Arkansas Sports: Arkansas Blog, Arkansas Times

Penn State's penalty won't change football

Max Brantley — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 06:37:00 -0500

I've been surprised to find many sports writers saying that the NCAA penalty of Penn State didn't go far enough — that football should have been suspended there for a period. The penalties were harsh, but football does survive, if in crippled fashion.

I do think Joe Nocera looked beyond Penn State to the unaltered reality, the point I was trying to make in a column last week about the country's football fanaticism (including, but not limited to Arkansas). Writes Nocera of the New York Times:

What was most galling about [NCAA president Mark] Emmert’s news conference was its sanctimony. He kept talking about the “values” that athletics was supposed to embody, about how college sports is supposed to be an integral part of academic life, and how it should never overwhelm the mission of the university. “Football will never again be placed ahead of educating, nurturing and protecting young people,” he said.

But at big-time sports schools, football is always placed ahead of everything else. The essential hypocrisy of college sports is that too many athletes are not real students — and no one cares. Coaches make millions and lose their jobs if they fail to win. Universities reap millions by filling stadiums and making attractive television deals. They serve as the minor leagues for the pros. Everybody knows this — including the N.C.A.A. The notion that the Penn State case is going to change all of college sports is absurd. College football almost can’t help but corrode academic values. Nothing that happened on Monday is going to change any of that.

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Petrino had rider in motorcycle crash

Max Brantley — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:45:00 -0500

The State Police this afternoon released its report on Razorback football coach Bobby Petrino's motorcycle wreck.

The report reveals that Petrino had a rider on the back of his Harley-Davidson when he left the highway near Crosses on a Sunday evening drive on Highway 16 — Jessica Dorrell, 25, of Elkins. She's a former Razorback volleyball player who was named the first Razorback female athletic fund-raiser when she became an assistant director of the Razorback Foundation in May 2011, according to the UA website. Last month, she went to work directly for Petrino, when she was named the student-athlete coordinator for the football team. She's also earned an MBA. It apparently was she who flagged down a motorist to get assistance for the injured Petrino. She was not hurt in the wreck and said she didn't know what had caused it. The report quotes Petrino as saying because of sun and wind he was unable to maneuver the bike and drove off the road. He said he tried to lay the bike down and "the next thing I know I was lying in a wood pile."

Here's the report.

Here's a recording of Petrino's remarks at a news conference Tuesday about the accident. He makes no mention of a companion, though he was asked about it. When asked if anyone was with him at the site and how he got help, he responded:

When I came out of a ditch, there was a lady there that had flagged down a car. And the guy that was in the passenger seat said get in we’ll just take you right to the hospital.

The State Police report said passing motorists picked up Petrino and Dorrell for a ride to the hospital, but "upon arival at the intersection of East Huntsville Road and Crossover Road in Fayetteville, Passenger Dorrell departed in her personel [sic] vehicle." At that spot, they met State Police Capt. Lance King, who took Petrino to a Fayetteville hospital.

I've asked Kevin Trainor, spokesman for the athletic department, about the employee riding with the coach.

The UA has some further questions to answer. Its statement Sunday after the wreck, which left Petrino with four cracked ribs:

Coach Petrino was involved in a motorcycle accident on Sunday evening that involved no other individuals. He is in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery. Our family appreciates respect for our privacy during the recovery and we are grateful for the thoughts of Razorback fans at this time.

Jeff Long, director of athletics and vice chancellor, said he has been in touch with the Petrinos and added that he will consult with the family to provide additional information at a later time. Until then, there will be no further information or comment on the accident per the Petrinos' request.

No other individuals? When did the UA, if ever, learn its statement was incorrect and why wasn't it corrected?

Petrino, in the press conference Tuesday, said his wife had been working him hard Sunday before he went out on the ride.

For the record, this is the general outline of Petrino's $4 million-a-year employment contract. It says that he may be terminated for "...engaging in conduct, as solely determined by the university, which is clearly contrary to the character and responsibilities of a person occupying the position of Head Football Coach or adversely affects the reputation of the University or UAF's Athletic Program in any way."

You may now invoke the time-honored maxim about crimes and coverups.

