Salem State Univ. yesterday disclosed that its nonprofit foundation paid Patriots QB TOM BRADY $170,000 "to participate in its annual speaker series" on May 8, the day after the Wells Report on Deflategate was released. Brady’s appearance was "funded by proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorships." Salem State Senior Dir of University Relations KAREN CADY said that "no public funds supported his engagement" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/17).
CLOSING THE DOORS: Back9Network, the "ailing golf lifestyle cable and online channel," is "closing its swanky" HQ in Hartford's "Boat Building." The net is "consolidating its operations to its now shuttered broadcast studio." It "suspended operations at its downtown studio in late February," but "maintained that it was looking for a new investor to revive the company and return programming to DirecTV" (HARTFORD COURANT, 6/17).
HONOR ROLL: The National Football Foundation & College HOF yesterday announced that Michigan State AD MARK HOLLIS has been named the '15 recipient of the NFF John L. Toner Award. Presented annually, the Toner Award recognizes an AD who has demonstrated superior administrative abilities and shown outstanding dedication to college athletics, particularly college football (NFF)....Late Penn State football coach JOE PATERNO yesterday was elected to the Pennsylvania Sports HOF "along with 11 others, including former players CHUCK FUSINA and MATT BAHR" (PHILLY.com, 6/16)....BARBARA NICKLAUS, wife of World Golf HOFer JACK NICKLAUS, yesterday was named the recipient of the '15 Bob Jones Award given by the USGA "in recognition of distinguished sportsmanship in golf." Jack Nicklaus received it in '75 and was "part of the voting committee that bestowed the honor on his wife this year." He "helped set up the reveal to his wife" with kids, grandkids and USGA President TOM O'TOOLE all involved, although Barbara "didn't believe the gathering was for her" (AP, 6/16).
NAMES: Actor DAVID SPADE will serve as the Grand Marshal for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 on July 5 at Daytona Int’l Speedway (DIS)....Univ. of Florida football coach JIM MCELWAIN “has pledged $5,000 to a GoFundMe account” for former Colorado State DL ELI EDWARDS, whose wife, ISA, “died on June 6 from complications of lupus.” Since then, Edwards and his daughter, ELLYSE, have been in New Zealand -- where Isa was receiving treatment -- unable to afford to fly back to the United States and hold a funeral for his late wife” (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 6/17)....Brewers radio broadcaster BOB UECKER "sat out" last night's game against the Royals at Miller Park with a mild concussion he suffered when he was “struck by a ball during batting practice the previous evening.” Uecker otherwise was “doing well and resting at home after spending a night in Froedtert Hospital for observation.” Because he was “not scheduled to go on the Brewers' trip to Kansas City and Colorado” that begins today, the decision “was made for him to rest” (JSONLINE.com, 6/16)....The Sabres teamed with a local nonprofit housing agency to “convert a former YMCA on Buffalo’s East Side into affordable housing for single mothers who are military veterans.” The Sabres Foundation “is teaming up with Saving Grace Ministries and True Community Development Corp. on a $2.7 million renovation” that “will feature 16 low-income apartments for veterans, plus a first-floor community center and recreational space for inner-city youth that will be operated by the Resource Council of Western New York.” Rents “will be set on a sliding scale, based on income” (BUFFALO NEWS, 6/17)....The Dolphins will auction authentic Sun Life Stadium seats autographed by Pro Football HOFers DON SHULA, BOB GRIESE and DAN MARINO. The auction will benefit the Dolphins Foundation, which supports South Florida-based education, health and volunteerism programs (Dolphins).
