Knight_Light

Channing's Mugshot from Gainesville arrest http://www.art.com/asp/sp.asp?PD=10101853&RFID=981519

Also, 80% of almost 300 Bull Fans voted for and preferred Oliver over Woolard in their poll last week when they were in the Final 2. Next time though...when USF pays for background checks...those are usually found out even before they make a Top 10 list. USF should almost get 1/2 their $$$$ back because it took this guy/company up till the very last minute to find out all their mis-steps in his background that were all apart of the public record. Did this background company just take the CA$H, and then when USF made their choice (Oliver) did they jump on a computer and say "Ok, guess that's the guy we have to check"?? Sure seems like it.

Yeah....bet they HATED going thru all that Big 12 Champ Run....NCAA Tournament Run....Sweet 16...Final 8....then Final 4. Yeah...that sucked. I'm sure they wished they were at USF. KL PS. At least at UCF...they had a Coach that believed in both of them...gave them plenty of PT to get noticed!!!

No argument needed. USF needs more pub in your close secondary market. Hillsborough County Growth keeps going, and going, and going, closer to Polk every day. Plus, with some of the "challenges" USF faced last year in home attendance (some games had crowds in the "hundreds" according to local papers), and if student attendance is still apatheic...why not make this game an "EVENT" in a town that doesn't have much going on except Spring Training? Add in your satelitte campus in Lakeland, major sponsor Publix HQ, and without old Bull Boosters who never show up for Hoop Games at the SunDome...but the ticket nazi's can't let diehard fans sit down there...any crowd of over 2,000 "actual" people at Lakeland would be a plus! Those who are diehard Bull fans will go...its not far at all. A few diehard students will go....they are the ones that go to all the games. Heck, a few more students might even go to this game...because it could be called a "road-trip"...oooohhh. It would be one thing to move a game to Lakeland (totally agree about how seating for hoops is not very good..but its only 1 game) if the SunDome was sold-out or had at least crowds on the average OVER that of the capacity of the Old Lakeland Civic Center (ah...the late 70's and early 80's...concert "mecca" from Tampa to Daytona), but thats is a non-factor now. This is such a great idea...for schools like USF or UCF...not sure why it wasn't done earlier? UCF could play a game in Brevard County (home to their Brevard Campus and many Alumni on the Space Coast) or one in Daytona Beach (DB Campus). Whoever came up with this idea....is SMART! KL

Pete Young of the St Pete Times lists more info on Oliver and his mis-steps from the past: http://www.sptimes.com/2004/05/14/Sports/Candidate_s_past_pose.shtml Candidate's past posed problem Jon Oliver, one of the final candidates for the USF AD job, withdrew his name after legal issues surfaced. By PETE YOUNG, Times Staff Writer Published May 14, 2004 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jon Oliver withdrew his name from the South Florida athletic director search after numerous legal issues, including a felony narcotics charge in 1992, came to light. Oliver, 40, the senior associate AD at Virginia, was one of two finalists when he withdrew Tuesday. USF named Doug Woolard athletic director on Wednesday. "There was a point early on in my life where I made some mistakes," Oliver said Thursday. "I'm not proud of those things. I wasn't convicted of anything. "It was a less than a gram of cocaine I was arrested for. It wasn't clear who was in possession. I took responsibility for being in possession at the time of arrest." Oliver pleaded not guilty and the charges were dropped before trial in July 1993, in Boise, Idaho, his hometown. "I don't know the exact reasons, that was a conversation between my lawyer and the prosecutor," Oliver said. Woolard, 54, athletic director at Saint Louis for 10 years, signed a five-year, $1.225-million deal Thursday with USF. Oliver appeared to have a good shot at the job until his withdrawal. The university had e-mailed a draft of a contract to Oliver on Friday, which the school said was part of negotiating financial terms with both finalists. "You just assume (background checks) are taken care of ahead of time," USF booster Harold Astorquiza said. "At the same time, I'm glad it was done. I liked both guys when I met them. Things work out for a reason. Doug Woolard's going to do a great job." Oliver said he already was strongly considering withdrawing on Tuesday when he was questioned by Chuck Neinas, USF's one-man AD search firm, about his past. "There were a number of factors that went into me not pursuing the position; I have a young family, that was a major part," said Oliver, who has children ages 4 and 11 months. "There was never a job offer. That is not how it happened." Speaking with Neinas convinced Oliver to stay at Virginia. "I was not willing to expose my family to any (scrutiny of his past)," Oliver said." USF spokeswoman Michelle Carlyon said school president Judy Genshaft was unavailable for comment. Vice president for advancement Michael Rierson did not return phone calls. "We asked our consultant, Chuck Neinas, to undertake due diligence with the candidates," Carlyon said. "(Neinas) called Jon Oliver to discuss some questions that arose, and Oliver withdrew at that time for personal reasons." Oliver, who played basketball at Boise State in the mid 1980s but did not graduate until 1994, incurred two driving-related misdemeanors in 1991, according to Ada (Idaho) County records. A DUI charge was amended to inattentive driving, and he was placed on probation and his license was suspended for a year. A few months later he incurred a probation violation. Oliver also had three liens against him, records show. Two were state tax liens, in 1989 and 1993. Records indicate the first was satisfied in 1991 but were unclear on the second, which was brought against one of Oliver's businesses, the Culture Shop. He said it also has been satisfied. The third was a federal tax lien in 1992 that was satisfied in 2002. "I've taken care of all of those liens," said Oliver, who also filed for bankruptcy in 1993, records show. Oliver's legal problems didn't prevent him from rapidly rising at Washington State. Hired as a compliance intern at WSU in 1995 while in law school at Idaho, Oliver was promoted four times until he was hired by Virginia AD Craig Littlepage in 2001. He has been in charge of day-to-day operations at Virginia and generally is regarded as Littlepage's No. 2 man. Virginia spokeswoman Carol Wood said Oliver has been a good employee and would remain at his job. She did not know if the school was aware of his past before this week. "(Littlepage) and Leonard Sandridge, executive vice president for the university, they both have been fully briefed by Jon," Wood said. "The university continues to have full confidence in him. Jon has been candid about these things, and that was a long time ago." Neinas, whose firm was contracted by USF for $30,000, said he did due diligence on all of the candidates and maintains confidentiality. "Jon Oliver is an impressive young man, and I think he has a great future in college athletics," Neinas said. - Times research librarian Cathy Wos contributed to this report.

