President Ford dies at 93. Gerald R. Ford, the 38th president of the United States, died late Tuesday night after complications from pneumonia. President Ford was the only man to serve in the Oval Office without being elected; he assumed office after Richard Nixon resigned amid the Watergate scandal. Ford went on to pardon Nixon and many believe that cost him a chance at a second term. Interestingly, Ford wasn???t on Nixon???s ticket in 1972. Nixon ran with Spiro Agnew, but Agnew resigned from the vice presidency amid controversy of his own.

One of the most influential student-athletes of the NCAA???s first century, President Ford was a member of the Michigan football teams that won national championships in 1932 and 1933. Ford is the only United States president to tackle a future Heisman Trophy winner, knocking down the award???s first recipient, University of Chicago standout Jay Berwanger. In 1935, Ford was named Michigan???s most valuable player.

Ford is one of two former presidents to have an NCAA award named after him. The Theodore Roosevelt Award is the NCAA???s highest honor while the Gerald R. Ford Award is presented to individuals who have provided significant leadership as an advocate for intercollegiate athletics during their careers.

Central Michigan rules Motor City. Interim Coach Jeff Quinn led Central Michigan to a 31-14 victory over Middle Tennessee in the Motor City Bowl last night. Quinn assumed head coaching duties three weeks ago when Brian Kelly filled the vacated post at Cincinnati. I was startled to read that a record crowd of 54,113 filled Ford Field to watch the game. Central Michigan was obviously the hometown favorite but isn???t it crazy that more people went to that game than the NFL games in the same stadium?

Calling all fans. Our friend Alex Ernst, who runs the CrossCyed blog, sent along an article from the Des Moines Register about women???s basketball attendance at four Iowa schools. While the popularity of women???s basketball is constantly growing, it hasn???t seen a lot of support from students. Give this article a read to learn about some of the interesting things athletics departments are trying in order to get students to women???s games. I love all sports, but there???s definitely something special about women???s basketball and I think it???s just a matter of time before it begins to get the appropriate support.