The Bulls recently unveiled the road version of their new Under Armour jerseys. The home versions aren’t yet completed, but George Selvie modeled the road look for photos and a new wallpaper on the University of South Florida’s official web site.
George Selvie
The new look features relatively minor, but noticeable, changes.
There are more stylized numbers with ends that taper to a point, rather than the traditional, block style.
Green piping is now included on the edges of the sleeves and the neckline.
The Bulls logo is emblazoned on the left thigh of the uniform pants.
USF vs. UCF, the softball version: The Bulls will need a big tournament from freshman P Capri Catalano, featured in Friday’s Tampa Tribune, if they are to advance out of the NCAA Softball Regional this weekend.
USF opens with UCF today, but No. 1 Florida is the obvious favorite.
Catalano is battling hip, groin and back injuries, her father Tony Catalano said. Catalano, who pitched her senior year in high school wearing a back brace because of a fractured back, is not expected to miss any games, but hopefully the injuries don’t limit her effectiveness.
Baseball picks up huge win USF’s come-from-behind 5-4 victory against Notre Dame Thursday virtually clinched a spot in next week’s Big East baseball tournament.
The only way the Bulls don’t qualify for the tournament is if USF loses its final two games to Notre Dame tonight and Saturday and Rutgers wins all three games at Louisville today and Saturday. One more USF win or one more Rutgers loss and the Bulls are in Clearwater for the Big East Tournament, starting Tuesday.
Checking out Dungy’s defense: Earlier this year, I reported that football assistants from Ohio State, Minnesota and Colorado had visited the Bulls’ defensive coaches for tips on how to defend the spread offense – specifically the one ran by new Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez.
Now the Bulls coaches will seek some insight from Tony Dungy’s Indianapolis Colts staff when they visit the Colts on June 9-11.
Around the Big East: Former USF F Amu Saaka signed with Furman University. He’ll have two years of eligibility. … West Virginia hasn’t had much success against USF on the football field lately, but congrats are in order for the Mountaineers. WVU was named the nation’s No. 1 party school by SofaKingDrunk.com. Rest of the top five: No. 2 Ole Miss, No. 3 Texas, No. 4 Florida, No. 5 Georgia. WVU was the only Big East school in the Top 10. … Louisville is scaling back the number of upper-deck seats in its expansion of Papa John’s Stadium, the Louisville-Courier Journal reported. UL AD Tom Jurich told the newspaper that the capacity would be 56,500, instead of 60,000. The current capacity is 42,000. The $70 million project is expected to be completed for the 2010 season. ... And after recent reports the past few days that East Carolina and Memphis would be joining the Big East, I’m disappointed to say I haven’t seen any new reports today about Rice, SMU or Southern Miss joining the Big East.
Armwood football coach Sean Callahan announced Friday morning that six more seniors from the 2007 state semifinal team were moving on to play at the next level.
Linebacker Chris Greene and defensive back Jared Green are both headed to Division II Quincy University, while defensive back Justin Williams also will be playing D-II at Southwest Baptist College.
Defensive lineman Devin Core is headed to Division III powerhouse Mount Union, while offensive lineman Juan Gorostiaga will also go the D-III route at SUNY Maritime Academy.
And finally, offensive lineman Eric August will play at Midland Lutheran, an NAIA program.
That brings to 11 the total number of Hawks seniors who will play at the next level. Four previously signed scholarships: two-way lineman Matt Patchan (Florida), running back Eric Smith (Auburn), defensive lineman Sergio Joyner (Western Kentucky), kicker Wesley Skiffington (Stony Brook). In addition, defensive lineman Josh Alston announced he will walk on at USF.
While University of South Florida men’s basketball assistant Dan Hipsher continues to wait to find out if he gets the Florida Atlantic head coaching job, the women’s basketball program lost a staff member Thursday.
If you missed it in Friday’s Tampa Tribune, USF director of women’s basketball operations Andy Christensen has accepted a job as an assistant athletic director at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis.
A USF graduate who grew up in the Indianapolis area, Christensen has spent the past two seasons as the director of basketball operations. He also previously was a student assistant one year each for the men’s and women’s programs.
“Financially it was a no-brainer,” said Christensen, who will receive a $16,000 salary increase at Cathedral High. “But not being involved in the games at USF, sitting on the bench, that will be tough.”
TAMPA - Who says the Bucs aren’t in the business of giving out contract extensions? Not B.J. Askew.
