PRESS & DAKOTAN n THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2011 PAGE 11 BCS Positioning Making For Creative Geography Press&Dakotan BY JAMES D. CIMBUREK Central Florida makes sense, as does Navy. Air Force, Boise State, SMU and Houston are east of some- [email protected] thing — though not much — but about the only college football program San Diego State is east of is Hawaii. DAILY DOSE All of this in pursuit of the almighty BCS bid. The Big East does have a bid, one in recent years has gone If we cannot figure out why our children and grandchildren are failing geography, we only have ourselves to teams ranked well outside the top 10 of the final BCS ranking. to blame. Of course, the bid to the national title game might be another matter. It seems these days the only way to Daily opinions from the P&D West Virginia is jumping the Big East for the Midwest-based Big 12. To replace them, as well as ACC-bound make sure you get that bid is to be a high-ranking member of the Southeast Conference, as an SEC team has Sports Staff on local and na- Syracuse and Pitt, the Big East expanded this week to include Central Florida, Southern Methodist and Hous- won the last five titles, soon to be six as two SEC teams play for this season’s title. ton as full-time members, and Boise State and San Diego State as football-only members. This comes not When future generations look at our current college football situation, they will ask two things: 1) What kind tional high school, college long after Texas A&M passed up an accepted Big East bid for the Big 12. (Oh, by the way, the Big East is also of twisted money-grubbing maniac came up with the BCS? and 2) Why didn’t crazy conference realignment and professional sports. after Air Force and Navy.) spur changes in that system more quickly? Good questions. Gazelles Basketball Parents Crofton Booster Club Youth The leagues are open to adults and high school var- women’s game vs. Northern Colorado on Saturday, Dec. 10 (7 p.m. Tanagers Go 2-0 At Tea sity tennis players. Play will run Sunday afternoons begin- tipoff) and to the Coyote men’s game vs. Canisius on Sunday, Dec. 18 (2 p.m. tipoff). TEA — The Vermillion Tanagers moved to 3-0 in duals Night Friday Basketball Tourney Jan. 21-22 ning Jan. 8. The Coyotes will also feature a number of holiday-related incen- this season with a pair of victories Tuesday at a wrestling The Yankton Gazelles girls’ basketball team will hold CROFTON, Neb. — The Crofton Booster Club youth Entry deadline is Dec. 31. Registration forms are avail- tives including a free photo with Santa Claus and Charlie Coyote and triangular in Tea. its Parents Night in conjunction with the team’s season- basketball tournament will be held Jan. 21-22 in Crofton, able at the Yankton Public Library and the Summit Activi- the "12 Gifts of a Yotes' Christmas" with raffle and lucky game program Vermillion defeated Madison 40-33 and Tea Area 44- opening matchup with Brookings, Friday at the Summit Neb. The tournament is open to boys’ and girls’ teams in ties Center, or by contacting [email protected] giveaways during each game. The prizes include a special Sioux Falls by email. getaway with a one night's stay at the Hilton Garden Inn near the Em- 27. Center. grades 5-8. pire Mall and a $25 gift certificate for Champps. Other prizes will in- Picking up two victories for the Tanagers were Kyle Parents are asked to be seated by 6:45 p.m. Presen- Entry deadline is Jan. 13. For more information, contact clude Vermillion Bucks courtesy of the Vermillion Chamber of Seibel Jr. (106), Carter Kratz (120), Brett Bye (138), Regan tations will be made prior to warmups for the varsity game. Bob Hegge at 402-388-4293. Junior Tennis League Forming Commerce, various restaurant gift certificates and air transportation Bye (145), Brandon Hertz (152) and Will Mart (220 and Action begins at 4 p.m. with the JV/sophomore game The Yankton Tennis Association is now taking registra- for one person on Allegiant Air. The photo opportunity will be conducted 285). behind the bleachers starting 30 minutes before the game through half- and the freshmen ‘A’ game at 4 p.m., followed by the fresh- USD Track Scrimmage Today tions for its boys’ and girls’ junior winter tennis leagues. time. Vermillion will compete in the Yankton Invitational on men ‘A’ game at 5:45 p.m. The varsity game is scheduled The leagues are open to middle school and junior var- USD Employee can receive their FREE ticket and