SEC, NCAA coaches enter the Twitterverse, avoid violations

In the dog-eat-dog world of college football recruiting, any advantage that can be taken will be taken -- within the NCAA bylaws, of course. And if Coach A is ahead of the curve, it's no surprise if Coaches B through Z will jump on board. Per WholeHogSports.com, many SEC and NCAA coaches (ok, maybe their administrative assistants) are engaging their fan bases (and recruits?) via Twitter. The question remains whether this is in violation of NCAA rules on communicating with potential recruits since Tweets can be sent directly to one's cell phone.

NCAA bylaw 13.4.1.2 states that prospective student-athletes may be contacted via e-mail or fax, but that "all other forms of electronically transmitted correspondence (e.g. Instant Messenger, text messaging) are prohibited." That means a coach may promote the school's programs and reputation, but cannot individually contact a player or any individual associated with that player through electronic media.

Per LSU's student paper, The Daily Reveille, NCAA associate director for public and media relations Cameron Schuh confirmed in an email that "as long as coaches are not using Twitter to contact individual prospective student-athletes," that there is "no issue."

As seen in the Tweets below from several SEC and NCAA football coaches populating the Twitterverse, there is a wide array of subject matters, none coming close to being in direct contact with recruits:

1. 
   CoachSark (University of Washington) @BarackObama congratulations on your 100 first days. Watching for you live here on CNN. 29 Apr 2009 from TwitterFon
2. 
   MarkRicht (University of Georgia) Here is all the information for this year's Mark Richt Football Camp... http://markricht.com/blog/blog.php 30 Apr 2009 from web
3. 
   LaneKiffinUT (University of Tennessee) Slow day in the office...great time to watch some film... 30 Apr 2009 from web
4. 
   Play4brew (University of Minnesota) 2009 Gopher Football Captains are, on offense Eric Decker and Adam Weber on D Lee Campbell Eric Small Garret Brown and Simoni Lawrence!! 30 Apr 2009 from web
5. 
   LSUCoachMiles (Louisiana State University) Smacker finishes ahead, eating at voodoo bbq, missing manny and mom who are playing giants baseball in Memphis! 02 May 2009 from TwitterBerry
6. 
   UM_CoachRod (University of Michigan) Congrats to our 4 Seniors that will graduate today and attend grad school next fall!! Great job David, Zoltan, Jason & Tim! 02 May 2009 from TwitterBerry
7. 
   JayPaterno (Asst. at Penn State) http://twitpic.com/4ep5j - Nike Camp Day today at Penn State. NCAA Rules prevent us from attending or coaching. 02 May 2009 from TwitPic
8. 
   PeteCarroll (University of Southern California) Heading down to san clemente for the nike 6.0 lowers pro surfing championships... Wish I could catch some waves like these guys! 02 May 2009 from txt

SEC, NCAA coaches enter the Twitterverse, avoid violations

Last Battle in Bulls-Celtics War Tonight, Steve Nash makes prediction

I don't know how much energy I have left to give to the Chicago Bulls and the Boston Celtics. 6 games of pure relentless drama--terrific clutch shooting, jaw-dropping defensive sequences, hard fouls on both sides...and did I mention four overtimes? Onions!

As emotionally spent as I might feel, there is always an extra reservoir of adreneline one can tap into for events of extra meaning and purpose. Tonight is one of those nights.

Game 7, in Baaa-sten, Bulls-Celtics. Winner advances, loser goes home. It doesn't get more decisive that that. Isn't it what we love most about sports?

So, who's going to win tonight? One NBA Twitterer, Steve Nash, offers up these Tweets:

1. 
   the_real_nash BTW how amazing is the Bulls Celtics series? I've only seen a little bit but the highlights took like 30 min - so many big shots & OT's! 02 May 2009 from Tweetie
2. 
   the_real_nash I think Chicago deserves a lot of credit for the way they've played. They've won in Boston but I still take the Celts at home. 02 May 2009 from Tweetie

-- this quote was brought to you by quoteurl

Other random Tweets on who will win tonight:

1. 
   JaclynCaschetta tonight: hawks, sox, bulls. i have a good feeling about my chicago teams tonight!!! :) 02 May 2009 from web
2. 
   J_Schools @KTWojo @liLtWinkie613 i repeat, BOO BULLS! ;0) haha, Celts gonna kick some butt tonight! 02 May 2009 from TweetDeck in reply to KTWojo
3. 
   MrSuperJay RT @ceejay29: "@MrSuperJay i got the bulls movin on" 02 May 2009 from PockeTwit in reply to ceejay29
4. 
   Nugerson Tweet tweet, bulls prevent a celtics repeat 02 May 2009 from TwitterBerry

-- this quote was brought to you by quoteurl

Last Battle in Bulls-Celtics War Tonight, Steve Nash makes prediction

Rachel Alexandra romps in Kentucky Oaks

Per the Blood Horse, Rachel Alexandra rolled to a record 20 1/4 length victory over six overmatched rivals in the 135th running of the Kentucky Oaks today in Louisville, Ky.

The three-year old filly was never asked to extend herself in the mile-and-an-eighth race, sitting off the pace, taking the lead on her own with just over a quarter mile left and opening up down the stretch, per the article. Her final time just missed the stakes record.

Those who attended the race shared their experiences and lauded Rachel Alexandra's performance.

