Last
Tuesday, Florida-Athletic University sold the naming rights to it's
on-campus stadium for $6 million to the GEO Group. The GEO Group, run by
CEO George Zoley who earned his bachelor's and master's from FAU, is a
company that operates private prisons around the world. If you've been
to their Wikipedia page, you'd see they've also gotten a lot of
controversies over the years. Unless, of course, you visited the day of
the announcement, when the "Controversies" section was replaced with more positive comments with "our" and "we" in the sentences. The changes
were first done by an "Abraham Cohen," who just happens to share the name
with a GEO spokesperson (who was also at one time an FAU student body
president and on the Board of Trustees), and later changes
were from an anonymous account with a GEO IP address. The same day, a petition started to remove the name from what was now being nicknamed "Owlcatraz." And Monday, a student group calling themselves the "Stop Owlcatraz
Coalition" held a sit-in with 40 students in President Mary Jane Sanders office. Sanders agreed to a one-hour meeting with students this Friday, defending GEO but admitting "I don’t know everything about this company."
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Is Manti Gay? The NFL Would Like To Know
According to ProFootballTalk.com's Mike Florio, GM's and coaches were as interested in Manti Te'o's sexuality as his 40-yard dash at this past weekend's combine.
From an interview on The Dan Patrick Show: "Here's the elephant in the room for the teams and it shouldn't matter,
but we have to step aside from the rest of reality and walk into the
unique industry that is the NFL. Teams want to know whether Manti Te'o
is gay. They just want to know. They want to know because in an NFL
locker room, it's a different world. It shouldn't be that way."
Florio said the hard part has been figuring out how to ask Manti delicately.
Full interview on YouTube courtesy The Dan Patrick Show.
Slides for Grown-Ups?
Oh, those crazy Brits and their "football" ideas. Relegation, meat pies, adult playgrounds...
What effect does Danica have?
Perhaps a lot, considering the overnight TV figures show Fox got a 10.0 rating with a 22 share for the Daytona 500,
which means nearly a quarter of markets measured so far tuned in to see
Danica become one of only 13 human beings to ever lead both Daytona and
Indy. That's the most since 2006, when NBC got an 10.1/20 with a 2:45
start sandwiched between Torino Olympics coverage. That's also 30%
higher than last year's rain-delayed Monday nighter. On the radio side, Motor Racing Network claimed as many as 140,000 listeners to their free online stream alone.
For comparison, since Danica left after 2011, Indycar ratings have fallen as much as 27% last season. Besides the Indy 500's 4.3, ABC's season opener got only a .9, and NBC Sports Network could only get a .25 on cable, worth about 200,000 households.
Kalamazoo Speedway could be shut down by township
Alamo Township in Michigan could be shutting down Kalamazoo Speedway if it passes a noise ordinance Monday night.
The ordinance will fine anyone $500 for each violation, which is 82 dB during daylight or 55 db at night. (For comparison, most road traffic is
around 80 dB, lawn mowers are about 100 dB, and a conversation is
around 50-60 dB). The speedway says this will pretty much put them out
of business.
The situation in Alamo Township is a growing trend for racetracks across the country. Suburban expansion puts housing where racetracks already were (in Kalamazoo Speedway's case, they've been around 64 years). The suburbanites who move out there, knowing there was a racetrack there, then start legislating them out of business. Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield fell to this eight years ago, and recent battles with residents may kill off Nashville's Fairgrounds Speedway, a track steeped in NASCAR history.
The situation in Alamo Township is a growing trend for racetracks across the country. Suburban expansion puts housing where racetracks already were (in Kalamazoo Speedway's case, they've been around 64 years). The suburbanites who move out there, knowing there was a racetrack there, then start legislating them out of business. Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield fell to this eight years ago, and recent battles with residents may kill off Nashville's Fairgrounds Speedway, a track steeped in NASCAR history.