purchase addi- Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Summit Activities Center. VERMILLION — The South Dakota track and field to begin at 7:30 p.m. teams kick off their 2011-12 season with the annual Red sity tennis players, ages 11-15. Play will run Saturdays at tional tickets at the special 50 percent rate by presenting their USD ID VERMILLION 40, MADISON 33: 106 — Kyle Seibel V dec. Bailey Men- 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the South Box Office at the DakotaDome in advance or on each nis 6-2; 113 — Brandon Steenholdt V pin. Kaiden Dorris 1:15; 120: Carter vs. White intersquad meet, which is set to begin at 5 p.m. game date. For more details call 605-677-5959. Kratz V dec. DJ Redlin 15-5; 126 — Johnny Monroe M pin. Josh Callahan Pollard Earns NSIC Honor Thursday at the DakotaDome. Entry deadline is Dec. 31. Registration forms are avail- The Athletic Department is excited to reward USD employees with 3:20; 132 — Wyatt Fender M pin. Marquese Tayborn 1:36; 138 — Brett Bye WAYNE, Neb. — Paige Pollard of Wayne State Col- The Coyote men’s and women’s teams will break up able at the Yankton Public Library and the Summit Activi- this special program and thanks Coyote Sports Properties/Learfield V pin. Brendon Waldner 1:09; 145 — Regan Bye V pin. Colin Johnson 1:58; Sports and the Vermillion Chamber of Commerce & Development 152 — Brandon Hertz V pin. Josh Lentsch 1:42; 160 — Michael McComish M lege was named the Northern Sun Conference Indoor into two squads and compete against each other in an ex- ties Center, or by contacting [email protected] dec. Alex Osborne 6-4; 170 — Damarius Cheeseman V dec. Tyler Heeren 9- by email. Company and its local chamber businesses, Wal-Mart and Peterman Track and Field Women’s Field Athlete of the Week an- hibition indoor meet as they prepare for the upcoming in- Photography for their support. 8; 182 — Tyler Currey M pin. Dan Goeden 1:35; 195 — Jordan Shoenrock by nounced by the league office in Burnsville, Minn. door season. The team’s first official meet is set for Jan. 14 forfeit; 220 — Will Mart V pin. Blake Gusso 5:46; 285 — Ayson Jones M pin. For additional information on the USD Employee Holiday Hoop-la Gage Peck V 0:33 The senior from Newcastle, Neb., won the pentathlon when South Dakota hosts the Alumni meet. USD Has Employee Special For Up- program contact the South Dakota Sports Marketing Department at VERMILLION 44, TEA AREA 27: 106 — Kyle Seibel Vdec. Jacob Elkins at the WSC Preseason Open Saturday with a new school South Dakota is beginning its first season as members coming Home Games 305-778-6325 or go to www.facebook.com/WearRedCoyotes. 14-1; 113 — Tanner Fridrich T pin. Brandon Steenholdt 5:10; 120 — Carter record and NCAA provisional national qualifying mark of of the Summit League. Kratz V dec. Tyler Phelps 16-3; 126 — Trayce Ruotsalainen T pin. Josh Calla- VERMILLION — University of South Dakota employees can Wear 3,567 points to easily top her previous school mark of Admission to the event is free. Red for the Coyotes and celebrate the holidays with Coyote basketball. We Want To Hear From You han 1:27; 132 — Austin Heien T pin. Marquese Tayborn 4:40; 138 — Brett If you have any sports-related story ideas, upcoming events or Bye V tech. fall Jared Morris 19-3; 145 — Reagan Bye V by forfeit; 152 — 3,342 points. Pollard recorded personal best marks in the The South Dakota athletic department has announced two upcoming special USD employee programs for a pair of upcoming Coyote home comments, feel free to contact us at [email protected] or by mail at Brandon Hertz V by forfeit; 160 — Alex Osborne V pin. Garret Welsh 0:54; 60 meter hurdles, high jump, shot put and long jump. She Winter Tennis League Forming P.O. Box 56, Yankton, S.D., 57078. 170 — Chris Kuhl T pin. Damarius Cheeseman 1:28; 182 — Matt Fowler T is the defending NSIC champion in the indoor pentathlon. basketball games. The Yankton Tennis Association is now taking registra- The USD Employee Holiday Hoop-la will offer a free ticket to any Be sure to include all pertinent information, including your name, dec. Dan Goeden 8-4; 195 — Open; 220 — Gage Peck V by forfeit; 285 — Will phone number and your story idea or comment. Mart V pin. Brenden Bauman 1:25 Wayne State will be in action again this weekend trav- tions for its men’s and women’s winter tennis leagues. USD employee and 50 percent off for family members to the Coyote eling to Kearney for the UNK Preseason Open.