Linda Sharp

Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Coach Linda K. Sharp announced her resignation as Women’s Basketball Head Coach at Concordia University Texas. Sharp has held this position since the beginning of the 2001 season. As head coach of women’s basketball at Concordia since 2001, Sharp has had a 87-87 record. Sharp also celebrated a career record of 496-271 after 27 years coaching NCAA women’s basketball.

A 1973 graduate of Cal State Fullerton University, Sharp was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in June 2001.

Sharp began her college coaching career in 1975 when she served as the assistant women’s basketball coach at the University of Southern California (USC) while also coaching women’s basketball at Modern Day High School. In 1976 Sharp was hired as the first full-time women’s head basketball coach, and the first female head coach hired at the University of Southern California.

Sharp coached at the University of Southern California from 1976-1989, where she achieved a 271-99 record and led her teams to four NCAA Final Four appearances, including back-to-back National Championship squads in 1983 and 1984. Sharp coached some star-studded teams during her time at USC including such players as Cheryl Miller and Cynthia Cooper.

After leaving USC Coach Sharp coached at Southwest Texas State University from 1989-1997 where she won 138 games and lost 85 in eight seasons. She ranks among the Top 50 All-Time among NCAA coaches in wins (409) and winning percentage (.718) for her twenty one years at USC and SWT.

Sharp has coached at the WNBA level as well. She coached the Los Angeles Sparks in 1997, during the WNBA's inaugural year. Sharp then assisted her former pupil at USC, Cheryl Miller with the Phoenix Mercury in 2000. Coach Sharp became the Head Coach of the Phoenix Mercury during the remainder of the 2002 season after Cynthia Cooper resigned the position.

Sharp has coached at every level with the exception of the NCAA Division II and Junior College women’s basketball levels.

Detroit Shock

Shock take care of Finals rookie Silver Stars to win third WNBA title in a sweep.

RIP Paul Newman

January 26, 1925 – September 26, 2008

Don Haskins

Don Haskins the Hall of Fame coach credited with helping break color barriers in college sports in 1966 when he used five black starters to win a national basketball title for Texas Western, died Sunday. He was 78.

Jerry Reed

Jerry Reed, a singer who became a good ol' boy actor in car chase movies like "Smokey and the Bandit," has died of complications from emphysema at 71.

ONEXONE

ONEXONE is a non-profit foundation committed to supporting, preserving and improving the lives of children at home in Canada, the United States, and around the world. Through an annual campaign, ONEXONE is dedicated in helping create a world where children can live safely and with dignity.

Kathie Lee Gifford

Happy Birthday to Kathie Lee Gifford, she turns 55 today!

Stand Up To Cancer

Here we stand, on the verge of unlocking the answers that will finally conquer the devastation that is cancer.

We now understand the very biology that drives cancer. With knowledge gained from the mapping of the human genome, we can now target the genes and pathways that are involved in turning normal cells into cancerous ones. We are on the brink of possessing a toolbox full of new, advanced technologies just waiting to be adapted to benefit patients. Right before us, so close we can almost touch them, are scientific breakthroughs in the prevention, detection, treatment and even reversal of this disease.

For the first time we can envision the possibility of stopping cancer in its tracks. But just when science is on the verge of giving us the breakthroughs that can end cancer, the will and the funding to do so are disappearing from the national agenda and from our collective consciousness.

Cancer takes one person every minute. One life in a moment. They are our brothers, our sisters, our fathers and mothers, our husbands and wives, our best friends, our children, ourselves. Every day in America 1500 people die and yet the means to save them are literally within our reach. To wait any longer for someone else to save our lives and the lives of those we love is unforgivable.

Inspired to act by our own personal experiences with cancer, we recognize that we can no longer rely on the current system alone to give us the breakthroughs we need. So, we are calling on the public to help take matters into our own hands, investing in a revolution that will change the way scientist and clinicians work to understand and treat these diseases. Stand Up To Cancer is more than a rallying cry. It is a galvanizing force created to urgently move cancer research forward.

