NBA

Three players from the Florida Gators basketball team were taken in the NBA draft this past week. Al Horford was drafted third to the Atlanta Hawks, Corey Brewer was taken seventh by the Minnesota Timberwolves and Joakim Noah was taken ninth by the Chicago Bulls.

Gators Invade The White House

If the Gators keep it up, the White House may consider adding a Gators suite adjacent to the Lincoln Bedroom.
This is the third time in a year that a UF team - and the second time the men's basketball team - has made the trip to Washington to meet President George W. Bush

Give A Girl A Reason

Jennifer Peterson Hind has released her first CD, Give A Girl A Reason. It is available from CD Baby.

UPDATE

Billy Donovan has changed his mind and returned to Florida. The Orlando Magic have hired Stan Van Gundy.

Natalie Morales

Happy 35th birthday to Today show correspondant Natalie Morales. She also has a blog.

The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness

The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for Celiac Disease. NFCA, a national organization, is affiliated with the leading researchers in the US who are working toward this goal. The Foundation will support collaboration and partnership among scientists and institutions to optimize research potential. We have created an expert panel and competitive grant-making process to fund cutting edge research in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. NFCA will promote careers in Celiac Disease and fund fellowships in order to attract the best and the brightest to join the fight.

Billy Donovan

The Orlando Magic have hired Billy Donovan as their new head coach. Donovan accepted a five-year, $27.5 million contract. Donovan led Florida to a school-record nine straight NCAA Tournament berths and the last two national titles. He's 296-123 overall as a college coach with a 22-7 tournament mark.

Heidi Collins

Happy 39th Birthday to CNN anchor Heidi Collins.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

JDRF is closer now than ever to finding a cure. Your donation will make a dramatic impact as JDRF moves life altering research out of the lab and into human clinical trials. Typically, more than 80 cents of every dollar donated to JDRF goes directly to worldwide research and education about research. To stay alive, children with juvenile diabetes must take up to six insulin injections every day. By supporting JDRF's mission to find a cure you won't only be saving children, you will be saving childhoods.

Ryno Kid Care

There is not a program comparable to Ryno Kid Care in the Chicago area. We are able to impact more than 700 individuals each month by offering our vast array of services to a wide variety of pediatric illness populations. It may be parents receiving a home cooked meal from someone they have never met, a child laughing for the first time in weeks from the antics of a CircEsteem M.D. entertainer, siblings gathering for a monthly creative art workshop, or several parents gathering for a weekly coffee support group. Children find reasons to smile and develop bonds through mentors and pen pals. Their siblings discover that there are other children out there facing the same issues of guilt, isolation, and anger by connecting with others in our monthly activities. Caregivers are able to reduce stress and anxiety through a variety of methods. And, most important, they are able to better focus on the well-being of the sick child because Ryno Kid Care is able to minimize their day-to-day stressors.

The Memorial Day Foundation

The Memorial Day Foundation was founded to increase awareness and respect for Memorial Day because it’s almost become a forgotten holiday in America. Many Americans think that Memorial Day is the beginning of the summer season because of beach and pool openings on Memorial Day weekend. It is not the opening of summer season. It is a "National Day of Mourning" in respect for and remembrance of those who gave their lives in defense of our freedom and liberty. To restore the "Memorial" in Memorial Day we are encouraging the wearing of a Memorial Day button that we have designed as a visible symbol of remembrance. The button should be worn on the left side of your body close to your heart, in the tradition of heartfelt sympathy, for all to see for the entire month of May. The button should not be worn for any other occasion and should be put in a safe place to be worn next Memorial Day and every Memorial Day.

The MaryEllen Locher Foundation

The MaryEllen Locher Foundation, formerly known as the Children of Breast Cancer Foundation was founded by MaryEllen Locher, a beloved friend of many people around the country, especially in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area.

The Margaret Thatcher Foundation

The Margaret Thatcher Foundation was formed in 1991 to advance the cause of political and economic freedom.
The Foundation has five broad goals:
1. To promote the widest possible acceptance of democracy, market principles, the rule of law, and strong defence
2. To encourage strong transatlantic links between Britain, Europe, and North America
3. To assist and encourage the peoples of the former communist countries and other oppressive regimes across the world as they adopt democracy
4. To foster greater contact between Western nations and those of the Middle East in the region's search for a lasting peace with security
5. To further free trade throughout the world

Suzy Merchant

Suzy Merchant has been named the head coach of the women's basketball program at Michigan State. During her tenure with the Eagles, Merchant, 37, guided Eastern Michigan to a record of 147-91 (.618), including three 20-win seasons, three postseason appearances and two Mid-American Conference West Division titles. Merchant, who coached for three years at Saginaw Valley State prior to EMU, owns a 201-120 (.626) career record in 12 years as a head coach.

Chris Leak

Less than an hour getting no love in the draft, Leak signed a free-agent contract with the Chicago Bears, making him one happy quarterback. Leak is the all-time leading passer in Florida history and the most valuable player in January's national championship game victory over Ohio State.

Rick Moody

Syracuse announced the addition of Rick Moody as assistant coach to their women's basketball program. The winningest coach in University of Alabama basketball history, Moody retired from coaching at the end of the 2004-05 season. Moody, in 17 seasons at the helm of the Crimson Tide program, amassed 311 career victories.

Karen Aston

The Charlotte 49ers has announced the hiring of Baylor associate head coach Karen Aston as the 49ers new head women's basketball coach. Aston will be the seventh head coach in the 32-year history of the 49ers women's basketball program. Prior to joining the Baylor coaching staff last season, she spent eight years as a member of the University of Texas coaching staff. Aston replaces Amanda Butler who was named head coach of Florida earlier this month.

Renee Ladner

Ole Miss has announced that current assistant coach Renee Ladner would be promoted to the position of head coach of their women's basketball team.

Carol Ross-RETIRED!

Ole Miss women's basketball coach Carol Ross was to announce her retirement. She was 78-50 in four seasons at Ole Miss and had a career record of 325-171 in 16 seasons with Florida and Ole Miss.

Coquese Washington

Coquese Washington Was Named Penn State Women’s Basketball Head Coach This Week. Washington recently completed her second season as the associate head coach of the Fighting Irish after six seasons as an assistant coach under Muffet McGraw. During Washington’s eight seasons on the bench, Notre Dame amassed a 188-69 record with eight NCAA Tournament appearances, including four Sweet Sixteen runs.