Texas A&M plans to leave Big 12 by July
August 31, 2011
HOUSTON (AP)—The official Texas A&M fight song includes a line that bidsfarewell to Texas, “so long to the orange and white.” By this time next year,Texas A&M could have stated goodbye to a lot more than its storied, century-oldrivalry with Texas.
Texas A&M announced Wednesday that it will leave the Huge 12 Conference byJuly 2012 if it can come across another residence, preferably in the SoutheasternConference.
The choice could set off an additional round of conference realignment incollege sports and it raises questions about the future of the Big 12, which isstarting the football season with 10 teams immediately after losing Nebraska and Colorado.The Big 12 said it would move rapidly to discover at least 1 replacement for theAggies but offered no timeline.
“The presidents and chancellors of the nine remaining member institutionsare steadfast in their commitment to the Huge 12,” Huge 12 Commissioner Dan Beebesaid in a statement. “As previously stated, the conference will move forwardaggressively exploring its membership choices.”
The Southeastern Conference said it hadn’t received an application fromTexas A&M to join the league and that it would have no further comment. The SEChas reaffirmed its 12-school membership, but remains open to expansion talks.
Leaving the Large 12 “is in the greatest interest of Texas A&M,” said universityPresident R. Bowen Loftin, who formally notified the league with a letter afterearlier securing particulars on the withdrawal approach. He stated he hopes the movecan be amicable and presumably hopes to negotiate a reasonable exit fee.
“We are seeking to generate greater visibility nationwide for Texas A&M andour championship-caliber student-athletes, as nicely as secure the required andstable economic resources to support our athletic and academic programs,”Loftin said. “This is a 100-year choice that we have addressed cautiously andmethodically.”
Texas A&M, which has been in the Huge 12 since its founding in 1996, stated itwill submit an application to join another, unspecified conference. If accepted,Texas A&M will leave the Major 12, helpful June 30, 2012.
Texas, blamed by some for running off Nebraska with its deal with ESPN toset up its Longhorns Network, stated it remains committed to the Huge 12 even withits historic rivalry with Texas A&M in jeopardy. But Texas athletic directorDeLoss Dodds didn’t address the game or even A&M by name.
“As we stated last summer, we are powerful supporters and members of the Big12 conference,” Dodds stated. “Recent events have not altered our confidence inthe league. A Big 12 committee is in spot to appear at all alternatives, shaping thefuture of the conference so it will continue to be 1 of the top leagues in thecountry.”
Texas A&M athletic director Bill Byrne addressed his school’s choice toleave in a weblog posted Wednesday.
Byrne stated in the weblog that the departures of Nebraska and Colorado and thecreation of the Longhorn Network produced the Major 12 “considerably distinct” thanit was last summer—when he stated the Aggies must stay in the league.
“There have also been other developments for the duration of the past various monthsthat have brought on a fantastic deal of uncertainty within the Major 12,” Byrne said inthe blog. “You all know the landscape of the Large 12 Conference was altered bythe creation of the Longhorn Network.”
He mentions the network’s attempts to televise high school games and the“attempt to coerce Major 12 schools to move their football games in Austin” tothe network. Byrne also said that Texas A&M was not provided the chance to jointhe Longhorns in the venture.
Texas and Texas A&M initially met in football in 1894 and the annualThanksgiving game is a highlight of the season for many fans. Loftin stated that a“primary criterion” when negotiating with a different conference would be theability to continue the rivalry, but there’s no guarantee the new conference orthe Longhorns would agree to such a deal.
Like Texas, Baylor has been in the similar league with Texas A&M since thebeginning of the Southwest Conference in 1914. With no push by Texas A&M tocontinue playing the Bears, they had been disappointed that their football rivalry,which began in 1899, will end.
Baylor President Ken Starr still believes the Massive 12 has a “brightfuture,” even with out the Aggies.
“We know that the Large 12 is an exciting and attractive conference for manyreasons, which includes the good quality of our academic programs, the strength of ourathletic teams, the support of our loyal fans and the depth of our vibranttraditions,” Starr stated.
Nebraska (Large Ten) and Colorado (Pac-12) left the league in July a yearafter a wild round of realignment that also affected teams in the Mountain West,Big East and WAC.
So far, the only school to publicly express interest in joining the Huge 12is SMU, the former Southwest Conference team that now plays in Conference USAand has climbed back to respectability following receiving the NCAA’s only “deathpenalty” punishment right after a pay-for-play scandal in the 1980s.
A different Conference USA team, Houston, could also be an option for the Big12. Athletic director Mack Rhoades would not say Wednesday if he has been intouch with the Massive 12 or any other conference.
“We’re constantly going to look to get far better, and look for chance,”Rhoades said. “Whether that comes, whether or not that doesn’t, I definitely can’tanswer that. But we’re in a fantastic conference correct now, and we’re going tocontinue to be a fantastic member. But we’re also going to do every thing we can toget much better.”
Rhoades said he believes A&M’s choice could be the first domino in changesacross the landscape of college football.
