Political commentator earns athletics director audience

James Carville, well-known political consultant, commentator and advisor to President Bill Clinton, will serve as the opening keynote speaker for the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics convention in New Orleans.

Carville is scheduled to speak on June 21. The 41st annual convention is June 20-23, and will include sessions on preparing for natural disasters, fund-raising, diversity and facilities.

NACDA Associate Executive Director Pat Manek said Carville, who hails from Louisiana, is an interesting follow-up to last year’s keynote speaker, NBC’s Tim Russert.

“The keynote speaker is always someone who is dynamic in nature, who can think outside the box and who would be somewhat of a different fit,” said Manek. “Tim Russert was a home run for us last year, and similarly, we think James Carville is going to be dynamic, entertaining and someone who could make it fun, educational and interesting all at the same time.”

A graduate of Louisiana State University, Carville is best known for his work on President Clinton’s 1992 campaign. Carville’s work was captured in the documentary film “The War Room.”

Carville currently appears on the CNN program “The Situation Room” and formerly co-hosted the debate program “Crossfire.” He is also a best-selling author of political nonfiction, including a book he co-authored with his wife, Republican advisor Mary Matalin.

NACDA convention participants also will have an opportunity to take part in a sportsmanship summit scheduled for June 23. Though plans for the summit are yet to be finalized, Manek said Ron Stratten, NCAA vice president for education services, is spearheading the effort.

“It’s a pertinent topic. Our mission at the convention is education, and we’re always looking for ways to do that. An emphasis on sportsmanship is a perfect fit,” said Manek.

To register for the convention, visit the NACDA Web site at www.nacda.com. Early registration ends May 17.

Gonzaga’s diamond duo turns rare double triple

It is rare enough to see a triple play in a baseball game at any level, let alone see two. But the Gonzaga University Bulldogs used two triple plays in back-to-back innings to propel them to a 6-2 victory over Washington State University April 4.

The Zags were down, 2-0, in the second inning with runners at first and second when a Washington State batter lined to Gonzaga first baseman Bobby Carlson. Carlson stepped on the bag to record the second out before throwing to shortstop Aaron McGuinness, who was covering second base, for the third out.

The sequence was the same the next inning when Carlson again snared a line drive, doubled the runner who had left first and threw to McGuinness to finish off the Bulldogs’ second triple play of the game.

The Zags’ double triple is believed to be a first in NCAA history and has happened only once in Major League Baseball. The Minnesota Twins turned triple plays in the fourth and eighth innings against the Boston Red Sox on July 17, 1990.

Division III pair delivers game-show home runs

Two softball student-athletes pulled off a twin killing of different sort last month when both scored big as prize winners on the television game show “The Price Is Right.”

Katy Daniel, an infielder and outfielder at Illinois College, earned a spot on the stage during the March 15 taping she was attending with teammates as part of a spring-break trip to California. The sophomore won a showcase prize package worth about $32,000, including a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix, a computer and a bed and mattress set.

One week later, during a day off from play at the Sun West tournament hosted by Chapman University, Williams College’s Christine “Twink” Williams was in the audience. Williams, a senior infielder for the Ephs, won the Showcase Showdown during the taping of the March 22 show to become the owner of a new Cadillac, a year’s supply of Krispy Kreme donuts, silverware, a hot tub and other prizes valued at $46,444.