Per multiple sources, Michigan softball coach Carol Hutchins, the all-time winningest coach in NCAA softball history, announced her retirement Wednesday after 38 seasons at the helm for the Wolverines. In her legendary career, Hutchins notched 1,707 victories and finished with a winning percentage of .755. She is the winningest coach — male or female — in any sport in school history. Hutchins led Michigan to the 2005 national championship and her teams won 22 Big Ten regular-season titles and 10 Big Ten Tournament championships. More importantly, she has been a pioneer for women and women sports.
“Words can not adequately describe my appreciation for all that Carol Hutchins has done for the University of Michigan, the sport of softball, nor for the impact she has had on the lives of countless young people. I also cannot succinctly articulate my personal sadness at her decision to retire from coaching while being so happy that Hutch can enjoy life beyond the game. Hutch is a force who elevated not only the sport of softball but generations of female athletes as a staunch advocate of equality. She has been a tireless fundraiser for societal causes, including the American Cancer Society, and I know that she will continue to impact lives beyond the game of softball. Carol Hutchins is a legend.” Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said in a statement. See my Video of the Day. It is worth your time.
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President Biden announced a plan on Wednesday to wipe out significant amounts of student loan debt for tens of millions of Americans, saying he would cancel $10,000 in debt for those earning less than $125,000 per year and $20,000 for those who had received Pell grants for low-income families. The debt forgiveness, although less than what some Democrats had been pushing for, comes after months of deliberations in the White House over fairness and fears that it could exacerbate inflation before the midterm elections.
Across the United States, 45 million people owe $1.6 trillion for federal loans taken out for college — more than they owe on car loans, credit cards or any consumer debt other than mortgages. Susan Rice, the White House domestic policy adviser, said the administration had not yet determined how much the student debt relief will cost because it will depend on the number of people who apply for it. By some estimates, however, it could cost $300 billion or more.
I am concerned abiout the precedent this sets for the future. What message does this send to those who have paid off their student debt? What about the debt of parents who paid for their children’s education? How will this affect inflation? It is a blessing for those who have their debt forgiven, but I have a feeling there are going to be many unintended consequences.
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I will be watching with great interest the governor’s race in Florida. Former Republican governor, now a Democratic congressman, Charlie Crist will take on current Republican governor Ron DeSantis. This is not a common scenario seen in politics. Further complicating this race is DeSantis’ aspirations for the Republican nomination for president in 2024. Currently DeSantis has the support of the MAGA crowd, but that may change if he is considered a threat to Trump’s potential nomination.
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Elections Matter. Pray for peace and tolerance. What are you doing to stop the violence and mass killings?
Orchid of the Day: Carole Hutchins-see above story
Onion of the Day: Former Detroit police lieutenant John F. Kennedy in charge of rooting out department misconduct pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to pocketing bribes from a towing contractor. Kennedy, who headed the department’s Integrity Unit within the Internal Affairs division, faces up to five years in prison after admitting he conspired with Officer Daniel Vickers to receive bribes and other benefits. In return, Kennedy used his influence to persuade others to steer business to an unnamed towing company, prosecutors said.
Quote of the Day: . “I want to begin by expressing that today I am filled with pride, love, humility and gratitude,” Hutchins said in the announcement from Michigan. “I have served as the head coach of Michigan softball for 38 years, and I am incredibly grateful to the university for this opportunity of a lifetime. I will forever bleed blue.”
Question of the Day: Is President Biden’s student loan debt forgiveness plan, the right thing to do?
Video/Image of the Day: Carol Hutchins
Loan forgiveness opens a black box that will have unintended circumstances. How about those who paid education loans back? How about those who couldn’t afford to go to college and went other directions including technical schools. Now they will have to pay for those who didn’t pay their loans back (i.e. doctors, lawyers, etc.). Honestly, to buy younger votes with this political move is just another way to deepen the divide in this country. Universities tuition costs are too high–find a solution to rein in their costs. Unfortunately and predictively, the universities will raise their rates accordingly and swallow the $10K loan forgiveness. And wait until after the election when Congress kicks the can down the road for the entire college loan forgiveness. If we are still held accountable to the Constitution, this executive order is NOT legal. Hopefully this type of political posturing will be held up to the light of day and fail. We need brave people to call this out!
Doug,
The loan forgiveness program should not have been a high priority. You are correct in that it is about votes, which I am not sure it will help. As far as universities cutting cost, good luck with that. Many universities have turned into temples to honor the egos of previous leadership and donors. There is little or no coordination between nearby universities. They are fiefdoms that care about their reputation and ignore their immediate surroundings outside of their borders. Isn’t it ironic that EMU has graduated the most teachers in the U.S, but Ypsilanti Public Schools does not offer one advanced placement college course for its students, something I guarantee the president of EMU does not know about or care about.