“Right now, let’s face it, that’s the world of college athletics,” hesaid. “Whatever happens here in the next week, two weeks, 3 months, whoknows what the timeline is? I don’t feel it ends there. I think it’s going tocontinue to evolve over the next couple of years.”
The Large 12 has formed a committee to appear for replacements.
“The chancellors and presidents of the Major 12 are committed to keeping ourconference competitively and academically powerful,” stated Missouri ChancellorBrady Deaton, who serves as the chairman of the Massive 12 board of directors. “Wehave a approach in location that enables us to move aggressively regarding thepossible expansion of the conference and to assure our members andstudent-athletes that we will take advantage of the most productiveopportunities in the finest interests of all.”
The SEC stated earlier this month it was happy with its present membership butleft the door open to expansion, and the Aggies undoubtedly wouldn’t have madethis move if they didn’t think they could ultimately join the conference. TheAggies would want the votes of nine of the 12 presidents from the member schoolsfor the SEC to allow them into the league.
The Large 12 agreed to a 13-year tv deal with Fox Sports in Aprilworth much more than $1 billion, a contract that technically could be voided withTexas A&M’s departure and lead to legal issues for the Aggies.
A person familiar with that Tv deal told The Linked Press on Wednesdaythat the league has indications from the network that if a suitable replacementcan be found that “they will be fine and preserve the contract as is.” The individual,speaking on condition of anonymity mainly because the details are not supposed to bepublic, also stated that the contract could remain in force at a discounted rateeven if the Large 12 had only its remaining nine teams.
The Aggies will also likely face an exit fee for leaving the Big 12,although it’s unclear how considerably that could be. Nebraska paid $9.25 million andColorado paid $6.9 million.
Texas state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, chair of the Senate Greater EducationCommittee, said she had no plans to call for a public hearing on the Aggies’decision to leave. Zaffirini, who graduated from Texas, said she would bedisappointed if the two schools end their football rivalry.
AP Sports Writers Chris Duncan, Stephen Hawkins, Jim Vertuno and John Zenorcontributed to this report.
Kristie Rieken can be reached at http://twitter.com/kristieAP .
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Texas A&M plans to leave Big 12 by July
August 31, 2011
HOUSTON (AP)—The official Texas A&M fight song consists of a line that bidsfarewell to Texas, “so lengthy to the orange and white.” By this time next year,Texas A&M may possibly have stated goodbye to a lot additional than its storied, century-oldrivalry with Texas.
Texas A&M announced Wednesday that it will leave the Huge 12 Conference byJuly 2012 if it can discover one more home, preferably in the SoutheasternConference.
The choice could set off an additional round of conference realignment incollege sports and it raises questions about the future of the Massive 12, which isstarting the football season with 10 teams following losing Nebraska and Colorado.The Massive 12 said it would move quickly to locate at least one replacement for theAggies but provided no timeline.
“The presidents and chancellors of the nine remaining member institutionsare steadfast in their commitment to the Large 12,” Major 12 Commissioner Dan Beebesaid in a statement. “As previously stated, the conference will move forwardaggressively exploring its membership alternatives.”
The Southeastern Conference said it hadn’t received an application fromTexas A&M to join the league and that it would have no further comment. The SEChas reaffirmed its 12-school membership, but remains open to expansion talks.
Leaving the Big 12 “is in the finest interest of Texas A&M,” said universityPresident R. Bowen Loftin, who formally notified the league with a letter afterearlier securing details on the withdrawal process. He stated he hopes the movecan be amicable and presumably hopes to negotiate a reasonable exit fee.
“We are seeking to create greater visibility nationwide for Texas A&M andour championship-caliber student-athletes, as properly as secure the necessary andstable economic resources to support our athletic and academic programs,”Loftin stated. “This is a 100-year choice that we have addressed carefully andmethodically.”
Texas A&M, which has been in the Major 12 since its founding in 1996, said itwill submit an application to join another, unspecified conference. If accepted,Texas A&M will leave the Huge 12, powerful June 30, 2012.
Texas, blamed by some for running off Nebraska with its deal with ESPN toset up its Longhorns Network, stated it remains committed to the Large 12 even withits historic rivalry with Texas A&M in jeopardy. But Texas athletic directorDeLoss Dodds didn’t address the game or even A&M by name.
“As we stated last summer, we are powerful supporters and members of the Big12 conference,” Dodds stated. “Recent events have not altered our confidence inthe league. A Massive 12 committee is in spot to look at all options, shaping thefuture of the conference so it will continue to be 1 of the leading leagues in thecountry.”
Texas A&M athletic director Bill Byrne addressed his school’s decision toleave in a blog posted Wednesday.
Byrne said in the weblog that the departures of Nebraska and Colorado and thecreation of the Longhorn Network created the Big 12 “considerably diverse” thanit was last summer—when he said the Aggies should stay in the league.
“There have also been other developments throughout the past several monthsthat have caused a excellent deal of uncertainty within the Large 12,” Byrne stated inthe blog. “You all know the landscape of the Major 12 Conference was altered bythe creation of the Longhorn Network.”
