Whiz kid takes advanced classes at IUPUI

Jacob Barnett is 12 years old and has Aspergers, a mild form of autism that allows brain development to expand at a rapid rate, but also causes him to be socially reserved.  His PhD-level understanding of math and science has garnered him a 'genius' label. His passion in the field of Astrophysics will soon turn into paid research, a possible Nobel prize, and maybe even solving the Big Bang Theory. Other than that, Jake is just another healthy kid growing up in Hamilton County.

IU's Derek Drouin is National Athlete of the Year

The High-jump champ was awarded this honor - the 1st in BigTen history - by the U.S. Track & Field and XC Coaches Association.

The junior from Corunna, Ontario won his 3rd NCAA title in the high jump (2nd-straight indoor title) by clearing 7'-7.75", which broke the all-time BigTen record and tied the Canadian record. Drouin won his 4th BigTen high jump crown en route to BigTen Field Athlete of the Year and Great Lakes Region Athlete of the Year honors as well.

Japan Earthquake/Tsunami/Nuclear Meltdown

[click image to watch video]

Mitch Daniels 2012 gains momentum

This past month has seen a flurry of articles from political insiders and national pundits boasting Mitch Daniels at "the It boy" likely to receive the 2012 GOP bid. As noted in my previous post, it picked up steam right after CPAC - which Ron Paul actually won, but that sparked a mention of Mitch on the cover of TIME magazine, Jon Stewart commenting on Mitch's chances based on his "height and hair", ABC News says he's a "nerdy chic" choice, and now George Will says Daniels has "the low-key charisma of competence." Will he enter the race or let the deadline pass without blinking?

My Man Mitch Speaketh

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels addressed the CPAC crowd tonight in Washington DC, noting the growing federal debt is threatening the survival of the nation, and conservatives must unite themselves and the country behind defeating the 'new Red Menace' of red ink.
Daniels, who served as political director under former President Ronald Reagan and budget director under former President George W. Bush, said the necessary changes include restructuring Social Security and Medicare for later retirees, putting at least a moratorium on new regulations, if not adopting a "self-certification regime," making the tax code "lower and flatter," ramping up domestic energy production and not exempting defense spending from budget scrutiny. Daniels said it's up to conservatives to be specific on "the best way back to greatness." But that doesn't mean they should hold out for an ideal solution.

"Should the best way be blocked, while the enemy draws nearer, then someone will need to find the second-best way. Or the third, because the nation's survival requires it," Daniels said. "Purity in martyrdom is for suicide bombers."
Getting enough support for the changes, he said, requires showing a "special passion for those still on the first rung of life's ladder. Upward mobility from the bottom is the crux of the American promise, and the stagnation of the middle class is in fact becoming a problem, on any fair reading of the facts," Daniels said. "Our main task is not to see that people of great wealth add to it, but that those without much money have a greater chance to earn some."
"Mitch Daniels is the one person who hasn't been trying to toot his own horn for the past three years," Yale senior Max Eden said. "We're trying to just help get the word out about him because everybody we talk to about him loves him, but not enough people know about him yet." 
His student group distributed T-shirts modeled after the Obama "Hope" poster, replaced with Daniels and the word "Solvency." The group also distributed buttons and cards promoting Daniels' "legacy of leadership" and his "results not rhetoric."

Egyptian Revolution Pictures

Manning ranked Most Powerful Athlete

When you think of the biggest name in sports, who comes to mind? Tiger? LeBron James? Both athletes took a major publicity hit this past year, which anointed a new King of the Jungle: Peyton Manning. 

The NFL's top player distanced himself from all others last year when he won his record-setting 4th NFL MVP and led his team to another Superbowl. He's also about to receive the league's highest paid contract - for the 2nd time. Aside from his amazing on-the-field prowess, Manning also sets himself apart because he's marketable ($15M in endorsements in 2010) and universally well-liked. 
He currently ranks 3rd or 4th on all major career passing records.

