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Post by bfoley82 on Jul 12, 2023 15:34:52 GMT -5
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Post by bfoley82 on Jul 12, 2023 15:12:25 GMT -5
It's no longer about markets - the Big 10 didn't need two teams in Los Angeles 12 miles apart to own the market. It's about brands now. Which is why, not now but eventually, schools like Northwestern, Rutgers, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, and Missouri are vulnerable. We'll agree to disagree on this one. With two LA teams the Big Ten Network, already a cash cow, will basically become a branch of the U.S. Mint. Not sure of the future of Cable Networks since more people are cutting the cord and streaming providers are starting to drop networks over carriage agreements.
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Post by bfoley82 on Jul 11, 2023 22:29:42 GMT -5
www.immaculategrid.com/Tied into Baseball Reference, this has the potential to send you down lots of rabbit holes. My son called this to my attention. It also lets you see how obscure your knowledge is relative to other fans He got to 8 and left me back at 5. I’d like to think I would have done better if he hadn’t grabbed the easy ones. I couldn’t figure out how to erase it so you’ll have to start tomorrow time to watch a little of the All Star game There are NHL, NFL, and NBA games also www.puckdoku.comdynasty-daddy.com/gridironwww.crossovergrid.com
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Post by bfoley82 on Jul 11, 2023 17:33:21 GMT -5
From The Athletic
ATHENS, Ga. — It has been a difficult offseason for the Georgia football program since winning its second consecutive national championship, beginning with a tragic car accident that took the lives of a player and athletic department employee.
But recent reporting in an Atlanta newspaper that the school has taken sexual assault allegations lightly prompted coach Kirby Smart and school officials to hold a rare briefing with a group of media members Tuesday to defend themselves.
“We take these allegations extremely serious — I take these allegations extremely serious,” Smart said. “We do not tolerate sexual misconduct in our organization. I’m a football coach, I’m responsible for this program, and it starts with me. I see this through the lens of, I have a wife and a daughter. When I think about these situations, I think about them. It’s personal to me. But I will not tolerate false accusations that this program or this university condone sexual misconduct. We have no tolerance for sexual assault or abuse. Never have and never will.”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that 11 players during Smart’s tenure remained with the team after women reported violent encounters to the police or university. The newspaper did not identify the 11 players and referenced incidents involving three players.
Athletic director Josh Brooks said “recent inaccurate and misleading reporting” led to Tuesday’s press briefing “to set the record straight.” Also on Tuesday, Georgia sent a demand for retraction to the AJC for the paper’s story that was published online on June 27 and in the print edition on July 2, via Michael Raeber general counsel for the University of Georgia Athletic Association.
He acknowledged problems existing with too many Georgia players driving too fast but said, “The recent media suggestion that the university and our program turn a blind eye to domestic abuse and sexual assault by ignoring reports or rewarding bad behavior is absolutely wrong. The three prominent examples used are misleading and irresponsible. The reporting conveniently minimizes the significant actions we have taken in direct response to address these matters. … None of these players ever took a single snap for us after being charged with a crime.”
He referenced a recruit (Jamaal Jarrett) who wasn’t charged; a second player (Adam Anderson) who was immediately suspended while being investigated for rape and ultimately dismissed; and a third player (Tray Bishop) who never played again after being charged for unlawful surveillance.
“As bad as this incident was, recent reporting by some does not match the facts of the case, which anyone would know from reading the police report in full,” Brooks said of Bishop.
How should Smart respond?
All of the things that have gone wrong for Georgia’s football program are not necessarily Smart’s fault, but the past several weeks should serve as a sign that he needs to ratchet up his messaging to players and be more transparent about discipline.
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Post by bfoley82 on Jul 11, 2023 15:19:40 GMT -5
Northwestern, unsurprisingly, is struggling in the NIL era. Over the last two years their record is 4-20. And Athlon predicted dead last (14/14) for the upcoming year before the scandal broke. Recruiting continues to be their greatest challenge. On the upside, it is BIG 10. The job will pay well and the expectations will be low, but man could that destination be a career-killer. It really hurt Dennis Green's career going 10-45.
