Inside the Huddle

Brett Morgan
Assistant Sports Editor
Ace Stryker
Copy Editor
Matt Coleman
Editor-in-Chief

Jacques Strappe
Baguette Fencing Aficionado

Question 1: With talk that the Jacksonville Jaguars could be renaming the Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, who should the new stadium be named after?

A company deeply rooted in Jacksonville. It would be devastating to lose the team to another city, so securing their future here is critical. Moon Shoes Stadium, because a sponsorship deal could include some modifications to uniforms that could give players an edge on the field; and who doesn't want to live near a Moon Shoes Stadium? Jacques Strappe. Dude makes a mean baguette. Who cares about American football? I have no respect for a sport that you can't flop in.

Question 2: American Joey Chestnut defeated Japan's Takeru Kobayashi by eating 66 hot dogs in 12 minutes - a new world record. With his victory, has Chestnut sent the sport of competitive eating in America to new heights?

Chestnut is a fraud. Dipping buns in water? A true competitive eating warrior eats because of his love for the game. Where's the chili? Yes. It's good to again have proof that we can defeat all comers in an international competition by exercising that which we excel at in everyday life: eating. More like new widths. It is no surprise that a sport which celebrates gluttony would be won by an American.

Question 3: After winning his fifth straight Wimbledon title and 11th grand slam overall, will Roger Federer break Pete Sampras' record of 14 career grand slam titles?

No amount of Grand Slam titles could compare to winning Veronica Vaughn. Point, Sampras. People still play tennis? Sampras was a good player with a great serve. Federer is a great player who can do just about anything. He'll break the record before 2010. Talkto me after he's won a French Open or two.

Question 4: Grant Hill recieved a $93 million contract in 2000 from the Orlando Magic and played only 200 of 574 games is seven seasons. Now he's joining the Phoenix Suns. Does he owe the Magic more loyalty?

Absolutely not. With $93 million guaranteed, most athletes would quit. Yet Hill has endured countless procedures to make it back. He's a class player and guy. Grant Hill still plays basketball? Mr. Nice Guy left once his contract lapsed. He's a lot less classy than his image lets on. Magic fans must hope their recent addition, Rashard Lewis, doesn't take the money and run. It's too bad he can't buy any dignity with that $93 million.

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Creating a family basketball legacy

By Ryan Clarke
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Getty Images

Tom Hammonds III looks n as his son plays basketball.

Getty Images

Tom Hammonds IV slam dunks while playing at Eastern Carolina University.

Every sport has athletes that are born into the family business. The National Football League has the Mannings, Major League Baseball has the Griffeys and the National Hockey League has the Hulls. These families all have legacies that have lasted not just through several seasons, but several generations.

And right here at UNF, another family legacy is unfolding.

Junior transfer Tom Hammonds IV is expected to perform as one of the Ospreys' top shooting guards this coming season, following the lifelong example of his father, Tom Hammonds III.

In 1986, Tom Hammonds III bounced onto the college basketball scene at Georgia Tech University, shooting 60 percent from the field and averaging 12.2 points his freshman year, winning ACC Rookie of the Year honors. Over the span of his four-year career, Hammonds helped lead Georgia Tech to a runner-up finish in the 1986 ACC Championship and competed in four NCAA tournaments. He earned Honorable Mention Sporting News All-American honors and was one of 12 finalists for the 1989 John Wooden Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top collegiate basketball player.

Hammonds' legacy was cemented in 1996, when he was inducted into the Georgia Tech Athletics Hall of Fame.

"Getting to play in the ACC Tournament and the NCAA Championships was the most fun I ever had," Tom Hammonds III said.

The star didn't stop after college, but joined the Washington Bullets in the ninth selection of the 1989 NBA Draft. The college stud found out quickly how competitive the National Basketball Association was, dropping his scoring average from a senior season-high of 20.2 points per game to a first season-low of 5.3.

"It's a big transition and it was an adjustment for me to get used to," Tom Hammonds III said. "The fact is, it's not just a game, it's a business."

The business led Tom Hammonds III to four different NBA teams over his 12-year career, ending in 2002 with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

"When you consider that the average lifespan of an NBA player is three years, to be in the league as long as I was, was a blessing," he said.

Now, five years later, Tom Hammonds IV is determined to continue the family blessing.

"It was tough, [but] growing up in the limelight made me a better person and a better player," Tom Hammonds IV said.

Built five inches smaller and 27 pounds lighter than his father, the younger Hammonds attended Montrose Christian High School where he was a two-sport star, playing both football and basketball along side current Seattle Supersonic Kevin Durant.

Averaging three touchdowns a game, Hammonds' first inclination was to play football full-time. But in the end, "Tank," as he is called, wound up picking the round ball over the oval one.

"I told him that you couldn't split time between two sports, that you had to give 100 percent to what you wanted to do and that it was impossible to do both," Tom Hammonds III said. "He also had the advantage of getting to walk in the locker room and talk to guys like Dikembe Mutombo and Kevin Garnett, which helped him."

