ronald wesley maly

Well, At Least the Pictures Of Germany Were Great

2012-01-27T12:33:00.013-06:00

The collegiate basketball games haven't been so hot lately. I mean, Iowa State lost at Texas; Drake lost to Creighton; Iowa lost to Nebraska. Stuff like that. Newspaper talk, complete with page 1 cheerleading, boosterism-type headlines about postseason tournaments shows that some of the boys working in the mainstream media have been drinking something other than ice water with their dollar sandwiches from McDonald's. Hey, when a couple of the teams have RPI ratings of 107 [Drake] and 120 [Iowa], you start thinking about next season, not the NCAA tournament or even something called the College Insiders.com tournament. The only time you talk about the Big Dance is when you ask how the noise is these days at the Val Air. By the way, Northern Iowa is No. 50 and Iowa State is No. 57 in the RPI power rankings. I didn't have to watch a minute of the number Doc Sadler and his Huskers did on Iowa last night. I was too busy enjoying the picture show presented by a good friend of mine at church. The cake and coffee after the pictures made it a very nice evening for a dozen or so folks. And I haven't given much thought to how and why the Hawkeyes' Melsahn Basabe didn't attempt a field goal, scored one point and had one rebound while playing 13 minutes in the Hawkeyes' 79-73 loss. I guess that's what happens when a team comes off a 9-day layoff. Maybe too many chicken mcnuggets and not enough running and lifting. Must be why coaches are paid all money to figure out things like that. Speaking of coaches, Iowa hasn't won a game since Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany told coach Fran McCaffery he didn't want him throwing chairs on the sideline anymore. I don't know if that order has affected the psyche of McCaffery or his team. I'll have to check it out with Charlie from the Czech Village, who pays attention to stuff like that. Anyway, back to the pictures of Germany. They were obviously the highlight of last evening. I didn't bother looking at any video replays of what happened at Carver-Hawkeye Arena when I got home. Hey, tonight's another night of basketball. Tickets, hot dogs, popcorn and Cokes are priced at $1 each on "Buck Night" at the Drake-Bradley women's game at the Knapp Center. German pictures one night, $1 seats and $1 eats the next night. What a deal. By the way, the picture at the right is similar to one shown at church last night. Luisen platz is in the center of Potsdam, the capital of the German state of Brandenburg. Ever since the castle and gardens of Sanscoussi were built, Potsdam has been famous four its fountains. This is the largest one downtown, in front of Potsdam's Brandenburg Gate. Courtesy of Orangerie Potsdam Haupt.jpg on the Internet.

Cundiff's Missed Field Goal Worth $20 To This Iowan

2012-01-26T14:28:00.008-06:00

"Ron,

"I have to tell you a story about Billy Cundiff's missed field goal on Sunday.

"I belong to a fantasy football league and we had our year-end party at one of the local taverns. We had reserved two tables there and were watching the games, having a grand old time. Right behind us were two guys and I couldn't tell if they were loyal Ravens fans or just couldn't stand Tom Brady and the Patriots.

"When Cundiff got ready to line up for the field goal, I had this gut feeling he was going to miss it, so out loud I yelled, '$20 says he misses it.' Needless to say, that quieted everyone down pretty quickly. All of a sudden I heard a voice behind me say, 'That's a chip shot, I'll take that bet.' It was one of the guys who had been sitting behind us.

"Cundiff kicked it and it veered left of the goal posts. My friends sat there and looked at me in disbelief....

"The next thing I knew, I saw a $20 bill floating over my right shoulder. I turned around and saw the guy and his buddy walking out the front door. Didn't say a word!"

Kyle Ealy
Editor - Midwest Racing Archives
www.midwestracingarchives.com
k.ealy@rocketmail.com

[RON MALY'S COMMENTS: I never like to see the Patriots beat any team, and it didn't help matters that Billy Cundiff, a former kicker from Drake, missed the crucial field goal in Sunday's game. But I'm glad Kyle Ealy won $20 because of the miss. And, Kyle, I hope you didn't spend that twenty in one place.]

'Daddy's Boy,' a Venezuelan In Pink Shoes, a Catholic Priest On the Bench and a Basketball Coach Who Saved His Career By Moving From Ames To Omaha

2012-01-25T22:15:00.014-06:00

Creighton University is a Jesuit school in Omaha that has quite a basketball team this winter. It has a Catholic priest who sits on the bench during games, a 6-foot 9-inch center from Venezuela named Gregory Echenique--a 270-pound mountain of a guy who wears pink shoes and double-zero on his jersey--a 6-7 sophomore from Ames named Doug McDermott who was called "Daddy's Boy" by some of Drake's fans tonight, a 6-11 freshman from Waukee named Will Artino, a No. 14 or No. 15 national ranking [depending on whose voters who believe], a 19-2 record and a coach named Greg McDermott who has saved his career by moving from the Big 12 Conference to the Missouri Valley. The Bluejays helped Drake attract its largest home crowd of the season tonight at the Knapp Center, but not even the noise generated by the Bulldogs' faithful among a gathering of 6,110 [nearly 1,000 below capacity] was enough to get Drake over the hump at "white-out night." The first 4,000 fans to arrive at the arena were given white T-shirts by Drake. Creighton elevated its Valley record to 9-1 and remained tied with Wichita State for first place with a 77-69 victory. Doug McDermott, the kid Drake's fans kept referring to as "Daddy's Boy" whenever he shot free throws, scored 30 points and hauled down nine rebounds in a very impressive performance. Doug's father is Greg McDermott, whose career was going nowhere at Iowa State. Then Creighton beckoned, Greg asked Northern Iowa coach Ben Jacobson if it would be all right if Doug played for him at Creighton instead of for Jake at UNI. Nice guy Jake [who had signed Doug to a national letter of intent] said sure. So now Doug is one of the nation's best players and Greg has one of the country's best major-college teams over there in Omaha.

If 'The Best Is Yet To Come' for Drake, Now Is the Time

2012-01-24T15:54:00.002-06:00

Mark Phelps didn't say, "The best is yet to come" just once. He said it twice today at Drake's basketball lunch at the OverTime restaurant in Urbandale. What the Bulldogs' coach meant was that better things are on the way [hopefully this season] for a team that takes records of 12-8 overall and 5-4 in the Missouri Valley Conference into Wednesday night's game against Creighton [ranked No. 14 in the coaches' poll and No. 15 in the AP sportswriters' poll]. "We're building this program on a solid foundation," Phelps told fans after they'd visited the buffet line. Solid foundation or not, the Bulldogs are confronted by their most challenging week of the season to date. After the visit tonight by a Creighton team that has records of 18-2 and 8-1, Wichita State [17-3 and 8-1] comes to the Knapp Center Saturday night. The first thing Drake sharpshooter Ben Simons [pictured] said when he got behind the microphone was that he and the other players were urging fans to "pack the Knapp Center" for tomorrow's 7:05 p.m. game. The trouble is, the 7,002-seat building hasn't been packed all season. Drake is averaging only 3,928 fans per home game, with highs of 5,876 for an 83-68 loss to Northern Iowa [the only home defeat of the season] and 5,665 for a 74-65 victory over Iowa State. The decision over the Cyclones looks even more impressive now that Fred Hoiberg's team is doing so well in the Big 12 Conference. Creighton certainly isn't a one-man team, but sophomore Doug McDermott is the nation's No. 3 scorer with a 23.2 average. Phelps stressed that it's important for his team to keep the ball away from a player who toiled in the shadow of Harrison Barnes [now starring at North Carolina] at Ames High School. Keeping the ball away from McDermott will, of course, be about as easy as keeping a T-bone steak away from a hungry German Shepherd.

'Memo To Ron: I Don't Expect You To Identify 'Charlie From the Czech Village,' Your Source From Cedar Rapids, But He Is a Very Funny Guy'

2012-01-23T16:48:00.019-06:00

That message in the headline comes from a reader who was amused by the dispatch sent to me about Lee Rood, the new "Watchdog" columnist at the Des Moines Register. The column about Rood has been entertaining readers of this website since it first appeared Friday. I don't disclose my sources, but I've known "Charlie from the Czech Village" [not his real name, of course] for a long time. Because Charlie still lives in that neck of the woods in Cedar Rapids, he gets to the Village more often than I get there. But he keeps me updated on how good the poppyseed kolaches are at Sykora's [pictured at the right], and how cold the Pilsner Urquell is at one, if not all, of the several taverns on 16th Avenue. As the man said in the headline, Charlie is a very funny guy. Sharp-witted guy, too. Keep it coming, Charlie.

'I Am Very Saddened We Have Lost Coach Joe Paterno'

2012-01-22T21:49:00.000-06:00

Ron Maly has already written that he thinks the late Joe Paterno was mistreated, and that the mistreatment contributed to his premature death. Here's more about Paterno from readers:

"I felt compelled to tell my story about Joe Paterno because it effects me even today: Iowa vs. Penn State, Sept. 18, 1993, Kinnick Stadium:

"I was sitting on the opposing side about four rows up about the 30-yard line and you could hear conversations on the sideline many times. John Sacca was pulled from the game and I think he had just thrown an interception. Out of frustration, he did something on the field that caused an unsportsmanlike personal foul of unsportsmanlike conduct. Paterno pulled Sacca aside and was speaking to him about what had happened on the field, Sacca then started to give his side of the situation and all of a sudden Paterno grabbed him very sternly and said, 'We do not do that at Penn State.' He then put Kerry Collins in as quarterback.

"We all have that voice that says what would Dad do or Mom do, I will always remember what Paterno did. Joe Pa mentored me and I never met him or spoke to him personally. I can only imagine the impact he has had on others."

A Sports Fan

*,

"Thanks much for sending [the previous] e-mail. Several years ago, I watched a very short video that showed the implosion of the 1958 press box at Kinnick Stadium. They lined the thing with dynamite and took the whole thing down in about five seconds. The same thing was done to the Kingdome in Seattle, WA.

"Approximately the same thing was done by Jerry Sandusky to the lifetime of great work and great legacy achieved by Coach Joe Paterno during his 46 years as head coach and 16 years as assistant coach at Penn State.

"Nothing good was achieved to help Penn State University by their trustees' firing Coach Paterno before the 2011 football season was over. I think the trustees were trying to shield Penn State against the lawsuits that would be filed by Sandusky's victims. Firing Paterno in November did nothing to help their legal position. Some of those lawsuits have already been filed, and more will come. Firing Coach Paterno will not change any of that.

"I am very saddened that we have lost Coach Joe Paterno. Again, my thanks for your e-mail."

Best, AL SCHALLAU

*

"...It's sad that Paterno went out somewhat on the dark side, because he did many things the right way. And there are far too few coaches today who walk that line. I hated to see Dr. Tom [Davis] leave the Iowa [basketball] program. I was pretty sure he'd never win a national championship, but he was a class act, and there are far, far too few of them. Paterno's mistake was allowing himself to become the most powerful man on the Penn State campus. Near the end, he simply had too much to protect, and perhaps most difficult, to keep things in perspective. Of all the qualities of people in administrative/leadership positions, I think perspective is one of the most important qualifies and the most difficult to maintain.

"A few centuries ago, Alexander Pope wrote, 'To err is human; to forgive, divine.'"

A Coach

*

“It is certainly a very, very sad day. The passing of Coach Paterno is a huge loss; there will never be another Joe Paterno. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Paterno family.” -- Kirk Ferentz, Iowa football coach.

"Joe Paterno has meant so much to college athletics over such a long period of time. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his immediate family first and foremost, and then, certainly, to the extended Penn State family."-- Gary Barta, Iowa athletic director.

High-Larious High-Jinks At the Paper

2012-01-20T21:13:00.008-06:00

Woof-woof, Ron.

Charlie from Czech Village here, checking in from your old hometown. I just couldn't wait to tell you about the Des Moines Register's newest high-larious high-jinks. Yessiree, the folks on Locust are still trying to be real life investigative reporters and leading the pack is Lee Rood, the biggest pretender of them all. You say you don't believe it, Ron? The lovely Ms. Rood has been designated as "The Reader's Watchdog" at the Register. I suppose the punctuation means there is only one reader left. Otherwise it would be "The Readers' Watchdog." But I digress. The newspaper explains their new columnist (talk about a dog) is looking to help people who are "despondent, outraged, at wit's end or, as often happens, all three." The Register's remaining reader is being asked to write Ms. Rood when he or she is short-changed at a store, presumably one that doesn't advertise, or is upset by something or somebody who upsets them. Ms. Rood will get to the bottom of it, exactly the way bottom-rated TV stations used to investigate when their remaining viewer was upset because a plumber didn't show up on time. This "Watchdog" initiative is being unveiled in the Sunday paper, but a preview is available on the Register's Web site. It is accompanied by a giant picture of Ms. Rood, said picture available for purchase. Click to add it to your cart. Don't believe they're selling her picture, Ron? Check it out. Just don't have your Alpo first. But enough of this nonsense. I have to go outside and write my name in the snow. It's getting deeper all the time over here, Ron.

All the best from Czechtown.

Arf-arf.

Charlie

[RON MALY'S COMMENTS: I'd just gotten in from my 2-mile walk at the mall when I saw the message from Charlie. I didn't even have time to thaw out the poppyseed kolaches I had in the freezer from the last time I was at Sykora's Bakery on 16th Avenue in the Village. I haven't yet figured out how to use my new one-cup coffeemaker that the kids gave me for Christmas, so I heated up a cup of Folger's I had left over from the old drip pot I use at breakfast. I always need coffee with my kolaches. Then I got to Charlie's e-mail. I was so excited that I hurried to the Register's website to read about what this new "Reader's Watchdog" business was all about. Here's what it said: "Coming Sunday: The Reader's Watchdog. Scarcely a day goes by at The Des Moines Register when we don’t get a call from someone who is outraged, despondent, at wit’s end or, as often happens, all three. At some point, the caller has hit a dead end trying to resolve a major problem and turns to us as a last resort. This weekend, the Des Moines Sunday Register is launching a watchdog column just for readers. Investigative reporter Lee Rood will work to help Iowans to get answers from public officials, businesses and the justice system. On Sunday Rood probes the needless death of a Des Moines man and asks why state and federal authorities never pressed charges. Pick up a copy of the Des Moines Sunday Register, or read the column here at DesMoinesRegister.com, to find out more about The Reader's Watchdog." Charlie, I'm breathless. I mean, give me oxygen immediately. I can't wait to brew me up a cup of hot something or other Sunday morning and read what The Watchdog has to say. I've got The Watchdog's picture posted here, courtesy of the website, but I haven't decided yet if I'll order a print from the paper. I don't want to make too many decisions at the same time. Say hello to all of my Bohemie friends down there on The Avenue, Charlie. Next time I run into you there, we'll have a poppyseed kolache or two together, and see if anybody wants to interview us].

As Good As Gold & Silver

2012-01-20T17:11:00.003-06:00

Matt Gatens [left] and Roy Devyn Marble pose in the throwback jerseys that Iowa's basketball players will wear for Lettermen’s Day on Feb. 4. Lettermen’s Day will coincide with the silver anniversary reunion of Iowa’s 1986-1987 team coached by Tom Davis that will be honored before the game. See below to read Thursday's column by Ron Maly about the 1986-1987 team. [Photo by Mike Stenerson, UI Photo Services].

Iowa Is Becoming the Butt Of Jokes On Late-Night TV. Talk Show Hosts Wonder If Smart People Live Here, Why Can't We Count Votes?

2012-01-20T12:04:00.012-06:00

I think I'll turn it over to Kathie Obradovich [pictured at the left]. She's got all the answers. Well, one or two anyway.

I'm Having a Hard Time Figuring Out Why A.J. Derby Needs To Go All the Way To Coffeyville, Kansas, To Play Quarterback. Isn't There a J.C. Closer?

2012-01-20T10:08:00.007-06:00

You'd think the kid who grew up in Iowa City, but who's leaving town because he's no longer in the Hawkeyes' quarterback picture would be able to find a two-year school [or a four-year school] closer to home where he could transfer. There are plenty of good junior college football programs in this state. What the heck is the lure of Coffeyville, Kan.? Pat Harty says Derby is planning to stay at Coffeyville Community College for only one season anyway. If anyone has an answer to all of this, let me know. I mean, I know the kid probably needs a change of scenery, but I'm trying to figure out what kind of scenery there is in Coffeyville.

First, the Sadness: Chris Street Died 19 Years Ago; Then, On To the Feb. 4 Reunion Of the 1986-87 Hawkeye Team That Almost Made It To the Final Four

2012-01-19T07:46:00.023-06:00

Before I get into the next subject, I want to mention one thing.

I've written about this plenty of other times, and I'm writing about it again now.

It was 19 years ago that Chris Street [pictured at the left] died in that awful traffic accident in Iowa City.

I was supposed to cover Iowa's basketball game against Northwestern the next night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

I got a phone call from Larry Lehmer, who was working on the sports desk at the paper.

Lehmer said there was a rumor Chris Street had been killed.

I couldn't believe it.

Neither could anyone else.

I went to work.

A lot of us went to work.

An entire state was in shock.

And Chris Street's family and a tremendous amount of other people mourned the death of a fine young man.

*

Now on to what I began writing about.

It concerns another night in Hawkeye basketball history.

I was thinking about the scene a day or so ago.

Yes, even though it was nearly 25 years ago, I remembered it.

I was sitting in Seattle--and it wasn't a case of being sleepless in Seattle.

Actually, I was well-rested.

I was wide awake.

Iowa's basketball team--the first Hawskeye squad to be coached by Tom Davis [pictured at the right]--was leading Nevada-Las Vegas, 58-42, at halftime of the NCAA West Regional championship game.

George Wine, who then was still Iowa's sports information director, was polling sportswriters from Iowa to see how many of us would be going to New Orleans for the Final Four the following week.

I signed the sheet of paper. So did Marc Hansen.

But it made me a little nervous to be looking ahead to the Final Four when Jerry Tarkanian--the UNLV coach known as "Tark the Shark"--still had 20 minutes of basketball ahead of him in the regional.

It turned out I had reason to be nervous.

Tark the Shark and his UNLV Runnin' Rebels stormed back to beat [the word stun is probably a better word] Tom Davis and his Hawkeyes, 84-81, before a crowd of 27,914 in the Kingdome.

So there was no Final Four for those Hawkeyes or Tom Davis, the coach who took them to a 30-5 record.

Davis wound up to be the winningest basketball coach in Hawkeye history, and I'm glad Iowa will be hosting a Feb. 4 reunion for Davis and his 1986-87 team.

Here's what Hawkeye Sports.com wrote about the reunion:

There will be more than a basketball game on Feb. 4 when Penn State visits Carver-Hawkeye Arena. That Saturday will be a special afternoon as the University of Iowa men's basketball program will honor the 1986-87 Hawkeyes.

Former head coach Tom Davis, and a majority of players and staff from the 1987 team will reunite in Iowa City.

That team, which was the top-ranked team in the country for a number of weeks during the season, set the program's single-season record for victories (30) and was one game from the earning the program's fourth Final Four appearance.

Eight players from the 1987 team ultimately went on to get drafted in the NBA, while others played professionally overseas.

Since last September, the wheels have been in motion by director of basketball operations Jerry Strom in getting this group back together.

"Les Jepsen and I started talking about having a silver anniversary reunion," said Strom. "Les got a positive response after talking with some of his teammates so we decided to move forward. This team had a magical run and is part of Iowa basketball history."

Jepsen, who was a freshman on the 1987 squad, was instrumental in talking to his former teammates and orchestrating the reunion.

"One afternoon, I made a couple phone calls and this all kind of came together," said Jepsen. "I haven't seen a lot of the guys for a long time. We figured now would be a good time to get people together, have them see Iowa's new facilities and get the guys a little more involved in the program."

Players, coaches and staff that are able to make it back that weekend will come together the night of Feb. 3 for a private dinner and social. Fans will have an opportunity to see and meet this illustrious group before the Feb. 4 game. There will be an autograph session of selected players and coaches from 12:30-1:30 p.m. around the concourse. Following autographs there will be a pregame ceremony recognizing the team and its accomplishments.

Jepsen was extremely humble when asked about how excited he was in having the opportunity for this team to be recognized.

"Being honored is a nice gesture, but we'll be there to help support the current Hawkeyes and that's the focal point, not us," said Jepsen. "A lot of these guys lost touch with the program, which is not good. We got away after Tom Davis left. It will be good to get teammates back to support the program."

Not only is that afternoon the silver anniversary reunion for the 1987 team, but it is also "Lettermen's Day", as a number of former Hawkeyes will be in attendance. As an added bonus for fans, the current Iowa squad will wear special throwback jerseys from the early mid-80s.

"The throwback jersey idea took a lot of work," said Jepsen. "I believe this is a terrific idea by Jerry. We'll merge the past with the present, in a good way."

Sophomore Roy Devyn Marble is particularly excited about donning a jersey that his father, Roy, once wore.

"It should be a memorable moment for my dad and I and both teams," said Devyn. "The throwback jersey is really nice; I can't wait to put it on. It will be a great afternoon."

If you haven't already bought your tickets for this special day, be sure to contact the Iowa ticket Office before the game is sold out. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for youths.

In addition to autographs, meeting the team and throwback jerseys there will be a commemorative program and an 80's theme throughout the day.

