Am I missing something? Iowa State athletics now has a "life skills" adviser, but I don't see it as a runaway victory for Gene Chizik and Jamie Pollard. President Geoffroy said "no" to a paid staff position for a chaplain, which is what Chizik asked for, even if that request stated the salary would come from private donations. Geoffroy also added a lengthy list of guidelines and restrictions that the volunteer counselor must now follow. Keep in mind ISU football had a volunteer chaplain on previous teams. On the victory front, Geoffroy didn't shoot down the role altogether, which puts Chizik's man on the scene. I find it curious so many of the media stories make it seem like Chizik got exactly what he wanted. Take a closer look...

Jerry Crawford is a smart man. Is he smart enough to purposely release a list of five awful nickname finalists for Des Moines' new NBA D-League team just so we'll all be outraged and talk about it endlessly? I don't know, but if he is, PT Barnum and Bill Veeck tip their hats from the great beyond...

Thanks to you, and the outrage you showed here and other places, we will not be the Corncobs or River Rats. Thank heavens. KXNO's Marty Tirrell told me Crawford dropped a hint of the new name on John Bachman's Insiders. Crawford said the name would bring a lot of "energy". Will it be Marc Hansen's suggestion of the Energy? Or is one of KXNO's callers correct when he predicts the Red Bulls? After all, Des Moines will be an affiliate of the Chicago Bulls, and Red Bull brings energy, not to mention cash. I'm still writing about it. Maybe Crawford is a genius...

Anyone who still believes in Ann Coulter after what she said about John Edwards needs his or her head examined. I don't care what side of the aisle you're on...

After nearly a year, Shawn Terrell is finally on vacation. Shawn if you're reading this, stop. You've earned the time off...

Our new guy, Chris Hassel, does good impressions, and he won't stop singing that Toby Keith song where Toby sings, "Cause we'll put a boot in your ass. It's the American way." I know many people love it, others find it objectionable, but it just makes me laugh...

I had a lifetime memory Tuesday night. My 73 year old father asked me to take him to the midnight showing of Live Free or Die Hard. Yes, he's that big a fan of John McClane. Dad and I were joined by two other diehard fans (or is it Die Hard fans) at the Cobblestone (this is the theater when you want to avoid a crowd). I'm happy to report Die Hard 4 delivers the goods. It's one of the best action movies I've seen in years. My dad actually loved it the most of the four, but come on Pops, nothing beats the original, Entertainment Weekly's accurate pick as the best action movie of all time (and most copied). A- We got home at 2:30 a.m....

McClane tortures his young sidekick, well played by Justin Long, with Creedence Clearwater Revival music. I love Creedence. I think John Fogerty is the most underrated mainstream artist of the past three decades. If you need evidence, listen to his solo and group greatest hits Long Road Home. Song after song after song is instantly familiar. Great album...

As previously mentioned, I'm a Diet Pepsi addict. Heck, DP is even in the SoundOFF Hall of Fame. You can imagine my excitement when I stopped by Kum & Go and saw Diet Pepsi Max. Just what I need: more caffeine!...

Shaq is teaching kids how to get in shape? The guy who joins his team 10 seconds after they arrived on offense? Well, at least he's seems sincere about helping...

I keep hearing from a "bored 25 y.o. girl". Why are they all 25, and why are they all bored? I'm sorry; I can't help...

Who whines more, Kobe or Danica? I'll go with Kobe. He wanted to be the Man, now he is. Shut up and play...

I spent two days at the Iowa Speedway and walked away impressed. It's an incredible facility. You instantly feel like you're in a bigtime facility, because you are. Jenny and I tailgated, after buying Iowa Speedway sweatshirts (where was that 85 degree weather, Ed?), and people couldn't have been nicer. The race itself was a little on the boring side. They need to find ways for more passing. It's not good racing when pits and wrecks decide who wins. Still, I loved it, and we'll be back...

