June 21, 2009: Happy Father's Day everyone ...

We are about 2-1/2 months away from the start of College Football. The PGA is suffering through a soggy week at Bethpage for the US Open.

Today, it's Father's Day 2009! Happy Father's Day to all!

Cidsports doesn't surf the free board on Rivals Iowa Football message board too often, but we picked up an interesting post on Nebraska and Duke football programs.

Many in the Iowa-Nebraska fan bases would like to see a rivalry in football renewed. Since 1978, Iowa and Nebraska have played six times (home and home). I had the pleasure of attending five of the six games. The Huskers clearly had the better record, but it was a good series for the fans.

My grandfather was from Grand Island, NE originally and I spent six football seasons in Omaha, while at Creighton University and while working my first full time gig, after college. My first college football game as a college student in Nebraska was the Iowa vs. Nebraska game in '82.

iowanole1 on the Rivals Network made an interesting post on the BCS conference schools.

"According to Phil Steele, since 2001, 63 of the 65 BCS teams have beaten a
team in the top 19. One of the two teams not to is Duke, and the other one
is...Drum roll please... Nebraska. Have fun with that one." - iowanole1

Alum-NI on the Rivals Network provided some additional commentary on the subject, from a Husker fans prospective.

"Unfortunately, I can answer that one. We all know of this "statistic"
far too well.The last win against someone in the Top 19 was on October 27, 2001
when Nebraska defeated #2 Oklahoma 20-10.
Since then, 2001: #14 Colorado (L 36-62)
2001: #1 Miami (L 14-37)
2002: #7 Texas (L 24-27)
2002: #11 Kansas State (L 13-49)
2002: #13 Colorado (L 13-28)
2003: #16 Texas (L 7-31)
2004: #2 Oklahoma (L 3-30)
2005: #15 Texas Tech (L 31-34)
2006: #4 USC (L 10-28)
2006: #5 Texas (L 20-22)
2006: #8 Oklahoma (L 7-21)
2006: #10 Auburn (L 14-17)
2007: #1 USC (L 31-49)
2007: #17 Missouri (L 6-41)
2007: #17 Texas (L 25-28)
2007: #8 Kansas (L 39-76)
2008: #4 Missouri (L 17-52)
2008: #7 Texas Tech (L 31-37 OT)
2008: #4 Oklahoma (L 28-62)

So....the Huskers have lost 19 straight to teams ranked in the top 19.
There have been a lot of close calls in that span, and some blowouts.
Just an ugly monkey we need to get off our backs." - Alum-NI

I have always enjoyed the Huskers football program dating back to the early 70's and OU vs. NU series. I became a Dr. Tom Osborne fan, while the Huskers were in the old Big 8. Roger Craig has always been my favorite Husker football player. Of course, we have a former Husker football player living in Cedar Rapids today, who was a Osborne recruit and played in the '87 Fiesta Bowl.

It will be interesting to see how second year coach Bo Pelini does in his second year in Lincoln. The former Husker defensive coordinator ('03 season) lead the Huskers to a 9-4 season in '08, after the Husker finished 5-7 in '07 in former Coach Bill Callahan's fourth and final season in Lincoln.

The Duke Blue Devils begin their second season under head coach David Cutcliffe, who improved the Blue Devils to 4-8 in '08, after finishing 1-11 in '07. Duke didn't face a Top 25 team last year. The Blue Devils have lost 18 straight dating from the '01 season.

peace

Three rounds down, final round to go for 2008 Rotary Pribyl Junior Boys Golf Tournament

It's not the PGA or a top notch Pro-Am golf event, but the 2008 Rotary Pribyl Junior Boys Golf Tournament will wrap up in Cedar Rapids on Friday. A great youth golf opportunity held annually here in Cedar Rapids.

• Round One, Monday at Gardner GC
• Round Two, Tuesday at Cedar Rapids Country Club
• Round Three, Wednesday at Hunters Ridge GC
• Round Four, Friday at Elmcrest Country Club

peace

Take for Higher Ground: Flood of 2008 to Surpass Flood of 1993

Eastern Iowans are reliving the Flood of 1993 today. The Flooding of 2008 is expected to surpass 1993 in both Linn and Johnson Counties, in Iowa.

