UPDATE REPORTED MISSING: Cullen Finnerty Body Found

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One of the winningest, uh man I hate saying that winningest just doesn’t sound grammatically correct sorry anyway, quarterbacks in the NCAA was found last night after he had gone missing over the weekend.

Cullen Finnerty, 30, who led Grand Valley State University to three Division II national titles and more than 50 wins during his 4 years as a starter in Allendale, Mich. went missing Sunday. His body was found about 8 p.m. in woods within a mile of where he disappeared, said Lake County Undersheriff Dennis Robinson

The cause of death wasn’t immediately clear, but Robinson said foul play wasn’t suspected. He said the body was not in the water and was found in a wooded area in Webber Township, near the family’s cottage. An autopsy would be needed to determine how Finnerty died, the undersheriff said.

The search drew scores of police and volunteers, including staff and players from Grand Valley State.

Finnerty last spoke to a family member that night in a phone call in which he said ”he was nervous about something,” Sheriff Robert Hilts said earlier Tuesday. Based on that call, the family suspected ”he might be having some kind of a mental episode – that he was either afraid or something and ran off into the woods,” Hilts said.

I’m very interested in the cause of death as I was expecting him to be found face down in the water. Was it a heart attack, lightning strike, stroke, or something more sinister? I’ll see if I can keep you all up to date on this matter. Lets just keep our hopes up that it was something natural. You will be missed by many Cullen Finnerty.

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REPORTED MISSING: Cullen Finnerty

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Authorities are searching for Cullen Finnerty who failed to return from fishing near his northern Michigan cabin.

The Lake County sheriff’s department says the search continued Monday evening for the 30-year-old Finnerty, who didn’t return Sunday night. WZZM-TV says his family owns a cabin near Bray Creek State Forest Campground.
The site is near Baldwin and about 65 miles north of Grand Rapids.

Authorities say searchers found a small pontoon boat Finnerty was using to fish.

Finnerty played for Grand Valley State teams that won Division II titles in 2003, 2005 and 2006, and he briefly played for the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens. If you have any information on this please contact the authorities.

I hope he is found soon and well, fishing in the midwest just seems to become more and more dangerous.

Andrew Wiggins College Announcement Tuesday 5/14 12:15 PM EST

As reported in my previous post, Andrew Wiggins is ready to make his college decision.  Andrew Wiggins, considered the best high school basketball player since LeBron James, could shift the NCAA basketball landscape when he announces his college decision Tuesday, choosing between four programs with little TV-centered theatrics.

“This kid is even better than advertised when you see him in person,” college basketball analyst Dick Vitale said by phone Monday of Wiggins, the American Family Insurance ALL-USA Player of the Year. “He fits into the category of LeBron James as a high school player we’ve never seen before because of his explosiveness.”

Florida State, Kentucky, Kansas and North Carolina are candidates to land the 6-8 Canadian forward from Huntington (W.Va.) Prep.

I personally feel the decision is between FSU and UK in that order with Kansas as the dark horse.  However, Andrew did say he doesn’t want to go to summer classes, so that might give UNC the advantage since their guys don’t always go to classes right?  In all honesty, I like everyone else have NO clue.  I am a documented UK fan and I am trying to help UK fans brace for bad news.  Most UK experts have been very quiet and have never felt optimistic about him with him coming to UK.  He does not like media attention, he’s a low-key guy, but he wants to WIN.  He could join the greatest recruiting class in college basketball history if he chooses UK.  UK is an NBA team if Wiggins comes to UK.  Now the argument for FSU:  His parents both attended Florida State and this is where they want him to be.  His high school teammate is committed to FSU, he could be the Kevin Durant or Carmelo Anthony of FSU.  I will say this BBN if he does not come to UK, we want him at FSU because their upside would be Sweet 16, if they get in the tourney.  If he goes to Kansas or UNC they are title contenders.  Tomorrow while your eating lunch be sure to check out where the next big thing is going…..

