Prior to hearing Brutus’ rousing speech about the validity of Julius Caesar’s murder in the Roman Capitol, a plebeian suggests that Rome should “Give him [Brutus] a statue with his ancestors!” Those familiar with Shakespeare’s play know that this venerable request comes much too eagerly following the morally ambiguous murder of Caesar. Two acts later Marc Antony laments on the good intentions of Brutus, who lay dead after his own suicide.

Great intentions – poor decisions.

Good thing the commons avoided that awkward moment of returning to Rome with a massive reminder of Brutus’ misguided judgment awaiting them.

That awkward moment, however, has not escaped some famous athletes and institutions this past year. Usually a professional athlete’s consecration of his or her accolades comes in the form of a bust for the Hall of Fame. Such an honor only comes after the athlete’s career has concluded and sometimes, an athlete’s choices play a role (see Pete Rose and Mark McGwire).

Nowadays sports fans can find statues outside most arenas and on campuses all around the country, many for players and coaches not yet retired but indeed still very active.

Surely before this year the national consensus on Joe Paterno, former Penn State head football coach, was that he’d be immortalized as one of the most morally upstanding coaches in all of sports. Not only a coach, but a “humanitarian” as his statue outside Beaver Stadium states. For some, that has changed.

No matter which side one’s opinion may fall, it is hard to dispute that Paterno’s legacy has been altered by the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse allegations. That statue, once thought to be for a man who would retire with the utmost respect of all sports fans, now serves as a symbol of hypocrisy to others.

© 2011 Tornoe Ink – Rob Tornoe. All Rights Reserved. http://robtornoe.com/2011/11/paterno-statue/

The issue is not to question or forget the many honorable acts a coach like Joe Paterno has done for many student-athletes, but to question the premature consecration of those who can still reveal flaws. Damaging, consequential flaws. Or maybe not even flaws, but rather just make a mistake. A mistake that seems to outweigh all other great decisions.

Much like Brutus’ case in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, statues can serve as a means to express loyalty while a person is still serving. It’s always unsettling when a deserving athlete has to be posthumously inducted into a Hall of Fame (see Ron Santo and Dennis Johnson). And, just as in Brutus’ case, how awkward would it be to erect a god-like statue when that loyalty is not reciprocated.

Look no further than St. Louis. After winning his second World Series title with the Cardinals this past season, Albert Pujols entered free-agency as the most coveted player in years. Nine time all-star; three time NL MVP; a legitimate threat to break the all-time homerun record; a guaranteed first ballot hall of famer. All for a player barely in his thirties. And all for a player who has done it in one uniform.

An anonymous donor from the St. Louis community decided it would be best to show St. Louis’ loyalty to Pujols by paying for a 10-foot bronze statue to sit outside Pujols’ restaurant. Ironically, the statue was unveiled after the 2011 season.

A security guard protects the Albert Pujols statue outside the Pujols 5 restaurant in St. Louis. (Photo: Robert Cohen/St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

Pujols ultimately signed with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim leaving some fans in St. Louis feeling betrayed. As if the statue won’t be a hurtful reminder of what a record-breaking career could have been in a St. Louis Cardinals uniform, just think of this Cardinal fans: What hat will Pujols decide to don upon his bust’s consecration into the Hall of Fame? Was this a mistake on Pujols’ part? Should his loyalty to the Cardinals have outweighed his business decision?

Regardless, Pujols’ decision makes it all the more awkward for Cardinal fans to revel at a 10-foot bronze mammoth that they some no longer, well, feel loyalty towards anymore.

Paterno and Pujols certainly aren’t hardened criminals or oppressive dictators who deserve their statues to be torn from its supports like Saddam Hussein’s in Iraq. It’s not that their flaws or mistakes (if you even consider them such) should result in some kind of sacrilege of what their statues should represent from their careers.

In fact, try to find two sports figures more philanthropic than these two. It’d be difficult to do. Mistakes? I think we all know Paterno would do things differently. Flawed? Some might now think so about Pujols. But both also certainly have a litany of great choices and benevolence beyond what any would expect.

No, the issue lies with why society feels the need to prematurely idolize sports figures. We know great players and coaches will eventually receive their due respect in some form (retired jersey, Hall of Fame bust), but to erect a statue of a man not yet completed with his career seems selfish and misguided.

Man is not flawless; for that reason, a statue should try to sanctify the closest form of ethics and performance in mankind. Much like religions and nations do for their pioneers and vanguards.

If St. Louis values unbridled loyalty, perhaps retiring Pujols’ jersey number or putting his name in the stands would have sufficed after his retirement from baseball.

