BCS rejects playoff proposal

There will be no playoff for the BCS anytime soon.
Bowl Championship Series officials rejected a plan Wednesday to turn the controversial system for deciding a national champ into a four-team playoff, starting in the 2010 season.
"After a very thorough very good discussion among the group, we have decided that because we feel at this time the BCS is in an unprecedented state of health, we feel it's never been healthier during its first decade," Atlantic Coast Conference commissioner John Swofford said. "We have made a decision to move forward in the next cycle with the current format."
Southeastern Conference commissioner Mike Slive presented a plan Wednesday to the other league commissioners for a plus-one format, matching the No. 1 team in the nation against No. 4 and 2 vs. 3 in the marquee bowl games. The winners would meet about a week later in the BCS national championship game.
"I'm not unhappy," Slive said. "There's no such thing as standing pat. I think we've done a service.
"I can't say I'm surprised."
In the current BCS format, the top two teams in the BCS standings - which use polls and computer ratings to grade teams - after the regular season are matched in the BCS national title game.

I think this is absolutely rediculous....but it's a debate that's been more overdone than "pro life vs. pro choice" so I don't really feel like getting too in depth with how I feel about this....but I do think there should be some sort of playoff to determine an ACTUAL champion.

Brad Thibeau

USHL Playoff Update

The Chicago Steel were swept by the Waterloo Blackhawks in the second round. 2009 Maine recruit Mark Anthoine had no points in the series.

The Omaha Lancers and the Lincoln Stars have each won two games. The Lancers have Will O'Neil and Joe Diamond who will be attending Maine next year. O'Neil has four points including one goal in eight games. Diamond has one goal in eight games.

Ryan Hegarty who was apart of the National Team Development Program was ranked the 186th best player in North America by NHL Central Scouting. He was the only Maine recruit named to the list.

Nathan Fournier

(Nathan also is a writer for MVN.com. He's the writer for the Asylum which covers the Lewiston Maineiacs of the QMJHL. He's also a regular contributor to the NHL Source also at MVN.com. He can be reached at fbbhgfan@aol.com)

Team USA Gets Ready for the World Championships

Sunday night in Portland, Maine hockey fans saw a treat. The United States National Men’s Team played their first game on home soil since 2o04 where they faced Finland in Minneapolis in the World Cup. Yesterday was an exhibition game against Sweden. Team USA defeated Sweden 5-1. Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks) had a goal and an highlight reel assist. His linemate Peter Mueller (Phoenix Coyotes) had a goal and two assists. Nathan Gerbe who led Boston College to the National Championship also had a goal and an assist. Sweden goal came from former Minnesota Wild and New York Islander Mattias Weinhandl.

When I first looked at the United States roster I thought they would be a middle of a pack team. The average age is 24.6. Patrick Kane and Peter Mueller looked like they have been playing together their entire lives. They both came from the National Team Development Program and were linemates at the 2007 World Junior Championships. Zach Parise (New Jersey) should also be an offensive spark to this team. This team could be challenging for a Gold Medal. Hopefully their goaltending will be stable with Craig Anderson, Tim Thomas, and Robert Esche. They will have to find away past Canada and Russia who are probably the favorites.

I was expecting more from Sweden because half the team played in Sweden this season. They played in other international events this season. With the NHL additions they still came out flat. Mikael Tellqvist (Phoenix Coyotes) showed why he’s a back up goalie in the NHL. Dustin Brown’s (LA Kings) goal went through the five hole. Patrick Kane’s goal was also weak. Mueller won the draw passed it to Kane and it deflected over Tellqvist’s head into the net. He did make a nice save in the first period where he made a nice diving save. Patrick O’Sullivan (LA Kings) was able to score on he rebound to make it 2-0.

I have to give major props to the Swedish fans that made the trip. There were about 200 Swedish fans but it felt like 2,000 fans. Every Swedish fan in that building sung their National Anthem. It was embarrassing to see no American fans sing the American anthem. They were chanting throughout the game. I thought I was at the Gold Medal game and not an exhibition game.

The problem I had with Team USA is where are the name plates on the jerseys? For the first period instead of enjoying the game I was trying to find out who’s who. Poor management by USA Hockey and the arena staff only printing out 500 Game day rosters. 5,300 fans showed up and only printed enough rosters for 10.3% of the crowd. Most of the people that went to the game were casual hockey fans and probably didn’t know half the players on Team USA. Another interesting note the name plate on the Swedish jersey is below the numbers. Phil Kessel got the loudest ovation from the crowd. Nathan Gerbe got the second loudest ovation which I found strange coming from a BC player. Mark Stuart a Bruin was third.

