Newsmakers
Honored Los Angeles Angels outfielder Torii Hunter is the winner of the Branch Rickey Award in recognition of his work with kids in the community. Created by the Rotary Club of Denver in 1991, the Branch Rickey Award honors individuals in baseball who contribute to their communities and are strong role models for young people. “It means a lot,” Hunter said. “That’s something that you should do, whenever you can. My grandmother always instilled in me to treat people like you should be treated, and if you can do anything to make people’s lives better, you’ve got to do it. That’s part of your responsibility as a human being, and especially as a ballplayer.”
Appointed Hall of Fame coach John Madden will serve as a special adviser to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. The league said that as part of his unpaid position Madden will chair the coaches group in the competition committee. Madden will also participate in meetings of a general managers committee and be part of a weekly call with Goodell or another NFL official to discuss issues from the previous week’s games.
Extended Seton Hall athletic director Joe Quinlan announced that basketball coach Bobby Gonzalez was given a contract extension through the 2014-15 season. The school did not disclose contract terms.
Merging Richard Petty Motorsports and Yates Racing plan to merge in 2010, with the four-car team running Fords under the RPM banner. Under the agreement Yates driver Paul Menard will join RPM drivers Kasey Kahne, Elliott Sadler and A.J. Allmendinger next year.
Removed Four officials of the Mongolia team were expelled from the world boxing championships in Milan, Italy, for allegedly trying to bribe a referee with a watch. The Mongolian boxers, their coaches and team doctor were allowed to stay in Milan until the championships end Saturday.
Ruled A former Michigan State football player charged with murder for throwing a neighbor from a third-floor apartment balcony has been found not guilty by reason of insanity. An Illinois judge ruled Hubert D. Thompson was insane when he hurled 66-year-old James Malone to his death March 30, 2007. Thompson will be confined to a high-security state mental institution and receive treatment.