sports in brief

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Dec 25, 2008

Local & state: WSU to induct Kornelson into sports hall

John "J.K." Kornelson, who coached 15 All-Americans in track and field and cross country at Wichita State, will be inducted into the 2009 Pizza Hut Shocker Sports Hall of Fame on Jan. 31.

The induction will be at halftime of the WSU men's basketball game against Drake. Tip-off is at 7:05 p.m. A reception and dinner is set for 7 p.m. Jan. 30 in the Charles Koch Arena Champions Club.

Football: Burress' guns, ammo seized by New Jersey authorities

The bloody pants that Plaxico Burress wore when he accidentally shot himself last month, plus a handgun, a rifle and an assortment of ammunition were seized Tuesday by authorities from the home of the New York Giants receiver in Totowa, N.J.

In addition to a 9-mm handgun, a .30-06-caliber rifle and the ammunition, including a clip for a .45 gun, police also said they recovered the sneakers that Burress wore during the accidental shooting during the three-hour search of the Super Bowl star's Totowa home.

Investigators are trying to determine whether the weapons are registered, so it is unclear whether Burress will face additional charges.

St. Louis Rams president John Shaw resigned and Billy Devaney was promoted to general manager on Wednesday, two more moves in a front office overhaul by a franchise that's been among the NFL's worst the last few seasons.

Jay Zygmunt, the president of football operations, resigned on Monday. The Rams are 2-13 heading into Sunday's finale at Atlanta, and are 5-26 the last two seasons.

Shaw, team president since 1994 and de facto president since 1983 when owner Georgia Frontiere also held that title, will be retained as a senior advisor and owner's representative based in Los Angeles.

Tony Romo missed practice Wednesday, keeping the Cowboys quarterback out of what's usually the biggest day of practice in what's certainly the biggest week of the season.

Luckily for Dallas, the schedule happened to be different this week.

Coming off a Saturday night game, the Cowboys put in their game plan a day early, "so he missed a day where we were repeating some things," coach Wade Phillips said. In fact, the team didn't even practice in full pads.

Brett Favre's rocket right arm might be running out of steam.

The 39-year-old quarterback insisted Wednesday he hasn't decided whether he'll return to the New York Jets next season, but said the health of his shoulder could be a factor.

Baseball: Yanks, Cash reach agreement on minor league pact

The New York Yankees have reached an agreement with catcher Kevin Cash on a minor league contract.

If Cash, a career .184 hitter, is added to the 40-man roster he will receive a $700,000, one-year deal. He batted .225 with three home runs and 15 RBIs in 61 games with the Boston Red Sox last season.

On the day they lost out on top target Mark Teixeira, the Washington Nationals announced they signed five players to minor league contracts.

Veteran outfielder Corey Patterson, right-hander Jorge Sosa, left- hander Gustavo Chacin, infielder Jose Castillo and catcher Gustavo Molina signed with Washington.

The ROCKIES have announced their minor league coaching staff for the 2009 season.

The new members are Gabe Bauer, Craig Bjornson, Scott Fletcher, Josh Guterman and Darryl Scott.

Bryan Harvey, who was pitching coach for Single-A Asheville in 2007, will return to the organization in the same capacity at Double- A Tulsa. Returning to Colorado's minor league staff in new roles are Chris Dovey, Bobby Knoop, Doug Linton, Rick Mathews, Bo McLaughlin, Dave Schuler and Billy Whitehead.

NBA: Thunder's Collisonday to day after breaking thumb

Nick Collison's status remains day to day going into the Oklahoma City Thunder's game Friday at Detroit.

Collison broke his left thumb against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night and missed the game at Atlanta on Tuesday night.

The former Kansas star was back at practice on Wednesday, but coach Scott Brooks said it's still uncertain whether he'll be able to play against the Pistons.

Collison had moved back into the starting lineup last week as Oklahoma City won its third game of the season against Toronto, but was hurt the next game.

To launch his newest sneaker, LeBron James and 20,000 fans will turn Quicken Loans Arena into an indoor winter wonderland.

When the Cleveland Cavaliers face the Washington Wizards on Christmas night, James will be wearing a "chalk" version of his signature Nike shoe, a tribute to his pregame ritual of tossing and blowing hand rosin into the air above the scorer's table before he takes the court.

Nike will provide packets of confetti for fans to throw along with James, who began the routine a few years ago.

The Phoenix Suns signed Dee Brown on Wednesday, ending their search for another backup point guard. Brown was drafted by Utah in the second round in 2006.

From staff and wire reports