Sadly the Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues lost in the playoffs.
I'm pulling for the winner of tomorrow's game (Ottawa vs Washington) to win the championship.
Friday, July 31, 2009
This is not a surprise
So I congratulated Willis and Meghan Nanfeldt for their acheivement on the All-Big East Academic Team and neither of them had any idea about it.
I will also point out that Meghan Cunningham made it, as did Ashley O'Brien. Both of them are two sport athletes so it's even more impressive that they can balance school and two sports.
I've also poked fun at Melissa Busque and Jessica Shufelt because they took forever to choose seats in psychology, but they did choose good seats because they both made the All-Academic Big East team too.
I will also point out that Meghan Cunningham made it, as did Ashley O'Brien. Both of them are two sport athletes so it's even more impressive that they can balance school and two sports.
I've also poked fun at Melissa Busque and Jessica Shufelt because they took forever to choose seats in psychology, but they did choose good seats because they both made the All-Academic Big East team too.
Big East All Academic Team
I do care about the academic part of college and college athletics. I do think that student athletes deserve some credit for being named to the Big East All-Academic Team.
UConn compiled their list recently and released it.
I actually compiled the list at work for my school's conference honor roll.
I can't list all 200 people, but I will list my friends, acquaintances and people that know of me well enough to at least say hello or acknowledge my presence when we pass each other by. They should be rewarded with some SMALL sort of publicity for their achievements, even though most of them probably don't read this.
Meghan Nanfeldt, Willis Reed...(aka Kristen Beasley), plus Nanfeldt and Beasley are Sports Management majors which makes them even better in my eyes.
Dan Holst, Jamaal Smith, Shauna Musser (who has a good politics blog of her own), Lauren Lamberti, Mandy Schwartz, Brianna Gray, Steph Labbe, Katy Ryan, Molly McGroarty, BreAnn Cheung, Bill Magin.
Doug Elliot also found my student ID and helped out at Husky Sport so he should also get in this.
I will mention Maya Moore and Tahirah Williams too because I interviewed them several times and both are really nice and have said hello to me on campus once or twice before.
Women's Rowing had the most people represented with 24. Women's Soccer and women's track and field also had 20 or more athletes represented.
If you're noticing a theme you would be correct. More female athletes are on this team than male athletes. That was common when I compiled the list at my school too. There are plenty of theories as to why this occurs.
If your wondering why there aren't any ice hockey players listed it's because the Big East Conference doesn't offer ice hockey as a sport, therefore no ice hockey student athletes qualify for the Big East All-Academic Team.
Here is a link to the list.
http://www.uconnhuskies.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/conn/genrel/auto_pdf/BIGEASTAllAcademicTeam
UConn compiled their list recently and released it.
I actually compiled the list at work for my school's conference honor roll.
I can't list all 200 people, but I will list my friends, acquaintances and people that know of me well enough to at least say hello or acknowledge my presence when we pass each other by. They should be rewarded with some SMALL sort of publicity for their achievements, even though most of them probably don't read this.
Meghan Nanfeldt, Willis Reed...(aka Kristen Beasley), plus Nanfeldt and Beasley are Sports Management majors which makes them even better in my eyes.
Dan Holst, Jamaal Smith, Shauna Musser (who has a good politics blog of her own), Lauren Lamberti, Mandy Schwartz, Brianna Gray, Steph Labbe, Katy Ryan, Molly McGroarty, BreAnn Cheung, Bill Magin.
Doug Elliot also found my student ID and helped out at Husky Sport so he should also get in this.
I will mention Maya Moore and Tahirah Williams too because I interviewed them several times and both are really nice and have said hello to me on campus once or twice before.
Women's Rowing had the most people represented with 24. Women's Soccer and women's track and field also had 20 or more athletes represented.
If you're noticing a theme you would be correct. More female athletes are on this team than male athletes. That was common when I compiled the list at my school too. There are plenty of theories as to why this occurs.
If your wondering why there aren't any ice hockey players listed it's because the Big East Conference doesn't offer ice hockey as a sport, therefore no ice hockey student athletes qualify for the Big East All-Academic Team.
Here is a link to the list.
http://www.uconnhuskies.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/conn/genrel/auto_pdf/BIGEASTAllAcademicTeam
Is this bad?
I logged on to uconn.edu and read that someone got a grant that would allow them to study parasites.
I thought that we might be studying St. Johns...or a certain someone that goes to St. Johns.
I'm being dead serious on this too. That actually is the first thing that came to my mind.
I thought that we might be studying St. Johns...or a certain someone that goes to St. Johns.
I'm being dead serious on this too. That actually is the first thing that came to my mind.
My favorite UConn song
I love this UConn song...I love when the band plays this. This is by far my favorite one...I actually was reporting on this game in Greensboro at the time.
I was so happy because UConn won and because I was going to Tampa. I wanted to join the celebration...but couldn't.
This is also the song that Tahirah Williams would get up and direct the band for at football games. She'd get up on the platform and conduct and she was awesome because she got so into what she was doing. Tahirah Williams has a great personality and everyone wishes that she could still play for another year. I'll miss seeing her in Storrs. Hopefully I'll get to watch her on TV.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks09ENcopKI&feature=related
I was so happy because UConn won and because I was going to Tampa. I wanted to join the celebration...but couldn't.
This is also the song that Tahirah Williams would get up and direct the band for at football games. She'd get up on the platform and conduct and she was awesome because she got so into what she was doing. Tahirah Williams has a great personality and everyone wishes that she could still play for another year. I'll miss seeing her in Storrs. Hopefully I'll get to watch her on TV.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks09ENcopKI&feature=related
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Oh today is a great day
UConn vs Michigan...
This is thrilling news if it is confirmed by the school.
http://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-football/hc-webuconn_footballjul31,0,5006567.story
I love this...this is great news for UConn. We are getting some great opportunities now with Notre Dame, Michigan and Tennesee in future football schedules.
This is thrilling news if it is confirmed by the school.
http://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-football/hc-webuconn_footballjul31,0,5006567.story
I love this...this is great news for UConn. We are getting some great opportunities now with Notre Dame, Michigan and Tennesee in future football schedules.
Big Game
On Friday Night at 7:30 there will be a battle of two undefeated soccer teams in the W-League playoffs. The 9-0-3 and defending champion Pali Blues travel to Newburgh, New York to take on the Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues and UConn players Brittany Taylor and Elise Fugowski.
Both UConn players have been productive. Taylor has scored three goals and added an assist and was named to the W-League All Eastern Conference Team. Elise Fugowski has also scored three goals on the season and also added an assist.
Here is some information on the game:
http://www.quickstrikefc.com/webpages/newsDetails.asp?tblId={C3E30802-1DDB-4E3D-B2E7-DB126373D23C}
Obviously I am hoping that the Lady Blues take care of business and get to the Championship game. I also hope that the players from my favorite Division I school and Division II school score a goal or two.
It also appears as if the Lady Blues have been very good in terms of attendance. I think they are averaging over 1,500 people per game...at least. If I find an exact number I'll post it.
Let's see, for their last home game they drew 2,235 fans. They drew over 2,000 fans at another game against the Washington Freedom.
Both UConn players have been productive. Taylor has scored three goals and added an assist and was named to the W-League All Eastern Conference Team. Elise Fugowski has also scored three goals on the season and also added an assist.
Here is some information on the game:
http://www.quickstrikefc.com/webpages/newsDetails.asp?tblId={C3E30802-1DDB-4E3D-B2E7-DB126373D23C}
Obviously I am hoping that the Lady Blues take care of business and get to the Championship game. I also hope that the players from my favorite Division I school and Division II school score a goal or two.
It also appears as if the Lady Blues have been very good in terms of attendance. I think they are averaging over 1,500 people per game...at least. If I find an exact number I'll post it.
Let's see, for their last home game they drew 2,235 fans. They drew over 2,000 fans at another game against the Washington Freedom.
So I was watching NFL films
One of the best linebackers you probably have never heard of is Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson.
Hollywood is an appropriate nickname for him.
He was unbelievable on the field. He made plays I've never seen a linebacker make before...including a linebacker returning a kickoff for a touchdown.
He played for the Cowboys in the mid to late 70's. His career was cut short because of a drug addiction. Since getting out of prison he has cleaned up his life.
You can probably find a you-tube highlight of him if you are interested. I couldn't find the kickoff yet.
Hollywood is an appropriate nickname for him.
He was unbelievable on the field. He made plays I've never seen a linebacker make before...including a linebacker returning a kickoff for a touchdown.
He played for the Cowboys in the mid to late 70's. His career was cut short because of a drug addiction. Since getting out of prison he has cleaned up his life.
You can probably find a you-tube highlight of him if you are interested. I couldn't find the kickoff yet.
A High School Lacrosse Powerhouse
I recongized the high school that the lacrosse coach was talking about at work today. West Genesee High School in New York came up in conversation and I overheard the coach and trainer say that West Genesee Lacrosse is one of the best if not the best lacrosse high schools in the country.
I thought that was a good thing because I knew that Kiersten Tupper, number 23, from UConn, went to high school there. She had an awesome freshman year. As a freshman she lead the team in points and assists. She was third on the team in goals.
I thought that was a good thing because I knew that Kiersten Tupper, number 23, from UConn, went to high school there. She had an awesome freshman year. As a freshman she lead the team in points and assists. She was third on the team in goals.
Lets talk about the Mets for second
The Mets used drugs when they won the World Series in 1986. They just weren't performance enhancing drugs.
The Yankees are evil as evidenced by this
I am also really tired hearing Yankees fans gloat about Big Papi and how the Red Sox are cheaters and frauds etc. etc.
My roommate showed me this story about the Athletics and Yankees relationship. They traded A LOT between the late 50's and early 60's.
Somehow the Yankees always seemed to get the good players, like Roger Maris...and trade old parts that they didn't need back...or they'd trade young players to the Athletics and trade back for them when they got good.
This is a little known story, quite interesting and just as bad as steriod use...treating another major league team as their own farm team...
http://athletics.scout.com/2/621936.html
http://www.wcnet.org/~dlfleitz/kca.htm
I'd love to hear what Yankees fans think of that.
My roommate showed me this story about the Athletics and Yankees relationship. They traded A LOT between the late 50's and early 60's.
Somehow the Yankees always seemed to get the good players, like Roger Maris...and trade old parts that they didn't need back...or they'd trade young players to the Athletics and trade back for them when they got good.
This is a little known story, quite interesting and just as bad as steriod use...treating another major league team as their own farm team...
http://athletics.scout.com/2/621936.html
http://www.wcnet.org/~dlfleitz/kca.htm
I'd love to hear what Yankees fans think of that.
I don't want to talk about this...
So here are my thoughts on Big Papi...
Am I surprised...absolutely not. He was cut by the Twins outright and then got to the Red Sox and became really really good.
I'm not surprised about any major leaguer anymore...especially power hitters.
Do I think the Red Sox should forfeit wins or world series...absolutely not. First of all, the Yankees could forfeit a lot of things because of steriods too. So hearing that coming from Yankees fans is really hypocritical.
Secondly, and I hate to say this, but it looks like almost everyone who was a difference maker in baseball used steriods. So in 2004 and 2007 the Red Sox were still the best team in those years because almost everyone else was doing it.
Obviously everything from those two years are somewhat tainted...but I don't know what is or isn't tainted in baseball anymore.
I also don't understand how you can vacate wins, like the NCAA does. It's fine that you erase them from the record books, but at the time the games were played someone lost. We can't go back and replay the game so vacating wins in any sport doesn't really matter to me. At the time a team won and the other lost and there is nothing that can be done to change that.
Unlike some of the other players whose names have come out, (A-Rod, Giambi, Clemens, Manny Ramirez, Barry Bonds) Big Papi is someone who is loveable. It's hard to accept that he did take drugs. He was such a good story. He gave the city of Boston so many great moments. I think that Big Papi's problems are really hard for baseball to take.
I also don't know what to think about the list of these players. I think that some players should just own up to it before it's leaked. In many cases fans wouldn't be surprised. I'd sort of like the whole list to just be released so that we can move on. Yet at the same time the list is supposed to be private so releasing it would be unfair.
I also have to say that two people win whenever these names come out and they are Jose Canseco and Barry Bonds. Bonds looks better and better now that so many of his peers have been caught. Canseco, like him or not, has been pretty truthful and I take his words seriously.
Am I surprised...absolutely not. He was cut by the Twins outright and then got to the Red Sox and became really really good.
I'm not surprised about any major leaguer anymore...especially power hitters.
Do I think the Red Sox should forfeit wins or world series...absolutely not. First of all, the Yankees could forfeit a lot of things because of steriods too. So hearing that coming from Yankees fans is really hypocritical.
Secondly, and I hate to say this, but it looks like almost everyone who was a difference maker in baseball used steriods. So in 2004 and 2007 the Red Sox were still the best team in those years because almost everyone else was doing it.
Obviously everything from those two years are somewhat tainted...but I don't know what is or isn't tainted in baseball anymore.
I also don't understand how you can vacate wins, like the NCAA does. It's fine that you erase them from the record books, but at the time the games were played someone lost. We can't go back and replay the game so vacating wins in any sport doesn't really matter to me. At the time a team won and the other lost and there is nothing that can be done to change that.
Unlike some of the other players whose names have come out, (A-Rod, Giambi, Clemens, Manny Ramirez, Barry Bonds) Big Papi is someone who is loveable. It's hard to accept that he did take drugs. He was such a good story. He gave the city of Boston so many great moments. I think that Big Papi's problems are really hard for baseball to take.
I also don't know what to think about the list of these players. I think that some players should just own up to it before it's leaked. In many cases fans wouldn't be surprised. I'd sort of like the whole list to just be released so that we can move on. Yet at the same time the list is supposed to be private so releasing it would be unfair.
I also have to say that two people win whenever these names come out and they are Jose Canseco and Barry Bonds. Bonds looks better and better now that so many of his peers have been caught. Canseco, like him or not, has been pretty truthful and I take his words seriously.
Another thing from the game
Before I went to the Red Sox game I told Greg M that I guess I'd have to steal a Red Sox jersey so I'd have one for the game.
Greg had funny reaction when I actually showed up to the game with a Red Sox jersey on...Actually I did a pretty good job...Navy Blue shorts, a Red T-Shirt and a Red Sox jersey on top. I looked like I belonged. I didn't look like a Mets fan...I looked like I'd been a Sox fan forever.
I also love to say something casually...like "oh I guess I'll have to steal a Red Sox jersey" and actually show up in a Red Sox jersey...(no I didn't steal it...I got a Red Sox jersey as a gift, but had never worn it before)
I also think that I saw Jacoby Ellsbury's future wife on our train. Greg and I know who we are talking about.
Also the girl who sat in front of us at the game really impressed both Greg and I....she kept score of the game...knew trivia from 6 years back and was looking up live stats on her phone.
Greg had funny reaction when I actually showed up to the game with a Red Sox jersey on...Actually I did a pretty good job...Navy Blue shorts, a Red T-Shirt and a Red Sox jersey on top. I looked like I belonged. I didn't look like a Mets fan...I looked like I'd been a Sox fan forever.
I also love to say something casually...like "oh I guess I'll have to steal a Red Sox jersey" and actually show up in a Red Sox jersey...(no I didn't steal it...I got a Red Sox jersey as a gift, but had never worn it before)
I also think that I saw Jacoby Ellsbury's future wife on our train. Greg and I know who we are talking about.
Also the girl who sat in front of us at the game really impressed both Greg and I....she kept score of the game...knew trivia from 6 years back and was looking up live stats on her phone.
All-Time rankings
Some magazine, either The Sporting News or Sports Illustrated ranked the all-time best coaches. The only UConn coach to make it was Geno Auriemma.
Geno deserves to be considered one of the greats...
I sort of don't like doing rankings of all time greats in general because they are so difficult to do. They can't possibly be accurate.
One thing I'll take issue with is how far apart Pat Summitt and Geno are in the rankings. Summitt is 11th, Geno is 42nd...Summitt has more career wins and National Championships, but Geno has a higher winning percentage and more undefeated seasons. Geno is also 13-9 vs Summitt, including 4-0 in National Championship games.
Geno deserves to be considered one of the greats...
I sort of don't like doing rankings of all time greats in general because they are so difficult to do. They can't possibly be accurate.
One thing I'll take issue with is how far apart Pat Summitt and Geno are in the rankings. Summitt is 11th, Geno is 42nd...Summitt has more career wins and National Championships, but Geno has a higher winning percentage and more undefeated seasons. Geno is also 13-9 vs Summitt, including 4-0 in National Championship games.
I just realized
Another good thing for Fenway is that the Train Station Parking and Train fare that I had to Fenway is less than the parking at a UConn basketball or football game.
Less than $10 is pretty affordable for parking and transportation...
Parking close to Fenway is a nightmare...$30-$40 so I'd strongly suggest you take the train to the game.
Less than $10 is pretty affordable for parking and transportation...
Parking close to Fenway is a nightmare...$30-$40 so I'd strongly suggest you take the train to the game.
P.S.
We are not blaming my presence as bad luck on the Red Sox tonight. We are blaming it on the fact that Willis Reed missed the first part of the game when the A's either just dominated...or Brad Penny threw batting practice...not sure which.
W-League Awards
Former UConn soccer player Brittany Tegeler and current UConn standout Brittany Taylor were named to the All-W-League Eastern Conference team.
Both are deserving, both have had major impacts this year in the W-League
Both are deserving, both have had major impacts this year in the W-League
Fenway Park is AMAZING
So thanks to Greg M I finally got to Fenway Park. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. It beat my expectations exponentionally. The only bad thing about the park is the parking. Besides that, it is perfect.
I drove about an hour and a half from my Lake House to the Riverside T station and met Greg there to take the train to get to Fenway.
