallied her 29th career blanking on Friday against the Bulldogs, tying her with Georgia’s Nicole Williams for second all-time in SEC annals in shutouts. One of only two seniors on the Lady Vols’ roster, Phillips-Bosshart also tied the Tennessee record for goalkeeper wins, notching her 46th to move into a deadlock in the top spot along with her predecessor, Ellen Dean.