In Episode 9, Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang of PAN AM, Ted Vanderway goes out on a date with an old flame of his, Amanda Mason. Prior to having dinner and drinks with Amanda, Ted asks Laura Cameron to interrupt the date by acting as his current girlfriend. However, Laura is distracted while sitting at the bar of the same restaurant Ted and Amanda are on their date. By the time she attempts to break up the date, they are gone. He had taken Amanda back to his hotel room. After a fire alarm is pulled in the hotel, Laura is scrambling to get out of the restaurant and she runs into Ted and Amanda coming out of his room with their clothes appearing haven been put on in a hurry. It is clear they were hooking up. However, this is how episode ends so let the debate begin!PAN AM: Will Ted and his old flame Amanda Mason get back together?
Camille Grammer says she’s not invited to her ex Kelsey Grammer’s wedding and she’s not buying him a gift. He is marrying Kayte Walsh soon less then a month after his divorce with Camille was finalized. Unfortunately, his nine year old daughter, Mason, is invited and she’s opting out. She’d rather attend a talent show with her mom than go to her dad's wedding. Camille is not making her attend and said in an interview, “I told her, Mason, you can go. Please if you want to go to your Daddy’s wedding, please do. Mason said, ‘No Mommy. I want to go to my talent show.’” Sounds like Mason isn’t quite ready to witness he Dad’s nuptials and to do so might be too hard on her emotionally. Do you think Kelsey should wait to marry until his daughter is ready to attend his wedding?
Camille Grammer says she’s not invited to her ex Kelsey Grammer’s wedding and she’s not buying him a gift. He is marrying Kayte Walsh soon less then a month after his divorce with Camille was finalized. Unfortunately, his nine year old daughter, Mason, is invited and she’s opting out. She’d rather attend a talent show with her mom than go to her dad's wedding. Camille is not making her attend and said in an interview, “I told her, Mason, you can go. Please if you want to go to your Daddy’s wedding, please do. Mason said, ‘No Mommy. I want to go to my talent show.’”
Sounds like Mason isn’t quite ready to witness he Dad’s nuptials and to do so might be too hard on her emotionally. Do you think Kelsey should wait to marry until his daughter is ready to attend his wedding?
Michigan sophomore guard Tim Hardaway Jr. is part of the 12-man USA Basketball U19 team that will play in Europe later this month. USA Basketball released the roster Thursday, and the team leaves for Europe today. George Mason's Paul Hewitt is coaching the U19 team, which will face Lithuania's U20 national team in an exhibition game Sunday and face the Lithuania U19 team on Tuesday. The FIBA U19 World Championship for Men will be played June 30-July 10. Also on the 12-man roster: Keith Appling of Michigan State; James Bell of Villanova, Anthony Brown of Stanford, Jahii Carson, who is headed to Arizona State, Joe Jackson of Memphis, Jeremy Lamb of UConn, Meyers Leonard of Illinois, Khyle Marshall of Butler, Doug McDermott of Creighton, Tony Mitchell of North Texas and Patric Young of Florida.
Michigan sophomore guard Tim Hardaway Jr. is part of the 12-man USA Basketball U19 team that will play in Europe later this month.
USA Basketball released the roster Thursday, and the team leaves for Europe today. George Mason's Paul Hewitt is coaching the U19 team, which will face Lithuania's U20 national team in an exhibition game Sunday and face the Lithuania U19 team on Tuesday.
The FIBA U19 World Championship for Men will be played June 30-July 10.
Also on the 12-man roster: Keith Appling of Michigan State; James Bell of Villanova, Anthony Brown of Stanford, Jahii Carson, who is headed to Arizona State, Joe Jackson of Memphis, Jeremy Lamb of UConn, Meyers Leonard of Illinois, Khyle Marshall of Butler, Doug McDermott of Creighton, Tony Mitchell of North Texas and Patric Young of Florida.
The Mississippi State Bulldogs travel to Auburn, AL to face the Auburn Tigers in both teams first SEC match. Auburn's 16 game win streak, currently the longest in the nation, will be put to the test as the returning National Champs find themselves a 7 point underdog. The Tigers struggled last week with the Utah State Aggies. They were able to win the game by scoring two touchdowns in the last 4 minutes, which required recovering an onside kick. They were lucky to come out with the W because they struggled in nearly every phase of the game, most notably on the defensive side of the ball. Utah State's lines controlled the line of scrimmage on offense and defense. The Tigers were only able to gain a total of 364 Total Yards - only 78 on the ground - and the defense gave up a total of 448 yards - 221 on the ground. Simply put they were whooped up front and the young team seemed lost. However, there were a few positive's the Tigers could take away from the game. Auburn's special teams played exceptionally well. The two most important plays for the Tigers were made by the special teams. The first came in the second quarter when Freshman Tre Mason returned a kickoff for a touchdown allowing the Tigers to only be down by one score, and was named SEC co-freshman of the week for his outing. Later on in the game, Emory Blake was able to recover Cody Parkey's onside kick, leading to Michael Dyer's winning touchdown run. The special teams also did a great job covering punts and kickoff's. Quarterback Barrett Trotter also played an exceptional game. He completed 17 of 23 passes (73.9 CMP%) for 261 yards and 3 touchdowns. These are great numbers for his first start, but what was even more impressive was his poise and composure when the Tigers were down 10 with less than five minutes left in the game. Trotter was calm and confident as he methodically led the Tigers on the last two drives, including throwing a touchdown to Phillip Lutzenkirchen. In my opinion, Trotter was the best player on the field that day, and the coaching staff should have allowed him to throw the ball more often.Finally, this young Tigers team never gave up. Though down ten, they believed in themselves and played like it. They could have just given up like some Tigers fan had done by leaving the game before it was over...those dumb asses missed the comeback. But instead they chose to fight and avoid the embarrassment the entire Auburn Family would have felt. This week, they are facing a much more difficult opponent in MSU, who looked great in their first game against the Memphis Tigers. The bulldogs broke the all time school record for total yards by gaining 645 - 309 yards on the ground and 336 yards through the air. Senior quarterback Chris Relf completed 13 of 22 passes (61.9 CMP%) for 202 yards and two touchdowns. He also added 51 yards on 13 carries. Relf has improved dramatically in the passing game from last year. Senior Running back Vick Ballard had 166 yards rushing, a personal best, and three touchdowns on 10 carries. He looked unstoppable as he broke touchdown runs for 66 and 46 yards. The senior running back has the ability to run all over Auburn if they play like they did against Utah State. Without a doubt the 2011 Tigers did not look like the 2010 Tigers coming out of the gate, however, the most improvement a team makes in a season is between weeks one and two. Also, lets not forget the Cam Newton saga Auburn fans and players endured was because of Mississippi State boosters discussing a pay for play scheme with his father, Cecil Newton. We took the reputation hit for this scandal and I would love for our players to get their revenge on the field on Saturday. Mississippi State is entering this season with their highest expectations in recent history, but hopefully the Tigers can use this as motivation for really wanting to put them in their place at the bottom of the SEC West with their in-state rival Ole Miss. The Bulldogs looked good last weekend, but Memphis does not have the talent that Auburn has collected over the last few years. If we come out throwing the ball and depending on the passing game more than the rushing game, then I think we can do it. Trotter looked good in week one, and we have plenty of play makers at the wide receiver position. All he has to do is get the ball in their hands to let them make plays in space, and we can pull the upset...if you really want to call beating MSU an upset!
