Here's a great idea for the NCAA to start another collegiate sports. How bout Stock Car Racing. Imagine seeing drivers racing around the track and instead of them having sponsors logos on their cars, they have Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Alabama, South Carolina, Oklahoma, UCLA, Michigan or Tennessee.
This would be a great way for young high school students who want to get involved in NASCAR to do so and get an education at the same time. Right now, NASCAR Racing is among the most popular sports in the country, especially in the South, where College Football is King. Old rivals could not only battle it out on the Grit iron, but also on the track.
The sponsors could also sponsor collegiate racing. the ratings for NASCAR events are huge, they will be just as good for college racing. You could have the NCAA National 500 to decide the individual and team national championships. What a thrill to race for Bama, or Texas, or Ga. Tech. Sure, these drivers would go pro just like the other big sports, but some would stick it out to hewn their skills on the college asphalt. Oh well, it's just a thought. See ya next blog.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Lady Flames Reloading for the Defense of their National Title
Last Fall, the Lee University Women's Soccer Team won the school's first ever NAIA national title. during this past Spring, Head Coach Matthew Yelton signed nine players to help the Lady Flames reload and defend their national championship.
“This may be the best class that we have ever signed at Lee, and given the nature of our success the last few years, that is saying something," Head Coach Matthew Yelton said. “This is a very versatile class and all of these players will be able to come in and contribute right away. One of the issues we felt we had to address with this recruiting class was to bring in quality players that can get into our team quickly and by their sophomore season be able to step into the void that we will have after graduating a large senior class.” Yelton continued. The Lady Flames return 8 of 11 starters from last year's championship team, but if Yelton is right about this 2009 class, the Lady flames will be competing year in and year out for national titles for years to come.
The names of the players in this highly touted class of 09 are Darcy Brannen, Kim Conrad, Amy Cochran, Ali Eisnaugle, Missy Shaw, Leah Wilson, Louise Fensome, claire Lanter and Lindsey Muratta. Five of these players are from the state of Tennessee and three are Chattanooga area products. coach Yelton believes that the five in-state players are among the best in Tennessee. “One of our priorities in recruiting has always been to bring in the best local players that we can, and I believe that we have added five of the top players from the state of Tennessee with this year’s class," Coach Yelton said.
Darcy Brannen is a local product from Soddy-Daisey, TN. She actually played club ball for Coach Yelton with the East Ridge Express. For the last three seasons, she led East Ridge in scoring as a forward and attacking midfielder. She helped lead the Express to the 2007 State Cup, and in 08, she played a crucial role in the Express winning the Region Three Premiere League Title and advancing to the Southern Regionals. Having already played for Yelton, Brannen will be able to adjust well to the college game. One other footnote, her sister Nikki plays college soccer at Carson-Newman. While in high school, Brannen was a four year starter at Notre Dame High School, and was named the squad's best midfielder while helping her team to the state semi-finals each of her 4 years.
Amy Cochran comes across the country from Yorba Linda, CA, where she helped Esperanza High School win the Sunset League Championship and advance to the state semis in 07 and the quarterfinals in 08. Cochran was named to the All-League Team as a result of her accomplishments. She also played club ball for Slammers FC, one of the best clubs in the country.
Kim Conrad comes from Murfreesboro, TN, where she played Soccer at Siegel High School and also played club ball for the Stones River Strikers. Conrad is one of the most decorated players from Tennessee in Lee's 09 class. Conrad helped the Strikers to 7 straight State Titles, as well as advancing to the semi-finals of the Southern Regionals in 2005 and 06. The Strikers also reached the quarterfinals in 07. While playing for Siegel High, Conrad was a Team Captain and helped lead Siegel to the Tennessee AAA State Title in 2008 and was named to the Tennessee All-State Team in 07 and 08. Conrad finished her high school career as the third best goal scorer in school history.
Ali Eisnaugle comes to Lee from Franklin, TN and joins her older sister Chelsea Eisnaugle on the squad. “Ali is a very polished player and has the knack for being in the right place at the right time," Yelton said. Coach Yelton went on to say that Eisnaugle impressed him every time he watched her play for the last year and a half and that she was always making the players around her better. Ali Eisnaugle was a teammate of Conrad on the Stones River Strikers.
Louise Fensome comes from across the pond in St. Neots, England, where she started for Bristol Academy for the last two years and was a Team Captain. Bristol Academy is considered the top Academy soccer club in England and has won back-to-back national championships.
Caoch Yelton says that Fensome is a quality defender and can excel across the back line. He also went on to say that her playing experience for the top academy club in England will be very valuable to the Lady Flames.
Claire Lanter is another local player signed by Yelton from Soddy-Daisey, TN. She started at Soddy-Daisey High school under Head Coach Moses Drummond, and was a Team Captain. While at Soddy-Daisey, Lanter was named District 6 MVP and Regional Defensive Player of the Year honors her Junior and Senior seasons. She was also twice named the Times-Free Press Best of Preps Award winner. She also was coached by Matthew Yelton while playing for the East Ridge Express.
Lindsey Muratta is one of two players that Yelton signed from the state of Alabama. Muratta played soccer at Gadsden City High. While as a Freshman at Gadsden City, Muratta led the team to the Alabama state semi-finals and was named the team's MVP the next four seasons. She also was named to several All-district and All-Region teams. Muratta was also a member of the Alabama ODP Team and led her club to two Alabama State Championships.
Missy Shaw is the second of Yelton's Alabama signees. She hales from Birmingham where she had a very successful career at Briarwood Christian. As a starting midfielder, Shaw helped Briarwood to four straight appearances in the State Championship Game, winning it twice in 2005 and 06. Shaw played club ball for Birmingham United Elite and was a part of three straight state championship teams.
The final member of Lee's class of 09 is Leah Wilson. Wilson had a brilliant five year career at Chattanooga Christian, tallying 58 shutouts and being med three years in a row to the Chattanooga Best of Preps Team. Wilson was also named to the Tennessee All-State Team her Sophomore, Junior and Senior seasons. Coach Yelton says that Wilson has the athletic ability seldom found in a goalkeeper and has the skills to be able to step in and play right away in college.
This is truly an outstanding class for the Lee Women's Soccer Program. Some, if not all of the ladies, should see playing time right away. I believe the Lady Flames have an excellent shot at repeating as national champions based on the fact that most of the returning starters are back and the fact that the 2009 class is so strong. This group of players will provide strong depth for the Lady Flames during the 09 season. The success of the Lee Women's Soccer Program could spell trouble for the other college soccer programs in the Chattanooga area in that Lee will seem very attractive for local recruits. It will be interesting and exciting to see if the Lady Flames can 2-peat this Fall. The Lady Flames open the season on Aug. 27 in California where they will have two very tough tests against Azuza Pacific and Cal Baptist on Aug 29 beofre their home opener on Sept. 2 against a solid NCAA Div lll opponent in Emory University and a home game Sept. 12 against Lindsey Wilson. We'll probably see how good this Lee team is in their first four matches. Information on this article was obtained from www.leeuniversity.edu/athletics.
“This may be the best class that we have ever signed at Lee, and given the nature of our success the last few years, that is saying something," Head Coach Matthew Yelton said. “This is a very versatile class and all of these players will be able to come in and contribute right away. One of the issues we felt we had to address with this recruiting class was to bring in quality players that can get into our team quickly and by their sophomore season be able to step into the void that we will have after graduating a large senior class.” Yelton continued. The Lady Flames return 8 of 11 starters from last year's championship team, but if Yelton is right about this 2009 class, the Lady flames will be competing year in and year out for national titles for years to come.
The names of the players in this highly touted class of 09 are Darcy Brannen, Kim Conrad, Amy Cochran, Ali Eisnaugle, Missy Shaw, Leah Wilson, Louise Fensome, claire Lanter and Lindsey Muratta. Five of these players are from the state of Tennessee and three are Chattanooga area products. coach Yelton believes that the five in-state players are among the best in Tennessee. “One of our priorities in recruiting has always been to bring in the best local players that we can, and I believe that we have added five of the top players from the state of Tennessee with this year’s class," Coach Yelton said.
Darcy Brannen is a local product from Soddy-Daisey, TN. She actually played club ball for Coach Yelton with the East Ridge Express. For the last three seasons, she led East Ridge in scoring as a forward and attacking midfielder. She helped lead the Express to the 2007 State Cup, and in 08, she played a crucial role in the Express winning the Region Three Premiere League Title and advancing to the Southern Regionals. Having already played for Yelton, Brannen will be able to adjust well to the college game. One other footnote, her sister Nikki plays college soccer at Carson-Newman. While in high school, Brannen was a four year starter at Notre Dame High School, and was named the squad's best midfielder while helping her team to the state semi-finals each of her 4 years.
Amy Cochran comes across the country from Yorba Linda, CA, where she helped Esperanza High School win the Sunset League Championship and advance to the state semis in 07 and the quarterfinals in 08. Cochran was named to the All-League Team as a result of her accomplishments. She also played club ball for Slammers FC, one of the best clubs in the country.
Kim Conrad comes from Murfreesboro, TN, where she played Soccer at Siegel High School and also played club ball for the Stones River Strikers. Conrad is one of the most decorated players from Tennessee in Lee's 09 class. Conrad helped the Strikers to 7 straight State Titles, as well as advancing to the semi-finals of the Southern Regionals in 2005 and 06. The Strikers also reached the quarterfinals in 07. While playing for Siegel High, Conrad was a Team Captain and helped lead Siegel to the Tennessee AAA State Title in 2008 and was named to the Tennessee All-State Team in 07 and 08. Conrad finished her high school career as the third best goal scorer in school history.
Ali Eisnaugle comes to Lee from Franklin, TN and joins her older sister Chelsea Eisnaugle on the squad. “Ali is a very polished player and has the knack for being in the right place at the right time," Yelton said. Coach Yelton went on to say that Eisnaugle impressed him every time he watched her play for the last year and a half and that she was always making the players around her better. Ali Eisnaugle was a teammate of Conrad on the Stones River Strikers.
Louise Fensome comes from across the pond in St. Neots, England, where she started for Bristol Academy for the last two years and was a Team Captain. Bristol Academy is considered the top Academy soccer club in England and has won back-to-back national championships.
Caoch Yelton says that Fensome is a quality defender and can excel across the back line. He also went on to say that her playing experience for the top academy club in England will be very valuable to the Lady Flames.
Claire Lanter is another local player signed by Yelton from Soddy-Daisey, TN. She started at Soddy-Daisey High school under Head Coach Moses Drummond, and was a Team Captain. While at Soddy-Daisey, Lanter was named District 6 MVP and Regional Defensive Player of the Year honors her Junior and Senior seasons. She was also twice named the Times-Free Press Best of Preps Award winner. She also was coached by Matthew Yelton while playing for the East Ridge Express.
Lindsey Muratta is one of two players that Yelton signed from the state of Alabama. Muratta played soccer at Gadsden City High. While as a Freshman at Gadsden City, Muratta led the team to the Alabama state semi-finals and was named the team's MVP the next four seasons. She also was named to several All-district and All-Region teams. Muratta was also a member of the Alabama ODP Team and led her club to two Alabama State Championships.
Missy Shaw is the second of Yelton's Alabama signees. She hales from Birmingham where she had a very successful career at Briarwood Christian. As a starting midfielder, Shaw helped Briarwood to four straight appearances in the State Championship Game, winning it twice in 2005 and 06. Shaw played club ball for Birmingham United Elite and was a part of three straight state championship teams.
The final member of Lee's class of 09 is Leah Wilson. Wilson had a brilliant five year career at Chattanooga Christian, tallying 58 shutouts and being med three years in a row to the Chattanooga Best of Preps Team. Wilson was also named to the Tennessee All-State Team her Sophomore, Junior and Senior seasons. Coach Yelton says that Wilson has the athletic ability seldom found in a goalkeeper and has the skills to be able to step in and play right away in college.
This is truly an outstanding class for the Lee Women's Soccer Program. Some, if not all of the ladies, should see playing time right away. I believe the Lady Flames have an excellent shot at repeating as national champions based on the fact that most of the returning starters are back and the fact that the 2009 class is so strong. This group of players will provide strong depth for the Lady Flames during the 09 season. The success of the Lee Women's Soccer Program could spell trouble for the other college soccer programs in the Chattanooga area in that Lee will seem very attractive for local recruits. It will be interesting and exciting to see if the Lady Flames can 2-peat this Fall. The Lady Flames open the season on Aug. 27 in California where they will have two very tough tests against Azuza Pacific and Cal Baptist on Aug 29 beofre their home opener on Sept. 2 against a solid NCAA Div lll opponent in Emory University and a home game Sept. 12 against Lindsey Wilson. We'll probably see how good this Lee team is in their first four matches. Information on this article was obtained from www.leeuniversity.edu/athletics.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Hawkeyes headed for probable 10-2 season in 09
Last year, the Iowa Hawkeyes capped off a 9-4 season with a 31-10 win in the Outback Bowl over SEC opponent South Carolina. In that game, Safety Tyler Sash had two interceptions. Sash led the Big 10 in interceptions with five in 12 games. He, along with DB Brent Greenwood and LB A.J. Edds led a Hawkeye defense that finished fifth in the nation in defensive scoring with 13 points per game, ninth in fewest rushing yards allowed (94.0 yards per game) and 12th in total defense (291.31 yards per game).
