Jump to content

cygnus34

Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    1,741

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by cygnus34

    Miami DT shot to death

    in State of Florida College Athletics

    Posted

    LOTSOFBULL99, YOU are a total *******!

    Updated: Nov. 8, 2006, 9:18 AM ET

    Death of Hurricanes' Pata ruled a homicide

    ESPN.com news services

    MIAMI -- Police searched for clues Wednesday in the killing of University of Miami lineman Bryan Pata, the shooting marking the team's fourth death in the last decade.

    Pata, a popular figure on campus, practiced Tuesday afternoon and was shot Tuesday night at his apartment complex. It was the latest shock to a Hurricanes team touched by tragedy and turmoil, including a separate gun case this season and a wild on-field brawl last month.

    "They just shot him dead," Tonya Casimir, who identified herself as the player's cousin, told ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach by phone from the one of one of Pata's family members. "He's gone."

    The 22-year-old senior who grew up in Miami was pronounced dead in the parking lot outside his apartment. His death was ruled a homicide, Miami-Dade police spokesman Roy Rutland said.

    Pata's mother, Ronette Pata, stood outside his apartment Tuesday night wearing a replica of her son's jersey.

    "My son had a problem with nobody," a tearful Pata told WTVJ-TV in Miami. "He's gone. He's gone."

    Word of Pata's death spread quickly around campus, and grief counselors were summoned for his teammates. Another team meeting to discuss a memorial was scheduled for Wednesday, and no decision had been made about the status of Saturday afternoon's game against No. 23 Maryland.

    "We're trying to get through a hard time right now and it's going to take time," Miami quarterback Kirby Freeman told The Associated Press after a team meeting at the university's athletic complex. "And that's what being a close football family is all about. We're going to help each other with this."

    School officials said coach Larry Coker was "numb" over the news. The athletic department released a statement urging anyone with information about Pata's death to call police.

    "Bryan was a fine person and a great competitor. He will be forever missed by his coaches and teammates. We offer our thoughts and prayers to his family," the university said in a statement.

    Atlantic Coast Conference commissioner John Swofford was working with Miami officials to gather information, conference spokeswoman Amy Yakola said.

    Rutland said police were called at 7:30 p.m. to the scene and found Pata's body. He lived about 4 miles from campus. No motive was released, and Miami-Dade police did not say who made the 911 call after the shooting.

    "[bryan] Pata was a guidance counselor in a way of our football team. He wasn't the captain of the team, yet people would look to Pata for direction on the way things are going. He was definitely a great leader."

    -- Miami QB Kirby Freeman

    "Right now, we're just gathering ourselves and just trying to pull ourselves together," athletic director Paul Dee told the AP.

    The 6-foot-4, 280-pound defensive lineman was in his fourth year with the Hurricanes and was expected to be selected in next spring's NFL draft. He appeared in 41 games, making 23 starts. Pata played primarily defensive tackle this season, totaling 13 tackles and two sacks.

    "Pata was a guidance counselor, in a way, of our football team," Freeman said. "He wasn't the captain of the team, yet people would look to Pata for direction on the way things are going. He was definitely a great leader."

    Pata was fierce on the field but somewhat soft-spoken off it.

    "Everyone is just more surprised than anything else," said Annette Ponnock, Miami's student body president. "He's such a personality on campus. It was just really, really shocking to have such a loss. ... He was a big guy so it was kind of hard to miss him. He just had a presence about him."

    This was at least the fourth time that tragedy involving a player has struck the Hurricanes in recent years.

    In April 1996, reserve linebacker and Miami native Marlin Barnes was murdered in a campus apartment. And in 2003, former Miami safety Al Blades was killed in a car accident, about a year after former Miami linebacker Chris Campbell -- who had just completed his eligibility with the Hurricanes -- also died in a crash.

    In July, reserve safety Willie Cooper was shot in the buttocks when confronted in his yard before morning workout. Cooper was not seriously injured. Brandon Meriweather, one of Cooper's teammates and roommates, returned fire at Cooper's assailant, taking three shots that apparently missed, police said.

    Several Miami players, including Pata, said that was a robbery attempt and cautioned teammates to be aware of their surroundings.

    "We're targets because we play for the University of Miami. ... These guys, they know who we are," Miami linebacker Jon Beason said shortly after the Cooper shooting.

    That prompted Coker to say that he did not want his players to have guns, even if they possessed them legally.

    Last month, Miami brawled on the field with Florida International, a melee where fists, feet and helmets became weapons. In all, 31 players were punished, including 13 Hurricanes.

    Pata played three seasons at North Miami High before moving on to Miami Central. He chose to attend the University of Miami after also considering Rutgers, Florida and Oklahoma.