June 19, 2011 COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- University of Michigan men's basketball guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (Miami, Fla./Palmetto Senior) was named one of 13 finalists for the 2011 USA Men's U19 World Championship Team today (Sunday, June 19) by the USA Basketball Junior National Team Committee. Hardaway is the eighth Wolverine to represent the United States at a FIBA Championship and the first to make the U19 team since Graham Brown (2003-06) helped Team USA to a fifth-place finish in 2003. The selection came after three days (four training sessions) during the USA U19 Team training camp, which started Friday (June 17). Hardaway will remain at United States Olympic Training Center for the remainder of training camp before heading to Lithuania for exhibition games and then Latvia for the 2011 U19 FIBA World Championship, June 30-July 11. Joining Hardaway as a finalist for the USA U19 World Championship squad include: Keith Appling (Michigan State), James Bell (Villanova), Anthony Brown (Stanford), Jahii Carson (Mesa High School, Arizona State*), Joe Jackson (Memphis), Jeremy Lamb (Connecticut), Meyers Leonard (Illinois), Khyle Marshall (Butler), Javon McCrea (Buffalo), Doug McDermott (Creighton), Tony Mitchell (North Texas) and Patric Young (Florida). George Mason's Paul Hewitt will serve as head coach and be assisted by St. Mary's College head coach Randy Bennett and Jacksonville's Cliff Warren. Team USA will be looking to successfully defend its gold medal at the event from two years ago. At the 2009 U19 World Championship in Auckland, New Zealand, Team USA won the event for the first time in 19 years. 2011 U19 World Championships Schedule & Information Thirteen Finalists For USA Men's U19 Team Named (June 19, 2011) Hardaway Invited to 2011 U19 FIBA World Championships Training Camp (May 12, 2011) Contact: Tom Wywrot (734) 763-4423
June 19, 2011
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- University of Michigan men's basketball guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (Miami, Fla./Palmetto Senior) was named one of 13 finalists for the 2011 USA Men's U19 World Championship Team today (Sunday, June 19) by the USA Basketball Junior National Team Committee.
Hardaway is the eighth Wolverine to represent the United States at a FIBA Championship and the first to make the U19 team since Graham Brown (2003-06) helped Team USA to a fifth-place finish in 2003.
The selection came after three days (four training sessions) during the USA U19 Team training camp, which started Friday (June 17). Hardaway will remain at United States Olympic Training Center for the remainder of training camp before heading to Lithuania for exhibition games and then Latvia for the 2011 U19 FIBA World Championship, June 30-July 11.
Joining Hardaway as a finalist for the USA U19 World Championship squad include: Keith Appling (Michigan State), James Bell (Villanova), Anthony Brown (Stanford), Jahii Carson (Mesa High School, Arizona State*), Joe Jackson (Memphis), Jeremy Lamb (Connecticut), Meyers Leonard (Illinois), Khyle Marshall (Butler), Javon McCrea (Buffalo), Doug McDermott (Creighton), Tony Mitchell (North Texas) and Patric Young (Florida). George Mason's Paul Hewitt will serve as head coach and be assisted by St. Mary's College head coach Randy Bennett and Jacksonville's Cliff Warren.
Team USA will be looking to successfully defend its gold medal at the event from two years ago. At the 2009 U19 World Championship in Auckland, New Zealand, Team USA won the event for the first time in 19 years.
2011 U19 World Championships Schedule & Information Thirteen Finalists For USA Men's U19 Team Named (June 19, 2011) Hardaway Invited to 2011 U19 FIBA World Championships Training Camp (May 12, 2011)
Contact: Tom Wywrot (734) 763-4423
Update - Game SummaryFinal Score - 16 Auburn Tigers 13 South Carolina Gamecocks - The game between the Tigers and the Gamecocks turned was a defensive showdown with both defenses creating several turnovers. Both quarterbacks played horrible. Stephen Garcia Statistics vs Auburn - completed only 9 passes out of 23 attempts (39.1 CMP%) for 160 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. He was also sacked three times. Garcia's quarterback rating was a 94.5 on the day.Barrett Trotter Statistics vs USC - completed only 12 passes in 23 attempts (52.2 CMP%) for 112 yards, 1 touchdown and two interceptions. He was also sacked four times. Trotter's quarterback rating was a 90.0 on the day.Trotter gets the nod as having performed better because when it mattered most, he stood tall in the pocket and hit Phillip Lutzenkirchen for a touchdown with less than two minutes left in the game before getting rocked by South Carolina's defensive line. Auburn's Michael Dyer had a better day than USC's Marcus LattimoreMichael Dyer's Statistics vs USC - 41 rushing attempts for 141 yards; 3.4 yard average; one touchdown; 18 yard longMarcus Lattimore Statistics vs Auburn - 17 rushing attempts for 66 yards; 3.9 yard average; one touchdown; two fumbles, one lost; 15 yard longAuburn vs South Carolina Game Statistics1st Downs: 22 AU - 13 USCTotal Yards: 358 AU - 289 USCPassing: 112 AU - 160 USCRushing: 246 AU - 129 USCPenalties: 5 for 55 yards AU - 7 for 55 yards USC3rd Down Conversions: 11 for 22 AU - 2 for 10 USCTurnovers: 4 AU - 4 USCEnd UpdateLast year, Michael Dyer and the Auburn Tigers beat the South Carolina Gamecocks and kept Marcus Lattimore in check twice, once during the regular season and again in the SEC Championship game. Dyer racked up 100 yards on 23 carries versus Lattimore's 33 yards on 14 carries in the first game, but Lattimore out-gained Dyer with 84 yards off 16 carries to 64 yards off 14 carries in the second, respectively. In the 2010 recruiting rankings, Lattimore and Dyer were ranked either the top back or the second back in the nation, depending on the service providing the rankings. The two nearly attended Auburn University together, but Lattimore had a change of heart in the final week of recruiting and chose the Gamecocks.Marcus Lattimore 2011 Season Statistics - 107 rushing attempts; 611 yards rushing; 5.7 yard average per carry; 36 yard long; 8 touchdowns Marcus Lattimore 2010 Season Statistics - 249 rushing attempts; 1197 yards rushing; 4.8 yard average per carry; 58 yard long; 17 touchdowns Michael Dyer 2011 Season Statistics - 62 rushing attempts; 426 yards rushing; 6.9 yard average per carry; 52 yard long; 6 touchdownsMichael Dyer 2010 Season Statistics - 182 rushing attempts; 1093 yards rushing; 6.0 yard average per carry; 38 yard long; 5 touchdownsAs bad as I would like to see Dyer have the better game, Auburn's rushing defense has been pathetic this season. It is ranked 112th and gives up an average of 227 yards per game. The Tigers have given up over 200 yards in three of four games, including over 300 to Mississippi State, and they have yet to face a running back as talented as Lattimore, currently second in the nation. The good news for the Tigers, however, is South Carolina has faced a much weaker schedule and is ranked 60th in rushing defense and gives up 137.37 yards per game. As for Dyer, Georgia's true freshman running back, Isaiah Crowell, was able to carve the Gamecocks defense for 118 yards on 16 carries. The Tigers plan is to make quarterback Stephen Garcia beat them. South Carolina's passing game has been terrible, even with wide receiver Alshon Jeffery. Thus, Auburn will stack the box to stop the run, and try to force the Gamecocks to have to throw the ball to win the game. Unlike the Gamecocks, Auburn's offense is more balanced. If the Gamecocks attempt to load the box and stop Dyer, Barrett Trotter is capable of burning them deep. Auburn receiver Emory Blake is an emerging star having scored a touchdown in eight straight Tigers games. So far this season he has 137 receiving yards on 16 receptions (19.8 yard average per reception) for four touchdowns and a long of 53 yards.USC will have to account for him at all times. Another advantage Auburn will have is in the kick-off return game. True freshman running back, Tre Mason, has been a stud this year with 411 yards on 14 kick-off returns for a long of 97 yards and one touchdown. His reputation as a threat of housing a kick every time he gets a chance led FAU to squib kick all game. Lets hope South Carolina chooses to kick to him!Anyways, this is the third time Dyer and Lattimore will face off. The personal battle is one to one, but Auburn has won both match-ups! What will happen in Round 3? Will Dyer out-perform Lattimore in a Tigers victory, or will Lattimore have a better day in the first win for the Gamecocks over Auburn since 1933?
