Boe Brand tops WKU receivers in collegiate debut

Playing in his first collegiate football game, former Southeast High standout Boe Brand made his presence felt by catching two passes for 33 yards to lead Western Kentucky in receiving yardage.

Unfortunately, it wasn't enough as WKU dropped a 14-3 decision to Kentucky Thursday night making the second year season of the Willie Taggart rein begin with a loss in front of a nationally televised audience on ESPNU.

Brand's 25 yard catch was the longest one of the night for WKU, which struggled all game with its offense. Brand caught the pass in the second quarter and it gave the Hilltoppers a first down at the Kentucky 21. Unfortunately they missed a 34 yard field goal attempt to the end drive.

Brand also caught an eight yard pass earlier in the second period, which gave WKU a third and two at the Kentucky 24 in a drive that was capped off by 41 yard field goal.

Former Southeast standout Terran Williams, another true freshman, also played in the game at linebacker and on special teams, but did not record any tackles.

"Our defense has been doing this since spring ball. They made the choice to be one of the best defenses in the country, and they came out with that attitude," said Taggart, the former Manatee High quarterback great. "If we play great defense, we will have chance in every game we play just like this game. We're mad that we lost."

Taggart optimistic as he begins second season

Local legend Willie Taggart begins his second season as head football coach at Western Kentucky tonight in a nationally televised game against Kentucky.

The game will be televised on ESPNU with a 9:15 kickoff.

The former Manatee High quarterback great, says the difference between the first and second year is like night and day.

"Everything last year was new each week and a lot of that involved the players and what we were trying to teach them and what we could expect," Taggart said. "Now we know what to expect from them, what the team is capable of doing and how they respond to certain things."

Taggart said he is relinquishing a lot of duties he had last year such as putting his West Coast offense in so he can concentrate on overseeing the entire program.

"I changed things last year to the West Coast offense, but now my coaches know it and I am going to let them teach it so I can oversee everything in more detail. Now it's more about doing things right and how I want it done rather than just teaching."

For the second straight year, WKU had the highest rated recruiting class in the Sun Belt Conference and have quite a bit of experience back.

"We are looking to win the conference this year," Taggart said.

Brand and Williams make debut on national television tonight

Southeast High football fans are in for a double treat tonight.

The Seminoles kickoff their 50th season of football tonight at home against Largo in a game that is being televised by Bright House Sports Network. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Later in the evening former Southeast High standouts Boe Brand and Terran Williams will make their collegiate debut for Western Kentucky when it faces Kentucky in Nashville, Tennessee. The game, to be aired nationally on ESPNU, kicks off at 9:15 p.m.

Brand will start at receiver for the Hilltoppers. Williams, a second team linebacker for WKU, is expected to see action there and on special teams.

Tough hoops schedule for USF

The University of South Florida 2011-2012 non-conference men's basketball schedule includes eight teams that participated in the postseason last year, including the possibility two Final Four teams and a game at the University of Kansas on December 3d. Pending victories, USF would play the University of Kentucky in the Hall of Fame Classic on Nov. 20 in Springfield, Mass., followed by a trip to Virginia Commonwealth on Nov. 30. Then, on Dec. 3, the Bulls travel to face the Kansas Jayhawks (35-3 last season) at Allen Fieldhouse. Due to a $35.6 million renovation of the Bulls' on-campus court, the Sun Dome, USF will play its home games at local venues this season, including the St. Pete Times Forum, the University of Tampa and the Lakeland Center. USF opens the 2011 non-conference season with a pair of local games in the 2011 Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament, an annual NCAA men's basketball exempt tournament sponsored by the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The Bulls host the Vermont Catamounts, who were 23-9 a year ago and ended the year with a spot in the NIT, on Nov. 12 at the University of Tampa, then face Marist on Nov. 14 at the St. Pete Times Forum. USF then travels to the Lakeland Center to play Florida Southern on Nov. 16. Head coach Stan Heath and his Bulls first hit the road to compete in a pair of games at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. On Nov. 19, USF will battle Old Dominion, a team that lost to Butler in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in March. The Bulls will then match up with either Kentucky or Penn State on Nov. 20 in the final day of the tournament. Kentucky lost to National Champion Connecticut in the NCAA Final Four and Penn State made an appearance in the Tournament. USF wraps up the month of November with three "home" games in Georgia Southern (Nov. 23 - at the St. Pete Times Forum), Florida Atlantic (Nov. 26 - at University of Tampa) and at Virginia Commonwealth (Nov. 30). The Bulls were 2-1 against these teams last year, including an overtime victory over NCAA Final Four team VCU (60-59), and a 76-63 win against Georgia Southern. USF dropped the game against FAU, a team that played in the postseason NIT, 50-42. In the last two games of the non-conference schedule - against Cleveland State and Southern Miss - USF will look to avenge a pair of losses from last season. The CSU Vikings, who played in the 2011 NIT, come to the St. Pete Times Forum on Dec. 19 and the Bulls travel to Hattiesburg to play the Golden Eagles on Dec. 22. The 2011-12 BIG EAST Conference schedule will be announced later this fall.

