Quote of the Day

The essence of government is power;  and

power, lodged as it must be in human

hands, will ever be liable to abuse.

James Madison, Jr.

Quote of the Day

It is a good morning exercise for a research

scientist to discard a pet hypothesis every

day before breakfast.  It keeps him young.

 

Konrad Zacharias Lorenz

Heartland Conference

This comment appeared a while ago on the Smell Smoke? post below:

Anonymous said...

two3: the "reason" given to drop swimming and I/O track (and -maybe- fb) was shared by a former McM swimmer who stays in the loop out there, and says that the new conference (Heartland) does not sponsor those sports, so they will drop those that aren't "in" and add those that are but aren't fielded at McM yet.

Valid? I dunno, but I think it's got legs.

Just think it's a damn shame for Bev Ball's storied career to end this way. She's terrific, but her spirit has got to be damaged by this senseless travesty. UTPB is in Heartland and THEY have swimming teams, don't they? Why can't McM hang in there and do what's right by Bev Ball and her kids???

Heartland Conference sports:

Men

Baseball
Basketball
Cross Country
Golf
Soccer
Tennis

Women

Softball
Volleyball
Basketball
Cross Country
Golf
Soccer
Tennis

Below are member school sport offerings that differ from the "standard" lists:

Dallas Baptist:  + Track & Field (M&W), - Softball (W)

McMurry:  + Track & Field (M&W), + Swimming (M&W), + Football (M), - Softball (W)

Newman:  + Bowling (M&W), + Wrestling (M)

Oklahoma Christian:  + Track & Field (M&W), - Volleyball (W)

Oklahoma Panhandle:  - Soccer (M&W), - Tennis (M&W), + Football (M), + Cheerleading (W), + Rodeo (M&W), + Equestrian (W)

Saint Edward's:  - Cross Country (M&W)

Saint Mary's:  - Cross Country (M)

Texas A&M International:  - Tennis (M&W)

Arkansas Fort Smith:  - Soccer (M&W), - Softball (W)

Texas Permian Basin:  - Golf (M&W), + Swimming (M&W)

Looks like every school in the conference has their own local standard for sport offerings, doesn't it?

Smell Smoke?

Something's up out in Abilene.

McMurry head foosball coach Hal Mumme resigned friday and has reportedly accepted an offer to become offensive coordinator at James Madison.  Read more here and here.

“It’s time to move,” he said. “I’ve done everything I can do at McMurry.”

Rumors of a conference switch could have been one factor that prompted Humme's move.

At the same time, several sources have indicated that a conference change might spell doom for the War Hawk track and swimming programs.

Head Coach Bev Ball's swimmers host Austin College this Saturday.

Quote of the Day

One of the truest tests of integrity is

its blunt refusal to be compromised.

Albert Chínụ̀álụmọ̀gụ̀ Àchèbé,

a.k.a. Chinua Achebe

2013 Unofficial Call-Up Lists

In 2012, the UIL requested that TISCA not post their annual unofficial state meet call-up lists.

Remember how well that worked out?  No?  Care to catch up?  Just go to last February's archives.  Scroll down to the 11th and work your way up.

I'm told to be prepared for a repeat of last year's debacle.

Unless...someone outside TISCA is willing to compile and post the 2013 list Saturday evening.

Hmmmm.  That would require a coach/official/meet director* from each of the sixteen regions (8 4A & 5A) to email complete Hy-Tek results files** promptly to that someone.  Those contributing files would remain anonymous.

In the event that complete files are not submitted from each region, that someone would not release any information.  Kind of an "all or none" deal.

If you're a coach/official/meet director that would help out in this project, you can email files to that someone here.

If you do not agree with this project, thanks in advance for not hindering those that do.



*Two would be even better.  Always have a back-up, right?

**Why complete?  Ties in finals happen.  Prelim swims do come into play once in a while.

Quote of the Day

A good listener is usually thinking

about something else.

 

Franklin McKinney "Kin" Hubbard

Sometimes you're the windshield...

...sometimes you're the bug.


Houston Austin, we have a problem!  Too much flexibility with high school district meet dates and entry deadlines affords some an unfair advantage.

Districts that hold to the traditional schedule and swim their meets two weeks before the region weekend "show their cards" before other districts are required to submit their entries.  Sponsors couldn't care less.  Coaches, however, do.

Solutions?

The UIL should:

a) require all district meets to be swum two weeks before the region meet, or
b) require all district entries to be submitted by the same date (statewide).

