sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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- Aug 15, 2011
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Welcome to Casimir Pulaski Day!
Casimir Pulaski Day is a local holiday officially observed in Chicago, Illinoison the first Monday of every March in memory of Casimir Pulaski (March 6, 1745[1] – October 11, 1779), a Revolutionary War cavalry officer born inPoland as Kazimierz Pułaski. He is praised for his contributions to the U.S. military in the American Revolution and known as "the father of the American cavalry".
The day is celebrated mainly in areas that have large Polish populations, such as Chicago and Bloomington and DuBois. The focus of official commemorations of Casimir Pulaski Day in Chicago is at the Polish Museum of America where various city and state officials congregate to pay tribute to Chicago's Polish Community.
SU News
Wendall Williams
Chris Johnson's Legendary 40 Yard Combine Record Broken by Syracuse Native Wendall Williams (PS; Fairburn)
Syracuse native and University of the Cumberlands wide receiver Wendall Williams took advantage of the NFL Regional Scouting Combine in Minnesota, breaking Chris Johnson's 40-yard dash record with a time of 4.19 seconds.
Williams, who dropped out of both Morrisville State and Onondaga Community College before latching on at Herkimer Community College and the University of the Cumberlands, was driving a truck just four years ago. On Saturday, the former Bishop Ludden star competed at the NFL Regional Scouting Combine. Not only did he break the record in the 40-yard dash, but he also tied a record with a 45-inch vertical jump.
Williams did it all for University of the Cumberlands, an NAIA Division I program in Williamsburg, Ky. As a senior, Williams, 25, caught 15 of his team's 57 completions for 457 yards and eight touchdowns. He ran the ball 10 times for 204 yards and three touchdowns and added four return touchdowns on special teams.
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Tyler Dunning
Bama, Cuse Among Favorites for Former Cane Commit (seccountry.com; Kirschner)
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The 6-foot-1, 238-pounder said he and Alabama offensive line coach Mario Cristobal have clicked “tighter than what I thought we would,” and he mentioned that he’s working on building a relationship with Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt.
Dunning’s high school has won several state championships over the years, and it’s one reason why he thinks he could fit in with the culture at Alabama.
“They want championship-caliber guys,” Dunning said. “I feel like being here at St. Thomas, I’m kind of used to being in that type of environment.”
The South Florida prospect wouldn’t name Alabama his leader, but he did say that the Crimson Tide are one of his favorites along with Tennessee, Kentucky, Pittsburgh and Syracuse.
Dunning plans on visiting Alabama in the near future and expects to announce his decision in the summer or shortly before his senior season begins this fall.
He is rated as the nation’s No. 8 inside linebacker and is the No. 45 prospect in the state of Florida, per the 247Sports composite.
AAC Spring Football Preview: USF Emerging, UConn Not Mentioned (usatoday.com; Myerberg)
Last season saw Houston, Navy and Temple surge into the national conversation, giving the American Athletic Conference multiple teams in the AmwayCoaches Poll and pushing the league into the top spot on the Group of Five level.
It’s a spot the conference should retain in 2016, thanks in some part to the return of two head coaches seemingly destined for a high-profile destination: Temple’s Matt Rhule and Houston’s Tom Herman. The latter drew heavy interest from the Southeastern Conference, coming close to the open position at South Carolina in particular before opting for a second season with the Cougars.
The league’s greatest strength, however, is in a level of depth unmatched by the rest of the Group of Five. Once again, as many as eight or nine teams may end the year in postseason play. In addition, Houston will begin the season as the favorite to gain automatic access to a New Year’s Six bowl as the best team outside the Power Five ranks.
Houston is the gold standard, but the Cougars are also the outlier. Most teams in the American are steady but unspectacular, from East Division frontrunners Temple andSouth Florida through Navy and Memphis in the West. Steady consistency across the both divisions is what separates the American from its Group of Five peers.
Three spring storylines
1. This year’s under-the-radar contender. One year after Temple's breakthrough, the American’s best hope for a similar leap comes from South Florida, which scuffled through two disappointing seasons under Willie Taggart before reaching eight wins last season. After starting 1-3, the Bulls won seven of their last eight games to cap the regular season. Confidence shouldn’t be an issue.
The schedule might be a sticking point, however. In addition to a difficult nonconference slate — Northern Illinois, Syracuse and Florida State — USF draws Memphis and Navy from the West Division and plays Temple, the defending divisional champion, on the road in late October.
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Other
Legendary CNY Sportscaster Joel Mareiniss Passes Away at 87 (cnycentral.com)
Legendary Central New York sportscaster and our former Sports Director Joel Mareiniss has reportedly passed away at age 87.
Over the course of Mariniss' nearly 50 year career he held a number of jobs. He was the "Voice of the Orange" for the Syracuse University football and basketball teams from the mid-1960's through the late 1970's. He also hosted the "Syracuse Bowls" TV show, and was play-by-play announcer for the Syracuse Chiefs for several seasons.
Joel is survived by his wife, Georgiana, of 65 years and their three children.
A memorial service is tentatively planned for March 14.