He mentions the network’s attempts to televise high school games and the“attempt to coerce Big 12 schools to move their football games in Austin” tothe network. Byrne also said that Texas A&M was not offered the chance to jointhe Longhorns in the venture.
Texas and Texas A&M very first met in football in 1894 and the annualThanksgiving game is a highlight of the season for quite a few fans. Loftin said that a“primary criterion” when negotiating with yet another conference would be theability to continue the rivalry, but there’s no guarantee the new conference orthe Longhorns would agree to such a deal.
Like Texas, Baylor has been in the exact same league with Texas A&M considering that thebeginning of the Southwest Conference in 1914. With no push by Texas A&M tocontinue playing the Bears, they had been disappointed that their football rivalry,which began in 1899, will end.
Baylor President Ken Starr nonetheless believes the Large 12 has a “brightfuture,” even with no the Aggies.
“We know that the Big 12 is an exciting and appealing conference for manyreasons, such as the good quality of our academic programs, the strength of ourathletic teams, the support of our loyal fans and the depth of our vibranttraditions,” Starr said.
Nebraska (Large Ten) and Colorado (Pac-12) left the league in July a yearafter a wild round of realignment that also affected teams in the Mountain West,Massive East and WAC.
So far, the only school to publicly express interest in joining the Big 12is SMU, the former Southwest Conference team that now plays in Conference USAand has climbed back to respectability immediately after receiving the NCAA’s only “deathpenalty” punishment after a pay-for-play scandal in the 1980s.
One more Conference USA team, Houston, could also be an alternative for the Big12. Athletic director Mack Rhoades would not say Wednesday if he has been intouch with the Major 12 or any other conference.
“We’re constantly going to look to get superior, and look for chance,”Rhoades stated. “Whether that comes, regardless of whether that doesn’t, I definitely can’tanswer that. But we’re in a terrific conference correct now, and we’re going tocontinue to be a wonderful member. But we’re also going to do every little thing we can toget superior.”
Rhoades said he believes A&M’s choice could be the first domino in changesacross the landscape of college football.
“Right now, let’s face it, that’s the globe of college athletics,” hesaid. “Whatever occurs here in the next week, two weeks, three months, whoknows what the timeline is? I don’t feel it ends there. I believe it’s going tocontinue to evolve more than the next couple of years.”
The Huge 12 has formed a committee to look for replacements.
“The chancellors and presidents of the Massive 12 are committed to keeping ourconference competitively and academically powerful,” said Missouri ChancellorBrady Deaton, who serves as the chairman of the Large 12 board of directors. “Wehave a procedure in spot that enables us to move aggressively regarding thepossible expansion of the conference and to assure our members andstudent-athletes that we will take benefit of the most productiveopportunities in the very best interests of all.”
The SEC stated earlier this month it was pleased with its existing membership butleft the door open to expansion, and the Aggies certainly wouldn’t have madethis move if they didn’t believe they could eventually join the conference. TheAggies would require the votes of nine of the 12 presidents from the member schoolsfor the SEC to permit them into the league.
The Large 12 agreed to a 13-year tv deal with Fox Sports in Aprilworth far more than $1 billion, a contract that technically could be voided withTexas A&M’s departure and lead to legal problems for the Aggies.
A person familiar with that Television deal told The Connected Press on Wednesdaythat the league has indications from the network that if a appropriate replacementcan be discovered that “they will be fine and preserve the contract as is.” The individual,speaking on condition of anonymity because the details are not supposed to bepublic, also stated that the contract could remain in force at a discounted rateeven if the Huge 12 had only its remaining nine teams.
The Aggies will also most likely face an exit fee for leaving the Massive 12,even though it’s unclear how much that could be. Nebraska paid $9.25 million andColorado paid $6.9 million.
Texas state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, chair of the Senate Greater EducationCommittee, stated she had no plans to call for a public hearing on the Aggies’decision to leave. Zaffirini, who graduated from Texas, said she would bedisappointed if the two schools end their football rivalry.
AP Sports Writers Chris Duncan, Stephen Hawkins, Jim Vertuno and John Zenorcontributed to this report.
Kristie Rieken can be reached at http://twitter.com/kristieAP .
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Jeff Gordon clinches spot in NASCAR’s Chase
August 31, 2011
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP)—Four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon has clinched at least a wild-card berth in the 12-driver Chase for the Sprint Cup championship.
NASCAR determined Wednesday that even if Gordon is knocked out of the leading 10 in standings over the next two races, he still would get into the Chase via the wild card.
Gordon has two wins this season, and the only way he could fall out of the leading 10 is if Brad Keselowski or Clint Bowyer win the final two races of the “regular season” to drop him out. Even if that happened, Gordon’s two victories would be enough to get him into the Chase.
Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards all clinched berths on Saturday night. Kevin Harvick clinched at least a wild card.
Bumgarner Ks 11 Cubs, Giants avoid sweep
August 31, 2011
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—Madison Bumgarner(notes) matched his career high with 11strikeouts, Jeff Keppinger(notes) and Pablo Sandoval(notes) hit consecutive homers in thefourth inning, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Chicago Cubs 4- onWednesday to snap a three-game skid and keep away from a sweep.