Andrew Wiggins – The best prospect since Lebron could announce college choice Tuesday

Andrew Wiggins

Andrew Wiggins name starts to buzz around the scouts that are there to get their first glimpse at the talent.  When speaking of Wiggins, the Lebron James comparison gets thrown out there.  Not that he is the same size or build of Lebron James, simply that Wiggins could be the best high school recruit of the last 10 years.

Wiggins is very unselfish in the scrimmages and doesn’t try to force anything, but when he gets in transition, he shows that he can fly.  Wiggins could be the next transcending player in college bball.  He could have the Jordan effect, that still benefits UNC till this day.

It is likely he will finally pick his college on Tuesday.  He has not enjoyed the recruiting process one bit, he is a very low-key kid and doesn’t like to tell anyone no.  I believe his parents will pick the college just as much as he will.  The finalist are:  Kentucky, FSU, Kansas and UNC.

I personally believe it is between UK and FSU.  Although Kansas and UNC are said to be right there in the running.  Truth is.. NOBODY knows anything.  If they tell you otherwise, they are lying.  His parents have a connection to FSU (former athletes) but why isn’t his brother at FSU (he’s at Wichita State). Kansas is close to Wichita State but they’re also an Adidas school, and its well-known Wiggins runs with Nike.  UNC is the wildcard, I think Wiggins wants to go to UK but I don’t know if his parents want him to, UNC could be the school they settle on.  None of the UK people are optimistic, which is odd but maybe they will have the last laugh… or cheer.   Hopefully, on Tuesday we find out who the most talked about player in college bball will be suiting up for next year.

The SEC Network Effect

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With the recent announcement of the highly anticipated SEC Network, the big bad SEC just got a whole lot stronger.  This is great if you are an SEC fan, but if you are one of the millions who are tired of seeing the SEC dominate football and sometimes basketball, you aren’t going to like this acquisition.  The SEC, like the Big 10 just got RICH.  Filthy rich as a matter of fact, this is all due to the fact that the network will be sold to markets all across America, as a part of your basketball cable package, or the enhanced cable package.  So for every person who subscribes to cable or enhanced cable, depending on how the network is written into your package, the SEC and its schools will all get a portion of the subscription fee.  Each month we all pay ESPN $5 bucks a month as a part of our cable package; we just don’t know that part goes to ESPN.  We give The Lifetime Channel a buck even if we never click on the channel.  Now anyone who has the SEC network will be giving a cut to all the schools, regardless if they ever watch a game or not on it.

What does this mean?  It is estimated that each school could gain up to $30 million dollars annually, just from the SEC network.  This is not including ticket sales, merchandise sales, just the network revenue!  In turn Alabama could someday pay Saban $10 million, or UK could pay Calipari $10 million.  Not to mention stadium and facility upgrades, bigger salaries for assistant coaches.  Hate it or love it…. The SEC just got stronger.

Rick Pitino’s Ink

Rick Pitino is a man of his word, most Kentuckians already know this.  How many career ending injuries has he forecasted for his players,  only to have them return to the lineup in a few weeks?  What about the time he told former UK player Michael Bradley to his face “I am not leaving Kentucky for Boston.”  Maybe with age comes wisdom, the now 60-year-old 2 time NCAA champion coach has learned to keep his word.  Rick Pitino gracefully showed Kentuckians and people across the country,  a lovely image of his pale white spotty skin donning a UL NCAA championship tattoo.   Congrats Rick, youre officially “one of them.”  Forever, a Louisville Cardinal now.  Your tattoo is something right out of Dixie Highway in Louisville, KY.  If only you had gotten it on your neck you could have matched some of your recruits and half of your fan base.  My only question is are you getting your players one,  or are you shafting them like you did the 1996 Kentucky Wildcat championship team?   You got a custom championship ring and none of your players did, until Coach Cal who didn’t even know them, brought them back recently to honor them with custom rings.

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NCAA Weakness Staying Strong, No Pun Intended

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Once again when the situation starts creeping up or when it gets to hot those who are responsible seem to run and take cover somewhere else or out of reach. Lets make a list shall we? Nevin Shapiro, Jim Tressel, Five Ohio State Players, Reggie Bush, Pete Carrol, Eric Murdock, Ed Rush, Gene Chizik, and now possibly Chip Kelly.

