Michigan Winter Sports Extravaganza

The Double-A Zone kicks off its Michigan Winter Sports Extravaganza at noon today. Over the next three days, bloggers Ryan Powell and Howard Smith will visit seven schools, highlighting indoor track, men’s and women’s ice hockey,  women’s gymnastics, wrestling, men’s and women’s swimming, men’s and women’s basketball and, of course, bowling. Check out their trip here.

Once a gorilla, always a gorilla

Pittsburg State graduate Jack Copeland joined about 50 members of the Kansas City Gorilla Club on a bus trip from Shawnee, Kansas, to Pittsburg to watch his alma mater's men's and women's basketball teams play Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association rival Central Missouri. Along the way he catches up with old friends and is reminded of the special draw and shared experiences of college athletics. Have you visited your campus for an athletics event recently? What did it mean to you?

Roller derby provides outlet for former student-athletes

Former NCAA student-athletes do all kinds of physical activities to stay in shape after their collegiate playing days are over. NCAA blogger Howard Smith finds some former student-athletes in a pretty unusual place—a roller derby match. Check out his experience in this audio slideshow.

Who's to blame when fans attack?

Ok, seriously, what's up with disgruntled fans physically confronting referees for calls during a game? By now you've heard about the bonehead Jonathan Xavier, brother of Providence guard Jeff Xavier, who came down from the stands (jumping over the Providence bench) to confront a ref about an uncalled foul on his brother.

Providence isn't the only venue where disgruntled fans (and relatives) have vented their frustration with referees and players. What should be done to prevent this disturbing trend from getting more out of hand?

Study raises concerns about growing football weights

A study conducted by Ohio State University found half of college linemen show early signs of heart disease and diabetes.

That's a scary statistic, and should be a wake-up call to parents, coaches and student-athletes. What can be done to protect these athletes?