The Official Video Game of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games

SEGA® Corporation announced a worldwide agreement with International Sports Multimedia (ISM), exclusive licensee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), to once again become the sole approved video game publisher of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada. After an extremely successful series of video games from the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, this exclusive license will allow SEGA to once more publish the only official interactive entertainment software titles of the world’s most famous sporting event.

Through this agreement, SEGA secures the sole rights to publish console, PC/Macintosh, handheld, arcade, and mobile games worldwide. Under this exclusive license, SEGA will publish a wide variety of games with winter sports and events including skiing, skating, and snowboard bearing the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games emblem.

“Working with SEGA has resulted in Olympic Entertainment Software achieving unparalleled success and we are delighted to support SEGA once again for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games,” says Raymond Goldsmith, Chairman & CEO of ISM.

“SEGA is extremely excited to once again work with ISM on a series of multi-platform games celebrating the Olympic Games,” says Okitane Usui, Chief Operating Officer, SEGA Corporation. “The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games offers gamers a collection of exciting sports to master, as well as a stunning location for players to take advantage of. We aim to bring fans around the world an exhilarating experience whenever they play any Olympic title.”

Brand New Tony Stewart Gear & Apparel!

Shop Now for BRAND NEW Tony Stewart Gear & Apparel
at the Nascar SuperStore!

Chest Training - Small Angles, Big Results

Once you see how complete your chest training is with various angles, you'll apply this principle to other bodyparts - if you're not already.

While you may be accustomed to thinking that working the chest consists of only three angles (flat, incline and decline bench), the reality is that you'll better develop maximal muscle fibers in the chest if you add even more variety to a given exercise. Hence, doing incline presses from a number of bench angles, such as with 30- and 45-degree benches, and flat benches with a slight incline or decline as well, works the pecs from a number of small angles, each recruiting the muscle fibers a bit differently.

All you need are an adjustable bench that allows for a number of inclined settings and a pair of dumbbells (a lighter set for flyes, though you may have to adjust the weight as you fatigue to reach the target rep) to power through this multi-angle chest workout. You can even apply this small-angle training principle to your barbell moves (for example, using a normal to very wide grip on your chest-pressing moves) and cable crossovers (lowering the adjustable pulleys from one set to the next) to ensure you're thoroughly hitting all your pec fibers.

Is Lane Kiffin the Fredo of the SEC?

Alabama radio personality Paul Finebaum joined the Dan Patrick Show to discuss new Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin's statements about the University of Florida.

-- Finebaum says that Kiffin has gone after the two biggest names in the SEC -- Urban Meyer and Nick Saban. Finebaum said that this could be like The Godfather. They'll make Kiffin pay for what he said about Florida's Meyer breaking rules by calling a recruit while he was visiting Tennessee.

-- Finebaum says that SEC coaches will all turn in Kiffin any chance they get. Finebaum says all schools cheat. It's just a matter of turning them in.

-- Finebaum thinks Tennessee officials are probably furious at Kiffin right now. "If he last three years, I will be dumbfounded," Finebaum said.

-- Finebaum pointed out that Kiffin hired recruiters, not coaches. They're going to be aggressive, and according to Finebaum, they'll get in trouble.

-- Finebaum said that Kiffin couldn't find a job on the West Coast and doesn't know how he got this job at Tennessee.

Thanks to Andrew Perloff

The Schaumburg Boat & Sportshow

The Schaumburg Boat & Sportshow returns to the Schaumburg Convention Center February 12-15, offering buyers and dreamers alike a chance to enjoy the boating lifestyle and take advantage of once-a-year deals.

Show Highlights
• Shimano Trout Pond — Free fishing for children 12 and younger in an indoor pond stocked with the largest trout east of the Mississippi!
• Seminar Series — Learn new techniques and hear exciting stories from professional anglers about fishing and being on the water. Check out schedule.
• Historical Fishing Display — Don't miss your chance to visit with noted fishing tackle collector Dan Basore and check out his fascinating historical display.
• USPS Passport Fair — USPS Passport Fair For people planning a trip outside the US, the Schaumburg Post Office will be your source for travel tips. See dates and times.
• Adopt-a-Dog Day — Visit the Adopt-a Dog Center and go home with a furry new friend. Sponsored by the DuPage County Animal Care & Control.
• Meet the 2008 Loop Rock Girl — Come see the 2008 Loop Rock Girl, Kelly, in person!