Tyler Sash knows that there's a lot of experience returning for Iowa in 09, but he says that doesn't really matter: "We have a lot of experienced guys, but experience doesn't mean anything unless you go out and prove it every day," Sash said. Along with Sash, Greenwood and Edds, five other defensive starters return for Iowa: Defensive End Adrian Clayborn and Christian Ballard, Linebackers Pat Angerer and Jeremiha Hunter, and CB Amari Spiveye.
On the other side of the ball, starting QB Ricky Stanzi returns for his Junior season. Stanzi played in all 13 games for the Hawks in 09, starting 12 of them. He completed 150-254 passes for 1,956 yards and 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions, and was ranked fourth in the Big Ten and 40th in the nation in pass efficiency (134.8 yards per game. 2008 Doak Walker Award winner Shonn Greene departed for the NFL so Fullbacks Brett Morse and Wade Leppert will have to carry some of the load. Soph, RB Jewel Hampton looks to be the probable starting running back. He will have tremendous shoes to fill with the loss of Greene.
All football coaches at any level will tell you that a successful offense begins at the Offensive Line. For the Iowa Hawkeyes, this is no exception. Here's what Iowa Offensive Coordinator Ken O'Keefe had to say: "The offensive line is where everything begins and ends for us, it always has and we don't see that ever changing, especially with our style of play," O'Keefe said. In 08, the Iowa Offense ranked 26th in the nation in yards on the ground (188.69 per game) and 90th in the air (181.7 per game). Tackles Bryan Bulaga and Kyle Calloway return for the Hawkeyes. Another lineman that the coaches were very high on in the Spring is Sr. Dace Richardson. The 6'6 300 lbs fifth year senior from Wheaton, Ill overcame several injuries in his career to land a co-starting spot at left guard. Another lineman that will provide depth for the O-line is R-shirt Soph. Adam Gettis. The 6'4 280 lb. Gettis was able to make the two deep group during Spring practice. There will most definitely be some games this year that the Hawkeyes will have to rely on the leg of Jr. Kicker Daniel Murray. In 2008, Murray Made 6-9 field goals and 14-14 PATs during the season, ranking fourth on the team in scoring with 32 points.
The Hawkeyes will definitely have another outstanding season this year. The question is do they have a legitimate shot at winning the big 10 Title. The schedule is a tough one with away games against Ohio St., Penn St. and Michigan St. Iowa did very well on the ground last year, as RB Shonn Greene won the Doak Walker Award for the best running back in the country. Greene rushed for 1,850 yards and 20 touchdowns last season en route to winning the award, and was no. 1 in the Big 10 and second in the country in rushing yards per game with 142.3. Greene is gone, so the offensive line needs to block well for Jewl Hampton. If Hampton can produce numbers anywhere close to what Greene did last year, the Hawkeyes have a shot at the Big 10 Title. The defense had an outstanding year last year, in particular Safety Tyler Sash leading the Big Ten in interceptions as a Freshman. Imagine what he will do in 09. Stanzi had a good year in 08 and looks to improve on that in his junior season.
Based on the number of starters and key backups returning for the Hawkeyes even with the loss of Shonn Greene, I see Iowa going 10-2 this season with the only losses coming to Ohio St. and Penn St. Michigan St. will be a tough road game, but I'm predicting a win. Obviously they will win their opener against Northern Iowa (That's what Michigan thought when they played App. State a few years ago). NIU is a fine Playoff div. team, but the Hawks will take care of business. Michigan comes into Kinnick Stadium for Homecoming and they are still rebuilding. It's a win. The other home games don't look to bad with Ark. St., Indiana, Arizona, Northwestern and Minnesota. Iowa doesn't play Illinois this season. If they get the breaks, they could win the Big Ten. The talent is there, but I think wins at the Horseshoe and Happy Valley are gonna be hard to come by, 10-2 for the Hawks in 09.
One more thing, I must continue my theme with Gwinnett County high school athletes succeeding in college athletics. Iowa has a scout team defensive back on their roster. He's Tom Donatell out of Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, GA. Donatell was a Team Captain for the Lions his Senior year at Peachtree Ridge when the Lions won the Ga. State AAAAA Championship in 2006. He played quarterback and safety for the Lions. He redshirted at Iowa his Freshman year and saw no game action in 2008. Right now, he's not listed on the two-deep, but he's a redshirt sophomore and hopefully he will see playing time this year and before his college career is over. I still say 10-2, but as a Hawkeye fan myself, I want more. More information on the Iowa Hawkeyes can be found at http://www.hawkeyesports.com/.
Tyler Sash knows that there's a lot of experience returning for Iowa in 09, but he says that doesn't really matter: "We have a lot of experienced guys, but experience doesn't mean anything unless you go out and prove it every day," Sash said. Along with Sash, Greenwood and Edds, five other defensive starters return for Iowa: Defensive End Adrian Clayborn and Christian Ballard, Linebackers Pat Angerer and Jeremiha Hunter, and CB Amari Spiveye.
On the other side of the ball, starting QB Ricky Stanzi returns for his Junior season. Stanzi played in all 13 games for the Hawks in 09, starting 12 of them. He completed 150-254 passes for 1,956 yards and 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions, and was ranked fourth in the Big Ten and 40th in the nation in pass efficiency (134.8 yards per game. 2008 Doak Walker Award winner Shonn Greene departed for the NFL so Fullbacks Brett Morse and Wade Leppert will have to carry some of the load. Soph, RB Jewel Hampton looks to be the probable starting running back. He will have tremendous shoes to fill with the loss of Greene.
All football coaches at any level will tell you that a successful offense begins at the Offensive Line. For the Iowa Hawkeyes, this is no exception. Here's what Iowa Offensive Coordinator Ken O'Keefe had to say: "The offensive line is where everything begins and ends for us, it always has and we don't see that ever changing, especially with our style of play," O'Keefe said. In 08, the Iowa Offense ranked 26th in the nation in yards on the ground (188.69 per game) and 90th in the air (181.7 per game). Tackles Bryan Bulaga and Kyle Calloway return for the Hawkeyes. Another lineman that the coaches were very high on in the Spring is Sr. Dace Richardson. The 6'6 300 lbs fifth year senior from Wheaton, Ill overcame several injuries in his career to land a co-starting spot at left guard. Another lineman that will provide depth for the O-line is R-shirt Soph. Adam Gettis. The 6'4 280 lb. Gettis was able to make the two deep group during Spring practice. There will most definitely be some games this year that the Hawkeyes will have to rely on the leg of Jr. Kicker Daniel Murray. In 2008, Murray Made 6-9 field goals and 14-14 PATs during the season, ranking fourth on the team in scoring with 32 points.
The Hawkeyes will definitely have another outstanding season this year. The question is do they have a legitimate shot at winning the big 10 Title. The schedule is a tough one with away games against Ohio St., Penn St. and Michigan St. Iowa did very well on the ground last year, as RB Shonn Greene won the Doak Walker Award for the best running back in the country. Greene rushed for 1,850 yards and 20 touchdowns last season en route to winning the award, and was no. 1 in the Big 10 and second in the country in rushing yards per game with 142.3. Greene is gone, so the offensive line needs to block well for Jewl Hampton. If Hampton can produce numbers anywhere close to what Greene did last year, the Hawkeyes have a shot at the Big 10 Title. The defense had an outstanding year last year, in particular Safety Tyler Sash leading the Big Ten in interceptions as a Freshman. Imagine what he will do in 09. Stanzi had a good year in 08 and looks to improve on that in his junior season.
Based on the number of starters and key backups returning for the Hawkeyes even with the loss of Shonn Greene, I see Iowa going 10-2 this season with the only losses coming to Ohio St. and Penn St. Michigan St. will be a tough road game, but I'm predicting a win. Obviously they will win their opener against Northern Iowa (That's what Michigan thought when they played App. State a few years ago). NIU is a fine Playoff div. team, but the Hawks will take care of business. Michigan comes into Kinnick Stadium for Homecoming and they are still rebuilding. It's a win. The other home games don't look to bad with Ark. St., Indiana, Arizona, Northwestern and Minnesota. Iowa doesn't play Illinois this season. If they get the breaks, they could win the Big Ten. The talent is there, but I think wins at the Horseshoe and Happy Valley are gonna be hard to come by, 10-2 for the Hawks in 09.
One more thing, I must continue my theme with Gwinnett County high school athletes succeeding in college athletics. Iowa has a scout team defensive back on their roster. He's Tom Donatell out of Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, GA. Donatell was a Team Captain for the Lions his Senior year at Peachtree Ridge when the Lions won the Ga. State AAAAA Championship in 2006. He played quarterback and safety for the Lions. He redshirted at Iowa his Freshman year and saw no game action in 2008. Right now, he's not listed on the two-deep, but he's a redshirt sophomore and hopefully he will see playing time this year and before his college career is over. I still say 10-2, but as a Hawkeye fan myself, I want more. More information on the Iowa Hawkeyes can be found at http://www.hawkeyesports.com/.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Blue Hens to Finish 8-3 in 09
The Delaware Blue Hen Football Team is coming off a 4-8 season last year, but does return 10 starters from last year's team and has been ranked pre-season No. 20 in the Any Given Saturday (AGS) national poll.
The Blue Hens are on of 8 Colonial Athletic Association teams ranked in the AGS Top 25 of the NCAA Playoff Subdivision.
Sr. Safety Charles Graves has been selected to be on the Sports Network Pre-Season All-American Team and was selected to be on the Buck Buchanan Award watch list. That award is given to the best defensive player in the NCAA Playoff Subdivision, formerly known as Div. l-AA. During the 08 campaign, Graves had a terrific year leading the Blue Hens with 78 tackles, including 43 solo tackles. He was among CAA leaders with 5 interceptions on the year. Graves earned Second Team All-American honors and made First Team All-CAA and was selected to the Sporting News College Football Fabulous Fifty All-America Team, all this during a disappointing 4-8 season.
Graves and his defensive teammate, Sr. Defensive End/Linebacker Matt Marcorelle, will need to duplicate what the did defensively in 2008. The Blue Hens will be led on offense by first year QB Pat Devlin, a Junior who transferred from Penn St. They are also led by fifth year Sr. TE Josh Baker. Baker returns to the Blue Hens after leaving UD in 08 due to a suspension for off the field behavior. In 07, Baker helped the Blue Hens to an 11-4 record and an appearance in the 2007 NCAA Playoff Div. National Championship Game, a game in which they lost to two-time defending champions Appalachia St. During that season, Baker ranked No. 6 on the team in receiving, catching 20 passes for 344 yards (17.2 avg.) and two touchdowns.
The Blue Hens are also led by Fifth Year Sr. Wide Receiver Mark Duncan. Duncan is a big play threat for the Blue and Gold, having caught 137 passes for 1,594 yards and six touchdowns in his career so far.
During Delaware's sub-par 4-8 season last year, Duncan led the team with 39 receptions for 352 yards with a 9.0 yard avg. per catch.
The Blue Hens will be much better this year than in 08. The only real question is a quarterback, and that actually might not be much of a concern. As mentioned earlier, Pat Devlin is a Jr. transfer from Penn St. In 08, he appeared in 10 games for the Nittney Lions as a backup to starter Daryll Clark. He completed 25 of 47 passes for 459 yards and four touchdowns on the season and ran for two touchdowns. He played a major role in a huge 13-6 victory over Ohio St. when he took over for the injured Clark.
Looking at the schedule, the Blue Hens face several conference opponents who are ranked in the AGS Top 25. The CAA is arguably the best football conference in America at the Playoff Div. level. I think the Hens will probably go 8-3 with losses coming from No. 1 ranked Richmond, Maine and Bowl Subdivision opponent Navy. I'm expecting a much better showing from the Blue Hens in 09 since Pat Devlin has already taken a leadership role on the team. Josh Baker is back and Mark Duncan returns for his final year, and on defense, Charles Graves is ready to live up to his pre-season expectations. I think 8-3 is a fair assessment for the Blue Hens at this time. More information on this article can be seen at www.bluehens.com.
The Blue Hens are on of 8 Colonial Athletic Association teams ranked in the AGS Top 25 of the NCAA Playoff Subdivision.
Sr. Safety Charles Graves has been selected to be on the Sports Network Pre-Season All-American Team and was selected to be on the Buck Buchanan Award watch list. That award is given to the best defensive player in the NCAA Playoff Subdivision, formerly known as Div. l-AA. During the 08 campaign, Graves had a terrific year leading the Blue Hens with 78 tackles, including 43 solo tackles. He was among CAA leaders with 5 interceptions on the year. Graves earned Second Team All-American honors and made First Team All-CAA and was selected to the Sporting News College Football Fabulous Fifty All-America Team, all this during a disappointing 4-8 season.
