Commentary

Here we go, Chargers, here we go! (clap, clap)

By MARC TOPKIN
Published June 26, 2005

JUST WONDERING

What interesting ideas must be swirling around Jon Gruden's head after spending time the past two weeks with Bill Walsh, Jack Tatum, Tony La Russa and Lou Piniella?

What planet was ex-Ray Alex Sanchez living on to say his sloppy defense was not a problem and "sometimes when a team doesn't want a guy anymore, they put lots of excuses out there"? This from a guy with the "Triple Crown" of being let go by the Rays (twice), Brewers and Tigers.

Given the high profile and heavy pressure that comes with the job, might it not be better for all parties for Wyatt Sexton to not play this season for FSU?

Have your ever heard a Yankees star say what Alex Rodriguez did last week about the Rays: "They dominated us in every facet of the game?"

DID YOU KNOW?

RAYS' RANK IN SCORING: 8th of 30

BUCS' RANK IN SCORING: 23rd of 32

LIGHTNING'S RANK IN SCORING: NA

Last week's decision to bring the Frozen Four men's college hockey championships to Tampa in 2012 was headline news. It's another wave of exposure for the bay area, more busy-ness for hotels, bars and restaurants and one more big event for the St. Pete Times Forum.

And it gives us a new favorite team.

To host an NCAA championship, an area must be affiliated with an NCAA school. And the closest one with a Division I hockey team - the only school south of the Mason-Dixon line with one - is Alabama-Huntsville.

Go Chargers!

As excited as bay area leaders were with the award, folks 600 miles away at UA-H were ecstatic. "We are flying," athletic director Jim Harris said Friday.

And for good reason.

There's not a lot of big-time news when your program is considered something of a novelty at a small university known for its engineering school and Division II baseball and softball teams in a football state. When your closest regular opponents are in Detroit and Pittsburgh. When 14-hour, two-day each way bus trips are not uncommon and a flight to play in Bemidji, Minn., is considered a big deal. When home crowds of 1,800 at the Von Braun Center are good.

The Chargers were 18-10-4 last season, 7-2-1 in the College Hockey America conference. Their coach, Doug Ross, going into his 24th season, ranks in the top 15 all-time with 478 wins and is a volunteer firefighter. They were Division II national champs in 1996 and 1998 (and runnersup in 1997) before moving back up to Division I. (For information, see uah.edu/Athletics). Other Southern schools have club hockey, and some supposedly are considering going Division I. But until then, UA-H is it - the Team of the South. And, if Harris has his way, the Team of Tampa Bay.

As exciting as winning the Frozen Four was for 2012, Harris said, "It seemed like there wasn't enough gratification there."

So he has had some thoughts - and some preliminary conversations - about bringing UA-H games to the Times Forum on an annual basis, perhaps as soon as December.

His idea would be to play a couple of games in Tampa each year, maybe during the week of the Outback Bowl, against high-profile opponents - a Big Ten school, a Yale or maybe an Air Force team to appeal to the MacDill crowd.

"We'd like to get the college hockey spirit growing," Harris said. "And to get fans from the Tampa Bay area following UA-H hockey, we'd say, "Holy cow!' "

Go Chargers!

SEEN AND (OVER)HEARD: A 60-page - yes, 60! - New York Daily News special section commemorating Tampa-based Yankees owner George Steinbrenner's upcoming 75th birthday includes the scoop that with the closing of Malio's, the Boss' new favorite Tampa eating spots are Maggiano's, The Palm and the International House of Pancakes on Dale Mabry. ... Amid rumors of declining health, Steinbrenner told the News: "For a man approaching his 75th birthday, I couldn't be stronger in mind and body. Be assured I am in good shape." ... Bucs running back Michael Pittman, according to buccaneers.com, had the hot hand at the team's recent bowling outing, picking up a 7-10 split. ... Expect an announcement soon on Lightning coach John Tortorella's August celebrity fishing tournament to benefit the Child Abuse Council and the Children's Home. Labor peace willing, Lightning players will be involved, too. ... Rays rookie pitcher Scott Kazmir recently bought a $430,000 condo in Harbor Island.

NEWS BRIEFS: Bucs general counsel Roxanne Kosarzycki was named the bay area's Corporate Counsel of the year and was honored by the Hillsborough Bar Association. ... Eckerd baseball coach Bill Mathews and son Zach return this week from a stint in Sweden working with the national team. ... Banker David Feaster said presentation of the St. Petersburg area chamber's Howser award at the College World Series in Omaha couldn't have gone better. ... Tampa's Caroline Young (Stanford) was named to the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association All-America team; St. Petersburg's Kevin Reali (USF) received honorable mention. ... Bidding on devilrays.com for the 1982 throwback jersey and pants worn by Cardinals star Albert Pujols at the Trop last weekend already had exceeded $2,700 by Saturday; the top bid for a 1964 University of Tampa uniform worn by a Ray was $560 for Carl Crawford's. Bidding continues through July 15.

[Last modified June 26, 2005, 00:35:07]