Frogs looking like a winner

Neil Dougherty doesn't deserve credit for much, but for once, he had his team prepared to play today. Air Force came to Fort Worth hungry after a loss to UNLV, but it looks like the Frogs will win. The 11-game losing streak is over.
Final score: 71-66.

Frogs close in first half

Following the Frogs on the gametracker is difficult when trying to post updates. They were leading Air Force by four, but it now looks like their customary drought has begun. They trail 21-20.
I can hear Neil Dougherty right now: Just stay competitive.

Update: The Frogs have actually taken a lead into the locker room. They hold a one-point advantage over No. 14 Air Force.

Update: A five point lead with 1:17 left ...

TCU's RPI surprisingly high

I just noticed that TCU's Ratings Percentage Index is 217, a rather encouraging development for a team that's lost 40 games in two seasons. One would figure that a team that has endured an11-game losing streak, its worst in 30 years, would not be in the top 225. Not impressed? Well, remember 336 teams play Division I college basketball. Lest we get too excited, with the Frogs not expected to win another game this season, they could give No. 336 Alabama A&M a run for its money.

Frogs sign 23 football recruits

Perhaps no day has more manufactured importance for college football than National Signing Day, when the sports media get to break down all the players they've been telling us for months are sure to star on the college level. But the media only attach importance to it because of the attention paid to it by those of us who follow college football. We can't wait to see how many of the National 100, State 100 or Area 50 signed with our favorite schools. The truth is, none of the rankings mean much now, before the players in question have even set foot on the practice field for the first day of drills. Beyond the can't-miss prospects, the signed are difficult to evaluate for a number of reasons, not the least is the contrast in lists from city to city, state to state.

But the rankings in the local newspaper or on the national recruiting sites are the best gauge people have of the talent signing letters of intent. So that's what we use to grade the incoming freshmen. TCU has a tendency to find gems in the backwoods. Small schools that instill winning attitudes into their players have sent countless players to Fort Worth under Gary Patterson. Sure, there are plenty of top prospects in the Frogs' recruiting classes. This year is no exception. Here is the list of Patterson’s 23 recruits to sign today.

Disney in January

When I was last at Walt Disney World as a kid in 1982, there was no EPCOT, no MGM Studios, no Animal Kingdom. For tourists of the day, it was Magic Kingdom or bust. To be sure, the Disney world of a quarter-century ago had plenty to offer the whole family. But when my wife and I went with 16 other members of my family last month -- for my grandma's 90th birthday!-- I was blown away by how realistic this magical place appears. This is exactly the reason it is so difficult to pick a favorite park, ride or educational exhibit.
My love of traveling gave the World Showcase extra appeal. My thirst for thrill rides at amusement parks all but guaranteed Space Mountain and the Rockin' Roller Coaster would bring me particular satisfaction. My love of history left no doubt One Man's Dream, the museum dedicated to the park's architect and father of the Disney empire, Walt Disney, would hold a special place in my heart. (The four Disney parks provide many more attractions than those I've named.)

I did have my favorite attractions, but the best part of my vacation was that we were able to experience all we wanted, being there in late January. Had a party of 18 shown up at Mickey's doorstep just days before, the story would have been much different. But as we walked through the various parks, winding our way to the various must-see attractions, the long lines just weren't there to scare us away. In fact, at MGM, we were given passes that provided quick access to all the best attractions, and we used just two. We experienced he others the conventional way.