Over-Inflated Pay Checks and [Maybe] Egos--TV Sports Announcers Bob Costas, Al Michaels, Joe Buck and Jim Nantz Each Paid $5 Million a Year

2012-01-18T18:25:00.019-06:00

NBC's Costas and Michaels, Fox's Buck and CBS' Nantz are the highest-paid. Then there are Chris Berman and Mike Tirico of ESPN. Each is paid $3 million annually. Chris Berman? Give me a break. [Sources: Sports Business Journal, USA Today].

*

I'm glad to see the paper is catching up with that Bobby Elliott-to-Notre Dame story. Nothing in print yet, but it's coming. As they say, better late than never.

*

I'm also glad DJK has signed with the Barnstormers. If anyone can save the franchise, it's DJK.

*

Nebraska 70, Indiana 69. Huskers coach Doc Sadler keeps his job for at least another week.

*

I'm wondering what Gary Williams did to get on the Big Ten Network. He's not exactly Mr. Excitement. The only guy who was worse was Gene Keady. At least Keady had a better Big Ten resume than Williams, who bailed out on Ohio State so he could coach at Maryland.

*

I knew Iowa State would beat Oklahoma State. Not in my wildest dreams could I see Fred Hoiberg losing to Travis Ford at Hilton.

I Rarely Feel Sorry for Coaches, But I Felt a Little Sorry for McCaffery At Purdue; His Delany-Ordered Low-Key Style Contributed To Iowa's Blah Game

2012-01-17T21:26:00.008-06:00

When a guy can't be himself while practicing his trade, it influences the people around him. The people around Fran McCaffery are his Hawkeye players, and I didn't think they had the zip I've seen in the past when they lost tonight's game at Purdue, 75-68.

I Guess Jim Delany Will Decide If, Or How, McCaffery Changes Iowa's Basketball Culture; Oh, Yes, You Don't Have To Throw Chairs To Be Successful There

2012-01-17T08:17:00.018-06:00

And I guess Fran McCaffery [pictured at the top of the column], the Hawkeyes' coach, has thrown his last chair. It's obvious the Big Ten doesn't want another Bobby Knight on its hands. McCaffery has already drawn five technical fouls from officials this season [his wife, Margaret, has been whistled for no technicals that we know of], and Delany doesn't particularly like the direction Fran's coaching tenure is taking. Actually, all McCaffery is trying to do us put some fire into a Hawkeye program that hasn't much zip since Tom Davis [pictured at the right] coached Iowa from 1987-1999. Davis proved you don't have to throw chairs to be successful at Iowa [heck, he became the university's winningest coach and, in my memory, didn't throw one chair and didn't get many technical fouls while doing it]. After doing so well at Iowa, Davis brought Drake's program back to life, and didn't have to throw any chairs inside the Knapp Center in Des Moines or anywhere else in the Missouri Valley Conference either. Hawkeye teams coached by Steve Alford, who succeeded Davis, did well in the Big Ten's postseason tournament, but that was about it. Besides, the immature Alford wasn't liked by Iowa's fans--who began staying away from Carver-Hawkeye Arena in droves. [The attendance problems still haven't been entirely solved]. Todd Lickliter, who came in after Alford, was a flop. He was never going to win, and athletic director Gary Barta was smart to send him packing. McCaffery can coach, and it looks like he'll win at Iowa if given the time. But it's possible to win at Iowa without throwing chairs. Bucky O'Connor proved it, Ralph Miller [pictured at the left] proved it, Lute Olson proved it, and Davis proved it. McCaffery's chair-throwing episode was, and still is, fun to watch on YouTube and in re-runs on ESPN, but it has run its course, and Delany and the Big Ten think it's time to move on. By the way, it's a good thing ESPN was wise enough to see that McCaffery's chair-throwing was a news story. Most newspapers and wire services that had reporters at the Iowa-Michigan State game [during which McCaffery manhandled the chair] didn't know or didn't mention anything about the chair-throwing until after ESPN began showing the incident time and again. That's further proof the newspaper business is on life-support.

So Much for [Previously Unbeaten] Baylor. I Wanted the Bears To Keep the Streak Alive, But It Was a Case Of Too Much 'Rock Chalk, Jayhawks, K.U.!'

2012-01-16T23:45:00.012-06:00

All I know is, Larry Eustachy says Kansas coach Bill Self [left] wears a wig. Hey, Eustachy knows more about Self than I know--or care to know. And by the way, Larry, we miss you at the Oriental cafe in West Des Moines. We need more of your stories. About Bill Self and others who either wear hairpieces or don't wear hairpieces.

Andrew Logue Is a Gamer

2012-01-15T15:34:00.009-06:00

From Bud Appleby of Des Moines: "Just how shorthanded is the Des Moines Register? According to my count, Andrew Logue covered four basketball games -- involving four different teams -- in three cities in three days.

"He covered the Northern Iowa women's game in Cedar Falls on Thursday night, the Northern Iowa men's game in Cedar Falls on Friday night, the Drake women's game in Des Moines on Saturday afternoon and the Iowa State women's game in Ames on Saturday night."

[RON MALY'S COMMENTS: The rumor is that Andrew Logue [pictured at the left] walked into the Register building one day and said, "I'm looking for work." I guess he got what he asked for. Logue seems to be working all the time. Seriously, Andrew is a very industrious sportswriter, and a very nice guy. He'll do whatever is asked of him, and these days the shorthanded Register is asking a lot from the people who work in the fourth floor newsroom. The bosses should be happy they have a hard-working writer like Logue in the sports department].

Brock Ascher Leaving Drake's Sports Publicity Staff

2012-01-14T09:11:00.009-06:00

When I attended the Drake women's basketball lunch the other day in Urbandale, Brock Ascher's first comment to me was, "Ron, this is the last Drake lunch I'll be attending." That got my attention immediately. "Why? Are you going someplace?" I asked. "Yes, I'm going to Iowa State," Ascher answered. Drake's sports communications department will be losing a talented young guy when Ascher departs in about a week. Ascher has been an assistant sports information director at Drake since November, 2009, and will become what he and Iowa State call a "communications specialist 2" Jan. 23 in the College of Engineering. Ascher, a native of Greene, IA, and a 2007 graduate of Northern Iowa, has done a variety of jobs at Drake, but I've dealt with him mostly in his responsibility as the women's basketball publicity guy. "My first home game was when you and Bill Fennelly got into it," Ascher said. "Quite an interesting way to begin a job -- and an interesting way to meet someone, I might add." I asked Ascher what he'll be doing in his new job, and he said, "I'll work specifically in Iowa State's computer and electrical engineering department. I’ll write publicity stories, and also design their recruiting pieces and keep their website maintained." Ascher said, "Everyone at Drake has been very supportive" of his upcoming move north. "As Paul Morrison says, it pays to live right," Ascher commented. Morrison is Drake's longtime do-everything guy who is 93 years of age and is the university's historian.

Paper Sent a Reporter To Cedar Falls To Cover a UNI Women's Game That Drew 901 Fans, But Couldn't Find Anyone To Go To Drake Home Game That Drew 1,543

2012-01-13T14:48:00.013-06:00

From Bud Appleby of Des Moines: "It appears the Des Moines Register sent a reporter to Cedar Falls on Thursday to cover a Northern Iowa women's basketball game that attracted 901 fans. But it could not find anyone to go the few blocks to the Knapp Center to cover a Drake women's game that drew 1,543 spectators.

"On another matter, I don't know if anyone keeps track of these things, but Fran McCaffery must be leading the nation in technical fouls so far this season.

"But at least his wife Margaret has managed to behave herself. Or, if she hasn't, nobody has bothered to report it.

"When he was a coach at Siena, she was once kicked out of a game after a profanity laced tirade against the game officials. The New York Times reported that she was escorted from the arena. That came after Fran was kicked out of the game for getting his second technical foul.

"On another occasion, she interrupted his post-game press conference to criticize the officiating."

[Photo of Margaret McCaffery courtesy of the New York Times].

[RON MALY'S COMMENTS: The Register's story on Drake's victory over Southern Illinois was rewritten from the one authored by Brock Ascher of Drake's sports information staff. Ascher's story can be found in its entirety at the right side of this page. He regularly e-mails his stories on Drake women's athletics to me and other news outlets, including newspapers, TV stations and radio stations].

McCaffery Has No Regrets About Chair-Throwing; 'I Was Brought Here To Change the Culture. I'm Going To Coach With Passion, and My Players Know That'

2012-01-12T15:49:00.022-06:00

Iowa's Fran McCaffery [pictured at the left] is turning into the closest thing to Bobby Knight [right] that there is in Big Ten basketball coaching. Although it received scant mention in news outlets around the state of Iowa, ESPN, other TV networks and stations, You Tube and the Internet have been showing time and time again the chair-throwing incident McCaffery was involved in Tuesday night during Michigan State's 95-61 victory over the Hawkeyes. The only difference was that Knight hurled a chair across the court during a game in 1985, but McCaffery only picked up a chair and threw it to the floor near the Iowa bench when his team was losing, 69-41, at East Lansing, Mich. Before tossing the chair, he had drawn a technical foul. Knight, of course, knows all about technical fouls, too. It turns out that, ala Knight, McCaffery isn't apologizing for throwing the chair. Asked today at his press conference in Iowa City if he had any regrets about the chair-throwing incident, he said, "No, not at all. If anybody thinks I'm going to sit there with my hands crossed when we're down by 40, they got the wrong guy. I was brought in here [to Iowa] to change the culture. I'm going to coach with passion, and my players know that. They also know I'm going to fight for them. So as far as that's concerned, a lot of people like to infer what was going on or what was being said. Nobody knows what I was saying. Nobody knows what we were discussing during that timeout except for me and my players. I have no regrets, I have no apologies, none whatsoever. I'm going to continue to coach the same way, and we're going to keep working, improving, and battling, and fighting until we're up by 40." McCaffery was then asked, "Do you ever worry about officials holding that against you?" He answered, "Good ones don't."

Bob Brown Was a Sportswriting Pro, And I'll Miss Him a Lot

2012-01-11T14:29:00.015-06:00

Over the years, I sat in a lot of press boxes with Bob Brown, and covered a lot of sports events with him. Bob Brown was a gamer and a pro. He was a hard worker who did the very best he could in every writing project he tackled. Bob died last night at 83 in Fort Dodge, the city where he practiced his craft so well for so many years at the Fort Dodge Messenger. I always admired the way Bob would continue working a story or a column until he had it exactly the way he wanted it. Whether it was a University of Iowa or Iowa State University football or basketball game, or the state high school boys' and girls' basketball tournaments, Bob was a class act. It was a pleasure to join Bob as a charter member of the University of Iowa's Kinnick Stadium Wall of Fame a few years ago. In recent seasons--when both he and I were in our retirement years--I enjoyed sitting with Bob in the Kinnick press box on Saturdays during the Hawkeyes' football games. I'll miss him in the press box in future years. I had the pleasure of working alongside the talented Rick Brown, one of Bob's sons, in the newspaper business for a number of years, and it was a pleasure for me to know another of his sons, Randy, when he was on the basketball coaching staff at Iowa State. My thoughts and prayers are with Bob's widow, Nan, and all of her children and grandchildren at this difficult time.

No 'Patsy' 2012 Football Opener for Hawkeyes---They Play Northern Illinois, Which Went 11-3 and Won a Bowl Game, At Chicago's Soldier Field

2012-01-10T15:22:00.011-06:00

It's a Good Thing Spring Practice Isn't Far Away: Iowa 7th In Final Big Ten Football Power Rankings for 2011 Season, Iowa State 8th In Big 12

2012-01-10T09:29:00.004-06:00

Michigan State, Oklahoma State lead rankings by ESPN.

Another 24-Page Monday Register. More Embarrassment: Not One Staff-Written Sports Story. And SpikeThat Idiotic 'Celebrities' Sidebar Buried On Page 6

2012-01-09T16:17:00.014-06:00

A stupid story was pushed as far back in the sports section as the editors could put it. It was headlined Register asks local 'celebrities' for their analysis of the title game. The story had no byline, which indicates it may have been written in crayon by a driver for Yellow Cab. The "celebrities" consisted of one guy who never was a celebrity and two others I never heard of. I guess the night janitor in the sports department said, "No thanks" when asked if she wanted to pose as a celebrity, and the copy boy was in the bathroom. It can't get much worse than this. By the way, the cab driver who wrote the "celebrity" story in crayon took the knucklehead from the Register newsroom who planned the "celebrity" story on a one-way trip to a nuthouse in Altoona after dropping off the artitle.

Send 'Em a Map

2012-01-08T13:47:00.012-06:00

An e-mail from Bud Appleby [pictured at the left]: "The Mason City High School girls won a basketball game Saturday. According to the dateline on the Des Moines Register's story, the game was played in West Fork, IA. It appears that the people who work at the Register don't know there is no town of West Fork -- that is the name of the school in Sheffield. A couple of weeks ago, the Register had a story with a dateline of Saydel, IA. There is no Saydel, either. That is the name of a school just north of Des Moines, combining Saylor and Delaware townships. Maybe somebody should send a map of Iowa to those people down there."

[RON MALY'S COMMENTS: Hey, Bud, you sound like a guy who's expecting miracles from that place at 8th & Locust. Don't forget, it's a business that's on life support. It obviously dies a little more every day].

A Rare 65-Degree January Afternoon Served As a Great Time For Me To Walk the High Trestle Trail Bridge In Madrid, IA, Overlooking D.M. River Valley

2012-01-06T12:55:00.014-06:00

Since last summer, Joseph and Ethel Kolenz have been urging me to walk the trail bridge. "I'll get around to it during the winter," I jokingly said. Well, that's exactly what happened. I got around to it on Jan. 5. And what a pleasurable experience it was. Although my photos indicate no one was on the 13-story, half-mile bridge that overlooks the Des Moines River valley, there actually were plenty of walkers and bicyclists throughout the afternoon. My advice to you: Enjoy the trail, too, before or after it snows.

Dana Holgorsen, Coach of the W. Virginia Team That Thrashed Clemson, 70-33, In Orange Bowl, Grew Up In Mt. Pleasant, IA. His Next Stop Is Big 12

2012-01-05T00:04:00.021-06:00

The first-year coach of the West Virginia football team that rolled up 589 yards and scored a record 70 points in last night's Orange Bowl is an Iowan.

He's Dana Holgorsen, who wound up a banner 10-3 first season with the Mountaineers in a 70-33 thumping of Clemson.

In the photo at the top of the column, Holgorsen, 40, is shown having Gatorade poured on him by his triumphant players in the final seconds of the game. [AP photo courtesy of The Monitor].

Holgorsen, a native of Mt. Pleasant, IA, graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1989 and Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant in 1993.

He was a three-year letterman as a wide receiver at Iowa Wesleyan, finishing his career No. 5 on the school’s all-time receiving yards list with 1,711 yards and sixth in all-time receptions with 145.

Holgorsen had to survive some controversy [more on that later in this column] before being named West Virginia's coach last June 10, and is earning $1.4 million.

That figures to be enough to support Holgorsen and his children McClayne, 13; Logan, 11 and Karlyn, 8, who are pictured with him at the right [courtesy of the West Virginia communications office].

There is no wife shown, so I'm assuming she's out of the picture in more ways than one.

Holgorsen had been recruited to Iowa Wesleyan by coach Hal Mumme and offensive coordinator Mike Leach, both of whom he would coach with later in their careers.

“Growing up in Mt. Pleasant back in the 80s, a town of about 7,000 people, a job like this seemed unattainable,” Holgorsen told the publicity people at West Virginia. “I remember watching coach [Don] Nehlen’s [West Virginia] teams in the late 80s, back in that run in ’88 and ’89, when I was a junior and senior in high school, and he set the standard for what it’s like here on and off the field, and I look forward to living up to those standards as well."

Well, Holgorsen sure showed a huge Orange Bowl crowd and an ESPN TV audience a wild-eyed offense last night.

He kept using a play that he later said he "found at Colorado School of Mines."

However, there is no stint listed for him at Colorado School of Mines, a university in Golden, Colo., in his resume. So maybe he was joking to the ESPN announcers after the game about that.

But there were coaching stops as staffs at Valdosta State, Mississippi College, Wingate, Texas tech, Houston and Oklahoma State.

Holgorsen actually moved to West Virginia on Dec. 22, 2010 as the team's offensive coordinator. Wikipedia writes, "At that time, athletic director Oliver Luck also announced that Holgorsen would replace Bill Stewart as head coach in 2012, saying he didn't think Stewart was capable of leading the Mountaineers to a national championship.

"The relationship between Stewart and Holgorsen was strained from the start, and finally came to a head when Colin Dunlap, a reporter from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette claimed Stewart had asked him and another reporter from the Charleston Gazette to dig up negative information about Holgorsen. While Luck was unable to substantiate the reporters' claims, he decided that Stewart had become too much of a distraction and forced Stewart's resignation on June 10.

"Luck had anticipated that the coach-in-waiting arrangement might not work as originally planned. Holgorsen's contract stated that his salary would be prorated at $1.4 million for the remainder of the season should he become head coach before 2012. In addition, the $250,000 annual bonus applied to the head coaching salary would begin a year early, resulting in an additional $2 million over the six-year period addressed by his contract."

Whatever, now Holgorsen's offenses will be a problem for defenses at Iowa State and the other defenses in the Big 12 Conference.

West Virginia finished its stay in the Big East last night and will be heading to the Big 12 next fall.

I'd say he has a bright future.

McCain Endorses Romney. I Have a Question About That: Is It Good News Or Bad News for Romney? Maybe It's a Case Of One Loser Endorsing Another Loser.

2012-01-04T14:58:00.005-06:00

Cancun Sounds Like a Great Place To Be

2012-01-04T10:02:00.003-06:00

Now I'm starting to figure this out. Iowa's women's gymnastics team is starting its season in a nice place this week--Cancun, Mexico. When the Hawkeye football team lost the Insight Bowl game to Oklahoma, 31-14, last week, I was wondering why Marc Hansen's employer, the Des Moines Register, didn't send him to Tempe, AZ, for the game. Now it's dawning on me. First of all, Ed Kelly e-mailed me from London, saying Hansen was on vacation until Jan. 10. [Even though the paper didn't send him to the Insight Bowl or the Iowa State-Rutgers game in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium in New York City, Marc wrote commentaries about both games without leaving Des Moines.] With all of the information I have now, I'm betting my friend Marc is spending part of his vacation in Cancun. His daughter, Jessa, is an outstanding senior on the Hawkeye gym team, so I'll bet [at least I'm hoping] most of the family is heading to, or in, Cancun. The team left for Cancun yesterday, Thursday is called a "training day" for a team that's called the "Gym Hawks" and the competition starts Friday. Jessa Hansen was an all-Big Ten first team gymnast last season. This is what the Iowa publicity department says about her: "One of six Hawkeyes to compete in all 14 meets [last season]... first team all-Big Ten selection... won six event titles, including four on floor... set career bests on all four events, plus the all-around... led the team on floor with career mark of 9.950, winning the event title against Iowa State... posted a personal best of 9.875 on bars at NC State, winning the event title... placed second on beam against Denver with a career high of 9.875... recorded a career mark of 9.850 on vault to tie for fourth versus Denver... set third career mark against Denver in the all-around (39.425) for a second place finish... Academic all-Big Ten selection... Big Ten Sportsmanship Award nominee." The amazing thing about Jessa, who is from Waukee, is that she's done so well at the collegiate level even though there is no high school gymnastics program in the state of Iowa. Good luck to Jessa and the rest of the Hawkeyes in Cancun. And, Marc, I hope you get a few rays from that Cancun sun. I'm guessing you won't have to spend all of your time indoors.

Democrats Lick Their Chops: Santorum, Romney Fight On; Perry Goes Home As a Dead Man Walking [Or Staggering]; Wake Me When This Stupid Mess Is Over

2012-01-03T23:41:00.010-06:00

By the way, Michele Bachmann [pictured at the right] is history. You knew it and I knew it. Finally, she found out.

Crunch Time ; Decision Day. I'm Breathless. These Headlines Are Driving Me Nuts. Let's Get This Caucus Over So Kathie and Jennifer Don't Have Strokes

2012-01-03T14:20:00.015-06:00

Kathie Obradovich [right], I mean. Jennifer Jacobs [left], too. I think John Carlson might be the only person at the paper who's keeping his sanity. Now I know why Marc Hansen decided to take his vacation. Me? I've studied the field and found no one I'd bother picking. Weak field. Very weak. Let's turn the page on this so we can move on to something important--like discovering a cure for diabetes or cancer.

Better Watch It, Bret Bielema--Pretty Soon [Maybe Already] People Will Be Saying You Can't Win the Big One; But Nice Going, Dantonio, MSU & Cowboys

2012-01-02T19:51:00.022-06:00

Wisconsin football coach [and former Iowa player] Bret Bielema lost his second straight Rose Bowl football game Monday night. Last season it was Texas Christian that beat Bielema's Badgers, 21-19, at Pasadena; this time Oregon stuck it to Wisconsin, 45-38. Bielema [a very modest 2-4 in sll bowls at Wisconsin] is pictured at the right. Meanwhile, Mark Dantonio's Michigan State team saved the Big Ten from embarrassment in Monday's bowl games against the Southeastern Conference. The Spartans rallied to beat Georgia, 33-30, in three overtimes at the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Fla. Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany [left] is breathing a little easier now. By the way, despite anything you hear from ESPN announcer Brent Musburger and anything you read in the Des Moines Register, the Big Ten has won two bowl games, not one, in this postseason. People seem to be forgetting that Purdue beat Western Michigan, 37-32, in something called the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. As far as I know, the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl in Detroit is still a major-college bowl. I mean, it used to be called the Motor City Bowl, but at least it's a bowl. So the Big Ten has won two [repeat 2] bowl games in this postseason.

