| Friday, February 9, 2018 |
| Mississippi State, Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture develop poultry partnership | |
 | Administrators from Mississippi State University and the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture signed a cooperative agreement Feb. 7 designed to train workforce entrants for Nebraska's burgeoning poultry industry. The newly developed program includes three semesters in Nebraska and a semester in Mississippi State University's College of Agriculture & Life Sciences. Upon completion of the program, students will earn an associate of applied science in animal science degree from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, with a concentration in poultry science. Judy Bonner, Mississippi State provost and executive vice president, spoke to the benefits of the unique partnership. "We have developed a number of innovative partnerships with Mississippi community colleges and are excited to partner with the state of Nebraska to help students earn a degree and enter the workforce as leaders in the industry there." |
| Universities offer future educators new programs | |
 | There is little doubt education is one of Mississippi's most pressing problems. It is a problem that cannot be solved by the teachers, principals and superintendents alone. In addition to training, the next generation of teachers, principals and superintendents, Mississippi Public Universities are helping to improve education in numerous ways. The Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program, or METP, is a joint effort by the School of Education at the University of Mississippi and the College of Education at Mississippi State University. Mississippi Public Universities also assist with efforts to improve Pre-K. The Mississippi State University Extension Service and the Mississippi State Department of Health Office of Child Care Licensure have partnered to create a workshop series to provide training to child care providers and continuing education credit required for licensure. |
| Mississippi State offers workshop on wedding floral design | |
 | Professional florists, farmer florists and others interested in the business can learn how to design and market fresh flowers for weddings during an upcoming three-day workshop in Verona. Jim DelPrince, floral specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service in Biloxi, will conduct the "Wedding Floral Design Workshop" April 9-11. "Normally, what I do is on the Coast but I've had requests from the northern part of the state to do this workshop," DelPrince said. The workshop will be held at the MSU North Mississippi Research and Extension Center in Verona. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 9 and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 10 and 11. Registration costs $375 per person and includes materials and lunches. Designers should bring their own tools. The class is limited to 15 participants and the deadline to register is early April. |
| Multiple agencies investigate records tampering at Mississippi State | |
 | Multiple law enforcement agencies served a search warrant in Oktibbeha County Thursday afternoon. Chief Communications Officer for Mississippi State University Sid Salter said authorities responded to The Garden Homes of Highlands Plantation to serve a search warrant regarding an investigation centering around the possible tampering with MSU records. Salter would not disclose the nature the university records involved at this time. As the investigation continues, Salter said more information may become available. |
| Mississippi presidents, ADs: Proposed gun bill bad for school safety | |
 | Mississippi State president Mark Keenum and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey aren't alone with their concerns about House Bill 1083. On Wednesday, Keenum and Sankey voiced their issues with a bill, which was passed the same day, that would give gun owners with an enhanced carry permit the ability to sue if they are prevented from carrying on public property, which includes universities and courthouses. Ole Miss Chancellor Jeff Vitter expressed concern about HB1083 as well and released a statement Wednesday night. In a joint interview on Supertalk Mississippi's Head to Head on Thursday, Ross Bjork, Ole Miss athletic director, and John Cohen, Mississiipi State athletic director, shared some thoughts on the bill, which could potentially allow fans to bring guns into a stadium. "The great thing about being involved in the Southeastern Conference is all our facilities are electrically charged, it's emotional. It's an incredible environment," Cohen said. "It's amped up. Our concern is if you introduce certain elements into that emotion, in some ways it could stop us from making this as safe an environment as it needs to be." |
