South Bend, Ind. ? The investigation into the death of a University of Notre Dame student killed in a tower collapse will determine whether the school violated workplace and industry safety rules when it allowed a student to go up in the lift during high winds, a state official said Friday.

Investigators will focus on whether safety protocols were followed and what training Declan Sullivan received before going up on a scissor lift to film the university’s football practice, said Indiana Department of Workforce Development spokesman Marc Lotter.

Sullivan, 20, of Long Grove, Ill., died Wednesday after the lift toppled amid strong winds. The National Weather Service reported wind gusts as high as 51 mph at the time.

NBA

Stern envisions European division

Miami — The travel plans for NBA teams could be a bit more extensive a decade from now.

NBA Commissioner David Stern told a luncheon audience in Miami on Friday that he envisions a five-team European division within the league sometime in the next 10 years.

Celtics Wafer, West brawl

Boston — Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers confirmed that backup guards Delonte West and Von Wafer scuffled after practice Friday.

Rivers said any discipline would be handled internally.

“There was a fight, and that’s all you need to know,” Rivers said.

Source: Rockets sign C Dampier

Houston — The Houston Rockets bolstered their front court Friday when Erick Dampier agreed to a one-year deal.

The 6-foot-11 Dampier, who will enter his 15th season, played the last six years with Dallas. The Mavericks traded the 35-year-old Dampier to Charlotte in July, and the Bobcats voided his contract for the upcoming season, making him a free agent.

Iverson headed to Turkey

New York — Forget about South Beach. Allen Iverson is taking his talent to Turkey.

The former NBA MVP has signed a $4 million, two-year contract with Turkish club Besiktas after waiting in vain all offseason for an offer from an NBA franchise.

Women’s college basketball

Surprise! UConn No. 1 in poll

Connecticut will begin the season the same way it has the last two, atop the Associated Press women’s basketball poll.

The Huskies, who have won a record 78 straight games, received 39 of the 40 first-place votes Friday from a national media panel. It’s the eighth time in school history UConn has held the top preseason ranking and 44th straight week that the school was No. 1. The streak dates to Feb. 18, 2008.

Baylor received the other first-place vote and was second, with Stanford, Tennessee, and Xavier rounding out the first five.

NFL

Texans sweep for drugs

Houston — Houston Texans owner Bob McNair ordered the team’s staff to go through the locker room to make sure no players are using banned substances.

USA Today first reported the Texans had staff members remove any products from lockers that are not approved by the NFL. Two of Houston’s players — left tackle Duane Brown and linebacker Brian Cushing — served four-game suspensions for different violations of the league’s policy on banned substances.

Favre returns to practice

Eden Prairie, Minn. — Brett Favre’s healing ability has been tested before. It’s headed for another down-to-the-wire finish.

The latest will-he-or-won’t-he drama in Favre’s 20-year career continued Friday when Minnesota listed him as questionable for Sunday’s game at New England. The Vikings will wait until the very end to answer the burning question whether their injured 41-year-old quarterback will play.

Favre was on the field for drills Friday, with limited participation in practice for the first time this week.

In other NFL news:

• Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel has missed practice for a third consecutive day because of a sore left hamstring and is doubtful for Sunday night’s game against the Saints.

• Just a few hours after Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Jeremy Mincey got promoted, he had a setback. Mincey broke his right hand in practice Wednesday and was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game at Dallas.

• Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher said Friday that “there is a good chance” quarterback Vince Young will start Sunday against San Diego.

• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have waived guard Keydrick Vincent and promoted tackle Will Barker from the practice squad to the active roster.

Baseball

Girardi, Yanks reach 3-year deal

New York — Joe Girardi has completed a new three-year contract with the New York Yankees less than a week after the team was thoroughly outplayed by the Texas Rangers in the American league championships series.

The Yankees made the announcement Friday, a day off in the World Series schedule.

A person familiar with the contract told The Associated Press on Thursday that the deal is worth $9 million. Girardi would be able to earn about $500,000 more each year in bonuses based on the team’s performance. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the terms publicly.

Tennis

Dementieva retires at WTA

Doha, Qatar — In a ceremony filled with tears, Elena Dementieva retired from tennis after a loss at the WTA Championships ended her 13-year career.

“It is so emotional,” she said. “It is so hard to say goodbye. I am going to miss you so much.”