As a USF alumnus, I've always felt a certain kinship with the University of Houston.
This may sound like convenient, revisionist history, but let me explain. Over a decade ago, when preparing to graduate from grad school at USF, Houston was a school (among many others) I considered, and interviewed with at a conference. When doing my research, quite a few things stood out to me. Geographically, both UH and USF are large schools in major metropolitan areas that sit a bay away from the Gulf of Mexico. Each is a multi-campus system with a Research 1 main campus. Their home states are the second- and third-largest in the US, by population. Both states are unequivocally considered football powerhouses. Both schools sit in the next tier of state schools with a pair of vaunted state football programs and a heavy hitting private school or two. We were conferencemates in Conference USA, and are once again in the American.
As the Big 12 once again kicks the tires on realignment, there's another commonality in which I'm interested: Leadership. Long considered a longshot because of Big 12 saturation in the state already, the University of Houston is emerging as a frontrunner, with support coming most notably from Austin - both the state house and the flagship university (and Big 12 800 pound gorilla) located there. How does this relate to USF? Houston's president, Dr. Renu Khator cut her academic teeth at USF, spending 22 years there before taking her current post at Houston. During my time at USF, Dr. Khator became the interim and ultimately permanent provost and senior vice president, and while serving in the role, helped USF into its previous major conference step up: The move to the Big East in 2005. It's reasonable - likely, even - to assume that she played a big role in ushering in the change and in doing so, she worked alongside USF's then- and current president, Dr. Judy Genshaft. While I don't know what their relationship is, I would imagine that anything other than abject bad blood would leave Khator with a favorable impression of her former school and her presidential colleague.
Every step of realignment to date has shown that it's far less about things like academic ranking and university prestige and more about media markets and network dollars. Still, USF stacks favorably on all of these metrics, and having a friendly face after the same goal can't hurt. Ultimately, university presidents cast the votes, and while it's true that Houston isn't yet in and thus doesn't have an official vote or voice, I would imagine that if they're a serious candidate, their opinion may be valued. While the academic portion is often lip service in realignment, it's worth noting that USF was recently designated an "emerging preeminent" within the state of Florida, continuing to carry the baton passed by Khator in her days as chief academic officer. While USF hasn't been engaged in the open lobbying some other potential candidates have been, those in the know will note that real Gs move in silence, and leveraging such a relationship would certainly be a strong behind-the-scenes move.
My read? If we're truly cranking the realignment wheel once again, USF's fate remains intertwined with Central Florida's. If the Big 12 expands to 12, there's a good chance that USF gets left out in the cold, pairing UH for a top independent in BYU or a closer-to-the-footprint Memphis or Cincinnati. If they go to 14 - where currently, every other Power 5 league except the Pac-12 sits - I think USF and C. Florida get the call.
Friday, July 22, 2016
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Flam
Just two quick hits for today:
-My attempt to bring Scouts Honor to the Triad has unceremoniously faded into oblivion; the deadline for reaching a critical mass of reserved tickets has passed, and I missed the mark. At the risk of sounding like the losing team's postgame interview, I didn't hustle hard enough, I missed some opportunities, and at the end of the day, I couldn't get it done. That said, I still believe in the film and intend to see it; if you feel the same way, it's now available on home DVD and Blu-Ray.
-I'm re-reading Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer by Warren St. John this college football preseason. The book spends a season amongst the RVs that follow the Alabama Crimson Tide throughout a typical football season. I've been known to revisit my favorite college football escapism before the season before - see also Clay Travis' Dixieland Delight - but a decade or more after my first read (if I recall, I read it after grad school but prior to moving to Greensboro), I've got a more mature sports fan palate and a current fascination with RVing, so I look forward to enjoying it all over again.
-My attempt to bring Scouts Honor to the Triad has unceremoniously faded into oblivion; the deadline for reaching a critical mass of reserved tickets has passed, and I missed the mark. At the risk of sounding like the losing team's postgame interview, I didn't hustle hard enough, I missed some opportunities, and at the end of the day, I couldn't get it done. That said, I still believe in the film and intend to see it; if you feel the same way, it's now available on home DVD and Blu-Ray.