Perhaps if Penn State had waited to honor their beloved coach upon his retirement, they would have been content with the library bearing Paterno’s name and maybe added it inside the stadium as well.

A statue after all is an artist’s rendition of a person in his or her absolute perfection, whether it be as a coach, player, president, or activist. The only problem is that man is not perfect and may simply give fodder to those who wish to only focus on flaws rather than endearing qualities.

Ultimately, it would be wise to wait and choose more carefully. Allow each and every man to complete his athletic journey and then decide if he is worthy of such a sacred, prestigious sculpture.

Becca Wann is known as a playmaker in soccer and defensive stopper in basketball

By Kyle Soppe

After earning Dominion District Player of the Year honors her senior year at Cosby High, Becca Wann was ready to embark on her division 1 soccer career. Her high school resume proved to be an accurate indicator, and she dominated the A-10 soccer scene as a freshman. Wann started 14 games and tallied a team leading 10 goals and 21 points on her way to making Spider soccer history. She was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year (the first in Richmond history), and was voted to the All-Conference First Team.

Most athletes would enjoy the success, take a few months off, and then prepare for the 2011 campaign. However, the high scoring soccer star had higher ambitions, and approached Head Basketball Coach Michael Shafer about walking on to his team.

Wann had experienced great high school success in hoops, but it was assumed that with the decision to play D1 soccer, that basketball simply wasn’t an option. She started for all four years of high school, and was nominated for the McDonald’s All American game her senior year. Stars like Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders managed to play two sports at the professional level, but in this day and age of around the clock devotion to one’s specific craft, was this really possible?

“We’ll have to wait and see” was Shafer’s response to the unique situation.

As a low-risk (walk-on not needing a scholarship) and potentially high reward prospect, Shafer gave Wann the green light to try out for the team. Her grit and determination earned her a roster spot. Wann would keep the two sports she loved and in which she excelled.

“The biggest thing for Becca isn’t that she is exceptional at both sports, but rather, she truly does love both and can’t choose just one” said her freshman roommate Lauren Schute.

So would this hectic schedule compromise Wann’s potential?

Not Exactly.

As a freshman on the basketball team, Wann served as a spark plug off of the Spider bench. She averaged 3.1 points and 3 rebounds per game, and offered energy when it came to defense.

Statistics can’t always tell the whole story, and in Wann’s case, the numbers couldn’t be less important. Her team-first attitude would be welcomed on any roster. Her skills and tenacity helped the Spiders finish with an impressive 18-12 mark.

Basketball season came to an end after an NIT loss to UNC-Wilmington. Wann shifted her focus time to the upcoming soccer season. She answered any questions about durability with an outstanding 2011 season. She was voted the A-10 offensive player of the year, as she scored 15 goals and set up six others. Her seven game winning goals set an all time record, and she ranked nationally in goals (13th) and points (17th).

After leading the Spiders to a 13-5-3 record, their best since 2002, Wann has rejoined the basketball team, and will be ready for their season opener on Friday.

Photo by Ray Amati/NBAE via Getty Images

By Abbey Gotham

This past school year, I stayed for an extra two weeks in Cincinnati to continue with my work-study job in a kindergarten classroom. For these two weeks, I lived with my roommate’s family in Northern Kentucky – one of her family members being her 8 year old sister, Lauren.  Like most children at this age, she is going through a period where she lacks a filter and understanding of the hurtful interpretations of some of the things she says.  When I only had a few days left there, Christine (my roommate) and I were talking about how much we were going to miss each other this summer, and Lauren interjected, saying: “No offense Abbey, but…” before Christine stopped her.  Christine then explained to Lauren that any statement that follows those words should usually be kept to oneself.  Lauren continues and says, “Like I was saying, Abbey!  No offense, but I’m kind of excited for you to leave because once we move all your stuff, I can take that TV out of my closet finally.”  Christine sighed and I just giggled.  A few days later when I was waiting outside for my father (that wonderful man) to come pick me up, Lauren starts another statement with “No offense Christine, but…”  Christine and I immediately glance at each other as Lauren continues, “…your tan is really uneven.  Your legs and your arms really don’t match.”  During the drive home, I told my Dad about Lauren’s new line, and I thought it would make for an interesting critique of the sports world.

Shaq.  I think you’re a little late on this whole retirement train.  You spent most of this past season on the bench for the Celtics, and when you were in the game, I felt your struggles as you ran up and down the court.  No offense Shaq, but you should have retired a while ago and got a head start as a model for the Big & Tall Casual male.

