Sports Beat column - February 7, 2008

Sports Beat

February 7, 2008 - Happy Chinese New Year 4706!

Sports Beat by Bill McCaffrey

No 19-0 as the Patriots lost to the New York football Giants and Eli Manning comes of age and steps out of the shadow of his brother Peyton and his image becomes bigger than life. He deserves all of the pats on the back and I hope this finally makes Ticki Barber eat his words. Manning is the ³Man² in NYC now. I am waiting for Tom Brady¹s girlfriend to make her run naked through the streets of NYC which she said she would do if the Patriots lost in the Super Bowl. Oh well, there¹s always next year.

GOODNIGHT TO BOBBY KNIGHT

The big surprise in college basketball was Bobby Knight calling it quits in mid-season at Texas Tech. He said he was tired and was going fishing. I like Bobby Knight who was dissed at Indiana by a do-do. He was like Vince Lombardi (another I liked) both would have a hard time with today¹s pampered athletes, Knight has been going through it and I am sure that helped him make his decision. We need more Bobby Knight¹s and Vince Lombardi¹s in today¹s world athletics and world wide.

TONY DICHIACCHIO MEMORIAL SERVICE

Friends and relatives of one of the best basketball players in the 1950¹s Tony Dichiaccchio held a memorial service for him at Mama Stellas in Clinton on January 26th (he passed on 12/20/07). His brother Louis Dichiacchio (a priest in Southern MD ) presided over the service. Among the attendees were: Frank ³Bevo² Shore, Dick ³Slick² King, Frank Smith, Sammy Reece, Danny Boccabella (who now lives in Cape Coral , Fl), Felipe Jose, Tony¹s sister Mary, Don Hunter and Bob Kelly. I thank ³Bevo² Shore for the report.

Speaking of Shore he once pitched a doubleheader against Gonzaga and pitched 12 consecutive shutout innings for St. Anthony¹s in the twin bill hurling a 3 hit, 3-0 win in the first game and losing the second 5-3 when A. J. Gallaher error in the 6th opened the gates for all five runs. Shore told me about a game against Eastern when he was at Tech and the Eastern time keeper said Shore¹s left hand hook shot for a basket came after the clock had stopped. Shore said Eastern won by one 72-71 and snapped a Tech win streak.

³Bevo² was a standout at both Tech and St. Anthony¹s and I wonder why he along with Dan Droze aren¹t in the DC Jocks Hall of Fame, come on Rugman you are in and Shore and Droze aren¹t, that is an injustice, its also an injustice that you are in and I am not. I have done more than you have for local sports in this area.

BALLROOM BOXING

Before a capacity crowd that included former Governor Bob Ehrlich, veterans from Walter Reed, Dave Carroll (All-Pave president), former Delegate Bill Turc, a lot of Democratic Delegates, and Lenny Moore, among others. Pat O¹Malley did a super job as the ring announcer. It was an exciting night that had one fight canceled before it started. The Jonathan Felton Askia Schneider fight began and ended before the first bell when both fighters were disqualified for participating in a brawl in the ring. Other bout results were: Stephen Bass unanimous decision over Spencer Harsley Darrel Madison unanimous decision over Michael Rhoades Mike Paschall (now 15-0-1) second round TKO over Gary Lavender Ismail ³The Arsnel² Arvin and Jesse Orta fought to a majority draw It was an exciting night and the fans enjoyed it. Our congratulations go to Scott Wagner on becoming a father this week! Next Ballroom Boxing show is April 3rd at Michaels¹ 8th Avenue.

Two Terp Women Make Wooden Award Top 20 Cut
Langhorne and Toliver made second mid-season list

Maryland's Crystal Langhorne and Kristi Toliver have made the midseason cut for another national player of the year honor after making the top 30 for the Naismith Award. Langhorne and Toliver are one of 20 candidates for the John R. Wooden Award, the Women's Wooden Award committee recently announced. Senior Crystal Langhorne and junior Kristi Toliver are two of four candidates on the list from the ACC. Maryland is also one of just two teams with multiple candidates. Langhorne is on the verge of becoming the first 2,000-point scorer in the history of the program, needing just two points. Earlier this season, she broke the Maryland women's basketball scoring and rebounding record, also claiming the men's and women's Maryland rebounding mark. She was the first women's basketball player in school history to grab 1,000 rebounds. Once she scores her 2,000th point, Langhorne would become the 106th player in ACC history to have 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. Langhorne is third on the team in scoring with 15.9 ppg, and leads the squad with 9.5 rpg, which is second in the ACC.

