In Birmingham, Brandon Marcello reported Auburn football coach Gus Malzahn is "legitimately concerned" about how the new videoboard in the south end zone of Jordan-Hare Stadium -- measuring 10,830 square feet -- will "affect players on game day." Malzahn said of the team's scrimmage Monday, "We turned the scoreboard on and it definitely caught my attention. I want to get our players used to it, because it's a factor. It's a big factor." Auburn "mostly used a still image and single graphic package at the scrimmage Monday, but they will spice things up at a scrimmage Saturday with video intros and other packages usually broadcast on game days" (AL.com, 8/11).
HAPPY, PAPPY? In Lubbock, Denise Marquez noted a $1M gift from Happy State Bank to Texas Tech will "fund The Campaign for Fearless Champions facilities projects." The donation will "go toward the new Sports Performance Center, which will replace the Athletic Training Center, located south of Jones AT&T Stadium." Texas Tech AD Kirby Hocutt said that Happy State Bank has "been a valued corporate sponsor of Texas Tech athletics" (LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL, 8/12).
CANES ARE ABLE: The Univ. of Miami said that there has "been no contact with David Beckham’s group, regarding a stadium, since the soccer group last month announced its intention to build a stadium next to Marlins Park." In Miami, Barry Jackson noted while UM "would still entertain the thought if Beckham called," AD Blake James was "impressed with his tour of Sun Life Stadium last week." James: "It was like walking into a new stadium. It will be a much better experience (for fans)" (MIAMIHERALD.com, 8/9).
