Jeremy Lin, others earn respect for NBA Development League

RENO — Taylor Griffin could have taken his talents to Europe, where there's more money to be had and — especially for him — less scrutiny to endure.

Yet the older brother of Los Angeles Clippers star Blake Griffin still is chasing his dream in the NBA Development League, playing for relative pennies on the Santa Cruz Warriors with the hopes that it will eventually pay off. Like so many players in this 12-year-old, 16-team league that is looking more and more like Major League Baseball's farm system every year, he earns between $13,000 and $25,000 (plus benefits, free housing and a per diem) for an entire season.NBA jersey

"I'm trying to get back to the NBA," said Griffin, a second-round draft pick by the Phoenix Suns in 2009 out of Oklahoma who played for a season in Belgium before returning stateside. "That's the only reason I'm here. If it was coming down to money, I'd be overseas somewhere. I feel like I can develop better in the D-League. It's the NBA game, NBA style of play. And then besides that, every NBA team is watching every game pretty much. It's the best league in the world as far as NBA exposure." Wholesale jerseys

And it's only getting better.

From Jeremy Lin (Houston Rockets) to Gerald Green (Indiana Pacers), Danny Green (San Antonio Spurs), Ramon Sessions (Charlotte Bobcats), Patrick Patterson (Houston Rockets) and many more, the D-League success stories are many. jerseys outlet

Nearly 30% of the NBA's current players have had D-League experience.
Last season, the 44 players who were called up made a combined $11 million.
This season, 12 players have been called up a combined 14 times.
Franchise values that were once in the hundreds of thousands have grown as a result: The last team purchased, the Bismarck Wizards, went for about $2 million to the Golden State Warriors before they moved it to nearby Santa Cruz.
This minor league, it seems clear, has evolved in a major way since its inception in 2001.Cheapest NBA jersey

The Los Angeles Lakers became the first NBA team to buy their own D-League team (the Los Angeles D-Fenders) in 2006, but 11 of the 16 teams now are affiliated with only one NBA franchise. With front-office and coaching staffs handpicked and a consistency of philosophy and style from the top to the bottom, NBA teams have asserted control over how their prospects are handled after years without. The Washington Wizards may eventually become the 12th single-affiliate team, as they're considering the prospect of having one in nearby Baltimore.Wholesale jerseys&accessories

Rockets guard Jeremy Lin is the biggest name to go from the Development League to the NBA, but other recognizable players have made the trip, too. Flip through this gallery for more.  Howard Smith, USA TODAY Sports

Clippers forward Matt Barnes used a D-League stint to carve the way for a long NBA career.  Mark J. Terrill, AP

Former NBA point guard Rafer Alston, shown in 2009, took an unusual route, from playground legend to the D-League in its early days to the NBA.  Bill Kostroun, AP

Pacers forward Gerald Green went through several countries and D-League stints before figuring out how to use his high-flying abilities at an NBA level.  Tony Dejak, AP

Danny Green began in the D-League but now starts for the Spurs.  Bahram Mark Sobhani, AP

Shannon Brown took his high-scoring ways from the D-League to the Suns.  Doug McSchooler, AP

Timberwolves guard JJ Barea went from the D-League to 2011 NBA Finals star.  Jesse Johnson, USA TODAY Sports

Ramon Sessions graduated the D-League long enough ago that he's now a veteran for the Bobcats.  Tim Fuller, USA TODAY Sports

Timberwolves guard JJ Barea went from the D-League to 2011 NBA Finals star.  Jesse Johnson, USA TODAY Sports

Players who have not signed NBA contracts are considered restricted free agents of sorts. They're free to sign with any NBA team but also are on the hook for as much as $50,000 should they try to play anywhere else before the stock one-year deal is up. The collective bargaining agreement that was born out of the 2011 lockout gave birth to a groundbreaking new rule, too: Whereas NBA teams could only assign their first and second-year players to the D-League previously and had a limit of three assignments per season, assignments are now unlimited and players of any age can be assigned. Players in their first three seasons can be assigned without consent, while older players must agree to go.

This season, a record 49 NBA players have been assigned a record 100 times to the D-League. Teams are more aware than ever of the need to monitor and develop their investments in the most productive way possible.

"There's the age-old saying, 'If you want something done right, do it yourself,' " said 24-year-old Kirk Lacob, the general manager of the Santa Cruz Warriors and son of Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob. "We've got to be in control of this if we want it done our way. We can't rely on somebody else to do it."