Graves and his defensive teammate, Sr. Defensive End/Linebacker Matt Marcorelle, will need to duplicate what the did defensively in 2008. The Blue Hens will be led on offense by first year QB Pat Devlin, a Junior who transferred from Penn St. They are also led by fifth year Sr. TE Josh Baker. Baker returns to the Blue Hens after leaving UD in 08 due to a suspension for off the field behavior. In 07, Baker helped the Blue Hens to an 11-4 record and an appearance in the 2007 NCAA Playoff Div. National Championship Game, a game in which they lost to two-time defending champions Appalachia St. During that season, Baker ranked No. 6 on the team in receiving, catching 20 passes for 344 yards (17.2 avg.) and two touchdowns.
The Blue Hens are also led by Fifth Year Sr. Wide Receiver Mark Duncan. Duncan is a big play threat for the Blue and Gold, having caught 137 passes for 1,594 yards and six touchdowns in his career so far.
During Delaware's sub-par 4-8 season last year, Duncan led the team with 39 receptions for 352 yards with a 9.0 yard avg. per catch.
The Blue Hens will be much better this year than in 08. The only real question is a quarterback, and that actually might not be much of a concern. As mentioned earlier, Pat Devlin is a Jr. transfer from Penn St. In 08, he appeared in 10 games for the Nittney Lions as a backup to starter Daryll Clark. He completed 25 of 47 passes for 459 yards and four touchdowns on the season and ran for two touchdowns. He played a major role in a huge 13-6 victory over Ohio St. when he took over for the injured Clark.
Looking at the schedule, the Blue Hens face several conference opponents who are ranked in the AGS Top 25. The CAA is arguably the best football conference in America at the Playoff Div. level. I think the Hens will probably go 8-3 with losses coming from No. 1 ranked Richmond, Maine and Bowl Subdivision opponent Navy. I'm expecting a much better showing from the Blue Hens in 09 since Pat Devlin has already taken a leadership role on the team. Josh Baker is back and Mark Duncan returns for his final year, and on defense, Charles Graves is ready to live up to his pre-season expectations. I think 8-3 is a fair assessment for the Blue Hens at this time. More information on this article can be seen at www.bluehens.com.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Bowman Going Postgrad
Here at College Sports, we always want to recognize student-athletes who have excelled not only athletically, but also academically. It doesn't matter what school they're from, whether it's a big time Division l school or a small NAIA school.
This student-athlete is from the SEC and she is a Track/Cross Country star at Tennessee. Her name is Sarah Bowman, and she has been awarded a $7,500 postgraduate scholarship by the NCAA. The All-American from Warranton, VA received her Bachelors Degree this past May in Business with an emphasis in Human Resource Management. She graduated with a 3.87 GPA and is one of 29 Women to receive this one-time, non-renewable scholarship towards her pursuit of a postgraduate degree.
The scholarship was birthed in 1964 by the NCAA to reward and encourage the NCAA's most accomplished student-athletes to pursue postgraduate degrees. The NCAA awards 174 postgraduate scholarships a year, 87 to men and 87 to women.
Bowman has earned back-to-back recognitions as the USTFCCCA Division I National Indoor Scholar-Athlete of the Year and SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year. On the track, Bowman has been no less dominating. She led the Lady Vols to an NCAA Indoor Track & Field National Championship in 2009 and SEC Indoor Track & Field titles in 2007 and 2009 as well as an SEC Championship and an NCAA South Regional crown in cross country during the 2005 campaign when she was a Freshman.
Bowman was a three-time National Champion on the Oval, as well as anchoring the distance medley relay team to victory in 2008 and 2009, breaking world, American, collegiate, meet and school records as senior.
As a Cross Country runner, Bowman became the first All-American for Head Coach J.J. Clark, finishing 36th at the 2008 NCAA National Championships. If all that wasn't enough, Bowman earned All-SEC honors four times and made the All-South Region Team on three occasions while helping the Lady Vols reach the NCAA Team Championships in 05 and 06, as well as qualifying individually for Nationals her Senior year. She's done it on the track and Cross Country course, and she's done it in the class room. She's Sarah Bowman of Tennessee. For more information on this story, the reader can go to www.secsports.com.
This student-athlete is from the SEC and she is a Track/Cross Country star at Tennessee. Her name is Sarah Bowman, and she has been awarded a $7,500 postgraduate scholarship by the NCAA. The All-American from Warranton, VA received her Bachelors Degree this past May in Business with an emphasis in Human Resource Management. She graduated with a 3.87 GPA and is one of 29 Women to receive this one-time, non-renewable scholarship towards her pursuit of a postgraduate degree.
The scholarship was birthed in 1964 by the NCAA to reward and encourage the NCAA's most accomplished student-athletes to pursue postgraduate degrees. The NCAA awards 174 postgraduate scholarships a year, 87 to men and 87 to women.
Bowman has earned back-to-back recognitions as the USTFCCCA Division I National Indoor Scholar-Athlete of the Year and SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year. On the track, Bowman has been no less dominating. She led the Lady Vols to an NCAA Indoor Track & Field National Championship in 2009 and SEC Indoor Track & Field titles in 2007 and 2009 as well as an SEC Championship and an NCAA South Regional crown in cross country during the 2005 campaign when she was a Freshman.
Bowman was a three-time National Champion on the Oval, as well as anchoring the distance medley relay team to victory in 2008 and 2009, breaking world, American, collegiate, meet and school records as senior.
As a Cross Country runner, Bowman became the first All-American for Head Coach J.J. Clark, finishing 36th at the 2008 NCAA National Championships. If all that wasn't enough, Bowman earned All-SEC honors four times and made the All-South Region Team on three occasions while helping the Lady Vols reach the NCAA Team Championships in 05 and 06, as well as qualifying individually for Nationals her Senior year. She's done it on the track and Cross Country course, and she's done it in the class room. She's Sarah Bowman of Tennessee. For more information on this story, the reader can go to www.secsports.com.
If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself
South Carolina Head Coach Steve Spurrier should have heeded those words before allowing Florida's Tim Tebo to be left off the list of Pre-Season All-SEC Candidates.
Spurrier allowed his Director of Operations to fill out his ballot, and the player the Director chose to right down was Jevan Snead of Ole Miss. The Rebel QB had a great season last year and will hopefully have one this year, but everyone knows Tim Tebo needs to not only be on the list, but be at the top of it.
"I called him (Dir. of Operations). I said, Certainly we had Tim Tebow. He said, Well, actually, coach, we had Jevan Snead. He said something about we already had 10 Gators, maybe get another guy. I said, That's bad." Spurrier said. "But it's my fault. I take full responsibility. I messed that up. I apologize to Tim Tebow. We screwed it up pretty badly. I'm embarrassed about it. I feel bad about it. That's the way it happened."
Unbelievable!! Steve, you're the coach. You've seen Tebo eat your team's defense as well as other SEC defenses alive. Be responsible and don't leave it to to other people to do your job. All the other SEC Head Coaches had to defend themselves during SEC Media Days saying that they weren't the coach who didn't have Tim Tebo on their Pre-Season All-SEC list. A message to that Director of Operations, just because you already have 10 Gators doesn't mean you cant have 11. You forgot the most important one!! By the way, there are 11 players on the field on offense and 11 on defense. Spurrier did apologize for the gaff and He changed his vote to Tim Tebo. For Jevan Snead's sake, I hope he and the Rebels have an outstanding season.
In other news during SEC Media Days, 680 The Fan's John Kinkade interviewed Tennessee Head Coach Lane Kiffin. Kinkade asked Kiffin if he wished he had done things differently, obviously referring to all of the foolish talk Kiffin was making a few months ago (See blog entitled: And Kiffin Said, Let there be...). Kiffin basically said that he only wished he had done things better. He said something like "If I made a play call, and it went wrong, I wish I had called a better play. I don't really regret what I did, I just wish I had done it better." Really Lane! Do you wish you had accused LSU Coach Les Miles of paying his players? I think I've made my point!
Spurrier allowed his Director of Operations to fill out his ballot, and the player the Director chose to right down was Jevan Snead of Ole Miss. The Rebel QB had a great season last year and will hopefully have one this year, but everyone knows Tim Tebo needs to not only be on the list, but be at the top of it.
"I called him (Dir. of Operations). I said, Certainly we had Tim Tebow. He said, Well, actually, coach, we had Jevan Snead. He said something about we already had 10 Gators, maybe get another guy. I said, That's bad." Spurrier said. "But it's my fault. I take full responsibility. I messed that up. I apologize to Tim Tebow. We screwed it up pretty badly. I'm embarrassed about it. I feel bad about it. That's the way it happened."
Unbelievable!! Steve, you're the coach. You've seen Tebo eat your team's defense as well as other SEC defenses alive. Be responsible and don't leave it to to other people to do your job. All the other SEC Head Coaches had to defend themselves during SEC Media Days saying that they weren't the coach who didn't have Tim Tebo on their Pre-Season All-SEC list. A message to that Director of Operations, just because you already have 10 Gators doesn't mean you cant have 11. You forgot the most important one!! By the way, there are 11 players on the field on offense and 11 on defense. Spurrier did apologize for the gaff and He changed his vote to Tim Tebo. For Jevan Snead's sake, I hope he and the Rebels have an outstanding season.
In other news during SEC Media Days, 680 The Fan's John Kinkade interviewed Tennessee Head Coach Lane Kiffin. Kinkade asked Kiffin if he wished he had done things differently, obviously referring to all of the foolish talk Kiffin was making a few months ago (See blog entitled: And Kiffin Said, Let there be...). Kiffin basically said that he only wished he had done things better. He said something like "If I made a play call, and it went wrong, I wish I had called a better play. I don't really regret what I did, I just wish I had done it better." Really Lane! Do you wish you had accused LSU Coach Les Miles of paying his players? I think I've made my point!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Jackets ACC Champions in 09; Possibly
Many did not think that Paul Johnson's Spread Offense would work in the ACC. The biggest criticism it got was that the quarterbacks wouldn't be able to get the ball to the Wide Receivers, thus hurting Tech's chances at recruiting top notch players at that position. Johnson and his pupils proved the nay sayers all wrong. Against Duke last season, Jr. WR Damariyus Thomas put on a show against the Blue Devils by catching 9 passes for 230 yards in the Jackets 27-0 white washing of the Devils.
Junior RB Jonathan Dwyer had a career year last year earning the honor of ACC Player of the Year. His rushing average last season was 107.3, 17th overall nationally. He was the third Jacket ever to win ACC Player of the Year, the other two being former Wide Receiver Calvin Johnson and former Quarterback Joey Hamilton. Dwyer rushed for 1,395 yards last season, the fourth best in Jackets history, and he was the only player in the ACC in 09 to average over 100 yards rushing. If Dwyer can duplicate this type of performance in 09, the Jackets should have a Heisman Trophy candidate on their hands and could possibly contend for an ACC Championship.
According to Tech insiders, the O-line will be a work in progress, although the Jackets do have R-shirt Sr. Cord Howard coming back. Last season, Howard was a Second Team All-ACC selection and started all of Tech's 12 games at Left Guard.He was a big part in helping the Jackets rush for 409 yards against Georgia in last year's season finale.
On the Defensive Line, the Jackets are having to replace 3 of 4 starters. At Quarterback, Josh Nesbitt is ready to surpass an outstanding Sophomore year in which he led the ACC in quarterback play and was second on the Jackets' team in rushing yards per game and 8th in the ACC with an average of 63.0. Nesbitt ran for 7 touchdowns and threw for two in 08. He will have to probably surpass that for the Jackets to have a shot at the ACC Title.
The schedule for the Jackets looks favorable on paper with Clemson, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech and Georgia all at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Obviously Georgia Tech will win its home opener against Jacksonville St.. Clemson will be a tough game, but I see a Tech win. I'll go ahead and pick Tech to beat Miami in Coral Gables. I see wins over the Cavs, the Heels, the Deacons, and a road wins against Mississippi St and a tough Vanderbilt squad.. FSU will probably be a loss being that the Seminoles are improved and the game is in Tallahassee. Overall, I think a 9-3 result is realistic with losses coming against FSU, Virginia Tech and Georgia, but the Jackets could still have a chance at the ACC Title being that the conference has more parody than it did in the past. Morfe information on this article can be gleaned by going to www.ramblinwreck.cstv.com.
Junior RB Jonathan Dwyer had a career year last year earning the honor of ACC Player of the Year. His rushing average last season was 107.3, 17th overall nationally. He was the third Jacket ever to win ACC Player of the Year, the other two being former Wide Receiver Calvin Johnson and former Quarterback Joey Hamilton. Dwyer rushed for 1,395 yards last season, the fourth best in Jackets history, and he was the only player in the ACC in 09 to average over 100 yards rushing. If Dwyer can duplicate this type of performance in 09, the Jackets should have a Heisman Trophy candidate on their hands and could possibly contend for an ACC Championship.
