Kay Yow and sports misc.

First of all, I was sorry to see Kay Yow (a Christian) and North Carolina State's inspirational run in the NCAA tournament come to an end last night. She's fighting an uphill battle against cancer, currently going through cancer treatments. It was truly inspiring to hear her praising God and counting her blessings that she was able to coach that game. I don't know if I could praise God under those circumstances. That would be tough to do. I'm going to keep praying that she'll be able to beat her cancer again.

Next, the latest diary entry of C.J. Nitkowski, a Christian and former Major League pitcher that is pitching in Japan this year with hopes of making it back to the Majors: http://www.cjbaseball.com/AP2.htm.

Here's the latest blog entry of Tigers pitcher Nate Robertson, also a Christian: http://naterobertson.mlblogs.com/.

Here's an article about retired NFL players, led by former New York Jet Mo Lewis, who are working to provide good role models for high school athletes. The hope is to keep them from getting into trouble like so many NFL players have lately. Here's the article: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/falcons/stories/2007/03/16/0318nflinsider.html.

Next, a quote from Cubs outfielder Matt Murton about the possibiliby of hitting second in the Cubs lineup:

"There's a lot of guys on this team who can play and really hit," Murton said. "Anywhere in this lineup, there will be a chance for production. I feel blessed to be part of a lineup like that. The two-spot will be an interesting position in the lineup this year. It'll demand a lot of responsibility -- there will be a lot of things to do. At the same time, there will be advantages, because you might get pitches you won't see in other spots."

Here's the article: http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070318&content_id=1849524&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc.

Here's an article about IU football coach Terry Hoeppner missing spring practices to attend to a health matter. Here's a quote from him about it:

Said Hoeppner in the release: "My faith, my family and the Indiana football program are the most important things in my life. In order to serve them best and make a full recovery, I need to take some time away to regain my strength and energy. . . . I intend to return to guide this program into the 2007 season and beyond."

Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070319/SPORTS0601/703190365/1069/SPORTS0601.

Also, something that I just thought was neat. Colts owner Jim Irsay picked Indianapolis-based ring maker Herff Jones to make the Colts Super Bowl rings instead of Jostens, who usually makes them. That was neat for them to keep with a local company. Here's the article: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070319/SPORTS03/703190361/1004/RSS02.

In the April issue of Guideposts magazine is an article on former Olympic speedskater Joey Cheek. He won a gold and silver medal in the 2006 Winter Olympics. He then donated the money that he received from winning the medals to the Right to Play organization, started by former Norwegian Olympic speedskater Johann Olav Koss. He has continued to raise money and awareness for the situation in Darfur, Sudan. Here's some websites with more information:
His personal website: http://joeycheek.com/Site%203/Welcome.html
His organization's website--Where Will We Be?: http://wherewillwebe.org/
Right to Play website: http://www.righttoplay.com/site/PageServer.

Lastly, during the Marist/Tennessee women's basketball game in the third round of the NCAA tournament earlier today, the broadcasters metioned what Marist coach Brian Giorgis did last Sunday after they upset Ohio State in the first round last Saturday. They said that he went to church that morning, and then started looking at video of their second round opponent Middle Tennessee. I thought that was neat, that he still kept his priorities in order.