Depression? Recession? Not for SEC football

[millerx]

The Sporting News

 

HOOVER, Ala. — Excuse me, Mr. Geithner? Mr. Slive is on the phone. And he's got a pretty good model.

 

The embarrassment of riches in the SEC has gotten so bad, even typically understated commissioner Mike Slive couldn't help but boast Wednesday at the annual SEC Media Days. After declaring this the "Golden Age" of the conference, Slive explained how the recession-proof league (read: business) is more than just football.

 

In last year's Olympics, current or former SEC athletes won 51 medals. That total would've put the league in fourth place—in the world.

 

Heaven help us if the SEC ever acquires WMDs.

 

"It doesn't take long to realize this league is on a completely different level," says Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen.

 

The seed that former commissioner Roy Kramer planted in the early 1990s with conference expansion has grown into a living, breathing, money-making goliath under Slive. Stimulus? We don't need no stinking stimulus.

 

While the rest of the world eats economic crumbs, the SEC screams, "More wine!" The next thing you know, the SEC will colonize Canada.

 

Never in the history of college sports has one conference been so flush with success. From championships on the field, to billion-dollar television deals off it, the SEC is king.

 

The league has won the last three BCS national championships, and four of the last six. No conference had more players drafted by the NFL in April (37), including eight in the first round and the first overall selection.

 

And now this: Slive's negotiations with CBS and ESPN have given the SEC an unprecedented television deal in excess of $3 billion. Say that slowly, everyone: B-b-b-b-b-illion.

 

Over the next 15 years, every SEC football game will be broadcast by CBS or ESPN (or one of ESPN's secondary stations). Over the next 15 years, every SEC team will average $17 million a year—roughly a BCS Bowl payout—in television revenue.

 

Not impressed? The ACC earned $75 million for its last television deal with ABC and ESPN. Vanderbilt, which hasn't won an SEC championship in the 70-plus year history of the league and played in a bowl game last year for the first time since the early 1980s, will make more than that in the first five years of the new SEC deal.

 

All of this in the midst of the worst economic meltdown since the Great Depression. At what point does the SEC start doling out stimulus money to the rest of college sports?

 

"Whatever we're paying (Slive)," said Kentucky coach Rich Brooks, "It's not enough."

 

Slive began the day Wednesday by calling his annual state of the league speech an "appropriately immodest brag bag." But he didn't mention word one about the biggest impact of the primping and posturing: recruiting.

 

The lifeblood of college football—and every other college sport—got significantly easier (and more wide-reaching) with the league's new television deal. Over the next 15 years, ESPN will show more than 5,500 SEC events, or an average of 365 a year.

 

You better believe that specific breakdown—one a day—will be used on every blue chip recruit from Miami to Los Angeles and all points between. The SEC already had 10 of its 12 teams in the Rivals.com top 25 recruiting rankings in February, and it will only get stronger.

 

While the ACC and Pac-10 search for new television deals in a brutal economy; while the Big East tries to reconfigure its bowl lineup and the Big Ten stops printing media guides to save money, the SEC hands out nearly 1,000 media credentials to its annual preseason gathering.

 

While non-BCS conferences have gone to web conferencing for their annual Media Days, the SEC has a Radio Row in the lobby of the Winfrey Hotel, where 28 stations from around the Southeast try to scream louder than the guy at the next table.

 

Meanwhile, Mullen is talking about Starkville being a "great place to live" and crying when talking about his relationship with Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. Brooks is talking about this being Kentucky's best team yet—that this team could compete for an SEC Championship.

 

Hey, Rich. You lost by 58 to last year's champ.

 

"You guys can go have a cocktail, a cold beer, talk about where you're going to put Kentucky again," Brook said. "Have some fun with it. I'm having fun trying to prove you wrong on occasion."

 

Outside the ballroom, away from the media crowd, Slive was asked how the rest of college football could possibly keep up with the SEC.

 

"I wish you could print the expression on my face," Slive said.

 

Let's just say it wasn't the same expression Tim Geithner wears.