The synergy between the minor league and major league operations combined with the new rule allowing freedom of movement has taken the D-League to a whole new level. High-profile prospects no longer rot on the ends of their respective benches, with teams more comfortable than ever with the idea of developing talent outside the purview of the big club.

"Minor league baseball has about a 100-year head start on us, so we're still young, still developing, and not yet where we're going to be," D-League President Dan Reed said. "We have a slightly different model (than baseball), but the goals are the same.

"Forty percent of NBA draftees since 2005 have developed their games in the NBA Development League. That's a lot of players, and very soon it's going to be more the norm than the exception."

The stigma, in other words, is quickly evaporating. And the signs of increased legitimacy are everywhere.

Yi Jianlian, the sixth pick of the 2007 draft, played for the Texas Legends last January after signing with the Dallas Mavericks as a free agent. New York Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire practiced with the Erie Bayhawks in mid-December as part of his rehab from knee surgery — though the team flew to him in New York rather than the other way around.

San Antonio's starting small forward, Kawhi Leonard, practiced with the Austin Toros last month while recovering from knee tendinitis. When Miami Heat center Dexter Pittman was assigned to the Sioux Falls Skyforce, a team shared by the Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves, he embraced the rare chance to play and tweeted a picture of him smiling while wearing a T-shirt that — in a reference to LeBron James' infamous Decision show — read, "I'm taking my talents to Sioux Falls."

The next step that D-League officials are sure will come soon is the star player on rehab assignment, the basketball equivalent of the baseball pitcher who throws with the minor league team before returning to the majors.

"Instead of trying Dirk Nowitzki (with the Dallas Mavericks in his recent return from knee surgery) and playing on a 15-minute limit ... why not do 15 minutes in the D-League?" Kirk Lacob said. "Then if you play well, then it's 25 minutes the next time, and they build you back up. Then come back, and you can start in your first game in the NBA, and you don't have to waste all that time."

There's a ripple effect for all involved, too, with coaches, general managers and staffers alike getting the sort of experience they would have lacked without the D-League. The NBA is chock-full of executives and coaches who had D-League duties earlier in their respective careers, among them general managers Danny Ferry of the Atlanta Hawks and Dell Demps of the New Orleans Hornets and assistant coaches Bryan Gates of the Hornets and Chris Finch of the Rockets.

For players like Griffin, the D-League environment around them has never been better.

"There's so much more interaction between the big team in the D-League team when it's one to one (affiliation) like we have now," Griffin said. "All around I think it's a lot better situation and it seems to me like more NBA teams are trying to get their own d-league team, which is huge.

"It's incredible. I've seen the D-League for like three years now, but I think it's leaps and bounds ahead of where it was."

Sports Online:Browne Sanders named vice president

Former Buffalo admin. to oversee women’s hoops championships

Anucha Browne Sanders has been selected as the NCAA’s vice president of women’s basketball championships. In this role, Browne Sanders will set the strategic direction for, and oversee the operation and management of, the Division I, II and III women’s basketball championships.

Browne Sanders was previously the Buffalo senior associate athletic director and senior woman administrator, where she supervised men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, softball, swimming, diving and rowing. She was also responsible for marketing and ticket sales efforts, corporate partnerships,  community relations, event presentation and operations for revenue sports.

“Anucha’s experience not only in basketball, but also in management – as well as her history as an NCAA student-athlete – brings a unique and valuable skill set to this important position,” said Mark Lewis, the NCAA executive vice president of championships and alliances. “Her credentials are impressive and I know that she will bring a clear vision of how to put on exciting championships and continue to grow women’s basketball.”

“It’s an exciting time for the game of women’s college basketball and I am thrilled and honored to have been selected for the challenge of leading the championships into the next phase of growth and development,” Browne Sanders said. “Basketball has provided me with numerous opportunities in my life and I hope to take that experience and build upon it as we enhance the student-athlete experience at all championship levels.”

Browne Sanders will be responsible for the NCAA’s relationship with the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), will serve as the primary liaison to the Division I,  II and III women’s basketball committees and provide strategic oversight of the site-selection process for each championship.