Stephen Garcia Statistics vs Auburn - completed only 9 passes out of 23 attempts (39.1 CMP%) for 160 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. He was also sacked three times. Garcia's quarterback rating was a 94.5 on the day.Barrett Trotter Statistics vs USC - completed only 12 passes in 23 attempts (52.2 CMP%) for 112 yards, 1 touchdown and two interceptions. He was also sacked four times. Trotter's quarterback rating was a 90.0 on the day.
Michael Dyer's Statistics vs USC - 41 rushing attempts for 141 yards; 3.4 yard average; one touchdown; 18 yard longMarcus Lattimore Statistics vs Auburn - 17 rushing attempts for 66 yards; 3.9 yard average; one touchdown; two fumbles, one lost; 15 yard long
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State men’s hockey team announced its 2011-12 schedule Tuesday. The Buckeyes, under second-year head coach Mark Osiecki, will host 16 games and travel for 17 contests. The Buckeyes’ Central Collegiate Hockey Association schedule includes four-game series with Michigan, Michigan State and Miami, with two home and two road games against each. The squad will host series with Alaska, Northern Michigan and Ferris State and will play road series at Notre Dame, Bowling Green, Lake Superior State and Western Michigan. After beginning the season with an exhibition game against Windsor Oct. 1, the Buckeyes will host Quinnipiac in a non-conference series in Value City Arena Oct. 7-8. CCHA play opens with back-to-back road series for Ohio State, heading to Notre Dame Oct. 14-15 and Michigan State Oct. 20-21 in a Thursday/Friday series. October ends with the Buckeyes hosting Alaska Oct. 28 and either Oct. 27 or 29. November opens with a non-conference road series at Alabama-Huntsville Nov. 4-5 before returning to Columbus Nov. 11-12 for a matchup vs. Northern Michigan. The final series in the month is at Michigan Nov. 18-19 with a bye Thanksgiving weekend. Three of the Buckeyes’ final four games in the first half of the season are in Columbus, hosting Lake Superior State Dec. 2-3 before a home-and-home series with Miami Dec. 9 in Columbus and Dec. 10 in Oxford. The Buckeyes will return to action in the RMU Hockey Showcase at Consol Energy Center, home of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins. Ohio State and Robert Morris will meet at 7:35 p.m. Dec. 30. The squad closes the regular season with 14 CCHA games, beginning on the road against Bowling Green Jan. 7-8 in a Saturday/Sunday set. A home series with Michigan follows Jan. 13-14 and Ferris State comes to Columbus the next week (Jan. 20-21). January wraps up with a two-game set at Lake Superior State Jan. 27-28. Michigan State visits Columbus Feb. 3-4 for two games before three-consecutive road games at Western Michigan Feb. 10-11 and at Miami Feb. 24. The final game of the regular season will be against Miami in Columbus and is scheduled for Feb. 25. All 11 CCHA teams qualify for postseason action. In the opening round, the Top 5 teams from the regular season receive byes, with seeds 6-8 playing host to seeds 10-12 in best-of-three series (12 at 6, 11 at 7, 10 at 8). The three series winners advance to take on the Top 3 seeds, along with seeds 4 and 5 facing off, in best-of-three series. The four quarterfinal series winners advance to the CCHA Championship at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit to compete for the Mason Cup and the league’s automatic bid into the NCAA tournament. 2011-12 Ticket Information Current season ticket holders will receive renewal invoices in July. Season tickets are currently on sale for new accounts. To speak with an account representative about ticket options, call 614-292-0043 or email AthleticSales@osu.edu. Tours can be arranged to view season ticket locations currently available. Single-game tickets, as well as multi-game packages and group tickets, will go on sale at a later date – check OhioStateBuckeyes.com for information later this summer. Again this year Ohio State students are admitted free with a BuckID.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State men’s hockey team announced its 2011-12 schedule Tuesday. The Buckeyes, under second-year head coach Mark Osiecki, will host 16 games and travel for 17 contests.
The Buckeyes’ Central Collegiate Hockey Association schedule includes four-game series with Michigan, Michigan State and Miami, with two home and two road games against each. The squad will host series with Alaska, Northern Michigan and Ferris State and will play road series at Notre Dame, Bowling Green, Lake Superior State and Western Michigan.
After beginning the season with an exhibition game against Windsor Oct. 1, the Buckeyes will host Quinnipiac in a non-conference series in Value City Arena Oct. 7-8. CCHA play opens with back-to-back road series for Ohio State, heading to Notre Dame Oct. 14-15 and Michigan State Oct. 20-21 in a Thursday/Friday series. October ends with the Buckeyes hosting Alaska Oct. 28 and either Oct. 27 or 29.
November opens with a non-conference road series at Alabama-Huntsville Nov. 4-5 before returning to Columbus Nov. 11-12 for a matchup vs. Northern Michigan. The final series in the month is at Michigan Nov. 18-19 with a bye Thanksgiving weekend.
Three of the Buckeyes’ final four games in the first half of the season are in Columbus, hosting Lake Superior State Dec. 2-3 before a home-and-home series with Miami Dec. 9 in Columbus and Dec. 10 in Oxford.
The Buckeyes will return to action in the RMU Hockey Showcase at Consol Energy Center, home of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins. Ohio State and Robert Morris will meet at 7:35 p.m. Dec. 30.