This is where the end of cancer begins: when we unite in one unstoppable movement and Stand Up To Cancer.

How?

Working with the top experts in cancer research, Stand Up To Cancer is forging a new way to develop breakthroughs that will end cancer. We’re putting together the best and the brightest minds in cancer research – those on the edge of accomplishment – investing in their projects and taking the bureaucratic obstacles out of their way. We are building interdisciplinary “Dream Teams” of scientists, clinicians, technicians and other experts, who will focus on a specific cancer problem. We’ll track their progress in real time, so that everyone who invests can see how their participation is creating real change.

Funds will be administered by the American Association for Cancer Research, the largest scientific organization in the world focusing on every aspect of high-quality, innovative cancer research. Together with their scientific Blue Ribbon Advisory Committee, comprised of world-class scientists across several disciplines and patient advocates, the most promising projects will be identified.

Joe McKeown

Northwestern University Director of Athletics and Recreation Jim Phillips has announced that Joe McKeown, the head women's basketball coach at George Washington University the past 19 years, has been named the Wildcats' new head coach. McKeown's .745 winning percentage (509-174) ranks 13th among active NCAA women's coaches (minimum five years) and 12th all-time in women's coaching history (minimum 10 years). His 19 20-win seasons are tied for 16th place on the NCAA all-time list. McKeown leaves George Washington as the winningest coach in school history and in the Atlantic 10 Conference. In 22 seasons as a college head coach, McKeown has guided a team to postseason play 19 times. He guided the Colonials to 14 regular season or postseason Atlantic 10 crowns. In his 19 seasons at George Washington, McKeown compiled a 441-154 record, with his 1997 squad reaching the Elite Eight. On three other occasions, the Colonials advanced to the Sweet Sixteen--1995, 2007 and 2008. In his 15 NCAA trips with GW, the Colonials won their first-round tournament game 13 times. McKeown is a five-time Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year (1991, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2007) and two-time National Coach of the Year nominee (1995, 1997).
After spending three seasons as the head coach at New Mexico State, where he went 68-20 and appeared in two NCAA tournaments, McKeown came to George Washington in mid-September of 1989, inheriting a team that went 9-19 a year earlier. After his first squad went 14-14, McKeown quickly turned the Colonials into an elite women's college program with his teams averaging nearly 24 wins per year the next 18 seasons.

Willie Randolph

New York Mets manager Willie Randolph was fired because the losses and the speculation about his job were hurting the team.

Tim Russert

Tim Russert, one of the nation's most respected political journalists, collapsed and died from an apparent heart attack last Friday at the NBC News bureau in Washington, D.C. Russert was 58. He was survived by wife, Maureen Orth; son, Luke.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

NATIONAL FLAG DAY

I pledge allegiance to
the flag of the United
States of America and
to the Republic for
which it stands, one
nation under God,
indivisible, with
liberty and justice
for all

Heidi Collins

Happy Birthday to Heidi Collins of CNN.

A Memorial Day Prayer

Eternal God,
Creator of years, of centuries,
Lord of whatever is beyond time,
Maker of all species and master of all history --
How shall we speak to you
from our smallness and inconsequence?
Except that you have called us to worship you
in spirit and in truth;
You have dignified us with loves and loyalties;
You have lifted us up with your lovingkindnesses.
Therefore we are bold to come before you without groveling
[though we sometimes feel that low]
and without fear
[though we are often anxious].
We sing with spirit and pray with courage
because you have dignified us;
You have redeemed us from the aimlessness
of things' going meaninglessly well.
God, lift the hearts of those
for whom this holiday is not just diversion,
but painful memory and continued deprivation.
Bless those whose dear ones have died
needlessly, wastefully [as it seems]
in accident or misadventure.
We remember with compassion those who have died
serving their countries
in the futility of combat.
There is none of us but must come to bereavement and separation,
when all the answers we are offered
fail the question death asks of each of us.
We believe that you will provide for us
as others have been provided with the fulfillment of
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."