Notre Dame 2009 Recruiting Class Capsules

Alex Bullard, OG
High School: Brentwood Academy; Brentwood, Tenn.
Height: 6-foot-4.
Weight: 275 pounds.
40-Yard Dash: 4.9 seconds.
Bench Press: 310 pounds.
Senior Stats: Graded out at 93 percent on blocking assignments. Team had two 1,000-yard rushers.
Other Schools: Tennessee, Florida, Michigan and Oklahoma.
Recruiting Hosts: Chris Stewart.
One Word To Describe Coach Weis: “Funny.”
Favorite NFL Player: Walter Jones, Seattle offensive tackle.
First Pick In NFL Draft: Matthew Stafford, Georgia quarterback.
Notable: Bullard becomes the fourth Tennessee product on ND’s team, joining Leonard Gordon (Clarksville), Harrison Smith (Knoxville) and Golden Tate (Hendersonville).

Ben Turk, P
High School: St. Thomas Aquinas High; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Height: 6-foot-0.
Weight: 190 pounds.
40-Yard Dash: 4.7 seconds.
Bench Press: 375 pounds.
Senior Stats: Averaged 40 yards on 24 punts, with 17 downed inside the 20.
Other Schools: Cincinnati and Alabama.
Recruiting Host: Dan Wenger.
One Word To Describe Coach Weis: “At this point I don’t have one. I don’t know him that well yet.”
Favorite NFL Player: Matt Turk, Houston punter.
First Pick In NFL Draft: “I would say (Texas Tech receiver) Michael Crabtree, but (Detroit) has so many receivers they need a quarterback. Tim Tebow, Florida quarterback.”
Notable: Turk’s uncle, Matt, punts for the Texans. Another uncle, the late Dan Turk, was an NFL long-snapper from 1985-99.

Carlo Calabrese, LB
High School: Verona (N.J.) High.
Height: 6-foot-2.
Weight: 235 pounds.
40-Yard Dash: 4.6 seconds.
Bench Press: 350 pounds.
Senior Stats: Recorded a school-record 135 tackles in 2008 and a career school-record 346 over four years.
Other Schools: Boston College, Rutgers and Florida.
Recruiting Host: Mike Ragone.
One Word To Describe Coach Weis: “Jersey guy.”
Favorite NFL Player: Brian Urlacher, Chicago linebacker.
First Pick In NFL Draft: “I have no clue.”
Notable: Calabrese played at the same high school as former ND and current Miami Dolphins tight end Anthony Fasano. ... A consensus all-state selection. .... The Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger named Calabrese its New Jersey Defensive Player of the Year.


Chris Watt, OL
High School: Glenbard West High; Glen Ellyn, Ill.
Height: 6-foot-3.
Weight: 280 pounds.
40-Yard Dash: 5.1 seconds.
Bench Press: 315 pounds.
Senior Stats: Had 107 pancake blocks, despite missing two games with an ankle sprain, and did not allow a sack. Will play guard for the Irish, but was primarily a tackle in high school and played a little tight end.
Other Schools: Ohio State, Northwestern and Illinois.
Recruiting Host: Sean Cwynar.
One Word To Describe Coach Weis: “He’s straight, he’ll tell you the truth.”
Favorite NFL Player: Ray Lewis, Baltimore linebacker.
First Pick In NFL Draft: Andre Smith, Alabama offensive tackle.
Notable: Watt was a member of the West squad in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Cierre Wood, RB
High School: Santa Clara High; Oxnard, Calif.
Height: 6-foot-0.
Weight: 192 pounds.
40-Yard Dash: 4.32 seconds.
Bench Press: 289 Pounds.
Senior Stats: Ran for 1,622 yards and 20 touchdowns. Had 33 tackles, two sacks and two fumble recoveries on defense. Averaged 11.3 yards per rush, 22.8 on eight receptions and 39.0 on kickoff returns.
Other Schools: Texas, UCLA and Oregon.
Recruiting Host: Michael Floyd.
One Word To Describe Coach Weis: “Funny.”
Favorite NFL Player: “Adrian Peterson. No, no, no. Devin Hester. No, no, no. Ed Reed (Baltimore safety).”
First Pick In NFL Draft: “I’d pick myself.”
Notable: Wood played for the West team in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio.