-I'm re-reading Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer by Warren St. John this college football preseason. The book spends a season amongst the RVs that follow the Alabama Crimson Tide throughout a typical football season. I've been known to revisit my favorite college football escapism before the season before - see also Clay Travis' Dixieland Delight - but a decade or more after my first read (if I recall, I read it after grad school but prior to moving to Greensboro), I've got a more mature sports fan palate and a current fascination with RVing, so I look forward to enjoying it all over again.
Friday, July 8, 2016
Fundraising for FREE
![]() |
Photo courtesy of DCI.org |
The FREE Players Drum Corps is an Old Bethpage, NY-based ensemble that emerged in 2010 from the Family Residences and Essential Enterprises (FREE) Inc. Theatre Arts Day Program, which serves individuals with intellectual disabilities, mental illness, and traumatic brain injury. Already, the FREE Player Drum Corps has put its stamp on the marching arts world, having performed at DCI's Eastern Classic in Allentown and WGI's World Championships in Dayton. As they prepare to make a 2018 appearance in Indianapolis, they need help with the cost to get them there. If it's in your means, please consider helping them out on their GoFundMe page.
Off-Brand
I am not a brand.
Sure, the website, the social media accounts, and the occasional use of an unnecessary first person plural may lead this to be perceived as such, but 80 Minutes of Regulation is, at present, the work of one man. Specifically a black man living in America, where the past few days have been tough.
I've always stayed obsessively on-topic, sticking to sports, marching/athletic music, and related sports-adjacents, but somehow it didn't feel right to just pick up and write another post as though all was as it was when I last posted a week ago. in the time since, the particularly harrowing past few days have seen the loss of life of two black men at the hands of police: First Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, LA; and then Philando Castile in the Twin Cities metro of Minneapolis a day later. Last night, in Dallas, a sniper killed five police officers (not all names have yet been released, the only reason for their omission), wounding several more, in an ambush that broke out following a peaceful Black Live Matter protest.
It's been a trying few days, and I'm simultaneously hopeful and fearful for what's to follow for any individuals and for us as a nation.
And now, I hop down from the podium. Y'all be good to each other. March on...
Sure, the website, the social media accounts, and the occasional use of an unnecessary first person plural may lead this to be perceived as such, but 80 Minutes of Regulation is, at present, the work of one man. Specifically a black man living in America, where the past few days have been tough.
I've always stayed obsessively on-topic, sticking to sports, marching/athletic music, and related sports-adjacents, but somehow it didn't feel right to just pick up and write another post as though all was as it was when I last posted a week ago. in the time since, the particularly harrowing past few days have seen the loss of life of two black men at the hands of police: First Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, LA; and then Philando Castile in the Twin Cities metro of Minneapolis a day later. Last night, in Dallas, a sniper killed five police officers (not all names have yet been released, the only reason for their omission), wounding several more, in an ambush that broke out following a peaceful Black Live Matter protest.
It's been a trying few days, and I'm simultaneously hopeful and fearful for what's to follow for any individuals and for us as a nation.
And now, I hop down from the podium. Y'all be good to each other. March on...
Friday, July 1, 2016
But Please, Don't Dare Call It...
The Cadence of Gameday wouldn't be complete without tailgating, food, and beverages. Every now and again, and especially now for the holiday weekend, that's the focus.
Cackalacky makes the finest barbecue sauce that would never dare call itself that.
It wouldn't dream of it. North Carolina-based Cackalacky draws its name for the vernacular of a region where barbecue is taken seriously, and its sauce is distinctly vinegar- or tomato- (or, if you must, mustard) based. Cackalacky's sweet Cheerwine sauce, in contract, edges much closer to the sweet, sticky sauces one might find in Memphis or Kansas City.
But that doesn't change one fact: It's damn good.
