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Thursday, June 19, 2008
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Bubba Cunningham negotiates deal with Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Football games in the in-state series between Tulsa and Oklahoma are about to become a more frequent occurrence.
The schools announced Friday that they would play annual games from 2013 to 2015, marking the first time they have played in three straight years since 1936-38.
“Obviously, this is a series that is good for both universities. It’s a game that benefits both schools and provides fans another opportunity to see their teams play a nonconference game without leaving the state of Oklahoma,” Tulsa athletic director Bubba Cunningham said.
The extension of a current three-game agreement that runs out in 2011 calls for the teams to play in Norman on Sept. 14, 2013; in Tulsa on Sept. 20, 2014; and again in Norman on Sept. 26, 2015.
The Sooners and Golden Hurricane will also play games in Norman on Sept. 19, 2009, and Sept 3, 2011, as part of a previous agreement that also included last year’s game in Tulsa.
“Our series with Tulsa is a good one on many fronts,” Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione said. “It makes sense for two in-state schools to compete on a somewhat routine basis, plus it allows us to play before many of our fans and alumni in the Tulsa area.
“TU has had a good football program for many years and we certainly respect the caliber of team it puts on the field.”
Oklahoma has won the last four games in the series, including a 62-21 win in Tulsa last season, but the series stretches back nearly a century.
The schools played five games between 1914 and 1919 and then had annual contests from 1931-33 and 1936-38. After games in 1942 and 1943, there was a long hiatus before the next game in 1979.
Since then, the space between games has been slowly shrinking. At first, games were played every four years, and then every three years until the last agreement called for meetings every other year. Cunningham said the fact that the three games will be in consecutive years just happened to work out in both teams’ scheduling plans.
“We’re not going to play it on an annual basis but playing it on a regular basis is what we’d both like to do,” Cunningham said.
Tulsa already has scheduled a three-game series against Oklahoma State from 2010 to 2012, with the bookend games to be played in Stillwater and the middle one at Chapman Stadium. That means the Golden Hurricane will play both in-state foes in 2011.
Ideally, Cunningham said he would like to schedule one team from a BCS conference, two other Football Bowl Subdivision opponents and one Football Championship Subdivision foe.
The Sooners generally also schedule one opponent from a fellow BCS conference, plus several other FBS opponents of regional interest. Future schedules for Oklahoma include home-and-home series against Florida State, Tennessee, LSU, Ohio State and Notre Dame.
For Tulsa, the game against the Sooners was the only home sellout last year and drew 10,000 fans more than any other game at Chapman Stadium.
Tulsa and Oklahoma split the first 13 games in the series 6-6-1, but Oklahoma has won nine of the last 10. Tulsa’s only win since 1943 was a 31-24 win against an unranked Sooners squad in Norman in 1996
Friday, June 6, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Tom Zbikowski Mention in ESPN Article by Bruce Feldman
A: I am not aware of any fighting in MMA. The only guy I know is a boxer and ex-Notre Dame player Tom Zbikowski.
OSU AD Gene Smith Out Of Running At Notre Dame
Ohio State issued a release yesterday stating that athletic director Gene Smith has no intention of pursuing the same job at his alma mater, Notre Dame. Smith should put a copy in his personnel file for use the next time he talks contract.
Because as football coach Jim Tressel said, "Gene Smith is the finest athletics director in America and we are so happy that he will remain at Ohio State. He cares about every student-athlete, every coach and staff member, and the entire Buckeye nation. This is a great day for all of us."
Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee, who recently made Smith an assistant vice president of the university, wasn't far behind in his praise of the man who runs the 36-sport, $110 million athletic department.
"Ohio State not only has the nation's most comprehensive athletics program, but also one that is thoroughly integrated into the larger academic life of the university," Gee said. "Gene Smith is a key factor in our students' successes both on the playing field and in the classroom, and I am delighted with his commitment to remain here at Ohio State."
The question about Smith's possible interest in the Notre Dame job -- it came open when Kevin White abruptly left for Duke on Saturday -- was natural.
He was a former football player at the school and a 1977 graduate.
But having just entered his fourth year at Ohio State, Smith said in the release he has no intention of leaving. Besides, he said, he has not been contacted by Notre Dame officials.
"I am honored that many (in the media and Notre Dame community) consider me to be a candidate, but I have no desire to leave Ohio State," Smith said.
He added, "I have the utmost respect for Notre Dame and great admiration for the university and its athletics department, but I will not be a candidate for the job there. I am very happy being at The Ohio State University and am excited about its new leadership of the university.
"I am thrilled with the direction we are going in the department and am pleased and thankful for the support of President Gee and the administration."
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Super Bowl XXII MVP Doug Williams Signs on as Celebrity Endorser For Rudy Nutrition
Super Bowl XXII MVP Doug Williams Signs on as Celebrity Endorser For Rudy Nutrition
Rudy Nutrition, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: RUNU) ispleased to announce that Super Bowl XXII MVP Doug Williams has joined theRudy Beverage team as a celebrity endorser.
Known for his MVP performance in Super Bowl XXII as quarterback of theWashington Redskins, Doug Williams exemplifies the "Dream Big. Never Quit."philosophy of Rudy Beverage. Doug was the first African Americanquarterback to start, win and be named Most Valuable Player of a SuperBowl. He also served as the head football coach for Grambling StateUniversity, where he was named national "Coach of the Year."
Doug will be making personal appearances, and be featured in marketing andpromotional materials, and advertising campaigns on behalf of RudyBeverage.
"I am proud to be joining Rudy and others in getting the word out aboutRudy Beverage," said Doug Williams. "In addition to standing behind agreat product, I truly believe in the Rudy message of dreaming big andnever quitting."
Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger, Founder and Chairman of Rudy Nutrition commented:"We are thrilled to be teaming up with a hero like Doug Williams. I trulyadmire what he stands for. Doug will make a significant contribution in ourstrategy to get Rudy Beverage in the hands of consumers everywhere."
In the coming weeks, more nationally recognized and respected sportspersonalities who embody the Rudy message of "Dream Big. Never Quit." willbe announced.
About Rudy Nutrition, Inc.
Rudy Nutrition, Inc. is a manufacturer of health conscious "Rudy" brandedproducts that offer great taste as well as healthy choices for parents,kids, and athletes. It was founded by Notre Dame Legend and the real lifeinspiration for the blockbuster movie "Rudy," Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger."Rudy" was recently named the 54th greatest inspirational movie of all-timeby the American Film Institute. Rudy Nutrition is focused on creating,distributing and licensing "Rudy" branded products that offer healthieralternative choices backed by Rudy's inspirational message to "dream bigand never give up." If you would like to receive e-mail announcementsabout Rudy Nutrition, Inc., additional information, or to contact arepresentative directly, please visit us on the web athttp://www.rudynutrition.com or www.rudybeverageinc.com or www.avcg.net.
Safe Harbor:
This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning ofthe Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The risks anduncertainties that may affect the operations, performance development, andresults of the Company's business include but are not limited tofluctuations in financial results, availability and customer acceptance ofour products and services, the impact of competitive products, services andpricing, general market trends and conditions, and other risks detailed inthe Company's SEC reports.
Contact:Aurora Venture Communications GroupInvestor Relations Contact:James A. Romero(858) 926-5527ir@rudybeverageinc.comwww.rudybeverageinc.com
Monday, May 26, 2008