 

 

[Rockerbraves]

Donors help New Mexico State players hold off late-night munchies

 

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Calling all New Mexico State fans. Your team has the munchies and you can help.

 

In a twist on Little League moms lining up after-game treats, New Mexico State's budget-conscious football staff distributed an e-mail this week asking fans to donate after-practice or late-night snacks for hungry players.

 

It's a consequence of the national economy, of course.

 

"It's a decision we had to make with regard to our meals," first-year coach DeWayne Walker said Thursday. "There are a lot of other areas where we have to make tough choices with how we're going to spend our money."

 

Athletic director McKinley Boston said regents directed him to trim $1.5 million from the department's budget, dropping the overall operations figure to about $17 million for the current academic year.

 

"Obviously, I passed some of that on to all of our athletic programs, including football," Boston said.

 

That was the bad news. The good news for Walker and his players has been the community's response. The memo went out after the first day of practice, and six donors wasted no time before they ponied up.

 

We're not talking about Cheetos here.

 

"It's good stuff like trail mix or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches," linebacker Jamar Cotton said. "We had a guy bring in a bunch of watermelons. That was great. The team was excited. It was like little kids getting lollypops."

 

The snacks might seem like a luxury to outsiders but players say they're helpful during preseason two-a-days, when the temperature is high and the demanding practices seem endless.

 

And, no surprise here, young men get hungry. The Aggies eat dinner at 6 p.m., then sit through meetings until 9:30. By the time they tuck themselves in for bed, their stomachs are rumbling again.

 

"We practice so hard. We've got to get some extra stuff in the belly after dinner," running back Tonny Glynn said. "It's been really hot every day. We're losing weight from all the workouts."

 

Offensive lineman Mike Grady said it makes things easier the following day, a way to keep the energy up.

 

"Definitely, it helps to go to bed with something in your stomach," he said.

 

The school is also publicizing an Aug. 25 banquet featuring the football and volleyball teams. Tickets are $50 per person or $600 a table, but Walker characterized that event as "more your typical fundraiser."

 

Walker declined to disclose how much was trimmed from his program's budget, but noted that New Mexico State's number is "a lot different" than at UCLA, where he was defensive coordinator the past three seasons.

 

He expressed concern that people outside New Mexico might see the team's request for snacks as juvenile.

 

The reality, Walker said, is that the Aggies are in the same position as many schools, forced to make tough choices this season.

 

"Everyone's taking cuts," he said. "I don't want anybody to read into it that we're the poorest program in the country. We're not. And we're not the only midlevel school that has to go through these kinds of issues."

 

http://www.mcall.com/sports/college/sns-ap...0,7959039.story

[Cameltosis]

How many medals did the SEC win in the last Winter Olympics?

[Rockerbraves]

Football fans down South is what makes the SEC such a great conference. We've all seen something like this before, but the truth is the South part of this is accurate. Can't speak for the North.

 

Planning for the fall football season in the South is radically different

than up North. For those who are planning a football trip South, here are

some helpful hints.

 

Women's Accessories:

 

NORTH: Chap Stick in back pocket and a $20 bill in the front pocket.

SOUTH: Louis Vuitton duffel with two lipsticks, waterproof mascara, and a

fifth of bourbon. Money not necessary - that's what dates are for.

 

Stadium Size:

 

NORTH: College football stadiums hold 20,000 people.

SOUTH: High school football stadiums hold 20,000 people.

 

Fathers:

 

NORTH: Expect their daughters to understand Sylvia Plath.

SOUTH: Expect their daughters to understand pass interference.

 

Campus Decor:

 

NORTH: Statues of founding fathers.

SOUTH: Statues of Heisman trophy winners.

 

Homecoming Queen:

 

NORTH: Also a physics major.

SOUTH: Also Miss America .

 

Heroes:

 

NORTH: Rudy Giuliani

SOUTH: Archie & Peyton Manning

 

Getting Tickets:

 

NORTH: 5 days before the game you walk into the ticket office on campus.

SOUTH: 5 months before the game you walk into the ticket office on campus,

make a large financial contribution and put name on a waiting list for

tickets.