Terrelle Pryor and the Buckeyes.  Along with many others past in college sports, you and a few of your teammates accepted improper benefits during your time at Ohio State University.  This includes selling memorabilia you obtained throughout your college career and accepting discounts at a local tattoo parlor.  Okay, I understand you are not the first college athlete to take part in these activities, but now you are not even sticking around to pay your debts!  Not to mention, you and your teammates are the reason that Jim Tressel is no longer with the program.  No offense, but using the NFL draft as a scapegoat to not have to deal with your suspension is quite immature. Not to mention, you might want to think about this. Is it true you only completed 61% of your passes in college. Do you really want to play against professional defenses?

Kobe.  I am not here to denounce your talents by any means, but you don’t seem very enjoyable to be around.  Back in the early 2000’s, you had a good thing going with Phil Jackson and Shaq and won a few titles.  All of a sudden, you couldn’t play with Shaq anymore, so he got traded.  Then you couldn’t work with Phil Jackson, so they got rid of him.  Let’s go back to your season without both of them in 2004-05.  Without those two backing you up, the Lakers were whopping 34-48.  A few years later, you have Phil Jackson again.  You get Pau Gasol and all of a sudden you have two more NBA titles under your belt.  Now, you can’t play with Pau Gasol anymore?  No offense Kobe, but you’re the common denominator here.

The New York Islanders.  Why on Earth would you sign any player to a 15-year contract?  I don’t think the question is ‘What was Rick DiPietro thinking?’ in his fight with the Penguins, I think we have to wonder what the Islanders management is thinking.  If I’m a professional athlete signed to a 15-year, $67.5 million contract, I’m thinking my motivation is going to be lowered, and I’m going to be more prone to instigating with players from other teams, even if my health is at risk.  To make matters worse, out of the past three NHL seasons, totaling up to 246 games, DiPietro has played in 39 of them.  Even if the Islanders give DiPietro an ultimatum, what is it going to be?  Play in the minors for the rest of your contract or have the rest of his contract bought out.  No offense Islanders, but signing any player to a 15-year contract is stupid.

Sergio Ramos.  Some may see you dropping the Copa del Rey Trophy as an accident, but that is one heck of an accident.  For the first time since 1993, Real Madrid won the Copa del Rey, beating rival, Barcelona, 1-0.  Also, this was not any trophy, made of silver, weighing in at about 33 lbs, and it was 35 years old.  After the bus was stopped after you dropped the trophy and it was run over, apparently policemen found eight different pieces of the trophy in the road.  I don’t understand how you have that little concern for a trophy that you won less than a day before.  No offense Ramos, but that was just stupid.  While we’re on Ramos, your theatrics, along with most other soccer players, are unprecedented.

University of Kentucky Athletic Department.  Win records do have to be consistent with NCAA regulations!  How can you miss that 42 of John Calipari’s victories from his time at Memphis and Massachusetts were vacated because of NCAA violations?  No offense UK Athletic Department, but get it together.  But, I guess Calipari lucks out on this one – he gets to have two 500 Win celebrations.

Roberto Luongo.  For a Stanley Cup Finals goalie, you appeared very mediocre at times in defending for your fellow Canucks.  Besides the fact that eight goals should not be allowed in any Stanley Cup Finals game, you appeared to be very on and off.  The Canucks made a very strong statement by coming out early and winning the first two games, but after that is when your statistics start to get shaky.  No offense Luongo, but talk about inconsistency.

Finally, we have Lebron James.  Man, was I hoping that the Heat would lose in the finals, so that I could get this opportunity.  After leaving the Cavaliers when you got the hopes up of so many fans and actually started to make the team into something that was reputable, you ditch before winning a championship and go to the Miami Heat to form some kind of ‘dream team.’  Which, by the way, next to Dwyane Wade, it is very evident that you are not the best player in the league, let alone your team.  But even on your new ‘dream team,’ you still managed to lose in the NBA finals, after probably your best opportunity thus far.  You happily welcomed the ‘Witness’ ad campaign from Nike. Don’t worry, LeBron. We are ALL watching. No offense Lebron, but for a self-claimed ‘king,’ you still don’t have a ring.

Each recipient will receive $5,000 to contribute to their graduate education.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Atlantic 10 Conference Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade announced today the recipients of the A-10 Postgraduate Scholarship.  This year’s recipients include Saint Louis’ Hailee Elmore, Xavier’s Thomas Kauffman, Dayton’s Rebecca Novacek and Duquesne’s Samantha Pollino.

Each recipient will receive $5,000 to contribute to their graduate education.  All four student-athletes have performed with distinction both in the classroom and in their respective sports throughout their career, while demonstrating exemplary conduct in the community.