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On a day when general manager Brian Sabean began generating huge modifications to thestruggling Globe Series champions, Bumgarner (9-12) was brilliant when his teamdesperately necessary a increase.
Keppinger also drove in a run with a bloop single in the fifth off RodrigoLopez(notes) (4-6), who lost his third straight outing and dropped to -five in eightcareer starts against San Francisco.
San Francisco began the day a season-high six games behind NL West-leadingArizona, which was hosting Colorado on Wednesday night.
Sabean shook up the roster prior to the game, designating infielder MiguelTejada(notes) and outfielder Aaron Rowand(notes)—the team’s second-highest paid player—forassignment.
Dazzling though winning his second straight commence, Bumgarner allowed two hitsand walked two in eight innings. Manager Bruce Bochy stuck with him right after aone-out walk to Geovany Soto(notes) in the eighth and Bumgarner got out of it.
Sergio Romo(notes) finished the Giants’ 11th shutout with a 1-two-3 ninth thatincluded a strikeout.
Keppinger drove the initial pitch he saw from Rodrigo Lopez into theleft-field seats leading off the fourth for his team’s 1st lead in the series.Sandoval then splashed a shot into McCovey Cove beyond the right-field arcade—right to the eager kayakers who had been waiting to retrieve a rare souvenir inthe bay of late.
It marked the fourth time San Francisco connected for consecutive homersthis season and very first due to the fact Freddy Sanchez(notes) and Aubrey Huff(notes) achieved the featJune 2 at St. Louis.
Sandoval picked up his sixth career splash hit and second this year. It wasthe third by a Giant in 2011, 58th by San Francisco overall and No. 82 in thehistory of the 12-year-old ballpark. Barry Bonds, the home run king, has 35 ofthem.
Lopez has allowed two of Sandoval’s splash homers. The initial came in 2009when the suitable-hander was with Philadelphia.
Although this result was encouraging, the Giants recognize there will have to bea lot a lot more wins the rest of the way to stay in the playoff hunt.
San Francisco hasn’t won a home series in six opportunities due to the fact taking twoof three from the Brewers from July 22-24, and hasn’t won in five straightseries overall.
The Giants avoided being swept by the Cubs for the 1st time since May20-22, 1994, and in San Francisco considering that Sept. 13-15, 1993, at Candlestick Park.
Cubs slugger Alfonso Soriano(notes), who hit solo property runs in every single of the firsttwo games and had homered in 4 of his prior seven overall, went for 2with a walk and a strikeout.
Chris Stewart(notes) added an RBI double as the Giants’ bats produced enoughsupport for Bumgarner soon after Chicago had outscored San Francisco 12-2 in thefirst two games.
Still, San Francisco finishes up August at 11-18 with 78 runs—the lowestmonthly runs total since the Giants scored 77 in April 2009.
The 11 wins are the fewest in a month given that acquiring 10 victories in April2009.
NOTES: San Francisco is 11-14 at property since the All-Star break. … Cubsmanager Mike Quade is keeping his rotation in order even with Thursday’s offday. … Giants RHP reliever Ramon Ramirez(notes) celebrated his 30th birthday. … SanFrancisco lined up its rotation to have its 3 greatest pitchers going againstthe Diamondbacks, beginning with 10-game winner Matt Cain(notes) on Friday night for hisfifth 2011 start off vs. Arizona. … The Cubs, who had their initial winning month(16-13) considering that going 19-10 last September/October, return residence to host Pittsburghfor a weekend series beginning Friday. RHP Ryan Dempster(notes) (10-10) takes the moundafter losing his last two starts.
Fan who fell in Arlington listed as fair
August 31, 2011
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP)—A 24-year-old man is in fair condition at a Dallashospital four days following he fell 21 feet from a stairwell even though leaving a gameat Rangers Ballpark.
Charles Thomas Conner of San Antonio was knocked unconscious by the fallonto a concrete floor underneath the stands Saturday night when the Rangers wereplaying the Los Angeles Angels.
Most recent iPhone app: into_now Let your pals know which games youre watching
Sandra Minatra of Methodist Dallas Medical Center supplied the update on thefan Wednesday.
The incident happened nearly two months after Brownwood firefighter ShannonStone died following tumbling out of first-row seats and about 20 feet to concretebehind the left-field wall when he reached out to catch a baseball tossed hisway.
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Indians DH Hafner may return soon
August 31, 2011
CLEVELAND (AP)—The injury-a-day Indians lastly got a favorable medicalcheckup.
Designated hitter Travis Hafner(notes) received “encouraging” news Wednesday fromdoctors about his injured proper foot and could return soon for the playoffchase.
“We’re going to be able to see him again,” manager Manny Acta said beforeCleveland hosted Oakland. “I don’t have a timetable yet, but it’s encouragingthat he’s going to be able to rejoin our team and play once again—this year.”
Also, outfielder Michael Brantley(notes) had prosperous right hand surgery and isexpected to make a full recovery.
Hafner has been sidelined due to the fact Aug. 21, when he strained a tendon in hisfoot following hitting a single in Detroit and rounding 1st base. Hafner’s foothad been bothering him because he hurt it while sliding in April. He’s batting.281 with 11 homers and 49 RBIs.
