Spring Games Set

In case you are checking airline tickets ... Dartmouth's spring practice will feature a scrimmage on April 26 (Freshman Weekend) and will conclude with the spring game and barbecue on May 3. (Apparently that Freshman Weekend schedule has changed. I'll try to get a final schedule from the football office.)

A story in the Columbia Spectator suggests all Ivy League football fans should be rooting for Zak DeOssie, Kevin Boothe, Jim Finn and the New York Giants this Sunday.

Having watched Ricky Santos play for four years and having observed him in postgame press conferences, I've always been very impressed by the UNH quarterback. He's so tough, and such a competitor that I wouldn't be surprised if he wins a spot on an NFL roster next year. But this commentator known as Guru pegging him as an early round draft choice had me shaking my head. The fellow writes:

If he builds more mass, runs a sub 4.9 40, and does well in his passing drills, expect him to jump to the 2nd round and maybe higher, depending on how well he does.

Um, no.

Speaking of quarterbacks, check out this video on a Texas QB named Jerry Bell who is headed for Columbia.

The San Diego Union-Tribune has a story that caught me totally off guard. The lede of the piece:

The NCAA has agreed to settle an antitrust suit by making significant increases in benefits to current and former student-athletes.

Lawyer-types might want to take a look at a PDF of the Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement between plaintiffs and defendant National Collegiate Athletic Association.

The Cape Codder has a story about Dennis Redding, football officials observer for the ECAC, Ivy League, Patriot League and Colonial Athletic Association. You probably didn't know there even was such a person, but I've often wondered what the observer jotting down notes in the press box does. Bits and pieces from the story tell the tale:

"I make sure the referee knows the rules of football, uses the right mechanics and uses them properly," the 67-year-old Redding says. ...

... Arriving at the field about three hours before a game, he studies how the officials communicate with each other and cover the rules in their pre-game ritual, making sure they are on the same page. ...

... Once the game starts, Redding looks for communication, mobility and anticipation among the officials. The toughest thing he has to scout is their physical condition and appearance. ...

... When the game ends. Redding goes into the locker room and reviews it with the officials.

It's not football but it's Ivy and I find it interesting, so here indulge me. ... The Brown Daily Herald has a story (with photo) about the temporary swimming pool the school has installed in a bubble anchored down in a parking lot. When I first heard about the plan I couldn't imagine how they were going to pull off building such a large above-ground pool to be used in a New England winter, but they did. If you are curious, check out this photo gallery slide show.

And finally, a story in the local paper today talks about bringing high-speed Internet to rural areas of the Upper Valley, including our dirt road up here on Moose Mountain. The story says all that is needed is 15 houses per mile agreeing to buy some type of service (cable, phone or Internet) from the provider. That's great except for one thing: There aren't 15 houses per mile on our road. We're 1.5 miles down and the ninth house. Oh well. I guess slow Internet is part of the price you pay for living in paradise ;-)