Nathan Gerbe and Matt Gilroy of Boston University are apart of Team USA for training camp purposes only. I think Gerbe has the better chance out of the two to make the team. The tournament starts on May 2nd.

That’s My Take

Nathan Fournier

(Nathan also is a writer for MVN.com. He's the writer for the Asylum which covers the Lewiston Maineiacs of the QMJHL. He's also a regular contributor to the NHL Source also at MVN.com. He can be reached at fbbhgfan@aol.com)

Flaherty Making His Mark

Ever hear anyone talk about how no good athletes come out of Maine? Well Ryan Flaherty has a little something to say about this. Flaherty, a graduate of Deering High School in Portland, has been in the starting lineup for Vanderbilt University since the second he stepped on campus.
Ryan's freshman year he was named an honorable mention Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball after leading the Commodores with a .339 batting average and 19 doubles (second on team). He also had two homers, 49 RBI and a .421 on base percentage in 62 games played and led the team with 22 multi-hit and 15 multi-RBI games.
Last year Vandy held the #1 rank from preseason all the way until the post season. Ryan ended up a Second-team All-America selection by the American Baseball Coaches Association and Rivals.com. He was also named to ABCA All-South Region team and second-team All-SEC. He batted .381 with 23 doubles, four homers and 57 RBI and finished the year with a school single season record 35-game hitting streak ... 23 doubles tied for most on the team ... Led the team with 33 multi-hit and 20 multi RBI games on the year. However, Vanderbilt was upset in the first round of the tournament.
This year, Ryan was named a preseason first team All American and is viewed as THE best shortstop in college baseball.
Whoever says Maine can't produce a good athlete should check out one of his games, but if you're feeling a little too lazy to do so...just wait a couple years. He'll be on your TV.

Brad Thibeau

The First Black Coach Of Divison I Program Dies

Will Robinson, the first black coach of a divison I basketball program has died at the age of 96. Robinson broke down racial barriers back in the 70's when he became the coach of Illinois State.

Robinson was also a scout in the NBA for the Detroit Pistons, and is credited with finding the likes of Dennis Rodman, and Joe Dumars. Robinson remained a scout for the Piston's organization for 28 years, until he joined the Detroit Lions as a scout.

Midway through the 2003-04 season, the Pistons renamed their locker room the "Will Robinson Locker Room of Champions."

All in all Will Robinson was a civil rights pioneer that was beloved in Detroit and will no doubt be missed.

Adam Smith

UCLA's Collison To Return For Senior Season

UCLA guard Darren Collison has announced that he plans on returning for his senior season. Collison averaged 15.2 points and 3.9 assists this past season for the Bruins and was a third-team All-American.

Collison has come out and said that he did not make this decision because of the deep draft class this year. With Collison coming back this will give the Bruins at least one starter from last year's team that lost to Memphis in the Final Four.

Kevin Love, another UCLA superstar, declared for the draft already. So for the Bruins to get Collison back, it's a huge sigh of relief.

Adam Smith

Sportsmanship is Important

A question was raised asking people if losing with sportsmanship was more impressive then winning without it. I believe that it is important to lose with sportsmanship because it allows the student-athlete the opportunity to build character. It also shows them that it is okay to lose. You do not always have to win. If you can lose a game with sportsmanship, it shows future employers and teammates that you can accept rejection all right without going crazy in the locker room after the game. If you win a game without sportsmanship, it could show that you will do whatever it takes to win a game even if that means injuring your own teammates along the way.

Mark Zadakis

More NCAA Football Bowl Games Could be Added

Three more bowl games could be added to the NCAA Division I Subdivision Football calendar if the cities of Washington D.C., St. Petersburg and Salt Lake City have their way. If approved by the NCAA Football Licensing Subcommittee at their April 29-May 1 meeting, the number of football games would rise to 35. Team must win six games against a Division I football team in order to be eligible to play in bowl competition. If the proposed game happens in Washington, D.C, it would fittingly be known as the Congressional Bowl and would match a team from the Atlantic Coast Conference with the Army or Navy.

I think that it is a good idea that to have the Subcommittee take a good hard look into adding bowl games in these cities. The reason why I support the idea is because of the diversification it could bring to NCAA football. If games are added in these cities, then it would make it easier for fans of NCAA football that live in the area to see a game.

