Greek News
Two Pro Golfers Have a Big Memorial Weekend
Luke Donald (Sigma Chi at Northwestern) successfully defended his title at the European Tour's BMW PGA Championship at Virginia Water, England and moved back to the top spot in the world rankings for the third time in 10 weeks. At the Senior PGA Championship in Benton Harbor, Michigan, Hale Irwin (Phi Gamma Delta at Colorado) shot a final round 68 (274 over four rounds) to rank third and win $143,000.
NFF Selects New College Football Hall of Famers
The National Football Foundation has announced its 2012 class of new inductees into the College Football Hall of Fame and two alumni from NIC member fraternities have been chosen. Both new inductees were star wide receivers for their school in different eras: Hal Bedsole, a member of Phi Kappa Psi at the University of Southern California who played from 1961 through 1963, and Chris Bisaillon, a member of Phi Gamma Delta at Illinois Wesleyan University who set Division III reception records between 1989 and 1982.
National Football Foundation Selects SAE’s George Bodenheimer for Distinguished American Award
The National Football Foundation has announced that ESPN Executive Chairman George Bodenheimer, a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon at Denison University, will be honored with the organization's 2012 NFF Distinguished American Award. Under his leadership, ESPN acquired significant landmark contracts with such major conferences as the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12 and SEC, locking in each league for a decade or longer. The network also acquired rights to the Bowl Championship Series beginning with the 2010 season. Bodenheimer also championed ESPN's philanthropic efforts, helping the V Foundation (named in memory of basketball coach Jim Valvano) raise more than $100 million for cancer research since 1993 and spearheading efforts of employees to contribute 30,000 hours of community service in celebration of ESPN's 30th anniversary. The cable sports pioneer will receive his award at the NFF's 55th Annual Awards Dinner December 4th at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.
Two Sigma Chis Place Sixth & Seventh at PGA Event
One of the top PGA Tour tournaments of each season is The Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. The 2012 event had its fourth and final round on Sunday and two alumni of Sigma Chi were among the leading money winners. Northwestern Sig Luke Donald placed sixth (279) and earned $342,000. Finishing in a three-way tie for seventh place was Oklahoma State Sig Bo Van Pelt, with a 280 total and a $296,083 paycheck.
Greek Singers Spotlighted in People Magazine’s Country Special
Every few months, People, has produced a Country Special issue featuring a number of leading singers. In the latest special edition, twenty-seven men were pictured in the Country's Hottest Guys 2012 section. Among the group are the following alumni from NIC member fraternities: Dierks Bentley (Sigma Alpha Epsilon), Luke Bryan (Sigma Chi), Kenny Chesney (Lambda Chi Alpha), JT Hodges (Delta Tau Delta), Tim McGraw (Pi Kappa Alpha) and David Nail (Pi Kappa Alpha). Also pictured in the magazine are Charles Kelley (Lambda Chi Alpha) of Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown (Kappa Alpha Order) of the Zac Brown Band and the Eli Young Band (Sigma Nu).
NFL Draftees and Free Agent Signings
It has now been nearly a week since the National Football League draft ended and two members of the 2011 NIC All-Fraternity All-American first team were selected. Going to the Houston Texans in the fifth round was Texas A&M consensus All-American kicker Randy Bullock, a member of Delta Tau Delta. University of Oregon tight end David Paulson, a member of Sigma Nu, was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round. Since the draft ended, a number of Greek players who were All-Fraternity All-American first teamers and honorable mention picks have signed as free agents with NFL clubs. Signees so far have been offensive tackle Jeff Adams (Columbia Sigma Chi) with the Dallas Cowboys; receiver Derek Carrier (Beloit Sigma Chi) with the Oakland Raiders; running back Nate Eachus (Colgate Delta Upsilon) with the Kansas City Chiefs; defensive back Donnie Fletcher (Boston College Kappa Alpha Psi) with the New York Jets; deep snapper Josh Harris (Auburn Sigma Nu) with the Atlanta Falcons; defensive back Matt Merletti (North Carolina Sigma Chi) with Indianapolis Colts; defensive lineman DaJohn Harris (Southern California Sigma Chi) with the Tennessee Titans; offensive tackle Al Netter (Northwestern Sigma Alpha Epsilon) with the San Francisco 49ers; consensus All-American punter Shawn Powell (Florida State Sigma Phi Epsilon) with the Buffalo Bills; and center William Vlachos (Alabama Kappa Alpha Order) with the Titans.
SAE’s Bob Baffert Featured in USA Today
With the Kentucky Derby taking place this weekend, the newspaper's May 2nd sports section "cover story" focuses on famed horse trainer Bob Baffert (Sigma Alpha Epsilon at the University of Arizona), who suffered a heart attack while in Dubai on March 26th. After doctors inserted three stents into two arteries, Baffert has made a quick recovery and will be in Lexington Saturday to work with two horses he has trained, Bodemeister (considered one of the favorites) and Liaison. He has trained three previous Derby winners: Silver Charm (1997), Real Quiet (1998) and War Emblem (2002). Last year, Baffert ranked third among horse trainers with earnings of $14,104,834 and was inducted into the Trainer's Hall of Fame in 2009.
Sports Emmy Awards Won by Two Greeks
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced winners of the 33rd annual Sports Emmy awards on April 30th and two alumni of NIC member fraternities were winners. Selected as the Outstanding Sports Personality for play-by-play was Joe Buck (Sigma Nu at Indiana University). The Sports Emmy award winner as Outstanding Sports Personality (sports event analyst) was Cris Collinsworth (Alpha Tau Omega at the University of Florida).
Nominate Baseball Players for NIC’s All-Fraternity All-American Team
The 2012 All-Fraternity All-American candidates watch list continues to add nominations of leading college players at all NCAA and NAIA levels. To see the newly compiled list, please click here. A first and second team, head coach of the year and lengthy honorable mention list will be announced on this website following the College World Series in June. Send nominations (name, school, fraternity affiliation) to Jay Langhammer atJlangha132@aol.com so your candidates can be considered.
Sigma Chi’s Luke Donald Places Third at Zurich Classic
After shooting a first round 73, last's year's top PGA golfer, Luke Donald (Sigma Chi at Northwestern), rebounded with three strong rounds (65-66-67) to finish third at the PGA Tour's Zurich Classic of New Orleans. His 17 under total of 271 netted him a pay day of $435,200 and moved him past Rory McIlroy into the number one spot in the 2012 World Golf Rankings.