Elmore, the two-time A-10 Women’s Tennis Most Outstanding Performer of the Year, registered an impressive 22-6 overall record at No. 1 singles, including a 13-4 mark in dual matches following the 2011 season. The Springfield, Ill., native led the Billikens to the program’s first appearance in the A-10 Championship finals, which included wins over La Salle, Duquesne and Temple. During her final season at Saint Louis, Elmore became the institution’s all-time career wins leader in singles (93) and doubles (74), while becoming the first women’s tennis player at Saint Louis to earn a national ranking.  The three-time, first-team All-Conference award recipient was also a member of the league’s Academic All-Conference team on three separate occasions and owns a 3.93 cumulative grade point average as a Communication Sciences and Disorders major.

A member of the A-10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll all four years at Saint Louis, Elmore capped off her senior season being named the league’s Student-Athlete of the Year.  She was also honored on the Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-District VII team three years in a row including earning first team honors in back-to-back seasons in 2010 and 2011.  Elmore represented the Billikens as the SAAC Tennis Representative from 2008-2010 coordinating with other student-athletes on campus to promote support within the athletic community and create opportunities to volunteer within the community.  Along with serving as a tennis instructor, Elmore is an active member of the Saint Louis University National Institution of Speech, Language, and Hearing Association.  She was also named SLU’s 2011 Outstanding Female Senior Student-Athlete.

Kauffmann boasts a 3.71 GPA while majoring in history with a minor in international studies at Xavier University.  The distance runner finished in the top 15 at the A-10 Cross Country Championship during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons garnering All-Conference recognition in each of those three years.  He claimed his best finish of fifth place at the 2010 Championships at Schenley Park in Pittsburgh, Pa.  Kauffmann is a two-time All-Conference honoree in indoor track and field after winning the 3000-meter run at the 2010 A-10 Indoor Track & Field Championships and placing second in the 5,000-meter run.  He added his third all-conference honor during the 2011 A-10 Outdoor Track & Field season finishing first in the 10,000-meter run at the league championship in Charlotte, N.C.  He also represented Xavier at the 2009 & 2010 Cross Country Regionals crossing the finish line in 14th place in 2009 to earn a spot on the All-Great Lakes Region team.  Most recently, Kauffmann competed at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field East Region Championships placing 29th in the 10K.  He also qualified for the NCAA Regional meet in the same event as a junior in 2010.

A three-time honoree on the A-10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll, Kauffmann was named to the Dean’s List six times at Xavier while he was named the school’s 2011 Male Student-Athlete of the Year.  The Cincinnati, Ohio native is also a five-time A-10 Academic All-Conference honoree – three times for indoor track and field and twice for outdoor track and field.  Kauffman was a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council for two years at Xavier, while serving as an opinion columnist for The Newswire, the student-run campus newspaper.

Novacek is a two-time, first-team Atlantic 10 All-Conference honoree in leading the University of Dayton to the league championship in 2007, 2009 and 2010.  The middle blocker guided the Flyers to the NCAA Tournament in each of her four years at Dayton advancing to the Second Round in three of those four years (2007, 2009, 2010).  She was nominated for the Volleyball Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award, named to the A-10 All-Tournament Team and received AVCA Division I All-Region Honorable Mention accolades all during her senior campaign in 2010.  Novacek finished her senior season ranked in the top 50 nationally in blocks per set, while ranking in the top 100 nationally for hitting percentage in 2009 and 2010.  She would finish her Flyer career with a .310 hitting percentage and 300 total blocks.

In the classroom, Novacek has accumulated an overall grade point average of 3.863 while double majoring in accounting and finance.  The Aliquippa, Pa., native is an eight-time member of the Atlantic 10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll.  She was named the A-10 Student-Athlete of the Year in 2010, while earning a spot on the A-10 Academic All-Conference Team and District IV Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-District Team.  Novacek also was honored with the Team Academic Award by the AVCA in 2007, 2008 and 2009.  A member of Beta Alpha Psi and Beta Gamma Sigma, Novacek has performed over 75 hours of community service during her tenure at Dayton.

A four-year starter and two-year captain for the Duquesne women’s basketball team, Pollino averaged over 27 minutes on the hardwood in 125 starts for the Dukes.  She was part of the all-time winningest class in program history leading Duquesne to the programs first, second and third WNIT appearances over the last three years.  Pollino finished her career as the fourth leading scorer in program history totaling 1,437 points, while averaging over 5.0 rebounds a season.  She earned Second Team All-Conference accolades as a junior and senior and was named A-10 Player of the Week on three separate occasions during her career.  Pollino also led the Dukes to the A-10 Tournament in each of her four seasons.