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Post by bfoley82 on Jul 11, 2023 13:47:27 GMT -5
Another point here is that the New York Times sports department was union and The Athletic isn't
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Post by bfoley82 on Jul 11, 2023 13:43:40 GMT -5
Northwestern, unsurprisingly, is struggling in the NIL era. Over the last two years their record is 4-20. And Athlon predicted dead last (14/14) for the upcoming year before the scandal broke. Recruiting continues to be their greatest challenge. On the upside, it is BIG 10. Wondering if there might be a commit who'd rather wear his purple and get his first-rate education further East - with a program that's on much more solid ground, and that will produce more Ws. Ya' never know! Like going to Duke to wear the blue down there instead? ;-)
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Post by bfoley82 on Jul 10, 2023 23:15:07 GMT -5
One thing of note...home dressing rooms might be nicer, but I have played at The Gut at UVM, Matthews at NU and Alfond (Maine) and the inner tunnels and visiting/club locker rooms are older and cramped. I am sure they have seem some updates in the last 12 years, but they are older buildings (especially with Matthews--my Dad played there for Boston State). Our workout and overall athletic facilities beat out a number of hockey east schools. The Gut was renovated recently. Matthews is still a dump underneath and Maine visiting teams still walk down stairs IIRC.
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Post by bfoley82 on Jul 10, 2023 21:16:32 GMT -5
When was the last time a FCS coach went directly into a FBS power 5 job? Harbaugh? If Hafley goes below .500 this year, you better believe Chesney is a top candidate for BC. And he was a former NFL QB, NFL Assistant, before taking the San Diego job. He took the Stanford gig 16 years ago now.
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Post by bfoley82 on Jul 10, 2023 18:37:58 GMT -5
Good riddance. Anyone want to guess what Bill Carmody's reaction to this is? BTW Northwestern, the little triangle bordered by routes 290, 146 and 20 is off limits when you start your nationwide search. Better to promote one of your coordinators. When was the last time a FCS coach went directly into a FBS power 5 job?
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Post by bfoley82 on Jul 10, 2023 18:12:41 GMT -5
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Post by bfoley82 on Jul 10, 2023 15:44:09 GMT -5
They did it last year, 13-3. I think the Huskies under Jim Mora might be better than BC. Certainly. And West Point beat UCONN last year (34-17) so West Point MAY also beat BC this year. If I remember right, UConn's starting QB got hurt early in the year so for them to even get to a bowl last year was impressive.
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Post by bfoley82 on Jul 10, 2023 13:30:27 GMT -5
Dartmouth and Brown bring nothing to the table in terms of games in Worcester. No one from either place comes to HC. Happy to travel to either place every few years; Brown's the closest school to me presently; Dartmouth is a fantastic fall trip. Dartmouth vs Brown is their season ending Harvard vs Yale game. Last season with a veteran charismatic head coach on senior day at Memorial Field, the traditional rivalry game drew 2678, and that may have been inflated by our own Newfie, who attends some games, and his crew. Clearly, the Big Green and the Brown Bears could both use the fresh air and interest generated by a Holy Cross game to air out their musty programs. Dartmouth was a tough watch last year with a QB that couldn't throw and they were 2-7 heading into that Brown game. Brown was 3-6 heading into that game. Brown is playing Georgetown four times starting next season. That is the only non-conference game that is changing for them as they play URI and Bryant for the rivalry.
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Post by bfoley82 on Jul 10, 2023 12:24:42 GMT -5
BC’s schedule is VERY soft this year so it’s quite likely they double last year’s win total and finish with 6. Northern Illinois, Holy Cross, UConn, and Army are 4 LIKELY W’s. May go 2/3 v VA/VT/GT . Sooo, BC may appear to have some sort of Renaissance in 2023 based on weaker opponents alone…but their recruiting issues mean they may actually be in for an extended stay in the FBS Dark Ages. UConn might beat them...
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Post by bfoley82 on Jul 10, 2023 12:23:07 GMT -5
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Post by bfoley82 on Jul 10, 2023 12:14:33 GMT -5
For bottom dwelling teams, I like a "prove it" contract that is back loaded with incentives or the promise of an extension commensurate with performance. Fitzgerald has a .548 winning percentage at NU as he started in 2006. That is the best for a NU head coach since Dick Hanley who coached the Wildcats in 1927-1934. Fitzgerald has coached the Wildcats in 10 out of the schools 16 bowl games.