“Anucha brings a wealth of experience to the NCAA and the membership. Her background in marketing at the NBA and collegiate level are strong assets that will enhance the growth of women’s basketball,” Atlantic 10 Commissioner Bernadette McGlade said. “But more importantly, she is passionate about women’s basketball and understands its unique place of importance within the national landscape.”

During her tenure at Buffalo, Browne Sanders was instrumental in producing higher ticket, suite and sponsor revenues, as well as spearheading a new community service approach that enabled the Buffalo student-athletes to participate in a variety of impactful service initiatives.

Prior to her service at Buffalo, Browne Sanders was the senior vice president of marketing and business operations for the NBA’s New York Knicks.

In her collegiate career, Browne Sanders was a highly decorated women’s basketball student-athlete at Northwestern, earning all-Big Ten team honors three times and Big Ten Player of the Year twice. Browne Sanders holds the all-time conference records for scoring (2,307 points) and rebounds (951). In 1985, she led all Division I women’s basketball players in scoring average with 30.5 points per game. She was twice named as a Wade and Naismith Trophy Finalist and was a three-time member of the All Big Ten Conference and Women’s Sports Federation All-American teams. Browne Sanders was inducted into Northwestern’s Hall of Fame, and was also named as Northwestern University’s Athlete of the Century No. 4, Northwestern’s Athlete of the Decade and to the Big Ten Conference All Decade Team.

Browne Sanders is a board member of both the Black Coaches Association and the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators. She earned her master’s degree from Florida State.

“Women’s basketball has seen incredible growth through the years and we were looking for someone who could not only continue that positive movement, but also improve the game,” said Carolayne Henry, chair of the search committee and the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee, as well as senior associate commissioner and SWA of the Mountain West Conference. “Anucha is a proven leader at understanding basketball at all levels of the game and was the best choice to continue the positive growth of the championship.”

Sports Online:Tough call at QB for Wheaton (Ill.)

Meador, Roberts build on past success, faith in position battle

Garrett Meador posted five 300-yard passing games last year and now is in a battle to be the starting QB at Wheaton (Ill.)

Preseason training camp is always full of decisions for coaches of any sport, but Wheaton (Ill.) head coach Mike Swider will be wrestling with a big one during the next few weeks.

The Thunder does not have just one highly successful starting quarterback.  They have two – seniors Garrett Meador and Jordan Roberts.

Roberts won the starting job as a sophomore in 2010 after competing with Meador in preseason camp, and went on to lead the Thunder to the Division III playoffs and a 10-2 record while setting the school record for completion percentage (66.4). 

Roberts was scheduled to be the starter again in 2011, but suffered a season-ending knee injury in a preseason scrimmage. Meador took over the starting job, and ran with it. Wheaton went 8-2 on the year, and Meador was named College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Player of the Year and North Region Player of the Year, while posting the second-highest completion percentage in school history.  Two weeks ago, Meador was named a preseason first-team All-American by d3football.com. 

Decisions, decisions.

“The bottom line is we have two quarterbacks that can lead us to a championship,” Swider said.  “There are two quarterbacks here that are equally capable and equally experienced, and are coming into compete with the idea they can be the guy … and that is the case.”

The pair also brings two different looks to the Thunder offense. Roberts rushed for 493 yards in 2010, while Meador racked up five 300-yard passing performances last season.

“Jordan is probably a little better runner,” Swider said.  “He probably brings that dimension to the offense.  He throws it, he runs it, he adlibs. When things break down, he has the ability to create and run the football. He is an extremely accurate thrower. Garrett probably has a stronger arm and is more of a pure passer.”

Both signal-callers were highly regarded coming out of high school. 

“Both of them had opportunities at bigger schools, and they both chose Wheaton because of the Christian community and the way they would be encouraged in their faith,” Swider said.

Roberts, a native of Yorkville, Ill., was a two-time all-state quarterback, who owns 14 Illinois High School Association records, including passing yards and passing touchdowns.

“It was a combination of good football, location — my mom loved that,and most of all it was faith-based,” Roberts said. 

Meador, a native of Fishers, Ind., guided Heritage Christian High School to a state runner-up finish and was named National Offensive Player of the Year and was a first-team All-American by the National Christian Schools Athletic Association.

“Within every football team there is a brotherhood, but when you add the Christian element, it’s a double-whammy,” Meador said.  “It makes for a very close-knit group and tight bond.”