Askew, a fullback who seldom touched the ball but was considered an integral part of the Buc running game last year, recently signed a four-year extension.
The deal brings the total value of Askew’s contract to $8.6 million and calls for the six-year veteran out of Michigan to receive $2.2 million in guaranteed payouts, including a $2 million signing bonus.
The deal, which figures to keep Askew in a Buc uniform through the 2012 season, could be just the first in a run of extensions. The Buc are also negotiating extensions for quarterback Jeff Garcia, running back Earnest Graham, defensive end Greg White and defensive tackle Jovan Haye.
Garcia and Graham have made it clear they are unhappy with the status of their talks. Graham has yet to show for an offseason workout at One Buc Place and Garcia suggested on Tuesday that he may start to skip workouts if his request for an extension is not soon met.
Dunedin wins with a fly out to right. It’s Dunedin’s first baseball state title since 1964!! Final score Dunedin 3, South Fork 2 in 10 innings.
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Dunedin is three outs away from a state title. Rogers is still in on the mound. Zaharion is up to bat for South Fork.
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Dane Comfort comes in to pitch for South Fork. He is not on the regular rotation, he’s a righty! Comfort has pitched 15 innings and has 15 Ks with a .047 ERA and 1-0 record.
Fly out to first in foul territory for the third out. Bottom of the 10th.
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Kreuter goes to second on a 6-3. Two outs.
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One out single to center by Kreuter sends Priest home to give Dunedin the 3-2 lead.
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Wild pitch sends Priest to third. Still one out.
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Priest to 2B on a sac bunt from Kumbat. One out, Kreuter up for Dunedin.
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New pitcher for South Fork. Clayton Schulz comes in. South Fork only has lefties on its pitching staff.
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A sac bunt for Spencer Dickinson puts Ryan Breen in scoring position at 2nd. Will Claunch advanced to first and Dan Harper is up. One out, runner on second and first.
A 6-3 double play sends this game to 10 innings.
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Fisher goes down swinging for the third out of the top of the ninth.
South Fork gets another chance to send us all home…
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Dunedin has two outs and Schneider is on on a base on balls. Fisher is up to bat.
This is the first extra inning state final since 2004.
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To this point, one out in the top of the 9th, 23 batters have been stranded by both teams combined. Does anyone want to win this game???
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Ninth inning here we come! South Fork went three up, three down in the bottom of the eighth on a 4-3, fly out to first in foul territory and a strikeout.
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South Fork gets out of the top of the eighth with two strikeouts from Hunter and a fly out to center.
South Fork comes up to bat in the bottom of the eighth. Robert Bednar is up.
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Cam Fisher gets out No. 3 on a catch in right field.
Going to extra innings…
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Bases still loaded. Rogers strikes out Zaharion for out number two.
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Dunedin has the first out on a 1-2 to get the lead runner.
Another pitching change for Dunedin. Jake Rogers comes in for Norris.
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South Fork has runners on first and third with no outs…
South Fork has never won a state championship in any sport.
Dunedin is making a pitching change. Alex Norris comes in for Clay Kollenbaum.
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Dunedin’s Cam Fisher tripled to left on a first pitch in the seventh inning with two outs and Max Priest got on base with a walk, but the Falcons couldn’t bring either home as Nick Zaharion made a running catch in right field to record the final out.
Dunedin has left 13 on base this game.
South Fork is up at the top of the order. Ryan Breen has a lead-off single in the bottom of the seventh.
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Dunedin just turned a 6-4-3 double play to close out the sixth inning. The game is still tied 2-2. Kollenbaum is still pitching for Dunedin.
To the top of the seventh we go…
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Headed to the top of the sixth inning, the game is tied at two after South Fork adds one run in the bottom of the fifth.
However, South Fork left the bases loaded at the end of the fifth and has now stranded six runners in this game.
Dunedin has stranded nine.
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We have a new pitcher for South Fork, Kyle Hunter, who boasts an 8-0 record with a 1.17 ERA.
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After three innings, Dunedin leads 2-1 after a South Fork run came on an RBI single.
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Going into the bottom of the third, Dunedin leads 2-0. Casey Turgeon scored on a fielder’s choice from Jamison Sweat and Sweat came home on a wild pitch from Harper.
Harper has walked five so far.
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After two complete innings there is no score. There’s also only been one hit and that was from Dunedin’s Max Kreuter, who was the first batter of the game.