By Rev. Dick Kozelka (ret)
First Congregational Church of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN

Cancer Schmancer

Fran Drescher walks the "tawk" as she lends her unique voice on Capitol Hill. Her vision for the Cancer Schmancer Movement is to ensure all women's cancers are diagnosed in STAGE 1, when they are most curable. To this end, the Cancer Schmancer Movement will make right what's wrong with women's healthcare through political activism and education. This movement will alert our elected officials that the collective female vote is more powerful than that of the richest corporate lobbyist.

We have already been extremely instrumental in getting the Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act passed into law by unanimous consent in the 109th Congress. Now, we must ensure the bill gets funded. We also have several initiatives under way at the state and federal levels. In the state of California, we are launching a campaign to include the trans-vaginal ultrasound as part of every woman’s basic gynecologic exam while implementing a national campaign to create an FDA standard for women’s skincare products, which are presently unregulated and filled with carcinogens and suspected carcinogens.

Johnny Dawkins

Stanford University has named Johnny Dawkins as head coach. Dawkins becomes the 17th head coach in the history of the men's basketball program. During Dawkins' 11 years as a coach at Duke, the Blue Devils won a national championship in 2001, six ACC regular season championships, seven ACC Tournament titles, and posted an amazing 330-60 record, 142-34 in league play. For four consecutive seasons from 1999-2002, Duke finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in both national polls, marking the first time that has happened in college basketball history. Dawkins is a 1986 graduate of Duke with a degree in political science. He and his wife, Tracy, have four children: Aubrey, Jillian, Blair and Sean.

The Stephen Gaynor School

The Stephen Gaynor School, a non profit organization, provides a unique educational experience for children ages 5-14 with learning differences in a nurturing environment where children are helped to reach their academic potential. At Stephen Gaynor the pattern of academic failure is broken and children are taught to become successful learners with unlimited potential.

Tom Crean

Tom Crean, who averaged over 20 wins a season in nine years at Marquette and led the Golden Eagles to five NCAA Tournament appearances including the 2003 Final Four, has been named the 28th head basketball coach in Indiana University history. In each of his final seven seasons, Crean's team posted at least 19 wins and earned a postseason berth. Over those seven years, he compiled an aggregate record of 160-68 (.702).

Jody Adams

Jody Adams has been named the head women’s basketball coach at Wichita State. Adams, who was a point-guard on the 1991 National Championship team at Tennessee, comes to WSU from Murray State where she coached the Racers to the NCAA Tournament as a 14-seed in her first season as a head coach. MSU, which finished the season 24-8 and 15-5 in the OVC, dropped its NCAA opener Sunday night, 78-57, against third-seeded Duke.

Travis Ford

Travis Ford replaced Sean Sutton when the two were still playing college basketball. He'll do it again in the coaching profession.

Ford agreed Wednesday to leave his job as Massachusetts' coach to take over Sutton's old position at Oklahoma State.

Ford directed the Minutemen to a 62-35 mark in three seasons, including NIT bids the past two seasons.

Ford's first head coaching job was at Campbellsville, Ky., of the NAIA, where he went 67-31 in three seasons. He then took over a losing program at Eastern Kentucky and guided the Colonels to their first NCAA tournament appearance in 26 years.

Nikki Caldwell

Nikki Caldwell, one of the top assistant coaches in the nation, has been named the head women’s basketball coach at UCLA.

Caldwell, who becomes the fifth women’s basketball coach in UCLA history, has served as an assistant coach at two-time defending NCAA champion Tennessee for the past six seasons.

Rex Walters

San Francisco lured former NBA player Rex Walters away from Florida Atlantic to take over its struggling basketball program.

Walters, who had a 31-33 record in two seasons for the Owls, was formally introduced at a news conference Monday.

Walters and his wife, Deanna, have four children: Addison (11), Drew (9), Riley (6), and Gunner (4), and are expecting their fifth child.

Susan Walvius

South Carolina women's basketball coach Susan Walvius announced her resignation Monday.

Walvius went 165-160 and 51-103 in the Southeastern Conference in 11 seasons with the Gamecocks. She made the NCAA tournament twice, advancing to the regional finals in 2002.

