Black Heart Gold Pants: FanPosts

Moneyball

2010-03-14T23:11:15Z

This was inspired by a post over at TRE that was trying to prove how valuable each team in the BXI was to the conference based on some.... interesting logic. Part of it was based on athletic department revenues and I thought, "~~What if we looked at that number a little closer~~ " "How can I manipulate that so Iowa comes out on top?".

So I grabbed last year's revenue numbers, the two numbers I wanted to divide them by,state population and number of students, fired up Excel and devised a careful formula of:
Total Revenue ranking + Revenue Per Student ranking + Revenue Per Citizen Of State ranking.

School	Total Funds	Per Student	Per Citizen
1. Iowa	$79,521,142 (5)	$2,840 (1)	$26.44 (1)
2. Ohio State	$119,859,607 (1)	$2,378 (4)	$10.38 (4)
3. Michigan	$95,193,030 (3)	$2,380 (3)	$9.55 (5)
4. Wisconsin	$89,842,749 (4)	$2,252 (6)	$15,89 (2)
5. Penn State	$95,978,243 (2)	$2,302 (5)	$7.61 (8)
6. Minnesota	$70,322,992 (7)	$1,522 (10)	$13.35 (3)
7. Indiana	$60,615,528 (8)	$1,629 (8)	$9.44 (6)
8. Michigan State	$75,624,811 (6)	$1,723 (7)	$7.59 (9)
9. Northwestern	$48,582,384 (11)	$2,808 (2)	$3.76 (11)
10. Purdue	$59,919,102 (9)	$1,548 (9)	$9.33 (7)
11. Illinois	$55,609,086 (10)	$1,340 (11)	$4,31 (10)

For some thrown together numbers, this probably doesn't do a bad job of reflecting support for the various programs in their respective states. Also, I got curious as to whether those revenue numbers include the payout from BTN profits. I wasn't able to find anything conclusive but I don't think they do. If that is the case, the BXI is going to be almost untouchable money-wise for the near future.

Illinois is just sad. Really, really sad.
Purdue isn't much better.
jNW is strong per student, but they lack broad support because nobody really likes rich kids.
The Cheeseheads love their Badgers.
Iowa athletics turned almost $9 million in profits.

and, oh yeah

Party time, bitches!!

Hey guys, what's going on?
GET THE FUCK OUTTA HERE, TODD!!

He's lucky I let him live.

Breaking News - Comments about Lickliter's future.

2010-03-14T04:55:38Z

AP - Todd Lickliter remained the men's basketball coach as of Saturday, as rumors were still churning in the wake of his team's loss to Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament. Few solid comments could be found at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, and players were not available for comment after the Hawkeyes finished with a 22nd loss, the most in one season in Iowa history.

Several reporters were looking for answers from Lickliter all weekend about what the future held, and if he had spoken to Athletic Director Gary Barta. Lickliter was quoted as saying "We just talk about…the task at hand. We haven't met on anything like that. I just work on making this team better. That's the Butler way, you know. Man, my neck is killing me, and I'm feeling a bit dizzy. You don't have an aspirin handy, do you? I think I'll lay down."

Lickliter and Barta were scheduled to remain in Indianapolis until at least Friday. Barta was to attend a retirement party for Michigan Athletics Director Bill Martin, who had been forced out because of repeated incompetence and impoliteness, and was replaced by a Domino's Pizza employee.

Barta seemed philosophical about the Michigan situation earlier in the week, saying "Well, I have to have sympathy for Bill Martin. He bungled a huge hire when he brought in Rich Rodriguez to handle one of his main revenue-generating programs, and now the fans have grown restless. He also had Mary Sue Coleman watching every move he made from that point on. I'm just glad I don't have a similar situation here at Io… ahh…ouch! I'm sorry. Pardon me. President Mason has just sent me a message on the pager/shock collar that I must wear at all times, even in the shower."

The university's Sports Information department could not confirm if Barta and Lickliter would meet in Indianapolis, but did mention that the two would meet on Monday. SID Phil Haddy was heard as saying "Internet rumors in the last day or two are completely false. Todd will be coach of this team…as long as he wins a wrestle-off with Gary (Barta) on Monday, and as long as Todd significantly injures Gary so that a new Athletic Director will be needed. I am confident in Todd's abilities, as he has been training with Tom (Brands) and Terry (Brands) since just after his artery surgery in December. That means Todd has been training with the best wrestling coaches in the land for two and a half months. Ole Bloodpunch doesn't stand a chance."

