LeBaronLogic

Tim LaComb is the Man

BYU has announced the appointment of  Tim LaComb as Director of Mens Basketball Operations, thereby completing its basketball staff.  Click here for the News Release. Coach LaComb is a great hire and good fit for a program on the rise for the following reasons:

1. Tim has a great feel and excitement for the game.
2. He is able to break things down in the simplest of terms and ideas.
3. Coach LaComb inspires confidence in players.
4. He is an organizer and pays attention to detail.
5. Loyalty is one of his best qualities.
6. He looks better in blue.
7. Tim is an American Fork High School alumnus.
8. Coach Tim knows how to win.
9. He is a quality person with a great family.
10. Coach LaComb has energy, works hard and deserves this opportunity.

BYU knows a good thing when they see it. I have personally seen Tim work with young players and teams. It will be a thrill to see Coach Tim contribute to this staff and program. GO COUGS!

Fitness Fair - by the Numbers

A previous post dealt with the Fitness Fair held recently in American Fork. The following reflects a report....

• 3,000 ...... people attended.
• 900 ..........the approximate number of discounted family season passes sold.
• 200,000...the amount of dollars from the sale of season passes.
• 60..............vendors in attendance with giveaways and information.
• 70..............percent of attendees were American Fork residents.

In addition, there was a jumping castle for children. Karate and gymnastic demonstrations were also held. If you missed the Fair, our wonderful staff along with our Recreation Director Derric Rykert would be happy to give you a personal tour of the new and remodeled facilities.

Other Recreation News includes the opening of the Skate Park in Greenwood Park at approx. 200 E. and 400 S. The deep bowl has some safety concerns which are being dealt with. For the pool, a new ultra-violet water treatment system has been approved to clean up the chloramines in the air and will use less chlorine thereby improving the air quality in the bubbled pool.

The new pool re-grand opening will occur near Memorial Day. All in all some very good things happening in the Recreation area with new programs being added daily. Click here for the Recreation website which includes a link to the seasonal calendar.

Why I want a Florida Win (v. OSU)

How is this for logic..... I am hoping for Florida to upset Ohio State in the BCS (Bull _ _ _ _ Championship Series National Championship game on Monday Jan 8),  the BCS.... a posting and rant for another day. I am hoping Florida wins because of the following;  Coach Urban Meyer, formally the Utah Coach is building a name legacy. Part of that legacy was formulated at Utah (I know Mac brought the talent), but Urban delivered and was the first BCS buster in taking the Utes to the Fiesta Bowl. The U of course is one of our State Universities. Utah is in the Mountain West Conference. Any success that comes from Utah (the State and the University) and is spread across the nation, benefits the state, the Mountain West conference and ultimately BYU. And why? Because Urban Meyer's legacy started here and we (state, conference and BYU), become beneficiaries of that, especially with BYU defeating a Utah team, incubated by Urban. Oh, and for the score......the more lengthy layoff for Ohio State will hurt them, Final: Florida 24, Ohio State 21. One last thing, the Southeastern Conference is the best football conference in the nation. There is nothing like being in Tiger Stadium (LSU) on Saturday night in the fall.

The Utes . . . A Six Spot

Congrats to the University of Utah, who won their sixth straight bowl victory in defeating Conference USA champ Tulsa 25-13, in the Armed Forces Bowl in Forth Worth. The Utes are doing something right in focusing and prepping. Personally I am going to miss some of the seniors, especially Eric Weddle, who justifiably is one of the best in Utah history. His passion for the game and the way he plays is an inspiration and will seal a deal for him to play on Sunday, despite his small stature. His huge heart though will put him on special teams and in the defensive backfield for a fortunate pro team who will love having him in the club house.

10: 4: 0: 3: 27: 30: 7: 375: 1

10 ....Years since BYU won a Bowl Game (before yesterday).

4 ..... Consecutive games lost by Oregon to end the season and straight bowl game losses.

