Thursday, December 25, 2008
Med School to use Jets' former home
Med School to use Jets' former home
in NewsIssue date: 12/11/08
Barbed-wire fences still surround Weeb Ewbank Hall, which once was a bustling center of activity as the Jets headquarters before the NFL franchise moved out in August. Vacant parking lots and padlocks on the doors have turned the north campus-based building into a dormant facility.
But that will change in 2009. The University's top priority for the year will be converting the 35,000-square foot building into the home of the medical school, which will welcome its first incoming class in September 2011.
New conference rooms, faculty offices and an anatomy lab will be part of the building's overall makeover, Joseph Barkwill, the University's vice president for facilities and operation said. Request-for-proposals for design and engineering firms will be going out later this week.
Medical school faculty and administration officials could move into the building by August 2010, according to the preliminary timetable. The request-for-proposals will allow the University to hire an architect who can create a design that will allow the University to garner accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.
"By accreditation requirements, the building has to be operating one year prior to the first class being admitted into the program," Barkwill said.
An economy in recession has forced many universities and for-profit companies to scale-down or halt renovation and construction endeavors. Yet Barkwill said the Jets facility renovation and a redesigned rec center are projects that will move ahead as scheduled. University officials also said that a struggling financial market could be advantageous.
"Universities like us, we don't plan for one year," Barkwill said. "With the economy, we are looking at deferring some projects. We know we're going to do the Jets facility and we already have the design in place for the rec center.
"On the flip side, one of the benefits is that construction and architecture firms need work and will be more competitive in pricing. So, we want to take advantage of it. We are going to put them out for bid and see if we can get favorable pricing. If we can, we'll move forward with it."
Other construction and renovation projects for the University include:
n The design is in place for the renovated rec. center, where the north end will include four rooms. The University will expand the weight room that ties into the current weight room and build a pilates and a multi-purpose room. Upstairs, the conference room will be taken out and the entire space will be turned into a room for cardio exercise equipment. A new track will also be constructed along with a redesigned lobby.
"We anticipate that if we get bids in February or early March, we'll either start in May or September," Barkwill said. "We don't want to take down the facility for any appreciable amount of time."
He also said the Plant wants to start and complete before one of the semesters and to try not to have it in the middle of the semester. "We can do more work in the summer than we can in the winter. It will be 12 months if we get two summers in there or 15 months if we get only one summer in," he said.
n With the Jets gone, Barkwill said there will be refresh work in Colonial Square this summer, which is scheduled to include general maintenance, a new paint job and new furniture in some of the living quarters.
n The lounges in all the towers will be refurbished by the end of the summer in 2010.
n The indoor athletic bubble and adjacent fields in the complex will be leased out at night, with the University athletic department still using the facilities during the day.
© Copyright 2008 ~The Chronicle
Barbed-wire fences still surround Weeb Ewbank Hall, which once was a bustling center of activity as the Jets headquarters before the NFL franchise moved out in August. Vacant parking lots and padlocks on the doors have turned the north campus-based building into a dormant facility.
But that will change in 2009. The University's top priority for the year will be converting the 35,000-square foot building into the home of the medical school, which will welcome its first incoming class in September 2011.
New conference rooms, faculty offices and an anatomy lab will be part of the building's overall makeover, Joseph Barkwill, the University's vice president for facilities and operation said. Request-for-proposals for design and engineering firms will be going out later this week.
Medical school faculty and administration officials could move into the building by August 2010, according to the preliminary timetable. The request-for-proposals will allow the University to hire an architect who can create a design that will allow the University to garner accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education.
"By accreditation requirements, the building has to be operating one year prior to the first class being admitted into the program," Barkwill said.
An economy in recession has forced many universities and for-profit companies to scale-down or halt renovation and construction endeavors. Yet Barkwill said the Jets facility renovation and a redesigned rec center are projects that will move ahead as scheduled. University officials also said that a struggling financial market could be advantageous.
"Universities like us, we don't plan for one year," Barkwill said. "With the economy, we are looking at deferring some projects. We know we're going to do the Jets facility and we already have the design in place for the rec center.
"On the flip side, one of the benefits is that construction and architecture firms need work and will be more competitive in pricing. So, we want to take advantage of it. We are going to put them out for bid and see if we can get favorable pricing. If we can, we'll move forward with it."
Other construction and renovation projects for the University include:
n The design is in place for the renovated rec. center, where the north end will include four rooms. The University will expand the weight room that ties into the current weight room and build a pilates and a multi-purpose room. Upstairs, the conference room will be taken out and the entire space will be turned into a room for cardio exercise equipment. A new track will also be constructed along with a redesigned lobby.
"We anticipate that if we get bids in February or early March, we'll either start in May or September," Barkwill said. "We don't want to take down the facility for any appreciable amount of time."
He also said the Plant wants to start and complete before one of the semesters and to try not to have it in the middle of the semester. "We can do more work in the summer than we can in the winter. It will be 12 months if we get two summers in there or 15 months if we get only one summer in," he said.
n With the Jets gone, Barkwill said there will be refresh work in Colonial Square this summer, which is scheduled to include general maintenance, a new paint job and new furniture in some of the living quarters.
n The lounges in all the towers will be refurbished by the end of the summer in 2010.
n The indoor athletic bubble and adjacent fields in the complex will be leased out at night, with the University athletic department still using the facilities during the day.