What’s wrong with the NCAA, I’ve said it beofre and I’ll say it again. NCAA bring down your walls and build something new.

The current status of the NCAA is a mockery. They’re weak and they look extremely unprofessional. They’ve got no one to blame but themselves as they painted the target on their back themselves.

Oregon and the NCAA agree that the school committed “major” violations within its recruiting practices, which have been the subject of an ongoing NCAA investigation. In a draft of the summary disposition report obtained by Eugene, Ore., TV station KATU, more details have emerged surrounding the Ducks’ activities and use of Will Lyles, a Texas-based scout whose firm Complete Scouting Services allegedly provided Oregon with an illegal recruiting advantage, among other violations.

Through the summary disposition, Oregon offered to self-impose a two-year probation for the football program and a reduction of one scholarship for each of the next three seasons, according to OregonLive.com. The Ducks will meet with the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions later this year to determine the school’s ultimate fate.

The report details Lyles’ impermissible contact with student-athletes, which gave Oregon “a meaningful recruiting advantage” by providing the school with background information on prospective recruits. The document also states that Oregon paid at least $35,000 for a number of improper recruiting services, including $25,000 to Lyles and Complete Scouting Services. Oregon also failed to adequately record recruiting information on a quarterly basis, as mandated by the NCAA. The school and the NCAA disagree on the severity of these charges, however; Oregon considers them to be secondary violations, while the NCAA believes they are major violations.

This comes down to the problem I brought up a while back. In the end now who gets punished? Probably the youth who go their and they don’t deserve it.

The NCAA Needs to be Restructured

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The NCAA is a mess, it’s outdated, it’s a relic, and it’s a dumpster fire. The NCAA is the only association to have not improved, become safer, or increase respect for its players in over, oh I don’t know how many years. The young athletes who participate in the NCAA are treated like dirt, no one in the professional field is ever treated as bad as these young athletes are. Something needs to be done, and I’m hoping something will this year or next year. I can tell you right now, and not to quote the President, but I don’t think I’d want my son participating in any sport under the NCAA. I don’t need my son to be bullied or bribed by an adult; these men should be role models, not tyrants or men to be feared. Coaches shouldn’t only teach the sport they should be teaching how to act in society when you hold the profession of an athlete and how to use team work to respect others. How is the NCAA weak and corrupt? Let me give you some example, in case what’s happened over the past few weeks wasn’t enough.

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This one is just too obvious, and so easy to see. Fixing grades. Altering drug tests. Paying players. Recruiting illegally. It’s all the classics of NCAA rules violations bundled into one, but this time it’s under one roof….Auburn’s. Auburn is accused of it all. Selena Roberts, a former New York Times and Sports Illustrated writer, broke the story on her site, Roopstigo.com. Not to mention a particular Auburn national championship team from two years ago already had the Cam Newton scandal and plenty of other allegations. You, I, that guy, that person, the girl over there, everyone was already thiking that team was dirty. The coach, Gene Chizik, was already fired. At his annual news conference at the Final Four on Thursday, the president of the NCAA defensively snapped at reporters who wanted to know why the NCAA can’t ever uncover its own dirt without the help of sports press. He discredited Roberts. Here’s the sad thing…nothing is going to happen to Auburn. I’m at a complete loss for words here, the sadest part is who is their to punish in this case? The Coach is done, Cam Newton is in the NFL, are you going to punish the Assisstant Coaches team because he played a part, are you going to pull the same stunt you did on Penn. State? Another crime that the NCAA missed and no one will be punished for.