Toliver has been having a solid campaign at the point, ranking third in the nation with an 8.0 assists per game average. She also leads the team with a 17.0 scoring average. A finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Award last year, she is listed as one of the players to watch for the honor this season. Earlier this year, she eclipsed the 1,000-point plateau and also broke the school record for career threes made. She also owns the career free throw mark, shooting better than 86 percent. Players who do not make the midseason list are still eligible for consideration for the Wooden Award. In March, the Women's Advisory Board will release the nations of the players selected to the official ballot. The ballot consists of approximately 15 players who have proven to their universities that they are making progress towards graduation and are maintaining a cumulative 2.0 GPA. More than 300 voters, comprised of sports media members and women's basketball experts from across the nation, will cast their votes for the five-member All-American team and Wooden Award honor as the most outstanding female collegiate basketball player in the nation.

The 2008 Award ceremony, which will include the presentation of the Men's and Women's Wooden Award winners, the Wooden Award All-American Teams, and the Legends of Coaching Award to Pat Summitt of the University of Tennessee, will be held at The Los Angeles Athletic Club the weekend of April 11-12. The 32nd Annual Wooden Award Gala, with a reception and dinner program, will take place the evening of Friday, April 11 at the Sheraton Downtown Los Angeles. On Saturday, April 12, the Wooden Award Announcement and trophy presentation will be televised, followed by a press conference and sponsor reception. The top five male and female finalists will be invited to Los Angeles for the awards ceremony and will receive a contribution from The Los Angeles Athletic Club for their university's general scholarship fund.

Quick Hits
€ Maryland remains in the top five in the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today Coaches polls.
€ The Terps boast the most wins in the nation and were the first team to 20 victories. Playing 14 games in the first 31 days of the season, they have played the most games of any team in the nation (25).
€ National player of the year candidate Crystal Langhorne became the first Maryland women's basketball player to score 2,000 points. She is the 106th player in NCAA history to have 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds, and the first in Maryland men's or women's basketball history.
€ Kristi Toliver, who is among the Nancy Lieberman Award Players to Watch, dished out her 500th career assist against Miami.
€ The Terrapins have won a school 17 games at home this season and boast the fourth-longest active home win streak in the nation. € Maryland has recorded four-straight 20-win seasons for the first time in school history.
€ A Terrapin has earned ACC Player of the Week honors seven times in 12 weeks of the season. Langhorne is the league's active leader with six career weekly nods.

Langhorne First to 2,000
€ Already first in career scoring and rebounding all-time at Maryland , Crystal Langhorne had not finished achieving new heights. On Thursday against Miami , she became the first 2,000-point scorer in program history, needing just two points to reach the feat.
€ Langhorne is the 16th player all-time in ACC history to reach the mark.

Langhorne Joins 2,000-Point, 1,000-Rebound Club
€ The first Maryland women's basketball player to score 2,000 point, senior Crystal Langhorne became the first Maryland basketball player, men's or women's, to record 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.
€ Langhorne also became the 106th player in NCAA history (since 1982) to join the 2,000-point, 1,000-rebound club.
€ Seven players in ACC history (including the pre-NCAA area), including Langhorne, have achieved the feat.

Draining Threes
€ Maryland has made at least a three pointer in 112-consecutive games. The streak dates back to Jan. 29, 2005 at Arizona.

Terps Named Midseason Candidates for Naismith & Wooden Awards
€ Three Terrapins were made the midseason cuts for two national player of the year honors. Crystal Langhorne, Laura Harper and Kristi Toliver are candidates for the Naismith Award, while Langhorne and Toliver are candidates for the John R. Wooden Award.
€ Junior M arissa Coleman was a preseason candidate for both honors. She is still eligible to make the final cut for the Wooden Award.

