The Nebraska athletic department will throw former AD and football coach TOM OSBORNE a "going-away bash" on March 9 at CenturyLink Center in Omaha. The event will be emceed by ESPN's CHRIS FOWLER and "have a 'SportsCenter' feel, with a sideline reporter also interviewing celebrities in the crowd." Former Oklahoma coach BARRY SWITZER, Wisconsin AD BARRY ALVAREZ and Kansas State coach BILL SNYDER are among those to "have committed to attend." Tables of 10 seats are "being sold for $10,000, $5,000 and $2,500." Proceeds from the event will "go toward Osborne's 'Teammates' foundation and the new Research Facility that is being build in the east stadium expansion of Memorial Stadium" (OMAHA WORLD-HERALD, 1/14).
AWARDS & HONORS: Former Maple Leafs President & GM BRIAN BURKE last weekend was honored with the Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service, the "highest award for civilians." Burke was recognized for his support of the troops and spearheading the inaugural CF appreciation hockey tournament (TORONTO STAR, 1/14)....Former James Madison Univ. AD DEAN EHLERS was among seven people announced as the Class of '13 for the Virginia Sports HOF. Ehlers was AD at JMU for 22 years (RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 1/15)....MMA Fighting’s ARIEL HELWANI won the MMA Journalist of the Year Award for the third straight year at the World MMA Awards on Jan. 11 (THE DAILY)....Devils President, CEO & GM LOU LAMORIELLO was honored in the Legendary Leadership section of the NJBIZ 25th anniversary edition. Prudential Center was honored in the publication’s Best Projects section (THE DAILY).
WE ARE WILDCATS: Platte River Equity Founder & Managing Dir J. LANDIS MARTIN and his wife SHARON have "committed $15 million to the Northwestern University campaign for athletics and recreation." The school will "name the soccer and lacrosse stadium for them." The stadium, which will "undergo renovations, will be part of a new lakeside athletics complex" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 1/14).
NAMES: FIFA President SEPP BLATTER has "revealed he intends to become a football pundit when he steps down" in '15. In an interview on Sky Sports News, Blatter said that a "role in the media would be fulfilling a childhood dream." Blatter: "I would comment on the games but I would not say 'now he passes right or left' because everybody can see that on TV, but I would make my comments on tactics or techniques" (ESPN.com, 1/14)....Autopsy results released yesterday showed that late Chiefs LB JOVAN BELCHER was “legally drunk when he killed his girlfriend,” then committed suicide. The results showed that Belcher’s blood-alcohol level “was .17 when he died, about five hours after” the crime. That alcohol level is “more than twice the legal driving limit” (K.C. STAR, 1/15)….An aide for Sen. JOHN KERRY (D-Mass.) said that the senator “personally paid what the team determined to be fair market value -- $191 each -- for a pair of suite tickets” to Sunday’s Patriots-Texans game (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/15)….Pacers F TYLER HANSBROUGH and CBS’ CLARK KELLOGG yesterday were “among a group from the Pacers to get an up-close visit to Hendrick Motorsports,” with a tour given by DALE EARNHARDT JR.’s crew chief, STEVE LETARTE (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 1/15)….Gold Medal-winning U.S. gymnasts ALY RAISMAN and GABBY DOUGLAS attended Sunday’s Golden Globes in L.A. (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/15)….Yankees 3B ALEX RODRIGUEZ has “pulled his stunning $38 million Miami home off the market” (N.Y. POST, 1/15)….NFL Jets Owner WOODY JOHNSON’s ex-wife SALE JOHNSON and her new husband, former NFLer and sportscaster AHMAD RASHAD’s marriage is reportedly “on the rocks -- fighting over her immense $100 million wealth and his friendship" with TIGER WOODS as well as MICHAEL JORDAN (N.Y. POST, 1/15).