Petrino said this when Dorrell was tapped for a job with the football team:

“Jessica Dorrell will be a great addition to our football program. As a former student-athlete she has an enthusiasm for the Razorbacks and is familiar with what the University of Arkansas can offer. She is extremely organized and has a professional approach, which should translate well into our program and recruiting as we continue to place an emphasis on this area.”

Here's the sad thing: If this is a case of two co-workers enjoying a harmless recreational outing, the handling of the episode did everything to contribute to an untoward impression. And, for the record, Dorrell is planning a June wedding to Josh Morgan, an assistant Razorback strength coach. (The link about the wedding is now disabled.) . Pending marriage also noted here by the UA. And, if you'd like to send a gift, here's the registry.

The UA media relations department is mute so far. KFSM reached Dorrell and she said she had no comment at the moment.

My questions to the athletic department:

What's Jessica Dorrell's pay and tenure at UA?

What is the nature of her relationship with Petrino?

When did the UA find out Petrino was not alone in the accident, contrary to its statement Sunday?

Why didn't the UA correct the statement?

Does Athletic Director Jeff Long think Petrino has been truthful with the public in responding to questions about the accident?

Does Jeff Long think the UA has been truthful in responding to questions about the accident?

Will the UA look further into the relationship between Petrino and a subordinate?

Has anything occurred here that merits further review by the administration relative to Petrino's handling of his contractual duties as football coach, particularly his obligation to uphold the "character and responsibilities" of the person in his position and not do anything damaging to the UA or the Athletic program?

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The cost of big-time football

Max Brantley — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 07:06:38 -0600

Joe Nocera, writing in the New York Times about the sex abuse case rocking Penn State, is unstinting in his criticism of the school and Paterno for its failures, particularly in an area that had already been rocked by Catholic church sex abuse. But he takes it to another abusive aspect of big-time college athletics — its exaltation of money above all else, including, at Penn State, even raped children. (We could add sexually abused women to that score at an uncountable number of institutions, including, on past inglorious occasions, the University of Arkansas.)

Big-time college football requires grown men to avert their eyes from the essential hypocrisy of the enterprise. Coaches take home multimillion-dollar salaries, while the players who make them rich don’t even get “scholarships” that cover the full cost of attending college. They push their “student-athletes” to take silly courses that won’t get in the way of football. When players are seriously injured and can no longer play, their coaches often yank their scholarships, forcing them to drop out of school.

“College football and men’s basketball has drifted so far away from the educational purpose of the university,” James Duderstadt, a former president of the University of Michigan, told me recently. “They exploit young people and prevent them from getting a legitimate college education. They place the athlete’s health at enormous risk, which becomes apparent later in life. We are supposed to be developing human potential, not making money on their backs. Football strikes at the core values of a university.”

Protecting profits is the real core value of big-time sports, Nocera writes.

The Penn State disaster has value if it would cause all of the U.S. to examine precisely this failing. I doubt it will be subject of much discussion at tailgates today.

Hat tip to Nate Allen, writing in the Democrat-Gazette today, about the increasing secrecy surrounding the money machine at Fayetteville that is the athletic department. The secrecy means lack of accountability and this, in turn, is a breeding ground for events such as Penn State is now experiencing. Wish I could give you a link to read it.

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Legislator questions football weekend committee meetings

Max Brantley — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:01:35 -0500

Rep. James McLean of Batesville is going to lose his club membership card if he continues this kind of behavior.

According to Talk Business, he's raised questions about the coincidence — and expense — of holding legislative committee meetings in Fayetteville on Hog football game weekends.

Would attendance be the same for a quiet fall weekend in, say, El Dorado? (Not that there's a thing wrong with El Do.)

Just as long as none of those legislators imbibe an alcoholic beverage in a skybox, everything is OK. But we all know alcohol isn't allowed on state property.

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UA unveils $300 million sports facilities plan

Max Brantley — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:43:10 -0500

The University of Arkansas is rolling out its $300 million athletic facilities master plan today. It includes a 2 p.m. livestreamed press conference by Athletic Director Jeff Long.

It includes something for all 19 men's and women's sports over a 30-year period, but I'd guess that the big revenue sports — football and basketball — will lead the agenda.

$300 million is a lot of seat premiums.

