Herbstreit’s popular dog, Ben, dies

Football analyst Kirk Herbstreit announced Thursday that his beloved dog, Ben, died at age 10.

Ben was a golden retriever who gained fame for regularly accompanying Herbstreit to games and even appearing on set and the sideline.

Herbstreit, who calls college football on ESPN and NFL games on Amazon Prime Video, posted on X that cancer had spread through his dog’s organs and “there was nothing left we could do — we had to let him go.”

The 55-year-old former Ohio State quarterback said he’s had dogs his whole life but “Ben was 1 on 1.”

Ben last traveled to Bloomington, Indiana, for the Hoosiers’ game against Washington on Oct. 26. His friendliness and frolicking made him a favorite with players, coaches and fans, and condolences poured in online.

Herbstreit told The Associated Press last year that Ben provided a piece of home on the road.

“Just having him come out with me is the best companion you can hope for. He’s super chill and welcoming,” Herbstreit said before an NFL game last December in Las Vegas. “What’s cool is taking him to the games. Both production groups have got to know him. He’s really become part of the team. If I don’t bring him to the meetings, people ask.”

Lake Catholic moves on

DAYTON — No. 1 Mentor Lake Catholic smashed No. 5 Frankfort Adena 25-10, 25-6, 25-16 on Thursday in a Div. V state volleyball semifinal at the Nutter Center.

Lake Catholic, which beat Crestview in the regional semifinal, will meet Franklin Bishop Fenwick at 1 p.m. today in the championship final.

F1 drivers don’t like swear fines

LONDON (AP) — Formula 1 drivers have criticized the president of the sport’s governing body, the FIA, and asked to be treated like adults in an escalating row over swearing in news conferences.

After top drivers like champion Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc were punished for swearing in an apparent FIA crackdown, the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association said FIA President Mohamed Ben Sulayem needed to “consider his own tone and language.”

“With regards to swearing, there is a difference between swearing intended to insult others and more casual swearing, such as you might use to describe bad weather, or indeed an inanimate object such as a Formula 1 car, or a driving situation,” the GPDA said in a statement on Instagram.

“We urge the FIA President to also consider his own tone and language when talking to our member drivers, or indeed about them, whether in a public forum or otherwise. Further, our members are adults, they do not need to be given instructions via the media about matters as trivial as the wearing of jewelry and underpants.”

Verstappen was ordered to perform an act of “public interest” at the Singapore Grand Prix in September after using an expletive to describe his Red Bull car in a news conference. That was shortly after Ben Sulayem had said there was too much swearing in F1. Verstappen protested the ruling by giving brief, vague answers in his next FIA news conference.

Ferrari driver Leclerc was fined by the stewards at the Brazilian Grand Prix last week for a similar comment at the previous race in Mexico. The GPDA said it wanted more clarity from the FIA and Ben Sulayem about where money raised from fining drivers is spent.

Ben Sulayem’s stance on swearing has drawn criticism before. Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton said in September there was a “racial element” to the way Ben Sulayem had sought to contrast F1 with rap music in an interview with motorsport.com explaining why the FIA would push back against swearing.

The FIA has previously tried to enforce a ban on jewelry, which prompted Hamilton to turn up to a race wearing multiple necklaces, watches and rings in protest, and has reminded drivers to wear approved fireproof underclothes.

The next race is the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Nov. 23.

Paul Skenes and Luis Gil named top rookies

NEW YORK (AP) — Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates and fellow pitcher Luis Gil from the New York Yankees were chosen rookies of the year by Baseball Digest.

The top pick in the 2023 amateur draft, Skenes dazzled during his first major league season. After making his debut on May 11, he was such an immediate sensation that he was selected to start the All-Star Game for the National League on July 16 in Texas.

The 22-year-old right-hander finished 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA in 23 starts. He struck out 170 batters and walked 32 in 133 innings.

Skenes received nine of 11 first-place votes for the NL award from a panel of baseball writers and broadcasters. Results were announced by the publication Thursday.

San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill got the other two first-place votes and came in second.

Gil went 15-7 with a 3.50 ERA in 29 starts for the American League champions. He had 171 strikeouts in 151 2/3 innings.

The 26-year-old righty was picked first on six ballots for the AL prize. Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser was the runner-up with three first-place votes, and Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller finished third with two.

NCAA lifts eligibility ban on Canadian league

The NCAA Division I Council on Thursday approved a rule allowing players with Canadian Hockey League experience to compete at U.S. colleges starting next season, a landmark decision that has the potential of shaking up the NHL’s two largest sources of developmental talent.

The decision, effective Aug. 1, lifts the NCAA’s longstanding ban on CHL players who were previously deemed to be professionals because they received a stipend of up to $600 per month for living expenses.

The approval was expected after the council introduced a proposal to lift the ban last month. Players competing at the major junior ice hockey or on professional teams can retain NCAA eligibility as long as they are not paid more than actual and necessary expenses.

The decision also applies to skiing, bringing both in line with NCAA eligibility rules for other sports.

In doing so, the council opened the door for a major change in how players approaching their 16th birthdays decide where to play. Rather than having to choose between one or the other, CHL players can now play NCAA hockey when they become college eligible.