The Enquirer and wire reports

Miami and Virginia Tech officially become members of the Atlantic Coast Conference today, finalizing a move that has altered the landscape of college sports over the last year.

"It'll be good to officially have the two schools on board," ACC commissioner John Swofford said this week. "But I don't think July 1 is going to be very different for us. It feels like they're already here."

The rippling consequences of the switch have been felt in conferences across the country. Over the next two seasons, about 20 percent of the 117 Division I-A football schools will be changing leagues; the domino effects of ACC expansion will be felt as far west as New Mexico, where New Mexico State is shifting from the Sun Belt Conference to the Western Athletic Conference.

The ACC began reviewing proposals Wednesday from seven cities to host the league's first football championship game in 2005.

Cycling

ARMSTRONG: An appeals court will rule Friday on Lance Armstrong's attempt to force a publisher to insert the cyclist's denial of doping allegations into copies of a new book about him.

Armstrong filed an appeal last week after a lower court rejected his bid to force publisher La Martiniere to insert a notice into "L.A. Confidential, the Secrets of Lance Armstrong," with his rebuttal.

The appeals court deliberated the issue Wednesday and announced plans for its verdict Friday - a day before the start of this year's Tour, where Armstrong is going for a record sixth consecutive victory.

Hockey

FLYERS: Eric Lindros joined the free agent market Wednesday when the New York Rangers declined to pick up the $10.25 million option in the oft-injured center's contract.

MAPLE LEAFS: The Toronto Maple Leafs re-signed goalie Ed Belfour, forwards Joe Nieuwendyk, Gary Roberts and defenseman Aki Berg.

Olympics

U.S. SOCCER: Forward Shannon MacMillan and goalkeeper Siri Mullinix were cut Wednesday as the U.S. women's soccer team reduced its roster to 20 in preparation for the Olympics.

MacMillan and Mullinix were both part of the American team that finished third last year at the Women's World Cup. Mullinix replaced Briana Scurry as the U.S. starter after the 2000 Olympics but lost her job back to Scurry in 2003.

MacMillan tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee in May 2003 and returned in time for the tournament in September. Her spot in the starting lineup is likely to be taken by 19-year-old Heather O'Reilly.

The decision to cut Mullinix leaves Scurry and Kristin Luckenbill as the remaining goalkeepers.

Coach April Heinrichs planned to make her final cuts today to reach the 18-woman limit.

Mia Hamm, who has 149 career international goals, headlines the roster for the Americans, who play Canada in an exhibition game Saturday at Nashville, Tenn.

The roster:

Goalkeepers: Kristin Luckenbill, Briana Scurry

Defenders: Brandi Chastain, Joy Fawcett, Kate Markgraf, Heather Mitts, Christie Rampone, Cat Reddick

Midfielders: Shannon Boxx, Lorrie Fair, Julie Foudy, Angela Hucles, Kristine Lilly, Tiffany Roberts, Lindsay Tarpley, Aly Wagner

Forwards: Mia Hamm, Heather O'Reilly, Cindy Parlow, Abby Wambach.

College basketball

NORTHERN ILLINOIS: Former Illinois guard Sean Harrington is returning to the state to join the coaching staff at Northern Illinois University.