Toliver Moves into 2nd On MD's Assist List
€ A top 11 finalist for last year's Nancy Lieberman Award, presented to the nation's top point guard, junior Kristi Toliver has returned as an even stronger floor general.
€ Spending part of her summer at Point Guard College refining her skills, Toliver dished out 10 assists against Miami , moving into second all-time at Maryland . She became only the fourth player in the history of the program to dish 500 helpers and has handed out 508 in her ca reer.
€ Toliver leads the ACC in assists per game (8.1) and is threatening the ACC's single-season mark held by former Terrapin Tara Heiss, who dished 8.0 assists per game in 1978.

PGA TOUR Star Fred Funk to Serve as Honorary Chairman for Melwood Prince George¹s County Open

Maryland native Fred Funk, an eight-time winner on the PGA TOUR ‹ including THE PLAYERS Championship ‹ will serve as honorary chair of the second annual Melwood Prince George¹s County Open, a Nationwide Tour event scheduled for May 19-25 at The Country Club at Woodmore. Funk won the 2008 Champions Tour season-opener, the MasterCard Championship, on January 20. In 2007, Funk joined Craig Stadler as one of only two players to win in the same season on both the PGA Tour and Champions Tour. Now in his 18th year on Tour, Funk has established himself as the PGA TOUR¹s most accurate driver, winning the accuracy title seven times while earning more than $21 million in prize money. His eleven-stroke win in the 2007 Turtle Bay Championship is the largest margin of victory in the history of the Champions Tour.

³I¹m thrilled to once again serve as the Honorary Chairman of the Melwoo d Prince George¹s County Open at the Country Club at Woodmore, ³said Funk. ³This is an outstanding course and I know the Nationwide Tour players will face a tough test of golf.² ³Golf fans in the region should come out and see this Nationwide Tour event because they¹re going to see some great players who will compete on the PGA Tour in the very near future. The tournament also benefits Melwood, a great organization in the region that helps a lot of people,² added Funk. Tournament Director Teo Sodeman said, ³Fred Funk is a true hometown hero. Those of us who¹ve had the pleasure and excitement of watching his career since his days at the University of Maryland are thrilled with Fred¹s continued support of this Nationwide Tour event here in Prince George ¹s County.² For more information about the Melwood Prince George¹s County Open , including sponsorship opportunities, and information about host charity Melwood, please go to www.melwood.org.

ABOUT MELWOOD

Melwood Horticultural Training Center is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit serving more than 2,100 people with disabilities with job training, employment, housing and recreation in the Washington D.C. area. Melwood employees support more than 65 contracts made possible by the Ability One Program, which encourages federa l agencies to contract with approved, qualified organizations that provide job training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities. This federal effort is emphasized by the fact that 62 percent of Americans with severe disabilities are unemployed. For additional information about Melwood capabilities and services for people with disabilities, call Melwood at (301) 599-8000, or visit www.melwood.org.

ABOUT THE NATIONWIDE TOUR

Founded (1990), owned and operated by the PGA TOUR, the Nationwide Tour identifies those players who are ready to compete and win on golf's greatest stage. As the official proving ground of the PGA TOUR, 67% of the current PGA TOUR membership played on the Nationwide Tour. Tour alumni have won more than 200 PGA TOUR titles, including a grand slam and three PLAYERS Championships. Twenty-five PGA TOUR cards and a record purse approaching $19 million will be at stake over the course of 30 events in 2008. Recognizing the Tour¹s growing stature, Nationwide Insurance has renewed its umbrella sponsorship of the Nationwide Tour through 2012. The PGA TOUR, through the efforts of its three tours and their tournaments, sponsors, players and volunteers, supports over 2,000 local charities and has surpassed $1 billion in charitable giving. To learn more about the PGA TOUR and Nationwide Tour and to follow the season-long quest for a PGA TOUR card, visit www.PGATOUR.com.

ABOUT NATIONWIDE

Nationwide, based in Columbus , OH , is one of the largest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the world, with more than $160 billion in assets. Nationwide ranks No. 104 on the Fortune 500 list. The company provides a full range of insurance and financial services, including auto, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life, commercial insurance, administrati v e services, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions and long-term savings plans. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.

Nationwide is a federally registered service mark of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.

Contacts:
Teo Sodeman, Tournament Director
(301) 599-2732

Jay Thomas, Melwood Communications/Marketing
(301) 599-4550, jthomas@melwood.org

Jeff Adams, Director of Communications, Nationwide Tour
(904) 273-3397, jadams@pgatourhq.com

BETTER SPORTS TOWN Baltimore or Washington?

People often ask me which is the best sports town Baltimore or Washington, let¹s look at them.

Washington has six major sports teams:
Wizards
Capitals
Redskins
Nationals
DC United
Divas

Baltimore has:
Ravens
Orioles
Blast

No comparison Washington wins in a walk. Newspapers in both Baltimore and Washington are lacking but the Post, Times and Examiner top the Baltimore Sun and Examiner. A plus to Washington . Talk shows in Washington suck in this area while

Baltimore has WNST and the power of Rex Snider, Rob Long, and Nasty Nestor. Anita Marx reminds me of Harpo Marx and has the hairdo to match; the Blimp Brothers have the biggest egos around and in my opinion are terrible. Plus to Baltimore because of WNST. In play by play and the play by play teams, Washington wins hands down. The plus for Baltimore are the sports bars, regular bars, good looking gals, yeah I know DC has some foxy looking babes but they are more plastic than real. Give me the honeys in Glen Burnie, Dundalk, and Pasadena . The PR departments of the Orioles and Ravens are much worse than those in DC. I like Dave and Busters in Arundel Mills, Bella Napoli in Pasadena , and Henry¹s Soul Café in Fort Washington .

Wrap Up Š. Washington has the better teams, Baltimore has the better honeys and bars, plus Baltimore has characters like Ironhead, Tuff Tim, Pencil Patrick, Paul Weasel, Bevo Shore , Counterman, The Pond Man and Mayor Hoover (Major Loser!).

If I want to see a major league game it¹s Washington, if I want to party its Baltimore hands down. Overall Baltimore in sports is a minor league town.

WE GET LETTERS

From: Mark Opsasnick
Jaxx Nightclub in Springfield , Virginia has always been my favorite area venue in which to see classic rock and roll bands perform (at least up until they changed to a Euro-Metal format a couple of years ago) and owner Jay Nedry is one of the best guys you could know. Since 1994 I¹ve seen dozens of bands there including UFO, Robin Trower (five times), Blue Oyster Cult (seven times), Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush, Foghat, Nazareth, Mountain, Vanilla Fudge, Black Oak Arkansas, Ritchie Blackmores. Rainbow, Thin Lizzy, Wishbone Ash, Savoy Brown, Motorhead, the Roadducks, and a slew of others. John Heyn just sent me news that the nightclub is up for sale and you can read more by clicking on the link below. I really hate to see another legendary rock and roll establ ishment bite the dust and I hope that Jay has a change of heart and somehow finds some way to keep the club in his possession. On an unrelated note, I am still trying to schedule one more Lizard King presentation in Alexandria, Virginia at Buzz Coffee Lounge (we are looking at Sunday afternoon openings in March or April), but I haven¹t heard back from the manager Nancy Hickman. I¹ll send out a notice as soon as a date is set. Stay Tuned, MO

Webmaster: Jaxx SUXX!

From: Mark Opsasnick
Sorry to hit everyone with another email so soon, but I¹m a little bummed out. After showing initial enthusiasm, the folks at ³Buzz² Coffee Lounge in Alexandria have decided against bringing me and my people in for a ³Lizard King Was Here² (Jim Morrison) book presentation. While I understand it¹s their prerogative as to what types of events they book, it¹s a decision that doesn¹t make sense, as we would have pumped several hundred dollars (or more) into their business via food and drink sales. I would still like to do one more presentation in Alexandria , Virginia (or the immediate surrounding area) as a kind of ³Thank You² party to all the people down there who have supported my work and made these events a great success. I¹ve already done signings at St. Elmo¹s Coffee Pub, Stacey¹s Coffee Parlor, Olsson¹s Books, and Cameron Perks Coffeehouse and I¹d like the last one to be at a different venue as well. If anyone has any ideas as to a suitable place for holding such an event, please let me know ASAP. The set-up is simple. I¹m looking at a Saturday or Sunday afternoon event (beginning at 1pm), or possibly an early Saturday evening session with a start time of 7pm. I usually talk for about 20 minutes, the Q&A session with the Jim Morrison high school friends lasts about another 20-30 minutes, and then we have a reception (usually with live music). Total time is about 90 minutes to two hours. A few places have been recommended to me: the Evening Star Cafe on Mount Vernon Avenue; Perkup Coffeehouse on South Washington Street ; and Janet¹s Java on Telegraph Road . The drawback is that some of these places want to charge a rental fee, which I won¹t pay because, again, the people who have attended these events have spent a lot of cash on refreshments and the venues have always made healthy profits on us. I¹d like to hold our last event sometime in March or April, which means we must have something scheduled by the end of February (so I will have time to generate publicity). Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks, Mark Opsasnick Mark.Opsasnick@Montgomerycountymd.gov

