The University of Illinois isn’t going to take lightly the NCAA’s absurd decision to ban them from using their mascot, and even their nickname, in postseason play. Lawrence Epply, the president of the University’s Board of Trustees, points out that the nickname comes as much from the name of the state as from a Native American tribe. Perhaps, if Myles Brand can get the state to change its name, then maybe the University will change its nickname.
What the NCAA has done by “banning” the nicknames of the 18 schools that derive theirs from Indian history, is a perfect case of them doing something about nothing, because they can’t do something about anything. The NCAA has some real problems. They have issues with graduation rates, coaches leaving in the middle of long-term contracts with no penalty, a completely corrupt bowl system, and on and on and on. So what do they address? Nicknames?
Al McGuire once was asked about the decision of the school he coached at, Marquette, to change the nickname from Warriors to Golden Eagles. Al said, “Why don’t they just change it to ‘Worriers’? I don’t know any upset Indians. Whenever they get mad, the government just gives them another casino anyway. Besides, you don’t see a bunch of guys named William picketing the Buffalo Bills’ games, do you?”
Greg Maddux has 10 wins now, and has quited some of the people loudly hoping he’ll retire after the season. This makes no sense. For several reasons. What could those reasons be? Glad you asked.
– Do you really think Greg Maddux is going to hang around after he’s completely done as a pitcher? Do you think he’s either so clueless about his ability, or so driven by money that he’d show up even when he thinks he’ll get shelled?
– Do you really think the Cubs are going to wisely spend the $9 million they’d save if he retired?
If he shows up for spring training next year it’s a good thing. It means he knows he’s got at least one left. Trust him. He’s like the only guy you can.
Pay no attention to the first part about Dusty and Roger Clettitte, but read the second entry about how the writer thinks the Cubs are platooning Todd Hollandsworth and Matt Murton in left. I was confused, since if they are doing that, they’re making the guys wear Matt Lawton costumes. Then I read who wrote this.
Mariotti puts down the doughnut to demand the Sox do whatever it takes to get Junior. I’ll remember this next year when Junior’s on the DL and Mariotti is bitching about what a bad idea it was to trade for him.
Spanish-yes.com’s Don Banks rips the Bears for not signing a veteran QB in the offseason. I think that’s crap. Who were they going to get? Every available QB that would have accepted the best case (compete for a starting job) or worst case (come in to be Rex’s caddy) scenarios were all of Jeff Blake’s ilk. Meaning, they sucked. The Bears got Blake anyway. Big whup.
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