A few college sports New Year’s resolutions
As 2019 is officially upon us, there are several coaches, players or administrators at the collegiate level that could make some unique New Year鈥檚 resolutions.
While the following situations and resolutions are my own opinion as if I was in the shoes of the individuals, I hope you find this column to be insightful and maybe even make you laugh once or twice.
The first resolution is for any and all major college athletes who are considering going pro.
Listen to the experts and professionals who know how the game is played in terms of declaring and do not listen to those trying to show you love and be in your corner only to try and convince you to go pro so they can get some 鈥渓ove鈥� in return in terms of money.
A New Year鈥檚 resolution for Pat Narduzzi is to make another prediction for his program and then see it come to fruition.
At the ACC Media Days in July, Narduzzi said his team would win its division, and it did.
Maybe this time his resolution can be to go after, and sign, better recruits than what he is bringing in.
He told media members after the early signing day two weeks ago that he recruits players who have character.
Hopefully he starts shooting for some higher ranked recruits who have good character, as it sounded like more of an excuse as to why the program isn鈥檛 getting bigger recruits in.
For Bob Huggins, the men鈥檚 basketball coach at West Virginia, a resolution to make an amazing speech if he is inducted to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
A possible New Year鈥檚 resolution for Mike Krzyzewski, the legendary basketball coach at Duke, is to have his players work on their free throw shooting ad nauseum.
The approach is as much mental as it is physical, and free throw shooting could very well be what derails Coach K from his sixth national championship.
For the many local college football referees looking to catch a break and make it into the bigger conferences like Shane Snyder of Belle Vernon, a resolution to go to more conference camps and be seen.
The short-term expense will be worth the long-term rewards.
For the Cal U football program, a return to its successful ways on the field that it had a decade ago, and the program is on the right track.
For college sports fans who don鈥檛 pay attention to a lot of sports other than the main ones like football and men鈥檚 basketball, an appreciation of the juggernaut that is the Penn State wrestling team.
The program has won seven of the last eight national championships, and it is the biggest dynasty in college sports right now.
Yes, even bigger than the Alabama football team.
Speaking of the Crimson Tide, it plays Clemson Monday for the college football national championship for the third time in four years and it is the fourth straight year the teams have played in the playoffs.
Yes, many fans are tired of seeing them play each other, but they are hands down the two best college football programs in the country this year so hopefully fans make a resolution to watch what should be a solid game.
For college sports fans like Charleroi native Mickey Washchyshak, a diehard Cal U sports fan and Duke basketball fan, a resolution to get to Cameron Indoor Stadium to see the Blue Devils play and a chance to see a deep run by the Cal U women鈥檚 basketball team.
And finally, for the college football playoff committee, an expansion to eight teams. I have been working on a proposed plan and I will share it in this column within the next few weeks.
Next week
We will take a look at the bowl season including a first-person look at my experience at the Citrus Bowl between Penn State and Kentucky.
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If you know someone currently playing a sport in college, coaching, or holding another role, email or tweet suggestions/questions/comments to powerhousehughes@gmail.com or tweet them to @BillHughes_III.