Briefly Vick set to attend hearing today

Michael Vick is scheduled to attend a bankruptcy hearing today in Norfolk, Va., federal court. It will be the suspended Falcons quarterback’s first public appearance since he was released from federal prison May 20.

Attorneys for Vick —- who is serving two months of home confinement to complete his sentence on dogfighting conspiracy charges —- will try to convince Judge Frank J. Santoro to approve the quarterback’s plan to emerge from bankruptcy. Santoro rejected a previous plan in April.

LARRY HARTSTEIN

AUTO RACING

Benson loses ride

Johnny Benson lost his NASCAR ride when Red Horse Racing folded his team because it couldn’t find sponsorship for the defending Truck Series champion.

Red Horse will continue to field the No. 11 truck for T.J. Bell, who has some funding but is not fully sponsored.

It’s the second time in seven months that Benson has been hurt by the sagging economy. He won the Truck title last year driving for Bill Davis Racing, but informed Davis before the season finale that he was moving to Red Horse because of the financial instability at BDR. … Richard Petty Motorsports laid off nine employees and reduced salaries throughout the organization, a byproduct of Chrysler’s bankruptcy filing.

COLLEGES

LSU’s star returns

LSU forward Tasmin Mitchell withdrew from the NBA draft and will return to the Tigers as a fifth-year senior next season.

Mitchell averaged 16.3 points and 7.2 rebounds last season. …

Mississippi State athletics director Greg Byrne is scheduled to have a cancerous mole removed Wednesday. The 37-year-old was diagnosed with melanoma a few weeks ago. … Furman has hired former defensive back Rocco Adrian as its cornerbacks coach. Head coach Bobby Lamb announced the move Monday. Adrian was a volunteer assistant coach last season. He will take over for Tom Evangelista. Adrian played safety for the Paladins 1995-1998.

3 rules to change

An NCAA committee approved rules changes intended to clarify block-charge calls, who can shoot free throws after an injury and the expanded use of replay.

Secondary defenders must establish position outside the area between the backboard and the front of the rim to draw a charge call.

When a fouled player is injured, the opposing coach must select from the four players remaining on the court.

And the committee approved expanding replay to determine flagrant fouls, which would result in ejection.

The rules changes will go into effect this fall.

TENNIS

Nadal checks knees

Rafael Nadal is having his knees checked by doctors and expects to announce his status for Wimbledon by Wednesday.

A posting on Nadal’s Web site said the reigning Wimbledon champion is in Barcelona for medical tests. He withdrew from this week’s Wimbledon tuneup at Queen’s Club in London.