Pollino earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and Health Sciences and is currently enrolled in Duquesne’s Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) program where she has completed 43 of 94 graduate credits in the program.  The Johnstown, Pa., native is a two-time Atlantic 10 All-Academic Team honoree and an eight-time member of the A-10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll.  A Dean’s List student, Pollino was named to the Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-District II Team in 2011.  Serving as an active member in the community in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas, she has also accumulated 150 hours of volunteer work at the Phoenix Rehabilitation Center in Johnstown, Pa., working with a physical therapist.

The Atlantic 10 Conference annually honors student-athletes who excel in academics and athletics and are involved in extra-curricular activities.  The recipients of the A-10 Postgraduate Scholarship are required to use their scholarship toward postgraduate education expenses.

About the A-10

The Atlantic 10 Conference was formed in 1976 and celebrates its 35th anniversary as a Division I Conference in 2010-11.  Currently comprised of 14 member institutions and sponsoring 21 championship sports, the mission and goal of the Atlantic 10 is to preserve, protect, and enhance the academic and athletic pursuits of the membership.  The conference is committed to integrity, educational excellence and providing quality equitable championship experiences for more than 6,000 student-athletes, coaches, and support staff.  The member institutions of the Atlantic 10 are the University of Dayton, Duquesne University, Fordham University, The George Washington University, La Salle University, University of Massachusetts, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, University of Rhode Island, University of Richmond, St. Bonaventure University, Saint Joseph’s University, Saint Louis University, Temple University, and Xavier University.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Atlantic 10 Conference ranked among the nation’s best based on the most recent Division I Academic Progress Rate released by the NCAA on Tuesday, May 24.

A total of 189 sports teams among the 21 league-sponsored sports in the A-10 earned a rating at or above the national average, including 32 teams that recorded a perfect score.  According to the most recent figures, the latest four-year Division I Academic Progress Rate is 970, up three points over last year.

Four league-sponsored sports in the A-10, including field hockey, women’s lacrosse, women’s soccer and women’s swimming and diving, had every participating team record an APR at or above the national average.  In looking at the conference as a whole, 79.1% of the teams competing in the A-10 maintained an APR of 970 or better.

This report is based on NCAA Division I APR data submitted by each institution for the 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 academic years.

The A-10 achieved the ninth highest overall APR out of 31 Division I conferences.  Fourteen of the 21 league-sponsored sports ranked in the top 5 nationally including baseball, field hockey, men’s tennis, men’s indoor track and field, women’s rowing, women’s swimming and diving, women’s soccer, women’s tennis and women’s outdoor track and field.  In addition, men’s indoor track and field and women’s swimming and diving earned a top three rating, the highest mark achieved in the league this past year.

Every Division I sports team calculates its APR each academic year based on the eligibility and retention of each scholarship student-athlete. The Academic Progress Rate is a real-time measure of eligibility, retention and graduation of student-athletes competing on every Division I sports team, which has been shown to predict later graduation success.  Teams scoring below certain thresholds can face penalties, such as scholarship losses and restrictions on practice and competition.  Rates are based on the past four years’ performance.

Recently, a total of 909 teams competing at the Division I level were honored for their high marks academically, as the Public Recognition Awards are given each year to teams scoring in the top 10 percent in each sport with their APRs.

Of the 335 Division I colleges and universities, 239 institutions placed at least one team on the top APR list including 12 schools from the A-10.  Eleven of those 12 schools from the A-10 had multiple teams garner distinction, while all 21 league-sponsored sports were represented by at least one program.

Among the 31 Division I conferences, the Atlantic 10 Conference ranked fifth behind the Ivy Group (135), the Patriot League (82), the Big East Conference (77) and the Atlantic Coast Conference (61).

Seventeen A-10 student-athletes earned Academic All-America honors during the 2009-10 season, while 1,199 student-athletes were named to the Commissioner’s Honor Roll in the Fall of 2009 and 1,180 were recognized on the Commissioner’s Honor Roll for their work in the classroom during the Spring of 2010.  To be listed on the Commissioner’s Honor Roll, a student-athlete in an Atlantic 10-sponsored sport must have a 3.5 GPA or better (on a 4.0 scale) during the specified semester.

APR scores per institution, along with penalties per school and teams receiving public recognition, are available online at www.ncaa.org.

About the A-10

The Atlantic 10 Conference was formed in 1976 and celebrates its 35th anniversary as a Division I Conference in 2010-11.  Currently comprised of 14 member institutions and sponsoring 21 championship sports, the mission and goal of the Atlantic 10 is to preserve, protect, and enhance the academic and athletic pursuits of the membership.  The conference is committed to integrity, educational excellence and providing quality equitable championship experiences for more than 6,000 student-athletes, coaches, and support staff.  The member institutions of the Atlantic 10 are the University of Dayton, Duquesne University, Fordham University, The George Washington University, La Salle University, University of Massachusetts, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, University of Rhode Island, University of Richmond, St. Bonaventure University, Saint Joseph’s University, Saint Louis University, Temple University, and Xavier University.

