Good News In College Sports

There Is Good News in Sports Again!

2007-07-01T15:28:00.001-04:00

Good News In Sports is back. I’ve consolidated Good News In College Sports and Good News in Pro Sports into one blog covering stories from all over the sports world that you can truly enjoy reading. No steroids, police blotters, or contract holdouts here. Only people who are making a positive difference by their actions or example. Check it out at www.goodnewsinsports.com

Going on Hiatus

2007-05-05T15:37:00.000-04:00

If you've visited here recently, you've noticed this blog has not been updated for a while. I have made the difficult decision to put this blog on hiatus while I work on a non-sports related project that is requiring too much of my time to keep up with things here. I don't know when I'll be back, but it won't be ahead of August. Check back then for an update.

Thanks for visiting Good News In College Sports.

Women's Hoops Team at Army Wins V Foundation Award

2007-04-04T17:25:00.000-04:00

The Army women's basketball team was named the recipient of the seventh annual V Foundation Comeback Award, presented annually by the V Foundation for Cancer Research in collaboration with ESPN. ESPN will make the official announcement Tuesday evening between the semifinal games of the men's National Invitational Tournament.

The annual award is open to men and women collegiate basketball student-athletes in all NCAA divisions. It is awarded to an individual or a team who has accomplished a personal triumph in the face of true adversity, be it in health, life or moral dilemma.

Just 17 days after Army's Cinderella run to its first Division I NCAA Tournament appearance, the Army women's basketball team suffered a devastating loss when 28-year-old head coach Maggie Dixon died suddenly last April. The 2006-07 squad faced a daunting emotional challenge not only to follow in Dixon's footsteps, but to keep her memory alive while still moving forward.

Army head coach Dave Magarity, who served as the associate head coach to Dixon on the 2005-06 Army team, took over the reins of the program this past season and led the Black Knights to a 24-6 season record, setting a school record for wins at the Division I level.

Click here to read more about how the Army women overcame tragedy and put together an outstanding season in this release on the Patriot League official website.

C of C's Hedley Receives Scholarship Grant

2007-04-03T21:20:00.000-04:00

The Family Circle Cup Community Outreach program is all about making a difference in the community. In 2002, the tournament started a scholarship grant at the College of Charleston for female student athletes who not only excel on the playing field, but off as well. Every year $5,000 is donated to an outstanding female athlete who is a well-rounded student, and whose accomplishments include giving back to the community. The scholarship winner is selected based on a number of criteria including academic accomplishment, volunteerism / community involvement, financial need, and athletic accolades. This year’s winner is sophomore Katie Hedley, a member of the College of Charleston’s Women’s Cross Country and Track teams.

Click here to read about this special student-athlete in the press release on the Southern Conference's official website.

Syracuse Salutes Athletics' Comunity Outreach

2007-04-02T20:36:00.000-04:00

From the Syracuse official athletic website:

The Syracuse athletics department’s ‘Cuse Cares Community Outreach program and senior football student-athlete Kelvin Smith will be recognized for their commitment to engagement with the community and Scholarship in Action with the 2007 Chancellor's Awards for Public Engagement and Scholarship in a March 26 celebration dinner in the Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center's Goldstein Auditorium. It marks the 10th consecutive year that Orange student-athletes have earned the CAPS Award.

“We ask our student-athletes to be extraordinary on and off the field,” said Director of Athletics Dr. Daryl Gross. “Community service is an area in which we strive to be the best. There are numerous hours and substantive areas that our coaches and student-athletes commit to yearly. We are proud of their service and their commitment to this community and beyond.”

The ‘Cuse Cares program is one of 14 University programs that will be recognized for service in the community. SU student-athletes participated in more than 1,200 hours of community service projects since the start of the 2006-2007 academic year in a variety of activities that enriched the lives of children, elderly, homeless, and many more individuals.

Smith, a four-year starting linebacker for the Orange football squad, developed and implemented a leadership skills group at Dr. King Elementary School with eight African-American boys. Smith designed and conducted the workshops with the children in the areas of creating leaders, leadership and health, leadership in sports and the rhythm of leaders.

Throughout the year, Syracuse student-athletes dedicated time to school fundraisers, youth clinics, Boys and Girls Clubs activities, preparing gifts during the holiday time for children, and Winterfest activities for kids. Student-athletes also spent many hours reaching out to young refugees in the area.

At the annual SUccess By Six kickoff at the Dome student-athletes from six teams collected 400 books and more than $300 for area children before a basketball game. Ten Orange teams participated in the annual Dollar Days at the Dome and raised more than $7,100 for the United Way.

Student-athletes also participated in many fundraising events, including the Breast Cancer walk-a-thon, a walk for kidney disease, and the Relay for Life at the Carrier Dome, and assisted in projects that benefit underprivileged individuals, including serving breakfast at the Rescue Mission and volunteering at the Oxford Homeless shelter. In addition, student-athletes visted with residents at The Oaks retirement center, the Ida Benderson Senior Center and the pediatric units at local hospitals, and participated in the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics and cheering on the athletes competing in their winter game events. Other activities include participation in Take Back the Night, building houses for Habitat for Humanity, activities at Head Start, and reading books for a reading awareness program at a local middle school. The annual Shooting for A’s program, an academic enrichment program which features opportunities to participate in group sports and meet student-athletes, begins next month.

“This year's nominations are remarkable, clearly demonstrating that civic engagement is not simply something students do, but has become an essential part of who we, and SU, are,” said Pamela Kirwin Heintz, the director of the Mary Ann Shaw Center for Public and Community Service.

Tucker Wins Senior CLASS Award

2007-04-01T17:53:00.000-04:00

Described by his coach as a college basketball player that “epitomizes the pure student athlete,” Wisconsin forward Alando Tucker is the 2006-07 winner of the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award for men’s basketball. The award, selected by a nationwide vote of coaches, media and fans, is presented annually to college basketball’s outstanding NCAA Division I senior student athlete.

Tucker put together a brilliant senior season at Wisconsin, earning Big Ten Player of the Year honors in a powerhouse conference that was among the nation’s toughest. He averaged 19.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game while leading the Badgers to a 30-6 record and top ten national ranking. By pouring in a school-record 716 points as a senior, Tucker became Wisconsin’s all-time leading career scorer with 2,217 points.

While he clearly excelled on the court, Tucker also has exemplified the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award off-the-court criteria with character, the classroom and the community. The communications major has a 3.5 GPA in his major and expects to graduate in May 2007. He serves as the men’s basketball representative on the Wisconsin’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and was the school’s delegate to the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Conference last year.

Click here to read more about this outstanding student-athlete and the Senior CLASS award from the official press release.

Classic Good News: Princeton's Martin Eichelberger

2007-03-31T16:11:00.000-04:00

If Martin Eichelberger was only known for his athletic accomplishments at Princeton, that would be a good resume. He was all-Ivy League football and lacrosse player and, in 1967, led the Tigers to their last Ivy title in lacrosse until 1992.

Eichelberger, now a pediatric surgeon, founded Safe Kids Worldwide, an organization devoted to reducing unintentional childhood injury. It has promoted numerous safety initiatives, ranging from promoting car child safety seat use to sports injury reduction. Since its founding in 1987 the United States has experienced a 45 percent reduction in fatalities from childhood accidents, and Safe Kids can claim much of the credit for this reduction.

As Chairman Eichelberger has raised more than $80 million for Safe Kids, testified before Congress, and made dozens of media appearances. Safe Kids Worldwide now comprises more than 600 grassroots organizations in all 50 states and 16 countries.

Click here to read about Dr. Eichelberger's journey from star athlete to a world leader in the efforts to keep kids safe in this installment from the Ivy at 50 series.

Arkansas State Athletes Host Annual Senior Citizen Prom

2007-03-30T19:25:00.000-04:00

From the Arkansas State official athletics website: The press release was previewing the event, which happened yesterday.

The Arkansas State University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is proud to announce its 3rd Annual Senior Citizen Prom - Masquerade Theme will be held on Thursday, March 29, at the Convocation Center from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Senior citizens are encouraged to come out and dance to the smooth sounds of the ASU Jazz Band from 5:00-6:00 p.m., show off their artistic ability by making masquerade masks and interact with ASU student-athletes. Bingo will get underway at 6:00 p.m. The evening will conclude with the crowning of the 2007 King and Queen.

“The Senior Citizen Prom has grown tremendously in just two years,” said ASU Associate Athletic Director Melanie Richardson. “The first year we had about 75 seniors, last year there were over 200 seniors and this year we are expecting 300-plus seniors from around the Jonesboro area to attend the prom. ASU’s student-athletes would like this event to be the premier event for senior citizens living in the Jonesboro community. The prom has been a big success and we are constantly looking for ways to improve the experience for our student-athletes and their guests.”

To accommodate the growing number of participants, the prom will be held at the Convocation Center in Jonesboro, Ark. Guests may enter through the yellow entrance and admission is free for all seniors 55 years and older. Hors d’oeuvres will be served.

How great is this? Way to go Indians.

Book Review: "Cinderella: Inside the Rise of Mid-Major College Basketball:

2007-03-29T20:37:00.000-04:00

They say timing is everything, and Michael Litos’ timing couldn’t have been better when he embarked on a project to chronicle a season in mid-major D1 college men’s basketball. The inspiration came to Litos while he was sailing on a 42-foot catamaran in the Caribbean, which is where I usually get most of my good ideas.

Following one of the cardinal rules of writing, Litos stuck to what he knew; the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) in his book “Cinderella: Inside the Rise of Mid-Major College Basketball” (Sourcebooks, Inc; 2007, 275 pp.).

Click here to read the rest of the review on my home page, The CourtMaster Rules on College Sports.

Women's Hoops Also Pitches In to Help Habitat for Humanity

2007-03-28T17:00:00.000-04:00

I recently posted a story about athletes at Tulane University helping out with a Habitat for Humanity project in New Orleans in conjunction with the men's NCAA basketball tournament being in town. Not to be outdone, the NCAA is also lending a hand in Cleveland for a similar project tied in with the upcoming women's Final Four.

More than 60 volunteers will participate in the construction of the house in Cleveland. The NCAA and members of the women’s basketball community, including Division I women’s basketball alumni, conference coordinators of officials and the WBCA have joined together for the build. Expected to participate alongside student, NCAA and community volunteers are coaches from Auburn University, Boston College, DePaul University, University Notre Dame and Rutgers University.