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Does anyone remember this story? Miami booster Nevin Shapiro, convicted of securities fraud and money laundering from a Ponzi scheme in 2010 and currently serving a 20-year prison sentence. He allegedly used investor funds to finance donations to the University of Miami’s athletic program, and claims that he gave an estimated $2 million in prohibited benefits to at least 72 current or former football/basketball players and coaches from 2002 to 2010. The Yahoo! Sports report alleges that Shapiro, through his donations, violated at least four major NCAA bylaws. Though this isn’t the problem, it’s the way the NCAA handled Miami afterwards. Calling the investigation into its athletic department “corrupted from the start,” Miami has told the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions that it will agree with any properly corroborated allegations against the Hurricanes if the case is brought to a quick and final end and without any further penalties pushed onto it’s Athletics Department. Four other former Miami coaches filed similar motions. The Hurricanes want the infractions committee to use the power it has under the association’s bylaws to end the case before it goes to a hearing, scheduled to begin in June. The motion is based on Miami’s stating that the investigation was filled with “gross incompetence and mismanagement.” Miami also made several accusations that the NCAA lied to the school. “Prolonging the conclusion of this case would further irreparably harm the University,” reads part of the motion’s conclusion. The motion goes on to say, “The University is not asking for a windfall or quick escape,” reads Miami’s motion to dismiss. “To the contrary, largely because of the NCAA’s misconduct and mismanagement, this matter has languished for twice as long as it should have, to the University’s detriment.” Part of Miami’s motion reads, “Perhaps most distressing and unconscionable, on multiple occasions, members of the enforcement staff intentionally misled the University by withholding key information, failing to inform the University of scheduled interviews and, most egregiously, lying to the University and its outside counsel,” Once again the NCAA president is under fire and caught with his pants down. “The Miami case is obviously a significant blow to the confidence people have in enforcement, and we’ve worked very, very hard to be as open and frank about that case,” Emmert said Thursday. “We’ve dealt with it directly. If we have to change, continue to change, the culture of enforcement, that’s certainly on me and something I’m working hard on.”

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Who could forget the Ed Rush inceident as well. I hope the referee at least go his money and vacation. Joking or not, this incident proved to be too much for Ed Rush to remain the Pac-12’s Conference’s coordinator of officials. Rush resigned following comments during internal meetings before the league tournament that appeared to target Arizona’s Sean Miller, including accusations that he placed a bounty on the Wildcats coach. Rush made an ”inappropriate joke” that included offers of $5,000 and a trip to Cancun if they called a technical foul on Miller. Yea some joke, because we’re all laughing about it now. An investigation done by the Pac-12’s head of enforcement, Ron Barker, found that every official interviewed confirmed ”nobody thought they were getting a reward,” If you didn’ think you were going to get one, then why’d you let the one official do it? But Rush couldn’t survive the constant swarm of criticism from fans and media this week once the comments became public in a CBSSports.com report. Once again, the NCAA gives power to someone who abuses it.

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I wrote an article about this two days ago, and I don’t want to sound repetative here though I amy for a little bit, so I early apologize here. Mike Rice is a perfect example of what I stated earlier. Coaches are supposed to be role models, teachers, and leaders. I don’t care what the young athletes are saying now, that’s not how you should be treated. Sure I understand the sterness and the yelling but having basketballs thrown at you is a different matter. This is probably the only college coaching these kids have had and they think it’s right, but it’s not.

The NCAA needs to start over and enter the modern era. We need to help all of the young athletes out there. Start a Twitter revolution! #NCAACorruption

The American Athletics Conference

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So is it bad to have an issue with a NCAA Conference, because I have one with the offspring left behind by the Big East Fallout. First off, this is the dumbest name for a Conference, it’s like the Big 10’s Leaders and Legends…stupid.

The American Athletic Conference will have 10 members in its first season: Rutgers, Louisville, Connecticut, South Florida, Cincinnati, Central Florida, Memphis, Houston, SMU and Temple. After the first year they’ll already stat losing members as Rutgers joins the Big10, I can’t wait to see this current eye sore of a team in the prestige’s Big 10.

Rutgers and Louisville are likely leaving after 2013 and are set to be replaced by Tulane, East Carolina and Tulsa in 2014. Navy is schedule to join in 2015. So pretty much this Conference is on the fast track to being the least watched and most uninteresting conference in the NCAA.