COMMUNITY
Hook a Kid on Golf
Pine Bluff Arsenal’s Hook a Kid on Golf program will begin in July.
Participants much register by June 14. The program is for children ages 8 to 15. Cost is $150, which includes a club set (one wood, a hybrid club, two irons – 7/8 and 9/P, a putter and a stand bag.) Classes will be held at the Arsenal’s Pine Haven Golf Course on July 10, 17, 23, 31 and Aug. 7 from 9 to 11 a.m.
For more information or to register, call 540-3621.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
NATIONAL
Gee announces retirement following remarks
FAYETTEVILLE — Ohio State president E. Gorden Gee will retire on July 1.
The announcement came days after controversial comments Gee made during a December meeting of Ohio State’s Athletic Council became public following a public records request. Gee took jabs at Notre Dame, the Southeastern Conference and Louisville with his remarks, which were intended as jokes.
Gee also said Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez considered current Arkansas coach Bret Bielema a “thug” who wasn’t well liked during his tenure with the Badgers. Alvarez denied those comments and Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long called them “slanderous and unfounded.”
Gee apologized to Bielema in an email, which the coach posted to his Twitter page late last week. Gee also called Bielema to apologize for the comments.
“Dr. E. Gordon Gee and I have spoken regarding comments he has now labeled as unfounded, inaccurate and unfair,” Bielema said in a statement Sunday. “While I am appreciative he did apologize, my sincere hope is Dr. Gee realizes given the stature of his position the full power his words have to affect public perception. Throughout my career, I have strived to make my name synonymous with high character, values and integrity, and I will continue to do so.”
Gee served as Ohio State’s president for two terms between 1990-97 and 2007 to present. He said his decision to retire came after some “self-reflection.”
“I recently returned from a vacation with my family, during which time I had a chance to consider the university’s phenomenal achievements and the road that lies ahead for it. Ohio State now has a richness of new opportunities that would be the envy of most universities.” Gee said in a news release. “During my days away, I also spent some time in self-reflection. And after much deliberation, I have decided it is now time for me to turn over the reins of leadership to allow the seeds that we have planted to grow. It is also time for me to reenergize and refocus myself.”
Jones passes away
Hall of Fame defensive end David “Deacon” Jones has died at the age of 74 from natural causes.
Jones, considered one of the top defensive players of all-time, spent his first 11 seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and tallied a team-best 159 1/2 sacks with the franchise. He appeared in seven consecutive Pro Bowls and eight overall.
He played his final season in 1974 with the Washington Redskins, concluding a 14-year career. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.
A storied member of one of the most famous defensive lines in football, Jones played alongside Merlin Olsen, Rosey Grier and Lamar Lundy to form what is better known as “The Fearsome Foursome”.
He had seven seasons with double-digit sack totals for the Rams and amassed 173 1/2 for his career. He also became the first defensive lineman to post 100 solo tackles in a season during the 1967 campaign.