Immediate reaction to Thursday's column was very similar to the late responses.

Pointing out that Tulane's Rick Dickson might be the favorite to succeed Frank Broyles as director of athletics at the University of Arkansas was met with : E-mail, 6:36 a. m.: Who ? Phone call, 3:05 p. m.: Who ?

In between there were dozens and dozens of similar communications. That is not a bad thing.

Outside of Jeremy Foley at Florida and Frank Broyles at Arkansas, try to name five athletic directors.

Foley was catapulted into the limelight after Florida won back-to-back championships in basketball and one in football during the past two years. Broyles has earned national attention for his ability to make Arkansas one of the most facility friendly schools in the country without spending a penny of tax money.

Usually, though, ADs are guys who stay behind the scenes. They are guys who know if they are going to have athletic success, they must check their egos at the door. So asking "Who?" about Rick Dickson is not a bad thing.

In fact, it is probably a good thing.

John Pelphrey has not coached a real game — those were exhibitions in Cancun, Mexico, last weekend — but his popularity continues to grow.

The new coach of the Razorbacks basketball team was the center of attention at a reception Wednesday evening at Pleasant Valley Country Club. Those attending were a who's who that ranged from former Razorbacks players to CEOs of international companies.

Word is everyone was impressed with Pelphrey and Rob Evans, a top assistant for the Hogs this season.

Race for the Cure is an absolutely great event that supports a very worthy cause, breast cancer research. Yet, more men are affected each year by prostate cancer than women are by breast cancer, which once more proves women do a better job of organizing events than men.

However, there is a huge event coming up in central Arkansas that will benefit the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation. It isn't a competition, but it definitely is sports-related and something that everyone can participate in, and it is the perfect opportunity to travel across the Big Dam Bridge.

The Big Dam Bridge 100 Bicycle Ride, in its second year, will be Sept. 29. Last year's first bicycle event was huge because the bridge was new.

Well, the bridge is still pretty new and, as stated before, this is a great cause.

"This is a very exciting event for us," said Helen Baldwin, director of the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation. "We are always looking for ways to increase awareness, so we are very happy to be involved with such a wonderful event."

You don't have to be a serious biker to be a part of the event either. There are five distances you can ride : 12 miles, 25, 50, 75 and 100. The ride begins and finishes in downtown North Little Rock.

However, not only will participants ride across the longest cycling and pedestrian bridge in the world, they will get to enjoy some beautiful Arkansas scenery and the hospitality of Mayflower and Conway. The residents of both of those cities offer very innovative rest stops.

When the ride finishes with a Tour de France flair, it will be among vendors and entertainment. There also will be an expo Sept. 28 at Dickey-Stephens Park. Every rider will receive a specially designed T-shirt and other prizes. For more information, call (501 ) 225-5343, (501 ) 324-9952 or (870 ) 246-6686. The second annual Big Dam Bridge 100 Bicycle Ride is a great event that helps a great cause.