All Things CW: Crimson Tide Cancer Survivor Finally Getting Shot at Championship

Bobby Colantonio Jr. will help lead Alabama at the 2022 NCAA Indoor Championships, the latest with Calvin Ridley and Herb Jones, and Nick Saban isn't the only coach using the transfer portal to help aid a title run.

Author:
Christopher Walsh
Publish date:
Mar 11, 2022 9:00 AM EST

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — It was impossible not to notice the hat.

Athletes and coaches will often wear them while being interviewed on the Alabama campus, but only sometimes during press conferences, and rarely will it be a cowboy hat.

To the surprise of everyone, including his coaches, Bobby Colantonio Jr. wore it to complement his all-black suit this week.

Hey, when you're finally getting a real shot at a national title, you might as well do it with some style.

This weekend, Colantonio will be one of 11 Crimson Tide athletes who will compete in the 2022 NCAA Indoor Championships at the Birmingham Crossplex just up the road.

The Alabama junior is seeded second in the weight throw following the Southeastern Conference Championships, where he won with a toss of 23.70 meters.

With that alone, Colantonio may be the best story among all Alabama athletes. Five-and-a-half years ago, just after arriving at the age of 18, he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, and subsequently told that he had about a 20 percent chance to live.

"The biggest difference this year, I guess, is staying healthy through it all," Colantonio said. "We made a lot of adjustments and laid out a plan this year, and stuck through it. We just did a really good job of working together and making sure that the stuff we laid out we stuck through it — wholeheartedly doing it."

Two years ago, after getting a glimpse of this kind of success, he and everyone else in the sport had the rug pulled out from under them when the indoors championships were canceled at the last moment due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"That was one of the hardest days I've ever coached," Alabama head coach Dan Waters said about telling the team on the eve of the competition in Albuquerque, N.M.

Colantonio had also fouled out of the SEC meet, leaving a bad taste in his mouth that he could no longer do anything about. He had especially wanted to have a strong showing to highlight his comeback season.

"It was hard," he said. "It was very, very hard."

In 2021, he was hampered by an injury but still managed to finish fifth in the weight throw at the 2021 NCAA Indoor Championships at Arkansas. But completing for the title wasn't realistic.

Until now.

Back in January, Colantonio opened the indoor season with a 24.15-meter effort in the weight throw at the Blazer Invitational, which not only smashed the school record he set in 2020, but was the eight best throw in NCAA history.

That's the mark he's aiming to top this week.

It doesn't hurt that the man in black will be completing where he holds the site record.

"Bobby's a champion in every respect," Crimson Tide assistant coach Derek Yush said. "He's overcome a lot a of odds. He gives himself to our program every day. There's plenty of people who work hard, I don't know if there's anyone who works harder. I know there's no one who studies their craft more than Bobby Colantonio.

"He lives and breathes the hammer throw and the weight throw. He lives and breathes Alabama track and field."

Home-Track Advantage

It may not be as obvious as with other sports, but there is such a thing as home-field advantage in track, especially when it comes to the logistics involved.

For example, instead of having to travel to someplace like Oregon, the frequent site of the NCAA outdoors championships at the end of the semester, the Crimson Tide only had to drive an hour up 20/59.

"We kind of know how the track runs, we know how the warmup works and we know what the ring feels like and what the runways are all about," Waters said. "I think it gives us a slight advantage.

"There is a true home field advantage in every sport, including track and field, so we feel like it does set us up well in terms of comfortability and feeling like we know what's going on, competing on the big stage in our backyard. We’re going to have a lot of friends and family in the stands and that will make our people feel relaxed and good.”

To try and take advantage of the location, Alabama scheduled some practices at the facility, plus this will be the Crimson Tide's fourth time competing there this season.

"It's almost like a second home for us," Yush said. "There's a ton of familiarity."

"It helps us significantly.

Fallout from Calvin Ridley Suspension

A number of former Crimson Tide teammates were quick to offer support on social media after wide receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended for the 2022 season for gambling on NFL games — which included making bets on the Atlanta Falcons while he was away from the team for personal reasons.

Although it's easy to say the punishment doesn't fit the crime, especially since he only wagered $1,500, this is one area that pro sports simply can't mess around with because its directly tied to credibility.

Yes, there's a double standard when the NFL and other pro leagues are closely tied to gambling and betting websites. However, the rules are clear and absolute in this case, and have been agreed to by the players' union.

“There is nothing more fundamental to the NFL's success — and to the reputation of everyone associated with our league — than upholding the integrity of the game," Commissioner Roger Goodell said in the league's announcement. "This is the responsibility of every player, coach, owner, game official, and anyone else employed in the league. Your actions put the integrity of the game at risk, threatened to damage public confidence in professional football, and potentially undermined the reputations of your fellow players throughout the NFL.”

