2 DEC 08: FORMULA FOUR-'09
Columbus State University's new President announced his first big growth project Monday. Should we be concerned that the expansion involves varsity sports, and not something like a new school of pharmacy?
C.S.U. President Timothy Mescon joined Athletic Director Jay Sparks in announcing four new intercollegiate sports programs. All of them will begin next fall - and as Cougar baseball fans will tell you, going four for '09 is a pretty good percentage.
A couple of the new C.S.U. sports surprised me, for different reasons. For one thing, the Cougars will add women's golf. Somehow I never stopped to think about C.S.U. only having a men's golf team. Maybe the women's soccer team started from female fans kicking golf balls in the sand traps.
It only makes sense for Columbus State to add women's golf, since several high schools in our area have top-notch programs. They don't have the exotic photo shoots of some pro golfers, but there's a learning curve here....
Columbus State also will add a varsity rifle program next year. I could make a wisecrack here about members of the Lumpkin family funding it, but I won't....
The addition of this sports also seems logical for C.S.U. A rifle program can coordinate with Fort Benning's marksmanship unit nearby. Northside High School has a successful rifle team. But there could be trouble looming -- if team members are offered big discounts down the street at Shooters.
Perhaps the biggest surprise for me Monday was that Columbus State will add men's and women's track and field. For one thing, the university doesn't have a running track. And most people don't even try to take a lap around the campus, by using University Avenue and East Lindsey Drive.
I'm assuming the Columbus State track teams will use the fancy new track at nearby Hardaway High School. But they'd better be careful with the field events. Hurl a javelin off-line, and someone playing on the Hardaway baseball field could get hurt.
Jay Sparks says the four sports being added by Columbus State are ones where the university "can compete right out of the chute." Well, check that - I guess for the rifle team, it's the shoot.
WRBL noted the new varsity sports will be funded through Columbus State student fees. That's one way to ensure a crowd at a women's golf tournament - remind budget-conscious students that they already paid for it.
But a few sports were left out of Monday's announcement, which also may have surprised some people. Student fees will build a new aquatic center at Columbus State University over the next few years - but there was no word about adding a swimming team. Maybe they're waiting for Auburn swimmers to rebel against their new coaches.
And people guessing Columbus State might add a football team will have to keep waiting. There was NO such announcement along those lines Monday -- but maybe that's a good thing. Wait one more year, and Tommy Tuberville might be available to serve as head coach.
C.S.U. President Timothy Mescon said at the announcement he has a vision of expanding the university's enrollment. It reached 8,000 students this fall. Mescon hopes to increase that to 10,000. And if Peachtree Mall can keep the old Parisian store empty, there might be room for all those extra students to park.
BLOG UPDATE: The Muscogee County School Board voted 7-2 Monday night to offer the superintendent's job to Harris County's Susan Andrews. We'll see if this means any changes in the new administration building -- such as the wallpaper color for the superintendent's private restroom.
A couple of school board members expressed concern that the superintendent selection process was "politicized." They apparently were annoyed by the Ledger-Enquirer and Chamber of Commerce openly endorsing Susan Andrews. But can you really blame the Chamber? It wants new members, and Andrews knows all about that in Harris County....
Board member Naomi Buckner said some people in her district complained about a "good-ol-boy" system taking over the selection process. Huh?! It looks to me like the only white male in the running is going to stay in south Alabama.
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E-MAIL UPDATE: Back to the sports department, for reactions to the Thanksgiving weekend football action....
I wonder how many millions it will cost Auburn to fire Tubberville?..Poor AU,with a season like this year the next few years will be a recruiting disaster. Perhaps GA and AU should just swap head coaches and call it even..
There's no sign yet that Coach Tommy Tuberville will lose his job. And Auburn fans might not want to overreact, over one losing season in nine years. After all, Alabama let Mike Dubose have about three.
A blog reader in Ohio takes issue with the "Columbus vs. Columbus" bowl scenario we offered Sunday:
Oregon State's loss to Oregon makes an Ohio State vs Georgia matchup unlikely. The loss puts USC in the Rose Bowl and opens up an at large bid for Ohio State to a BCS bowl. It's probable due to Ohio State's huge traveling fan base that a BCS bowl will grab them.
As those college football experts on ESPN like to say - not so fast, my friend. Southern California still has to beat UCLA this weekend. Admittedly, the Trojans are heavy favorites - in fact, about as heavy as the Alabama offensive line.
As of today, only two colleges officially have spots in the Bowl Championship Series. One is Penn State - and the other is the college probably nobody wants, Cincinnati. If Ohio State winds up facing Cincinnati in a big bowl, I'd suggest moving it to the truly cost-effective and neutral site of Cleveland.
Now for our version of a news two-minute drill....
+ A head-on crash on Cherokee Avenue sent a van into the drainage canal west of the road. If the city can't afford to put up a guardrail here, at least it should put that canal to better use. Maybe it should be promoted for kayaking, until the adjustments are made to Chattahoochee River dams.
+ WRBL showed the potential new owner of Bill Heard Chevrolet and Cadillac at the dealership. Emanuel Jones met with the old managers -- which may have some customers wondering if this is a change for the better, or simply like President-elect Obama hiring the same old Democrats.
+ Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford was arrested on bribery charges. One count claims he used bribe money to buy $12,000 worth of luxury clothing. So? Compared with Sarah Palin, he's a budget-conscious cheapskate.
(This is the same Larry Langford who organized a day of prayer in Birmingham in April, complete with the wearing of "sackcloth and ashes." If the mayor confessed his sins then, federal prosecutors may have had a wiretap nearby.)
+ Instant Message to Shark's Fish and Chicken: I see you're taking over the old Arby's restaurant downtown. But what is "Chicago-Style" fish and chicken? Do you serve it in a deep dish?
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