Fast Break
Super Bowl
‘Idol’ host at big game
“American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest will take part in Fox’s Super Bowl pregame show in February.
Seacrest will provide commentary on the entertainment portions of the program and interview celebrities who attend the game.
“The Super Bowl has grown to become a landmark holiday on the American calendar, attracting not only the sports world, but the biggest stars in music and entertainment,” Fox Sports Television Group chairman David Hill said. “Naturally, we’d like our broadcast to reflect that growth.”
Little League
Rules set after measles case
Little League World Series officials have asked coaches, players and others with regular access to team dormitories to prove they have had measles shots after a player from Japan was diagnosed with the contagious illness.
No one else at the tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., has been diagnosed with measles, though Little League officials said they were asking for medical records, or requiring teams to get shots to comply with federal and state health guidelines.
“We’re taking all the precautions necessary to make sure there are no further cases,” David Houseknecht, Little League chief financial officer, said after guidelines were issued Saturday.
Anyone born after 1956 with access to the players’ housing complex, known as “The Grove,” must provide state health officials with an immunization record, or a doctor’s note that their patient has had measles, Little League said.
A person may also take a blood test at the complex to determine if they have had the rash illness, or receive a measles shot on site, according to the guidelines.
Basketball
Jefferson donates to Arizona
New Jersey Nets forward Richard Jefferson plans to donate $3.5 million to the University of Arizona in Tucson, Ariz., so his alma mater can build a new multi-sport practice facility.
School officials said Friday it’s one of the largest individual donations ever to its athletic department.
Jefferson’s donation is the lead gift toward a planned $20 million basketball and volleyball project that also includes a diving well and rebuilt area for gymnastics.
“We need that practice facility. For him to do what he’s doing is just unbelievable,” Wildcats basketball coach Lute Olson said at a press conference.
The facility is projected to be completed by Sept. 2008 and could possibly be named in Jefferson’s honor.
“I have good faith that they’ll do what’s best,” said Jefferson, who played for Arizona from 1999-2001.