Richard Hamilton birthday cake
How Much Did Khalid El-Amin Eat
Richard Hamilton posted a picture of his birthday cake on Twitter and look at this thing. It has 4 Richard Hamilton’s, each representing the various teams he’s played for in his college and pro careers while sitting around playing poker.
WTF: Geno Auriemma
I like big butts and I can not lie
UConn womens basketball coach Geno Auriemma passed by Baylor’s head coach Kim Mulkey and slapped her on the butt. Auriemma confirmed it to the the Connecticut Post’s
“She was staring at my butt and she was commenting on it and I said, ‘Really? How about yours?’ and she went, `Yeah, look at it,’ and I went (slap), I’ll teach you a lesson,’’ Auriemma said, jokingly. `And then she started talking about how she only dated Italians her whole life and that she wanted me to set her up with some Italians and I said `The Italians I send to see you aren’t going to date you.’’
Geno Auriemma Wants To Lower Rim For Women
What Happened To Equal Opportunity
Geno Auriemma, who turned Connecticut into a national power in women’s basketball, wants the game to lower its sights.
Auriemma, fresh off coaching a gold medal team in the Summer Olympics, is talking about the stunted growth of the women’s game. He believes fans are looking for ways to push offensive output by lowering the rim “about seven inches” from its present 10-foot height.
“What makes fans not want to watch women’s basketball is that some of the players can’t shoot and they miss layups and that forces the game to slow down,” the coach told John Altavilla of the Hartford Courant.
“How do you help improve that? Lower the rim. Do you think the average fan knows that the net is lower in women’s volleyball than men’s volleyball….Now there would be few missed layups because the players are actually at the rim. Shooting percentages go up. There would be more tip-ins.”
Auriemma says he will propose that the rules committee allow teams to scrimmage with a lower rim, a 24-second clock and and 8-second backcourt rule.
Ray Allen Ready To Give Up The NBA Season
Hear The Kitty Roar
Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen says he’s ready to give up the season if necessary to the NBA lockout. Speaking Thursday before an appearance at the University of Connecticut, his alma mater, Allen said he doesn’t want to have to sit out a season this late in his career, but he believes the issues are important to the future of the game.
“Nobody wants to miss a year,” he said. “But I’m prepared to do what the team needs me to do, what my players association, players union team, what they need me to do, because we want to make sure we get the right deal for us.”
Allen is entering what would be his 16th NBA season with 22,286 points, 24th in league history. Last season, he set the NBA record for three-point field goals in a career with 2,612.
Former FC Dallas Bobby Rhine Dead At 35
R.I.P.
Former FC Dallas player and team broadcaster Bobby Rhine died Monday of a heart attack.He was 35. The team announced Rhine’s death Tuesday. Rhine was vacationing with his family in Florida. He is survived by his wife Beven and two children.
The eventual face of the franchise was a second-team All-American at the University of Connecticut. He was drafted sixth overall by the Dallas Burn in 1999 and would score 23 goals in 212 appearances before retiring in 2008 to become a commentator for team broadcasts.
Clark Hunt, chairman of the club’s ownership group, said the organization would miss Rhine’s passion and positive spirit. Rhine tweeted last week that he was looking forward to “some beach time” during his first weekend without a telecast since April.
WTF: Indianapolis Star Part Deux
Clever
The Indianapolis Star dropped probably the best newspaper headline across the country after Butler lost 53-41 to UConn last night in the NCAA’s national championship game. This is the second year in a row that Butler advance to the championship game only to lose both times.
Keep in mind this is the same paper that last year drew all over Duke’s head coach Mike Krzyzewski face on the cover of it’s sports front page.
University Of Connecticut Kemba Walker Drops N-Bomb
University of Connecticut star Kemba Walker was excited that he helped lead his team and head coach Jim Calhoun to it’s third mens national championship with its 53-41 win over Butler last night. Seconds before he was to get interwied by CBS reporter Jim Nantz, Walker got tired of his teammate invading his personal space and dropped an n-bomb that made it’s way over the airwaves.
March Madness One Shining Moment
The UConn Huskies topped the Butler Bulldogs 53-41 in this year’s NCAA March Madness tournament and with the final nets cut down, it’s finally time for Luther Vandross “One Shining Moment.”
Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player: University Connecticut Huskies
University Connecticut Huskies
Every Tuesday Sports Grind Entertainment presents you with the Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player of the Week. This week the recipient of this prestigious honor goes to the University of Connecticut Huskies men’s basketball team for winning the national championship by beating Butler Bulldogs 53-41. The Huskies won their 11th straight game since closing the regular season with a 9-9 Big East record. They held Butler to a 12-for-64 shooting performance, an 18.8 percent, the worst ever in a title game. Head coach Jim Calhoun, 68, became the oldest coach to win the NCAA championship and joined John Wooden, Adolph Rupp, Mike Krzyzewski and Bob Knight as only the fifth coach to win three NCAA titles.
Congratulations University Connecticut Huskies you are this weeks Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player.
Mama Margie’s Major Meltdown: Big East Conference
Big East Conference
Every Thursday Sports Grind Entertainment will present you with the Mama Margie’s Major Meltdown. The recipient of this honor goes to the Big East Conference for it’s performance so far in this years NCAA March Madness tournament. The Big East Conference entered the tournament of 72 teams with 11 teams representing their 16 team conference however before the Sweet 16 the conference was left with only 2 teams playing. The Big East watched as it lost number one seed Pittsburgh, number two Notre Dame, number 3 Syracuse, number 4 Louisville before the first weekend of play had even finished. The rest of the conference seeds to be sent home included number 5 West Virginia, number 6 Georgetown, number 6 St. John’s, and number 9 Villanova.
The Big East is only left with number 11 seed Marquette in the East Division and number 3 seed Connecticut in the West Division to play in the second week of the March Madness tournament.
UConn’s Johnny McEntee Trick Shot Video
UConn is the school you must go to if your going to be a trick shot artist no matter what sport your in. Back on January 25 we posted UConn’s women’s basketball player Caroline Doty showing off her skills and now comes Huskies quarterback Johnny McEntee displaying his on the gridiron.
Best Female Trick Shooter
University of Connecticut Huskies Caroline Doty takes a few minutes to show off her talents in the claim that she is the best female trick shooter in all of the country. Question is does she get it from head coach Geno Auriemma, who knocks down a distance bucket.
John Lomax III Pleads No Contest In Fatal Stabbing Of Jasper Howard
R.I.P.
John Lomax III, the man accused of fatally stabbing a University of Connecticut football player Jasper Howard outside a party on campus in 2009 pleaded no contest to first-degree manslaughter. Lomax had faced a murder charge, entered his plea to the lesser charge in Superior Court and could face up to 20 years in prison at sentencing which is set for March 25. As he entered his plea, Lomax apologized to Howard’s family inside the courtroom.
“I would like to extend my condolences to the Howard family,” Lomax said in remarks reported by The Hartford Courant. “I understand how it hurts to lose a loved one. … I wouldn’t want this to happen to anybody.”
Lomax stabbed Howard, a defensive back, in the abdomen during a dispute outside a dance on campus on Oct. 18, 2009, that investigators think started over a comment one player made about a woman. According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Lomax and a friend, Hakim Muhammad, retrieved knives from a car during the altercation, which broke out between a group of football players and a group that included Lomax. Muhammad is accused of stabbing former UConn player Brian Parker during the fight, as he faces assault and other charges. He has pleaded not guilty and is free on bail.
Witnesses identified Lomax as the man who stabbed Howard, according to the affidavit.
Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player: Landry Jones
Landry Jones
Every Tuesday Sports Grind Entertainment presents you with the Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player of the Week. This week the recipient of this prestigious honor goes to Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Landry Jones who threw for 429 yards 3 toughdowns and 1 interception in helping his school beat UConn in the Fiesta Bowl 48-20. Jones threw for a school bowl-record 429 yards breaking his own record of 418 in last season’s Sun Bowl.
Congratulations Landry Jones you are this weeks Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player.
Primetime College Football: Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
TALENT
This game goes down on the ESPN network and it features the University of Connecticut Huskies taking on the University of Oklahoma Sooners in the 41st annual Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Connecticut, 8-4, 5-2 Big East, Randy Edsall’s Huskies captured the Big East title with five straight wins to close out the 2010 campaign and earned their first ever BCS Bowl. Edsall, who was the 2010 Big East Coach of the Year, is no real secret on how he likes for his team to move the ball as they relied heavily on the rushing attack. Edsall exploits of that part of the game because he has junior tailback Jordan Todman, Big East Offensive Player of the Year, who rushed for 1,574 yards and 14 touchdowns to average of 143.09 ypg.
