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!