*

Getting back to Bielema for a minute. Michael Hunt, a sports columnist for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, didn't let poor Bret up for air. Here's the way Hunt began his post-Rose Bowl column:

"You could almost see Wisconsin giving up 621 yards to Oregon. Swallowing entire football fields in a single bill-full is what the Ducks do.

"You could certainly forgive a kid like Jared Abbrederis for putting the football on the ground near the end of the game. For what he did Monday - 320 total receiving and return yards - and all year long for that matter, well, those things happen.

"But for Wisconsin to blow a second consecutive Rose Bowl in basically the same freakish way it dropped two games in a 2011 season that now seems completely wasted in the aftermath of the 45-38 loss to Oregon, that is hard to forgive or forget.

"Bad things don't happen to talented teams like UW on sheer randomness. They happen because of a lack of preparation and poor coaching decisions.

"Only Bret Bielema, it seems, could have an 11-3 record and a good number of the Badgers' fandom prepared to gather torches and pitchforks at the gate.

"There is ample reason for this.

"At Wisconsin, it is no longer enough just to show up under the purple mountains majesty that is the Rose Bowl. Losing back to back to TCU and Oregon is no way to carry on the legacy.

"Then there were the hair-yanking blunders against the Ducks, followed by another excruciating loss. Those kind of things seem to dog the Wisconsin coach a little too often for any of this to be a coincidence.

"Bielema got emotional on the postgame podium. I'd feel bad, too, if I felt like I contributed to another silly loss in the one year the Badgers had a shot to go for it all with their first real quarterback in ages..."

[RON MALY'S COMMENT: Sure, and you thought football was just a game.]

*

Getting back to more pleasant things: Was that 41-38 Oklahoma State victory over Stanford in overtime [photo at the top of the column courtesy of the Daily Oklahoman.com] late Monday night a dandy game or what?

I Ran Into a Guy Who Told Me, Somebody At the Register [Probably the Publisher] Should Be Arrested for Trying To Sell a Flimsy 24-Page Monday Paper

2012-01-02T09:41:00.007-06:00

I told him to contact publisher Laura Hollingsworth at 515-284-8000 and either tell her she's under arrest or ask for a 75-cent refund for the cost of the paper.

Happy New Year. I Hope It's a Championship 2012 For Everyone--Including Rev. Roland Pillack [Pictured], Visitation Pastor At Mt. Olive Lutheran Church

2012-01-01T12:39:00.002-06:00

Through Ed Kelly's Camera Lens: London Midnight Picture As Big Ben Rang In the New Year and Fired Out Fireworks From Her Clock Tower

2012-01-01T05:22:00.002-06:00

Maybe I Shouldn't Be Surprised By This. Still, It's Sad. For the First Time Ever, the D.M. Register Didn't Send a Sports Columnist To Iowa, ISU Bowls

2011-12-31T09:49:00.021-06:00

It was obvious Marc Hansen had to "cover" two bowl games while watching them on TV from his living room, his family room, his basement or the Des Moines Register's newsroom. I'm sure Sec Taylor and Maury White are rolling over in their graves now. If Hansen were dead, he'd be rolling over in his grave, too. Hansen is a gamer, and did as well as he could do in writing columns about Iowa State's loss to Rutgers in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium in New York and Iowa's loss to Oklahoma in the Insight Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium at Tempe, AZ. Both games were shown by ESPN. But now that the Register's bosses can see that it's possible for a columnnist to write about bowl games without leaving town, they may try that tactic with all of their writers in the future. I can see it now--Andrew Logue covering Iowa State's games next season while watching them on TV or listening to John Walters' description of them on the Cyclone radio network. Great way to save money, right? No flight costs, no company car needed, no $4-a-gallon gas to buy, no hotel rooms to rent, no ham-and-cheese or peanut butter sandwiches on the expense account. And the Gannett Co. is obviously trying to save money all the time. Sad stuff. By the way, in the event you've forgotten what Marc Hansen looks like, I've resurrected the photo that was taken in much warmer weather last August on the Hawkeyes' practice field in Iowa City. The photo is at the top of this page, and Hansen is shown at the left--visiting with a couple of his now-retired newspaper buddies. That's Dave Stockdale at the right.

Oklahoma';s 21-0 Lead Gives Iowa Too Big a Hill To Climb In the Desert; 54,247 Fans Watch Bob Stoops' Sooners Win, 31-14, In the Insight Bowl

2011-12-31T00:44:00.012-06:00

By Adam Rittenberg
ESPN.com

Oklahoma and Bob Stoops, the Iowa alum who is the Sooners' coach, ended a disappointing football season on a high note, winning a third consecutive bowl game, 31-14, in the Insight Bowl to record back-to-back seasons of 10 or more victories. Iowa's bowl magic vanished despite a plucky effort as the mistake-prone Hawkeyes lost in the postseason for the first time since 2006.

Let's take a closer look at the game, which was watched by 54,247 fans:

How the game was won: Oklahoma's pressuring defense flustered Iowa and forced enough mistakes to buy time for Landry Jones and the offense to get going. The Sooners led, 14-0, at halftime despite mounting only one productive drive, but their defense never backed down or broke down. The Sooners later took a 21-0 lead. OU made Iowa work for everything, and the Hawkeyes repeatedly shot themselves in the foot with penalties, dropped passes, poor throws, questionable play calls and other mistakes. Junior quarterback James Vandenberg and the Iowa offense established a rhythm midway through the third quarter and closed to within 21-14 with 6:56 left, but Oklahoma's power game, led by quarterback Blake Bell, responded to seal the victory.

Player of the game: Sooners cornerback Jamell Fleming. The senior set the tone early with an interception return down to the Iowa 10-yard line, setting up the first of three Bell-dozer touchdown runs. Fleming also contained Iowa's all-Big Ten wide receiver Marvin McNutt, who had just four catches for 46 yards and appeared frustrated for much of the game.

Stat of the game: Oklahoma ran eight offensive plays in the first quarter and had 12 yards and no first downs. But the Sooners had seven points and led Iowa 7-0.

Candid camera: There was a scary moment late as ESPN's Skycam fell onto the field and nearly struck McNutt on a bounce. It delayed the game several minutes with 2:22 left to clear the wiring.

Second guessing: It seems odd to question a Kirk Ferentz decision to go for a fourth-and-short situation, but Iowa really could have benefited from points following a 13-play, 68-yard drive midway through the first quarter. Down, 7-0, the Hawkeyes marched to the Oklahoma 6-yard line before failing on third-and-4. Rather than kick the short field goal, Ferentz went for the touchdown and Iowa lost 3 yards on fourth down. Iowa didn't score until early in the fourth quarter.

What it means for Oklahoma: The Sooners ended on a positive note and showed they could be motivated to win a bowl despite a disappointing regular season. After being shredded by rival Oklahoma State, the Oklahoma defense responded very well against Iowa, controlling play for the first two and a half quarters. For a unit that endured inconsistent play in October and November, this was a good ending. The victory sends the Sooners into a crucial offseason, which begins with Jones' decision on whether to stay for his senior season or enter the NFL draft. Oklahoma loses some key seniors but still should enter the 2012 season as one of the top contenders for the Big 12 title.

What it means for Iowa: Hawkeye fans can't be disappointed with the effort, but a team that repeatedly made mistakes away from its home field couldn't survive them again Friday night in Tempe, AZ. The defense played very hard for retiring coordinator Norm Parker, but Iowa needed a cleaner performance to upset Oklahoma. Iowa sees its victory total drop for the second consecutive season, and the team now enters a crucial offseason. Ferentz soon will name a new defensive coordinator, and he needs to put a stop to the revolving door at running back. Iowa loses key parts, but should be more experienced at several spots. But Hawkeyes fans expect more from their program and its well-paid coach, and they should. The Big Ten is only getting harder, and Iowa should be mirroring what Wisconsin and Michigan State have done rather than falling back into the pack. Not much has gone right for this program since the 2010 Orange Bowl victory.

ESPN Writer Second-Guesses ISU's Rhoads: Why Didn't He Put QB Jared Barnett Back Into 27-13 Bowl Loss To Rutgers After Benching Him for Steele Jantz?

2011-12-30T18:41:00.014-06:00

By David Ubben, ESPN.com:

The Big East Conference ended the Big 12's perfect record in bowls by way of the 27-13 Rutgers victory Friday over Iowa State in the Pinstripe Bowl, played inside Yankee Stadium.

Iowa State fought late, but it's a solid victory for the Scarlet Knights, playing only about an hour away from their campus.

How the game was won: Rutgers climbed out of an early 6-0 hole with a 17-point second quarter to take control of the game. The Scarlet Knights used a powerful running game to dominate Iowa State's front seven, while Iowa State's offense sputtered for much of the final three quarters.

Turning point: Iowa State made it interesting with a 20-yard touchdown run by Jeff Woody to cut its deficit to 20-13, and the Cyclones got the ball back. But after a punt, Chas Dodd hit 6-foot-6 Brandon Coleman for an 86-yard touchdown with 5:47 to play. That basically wrapped this one up. Matching up 5-foot-7 Jeremy Reeves against Coleman? Not a great idea. The Cyclones had a drive reach the red zone, but a fourth-down pass to Darius Reynolds in the end zone fell incomplete.

Stat of the game: This one was the antithesis of a thrilling nightcap on Thursday night, won by Baylor over Washington, 67-56. The two teams combined to convert just 4-of-26 third downs. So many punts. So few first downs.

Stat of the game II: Rutgers won the turnover battle, 3-0.

Player of the game: Jawan Jamison, RB, Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights averaged just 91.5 yards per game on the ground entering today's game. Only five teams in college football were worse, but Jamison's diminutive size (5-foot-8, 198 pounds) didn't prevent him from bruising the Iowa State defense and running hard for 134 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries. He'd only topped that production once all season, with a 200-yard game in a win over Cincinnati. He and the Rutgers running game took control in the second half.

Best call: Iowa State got off to a nice start with a gutsy move from coach Paul Rhoads. He faked a field goal on 4th-and-2 from Rutgers' 31-yard line on his second possession of the game. Holder Brett Bueker narrowly got the first down, and extended the drive by taking the snap and running straight ahead. It swung momentum, but after a sack, Iowa State had to settle for a field goal just 3 yards closer, which gave them a 6-0 lead. The the Cyclones didn't score again until Woody's score.

Second guessing: Rhoads' reluctance/refusal to put Jared Barnett back in the game after benching him for Steele Jantz. Jantz had a few nice runs to spark the offense when he came in, but he didn't help the offense convert very many third downs and wasn't much of an improvement over Barnett, who struggled early, completing just 2-of-7 passes for 23 yards. Jantz's passes sailed on him for much of the game, while Barnett most often threw passes at receivers' shoelaces. Not a sharp day for the Cyclones' quarterbacks. Barnett was a bit gimpy when he left the game in the first half, but if he was capable of playing, why not give him another shot in the second half?Jantz finished 15-of-31 for 197 yards and two interceptions.

Well wishes: Big East defensive player of the year Khaseem Greene announced his plans to stay at Rutgers another year, rather than enter the NFL draft. The junior linebacker went down with an ugly right leg injury late in the fourth quarter, though, after a hit on Jantz. It didn't look good, and he was attended to by trainers on the field for several minutes, while in obvious pain. His teammates came on the field to encourage Greene before he left on a cart with his right leg in an air cast.

What it means: This wasn't the way Iowa State offensive coordinator Tom Herman wanted to go out. He'll leave Iowa State to join Urban Meyer's staff as his offensive coordinator and playcaller at Ohio State next year. Rhoads was denied his second bowl victory in three years, but Rutgers coach Greg Schiano won his fifth consecutive bowl game.

Jantz also failed to recapture his fourth-quarter magic from early in the season. He quarterbacked the Cyclones to three fourth-quarter comebacks against Northern Iowa, Iowa and UConn, but the effort wasn't enough in this one.

Record performance: Rutgers junior receiver Mohamed Sanu snatched the all-time school record for receptions in the first half. He finished his season with 210 career catches, breaking running back Brian Leonard's record.

Packing [?] 'Em In At Jethro’s BBQ ‘n' Jambalaya

2011-12-29T12:05:00.003-06:00

If this is the way the "crowds" at the restaurant are going to be, I'd say Jethro's BBQ 'n' Jambalaya won't be around long. Andrea Melendez's photo in the paper tells the sad story. Come to think of it, the folks in the picture might be the owners.

More Strange Newspapering: Iowa, ISU Bowls Are a Day Away and Sports Columnist Marc Hansen Still Isn't Writing From Either Of the Game Sites

2011-12-29T09:29:00.007-06:00

In the old days, Hansen would've been writing from one of the bowls for a week. Now, I'd think he'd be at and around Yankee Stadium for Iowa State's game Friday afternoon, but maybe the bosses couldn't cash in enough beer cans and Pepsi bottles to scrape up enough money for the plane fare and hotel costs. Weird, indeed. Could it be Hansen will be covering both bowls while watching them on TV? And, by the way, forget me on those online videos the paper is trying to push on readers. Bad stuff, all of 'em.

Kaul Says Iowa Caucuses, Ames Straw Poll Are Both Fraudulent

2011-12-27T14:50:00.002-06:00

The Iowa caucuses are the second-most fraudulent event on the nation's political calendar. The first, of course, is the Ames Straw Poll. It's entirely meaningless, but political reporters pay attention to it because if they didn’t, their editors would make them cover a real story, like a meeting of the local water board. Quick! Who won the Ames Straw Poll in August? Did you forget already? I thought so. Michele Bachmann won it and was immediately anointed a serious contender for the presidency. That’s of the United States, mind you. By Thanksgiving, her candidacy had shrunk to Lilliputian proportions. Told you so. The Iowa caucuses are the oddest oddball of the political year. They have virtually no predictive value, but reporters and commentators act as though they do. Historically, they are as apt to choose a loser as a winner. Don't believe me? Here are some of the people who have won the caucuses that preceded presidential elections past: Democrats Tom Harkin and Dick Gephardt, and Republicans Mike Huckabee and Pat Robertson. None of them ever got within spitting distance of their party's nomination. Bob Dole won the Iowa caucuses once. It wasn't the year he secured the GOP nomination. In 1988, Democrat Mike Dukakis and Republican George H. W. Bush both finished third in their respective party caucuses and went on to win their nominations. In 1980, Ronald Reagan finished second in Iowa and first in the hearts of his countrymen. The first President Bush won Iowa the year he lost the nomination to Reagan. He lost it in 1988, the year he defeated Dukakis. In 1976, Democrats put up a strong array of strong candidates. The contenders for their party's nomination included Sen. Birch Bayh of Indiana, former Sen. Fred Harris of Oklahoma, Rep. Morris Udall of Arizona, Sen. Scoop Jackson of Washington state, and Sargent Shriver, who had been George McGovern's running mate four years earlier. Oh, and the relatively unknown former governor of Georgia, Jimmy Carter. Carter finished ahead of them all in Iowa and was propelled to a successful run for the presidency, more’s the pity. In fairness to Iowa voters, it should be pointed out that Carter finished second to “uncommitted.” The rules for the caucuses — one set for Democrats, another for Republicans — are almost impossible to fully understand, though in my many years of covering them as a reporter and newspaper columnist I always found that drinking helped. The Democrats keep breaking apart into ever-smaller groups with more emphasis on making sure every group, gender, race, and sexual preference is represented than on whom the candidate should be. The Republicans, as I understand it, vote in their precincts on caucus night, pass the results on to the press, then forget about them. Months later, at the state convention where delegates to the national convention are actually chosen, everyone votes for whomever they choose without reference to the caucuses. These things take place at hundreds of venues in the dead of an Iowa winter and can consume as much as two or three hours, with no absentee voting. Nor is there a secret ballot. It's no more or less democratic than a Russian election, I suppose. Out of this mess comes an avalanche of stories. I'm guessing that many will have headlines such as this one: “Newt Gingrich has seized the reins of the campaign." The best thing about the caucuses is that they are really fun. Iowa campaigns are retail politics at their most charming, and the people are great. I remember one caucus at which Orville Armstrong, a legendary if rough-hewn Polk County supervisor, became incensed at what the speaker in front of him was saying, so he punched him between the shoulder blades, sending him flying over a row of chairs. You don't get action like that with a secret ballot. As far as being a crystal ball into the future, however, reporters would be better served by reading the entrails of frogs. [Donald Kaul, otherwords.org].

The 1981 Bench-Clearing Brawl That Wasn't a Brawl At All

2011-12-27T06:19:00.016-06:00

The phrase "bench-clearing brawl" is one of the most overused in sports. Misused, too. Indeed, many so-called bench-clearing brawls [especially during baseball games] aren't brawls at all. They consist of players running onto the field or the court, then standing around talking and laughing with one another. Some bench-clearing brawls are the products of peoples' imaginations. In other words, they didn't occur. Like the one that Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops [pictured] convinced Des Moines Register sportswriter Randy Peterson happened. Stoops, whose team plays Iowa in Friday night's Insight Bowl game at Tempe, AZ, was quoted in the paper as saying, “We had a big fight — a bench-clearing brawl is what I remember, and, surprise, I was right in the middle of it [during Iowa's 1981 victory over Michigan State in the regular-season finale at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City]. Stoops was further quoted as saying, "Unfortunately, I got a punch in, and it was caught on TV. My dad saw it, and he was more than a little disappointed with what was going on.” Just one problem. I covered the game, a classic that sent Stoops and the other Hawkeyes to the Rose Bowl, and I don't recall any bench-clearing brawl ever happening. Neither do others who were in the stadium for the game, including retired Iowa sports information director George Wine. In an e-mail sent to me and others, Wine wrote, "The D.M. Register quotes Bob Stoops as saying he has two vivid memories about Iowa's 1981 Michigan State game -- (1) the fans stormed the field after the game and it got scary for the players, and (2) there was a bench-clearing brawl in which Stoops says he threw a punch that TV captured and got him in trouble with his father. I vividly remember fans storming the field, but have no recollection of a bench-clearing brawl. How about you?" Like I said, I recall no bench-clearing brawl. Said Guy Manasse: "I went back and looked up 2 separate videos and I could not see any brawl, but none of the video had wide shots. I am sure emotions were high and a quick flare-up would be possible, but this long afterwards could be embellished a bit." Another Hawkeye football fan says this of the "imaginary brawl": "Maybe Stoops is like [retired Iowa coach] Hayden Fry and doesn't let facts stand in the way of a good story." The weird thing was that Stoops' "memory" of the so-called bench-clearing brawl came when he was asked by Peterson, "Best recollection of a game?"

Let's Get This Straight Already: The Downtown Building Is Veterans Memorial Auditorium; the Ballpark's Official Name Is Sec Taylor Stadium

2011-12-21T16:16:00.005-06:00

A Good Man

2011-12-20T19:49:00.003-06:00

Emil Allick died yesterday. I knew him a little, not a lot. He owned the grocery store on Fifth Avenue in Cedar Rapids, where my inlaws bought most of their groceries in their later years. Emil's grocery store was like a lot of others in those years at Cedar Rapids. That was the pre-supermarket era. No Hy-Vee stores all over the place. No Walmart and Target grocery stores. The stores Emil and others owned were small buildings, usually on streetcorners. You could get anything from ice cream to pork chops, sauerkraut and dumplings. Everything from a carton of Camel's filters to a quart of Hamm's. You called Emil for a pound of hamburger and some potatoes, and he'd have them ready. He'd put it on your bill. If things were tough at Fruehauf or Penick & Ford, Emil would give you time to pay the bill. That's how it was in the 1940s and 50s. The obituary in the Gazette said Emil, 87, "passed away at his home with his family by his side. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories." I was a guest once in the home of Emil and his late wife, Tina, in Cedar Rapids. Emil and Tina served us a nice lunch. Tina Allick was what they called a "war bride." Emil and Tina were married Nov. 12, 1945 in Paris, France. I think it was in the spring or summer of 1959 that Emil called me on the phone and asked if I'd look into picking up a set of junior golf clubs in Albert Lea, MN, where we then lived. I bought the clubs, which I'm sure were for one of Emil's and Tina's kids. Emil reimbursed me for the cost of the clubs, then offered me 50 cents for picking them up. I said, "Forget the 50 cents, Emil. It was my pleasure. Give the 50 cents to your favorite charity." Emil is survived by children David (Vinca) Allick of Cedar Rapids, Dianne (Michael) O’Brien of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Deb Allick of Cedar Rapids; and grandchildren Nathan, Christopher and Adam Allick of Cedar Rapids, and Shannon (Erin) and Megan O’Brien of St. Petersburg, Fla. My condolences to all of them. Emil was a good man.

Basketball Thoughts From Wet Arizona

2011-12-19T15:48:00.010-06:00

An e-mail from Mark Robinson:

"Hello, Ron:

"Greetings from the wet Old Pueblo. The weather prognosticators said over and over again that this winter would be dry, really dry for Arizona. That prediction was based upon the emergence of the Pacific Ocean phenomenon known as La Nina. That weathermaker is supposed to drive storms to the north, over the upper midwest and leave us here in Arizona warm and dry. Another winter drought the local weather boys and girls predicted.