According to Tech insiders, the O-line will be a work in progress, although the Jackets do have R-shirt Sr. Cord Howard coming back. Last season, Howard was a Second Team All-ACC selection and started all of Tech's 12 games at Left Guard.He was a big part in helping the Jackets rush for 409 yards against Georgia in last year's season finale.
On the Defensive Line, the Jackets are having to replace 3 of 4 starters. At Quarterback, Josh Nesbitt is ready to surpass an outstanding Sophomore year in which he led the ACC in quarterback play and was second on the Jackets' team in rushing yards per game and 8th in the ACC with an average of 63.0. Nesbitt ran for 7 touchdowns and threw for two in 08. He will have to probably surpass that for the Jackets to have a shot at the ACC Title.
The schedule for the Jackets looks favorable on paper with Clemson, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech and Georgia all at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Obviously Georgia Tech will win its home opener against Jacksonville St.. Clemson will be a tough game, but I see a Tech win. I'll go ahead and pick Tech to beat Miami in Coral Gables. I see wins over the Cavs, the Heels, the Deacons, and a road wins against Mississippi St and a tough Vanderbilt squad.. FSU will probably be a loss being that the Seminoles are improved and the game is in Tallahassee. Overall, I think a 9-3 result is realistic with losses coming against FSU, Virginia Tech and Georgia, but the Jackets could still have a chance at the ACC Title being that the conference has more parody than it did in the past. Morfe information on this article can be gleaned by going to www.ramblinwreck.cstv.com.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Lindsey Wilson Men's Soccer; A Winning Machine
The state of Kentucky is known for being the home of many collegiate national champions: Kentucky Men's Basketball comes to the forefront, followed by arch rival Louisville Men's Basketball. Kentucky Wesleyan has won several NCAA Div. ll national championships in Men's Basketball. However, there's one college program in Columbia, Kentucky that may have out done them all; The Men's Soccer Program at Lindsey Wilson College.
Head Coach Ray Wells built the Blue Raiders Soccer Program from scratch in 1990. Since then, the Blue Raiders have won 7 NAIA National Titles, four of them coming in a five year stretch (1998-2002) and their total win/loss record is 115-9-2, an absolutely staggering mark of excellence. By the way, their first ever win in came against Bryan College back on Sept. 1, 1990. The writer of this blog was a member of that Bryan squad and the final score was 6-1.
The longest winning streak in NAIA Soccer history is 28, and it's owned by the Blue Raider Men's team. One incredible fact is that since the program's inception back in 1990, Lindsey Wilson has only lost two conference games and have won 14 consecutive conference titles.
Throughout the Men's soccer team's history, the team has been mostly made up of international players from all over the world, places such as Kenya, England, Mexico, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Honduras, Canada, China, Germany and elsewhere. If the United Nations wanted to have their own soccer team, the Blue Raiders would be great representatives.
All kidding aside, the 19 year run of Head Coach Ray Wells and the Blue Raiders has to be seen as one of the greatest success stories in college athletics no matter what the level or division. It is a credit to Coach Wells that he is able to get players from totally different cultures, nationalities and personalities to work together and have championship chemistry. Other sports at the college have done well such as Women's Soccer and both the Men's and Women's Basketball teams. One wonders with the amazing success of Men's Soccer if Lindsey Wilson will jump to NCAA Div. ll. Could a jump to NCAA Div. l be in the works during the next decade. The Men's Soccer team, at times, has looked like they could go toe to toe with the upper echelon Div. l programs.
Head Coach Ray Wells built the Blue Raiders Soccer Program from scratch in 1990. Since then, the Blue Raiders have won 7 NAIA National Titles, four of them coming in a five year stretch (1998-2002) and their total win/loss record is 115-9-2, an absolutely staggering mark of excellence. By the way, their first ever win in came against Bryan College back on Sept. 1, 1990. The writer of this blog was a member of that Bryan squad and the final score was 6-1.
The longest winning streak in NAIA Soccer history is 28, and it's owned by the Blue Raider Men's team. One incredible fact is that since the program's inception back in 1990, Lindsey Wilson has only lost two conference games and have won 14 consecutive conference titles.
Throughout the Men's soccer team's history, the team has been mostly made up of international players from all over the world, places such as Kenya, England, Mexico, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Honduras, Canada, China, Germany and elsewhere. If the United Nations wanted to have their own soccer team, the Blue Raiders would be great representatives.
All kidding aside, the 19 year run of Head Coach Ray Wells and the Blue Raiders has to be seen as one of the greatest success stories in college athletics no matter what the level or division. It is a credit to Coach Wells that he is able to get players from totally different cultures, nationalities and personalities to work together and have championship chemistry. Other sports at the college have done well such as Women's Soccer and both the Men's and Women's Basketball teams. One wonders with the amazing success of Men's Soccer if Lindsey Wilson will jump to NCAA Div. ll. Could a jump to NCAA Div. l be in the works during the next decade. The Men's Soccer team, at times, has looked like they could go toe to toe with the upper echelon Div. l programs.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Georgia Having a Down Year: Nonsense!!
Earlier today, I was Watching the Scott Van Pelt Show on ESPN. They were talking about what are the big games in College Football that they would like to see. I emailed them and told them I would want to see Georgia play Oklahoma St. They said that Georgi would have a down year. I vehemently disagree.
Sr. QB Joe Cox is a very capable starter who knows Mark Richt's offense. Two years ago, he led the Dogs to a come from behind win over Colorado with a touchdown pass to Martrez Milner. If something happens with Cox, Red Shirt Sophomore Logan Gray is ready to step in. Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger are also capable backups.
The running attack is strong with Caleb King coming back. In 208. King recorded 61 carries for 247 yards and a TD. Dontavius Jackson, Carlton Thomas, Richard Samuel and even Kalvin Daniels are capable backups and provide depth at Running Back. The Wide Receiver Corps should be strong with A.J. Green having a year of experience under his belt. Freshman Twoey Hosch has a chance to get some playing time. I've seen him play in high school and he was a dominant Wide Receiver for the Buford wolves.
On Defense, Weak Side Line Backer Rennie Curran is back for his Junior Year. He was on the Butkis Award watch list a year ago and certainly will be on it again. The kicking game should be solid with Blair Walsh kicking field goals and PATs. If Drew butler has any of his father Kevin's leg, Georgia should be solid at punting. Walsh has a very strong leg, having kicked a 52 yard field goal against Georgia Southern last year and was named on to the Freshman All-SEC team by SEC coaches.
Oklahoma St. in Stillwater is going to be tough, but if the Dogs can get by the Cowboys and South Carolina the following week in Athens, they'll be 2-0 and Arkansas is still rebuilding. I don't see Arizona St. beating the Dogs in Athens. LSU will be a tough game. Could go either way. Tennessee will be rebuilding under the knucklehead Lane Kiffin. Vanderbilt could be a tough game in Nashville being that they now feel like winners, having had a winning season for the first time since 1982 last year. Florida, probably a loss being that Tebo is back even though Percy Harvin is gone. I think the Dogs get by Auburn, Tennessee Tech is a give me. Kentucky is improved but I don't see a problem for the Dogs there. Then there's clean old fashion hate on the Flats. The Jackets will be much improved. That one is a toss up.
Realistically, I think a 9-3 finish is probable if there are no injuries to key players. That's not exactly a down year.
Sr. QB Joe Cox is a very capable starter who knows Mark Richt's offense. Two years ago, he led the Dogs to a come from behind win over Colorado with a touchdown pass to Martrez Milner. If something happens with Cox, Red Shirt Sophomore Logan Gray is ready to step in. Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger are also capable backups.
The running attack is strong with Caleb King coming back. In 208. King recorded 61 carries for 247 yards and a TD. Dontavius Jackson, Carlton Thomas, Richard Samuel and even Kalvin Daniels are capable backups and provide depth at Running Back. The Wide Receiver Corps should be strong with A.J. Green having a year of experience under his belt. Freshman Twoey Hosch has a chance to get some playing time. I've seen him play in high school and he was a dominant Wide Receiver for the Buford wolves.
On Defense, Weak Side Line Backer Rennie Curran is back for his Junior Year. He was on the Butkis Award watch list a year ago and certainly will be on it again. The kicking game should be solid with Blair Walsh kicking field goals and PATs. If Drew butler has any of his father Kevin's leg, Georgia should be solid at punting. Walsh has a very strong leg, having kicked a 52 yard field goal against Georgia Southern last year and was named on to the Freshman All-SEC team by SEC coaches.
Oklahoma St. in Stillwater is going to be tough, but if the Dogs can get by the Cowboys and South Carolina the following week in Athens, they'll be 2-0 and Arkansas is still rebuilding. I don't see Arizona St. beating the Dogs in Athens. LSU will be a tough game. Could go either way. Tennessee will be rebuilding under the knucklehead Lane Kiffin. Vanderbilt could be a tough game in Nashville being that they now feel like winners, having had a winning season for the first time since 1982 last year. Florida, probably a loss being that Tebo is back even though Percy Harvin is gone. I think the Dogs get by Auburn, Tennessee Tech is a give me. Kentucky is improved but I don't see a problem for the Dogs there. Then there's clean old fashion hate on the Flats. The Jackets will be much improved. That one is a toss up.
Realistically, I think a 9-3 finish is probable if there are no injuries to key players. That's not exactly a down year.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Little Known Factoids About College Student-Athletes
As those of you who have read my blogs know, I'm a big fan of not just the major college sports programs, but also the small college programs, especially the sports program of my beloved alma matre: Bryan College, located in Dayton, TN near Chattanooga.
As I was perusing the school's athletic website http://www.bryanlions.com/, I decided to look at who was in the Bryan Hall of Fame. One member, a dear friend of mine who I went to school with in the early 90s, was inducted into the Hall of Fame back in 2006. The late John Spraklin played Soccer for the Lions and was an Academic All-American. He went on to coach girls high school soccer at Providence Christian Academy in Lilburn, GA, a suburb of Atlanta. In 1999, Spraklin led the Lady Stars to their first ever Georgia State Championship in Girls Soccer and possibly the first ever State Championship in the school's history.
Those of you who have ever ran in the Boston Marathon can appreciate this one. Tom Potter, a 1976 graduate of Bryan, was an outstanding Cross Country runner for the Lions. In 1974, Potter set a Boston Marathon record for the best time ran by a 19 year old. I'm not sure if that record has been broken, but even if it has been broken, it was still an amazing accomplishment from a Bryan student-athlete. Those are just some of the many student-athlete factoids that I will mention every now and then on kgussports.blogspot.com. More information on this article can be obtained by going to http://www.bryanlions.com/.
As I was perusing the school's athletic website http://www.bryanlions.com/, I decided to look at who was in the Bryan Hall of Fame. One member, a dear friend of mine who I went to school with in the early 90s, was inducted into the Hall of Fame back in 2006. The late John Spraklin played Soccer for the Lions and was an Academic All-American. He went on to coach girls high school soccer at Providence Christian Academy in Lilburn, GA, a suburb of Atlanta. In 1999, Spraklin led the Lady Stars to their first ever Georgia State Championship in Girls Soccer and possibly the first ever State Championship in the school's history.
Those of you who have ever ran in the Boston Marathon can appreciate this one. Tom Potter, a 1976 graduate of Bryan, was an outstanding Cross Country runner for the Lions. In 1974, Potter set a Boston Marathon record for the best time ran by a 19 year old. I'm not sure if that record has been broken, but even if it has been broken, it was still an amazing accomplishment from a Bryan student-athlete. Those are just some of the many student-athlete factoids that I will mention every now and then on kgussports.blogspot.com. More information on this article can be obtained by going to http://www.bryanlions.com/.
Two Gwinnett Stars Keeping the Fire Going for the Flames
Wes Cheek and Spencer Landis were two of the best players in Gwinnett County, GA three years ago when they prepped at Dacula H.S.
Now, both players are keeping the fire going for the Liberty Flames.
Last year, Liberty University's football team enjoyed their best season ever as they finished the season 10-2 with wins over No. 23 Youngstown St. in Ohio and a season-finale win over No. 14 and in-conference rival Elon. Both Cheek and Landis played important roles in the Flames' success. Wes Cheek was the Two Way Player of the Year in Georgia his Senior Year at Dacula. He has steadily improved year by year at Liberty.
Cheek, now a Junior at Liberty, saw playing time during 10 games in 2007, finishing the year ranked third on the team with 31 carries for 136 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He recorded at least one carry during nine of the 10 games he stepped onto the field. Cheek added 11 total tackles as part of Liberty’s special team unit and is considered a versatile athlete who even recorded a 40-yard punt during Liberty’s season opener against Tusculum. He scored twice during the season’s first game in 2007, rushing five times for 21 yards and included a 10 and one-yard rushing touchdowns.