Fordham led all schools in the A-10 with 10 teams earning Public Recognition Awards.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Atlantic 10 Conference had 56 sports teams earn Public Recognition Awards, including three teams that compete in non-league-sponsored sports, based on the most recent multi-year Academic Progress Rates, as announced by the NCAA on Tuesday, May 17.

A total of 909 teams competing at the Division I level were honored for their high marks academically, as the Public Recognition Awards are given each year to teams scoring in the top 10 percent in each sport with their APRs.

Of the 335 Division I colleges and universities, 239 institutions placed at least one team on the top APR list including 12 schools from the A-10.  Eleven of those 12 schools from the A-10 had multiple teams garner distinction, while all 21 league-sponsored sports were represented by at least one program.

Among the 31 Division I conferences, the Atlantic 10 Conference ranked fifth behind the Ivy Group (135), the Patriot League (82), the Big East Conference (77) and the Atlantic Coast Conference (61).

“To be among the top five conferences in the nation is a true testament to the hard work and dedication of our student-athletes to perform at the highest level in the classroom,” stated Atlantic 10 Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade.  “I congratulate all our student-athletes for their continued success.”

Seventeen A-10 student-athletes earned Academic All-America honors during the 2009-10 season, while 1,199 student-athletes were named to the Commissioner’s Honor Roll in the Fall of 2009 and 1,180 were recognized on the Commissioner’s Honor Roll for their work in the classroom during the Spring of 2010.  To be listed on the Commissioner’s Honor Roll, a student-athlete in an Atlantic 10-sponsored sport must have a 3.5 GPA or better (on a 4.0 scale) during the specified semester.

Women’s tennis and men’s outdoor track and field had a league-high five A-10 teams honored, while men’s cross country, men’s indoor track and field and women’s outdoor track and field each had four schools receive recognition.  Overall, Fordham led the A-10 as 10 teams were recognized among the 21 league-sponsored sports followed by Xavier with seven and George Washington with six.

The women’s golf programs at Dayton and Xavier were also honored for their outstanding academic achievement, while the Flyer football program was recognized as well.  Xavier and Dayton had a total of eight and six teams honored, respectively, during the 2009-10 academic calendar.

This year, top-performing teams posted APR scores ranging from 977 to a perfect 1,000.  The number of teams in some sports may exceed 10 percent depending on the number of perfect scores.  Last year, 841 teams were recognized.  In six years of the NCAA’s academic reform program, 1,992 different teams have received Public Recognition Awards, representing 31 percent of eligible sports teams during that time.  Of that total, 260 teams have received Public Recognition Awards each of the six years of the program.

Below are the 56 Atlantic 10 teams honored for academic performance:

Baseball – Saint Joseph’s, Xavier

Men’s Basketball – Dayton

Men’s Cross Country – Charlotte, Fordham, George Washington, Rhode Island

Men’s Golf – Charlotte, Dayton

Men’s Soccer – Fordham, George Washington, Richmond

Men’s Swimming & Diving – Fordham, Xavier

Men’s Tennis – George Washington Xavier

Men’s Indoor Track & Field – Charlotte, Fordham, Richmond, Saint Louis

Men’s Outdoor Track & Field – Charlotte, Fordham, Massachusetts, Richmond, Saint Louis

Women’s Basketball – Dayton, La Salle

Women’s Cross Country – Fordham, Rhode Island

Field Hockey – La Salle, Temple

Women’s Lacrosse – Saint Joseph’s

Rowing – Dayton, La Salle, Saint Joseph’s

Women’s Soccer – Fordham, George Washington, Massachusetts

Softball – Massachusetts

Women’s Swimming & Diving – George Washington

Women’s Tennis – Charlotte, Fordham, George Washington, Saint Louis, Xavier

Women’s Indoor Track & Field – Fordham, Saint Joseph’s, Xavier

Women’s Outdoor Track & Field – Fordham, Saint Joseph’s, Saint Louis, Xavier

Volleyball – Xavier

Football* – Dayton

Women’s Golf* – Dayton, Xavier

* denotes – non-league sponsored sports

About the A-10

The Atlantic 10 Conference was formed in 1976 and celebrates its 35th anniversary as a Division I Conference in 2010-11.  Currently comprised of 14 member institutions and sponsoring 21 championship sports, the mission and goal of the Atlantic 10 is to preserve, protect, and enhance the academic and athletic pursuits of the membership.  The conference is committed to integrity, educational excellence and providing quality equitable championship experiences for more than 6,000 student-athletes, coaches, and support staff.  The member institutions of the Atlantic 10 are the University of Dayton, Duquesne University, Fordham University, The George Washington University, La Salle University, University of Massachusetts, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, University of Rhode Island, University of Richmond, St. Bonaventure University, Saint Joseph’s University, Saint Louis University, Temple University, and Xavier University.

