The Bounce: Obama, McCain say BCS, steroids have to go
by The Associated Press on Nov. 04, 2008, under Sports
<h4>Never too late: </h4>
Ken Mink, a 73-year-old full-time student, made two free throws to become the oldest person to play college basketball, according to Roane State (Tenn.) Community College. Mink's team beat King College's junior varsity 93-42.
Mink attempted one shot in about three minutes before being fouled. "I found myself on the free-throw line 52 years after my last college game," Mink said. "I said, 'Just relax and shoot it like you know how to all day long.' I just floated the shots in there. I'm in the books now. I can relax a little bit."
Mink, of Knoxville, Tenn., last played college basketball 52 years ago at Lees College in Jackson, Ky. After someone soaped the basketball coach's office, he lost his spot on the team and was expelled. Mink still says he didn't do it.
WASHINGTON – Democrat Barack Obama told ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” it’s time for college football to pick a champion with a playoff system while Republican John McCain would put an end to performance-enhancing substances.
On the eve of the election, the two presidential candidates were interviewed via satellite by ESPN’s Chris Berman. The taped interviews aired during halftime of game between the Washington Redskins and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Both candidates were asked to name one thing they would change in sports.
“I think it is about time that we had playoffs in college football. I’m fed up with these computer rankings and this and that and the other,” Obama said. “Get eight teams – the top eight teams right at the end. You got a playoff. Decide on a National Champion.”
College football uses a Bowl Championship Series system, commonly known as BCS, that is based on computer rankings.
McCain said he would “take significant action to prevent the spread and use of performance-enhancing substances. I think it’s a game we’re going to be in for a long time. What I mean by that is there is somebody in a laboratory right now trying to develop some type of substance that can’t be detected and we’ve got to stay ahead of it. It’s not good for the athletes. It’s not good for the sports. It’s very bad for those who don’t do it, and I think it can attack the very integrity of all sports going all the way down to high school.”
Asked what was the best piece of advice he had received from the sports world, Obama said his high school basketball coach, when the young Obama rebelled against him, said, ” ‘Look, this is not about you, this is about the team.’ It took me awhile to understand . . . but that’s how I’ve approached the work I’ve done in politics since. If you stay focused outside yourself, you end up doing a better job.”
In answer to the same question, McCain said he drew a lesson from a high school coach who also was a literature teacher.
“The guy was my inspiration then and is my inspiration to this day,” McCain said. “The lesson he taught me was you always have to do the honorable thing, even if no one knows, because you’ll know.”
Not lost on the candidates, who have spent millions of dollars on campaign advertising, is the ratings for “Monday Night Football.” ESPN said this year’s Philadelphia Eagles-Dallas Cowboys telecast on Sept. 15 attracted cable’s largest audience ever – 13 million homes and 18.6 million viewers.
Win over sports fans
The thought occurs, that if Obama and McCain still hope to gain the all-important nacho dip vote, sports analogies should help. Speak to the people’s concerns, I say. So if there are any last-minute messages they want to send to John Q. Tailgater, these would help:
• “I vow to bring peace to the world’s hottest trouble spots . . . including the final BCS standings.”
• “My election would herald real change for America . . . the Detroit Lions above .500!”
• “We will have sensible financial reform and do away with the excesses of the privileged . . . which means no $300 million payroll for the Yankees.”
• “There will be genuine opportunity for the downtrodden and demoralized of our society, with specific goals for progress . . . the Clippers in the NBA Finals by 2011 and the Pirates in the World Series by 2012.”
• “My election would mean a stronger America . . . and a Ryder Cup winning streak.”
• “I need your vote. Pay no attention to what the opinion polls say . . . nobody expected the Tennessee Titans to be 8-0.”
• “My economic package would include tax cuts for 95 percent of all Americans . . . or roughly equivalent to the number who hate Duke.”
• “America must return to its former global position of grandeur . . . and start winning the Olympic gold medal in the 100-meter dash and pole vault.”
• “I can assure you the person I have chosen to be No. 2 on my ticket would be a capable and effective replacement, should I fall . . . better than Matt Cassel with the Patriots, way better than Brad Johnson with the Cowboys.”
• “We need to unite and bring an end to these ugly divisions . . . speaking of some ugly divisions, did you notice in the NFL right now, only two teams west of the Mississippi have winning records?”
• “We will turn our backs on fear and make dangerous places secure again for Americans . . . including making October safe once more for the Cubs.”
• “We want to return to those days of normalcy when Wall Street was stable . . . and Notre Dame won bowl games.”
• “We cannot have the same leadership as the past eight years and must go a different direction . . . just like Tennessee figured with Phillip Fulmer.”
• “We will not take a backseat to the emerging power of China . . . and that includes in beach volleyball.”
• “We will keep American jobs from being shipped out of the country . . . except, of course, for outfielders from the Dominican Republic, infielders from Venezuela and left wings from Sweden.”
• “Once the voters speak, together we will hear nothing but good news from the college rankings . . . Associated Press, USA TODAY, and Electoral.”
MIKE LOPRESTI
Gannett New Service
QUOTABLE
'Trading Marilyn Monroe for Jane Russell. That's not bad.'
LARRY BROWN,
Charlotte Bobcats coach, about the Detroit Pistons sending Chauncey Billups to the Denver Nuggets for Allen Iverson. Brown coached both players.
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ON THIS DATE
1976: Baseball holds its first free agent draft with 24 players from 13 major league clubs participating. Reggie Jackson eventually signs the most lucrative contract of the group, $2.9 million over five years with the New York Yankees.
2000: In the highest scoring Division I-AA game in NCAA history, Ricky Ray passes for 344 yards and three touchdowns and scores three more to lead Sacramento State over Cal State Northridge 64-61.
2001: Luis Gonzalez’s RBI single caps a two-run rally off Mariano Rivera in the bottom of the ninth, and the Arizona Diamondbacks win their first World Series title by beating the Yankees 3-2 in Game 7.
2007: Rookie Adrian Peterson runs for an NFL-record 296 yards and three touchdowns in Minnesota’s 35-17 win over San Diego.
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SPORTS SOUND-OFF
Betting on UA to win at least seven games
Re: Race to the finish – your predictions for UA football team
• UA will go 8-4 with wins against WSU and ASU, and a split of Oregon/OSU. Mike Thomas has been the best player. Most disappointing was the New Mexico loss, which I believe cost the Cats some national respect to a greater degree than the Stanford loss. STEVE C.
• Final record: 7-5. 5-4 in conference play. Beat: Wazzu, ASU. Lose: Oregon, Oregon State. I am still a doubting Thomas. New Mexico loss absolutely inexcusable. Top players: Sterling Lewis, Marquis Hundley, Nate Ness, Mike Thomas, Rob Gronkowski. BILL L.
• An 8-4 record would be nice. If I win my “7 game over” (bet), I’m taking everybody to party at Saphires Vegas. SELLY
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NUMBER OF THE DAY
6
Arizona Diamondbacks players who have filed for free agency:
Tony Clark 1B
Juan Cruz RHP
Adam Dunn OF
David Eckstein SS
Orlando Hudson 2B
Brandon Lyon RHP
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TRIVIA CORNER
What is the maximum speed of the typical Zamboni at a pro hockey game?
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Answer: 9 to 10 miles per hour.