Kollenbaum has five strikeouts through the two innings, two looking and three swinging. South Fork’s Dan Harper has two strikeouts, both swinging.
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Here are the lineups for today’s Class 5A state final between Dunedin and South Fork:
Dunedin (visitor)
Max Kreuter 8
Casey Turgeon 4
Jake Rogers 6
Jamison Sweat 5
Clay Kollenbaum P
Ryan Schneider 2
Cam Fisher 7
Max Priest 9
Mike Kumbat (for Alex Norris) DH
Alex Norris (not hitting) 3
South Fork (home)
Ryan Breen 2
Spencer Dickinson 6
Will Claunch DH (for Kyle Hunter)
Kyle Hunter 8 (not batting)
Dan Harper P
Nick Zaharion 9
Blake Cilwick 4
Robert Bednar 5
Mike Beck 7
Tyson Young 3
There’s some interesting things going on at Plant City.
One of which, of course, is the Raiders going through spring football drills without their new head coach, Jason Strunk, who is still in Pennsylvania completing his teaching contract there. But that’s not all.
Handling the team right now is assistant Wayne Ward, the lone holdover from Kevin Kelley’s staff. While Strunk hasn’t been around - though he’s in constant contact with Ward - plenty of other coaches have, Ward said. Those would be college coaches, and the two garnering the most interest right now are junior defensive lineman Denzel Drone and junior defensive back Duran Lowe.
Right now, each player holds just one scholarship offer - Lowe from USF, and Drone from Troy - but Ward said he anticipates quite a few more after the Raiders’ spring jamboree Thursday at Newsome. Oh, and Strunk is scheduled to be in town for that one - Ward said the new coach is set to arrive in town Wednesday.
In the meantime, the Raiders are working with a four-member coaching staff. But while the staff may be small, it is big on names.
There’s Ward, a former Plant City standout who went on to play at Virginia Tech. Then there’s Gerold Dickens, another former Plant City standout who played collegiately at Florida and in the NFL with the New England Patriots. Ward is working with the offense, and Dickens with the defense.
And then there’s Kenny Kelly, the former Tampa Catholic standout in the mid-90s who was one of Hillsborough County’s most prolific passers of all-time (he held county career records for passing yards and touchdown passes, but both have since been broken). Kelly, who was the starting quarterback at Miami for one season before giving up football to focus on a career in baseball, where he played 11 professional seasons and broke into the majors on a few occasions (he totaled 26 career MLB games over parts of two seasons with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals), is serving as the Raiders’ quarterbacks coach.
Wharton senior Keyon Jones, Hillsborough County’s No. 2 400-meter runner and No. 3 in the long jump, has earned a track and field scholarship with the University of Louisiana at Monroe, Wildcats coach Wes Newton said. Jones was a Class 3A state medalist in the long jump (eighth place), 4x800 relay (third) and 4x400 (fifth).
At Brandon, Eagles senior Megan Fenzau has made a commitment with the University of South Alabama. Fenzau earned the bronze medal in the Class 3A state girls discus finals with a throw of 121 feet, 1 inch and her lifetime best of 122-9 gave her the county’s second-best mark of the season. Fenzau said she expects to sign her scholarship papers Tuesday.
Wharton senior first baseman/pitcher Andrew Virgili and Plant City senior outfielder Austin Kern each have signed with Hillsborough Community College.
Virgili was the Wildcats’ top pitcher this season, leading the staff with four wins and a 1.62 ERA. He also tossed seven complete games, included in that a no-hitter against Tampa Bay Tech, and struck out 55 in 51 2/3 innings pitched. Virgili also led the Wildcats with five home runs and was second on the team with 19 RBIs while hitting .235 on the season.
Kern led the Raiders with three home runs and had a team-best six stolen bases, while ranking among the team leaders with a .267 average, eight RBIs and 13 runs scored.
A week ago, wife Linda, and I flew from Today to Tomorrow.
We explored it, then came back from Tomorrow to Today.
The United Arabic Emirates, also known as the Arabian Gulf States, are Tomorrow. We, in America, Tampa, surely are Today, by some comparisons.
The seven Emirates are eastern Arabian seaside, north towards Oman and Syria. They are Abu Dhabi and Dubai, best known to most, then Sharjah, Ajman, Umm, Al-Qaiwain, Ras Al-Khaimah and Fujairah. Now forget them, all but the principals, the fairylands, best-known of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Linda and I flew the 14 and a half hours it takes nonstop from Atlanta on Delta. The wonderful Emirates Air goes there, too, from there to the Far East and all points Europe and Africa.
