NCAA News, NCAA Football, NCAA Basketball

Duke’s case against a Louisville lawsuit designed at getting the Cardinal’s $450,000 in damages from Duke backing out of 3 schelduled games, was indeed unique.  The Duke attorneys claimed that the Louisville football team could not expect to claim anything because it would be very easy for the University to find a replacement because Duke’s football performance was dismal as best.

Kentucky Judge Phillip J. Shepherd agreed with the Duke lawyers claim that Duke’s football prowess was at a ”threshold that could not be any lower”.  Shepherd found that Duke was not liable for the $150,000 per game as long as Louisville could find equavalent teams to play.  

Despite having one of the worst records in the most storied college football program, Notre Dame signed a lucrative contract extension with NBC. The contract details remained secretive but NBC sports chairman Dick Ebersol insists that the rate is a flat fee and not based on ratings. Ratings for last year’s games were abysmal at best with the young Notre Dame squad going 3-9 in the win column.

Head Coach and offensive guru, Charlie Weis looks to stick with one quarterback this year with sophomore Jimmy Clausen likely running the spread offense Weis made famous in New England. With any luck, which the Irish had none of last year, the Fighting Irish could be in the race for a major bowl. This would help the NBC Sports ratings tremendously.

Florida State wideout Preston Parker plead guilty to a misdemeanor marijuana possession and misdemeanor concealed weapon charge relating to an April arrest in Palm Beach County Florida. The versatile athlete and probably most valuable weapon in the already less than stellar Seminole offense had his future at Florida State in question after the arrest in which he was pulled over with a loaded .45 caliber pistol resting on his dashboard. Parker was sentenced to 50 hours community service and 12 months probation for the offenses.

Florida State University and Head Football Coach Bobby Bowden in turn responded with a two game suspension, compulsory drug tests and an additional 50 hours of community service. Bowden remarked on the judgement, “Preston made a very serious mistake, and there are consequences when one of our boys gets in trouble.” Indeed the additional hours spent serving food to students, the forewarned drug tests, and suspension from “powerhouses” Western Carolina and Chattanooga really serve to set an example to future violators.

Parker apologized for his transgressions in a statement release by his attorney. “I fully blame myself for being in this situation, because it could’ve easily been avoided.” he stated.

Parker will return to the Seminole lineup on September 20th against Wake Forest, Florida State’s first ACC game.