One more crack for today! News and notes from around the state!

Jays are hopping with new freshmen recruits ready to make an impact!  A couple stories with a h/t to the OWH:

Freshmen hope to be a hit for Jays

A nice piece about Jays' Artino from the OWH:

Jays' Artino shows great versatility

Good article regarding Bo and interaction with the media on media day:

Not what you'd expect

Martinez becoming a leader in the clubhouse:

Martinez grows into leadership role

UNO baseball and softball players named to all-Division II team in Nebraska:

Baseball honors
Softball honors

Interesting bits and pieces:

The new UNO men's soccer team will play one game at UNO soccer field, and one game at the Stormchasers' Werner Park.  Should be interesting to see the configuration for the soccer field, and a fun time at that new sports facility.

The Huskers-Hawkeyes Heroes game should be a blast, and should be a nice tribute, if fans can stop themselves from kvetching enough about it to actually enjoy the game.

Might try and do a count this year to see who can keep a bigger fan base coming to Cent Link this year.  My money is on hockey, but a good year with the Jays may turn that around.

The expansion of Memorial Stadium appears to be coming along nicely.  If only I could actually see that amount of progress in the Haymarket, I'd be especially excited.  Ah well, within 4-5 years, we'll have a newly renovated football facility, a fresh basketball facility, and hopefully, a freshly remodeled volleyball facility.  All in good time.

I'd really like to see UNO develop a relationship with Werner, and see if college baseball could be played during the spring.  I know the one-off of last spring season seemed to be popular.  It'd be nice to have another win-win situation like the one at Haymarket Park.

My take on BTHC and NCHC:  I think in the end, college hockey will be better, offer a better product, and be more competitive with major juniors as a genuine avenue to pursue to the NHL.  I know people have a tough time seeing that, but look at most other major college athletics:  it allows all parties to be competitive in their area.  Ultimately, that allows for a better product.

Hopefully, the Jays can start a championship tradition with soccer.  Can't wait to see the product their new coach puts on the field.  Can't wait until we start to see a cross-town rivalry develop as well, in soccer, and many other sports.

I think that's all my notes for now.  Have a fabulous weekend, and hope to talk to you all soon!  Keep Christ alive in your hearts, and model his actions in your lives, and you'll see amazing results!

Takes some time

Sometimes it takes time to get settled in to something new.  Like blogging.  :D

Sometimes it takes time to get settled in to a name... 'Heroes Game'.  I like the notation, and like the ring to it.  I also like Legends and Leaders.  Great symbolism from a traditional conference.  This place feels a lot more like home then the Big XII did.

Sometimes it takes time to get over yourself... like those grousing about the name.  Have a little respect for the heroes the game is meant to represent and meant to honor.  Take a moment, get over whatever little grudge you seem to have as a fan, and push past yourself.  Think of others for once.

Sometimes it takes time to get settle into a new league and a new way of doing things... like those who seem intent on vilifying Trev Alberts for every move made at UNO.  I like Alberts' leadership, his dedication, his boldness, and his willingness to put himself out there for what he feels is the good of the school he represents.  All schools should have such an AD.

Sometimes it takes time to get used to change... change from the past of the WCHA and the CCHA to a new world of BTHL and NCHC.  Again, I'm optimistic for the future.  As the fat was trimmed from the UNO athletic department to make way for the new future in Division I, so the fat is trimmed to make way for the power conferences of college hockey.  I'm an optimist by nature, but I think you'll see more college hockey teams when all is said and done, not less.  I haven't seen proof yet that this will be the deathknell for any specific team out there.  You can make all the gloom-and-doom predictions you want, but the future hasn't quite finished unfolding yet.  Give it time.

Sometimes it takes time to get the right tools in place to be or remain competitive... looking at UNL football and UNO hockey, both programs appear, as they make moves to new conferences, ready to take the next step in their sports.  Dueling national championships in the state's largest cities?  That would be incredible.

Sometimes, it take a positive message to override the negative ones.  Look to this page, and I'll bring you the positives from Nebraska Division I sports.  Thanks all, God Bless Nebraska, and God keep our sports teams safe!

New and just getting started!  I'll be linking from others, and trying to post when I can.  I'll try to throw something out there at least weekly, though I make no guarantees.  :)  Welcome aboard, and we'll see how this ride works out!  Huskers, Mavericks, Bluejays, where the name comes from!  Any advice, any tips, etc., I'd love to hear it!  I'm a fan of many things, but love college sports in a lot of different forms!  Keep your eyes and ears peeled!