“Our women’s basketball community is pleased to have the opportunity to leave a footprint and legacy behind in Cleveland,” said Sue Donohoe, NCAA vice president for Division I women’s basketball. “This is a meaningful project for all those involved and we hope by our involvement, we will make a difference in the lives of a family in the city that is serving as our host.”

Click here to read the release on the NCAA's official website.

As another tie-in, you can bid on a mini Fender guitar (think Rock and Roll Hall of Fame) decorated in the Women's Final Four logo that will be signed by the head coaches from all the participating teams. All proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity.

Click here to check it out and place a bid.

Cameron U Athletes Pitch In On "Extreme Makeover"

2007-03-27T20:52:00.000-04:00

ABC's television show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" recently visited Lawton, Oklahoma, the home of Cameron University, and the school's athletic teams lent a hand.

The project was for the benefit of the local Westbrook family:

The Westbrook Family had suffered through two crippling injuries and was in need of something positive. Mr. Westbrook had served our country overseas, but had lost the use of his legs when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Upon his return home to Oklahoma, the family was involved in a car accident leaving one of the Westbrook sons without the use of his legs, just like his father. Such tragic events are always hard to hear of, so think what it must be like to live through. No family deserves that.

One group of volunteers who worked their hearts out to provide the best for the Westbrook Family, was the Cameron University Athletic Department and their numerous student-athletes, coaches, and administrators. The Cameron Aggies compete at the Division II level in ten intercollegiate sports (baseball, softball, volleyball (women’s), cross country (men’s), and men’s and women’s basketball, tennis, and golf) and each squad represented CU and the City of Lawton by helping out at the Extreme Makeover site.

“Part of our responsibility to our student-athletes and to our community is to give something back,” Cameron Athletic Director Jim Jackson said. “By teaching our student-athletes the importance of community, they will have a better foundation and will hopefully get involved (in their community) wherever they go once they leave Cameron.”

Click here to read more about the project and the athletic department's deep committment to community service on the Cameron official athletic website.

Thanks to Double-A Zone for the tip.

National Football Foundation Launches New Program

2007-03-26T20:29:00.000-04:00

The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced today the establishment of three fellowships with Play It Smart, the NFF’s highly successful youth development program that has changed the lives of thousands of at-risk student-athletes over the last nine years.

“In establishing these fellowships, the NFF will further strengthen its ties to the college community,” said NFF President Steven J. Hatchell. “Each year, we will select the best and the brightest from the college ranks, providing them with a dynamic opportunity to develop their skills in the world of sports business and philanthropy. It’s a program that we take great pride in launching, and we know that these positions will quickly become some of the most sought-after and coveted in all of sports for launching a career.”

A two-year post-graduate commitment, The NFF Play It Smart Fellowship Program will prepare participants for leadership positions in their chosen fields. Fellows will enhance their professional skills as they gain first hand experience carrying out Play It Smart’s mission of helping student-athletes take responsibility for their futures. Launched in 1998, more than 20,000 student-athletes in 85 cities have benefited from Play It Smart over the past nine years. Play It Smart fulfills its mission by financing the hiring and training of Academic Coaches who work with high schools in underserved communities.

Click here to read more about this program and the Play It Smart program.

March Madness Not Confined to Division I

2007-03-25T16:11:00.000-04:00

If you don't believe that, you should have seen yesterday's Division II national championship game between Barton College and defending champion Winona State, who came into the game with an old-school UCLA-like 57-game winning streak.

From the AP game story:

Anthony Atkinson scored 10 points in the final 39 seconds, including a layup at the buzzer, to give Barton College its first NCAA Division II title with a 77-75 victory over previously unbeaten and defending champion Winona State.

Barton ended Winona's two-year, 57-game winning streak and survived a review of the final play by the officials.

"I was just thinking about the next play," Atkinson said. "I got a bucket, then another and the next thing you know, the game's over."

It's hard not to think there was some destiny involved. Barton won nine, count them, nine, overtime games this season.

Click here to read the entire game story on SI.com.

Here's more information from the Barton College official athletics website.

Being a 6'7" Women's Hoops Player Requires Growth

2007-03-24T14:40:00.000-04:00

Alison Bales is a senior center on Duke's #1 ranked women's basketball team seeking the school's first national championship in that sport. She is the third leading shot blocker in NCAA women's history, which might seem like a "duh" for a woman who stand 6'7."

Stop and think for a moment. How difficult do you think it is being a 6'7" female college student when you're NOT on the basketball court? Bailes appears to be handing that challenge quite well.

"I think Ali has grown more as a person and a player than anybody I've ever coached," (Duke coach Gail) Goestenkors said. "And I've seen great growth in so many people. But the confidence that she now carries herself with -- on and off the court -- is remarkable."

"It's not a big deal to me anymore," (Bales) said. "With everything that my height has given me, it's a blessing. I'm a daughter, a sister, a teammate, a friend, just a regular college student."

I suspect she's not giving herself enough credit with that last statement.

Click here to read Michelle Voepel's feature on ESPN.com, "With family, coach's support, Bales blossoms into star."

2007-03-23T20:22:00.000-04:00

Northwestern and UMass' women's lacrosse teams took the field today to play the first Annual Brain Tumor Awareness College Lax Challenge.

The inspiration was a young girl named Jaclyn who was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2005. The Northwestern befriended her on their way to winning the national championship. The relationship continued and I'm happy to say that this event was not a memorial--Jaclyn is far from being healthy but closer than she was two years ago.

Click here to read the ESPN.com feature, "'Friends of Jaclyn' step up to raise funds, awareness."

Here is a link to the "Friends of Jaclyn Foundation."

Plenty of Great Storylines Working in the Women's Tournament

2007-03-22T19:12:00.000-04:00

While the men's NCAA basketball tournament has stayed fairly close to form, there are a lot of interesting storylines to follow in the women's tournament. Among them are:

A #13 seed (tiny Marist College) making it through to the Sweet 16 for only the third time ever.

Bowling Green winning only it's second NCAA tournament game ever and becoming the first Mid-American Conference team to advance as far as the Sweet 16.

A coach who camped out for two nights last year to sell tickets to her team's final home game.

Click here to read more about these and other interesting stories in the USA Today article, "Best tournament storylines are in the women's event."

Harvard's Lackner Recognized for Leadership Off the Court

2007-03-21T14:29:00.000-04:00

Christiana Lackner was a co-captian of Harvard's Ivy League champion women's basketball team this season, but that is not consider her most noteable accomplishment.

Lackner was recognized earlier this school year by the Margaret Fitzgerald Grogan Petersmeyer Foundation "for being a natural leader, for being well-rounded, for finding academic success, and for possessing a palpable love of life."

At one point, Lackner said, "My basketball coaches couldn’t understand why I was dancing, and my ballet teacher definitely couldn’t understand why I wanted to play basketball.”

Click here to read the story on Harvard's official athletics website, "Women's Basketball's Lackner Receives Fitzie Outstanding Young Women Award," and see what Christiana is considering doing with the award money after she graduates.

Thanks to Double-A Zone for the tip.

Tulane Athletes and the NCAA Help New Orleans Rebuild-Literally

2007-03-20T20:14:00.000-04:00

In conjunction with hosting the NCAA men's basketball tournament first and second rounds this past weekend, over 60 Tulane University student-athletes pitched in to work on building a house for Habitat for Humanity.

“This build is a great opportunity for our student-athletes to give back to the community that has embraced them,” said Rick Dickson, director of athletics at Tulane University. “By participating in this event, our student-athletes are able to exemplify the supporting role that intercollegiate athletics plays in enhancing the sense of community and strengthening the identity of member institutions.”

The NCAA is funding the entire cost of the house, estimated at $75,000.

The New Orleans project is the latest in the NCAA Home Team partnership with Habitat for Humanity International, which began in 2005 after hurricanes struck the Gulf Coast. The NCAA has committed $2.5 million for the three-year partnership.

Since the partnership began, more than 800 student-athletes and other volunteers have helped build nearly 20 homes in partnership with needy families.

Click here to read more about this wonderful partnership from the NCAA's official website, "Tulane teams with Habitat for Humanity."

Success On the Court and In the Classroom Is Possible

2007-03-19T20:02:00.000-04:00

Richard E. Lapchick, the Director of the National Consortium for Academics and Sport, has reviewed both the historic graduation rates and the Academic Progress Rates (APR) of the participants in the NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament. Overall, the news is good.

There are some remarkable positive highlights to point out in the fields for the tournaments this year, using the NCAA's Graduation Success Rates.

• An impressive 98 percent of the women's and 64 percent of the men's teams graduated at least half of their basketball student-athletes.

• Ninety-seven percent of the women's teams and 52 percent of the men's teams graduated at least 60 percent of their players.

• Eighty-three percent of the women's teams graduated at least 70 percent. A respectable 37.5 percent of the men's teams did the same.

While there is still plenty of room for improvement, the numbers are moving in the right direction.

Click here to read the entire report on ESPN.com's "NCAA tourney titlist in college degrees? Holy Cross."

A Leader Inspired By Courage Off The Court

2007-03-17T10:43:00.000-04:00

Torey Thomas led the Holy Cross men's basketball team to the Patriot League championship this season and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. His inspiration, however, comes off the court--from his brother.

"My brother can't play contact sports, but he's the most courageous kid I know," says Thomas.

His brother Trevon has Hemophilia B. In layman's terms, he is a bleeder. Torey grew up fearful that would also be his fate since it had been determined their mother was a carrier, but he received a clean bill of health.

In part motivated by Trevon's example, Torey has made the most of his opportunities, moving beyond poverty and helping others in his old neighborhood do the same.

Click here to read Torey Thomas' inspiring story on the Holy Cross official athletics website, "A Passion You Can't Teach."

Thanks to Double-A Zone for the tip.

Carter Brothers Are Strong On and Off the Court

2007-03-16T19:48:00.000-04:00

The Carter brothers have all played NCAA basketball. Kevin, the oldest, played at Division II Texas A&M-Commerce. Warren, the middle child, is currently the leading scorer for Illinois while the youngster Josh is the leading 3-point shooter for Texas A&M.