I was mesmerized by Yawkey Way and the outside of the stadium. The trees and the red, and blue banners hanging off the side of the stadium looked stunning. The outside of the stadium is better than any of the other 8 stadiums that I have been to. You feel like your in Red Sox country. The streets surrounding the stadium feel like the stadium. The bars and house of blues right next to stadium is also perfect. If you want to go out in Boston you can watch a Red Sox game and then go hang out at a bar.
Greg M was a professional. He took me to the exact right location to enter Fenway from. The entrance that looks out to the Green Monster. It was amazing to see the Monstah in person. Just the whole Park mesmerized me in a way that no venue has since I first went to Shea Stadium to see my first ball game. Maybe stading in center court at Gampel mesmerized me as much.
The ball park may have been built in 1912 but it doesn't need to be replaced. Nothing looks dangerous. As a matter of fact to me it felt as if the stadium had been built in 2009 and had been created to replicate 1912.
One thing I never realized is that the Citgo sign in Left Field is not really next to the field. As a matter of fact Citgo isn't even an official sponsor of the Red Sox. They used ambush marketing to confuse people. Gulf is actually the official sponsor of the Red Sox, but I bet you and most other fans had no idea because of that famous Citgo sign.
By the way, I remembered that term from my sports marketing class. It took me a second to remember the exact terminology from class, but it came to me.
I love the color scheme at the ball park...I loved the crowd, the fans, the ushers. I think the Red Sox have done a tremendous job. I love the pennants over the press box.
I love the weird angles at Fenway...which by the way I don't like at most other parks. I think it's funny how the right field fence is 302...and a foot or two into play is 380. I love the Monstah too. How could you not?
Interestingly my first game at Fenway reminded me of my first game at the old Yankee stadium. The game started off with a homerun on the first pitch of the game. Both times the pitch was hit by an infielder (Damien Easley at Yankee Stadium, and Adam Kennedy at Fenway Park) over the left field fence. Kennedy's home run is only a home run at Fenway. Every else that is a fly ball. The view I had, in centerfield, was perfect though. I could tell whether everything hit to left field would get out, hit off the wall or be caught. I loved that view, and the center field view is a view I've also never had before. It was a cool view.
Mike Lowell homered in the bottom of the inning for the Red Sox, a three run blast, that easily cleared the monster. I saw two monster shots in one inning...although I wish the first one didn't happen.
Unfortunetly the A's won 8-6. The Red Sox made it interesting at the end, but it wasn't meant to be.
I saw Jacoby Ellsbury make a great sliding catch and also hit a triple.
I also loved the fact that I got to see Greg M this summer and hang out at the ballpark. That was a lot of fun for me. Greg is a good influence on me because he isn't set in his ways. Sometimes I can be.
I might have some more to say about the game later. I just loved it...I can't say enough good things about the time I had, about the Red Sox organization and about the ball park. I had a wonderful time and hope to head back to Fenway again.
If you are a baseball fan, you must get to Fenway Park to see a game...Actually if you are a sports fan you must get to Fenway.
Don't worry, I'm still a Mets fan...even though they don't understand much about public relations and communications.
But the Red Sox moved ahead of the Rays for my 3rd favorite baseball team...The Twins still have me in the A.L....but who knows if that will change over time.
And once again, everything about Fenway Park is better than the old Yankee Stadium. The whole atmosphere. The whole ambiance. It's just better. It's more nostalgic. I can remember people arguing about what stadium is better...and really there isn't an argument. Fenway is better...Yankee stadium is also historic, but Fenway is better. I thought that the moment I started walking down Yawkey way and the moment I saw Fenway Park etched in stone on the outside, the moment I saw the MONSTAH and the moment I sat in my seats. My trip to Fenway Park is something I'll treasure for a lifetime.
I drove about an hour and a half from my Lake House to the Riverside T station and met Greg there to take the train to get to Fenway.
I was mesmerized by Yawkey Way and the outside of the stadium. The trees and the red, and blue banners hanging off the side of the stadium looked stunning. The outside of the stadium is better than any of the other 8 stadiums that I have been to. You feel like your in Red Sox country. The streets surrounding the stadium feel like the stadium. The bars and house of blues right next to stadium is also perfect. If you want to go out in Boston you can watch a Red Sox game and then go hang out at a bar.
Greg M was a professional. He took me to the exact right location to enter Fenway from. The entrance that looks out to the Green Monster. It was amazing to see the Monstah in person. Just the whole Park mesmerized me in a way that no venue has since I first went to Shea Stadium to see my first ball game. Maybe stading in center court at Gampel mesmerized me as much.
The ball park may have been built in 1912 but it doesn't need to be replaced. Nothing looks dangerous. As a matter of fact to me it felt as if the stadium had been built in 2009 and had been created to replicate 1912.
One thing I never realized is that the Citgo sign in Left Field is not really next to the field. As a matter of fact Citgo isn't even an official sponsor of the Red Sox. They used ambush marketing to confuse people. Gulf is actually the official sponsor of the Red Sox, but I bet you and most other fans had no idea because of that famous Citgo sign.
By the way, I remembered that term from my sports marketing class. It took me a second to remember the exact terminology from class, but it came to me.
I love the color scheme at the ball park...I loved the crowd, the fans, the ushers. I think the Red Sox have done a tremendous job. I love the pennants over the press box.
I love the weird angles at Fenway...which by the way I don't like at most other parks. I think it's funny how the right field fence is 302...and a foot or two into play is 380. I love the Monstah too. How could you not?
Interestingly my first game at Fenway reminded me of my first game at the old Yankee stadium. The game started off with a homerun on the first pitch of the game. Both times the pitch was hit by an infielder (Damien Easley at Yankee Stadium, and Adam Kennedy at Fenway Park) over the left field fence. Kennedy's home run is only a home run at Fenway. Every else that is a fly ball. The view I had, in centerfield, was perfect though. I could tell whether everything hit to left field would get out, hit off the wall or be caught. I loved that view, and the center field view is a view I've also never had before. It was a cool view.
Mike Lowell homered in the bottom of the inning for the Red Sox, a three run blast, that easily cleared the monster. I saw two monster shots in one inning...although I wish the first one didn't happen.
Unfortunetly the A's won 8-6. The Red Sox made it interesting at the end, but it wasn't meant to be.
I saw Jacoby Ellsbury make a great sliding catch and also hit a triple.
I also loved the fact that I got to see Greg M this summer and hang out at the ballpark. That was a lot of fun for me. Greg is a good influence on me because he isn't set in his ways. Sometimes I can be.
I might have some more to say about the game later. I just loved it...I can't say enough good things about the time I had, about the Red Sox organization and about the ball park. I had a wonderful time and hope to head back to Fenway again.
If you are a baseball fan, you must get to Fenway Park to see a game...Actually if you are a sports fan you must get to Fenway.
Don't worry, I'm still a Mets fan...even though they don't understand much about public relations and communications.
But the Red Sox moved ahead of the Rays for my 3rd favorite baseball team...The Twins still have me in the A.L....but who knows if that will change over time.
And once again, everything about Fenway Park is better than the old Yankee Stadium. The whole atmosphere. The whole ambiance. It's just better. It's more nostalgic. I can remember people arguing about what stadium is better...and really there isn't an argument. Fenway is better...Yankee stadium is also historic, but Fenway is better. I thought that the moment I started walking down Yawkey way and the moment I saw Fenway Park etched in stone on the outside, the moment I saw the MONSTAH and the moment I sat in my seats. My trip to Fenway Park is something I'll treasure for a lifetime.
Two things
First of all, according to Greg M, Dwight Howard is the coolest pro athlete that he's ever met, and he's met a lot of them.
I wish Dwight Howard won a championship this past year.
He also told me that the Boston Garden wanted to win so badly at Game 7 that the entire place erupted in applause and cheer during a timeout in the 4th quarter when the Celtics were down by 15. That's amazing. I've never heard of anything like that. Kudos to Boston sports fans.
Secondly I am appalled at Sportscenter. I watched it on Monday or Tuesday and the second story of the show was about Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush splitting up.
First of all I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP STATUS OF ANY ATHLETE. THAT WAS NOT SPORTS NEWS...It should not have even made the show, let alone be the second thing on the show. That should not have come before baseball highlights. What's even more pathetic is that I don't ever recall seeing any highlights from say a WPS game, but sportscenter did talk about an entertainer breaking up with an NFL player, who while flashy, and great in college, is not the next Barry Sanders or Emmitt Smith.
This sort of news story bugs me. There are so many things in sports that aren't covered that should be covered and talked about. The most reputable sports show in the country SHOULD NOT waste it's time and power on a story about the relationship status of an athlete.
I wish Dwight Howard won a championship this past year.
He also told me that the Boston Garden wanted to win so badly at Game 7 that the entire place erupted in applause and cheer during a timeout in the 4th quarter when the Celtics were down by 15. That's amazing. I've never heard of anything like that. Kudos to Boston sports fans.
Secondly I am appalled at Sportscenter. I watched it on Monday or Tuesday and the second story of the show was about Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush splitting up.
First of all I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP STATUS OF ANY ATHLETE. THAT WAS NOT SPORTS NEWS...It should not have even made the show, let alone be the second thing on the show. That should not have come before baseball highlights. What's even more pathetic is that I don't ever recall seeing any highlights from say a WPS game, but sportscenter did talk about an entertainer breaking up with an NFL player, who while flashy, and great in college, is not the next Barry Sanders or Emmitt Smith.
This sort of news story bugs me. There are so many things in sports that aren't covered that should be covered and talked about. The most reputable sports show in the country SHOULD NOT waste it's time and power on a story about the relationship status of an athlete.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
They will love you for it
I was talking a a coach not that long ago and they said that the older that former college athletes get, the more they LOVE to talk about their college games. If you want to get on someone's good side ask a former student athlete about their career.
adding on
The West Virginia women's game in the Big East tournament is also the game that taught me to appreciate Stephanie Labbe's play and the play of goalkeepers. She was so good that game. She showed me how much of an impact a great goalie can have.
I will pay more attention to Josh Ford because of that. When I've gone to games the past year I've always paid attention to O'Brian White, Akeem Priestley, Dori Arad and Mike Pezza. I will pay attention to Ford more.
I will pay more attention to Josh Ford because of that. When I've gone to games the past year I've always paid attention to O'Brian White, Akeem Priestley, Dori Arad and Mike Pezza. I will pay attention to Ford more.
The West Virginia game
I think I remember saying that I would talk about the West Virginia Big East Tournament Women's Soccer game.
I will add right now (while I remember too) that I had a very good first impression of the West Virginia Football program. They were class acts. I worked at the WVU, UConn game and I thought that WVU had good fans and a good program. I wish we beat them, but I totally respect their program.
I will not say the same thing for the men's soccer program there. Part of me wants to travel to Morgantown to see UConn beat them. Unfortunately West Virginia is a long drive and I've already been there and don't feel the need to go back.
Ok finally on to the game.
I do remember looking forward to this Big East tournament game all-week. I could feel a win coming and I wanted to see if I was right. It was a Friday afternoon game. Thankfully I didn't have class then. Truthfully, if I did, (depending on the class) I would have thought about missing it. The thought would have at least gone through my mind, I don't know if I would have gone ahead with it though. My mom is a teacher and I don't like wasting my parents money by not going to class.
So anyway I was in my dorm room on a Friday afternoon in November watching this game on CBS College Sports. The computer was off and I was not going to be bothered while watching this game. Not only did I want to see UConn win, but I also thought that watching a game on television would help me learn the game. The TV camera is always focused on the action that is important, where as at live games, my eyes are not always able to find what's most important. (example...At the last W-League game I was at I watched the Western Mass Lady Pioneers score a goal. I watched the goal scorers celebration...which was not as good as the celebration that I missed by Mandy Schwartz)
I thought that the commentators and tv cameras would add to my knowledge of the game of soccer. It probably did. I don't exactly remember what I learned, but I'm sure I learned something.
I remember that I could hear Stephanie Labbe yelling out information to her defenders on television. (I could remember her voice from the games at Morrone that I went too....I also remembered Mandy Schwartz's voice from a game too...I heard what sounded like Mandy's voice at late night Karaoke in the student union on Halloween...I stopped what I was doing in the student union store just to see if I was right and I was...Mandy was singing...and she was really the best I'd ever seen up there)
So back to the game again.
The commentators at the West Virginia/UConn women's soccer game couldn't stop talking about three players on UConn. It actually surprised me because I thought they'd talk about more. Anyway the commentators could not stop saying good things about Stephanie Labbe, Erin Clark and Annie Yi.
They were always talking about how amazing Labbe was. Labbe was truly fun to watch that game. She had me yelling in my dorm room...and with some of saves she made it was just a natural human reaction to yell and celebrate. I celebrate when my football teams stops someone on 3rd down and I celebrate when my teams goalkeeper makes great saves. She was truly awesome...amazing during that game. I am quite confident that absolutely everyone on my floor must have thought I was nuts. There aren't usually big games that guys yell about on a Friday afternoon in November. I was truly amazed by Labbe's outstanding play on all three games I caught on TV (The overtime of the regular season West Virginia game on ESPNU and the two Big East Tournament games)
Going into the game I knew that we tied West Virginia in the regular season. I also knew that West Virginia was a great team. I was actually sort of expecting that the game would go into Penalty Kicks.
I hoped that the game wouldn't go into Penalty Kicks. Ashley O'Brien's great pass to Annie Yi for a goal gave me even more hope. I was really impressed with the pass...with the play. O'Brien had a pretty long bending airborne pass to the foot of Yi and Yi knocked it into goal. I am pretty sure that I remember that the pass was in the air and that Yi just kicked it in without having the ball touch the ground. I appreciate how hard that is to do now that I have started to play some soccer. To be able to kick a ball that is moving in the air into a goal is not easy, even though Annie Yi and other great soccer players make it look easy. Shawn Niclaw's goal this year is amazing to me because of the height that the ball went and because of how far out he was when he kicked it.
Kicking a ball that is moving in the air.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H68kIK8sxlc&feature=related
After Yi's goal West Virginia responded to even the game up. For the next maybe 50-60 minutes of the game I held my breath and watched Stephanie Labbe and the UConn defense come up big.
I had a feeling that the game would go to Penalty Kicks, and it did. I was also pretty confident that UConn would pull it out.
I was even more confident when Ashley O'Brien knocked in the first penalty kick...which is by far the most important kick because it's tough to stay mentally tough after if you miss the first PK.
I became even more confident...and elated...when Stephanie Labbe knocked in her penalty kick. I thought it was cool to see a goalie get a chance to score.
Becky Gundling's PK was sort of like finding a nail and a hammer. (you'll see where I am going with this soon)
Meghan Cunningham's PK nailed the coffin shut.
I distinctly remember Cunningham's PK because I knew that if it went in, that the game would be over.
Maybe I have a photographic memory, but I swear I can replay that kick in my head. What I thought was so funny about it is how relaxed the shot was. It was a grounder hit lightly and the goalkeeper couldn't do anything about it. I wonder if Cunningham did some sort of trick with her eyes to completely confuse the goaltender. I also remember Cunningham raising both of her arms in elation. I hope someone caught a picture of that, because those are the great pictures in sports. Pictures of great game clinching moments.
This game was one of my favorites this year.
I also remember telling Katy Ryan at the dining hall that women's soccer had won after the WVU game.
I feel like I haven't said much about this game, which seems odd to me. Now I have.
About a week after the game I passed Ashley O'Brien in the School of Business and I couldn't help but think that she had absolutely no idea that a week earlier the person that she just passed in the hall spent 3 hours of a Friday afternoon watching her play, make a great assist and nail a penalty kick.
I will add right now (while I remember too) that I had a very good first impression of the West Virginia Football program. They were class acts. I worked at the WVU, UConn game and I thought that WVU had good fans and a good program. I wish we beat them, but I totally respect their program.
I will not say the same thing for the men's soccer program there. Part of me wants to travel to Morgantown to see UConn beat them. Unfortunately West Virginia is a long drive and I've already been there and don't feel the need to go back.
Ok finally on to the game.
I do remember looking forward to this Big East tournament game all-week. I could feel a win coming and I wanted to see if I was right. It was a Friday afternoon game. Thankfully I didn't have class then. Truthfully, if I did, (depending on the class) I would have thought about missing it. The thought would have at least gone through my mind, I don't know if I would have gone ahead with it though. My mom is a teacher and I don't like wasting my parents money by not going to class.
So anyway I was in my dorm room on a Friday afternoon in November watching this game on CBS College Sports. The computer was off and I was not going to be bothered while watching this game. Not only did I want to see UConn win, but I also thought that watching a game on television would help me learn the game. The TV camera is always focused on the action that is important, where as at live games, my eyes are not always able to find what's most important. (example...At the last W-League game I was at I watched the Western Mass Lady Pioneers score a goal. I watched the goal scorers celebration...which was not as good as the celebration that I missed by Mandy Schwartz)
I thought that the commentators and tv cameras would add to my knowledge of the game of soccer. It probably did. I don't exactly remember what I learned, but I'm sure I learned something.
I remember that I could hear Stephanie Labbe yelling out information to her defenders on television. (I could remember her voice from the games at Morrone that I went too....I also remembered Mandy Schwartz's voice from a game too...I heard what sounded like Mandy's voice at late night Karaoke in the student union on Halloween...I stopped what I was doing in the student union store just to see if I was right and I was...Mandy was singing...and she was really the best I'd ever seen up there)
So back to the game again.
The commentators at the West Virginia/UConn women's soccer game couldn't stop talking about three players on UConn. It actually surprised me because I thought they'd talk about more. Anyway the commentators could not stop saying good things about Stephanie Labbe, Erin Clark and Annie Yi.