The good folks at Cackalacky started in the sauce business over a decade an a half ago. Their flagship offering is a tangier sauce that's sweet potato-based, and also delicious, but when they joined forces with fellow North Carolina product Cheerwine, the results were legendary. As a soda, Cheerwine's taste is unique among typical offerings, but the cherry flavored treat is undoubtedly of the Carolinas. In similar form, the Cheerwine sauce is sweet and tangy, and while it wouldn't call itself barbecue sauce, following the lead of your favorite sweet sauce might give you some guidance as to where you'd like it best. That may be topping a sandwich, saucing something on the grill, or flavoring shredded chicken or ground beef. Rumor has it it's even great on pulled pork, which is probably as perfect as it is sacrilege. In another Carolina collaboration, the sauce is now the feature of a new pork chop sandwich from Biscuitville. I treated myself to one yesterday (for research. Yeah, that's it. Research.) If you're still figuring out your eating plans for the 4th of July, I'd highly recommend grabbing some if it's within reach. It's available by the jar, though I tend to go for the family size bottle.
Whatever you do, just don't be like this guy.
Cackalacky makes the finest barbecue sauce that would never dare call itself that.
It wouldn't dream of it. North Carolina-based Cackalacky draws its name for the vernacular of a region where barbecue is taken seriously, and its sauce is distinctly vinegar- or tomato- (or, if you must, mustard) based. Cackalacky's sweet Cheerwine sauce, in contract, edges much closer to the sweet, sticky sauces one might find in Memphis or Kansas City.
But that doesn't change one fact: It's damn good.
The good folks at Cackalacky started in the sauce business over a decade an a half ago. Their flagship offering is a tangier sauce that's sweet potato-based, and also delicious, but when they joined forces with fellow North Carolina product Cheerwine, the results were legendary. As a soda, Cheerwine's taste is unique among typical offerings, but the cherry flavored treat is undoubtedly of the Carolinas. In similar form, the Cheerwine sauce is sweet and tangy, and while it wouldn't call itself barbecue sauce, following the lead of your favorite sweet sauce might give you some guidance as to where you'd like it best. That may be topping a sandwich, saucing something on the grill, or flavoring shredded chicken or ground beef. Rumor has it it's even great on pulled pork, which is probably as perfect as it is sacrilege. In another Carolina collaboration, the sauce is now the feature of a new pork chop sandwich from Biscuitville. I treated myself to one yesterday (for research. Yeah, that's it. Research.) If you're still figuring out your eating plans for the 4th of July, I'd highly recommend grabbing some if it's within reach. It's available by the jar, though I tend to go for the family size bottle.
Whatever you do, just don't be like this guy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Labels
- A-Rod (1)
- A.I. duPont Tigers (7)
- AAF (1)
- ACC (54)
- administration (3)
- AHES (21)
- Air Force Falcons (6)
- Akron Zips (1)
- Alabama A and M Bulldogs (4)
- Alabama Crimson Tide (41)
