Auburn football going indoors

Hey everyone. News is breaking this afternoon about Auburn's decade-long quest for a proper indoor practice facility.

Short summary: It's happening.

The Board of Trustees on Friday approved plans to build a 100-yard, enclosed facility on the current practice grounds. Athletic director Jay Jacobs said the department needs to raise $16 million privately to cover construction costs.

He's hoping the facility, which also can provide training space for other sports, will be completed before the 2011 season begins.

``This is a huge step forward for our football facilities," coach Gene Chizik said.

Here's two more shots. Click to enlarge:

Morris, Fletcher earn high praise

Hey everyone. Hunter Morris and Brian Fletcher, a pair of young men who play baseball at Auburn University, were named to the All-America team today.

A deserving achievement, if you ask me.

You didn't. But if you had ...

Morris, a first baseman, was named to the first team. Fletcher, an outfielder, is part of the second team.

Morris was the Southeastern Conference's Player of the Year after leading the league in homers, RBI, slugging percentage and total bases. Not too shabby. He was a fourth-round selection of the Milwaukee Brewers last week.

(It's pronounced "mill-e-wah-kay," which is Algonquin for "the good land.")

His final line looked a little something like this: .386-23-76.

Fletcher went .357-22-75. He was an 18th-round pick of the Kansas City Royals.

Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University

Auburn football lands a commitment

Hey everyone. Just a quick note to say our friends at AuburnSports.com, AuburnUndercover.com and ITAT are reporting that Auburn has secured a commitment from Mobile defensive tackle JaBrian Miles.

He currently stands 6-foot-2 and weighs approximately 260 pounds.

Miles, who plays at Davidson High, picked Auburn over offers from Alabama, Florida, Ole Miss and Florida State ... among others.

Photo credit: Rivals.com

The SEC will stand pat

Hey everyone. So the remaining members of the Big 12 Conference had a meeting of the minds and decided to stay put.

Texas isn't leaving the league. Neither is Oklahoma. Neither is Texas A&M.

It's a decision that some Aggies fans have decried.

"With one decision, the big brass of Texas A&M inhibited the athletic program's potential and has done irreparable damage to the future success of Aggie athletics."

Others believe Texas A&M made the right decision. Among those supporters is SI.com's Stewart Mandel, whose writing I trust.

"Many SEC fans and Texas A&M fans, meanwhile, had gotten their hopes up about a potential marriage, one that appeared plausible as recently as Sunday night. It didn't happen, and while many of those fans may disagree, believe me, this is a good thing for both parties. The SEC has a near-perfect product. It's the toast of the sport right now. It's not hurting for money. There was no justifiable reason to mess it up for the sake of a few Texas television sets, just as the Aggies would have eventually regretted parting with their Lone Star brethren."

New member on the way?

Hey everyone. News is breaking at this hour about Texas A&M and its feelings about the Southeastern Conference.

The Houston Chronicle, citing an unnamed source, says school regents are expected to meet this week and discuss a possible jump to the SEC. An offer apparently is on the table.

Houston is the fattest city in America.

Have a nice night.