Dan Fox, OLB
High School: St. Ignatius Highl; Cleveland.
Height: 6-foot-4.
Weight: 215 pounds.
40-Yard Dash: 4.6 seconds.
Bench Press: 280 Pounds.
Senior Stats: Recorded 82 tackles (42 solo), 1½ sacks, 16 tackles for loss and five interceptions. He also blocked two kicks.
Other Schools: Virginia, Michigan State and Michigan.
Recruiting Host: John Ryan.
One Word To Describe Coach Weis: “Straight-forward.”
Favorite NFL Player: LeCharles Bentley, former Cleveland center.
First Pick In NFL Draft: Knowshon Moreno, Georgia running back.
Notable: Fox played at the same high school as current ND players Ryan and Robby Parris, and former Irish tight end Dan O’Leary.

E.J. Banks, CB
High School: Montour High; McKees Rocks, Pa.
Height: 6-foot-0.
Weight: 180 pounds.
40-Yard Dash: 4.5 seconds.
Bench Press: 225 Pounds.
Senior Stats: Ran for 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns and passed for 1,120 yards and seven touchdowns as a quarterback, a position in which he had been a starter since midway through his freshman season.
Other Schools: Ohio State and West Virginia.
Recruiting Host: Jamoris Slaughter.
One Word To Describe Coach Weis: “Straight-forward.”
Favorite NFL Player: Champ Bailey, Denver cornerback.
First Pick In NFL Draft: Sam Bradford, Oklahoma quarterback.
Notable: Banks is enrolled in classes but an injury will limit him in spring practice.

Jake Golic, TE
High School: Northwest Catholic High; West Hartford, Conn.
Height: 6-foot-4.
Weight: 202 pounds.
40-Yard Dash: 4.68 seconds.
Bench Press: 285 Pounds.
Senior Stats: Caught 31 passes for 587 yards and seven touchdowns.
Other Schools: Connecticut, Florida, Oregon, Ohio State, Boston College, Rutgers and Michigan State.
Recruiting Host: Kyle Rudolph.
One Word To Describe Coach Weis: “Straight-forward isn’t one word, but that’s the best way I can describe him.”
Favorite NFL Player: Dallas Clark, Indianapolis tight end.
First Pick In NFL Draft: Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech receiver.
Notable: Golic is the son of former ND great and current ESPN personality Mike Golic, and brother of current ND offensive lineman Mike Golic Jr.

Jordan Cowart, LS
High School: St. Thomas Aquinas; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Height: 6-foot-2.
Weight: 220 pounds.
40-Yard Dash: 4.9 seconds.
Bench Press: 265 Pounds.
Senior Stats: Aquinas this season attempted 97 extra points, six field goals and had 29 punts. Only two of those 132 snaps were off the mark. Aquinas went 15-0, winning the state championship.
Other Schools: Georgia, Florida, Rutgers, Louisville and Ohio State.
Recruiting Host: Dan Wenger.
One Word To Describe Coach Weis: “Funny, really funny.”
Favorite NFL Player: Heinz Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver.
First Pick In NFL Draft: “I couldn’t tell you.”
Notable: Cowart is from the same high school as ND recruit Ben Turk, and current Irish offensive linemen Sam Young and Dan Wenger. Cowart committed after the season, then made his official visit Jan. 24.

