R.C. Slocum to Receive 2014 Amos Alonzo Stagg Award

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For Immediate Release
November 20, 2013
AFCA

WACO, TEX. — Former Texas A&M University head coach R.C. Slocum has been named the 2014 recipient of the AFCA’s Amos Alonzo Stagg Award. The award, which honors those “whose services have been outstanding in the advancement of the best interests of football,” will be presented to Slocum at the AFCA Awards Luncheon onJanuary 14 during the 2014 AFCA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Slocum retired following the 2002 season with an impressive record of 123-47-2 over the course of 14 years at Texas A&M, making him the winningest coach in Texas A&M’s history. He also had assistant coaching stints at Kansas State and USC, as well. No team at Texas A&M that Slocum led ever experienced a losing season, and the Aggies won three bowl games in that time. Texas A&M made it to 10 bowl games under Slocum and won the Southwest Conference title three times and the Big XII title once.

“I’m so honored because of what the name ‘Amos Alonzo Stagg’ has meant to the coaching profession,” said Slocum. “It’s humbling to be recognized with all the great coaches who have won the award before me.”

Born on November 7, 1944, Slocum was born in Oakdale, La., and grew up in Orange, Texas, where he was an All-District player at Stark High School. Slocum went on to play at McNeese State in Lake Charles, La., as a tight end and defensive lineman. While there, he set receiving records and was a four-year letterman as a Cowboy. After receiving his undergraduate degree and masters in Education Administration, Slocum went on to coach at Lake Charles (La.) High School in 1968 and 1969. From there, he moved onto Kansas State University, where he was an assistant for the 1970-1971 seasons under Vince Gibson. It was in 1972 when Slocum found himself at the university that would define his career. Under Emory Bellard, and later Tom Wilson, Slocum worked at a variety of positions at Texas A&M, starting as a receivers coach before being moved to the other side of the ball as a defensive ends coach. After a brief stint as the linebackers coach for the Aggies, Slocum was the defensive coordinator for the 1979-1980 seasons. In 1981, he was hired on as defensive coordinator at USC, where his defense led the Pac-10. After his one season with the Trojans, Slocum returned to Texas A&M as the defensive coordinator from 1982-1988 under Jackie Sherrill. Slocum was named head coach of the Aggies in 1989, where he quickly had the team firing on all cylinders.

With Slocum at the reins, the Texas A&M Aggies enjoyed some of their most successful seasons in decades, culminating in three straight Southwest Conference titles in 1991 through 1993. It was Slocum’s famous “Wrecking Crew” defense that led the way for the Aggies through this time, leading the Southwest Conference in four defensive statistical categories and led the nation in total defense in 1991. To go along with the three straight conference titles, Slocum’s Aggies also had one of the greatest league winning streaks, winning 22 straight games and going 28-0-1 from 1991-94. After guiding the Aggies through the transition period between the Southwest Conference and the newly created Big XII Conference, Slocum racked up one last conference championship, defeating the favored and undefeated Kansas State Wildcats in 1998 and obtaining the conference’s Sugar Bowl berth. Slocum stepped down from coaching after the 2002 season and immediately stepped into the role of an advisor for the university that he had put so much into.

Players under Slocum achieved plenty of success in their college careers, as 14 players earned First Team All-America honors, including Bednarik and Lombardi Award winning linebacker Dat Nguyen in 1998.

He helped even more players find success at the next level, as 50 different Aggies moved on from their time at College Station to play in professional leagues.

Upon Slocum’s retirement, he has worked as a special advisor and assistant to Texas A&M’s presidents, most recently R. Bowen Loftin.

Since retiring from coaching, Slocum has done a multitude of charitable work, serving as the chairman of two organizations: the Children’s Miracle Network in Central Texas and the Cattle Barron’s Association, which raises scholarship money for young people in ranching. He has also helped with other organizations, such as the Peaceable Kingdom Retreat for Children, the Houston Live Stock Show and Rodeo and the Special Olympics.