Like his father, the younger Hammonds found instant success on the college scene, earning Conference USA All-Freshman honors in 2005 at East Carolina University. While he averaged eight points and just over two rebounds a game his freshman year, Tom Hammonds IV's game time dropped to 15 minutes per game the next season as a new coach took over the team. In response, he transferred to UNF in 2006, where he sat on the bench due to NCAA transfer rules.

This year, he's ready to get back to the family dream.

"I tell him that he can do whatever he wants to do, as long as he gives 110 percent," Tom Hammonds III said. "The only thing that can stop Tom is Tom."

Contact Ryan Clarke at sports@unfspinnaker.com -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE

New head volleyball coach set for season

By Kaelena Incinelli
SPORTS EDITOR

Media Relations

New head volleyball coach Kevin Campbell prepares for the 2007 season.

The University of North Florida athletic program hired Kevin Campbell to fill the head women's volleyball coach position for the 2007-2008 season.

Campbell comes from several years' coaching experience at top-ranking schools. Her most recent coaching stints were as an assistant coach at the University of Georgia and, before that, as an assistant coach at Penn State, where her team was ranked fifth nationally at the season's end.

"We are extremely excited about Kevin's decision to become our head volleyball coach," UNF Athletics Director Dr.. Richard Gropper said. "She is extremely bright and articulate, and very much understands what it takes to create a championship-caliber program. We are excited that she has joined our athletics family and know that she will be a tremendous addition to what has been one of our most successful programs through the years."

Last season, the volleyball squad finished 18-15 overall and 7-2 in the Atlantic Sun Conference. In volleyball's 16 seasons, UNF has never had a losing record. They also earned eight consecutive Peach Belt Conference Championships in Division II.

Volleyball also found success in Division I, finishing third in league standings in both the 2005 and 2006 seasons.

"The opportunity to be head coach is incredibly exciting," Campbell said. "To be able to grow with a program like UNF, which has a tremendous tradition and long history of success, only adds to that excitement. I believe UNF can continue to be very successful in the Atlantic Sun Conference, and I can't wait to get started."

Campbell also brings assistant coaching experience from five seasons at UNC-Charlotte from 2000-2004, Ohio University from 1999-2000, and Winthrop University from 1998-1999.

Campbell graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with honors and a bachelor's degree in history in 1995. She spent four years on the Nebraska-Omaha volleyball team and earned honors such as All-North Central Conference, AVCA North Central All-Regional team member, and Academic All-North Central Conference.

Campbell is also ranked in the NCAA record books for most digs in a D-II four-game match with 39.

Campbell will take over head coaching duties immediately in the upcoming season.

Contact Kaelena Incinelli at sports@unfspinnaker.com -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE

Senior golfer leads team with top-10 finish

By Brett Morgan
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

The University of North Florida men's golf team had all five of its participants make the cut at in the Florida State Amateur Tournament, with two golfers finishing among the top 17 in the state.

Senior Michael O'Neal led the group with a 2-over-par, which tied him for 10th and put him only six strokes off the leader. O'Neal was one of only nine golfers under par in the final round Sunday and managed a 3-under to close out his weekend in the four-day event.

Jeff Dennis feels those types of performances will become the norm in O'Neal's senior season.

"Mike has always been a really good player, but you find confidence by playing well in tournaments," Dennis said. "With the way he played in the state amateur, you can just see Mike gaining that confidence."

Dennis, the defending champion of the Florida State Amateur Tournament, was tied for third after a first round 69 that saw him birdie four holes on his front nine. He finished the tournament tied for 39th.

Joining O'Neal in the top 20 was freshman Jacob Davidson, who after red-shirting last season came out and shot a 6-over-par for the tournament, including a third-round 68.

University of North Florida signee Chris Kennedy and sophomore Gavin Cambre finished 32nd and 49th respectively.

The Ospreys' leading returning scorer, Dennis, sees a team with a ton of potential. He also believes that their showing in the Florida State Amateur Tournament only scratched the surface of it.

"We have been a young team," Dennis said. "Now you are seeing us mature."

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Ospreys splash Dolphins to win battle for Suntrust Old Wooden Barrel

By Lori Bero
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Media Relations

The Ospreys bring the SunTrust Old Wooden Barrel home after beating the Dolphins 11 games to 9.

The SunTrust "Old Wooden Barrel" will be on display in the University of North Florida's trophy case for the first time since the start of the SunTrust River City Rumble rivalry series in fall 2005.

The SunTrust River City Rumble was created to foster a rivalry between Jacksonville University and UNF in all sports. Each year the cross-town rivals compete in 20 head-to-head matches. The school accumulating the most victories during the year is awarded the SunTrust "Old Wooden Barrel" until the conclusion of the final event the following year. In the case of a tie, the barrel stays with the school already in possession of it.

"We are excited about winning the SunTrust Old Wooden Barrel for the first time," UNF Athletics Director Dr.. Richard Gropper said. "This victory is a direct reflection of the hard work, passion and success on the field of play our student-athletes have enjoyed over the past year."

