April Issue

The 2012 Mustang Boss 302 Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer, with the 2012 Mustang Boss 302.

In this issue of Premier Players, you can peek at this limited edition machine in various colors.

The All-New Ford Ranger

Vote for the 2011

Premier Player of College Baseball and College Softball The Polls will remain open until May 31, 2011.

At that time, the 5 candidates with the most votes will be announced and placed in new polls for fans to vote for the overall winner of The Premier Player of College Baseball and College Softball Trophy. The award will be presented in Atlanta, GA, in July.

Alex Dickerson OF, Indiana Hoosiers, Junior Anthony Rendon IF, Rice Owls, Junior C.J. Cron C/1B, Utah Utes, Junior Danny Hultzen LHP/1B/OF, Virginia Cavaliers, Junior George Springer OF, UConn Huskies, Junior Gerrit Cole RHP, UCLA Bruins, Junior Jackie Bradley Jr. OF, South Carolina Gamecocks, Junior Jed Bradley LHP, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Junior John Stilson RHP, Texas A&M Aggies, Junior Matt Purke LHP, TCU Horned Frogs, Sophomore Mike McGee RHP/OF, Florida State Seminoles, Senior Mikie Mahtook OF, Louisiana State Tigers, Junior Nick Martini OF, Kansas State Wildcats, Junior Peter O’Brien C, Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, Junior Sonny Gray RHP, Vanderbilt Commodores, Junior Taylor Jungmann RHP, Texas Longhorns, Junior Tony Zych RHP, Louisville Cardinals, Junior Trevor Bauer RHP, UCLA Bruins, Junior Tyler Anderson LHP, Oregon Ducks, Junior Zack MacPhee IF, Arizona State Sun Devils, Junior

Softball

Baseball

Visit www.premierplayers.com for more details and to vote.

Alex Holmes P/DP, UC Davis Aggies, Senior Alicia Herron SS, Ohio State Buckeyes, Junior Alisa Goler IF, Georgia Bulldogs, Senior Anna Cahn LHP/DP, Cal Poly Mustangs, Senior Ashley Guile DS, Nebraska Huskers, Junior Ashley Hansen IF, Stanford Cardinal, Junior Donna Bourgeois P, Houston Cougars, Senior GiOnna DiSalvatore IF, UCLA Bruins, Senior Hillary Bach P, Arizona State Sun Devils, Junior Jenna Marston SS, Missouri Tigers, Sophomore Kayla Braud OF, Alabama Crimson Tide, Sophomore Kelly Grieve OF, Tennessee Lady Vols, Senior Kenzie Fowler P, Arizona Wildcats, Sophomore Meredith Hackett IF, Illinois Fighting Illini, Junior Olivia Galati P/DP, Hofstra Pride, Sophomore Rachele Fico P, LSU Tigers, Sophomore Sarah Hamilton P, Florida State Seminoles, Senior Stephanie Brombacher RHP, Florida Gators, Senior Valerie Arioto UT, California Golden Bears, Senior Whitney Kihnl P/OF, Lipscomb Lady Bisons, Junior

features & departments 12 PUBLISHING CEO & PUBLISHER Carnell Moore CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Steve Wright Marc Jenkins Sam Smoot CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Jennifer Dufek For advertising information e-mail: Advertise@premierplayers.com To submit editorials & ideas e-mail: editor@premierplayers.com or visit www.premierplayers.com Write to us at: P.O. Box 341064 Tampa, FL 33694-1064 Call us at: 800-470-0250

There has never been a defensive back selected higher than third overall but Patrick Peterson has all of the tools to be the first DB to be picked number one overall.

See story on Page 12.

