Lindsey Fontenot
July 6, 2010Thursday, July 8
July 8, 2010Colonels unveil new, revamped website
The beginning of July marked the start of a new era in Nicholls athletics.
That’s because the team unveiled a brand-new website, which will allow Colonel fans to more easily keep up with the latest in the happenings of the team’s athletic department.
Internet Consulting Services will be the company to power the new site and Colonels’ Athletic Director Rob Bernardi said he is excited about the partnership.
“We’re very excited to begin this partnership with ICS/Sidearm,” Bernardi said. “This new partnership is more suitable to creative control and provides an improved online product for Colonel fans everywhere.”
The site will keep its current URL, www.geauxcolonels.com. But Bernardi said live stats, photo galleries, and a new online store will give Nicholls fans a more fan-friendly, interactive online experience.
Local team plays in 7-on-7 tournament
The Terrebonne High School football team is largely predicted to be one of the best teams in the Tri-parish area this fall.
The Tigers showed folks a possible glimpse why this past week when they traveled to the Cotton Bowl in Texas for the Red Bull Game Breakers 7-on-7 football tournament.
The Tigers won the opening game of the tournament against a team from Oklahoma. But senior standout quarterback Mike Williams did not play the second game of the tournament, which left Terrebonne without a quarterback – and without a chance, and they lost to Midwest City, out of Oklahoma.
Terrebonne coach Gary Hill said Williams’ injury was not considered serious and he was held out of the game as a precaution.
“He wanted to play,” Hill said. “But it’s like I told him, when we go home, we’re 0-0 heading into the fall. We need Mike at 100 percent.”
LSU’s Jones making progress in hospital
Former LSU football and baseball standout Chad Jones has been transferred from a New Orleans hospital to a medical center in New York, according to a release issued by the New York Giants.
Despite being transferred the release states Jones is making progress and the move is due to the New York facilities’ expertise in plastic surgery.
“After consulting with our doctors, Chad’s doctors at LSU and his family felt like this move to New York was the next logical step in his care and recovery,” said Ronnie Barnes, Giants vice president of medical services, in the release.
The Giants’ release comes in the same week as New Orleans Police announced Jones will only be cited for careless operation of a motor vehicle in the incident, thus ruling alcohol out as a factor in the crash.
Williams announces most of Hornets’ coaching staff
New Orleans Hornets coach Monty Williams unveiled the majority of his coaching staff for the 2010-11 season this week, naming Mike Malone, Bryan Gates and James Borrego as assistant coaches.
“I’m thrilled to have Mike, Bryan and James on board,” said Williams. “They all have great experience, tireless work ethics and I believe they’ll bring a lot of fresh perspectives to the staff.”
Malone joins the staff after spending five seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Gates and Borrego also have assistant coaching experience, having spent time with the Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs, respectively.
“I’m looking forward to working with all of them and excited to see how all of our different insight will come together to help this team reach its potential,” Williams said. “I think this is the start of a great combination of strengths.”
The remainder of the staff will be announced in the coming weeks.
LSU’s Jackson named 2009-10 SEC top female athlete
Just when it seems like there’s nothing more she can accomplish, LSU gymnast Susan Jackson received another trophy for her trophy case.
The multi-time national champion gymnast added to her collection this past week when she was named the Southeastern Conference’s 2009-10 Female Athlete of the Year – marking the first LSU gymnast to win the honor.
Winning on the men’s side was Alabama halfback and national champion halfback Mark Ingram.
“Mark and Susan are true examples of outstanding student-athletes. They have competed at the highest level of collegiate athletics and through their hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence have been successful in their endeavors,” said SEC Commissioner Mike Slive in a news release.
Jackson has also won the Honda Sports Award for gymnastics in 2010, as well as the AAI Award for the most outstanding gymnast in America. The Tigers’ senior won the NCAA All-Around National Championship, as well as the NCAA Balance Beam title this season.
Those national titles were added to the Vault National Championship she had won earlier in her career.
Brees offers financial advice for rookies
When an NFL rookie signs his first professional contract, it’s assumed all of their financial concerns will be gone forever.
But Saints quarterback warned the 2010 rookie class that might not be the case.
Speaking at the annual NFL rookie symposium, the Super Bowl winning quarterback cautioned the incoming athletes to manage their finances properly throughout their NFL careers.
“I think the assumption is that everybody who plays in the NFL is a millionaire,” Brees said. “That’s not the case at all.”
Brees’ speech comes after a Sports Illustrated report last year that said 78 percent of former NFL players either go bankrupt or face financial stress because of joblessness just two years after they leave the game.
That’s an issue Brees said he wants this generation of players to overcome.
“You get that first check, you’ve never seen that much money in your life, especially at one time,” Brees warned the rookies. “One big danger is young players who try to keep up with the lifestyle of teammates with big contracts. I see it all the time, unfortunately.”