Spencer Landis is a Junior backup quarterback for the Flames. The coaching staff says he has steadily improved at that position year by year and is able to step in and help the Flames win games. Landis Gained valuable playing experience with action in eight games, finishing the 2007 campaign completing 13-of-18 passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Landis also rushed 10 times for 51 yards and a touchdown. He was 4-for-5 for 36 yards and a touchdown against Elon and rushed three times for 15 yards against the Phoenix. He played a part in two touchdowns against St. Francis, Pa., completing 2-of-2 passes for 18 yards and a touchdown, while rushing three times for 19 yards and another score. He went 3-for-3 for 34 yards passing against VMI and completed his lone pass attempt for 10 yards in Liberty’s victory over Gardner-Webb, helping the Flames to seal their first-ever Big South championship in 2007.
While at Dacula HS, Landis was three-year letterwinner, passing for 900 yards and 12 touchdowns, while rushing for 375 yards and four touchdowns as a junior. He led the Falcons to the Region 7 AAAAA championship during his junior season, and was first-team all-region, first-team all-county and first-team all-state as a senior, while throwing for 1,571 yards and a school-record 24 touchdowns. Landis finished his senior year with a 12-2 overall record and as semifinalists in the AAAAA state playoffs.
As a Senior, Landis has a great shot to be the Flames' starting quarterback in 2009. Wes Cheek will also play a big role in Liberty's success. The Flames are enjoying arguably their greatest era of success the past two years, and both Spencer Landis and Wes Cheek are two big reasons for that success. More information on this story can be found at www.libertyflames.com.
Now, both players are keeping the fire going for the Liberty Flames.
Last year, Liberty University's football team enjoyed their best season ever as they finished the season 10-2 with wins over No. 23 Youngstown St. in Ohio and a season-finale win over No. 14 and in-conference rival Elon. Both Cheek and Landis played important roles in the Flames' success. Wes Cheek was the Two Way Player of the Year in Georgia his Senior Year at Dacula. He has steadily improved year by year at Liberty.
Cheek, now a Junior at Liberty, saw playing time during 10 games in 2007, finishing the year ranked third on the team with 31 carries for 136 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He recorded at least one carry during nine of the 10 games he stepped onto the field. Cheek added 11 total tackles as part of Liberty’s special team unit and is considered a versatile athlete who even recorded a 40-yard punt during Liberty’s season opener against Tusculum. He scored twice during the season’s first game in 2007, rushing five times for 21 yards and included a 10 and one-yard rushing touchdowns.
Spencer Landis is a Junior backup quarterback for the Flames. The coaching staff says he has steadily improved at that position year by year and is able to step in and help the Flames win games. Landis Gained valuable playing experience with action in eight games, finishing the 2007 campaign completing 13-of-18 passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Landis also rushed 10 times for 51 yards and a touchdown. He was 4-for-5 for 36 yards and a touchdown against Elon and rushed three times for 15 yards against the Phoenix. He played a part in two touchdowns against St. Francis, Pa., completing 2-of-2 passes for 18 yards and a touchdown, while rushing three times for 19 yards and another score. He went 3-for-3 for 34 yards passing against VMI and completed his lone pass attempt for 10 yards in Liberty’s victory over Gardner-Webb, helping the Flames to seal their first-ever Big South championship in 2007.
While at Dacula HS, Landis was three-year letterwinner, passing for 900 yards and 12 touchdowns, while rushing for 375 yards and four touchdowns as a junior. He led the Falcons to the Region 7 AAAAA championship during his junior season, and was first-team all-region, first-team all-county and first-team all-state as a senior, while throwing for 1,571 yards and a school-record 24 touchdowns. Landis finished his senior year with a 12-2 overall record and as semifinalists in the AAAAA state playoffs.
As a Senior, Landis has a great shot to be the Flames' starting quarterback in 2009. Wes Cheek will also play a big role in Liberty's success. The Flames are enjoying arguably their greatest era of success the past two years, and both Spencer Landis and Wes Cheek are two big reasons for that success. More information on this story can be found at www.libertyflames.com.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Ohio St. Lands Top Recruit from Chicago Area
There were no Seniors on the 208-09 Ohio St. Men's Basketball Team that went 22-11 and lost in a thrilling double overtime game to Sienna in the first round of the 2009 NCAA Tournament. However, by the time the 2010-11 campaign rolls around, six seniors will have left eh Buckeye program.
That's why Head Coach Thad Matta is preparing ahead of time by getting a verbal commitment from High School Jr. phenom Lenzelle Smith; a four-star point guard from Waukegan, Ill and Zion-Benton Township High School.
Smith is seen by scouts as a multi-positional player whose best asset is passing the basketball. They say the areas he needs improvement on are ball handling along with speed and quickness.Smith is listed at 6'3, 215 lbs., but according to his god father, Smith is 6'5. It looks as if the Buckeyes will continue to roll in a couple of years if they can land more with the same kind of talent as Lenzelle Smith.
That's why Head Coach Thad Matta is preparing ahead of time by getting a verbal commitment from High School Jr. phenom Lenzelle Smith; a four-star point guard from Waukegan, Ill and Zion-Benton Township High School.
Smith is seen by scouts as a multi-positional player whose best asset is passing the basketball. They say the areas he needs improvement on are ball handling along with speed and quickness.Smith is listed at 6'3, 215 lbs., but according to his god father, Smith is 6'5. It looks as if the Buckeyes will continue to roll in a couple of years if they can land more with the same kind of talent as Lenzelle Smith.
Indiana Football Should Revert to a Club Sport
Austin Thomas, a native of Woodstock, Ga and Sequoyah High School, is a Senior Safety on the Indiana University Football Team. He's done very well for a program that has been dismal for the past couple of decades. Last year, Thomas led the Hoosiers in interceptions with 2. He leads the Hoosiers with 202 tackles since the start of the 2006 season and is second with 121 solos behind Sr. LB Will Patterson, who has 127. Thomas collected 10 stops, five solo, picked off a pair off passes and netted one pass breakup in the team's win over No. 22 Northwestern.
All that having been said, Indiana had yet another down year in 2008. They lost to Ball St., out of the Mid American Conference, by a score of 42-20. They lost to another MAC opponent, Central Michigan, by a score of 37-34. Against fellow Big 10 opponents, they got clobbered by scores of 55-13 (Illinois), 45-9 (Iowa), 62-10 (Purdue) and 34-7 (Penn St.) and finished 3-8 overall and 1-6 in the Big 10. I cant remember when they last had a winning season. The last really good quarterback they had was Antoine Randall El, who plays mostly Wide Receiver in the NFL and has never played QB in the League. His Senior Year, the Hoosiers went 5-6 and almost had a winning season and bowl eligibility.
I think the last time Indiana had a winning season was 1988 when Dave Schnell was the starting quarterback. Do y'all remember Dave Schnell? I was a Sophomore in High School that year. Michigan St. won the Big Ten Title that year and defeated the Rodney Pete-led USC Trojans in the Rose Bowl. Indiana went to the Peach Bowl in Atlanta and lost to Tennessee in the old Atlanta Fulton County Stadium. Bill Mallory was the Hoosiers coach back then.
If the University of Texas can have a top 10 basketball program (both Men's and Women's) in a football-crazy state, why cant Indiana have at least a decent football team in a basketball-crazy state. I know that Vanderbilt was in the desert for 26 years. Last year, they finally had their first winning season since 1983. Yes, Al Michaels, we do believe in miracles.
If the Hoosiers continue their woeful football ways, perhaps it may be time to become a club sport. They won't have to play any more brutal Big Ten opponents. They cant even beat the so-called "small schools". Two years ago, they even lost to Div. l-AA Southern Illinois.
IU needs to improve its Football facilities if it wants to compete with the MAC, let alone opponents in their own conference. They haven't been consistently competitive since the days of Randall El. If the current trend continues, then it's time for the IU administration to mandate that the football team "go clubbin."
All that having been said, Indiana had yet another down year in 2008. They lost to Ball St., out of the Mid American Conference, by a score of 42-20. They lost to another MAC opponent, Central Michigan, by a score of 37-34. Against fellow Big 10 opponents, they got clobbered by scores of 55-13 (Illinois), 45-9 (Iowa), 62-10 (Purdue) and 34-7 (Penn St.) and finished 3-8 overall and 1-6 in the Big 10. I cant remember when they last had a winning season. The last really good quarterback they had was Antoine Randall El, who plays mostly Wide Receiver in the NFL and has never played QB in the League. His Senior Year, the Hoosiers went 5-6 and almost had a winning season and bowl eligibility.
I think the last time Indiana had a winning season was 1988 when Dave Schnell was the starting quarterback. Do y'all remember Dave Schnell? I was a Sophomore in High School that year. Michigan St. won the Big Ten Title that year and defeated the Rodney Pete-led USC Trojans in the Rose Bowl. Indiana went to the Peach Bowl in Atlanta and lost to Tennessee in the old Atlanta Fulton County Stadium. Bill Mallory was the Hoosiers coach back then.
If the University of Texas can have a top 10 basketball program (both Men's and Women's) in a football-crazy state, why cant Indiana have at least a decent football team in a basketball-crazy state. I know that Vanderbilt was in the desert for 26 years. Last year, they finally had their first winning season since 1983. Yes, Al Michaels, we do believe in miracles.
If the Hoosiers continue their woeful football ways, perhaps it may be time to become a club sport. They won't have to play any more brutal Big Ten opponents. They cant even beat the so-called "small schools". Two years ago, they even lost to Div. l-AA Southern Illinois.
IU needs to improve its Football facilities if it wants to compete with the MAC, let alone opponents in their own conference. They haven't been consistently competitive since the days of Randall El. If the current trend continues, then it's time for the IU administration to mandate that the football team "go clubbin."
Bobby Bowden Should Not Be Penalized For Wrong Doing Of Players
I know that the coach at any college program is ultimately responsible for his team and their success or failure. However, in this case, Florida St. Football Coach Bobby Bowdon, the second most winningest coach in College Football, should not be docked 14 wins because of the cheating scandal involving some of his players.
Bowdon trails Penn St. Head Coach Joe Paterno by 1 game. If he is docked those 14 wins, Paterno would almost certainly go down as the winningest coach and his record may never be broken. Even Paterno himself, who has great admiration for Coach Bowdon, said that Bobby Bowdon should not have those 14 wins taken away from him.
Though a head coach is responsible, in this case, Bowdon did not know that some of his players who played in those 14 wins were involved in a campus wide cheating scandal involving several athletes from several different sports. Will the Men's Golf Team be penalized? Some of their players were involved. Coach Bowdon cannot know everything and be everywhere. This is anything but a perfect world. If he was aware that those players were implicated in the scandal, he most certainly would have not played them in those games no matter what was at stake. Those of you who read this article may have a different opinion. I would like to hear it. If you are going to take away wins from Bowdon, take away first place finishes from the Track and Field Team, or the Golf Team or any other sport where players were involved in the cheating scandal.
Bowdon trails Penn St. Head Coach Joe Paterno by 1 game. If he is docked those 14 wins, Paterno would almost certainly go down as the winningest coach and his record may never be broken. Even Paterno himself, who has great admiration for Coach Bowdon, said that Bobby Bowdon should not have those 14 wins taken away from him.
Though a head coach is responsible, in this case, Bowdon did not know that some of his players who played in those 14 wins were involved in a campus wide cheating scandal involving several athletes from several different sports. Will the Men's Golf Team be penalized? Some of their players were involved. Coach Bowdon cannot know everything and be everywhere. This is anything but a perfect world. If he was aware that those players were implicated in the scandal, he most certainly would have not played them in those games no matter what was at stake. Those of you who read this article may have a different opinion. I would like to hear it. If you are going to take away wins from Bowdon, take away first place finishes from the Track and Field Team, or the Golf Team or any other sport where players were involved in the cheating scandal.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Mizzou Looking at Probable 9-3 season
I want to take a look at this time to a Big Xll team that has been a solid program in the last few years, especially about two years ago when they were at one time ranked #1 in the country. However, they have not been able to overcome the likes of Oklahoma and Texas to win the Big Xll. The 2009 season will end up more of the same.
The Tigers have a favorable schedule this year because they don't play OU and they host Texas at Homecoming. Sophomore QB Blaine Gabbert is currently at the top of the depth chart and will probably be the starting quarterback to replace All-American and Heisman Trophy Candidate Chase Daniel come Sept. 5 when the Tigers head to St. Louis to take on Ron Zook's Illinois team. Jr. Tailback Derrick Washington looks to help exceed the Tigers rushing attack in 09. The Tigers rushed for a total of 2,153 yards in 2008, helping the offense put up an average of 42.2 points per game to the opposition's 27.2 points per game. Washington himself rushed for 1,036 yards with 17 touchdowns.
With big play guys Jeremy Maclin and Chase Coffman gone to the NFL, the Wide Receiving Corps needs to step up big time. Sophomores Wes Kemp and Brandon Gerau, along with R-Frsh Gahn McGaffie will have to fill the gap left by the departures of Maclin and Coffman.