"So, since late November we are now deep into the fourth intense winter storm of this drought. It rains every week and the Mount Lemmon ski resort, the southern-most ski resort in the U.S., is flush with about two feet of snow. No one, at least in print, has asked those weather prognosticators why they missed the mark so badly. Well, I guess there is a lot of winter left in Arizona for it to be classified as a drought, but it doesn't look promising.

"I'm not sure if this weather makes any difference for Lute Olson, who still is the greatest college basketball coach who ever lived, in his own mind. Lute shows up at very important events now and then in these parts. He seems like a really nice fellow who can only spend so much time out of the limelight.

"I enjoyed that photo of Jeff Horner in the huddle with the Valley players. Jeff will be moving on to the collegiate level in a few years.

"I was back in my hometown last week and headed to the roundhouse to watch Marshalltown play Des Moines North. The Roundhouse really looks tired, but will be renovated in the next few years. It is the premier high school gym in Iowa, holding 5,000 fans. North beat Marshalltown that night, but I was disappointed in the talent on the court. Neither of these teams is going to have a good record in the CIML. The Register ran an article about North a few days later touting their winning record. The Clemons kid from North probably will play minor college ball, but I was amazed at the lack of talent from either team."

Mark Robinson

[RON MALY'S COMMENTS: Good hearing from you, Mark. Sorry it's so wet out there, but when all the returns are in, I'll bet you'll have a better winter than we'll have in Iowa. Let's put it this way. I'm guessing there'll be more people from Iowa going to Arizona for the winter than the other way around. Thanks for your comment about the photo I took of Jeff Horner during the game his Valley team played Saturday against Mason City. Frankly, It's at the top of the page. I hope Horner remains a high school coach. Too many guys get lost when they jump into collegiate coaching. I've seen 'em become collegiate assistants, then that's the last you hear of them. Say hello to my buddy Lute out there the next time you see him. I hear he wants to buy me the most expensive meal at the best Mexican restaurant in Tucson the next time I'm out there. I know why, of course. He keeps telling people I'm his favorite sportswriter, and he even devoted one entire page to me in his book. Continued good luck to the North High School Polar Bears and all other polar ears everywhere. Have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year, Mark. I assume you'll be attending the Iowa-Oklahoma game in the Insight Bowl at Tempe].

Sorry To Hear About the Death In the Czech Republic Of Vaclav Havel, 75, the Dissident Playwright Who Went From Prisoner To President In 1989

2011-12-18T19:06:00.006-06:00

He was one of my heroes. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

It Wasn't Pretty In the First Half, But Horner's Valley Boys Rally For 75-58 Victory Over Mason City; Tigers' Girls Beaten For the Firrst Time, 56-43

2011-12-18T07:15:00.016-06:00

It was halftime of Saturday's Valley-Mason City boys' basketball game at Bill Coldiron Fieldhouse in West Des Moines. It was obvious Valley coach Jeff Horner [pictured, talking with his players during the first half] was not a happy man. He was the first guy off the bench when the final second ticked off the clock before intermission. Valley's third-ranked class 4-A team trailed, 44-35, and deserved to be trailing. Maybe the Tigers should've been behind by more, the way they had played. You can bet the atmosphere in the locker room between Horner and his players didn't resemble silent time in study hall. Whatever, Horner got his message across. Valley's players came out motivated in the last half. Kale Abrahamson took over for for the Tigers, scoring 17 of his 21 points as the Tigers bounced back for a 75-58 victory over Horner's alma mater. Nathan Meyer added 19 for the Tigers, who have only one loss. It was a different story in the girls' game. Mason City took charge early and handed Valley its first loss in nine games, 56-43.

I Hope Someone Tells Me Very Soon What This Line In the Newspaper Means: '[The Ranger Truck] Appealed To Guys for Their Manly Styling and Zippy Ride'

2011-12-17T09:22:00.009-06:00

That wording was in an Associated Press story, published in the Des Moines Register. The story said Ford is ending production of its line of Ranger pickup trucks [pictured]. How the Associated Press could write something like that and how the Register, or any other paper, could print it is beyond me. I mean, what exactly is "manly styling" in a truck and what exactly is "zippy ride" in a truck?

Friday Stuff

2011-12-16T09:56:00.010-06:00

One of the big buildings in downtown Des Moines will always be Veterans Memorial Auditorium to me. It won't be "Vets" and it sure as hell won't be Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center. It'll be Veterans Memorial Auditorium. Like I said, always. It's the place where I first saw [and wrote about] the wonderful Drake basketball teams coached by the late Maury John in the 1960s and early 1970s. It's where I watched [and wrote about] the boys' and girls' high school basketball tournaments. I have very fond memories of Veterans Memorial Auditorium [pictured], and that's what the name of the building will be to me. It makes no more sense for some clowns to think about renaming the place to the jawbreaking name of Community Choice Credit Union [let me catch my breath] Convention Center than it did for Mike Gartner, another clown, to think he could change the name of Sec Taylor Stadium to something like cityview ballpark or some other idiotic thing.

*

It's too bad the paper and its present boosterism mentality buried Marc Hansen's column on the Veterans Memorial Auditorium situation. Hansen's column was so far back that it would've been in Chuck Shelton's favorite place in the paper--the tire ads--if the tire dealers were still advertising in the paper. Those days are gone, too.

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I read where something called the USC Annenberg Center for the Digital Future [ex-Register editor Geneva Overholser may have something to do with that] says most print newspapers will be gone in five years. That'll fix the carrier who didn't get my Sunday paper on the porch until 8 a.m. last week.

*

Thinking about the paper again, it continues to look for, and find, ways to lose readers in central Iowa. There's a story spread all over page 1 of today's sports section about UNI's basketball team. Not a word on page 1 about Drake, the hometown team that evidently will be playing for the final time on the University of Iowa campus Saturday night. I'll always remember the Bulldogs' games at Iowa Fieldhouse and, later, Carver Hawkeye Arena. Now Iowa wants to play Drake [the men's games anyway] only at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, but evidently not on a yearly basis. Not smart.

*

Channel 8 had another nice local feature last night on Tampa Bay pitcher Jeremy Hellickson. Nothing about it in the paper, though. No surprise, I guess.

*

Remember, it's always wise to skip anything written by newspaper hack Daniel P. Finney. Readers never know if the stuff is cranked out by Daniel P. Finney or his pal Roland H. Thompson. Actually, Thompson may be the better writer. I hope the paper is checking Finney's [or Finney's and Thompson's] hard drive. You never know what might be there.

*

Enough of this. I've got a 2-mile walk to enjoy.

*
Photo of Veterans Memorial Auditorium courtesy of Wikipedia.

Big 4 Women's Teams Will Continue Doing Things the Right Way

2011-12-15T08:52:00.012-06:00

When it comes to Big Four basketball scheduling, the women will continue to do things the right way.

Women's games involving Iowa and Iowa State playing on the campuses at Drake and Northern Iowa won't be affected by the questionable change in philosophy going on in the men's basketball scene.

Much to the displeasure of me and and lots of other followers of collegiate basketball, the Big Four men's picture in this state is in the process of being altered.

You know by now that Iowa and Iowa State are indicating they don't want to schedule future games at Drake's Knapp Center [pictured at the right] and UNI's McLeod Center [left].

Consequently, it could very well be that Saturday night's game at Iowa would be the last time Drake would be playing in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

What a shame.

There's already a strong possibility that Iowa's men's team won't ever be playing again at Drake's Knapp Center.

And that's a shame, too.

However, Big Four women's basketball is not going in that direction.

I've been told that the women's teams from Iowa and Iowa will continue to play at Drake and UNI. Also, the Bulldogs and Panthers will continue playing at Iowa and Iowa State.

That's the way it should be.

It's always been my feeling that Big Four games involving Drake, Iowa, Iowa State and UNI men's and women's teams are the highlights of the November and December schedules.

I'd much rather watch a Drake-Iowa and Drake-Iowa State game in the early-season than barnburners [just kidding, of course] like Iowa-North Carolina A&T and Iowa State-Lipscomb

Clearly, however, Iowa and Iowa State are indicating they don't want to play in the Missouri Valley Conference arenas on the Drake and UNI campuses.

There is talk of some sort of Big Four event at Wells Fargo Arena.

However, it would be only a one-day or one-night event that would match, say, Drake against Iowa and UNI against Iowa State one year and Drake against the Cyclones and UNI against the Hawkeyes the following season.

Such an event would knock either Iowa or Iowa State off of the Drake and UNI schedules in a specific season.

Sad. Very sad.

*

Photo of the Knapp Center by Ron Maly; photo of the McLeod Center courtesy of UNI.

Hot & Sour Soup, Etc.

2011-12-14T15:52:00.025-06:00

This rainy Wednesday was the day of the sportswriters' lunch at the Oriental restaurant in West Des Moines, and it was pleasure for all of us to again see Chuck Offenburger. Chuck called me this morning to ask if we were meeting today. Nice of him to make the drive so we could visit with him. Chuck [pictured at the right] was, of course, the longtime "Iowa Boy" columnist for the Des Moines Register. He now lives in Cooper, IA, and is a fellow Internet columnist. Both Chuck and his wife, Carla, have been battling cancer, and I wondered how the fight was going. Chuck said recent exams showed that both he and Carla are cancer-free. I can't think of any better holiday news....The group covered the waterfront, as usual, with its 90-minute discussion. Nothing of importance was left alone by four guys with lengthy newspaper backgrounds. We decided that Iowa will likely be in for a long night in its Insight Bowl game Dec. 30 against Oklahoma at Tempe, AZ. "Don't forget, Oklahoma was ranked No. 1 nationally early in the season," I said. "Some people may have forgotten that." Someone decided that Sooners coach Bob Stoops [a former Iowa player] will pour it on Iowa if he gets the opportunity. "Sure, just like Bret Bielema of Wisconsin," another guy said. Bielema, also an ex-Hawkeye, now coaches Wisconsin. He takes no prisoners in games...I'm thinking the newspapers around here missed a sensational story [or stories] before Tom Herman decided to cash it in as Iowa State's offensive coordinator. I'd say the guy has a fantastic football future. Herman will become Ohio State's offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach after the Cyclones' Pinstripe Bowl game Dec. 30 at Yankee Stadium. I don't think newspeople around here realized what Iowa State had in the 36-year-old Herman. The guy came to Paul Rhoads' staff from Rice, and I doubt many people in this state knew what an offensive mastermind the guy is. But Urban Meyer, Ohio State's new coach, evidently knew all about Herman, and made him an offer he couldn't refuse. Look for him to be peoples' lists as a head coach possibility somewhere in a few years...Folks shared my belief that the Des Moines Register was being ridiculous by calling last week's Republican debate the ABC News/Des Moines Register debate. The Register contributed absolutely nothing to the debate, and shouldn't have tried to make people think it did...I think I'm the last guy to hear that Christopher Gannon, who was a very good photographer at the Register, quit his job a while back. Gannon, the son of former Register editor Jim Gannon, will freelance. As though Des Moines needs another freelance photographer. There must be more to that story than anyone in our group has heard so far...I told the group that it was Ken Fuson's idea to write the lengthy two-day package of stories on the then-upcoming Iowa-Nebraska football game for the Register. Not much discussion about that, but someone said he saw Fuson [who works at Simpson College in Indianola] wearing a Simpson T-shirt and singing with others from the college at a Des Moines mall recently. I didn't know Kenny was a singer, but it doesn't suarprise me. He's a very versatile guy...There was a headline in today's Register that said "Colorado wants fracking chemicals identified". I asked the group what the frack the word "fracking" means. Offenburger was the only one who knew. The paper's editors should've made sure they explained in the story just exactly what the definition of "fracking" is. Not good newspapering...Iowa's basketball team is getting no rave reviews these days, and it got none from the retirees today. The Hawkeyes [5-5] have been the victims of several blowout losses already this season, with more perhaps ahead in a rugged Big Ten schedule. The group also decided it's ridiculous that Iowa [and Iowa State] want to quit play games at Drake and Northern Iowa. If anything, the Hawkeyes should be glad Drake and UNI are still willing to host games against them..."You should be happy Albert Pujols is out of the National League Central," a guy told me. I'm glad Pujols is now playing for the California/Anaheim Angels in the American League, but my happiness won't last long. Houston has only one more year in the NL Central, which means the Cubs are headed for last place when the Astros leave...We spent some time on Twitter and tweeting. Offenburger knows a lot about that, I know a little about it and one or two others don't know much about it. Chuck tried to explain how to get information with tweets, but it's too confusing to get into this column. That's a subject for another day...After the lunch, it was time for my 2-mile walk at the mall. There was a long line of kids waiting to sit on Santa's knee in the middle of the mall, and that was good to see. But, because it was going to take so long for me to get to the front of the line, I decided to put off my visit for another couple of days. By the way, I saw Santa inside a jewelry store at the mall the other day. "Are you shopping for something for Mrs. Claus?" I asked him. "Actually, I was looking for something for you," he told me. "But now that you've seen me, I've changed my mind." That's what I'd call a smart-ass Santa. By the way, my hot-and-sour soup at the Chinese restaurant was outstanding on a day like this.

Meet Barack Obama...Oops! I Mean Stan Johnson

2011-12-13T14:01:00.016-06:00

Stan Johnson was the fourth, and last, guy to speak at today's Drake basketball lunch at the Overtime restaurant in Urbandale. The first three were entertaining enough, but Johnson [pictured at the right] immediately got my attention when he said someone in a restaurant [presumably not the Overtime eatery] once mistook him for Barack Obama [pictured at the left]. I don't know if the person who thought Johnson was the president of the country asked him about foreign policy, the U.S. debt and the situation in Afghanistan. All I know is that Johnson, like Obama, knows his way around a microphone. Drake's first-year assistant basketball coach gave quite an inspirational speech to the sizable group of Bulldog fans who stopped by for pizza, salad and the latest on the state of the team. After he said what he came to say in upbeat fashion, Johnson asked for questions and/or comments, and I said, "Coach, you've got me ready to play. Put me into the game." I'm fairly certain he wants me to stop by the basketball office at the Knapp Center in the next day or two so I can be fitted for a uniform. Drake coach Mark Phelps named Johnson to his staff last June after he had spent three seasons as an assistant at the University of Utah. In his comments, Johnson told Drake fans that he's confident the Bulldogs' basketball program can again be a bigtime product. Drake knows what success is all about, of course. Maury John had a very successful run at the university more than 40 years ago. John coached three consecutive Drake teams [1988-69, 1969-70 and 1970-71] to the NCAA tournament, and the 1968-69 juggernaut advanced to the NCAA Final Four--where it almost upset John Wooden's UCLA team in the semifinal round. Tom Davis and his son, Keno, had success at Drake more recently, with Keno's 2007-2008 team going 28-5 and advancing to the NCAA's Big Dance. The program has been down since Keno left, but Phelps' record this season is 6-3 heading into Saturday's 8 p.m. game at Iowa.

I'm Pretty Sure This Sets An All-Time Record for Me: My Postman [Or Postwoman; It Was Too Dark To See] Delivered My Mail At 6:08 p.m. Today

2011-12-12T18:28:00.005-06:00

I can't recall my mail ever being delivered that late, unless it was when the truck showed up twice a day during the holiday rush. But that twice-a-day delivery routine happened so long ago that gas cost 25 cents a gallon for my '37 Ford coupe and my grandma was still talking about when she wore high-button shoes. I guess the Post Office is trying to send a message these days. The place is understaffed and those Christmas cards apparently are getting heavier. It's either that or the mailmen [or mailwomen] are lining up too many times at the noon all-you-can-eat buffet at Hy-Vee. [Illustration courtesy of chumpysclipart.com

Monday Stuff

2011-12-12T08:34:00.009-06:00

It's no wonder circulation remains in a freefall at the Des Moines Register.

First of all, it's a laugh that the Register continues referring to Saturday night's Republican presidential candidate debate as the ABC News/Des Moines Register debate.

The Register contributed absolutely nothing to the debate. It was an ABC network show all the way.

Thank goodness the Register had no editor screwing up things by asking dumb questions like Carolyn Washburn [pictured at the left] did the last time around, and the paper was left out of everything in this debate the way it's left out of most other things these days.

By the way, Washburn is no longer at the Register and is no longer in town. She's Cincinnati's problem now. Cincinnati, Ohio, that is.

*

Obviously, the Register's editors don't know what's news and what isn't news anymore.

Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry was told to "go back to Texas" and had to bail out of the back door of an Ames coffeehouse yesterday, and the story is buried on page 5 of an already-horribly skimpy Monday paper.

Yet, the ho-hum story at the top of the fold on page 1 about the Republican candidates is headlined Schedule leaves little time to regroup.

That really gets your blood moving on a Monday morning, doesn't it?

*

The paper finally caught on that Mitt Romney probably committed political suicide with Iowans by saying in Saturday night's debate that he'd make a $10,000 bet with Perry.

National analysts were drawing significance about that idiotic comment immediately after the debate, but the Register [after listening to, and reading, what national writers, commentators and observers had to say and write] had to play catch-up on the damage Romney did to himself.

Evidently, the Register couldn't determine what the comment meant during and immediately after the debate, and a reporter had to be told of its importance by a University of Virginia political science professor.

I guess the Register decided it hadn't made enough out of Romney's comment in Sunday's paper, so it had a page 1 story today headlined Romney's offer to bet $10,000 sets tongues wagging.

The paper today said Romney's stupid comment "set off a wave of responses on Twitter."

Wow.

Longtime and respected Register political writer and analyst George "Lefty" Mills [pictured at the right] is rolling over in his grave on that one.

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Despite all of that about Romney, there's a silly story in today's one-page editorial "section" headlined Romney's approach is polished, businesslike.

Polished and businesslike?

You've got to be joking.

That's like saying Babe Ruth was polished, businesslike and never ate a hot dog and drank a beer.

The only reason the paper used those descriptions about Romney was because the guy talked to something called the Register's editorial board.

The day after Romney was "polished and businesslike" in the Register's offices, he was acting like a complete fool on national TV.

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One other thing. It looks like the Register's sports people are spending far too much time in the bubbly, again. It's influencing their thinking bigtime. The paper buried a significant 65-54 victory by Drake's women's basketball team over Wisconsin on page 3, but put a 30-point victory in Ames by Iowa State over something called Mississippi Valley State on page 1. The page 1 story was staff-written, the Drake story was a rewrite of Drake sports information staffer Brock Ascher's news release. Ascher e-mails me his releases, so I know what he writes. I used his release in his entirety on the right side of this page. The Bulldogs definitely came up shorthanded in today's paper--which is business as usual, of course. It's not every day Drake beats Wisconsin in basketball or anything else. Indeed, it hadn't happened since 2003 in women's basketball. Nice going, Amy Stephens and your players.

The People Who Will Be Screwed the Most If Iowa and ISU Quit Playing Basketball At Drake and UNI Are, Of Course, the Great Fans Of This Great State

2011-12-11T16:42:00.000-06:00

The loyal paying customers deserve a better break than that.

I Watched the Debate And Came Away So Unimpressed That, If the Vote Were Today, I'd Choose My Neighbor, StanThe Retired Guy, As My Write-In Candidate

2011-12-10T22:42:00.008-06:00

And I wouldn't even have to bet Mike, my neighbor to the north, $10,000 [Romney's number] that Stan The Retired Guy is the best person for the job. He'd clobber Gingrich. Obama, too. All in all, this is the weakest field I've ever seen. If this is the best America has to offer, we're all in trouble. [Photo courtesy of ABC News]

'I Am At a Loss Of Words For What Our Defense Has Become,' McCaffery Says After Iowa's Near-Embarrassment In An 86-76 Thumping At Iowa State

2011-12-09T21:12:00.034-06:00

"I was proud of the way the team battled to the end, but I was not proud of the way we played in the first half. I am at a loss of words for what our defense has become. Our inability to guard ball screens seems to be an issue. Our transition defense wasn't what it should be. It was 11-11 and we were trading baskets. Then, all of a sudden, [Iowa State] goes on a run...You can't go on the road against [a team that shoots [59.4] percent in the first half] and expect to win. That said, we're down by 20 at the half...We made a heck of a run at it [in the last half], and that's something to be proud of. But we can't have that 5-minute stretch in the first half that costs us the game." --Hawkeye coach Fran McCaffery in comments to Iowa radio analyst Bobby Hansen following a game that saw Iowa State defeat Iowa for the third consecutive time. With the victory, Iowa State moved closer to clinching the Cy-Hawk Series [trophy pictured at the left] in the 2011-2012 all-sports competition against Iowa.

A Bad Idea

2011-12-08T10:27:00.011-06:00

Maybe it's time to start thinking about calling in the Legislature on this.

Or the governor.

I mean, where's Bill Reichardt when we need him?

Heavens to Lute and Bobbi Olson, here we go again.

The big universities are telling the little universities they want to change the rules.

I'm referring, of course, to what's going on with this state's Division I basketball teams.

Rick Brown has a story in today's Register that said the games involving Iowa of the Big Ten Conference and Iowa State of the Big 12 presently being played in the arenas of Drake and Northern Iowa of the Missouri Valley Conference are in jeopardy.

