Barnes to deploy in Middle East
Texas head coach Rick Barnes is taking his basketball expertise to the Middle East. As a part of the United Service Organizations' "Operation Hardwood II," Barnes will be one of 13 NCAA coaches and sports personalities to tour the Persian Gulf region during the week of May 23-29. The group will coach up the top military basketball teams, composed of the top military players, who will then compete in a championship tournament at week's end.
The event, sponsored by Nike, will also feature such notable NCAA coaches as former Oklahoma and current Indiana head coach Kelvin Sampson, South Carolina's Dave Odom, Charlotte's Bobby Lutz, Kentucky's Tubby Smith and Tom Izzo from Michigan State, among others. Notable sports personalities will include ESPN's Jay Bilas and Fox Sports' Leeann Tweeden.
The event aims to encourage recreational services and lift morale of United States' military personnel. More information can be found at www.uso.org.
- Ryan Parr
Tradition takes precedence
Speculation has swirled that the Red River Rivalry game was headed out of Dallas, but it can settle till at least 2010 as Texas and Oklahoma announced Thursday a new five-year deal.
The game has been played in Dallas since 1929 - outdating the Cotton Bowl - and the deal tacks on another two years to the contract. Despite growing concern about the storied stadium's condition, no stipulations regarding improvements were included in the deal. That doesn't mean changes won't be made, but the decision will be left to the city of Dallas or the State Fair.
A desire to maintain the game's deep tradition overcame the unease about the facilities.
"Obviously, we cannot put aside the practical aspects," said Joe Castiglione, Oklahoma's athletics director. "But we sense commitment from our partners and other constituents in Dallas and are anxious to work toward an agreement that can address our very real concerns, while preserving the greatness of this event."
The Oct. 7 meeting later this year represents the 101st encounter between the rivals.
"We have enjoyed a long and storied relationship with the State Fair of Texas," said DeLoss Dodds, Texas' athletics director.
- Ryan Killian
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