Jug Of News (05.11.12)

Welcome to our humble abode. Pull up a seat and grab a glass for a sip from todays Jug of News. Hit the jump for Olympic hopefuls invading Manhattan, Arthur Brown making it onto another watch list for Most Intimidating Man In The World, more smoke is building up around Big 12 expansion, and more.

First, let me say that Erik Kynard is an insanely athletic freak of a man. You might remember him as last year’s NCAA champion high jumper (pictured above), or you might remember him as the dude who jumped over JO. Whichever it is, Brady Bauman of the Manhattan Mercury has you covered. He details how Wildcats, Kynard and fellow defending NCAA Champion Ryann Krais (Heptathlon), are preparing for the Big 12 Championship Track Meet. Both competitors are also hopefuls for the 2012 Summer Olympics to be held in London, as are many other Big 12 athletes who will be competing this weekend. The Conference Championship Track Meet will be held this weekend at R.V. Christian Track Complex in Manhattan.

Arthur Brown has been named to something called the Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list. I’ve never heard of the trophy, but they used capital letters in titling it, so it must be important, right? I think we’ll have to come up with a Jug Of Snyder Award of some kind. Maybe we’ll call it the Jug Of Snyder MOST INTIMIDATING MAN IN THE WORLD  Trophy. The watch list will include one name: Arthur Brown.

Two Wildcats made it Mel Kiper, Jr.’s list of the top 5 NFL prospects at their respective positions. Fullback Braden Wilson was one, checking in at #1 on the list of fullback prospects. The other? Arthur Brown, of course. Kiper has him ranked as the 3rd best NFL prospect at inside linebacker. If Arthur ever meets the top 2? Bad things, man, bad things. There were several other Big 12 names on Kiper’s list, which David Ubben details here.

On the conference expansion front, there is more smoke swirling. Apparently, the ACC’s new television deal might not be enough to overcome the Florida State athletic department’s major budget shortfall. If it’s not–and I expect it will not be–the back channel talks I wrote about Wednesday, will quickly stop being “back channel” and move out into the open. On a similar subject, ESPN’s Kristi Dosh has an article explaining the “makeovers” that are currently underway with regards to college sports television rights.

Brad Hill’s Bat Cats are playing the Jayhawks this weekend, in an effort to exit the cellar of the Big 12. Here’s hoping…

Finally, in non-sports related news (please keep reading, it’s worth it), there are some true K-Staters out “doing a world of good“, working with both children and adults around the world who are in need. They deserve recognition for what they do, so here is JOS’s meager contribution to recognizing them for their efforts. Students serving on an International Service Team and their destination include:

• Emily Burch, senior in elementary education from Burns, KS Team Inspirar in Mexico
• Chance Berndt, freshman in business administration from Herington, KS, Team Tumaini in Kenya
• Nick Herrmann, sophomore in agribusiness from Holcomb, KS, Team Tumaini in Kenya
• Bailey Myers, senior in secondary education-biological sciences from Humboldt, KS, Team Tumaini in Kenya
• Jaime Arreola, senior in political science and philosophy from Kansas City, Kan., Team Acreditar in Brazil
• Alicia Williams, senior in communication sciences and disorders, Manhattan, KS, Team Inspirar in Mexico
• Kenna McWhirter, senior in family studies and human services from Moran, KS, Team Tumaini in Kenya
• Bethany Roy, junior in family studies and human services from Norton, KS, Team Tumaini in Kenya
• Hollyn Smith, junior in psychology from Salina, KS, Team Inspirar in Mexico.
• Kathryn Biver, junior in civil engineering from Rice Lake, Wis., Team Acreditar in Brazil.

Thanks to all of you, who are giving up your summer to help those in need.