Dreaming of pay-for-play - Dec 17, 2008 | 15:54:12

This entry is written by Gary Brown, Director of The NCAA News and Champion Magazine.

I had a dream last night that I think might be a nightmare.

It was January 8, and Florida was lining up to play Oklahoma in the BCS title game. I had some of my Florida alumni friends over and we were rubbing our gator heads for good luck when suddenly, the officials - instead of flipping a coin - decided to have the teams flip uniforms.

This was madness! The teams dutifully retreated to their locker rooms and returned wearing their opponents' gear. Tim Tebow was no longer a blue-clad No. 15, but a crimson-clad No. 15. Percy Harvin wasn't a galloping Gator, but a speedy Sooner. And here's my team - my team - with Sam Bradford wearing my beloved orange helmet with the script "Gators" that I have pulled for all these years.

I thought I'd wake up, but on the game went. Florida - I mean Oklahoma - kicked off, and we - I mean they - returned the ball all the way to midfield. Should I be happy or sad? Who the heck was I cheering for?

Then I did finally wake up - in a cold sweat. The first thing I did was check to see if my same wife and not some Oklahoma wife was sleeping next to me - and then I hit the speed dial for my therapist.

After I explained everything, the answer was simple. As a fan, my therapist said, I identify with the trappings of the university more than with the players who represent the school. While it's nice to have a talented Tim Tebow or Sam Bradford lead your team to victory, what those players are wearing gets your blood flowing more than the name - or the number - on the jersey.

"Somebody obviously suggested to you that players ought to be paid, and this is your way of processing that in your subconscious," my therapist said.

As a matter of fact, my neighbor had ranted to me the other day that Division I football players ought to be compensated for all the money they generate for the school. I argued that the institution's contribution should not be discounted. The school provides the infrastructure, the coaches, the training and the historical cache that in fact makes the players what they are, I said. You cheer for Florida, not Tim Tebow, right? If the Gators trotted out in Oklahoma uniforms, you'd boo them, right?

Whew - glad I figured that one out.

Then my therapist reminded me that I actually graduated from the University of Kansas, not Florida.

So I was right - it was a nightmare!

Dickie V's shares opinions on coaching tenures - Dec 17, 2008 | 14:56:29

ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale is known for the energy and passion he brings to college basketball telecasts. But now, Dickie V has become Versatile (with a capital V, baby!)

Yesterday, he wrote an article in USA Today about the college coaching environment and how rare it is for coaches like Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Boeheim, and Jim Calhoun to have each been at their respective universities for around 30 years.

Dickie V makes some valid points. Coaches are expected to provide instant results on the court, which are unrealistic expectations in many situations. Let's remember, if former Duke Athletics Director Tom Butters had a quick trigger on Krzyzewski when Coach K struggled in his first few years in the early 1980s, it would be a much different story at Duke. Are institutions too impatient with coaches?

Globetrotters create ball for new president - Dec 17, 2008 | 14:19:05

The Harlem Globetrotters and Spalding have teamed up to create an official red, white and blue ball for the President-elect Barack Obama. In addition, 50 of the balls will be donated to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington, D.C.

Newspaper focuses on financial aid in college athletics - Dec 17, 2008 | 12:58:57

Yesterday, the Minnesota Star-Tribune ran a series of articles examining athletics scholarships in intercollegiate athletics. Many people are unaware there are scholarship limits for each sport, and in many cases, student-athletes don't get a "full ride." Additionally, it's truly tough odds to get an athletics scholarship on the Division I level, something that many high school student-athletes fail to realize. The newspaper also talked about financial aid as it relates to athletics on the Division II and Division III levels.

Mississippi State tweaks helmet logo - Dec 17, 2008 | 11:09:24

The new logo is a "more sleek version of the five-year-old "M" with "STATE" on a banner atop it," The tops and bottoms of the letter "M" are less defined and more angled. There's also less of a ribbon to the banner bearing the word "STATE." The helmet's color is maroon.

See what you started Ocho Cinco? - Dec 17, 2008 | 10:22:57

On Monday, Tampa Bay's defensive end Greg White officially changed his name from Gregory Alphonso White Jr. to Stylez G, White. White said he picked his new name from a character in the 1985 movie "Teen Wolf,'' starring Michael J. Fox.

JoePa in Happy Valley for three more years - Dec 17, 2008 | 9:34:55

Penn State announced it has extended Joe Paterno's contract three more years through 2011. Paterno turns 82 on Sunday. According to a statement by the athletics department, administrators also agreed they could reevaluate the arrangement and shorten or extend its terms as necessary.

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