The Rock Chalkboard

Jeff Long talks effect of pandemic on KU football development
The Jayhawks have previously operated at a major scholarship deficit, but after bringing in two high-school only scholarship classes in 2019 and 2020, Les Miles may soon have the program back to full health in that area. Should Miles bring in another 25 high school names in the 2021 class, he will have brought in roughly 70 scholarship student-athletes in three years and nearly completely replenished the program's scholarship-athlete allotment.

D'Marion Alexander: Talks with Les Miles 'a dream come true'
"We talk about everything," Alexander said in a recent phone call with Phog.net. "We just had a conversation the other day. We were on the phone. We talked about school. We talked about shoes. We talked about Odell [Beckham]. We talked about everything. It's just a real good connection that me and him have."

Notebook: KU AD talks David Beaty settlement, one-and-done rule
At the time, a statement from the University of Kansas noted that "despite the settlement, the University maintain[ed] that the facts and principles behind its position remain intact." The statement noted the University was settling "for the betterment of KU and driven by a willingness to move forward during a time of uncertainty in college athletics."

Kansas infractions case to be heard through IARP, NCAA announces
On Wednesday, the NCAA announced the case regarding Kansas would be resolved through the Independent Accountability Resolution Process, also know as the IARP. The IARP was birthed from the Commission on College basketball, which was chaired by Condoleezza Rice. It was created "to handle select complex cases," according to the NCAA.

Kansas lands 73 Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team honorees
The Jayhawks had 13 athletes complete a perfect 4.0 GPA, including four from the rowing team in Danielle Brunig, Meghan Lemons, Abby Monroe and Ava Winkels. Four track and field athletes also posted perfect GPAs. Those student-athletes were Alice Boasso, Addie Coppinger, Matt Harding and Sam Hubert.

Bits o Chalk

Ivy League to decide next week on plan for fall sports
The Ivy League will decide July 8 whether its schools will try to play sports this fall in an announcement that could serve as a bellwether for the rest of college athletics.

Damian Lillard has doubts players will strictly follow 'bubble' rules
"My confidence ain't great," Lillard said with a laugh Wednesday. "My confidence ain't great because you're telling me you're gonna have 22 teams full of players following all the rules? When we have 100 percent freedom, everybody don't follow all the rules. I don't have much confidence. But hopefully it'll be handled to a point where we're not putting everybody at risk or in a dangerous position."

Report - Investors call on Nike, FedEx, PepsiCo to cut ties with Redskins over name
According to the report Wednesday, Nike, FedEx and PepsiCo each received letters signed by 87 investment firms and shareholders worth a combined $620 billion asking the companies to sever ties with the Redskins unless they change their controversial name. There has been more pressure in recent weeks to change their name given the social climate following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota.

Lakers 'hopeful' Dwight Howard will join Orlando restart, won't seek replacement
Not only is Howard juggling his responsibilities as a father with preparation for the finale to the season, but as a Black man he has also been deeply affected by the social unrest facing this country, according to Howard's agent, Charles Briscoe.

Inmate backed by WNBA star Maya Moore released from Missouri prison
Moore, who put her WNBA career with the Minnesota Lynx on hold in 2019 to help Irons have his conviction for burglary and assault with a weapon overturned, was among those who greeted Irons outside the prison. She clapped as Irons approached a group of people waiting for his release. She then dropped to her knees at one point before joining a group hug around Irons.

Novak Djokovic, wife test negative for coronavirus
Novak Djokovic and his wife have tested negative for the coronavirus, his media team said Thursday, 10 days after announcing that the couple had contracted the disease.

Everything you need to know as MLB's 2020 season restart begins
It's here. Finally. Spring training 2.0. Or make that summer camp. Or is it summer training? In any case, Major League Baseball begins its strange 2020 odyssey on Wednesday in the strangest of ways -- but appropriate for the times: testing for a virus that didn't exist a year ago. If cleared, workouts will begin on Friday in major league ballparks across the country. Here's what you need to know.

Eraser Dust

Jobs report June 2020: Jobs increase by 4.8 million, unemployment rate at 11.1%
Nonfarm payrolls jumped by 4.8 million in June and the unemployment rate fell to 11.1% as the U.S. continued its reopening from the coronavirus pandemic, the Labor Department said Thursday.

Covid cases: CA governor shutters bars, beach parking before Fourth
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday said bars must close and indoor operations will need to stop in certain business sectors including restaurants, wineries, movie theaters, zoos, museums and card rooms, in order to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus ahead of Fourth of July weekend.

Man sentenced up to 775 years in prison for filming infant being molested | KECI
“I think you are one of the most evil persons I’ve ever encountered,” Salango said. “I’ve worked in law enforcement and I have been a judge for a while. You are certainly the epitome of evil. I’m going to make sure you never do this to any other child for the rest of your life.”

In Austin, Where Nearly All Concerts are Canceled, Vanilla Ice Set to Perform Friday: Relive the Nineties, “When we didn’t have coronavirus!” - Music - The Austin Chronicle
Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order last Friday closing all bars due to an expected surge in COVID-19 cases effectively put an end to those in-person concerts still taking place locally. One notable exception: Vanilla Ice at Emerald Point Bar & Grill on Friday

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