Pardon me while I show indifference to the press release issued earlier this week by the University of Central Arkansas on its new football playing surface.
The release primarily dealt with the fact, unlike most turf, the surface of First Security Field at Estes Stadium will not contain even a trace of green. “
Instead,” the
press release stated, “
the school has opted for a unique design incorporating the Central Arkansas school colors of purple and gray, with black and white accents.”
“In contrast from solid-colored surfaces such as the famed blue turf of Football Bowl Subdivision power Boise State and – more recently – the red turf at reigning Football Championship Subdivision national champion Eastern Washington, the playing surface at Central Arkansas will feature purple and gray alternating in five-yard sections from the goal lines out to the 45-yard lines. Between the 45s will be a 10-yard gray segment with the logo – which will span 20 yards – centered at midfield. The end zones will be black with “Bears” in white lettering with secondary bear paw logos on either side, giving it an appearance unrivaled anywhere in college football.”
Here’s where my indifference is rooted (pardon the pun): The turf, whether it be artificial or natural, on all Slippery Rock University athletic facilities carries out the school colors of Green and White and has for years. So, when you trim away all the hyperbole, Boise State, Eastern Washington and now Central Arkansas are merely copying what The Rock has always done. We just don’t make a big deal out of it.
(Hopefully everyone understands the previous four paragraphs are written with tongue firmly implanted in cheek).
OK, time to turn serious.
Rock fans have an ample assortment of noteworthy events in which to participate in the coming weeks and months. Here is but a sample of the festivities on the menu:
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Next Friday, April 15: Annual SRU Green vs. White spring football game on Bob DiSpirito Field at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium, 7 p.m. kickoff.
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April 27: SRU Baseball Night at PNC Park.
Click here or contact Bill Richter, SRU's athletic development director, at 724.738.2387 or
wrichter@srufoundation.org for more information.
•
May 12-14: Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Bill Lennox Track and Bob DiSpirito Field at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium.
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Sept. 9-10: Mihalik-Thompson Rededication Weekend. Contact Bill Richter, SRU's athletic development director, at 724.738.2387 or
wrichter@srufoundation.org for more information.
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Sept. 24: 28th annual SRU Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Multi Purpose Room in University Union followed by Rock vs. Indiana (Pa.) football game, 7 p.m. kickoff. Contract Pearl Shaffer, assistant to the athletic director, at
pearl.shaffer@sru.edu or 724.738.2768 for more information.
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Oct. 15: Homecoming Weekend. Rock vs. California (Pa.) football game, 2 p.m. kickoff.
•
Feb. 4, 2012: 25th anniversary recognition of 1986 women’s basketball team coached by
Kathy Walton, the only Rock women’s hoops squad to ever win a PSAC title. Contact Bill Richter, SRU's athletic development director, at 724.738.2387 or
wrichter@srufoundation.org for more information.
Shifting gears … News from former Rock student athletes/current or future professional athletes:
• Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader sports writer Kary Booher wrote a nice feature story on former SRU baseball standout
Matt Adams.
Here are some excerpts from that story:
In the Double-A Texas League, a season-opening “nobody” can become a late-season “somebody.”
Which explains why the Springfield Cardinals are eager to see not if but how much damage power-hitting first baseman Matt Adams will inflict this year.
Just yesterday, or so it seems, Adams starred at NCAA Division II Slippery Rock (Pa.) … Now he is about to make his Double-A debut, skipping the high Class A Florida State League.
"With Matt," shortstop Ryan Jackson said, "he's one of those guys that can wake up out of bed and hit.”
Later in the story, Adams said,
"It's crazy to think of it that way, (recently) being in Division II baseball and now in Double-A.”
The story goes on to say:
Because he is unlike other hulking sluggers who tend to swing for the fences, the Cardinals are optimistic that Adams -- a 6-foot-3, 230-pounder who bats left-handed -- can survive in the Texas League.
He does not have a swing full of holes, the Cardinals say, which helps Adams hit for both power and average. His stats of 2010 is evidence: .310 average, 22 home runs, 41 doubles and 78 strikeouts in 464 at-bats.
"Right now, he looks fantastic. You don't see him chasing (pitches) too much," [center fielder Tommy] Pham said. "Seeing him go out and try to be the best is only going to make me want to bring the best out in myself."
The story ends with Adams talking about how he chose The Rock after being snubbed by most NCAA Division I schools and eventually invited walkon at Pitt.
"I was a little bit down after that but kept working hard and found a spot to play college ball," he said.
"I put that as a chip on my shoulder as they really didn't want me there. Now I'm proving everybody wrong."
Click here to read the complete article.
Adams was also featured in an April 6 Altoona Mirror story written by Todd Irwin.
Click here to read that story.
And there’s been mention of Adams stepping right in to replace Albert Pujols if he fails to come to contractual terms with the organization. How great would that be?
•
Brandon Fusco had a personal workout March 28 with the New York Giants and April 5 with the Philadelphia Eagles and is scheduled to fly to New York for an April 10 workout with the Jets. The New England Patriots have also shown a lot of interest in the consensus All-America selection and 2010 recipient of the Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award.
Click here top read Fusco’s latest journal entry on www.jbscouting.com.
Prior to Fusco’s performance in the Senior Bowl in late January, he was projected as a fifth- or sixth-round draft pick. Now, following his strong showings at the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine, it may not be reaching too much to say the 6-foot-4, 305-pounder is a potential third- or fourth-round pick.
All the waiting will end in late April when the NFL Draft is held. And, yes, the draft will be held even if the NFL Players Association and NFL owners don’t reach an agreement and end the lockout.
That’s all for now. Stay tuned for updates and more news. Until then …
GO ROCK!!!
Bob McComas
Sports Information Director
