Kevin Strickland's Sportswriter Profile

Kevin Strickland joined November 2008

Syndicated Writer

80,782article reads
Rank: 229
52articles written
Rank: 907
307comments written
Rank: 854

About Kevin »

Sports editor for a small weekly newspaper in West Alabama for the past 15 years. In career as a sportswriter, covered 12 state championship teams; followed the careers of three local football players who starred at college and played in the NFL and two local baseball players who played in the majors. Won numerous APA awards including Best Sports Column in 2004.

Strickland is also the lead columnist for TigersX.com, a website devoted to college sports discussion in general and Auburn sports in particular.

The Shortlist »

Favorite Athletes

Bo Jackson, Dale Murphy, Greg Maddux, Manny Ramirez, Carnell Williams, LeBron James
Favorite Sports Teams

Auburn, Seattle Seahawks, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves
Favorite Coaches

Shug Jordan, Joe Paterno, Bobby Cox, Dan Reeves
All Time Sports Moment

Auburn 30 Alabama 20, 1989
Most Memorable Game Attended

Auburn v. LSU 2006
Most Unbreakable Sports Record

Consecutive games with a hit
Ruth or Mays?

Ruth
Unitas or Montana?

Unitas
Jordan or Russell?

Jordan
Gretzky or Orr?

Gretzky
Pele or Maradona?

Pele
Federer or Sampras?

Federer
Tiger or Nicklaus?

Nicklaus
Petty or Earnhardt?

Petty
Schumacher or Senna?

Schumacher
Pac 10, Big 12, Big 10, SEC, ACC, or Big East?

SEC

Latest Articles »

Auburn-Georgia: Why the Bulldogs Will Black Out the Tigers

11/12/2009

1,020 reads 18 comments 0 likes

SEC Officiating: Incompetence or Protecting Sacred Cows?

11/09/2009

771 reads 12 comments 2 likes

Auburn's Gene Chizik Has Met Expectations

11/09/2009

1,482 reads 19 comments 1 likes

Auburn 63, Furman 31: What Did the Tigers Learn?

11/08/2009

445 reads 13 comments 0 likes

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Comment

Ingram Worley commented on Flag Wars: An Auto Anatomy of the Rivalry Between Auburn and Alabama

Kevin- Believe it or not, I actually enjoyed the read. I like to see the pot stirred a little to start Iron Bowl week, even if...

2 replies – here are the latest…
Kevin McGrady replied…

I would never take out the Bear! The Bear was hired to end Auburn's dominance. He...
Beau Hinely replied…

Kevin, I appreciate your passion for all things Auburn Tigers. It's what makes this rivalry so...

Sportscaster007 said...

Delete

Who's on UPSET ALERT on Turkey Day Weekend?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/296552-college-football-predictions-week-13-whos-on-upset-alert

10 hours ago

Comment

mark hopkins commented on Flag Wars: An Auto Anatomy of the Rivalry Between Auburn and Alabama

Kevin - my first football memory is Namth's senior year. Here is decade by decade 40's - 1-1 50's - 5-5 (Auburn's glory decade) 60's -...

2 replies – here are the latest…
Kevin McGrady replied…

Your facts are a little off again, Here is some help. 1982 Alabama 22 Auburn 23...
Kevin McGrady replied…

I have herd the Tide crowd come up with these same things before. It was true...

Henry Ball said...

Delete

As President of the Les Miles Fan Club I took a big hit on Saturday Night but is Les really on the Hot Seat?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/295130-is-les-miles-on-the-hot-seat-does-one-second-define-tenure-at-lsu

I'd appreciate your feedback and I hope you like it, if you find me worthy!

Thanks in advance. - HB

2 days ago

Comment

mark hopkins commented on Flag Wars: An Auto Anatomy of the Rivalry Between Auburn and Alabama

In addition - when Malzahn leaves, so does any momentum in Barnville.

Comment

mark hopkins commented on Flag Wars: An Auto Anatomy of the Rivalry Between Auburn and Alabama

Kevin - check your facts my friend - Bama is 4th in the NCAA in football driven revenue - Auburn is not in the top 10....

Comment

mark hopkins commented on Flag Wars: An Auto Anatomy of the Rivalry Between Auburn and Alabama

I was talking football with a Univ of Texas fan and the subject of Auburn came up. He said "yeah, their like the Texas A&M of...

Kevin McGrady said...

Delete

Thanks for your response Kevin and thanks for your time helping kids. I did not say the talent was missed, I said it was missed by Auburn. I know what you said about Bowden was true as I was informed of the same things by other coaches like yourself. There is a hole in my knowledge of our program from the early years of Pat Dye to the first years of Tommy Tuberville. I was out of the country a lot then as well as out of state continuously. I think you are correct about the cause of the decline of Auburn Recruiting in our area. I think it was damaged like you said and never recovered like it should have been. The bad thing is this was traditionally an area that a full twenty five percent of the Auburn team came from. That is why I used it as an example. The number of players from this area at Division 1 teams has increased and the number at Auburn has decreased. I like Tommy Tuberville, I like what he did. I signed petitions and voiced my opinion to any one of circumstance that would listen in the jet gate incident. I think he was wronged and I still believe that to be the case. I know for a fact he did not put the effort into recruiting the next two years after that. I thought is was just the let down. He tried to recover last season and some of the Freshmen Auburn has now are due to the efforts of him and his staff. He was trying to do a good thing with the hire of Franklin. We have a similar offense now. I guess this might confirm his wisdom. One thing is certain though. He never re established Auburn's recruiting dominance over traditional recruiting grounds. This was the point I was making and it is a marked improvement in the Auburn program that it is happening now. I led Marines for half my life so I know what hard work is. I know the ups and downs of young men and motivation. I know that there will be one walk on go to Auburn in in another year and make the team and start for Auburn. He chose another initial path and I respect him for that. I also know the Alabama talent we play week in and week out at other SEC schools would not all be there if Auburn had locked the doors at home before they left traveling to another state. I wish Tommy Tuberville all the best. I am embarrassed to this day at the way he was treated. I am also livid at the way he left the talent pool at my school. There is no way to explain that one away. There are Line Backers, Defensive Backs, Defensive Ends, Defensive Tackles from our state at every major SEC school that we play. I can see losing out to Alabama on in state recruiting, I can't see loosing out to every other SEC School. While they were filling up their rosters from our state Auburn was recruiting 30 out of state and retaining 15. I do not know if this was Tubberville, his staff, or the Auburn Administration. What ever it was, I am glad it has stopped and I am looking forward to a brighter future for Auburn.

15 days ago

Kevin McGrady said...

Delete

Kevin do not misunderstand me. I am not being critical of you. You are just under the same delusion as many others. Auburn recruiting was limited to attending paid camps for prospects for the last decade. These camps were expensive, I know this as my own son attended many. There was a 340lbs Offensive Line prospect in our area that had no scholarship offers through his senior season. Money was given for him to attend camp after the season and he immediately got three offers and is playing in Mississippi now. I knew my son was going to receive an academic scholarship so I quit paying for these camps in his junior and senior year. Many of the kids in Alabama that are good prospects do not attend camps due to a lack of money or their parents lack of interest. Auburn never sent out a representative to any of the games my son played in and there were 9 players that are playing at the next level off of that team alone. Chizik and Staff already scooped up some prospects from Lincoln by going and seeing them play. Auburn was either lazy or inept at recruiting for the last decade. Camps are not a good way to find talent. Most of the good ones do not need camp and have already been recruited when they attend one. Camps are mainly for FBS recruits that can't quite cut it at the highest level. Alabama has always got the prime recruits from our area in the last decade due to them coming to the games and recruiting. The only reason Auburn got ElToro Freeman was his learning disability. There are now 9 professional athletes from this one area playing. None of them were recruited by Auburn for any sport. In contrast from 1978 to 1982 there was an Auburn scout at every one of our baseball games and most of our basketball games. Every local football game in the second half of the season had a scout. They were usually local people that reported back to the University and then the big boys were sent out depending on interest. The Agee Brothers were a great example of the success of this. They were from a small 1 A school and would never see the light of day now. Do you think Tommy Agee could play D1 ball today? I do. Do you think Auburn would have got the commitment from Bo Jackson only 30 miles from Tuscaloosa if Auburn had only recruited him at camp? He had little interest in camp any way, he was busy playing three sports and working. I don't expect for you to understand this, but poor people do not put much stock in scholarships and paying for their children to go to a football camp when they are able to work and learn a trade in that time is not considered a wise investment. As a parent you are either blinded to your kids talent by skepticism or exaggerated in their abilities by love. Most High School coaches in Alabama do not put in extra effort to get the word out about prospects. This leaves the only logical option. Any Major University will have to get out and beat the bushes in their own area to be successful. If they only compete on the ones everyone else is competing for there will be more failures than success. The earlier a player is recruited the better the chances of success. Auburn had lost this advantage, now it is coming back. Gus Malzhan had been recruiting the prospect you watched on TV for years. Auburn got him due to having Gus Malzhan. He would have gone to Tulsa if Malzhan were there. Alabama and Tennessee as well as Arkansas recruited this kid at camp and put on a ferocious effort this year. It was to no avail as he was won years ago.

15 days ago

Kevin McGrady said...

Delete

Where is your preview this week? You are not feeling poorly are you? I have herd that Malzhan has cut his telegraph wires for the opposition. The bend but don't break defense LSU is running is made for Auburn's style of offense. On the other hand LSU has a higher level of Talent and is deeper at every position.

33 days ago

Kevin McGrady said...

Delete

I finally got you meaning Kevin I thought I deleted that article this morning. I had no intention of rubbing salt in the young mans wounds. Thank you for bringing that to my attention.

46 days ago

Sportscaster007 said...

Delete

Who's on UPSET ALERT on Turkey Day Weekend?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/296552-college-football-predictions-week-13-whos-on-upset-alert

10 hours ago

Henry Ball said...

Delete

2 days ago

Kevin McGrady said...

Delete

15 days ago

Kevin McGrady said...

Delete

15 days ago

Kevin McGrady said...

Delete

33 days ago

Kevin McGrady said...

Delete

I finally got you meaning Kevin I thought I deleted that article this morning. I had no intention of rubbing salt in the young mans wounds. Thank you for bringing that to my attention.

46 days ago

Kevin McGrady said...

Delete

I herd this morning. I did not hear the circumstances. I sure hate to see a young man mess up his life. I guess he let his emotions get the better of him rather than pushing himself to improve. I guess my article did not help any. I am sure Coach Chizik has good reason for what he did.

46 days ago

Ash Marshall said...

Delete

Heya Kevin, I really enjoy reading your lists.

I've just posted a new top 10, "If athletes were items around the house".

Who is the toilet brush, the flat screen TV, the cockroach and the Seinfeld box set?

Click here to find out.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/269216-if-athletes-were-things-found-around-the-home-why-brett-favre-is-the-cockroach

Let me know what you think.

Cheers,

Ash

46 days ago

Tom Hillebrand said...

Delete

Hi Kevin. I really enjoy your view on AU football. I'm definitely more of a cynical, "see-it-to-believe-it" kind of guy, so your takes tend to be closer to mine than other writers here. Part of what makes this place so enjoyable to visit is the divergence of views. Keep up that good work and I'll be looking forward to your next article! WDE!

68 days ago

Kevin McGrady said...

Delete

You have the results of Auburn week one. Did this change your opinion of this team and coaching staff?

79 days ago

Ingram Worley said...

Delete

So much for the Furcal thing-I don't even want to know what happened with that. Unfortunately, this probably means in the long run that the Braves have no starting pitchers in the works, and this probably means another sub-500 year. On the bright side, we may be slipping back into that '80's mindset, where you know they're gonna lose, but you watch them anyway. I blame half of this on the management for feeling the need to pay Mike Hampton 96.4 Billion dollars to pitch like 8 games. He tied up so much of the payroll to ride the pine, that they could not recover. Now, I'm afraid, your starting rotation on opening day will be an absolute wreck, with a killer bullpen that's finally healthy. Unfortunatly, those guys in the pen do you no good if you're down 8-2 in the 5th. I think they need to bring back Chief Knockahoma to shoot the canon every time they hit a home run. At least I'd have something to look forward to.

342 days ago

Ingram Worley said...

Delete

Man, I just don't know about this. I suspect that they've got something in the works for an Escobar trade, because, judging by what little I know about baseball, you can't have 2 starting shortstops. Maybe they're gonna move Escobar to 2nd, but that wastes his arm. This would open up Kelly Johnson to move back to center, but that doesn't answer anything. Frank Wren, the semi-new GM, isn't exactly doing a bang-up job. He needs to throw most of his chips at starting pitchers-shortstop is one are that the Braves are actually okay. The fact of the matter is, unless they come up with at least 2 quality starting pitchers, they are 3rd in the division at best. I miss Bob Horner.

343 days ago

Ray Bogusz said...

Delete

I realized the BCS is better than a play-off, and decided it needed to be defended. I'd love your input.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/90374-bcs-football-in-the-wake-of-selection-sunday-we-defend-the-red-headed-stepchild

I'd appreciate it if you had the chance.

352 days ago

Justin Goar said...

Delete

hey kevin,
i really dig your writing. hopefully you'll keep posting stuff on B/R.

Justin

357 days ago

SECSportsHub.com said...

Delete

Thanks, you can see the article posted on our blog here.

http://secsportshub.com/main/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=60

376 days ago

Kevin's Achievements & Awards (44) »

Hot Read [article title]

Hot Read: Silver Medal

Kentucky 21, Auburn 14: The Coronation …

Received 2,000 Reads • October 17, 2009
Great Debate [article title]

Great Debate: Silver Medal

Auburn's Ben Tate sends Heisman Hopes o…

Received 50 comments • October 05, 2009
Hot Read [article title]

Hot Read: Silver Medal

Auburn's Ben Tate sends Heisman Hopes o…

Received 2,000 Reads • October 05, 2009
Hot Read [article title]

Hot Read: Silver Medal

4-0 Auburn: No Respect, No Respect at All

Received 2,000 Reads • September 28, 2009
Hot Read [article title]

Hot Read: Silver Medal

The Big 4-0: Fast Start Bodes Well for …

Received 2,000 Reads • September 27, 2009
Hot Read [article title]

Hot Read: Silver Medal

Auburn Vs. Ball State: Why the Tigers W…

Received 2,000 Reads • September 22, 2009
Hot Read [article title]

Hot Read: Silver Medal

87,000 Game Balls: Auburn's Gene Chizik…

Received 2,000 Reads • September 20, 2009
Hot Read [article title]

Hot Read: Silver Medal

Auburn-West Virginia: Why the Tigers Wi…

Received 2,000 Reads • September 17, 2009
Great Debate [article title]

Great Debate: Silver Medal

Auburn-West Virginia: Why the Tigers Wi…

Received 50 comments • September 17, 2009
Hot Read [article title]

Hot Read: Silver Medal

Tiger Tale: A Day in the Life of Auburn…

Received 2,000 Reads • September 14, 2009
Hot Read [article title]

Hot Read: Silver Medal

Auburn 49, Mississippi State 24: Puttin…

Received 2,000 Reads • September 13, 2009
Hot Read [article title]

Hot Read: Silver Medal

Auburn-Mississippi State: Why the Tiger…

Received 2,000 Reads • September 09, 2009

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Kevin Strickland joined November 2008

Kevin Strickland's Stats

About Kevin »

The Shortlist »

Latest Articles »

Auburn-Georgia: Why the Bulldogs Will Black Out the Tigers

SEC Officiating: Incompetence or Protecting Sacred Cows?

Auburn's Gene Chizik Has Met Expectations

Auburn 63, Furman 31: What Did the Tigers Learn?

Ingram Worley commented on Flag Wars: An Auto Anatomy of the Rivalry Between Auburn and Alabama

Sportscaster007 said...

mark hopkins commented on Flag Wars: An Auto Anatomy of the Rivalry Between Auburn and Alabama

Henry Ball said...

mark hopkins commented on Flag Wars: An Auto Anatomy of the Rivalry Between Auburn and Alabama

mark hopkins commented on Flag Wars: An Auto Anatomy of the Rivalry Between Auburn and Alabama

mark hopkins commented on Flag Wars: An Auto Anatomy of the Rivalry Between Auburn and Alabama

Kevin McGrady said...

Kevin McGrady said...

Kevin McGrady said...

Kevin McGrady said...

Sportscaster007 said...

Henry Ball said...

Kevin McGrady said...

Kevin McGrady said...

Kevin McGrady said...

Kevin McGrady said...

Kevin McGrady said...

Ash Marshall said...

Tom Hillebrand said...

Kevin McGrady said...

Ingram Worley said...

Ingram Worley said...

Ray Bogusz said...

Justin Goar said...

SECSportsHub.com said...

Kevin's Achievements & Awards (44) »

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Kevin's Fans (33) »

Kevin's Favorite Writers (3) »

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