Shatel: Coaches should answer for BCS

Man, I need a vacation.

I decided to go somewhere exotic this summer: Omaha. I heard that it’s nice this time of year. The weather reminded me of San Diego. Well, actually nothing reminded me of San Diego. But there was plenty to do.

• I read that University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Harvey Perlman went before Congress and was grilled by Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch — specifically about why Hatch’s favorite team, Utah, went undefeated last year and didn’t play for the national title.

At one point, Hatch asked Perlman what the Utes could have done differently, and Perlman replied, “play a schedule like Nebraska’s.’’

It should be noted that he wasn’t talking about the nonconference schedule.

I’ve heard from readers that Perlman came off as arrogant. Poor Harvey. He shouldn’t be there. I’ve never understood why presidents and chancellors represent the BCS in these things.

I would much rather see head coaches face the music in these Kangaroo subcommittee hearings. Give them some truth serum. What you’d get is a refreshing blast about the exclusive boys club that is the BCS.

For instance, if Senator Ute wanted to know why Utah can’t play in the national title game, a coach would chortle, “Because we don’t want to lose to Utah.’’

• I read that UNO is joining the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

What is Trev Alberts going to do for an encore? Mr. UNO has transformed hockey, and the zamboni hasn’t even gone in for its summer oil change.

Two things. One, build a new on-campus rink — though if the crowds increase as expected, the Qwest Center Omaha might just be the right size. Two, take UNO to Division I in other sports.

Alberts will never get that past the Board of Regents, right? Get back to me on that one. No. 34 still has a pretty mean first step.

• I watched Husker fanatic Andy Roddick take Roger Federer to the ivy wall before losing one of the great Wimbledon finals ever.

That match should revive Roddick’s career — if he treats it like the 1994 Orange Bowl.

• I drove by Champions Run and saw the new manual scoreboard for this week’s Cox Classic.

Tournament Director Chad Mardesen says it’s the second-biggest scoreboard on the PGA Tour — bigger than the Masters or U.S. Open and behind only the Players Championship. I just hope that they have plenty of red numbers.

• I lost my hearing at a Jonas Brothers concert. It’s finally starting to come back. I can make out the words “tee time’’ and “refrigerator.’’

Contact the writer:

444-1025, tom.shatel@owh.com

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