It was mentioned that maybe a Big Four tournament of some type at Wells Fargo Arena in downtown Des Moines could replace games at the Knapp Center in Des Moines and the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls.

Frankly, I see no reason for anything to change.

Indeed, it's seems strange to me that a change is even being brought up in a season that has seen Iowa State lose by nine points at the Knapp Center to Drake, and Iowa lose by 20 points at the McLeod Center to Northern Iowa.

Are you telling me that an Iowa games against North Carolina A&T and Chicago State are more important than Hawkeye games against Drake and UNI?

Are you telling me that Iowa State games against Prairie View A&M and Lipscomb are a bigger deal than Cyclone games against Drake and UNI?

Come on.

I'm sure Reichardt [pictured at the right] is rolling over in his grave on that one.

It was lawmaker Reichardt, of course, who threatened to take the matter to the Legislature when Iowa, his alma mater, was dragging its feet on playing Iowa State in football more than 40 years ago.

Reichardt never had to go to those extreme means, but just the threat of going to the Legislature was enough to bring about the renewal of a Hawkeyes-Cyclones football rivalry that's that's one of the best things ever to happen to collegiate athletics in this state.

And the games matching Drake, Iowa, Iowa State and UNI are the best things to happen to December basketball in this state.

A year ago, minutes after Iowa had beaten Drake at the Knapp Center, I asked Fran McCaffery, then in his first season as the Hawkeyes' coach, what he thought of the Big Four games.

"I think the fans like them, and the players like them," McCaffery said. "I just look at them as being the next games on the schedule."

If the fans like the games and if the players like the games, that's more than enough reason to continue playing them in the present form.

I guess that's why I'm a bit surprised at the timing of today's newspaper story.

Actually, I'm sure you know by now that this isn't the first time the Big Four basketball rivalries as they now stand have been questioned.

I've written about the subject plenty of times over the years.

Lute Olson, God's gift to basketball coaching [just kidding], was at Iowa when the matter was once brought up.

Olson brought his Hawkeyes to Des Moines for a game against Drake at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, and said some Drake students made comments to his wife and one or more of his daughters before, during and after the game. Olson didn't like the comments.

Olson threatened to cancel the series. Bump Elliott, then Iowa's athletic director, changed his mind in a hurry.

Elliott pointed out that Iowa needed the Drake-Iowa series just as much as Drake needed it. The game provided Hawkeye graduates and fans living in central Iowa the opportunity to see their team play here.

For a while, Drake and Iowa played twice a season. Now they play once a season--alternating between the Knapp Center in Des Moines and Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City.

Iowa State and Drake have been playing each other forever. For all I know, James Naismith [who invented basketball in 1891] said, "Drake and Iowa State should play every season--sometimes twice a season" when he laid down the rules of the game.

Indeed, for a long time, Drake and Iowa State did play twice a season--once in Des Moines, once in Ames.

By the way, there was no mention of women's basketball in today's story. How do the athletic directors and coaches feel about those schedules? Will Iowa and Iowa State continue playing at the Knapp Center and the McLeod Center in the future?

I certainly hope so.

I'm sure this scheduling thing can, and will, be worked out. But, if for some reason it can't and if a Big Four event needs to be scheduled at Wells Fargo Arena, it should be done this way:

It should be a two-night event. Drake plays Iowa State and UNI plays Iowa the first night, then the Bulldogs play Iowa and UNI plays the Cyclones the second night.

Iowa and Iowa State can continue to play the way they play now--in Iowa City one season, in Ames the next season.

Drake and UNI, of course, will play one aoother twice a season--once in Des Moines, once in Cedar Falls--as long as both are members of the Missouri Valley Conference.

Memo To Marc: We Need More

2011-12-07T08:25:00.031-06:00

A while back, Ron Maly wrote--maybe jokingly, maybe not jokingly--that the Des Moines Register recently brought columnist Marc Hansen back from being a newsside columnist to his old job as sports columnist to save the paper's sports department, and perhaps the entire paper. The trouble is, Maly's good friend Hansen [pictured at the left] can't be everywhere, even if he needs to be. But the Register should have made sure he was in Cedar Falls last night for the Northern Iowa-Iowa basketball game, which the Panthers won, 80-60, when a flurry of technical fouls [two against coach Fran McCaffery, one against Hawkeye assistant coach Andrew Francis, one against player Zach McCabe] produced a 20-2 run by the Panthers that decided the game. [The Cedar Rapids Gazette's Mike Hlas, the almost-always dependable and award-winning columnist, referred to Francis as "an unidentified Iowa assistant"), the Waterloo Courier and the Associated Press evidently didn't know, or didn't find out, the assistant coach's name]. Fortunately, Rick Brown of the Register did. Here's what he wrote: "McCaffery and assistant Andrew Francis got technicals, then Zach McCabe another when play resumed for slapping the ball out-of-bounds. McCaffery later got his second technical and was kicked out of the game. All that paved the way for a 20-2 Northern Iowa run and erased one of Iowa’s best efforts of the season." Everyone [including 6.834 in the arena, those watching on TV and those listening on the radio, of course, knew McCaffery was ejected from the game with 4 minutes 47 seconds remaining [Charlie Neibergall's photo at the right, courtesy of the Associated Press]. The technical foul situation read this way in the official box score: "Iowa--McCabe, Zach; TEAM 3. UNI--None." After being at Drake's women's basketball lunch yesterday [photo at the top of the page], Maly wasn't able to watch last night's UNI-Drake game in person or on TV because he was attending his grandson's drum appearance with the Valley band and orchestra at a holiday concert. Family comes first these days to Maly. There's no basketball game that's more important than a grandchild's athletic or music event. For all Maly knows, maybe Hansen had a family event last night, too. After all, he's got a daughter who is a standout gymnast at Iowa, and he's got others in his family who are doing important things. Family is significant with him, too. Whatever, all Maly knows about the UNI-Iowa game is what he's read so far in the state's newspapers. After scanning the stories and columns, he has decided he wants more commentary. Hansen really needed to be sent to Cedar Falls to write a column about the game. Hopefully, he'll play catch-up today and give us some opinions later today on the Register's website or in tomorrow's newspaper about what happened in a very emotional Missouri Valley Conference/Big Ten matchup in Cedar Falls that resulted in UNI's seventh straight victory this season.

Hawkeyes Are 16-Point Underdogs

2011-12-05T17:52:00.007-06:00

The latest from Jorge Merlot: "Las Vegas sports books say the biggest bowl mismatch is the Insight, where Oklahoma is a 16-point favorite over Iowa. Purdue, Michigan and Illinois are all slight favorites. Wisconsin, Nebraska, Penn State, MSU and ISU are slight underdogs. Alabama and LSU is a pick." Jorge Merlot says he is still confident Iowa will show up for the game. In an accompanying e-mail, Horgay Shiraz, who claims to be a second cousin of Jorge Merlot, says he certainly hopes the Des Moines Register doesn't send Daniel P. Finney to Tempe, AZ, to write a sidebar on the Iowa-Oklahoma game. "I'm still trying to figure out Finney's sidebar on the Iowa-Nebraska game," Shiraz says.

Breathtaking

2011-12-04T22:29:00.000-06:00

I felt a tap on the back of my shoulder.

"If you can read German, I'll eat my hat," Art Filean told me.

Art didn't have to eat his hat.

I can't read German.

Or speak it either.

But that doesn't mean I can't enjoy music sung in German.

We were among the large gathering of folks attending the Christmas service this evening, spoken and sung entirely in German, at Capitol Hill Lutheran Church [pictured], 511 Des Moines Street.

And what an outstanding service it was.

Again.

This was our third German service at Capitol Hill Lutheran, as the guests of our friends from our 56th Street days--Astrida and Edgars Supstiks, who are members of the church.

We got a bonus at this service. Not only did Astrida and Edgars attend, so did Astrida's 101-year-old mother, Nora.

All are natives of Latvia, and came to the U.S. shortly after World War II.

It was also good to other several other members of Mt. Olive Lutheran church at the service, including Art and Gloria Filean; Ken and Lori Discher, and George Kruckenberg.

[And, yes, I'm glad Art Filean didn't have to eat his hat].

Word is obviously spreading about what a wonderful service it is.

For me, the highlight comes at the end, with the singing--in candlelight--of Stille Nacht, Hellige Nacht.

Silent Night, Holy Night, in a different language.

Breathtaking. Absolutely breathtaking.

Iowa vs. Bob Stoops' Oklahoma Team In Insight Bowl At Tempe, AZ; Cyclones vs. Rutgers In Pinstripe Bowl At Yankee Stadium In N.Y. Both Games Dec. 30

2011-12-04T20:44:00.011-06:00

Iowa's Kirk Ferentz finally gets to tee it up against Bob Stoops, the former Hawkeye player who many thought would succeed the retired Hayden Fry following the 1998 season. The Hawkeyes will be trying to win the Insight Bowl for a second successive year. Iowa State's game is at 2:20 p.m., Iowa's is at 9 p.m.

Give Me a Break Already. Newt Gingrich Is No. 1 Among Republicans? I Didn't Know Iowans Were Dumb Enough To Favor That Has-Been for Anything

2011-12-04T15:31:00.003-06:00

If Gingrich would win anything, I'd be tempted to move to Portugal.

Hey, Herman, You Can Always Go Back To Selling Pizza Again. And Make Mine Cheese, Mushroom and Green Olives. But Don't Ask Me To Invest Money In You

2011-12-03T18:58:00.008-06:00

Herman Cain, who used to sell Godfather's pizza and put his hands under the dresses of women, Saturday suspended his presidential campaign because accusations of infidelity and sexual harassment have hurt his family and his campaign's ability to raise money. He might be one of the dumbest people ever to run for office.

The Crime Scene

2011-12-02T08:50:00.019-06:00

The Round Table is told that Brian Krei, the Iowa City police sergeant who was the victim of a horrible attack by a 20-year-old guy from Urbandale, is the father of Kelly Krei [pictured at the left], a senior starter on the Hawkeyes' women's basketball team.

The Round Table is also told that Debra A. Suchomel [pictured at the right], who is accused of first-degree theft in Iowa City, is the wife of Ryan Suchomel, the sports editor of the Iowa City Press Citizen.

Debra A. Suchomel, 37, is accused of theft after authorities say she allegedly used a University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Program procurement card for her personal use.

News accounts say records indicate Debra A. Suchomel, of 510 S. Iowa Street in Solon, allegedly admitted to using the procurement card for personal purchases totaling $12,276. The purchases had taken place over a three-month period.

First-degree theft is a class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a maximum $10,000 fine.

Ryan Suchomel's byline appears often in the Press Citizen and the Des Moines Register. Both newspapers are owned by the Gannett Co. Ryan Suchomel has been covering Hawkeye women's basketball games for both papers, and also writes Hawkeye football stories and columns for both.

News accounts say Branden Lee Plummer, 20, a University of Iowa student from Urbandale, has been charged with attempted murder, a class B felony, for the assault on officer Brian Krei--a veteran of 29 years with the police force. A class B felony carries up to a 25-year prison sentence.

Cedar Rapids Gazette, Iowa City Press Citizen and TV accounts say Plummer is accused of getting behind Krei in the early-morning hours of Nov. 18 and applying a choke with his forearm, grabbing his own wrist to apply more pressure. Krei had allegedly attempted to stop and apprehend Plummer after he was seen disrupting traffic.

According to the complaint, one witness physically intervened to assist Krei during the assault and called 911. This witness claimed that Plummer slammed Krei's head into the ground and told the witness not to call 911.

Another witness described Plummer allegedly choking a bleeding Krei, while Krei's face turned red and he was seen clearly gasping for air. Another witness said that Plummer allegedly used a scissor choke to pull Krei off the ground, and used the squad car as leverage as he continued to apply the choke.

According to the complaint, the witnesses agreed the assailant, allegedly Plummer, was in control of Krei during the incident and was hitting him hard.

Kelly Krei is a 6-foot 2-inch senior forward on the women's basketball team at Iowa. She is averaging 9 points and 5 rebounds for the Hawkeyes. She was a first-team all-stater at City High School in Iowa City. Her parents are Brian and Colleen Krei.

Brian Krei has returned to work, and The Round Table is happy he's doing well, considering what he went through last month.

Ken Fuson's Ambitious Writing Project Was His Idea

2011-12-01T07:12:00.029-06:00

It's been enjoyable writing about, and hearing from, colleague Ken Fuson as collegiate football's regular season wound down. After a long, productive newspaper career [he made two stops at the Des Moines Register and one at the Baltimore Sun], Fuson [pictured at the right] is now a writing freelancer. In other words, he draws no regular paycheck from a newspaper, but peddles his ideas and his stories to editors. Ken managed to sell the Register on a couple of stories prior to the Iowa-Nebraska game late last week, and both were very well done. Indeed, Fuson's stories were better than the game--which was won by Nebraska, 20-7. One of my readers, who goes by the name Jorge Merlot, had some questions about Fuson after the stories appeared in print. In an e-mail to me, Merlot wrote: "What's with the ungodly long pieces Ken Fuson had in Monday's and Tuesday's Des Moines Register on the 1981 Iowa-Nebraska game? Isn't he retired? Is he a big Hawkeye fan? Is the Register trying to make this series a big deal? Hell, the teams have only met four times in the last 30 years."

Some background music, please....

Here's how I answered Jorge Merlot:

Jorge, you are on target in your e-mail about several things. But Ken Fuson is not retired. He's too young to retire. He is a former newspaper feature writer who twice worked at the Des Moines Register. Between his stints at the Register, he wrote for the Baltimore Sun. He was not a sportswriter, although I think he wanted to be one. I've always liked Kenny because he several times told me he wanted to grow up to be like me when he was a youngster in Granger, IA. That was nice to know because I have always admired Kenny's writing. I thought he was the best feature writer the Register's newsside department had. Indeed, I wish he was still working there. Unfortunately, he parted ways with the paper when it was going through the many buyouts, layoffs and dismissals in recent years. He and farm editor Jerry Perkins accepted buyouts the same day in August, 2008. Fuson told me it was his idea to leave, not the management's. "This is absolutely my decision," he told me then. "I approached them, not the other way around. There was no pressure on me to do this. I also don't think -- knock on wood -- I was about to be laid off. This is a personal decision. I've been doing this job for 25 years or more. I'd like to see if I can do something different. Maybe I can't, and if that happens, I'll be begging you to buy me lunch." Fuson is now freelancing [as a writer], but there's not much money in that these days. Hell, every reporter who left the Register, or was told to leave, is now freelancing if he or she hasn't been able to find another fulltime job. Fuson wrote a book about high school baseball in Norway, IA, and his byline has turned up occasionally in other things I've read. I don't know if his stories about the Iowa-Nebraska football rivalry were his idea or the Register's. I can't believe he made a ton of money writing them because I understand the newspaper has gone back to being tight-fisted about what it pays freelancers. You can't make a living doing freelance work at 8th & Locust. I'm glad Fuson wrote his stories and I'm glad the Register resurrected my game story on the monumental 10-7 victory Iowa scored over Nebraska in 1981. I wrote about that yesterday. Jorge Merlot asked if Fuson is a Hawkeye fan, and it's my guess he is. Merlot also wonders if the Register is trying to make a big deal out of the Iowa-Nebraska series, and my guess that's a fact. The Register is hurting so badly these days that it's got to hang its hat on whatever it can imagine might interest readers. I hope the big deal the paper's editors are trying to make out of the Hawkeyes-Cornhuskers series sells a few more copies. That way, it can afford to pay freelancers like Kenny Fuson a dollar or two more when they try to freelance things.

*

Here's an item I had in a column on the day of the Iowa-Nebraska game:

Jorge Merlot of Coralville, who wrote to me earlier this week about some football and newspaper matters, was on his computer again this morning after telling me he "ate the equivalent of two turkeys [one roasted, one fried] while watching NFL and college games on TV yesterday." Merlot is, of course, very interested in today's Iowa-Nebraska game [he plans to watch that one on TV, too], and he also has been paying considerable attention to the pregame action. Indeed, Merlot describes the Des Moines Register's coverage of the Iowa-Nebraska rivalry this week as "a classic example of huge overkill" and wonders if "editors of the dying Register are fearful the paper will be taken over by the Keokuk Daily Gate City." Could be. "What's more," Merlot said in his e-mail, "I'm wondering what got into the Register's editors to send Daniel P. Finney over to Lincoln to help cover the game. I was reading the Internet recently and noticed that Finney has a weird jorunalistic background. Maybe the fact he once worked at the Omaha World-Herald is one reason he was assigned to help cover the game. He was suspended a few years ago when he was working for another paper--the St. Louis Post-Dispatch--after writing an online diary under the pseudonym Roland H. Thompson. I guess the guy didn't like some of his job assignments. Apparently it was Roland H. Thompson, not the other way around, who complained about some of Finney's job assignments. Strange. Finney was suspended and later resigned, or was told to resign, from the Post-Dispatch. The Riverfront Times quoted Finney as saying, "As a journalist, it was a kid's mistake. I'm old enough to know better, and I regret it. In journalism, I think we all write about things that we don't care about, or that we don't care for. I just made a mistake about making those feelings public. I screwed up, and I'm sorry that I did that -- and not just because I got caught.....' I hope both Daniel P. Finney and Roland H. Thompson both see a good football game today in Lincoln. I'm glad they have to fight the traffic on I-80 and in Lincoln, not me. Actually, I'm surprised freelancer Ken Fuson wasn't chosen by the Register's editors to cover the Iowa-Nebraska game. He provided two of the longest pregame writing packages in collegiate football history [as well as two of the longest articles since the printing press was invented by Johannes Gutenberg in 1440] early this week for the Register. After reading Kenny's stuff, I think he could've written the game story, the opinion columns and all of the sidebars by himself for tomorrow's paper. I always said he's a Pulitzer Prize writer, and he's still got time to prove it.

*

A day or two later, I received this e-mail from Fuson:

"Ron:

"I demand a correction. The two-part series on the 1981 Iowa-Nebraska game is not the longest piece of writing since the printing press was invented. I've written much longer.

"The idea was mine. That game, and that year, turned the corner for the Iowa football program. Thought it would be fun to re-live what happened through the eyes of players and coaches. And, to answer Mr. Merlot, I am an Iowa fan, and an Iowa State fan, and a Drake fan, and a UNI fan. When I was a kid, I cheered for all of them hoping just one would win.

"I'm now employed in marketing department at Simpson College, working with a great group of people at a great school. (I cheer for them, too.) Hard to make a living as a freelancer. Plays even less than blogging. But the Register has been good about letting me write for them occasionally.

"I'll try to write shorter next time. Oh, who am I kidding.....no, I won't.

"Hope you're well...Ken"

*

This was my response to Fuson:

"Hi, Kenny,

"I'm glad you wrote--to me now and for the paper last week....[The Register] should have sent you to Lincoln to write a sidebar [either newsside or sports] on the Iowa-Nebraska game. You'd have done a much better job than Daniel P. Finney or his alias (I've forgotten the alias's name) did on the page 1 newsside sidebar. You deserved to be sent to Lincoln after all the hard work you put in on the Monday and Tuesday pieces--both of which were very accurate and very good. I would have expected nothing less from you. I was disappointed the Hawkeyes didn't play better in the game....Good hearing from you, Kenny. You can really write, and you're also a damn good speaker, too."

*

In a later e-mail, Fuson went into more detail about his freelance piece in the Register:

"My thought was to do something like Sports Illustrated does when they look at a game or an event from long ago, but Jorge has a point. Not sure newspaper readers want a magazine-type story. But it was fun to do. All those guys -- Stoops, McCarney, Fry, Brashier -- were easy to get on the phone because they liked that 1981 team so much....

"I wouldn't have wanted to go to Lincoln. Finney is a good guy and a good friend. Give him a chance. I think he'll do some great work for the paper....

"Take care, Ken"

*

Ken Fuson is being nicer to Daniel P. Finney than I could ever be, considering Finney's sorry-ass track record. It's my suggestion that Finney's editors make sure they periodically check the hard drive on his computer--and the hard drives of the computers belonging to Roland H. Thompson and any other aliases Finney might have these days. What they find there could be interesting.

I Hope Herman Cain Quits Campaigning Soon. If He Doesn't, 217 More Women Will Say Before the Week Is Over That He Had His Hands Up Their Skirts

2011-11-30T14:21:00.005-06:00

Geeminy Christmas, Herman, give us and your family [especially your wife] a break already. It's shameful that all these women around the country need to call press conferences so they can say they're glad they can finally blow the whistle on you for grabbing their crotches 10, 15 or 20 years ago.

Larry Coyer, 68, Who Has Coached for Just About Every Football Team In U.S.-- [Twice At Iowa State, Once At Iowa] Is Fired Again---This Time By Colts

2011-11-29T18:07:00.011-06:00

The coaching nomad Ron Maly long ago referred to as "Pipe-Smoking Larry Coyer" was the defensive coordinator at Iowa from 1974-1977 and was the defensive coordinator at Iowa State from 1979-1982 and again in 1995-1996. In all, Coyer [pictured at the right] has coached for 13 collegiate teams and three professional squads. Think of all the pension checks he'll get--if he ever retires. He was canned today by Jim Caldwell [left], head coach of a Indianapolis Colts team that has an 0-11 record this season. Caldwell played for Coyer's defense at Iowa. Nothing like loyalty, right? It's obvious Caldwell's job is shaky at best, too, so that's why he showed his old college coaching coordinator the door. By the way, Coyer no longer smokes a pipe, so Maly doesn't call him "Pipe-Smoking Larry Coyer" anymore.

