Four UCLA players are suspended for Kansas State game -- latimes.com

Four UCLA players are suspended for Kansas State game -- latimes.com

McKnight, Carter and Forbath Named Pac-10 Football Players of the Week - PAC-10 OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

Tailback Joe McKnight of USC and linebacker Reggie Carter and kicker Kai Forbath of UCLA have been named Pac-10 Players of the Week in football.

McKnight, Carter and Forbath Named Pac-10 Football Players of the Week - PAC-10 OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

Kobe Bryant Open To Playing In China?

During his most recent visit to China, a reporter asked Kobe if he could one day seen himself playing in China. Would you be shocked if he said he was open to it?

Kobe Bryant Motivates Tech Companies in China - Business Center - PC World

Beer Sales Make a Comeback at College Stadiums - WSJ.com

Here's another example of moral standards getting trumped by financial needs.

Beer Sales Make a Comeback at College Stadiums - WSJ.com

Emerald Bowl Extends Agreement With PAC-10, Announces New Tie-ins

SAN FRANCISCO - The Pacific-10 Conference and the Emerald Bowl today renewed their agreement through at least 2013, and the Bowl announced three new affiliations that will provide the Pac-10 with a unique set of future opponents in San Francisco.

The Emerald Bowl, now in its eighth year, will match the Pac-10's No. 6 pick against top teams from the Western Athletic Conference, Navy and Army during the next four-year bowl cycle [2010-2013].

“We're thrilled to extend our affiliation with the Pac-10,” said Emerald Bowl Executive Director Gary Cavalli. “Having the Pac-10 as our anchor conference has helped grow the game and build the Emerald Bowl's stature and visibility on a national scale. With the Pac-10 in the game the last three years, we've drawn two sellout crowds and become one of the highest rated bowls on television.

“We're also excited about our new partnerships with the WAC, Navy and Army. These agreements guarantee a high quality matchup for our fans, title sponsor and television viewers around the country. This combination of opponents gives us a perfect blend of local and national appeal, top-notch football and pageantry.”

Last year's Emerald Bowl, which matched Cal vs Miami, drew a record crowd of 42,268 and a TV rating of 4.6, the 8th highest audience among the 34 “The Pacific-10 Conference is very pleased to extend its relationship with the Emerald Bowl,” said Pac-10 Commissioner Larry Scott

“The setting in AT&T Park in downtown San Francisco has made the Emerald Bowl a very attractive destination for the Pac-10 teams that have earned a berth in the game and a favorite of fans who follow those teams.

“We believe that the future of the Emerald Bowl is very bright and commend the leadership and staff of the bowl for making the game a truly memorable experience.”

The Pac-10 team's opponent, Cavalli said, will be the WAC's 1st, 2nd or 3rd place team in the years 2010 and 2013, with Army coming to San Francisco in 2011 and Navy in 2012.

“This is a great arrangement for the WAC and its nine football teams,” said commissioner Karl Benson. “The Emerald Bowl has established itself as a premier bowl in a great city. I am sure our fans will love to travel to San Francisco.

“We look forward to bringing nationally prominent teams like Boise State and Fresno State to the Emerald Bowl,” Cavalli said. “San Francisco is a short distance away from many of the WAC schools. This affiliation will give WAC fans a chance to see their teams play in one of the world's greatest cities.”

Navy will return to the Emerald Bowl in 2012 after having beaten New Mexico in the 2004 game.

“Based on our visit in 2004, we have seen first-hand that the Emerald Bowl is a magnificent overall environment and event,” said Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk. “San Francisco, the stadium, community, hospitality, bowl administration and the beauty of Northern California present as fine a postseason experience as we could possibly enjoy.

“The Academy is sincerely grateful to Gary Cavalli and his staff for inviting us back and setting the stage for our team to earn an enjoyable trip to the West Coast and an inspiring matchup versus the Pac-10.”

“We had a fantastic experience with Navy in 2004 and have been looking for an opportunity to bring them back to San Francisco ever since,” Cavalli said. “They've won at least eight games for the past six years and become of the most desirable bowl teams in the country. They bring not only an outstanding football team, but 20,000 fans, unmatched tradition and great pageantry.In the year 2011, Army [if bowl eligible] will meet a Pac-10 team in San Francisco. The Cadets are the only service academy that has not yet appeared in an Emerald Bowl [Air Force played in the inaugural 2002 game].

“We couldn't be more excited about the opportunity to showcase our football program in the Emerald Bowl in 2011,” said Army Director of Athletics Kevin Anderson. “We feel the tradition and pageantry of the Army football program is second to none and would provide a tremendous spectacle for the people of San Francisco during the holidays.

“I'm certain our fans, graduates and the Corps of Cadets will be very excited to travel to Northern California to face a Pac-10 Conference team in December and support the Black Knights.”

“Great things are expected under new coach Rich Ellerson,” Cavalli said. “I think we're out ahead of the curve in inviting a program that is destined to become highly successful and sought after by many post-season bowls.”

This year's Emerald Bowl, matching teams from the Pac-10 and ACC, is set for Saturday, December 26, 2009 at AT&T Park. Kickoff is 5:00 p.m. [PST]/8:00 p.m. [EST]. It will be carried nationally via ESPN and ESPN Radio. Tickets for the game are now on sale and may be obtained through the game's official website, www.emeraldbowl.org.