Senior WLB Sean Whitherspoon returns for his final year. He will anchor the Line Backing Corps. He had a total of 76 solo tackles and 79 assisted tackles for a total of 155 in 08, with an average of 18.5 tackles for losses of 75 yards.
Looking at the schedule, combined with my humble opinion, I'd say the Tigers will finish 9-3. I think they'll beat Illinois in the Mississipi River War in St. Louis to open the season. Bowling Green might be a tough game. MAC teams have fared well against the big boys in recent years. The Falcons defeated Purdue back in 2003, but Mizzou will prevail. Obviously Furman should be a given, although that's what Michigan thought when App. St. came to the Big House 2 years ago. Furman actually took Pitt to Overtime a couple of years ago, so the Purple Paladins might be a surprise. Again, however, the Tigers will prevail.
The trip up game for Missouri will be the Wolf Pack of Nevada. Chris Alt's Pistol Offense has wreaked havoc on opponents, so much so that coaches of BCS teams have Incorporated it into their offensive schemes. One more thing, the game is in Reno. In fact, I'll go out on a limb and say that the Tigers will be upset by the Wolf Pack. The Tigers host the Longhorns for Homecoming.Missouri might pull off an upset over Texas, but I doubt it. Their remaining home games are against Nebraska, Iowa St., Baylor with road trips to Oklahoma St., Colorado, Kansas St. and the Border War with KU at Arrowhead. I will say that Mizzou will beat Nebraska, K St., CU, ISU, Baylor and KU, but will fall in Stillwater and Reno, along with a Homecoming loss to Texas. That will put them a 9-3 for the season. I might be wrong about the Texas game and the Nevada game, as well as the entire season outcome. But I'm just a prognosticator and a blogger. Let College Football begin.
The Tigers have a favorable schedule this year because they don't play OU and they host Texas at Homecoming. Sophomore QB Blaine Gabbert is currently at the top of the depth chart and will probably be the starting quarterback to replace All-American and Heisman Trophy Candidate Chase Daniel come Sept. 5 when the Tigers head to St. Louis to take on Ron Zook's Illinois team. Jr. Tailback Derrick Washington looks to help exceed the Tigers rushing attack in 09. The Tigers rushed for a total of 2,153 yards in 2008, helping the offense put up an average of 42.2 points per game to the opposition's 27.2 points per game. Washington himself rushed for 1,036 yards with 17 touchdowns.
With big play guys Jeremy Maclin and Chase Coffman gone to the NFL, the Wide Receiving Corps needs to step up big time. Sophomores Wes Kemp and Brandon Gerau, along with R-Frsh Gahn McGaffie will have to fill the gap left by the departures of Maclin and Coffman.
Senior WLB Sean Whitherspoon returns for his final year. He will anchor the Line Backing Corps. He had a total of 76 solo tackles and 79 assisted tackles for a total of 155 in 08, with an average of 18.5 tackles for losses of 75 yards.
Looking at the schedule, combined with my humble opinion, I'd say the Tigers will finish 9-3. I think they'll beat Illinois in the Mississipi River War in St. Louis to open the season. Bowling Green might be a tough game. MAC teams have fared well against the big boys in recent years. The Falcons defeated Purdue back in 2003, but Mizzou will prevail. Obviously Furman should be a given, although that's what Michigan thought when App. St. came to the Big House 2 years ago. Furman actually took Pitt to Overtime a couple of years ago, so the Purple Paladins might be a surprise. Again, however, the Tigers will prevail.
The trip up game for Missouri will be the Wolf Pack of Nevada. Chris Alt's Pistol Offense has wreaked havoc on opponents, so much so that coaches of BCS teams have Incorporated it into their offensive schemes. One more thing, the game is in Reno. In fact, I'll go out on a limb and say that the Tigers will be upset by the Wolf Pack. The Tigers host the Longhorns for Homecoming.Missouri might pull off an upset over Texas, but I doubt it. Their remaining home games are against Nebraska, Iowa St., Baylor with road trips to Oklahoma St., Colorado, Kansas St. and the Border War with KU at Arrowhead. I will say that Mizzou will beat Nebraska, K St., CU, ISU, Baylor and KU, but will fall in Stillwater and Reno, along with a Homecoming loss to Texas. That will put them a 9-3 for the season. I might be wrong about the Texas game and the Nevada game, as well as the entire season outcome. But I'm just a prognosticator and a blogger. Let College Football begin.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Purdue Swimmers Overcome Huge Obstacles
From time to time in this blog, I will talk about student-athletes who have overcome tremendous adversity to succeed in their sport. All of us face adversity and must find ways to overcome it. Here is the story of two Purdue female swimmers who faced different personal trials, but overcame them with flying colors.
Both of these young ladies graduated from Purdue University back in 2005, but swimmers Tracy Duchac and Christine Leupold faced daunting hurdles but came out on top. Christine Leupold struggled with a heart deficiency discovered during her Freshman year, making it very tough for her to compete at the level she knew she could during her first two years. "It made me stop and think, and for a while I questioned why I was swimming," Leupold said. "But I came to the conclusion that I love swimming and like being a part of the team. And it was the team that backed and motivated me the entire time."
Leupold got the proper medical attention, and though she struggled during her first two years swimming for the Boilermakers, by her Senior Year her and fellow Senior Tracy Duchac were two of seven seniors that anchored a young Boilermaker team primed and ready for the 2005 Big 10 Championships. Christine Leupold felt that her biggest accomplishment was that she never quit. "My first year was tough and that even carried over into my sophomore season," Leupold said. "But I stuck with it. I'm not the type of person to quit - I stayed true to my heart."
Tracy Duchac's struggle was different than Leupold's , but none the less challenging. In Third Grade, she was diagnosed with a learning disability, which made it very difficult for her to get the job done in the classroom. The transition from high school to college was difficult indeed. "I think it's difficult for a lot of people to take that first step and ask for help, but once I jumped that hurdle and started using the resources available to me, things improved," Duchac said.
So, was Tracy Duchac able to overcome her struggles academically? Was she ever! She earned Academic All-America honors, as she was named a College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Academic All-American and Academic All-Big Ten in 2003-04. "It felt great to be rewarded for my efforts in the classroom and not just for what I accomplish in the pool," Duchac said. These two ladies are two tremendous examples of perseverance and determination to overcome, in their cases, physical and mental defects to make it to the top of the mountain. If they can do it, so can we all.
Incidentally, how did Duchac and Leupold and their teammates do in the Big 10 Championships in 2005? Christine Leupold made it to the Finals of the Women's 100 yard Freestyle and finished in sixth place. Tracy Duchac also made it to the Finals of that event and finished in 10th place. The team as a whole finished in fifth place with 399 total points behind Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana and Champions Penn St.
Both of these young ladies graduated from Purdue University back in 2005, but swimmers Tracy Duchac and Christine Leupold faced daunting hurdles but came out on top. Christine Leupold struggled with a heart deficiency discovered during her Freshman year, making it very tough for her to compete at the level she knew she could during her first two years. "It made me stop and think, and for a while I questioned why I was swimming," Leupold said. "But I came to the conclusion that I love swimming and like being a part of the team. And it was the team that backed and motivated me the entire time."
Leupold got the proper medical attention, and though she struggled during her first two years swimming for the Boilermakers, by her Senior Year her and fellow Senior Tracy Duchac were two of seven seniors that anchored a young Boilermaker team primed and ready for the 2005 Big 10 Championships. Christine Leupold felt that her biggest accomplishment was that she never quit. "My first year was tough and that even carried over into my sophomore season," Leupold said. "But I stuck with it. I'm not the type of person to quit - I stayed true to my heart."
Tracy Duchac's struggle was different than Leupold's , but none the less challenging. In Third Grade, she was diagnosed with a learning disability, which made it very difficult for her to get the job done in the classroom. The transition from high school to college was difficult indeed. "I think it's difficult for a lot of people to take that first step and ask for help, but once I jumped that hurdle and started using the resources available to me, things improved," Duchac said.
So, was Tracy Duchac able to overcome her struggles academically? Was she ever! She earned Academic All-America honors, as she was named a College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Academic All-American and Academic All-Big Ten in 2003-04. "It felt great to be rewarded for my efforts in the classroom and not just for what I accomplish in the pool," Duchac said. These two ladies are two tremendous examples of perseverance and determination to overcome, in their cases, physical and mental defects to make it to the top of the mountain. If they can do it, so can we all.
Incidentally, how did Duchac and Leupold and their teammates do in the Big 10 Championships in 2005? Christine Leupold made it to the Finals of the Women's 100 yard Freestyle and finished in sixth place. Tracy Duchac also made it to the Finals of that event and finished in 10th place. The team as a whole finished in fifth place with 399 total points behind Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana and Champions Penn St.
Crawford/James Gate is Much A Do About Nothing
This whole controversy about NBA star LeBron James and Xavier University Sophomore Guard Jordan Crawford is simply ridiculous and, as Shakespeare would say, much a do about nothing.
Crawford is transferring to Xavier from Indiana, where as a Freshman, he played in 30 games, started 8 times, and finished 7th in the Big Ten in scoring among Freshman. As everyone knows by now, Crawford dunked on LeBron James while at the Nike LeBron James Skills Academy in Akron, OH this week. Crawford was a counselor at the academy featured the nation's best high school players and was designed to instill fundamentals into the next generation of top players.
Either LeBron himself, Nike, or both were so embarrassed that the face of the NBA and one of Nike's top marketing celebrities was given a facial by a college sophomore. According to reports, James asked for the tape because he was embarrassed or Nike wanted the tape for the same reason.
Get over it, LeBron!! You're human. You're King James, not King Jesus. You're not infallible! Jordan Crawford is going to be an NBA guard in a few years anyway, so you two will both be in the same league. As for Nike, your superstar marketing tool is not a god. He's not the only great athlete out there. Will everyone just grow up. As for Crawford, great job, buddy! You were not intimidated by so called stardom. You may be one yourself one day. You certainly have the talent, but for now, help Xavier get to a Final Four or two. After that, you can dunk on King James FOR REAL!!
Crawford is transferring to Xavier from Indiana, where as a Freshman, he played in 30 games, started 8 times, and finished 7th in the Big Ten in scoring among Freshman. As everyone knows by now, Crawford dunked on LeBron James while at the Nike LeBron James Skills Academy in Akron, OH this week. Crawford was a counselor at the academy featured the nation's best high school players and was designed to instill fundamentals into the next generation of top players.
Either LeBron himself, Nike, or both were so embarrassed that the face of the NBA and one of Nike's top marketing celebrities was given a facial by a college sophomore. According to reports, James asked for the tape because he was embarrassed or Nike wanted the tape for the same reason.
Get over it, LeBron!! You're human. You're King James, not King Jesus. You're not infallible! Jordan Crawford is going to be an NBA guard in a few years anyway, so you two will both be in the same league. As for Nike, your superstar marketing tool is not a god. He's not the only great athlete out there. Will everyone just grow up. As for Crawford, great job, buddy! You were not intimidated by so called stardom. You may be one yourself one day. You certainly have the talent, but for now, help Xavier get to a Final Four or two. After that, you can dunk on King James FOR REAL!!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Middlebury Women Good Bet to Repeat as National Champions
This blog on college sports, kgussports.blogspot.com, is not just for the big schools. We want to recognize the small schools as well. One of those schools is Middlebury College, as small NCAA Div. lll school in Middlebury, VT, in the West-Central part of the state. The school's athletic accomplishments, however, are anything but small.
The Panthers have won a total of 29 NCAA National Championships and finished second in the running for the Learfield Sports Directors Cup for Div. lll schools in the New England Region. Williams (MASS) won the cup.
In this blog, we will focus on the Women's Cross Country Team, which won their fifth National Title in 2008 and Head Coach Terry Aldrich was named National Coach of the Year. Senior and Captain Alexandra Krieg, from Wellesley, Mass, led the way for the Lady Panthers by finishing in the top 10 in the NCAA National Championships for the third straight year. She finished 6th overall with a time of 21:14, earning herself All-American honors. Middlebury won the Championship by 50 points over second place Calvin College from Michigan.
The team has lost 5 seniors, including Krieg, but returns 25 runners from last year's championship squad, making the Lady Panthers the probable favorites to repeat as National Champions. More information on this article can be found at www.middlebury.com.
The Panthers have won a total of 29 NCAA National Championships and finished second in the running for the Learfield Sports Directors Cup for Div. lll schools in the New England Region. Williams (MASS) won the cup.
In this blog, we will focus on the Women's Cross Country Team, which won their fifth National Title in 2008 and Head Coach Terry Aldrich was named National Coach of the Year. Senior and Captain Alexandra Krieg, from Wellesley, Mass, led the way for the Lady Panthers by finishing in the top 10 in the NCAA National Championships for the third straight year. She finished 6th overall with a time of 21:14, earning herself All-American honors. Middlebury won the Championship by 50 points over second place Calvin College from Michigan.