Many were eager to hear a response directly from Barta regarding the possible no-holds-Barta match scheduled with his head basketball coach. Yet, Barta was hiding in a luxury box (or a custodians' closet nearby), and would only release the following statement on a paper slid under the door: "I'm so proud of our young players. It’s been a tough season, but the future is very bright with this group. With the regular season ending today, I’ll do what I do every year. I’ll evaluate 2010 and make preparations for next season. I can tell you though, that I am proud to have a coach who has 188 career wins at Iowa, and will be coaching in the NCAA tournament.”

Confused reporters knocked on the closet door, and asked Barta what (or who) he was talking about, as Lickliter's record at Iowa stood at only 38-57, and they would certainly not make the 2010 NCAA tournament.

Barta replied, "Oh, you were talking about Todd, and not Lisa (Bluder). Well, I'll let you know about Todd after I've talked to some recruits, and their parents, and one of their relatives who apparently writes for the Sioux City Journal. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to take this call on my cell phone." Barta then acted like he was no longer present in the closet.

In an Iowa City Press-Citizen exclusive, writer Pat Harty was able to receive an additional statement from Barta. Harty happened to be searching for old swiss cake rolls or beef jerky in the same custodian's closet in which Barta sought refuge. Despite the background noise of an overturned mop-bucket and some broken light bulbs, Harty heard Barta say "Hello Bruce. How are you? Yes, Bruce, I've heard that joke from you before. Yes, Bruce…from Grainger County…and they wear the hood…yep, the KKK…I get it. Yes, Bruce, because you're in Tennessee. Very funny, Bruce. So Bruce, let's talk business. Do you think four million dollars per year will be enough, or do I have to ask Mr. and Mrs. Krause for another truckload of cash?"

(Yes, this is all fake and is meant only as satire. But I did hear the Dean Smith was seen at the Cedar Rapids airport. Gotcha, just kidding again.)

There is always schadenfreude

2010-03-12T21:53:32Z

Sitting in the glass house that is the Iowa BB program certainly leaves little room to throw stones. However, the fact Iowa may not have the most dysfunctional program in the State is worth at least a little snicker (or at least another round of inconsolableness for Pollard).

From Hlas:

It’s no surprise Craig Brackins will turn pro, and it’s unfortunate Marquis Gilstrap has been denied a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA.

But now comes the news from Iowa State that men’s basketball players Justin Hamilton and Dominique Buckley are transferring. Unreal.

The basketball season - in song form

2010-03-11T21:27:38Z

I was thinking about this last night. It's to the tune of "Talkin Softball" from the Simpsons (which, in turn, is to the tune of Talkin Baseball, or something. Enjoy:

Well Lickliter had done it

The Wolverines had won it

With John Lickliter chucking all the while

Devon Archie’s tragic illness made us smile

While Tucker lay unconscious on the barroom tile

We’re talking Lick-ball

The system works in theory

We’re talking Lick-ball

With Gatens, May and Neari

Brommer can’t take it to the hole

Cougill eats but can’t get full

We’re talking Cully, Bawinkel and Cole

We’re talking Lick-ball

The system works in theory

We’re talking Lick-ball

With Gatens, May and Neari

Brommer can’t take it to the hole

Cougill eats but can’t get full

We’re talking Cully, Bawinkel and Cole

As long as we are talking football.

2010-03-11T17:42:03Z

I have no idea who would be interested in this.Hell, I never thought I would.

It all starts with the a Christmas Story. While my daughter was visiting during Christmas i asked her what she wanted for Christmas. After a brief discussion on the phone I had her meet me at that Mecca for sports enthusiats at the Coralville Mall.(not sure if its OK to mention its name, not hard to figure out). Anyway, the Purchase and gifting of a pair of very nice Nike FB cleats was the result of our excursion.

She is on the roster of the Iowa Crush, an IWFL Tier II Woman's football Team based out of Des Moines. If anyone is interested in supporting them and attending their games, I have included a link to their site.

http://www.theiowacrush.com/index.asp

I hope this isn't inappropriate in any way . Its Football, and a surprisingly large amount of Dad pride. (#10 on the roster, #1 in my heart.)

thanks for the opportunity to inform you.

Finally, proof that ignorance is bliss!

