Ross's Olympic Fate To Be Known Soon

Former Hillsdale tailback Jason Ross, a 1999 graduate always dreamed of shining on Sundays in the National Football League. When those plans failed to materialize, Ross took his athletic ability to the United States Bobsled program and has emerged as one of the nation's top push athletes in the four-man event.

Ross has spent the past two seasons on the world cup series and could be weeks away from reaching the pinacle of the sport, a trip to the Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. The top 2 sleds in world cup standings will participate in the games. The #1 U.S. team piloted by Todd Hayes is already in. The second qualifier likely will be the sled finishing highest tomorrow on the German track in Koenigssee, Germany. USA2 piloted by Steve Holcomb has the edge over the sled driven by 2002 Bronze medalist Mike Kohn. Ross has pushed for both sleds this season.

The likely scenario will have both Holcomb and Kohn going to Torino with Kohn driving in the two-man event. Where Jason Ross might end up is still up in the air. Pushers can be changed at any time, even during the Olympics.

Jason Ross has to shine this Sunday. It won't be in an NFL playoff game, but a great performance on an icy Bavarian track could make him Hillsdale's first ever Olympian.

Chargerblue.com will keep you updated on any developments. Follow Sunday's action from Germany here.

Hillsdale Grad Heckert New Philly GM

1991 graduate Tom Heckert played defensive back at Hillsdale and served as an assistant coach to the football program before joining the Miami Dolphins player personnel department. He had been the Eagles' Vice President of Player Personnel. Congrats to Tom!

Eagles promote Heckert to GM
NJ.com
Tuesday, January 03, 2006

PHILADELPHIA - Back in 2001, when Tom Modrak's name surfaced in rumors for other jobs, the Eagles fired him, citing it as a distraction.

This season, when Tom Heckert's name surfaced in the same sort of rumors, the Eagles gave him a new title and more money.

Heckert, coach Andy Reid's right-hand man on personnel decisions, was named the team's general manager yesterday, after his name surfaced as a candidate for the Minnesota Vikings' job.

"We're happy to keep someone of Tom's caliber in Philadelphia," Reid said. "Tom has done an excellent job and it was important for this organization to have him continue in this general manager role for the foreseeable future."

Heckert came to the Eagles in 2001 from Miami, where he spent 10 years in various scouting roles.

News from Uganda: Hillsdale College to Begin Caning Students

Ahhhhh...isn't the Internet a great place! Of course you know everything you read is true on there.

Like for example, take a look at this littel gem out of Uganda. Yes, Uganda! The 18 year-old mayor story has made Michael Sessions and now Hillsdale known even deep into Africa.

On Monday, in its Entertainment sectionThe Daily Monitor of Kampala, Uganda reported that sure Sessions might be mayor of the town,

"But to his teachers at Hillsdale College where he goes to school, this will not make him different from the rest of his mates and he will still receive the stroke of the cane in case if he tries to be naughty." (full article)

I guess former Charger Tight End and now Dean of Men Aaron Petersen has gotten serious about discipline. Students have griped for generations that the administration is really cracking down. If the reports from the shores of Lake Victoria are true, it sounds like they're crackin' something else too.

I haven't made any phone calls to verify this story, but something tells me a few facts may have gotten lost in at least transition between here and Africa. But, the Monitor's motto is "Truth Everyday".

Keep Your Chargers Away from these Girls!

Let me preface this by saying that I have always been a big advocate of more interaction between the College and the townspeople of Hillsdale. It is a great community with some great people living in it. But, you still have to be careful with whom you mingle both on and off campus. Here are three girls all Charger parents should pray their sons never bring home to meet mom and dad, or do anything else with.

From The Jackson Citizen Patriot:

Three women charged with stealing from area farm

Monday, January 09, 2006
A preliminary exam is set for Wednesday for three Hillsdale County women, ages 19 to 21, who are charged with stealing money from a Cement City farm.

Lisa Bolenbaugh, 21, and Alisha Ritter, 18, both of Hillsdale; and Ashley Lick, 19, of Jerome face multiple felony counts related to a series of thefts at Flavor Fruits Farm, 11025 S. Jackson St.

The women, who were employees, are suspected of stealing an estimated $4,000 to $8,000 during an 18-month period, authorities said.

"The owner is still adding it up," said Detective Sgt. Lance Benzing, Hillsdale County Sheriff's Department.

In November, deputies were called to the farm after a safe containing $5,000 was stolen, Benzing said. Investigators haven't linked the women to the safe theft.

The three, who remain free on personal bond, have a probable cause hearing at 11:30 a.m. before District Judge Donald Sanderson.

Cactus Bowl Coverage A Disappointment

Well, I hope Keith Recker enjoyed his experience at the Division II all-star game Cactus Bowl this past week in Kingsville. What a great opportunity. Recker wound up as the East squad's starting tight-end but managed just 1 reception for minus 7 yards in the game. Congrats to Keith!

The coverage of the game was a big disappointment though. Anyone who tried to access the webcast on Friday night would agree. I would wait and wait for it to load and then manage about 5 seconds of video. Finally I gave up. That is too bad, because a lot of D2 fans across the country were looking forward to seeing the best of the division in action.

The President of the Cactus Bowl has asked for feedback on the webcast. You may email him at president@cactusbowl.org and share your sentiments.

Let's hope the next time a Charger earns this honor, we will all be able to see it!

Watch Keith Recker:Cactus Bowl Webcast Live

Sorry about the late notification!

Watch The 2006 Cactus Bowl and Hillsdale's Keith Recker in action tonight live on the Web.

Game time is 7:35 PM (EST)

A link to the webcast can be found on the front page of CactusBowl.org

Recker Nets All American Honors

Hillsdale senior tight end Keith Recker is currently in Kingsville, TX preparing for Friday's Cactus Bowl, the Division II all-star football game, but post-season honors continue to roll in. Recently Recker was named to the Second team of the Associated Press Little All American team and was an honorable mention on D2football.com's All American team.