Slocum spent time as a Trustee for the American Football Coaches Association and currently serves as President for the American Football Coaches Foundation. He has been inducted into several Halls of Fame, including the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2006, the Texas A&M University Athletics Hall of Fame and, most recently, the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012.

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Did you see Ka’Deem Carey?

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by Travis Normand

I received this video and caption earlier today from the University of Arizona sports information department.  The video isn’t great, but Ka’Deem Carey’s performance deserves the attention.

Ka’Deem Carey 208 yards, 4 TDs vs. #5 Oregon

Carey rushed for 208 yards, giving him 3,915 career yards, surpassing Trung Canidate’s 3,824 accumulated from 1996-99. Additionally, Carey found the endzone four times on the afternoon, giving the junior 49 career touchdowns, setting the record for career touchdowns, one better than Art Luppino.

 

Manziel after Rice game

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by Travis Normand

So what exactly did Johnny Manziel do after the game against Rice ended?  Lets review:

  1. He sang the War Hymn with teammates.
  2. He said “hi” to a friend on Rice’s team.
  3. He gave his visor to a young fan on his way to the locker room.

What a jerk!! [/sarcasm]

 

Lou Holtz doesn’t like Johnny Manziel’s visor

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by Travis Normand

I am struggling to figure out what it is about Johnny Manziel that so many members of the media don’t like.

In the video posted below, it appears that Lou Holtz thinks that Manziel is “out of control,” although he doesn’t explain exactly why he thinks this.  However, what is more confusing is that Holtz is bothered by the fact that Manziel was wearing a visor and had a towel around his neck (towards the end of the game).  I could understand if Holtz didn’t like Manziel due to his recent NCAA investigation, however, I will never understand what it is about his visor that upsets Holtz.

See video below at about 00:00:41 second mark:

I guess that some people are just going to dislike Manziel no matter what he does. However, if Manziel wants Lou Holtz on his side, he had better ditch the visor.

And what about Mark May’s comments?  Read this first and then ask yourself if you still think May is the best person to comment on anything related to Johnny Manziel.

*Note:  Holtz also said that if he were Manziel’s coach, he would “have grabbed him by the throat.”

Footblaw: NCAA violations and autograph brokers

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by Travis Normand

In light of the accusations against Johnny Manziel of getting paid for autographs, the following concerns a cause of action that would apparently be available to Texas A&M if Manziel and/or Texas A&M is found to have violated a NCAA rule.  The cause of action is not necessarily available to the Manziels despite the NCAA ruling earlier this year that they (or their corporation) can profit from a trademark lawsuit.

However, none of this addresses the jurisdiction question of whether or not any of the autograph brokers who could be potentially liable under this statute, are subject to the jurisdiction of the State of Texas.  The brokers who orchestrated the reported signings with Manziel that allegedly happened in Connecticut and/or Florida might be out of reach for Texas law.  However, there was one signing that was reported to have happened in Houston, which would probably make the broker involved subject to Texas jurisdiction.

The State of Texas passed legislation in 1987 that could hold the autograph hounds liable for their actions if they paid Manziel for his autograph in violation of NCAA legislation. Section 131.004 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code states “a person who violates a rule of a national collegiate athletic association adopted by this chapter is liable for damages in an action brought by an institution if (1) the person knew or reasonably should have know that a rule was violated; and (2) the violation of the rule is a contributing factor to disciplinary action taken by the national collegiate athletic association against the institution or a student at the institution.” This would give Texas A&M University the authority to file suit against the autograph hounds if it or Manziel receives punishment from the NCAA. Accordingly, pursuant to Sections 131.006 and 131.007 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Texas A&M University’s damages may include “lost television revenues and lost ticket sales of regular season and post-season athletic events” and “reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.” Certainly, if Manziel is not on the field for the Aggies, there could be substantial losses in revenue.

In short, autograph hounds might want to consider how loudly they express their purported shortcomings and alleged payments to Manziel. There is a Texas statute that can provide a hammer for their alleged actions.

The above block quote was taken from an article that can be found HERE.