2010-03-11T14:15:10Z

Tim “Wunderkind” Tebow put his brain on display for the NFL talent investigators via the NFL version of the IQ test, the Wonderlic Test. It wasn’t pretty. Tebow scored a 22 out of 50. The test is timed and does require that one have some intelligence. It is intended to see how a player thinks under pressure. What remains unclear is how seriously it is used by teams to determine the draft value of a player. However, as the article in the link above points out, Tebow won awards for his achievements off the field as well.

Tebow graduated Florida with a 3.66 GPA as a Family, Youth and Community Services major, and he is a three-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll and a two-time First Team Academic All-American.

Draw whatever conclusions you like but keep in mind that Matt Leinart scored a 35 on the damn test.

Jamie Pollard slowly imploding

2010-03-11T04:58:59Z

via 1460am KXNO's website. They're the big sports station here in the DSM area. This was pretty much all the local guys talked about all day today. Whether he's right or wrong, this is definitely something to be thought and not said in an email.

So few of us are truly real fans...

http://www.kxno.com/pages/miller-deace.html

Pollard forgets that by being a public university, and by us being tax paying citizens, we all really support the debacle he is slowly deconstructing in Ames.

Stanzi IS, by any measure, the Manzi

2010-03-10T20:51:10Z

So yesterday, my tweenage cousin was diagnosed with diabetes, and was sent down to Iowa City for treatment. She's spent the last two days in the Children's hospital there as they begin her treatment. However, the best treatment possible is the smile brought by our own Ricky Stanzi. He sat and played Madgab with her and her sister this afternoon, bringing a much needed smile to the entire family.

While I've had nothing but good things to say about Stanzi up to this point, he is now the absolute measure of what I want in an Iowa football player. While he is a very good athlete and quarterback, he is a far better person. For a college kid to take time out of his day to spend time with kids at the Children's hospital is a FAR better measure of what he can and does mean to the Iowa program.

I realize this is nothing new, as evidenced by the wristbands and fanfare he's received for this very thing, but quite simply we don't recognize it nearly enough. The kids he spends time with, and their families, will never forget this simple act of kindness.

I tip my cap to you, Rick Stanzi. You are an honorable man, and any success you bring to the Iowa football program will pale in comparison to what you mean to those kids. Keep up the good work.

Offtopic: Arena Football is Back

2010-03-10T06:53:06Z

So, not sure how many BHGP-goers will really care or not, but the only semi-professional football league that ever mattered is back, after a one year hiatus.

And, along with that, brings the Iowa Barnstormers back to their roost, in AFL1 contention again. I'm sort of excited. Being a CR native, and never getting to go see the Kurt Warner days of the Barnstormers because football isn't that big in my family, I'm going to try to make it to some of their games this year. And, in slightly-related news, Brad Banks is on the Orlando Predators roster.

Stanzi Will Outlive Us All

2010-03-08T23:24:47Z

[Bumped, obviously.--AJ]

One of the interesting things about the internet is that it never lies. So I was impressed when I found this helpful graph on an ancestry website:

Source: http://www.ancestry.com/facts/stanzi-life-expectancy.ashx

An interesting graph to be sure: Stanzi's life expectancy grew by 15 years between 1990 and 1996. The social scientist in me felt obliged to put together a helpful chart that projects these trends into the future:

Based on my estimates, it appears that Stanzi shall transcend the ages.

[Editor's note: If this is indeed the case--and we have zero reason to doubt so--would Leman-Stanzi 2012 still make sense for America? You don't want Stanzi to exhaust his Presidential eligibility too soon, after all.]

ESPN's Rittenberg snubs Stanzi in his player rankings?

2010-03-09T19:53:34Z

So Adam Rittenberg of ESPN has listed a Big Ten postseason player rankings, based on past performance and future potential. He is down to #4, which is Brian Bulaga. But in projecting the final three there's not a lot left. There is no sign of Adrian Clayborn or Swinging Dick Stanzi and one has to think Clayborn will be in the final three....and there still is no sign of PSU's Odrick or UM's Graham. It looks like Stanzi is going to get snubbed, and if Stanzi gets snubbed while Kafka gets included then one has to ask: Will Stanzi enter the 2010 season under the media radar yet again?

Looks like he will.

Iowa baseball drops three of four at Kansas

2010-03-08T16:28:44Z

Hello Iowa Hawkeyes. I have been writing about Kansas baseball at the SB Nations site Rock Chalk Talk for the last four years. Iowa was in Lawrence this weekend for a four game series. KU took three of the four games but I thought the Iowa club looked better than expected given their record last year. I'll link my full recap here and copy my comments about Iowa below.