When they were all teenagers, they relied on each other more than most siblings. Their mother, who had received custody of the brothers after divorcing their father, was in prision. They made it through that situation together and were clearly stronger for it, growing into successful athletes and young men.

Click here to read the USA Today story, "Carter family finds will and way to succeed after mother went to prison."

"Good 'Ol Boy"

2007-03-15T19:58:00.000-04:00

That's the title of an article about Florida's Lee Humphrey, who will be working to help the Gators defend their national men's basketball championship in the NCAA Tournament just underway.

His better known teammates like Joakim Noah and Al Horford received acclaim, and properly so in my opinion, for spurning NBA riches and returning to school this season. Humphrey used the acclaim and visibility he received from his comtribution in the national championship.

He traveled with Sports Reach to Brazil and help spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“His whole thing is,he’s nothing without God. He has never thought of himself as great. Coach [Donovan] gave him an opportunity, and he’s thankful for it. There’s no chance of him getting a bighead,” said Don Mauldin, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes' area director in North- Central Florida.

Click here to read "Good 'Ol Boy" from the FCA's magazine "Sharing The Victory."

From 10-Year Old Hero To Hoops Walk-On to Conference MVP

2007-03-14T19:58:00.000-04:00

That's a lot for a 22-year old man to have accomplished so early in life, but that's the path that Central Connecticut State senior basketball player Javier Mojica has taken.

Mojica, a co-captian of the Northeast Conference champion Blue Devils, started his college basketball career as a walk-on. Four years later, he has graduated and been named the conference's Most Valuable Player.

No surprise for someone who, as a 10-year old boy, helped thwart his mother's suicide attempt.

From Hartford Courant columnist Stan Simpson:

Mojica exemplifies what a college experience can do for young people with a desire to escape their circumstances - and a resolve not to be outworked.

Click here to read more about Mojica in the column, "At-Risk Boy Steps Up As A Man."

Thanks to Double-A Zone for the tip.

A Long Road to the NCAA Tournament for North Texas' Young

2007-03-13T19:35:00.000-04:00

North Texas' basketball team had quite a long road back to the NCAA Tournament. Their Sun Belt Conference Tournament championship earned the Mean Green their first invitation to the dance since 1988.

That's nothing compared to how far senior forward Rich Young traveled to have an opportunity to play in the NCAA's. Young, who averages 5.9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, spent four years in the Marines and saw the world. Specifically, he served in Kosova, Kenya, Djibouti, and Iraq.

I guess just the challenge was attractive to me," Young said. "I just wanted to do it because people said it was tough and probably the hardest branch to go to."

That combination of experience and attitude has made him him a respected leader on his team and a key part of this season's success.

Click here to read the AP story, "Former Marine's road to NCAA tournament went through Iraq."

Thanks to Josh at Double-A Zone for the tip. Throughout both the men's and women's NCAA basketball tournaments Josh will be featuring some of the wonderful human interest stories about the participants, and we'll cover some of the highlights.

Calvin Roland Finds a Home In the NCAA Tournament

2007-03-08T21:52:00.000-05:00

Virginia Commonwealth University will be playing in next week's NCAA men's basketball tournament, having earned an automatic bid by winning the Colonial Athletic Association tournament and surviving an upset bid by last season's Cinderella, George Mason.

One of their players, Calvin Roland, has survived a lot worse than an upset bid in a tournament:

The fourth of six children, Roland was not expected to survive as a child after being struck by a car. Later, as a freshman in college, he found himself as the only one in his family other than his mother with a job. He was starting college, playing basketball, and earning a living to support his family. Soon after he began to pursue his degree, his family fell victim to eviction and was left homeless for the next two years. Roland spent his nights at friends’ houses, in his college locker room, and in the office where he worked .

Click here to read the story on the VCU athletic website about him winning the first annual Charles Barkley Scholarship. I also recommend this post from the blog of sportswriter Michael Litos for a healthy dose of perspective about Roland's story.

Thanks to my buddy at NCAA Hoops Today for the tip.

Heading To The Final Four - For College Credit

2007-03-07T19:17:00.000-05:00

Imagine going to the Final Four – for college credit. That’s what a dozen students from Lynn University are doing later this month.

The sports management students from the South Florida liberal arts university will spend the week of the college basketball championships zigzagging their way through the Atlanta sports landscape, all with the help of their professors, Ted Curtis and Chad Barr.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students to see what the business of sports is really all about,” says Curtis, who took five students to the 2006 Baseball Winter Meetings in December. “They have been learning about it during their college careers. Now, they have a chance to feel it and experience it up-close and personal.”

The students will tour Turner Field, Phillips Arena, Atlanta Motor Speedway and the Centennial Olympic Museum. They will meet with executives with the NCAA, Coca-Cola and virtually all of Atlanta’s professional sports teams. And they will take in the excitement and pageantry of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship Tournament along with all of its pre-game hoopla.

“It’s one thing to tell a student that the Final Four is a multi-billion dollar event,” says Curtis. “It’s another thing entirely for the student to experience it. That’s a lesson that will last them long after graduation.”

The students hardly just pay the extra fees associated with the trip, show up at the basketball games and earn their three credits. Before and after the trip, students take examinations on the NCAA’s complex revenue distribution plan, complete papers on stadium design, conduct in-class debates on intercollegiate athletics’ amateurism status and prepare multi-media presentations on major sports facility and event operations.

“Experiential learning is a big part of what we do at Lynn University,” says Barr, who has taken students on study tours to sites including China, South Africa and Thailand. “For Lynn students, learning doesn’t end in the classroom – it only begins there.”

For more information on the College of Hospitality Management and its sports management concentration, visit www.lynn.edu/hospitality.

"Fourth Year's the Charm"

2007-03-06T21:25:00.000-05:00

Maryland men's basketball players Mike Jones and D. J. Strawberry talk about the benefits they gained from experiencing both the good times and bad times of a four-year college career. With the Terps carrying a seven-game winning streak into the ACC Tournament and Jones and Strawberry at the top of their game, it goes without saying that these are some of the best times.

Strawberry, sitting next to Jones yesterday, smiled.

"Without college, I probably wouldn't know what life was about," he said. "Especially coming from all the way across the country. I probably wouldn't know how to live alone. Now, having to rely on myself, doing things on my own, the connections I made here at Maryland. College has been a great experience. I wouldn't give it up."

Click here to read Mike Wise's Washington Post column, "Fourth Year's the Charm."

"Bluffton Baseball: A team in the truest sense"

2007-03-05T20:59:00.000-05:00

Last week, only friends and relatives knew much of anything about the baseball team at Bluffton College, a small Mennonite college in Bluffton, Ohio. The baseball team, competing in NCAA Division III (without scholarships) played its games in front of intimate gatherings, some of them who sat leisurely in lawn chairs.

They had raised money on their own for their annual early-season southern swing. This season, they were heading to Fort Myers, Florida.

They didn't make it. The team bus crashed through an overpass barrier and onto I-75 in Atlanta. Four players, the bus driver, and his wife were killed.

Amidst this tragedy, however, is a story of team unity. Before the crash, the players bonded together to develop their skills on the baseball field and form a sense of family off the diamond.

Now, they are helping one other deal with grief just as they leant a hand to help survivors get clear of the bus accident. This is a story of young men who will heal and take the field again stronger, wiser, and closer together than ever.

Click here to read the ESPN.com story, "Bluffton baseball picks up the pieces."

Wolfpack Inspired By Yow to Knock Off Undefeated Duke

2007-03-04T18:12:00.000-05:00

That seems to be the most logical explaination of why the NC State women's basketball team handed #1 Duke their first loss of the season, 70-65, in the semifinals of the ACC Tournament.

State had won nine of ten prior to their loss to North Carolina today since Hall of Fame coach Kay Yow has returned following chemotherapy treatments (which she continues to receive) to combate a recurrance of breast cancer.

As writer Graham Hays explains it, "When you have a coach who is battling breast cancer for the third time in 20 years and has to stay in her hotel room to conserve energy when the team goes out to eat, the clock ticking above the court doesn't scare anyone."

Click here to read the ESPN.com story, "Wolfpack come together to down nation's No. 1 team."

Pretty As a Picture

2007-03-03T09:43:00.000-05:00

That's a fair description of Florida volleyball player Kari Klinkenborg, who has dreamed of appearing in Sports Illustrated. What seperates her goal from most other female athletes is her desire to appear in the swimsuit issue. Since she has a successful modeling background, she just might pull it off.

Click here to read "Gator Babe" from SI On Campus.

Vikings' Grant Has Strong Legacy In College Football

2007-03-02T20:53:00.000-05:00

Bud Grant patrolled the sidelines as the head coach for the Minnesota Vikings for many years and has has sons and grandsons he thought were good enough to play college football for the University of Minnesota, which like the Vikings is located in Minneapolis.

Grant had to wait a while to see one of his own wind up at the U. Previously, his offspring had found success at Eden Prairie College and Minnesota-Duluth. Now, finally, the Golden Gophers have come calling for Ryan Grant, one of Bud's grandsons.

Ryan, a receiver who has the academic credentials to gain admittance into an Ivy League, may actually go that route and bypass the U. of Minnesota and the Big Ten.

Click here to read Sid Hartman's column "A Grant is finally noticed by U" in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

Showing School Sprit While Overcoming Staggering Challenges

2007-03-01T20:08:00.000-05:00

This story goes back a way, but it is so cool that, once I was tipped to it, I wanted to share it with you.

University of Louisville band member Patrick Henry Hughes, who has captured national headlines for his inspiring story of determination and remarkable achievement despite being physically challenged, is this year's recipient of the 2006 Disney's Wide World of Sports Spirit Award, given each year to college football's most inspirational figure.

Despite being born with a rare genetic disorder that left him with no eyes and the inability to fully straighten his arms or legs, Hughes is excelling as college freshman. With his dad guiding his way, Hughes is a trumpet player in the University of Louisville marching band, a concert pianist who has performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., a recording artist and, most important, a straight-A student. The significant role of marching bands amid the landscape of college football, coupled with Hughes' remarkable achievements despite his physical challenges, made him the overwhelming choice for Disney's Spirit Award even though the award has traditionally been given to a student-athlete.

Click here to read the entire story on the WHAS Crusade For Children website.

