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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 02 September 2010 09:11 |
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Derek Horne, a long time administrator at the University of Mississippi, has been hired as the new Director of Athletics at Florida A&M University (FAMU).
Horne joins the Rattler staff after spending 15 years in athletic administration at the University of Mississippi. He joined the Ole Miss staff in 1995 as assistant athletic director and was promoted to senior associate athletic director during that tenure.
The FAMU Board of Trustees approved his multi-year appointment for three yearsv z3xsadefrtZ. He will report to work on Tuesday, September 7, 2010, at a salary of $200,000.
“I am honored and humbled to have this awesome opportunity to serve Florida A&M University as their next Director of Athletics,” said Horne. “My family and I look forward to this new chapter in our lives. Ole Miss has offered me the opportunity to be prepared to serve Florida A&M University with integrity, sound leadership and honor and for that I am grateful to Pete Boone and the University. We will miss our family and friends but we are excited about getting involved with the opportunities that lie before us – serving the Rattlers.”
FAMU President James H. Ammons said with Horne’s leadership and experience, he felt confident that Horne will enhance athletics at FAMU.
“I believe that he will be a great addition to our athletic program and the university,” said FAMU President James H. Ammons. “He will bring with him the athlete’s perspective and a wealth of knowledge in athletic administration. I am excited about his wide range of experience and believe he will provide the kind of leadership that will usher in a new era in Rattler sports.”
Horne is a 1987 graduate of the University of Mississippi. He was a four-year letterman on the Ole Miss basketball team from 1983-1986. As an Ole Miss Rebel, he earned Academic All-Southeastern Conference accolades as a senior and was the team captain his junior and senior seasons.
At Ole Miss, Horne spearheaded the athletic department’s correspondence and development with former athletes. He was also a proponent of and director of the CHAMPS Life Skills programs. Additionally, Horne brings a wealth of knowledge in the area of concessions as he oversaw their operations in all sports.
As associate athletic director at Ole Miss, he was responsible for human resources, managing concessions, the team store, the athletic sports camps and all aspects of the men’s basketball program. He developed and implemented fundraising initiatives while representing the university at alumni events. He developed a reputation for maximizing the exposure of Ole Miss. One of his most significant achievements was increasing the involvement of former student-athletes and alumni in university and athletics-related activities.
Horne was a specialist in representing the athletic department in activities such as alumni events, civic organization meetings and intercollegiate functions. He developed a reputation for maximizing the exposure of Ole Miss, while raising funds through various avenues.
Horne has received additional training as a NCAA Fellows Leadership Development Program Participant for 2009-2010 and attended the 2009 Division 1A Athletic Directors’ Institute.
Prior to joining the Ole Miss staff, Horne worked for KLLM Transport Services Inc., in Jackson, MS. Horne was the director of terminal and driver support at KLLM, where he began as a management trainee and worked his way up to regional human resources specialist.
He is a native of Quitman, Ga. His resume includes services on various professional boards including “Coaches vs. Cancer,” and the Chancellor’s Standing Committee for Sensitivity and Respect. Horne is an honorary member of the Gold Key National Honor Society. He also served on the University of Mississippi’s On Campus Minority Alumni Advisory Council, the M-Club Alumni Board of Directors and the Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Horne is married to the former Sheila Mosley and they have one son, Christopher.
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Written by Gwen DeRu
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Thursday, 02 September 2010 09:06 |
 Gwen DeRu
Talladega Superspeedway Fan Appreciation Day Is Sept. 26
Talladega Superspeedway will welcome race fans to the track on Sept. 26 for the second annual Fan Appreciation Day. This event is open to the public and free of charge. Best of all, ticket buyers to either of the two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events at Talladega, the Aaron’s 499 in the spring or upcoming AMP Energy 500, will be given the opportunity to drive their cars around the track on paced laps.
“We are delighted to open the track once again for Fan Appreciation Day,” said Talladega Superspeedway Chairman Grant Lynch. “It is a privilege for us to continue to give back to the devoted fans that support us every season. Having the opportunity to share this day with our ‘DEGA family is also a great way to get fired up for the AMP Energy 500 weekend, October 29-31.”