It is a long way.
It is alongside the vast deserts of Omar Sharif and Lawrence of Arabia. Surely, if Omar (as Ali in the film) and Lawrence had ridden white Arabian stallions in recent years on a dune crest looking west to the sea, Omar would have wondered. “What the hell is that?” Seeing the sparkling Abu Dhabi or Dubai skylines for the first time, while the more practical would have put first things first and declared simply, “well, maybe now we can get a cold beer.’’
He could have had the Budweiser or Heineken, available to us in the Grand Hyatt room, for starters, then had a fine five-course Arabian dinner- with belly dancers as they ate. Everything is available in the wonder city of Dubai or nearby Abu Dhabi, indeed the best of the best. That is where we spent our time, a four day trip with English-speaking Indian drivers. English is the second language in the UAE. The English settled these places, but returned them to the ruling Bedouin Families who are still in control and own the land of the sheikdoms.
Yes, Dubai is all it is reported to be. For starters, the skyline sparkles and grows by the minute. There are perhaps 100 tall buildings, or, as they call them, towers, including the world’s tallest at 124 stories. It is probably at 100 now, with a crane up there on top pulling everything up. Another is to be 100. And, yes, the one built like a sail, the Burj Al Arab, is there, built on huge landfills with a topside restaurant extending outward apparently unsupported by the hotel. It is.
National Geographic featured the building in a documentary for television. Perhaps 40 towers are under construction now along the seacoast, some on the flawless beaches, many man-made.
The coastline of Dubai
The main north-south roadway is magnificent but not enough. It is being widened from four to six lanes. Traffic is horrific at rush hours. Stop and go’s are maddening. A 50-mile tram alongside the road is being built by a Japanese contractor, but is a year or two away. Don’t drive. Rent a car and driver. You’ll get a Lexus or BMW, unless you asked for less. We would.
The new buildings are condominiums, apartments or office towers. Full page ads appear in the very fine two daily English newspapers. Plenty of rentals or buys are available, with conditional payment plans available. Hugh new towers have wraparound ads seeking buyers.
Yes, Holland and Knight, the worldwide law firm with a major Tampa base, is opening an office there. Key Tampa office partner, Bob Grammig, said they had a man on the job there now. When we arrived, we called him, a University of Michigan graduate who had been in the Holland-Knight office in Miami, named Donald Moore and his beauteous Brazilian wife, Jackie, met us for dinner. He said they pursued a place to live, got the responses, two for the same place. They took it. He is already busy, he said. Their adventure is ahead. She is a language devotee.
They know the business is there in that Dubai city of 1.4 million, where there are few taxes—no income tax, no property or sales tax, where there is a Gold Souk, precious medals exchange and the great stock and mercantile exchanges that once were for gold and camels but now are for stocks, bonds, the world, and of course, oil. Don’t forget the black gold. Abu Dhabi sits on 9% of the world’s oil. Dubai sits on plenty as well, as do their neighbors, but the Emirates are well organized, their ruling sheiks and emirs are cooperative, organized and agree the sheik of the biggest and wealthiest emirates should be the chairman. So shall it be declared, so shall it be done.
There are mosques all about, large and huge. A few can be visited, but not generally when prayers are offered. Some are gold-laden, with the rove and the pillars, the sides painted in gold. One counsel told Linda, “if it looks like it is gold, it is.”
The men are handsome and the women are black-haired beauties. The dress of the Nationals (or locals), who make up about only 25% of the overall population of some 2 million, is varied. Some will be in the robes and headdress. Some will not. Some women will be completely covered, some will be in complete western dress, even to the open collar with sports coat and no tie. Caps are fine, topless bathing suits are not. This is Muslim country.
It also is a sports country.
You know Tiger Woods is the golf ambassador. You know Ernie Ells is a favorite and has a course designed there. The big name golfers play in the Dubai Desert Classic. Like everything else there, fresh water is the white gold. The desalinization business is vast. Often I would ask the driver what is that. There would be a line of new homes of a variety of values in some business areas. He would reply, “a new city.” The Emir said it. It will be filled. We have water and we have oil.’’ And he would point then to a desalinization plant. It is an easy and necessary process. Helps make the golf courses green, and allows people to live in this place that once not long ago wasn’t.
