ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Wednesday, February 19, 1997           TAG: 9702190105
SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: B-3  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: From Associated Press and N.Y. Times News Service reports

IN SPORTS

* The Chicago Bears traded the 10th overall pick in this year's NFL draft to the Seattle Seahawks for quarterback Rick Mirer, who signed a three-year contract with the team. Mirer is expected to start for the Bears, who reportedly had been contemplating drafting Virginia Tech quarterback Jim Druckenmiller.

nHoward Griffith, one of the NFL's better blocking fullbacks this past season, has signed with Denver. Griffith, who will be paid $4.4 million over four years, is credited with helping Carolina's Anthony Johnson rush for 1,120 yards. Johnson, who also can play fullback, re-signed with the Panthers, and the expected return of Tshimanga Biakabutuka made Griffith a luxury.

* West Virginia University will replace the artificial turf at Mountaineer Field with one that should reduce injuries, school officials said. Coach Don Nehlen suggested the replacement of the turf used for nine seasons should reduce injuries. Mountaineer Field will be the first college stadium to get AstroTurf 12.

Last season, 1,000-yard rusher Amos Zereoue was sidelined with ``turf toe,'' an injury attributed to the old artificial surface.

ETC.

* The U.S. Tennis Association will name its new 23,000-seat U.S. Open stadium after late tennis great and Richmond native Arthur Ashe. USTA officials expect the new $234 million tennis stadium in New York's Flushing Meadows-Corona Park to be completed in time for the U.S. Open in August.

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