Thanks to NCAA Hoops Today for the tip.

Jerry Gaines Broke a Barrier at Virginia Tech

2007-02-27T21:01:00.000-05:00

Jerry Gaines has been a heavy lifter all his life, always willing to take on the big challenges, and he's never made decisions lightly. So when he decided to leave segregated Crestwood High in Virginia Beach, Va., to compete in track at predominantly white Churchland High in Portsmouth, Va., during the 1966-67 school year, Gaines fully considered the ramifications. He enrolled at an integrated school where his athletic prowess could be showcased, but he carried with him the heavy burden of leaving his friends behind. That burden stayed with him for decades.

The choice paid off. While his former classmates at Crestwood stayed shackled by segregation's cruel restrictions on opportunities for African-Americans, Gaines became the first African-American scholarship athlete in the history of Virginia Tech.

Click here to read Richard Lapchick's feature on ESPN.com "Jerry Gaines paved the way at Virginia Tech."

Sun Devils' Romine Enjoying Baseball--And Living

2007-02-26T20:15:00.000-05:00

From the Phoenix East Valley Tribune:

The jersey covers his right shoulder, where two parallel surgical scars are located — a sobering reminder of how fortunate Romine is to have so much more than baseball.

After suffering from blood clots that necessitated life-threatening rib removal surgery in January 2006, the junior shortstop and second-generation Sun Devil is again ready to perform at a level that made him one of the heroes of a College World Series team in 2005.

That was just two years ago. But for Romine, it seems much longer, with a lifetime’s worth of adversity that has had to be endured.

“It’s not something you ever expect to go through,” said Romine, son of former ASU and major league infielder Kevin Romine. “Not only was I told that I would probably never play baseball again, I was told that I was lucky I woke up in the morning.“

Every day, I wake up and look in the mirror and see those scars, and I’m happy to be awake and alive.”

Click here to read "ASU's Romine enjoying game again after illness."

Making Order Out of Chaos

2007-02-25T14:01:00.000-05:00

Has anybody basketball coach in the nation faced a more challenging situation this season than Ron Everhart, the head man at Duquense University?

After arriving at the Pittsburgh campus in late March, Everhart had to patch together a roster with only two players returning from the 2005-06 squad that won only three games (hence the job opening that he filled). Then there was the shooting in September where five players on the team was wounded. During the season, the short roster has been sliced even thinner with injuries. To make things even more interesting, Everhart decided to change his team's system after the season started.

The Dukes will need to win the Atlantic-10 tournament to earn an NCAA bid, a highly unlikely event, but just the fact that the team has held together and won a few games (10-16 record through yesterday's games, 6-9 in the A-10) has been quite an accomplishment.

Click here to read the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article "A Season In Chaos" to learn how they've done it.

Wheat Honored for Community Service

2007-02-24T16:24:00.000-05:00

From the official athletic website of St. Augustine's College in Raleigh, NC regarding junior tennis player Suzan Wheat:

The City of Raleigh Human Relations Commission honored Saint Augustine’s College student, Suzan Wheat for her outstanding contributions to the College, as well as her community, during
their 18 th annual awards banquet held on Thursday, February 8, 2007.

A junior Communications major, Wheat is involved in various community, political and church related activities, including serving as a tutor for Tuttles Community Center and volunteering with the Helping Hand Mission. She has appeared on NBC 17 News at Issues, where she represented Saint Augustine’s College for a show which discussed the value of attending
an Historically Black College or University, and has worked alongside the Black Caucus with Brad Thompson & Associates Public Governmental Relations Organization.

“I was very excited to have won the award because it goes to show that even as I am pursuing my degree, I can still establish myself,” Wheat said. Stating that community service has always been a part of her life, Suzan relates her involvement in the community as a way of ministering to people. “I believe the way you treat people is a form of worship.”

After graduation, Suzan hopes to attend North Carolina State University, where she plans to pursue a master’s degree in international studies. This summer, she will travel to South Africa and from January to April 2008 she will study abroad in Argentina.

Established in 1977, the City of Raleigh Human Relations Commission is composed of citizens appointed by the Raleigh City Council and charged with promoting the general wellbeing
of the citizens of Raleigh in their human and economic relationships without regard to race, color, creed, gender, age, sexual orientation or national origin. The Commission is dedicated to promoting human dignity, trust, equal opportunity, tolerance and harmony among all Raleigh citizens.

Thanks to Double-A Zone for the tip.

Benefit Show and Auction at Bowling Green

2007-02-22T22:09:00.000-05:00

From the Bowling Green University official athletic website:

The Bowling Green State University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will host the Falcon Variety Show and Auction on Sunday, February 25. The event will begin at 3:00 p.m. at Anderson Arena. Cost of admission is $3.00 and all proceeds will benefit Dance Marathon.

The variety show will feature ten acts staged by various BGSU student-athletes and will be followed by a student-athlete date auction. The winners of the auction will attend a group dinner date on April 1.

"The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee has been working really hard to help give back to our fellow students who support us throughout the year," said SAAC president Caroline Keating. "The Falcon Variety Show and Auction will allow the community to see a different side of BGSU Student-Athletes. We are really looking forward to a great turn out and being able to give a big donation to Dance Marathon!"

The student-athlete advisory committee is comprised of one representative from each team to serve as leadership group that encourages unity and camaraderie between teams and among all student-athletes. The Student Athlete Advisory Committee at Bowling Green State University strives to be the primary link between student athletes and administration to enhance the experience of all student-athletes. For more information on SAAC click HERE.

Dance Marathon is an annual 32-hour fundraising event in support of the Children's Miracle Network. Since its inception in 1995, DM has raised more than $1.3 million to care for the miracle children who suffer from terminal illnesses, acute diseases, birth defects and severe trauma. With more than 2,000 BGSU students from some 70 student organizations, this is the third largest CMN Dance Marathon in the United States and the largest student-run philanthropy in Ohio.

Eustachy Better After A Timeout

2007-02-21T17:11:00.000-05:00

"I'm proud to say, April 23 with the grace of God it will be four years that I haven't had a drink, and that has changed my life."

That's the new approach to life taken by Larry Eustachy, the head men's basketball coach at Southern Mississippi. He was a rising star in the coaching fraternity after leading Iowa State to the Elite Eight in the 2000 NCAA Tournament, an accomplishment that earned him a National Coach of the Year award.

He bottomed out in 2003, losing his job and his marriage after photos of him partying with students at the University of Missouri the night after a game surfaced. He found himself in Hattiesburg, Mississippi trying to ressurrect his career. Fortunately, he seems to be on the right track.

Click here to read more about Eustachy's recovery in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's article "Better after his timeout."

National Football Foundation Will Award over $800,000 in Scholarships

2007-02-20T19:03:00.000-05:00

More than 100 banquets throughout the country will honor high school and college football scholar-athletes during the 2006-2007 chapter banquet season, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced today.

“The scholar-athlete banquet season highlights the best of the NFF’s mission in promoting this great game of football,” said NFF President Steven J. Hatchell. “These scholar-athletes are examples to their peers, having applied the same traits from the football field - discipline, teamwork, accountability - to all aspects of their life.”

The NFF’s chapter network, spread across 120 regions in 47 states, annually recognizes over 3,000 high school and college football student-athletes while awarding $800,000 in scholarships at the local banquets. More than 33,000 people will attend an NFF banquet this year, and they will witness the best of the gridiron being honored for their outstanding achievement on the field, in the classroom and as leaders in their communities. Many chapter banquets will also pay tribute to notable individuals from their local communities, bestowing Distinguished American Awards, Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football Awards and Outstanding Football Official Awards. The all-time amount raised and disbursed by the chapters will approach $11 million this year.

Click here to read the rest of the press release from the NFF.

Copeland Hustles His Way Into Playing Time for the 'Canes

2007-02-19T18:15:00.000-05:00

Keaton Copeland has accomplished something few walk-ons do in the ACC; earned playing time.

According to Head Coach Frank Haith, "He practices hard and gives you everything he has," Haith said. "He gets his stuff done on effort and if you could put that into some of our other guys they'd be amazing. He's not athletically blessed, but the message I wanted to send to our guys is that if you play hard like Keaton you will play."

Copeland also hustles off the court. He was accepted into Harvard but chose to stay close to home where he has already earned degree in electrical engineering. In his spare time, he will help put together a basketball camp this summer.

Click here to read to read "Ex-Flannigan captain Copeland rewarded for hustle, intensity" from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Yale Captain Has More On Her Mind Than Hockey

2007-02-18T20:52:00.000-05:00

Kristin Savard is a senior at Yale who is co-captain of the women's ice hockey team and majors in political science. Her education has broadened her perspective beyond this nation's borders. Savard has found an organization called "Teaming Up" to raise funds to help mothers in developing nations of Africa and Asia.

She can play a little bit of hockey too. Savard has helped lead Yale's team to the winning three-year period in the history of the program.

Click here to read about how Savard balances all of this and her plans for expanding "Teaming Up" in the Hartford Courant article "Yale Captain Has Off-Ice Goals, Too."

Good News Coaching Couples

2007-02-17T17:21:00.000-05:00

This article from USA Today, as a tie in to Valentine's Day, features several couples who are both college coaches .

Couples from Lehigh, Indiana, Louisiana-Lafayette, UCLA, and Missouri are featured.

Pittman a Big Loser--And Loving It

2007-02-16T20:25:00.000-05:00

To say David Pittman was a big man on campus as a high school senior last season it putting it mildly. The 6' 10" men's basketball star weighed in at a staggering 388 pounds. He could get away with wearing a size 52 waist pants in high school, but that wasn't going to cut it at the University of Texas. Since arriving at Austin, Pittman has lost 93 pounds and now proudly wears a size 40 pants. As his waist has shrunk, his playing time has steadily increased.

Click here to read more about David Pittman in the story from the UT student newspaper "The Daily Texan" courtesy of the USCHO website.

Mixing Love and Sports

2007-02-14T16:24:00.000-05:00

It can work....sometimes. ESPN.com, in celebration of Valentines Day, has a story showing various situations where love and sports have cometogether and everyone involved lived happily ever after. These stories are a mix of college and pro fans. A couple of the college stories are about:

Meeting your true love at the Final Four

Finding romance at a football tailgate party

A wedding at the Horseshoe at Ohio State University where Brutus the Buckeye was an honored guest at the reception and the bridal party was nattily attired in scarlet.

