In San Antonio, Brent Zwerneman notes Texas A&M President R. BOWEN LOFTIN has "become the face of the Aggies' shift" to the SEC, and his "hands-on approach to athletics is unparalleled for an A&M president." Loftin said, "Ultimately, the buck stops at your desk. ... If we screw up in a major way in terms of making a decision in athletics, that may be the end of your presidency." Loftin was named interim President in June '09 and President in February '10. He said that his job description has "changed in that span, partly because of realignment." Loftin: "Some ADs and commissioners might not like the presidents being involved, because we might be regarded as amateurs on these matters" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 4/26).
ACCEPTING ON FAMILY'S BEHALF: Late Penn State football coach JOE PATERNO will be "posthumously honored as the recipient" of the '12 Dick Enberg Award on June 25, presented by the College Sports Information Directors of America. Paterno's son, JAY, will "accept the honor on his family's behalf" (THE DAILY).
NAMES: The "MAGIC/BIRD" Broadway play drew $166,223 for the week ending March 22, playing to "just over" 55% capacity at an average ticket price of $34. That is "only about" 19% of the potential gross for the Longacre Theatre, where the play is being staged (IBJ.com, 4/25)....Former NBAer PENNY HARDAWAY and his youth sports training program, Penny's FastBreak Courts, is teaming with Methodist Univ. Hospital in Memphis to use its gym. FastBreak Courts is part of the Gameday Healthy Kids Foundation, which "helps developing athletes and underprivileged children by teaching them life skills" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 4/26)....Patriots QB TOM BRADY will reprise his role as Honorary Chair of the Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port. As part of this year's event, which takes place June 1-2, Brady will again play flag football at Harvard Stadium with past and present teammates (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/26)....Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Oregon home of Nike SPARQ Business Dir JAMES WILLIS SPEIDEL “hours before he was accused of trying to kill his wife and four children with a natural gas leak” (Portland OREGONIAN, 4/26)....Flames President KEN KING will be the “celebrity cyclist” for this year’s Suit Pursuit, an “annual bike vs car vs transit commuter race being staged on Friday as part of the popular Bike to Work Day” (CALGARYHERALD.com, 4/24)....NFL Panthers QB CAM NEWTON “has purchased a condo at The Trust,” an uptown Charlotte building where Bobcats Owner MICHAEL JORDAN owns a 7,000-square-foot unit” (CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL, 4/20 issue)....Jets QB MARK SANCHEZ and WR SANTONIO HOMES “were booed on Wednesday when they were shown on the giant scoreboard during the first quarter" of the Clippers-Knicks game (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/26).
