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Sports in brief: Roddick, Isner advance at Paris Masters

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Times wires
Tuesday, November 8, 2011

tennis

roddick, isner (20 aces) move on at paris masters

PARIS — Andy Roddick and John Isner advanced Tuesday at the Paris Masters.

Roddick defeated Julien Benneteau 6-4, 6-4, making 12 unforced errors compared with 25 for his opponent. Isner relied on his strong serve to edge Stanislas Wawrinka 6-7 (7-3), 7-5, 7-6 (7-5). He had 20 aces, including on match point.

"I've been in that situation, a bunch of tight matches, where although I'm maybe a little tired, I'm still able to hit my biggest serve," Isner said. "That's what I did."

Isner is ranked 25th and hopes to get into the top 10.

"It's something I definitely think I can do," Isner said. "It won't happen this year, but it's going to be one of my goals in 2012."

Juan Monaco cruised past Donald Young 6-4, 6-2, and Richard Gasquet defeated Kevin Anderson 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).

Also, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Feliciano Lopez, Ivan Dodig, Sergiy Stakhovsky and Jeremy Chardy won their first-round matches.

boxing

Boxer out of coma after accident

A young boxer who nearly made the 2012 Olympic team has awakened from a coma after he was critically injured in an accident on a Bronx highway. The Daily News reports that Pedro Luis Sosa, 19, has begun opening his eyes and trying to move his limbs.

Family members tell the News that Sosa doesn't know his sister Jennifer was killed in the Oct. 30 crash that nearly killed him, too.

The siblings had stopped after getting into a traffic accident on the Cross Bronx Expressway. They got out of their vehicle to inspect the damage when they were hit by another car.

Mayweather gets community service: Floyd Mayweather Jr. must perform 40 hours of community service after he angered a federal judge in South Carolina who learned Mayweather was in a nightclub on the day he was supposed to give a deposition, not resting from injuries sustained in a fight. Mayweather, along with his production company and World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., is being sued by Anthony Dash, who accused the boxer of stealing a beat he created in 2005 for a song Mayweather used at wrestling events in 2008 and '09.

et cetera

Basketball: The American Basketball Association will introduce the Tampa Bay Rain franchise Nov. 17. The details about the expansion team will be announced at the introduction ceremony at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa.

Golf: Kenny Perry made nine birdies and led the Champions Tour to the title at the Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge in Henderson, Nev. The team of Perry, Jay Haas and Mark Calcavecchia was a combined 15 under in the two-player, best-ball format. The group shot 8 under over the final nine holes to overtake the PGA Tour team of Boo Weekley, Gary Woodland and Jonathan Byrd.

Track and field: Sprinter Carmelita Jeter and high jumper Jesse Williams captured the Jesse Owens Award as the outstanding U.S. track and field athletes of the year.

Horses: Royal Delta, winner of the $2 million Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic on Friday, sold for $8.5 million.

Times wires


UM kicker doesn't fear series' painful history

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Times wires
Tuesday, November 8, 2011

CORAL GABLES — Miami K Jake Wieclaw would not mind one bit if the Hurricanes went into Florida State's stadium on Saturday and beat the Seminoles with ease.

And if the game is closer, he's ready for that as well.

Florida State lost to Miami four times since 1991 on field goals — Wide Right I, II and III, along with a Wide Left in 2002. ("When they pick the all-time missed field goal coach, I'll probably get the award," former FSU coach Bobby Bowden once said.) Miami missed two kicks in 2005, then sealed its loss by muffing a snap on what should have been a chip-shot field goal to force overtime.

So Wieclaw knows the history of placekicker perils in this fabled series. He'd embrace the chance to buck the trend.

"I'm sure it varies from kicker to kicker, but me personally — hopefully, it doesn't come down to that — but if it does, I'd like to say I'm ready," Wieclaw said. "I work all week, really ever since the offseason we've all been working to get in that rhythm."

Kicking was a huge question mark for Miami coming into the season. Matt Bosher was one of the nation's best, but upon his graduation Wieclaw was less than consistent and struggled at times during spring practice.

But Wieclaw's confidence started soaring as the season started. Now he's 8-for-10 on field goals and perfect on 36 extra points. And of his 52 kickoffs, only one has gone out of bounds for a penalty.

"We have the ultimate confidence in him," Miami coach Al Golden said.

Associated Press

UF: Runner, QB return

GAINESVILLE — Florida RB Chris Rainey practiced Tuesday and is expected to play against South Carolina.

"Chris was out there practicing," offensive coordinator Charlie Weis said. "He's like everyone else, they are banged up. … But he was out there, and (Mike) Gillislee was out there and Jeff was out there. So they are all out there."

Senior QB John Brantley also returned to practice after missing Monday's workout. He suffered a right arm injury last Saturday against Vanderbilt.

"Actually John looked pretty good, he probably could have practiced (Monday)," Weis said. "We just thought that we got two things out of that: he got more rest and the other guys got more work. So that worked out very well. But he took almost all the reps (Tuesday)."

Antonya English, Times staff writer

USF: RB depth tested

TAMPA — RB Darrell Scott day-to-day with a wrist injury and post-concussion symptoms, so USF might seek more production from other backs if he can't play Friday at Syracuse.

The Bulls might lean on junior Demetris Murray, who has split carries with Scott, along with sophomore Marcus Shaw, coach Skip Holtz said.

Holtz added Scott's possible absence won't change the team's offensive approach.

"(Murray is) smart. He's very intelligent. He understands pass protection very well. He's the best all-around back we have, being in the program now for (three) years and being in the system, and he's got a lot of football knowledge to him," Holtz said.

Murray is third on the team in rushing, behind Scott and QB B.J. Daniels, with 346 yards and five TDs on 82 carries.

THIS AND THAT: Holtz said there's "a strong possibility" of a punter-by-committee approach this week, with starter Justin Brockhaus-Kann and redshirt freshman Chris Veron both playing. Brockhaus-Kann struggled against Rutgers, averaging 32.8 yards on nine punts.

FSU: Greene practices

TALLAHASSEE — Florida State freshman WR Rashad Greene was back practicing and is expected to play this weekend. He has been a gametime decision in each of the past three games with an ankle injury.

He hasn't played in either.

Sophomore C Bryan Stork was still absent from practices. He hasn't practiced since missing Thursday's game at Boston College with "mild concussion-like" symptoms. He practiced Monday and Tuesday last week.

Coley Harvey, Orlando Sentinel

UCF: Bortles off bench

ORLANDO — Knights coach George O'Leary said redshirt freshman QB Blake Bortles will come off the bench and play Saturday at Southern Miss.

