LHS promotes Stidham to head track coach

Lawrence High didn’t have to go far to find a new head track and field coach.

LHS athletic director Ron Commons said Thursday night that Scott Stidham had been promoted to head coach on the Lions’ track squad. Stidham, a longtime aide, takes over the program from departing coach Jerry Skakal.

“His experience, his familiarity with the existing program, his past as being an LHS alum and former athlete — it just made it an easy fit,” Commons said.

Honors

Yao popular around world

Shanghai, China — Yao Ming is a popular guy.

The Houston Rockets center was chosen as a global ambassador for the Special Olympics on Thursday, the same day he topped a Chinese survey of favorite athletes.

Yao, who also participated in the Beijing leg of the 2004 Athens Olympic torch relay Wednesday (photo above), will join California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, singer Bono and others who will be representatives of the games for people with disabilities.

“Yao’s especially strong standing in his homeland, China, makes him extremely well-suited to increase the profile of the Special Olympics movement,” the organization said in a news release.

Yao’s hometown of Shanghai is to play host to the Special Olympics World Games in 2007.

Soccer

England livid about photos

Lisbon, Portugal — England soccer officials are angry at photos splashed across British tabloid newspapers of star captain David Beckham in his underpants.

The Sun and the Daily Star printed the photos on their front pages Thursday.

The English Football Assn. told British newspaper editors and reporters that it considered the pictures “an unjustifiable intrusion into his private life.”

England opens play in the European championship Sunday.

Beckham is pictured wearing only underpants and sunglasses.