[Press Release] First Annual Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List Announced

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For release:
Wednesday, August 21, 2013

First Annual Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List Announced

TYLER, TEXAS – The first annual Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List was announced today at the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce East Texas Kickoff Luncheon.

The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, announced in 2012 by the Tyler Chamber and SPORTyler, recognizes the top offensive player in Division 1 football who also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community and tenacity; specifically tenacity to persist and determination to overcome adversity and injury in pursuit of reaching goals. In addition, the nominee must meet one or more of the following criteria: born in Texas and/or graduated from a Texas High School and/or played at a Texas-based junior college or four year college.  The Watch List announced today will be narrowed to up to 16 semi finalists in November and then up to 4 finalists in December. They will be selected by broadcasters, commentators, journalists, fans and (in the future) former winners. The finalists will be brought to Tyler for The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Awards Banquet scheduled for January 10, 2014.

“We are fortunate to have a celebrity who exhibits the impeccable virtues that define this award. In addition to being a well known sports figure, Earl also earned a college degree, married his high school sweetheart, raised two successful sons and still supports the community where he grew up,” said Cindy Smoak, Vice President, SPORTyler.

Earl Campbell graduated from John Tyler High School in Tyler before joining the Texas Longhorns under legendary Coach Darrell K. Royal. In his senior year, he led the nation with 1744 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns, going on to win the Longhorns’ first Heisman Trophy. He was subsequently drafted by the Houston Oilers where he won Rookie of the Year honors in 1978 and went on to lead the NFL in rushing 3 times. Campbell earned NFL MVP in 1979 and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991. He now resides in Austin.

“All my life, all I wanted to do was be an athlete. I kept God in my life and surrounded myself with good people. I am humbled by this award named in my honor,” said Campbell.

For more information about The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award go to http://www.earlcampbellaward.com/

Click HERE to see the Award’s watch list.

Why would you play this game in Houston?

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by Travis Normand

Why would you tease your fans and alumni by scheduling a great non-conference game, only to then punish them by sending them to Houston, Texas (to play in Reliant Stadium)?

The upcoming Wisconsin vs. LSU match-up promises to be a good one.  However, if I were a Badger fan, I would much rather travel to Baton Rouge and see the game played on LSU’s campus.

The same goes if I were a LSU fan.  While I am sure Lambeau Field is great, I am not going to a Green Bay Packers’ game.  If I wanted to see Lambeau Field, I would go to a Packers’ game.  How disappointing it would be to travel all the way to Wisconsin (from Louisiana) and NOT see a game played at Camp Randall Stadium.

College football was meant to be played in college football stadiums.  If you have been to a college game that was played in an NFL stadium, you know exactly what I mean.

LSU will play the Badgers in Reliant Stadium in Houston to open the 2014 season and the Tigers will venture to the Packers historic home in Green Bay to play the Badgers in a return game in the 2016 opener.

See original article HERE.

Here is what one Wisconsin fan had to say about playing in NFL stadiums:

It’s an outright travesty this game isn’t a home-and-home

Here’s where the dream ends. Somehow the series was brokered to be played at Reliant Stadium in Houston and at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. On paper, playing college football in pro stadiums seems like a novel idea. In practice, it forces fans to travel farther and pay more money to see their teams play, while athletic departments make less or lose money on the deal.

Perhaps the idea is to give players a chance to bask in Reliant’s brilliant decade-long history. Or maybe both schools just wanted to help two clearly starving NFL franchises. Whatever the case, it sort of stinks for fans.

Read the entire article HERE.

 

 

College and SEC Bucket List (per ESPN)

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by Travis Normand

If I have said it once, I have said it 100 times.

It is the culture, history, and environment surrounding the sport of college football that makes it so fantastic.  This is what distinguishes college football, more than anything else, from other sports (most especially the NFL / professional football).

From the ESPN.com SEC bucket list:

The pageantry that comes with college sports makes it that much more enduring to fans. The sports are great, but it’s the environment around them that add a little more flavor and excitement.