In addition to thrilling laps around Talladega’s historic high banks, there will also be a Kids Zone in the infield for children to share in the excitement of the day. Snacks will be provided by Talladega Superspeedway sponsors and there will also be photo opportunities in Gatorade Victory Lane.
Laps around the track begin at 9 a.m., with the infield opening to the general public from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Additional activities are planned, so race fans should follow www.talladegasuperspeedway.com for the latest details.
Will more NASCAR history be made when racing returns to Talladega Superspeedway for the AMP Energy 500 weekend? Race fans will have to be here to find out. NASCAR action returns with the Mountain Dew 250 fueled by Fred’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race and Race Number Seven in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, the AMP Energy 500, Oct. 29 - 31. To experience it all, call 1-877-Go2-DEGA or visit www.talladegasuperspeedway.com.
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Written by Paul Finebaum
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Thursday, 02 September 2010 08:50 |
 There have been many bizarre reactions to Nick Saban and Alabama’s 13th national championship since last January.
However, the most ridiculous has been the over-the-top and borderline insane reaction to Mal Moore’s very appropriate decision to honor the coach with a statue on the Wall of Champions outside Bryant-Denny Stadium.
There are four other bronzed statues outside the stadium — Wallace Wade, Frank Thomas, Bear Bryant and Gene Stallings. And they all have one thing in common with Saban other than coaching at Alabama: They’ve won a national championship.
So why not honor Alabama’s current coach while it can be enjoyed by fans, family and friends? Why not celebrate now when it can have the maximum impact?
Makes a lot of sense. However, if you have been keeping up with media’s irrational reaction since it was first announced, one would have thought the school had taken Bryant and Denny’s name off the stadium sign and plastered Saban’s name up in bright lights.
The Birmingham News was the first out of the chute with a brickbat titled, "Saban statue is too much, too soon." Predictably, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution wasn’t far behind, asking "Is his birthday a holiday now, too?"
Others followed along the way, including Rick Reilly of ESPN and Chris Warner, who holds a Ph.D. and is a well-known author and blogger. Warner, writing for an LSU fan site, made an incoherent case why Les Miles deserves some love too from his fan base.
"Maybe Tiger fans would rather have a coach who misleads and uses recruits and players and refers to agents as "pimps," or one who lies to the media about jobs he’s considering, or demands that the design of his statue be reconsidered because he doesn’t like the way his hair looks," Warner wrote. "One has to wonder why Miles doesn’t have a statue being built at LSU in his likeness — maybe because he didn’t lose to the University of Louisiana at Monroe? Or maybe it’s just that most active coaches with dignity and class do not allow boosters to build statues of them?"
Nothing like "Nick Envy" permeating the frenzied culture of LSU fandom.
Reportedly, Saban wouldn’t agree to the project unless it included the listing of all his players on a plaque from the championship team.
It is a fair argument to think that, perhaps, these things are better after a coach retires. Others bring up the predictable shot at Saban — "What will happen if he bails out for another job like he always does?"
First of all, Saban’s two other major college coaching jobs — at Michigan State and LSU — have both been five-year runs. And secondly, what may be really irritating the LSU fan base — and others as well — is that with a bronzed statue coming up shortly, it might convince Saban to stay longer where he is — which means more straight tequila nights for LSU fans.
However, anyone who knows Saban would quickly acknowledge he isn’t going anywhere. Reason? He has the best job in college football, perhaps in all of sports. Name a coach who has better facilities, more support (and his own movie now playing on the big screen) and who wields a bigger stick than Nick Saban?
I’m waiting ...
Saban made a blunder leaving LSU for the Miami Dolphins after the 2004 season. Saban doesn’t strike me as the kind of a guy with a stupid bone in his body, so why would he suddenly start misfiring now?
Oh, you say, things can turn on a dime. Sure, it’s possible Alabama could drop a game or two this season. And Saban would still have the best job in college ball.
Oh, someone might offer him $8 million to coach in the NFL. Sure, and does anyone really think Saban would make the same mistake twice by leaving college football’s version of Fort Knox?
No such luck for the Saban haters out there.
I don’t have any doubt that Saban is happier and more content at this juncture than any other point of his career. He has it all.
And now, he has a statue about to be unveiled in Alabama’s Walk of Champions. It’s the right and appropriate way to honor college football’s No. 1 coach. Let the hating on Nick Saban continue. |
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