| Gun-waving lawmaker triggers more concealed carry concerns | |
| A gun-wielding Democratic lawmaker and more state university statements have fueled more concerns over a plan to strengthen the ability of permit-holding citizens to carry guns on college campuses. On Thursday, the Mississippi House approved legislation that allows enhanced concealed carry permit holders to sue agencies that deny their ability to carry weapons. During debate on a procedural motion, Rep. Charles Young, D-Meridian, stood at a podium in the front of the chamber and held a handgun in the air, drawing gasps and surprised looks from several fellow lawmakers. Young said several lawmakers are known to carry concealed weapons despite legislative rules that prohibit them from doing so. At Young's request, Speaker Philip Gunn instructed the sergeant-at-arms to remove Young from the chamber for violating the rules. |
| Mississippi Lawmaker Displays Unloaded Gun During Debate | |
 | A Mississippi lawmaker who held up an unloaded semi-automatic pistol during a debate said he was trying to make a point about the hypocrisy of gun laws that allow firearms in most places but restrict them in the Capitol. Democratic Rep. Charles Young of Meridian held his gun over his head Thursday on the House floor. He also held up his state-issued enhanced concealed carry gun permit. Young describes himself as a Second Amendment supporter and said he was trying to point out that legislators live under rules that restrict firearms in the state Capitol while they legalize the widespread possession of guns at places like schools and sports venues. Young displayed his gun a day after the House passed House Bill 1083 , which would void rules that limit where people can carry guns on public property in Mississippi, including college campuses. |
| Gun brought onto Mississippi House floor by lawmaker protesting bill | |
| A Mississippi lawmaker displayed his handgun and concealed carry permit at the House floor podium Thursday, then was escorted from the chamber -- at his own request -- to protest a gun-rights bill that has drawn fire from university leaders and the Southeastern Conference. But a majority of the House voted (80-33) to table a holding motion on House Bill 1083, sending it on to the Senate over protests that it could endanger students, sports programs and fans. Rep. Charles Young Jr., D-Meridian, told his colleagues "let's grow up," arguing for the House to amend or kill the bill the House passed Wednesday. To make his point, he displayed his FN pistol and his enhanced concealed carry permit. He told House Speaker Philip Gunn that he and others are violating a joint legislative rule that says no one but sworn law enforcement can carry a gun in the Capitol or House or Senate chambers. |
| Voucher bill dies with no vote in Senate | |
| A bill that would have greatly expanded the school voucher/scholarship program in Mississippi died Thursday when it was not brought up for consideration by the Senate leadership. Thursday was the deadline for general bills to pass out of at least one chamber of the Legislature. It is not known whether there will be attempts to incorporate the controversial proposal into another bill in the coming days. In a statement, Grant Callen, president of Empower Mississippi, a school choice advocacy group, said, "While the expansion will not happen this session, the fight is not over. It will continue until every family in Mississippi can choose the right educational setting for their child." Republican Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, the Senate's presiding officer, blamed the House for the proposal not being called up for a vote in the Senate. |
| Expansion of voucher-like scholarship accounts dies as GOP leaders spar | |
| Controversial legislation that would have drastically expanded the state's voucher-like Education Savings Account program died ahead of Thursday's deadline. Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, an outspoken proponent of expanding "school choice," said in a press release Senate Bill 2623 died "because there is not enough support in the House at this time." House Speaker Philip Gunn, a school choice backer, called the lieutenant governor's statements "laughable." And several Republican senators who spoke with Mississippi Today earlier in the week said they would vote against the bill, which was never brought up for debate on the Senate floor. "I'll tell you what's dead --- that voucher bill. Deader than deader than dead," Sen. Philip Moran, a Republican from Kiln told Mississippi Today. |
| House rejects Medicaid expansion | |
