Recapping the week...

Dallas Mavericks' star Dirk Nowitzki headlined the week, returning a signed jersey in less than a month care of the team address. The 7-foot native of Germany is a seven-time NBA All-Star selection and was the first ever European-born player to receive the NBA MVP award. One of the NBA's best signers, Dirk has averaged at least 21 points per game every season since the 2000-2001 campaign.



Meanwhile, former Penn State running back Larry Johnson signed a pair of index cards in just over two weeks. A former first round draft pick, Johnson ran for over 2000 yards in 2002 at PSU and set the NCAA record for yards per carry over the course of a season. That same season, he broke the school's record for rushing yards in a game three separate times.

A number of college baseball players also signed, including Vanderbilt's Dominic de la Osa, who sent back a pair of signed index cards care of the athletic department in just three weeks. De la Osa, a senior from Miami, hit .378 last season with a team-high 20 homeruns.

Also signing was former Rutgers star Todd Frazier, a former Little League World Series champion and 2007 Big East Player of the Year. Frazier signed a pair of index cards and completed a questionnaire in less than two weeks.

Tulane's Shooter Hunt signed a single index card care of the athletic department in 17 days. Hunt, a junior transfer from Virginia, is projected by some to be a 1st round draft pick this summer after compiling a 2.62 ERA and 6-6 record for the Green Wave last spring.

Yale's Ryan Lavarnway also signed a pair of index cards, completed a questionnaire, and included a nice note care of the athletic department in 17 days. A Second Team All-American a season ago, Lavarnway led the NCAA in batting average last year, improving his average by nearly 200 points from the season before.

New Orleans' Johnny Giavotella also signed a pair of index cards and completed a questionnaire care of the UNO athletic department in just 21 days. Giavotella led the Privateers to the Sun Belt Conference Tournament title and was named the event's Most Outstanding Player while also earning Third Team All-America honors.

Rounding out the college baseball signers was California's David Cooper. The First Team All-Pac 10 selection from a season ago led the Bears with a .382 average at the plate in 2007 while also slamming a dozen homers.

Turning to college hoops, Niagara's Charron Fisher signed a pair of index cards care of the athletic department in just six days. Fisher is the country's second-leading scorer, averaging nearly 27 points per game while also grabbing 9 rebounds per contest.

A pair of coaches also signed care of email. Wisconsin head football coach Bret Bielema sent a signed 8x10 photo, while South Florida head basketball coach Stan Heath sent a smaller photo back signed.














2008 STATS - COLLEGE BASEBALL
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RECEIVED: 20
SENT: 68
% RECEIVED: 29.4%
AVG # OF DAYS: 12.5
PRICE PER SUCCESS: $3.25

2007 STATS - COLLEGE BASKETBALL
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RECEIVED: 28
SENT: 131
% RECEIVED: 21.4%
AVG # OF DAYS: 20.4
PRICE PER SUCCESS: $5.00