There's more good stuff in the article.

A Different Kind of Swimming Story

2007-02-13T19:37:00.000-05:00

When you read a story about a successful NCAA swimming program, you seldom see the words Minnesota or Croatia mentioned, and almost never both in the same story.

Here is that story, courtesy of the NCAA's official website:

Four years ago, three childhood friends from Zagreb, Croatia, landed at the University of Minnesota with dreams of getting a top education and swimming for one of the nation’s best programs.

Now as seniors for the tenth-ranked Gophers, the trio of Igor Cerensek, Mario Delac and Ales Volcansek have combined for 21 All-America honors and are scheduled to graduate in May.

Click here to read the rest of the release from the NCAA.

Sutton Bouncing Back From Guillian-Barre

2007-02-12T19:41:00.000-05:00

Tennessee Tech's men's basketball team doesn't need to look very far for inspiration. All they need to do is turn toward their bench and catch a glimpse of Head Coach Mike Sutton. The winner of the USBWA Most Courageous Award, Sutton was near death in April 2005. He nearly succumbed to the effects of Guillian-Barre syndrome and is still partially paralyzed. Sutton uses a motorized wheelchair to coach from the sidelines and is gradually moving into using a walker.

Is Sutton getting the job done? The school recently gave him a contract extension through 2010-11.

Click here to read Andy Katz's article on Mike Sutton courtesy of Tennessee Tech's official athletics web site.

Thanks to NCAA Hoops Today for the tip.

Abernethy Does it all for Ole' Miss

2007-02-11T11:24:00.000-05:00

Leading the Rebels men's basketball team to surprising success this season is only part of what Todd Abernethy is accomplishing. This release from the Mississippi official athletic site:

In addition to leading the Ole Miss basketball team to its best season in five years, Todd Abernethy is also doing his fair share of good work off the court, earning academic honors and continuing his charitable service in the community.

For the second straight year, Abernethy was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VI team today, which is voted on by the College Sports Information Directors of America. His name will now be added to the ballot for Academic All-America. The senior banking and finance major is a three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient.

Abernethy is also a member of the SEC Good Works Team and will be speaking to the Oxford Boys & Girls Club on Friday. The Carmel, Ind., native routinely talks to churches and civic groups and is an active leader in Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Abernethy has taken part in numerous fundraisers and participated in mission trips to Brazil and Bermuda.

Abernethy's Rebels could earn a share of the SEC Western Division lead and secure their first winning season since 2001-02 against No. 18 Alabama in Oxford Saturday at 4 p.m. CT. Abernethy is the conference leader in assist/turnover ratio (3.19) and ranks third in assists per game (5.5), in addition to averaging 14.1 points in league play.

Suits and Sneakers Awareness Weekend

2007-02-10T08:33:00.000-05:00

We all hear about the huge amount of money big-time college basketball coaches make, but here's just one example of how they give back to their communities. This from the American Cancer Society website.

Held the second weekend in February each year, Suits and Sneakers is a national event that is designed to raise awareness about Coaches vs. Cancer and the importance of cancer prevention and early detection. Coaches and coaching staff are encouraged to wear sneakers with their suits while coaching games during this weekend to remind college basketball audiences about the many ways people can reduce their risk of cancer, like eating right, exercising, making healthy lifestyle choices, and following the American Cancer Society's recommended cancer screening guidelines. The event is promoted by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the American Cancer Society, generating coverage on televised games and in arenas across the country. This year, Suits and Sneakers will be held February 9-11, 2007.

Referees also participate in this initiative, donating part of their game fees to the American Cancer Society.

Thanks to my friend at NCAA Hoops Today for yet another tip and his support of this site.

Getting Back on the Field to Help the Healing

2007-02-10T08:23:00.000-05:00

When you suffer the loss of a loved one, getting back on the field and working at the sport you love can be a critical part of moving on with life.

Thats what University of Charlotte softball player Christy Murray is doing right now after she watched her boyfriend, Tampa Bay Devil Rays prospect Erik Walker, drown on October 21.

This story on ESPN.com tells how extended family and friends are so important to healing from a devastating loss and helping someone as young as Murray realize she still has most of her life ahead of her.

Binghamton Wrestling Has Big-Time Hollywood Support

2007-02-08T19:25:00.000-05:00

Sometimes support for an athletic program can come from an unlikely source. That's the case with Binghamton University's wrestling team. The sport was discontinued for the 2004-05 season but brought back in 05-06 thanks to an effort led by actor William Baldwin, an alum of the school and a former wrestler there. Baldwin hasn't just lent his name to the program, he has supported them in person by attending several of their meets.

Click here to read the ESPN.com story about the revival of Binghamton wrestling.

Putting His Money Where His Heart Is

2007-02-07T20:04:00.000-05:00

We read stories about the thousands and even millions of dollars boosters gives to schools, often at least partially movitaved by the perks and influence that come along with the gifts.

Here's a story, though, of a man who ponied up some big bucks to help his school with no realistic expectation of receiving perks or gaining influence. William Graham, an alum of Bucknell, gave the school $5.6 million in 2002 to restart the wrestling program it had shut down. His gift also went toward helping the women's crew team and putting artificial turf on the field hockey field.

No Final Four tickets to be had there.

Click here to read more about Graham's give in the USA Today story, "Bucknell makes most of multi-million dollar pledge.

Winning Against An Opponent He Couldn't Even Pronounce

2007-02-06T20:40:00.000-05:00

Al Johnson earned a promotion over the summer. Texas A&M head basketball coach move him up from video coordinator to assistant coach.

Then Johnson got sick.

It's been a tough fight against a rare autoimmune disease called dermatomyositis (pronounced der-mat-o-my-o-sie-tis), which inflames tissue throughout the body. He's back working on a limited basis and hopes for a full recovery.

Click here to read the story of how everyone in the Texas A&M family rallied around their sick coach and how he has, in return, inspired them.

Thanks to NCAA Hoops Today for the tip.

Good News From the Super Bowl

2007-02-05T19:50:00.000-05:00

I usually stick to college sports here, but it's also hard to do a sports blog and ignore the single biggest sporting event in the United States, especially when I found two good stories that fit the good news theme.

First, I was really happy to see Tony Dungy reach the pinnacle of his profession. From everything I've ever read or heard, Dungy is one of the truly good people in sports at any level. Here is an article from The Christian Post that tells how his faith has led him to success and peace in his life.

If you watched the post-game, you noticed that the Colts players and coaches donned "Super Bowl Champion" caps and t-shirts immediately after the game. In order for that to happen, there were also "Chicago Bears, Super Bowl XLI Champions" t-shirts made up. Have you ever wondered what happens to those after the game? It turns out they are donated to World Vision and shipped overseas.

Favre Not the Only Fixture in Green Bay

2007-02-03T20:25:00.000-05:00

Nicole Soulis and Natalie Berglin are finishing up successful careers with the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay women's basketball team, but their paths crossed long before they both donned the Phoenix's uniforms.

Soulis and Berglin, both Green Bay natives, first hooked up as teammates in the eighth grade, then competed against each other in high school but often played together during the summer. It appears their careers will end with a third NCAA appearance in their four years with the Phoenix.

Click here to read about the bond these young ladies have formed with each other and their city in the ESPN.com story "Longtime teammates helping Phoenix soar."

"Doc" Bowser Has the Heart for Coaching

2007-02-02T20:30:00.000-05:00

People often use their connections with others they have crossed paths with to move into coaching positions, but this one is unique. Michael "Doc" Bowser made his connection by performing a heart procedure on the father of Cazenovia College's head basketball coach. Years later the coach, Todd Widrick, asked Bowser to join his staff as a volunteer assistant. Three years later, at the age of 59, Bowser's transition from cardiologist to basketball coach was complete when he took over Widrick's job.

Click here to read "Doc" on the NCAA's official website and learn how Bowser made this transition and how it's working out for him now.

Classic Good News: Making Things Better On and Off the Court

2007-02-01T19:30:00.000-05:00

Peter Roby weas a successful basketball player at Dartmouth, but he was only beginning to make an impact in the sports world. He became the head coach at Harvard at the young age of 28.

Today, Roby works as the director of Northeastern University's Center for the Study of Sport in Society, where he continues to use sport as a means for impacting lives. As director of what he describes as "a social justice organization that uses sport to create change," Roby runs a staff of former collegiate, professional, and Olympic athletes trained to work with America's youth in dealing with issues of diversity, conflict resolution and violence prevention.

Click here to read The Ivy League's "Ivy at 50" story about Peter Roby and how he is working to be a positive force in the world of sports and in young people's lives.

These Guys Really Are Student Athletes

2007-01-31T21:14:00.000-05:00

There are some great things going on at Butler University in Indianapolis these days. Their men's basketball team is ranked in the Top 25, sporting a 20-2 record, but their players are also getting the job done off the court.

Nine Butler players have been recognized as Josten's Scholar student-athletes. To qualify, athletes must achieve a 3.25 grade-point average (B-plus) in the spring or fall semester, or have a cumulative average of 3.25.

"If you're disciplined enough to go to class and you're ambitious enough to do well, you're usually going to be the same way on the basketball court," (Butler head coach Todd) Lickliter said.

Click here to read the Indianapolis Star story "Student-athletes? They excel at both."

Thanks to Double A Zone for the tip.

A California Girl Loves Iowa, and Iowa Loves Her

2007-01-30T20:28:00.000-05:00

Lyndsey Medders found her way from the sun and warmth of Santa Monica, California to the cold Midwestern winters of Ames, Iowa where she is the leader of the Cyclones' women's basketball team.

Not only has Medders adapted to her different environment, she has embraced the community of Ames and won the hearts of young and old alike. She's taken a path less travelled, but what would you expect from a basketball player who cites "The Inner Game of Tennis" as a strong influence on her athletic career.

Click here to read Mechelle Vopel's feature "California girl Medders embraces all things Iowan" on ESPN.com

Ga. Tech Baseball to Shave Their Heads For Charity

2007-01-29T20:43:00.000-05:00

This press release is from Georgia Tech's official sports website. Thanks to Wreck Ramblin for the tip.