Manti Te‘o, LB
High School: Punahou School, Honolulu.
Height: 6-foot-2.
Weight: 225 pounds.
40-Yard Dash: 4.7 seconds.
Senior Stats: Made 128 tackles, intercepted three passes and blocked one punt.
Other Schools: USC and UCLA.
ND Visit: Nov. 22.
The Skinny: Te‘o is considered one of the, if not the best, linebackers in the country. Recently eliminated BYU and Stanford from consideration. Played in the Under-Armour All-America Game in Orlando, Fla. Comes from the same school as President Obama and golfer Michelle Wie. Wants to take a two-year Mormon mission after his freshman season and has received permission from ND coach Charlie Weis to do so.
Quotable: “I love to hit and I love to make plays. I’ll play inside or outside.” Te‘o told SuperPrep Magazine.

Nick Tausch, K
High School: Jesuit High; Dallas.
Height: 6-foot-1.
Weight: 180 pounds.
40-Yard Dash: 4.7 seconds.
Bench Press: 240 pounds.
Senior Stats: Hit nine field goals, including from 53, 51 and 47 yards. Had 22 touchbacks on kickoffs and helped limit opponents to a 16-yard return average.
Other Schools: LSU, Oklahoma, Utah, Oregon and Baylor.
Recruiting Hosts: Dayne Crist and Deion Walker.
One Word To Describe Coach Weis: “Honest.”
Favorite NFL Player: Adam Vinatieiri, Indianapolis kicker.
First Pick In NFL Draft: Matthew Stafford, Georgia quarterback.
Notable: Tausch’s father, Terry, was an NFL offensive lineman for eight seasons — seven with Minnesota and one with San Francisco.

Shaquelle Evans, WR
High School: Inglewood (Calif.) High.
Height: 6-foot-1.
Weight: 203 pounds.
40-Yard Dash: 4.4 seconds.
Bench Press: 280 pounds.
Senior Stats: Caught 51 passes for 810 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Other Schools: USC, Oregon, Colorado and Ohio State. Originally verbally committed to USC.
Recruiting Hosts: Dayne Crist and Deion Walker.
One Word To Describe Coach Weis: “Honest.”
Favorite NFL Player: Andre Johnson, Houston receiver, and Chad Johnson, Cincinnati receiver.
First Pick In NFL Draft: Sam Bradford, Oklahoma quarterback.
Notable: Evans is from the same high school as Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce. ... Played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio.

Theo Riddick, RB
High School: Immaculata High; Somerville, N.J.
Height: 5-foot-11.
Weight: 190 pounds.
40-Yard Dash: 4.4 seconds.
Bench Press: 270 pounds.
Senior Stats: Ran for 1,482 yards and 14 touchdowns on 258 carries; caught 10 passes for 73 yards; returned five kicks for a 28-yard average; averaged 22.1 yards on 12 punt returns.
Other Schools: Pitt and Penn State.
Recruiting Host: Jonas Gray.
One Word To Describe Coach Weis: “Interesting.”
Favorite NFL Player: Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia running back.
First Pick In NFL Draft: “Ohio State running back Beanie Wells, because I don’t think (Detroit) has a great running attack to contribute to the passing attack.”
Notable: Riddick finished his career as the school’s record-holder in yards (4,043), TDs (52) and points (312).

Tyler Eifert, TE
High School: Bishop Dwenger High; Fort Wayne, Ind.
Height: 6-foot-5½.
Weight: 225 pounds.
40-Yard Dash: 4.6 seconds.
Bench Press: “I’m not really sure what my max is.”
Senior Stats: Caught 40 passes for 675 yards and nine touchdowns, ran for one touchdown, made 97 tackles, forced two fumbles and intercepted five passes, one returned for a touchdown.
Other Schools: Purdue, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest.
Recruiting Host: John Goodman.
One Word To Describe Coach Weis: “Straight-forward.”
Favorite NFL Player: Reggie Bush, New Orleans running back.
First Pick In NFL Draft: Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech.
Notable: Eifert’s father, Greg, played basketball at Purdue.