At news conference, Long said the inclusion of a Razorback Stadium expansion doesn't mean Little Rock Hog games will be eliminated. "That decision will be made sometime in the future," Long is quoted on Twitter by a NWA reporter. If Fayetteville has 30,000 to 40,000 more seats than Little Rock, I think I know the decision ahead of time.

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UA throws secrecy over Coke deal

Max Brantley — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:31:21 -0500

The University of Central Arkansas' attempt to wring some presidential home renovation money out of Aramark, its food service vendor, has earned deserved attention. Through it all, has been heard the occasional mutter about a desire for similar scrutiny of deals elsewhere, such as at the University of Arkansas.

What, for example, does Coca-Cola pay for a 10-year contract for exclusive beverage sale rights and sponsorship privileges at the University of Arkansas, including UA athletics? After some back and forth, it's clear that the University of Arkansas intends to keep a significant portion of that arrangement — specifically the money — mostly a secret.

It's an affront to public accountability, though it continues a UA pattern.

It's time to think about drinks. The current Coke contract ends next June. A committee is said to be drafting an RFP for a new beverage contract. It's not yet known if the RFP will be given to select parties or openly advertised. I've requested a copy of it when prepared.

Meanwhile, here's the 2002 contract. It has provided about $1 million a year for nine years to the UA in beverage agreement payments, according to a university spokesman, but this isn't the whole story.

Scroll down to Part IV, where sponsorships and specific financial promises are covered, and you'll find an ocean of black ink obscuring payment requirements. Here, the UA claims a "competitive advantage" exemption from the FOI. It's a perversion of the FOI built on an erroneous ruling by Judge Chris Piazza in an FOI case the Arkansas Times brought against the UA years ago. It was, as I've noted before, a decision which FOI expert Leon Holmes, then attorney for newspapers but now a federal judge, found wanting in an interview about our case.

The University uses this bogus exemption to protect — not itself — but Coca-Cola. In our earlier case, where we sought the terms had UA agreed to in accepting $300 million from the Walton family, the university protected the Waltons desire for secrecy of its requirements for its gift, no more or less. The UA argued the university's sale price would put it at a competitive disadvantage in seeking contributions. But, as Holmes noted then, that element of the law is intended to protect trade secrets and the like of businesses doing business with the government, not to protect the government from public disclosure of what it promises in return for money. The university suffers no disadvantage because it is neither a competitor nor bidder. Does the state grant secrecy to the amount spent by any other outside contractor besides those dealing with the UA Athletic Department?

By NOT disclosing the details of the University beverage rights contract, the university actually harms itself. Full disclosure of past contracts might well make bidding higher on future contracts. It's so secret the UA has even blacked out the number of preferred parking spaces Coke gets at athletic events and the amount paid to the Walton Business School for an annual case study. Nor are details available on minimum payments on such things as exclusive vending rights on campus.

Big as this beverage deal is, it's dwarfed by the no-bid, no-RFP manner in which the University of Athletic Department put its entire marketing operation in the hands of ISP Sports (since purchased by a larger media marketer). When Athletic Director Jeff Long today announces his ambitious sports facilities building plan — built on Coca-Cola and ISP and other revenues — some tough sports reporter might want to ask about the specific amounts of money received for selling rights to the state's publicly owned university and what was granted in return. Doesn't look like a good day for sunshine, however.

UPDATE: More information from the UA:

UA spokesman Steve Voorhies says the $1 million a year represents the sum of all payments to the UA under various portions of the contract with Coke — for on-campus sales, sports concessions, sports sponsorships and the like. And he further defends the competitive exemption claim:

Yes, those are the total payments. The competitive advantage exemption is being invoked by both Coca-Cola and the university. In short, Coke bids for other sponsorship agreements at other institutions, and the release of the various allocated values the company assigns for various rights under the agreement would be harmful to the company. Similarly, the university would experience competitive harm by the release of such information because bidders would be reluctant to provide sensitive information that would be accessible to other companies, and the university is competing against colleges and universities for the sponsorship support. We have provided you with the total money paid to the University under the agreement, and the university is not hiding any "secret payments."

The university, as I've said, would be advantaged by an open process on values assigned to Razorback sponsorships and the rest, not harmed, even if it were subject to the FOI exemption, which I still don't believe it is.

