"... I couldn’t help but think of how many people had helped me along the way. One of those people I wanted to personally thank for opening doors was Jimmy Raye. This book tells how some of those doors got pushed open. I’m sure you will enjoy reading about the journey!" - Tony DungyBig Ten
Trailblazers and integrating SEC end zones
No singular figure or moment represents the integration of college football, but Jerry LeVias stands out for encompassing so much history in a tumultuous fight for equal opportunity – at least on the playing field. His story also is unique for crossing paths with influential...
Welcome to the Conference of Pioneers
To Kevin Warren:Welcome to the Big Ten Conference. Congratulations on being named the historic league’s next commissioner, succeeding Jim Delaney. Welcome to the Conference of Pioneers.Hey, if Bill Walton can call the Pac-12 the Conference of Champions, well, Big Ten fans...
McQuaid finds his range at the right time
Matt McQuaid spoke about “a sense of urgency” now that the senior is down to his final NCAA Tournament appearance. Win and advance, lose and go home. This time, though, it’s for the Michigan State guard’s career. And his sense of urgency was never bigger than scoring a a...
Khari Willis adds to Dantonio off field resume
Many numbers describe Mark Dantonio’s success re-awakening a Michigan State football program that once stood game among the college game’s giants in the 1950s and 1960s under Biggie Munn and Duffy Daugherty. Dantonio's resume is summarized in three paragraphs on MSUSpartans.com...
Michigan State needs lesson on its own history
Duffy Daugherty rolled over in his grave. Bubba Smith, George Webster and Charlie Thornhill huddled above and wept as they looked down.The College Football Hall of Fame coach and the legendary players he recruited from the segregated South to Michigan State had to be...
Michigan falls to Florida Gulf Coast in NCAA
Florida Gulf Coast baseball coach Dave Tollett called it “the biggest win program history, no question.” And he didn’t feel that way just because it was the Eagles’ first Division I NCAA tournament appearance.The Michigan brand had a lot to do with enjoying the moment....
Big Ten needs basketball success from Rutgers
The bottom line dollar is what drives college sports.Understand that before this story delves into whether first-year Rutgers basketball coach Steve Pikiell can help the Scarlet Knights finally provide the Big Ten with dividends from inviting the New Jersey school to join the...
Big Ten balanced far beyond Woody and Bo years
The final weekend of regular season began with seven Big Ten teams contending for at least a share of one of the two division titles and five contending for a berth in the Big Ten Championship game.Iowa quickly whittled down the numbers with a 40-10 upset of No. 16 Nebraska on...
Big Ten balanced far beyond Woody and Bo years
The final weekend of regular season began with seven Big Ten teams contending for at least a share of one of the two division titles and five contending for a berth in the Big Ten Championship game.Iowa quickly whittled down the numbers with a 40-10 upset of No. 16 Nebraska on...
Big Ten better now than Woody and Bo era
Yes, Ohio State and Michigan sit where many expected once Jim Harbaugh returned home two years ago to challenge Ohio State and Urban Meyer.But please, let’s not romanticize Meyer and Harbaugh re-enacting the overblown “Ten Year War” between Ohio State and Woody Hayes and Michigan...