The horse track for the $10 million Dubai World Cup, the world’s richest horse race is a beauty, and to which they all come once a year in March. Thoroughbred horse racing thrives. Why would it not in the land of the sleek four-legged Arabians? There is a big soccer stadium, cricket fields and thousands of yachts, sailing and fishing craft for the big and for the smaller of the small of the sea. There is even an indoor ski slope with manmade snow and of course, Busch Gardens and Sea World are projects in the works there.
Add to this, Dune racing, a Formula One course and a favorite, World Wrestling Entertainment from the States.
Dubai is one of the culinary capitals of the world and one of the most diverse. Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, Chinese, French, Italian, German, Arabic, Sushi. Ask for it, they had it. In our hotel alone, we had the choice of six different restaurants.
If you get a chance, go to Dubai.
Gas is cheap there.
A victory today will give the Rays their best two-team homestand (6-1). Even if they lose, though, they’re guaranteed to remain in first place alone because the Red Sox (a half-game back) are idle and have two more losses than Tampa Bay. That means the Rays have clinched a team record for consecutive days in first place after the first week of the season (three).
The Rays also have matched the team record for days better than .500 during a season (25, matching 1999), which means that record will fall tomorrow.
This is Scott Kazmir’s 100th career start. He has 624 career strikeouts. The most strikeouts for a pitcher through 100 starts in the past 50 years was 749 by Dwight Gooden.
After yesterday’s newsiness, nothing much shaking out here today for the rare 4:10 p.m. getaway day start. The only items of interest regarding the lineup is Cliff Floyd moving up a spot to fifth (Joe Maddon said it was because the Yankees have no lefty relievers) and Dioner Navarro gets a day off in favor of C Shawn Riggans, who hasn’t played since May 4 at Boston.
UPDATE: Jason Bartlett was scratched late because of what is being referred to as a family matter. Ben Zobrist takes his place at SS and will bat ninth.
The lineups:
Yankees:
Damon, LF
Cabrera, CF
Jeter, SS
Giambi, DH
Duncan, RF
Ensberg, 1B
Cano, 2B
Gonzalez, 3B
Molina, C
Kennedy, P
Rays:
Iwamura, 2B
Crawford, LF
Upton, CF
Pena, 1B
Floyd, DH
Longoria, 3B
Hinske, RF
Riggans, C
Zobrist, SS
Kazmir, P
Four local boys basketball players—Sheldon Cooley (Plant), Jordan Davis (Sickles), Austin Suarez (Berkeley Prep) and Lukas Poderis (Ridgewood)—recently helped lead the Florida Elite 17U AAU team to a state AAU championship.
The state tournament was played in Clearwater over the past weekend, where Elite went 5-0 to win the title. Elite, coached by longtime AAU coach Conrad Foss, defeated Orlando Spartans (78-41) and Florida Prospects (65-31) in pool play and Naples’ Finest (77-47) and Q6 All-Stars (74-47), sponsored by the NBA’s Marquis Daniels, in bracket play. Against Q6 All-Stars, Cooley, who has offers from Tennessee Tech, Houston and East Tennessee State, scored 18 points while Davis added nine points and 13 assists.
In the semifinal against OBC Elite, Poderis led Elite with 17 points while Davis had 11 assists in a 85-67 victory. In the state championship game, Cooley scored 15 points while Davis and Poderis had 12 and 11 points, respectively, to lead Elite over Gulf Coast Rams, 85-71.
Foss said Elite earned an automatic bid to the AAU National Tournament in Orlando July 27-30. He also said the team will play in the Reebok National Invitational in Las Vegas the week prior to the AAU tourney in Orlando.
The Florida Elite 15U team, coached by Newsome varsity coach Jon Mackey, also won a state championship at the tournament, going 6-0 to win the title. From the area, players include Trent Mackey (Newsome), Andre Smith (Blake), Xavier Owens (Wharton), Reshard Brown (King), Ryan Coulter (Plant), Noble Fowler (Plant) and Rashawn Rembert (Sickles).
Former Florida State receiver Kenny O’Neal is now searching for his fourth school in less than two years. Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer announced Tuesday that O’Neal, who played for FSU in 2005, is no longer on the team.
In December, when the Vols visited Tampa for the Outback Bowl, a colleague of mine asked if I knew of any Tennessee-FSU connections. I told him to write about O’Neal, who would have been a great story at the Emerald Bowl in 2006 if he had not been kicked off the team.