Georgia Tech's baseball team has joined forces with the St. Baldrick's Foundation to raise money to find the cure for childhood cancer. The Yellow Jackets have agreed to shave their heads as a part of the St. Baldrick's event, setting the lofty goal of raising at least $5000 by March 17, 2007, and are asking for the fans' assistance in helping them raise the funds.

For every $250 donated by Georgia Tech fans over the next two months, one player on the team will have their head shaved following the Yellow Jackets' game against Boston College on St. Patrick's Day. Donations can be made by going to the St. Baldrick's website and clicking "find an event," searching for the Georgia Tech Baseball Private Event in Atlanta, Ga., or by clicking here.

St. Baldrick's began in 1999 and is now the world's biggest volunteer-driven fundraising program for childhood cancer. Events have taken place in 10 countries and 42 U.S. States, raising over $20 million and shaving more than 26,000 heads.

It began when a group of Irish friends were trying to find a way to repay their good fortune by giving to others. They decided to turn a St. Patrick's Day party into a benefit for kids with cancer, but struggled to find what would turn heads - and open the wallets - of their colleagues. One friend suggested shaving another's head, since kids typically lose their hair during cancer treatment, and another said that he would gladly pay to see the man bald. Thus, St. Baldrick's was born.

The largest St. Baldrick's Foundation grants have gone to the Children's Oncology Group, the world's foremost childhood cancer research organization, consisting of 230 research institutions working cooperatively to find cures. Six fellowships have also been funded to encourage the best and brightest new doctors to pursue careers in childhood cancer research. Twenty-six other grants have been made to local institutions for research.

As part of the St. Baldrick's Day festivities at Russ Chandler Stadium, the Yellow Jackets are inviting young cancer survivors from the Atlanta area to the game, with the kids escorting the team to the field prior to the playing of the national anthem.

"A Fumble, Then Recovery"

2007-01-27T19:34:00.000-05:00

Ike Whitaker arrived at the Virginia Tech campus in the fall of 2005 as a highly touted quarterback who would surely lead the Hokies to many victories over the years. He also arrived in Blacksburg with a drinking problem. Whitaker has recently completed alcohol rehab and will compete with Sean Glennon for the starting quarterback positioin in spring practice.

Click here to read the Washington Post story about how he bottomed out and has begun the recovery process.

Gant Has Struggled to Get Back On His Feet

2007-01-26T20:14:00.000-05:00

A year ago, Khaliq Gant was practicing as a member of Cornell University's basketball team when he got into a pileup with two teammates going for a loose ball. They got up, but he didn't. Gant had suffered a 50% dislocation of two vertebre and was paralyzed.

Last week, he was seen shooting a basketball in that same gym. It was a long, difficult road over that Gant had to travel over the past year to rise up out of his wheelchair. Click here to read the ESPN.com story.

Drive 4 The Cause With Alabama Gymnastics

2007-01-25T19:31:00.000-05:00

The University of Alabama is prepping for it's third annual "Drive 4 The Cause" gymnastics meet on January 26th.

"The monies that we are raising are going for disadvantaged women in the West Alabama communities,” said (gymnastics head coach Sarah) Patterson. “My goal is that no woman, because of financial restrictions, would be denied help or treatment in their fight against breast cancer, along with the educational process.”

This is more than a nice gesture. Gymnastics meets are a big deal down in Tuscaloosa, frequently drawing more than 12,000 fans for a meet. In conjunction with a golf tournament and other fundraisers, the school will present a check for $225,000 to the DCH Breast Cancer Fund at the meet (vs. arch-rival Auburn.)

Click here to read how this wonderful idea got started on the NCAA's official website.

Here is more information from Alabama's official website.

Pearl Gives His School the Shirt Off His Back

2007-01-24T21:40:00.000-05:00

University of Tennessee men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl made a statement Monday night (not a fashion one, though) during the Lady Vols' basketball game with #1 Duke. Pearl spent time in the student section rooting on the girls, and he did it sans shirt. Yes, Pearl showed up with orange paint all over his torso and arms with a powder blue V painted on his ample belly. The attached AP story is complete with a photo if you're into that kind of thing.

You've either got to love this or hate it, and I personnally love it. I think it's great that Pearl wanted to show school spirit and connect with some of the students. We could have a spirited debate regarding whether or not he should have worn a shirt, but I think this was a great reminder that the whole college sports experience should be fun. In the AP picture, Pearl and the fans around him sure looked like they were having a good time, and isn't that the whole point of attending a game?

"The Real All-Americans"

2007-01-22T18:53:00.000-05:00

When you think of schools that produce Division I All-American baseball candidates, far down the list of colleges that come to mind would be Army and Navy. This coming season, however, that's where two of the top players in the nation play.

Army's Milan Dinga and Navy's Mitch Harris are dual threats, excelling both on the mound and at the plate. Click here to read CSTV's report about the interesting stories of their recruitment and the new rule in effect at the military academies that could enable them to have lengthy professional baseball careers while still fulfilling their service committment.

Rebounding to Become a Great Rebounder

2007-01-20T19:57:00.000-05:00

Rashad Jones-Jennings, a senior forward at Arkansas-Little Rock, is the leading rebounder in Division I men's basketball. You might find that fact alone mildly interesting. It turns out he was rejected as a walk-on candidate at Tennessee State by former coach Nolan Richardson III and had to dominate in junior college ball to get a real shot at playing D1.

Click here to read the story of a player who rebounded big-time to become a big-time rebounder in CBS Sportsline's story, "Jones-Jennings--classic tale of rejection and triumph."

"The Shot" Still Resonates in Natchitoches

2007-01-19T20:06:00.000-05:00

When a school's sports program doesn't have a lot of positive history to look back on, one moment is the spotlight can make an amazing difference. Such is the case at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. It was Jermaine Wallace's last-second three-pointer that led the Demons to a shocking 64-63 victory over Iowa in last season's NCAA men's basketball tournament and gave the school their "One Shining Moment."

This moment still shines brightly well into a new season, and this column by Kyle Whelliston on ESPN.com shows what an impact it has made on the school and the men's basketball program.

It Only Took 28 Years to be an Overnight Sensation

2007-01-18T21:55:00.000-05:00

That's the story of Middle Tennessee University's first-year women's basketball coach Rick Insell. After 28 years as a successful high school coach at nearby Shelbyville Central High School, Insell has the Blue Raiders in the Top 25 for the first time since 1988.

Read about how he's done it and the excitement building in Murfreesboro in the USA Today article "Insell embraces big dreams at Middle Tennessee State."

Taking the Long Way to Connecticut

2007-01-17T19:46:00.000-05:00

Hasheem Thabeet is a freshman basketball player at the University of Connecticut. He stand 7'3" tall and has used that height and surprising athletcism to rank fourth in the nation with 4.3 blocked shots per game.

He first learned the game on the playground of a big city, but unlike most of his current teammates and opponents, his home was in Tanzania. He left there in 2005 and came to the United States and now finds himself playing for one of the top college basketball programs in the nation.

Like most good stories, Thabeet's has some twists and turns and is only starting to develop.

Click here to read more about Thabeet's path from Tanzania to UConn in the USA Today article, "Thabeet finds his way home to UConn."

Thanks to NCAA Hoops Today for the tip!

Ekene Ibekwe's Worldwide Growth

2007-01-16T20:54:00.000-05:00

Senior forward Ekene Ibekwe is a model of the progression coaches hope an athlete will make throughout his college career. Born and raised on the West Coast, Ibekwe's geographical transition was parallel to his physical and emotional development.

Ibekwe's maturity is also evident in his attitude towards his school work. He credits his parents with stressing academics as he was growing up, and understands the value of a college education off the court. He said, "A good education is something you need to have in life, so that you have something to fall back on. It's hard to balance with basketball, but it needs to be done and I think I've done a good job of it."

As such, Ibekwe is a three-time LeFrak Foundation Scholar, awarded to University of Maryland athletes "who exhibit extraordinary athletic leadership and academic achievement."

Click here to read ""Ibekwe's Worldwide Growth, On and Off the Court" on Maryland's official website. There, you can find out how he fared against Dirk Nowitzki in last summer's FIBA World Championship tournament as a member of the Nigerian national team.

Terry Stepping Back So Tar Heels Can Step Up

2007-01-15T22:23:00.000-05:00

Reyshawn Terry had a breakout season last year for North Carolina's basketball team, averaging 14.5 points per game. His average is down to 9.1 this year, but that doesn't mean the senior is not playing as well. His all-around game, particularly his assist-to-turnover ratio and his defense, are significantly improved.

Tar Heel coach Roy Williams said about Terry, "He couldn't guard his lunch when he first got here," Williams recalled. "He's worked extremely hard, and every success that he has makes you feel really good because I know from how far he came, how much he's worked in the offseason."

In a culture where more and more players are transferring away from big-time schools because they don't get enough minutes or have a big enough role in a team's offense, Terry is a player who goes against that trend, putting the team first.

Click here to read the Raleigh News & Observer's article, "Terry 'mans up' to be a team player."

Tre' Kelly Overcomes, Well, Everything, to Star on the Court

2007-01-13T19:40:00.000-05:00

Growing up in a crime-ridden neighborhood is tough. Having your mother murdered in that neighboorhood makes life much tougher. Tre' Kelly, though, made it through those obstacles and others to become the leader of South Carolina's basketball team and one of the better guards in the Southeastern Conference.

“He has a quiet confidence, but he’s gritty tough,” South Carolina coach Dave Odom said. “He’s the kind of person and he’s the kind of basketball player that when tough times come, you want to be in the trenches with him.”

Click here to read more about Tre' Kelly on the Fellowship of Christian Athletes' "Sharing the Victory" magazine.

A Young Hero Leaves Behind a Lasting Impression

2007-01-12T21:24:00.000-05:00

Anthony Ford may have just been nine years old, but his remarkable zest for life will be forever remembered by those who met him.

Ford was a youth ice hockey player who was stricken with leukemia and passed away last April. But before he left this world, Ford made an impact on several people’s lives, and especially on members of the Minnesota State Mankato men’s ice hockey team.

Click here to read "The Hero I See" on the NCAA's official web site. There, you can find out how you can support the Anthony Ford Foundation, established to provide scholarships to underprivileged youth hockey players.

