ADLER

Company: C.U. athletes hired strippers By ROBERT WELLER The Associated Press 2/10/2004, 5:34 p.m. CT DENVER (AP) — Already mired in a scandal that includes rape allegations, the University of Colorado suffered another blow Tuesday when an adult entertainment company confirmed that football players hired strippers for recruiting parties as recently as two weeks ago. Steve Lower, president of Hardbodies Entertainment Inc. in Denver, said athletes at Colorado and universities around the country have been paying strippers to entertain recruits for years. "It's a tradition, like throwing a bachelor party," he said. Lower said students or athletes at the University of Houston, Rice University, University of Northern Colorado and Colorado State University also have hired his dancers. "Yes, these have been our girls doing it, and no, the college has absolutely not paid for it, condoned it or been aware of it," he said. Officials at most of the schools did not return calls seeking comment. "If this is true, it is a violation of what we teach them and tell them," Colorado football coach Gary Barnett said. Houston athletic director Dave Maggard said he and football coach Art Briles were not aware of any strip parties. Earlier this month, St. John's University suspended five basketball players for breaking curfew to go to a strip club. University of Minnesota officials are investigating whether high school football recruits visited bars and a strip club during a visit in December. According to National Collegiate Athletic Association rules, a school "may not arrange or permit excessive entertainment," though it is unclear what constitutes excessive. The NCAA is convening a panel this spring to discuss recruiting problems. Colorado was plunged into scandal last week with the disclosure of allegations that it uses sex and women to entice recruits. The claim was made by Boulder County District Attorney Mary Keenan in one of three federal lawsuits filed by women who say they were raped at an off-campus party in December 2001 attended by Colorado players and recruits. Last week, police said they were also investigating whether Colorado football players hired prostitutes from an escort service. University officials have denied the school uses sex parties as a recruiting tool. Last week, Barnett suspended four players, including one for taking a recruit to a strip club. The Board of Regents has ordered a special commission to investigate and prepare a report by April 30. Regent Jim Martin, who has been critical of how university administrators have handled the scandal, said investigators should find out where the money to pay for the strippers came from. Colorado players testified in depositions that they get $30 from athletic department officials to host recruits. Lower said it costs $250 for two strippers to dance for an hour. "It is usually paid for by friends of the players," said Lower, who spoke first with the Rocky Mountain News. Hardbodies dancer Jennifer Nass, 23, said she has stripped at about a half dozen Colorado recruiting parties. "No one who is a parental figure or coach has ever attended," she said in a telephone interview. The Board of Regents' panel is being co-chaired by former lawmakers Joyce Lawrence and Peggy Lamm. Lawrence drew criticism last week when she suggested the alleged victims should be asked why they went to the party. Regents President Peter Steinhauer said he still backs Lawrence's role on the panel. "I think she probably wishes she could take her comments back," he said. "But we want people who ask tough questions. And that is a question we should ask."

What's the big deal? Weren't they dressed appropriately for a "BUFF" party?

Shawnson Johnson is Player of Game with 19 points and 14 rebounds.

victory, but too close 72 - 67 whew!

26 seconds left, Rogers at line. 69 - 65 Hopkins at line 70 - 65

Watson at line. 68 - 64 quick Denver basket 68 - 66 0:40 left

66 -61 on Johnson DUNK!!!! steal and Johnson fouled again!!! 67 -61 67 - 63 0:46 left time out

Johnson gets rebound, but turned over on kick. 2:00 left . Hopkins rebound .Time out 1:55 left 64-61. North Texas ball.

North Texas takes 64 - 61 lead on free throws by Mitchell.

Shawnson retakes lead 62 - 61.

61 - 60 Denver 4:00 left.

Denver takes lead, North Texas takes it back 60 - 57 7:34 left. Shawnson has double-double going.

Game has gotten too close for comfort. The lead is down to 1 point.

55 - 44 13:00 left

The game is on 100.7 in Dallas. You might try listening through www.thewordfm.com if they have a link. Denver has gone on a 16 - 5 run, score is 51 - 40.

"Don't know if anyone noticed that the assistant coach was former North Texas player Rodney Belcher. Belcher played with Beaumont Ozen's High School coach Andre Boutte. (under Tommy Newman) " A funny but true story. As a graduate assistant under Tommy Newman, Rodney Belcher came off the bench and played AS Andre Boutte in one game.

Unfortunately, Bryan and Chris were both released on Tuesday. Bryan has since signed with the Oklahoma City USBL franchise, but I have not heard what Chris has planned.

Charlie, Our canopy is a 10' x 20' EZ-UP Eclipse. These are fairly expensive but are probably the most durable pop-up canopies available. When I purchased ours in 2000, the cost was around $950, but that included a custom color charge, weight bags, stake kit, heavy duty carrying bag (a must), and the optional 500 denier weight polyester top (standard is 250 and rips easier). EZ-UP top standard colors are red, white or blue and cost less (the red is probably close enough to vermilion to work for you guys). Although the EZ-UPs are expensive (and quite heavy), they are much more durable than the less expensive brands, and replacement components are redily available. If you are contemplating something smaller, QuickShade makes a light duty 12' x 12' that comes standard in several colors and only costs around $169 at most of the larger sporting goods stores. These are suited perfectly for the majority of smaller tailgate functions, and also fit into a car trunk instead of having to be trucked around. Good luck, and happy tailgating. Adler North Texas Greenbackers Tailgating Group

In PARADE magazine this past Sunday (9-08-02) the cover story was "Our American Spirit". It was a series of 7 photographs taken by Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Eddie Adams that capture the images of American Spirit and reveal the qualities that make our nation great: our strength, our diversity, our unity, and our pride. The largest photo displayed is titled Sheer Energy. It is a picture of several North Texas cheerleaders intermixed with dozens of high school cheerleaders that were participating in this summer's University of North Texas Cheerleading Camp. The caption below the picture said: SHEER ENERGY Cheerleaders from around the United States show their exuberance at a camp at the University of North Texas in Denton on July 16. This fall, they'll be stirring up team spirit in crowds nationwide. Once again I'd like to say how proud I am of our National Champion Cheerleaders. Pure Excellence at it's Finest!