A Somerville COURIER NEWS editorial states the “biggest problem” with Rutgers AD JULIE HERMANN “is that she just doesn’t seem to understand what it means to be in such a highly visible position at a public university.” Either that, or she “can’t fully cope with it.” Hermann “has to answer to the public as well,” but that part of the job “seems lost on her, as Hermann continues to embarrass the school on a regular basis.” The editorial: “School officials don’t want any of this to take away from the supposedly great job Hermann is doing as AD. But at what point does her persistent bungling of one key component of her role, that part that helps the public’s perception of the school, outweigh any other successes?” (Somerville COURIER NEWS, 9/23).
CHARITY STRIPE: Knicks coach DEREK FISHER “and other NBA types,” including Commissioner ADAM SILVER, yesterday were on hand with N.Y. Mayor BILL DE BLASIO and city officials “for the dedication of a playground in an area ravaged by Hurricane Sandy.” The playground “was rebuilt through the joint efforts” of the city, NBA, NBPA and Apollo Investment Corp. Some 150 kids “received a fitness-related clinic from NBA and WNBA players” (NYPOST.com, 9/22)….Clippers G CHRIS PAUL yesterday “celebrated the unveiling of a renovated media and technology lounge, library and game room” at the Salvation Army Siemon Family Youth & Community Center in South L.A. The renovations were “made possible by donations from the Clippers Foundation and Paul’s CP3 Foundation” (L.A. TIMES, 9/23).
NAMES: The U.S. Ski & Snowboard HOF on Friday enshrined JOHN CLENDENIN “for his efforts as a pioneer in freestyle skiing” (ASPEN TIMES, 9/22)....NWSL Houston Dash Managing Dir and former MLSer BRIAN CHING will “lead a parade of Dynamo fans on a 4.5-mile ‘Bike to the Game’ ride” for Sunday’s Fire-Dynamo match at BBVA Compass Stadium (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 9/23)....Clippers F BLAKE GRIFFIN appears on one of GQ’s three October covers, along with actors CLIVE OWEN and NORMAN REEDUS (THE DAILY)....Eagles RB DARREN SPROLES has listed his Santaluz, Calif., home for $2.78M after buying the 5,957-square-foot property in ’12 for $2.5M (UTSANDIEGO.com, 9/22)....Verizon IndyCar Series driver SCOTT DIXON is selling his $1.2M Indianapolis home (INDYSTAR.com, 9/22).
IN MEMORY: Dallas-based KDFW-Fox sports anchor MAX MORGAN died yesterday at the age of 59 after "being admitted to Methodist Richardson Medical Center with congestive heart failure on Wednesday." He joined the net in '93 (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 9/23).