They were always talking about how amazing Labbe was. Labbe was truly fun to watch that game. She had me yelling in my dorm room...and with some of saves she made it was just a natural human reaction to yell and celebrate. I celebrate when my football teams stops someone on 3rd down and I celebrate when my teams goalkeeper makes great saves. She was truly awesome...amazing during that game. I am quite confident that absolutely everyone on my floor must have thought I was nuts. There aren't usually big games that guys yell about on a Friday afternoon in November. I was truly amazed by Labbe's outstanding play on all three games I caught on TV (The overtime of the regular season West Virginia game on ESPNU and the two Big East Tournament games)
Going into the game I knew that we tied West Virginia in the regular season. I also knew that West Virginia was a great team. I was actually sort of expecting that the game would go into Penalty Kicks.
I hoped that the game wouldn't go into Penalty Kicks. Ashley O'Brien's great pass to Annie Yi for a goal gave me even more hope. I was really impressed with the pass...with the play. O'Brien had a pretty long bending airborne pass to the foot of Yi and Yi knocked it into goal. I am pretty sure that I remember that the pass was in the air and that Yi just kicked it in without having the ball touch the ground. I appreciate how hard that is to do now that I have started to play some soccer. To be able to kick a ball that is moving in the air into a goal is not easy, even though Annie Yi and other great soccer players make it look easy. Shawn Niclaw's goal this year is amazing to me because of the height that the ball went and because of how far out he was when he kicked it.
Kicking a ball that is moving in the air.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H68kIK8sxlc&feature=related
After Yi's goal West Virginia responded to even the game up. For the next maybe 50-60 minutes of the game I held my breath and watched Stephanie Labbe and the UConn defense come up big.
I had a feeling that the game would go to Penalty Kicks, and it did. I was also pretty confident that UConn would pull it out.
I was even more confident when Ashley O'Brien knocked in the first penalty kick...which is by far the most important kick because it's tough to stay mentally tough after if you miss the first PK.
I became even more confident...and elated...when Stephanie Labbe knocked in her penalty kick. I thought it was cool to see a goalie get a chance to score.
Becky Gundling's PK was sort of like finding a nail and a hammer. (you'll see where I am going with this soon)
Meghan Cunningham's PK nailed the coffin shut.
I distinctly remember Cunningham's PK because I knew that if it went in, that the game would be over.
Maybe I have a photographic memory, but I swear I can replay that kick in my head. What I thought was so funny about it is how relaxed the shot was. It was a grounder hit lightly and the goalkeeper couldn't do anything about it. I wonder if Cunningham did some sort of trick with her eyes to completely confuse the goaltender. I also remember Cunningham raising both of her arms in elation. I hope someone caught a picture of that, because those are the great pictures in sports. Pictures of great game clinching moments.
This game was one of my favorites this year.
I also remember telling Katy Ryan at the dining hall that women's soccer had won after the WVU game.
I feel like I haven't said much about this game, which seems odd to me. Now I have.
About a week after the game I passed Ashley O'Brien in the School of Business and I couldn't help but think that she had absolutely no idea that a week earlier the person that she just passed in the hall spent 3 hours of a Friday afternoon watching her play, make a great assist and nail a penalty kick.
I found this interesting
I was talking to a coach who used to coach volleyball at a small Division 1 school. She said that on average she'd get 150-200 emails a day.
Yikes.
And I'm bad at checking my email sometimes.
Yikes.
And I'm bad at checking my email sometimes.
It's really weird
I think it's weird to be playing NCAA Football 2010 and know that the people who you are controlling in the game are in class with you.
By the way, I am not a video game addict. In an average week I play 2 or 3 games maybe 45 minutes each time. I don't play at college, only when I am home. There are more important things to do at college than play video games.
I will admit that FIFA 09 is what taught me what offsides in soccer is. I could visually understand it when I saw it in the video game. FIFA has taught me a few things about soccer.
By the way, I am not a video game addict. In an average week I play 2 or 3 games maybe 45 minutes each time. I don't play at college, only when I am home. There are more important things to do at college than play video games.
I will admit that FIFA 09 is what taught me what offsides in soccer is. I could visually understand it when I saw it in the video game. FIFA has taught me a few things about soccer.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Did you know
I was reading a book today and found out something really interesting. During the Women's World Cup in 1995, the U.S. Goalkeeper was given a red card towards the latter part of a game. The U.S. had already used all of their subs so they had to put Mia Hamm in goal.
Hamm made one save.
I thought that was pretty interesting.
The U.S. beat Denmark 2-0.
Hamm made one save.
I thought that was pretty interesting.
The U.S. beat Denmark 2-0.
Thoughts from a blueberry muffin
So my aunt made blueberry muffins and I had some for breakfast today.
I couldn't help but notice that one of them was wrapped with a soccer muffic/cupcake holder. Sorry I don't know what you call those things.
Anyway I'm sure there is a market for a lot of young soccer players who eat cupcakes after games.
I couldn't help but notice that the wrapper had a picture of a goal, a ball and the word "Goal" written on the wrapper.
I wish the wrapper also said "Save" on it.
As a player (in only intramural and pick up games now) I'm definsive minded in most sports. I was a better fielder than hitter in baseball. I am a better defender in soccer...not that that is saying much. In Basketball I can just out hustle everyone for a every loose ball possible. When I play pick-up games I can rely on my hustle to make an impact in a game. My offense is there sometimes, other times its not. If I played football I'd rather hit someone than get hit and I'd probably rather swat away or intercept a pass than anything else. Anway you get the idea. I'd rather stop an offense than score on offense.
Anyway a company needs to make defensive minded cupcake holders. We need people to enjoy playing defense. Maybe making defense important on cupcake holders can make a difference....Maybe not...but Everyone says that defense wins championships.
I couldn't help but notice that one of them was wrapped with a soccer muffic/cupcake holder. Sorry I don't know what you call those things.
Anyway I'm sure there is a market for a lot of young soccer players who eat cupcakes after games.
I couldn't help but notice that the wrapper had a picture of a goal, a ball and the word "Goal" written on the wrapper.
I wish the wrapper also said "Save" on it.
As a player (in only intramural and pick up games now) I'm definsive minded in most sports. I was a better fielder than hitter in baseball. I am a better defender in soccer...not that that is saying much. In Basketball I can just out hustle everyone for a every loose ball possible. When I play pick-up games I can rely on my hustle to make an impact in a game. My offense is there sometimes, other times its not. If I played football I'd rather hit someone than get hit and I'd probably rather swat away or intercept a pass than anything else. Anway you get the idea. I'd rather stop an offense than score on offense.
Anyway a company needs to make defensive minded cupcake holders. We need people to enjoy playing defense. Maybe making defense important on cupcake holders can make a difference....Maybe not...but Everyone says that defense wins championships.
Why I don't report
So I used to report on women's basketball. It was fun while I did it, but in the end I discovered that I have no interest in being a reporter...ever...I don't want to be a columnist either.
What reporters do is very important. They are essential to sports, an industry that is driven by the media and advertisers. If there were no reporters and interest in sports there would be no money in sports.
However I don't like being a sports reporter. I don't like being the person who finds the problems. I'd rather help solve them. I'm not interested in calling people out in a column. I don't really have the personality to do that. I don't want to write a story about someone to start a controversy and sell papers.
My biggest problem of all is that I am not objective. I want my teams to win, whether it be the ones I work for, or the ones I root for. I am too highly identified with my teams to be able to write about sports without a bias.
I also believe that in order to work in sports that you do need to be some sort a fan of the team you work for. Not too much of a fan that you aren't willing to miss games and plays because of work, but enough of a fan to be willing to do whatever work is necessary to help your team be successful. For example I don't know how a Red Sox fan could end up working for the Yankees one day. It would be hard for a Red Sox fan to put in 100% to watch the team they work for destroy the team they love. I hope I can get that balance right. You have to remain professional, but you also have to want the team you work for to win. I think I am doing a good job at it. The great thing about sports is that you see what your work produces after every game. A win or a loss, happy or mad fans etc... I think you have to like your team enough that you want to show it off for everyone else to see and enjoy.
By the end of reporting I was also getting really bored. I heard the same questions being asked after every game and heard the same answers everytime. I knew exactly what everyone was going to say. It became way too predictable and way too boring.
I do like to talk about sports, and I like the communcations aspect of sports. I don't like reporting.
I'd rather be a sports information director. I love to do research on sports. I also like talking about my team. Therefore writing a press release about my team, or the team I work for is much more interesting for me. I'd rather be the person who comes up with the information for the writers to write about.
I have no interest in being a sports reporter. I just thought I should clear that up. There is a reason that I am a sports management major and not a journalism one.
What reporters do is very important. They are essential to sports, an industry that is driven by the media and advertisers. If there were no reporters and interest in sports there would be no money in sports.
However I don't like being a sports reporter. I don't like being the person who finds the problems. I'd rather help solve them. I'm not interested in calling people out in a column. I don't really have the personality to do that. I don't want to write a story about someone to start a controversy and sell papers.
My biggest problem of all is that I am not objective. I want my teams to win, whether it be the ones I work for, or the ones I root for. I am too highly identified with my teams to be able to write about sports without a bias.
I also believe that in order to work in sports that you do need to be some sort a fan of the team you work for. Not too much of a fan that you aren't willing to miss games and plays because of work, but enough of a fan to be willing to do whatever work is necessary to help your team be successful. For example I don't know how a Red Sox fan could end up working for the Yankees one day. It would be hard for a Red Sox fan to put in 100% to watch the team they work for destroy the team they love. I hope I can get that balance right. You have to remain professional, but you also have to want the team you work for to win. I think I am doing a good job at it. The great thing about sports is that you see what your work produces after every game. A win or a loss, happy or mad fans etc... I think you have to like your team enough that you want to show it off for everyone else to see and enjoy.
By the end of reporting I was also getting really bored. I heard the same questions being asked after every game and heard the same answers everytime. I knew exactly what everyone was going to say. It became way too predictable and way too boring.
I do like to talk about sports, and I like the communcations aspect of sports. I don't like reporting.
I'd rather be a sports information director. I love to do research on sports. I also like talking about my team. Therefore writing a press release about my team, or the team I work for is much more interesting for me. I'd rather be the person who comes up with the information for the writers to write about.
I have no interest in being a sports reporter. I just thought I should clear that up. There is a reason that I am a sports management major and not a journalism one.
The Dove
I just had to post this link.
Who doesn't love the Dove?
As Greg Mihailides famously said "Peace, Love and Mandeldove"
As the The Mayor Of Storrs, Ryan Marciel Grace, famously said "Love, Peace and Chicken Grease"
http://blogs.courant.com/uconn_mens_basketball/2009/07/jonathan-mandeldove-at-proam.html
Who doesn't love the Dove?
As Greg Mihailides famously said "Peace, Love and Mandeldove"
As the The Mayor Of Storrs, Ryan Marciel Grace, famously said "Love, Peace and Chicken Grease"
http://blogs.courant.com/uconn_mens_basketball/2009/07/jonathan-mandeldove-at-proam.html
Monday, July 27, 2009
Fox Soccer Channel W-League Championship
Fox Soccer Channel is supposed to be airing the W-League Championship game. The game will be on August 7th at 7:30pm.
There is a 100% chance that a UConn player's team will be involved in the Championship game.
Ottawa (Melissa Busque) is playing against Washington (Brittany Tegeler) for one spot in the championship game.
Hudson Valley (Brittany Taylor and Elise Fugowski) hosts Pali for the other spot.
Too bad I don't get that channel up here! We'll see if I can figure something out.
If you care about the W-League I strongly suggest that you watch it to boost it's ratings. Sounds silly, but I'm being serious.
http://wleague.uslsoccer.com/home/351028.html
There is a 100% chance that a UConn player's team will be involved in the Championship game.
Ottawa (Melissa Busque) is playing against Washington (Brittany Tegeler) for one spot in the championship game.
Hudson Valley (Brittany Taylor and Elise Fugowski) hosts Pali for the other spot.
Too bad I don't get that channel up here! We'll see if I can figure something out.
If you care about the W-League I strongly suggest that you watch it to boost it's ratings. Sounds silly, but I'm being serious.
http://wleague.uslsoccer.com/home/351028.html
Mike Nemeth, NECBL
So I went to a NECBL game today. I saw the Keene Swamp Bats host the Holyoke Blue Sox. I was going for the Blue Sox because the Blue Sox have UConn players Mike Nemeth and Doug Jennings on it. They also have a kid that went to my high school on that team.
We had a long rain delay. It was raining really hard. Thankfully we were playing on turf so it was playable after the rain left.
I worked the scoreboard while I was there.
Mike Nemeth hit a home run in batting practice. I saw that. He gets credit for it.
He hit 6th today and was the designated hitter. After tonight he's probably hitting in the mid to upper .270's. He went 1 for 4. He had an opposite field shot that was hit well but to the wrong spot. He got a rbi single later in the game. Everything he hit was either up the middle or to the opposite field.
Doug Jennings didn't pitch today, he started yesterday and picked up a win.
There was a pitcher on the opposing team from Georgia that was nasty. He struck out 5 of 6. He was just nasty.
I must say that the Keene Swamp Bats have a lot of loyal fans. They played this game at a neutral site, yet they still got a good crowd. They had regular people dressed up in jerseys for a NECBL team. They have a lot of history in the league and are one of the top teams in the league once again this year.
I had fun and I'm glad I got to go and do something useful.
We had a long rain delay. It was raining really hard. Thankfully we were playing on turf so it was playable after the rain left.
I worked the scoreboard while I was there.
Mike Nemeth hit a home run in batting practice. I saw that. He gets credit for it.
He hit 6th today and was the designated hitter. After tonight he's probably hitting in the mid to upper .270's. He went 1 for 4. He had an opposite field shot that was hit well but to the wrong spot. He got a rbi single later in the game. Everything he hit was either up the middle or to the opposite field.
Doug Jennings didn't pitch today, he started yesterday and picked up a win.
There was a pitcher on the opposing team from Georgia that was nasty. He struck out 5 of 6. He was just nasty.
I must say that the Keene Swamp Bats have a lot of loyal fans. They played this game at a neutral site, yet they still got a good crowd. They had regular people dressed up in jerseys for a NECBL team. They have a lot of history in the league and are one of the top teams in the league once again this year.
I had fun and I'm glad I got to go and do something useful.
The Tulsa game
I also follow Men's Soccer. You might not be able to guess that. I just miss more and see less at men's games so it makes it more difficult for me to write about. I have more people distracting me at those games.
I wish it was has hard for me to talk about the women's games too. I wish more people were there to distract me.
One of the most gorgeous weathered games all year was the men's soccer game vs. Tulsa. It was picture perfect weather. The sky was red at night. It was a beautiful background for the soccer game. I was so comfortable at that soccer game, which tends to be an oxymoron at Storrs. I remember being cold at almost all of the soccer games. I was cold at actually almost every team I watched, especially cold when I was at the Women's lacrosse game when it was cold, when I had a cold and when it was raining out.
I remember just enjoying the nice summer weather that day for the Tulsa game. I also remember being antsy to leave my lake house so I could attend this soccer game. I never thought I'd say that, but I left early to get back in time for the start of a soccer game. (Later in the year, for the NCAA tournament game vs Creighton, I watched my first UConn game at my Lake House. It was Men's Soccer on my computer, over the internet. It was hard to watch, but I couldn't miss it.)
I remember that UConn was down for a good bit in the Tulsa game until O'Brian White scored the game tying goal really late in the game that sent everyone in the goal patrol nuts.
One thing that I know I haven't mentioned but should mention is that Akeem Priestley reminds me of a puppeteer because of what defenders do when he effortlessly moves the ball in tight spaces. I can't believe that hasn't come up before.
I loved watching Priestly play. I will really miss watching him.
So there you have it, the Tulsa game for Men's Soccer was also a really great game, with a solid ending and amazing weather.
I wish it was has hard for me to talk about the women's games too. I wish more people were there to distract me.
One of the most gorgeous weathered games all year was the men's soccer game vs. Tulsa. It was picture perfect weather. The sky was red at night. It was a beautiful background for the soccer game. I was so comfortable at that soccer game, which tends to be an oxymoron at Storrs. I remember being cold at almost all of the soccer games. I was cold at actually almost every team I watched, especially cold when I was at the Women's lacrosse game when it was cold, when I had a cold and when it was raining out.
I remember just enjoying the nice summer weather that day for the Tulsa game. I also remember being antsy to leave my lake house so I could attend this soccer game. I never thought I'd say that, but I left early to get back in time for the start of a soccer game. (Later in the year, for the NCAA tournament game vs Creighton, I watched my first UConn game at my Lake House. It was Men's Soccer on my computer, over the internet. It was hard to watch, but I couldn't miss it.)
I remember that UConn was down for a good bit in the Tulsa game until O'Brian White scored the game tying goal really late in the game that sent everyone in the goal patrol nuts.
One thing that I know I haven't mentioned but should mention is that Akeem Priestley reminds me of a puppeteer because of what defenders do when he effortlessly moves the ball in tight spaces. I can't believe that hasn't come up before.
I loved watching Priestly play. I will really miss watching him.
So there you have it, the Tulsa game for Men's Soccer was also a really great game, with a solid ending and amazing weather.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
What did I learn today
My cousins came today. I learned that the number one result on google for Brian Medlin (my cousin) beats Michael Phelps is my blog. I am really proud that's the number one result.
I wish I could swim.
I am a better vertical swimmer than horizontal swimmer.
Speaking of swim class, I might not blind my classmates anymore. We got a used boat that's in good condition and I bet that I won't escape the sun while I'm on the water.
I also learned that I am a better pool player than I was a week ago.
However, I like to give back. So I also taught someone something today.
