The AP's Mark Scolforo reported internal memos from Penn State indicate that the school's Board of Trustees and president "focused on repairing the school's tarnished image and braced for financial backlash in the immediate aftermath of the child sex-abuse scandal that erupted two months ago, going so far as to recommend reminding any outraged donors that they wouldn't get their money back." A Nov. 18 note from new Penn State President RODNEY ERICKSON "included an attachment with 'talking points' for donors, including that the school had not changed its policy and that gifts are not returned." The document named Sabres Owners TERRY and KIM PEGULA, "who gave $88 million to launch an NCAA ice hockey program, and another who endowed the position of head football coach" (AP, 1/4).
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Andretti taking part in
NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice" |
GOING WHEEL TO WHEEL WITH THE DONALD: Andretti Autosport Owner
MICHAEL ANDRETTI yesterday was named as one of 18 contestants on the latest season of NBC's "
CELEBRITY APPRENTICE," and he said that he in essence took the place of his son, IndyCar driver
MARCO ANDRETTI, on the show. Marco was scheduled to be on the show, but Michael said, “We had the tragedy with
DAN (
WHELDON), and then also he lost his grandfather right at the same time.” Michael Andretti: “I was at dinner after the race and I get the call that Marco’s not going to do it and they’re asking if I would do it and I’m like, ‘Okay.’” Fox Business' Tobin Smith asked, “Did you know what you were getting into?” Andretti replied, “I had seen it, thankfully.” Smith said, “You’re a CEO,
DONALD TRUMP's a CEO. Andretti versus Trump -- how does that turn out?” Andretti: “He’s got a little bit more power, let’s say, than I do. He’s fine. He’s a good guy” (
“Power & Money,” Fox Business, 1/4).
PAGE FROM HIS BOOK: In Austin, Lori Hawkins notes former NFL assistant coach CHARLIE COINER has started software company 1stDown Technologies, which has "created an interactive app for Apple's iPad and iPhone that offers 2,600 offensive plays used by college and professional football teams." The FirstDown PlayBook app, "which will be available for download for the iPad starting today, is aimed at football coaches at all levels, from youth leagues to the pros." The first 50 plays "are free, and additional content is available for $19.99" (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 1/5).
ON THE DOCKET: Attorneys for former Fiesta Bowl COO NATALIE WISNESKI "are asking a federal judge to toss two of the nine charges against her that stem from an alleged scheme in which bowl employees were reimbursed for making political-campaign contributions" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 1/5)....Stewart-Hass Racing co-Owner GENE HAAS is facing a Miami-Dade lawsuit "over a real estate deal gone awry." Haas successfully bid on two multimillion-dollar Golden Beach mansions, but the sellers of the homes, brothers ROBERT and STEVEN FOX, "say Haas -- through a proxy -- reneged on the deal, and in turn forfeited the $1 million deposit that auction rules mandated be paid up front" (MIAMI HERALD, 1/5).
NAMES: Rapper ODIE in his YouTube rap video "Bama Bama (Roll It Up)" calls '12 Alabama's championship year and says "the trophy ain't going back to Baton Rouge" (BIRMINGHAM NEWS, 1/5)....New Yahoo CEO SCOTT THOMPSON is a Red Sox fan and said that he "was in the stands with his father when catcher CARLTON FISK hit that famous game-winning home run" in Game 6 of the '75 World Series (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 1/4)....WFAN-AM host BOOMER ESIASON was seen apartment hunting at N.Y.'s 15 Union Square West, which is also home to tennis player CAROLINE WOZNIACKI (N.Y. POST, 1/5)....Plans for Patriots WR CHAD OCHOCINCO and fiancée EVELYN LOZADA's new reality show, which was going to track them as they prepared for their wedding, are "on hold" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/5)....U.S. Gold Medal-winning swimmer MICHAEL PHELPS "has split with his longtime girlfriend NICOLE JOHNSON, a former Miss California" (N.Y. POST, 1/5).
