Is Sam Boyd Stadium a Ghost?

Sam Boyd Stadium has been home to the Runnin Rebels for the past 39 seasons and if Neal Smatresk, President of the University of Nevada Las Vegas, and California based billionaire Ed Roski have their way, the Rebels will be a memory.

Sam Boyd is at least two furlongs away from Las Vegas and the UNLV Campus. Built in 1971 with a seating capacity of 15,000, it actually resides in the unincorporated town of Whitney, Nevada. Even though its mailing address is Las Vegas.

I was there in 1976 when Vegas played host to my Boise State Broncos. What a trip it was driving in a caravan of cars from Boise down to Las Vegas. I wont go into details, but lets say over half of the drivers today would have gotten DWI's, self included.

It was the last time these two teams would meet until this upcoming 2011 season. Both teams were division II powerhouses and this was the 6th meeting. Neither team had a win in the other teams house.

In 1974 and 1976 this clash had such drawing power in Nevada each game set a new sports attendance record for the state of Nevada. We were billed as the Boise State Aerial Circus.

What made this game unique was each team had a new head coach. The Runnin Rebels had the wiley veteran head coach Tony Knapp, also known as the river boat gambler and Boise State had Jim Criner. Jim Criner had replaced Tony Knapp as the Boise State coach in 1976 as Knapp had moved onto UNLV.

What I most remember is how long it took to get out to the stadium, it really was out in the sticks. It was a state of the art stadium only 5 years old and like in the pros they sold beer in the stadium.

Today Sam Boyd Stadium plays host to many events and can currently seat 36,800 fans. The stadium has hosted the Las Vegas Bowl since 1992 and in 2005 when nationally ranked Brigham Young came to play in the bowl game, adding additional seats in the open end north end zone, the set a new attendance record of 44,615 the largest crowd in state history to ever see a team sport contest.

Now it appears all that might come to an end. UNLV President Smatresk and Ca. business man Ed Roski want to form a public-private partnership and build a new domed stadium close to The Strip and the UNLV campus. Tomorrow, Tuesday Feb 1st it is expected they will hold a press conference announcing the plans. What they purpose is a new domed stadium and entertainment center that will be state of the art.

What will become of Sam Boyd Stadium is not clear other than it will no longer be home to Runnin Rebels of UNLV.

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Boise State Broncos -Titus Young & Austin Pettis

Today the Senior Bowl is played in Mobile, Alabama, a opportunity for many of colleges best seniors to show case their football skills and increase their stock in the up coming NFL Draft. Its a big day for a lot of kids and their families. Of all the post season bowls, like the Shrine Bowl, this is probably the single most important bowl game for the college seniors. Each team is coached by an NFL coaching staff. General managers are there, kids interviewed by different pro teams, this the biggest and final showcase for players to make their case as to why they should be drafted.

What I like about it, is its based in large by talent, not just the name of a conference or school. Players from all over the country are invited regardless if they played for Auburn, Bama,Texas or even smaller lesser known schools like the Boise State Broncos.

Boise State has two players in today's game, Titus Young and Austin Pettis, for us Idaho spud peelers that is pretty big doings. Pettis and Young are the two best receivers to ever play on "The Blue." That is what we call our field, guess cause the field really is blue.

In today's game Young will be wearing the #2 jersey and Pettis #1, just the opposite of what they wore their senior season. I will share a bit of each of their history, to me that Titus is in today's game is amazing in and of its self.

Austin Pettis: Boise States all time leading receiver and receiving touch downs. The scouts really seem to like Pettis. Hi speed and ability to separate are questionable, but he does have good hands and the ability to shield the ball from defenders and the ability to get open. There are two plays by Pettis that just stand out for me, they were awesome. The first one was in his junior year, I think against Tulsa. Pettis ran a fade route and went up for the ball, the defender never turned around. The pass was under thrown. Pettis exhibited his body control, as he made his jump he was able to see the ball was under thrown and folded over the defender and caught a ball for 6 that would have hit the defender square in the numbers.