Indiana Coaches to Lead USA Basketball

Purdue's Matt Painter was selected as head coach and Butler's Brad Stevens as an assistant for the U.S. men's basketball team that will play in August's World University Games in Shenzhen, China. USA Basketball also selected Missouri State coach Cuonzo Martin, a former Purdue player and assistant coach, as an assistant. Selections were made by the USA Basketball junior national team committee, chaired by Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim.
The US has claimed a medal in every World University Games since beginning play in 1965, and captured a record 13 golds, three silvers and three bronze medals in the 19 WUGs in which a USA Basketball squad has competed. Overall, the USA owns a 131-8 record. The United States captured six of the first seven gold medals awarded in World University Games competition and strung together six consecutive gold medals from 1989 through 1999. Most recently, the 2009 team earned the bronze medal after finishing 6-1 and losing by one point to Russia in the semifinals.
The University Games will be Aug. 12-23. Training camp to select the 12-member team will be July 30-Aug. 8 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

via IndyStar

Football Stars of the Week

Future IU QB Tre Roberson clinched Indiana Mr Football this weekend when Avon visited for a Regionals matchup @ Lawrence Central. Down 15 points late in the game, he racked up half of his 500 all-purpose yards in a 29-point 4th quarter. LC travels south to Bloomington North this Friday for a chance to play Fishers or Valpo for State next Saturday at da Luc'.
Irish's 11-game winless streak vs ranked opponents was snapped as Tommy Rees led the way in his first career start at Notre Dame. Wisconsin RB Monte Bell's first start contributed to an 83-point outburst against the Hoosier defense. I actually rejoice in this loss, signaling the unofficial end of the Bill Lynch era. The Hoosiers basketball team got off to a hot shooting start in their season-opener vs FL Gulf Coast. The crowd (of 15k) at one point chanted "Yo-gi Fer-rell" as he was in attendance, and today he Tweeted his top 6. They play again Sunday and Tuesday. If all goes well, IU could be 6-0 heading to Boston College December 1st.
Colts beat T.Ocho and the Bengals earlier today; that moves them into sole possession of first place in the AFC South Division - even though Indy's without Joe Addai, Gary Bracket, Bob Sanders, Dallas Clark, Melvin Bullit, Clint Sessions, Anthony Gonzales, Blair White, Mike Hart, Justin Tryon, Brodie Eldrige and Austin Collie... to name a few.

Its Indiana

With the announcement of Cody Zeller choosing to take his hoops talent to Bloomington next year, Hoosier Nation is excited for the future of Indiana basketball. In the past couple months Tom Crean and his staff have received commitments from Zeller (Mr Basketball?) and Austin Etherington to suit up in the candy stripes next fall; as well as Hanner Perea, Peter Jurkin, and Ron Petterson (Broad Ripple HS) in 2012, and two more top-10 nationally ranked recruits in the 2014 class: James Blackmon and Trey Lyles (Tech HS).
There appears to be a direct pipeline from the AAU squad Indiana Elite as they look to continue their national dominance on the collegiate level. Add another commitment from Yogi Ferrel (Park Tudor HS), it's possible that in 2 years the Hoosiers roster will feature 10 former Elite players. The chemistry of being teammates for so long will be a major advantage, as proven by Greg Oden & Mike Conley's championship reign.

Indy upsets #23 Tennessee

University of Indianapolis defeats Bruce Pearl's Volunteers (79-64) through keen coaching and team chemistry. 

Stan Gouard utilized a full-court press he learned from his mentor while en route to a D2 National Championship in 1995 while both were at Southern Indiana. The Greyhounds, 33 of 40 from the line, were led by Darius Adams' 27 points and Adrian Moss - a Franklin HS grad and IUPUI transfer.

Although this was the 2nd exhibition loss for UT in the past 4 years, there are larger concerns for the defending Elite 8 finalists. The NCAA is investigating Pearl's involvement in improper recruiting and lying to officials, which has already led to 1-year probation and reduction in salary.

Louisville teen wins Miss World

Earlier this year, we learned that our southern neighbor won Miss Universe, but a much closer southern neighbor has now won Miss World.  Alexandria Mills, 18, KY, won the pageant featuring 115 other contestants from around the globe, surpassing runners-up Botswana and Venezuela. 
Mills’ victory came amid a reported controversy however; critics claimed her biggest rival (Miss Norway Mariann Birkedal) was cheated out of the title due to difficult relations between her home country and the show’s host country, China.

Mills says that she wants to pursue a career in teaching...

 ...let's hope she stays in the area!