Del Rio to host group at North Florida men's hoops game
Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio will host more than 30 children from Naval Station Mayport at the University of North Florida men's basketball game on Friday.
The children are part of "Jack's Pack," which is a group created by the Jack Del Rio Foundation in 2010. The group, boys and girls, all have a parent who is active duty Navy stationed at NS Mayport. A bus will transport the group from NS Mayport and the children will be provided a meal at halftime courtesy of the foundation.
The foundation hosted an event once a month since September for "Jack's Pack." Past events included a behind the scenes tour of EverBank Field, a trip to a Jaguars home game, dinner at Maggiano's and a tour of the North Florida campus.
Del Rio and his wife, Linda, established the Jack Del Rio Foundation in 2008 to help improve the lives of children in Northeast Florida by assisting programs that aid in the development, education and enrichment of our youth.
Jaguars donate season tickets to Middleburg family
It has been quite a month for Carrie Prewitt, and probably a little overwhelming. Prewitt, a volleyball coach at Middleburg High School, was chosen for ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."
Prewitt became the legal guardian of one of her players, Ashley Brewer, along with her two younger sisters, Taylor and Gina. The additions to the family required a larger house and that's where the community showed its true colors.
The Middleburg community nominated Prewitt for the 3,400 square-foot home that was built in 106 hours by more than 3,000 volunteers. The project was coordinated by Ark Remodeling & Construction of Gainesville along with J.A. Long Design Builders of Orange Park.
The Jaguars presented the family with four season tickets to the 2011 season along with personalized jerseys and other memorabilia for the home. The University of North Florida announced earlier this month that each of the girls would receive scholarships to continue their education.
Closer look at expansion
Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle wrote an interesting blog over the weekend concerning the Houston Texans and where they stand among NFL teams in the first nine years of existence. The Texans
were the NFL's 12thexpansion franchise.
According to Justice, the Jaguars rank third in the NFL among expansion franchises in the first nine seasons with a .507 winning percentage (73-71) while the Texans are eighth (55-89, 382 pct.). The Jaguars' four postseason appearances in the first nine seasons were topped only by the Miami Dolphins which had five. The Jaguars and Carolina Panthers were the only teams to reach the postseason in their second season.
Experienced staff
Being a head coach at the collegiate or NFL level is a demanding job that is hard to describe unless you've been there. Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio has surrounded himself with six coaches that have served in that capacity. Here's the list:
Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter (Boise State, 1998-2000; Arizona State, 2001-06); Tight ends coach Rob Boras (Benedictine, 1998); Linebackers coach Mark Duffner (Holy Cross, 1986-91; Maryland, 1992-96); Offensive assistant Matt Griffin (Tennessee Martin, 2003-05; Murray State, 2005-09); Assistant Defensive backs coach Thom Kaumeyer (Palomar College, 1994); Quarterbacks coach Mike Sheppard (Long Beach State, 1984-86, New Mexico 1987-91).
Podlesh to host golf tournament
Jaguars punter Adam Podlesh is using his experience to help others. Podlesh was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, Acinic Cell Carcinoma, last year and is proud to announce he is cancer-free today.
Podlesh understands the impact cancer has on individuals and families and decided to do something about it. He will host the Adam Podlesh Play for Life Celebrity Golf Classic on Monday, April 4 at Timuquana Country Club. The event will benefit cancer research in North Florida by contributing to the David Garrard Foundation & The American Cancer Society.
Interested parties should visit adampodlesh.com, call (904) 644-7951 or email info@adampodlesh.com.
Podlesh to sign autographs
Adam Podlesh will sign autographs at the Education Expo on Saturday at the Jacksonville Fair Grounds from 11:00 a.m. – noon.
