NCAA restrictions tighten in regional cities

The NCAA is in more control than it was in 2005, which was the last time Syracuse hosted the NCAA Division I men's basketball East Regionals. The NCAA is not allowing any major pep rallies or events in any of the hosting cities, unless given permission. According to the Post Standard, the NCAA logo isn't even allowed to be seen on any banners, T-shirts, or signs outside the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, except for one welcome banner at the Sheraton Syracuse University hotel on the SU campus. 

Jerry Dellas, whose family owns pizza place Varsity and Faegan's restaurant in Syracuse says "the NCAA wants to control it all" in terms of the presence of the logo. Holy Shirt sportswear in Syracuse usually makes T-shirts supporting Syracuse basketball, but because of the tighter rules, is not allowed to manufacture anything connected with the teams playing in the regionals or the NCAA.

Sponsorship is a big factor in the NCAA's restrictions. Since the Sheraton is a sponsor of the NCAA, the Sheraton Syracuse University hotel is allowed to hang the NCAA welcome banner. 

Among the many NCAA trademarks that restrict anyone from reproducing are "Final Four," "March Madness," "NCAA Sweet Sixteen," and "The Road to Indianapolis." 

Clinton, Bush Visit Haiti

Former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush visited Haiti Monday on behalf of the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, which helps raise money for long-term recovery for the nation. CNN reports Clinton said the U.S. Congress should extend U.S. trade preferences for Haiti that could create as many as 100,000 jobs and would allow Haiti to increase the number of textiles it can export into the U.S.

Korea and Brazil have already showed interest in investing in additional textile manufacturing facilities in Haiti. 

Bush said he and Clinton are working together to remind the American people there is still work to do in Haiti. According to its website, the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund raised more than $37 million in the weeks after the earthquake.

Dancing with the Stars Debuts with Popular Celebrities

Controversial reality TV-star Kate Gosselin danced the Viennese waltz with professional partner Tony Dovolani on the season premiere of Dancing with the Stars Monday night. According to one CNN blog, Gosselin looked nervous and did not get good reviews from the judges. "It looked like Tony was pushing a shopping cart," judge Bruno Tonioli said regarding Gosselin's dependence on Dovolani.

Among the other celebrity contestants were Baywatch star Pamela Anderson, 80-year-old former astronaut Buzz Aldrin, and singer Nicole Scherzinger. Anderson and Aldrin did not score well from the judges, though both had memorable performances. Scherzinger had the highest score of the night. 

Olympic figure skating gold medalist Evan Lysacek, ESPN broadcaster Erin Andrews, and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco also made their DWTS debuts.