Acta would not address if Hafner will have to have offseason surgery.
“I’m not going to get into that,” Acta stated, deferring the question totrainer Lonnie Soloff, who was not available for comment.
Hafner did not speak with reporters. He left Progressive Field though theIndians had been taking pregame batting practice.
Cleveland’s offense has sputtered and could use Hafner’s huge bat back in themiddle of its lineup. With Hafner out, the Indians acquired slugger Jim Thome(notes) ina trade from Minnesota last week. Acta stated he will use both Hafner and Thome atDH when both are healthy.
Mainly because of a sore back, Thome is limited to playing just 3 days in arow, and he’s not in the lineup for day games soon after the Indians play theprevious night.
“He (Hafner) is not going to be able to play each day, and Thome is in thesame scenario,” Acta said. “They’ll share duties.”
The Indians have been ravaged by injuries all season, but have managed tostay near the top in the AL Central. They at present have six players—fivestarters—on the disabled list. Also, outfielder Shin-Soo Choo(notes) has been limitedby an injured side. He hasn’t played since Saturday.
But as August closes, the Indians are at least receiving a little healthier.
Outfielder Grady Sizemore(notes) begins a rehab stint at Double-A Akron and couldrejoin the Indians inside the next week. Sizemore has been out due to the fact July 18with a bruised knee. He will DH on Wednesday, play six innings in the outfieldon Thursday and then get a day off.
The Indians will see how he responds before deciding when to activate thethree-time All-Star, who came back from knee microfracture surgery and wasplaying nicely prior to acquiring hurt again.
Brantley, who is out for the season with the hand injury, underwent surgeryWednesday at the Cleveland Clinic. The Indians reported the operation by notedorthopedist Dr. Thomas Graham was a success and they expect the 24-year-oldBrantley to be ready for spring training.
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Kerr and Mahan win Begay Challenge
August 31, 2011
VERONA, N.Y. (AP)—Tiger Woods recoiled with a huge smile.
“Oh Lord. It’s going to be one of those days,” Woods stated following NotahBegay III, his roommate in college at Stanford, promised some trash-talking asthey prepared to play.
It was one of those days, all suitable. Paired with LPGA Tour star SuzannPettersen in a greatest-ball format in the Notah Begay Challenge, Woods watched hispartner carry a lot of the load on a warm, late-summer day in upstate New York.The duo finished third at 9-under 63, two shots behind Hunter Mahan and CristieKerr, who won the charity event at Turning Stone Resort’s Atunyote Golf Clublayout for the second straight year.
“She played fantastic,” Woods stated about Pettersen. “She surely carriedme.”
Annika Sorenstam and Rickie Fowler finished second, 1 shot behind thewinners, and Begay and Natalie Gulbis were last at 7 under.
Woods, who has played only eight PGA Tour events this year simply because ofinjuries to his left knee and left Achilles’ tendon, started the day with aperfect drive that set up a nice birdie at the par-4 opening hole, smilingbroadly as fans shouted his name.
The shouts of encouragement never ever waned as Woods created his way around thecourse, but his game surely didn’t approach the performance he put on here twoyears ago. With much more than 3,000 awestruck fans watching his every single move, Woodshit practically every fairway and won three of the final four holes in a skins gameformat to beat Camilo Villegas in 2009.
On this day, Woods was relegated to watching his teammate make the clutchshots.
Woods hit his drive at the second hole into the left rough, then muffed hissecond shot at the par-3 third hole, muttering an expletive and then laughingalong with the gallery.
Woods had to take a drop on the par-4 fourth hole soon after he drove into theweeds to the left, then hit his second shot more than the green into the gallery.
At the par-5 fifth hole, a dogleg left, Woods hit a spectator in the ankle,then hung his head at No. 7 immediately after his second shot at the par-4 landed on thegreen but way left of the pin. Pettersen rescued him with a birdie as they movedwithin 1 shot of the leaders.
At the eighth hole, Woods found a greenside bunker and blasted out to 6 feetand produced birdie, but when he reached the fringe at No. 11, he was content tojust plop down on his golf bag and watch Pettersen sink a birdie putt frominside 3 feet.
On the next hole, Woods whispered “great putt” as Pettersen sank anotherbirdie to maintain them in contention, and at the 13th his short putt for birdielipped out.
Woods was watching again on the next hole following his tee shot landed on topof the elevated green and then spun back into the waterfall that lines the leftside of the green. There were more cheers when he hit his second shot to 8 feetat the par-4 15th hole, but he again missed the birdie putt.
Woods seemed to walk a little gingerly right after hitting out of a sand trap atthe 17th hole and into the proper rough, then picked up his ball again and headedto the 18th tee.
“It was an uneven lie, and that’s what takes place,” Begay said. “It takes awhile to work via those factors. I’ve been there. You get scared of a certainshot and you don’t want to push off or turn in to something since it hurt inthe past. I talked about it with him and just told him to stay patient with it.Those are factors that come with recovery.”
