Track & Field Season to Start. The track and field team will start it’s spring season in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Here’s Coach Kittley previewing the season:
Also, LAJ’s Don Williams previews the team and meet:
“The kids have been great,” Tech coach Wes Kittley said. “I told them, I never had (an indoor facility) in Abilene (Christian University) and won 29 national championships. A lot of people don’t have an indoor. It does hurt preparation and it does keep you from maybe being quite as sharp earlier than we would like, but it could be a blessing in disguise in the long run because we can bring them along a little bit slower.”
The Tech men are ranked No. 17, boosted by the return of high jumper Bradley Adkins and hurdler Chris Caldwell, both of whom were runners-up last year at the NCAA indoor championships, which staged at Arkansas’ Randal Tyson Center. That’s also where Friday’s meet will take place, beginning at 2 p.m.
Men’s Tennis to Start this Weekend. Via the official site, the men’s team will open up their spring season today against Pacific and Arizona, match times are set for 10:00 am and 2:00 pm at the McLeod Tennis Center.
Lyon to Represent Big 12 at NCAA Convention. This is a pretty big deal as outfielder Anthony Lyons will represent the Big 12 at the NCAA Convention on Friday in San Antonio. This is a big deal because he is one of only 3 student-athletes from the Big 12 and he represents student-athletes in a portion of the conference. Here’s Hocutt:
“We are proud that Anthony Lyons will once again represent Texas Tech and the Big 12 Conference at the NCAA Convention,” Texas Tech Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt said. “Anthony is a tremendous example of what a student-athlete should be and we know he will do a great job representing his teammates and fellow student-athletes at Texas Tech and across the Big 12.”
Hocutt Named College Football Playoff Chair. Sorry I missed posting this yesterday, but you all cleaned it up with comments. Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt was named as the chair for the College Football Playoff Committee (via College Football Playoff and Texas Tech). Here is Hocutt:
“College Football continues to have a significant impact in my life and I am humbled and honored by this appointment,” Hocutt said. “Serving on the committee this past season was a tremendous experience. The thoughtful consideration, professionalism and integrity exhibited by the members of this committee speak to the level of success the College Football has shown in its brief history.”
This means, that on a weekly basis, you’ll hear Hocutt opine on who and why the committee has picked the four that they’ve picked. That’s a huge role for Hocutt and he’ll certainly be on the center stage.
Juluke Deal Not Done? That’s a question and I’m not sure. UTSA hired LSU running backs coach Frank Wilson to be their head coach and LSU could look to Juluke to replace him:
If this happens, gotta wonder if LSU targets newly hired TexasTech RB coach Jabbar Juluke. https://t.co/2wNiXgS1vV
— Barton Simmons (@bartonsimmons) January 15, 2016
I would doubt that the Juluke would have signed an actual deal (maybe he has). I think these things are a lot more “duct tape and shoe-stringed” at this time of year because the coaches are out recruiting so there may not be time to actually sign a contract, just more of a handshake.
Miscellaneous. Jakeem Grant was named to the SI all-bowl team . . . Sports On Earth’s Matt Brown ranks 1 through 128 for 2016 and has the Red Raiders at 50 . . . Rivals also named Jakeem Grant on their all-bowl team . . . wondering what ever happened to Josh Outlaw and Cody Hays? They are both visiting Louisiana Tech this weekend. They were both at Tyler J.C. this past semester / year . . . this just stinks for this guy as Texas RB Jonathan Gray tore his Achilles in a training session on Monday . . .