With 17 days left until National Signing Day, we'll get back on the FIU recruiting prowl on the next post, but first why don't we take a trip to Mars with former FIU QB Paul McCall.
As part of his FIU graduate work and thanks to the Florida Space Grant Consortium, PMC -- an aspiring astronaut -- is taking his first steps as he prepares to eventually go to space, maybe even Mars one day.
PMC is currently in the Utah desert working in the Mars Desert Research Station of the Mars Society. There PMC and his crew, of which he is the youngest astronaut in training, are conducting surface simulations in a Mars environment. The crew is there doing geological, biological and life sciences research.
Among the crew working with PMC (that's PMC researching on the left), are two pilots, an R&D executive of a biomedical company, a teacher from Belgium, a Colombian engineer that works for the European Space Agency and an award-winning science fiction author.
Here are some websites to visit with more info on what PMC and his crew are up to.
To view their daily reports and images click here: Mars reports
To view PMC's blog click here: Paul Goes to Mars
To view PMC's crew's bios and that of PMC himself click here: PMC's Mars crew
PANTHER PAWSE
Some of you asked when is the FIU Baseball banquet this season. The date is Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Graham Center at FIU. You can contact the FIU Baseball office at: 305-348-7403 and ask for Nike Sheffer. Yes, I know FIU is an adidas school, but they got Nike working in the baseball office.
FIU's Opening Day is on Feb. 19 vs. Maryland at 7 p.m. at University Park Stadium.
We'll take a look at the Panthers linebackers on the next post as we're just a little more than 2 weeks from NSD.
This is a great story Pete. I knew Paul was a smart guy, but future astronaut? Wow.
Best of all is the fact that Paul is wearing an FIU beanie. Blast off into space Paul!!!!
Posted by: alt7787 | January 17, 2010 at 11:05 PM
Good for Paul, as he is a great representative of what FIU Athletics is all about.
Posted by: FIU Fanatic | January 18, 2010 at 11:10 AM
That is amazing! PM not only was probably one of the smartest student-athletes in FIU history, but he was one tough kid. I think no QB would have gotten up after every hit he took last year. Super happy to see that he is living his dream. Also glad to see that he is wearing FIU gear instead of NASA gear..
Once a Golden Panther always a Golden Panther!
Posted by: Gooch7 | January 18, 2010 at 01:00 PM
Thanks pete for the info on the banquet. Ill def be there this year, heard they are having another great speaker this year and the auctions always have some good stuff. Plus, i enjoy helping out the team while having a good time in doing so.
Posted by: c-UM | January 18, 2010 at 01:27 PM
Paul McCall represents the best of collegiate student athlete.
Posted by: gpantera | January 18, 2010 at 11:33 PM
Great story, Pete! PMC, keep making us proud! What a great athlete and a true ambassador of the Golden Panther community. A remarkable story indeed!
Posted by: chrisfiu | January 19, 2010 at 03:01 PM
Thanks for the support everybody! I will represent FIU everywhere I go. Thanks for some of the best years of my life.
Posted by: Paul-12 | January 22, 2010 at 02:40 PM