Newsmakers

Failed Iowa starting running back Adam Robinson won’t make the trip to the Insight Bowl because he failed to comply with team policies, and oft-injured back Jewel Hampton will transfer. Freshman Marcus Coker will likely start for the Hawkeyes in the Insight Bowl against No. 14 Missouri (10-2) on Dec. 28. Coker averaged 5 yards per carry in limited action this season.

Voted Golfer Stuart Appleby has been voted the PGA Tour comeback player of the year after going from his worst season to a magical win. Appleby won The Greenbrier Classic by closing with a 59, making him one of only two players to hit golf’s magic number in the last round. His historic win followed a year in which he finished outside the top 125 on the money list for the first time since his rookie season.

Returned Milwaukee Bucks forward Drew Gooden returned to the active list Monday night against the Dallas Mavericks after missing the previous five games with a foot problem. Coach Scott Skiles said Gooden wouldn’t start, but would be in the rotation.

Missed Utah Jazz center Francisco Elson missed Monday’s game against Golden State because of a delay with his visa renewal. Elson, a native of the Netherlands, traveled to Canada to renew his visa and is required to remain in the country for 48 hours as standard operating procedure, Jazz officials said. Elson is expected to rejoin the team for Friday’s game at New Orleans.

Hired Former Formula One driver Nelson Piquet Jr. will drive in the NASCAR Trucks Series for Kevin Harvick Inc. next season. The Brazilian drove five races this last season for two different Trucks Series teams. His best finish was sixth at Daytona. Piquet drove for Renault in Formula 1 in 2008 and part of 2009, and later admitted he crashed on team orders in a 2008 race at Singapore to help his teammate win.

Stamped Baseball Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins is getting his own stamp for his 68th birthday. The pitcher watched as Canada Post conducted a print run of stamps bearing his image that will commemorate Black History month in February. He is the only Canadian inducted into Cooperstown, compiling a 3.34 ERA and 284-226 record over 19 seasons with the Phillies, Cubs, Rangers and Red Sox.