UT Tyler Baseball Recognized for Ongoing Community Service

2007-01-11T20:38:00.000-05:00

The University of Texas at Tyler baseball team has been awarded the Jostens/National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators (NADIIIAA) award for the best on-going community service project in the nation for the team’s Sports Cards for Kids program.

Click here to read about this successful program on the Texas-Tyler official athletics website.

Classic Good News: A Groundbreaking Athlete & a Rhodes Scholar

2007-01-10T21:22:00.000-05:00

That's the story of Suzanne Perles, who was a member of Princeton's first varsity field hockey team, then later was named a Rhodes Scholar. She also has crossed paths with another famous Princeton athlete and Rhodes Scholar, former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley, on more than one occasion.

Click here to read about Suzanne Perles on the Ivy League's "Ivy at 50" series.

Dentistry and Hoops in Minnesota via Nepal (and other places)

2007-01-08T20:43:00.000-05:00

That's the fascinating journey Jesse Hollander has taken. Hollander is a senior captian on the Macalester College ( St. Paul, MN) basketball team, but that only scratches the surface of his college life.

Hollander spent part of his youth with his family in Nepal, and attended high school with students from 37 nationalities. He also played varsity golf at Macalester, carries a 3.55 GPA, and received an internship for predental students that took him back to Nepal along with Thailand and Oregon.

Click here to read more on "MIAC Profiles of Excellence: Jesse Hollander."

Happy to Be Home For the Hollidays

2007-01-07T17:38:00.000-05:00

Two members of the Southern Illinois University golf team, Kelly Gerlach and Lauren May, probably appreciated having time with their families this holiday season more than most. Not long ago, neither one was assured of having that holiday. Both have survived accidents that could have ended their lives. After extensive therapy, both Gerlach and May rejoined the Salukis' team this past season.

Click here to read "Holidays a special team for Kelly Gerlach and Lauren May" on the Southern Illinois official athletics web site.

Cabrini College Hosts "Hoops From the Heart" Clinic

2007-01-06T21:23:00.000-05:00

From the Cabrini College official athletic website.

Temple coach Fran Dunphy will be the featured speaker at the 6th annual Hoops-from-the-Heart basketball clinic for boys and girls in grades 1-8, hosted by Cabrini College on Martin Luther King Day, Jan. 15, and benefitting needy families in Delaware County.

The clinic, conducted by the coaches and players on both Cabrini teams, will run from 9 a.m. to noon at Nerney Field House, located in the college's Dixon Center. Drop-off and check-in will begin at 8:15 a.m. Each child will receive a free Hoops-from-the-Heart T-shirt.

The $30 fee will go directly to the Community Action Agency of Delaware County, a nonprofit organization that has provided housing, job training and other services to the needy since 1979. Last year's clinic, attended by nearly 250 area children, raised $5,300 for the agency.

"This is a way to raise money for a great cause and give young kids something fun to do on a day off from school," said Cabrini women's coach Bobbi Morgan, a former Haverford High coach who founded the clinic in 2002. Morgan will run the event along with Cabrini men's coach Matthew Macciocca, a former Radnor High star.

The clinic, co-sponsored by the Radnor Township and Haverford Township recreation departments, will group players by age and ability and provide instruction in such basketball fundamentals as passing, shooting, defense, ballhandling, rebounding and team play.

Players are encouraged to bring one non-perishable canned good for the Community Action Agency. The organization runs homeless shelters and provides other social services for the poor, including employment counseling and domestic-abuse counseling.

Check the link for more information.

Leadership On and Off the Court

2007-01-05T19:53:00.001-05:00

That's a brief description of Courtney Gomez, a junior point guard for the University of Hartford.

Gomez carries a 3.55 grade point average and has already helped her team win two American East championships. She is also Co-President of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee for the past two years. Through her involvement with SAAC she has twice attended the America East Leadership Conference and has been able to assist with numerous community service events. Some of those activities include Habitat for Humanity, Wounded Warrior, and Any Soldier.com, where student-athletes sent care packages to soldiers overseas. "I have really learned about leadership and delegating through SAAC," said Gomez. "Instead of just leading by example, I had to learn how to lead by being verbal and delegating."

"Courtney wants to excel off the court as much as she does on," said coach Jennifer Rizzotti. "She is a great student who wants to be involved with SAAC and many extracurricular activities."

Sounds like the definition of a TRUE student-athlete. Click here to read the release on the America East official website.

"No Ordinary Joe"

2007-01-04T21:33:00.000-05:00

Here's a description of a student at the University of Wisconsin:

o Two-time academic all-Big Ten
o Winner of an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship
o A 3.49 grade point average
o Described as "a big teddy bear" by his fiancee

His name is Joe Thomas, an offensive tackle for the Badgers. He returned to action only eight months after tearning his ACL, and he is regarded as the best offensive lineman to ever play at the school.

Click here to read the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story, "No Ordinary Joe."

Ahead of Schedule

2007-01-03T21:16:00.000-05:00

That's a good way to describe Louisville defensive tackle Amobi Okoye. He played his last game for the Cardinals in their Orange Bowl victory over Wake Forest. Where many student athletes are just beginning their collegiate career at 19 years old, Okoye just finished his. Amazingly, he was a 16-year old freshman playing big-time college football, and in April could wind up being selected in the first round of the NFL draft.

Okoye's success on the field, while impressive, is only a small portion of his story which has taken him to Louisville via Nigeria and Alabama.

Click here to read "Louisville early bird graduates at 19."

Classic Good News: Archie Griffin Still the Face of Ohio State

2007-01-02T19:14:00.000-05:00

Archie Griffin remains the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner, earning the awards in 1974 and 1975 when he starred in the Ohio State backfield. He retired as the leading rusher in NCAA history and put together a still unbroken record of 31 consecutive 100-yard rushing games.

Griffin is still a very visible presence in Columbus even today as the president of Ohio State's Alumni Association after serving seven years as an associate athletic director.

Most importantly, he is still one of the genuine good guys in sports. Don't take my word for it, check out this column in the Palm Beach Post and read the testimonials from some of the people who know him the best.

Not Too Small to Have a Big Impact

2007-01-01T18:02:00.000-05:00

Jazzmin Walters is the smallest player in Old Dominion women's basketball history. Don't, dare I say, sell her short.

Walters has cracked the Lady Monarchs' starting lineup in this, her sophomore season, and is providing excellent defense and energy on the offensive end.

"Jazz is no bigger than a minute," said Lady Monarchs coach Wendy Larry, who won her 500th game earlier this season. "Her heart is bigger than her body. She has a great deal of passion for the game."

Walters knows that refining her point guard abilities is one key to her success -- both for her as an individual and for her team. "I just want to keep everybody involved and stay consistent," said Walters, who must work on her assist-to-turnover ratio. "I can't do it myself, but I want to try and help bring people together. A lot of my teammates look up to me."

Click here to read Nancy Lieberman's ESPN.com column "One of game's smallest making big impact at ODU." Make sure to check out the pictures of Walters and ODU men's player Sam Harris, who stands 7'3".

Taking Playing In Pain to a New Level

2006-12-30T15:50:00.000-05:00

J. J. Milan, a senior defensive end for the Nevada Wolf Pack, leads his team in sacks. That's pretty good for a player who was told less than two years ago that a foot injury would keep him from ever playing football again.

From the story in the Miami Herald:

Milan had big plans for the 2005 season, but they ended on the final day of spring practice when he sustained a Liz Frank fracture in his foot when a teammate fell on the back of it while Milan was falling forward.

The foot had ripped tendons and cartilage was completely torn off the joint that holds his big toe and pinkie toe together. Three months later, when doctors took a look at the foot again, they told Milan to start looking into a new career.

''The X-rays of my foot looked like a jigsaw puzzle,'' Milan said. ``Doctors told my mom I'd never play again and that I was going to have arthritic pain the rest of my life.''

Seven screws, a bone graft from his shin and three reconstructive surgeries are holding together the right foot of the Western Athletic Conference's leader in sacks. But what allows him to ignore the pain is his drive to play the game he loves.

Click here to read more about this remarkable story of preserverance.

A Father Who Is ALWAYS There For His Son

2006-12-29T20:57:00.000-05:00

Travis Gottschalk is a wrestler for South Dakota State. He has posted an unspectacular record of 45-65 during his career, but has never missed a match.

Neither has Travis' father Scott, who estimates he has travelled over 70,000 during Travis' collegiate career to take in his matches.

Scott told his son, "As long as you can put this kind of effort into it, the least I can do as your dad is be your No. 1 fan."

Click here to read about this wonderful father-son bond in ESPN.com's story "Father-son bond deepened over 70,000 miles.

Delivering the Mail, On and Off the Court

2006-12-28T19:28:00.000-05:00

Karl Malone had the nickname "The Mailman" when he played at Louisiana Tech and the Utah Jazz, but Dana John literally IS a mailman. He's also the leading scorer (17.7 points per game) for the New Jersey City University basketball team.

This mailman gig is not part-time job. John works a regular 12-8 AM shift to support his three- year-old son. The 26-year old also didn't play high school basketball, chosing instead to work a part-time job to help with his family's finances.

Gothic Knights' coach Charles Brown said about John "What’s nice about Dana is that he never asks for a day off,” said Brown. “He never says he’s tired or needs to do something – and I would give him time off in a minute. He always fulfills his responsibilities, and he’s one of the nicest young men that I’ve had the opportunity to coach. I have a lot of respect for him.”

A lot of today's prima-donna big-time athletes could learn a thing or three from Dana John.

Click here to read "Hard work paying off" on the NCAA's official website.

"Heroes Among Us" at Iowa Basketball Games"

2006-12-27T19:42:00.000-05:00

The University of Iowa has a wonderful program to recognize special people in the Iowa City community. Called "Heroes Among Us," fans are nominated by neighbors, co-workers, or family members for extraordinary contributions to their community.

Here is a link to Iowa's official athletic website where you can read the nominations of people selected to be a "Hero Among Us."

"I Came Here To Get Somewhere"

2006-12-26T17:33:00.000-05:00

That's a quote from Brandeis University (Waltham, Mass.) basketball player Florian Rexhepi.

You'll read here about young men and women who come from rough neighborhoods, but Rexhepi literally came from a war zone: Skopje, Macedonia. He lost his grandmother when a bomb hit the bus she was riding in Kosovo in 1999.