My cousin brought her friend Eric, who went to UConn, to stop and visit. We started talking and I mentioned that I loved UConn's teams and he mentioned that he knew Liz Galinaro. She played Ice Hockey, but I never was at a game while she played at UConn. I did see her as a pinch runner for softball so I told Eric about that. He didn't know she also played on the softball team.
It feels good to teach even when what I'm teaching is completely useless.
I wish I could swim.
I am a better vertical swimmer than horizontal swimmer.
Speaking of swim class, I might not blind my classmates anymore. We got a used boat that's in good condition and I bet that I won't escape the sun while I'm on the water.
I also learned that I am a better pool player than I was a week ago.
However, I like to give back. So I also taught someone something today.
My cousin brought her friend Eric, who went to UConn, to stop and visit. We started talking and I mentioned that I loved UConn's teams and he mentioned that he knew Liz Galinaro. She played Ice Hockey, but I never was at a game while she played at UConn. I did see her as a pinch runner for softball so I told Eric about that. He didn't know she also played on the softball team.
It feels good to teach even when what I'm teaching is completely useless.
I love this
I love getting an email on a Sunday from the person in charge of Goal Patrol. That's a great first impression. If your working on goal patrol on a nice summer Sunday in July you're doing a good job.
They also advanced
I don't know what it is with 2-1 lately. Anyway Melissa Busque's team advanced in the W-League playoffs again with a 2-1 win.
Hudson Valley (Brittany Taylor's and Elise Fugowski's team) is still alive, as are the Washington Freedom. (Brittany Tegeler's team)
This means that 3 of the final 4 teams have UConn players on them.
Hudson Valley (Brittany Taylor's and Elise Fugowski's team) is still alive, as are the Washington Freedom. (Brittany Tegeler's team)
This means that 3 of the final 4 teams have UConn players on them.
I feel weird posting this...but I will.
But I feel like I am obligated to.
Anything that involves Stephanie Labbe and I somehow involves bacon, a food I hate and she loves.
I always thought bacon was healthy because my mom made me eat it. I also read in the media guide that bacon is Labbe's favorite food. Obviously I thought bacon was healthy, my mom made me eat it, and Stephanie Labbe, an alternate goalie for the Canadian Olympic soccer team in China liked to eat it.
So I told the kids in Husky Sport that they should eat bacon when we were on our field trip and stopped to eat at Putnam dining hall. I thought it was healthy, and this girl on the trip loved to play soccer. I told the 3rd grader that she should eat bacon because it was what our Olympic Soccer goalie liked to eat.
I was so embarrassed to find out that bacon wasn't healthy. Meghan Nanfeldt broke the news to me and I felt so dumb. It's the dumbest I've ever felt in my life. The kids piled on bacon because of me.
What's worse was that we were trying to promote healthy eating and my teacher was at the table eating with us.
I quickly told them never to eat bacon again. My group, teacher and class laughed about it during our end of the year presentation.
So anyway I just realized that my mom was cooking bacon as I did that research/translations on Labbe in Sweden.
I told you it all comes back to bacon.
Anything that involves Stephanie Labbe and I somehow involves bacon, a food I hate and she loves.
I always thought bacon was healthy because my mom made me eat it. I also read in the media guide that bacon is Labbe's favorite food. Obviously I thought bacon was healthy, my mom made me eat it, and Stephanie Labbe, an alternate goalie for the Canadian Olympic soccer team in China liked to eat it.
So I told the kids in Husky Sport that they should eat bacon when we were on our field trip and stopped to eat at Putnam dining hall. I thought it was healthy, and this girl on the trip loved to play soccer. I told the 3rd grader that she should eat bacon because it was what our Olympic Soccer goalie liked to eat.
I was so embarrassed to find out that bacon wasn't healthy. Meghan Nanfeldt broke the news to me and I felt so dumb. It's the dumbest I've ever felt in my life. The kids piled on bacon because of me.
What's worse was that we were trying to promote healthy eating and my teacher was at the table eating with us.
I quickly told them never to eat bacon again. My group, teacher and class laughed about it during our end of the year presentation.
So anyway I just realized that my mom was cooking bacon as I did that research/translations on Labbe in Sweden.
I told you it all comes back to bacon.
We can't let this happen
I actually like someone who works in the Syracuse athletics department. He will do a good job and make their soccer program better. However, the fans at UConn need to make sure that no other school can claim that they have more soccer fans.
This is sort of vague but a few people will catch my drift.
This is sort of vague but a few people will catch my drift.
An update on Labbe
So I haven't used google translator in way too long.
According to an article in Swedish that I translated, Stephanie Labbe made her coaches happy with her development at her last Canadian training session.
Pitea does not have another game until September 27th
OH I FOUND IT
I FOUND GOALIE STATISTICS IN SWEDISH.
This makes my day.
Stephanie Labbe has 101 saves so far. That leads the league. She has 13 more saves than anyone else.
According to an article in Swedish that I translated, Stephanie Labbe made her coaches happy with her development at her last Canadian training session.
Pitea does not have another game until September 27th
OH I FOUND IT
I FOUND GOALIE STATISTICS IN SWEDISH.
This makes my day.
Stephanie Labbe has 101 saves so far. That leads the league. She has 13 more saves than anyone else.
A lesson in toughness
So I told you about my Aunt who has a torn ACL...and has done nothing about it.
Well she also might have a torn meniscus. Or they think she does....
She spent a day doing yard work and then she went on a 49 mile bike ride.
I think I'm forgetting something....
Oh yeah she also had the swine flu when she did her yard work and went on her bike ride.
Well she also might have a torn meniscus. Or they think she does....
She spent a day doing yard work and then she went on a 49 mile bike ride.
I think I'm forgetting something....
Oh yeah she also had the swine flu when she did her yard work and went on her bike ride.
She did indeed score
I checked on the box score for Brittany Tegeler's game.
She did indeed score a goal. Brittany Tegeler scored the game winning goal in her playoff game in the 85th minute.
She did indeed score a goal. Brittany Tegeler scored the game winning goal in her playoff game in the 85th minute.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
This ought to be interesting
So I've recalled about 3 women's soccer moments 9191093099084930485^2 separate times in my blog. St. Johns, Cory Bildstein's kick vs Yale and West Virginia victory in PK's.
Come to think of it I don't think I have written enough about WVU...maybe I'll do that next.
I have a fairly good memory when it comes to sporting events. I can sometimes see a box score and think of a big play or two from the game.
My grandpa, who used to own a tire retreading business in Immokalee, Florida (Place where Edgerrin James is from) was talking about a race where the Goodyear tires were failing every 15 laps or so and I was like "oh yeah, that was at Charlotte a couple years ago."
So since women's soccer summer league play is coming to an end and I decided I'd make up for it by looking through some of the box scores and trying to see what I remembered from each game.
I'll go back to the first women's soccer game I ever attended which was the game vs. Central Connecticut.
To be totally honest I have no idea what happened at this game. I remember being there and some of the things that were going on but I don't remember the game itself. I don't remember much because I didn't know who was who and didn't understand soccer enough to know what I was watching.
Somehow I do remember that Elise Fugowski scored. I don't know how she did I just remember hearing her name over the P.A. I remember that and I of course could not forget hearing this after she scored a goal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY5mzGdDMSA
That is QUITE UNFORGETTABLE.
No I did not search for hours trying to find that. The subject of this song came up one day in the marketing office as we were kind of going..."What the heck is that song you play?" I thought the person who answered was joking when they said "Crazy Frog goes to India" I searched it and found out they weren't.
I'm glad I found it though. I drove a friend of mine CRAZY...CRAZY by playing this one day.
Equally as unforgettable was Tricia Sullivan's introduction song for softball in 2008. It was Barbie Girl. It was at that moment that I almost left every softball game.
I'd really love to know why someone chose "Crazy Frog goes to India." I'm not complaining, I actually didn't really mind it.
Anyway back to more memories of this game.
I remember Ryan Grace being instrumental in getting me to this game. I was going to go to a women's soccer game at some point becuase I had never been to one throughout my first two years at school. I really wanted to see Steph Labbe play too. I was looking forward to her playing but I wasn't surprised that she wasn't there for that game because of the Olympics. She was there for the rest of the year.
I forget which game I paid for...it was either this game or the Yale game. I was just glad I had singles on me.
I sat behind the goal because my friends were sitting there. In retrospect it's the absolute worst spot to watch a game from...especially if your trying to learn about the game of soccer, see the game well and figure out who is who and what position they play.
I remember two things more than anything else from the first women's soccer game I went to.
I had a conversation with Kaili McLaren. Everyone loves Kaili. Kaili is loveable and so nice. She is just awesome. I hadn't seen her in a while and just wondered how she was doing. Somehow we ended up talking about our majors.
This will probably amaze most of you: the other thing I did was constantly ask Ryan "whose that?" and "whose that?" and "she plays what position?" I had no idea who was who and what was going on at the first game I went to. As I saw more games and read more information I quickly got better.
By April I identified 4 of the players in person around campus and knew atleast one thing from the media guide about them. 2 of them in particular were just so happy I knew who they were. They were really surprised and excited. The other two were happy that I knew who they were but they didn't show as much emotion as the other two. I don't blame them either. One of them asked if I knew something about a teammate of theirs from the media guide and I did...So yeah, I did learn quickly.
I have to learn quickly.
It drives me crazy to watch games and not know who is who. I can't watch games unless I know the athletes names. I like knowing statistics too. I distinctly remember going to my first softball doubleheader and running back to my dorm to print out a stat sheet so I could put names with faces and know exactly who hit for power, for average etc. I literally couldn't watch the game without that...WEIRD...YES...I agree...but it's who I am.
Back to the Central game. By the end of the Central game I was still pretty much like a ball in the middle of an empty field, lost. I knew five players for sure. I knew who Kacey Richards was. I always pay attention to number 23. Usually 23's are good players. I also knew she had won several awards for her outstanding play. I knew who she was. I knew who Becky Gundling was because Ryan knows her. I watched the game with him. He paid attention to Becky so I did too. Ryan didn't stop telling me how great Courtney Maitland was either. I think I mixed up Maitland with other players several times, but I knew she existed before others on the team because of Ryan. I probably knew what number and position she played by the end of the game. I knew who Annie Yi was because she was in my public speaking class. I also knew that Yi scored a lot. For some reason I knew who Lauren Ebert was. Maybe it's because she was on a schedule magnet. Quite honestly I don't know why. Maybe Ryan pointed her out. I left that game knowing who those 5 players were. By that I mean I could match numbers and faces to positions and a fact or two.
I also had seen Erin Clark's stats and knew she was the leading freshman scorer in 2007. I had heard of her and maybe a couple of other players names but I didn't leave that game knowing who she or any of her teammates were.
Soon I knew. I was pretty good after the Yale game.
So that's what I remember about the Central game.
Come to think of it I don't think I have written enough about WVU...maybe I'll do that next.
I have a fairly good memory when it comes to sporting events. I can sometimes see a box score and think of a big play or two from the game.
My grandpa, who used to own a tire retreading business in Immokalee, Florida (Place where Edgerrin James is from) was talking about a race where the Goodyear tires were failing every 15 laps or so and I was like "oh yeah, that was at Charlotte a couple years ago."
So since women's soccer summer league play is coming to an end and I decided I'd make up for it by looking through some of the box scores and trying to see what I remembered from each game.
I'll go back to the first women's soccer game I ever attended which was the game vs. Central Connecticut.
To be totally honest I have no idea what happened at this game. I remember being there and some of the things that were going on but I don't remember the game itself. I don't remember much because I didn't know who was who and didn't understand soccer enough to know what I was watching.
Somehow I do remember that Elise Fugowski scored. I don't know how she did I just remember hearing her name over the P.A. I remember that and I of course could not forget hearing this after she scored a goal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY5mzGdDMSA
That is QUITE UNFORGETTABLE.
No I did not search for hours trying to find that. The subject of this song came up one day in the marketing office as we were kind of going..."What the heck is that song you play?" I thought the person who answered was joking when they said "Crazy Frog goes to India" I searched it and found out they weren't.
I'm glad I found it though. I drove a friend of mine CRAZY...CRAZY by playing this one day.
Equally as unforgettable was Tricia Sullivan's introduction song for softball in 2008. It was Barbie Girl. It was at that moment that I almost left every softball game.
I'd really love to know why someone chose "Crazy Frog goes to India." I'm not complaining, I actually didn't really mind it.
Anyway back to more memories of this game.
I remember Ryan Grace being instrumental in getting me to this game. I was going to go to a women's soccer game at some point becuase I had never been to one throughout my first two years at school. I really wanted to see Steph Labbe play too. I was looking forward to her playing but I wasn't surprised that she wasn't there for that game because of the Olympics. She was there for the rest of the year.
I forget which game I paid for...it was either this game or the Yale game. I was just glad I had singles on me.
I sat behind the goal because my friends were sitting there. In retrospect it's the absolute worst spot to watch a game from...especially if your trying to learn about the game of soccer, see the game well and figure out who is who and what position they play.
I remember two things more than anything else from the first women's soccer game I went to.
I had a conversation with Kaili McLaren. Everyone loves Kaili. Kaili is loveable and so nice. She is just awesome. I hadn't seen her in a while and just wondered how she was doing. Somehow we ended up talking about our majors.
This will probably amaze most of you: the other thing I did was constantly ask Ryan "whose that?" and "whose that?" and "she plays what position?" I had no idea who was who and what was going on at the first game I went to. As I saw more games and read more information I quickly got better.
By April I identified 4 of the players in person around campus and knew atleast one thing from the media guide about them. 2 of them in particular were just so happy I knew who they were. They were really surprised and excited. The other two were happy that I knew who they were but they didn't show as much emotion as the other two. I don't blame them either. One of them asked if I knew something about a teammate of theirs from the media guide and I did...So yeah, I did learn quickly.
I have to learn quickly.
It drives me crazy to watch games and not know who is who. I can't watch games unless I know the athletes names. I like knowing statistics too. I distinctly remember going to my first softball doubleheader and running back to my dorm to print out a stat sheet so I could put names with faces and know exactly who hit for power, for average etc. I literally couldn't watch the game without that...WEIRD...YES...I agree...but it's who I am.
Back to the Central game. By the end of the Central game I was still pretty much like a ball in the middle of an empty field, lost. I knew five players for sure. I knew who Kacey Richards was. I always pay attention to number 23. Usually 23's are good players. I also knew she had won several awards for her outstanding play. I knew who she was. I knew who Becky Gundling was because Ryan knows her. I watched the game with him. He paid attention to Becky so I did too. Ryan didn't stop telling me how great Courtney Maitland was either. I think I mixed up Maitland with other players several times, but I knew she existed before others on the team because of Ryan. I probably knew what number and position she played by the end of the game. I knew who Annie Yi was because she was in my public speaking class. I also knew that Yi scored a lot. For some reason I knew who Lauren Ebert was. Maybe it's because she was on a schedule magnet. Quite honestly I don't know why. Maybe Ryan pointed her out. I left that game knowing who those 5 players were. By that I mean I could match numbers and faces to positions and a fact or two.
I also had seen Erin Clark's stats and knew she was the leading freshman scorer in 2007. I had heard of her and maybe a couple of other players names but I didn't leave that game knowing who she or any of her teammates were.
Soon I knew. I was pretty good after the Yale game.
So that's what I remember about the Central game.
LARRY TAYLOR and CFL Stuff
In case you're wondering Larry Taylor has 2 catches for 29 yards so far this year.
He has 24 punt returns for 301 yards, for a 12.5 yard average, and returned 1 punt for a touchdown. He has returned 11 kicks for 198 yards or an average of 18 yards per kick return. I believe Taylor returned two punts for touchdowns in a playoff game in 2008. I know he had atleast one in that game but I think two. I love tuning into Alouettes games when they are on to watch him play.
Terry Caulley had returned one kick for 21 yards and has 8 rushes for 38 yards.
In 2008 Caulley had 66 carries for 448 yards and 6 touchdowns.
I saw Caulley play when I was a freshman. He was a member of the 2006 team and he was pretty good. He was the best offensive player at UConn that year.
He has 24 punt returns for 301 yards, for a 12.5 yard average, and returned 1 punt for a touchdown. He has returned 11 kicks for 198 yards or an average of 18 yards per kick return. I believe Taylor returned two punts for touchdowns in a playoff game in 2008. I know he had atleast one in that game but I think two. I love tuning into Alouettes games when they are on to watch him play.
Terry Caulley had returned one kick for 21 yards and has 8 rushes for 38 yards.
In 2008 Caulley had 66 carries for 448 yards and 6 touchdowns.
I saw Caulley play when I was a freshman. He was a member of the 2006 team and he was pretty good. He was the best offensive player at UConn that year.
Another win...and the CFL
Brittany Tegeler's team won 2-1 again in the W-League playoffs. Don't know who scored yet because the box score isn't up yet. Somehow it wouldn't shock me if she contributed. We'll have to see.
I also watched some CFL today. I saw a guy with the last name of Labbe from the Winnipeg team. Of course I wondered if he was related to the other Labbe that I know more about.
I think the CFL is cool. It's a different game from the NFL. I think teams only have 3 downs. Teams were punting on 3rd and 6, although some NFL teams, like the Bears, would have been just as good punting on 3rd down instead of 4th down. There looked to be a good amount of fans for the CFL game. Also the CFL allows recievers to be moving forward before the snap so long as they don't cross the line of scrimmage before the snap. All in all I think I could watch the CFL.
Who is my favorite CFL team?
The Montreal Alouettes. Why? tons of reasons
Most importantly Larry Taylor plays on Montreal. What UConn fan doesn't love Larry Taylor?