Tyler Stockton, DT
High School: The Hun School; Princeton, N.J.
Height: 6-foot-1.
Weight: 290 pounds.
40-Yard Dash: 4.9 seconds.
Bench Press: 375 pounds.
Senior Stats: Recorded 43 tackles and six sacks, missed two games because of injury.
Other Schools: Cal, Penn State, USC and UCLA.
Recruiting Host: Hafis Williams.
One Word To Describe Coach Weis: “Confident.”
Favorite NFL Player: Warren Sapp, former Tampa Bay and Oakland defensive lineman.
First Pick In NFL Draft: Terrence Cody, Alabama defensive tackle.
Notable: Stockton is one of two defensive linemen on his high school team who will play college ball. End Anthony LaLota, headed to Michigan, is the other. ... Enrolled at ND in January.

Zach Martin, OL
High School: Bishop Chatard High; Indianapolis.
Height: 6-foot-5.
Weight: 275 pounds.
40-Yard Dash: 5.0 seconds.
Bench Press: 340 pounds.
Senior Stats: Recorded 120 pancake blocks on offense. Registered six sacks on defense.
Other Schools: Michigan, Illinois, Virginia and Kentucky.
Recruiting Host: Trevor Robinson.
One Word To Describe Coach Weis: “Let me see, there are so many. ... Intelligent.”
Favorite NFL Player: Jake Long, Miami offensive lineman.
First Pick In NFL Draft: Matthew Stafford, Georgia quarterback.
Notable: Martin started at right offensive tackle in last month’s Under Armour All-America Game in Orlando, Fla. ... Won two Class 3-A state titles with Chatard (2006, 2007).

Zeke Motta, LB
High School: Vero Beach (Fla.) High.
Height: 6-foot-3.
Weight: 210 pounds.
40-Yard Dash: 4.6 seconds.
Bench Press: 315 Pounds.
Senior Stats: Recorded 132 tackles, forced four fumbles, intercepted two passes as a safety, though he is projected as a linebacker at ND, and blocked three kicks.
Other Schools: Florida and Boston College.
Recruiting Host: Dan McCarthy.
One Word To Describe Coach Weis: “Honest.”
Favorite NFL Player: “I don’t have just one. I like to watch the NFL but I can’t just comment on one player specifically.”
First Pick In NFL Draft: “Again, I don’t really know that much about it.”
Notable: Motta’s father, Bill, played linebacker at Auburn. He was Zeke’s defensive coordinator at Vero Beach High. ... Has a 4.0 grade-point average. ... Motta enrolled at ND in January.

Catching Up with Anthony Johnson, Running Back on the ND 1988 Championship Team

6 Things You Should Know About Being a Team Chaplain (Told to Anna K. Clemons by Anthony Johnson)

1. FAITH COVERS THE WHOLE FIELD.
"Each team has a chaplain. A degree, but not seminary, is required to land the job. I played in the NFL for 11 years, and when I started this job in 2003, I was one of only three former players serving, but the number has nearly doubled. My focus is biblical, but I make it inclusive. No matter what a player's faith, I'll talk to him. And I'm not afraid to engage with players who are atheist or agnostic. Those can be great talks, too."

2. PART OF THE JOB IS CLERICAL …
"We hold chapel during camp and the night before a game; as many as 35 players attend. We're also available for pastoral care—baptisms, wedding preparations, deaths—and we lead a variety of Bible studies: There's a coaches' study group; my wife leads a wives' study; and in some years, we've had a couples' study. We also have one for the front office that continues in the off-season."

3. … AND PART IS PERSONAL.
"A lot of what I do is one-on-one counseling. Most questions are about juggling life as a Christian and as a player, but we talk about anything. One guy recently asked about how to resolve conflicts in his marriage. I wouldn't say infidelity comes up a lot, but enough. These young men may wind up in situations deemed illegal or inappropriate. I try to help them understand how that would affect them and their loved ones."

4. PERSPECTIVE HELPS.
"I don't discourage players from praying for wins. But I do stress that if God doesn't answer that prayer, it doesn't say anything about His purpose for the guy."

5. WE'RE A BARGAIN.
"None of us are paid by the teams. Some, like me, are on staff with Athletes in Action, a global sports ministry, or the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Others are local chaplains who get paid by their parish. The Jags do pay for my travel and give me an office."

6. I HAVE A GAME FACE TOO.
"I'm on the sideline on Sunday. I offer some encouragement, but mostly I stay out of the way. I know what it's like to be focused on the field."

