free lucca!

As most of you have heard, the NCAA has declared Lucca Staiger ineligible. (Our freshman guard from Germany). He was not projected as a starter, but he would have gotten a lot of playing time, and may have started before the season was over.

You can visit FreeLucca.com to read more on this, here are a few excerpts from the site:

...This decision stems from Lucca’s participation on the Ehingen Club team in his native Germany when he was only 16 years old...

...The NCAA concluded that the Ehingen team was “professional” because two of the players on the team received benefits in excess of NCAA limits. Due solely to his participation on this team, the NCAA imposed the maximum penalty of one year’s loss in eligibility, even though Lucca did not personally receive any improper compensation...

There is also a link to a petition you can sign (link), which I accidentally signed twice, (1213 & 1813).

This is a sad, sad deal. I cannot believe the timing associated with this. They could have announced this a long time ago, thus giving us time to appeal. Now, the season is upon us, and this poor kid, who tried to do everything right in order to play college ball, is sitting on the sidelines.

Here is a great blog from the DMRag that spells out what a crock the NCAA actually is. (link)

14 games this year

I have a few more things to post today on ISU. If you can't tell, I am getting pumped for football. I hope to be able to watch all 14 games this season, hopefully being in person for 9 of them...

Cyclonenation.com has a free interview up with Alvin "Ace" Bowen. (link) Some very interesting things, but my take on everything is that our teams believes and expects to win every game. All I can say, is it's about time.

I heard today that Mike Taylor will definitely NOT be playing for us next year. Believe it.

OK, OK: "where did you hear it from?" This may sound stupid, but a buddy here at work has a friend who recently spent approximately four hours with Chizik and McDermott, and McDermott told him then. So no, Mac didn't tell me, but this source is supposed to be extremely reliable.

From that same conversation, Chizik was asked about this year's FB team and gave a one word answer: "Intense". I can't wait.

I am getting way too excited way too early for this year's team. I need to temper my expectations, especially with the question marks on our o-line, but I think we will surprise some people this year. Our defense will keep us close in every game.

Lastly, does anybody think that Jim Rome is a Cyclone fan? Whenever he says "Clones, listen up" my ears perk up and I pay attention. It's like he's gonna talk about how much stronger and faster Todd Blythe is this year. (Which is true)

dodie done departed

Well, as I am sure you have heard by now, Dodie Dunson is leaving the ISU basketball team. This has been known about around the message board community for a while now.

The only reason I see this as truly interesting story is because of the reasons why he left. According to GoCyclones.com, (link here) he left for all the right reasons. He said that even though he was academically ELIGIBLE to play next season, he still thought that his grades were slipping.

"(Tutors) helped me get through academically," Dunson said. "I wanted to be more successful in class than in basketball. I want to get a degree. I know later in life you have to have something to fall back on."

You have to give him props for that.

You can also read this article which brings up a completely different subject, dyslexia. I am not here to discuss the difficulties of battling with dyslexia, but this is somewhat strange how it played out.

Him and his father decided that he needs to go somewhere where "he wouldn't have to struggle" academically. Vincennes supposedly has a special program that will help him out, thus the transfer.

Does Iowa State not have a program to help out with that? Especially for it's athletes? I mean Troy Davis played for three seasons for Pete's sake! With all of the tutors that ISU has available, you would think they could help him. IF tutoring isn't the answer, then ISU should look at whatever Vincennes is doing and COPY IT.

Anyways, it sucks to see an early fan favorite like Dodie leave, but I wish him the best. I have full confidence that GMac will use the spot wisely and put another class kid in there.

infamous exchage

If you watch that, it may explain why ISU gets no love from ESPN in basketball, it may also explain why Dickie V. hasn't covered a game in Hilton since then.

Johnny was the man, you gotta love seeing him put Dickie V in his place!!!