One of the ways the Wheaton football program instills that closeness is by organizing annual mission trips during Spring Break. Meador and Roberts have both participated, visiting third-world countries in Africa and Haiti in order to help those less fortunate.

“When you put yourself second to a cause or someone else, you come back a better person,” Swider said.  “There is no question that every one of our players comes back and is absolutely marked.”

“Those trips are absolutely unbelievable,” Meador said.  “When you’re in a third-world country serving people in poverty, and you have a brother to the right of you,you become pretty close when you tackle questions like, ‘Why is this happening to these people?’ ”

That question may be as tough to answer as “Who will be Wheaton’s starter in the season opener?”

“Our players believe in either one of them because they’ve each performed,” Swider said. 

And, there is no doubt both Roberts and Meador are up for the challenge.

“When any true athlete or competitor hears the phrase ‘battling for your position’, that gets you excited because that’s what you want,” Meador said. “You want that competition because that’s also going to make the best player.” 

“If you have someone who is battling with you for the starting spot, you’re going to work that much harder in the weight room, in the film room, out on the field and as being a leader,” Roberts said.

“I’m going to go out there and give it my all. Regardless of the situation, I’ll understand it and know that whatever happens is best for the team. Whoever the QB is for Wheaton, it will be a guy that has the experience of having been successful in his college career.”

Preseason camp opened on Aug. 8, and Swider went into it with an open mind.

“They’re coming in on equal levels and they are going to compete,” Swider said. “You don’t rule anything out. We’re going to feel our way through this thing. As we work our way through camp and practices, we’re going to try to identify a starting quarterback, but if for some reason we think each of them do certain things well, if that’s the best thing for the team we’ll play them both.”

Wheaton opens the season on Aug. 30 as the Thunder hosts Benedictine at McCully Stadium. The Thunder are ranked No. 15 in the d3football.com Preseason Top 25, and was picked to finish second behind North Central (Ill.) in the CCIW preseason coaches’ poll. 

Sports Online:Boise State still team to beat in MWC

Broncos eye another title before joining league’s mass transition

Sports Online:The Mountain West has lost three teams, gained three new ones. It will swap out two schools for two more next season. Four new coaches will take over this year.

With all that jumbling, of course the favorite to win the title won’t be around next season.

Boise State, despite losing six players to the NFL draft, is the overwhelming pick to win the conference title before it heads off to the Big East next year.

“I’m an honest guy; Boise State is the best team in the league,” San Diego State coach Rocky Long said. “It’s going to be tough for the rest of us to catch up and maybe beat them, but they’re not unbeatable. Now you take all the rest of us, put us all in a hat and flip it up and the first one to hit the ground is the winner, that’s the way I see the rest of us.”

TCU, last year’s Mountain West champion, is gone, off to the Big 12. BYU left the conference after the 2010 season and Utah bolted for the Pac-12 last year.The rest of them are what’s left after college football’s massive conference realignment.

Hawaii, Fresno State and Nevada will join the conference this year after leaving the WAC and two more teams, Utah State and San Jose State, will be on board in 2013, when Boise State and San Diego State are expected to leave for the Big East.

Yeah, it’s been a little tough to keep up with and this year’s race, despite the predictions of blue Bronco dominance, could be just as hard to figure.

“The first thing that jumps out at me is just a lot of true parity” Boise State coach Chris Petersen said. “When you try to analyze who’s got an upper leg on anybody, there’s truly a handful-plus teams that can do some very good things.”

AIR FORCE – Key players: LB Alex Means, QB Connor Dietz, RB Wes Cobb, RB Mike DeWitt, S Anthony Wooding Jr. Returning starters: offense 3, defense 2.

Notes: The Falcons don’t have many returning starters and will have to replace Tim Jefferson, who has more wins than any other academy quarterback, and two-time 1,000-yard rusher Asher Clark. … Dietz doesn’t pass as well as Jefferson did, which will make Air Force even more predictable. It may not matter, though; the Falcons’ scheme is hard to stop, ranking them among the nation’s top rushing teams pretty much every year since the 1980s. … Air Force was one of the worst teams at stopping the run and will have a new defensive coordinator in Charlton Warren and numerous new starters.

BOISE STATE – Key players: WR Matt Miller, RB D.J. Harper, TE Gabe Linehan, T Charles Leno Jr., G Joe Kellogg, CB Jamar Taylor, CB Jerrell Gavins. Returning starters: 5 offense, 3 defense.