South Carolina went 16-16 this season and 4-10 in the SEC. The Gamecocks haven't made the NCAA tournament or had a winning record in the SEC since 2003.

Sara Evans

Sara Evans, who finalized a bitter divorce last year, is engaged to former University of Alabama quarterback Jay Barker.

The 37-year-old country singer filed for divorce from husband Craig Schelske in October 2006 after 13 years of marriage. The divorce was completed last September.

Barker, 35, led Alabama to a national championship in 1992 and hosts a morning radio show in Birmingham.

Barker, who's also divorced, has four children while Evans has three.

Heidi VanDerveer

Heidi VanDerveer, who has more than two decades of experience on both the collegiate and professional levels, has been named head women’s basketball coach at Occidental College. She began her coaching career as a graduate assistant for Pat Summitt at the University of Tennessee, when the Lady Volunteers won the 1987 national championship and advanced to the 1988 Final Four. She then spent six seasons as an assistant at the University of South Carolina, helping to coach the Gamecocks to three NCAA tournament appearances.

In 1994, she was hired as the head coach at Eastern Washington, where she led the Eagles to 12 victories in her first year and back-to-back Big Sky tournament appearances, including the school's first in five years.

VanDerveer's first stint in the WNBA came as an assistant coach with the Sacramento Monarchs in 1997, before being promoted to head coach in 1997-98. She spent four years with the Minnesota Lynx as both an assistant (1999-2002) and head coach (2002). After serving two years as a WNBA scout from 2003-05, while also working one year at the University of San Francisco as an assistant and later head coach, VanDerveer was hired as a WNBA assistant for the Seattle Storm. The Storm advanced to the WNBA playoffs in each of her two seasons in Seattle.

Cathy Inglese

Boston College basketball coach Cathy Inglese, who guided the Eagles to the most wins in their women's basketball history, is stepping down after 15 seasons.

She has 273 wins and 179 losses in her career at BC, and a career record of 393-253 in 22 years coaching NCAA women's basketball.

She had a 120-74 record from 1986-1993 at Vermont.

Ben Braun

Ben Braun, who guided the University of California at Berkley to more postseason appearances and postseason wins than any other basketball coach in school history, was introduced on Monday as the 23rd head men's basketball coach at Rice University. As a result of his success, not only at Cal, but during previous head coaching stops at Eastern Michigan and Siena Heights, Braun ranks 11th among all active Division I coaches with 552 victories. He was 219-154 in his 12 seasons at Berkley and ranked second among active Pac-10 coaches in overall wins and Pac-10 wins (110).

Charlton Heston

Charlton Heston, the Oscar winner who portrayed Moses and other heroic figures on film in the '50s and '60s and later championed conservative values as head of the National Rifle Association, has died. He was 84.

Bill Bayno

Portland Trail Blazers assistant coach Bill Bayno has been named Loyola Marymount's men's basketball coach. the 38 yeard old Bayno is a former UNLV head coach where he compiled a 94-64 record in five plus seasons.

Chris Webber

Chris Webber is ending his comeback attempt with the Golden State Warriors and will retire after 15 seasons in the NBA. Webber was a five-time All-Star, who ended his career averaging 20.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists a game.

Webber broke onto the scene as a part of Michigan’s heralded recruiting class that arrived on campus in 1991. Teaming with Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson, Webber helped the Wolverines make it to the NCAA championship his only two years in college.

But Michigan lost both times, to Duke in 1992 and North Carolina the following year. Webber was most remembered for calling a timeout when Michigan had none remaining in the final minute of the 1993 loss to the Tar Heels.

Kathie Lee On TODAY

Kathie Lee Gifford will soon be back on TV's early shift.
The former co-star of the syndicated "Live" talk show will join NBC's "Today" next Monday. She will be teamed with Hoda Kotb, a current anchor of the program's seven-month-old fourth hour, which airs live at 10 a.m. EDT. Gifford, 54, who left Regis Philbin and "Live" in 2000, joked that the timing of her TV return "couldn't be worse" in certain ways: "I'm eight years older, 10 pounds heavier, a half-inch shorter, and just in time for HD television."