It's been a tough Spring, so far, with the F5 tornadoes in the State during Memorial Day weekend and now with flooding in various parts of the State, including Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.

Linn County officials are meeting today to prepare for more flooding.

Sandbags are being filled and residents are fearing more destruction from higher waters from the Flood of 2008.

The National Weather Service flood forecast has been upped today. For Linn County, the expected crest surpasses the Flood of 1993 and is on course to crest at the current record crests of 20 feet in 1851 and 1929.

peace

Rained Out: More Storms for the Week Here in Iowa

Well another rainy day in Cedar Rapids wipes out the Independent Church League for Monday. Thankfully, the weather is only rain, but enough to wipe out tonight's softball game.



Rain and a wiped out softball game for another week doesn't compare with the F5 Tornado that destroyed 1/3 of Parkersburg, Iowa the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend. At Rotary today in Cedar Rapids, it was mentioned that 14 of the 16 members of the Rotary Club of Parkersburg had their homes destroyed. Over 220 residences were distroyed in the community. The high school, town grocery story and entire community has been impacted by the destruction of property. Our thoughts and prayers certainly go out to the community that will certainly be the state's largest construction site for some time.



Other areas of the state have been affected by rain, tornadoes, straight line winds and flooding. The forecast for Cedar Rapids is for rain most of the week. Hopefully, the areas that least need it our State will be spared from more rain and disruptions. Several areas clearly need time and good weather to clean up from the Memorial Weekend storms and flooding.



peace

14 days to the Kickoff of Labor Day Weekend!

Wow, where has the year and summer gone in '07?

Colleges are getting started next week, such as UNI in Cedar Falls! The Cedar Rapids Community Schools here in Cedar Rapids start on Tuesday.

It's been a fast summer with plenty to look back on and smile about.

Kickoff of the Iowa Football Season in '07 is only 14 days away!

Soldier Field will be the venue for the '07 opener, as the Iowa Hawkeyes face the Northern Illinois Huskies in Chicago, IL. Followed up by the home opener, Saturday night, September 7th, with the Syracuse Oragemen.

peace

Golf fans and Fans of Zach Johnson may want to pick up the next issue of Golf Magazine

Cedar Rapids' very own, Zach Johnson, will be on the cover of the upcoming issue of Golf Magazine. The July 2007 issue will feature insight from Zach and more. Check it out at newsstands soon.

The Masters Champion exclusive will talk about how to "Make More Birdies" in an article for Golf Magazine.

Highlights include:

• How to control your wedge
• Make the putts that count
• Stiff your full irons

Further, the magazine will have a British Open Preview.

Both Zach Johnson and NFL pro QB Kurt Warner are graduates of the former Regis High School in Cedar Rapids. Regis is no longer a high school, but former high school has two famous athletes (Johnson and Warner) and one infamous celebrity of late (A-Rod's girlfriend).

The new Catholic high school in Cedar Rapids, Xavier, will celebrate it's 10th anniversary this fall. Former Catholic high schools, Regis and LaSalle, are now used as Catholic middle schools in Cedar Rapids.

peace

Softball collisions and Church Softball

I have participated in the Independent Church Softball League in Cedar Rapids off and on since my youth. Actually, since returning to my hometown after college and work out of state, I have played each season.

Tonight's games were highlighted by collisions at 2nd base taking out the shortstop or 2nd basemen depending on which game.

It's great to go out and compete each week, but the collision is becoming far too often the case when players are running. No one is out there to be the next Derek Jeter or A-Rod, but keeping everyone out of harms way seems to be getting harder and harder.

Even non-contact injuries seem to be par for the course at 3rd base dating back to last season.

At least if something does happen, we have the US Health Care System to depend on. I know a guy from England, who is a weekend warrior in Football, soccer for our Americans. He blew his knee out. But, because of socialized public health care in England, he was put on a waiting list for 6 weeks for his MRI. So much for getting help, if needed.

While I can do without the collisions and injuries in Church Softball, at least I can say I am proud to be an America, despite the good, bad and ugly of our own health care system. Actually, the fellowship of 14 inch Church Softball is very enjoyable. Now, if you are a good hitter with power looking for a church to join and play softball for, then we may want to talk to you. Our team is lacking offense this season.

peace