Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies can sometimes be a little dry.  This year’s class for the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton broke the mold a bit, including some inspiring words of encouragement for young athletes from former Denver Bronco great Floyd Little.  You can read all the inductee comments here. 

While injuries are considered to be a part of sports and are significantly on the rise, according to many medical experts, many of them are avoidable.  Reknown sports surgeon Dr.  James Andrews is at the forefront of calls for better attention to this alarming trend. "Regardless of whether the athlete is a professional, an amateur, an Olympian, or a young recreational athlete, the number of sports injuries is increasing, but the escalation of injuries in kids is the most alarming," he says. 

STOP (Sports Trauma and Overuse Prevention) Sports Injuries is taking its argument directly to coaches, athletes, and parents to be aware of the risks involved, particularly as it relates to the dangers to young athletes.

The NFHS Baseball Rules Committee has voted to outlaw composite bats until they can produce consistent results through the life of the bat, be made tamper-evident and be labeled as a composite product.  Under the new rule, bats with composite handles and tapers would still be legal. The stricter language applies primarily to the barrel of the bat. Numerous serious injuries over the past couple of years has prompted close scrutiny of bat composition by the NFHS and the NCAA. 

The NCAA is looking at whether to ban scholarship offers to recruits before July 1 in the summer between their junior and senior years in high school. The rule would apply to all sports if passed later this year or next. Some coaches are hopeful it could slow an arms-race mentality that has led to earlier and earlier commitments by unproven prospects.

In the wake of budget crunches in high school activities associations throughout the country, some are looking to national media and national corporate sponsorship to help find ways to improve the situation.  In a highly controversial move, some schools and state associations are actually giving thought to advancing a national championship format for high school sports. 

A rash of structural failures has prompted a recall of a large number of light poles that have been installed at college and high school sports facilities around the country.  The Whitco Company product recall has picked up intensity and investigation into the problems appear to be spreading according to a report in the Austin Statesman.

When you run down the list of recent national champions, Stanford is not usually at the top of the list for most casual sports fans.  But for the past 16 years, the Cardinal has laid claim to "the best college athletic program in the country".  Stanford may not be the sports media darling, but by NCAA standards for balance, consistency, and the bottom line of winner - no one does it better than the folks in Palo Alto, California.  And they do it with some of the most restrictive academic requirements in the country.