0 ......Points scored by the "vaunted" Oregon offense in the first three quarters of the Las Vegas Bowl.

3 ......Personal foul penalties committed by Oregon in the first half.

27 ....Yards passing by the Ducks in the first half against BYU.

30 ....First Downs for BYU, compared to 14 for Oregon.

7 ......Average yards per play for BYU versus 4 for Oregon.

375...Yards passing by BYU,  most vs. Oregon this season, and a Las Vegas Bowl record.

1 .......Stupid quote from Oregon coach Mike Bellotti saying before the game that "BYU couldn't compete against mid level PAC 10 teams."

BYU 38 Oregon 8 - BYU, '06 Las Vegas Bowl Champions - "Hey Coach Bellotti; one word, SCOREBOARD!"

 

Upon Further Review . . . Props to the Utes

You have to give props where props are due. Upon a second view of the tape, Utah played a great game. The fake punt, literally changed the momentum with one play. The Utes scored later after that play, if not a 21-0 lead would have been insurmountable. The defensive adjustments made in the 2nd quarter was masterful. They brought 8 people, then 3 and then did several stunts with their backers. Of course Utah's offense moved at will against the vaunted coug defense. The blocked extra point while a highlight was actually a detriment. Think about it, if BYU is behind by 3, they kick or attempt to kick a field goal, most likely further back than the 11 yard line. If its good, then overtime which would have probably favored Utah. Besides there are 2 former Cavemen playing for the euwts; Derek Richards and Derik Beardall. Also Clint Mower DB, and deep snapper for the Utes, is the son of Dr. Douglas and Jody Mower, friends from Alpine.

But the most impressive expression to give kudos to is "All Everything" Eric Weddle in spontaneous post - game  sentiments indicating his disappointment and yet saying he was happy that John Beck got the win and had earned Eric's added respect. If I were in a foxhole, I want Eric Weddle on my right and Cameron Jensen on my left. In the summer, We took my 8th grade AF basketball team to the Utah team camp to compete in the Frosh/Soph division. I fast became a fan of Utah basketball (2nd to BYU), because of the class and professionalism of the Ute staff, including Coach Tim LaComb,  in conducting the camp and helping us personally. Well, before I get carried away, better shut this down..... 

Magic and a Crystal Ball

"The Dark Ages are Gone" was the exuberant expression of a young girl calling in to the KSL radio post game show following the thrilling BYU - Utah game last Saturday. The Score if you have been on Pluto (wait, Pluto doesn't exist anymore) or any other planet was BYU 33 Utah 31, (The Dark Ages reference referring to the 5 straight, gulp, that Utah has won over BYU, before Saturday's game). The game winner in this classic was a no-time-on-the-clock 11 yard touchdown pass which was more like  a 40 yard throw if you consider the angle. Below is a summary of the final 1:09 of the game many are considering the best in the long history of the rivals:

• Ben Vroman kickoff for 65 yards returned by Curtis Brown for 25 yards to the BYU 25.
• Timeout BYU, clock 01:09
• 1st and 10 at BYU 25...John Beck pass complete to Bryce Mahuika for 15 yards to the BYU 40 for a 1st down.
• 1st and 10 at BYU 40...John Beck pass incomplete to Michael Reed.
• 2nd and 10 at BYU 40...John Beck pass complete to Curtis Brown for 7 yards to the BYU 47 out-of-bounds.
• 3rd and 3 at BYU 47...John Beck pass incomplete to Zac Collie.
• 4th and 3 at BYU 47...John Beck pass complete to Jonny Harline for 16 yards to the Utah 37 for a 1st down.
• 1st and 10 at Utah 27...John Beck pass complete to Jonny Harline for 7 yards to the Utah 30.
• 2nd and 3 at Utah 30...Timeout BYU, clock 00:16.
• 2nd and 3 at Utah 30...John Beck pass complete to McKay Jacobson for 19 yards to Utah 11 for 1st down.
• 1st and 10 at Utah 11...Team pass incomplete. (Beck spikes the ball)
• 2nd and 10 at Utah 11...John Beck pass incomplete to Jonny Harline.
• 3rd and 10 at Utah 11...Timeout BYU, clock 00:03.6
• 3rd and 10 at Utah 11...John Beck complete to Jonny Harline for 11 yards for a Touchown, clock 00.00.0. Final BYU 33 Utah 31.  Truly Magical.