- Alabama State Hornets (3)
- Albany Great Danes (4)
- alcohol (2)
- Alcorn State Braves (2)
- Alcorn State Braves (2)
- All 80 (29)
- All Star (7)
- America East (1)
- American Athletic Conference (18)
- Appalachian State Mountaineers (4)
- Arizona Cardinals (2)
- Arizona State Sun Devils (8)
- Arizona Wildcats (3)
- Arkansas Razorbacks (6)
- Arkansas State Red Wolves (6)
- Army (1)
- Army Black Knights (6)
- Atlanta Falcons (4)
- Atlantic 10 (2)
- Auburn Tigers (16)
- audio (5)
- auto racing (1)
- B4 (292)
- Ball State Cardinals (1)
- Baltimore (4)
- Baltimore Orioles (7)
- Baltimore Ravens (6)
- band (503)
- band holiday (5)
- band on the road (92)
- baseball (14)
- basketball (111)
- Baylor Bears (10)
- BBQ (2)
- BCS (27)
- BCU Wildcats (7)
- beer (16)
- Before the Clock Starts (20)
- Ben Roethlisberger (1)
- bias (2)
- Big 12 (4)
- Big East (42)
- Big South (1)
- Big Ten (28)
- Big XII (11)
- Binghamton Bearcats (4)
- Black Music Month (3)
- blogs (4)
- Blue Devils (11)
- Blue Knights (1)
- Blue Stars (2)
- Bluecoats (5)
- Boise State Broncos (12)
- books (6)
- Boston (2)
- Boston Bruins (2)
- Boston College Eagles (5)
- Boston Crusaders (5)
- Boston Red Sox (3)
- bowl (9)
- Bowling Green Falcons (4)
- bowls (311)
- Brett Favre (1)
- Buffalo Bulls (2)
- Butler Bulldogs (1)
- BYU Cougars (11)
- Cadets (10)
- Cal Golden Bears (4)
- Carolina Crown (24)
- Carolina Panthers (9)
- Cavaliers (6)
- Central Michigan Chippewas (4)
- CFB150 (1)
- Championships (141)
- Charlotte 49ers (4)
- Charlotte Bobcats (1)
- Charlotte Hornets (2)
- Charlotte Hounds (1)
- Charlotte MLL (2)
- cheerleading (1)
- chess (2)
- Chicago Bulls (1)
- Chicago Cubs (1)
- Cincinnati Bearcats (17)
- Cincinnati Reds (1)
- Citadel Bulldogs (2)
- classic (10)
- Clemson Tigers (32)
- Cleveland Cavaliers (2)
- club sports (1)
- CMB150 (2)
- Coach K (1)
- Coach Kay Yow (1)
- coaching (15)
- Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (1)
- Colgate Raiders (1)
- college (596)
- Colorado Buffaloes (2)
- Colorado State Rams (4)
- colorguard (1)
- Colts (1)
- commercials (1)
- community service (3)
- Conference USA (3)
- conferences (9)
- contest (3)
- controversy (4)
- Cornell Big Red (3)
- coronavirus (11)
- Creighton Blue Jays (1)
- cricket (1)
- Crossmen (1)
- cymbals (1)
- D-League (3)
- dallas cowboys (6)
- Davidson Wildcats (1)
- DCA (1)
- DCI (109)
- decade in review (2)
- Delaware (12)
- Delaware 87ers (2)
- Delaware Blue Hens (4)
- Delaware State Hornets (2)
- Denver Broncos (2)
- Denver Outlaws (3)
- Denver Pioneers (2)
- Detroit Lions (2)
- Down and Dirty Dawg Band (2)
- Draft (3)
- drumline (17)
- Duke Blue Devils (19)
- dynasty (1)
- Eastern Michigan Chippewas (1)
- Eastern Michigan Eagles (1)
- Eastern Washington Eagles (1)
- ECU Pirates (15)
- electronics (5)
- ESPN (17)
- expansion (38)
- facebook (2)
- fail (1)
- family (4)
- FAMU Rattlers (18)
- fans (4)
- fantasy football (1)
- fashion (2)
- FCS (5)
- FIU Golden Panthers (2)
- Florida (2)
- Florida Gators (14)
- Florida State Seminoles (17)
- food (11)
- football (334)
- Fresno State Bulldogs (4)
- FSU Seminoles (11)
- fundraising (1)
- gambling (6)
- game of the week (68)
- Georgetown Hoyas (4)
- Georgia Bulldogs (21)
- Georgia Southern Eagles (2)
- Georgia State Panthers (1)
- Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (11)
- Glassmen (1)
- Golden Band from Tigerland (3)
- Golden State Warriors (1)
- Grambling State Tigers (3)
- Green Bay Packers (1)
- Greensboro Swarm (1)
- Hall of Fame (5)
- Hampton Pirates (1)
- harebrained schemes (18)
- Hartford Hawks (1)
- Hawaii Warriors (2)
- hazing (11)
- HBCU (64)
- Heisman Trophy (1)
- Herd of Thunder (2)
- high notes (64)
- high school (7)
- hockey (4)
- Hofstra Pride (1)
- holiday (7)
- homecoming (3)
- Honda Battle of the Bands (19)
- Houston Cougars (12)
- Howard Bison (3)
- i (1)
- Idaho Vandals (1)
- Illinois Fighting Illini (3)
- Illinois State Redbirds (1)
- Inauguration (2)
- Indiana Hoosiers (2)
- Indianapolis Colts (4)
- injury (1)
- interleague (1)
- Iowa Hawkeyes (7)
- Iowa State Cyclones (5)
- Jackson State Tigers (7)
- Jacksonville State Gamecocks (2)
- James Madison Dukes (1)
- Jersey Surf (1)
- Johns Hopkins Blue Jays (10)
- Kansas Jayhawks (1)
- Kansas State Wildcats (15)
- Kent State Golden Flashes (1)
- Kentucky Wildcats (2)
- lacrosse (85)
- Las Vegas Golden Knights (1)
- logo (16)
- Los Angeles Lakers (1)
- Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (5)
- Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns (6)
- Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (1)
- Louisville Cardinals (12)
- LSU Tigers (23)
- Madison Scouts (5)
- Marching 100 (8)
- Marquette Gold Eagles (1)
- Marshall Thundering Herd (5)
- Maryland (7)
- Maryland Terrapins (35)
- mascot (3)
- MEAC (7)
- media (14)
- Meineke Car Care Bowl (1)
- Memphis Tigers (6)
- metaphor (2)
- Miami Dolphins (1)
- Miami Hurricanes (10)
- Miami Redhawks (1)
- Michael Vick (3)
- Michigan State Spartans (9)
- Michigan Wolverines (16)
- Mid American Conference (2)
- Mid-Atlantic (1)
- Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (2)
- military (1)
- Minnesota Golden Gophers (6)
- Minnesota Vikings (2)
- mission (1)
- Mississippi State Bulldogs (8)
- Missouri State Bears (1)
- Missouri Tigers (5)
- mlb (12)
- MLL (8)
- MLS (1)
- Morgan State Bears (1)
- movie (7)
- MTSU Blue Raiders (2)
- NASCAR (3)
- National Battle of the Bands (3)
- National Signing Day (1)
- Navy Midshipmen (14)
- NBA (21)
- NC A and T Aggies (21)
- NC Central Eagles (1)
- NC State Wolfpack (12)
- NDSU Bison (1)
- Nebraska Cornhuskers (7)
- Negro League Baseball (1)
- Nevada Wolf Pack (5)
- New Jersey Nets (1)
- New Mexico Lobos (2)
- New Orleans Saints (4)
- New York Jets (1)
- NFL (56)
- NHL (6)
- NIT (3)
- Norfolk State Spartans (3)
- North Carolina (25)
- North Dakota State Bison (4)
- North Texas Mean Green (2)
- Northern Illinois Huskies (8)
- Northwestern Wildcats (6)
- Not Box 5 (1)
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish (30)
- odds (1)
- Ohio (1)
- Ohio State Buckeyes (42)
- Ohio State Buckeyes' (1)
- Ohio University Bobcats (12)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (1)
- Oklahoma Sooners (18)
- Oklahoma State Cowboys (10)
- Old Dominion Monarchs (1)
- Ole Miss Rebels (11)
- Olympics (4)
- Oregon Crusaders (1)
- Oregon Ducks (17)
- Oregon State Beavers (3)
- Pac-10 (1)
- Pac-12 (8)
- parade (8)
- Penn State Nittany Lions (19)
- pep band (33)
- Pepsi Max (1)
- petition (1)
- Phantom Regiment (3)
- Philadelphia (10)
- Philadelphia 76ers (6)