| House Democrats made an unsuccessful effort to expand Medicaid Thursday, saying such an expansion would benefit Mississippi's struggling hospitals, the working poor and the overall economy of the state. Rep. Robert Johnson, D-Natchez, offered an amendment to the so-called Medicaid technical amendments bill to establish what would be known as accountable care organizations throughout the state, in which health care providers would be able to work together to provide health care to the Medicaid expansion organization. As Johnson explained his amendment, he never said the phrase "Medicaid expansion," which has become a lightning rod to many Republicans who oppose the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare. |
| Mississippi House Votes to Limit Powers of Attorney General | |
| The Republican-led Mississippi House voted Thursday to limit the powers of the attorney general who's the only Democrat in statewide office. But it's unclear whether the proposal will survive in the Senate. Republican Rep. Mark Baker of Brandon wrote House Bill 1238 , which would prohibit the attorney general's consumer protection division from suing private businesses for actions that are allowed by state or federal laws or regulations. The bill passed the House 57-52 on Thursday. The bill was held for the possibility of more debate in that chamber. |
| House wants to throw out $3 billion in Medicaid contracts | |
| The House has voted to give Mississippi's only provider-sponsored insurance plan another shot at winning a contract with the Division of Medicaid, an unorthodox move that some say lets the Legislature pick agency contracts. On Thursday, the House passed an amendment that would require the Division of Medicaid to rebid contracts for its lucrative managed care program, valued at approximately $3 billion a year. Under managed care, the agency hires insurers to manage the health care of Medicaid recipients. Although lawmakers passed the amendment unanimously, some expressed concern that the legislature was setting a dangerous precedent. "I'm all for Mississippi True. I think we should have a provider-sponsored contract, but is this the way the Legislature should work, come in and redo the bidding process after it's already been bid?" said Rep. Jarvis Dortch, D-Jackson. |
| Shutdown ends after Trump signs budget deal | |
 | After five and a half hours of a government shutdown, Congress passed a sweeping budget deal early Friday morning that will keep the doors open at federal agencies and lift stiff spending caps -- giving Republicans another legislative victory, although it came at a high price. At about 8:40 a.m. Friday, President Donald Trump tweeted that he "just signed Bill. Our Military will now be stronger than ever before. We love and need our Military and gave them everything -- and more. First time this has happened in a long time. Also means JOBS, JOBS, JOBS!" The measure faced opposition from the right and left, but lawmakers were loath to force a protracted shutdown fight. And many lawmakers were eager to see higher spending on defense and domestic programs. |
| Campus leaders, UM attorney react to proposed concealed carry bill | |
 | Since the Mississippi House of Representatives voted Wednesday to pass a bill allowing concealed carry in certain places, like college campuses, university leaders are adding to the conversation. Perry Sansing, interim general counsel for the university, said if the bill becomes law, Ole Miss will have to follow the law. "If the bill doesn't become law, I believe Ole Miss' current policies (concerning campus carry) would remain in effect," he said. Sansing said safety is the university's main focus right now. "The university's major priority is always going to be attempting to maintain safety and security for students, faculty, staff, and guests," Sansing said. "That's always going to be a priority for the university, regardless of what law is in place." |
| Police Say 4 People Stole Headstone of Ex-Ole Miss Mascot | |
| First the University of Mississippi killed its Colonel Reb mascot. Now, in a further indignity, police say four young people stole his fictional headstone from a restaurant where it resided. Ole Miss retired the character from duty as its sidelines mascot in 2003. Critics said the bearded old man's resemblance to a plantation owner harkened back to slavery. The Oxford Eagle reports owners of a now-closed restaurant told police on Jan. 31 that a $1,500 headstone commemorating Colonel Reb was stolen. |
| U. of Alabama nursing school poised to expand | |
 | The University of Alabama System board of trustees on Friday will consider a proposal to expand UA's nursing college building, a proposal propelled by a demand for space in the seven-year-old structure that outstrips capacity. "The state of Alabama needs more nurses," said Suzanne Prevost, dean of the Capstone College of Nursing. "We have hundreds of students every semester who want to be nurses." The pool of students interested in the program exceeds the college's capacity in its currently building, Prevost said Thursday. Preliminary plans for a $17.8 million addition to the west side of the building on University Boulevard were approved by the board's Physical Properties Committee on Thursday. |