The team has lost 5 seniors, including Krieg, but returns 25 runners from last year's championship squad, making the Lady Panthers the probable favorites to repeat as National Champions. More information on this article can be found at www.middlebury.com.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Michael Tamburo Starting for the Broncos; A Possibility
North Gwinnett's Michael Tamburo had an outstanding season last Fall, finishing as arguably the best high school quarterback in the state of Georgia. The gun slinger from Suwanee, GA threw for 8,476 total yards and 90 touchdowns in his high school career. He also threw for 6,598 yards and 57 touchdowns with a 61-percent completion rating in his three years as a starter for the N. Gwinnett Bulldogs. He also rushed for 1,878 yards and 33 rushing touchdown and was named one of the top 15 quarterbacks in the nation by scout.com.
Tamburo is now a Freshman QB on the Boisie St. University Football Team. He will have to compete with three other quarterbacks: Soph. Kellen Moore, out of Prosser, WA, will most likely be the starter come opening day. Moore led the Broncos to a 12-1 record last year as a Freshman, enjoying one of the greatest seasons a Freshman QB could have. He was the first Freshman ever to start the season opener for Boisie St.. Junior Mike Caughlin played in 6 games in a reserve role for the Broncos in 2008, completing 3 of 5 passes for 25 yards and one touchdown on the season, and rushed seven times for 5 yards. The other Freshman QB coming in is Joe Southwick out of Danville, CA. While at San Ramon High School, Southwick was named First Team All-State as a Senior, First Team All-Conference as a Senior and Second Team All-Conference as a Junior. Southwick completed 239 passes for 3,781 yards, while throwing 36 touchdown passes and only 11 interceptions as a senior. He also rushed for 350 yards and eight scores on 90 carries last season.
Tamburo has some stiff competition coming into Fall Camp, but I believe that he will be up to the task. Tamburo has the throwing and running ability to be a major factor for the Broncos down the road. The type of wide open passing and running attack that the Broncos play is suited for him. He probably won't beat out Moore this year, but I believe he will be a starter for the Broncos by the time of his Senior season.
Tamburo is now a Freshman QB on the Boisie St. University Football Team. He will have to compete with three other quarterbacks: Soph. Kellen Moore, out of Prosser, WA, will most likely be the starter come opening day. Moore led the Broncos to a 12-1 record last year as a Freshman, enjoying one of the greatest seasons a Freshman QB could have. He was the first Freshman ever to start the season opener for Boisie St.. Junior Mike Caughlin played in 6 games in a reserve role for the Broncos in 2008, completing 3 of 5 passes for 25 yards and one touchdown on the season, and rushed seven times for 5 yards. The other Freshman QB coming in is Joe Southwick out of Danville, CA. While at San Ramon High School, Southwick was named First Team All-State as a Senior, First Team All-Conference as a Senior and Second Team All-Conference as a Junior. Southwick completed 239 passes for 3,781 yards, while throwing 36 touchdown passes and only 11 interceptions as a senior. He also rushed for 350 yards and eight scores on 90 carries last season.
Tamburo has some stiff competition coming into Fall Camp, but I believe that he will be up to the task. Tamburo has the throwing and running ability to be a major factor for the Broncos down the road. The type of wide open passing and running attack that the Broncos play is suited for him. He probably won't beat out Moore this year, but I believe he will be a starter for the Broncos by the time of his Senior season.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Big 10 Should Be Renamed The "Big North Conference"
I know that many people love tradition and nostalgia. Many people frown upon change and want things to stay the same no matter what. But in some cases, change is good, and it makes sense. No, I'm not referring to the type of change President Obama is referring to. I'm referring to a name change.
The Big 10 Conference has always been known as just that; the Big 10. For most of its existence, it consisted of ten universities in the Midwest rich in athletic tradition: Ohio St., Michigan, Michigan St., Purdue, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Northwestern and Indiana. In the Mid 90s, however, Penn St. joined the conference, giving it 11 schools. The conference still calls itself the Big 10. That does not make sense. Either call it the Big 11, which sounds silly, or do what I think they should do. Change the name to the Big North Conference.
We already have the Big East, the Big West, and the Big South Conferences. Why not have the Big North. All of the current Big 10 universities are in the North. It just seems logical to call the conference the Big North Conference. By keeping the name "Big 10" , tradition is hindering progress. Just because the name is changed doesn't mean that all of the mystique, tradition and excellence of the Big 10 goes away. It's all still there, along with the 11 universities that contribute to its greatness. I say rename the Big 10 the Big North Conference. That's my opinion. I'd like to hear yours.
The Big 10 Conference has always been known as just that; the Big 10. For most of its existence, it consisted of ten universities in the Midwest rich in athletic tradition: Ohio St., Michigan, Michigan St., Purdue, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Northwestern and Indiana. In the Mid 90s, however, Penn St. joined the conference, giving it 11 schools. The conference still calls itself the Big 10. That does not make sense. Either call it the Big 11, which sounds silly, or do what I think they should do. Change the name to the Big North Conference.
We already have the Big East, the Big West, and the Big South Conferences. Why not have the Big North. All of the current Big 10 universities are in the North. It just seems logical to call the conference the Big North Conference. By keeping the name "Big 10" , tradition is hindering progress. Just because the name is changed doesn't mean that all of the mystique, tradition and excellence of the Big 10 goes away. It's all still there, along with the 11 universities that contribute to its greatness. I say rename the Big 10 the Big North Conference. That's my opinion. I'd like to hear yours.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Maya Moore, A Strong Candidate For The 2012 Olympics
Perhaps the greatest female athlete to ever come out of Gwinnett County, Georgia is Uconn's 6'0 Forward Maya Moore. Moore, a rising Junior Forward on the Univ. of Connecticut Women's Basketball Team, has already been named Big East Player of the Year as a Freshman. The first basketball player in Big East Conference history, male or female, to win the award as a Freshman.
I saw Maya Moore play basketball in person while she was in high school playing for the Eagles of Collins Hill High School. I saw her play when she was a Freshman in high school. As you can imagine, she was fantastic. She was already god enough to start at most Div. l schools and certainly at any lower division college. The sky was, and still is, the limit for Maya Moore. When was the National Girls High school Player of the Year as a Senior at Collins Hill. From a selfish perspective, it's too bad she didn't go to Georgia, only 40 miles away.
I don't have room in this blog to list all of the accomplishments of Maya Moore while at Connecticut. You can pretty much sum it up like this: Moore is the best player in Women's College Basketball hands down. I don't see her staying all 4 years at UCONN. She'll probably enter the WNBA Draft of 2010, which is next year. She is definitely on track, I believe, to be a member of the 2012 Olympic Team when the games take place in London 3 years from now. All of that is my humble opinion. According to uconnhuskies.com, she is a multidimensional player who can play every position on the floor. I think WNBA scouts would agree with that assessment.
Moore is just another of the tremendous athletic talent coming out of Gwinnett County, Georgia, on the northeast side of Atlanta. If Moore makes the 2012 Olympic Team, she will be, I believe, the fourth Olympian to come out of Gwinnett along with Cindy Brogdon (Basketball, GAC, 1984 Olympian), Amanda Weir (Swimming, Brookwood, 2004 Olympian), and Eric Chanteau (Swimming, Parkview, 2008 Olympian).
Unless there is a catastrophic injury, the way she is progressing should land her a plain ride to London in 2012.
I saw Maya Moore play basketball in person while she was in high school playing for the Eagles of Collins Hill High School. I saw her play when she was a Freshman in high school. As you can imagine, she was fantastic. She was already god enough to start at most Div. l schools and certainly at any lower division college. The sky was, and still is, the limit for Maya Moore. When was the National Girls High school Player of the Year as a Senior at Collins Hill. From a selfish perspective, it's too bad she didn't go to Georgia, only 40 miles away.
I don't have room in this blog to list all of the accomplishments of Maya Moore while at Connecticut. You can pretty much sum it up like this: Moore is the best player in Women's College Basketball hands down. I don't see her staying all 4 years at UCONN. She'll probably enter the WNBA Draft of 2010, which is next year. She is definitely on track, I believe, to be a member of the 2012 Olympic Team when the games take place in London 3 years from now. All of that is my humble opinion. According to uconnhuskies.com, she is a multidimensional player who can play every position on the floor. I think WNBA scouts would agree with that assessment.
Moore is just another of the tremendous athletic talent coming out of Gwinnett County, Georgia, on the northeast side of Atlanta. If Moore makes the 2012 Olympic Team, she will be, I believe, the fourth Olympian to come out of Gwinnett along with Cindy Brogdon (Basketball, GAC, 1984 Olympian), Amanda Weir (Swimming, Brookwood, 2004 Olympian), and Eric Chanteau (Swimming, Parkview, 2008 Olympian).
Unless there is a catastrophic injury, the way she is progressing should land her a plain ride to London in 2012.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Could Michael Vick Have Been into Dog Fighting While still in College?
Unless you've been living in a cave underneath the ocean somewhere, you know about the Dog Fighting that former Atlanta Falcons and VA. Tech QB Michael Vick was involved in. Actually, he financed the whole thing.
We've heard all the opinions about whether or not Vick deserves a second chance to return to the NFL. We've heard how Vick is trying to make amends, and I believe that he truly regrets what he did and wants to reform himself. This week, he plans to try to get a job going to the Boys and Girls Clubs to speak to the youths about the consequences of making terrible choices such as the ones he made. One local Sports Talk show host doesn't think his motives are pure and would rather see Vick do something else first to show remorse for the crimes he committed. A friend of mine, who lives in Richmond, said that he would not want Vick counseling his kids.
If you think this has nothing to do with College Sports, hang with me. One thing that I have not heard much about is that the Dog Fighting scandal Vick was heading up may have been going on before Vick entered the NFL and while he was at VA. Tech. If this can be proven and he was benefiting financially, this would drop a bomb on the Hokie Football Program. Vick led Virginia Tech to an appearance in the BCS National Championship Game against Florida St. in 1999, in which they lost (That year, it was the Sugar Bowl). Again, if there is proof (and it's a big if) that Vick was making money off of Dog Fighting while at VA. Tech, every game he played in, including the National Title Game, would have to be forfeited. That wonderful 99 season would be stricken from the record, just like the Michigan Basketball seasons in which Chris Webber was involved in due to financial benefits he and a relative received while he was playing for the Wolverines.
I have heard from an undisclosed source that Michael Vick left Virginia Tech a year earlier to enter the NFL Draft because he was about to flunk out. While there isn't hard proof of this, it is very interesting. I hope for the sake of Virginia Tech that Vick didn't get into Dog Fighting while still in college. I, for one, want Michael Vick to get another chance to play in the NFL, but he still has a lot of work to do. He still hasn't even finished his sentence yet, although it is drawing to a close. He has left a ton of damage and betrayed the trust of many people. Hopefully, the Hokie Football Program will not need to be penalized and embarrassed any more than it already has.
Michael Vick's cruel activity with dogs is a stark contrast to the work that Kristan Boucher, my Sister, is doing with Rottweilers. She owns a dog breeding service in North Windham, CT called Kriznik Rottweilers. Her work can be summed up like this: " I strive to produce Rottweilers that are of correct temperament, correct breed type, that have the mental ability to work in any area, that are healthy and structurally sound and are most importantly excellent family members." Boucher says on her website www.kriznikrottweilers.com. Rottweilers have had a reputation of being ferocious, mean dogs, like Pit Bulls. Her dogs are as docile as they come. It's how you train and treat them. Michael Vick could learn from Kristan Boucher an appreciation of how these beautiful creatures should be treated, but I don't think he would ever be allowed anywhere near her property.
We've heard all the opinions about whether or not Vick deserves a second chance to return to the NFL. We've heard how Vick is trying to make amends, and I believe that he truly regrets what he did and wants to reform himself. This week, he plans to try to get a job going to the Boys and Girls Clubs to speak to the youths about the consequences of making terrible choices such as the ones he made. One local Sports Talk show host doesn't think his motives are pure and would rather see Vick do something else first to show remorse for the crimes he committed. A friend of mine, who lives in Richmond, said that he would not want Vick counseling his kids.
If you think this has nothing to do with College Sports, hang with me. One thing that I have not heard much about is that the Dog Fighting scandal Vick was heading up may have been going on before Vick entered the NFL and while he was at VA. Tech. If this can be proven and he was benefiting financially, this would drop a bomb on the Hokie Football Program. Vick led Virginia Tech to an appearance in the BCS National Championship Game against Florida St. in 1999, in which they lost (That year, it was the Sugar Bowl). Again, if there is proof (and it's a big if) that Vick was making money off of Dog Fighting while at VA. Tech, every game he played in, including the National Title Game, would have to be forfeited. That wonderful 99 season would be stricken from the record, just like the Michigan Basketball seasons in which Chris Webber was involved in due to financial benefits he and a relative received while he was playing for the Wolverines.