The passing attack was lead by redshirt senior Zach Frazer who only completed 52.7 percent of his throws, for 1,202 yards and 5 touchdowns. Frazer often looked into the direction of Michael Smith as he had 42 receptions for 595 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Oklahoma, 11-2, 6-2 Big 12, Bob Stoops Sooners won their last four games to capture the Big 12 title. The Sooners like to air the ball out and with sophomore quarterback Landry Jones who has thrown for 4,289 yards and 35 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. Jones won the Sammy Baugh Award which is awarded to college football’s top passer as he completed 65.3 percent of his throws.
He often looked down field for one of the best college receivers in Ryan Broyles this season who caught 118 passes for 1,452 yards and 13 touchdowns. Tailback DeMarco Murray had a good year despite the Sooners tendencies to pass first as he rushed for 1,121 yards and 14 touchdowns.
This marks the first time these two teams have met.
PICK: University of Oklahoma Sooners
UConn’s Womens Win Streak Ends At 90
Over
Top-ranked Connecticut’s record 90-game winning streak in women’s basketball ended last night when No. 9 Stanford outplayed the Huskies from the start in a 71-59 victory at Maples Pavilion. Stanford hasn’t lost in 52 games at home.
UConn head coach Geno Auriemma hadn’t witnessed his team lose a game since the 2008 NCAA semifinals which came at the hands of Stanford 82-73 in the Final Four.
Last week, the Huskies topped the 88-game winning streak set by John Wooden’s UCLA men’s team from 1971-74 by beating No. 22 Florida State 93-62, then won their 90th in a row this week at Pacific.
Stanford hasn’t lost at home since a 68-61 upset by Florida State in the second round of the NCAA tournament in March 2007.
Primetime College Football: Huskies vs Bulls
TALENT
This game goes down on the ESPN2 network and it features University of Connecticut Huskies taking on the University of South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium.
The Connecticut Huskies have a chance to earn a spot in a BCS Bowl game this weekend, as they take on the South Florida Bulls in Big East action at Raymond James Stadium.
The Huskies appeared destined for a sub par campaign following a 3-4 start that included consecutive losses to begin Big East play. After losing 26-0 to Louisville however, UConn rallied and ripped through the toughest part of its schedule. A current four-game win streak, which includes a 38-17 triumph of Cincinnati last weekend, now has Randy Edsall’s squad in position to take the Big East title. At 4-2 within the conference, UConn is tied with both Pittsburgh and West Virginia for first place. Since the Huskies defeated both Pitt and WVU, all they need to do is win this weekend to earn the league’s automatic bid into the Bowl Championship Series.
Jordan Todman ran for 175 yards and three TDs on 31 carries to lead UConn past Cincinnati last weekend. It was another big effort from Todman, who has carried the team at times with 1,481 yards and 14 TDs on the ground. He has helped the team overcome the loss of starting quarterback Cody Endres, who was dismissed in late October. Zach Frazer stepped in as the new starter and he has done a nice job managing the offense, passing for 1,090 yards with just three INTs in 193 attempts. Last weekend, Frazer passed for 121 yards with a TD and INT in the win over Cincinnati.
The Huskies gave up 399 total yards to Cincinnati last weekend, but compensated by forcing five turnovers, including four INTs. This has been the case all season long, as UConn has recorded 26 takeaways to help overcome the 355.5 total ypg the defense is allowing.
Standing in the Huskies way is a USF club that has played well of late, winning four of five outings, and that includes a 23-20 overtime triumph of rival Miami-Florida this past weekend.
Bobby Eveld’s one-yard TD run with two minutes left in regulation forced overtime and Demetris Murray’s one-yard score in the extra session gave USF a 23-20 win over Miami last weekend. Murray scored twice on the ground and finished with 42 yards on 13 carries, while Moise Plancher led the way with 101 yards on 24 totes. Plancher and Murray have combined for 1,153 yards on the ground this season, helping USF to average 150.5 rushing ypg. As for Eveld, he entered the game after halftime due to an injury to starter B.J. Daniels. He completed 8-of-15 pass attempts for 120 yards in addition to his crucial score on the ground. Daniels, who has 13 total TDs on the year, is listed as questionable with a quadricep injury, so Eveld could be in line for the start this weekend.
Defensively, the Bulls have been steady this season and are holding opponents to 19 ppg and 327.6 total ypg.
