Countdown begins. In exactly one month, the final installment of the classic Harry Potter series will be released. While my countdown began about 14 months ago, I thought my public proclamation could wait until 30 days out. I hope that J.K. Rowling makes Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at least 15,000 pages, because the thought of the conclusion makes me feel somewhat empty. If the end is necessary, however, I hope that Rowling allows Harry to reach the top of the youth wizarding world and ride into the sunset as a quidditch champion. Quidditch, of course, is not an emerging NCAA sport, because it seems that it???s a liability to have kids flying around on brooms. I hope we can work that out in the next few years, though, because I???m quite sure the NCAA Quidditch Championships would set all sorts of attendance records.

Oregon State dominates. The magical run for UC Irvine came to a close last night, as Oregon State returned to the championship round of the College World Series. A strong pitching effort from Daniel Turpen led the Beavers to a 7-1 victory and their 11th win in 13 games. In other action, North Carolina topped Rice, 6-1, to hand the Owls their first loss of the CWS. The teams will meet again tonight with the winner earning the right to play Oregon State for this year???s crown. Oregon State edged the Tar Heels in last year???s championship series to win the national title.

Hennessy takes home hardware. After being named East Coast Conference Player of the Year and leading New York Institute of Technology???s men???s lacrosse team to the Division II semifinals for the fourth time in the last five years, sophomore Kevin Hennessy was awarded the Lt. Raymond J. Enners Award as the Outstanding Player in Division II men???s lacrosse and the Lt. Donald McLaughlin Jr. Award as the top midfielder in Division II men???s lacrosse. He also earned United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association first team all-American honors. Last season, the sophomore led the Bears in scoring with 50 points (28 goals and 22 assists). Hennessy is earning his Bachelor of Arts in electrical and computer engineering at NYIT.