| Auburn University re-evaluating Title IX policies and procedures | |
 | Auburn University is re-evaluating its Title IX policies and procedures in the midst of a national movement combating sexual assault and misconduct. Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination, including sexual misconduct in educational institutions that receive federal financial aid. Title IX coordinators at Auburn and other schools have the responsibility to determine whether allegations may constitute prohibited sexual conduct, and appointing a team to investigate each Title IX claim. "If you look into the failures at Michigan State, in the Larry Nassar case, there were a ton of problems. There were a lot of mistakes made," Miles Lackey, chief of staff at Auburn, told Auburn's board of trustees during a work session Thursday. Lackey is reviewing the school's policies at the same time trustees Elizabeth Huntley and James Pratt are working with new general counsel Jaime Hammer on ways to improve the Title IX policy. |
| LSU biologist makes biodegradable Mardi Gras beads that could make parades more green | |
 | New Orleans is well-acquainted with the waste created by discarded beads once Mardi Gras ends, but one Louisiana biologist is working on a way to reduce the debris in a sustainable manner. LSU Biological Sciences professor Naohiro Kato is creating biodegradable Mardi Gras beads entirely out of large amounts of microscopic algae, or microalgae, that can disintegrate over time in soil. Kato stated in a news release Tuesday that he needs to manufacture microalgae in a pond the size of a football field to make the concept a commercial success. Kato stated one of his students accidentally discovered the ingredients Kato has refined to produce the biodegradable beads. His student was supposed to come into the lab three nights in a row to move the class's test tube samples of algae from a centrifuge to a freezer, but one night he forgot. The next morning, Kato stated he found a large glob of algae accumulating oils on the bottom of the centrifuge. |
| U. of Tennessee president, chancellor condemn extremist activity | |
 | The University of Tennessee system president and Knoxville chancellor issued statements this week condemning extremist activity in advance of an event planned by a white nationalist group on the Knoxville campus next week. "It's no secret that we are living in a polarized, turbulent time in American life, and college campuses are not immune," said UT President Joe DiPietro. "In the last 12 months alone news accounts have documented multiple instances of extremist groups seeking to demonstrate or speak at universities. "The ugly reality is, extremist groups are actively organizing, targeting colleges and universities in an attempt to be heard and to grow their ranks. Hate groups also target some universities on the basis of their principles of inclusion and commitment to free speech." |
| Ivy League researcher hired to lead Texas A&M's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences | |
 | A nationally recognized leader in nutritional sciences from Cornell University has been hired to serve as vice chancellor over ag agencies with the Texas A&M System, as well as dean for the college of agriculture and life sciences at the flagship. The System's Board of Regents unanimously voted Thursday to bring Patrick J. Stover, a member of the National Academy of Sciences, to the flagship university to align research and extension efforts related to agriculture and human health. A&M System Chancellor John Sharp said Stover will be able to help farmers and ranchers improve efficiencies, profits and yields through applied science and advanced research. A&M's ag college is one of the largest of its kind in the country. |
| Texas A&M's luxury hotel named after Aggie philanthropist | |
| Texas A&M's' luxury hotel has been given a name: Doug Pitcock '49 Hotel and Conference Center, recognition of the Aggie philanthropist for his lifetime contributions to the university. The A&M System Board of Regents unanimously voted Thursday to put his name on the eight-story, 252,200 square foot hotel, which is under construction next to the Memorial Student Center. Scheduled to open this fall, the hotel will include 250 guest rooms and suites, as well as a restaurant, coffee shop, wine bar, swimming pool, business center, gyms and sports bar with indoor and outdoor space. The hotel and conference center is a public-private partnership, and, according to Sharp, will be on the tax rolls. |