An Interview with Brian Campbell of the Chicago Blackhawks

Defenseman Brian Campbell was one of the hottest free agents last summer and agreed to an eight-year, $57 million deal with the Chicago Blackhawks. The signing has worked out well for both. The Blackhawks appear poised to make the playoffs for the first time since 2001-02. Campbell, meanwhile, recently was named to his third All-Star Game and his first as a starter. USA TODAY caught up with him during All-Star weekend in Montreal:

Question: When you were looking around for a new city last summer, what were some of your factors?

Campbell: Everything came into the picture. I wanted to be close to the family. I wanted to be in a hockey city. I wanted to play on a team that was committed to winning. Those were the main considerations in my choosing where I wanted to go.

How do you like Chicago so far?

Campbell: I love it. It's been great. It's everything I expected and more. The fans are very excited about the team. Things are going well, so there's a lot of excitement. I think that we're a team that's on the rise. I think we can do some damage this year and not have to wait around for it.

Two players on your team who are on the rise are Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. What about them, on and off the ice, makes them special?

Campbell: Jonathan is a very focused individual, very serious. Pat, he likes to have some fun and relax a little bit, but obviously he's very committed. In a hockey sense, they're both committed to winning, but Pat might joke around a bit more compared to Jonathan. They're just fun to watch.

The Blackhawks fired their coach after four games. What was it like going through that and how has Joel Quenneville worked out?

Campbell: Obviously, it was a little shocking. It's worked out well. Joel's come in and done a great job. There's a lot of accountability in the locker room. There's a lot of expectations that he's put on the team. It's definitely been interesting. I don't think that's happened before. It's a good challenge.

You finished last season with the San Jose Sharks. This season, they're off to a great start. They also played very well last year. What difference do you see in their play?

Campbell: I think they're very focused. Their goal is very focused. I think they're playing a little more like a puck-control team. I'm happy to see them do well. They're a bunch of great guys there. They're a great team.

You played in the first two Winter Classics, in Buffalo and in Chicago. Which did you prefer?

Campbell: The first is always the best, I would say, just because it's your first time doing something. The first time is always kind of exciting. Obviously with Wrigley Field, it's great to play in a building like that. You kind of know what to expect when you walk on the field, how the fans are going to be and how loud it is.

You played most of your career in the Eastern Conference. Now, you've been in the West for almost a year. Is there a difference between the conferences?

Campbell: The travel is a little bit more (in the West). They say the West might be a little bit tougher, bigger guys compared to the East. It's more skilled in the East. I'm not saying there isn't skill in the West. You look around the league, the goaltending is very strong in the West. There's a lot of physical defensemen out in the West.

Thanks to Mike Brehm

Blackhawks City Roadwatch

The Blackhawks City Roadwatch was created to offer Hawks fans living in the city a central location to watch their favorite team on the road.

These City Roadwatch events will include all of the fun of a Hawks home game, including goal celebrations, intermission contests, chances to win tickets to future Blackhawks games and more!

When:
Feb. 3 vs. Edmonton, starting at 8 pm
Feb. 17 vs. Tampa Bay, starting at 6:30 pm

Where:
WestEnd Bar and Grill
1326 West Madison St.
Chicago

Specials:
$5 Appetizers
$13 Domestic Beer Buckets

Blackhawks 'Home Game Experience':
- All TVs and audio tuned to the game
- Goal lights, songs and celebrations
- Ticket raffles
- Blackhawks trivia
- Gene Honda and Pat Foley sound-alike contests

Steelers Official Super Bowl Champions Gear

Jeff Burton Ranked 4th in Pre-Season Driver Rankings

The unflappable driver of the No. 31 Richard Childress Racing produced another remarkably consistent effort in 2008. Burton raced into the top 20 in 32 of 36 events and has done so in 61 races during the past two years. His experience and superior ability to anticipate problems makes him a weekly contender. Burton experienced his first multi-win season since 2001, and he actually improved his average finish for the third consecutive year. His 12.5-position finish was his best mark since 2000. Last year, I expected to see a bit of a drop-off from Burton following his strong 2007 campaign. Lesson learned as I won't doubt him again.

