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News Nuggets, 11.16.06
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NOTES FROM ECU AND BEYOND...

Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Paterno's hall of fame induction postponed

The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF), announced that Penn State coach Joe Paterno, a 2006 Hall inductee and the NFF’s 2006 Gold Medal co-recipient, will be forced to miss the Dec. 5 induction and award ceremonies in New York City.

Paterno had been scheduled for induction in to the College Football Hall of Fame alongside Florida State coach Bobby Bowden and 13 players, but because of injuries sustained in a sideline collision during the Nov. 4 Penn State-Wisconsin game, Paterno has been ordered by his doctor to limit his travel for a minimum of six weeks.

Paterno and Bowden will still be honored at the Dec. 5 event with the NFF’s Gold Medal, the organization’s highest honor, during a video tribute. Paterno’s formal hall of fame induction will be postponed until next year’s event on Dec. 4, 2007, when he can be present.

“Being honored with my good friend Bobby Bowden and receiving the highest honor of this special organization means a great deal to me,” said Coach Paterno. “I was looking forward to being in New York and spending time with Bobby, his wife Anne and their kids, Sue and our kids. I know that December 5 will be a special evening and we’ll look forward to sharing in that next year.”

Paterno was released from the hospital last Friday, five days after surgery to repair a broken shinbone and two torn knee ligaments.

Tressel downplays his dominance vs. Michigan

Jim Tressel has beaten Lloyd Carr four out of five times. The average score in their meetings is Ohio State 24.6, Michigan 21.2, about a field goal's difference.

Doesn't seem like a big gap, according to an Ann Arbor News report. Ohio State, ranked No. 1, and Michigan, ranked No. 2, are both unbeaten going into Saturday's game in Columbus, OH.

The recent history only proves how little math has to do with reality and what an all-or-nothing business college football is.

Tressel owns Carr.

Don't try to make some stat geek argument against domination. Don't even think of painfully parsing the requirements for owning someone in a rivalry. Ohio State fans would laugh at you, while Michigan fans squirm in embarrassment.

The question is why? Why did the balance of power change overnight when Tressel replaced John Cooper?

Asked if he had answers against Michigan that other coaches didn't, Tressel played the it's-the-kids-not-me card.

"Troy Smith spins and runs 46 yards, now come on, I don't have any answers,'' Tressel said Monday. "The Ohio State-Michigan game has gone on, and sometimes you come up on the good end, sometimes you don't. But if anyone pretends to think they have the answer, they've got a problem.''

ECU softball announces pair of signees

Two high school seniors have signed national letters of intent to play softball at East Carolina, according to an announcement made by head coach Tracey Kee. Left-handers Brittany Howell (Concrete, WA) and Britain Jimenez (Oakdale, CA) are scheduled to enroll at ECU in the fall of 2007 and begin playing during the 2008 campaign.

"Both Britain and Brittany have the ability to make immediate impacts in our program," said Kee. "They are both focused and driven on the field and in the classroom. They are fierce competitors and relentless workers. As a coach, that's all you can ask for. I look forward to seeing them in a Pirate uniform in the near future."

Howell, a talented pitcher and hitter, earned first-team all-state honors in 2005 and 2006 and second-team in 2004. At Concrete High, Howell compiled a record of 55-12, striking out 804 batters. Howell also recorded eleven no-hitters and one perfect game in her prep career. At the plate, Howell batted .496 with five home runs and 87 RBI's for Concrete H.S. Her ASA travel team is the Washington Lake Breeze where she gained the majority of her experience.

Jimenez is a versatile first baseman who could play multiple positions for the Pirates. Jimenez led Oakdale High to league championships in 2004, 2005 and 2006. In 2006, Jimenez was named first-team all-state and Valley Oak League Offensive Player of the Year. She recorded a career batting average of .437 and tallied 71 RBI's at Oakdale High. She is a member of the All-American Sports Academy ASA Gold Team.

News Nuggets are compiled periodically based on material supplied by staff members; data published by ECU, Conference USA and its member schools; and reports from electronic services and other sources. Copyright 2006 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Page Updated: 02/23/2007 12:53 PM