Big Blocker on the Block
Andrew Montgomery
A punishing blocking fullback from Tennessee is considering coming to Columbia.
Andrew Montgomery just won the prestigious Hume Award, which is “presented annually to an outstanding Metro public school player from Nashville who excels in sportsmanship, scholarship and football ability.”
It’s very impressive for a high school fullback, with little or no rushing stats of his own, to be recognized in this way. The coaches in his conference obviously knew what a big deal he was for his team and made sure to spotlight him.
Now the big question is which college program will reap the benefits?
Speaking of reaping benefits, Alex Gross finds out tonight if he will be the winner of the super prestigious Bill Campbell Trophy.
In all seriousness, the trophy always goes to someone from a major BCS program. The National Football Foundation knows the value of public relations, and awarding the trophy to someone not even in an FBS program ain’t going to grab headlines.
But just making it this far in the process is such a great achievement for Alex and the Columbia program in general. This is a night to celebrate his personal, and Columbia’s communal, achievement.
Gross and classmate Adam Mehrer were just named to the Academic All Ivy Team as well! Gross a 1st Teamer, Mehrer an honorable mention.
Tad's Move
One of the best safeties in Columbia history, Tad Crawford '07, is going to test the free agency market in the CFL after for seasons with the British Columbia Lions in Vancover.
On a sour note, the harsh realities of what passes for “fun” in college came to a crashing halt at Columbia early this morning.
None of the people arrested were on the football team, and I don’t believe any of them were on any Columbia athletic teams at all. And as much as I’d like to gloat about that, I am not foolish enough to think any one group is really immune to this sort of thing.
I’m also not 100% sad that these arrests occurred, because this kind of incident will hopefully put the fear of God into some of the kids out there.
posted by Jake @ 8:24:00 AM
8 comments
8 Comments:
I had posted news of the Columbia drug bust on the Ivy Sports Board but the moderator deleted it. Kudos to Jake for not being afraid to address some dirty laundry from the league or Columbia in particular.
For some good news, there's last night's very exciting men's basketball win over Wagner (a school which seems to field somewhat thuggish teams no matter who's coaching, as per this year's member of Jersey's hoops dynasty Hurley family). 77-71 and it was a true team victory; no one Lions player stood out. If we can get past those two opening Ivy games vs. a not-so-hot Cornell team (2-6 the last time I checked) and up for both Harvard and Princeton, then maybe, just maybe...Regardless, new coach Kyle Smith has us competitive in his first year!
And if I may be permitted a mild plug and recommendation, Lions fans should consider a pre or post-basketball game visit to Haakon's Hall, a bar-restaurant at 118th and Amsterdam almost directly opposite the underground "gate" way into the gym. A friendly, cozy sort of place, which for some reason has also become the favorite hang out of many of CU's hundreds of Gulf and Afghanistan vets who now attend Alma Mater. It's nice to be able to sit there and chat with recent veterans, who sincerely say "Thank you for serving" when they find out about your own (waaaayyy back) miltary tenure, and to say the same back to them.
I honestly don't think such exchanges would have been possible back in the old heydays of both the Gold Rail and the West End (though maybe at the Marvin Cafe).
What does the drug bust have to with the Ivy Sports Board or Columbia Sports other than to say our athletes WERENT involved?
DOC- there's a long history of Columbia having to overcome stereotypes that the campus is in a dangerous neighborhood full of crime and crack houses. This type of news doesn't make recruit athletes (or any students) any easier for the coaches.
Sigma Chi is the "football" frat on 113th and I am glad to see they weren't involved. Not that the athletes are saints, but, between their sport and classes, I don't see much of this type of activity going on very long without being noticed. Hopefully when this completely comes out (don't be foolish and think today's events will be the end) the school athletes will be on the outside.
"The game is to be sold not told."
-Snoop Dog
We may have a tight end commitment out of Arizona in Sean Coffinger. That's based on a headline only; I can't get the article to open:
http://ahwatukee.com/sports/prep_sports/article_a36fba92-0306-11e0-b54f-001cc4c03286.html
Leonidas
Jake,
Alas Alex did not win the Campbell trophy but it was such an honor for him to be a finalist amongst such an accomplished group of student athletes which made up the 16 finalists.. The 2 days we spent with him at the event were fabulous. We appreciate all the help of Dr. Murphy, Darlene, all the coaches, and Alex's teammates which led to the nomination. Also appreciate your support over the past 4 years, Jake.
Post a Comment
<< Home