- - - -

The Iowa baseball team looked better than I expected. At the plate they worked the counts well. They were not hacking. The Hawkeye pitching staff was hesitant and unimpressive, but for the most part willing to challenge batters and throw strikes. Freshman lefty Matt Dermody, in only his second NCAA start, was the only Iowa pitcher to get rattled. After Jimmy Waters hit a towering homerun off him in the first inning, and Jake Marasco drove a high fastball off the centerfield fence in the second, Dermody became strikezone shy and did not make it out of the second inning. Iowa shortstop Kurt Lee looked good defensively. Based on how they played this weekend the Hawkeyes should see more success in 2010 than they did last year. I could well imagine them finishing around the RPI mid-point.

Because it's been a whole week since we discussed expansion...

2010-03-07T20:01:49Z

There were two interesting developments in Manhattan, KS this week (and, no, Iowa State beating the Cats on their Senior Night is not one of them).

1.Kansas State signed basketball coach, Frank Martin, to an extension that brings with it a significant pay raise.

2.Earlier in the week Kansas State University president, Kirk Shulz, unveiled an (overly?)ambitious plan to elevate KSU into a top 50 school (they are currently tier 3) over the next 15 years.

What's the link to Big Ten expansion? This may be giving our humble conference too much credit, but my takeaway is that the ramifications of Big Ten expansion and the entire process leading (or not) to it are setting layers upon layers of forces in motion with effects more wide-reaching than first suspected. Sure, there have been the expected overtures from willing participants (Mizzou, Rutgers, Pitt) and controlled leaks (Nebraska, Wisconsin) from parties hoping to position themselves better for their own purposes. What we haven't really seen is movement from the "also rans" category of schools (Iowa State, Baylor, Texas Tech, etc.) that figure to be left without a chair when the music stops (or at best, a rickety, splinter-ridden chair with exposed nails). This is the first I've seen of a university from this pool trying to force itself into the discussion. Of course, with a 67-30 record over 3 years, the Martin extension was already well in the works. But the scale of the deal shows a real commitment to the sport from a school whose brightest days have been on the gridiron. The top 50 goal is really where I see the effect of Big Ten expansion come into play. Obviously, it would be foolish for any university president to not state the desire to enhance the academic reputation of their institution. But why now? And why aim so high? Is it an attempt to get the Big Ten/Pac 10 to notice them? Was it done with the intention of convincing Texas that the Big XII can become a league committed to similar ideals?

It would be nice to think that Kansas State is just at the crossroads of good fortune and noble ambition, but I cannot help but think that they will be the first of many universities doing everything in their power to make themselves attractive to the power players.

OK, tear it apart!

Girls Generation Translation

2010-03-03T06:07:27Z

All right people, I have a couple of Korean friends, so I asked one of them to watch the video on youtube and this is what she said:

Omg, i can't believe you just subjected me to 3 minutes of listening to that crap, that's 3 minutes I'll never get back.

well, they are singing to some guy saying how they love him and hope he doesn't see them/her as just a little sister type. They seem to be repeating the words, "i love you much" over and over.. and why not, who needs real lyrics. I don't think there's a significance to why they have an Iowa helmet. I think they were doing the whole school, cheerleading theme and picked an Iowa football helmet. Nothing in the song eludes to that particular school. Korea always does that though, they pick random schools or sports team to use as props, no telling why.

There you have it. Sorry for ruining your hopes and dreams of a meaningful Iowa reference.

Becker Found Guilty In Shooting Of Ed Thomas

2010-03-02T17:11:35Z

Not much more to add to this. Mark Becker was found guilty this morning in the shooting death of Parkersburg football coach Ed Thomas. The jury rejected his plea of not guilty by insanity. The Register has good coverage of the trial and aftermath here. Sentencing is set for April 14th. Glad to see a fairly quick resolution to this tragic story. Hope Becker gets the help he needs and the families can find some closure.

Why the Combine SUCKS

2010-02-28T16:32:29Z

Posted on Scout.com, Calloway is apparently dropping as an OT because of his 40 time and vertical???? Who writes this shit? Oh noes, he can't jump very high, what ever will he do? Since when did vertical determine how well you come out of a stance and how good your technique is? All of their posts were about how slow the lineman were lol.