Reba McEntire

Happy 53rd birthday to Reba McEntire.

Paula Zahn

Happy Birthday to Paula Zahn, she turns 52 today.

Cristina Ferrare

Happy Birthday to Cristina Ferrare. She turns 58 today.

Bobby Knight

Bob Knight, the winningest NCAA men's division I basketball coach in history, has retired as Texas Tech's coach, effective immediately. Knight, 67, who won his 902nd game Saturday when the Red Raiders downed Oklahoma State, will be replaced by his son, Pat Knight. During his tenure at Texas Tech, Knight was 138-82, and he led the Red Raiders to the NCAA Tournament in four of his six seasons, reaching the Sweet 16 in 2005.

John Harbaugh

John Harbaugh is the new head coach of the Baltimore Ravens. Harbaugh is the product of a football family. His father, Jack, is former head coach at Western Kentucky and his brother, Jim, is head coach at Stanford and a former quarterback with the Ravens.

Suzanne Pleshette

Suzanne Pleshette, the dark-haired, smoky-voiced actress who played Bob Newhart's confident and sexy wife, Emily Hartley, for six years on the popular 1970s sitcom "The Bob Newhart Show," has passed away. She was 70. Although Newhart got a new TV wife, played by Mary Frann, for his 1982-90 situation comedy "Newhart," Pleshette had the last laugh -- making a memorable surprise guest appearance as Newhart's previous TV wife, Emily, at the end of the series' final episode.

Patricia Neal

Happy Birthday to the greatest actress of all time. Patricia Neal turns 82 today.

Florida Gators

Florida Men's Basketball team survived 12 missed free throws and constant foul trouble inside to extend its win streak against Kentucky to seven straight games. Notre Dame is the only other school in history to beat Kentucky seven straight times.

Michigan Wolverines

The Michigan Wolverine Women's Basketball team defeated the Michigan State Spartans on Sunday. Tht triumph over the Spartans is first since 2002 as the women match Big Ten win total from 2006-07. IT was a 64-55 victory over the Spartans whith a record women's crowd of 5,596. The win snapped a nine-game run of bad fortune against Michigan State that dated to 2002 and matched Michigan's (10-5, 3-2 Big Ten) 2006-07 conference total.

MICHIGAN FOOTBALL MEMORIES

From coaches Fielding Yost to Lloyd Carr and Heisman winners Tom Harmon to Charles Woodson, the University of Michigan is home to one of the greatest traditions in college football.

Experience the winning tradition of Fritz Crisler and Bo Schembechler, the excitement of football Saturday in Ann Arbor, those die-hard Michigan fans, the thrill of the marching band and Michigan's #1 cheerleader, Bob Ufer. Discover how the "The Big House", tailgating, the famous winged helmet and "Hail to the Victors" have come to be recognized throughout America as symbols of Michigan's winning legacy. Featuring rare archival footage as well as new interviews with Bo Schembechler, Lloyd Carr, Don Canham, Ron Kramer, Jamie Morris, Jim Brandstatter and others.

Oder online at MICHIGAN FOOTBALL MEMORIES.COM

LSU Wins National Title!

Ohio State struck for a quick touchdown against its Southeastern Conference opponent but suffered their second straight loss in the title game, falling 38-24 at the Louisiana Superdome on Monday night. Matt Flynn, the quarterback who didn't get a chance to become the full-time starter until his senior season, was trying to close his career with a flourish. He threw four touchdown passes for the Tigers, who scored 31 straight points after falling behind 10-0 on Ohio State's first two possessions. Self-proclaimed Michigan Man Les Miles and his Tigers are champions.

The Alex Smith Foundation

About the Alex Smith Foundation:

Why does our society spend billions of dollars on foster children, only to abandon these kids when they’re on the verge of becoming adults? It seems like we’re dropping the ball at the goal line.

