• After an absence of more than four years, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden announced the return of the bearcat, or binturong. The Bearcat is also the official mascot of the University of Cincinnati. University President Nancy Zimpher touted the strong relationship between the university and the zoo. Feeling creative? You can enter a contest to name the baby bearcat - the deadline is April 30. If you do choose to submit a name, let us know what you put forward.

• How about Alia Sabur? The Guinness Book of World Records named the 19-year-old Long Island native the world's youngest professor. Sabur, who has been temporarily teaching at Southern University, accepted a permanent position at Konkuk University in South Korea. The academic phenom earned her doctorate from Drexel in materials science and engineering. It's great that Sabur is so accomplished at such a young age, but do you think she's missed out on something special by not experiencing college with her peers?

• Christine Brennan wrote a nice story in USA Today about the impact Danica Patrick has had on young girls wanting to follow in her footsteps. "I would consider my daughter one of the best drivers in her series," said proud father Raul Martinez. "It doesn't matter boy or girl, it's the best driver who wins. Just like what Danica did. End of story."

• Indiana State basketball student-athlete Laura Rudolphi has been named the College of Business Dean's Honors Scholar for having the highest GPA in the school. On the court, Rudolphi led the Sycamores with 14.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Off the court, she earned a 3.98 GPA and was a two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Selection.

• A couple of months ago, we shared the story of former Baylor softball standout Cristen Vitek, who was fighting a life-threatening illness in the hospital. The pitcher who struck out an NCAA-record 28 batters in a 16-inning complete game victory over North Carolina returned to the field on Wednesday night, throwing out the first pitch at Getterman Stadium in an emotional pregame ceremony. Could there be better news?

• Want to see a college football locker room? Click on this link and watch 5 minutes and 40 seconds of brilliance from Harvard's gridiron gang. Of special note is the vocal performance by fullback Noah Van Niel, who happens to be an operatic tenor. Van Niel sings the first verse of "God Bless America" and is joined by his teammates afterwards. It's a special scene and I've now watched it three times.

• Speaking of Harvard football, guest blogger Carl Ehrlich will share a post later today. Perhaps Carl will share some thoughts on Noah and the locker room scene at a later time.