Secondly, Montreal is a nice place. I have fond memories of being able to buy seats 5 rows behind homeplate and get to see my Mets. One year I happened to stay at the same hotel as the Mets so I ended up running into players all the time. My mom was in the elevator with Jae Weong Seo and I met Tom Glavine too. He was nice and easy to talk to. Al Leiter and John Franco were quieter.
Thirdly it has Alou in it and who doesn't like baseball and the Alou's? Moises, Felipe etc.
Fourthly, I had no idea so many UConn athletes came from Quebec until I got to UConn.
I also watched some CFL today. I saw a guy with the last name of Labbe from the Winnipeg team. Of course I wondered if he was related to the other Labbe that I know more about.
I think the CFL is cool. It's a different game from the NFL. I think teams only have 3 downs. Teams were punting on 3rd and 6, although some NFL teams, like the Bears, would have been just as good punting on 3rd down instead of 4th down. There looked to be a good amount of fans for the CFL game. Also the CFL allows recievers to be moving forward before the snap so long as they don't cross the line of scrimmage before the snap. All in all I think I could watch the CFL.
Who is my favorite CFL team?
The Montreal Alouettes. Why? tons of reasons
Most importantly Larry Taylor plays on Montreal. What UConn fan doesn't love Larry Taylor?
Secondly, Montreal is a nice place. I have fond memories of being able to buy seats 5 rows behind homeplate and get to see my Mets. One year I happened to stay at the same hotel as the Mets so I ended up running into players all the time. My mom was in the elevator with Jae Weong Seo and I met Tom Glavine too. He was nice and easy to talk to. Al Leiter and John Franco were quieter.
Thirdly it has Alou in it and who doesn't like baseball and the Alou's? Moises, Felipe etc.
Fourthly, I had no idea so many UConn athletes came from Quebec until I got to UConn.
Brittany Tegeler
Brittany Tegeler's team won 2-1 in their first playoff game in the W-League. She scored the first goal for her team.
They play later tonight at 7:30
They play later tonight at 7:30
Friday, July 24, 2009
They advanced and he pitched well
Melissa Busque's team advanced in the playoffs. They won 4-2.
Elliot Glynn threw an inning in the Cape Cod League All-Star game at Fenway Park yesterday. He gave up no runs and one hit.
Elliot Glynn threw an inning in the Cape Cod League All-Star game at Fenway Park yesterday. He gave up no runs and one hit.
Some facts
Most people forget about UConn Field Hockey but they shouldn't. Just like the Men's Basketball program, Field Hockey has won two national championships, have a hall of fame head coach and dominate in Big East play. Field Hockey even has had 3 National Player's of the Year.
Also, in playing NCAA Football I realized that I may or may not have told you this about the weight of the endzone banner at UConn. When rolled up that banner weighs about 80 pounds. It is often taken down and put back up after each game.
Also, in playing NCAA Football I realized that I may or may not have told you this about the weight of the endzone banner at UConn. When rolled up that banner weighs about 80 pounds. It is often taken down and put back up after each game.
Several things
First of all I hope Melissa Busque and her team pick up a victory tonight in their W-League playoff game.
Secondly, ESPN is talking to the umpire from the Buherle no hitter and asking him about the strike zone and what it meant to umpire a game like that. Quite frankly no umpire cares about the history made. Umpires and referees are not at sporting events to make history, they are their to make sure that what does occur is fair and done with integrity. They should never be interviewed after a game about what it means to umpire a perfect game. Quite frankly they don't care, and if they did I'd be concerned.
Thirdly who cares who did or didn't vote for Tim Tebow in a pre-season poll. First of all, it's a poll. They don't matter. Second of all it's a pre-season poll, which matters even less than not mattering at all.
I don't think polls really mean anything. I don't think athletes care if they are ranked or not ranked. I would think and hope that athletes always think that they are the best team and that they always have to work 110% to get a win. The only poll that really matters is the one at the end of the season, after the playoffs are all over. The best teams are decided on the field, not in polls.
The only thing that polls do is interfere with an athlete's psyche. If they are ranked high sometimes a team might think that they are so good and that they can relax, which isn't the case. Hard work and focus gets a team to a number one ranking, it's never just talent alone. Unbeatable teams are not only highly talented but they also are the hardest working and most foucsed.
For an inexpiernced or unconfident team an opponents ranking can mess with their heads and make them think that they can't compete with another team. If the opposing team is ranked high and has a great first 15 minutes an athlete on an inexpierenced or unconfident team can begin to think that "well they are ranked number 1" and they begin to ease up a bit figuring that everything is a lost cause.
All in all I don't think teams do or should pay attention to polls. They are their for people who don't play the game. They are their for the people who market it and talk about it. They are only useful for a motivational speech that goes like... "lets show everyone why we are better than them"
Upsets usually occur because of mental differences in teams. Teams in the same league often have similar talent levels. There are certainly differences but people are in the same league for a reason. The reason why a last place team can beat a first place team is because of the teams mental approach to a game. I believe that upsets most often occur because of psychological advantages rather than talent advantages.
And lastly, I tuned in to TV and saw an athlete complaining about their Madden ratings. What is the world coming too? Prove EA Sports wrong on the field and edit your rankings in the game to make you happy. I must say that I do feel that EA Sports often does get rankings wrong, however as a high identified fan it's easy to argue that I just rank my favorite teams players too high.
Secondly, ESPN is talking to the umpire from the Buherle no hitter and asking him about the strike zone and what it meant to umpire a game like that. Quite frankly no umpire cares about the history made. Umpires and referees are not at sporting events to make history, they are their to make sure that what does occur is fair and done with integrity. They should never be interviewed after a game about what it means to umpire a perfect game. Quite frankly they don't care, and if they did I'd be concerned.
Thirdly who cares who did or didn't vote for Tim Tebow in a pre-season poll. First of all, it's a poll. They don't matter. Second of all it's a pre-season poll, which matters even less than not mattering at all.
I don't think polls really mean anything. I don't think athletes care if they are ranked or not ranked. I would think and hope that athletes always think that they are the best team and that they always have to work 110% to get a win. The only poll that really matters is the one at the end of the season, after the playoffs are all over. The best teams are decided on the field, not in polls.
The only thing that polls do is interfere with an athlete's psyche. If they are ranked high sometimes a team might think that they are so good and that they can relax, which isn't the case. Hard work and focus gets a team to a number one ranking, it's never just talent alone. Unbeatable teams are not only highly talented but they also are the hardest working and most foucsed.
For an inexpiernced or unconfident team an opponents ranking can mess with their heads and make them think that they can't compete with another team. If the opposing team is ranked high and has a great first 15 minutes an athlete on an inexpierenced or unconfident team can begin to think that "well they are ranked number 1" and they begin to ease up a bit figuring that everything is a lost cause.
All in all I don't think teams do or should pay attention to polls. They are their for people who don't play the game. They are their for the people who market it and talk about it. They are only useful for a motivational speech that goes like... "lets show everyone why we are better than them"
Upsets usually occur because of mental differences in teams. Teams in the same league often have similar talent levels. There are certainly differences but people are in the same league for a reason. The reason why a last place team can beat a first place team is because of the teams mental approach to a game. I believe that upsets most often occur because of psychological advantages rather than talent advantages.
And lastly, I tuned in to TV and saw an athlete complaining about their Madden ratings. What is the world coming too? Prove EA Sports wrong on the field and edit your rankings in the game to make you happy. I must say that I do feel that EA Sports often does get rankings wrong, however as a high identified fan it's easy to argue that I just rank my favorite teams players too high.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
I like what the NFL is doing with the draft
The NFL announced that it will make the NFL Draft a three day event, starting on a Thursday night with just the first round. Rounds 2 and 3 would be on Friday night and 4-7 on Saturday. I like this a lot better because I'd rather watch it on a Thursday night than on a nice spring Saturday. That spring Saturday is usually reserved for baseball or softball.
Oh and yes I do watch the NFL draft. It's the most entertaining draft to watch. (note to non fanatic sports fans...don't watch a draft for entertainment...unless you LOVE and are OBSESSED with sports don't waste your time sitting on a couch watching picks....I'm closer to the obsessed side which you can probably tell) To me this is entertainment because the Cowboys and Patriots usually make trades and the Jets and Raiders do something that make you laugh.
I will admit to watching the draft...I've even tuned in to see some of the 6th round, including the 2007 draft when I saw the Cowboys move up in the 6th round to select Deon Anderson, the full back from UConn. I did go crazy when that happened by the way...because again I predicted that would happen. I swear I said it would. I just thought he'd look good in a Cowboys uniform when I watched him play at UConn in 2006. The Cowboys haven't had a great fullback since Daryl "Moose" Johnston (excluding Richie Anderson). Robert Thomas and Lousaka Polite were just a couple of the no name full backs since Moose.
To be honest though, almost all fullbacks are no-name now. Especially since Mike Alstott retired. Maybe you've heard of Lorenzo Neal...
Anyway you might think I'm weird for tuning in for part of the 6th round...which I admit to doing (It makes sitting in the rain to watch track look normal for me)...however my high school's football coach one-upped me.
Coach Jones said he watched all 7 rounds of the draft and had his daughter sitting on his lap for a good part of it.
His wife must be REALLY COOL.
Oh and yes I do watch the NFL draft. It's the most entertaining draft to watch. (note to non fanatic sports fans...don't watch a draft for entertainment...unless you LOVE and are OBSESSED with sports don't waste your time sitting on a couch watching picks....I'm closer to the obsessed side which you can probably tell) To me this is entertainment because the Cowboys and Patriots usually make trades and the Jets and Raiders do something that make you laugh.
I will admit to watching the draft...I've even tuned in to see some of the 6th round, including the 2007 draft when I saw the Cowboys move up in the 6th round to select Deon Anderson, the full back from UConn. I did go crazy when that happened by the way...because again I predicted that would happen. I swear I said it would. I just thought he'd look good in a Cowboys uniform when I watched him play at UConn in 2006. The Cowboys haven't had a great fullback since Daryl "Moose" Johnston (excluding Richie Anderson). Robert Thomas and Lousaka Polite were just a couple of the no name full backs since Moose.
To be honest though, almost all fullbacks are no-name now. Especially since Mike Alstott retired. Maybe you've heard of Lorenzo Neal...
Anyway you might think I'm weird for tuning in for part of the 6th round...which I admit to doing (It makes sitting in the rain to watch track look normal for me)...however my high school's football coach one-upped me.
Coach Jones said he watched all 7 rounds of the draft and had his daughter sitting on his lap for a good part of it.
His wife must be REALLY COOL.
Some season ending stats
At the end of the regular season here are some stats...
Mandy Schwartz finished 2nd in the W-League with 104 saves.
Mandy Schwartz is awesome.
Jessica Dulski finished 4th with 84 saves.
Dulski appears to have finished 2nd in average saves per game with 8.4...That's a stat that is not officially kept so I just looked through the save leaders and games played to figure that out.
Brittany Tegeler is tied for 11th in the league with 21 points and tied for 6th in the league with 5 assists.
Mandy Schwartz finished 2nd in the W-League with 104 saves.
Mandy Schwartz is awesome.
Jessica Dulski finished 4th with 84 saves.
Dulski appears to have finished 2nd in average saves per game with 8.4...That's a stat that is not officially kept so I just looked through the save leaders and games played to figure that out.
Brittany Tegeler is tied for 11th in the league with 21 points and tied for 6th in the league with 5 assists.
Well I love it when people listen to me
I think I mentioned that it would be great if UConn and Tennesee scheduled to play each other in Men's Basketball a long time ago. I actually put that in writing on this blog at some point not that long ago. I just thought it would be a good thing for both schools.
I think the schools were thinking how I was thinking. (I guess that's a good thing...the people who run the athletic deparments at both places are pretty smart)
Well the schools are playing...soon in men's basketball. We are also playing them in football in the middle of the next decade...the women's basketball teams will probably meet sometime in the next decade either because of scheduling, if things get patched up between the programs, or advancing in the tournament...the programs are too good not to meet in a big matchup in March and April.
(Well I guarantee you I had nothing to do with this...I guess this was in discussion a while back...and this just makes me look 10x smarter that what I really am....I swear to you I knew nothing about this when I wrote that suggestion a while back)
http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/072209aab.html
I briefly wrote about UConn vs Tennessee on July 6th if you don't believe me. Greg Mihailides and I also had an extensive facebook chat about it.
I think the schools were thinking how I was thinking. (I guess that's a good thing...the people who run the athletic deparments at both places are pretty smart)
Well the schools are playing...soon in men's basketball. We are also playing them in football in the middle of the next decade...the women's basketball teams will probably meet sometime in the next decade either because of scheduling, if things get patched up between the programs, or advancing in the tournament...the programs are too good not to meet in a big matchup in March and April.
(Well I guarantee you I had nothing to do with this...I guess this was in discussion a while back...and this just makes me look 10x smarter that what I really am....I swear to you I knew nothing about this when I wrote that suggestion a while back)
http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/072209aab.html
I briefly wrote about UConn vs Tennessee on July 6th if you don't believe me. Greg Mihailides and I also had an extensive facebook chat about it.
Elliot Glynn
I think I wrote that Elliot Glynn has been playing really well in the cape leagues. He has an era that is 1.10 and he is being rewarded with a trip to the Cape Cod League All-Star game, which will be played at Fenway Park. The game is July 23rd...today at 7:05. I wish I could attend this, but I will be at work tomorrow and wouldn't get to Boston in time to see the game start.
This game is a tremendous chance to watch future MLB stars in the historic venue of Fenway Park. I think the tickets are $10 and I would strongly encourage you to attend the game if you can.
This game is a tremendous chance to watch future MLB stars in the historic venue of Fenway Park. I think the tickets are $10 and I would strongly encourage you to attend the game if you can.
She beat this game
I was doing some work today and came across a game where Merrimack Men's Soccer sent a game to overtime with 3.8 seconds left.
Cory Bildstein out did that. She scored with 1 second left.
If your wondering...that play is exactly what came to mind when I read that headline
Cory Bildstein out did that. She scored with 1 second left.
If your wondering...that play is exactly what came to mind when I read that headline
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
More Volleyball
I do enjoy going to UConn Volleyball too. Well I enjoy watching all of UConn's teams. Anyway with my recent talk about volleyball I was reminded of the time a Marquette player threw and kicked a volleyball at the Mayor of Storrs, The Honorable Ryan Marciel Grace. He was talking throughout the game and got on the nerve of a couple Marquette players so they playfully kicked and threw the ball at him in hopes that it would quiet him.
That certainly didn't work.
Ryan Marciel Grace knows more about volleyball than anyone else I know. He should coach youth teams when he gets older.
Anyway I told this to a Volleyball coach and they said that they have seen much worse than a ball being kicked and thrown out a fan during a game.
That's sort of scary.
My random fact of the day is that Lauren "The Dirty Berti" Lamberti (That's the mayors nickname) told me when we were chatting that she once knocked out an opponent with one of her spike's when she was younger. That is impressive.
That certainly didn't work.
Ryan Marciel Grace knows more about volleyball than anyone else I know. He should coach youth teams when he gets older.
Anyway I told this to a Volleyball coach and they said that they have seen much worse than a ball being kicked and thrown out a fan during a game.
That's sort of scary.
My random fact of the day is that Lauren "The Dirty Berti" Lamberti (That's the mayors nickname) told me when we were chatting that she once knocked out an opponent with one of her spike's when she was younger. That is impressive.
WHY VOLLEYBALL IS EXCITING
Here is a video that Greg Mihailides sent me. It's of some phenomenal volleyball. This is nothing like what you played in high school. This is really exciting.
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1917468
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1917468
A three sport athlete
So you know I love two-sport athletes...
Were not talking about Intramural Water Polo and Intramural Soccer either.
There were 4 athletes that participated in two sports last year at Storrs. They were: Dominique Thibault, Ashley O'Brien, Ellis Gaulden and yes of course Meghan Cunningham. I believe Cunningham will be the only one of those 4 returning next year.
Softball Coach Karen Mullins played two sports at UConn too. She played Basketball and Softball. Mullins averaged more points as a freshman than the freshman averages of Renee Montgomery, Kalana Greene and Tahirah Williams combined.
Anyway, at a Division II school I know of a three-sport athlete named Colleen Dunleavy. Don't know the years and can't quite remember the sports...I want to say they were Volleyball, Basketball and Softball.
Anyway playing 3 varsity sports is just impressive. However, I do think it's a little easier to do that at a Division II level than a Division I level. By no means is it easy to play 3 varsisty sports at any level, but I do think it's much easier at a smaller school, than at a Division I school with lots of highly successful coaches and more demanding programs.
Were not talking about Intramural Water Polo and Intramural Soccer either.
There were 4 athletes that participated in two sports last year at Storrs. They were: Dominique Thibault, Ashley O'Brien, Ellis Gaulden and yes of course Meghan Cunningham. I believe Cunningham will be the only one of those 4 returning next year.
Softball Coach Karen Mullins played two sports at UConn too. She played Basketball and Softball. Mullins averaged more points as a freshman than the freshman averages of Renee Montgomery, Kalana Greene and Tahirah Williams combined.
Anyway, at a Division II school I know of a three-sport athlete named Colleen Dunleavy. Don't know the years and can't quite remember the sports...I want to say they were Volleyball, Basketball and Softball.
Anyway playing 3 varsity sports is just impressive. However, I do think it's a little easier to do that at a Division II level than a Division I level. By no means is it easy to play 3 varsisty sports at any level, but I do think it's much easier at a smaller school, than at a Division I school with lots of highly successful coaches and more demanding programs.
I think the ship has sunk
I am a Mets fan. I love my team. I believe in "You Gotta Believe" and I never say die. However, the Mets are 10 games out and have 3 teams ahead of them for the division. The Mets are also 6.5 back for the wild card with 8 teams either ahead of them or right with them.