Mark Zadakis

San Diego Wins 16th Straight, Beats LMU

Junior first baseman Jose Valerio goes yard twice as the ninth-ranked University of San Diego baseball team cruised their way to a 11-3 win over Loyola Marymount University Sunday afternoon in a West Coast Conference game at USD's Cunningham Stadium.

With the win, the Toreros improve to 35-11 overall, move to 13-3 in the WCC, complete a three-game sweep over the Lions and extend the nation's longest winning streak to 16 games. With the loss, the Lions fall to 20-23 overall and 5-10 in the WCC.

The Toreros got on the scoreboards first as they scored six runs on six hits in the bottom of the second inning. Logan Gelbrich led off the inning with a double and moved to third on a Victor Sanchez single to centerfield. After Kevin Hansen walked to load the bases, Jose Valerio then hit his first collegiate grand slam over the fight field fence to give USD a 4-0 lead with no outs. Ryan Davis then kept things rolling with a single through the right side and moved to second on a Kevin Muno sacrifice bunt. James Meador then drove in Davis with a run-scoring double to left field and the final USD run of the inning came on a Josh Romanski RBI single through the right side to give USD a 6-0 advantage.

After each team then scored a run a piece in the third inning, the Lions took back two runs in the top of the fourth inning on a Brett Mendoza two-run single to cut the lead down to 7-3.

USD then went on to take those two runs back in the bottom of the sixth inning on a Meador two-run homer over the left field fence, which scored Nicol, who had singled, to give USD a 9-3 lead.

The Toreros then put the game completely out of reach in the bottom of the seventh inning on a two-run Valerio homer over the left field fence to give USD a comfortable 11-3 lead.

Tim Seames

Red Storm Drops Finale Against Notre Dame, 8-4

The St. John's baseball team fell behind early and eventually fell to No. 24 Notre Dame, 8-4, in the final game of the three-game set. Michael Aicardi had a pinch-hit two RBI double, while Tim Morris was 2-for-2 with an RBI for St. John's (31-10, 13-5). St. John's did, however, win its sixth BIG EAST series of the year. Jeremy Barnes, Sean Gaston and Billy Boockford had two RBI apiece for Notre Dame (28-12-1, 13-5).

After a 1-2-3 top of the first, Notre Dame plated one run in the bottom of the frame to take an early 1-0 lead. Brett Lilley led off the inning with a single and David Mills followed with a sacrifice bunt. Following two straight walks to load the bases, Jeremy Barnes sent a sacrifice fly all the way to the wall in center field to put the Irish up 1-0. Another walk would reload the bases before Yecker struck out Sean Gaston to end the inning.

The Irish would plate two more runs in the third. After a pair of one-out singles, Barnes grounded the ball towards second for what looked like an inning ending double play. The ball then took a bad bounce and hopped over the head of second baseman Gino Matias and into center field. One run would score on the play and Yecker would walk the next batter to load the bases with one out. Gaston followed with a RBI single through the right side that kept the bases loaded and forced St. John's to go to the bullpen. Matt Tosoni entered and struck out the first two batters he faced to end the frame.

Tim Seames

Maine Gets a Second Recruit for the 2011 Season

Brandon Francisco of the York Simcoe Express in Ontario verbally committed to the Black Bears for 2011. I don't know too much about him but people say he will be a high pick for the 2009 Ontario Hockey League Draft.

Speaking of the OHL Draft, Austin Watson a 2010 Maine recruit is ranked the third best player by the International Scouting Service. It doesn't mean he will be going in the top ten but they think he's the third best player in the draft. The Draft is May 3rd. If he goes in the first round, Maine fans should feel less comfortable that they see him in Orono in a few years.

In USHL Playoff action, the fourth seeded Chicago Steel defeated the number one seed Indiana Ice 4 games to 1. Mark Anthoine a 2009 recruit for Maine had two assists in the series. Scott Darling of the Indiana Ice was 1-2, a 3.69 Goals Against Average, and a .889 save percentage.

Joe Diamond of the Omaha Lancers scored last night in the 5-0 victory over the Lincoln Stars in the second round of the playoffs. His teammate and another Maine recruit Will O'Neil has one assist in the playoffs so far.

