The Few, The Proud. Rutgers-Newark catcher Matt Halligan won???t be behind the plate for the Scarlet Raiders this spring. Instead, Halligan will be protecting the country while he serves with the United States Marines in the Middle East. Halligan enlisted in the Marine reserves in the spring of 2005 and had juggled practice, classes and monthly training during the fall semester of his sophomore year. He received his deployment notice last spring and missed the season while training in the Mojave Desert. Halligan arrived in Kuwait earlier this week and is scheduled to return home next summer. He plans to be on the baseball field as soon as he gets back. It seems to me he fits the true definition of an all-American.

Tragedy in Houston. Rice defensive back Dale Lloyd died Monday, one day after collapsing during a team workout. Lloyd was 19-years-old.

Lovin' Life on the Road. The UCLA women???s volleyball team started its season with 15 matches on the road and I???m not sure the Bruins really want to return home after winning all of those contests. UCLA opens its home schedule on Thursday against Washington, the defending national champion. The third-ranked Bruins are one of a number of fall teams hoping to bring the school its 100th national championship.