That's the explanation, leaving Ridley hoping for some leniency down the line if he could avoid any more major miscues. Not only is it lousy for Ridley to miss at least season at what should be the prime of his career (he's already 27), but the wide receiver was reportedly on the verge of being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles to play alongside former teammates Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith.

Naturally, betting sites immediately placed odds on who will be the next person the NFL punishes for gambling.

SportsBetting.ag made Antonio Brown the obvious favorite, followed by Odell Beckham Jr. and Deshaun Watson. Also among the top 20 names were Patriots’ owner Robert Kraft, Dan Snyder and Jerry Jones and Jim Irsay are other owners on the list.

Key Additions Fuel Hot Start

Nick Saban isn't the only one at Alabama using the transfer portal to help promote a potential title run. Like the football coach, softball's Patrick Murphy used it to plug a couple of key gaps in his lineup.

Softball catcher Ally Shipman, who arrived via Tennessee, is batting .434 and already has hit four home runs.

Infielder Ashley Prange from Ohio State is batting .340.

"I think with the two transfers, it's been a rebirth sort of thing," Murphy said. "They're excited, they're having fun again, with the atmosphere, teammates, the whole thing. Really, they're having a ball. There's no other way to put it.

"There's no pressure. They call it flow, when a kid is in a zone. And they've been in it since they started. Both of them."

Alabama's six true freshmen have also made significant contributions to the 20-0 start, including outfielder Dallis Goodnight. She's batting a team-best .481 and tops the Crimson Tide Tide in runs scored with 24.

"She's using all three tools," Murphy said. "She can hit away, drag bunt, or she can slap. She's truly a triple threat because she can hit it out."

How Good is Herb Jones?

The talk in New Orleans has changed regarding former Crimson Tide player Herb Jones, who is quickly gaining respect around the NBA.

Reserve center Willy Hernangomez has even launched a "Herb for ROY" campaign.

“You guys can help, because I think Herb should be in the conversation for Rookie of the Year,” Hernangomez told local reporters. “It’s not only about points. It’s everything else he does.”

Jones won't be in the running for the award because he's averaging under 10 points per game (9.5). However, he's beginning to draw some serious consideration for the NBA All-Defensive Team.

As of Thursday evening, the 6-foot-8, 210-pound forward was 10th in the league in steals, and 39th in blocks.

Andrew Lopez, an NBA reporter for ESPN who is based out of New Orleans, has recently pointed out that the entire list of NBA players with 80-plus steals and 50-plus blocks this season is Robert Covington and Jones.

He also noted that according to Second Spectrum tracking data the Jazz recently shot 0-for-10 with Jones as the closest defender. Donovan Mitchell was 0-for-6 on March 4, a 124-90 victory for the host Pelicans.

Jones had a similar shutout Oct. 25, when the Timberwolves went 0-for-13. Consequently, he's the only player in the NBA this season with multiple games of holding a team to 0-for-10 or more as the closest defender.

“It was phenomenal,” Pelicans guard CJ McCollum said via the Pelicans' website. “He gave (Utah) fits, not just on the ball, but off the ball, rotating, being in the gaps, getting steals, deflections. He’s a special player. Obviously he’s very young, but the sky’s the limit for his talent.”

Jones, a second-round draft pick, is still only 23, yet brings a veteran approach to every game. His teammates love it and he figures to only get batter.

“Herb has earned that. He’s earned their respect,” Pelicans head coach Willie Green said of the praise. “The way he carries himself, all of our guys respect what he does. He’s just continuing to solidify who he is as a basketball player. The sky’s the limit for him.”

Tide-bits

Following numerous NFL moves this week, Even Neal is no longer the odds-on-favorite to be the first pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Per BetOnline, the money is now on Michigan defensive lineman Aidan Hutchison (-190), followed by North Carolina State offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu (+325). Neal is third at (+350), and there's a significant drop-off to anyone else (Kayvon Thibodeaux).
Alabama team orthopedic surgeon Dr. Lyle Cain told The Athletic’s Jeff Howe and former Crimson Tide wide receivers John Metchie III and Jameson Williams are both rehabbing well so far. “I don’t expect either Jameson or John Metchie to have trouble with their knees. Once they recover and get past (the injury) to get back on the field, I don’t expect it to affect their career.”
This will be the NCAA Indoor Championships debut for Mercy Chelangat, who qualified for the 2020 meet and focused on the cross country championships in 2021 after it was moved to the spring (she won). Chelangat will compete in the 3,000 meters and 5,000 meters, and holds the school record in both events. "You have to be [more] tactical," in the indoor race, Chelangat said.
If you're looking for a surprise finish from Alabama at the NCAA Indoor Championships keep an eye out for Emmanuel Ineh, who will compete in both the long and triple jumps and may have worked through some recent technique issues. He's posted leaps of 7.87 meters in the long jump and 16.24 meters in the triple jump this season, ranking him third and seventh, respectively, all-time at Alabama.
Candy Digital is rolling out the initial "Candy Sweet Futures Basketball" NFT collection, which will include Alabama freshman guard JD Davison on March 14. An NFT is an on-fungible token, a non-interchangeable unit of data (photos, videos, and audio) stored on a blockchain, a form of digital ledger, that can be sold and traded. The NIL auctions are held on Bitski.