Nathan Fournier

(Nathan also is a writer for MVN.com. He's the writer for the Asylum which covers the Lewiston Maineiacs of the QMJHL. He's also a regular contributor to the NHL Source also at MVN.com. He can be reached at fbbhgfan@aol.com)

Recommendations Made to Make NCAA Wrestling Safer

Changes could be coming to the sport of college wrestling if the NCAA has its way. One of the first rules that they would like to change is health-related. To try and help guard against skin disease, the NCAA Wresting Rules committee proposed that all mats be cleaned between matches. The committee also recommended that the venue in charge of the meet should allow the students to clean the soles of their shoes before walking on the mat. This is because bacteria on the bottom of a shoe can spread on the mat and cause wrestlers to get a skin disease. Another rule that the NCAA would like to change is the length of a match. Instead of the six minute matches that have been going on the last few years, the NCAA is pushing for a new seven minute format. The first round of the match would be three minutes in length, while the second and third rounds would be two minutes each. Recommendations by the committee will be voted on at a meeting of the Playing Rules and Oversight Panel, which meets again on June 5th.

I think it is good that these new rules have been recommended. They will only make the sport of collegiate wrestling safer for everyone involved.

Mark Zadakis

USA Wins the Bronze Medal

The United States defeated Sweden earlier today 6-3 to capture the Bronze Medal at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Under 18 Championsips in Kazan, Russia. Ryan Bourque tied the game at one with an assist going to Philip McRae. 16 seconds later with 24 seconds to go in the first period, Robbie Czarnik made it 2-1 for the United States. He ended up with a three point game including adding another goal. Jeremy Morin added two goals and Danny Kristo had one goal. Brandon Maxwell made 42 saves for the Americans. Maine Recruit Ryan Hegarty had three assists in the tournament. Victor Hedman got a goal for Sweden. He's a 6'7 defenseman that's eligible for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Canada defeated Russia 8-0 to capture the Gold Medal. Jordan Eberle had two goals for Canada in the win. Cody Hodgson added three assists. Boston University recruit Corey Trivino had a goal to make it 2-0. Jake Allen made 29 saves to get the shutout.

Igor Revenko of Belarus led the tournament in scoring with 11 points including three goals. Richard Panik of Slovakia had ten points including four goals. Matt Duchene and Taylor Hall of Canada each had 8 points as 16 year olds.

Nathan Fournier

(Nathan also is a writer for MVN.com. He's the writer for the Asylum which covers the Lewiston Maineiacs of the QMJHL. He's also a regular contributor to the NHL Source also at MVN.com. He can be reached at fbbhgfan@aol.com)

Marcil to Lead Division II

Mike Marcil, commissioner of the Sunshine State Conference, has been appointed to the presidency of the Division II Conference Commissioners Association. He replaces Jim Naumovich. Marcil is a former chair of the Division II Management Council. He has been involved with the world of athletics for close to 20 years. Marcil came to lead the Sunshine State Conference after he spent seven years as commissioner of the North Central Conference.

I believe that appointing someone of Mike Marcil caliber to the top spot of the Division II Conference is a smart move for the NCAA. With nearly 20 years of being involved with college, I can’t think of anyone better to be elected to the position of president. Mike obviously cares for the students and the NCAA or else he probably wouldn’t have accepted the job of leading the Division II side of the NCAA. Although he will be faced with many questions of how to better the NCAA in some areas and how to maintain the success of the NCAA in other areas, it seems as though he is the right man fore the job.

Mark Zadakis

Eagle Men/Women look to make post-season runs

The Husson baseball and softball teams are both locks for playoff spots this season however where they will go and who they will play is yet to be determined. The Husson baseball team will travel to Thomas College in Waterville this week to hopefully pick up two big wins in a late season double-header. The Husson softball continues to roll after beating non-conference foe U-Maine Presque Isle yesterday improving their overall record to 22-10 while remaining at 10-2 in conference play.

The baseball team punched their ticket to the post season with a double header sweep of Thomas last week giving them more wins than the Terriers who have no games remaining.

Softball sealed a spot a long time ago losing only 2 of their last 16 games.

If I have to put my money on either team, I would probably pick the women to have a better post-season run in 2008 due to consistency alone. The baseball team is young. Very young, and it looks more promising next year for the Eagle squad who start anywhere from 3 to 4 freshmen. Pitcher and occasional left fielder Ryan Arsenault of Portland has been a key component to the Eagles this season.

Either way, "Let's go Eagles" because its playoff time and anything can happen.

Reid Durost

Eagles gain a big transfer over the off-season

The Husson Eagles basketball team will surely look different in their 08-09 campaign as a key transfer agrees to join Husson in the fall. Jay Uhrin formerly of the University of Maine Black Bear basketball team played for Hampden Academy in high school as he helped the Broncos win a state title in 2005 and were the Eastern Maine runners up in 2006. Urhin, born and raised in Winterport, was a first team All-KVAC his senior year averaging 14.3 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals per game.

