Number 3,000

The 48,000+ Yankee Stadium crowd boomed their signature unified 'YEAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!’  My voice, it dissolved by the time he hit second base.  My calves, they burned from jumping up and down with the rest of the Bleacher Creatures.  My eyes, in total disbelief from seeing what I just saw.  My hands, they trembled like I was struck by lightening.  

I just witnessed Derek Jeter's 3,000^th hit, folks.  Something I wanted to witness since I could understand the significance of the 3,000 hit milestone.

Ever since I knew what the New York Yankees were I admired Derek Jeter.  As a little kid in the backyard, I was Jeter and the pitcher was whoever wasn't Jeter.  To me, Derek Jeter was baseball. 

When the ball ricocheted off the black Louisville Slugger lumber, 15 years of fandom flashed through my brain.  And as the 420-foot bomb traveled to the hands of one lucky young man, I stopped and focused on the heroic figure that hit it, and smiled.  Then, after all the commotion stopped and they got back to the game I realized: this could turn his season around.  Maybe the .300 average, super-clutch Jeter is back for his final contract.

My thought became reality as he notched his 3^rd hit, a scorching double down the line, his 4^th hit, his patented opposite field single while I was at the burrito stand, and his 5^th hit, a dribbler up the middle to drive in the winning run.  He looked like the Derek Jeter of old, the Jeter that gave his body up to catch a foul ball against the Sox.  He looked like the Derek Jeter that came out of nowhere to flip the ball to Posada against Oakland when the Yankees were all but eliminated by Oakland.  He looked like the shortstop that hit postseason home run after postseason home run, the shortstop that patented his backhand-jump-turn-strike-to-first from the left field grass.  In the eighth inning, he looked like the guy you wanted to come up in game seven in the World Series, in the bottom of the ninth with two outs in a tie game.  And when he interrupted his postgame interview, to acknowledge the crowd that stayed to cheer him in the 90-degree heat, he looked like a god.

Most importantly, of everything he looked like yesterday, he looked like the Derek Jeter I wanted to be when I was five.

Players, Owners, Should Think Charity Rather than Profit

Ever think of something great while you’re doing nothing that relates to your thought? When you get that light bulb feel and say to yourself, “Damn.  That just might work.”  Well, that happened to me this morning.

As I was brushing my teeth around 5:30AM this morning, I started thinking about the NFL Lockout for whatever reason.  And I’m sitting there thinking about how it’s been more than three months now.  Or how the talks two weeks ago were heated and how Goodell just proposed a new solution that has everyone buzzing and all of the sudden a solution hit me: GIVE A PORTION OF THE $9 BILLION TO CHARITY!

I’m sure someone has thought of this before, just let me think otherwise.

The NFL preaches charity involvement, so why aren’t they doing it themselves?  It seems like the players just want to get on the field, but the owners are being selfish.  Chad Ochocinco is flying down to Miami to throw with Jacory Harris for God’s sake.  That kid throws it to everyone but his teammates.  But, getting back on track, here’s my solution.  Take the $9 billion being fought over, and divide it into three.  Give the owners $3 billion (that’s $93,750,000 each), give the NFLPA $3 billion, then you give the charities the NFL sponsors the other $3 billion.

If the owners don’t like that solution, if they can’t live with making almost $94,000,000 over the course of three months, if that doesn’t ‘appeal’ to them, then shame on them.

As an NFL fan, I just want to see some football.  Even though I’m more of a college football fan than an NFL fan, I love kicking back with some wings, my boys, and a beer to watch the big boys play on Sunday.  And while it seems like they just want to get to camp, get in the gym together, and welcome another season, I don’t see why my plan couldn’t work.

Although a different deal than mine will obviously be proposed, think about how much $3,000,000,000 could mean to charities across the country.  Or how about taking some of it and building some wells in Africa to solve their clean drinking water problem?  I know they need/want all the money they can get from this $9,000,000,000; but the NFL’s the most popular sport in the world, I’m sure they can spare a few bucks…especially if regular, less wealthy citizens can do it too.

Just think about it.