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Hog football trailblazer Darrell Brown

Max Brantley — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:07:51 -0500

Thanks to TAP for a link to a whale of a story from Yahoo Sports. It's about the first black to play on the University of Arkansas football team. No, not Jon Richardson, but Darrell Brown, a walk-on who never played in a varsity game but paid a big price at practice for trying to integrate Frank Broyles' Hog team in 1965.

I won't try to summarize it all here. But it includes some of the worst of the segregation era, including a gunshot wound; indifference and worse by some towering figures in Arkansas sports history; changing times, and, yes, a happy ending.

Brown is to be honored as a UA trailblazer at this Saturday's Auburn game.

Forty-five years later, he’ll walk out into the middle of Reynolds Razorback Stadium, a place he desperately sought as a player and later a protester.

“They’re even going to escort me onto the field,” he said.

Family and friends will surround him. Old teammates and new fans will cheer. The school plans to present him a trophy. Brown expects to be crying. Again. “No chance he makes it without crying,” Deedee said.

The whole thing still hurts him. This, he says, is important though.

“For the university to finally acknowledge I tried and for a particular reason I didn’t get the opportunity, it’s a major thing,” Brown said.

“All these years later, it’s a major, major thing.”

APOLOGIES: Brain malfunction. I called Darrell Brown by another name in my original post, thinking of a basketball Hog of some renown.

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Dan Hampton snubs White House invitation

Max Brantley — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 12:56:14 -0500

Dan Hampton, the former Razorback and Chicago Bear star, has declined an invitation from President Obama to a White House reception for the 1985 Super Bowl champions. They'd been scheduled for a 1986 visit with Ronald Reagan, but it was cancelled because of the Challenger disaster.

Hampton's objections: Wives and kids not invited; he doesn't much like Obama; it was a long time ago.

Hampton, who does some continuing TV work and promotional appearances, hasn't crossed my mind in years. But I noticed on Wikipedia that he sticks his foot in mouth now and then:

Hampton is also renowned for coining various nonsensical catch phrases, such as: "de facto cream-of-the-class, if you will", "throw it against the pallet to see what sticks", and "hit that town like Hurricane Katrina." Hampton later apologized for his Katrina comment, as well as calling himself an "idiot" for comparing the Dallas Cowboys to the cowboys of the film Brokeback Mountain.

You decide. Thanks to Saline Republican for the tip.

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Houston Nutt: Double-secret probation?

Max Brantley — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:59:28 -0500

Somehow, I don't think it's a good sign when Ole Miss Athletic Director Pete Boone schedules a news conference BEFORE football coach Houston Nutt's weekly press conference. Or that Boone has sent a letter to Ole Miss fans saying he's met already with Little Rock native son Nutt, which says:

The fullness of the Ole Miss football experience that you deserve and have generously invested in, has not lived up to expectations recently. Coach Nutt and I met today and discussed the current state of Ole Miss football. Both of us are extremely disappointed in our performance this year. We agreed that to be successful, this disappointment must be met head on with solutions for improvement. We discussed several areas that needed improvement and I support Coach Nutt in his effort to correct those areas.

As I have said, Saturday’s performance and our running two-season SEC record are unacceptable. Our commitment to compete at a championship level is as strong as ever and we will succeed! We need your continued support of the team as Saturday is another SEC weekend and we need you here!

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The shame of college sports

Max Brantley — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:02:59 -0500

Here's your good free reading for the day. Civil rights historian (and Bill Clinton friend and diarist) Taylor Branch has written an important article for The Atlantic on college sports. The lead-in:

A litany of scandals in recent years have made the corruption of college sports constant front-page news. We profess outrage each time we learn that yet another student-athlete has been taking money under the table. But the real scandal is the very structure of college sports, wherein student-athletes generate billions of dollars for universities and private companies while earning nothing for themselves. Here, a leading civil-rights historian makes the case for paying college athletes—and reveals how a spate of lawsuits working their way through the courts could destroy the NCAA.

Commercial interests buy schools and buy coaches. When they win, fans pay anything to see their favorite gladiators. And the gladiators? Some get an education. Some get injured for life. They don't get paid. Or, if they do and get caught ....

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Hog tribute at War Memorial Stadium

Max Brantley — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 07:37:13 -0500

Matt Turner, anchor at KNWA, posted this photo last night on Twitter. It shows the success of the Razorback's football game patriotic observance. An amazing number of fans got the message on red, white and blue clothing in alternate sections of the stadium. UPDATE: Below is the fish-eye view from Brian Chilson of the Arkansas Times.