| U. of Missouri's Kemper Fellowship lecture highlights 'junk food media' diet | |
 | With the instant accessibility of digital media, it's no surprise that average Americans are inclined to indulge every now and again, but Stacey Woelfel, a University of Missouri professor, is worried about America's "junk food media diet." Woelfel, who is the director of the Murray Center for Documentary Journalism, presented on America's lack of education on responsible media consumption as part of the Kemper Lecture Series on Thursday. An intimate turnout of around 20 students and faculty gathered to hear Woelfel's expertise on the evolution of media and its effects. In his presentation, Woelfel compared the way we consume news with the food pyramid by breaking down online content into five categories: news and current events, reality and competition, scripted entertainment, sports and viral content. |
| NSF to Require Reporting of Researchers Who Harass | |
 | The National Science Foundation, in a move to confront sexual abuse in academe, plans to require colleges and universities to tell it of any NSF-funded researcher who has been disciplined for any kind of harassment. The policy, announced on Thursday, does not commit the NSF to any specific action once it learns of such cases. But the agency's director, France A. Cordova, suggested the likelihood of suspensions or terminations of NSF grant awards. "NSF expects to be notified immediately of that finding, so that we can take decisive actions as appropriate, using all the tools at our disposal," Cordova said in a briefing with reporters. The NSF has an annual budget of about $6 billion, spent largely on academic research. It plans to continue its primary reliance on colleges and universities to receive and adjudicate harassment complaints, Cordova said. |
| NSF requires institutions report findings of harassment, suspensions in its funded labs, field sites | |
 | Institutions will now have to tell the National Science Foundation when a principal investigator, co-PI or any other grant "personnel" are found to have committed sexual misconduct or harassment of any kind -- or when the allegations against a PI or co-PI are severe enough to warrant suspension during a campus investigation. The change, announced Thursday, is one of the ways the NSF hopes to foster the kinds of positive research climates that keep students in science, France Cordova, foundation director, said during a news conference. NSF's new policy also requires institutions to establish and maintain "clear and unambiguous standards of behavior to ensure harassment-free workplaces wherever science is conducted, including notification pathways for all personnel, including students, on the primary and supplemental awards." |
| OUR OPINION: Firearm bill carries reasonable concerns | |
| The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal editorializes: "A bill passed by the Mississippi House on Wednesday hits on the tension between Second Amendment advocates and those concerned about the safety of allowing guns in certain public places. According to the Associated Press, House Bill 1083 would void rules limiting where some people are allowed to carry guns on public property. It passed the House 80-29 on Wednesday, but was held for the possibility of more debate. It would also have to pass the state Senate. ...Some entities have bristled at that law, saying that guns would pose a great safety risk in certain locations. Universities have generally excluded sports venues, dormitories and classrooms. Many judges and counties have also enforced blanket bans on guns anywhere in a courthouse. ...There are enough concerns about this bill's unintended consequences to give pause. Legislators would be wise to slow down and consider policies used by other states and universities. This bill should not be rushed to passage." |
| The other side of school choice: We need public school cheerleaders | |
| Starkville resident Leslie Fye, who has two children attending public school and is a founding member of the Mississippi Public Education PAC, writes in The Clarion-Ledger: "I live in a college town and take the art of cheering for my home team very seriously. I believe if you are there, then you must be a positive force for your team and must never give up. Recently, I thought about cheerleading and leadership as I watched Philip Gunn, Tate Reeves and Phil Bryant attend the school choice rally wearing yellow scarves. I couldn't escape the feeling that I was watching our leadership cheer for school choice lobbyists and not our 'home team' public schools. They are our LEADERS, our PUBLIC leaders. It seems they should be cheerLEADING the team of public education. Instead, they often are like the "bad referee" making calls that give an obvious advantage to the visiting team. ...In Mississippi, we are currently lacking leaders that are willing to champion public education. Thus, we have to be our own cheerleaders. We have to rise above tough breaks, cheap shots, out dated buildings and equipment, and bad calls on the field." |