The head-to-head series, USF holds a 4-3 edge over UConn.
PICK: University of Connecticut Huskies
Primetime College Football: Huskies vs Orange
TALENT
This game goes down on the ESPNU network and it features University of Connecticut Huskies taking on Syracuse University Orange in the Carrier Dome.
The Huskies have put together back-to-back wins after losing two straight outings and dropping below .500. On November 11th, the team stole a 30-28 victory from the Pittsburgh Panthers at home, drawing the squad that much closer to make the cut and becoming bowl eligible again.
Zach Frazer converted 9-of-20 passes for 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns last week against the Pittsburgh Panthers at home, but it was really the play of running back Jordan Todman that drew the most attention as he generated a game-high 222 yards on 37 carries for the hosts in the close call. It also helped that Dave Teggart was there to bail out the offense when it stalled, knocking through all three of his field goal attempts on the night. Except for the Louisville game when he tallied just 80 yards on 19 carries, Todman has rushed for at least 100 yards in every game he has played in 2010 and with his big day last week he now ranks first in the conference and second in the entire nation with 147 ypg. For Frazer at quarterback, the outlook has not been as great, considering he has the passing attack generating a mere 156.7 ypg this season and that has the Huskies ranked eighth in the league and 107th nationally.
Speaking of bowl eligible, that’s where the Orange find themselves after taking down once-mighty Rutgers, on the road no less, last weekend in a 13-10 final. The victory was the third in the last four games for Syracuse. By no means was it pretty, but the Orange did what they needed to do in order to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2004 by slipping past the Rutgers Scarlet Knights over the weekend by a field goal.
Quarterback Ryan Nassib got the ball rolling for the visitors as he hit Antwon Bailey with a four-yard touchdown pass midway through the first quarter and from there the defense took over. Ross Krautman added field goals of 48 and 24 yards in the third and four quarters, respectively, to tie the game and eventually win it for the Orange. Nassib, who has at least one touchdown pass in every game this season for the Orange, is finally getting a chance to show what he can do after sitting on the bench and watching Greg Paulus take most of the snaps last year. By no means is Nassib a star signal-caller, but at least he’s not making the kind of mistakes that can cost a team too greatly. The scoring offense for the squad is currently ranked 84th in the country with 23 ppg.
Head coach Doug Marrone’s defense is averaging better than two and a half sacks per game, ranking them third in the conference and 19th in the nation. That sort of pressure has allowed the team to limit foes to only 297.1 ypg overall, second-best in the conference and 9th in the nation entering play this week. Give a good part of the credit to the pass defense which has held opponents to just 168.3 ypg this season for 11th nationally.
As far as the all-time series is concerned, both teams have claimed three wins in the previous six encounters.
PICK: University of Connecticut Huskies
Primetime College Football: Panthers vs Huskies
TALENT
This game goes down on the ESPN network and it features University of Pittsburgh Panthers taking on the University of Connecticut Huskies at Rentschler Field.
Pittsburgh is looking to go 4-0 in league play for the second straight season, and is riding on a three-game winning streak in which they outscored the opposition 106-38. This past weekend the Panthers had no trouble against Louisville, as coach Dave Wannstedt’s squad grabbed a 20-3 victory over the Cardinals.
The Panthers are not explosive offensively, but the team possesses a very balanced attack that is averaging a healthy 29 ppg. Coach Wannstedt has two solid options out of the backfield in Ray Graham and Dion Lewis, and both players have paced Pitt’s ground game, which is churning out a respectable 156.2 ypg.
The rushing attack has been successful because Tino Sunseri has done a terrific job passing the ball. Through eight games, Pitt’s quarterback has completed 65.9 percent of his throws, and although he has just 1,672 yards, he comes into this contest with 12 touchdowns against 4 interceptions.
While the offense has done a commendable job, it has been the play of the defense for Pittsburgh, that has the Panthers leading the Big East. Coach Wannstedt’s unit is one of the best in the nation, and is currently holding opponents to just 19 ppg. Pitt came into the season with a commitment to stop the run, and so far the Panthers have been outstanding in that area, limiting teams to a mere 93.8 ypg on just 3.0 yards per carry.
This unit has been slightly suspect against the pass however, as opponents are averaging 205.2 ypg through the air.