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Hogs coach Petrino makes gift to Children's Hospital

Max Brantley — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 11:53:48 -0500

From the Stephens Media Arkansas News Bureau:

Bobby Petrino and wife Becky announced a $250,000 donation to Arkansas Children’s Hospital on Friday and the Arkansas football coach said he will lend his name to a golf tournament to benefit the hospital.

The donation will support construction of the hospital’s South wing, which is to open next July, and the Bobby Petrino Charity Golf Classic will be June 18 at The Country Club of Little Rock.

A family lounge and waiting area in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit will be named in honor of the Petrinos.
Petrino said in a news release that he and his wife chose to support Children’s Hospital because they believe in the mission of the institution. “As parents, we know the importance of having such a facility here in our state,” he said.
The announcement was made in conjunction with several Razorback players visiting the hospital.

“The gift from the Petrinos will help ACH continue to deliver the highest quality medical services in an environment that promotes and supports our commitment to family-centered care ...,” said Dr. Jonathan Bates, president and CEO of the hospital.

The new family lounge in the CVICU, which sees about 600 patients annually, will include a common area for families, a kitchen, showers, laundry facilities, and an area where family members will have access to computers and printers.

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Thursday night line

Max Brantley — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 17:12:23 -0500

The line is open. Closing out:

* FOOTBALL FRENZY: The University of Arkansas announced that more than $28 million had been raised, including $10 million from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, for a $35 million drive to build new football facilities at Fayetteville.

* HIGH COTTON: Lot of coverage for Tom Cotton, who wants to run for Mike Ross' congressional seat though it's unclear whether he's spent any time living in Arkansas for years.

* SO MUCH FOR RETIREMENT: Dow dropped more than 400 points today.

* YOU CAN'T FIGHT CITY HALL: Man arrested for scuffle with Fort Smith Mayor Sandy Sanders.

* ARGENTA LEADER: Mary Beth Bowman, who's been head of the North Little Rock Community Development Agency, has been named executive director of the Argenta Community Development Corporation. Among other duties, she'll continue to oversee a federally financed program to rehabilitate housing in the old downtown neighborhood.

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High school player's death due to heart condition

Gerard Matthews — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:32:56 -0500

According to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, preliminary autopsy findings indicate that Montel Williams, the 15 year-old student who collapsed and died during a Gurdon High School football practice earlier this week, died of an undiagnosed heart condition. Further testing is being conducted. The 911 call to police suggested Williams's collapse was heat-related. Williams's mother tells David Goins of Fox 16 News she still believes her son was being "pushed too hard." The team was practicing later in the evening to avoid high temperatures.

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Knile Davis out for season

Lindsey Millar — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:49:12 -0500

And all the Hog fans say: Noooooooooooooooooo!

Knile Davis, last year's leading rusher in the SEC, is expected to miss the season with an ankle injury, according to the AP.

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High school player collapses, dies during practice

Gerard Matthews — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 10:21:12 -0500

According to Fox 16, a Gurdon High School football player, 15 year-old Montel Williams, collapsed and died during a practice on Tuesday evening. How many times does this have to happen before we start thinking about how important it really is to practice football in extremely hot conditions?

UPDATE: David Goins, with Fox 16, has more.

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Hog seating plan raises $6.5 million

Max Brantley — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:48:20 -0500

The University of Arkansas Athletic Department announced today that its new R.S.V.P. plan — in which everyone pays a new higher premium for choice seats to football home games in Little Rock and Fayetteville — had raised an additional $6.5 million for athletics.

Full release on the jump.

Please note the acknowledgment of use of University public employees in the ticket sales effort. Doesn't that mean Razorback Foundation revenues and expenditures should be open to public inspection? I think it does. I don't think my view is widely shared in Hogdom, however. What, exactly, is wrong with transparency in this spending, by the way?

UA NEWS RELEASE (CORRECTED VERSION)

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — More than 2,680 new Razorback Foundation members and an additional $6.5 million to support University of Arkansas student-athletes competing in 19 sports were generated as part of the Razorback Seat Value Plan (R.S.V.P) it was announced on Monday. The 18-month program succeeded in helping increase overall Razorback Foundation membership by 20 percent and raising annual support of Razorbacks Athletics through the foundation to more than $18 million. Arkansas currently ranks ninth in the SEC in total annual revenues based on the most recent EADA report.

