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12 Iowa players hospitalized

Twelve University of Iowa football players were hospitalized, reportedly for a kidney condition. The school declined yesterday to release the players' names, conditions or why they are being treated. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reported that the players have rhabdomyolysis, a breakdown of muscle fibers that, according to the website rhabdomyolysis.org, releases myoglobin into the bloodstream after skeletal muscle suffers damage.

Twelve University of Iowa football players were hospitalized, reportedly for a kidney condition.

The school declined yesterday to release the players' names, conditions or why they are being treated. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reported that the players have rhabdomyolysis, a breakdown of muscle fibers that, according to the website rhabdomyolysis.org, releases myoglobin into the bloodstream after skeletal muscle suffers damage.

The Associated Press said the symptoms were likely caused by offseason workouts, but offensive lineman Julian Vandervelde defended the workout practices in an interview.

"They are nothing if not concerned for the health of the players," Vandervelde said. "That's always the first priority, health and development. I mean, workouts are never used to punish. It's always about improvement, and workouts are always well within the capabilities of the athletes asked to perform them."

Iowa said the players are in safe and stable condition and are responding well to treatment.

Noteworthy

* The Mountain West Conference will not expand further to include either Utah State or Hawaii as a full member. As of July, the conference will have eight members: Boise State, TCU, New Mexico, UNLV, San Diego State, Colorado State, Wyoming and Air Force.

* Connecticut benefactor Robert Burton said he was shut out of discussions about hiring Paul Pasqualoni as coach and wants $3 million in donations returned.

* College football conferences will get a record take of about $170 million from this year's Bowl Championship Series games. *