The Paterno Reports Out
The Paterno clan made good on their promise to try and find the real conspirators in the Jerry Sandusky
scandal (we're still waiting, OJ). Their report's main job is to try
and poke holes in the college-sponsored Freeh Report. It starts with the
report's title: "Critique of the Freeh Report: The Rush To Injustice Regarding Joe Paterno." The main report was written by Wick Sollers, an attorney with the Paterno's law firm. For those not
wishing to sift through almost 250 pages of horse shit, here's a summary:
Pg. 1 - First line: "Rank speculation. Innuendo. Subjective opinions. This rhetoric, not objective facts and evidence, forms the core of the Freeh report’s conclusions regarding Joe Paterno."
Pg. 11 - The report says Paterno could not understand McQueary's report of what happened in the showers, as he was "a 72-year-old football coach who was untrained in the complicated, counter intuitive dynamics of child sexual victimization and who came from a traditional background where even consensual sex was not discussed."
Pg. 16 - The report picks apart an e-mail from Curley with the subject line "Jerry": "Anything new in this department? Coach is anxious to know where it stands." Thornburgh says its possible it's referring to a proposal by Sandusky (who the report reminds us is a "coach") to start a football team on Penn State's Altoona campus, and the Freeh Report should have considered this.
Pg. 22 - The report claims Paterno telling his superiors showed he did the proper action, and was not trying to cover-up the allegations.
Pg. 23-24 - The report focuses on another e-mail from Curley: "After giving it some more thought and talking it over with Joe yesterday - I am uncomfortable with what we agreed were the next steps." The report claims no one could know what they were talking about, and to assume Paterno wanted a cover-up was speculation. The report then speculates Paterno might have even suggested they take it to child welfare, or that there was no such discussion, or that Paterno wanted it kept to University procedures. pg 23-24
Pgs. 27-29 - The report uses the cases of Rashard Casey and Curtis Enis to show Paterno's innocence. In 2000, starting quarterback Rashard Casey was arrested for assaulting a white off-duty police officer because he was walking with a black woman. Paterno started Casey for the upcoming season, despite criticism to the contrary. In the end, the grand jury did not indict Casey. Also, in 2005, Paterno suspended running back Curtis Enis over taking impermissible benefits. Standing up for Casey and dismissing Enis are two incidents that apparently show Paterno's character was so impressive he could not have covered up for Sandusky.
Pg. 31-32 - The report focuses on a janitor who witnessed a sexual assault by Sandusky, but did not report it because he and his superior felt the football program would "close ranks" and protect the program "at all costs:" "Consider the irony. The janitor does not report to university police what he actually saw, and Mr. Freeh describes him compassionately, but Joe Paterno does report to his superior(s) what he heard second hand, and Mr. Freeh vilifies him and treats him as a pedophile protector." pg. 31-32
Pg. 32 - The report, sanctioned by the Paterno family to exonerate their patriarch, claims the Freeh report is biased.
Pgs. 36-38 - The report accuses the Freeh Report of not respecting Paterno's legacy. Not only does it include funds raised and charitable efforts, it lists his football accomplishments including BCS poll finishes and NFL job offers he did not take. One piece of evidence is how he handled his firing: when he was reading the press release for his "retirement," Paterno had an issue with a phrase "I have come to work every day for the last sixty-one years..." commenting he had taken some sick days for himself and his children. "Joe Paterno was honest even in the final moments of his career — and indeed of his life — and Mr. Freeh ignores this and many other examples, such as his philanthropy, his success with honor philosophy, and the academic success of his program. We detail relevant facts in each of these categories that the Freeh report ignored."
Appendix A, Pg. 33 - Former Attorney General Dick Thornburgh disputes the janitor's claim that he could have been fired for reporting to police. He adds: "Mr. McQueary did report what he claimed he saw one year later and not only was he not fired, but he later received a full-time position as a coach for the Penn State football team." McQueary did not report to police, but instead to Joe Paterno.