| Legal notices vital for government transparency | |
| Mississippi newspaper publisher and columnist Wyatt Emmerich writes: "There's an old expression that goes something like, 'Nobody's safe when the Mississippi Legislature is in session.' I get a stark reminder of that each time bills are introduced to allow state agencies, cities and counties to stop publishing legal notices in newspapers. This year's version is HB 1131. The rationale for this is to save money, but the money saved would be peanuts compared to the corruption that will follow from the secrecy. Legal notices cost the state maybe two million dollars a year statewide. That's a small price to keep the public informed on $30 billion a year in overall state-controlled and local spending." |
SPORTS
| Johnson Scores 22, No. 2 Miss State Handles Florida 98-50 | |
| Mississippi State coach Vic Schaefer was concerned about playing at Florida. The second-ranked Bulldogs were coming off an emotional rematch of last year's national championship game and had Kentucky, a team they haven't beaten since 2009, up next. Schaefer was worried his players might get caught reveling in the past or looking to the future. It turned out to be typical coaching anxiety. Roshunda Johnson scored 22 points, Teaira McCowan notched her 17th double-double of the season and Mississippi State stayed undefeated with a 98-50 victory at Florida on Thursday night. |
| No. 2 Miss State handles Florida | |
| Roshunda Johnson scored 22 points, Teaira McCowan notched her 17th double-double of the season and No. 2 Mississippi State stayed undefeated with a 98-50 win at Florida on Thursday night. The Bulldogs (25-0, 11-0 Southeastern Conference) never trailed, hitting three 3-pointers to open the game and doubling up Florida on the scoreboard by the end of the third quarter. It was the latest dominating performance for the Bulldogs, who were coming off a 14-point win against South Carolina in a rematch of last year's national championship game. The Bulldogs lost the title game and look more than capable of getting another shot with a veteran team. Florida (10-14, 2-9) is clearly a long ways away. |
| Bulldogs embrace Road Warriors mentality | |
| Construction is still ongoing at Dudy Noble Field as part of a $55 million renovation project. Because of that, No. 12 Mississippi State will play a dozen road games to open the 2018 season beginning at Southern Miss on Feb. 16. "We talk about embracing the opportunity, embracing what we have ahead of us," said MSU coach Andy Cannizaro. "We have known all year long that we will be starting this season out on the road. I think our guys have rallied around that in terms of bringing it each and every day." After the Bulldogs' opening weekend series in Hattiesburg, MSU plays at Jackson State on Feb. 21, at Texas Rio Grande Valley on Feb. 26 and at McNeese State on Feb. 28. |
| 2018 NCAA Ballparks: New and Improved | |
| With the 2018 NCAA baseball season approaching, it's time to look at the new and renovated college ballparks on tap this season, and previewing what's in the works for the 2019 NCAA baseball season. Ole Miss fans will need to put up with construction at Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field until April, when upgrades to the home of the Rebels are expected to be completed. Also undergoing work this year and next: Dudy Noble Field, home of the Mississippi State University baseball team. The two-year renovation will be done for the 2019 season, but in the meantime the Bulldogs will be this season with some changes already in place. Next season will also see the opening of a new ballpark at the University of Kentucky, as the Wildcats prep a replacement for Cliff Hagen Stadium. The University of Florida has been working on plans to replace Alfred A. McKethan Stadium, with a fundraising effort already underway but no firm plans in place. |
| Mississippi State opens softball season Friday | |
| Mississippi State head softball coach Vann Stuedeman has never been hesitant to use the "pitch-by-committee" approach when it comes to managing the circle. Without Alexis Silkwood this season, that strategy may even more come into play in 2018. The Bulldogs open the season Friday at Nusz Park against Mississippi Valley State and it won't be surprising to see multiple hurlers take their turn before the first game is complete. The first pitch is scheduled to be thrown at 3 p.m. MSU is also scheduled to play Omaha at 5:30 p.m. as part of the Bulldog Kickoff Classic. Stuedeman has senior pitchers Holly Ward and Cassady Knudsen, then three newcomers in the mix and she plans to give all of them some time. "It's going to be Vann-like softball," Stuedeman said. "We can all pitch in just a little bit." |
