Wisconsin back to miss road games
MILWAUKEE, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Wisconsin running back Lance Smith will not travel with the team for road games this season after violating the school’s student-athlete discipline policy.
The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported Wednesday Smith faces charges of battery and disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors, for his actions during a fight with his girlfriend in July.
The report added Smith has entered not guilty pleas on both charges, and despite his apology for the incident, he is due in Dane County Circuit Court Oct. 23, with a trial date set for Nov. 15.
The 5-foot-10 inch, 203-pound sophomore from Warren, Ohio, rushed for five touchdowns and 345 yards on 95 attempts last season.
"I first want to apologize to my girlfriend, my coaches, my teammates, our fans and the university community,” he said in a statement. "My actions did not measure up to the standards we have here at Wisconsin. I have met with Coach (Bret) Bielema and will perform community service as well as take counseling as needed."
Report: Horse flu in Australia spreads
SYDNEY, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Three more thoroughbreds in New South Wales, Australia, have been struck down by equine influenza virus.
The Sydney Daily Telegraph reported Wednesday the illness has affected 1,300 horses, affecting the country’s entire horse racing industry.
The newspaper reported the latest victim as Black's a Fake, winner of the past two Inter Dominions and almost $2 million in career earnings. Black’s a Fake was one of seven horses to test positive to the virus at the Gold Coast property of trainers Natalie Rasmussen and Bill Dixon. The report added there are fears of a breeding delay of up to two years likely to cost many millions of dollars.
"The thoroughbred industry is really under the hammer -- we're talking tens of millions of dollars," NSW Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald told the newspaper Wednesday. "It's possible we could lose one or two years of breeding out of this situation. It looks pretty bleak."
Shaquille O'Neal files for divorce
MIAMI, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Miami Heat star Shaquille O’Neal is headed for divorce court after his five-year marriage to his wife, Shaunie.
The veteran NBA center filed for divorce Tuesday at Miami-Dade Circuit Court.
"I am really sort of devastated from the standpoint that actually I love Shaunie," said Heat Coach Pat Riley on Miami radio station 790 the Ticket. "She's a great girl."
The O’Neal's have four children together and both have a child from previous relationships.
The Miami Herald reported Wednesday the two have a ''Cohabitation/Prenuptial Agreement, Acknowledgment of Property Disclosure and Waiver of Further Disclosure.” Shaquille O'Neal said in his petition Shaunie O'Neal "has been secretive about her assets ... particularly with respect to certain properties owned or titled in either (her) name alone or in other entities," and that he wants the court to order Shaunie to give a "correct accounting of all money, funds, stocks, bonds and other securities that she came into during the marriage.
Giants, Jets break ground for new stadium
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Officials from the New York Giants and New York Jets broke ground Wednesday for a new stadium to house the NFL teams.
The site of the stadium is adjacent to Giants Stadium, where the teams currently play in the Meadowlands in New Jersey.
The Jets and Giants have shared the same stadium since 1984 when the Jets left Shea Stadium. The Giants have played there since 1976.
The new stadium will cost $1.3 billion and is being funding by Jets development LLC and Giant Stadium LLC in a 50-50 venture. It is to seat 82,500 and be ready in time for the 2010 season.
The venue will be considered multipurpose with concerts, college football games and soccer matches also expected to be scheduled, in addition to the 20 NFL games a year.
Officials also planned to increase access lanes to the Meadowlands, and a station will have access to trains to stations in New York or Newark, N.J.
The team owners are negotiating naming rights for the building.
Injury keeps Rudd from race No. 901
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Ricky Rudd, who started the 900th race of his career last week in California, will miss a start for the first time in his 31-year career because of injury.
Rudd will sit out the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at the Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. He injured his left shoulder during a crash Sunday.
"The wreck tore a bunch of ligaments and tendons," Rudd said. "I'm out at Richmond."
Rudd was knocked unconscious and was injured during a crash in lap 181 of the Sharp Aquos 500 in California. He was treated and released at a local hospital and was being treated in Charlotte, N.C.
He said he hoped to be ready to drive in the Sept. 16 race in New Hampshire.
Kenny Wallace will replace Rudd on Saturday night in the final race of the Nextel Cup "regular" season.