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Post by bfoley82 on Jul 10, 2023 11:01:46 GMT -5
Other schools in the conference are just as desirable or more especially with the coaching staffs. I would think HC, to most prospective students / athletes, is more desirable than Providence, UConn, Maine, UNH, and Merrimack. Arguably more desirable than UVM, BU, and Northeastern. But, I'm also biased. Do you want to play for National Championships? If the answer is yes, BU, BC, and Northeastern all have played in the NCAA Final in the last ten seasons. Providence has also played in the final 8 in that stretch. UVM and UConn had multiple players in the last Olympics.
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Post by bfoley82 on Jul 10, 2023 10:51:55 GMT -5
He hired Paulsen. Many of us non industry professionals consider that an upgrade. He handled the transition of MBB head coaches with a grace and aplomb WVU and other schools can only dream of. I don't think he was here in time to hire the M. Lacrosse coach. I wasn't aware of Riga being extended, although I am in favor of it. Thanks for making my point more, it is TBD on him being good at finding good coaches.
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Post by bfoley82 on Jul 9, 2023 22:36:08 GMT -5
Is Azarenka an advisor to Putin or perhaps a high-level military strategist? Far from it “I’m devastated by the actions that have taken place over the last several days against and in Ukraine,” Azarenka wrote in a statement on Twitter. “It's heartbreaking to see how many innocent people have been affected and continue to be affected by such violence. “Since my early childhood, I have always seen and experienced Ukrainian and Belarusian people, as well as both nations, friendly and supportive of one another. It is hard to witness the violent separation that is currently taking place instead of supporting and finding compassion for each other.” “My heart is with everyone directly and indirectly impacted by this war that is causing such pain and suffering for so many. “I hope and wish for peace and an end to the war.” www.mirror.co.uk/sport/tennis/belarusian-tennis-star-victoria-azarenka-26380062
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Post by bfoley82 on Jul 9, 2023 20:18:06 GMT -5
Wow this is a stunning story. As an NU degree holder, I have followed the program to a limited extent including attending the Wildcat's appearance at Rutgers in 2018. Coach Fitz, who makes $5.3mm per the last Form 990 I saw, always projected an image of integrity and high academic standards. It will be very interesting to see how NU's new president handles this situation. NU gets the bigger fool award by paying 5.3mm for a football coach who led the team to last place. They'd be better off getting an up and comer at a sane salary like HC has done and keep their powder dry to extend coaches who prove they can win in the Big Ten at NU. That article was very gross. I hope the Sergeant Shultz defense doesn't work for Fitzy. Fitzgerald according to this year old article is about middle of the pack in salary for Big Ten football saturdaytradition.com/big-ten-football/pay-grade-rating-big-ten-football-coaching-salaries/
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Post by bfoley82 on Jul 9, 2023 20:10:11 GMT -5
Maybe closer to their parents standards of assessing long term value of college selection in a sport without a current significant professional playing path after graduation. A key component of HC's scholarship sports is Kit Hughes' skill at attracting and retaining coaches who can win at HC. He's looking pretty good so far. Hiring coaches??? Like the Men's Lacrosse coach with two career wins in two years? He did not hire Chesney, Riga or Magarity. He did extend these coaches but his hiring is tbd.
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Post by bfoley82 on Jul 9, 2023 18:56:40 GMT -5
Looking at the Women’s Hockey East schools, there are many fine institutions, but keeping within my parameters of desirable education and valuable scholarship, I don't place any of the league members ahead of HC. Regarding coaching, players know there is a good chance of coaching changes during their six year or so recruiting and playing timeline. AD Kit is developing a pattern of extending winning coaches and replacing losing ones, so the best coaches HC's budget can afford should be the pattern going forward. Your standards aren't the same as a D-1 female hockey player with multiple scholarship offers.
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Post by bfoley82 on Jul 9, 2023 18:01:04 GMT -5
Fortunately it's a desirable college to attend with a valuable scholarship to offer. Other schools in the conference are just as desirable or more especially with the coaching staffs.
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Post by bfoley82 on Jul 9, 2023 16:18:34 GMT -5
Men's Lacrosse might be in the conversation for a stronger league top to bottom than Women's Hockey East. I'll go with your judgement on that as an industry professional. Women's Hockey has more resources than Men's Lacrosse so a turnaround might be easier in that sport. Yes at Holy Cross but still the worst facility in the conference in women's hockey so going to be tough to overcome that recruiting disadvantage.
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Post by bfoley82 on Jul 9, 2023 16:15:21 GMT -5
Well, you could have least attributed the photo to the Crossporter who took that picture as it wasn't Foley. View Attachment No money in the Patriot League to afford me ;-)
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