The second play also took place in his junior year in the Fiesta Bowl. Pettis was coming off a broken ankle and surgery. The guy could hardly walk and barely make a cut. Pettis got into the game and some how got open and made a critical first down catch. I was amazed at his dedication to his team, his ability to some how get open and jump and make that catch.

Mel Kiper projects Pettis as a 4th or 5th round draft pick. Today he has the opportunity to lock that in or even raise his stock.

Titus Young: Young was Boise States speed merchant and deep threat receiver and holds the Bronco record of most receiving yards. To me this is where the Titus Young story gets interesting.

During Young's sophomore year he was suspended for like a game and half at the beginning of the season, seems he needed some attitude readjustment time. Young was barely back in the line up before what happened before got him suspended for the rest of the season and kicked off the team. Coach Pete would not even talk to Titus, but there was some sort of window of opportunity to get back on the team left open.

Most people expected Young to transfer to another school and take the easy way out. I don't know what Pete and his staff have that Young wanted so badly but he stayed and ate what ever humble pie necessary to rejoin the team.

His junior year saw some changes in attitude but he still had that showboat its about me tendencies. Once Titus got in the end zone he had excessive celebration penalties plague him all season, especially when the games were televised.

Titus had three plays I will always remember. During the 2009 Fresno State game played there. Running back Jermey Avery got to the edge and rambled for what have been around a 60 yard score. As Avery approached the goal line a Fresno player slapped the ball from his arms. It looked as if the ball would roll through the end zone giving Fresno a two point safety and the ball. Young followed the play all the way down, jumping on the ball and turning a disaster into a Boise State touchdown.


That same season against the University of Idaho on kick off his guys signaled take a knee. In stead Titus took it out of the end zone and ran it back for a 103 yard touchdown.

The catch in what proved to be a losing effort against the Nevada Wolf Pack.


ESPN's Mel Kiper sees Young as a second or third round draft pick.

Their days at Boise State are over, the memories they created will long endure and I do hope the best for them in pros. Titus, Austin thanks for the memories

Are the Utah Utes & Norm Chow A Good Fit?

Now that it is a done deal and Norm Chow returns to the Utah Utes, where he was an offensive linemen from 1965 through 1967, it begs the question will Coach Chow be a good fit for Utah?

My unqualified opinion is yes, he is the perfect fit for the University of Utah Utes.

1. Utah has left the MWC and joined what is now the PAC12.
Chow gives the Utes instant street cred. Given his years at USC and UCLA the man knows the conference inside out. Chow will be indispensable in the transition from MWC to the PAC 12.

2. Recruiting, Utah now has to recruit at a higher level to try to compete in the new conference. Chow gives them recruiting credibility they need. His offenses are legendary and have won national championships. His ability to develop quarterbacks is second to none. The QB list is comprised of Heisman Trophy winners and Super Bowl winners.

3. His offensive strategies already compliment the type of athletes the Utes have on the roster. They should not miss a beat and should be able to move more quickly to make the transition from MWC competitors to viable competition in the PAC 12.

Don't get me wrong, I think it will take a few years for the Utah Utes to make the climb to the top half of the conference. They are coming into a conference that has better teams, better athletes than what they currently enjoy. Adding Chow to the coaching staff will only accelerate the process.

The Utah Utes could finish the 2011 season around 6th or 7th. They should be able to beat the Colorado Buffaloes who are in total disarray. They should be able to handle the Washington State Cougars who are years away from being the team that went to the Rose Bowl. I do think they can win a close one against Arizona State. Washington without Locker that could be a toss up. However the Huskies head coach and DC Nick Holt know Chow as well as he knows them. If the game is played in Utah I like the Utes in a close one. UCLA has too many growing pains to work through to be a contender in 2011 and Utah should get the W there while the Bruins develop their offense and recruit players that will work in their version of the Pistol.