I understand the arguments about quality facility availability.  I'll counter that the venue for district meets is not all that important.  Sure, we don't want these meets swum in mudholes, but they needn't be contested in the Taj Mahal, either.  Remember that advancing to the region meet is all about placing, not times.  Swimming your district meet in a slower pool doesn't impact who qualifies for the region meet.

Alvin Classic

AAAA C (Real Time)

Went into the HEB last week and was "greeted" with "Would you like to donate to feed the hungry?"

I didn't say what I was thinking:

Since my tax dollars just went to giving kids a free breakfast and lunch at school today and there are probably a half dozen folks over at the checkout swiping Lone Star Cards, I'd say I'm already doing my part.

The Texas men slipped from #4 to #7 in the most recent CSCAA D-I poll.  The Aggies made their way into the rankings at #21.  More here.

HAPPI

Legion of Woo claims that the worst song ever recorded is "We Build This City on Rock and Roll" by Jefferson Starship.  More here.  Legion of Woo reminds us that "Sometimes we may disagree...but that's because you're wrong."  Guess my argument that just about any song by America should be near the top of the "worst ever" list is just plain wrong.  Still, I'll let you be the judge:



TWST Open

PEAK 3rd Coast Invite

South Texas B Champs (Belton)

AAAA BB Champs (Palo Alto)

A&M vs. SMU (M)

LSU Quad (W)

UIW Invite

Colorado College Invite

TCU vs. SMU (W)

Centenary vs. Trinity

Southwestern vs. Centenary

Texas vs. TCU (W)

Texas vs. TCU (M)

Quote of the Day

Facts are stubborn things, but

statistics are more pliable.

Samuel Langhorne Clemens, a.k.a. Mark Twain

Quote of the Day

When people ask for time, it's always for

time to say no.  Yes has one more letter in

it, but it doesn't take half as long to say.

 

Edith Wharton

Crossing the Line

Title IX Fibber Sentenced to House Arrest!

Well...sort of.  She's been suspended without pay for a week.

Seems a female athletic director was pushing for equity in basketball scheduling.  Nothing wrong with using Title IX to give the gal thump-thumpers a fair shake, right?

Her fellow area athletic directors fell in line and supported the idear.  They're all about fairness up there in Massachusetts.  Heck, they even named it the Middlesex League so you'd know they planned to treat both genders equally.

While lining up support for her hoopsters,  Naomi Martin did a bit more than just stick up for the young ladies.  She created a story about some fiktishus fictitious parent threatening to sue over the issue.

Read more here.

But Martin embellished when she said that the parent had threatened to file a civil rights lawsuit and go to The Boston Globe with her complaints, “untrue statements” according to a letter of apology Martin wrote to Robb on January 19. Martin also told athletic directors that the parent was targeting the entire league, even though Robb only mentioned Lexington, and that she was a civil rights lawyer, which she isn’t. (Robb is a bar exam instructor.)

“I know this was wrong and I deeply regret having communicated as I did. I sincerely apologize,’’ Martin said in her letter to Robb.

"I deeply regret having communicated as I did."  Very creative!  Sounds a lot better than "Sorry I lied."

Hit Squad Hit!

The NCAA went after Miami's athletic program (foosball, mainly) for rules violations.  Didn't look like it'd take Holmes and Watson to do the job, so they sent in Duckman and Corny to handle the "gimme" of a case.

Seems those ding-dongs went a bit overboard in their quest to bring down them mighty Canes.  Read more here.

The NCAA does not have subpoena power and thus lacks the authority to compel testimony under oath, Emmert said, meaning the Miami investigation turned up evidence that shouldn’t have been accessible. Further, whoever hired Shapiro’s lawyer apparently did not have clearance to do so, because Emmert said the decision did not go through the NCAA’s general counsel as procedure requires.

Reminding everyone of his own demands of athletic programs to show integrity, Emmert expressed his disgust with the conduct of his own staff, two of whom are no longer employed there.

“I’ve certainly never seen anything like this, and I don’t want to see it again,” Emmert said, adding that the conduct was “deeply disturbing” and he felt “deeply disappointed and frustrated and even angry.”

Quote of the Day

You'll worry less about what

people think about you when

you realize how seldom they do.

David Foster Wallace

Quote of the Day

What is freedom?  It is a clear conscience.

 

Periander

Quote of the Day (thanks, DJA!)

...sometimes good things fall apart

so better things can fall together.