The Huskies snapped a two-game slide the last time they were in action, defeating West Virginia by a 16-13 margin in overtime. It was the first league win on the year for UConn, which is currently a perfect 4-0 at home this season.
Randy Edsall doesn’t have an evenly keeled offensive as Pitt, but they do possess a dangerous ground attack (174.8 ypg), that is led by one of the top running backs in the nation. Jordan Todman has suffered through some minor injuries this season, but that has not stopped the back from churning out 954 yards and nine scores in seven games.
However, Todman and the rushing attack has the pressure of carrying this offense, because so far Zach Frazer has been unable to produce under center. The quarterback has completed just 55.5 percent of his throws on the year and comes into this contest with only two touchdowns and 771 yards.
Inconsistent play has riddled this defensive unit, and Connecticut’s lackluster effort at times is a big reason for the team’s mediocre 4-4 mark. The Huskies have allowed 10 touchdowns through the air, and teams are enjoying 200.4 ypg against UConn in that area, but the real problem for this unit has come against the run, as teams are gashing UConn for 163.9 ypg.
The Panthers have won the last two meetings against Connecticut to even the series at three games apiece. However, at Rentschler Field, the Huskies own a slim 2-1 edge over Pitt.
PICK: University of Pittsburgh Panthers
Boston Celtics Kevin Garnett Calls Detriot Pistions Charlie Villanueva Cancer Patient
In Your Corner
After the Boston Celtics beat the Detroit Pistons 109-86 on Tuesday, Detroit forward Charlie Villanueva tweeted that Boston’s Kevin Garnett took his trash talking too far. The former Connecticut Husky said that Garnett called him a “cancer patient” during the game. Here’s his tweets
KG called me a cancer patient, I’m pissed because, u know how many people died from cancer, and he’s tossing it like it’s a joke
Villanueva suffers from an autoimmune skin disease called alopecia universalis, resulting in hair loss.
I wouldn’t even trip about that, but a cancer patient, I know way 2 many people who passed away from it, and I have a special place 4 those
Primetime College Football: Mounties vs Huskies
TALENT
This game goes down on the ESPN2 network and it features West Virginia University Mountaineers taking on the University of Connecticut Huskies at Rentschler Field.
Head coach Bill Stewart will travel to Connecticut at 5-2 overall and 1-1 in the Big East after losing at home last weekend to Syracuse 19-14. The defeat snapped a 12 game home winning streak by West Virginia and knocked them from the national rankings. The Mountaineers success now and in the future rest on sophomore quarterback Gino Smith, 1536 yards 15 touchdowns 5 INTs, who is completing 65.9 percent of his throws. Smith still has the luxury of having senior running back Noel Devine, 626 yards 4 touchdowns, but he hasn’t been nearly as explosive as his past seasons.
The Mountaineers offense calls for a lot of quick slant routes for its receivers to run and that benefits sophomore Tavon Austin, 445 yards 3 touchdowns, and senior Jock Sanders, 370 yards 2 touchdowns, as they both have over 35 receptions on the year.
Defensively the Mountaineers have surrendered 7 passing touchdowns while coming up with 8 interceptions to rank 5th in the nation at being scored upon with just 13 points per game by its opponents. Junior defensive back Keith Tandy has recorded half of the team’s interceptions.
Head coach Randy Edsall has his Huskies ready for tonight’s matchup with a 3-4 overall record and 0-2 in conference play. The Huskies have a two game losing streak on their hands as they get ready for tonight, the latest being to Louisville in which they where shutout 26-0. Prior to last weekend’s game, junior Cody Endres, 471 yards 5 touchdowns, was suspended for the season following violations of school policies. Redshirt freshman Mike Box, 65 yards 1 INT, made his first career start under center but struggled and eventually was replaced by senior Zach Frazer, 605 yards 2 touchdowns 1 INT, who had begun the season as the starter.
Whomever does get the call this weekend the Huskies should get use to handing the ball off to junior Jordan Todman, 841 yards 8 touchdowns, as he is one of the top running backs around.
The UConn defense has trouble stopping the run but it does have senior linebacker Lawrence Wilson and his 78 tackles on the season to be on the lookout for.
West Virginia has won all previous six meetings between the two schools.
PICK: West Virginia University Mountaineers
Primetime College Football: Huskies vs Knights
TALENT
This game goes down on the ESPN network and it features the University of Connecticut Huskies take on Rutgers University Scarlet Knights at Rutgers Stadium.