It will be almost impossible to make up this amount of ground. I still hope the Mets can do it, but it will be so difficult, especially since half the team is still on the disabled list with no time-table for a return.
It might be time to get used to rooting for my other favorite team the Minnesota Twins. I loved Kirby Puckett when I grew up and my god-parents are from Minnesota. Joe Mauer is one of my favorite baseball players too.
I also will root for the Rays and the Red Sox. I like the Rays because I have family in Tampa and they have been so bad for so long. It's fun watching them succeed.
I am currently living in Red Sox Nation and will be visiting Fenway Park for the first time next week. They aren't the Yankees , they are their big rival, so that's a plus. I've always somewhat liked the Red Sox because of Mo Vaughn.
Don't get me wrong I root for the Mets above all in MLB, The Twins above all in the American League and the Rays and Red Sox the rest of the time.
It will be almost impossible to make up this amount of ground. I still hope the Mets can do it, but it will be so difficult, especially since half the team is still on the disabled list with no time-table for a return.
It might be time to get used to rooting for my other favorite team the Minnesota Twins. I loved Kirby Puckett when I grew up and my god-parents are from Minnesota. Joe Mauer is one of my favorite baseball players too.
I also will root for the Rays and the Red Sox. I like the Rays because I have family in Tampa and they have been so bad for so long. It's fun watching them succeed.
I am currently living in Red Sox Nation and will be visiting Fenway Park for the first time next week. They aren't the Yankees , they are their big rival, so that's a plus. I've always somewhat liked the Red Sox because of Mo Vaughn.
Don't get me wrong I root for the Mets above all in MLB, The Twins above all in the American League and the Rays and Red Sox the rest of the time.
Charde is an all-star
I don't think Geno Auriemma is too surprised that Charde Houston became a WNBA All-Star. Maybe not in her second season, but he did say that he thought Houston would do well in the pros. She will be a reserve on the Western all-stars and she is averaging 14.3 points per game so far.
Asjha Jones, Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird and Swin Cash will also be representing UConn and their WNBA teams at the WNBA All-Star game.
Asjha Jones, Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird and Swin Cash will also be representing UConn and their WNBA teams at the WNBA All-Star game.
NBA summer league stuff
Two more Summer League games for the Grizzlies...
Hasheem Thabeet had 10 points and 7 rebounds in 25:30
Marcus Williams had 11 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds in 25 minutes
Jeff Adrien played well according to the box score. In under 17 minutes he had 11 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists.
The next game:
Hasheem Thabeet had 9 points and 5 rebounds and 2 blocks in about 26 minutes.
Marcus Williams had 11 points 5 assists and 4 rebounds.
Jeff Adrien started his last game, which was a first for him with the Grizzlies. He had 6 points and 11 rebounds and 2 assists in 27 minutes. I hope the Grizzlies are smart enough to keep Adrien. He obviously has impressed them somewhat if he went from being on the bench to starting the final summer league game.
Adrien finished the 4 games with the Grizzles averaging 8.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.
Thabeet averaged 8.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
Hasheem Thabeet had 10 points and 7 rebounds in 25:30
Marcus Williams had 11 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds in 25 minutes
Jeff Adrien played well according to the box score. In under 17 minutes he had 11 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists.
The next game:
Hasheem Thabeet had 9 points and 5 rebounds and 2 blocks in about 26 minutes.
Marcus Williams had 11 points 5 assists and 4 rebounds.
Jeff Adrien started his last game, which was a first for him with the Grizzlies. He had 6 points and 11 rebounds and 2 assists in 27 minutes. I hope the Grizzlies are smart enough to keep Adrien. He obviously has impressed them somewhat if he went from being on the bench to starting the final summer league game.
Adrien finished the 4 games with the Grizzles averaging 8.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.
Thabeet averaged 8.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
I think I got it
From the miniscule amount of time that I've been around Mandy Schwartz I've figured out that she has a personality and is an energetic person.
Two good things.
I also couldn't figure out if the jersey she was wearing at the last game meant something because the back of the jersey said "Thorpe" on it.
I am going to take an educated guess and say that she was wearing the goalkeeping jersey of a Men's Western Mass Pioneer named James Thorpe. The jersey Mandy was wearing was number 1 and it had the last name of Thorpe on it. Thorpe wears 1 for Western Mass.
Of course James Thorpe also went to Division II Men's Soccer powerhouse, Franklin Pierce, for college...a school that I know a little bit about because it's not far from my lake house.
I don't think that Mandy was honoring James Thorpe, rather she got what she got. I remember the other game I went to and Shauna Musser was number 14-24.
Two good things.
I also couldn't figure out if the jersey she was wearing at the last game meant something because the back of the jersey said "Thorpe" on it.
I am going to take an educated guess and say that she was wearing the goalkeeping jersey of a Men's Western Mass Pioneer named James Thorpe. The jersey Mandy was wearing was number 1 and it had the last name of Thorpe on it. Thorpe wears 1 for Western Mass.
Of course James Thorpe also went to Division II Men's Soccer powerhouse, Franklin Pierce, for college...a school that I know a little bit about because it's not far from my lake house.
I don't think that Mandy was honoring James Thorpe, rather she got what she got. I remember the other game I went to and Shauna Musser was number 14-24.
I don't like doing this
I hate writing about games between UConn players...Ottawa vs Rochester, but I did give Erin Clark credit for her great individual effort according to her teams website so I want to be fair.
According to the Ottawa Fury website Melissa Busque scored a phenomenal scorching shot from around the 18 yard box. It apparently touched the underside of the cross bar on the way in. This was the first of the two goals that I mentioned she scored a couple of days ago.
According to the Ottawa Fury website Melissa Busque scored a phenomenal scorching shot from around the 18 yard box. It apparently touched the underside of the cross bar on the way in. This was the first of the two goals that I mentioned she scored a couple of days ago.
Jerry Glanville cracks me up
I have this NFL Films video and always laughed at this clip.
I found it on you tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9orvzqAffw&feature=related
I love NFL Films, It slows down the game, brings you behind the scenes and adds music that makes the game of the NFL feel poetic.
I found it on you tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9orvzqAffw&feature=related
I love NFL Films, It slows down the game, brings you behind the scenes and adds music that makes the game of the NFL feel poetic.
I went to work early to learn about....
At work I was talking to the Volleyball coach and somehow we started talking about the 4-2 offense. Nothing specific, just mentioning that it was a volleyball system that I had heard about. She said she'd teach me if I wanted to learn.
I think she was slightly surprised that I said yes.
I went in to work a half an hour early so I could learn all about Volleyball.
I'm not sure if I mentioned about a week ago that I was going to learn all about the 4-2. I now understand how stupid I sounded if I said that.
The 4-2 is a system that puts the setter in the front row. This is good in middle school when only one player on the floor is any good. It's not even used by most high school coaches it's so basic.
The 5-1 is a volleyball system that has one setter and five attackers. If you look at the stat sheet of a volleyball team you can usually tell if they are using a 5-1 because only one player on the team is getting the majority of the teams assists.
A 6-2 is a volleyball system that has the setter in the back row. When the setter is rotated to the front row she is substituted out by a hitter and another setter will enter the game.
The second number in the "4-2, 5-1 or 6-2 etc" always refers to the amount of setters on the floor.
Since there is a rotation in volleyball a player of the same position/skills is usually directly opposite of a player.
A defensive specialist only plays in the back row. They are usually short, or can't jump or spike. But they are good at defense and are important to their team. However, the better the team and higher the level, the more flexible the players become. At high levels everyone needs to be able to set, dig, serve and spike.
A main objective in volleyball is to get the ball to the setter slot. Basically if a ball is hit over the net you want the ball to be dug out and passed to the setter slot so that the setter can pass it to a hitter who will hopefully get a kill.
I hope this is so informative that I gave the Mayor of Storrs, Ryan Marciel Grace, a heart attack. Ok, maybe not a heart attack, but hopefully it puts him into a state of shock.
I have enjoyed watching UConn Volleyball for the last couple of years. I will admit that I had absolutely no idea what is going on most of the time. I just loved it when Sade Chambers spiked it into the floor, when Rebecca Murray became a brick wall and when Annie Luhrsen was just amazing. I also loved watching Margot Demere dance to Cotton Eyed Joe.
Hopefully I will have some idea of what's going on this year. I watched Stanford play Volleyball against Penn St. on ESPNU a couple of years ago and I typed up some questions I had. If I can find them I might print them out and get those answered by the coach at work.
Hopefully you can also impress Volleyball players (if you know any) with volleyball lingo.
Speaking of Volleyball, I was at Steele Hill in New Hampshire on Sunday and Monday. That happens to be a place I've gone almost every year of my life (I have gone to Lake Winnipesaukee every year of my life) on vacation. It also happens to be the place that I traveled an hour to get internet once so I could do accounting homework for my summer class. While I did that homework I checked facebook and was added by Volleyball player Lauren Lamberti. Yes my memory is so good that I actually remember where I accepted that friend request. I don't know why she added me at the time but she's mad cool.
Hopefully I didn't get anything wrong, because Ryan Marciel Grace will kill me if I did. Volleyball is sacred to him.
Also, while we are talking about Volleyball don't forget that college Volleyball is nothing like gym class volleyball. The volleyball that you played in high school gym class was slow and boring and kept you from playing the sports you loved. However, there is a lot of action in a volleyball game. It is fun and exciting, do not let any of your experiences from playing in gym class in middle school and high school deter you from attending a match.
I think she was slightly surprised that I said yes.
I went in to work a half an hour early so I could learn all about Volleyball.
I'm not sure if I mentioned about a week ago that I was going to learn all about the 4-2. I now understand how stupid I sounded if I said that.
The 4-2 is a system that puts the setter in the front row. This is good in middle school when only one player on the floor is any good. It's not even used by most high school coaches it's so basic.
The 5-1 is a volleyball system that has one setter and five attackers. If you look at the stat sheet of a volleyball team you can usually tell if they are using a 5-1 because only one player on the team is getting the majority of the teams assists.
A 6-2 is a volleyball system that has the setter in the back row. When the setter is rotated to the front row she is substituted out by a hitter and another setter will enter the game.
The second number in the "4-2, 5-1 or 6-2 etc" always refers to the amount of setters on the floor.
Since there is a rotation in volleyball a player of the same position/skills is usually directly opposite of a player.
A defensive specialist only plays in the back row. They are usually short, or can't jump or spike. But they are good at defense and are important to their team. However, the better the team and higher the level, the more flexible the players become. At high levels everyone needs to be able to set, dig, serve and spike.
A main objective in volleyball is to get the ball to the setter slot. Basically if a ball is hit over the net you want the ball to be dug out and passed to the setter slot so that the setter can pass it to a hitter who will hopefully get a kill.
I hope this is so informative that I gave the Mayor of Storrs, Ryan Marciel Grace, a heart attack. Ok, maybe not a heart attack, but hopefully it puts him into a state of shock.
I have enjoyed watching UConn Volleyball for the last couple of years. I will admit that I had absolutely no idea what is going on most of the time. I just loved it when Sade Chambers spiked it into the floor, when Rebecca Murray became a brick wall and when Annie Luhrsen was just amazing. I also loved watching Margot Demere dance to Cotton Eyed Joe.
Hopefully I will have some idea of what's going on this year. I watched Stanford play Volleyball against Penn St. on ESPNU a couple of years ago and I typed up some questions I had. If I can find them I might print them out and get those answered by the coach at work.
Hopefully you can also impress Volleyball players (if you know any) with volleyball lingo.
Speaking of Volleyball, I was at Steele Hill in New Hampshire on Sunday and Monday. That happens to be a place I've gone almost every year of my life (I have gone to Lake Winnipesaukee every year of my life) on vacation. It also happens to be the place that I traveled an hour to get internet once so I could do accounting homework for my summer class. While I did that homework I checked facebook and was added by Volleyball player Lauren Lamberti. Yes my memory is so good that I actually remember where I accepted that friend request. I don't know why she added me at the time but she's mad cool.
Hopefully I didn't get anything wrong, because Ryan Marciel Grace will kill me if I did. Volleyball is sacred to him.
Also, while we are talking about Volleyball don't forget that college Volleyball is nothing like gym class volleyball. The volleyball that you played in high school gym class was slow and boring and kept you from playing the sports you loved. However, there is a lot of action in a volleyball game. It is fun and exciting, do not let any of your experiences from playing in gym class in middle school and high school deter you from attending a match.
Playoffs? We're talking about... Playoffs?
Who doesn't love quoting Jim Mora.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3-eavMSBnk
So the WPSL playoffs have already started. Erin Clark, Meghan Cunningham and Karen Gurnon are still playing with the New England Mutiny in the playoffs. They already won their first round game.
Melissa Busque's team won their division and will also be heading to the playoffs. Their game is on Friday.
Elise Fugowski and Brittany Taylor's team were the best team in the W-League in the regular season. Their team went 12-0-2. Brittany Taylor's team is undefeated so I'll take that as a good omen. Since they are the best team they automatically advance to the semi-finals, so they have some time off.
Former UConn player Brittany Tegeler will also be playing in the W-League playoffs with the Washington Freedom.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3-eavMSBnk
So the WPSL playoffs have already started. Erin Clark, Meghan Cunningham and Karen Gurnon are still playing with the New England Mutiny in the playoffs. They already won their first round game.
Melissa Busque's team won their division and will also be heading to the playoffs. Their game is on Friday.
Elise Fugowski and Brittany Taylor's team were the best team in the W-League in the regular season. Their team went 12-0-2. Brittany Taylor's team is undefeated so I'll take that as a good omen. Since they are the best team they automatically advance to the semi-finals, so they have some time off.
Former UConn player Brittany Tegeler will also be playing in the W-League playoffs with the Washington Freedom.
Former UConn Baseball players
Here is a link that updates you on how former UConn Baseball players are doing in the pros.
Two former Huskies play in the Major Leagues.
Dusty Odenbach has been having a spectacular year so far in the minor leagues.
http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/072109aab.html
Two former Huskies play in the Major Leagues.
Dusty Odenbach has been having a spectacular year so far in the minor leagues.
http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/072109aab.html
Monday, July 20, 2009
I swim like
I am trying to get ready for my swimming class next semester.
I went swimming up here in New Hampshire and I figured something out.
I figured out that I swim like the Titanic.
I went swimming up here in New Hampshire and I figured something out.
I figured out that I swim like the Titanic.
Aunt Bev is better than who?
So my Aunt Beverly (whose son, my cousin Brian Medlin beat Michael Phelps at swimming when they were really young) is better than a lot of famous UConn athletes when it comes to their ACL's....unlike Caroline Doty, Kalana Greene, and A.J. Price etc. my aunt didn't know that she tore her ACL. She was walking on it like it was nothing for about a week or two until she had a doctor check it out. Once she found out what it was she asked me to find out who fixed the UConn athlete's knees and I informed her that it was Dr. Robert Arciero. When she saw him he told her that she is the lucky 1 percent when it comes to ACL injuries. Apparently her knee muscles were so toned and developed from cycling and activity (she is extremely active) that it supported her knee and prevented pain and swelling.
Apparently Cycling is good rehab for ACL tears btw.
As you can tell I am so proud of any athletic accomplishment by someone in my family.
I have yet to figure out how my dad passed gym. It's really a mystery to my mom, sister and I. I am not that bad of an athlete. Don't get me wrong I'm not amazing, but if you think I can't hold my own against the average person your wrong. I have also cylced 60 miles in a day...I should get some credit for that.
Apparently Cycling is good rehab for ACL tears btw.
As you can tell I am so proud of any athletic accomplishment by someone in my family.
I have yet to figure out how my dad passed gym. It's really a mystery to my mom, sister and I. I am not that bad of an athlete. Don't get me wrong I'm not amazing, but if you think I can't hold my own against the average person your wrong. I have also cylced 60 miles in a day...I should get some credit for that.
Faster than picking a seat
Melissa Busque scored 2 goals in her last game. They were the first two goals for her team. It took her just 6 minutes to score a goal, or an hour less than it took her to choose a seat in psychology class.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
But don't read into it too much
I know I have written a lot about UConn summer league players and their accomplishments. Doing well in summer leagues is always a positive thing.
However, not having a lot of accomplishments is not a bad thing because it's impossible to read into statistics and win-loss records. Sports are a team game, and while someone may succeed at UConn, it's possible that they won't succeed with their summer league team because of any number of differences. An athlete might be used differently by coaches, the coaches might run different plays, the surrounding team may be different etc. I would caution people never to read too much into summer league play because it's completely different from the college season.
I do believe that success breeds success, so doing well in a summer league is always a GOOD thing, but I don't believe that not scoring or winning means you need to panic because there are so many differences between summer teams and college teams.
However, not having a lot of accomplishments is not a bad thing because it's impossible to read into statistics and win-loss records. Sports are a team game, and while someone may succeed at UConn, it's possible that they won't succeed with their summer league team because of any number of differences. An athlete might be used differently by coaches, the coaches might run different plays, the surrounding team may be different etc. I would caution people never to read too much into summer league play because it's completely different from the college season.
I do believe that success breeds success, so doing well in a summer league is always a GOOD thing, but I don't believe that not scoring or winning means you need to panic because there are so many differences between summer teams and college teams.
SOMEBODY GOT A CAUTION
My close friends should know who I am talking about but I am thrilled to read that a certain soccer player got a caution in summer league soccer. It was LONG OVERDUE.
That referee is the greatest referee ever.
That referee is the greatest referee ever.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Red Sox Nation
Having lived in Fairfield County and Worcester County I think I can make this following observation...Red Sox nation is much better than anything that the Yankees could claim to have.