The biggest success of the Iowa Corn Indy 250 is that it attracted many non-traditional race fans, like my parents. That's what made it such a big deal. Many Knoxville Raceway fans were offended and displeased with all the talk of "biggest race in Iowa". Yes, the Nationals championship is a more important race, and attracts more people over a four day period, but this was an "event". Maybe we should have said "most important event based around a race". The folks in Knoxville should be pleased more fans are trying a night at the races. They won't regret going to a sprint car race. It's far more exciting than IRL racing...

Oh yeah, fix the traffic problem. If I want a nightmare like that, I'll leave late for the Iowa-Iowa State football game...

Took the kids to Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. The surfer was cool, Jessica Alba hot, and The Human Torch fun, but this movie made no sense. Why is Earth being destroyed? Could you repeat that Mr. Surfer? C if you're an adult. B if you're 12 or under...

Nice to see New Orleans draft Adam Haluska. He's 6-5, can shoot in the open or off the dribble, great athlete---if there's no room for a guy like that in the NBA, the league is worse off than Paul Shirley makes it sound...

As Dr. Phil says, "You either get it, or you don't". Pacman and Tank don't...

Did you see Iowa State's wrestling schedule? Cael wants that national championship sooner, not later...

Great job by my man, B.Ross last Sunday night. KXNO'S Marty Tirrell is in this week. I wonder if he'll have any opinions.

Live Free or Die Hard,
Keith

Corncobs, Thoroughbreds, Maize, River Rats, or Scarecrows? Is this really the best we can do for our new NBDL team? I realize it was a contest aimed at involving the public (i.e. potential customers), but maybe the team should rethink this strategy. Am I being too harsh, or do you like one of these nicknames? Maybe I'll warm up to one. I like Corncobs the most, until I realize every guy I know will snicker at the name. River Rats seems okay, except we'd call ourselves RATS!Who wants a logo with a rat on it? Thoroughbreds doesn't work. Scarecrows feels like the wrong state. Maize reminds me of the WNBA. Skywalkers makes the most sense, but owner Jerry Crawford told Marty & Miller the NBA doesn't like it (i.e. afraid of a lawsuit from George Lucas. I don't get that. Our skywalks were here before Luke. ) Vote for your favorite on our sports page...

The Iowa Corn Indy 250 hasn't gone green yet, but it's already a success. The buzz is building, the tickets sold, and the drivers love how fast the track is...

I interviewed IndyCar driver Milka Duno today. The Venezuelan bombshell is a stereotype-breaker if I've ever met one. She's so much more than a pretty face. Milka has four masters degrees and graduated at the top of her class as a Naval engineer. She's a rookie, so she won't win Sunday, but as the only Hispanic driver on the series, she's already an icon...

Also in studio, Spiderman, Helio Castroneves. This guy has charisma to spare. You may know him as the guy who climbs the fence each time he wins, a move copied by NASCAR's Tony Stewart. Like Milka, Helio couldn't have been nicer or more accommodating. It's a refreshing change from many professional athletes... (editor's note: You can watch Keith's entire raw interviews with Milka and Helio on our sports page.)

If Danica Patrick somehow wins Sunday, and it's unlikely on a short track which favors stronger drivers, it would put the Newton track on the map forever. A Patrick win would be a major story across the country, if not the world. She finished third in her last race, so you never know. I do know the track hopes it happens...

Tuesday I had my picture taken, sort of, more in one day than anytime in my life. I was running errands in Des Moines in an Indy car. People were obviously taking pictures of the car, not me. It was amazing to see how people can whip out a camera phone within seconds and snap off a shot. Anyway, I had a blast, and if you missed it, they tell me you can still watch the video on the sports page...

I received my "Best of What's Bugging Andy" DVD. It's worth the $9.95. (You're right, I got a freebie.) You can still order from our sports page...