Appendix B, Pg. 2 - In the introduction to his report, former FBI expert Jim Clemente makes the claim: "I was told the Paterno family wanted to know how Sandusky got away with it. They wanted to understand what actually happened at Penn State, so they could help prevent child sexual victimization in the future." Most of his report focuses on how Sandusky being such a nice guy made it hard for Paterno to believe he was a pedophile.
Appendix B, Pg. 30 - Clemente asserts his proof that Paterno could never conceive someone being a child molester: "After all, he would not allow his children to use the pencils he brought home from work because, he said, 'that’s university property.' However, what is less discussed, but well known by those close to Paterno, is that he was a prude; he was extremely uncomfortable with private and sexual matters. The Paternos rarely watched television except for The Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday nights. According to his children, Paterno found the television series Love Boat to be too racy...Paterno was even put off by the word 'fart.'"
Appendix B, Pg. 55 - Clemente defends Sandusky showing with young boys: "However, even if Paterno had known about this practice, adult coaches showering with boys after sporting or exercise activity is not wrong unless there are nefarious or sexual intentions. This happens every day across the United States and around the world in gyms, locker rooms, and YMCA’s. In fact, Paterno’s own son showered with Sandusky and other coaches on many occasions."
Appendix B, Pg. 57 - Clemente defends Paterno for not telling facility staff to keep Sandusky out if he brings in another minor, because somehow that could lead to a defamation suit.
Appendix C, Pg. 11 - Dr. Fred S. Berlin, the founder of The Johns Hopkins Sexual Disorders Clinic, ends his report on the subject. Pages 12-45 are a list of books, seminars, and television appearances he has contributed to.
Pg. 1 - First line: "Rank speculation. Innuendo. Subjective opinions. This rhetoric, not objective facts and evidence, forms the core of the Freeh report’s conclusions regarding Joe Paterno."
Pg. 11 - The report says Paterno could not understand McQueary's report of what happened in the showers, as he was "a 72-year-old football coach who was untrained in the complicated, counter intuitive dynamics of child sexual victimization and who came from a traditional background where even consensual sex was not discussed."
Pg. 16 - The report picks apart an e-mail from Curley with the subject line "Jerry": "Anything new in this department? Coach is anxious to know where it stands." Thornburgh says its possible it's referring to a proposal by Sandusky (who the report reminds us is a "coach") to start a football team on Penn State's Altoona campus, and the Freeh Report should have considered this.
Pg. 22 - The report claims Paterno telling his superiors showed he did the proper action, and was not trying to cover-up the allegations.
Pg. 23-24 - The report focuses on another e-mail from Curley: "After giving it some more thought and talking it over with Joe yesterday - I am uncomfortable with what we agreed were the next steps." The report claims no one could know what they were talking about, and to assume Paterno wanted a cover-up was speculation. The report then speculates Paterno might have even suggested they take it to child welfare, or that there was no such discussion, or that Paterno wanted it kept to University procedures. pg 23-24
Pgs. 27-29 - The report uses the cases of Rashard Casey and Curtis Enis to show Paterno's innocence. In 2000, starting quarterback Rashard Casey was arrested for assaulting a white off-duty police officer because he was walking with a black woman. Paterno started Casey for the upcoming season, despite criticism to the contrary. In the end, the grand jury did not indict Casey. Also, in 2005, Paterno suspended running back Curtis Enis over taking impermissible benefits. Standing up for Casey and dismissing Enis are two incidents that apparently show Paterno's character was so impressive he could not have covered up for Sandusky.
Pg. 31-32 - The report focuses on a janitor who witnessed a sexual assault by Sandusky, but did not report it because he and his superior felt the football program would "close ranks" and protect the program "at all costs:" "Consider the irony. The janitor does not report to university police what he actually saw, and Mr. Freeh describes him compassionately, but Joe Paterno does report to his superior(s) what he heard second hand, and Mr. Freeh vilifies him and treats him as a pedophile protector." pg. 31-32
Pg. 32 - The report, sanctioned by the Paterno family to exonerate their patriarch, claims the Freeh report is biased.
