Seven inducted to Cotton's Hall

Seven individuals who helped shape college football history and New Year's Day tradition inducted were recently into the SBC Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame in Dallas.

Inductees included University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, and University of Kentucky coach Paul "Bear" Bryant; University of Texas at Austin quarterback Duke Carlisle; Texas A&M University, College Station, linebacker Johnny Holland; Texas A&M fullback John Kimbrough; longtime television announcer Lindsey Nelson; U.S. Naval Academy quarterback Roger Staubach; and Texas Christian University halfback Jim Swink.

Sixty-four years in the making, the SBC Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame honors individuals who have played a role in developing the tradition, pageantry and prestige of one of college football's most legendary postseason bowl games. The 2000 class is the third to be inducted.

Southwestern Bell and the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association honored the inductees on the steps of the historic Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas' Fair Park. Each new member of the Hall of Fame received a personalized bronze statue in the likeness of a 1930s football player, the era in which the Cotton Bowl was founded.

Former Southern Methodist University tailback, Cotton Bowl Classic participant and current CBS sportscaster Craig James served as the event's master of ceremonies.

Carlisle, Holland, Staubach and Swink attended the ceremony, while Kimbrough was represented by his son, John. Bryant and Nelson were inducted posthumously. Bryant was represented by one of his former players at Alabama, linebacker Lee Roy Jordan. Nelson was honored by his daughter, Nancy Nelson Wyszynski.

"The Southwestern Bell Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame gives us the opportunity to properly and permanently recognize these heroes and unique personalities who helped establish the Classic as one of college football's premier events," said Fred McClure, chairman of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association. "We believe that the Southwestern Bell Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame provides future generations with a greater appreciation for the rich tradition of college football on New Year's Day here in Texas."

A 35-member judging committee (including media representatives and athletics administrators) voted from a list of 52 original nominees that included players, coaches, bowl administrators and others who have made special contributions to the Classic.

Selection criteria for the Southwestern Bell Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame is based on an individual's performance or contribution to the Classic rather than on the person's college or professional career. An individual is eligible five years after his final Classic appearance.

Record still groovy

Jim Sostak, a junior right fielder from Benedictine University (Illinois), has broken an NCAA baseball record that goes back to the days of polyester and go-go boots.

Sostak's 15 consecutive hits eclipsed the 1977 NCAA record of 14 set by Larry Patterson of Gonzaga University, as well as the Division III record of 13 set in March 1999 by Damien Garnett of Wilmington College (Ohio).

Sostak was 2-for-2 in game one of a double-header against MacMurray College, then 5-for-5 in game two. A few days later, he went 6-for-6 -- including two home runs and two doubles -- in game one against Eureka College. He followed that with two singles in game two before grounding out in his third at bat.

"It was a fantastic streak from a fantastic person," said Benedictine coach John Ostrowski. "He is an image of what a student-athlete should be."

Sostak, who is enrolled in Benedictine's health science program, also boasts a perfect grade-point average.

Change can be cheesy

An author who presented a popular session at the 1999 NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills continuing education seminar is now available for seminars on campus.

Spencer Johnson, M.D., author of the best-selling book, "Who Moved My Cheese?" and John Kotter, Harvard Business School professor and author of the book "Leading Change," have developed a new seminar program to address the challenges and opportunities of change.

The program, which can be tailored for 12-15 people or 30 to 40 attendees, emphasizes the positive aspects of change by using the popular mouse-and-cheese metaphors in Johnson's book.

For more information about the seminars, call Fruition Consulting Inc. in Charlotte, North Carolina, at 704/503-4673.

-- Compiled by Kay Hawes

Number crunching

Leaders by division in men's ice hockey home attendance for 2000:

DIVISION I

Average Home Attendance

Annual champions (by total attendance)

DIVISION III

Average Home Attendance

Annual champions (by total attendance)