The par-five final hole provided a fitting end to the round. Woods drove about65 yards to the left of the fairway out of bounds and onto a hill far above thecart path, then hit his third shot to 8 feet and made birdie as the galleryroared its approval.
“It was all suitable today,” Woods stated. “I’ve been hurt the majority of theyear and haven’t rather gotten to be able to (get) the reps that I need to dowhat (swing coach) Sean (Foley) wants me to do. We were proper on track atAugusta, but regrettably I got hurt there and then it was a massive setback.We’re just trying to get back to where I was at Augusta, and it’s coming around.I just want much more reps.”
Begay stated he liked much of what he saw in Woods’ performance.
“I saw enough excellent factors to know that he’s creating some progress,” Begaysaid. “It was nice to be out there with him.”
Begay received a check for $500,000 for his foundation and said he hoped tobe able to surpass $1 million soon after an auction.
The event is the chief fundraiser for Begay’s foundation, which is dedicatedto helping fight obesity and diabetes in the Native American community.
It’s a cause close to Woods’ heart.
“I can relate to this because my father went by means of it,” Woods stated. “Myfather developed kind-2 diabetes. It’s tough to watch an individual go through that,and what Notah’s attempting to do is cut that off. I want to be here for that. To behere and have the chance to do this, it’s an honor.”
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Phillies acquire RF Bowker from Pirates
August 31, 2011
CINCINNATI (AP)—The Philadelphia Phillies acquired outfielder John Bowker(notes)from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday for a player to be named or cash,adding a left-handed hitter to their bench.
The 28-year-old Bowker played in 19 games for the Pirates this season, going4 for 17 with a double just before he was designated for assignment on Could 4. Bowkerbatted .306 in 106 games for Triple-A Indianapolis with 15 homers and 76 RBIs.
He drove more than from Indianapolis and joined the Phillies just before the thirdgame of their series against the Cincinnati Reds.
“I’m kind of in shock,” Bowker stated. “I’m pretty excited. I began theseason with Pittsburgh, then I was designated for assignment. While I was inIndy, I tried to preserve a superior attitude. It helped to get at-bats. That wasimportant.”
The NL East-leading Phillies wanted to boost their outfield depth andtheir bench. Bowker will be eligible for the playoff roster. He has played rightfield, left field and 1st base.
“The scouts say he’s a great hitter,” manager Charlie Manuel stated. “He’llgive you a great at-bat and a little bit of pop. He gives us some balance. He’lldefinitely support us.”
Philadelphia optioned reliever Michael Schwimer(notes) to Triple-A Lehigh Valleyfollowing a 9- win more than Cincinnati on Tuesday night. The Phillies alsotransferred proper-hander Jose Contreras(notes) to the 60-day disabled list to make anopening on the 40-man roster for Bowker.
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Texas A&M plans to leave Big 12 by July
August 31, 2011
HOUSTON (AP)—The official Texas A&M fight song includes a line that bidsfarewell to Texas, “so lengthy to the orange and white.” By this time next year,Texas A&M might have said goodbye to a lot more than its storied, century-oldrivalry with Texas.
Texas A&M announced Wednesday that it will leave the Huge 12 Conference byJuly 2012 if it can locate yet another property, preferably in the SEC.
The choice could set off an additional round of conference realignment incollege sports and it raises questions about the future of the Big 12, which isstarting the football season with 10 teams after losing Nebraska and Colorado.The Huge 12 stated it would move promptly to discover at least one replacement for theAggies but offered no timeline.
“The presidents and chancellors of the nine remaining member institutionsare steadfast in their commitment to the Big 12,” Large 12 Commissioner Dan Beebesaid in a statement. “As previously stated, the conference will move forwardaggressively exploring its membership selections.”
The Southeastern Conference stated it had not received an application fromTexas A&M to join the league and that it would have no further comment. The SEChas reaffirmed its 12-school membership, but remains open to expansion talks.
Leaving the Large 12 “is in the best interest of Texas A&M,” stated universityPresident R. Bowen Loftin, who formally notified the league with a letter afterearlier securing details on the withdrawal process. He stated he hopes the movecan be amicable and presumably hopes to negotiate a reasonable exit fee.
“We are seeking to create greater visibility nationwide for Texas A&M andour championship-caliber student-athletes, as properly as secure the essential andstable financial resources to support our athletic and academic programs,”Loftin stated. “This is a 100-year decision that we have addressed cautiously andmethodically.”
Texas A&M, which has been in the Huge 12 due to the fact its founding in 1996, said itwill submit an application to join another, unspecified conference. If accepted,Texas A&M will leave the Big 12, successful June 30, 2012.
Texas, blamed by some for running off Nebraska with its deal with ESPN toset up its Longhorns Network, said it remains committed to the Big 12 even withits historic rivalry with Texas A&M in jeopardy. But Texas athletic directorDeLoss Dodds didn’t address the game or even A&M by name.
“As we stated last summer, we are powerful supporters and members of the Big12 conference,” Dodds said. “Recent events have not altered our confidence inthe league. A Major 12 committee is in spot to look at all possibilities, shaping thefuture of the conference so it will continue to be one of the best leagues in thecountry.”
