While the world wonders if Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, the most powerful black woman in the world, really has a man, apparently she used to have a thing for guys in sports. During her graduate years at the University of Denver, Rice dated Denver Bronco wide receiver, now a high school football coach, Rick Upchurch. “Yes,” Upchurch told the Denver Post’s Bill Husted. “We dated a bit. She was a very nice person, a genuine and warm person.”

Rice also briefly dated fellow DU student, Thierry Smith, now a host on Denver’s only sports radio station 950 AM The Fan.

"I would use the term (dated) loosely," Smith told Husted. "We went to the movies once or twice, that’s all. I don’t want it to sound like anything heavy duty. She was way above me, intellectually -- and very young."

Condi earned her bachelor's degree in political science, cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Denver in 1974; her master's from the University of Notre Dame in 1975 and her Ph.D. from the Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Denver in 1981.

Jamal Lewis Seeing Freedom

Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis was released from prison this week after serving a four month federal prison term. He pleaded guilty to using a cell phone to try to set up a cocaine deal in 2000. Although Lewis is being released a couple of days early, he will have to return to Atlanta to serve a two-month stint in a halfway house, causing him to miss the Ravens mini-camp this month and will not be able to report to training camp on July 31. In fact, he won’t be able to report until August 2. Lewis asked that he be allowed to transfer to a halfway house in Maryland, but that request was denied.

“We've had constant communication," Ravens coach Brian Billick told the Associated Press. "Everybody who has been down there has come back just thrilled with Jamal's attitude, how he looks, how he feels about himself across the board. It's been a very positive experience, as best it can under those circumstances."

Derek Jeter Launches Web Site

New York Yankees six-time all-star Derek Jeter has launched his own official website. Developed by MLB Advanced Media, Yankee and Jeter fans can visit the site to read Jeter’s journal entries, get info on his Turn 2 Foundation, watch live and archived video, buy Jeter merchandise and keep up with the latest Jeter news on and off the field.

"I'm excited to share my perspectives on the game directly with fans, and give them the opportunity to learn firsthand about my off-field interests like my Turn 2 Foundation." Jeter said in a statement. "The creative team has done a great job designing a site that reflects my personality."

Fans can visit the site at DerekJeter.com

Shaq Goes After Sexual Predators

On his new show ‘Shaquille,’ Shaq said that there is a lot of downtime when teams go on the road. That’s probably why the Big Fella signed up with the Department of Justice task force, the team that hunts down sexual predators who target children on the internet. Last week Shaq was sworn in as a U.S. Deputy Marshal and spent six hours with Miami Beach police investigators helping out with cases. O’Neal is already spending a lot of his spare time learning the software and ropes the police use to track down the offenders.

"I put a lot into it, and when I am done playing, I plan on going undercover and then being the sheriff or chief of police somewhere, either Miami or Orlando, I don't know yet," O'Neal told the Associated Press. "Everyone knows the love I have for the people who defend the streets and the people who defend our country, the armed forces, the Army, Navy, Marines. I want to do something like that, help the community. And I want to do it the right way, like everybody else, not just a famous figurehead that gets a job because he is a famous basketball player. I want to really learn the business."

Shaq has always been interested in the law enforcement industry. While he was in L.A., he went through the police academy and became a reserve officer with the L.A. Port Police.

A-Rod Gives Loot to Help Mental Health

Folks may be clowning Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez for going through therapy, but it is something he takes quite seriously. Last week he donated $200,000 to the Children’s Aid Society to benefit mental health programs that work with young students in upper Manhattan. In a statement, Rodriguez said that he was concerned with the "alarming rate" of suicide among youth. The money will go towards helping students deal with depression and counseling for family stress and behavioral problems.

Amare Stoudamire Coverboy for NBA ‘06

In an effort to compete with EA Sports’ NBA Live and Sega’s NBA 2K series, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) has announced its new basketball franchise, NBA ’06 exclusively for the Playstation 2. SCEA has tapped Phoenix Suns power forward Amare Stoudamire to grace the cover.

"Amare Stoudemire is one of the most talented young players in the league. His story, along with his dynamic and exciting style of play embodies the all-new gameplay features within NBA '06," said Scott Rohde, director, sports product development, SCEA in a statement.

"Powerful dunks and highlight reel plays really come alive in this new franchise, and we feel that Stoudemire is a perfect fit for the cover of NBA '06."

The new game not only features state-of-the-art on court gameplay but also "NBA Life:Volume 1" where players have the opportunity to go through an entire season with all of the emotional ups and downs, team politics and off-court activities, such as trades, press conferences and endorsement deals that every up and coming NBA player must handle. Look for the game to hit shelves this fall.