AP PHOTO CREDITS Mark Humphrey p7, 10 David J. Phillip p10 Amy Sancetta p10 Charlie Neibergall p10 Eric Gay p10 John Raoux p11 Patrick Semansky p18 Stephen Nowland p21 David Goldman p 30

OTHER PHOTOS COURTESY OF LSU Sports Information Georgia Sports Information Texas A&M Sports Information Clemson Sports Information Carl Jensen p15-18

Content disclaimer & use the opinions expressed in Premier Players Magazine and on Premier Players Online do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, publishers and or their agents. For use of any material used in Premier Players Magazine or on Premier Players Online, please contact the publisher at 813-833-3495.

features

departments

6 Yes U Conn 12 2011 NFL

10 Sound Off 24 Community 26 Travel

Draft Preview

15 At Home With

Josh Freeman

20 Texas A&M Stuns

(New York)

30 Player’s Ink

the Field

PREMIER PLAYERS

Yes U Conn

by Marc Jenkins

Connecticut players celebrate with the trophy after the men’s NCAA Final Four college basketball championship game against Butler Monday, April 4, 2011, in Houston. Connecticut won 53-41.

A

fter a long, grueling season filled with ups and downs that spanned six months, the Connecticut Huskies Men’s Basketball team has reached the top of the college basketball world again. The Huskies defeated the Butler Bulldogs 53-41 in the 2011 NCAA National Championship game to claim their third national title in just 13 years. The championship game itself wasn’t the most memorable but the Huskies journey to claim the title was one that will leave a lasting impression in the minds of many college hoops fans.

In the beginning of the 2010-11 campaign, head coach Jim Calhoun and Connecticut found themselves on the outside of the preseason top-25 rankings and without many expectations. Just four weeks into the season, however, the Huskies jumped to seventh in the AP poll and ninth in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll from being 6

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previously unranked in both. All this happened due to their torrid 5-0 start which included wins over Wichita State, Michigan State and Kentucky to win the Maui Invitational (which was the beginning of UConn’s undefeated tournament play during the year).

Much of UConn’s early season success was

contributed by their superstar junior guard Kemba Walker, who scored at least 20 points in nine of the first 10 games including three 30-point performances and one 40-point outburst. Walker’s exceptional play led the Huskies to a 10-0 record and a fourth ranking overall in both polls.

However, their first two losses were right around the corner with the beginning of Big East play. The Huskies would travel to Pittsburgh and get crushed by the Panthers 7863 on December 27th. Then following a victory against South Florida, in their next game UConn would lose to Notre Dame (73-70) leaving them just 1-2 in conference play.

After the nail-biting loss to Notre Dame the Huskies would roll off six straight wins (four in conference and two versus ranked teams) and appeared to be back on track with their 17-2 record. By this time during the season, Walker had established himself as one of the top players in the nation and freshman swingman Jeremy Lamb began showing much needed signs of improvement. Despite everything seeming to work in Connecticut’s favor trouble was lurking right around the corner in form of inconsistent play.

Following their 78-68 victory over Marquette on January 25th (the win which put them at 17-2), the Huskies would go on to lose back-to-back games versus Louisville (79-78 in double overtime) and Syracuse (66-58) which would just be the beginning of their woes. Those two losses began a trend that the Huskies would endure for the remainder of the regular season which saw them dropping seven of their final 11 games and seeming as if their entire season was slipping down a drain.

At the end of the regular season UConn would find themselves with a 21-9 record sitting in ninth place in the Big East standings, ranked 19th in the coaches poll, 21st in the AP poll and uncertain how their postseason picture would be painted. After all of those lopsided losses at the hands of quality opponents, the Huskies didn’t appear to have any fight left in them and not a chance in either the Big East tournament or the Big Dance.

Once the Big East tournament began, the Huskies found themselves having to play in the opening round versus DePaul and that is when the magic began. The first stroke of the wand came when UConn pulled off the five consecutive victories in five straight days which earned them the Big East tournament title. First, there was DePaul (97-71), then Georgetown (79-62), next Pittsburgh (76-74), followed by Syracuse (76-71), and then Louisville (69-66) in the championship game. Now that the Huskies were successful in claiming the Big East tournament title they would receive an automatic bid to the Big Dance with better seeding in a bracket.

