Central Florida Receiver Dies After Workout

A Central Florida wide receiver died yesterday after voluntary strength and conditioning drills, the day before spring practice was set to begin.

Police said there was no foul play or obvious cause for redshirt freshman Ereck Plancher's late-morning collapse in Orlando. UCF Athletic Director Keith Tribble said the players had been lifting weights, then ran for about 10 minutes.

After the workout, the team huddled for a quick chat. As everyone was leaving, Plancher, 19, took a knee in obvious distress, Tribble said. UCF trainers on site immediately provided CPR and the redshirt freshman was taken by ambulance to the hospital. He was pronounced dead just before noon. An autopsy will be performed to determine an exact cause of death.

Plancher, 5 feet 10 and 184 pounds, was a two-time letterman at Lely High School in Naples, Fla. He majored in business and was a high school National Honor Society member. . . .

Missouri linebacker Marquis Booker was dismissed from the team after the 20-year-old sophomore was arrested on a possible weapons violation last weekend.

¿ PRO FOOTBALL: Cornerback DeAngelo Hall told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he plans to fly to Oakland and sign a contract with the Raiders by tomorrow morning. That would complete a proposed trade of Hall from the Atlanta Falcons to the Raiders, reportedly for second- and sixth-round draft picks. . . .

Troy Vincent's term as president of the NFL Players Association has expired, the union announced on its Web site. It's not clear whether the former NFL defensive back will remain with the union in another capacity. . . .

Free agent defensive end Marques Douglas signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In nine seasons with the Ravens, New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers, he has appeared in 88 games and has 19 career sacks. Douglas, a former Howard University player, spent the past three seasons with the 49ers. . . .

Safety Bryan Scott re-signed with the Buffalo Bills after filling in for injured regulars in the secondary last season. A five-year veteran, Scott appeared in 15 games and started the final two for Buffalo last season, finishing with 20 tackles and one forced fumble. . . .

Restricted free agent offensive linemen Chris Kemoeatu and Trai Essex accepted one-year tender offers and will stay with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

¿ COLLEGE BASKETBALL: The American women's team has been invited to the Women's National Invitation Tournament. The Eagles (18-13), who are making their first postseason appearance since 1998, will play a first-round game tonight at Villanova at 7 p.m. James Madison and Virginia Commonwealth are also in the WNIT. The Dukes host Radford tomorrow and the Rams are at Charlotte on Saturday. . . .

Clemson men's coach Oliver Purnell has agreed to a two-year contract extension through 2014.

¿ HOCKEY: Defenseman Teppo Numminen rejoined the Buffalo Sabres for an evaluation to determine whether he can resume playing six months after heart surgery.

¿ RUNNING: Ryan Shay died of an irregular heartbeat due to an enlarged heart after collapsing during the U.S. marathon Olympic trials, the New York City medical examiner said.

¿ ACTION SPORTS: The Action Sports Tour will hold its first skateboard and BMX competition in China from April 18 to 20 in Beijing.

-- From News Services