Those Jesuits run a very, very, tight ship SLU President delays construction of new SLU Basketball Arena: http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/News/St.+Louis+City+%2F+County/9D89BBB88415CA4C86256E8B00476CC4?OpenDocument&Headline=SLU's+arena+construction+is+pushed+back++ SLU's arena construction is pushed back By Doug Moore Of the Post-Dispatch 05/05/2004 Construction on an arena at St. Louis University will not begin for at least nine months, pushing the opening date back a year later than originally targeted. University officials said Tuesday that the focus of SLU remained education and getting the money in hand for a new biomedical research facility took priority over the planned 13,000-seat arena. Their comments reiterate those of SLU's president, the Rev. Lawrence Biondi, who said in his state of the university address two weeks ago that the research building "remains my top priority for our university." The university announced plans for the research center just more than two months ago. Biondi has told his staff that construction will begin on the $80 million research project, which will be partially funded with federal dollars, before work begins on the arena.  In December, Biondi predicted a spring groundbreaking for the arena. It was expected to be completed in late 2005 to coincide with the basketball season and the university's switch to the Atlantic 10 conference, which has a higher profile than Conference USA. Don Whelan, vice president for development, said there was some concern from SLU faculty that too much emphasis was being put on the arena project, so the university's top officials are making sure the focus on SLU's growth remains with research support, academic programs, endowed chairs and scholarships. And the university stands by its commitment not to dip into tuition money to help build the arena, said Bob Woodruff, SLU's chief financial officer and arena project manager. The university has raised more than $200 million of the $300 million goal set at the beginning of its fund-raising campaign two years ago. The majority of the money is going to fund scholarships. Only $12 million has been pledged for the $70-million arena. On Tuesday, Woodruff said the stadium was a "huge financial commitment" and construction would not start until the university had reached its fund-raising goal - including $40 million in private funds to pay for the arena. SLU officials want at least 75 percent of that in hand before construction begins. The university would sell $25 million in bonds with payments covered from ticket sales to events at the new arena and from naming rights. The other $5 million would come from building the arena in a tax increment-financing district. The university is negotiating with several corporations about putting their name on the arena. The site on the southwest corner of Laclede and Compton avenue and just north of Highway 40 (Interstate 64) provides great visibility, Whelan said. He estimates that 50 million vehicles a year pass by the site. The new arena also would be built in a flight path so that a sign on top would be visible from a plane. The naming rights, which the university wants to sell for $15 million over 20 years, "are a big part of the equation," Whelan said. The university also has verbal commitments for 16 of the 20 suites planned for the arena, although formal marketing of the suites has not begun. Depending on the level of interest, the arena could be built with 32 suites, Whelan said. Meanwhile, the university continues working on the arena project every day, Woodruff said. Waring School, which SLU bought from St. Louis Public Schools for $1.25 million, has been torn down. Engineers have bored several holes at the arena site to check the water table. The arena would sit atop groundwater often referred to as Mill Creek. And Woodruff and other officials are talking with arena management companies to see whether it is best to outsource the work or have the university do it. The university plans to wait on relocating tennis courts and tearing down a third of Grand Forest Apartments, used for student housing, until an arena construction schedule is firmly in hand. The university now hopes to be able to start construction in February 2005 for an opening in the fall of 2006, Woodruff said. The men's basketball team will continue to play at Savvis Center until the new arena opens, Woodruff said. "We're committed to the project," he said. "We just don't have a firm date." Reporter Doug Moore E-mail: dmoore@post-dispatch.com Phone: 314-622-3580