Entering the NCAA tournament the Huskies were a perfect 8-0 in tournament play and had unbelievable momentum on their side thanks to steam rolling through the toughest conference tournament in the nation. The team even picked up a

clever moniker along the way - Kemba and the Kids - due to the fact that Walker was the leader of the squad and there were seven freshmen and two sophomores on the team. When the Big Dance began the Huskies were a very popular pick to advance deep and possibly make the Final Four but not many experts selected them to win it all.

In their opening game of the tourney UConn would go on to dominate the Bucknell Bison 81-52 and advance to setup a Big East showdown in the next round versus the Cincinnati Bearcats. Connecticut would defeat Cincinnati 69-58 in a contest that seemed to go the Huskies way from the opening tip. In their Sweet Sixteen matchup with the San Diego Aztecs, the Huskies would get their first taste of a close game as the two teams would go back and forth for much of the game until UConn pulled ahead late and won 74-67. Up next was an Elite Eight matchup with the Arizona Wildcats who seemed almost as hot as the Huskies. The Wildcats and Huskies had a terrific battle in this one, but in the end, Walker and UConn were just too much as they would edge out Arizona by the score of 65-63 and sealed a berth to the school’s fourth Final Four appearance.

In the National Semifinal game against the Kentucky Wildcats, the Huskies didn’t appear to have the offense going as they did during many of the other tournament games. Walker had just 18 points in 40 minutes of action, and the entire team scored just 25 points in the second half that almost let the Wildcats comeback and win the game. Yet, the Huskies held on and advanced to the national championship game where they would face the Butler Bulldogs.

The title game featured one team who was just there last season and was expected to return (Butler) versus another who were completely inexperienced and no one predicted to reach this point (Connecticut). The hype leading up to the game was just as any other national title game, but the game itself failed to live up to the hype. It was one of the most offensively putrid championship games ever, but in the end, the only thing that mattered to the Huskies was the 53-41 outcome with them on top, allowing them to cut down the nets and claim the place on the throne as the top team in men’s college basketball.

Kemba Walker was named West Regional and Final Four Most Outstanding Player as he and Coach Calhoun led their Huskies all the way to the promise despite not being ranked at the beginning of the year. The University of Connecticut is back on top and now the debate begins if they should be allowed in the conversation with the rest of the Blue Bloods (North Carolina, Duke, Kentucky, Indiana, Kansas and UCLA) as NCAA basketball royalty.

Either way, hats off to Kemba Walker, Jeremy Lamb, Jim Calhoun and the rest of the UConn Huskies Men’s Basketball team. Right now, you guys are the kings of the sports world.

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Ford Fiesta

PREMIER PLAYERS

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Ford launches three new personalization packages for 2012 Fiesta, including two interior packages and one exterior package offering customers the ultimate in customization.

Shown here is the new premium sport appearance exterior package, inspired by the European Ford Focus RS, it offers customers race-inspired blacked-out accessories, along with a sportier performance.

]

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sound off Notre Dame fan Kevin Morrison, of Granger, Ind., arrives at Conseco Fieldhouse before the semifinals of the women’s NCAA Final Four college basketball tournament in Indianapolis, April 3.

Connecticut fan Brittany Gremus shows her support before the men’s NCAA Final Four college basketball championship game against Butler, April 4.

Butler fan Chuck Pennington cheers before the men’s NCAA Final Four college basketball championship game against Connecticut, April 4.

Virginia Commonwealth fans cheer before the game between Butler and VCU Saturday, April 2, in Houston.

Actress Ashley Judd, bottom right, joins fans in the Kentucky student section during a game against Connecticut, April 2, in Houston.

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Florida dancers perform during a break in a game against UC Santa Barbara at a Southeast regional second round NCAA tournament college basketball game in Tampa, Fla., March 17, 2011.