Thanks to the multitudes who responded to my last email about the Buzz snub. Some great suggestions came in. It reaffirms my belief that we will have a tremendous turnout if one more Lizard King¹s thing is scheduled in Alexandria or the surrounding area¹s it also reaffirms my belief that Buzz Coffee Lounge has made a bad business decision in giving us the brush-off, but they are under no obligation to book what they feel are trivial events. For the record, I still think Buzz is a cool place to hang out. As I write this email, my long-time buddy Art Lobo Wray is hitting the streets of Alexandria checking out several of the leads that came in. I¹m confident that in the next couple of weeks we¹ll find a suitable venue for one more Jim Morrison party. I¹ll send out another email as soon as we line something up. Thanks for staying with me, Mark Opsasnick www.capitolrock.com

Dear Bill, In case you missed it, the Seton Hall Pirates have won five in a row after beating USF, Louisville, Providence (a rarity on their home court), Cincinnati, and Rutgers (at the RAC). They are now 15-6, (5-3 in the Big East). On the horizon is Georgetown , the number six team in the land, and they play them in D.C. Talk now is not just getting into the Big East tourney but landing a post season bid perhaps even to the big dance. Bobby Gonzalez has the lads performing really well. They score more than anyone else in the Conference but lack at times some necessary defense. They are exciting to watch and can be seen in our area on MASN, Channel 66, for folks using the Millennium Digital cable system. Go Pirates! Jerry

Jerry, I think they will go to the dance. I saw them lose to Notre Dame so they are now 15-8 (5-5 in the Big East). Bill

Bill, Who in his right mind would want to coach the Redskins? The pinhead owner is worse than George Marshall ever was. At least Marshall only picked the head coaches. At the time he had complete control of everything. He had a phone at his seat from which he could call all facets of the days events (I know because I plugged in most of the phones) the scoreboard, the press box, the band in the teepee, the marching band. People even thought that he had a phone to the bench but he didn¹t he would call the band that sat behind the Redskins bench and have someone go tell the coach what he wanted them to do. Who ever takes the job now won't even have a chance to pick his staff, they all will be beholding to the little man who hired them, no loyalty to the head coach. Why don't we hear anything a bout Russ Grim? We survived Marshall I guess we can survive Danny Boy. Tom

Tom, Good report, Russ Grimm should have gotten the Steeler job. Check my blog site at www.wnst.net Bill

Hi Bill, For your information, hope you are doing good, enjoying good health. I need to have part of my colon taken out sometime in Feb. God Bless Gene

Subject: Death of Anacostia High School Teacher
All, FYI - Anacostia High School Teacher, Phyllis Mahaffey Samuels, died, on Monday, 28 January 2008. "Ms. Mahaffey" taught typing, and you may recall that she married the police officer that was assigned to Anacostia, Officer Wendell Samuels.

Gene, Thanks for the information and our prayers go out to you. Deepest sympathy to Mrs. Samuels family. Bill

NATS NEWS

Nat¹s sign Japanese pitcher Katuhiko Mackawa to a minor league contract. Nat¹s send pitcher Enrique Gonzalez to San Diego . Rockies give Scott Podsednik a minor league contract. Nats give Jon Rauch a 2 year contract, you can¹t beat the trio of Cordero, Rauch and Detwhiler for relief. Juan Gonzalez goes to the Cardinals. Luis Gonzalez signs for two million for one year with the Marlins. Freddy Sanchez signs a two year contract with the Pirates. Reds give Matt Belisle a one year contract. Pedro Feliz gets a two year deal from the Phillies. Johnny Estrada signed a one year deal with the Nats, he has a career .280 batting average. Hopefully he will be a good sign for the Nationals, he can hit, but has been trouble on last two teams as a catcher, with LoDuca hurt the Nationals don¹t have much of a choice until they see how he rehabs following his knee surgery. Nationals overall are a better offensive team than last year with both these catchers who can hit, and with Lasting Milledge. Zimmerman, Kearns and Young will have some more power around them now if the pitching can improve and it will. Reds sign Paul Bako and Scott Sauderbeck. Dodgers sign Joe Biemel. Pirates pick up Ray Olmedo from Toronto.