The squad closes the regular season with 14 CCHA games, beginning on the road against Bowling Green Jan. 7-8 in a Saturday/Sunday set. A home series with Michigan follows Jan. 13-14 and Ferris State comes to Columbus the next week (Jan. 20-21). January wraps up with a two-game set at Lake Superior State Jan. 27-28.
Michigan State visits Columbus Feb. 3-4 for two games before three-consecutive road games at Western Michigan Feb. 10-11 and at Miami Feb. 24. The final game of the regular season will be against Miami in Columbus and is scheduled for Feb. 25.
All 11 CCHA teams qualify for postseason action. In the opening round, the Top 5 teams from the regular season receive byes, with seeds 6-8 playing host to seeds 10-12 in best-of-three series (12 at 6, 11 at 7, 10 at 8). The three series winners advance to take on the Top 3 seeds, along with seeds 4 and 5 facing off, in best-of-three series. The four quarterfinal series winners advance to the CCHA Championship at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit to compete for the Mason Cup and the league’s automatic bid into the NCAA tournament.
2011-12 Ticket Information
Current season ticket holders will receive renewal invoices in July. Season tickets are currently on sale for new accounts. To speak with an account representative about ticket options, call 614-292-0043 or email AthleticSales@osu.edu. Tours can be arranged to view season ticket locations currently available.
Single-game tickets, as well as multi-game packages and group tickets, will go on sale at a later date – check OhioStateBuckeyes.com for information later this summer. Again this year Ohio State students are admitted free with a BuckID.
The 2010 Auburn Tigers were able to defeat the Oregon Ducks and bring home the BCS National Championship, the second title in school history. The Tigers lost 31 players from that team, including Heisman Trophy Award winner Cam Newton and Lombardi Award Winner Nick Fairley. In fact, the Tigers only have six returning starters in 2011, the fewest in the entire NCAA. Auburn will experience some "growing pains," however, following back to back top 5 recruiting classes they are loaded with great but young talent . Quarterbacks Once again, the Auburn Tigers entered fall practice without a starting QB named, and this year Auburn's Offensive Coordinator Gus Malzahn, has three alternatives to choose from. The only QB option with game experience for Malzahn is junior Barrett Trotter (6-2, 205), who had a few opportunities last season to come in and play after games were already put away. Trotter began his Auburn career as a true dual threat QB, but a serious knee injury in 2009 has caused him to lose a step. Trotter still has some potential as a runner, but he is neither as elusive nor quick as he may have been. A second option for Malzahn is sophomore Clint Mosely (6-3, 225). Mosely has never played a down in the SEC and is by no means a runner. He is a true pocket passer with a strong arm and is improving his accuracy daily. While he may not have the speed to tuck the ball and run, if he has developed mentally, he has the arm to get the job done. The final option Malzahn has at his disposal is incoming Freshman Kiehl Frazier, who was the #2 quarterback recruit coming out of High School and the #47 overall recruit in the nation. Though a true freshman and having just attended his first Auburn Tigers practice, Frazier is competing for the #1 spot on the depth chart. Update: Barrett Trotter has been named the starting QB. Running Backs The Auburn Tigers are solid at running back in returning both starters from the BCS Championship game, whose running styles compliment one another. The Tigers will arguably have one of the best RB duos in both the SEC and the nation. Sophomore RB, Michael (Mike) Dyer (5-9, 215), is the every down back. Though he prefers or is more natural at running between the tackles, he has ample speed to burn defenses around the edge. Last year, Dyer broke Heisman Trophy Award winning Bo Jackson's freshman rushing yards record by completing the season with 1,093 yards. He is expected to improve on those numbers and have many more carries this season by hopefully avoiding a similar injury he sustained to his leg last season. Dyer was banged up and sat out of the Tuesday, August 16, 2011 scrimmage. However, Coach Gene Chizik says he'll be ready to play on September 3, 2011 vs Utah State stating "He's beat up and banged up, but I don't have any reason to doubt that." Junior RB, Onterio McCalebb (5-10, 175), is the speed back, burning defenses on speed sweeps throughout the 2010 season. While Dyer delivers punishment between the tackles, chasing McCalebb tires the DL out. If he is given the slightest of creases, he is gone and nobody is catching him. In 2010, McCalebb had 95 rushing attempts for 810 yards rushing averaging 8.5 yards per carry and 9 TD's. True Freshman, Tre Mason, will provide the Tigers with a 3rd option at tailback. On August 10, 2011, Mason played in his first Auburn scrimmage, and Scout.com reports it "is one he will likely remember for a long time...it didn’t take the 5-10, 190-pound freshman from Lake Worth, Fla., long to show what he can do. On the first play of the scrimmage he found a gap in the middle of the defense and raced the distance for a touchdown. Before the midday scrimmage ended...Mason had run for three touchdowns and just missed scoring another one when he ran approximately 50 yards after catching a short pass." "Mason scored on the first play when I went and watched him play last fall," declared Running Backs Coach Curtis Luper. "So I was impressed then. We knew he was fast, and he is fast. He’s Onterio McCalebb fast. Onterio might dispute that, but he is. You never know how tough they are until you get them out on the field. He’s proven to be as tough as nails. He’s resilient. He bounces back every day because he’s got a lot of reps, a lot of live reps. And he’s going to help us." Malzhan says Mason has a lot of talent, but is not an overall player yet and is lacking in a few areas. According to Malzhan, "He can run the football," continuing "there's no doubt about that. It's just asking him to do all the other things that it takes to be a running back in our system. But he's shown some toughness and the ability to run." Junior Anthony Morgan was moved from DB to running back in the off season, and Luper says he "is a younger guy, obviously, because he hasn't played much." However, "even though he's been here three years, he's still trying to make a transition that's a tough one." Wide Receivers Two of four wide receivers from the Tigers BCS National Championship team have moved on. However, this is another area the Tigers should be fine. Junior wide receiver Emory Blake and junior tight end Phillip Lutzenkirchen provide a solid foundation of experienced leadership. The young and new players that will be playing wide receiver this year include Travon Reed, DeAngelo Benson, Quan Bray, Ladarius Philips, Jaylon Denson, and Brandon Fulse. Wide Receivers Coach Trooper Taylor commented on his group following a recent practice saying he didn't know who his starters were yet and wouldn't know until after a QB was selected. For Taylor, "making plays is not just catching the football. Blocking on the perimeter, that's the first thing I want to fix. We want to make sure we can block on the perimeter. We want a physical edge to us. So we block on the perimeter. And then catching the football is like giving your dog a bone. He's excited about that." Junior Emory Blake returns as the only Wide Receiver from lasts year starting unit. In his sophomore campaign, Blake caught 33 passes for 554 yards with a 16.8 yard average per reception for 8 TD's. He is expected to win the #1 spot and pick up where he left off last year. Philip Lutzenkirchen is back for his Junior season with the Auburn Tigers. Though Lutzenkirchen did not have too many receptions or have the ball thrown his way often last year, he did make several key TD grabs. Last season, Lutzenkirchen had 15 receptions and 185 yards receiving and 5 TD's for a 12.3 yard average per reception. His role this year should increase compared to last year because he is one of the two returning leaders. He'll play the #3 