Patrick Peterson With the 2011 NFL Draft fast approaching, it’s time to take some of the focus off of the ongoing labor situation and place it into the war rooms of the 32 teams in the league who are about to select this year’s new crop of players.

During a three-day period beginning on April 28th and ending April 30th, 254 former collegiate football players will be selected by an NFL team and be one step closer to their dreams of playing professional football.

There are some terrific prospects in this year’s draft and many of them staring on the defensive side of the ball.

Here’s a look at some of the top players entering the 2011 NFL Draft and where they may end up.

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by Marc Jenkins

Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

There has never been a defensive back selected higher than third overall but Patrick Peterson has all of the tools to be the first DB to be picked number one overall. At 6’0”, 219lbs, Peterson can run (4.34 40-yard dash time), tackle (137 career tackles) and make plays on both defense (seven career interceptions) and on special teams (39 punt returns for 422 yards and two touchdowns as well as 32 kickoff returns for 932 yards). Peterson is a once-every-decade DB who can be a huge playmaker for any team that selects him and there is a great chance that he’ll go number one overall. The Panthers, Broncos, Bills,

von miller Cardinals and 49ers are all possibilities for Peterson to wind up.

Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

Von Miller is the epitome dominance at the outside linebacker position. He is an excellent pass rusher who racked up 33 sacks during his four-year tenure as an Aggie and is also an effective run stopper. Miller is a tremendous athlete with great size (6’3” 246lbs.) who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds, has vertical jump of 37 inches and was able to perform 21 reps bench pressing 225lbs. Miller could be selected as high as number one and it’s a chance Carolina, Denver, Buffalo and Cleveland are in the running for his services.

Blaine Gabbert is by far the top quarterback entering the 2011 NFL Draft and will definitely be one of the first players off of the board on April 28th. Gabbert had an outstanding career at the University of Missouri where he put up 6,822 passing yards and 40 touchdowns in basically two seasons (43 of those yards came in his first season). Gabbert is the prototypical sized signal caller at 6’4” 234lbs, has a very strong arm, makes good decisions and is very accurate (only threw 18 interceptions in 933 pass attempts). Any team that is looking for a franchise quarterback to select, Gabbert may be the guy this year.

Expect the Panthers, Bills, Cardinals and Browns to all have Gabbert near the top of their draft boards.

Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M

Nick Fairley was the anchor of a strong defensive line at Auburn and could be the anchor of any defensive line at the next level for the decade to come. Fairley is the ideal combination of speed and power in the middle of a defensive front and has the ability to not only stop the run effectively, but also create a strong pass rush from up the middle. At 6’3” 291lbs, Fairley will be the top defensive tackle selected in this year’s draft and will be an impact player from the moment he steps on the field. Each and every team that has a top five selection will be looking at taking him with their pick. So look for Fairley to go to Carolina, Denver, Buffalo, Cincinnati or Arizona.

Da’Quan Bowers is the top defensive end available and will be an instant game changer at the next level.

Bowers stands 6’4” 277lbs. and can impact a game with his ability to power rush the quarterback and also contain running plays toward his side of the field. During Bowers third and final season at Clemson, he recorded 67 tackles, 16 sacks, an interception and forced a fumble.

At the scouting combine in February, Bowers ran the 40 yard dash in 4.7 seconds and lifted 225lbs. 22 times in 60 seconds during the bench press drill. Look for Bowers to go within the first six picks as some scouts are even saying he could be the best player. The Broncos, PREMIER PLAYERS

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Panthers, Bills and 49ers could all be teams that have him on their radar.

A.J. Green WR Georgia

Despite being suspended for the first four games of the 2010 season, A.J. Green still put up a terrific junior season for the Georgia Bulldogs. Green is the top prospect at wideout coming into this year’s draft and has the ability to help any offense in the NFL immediately.