–www.atlantic10.com–

By Paul Casey Gotham

****Remember, try this without research. Release your inner James Joyce and show us your stream of consciousness as you try to decipher the answer.

My name doesn’t get mentioned much with the greats of the game. In fact, I kind of get lost in the discussion. I suppose that’s the way it should be. I played more than 800 games and averaged more than 17 points. All the while I maintained an assist to turnover ratio better than two to one for my entire career. Here’s the thing though. For two years, I was the leading scorer on a team that advanced to the finals. Still, you don’t hear my name much. I didn’t even make the all-star game those years. Tells you how good the league was then. First year we lost the championship. We got revenge on that team a year later. That was a great decade in the NBA. We were one of eight different organizations to claim the title in that ten-year span. We gave our city their only major sports championship to date. Lot of good that did. The organization relocated a couple of decades later.  Eventually, I was named All-NBA. I guess that was the credit for helping my team to the championship. In college, I was a four-year starter at USC. I earned 2nd team All-American and was taken in the second round of the draft. How many guys taken in the second round lead championship teams in scoring? Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I sat out a season over a contract dispute.

Who am I?

by Wally

Just finished my list for Santa … getting ready to text it to him.   Here are the sports related things I want for Christmas … deliverable either Christmas morning or as appropriate in the New Year:

1.  I want the Bears to finish strong … win these last two games and earn that bye during wildcard week.  But most importantly, at least win your first playoff game.

2.  I’d like some Texas A&M swag … like a windshirt or sweatshirt for one of those windy days in the 50′s.   Someone tell Emily.

3.  Decent seats to the Final Four (Houston’s Reliant Stadium)… somehow could they just fall in my lap???  This is a bucket list item.

4.   Notre Dame basketball makes it to their second Final Four EVER … this April.   A Cinderella Story.   Combined with #3, this would make my sports year.

5.   Chicago Bulls make it to the Eastern Conference Finals.    Ambitious, but a reasonable stretch.   Just get there … then we’ll talk about what’s possible in 2012.

6.    Notre Dame football finishes the 2011 season in the Top 10.    That’s 10-2 and then win a bowl game for 11-2.   Heck, if ya wanna do better than that, please don’t let me stand in your way.

7.   A college football playoff.    By the way … I didn’t write this, but it must be a brain meld with this very bright Chicago SunTimes writer:   http://www.suntimes.com/sports/colleges/3006553-419/bowl-playoff-bcs-team-championship.html

8.  I want TCU to kick Wisconsin’s butt in the Rose Bowl.    Nothing against the Badgers, but I want to see another Boise State -Utah type good-feeling moment in the post-season.      Oh … and I want to see the Oregon Ducks beat Scam Newton and take the title.

9.   Chicago Cubs make the playoffs AND win a playoff series.   We gotta get these guys “back  in the game”.

10.   The White Sox go to the World Series.    Plain and simple … they have a team that could do it …  a stretch … yes … but not totally out of this world with the changes they’ve made.

11.   The ability to consistently hit my drives reasonably straight.   Solid contact and 260+ yards is not a problem … but 1/3 right, 1/3 in the fairway, and 1/3 left is not something to build a good score on.

12.  Last but not least, I want to come out of nowhere to win the PPP (Peerless Prognosticators Pool).   Here are the current standings before the Hawaii Bowl tonight.    AC and Crash are leading the way.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, everyone!

This image is way better in real life than Hi-Def

The 21st century remains one of those ambivalent time periods where some have perhaps moved on too quickly, leaving history and physical labor in the dust, while others seem determined to stay stubborn and be the anchor to everyone else’s sail.

Me? I’m conflicted daily. I’m one of those types that feels like he should have been born in the early 20th century yet sees the value of technology and utilizes it.

If the early 1900s were a job, it might have recruited like this: strong work ethic required; optimism and enthusiasm a must; dilly-dalliers need not apply. That’s probably because my grandfather, a former prisoner of war and all-around workhorse, helped raise me.

I’ve become somewhat numb to the fact that certain human skills continue to diminish. Like, say, human contact and dealing with issues face-to-face. Just post your problems on Facebook or send a text.

My complaining aside, I felt as if human interest in things not required to be digitized hit a new low when I read Mark Mravic’s article entitled Extreme comfort zone of home viewing is impossible to beat. (A more fitting title would have been “Dear Life: I Give Up. Sincerely, Apathetic Sports Fan”).