Head coach Randy Edsall takes his Huskies to New Jersey for their first Big East game and with a 3-2 overall record. The Huskies have won back-to-back games with a recent win over SEC Vanderbilt, 40-21. The University of Connecticut real strength is in their running game where they are ranked 25th in the nation where they average 209.4 yards per game However they will have to do without the help of junior running back Robbie Fey, 269 yards 3 touchdowns, who is averaging 6.9 yards per carry in a backup role due to an injured hand.
The Huskies though will have their main option in the backfield in junior running back Jordan Todman, 638 yards 7 touchdowns, and his 6.5 ypc. Junior quarterback Cody Endres, 318 yards 4 touchdowns 1 INT, after replacing the ineffectiveness of senior quarterback Zach Frazer, 553 yards 2 touchdowns 1 INT. No matter who is throwing the ball they are looking for junior wide receiver Michael Smith, 378 yards 2 touchdowns, as the main target.
Edsall defense is lead by sophomore defensive end Jesse Joseph who has 4.5 sacks a forced fumble and 7.5 tackles for loss. The team as a whole has registered 13 sacks and has already come up with 9 interceptions. It’s not all good news with the Huskies defense as they surrender 161.8 yards per game against the run.
Head coach Greg Schiano is trying to rebound his team from back-to-back losses with both of them coming in front of the home fans. The Scarlet Knights are 2-2 overall and this is their first Big East game. Schiano will also have his hands full in making the decision of starting injured sophomore quarterback Tom Savage, 399 yards 1 touchdown 3 INTs, who is a game time decision with injured ribs. Savage was replaced by freshman quarterback Chas Dodd who went 13-29 for 176 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Whoever the Scarlet Knights put under center they will at least have sophomore running back Mohamed Sanu, 225 yards 3 touchdowns, who also is a dual threat in receiving with 21 receptions for 234 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns.
Defensively for Rutgers they have only allowed 80 ypg against the run and just 12 points per game which is 4th best in the nation.
Rutgers leads the all-time series 20-9 and that includes a 4-2 record against them in the Big East. The Scarlet Knights won last year against the Huskies 28-24 in a last minute thrill fest in East Hartford.
PICK: University of Connecticut Huskies
UConn Kicker Arrested For Fighting With Backup Linebacker
K.O. King
University of Connecticut Huskies kicker Dave Teggert and linebacker Jerome Williams were involved in an altercation and both players arrested for second degree breach of peace for fighting with each other.
According to the police report, officers were called after receiving reports of a fight. When police arrived, the fight was over but both Teggert, a redshirt junior from Northborough, Mass., and Williams, a redshirt sophomore from Burlington Township, N.J., were arrested. Both were released after posting $500 bond.
UConn coach Randy Edsall said the fight was “crazy stuff that kids will do.”
I thought the UConn team was close after the stabbing death of teammate Jasper Howard during a fight on campus a year ago.
NFL & UConn Found Korey Stringer Institute
In Memory Of
The NFL and the University of Connecticut have partnered with Kelci Stringer, the widow of Minnesota Vikings tackle Korey Stringer who died from heat stroke nine years ago, to open the Korey Stringer Institute at UConn’s Neag School of Education. The creation of the institute will be announced Friday at the NFL Draft and
“There’s constant research that comes out each day and we want to continue to put out that information and be a resource for every athlete in any sport at any level. I would hope in the short term we can help eradicate these types of heat-related deaths,” said Kelci Stringer.
Stringer died of complications due to heat stroke on Aug. 1, 2001 during training camp. At 27, he was the first professional football player to die from the illness. Kelci Stringer spent several years in court suing the NFL and equipment manufacturers, all the while envisioning a day when there are athletic trainers at every high school in the nation; today, only about half of the schools have one. And she imagined a time when pro, college and youth sports organizations have set policies on prevention of heat illnesses.
One of the primary missions of the institute will be to extend awareness, education and advocacy about the proper precautions to avoid heat stroke through its website. The institute also will offer its services to athletic trainers, team physicians, athletic directors, coaches, league supervisors, parents, principals, equipment manufacturers and others to create proper protocols, policies and emergency action plans to prevent sudden death in sport, especially as it relates to heat stroke.
The league which settled the lawsuit over Korey’s death out of court decided to provide financial help, as is Gatorade. The NFL also will help publicize and market the institute, and few sports organizations are more effective in those areas.
