Sports Illustrated On Campus takes a look at the Ivy League's prohibition against going to the FCS playoffs. From the story:
"To see teams we consistently beat go on to the playoffs while we do nothing the month of December doesn't make sense to me," says Harvard wideout Corey Mazza. The senior argues that his teammates have never heard an "adequate reason" why every other one of Harvard's 41 sports -- the most in the nation -- is allowed to play for a true championship, but they are not.Wall Street Journal headline:
"My career now over, I am never going to know if we could have ever marched through the playoffs and brought home a national title showing the nation that yes, Harvard indeed has a football team, and no, we are not a bunch of collar-popping prepsters," Mazza say
Brains and Brawn: Could It Be
Harvard vs. Yale in the Bowl Championship?
Musing at what might happen if Ivy League schools were required to spend a percentage of their enormous endowments each year the way foundations are -- senate hearings have looked into the idea -- an assistant editor at the Wall Street Journal suggests tuition could perhaps be a thing of the past at some point. And with tongue at least partly in cheek, the writer wonders about the impact that might have on the gridiron. Given the Ivy League brand, he writes, "The first school to go absolutely free for accepted applicants might find that it can scoop up every high-school senior with a 350-pound bench press and an A in physics."
Joe Paterno wields an awful lot of influence in Central Pennsylvania, and around the state for that matter. But after years of frustrating those who sought to learn his salary, it has finally come to light. From a wire story: "The State Employees' Retirement System released Paterno's salary Thursday, more than a week after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that his salary and those of other top Penn State officials are public information."
Turns out JoePa made $490,638 last year and is on track to make $512,664 this year. That's a lot of money, although it pales in comparison to the $4 million Nick Saban is being paid by Alabama, the $3 million Oklahoma pays Bob Stoops and what other big-name coaches make. Say what you will about Paterno's salary, given the revenue brought in by Penn State football and its 100,000-plus stadium, he's an absolute bargain. (Even if this particular alum would like to see a few more wins ;-)
Finally, friends and acquaintances from all over the country began filtering into Hanover last evening and will be streaming into town this morning as we say goodbye to longtime sports information director Kathy Slattery Phillips, who died last week. Though it's hard to predict, in planning meetings we expected upwards or 500 or more people to celebrate Kathy's life. Whether you knew Kathy or not, check out some of the remembrances off to the right. They are a remarkable reminder of the impact you can have on the lives of those around you.
One last thought as I head out with a heavy heart: Hug those you love and make sure they know it.