The Rest of the Top Ten.

Jeff Burton Calls NASCAR Drivers Spoiled, Challenges Them to Step Up for the Fans

Jeff Burton says the time has come for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers to do more to reach out to fans.

That, the Richard Childress Racing veteran believes, is the best way for the sport to make its way through the shaky economic climate.

“I think that we’ve been spoiled,” Burton said during last week’s Sprint Media Tour hosted by Lowe’s Motor Speedway. “I think that this is a wakeup call for all of us. We as drivers, we have to find a way to do a better job of interacting with the fans, of including the fans in things. I think that we’ve been on a fairy ride, cruising down the river, and it’s going to be tough.

“And we’ve got to be willing to step up to the plate and do more for the fans. That’s the way I see it.”

For Burton, doing more for the fans starts with being more accessible at the track but doesn’t end there. The driver who has been in NASCAR’s top series since 1994 says that competitors can also interact with their supporters by putting a greater emphasis on fan-club initiatives and using the Internet, especially driver Web sites, as a way to reach an audience.

“The thing that we have that we’re really lucky and fortunate [to have] is we do have millions and millions and millions of fans that want to be part of this,” Burton said. “But when times are tough and even if times are great, I think it’s time for us to step back and understand the situation that we’re in. We’ve been spoiled, there’s no question about it. Fans coming all the time, full grandstands, a lot of people watching, people coming to autograph sessions – you know, you start to think that’s normal. It’s not normal, and we’ve got to go earn it again.

“We’ve got to go out and earn it and prove to the fans that we’re willing to do whatever it takes so that they come to the races and have a good time and that they enjoy being part of it. That’s what we’ve got to do. And if we don’t do that, then this sport will be in trouble.”

As far as Burton is concerned, it was drivers’ willingness to reach out to fans that drove NASCAR’s major growth in the late 1990s and the early part of this decade. “That’s what made this sport what it is,” he said. “And we grew and we grew and we grew, and we kind of got away from that. Now the sponsors do a great job of interacting us with the fans. The sponsors do a [heck] of a job at that. The drivers have got to step up and be willing to be more proactive and do more to build that energy back up.”

At the same time, Burton hopes that fans will recognize that some occasions are better suited for interacting with drivers than others. “There’s an appropriate time and an appropriate place to do that,” Burton said. “You know, a fan gets mad at you because you’re getting ready to get in your car in five minutes to go qualify and you won’t sign an autograph. They’ve got to understand, too. “But we’ve got to find and define when the appropriate time is, and when it’s the appropriate time, the driver’s got to be willing to get out there and do the right thing and do more than we’ve been doing the last 10 years. That’s my opinion.”

Thanks to Jared Turner

I Can Make You Thin

The easy way to lose weight and stay slim — with a free weight-loss CD included.

Do you want to lose weight easily? Would you like to feel really happy with your body? Are you unable to lose those last 10 pounds? Are you a late night snacker? Do you find it hard to say no to second helpings? Do you get disheartened about your eating habits and your weight? Yes? Well, Paul McKenna has written the book for you. I Can Make You Thin will change your attitude to food forever.

Annoying Buzzing Sound Dominates Super Bowl Broadcast

Who can tell me what was the annoying buzzing sound that dominated the entire Super Bowl Broadcast from start to finish? It sounded like one of the stadium's next door neighbors was using a hedger on their bushes the entire time.

Joe Torre's "The Yankee Years"

Twelve straight playoff appearances. Six American League pennants. Four World Series titles. This is the definitive story of a dynasty: the Yankee years

When Joe Torre took over as manager of the New York Yankees in 1996, the most storied franchise in sports had not won a World Series title in eighteen years. The famously tough and mercurial owner, George Steinbrenner, had fired seventeen managers during that span. Torre’s appointment was greeted with Bronx cheers from the notoriously brutal New York media, who cited his record as the player and manager who had been in the most Major League games without appearing in a World Series

Twelve tumultuous and triumphant years later, Torre left the team as the most beloved and successful manager in the game. In an era of multimillionaire free agents, fractured clubhouses, revenue-sharing, and off-the-field scandals, Torre forged a team ethos that united his players and made the Yankees, once again, the greatest team in sports. He won over the media with his honesty and class, and was beloved by the fans.