O'Leary planned to insert Bortles in the lineup regularly after a strong performance at BYU, but Bortles has had limited opportunities since that road loss. Bortles did not play in Thursday's 24-17 loss to Tulsa.

"Very few young kids can manage the whole game until you settle them down," O'Leary said. "He needs to be on the field."

Iliana Limon, Orlando Sentinel

East Bay Fishing Report

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By Capt. Tim Whitfield, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Windy times: The fishing right now is pretty good. The flats are alive, crawling with bait and teeming with fish. That said, good luck finding a calm day to fish. We all know the wind blows Friday through Sunday, and while you're working all week the wind is light and variable. It's a challenge to get out when the only day you have available to fish this month is a Saturday and the weather forecaster calls for 20 knot winds.

Tips: The flats are not the only places teeming with fish. All the area creeks, rivers and canals systems hold fish in good numbers. Here you can bend some rods and hide from the wind. The best bite has been on the incoming tide.

Bait: The bait of choice is live shrimp fished with the tail pinched off on a jig head. Redfish, sheepshead, black drum, snook and trout fall victim to this simple offering. Soft plastics work well also. Use the shad tail type baits with a dark back and a gold glitter belly, gently bump them along the bottom, this technique creates "puffs" in the sand or mud bottom and catches the eye of a hungry fish. This is a great trip for the family, and kids love it.

Trout are out: As of Nov. 1, trout can still be caught and targeted, just no trout dinners for the next two months. If you do catch a trout out of season, use a release tool and wet your hand before touching it. They have a slime coat that is vital to their survival.

What's next: If the wind is light, poling your favorite flat will give you shots at sight casting artificials or tossing a fly to a redfish. This is quickly becoming my new addiction.

Capt. Tim Whitfield can be reached at (813) 714-0889 or tim@swiftfishcharters.com.

Fourth-quarter woes help lead to four straight losses

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By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 9, 2011

TAMPA — If Skip Holtz had a baseball team, you would say he has bullpen issues.

Two games in a row, USF has had a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter — and was ahead in the final 90 seconds, the football equivalent of a lead with two outs in the bottom of the ninth — and has managed to lose, something the Bulls had never done in their 15-year history before these two losses.

For whatever reason, Holtz's Bulls have consistently hit a wall in the fourth. For both of his seasons in Tampa, it's the only quarter in which USF doesn't outscore its opponents. In the previous 13 seasons, the worst the Bulls had ever managed in the fourth quarter was being outscored by seven points in 1999 — since then, every Bulls team has won the fourth or come within a single point of doing so.

But last year? USF was outscored 89-60 in the fourth, including a 30-10 margin in their losses. This season, they're worse, getting outscored 67-42, including 46-14 in the final 10 minutes in their five games against BCS-level competition. Remember the 23-20 Notre Dame win to open the season? That was a 23-7 Bulls lead with eight minutes remaining.

USF's late struggles were a problem last year, too — Friday's opponent, Syracuse, beat the Bulls 13-9 last year on a touchdown with 7:15 left. Cincinnati and Clemson had two touchdowns each in the fourth, though USF survived those, as the Bulls did in overtime against Louisville after giving up a tying touchdown with 1:21 to play.

USF fans remember the Bulls' rally in the final two minutes against Miami, but that was only necessary because Miami scored the first 10 points of the fourth quarter to erase a previous Bulls lead.

The good news for USF? Syracuse may be worse at fourth quarters. Last week against Connecticut, the Huskies scored 14 in the fourth to rally for a 28-21 win. Against Louisville, the Cardinals scored the first 13 points of the quarter to pull away in a 27-10 win. And Rutgers, trailing the Orange 13-3 in the fourth, scored 10 points to tie the game, then won in overtime.

MORE HONORS: Senior C Chaz Hine, already a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete, has racked up another academic honor as a finalist for the Wuerffel Trophy, which recognizes community service and academic success in addition to strong play on the field.

Hine, who stepped up in leading a players-only meeting this week, is showing his leadership in the locker room as well.

THIS AND THAT: Both basketball teams will make commitments official today as the fall signing period opens, and it's a promising sign for the impact USF's new Muma Center practice facility can have on recruiting. Men's coach Stan Heath and women's counterpart Jose Fernandez both have a single scholarship left for the spring, which allows them to focus more attention on 2013 recruits. … The men's soccer team took a tough 1-0 loss in the Big East quarterfinals, but coach George Kiefer's team should have an opening-round bye in the NCAA Tournament, plus at least one home game after a two-week layoff. … With two games left in the regular season, the volleyball team is 6-6 in the Big East, stuck in a four-way tie for sixth with only the top eight teams making the league tournament. The Bulls are on the road, but a split might be enough at West Virginia (5-8) and Pittsburgh (6-7).

Steinbrenner infielder signs with the UF, but other options may await

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By Rod Gipson, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, November 9, 2011

LUTZ

The ultimate decision will come soon enough, but on Wednesday, Gerald Bautista celebrated the present.

The Steinbrenner High School infielder signed his national letter of intent with the University of Florida. The signing came just a month after Bautista made an official visit to Gainesville and was sold on the Gators.

His skills have positioned him as a likely candidate for the Major League Baseball draft come June, but for now the 17-year-old is prepping for his senior season at Steinbrenner and an opportunity to play college baseball.

But will Bautista go pro instead?

"We'll just have to see what happens in the future," he said.

The son of former major leaguer Danny Bautista, Gerald Bautista has been a mainstay with the Warriors' program since his sophomore year.

"This was an easy decision for me," he said of signing with the Gators. "It was everything. The facility, the team, the coaches. It's really just a great program."

A strong presence at third base for Steinbrenner, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Bautista has filled in at pitcher with an upper-80s fastball and played some outfield early in his high school career. He is projected as an infielder in college.

"He has the physical ability and the drive," said Steinbrenner baseball coach John Crumbley, a Tampa high school baseball fixture. "He has a lot of focus and desire to excel on the baseball field."

Bautista hit .382 as a junior with five home runs and 19 RBIs. He also participated in the Perfect Game National Showcase during the summer. His other college suitors included Savannah State and Jacksonville and there was some interest from Louisiana State University.

Armed with great hands, above average running ability and the power to hit to all fields, Bautista is familiar with the recruiting and scouting process.

Originally from the Dominican Republic, Bautista downplayed a recent report that said he had been close to signing with the Cleveland Indians this past summer. He was eligible to sign but said he always intended on returning to Steinbrenner once the summer was over. Bautista said he trained and played with Dominican teens being scouted during the summer.

"That was more of just training and seeing where I measured up with those kids," he said. "The whole time I was always planning on coming back here for my senior season."