Notes: The Broncos have some big holes to fill in replacing QB Kellen Moore and RB Doug Martin, but return most of their offensive line and have a solid group of receivers, led by Miller. … Taylor and Gavins make up one of the conference’s best cornerback tandems, anchoring a defense without much experience. … The Broncos have been hurt by missed kicks in the past and are still searching for someone who can consistently put the ball through the uprights. … Boise State has a difficult opening game, playing at Michigan State on Aug. 31.

COLORADO STATE — Key players: RB Chris Nwoke, QB Garrett Grayson, TE Crockett Gilmore, LB Shaquil Barrett, LB James Skelton, OL Weston Richburg. Returning starters: offense 4, defense 4.

Notes: New coach Jim McElwain gets his first shot at a head coaching job after serving as the offensive coordinator during Alabama’s national championship run last season. … Nwoke is the conference’s top returning rusher after running for 1,130 yards and nine TDs last season. … Nordly Capi, the 2011 Mountain West sacks leader, and LB Mike Orakpo, the team’s leading tackler, were kicked off the team in the spring after being charged with disorderly conduct following an off-campus brawl in April. … Pass protection and run defense are the Rams’ two biggest areas of concern.

FRESNO STATE – Key players: RB Robbie Rouse, QB Derek Carr, WR Rashad Evans, LB Travis Brown, LB Patrick Su’a, S Phillip Thomas. Returning starters: offense 3, defense 4.

Notes: Fresno State should have a different look offensively under new coach Tim DeRuyter, who will switch the Bulldogs from their pro-style scheme to a no-huddle spread. … Carr, whose older brother, David, plays for the New York Giants, is one of the conference’s top NFL prospects after throwing for more than 3,500 yards and 26 TDs last season. … Rouse gives the Bulldogs one of the conference’s best offensive tandems, adding more than 1,500 yards and 13 TDs on the ground a year ago. … Fresno State’s conference title chances will likely hinge on road games against Boise State and Nevada.

HAWAII – Key players: WR Billy Ray Stutzman, RB Joey Iosefa, QB David Graves, LB Art Laurel, LB John Hardy-Tuliau, DL Paipai Falematu. Returning starters: offense 6, defense 4.

Notes: Norm Chow could have a tough first season in his return to the islands. A three-time national champion as an assistant coach, Chow got his coaching start at a Hawaii high school, but faces a rebuilding project with the Warriors in their move to a much tougher conference. … Graves was the front-runner to take over for Bryant Moniz, but wasn’t always sharp in the spring, opening up a chance for transfers Jeremy Higgins and Sean Schroeder. … Chow is known for his offensive schemes, but has put an emphasis on creating more pressure defensively.

NEW MEXICO – Key players: QB B.R. Holbrook, WR Ty Kirk, RB Demarcus Rogers, LB Dallas Bollema, DL Reggie Ellis, DL Joseph Harris. Returning starters: offense 3, defense 5.

Notes: The Lobos have nowhere to go but up after going 3-33 the previous three seasons. Charged with turning the program around is Bob Davie, the former Notre Dame coach who hasn’t been on the sidelines since 2001. … Holbrook, a fifth-year senior, probably won’t face much competition for the starting job, but may have to make some adjustments as Davie and coordinator Bob DeBesse switch to a Pistol offense. … New Mexico is loaded with seniors, but doesn’t have much depth thanks to NCAA sanctions that reduced scholarships.

NEVADA – Key players: QB Cody Fajardo, WR Brandon Wimberly, DB Duke Williams, OL Chris Barker, T Jeff Nady, RB Stefphon Jefferson. Returning starters: offense 5, defense 5.

Notes: QB Cody Fajardo was the WAC freshman of the year after taking over for do-everything Colin Kaepernick last season, throwing for over 1,700 yards and six TDs despite battling injuries. … The Wolf Pack are thin at some of the skill positions, but have some talent back on the offensive line and are always among the nation’s offensive leaders. … Coach Chris Ault, in his 28th season with the Wolf Pack, signed a two-year contract extension during the offseason. … Nevada has played in a bowl seven consecutive seasons.

SAN DIEGO STATE — Key players: QB Ryan Katz, TE Gavin Escobar, DB Leon McFadden, WR Colin Lockett, RB Walter Kazee, DB Nat Berhe, OL Alec Johnson. Returning starters: offense 5, defense 5.

