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Heading into the weekend before Dead Week, Kevin Costner - who produced, directed and acted his way out of Hollywood relevance with such bombs as "Waterworld" and "The Postman", two post-apocalyptic snooze-fests that had more to do with Costner's self-indulgence than actual plot - and his country-rock band were receiving more hype and attention in Eugene than Oregon's track and field team in the midst of the West Regionals competition.

Granted, the regional competition isn't quite as captivating as the Pacific-10 Conference Championships or the NCAAs, but it's important nonetheless.

But no, the baseball marketing machine generator has been turned on and it'll do all it can to get folks turned in its direction. This baseball team is supposed to be one that can actually make money, you know. Nothing gets people's attention better than Hollywood-led country-rock bands.

While Costner and his band were important to the baseball team's monetary situation, nothing will be as important to next year's team as this Thursday's MLB Draft, of which you'll hear nothing from the athletic department. Some of those recruits you've read about may never put on an Oregon uniform.

Speaking of fundraising, Arizona State reinstated its wrestling program 10 days after it was cut after drawing enough financial support from the community.

"Something special is happening on our campus thanks to civic leadership that cares deeply about ASU wrestling," Arizona State Athletic Director Lisa Love said in a press release.

While financial numbers weren't announced, it seems hard to fathom it could have been much more than the $2-plus million the Save Oregon Wrestling program has received. What exactly do its supporters have to do to get wrestling back at the University? Title IX is not the issue here.

If baseball's using its connections to Hollywood, what special something can the wrestling community do to compete?

The answer dawned on me Saturday night, when I witnessed my first mixed martial arts match - Kimbo Slice. The wrestling community could certainly use the fighter in its corner. Not so much as a promotional tool - though judging by the hype leading up to Saturday's fight, this guy gets all the publicity he needs - but for his best attribute: Intimidation.

I've never been so frightened to look into someone's eyes - Slice looked like he was about to kill his competitor leading into the other night's match. I imagine Oregon Athletic Director Pat Kilkenny would feel the same way if Slice stepped into his office giving him the death stare or waited for Kilkenny outside while using his SUV as a punching bag.

I hear Slice likes money, Oregon wrestling fans. If the athletic department isn't going to use it, you should at least have some fun with it.

If you really wanted to make the most out of Slice's appearance in Eugene, try to line it up with the upcoming release of the latest Hulk film by painting him green and have him say 'Kimbo smash.' After that, the wrestling community could match Costner's Hollywood-sports connection but they'd have to figure out a way for Slice to stage a concert - or wait, better yet, use his ties to the porno industry and have him host an adult-entertainment expo.

That would certainly be the best way to one-up the sport you're being replaced with.

jmay@dailyemerald.com

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