By Bill Kristoph

The NCAA commitee investigating possible “offensive” American Indian nicknames has finished their investigation, and they have stopped short of recommending a ban on those nicknames. Perhaps they have the right intentions of ridding the teams of names like “Redmen” or “Redskins” but by being all-inclusive, they eliminate any good that can be done with actual tribe names, like Seminoles, Blackhawks or Illini. According to the commitee, the endorsement of Florida State University’s use of the Seminoles, by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, made an impression and influenced the final recommendations of the commitee. Thank you Seminole Tribe of Florida.

American Indian nicknames have been debated up and down, left and right for the better part of 20 years. Have we all become so politically correct, that places like FSU have to worry about losing their symbol, when a majority of people are not offended? Why is it, that the NCAA panel only looked into American Indian names? Florida battled four hurricanes last year, I guess the University of Miami had better change their nickname, to be sensitive to those residents that suffered. I am part Irish, perhaps Notre Dame’s nickname offends me!? That is a bit of a stretch, I know, but where does it end? Read on…’,'The NCAA should worry about fair play on the field, and butt out of university decisions like symbols and nicknames. What’s next for the NCAA, a panel on university lunch programs? Maybe the NCAA will want to specify the grass type allowed on campus, or that 300 thread count sheets are required in dorms. NCAA stands for National Collegiate Athletic Association, and they should stick with what they know, athletics.

If the day comes that FSU has to change symbols, however, I’m fully for being the Florida State Mosquitos! Imagine a raging, malaria infected skeeter on the gold helmet! Don’t like that? How about we steal UC Santa Cruz’s mascot, the Fighting Banana Slug! Those slugs could be in the national spotlight! Let’s go Slugs! Let’s go Slugs! Oh wait, is that an offended slug knocking on my door?

By Bill Kristoph

I figured some light-hearted news would be good for a change! NCAA 2006 is coming out soon, and I thought I would share a screenshot from the XBOX.

Let’s hope the real game goes well on Labor Day.

By Bill Kristoph

Florida State and 2005 shortstop, Ryne Jernigan, have parted ways. Ryne is headed to Auburn University, where he is expected to compete for a starting job. The Tallahassee Democrat has a full story on the situation.

Two questions come to mind. Why would Auburn want a .217 hitter and why does it seem like the starting job is being handed to an incoming freshman?

Just a quick update, Kevin Lynch has agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Angels!

I found this interesting interview with Charlie Carr over at NCAAsports.com. He gives his thoughts on being part of the NCAA baseball selection commity and the growth of college baseball of the past few years.

By Bill Kristoph

The Seminole Tribe of Florida passed an historic resolution backing Florida State University’s use of the Seminole name. The Seminole Tribe officially went on record with this resolution, in order to support FSU while the NCAA reviews the use of supposed “insenstive symbols and nicknames.”

You can read more at Seminoles.com

By Bill Kristoph

A new article in today’s Tallahassee Democrat sheds some more light on the Wyatt Sexton situation, and the fact that there might have been some warning signs.

The Sun-Sentinel offers up reasons (click Read More for the rest of the article) that we should hope this was “just a bad trip” for Wyatt and not something more serious.

In my opinion, the second half of the Sun-Sentinel article is way off base. I’ve heard many reporters over the past week claim that Sexton will be blamed for ruining a chance at the national title. Most of these people have no idea what FSU fans think. In fact, I’m willing to bet that X-Lee or Drew Weatherford are viewed as the guys that will give FSU chances for a title.Anyway, check them out! If you find a good article, Submit It!

I think most of us know that the NCAA is doing one of their “Let’s check out university symbols and mascots that we think a group of people might find offensive” things. Sadly, they never remember that FSU has the full backing of the Seminole tribe for ALL of the ways the university uses them as a symbol, right down to the Warchant being done at games.

Bill Cotterell of the Tallahassee Democrat has more info, including some of the things that FSU will be doing to promote Seminole Tribe history. By the way, if FSU ever changes the university symbol, then Notre Dame better change the Fighting Irish. Being a half of a half of a quarter of a half Irish, it offends me. -NoleCC :)

Congratulations to Shane Robinson on being the first sophomore to be a concensus All-American for the baseball team. Shane is only the 5th consensus All-American 1st team baseball player. He is also the reigning Collegiate Baseball’s National Player of the Year.

Way to go Shane!