O’Neal grew up in Oakland, a short drive across the Bay Bridge from where FSU defeated UCLA in the Emerald Bowl in San Francisco. However, by that time O’Neal was long gone after his dismissal from the Noles in the summer of ‘06. He was playing for City College of San Francisco with plans on transferring to Tennessee.
Well, my suggestion for an Outback Bowl feature on O’Neal flopped as well since he was declared academically ineligible the week of the game.
And now Tuesday’s news that O’Neal is once more looking for a home.
“We excused Kenny from spring practice for the entire spring to get his academics in order,’’ Fulmer told the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
That never happened, and O’Neal leaves Tennessee with a total of two receptions for 59 yards, including a 49-yard touchdown reception against Louisiana-Lafayette.
I’m not buying this report from Fox 13 Sports in Memphis, but here it is: “Sources have confirmed to Fox13 Sports that University of Memphis officials have been in serious talks with the Big East about joining the conference.”
There is no additional information in the report.
My “sources” said this is this how “the serious talks” went:
Memphis AD R.C. Johnson: “Mike, we’d seriously like to join the Big East.”
Big East commish Mike Tranghese: “… “ (Sound of phone hanging up).
Johnson: “Hello, Mike? Hello?? I think my cell cut out. We’re really serious about this.”
Tranghese: “… “ (Sound of dial tone).
A quick look at newsmakers around the Florida State sports universe:
FSU President T.K. Wetherell is attending the inaugural Football Forum in Dallas on Thursday and Friday. Wetherell is serving as one of seven panelists at the event, titled “College Football: Today and Tomorrow.”
Wetherell
Several members of the media are also expected to participate in the discussion.
In the press release announcing Wetherell’s trip, the FSU president said he is “looking forward to the discussions and establishing a healthy dialogue with the media, where ideas can be exchanged and information can flow freely in what promises to be an informal and relaxed session.”
Cool, Mr. President. Does this mean you’ll return my next call?
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Los Angeles Clippers forward Al Thornton became the first Florida State player ever named to the NBA All-Rookie First-Team on Wednesday, joining Seattle’s Kevin Durant and Jeff Green, Atlanta’s Al Horford and Houston’s Luis Scola.
Thornton averaged 12.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 79 games, including 15.4 points and 6.2 rebounds in his 31 starts.
The only other FSU player ever to earn NBA All-Rookie honors is Dave Cowens, named second-team in 1971.
Thornton
That got us to wondering who was on that team with Cowens, so we did the research to see which team we’d take in an FSU rookie-team showdown.
The lineups:
2008 (1st Team) vs. 1971 (2nd Team)
Kevin Durant vs. Pete Maravich
Al Thornton vs. Calvin Murphy
Jeff Green vs. Geoff Petrie
Luis Scola vs. Dave Cowens
Al Horford vs. Bob Lanier
No contest. Pistol Pete’s fancy ball handling, Cowens’ rebounding, Murphy’s defense and Lanier’s size 23 sneakers make the 2008 rooks like silly.
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Unfortunately, I never had a chance to meet former FSU video coordinator Billy Vizzini. From all accounts, Vizzini was a class act and important part of FSU’s athletic program.
He died Oct. 29 after a short battle with cancer. However, Vizzini’s years of dedication to his craft and FSU athletics is not forgotten.
Last week, the Collegiate Sports Video Association (CSVA ) awarded Vizzini its Bob Matey National Video Coordinator of the Year. Vizzini served as CSVA vice president since 2003 and played an integral part in organizing the organization’s annual convention.
A 1993 FSU graduate, Vizzini spent his entire professional career working for his alma mater. The award was accepted by his mother, Yolanda, father, Bill, stepmother, Ann, and members of the FSU video department, Craig Campanozzi and Michael Bracken.
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Quote of the Week:
“It felt natural. If I work hard at it, it will be all right.’’ –-
A) FSU coach Bobby Bowden on taking up drinking beer
B) Former FSU quarterback Xavier Lee on playing tight end
C) Jimbo Fisher on making speeches to FSU boosters
D) Noles receiver Greg Carr on wearing No. 18, not 89
Lee
Answer: B.
Yep, that was Lee after lining up at tight end during Baltimore’s rookie mini-camp, a position he had no interest in playing at FSU.
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FSU softball sports information director Katy Baker provided a neat note to highlight the Seminoles’ game today against Jacksonville State in the Tuscaloosa Regional.