R.S.V.P. was the first phase of Answer the Call, a decade-long comprehensive fundraising initiative announced last August. The updated seat equity plan for home football games at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium and War Memorial Stadium was designed to enhance the athletic program’s annual financial support providing Razorback Athletics with additional resources to compete amid increasing scholarship, facility and operational costs.

“The overwhelming response and generosity of Razorback fans made R.S.V.P. a resounding success for the future of our program and the more than 460 student-athletes who compete for the University of Arkansas,” Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long said. “In August, we outlined a customized plan specifically tailored to the Razorback program to help us close the financial gap between ourselves and our on-field competitors. While we still have more progress to make, R.S.V.P. was an important first step in the process. We are grateful for the many supporters who stepped up and helped us meet the challenge. ”

A total of 2,687 new members joined the Razorback Foundation as part of R.S.V.P. During the process, the R.S.V.P. staff, led by Executive Director Chris Wyrick, fielded more than 18,000 phone calls and accommodated more than 3,900 seat selection appointments. In addition, members of the Razorback Foundation and the ticket office worked with foundation members to provide additional information, answer questions and assist with updating and customizing donor accounts.

“While most programs see a substantial drop in their number of donors when implementing similar plans, the Razorback Foundation saw a significant increase in its overall membership during R.S.V.P.,” Long said. “To our knowledge, the addition of more than 2,680 new members was the largest membership growth of any program in the country that did not expand their stadium as part of the process. That is a credit to the tremendous support of our Razorback fans and the entire Razorback Foundation team.”

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Hendrix football — no match for real thing

Max Brantley — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 06:42:51 -0500

John Brummett reviews Hendrix College president Tim Cloyd's case for adding non-scholarship football as an enrollment builder. He doesn't scoff, but says it's unlikely to draw him to a sideline lawn chair in Conway over staying in his recliner for high-def D-I football on his big screen at home. He comments in the interest of provocation:

It is a basic truth, one of inverse proportionality: The less progressive and enlightened a place, the higher the salary of the university football coach and the better the team.

I wrote on the earlier Hendrix footbal thread that, for better or worse, I'm an illustration of Cloyd's point. I chose a small liberal arts college over an academic scholarship to LSU mostly because of the opportunity to play Division III sports. I have plenty of regrets about my college years, but not the school choice.

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Hendrix ready to play some football

Max Brantley — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 15:34:00 -0500

Hendrix College in Conway is readying to play football.

Football had been in the works for some time, though delayed. Many alums of the school griped about the decision. Today, the school announced formation of a new conference in which Hendrix will play. It is to begin competition in 2012-13, but Hendrix won't play football until fall 2013.

The conference of Division III teams (no scholarships) will include the likes of Rhodes, Sewanee, Millsaps and Centre. (Too bad Richard Allin is no longer around to chronicle the historic Sewanee Tiger-Hendrix Warrior battle.) Football has long been defended by Hendrix President Tim Cloyd as an enrollment builder. Hendrix also will be adding women's lacrosse, with games to begin in spring 2014. In a letter to Hendrix supporters, Cloyd wrote:

Why did the Board of Trustees decide to do this? Many outstanding high school students simply won’t consider attending a college that doesn’t offer football. As Hendrix College continues to grow and broaden its academic programs, we do not want to miss the opportunity to bring these great students to Hendrix and enrich the experience of all Hendrix students. We are excited about adding new sports to the lineup, but remain committed to supporting our existing athletics programs. All our student athletes are important; we will not allow one sport to overshadow others.

From a Q&A referring to the year Hendrix ended football:

Q. What will you do with all those “Undefeated since 1961” T-shirts in the bookstore?
A. They are sure to become collectors’ items; get yours now before the price escalates!

The news release:

Hendrix College will join seven fellow NCAA Division III institutions in forming a new athletic conference. Spanning six states, the new conference also will include Berry College in Georgia, Birmingham-Southern College in Alabama, Centre College in Kentucky, Millsaps College in Mississippi, Oglethorpe University in Georgia, and Rhodes College and Sewanee — The University of the South in Tennessee.

