Drew Sharp

Thanks, Big Ten.

The bruised feelings and backbiting over recruiting last week confirmed my long-standing argument that it's nothing more than an image-obsessed, ethically convenient, regionally focused football conference. It exists in its own little parochial enclave, conning itself and its legions of apologists that it operates from a higher moral compass than other, more competitively dominating conferences.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- The tears fell, as we knew they would. For all the culture shock imagery of Dennis Rodman's post-Pistons life, he remains that child of wonderment still disbelieving that an early life of hardship didn't stop him from reaching this point of grand achievement.

Isiah Thomas reminded him at the beginning of his jersey retirement ceremony Friday that Detroit always will be his family.

DETROIT -- The historic launching of the University of Texas' own 24-hour sports cable network is as much an affirmation of enormous ego as it is commerce. Texas wanted to be the first athletic conglomerate on the block with its own channel.

But it's also another indication of the continuing devaluation of conference affiliation.

We knew The Longhorn Network was coming soon. It's why Texas rejected a formal offer to join an expanded Pac-10 last year and wouldn't seriously consider joining the Big Ten. Those conferences wouldn't permit the richest athletic department in the land a grossly disproportionate slice of the vast and still expanding national television revenue pie.

DETROIT -- The final tribute came with final tears, one last opportunity Monday to formally pay homage to a true gentleman.

The surviving lineage of Ernie Harwell's long and loved Tiger history conveyed their enduring appreciation for a distinctive radio voice and a dedicated social conscience.

The peasants bearing pitchforks and torches stormed Lane Kiffin's farewell "press conference" to Tennessee football last week, condemning him to the seventh level of football hell.

DETROIT -- Walter Cronkite was why I decided to become a newsman -- at 6 years old.
The story always draws an incredulous reaction from those who approach me, wondering when, why and where the journalistic seed was planted. But even 43 years later, nobody is more astonished at the twist of fate than yours truly.
It just happened.
To paraphrase Cronkite, that's the way it was in December 1966.