spot once again. True Freshman Brandon Fulse is a monstrous athlete that is 238 pounds and 6-foot-4. Fulse will most likely be the back up for the #3 spot. Lutzenkirchen calls Fulse "a really athletic kid" that "kinda got those baby-deer legs, baby-horse legs. He's just trying to figure everything out. He's done a phenomenal job with what he's got. The stronger he gets, the better he'll be. Our question for him from the beginning is if he's going to be physical at that three-back spot. It's such a hard thing to do coming straight out of high school. He's like me -- he was a receiver in high school. He's been being physical and finishing blocks. I think you'll see him out there this year." Sophomore Ladarious Philips is new at playing the #3 spot, and Lutzenkirchen says he is coming around. Lutzenkirchen says "he's learning how to be physical on every play instead of having one series when he's physical and one series where he's off a little bit," Lutzenkirchen said. "I think he's figuring that out. When he realizes that, that's when he'll play." Coach Taylor says Redshirt Freshman Travon Reed "really looks good" and has "grown up a bunch. For him, just that one year of experience, even though he didn't get to play much, but being in that game, he understands what it takes." Taylor continues "But Trovon is such a great kid. He's always afraid he's going to let you down." Taylor then boasts if Reed "gets you in space, you're going to have a tough time, the first guy, making that play. Because he has that type of ability. I'd like to say I have a drill for that, but I don't. He was born with that. Just being honest for you, in space, he can make things happen." Taylor says "On kickoff return, on punt return, reverses -- we're going to find ways to get Trovon Reed the football, as long as he can understand the mental side of it." The one area currently lacking in Reed's game is blocking. Coach Taylor "can't put him out there for just those kind of plays. He has to be a guy who can block as well." Reed's "problem is he's always matched up against a linebacker that weighs 30 more pounds than him, but he's got to get into the position to give himself a chance. You run up on a guy that big and you're not low, he's going to run over you, and that's something he hasn't figured out yet. He's been run over every time...Trovon is such a competitor, he's going to go out and give it his best. I'm excited about that." Commenting on Reed, Coach Malzhan states they "have high expectations for him" in 2011 as a return specialist and wide receiver. Coach Taylor says True Freshman Jaylon Denson is "doing really well," and Taylor was initially surprised because he did not "know how tough he was. I knew the program he came out of was a tough program, I didn't know how tough he was. Coming out and playing on the perimeter was a lot different than playing tight end and the things he was doing." In a recent scrimmage, Denson "made a nice catch for a touchdown, a nice grab between two defenders and never flinched. He ran a route and got set up and the corner really crushed him. The best thing about is he jumped right back up, went another play, then came back and he could barely breathe. We had to take him off the field, but he didn't take himself off. That tells you that he has some toughness to him. When he blocks, just watch him on the perimeter." Offensive Line Four out of the five Auburn Tigers BCS Championship offensive lineman are gone from a year ago. The Tigers lost both Guards, their Center, and their LT. Offensive Line Coach Jeff Grimes and the Tigers will be using 4 new starters this year on the line. Though this unit will be newly put together, they are anchored by two upperclassman that have played many downs at the tackle positions. If the season were to start today, the starting offensive line would look something like the following: Senior AJ Greene - Left Offensive Tackle Senior Brandon Mosley - Right Offensive Tackle Center - there is a battle for the starting spot at center between True Freshman Reese Dismukes and Sophomore Blake Burgess Senior Jared Cooper - Left Guard Junior John Sullen - Right Guard Auburn Tigers 2011 Football ScheduleSeptember 3 Utah State AggiesSeptember 10 #20 Mississippi State BulldogsSeptember 17 @ Clemson TigersSeptember 24 Florida Atlantic OwlsOctober 1 @ #12 South Carolina GamecocksOctober 8 @ #15 Arkansas RazorbacksOctober 15 #22 Florida GatorsOctober 22 @ #4 LSU TigersOctober 29 Ole Miss RebelsNovember 12 @ #19 Georgia BulldogsNovember 19 Samford BulldogsNovember 26 #2 Alabama Crimson Tide 2011 Auburn Tigers Preview - How many games can this Offense win?
Course: Locust Hill Country Club (6,534 yards, par 72).Purse: $2.5 million. Winner’s share: $375,000.Television: Golf Channel (Thursday, 12:30-2:30 p.m.; Friday, midnight-2 a.m., 12:30-2:30 p.m.; Saturday, midnight-2 a.m., 4-7 p.m., 9:30-11:30 p.m.; Sunday, 4-7 p.m., 9:30-11:30 p.m.).Last year: Cristie Kerr cruised to a 12-stroke victory to become the first American to top the world ranking. Kerr, also the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open champion, closed with a 6-under 66 for a 19-under 269 total. She led wire-to-wire en route to her second victory of the year and 14th overall.Last event: Top-ranked Yani Tseng won the LPGA State Farm Classic on June 12 for her second victory of the year and seventh tour title in four years. Kerr, three strokes back, finished second for the third straight event.Notes: The major tournament moved to Locust Hill, a longtime regular LPGA Tour stop, last season after five years at Bulle Rock in Havre de Grace, Md. ... Tseng won the 2008 event at Bulle Rock. ... Stacy Lewis won the first major of the season, the Kraft Nabisco in early April. ... The tour is off next week. The U.S. Women’s Open is July 7-10 at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo.Online: http://www.lpga.com___Site: Cromwell, Conn.Schedule: Thursday-Sunday.Course: TPC River Highlands (6,841 yards, par 70).Purse: $6 million. Winner’s share: $1.08 million.Television: Golf Channel (Thursday-Friday, 3-6 p.m., 8:30-11:30 p.m.) and CBS (Saturday-Sunday, 3-6 p.m.).Last year: Bubba Watson won his first PGA Tour title, overcoming a six-stroke deficit and beating Scott Verplank with a par on the second hole of playoff. Corey Pavin was eliminated on the first extra hole.Last week: Rory McIlroy won the U.S. Open at Congressional for his first major title, smashing the tournament scoring records at 16-under 268. The 22-year-old star from Northern Ireland shot 65-66-68-69 for an eight-stroke victory over Jason Day.Notes: Watson won the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in January and the Zurich Classic in New Orleans in May. ... Kenny Perry won the 2009 tournament, shooting 61-68-66-63 for a tournament-record 258 total. The Champions Tour player is in the field. ... J.J. Henry won in 2006 to become the first Connecticut winner in tournament history. ... The AT&T National is next week at Aronimink in Newtown Square, Pa.Online: http://www.pgatour.com___Site: Endicott, N.Y.Schedule: Friday-Sunday.Course: En-Joie Golf Course (6,974 yards, par 72).Purse: $1.75 million. Winner’s share: $262,500.Television: Golf Channel (Friday, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Saturday, 2-4 a.m., 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Sunday, midnight-2 a.m., 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Monday, midnight-2 a.m.).Last year: Loren Roberts birdied the final hole for a 7-under 65 and a one-stroke victory over Fred Funk.Last event: Mark Wiebe won the Greater Hickory Classic on June 12, beating James Mason with a par on the third hole of a playoff.Notes: Tom Watson is coming off a playoff victory May 29 in the Senior PGA Championship. ... En-Joie was the site of the PGA Tour’s now-defunct B.C. Open from 1971-2005. Craig Stadler, in the field this week, won the 2003 B.C. Open to become the first player to win a PGA Tour event while a member of the Champions Tour. He closed with a 63 to overcome an eight-stroke deficit and win by a stroke. ... Joey Sindelar (1985 and 1987), Jeff Sluman (2001) and Wayne Levi (1984) also are B.C. Open winners. They grew up in upstate New York. ... The Montreal Championship is next week.