Norma Jeane Mortenson a.k.a. Marilyn Monroe

Mean Eyed Cat II

Another version:


A reader asked about the new NCAA rules.  Wondered if they applied to all sports or just foosball.  My guess was all sports.  Read more here.

The changes, adopted by the NCAA’s Division I Board of Directors and scheduled to go into effect in August, are part of an extensive revision of how the NCAA governs college sports. The association is expected to push through a variety of other rules changes in coming months.

In total, the board approved 25 proposals on Saturday, including changes limiting regulation of personnel, recruiting, eligibility, and benefits. Among other things, the moves give coaches the ability to make unlimited contact with recruits through text messages and social media, and take the NCAA out of the business of regulating such mundane matters as printed recruiting materials.

“Some of our rules are counterintuitive, outdated, and just unenforceable. They just don’t make sense in the world we live in,” said Mark Emmert, the NCAA’s president. “We are refocusing on the things that really matter, the threats to integrity and the biggest issues facing intercollegiate athletics.”

Let the wild rumpus start!

Karlee Bispo picked up a couple of wins last night.  Made a thousand bucks in the process.  Updated Grand Prix money list is here.

It's about a week late, but former UT women's assistant Jack Roach's Twenty Question Tuesday is here.

7. You have a strict no-meat diet and a love for animals – where does that come from?
Jack: I quit eating meat in 1968 and have never looked back. I can’t say it was originally driven by the protection of animals though – it was for my health. As my spiritual life grew – I had always had dogs in my life – I dove into the world of nutrition. If I have a true passion in life, it is animal rights – almost to a fault.

Looks like that last one should've included an "r"...

Quote of the Day

When a pitcher's throwing a spitball,

don't worry and don't complain,

just hit the dry side like I do.

Stanley Frank Musial, a.k.a. Stan the Man

Mean Eyed Cat

At least one high school district has posted they're scoring their meet to sixteen (16) places.  Did I miss something?  Was there a rule change?  Is this just a mistake?

Debate over raising the debt ceiling is idiotic.  One side says raise it, while the other wants to keep it where it's at.  Waiting for some genius in Washington bring up this bright idear.  How's 'bout we:

Lower the debt ceiling annually until it's ZERO!

I gotta do all the thinkin' 'round here?

Last semester, Keller ISD took on Southlake Carroll.  Gave 'em a pretty good meet.  Results here.

Carroll was the only undefeated team in Katy at the Dool Duel in the Puel Pool.  Some results here.

Thirty-two minutes of nuttin'?  That's Dennis Dodd's take on NCAA President Emmert's speech at the convention in Grapevine.  Read more here.

This, recent events have reminded us, is quickly developing into an age of transparency. Lance Armstrong. Manti Te'o. Soon head coaches in every NCAA sport will be held accountable for the ethical conduct of everyone and everything that is involved in their program -- or else.
  
It's part of a new penalty matrix that is so broad that even Emmert couldn't define its reach in a post-address press conference.
  
"We're going to have to work harder on definitions of what that really means," Emmert said.

Our buddy GWG will be able to fit this year's Maccabiah Games into his schedule.  Read more here.

The Maccabiah Games have a long history of attracting elite Jewish swimmers to the competition. The 1965 Maccabiah Games were reportedly Mark Spitz's first international competition, at age 15. Spitz also competed in the 1969 Games, and lit the torch at the opening ceremonies of the 1985 Games. Jason Lezak sat out the 2009 World Championships in Rome to compete in the 18th edition of the Maccabiah Games. Weber-Gale told Swimming World that he will be competing in the World Championship Trials (June 25-29 in Indianapolis, IN) prior to the Maccabiah Games, but will decline a spot on the US World Championship team in Barcelona, Spain (July 28-Aug. 4), should he qualify.

Incarnate Word vs. A&M (M&W)

LSU vs. A&M (M&W)

UH/SMU/UNT (W)

SMU Classic (M)

TCU vs. WVU (M&W)

Greater Southwest (Real Time)

Austin Grand Prix (Real Time)

South BB Champs (Palo Alto, Real Time)

HSC 12 & Under

AAHSSL City (Block)

AAHSSL City C&D (Palo Alto)

AAHSSL City (Northside)

Quote of the Day

On my tombstone just write,

"The sorest loser that ever lived."

Earl Sidney Weaver

Quote of the Day

I realized that conservatism was the

philosophy that best suited me, with

its emphasis on individual liberty,

personal responsibility, and merit.