Tressel’s Resignation Represent Acts of Love, Protection, and Integrity

*Before reading this please note that I am not an Ohio State fan.  I probably dislike them just as much as a Michigan fan.*

There's a good chance Jim Tressel will never receive another job in the NCAA ever again.  Ever.

He'll get a few juco offers, an NAIA offer or two, even a prestigious high school job in Texas, Florida, California, Ohio, or Pennsylvania may throw him some bait; but the big boys of the NCAA, not a chance.

Tough to say for a coach who has a National Championship, Heisman winner, numerous BCS Bowl appearances, and a 9-1 record against the Michigan Wolverines.

If you've been living under a rock for the past few days, Tressel resigned from THE Ohio State University amidst the fallout of an 'ignorance is bliss' case.  How you don't see your star players tattoos worth thousands and a new car every other home game is beyond me, but they do say the senses go with age.

But what if maybe, just maybe, it wasn't ignorance?  Maybe Tressel taking off his glasses, putting his patented sweater vest in his mouth, and cramming his play-sheets in his ears were acts of love, protection, and integrity for his second family: Ohio State Buckeye football.

Love:

Tressel could have printed out the emails [regarding the cars and tattoos] when they came through his inbox and walked them to the compliance office and no one gets in trouble but his players.  But why would he?  Why snitch on the players when families trusted him with their sons?  He couldn't.  Why throw players under the bus when it's not their fault the NCAA doesn't punish boosters for bending the rulebook?  His arms or heart aren't strong enough.  Bottom line is he has too big of a heart, he's too big of a man to be the next 'Sammy the Bull'.  He had no choice but to shut the door and let the unfortunate events unfold.  It’s what his heart told him to do.

Protection:

People always get caught doing wrong whether your last name is Clinton or Bin Laden.  These players knew what they were doing.  They knew it was wrong.  They probably knew they'd get caught, too.  But they also know they'll still get their shot at the next level while the man who gave you that shot was already at his next level.  Coaching Ohio State football was Tressel's final level.  Yet these players didn't care because they were getting theirs while Tressel was preparing to receive his no matter the consequences.

Integrity:

And to think, before he received what he knew was coming, he did one last favor for his second family.  He resigned.  He resigned with hopes the NCAA will use it as punishment enough for Buckeye Nation.  He resigned in hopes they don't get blasted with probation, suspensions, fines, rescinded wins, rings, and trophies.  He resigned in hopes his longtime friend and interim head coach can finally man the ship instead of being a lifetime first mate.  He resigned in hopes an association can finally keep track of its members instead of finding out about broken rules years after they occur.  He resigned in hopes other coaches follow suit (in his case sweater vest) and come forth with the dirty ways of college recruiting.  He resigned to set an example.

Men of Teal Will Take Conference Title Despite Departures

Call it luck, bogus, or whatever else you wish, last season your men of teal obtained a Big South Conference title and the first ever Big South automatic bid to the FCS playoffs.  Sure, a whacky rule no one ever heard of was the reason, but rules are rules for a reason.

This coming autumn however, some whacky rule won’t be the reason you see the Chants placed into a bracket on selection Sunday.  So, in the words of the great Terrell Owens, “Getcha popcorn ready.”

The Chanticleers boast more than enough pieces to fit the puzzle of a conference title for the upcoming season, especially on the defensive side of the ball.  Of course offense puts fans in the stands, but defensively is where the Chants took games over last season.  With starters such as shutdown cornerback Josh Norman and tackling machine Andre Jacobs returning to the field, opposing offenses won’t know what to do with the football.

Offensive gurus fear not, even with record setting quarterback Zach MacDowall and stud running back Eric O’Neal graduating, the offense looks stellar.  Although the quarterback situation seemed up in the air in the spring game, whoever steps in under center has a plethora of weapons in their artillery.  All American tight end David Duran fits perfectly into the Chants high-powered offense and his experience makes a quarterbacks job easier than kicking an extra point in Madden.

The most important piece to this season is none other than head coach David Bennett.  Coach Bennett is entering his 10^th season as the Chanticleers head coach and his players respond positively to him and his staff year in and year out. 

