I began this weekly blog back in September. It wasn't because I had a calling from a higher power to discuss sports. It was because I am completing my undergraduate degree and maintaining a blog was a class requirement. Don't act suprise. If one college is doing it, I'm sure thousands are doing the same. There hasn't been a new, fresh, outside of the box ideal since jazz...but don't get me started down that road. When it was time to chose a specific blog topic, I remembered what my 8th grade Social Studies teacher told me regarding a thesis. He said, "write what you can prove and not what you're emotionally attached to." Strong words from a guy that sat next to 80 year-old nuns all day. But, I think sportsmanlike conduct is a grey area that I can argue for or against depending on my mood. Considering the sizable number of blogs with similiar topics, someone is whispering "ditto" or giving me a cyber high-five.
For example, www.stlsports.org/sportsmanship/index.php
You need to do the secret handshake to get from this site which has a bunch of stuff about sportsmanship pledges, donations, scholarships, and donations to get to Solomon's blog. It was worth the dna samples just to read his mission statement: "Sportsmanship is a blog that showcases the respect, fair play, civility, and fun in sports. We will discuss the good, bad, and the ugly topics in sports - with the intention of making the sports experience better for all." He's not doing it for the grade although he is affiliated with the St. Louis Sports Foundations. With his Facebook fans, glare free photos, and variety of topics it is a "good read" as Oprah would say.
I conducted more searches because I thought it would be a nice ideal to showcase another blog. I got leery when I began pulling up things with "Indian" in the title. It could have been American Indians or it could have been blogs on the other side of the world. I'm not as adventourus (or lucky) as Tareq and Michaele Salahi. Also, I don't want my Internet connection interrupted by Big Bro. So let's assume you get the point that there are ethical blogs. One's that take notice to the little things for whatever underlying reason. And did I mention some take donations?
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Help me out on this one
The first order of business is to congratulate Baldwinsville on their win last weekend. They are the undefeated Section III High School football champs! If you'd like to read more about them, check this site out: www.baldwinsvillefootball.com
Now, have any of you taken the time to follow the World Series of Poker? I go to college, work, raise three boys (+ a husband); so Joe Cada winning it and 8.5 million dollars was one of those things that missed my radar. When I learned he was 21 years old, my radar malfunctioned. At that age, I got paid once a month and it was approximately $700. I worked anywhere from 40-100 hrs a week. And as my boys have painfully heard at least once a day, I "ate rocks" for breakfast. To turn on the television and see high school athletes going from pimples to professional status in sports is irritating because they earn 100 times more than me. But at least they spend time training,promoting, playing,etc... And here comes Cada -AKA- Mr. Ego. One of my favorite lines from an interview with Cada was, "college bored him." Everyone has their own opinion and hopefully their own tax preparer. This is after all America the land of opportunity. People can play a variety of sports and be rewarded.
Here's my question to you: what defines a sport nowadays? Pool games, chess tournaments, and food competitions are being labeled sports. Does it have to be competitive? How about a monetary prize? Rules set in stone or some "cut and paste" politically correct guidelines? I know it goes beyond the physical aspect that was synonymous with athletes/players at one time. Since the definition of a sport seems to be changing, it might be necessary to reengage the definition of sportsmanship as well. Give me a little feedback.
Now, have any of you taken the time to follow the World Series of Poker? I go to college, work, raise three boys (+ a husband); so Joe Cada winning it and 8.5 million dollars was one of those things that missed my radar. When I learned he was 21 years old, my radar malfunctioned. At that age, I got paid once a month and it was approximately $700. I worked anywhere from 40-100 hrs a week. And as my boys have painfully heard at least once a day, I "ate rocks" for breakfast. To turn on the television and see high school athletes going from pimples to professional status in sports is irritating because they earn 100 times more than me. But at least they spend time training,promoting, playing,etc... And here comes Cada -AKA- Mr. Ego. One of my favorite lines from an interview with Cada was, "college bored him." Everyone has their own opinion and hopefully their own tax preparer. This is after all America the land of opportunity. People can play a variety of sports and be rewarded.
Here's my question to you: what defines a sport nowadays? Pool games, chess tournaments, and food competitions are being labeled sports. Does it have to be competitive? How about a monetary prize? Rules set in stone or some "cut and paste" politically correct guidelines? I know it goes beyond the physical aspect that was synonymous with athletes/players at one time. Since the definition of a sport seems to be changing, it might be necessary to reengage the definition of sportsmanship as well. Give me a little feedback.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
The Bees might sting someone tonight!