But it wasn’t easy.

Here, for the first time, Joe Torre and Tom Verducci take us inside the dugout, the
clubhouse, and the front office in a revelatory narrative that shows what it really took to keep the Yankees on top of the baseball world. The high-priced ace who broke down in tears and refused to go back to the mound in the middle of a game. Constant meddling from Yankee executives, many of whom were jealous of Torre’s popularity. The tension that developed between the old guard and the free agents brought in by management. The impact of revenue-sharing and new scouting techniques,which allowed other teams to challenge the Yankees’ dominance. The players who couldn’t resist the after-hours temptations of the Big Apple. The joys of managing Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, and the challenges of managing Alex Rodriguez and Jason Giambi. Torre’s last year, when constant ultimatums from the front office, devastating injuries, and a freak cloud of bugs on a warm September night in Cleveland forced him from a job he loved.

Through it all, Torre kept his calm, kept his players’ respect, and kept winning.

And, of course, The Yankee Years chronicles the amazing stories on the diamond. The stirring comeback in the 1996 World Series against the heavily favored Braves. The wonder of 1998, when Torre led the Yanks to the most wins in Major League history. The draining and emotional drama of the 2001 World Series. The incredible twists and turns of the epic Game 7 of the 2003 American League Championship Series against the Red Sox, in which two teams who truly despised each other battled pitch by pitch until the stunning extra-inning home run.

Here is a sweeping narrative of Major League Baseball in the Yankee era, a book both grand in its scope and fascinating in its details.

Former Notre Dame Football Player, Mark Bavaro, Authors "Rough and Tumble"

As a football player, Mark Bavaro didn't deal with rejection all that much. A high school star recruited by Notre Dame, he was drafted by the Giants and became a blue-collar symbol of the grittiness it took to win a pair of Super Bowls.

Rejection came only at the end, when his play began to slip and injuries mounted. The Giants cut him in 1991 and he spent the final three years of his career with the Browns and the Eagles.

When he became an author, rejection flowed a bit differently. In this calling, there are no draft parties or signing bonuses, no starting at the top. It took almost 10 years -- as long as his playing career in the NFL lasted -- for Bavaro to publish his first novel.

Yes, Mark Bavaro, the man of few words while a tight end for the Giants who made a name for himself by dragging would-be tacklers down the field, is a novelist. His first book, "Rough and Tumble," was released this past fall.

"I've always thought that I would like to write a book," Bavaro said this past week from his home in Boxford, Mass. "I read 'North Dallas 40' by Peter Gent when I was in high school and I was fascinated by the idea of a football player writing a book, not just a memoir or an autobiography but an actual novel."

Though Bavaro steers clear of labeling "Rough and Tumble" as semi-autobiographical, it is the story of a veteran tight end in the NFL and his desire to win a championship for -- who else? -- the Giants. "When I retired from the NFL and I had a lot of time on my hands, the first thing I would do to stay busy and pass the time was to write," Bavaro said. "I had the beginnings of a bunch of different stories but this one, 'Rough and Tumble,' kept going to its completion. It was a hobby of mine. I liked to do it."

It took about a year for him to complete the manuscript of about 600 pages in 1999. He sent letters to agents and publishers trying to find someone who would share his desire to get the book into print. His name opened doors in some businesses, but in the literary world, it was more of a hindrance. He was pegged as a dumb jock. "For a good six or seven years or so, I sparingly sent out letters to agents and publishers with no interest, and some of them never responded back," he said.

Eventually he teamed up with an agent and an editor, trimmed his story by more than 100 pages and sold the book to St. Martin's Press in 2006. It was published two years later.

Bavaro has finished the first draft of a second untitled novel, this one a coming-of-age story about a high school football player who is being recruited by colleges. He completed the draft last summer but hasn't had time to revisit it and shape it.

"I think everything I write will have football in it," he said. "It's what I know."

Thanks to Tom Rock

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