The JU baseball team swept a three-game series against UNF, in April, gaining control of the barrel for the 2006-2007 season. However, upon winning two of three games at JU May 4-6 - 10-3 on May 4 and 8-5 on May 5 - the UNF baseball team secured UNF's victory and possession of the barrel for the 2007-2008 season.

"We intend to display the barrel proudly, and hope to keep it on our campus for many years to come," Gropper said.

Through the combined efforts of women's soccer, volleyball, women's cross country, men's cross country, women's tennis, men's tennis, men's golf, softball and baseball, UNF had a total of 11 wins in 2006-2007, winning the barrel for the UNF Athletics Department by the same margin JU won the barrel last year.

Contact Lori Bero at sports@unfspinnaker.com -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE

VIP Seating

By Kaelena Incinelli
SPORTS EDITOR

Robert K. Pietrzyk

The University of North Florida is teaming up with Turner Sports to provide video Web casting for many home and away games.

"When I come back from road trips, my friends always ask me how we've done - well now, they'll actually believe me," sophomore pitcher Tucker Pryor said.

For the fan who is unable to attend games, the UNF baseball and basketball teams have 55 combined games broadcast annually. The UNF Web site also provides audio Web streaming for 75 events each year.

However, many sports are not broadcast on television or even Web streamed on the Internet. Though baseball and basketball are UNF's sports with the most media coverage, their fans still miss games because video of the events is unavailable.

Turner's Play ON! and the Atlantic Sun Conference are making game videos available beginning in fall 2007.

"Our partnership with the Atlantic Sun Conference signifies the increasing need for greater access to online sports coverage, especially that of college sports," said Phil Sharpe, general manager of Play ON! Sports.

Play ON!'s new Web service will provide video streaming for a minimum of 540 games for men's and women's basketball, soccer and volleyball, as well as baseball and softball during the 2007-2008 seasons.

Fans who order the Play ON! Sports program can view games live and with on-demand replay.

Since the videos are streamed over the Internet, fans from around the country can have access to live UNF events.

"Teaming with Turner's Play ON! Sports gives us a global leader in production technology and delivery service, and the fans will become a real winner as they enjoy a great quality product," A-Sun Conference Commissioner Ted Gumbart said.

Schools participating in the partnership with Turner's Play ON! in the A-Sun include Belmont University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, University of South Carolina Upstate and UNF.

"I believe the A-Sun Web streaming initiative will provide another avenue by which UNF fans and supporters can follow our teams as they compete at the highest level," UNF Athletics Director Dr. Richard Gropper said. "We anticipate having the majority of our home events available for viewing via this technology. It is indeed an exciting day to be an Osprey fan, and we can't wait to get started this fall."

Play ON! will announce pricing and the full event schedule at a later date.

Contact Kaelena Incinelli at uspinnak@unf.edu -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE

Brett Morgan Assistant Sports Editor	Ace Stryker Copy Editor	Matt Coleman Editor-in-Chief	Jacques Strappe Baguette Fencing Aficionado
Question 1: With talk that the Jacksonville Jaguars could be renaming the Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, who should the new stadium be named after?
A company deeply rooted in Jacksonville. It would be devastating to lose the team to another city, so securing their future here is critical.	Moon Shoes Stadium, because a sponsorship deal could include some modifications to uniforms that could give players an edge on the field; and who doesn't want to live near a Moon Shoes Stadium?	Jacques Strappe. Dude makes a mean baguette.	Who cares about American football? I have no respect for a sport that you can't flop in.
Question 2: American Joey Chestnut defeated Japan's Takeru Kobayashi by eating 66 hot dogs in 12 minutes - a new world record. With his victory, has Chestnut sent the sport of competitive eating in America to new heights?
Chestnut is a fraud. Dipping buns in water? A true competitive eating warrior eats because of his love for the game. Where's the chili?	Yes. It's good to again have proof that we can defeat all comers in an international competition by exercising that which we excel at in everyday life: eating.	More like new widths.	It is no surprise that a sport which celebrates gluttony would be won by an American.
Question 3: After winning his fifth straight Wimbledon title and 11th grand slam overall, will Roger Federer break Pete Sampras' record of 14 career grand slam titles?
No amount of Grand Slam titles could compare to winning Veronica Vaughn. Point, Sampras.	People still play tennis?	Sampras was a good player with a great serve. Federer is a great player who can do just about anything. He'll break the record before 2010.	Talkto me after he's won a French Open or two.
Question 4: Grant Hill recieved a $93 million contract in 2000 from the Orlando Magic and played only 200 of 574 games is seven seasons. Now he's joining the Phoenix Suns. Does he owe the Magic more loyalty?
Absolutely not. With $93 million guaranteed, most athletes would quit. Yet Hill has endured countless procedures to make it back. He's a class player and guy.	Grant Hill still plays basketball?	Mr. Nice Guy left once his contract lapsed. He's a lot less classy than his image lets on. Magic fans must hope their recent addition, Rashard Lewis, doesn't take the money and run.	It's too bad he can't buy any dignity with that $93 million.