ORIOLES OUTHOUSE

He¹s back. Jorge Julio inked a minor league deal with Cleveland . Detroit released Tony Giarrafano. Seattle gives Brad Wilkinson a one year deal. Yankees give a one year contract to Brian Bruney. Toronto gives Alex Ricos a one year deal. Sean Casey moves from the Tigers to the Red Sox. Tigers give Curtis Granderson a five year, 30 million dollar contract. Orioles sign Brandon Fahey, Luis Hernandez, Hayden Penn, Chris Robertson, Chris Heintz, and Esteban Yan. Rays sign Brian Anderson, Scott Munter and Josh Paul.

SPORTS NOTES

Congratulations to Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison for making the NBA All-Star game. No Maryland high school player made the Parade Football high school All-American team. What happened to DeMatha¹s Kenny Tate or Arundel¹s Nick Elko? Both should have made it. Public radio WYPR (88.1) has cancelled the Marc Steiner show. If you get a chance catch me on Nasty Nestor¹s Blog site www.WNST.net. Remember the Annual Golden Techite Reunion Luncheon on October 4th, 11:30 at Martin¹s Crosswinds in Greenbelt . The ³American Idol² show reminds me of the Chuck Barris ³Gong Show² without a gong. Ravens ³Thug² Suggs wants to be a Phoenix Cardinal.

Good to see Ira Silverman back on the Marc staff, let¹s hope they treat him with more respect than before.

Webmaster: THE RETURN OF MR. UNPROFESSIONALISM

Look-a-likes: Tom Petty and Dale Hilliard (only one can sing and one wears glasses); Joe Buck and Tom Boswell; ³Ironhead² and Bret Farve; and P.P. and Bela Lugosi. Who was the first Afro-American to sign an NBA contract? Try Harold Hunter who signed with the Washington Capitals but never played in an NBA game. The first to play in an NBA game was Earl Lloyd. Joe Tenuta moves from defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech to assistant head coach at Notre Dame.

DeMatha¹s Kenny Tate is headed to Maryland . Other local footballers headed to College Park Carmeron Chism, Kevin Dorsey, Eteyen Edet, A.J. Francis, and Deven Meggett. The Los Angeles Lakers traded Kwane Brown, Jarvis Crittenton and two first round draft picks to Memphis for Paul Gasol. This deal is a steal for the Lakers and another step out the NBA door for Brown, who has proved to be a bust.

Our deepest sympathy goes to the families of the following: Earl Butz, former USDA Secretary of Agriculture, an uncle of former Redskin Dave Butz. Henry M. Locke (Eastern HS grad) Patricia Ann Smith (Potomac HS grad) Al Demao (Redskins center during the Sammy Baugh days) Robert Bruce Posner (Eastern HD grad and former teacher at Wilson and Eastern high schools in DC) Albert I. Baumgartner ( DC Transit street car and bus driver) Ed Vargo (National League umpire at age 73) Wilmer Sparks Weed (Tech HS grad) David L. Fowler (Wilson HS grad) Gene Lynch (former Glendenning cabinet member) Mary F. Davies (Tech HS grad) Lawrence S. House (Tech HS grad) John Leo Augstine (Hyattsville HS grad) Virginia L. Bright (Bladensburg HS grad) Maurine Stuart Dulin (Theo. Roosevelt HS grad) Henry E. Gruppe (Central HS grad) Joseph Zitomer (Eastern HS grad)

The Ravens have added Hue Jackson and Andy Moeller to their coaching staff. When Paul Holmgren retires as Seattle coach Jim Mora, Jr. will replace him.

Gregg Williams is the new defensive coordinator for Jacksonville.