Kyle Calloway, OT, Iowa

The tackle who plays opposite highly touted left tackle prospect Bryan Bulaga, Calloway (6-foot-6, 323 pounds) had a disappointing workout on Saturday. He was timed at 5.51 in the 40 and was handed the lowest vertical (23.5-inches) of all the offensive linemen.

Dace Richardson, OT, Iowa

An injury-plagued career hurt the versatile Richardson from developing into a consistent starter for Iowa, and after his performance at the Combine on Saturday, where he turned in a 5.78 in the 40, there’s no chance he will be drafted.

Ciron Black, OT, LSU

Black started 53 consecutive games at left tackle for LSU, but the 6-foot-4, 327-pounder has struggled to impress this offseason. He’s displayed slow feet, and it really showed when he ran a 5.49 in the 40. Black isn’t the most athletic tackle available in the draft, and his 25.5-inch vertical revealed his lack of explosion. Black’s stock is tumbling and he could ultimately come off the board in the fourth round.

Whose Seat is Hotter? McDermott or Lickliter

2010-02-26T04:03:11Z

With all the talk about if Lickliter is the answer, does he deserve an extension, etc. I thought about something that could give us some much needed schadenfreude, and the Cyclones are usually good for that. Sure, they beat us in basketball this year, but I can't imagine a team in the state (or Big-12) underachieving relative to their hype this year. We all know the situation at CHA (or at Welsh-Ryan tonight, man that sucked). For those of you who don't know here's a quick run-down of what I'm talking about in Ames:

Craig Brackins decided not to declare for the NBA draft last summer, touching off a massive love-fest and hype extravaganza in Ames and Des Moines. I lived in DSM last summer and was thoroughly annoyed with it.

Lucca Steiger decides not to return to Europe for a pro career.

McDermott was expected to have his best team and the best team in recent memory at ISWho.

The reality is that they aren't that much better than Iowa, but with much more alleged talent.

So whose seat is hotter and why?

Off Topic: DINOSAUR RACECARS

2010-02-24T20:20:11Z

You keep your eyes on the road, Dinosaur racecar drivers!

Here's the deal: dinosaur racecars would be awesome. Logistically though, it would be a big hassle, because do you have any idea how huge a T-Rex dinosaur racecar would have to be? Like REALLY big. And they don't even have factories for that.

But I think that if the dinosaurs really want their own racecars, they would probably be more than happy to build their own dinosaur racecar factories and work in them. That's like the real test on whether a dinosaur gets to have his own racecar. "Okay, dinosaur, you might want your dinosaur racecar, but are you willing to work for it?" And if the dinosaur says no, forget him or her. Dinosaur racecars are only for hard-working dinosaurs.

If that's too labor-intensive, then maybe we have to scale down our expectations and teach them all dinosaur karate. That just needs a big enough place for the dinosaurs to do their dinosaur karate without like breaking trees and buildings and valuable utility poles. Godzilla and his foes tried to do dinosaur karate in Tokyo and what a mess that was. No thanks. You dinosaur guys can just stay out in the country, if you ask me.

DJK Twitter

2010-02-23T19:32:36Z

DJk is one intresting guy look at his past two entry's on twitter

ORANGE BOWL INJURY IS 100%.FEEL'N Fast...tell your best defensive back to txt me... ill meet him @ an arranged location for one on one's??

only thing I'm trying to do next fall is hit the national championship- I'm over outback bowls and bcs games. Final yr,final goal-YUP

pretty cool actually

http://twitter.com/DJKOULIANOS

Iowa vs Wisconsin Wrestling- if anyone was left wondering

2010-02-22T03:57:26Z

Iowa beats Wisconsin 31-6

Conference Champs

125 - Matt McDonough (I) maj. dec. Drew Hammen (W), 10-1
133 - Daniel Dennis (I) dec. Tyler Graff (W), 2-1
141 - Montell Marion (I) dec. Cole Schmitt (W), 11-4
149 - Brent Metcalf (I) won by forfeit
157 - Jake Kerr (I) dec. Greg Burke (W), 6-5
165 - Andrew Howe (W) dec. Ryan Morningstar (I), 2-1
174 - Jay Borschel (I) pinned Brendan Ard (W), 4:26
184 - Phillip Keddy (I) dec. Travis Rutt (W), 4-3
197 - Trevor Brandvold (W) dec. Luke Lofthouse (I), 4-2
Hwt. - Dan Erekson (I) dec. Eric Bugenhagen (W), 3-2