During his final season at Georgia, Green caught 57 passes for 848 yards and nine touchdowns. At the scouting combine Green ran the 40-yard dash in 4.48 seconds, recorded a vertical jump of 34.5 inches and completed 18 bench press reps. At 6’4” 211lbs, Green is a big physical receiver with great hands who will be a top ten pick without question. Green could go as early as three to the Bills or six to the Browns.

Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

This article wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton. Newton had an incredible season during his lone campaign at Auburn as he led them to a perfect season and a national title as well as cushioning his own draft stock. During his Heisman campaign, Newton passed for 2,854 yards and 30 touchdowns along with rushing for another 1473 yards and 20 additional scores. Whether or not he will pan out to be an effective quarterback is yet to be seen but he is an interesting prospect that may be worth the risk depending on which team selects him. If he can improve on his pure quarterback skills, then he has a legitimate chance at being a top NFL QB for years to come. He could go as high as third to Buffalo or even as low as 25th to Seattle.

A.J. Green The draft will be here before we know it and it won’t be a moment too soon with all of the other distractions going on in the world of NFL football. It will definitely be interesting to see exactly what the buzz and hype will be surrounding the draft picks. I, for one, will be enjoying the draft and hoping that it isn’t the last official NFL event that takes place during 2011.

Da’Quan Bowers 14

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e m o At H With JOSH FREEMAN

by Steve Wright

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15

pieces. For me, personally, getting a full offseason to train and get better it allowed me to come out and play well from week one on.

2010 was a big year for Josh Freeman. After sliding into the role of starting quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the end of the 2009 season, the former Kansas State Wildcats star took the NFL by storm in his second year. On the back of his poise and natural ability, Tampa Bay went 10-6 and narrowly missed out on what would have been a genuinely surprising playoff berth.

Freeman was rewarded for his big year by being named an alternate for the NFC in the Pro Bowl.

With the 2011 season quickly approaching, Carnell Moore, CEO of Premier Players, was lucky enough to sit down and chat with Freeman about snakes, Braveheart, and a whole host of other topics to see what makes him tick.

Compare the 2009 season to the 2010 season and tell us what you attribute to the success of the team?

Last year was a new year for the new regime. We had a new general manager, a first-year head coach and, you hate to say it, but it was a rebuilding year. We started out okay but we couldn’t win games. I felt like when I came in, we got into a rhythm at the end of the year and we continued that into the offseason, getting a few new 16

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How did you prepare in the offseason for last year?

I covered everything, every aspect of my game. Whether it was watching film on myself and self scouting, or watching film on all our opponents and defensive coordinators to see their styles. I studied our playbook, the protection calls, to be able to go into the season and call the shots at quarterback. I feel like I made a big leap from year one to year two as far as feeling comfortable and understanding the offense to dictate the game. On top of that there was a lot of physical work, hitting the weight room, running, footwork and throwing drills which really helped improve my accuracy and completion percentage.

How do you plan on preparing for the 2011 season?

I am going to keep working. My mentality going into every year is that I am fighting for my position. I want to continue and improve and not look back on last year and think it is going to come easy. I am going to continue to work and get better as a person both on and off the field.

What is the biggest difference between college and the pros?

In the pros everyone is talented and because no one has to attend classes, the game and defenses seem so much faster because everyone knows exactly what they are doing all the time. It’s fun to be challenged though and come up with a different scheme each week to beat a certain defense.

You grew up in Kansas City, Mo. Are there any big differences between where you grew up and being on the East Coast?

Obviously, you move away from home but that hasn’t really been a big deal for me as I don’t get homesick. It is a bit of a whirlwind in your first year, and one of the things I wanted to get for my second year was a more permanent place to live and to surround myself with good people which was easy in the Bucs organization.

What do you like about living in Tampa?

Obviously the weather, but it’s just a nice place with plenty of nice and down to earth people around which is important when you are this far away from home.

What do you like to do to relax?

I like to call the offseason “me time” as the first couple of months are spent relaxing and recuperating. I have been fishing a couple of times, played some golf, and plan to go home to see one of my buddies get married. I like to have people over to play video games, shoot pool. . . it’s a pretty nice little bachelor pad.