Look at what your new AD was able to plan/start to build at St. Louis. SWEET Building!!! http://arena.slu.edu/arena4.html Not bad building for private school.

I'd say CUSA... Without full CUSA Membership (SFU did get screwed when CUSA officials "delayed" SFU's Football Membership for 2 years...no reason why...and Commish Slive lost a chance to already have a CUSA Champ Game in place...just plain stupid!), SFU wouldn't have their Big East invite. Just like how CUSA will be UCF's 1st Conf for ALL our sports...just like CUSA was for ya'll in '02. One usually can't go from A to C...without a short stop at B. KL

Sure the National Title Game would be great...but believe the 5th Bowl will have to take the Big East Champ for the other 4 years, and Outback may not want that. Outback is in a great situation...they sellout their stadium for the 2 largest conferences in the Nation, SEC vs Big 10. National Title Game would be GREAT anywhere...but if the Outback had to take the Big East Champ vs say a non-BCS Team (ranked high in MAC, MWC, CUSA, etc...), they may not want that for 4 years in a row. KL

Whoop...not Rascatti in the news over here...someone else. Nevermind (edited post) KL

That's great new for you guys!!! The fact that a human being...getting FREE Education and room and board...can ignore his 2 illegitimate kids with 2 different women...ignore them...pay them nothing...but technically NOT arrested...can still be considered a great person and a STARTER for the football team!! This should help ya'll recruit more players, who are dead-beat dads...and how they won't even miss 1 game if they miss payments for YEARS!!! KL

Didn't Leavitt come to South Florida from Kansas St?? I thought he did.

Leavitt has said over and over again...he wants as many non-conf games to be played at HOME...even if it means playing Div I-AA Games...or not even playing a 12th game when allowed (aka 2002 and 2003 seasons). From St Pete Times: Copyright Times Publishing Co. Sep 29, 2001 South Florida's home opener is at 7 tonight at Raymond James Stadium against North Texas. So why aren't you excited? We know, North Texas doesn't exactly kindle your college football- craving embers like, say, Texas does. Or even Southern Miss or East Carolina or Louisville, all future Conference USA rivals. With the Bulls not starting conference play until 2003, North Texas is part of a mishmash schedule this season and next. But what will it look like in the future, 2003 and beyond? Will the Bulls' nonconference slate - typically three games a year - feature I-A bantamweights like North Texas, or teams like defending national champion Oklahoma, which USF plays next season? Athletic director Lee Roy Selmon said it likely will be some combination of good, bad and in between. "We might want to play high-profile teams, we might want to play competitive opponents in a home-and-home," said Selmon, who added that C-USA likely will have input into USF's nonconference schedule. "There are a lot of factors involved and (the scheduling philosophy) can vary. "We're going to take a little time soon to come up with a strategy." Coach Jim Leavitt has one request for nonconference games: play them at Raymond James Stadium. "I'd want them all home games," Leavitt said. "Whoever wants to come in here and play, because I think we owe that to the community. "You figure you have eight games in the conference: four away, four home. So you want to (add the three nonconference games to) have seven games at home so the people in Tampa can watch you play." USF has seven home games this season. To get seven on an annual basis, the Bulls would have to sacrifice quality because, like Leavitt, almost everyone wants to play at home for the obvious reasons: comfort, familiarity, revenue, etc. USF could secure home-and-home series with mid-tier opponents such as North Carolina or Missouri (Leavitt's alma mater), which would mean playing fewer than seven home games some seasons. Top-shelf programs such as Oklahoma hold the power and would be unlikely to do a home-and-home, though USF's warm locale is a lure. The Bulls might be willing to travel for one-shot deals to the power- and-tradition schools, such as Ohio State and Tennessee, for the exposure and because teams like the Buckeyes and Volunteers can offer nonconference foes an appearance fee. Selmon's ties to Oklahoma - he was an All-American for the Sooners - and Leavitt's relationship with OU coach Bob Stoops, from when they were co-defensive coordinators at Kansas State, helped the Bulls secure a trip to Norman. Would Oklahoma ever come here? "Well, we don't have anything in writing, but as we continue to grow there might be an opportunity to reciprocate," Selmon said. "A lot of schools like to recruit in this area, so playing here helps them." North Texas (0-3) isn't one of those schools; the Mean Green has no Floridians on its roster. The Bulls (1-2) are favored for the first time this season, by 12 points, but don't expect North Texas to blanch: USF is the weakest opponent it has played. The Mean Green has lost at TCU, Oklahoma and Texas Tech, the closest defeat being 14 points (TCU). North Texas tasted a spread offense similar to USF's in its 42-14 loss to Texas Tech as Red Raiders quarterback Kliff Kingsbury threw 46 times. "It's going to be one heck of a ballgame. I've said that for the first three weeks and I don't think I've been wrong," said Leavitt, whose team has lost two games that came down to the final play. "It very well could come down to the last play again." [illustration] Caption: Athletic director Lee Roy Selmon; Photo: PHOTO, TONI L. SANDYS Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission. People: Selmon, Lee Roy, Leavitt, Jim Companies: Raymond James Stadium Dateline: TAMPA Section: SPORTS Text Word Count 625