The Maryland men edged Georgia Tech 88-86. The Maryland men beat Virginia 85-75, and the Maryland men beat Boston College 70-65 for Gary Williams 600th coaching win and the Terps are now 15-8 (5-3 ACC) and are playing much better after a slow start.

The Maryland women came from 21 points behind to beat Virginia Tech 74-71. Thanks to the many people who have called, e-mailed and prayed for me during my recovery and I especially want to thank my motivator, Phil Kapneck, without fail Maryland ¹s Trade Ambassador, Phil calls every week to keep me in good spirits. Thanks Phil! I have to thank Pasadena Therapy and Sports Care on Mountain Road and the owner Chuck Mutschier and especially my PT Sharon Lynagh and her assistant Stevfan. Phil and the PT team have kept me going.

Where are they now‹Dave Dagenhardt, Joe Starke, Billy Hessler, Jean O¹Brien, Owen Gentry, Hans Jepson, Shirley Dahl, Michele Collins, Francis Start, Beverly Malinski, Joan Green, Ken Erickson, Frank Cohen, Jack Dade, Eleanor Runge, Courtland Buell, Jr., Sophie Frank, Gail Kavanaugh and Kelli Ellis? Can you tell me where Washington Heights is? Congratulations to Art Monk and Darrell Green for making the NFL Hall of Fame, its long overdue for Monk.

MAX PACK ENTERTAINMENT
Presents
A ³BACK IN THE DAY² VALENTINE¹S EXTRAVAGANZA

Friday, February 15, 2008 at 8:00 PM

Starring The First Ladies of DC Soul

THE JEWELS

³Loaded With Goodies²
³Johnny Jealousy²
³Opportunity²

Formerly the female background singers
For
THE GODFATHER OF SOUL JAMES BROWN

Also starring
The Legendary William DeVaughn
³Be Thankful For What You Got²
³Diamond in the back sunroof top²
And New CD ³Time Stands Still²

Also featuring
JACQUES ³the Sax Man² JOHNSON plus

THE SEAL OF APPROVAL BAND

And
Special Guest Comedian TONY WOODS
From COMEDY CENTRAL and the STARZ NETWORK

HOSTED BY MAJIC 102.3 RADIO PERSONALITY Ron V
At ROSECROFT RACEWAY ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX
6336 Rosecroft Drive, Ft. Washington , MD
( At Brinkley Road and Rosecroft Drive )

Tickets available through www.TicketWeb.com or 866-468-7619
$45 General Admission

$60 VIP Reserved Seating
(VIP Seat includes the ³Meet the Cast² Party after the Concert)

MAX PACK ENTERTAINMENT 301/449-1186

Kratovil Tours Cecil County; Listens to County and Town Leaders

Congressional candidate Frank Kratovil spent time touring Cecil County with local leaders on Friday, January 18 to learn more about the challenges small communities face in dealing with the Federal Government. Meeting with civic and government leaders in Elkton, North East, Charlestown , Perryville, and Port Deposit, Kratovil heard about issues ranging from flood damage in Elkton to wastewater management at Perry Point VA Medical Center. ³I don¹t think our current Congressman has been in Port Deposit since the flooding in 1996,² said Port Deposit Mayor Kerry Anne Abrams, ³but these kinds of problems just don¹t go away." ³Running for Congress is a great opportunity to travel the District, see all of the unique towns, and meet the people that make the First District such a great place,² said Kratovil. ³Everywhere I travel in our district, I hear about things that the Congressman should be doing to improve the quality of life, little things from Washington ¹s perspective, but major matters in the eyes of small communities, and every one an example of why we need an effective voice in Washington .²

RECENT ACTIVITIES
Tuesday, January 22
Kent County Democratic Club Forum

Frank participated in the Kent County Democratic Club Forum joined by two of the other Democratic candidates. An audience of twenty-five attended. Frank distinguished himself from his opponents, stressing his record as a leader committed to core Democratic values, and one who has won two elections in a majority-Republican county. Frank spoke on the need for ending the war and restoring fiscal responsibility, so the country can move forward on health care and immigration reform, renewing the federal effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay , and developing a long-term sustainable energy program.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday, February 12
Maryland Primary Election
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. at your local precinct.