Where do you fish?

We went up to Tarpon Springs and have been to St. Petersburg. I really want to go Goliath Grouper fishing but haven’t had the chance yet.

How about golfing?

We usually play at the Bayou Club over in Largo as one of my buddies is a member and we can play without losing a whole lot of balls (big smile).

Handicap?

No comment (laughs) What about favorite video games?

I play a lot of Call of Duty and some FIFA and Mario Kart.

I like to stick to the basics and be really good at a few games. I have never been great at Madden and I like to dominate online so I stick with what I am good at.

Who is your competition on the pool table?

Mike Williams. He likes to go around telling people he just kicked my butt, but all our games are close.

Is it true you play piano?

I haven’t had time recently but did growing up. When my family comes up, though, they do like to play.

What do you like to do outside the house?

I have a pool and hot tub and when it’s warm outside we get some pretty good bashes going on here.

Do you grill and BBQ? Being from Kansas City my barbeque should be much better than it is but I can cook up some good hamburgers!

Do you do any charity work in the offseason?

I attend a lot of events for ex-players’ foundations like Mike Alstott and Derrick Brooks. I plan to setup my own after I’ve narrowed down what I really want to support.

Alstott is a great example to me because of how much money he raises and how his presence in the community is changing people’s lives.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman (5) looks for a receiver during an NFL football game.

What kind of snakes do you have and what are their names?

I have two Ball Python’s and a Burmese python. The Ball Python’s are called CJ and Illithia, and the Burmese is Calypso.

Why snakes and how old were you when you got your first snake?

I got my first snake when I was 10 and lost it in the house that same week. I don’t know why, but I’ve always been fascinated with them. Plus, they are low maintenance, so it works well with my busy schedule.

Do you have any other pets?

Nope, I’ve been thinking about getting a dog but can’t settle on a particular type.

Favorite musical artist and song?

That’s a tough one. I like a lot of the newer Top 40 stuff, but at the same time, I would have to say my favorite is

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AC/DC. I don’t know if I’ve played a football game in high school, college or the Pro’s without rockin’ out to Thunderstruck first.

Favorite actor/actress and movie?

My favorite actor is Russell Crowe and my favorite movie would have to be Braveheart. Something about war movies inspires me to want to be great.

What do you think of the Tampa Bay Fans?

We have some of the best fans. There is so much support in the community and it is so refreshing to see people who love their team as much as Bucs fans do.

What is your goal for next season?

The big goals are to throw more touchdowns and less interceptions; be more efficient on third downs; and throw a higher percentage of completions. Every year you want to do better than the year before, and with our offense, we are in a great position to do that.

s a x e T &M he A st n d u l t S Fie

by Steve Wright

by Steve Wright

While Butler and Uconn played one of the lowest scoring national title game in the history of men’s college hoops, a women’s tournament filled with many twists and turns came to a completion with a new name on top of the world as the Texas A&M Aggies overcame Notre Dame, 76-70.

There was no dream ending for Uconn who was aiming to threepeat the college basketball world for the second time in a decade; Brittney Griner and her magnetic media pull were not in attendance as Texas A&M (at the fourth attempt) beat the Lady Bears when it mattered most with a trip to the Final Four at stake; and one of the best coaches in top level basketball history, Pat Summitt, could not coax her Tennessee team to another title game.

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In some ways, what we were left with felt better than the aforementioned storylines. There was a fresh and vibrant feel to the Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M match that is not often felt in a sport that is as top heavy as they come. With the usual suspects having fallen by the wayside two Number 2 seeds were left facing off at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indiana with a real chance to put their programs on the map.

According to figures, around 3.8 million people watched the game on ESPN. Last year’s national title game that saw perennial powers UConn go for their second championship in a row against Stanford had only 3.5 million views tune in. This year, viewers tuned in because they would get a close and exciting game between two sets

of players that would put everything on the line to win the contest, and in a tribute to both teams, nobody was disappointed.