TORII HUNTER WINS 2009 BRANCH RICKEY AWARD

(DENVER, COLO) Torii Hunter, star centerfielder of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, has been named the winner of the 2009 Branch Rickey Award. Roland Thornton, president of the Rotary Club of Denver, made the announcement today at the Denver Athletic Club.

Hunter, 33, will be inducted as the 18th member of the Baseball Humanitarians Hall of Fame during a banquet on Saturday, Nov. 14 at the Marriott City Center Hotel in downtown Denver.

Created by the Rotary Club of Denver in 1991, the Branch Rickey Award honors individuals in baseball who contribute unselfishly to their communities and who are strong role models for young people. Each year, Major League Baseball teams nominate a player, coach or executive for this nationally acclaimed award. All of the nominees personify Rotary International’s motto, “Service Above Self.”

Hunter was chosen by a National Selection Committee, comprised of 300 members of the sports media, past award winners, baseball executives and Rotary district governors. All 30 Major League teams submitted a nominee for the award.

Partnering with the Heart of a Champion Foundation and the Angels, Hunter created the “Torii Hunter Project Education Initiative” to provide college scholarships and character development to students in California, Arkansas, Nevada and Minnesota. He is particularly active with the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy in Las Vegas, along with Derek Jeter of the Yankees and Derrek Lee of the Cubs. Last year, he helped fund construction of a youth softball field (Torii Hunter Field) in Placentia, CA. To honor the legacy of Jackie Robinson, Hunter supports Major League Baseball’s “Breaking Barriers” program. He established the Torii Hunter Project, partnering with Little League Baseball’s Urban Initiative to help maintain and improve baseball diamonds in urban cities. He is also involved with Big Brothers and the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Hunter was selected as the 2007 Marvin Miller Man-of-the-Year, given annually to the player whose on-field and off-field performances most inspires others to a higher level of achievement.

Last year, Hunter helped guide the Angels to their fourth division crown in five seasons in his first year with the club. He received his eighth consecutive Gold Glove after not committing an error in 137 games in center field (354 total chances). He has not committed an error since August 31, 2007. He has been voted to the American League All-Star Team twice. In 2002, Hunter was named by MLB.com as the Player-of-the-Year.

The late Branch Rickey, known to millions as “Mr. Baseball,” is credited with breaking the color barrier in the Major Leagues in 1945 when he signed Jackie Robinson, the first modern day African-American player. He also hired the first Hispanic player, Roberto Clemente.

Rickey helped develop the farm system in baseball and stimulated the sport’s expansion into more cities. Always an advocate for underprivileged children, he spearheaded the development of the famous “Knot Hole Gang,” to allow kids to attend big league games.

Previous recipients of the Branch Rickey Award include: Dave Winfield, Toronto Blue Jays; Kirby Puckett, Minnesota Twins; Ozzie Smith, St. Louis Cardinals; Tony Gwynn, San Diego Padres; Brett Butler, Los Angeles Dodgers; Craig Biggio, Houston Astros; Paul Molitor, Minnesota Twins; Al Leiter, New York Mets; Todd Stottlemyre, Arizona Diamondbacks; Curt Schilling, Arizona Diamondbacks; Bobby Valentine, New York Mets; Roland Hemond, Chicago White Sox; Jamie Moyer, Seattle Mariners; Tommy Lasorda, Los Angeles Dodgers; John Smoltz, Atlanta Braves; and last year’s winner, Trevor Hoffman of the San Diego Padres.

Winfield, Puckett, Smith, Molitor, Gwynn and Lasorda, as well as Branch Rickey, have also been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Branch Rickey Award is a 24-inch bronze sculpture, The Player, created by internationally prominent sculptor George Lundeen. A 13-foot tall bronze sculpture was dedicated in front of Coors Field at 20th and Blake on June 2, 2005 in celebration of Rotary International’s Centennial Year.

Tickets for the Branch Rickey Award banquet are $200 per person and may be reserved by calling the Rotary Club of Denver office at 303-893-1919. For more information about the Branch Rickey Award, visit www.branchrickeyaward.org.

Billy Gillispie Checks Into Rehab

Check out the article below regarding the report that former Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie has checked into a rehabilitation center in Houston. I have two immediate responses: 1) Finally!! 2) What took so long?

Having said that, I sincerely hopes he gets the help he needs.

Billy Gillispie Checks Into Rehab

U.S. Open Darling Oudin Booted From NYC Hotel

This story is only a story because Melanie Oudin outplayed even her own expectations, and that's awesome! She's been the story of this year's U.S. Open thus far.

However, it was her camp who dropped the ball on extending her hotel stay once she kept advancing. I think it's rather shallow for her agent to claim that his agency will never send any other players to this particular hotel because they could not accommodate Oudin beyond her reservation. The hotel didn't make the mistake, Oudin's handlers did.

Maybe next time, they won't book her stay through Expedia!

Melanie Oudin Kicked Out Of NYC Hotel

NBA Worthy Dunk?

Check out Guy Dupuy. He wants to be invited to the NBA Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend. Do you think this dunk warrants an invite?

Obama on Health Care: 'Open to New Ideas'

In an interview with ABC's Robin Roberts, President Obama says he will not sign any health care reform bill that adds $1 to the national deficit.

Obama on Health Care: 'Open to New Ideas'


Meanwhile, R.E.M. says millions of Americans can't wait around while Washington politicians play games with health care reform.

R.E.M. Rallies For Health Care Reform