Crossville Chronicle, Crossville, TN

Sports Columns

February 21, 2013

ALL IN THE GAME: It is so good to be back

CROSSVILLE — I want to apologize to the growing number of Vanderbilt fans that I feel that I have let them down by being out of service for a little while. In addition to the apology, let me give my thanks to Frank Gale and others whose thoughts and prayers helped trememdously.

A lot has happened since I have contributed my ramblings, so let's see if we can catch up. Of course, the nine-win season by the Commodores has to be a highlight and I see many more of those to come considering the signees they managed to secure. I hate it that we missed out on Corn Elder, but for some reason, he chose a school that is facing some NCAA penalties. At least the Volunteers didn't get him.

Another Vandy highlight has to be the performance of Brandt Snedeker on the golf course. In addition to being a big winner, it seems impossible to find anyone who doesn't like him — typical Vanderbilt athlete, talented and with class. Of course, I'm sure that Mr. Looney and Mr. Wyatt could find some fault.

I thought that this year's Super Bowl was just one big boring event. I guess that I was just so tired of hearing about Ray Lewis that I couldn't get into it. In my opinion, he is just a little above average among today's linebackers.

Of course basketball is the highlight of the day now and it is difficult for anyone to hold on to the number one spot in college hoops. I guess Indiana is as close as we can get, and that has to tickle Kris Burk and the entire Burk clan. I also like the way the Hoosiers go about their business, a class act.

I can't find anything to brag about with the Commodores as they continue to struggle on the hardwood. Two losses to the Vols really put me at a loss. Even the Abraham Lincoln look-a-like put up some threes against Vandy. Really, that kid ought to shave.

It feels really great to be back and I look forward to bantering with Frank Gale though it looks like I will have to wait until football season to have much to brag about. How long has it been since you heard something like that from a Vandy fan?

Again, thanks and have a great week!

Go Panthers! Go Jets! Go USA!

(Jim Butler is a Chronicle correspondent and his column appears regularly.)

Text Only
Sports Columns
  • Tennessee Orange/White game is in the books

    The 2013 Orange/White Game is in the books and for now, the immediate hopes and dreams of Team 117 could rest on an improved defense. It is also going to depend on offensive players that either missed the game with injuries or are not yet on campus.

    April 25, 2013

  • Rowan adds PrepXtra award to his 2013 honors

    Stone Memorial senior Brock Rowan added to a growing list of honors Thursday, as he was named to the PrepXtra Boys First Team by the Knoxville NewsSentinel.

    April 25, 2013

  • ROCKY TOP BEAT: UT Orange and White game kicks off Saturday

    I can’t believe the Orange-White Game has arrived already. Tomorrow, Neyland Stadium will be the site for what has been an annual rite of spring for the Vol Nation. Fans will get their first glimpse of the new coaching staff and the players that will give their all for Tennessee in the fall. 

    April 18, 2013

  • Simmons Jumper.jpg Rocky Top Beat: Lady Vols extends NCAA home court record to 52-0

    The Lady Vols ran their record in NCAA Tournament games played at Knoxville to 52-0 this past week after winning their two opening round games. Oklahoma City is the next stop, where the Lady Vols will play Oklahoma University on Sunday at 3:35 p.m. CDT on ESPN 2.

    March 28, 2013 1 Photo

  • It is sweet 16 for March Madness

    March Madness has entered the round of 16 or Sweet 16 as many refer to it, and "how sweet it is" to have a couple of "Cinderella" teams on both sides of the ball.
    The Florida Gulf Coast University Golden Eagles and the Delaware Blue Hens have moved into the "Sweet 16" round of both the men's and women's tournaments this weekend.

    March 28, 2013

  • All in the Game: Are the ladies taking over some sports?

    Though the female kicker didn't do well at all at the NFL combine, she at least did get the opportunity to try out. Danica Patrick did win the pole at the Daytona 500 and also finished well in the event. Is she going to be a factor in the Sprint Cup series or was the Daytona performance just a fluke? Some think that it was somewhat staged to help promote NASCAR, which has staggered a little in their ratings.

    March 7, 2013

  • Oh Good Greif: Spring sports dodging bad weather to prepare for the season

    "It's beginning to look a lot like...."  You know the rest of it, but that came to my mind Wednesday as the snow fell, forcing schools to be closed for another day. This puts a damper on spring sports practices, as the regular seasons for baseball, softball, tennis, boys soccer and track and field begin next week.

    March 7, 2013

  • Rocky Top Beat: Vols, Lady Vols waiting for selection weekend

    The Lady Vols and the Vols both failed to win on the road last weekend. The men almost suffered a fatal blow to their NCAA Tournament hopes with their second loss to Georgia but, with a weak tournament field this year, they lived to fight a while longer.

    March 7, 2013

  • ROCKY TOP BEAT: Only 267 days until Vanderbilt-Tennessee game

    It was nice to have Jim Butler back “in the game" again last week. I can’t imagine anyone being more devoted to the Commodores, no matter how misguided that loyalty turns out most of the time. Now, with one successful football campaign in the books, the stakes are sure to rise this fall in regards to that Big Orange rivalry. 

    February 28, 2013

  • ALL IN THE GAME: It is so good to be back

    I want to apologize to the growing number of Vanderbilt fans that I feel that I have let them down by being out of service for a little while. In addition to the apology, let me give my thanks to Frank Gale and others whose thoughts and prayers helped trememdously.

    February 21, 2013

Must Read
Section Teases
Seasonal Content
Readers' Choice 2013
  • Readers' Choice Badge Color 2013.jpg READERS' CHOICE 2013

    Here are some of the winners of our READERS' CHOICE AWARDS! Thanks to everyone who voted! For the complete list, check out the Wednesday, March 27th edition of the Crossville Chronicle.

    March 26, 2013 1 Photo

Parade
AP Video
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools $1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel? Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting Raw: School Bus Crash Injures Five Children Quick Response Saved Baby on Phila. Train Tracks One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Weather Radar