The NYTimes Magazine feature story wasn't about how many kids the USF players fathered...it was about how much $$$ new schools were putting into their football program...and USF was one of the latest making the jump to Div I-A. Maybe the author of the article might of been "shocked" to find a staff member at USF with a box of 5,000 condoms for the football players...and that same person said USF players have fathered "at least 60 children". Believe the author writes mostly on Baseball...writes books (new one is about D. Strawberry) and may not know the "culture" of College Football...especiall in the South. Here's the full article called "Football Is a Sucker's Game" http://www.und.edu/org/iac/Documents/Football%20Is%20a%20Sucker's%20Game.htm

That use to be one of the original Sports Bars in Tampa. Then it became just a "smoke" fest in the mid-late 90's...but if its still open..especially now that people can't "smoke" in restaurants...the "older" feel to it is pretty cool. It's on Dale Mabrey...south of the Interstate by a few blocks. KL

Saucer like cereal? The way the mik would just "pool" on each piece! If its that Martian thing/cereal dude...then that's for me! KL

Why not ask the 2 kids...if A) they like their Mom, their friends, family...and maybe if their Dad would be around more often....or... if they would like their brains sucked out of their heads and have neither of the above?? I would probably put my money on A....but I'm not a gambler. KL KL

Ah...the joys of earning $8 per hour as a USF grad!! That is something to be proud of!! "But hey...I ski free and look I'm good!!!" Yeah...that will look good on a resume....NOT! KL

smazza...spoken like a true lawyer...Only worry about the LEGAL Obligation...and don't consider the MORAL obligation about being a FATHER!! (Not just a person who sends a check!!) As other USF Fans have said...this MVP for USF last year should get his MORAL Obligation in place....then his legal obligation....then worry about his "playing career, practice, games, etc... Sounds like this kid has his life upside...and not sure if Leavitt even cares about it. It just seems that Leavitt wants this kid to think about football...and football only. KL

"what is the delay?" See above response. KL PS. I didn't mention that point about would Big East fans want the new teams to come in early...because I am not a fan of a Big East Team.

Boston College...holds the "key" to much of the conference realignment. If BC moves a year early to the ACC (VT and Miami move in fall of '04 to ACC...BC scheduled to move to ACC in fall '05), then you might see a snowball effect...aka...CUSA members jump to the Big East....2 MAC members jump to CUSA, etc. But with SOOOO many different TV contracts in place for Basketball and Football...it might take a miracle to get it all worked out in time. Just follow BC and the TV $$$$$. KL

3 year deal starting in 2008 at the Orange Bowl...2009 at the Citrus Bowl...then 2010 at the Orange Bowl. Not a bad deal for UCF. Home game vs Miami...and a GREAT road game only 4 hours away!!! Plus...exposure in heavy rich South Florida. USF should try and do the same. Good luck. KL