FSU freshman Allison Collins will see a familiar face in the Jacksonville State dugout. Actually, most of the Noles will. Allison’s older sister, Kayla, is a former FSU player who transferred to Jacksonville State two years ago.
Both Collins girls wear No. 77, the same number their father Doug wore when he played football at Alabama under Bear Bryant.
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The FSU men’s golf team is playing in the NCAA West Regional Championship today through Saturday in Bremerton, Wash.
The Seminoles earned a third consecutive regional berth by winning the first Atlantic Coast Conference title in school history on April 20, defeating Duke by three strokes behind the play of Jonas Blixt and Matt Savage.
Blixt and Savage each finished 8-under par, tied for third in the individual standings.
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What would a Seminoles Report be without a little football?
The Good: FSU defensive end Everette Brown and safety Myron Rolle were named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list earlier this week. The award is given annually to the best defensive player in college football.
The Bad: This could actually be classified as good news since it’s a step closer to a resolution, but the fact Preston Parker is even in this situation is really bad news. Regardless, Parker has a court hearing Monday in Palm Beach County related to his arrest April 21. Parker was charged with a felony for carrying a concealed firearm and a misdemeanor for possession of marijuana. Parker’s legal team is hoping to reach an agreement that reduces the charges and allows Parker to rejoin the Seminoles next season.
The Norm: FSU players started offseason conditioning drills Monday, mostly involving lifting weights and doing cardio training under the limited supervision of the strength and conditioning staff.
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A final word:
Prior to Monday, PTI co-host Tony Kornheiser had probably never heard of FSU catcher Buster Posey, a candidate to be the No. 1 overall pick in next month’s MLB draft.
But in the 24-hour news cycle we live in today, Posey playing all nine positions in Monday’s 10-0 win over Savannah State actually became material suitable for debate on PTI, a popular show on ESPN anchored by Kornheiser (who by the way, has accepted a buyout from the Washington Post) and his Post colleague, Michael Wilbon.
Kornheiser blasted FSU coach Mike Martin for allowing Posey to play all over the field.
Two things come to mind: 1) It must have been a real slow news day; 2) I bet if Kornheiser walked by Posey in the hallway today, he wouldn’t recognize him.
By Jim Lee
Fresh Water
With the full moon rising soon, bluegill and shellcracker will be back on the beds and feeding heavily. Bass action has been very good, with a few larger fish caught. Artificial lures are working well, with topwater baits working early, and spinnerbaits then worms.
NORTH TAMPA: Bill’s Bait & Tackle (813) 621-4237: Bluegill catches have been great until the past week, but with the full moon coming, the bluegill and shellcracker will be back on the beds. Catfish anglers are doing well in the Hillsborough River.
LAKE TARPON: Tarpon Tom’s Fresh and Saltwater Bait & Tackle (727) 938-2379: Good bass catches have been the norm, but they have been small, with some of the biggest weighing about 5 pounds. Bluegill have eased off between moon phases, but get ready for the full moon in a couple of weeks.
KISSIMMEE CHAIN: Grape Hammock Fish Camp (863) 692-1500: Bluegill and shellcracker catches are off but will improve. That doesn’t mean you can’t catch them. They just are not on the beds, so they aren’t grouped tight. Troll with a Beetle Spin or similar small jig between beds. Bass action is a little slow.
LORIDA-ISTOKPOGA: Trails End Fishing Resort and Guide Service (863) 655-0134: It is not August, but it often feels like the dog days of summer. However, the good bluegill and shellcracker catches will be back in a few days. Bass action is fair.
OKEECHOBEE, THE WEST WALL: Glen Hunter Guide Service 1-800-541-7541: The lake is still very low. Bluegill are bedding, but call ahead to see if you can get to them. Some bass and bluegill can be caught in the Rim Canal. Otherwise fishing has been tough.
LAKE PANASOFFKEE: Pana Vista Lodge (352) 793-2061: Bluegill catches are still available and will get better by the weekend. Shellcracker are spotty. Bass action has mostly come from young bass.
Salt Water
Look for the silver lining. Grouper fishing has remained good for a longer period because of the cool water. In 130 to 200 feet, you can catch the 20- and 30-pound red grouper and 15- to 20-pound gags. Mangrove snapper at that depth are keeper-grouper size. However, fuel prices have just about put a halt to offshore fishing for many, and others are taking fewer trips. Red snapper come into season June 1, and it’s time to get ready for tarpon.