Bautista, whose father played 12 MLB seasons and won a World Series with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001, said he is looking forward to college and the possibility of professional baseball. He added that it's also important for him to finish high school first.

"Watching my dad and how he did his job, that was exciting," Bautista said. "That was motivation. Now I'm looking forward to this season and working hard and seeing how things work out."

Rod Gipson can be reached at hillsnews@sptimes.com.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' LeGarrette Blount regrets personal foul penalty

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By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back LeGarrette Blount reflects on key penalty and discusses third-down role

In the third quarter of Sunday's Buccaneers loss at New Orleans, running back LeGarrette Blount committed a personal foul that ended up looming large.

He now says he regrets getting into the scuffle with Saints defensive end Will Smith and realizes it cost his team a chance to pull to within one score.

"It's kind of a heat of the moment battle,"

Blount said. "It's always been a chippy battle between us and them. A lot of things were said. Different plays were made and things happened before and after the play. It's just one of those things where you have to control your emotions

"That's one of the things that always beats us. When we lose a game by 3 or 4 points, we can always look back at it and say there was that one foolish penalty that stalled our drive and we could have put seven (points) on the board. That is one thing that we have to cancel out and be aware of and not commit those penalties anymore."

The Bucs had reached the Saints 21-yard line before Blount's post-play penalty. The 15-yard infraction for making contact with Smith's face mask put the Bucs in a third-and-24 situation. They did not convert and had to settle for a 48-yard field goal that trimmed the lead to 17-6.

Meanwhile, Blount said he also is trying to establish more trust from offensive coordinator Greg Olson, hoping to play more on third-down and passing situations. Since Earnest Graham's season-ending injury last month, the Bucs had been considering using Blount more extensively in those scenarios. But Kregg Lumpkin ended up taking the majority of the snaps on third downs against New Orleans.

And when the Bucs found themselves behind 17-3, they were forced to get away from their running game despite Blount's hot start.

"It makes it tough," Blount said. "I like being on the football field. I like playing. I like having the ball in my hands. I'm just going to continue to work hard so I can stay in as long as possible.

"I feel like that if I work a little harder in practice every week, then they'll become more and more confident to keep me in the game when we're in those situations when we're behind. It (stinks) that I have to come out of the game for the 2-minute offense or in our passing offense. So, I just have to work harder to be a part of that. (Opportunities) will come. I'm not going to rush them. I definitely don't want them to put me in there if I'm not prepared for what they're going to show us. They're going to come.

"Sooner or later I'll be in there."

Sports on TV for Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011

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Times staff
Wednesday, November 9, 2011

College football

Ohio at Central Michigan, 7:30 p.m., ESPNU

Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech, 8 p.m., ESPN; 1040-AM

Houston at Tulane, 8 p.m., CBSSN

Golf

LPGA: Lorena Ochoa Invitational, 4 p.m., Golf

Australian Open, 8 p.m., Golf

Europe: Singapore Open, 1 a.m., Golf

High school football

Tampa Catholic at Jesuit, 7:30 p.m., BHSN

Westlake Village (Calif.) at St. Bonaventure (Calif.), 10:30 p.m., FSN

NFL

Raiders at Chargers, 8:20 p.m., NFL; 1010-AM

Soccer

International: Brazil vs. Gabon, 12:55 p.m., ESPND

European Championship, U-21 qualifier: England vs. Iceland, 2:30 p.m., FSC

Tennis

ATP: Paribas Masters, 5 a.m., Tennis

TV: FSN: Fox Sports Net; BHSN: Bright House Sports Network; FSC: Fox Soccer Channel; CBSSN: CBS Sports Network

For Durant star Andre Nation, road to Division I goes through Faith Baptist

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Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, November 9, 2011

BRANDON — If at first you don't achieve, explore other options.

Last season, Andre Nation tore up Hillsborough County and led Durant to the region finals. The 6-foot-4 slasher possesses the physical tools, gaudy statistics and an all-state pedigree, but no Division 1 schools came knocking.

"I got just one small (Division) 2 offer," he said. "And that was it."

But rather than settle, Nation chose a different path — play for fledgling prep program Faith Baptist. And on Wednesday, Nation signed to play next year for Division 1 James Madison.

"It couldn't have worked out any better," Nation said.

Faith Baptist brought in Ryan Pannone to coach both a high school varsity and post-graduate prep program. Neither is affiliated with the Florida High School Athletic Association, meaning they can play a national schedule. "What it does is gives these kids a chance to be seen by more coaches because they are playing in national tournaments against top-flight competition," Pannone said. "What coach is going to come down to see a kid play against East Bay?"

Nation felt he didn't get sufficient national exposure while competing locally at the high school level.

"It's not an area like Miami or Orlando," he said. "Hillsborough just isn't looked at the same way."

Pannone, in his first season at Faith Baptist following a successful five-year stint at Oldsmar Christian, echoed Nation's sentiments.

"This county just isn't that well known for being a great basketball area," he said. "Playing in these national tournaments provides kids much more opportunity for exposure."

Nation led the Cougars the past three years in scoring, going for 22.8 points per game as a senior. In his final year as a Cougar, Nation also paced Durant in blocked shots (62), rebounds (6.7 per game) and steals (1.9 per game).

"Andre is long, athletic and wiry," Pannone said. "He's a hard worker and has a great upside."

Nation is just one success story at Faith Baptist. Between the varsity team and the post-graduate program nine players inked letters of intent Wednesday, including former Wharton star A.J. Astroth (Vanderbilt), Shawn Smith (Missouri), Mike Chandler (Central Florida), Dylan Poston (Mercer), Brian Pegg (Stetson), Jakari Bush (Florida A&M), Rasham Suarez (Georgia Southern), Chris Daniels (Georgia Southern) and Nation (James Madison).

Nation called James Madison, a school that has appeared in the NCAA Tournament four times, "a perfect fit."

"Everyone there was just so nice and I really like the area," Nation said of the campus nestled in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. "It felt like a second home, instantly."

In addition to James Madison, Nation also sifted through offers from Hofstra, Tennessee State, Sam Houston State and Long Island. When asked why he thought James Madison didn't offer him straight out of Durant, Nation just chuckled.

"They said they have no idea how I flew under the radar," Nation said. "But in the end, this is definitely the perfect situation for me."


Tampa Bay Buccaneers acquire Albert Haynesworth

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By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 9, 2011

TAMPA — The Buccaneers, in an effort account for the loss of 2010 first-round pick Gerald McCoy, have acquired Patriots castoff defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, a player with a history of significant impact but one who has been ineffective of late.

Haynesworth, waived by the Patriots on Tuesday, was claimed off waivers by the Buccaneers.