I find that everyone up here is so passionate about the Red Sox. You assume that everyone here is a Red Sox fan. You know life stops when the Red Sox are playing. I think Red Sox fans are much more loyal than Yankees fans too.
Too often I think of Yankees fans as front-runners or people who like New York and want to be seen at the Stadium...or girls that like A-Rod or Jeter.
I think of Red Sox fans as people who go out to an old ball-park and brave the cold New England nights of the fall and talk about the games with neighbors all the time. I picture people going on fishing boats off of Martha's Vineyard talking about Jacoby Ellsbury's OPS. I think of Red Sox fans as people who have suffered through so much heartbreak that it is impossible for them to be a person who just joined the bandwagon. There is something about being a part of Red Sox nation that is just special and different from all other baseball teams.
I think being a fan is a much bigger thing for Red Sox fans than Yankee fans. (Not to say that Yankees fans aren't passionate...they are up there with the Red Sox fans...but I think Red Sox fans have an advantage over Yankees fans)
It's hard to explain, but just in comparing the two areas...the Red Sox are a much greater influence to their surrounding geographical area and people than the Yankees are...that could be because of the Mets, Dodgers and Giants and because New York is home to so many people from so many different places with so many different favorite baseball teams. I don't think being a die hard Yankees fan is a given if you live in the New York area...I do think being a Red Sox fan in New England is a given.
Also...lastly...Thankfully the METS WON!!!
I find that everyone up here is so passionate about the Red Sox. You assume that everyone here is a Red Sox fan. You know life stops when the Red Sox are playing. I think Red Sox fans are much more loyal than Yankees fans too.
Too often I think of Yankees fans as front-runners or people who like New York and want to be seen at the Stadium...or girls that like A-Rod or Jeter.
I think of Red Sox fans as people who go out to an old ball-park and brave the cold New England nights of the fall and talk about the games with neighbors all the time. I picture people going on fishing boats off of Martha's Vineyard talking about Jacoby Ellsbury's OPS. I think of Red Sox fans as people who have suffered through so much heartbreak that it is impossible for them to be a person who just joined the bandwagon. There is something about being a part of Red Sox nation that is just special and different from all other baseball teams.
I think being a fan is a much bigger thing for Red Sox fans than Yankee fans. (Not to say that Yankees fans aren't passionate...they are up there with the Red Sox fans...but I think Red Sox fans have an advantage over Yankees fans)
It's hard to explain, but just in comparing the two areas...the Red Sox are a much greater influence to their surrounding geographical area and people than the Yankees are...that could be because of the Mets, Dodgers and Giants and because New York is home to so many people from so many different places with so many different favorite baseball teams. I don't think being a die hard Yankees fan is a given if you live in the New York area...I do think being a Red Sox fan in New England is a given.
Also...lastly...Thankfully the METS WON!!!
I find this funny
So I thought it's a little ironic that Meghan Cunningham and Erin Clark are tied in scoring for summer league players right now.
I was texting Willis about something and somehow she mentioned that her friend Erin Clark introduced her to Meghan Cunningham and that the subject of my blog came up...
I just found this hilarious and was so thankful that I was not there at the time. I can think of nothing more awkward than being present at that conversation.
One other person brought up my blog to me and the conversation became extremely awkward and went nowhere. Thankfully I had a friend to rescue me...I laugh about the situation I was put in, but think that person is still pretty cool.
I didn't tell Meghan Nanfeldt about my blog...even though she is a really good friend of mine. I just thought it would be weird to tell her about it since I did write a little bit about her and lacrosse without mentioning to her that I had a blog...although as time went on I began to want to tell her about it until it finally came out.
Then one time Meghan and I were hanging out and she started talking about things that I wrote about but never recalled telling her about. She was like "I know you love two-sport athletes.." I do love two-sport athletes...I just never remember talking to her about them. (and I have a pretty good memory when it comes to about anything...even content of conversations...strangely...I don't always remember what I write) So as I was leaving I was like..."you know Meghan I have this blog"...and she goes "Yeah it's been found."
I thought that was funny.
I really only thought that a few people knew about it...like Ryan Grace, Greg M, Matt Huang, Nick Pellon, Jen Fusci, Wintana Araya, Dan Torf, Madeline Northrup and Willis Reed...basically people who followed the Tree Hill Ravens or took psychology with me.
I really had no idea what I was doing when I started this in December. Certainly writing anything about Meghan Cunningham never crossed my mind...which is probably hard to believe for many of you. Honestly it was finals week and I was bored. (yeah...I was bored...I'm not the type of person who benefits from cramming...I pay attention in class and try to get it before finals week...so finals week doesn't usually stress me out too much.)
I always knew I could write about sports because I enjoy sports. It's almost all I talk about. I figured that what I know is useless if I can't tell others about it...so I decided to tell others about it. (even though I know a lot of things that are quite frankly...useless...like who Billie Darrow was.) I also had planned to write more about pro sports than what I do...so that my family members could read my predictions. It was getting hard for me to email everyone what I thought about sports as I was busy at school (they loved reading my predictions on baseball and football...They were really impressed that I picked the Bucs to beat the Raiders long ago...and that I told them to watch for Devin Hester...who quickly got everyone's attention with his kick return for a touchdown)
Hopefully, if you actually read this...you have learned something or gotten a laugh out of what I just decided to start one day in December.
P.S. I will be going to heaven tomorrow, Lake Winnipesaukee and the Lakes Region of New Hampshire...so who knows how much I'll be on or not on.
I was texting Willis about something and somehow she mentioned that her friend Erin Clark introduced her to Meghan Cunningham and that the subject of my blog came up...
I just found this hilarious and was so thankful that I was not there at the time. I can think of nothing more awkward than being present at that conversation.
One other person brought up my blog to me and the conversation became extremely awkward and went nowhere. Thankfully I had a friend to rescue me...I laugh about the situation I was put in, but think that person is still pretty cool.
I didn't tell Meghan Nanfeldt about my blog...even though she is a really good friend of mine. I just thought it would be weird to tell her about it since I did write a little bit about her and lacrosse without mentioning to her that I had a blog...although as time went on I began to want to tell her about it until it finally came out.
Then one time Meghan and I were hanging out and she started talking about things that I wrote about but never recalled telling her about. She was like "I know you love two-sport athletes.." I do love two-sport athletes...I just never remember talking to her about them. (and I have a pretty good memory when it comes to about anything...even content of conversations...strangely...I don't always remember what I write) So as I was leaving I was like..."you know Meghan I have this blog"...and she goes "Yeah it's been found."
I thought that was funny.
I really only thought that a few people knew about it...like Ryan Grace, Greg M, Matt Huang, Nick Pellon, Jen Fusci, Wintana Araya, Dan Torf, Madeline Northrup and Willis Reed...basically people who followed the Tree Hill Ravens or took psychology with me.
I really had no idea what I was doing when I started this in December. Certainly writing anything about Meghan Cunningham never crossed my mind...which is probably hard to believe for many of you. Honestly it was finals week and I was bored. (yeah...I was bored...I'm not the type of person who benefits from cramming...I pay attention in class and try to get it before finals week...so finals week doesn't usually stress me out too much.)
I always knew I could write about sports because I enjoy sports. It's almost all I talk about. I figured that what I know is useless if I can't tell others about it...so I decided to tell others about it. (even though I know a lot of things that are quite frankly...useless...like who Billie Darrow was.) I also had planned to write more about pro sports than what I do...so that my family members could read my predictions. It was getting hard for me to email everyone what I thought about sports as I was busy at school (they loved reading my predictions on baseball and football...They were really impressed that I picked the Bucs to beat the Raiders long ago...and that I told them to watch for Devin Hester...who quickly got everyone's attention with his kick return for a touchdown)
Hopefully, if you actually read this...you have learned something or gotten a laugh out of what I just decided to start one day in December.
P.S. I will be going to heaven tomorrow, Lake Winnipesaukee and the Lakes Region of New Hampshire...so who knows how much I'll be on or not on.
We have a tie right now...
The New England Mutiny advanced in the playoffs today. This means I might be able to have an excuse to talk about Meghan Cunningham for another week!
Just kidding.
I am happy that their team advanced because they have had to work extremely hard to get themselves into the playoffs. Their team has had some injuries and is also on the young side. I am happy to see them having success. They have noticably (in terms of box scores) increased their scoring lately.
They won 4-1 today. Erin Clark scored...which means that she is now tied with Meghan Cunningham for having the most goals for a UConn summer league player.
Apparently Clark had a spectacular individual effort and dribbled by a couple of defenders.
Clark must be really good at dribbling....I am not....I only bring this up because I read a chapter on dribbling in soccer in a book I am reading.
(The most important thing that I learned from this book was NEVER to attempt a rainbow during a game...I'll keep that in mind...not too worried since I haven't mastered dribbling yet...I must say that the writer of this book is pretty knowledgeable when it comes to soccer...you should listen to them if you ever think about doing a rainbow during a game...unless your up by 10 and it's against...well a certain team...then I said it's ok...too bad I am really a nobody)
If I remember correctly somewhere in the media guide it said that Clark was good in 1 v 1 situations...dribbling past an entire defense is a good indication of that.
Danielle Dakin also scored for the Mutiny...she'll be a familiar name soon enough...
Speaking of Dribbling past a defense I read that some people consider this to be one of the greatest goals in soccer...because Diego Maradona dribbles past so many defenders...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rW-lK9F6TU
Just kidding.
I am happy that their team advanced because they have had to work extremely hard to get themselves into the playoffs. Their team has had some injuries and is also on the young side. I am happy to see them having success. They have noticably (in terms of box scores) increased their scoring lately.
They won 4-1 today. Erin Clark scored...which means that she is now tied with Meghan Cunningham for having the most goals for a UConn summer league player.
Apparently Clark had a spectacular individual effort and dribbled by a couple of defenders.
Clark must be really good at dribbling....I am not....I only bring this up because I read a chapter on dribbling in soccer in a book I am reading.
(The most important thing that I learned from this book was NEVER to attempt a rainbow during a game...I'll keep that in mind...not too worried since I haven't mastered dribbling yet...I must say that the writer of this book is pretty knowledgeable when it comes to soccer...you should listen to them if you ever think about doing a rainbow during a game...unless your up by 10 and it's against...well a certain team...then I said it's ok...too bad I am really a nobody)
If I remember correctly somewhere in the media guide it said that Clark was good in 1 v 1 situations...dribbling past an entire defense is a good indication of that.
Danielle Dakin also scored for the Mutiny...she'll be a familiar name soon enough...
Speaking of Dribbling past a defense I read that some people consider this to be one of the greatest goals in soccer...because Diego Maradona dribbles past so many defenders...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rW-lK9F6TU
Press releases
Well here is something I learned about writing press releases, and that is that you should keep terminology as sport specific as possible. For example, nil - nil instead of 0-0 in a scoreless soccer game. I've seen netminder used...which sounds so weird to me. Links are used to name golf courses.
This might seem like an obvious thing to do, but I never realized it until I went to go write a release.
This might seem like an obvious thing to do, but I never realized it until I went to go write a release.
Greg M gets props again
I had a 3rd in goal for NCAA football so I asked Greg M what play I should run...He said sweep left...I did it...Jordan Todman scored the TD. I won btw...
Friday, July 17, 2009
NBA Summer League stuff
Hasheem Thabeet played about 30 minutes in his last game. He had 7 points and 3 rebounds.
Marcus Williams had 22 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds in 29 minutes...he hit 16 of 20 free throws....
Jeff Adrien did not play.
Marcus Williams had 22 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds in 29 minutes...he hit 16 of 20 free throws....
Jeff Adrien did not play.
Here is some good news
A record crowd showed up to watch a game between the Brittany T's...Tegeler and Taylor. Elise Fugowski also plays with Brittany Taylor on Hudson Valley... 2,203 people saw a nil-nil tie between the Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues at the Washington Freedom in Maryland. That must have been a great game, as both of those teams are talented.
Leashing your dogs is a good thing...cycling
I know I am not the only person who has been chased by an unleashed dog while cycling or running. It can be sort of scary...and it's happened to me twice in a week. Once while running, the other when I was cycling.
Please leash your dogs...for everyone who exercises, it's just a smart thing to do. You never know what will happen if your dog is loose...especially if you have a pit bull or rottweiler.
Today was the scarier of the two days as I was chased by a pit bull while I was cycling up a hill. It chased after me for longer than I wanted. A Pit Bull running after you is never fun...but I guess it does make for great uphill training.
So please leash your dogs for everyone's safety.
Secondly, I do cycle a lot...In my life I've probably cycled the mileage of atleast Hawaii and back if not further. (I read an average pro cyclist rides the mileage of around the world once a year) I often go 40 mph down hills on rides. Anyway I do follow the Tour De France casually.
I think its amazing to bike over 100's of miles a day, day after day like they do on the tour. I don't particularly enjoy watching people ride their bikes four hours though. I'll flip through the channels and watch 10-15 minutes of it. I don't find it fun to watch for a while. It's something that I'd rather do than watch.
Please leash your dogs...for everyone who exercises, it's just a smart thing to do. You never know what will happen if your dog is loose...especially if you have a pit bull or rottweiler.
Today was the scarier of the two days as I was chased by a pit bull while I was cycling up a hill. It chased after me for longer than I wanted. A Pit Bull running after you is never fun...but I guess it does make for great uphill training.
So please leash your dogs for everyone's safety.
Secondly, I do cycle a lot...In my life I've probably cycled the mileage of atleast Hawaii and back if not further. (I read an average pro cyclist rides the mileage of around the world once a year) I often go 40 mph down hills on rides. Anyway I do follow the Tour De France casually.
I think its amazing to bike over 100's of miles a day, day after day like they do on the tour. I don't particularly enjoy watching people ride their bikes four hours though. I'll flip through the channels and watch 10-15 minutes of it. I don't find it fun to watch for a while. It's something that I'd rather do than watch.
Where is he?
My aunt and uncle sent me a message from their grandchildren, Caden, Keaton, Will and Morgen when they first came to visit the lake house. The kids were wondering where I was. Caden especially wanted to know where I have been. I spent about 5 days with them in April of 2008 when I was reporting on the Women's Basketball Final Four and I taught Keaton how to play basketball (which is apparently his favorite sport now ) and I played football with Caden even though he completely lacked the concept of passing.
Honestly my favorite part of the experience reporting on women's basketball in 2007-08 was the traveling. I got to go home to Stamford for the first round of the NCAA tournament, which was held in Bridgeport. (I actually got really sick after the first game of the tournament, but was better in time for the 2nd game.) Then I got to fly to North Carolina to spend time with my Aunt. My Uncle from Florida actually came up to visit too, so I saw him. I also met a sports management teacher from Elon, Hal Walker, who has been a huge help to me. Then I went to Tampa and spent time with My Aunt and Uncle, cousins and my cousins children. Tampa was much more than I ever could have dreamed because I stayed on the water at my cousins house, went boating, swimming and saw an IRL race while remembering that all my friends were in Storrs.
According to my Aunt and Uncle I am needed in Tampa. I guess I better figure out how to help a UConn team bound for Tampa ever year. I am happy to do about anything if it means getting a free trip to Florida...or Hawaii. (I'd say New Hampshire too...but I've biked and ran there from my Lake House...it's not hard for me to get to)
Honestly my favorite part of the experience reporting on women's basketball in 2007-08 was the traveling. I got to go home to Stamford for the first round of the NCAA tournament, which was held in Bridgeport. (I actually got really sick after the first game of the tournament, but was better in time for the 2nd game.) Then I got to fly to North Carolina to spend time with my Aunt. My Uncle from Florida actually came up to visit too, so I saw him. I also met a sports management teacher from Elon, Hal Walker, who has been a huge help to me. Then I went to Tampa and spent time with My Aunt and Uncle, cousins and my cousins children. Tampa was much more than I ever could have dreamed because I stayed on the water at my cousins house, went boating, swimming and saw an IRL race while remembering that all my friends were in Storrs.
According to my Aunt and Uncle I am needed in Tampa. I guess I better figure out how to help a UConn team bound for Tampa ever year. I am happy to do about anything if it means getting a free trip to Florida...or Hawaii. (I'd say New Hampshire too...but I've biked and ran there from my Lake House...it's not hard for me to get to)
Thursday, July 16, 2009
I saw a second of the British Open
I saw part of the British Open today and I learned that Craig Sager and John Daly must be related. Holy crap the pants that John Daly were wearing were loud. It was green and white argyle pants with a really bright green shirt. It was so LOUD.
UConn in the CFL
I enjoy watching a little bit of the CFL from time to time. It's a little different then American football. I think it's higher scoring, partly because the receivers can get a running start so long as they don't cross the line of scrimmage early. Any way here is a link that lists the former UConn players in the CFL.
http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/071509aac.html
http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/071509aac.html
WOW
According to Mike Anthony Jerome Dyson was lighting it up in Hartford..scoring 38 points in a game and then 51 in another.
http://blogs.courant.com/uconn_mens_basketball/2009/07/jerome-dyson-scores-51-at-proa.html
Maya Moore also won an ESPY for the top college athlete, which she definitely deserved.
http://blogs.courant.com/uconn_mens_basketball/2009/07/jerome-dyson-scores-51-at-proa.html
Maya Moore also won an ESPY for the top college athlete, which she definitely deserved.
NCAA football and stuff
So I don't have much to say today...family is here and we went out looking for a new item for the lake house. Won't say what we were looking for, other than it required several people and opinions. No decision has been made yet.
I did play NCAA football yesterday for the first time. I beat BC, which made me so happy. I had Zach Frazer run it in twice and he threw a TD to Kashif Moore. Lindsey Witten had 4 sacks.