Course: Locust Hill Country Club (6,534 yards, par 72).
Purse: $2.5 million. Winner’s share: $375,000.
Television: Golf Channel (Thursday, 12:30-2:30 p.m.; Friday, midnight-2 a.m., 12:30-2:30 p.m.; Saturday, midnight-2 a.m., 4-7 p.m., 9:30-11:30 p.m.; Sunday, 4-7 p.m., 9:30-11:30 p.m.).
Last year: Cristie Kerr cruised to a 12-stroke victory to become the first American to top the world ranking. Kerr, also the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open champion, closed with a 6-under 66 for a 19-under 269 total. She led wire-to-wire en route to her second victory of the year and 14th overall.
Last event: Top-ranked Yani Tseng won the LPGA State Farm Classic on June 12 for her second victory of the year and seventh tour title in four years. Kerr, three strokes back, finished second for the third straight event.
Notes: The major tournament moved to Locust Hill, a longtime regular LPGA Tour stop, last season after five years at Bulle Rock in Havre de Grace, Md. ... Tseng won the 2008 event at Bulle Rock. ... Stacy Lewis won the first major of the season, the Kraft Nabisco in early April. ... The tour is off next week. The U.S. Women’s Open is July 7-10 at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Online: http://www.lpga.com
___
Site: Cromwell, Conn.
Schedule: Thursday-Sunday.
Course: TPC River Highlands (6,841 yards, par 70).
Purse: $6 million. Winner’s share: $1.08 million.
Television: Golf Channel (Thursday-Friday, 3-6 p.m., 8:30-11:30 p.m.) and CBS (Saturday-Sunday, 3-6 p.m.).
Last year: Bubba Watson won his first PGA Tour title, overcoming a six-stroke deficit and beating Scott Verplank with a par on the second hole of playoff. Corey Pavin was eliminated on the first extra hole.
Last week: Rory McIlroy won the U.S. Open at Congressional for his first major title, smashing the tournament scoring records at 16-under 268. The 22-year-old star from Northern Ireland shot 65-66-68-69 for an eight-stroke victory over Jason Day.
Notes: Watson won the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in January and the Zurich Classic in New Orleans in May. ... Kenny Perry won the 2009 tournament, shooting 61-68-66-63 for a tournament-record 258 total. The Champions Tour player is in the field. ... J.J. Henry won in 2006 to become the first Connecticut winner in tournament history. ... The AT&T National is next week at Aronimink in Newtown Square, Pa.
Online: http://www.pgatour.com
Site: Endicott, N.Y.
Schedule: Friday-Sunday.
Course: En-Joie Golf Course (6,974 yards, par 72).
Purse: $1.75 million. Winner’s share: $262,500.
Television: Golf Channel (Friday, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Saturday, 2-4 a.m., 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Sunday, midnight-2 a.m., 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Monday, midnight-2 a.m.).
Last year: Loren Roberts birdied the final hole for a 7-under 65 and a one-stroke victory over Fred Funk.
Last event: Mark Wiebe won the Greater Hickory Classic on June 12, beating James Mason with a par on the third hole of a playoff.
Notes: Tom Watson is coming off a playoff victory May 29 in the Senior PGA Championship. ... En-Joie was the site of the PGA Tour’s now-defunct B.C. Open from 1971-2005. Craig Stadler, in the field this week, won the 2003 B.C. Open to become the first player to win a PGA Tour event while a member of the Champions Tour. He closed with a 63 to overcome an eight-stroke deficit and win by a stroke. ... Joey Sindelar (1985 and 1987), Jeff Sluman (2001) and Wayne Levi (1984) also are B.C. Open winners. They grew up in upstate New York. ... The Montreal Championship is next week.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - Former Iowa football player Cedric Everson was sentenced Friday to one week in jail for a 2007 assault on a female athlete that caused a scandal reaching to the highest levels of the university administration.District Judge Paul Miller ordered the 21-year-old Everson to report to the Johnson County Jail on July 15 to serve the sentence after he completes summer classes at a community college in Detroit. Jurors convicted Everson of assault in January after finding him innocent of sexual abuse charges that could have brought lengthy prison terms."Regardless of the level of crime the jury convicted you of, you should be ashamed of your conduct that resulted in the conviction for assault," Miller told Everson. "You came here to Iowa City as a football player for the University of Iowa. You were looked up to by people throughout the state of Iowa."Everson apologized, saying he had learned his lesson and matured since the events nearly four years ago. His attorney said Everson has received two scholarship offers from unidentified schools and is hoping to return to college football soon."I don't have words to put it in, but It feels like I'm a changed person," Everson said.Prosecutors contended Everson sexually assaulted a freshmen athlete who was passed out after his then-teammate Abe Satterfield did so first in a Hillcrest Residence Hall room. The woman, who did not appear at the sentencing, testified at trial she ended up in the room with Satterfield after a night of drinking, and he forced intercourse even though she asked him to stop. She said she woke up the next morning naked and covered in blood and didn't find out Everson had also assaulted her until weeks later, after he bragged about the encounter to teammates.Prosecutor Anne Lahey asked Miller to impose the maximum sentence of 30 days in jail "due to the nature of the assault and the harm to the victim in this case." But defense attorney Leon Spies said the jury's verdict was a repudiation of the prosecution's allegations and he asked Miller to spare Everson jail time and any restitution.Miller ordered Everson and Satterfield to pay a total of $2,084 to cover the cost of the woman's sexual assault examination. He also ordered Everson to not have any contact with the woman for five years.Lahey contended at trial that Everson sneaked into the room, traded places with Satterfield, had intercourse with the woman while she was helpless and left to cover up his actions. She suggested Everson and Satterfield, teammates and roommates, coordinated the assault.Satterfield received a suspended sentence on an assault charge in a plea agreement after agreeing to testify at Everson's trial, but his testimony wasn't particularly helpful to the prosecution.He testified the woman "was the aggressor" and had consensual sex with him. He said Everson came in the room while he and the woman were sleeping, tapped him on the shoulder and told him to get out of bed. Satterfield said he fell asleep on the floor and didn't know what happened between Everson and the woman.Everson, who is now married, did not take the stand in his own defense. Spies argued that the woman consented to have sex with both men but didn't remember the encounter with Everson because she was in a state of "functional blackout."Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz suspended Satterfield and Everson, a freshman who was a highly recruited defensive back, after the assault and they both later transferred.Months later, the victim's mother released letters accusing athletic department officials of encouraging her to keep the matter private and being insensitive to her situation. Those documents had not been turned over to a Board of Regents investigator who had earlier found no wrongdoing.A subsequent independent investigation found no evidence of a cover-up but faulted other university officials for showing poor judgment and blamed the university's confusing policies for upsetting the victim, a highly recruited athlete who also transferred.School President Sally Mason fired Dean of Students Phil Jones and General Counsel Marcus Mills after she blamed them for mishandling the case. Jones and Mills have defended their actions and filed lawsuits alleging wrongful termination.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - Former Iowa football player Cedric Everson was sentenced Friday to one week in jail for a 2007 assault on a female athlete that caused a scandal reaching to the highest levels of the university administration.
