Cheap Seats
Stop us if you’ve heard this one …
The University of Georgia has graduated a 91-year-old student, prompting this comment from Jay Leno:
“This is going into the Guinness Book of Records. They said this is the longest amount of time taken to graduate by someone who is not on a football scholarship.”
Jim Harrick, cub reporter
Two years removed from being badgered and pestered by reporters during a Final Four that ended with him sitting on top of his profession, Jim Harrick was one of the clustered horde waiting for soundbites at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis.
The former UCLA coach was working as a “reporter” for Fox Sports Network.
“This is crazy,” said Harrick. “I’m not vulturistic enough for this.”
Fired just before the start of the season in a dispute with UCLA athletic director Peter Dalis, Harrick has put in calls for jobs at LSU and BYU but only Fox has called back.
Before moving in to interview Lute Olson, Harrick stopped to check his list of questions.
“Let’s see,” he said, needling the reporters who once covered him. “What kind of shoes do you wear? … What kind of underwear do you wear?”
Olson, Harrick’s former Pac-10 rival, seemed barely able to contain a grin as Harrick proffered the microphone.
“I heard you picked us to lose in the first round,” said Olson, before Harrick could finish his question.
“I’ve picked you guys to lose every game,” said Harrick, poker-faced.
Moments later, Harrick jabbed back, offering his hand to Olson - shooting for his first NCAA title in his fourth Final Four trip - and asking, “Would you rub this for me?”
On it rested Harrick’s national championship ring.
Hmm. Wonder how picky Fox Sports is about employee expense accounts?
Hold the elevator
A key organizer for the 2000 Sydney Olympics gave an enthusiastic update on preparations last week - then abruptly quit to pursue other business interests.
“We are in fantastic shape and the Games, I can assure you, will be a fantastic success,” Mal Hemmerling told a Foreign Correspondents Association briefing.
Think if Michael Johnson assures organizers he’ll win the gold medal, they’ll just give it to him?
Bringing out the Devil in them
Residents of Wilson Creek have decided to stick with the Devil.
An informal poll of citizens in the Eastern Washington town indictated support - 66 percent of the 280 polled - for retaining the mascot at Wilson Creek High School. Students in grades 6-12 also voted to keep the nickname used since the 1930s.
The issue came up because the school is building a new gym and school leaders wanted to make sure the community had a mascot it supported.
“Both sides were civil and intelligent,” principal Tom Wilson said. “That’s something I would expect from a Wilson Creek crowd.”
At least until a referee’s whistle blows.
The last word …
“When the NBA fines John Calipari, a coach, $25,000 for calling a sportswriter a ‘Mexican idiot,’ I have to think Mike Ditka owes me some money.”
- Chicago Tribune columnist Bernie Lincicome
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo