How about this for cross promotion?

  Arkansas will show 11 minutes from the documentary John McDonnell – The Greatest Coach Ever!  at 9:30 a.m. Saturday on the JumboTron inside John McDonnell Field. The 11-minute clip will be shown before competition begins on the final day of the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

  Although he retired last summer, McDonnell has been a regular site at the four-day track meet.

  There are a number of famous miles.

  There’s “The Green Mile,” the Stephen King novel (which I recommend). 

  There’s “8 Mile,” the Eminem film (another personal favorite).

  And there’s “The Four-Minute Mile” (something I’ve never been anywhere close to accomplishing).

  But now it turns out there will be the John McDonnell Mile.

  Arkansas officials announced Monday afternoon that they’ll honor their former men’s track and field coach by naming the mile run at this week’s Tyson Invitational after him.

  “It’s a great honor, especially how it has come around (and) how much I’ve done for the sport here at the university. And I’m honored to have my name on the mile,” McDonnell said at a news conference Monday inside Bud Walton Arena. “I just hope that an Arkansas guy wins it.”

  McDonnell’s name is synonymous with Arkansas track, and it’s no surprise that there is already John McDonnell Field and the John McDonnell Invitational. What’s next after the John McDonnell Mile? The John McDonnell javelin throw?

  Here is more about the John McDonnell Mile, which should make for a great race on the first night of the Tyson Invitational (9:55 p.m. Friday).

Arkansas’ athletic department released this not long ago. This decision was expected.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The NCAA Division I Infractions Appeals Committee has denied the University of Arkansas’ appeal of the sanctions imposed against its men’s track and field program.

The University of Arkansas appealed the penalties assigned by the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions in its report of Oct. 25, 2007. In the appeal, the University argued that the penalties assigned by the NCAA Committee of Infractions were both “excessive and inappropriate.” The University also contended that the starting date of the probation period should reflect the beginning of the institution’s self-imposed probation.

“We are disappointed in the outcome of our appeal before the NCAA Division I Infractions Appeal Committee,” Arkansas Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long said. “We believe that in our presentation before the appeals committee, we made clear and compelling arguments that the penalties assessed were excessive and that the starting date of the probationary period should include the nine months of self-imposed probation. Although we differ in our view in the appropriateness of the penalties and the application of the probation period, we respect the appeals process.

In its decision, the Appeals Committee directed the University to seek clarification from the NCAA committee responsible for scoring track and field events with respect to the proper manner for calculating a vacation of points.  Accordingly, Jeff Long stated, “The University of Arkansas does intend to seek clarification on the vacation of records as it applies to the deduction of individual points. In the near future, we will communicate with the Division I Men’s Track and Field Committee to review this issue.”

“Obviously, I am disappointed in the decision of the Appeals Committee,” former Arkansas head track and field coach John McDonnell said. “As noted by the Appeals Committee, I believe it is important to seek clarification of the proper method for calculating the points that must be vacated. This determination will have an important impact on the ultimate outcome of the sanctions imposed against the University.”

Arkansas’ athletic department released this not long ago. This decision was expected.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The NCAA Division I Infractions Appeals Committee has denied the University of Arkansas’ appeal of the sanctions imposed against its men’s track and field program.

The University of Arkansas appealed the penalties assigned by the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions in its report of Oct. 25, 2007. In the appeal, the University argued that the penalties assigned by the NCAA Committee of Infractions were both “excessive and inappropriate.” The University also contended that the starting date of the probation period should reflect the beginning of the institution’s self-imposed probation.

“We are disappointed in the outcome of our appeal before the NCAA Division I Infractions Appeal Committee,” Arkansas Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long said. “We believe that in our presentation before the appeals committee, we made clear and compelling arguments that the penalties assessed were excessive and that the starting date of the probationary period should include the nine months of self-imposed probation. Although we differ in our view in the appropriateness of the penalties and the application of the probation period, we respect the appeals process.

In its decision, the Appeals Committee directed the University to seek clarification from the NCAA committee responsible for scoring track and field events with respect to the proper manner for calculating a vacation of points.  Accordingly, Jeff Long stated, “The University of Arkansas does intend to seek clarification on the vacation of records as it applies to the deduction of individual points. In the near future, we will communicate with the Division I Men’s Track and Field Committee to review this issue.”

“Obviously, I am disappointed in the decision of the Appeals Committee,” former Arkansas head track and field coach John McDonnell said. “As noted by the Appeals Committee, I believe it is important to seek clarification of the proper method for calculating the points that must be vacated. This determination will have an important impact on the ultimate outcome of the sanctions imposed against the University.”