5 Things That Got Our Attention This Week

Your Ad Here?

A detailed view of a new uniform during a press conference revealing the Washington Commanders as the new name for the formerly named Washington Football Team at FedEx Field. — Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The latest Athletics Veritas wonders if there could be momentum building around the idea of adding corporate logos to uniforms in a revenue-splitting mechanism with student-athletes.

"Even if college teams would garner only two to three percent of these high-water mark revenue numbers of NBA and major international soccer franchises, that could still lead to seven-figures in 'found money.' Of course, student-athletes may also have keen interest on if and when the NCAA may revisit its playing rule restrictions on in-game uniform logo sponsorships."

What Makes a Great Leader?

Nick Saban at practice in Indianapolis — College Football Playoff

Women Leaders CEO Patti Phillips was profiled by College Athletics and the Law editor Claudine McCarthy, and one of the subjects that up was how to lead during times of crisis.

Phillips emphasized the importance of quickly disseminating information.

“You have to have a plan for how you consume information what information you consume," she said. "Great leaders know that change and evolution are part of leadership and sustainability in any role, program or business.

"The problem right now is that it all seems to be happening at once. In general, administrators and leaders need to be prepared to face the reality that the business of college sports is changing. It will not look the same in two to four years as it does not. That is wildly unsettling and logistically really hard, but there are also opportunities found in all change.”

The Dam Has Broken in the NCAA

NCAA

Here's what LEAD1 CEO Tom McMillen, the former U.S. Congressman, college basketball All-American at Maryland and Rhodes Scholar, told On3's Eric Prisbell what he thinks could stop the arms race in college athletics in regard to Name, Image and Likeness: "Nothing.

"In a funny way, this is somewhat Machiavellian, but if you wanted to get Congress’ attention, this may be the way you do it," he added. "There will be a return to a Sanity Code down the road, but it may have to be imposed by Congress. There will be a Sanity Code down the road. I don’t know when, I don’t know how. But the more of this, as it gets turbulent, I think it makes it more likely that that event will happen."

As for if there might be a better model for the future of college athletics, he said. "We are always looking at college sports as this choice between, OK, we’ve got to give the athletes full professionalization to match the coaches, right?

"The college model should be different than that. We never, ever get into that discussion. I think that’s truly the national discussion we have. And we may not get there for a while. But if this thing comes to Washington, I do believe that that debate will be part of it. Do we want to have mirror images of the NFL or the NBA? Or is there another model that may be better for us? That is the question."

Next to Cash In? Athletic Directors

The new contract for Texas A&M athletic director Ross Bjork will put him among the top three salaries in the the SEC.

Bjork will have a base pay of $1.45 million, with an annual increase of $25,000 through 2026. It also includes longevity bonuses available of $450,000 in June 2024, and $375,000 in December 2026.

Among the other bonuses is one for $110,000 of the Aggies win a football national championship.

Should Bjork leave, he'll owe half of the current year's base salary, and all of it following a move to another SEC school.

In case you're wondering, Greg Byrne's last contract extension in 2019 bumped his base salary up to $1.3 million, with an increase of $40,000 each year until reaching $1.54 million year the final year

His base salary would increase $40,000 annually from $1.3 million this year to $1.54 million in the last year of the contract. The contract expires June 30, 2026.

CFP Expansion Talks Stuck In The Mud

According to Dennis Dodd of CBSSports.com, about the only thing that everyone involved in the discussion over College Football Playoff expansion can agree upon is that the longer things remain stalled the less likely any kind of change will happen soon.

Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby: “I think any image of smooth water ahead is simply a mirage."

“We're not going to be in a less litigious environment in 8-24 months. We're not going to be out from under student-athlete activism or judicial oversight. We're not going to be under less scrutiny from elected officials. The more pieces of challenge we can resolve, the better off we're going to be. [Expansion is an issue] we could have, and should have, gotten behind us."

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey: “If we can't make decisions because of uncertainty, we will never make decisions.

"If your focus is on frustration [with the SEC], I think you’re missing the perspective. We walked into this not inclined for any expansion. We've worked diligently to be open to other approaches. Those who asked, really demanded, this consideration are not ready to act. It's clearly in my best interests to leave it at four. I had 14 bowl-eligible teams [in 2021]. That's never happened.”