'The Latest Coach To Lie Through His Teeth'

2011-11-28T13:28:00.015-06:00

A message to me from "Eastern Iowa Hawkeye":

"New Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer is the latest to lie through his teeth about his next job. Looks like the media is going to let him get away with it. It'll be interesting to see how long it takes before he has chest pains on the OSU sideline. And I'm with you -- can't see how Gene Smith keeps his job. Gotta be a story there too. Ron Zook is out at Illinois [surprise!] and Chuck Long, who'd been a member of his coaching staff, is looking for a job again. I'm not sure which puzzled me the most last Friday in Lincoln -- Iowa's offense or Nebraska's defense. Like you, I thought we'd win if our defense only gave up 20 points. This gives more fodder to Ken O'Keefe's critics, but he should be used to the criticism by now."

[RON MALY'S COMMENTS: In "Eastern Iowa Hawkeye's" comment about Urban Meyer "lying through his teeth," he meant Meyer kept saying all last week that there was nothing to rumors that he was ready to accept the Ohio State job. However, he began looking like a liar when he asked ESPN to take him off his weekend broadcasting duties. Everyone should have known then that Meyer was getting his acceptance speech ready for when he would accept the $4 million-a-year contract, plus $2.4 million in "retention payments" through 2017. Pictured at the left, introducing Meyer at Columbus, is Gene Smith, the former Iowa State athletic director who has been going through some very difficult times as Ohio State's AD. He could have been shown the door when coach Jim Tressel was fired, but somehow survived. Let's hope former Hawkeye quarterback and assistant coach Chuck Long [pictured at the right], who had been Kansas' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, finds a new gig soon. It seems like only yesterday that Long was successfully coaching the quarterbacks for Bobby Stoops at Oklahoma. Later, it didn't work out for him as San Diego State's head coach, and he picked the wrong head coach [Turner Gill] to work for at Kansas, but I'm confident he'll find something to his liking in the coaching merry-go-round].

Hey, Alford, No More Complaints

2011-11-27T20:28:00.006-06:00

From the Duke Of Earlville: "Steve Alford can no longer complain about coaching basketball at a football school. New Mexico is a 52-point underdog at Boise State Saturday. I don't think I've ever seen a 50-point line before. Wisconsin is a 7 1/2-point favorite in the Big Ten championship game.

Too Bad Drake U'u Isn't a Bulldog

2011-11-27T06:59:00.003-06:00

Bud Appleby of Des Moines tells me that "Drake U should have recruited a basketball player who now plays at Cal Poly. His name is Drake U'u." U'u's name is pronounced, simply, "You-You." He's a 6-5, 210-pound junior from Sacramento, Calif., for Cal Poly, a university in San Luis Obispo, Calif. U'u is averaging 5.8 points and 5.2 rebounds this season. Photo of U'u courtesy of Ethan Miller, Getty Images.

I Picked Iowa To Win the Game, But I Hope You'll Excuse Me Because I Was Under the [False] Assumption That the Hawkeyes' Offense Was Going To Show Up

2011-11-25T14:04:00.010-06:00

Nebraska limits the Hawkeyes to 88 yards rushing in its 20-7 victory. In other words, about one yard for each reporter and columnist Gannett West [the Des Moines Register] and Gannett East [Iowa City Press Citizen] sent to Lincoln to cover the game. Putting things in perspective, Nebraska's Rex Burkhead ran for 163 yards all by himself. From Iowa's standpoint, it wasn't quite the Game Of This Century or Any Other Century.

Hey, Just Call It Friday

2011-11-25T08:11:00.028-06:00

You won't ever see me referring to today as Black Friday. That's a dumb phrase, and it's not in my vocabulary.

*

I'm picking Iowa to win today's day-after-Thanksgiving football game at Nebraska, 30-27. The Hawkeyes proved they know what winning a road game is all about by beating Purdue at West Lafayette, Ind., last week, and Nebraska certainly isn't invincible in 81,067- [and soon-to-be 87,000-] seat Memorial Stadium at Lincoln. The Huskers were beaten by Northwestern, 28-25, Nov. 5 in the House Of Red.

*

Nebraska coach Bo Pelini spent the 1991 season as a graduate assistant on Hayden Fry's coaching staff at Iowa. He has given no hint yet that he's another Bob Devaney or Tom Osborne [former outstanding Nebraska coaches] or, for that matter, Hayden Fry when it comes to X's, O's and sideline demeanor. There's no reason Iowa, a 9-point underdog, can't win today's game. The Hawkeyes' Kirk Ferentz is fully capable of out-coaching Pelini.

*

Jorge Merlot of Coralville, who wrote to me earlier this week about some football and newspaper matters, was on his computer again this morning after telling me he "ate the equivalent of two turkeys [one roasted, one fried] while watching NFL and college games on TV yesterday." Merlot is, of course, very interested in today's Iowa-Nebraska game [he plans to watch that one on TV, too], and he also has been paying considerable attention to the pregame action. Indeed, Merlot describes the Des Moines Register's coverage of the Iowa-Nebraska rivalry this week as "a classic example of huge overkill" and wonders if "editors of the dying Register are fearful the paper will be taken over by the Keokuk Daily Gate City." Could be. "What's more," Merlot said in his e-mail, "I'm wondering what got into the Register's editors to send Daniel P. Finney over to Lincoln to help cover the game. I was reading the Internet recently and noticed that Finney has a weird jorunalistic background. Maybe the fact he once worked at the Omaha World-Herald is one reason he was assigned to help cover the game. He was suspended a few years ago when he was working for another paper--the St. Louis Post-Dispatch--after writing an online diary under the pseudonym Roland H. Thompson. I guess the guy didn't like some of his job assignments. Apparently it was Roland H. Thompson, not the other way around, who complained about some of Finney's job assignments. Strange. Finney was suspended and later resigned, or was told to resign, from the Post-Dispatch. The Riverfront Times quoted Finney as saying, "As a journalist, it was a kid's mistake. I'm old enough to know better, and I regret it. In journalism, I think we all write about things that we don't care about, or that we don't care for. I just made a mistake about making those feelings public. I screwed up, and I'm sorry that I did that -- and not just because I got caught.....' I hope both Daniel P. Finney and Roland H. Thompson both see a good football game today in Lincoln. I'm glad they have to fight the traffic on I-80 and in Lincoln, not me."

*

Actually, I'm surprised freelancer Ken Fuson wasn't chosen by the Register's editors to cover the Iowa-Nebraska game. He provided two of the longest pregame writing packages in collegiate football history [as well as two of the longest articles since the printing press was invented by Johannes Gutenberg in 1440] early this week for the Register. After reading Kenny's stuff, I think he could've written the game story, the opinion columns and all of the sidebars by himself for tomorrow's paper. I always said he's a Pulitzer Prize writer, and he's still got time to prove it.

*

I can't end this column without mentioning something about basketball. Earlier this week, Campbell proved it's not a soup. Indeed, Campbell University of Raleigh, N.C., proved it has quite a basketball team. The Fighting Camels [yes, you read that correctly, the Campbell Fighting Camels] embarrassed Iowa, 77-61, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. The Fighting Camels now take their 5-0 record into a game tonight at Creighton. So any Hawkeye fans on their way home from the Iowa-Nebraska football game in Lincoln can stop in Omaha for a game matching two unbeaten teams tonight. Creighton is 4-0 after rolling past Iowa, 82-59, last Sunday in Des Moines. Incidentally, even though Campbell plays major-college football teams, it [like Drake] has a non-scholarship football program. The Fighting Camels are in the same Pioneer Football League as Drake, and lost to the Bulldogs, 31-14, in Des Moines on Oct. 1. That came a couple of weeks after Campbell's 76-0 romp over [get this] a team called Apprentice School.

*

Enough of this. It's time for my 2-mile walk. Too much food yesterday.

A Very Joyous Thanksgiving To Everyone

2011-11-24T08:00:00.002-06:00

Ken Fuson Revisited

2011-11-22T15:00:00.017-06:00

One of my readers, who goes by the name Jorge Merlot of Coralville, sent an interesting e-mail in the wake of all the Des Moines Register coverage of Friday's Iowa-Nebraska football game in Lincoln, Neb. Heavens to Forest Evashevski and Bob Devaney, you'd think we were getting ready for the BCS championship game, the Rose Bowl, or something. Here's Merlot's e-mail:

"What's with the ungodly long pieces Ken Fuson had in Monday's and Tuesday's Des Moines Register on the 1981 Iowa-Nebraska game? Isn't he retired? Is he a big Hawkeye fan? Is the Register trying to make this series a big deal? Hell, the teams have only met four times in the last 30 years."

[RON MALY'S COMMENTS: Jorge, you are on target in your e-mail about several things. But Ken Fuson [pictured at the left] is not retired. He's too young to retire. He is a former newspaper feature writer who twice worked at the Des Moines Register. Between his stints at the Register, he wrote for the Baltimore Sun. He was not a sportswriter, although I think he wanted to be one. I've always liked Kenny because he several times told me he wanted to grow up to be like me when he was a youngster in Granger, IA. That was nice to know because I have always admired Kenny's writing. I thought he was the best feature writer the Register's newsside department had. Indeed, I wish he was still working there. Unfortunately, he parted ways with the paper when it was going through the many buyouts, layoffs and dismissals in recent years. He and farm editor Jerry Perkins accepted buyouts the same day in August, 2008. Fuson told me it was his idea to leave, not the management's. "This is absolutely my decision," he told me then. "I approached them, not the other way around. There was no pressure on me to do this. I also don't think -- knock on wood -- I was about to be laid off. This is a personal decision. I've been doing this job for 25 years or more. I'd like to see if I can do something different. Maybe I can't, and if that happens, I'll be begging you to buy me lunch." Fuson is now freelancing, but there's not much money in that these days. Hell, every reporter who left the Register, or was told to leave, is now freelancing if he or she hasn't been able to find another fulltime job. Fuson wrote a book about high school baseball in Norway, IA, and his byline has turned up occasionally in other things I've read. I don't know if his stories about the Iowa-Nebraska football rivalry were his idea or the Register's. I can't believe he made a ton of money writing them because I understand the newspaper has gone back to being tight-fisted about what it pays freelancers. You can't make a living doing freelance work at 8th & Locust. I'm glad Fuson wrote his stories and I'm glad the Register resurrected my game story on the monumental 10-7 victory Iowa scored over Nebraska in 1981. I wrote about that yesterday. Jorge Merlot asked if Fuson is a Hawkeye fan, and it's my guess he is. Merlot also wonders if the Register is trying to make a big deal out of the Iowa-Nebraska series, and my guess that's a fact. The Register is hurting so badly these days that it's got to hang its hat on whatever it can imagine might interest readers. I hope the big deal the paper's editors are trying to make out of the Hawkeyes-Cornhuskers series sells a few more copies. That way, it can afford to pay freelancers like Kenny Fuson a dollar or two more when they try to freelance things].

*

Jorge Merlot of Coralville had one other comment in his e-mail to me:

"Ralph Miller used to say he didn't want his team peaking in November. Fran McCaffery doesn't need to worry about that."

[RON MALY'S COMMENTS: Ralph Miller was an outstanding former Hawkeye basketball coach. When he was at Iowa, his teams won Big Ten championships and drew overflow crowds at Iowa Fieldhouse with high-scoring offenses. The Ralph Miller comment that it's not a good idea to peak in November was in reference to Iowa's 82-59 loss Sunday in Des Moines to Creighton. The Hawkeyes trailed by as many as 33 points in the blowout defeat. I agree with Jorge Merlot. McCaffery's Iowa hasn't peaked. At least I hope not. If it has, the program is in serious trouble.]

Memories

2011-11-21T10:20:00.003-06:00

By Ron Maly

It's not every day that a guy can be roaming the Internet and come across a newspaper story he wrote more than 30 years ago.

That happened to me today.

There it was--my Sept. 13, 1981 account in the Des Moines Register of Iowa's 10-7 upset victory over Nebraska in a dramatic football game at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

The story is included in a package of articles the Register and the Iowa City Press Citizen have on their websites this week as the 2011 Iowa-Nebraska game in Lincoln, Neb., approaches.

The Register and Press Citizen--both of which are Gannett Co. papers--are making quite a deal out of Friday's game at Lincoln in their "Hawk Central" coverage.

Lots of things have changed, of course, since Iowa's victory over Nebraska in 1981:

*Nebraska then was a member of the Big Eight Conference.

*Tom Osborne coached the Cornhuskers, Hayden Fry coached Iowa.

*Neither the Register nor the Press Citizen was owned by Gannett in 1981.

*The newspaper business was healthy, not approaching bankruptcy, in 1981. Indeed, the Register had a robust statewide circulation and still sent sportswriters across the nation [indeed, the world] to cover events.

*In 1981, I was in my 22nd year as a Register sportswriter. In those days, guys like Buck Turnbull and I weren't limited to covering one team a season. We might cover Iowa one week, Iowa State the next week, a Notre Dame game, an Ohio State game or a Michigan game the next week. Our sports department and our sports sections were among the best in the nation.

I covered numerous Hawkeye games in the 1981 season, including the regular-season finale against Michigan State--a game that cashed Iowa's ticket to the Rose Bowl.

On Nov. 21, 2001, I authored an Internet column centered around that game. In part, I wrote:

It was 20 years ago today – Nov. 21, 1981 – that something happened in Kinnick Stadium at Iowa City that jolted the collegiate football world and touched off pandemonium in an entire state.

Iowa, which hadn’t produced a winning season since 1961 and had been showing plenty of signs of never being able to solve the "Big Two, Little Eight" mess the Big Ten Conference had become, pulled off what football have-nots always dream of doing.

On a brisk, late-November afternoon, Hayden Fry’s Hawkeyes got a huge assist from Ohio State and won a ticket to the Rose Bowl. Iowa did its part by mauling Michigan State, 36-7. Ohio State opened the door for Fry and his players earlier in the afternoon by winning at Michigan, 14-9.

Although Iowa and Ohio State both finished the regular season with 8-3 records and tied for first place in the conference at 6-2, the Hawkeyes got the bid to Pasadena because the Buckeyes had been to the Rose Bowl more recently.

I covered the Iowa-Michigan State game for the Des Moines Sunday Register and still vividly recall the bedlam in the stadium that afternoon.

In those days, Register sportswriters didn’t cover only one team for the entire season. We might cover Iowa one week, Iowa State the next week, Drake the week after that, Notre Dame next, then go back to Iowa. That provided us with a fresh outlook each week, and I can’t say it was faulty policy on the part of the editors.

I missed a game late in the season when I was in University Hospitals at Iowa City, recovering from a problem associated with my Type I, insulin-dependent diabetes. In 1981, I had already been a diabetic for 33 years. Now, in November, 2001, I’ve got more than 53 years [EDITOR's NOTE: Now 63 years] of the disease behind me and, here I am, still enjoying college football and still writing about it.

On game day, Nov. 21, 1981, I remember my body being sore and a bit out of touch with what was going on around me.

But all of that was forgotten when Iowa leaped to a 16-0 first-quarter lead over Michigan State. I had a job to do. I planned to do it as well as I could.

What a wild day it turned out to be for all of us in that stadium.

Fry’s first two Iowa teams went 5-6 and 4-7, and no one expected his 1981 squad to perform any magic. Fry said later in his book, "Hayden Fry—A High Porch Picnic,’’ that he couldn’t disagree with preseason predictions that the Hawkeyes would likely finish somewhere in the middle of the Big Ten standings.

"We had no illusion about contending for the Big Ten championship,’’ Fry said. "We just wanted to win more games than we lost.’’

But something happened in the season opener that made people start wondering if this could be a special team. Iowa, which had been demolished by Nebraska, 57-0, the year before, rode its strong defense to a stunning 10-7 victory.

However, Iowa State brought the Hawkeyes back to reality the following week with a 23-12 victory. It was in the middle of three consecutive victories the Cyclones had in the series under coach Donnie Duncan.

But Iowa continued to show that this would be a very big year by later beating UCLA, 20-7, and pulling off huge Big Ten road victories at Michigan, 9-7, and Wisconsin, 17-7.

I didn’t keep many sports sections from my working days, but I did hang onto the Nov. 22, 1981 Sunday Register. That’s the one that carried the headline "IOWA TO ROSE BOWL!’’

Next to that banner headline were photos of two red roses. Considering the Sunday Register still had peach-colored paper and was called "THE BIG PEACH,’’ putting roses on that page took some doing.

In addition to my story of the Iowa-Michigan State game and accompanying photographs of Phil Blatcher, the Iowa back who ran for 247 yards, and Fry, who was clutching a rose, Page 1 also included accounts of games involving Iowa State and Drake, plus the newspaper’s high school All-State teams as selected by Chuck Burdick.

Buck Turnbull covered Iowa State’s 27-7 loss to Oklahoma State in the season finale at Ames. Turnbull wrote that the Cyclones "saved the worst for last.’’ Wayne Grett wrapped up a wonderful 10-1 season by Drake. The Bulldogs, coached by Chuck Shelton, rolled past Nebraska-Omaha, 53-0, on a field described by Grett as "a quagmire as a result of Thursday’s snow.’’

Both the Iowa State and Drake stories, as they say in the newspaper business, were below the fold. But at least the Drake story didn’t wind up "back by the tire ads,’’ as Shelton would often say of the Bulldogs’ coverage by the paper.

On Page 2, there were three other staff-written stories dealing with Iowa. Marc Hansen wrote about 20,000 Rose Bowl tickets being available to Hawkeye fans, Bob Dyer wrote a sidebar on the game -- quoting a number of Iowa players -- and then-sports editor Dave Westphal wrote that Iowa’s upcoming Rose Bowl game against Washington would be exactly 25 years after the school’s first trip to Pasadena.

Elsewhere on that page, there was an Associated Press story, headlined "Ray Praises Iowa, Drake,’’ that quoted Robert Ray, then Iowa’s governor, as saying, "Today was an historic day in the history of sports in Iowa. It’s been a long time in coming, but that only makes it that much sweeter.’’

Page 3 was made up entirely of photographs of the Iowa-Michigan State game, taken by Dave Peterson, Harry Baumert and the Associated Press.

Maury White’s account of the Ohio State-Michigan game was headlined across Page 4. In it, he quoted a disappointed Buckeye coach Earle Bruce (who had gone to Ohio State from Iowa State) as saying, "Well, we put Iowa in the Rose Bowl.’’

Page 5 carried a large advertisement, urging Iowa’s fans to stay at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis. When the ad was placed, before the Nov. 21 fireworks, it appeared the Hawkeyes would wind up in the Liberty Bowl at Memphis. Instead, that’s where Ohio State went, and I’ll bet some of the Buckeye fans stayed at the Peabody.

Speaking of ads, a tour company from Iowa City had one in that paper, selling eight-day, seven-night trips to the Rose Bowl for $689 out of Des Moines. Nothing was in the ad, however, about Iowa being in the game.

The Rose Bowl came a few weeks later. Sadly, Washington won, 28-0. But that’s a column for another day...

Anyway, let me rewind this and show you the story I wrote for the Sept. 13, 1981 Register about Iowa's [still] difficult-to-believe 10-7 victory over Nebraska:

HAWKS SEE RED, STUN HUSKERS, 10-7

60,160 fans watch Iowa shoot down No. 7 Nebraska

Stiff defense
helps avenge
1980 rout

Phillips, Olejniczak score winning points

By Ron Maly
Sunday Register Staff Writer

IOWA CITY, IA – Don’t let anyone tell you differently – the 10-7 stunner Iowa’s football team slapped on seventh-ranked Nebraska Saturday ranks right up there with the biggest upsets of all time in the record books of a university that began playing this sport on an intercollegiate level in 1889.

As shadows began falling over Kinnick Stadium following a game that was played in hot, muggy weather, only one goal post was standing and the place was still echoing with the roars of a record throng of 60,160.

And, oh, was the roar sweet.

The key to it all was defense. Iowa limited the Cornhuskers to a mere 150 yards on the ground. Sure, Nebraska did end up outgaining Iowa in total offense, 231-202, but the Hawks made the big plays on defense when they had to.

No doubt about it, this colossal victory over a team that walloped Iowa, 57-0, last season, came in as a 16-point favorite this time and is a regular inhabitant of the Top 10 rankings is one that Hawkeye patriots won’t soon forget.

It will be glittering in their minds right along with the 7-6 shocker Nile Kinnick and the rest of the 1939 Iron Men hit Notre Dame with; the 8-0 victory a ragtag 1952 Hawkeye team scored over Ohio State; the 6-0 thriller over Ohio State that sent the ’56 team to the Rose Bowl; and the 7-6 white-knuckler the ’76 group went home with from Penn State.

Indeed, this sparkling success in the opening game of the season was one that rocked the collegiate football world and perhaps announced to everyone that Iowa is back.

Yes, sir, the school that hasn’t had a winning season since 1961, maybe came forward on the 12th day of September, 1981, with the word that there is a new day ahead for Iowa football.

Well, the fans have certainly waited long enough – and they let out all their frustrations while counting down the final seconds.

Fifteen…14…13…12…all the way down to the end, and then – whooah! – the masses hit the new $600,000 artificial turf. Fans poured out of the north end zone and left the goal post a mass of twisted steel. Then they raced for the players. They grabbed them, they hugged them.

