It was a busy day Monday for Northwestern.

Not only did the athletic department announce "PersaStrong," a marketing campaign to promote quarterback Dan Persa as a Heisman Trophy candidate, it also put the design of its new basketball court to a fan vote.

Let's start with the first item: Persa. I must say, the campaign is pretty cool, thanks in large part to the seven-pound dumbells the school is sending out to members of the media in honor of Persa's reputation as the strongest pound-for-pound athlete on Northwestern's team and strongest quarterback in the country. It's a pretty creative concept.

That said, as exciting as Northwestern's dual-threat quarterback is, it's very premature to tout him as a Heisman candidate. Persa says he's recovered from last year's season-ending Achilles' injury, but with so much of his game dictated by his feet, you have to wonder if he will be the same player. If so, he could put up Heisman-worthy numbers -- however, he would still have to battle the stigma of not playing for a big-time school. Either way, you have to hand it to Northwestern for putting in the time and money for this venture.

As for the basketball court, this should be a fun contest. After a quick look, I'd say anything but No. 3. I know Boise State has had great luck with its blue turf, but a purple court doesn't figure to have the same success. I think No. 1 looks the best.