Nobody, that is, except for the thousands of Notre Dame fans that had taken the short drive to Indy creating a virtual home game environment for their team. This atmosphere helped dictate the flow of the game as the two teams slugged it out in a competitive heavyweight battle that we had hoped for in the men’s title game shown just a day earlier.

While it is true that you don’t see the high-flying dunks and out-ofthis-world athleticism in the women’s game, you do get something that seems to have been lost with the men’s game. Watching the national title game, it became more obvious than ever that the team ethos lost from

Tyra White (20) of Texas A&M celebrates with her teammates after the Aggies defeated Stanford University in the Division I Women’s Basketball Semifinals. The Aggies would celebrate even more after they defeated Notre Dame for the national title.

the men’s game is alive and well with the women. There is no place here for a succession of isolation plays and drives to nowhere. Nor is there the default option of bricking up threes when the game is still well within reach.

Instead, what you get is a purist’s dream of a team playing as a team, probing for holes and gaps, and capitalizing on any mistake in the defense. Look at it that way and what initially can be seen as slow and plodding will soon be recognized as methodically working out the weaknesses of a defense. That is exactly what the Aggies did to the Irish.

With a combination of pushing the ball and working their half court sets, Texas A&M were able to do just enough to hold off a feisty Notre

Dame squad. Danielle Adams led the Aggies, scoring 30 points on 13-of-22 shooting and grabbing nine rebounds to earn Most Outstanding Player. As difference makers go, Adams was at another level that night.

“We had a plan,” Irish coach Muffet McGraw aptly pointed out.

“We just weren’t able to stop her.

She’s just a great player. She’s got a big body and we couldn’t get around her.”

Though Adams was a beast inside throughout the contest, she got plenty of help from her teammates (A&M was 54.7% from the field), and in particular Tyra White. White had perhaps the biggest basket of the game as she knocked down a massive 3-pointer as the shot clock buzzer sounded with 1:07 to go. This shot put the Aggies up by five and was the

put-it-in-the-deep-freeze play that the Irish just couldn’t recover from.

It was back and forth contest but both teams had their spurts and chances to pull ahead. Notre Dame was spurred by the play of Skylar Diggins (23 points) and Devereaux Paris (21 points), but they could never hit that killer basket that would have put some serious pressure on the Aggies’ resolve. One small solace for the Irish is that as other teams are gutted by graduations, they may come in to the 2011-2012 season as the team to beat.

In six month, that may mean something, but for now the Women’s College Basketball world belongs to the Texas A&M Aggies for the first time ever. In this case, something different is definitely a VERY good thing.

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2011 Ford Explorer

[

The strong C-pillar gives the new Explorer visual linkage to previous models.

]

community

Polanco Builds Ernie Els a Football drives to Dynasty in Spain improve the lives of children

by Roger Kelly

by Sam Smoot

Ernie Els is one of the most successful golfers of all time. He currently ranks twelfth in the world and first in his home country of South Africa. Els has won over 60 professional tournaments, including two U.S. Opens, an Open Championship, and seven World Matchplay titles. However, as Ernie Els will be proud to be remembered as a great golfer, what he really wants to be remembered for is his efforts to improve the lives of children diagnosed with autism.

Ernie Els’ seven year old son, Ben, was diagnosed with autism in 2005. His son’s condition opened his eyes to the fact that one in 91 children is affected by Autism.

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In the spring of 2009, Els decided to establish the Els for Autism Foundation. The main goal of the foundation was to open the Center of Excellence. The foundation has started a campaign to raise $30 million to open the 300 student school and research center.

The Center of Excellence will provide people from the ages of 3 to 21 with cutting-edge education and therapy. The school also has a digital learning program to allow families and individuals all over the world to receive support from the center.

