Before gracing Happy Valley with his presence, President Graham Spanier got his undergraduate and master's degrees at Iowa State. I'd say they've served him pretty well—so well, in fact, that Iowa State is having Spanier as their keynote speaker at the 50th anniversary celebration of ISU's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Said Michael Whiteford, the College's dean, "That he is a university president and an Iowa State sociology graduate makes his return to campus for our college's 50th anniversary all the more meaningful."
Our beloved G-Span will leave us when he travels to Ames, Iowa, to give his speech: "What You Can Learn Sleeping in the Residence Halls," an apt reflection of today's college students. It's an appropriate subject for the venue, as going to college is infinitely different from 50 years ago. And he, of anyone, would know, from actually sleeping in the residence halls among the rank and file each move-in weekend.
ISU quotes Spanier as saying, "I always enjoy returning to Iowa State, since it brings back so many fond memories." Memories of going back and forth between the library and chapel, of course. No, but really, any man who has participated in the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona and is the president of one of the biggest universities in the United States is the definition of well-rounded, to the point where you wonder if he's for real.
More power to you, G-Span, you've showed us how real you are. Go show your alma mater what you're all about.
This Thursday night, Atlas THON will be having its second annual Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament to benefit THON. Last year, the event singlehandedly raised over $500 and took place in the basement of Atherton Hall. This year, Atlas is going for a less Mafioso more public approach, as the tournament will be Thursday at […]
Lots of people love professional basketball (NBA). What a lot of people don't know, though, is that college hoops is much better.
10. No incidents thus far of players leaving the court and going up into the stands to attack fans.
9. No uniforms like this.
8. March Madness. That’s exactly what it is.
Check out the rest of the list after the jump.
Penn State grad Dan Shemesh has been named Director of Grounds for Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls. Shemesh graduated in 2003 from the College of Agricultural Sciences with a degree in Turfgrass Management, which covers both the scientific study of grass and also the business side, like running athletic complexes or a golf course. Basically, the Turf School grads are the biggest grass gurus this side of the Mississippi. Except maybe Willie Nelson.
Shemesh will head all operations pertaining to both the field at Red Bull Arena, set to open this year, which is one of the few, new soccer-specific stadiums in the U.S. He will also be in charge of the planned massive six-field training facility. The field surface of the Arena is a natural Kentucky Bluegrass, as opposed to artificial AstroTurf or FieldTurf surfaces that seem to be the prevailing trend with newly-constructed as well as existing stadiums. The team played in Giants Stadium through the end of the 2009 season.
Shemesh has already racked up an impressive résumé to this point. Not only has he served for the past seven years as the Sports Field Director for the Philadelphia Eagles, but he has also worked for the Phillies and the denizens of Gillette Stadium, the New England Patriots and New England Revolution.
So maybe this will give you all a reason to actually watch the oft-neglected MLS for once.