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One strike and you're out
We're all a bit sensitive to domestic violence issues in light of Ray Rice's situation. And we've carried a few stories (here, here, and here) about Ray and whether he deserves another shot with the NFL. And whatever your feelings might be about Ray, the topic of domestic violence has become a very hot button issue in sports. And while most of that was directed at the pro leagues, it has filtered down to college. Steve Spurrier, the "head ball coach", has taken a very hard line on the issue at South Carolina.
[Spurrier's view on domestic] violence as he's practiced a one-strike & you're-out rule, topic is one of the most sensitive in the industry today - http://t.co/hqyhSMw6iP
— D1.ticker (@D1ticker) August 8, 2015
An interesting take as documented by CBSSports Dennis Dodd.
It's not just us
Sometimes Rutgers fans get the sense that we're snake bit. There's a sense that our name should be Murphy, that if something can go wrong, it will in Piscataway. But, dear readers, we aren't the only ones who suffer through insane actions, stupid decisions, and just plain goofy stuff. Even a solid program like Virginia Tech can have screw ups.
There are uniform fails and then there's this VT jersey abomination: http://t.co/tFLhMyCBzb pic.twitter.com/ekkkr8Jtt2 @darrenrovell @PhilHecken
— Lost Lettermen (@LostLettermen) August 11, 2015
If you can't beat'em....
Last year, Alabama's Nick Saban tried to get the NCAA to slow down the NASCAR-like offenses that are becoming more common. He wanted to get a rule change that would have prevented the ball from being snapped before at least 10 seconds had gone off the play clock. It didn't happen. But there's a new football rules group that will look at the playing rules of just Division 1. And guess who is chairing that Competition Committee? Alabama's athletic director Bill Battle. Sometimes, you just need to be creative in order to get your way.
Gopher Gaffes
As I said, nasty stuff doesn't just happen at Rutgers. Fellow Big Ten member Minnesota is going through an ugly matter with its now former AD.
Wow, awful scandal unfolding out at UofMinnesota where AD has been bounced, reporter writes of unwanted advances http://t.co/BhZVhV6Ydo
— Kevin McNamara (@KevinMcNamara33) August 10, 2015
It was just three years ago that the Gophers were introducing Teague as their new athletic director. He had been a successful AD at Virginia Commonwealth, meaning he was the guy who hired Shaka Smart. And what have you done for me lately?
And, apparently, there was a smoking gun at VCU.
U of Minnesota and Virginia Commonwealth paid $300,000 to settle earlier complaints against Teague http://t.co/13iFQ1poqj
— Caitlin Kelly (@atotalmonet) August 11, 2015
Here's that word again: facilities
Two stories popped up recently about current and former conference mates and their athletic facilities. While Rutgers has a master plan approved by the University's Board of Governors, it has yet to formally announce any specific plans or timelines.
Cincinnati
At Cincinnati, they're getting ready to reopen "historic" (which I think means old in PR terms) Nippert Stadium. Nippert got a major upgrade and was expanded from 35,000 to 40,000. It's an $86 million project and, amazingly, Cincy has only raised about $50 million of the total. One thing that the Bearcats are looking for with this construction is an invitation to a Power 5 conference. And, unlike some schools, Cincinnati's president is a driving force.
[Head coach Tommy] Tuberville said UC President Dr. Santa Ono still wants the Bearcats to get a seat at the Power table.
"It's all about Dr. Ono, he had a vision to take our athletic department to another level," Tuberville said. "This is definitely going to do that."
Hmmm, how about that!
Iowa
Talk about continuing to fall behind. The Hawkeyes are looking to spend $150 million on renovations at Kinnick Stadium and construction of a new indoor track facility and a new residence hall that would house training table facilities for Hawkeye athletes. The Rutgers master plan did not have any reference to an indoor track facility. And the numbers bandied about for Rutgers total package of construction - for virtually every sport - was around $100 million.
The well dressed team
Remember when we talked about Rutgers' deal with Nike? There was a lot of conversation by you folks, including this comment:
Nike would be wise to negotiate a new deal now, prior to hitting the open market.
Rutgers contract is clearly under-valued and Nike would be foolish to let it play out.
by RU Serious on Jul 28, 2015
Rutgers is in the Big Ten now. It has much more exposure on TV. Would it make sense for Nike to do do what RU Serious suggests and corral the Scarlet Knight brand with an extension? The marketplace is a rough environment. And Georgia - admittedly in a different circle than RU - just got a new extension of its deal from Nike:
Nike extends Georgia deal through 2024 http://t.co/ezrZOOyUu1
— Jason Belzer (@JasonBelzer) August 10, 2015
The article gives the reason:
Nike has quietly extended the equipment and apparel contract of the University of Georgia, the latest in a series of moves seemingly designed to lock up key partners amid the escalating battle to outfit top athletic programs. [emphasis added]
Is Rutgers one of those "top athletic programs"? Could it be? Is it worth it for Nike to hedge its bets?
Is this supporting the home team, or just plain nuts?
A lot of us complain that the state of New Jersey doesn't support Rutgers. We look at the state legislature and wonder if they even realize that Rutgers is the state university. Then you have the state of Alabama.
Senate bill urges #Auburn to claim more national titles in football: http://t.co/fE8RJcHudK pic.twitter.com/MKwKDGRjrs
— William McFadden (@willmcfadden) August 10, 2015
At an Alabama Senate hearing on Monday, Sen. Tom Whatley from Auburn proposed a bill urging Auburn University to claim nine national championships in football, according to Montgomery Advertiser reporter Brian Lyman.
Think that's insane? Alabama already did it!
The University of Alabama increased their title claims during the '80s, jumping from six national titles to twelve.
Just how did they make such a leap?
Former Alabama Sports Information Director Wayne Atcheson decided to add five national championships from before the Bear Bryant-era into the school's media guide before the 1986 season.
You see, there's the real problem at Rutgers; we just aren't creative and ballsy enough.
And finally, our Moment of Zen....NFL edition
"It was something very childish." Jets coach Todd Bowles provides more details on Geno Smith inury. http://t.co/LCl9Ur8X2I
— NFL (@NFL) August 11, 2015