I guess I’m an avid sports fan. It consumes my life in more ways than just being a fan. But for most red-blooded Americans, being a fan initiates us to the largest fraternity in the world. It’s solidarity, yes, but it’s also a human experience soaked in emotions, imagery, and so much more that I just can’t put my finger on all of it.

Just as some religions require a pilgrimage, sports has its own sacred journeys. Every year we plan to visit our favorite team’s home or some piece of sports history so we can say “I saw it; I experienced it.” Heck – for most of us, it is spiritual!

In Mravic’s piece, he claims that watching a game at home is a more comfortable and thus more enjoyable experience than actually attending the game. His defense comes in form of a rainy New York Giants-Jets game.

By watching the game at home, he saved time, money, and the discomfort of a balmy and rainy evening sitting huddled with thousands of other vociferous and opinionated New York fans.

Has it really gotten to that point where we’d rather simulate experiences?

Mr. Mravic: I’m sure your high definition flat panel television with surround sound made that game quite realistic. Unfortunately, no matter how advanced it becomes, technology will never replace the human elements we can only get from each other, and in this context, sports.

Had I sat home and watched the Cleveland Indians from the comfort our hotel suite, my dad and I would have never seen Jim Thome hit 3 homeruns from our overpriced nosebleeds. We would have never high-fived so spontaneously that it continued on to other strangers next to us, only to realize that for the first time in my thirteen years, we physically shared an emotion.

No matter the weather, the game experience - sights, sounds, smells, emotions - is well worth it

Had I sat home and watched from the toasty warmth of our house, we wouldn’t have sat on a crowded bus to see the Buffalo Bills play the Miami Dolphins. I wouldn’t have froze in the stands while watching my favorite team lose to my hometown one.

I wouldn’t have sat as a young child and experienced the passion of 80,000 fans sitting in freezing weather to cheer on their home team (albeit with some expletive-laced rants) because it represented a part of their grit and hard work. I wouldn’t have started to appreciate what I actually had at home instead of coveting everything I saw on TV thinking it was somehow better than where I was or what I had.

Had I sat home and watched from my cushy couch, I wouldn’t have seen that final game at Silver Stadium in Rochester, NY, former home of the AAA Red Wings, as proud homegrown fans cried and cheered all in the same breath. I wouldn’t have realized that big isn’t always better, and that sometimes if you don’t experience it for yourself, it’s gone before you actually had time to enjoy it.

Had I sat home and watched from my recliner with a cold beer, I wouldn’t have been able to tell my kids that I saw Michael Jordan play and score 20 points in a quarter. I wouldn’t have witnessed the smile on my brother-in-law’s face, a soldier and huge Jordan fan, as he watched Jordan announced while sitting in the free seat that I offered him. I wouldn’t have learned as a young adult that giving is actually better than receiving.

Had I sat at home and watched my beloved alma mater Temple University defeat nationally ranked Tennessee on its home court in North Philadelphia, I wouldn’t have realized the power sports and generations it can cross and affect.

I wouldn’t have driven six hours with one of the kids I coached to sit next to my former coach and stand with them and cheer as a bunch of players we didn’t know persevere. I wouldn’t have realized that positive role models don’t just affect the next generation, but generations thereafter as they mold their heirs to be the teachers, parents, and leaders.

No, those experiences would not have come within the context of sports. I could have saved a bunch of time. Certainly saved a ton of cash. Although . . . the life lessons seem few and far between from my 45 degree angled view of the television.

Maybe I would have eventually learned them elsewhere. Consequently, however, should I have learned them in some other realm of life, then that would mean that sport exists only to entertain.

If that is true, then I’ll sit right there in my recliner and watch along with Mr. Mravic. I know that is not the case, though. My experiences have proven otherwise.

So I suppose a more suitable title for this piece would be: “Dear Life: I’m All In. Sincerely, A True Sports Fan.”

By Paul Gotham

****Remember, try this without research. Make like Wally, and release your inner James Joyce. Show us your stream of consciousness as you try to decipher the answer.

I was not a linguistics major at Oklahoma State, but I added a word to sports parlance.  You can probably trace “posterized” to me. Imagine me rising above his “Airness” to throw it down. I gave the denizens of Penn Station a few thrills. I was a league All-Star once. I earned second team All-Defense another year. I even grabbed the Sixth-Man honors one time. I am the all-time Knick leader in three-point field goals. My name is 11th in all-time points for the Knicks. I rank in the team’s top ten for steals and assists. While 23 was slugging it out in Birmingham, we advanced to the finals. We only allowed 100 points or more once in the playoffs, but we came away with a runner-up trophy after losing in seven games to Kenny and the Dream.

Who am I?