The NCAA has pulled seven championship events from North Carolina, including opening-weekend mens basketball tournament games, for the coming year due to a state law that some say can lead to discrimination against LGBT people.In a news release Monday, the NCAA says the decision by its board of governors came because of the cumulative actions taken by the state concerning civil rights protections.This decision is consistent with the NCAAs long-standing core values of inclusion, student-athlete well-being and creating a culture of fairness, said Georgia Tech President G.P. Bud Peterson, the chair of the board of governors.The law -- known as HB2 -- requires transgender people to use restrooms at schools and government buildings corresponding to the sex on their birth certificates. It also excludes gender identity and sexual orientation from local and statewide antidiscrimination protections.HB2 was signed into law by Republican Gov. Pat McCrory earlier this year. A spokesman with McCrorys office couldnt immediately be reached for comment Monday evening, but a spokeswoman with the state Republican party blasted the decision in statement, saying it is so absurd its almost comical.I wish the NCAA was this concerned about the women who were raped at Baylor, spokeswoman Kami Mueller said Monday night.The only championship events that can be hosted in North Carolina this academic year are ones determined when a team earns the right to play on their own campus.The NCAA said it will relocate the mens basketball first- and second-round games that were scheduled for March 17 and 19 in Greensboro. The NCAA will also relocate:- the Division I womens soccer championship scheduled for Dec. 2 and 4 in Cary, just outside the capital city of Raleigh;- the Division III mens and womens soccer championships set for Dec. 2 and 3 in Greensboro;- the Division I womens golf regional championships set for May 8-10 in Greenville;- the Division III mens and womens tennis championships set for May 22-27 in Cary;- the Division I womens lacrosse championship set for May 26 and 28 in Cary;- and the Division II baseball championship from May 27 to June 3 in Cary.North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham and North Carolina State AD Debbie Yow both issued statements Monday evening saying they were disappointed at the loss of the events.We certainly hope there will be resolution in the very near future, Yow said.The campaign spokesman for Democrat Roy Cooper, the states attorney general and McCrorys re-election opponent in November, said the law needs to be repealed.It seems that almost every day, we learn of a new consequence of HB2, spokesman Ford Porter said. ... We need to repeal this law and get our state back on track.The NCAAs move leaves the Atlantic Coast Conference football championship game in Charlotte as the marquee college sporting event in the state this year as the mens basketball tournament starts a two-year stay in Brooklyn, New York.However, that event also could be in jeopardy. In May, the ACC announced that member schools discussed the law during their annual spring meetings and said it could impact whether the state hosts league championship events.In April, the NCAA announced it was adopting an anti-discrimination measure that would affect the way the governing body evaluates bids to host sporting events and required sites to demonstrate how they will provide an environment that is safe, healthy and free of discrimination.In a statement Monday night, NCAA President Mark Emmert said the governing body will delay announcements on future championship sites until early next year. That comes as it reviews responses to questionnaires required of prospective site hosts on how they would comply with the NCAAs anti-discrimination measure.In announcing its decision Monday, the NCAA stated current North Carolina laws make it challenging to guarantee that host communities can help deliver on that requirement.The NCAA also took special note of four ways North Carolinas law differs from other states. The NCAA pointed out that five states -- Connecticut, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington -- and several cities prohibit travel by public employees and representatives of public institutions to the state of North Carolina. Those representatives prohibited to travel could include athletes, coaches and athletic administrators.Mondays action by the NCAA is the latest public and business backlash that has arisen since the law was enacted. The NBA moved its 2017 All-Star Game to New Orleans instead of hosting it in Charlotte as originally scheduled because of the law. Duke lost a mens basketball game from its schedule when Albany backed out due to that states travel ban, while the Vermont womens basketball team has canceled a December trip to play North Carolina in Chapel Hill.Entertainers like Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam and Ringo Starr have canceled plans to play in North Carolina. And PayPal reversed plans to open a 400-employee operation center in Charlotte.---Follow Aaron Beard on Twitter at [url]http://www.twitter.com/aaronbeardapHenry Thomas[/url] . Jane Virtanen scored two, and Alex Roach and Elliott Peterson rounded out the offence for the Hitmen (40-15-6). Brady Brassart chipped in with three assists. Colton McCarthy scored twice, Brayden Point had a goal and two assists, and Jack Rodewald also scored for the Warriors (15-35-9), who were 2 for 5 on the power play. Hank Lauricella . Woodson said during a radio interview Thursday that the Knicks Carmelo Anthony doesnt get the same calls as other superstars. https://www.cheapnfljerseyschina.co/ . -- Matt Kuchar and Harris English ran away with the Franklin Templeton Shootout, shooting a 14-under 58 on Sunday in the final-round scramble to break the tournament course record. Chuck ONeil .C. Lions has come to an end. Banks told TSN on Jan 2 that he had no interest in playing out the option year of his contract with the Lions in 2014, and he again made that clear in a conversation with Lions GM Wally Buono last week. Mike Stonebreaker . Barcelonas entertaining victory ensured the defending Spanish champions retained their share of the league lead with Atletico Madrid two rounds ahead of their meeting in the capital. Real Madrid needed a late goal by substitute Jese Rodriguez to earn a 3-2 victory at Valencia to stay in third place and three points behind its title rivals.BEREA, Ohio -- Quarterback Robert Griffin III is on pace to return before the Cleveland Browns season ends, Sashi Brown, the teams vice president of football operations, said Monday.He looks like hes on pace to come back later this year, Brown said.If thats the case, thats great news, Griffin said with a smile.Sources tell ESPNs Josina Anderson that there have been discussions about Griffin possibly returning to practice this week.Griffin started the season opener in Philadelphia but broke his coracoid bone late in the 29-10 loss to the Eagles. Griffin worked out and threw before the Browns loss to the Ravens on Thursday in Baltimore. He said it was not the first time he threw.Coach Pep [Hamilton] and a bunch of the guys have been helping me, staying after practice and throwing a little bit, Griffin said.Griffin will have another bone scan in the next week or two, after which he could be cleared to practice or even play. That would indicate th