- Philadelphia Eagles (35)
- Philadelphia Flyers (4)
- Philadelphia Phillies (5)
- Philadelphia Soul (1)
- pictures (2)
- Pittsburgh Crawfords (2)
- PIttsburgh Panthers (13)
- Pittsburgh Pirates (2)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (3)
- playoffs (65)
- PLL (1)
- podcasts (14)
- politics (9)
- polls (1)
- pop culture (2)
- Prairie View A and M Panthers (3)
- Preakness (1)
- preseason (2)
- Prince (1)
- Princeton Tigers (4)
- Pro Bowl (3)
- pros (1)
- Punkin Chunkin (1)
- Purdue Boilermakers (6)
- Queen City Battle of the Bands (5)
- quidditch (1)
- Radford Highlanders (1)
- radio (3)
- random thoughts (1)
- rankings (4)
- realignment (67)
- review (3)
- Rice Owls (4)
- RIP (6)
- rivalry (31)
- Ron Artest (1)
- Rose Bowl (8)
- rules (12)
- Rutgers Scarlet Knights (16)
- San Diego State Aztecs (7)
- San Francisco 49ers (1)
- San Jose State Spartans (2)
- Santa Clara Vanguard (6)
- scandal (1)
- schedule (1)
- SDSU Aztecs (1)
- Seattle Seahawks (1)
- SEC (26)
- shout-out (1)
- SMU Mustangs (5)
- soccer (15)
- South Alabama Jaguars (2)
- South Carolina Gamecocks (17)
- South Carolina State Bulldogs (3)
- Southern Conference (6)
- Southern Jaguars (11)
- Southern Miss Golden Eagles (4)
- Staccato (8)
- Stanford Cardinal (19)
- Stanley Cup (1)
- Stony Brook Seawolves (2)
- Sudler Trophy (11)
- Sun Belt Conference (1)
- Super Bowl (13)
- survey (1)
- SWAC (5)
- Syracuse Orange (14)
- tail (1)
- tailgating (32)
- Talladega College Tornadoes (4)
- Tampa Bay Rays (1)
- TCU Horned Frogs (13)
- Teal Sound (2)
- Temple Owls (11)
- Tenessee State Tigers (1)
- Tennessee Volunteers (12)
- Texas (3)
- Texas A and M Aggies (16)
- Texas Longhorns (13)
- Texas Southern Tigers (2)
- Texas State Bobcats (1)
- Texas Tech Red Raiders (4)
- the South (1)
- The Undersigned (10)
- theater (1)
- Toledo Rockets (6)
- Toronto Nationals (2)
- Tour of Champions (13)
- tournament (68)
- Tournament of Roses Parade (5)
- Track and field (1)
- tradition (4)
- travel (74)
- Troopers (2)
- trouble (2)
- Troy Trojans (2)
- Tulane Green Wave (3)
- Tulsa Golden Hurricane (4)
- TV (44)
- twitter (13)
- UAB Blazers (3)
- UAPB Golden Lions (1)
- UCF Knights (22)
- UCLA Bruins (6)
- UConn Huskies (6)
- UMass Lowell River Hawks (1)
- UMass Minutemen (5)
- UMBC Retrievers (90)
- UNC Tar Heels (27)
- UNCG Spartans (25)
- uniforms (25)
- USC Trojans (9)
- USF Bulls (87)
- Utah State Aggies (6)
- Utah Utes (7)
- UTEP Miners (1)
- UTSA Roadrunners (1)
- Vanderbilt Commodores (5)
- Vermont Catamounts (1)
- video (25)
- video game (1)
- Villanova Wildcats (2)
- Virginia Cavaliers (18)
- Virginia Tech Hokies (14)
- vision (1)
- VMI Keydets (2)
- Wake Forest Demon Deacons (24)
- Washington Capitals (1)
- Washington Commanders (2)
- Washington Huskies (9)
- Washington Nationals (1)
- Washington Redskins (8)
- Washington State Cougars (5)
- West Liberty Hilltoppers (1)
- West Virginia Mountaineers (12)
- Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (4)
- Western Michigan Broncos (5)
- WGI (3)
- Wichita State Shockers (2)
- Wilmington Blue Rocks (1)
- Wisconsin Badgers (14)
- World Cup (2)
- wrestling (1)
- WSSU Rams (2)
- WVU Mountaineers (7)
- Wyoming Cowboys (1)
- Yale Bulldogs (1)
- Year in review (8)
- Youngstown State Penguins (1)