There is an interesting and inspirational slide show by BYU photographers and the BYU radio broadcast team that is worth seeing. Early last September I made the following post using my cryptic "crystal ball" :

This past weekend was the opening of the College Football season. BYU took it on the chin with a disappointing loss to PAC 10 & BCS member Arizona 13-10. . . My annual prediction is BYU will go 8-4 with additional losses to Boston College, TCU and Colorado State. (We will beat Utah in November!). BYU will go to the Las Vegas Bowl again and will squeak out its 2nd bowl victory in 10 years against Oregon and Gary Crowton.

OK, I was wrong on the TCU game (John Beck and Bronco's first signature win) and at the time was before Colorado State lost the league's premier running back. BYU finished the regular season 10-2. But I was right on with the Utah game and it looks like Oregon will be tapped to play the Cougs in Vegas, which will be their 11th win for the year. OOOOhhhhh it is good to wear blue amongst my red clad friends again.

This mtn. is a molehill

It is time to weigh in on the ludicrous television deal the Mountain West Conference (MWC) forged with CSTV and the mtn. network to televise about 90% of all football games of BYU and other MWC teams (and wait until the uproar when more basketball games are slated to appear). First of all, what is up with the lower case and a period at the end of their name? I personally have the dish network and I am frustrated along with thousands of other BYU and Utah fans, as well as countless other satellite subscribers (Direct TV) throughout the country who do not have access to the mtn. because, well, we don't have Comcast. Look closely at the website and you will see why. The website notes that the "mtn." network is a joint venture between the Mountain West Conference, CSTV (College Sports Television company) and COMCAST, (that's right, Comcast is a principal partner). Now you can surmise that Comcast is probably demanding exorbitant subscription fees to the satellite companies, thereby trying to force the avid fan to subscribe to both Satellite and Comcast, or to cancel their satellite contract. Meanwhile we are told that "Negotiations are continuing." What? Even in St. George, which has Charter Cable, the mtn. is nowhere to be found on cable or satellite. I lay this problem at the feet of Comcast with a little assistance from the Athletic Directors and University Presidents who approved the package. The AD's and Presidents' Council should have required access of the broadcasts be available to the satellite companies at a reasonable fee and that such be a condition precedent to the deal being approved. Besides all of this, the quality of the picture and graphics of the mtn. are something a freshman broadcast journalism class would produce.  Meanwhile, we can complain through email.   But don't call, because some temp at a call center in India will have no clue what you are talking about.

AF Fitness Center Upgrades

By now most of you may be aware of the upgrades and improvements to the AF Fitness Center. Much work has been done by the expansion committee and Ellsworth Paulsen, contractors. They have in my opinion been able to get the most benefit for the budgeted amount of 2.8 million. We will have a leisure pool addition with toys and a lazy river for youth and seniors to walk against the warm current. This will also free up lanes for swim lessons and for the swim team. We will also be able to rope off an area for warm lap lanes as well. Cardio and weight rooms will be expanded and new equipment added. In addition, the fitness center will have a makeover with tile replaced, new lockers, paint and other maintenance items. Additional offices, classrooms for the arts and a full gymnasium with scoreboard will also be included, to also be used by the Arts council for rehearsals and small performances with a portable stage. This remodel results from RDA monies allocated to us. It will also have a north entrance, family changing rooms and an expanded concession area, all resulting in additional revenue but more important, additional opportunities for recreation and fitness which will benefit the entire community of all ages.