Texas and Texas A&M initially met in football in 1894 and the annualThanksgiving game is a highlight of the season for numerous fans. Loftin said that a“primary criterion” when negotiating with yet another conference would be theability to continue the rivalry, but there’s no guarantee the new conference orthe Longhorns would agree to such a deal.
Like Texas, Baylor has been in the identical league with Texas A&M due to the fact thebeginning of the Southwest Conference in 1914. With no push by Texas A&M tocontinue playing the Bears, they were disappointed that their football rivalry,which began in 1899, will end.
Baylor President Ken Starr nonetheless believes the Huge 12 has a “brightfuture,” even without the Aggies.
“We know that the Major 12 is an exciting and attractive conference for manyreasons, including the high quality of our academic programs, the strength of ourathletic teams, the support of our loyal fans and the depth of our vibranttraditions,” Starr stated.
Nebraska (Huge Ten) and Colorado (Pac-12) left the league in July a yearafter a wild round of realignment that also affected teams in the Mountain West,Major East and WAC.
So far, the only school to publicly express interest in joining the Large 12is SMU, the former Southwest Conference team that now plays in Conference USAand has climbed back to respectability immediately after receiving the NCAA’s only “deathpenalty” punishment right after a pay-for-play scandal in the 1980s.
Yet another Conference USA team, Houston, could also be an option for the Big12. Athletic director Mack Rhoades would not say Wednesday if he has been intouch with the Big 12 or any other conference.
“We’re constantly going to appear to get superior, and appear for chance,”Rhoades stated. “Whether that comes, no matter whether that doesn’t, I surely can’tanswer that. But we’re in a fantastic conference appropriate now, and we’re going tocontinue to be a fantastic member. But we’re also going to do everything we can toget greater.”
Rhoades stated he believes A&M’s decision could be the 1st domino in changesacross the landscape of college football.
“Right now, let’s face it, that’s the globe of college athletics,” hesaid. “Whatever happens here in the next week, two weeks, three months, whoknows what the timeline is? I don’t believe it ends there. I think it’s going tocontinue to evolve over the next few years.”
The Large 12 has formed a committee to appear for replacements.
“The chancellors and presidents of the Huge 12 are committed to keeping ourconference competitively and academically strong,” said Missouri ChancellorBrady Deaton, who serves as the chairman of the Big 12 board of directors. “Wehave a process in spot that enables us to move aggressively regarding thepossible expansion of the conference and to assure our members andstudent-athletes that we will take advantage of the most productiveopportunities in the greatest interests of all.”
The SEC said earlier this month it was happy with its current membership butleft the door open to expansion, and the Aggies absolutely wouldn’t have madethis move if they didn’t think they could eventually join the conference. TheAggies would have to have the votes of nine of the 12 presidents from the member schoolsfor the SEC to allow them into the league.
The Huge 12 agreed to a 13-year tv deal with Fox Sports in Aprilworth a lot more than $1 billion, a contract that technically could be voided withTexas A&M’s departure and lead to legal issues for the Aggies.
A individual familiar with that Television deal told The Related Press on Wednesdaythat the league has indications from the network that if a suitable replacementcan be found that “they will be fine and maintain the contract as is.” The individual,speaking on condition of anonymity simply because the particulars are not supposed to bepublic, also stated that the contract could stay in force at a discounted rateeven if the Large 12 had only its remaining nine teams.
The Aggies will also likely face an exit fee for leaving the Massive 12,despite the fact that it’s unclear how significantly that could be. Nebraska paid $9.25 million andColorado paid $6.9 million.
Texas state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, chair of the Senate Greater EducationCommittee, said she had no plans to call for a public hearing on the Aggies’decision to leave. Zaffirini, who graduated from Texas, said she would bedisappointed if the two schools end their football rivalry.
AP Sports Writers Chris Duncan, Stephen Hawkins, Jim Vertuno and John Zenorcontributed to this report.
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Texas A&M plans to leave Big 12 by July
August 31, 2011
HOUSTON (AP)—The official Texas A&M fight song includes a line that bidsfarewell to Texas, “so long to the orange and white.” By this time next year,Texas A&M might have said goodbye to a lot far more than its storied, century-oldrivalry with Texas.
Texas A&M announced Wednesday that it will leave the Big 12 Conference byJuly 2012 if it can find a different home, preferably in the SEC.
The choice could set off an additional round of conference realignment incollege sports and it raises questions about the future of the Massive 12, which isstarting the football season with 10 teams soon after losing Nebraska and Colorado.The Large 12 said it would move rapidly to uncover at least one replacement for theAggies but provided no timeline.
“The presidents and chancellors of the nine remaining member institutionsare steadfast in their commitment to the Large 12,” Major 12 Commissioner Dan Beebesaid in a statement. “As previously stated, the conference will move forwardaggressively exploring its membership selections.”
The Southeastern Conference stated it had not received an application fromTexas A&M to join the league and that it would have no further comment. The SEChas reaffirmed its 12-school membership, but remains open to expansion talks.