Notes: The loss of Ryan Lindley, the school’s all-time pass leader, should have been a big blow. Katz, a transfer from Oregon State, could soften it. … The Aztecs will likely spread the ball around on the ground after Ronnie Hillman, the school’s third all-time leading scorer, left for the NFL. … McFadden looks like a future pro, but San Diego State has some holes to fill up front and at linebacker. … The Aztecs had a solid first season under coach Rocky Long, winning eight games and just missing a win in the New Orleans Bowl.

UNLV – Key players: QB Nick Sherry, QB Caleb Herring, RB Tim Cornett, LB John Lotulelei, DE James Boyd. Returning starters: offense 3, defense 6.

Notes: The Rebels have won two games each of the past two seasons and appear to still be in rebuilding mode in coach Bobby Hauck’s third year. … UNLV has been one of the nation’s worst passing teams and has struggled defensively, too, ranking 105th out of 120 teams last season. … Herring was the starting QB last season, but is being pushed by Sherry. … Cornett is a hard runner who averaged 5.6 yards per carry last season. … Boyd made the switch from QB to DE in the spring and was dominant at times.

WYOMING — Key players: QB Brett Smith, WR Chris McNeill, OL Nick Carlson, WR Dominic Rufran, SS Luke Ruff, DL Mike Purcell. Returning starters: offense 6, defense 5.

Notes: Smith was superb as a true freshman last season. He is the top returning passer in the Mountain West after throwing for 2,622 yards with 20 TDs, and also added more than 700 yards and 10 TDs rushing. … Smith has a solid line in front of him and a decent receiving corps, but the Cowboys will need to generate a running game to keep teams off him. … Chris Tormey, a former head coach at Idaho and Nevada, takes over as defensive coordinator and is expected to use multiple formations to help the Cowboys slow teams down.

Sports Online:Middle Tennessee State promotes assistant McGuire to head coach

McGuire

Sports Online|MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee associate head coach Jim McGuire has been promoted to the head coaching position, as announced on Thursday by Director of Athletics Chris Massaro and President Sidney A. McPhee. McGuire has spent the last 20 years serving alongside former head coach Steve Peterson, who retired on July 5 after 25 seasons at the helm.

“I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to serve as Middle Tennessee’s head coach,” McGuire said. “I would like to thank Chris Massaro and Dr. McPhee for giving me this opportunity. Throughout the process, I have been humbled by the outpouring of support from the entire Blue Raider baseball family. I look forward to getting started and building upon the tradition that (former coaches) John Stanford and Steve Peterson established.”

McGuire becomes just the third different Blue Raider coach since 1974, following John Stanford (1974-87) and Peterson (1988-2012). He is the 21st coach since the program began in 1913.

“We had a thorough process that allowed us to talk with some of the most accomplished baseball coaches in the country,” Massaro said. “We were able to develop an outstanding pool of candidates that were interested in this job, which is a testimony to the work of Coach (Steve) Peterson and Coach McGuire.

“From the beginning,I knew the great qualities of Coach McGuire, and he was able to demonstrate them further during the interview process. I am confident he will lead us to national prominence and a trip to Omaha. I am proud to announce him as our next coach.”

McPhee echoed Massaro’s praises for McGuire as the program’s next head coach.

“Jim McGuire is among the most knowledgeable and respected coaches in college baseball,” McPhee said. “He has worked tirelessly for more than two decades to help establish the winning tradition of the Blue Raiders, and I look forward to him taking our program to the next level.”

After eight years as an assistant under Peterson, McGuire was elevated following the 2000 season to associate head coach.

During his tenure,McGuire served as recruiting coordinator for the program and worked with the infielders and hitters. He also has taken an active role in coordinating evaluation visits with professional scouts as well as organizing baseball camps and the annual ‘Boro Bash summer tournament.

He helped Peterson with all three of the Blue Raiders’ major fundraisers the Grand Slam Fish Fry, the Groundhog Day Luncheon, and the Chuck Taylor Golf Tournament, and served as liaison for placing players on summer teams across the country.

After the Blue Raiders’ historical season in 2009, SEBaseball.com named McGuire the Sun Belt Assistant Coach of the Year for his work with the record-breaking offense.