"Where I come from, kids aren't concentrating on school," says Rexhepi, whose English has only the slightest hint of an accent. "There's a lot of drugs, alcohol and partying. It seems not a lot of people there see their future as school. For me, basketball kept me away from other things."

Rexhepi in in the Judges' starting lineup and averages over eight points per game.

Click here to read more about Rexhepi on the Brandeis official athletic site.

Instead of Throwing It All Away, Brennan Now Throwing for Records

2006-12-24T15:45:00.000-05:00

Colt Brennan, the quarterback for the University of Hawaii, is on the verge of setting several passing records in the Warriors' upcoming bowl game.

It appeared he had thrown away any chance for success on January 28, 2004, when, during his freshman year at the University of Colorado, he entered a coed's dorm room uninvited. That eventually led to him spending seven days in prison and even longer in college football purgatory.

Brennan was kicked off the Colorado football team and had a hard time finding any other schools willing to give him an opportunity to play. Hawaii Coach June Jones gave him a shot, requiring him to start out as a walk-on.

The result will be a few lines in the NCAA Record Book with Brennan's name on them.

Click here to read Mark Schlabach's ESPN.com column on Brennan's trials and tribulations and his ongoing redemption.

A Husker Family Christmas

2006-12-23T18:43:00.000-05:00

That's what the University of Nebraska football team treated more than 60 kids from the Lincoln, Nebraska YMCA Community Learning Center to last week.

The kids had the opportunity to watch the last part of a practice, then take the field themselves and play. The coaches and players also shared a Christmas meal with the youngsters, and each child received a gift personally chosen and paid for by one of the players. After the meal, everyone got together and sang Christmas carols. The football coaches and other athletic department staff got together to make a cash contribution to the YMCA's scholarship program.

Merry Christmas to the Huskers and the kids their selfless donation of time and money touched this holiday season.

Click here to read the official release from the Nebraska official athletic site.

True Heroes at American International College

2006-12-22T16:08:00.000-05:00

This story is a bit old but worth posting here because you probably didn't hear about it.

There is a lot of hype in the sports world about "heroic" performances by athletes, but here is a story of two true heroes.

Christopher Bolognino and Matthew Tourville, two hockey players at American International College in Springfield, Mass., didn't plan on being heroes when they crashed at Bolognino's apartment on a Saturday night. When they woke up Sunday morning, however, and returned to Tourville's apartment, they saw that the building was on fire. Both men reacted quickly and saved lives by alerting the sleeping residents and helping them to safety.

Click here to read "Actions in fire likely saved lives" from the Springfield, MA Republican newspaper.

Of course, if these players had actually set the building on fire, chances are you may have heard about THAT story. That's why this blog is here.

Grobe Wins AP Coach of the Year

2006-12-21T20:57:00.000-05:00

There were some unlikely success stories in college football this season, but none better than Wake Forest's shocking ascencion to the ACC championship. Head coach Jim Grobe, already known as one of the good guys, was honored by the Associated Press as their choice for National Coach of the Year.

Click here to read the AP story on Wake Forest's official web site.

Holiday Cheer at Monmouth University

2006-12-20T21:05:00.000-05:00

Nearly 65 Monmouth University student-athletes brought holiday cheer and gifts to a special group of children at The LADACIN Network in Ocean Township, NJ last week. The LADACIN Network provides education, therapy, social, residential, and support services for people with cerebral palsy and other physical disabilities.

The participants were members of the Monmouth Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (MSAAC). "The word seems to have spread among the student-athletes that sharing their generosity with LADACIN is a great way to initiate the holiday and a welcome break from preparation for finals,” said Jennifer Thomas, Associate Athletics Director for Compliance and MSAAC’s advisor. “It was, as always, a fun and memorable morning,” added Thomas."

As often happens, those who gave got even more out of the experience than those they were helping.

Click here to read the full release on the Monmouth University official athletic site.

Scoring Points For Charity

2006-12-19T21:44:00.000-05:00

Normally I stick to college stories, but Buddy over at the Sports Pulse sent me a link to this story and it was just too good to pass up:

Every time Ahmad Hassan makes a basket for Leonia High School this season, he'll be contributing to more than his team's point total: The 18-year-old has set up a charity that scores cash for Palestinian children and Hurricane Katrina victims whenever its founder hits a one-, two- or three-pointer.

Click here to read the rest of the report in New York's Newsday

Taking the Long Way to DI

2006-12-18T19:56:00.000-05:00

Here's a resume for you: Growing up seeing neighborhood friends getting shot, spending time in jail, failing to earn a high school diploma, and not seriously playing organized basketball until the age of 22.

Hardly the path one would expect to take and wind up playing Division I men's basketball, yet amazingly that's some of what Ryan McBride experienced on his way to playing 25 minutes a game for the Georgia State men's basketball team this season.

Click here to read McBride's story in the Georgia State student newspaper, The Signal.

Finding Solace on the Basketball Court

2006-12-17T19:37:00.000-05:00

To say that Jermareo Davidson has had a rough few weeks hardly does justice to what he has lived through.

On Nov. 7, his brother, DeWayne Watkins, was shot in the neck by an unknown assailant in Norcross. Watkins, 27, remains in Grady Hospital, paralyzed from the neck down and on a ventilator.

Five days later, Davidson and his girlfriend, Nicki Murphy of Florence, Ala., were involved in a car accident on I-20 near Moreland Avenue after leaving Watkins' side. Murphy, the driver, died. Davidson and another friend walked away.

The star forward on the University of Alabama's basketball team has developed a coping mechanism. When he feels the anguish, I'd go get a basketball."

Click here to read the Atlanta Journal-Constitution story: "Finding Solace on the Court"

Clemson's Anthony Waters Follows a Different Path

2006-12-16T18:15:00.000-05:00

Clemson linebacker Anthony Waters is close to becoming the first member of his family to earn a college degree. This kind of story is always nice to hear, but it is particularly remarkable because Waters' two older brothers followed a much different path. The oldest, Travis, is serving a life sentence in prison for committing a murder during an armed robbery. Cody, the middle brother, is awaiting trial for alleged murder.

What was Anthony's inspiration for taking his life in a more positive direction? It was the weekly letters his brother Travis writes to Anthony from his prison cell.

Click here to read "Waters gets his strength at home" from The State newspaper in Columbia, SC.

Washington's DuRocher Boucing Back From Brain Surgery

2006-12-15T19:31:00.000-05:00

Johnny DuRocher, a qurterback at the University of Washington, is doing well after his recent brain surgery to remove a tumor. DuRocher suffered a concussion in a game against Stanford earlier this season, and that blow may have saved his life. The CAT scan doctors performed afterward led to the discovery of DuRocher's tumor.

He is preparing to try out for the Huskies' baseball team when practice starts on January 15, and doctors are telling him that there is a chance he might even play football again.

It is obvious this young man doesn't give in to adversity very easily and bears watching down the road.

Clemson's McElrathbey Wins FedEx Orange Bowl Courage Award

2006-12-14T20:23:00.000-05:00

Here is the press release from the Football Writers Association of America:

Clemson defensive back/wide receiver Ray Ray McElrathbey is the winner of the 2006 FedEx Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award, which is annually given to a player, coach or support person in college football who displays courage, on or off the field.

McElrathbey, a redshirt freshman, saw most of his action on special teams this season. But he has undertaken the responsibility of caring for his 11-year-old brother, Fahmarr (now 12).
Ray Ray and Fahmarr's mother has a cocaine addiction; their father has a gambling addiction. The brothers' home life in Atlanta was not stable and both had spent time in foster care.
Ray Ray obtained temporary custody of Fahmarr and planned to support him with Pell grants, odd jobs and the monthly stipend for living off-campus.

After news of Ray Ray McElrathbey's situation was publicized, Clemson sought a waiver to allow a trust fund that would help McElrathbey care for his brother. The NCAA granted the waiver within 48 hours, citing the unique circumstances.

Also because of the waiver, Clemson coaches' families are allowed to help Ray Ray care for Fahmarr when it comes to transportation to and from school and other basic needs.
Ray Ray told The New York Times the NCAA's decision "lifted a little weight from my shoulders." But Clemson coach Tommy Bowden, among others, noted the heavy burden of responsibility Ray Ray had shouldered.

"I could not fathom a 19-year-old freshman being a father, going to school and playing college football," Clemson coach Tommy Bowden said. "I could not imagine at that age handling all the responsibilities that Ray Ray has done this year.

"It has been quite a story because I see the players, coaches and their families doing what they can to help Ray Ray and Fahmarr.

"Ray Ray is very deserving of this award from the Football Writers Association of America and the FedEx Orange Bowl."

Following the Tigers' bowl game, McElrathbey plans to be at the FedEx Orange Bowl, where he will be presented the Courage Award Trophy and will receive a donation from the Orange Bowl Foundation for the Fahmarr McElrathbey Trust.

McElrathbey was the team's special teams player of the week after recording four tackle

Charles Green Leads His Teammates And His Family

2006-12-13T18:58:00.000-05:00

Charles Green has just finished up his college football career at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He led the Reddies in tackles from his linebacker position in his senior season and is on track to graduate in May with a Bachelor of Arts in graphic design.

His success on the field and in the classroom is due in part to growing up at an early age. Green's father was seriously injured when Charles was only eight years old, but he quickly became the man of the house and a source of strength to his brothers. No doubt he was able to draw the strength he needed from his faith in God.

Click here to read the profile on Charles Green in the Henderson State student newspaper, the Oracle.

Three Times the Fun for the Frazee Triplets

2006-12-12T08:20:00.000-05:00

If you are watching a Liberty University women's basketball game, you'll probably notice that the players wearing numbers 40, 41, and 42 look a lot alike. They should because they are triplets and are all important members of the Lady Flames' team.

Interestingly, they have different personalities and different games, which makes it an easy fit when all three sisters, Megan, Molly, and Moriah are on the court at the same time, which they often are.

Molly says, "People tend to lump us together when they first meet us … ut after a while they can't believe they thought we even looked alike. Megan is the athletic one who basketball came the easiest to. Moriah is the most talkative and people say I'm the more quiet one. ”

Click here to read the ESPN.com story about the Frazee triplets.