1. 
   labach I saw Rachel Alexandra win the Kentucky Oaks this afternoon. It was the most impressive victory I have seen since Secretariat's Belmont. 02 May 2009 from web
2. 
   wowhorse Sooo tired. But what a perfect day. No rain, took some a-maaazing shots of Rachel Alexandra, and got to see the performance of a lifetime. 02 May 2009 from web
3. 
   Datdymefyne Back from the Oaks! I am soooo burnt! LOL..heres a pic of me tho! http://short.to/6vj9 02 May 2009 from twidroid
4. 
   DanielGraff Just got back from a wonderful day at the Oaks... Looking forward to doing it all again tomorrow at the Derby. 02 May 2009 from TweetDeck

-- this quote was brought to you by quoteurl


For more, YouTube has a race video available.

Rachel Alexandra romps in Kentucky Oaks

Congress meets today to determine fairness of BCS

The debate for a playoff in college football has reached the attention of Congress, who meets today to determine if the Bowl Championship Series system for determining a national champion is fair.

Per ESPN.com, the Congressional hearing comes after President Barack Obama's support of a playoff system to determine a national champion in Division I NCAA football.

The committee chairman, Bobby Rush, D-Ill., along with representatives from both parties, aim to put pressure on BCS officials to demand changes to the current system, including Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, who introduced legislation to keep the BCS from stating it selects a national champion.

Representatives from Utah have been some of the most outspoken against the current BCS system such as Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, and the state's attorney general, Mark Shurtleff, who is preparing an antitrust lawsuit that could dissolve the BCS. Under the current BCS rules, the University of Utah was not able to play for the national championship in 2008 despite its undefeated season. Utah beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl 31-17.

BCS officials have maintained that a switch to a playoff system is not possible due to contracts with bowls, and also that a playoff would devalue the regular season.

Some college football fans are excited about the idea of a playoff:

1. 
   coachb51 Just heard that Major College Football is considering a playoff. How awewome is that. 01 May 2009 from web
2. 
   Mr_Maverick WHA? Congress is holding a meeting over legislation on the BCS. Do I hear a playoff system for college football! *Fingers Crossed* 01 May 2009 from TwitterFon
3. 
   LPBiohazard @billwixey 2 things about the BCS. 1 how is this a congressional issue 2 u just name the playoff games as bowl prob solved..... 01 May 2009 from TweetDeck in reply to billwixey
4. 
   MattWilson518 Thank you congress for trying to fix college football. Will this administration be remembered for the playoff? http://bit.ly/QUctT 01 May 2009 from TweetDeck

And others would rather keep the current system:

1. 
   Goodgion College football needs to STAY THE SAME. There will ALWAYS be controversy over where people get placed whether its playoff or not! 01 May 2009 from web
2. 
   pkln THE BCS WASN'T CONCEIVED TO BE FAIR!!!!!!!!!!!! 01 May 2009 from web
3. 
   Maizeplace Keep the BCS as is. It's the only way to keep college football alive http://tinyurl.com/cgecb6 yeah right 01 May 2009 from web

However, several Twitterers are frustrated that Congress is taking time to meet over this issue when the economy is still in trouble and there is a world health crisis:

1. 
   DrRus Capital Hill to talk about how to name the College Football Championship team today. And this relates to Capital Hill how? 01 May 2009 from TweetDeck
2. 
   barkway Congress to hold hearings on a college football playoffs?? CONGRESS? Oh please, why R my taxdollars and gov't reps being used for that? 01 May 2009 from TwitterBerry
3. 
   TwannaArnold Keep the US Gvmt. OUT of college football!!! Can you imagine how much tickets will cost if we don't?!?! 01 May 2009 from TwitterFon
4. 
   cindystar O is going to examine the college football bowl system today. I guess 2 wars, tanking economy, and a good pig disease not important enough 01 May 2009 from web
5. 
   KevDigiTourGuy while you're struggling to survive, Congress today holds a hearing on a playoff in major college football. http://shrinkify.com/pbh 01 May 2009 from web
6. 
   JeremyLangley YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK: Congress to hold hearings about college football ranking system vs. a play-off system. WHY ARE THEY INVOLVED??? 01 May 2009 from web
7. 
   mccunelaw What the HELL is the US Congress doing involved in college football championships?? OMG!! If that isn't a sign of the times..what the F is? 01 May 2009 from web

Congress meets today to determine fairness of BCS

Alabama becomes the second state to postpone high school athletics

Texas was the first state to shut down its high school athletic events, and Alabama is now the second.  Per the Tuscaloosa News, the decision was made after the state's first probable case of 

Swine Flu was reported from a Huntsville elementary school.  

The Alabama High School Athletic Association has to reschedule the state track and field championships which were scheduled for May 1-2nd.  

Twitterers had this to say:

1. 
   MattArnett @angeleasterling: they canceled all high school sports for 2 weeks. It is true. But don't panic. Maybe they'll raise the terror level too 30 Apr 2009 from txt
2. 
   sportsphotog Alabama postpones high school sports events due to H1N1 flu scare. Suppose I'll catch some motorcycle racing this weekend. 30 Apr 2009 from web
3. 
   Joseph7131 Wow Alabama has postponed all high school sports bc of swine flu, I swear I had it for 2 weeks 30 Apr 2009 from txt
4. 
   AUB_CPA Hate that the Alabama High School Athletic Association postponed softball playoffs. Looking forward to attending...maybe next week. :-( 30 Apr 2009 from web
5. 
   kateyepling all of high school sports are cancelled in the lovely state of alabama. what am I gonna do with myself. I am sports fanatic. psych. 30 Apr 2009 from mobile web
6. 
   HolyHitman Alabama canceled all high school sports due to swine flu.....really? really? 30 Apr 2009 from TwitterFox

Alabama becomes the second state to postpone high school athletics