The NCAA Men’s basketball tournament begins in earnest tomorrow. But one very well-known basketball fan expects no team with ties to Michigan will reach the Sweet 16.
Peter Pettalia is a state representative from Presque Island in northern lower Michigan. His bill would eliminate the age limit, as along as the young hunter has an adult with them.
“It gives parents the right to determine when their children are ready in their eyes to safely hunt. So myself, if I have a grandchild I believe could carry a weapon to hunt, it gives me the opportunity to decide that.”
Pettalia says allowing children to take part may help reverse the decline in the number of hunters in Michigan.
“We have thousands, hundreds of thousands of acres of huntable land, yet we have the worst hunter recruitment rate in the nation and dwindling hunter retention numbers.”
Pettalia says he doubts allowing young children to hunt with their parents or adult mentors will increase hunting accidents.
No. 8 seed the University of Michigan will play No. 9 seed Tennessee on Friday. Michigan State University earned a No. 10 seed and will play No. 7 seed UCLA on Thursday.
Oakland University also made the tournament. Oakland will play the Texas Longhorns on Friday.
It looks like Jim Tressel has gotten himself into a bit of hot water.
That’s why his boss, athletic director Gene Smith, flew back to make sure everyone said they were “taking responsibility” – a phrase which changed some time in the last decade, and now means the exact opposite.
Tressel admitted that he didn’t tell university officials that some of his players were part of a federal criminal investigation. None of the players were the subject of the investigation. Tressel knew about the investigation last April. But, he didn’t say anything until the university was contacted by the U.S. Justice Department in December.
The Justice Department was trying to confirm whether Buckeye memorabilia in the possession of a Columbus tattoo shop owner was obtained legally. Several players, including star quarterback Terrelle Pryor, admitted exchanging the memorabilia for tattoos. The players were given 5 game suspensions next season. Though, they were allowed to play in the 2011 Sugar Bowl.
OSU Athletic Director Gene Smith says it was only after that that university officials learned of emails that coach Tressel received in April informing him of the federal probe. Smith says the university was about to complete its internal investigation and send the results to the NCAA, when word of Tressel’s actions were reported by Yahoo Sports.
Tressel says his decision not to take action back in April was with the players’ interest in mind, not the OSU football program. SBNATION produced a transcript of last night's news conference.
The NCAA is reviewing Ohio State’s self-imposed penalties. The college sports governing body may accept OSU’s self-punishment or impose penalties of its own.
Ohio State University football coach Jim Tressel suspended for two games. Tressel did not report potential NCAA rules violates in a timely manner to OSU officials.
The violations involved five Buckeye players, including star quarterback Terrelle Pryor. The players allegedly traded memorabilia with a Columbus tattoo parlor owner in exchange for tattoos.
Yahoo Sports reported this week that Tressel was first notified of the possible NCAA violations last April.
But it was December before any action was taken involving the players. They were suspended from playing during a handful of games next fall. Though they were allowed to play in 2011 Sugar Bowl.
SBNATION reports Tressel's contract does include penalties if his program commits NCAA violations, including termination of his contract. Neither Tressel or university officials have commented on the allegations made in the Yahoo Sports article.
OSU athletic director Gene Smith was scheduled to be in Indianapolis this evening, but he has flown back to Columbus to take part in tonight's news conference with Gee and Tressel.
The Fennville boys basketball team suffered an unbelievable tragedy last week when their star player, Wes Leonard, died from a heart attack minutes after hitting a game winning shot in overtime.
It was later found that the sixteen year old had an enlarged heart.
Now, the Fennville Blackhawks (20-0) have decided to play on despite their immense sadness.
From ESPN.com:
The Fennville team will play Monday night against Lawrence High in the Class C district playoffs. The game has been moved to Hope College in Holland.
The Sporting News says the game was moved from Lawrence High School to Hope College to accommodate an expected large crowd and large media presence.
The Lawrence High School coach spoke with ESPN about how he expects the Fennville boys team to play. From the Sporting News:
Lawrence coach Curt Meat told ESPN of Monday’s game, “Either they’re going to come out and break down and be terrible, and I’d hate to see that … or they’re going to come out and they’re going to have angels on their shoulders and really light it up.”
Drew Sharp has an opinion piece in today's Detroit Free Press. He quoted a statement from Fennville superintendent Dirk Weeldreyer talking about Lawrence High School decision to change the venue:
"They have been more than gracious and accommodating in making this decision. By doing so, they are relinquishing home-court advantage. We also recognize that Lawrence has been cast in an unenviable position and must feel as if the world will be rooting against them. Rather than focusing on the outcome of Monday's game, our joint goal is to make it a fitting tribute to the memory of Wes Leonard."
Wes Leonard’s funeral is scheduled for Tuesday morning at Holland's Christ Memorial Church.
Visitation is today from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Fennville United Methodist Church.
The Associated Press and USAToday are reporting that a 16 year old Fennville student died last night after making a game-making layup. From the AP:
The Fennville Schools superintendent says the basketball player who died last night after making a game-winning shot was "the quintessential all-American kid."
It's still not clear what caused the death of 16-year-old Wes Leonard, who collapsed on the court after making a last-second layup in Fenville's 57-55 win over Bridgman. The victory capped Fenville's undefeated season.
Leonard fell to the ground after teammates and fans rushed the court. Rescuers performed CPR, but he was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
The junior was also the quarterback of the school's football team.
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