I've now heard through word of mouth and the Portland Tribune that former Scapoose High School and Oregon State quarterback Derek Anderson is back in town for a youth camp, among other things. Kerry Eggers reports that Derek is not only helping out with the camp, but he's helping to line up coaches:
This year, Anderson lured several ex-Beavers in the NFL as camp coaches, including Steven Jackson, Mike Hass, Bill Swancutt and possibly Roy Schuening and Joe Newton, as well as Super Bowl tight end Kevin Boss of the New York Giants.
"It's a way to give back to my community," Anderson says. "The people here have always been great to me. It's good to have (the NFL players) talk to the kids and make sure they understand it's important to work hard at things - not just football - and good things will happen to you."
About 400 youths are expected for this year's camp, which runs through Thursday. The fee is only $40 and proceeds go to the Scappoose football program. Anderson donates his time to the cause and is a hands-on contributor.
"It would be so much easier for Derek to just write us a check for $10,000 or whatever we make off the camp, and then not show up," says Svenson, an assistant with the Indians during Anderson's senior year. "But he is here every day, and he helps line up the coaches. This is really his deal, and we help facilitate it for him."
Great to hear that DA is still involved in his community. Great work by Eggers to get that story, which you can read here in it's entirety.
After the announcement came that Pac-10 Commissioner Tom Hansen was stepping down, a lot of talk has been made about BCS playoffs, Pac-10 expansion, and other topics for change. In this post, Sean from Block U explores the possibility of Utah being added to the Pac-10. It's a complicated issue that involves location, athletics, as well as academics. The more I look into the issue, the more it seems like it's the school presidents that are opposed to the change, not Tom Hansen. The only schools I can think of that could make a case for addition would be Utah or Colorado, but there may be others farther east. With the technology in this age of television, location may not matter as much. Still, it will be an uphill battle for any school that wants to be added into the conference.
On Monday, the Jim Thorpe Association announced that the Ducks lead the nation with three defensive backs on the Jim Thorpe Association watch-list: senior rover Patrick Chung, and junior cornerbacks Jairus Byrd and Walter Thurmond. Yesterday, we found out that OSU senior cornerback Brandon Hughes was added to the list.
Hughes originally came to Oregon State as a receiver when he joined the team in 2004. Since then, he's become one of the best "lock down" corners in the league. He's made leaps and bounds since his freshman year, when the secondary was young and inexperienced. Last year, as a junior, he earned Pac-10 second team honors with 57 tackles in 13 games, and two interceptions for four yards. Hughes was involved with three of the biggest tackles of the season in Oregon State's upset of #2 Cal, including stopping Justin Forsett with help from Greg Layborn on Cal's 4th and goal attempt from the one yard line late in the third quarter. Brandon is also one of 42 candidates for the Lott Trophy, awarded annually to a player who exhibits integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community and tenacity. For more on Brandon, head over to his profile on OSUBeavers.com.
Lastly: Ryan Stubbs of the Bleacher Report has marked the Oregon State at Penn State game as one of the appetizers for his "September 4-7" weekend. Miami at Florida is his other appetizer. Cincinnatti at Oklahoma will serve as his main course for the weekend. See all of his "meals" here.
GO BEAVERS!
--JB--