They danced, they laughed, they celebrated in the late afternoon. Many were sunburned because they wore no shirts on this day when the temperature was in the mid-80s. Sweat rolled off their bodies as they experienced something Hawkeye followers have been able to experience far too infrequently in the past 20 years.

Somehow, the goal post at the south end of the field survived the charge of the crowd.

But the echoes and the memories remained.

Points Come Early

A two-yard touchdown run by Eddie Phillips in the first quarter and a 35-field goal by Lon Olejniczak on the opening play of the second period gave Iowa all the points it needed to whip a team that is supposed to finish second in the Big Eight Conference, win its usual eight, nine or 10 games and play in another bowl game.

But there was far more to this unbelievable victory than a run and kick. Coach Hayden Fry had a defense made up of guys like tackle Jim Pekar (eight solo tackles), tackle Mark Bortz and secondary people Jim Frazier and Lou King (five each) that brought Nebraska’s feared offense to a virtual standstill.

Fry also had an offensive line that performed admirably after being rebuilt from last year and some gimmicks, such as an unbalanced line and a quick huddle, that appeared to catch Nebraska off guard.

Can you imagine the disbelief in the stadiums across America when it was announced that Iowa was actually leading Nebraska at halftime, 10-0? Can you imagine what it was like when the public address announcer in all those stadiums disclosed that same 10-0 score after three quarters?

Not This Time

Things like that just aren’t supposed to happen to Nebraska, a football factory that produces tremendous teams year after year. The last time a Husker team had been held without a point for three periods was in the 1974 Sugar Bowl, but even then the team had enough character to come back with a 13-point final quarter that defeated Florida, 13-10.

Nebraska tried hard to do the same thing Saturday. The Huskers took advantage of Phillips’ fumble on the Iowa 33 with 52 seconds left in the third quarter and marched in for a touchdown with 11:42 to go in the game.

It was scored by Roger Craig, the hard-driving Nebraska I-back from Davenport, on a one-yard smash. And the extra point by Kevin Seibel brought Nebraska up to a 10-7 deficit with plenty of time left.

But Iowa withstood every Nebraska threat thereafter. Seibel's 37-yard field goal try was wide to the right with 6½ minutes to go, then Iowa’s defenders were all over the Huskers as they moved in for the kill.

The Hawks turned Nebraska into a fumbling, error-prone giant in the final minutes, and most of the fans loved it. The only ones who didn’t were the red-clad Nebraska rooters at the south end of the field. Who must have been wondering how their team could look like the Oakland Raiders against Iowa one year, then like Cupcake University the next.

Afterward, Fry apologized for being tardy in making it to his press conference.

“But,” he pointed out, “we’ve had a slight celebration.”

Fry was testy at times in his comments. Someone asked why he wore a black jacket that muse have left him wringing-wet throughout the game, and he said, “I’m superstitious.”

Then someone asked about his mustache, which is new this year, and Fry said, “Let’s not talk about the mustache. We’ve just whipped somebody’s ass. We’ve worked our talls off and whipped a heck of a team.

“I couldn’t be prouder of my squad or my coaches. The game ball goes to Bill Brashier (the defensive coordinator) and the other defensive coaches.”

Fry said he and his players had been “waiting since last year” to pull off something like this, and added that, “Some of you doubters know I was telling the truth last year…there have been some cheap shots take at our program – not may, but few.”

That evidently was a shot at a few members of the media who might not have been writing and saying the things Fry preferred.

Films Again

The “film flap” subject of last year was bound to come up, and Fry denied he’d ever said Nebraska Coach Tom Osborne was guilty of anything unethical before the 1980 game.

“I was just disappointed the North Texas State (where he coached before coming here) wanted Nebraska to beat us,” Fry said. “Osborne and I had no problem.”

Obviously, it was a day on which Fry felt he wanted to get some things straight.

“Was it,” a man wondered, “the greatest victory of your life?”

“I’m getting old,” Fry answered. “We beat a lot of top-ranked teams when I was at Southern Methodist and North Texas.

“At Iowa, this is far and away the best thing that’s happened to me. Today, this is the greatest victory of my life.”

In the dramatic fourth quarter, people were wondering if the same bad things would happen to Iowa that befell Fry’s ’79 team. There was the 26-3 lead the Hawks erected in the opener against Indiana, then the disappointment of a 30-26 loss. There was the hard-fought game at Oklahoma, which finally went to the Sooners, 21-6. There was the 24-21 loss to Nebraska after Iowa had led 21-7, heading into the final 17 minutes.

Learned to Win

“Games like that drove home the fact that we needed to learn to win around here,” Fry commented. “And, when we fumbled in the second half, I was thing, ‘Here we go again.’”

No so. This time it was Iowa that had enough character to hold on, enough defense to stop a team with the reputation for late-game tricks that turn seeming disaster into sudden victory.

As the reality of the upset go closer and closer, these were the things that happened.

After Craig had burst loose for a 13-yard gain, quarterback Mark Mauer fumbled on first down at the Iowa 34, and Bortz recovered for the Hawks.

However, Phil Blatcher fumbled three plays later at the Iowa 38, and Allen Lyday fell on the ball.

The Husker’s final gasp came inside the last minute. Reggie Roby, who broke his own Iowa record by averaging 55.8 yards on five punts, booted one 53 yards to the Husker 22.

No. 2 quarterback Nate Mason thrown for a nine-yard loss by Bortz on first down, then his pass intended for Scott Woodard was intercepted by Lou King at the 28.

That was it. All that was left was the countdown and the celebrating.

Hard Loss

“This is one of the hardest losses since I’ve been at Nebraska,” said Osborne, who had lost just once in 11 previous games with Big Ten teams. “Iowa played well and deserved to win.

“They outplayed us and outcoached us. Anytime we lose a game it’s my fault. If our players aren’t good enough, I should have done a better job recruiting.

“If our players don’t perform well, then we should have done a better job of preparing them.

“I think we have better players overall than Iowa does…I think.”

“Our offensive line blew Nebraska out,” said Phillips, the sophomore who was named the No. 1 tailback early last week after it was evident J.C. Love-Jordan wouldn’t be able to play because of an ankle injury.

“Our defense was ready for this game all week, all fall, all last spring.”

44-Yard March

Iowa played like a team possessed in the early minutes. With Pete Gales – designated as the No. 1 quarterback two days before the game – at the controls, the Hawks marched 44 yards in seven plays for their touchdown.

Phillips, who was the leading rusher for both team with 94 yards in 19 carries, burst for runs of nine, three, 13 and seven yards on successive tries, and finally went across from the two with 9:16 left in the opening period. Olejniczak kicked the point.

Iowa got another chance after Borz recovered Craig’s fumble following a pass catch at the Husker 24. However, five plays later, Roby failed on a 42-yard field goal try.

And it was on that series that Steve McWhirter, the Nebraska linebacker from Fairfield, suffered a hyperextension of a knee and was helped off the field.

Brad Webb’s pass interception at the Nebraska 43 set up Iowa’s field goal. The 36-yarder by Olejniczak on the first play of the second quarter sent the fans into ecstacy.

Halfway through Fry’s comments to the press, he was interrupted.

Someone said ABC-TV wanted to visit with him about the victory.

When the network calls, the coach leaves.

After returning, he said next Saturday’s game against Iowa State “scares the hell out of me…we won’t be able to sneak up on ‘em no.”

Fry was happy to report there were no new injuries. But he added that four or five players suffered cramps because of the heat.

Indeed, Phillips blamed “cramps in my hand” for his fumble that led to the Nebraska touchdown.

“Get it Going”

Asked why this year’s Nebraska game was so much different than the 1980 debacle, Bortz said, “Because we know we’re coming on. The coaches have it going and the defense has it going.

“Everyone felt more relaxed out there today. When we needed a turnover, we got it. Two years ago, it seemed we had Nebraska, but let the game get away. It would have killed us to have that happen again.”

Roby said he was “lined up wrong” on the two field goals he missed.

One of the happiest Hawks was No. 2 offensive guard Dave Mayhan, who is from Bellevue, Neb.

“Football is a state of mind,” he commented. “If you have a victory in your head, you’ll make it happen.”

Craig, who finished with 74 yards in 19 carries for Nebraska, said, “Iowa was ready for us…they stopped our running game. This game really hurts, but we’ll bounce back.”

*

The Des Moines Register photo at the top shows Hawkeye coach Hayden Fry being congratulated by some of his assistant coaches following Iowa's 10-7 victory over Nebraska in 1981; the photo at the right of Ron Maly and Fry was taken in Iowa City just before the 2011 season began.

Bud Appleby Says FOX Sports [Not Register] Writes About 89-Point Game By Grinnell College's Griffin Lentsch; Also, Drake's Kayla Person Has Quit Squad

2011-11-20T15:01:00.019-06:00

From Bud Appleby of Des Moines:

"I didn't see any mention of this [story by FOX Sports] in the Newspaper Iowa Depends Upon this morning:

"Without the NBA around, college basketball needs to put its best foot forward in order to showcase the great game it truly is.

"Enter Griffin Lentsch [pictured at the right].

"The junior from high-scoring Grinnell College in Iowa set an all-time Division III record for points in a game Saturday when he dropped in 89 for the Pioneers in a 145-97 victory vs. Principia College.

"That's decent, right?

"Decent enough to rank third all-time in NCAA history. Only the 112 points from Clarence 'Bevo' Francis of Rio Grande and the 110 from Frank Selvy of Furman (both happening in 1954, coincidentally) rank higher than Lentsch's effort.

"Lentsch shot 27 of 55 from the floor, 15 of 33 from three-point land and 20 of 22 free throws. The 15 three-pointers in the game rank as the ninth-best total in NCAA history.

"Grinnell assistant coach David N. Arseneault, who will serve as the team’s interim head coach during the second semester, was just as amazed as anyone.

“'We knew Griffin had a chance to put up big numbers," he said. 'But something like this is simply amazing.'

"You can also chalk Lentsch down as the nation's leading scorer, since Saturday's game was Grinnell's first of the season. We dare anyone else to rival his 89.0 scoring average.

"The moment wasn't lost on him, either, as he tried to sum things up afterwards.

"'It's still setting in," Lentsch said. 'I didn't think I would ever score that many points . . . (My teammates) did such a great job of setting screens and getting me open. I never would have come remotely close to doing this without them.'

"Lentsch and Grinnell take to the court for their second game Tuesday night at home against Wartburg College."

Appleby continues:

"I guess you have to score at least 90 points to get your name in that paper.

"Another thing the Register hasn't mentioned:

"Kayla Person [pictured at the left], a starter last season and in one game this season, has quit the Drake women's basketball team. She recently lost her starting spot to freshman Kyndal Clark."

I See a Letter Writer To the Paper Agreed With Me That a Story About Dining and Drinking On a Floating Dock On the D.M. River Downtown Is Dumb Idea

2011-11-19T17:28:00.010-06:00

Earlier in the week, I wrote, "I Can Think Of About 50,000 Things I'd Rather Be Doing Than 'Dining and Drinking In Shirt Sleeves On a Floating Dock On the Des Moines River Downtown.'" A guy's letter to the editor in today's Des Moines Register was headlined, "Dining on polluted river not very appetizing." The whole thing is a laughable idea, and I can't believe the Register's business department fell for it. Sounds like an April Fool's joke to me.

I've Always Said This Guy Is a Numbskull: Cubs' Carlos Zambrano Needs 18 Stitches To Repair His Head After He's Hit By a Line Drive In Venezuela

2011-11-19T17:27:00.001-06:00

The More I Think About It, the More I Wonder If Any Of My Neighbors [Or Any Of My Neighbors' Kids] Were In That Mass Of Humanity Last Night At Ames

2011-11-19T12:47:00.003-06:00

Photo courtesy of U.S. Presswire.

I Realize It's Only Halftime, But So Far Purdue Is Showing Me It's One Of the Worst Teams I've Seen All Year; No Wonder People Say the Big Ten Is Down

2011-11-19T12:38:00.005-06:00

It's Chat Time: Cubs' Sveum, Fainting Irish, Fainting Spartans, Valley-Bettendorf, Bin-Buster Corn Crop, Terry Francona, Drake Basketball, Rekha Basu

2011-11-17T14:49:00.021-06:00

Ron Maly, the guy at the right on The Round Table photo at the top of this page, said it's time for another online chat. As he does often, Ron is turning today's chat over to Thirty Nine Eighty One, a friend of his who usually has a lot on his mind and can get kind of snarky--especially on Thursdays. So take it away, Thirty Nine Eighty One.

Q. From Mel in Mechanicsville: "I heard that the Chicago Cubs just made it official and named Dale Sveum their new manager. What do you think about that?

A. Underwhelmed, I guess. Not happy at all. I'd like to know why Theo Epstein, the new Mr. Know It All president of the Cubs, thinks someone with a strange last name [which is pronounced Swaim] knows more about managing than Ryne Sandberg. Ryno was tailor-made for the Cubs and has paid his dues in the minor leagues. What exactly has Sveum proven so far? Not a thing. I know the Milwaukee Brewers, for whom he was the hitting coach, bypassed him twice when they needed new skippers. I think the Cubs will regret it--especially if Ryno gets the Boston Red Sox managing job, or lands in some other big league club's dugout.

Q. From Cleo in Coralville: This is Thursday, and I read in the paper today that some people think Michigan State's football players faked injuries in their game against Iowa last week. Kind of old news, isn't it?

A. I was in Kinnick Stadium for the game, and I believe all too many Spartans were flopping on the turf with fake injuries. I thought the fake injury crap stopped with the 1953 Notre Dame team against Forest Evashevski's Hawkeyes. People from Evashevski and famous national sportswriter Grantland Rice on down accused Fighting Irish coach Frank Leahy of cheating after he ordered his players to fake injuries in a game that ended in a 14-14 tie. After the game, Evashevski made the humorous comment, "When the one Great Scorer comes to write against our name, he won't write whether we won or lost, but how we got gypped by Notre Dame." Speaking later to the New York Football Writers Association, Rice said: “I considered [Notre Dame's faking of injuries] a complete violation of the spirit and ethics of the game and was sorry to see Notre Dame, of all teams, using this method. Why…was it allowed? If this violates neither the rules nor the coaching code, let’s throw them both out the window. Some people are calling it smart playing. I think it was disgraceful playing.” Folks were accusing Michigan State of faking injuries on the call-in radio shows a half-hour after last Saturday's game. Yet, the injury story didn't get into the paper until today--five days after the game. I'd call that shabby reporting. But we shouldn't expect much else these days. The newspaper business is dead, and I'm sure Grantland Rice is rolling over in his grave because of what's taking place.

Q. From Connie in Clive: I'm a high school football fan. I think it's awful that there haven't been any midweek stories on the upcoming Valley-Bettendorf 4-A game. All we get is out-of-date stuff on Iowa State and Iowa. Those newspaper editors and reporters evidently don't realize that today's high school kids could, or should, be tomorrow's newspaper subscribers.

A. I agree.

Q. From Eastern Star in West Des Moines: Do you think Valley can beat Bettendorf?

A. It's going to be tough. Valley hasn't been beaten all season, but will need to play its best game to win the 4-A title. I'd label Bettendorf the favorite. If Valley's outstanding running backs, offensive line and defense play a mistake-free game, the Tigers might have a chance, with emphasis on the word might.

Q. From Slam Dunk in Schleswig: Do you think there will be an NBA season this year?

A. I hope not.

Q. From Veryl in Villisca: Why do you think Terry Francona pulled out of the Cubs' managerial search?

A. Because Theo Epstain told him he wasn't going to get the job. He might have told Francona to be patient. When the Cubs are 20 games out of first place on the Fourth of July, Francona can replace Sveum as skipper.

Q. From Gotta Go At a Rest Stop On Interstate 80: I know you wear your America Needs Farmers T-shirt proudly. I just saw you in it the other day at Mimi's. What do you think of this year's corn crop?

A. All my farm friends are excited. It's going to be another bin-buster.

Q. From Daryl in Dunkerton: I know you've been following Drake basketball for a lot of years. What did you think of the Bulldogs' victory over Iowa State earlier this week?

A. Pretty impressive. But before I get too excited, I'd like to point out that they'd better bring their "A" game when they play the Creightons, Bradleys and Wichita States of the Missouri Valley Conference, too. It's a long season.

Q. From Ann in Ainsworth: Is Rekha Basu still doing those roundtable discussions with other women on the computer?

A. I hope not. I watched one of the shows, and all the women did was complain about how lonely they are. Actually, I think the discussions have been canceled because of lack of interest--among the women doing the talking and the viewers they failed to attract.

*

Forest Evashevski is pictured at the right, being carried off the football field on the shoulders of his Hawkeye players, Frank Leahy is pictured at the left.

The Cubs Have Settled On a Manager [All Signs Point To Dale Sveum]. That's Why Francona Withdrew His Name From Consideration

2011-11-16T14:38:00.012-06:00

Theo Epstein gave Francona [right], who was ousted as the Red Sox skipper following the team's 2011 collapse, the opportunity to get out of the Cubs' search gracefully. This makes it seem that Francona's exit from the field was his idea. Actually, Epstein didn't want him. Now Epstein can give the job to Sveum [left], the Milwaukee Brewers' hitting coach. Multiple news sources Wednesday night said Sveum had been offered the Cubs' job. It's not an impressive hire as far as Ron Maly is concerned. He'd have preferred Francona.

Same Old Stuff: Cubs Say They'll Give Clown Zambrano Another Chance. No Wonder They Can't Find a New Manager, and No Wonder They'll Never Win

2011-11-15T08:00:00.003-06:00

New general manager Theo Epstein says the embattled 'Z' can "earn" his way back. What has Zambrano ever earned? Nothing. He hasn't pitched for the Cubs since last August, and as far as I'm concerned, he'd never pitch for me again. He's totally undependable.

More Bad News for Poor Old Joe Paterno: Big Ten Removes His Name from the Trophy That Will Go To the Winner Of the League's Title Game

2011-11-14T16:29:00.003-06:00

I Can Think Of About 50,000 Things I'd Rather Be Doing Than 'Dining and Drinking In Shirt Sleeves On a Floating Dock On the Des Moines River Downtown'

2011-11-14T10:58:00.005-06:00

That's what the Des Moines Register says all of us can maybe be doing as early as May. Count me out of that one. [Photo of the river courtesy of the website "Historic Des Moines, Cowles Library, Drake University."]

I Don't Know Who Is, Or Was, Goofier--Actor Leonardo DiCaprio Or the Late J. Edgar Hoover. All I Know Is, I Won't Be Seeing the Movie 'J. Edgar'

2011-11-14T09:34:00.009-06:00

Scene showing DiCaprio in the role of Hoover in the film. Courtesy of the movie.

Give Me [And Kirk Ferentz, Too] a Break. Quit Mentioning Ferentz Whenever a Football Coaching Job Opens. Our Man Kirk Is Staying At Iowa

2011-11-11T09:31:00.008-06:00

Iowans went through this when Forest Evashevski [pictured at the left] coached the Hawkeyes, and they went through it when Hayden Fry [right] coached them. Folks from this state were scared to death whenever the Michigan job opened because they were fearful Evashevski, a former Wolverines standout player, would go there to coach. Later, whenever a big job [remember Southern California?] was vacant, Fry's name was mentioned. Now Ferentz's name is brought up [mainly by newspapers that are all in financial trouble and trying to keep subscribers] when a significant collegiate [now it's Penn State,] at other times it's Notre Dame] job is open. Ferentz [pictured at the top] is being paid nearly $4 million to coach Iowa. He'd have to take a pay cut to coach Penn State. Forget it. He's not going anywhere. And, by the way, please inform the people in the Gannett Co. newspaper chain of those facts. They're getting more ridiculous every day in an effort to sell papers and stay out of the unemployment lines.

At the End, Paterno Failed Miserably

2011-11-10T07:40:00.006-06:00

Penn State fired a football coach who won 409 games, more than any other coach in Division I college football history.

Penn State fired a coach, whose family donated more than $4 million to the university, helping fund scholarships, faculty positions and the construction of a library that bears his name.

Penn State fired a coach, who was never accused by the NCAA of breaking its rules in 46 seasons, and whose players seemingly always graduated, fostering a belief that the Nittany Lions always did things the right way, even as other major college football programs' reputations were sullied by salacious scandals involving academic fraud and illegal booster benefits.

On Wednesday night, Penn State's Board of Trustees fired legendary football coach Joe Paterno -- effectively immediately -- because it was the only decision it could make.

"We thought that because of the difficulties that engulfed our university -- and they are great -- it was necessary for us to make a change in the leadership and to set a course for new direction," said Penn State board of trustees vice chairman John Surma, chairman and CEO of U.S. Steel. "The university is much larger than its athletic programs."

Finally, adults with backbones and courage made a prudent decision at Penn State.

Paterno was fired because he failed miserably while making the biggest decision of his life.

Told by a graduate assistant in 2002 that former Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky had sexually assaulted a boy, believed to be 10 years old, in the showers of Penn State's football complex, Paterno did nothing more than inform athletic director Tim Curley and university vice-president Gary Schultz of the allegations. Paterno never personally called police. His son, Scott Paterno, told the Philadelphia Inquirer on Wednesday that his father never even asked Sandusky -- his assistant coach for three decades and who was once considered his heir apparent -- about the incident.