Dogged by questions about his effort in Washington two years ago (he was released in August) despite his $100 million contract, Haynesworth did little to deflect those questions during the past eight weeks in New England.

But Tampa Bay general manager Mark Dominik was encouraged by his first conversation with his newest player.

"I have had a chance to talk with him already and, as you would hope, he was excited and fired up and asked us how soon we could get him a flight," Dominik said. "He wants to come in tonight to go to practice tomorrow. That's what his words were. That was very encouraging."

Dominik's hope that Haynesworth, 30, will succeed in Tampa Bay is bolstered by his belief that the Bucs' defensive system is better suited to his talents. Both the Redskins and Patriots use three defensive lineman in 3-4 alignments. The Bucs have a traditional 4-3 front, with four down linemen and defensive tackles who shoot through designated gaps. The 3-4 defense requires tackles to play in one of two gaps.

"I think a thing that I'm going to bank on a little bit here is our defense and what we ask the 3-technique (defensive tackle) to do," Dominik said. "Regardless of what you've seen from Albert Haynesworth over the past couple of seasons, he's been more of a 3-4 defensive end who was two-gapping. We've always felt he's a 1-gap penetrator. It made sense to us, it made sense to me to put the claim in for a guy I think can help us in this second-half stretch."

Dominik conceded the move was a curious one for a team that has eschewed outside free agents and has vowed to build through the draft. But the overwhelming need at defensive tackle, where the Bucs have just two healthy players (Brian Price and Roy Miller), required an unusual response, Dominik said.

"I can say candidly that if Gerald wasn't hurt, I probably wouldn't make this move," Dominik said. "But because of the situation we're in, I feel like Albert Haynesworth has the best ability of any defensive tackle out there. For me, it made sense as an organization to bring him on board.

"There are some misconceptions sometimes about the way we're building this team. We want to win. Albert Haynesworth coming down here, we control his rights like any other team in the league. It'll be up to him and how he plays and how he performs."

The Bucs will be on the hook for roughly half of Haynesworth's $1.5 million salary in 2011. He is under contract for 2012 at $6.7 million, though Dominik was clear that his tenure in Tampa Bay initially will be evaluated "week to week."

Pasco Pediatric Foundation's 'Filthy Fun Run' set Nov. 19

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By David Rice, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, November 9, 2011

The Pasco Pediatric Foundation will hold a 5K "Filthy Fun Run" on Nov. 19 at The Concourse in Spring Hill. With an obstacle course built into the race route, participants will crawl through mud, climb over walls and swing from tree limbs to reach the finish line.

The race is open to adventure lovers ages 18 and older of all — or no — athletic ability. Participants can sign up for a wave starting every half-hour, the first at 8 a.m. and the last at 12:30 p.m., for a $50 entry fee.

A party featuring a band, DJ and catering from Buffalo Wild Wings will run throughout the event and is open to racers and spectators. The event is being held in memory of longtime Pasco Pediatric Foundation supporter Dr. Jeffrey Baumrucker. Sponsorships are still available.

For details or to register for the event, visit www.FilthyFunRun.com or call at (727) 863-2266. The Concourse property is at 15325 Alric Pottberg Road in Spring Hill. Parking at the event will be free.

SHOOTING: The Second Amendment Club will host the Turkey Shoot, a shotgun competition using stationary paper targets, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Fair Haven Farms, 15212 State Road 52 (just west of the Suncoast Parkway). Cost is $5 per shot; prizes include frozen turkeys. Competitors are welcome to bring their own shotguns (.410 bore to 12 gauge) or use the club's guns. The club will provide the shotgun shells; no outside ammo allowed. For information, call Linda at (727) 808-2955.

GOLF: The Rotary Club of New Port Richey Charity Golf Classic will be held Sunday at Meadow Oaks Golf Course in Hudson. The tournament will have a shotgun start at 8 a.m. with a four-person best-ball scramble format. Lunch will be provided, along with door prizes and goodie bags. The cost is $100 per player and $300 per foursome. Hole sponsorships are still available for $100. For information or to sign up, call Wayne Ekren at (727) 845-0700 or e-mail wke@aol.com.

DANCE: The Land O'Lakes Recreation Complex hosts ballet and tap classes from 4:45 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays. The class is open to 3-10-year-olds and the cost is $32 per month. Ages 3-5 will have class from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. and ages 6-10 will have class from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. For information, call (813) 929-1220.

UMPIRES: Registration is under way for several upcoming umpire clinics by the Hernando Sumter Umpires Association. The group will have clinics at noon Jan. 8 and Jan. 22 at Anderson Snow Sports Complex in Spring Hill; noon Jan. 21 and Jan. 28 at Wesley Chapel District Park; and noon Jan. 29 at Ridge Manor Park in Ridge Manor.

The three-hour clinics provide training to people 16 and older who wish to become umpires for local baseball and softball leagues. An umpire can earn about $20 an hour working part time.

Seating at the clinics is limited and registration is required. Visit www.hernandosumterumpire.com or call (352) 593-6998 or e-mail clinics@hernandosumterumpire.com.

To submit information on community sports events, contact David Rice at davidrice83@gmail.com.

Joe Paterno still could face civil or criminal legal issues in Penn State scandal

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By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Joe Paterno's legendary coaching career has already been cut short by the revelations in the Jerry Sandusky child sex-abuse scandal at Penn State, but the 84-year-old coach could still be vulnerable to both civil litigation and criminal charges.

"It would be a mistake for anybody to assume that Paterno is out of the woods from a civil standpoint, and probably from a criminal standpoint as well," said Wil Florin, the Palm Harbor attorney who represented Jim Leavitt in his wrongful termination suit against USF last year. "You have a local grand jury that's still in session, and attorney general who was very specific in terms of how she barks her language (saying Paterno and other Penn State administrators) are not targets at this time."

Florin compared Penn State's position in this case to what the Catholic Church has faced in civil suits from the families of child victims of sexual abuse from priests and other church leaders. Florin said the legal vulnerability comes from RICO, or Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations, laws, which were intended for cases involving organized crime but have been interpreted to include any group that conspires to allow illegal activity to occur.

"Penn State has liability, and all those individuals — the vice president, the athletic director, the president, Paterno, they all could find themselves in a RICO lawsuit," Florin said. "What happened with the Catholic Church is pretty clear. They knew what was going on, and in order to protect the institution, they kept it quiet. It may have been to protect individuals, but probably the bigger part of it was to protect the reputation of the institution, and that looks like that's what's going on here."

Other legal experts have addressed the possible criminal aspects of Paterno and other Penn State officials being aware that a crime may have been committed and not notifying police. Michael McCann, a sports law professor at Vermont Law School, wrote on SI.com that Paterno's testimony before a grand jury could leave him open to perjury charges, or even obstruction of justice.

