Miscellaneous: About 30 Fort Hays State University football players, two coaches and two sons of a coach became ill in late August with what doctors believe is mycoplasma pneumonia. Four of the football players were hospitalized and subsequently were released. The symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia include high fever, sore throat, cough, chills, muscle pains and loss of appetite. The illness may be treated with antibiotics. The Hays Daily News said officials continue to conduct tests that would lead to a diagnosis. "We do not know for a fact that it's mycoplasma," said Dr. Randy Cook. "We are reasonably certain. We're trying to get more samples to confirm that. It could end up being a viral infection that we haven't recognized yet."

Conferences: Nova Southeastern University has accepted an invitation to join the Sunshine State Conference, effective with this academic year. Nova Southeastern is the largest independent institution of higher education in the southeastern United States and is the 12th largest nationally. The addition of Nova Southeastern will increase the Sunshine State Conference's membership to nine institutions. Other members are Barry University, Eckerd College, Florida Southern College, Florida Institute of Technology, Lynn University, Rollins College, Saint Leo University and the University of Tampa.

-- Compiled by David Pickle