Tuesday May 29, 2007

ACC Tourney; Regionals and Super Regionals; Rashaad Jackson; Athletic Council; Otisman

They Come in Threes?
Here is to hoping bad things don’t happen in threes. Two weeks ago my wife and son had the automobile accident and thank goodness everyone was OK. Then last week I had a herniated disk in my back. After six visits to doctors, chiropractors and physical therapists, I am now doing so much better.

I was extremely lucky because my disk issues did not have nerve issues like many. The only major problems I had were the spasms and the fact that my back locked up on me. But thanks to Clemson’s team physician, Len Reeves, and Stacy Harward, the director of Clemson Sports Medicine and Rehabilitations, I am on my way to a miracle recovery. On Friday was not optimistic but today I feel a 180-degree turnaround thanks to these guys.

Both the wreck and my back could have been much worse and my family is very thankful and grateful.

Since I did not post on Friday because of doctors visits and Monday in observance of Memorial Day, I want to review some of the items that have surfaced since Thursday’s blog.

1. The ACC Tournament
I had a blog about a month ago that mentioned the problems with the new format in the ACC baseball tournament. I thought we would encounter problems and unfortunately Clemson did not benefit from the new format.

I did not watch the Wake Forest-Miami game Saturday but several friends mentioned Miami’s commitment level. Once Clemson won earlier in the day Miami was eliminated and according to some theories the Canes had little incentive. What a shame. The idea of a team not having anything to play for in a tournament and that lack of incentive being part of the outcome is awful.

On the flip side, Clemson and all of the ACC teams knew the scenario before the tournament started. The Tigers controlled their own destiny until they lost to the Deacons on Friday.

As far as the tournament itself, I was pleased with the Tigers performance. David Kopp’s masterpiece was a thing of beauty. Clemson beats FSU three out of four this year and the Tigers would be confident in a return trip to Tallahassee.

It was also nice to see Brad Chalk back in action. I have called Chalk the heart and soul of this team and I think his presence is the single key to the offense.

2.Regionals
I could make an argument for Clemson hosting this weekend but I could also make an argument for Coastal Carolina. I do not think the Tigers should be an underdog this weekend and part of me thinks this may be a good thing for this team.

I like the idea of playing a neutral game or road game but actually have a home crowd. I would be surprised if Clemson did not have more fans than Coastal Carolina this weekend.

It is my understanding that Kopp will go Friday at noon against St. Johns on ESPNU. I am hearing that Clemson will go with Daniel Moskos Saturday if and when they face Coastal as the Chants have a lot of lefties in their lineup.

3. Super Regionals
I know better than to get too far ahead of myself but I really like the Super Regional match up if Clemson and FSU advance from this weekend. Clemson is very familiar with the Seminoles and have already defeated FSU three out of four this season. In fact all four games were in Florida including the three-game regular season set in Tallahassee.

In ACC basketball you hear the theory of how difficult it is to beat a team three times in one year anytime two teams see each other in the ACC tournament and one team swept the regular season. I have always disagreed with that line of thinking. In my opinion, confidence is more important than anything else and success leads to confidence.

4. Rashaad Jackson
Clemson student-athletes compiled a 2.93 GPA for the spring semester, the highest on record, according to data released Tuesday by Clemson University's Office of Institutional Research and Planning . Two-hundred and twenty-nine student-athletes were named to the honor roll, 52.2 percent of the student-athlete population. The Clemson football team had a 2.46 team GPA for the spring semester, tied for the fifth best team GPA on record. Each of the top six semesters on record have taken place under Bowden. Twenty-five members of the team made the academic honor roll.

I think that is awesome but I really love the names and not just the numbers. Two-hundred and twenty-nine is an impressive number but the one I love seeing is Rashaad Jackson.

When he came out of Union High School many said Jackson did not belong in college. He had a learning disability that had hindered him before he got to Clemson. A former Clemson coach wanted to play Jackson as a true freshman because he did not think Jackson could stay eligible long. Well here we are three years later and Jackson made the Dean’s List for the second consecutive semester.

Student-athletes at Clemson are required for at least 10 hours per week at Vickery Hall but in many weeks Jackson sees 30 hours there. No one works harder than Jackson and for his hard work to see these kind of dividends is an inspiring message.

I think it is also good for the AARC supporters to see what can happen if people are given a chance.

It was nice to see Willy Korn make the list in his first semester.

Athletic Council
Last Thursday I wrote the piece about the Athletic Council and its 11-1 vote to disagree with the Presidential Task Force’s findings. I received about 10-12 e-mails inquiring about the Athletic Council. Several wanted to know who was on the council and how they could be reached. Here are the members and their e-mail addresses:

Clementia Adams (sosulli@clemson.edu), Andrew Billings (acbilng@clemson.edu) Lynn Craig (clynn@clemson.edu), Ken Revis-Wagner (RC@clemson.edu), Paul Dawson (pdawson@clemson.edu), Eric Benson (ebenson@clemson.edu), Pat Raymark (praymar@clemson.edu), Les Carlson (Icarlsol@clemson.edu), Sandy Edge (sedge@clemson.edu), KB Kulasekera (kk@clemson.edu), Ken Marcus (marcusr@clemson.edu), Dennis Smith (dwsmith@clemson.edu), Fran McGuire (lefty@clemson.edu), Janie Hidge (hodge@clemson.edu), Deborah Cadorette (djcat@clemson.edu), Lois Sill (sloid@clemson.edu), Alan Burns (aburns@clemson.edu, Stephen Gosnell (jgosnel@clemson.edu), Nishant Karamchandani (nkaramc@clemson.edu), Michael Mikota (mikota@clemson.edu), Chelsea Kautz (ckautz@clemson.edu), Hap Carr (hapcarr@bellsouth.net), Webb Smathers (wsmthrs@clemson.edu), Mary Poore (mpoore@clemson.edu), Elaine Richardson (erchrds@clemson.edu), Alesia Smith (alesias@clemson.edu) Ron Addis (raddis@clemson.edu).

In an 11-1 vote the one vote against the resolution was David Parker (dprkr@clemson.edu).

I am a little surprised that the Athletic Council has about 30 voting members but only 12 were present for this vote. However it does not shock me. On Friday when many Clemson fans gathered at the Esso Club to watch the baseball team against Wake Forest, a few members of this council were outside and seemed to be oblivious that the baseball team was even playing in the ACC tournament and the game was on inside on TV.

Good Luck
Perhaps my main detractor, Otisman, is getting married this weekend. I just wanted to wish Otisman (Chris Morton) and his lucky fiancé a happy marriage. I hope the wedding and honeymoon go well. Hopefully Otisman will be back after a short break. I would not know what to do without his comments each day. Good Luck Otisman and Otislady.

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