"While Paterno has thus far escaped these criminal charges, his statements and behavior suggest that he remains vulnerable to them," McCann wrote. "That is particularly evident when considering troubling inconsistencies between Paterno's testimony to the grand jury that investigated Sandusky and the testimony of Penn State assistant Mike McQueary."

Paterno might be clear from obstruction charges due to statute of limitations laws in Pennsylvania, but those wouldn't exempt him from perjury charges, since his grand jury testimony took place within the last year, McCann noted. New victims and witnesses could surface as the story continues to dominate national headlines, and McCann wrote that other Penn State officials who are already facing charges could implicate others in exchange for favorable treatment in their own sentencing.

Florin said the threat of litigation plays a role in swift decisions to remove university officials from their jobs, and the university's Board of Trustees may not be done in that regard. They now are expected to know everything the public knows, and to allow Paterno to continue to work in his job implies a toleration of his actions. Paterno announced he is resigning at the end of the season, but Florin believes he won't even take the field for Saturday's final home game against Nebraska.

"I can't imagine any lawyers that are advising Penn State telling them anything other than 'These guys have to go,' " Florin said. "I would be shocked if that doesn't happen here."

Penn State coach Joe Paterno still could face legal trouble

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By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Joe Paterno's legendary coaching career at Penn State was cut short Wednesday by the revelations related to the arrest of former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, charged with child sex abuse. And Paterno, 84, could be vulnerable to civil litigation and criminal charges.

"It would be a mistake for anybody to assume that Paterno is out of the woods from a civil standpoint and probably from a criminal standpoint as well," said Wil Florin, a Palm Harbor attorney who represented former USF football coach Jim Leavitt in his wrongful termination suit against the school last year.

"You have a local grand jury that's still in session and an attorney general who was very specific in terms of how she parses her language (saying Paterno and other Penn State administrators) are not targets at this time."

Florin compared Penn State's position to what the Roman Catholic Church faced in civil suits from the families of child victims of sexual abuse by priests and other church leaders. Florin said the legal vulnerability comes from RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) laws. They were intended for cases involving organized crime but have been interpreted to include any group that conspires to allow illegal activity to occur.

"Penn State has liability, and all those individuals — the vice president, the athletic director, the president, Paterno — they all could find themselves in a RICO lawsuit," Florin said.

"What happened with the Catholic Church is pretty clear. They knew what was going on, and in order to protect the institution, they kept it quiet. It may have been to protect individuals, but probably the bigger part of it was to protect the reputation of the institution. And that looks like that's what's going on here."

Other legal experts have addressed the possible criminal aspects of Paterno and other Penn State officials being aware a crime might have been committed and not notifying police. Michael McCann, a sports law professor at Vermont, wrote on SI.com that Paterno's testimony before a grand jury could leave him open to perjury charges.

"While Paterno has, thus far, escaped these criminal charges, his statements and behavior suggest that he remains vulnerable to them," McCann wrote. "That is particularly evident when considering troubling inconsistencies between Paterno's testimony to the grand jury that investigated Sandusky and the testimony of Penn State assistant Mike McQueary."

As a graduate assistant in 2002, McQueary told Paterno of seeing Sandusky in the showers with a 10-year-old boy.

Paterno is clear from obstruction charges due to statute of limitations laws in Pennsylvania. But those wouldn't exempt him from perjury charges because his grand jury testimony took place within the past year, McCann wrote. New victims and witnesses could surface, and McCann wrote Penn State officials facing charges could implicate others in exchange for favorable treatment at sentencing.

Florin said the threat of litigation plays a role in swift decisions to remove university officials from their jobs, and the university's Board of Trustees might not be done in that regard. They now are expected to know everything the public knows, and to allow Paterno to continue to work in his job implies a toleration of his actions, Florin said.

Paterno announced he is retiring at the end of the season, but Florin said he believes he won't take the field for Saturday's final home game against Nebraska.

"I can't imagine any lawyers that are advising Penn State telling them anything other than 'These guys have to go,' " Florin said. "I would be shocked if that doesn't happen here."

"It would be a mistake for anybody to assume that Paterno is out of the woods from a civil standpoint and probably from a criminal standpoint as well."

Wil Florin, Palm Harbor attorney who represented ex-USF football coach Jim Leavitt in his lawsuit against the school

Captain's Corner: Tripletail lurking around trap buoys

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By Seth Leto, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, November 9, 2011

What's hot: Cooling water temperatures mean tripletail are migrating into our area. Tripletail can be found just below the surface, close to floating objects such as crab trap buoys and debris. Stone crab season opened Oct. 15, which means thousands of buoys may hold one of these tasty fish. Tripletail fillets are firm and have a sweet taste. Most of the fish in our area are in the 5- to 10-pound class.

Bait: Small crustaceans are a primary food source, so a shrimp would be a good choice, but small pinfish or scaled sardines work.

Tackle: Tripletail have small mouths, so tie a No. 1 or 1/0 circle hook to a short length of 15- to 20-pound leader. Suspend this rig under a float.

Seth Leto charters out of Tarpon Springs and can be reached at capt.seth@yahoo.com or (727) 385-0382.

A longtime fan struggles to cope with the Penn State news

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By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 9, 2011

When you become a sportswriter, as I did in 1985, you lose the passion for your childhood teams. These days, I watch the teams I grew up with back in Pennsylvania, such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, but I'm no longer a true fan. Not really. The outcomes of their games are often forgotten within seconds.

There is one exception: Penn State football. I attended my first Penn State football game in 1973, the year John Cappelletti won the school's only Heisman Trophy. I was 8 years old. The worst sporting event of my life was when Alabama stopped Penn State twice at the goal line to win the 1979 Sugar Bowl and deny Penn State its first-ever national championship. I was 14. The best sporting event of my life was the night Penn State beat Miami to win the 1987 Fiesta Bowl and a national title. I was 22.

Now I'm 46 and I can't wrap my brain around the past four days. I'm witnessing the destruction of my favorite team and the fall of my idol, Joe Paterno, in the wake of a molestation scandal involving former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.

Here are the emotions this Penn State fan has gone through in the past four days.

Disgust

The grand jury report detailing Sandusky's alleged behavior is graphic, horrific and should be read by everyone. Too often, we avoid such grotesque details because they take us to places too dark to imagine. But our imaginations do not allow us to go as deep as reality, and, perhaps, as far as we need to go in order to gain a better understanding of such predators. What happens to Sandusky, Paterno and everyone else at Penn State means nothing compared to the health and well-being of those victims whose lives were irreparably harmed.