Also I was texting Willis and we were talking about how she was going to go have dinner with a Baltimore Oriole one weekend even though she is a huge Red Sox fan. I told her I'd have trouble eating with one of my teams foes. She didn't consider this player a foe at all. He said he's a great guy.
I ran into that girl who kicked Melissa Busque in the head and I turned my back to her. I couldn't look at her. Literally I could not look in her direction at all.
Meanwhile I told Willis that I was getting better at respecting my teams opponents.
Right after I texted her that the subject of St. Johns came up somehow and I absolutely trashed that school at the dinner table. To their credit they do play dirty...and I don't respect dirty players.
Now I understand how Europeans can get so emotional about their soccer.
What I find funny is how memorable this game was for the fans in the stands and how it was so unforgettable for the players. The subject came up in front of a couple of the players and they really didn't react as if the remembered it.
Meghan Nanfeldt and I did. As did the rest of my friends and the people who were running the husky sport field trip. The St. Johns game actually came up in their Husky Sport presentation. I asked one of them after the presentation if they explained that the kids shouldn't act like the St. Johns players during that game. They told me that they really did have to explain sportsmanship and they told the kids that it was not correct to play like St. Johns did.
Apparently the Husky Sport kids were also some of the loudest fans for UConn.
I did play NCAA football yesterday for the first time. I beat BC, which made me so happy. I had Zach Frazer run it in twice and he threw a TD to Kashif Moore. Lindsey Witten had 4 sacks.
Also I was texting Willis and we were talking about how she was going to go have dinner with a Baltimore Oriole one weekend even though she is a huge Red Sox fan. I told her I'd have trouble eating with one of my teams foes. She didn't consider this player a foe at all. He said he's a great guy.
I ran into that girl who kicked Melissa Busque in the head and I turned my back to her. I couldn't look at her. Literally I could not look in her direction at all.
Meanwhile I told Willis that I was getting better at respecting my teams opponents.
Right after I texted her that the subject of St. Johns came up somehow and I absolutely trashed that school at the dinner table. To their credit they do play dirty...and I don't respect dirty players.
Now I understand how Europeans can get so emotional about their soccer.
What I find funny is how memorable this game was for the fans in the stands and how it was so unforgettable for the players. The subject came up in front of a couple of the players and they really didn't react as if the remembered it.
Meghan Nanfeldt and I did. As did the rest of my friends and the people who were running the husky sport field trip. The St. Johns game actually came up in their Husky Sport presentation. I asked one of them after the presentation if they explained that the kids shouldn't act like the St. Johns players during that game. They told me that they really did have to explain sportsmanship and they told the kids that it was not correct to play like St. Johns did.
Apparently the Husky Sport kids were also some of the loudest fans for UConn.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Pinch Hitting for Pedro Borbon
Manny Mota......Mota.......Mota......Mota.......
Watch the movie Airplane this summer. It's so funny. It's a classic, you must watch it.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar is in the movie too...so it relates to sports
Watch the movie Airplane this summer. It's so funny. It's a classic, you must watch it.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar is in the movie too...so it relates to sports
Dan Torf pointed this out
Dan Torf pointed out to me this great statistic for Pierre LePage. In 96 Cape League at bats he only has 5 strikeouts...he also has 13 steals and 6 walks. I love players with more walks then strikeouts..
So lets just say
Lets just say that some college golf teams aren't that great. I was computing the averages of some players scores and I noticed that the scores would have been great if they were grades.
Thought it was a good joke.
Up to you to decide.
The person with the best jokes is the security guard named Carol. She'll be glad to tell you a joke while your at games.
Arnie, Paul and Chip are also some cool security guards that I know...
They often come to games to watch even if they aren't working.
Arnie was at women's soccer vs St. Johns and he's the one who heard their coach say "go get them".....and then St. Johns started playing pretty physical.
Most of the security guards I know are cool people. I'm glad I still remember their names.
Thought it was a good joke.
Up to you to decide.
The person with the best jokes is the security guard named Carol. She'll be glad to tell you a joke while your at games.
Arnie, Paul and Chip are also some cool security guards that I know...
They often come to games to watch even if they aren't working.
Arnie was at women's soccer vs St. Johns and he's the one who heard their coach say "go get them".....and then St. Johns started playing pretty physical.
Most of the security guards I know are cool people. I'm glad I still remember their names.
O-H
I-O
So the big thing for Ohio State fans to do is to say the "O-H"
and then everyone else responds "I-O"
Sort of like the "UConn Huskies" chant.
Anyway someone at work is from Ohio so I just started doing the O-H and she responds with the I-O
Dr. Fink must be so proud of me.
So the big thing for Ohio State fans to do is to say the "O-H"
and then everyone else responds "I-O"
Sort of like the "UConn Huskies" chant.
Anyway someone at work is from Ohio so I just started doing the O-H and she responds with the I-O
Dr. Fink must be so proud of me.
WPS
Ok, well I was watching the TV and I randomly saw Meghan Schnur playing for Sky Blue in the WPS. I always complain about me being to dumb to walk over to see her play at UConn in 2006 and 2007 but atleast I saw here there. I saw about 20 minutes worth. She played defense and she had her name read on TV a little bit.
Anyway...my thoughts...on the WPS...
I don't know how the league is doing...
There are a lot of things I like and some things I'd improve upon.
I think that the soccer specfic facilites look really good. I think I saw the Washington Freedom's facility on TV and it looked great. It looked like a place you could watch a game and relax. It looked like a nice venue.
I have seen a lot of cultural bands entertaining at games. I think it's appropriate for the league and family entertainment. I think it would add to the game experience.
People are also slowly becoming aware of the league. My Uncle noticed an advertisement for the Breakers in Boston and Meghan Nanfeldt noticed an ad on the interstate for Sky Blue FC. I learned about it...because I just know too much about sports...I don't even apply to that question.
On the other hand the Boston Breakers play in Harvard Stadium. I would try and move somewhere else for several reasons. First of all I think the football turf makes the game look weird. The ball bounces too much...plus sliding must REALLY REALLY hurt. Secondly the football lines are much more prominent then the soccer lines. (although maybe it's because I am a big football fan and used to those lines...they jump out at me....maybe soccer fans could pick out soccer lines easier than I could) Also the stadium looks like cement on television. I think it would look so much better if the Breakers moved to some soccer specific facility...even if it means going outside of Boston itself. I just don't like how that field looks on TV...I don't know what it looks like if I was there in person. I think the field makes the product look worse than it really is...because they are playing on a field that doesn't appear to be their field for their sport.
That's my two cents...constructive criticism that's all...not hating on the league at all. I try to tune in for a little bit when they get on TV.
Anyway...my thoughts...on the WPS...
I don't know how the league is doing...
There are a lot of things I like and some things I'd improve upon.
I think that the soccer specfic facilites look really good. I think I saw the Washington Freedom's facility on TV and it looked great. It looked like a place you could watch a game and relax. It looked like a nice venue.
I have seen a lot of cultural bands entertaining at games. I think it's appropriate for the league and family entertainment. I think it would add to the game experience.
People are also slowly becoming aware of the league. My Uncle noticed an advertisement for the Breakers in Boston and Meghan Nanfeldt noticed an ad on the interstate for Sky Blue FC. I learned about it...because I just know too much about sports...I don't even apply to that question.
On the other hand the Boston Breakers play in Harvard Stadium. I would try and move somewhere else for several reasons. First of all I think the football turf makes the game look weird. The ball bounces too much...plus sliding must REALLY REALLY hurt. Secondly the football lines are much more prominent then the soccer lines. (although maybe it's because I am a big football fan and used to those lines...they jump out at me....maybe soccer fans could pick out soccer lines easier than I could) Also the stadium looks like cement on television. I think it would look so much better if the Breakers moved to some soccer specific facility...even if it means going outside of Boston itself. I just don't like how that field looks on TV...I don't know what it looks like if I was there in person. I think the field makes the product look worse than it really is...because they are playing on a field that doesn't appear to be their field for their sport.
That's my two cents...constructive criticism that's all...not hating on the league at all. I try to tune in for a little bit when they get on TV.
baseball stats
Pierre LePage is hitting .283 with 5 doubles, a triple and 6 RBI's.
In 25.2 Innings Elliot Glynn is 2-1, given up 16 hits, 5 walks and an intentional walk while striking out 19...Pretty Good...
In 25.2 Innings Elliot Glynn is 2-1, given up 16 hits, 5 walks and an intentional walk while striking out 19...Pretty Good...
Ohio State came up
Well too catch people up...I was shown this video by a certain person...(I hope you can handle a few swear words)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZC8EXI44eM
Anyway, I started talking about the Ohio State vs Michigan rivalry...(I take Ohio State's side) and a coach at work started telling me how everyone around watches Ohio State football on Saturday's. They see there parents and families yelling at the TV from a young age...so they do the same thing. They also learn to hate the State of Michigan.
Apparently the news came on once around the game and it said that Michigan Police were stopping anyone with an Ohio license plate that was going just barely over the speed limit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZC8EXI44eM
Anyway, I started talking about the Ohio State vs Michigan rivalry...(I take Ohio State's side) and a coach at work started telling me how everyone around watches Ohio State football on Saturday's. They see there parents and families yelling at the TV from a young age...so they do the same thing. They also learn to hate the State of Michigan.
Apparently the news came on once around the game and it said that Michigan Police were stopping anyone with an Ohio license plate that was going just barely over the speed limit.
I do have NCAA Football
So I did buy NCAA Football 2010 today.
I hate playing without accurate rosters so I took the time to edit the players names, ratings and years to my liking.
I still don't know if I can spell Yianni Apostolakos right...maybe I just did.
EA Sports is hating on UConn Big Time...the linebackers for UConn in the game are rated really low...when pretty much everyone knows that UConn has one of the best linebacking corps in the country.
EA also left out Jonathan (UConn's Mascot) which makes me mad.
I like the bands that they put on the field before the game.
Also UConn's new uniforms were not unveiled in time for the game.
I love the game though. I'm not a huge video game player. I don't play much more than an hour or two a week.
Usually I prefer video games to a movie though. For some reason I often struggle to watch movies. It's weird but I just get bored quickly unless the movie is really funny.
I hate playing without accurate rosters so I took the time to edit the players names, ratings and years to my liking.
I still don't know if I can spell Yianni Apostolakos right...maybe I just did.
EA Sports is hating on UConn Big Time...the linebackers for UConn in the game are rated really low...when pretty much everyone knows that UConn has one of the best linebacking corps in the country.
EA also left out Jonathan (UConn's Mascot) which makes me mad.
I like the bands that they put on the field before the game.
Also UConn's new uniforms were not unveiled in time for the game.
I love the game though. I'm not a huge video game player. I don't play much more than an hour or two a week.
Usually I prefer video games to a movie though. For some reason I often struggle to watch movies. It's weird but I just get bored quickly unless the movie is really funny.
NBA Summer League
In 24 minutes Hasheem had 6 points and 6 rebounds and a block.
In 30 minutes Marcus Williams had 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists
In 16 minutes Jeff Adrien had 8 points and 4 rebounds and two steals
In 30 minutes Marcus Williams had 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists
In 16 minutes Jeff Adrien had 8 points and 4 rebounds and two steals
Well Well Well What A Surprise
So guess who is leading UConn Women's Soccer in Summer League Goals???
Right now I believe it is Meghan Cunningham. She scored again...and then again...Maybe Amazingness is an appropriate nickname.
She tied the game and scored another one later on, scoring two goals in her teams win.
I think she is leading among all her teammates with 4 goals in summer league action.
Right now I believe it is Meghan Cunningham. She scored again...and then again...Maybe Amazingness is an appropriate nickname.
She tied the game and scored another one later on, scoring two goals in her teams win.
I think she is leading among all her teammates with 4 goals in summer league action.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Willis also said
Willis said that ESPN soccer analyst and former soccer star Alexi Lalas, is an awesome guy with an awesome daughter.
Update
According to the box score it was indeed Brittany Taylor who scored a goal in her teams 5-0 win. I believe that his her third goal of the W-League Season. Her and Fugowski's team is undefeated at 10-0-1
Off the top of my head Brittany Taylor, Elise Fugowski and Erin Clark each have 3 goals in summer play. Meghan Cunningham and Kacey Richards have scored two. Courtney Wilkinson Maitland, and Becky Gundling have each scored once.
Willis Reed also said that she spoke to George Springer and said he was a nice guy.
Off the top of my head Brittany Taylor, Elise Fugowski and Erin Clark each have 3 goals in summer play. Meghan Cunningham and Kacey Richards have scored two. Courtney Wilkinson Maitland, and Becky Gundling have each scored once.
Willis Reed also said that she spoke to George Springer and said he was a nice guy.
A High School Soccer Powerhouse....College Francais
As most of my friends know I have a weird ability of remembering sports facts. Even Dr. Fink says I'm weird.
So I was at work today and looking through some men's soccer information. A player from the school I work at, named Felix Brillant, came up and it mentioned that he went to College Francais. (I assume that means high school in French) He went on to play in the MLS.
Anyway, the instant I read about College Francais I thought about Two UConn Women's Soccer players, Melissa Busque and Courtney Wilkinson-Maitland because they were also listed in the women's soccer program last year as going to that school.
I kept working and found another college soccer player, Olivier Occean, that went to College Francais before college in the U.S. that was leading his Division II conference in scoring. He also was drafted in the MLS Superdraft.
Obviously College Francais is pretty darn good at creating college soccer talent.
Maybe the two UConn players will work hard and get drafted in to the WPS one day.
This story also gives you some insight into how my mind processes and maps all of this sports information.
I wish I passed on seeing the Expos when I went to Canada. I should have gone to see College Francais for good sports there.
So I was at work today and looking through some men's soccer information. A player from the school I work at, named Felix Brillant, came up and it mentioned that he went to College Francais. (I assume that means high school in French) He went on to play in the MLS.
Anyway, the instant I read about College Francais I thought about Two UConn Women's Soccer players, Melissa Busque and Courtney Wilkinson-Maitland because they were also listed in the women's soccer program last year as going to that school.
I kept working and found another college soccer player, Olivier Occean, that went to College Francais before college in the U.S. that was leading his Division II conference in scoring. He also was drafted in the MLS Superdraft.
Obviously College Francais is pretty darn good at creating college soccer talent.
Maybe the two UConn players will work hard and get drafted in to the WPS one day.
This story also gives you some insight into how my mind processes and maps all of this sports information.
I wish I passed on seeing the Expos when I went to Canada. I should have gone to see College Francais for good sports there.
UConn/NBA/Grizzlies Summer League stats
Former player Marcus Williams had 17 assists in about 29 minutes of play, with 7 points.
Jeff Adrien scored 10 points and had 4 rebounds in 18 minutes.
Hasheem Thabeet had 2 rebounds, a block and 9 points in 20 minutes.
Mike Anthony has a link to the results in his blog.
Jeff Adrien scored 10 points and had 4 rebounds in 18 minutes.
Hasheem Thabeet had 2 rebounds, a block and 9 points in 20 minutes.
Mike Anthony has a link to the results in his blog.
You could watch them if you wanted
According to Mike Anthony of the Hartford Courant you can go watch the UConn Men's Basketball players in action.
http://blogs.courant.com/uconn_mens_basketball/2009/07/uconn-men-mailbag-question-712.html
If you enjoyed watching Stanley Robinson as much as I did against Chattanooga in the first round of the NCAA's than just imagine what he will do in a Pro-Am League in Hartford.
Obviously, in my case, Mandy Schwartz is the only person awesome enough that I would travel to watch play a game right now.
http://blogs.courant.com/uconn_mens_basketball/2009/07/uconn-men-mailbag-question-712.html
If you enjoyed watching Stanley Robinson as much as I did against Chattanooga in the first round of the NCAA's than just imagine what he will do in a Pro-Am League in Hartford.
Obviously, in my case, Mandy Schwartz is the only person awesome enough that I would travel to watch play a game right now.
According to the box score
According to the box score Elise Fugowski scored the first two goals for her team...the first one being the game winner.
A Taylor scored for the team too. Not sure which one of their 3 Taylors it was. I'll keep you posted.
A Taylor scored for the team too. Not sure which one of their 3 Taylors it was. I'll keep you posted.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Cape Cod League
I read an article yesterday in the NCAA magazine on the Cape Cod League again. Everytime I read about it it gets better and better. I hope I can find the time to get down to a game.
What I like about it when I read about it is the community aspect of the game. I like that it's free, I like that the players live with families and get jobs during the day at local businesses. I like that the community members volunteer their time at games. It's all not for profit. All volunteer. All for the love of the game of baseball and I really think that makes the Cape Cod League so cool. Plus a large amount of MLB draft picks come from the Cape Leagues. Many of the 300 or so players in the league go on to get drafted.
It's good baseball, that brings an entire community together throughout the summer. I really think it's cool.
Community is a word that I think is a big difference between Division I college athletics and Division II college athletics. Division II colleges are trying to come up with an identity for themselves. Their way of doing this will be through the local community. There is a big push for community engagement programs among member schools for student-athletes. They want to be heavily involved in their colleges surrounding community.
What I like about it when I read about it is the community aspect of the game. I like that it's free, I like that the players live with families and get jobs during the day at local businesses. I like that the community members volunteer their time at games. It's all not for profit. All volunteer. All for the love of the game of baseball and I really think that makes the Cape Cod League so cool. Plus a large amount of MLB draft picks come from the Cape Leagues. Many of the 300 or so players in the league go on to get drafted.
It's good baseball, that brings an entire community together throughout the summer. I really think it's cool.
Community is a word that I think is a big difference between Division I college athletics and Division II college athletics. Division II colleges are trying to come up with an identity for themselves. Their way of doing this will be through the local community. There is a big push for community engagement programs among member schools for student-athletes. They want to be heavily involved in their colleges surrounding community.
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