Leaving the Massive 12 “is in the very best interest of Texas A&M,” said universityPresident R. Bowen Loftin, who formally notified the league with a letter afterearlier securing details on the withdrawal procedure. He said he hopes the movecan be amicable and presumably hopes to negotiate a reasonable exit fee.
“We are looking for to generate higher visibility nationwide for Texas A&M andour championship-caliber student-athletes, as well as secure the needed andstable economic resources to support our athletic and academic programs,”Loftin said. “This is a 100-year decision that we have addressed carefully andmethodically.”
Texas A&M, which has been in the Big 12 considering that its founding in 1996, stated itwill submit an application to join another, unspecified conference. If accepted,Texas A&M will leave the Large 12, helpful June 30, 2012.
Texas, blamed by some for running off Nebraska with its deal with ESPN toset up its Longhorns Network, stated it remains committed to the Big 12 even withits historic rivalry with Texas A&M in jeopardy. But Texas athletic directorDeLoss Dodds didn’t address the game or even A&M by name.
“As we stated last summer, we are powerful supporters and members of the Big12 conference,” Dodds stated. “Recent events have not altered our confidence inthe league. A Huge 12 committee is in location to appear at all possibilities, shaping thefuture of the conference so it will continue to be one of the leading leagues in thecountry.”
Texas and Texas A&M 1st met in football in 1894 and the annualThanksgiving game is a highlight of the season for several fans. Loftin said that a“primary criterion” when negotiating with one more conference would be theability to continue the rivalry, but there’s no guarantee the new conference orthe Longhorns would agree to such a deal.
Like Texas, Baylor has been in the identical league with Texas A&M given that thebeginning of the Southwest Conference in 1914. With no push by Texas A&M tocontinue playing the Bears, they were disappointed that their football rivalry,which began in 1899, will end.
Baylor President Ken Starr nonetheless believes the Major 12 has a “brightfuture,” even with no the Aggies.
“We know that the Big 12 is an exciting and attractive conference for manyreasons, which includes the excellent of our academic programs, the strength of ourathletic teams, the support of our loyal fans and the depth of our vibranttraditions,” Starr said.
Nebraska (Large Ten) and Colorado (Pac-12) left the league in July a yearafter a wild round of realignment that also affected teams in the Mountain West,Massive East and WAC.
So far, the only school to publicly express interest in joining the Big 12is SMU, the former Southwest Conference team that now plays in Conference USAand has climbed back to respectability soon after receiving the NCAA’s only “deathpenalty” punishment after a pay-for-play scandal in the 1980s.
One more Conference USA team, Houston, could also be an choice for the Big12. Athletic director Mack Rhoades would not say Wednesday if he has been intouch with the Major 12 or any other conference.
“We’re often going to look to get better, and appear for opportunity,”Rhoades said. “Whether that comes, no matter if that doesn’t, I undoubtedly can’tanswer that. But we’re in a excellent conference correct now, and we’re going tocontinue to be a excellent member. But we’re also going to do every thing we can toget superior.”
Rhoades said he believes A&M’s decision could be the initial domino in changesacross the landscape of college football.
“Right now, let’s face it, that’s the globe of college athletics,” hesaid. “Whatever happens here in the next week, two weeks, three months, whoknows what the timeline is? I don’t believe it ends there. I feel it’s going tocontinue to evolve more than the next few years.”
The Huge 12 has formed a committee to appear for replacements.
“The chancellors and presidents of the Large 12 are committed to keeping ourconference competitively and academically powerful,” said Missouri ChancellorBrady Deaton, who serves as the chairman of the Large 12 board of directors. “Wehave a procedure in location that enables us to move aggressively regarding thepossible expansion of the conference and to assure our members andstudent-athletes that we will take benefit of the most productiveopportunities in the finest interests of all.”
The SEC said earlier this month it was pleased with its present membership butleft the door open to expansion, and the Aggies surely wouldn’t have madethis move if they didn’t believe they could ultimately join the conference. TheAggies would need the votes of nine of the 12 presidents from the member schoolsfor the SEC to permit them into the league.
The Huge 12 agreed to a 13-year television deal with Fox Sports in Aprilworth far more than $1 billion, a contract that technically could be voided withTexas A&M’s departure and lead to legal problems for the Aggies.
A individual familiar with that Tv deal told The Associated Press on Wednesdaythat the league has indications from the network that if a suitable replacementcan be identified that “they will be fine and maintain the contract as is.” The individual,speaking on condition of anonymity simply because the particulars are not supposed to bepublic, also said that the contract could stay in force at a discounted rateeven if the Big 12 had only its remaining nine teams.
The Aggies will also most likely face an exit fee for leaving the Huge 12,even though it’s unclear how much that could be. Nebraska paid $9.25 million andColorado paid $6.9 million.
Texas state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, chair of the Senate Higher EducationCommittee, said she had no plans to call for a public hearing on the Aggies’decision to leave. Zaffirini, who graduated from Texas, said she would bedisappointed if the two schools end their football rivalry.
AP Sports Writers Chris Duncan, Stephen Hawkins, Jim Vertuno and John Zenorcontributed to this report.
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