All but Berry are current members of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC). The seven members announced their intention to leave the SCAC effective July 1, 2012, at the 2011 annual meeting of the SCAC. The new conference will begin competition during the 2012-2013 academic year.

The new conference is being formed to foster athletic competition and cooperation among academically selective, residential liberal arts colleges located in the southeastern region of the United States. The geographic focus will result in reduced travel time and costs, while still allowing for a strong conference of like-minded institutions, all of which integrate competitive athletics into the whole of the student’s educational experience.

“Hendrix is honored by the invitation to join our historic rivals and academic peers in an exciting new era of intercollegiate competition,” said Hendrix President J. Timothy Cloyd. “The new conference will more closely resemble the makeup of our academic consortium, the Associated Colleges of the South, further ensuring the continuity of mission in our academic and athletic programs.”

Given the success of the SCAC over the last 20 years, the decision to start anew was difficult. Formed in 1991, the SCAC grew out of the College Athletic Conference, which was formed in 1962 by three of the colleges in the new conference (Centre, Rhodes and Sewanee). The new conference will continue in this same tradition of academic and athletic excellence.

As it moves to the new conference, Hendrix will introduce two new sports — men’s football and women’s lacrosse. Following a year-long feasibility study, the Board of Trustees authorized the new sports in 2008. As discussions of a new conference progressed, the Board asked the administration to develop a plan to start both sports in the 2013-14 academic year.

The new athletic conference and new teams will continue the College’s commitment to NCAA Division III competition. NCAA Division III is a non-scholarship division, meaning student athletes do not receive financial assistance for their participation in sports. Other NCAA Division III schools include Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon, Washington & Lee University, and Washington University in St. Louis, Mo.

“In NCAA Division III, student athletes at Hendrix have had an extraordinary opportunity to compete with peers who share their mutual love of sportsmanship and scholarship,” President Cloyd said. “As a result, they have become leaders on campus and, as alumni, often single out their intercollegiate athletics experience as a hallmark of their Hendrix education. The new conference will continue this life-changing tradition for our student athletes.”

Jay Gardiner, who currently serves as athletics director at Oglethorpe, will serve as the new conference’s interim commissioner. Oglethorpe president Lawrence Schall, who currently chairs the SCAC executive committee, will serve as convener of the conference’s Presidential Council during the 2011-2012 academic year. Brian Chafin, athletics director at Centre, will serve as convener of the Athletics Director Council in 2011-2012.

The new conference held its first official meeting the afternoon of Tuesday, June 7 in Atlanta, Ga., immediately following the conclusion of the 2011 annual SCAC meeting.

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Bryant v. Conway goes viral

Gerard Matthews — Wed, 18 May 2011 08:42:36 -0500

A highlight from a recent soccer game between Bryant and Conway High Schools has gone viral. The cliip had over 300,000 hits on YouTube yesterday and has amassed well over 700,000 as I type this. Bryant players faked running into each other on a free kick and used Conway's confusion to score a goal. The play has sparked debate in some soccer circles over whether it was clever or just plain dirty. I'm not a big soccer guy, so I don't know all the unwritten rules. Seems to me it's the former. Yahoo Sports agrees.

I understand the debate about the play, but we've been seeing misdirection and bizarre plays in high school football for years now. From trying to bring on a player at the last second to pretending to call a timeout and then throwing it down the field, plays like this are nothing new. If anything, Bryant should be commended for using its imagination and coming up with such an ingenious play that resulted in a goal.

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Hog news: drugs and guns

Max Brantley — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 11:41:45 -0500

Why does sports news often seem to sound more like the police blotter?

DRUGS: Sports talk shows were buzzing this morning with news that former Hog quarterback Ryan Mallett, hoping for an NFL draft bonanza, has been telling NFL teams that he has "used drugs" in the past. This is seen as a come-clean move to deal with negative buzz about Mallett earlier and is seen by many as a positive PR step.

Here's a typical take from the sports blog world. Count me among those less than shocked if a 20-something college student confessed to smoking marijuana. Or drank a beer before reaching the age of 21, also a legal offense. I confess to both.

BUT NOW THERE'S THIS: Mallett reportedly canceled a recent meeting with one NFL team claiming to be sick, though he'd been seen out on the town late the night before.