Where is Baldwinsville, NY? Well, it's a village in Onondaga County. The population was 7,053 according to the 2000 census. Traditionally, their school district athletic program has been the butt of jokes within Syracuse city limits. I know because I was one of the main people, figuratively, cracking ribs and vertebra with laughter. It wasn't anything personal because Manlius Peeble Hill, Fayetville-Manlius, and Christian Brother's Academy tickled my funny bone as well. All the schools that were known for their high standardized test scores (and nonexistent racial diversity) were the worst at sports. Well, times have changed. F-M has an awesome track program; CBA has sponsored every athletic immigrant Madonna wouldn't adopt and they have an incredible soccer team. MPH is still MPH...
However, the Baldwinsville Bees deserve the spotlight. Their football team is 10-0. They won their first sectional crown in 20 years. When you see footage of Malik Burks rushing 243 yards or hear about starting Senior QB, Niko Manning's dedication, you can't help but wish the team the best as they head towards their next conquest. Tonight they play Union-Endicott in the state quarterfinal game at 1700hrs (that's 5PM for you civilian types). If you think I'm connected to these guys, your kinda right. I work in the Baldwinsville school district. But, I still live within the Syracuse city limits which makes it weird. The Bees are a group of good kids with raw talent, maturity, and utmost sportsmanship. You can't find a trace of a smirk on my face as I sincerly wish them the best of luck tonight and for many seasons to come!
However, the Baldwinsville Bees deserve the spotlight. Their football team is 10-0. They won their first sectional crown in 20 years. When you see footage of Malik Burks rushing 243 yards or hear about starting Senior QB, Niko Manning's dedication, you can't help but wish the team the best as they head towards their next conquest. Tonight they play Union-Endicott in the state quarterfinal game at 1700hrs (that's 5PM for you civilian types). If you think I'm connected to these guys, your kinda right. I work in the Baldwinsville school district. But, I still live within the Syracuse city limits which makes it weird. The Bees are a group of good kids with raw talent, maturity, and utmost sportsmanship. You can't find a trace of a smirk on my face as I sincerly wish them the best of luck tonight and for many seasons to come!
Friday, November 6, 2009
unfAIR Jordans
Have you heard the latest nonsense surrounding Mr. Jordan? No, he didn't light another cigar across smog-filled California state lines. In fact, it's not that Jordan. It's his son, Marcus, who attends school at the University of Central Florida (UCF). Unknowing to me, Adidas is the school sponsor. Well known to Marcus, who decided to wear his Dad's shoe made by Nike which caused chaos. The guidance on these situations is as follows: "Shoe and apparel contracts with schools normally guarantee that all student-athletes will wear what is made by the contracted shoe and apparel company unless the athlete, for some reason, can’t wear that specific shoe because of medical reasons and a custom shoe can’t be made." Now, some sides say he was given permission to wear his Dad's shoe. Other's say he wasn't. I don't really care. What I don't understand is why he wanted to wear them in the first place?
If little Jordan, who might be a nice guy, wanted to show support for his Dad's legacy maybe he should go to the gym and practice his game more often. Maybe he should have attended UNC. Maybe he could have done like LeBron and skipped college and went straight to the pros. He could've worn his Jordans while sitting on the Bulls bench. But, no that wouldn't happen because he lacks the skill to play on a professional court. So now that we've all had a reality check and he's at UCF, why not act like a UCF player and wear what the rest of the team is wearing. This ball of confusion cost the school a contract. Adidas pulled out of their contract seven months early. I don't know if it's totally Marcus' fault because you've got a coach, parents, and some other incidental people along the way. It relays a poor message about team commitment and sportsmanship.
If little Jordan, who might be a nice guy, wanted to show support for his Dad's legacy maybe he should go to the gym and practice his game more often. Maybe he should have attended UNC. Maybe he could have done like LeBron and skipped college and went straight to the pros. He could've worn his Jordans while sitting on the Bulls bench. But, no that wouldn't happen because he lacks the skill to play on a professional court. So now that we've all had a reality check and he's at UCF, why not act like a UCF player and wear what the rest of the team is wearing. This ball of confusion cost the school a contract. Adidas pulled out of their contract seven months early. I don't know if it's totally Marcus' fault because you've got a coach, parents, and some other incidental people along the way. It relays a poor message about team commitment and sportsmanship.
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