Denial

This is not easy to admit, but I have and likely will continue to defend Joe Paterno. I know it's not rational. Outside of my late parents and brother, there is no person on earth I've looked up to more than Paterno. For my entire life, Paterno stood for everything I believed was right and pure and good. He cared more about his players off the field than on. His players went to class. They graduated. They became productive members of society. He didn't cheat. Now, I search for any sliver of information to make excuses for Paterno. "He did tell the athletic director,'' I tell myself. "He's too good of a person to know how to deal with something this evil. He's too old and frail to handle this. It's not his fault.'' I cannot allow myself to think that after 84 years of doing such good, Paterno is a bad person. I barely can admit that he did anything remotely wrong in this case. To do so is to suggest that much of what I've believed all my life is not true.

Anger

According to the grand jury report, Paterno told Penn State athletic director Tim Curley about an alleged Sandusky attack on a young boy as soon as he heard about it. If Curley had immediately contacted the police, this sad ordeal would have ended years ago and Paterno would be a heroic figure. I want to grab Sandusky by the lapels, shake him and say, "Shame on you, you (expletive) — not only for the sick things you did to those kids, but for what you did to Joe! And shame on you, too, Tim Curley, for trying to save your rear end and bringing down a legend in the process.'' Many might be offended by my sympathy for Paterno. I'm not here to defend it, only to explain it exists because of my lifelong beliefs.

Betrayal

For years, I bragged about Penn State. Even if the Nittany Lions lost four or five times and were out of the national championship hunt (as often has been the case the past 20 years), I still boasted about the program and wore my "Linebacker U'' T-shirt proudly. I'd point to graduation rates. I'd point to scandals at other schools and know that would never happen in Happy Valley. Today, the pride is gone. I don't know that I can ever brag about Penn State again. I feel shame. I feel guilt. I feel embarrassment. A colleague who graduated from Penn State asked me, "Can I ever wear my Penn State sweatshirt again?'' Not for a long, long time.

Confusion

I know I can't defend Paterno without sounding insensitive, biased or naive. My gut tells me he should've done more. I wish he had. This is my struggle. I become angry at those (even close friends and respected colleagues) who criticize Paterno and demand his immediate resignation. Yet I know I would feel the same if this scandal had happened somewhere other than Penn State. I have two sons and, ultimately, it's unthinkable to defend anything about a scandal where children were abused. It's impossible to defend the indefensible, yet here I am, defending Paterno. Not because I believe he is completely innocent, but because I want him to be. Desperately.

Loss

I feel like I've lost a best friend, or suffered a death in my family. There is a hole today that wasn't there last week, a hole that will never be filled. Penn State is a part of my childhood and, thus, a part of who I am and what I believe. But now something is gone and gone for good. I can never look at Penn State the same way again. No one can or will. The scar from what happened, I fear, will never fade. Maybe it shouldn't.

Sadness

I want to fast-forward to next season when there is a new coach and no one is talking about Penn State in this way. My stomach aches each time I turn on ESPN or talk radio or go on the Internet and hear someone condemning Paterno or telling me how I'm supposed to feel about him. It's heartbreaking to me that this could be Paterno's legacy. It's heartbreaking that Penn State might never overcome this. I just want this all to end so that the day will soon come when I can think about Penn State and Joe Paterno the way I want to. But I'm already scared at what I will think when that day comes.

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan gets a laugh about Albert Haynesworth

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Times wires
Wednesday, November 9, 2011

ASHBURN, Va. — In case there was any doubt, the Redskins weren't about to bring back Albert Haynesworth.

When Mike Shanahan was asked Wednesday by a radio reporter whether there was interest in a "two-time All-Pro with some experience in the 3-4" defense, the coach looked puzzled and said: "Which one?"

When told it was Haynesworth, Shanahan laughed.

"Oh, was that a setup. That was a softball pitch," he said. "I'm going, 'Man, usually I get most of those. Two-time All-Pro's been cut, I usually can remember that.' "

"Now I know why I forgot."

Haynesworth was a headache for Shanahan last season and was suspended for the final four games. The defensive lineman, a first-round pick of the Titans in 2002, was traded to New England this year but was cut Tuesday by the Patriots. He was claimed off waivers Wednesday by the Bucs.

By contrast with Shanahan, Patriots coach Bill Belichick was in no mood to laugh when the subject turned to Haynesworth during his news conference.

"On Albert's situation, I thought that both he and myself we really tried to make it work," Belichick said. "He had some physical limitations. In the end, it just didn't work out. It's best that we just move on. … He missed some time early in camp, but in the end, that all worked out."

Asked if the gamble was worth it, Belichick said, "It's all done with, so it's on to the Jets."


Philadelphia Flyers try stalling to draw Tampa Bay Lightning out of defensive scheme

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By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 9, 2011

TAMPA — It seemed like an odd strategy for the Flyers, the league's highest scoring team, to stall several times in a scoreless first period Wednesday night.

Philadelphia players held the puck in their zone seven times in the first 20 minutes, with the longest stretch lasting 50 seconds, drawing ire from Lightning fans.

"We just wanted to hear the boos a little bit," RW Jaromir Jagr joked.

In reality, it was just one way the Flyers tried to beat the Lightning's 1-3-1 defensive system. But Tampa Bay wouldn't take the bait, waiting Philly out. As a result, the Flyers had just 15 shots (15 below their season average) against a team missing two of its top defensemen.

D Chris Pronger had more issue with the Lightning trap.

"Way to showcase the product, with the players they've got over there," Pronger quipped, according to ComcastSportsNet.com. "Would you pay to see that? I wouldn't, either."

After the first two stalling situations, one in which D Braydon Coburn stood still with the puck not even on his stick, referees blew the play dead, calling for a faceoff. Coach Peter Laviolette said the Flyers were told the puck needed to be moving.

"They have a set forecheck in the neutral zone, so we have a set breakout," Laviolette said. "As soon as we get some pressure, we'll get into our routes. … They should come after us. Otherwise, we can just stand there."

Flyers RW Matt Read felt the tactic "frustrated" Tampa Bay. But Lightning C Dominic Moore said otherwise, pointing out the Capitals tried it last year. "You can't blame anybody for trying different strategies to beat systems," Moore said.

MEDICAL MATTERS: Coach Guy Boucher said LW Ryan Malone (upper body) might be ready for the weekend. D Victor Hedman (upper body) will take longer, perhaps up to two weeks. And D Mattias Ohlund (knees), who has yet to play a regular-season game, "is not close."

Ohlund, who had arthroscopic surgeries on both knees, is skating on his own but lightly. GM Steve Yzerman has said Ohlund could be out up to two months.

LINE CHANGES: Steve Downie took Malone's place on the first power-play unit and on a line with C Steven Stamkos and Teddy Purcell.