FRANK IN THE MEDIA
Republicans Attack Each Other While Democrats Campaign in District One
The Washington Post, January 29, 2008

"With ferocious rhetoric, pointed attack ads and more than $2 million in campaign funds, the congressional primary race in Maryland 's 1st District have developed into one of the state's fiercest and most watched contests." While Republican candidates fight a nasty three-way battle for their party¹s nomination, Frank Kratovil is viewed as the Democratic front-runner. ³Queen Anne's State's Attorney Frank M. Kratovil Jr. has won the backing of some of Maryland 's most prominent Democratic officials, including Guv. Martin O'Malley and Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler. His fundraising has far outstripped his competitors'.² In rising above the bickering over taxes and limited government, ³Kratovil has also called for more federal enforcement against illegal immigrants but draws distinctions between himself and the Republican candidates: ŒI know all the candidates are talking taxes and immigration, but where I differ philosophically is I think government still has a role to play, that it isn't the enemy,¹ he said. ŒNo one wants to pay taxes, but is that the only issue of significance in the country right now with war, health care and the Chesapeake Bay and veterans?'"

Kratovil Takes the Super Plunge
Sunday Star Democrat, January 27, 2008

For the fourth time in as many years Frank Kratovil joined the thousands of participants who took a dip in the chilly Chesapeake Bay to raise funds for Special Olympics in the Polar Bear Plunge. "It was the first time the Kratovil¹s [Frank and son Frankie] have Super Plunged. But they have participated together on Saturdays the previous two years, starting when young Frankie was only 8. Frankie challenged his father to do the Super Plunge this year." Team Kratovil joined an elite group of fifty-seven people on fifty teams doing the Super Plunge ‹ 24 plunges in 24 hours. Team Kratovil captured $10, 680 for this important cause. The Polar Bear Plunge is sponsored by the Maryland State Police which benefits Special Olympics Maryland and 10,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. They experience the life-changing benefits of participating in the organization's year-round programs ‹ all at no cost to themselves or their families. Special Olympics Maryland is the state¹s largest year-round organization devoted to sports training and competition. Frank serves on the Special Olympics Maryland Board.

Kratovil Candidacy Endorsed by Former Cambridge Mayor
Star Democrat, January 25, 2008

David Wooten, the former Mayor of Cambridge has given his ringing endorsement to Frank. Wooten believes that Kratovil is the superior choice for this important office. Mr. Wooten said: ³We need leadership that will truly lead.² And ³The environment is a major concern to those of us privileged to live close to the Chesapeake Bay . Mr. Kratovil will devote the necessary time and attention to help protect this valuable asset. Closely connected to the environment is the need to resolve our energy crisis. We need a sound energy policy that will help reduce or eliminate our growing dependence upon foreign governments.² ³Frank Kratovil has much to offer the First District, and I know he would serve us with distinction if elected. His record has prepared him to serve well, and he has already done so in other areas.² Wooten cautioned citizens to: ³Study the candidates¹ backgrounds. I believe you will conclude Frank Kratovil is worthy of your vote.²

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITES
Bandy Tapped as Cecil County Coordinator Alena Bandy is a life-long resident of Cecil County . She became involved in our campaign because she feels that it is time for a change! Alena has been a union activist for 26 years, and is currently Financial Secretary of UAW 1183. She is involved in women and family issues such as the Employee Free Choice Act, Right to Organize, Pay Equity and Medicare Health Care for All legislation. Bandy is the Recording Secretary of the UAW Women¹s Council (MD, DE, PA, VA and WV). She arranges council meetings and agendas with guest speakers on issues such as domestic violence, sexual assault, cancer, and heart disease. She organized UAW Angel Tree, sponsoring women and children in a local shelter for the holidays. This program assists over 200 women and children annually in the tri-state area. Alena says: ³I am proud to support Frank Kratovil. We need a candidate that is willing to listen to our voices.²

There are lots of ways you can help the Kratovil for Congress campaign, including door-to-door literature drops, phoning voters, and attending/supporting events. Thank you for your support!

* WEBMASTER COMMENT:
Elect ANDREW HARRIS in the FIRST DIST on NOV 4, 2008!

SUPPORT SOUTHERN MD SPORTS!!