This is a familiar face to Eagles starter Blaine Meehan who graduated and played for Hampden himself. The Eagles gain a solid foward shooter in the 6'2 freshman. Uhrin promises to be a big offensive power as the Eagles of this past season lacked a true scorer that could be depended upon each and ever night. A small load will be taken off of each of Brock Bradford and Scott Kissinger's shoulders as Uhrin is a decent perimeter shooter and has a good ability to get himself not only to the basket to score, but the freethrow line as well.

Uhrin also has the ability to play well in the post complimenting center Matt Mackenzie. The Eagles lost big man Nick Henry and 3-point shooter Sheraud Lee to graduation, however Uhrin seems to be a decent well rounded player who will fit in very well in my opinion at the D3 level and in the North Atlantic Conference.

Reid Durost

UCONN'S AURIEMMA CALLS OUT PAT SUMMIT

Connecticut's women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma has called out Pat Summitt, the head coach of Tennessee. Auriemma claims Pat Summitt quit the infamous UConn-Tennessee rivalry because she thinks UConn violated NCAA recruiting guidlines. UConn and Tennessee are by far, the most storied basketball programs in women's basketball.

Summitt and the Lady Vols just won the national championship this year. Connecticut lost in the Final Four.

It's sad that these two legendary coaches can't put their differences aside or let by-gones be by-gones. It isn't good for the sport at all.

Adam Smith

Miami Signs Jake Long, Will Draft OT No.1

The Miami Dolphins put to bed all the speculation of who they would take with the No. 1 pick in this years draft Tuesday. The Dolphins signed Offensive Tackle Jake Long, out of Michigan to a 5 year deal worth 57.75 million dollars, 30 million guaranteed.

Jake Long hasn't even played a single down in the NFL, yet has already become the highest paid tackle in the league.

This pick doesn't come as a shock however as Jake Long was no question, the safest pick in this year's draft. He's 6-foot-7, 315 pounds, and has quite the mean streak.

Long is expected to be the cornerstone in Bill Parcells rebuilding process in Miami, and is a "Parcells" player. Football is won in the trenches and Miami has someone who can do just that in Jake Long.

Adam Smith

The Husson Eagles baseball season is down to the Wire. The Eagles are on the outside looking in towards the North Atlantic Conference playoffs and are barely making up any ground. Today (4/16) the Eagles split with conference rival U. Maine Farmington at the Winkin Complex at Husson. The Eagles won game 1 which started at noon by a final score of 2-1 and dropped the 2nd game 2-0 at the hands of Beavers' pitcher Dan Hemdal.

The Eagles were led by pitcher Keith Nason giving up only the one run on 4 hits in game one and hopes were high for game two. Hemdal managed a 2 hitter in 6 and 1/3 innings in the 2nd for the Beavers who improved to just 3-9 on the season as they do not travel to Florida or Arizona like most teams do to begin the season.

The Eagles will host a double header with Becker College of Massachusetts on Saturday with two crucial conference winds at stake. The Eagles will then turn around and play snow-buried U. Maine Presque Isle at home on Sunday for two games.

If the Eagles can take the two games from the Becker Hawks and take both from Presque Isle as confidence boosters for the playoffs (granted they get there) the Eagles would have themselves looking and feeling very good for a post-season push.

Reid Durost

The View From the Press Box

As I sit at the Winkin Baseball Complex here on the campus of Husson College and I announce yet another home game for the Eagles, I realize how lucky this school is to have a complex like the Winkin Complex. The Complex, opened in 2001, was originally scheduled to hold baseball and baseball only. Now, as the school has progressed and added varsity football, it serves a multitude of purposes. Not only does the Winkin Complex host Eagles baseball football and field hockey, but also teams from all over the state hold games here because of the circumstances. The Winkin complex is completely artificial turf as well except for the pitchers mound and home plate area for baseball. The Winkin Complex is one of the first baseball fields in the state that is clear in the spring time of snow due to the said field turf and advanced drainage system.

So far this season, the Winkin Complex has hosted games for local Bangor, Brewer, Hampden and John Bapst as well as Portland schools Waynefleet and Chevrus for lacrosse. Thomas college and the University of Maine Farmington have played at the Winkin as well. The complex, equipped with a full sound system and scoreboards for both baseball and football, has seating for about 1500 at capacity.

The Eagles see the majority of their conference games at home and use it to their advantage. All I ask is that you show me a baseball field that was playable on April 5th and I'll show you the Winkin Complex in Bangor Maine.

Reid Durost