Newsmakers

Honored The first American to orbit the Earth is joining another select group. Former fighter pilot and Ohio native John Glenn and his wife, Annie, will dot the “i” Saturday when Ohio State hosts the Midshipmen. The Glenns will get the honor at halftime when the Ohio State alumni band, marching in formation, spells out “Ohio” on the field. Only a handful of non-band members have dotted the “i,” including comedian Bob Hope and golfer Jack Nicklaus.

Disputed Former NHL union leader Paul Kelly denies an accusation that he misused his office by reading a transcript of a private players’ meeting. Kelly, a former U.S. prosecutor in Massachusetts, was dismissed Monday at a meeting of the NHL Players Association executive board in Chicago. No reason has been given for his firing other than it came after a review of his leadership.

Hired Former Detroit Pistons “Bad Boy” Bill Laimbeer and former Sacramento head coach Reggie Theus are among the assistants who will work under Kurt Rambis with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Banned Soccer’s governing body in Zurich banned Chelsea from signing any new players for a year because it encouraged a teenager to break his contract with a French team and sign with the English soccer power.

Released U.S. Alpine skier Cody Marshall has returned home from the hospital less than two months after injuring his head in a 20-foot fall while sliding from an escalator railing. Police say the 26-year-old ski racer was out with teammates when he fell off the escalator rail at a mini-mall. Police say the escalator was out of order and chained off. Marshall, from Pittsfield, Vt., finished third in the slalom at the U.S. Alpine Championships last spring.

Switched Italian driver Giancarlo Fisichella left Force India to join Ferrari for the rest of the Formula One season, replacing Luca Badoer. Fisichella finished second in last weekend’s Belgian GP, giving Force India its first points in Formula One.

Withdrawn Two-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador has withdrawn from the cycling world championships, citing a lack of fitness. The race is scheduled for Sept. 27 in Mendrisio, Switzerland.