Alabama coach Saban should look in mirror

By Fred Guzman

 

Remember the standard schoolyard comeback to name-calling?  You know, the old line about how it takes one to know one?

 

That's what came to mind when University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban, of all people, described player-agents as pimps because what they do is, he said, "entrampment for young people in a very difficult time of their lives."

 

Those comments, from someone who has based his career on successfully luring 17-year-olds into his recruiting web.  This, from someone who has found and capitalized on every imaginable loophole to circumvent NCAA recruiting rules. 

 

Remember, it was Nick Saban who started using video conferencing as a means of avoiding rules limiting face-to-face meetings with recruits.  No Saint Nick, this Coach Nick.

 

Why shouldn't players be allowed to receive the advice of agents before making important decisions regarding their professional futures?

 

Why shouldn't the top players be allowed to receive cars, cash and other benefits from admiring boosters?  The top schools and the top coaches are cashing in, so why shouldn't the star attractions?

 

And please spare me the lame comeback about how these kids are privileged to be receiving a college education.  

 

Big time college sports are not about education, but about money.  Why else would big time programs admit so many marginal students to their universities if not for the huge return on their modest investments.

UH passes on ex-Oregon QB Masoli

By Fred Guzman

 

Hawaii fans were split over whether or not it would be a good thing for quarterback Jeremiah Masoli to join the football program. Masoli would have provided an upgrade at a key position. 

 

His resume during two seasons at Oregon included a Holiday Bowl victory over Oklahoma State in 2008 and leading the Ducks to the 2009 Pac-10 title and an appearance in the Rose Bowl. But Masoli carries a lot of legal baggage, which is why he was suspended and later dismissed from the Oregon program.

 

Those in favor of adding Masoli, noted that he stayed out of trouble one year at St. Louis School largely because of a strong local family influences. They also noted that Colt Brennan and Davone Bess both flourished at UH after receiving second chances following legal problems of their own.

 

But those who opposed Masoli felt that he was going on four chances and worried about the light his presence would cast on UH.  Valid concerns, no doubt.

 

The debate became moot when UH politely told Masoli, no thanks.  Rumor has it that Masoli may end up hooking up with LaTech, a WAC rival that will play at Aloha Stadium on Oct. 2.  That showdown, if he indeed lands at LaTech, will trigger another debate over whether UH did the right thing by snubbing Jeremiah Masoli.

 

UH Regents approve athletics fee

By Fred Guzman

ESPN550.com

 

For better, or worse, this $2 million a year decision was a done deal.  By a vote of 11-3 yesterday, the University of Hawaii's Board of Regents approved a proposal charging each student $50 a semester to help balance the athletic department budget.

 

It was a big win for UH-Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw, who lobbied diligently for the proposal.  And it was even bigger victory for Athletic Director Jim Donovan, whose cash-strapped department is projecting a $2 million shortfall  for the recently ended fiscal year.  The department's current deficit stands at about $10.1 million.

 

There was strong opposition to the fee expressed by some student government leaders, but the need to offset a rising tide of red ink easily won over the regents.  So, as one critic noted, the athletic department will now be able to pay the students back with the students' money.

 

Others take another view, noting the benefits of athletics as a rallying point and a marketing tool for the university, while further reminding critics that the other eight members of the Western Athletic Conference already had such a fee in place.

 

The fee kicks in with the spring 2011 semester, and part of the benefits include free student tickets to athletic events.  It remains to be seen if the freebies will significantly increase the number of students at a largely commuter campus who actually attend games.

 

NA KOA WINS: Na Koa Ikaika opened up the second half of the Golden Baseball League season with a 5-0 win over the Tucson Toros last night at Iron Maehara Stadium. 

 

Leading the way was left-hander Donald Brandt, who scattered four hits over seven innings, registering seven strikeouts and walking one while improving his record to 7-0. 

 

It was a 0-0 game until Maui's Phil Alvas hammered a solo home run and Rex Rundgren followed with a two-out RBI double in the bottom of the seventh. Mark Okano sealed the deal with a three-run shot in the eighth.  GBL All-Star Gered Mochizuki contributed a pair of doubles.

 

The six-game series continues tonight.  First pitch is scheduled for 6:35.  You can follow the action on Maui's ESPN 550 or on espn550.com. 

