Kansas State football under investigation
MANHATTAN, Kan., Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Kansas State's football program is being investigated for possible rules violations, Wildcats' Director of Athletics Tim Weiser said Tuesday.
Weiser said the possible violations were discovered, setting off an internal investigation. The NCAA was informed and the school is cooperating with the investigation, which has been active since the summer.
Without outlining specific violations, Weiser said the probe centers on one former university employee, three former football players and two current members of the team.
"There is no evidence that any member of the coaching staff, support staff or representatives of our athletics interests were involved," Weiser said.
Kansas State is 3-2 on the year and 1-1 in the Big 12 Conference, having beaten then-No. 7 Texas and lost Kansas, which subsequently entered the poll at No. 20.
The Wildcats play Colorado at home in a conference game Saturday night.
Dick Versace announces congressional run
SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Former Bradley University and NBA basketball coach Dick Versace has announced his candidacy for a U.S. Congress seat in Illinois.
Versace, who has no background in politics, is seeking the Democratic nomination for the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Peoria, the Springfield (Ill.) State Journal Register reported Tuesday.
"I’m not going to answer questions on issues today because if I answered questions on issues today, the people I’m going to go visit would say, 'What do you need to see us for? We already know where you stand,'" Versace said.
The former coach said he will begin a "listening tour" Oct. 18th of all 20 counties in the 18th Congressional District.
Versace offered only one window into his political views -- opposition to the war in Iraq.
"I pledge to you now to do everything in my power to bring an end to this costly war and bring our brave sons and daughters home," Versace said.
Versace is currently the only Democrat in the race, the Peoria (Ill.) Journal Star reported. State Rep. Aaron Schock, Heartland Partnership chief executive Jim McConoughey and former Peoria City Councilman John Morris are seeking the Republican nomination.
Chicago Cubs sale slow-going
CHICAGO, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- The Tribune Co., owner of the Chicago Cubs, reportedly has been delaying the previously announced sale of the team, leaving bidders frustrated.
Bidders submitted applications required by Major League Baseball months ago, but Tribune, which claims it plans to sell the team during the fourth quarter, has made no moves to further the process and may remain in possession of the team well into next year, Crain's Chicago Business reported Tuesday.
"It's maddening," said an adviser to one bidding group who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Tribune has not even decided yet whether the team, Wrigley Field and other related assets will be sold separately or as a package.
"There's no hard deadline, and I don't think that the interest in this asset is going to dwindle," a source familiar with the planning said.
"The groups that you've heard publicly that are interested in this deal, none of them have said, nor do I expect they will say, 'If I can't own it by April 1, 2008, I'm taking my money and I'm going home.'"
German-Iranian player skips Israel game
BERLIN, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Germany's under-21 national soccer team has accepted an Iranian-born player's request to be excused from playing against Israel.
Askhan Dejagah, who has citizenship in both Germany and Iran, said in a statement on the German Football Federation's Web site that his motivations for skipping Friday's game are "of a very personal nature and have to do with my close family," Der Spiegel reported Tuesday.
However, Dejagah earlier told Bild newspaper that "there are political reasons. Everyone knows I'm a German Iranian."
"I have nothing against Israel. But I'm worried about having problems later when traveling to Iran," Berlin tabloid B.Z. quoted the player as saying. Dejagah said he fears repercussions upon his return to Iran if he has an Israeli stamp on his passport.
The Central Council of Jews in Germany expressed outrage at the situation.
"It's inconceivable and impossible that a national team player initiates a private boycott of Jews," council Vice President Dieter Graumann said. "It would be scandalous if the DFB (the German Football Association) doesn't penalize this behavior."