Dick Vitale Gala has record setting night

Final Four coaches gather with Dickie V. at Dick Vitale Gala
(L-R Jim Calhoun, Dick Vitale, Shaka Smart, John Calipari, Brad Stevens)

Dickie Vitale broke the bank at this year’s Dick Vitale Gala raising a record $1.3 million for pediatric cancer research.

It was the most money ever raised the Gala exceeding the $1.2 million that event brought in several years ago when it honored Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski.

“We are ecstatic that we broke the record,” Vitale said after learning of the figures late last week. “It’s absolutely amazing and I want to thank all the people from the Bradenton-Sarasota are and the celebrities who came and made this possible.

“I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. I can’t thank enough all the stars that came on their own expense without charge and the many, many thousands of dollars they gave. I am talking serious donations. We in the Jimmy V Foundation are very happy with the final numbers.”

The scene at Vitale’s house the next day where many of the guests gathered was very emotional. Anthony Littlejohn, Lakewood Ranch assistant football coach who lost his 15 month old son Adrian Shawn to cancer on May 1^st, gave an impassioned speech thanking everyone who had helped him and his wife Ivette get through the tough times.

Vitale said plans are already under way for next year’s Dick Vitale Gala that will be held May 18^th at the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota. He plans to honor former college football coach and ESPN analyst Lou Holtz, Villanova head basketball coach Jay Wright and former Maryland head basketball coach Gary Williams.

Dick Vitale Gala Sold Out

The V Foundation for Cancer Research has announced The Sixth Annual Dick Vitale Gala, scheduled for May 20^th at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota has been sold out.

Those who still wish to support the Gala are invited to make a donation to The V Foundation.

To be placed on a ticket waiting list, please contact The V Foundation at 1-800-4-JIMMYV or jaschenbrenner@jimmyv.org. Sarasota area residents can contact Mary Kenealy at MaryKen421@aol.com

As is Gala tradition, coaching greats and sports celebrities from across the country will join Vitale to honor Roy Williams and John Calipari.

Celebrity guests joining honorees Nick Bollettieri, John Calipari and Roy Williams include all four head coaches of the recent Final Four – Jim Calhoun, Brad Stevens, Shaka Smart (and Calipari).

Also scheduled to attend are: Celtic great Dave Cowens, Hall of Fame Coach Larry Brown, Florida State Head Football Coach Jimbo Fisher, baseball’s Gary Sheffield and three former Heisman trophy winners, Desmond Howard, Chris Weinke and Vinnie Testaverde.

An all-star group of collegiate basketball coaches scheduled to attend include: JamieDixon (Pitt),Billy Donovan (Florida), Steve Fisher (San Diego State), Seth Greenberg (Va. Tech), Ben Howland (UCLA), Bob Huggins (WVU) and Gary Williams (Maryland). Men’s doubles Wimbledon champ Don Johnson is also expected to appear. Gala Host John Saunders will be joined by fellow broadcast colleagues Erin Andrews, Jay Bilas, Rece Davis, Lesley Visser and Dereck Whittenburg.

V Foundation Gets Honor; Vitale Gala coming soon

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts announced that New York Knicks guard Chauncey Billups, The V Foundation for Cancer Research, and former Harlem Globetrotter and college basketball All-American Dr. John “Jumpin’ Johnny” Kline, have been named winners of The Mannie Jackson - Basketball’s Human Spirit Award. The winners will be recognized on August 11 during events leading up to the 2011 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremonies.

“We are delighted to honor such a remarkable group for their contributions to the basketball community with The Mannie Jackson, Basketball’s Human Spirit Award,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “This year’s recipients have truly made a measurable impact through their selflessness, leadership and determination in the communities and constituencies they serve.”

The criteria for award winners includes embracing the core values of the game through hard work, dedication, and resilience; striving to continuously improve the community they serve, and making an ongoing commitment to others. Beyond the game, award winners must reflect the values of Mannie Jackson’s life-long mission to overcome obstacles and challenge the status quo, while taking responsibility for personal actions and seeking the highest standard of excellence.

Billups, The V Foundation and Kline were chosen from a group of six finalists after nominations were screened by a selection committee, appointed by the Hall of Fame and Mr. Jackson. Beginning in 2009, the finalists were grouped in three categories, representing the professional, amateur and grassroots levels of basketball.

As we all know around these parts, ESPN basketball analyst and Lakewood Ranch resident Dick Vitale has a played an instrumental role in the V Foundation’s work and serves on the board of directors.

His 6^th Annual Dick Vitale Gala, which raises significant amounts of money for the Foundation, will be held May 20^th at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota when he honors basketball coaches John Calipari from Kentucky and Roy Williams of North Carolina.