 

Friday Classes After a Thursday Night Game:

 

NORTH: Students and teachers not sure they're going to the game, because

they have classes on Friday.

SOUTH: Teachers cancel Friday classes because they don't want to see the few

hung over students that might actually make it to class.

 

Parking:

 

NORTH: An hour before game time, the University opens the campus for game

parking.

SOUTH: RVs sporting their school flags begin arriving on Wednesday for the

weekend festivities. The really faithful arrive on Tuesday.

 

Game Day:

 

NORTH: A few students party in the dorm and watch ESPN on TV.

SOUTH: Every student wakes up, has a beer for breakfast, and rushes over to

where ESPN is broadcasting "Game Day Live" to get on camera and wave to the

idiots up north who wonder why "Game Day Live" is never Broadcast from their

campus.

 

Tailgating:

 

NORTH: Raw meat on a grill, beer with lime in it, listening to local radio

station with truck tailgate down.

SOUTH: 30-foot custom pig-shaped smoker fires up at dawn. Cooking

accompanied by live performance from the Dave Matthews Band,... who come

over during breaks and ask for a hit off bottle of bourbon.

 

Getting to the Stadium:

 

NORTH: You ask "Where's the stadium?" When you find it, you walk right in.

SOUTH: When you're near it, you'll hear it. On game day it is the state's

third largest city.

 

Concessions:

 

NORTH: Drinks served in a paper cup, filled to the top with soda.

SOUTH: Drinks served in a plastic cup, with the home team's mascot on it,

filled less than half way with soda, to ensure enough room for bourbon.

 

When National Anthem is Played:

 

NORTH : Stands are less than half full, and less than half of them stand up..

SOUTH: 100,000 fans, all standing, sing along in perfect four-part harmony.

 

The Smell in the Air After the First Score:

 

NORTH: Nothing changes.

SOUTH: Fireworks, with a touch of bourbon.

 

Commentary (Male):

 

NORTH: "Nice play."

SOUTH: "Dangit, you slow idiot - tackle him and break his legs."

 

Commentary (Female):

 

NORTH: "My, this certainly is a violent sport."

SOUTH: "Dangit, you slow idiot - tackle him and break his legs."

 

Announcers:

 

NORTH: Neutral and paid.

SOUTH: Announcer harmonizes with the crowd in the fight song, with a tear in

his eye because he is so proud of his team.

 

After the Game:

 

NORTH: The stadium is empty way before the game ends.

SOUTH: Another rack of ribs goes on the smoker, while somebody goes to the

nearest package store for more bourbon, and planning begins for next week's

game.

 

Nothing else in the universe comes even halfway close to the glories of

Southern football!

[Cameltosis]

Football fans down South is what makes the SEC such a great conference. We've all seen something like this before, but the truth is the South part of this is accurate. Can't speak for the North.

 

Planning for the fall football season in the South is radically different

than up North. For those who are planning a football trip South, here are

some helpful hints.

 

Women's Accessories:

 

NORTH: Chap Stick in back pocket and a $20 bill in the front pocket.

SOUTH: Louis Vuitton duffel with two lipsticks, waterproof mascara, and a

fifth of bourbon. Money not necessary - that's what dates are for.

 

Stadium Size:

 

NORTH: College football stadiums hold 20,000 people.

SOUTH: High school football stadiums hold 20,000 people.

 

Fathers:

 

NORTH: Expect their daughters to understand Sylvia Plath.

SOUTH: Expect their daughters to understand pass interference.

 

Campus Decor:

 

NORTH: Statues of founding fathers.

SOUTH: Statues of Heisman trophy winners.

 

Homecoming Queen:

 

NORTH: Also a physics major.

SOUTH: Also Miss America .

 

Heroes:

 

NORTH: Rudy Giuliani

SOUTH: Archie & Peyton Manning

 

Getting Tickets:

 

NORTH: 5 days before the game you walk into the ticket office on campus.

SOUTH: 5 months before the game you walk into the ticket office on campus,

make a large financial contribution and put name on a waiting list for

tickets.

 

Friday Classes After a Thursday Night Game:

 

NORTH: Students and teachers not sure they're going to the game, because

they have classes on Friday.