© Copyright 2008 ~The Chronicle
Friday, December 19, 2008
New York Sports Day story
Putz Ok With Setting Up
by: Brian Bohl | Senior Writer - NY Sports Day | Friday, December 19, 2008FLUSHING, NY - Mets general manager Omar Minaya walked into the team’s palatial home clubhouse inside Citi Field for the first time Thursday. One day after introducing free
Putz, acquired in a three-team, 12-player trade, was Seattle’s closer from 2006 until his move to Queens. The right-hander, who turns 32 in February, racked up 91 saves the past three years for the Mariners, said serving as the set-up man was not the ideal situation but insisted he won’t have any problems protecting leads for Rodriguez.
“I’m fine with the role,” Putz said. “The bottom line is that I want to win. I haven’t had the chance to do that in Seattle. To come to a team that’s built to win right now, I’ll pitch in the sixth, seventh; whatever it takes to get us a championship.”
Putz compiled a 3.08 ERA in six seasons in Seattle, going 22-15 with 101 saves. Minaya acquired the 6-5, 220-pound hurler in a deal that jettisoned Aaron Heilman, Endy Chavez and Joe Smith.
In playing his entire career in the AL West and facing K-Rod as an opponent in Anaheim , Putz said he is happy to be a teammate of the record-setting closer. Putz admitted the situation is not ideal for someone used to closing, though he said he is looking forward to backing up Rodriguez, who set Major League Baseball’s single-season save records with 62 for the Angles last season.
“I’m just glad I don’t have to watch him on the other side anymore, because he killed us.” Putz said. “He’s a lot of fun to watch. He’s been as dominate as anyone in this game the last few years. He’s not a bad guy to have to set-up for, I guess.”
Ribcage and elbow injuries limited Putz to just 47 games last season, though the Trenton, Michigan native has logged a career 337 strikeouts in 323 innings. He is signed through 2009 and the Mets hold an $8.6 million option for 2010 with a $1 million buyout.
“Everything feels great,” Putz said. “I’ve been throwing for a couple of weeks now. I’ve been working out since November. Everything feels good and I’m ready to go.”
He owns a career 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings and offered brief scouting report to Mets fans unfamiliar with his work following his years pitching on the West Cost.
“I’m a high energy guys when I’m out there,” Putz said. “A power pitcher; and my out pitch is my split finger.
“It wasn’t the ideal situation. I really like closing. But I’m just going to take it an innin g earlier, so it’s not going to be that big of an adjustment.”
Putz said he is healthy following injuries last season. The Mets had a “Welcome, J.J.” sign on the centerfield screen during his photo session with Minaya and COO Jeff Wilpon. Next to Citi Field, the demolition of Shea Stadium continued, and Minaya said the change to a new facility w ill also lead to a change in results at the end of games. The Mets blew 29 saves in 2008, with only Seattle and St. Louis (31) racking up a higher number.
“Last year was a year when we had difficulties at the end of the game,” Minaya said. “This year, by adding Rodriguez, by adding J.J., we feel very good about our team. We’re excited about it.”
Monday, December 8, 2008
Hofstra Chronicle Islanders Article
MacDonald honored as one of NHL monthly stars
in SportsIssue date: 12/4/08
The goaltender generated headlines by simply skating on the ice. There were no shots fired at the netminder who didn't wear pads. No wingers buzzed the crease trying to create scoring chances. And there were no chants from the crowd.Joey MacDonald was named of the NHL's Three Stars of the Month for his solid November. But Rick DiPietro made news by simply getting on a rink after his Oct. 27 knee surgery. "It's been a long time," DiPietro told reporters. "I've been looking forward to getting back or at least getting on the ice."
MacDonald has allowed the Islanders to stay within .500 following DiPietro's second knee surgery of the year. In the third year of a 15-year contract, DiPietro will undoubtedly get the chance to earn his starting job back as soon as he is healthy.
In the meantime, MacDonald has done a stellar job trying to shed the career minor leaguer tag. The 28-year-old continues to thrive with the first sustained playing time of his NHL career, making 14 straight starts from Nov. 3-29. During that span, he went 8-5-1, recording a .916 save percentage.
MacDonald entered the season with just 17 games of NHL experience in brief stints for the Isles, Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins. But the seven-year pro provided coach Scott Gordon with something DiPietro has not been able to deliver: consistency. MacDonald led all goaltenders in minutes played (842) last month and also faced the most shots (439) while finishing tied for the most wins in November.
Considering MacDonald's career numbers before the season opener and it was questionable if the Halifax, Nova Scotia native would even make the roster. Yet he earned the league's third star, joining perennial All-Stars Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin for the November honors.
Gordon continues to rid the hot hand, keeping MacDonald between the pipes. While the Islanders enter Wednesday with an Atlantic Division-low 22 points, the club is still just four points behind Carolina for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
At least Gordon's job security should be solidified for the time being. The first-year coach appears to have he backing of general manager Garth Snow, especially with the 10-12-2 record despite DiPietro playing in just three games before the operation. That's in contrast to Carolina, which fired Peter Laviolette Wednesday.
Laviolette led the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup championship just two years ago. But like his too-brief reign as the Islanders coach, Laviolette was let go despite a solid record and a history of success.
Gordon is the Islanders fifth coach since 2003, a run of instability that started with Laviolette's dismissal. Whether Gordon can avoid his fate is uncertain, though MacDonald's hot play could keep the heat off him, at least until DiPietro returns.
As for the former No. 1 overall draft pick, DiPietro gave his understudy praise and said the team is improving its propensity for blowing late-game leads.
"I think they played well," DiPietro told reporters after practice Tuesday. "We had a couple of breakdowns late in games that have cost us some wins, but the effort's been there.
"The system's working well and Joey's played really well."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)