District Judge Paul Miller ordered the 21-year-old Everson to report to the Johnson County Jail on July 15 to serve the sentence after he completes summer classes at a community college in Detroit. Jurors convicted Everson of assault in January after finding him innocent of sexual abuse charges that could have brought lengthy prison terms.
"Regardless of the level of crime the jury convicted you of, you should be ashamed of your conduct that resulted in the conviction for assault," Miller told Everson. "You came here to Iowa City as a football player for the University of Iowa. You were looked up to by people throughout the state of Iowa."
Everson apologized, saying he had learned his lesson and matured since the events nearly four years ago. His attorney said Everson has received two scholarship offers from unidentified schools and is hoping to return to college football soon.
"I don't have words to put it in, but It feels like I'm a changed person," Everson said.
Prosecutors contended Everson sexually assaulted a freshmen athlete who was passed out after his then-teammate Abe Satterfield did so first in a Hillcrest Residence Hall room. The woman, who did not appear at the sentencing, testified at trial she ended up in the room with Satterfield after a night of drinking, and he forced intercourse even though she asked him to stop. She said she woke up the next morning naked and covered in blood and didn't find out Everson had also assaulted her until weeks later, after he bragged about the encounter to teammates.
Prosecutor Anne Lahey asked Miller to impose the maximum sentence of 30 days in jail "due to the nature of the assault and the harm to the victim in this case." But defense attorney Leon Spies said the jury's verdict was a repudiation of the prosecution's allegations and he asked Miller to spare Everson jail time and any restitution.
Miller ordered Everson and Satterfield to pay a total of $2,084 to cover the cost of the woman's sexual assault examination. He also ordered Everson to not have any contact with the woman for five years.
Lahey contended at trial that Everson sneaked into the room, traded places with Satterfield, had intercourse with the woman while she was helpless and left to cover up his actions. She suggested Everson and Satterfield, teammates and roommates, coordinated the assault.
Satterfield received a suspended sentence on an assault charge in a plea agreement after agreeing to testify at Everson's trial, but his testimony wasn't particularly helpful to the prosecution.
He testified the woman "was the aggressor" and had consensual sex with him. He said Everson came in the room while he and the woman were sleeping, tapped him on the shoulder and told him to get out of bed. Satterfield said he fell asleep on the floor and didn't know what happened between Everson and the woman.
Everson, who is now married, did not take the stand in his own defense. Spies argued that the woman consented to have sex with both men but didn't remember the encounter with Everson because she was in a state of "functional blackout."
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz suspended Satterfield and Everson, a freshman who was a highly recruited defensive back, after the assault and they both later transferred.
Months later, the victim's mother released letters accusing athletic department officials of encouraging her to keep the matter private and being insensitive to her situation. Those documents had not been turned over to a Board of Regents investigator who had earlier found no wrongdoing.
A subsequent independent investigation found no evidence of a cover-up but faulted other university officials for showing poor judgment and blamed the university's confusing policies for upsetting the victim, a highly recruited athlete who also transferred.
School President Sally Mason fired Dean of Students Phil Jones and General Counsel Marcus Mills after she blamed them for mishandling the case. Jones and Mills have defended their actions and filed lawsuits alleging wrongful termination.
Ray: Following the Tressel/Pryor scandal, a debate has arisen over paying student-athletes. In the Mailbox (last Sunday), you twice made responses about drawing lines. You and others have raised concerns about inequity and increased corruption if colleges paid athletes. But your arguments don't hold water for me. In the real world, it's not uncommon for some people to earn more money than others. We should just deal with the fact that a Buckeye is more economically valuable than a Bobcat. Based upon visibility and potential to reach the next level, that's a fact that already attracts the best players to some schools over others. Paying some players wouldn't change that basic fact, though it might change the dynamics. In order to preserve competition, colleges would likely enact salary caps and engage in revenue sharing, as professional leagues do. Yes, there would still be compliance. There is a massive amount of money in major-college sports, and we should realize that corruption follows money no matter what the rules. These "amateur" rules make hypocrites out of NCAA leaders, athletic directors and college presidents. If they are unwilling to share even a trifle with those players most responsible for bringing in the revenue, let them pledge austerity themselves. Donate the majority of the money to improve the poor neighborhoods out of which they so often recruit. Somehow, I doubt that this path would end the corruption. We might just read about some major-college coach breaking rules and selling his memorabilia. - Joe Stoutenburg, Powell Joe: I'm all for divergent opinions, of course, and yours certainly qualifies. However, nowhere in your five-paragraph treatise is the word education mentioned. What you've described is a minor-league professional sports system. If that's what the world wants, then let them build it. I'm not trying to be pie-in-the-sky, but to a lot of kids, a college education is enough. Ray: Yes, college athletes spend a lot of their time preparing for and participating in their sport. The scholarships that athletes receive allow them the time to do this. Otherwise, they might have to get a job like most of the rest of the student body. The time an athlete spends on his sport is no different from the time a student spends on his job to support and pay for his education. Athletes practice. Others work. Both have "jobs." Most young people who are college students want the same things, whether they are athletes or not, and neither might be able to afford those "extras." Please, most athletes have it better than their classmates. And forget the NCAA - maybe the IRS should start to take a look at some of the athletes' finances. - Jim Farrell, Reynoldsburg Jim: Indeed, "doing without" was a hard fact of life in my college days, as I'm sure it was for many others. I'm also certain my experience would have been different if the potential for a lucrative pro sports career awaited the end of my college days. As I've said before, this is a sticky issue, with more questions than answers. Ray: I've always said that the two worst jobs you could ever have in the state of Ohio are to be the head football coach or the quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes. This is now a known fact. Coach Tressel and Terrelle Pryor are taking the blame for all involved. What happened to the other players involved? What about Gene Smith? Oh, and what about Gordon Gee? He's no angel. Every player involved needs to get his walking papers. Ohio State does not need any player that thinks that he should be paid to play college football. What a joke these players are, and what a dream they're living. - Rex Mason, Columbus Rex: Tressel and Pryor certainly have taken the fall - or leap - so I guess it's natural to assign blame, as well. As for the other players, some will serve their punishments come September and others apparently are part of an active investigation. Editor: It was nice to read in the (June 12) interview with President Gordon Gee that a deal was near completion that will allow the university and Coach Tressel to amicably move beyond this unfortunate situation. I am glad to see that we aren't going to find ourselves in a legal