Sports briefs for June 8, 2004

Tuesday, June 8, 2004 | 9 a.m.

Mont. governor's family named in LVMS scuffle

The husband and son of Montana's governor were identified as suspects in a weekend scuffle in a drivers' area at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, police said Monday.

Harry Martz and his son, driver Justin Martz, 34, of Butte, Mont., were named in an assault complaint by a man who said he was punched and a 16-year-old who reported he was shoved late Saturday, said police Sgt. Rick Barela, a department spokesman.

No serious injuries were reported, no one was hospitalized and no charges were immediately filed after the 9:40 p.m. altercation in a pit technicians' area of The Bullring, Barela said.

Chuck Butler, spokesman for Montana Gov. Judy Martz, confirmed Monday that Justin Martz drives stock cars, but said the governor was not at the Las Vegas track on Saturday and would not comment.

BCS changes coming

Rose Bowl officials don't want to give up their prestigious status and traditional ties to the Pac-10 and Big Ten to be part of the Bowl Championship Series.

They are willing to compromise, though.

The BCS is set to present its plan to implement a fifth bowl game to the Rose Bowl by the end of the week. The Rose Bowl is scheduled to begin negotiations on its television contract with ABC later this week.

Raptors hire Babcock

The Toronto Raptors hired Rob Babcock to be the team's general manager, a month after they declined to give him the job.

The Raptors have been looking for a general manager since firing Glen Grunwald on April 1. He was replaced on an interim basis by Jack McCloskey, who favored Babcock from the start.

Clijsters has surgery

Kim Clijsters will have wrist surgery and probably will be out three months, most likely forcing the Belgian tennis star to miss the U.S. Open.

Clijsters said on her Web site today, her 21st birthday, she will have a cyst removed from her left wrist.

Mickelson wins event

Masters champion Phil Mickelson won a sudden-death chip-off Monday in the sixth annual Exelon Invitational in Avondale, Pa.

Mickelson won 11 skins worth $230,000 at Hartefeld National Golf Club in the charity event hosted by U.S. Open champion Jim Furyk.

Furyk decided on the chip-off after the participants went the last eight holes without winning a skin.