    Former South Carolina offensive tackle Woodly Telfort, who played football with Pata at North Miami, said he considered him a best friend and cousin.

    "Brian was cool, calm and collective," Telfort told ESPN's Joe Schad on Tuesday night. "He would do anything for his friends. He was a guy everybody loved. Bryan never got in trouble with anybody. I have no clue who would do this to him."

    Telfort said he'd spoken with Pata several says ago.

    "He was talking about how it had been a tough season, but how things were looking good for him going to the NFL," Telfort said. "He was going to play in the NFL."

    Said Miami Central coach Anthony Saunders: "He was a great kid, a Christian. He had everything going for him. He was a role model and a motivator."

    North Miami coach Leonard Graham said he was a father figure to Pata.

    "Just like any other kid from the inner city, he was looking for a way out," Graham told Schad. "He had his problems, but never had serious trouble. He had learned from his past experiences at Miami and had really grown up into a man."

    Graham said Pata had for a time complained about playing time and had missed study halls.

    "But I know the streets and to my knowledge he had no conflicts in the streets," Graham said, sobbing. "Maybe someone was jealous. Maybe someone tried to rob him. I have no idea why he was shot. I just know he was shot. I didn't know anyone that disliked him."

    The Associated Press contributed to this report.

     

    Rutgers Expecats to Challenge for B.E. Title

    in American Athletic Conference

    Posted

    By Joe Starkey, Special to ESPN.com

    Rutgers (7-0, 2-0) turned Pitt (6-2, 2-1) into rice pudding with a 20-10 victory at Heinz Field. The Scarlet Knights haven't been unbeaten this deep in a season in 30 years. They will go into their game next Sunday at Connecticut confident they can challenge West Virginia and/or Louisville for the Big East title.

    Jason Bridge/US Presswire

    Rice is piling up Heisman-like numbers for Rutgers.Sophomore tailback Ray Rice showed the country why he is a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate, carrying 39 times for a career-best 225 yards. Rice changed momentum with a 63-yard run in the fourth quarter -- setting up a touchdown -- after Pitt had sliced Rutgers' lead to 13-10.

    "He's the real deal," said Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt, whose team has yet to prove in Wannstedt's two years that it can stop competent rushing attacks.

    The Rutgers defense, ranked second nationally coming in, stymied Pitt quarterback Tyler Palko, who was leading the country in passing efficiency. Palko was sacked five times, matching the number Pitt had allowed in its first seven games.

    Rutgers will need better play from its quarterback, Mike Teel, if it's going to seriously challenge for the Big East title, but the Scarlet Knights are right where they want to be with six league games left, including a visit from Louisville on Nov. 9 and a trip to West Virginia to finish the regular season on Dec. 2.

    No one should be shocked if that game is played with the conference title at stake.

    Cincy Favored

    in USF South Florida Bulls Athletics

    Posted

    Just to give you all a little insight of the Lou.-Cinci game.  Brohm played the whole game and was not sharp.  He threw behind his receivers early and threw into double coverage late, the last one intercepted at th Cinci. 7 yd. line,had Lou. scored then the game is over at 30-17, even a field goal would have iced it.   On three other passes the ball hit his receiver in the hands but they dropped the ball.   Cinci. took over with 2:58 left in the game.  The lou. Defense which had been good up to this game looked pourus, and three times on the final drive Cinci. had 3rd and long but the Q.B. ran twice for 1st downs when his rec.'s were covered and another run just put the nose of the ball past the marker.  

    For the FEW going to the Game in Louisville

    in American Athletic Conference

    Posted

    Some how I get logged out and didn't know it.

    Hotels at the EXPO Center

    Right next to the Hilton Garden Inn and across the street from the Super 8 is the "Cardinal Hall of Fame Cafe", great place to hang out see games on T.V. and pretty good food.

    The Country Inn Suites, is just down the street.

    www.halloffamecafes.com/cardinal/

    Downtown, for the best rates check HOTWIRE.com and remember, the sooner you book the cheaper the rate.  The Seebach Hilton had the best rate for the CANES fans; the Marriot is the newest hotel and right at 4th Street Live, restaraunts, bars, entertainment.

    For those going into town, if you like beer the Bluegrass Brewing Co, is close by on East Main St. They make about 10 beers and have lots of TV's to watch the games.

    This is on 4th Street at Theater Sq.,near all the hotels.

    www.bbcbrew.com/updates/c...mplate.php

×
×
  • Create New...

It appears you are using ad blocking tools.  This site is supported through ads.  Please disable in order to enjoy full access to The Bulls Pen.  Registration is free and reduces ads.

Got it!
Dismiss