2010-06-27 ~ Sport Syndicate

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Notre Dame Alumni Football Ticket Lottery Results Released Today

Results from the University of Notre Dame football ticket lottery will be available on-line beginning Wednesday (July 7) - and, despite continuing high demand, the University's alumni, friends and fans ended up with better chances of winning tickets in 2010 than they did in the most recent record-setting seasons.

Alumni who followed the University's advice to apply for tickets to as many games as possible (three or more) of this year's seven home games, for the most part, will win tickets to one or more home games this season. The inventory from a seventh home game helped bolster this year's win rates.

Senior alumni requests for their designated game, Stanford on Sept. 25, remained high this year. However, a lottery was not necessary for the senior alumni allocation.

Alumni ticket requests in the past few years have been high and continue to be for 2010, based on these examples:

Approximately $1 million will be refunded this year to unsuccessful lottery participants. The ticket office will begin to mail those refunds the week of July 12.

In excess of 55,000 total tickets were sold through the lottery process for games in the New York City area (Yankee Stadium vs. Army on Nov. 20 -- and New Meadowlands Stadium vs. Navy on Oct. 23).

Notre Dame alumni, Monogram Club members and benefactors who make an annual minimum contribution to the University are eligible to participate in an individual game ticket lottery for both home and away contests. In excess of 30,000 tickets per game are available for each home contest for contributing alumni. Away game ticket inventory varies by site. When the quantity of tickets requested exceeds the supply, a random number driven lottery is conducted.

The Notre Dame ticket office currently is finalizing the 2010 lottery and preparing refund checks. Lottery results will be available beginning July 7 on-line at www.und.com/tickets or by calling 574-631-7356 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT.

DePaul's Plan to Save College Hoops in Chicago

Are we aware that it's a little bit crazy to look at high school freshmen as prospects? Yes, yes we are. But kids are flashing serious ability at younger and younger ages, and coaches are taking notice.

According to John Stovall of ESPN Recruiting, some of the most audacious young players out there can be found in the Windy City. Anyone who's watched college hoops for any length of time won't be too surprised by that information.

The problem is that most of those kids leave the city to pursue their hoop dreams. It's up to Oliver Purnell and the DePaul Blue Demons to do something about that.

Stovall identified four impressive prospects from Chicago at the Fab Frosh All-American Camp, which is the nation's premiere event for incoming high schoolers. Most impressive was Jahlil Okafor, a younger cousin of the NBA's Emeka Okafor. The Demons' interim coach, Tracy Webster, caused a stir when he offered Okafor a scholarship last season, while the kid was still in eighth grade.

Again, a little bit crazy, but something has to be done if DePaul is to save the reputation of the school and, by extension, college hoops in the city of Chicago. If they can't land Okafor, they'll want to get Sean O'Mara, Larry Austin or Paul White to stay home and play. It may take time (and the completion of the promised on-campus arena) to make DePaul a place local kids will want to call home, so looking ahead to the Class of 2014 may be just right.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Dale Earnhardrt Jr's #3 Wrangler NASCAR

RIP Former Chicago Blackhawk Enforcer Bob Probert

Retired hockey enforcer Bob Probert, who played for the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks and struggled to overcome drinking problems, has died. He was 45.

Probert RIP Bob Probert was on a boat in Lake St. Clair with his wife, children and in-laws when he "developed severe chest pains" Monday, family friend Rich Rogow said.

Probert's father-in-law gave him CPR, Rogow said. Probert later died at Ontario's Windsor Regional Medical Center, where Rogow spoke at an evening news conference.

Probert played for the Red Wings in 1985-1994 and for the Blackhawks in 1995-2002.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Probert family during this difficult time," Blackhawks president John McDonough said in a statement. "Bob will always be a member of the Blackhawks family and his memory will live on through our fans."

The Windsor native had 384 points (163 goals, 221 assists) in 935 career regular-season games with Detroit and Chicago. His 3,300 career penalty minutes rank sixth in NHL history.

The Blackhawks honored him with a Bob Probert Heritage Night on Feb. 22, 2009, at the United Center, and he dropped the ceremonial puck before Game 3 of the 2009 Western Conference Final between Detroit and Chicago.

While playing for the Red Wings, Probert was charged several times with driving under the influence. He also was caught trying to carry cocaine from Canada into the U.S. and served a prison term.

Soccer Deal of the Day!

Monday, July 5, 2010

I Endorse Paul Konerko!

I endorse Paul Konerko as my Final Vote. Help me support his campaign - he is one of 5 players up for the last spot on the 2010 American League All-Star team. You can vote until Thursday, July 8 @ 4 p.m. ET. Vote Now!