Not only has Els raised money to help children with autism, but he also has started the Ernie Els and

Fancourt Foundation. The EEFF’s goal is to provide talented young South Africans from families with limited services with schooling, coaching, golfing, and life-skill assistance. Members of the EEFF will receive funds for annual school and golf club membership fees and professional golf lessons. They will also receive all equipment needed to play golf from Callaway and will be entered in multiple tournaments.

Ernie Els has continued to succeed in helping unprivileged young golfers and children with autism just as he has succeeded in golf. To help Ernie Els’ efforts, you can visit www.ernieels.com.

help2build MERRILL LYNCH IS PROUD TO BE PART OF THE TAMPA COMMUNITY. Now, help from a one-on-one advocate who knows where you are and where you want to go is more important than ever. A Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor is an invaluable local resource with access to the abundant resources of Bank of America to help you plan, grow and imagine.

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travel

Top Attractions central park zoo

Tom’s Restaurant

Gramercy Tavern

New york aquarium

64th Street & 5th Avenue New York, NY 100221 212.439.6583

42 E 20th St New York, NY 10003 212.477.0777

metropolitan museum of art 1000 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10028-0198 212.535.7710

empire state building 350 5th Avenue New York, NY 10118

rockefeller center

From 5th to 7th Avenues between 47th & 50th Street 212.632.3975

2880 Broadway New York, NY 212.864.6137

W 8th St. @ Surf Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11224

TAO

42 E. 58th Street 212.888.2288

Hard Rock Cafe International

YANKEE STADIUM

221 W. 57th St New York, NY 212.459.9320

Statue of liberty

new york mets CITi field

One E 161st Street Bronx, BY 10451

212.363.3200

central park

Roosevelt Avenue Flushing, NY 11368-1699

madison square garden 4 Pennsylvania Plaza New York, NY 10001 212.465.6741

joe’s pizza

7 Carmine Street New York 212.366.1182 www.joespizzanyc.com

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PREMIER PLAYERS

PREMIER PLAYERS

27

The limited production 2012

Mustang Boss 302

player’sink ink player’s

A.J. Burnett The Latin phrase “Fortius Quo Fidelius”, translated to English meaning “Strength Through Loyalty”, is tattooed on the arm of New York Yankees starting pitcher A.J. Burnett.

Born in North Little Rock, Arkansas, the right-handed pitcher has many tattoos, including an Aztec symbol on his right leg, an image of Bruce Lee on his triceps, and the Pisces glyph on his left hand in honor of his children who both are Pisces.

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PREMIER PLAYERS

PREMIER

PLAYER

Custom Game & Practice Uniforms

Reverse Game Gear

Custom Game Gear

$45 STYLE 247RT-247S

$80 SLK 3609

$85 SLK 9

100% DRI-MAX polyester WHITE side 100% NYLON PRO MESH on COLORED side Standard Scoop neck tank top, 1’ straight hem, closed

Great for both home & away!

100% DRI-MAX Polyester on the HOME SIDE (WHITE) 100% NYLON PRO MESH on the AWAY SIDE (Colors) 100% NYLON DAZZLE accent trim The perfect combo of style & wear

100% NYLON PRO MESH with 100% NYLON DAZZLE Panels and accent trim Pro tapered V-Neck Wide shoulder tank top

2” Waistband with drawstring Standard inseam 10.5” for Men’s Standard inseam 9.5” for Women Standard inseam 9” for Youth

Pro tapered V-Neck 2” Waistband with drawstring Standard inseam 10.5” for Men’s Standard inseam 9.5” for Women Standard inseam 9” for Youth

The Ultimate Practice Gear

2” Waistband with drawstring Standard inseam 10.5” for Men’s Standard inseam 9.5” for Women Standard inseam 9” for Youth PRINTED OR WITH TACKLE TWILL LETTERING!!!!

- Available in Men’s, Women’s & youth sizes. - Premier Players BRAND MARK on left hip -

TO ORDER CALL 813.833.3495 or VISIT WWW.PREMIERPLAYERS.COM