I have heard from an undisclosed source that Michael Vick left Virginia Tech a year earlier to enter the NFL Draft because he was about to flunk out. While there isn't hard proof of this, it is very interesting. I hope for the sake of Virginia Tech that Vick didn't get into Dog Fighting while still in college. I, for one, want Michael Vick to get another chance to play in the NFL, but he still has a lot of work to do. He still hasn't even finished his sentence yet, although it is drawing to a close. He has left a ton of damage and betrayed the trust of many people. Hopefully, the Hokie Football Program will not need to be penalized and embarrassed any more than it already has.
Michael Vick's cruel activity with dogs is a stark contrast to the work that Kristan Boucher, my Sister, is doing with Rottweilers. She owns a dog breeding service in North Windham, CT called Kriznik Rottweilers. Her work can be summed up like this: " I strive to produce Rottweilers that are of correct temperament, correct breed type, that have the mental ability to work in any area, that are healthy and structurally sound and are most importantly excellent family members." Boucher says on her website www.kriznikrottweilers.com. Rottweilers have had a reputation of being ferocious, mean dogs, like Pit Bulls. Her dogs are as docile as they come. It's how you train and treat them. Michael Vick could learn from Kristan Boucher an appreciation of how these beautiful creatures should be treated, but I don't think he would ever be allowed anywhere near her property.
USF Football To Go 10-2 in 2009, Will Win The Big East Title
In the past few years, the University of South Florida Football Team has made tremendous strides. A few years ago, they upset Auburn on the Plains and, for a short while at least, were ranked #2 in the country.
this year, the Bulls should have another winning season. They return All-American and All-Big East Sr. QB Matt Grothie. Grothie is a dynamic leader on the field for the Bulls. Here are some of his accomplishments: Three-year starter posted the best statistical season of his career ... Posted career best in touchdown passes (18), passing yards (2,911), completions (240) and passing yards per game (223.9) ... The dual-threat QB also ran for a team-best 591 yards and four touchdowns ... Led the BIG EAST in total offense (269.4) and ranked No. 21 nationally ... One of two players in conference history to account for 10,000 career yards of total offense ... Currently has 10,282 career yards of total offense, which only trails former-WVU quarterback Pat White (10,529) by 287 yards ... Already owns the BIG EAST record for total plays in a career with 1,611. Grothie is probably a sure First Round Draft pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.
The USF schedule is very favorable. Western Kentucky they should beat and, of course, Wofford and Charleston Southern, at least on paper, are give me games. The trip to Tallahassee to face the Seminoles will be tough, but there is a chance of an upset. The gap between USF and FSU talent wise is not that great. With Grothie at the helm and the Bulls already having beaten a BCS team in their own stadium, an upset at Doke/Campbell is quite possible.
The Bulls have Cincinnati, West Virginia, Louisville and Miami at home, with road games at Syracuse, Uconn, Pitt and, as already mentioned Florida St. I see the Bulls going 10-2 this season and I pick them to win the Big East Title. There are question marks with Wes Virginia now that Pat White is gone. Louisville has been down since Bobby Petrino left and they don't have the same type of players. Syracuse is rebuilding. Connecticut is a solid team, but I think USF is better and will win up in the Constitution State. I believe they will beat Cinci since the game is in Tampa. I predict upsets in Pittsburgh and Rutgers. The only stumbling blocks will be FSU in Tallahassee and a loss at home to Miami, both those teams in the ACC.
There is a possibility they could run the table. they are capable of beating any of these teams, but a 10-2 finish is probably what will happen along with a Big East Title. I t will be interesting to see what young players step up for USF, like Redshirt Freshman Demetris Murray. Murray is a running back out of Buford, GA and Buford High School in Gwinnett County. He was among the top running backs in the state and ranked the 49th best running back in the country by Rivals.com and 67th by Scout.com. during his Junior Year at Buford, Murray rushed for over 1,000 yards with a 7.6 yards per carry average. If he can translate something like that on to the college level, it will be a huge help to the Bulls offensive attack.
South Florida will go 10-2 and win the Big East. That's my prediction. Also, Matt Grothie should be on the Heisman watch list. If Grothie keeps putting up the numbers that he did the last two years, and the Bulls go 10-2 or even better, he is a definite Heisman Trophy candidate.
this year, the Bulls should have another winning season. They return All-American and All-Big East Sr. QB Matt Grothie. Grothie is a dynamic leader on the field for the Bulls. Here are some of his accomplishments: Three-year starter posted the best statistical season of his career ... Posted career best in touchdown passes (18), passing yards (2,911), completions (240) and passing yards per game (223.9) ... The dual-threat QB also ran for a team-best 591 yards and four touchdowns ... Led the BIG EAST in total offense (269.4) and ranked No. 21 nationally ... One of two players in conference history to account for 10,000 career yards of total offense ... Currently has 10,282 career yards of total offense, which only trails former-WVU quarterback Pat White (10,529) by 287 yards ... Already owns the BIG EAST record for total plays in a career with 1,611. Grothie is probably a sure First Round Draft pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.
The USF schedule is very favorable. Western Kentucky they should beat and, of course, Wofford and Charleston Southern, at least on paper, are give me games. The trip to Tallahassee to face the Seminoles will be tough, but there is a chance of an upset. The gap between USF and FSU talent wise is not that great. With Grothie at the helm and the Bulls already having beaten a BCS team in their own stadium, an upset at Doke/Campbell is quite possible.
The Bulls have Cincinnati, West Virginia, Louisville and Miami at home, with road games at Syracuse, Uconn, Pitt and, as already mentioned Florida St. I see the Bulls going 10-2 this season and I pick them to win the Big East Title. There are question marks with Wes Virginia now that Pat White is gone. Louisville has been down since Bobby Petrino left and they don't have the same type of players. Syracuse is rebuilding. Connecticut is a solid team, but I think USF is better and will win up in the Constitution State. I believe they will beat Cinci since the game is in Tampa. I predict upsets in Pittsburgh and Rutgers. The only stumbling blocks will be FSU in Tallahassee and a loss at home to Miami, both those teams in the ACC.
There is a possibility they could run the table. they are capable of beating any of these teams, but a 10-2 finish is probably what will happen along with a Big East Title. I t will be interesting to see what young players step up for USF, like Redshirt Freshman Demetris Murray. Murray is a running back out of Buford, GA and Buford High School in Gwinnett County. He was among the top running backs in the state and ranked the 49th best running back in the country by Rivals.com and 67th by Scout.com. during his Junior Year at Buford, Murray rushed for over 1,000 yards with a 7.6 yards per carry average. If he can translate something like that on to the college level, it will be a huge help to the Bulls offensive attack.
South Florida will go 10-2 and win the Big East. That's my prediction. Also, Matt Grothie should be on the Heisman watch list. If Grothie keeps putting up the numbers that he did the last two years, and the Bulls go 10-2 or even better, he is a definite Heisman Trophy candidate.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Enlightening Insight from SEC Basketball Coaches During Press Conference
Today, all the SEC Basketball coaches had a press conference (which can be heard on www.sec.org). The topics were insightful: the pros and cons of red shirting, does the perception of the SEC go down when Kentucky is down, Florida's problems at Point Guard, NCAA secondary violations...insightful!
Vanderbilt Head Coach Kevin Stallings was asked if the perception of the SEC is that of a weaker conference when Kentucky is down. Stallings replied, in so many words, that people do perceive the SEC as a down conference when the Wildcats are having a down year. Stallings went on to say, perhaps jokingly, that he hopes that Kentucky will not be good this coming season, but said that Kentucky will in fact be good this year. "The perception of our league has suffered at times when Kentucky is down. I don't particularly want Kentucky to be good because we already have enough good teams in this league. Kentucky will be good. They were good with Tubby, they were good with Billy, and they will be good with John {Calipari}."
In fact, Stallings, Florida Ass. Head Coach Larry Shyatt and South Carolina Head Coach Darren Horn all said that the league will be on a tremendous up swing this coming season. "You will see an exact oposite of last season.", Vanderbilt Coach Kevin Stallings said. All the coaches pretty much agree that last year, the league was young, and some programs were in the middle of major transitions, but with the top returning players coming back, the 09/2010 season will show the SEC to be much better than last year. They agree that the returning players like Devin Downey of South Carolina, Dinardo of Mississippi St., Trey Tompkins of Georgia and others, will raise the quality of their play, therefore, raising the quality of the SEC.
The Gators are in desperate need of a point guard. "We are very, very thin in the back court and we most definitely need a point guard in that 2010 Class." Florida Ass. Head Coach Larry Shyatt said (Billy Donovan could not make the press conference). Shyatt said that they plan on playing Irving Walker at the point at this time. Walker, a rising Sophomore from Brooklyn, NY, is a excellent shooting point guard who can penetrate and breakdown defenses. During his Freshman season, Walker earned SEC All-Freshman honors and was the Gators’ sixth man a year ago before winding up in the starting lineup the final three games of the season.
Vanderbilt Head Coach Kevin Stallings was asked about the pros and cons of red shirting. "I think red shirting is very good for the right guy." Stallings said. "Are policy is that nobody has to red shirt. A lot of times in red shirting, your betting that the player will be much better in his fifth year than he was in his first." Stallings went on to say that at Vanderbilt, they have had guys who wouldn't come to their program is they couldn't red shirt. That sounds very unusual in this success-now society.
Both Stallings and Georgia Head Coach Mark Fox were asked if they felt that the growing number of NCAA secondary violations is a problem. One reporter commented that there were over 4,000 secondary violations committed by coaches last year and that coaches were saying that if committing a secondary violation would get a top recruit into their school, it was worth it. "I don't know if it's a problem, but I can tell you this. The penalties will be much different for a secondary violation than they were last year." Coach Fox said. "Those who are willing to commit a secondary violation to get a top recruit are the same ones who would commit a major violation to get that recruit." Coach Stallings said.
Interesting and enlightening stuff from the SEC coaches. One thing they all seem to agree on, the SEC will be back to being among the top conferences in College Basketball. Information in this article was obtained from www.sec.org and www.gatorzone.com.
Vanderbilt Head Coach Kevin Stallings was asked if the perception of the SEC is that of a weaker conference when Kentucky is down. Stallings replied, in so many words, that people do perceive the SEC as a down conference when the Wildcats are having a down year. Stallings went on to say, perhaps jokingly, that he hopes that Kentucky will not be good this coming season, but said that Kentucky will in fact be good this year. "The perception of our league has suffered at times when Kentucky is down. I don't particularly want Kentucky to be good because we already have enough good teams in this league. Kentucky will be good. They were good with Tubby, they were good with Billy, and they will be good with John {Calipari}."
In fact, Stallings, Florida Ass. Head Coach Larry Shyatt and South Carolina Head Coach Darren Horn all said that the league will be on a tremendous up swing this coming season. "You will see an exact oposite of last season.", Vanderbilt Coach Kevin Stallings said. All the coaches pretty much agree that last year, the league was young, and some programs were in the middle of major transitions, but with the top returning players coming back, the 09/2010 season will show the SEC to be much better than last year. They agree that the returning players like Devin Downey of South Carolina, Dinardo of Mississippi St., Trey Tompkins of Georgia and others, will raise the quality of their play, therefore, raising the quality of the SEC.
The Gators are in desperate need of a point guard. "We are very, very thin in the back court and we most definitely need a point guard in that 2010 Class." Florida Ass. Head Coach Larry Shyatt said (Billy Donovan could not make the press conference). Shyatt said that they plan on playing Irving Walker at the point at this time. Walker, a rising Sophomore from Brooklyn, NY, is a excellent shooting point guard who can penetrate and breakdown defenses. During his Freshman season, Walker earned SEC All-Freshman honors and was the Gators’ sixth man a year ago before winding up in the starting lineup the final three games of the season.
Vanderbilt Head Coach Kevin Stallings was asked about the pros and cons of red shirting. "I think red shirting is very good for the right guy." Stallings said. "Are policy is that nobody has to red shirt. A lot of times in red shirting, your betting that the player will be much better in his fifth year than he was in his first." Stallings went on to say that at Vanderbilt, they have had guys who wouldn't come to their program is they couldn't red shirt. That sounds very unusual in this success-now society.
Both Stallings and Georgia Head Coach Mark Fox were asked if they felt that the growing number of NCAA secondary violations is a problem. One reporter commented that there were over 4,000 secondary violations committed by coaches last year and that coaches were saying that if committing a secondary violation would get a top recruit into their school, it was worth it. "I don't know if it's a problem, but I can tell you this. The penalties will be much different for a secondary violation than they were last year." Coach Fox said. "Those who are willing to commit a secondary violation to get a top recruit are the same ones who would commit a major violation to get that recruit." Coach Stallings said.
Interesting and enlightening stuff from the SEC coaches. One thing they all seem to agree on, the SEC will be back to being among the top conferences in College Basketball. Information in this article was obtained from www.sec.org and www.gatorzone.com.
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