Within two years of leaving the system, why do:
• 50% end up unemployed?
• One-third require public assistance?
• Almost one-third become homeless?
• 25% become incarcerated?
• Less than one in 10 attend college, and only one in 100 actually graduate?
Source: Children’s Law Center of Los Angeles
At the Alex Smith Foundation, we don’t believe in sitting
along the sidelines, watching foster children fail. And, we’re not as interested in “why,” as in “how”—how can we help?

The Pitching Center

In a continued effort to develop baseball players to their full potential, The Pitching Center has grown to become the Total Player Center (TPC), a full service baseball and softball training academy. We provide comprehensive, fully integrated training programs that evolve based on the best research and information available in areas from health & safety, peak performance, education techniques and much more. Age and skill specific programs are available for students ages 8 – High School.
At The Pitching Center, we are not only dedicated to bringing you the best information available but also to providing the highest level of quality instruction. We believe that in order to do so our staff must be comprised of highly experienced instructors who are eager to learn more. All of our instructors believe in teaching in a positive environment and will strive to do their best to help each player maximize his or her potential.



With 25 years of pitching experience, Jason Sekany is a co-founder and lead pitching instructor at The Pitching Center . As a pitcher Jason's experience began locally and includes stops on every level from Granada Little League to the Major League Rosters for both the Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds. Jason played for Granada High School, Modesto Junior College and University of Virginia before being selected in the second round of the 1996 MLB Draft. As an Instructor, Jason has 12 years of experience and has completed over 20,000 private lessons. Jason has also served as director or co-director for over a dozen baseball and pitching specific clinics and has spoken at many parent and coach seminars both locally and around the country. Jason is most proud of his work with charity youth programs including the RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) and others serving as both an instructor and motivational speaker for kids.
Along with his pitching and coaching experience Jason has had the opportunity to work with and learn from a number of the nations top experts in pitching. These experts include: Jerry Weinstein, Ron Wolforth, Brent Strom and world-renowned pitching coach and author Dr. Tom House. Jason has been certified under Dr. House's organization, The National Pitching Association, in the areas of pitching mechanics, functional baseball fitness, mental-emotional management and nutrition. With an open mind in addition to this experience, training and a scientific background, Jason is constantly striving to learn more and find better ways to help each pitcher reach his or her potential.

Bo's Lasting Lessons: The Legendary Coach Teaches the Timeless Fundamentals of Leadership

Bo Schemebechler the late football coach of the Michigan Wolverines wrote a book just before he passed away and "Bo's Lasting Lessons: The Legendary Coach Teaches the Timeless Fundamentals of Leadership" has been released and is available from Amazon.

Rick Neuheisel Named UCLA Head Football Coach

Rick Neuheisel who quarterbacked UCLA to victory in the 1984 Rose Bowl and who compiled a record of 66-30 as a collegiate head coach, has been named his alma mater's 16th head football coach, Bruin athletic director Dan Guerrero announced this week. He fashioned a record of 66-30 and his winning percentage of .688 places him among the top 20 active coaches. During his four seasons (1999-2002) as head coach at the University of Washington, Neuheisel led the Huskies to a record of 33-16 (.673) and four bowl games (one Rose Bowl, two Holiday Bowls and one Sun Bowl). His Pac-10 record was 23-9 (.719) and Washington won one league title and finished second twice in those four seasons. During his four seasons (1995-98) as head coach at the University of Colorado, Neuheisel won 33 of 47 games (.702) and won all three bowl appearances. In his final season, Colorado finished 8-4. Born February 7, 1961 in Madison, WI, he grew up in Tempe, AZ, attending McClintock High School. He and his wife Susan, a UCLA graduate, have three children, Jerry, Jack and Joe.

Lloyd Carr goes out a winner!

In a dramatic finish to Lloyd Carr's coaching career, Michigan won a 41-35 classic over Florida in the Capital One Bowl.

Also Carr received the Bobby Dodd national coach of the year award this past week. It’s an award that honors a Division I college coach “whose program represents quality on and off the field,” with the words scholarship, leadership and integrity, the hallmarks of Carr’s tenure at Michigan.

Happy New Year!