SOUTH: Teachers cancel Friday classes because they don't want to see the few

hung over students that might actually make it to class.

 

Parking:

 

NORTH: An hour before game time, the University opens the campus for game

parking.

SOUTH: RVs sporting their school flags begin arriving on Wednesday for the

weekend festivities. The really faithful arrive on Tuesday.

 

Game Day:

 

NORTH: A few students party in the dorm and watch ESPN on TV.

SOUTH: Every student wakes up, has a beer for breakfast, and rushes over to

where ESPN is broadcasting "Game Day Live" to get on camera and wave to the

idiots up north who wonder why "Game Day Live" is never Broadcast from their

campus.

 

Tailgating:

 

NORTH: Raw meat on a grill, beer with lime in it, listening to local radio

station with truck tailgate down.

SOUTH: 30-foot custom pig-shaped smoker fires up at dawn. Cooking

accompanied by live performance from the Dave Matthews Band,... who come

over during breaks and ask for a hit off bottle of bourbon.

 

Getting to the Stadium:

 

NORTH: You ask "Where's the stadium?" When you find it, you walk right in.

SOUTH: When you're near it, you'll hear it. On game day it is the state's

third largest city.

 

Concessions:

 

NORTH: Drinks served in a paper cup, filled to the top with soda.

SOUTH: Drinks served in a plastic cup, with the home team's mascot on it,

filled less than half way with soda, to ensure enough room for bourbon.

 

When National Anthem is Played:

 

NORTH : Stands are less than half full, and less than half of them stand up..

SOUTH: 100,000 fans, all standing, sing along in perfect four-part harmony.

 

The Smell in the Air After the First Score:

 

NORTH: Nothing changes.

SOUTH: Fireworks, with a touch of bourbon.

 

Commentary (Male):

 

NORTH: "Nice play."

SOUTH: "Dangit, you slow idiot - tackle him and break his legs."

 

Commentary (Female):

 

NORTH: "My, this certainly is a violent sport."

SOUTH: "Dangit, you slow idiot - tackle him and break his legs."

 

Announcers:

 

NORTH: Neutral and paid.

SOUTH: Announcer harmonizes with the crowd in the fight song, with a tear in

his eye because he is so proud of his team.

 

After the Game:

 

NORTH: The stadium is empty way before the game ends.

SOUTH: Another rack of ribs goes on the smoker, while somebody goes to the

nearest package store for more bourbon, and planning begins for next week's

game.

 

Nothing else in the universe comes even halfway close to the glories of

Southern football!

 

I didnt think this was that funny the first few times it was posted. Not to mention untrue and a little sexist. But I'm a yankee and unfamiliar with your crazy southern sport played with a watermellon shaped ball.

[wildcat2334]

I didnt think this was that funny the first few times it was posted. Not to mention untrue and a little sexist. But I'm a yankee and unfamiliar with your crazy southern sport played with a watermellon shaped ball.

 

 

werd - just dumb, and not even original or funny

 

Chit, somebody has to live in the southeast - more power to the SEC folks down there

 

PAC 10 - CONFERENCE OF CHAMPIONS

 

NCAA TEAM TITLES WON BY CONFERENCE

(through 2008-09 season)

Men

1. PACIFIC-10 261

2. Big Ten 200

3. Big 12 133

4. Southeastern 97

5. Ivy 76

6. Big East 59

7. Atlantic Coast 54

8. Conference USA 46

9. Western Athletic 36

10. Sun Belt 31

Women

1. PACIFIC-10 117

2. Southeastern 74

3. Atlantic Coast 57

4. Big 12 38

5. Big East 22

6. Big Ten 20

7. Ivy 14

Mountain West 14

8. Ivy 12

[Rockerbraves]

werd - just dumb, and not even original or funny

 

Chit, somebody has to live in the southeast - more power to the SEC folks down there

 

PAC 10 - CONFERENCE OF CHAMPIONS

There's really only one season down South that most LSU fans care about.

 

http://members.cox.net/rex_goodheart/tale_of_woe.html