The Chanticleers open their season September 3^rd against in-state foe Furman at Brooks Stadium.  And for you freshmen, a home opener at Brooks Stadium is something never forgotten.

Can Russell Outstitch the Competition?

Please pick one of the following in terms of an athletic uniform: Nike or Russell.

If you’re thinking the way I am with the college football season upon us, we probably picked Nike.  They outfit plenty of college football teams.  Take the Oregon Ducks for example; Nike supplied them with 80 different uniform combinations, and every single one of them has a wow factor to it whether it involves their traditional colors or steel plated sleeves with gunmetal helmets.

Let’s think here for a second people. Teal, black, and bronze are not a run of the mill color combination. Neither is a crazy rooster mascot whose name has ESPN’s tongues tied.

After pondering these simple facts, wouldn’t Nike be the first choice to make the Chanticleers the best-outfitted team in the NCAA?

Just picture in your head what Nike would do to CCU’s football uniforms.  Even if they made a million different combinations, I think I’d find a way to buy every single one.

But the thing is, CCU decided to outfit all of the Chanticleers athletic teams with Russell apparel for the next five years.  I don’t know about you guys, but the first thing I think of when it comes to Russell is the two-dollar clearance rack at Walmart.  The second thing I think of is it’s going to rip like a Hulk Hogan t-shirt the second I move the wrong way. 

Sorry if I sound like a Debbie downer, but it’s something that makes me scratch my head in confusion.

In closing, am I jumping to conclusions when thinking Russell cannot do what a company like Nike would do with our jerseys?  Maybe.  Do you blame me?  Probably not.  Do I want Russell to burn my first column like Desean Jackson’s last second punt return to overcome a 21 point, second half deficit burned the Giants playoff hopes?  Absolutely.

Nike Pro Combat CCU Jersey

A New Mold Of Fan

Conway, SC—The last time Gumby graced an American television set with a new episode, Ronald Reagan ran this beautiful country. Yet, this winter, the molded clay children’s character resurfaced.

Any college basketball fan can testify to a Gumby sighting amongst random NCAA basketball arenas this season. College students (at least I hope they are college students) are buying Gumby costumes to appear on television camera reels at their schools basketball games. Unfortunately, cameras overlooked the original Gumby this season. He’s nestled right here in Conway.

Coastal Carolina sophomore and Danbury, Connecticut native David Teixeira claims he is the real Gumby.

“Yeah I’m the original, not them,” said Teixeira. “When I saw those kids at the Texas and Ohio State games I was outraged. I’ve been wearing that costume since Halloween 2009!”

Teixeira ventured to Clemson University during his freshman year to witness Coastal Carolina football play the Tigers on Halloween weekend. If the game didn’t blackout on television, the ‘Campus Hero’ title is his 17 months ago. However, it wasn’t televised so the nylon costume returned to the box.

Last month, the real Gumby came to life.

“I heard Coastal was going to be on ESPNU and ESPN2, and I just knew it was my time to shine. It’s not every week we get to play on T.V. so I had to show these imposters who the real Gumby is,” said Teixeira.

Boy, did you show them.

I attended both Big South Conference Tournament games and remember seeing Teixeira a couple of rows down from me; the cameras were glued to him.

Teixeira said, “Multiple family members and friends texted me and sent me pictures of myself going crazy with other students for the game. And to be honest, I was just happy I could fire up the crowd for the games. Chauncey wanted to bring me on court but security wouldn’t let me…typical.”

Teixeira denied any mascot aspirations in his future citing the temperature in the costume as a reason, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Teixeira relieve the current Chauncey of his duties if need be. Teixeira also vowed to attend every single sporting event he can make it to next semester, mainly the football and basketball games.

“The fans deserve it, especially the kids,” said Teixeira. “They were asking me for autographs and pictures. I’ll be at all of the games though. Hopefully security accepts my newfound stardom too, I’d love to get on that field with Chauncey.”

On behalf of Chanticleer fans, we hope they mold you into the community as well.