Michael Vick took the field yesterday for the first time in two years. I applauded. Let me go ahead and say I know what Michael Vick did - dog fighting, killing underperforming dogs, gambling, etc. - was not only illegal, but also horrific. That was two and a half years ago. Since then, Vick has spent 18 months in prison and two more in ... [Read More…]
Crime doesn’t play
I now know that playing in the NFL is a privilege and not a right." These were some of the first words Michael Vick said to the public after being reinstated to the NFL. If he had really understood it was a privilege, he would have treated it like one. We heard this same spiel from a guy named Adam "Pacman" Jones. He told fans that he understood ... [Read More…]
Ephedra ban not the answer
By Joshua Parrott, Sports Writer While taking a dietary supplement ended Caro-lina Panthers' defensive end Julius Peppers' season, it cost Kiley Belcher something much greater: the life of her husband. Steve Belcher, a pitching prospect for the Baltimore Orioles, died Monday of heat stroke after he collapsed the previous day at the Orioles' ... [Read More…]
The Rance of a lifetime: Bench player puts God before PT
By Joshua Parrott, Sports Writer Rance Bland isn't typical. But Bland isn't bland at all. Just look at his basketball shoes. Written on the three white stripes of each of his black adidas basketball shoes are three numbers: 3, 2 and 3. The numbers are a visual reminder of his favorite Bible verse: Coloss-ians 3:23. His shoes show his trust in ... [Read More…]
Green dazzling in exhibition game
By Joshua Parrott, Sports Writer With just a little over eight minutes remaining in Tuesday night's exhibition game against the International Sports Federa-tion, a pass delivered from the hands of junior point guard Cliff Green sailed out of bounds. That mistake was one of few by Green, who looked more like Jason Kidd than a junior college ... [Read More…]
Abilenian to make World Series worth watching
By Joshua Parrott, Sports Writer If you have either watched SportsCenter or opened a sports page in the past few days, you know the Anaheim Angels are playing in their first-ever World Series. What some within the ACU community may not know is that the Angels might not be where they are today if not for the efforts of an Abilene native and an ACU ... [Read More…]
Football team looking impressive across board
By Joshua Parrott, Sports Writer Eben Nelson is the "man." If you happen to walk by him, be sure to exchange a high-five or two. A handshake would be appropriate as well. But be careful: He might accidentally call you sir. Nelson is the football team's placekicker from Stephenville and this week's Lone Star Conference South Division Special ... [Read More…]
Hays feels right at home at ACU: Director of athletics has good vibes about university
By Joshua Parrott, Sports Writer Former ACU men's basketball coach Tony Mauldin was shown the door in 1996 after posting four straight losing seasons and an overall record of 61-78. Shanon had just completed a 19-10 season at Frank Phillips College and decided to make the move from junior college to Abilene. Shanon said he noticed a difference ... [Read More…]
The second time around: Son of Tech coach returns to ACU, has big plans
By Joshua Parrott, Sports Writer The feeling wasn't all that unusual for Shanon Hays. The current ACU athletic director had encountered it all too many times during his two years as an assistant men's basketball coach at Texas Tech from 1999-2001. Thirty-five times out of a possible 56 opportunities, the Red Raiders came up short against the ... [Read More…]
Changes in athletic department for the better
By Joshua Parrott, Sports Writer The sharp look of fresh paint. The slick appearance of a new court design. The originality of the new Lone Star Conference logo. If you took a second to glance at the floor of Moody Coliseum during Opening Chapel, you may have observed a few noticeable changes, not to mention all the cameras, flowers and sashes ... [Read More…]