PISTOL WHIPPING: Less a laughing matter is the news that former Hog basketball player Oliver Miller was arrested for pistol whipping another man at a Maryland barbecue. A 9-mm Glock was believed used in the attack. He faces a string of charges.

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Frontline on football

Max Brantley — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 08:52:46 -0500

I'm sorry to say I had a conflict and couldn't watch the Frontline Tuesday night on high school football that prominently featured a couple of private school football powerhouses in Arkansas, Shiloh Christian and Pulaski Academy. I believe you can still watch it on-line here.

I'd be interested in reviews.

UPDATE: A comment follows from a follower of Arkansas high school sports.

FROM LUKE MATHESON

I was involved with this documentary, along with other employees of ArkansasVarsity.com, and I would be more than happy to speak with you with my thoughts on the show.

I will give a few cliff notes on why I think it was a shoddy piece of work, and a one-sided agenda:

For starters, you have a gentleman saying that all of these schools have 300 pound linemen. In fact he said all of their linemen at 300 pounds. That is not factual. I'd certainly like to see these schools if true.

Secondly, they talked about the Purdue University study, and said that HSFB players take more and harder hits than NCAA players. Where are the facts to back that claim up? It was not presented in the show. They said two high schools were tested. Which colleges were tested and why was this not shown?

They also said in the same study that 20% of the players studied showed a decrease in their cognitive scores and were NOT diagnosed with a concussion during the season.

What they did not tell you, is that according to Schutt Helmets who has been involved with a lot of this research is that nearly 20% of the players also showed an INCREASE in their cognitive score and were not diagnosed with a concussion. Also, of all the players who tested worse in their cognition but were not diagnosed with a concussion, all of them returned to their baseline score by the next season. Again, this according to Schutt Helmets.

Also, according to Schutt, they made it out like there are more deaths due to head injuries. There are far fewer deaths in football now than 40 years ago. Helmets played a part in that.

The show stated that there is no national federation to address things regarding high school sports much like college has the NCAA, NAIA, etc. That is also false. High schools must abide by the National Federation of State High School Association rules and regulations.

At the end of the day, with all of these 'facts' and 'studies' they presented, why were no solutions offered to help combat the issues which do need to be addressed?

The lack of definitive proof of their claims and the lack of solutions makes me feel as if this was a one-sided, agenda driven piece which is being used as a scare tactic.

This is just my honest opinion.

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State drawing new rules on school sports spending

Max Brantley — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 10:44:36 -0500

The state Education Department plans a public discussion April 11 on proposed revisions in rules governing school district athletic spending.

Here's a draft of the proposal that has been sent to interested groups. Spokesman Seth Blomeley cautions that it is subject to change. Eventually, the state Board of Education will put a final draft out for discussion before adoption.

The first discussion will follow the state Board meeting April 11 at the department auditorium on the capitol mall. Interested people are invited to attend and comment. It's all about getting an accurate assessment of the amount spent on sports.

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UCA plans purple football field

Max Brantley — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:03:58 -0500

A lot of people thought this was an April Fool's Day prank. But it's not. The UCA website plays it straight — a purple-and-gray striped artificial turf is in store in 2011 for the Bears. It will save water, paint and maintenance, the school says.

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Shiloh Christian on Frontline

Max Brantley — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 06:30:09 -0500

Tivo alert: The fabulously successful Shiloh Christian football team is going to get national coverage April 12 in an installment of Frontline, the PBS investigative series. It could be uncomfortable:

High school football has never had a higher profile, with nationally-televised games, corporate sponsorships and minute-by-minute coverage on sports websites. In northwest Arkansas, FRONTLINE examines one ambitious high school team working its way towards national renown. With a superstar quarterback at the helm, tiny Shiloh Christian is striving to join the ranks of the country's best high school teams — teams whose workout schedules, practices and styles of play increasingly imitate the pros. But as high school players grow bigger, faster and stronger, there are growing concerns about the health and safety of these young players — with rising rates of concussions, career-ending injuries, even death. In Arkansas, FRONTLINE documents a tragic story of heat-stroke injuries that reveal how weak regulation has created a crucial lack of athletic trainers at most high schools. It all raises a critical question: Has the amped-up culture of high school football outrun necessary protections for the boys who play the game?

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