Given Norm Chows record and reputation I think he is the perfect fit for the University of Utah Utes and is exactly what the doctor ordered to help Utah transition from the MWC to the new PAC 12.

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Norm Chow & The Utah Utes

I know, I am late and a dollar short on this post. Last week was rife with rumors that UCLA OC genius Norm Chow was headed back to his alma mater the University of Utah to become the OC for the Utah Utes. Saturday the rumors were laid to rest with confirmation that the job change had taken place.

Actually it was all very poorly handled, the same day the Utah Utes announced they had Norm Chow in the fold as their new OC, slick Rick Neuheisel announced they had a new OC.

Anyone that saw the Bruins play this season knows they had a very poor offense this season far below the Chow standards. Was it Chows undoing at UCLA? Yes but in my opinion it was not his fault. Simply put square pegs and round holes don't work.

Neuheisel has changed the offensive strategies for the UCLA Bruins, they are one of the newest converts to the Pistol Offense. Norm Chow is just a Pistol Offense coach, the athletes recruited to UCLA are not Pistol oriented. It will take time for the Bruins to stock the shelves with players that can operate in the new offensive scheme.

It was time for Chow to leave, the differences in offensive strategies were to wide to bridge. The upside is Chow does get to return to his alma mater and Neuheisel will be able to employ some one that can install and operate an effective Pistol Offense.

Michael Vick: Is The Jury Still Out?

As Micheal Vick continues to play and the quality of his game improves he seems to be winning over more fans and sports writers. As he continues to perform his court ordered community services he appears to be winning over more people outside the world of sports and football.

Recently Vic has taken a couple of more steps in rebuilding his public image and attempting to get more social acceptance. Not to long ago he did some local endorsement work for a company named Woodbury Nissan. Reported is that Vic received no compensation for the commercials done a few months ago and from what I have read, there were no backlashes against Woodbury Nissan.

Things in the business world have picked up for Michael Vic, he has his first commercial endorsement deal since being released from prison. It is not one of the mega deals he enjoyed before his dog fighting arrest and conviction. He did not land a deal with a company like Nike.

Unequal Technologies has inked a deal with Vick the public face of the company. Sources say it is very a very lucrative deal. Unequal is a national company but their product isn't main stream like shoes or Ipods, they are the manufactures of the protective vests that Vick and so many other quarterbacks wear to protect their ribs when playing football.

As yet no commercials have been shot nor has Vick been pressed into service marketing the product. Vick is slowly inching his way into mainstream endorsement deals and will he succeed, will the general public accept him? Until the commercials are run and printed and there is a public response I would have say on Micheal Vick the jury is still out.

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Football Senior Bowl 2011

The Mobile Under Armour Senior Bowl will be played this Saturday January 29th at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Kick off is slated for 3pm central standard time on the NFL Network.

The South Team will feature 22 players from the SEC, including Arkansas's Mackey Award Winner D.J. Williams. Missing from the SEC stars are guys like Cam Newton who don't need the Senior Bowl to increase their stock in the upcoming NFL Draft, but there will be stars a plenty from all of your favorite SEC Teams.

As a Boise State fan I am really excited to see two Broncos in the Senior Bowl, I think this is the best we have ever done, placing two in the game. The WAC has five players representing the conference and the Broncos are represented by the two best receivers in Boise State history, Titus Young and Austin Pettis. Also representing the North Team will be an Big Twelve Backfield with four 1,000 yard rushers like Kansas State's Daniel Thomas, from Oklahoma State Kendall Hunter.

Each team is coached by a NFL Team coaching staff. This year the North will be coached by the Cincinnati Bengals Staff and the South by the Buffalo Bills staff.

Each year the Senior Bowl has what they call the Senior Bowl Super Star competition and the winner gets to sing the National Anthem at the game and on the NFL television Network. This years winner hails from Spanish Fort, Alabama and is junior at Spanish Fort High School. Congrats to 17 yr old Rebecca Womack.