10,000 ISLANDS: Captain Cory McMillin (fishtheglades.com) (239) 695-4420: If you have wanted to fish the 10,000 Islands, this is the time to do it. Cool breezes will help keep the mosquitoes from making the trip miserable. Big snook are on the hook, along with goliath grouper, redfish and trout.
BOCA GRANDE: Captain Rich Knox (727) 808-6688: Tarpon are thick and getting thicker. Most days are punctuated with roughly 10 hookups. One 175-pound brute was brought to the boat Sunday. Many tarpon fights come to a halt when a shark appears, with the reel put into free spool so the tarpon can escape. If the shark doesn’t hit the line and break it, the fight resumes a few minutes later. Tarpon are in the pass, on the beach and on the inside.
SARASOTA: Captain Rick Grassett (941) 923-7799: The tarpon season is in full swing. One fly angler had his rod separate, causing him to fight the fish with half a rod. After re-attaching it, the angler brought the fish to the boat. However, a huge bull shark appeared out of nowhere and caught the tarpon in the midsection, and the bull shark left with his prize. Nature at work.
SUN CITY, BISHOPS HARBOR & COCKROACH BAY: John’s Bait & Tackle: (813) 376-1127: The big trout have moved out, but there are plenty of smaller ones. Redfish, snook, kingfish and mackerel are the staples. Good numbers of flounder have been caught recently. It is shark city, with bonnetheads and bulls leading the charge.
RUSKIN: South Shore Bait & Tackle (813) 641-2010: Tarpon are taking baits around the Skyway area. Trout from 17 to 24 inches can still be caught. Redfish are the easy catch. Snook catch-and-release is going strong, and live bait still rules.
WESTERN SHORE AND SKYWAY AREA: Captain Sergio Atanes (813) 973-7132: Redfish are all over the bay, especially under the mangroves and docks. Throw a live greenback or shrimp back as far as possible with a split shot to keep the bait down. Plenty of mackerel and tarpon are being found around the Skyway.
UPPER TAMPA BAY: Denny B’s Quality Bait & Tackle (813) 885-9811: There are a lot of redfish in the bay. Snook, mangrove snapper and sheepshead can still be caught. Pompano should be around the bridges soon. Tarpon are moving into the bay and are around the bridges.
SOUTH PINELLAS: Captain Paul Hawkins (727) 560-6762: Tarpon have invaded, and some are being caught on the outside between the fronts on flies. Some are up in the bay and are being caught on spinning tackle with MirrOlures and jigs. Pompano are thick, but most are too small. Redfish, trout and snook are still the easy catch.
FISHING PIERS: South Pier (941) 729-0117: Pier fishing offers most of the current species being caught in the bay. Fish the pier for speckled trout, redfish, flounder and a stray grouper.
MID-PINELLAS PARTY BOATS: Offshore bottom fishing from Hubbard’s John’s Pass Marina and Kingfish Dock (727) 393-1947: Offshore fishing is good. Fish deeper water for black sea bass, mangrove snapper and gray snapper. You might also catch porgies and amberjack on longer trips. The extended and overnight trips will produce the best catches of grouper, red snapper, mangrove snapper and amberjack.
CLEARWATER: Captain Richard Howard (727) 446-8962: Tarpon are everywhere. There are a lot of mackerel, but kingfish are sparse.
TARPON SPRINGS: Captain Rich Knox (727) 376-8809: Some guides are catching snook, redfish and mackerel. Fish the barrier islands and in the passes.
HERNANDO COUNTY: Captain Frank Bourgeois (alwaysfishing.com) (352) 666-6234: Grouper catches are great. Plan a trip soon, before you have to sweat to catch them. Right now, fish the 30- to 40-foot areas.
KEATON BEACH: One More Cast Guide Service (850) 584-9145: Trout in the 18- to 20-inch range were caught under Cajun floats using pinfish and Berkley Gulps. Redfish, trout and a 31-inch cobia were caught by another party. Many fish were caught until the tide turned Sunday afternoon.
HERNANDO BEACH: Captain Rick Rodriguez (gulfgrouper.com) (727) 992-9494: Between the grouper, grunts and other fish, it has been non-stop action. In fact, some anglers had to lay down their rods and rest a few minutes. Now that’s fishing.
FLY FISHING: Tarpon are here, and if you catch a calm day you can catch a 50- to 100-pound fish.
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