I'll be ringing the bell, not getting my bell rung, at "Bad Moon Rising", the big MMA event coming up at Wells Fargo Arena June 30th. The popularity of this sport is exploding, and many of the best fighters come from Iowa, partly due to their wrestling roots. It's not for everyone, but for those who love watching gladiators go at it, mixed martial arts can't be beat. Somehow it's safer than boxing...

The Hy-Vee Triathlon exceeded expectations. It was a world class event, and as previously mentioned on this blog, it's only going to get bigger (Olympic qualifier next year). Congrats to channel 13's Sonya Heitshusen for finishing. I'm impressed, Sonya...

The folks who run the Principal Charity Classic should also take a bow. I was out there with my mom & dad and we couldn't believe how well run it was. We'll be back...

How did Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip go from exciting to depressing so fast? I can't remember being so disappointed in a television show, yet I'm watching to the bitter end, which is almost here...

Brilliant move under the circumstances by Drake AD Sandy Hatfield Clubb. Hiring Steve Loney on short notice makes a lot of sense. He's a good guy, and he can also coach. Here's a tip for Loney at no charge: Hand the ball to Scott Phaydavong. Repeat...

Most of us think Sammy Sosa cheated, and not just with cork, and as it turns out he was reportedly a me-first lousy teammate in Chicago. So what should we think now that he's in the 600 home run club? I think if he didn't cheat he would have made it to 400. Maybe...

I was hoping Casey Blake would look ready for ZZ Top but the time his hitting streak ended. The Pride of Indianola went 26 straight games with a hit, longest streak in the Majors this year. Casey's another one of those "good guys"...

Tiger Woods busted out that one size too small shirt for the final round of the U.S. Open---we call it the Meisenheimer---and Tiger looked jacked. So how did he lose to a guy who was smoking? I don't mean playing hot; I mean Angel Cabrera was really smoking, as in taking a drag while walking the course! To think Arnold Palmer used to do it...

Our new sports guy, Chris Hassel, is a natural on air, and has a sixth sense for finding famous people to help him do his job. While covering the Western Junior Open at Wakonda, Chris walked up to a gentleman in his forties to ask if he knew if one of the golfers on that hole was Kirby Pettitt of Carroll. The guy said "yes", Chris walked back over to Shawn Terrell, and said, "that's Dan Marino!". Marino was nice enough to give us an interview even as his son, Joe, was playing... (editor's note: Marino interview also on the sports page)

Good move by Michelle Wie pulling out of the John Deere Classic. I think it's her wounded psyche more than her injured wrist, but she needs to get her mojo back...

I saw Ocean's 13. Much better than 12. Not as good as 11... B

The kids and I love the original Sandlot so much that we just rented the straight to video Sandlot 3. It's not a great film, but it's a good family movie with a positive message about being a good person. B-

Paul Shirley's book, Can I Keep My Jersey, is terrific. Shirley is a great storyteller with a good story to tell. If anything, he's too smart and witty for his own good at times, but that's a nice change when reading an athlete's book... (final editor's note: Shirley's book signing talk from Ames is also on our sports video page)

B-Ross sits in on SoundOFF this Sunday; KXNO's Marty Tirrell the following week. Hope you can join us. Thank you for giving me some time now...

Rob Lowe killed our state bird with an approach shot on 4? I forgive him. This guy was in "About Last Night", "Tommy Boy" and "The West Wing"...


As soon as Lowe hit that goldfinch at the Principal Charity Classic, a few viewers made sure we knew there's nothing funny about a bird dying. I'll bet at least one then had grilled chicken for dinner with no sense of irony. Lowe didn't intend to hit a bird. As Iowa AD Gary Barta said, chances of hole-in-one are better than striking down a flying goldfinch...


Nice job out of the Principal Charity Classic people. We'll never have the energy and interest of the U.S. Senior Open, but this year's event is a big step up from the Allianz...