battle, a la Jim O'Brien, and hopefully they treat him with the same respect with which he has treated our great university (donating millions of dollars back to the school). Having Tressel involved with the school in some manner would be great for everyone involved; once a Buckeye, always a Buckeye. - Louis Sauter, Columbus Louis: There could be worse choices as ambassadors, I'm sure. But it's probably best for him to let some time pass before executing a re-emergence plan. Editor: I read where a couple of top-notch Ohio recruits have de-committed from Ohio State. One is going to Michigan, and I think one is going to Michigan State. It's likely a smart choice right now, so good luck to them. Greedy Tressel dug this hole, and these two lads should not be castigated by stupid Ohio residents, which has been the case for these two kids. You play with fire, you get burned, and Tressel's legacy is scarred forever, even if he finds a cure for cancer. - Steve Jeffers, Detroit Steve: That would be a hell of a way to kick off that aforementioned re-emergence plan. As for recruits changing their minds, can anyone really blame them until the NCAA rules? Editor: I wasn't serious about bringing Tressel back (Mailbox, last Sunday). Everyone knows that once you are let go, there is no coming back. I have moved on, but I blame The Dispatch for helping with his dismissal. I don't care if you believe it or not. Choke on it. You guys are responsible. What Tressel did in no way compares to Georgia officials, and I believe they have their jobs. Must not have a very good newspaper in Georgia. This is why you stir (bleep) - to sell papers and keep your miserable jobs. I'll remember Tressel forever and always blame The Dispatch for it. - Mike Miller, Bucyrus Mike: Everyone needs a villain. Happy to step up, I suppose. Write me at 34 S. 3rd St., Columbus, 43215, or e-mail sports@dispatch.com. Please include your hometown and telephone number. Ray Stein is sports editor of The Dispatch. rstein@dispatch.com
Ray: Following the Tressel/Pryor scandal, a debate has arisen over paying student-athletes. In the Mailbox (last Sunday), you twice made responses about drawing lines. You and others have raised concerns about inequity and increased corruption if colleges paid athletes. But your arguments don't hold water for me.
In the real world, it's not uncommon for some people to earn more money than others. We should just deal with the fact that a Buckeye is more economically valuable than a Bobcat. Based upon visibility and potential to reach the next level, that's a fact that already attracts the best players to some schools over others. Paying some players wouldn't change that basic fact, though it might change the dynamics.
In order to preserve competition, colleges would likely enact salary caps and engage in revenue sharing, as professional leagues do. Yes, there would still be compliance. There is a massive amount of money in major-college sports, and we should realize that corruption follows money no matter what the rules.
These "amateur" rules make hypocrites out of NCAA leaders, athletic directors and college presidents. If they are unwilling to share even a trifle with those players most responsible for bringing in the revenue, let them pledge austerity themselves. Donate the majority of the money to improve the poor neighborhoods out of which they so often recruit.
Somehow, I doubt that this path would end the corruption. We might just read about some major-college coach breaking rules and selling his memorabilia.
- Joe Stoutenburg, Powell
Joe: I'm all for divergent opinions, of course, and yours certainly qualifies. However, nowhere in your five-paragraph treatise is the word education mentioned. What you've described is a minor-league professional sports system. If that's what the world wants, then let them build it. I'm not trying to be pie-in-the-sky, but to a lot of kids, a college education is enough.
Ray: Yes, college athletes spend a lot of their time preparing for and participating in their sport. The scholarships that athletes receive allow them the time to do this. Otherwise, they might have to get a job like most of the rest of the student body.
The time an athlete spends on his sport is no different from the time a student spends on his job to support and pay for his education. Athletes practice. Others work. Both have "jobs."
Most young people who are college students want the same things, whether they are athletes or not, and neither might be able to afford those "extras."
Please, most athletes have it better than their classmates. And forget the NCAA - maybe the IRS should start to take a look at some of the athletes' finances.
- Jim Farrell, Reynoldsburg
Jim: Indeed, "doing without" was a hard fact of life in my college days, as I'm sure it was for many others. I'm also certain my experience would have been different if the potential for a lucrative pro sports career awaited the end of my college days. As I've said before, this is a sticky issue, with more questions than answers.
Ray: I've always said that the two worst jobs you could ever have in the state of Ohio are to be the head football coach or the quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
This is now a known fact. Coach Tressel and Terrelle Pryor are taking the blame for all involved. What happened to the other players involved? What about Gene Smith? Oh, and what about Gordon Gee? He's no angel.
Every player involved needs to get his walking papers. Ohio State does not need any player that thinks that he should be paid to play college football. What a joke these players are, and what a dream they're living.
- Rex Mason, Columbus
Rex: Tressel and Pryor certainly have taken the fall - or leap - so I guess it's natural to assign blame, as well. As for the other players, some will serve their punishments come September and others apparently are part of an active investigation.
Editor: It was nice to read in the (June 12) interview with President Gordon Gee that a deal was near completion that will allow the university and Coach Tressel to amicably move beyond this unfortunate situation.
I am glad to see that we aren't going to find ourselves in a legal battle, a la Jim O'Brien, and hopefully they treat him with the same respect with which he has treated our great university (donating millions of dollars back to the school).
Having Tressel involved with the school in some manner would be great for everyone involved; once a Buckeye, always a Buckeye.
- Louis Sauter, Columbus
Louis: There could be worse choices as ambassadors, I'm sure. But it's probably best for him to let some time pass before executing a re-emergence plan.
Editor: I read where a couple of top-notch Ohio recruits have de-committed from Ohio State. One is going to Michigan, and I think one is going to Michigan State.
It's likely a smart choice right now, so good luck to them. Greedy Tressel dug this hole, and these two lads should not be castigated by stupid Ohio residents, which has been the case for these two kids.
You play with fire, you get burned, and Tressel's legacy is scarred forever, even if he finds a cure for cancer.
- Steve Jeffers, Detroit
Steve: That would be a hell of a way to kick off that aforementioned re-emergence plan. As for recruits changing their minds, can anyone really blame them until the NCAA rules?
Editor: I wasn't serious about bringing Tressel back (Mailbox, last Sunday). Everyone knows that once you are let go, there is no coming back.
I have moved on, but I blame The Dispatch for helping with his dismissal. I don't care if you believe it or not. Choke on it. You guys are responsible. What Tressel did in no way compares to Georgia officials, and I believe they have their jobs. Must not have a very good newspaper in Georgia.
This is why you stir (bleep) - to sell papers and keep your miserable jobs. I'll remember Tressel forever and always blame The Dispatch for it.
- Mike Miller, Bucyrus
Mike: Everyone needs a villain. Happy to step up, I suppose.
Write me at 34 S. 3rd St., Columbus, 43215, or e-mail sports@dispatch.com. Please include your hometown and telephone number.
Ray Stein is sports editor of The Dispatch.
rstein@dispatch.com
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