on an upward trend now, Menard said. I think that they are to be co

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida State players have received their Peach Bowl rings, not to mark losing that game to Houston but in celebration of winning the mythical Sunshine State title.The Seminoles defeated Miami, Florida and South Florida last season and were presented the rings last week.The rings became a topic of conversation on social media with people questioning why Florida State would reward itself for a mythical championship, especially with its success under coach Jimbo Fisher. The Seminoles won their third national championship in 2013 and the Atlantic Coast Conference title three of the past four seasons.Fisher has stressed winning in the Sunshine State. The Seminoles have won six straight against the Hurricanes and five of the last six versus the Gators.One side of the Florida State bowl ring has the Peach Bowl logo and score. The Seminoles, who finished the season 10-3, lost to the Cougars 38-24.According to a purchase order supplied by the university, Florida State spent $234 on each of the 265 rings ($62,010 total). NCAA rules specify that a team can spend up to $400 per player on a gift and often the gift is a ring.Schools have given rings to players even when they have been postseason eligible. Ohio State did it after the Buckeyes went 12-0 in 2012 and North Carolina gave rings to players celebrating a Coastal Division title that same year, even though the Tar Heels couldnt participate in the ACC title game due to NCAA violations. Discount Nike Free . Aaron Harrison scored a 22 points for Kentucky (6-1), which has won four in a row following a Nov. 12 loss to current No. 1 Michigan State. Julius Randle overcame a scoreless first half and added his sixth double-double in as many games with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Nike Free Wholesale China . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. http://www.cheapnikefree.net/ ., for the next three years with the signings on Monday of Daryl Townsend and Michael Carter. Cheap Nike Free Sale . First off, the fans ripped the Cubbies introduction of a fuzzy new kid-friendly mascot named "Clark". Wholesale Nike Free . The 18-year-old American had five birdies in her bogey-free round for a 17-under total of 196. Lee held the overnight lead but mixed three birdies with two bogeys for a 70. SONOMA, Calif. -- It was the year of Roger Penske in IndyCar. No team came close to stopping Team Penskes march to the top of the standings.When the checkered flag fell Sunday on the 2016 season, Penske drivers celebrated with their 10th victory of the year and a 1-2-3 finish in the final IndyCar standings. The last time a team swept the season standings was in 1994 by another Penske group: Al Unser Jr., Emerson Fittipaldi and Paul Tracy.This trio of Simon Pagenaud, Will Power and Helio Castroneves couldnt be touched this season as the entire organization was determined to forget its failure a year ago while giving the boss the gift of an IndyCar championship in the 50th anniversary season of Team Penske.The numbers look great, for sure. Its very satisfying, said Pagenaud, who won his first championship in his sophomore season driving for Penske. Its certainly a big year for us. Fifty-year anniversary, win for the team, winning myself, my name is always going to be there. Its great to be the little thing I am in such a big team with such history.The dominance shown by the organization this year comes amid signs of promise for IndyCars future.Although the series continues to be dwarfed by NASCAR in television ratings, its viewership increased this season on NBC Sports Network. The 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 was sold out, and the series celebrated a new American winner that day in rookie Alexander Rossi.Rossi didnt put together a magical season after his surprising 15 minutes of fame, and right up until he ran out of gas in the last corner of Sundays season finale, hes been a mixed bag.Its weird how this sport works -- we won the biggest race of the year the same way (on fuel), Rossi said. Its just the way it goes sometime. Its easier to look back at things that could have been different, but thats racing and I hope to show what Im capable of in the future.What his future holds, nobody knows.Rossi could try to return to Formula One, where hes still seeking a role beyond reserve driver, or return to IndyCar. He entered the series in a partnership between Bryan Herta and Andretti Autosport, but was suddenly mentioned at Sonoma Raceway as a potential candidate to drive for Penske.Penske has yet to commit to four cars next season, which puts Juan Pablo Montoya in a state of limbo. While last years Indianapolis 500 winner doesnt expect Penske to bring him back in 2017, Penske himself said planning is still ongoing and hed like to have his lineup set in the next 60 days.Many believe Josef Newgarden, another budding American star, will be Montoyas replacement. The only thing that is certain, though, is that Newgarden will likely be the first domino to fall in what could be a frenzied ooffseason free agency that leads to new jobs for Montoya, Sebastien Bourdais, Tony Kanaan, Newgarden and others.ddddddddddddMeanwhile, Chip Ganassi has yet to announce a replacement sponsor for Target, which is leaving IndyCar after 27 seasons with the team owner. Targets departure leaves four-time series champion Scott Dixon without a sponsor, but Ganassi has shown no signs of worry.While the loss of Target could be seen as a blow to IndyCars place in the sports marketing world, the series was bolstered this weekend by DHL Express renewing its sponsorship of Ryan Hunter-Reay through 2020 and Menards returning to the series in a significant sponsorship role with Pagenaud next season.Ryan is a tremendous brand ambassador for us, said DHL CEO Mike Parra. Then the association with ... having the Andretti name associated with DHL -- we say were the worlds most international company. Who better than to be associated with what I believe is the best owner and the best name in this business?For John Menard, who spent years as both a team owner and sponsor in IndyCar before moving his focus to NASCAR and the career of his son, Paul, the return has been based on a sense of excitement around the series. He first inched back to IndyCar with a three-race sponsorship agreement with Penske that included the Indianapolis 500. The deal grew to five races this season, and will be 10 as Pagenauds primary sponsor next year.I think IndyCar is on an upward trend now, Menard said. I think that they are to be commended, the people that are running it right now, because I think theyre doing a great job. Its not easy right now competing for attention in the sports world with all the things that are going on. To see IndyCar having some growth, having really successful races ... were really excited to be back as part of it.The series will receive some much-needed offseason attention through James Hinchcliffes participation in Dancing With The Stars. The Canadian has become a brand ambassador for IndyCar, and got the DWTS opportunity through appearances on Family Feud and The Steve Harvey Show.Now IndyCar has gone all-in on marketing for Hinchcliffes dancing bit, and hes doing the same for the series.Doing `Dancing With The Stars was to help spread the IndyCar message. That was honestly one of my reasons, bigger reasons, for doing it, he said. Im such a fan of this sport. I have been since I was a kid. Im now in a super fortunate position to be involved in it and essentially in a sense be a spokesperson for it. I want to tell the story. I want to show people how cool this sport really is. ' ' '