RITOLA TO MODO: RW Mattias Ritola cleared waivers and had his Tampa Bay contract terminated. Reports out of Sweden also had him at least close to signing with Modo of the Swedish elite league.

Ritola, acquired in October 2010 off waivers from the Red Wings, slipped in the depth chart this season and played just five games with zero points. He refused to report to AHL Norfolk, saying he preferred to work his way back to the NHL playing in his home country.

"I think we have enough depth in the organization we'll be okay," Yzerman said.

ODDS AND ENDS: Pronger played for the first time since Oct. 24, when he was clipped near his right eye by an inadvertent stick blade. He is wearing a visor for the first time in his NHL career. … With just 20 healthy players, the Lightning had no scratches.

Sports in brief

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Times wires
Wednesday, November 9, 2011

BAsketball

Deadline fails to move sides

NEW YORK — As commissioner David Stern's 5 p.m. Wednesday deadline passed, the NBA and its players continued negotiating into the evening in an attempt to end the lockout.

Stern had issued an ultimatum: accept the league's latest proposal by the deadline or it will be replaced with a harsher one.

Players had said they wouldn't accept the current proposal as configured and suggested more talks.

The current offer calls for players to receive between 49 percent and 51 percent of basketball-related income. Players were guaranteed 57 percent of BRI under the previous collective bargaining agreement.

The next proposal would call for a 53-47 revenue split in the owners' favor, which the league originally sought but had taken off the table.

Failure to make a deal likely would increase the calls for the union to decertify so the players can file a lawsuit against the league.

Boxing

Coroner: Gatti's death clouded by handling

Quebec coroner Jean Brochu said in his report there is no "hard evidence" that Arturo Gatti was murdered and said missteps in Brazilian authorities' handling of evidence make it difficult to conclude with certainty what happened when the boxer died in 2009 vacationing in Porto de Galihnas. Brochu said Gatti died a "violent death" but not at someone else's hands. The probable cause of death was listed as asphyxiation by neck constriction. Gatti's widow was arrested but later released after Brazilian authorities determined suicide was the cause of death. A private investigation ordered by a Gatti handler called it a homicide.

baseball

Nats C kidnapped

Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos, 24, was abducted from his home in Santa Ines, Venezuela, by gunmen in an sport-utility vehicle, said Kathe Vilera, spokeswoman for the catcher's Venezuelan League team. There were no reports of ransom demands for Ramos, considered a young building block.

More Baseball: Sandy Alomar Jr. interviewed for the manager's job with the Red Sox, and Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux interviewed for the Cubs vacancy. Meanwhile, Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg and Cardinals third-base coach Jose Oquendo interviewed for St. Louis' managerial opening.

Powerboats

Two die in Key West

Officials say offshore powerboat racers Robert M. Morgan (throttleman) and Jeffrey Tillman (driver) died after their 46-foot Skater catamaran Big Thunder Marine went airborne at more than 100 mph and crashed during the first of three days of racing at the Key West World Championship. Superboat International officials said racing will resume Friday and Sunday.

Et cetera

Obituary: Hall of Famer Ed Macauley, who won an NBA title with the St. Louis Hawks, died. He was 83. He was part of a 1956 trade that gave the Celtics the rights to Bill Russell.

Greyhounds: Sand Cloud and Se's Chewie won final qualifying races in the $20,000 Fall Juvenile at Derby Lane in St. Petersburg. The Fall Juvenile final is Saturday night.

Don Jensen, Times correspondent; Times wires

Rangers extend roll to five consecutive

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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

OTTAWA — Marian Gaborik scored twice, Derek Stepan had a goal and two assists, and the Rangers extended their winning streak to five with a 3-2 victory over the Senators on Wednesday night.

Henrik Lundqvist stopped 29 shots for New York (8-3-3), which hit the road for the first time since a 4-1-1 homestand. The Rangers haven't lost since Oct. 29 when Ottawa rallied from three goals down in the third period and won 5-4 in a shootout.

Gaborik, who extended his point streak to four games, and Stepan scored 2:17 apart to put the Rangers up 2-1 midway through the second period.

Stepan assisted on both of Gaborik's goals, including the Slovakian right wing's second of the game that gave New York a short-lived, two-goal lead 8:30 into the third. Artem Anisimov earned his second assist of the game on the goal.

The line combined for seven points.

"I think we feel pretty good out there," Gaborik said. "Arty and Step are playing with a lot of confidence. We scored a couple of goals off great forechecks by those guys. Hopefully we can keep it up."

Nick Foligno drew Ottawa within one 1:18 later, but the Senators' comeback attempt fell short. Milan Michalek scored his 10th goal and Craig Anderson made 16 saves for Ottawa, which lost its fourth in a row.

Ottawa is 1-3-1 since losing captain Daniel Alfredsson, who was injured on a hit to the head by Rangers forward Wojtek Wolski in the previous meeting between the teams.

Around the league: Rangers forward Mike Rupp, 31, is expected to miss four to six weeks after surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. The center, who has played in only half of New York's 14 games this season, has sat out seven games since his appearance Oct. 24 at Winnipeg. Rupp has only one point in seven games — a winning goal at Vancouver on Oct. 18. … The Blue Jackets activated goaltender Mark Dekanich off the injured list and assigned him and wing Cam Atkinson to the club's AHL affiliate in Springfield, Mass.

Rangers0213
at Senators0112

First PeriodNone. PenaltiesAvery, NYR, major (fighting), 2:50; Konopka, Ott, major (fighting), 2:50.

Second Period1, Ottawa, Michalek 10 (Spezza, Karlsson), 8:39. 2, N.Y. Rangers, Gaborik 8 (Stepan), 9:21. 3, N.Y. Rangers, Stepan 3 (Anisimov), 11:38. PenaltiesDeveaux, NYR, major (fighting), 13:16; Cowen, Ott, major (fighting), 13:16; Dubinsky, NYR (holding), 14:35; Greening, Ott (interference), 15:00.

Third Period4, N.Y. Rangers, Gaborik 9 (Stepan, Anisimov), 8:30. 5, Ottawa, Foligno 4 (Da Costa, Butler), 9:48. PenaltiesEminger, NYR (kneeing), 1:59. Shots on GoalN.Y. Rangers 4-7-8—19. Ottawa 11-10-10—31. Power-play opportunitiesN.Y. Rangers 0 of 1; Ottawa 0 of 2. GoaliesN.Y. Rangers, Lundqvist 5-3-3 (31 shots-29 saves). Ottawa, Anderson 6-5-1 (19-16). A19,543 (19,153). T2:20.