Pgs. 36-38 - The report accuses the Freeh Report of not respecting Paterno's legacy. Not only does it include funds raised and charitable efforts, it lists his football accomplishments including BCS poll finishes and NFL job offers he did not take. One piece of evidence is how he handled his firing: when he was reading the press release for his "retirement," Paterno had an issue with a phrase "I have come to work every day for the last sixty-one years..." commenting he had taken some sick days for himself and his children. "Joe Paterno was honest even in the final moments of his career — and indeed of his life — and Mr. Freeh ignores this and many other examples, such as his philanthropy, his success with honor philosophy, and the academic success of his program. We detail relevant facts in each of these categories that the Freeh report ignored."
Appendix A, Pg. 33 - Former Attorney General Dick Thornburgh disputes the janitor's claim that he could have been fired for reporting to police. He adds: "Mr. McQueary did report what he claimed he saw one year later and not only was he not fired, but he later received a full-time position as a coach for the Penn State football team." McQueary did not report to police, but instead to Joe Paterno.
Appendix B, Pg. 2 - In the introduction to his report, former FBI expert Jim Clemente makes the claim: "I was told the Paterno family wanted to know how Sandusky got away with it. They wanted to understand what actually happened at Penn State, so they could help prevent child sexual victimization in the future." Most of his report focuses on how Sandusky being such a nice guy made it hard for Paterno to believe he was a pedophile.
Appendix B, Pg. 30 - Clemente asserts his proof that Paterno could never conceive someone being a child molester: "After all, he would not allow his children to use the pencils he brought home from work because, he said, 'that’s university property.' However, what is less discussed, but well known by those close to Paterno, is that he was a prude; he was extremely uncomfortable with private and sexual matters. The Paternos rarely watched television except for The Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday nights. According to his children, Paterno found the television series Love Boat to be too racy...Paterno was even put off by the word 'fart.'"
Appendix B, Pg. 55 - Clemente defends Sandusky showing with young boys: "However, even if Paterno had known about this practice, adult coaches showering with boys after sporting or exercise activity is not wrong unless there are nefarious or sexual intentions. This happens every day across the United States and around the world in gyms, locker rooms, and YMCA’s. In fact, Paterno’s own son showered with Sandusky and other coaches on many occasions."
Appendix B, Pg. 57 - Clemente defends Paterno for not telling facility staff to keep Sandusky out if he brings in another minor, because somehow that could lead to a defamation suit.
Appendix C, Pg. 11 - Dr. Fred S. Berlin, the founder of The Johns Hopkins Sexual Disorders Clinic, ends his report on the subject. Pages 12-45 are a list of books, seminars, and television appearances he has contributed to.
High School Recruit's Signing Day Delayed By Mom
Although
National Signing Day for college football was relatively calm this
year, Alex Collins' plan to commit to Arkansas was not. After announcing
his plans on Monday, he cancelled the signing ceremony at his Florida high school Wednesday morning.
ESPN later reported his mother had ran away with his National Letter of
Intent, reportedly because she wanted him to sign with the Miami
Hurricanes. As of Wednesday Night, Arkansas is waiting to see if he can
find his father to sign his NLI. Collins' doesn't live with either
parent, hampering his efforts.
The NCAA does not require a National Letter of Intent to play sports; it is a document that states you have committed to a school, and other schools should no longer recruit you. However, the NCAA does require a parent or guardian's signature for anyone under the age of 21 (which is basically every recruit). Also, if for whatever reason you decide not to play at the school, you are ineligible for all sports for one year.
Elsewhere, Florida State has posted a four-hour video of their signing day "War Room." However, unlike the NFL Draft, college football war rooms are basically athletic staffers sitting around for the fax machine to fire up.
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