| Former Mississippi State Bulldog Fletcher Cox gets Super Bowl champs bobblehead | |
| The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum has announced that it has the complete line of Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl LII Champions Bobbleheads including former Mississippi State University Bulldog Fletcher Cox. In what has become an annual tradition for almost 15 years, the 2018 Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles have limited edition bobbleheads in their likeness for the first time in franchise history. The championship bobbleheads are $35 each, the MVP bobblehead is $40, the mini set of 4 is $50 and the 3-foot bobbleheads are $800. Fans can order the complete set of regular sized and mini bobbleheads for $600. Shipping is a flat rate of $8 regardless of the quantity purchased. The bobbleheads, which are officially licensed and produced by FOCO, are expected to ship in June. |
| SEC commissioner warns Ole Miss, Mississippi State of new gun bill's athletic repercussions | |
| Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey on Wednesday warned Ole Miss and Mississippi State of the repercussions a proposed gun bill that seeks to allow anybody who has an enhanced firearms licence to carry guns on public property, including public universities, would have on the schools' athletic events. In a statement released Wednesday, Vitter said the state's Institutions of Higher Learning implemented a policy two years ago that allowed universities to prohibit guns in specific non-campus areas. But if the proposed legislation passes the Senate and is signed into law, it would override any IHL and university policies. Vitter urged state legislators to consider the potential safety issues that would come with such a bill. |
| Sold out: Kentucky fans deliver a first as Cats enter their last season at Cliff Hagan Stadium | |
 | For the first time in University of Kentucky baseball history, season tickets are sold out prior to the first home game. Kentucky will begin the 2018 season where it left off a year ago, as a top-10 team with plenty of buzz around the program. Baseball America ranked the Wildcats No. 8 in its preseason poll released on Tuesday. The No. 8 ranking is the highest ever for Kentucky in Baseball America's preseason top 25 poll. "Our season tickets are sold out for the very first time," UK head coach Nick Mingione said. "Why did that happen? Because the Big Blue Nation is awesome, that's why." The Cats open their season at Wofford on Feb. 16 and have a home schedule loaded with quality opponents including defending national champion Florida, consensus preseason top five-ranked Texas Tech, Louisville, South Carolina and the final series at The Cliff when Mississippi State comes to town May 11-13. |
| New U. of Alabama recruiting lounge being considered | |
| The University of Alabama System board of trustees will consider plans for a new recruiting lounge in the Mal Moore Athletic Facility when it meets Friday. The new recruiting lounge, along with proposed revisions to the plans for the UA Aquatic Center renovation, were part of a series of construction items unanimously approved by the board's Physical Properties Committee on Thursday. "Nobody wants to tell Nick Saban no?" committee Chairman James Wilson III joked and the proposal for the lounge was quickly approved. The plans for the recruiting lounge call for the renovation of 7,447-square-feet of the first and second floors of the Mal Moore Athletic Facility. The lounge will primarily be used for football recruiting, according to Tim Leopard, associate vice president for construction. |
| Tennessee football coaching staff contracts released | |
| Jeremy Pruitt's 10 assistant coaches will be compensated at a combined rate of $5.835 million annually, according to contract details released by Tennessee on Thursday. Salaries range from $1.205 million for offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Tyson Helton to $205,000 for tight ends coach Brian Niedermeyer. Helton joins some limited company. In 2017, there were only eight assistants nationally who made at least $1.2 million, according to the USA TODAY assistant coach salary database. By comparison, defensive coordinator Bob Shoop was the highest-paid assistant on Butch Jones' final staff at Tennessee. Shoop made $1.155 million. He was the only member of Jones' support staff in 2017 to make more than $700,000. Jones' nine assistants had a combined salary of $4.685 million in 2017. The NCAA allowed for the addition of a 10th assistant in 2018. |
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