Penn State president Graham Spanier also was fired immediately. Curley took a leave of absence and Schultz retired earlier this week, after they were charged with perjury for lying to a grand jury and failing to report the crime.

Sandusky, who faces 40 criminal counts involving the sexual assaults of eight boys over a 15-year period, has denied the charges.

Paterno, 84, had tried to strong-arm Penn State officials one last time Wednesday morning, announcing that he would retire at the end of the season. Paterno, who had coached the Nittany Lions since 1950 and worked as their head coach since 1966, was bound and determined to go out under his own terms.

Over the past few days, the fallout of the chilling tragedy seemed to focus more on its affect on Paterno's legacy than the victims themselves.

In a statement released by his family on Wednesday morning, Paterno said he would finally step aside after coaching the No. 12 Nittany Lions in their last three-regular season games and then potentially in the Big Ten championship game and a postseason bowl game. Paterno, who guided the Nittany Lions to two national championships, wanted one more shot at a title.

"At this moment the Board of Trustees should not spend a single minute discussing my status," Paterno said in the statement. "They have far more important matters to address. I want to make this as easy for them as I possibly can."

The easiest and best decision for Penn State would have been for Paterno to retire immediately on his own. Instead, Paterno ignored the greater good of the university he professed to love -- and more importantly the well being of the eight known victims and their families -- by selfishly trying to coach the Nittany Lions in a few more games.

Could you imagine the victims' horror if Paterno -- who all but ignored the sickening actions of their alleged predator -- had been cheered in his final home game against Nebraska at Beaver Stadium on Saturday? Could you imagine the victims' horror if Paterno had been carried off on his players' shoulders after winning the inaugural Big Ten championship game in Indianapolis on Dec. 3?

The Hall of Fame coach who did very little to help them was able to go on with his storybook life, while their lives had been shattered by a sexual predator who wasn't stopped by men with knowledge of the unspeakable crimes. [Commentary by Mark Schlabach, ESPN.com; photo courtesy of SI.com].

Drake Signs 3 for 2012-13 School Year

2011-11-09T09:14:00.001-06:00

The Drake men's basketball program has received signed letters of intent from three incoming athletes for the 2012-13 school year.

Point guard Richard Carter (Detroit, Mich./Cody High School/Cloud County Community College), forward Joey King (Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview High School) and guard Micah Mason (Allegheny, Pa./Highlands High School) each returned signed letters of intent to Drake on Wednesday.

"We are extremely excited to announce the signings of Richard Carter, Joey King and Micah Mason to join us here in the fall of 2012," said coach Mark Phelps. "Each comes to us with demonstrated success and has had the privilege of playing for winning basketball programs. All three young men exemplify the type of student-athletes we want to recruit to Drake University. They excel in the classroom and are young men of integrity, and each has a chance to make an immediate impact on our program."

RICHARD CARTER

6-0, 175; Cloud County Community College (Concordia, Kansas) / Cody H.S. (Detroit, Mich.) Carter was named freshman of the year in the Jayhawk West Conference for 2010-11, averaging 17 points per game at Cloud County Community College in Concordia, Kan. He also earned first-team all-conference and second-team all-Region VI. An outstanding prep player in Detroit, Mich., Carter was first-team All-Metro and honorable mention Class A all-state at Detroit's Cody High School, where he averaged 19.3 points, 4.4 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game.

Phelps on Carter: "Richard Carter is an extremely quick point guard, but he's also a scoring point guard. He can shoot the three and he can get in the paint and find teammates. Richard is the prototypical point guard; a guy you want to run your basketball team and involve his teammates, but he can also score. He is very quick on the defensive end, and is someone I think can be an immediate-impact guy on both ends of the court."

JOEY KING

6-9, 220 lbs.; Eastview H.S. (Apple Valley, Minn.) King averaged 17.6 points per game as a junior last year in leading his Eastview High team a 22-5 record and a South Suburban Conference title. He scored in double figures in 24 of 27 games last year, including a season-best 36 points against Eagan. King has competed for the Minnesota Southside AAU team.

Phelps on King: "Joey King is an extremely versatile forward. He can play close to the rim with a good post-up game. He's a guy who can also knock down the three, and is an excellent passer. At 6-foot-9 I think he's going to be a young man who is extremely versatile, and will be a matchup problem at the offensive end. Joey has an excellent motor and plays with a consistently high energy level."

MICAH MASON

6-2, 170; Highlands H.S. (Allegheny, Pa.) Mason, who has been battling recent illnesses, averaged 33.3 points, 8 assists and 3 steals per game at Highlands High, and shot 47 percent from three-point range. He earned a spot on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's "Fab Five" Boys Basketball team and was area player of the year by the Valley News Dispatch. Mason scored 64 points in a game last season, the second-highest single-game total by a player in a WPIAL history.

Phelps on Mason: "Micah has the ability to play both guard positions and he's a terrific scorer. He's the ultimate gym-rat. He is the hardest and most consistent worker I have had the opportunity to recruit. Micah will be a guy our fans will really enjoy because of his ability to put the basketball in the hoop. He is a terrific shooter, but he can also be very effective distributing the basketball."

The Bulldogs face Upper Iowa in their regular season opener Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Knapp Center, followed by a Tuesday game at 8:05 p.m. vs. Iowa State. For tickets call (515) 271-DOGS or purchase online at www.GoDrakeBulldogs.com. [This story was written for Ron Maly by Paul Kirk, Drake's assistant athletic director for communications].

It Took a Half-Century, But Don Nelson Will Get His Degree

2011-11-08T08:24:00.004-06:00

By Eric Freeman, Yahoo! Sports: With early entry almost a prerequisite these days for a long-lasting NBA career, many players have used the lockout as an opportunity to return to school and finish up their bachelor's degrees. It's an honorable pursuit that should be commended, especially as the lockout foregrounds the need for players to understand issues beyond how to split a double team.

As far as I know, NBA lifers with a combined 45 years of coaching and playing experience don't usually head back to campus for their diplomas. But that's exactly what Don Nelson, the league's all-time wins leader, will do this spring at the University of Iowa. From Sports Business Daily (via PBT):

Former NBA coach Don Nelson will graduate from college "almost 50 years after being" drafted in the '62 NBA Draft. Nelson "plans to go through the University of Iowa commencement service in the spring of 2012, having fulfilled the necessary credits for his bachelor's degree."

Nelson fulfilled his graduation requirements long ago, but he somehow hadn't returned to campus to walk since. He's been unemployed several times, too, so it would have taken much effort to take a trip to Iowa City for a day some random spring day. Of course, not everyone lives in Hawaii, which seems a little less worth leaving than any other state in the union. Maybe Nellie played this one correctly.

Nevertheless, it's a surprising move for a man whose entire coaching career has been predicated on outside-the-box thinking. A decent number of people embrace education at 71 years old, but not many randomly decide to walk during graduation years after finishing up their classes. That's especially true of a two-time all-America campus legend. If I had that status, I'd walk during every graduation until they told me to stop.

Nelson also brings good news for every graduating Hawkeye, because you know he's going to throw one hell of a celebration party. Plus, he'll finally be around the only other people who drink Bud Light with regularity.

Joe Paterno Should Be Fired, University President, Too

2011-11-06T23:01:00.007-06:00

Ron Maly figures 84-year-old Jo Pa shouldn't be allowed to survive the turmoil centered around Jerry Sandusky, who was on Paterno's coaching staff for 32 years at Penn State. Sandusky--allegedly, reportedly, certainly or all of the above--likes boys. Young boys. Is this sick or what? Paterno should be fired and so should the university president.

Iowa Halts Overrated Denard Robinson, Whips Michigan for a Record 3rd Straight Time and, Oh, Yes, Becomes Eligible To Go Another Bowl Under Ferentz

2011-11-05T19:46:00.003-05:00

3981 Has Seen Plenty of Valley Games Over the Years; Tonight's 45-20 Clobbering Of Dowling Ranks In the Top 5. No. 1-Ranked Tigers Are Now 12-0

2011-11-04T23:30:00.002-05:00

It's difficult to say a victory in the state 4-A quarterfinals could outrank coach Gary Swenson's four state championship triumphs, but this blowout was thoroughly impressive. Valley didn't let city rival Dowling up for air. When Trey Lewis dashed 80 yards on the game's first scrimmage play, the Tigers took Dowling's big crowd out of the game, and the rout was on. The 38-7 first half was a sight to see in front of the huge crowd at Valley Stadium.

Never Thought I'd See This Again: I Paid $3.10 Per Gallon for Gas At Walmart After Using My 5-Cent Sam's Club Card. My Bill for 10.6 Gallons: $33.11

2011-11-04T16:23:00.008-05:00

But that's still a long way from the days when I'd pass up 20-cent-a-gallon gas on I-80 in Nebraska many years ago because I knew it would be 19 cents at the next station.

Don't Count Terry Francona [Bad Knees, Bad Marriage, And His Red Sox Players Even Guzzled Beer In the Dugout] Out of the Cubs' Search for a Manager

2011-11-03T18:52:00.007-05:00

Terry Francona bubblegum card in his playing days as a Cub.

Epstein Says Sandberg Isn't In Cubs' Plan; A Year Ago, Hendry Said the Same Thing. I Wonder If These Guys Know Something About Ryno You & I Don't

2011-11-02T17:26:00.005-05:00

Don Clasen Writes About Newspapers & Other Stuff

2011-11-01T14:55:00.011-05:00

Hi, Ron:

The Chicago Tribune this morning had a page 1 story under the headline:

"Both plans
rejected
in Tribune
bankruptcy"

The story explains that the judge in the Tribune Co. bankruptcy case rejected two plans for reorganizing the company, "leaving the Chapter 11 proceeding unresolved after nearly three contentious years in court."

The piece goes on to day that "in an expansive 126-page opinion, U.S. Bankruptcy judge Kevin Carey said he could confirm neither plan under the bankruptcy code and threatened to appoint a trustee to resolve the case if the company and its warring creditors can't come up with a viable solution soon."

"...the buyout, led by Chicago billionaire Sam Zell, was a textbook case of fraudulent conveyence, meaning the debt-laden transaction left the company insolvent from the very start," the article adds.

You might have to be a Philadelphia lawyer to understand all of this legalese, but I assume the judge's ruling isn't good news for Zell, who led the $8.2 buyout in 2007.

In my opinion the Trib, which once boasted it was "The World's Greatest Newspaper," has tried to be a respectable paper like we read in the old days. But in-depth articles on a variety of topics have been topped with a label saying that the story was among 40 extra pages added each week. Does this mean the Trib is preparing to hike the price again?

Deadlines are a problem all newspapermen and women must cope with. I recall in the old days, for example, the Register relied on radio coverage of an Iowa basketball game, which ended about the time of the 9 p.m. first edition deadline, to provide the final score in the early edition.

Last week, after Chicago's only winner--the Blackhawks--finished a West Coast game at about 11:30 p.m. no game story was in the next morning's paper. This prompted me to write a letter to the Trib explaining, among other things, this is not the reason why I subscribe to the morning newspaper. Like you have said, this is this another way fans are being gypted. And like Don Kaul said in a recent column, some things were just better in the good old days.

Meanwhile, Epstein and the Cubs are becoming top-heavy in management personnel. Of course, front office people don't demand the big bucks that players do, but I hope they are saving some money for talented players.

And, finally, if I recall correctly, Ray Johnson, owner of the Iowa Oaks, offered Tony LaRussa his first job as manager back in the 1970s.

Don Clasen
Chicago

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Thanks for reminding us of the Iowa Oaks, Don. We miss them].

*

An e-mail to Hawkeye football and men's basketball radio announcer Gary Dolphin from Clem in Coralville:

"Gary --

"Randy Peterson writes this about your sidekick in today's Register: 'As he continues to mature, Podolak said Coker will figure ways to out-maneuver opponents . . .'

"Podolak is in his mid 60s. I thought he matured years ago . . ."

High School Players & Fans Short-Changed Again

2011-11-01T08:37:00.004-05:00

The high school football players and their fans continue to get gypped by the newspapers--at least the one that's delivered to my home in West Des Moines. I'd devote most of the entire sports section to the high school teams in the playoffs at this time of year. If there are going to be any readers of newspapers remaining in the future, it's the athletes competing in high school sports, and their fans [at least the young fans}. To have the story about No. 1-ranked Valley steamrolling Urbandale, 38-13, in a class 4-A game buried on page 5 is ridiculous. No wonder newspaper circulation continues to nosedive.

*

To illustrate how things were screwed up in the newsoom at 8th & Locust, it said in the High School Insider that Valley "had almost 500 yards to beat Lincoln..." Actually, it was Dowling that beat Lincoln. Valley played, and defeated, Urbandale. Oh, well.

This Is Great News: LaRussa Retires as Cardinals' Manager

2011-10-31T10:46:00.009-05:00

Thirty Nine Eighty One regards the retirement Monday of Tony LaRussa as the St. Louis Cardinals as very good news. The way Thirty Nine Eighty One looks at it, now maybe the Chicago Cubs, with their new leadership, will win more games and eventually get to [and win} a World Series. Thirty Nine Eighty One can't imagine the Cardinals being able to hire anyone who will come close to being as good a manager as LaRussa. By the way, hopefully the hapless Mike Quade will be available to the Redbirds. Thirty Nine Eighty One feels there's no way the Cubs can bring him back for the second, and last, year of his contract. [Photo courtesy of stltoday.com]

Iowa's 'Field Of Dreams' Is Sold

2011-10-30T16:44:00.009-05:00

A New York Times story from Dyersville, IA--Mike Dollar had a faraway look as he watched his wife, Laura, hit baseballs to their son, Jesse, who fielded them at shortstop in an Atlanta Braves T-shirt. Abby, their daughter, played catcher. The sun was bright, the sky was clear and the cornstalks were waving in the breeze.

The Ghost Players, a troupe formed by neighbors of the “Field of Dreams” site, re-enact the role of the 1919 Chicago White Sox in the 1989 movie with Ray Liotta and Kevin Costner.

“They really captured the purity of it,” said Dollar, who had driven 900 miles from their home in Georgia so they could frolic here. “This field, we’d hate to see it change.”

Change, it turns out, comes creepingly at the Field of Dreams Movie Site. In the film “Field of Dreams,” a farmer hears a voice telling him to build a baseball diamond in his cornfield so the ghosts of the disgraced 1919 Chicago White Sox can return to play.

The movie so touched a chord that since its 1989 release, hundreds of thousands of fans have come to this corner of Iowa to run the bases, walk in the cornfields and soak up the feel of the place, which looks much as it did in the film. Retired major leaguers like George Brett, Lou Brock, Catfish Hunter and Kirby Puckett have been here. Politicians on the campaign trail have stopped by. Kevin Costner, a star of the film, returned with his band in 2006.

In essence, Universal Studios built it and they came.

But on Sunday, Don and Becky Lansing [pictured at the right], the owners of the 193-acre farm that includes the field, announced they are selling their property to an investment group led by a couple from the Chicago area. that they are selling their property to an investment group led by a couple from the Chicago area. The group plans to keep the field as it is but also to build a dozen other fields and an indoor center for youth baseball and softball tournaments.

For the Lansings, who have no children, it is a bittersweet transaction. The property has been in the family for more than a century, and Don grew up in the two-bedroom house featured in the movie. The couple tended the grounds, gave tours and sold souvenirs. They spurned offers to commercialize the site and tried to maintain their privacy even as each year 65,000 visitors from around the world pulled into their driveway.

But Don, 68, who retired from his job at John Deere, and Becky, 58, decided that they had done as much as they could. They listed the property in May 2010 for $5.4 million. Some local residents said they were asking too much, given the value of farmland and the weak economy. The Lansings wanted to sell only to someone who would preserve the authenticity of the field, which has been free to visitors.

“We really have been aware all these years that the field has to grow in some capacity,” Becky said. “We have done what we needed to do with the field. We nurtured and protected it and allowed the field to become all it is meant to be.”

After considering many offers and even inviting Costner to bid on the property, the Lansings settled on Mike and Denise Stillman, who assembled a group called Go the Distance Baseball L.L.C., borrowing a line from the movie. The parties did not disclose the sale price.

The Stillmans plan to leave the field much as it was when Ray Liotta portrayed Shoeless Joe Jackson there. The bleachers erected by Ray Kinsella, Costner’s character, will continue to stand near first base. The white house with the wraparound porch and the white picket fence will still overlook the field.

But on the property away from the movie site, the Stillmans plan to build a complex called All-Star Ballpark Heaven. Having watched their son and daughter play baseball and softball, they believe demand is strong for sports centers like those run by Cal Ripken Jr.

Specific plans are still being completed, but Denise Stillman said Roger Bossard, the head groundskeeper for the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field, who is also known as the Sod Father, would help design the fields, including several, they hope, that replicate major league ballparks. She expects the complex to open in 2014 but said it was too early to say how much the project would cost or how many people would be employed there. Those who work at the movie site will keep their jobs.

The Stillmans, who will not live on the property, have been talking to the Lansings since July 2010. Mike, who grew up on Chicago’s south side, is a lawyer and a White Sox season-ticket holder. Denise is a business consultant who specializes in marketing. They met while attending Bradley University in Peoria, Ill., and one of the first movies they saw together was “Field of Dreams.”

“It has this sort of bucolic, magical sense to it,” Denise said of the film, which was nominated for the Academy Award for best picture. “It seems to transport you. It has a certain sensibility about it that we’d like to raise more.”

The field, which is about three miles outside this town of 4,000, is also a bundle of contradictions. It is as real as any diamond in the world, except for the cornstalks that double as an outfield fence. But it was built by a movie studio in a few days for a film based on a fictional story about players from 70 years earlier.

The Field of Dreams has become a tourist attraction in the most unassuming way. Other than its website and a few brochures, it is barely promoted. No billboards alert drivers to turn off the highway; only a few signs point the way to the farm. The Lansings placed a donation box near the guest book at the backstop. Shirts and other souvenirs are for sale, but there are no neon signs or corporate come-ons. The site is closed in the evenings and in the winter.

“We’re a sleepy little farm town without it,” said Mike English, a councilman and pub owner. “It was a big surprise to everyone that people started showing up. But I don’t see it waning. As long as people watch baseball, they will come.”

After the movie, which was filmed in the summer of 1988, few local residents had any idea what was to come. The overhead power line running from third base to right field and beyond, which had been rerouted during filming, was put back. Al and Rita Ameskamp, who owned the land in left and center field, replanted corn there. Don Lansing left his portion of the diamond intact so friends and family could use it for a few years.

Within weeks of the movie’s release the next spring, people started arriving. One stranger traveling cross-country gave Don Lansing an old New York Giants cap, which he has kept. When he left for work in the morning, he would leave some buttons that the filmmakers had made for the extras, and they were gone when he returned. He offered T-shirts, with a coffee can and a sign asking for $5. The shirts sold out.

He moved a trailer near the house and converted it into a shop. His sister, Betty, started designing T-shirts. Don learned how to maintain the field.

“Before the movie, the only people who used to come out here were insurance or feed salesmen,” he said with a chuckle.

About 7,000 people showed up the first year, so Al Ameskamp restored his section of the outfield. The next year, twice as many people came to take in the site. Some brought their fathers’ old gloves and left them in the cornfield. Others exchanged wedding vows or scattered ashes of deceased relatives.

A few neighbors, some of whom were semipro ballplayers and had been extras in the movie, pitched to the visitors. For kicks one weekend, Keith Rahe and his friends wore replica jerseys like the ones in the film. When they emerged from the cornfield the way the players in the movie did, a girl supposedly yelled, “Mommy, it’s the ghost players.”

The story was reported in the local paper, and hundreds of visitors appeared the next weekend and for weekends after. So Rahe formed the Ghost Players, who developed a comedy routine like that of the Harlem Globetrotters. In time, the troupe performed at charity events, held youth clinics and even traveled overseas to military bases.

“I told my brother at the time that the Lord had opened up the skies and given us a gift and told us to do with it what we can,” Rahe said.

The players became so popular that Joe Scherrman, a local filmmaker, made a documentary about them.

“We call it the longest pickup game in history,” he said of the Ghost Players. “It’s so great for the community.”

Rahe called his group Left and Center Field of Dreams, because that is where it performed on summer Sundays beginning in the mid-1990s. Although the Ameskamps did not seem to mind the crowds on their property — a concert by Costner’s band drew thousands — the Lansings wanted the field left alone.

“My husband’s sense was to keep it small, simple and serene,” Becky Lansing said. “We have worked harder than anyone will ever know to keep it that way.”

Al Ameskamp died, and in 2007, the Lansings bought his 100 acres, consolidating the field and a farm that was originally owned by Don’s grandfather.

Based on the starry-eyed reactions of visitors, the Field of Dreams continues to cast a spell on baseball fans and movie buffs. More than two decades later, the film’s catchphrases have a place in American popular culture. One recent visitor wore a shirt depicting a beer keg with the words, “If you tap it, they will come.”

It was the Stillmans’ wholesome plan for the property, though, that attracted the Lansings, particularly Don, who was born there. He feels pride that his little slice of Iowa was chosen as a movie set, and he wants that to endure.

“I never really dreamt people would come, just like they say in the movie,” he said. “I have a lot of affection for the place. I’m not in it for the money. I’m in it for the fun. My fun is over, and I’m ready to move on.”