Throughout his 20 years in Murfreesboro, McGuire has been a key ingredient in making Blue Raider baseball known throughout the country. He has been a part of 14 winning seasons,six trips to the NCAA Tournament, seven league championships, and five conference tournament titles. McGuire has helped mold 58 players who have been drafted by the pros and 98 first-team all-conference performers, including six conference players of the year and 10 All-Americans. The Blue Raiders are 626-520-1 during his tenure, a .546 winning percentage.

Before joining the Blue Raider staff in the summer of 1992, McGuire was head coach at Rend Lake (Ill.) Junior College from 1989 to 1992. During his stint there, he compiled a record of 220-116, a winning percentage of .655. During his four-year tenure, McGuire’s teams turned in four second-place finishes in the Great Rivers Athletic Conference. His 1992 squad was Section III champion and Region 24 runner-up.

McGuire served as assistant coach at Rend Lake from 1987 to 1988 and began his coaching career at Missouri-St. Louis in 1986.

McGuire’s playing career began at Illinois State before he transferred to Rend Lake CC. The final two years of his collegiate career were spent under the legendary Woody Hunt at Cumberland in Lebanon, Tenn.

The Belleville, Ill., native played baseball and basketball at Freeburg High School.

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Sports Online:Auburn RB Robinson sidelined while NCAA probes high school transcript

Sports Online|AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn freshman running back Jovon Robinson is being held out of practice while the NCAA investigates allegations that his high school transcript was falsified.

Athletic department spokesman Kirk Sampson said Friday that Robinson’s academic status is being reviewed.

Memphis City Schools said in a statement that NCAA officials contacted the school district Tuesday regarding allegations involving a former Wooddale High School athlete. The statement said schools superintendent Kriner Cash ordered an immediate investigation and that a school guidance counselor resigned after admitting to creating the fake transcript.

The Memphis Commercial Appeal first reported the allegations Friday.

The statement did not identify the counselor or the student.

“Know that the District has clear and strict policies and procedures regarding student transcripts,” the school district statement said. “Academic fraud is not and will not be tolerated and will be dealt with swiftly and accordingly.”

Robinson was one of Auburn’s top prospects, and had a chance to contribute in a backfield trying to replace starter Mike Dyer. The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder is easily the biggest of Auburn’s tailbacks and would bring a physical presence to the backfield if he’s eligible.

Messages left by The Associated Press at the school were not returned.

Emails sent to guidance counselors, head coach Keith Spann, assistant football coach Michael Collins and the school principal, Michael Kyle, were not returned.

A phone number listed for Spann was disconnected.

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Sports Online: Zibanejad staying in North America

Sports Online:LAKE PLACID, N.Y. -- Mika Zibanejad got a short taste of hockey and life in North America last season, after the Ottawa Senators picked him No. 6 at the 2011 NHL Draft.

This season, he'll be on this side of the Atlantic far longer.

Ottawa Senators assistant general manager Tim Murray told NHL.com that Zibanejad will spend the 2012-13 season in North America, either in the NHL with the Senators or with the club's American Hockey League affiliate, the Binghamton Senators.

"He's staying no matter what," Murray said. "Whether its Ottawa or Binghamton, we're not sending him back. So he's here."

Zibanejad, currently here with Team Sweden for the USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp, started last season in Ottawa, but was returned to his Swedish team, Djurgardens, in late October.

"We wanted to keep him,that was the intent," Murray said. "Just the longer it went, you could see with him the loss of confidence. The NHL is a tough league for anybody, especially an 18-year-old kid coming from Europe for the first time. I thought he played pretty well. He had some good games. I think it was the right thing to do to send him back. Hopefully that comes through in the next couple years."

Zibanejad, who scored the overtime goal in the championship game at the 2012 World Junior Championship, remains eligible for the 2013 tournament. Murray said there's a chance the Senators could let Zibanejad play in the tournament. It's a similar situation they faced last year with goalieRobin Lehner. The Senators opted to keep Lehner in Binghamton rather than release him for Team Sweden.

"For the World Juniors,obviously then that's not a decision we have to make today," Murray said. "He's obviously on their team. … We'll just have to do what we think is right for him. Is he playing 18 minutes a night in Ottawa? Is he playing 23 minutes a night in Binghamton? Who knows? Potentially he will be back playing in this tournament, but if I had to put odds on it I wouldn't even know where to place the odds."