Mark Reed Levin

We've heard it before, Dr. Lopiano

You know the line by now, right?  It goes something like this:

"In the ___ years since Title IX was signed into law, we've made great strides.  Still, our work is not done."

Translation:

"There are still too many males being allowed to participate in intercollegiate athletics."

Donna Lopiano was honored yesterday at the NCAA's lovefest convention.  Read more here.

“Even during celebratory occasions like this in which we pat ourselves on the back for a job well done, it’s important to remind ourselves that there is so much more to do,” said the steadfast proponent of equality and fairness in sports who was honored for her roles as an educator, former coach, longtime director of women’s athletics at the University of Texas at Austin and former chief executive officer of the Women’s Sports Foundation.

............zzzzzzzzzzzzz................zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.............zzzzzzzzzzzzz.............

Quote of the Day

You're never as good as everyone tells

you when you win, and you're never

as bad as they say when you lose.

 

Louis Leo "Lou" Holtz

Quote of the Day

The great thing about democracy is that it gives

every voter a chance to do something stupid.

Arthur Melvin Spander

Protection for me,...

...but not for thee:

 

Before any more legislation is proposed, how's about y'all start enforcin' the danged laws already on the books?!?!

Quote of the Day

As long as you know men are like

children, you know everything!

Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel

Quote of the Day

Football combines the two worst

things about America:  It is violence

punctuated by committee meetings.

George Frederick Will

Quote of the Day

The big question is whether you are going to

be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure.

Joseph John Campbell

Quote of the Day

Peace is not the absence of conflict, it is the

ability to handle conflict by peaceful means.

Ronald Wilson Reagan

Quote of the Day

Leaders must pick causes they

won't abandon easily, remain

committed despite setbacks, and

communicate their ideas over and

over again in every encounter.

Rosabeth Moss Kanter

Quote of the Day (thanks, BB!)

You can sum up this sport in two words:

You never know.

Louis "Lou" Duva

Quote of the Day (thanks, BB!)

I quit school in the sixth grade because

of pneumonia.  Not because I had it,

but because I couldn't spell it.

Thomas Rocco Barbella, a.k.a. Rocky Graziano

Quote of the Day (thanks, BB!)

They shouldn't throw at me.  I'm

the father of five or six kids.

Rigoberto "Tito" Fuentes Peat

Quote of the Day

It is better to confess ignorance than provide it.

Homer Hadley Hickam, Jr.

Quote of the Day

Rogues are preferable to imbeciles

because they sometimes take a rest.

Alexandre Dumas

Lying and Deception

Title of a college course.

Folks I worked for in Mansfield would get A's obviously aced the course and would be great instructors.

Quote of the Day

Government is a broker in pillage,

and every election is a sort of

advance auction in stolen goods.

Henry Louis "H.L." Mencken

Please tell me...

...somebody hacked his Twitter account...

Was checking the Millersville University athletic site just now.  Remember those folks?

Nearly a year ago, they announced they were dumping three (3) men's running programs.

Care to catch up?

Doublespeak post here.  Funding offer rejected post here.  Bob Costas video post here.

Welcome back.  Got the picture now?  Okay, time to move on to another topic.

Checking out their site today (noticed they offer twelve sports for women and seven for men), I happened to click on the link for women's swim coach (no, they don't have a men's team) Kyle Almoney's Twitter page.

Screen shot:

I don't "shock" easily, so let's just say I was surprised to see the "Uncle Joe" retweet.  Didn't look like it belonged on a swim site, but I figured there must be a good reason it was there.

So..........I went ahead and checked out old Uncle Joe's page.  It ain't pretty, fans.  If it's an attempt at humor, I guess I'm just an old stick in the mud.

Naughty word warning.

Tweeting jackass w/naughty words warning.

Uncle Joe Twitter

Quote of the Day

Delusions of grandeur make me

feel a lot better about myself.

Jane Wagner

Resolutions

Most of us are already perfect and don't need to make any "self-improvement" statements to motivate us to "change for the better", right?

What about the rest of the world, you ask?

Nancy Hogshead-Makar's 2013 resolution is to eliminate BSA Dens 16 through 83.  As she put it, "This would equalize Brownie and Cub Scout membership opportunities."

Braden Keith made a pair of New Year's resolutions.

The first was to get Rosetta Stone - Indonesian and Arabic so he can communicate with his many Facebook "Friends" at SwimSwam.

His second was to shoot for an "A" in Ethics 101 without using Term Paper Warehouse.

Quote of the Day

Exactitude is not truth.

Henri-Émile-Benoît Matisse