NCAA Double-A Zone: Marathon Game, New Athletics Director and Sibling Rivarly July 16, 2008

Marathon Game, New Athletics Director and Sibling Rivarly - Jul 16, 2008

posted by: Howard

Normally it is difficult for me to wake up early in the morning, but today was an even bigger challenge than normal after staying up for one of the great baseball all-star games in history, a thrilling 4-3 American League win in 15 innings. For those of you who went to bed before the conclusion, you missed an absolute classic. So many twists and turns, and with both teams on the verge of running out of pitching, I thought we might be in store for another tie. Also of note was the tremendous pre-game ceremony where the living Hall of Famers were honored on the field. What a way for Yankee Stadium to go out.

As we talked about last week, many athletics departments around the country - even high profile ones - are battling tough economic times. Michigan State is another example an institution that is keeping a close eye on its finances as reported in the Lansing State Journal's series on Michigan and its economy.

There are reports that Notre Dame will be hiring Indianapolis lawyer Jack Swarbrick for its open athletics director position. The unique thing about this hire is that Swarbrick has no direct experience in college athletics administration, an unusual move for a high profile program. Swarbrick does have a positive track record in whatever he has been involved with throughout his career, so we'll see how this new challenge goes for him in South Bend.

Over the last few weeks, we have followed the story of Arizona basketball recruit Brandon Jennings, who recently decided that he would play professionally in Europe this year instead of go to school. Fellow California-native Demar DeRozan was on the verge of making the same move as Jennings until yesterday when he announced that he has academically qualified for college and will attend USC in the fall.

Sibling rivalry got taken to a whole new level after what occurred on the TPC Sawgrass Players Stadium Course last Thursday. On the par three, third hole, 11 year-old Hanks Massey made his first ever hole-in-one, which caused his 9-year-old brother, Davis, to become "very jealous." No sweat though, as moments later on the same hole, Davis knocked in his tee shot for his very own hole-in-one. A retired math professor has said that the odds of two players in the same group both getting holes-in-ones is 17-million-to-one.

Comments

Why do we encourage our young future athletic administrators to get Sport Management degrees or to 'be patient' and 'work their way up' in this industry if ultimately they will be trumped by lawyers who can politic or big name donors without a college degree (Oregon). The system is broken.

posted by: Dave Longo | 07/17/08

The demands of running a high profile, big time athletic department require more than most sport management degrees provide their students. A background and proven track record in business or law trumps outdated athletic management training.

posted by: Sam | 07/18/08

even high profile ones - are battling tough economic times. Michigan State is another example an institution that is keeping a close eye on its finances as reported in the Lansing State

posted by: testosterone enanthate | 07/24/08

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