As usual, good reporting by the Des Moines Register's Tom Witosky. The man knows how to work the Freedom of Information Act and piles of documents. I found the story on Iowa preparing two offers interesting, but I don't see it as a big deal. Since when did having a plan B become a bad idea? I would guess that Kevin Stallings was the first choice, and it makes sense he'd receive more money since he was making more money than Todd Lickliter, but for whatever reason, Stallings is not the Iowa coach, Lickliter is, and it seems like a good fit...


There is no excuse for the Cubs being this bad. It's gone from disappointing to embarrassing. The division is so weak, I'm still not convinced it's over. Life support, but still breathing...


If you enjoy an R rated movie that's crude, rude, and hilarious, don't miss "Knocked Up". It's from the director of the "40 Year Old Virgin", but I liked Knocked Up even more. It works as a date movie, as long as you're not dating someone who minds dialogue like, "Steely Dan gargles my b----..." Never mind. Not appropriate here. I laughed a lot, and found it surprisingly touching. A for Knocked Up...


Also good, "Waitress". Went to this one as a show of love for my movie loving mother, but I actually enjoyed it. Keri Russell can act. Who knew? Coincidentally, the story here also revolves around unwanted pregnancy, and while this wouldn't seem like a starting point for comedy, it launches two good movies. B for Waitress. Be sure to eat before you go, or you'll want to leave and buy pie...


The Iowa - Iowa State football game is on the VERSUS channel. Are you kidding me? This is the Big 12's improved television package. Let's think about this for a minute; we have a game fans most fans can't attend unless they buy ISU season tickets, and now it's on a channel most of us have never watched and don't know how to find. Not good. (editor's note: channel 55 on Mediacom)...

Did you watch the Ducks win the Stanley Cup on NBC? We're trying to find the one viewer...

No sport improves more in high definition than hockey. It's the only way to fully appreciate how great the game is in person...

KGGO's Heather Burnside filled in as guest host on SoundOFF this past Sunday. I thought she did a terrific job. That was a hard show to do after Andy's finale. Jon Miller and Shawn Terrell are in this week. They're veterans who always do well...

"The Best of What's Bugging Andy" DVDs are done. You can order one on the sports page here at whotv.com...

Hawkeye running back Shonn Greene is off the Iowa football team. No explanation from Kirk Ferentz, but we're told academics is the reason...

Standing ovation for the Des Moines' Playhouse's "Lost Highway". Actually one standing ovation is not enough for the way this play is going over with audiences. The Hank Williams musical brings the crowd to its feet at least twice on most nights. John Bachman was recently spotted roaring his approval...

I watched "America's Got Talent" and enjoyed it. I know, I know, my IQ may have dropped, but it's entertaining in a modern day Gong Show kind of way. Piers is brutal, Sharon Osbourne counters with sweetness, and is a threat to have more plastic surgery during a commercial break, and what can you say about David Hasselhoff? Don't hassle The Hoff...

That reminds me, a big welcome to Chris Hassel. He's the new guy in our sports department and we're excited he's here. Chris comes to channel 13 from the Fox affiliate in the Quad Cities. Many Hawkeye fans will recognize his name. Chris is the guy who won the statewide contest to do play-by-play for an Iowa football game a couple of years ago. He's multi-talented and has already won more awards than Norah Jones. Chris started work today and should be on the air as soon as he learns the 37 passwords he needs to sign on the various computers here...

Any idea where Steve Deace stands on this ISU chaplain debate?...

I'm still not sure urging fans to repeatedly vote for a contest clearly designed to increase Web traffic is anything to brag about, but ISU seems genuinely excited about winning an online poll "national championship" for best mascot. It shows dedication and loyalty---those are good things---but I have a hard time imagining Texas or Michigan fans caring much about who wins. I'd like to hear from some real Cyclone fans out there. What do you think? Great, indifferent, or embarrassed it's being called a "national championship"?...

The Hy-Vee Triathlon will grow into a big deal for Des Moines...