 

PHILS LOSE:  Shane Victorino went 2-for-5, scored a run and drove in another.  But his efforts were again not enough as the Phillies continued to struggle, suffering a 12-6 loss to the Chicago Cubs.  The two-time defending National League champs are currently in third place and trail Atlanta by 5.5 games in the NL East.  

 

Kurt Suzuki's Oakland Athletics and Kanekoa Texeira's Kansas City Royals were both idle as Major League Baseball featured a limited schedule on the first day back after the All-Star break.

UH student leaders oppose athletics fee

By Fred Guzman

ESPN550.com

 

Despite strong opposition by student government leaders, University of Howaii-Manoa Chancellor Virginia S. Hinshaw will seek approval Thursday from the Board of Regents to implement a $50 per semester fee that would generate $2 million annually for the university's athletic department. 

 

Those same student leaders are vowing a presence at the Regents meeting, scheduled for a 9 a.m. start at the Stan Sheriff Center.

 

Don't expect an overwhelming number of picket-toting students to be in attendance.  For one thing, school is in summer session.  For another, you would think students who are really hurting financially will find it difficult to get time off from their summer jobs.

 

The bottom line here is that the athletic department has run at a deficit seven of the previous eight years and is projecting a $2 million shortfall  for the fiscal year that ended June 30.  If those numbers are accurate, that would increase the department's total deficit to $10.1 million. 

 

All eight other members of the WAC already have such a fee in place -- ranging from $10 per semester at LaTech to $123 at Utah State. 

 

The proposed $50 fee, if approved, will begin with the spring 2011 semester and, according to Hinshaw, will go to help underwrite "scholarships, travel and subsistence, materials and supplies, and other expenses directly beneficial to student-athletes."

 

I don't find the fee unreasonable.  But, of course, it isn't coming out of my pocket, either.

Na Koa hold on to clinch first-half title

By Fred Guzman

ESPN550.com 

 

Na Koa Ikaika Maui clinched a berth in the Golden Baseball League playoffs.  But the decisive victory last night did not come without some very anxious moments at Iron Maehara Stadium. 

 

Na Koa jumped out to a seemingly comfortable 7-0 lead after just three innings as Keoni Ruth and Tim Battle each hit two-run homers. 

 

But the Victoria Seals were not about to go down easy.  They rallied for five in the top of the fourth and pulled within one with a single run in the top of the eighth.  Battle contributed an insurance run in the bottom of the frame and closer Jaime Virmilyea sealed the deal for Maui. 

 

The victory enabled Na Koa to secure the GBL South first-half title with a 26-17 record.  Yuma finished just behind at 27-18. 

 

Because Maui had two games snowed out in Calgary, the league opted to decide things based on winning percentage.  And Na Koa's was slightly better -- .604 to .600.  That means Maui will be assured of playing for the league title at the end of the regular season. 

 

The GBL takes a three-day break starting today, although two members of Na Koa will travel to Tucson for the league's All-Star Game on Wednesday.  Infielder Gered Mochizuki, the local boy, and pitcher Wes Ethridge will represent Maui. 

 

Na Koa opens the second half with a six-game series against the visiting Tucson Toros on Thursday.

 

WORLD CUP:  Viva Espana!  For the first time ever, Spain joined the exclusive fraternity of World Cup champions by defeating The Netherlands 1-0 in yesterday's championship game, bringing to an end a month-long tournament in South Africa.

 

It was not a pretty final.  Holland took care of that.  Quickly coming to the realization that they couldn't match Spain's skill, the Dutch reverted to physical tactics, touching off a hack-fest that resulted in a record 14 yellow cards – including nine against Holland.   But after initially responding in cynical kind, Spain settled down and regained its rhythm, knocking the ball around and possessing the ball for extended periods. 

 

Although Holland created a pair of great scoring chances through the speedy midfielder Robben, Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas came up with the huge save each time. 

 

And, after 90 minutes of regulation and another 26 of overtime, Spain's patience and superior technique paid off when midfielder Andres Inieska ripped a host into the lower left corner of the net for the winning goal, touching off a national celebration that probably is still going strong. 

 

As an advertisement for the beautiful game, the final left a lot to be desired.  But Holland didn't have any alternative but to try to win ugly.  And, in the end, justice was served.  The clearly better team won.