Penn State coverup a symptom of the culture of major college athletics

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By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Wednesday, November 9, 2011

"Right now, I'm not the football coach. And I've got to get used to that."

Joe Paterno, after it was announced late Wednesday that he had been fired as Penn State's football coach after 46 seasons

What was he thinking?

That's what you'd like to ask the Penn State assistant coach who told a grand jury he witnessed a man raping a 10-year-old boy and did not call police.

What was he thinking?

That's what you wonder about the elderly janitor at Penn State who told his boss he witnessed a man in the middle of a sex act with a small boy but did not call police.

What were they thinking?

That's the question yet to be answered by the football coach, the athletic director and the Penn State administrators who had apparently known for years about Jerry Sandusky's creepy admission that he had taken showers with small boys, and were now being told that his perversions were actually far worse. And still they did not call police.

On the surface, this is the incomprehensible part of the Penn State saga.

What would possess these decent, accomplished men — sons and husbands and fathers and grandfathers — to keep these horrifying secrets to themselves?

The answer, I believe, is simple and yet completely unconscionable.

It's because that's the culture of big-time college athletics.

The first rule of a locker room is that whatever you see in here stays in here. You do not tell police, you do not tell reporters, you do not tell anyone outside of the program. It is a philosophy so ingrained that, in this case, it superseded basic human dignity.

And do not think for one moment that it is unique to Penn State. This may be an extreme case, but the same mind-set exists at Florida and FSU and USF and everywhere else.

Failed drug tests, rescinded scholarships, dorm room assaults, petty thefts happen every day in college athletics, and they get swept under the rug by coaches with obscene salaries and administrators with corporation-sized budgets.

Players are taught early on that they are part of a family. And you never betray the family. That goes for the athletes, the coaches, the trainers and all the support staff.

It sounds honorable when you're talking about the little stuff, but it gradually engulfs everything in its way until you realize lifelong values have been nudged aside.

So instead of notifying the authorities upon seeing Sandusky in the shower, then-grad assistant Mike McQueary later told the grand jury that he went home and discussed it with his father before telling coach Joe Paterno a day later.

And Paterno waited another day before telling his athletic director. And the athletic director and university vice president apparently decided not to notify law enforcement. Meanwhile, a 10-year-old rape victim was essentially thrown away.

What could possibly make them believe they could get away with this?

Because they already had.

In 1998, Sandusky admitted to taking showers on campus with two small boys that involved inappropriate touching. University police detectives eavesdropped on a conversation Sandusky had with the mother of one of the boys where he acknowledged the incident and asked for forgiveness. But, when she pressed, he would not promise her to avoid showers with little boys in the future.

Sandusky was never charged in the case but, within months, was told by Paterno that he would not succeed him as head coach as had once been assumed.

Sandusky then resigned, but he was given free rein of Penn State facilities.

This is the power of elite college football programs. This is the hubris of the men involved. This is the corruption of character.

Even now, after all the pain, shame and humiliation, it is still rooted deep within their souls. Even Wednesday, in the hours before he was removed from his position, Paterno did not fully grasp the impact of the choices he made or ignored.

When students came to his home Tuesday night in a show of support, he came outside and led them in a Penn State cheer, as if this were a pep rally and not a child's nightmare.

And when he announced in a statement on Wednesday that he would retire at the end of the season, he boldly instructed Penn State's board of trustees not to bother considering his job status, as if he were the one running the university.

And that, I suppose, is the point.

Too many college football coaches have been given that kind of power. They bring so much money and publicity to their campuses, that their fiefdoms go unchecked.

They control information, and they crush dissent. Whatever they ask for is provided, and whatever they dislike is made to disappear.

So when you wonder what they were thinking, you might want to start there.

For these people protect their own. They protect their brand name. They protect their image, and they protect anything that might interfere with the scoreboard.

Apparently, they are willing to protect it at any cost.

SEC keeps league games at eight

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Times wires
Wednesday, November 9, 2011

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The SEC said each team will play eight conference games next season, when the additions of Missouri and Texas A&M give it 14 teams.

A spokesman said a nine-game slate "hasn't been discussed," and Vanderbilt vice chancellor David Williams said athletic directors are expected to gather soon to look at next seasons's schedule in football and other sports.

Athletic directors would prefer to keep an eight-game schedule, according to the Associated Press.

A nine-game slate would mean schools have to give up one of their four nonconference games, most of which are played at home. That would cut into annual revenue, and there would be no guarantee a future TV contract would make up the difference. The AP also reported the athletic directors are worried a nine-game schedule could make it more difficult to get two teams into the lucrative Bowl Championship Series. The SEC has placed two teams into the BCS in each of the past five seasons.

Currently, SEC teams play their five division opponents, one desig­nated rival from the other division (Florida faces LSU) and two rotating teams from the other division. With two divisions of seven, there's one less game available in the opposite division.

If the cross-divisional rivalries are protected, it could mean Texas A&M, set to play in the West with Missouri in the East, would visit the six East stadiums once every 12 years.

"I'm big on tradition," said Tennessee coach Derek Dooley when asked if playing Alabama annually could end.

Currently, the Pac-12 and Big 12 play nine games. And the Big Ten is set to start doing so in 2017.

A nine-league game model also could make it tougher for the SEC to fill its bowl commitments, and some early season made-for-TV matchups, such as LSU-Oregon and Georgia-Boise State this season, might not survive.

And while nine games would help the SEC ease the pressure of keeping in-conference rivalries and mean more cross-division opponents, half the teams would have an extra home game.

"It would be a challenge," Auburn coach Gene Chizik said. "We know what this league already entails. It's tough."

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said a nine-game schedule shouldn't be a priority because it would threatened instate nonconference rivalry games such as Clemson-South Carolina and Louisville-Kentucky.

ACC: The league announced the title game, set for Dec. 3 in Charlotte, N.C., is sold out. It's the earliest it has happened in the game's history, which dates to 2005. The only tickets remaining are the 10,000 that go to each participant.

Men's basketball

No. 16 Ariz, 67, Duquesne 59: Jordin Mayes scored 16 of his 19 during the second half for the host Wildcats. He scored nine over a three-minute span, including a 3-pointer that made it 57-48 with five minutes left.

No. 20 Texas A&M 81, Liberty 59: Ray Turner scored a career-high 20 for the host Aggies, who made 16 of 27 first-half shots in their season opener. A 24-4 run helped give them a 37-14 halftime lead.

St. John's 78, Lehigh 73: Steve Lavin returned and saw his host Red Storm rally. Lavin had prostate cancer surgery Oct. 6 and missed Monday's season-opening win. God'sgift Achiuwa had 21 points and eight rebounds for St. John's which trailed 60-46 with 11:09 left.

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