Anyhow this years Senior Bowl is laden with talent and future NFL stars and I for one look forward to watching the NFL stars of tomorrow play this Saturday at 3pm Central Time on the NFL Network.

UCONN Huskey Football: Rebellion In The Ranks

Last season was a dream season for the UCONN Husky football program. They were the Big East Conference Champions, the earned a berth to the Fiesta Bowl and an opportunity to play the Blue Bloods of college ball, the Oklahoma Sooners. Sound like the Boise State Cinderella story of 2006. The outcome for the Huskies was different, the Sooners destroyed UCONN and now things have gone from bad to worse.

After a crushing defeat on the deserts of Arizona, UCONN saw its best player bolt for for the NFL Draft. Making matters the coach, Randy Edsall, who guided the Huskies from Division 1AA to ta BCS Bowl, has fled for his "dream job" to Maryland. Sources say he did not even bother to speak to the team before his departure.

Hard to imagine, but from there things got worse. Talk about things going downhill fast, UCONN is the new poster child for the old saying, " just when I didn't think things could get any worse, they did."

Last week UCONN athletic director Jeff Hathaway received a six page scathing letter from Husky supporter Robert G. Burton, CEO of Greenwich, Conn.-based Burton Capital ManagementRobert. This letter expressed in no uncertain terms Burton's chagrin at being left out of the hiring loop and was particularly disenchanted with the hiring of former Syracuse coach, Paul Pasqualoni.

Apparently Burton had a son who played football under the tutelage of Pasqualoni and he didn't care for the coach. Below is a copy of Burton's letter.

Burton informed UConn Athletic Director Jeff Hathaway of his intentions via a six-page letter dated Jan. 19, a copy of which was obtained by The Day. […]

"After we get our money back, you can take our name off the complex," wrote Burton, who also has a luxury box at Rentschler Field and who donated more than $1 million to endow two scholarships at the school.

Burton cited philosophical disagreements with Hathaway and his management style as reasons for his decision to end his involvement with UConn.

"The primary reason (former coach) Randy (Edsall) took another job is because he couldn't work with you," Burton wrote in the letter to Hathaway. "You are not qualified to be a Division I AD and I would have fired you a long time ago. You do not have the skills to manage and cultivate new donors."

According to the letter, Burton called Hathaway on Jan. 3 and asked to be "kept in the loop" with the hiring process for the next football coach. It was "the same process that (former Athletic Director) Lew Perkins had with me when Randy was hired."

Burton also wanted to "provide insight" about coaching candidates who he felt "would be a good fit." Burton wrote that he didn't hear from Hathaway again until Jan. 13, when the process ended.

"I was not looking for veto power," Burton wrote. "Your lack of response on either of these requests tells me that you do not respect my point of view or value my opinion.

Since Burton's son Micheal played for the Huskies back in 1999 and was captain of the football team, Burton has donated over $7m to UConn. Now as the letter implies he wants some of his money back, $3m to be exact.

Adding insult to injury, Subsequently, he's threatened not only to revoke his donation, but also to give up his $50,000-per-year luxury suite ("You already have many other empty boxes at Rentschler. My box will just join the list."), cut off an annual $20,000 donation for summer coaching clinics, transfer all remaining scholarship dollars from football to the business school, and begin training "front line managers" for his company at Syracuse's business school instead.

The timing could not have been worse for UConn when considering donations to the UConn athletic department are reportedly down $9 million from five years ago.

Let this be a lesson for aspiring athletic directors, and managers in all fields, really: When considering major decisions, always, always value the opinion of the guy whose name is on one of the buildings you go to work in. Otherwise, there won't be any more buildings anytime soon, and even if there are, you're not going to be working in them.

The material for this article and most of the quotes are derived from an article published by Matt Hinton: Top UConn donor wants his money (and his name) back over Huskies' new coach


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