Here is a good quote that has a little bit to do with responsibility, which is something that was brought up before...
This comes from Vince Lombardi..."Individual comitment to a group effort - That is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work."
Monday, August 31, 2009
one year ago
...you know this Saturday is the one year anniversary of something pretty cool/spectacular.
Do this
I think that every athlete should ask themselves a question before every game.
That question is: What am I going to do today to help my team win?
Everyone who plays a game should have an answer to that question.
It doesn't need to be based on certain statistical bench marks. It should be something that you realistically know you can accomplish. It should be something you can control about yourself.
For some people it will be things like being a positive influence on teammates. It could be that you are going to hustle after every loose ball. It should be something though.
There are some things that an athlete can control for themselves in a game. I think every athlete needs to ask themselves what they will do to help their team win and have an answer for it.
That question is: What am I going to do today to help my team win?
Everyone who plays a game should have an answer to that question.
It doesn't need to be based on certain statistical bench marks. It should be something that you realistically know you can accomplish. It should be something you can control about yourself.
For some people it will be things like being a positive influence on teammates. It could be that you are going to hustle after every loose ball. It should be something though.
There are some things that an athlete can control for themselves in a game. I think every athlete needs to ask themselves what they will do to help their team win and have an answer for it.
Glad I can say this
I am really glad that I can say that I am looking forward to going to class. I am so antsy to get started...but not antsy enough to have this year go by quickly. I want to enjoy it.
I am also trying to learn about soccer so I try to watch a game on ESPN360 when I can.
I am also trying to learn about soccer so I try to watch a game on ESPN360 when I can.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Sheer-er
I think that I should have to say Sheer-er in every sentence I say for the next week.
I did better public announcing today. I had one slip-up...just can't rush...that's what I learned.
UConn Field Hockey won 8-1. It was a lot of fun. Cara Silverman is pretty good. Loren Sherer is better than pretty good. Melissa Gonzalez is on a another level. Again...you can't talk about great UConn athletes without mentioning her.
UConn is really really good.
Nancy Stevens also continues to show why she is a Hall of Fame coach...Auriemma, Calhoun, Stevens. They should be in the same sentence.
I did better public announcing today. I had one slip-up...just can't rush...that's what I learned.
UConn Field Hockey won 8-1. It was a lot of fun. Cara Silverman is pretty good. Loren Sherer is better than pretty good. Melissa Gonzalez is on a another level. Again...you can't talk about great UConn athletes without mentioning her.
UConn is really really good.
Nancy Stevens also continues to show why she is a Hall of Fame coach...Auriemma, Calhoun, Stevens. They should be in the same sentence.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
The Hawthorne effect
I've been reading about the Hawthorne effect for my sports management class...I need to get a head start on things because I will be working at four games in five days next week. I also might be handing out T-Shirts and will have plenty of other things to help me stay busy...which I like.
Anyway the Hawthorne effect has to do with an expirement conducted a long time ago to see if the level of lighting would effect the productivity of the workers. When the lighting was changed the workers productivity increased. It didn't matter whether the lighting went up or down, it just mattered that it changed. The workers said that they were happy that someone cared enough to be concerned about their well being. Since people were concerned about them they became more productive.
I wonder if this translates to sports. I wonder if teams play better if more people care about them...aka more media attention, more fans, and more support staff.
Anyway the Hawthorne effect has to do with an expirement conducted a long time ago to see if the level of lighting would effect the productivity of the workers. When the lighting was changed the workers productivity increased. It didn't matter whether the lighting went up or down, it just mattered that it changed. The workers said that they were happy that someone cared enough to be concerned about their well being. Since people were concerned about them they became more productive.
I wonder if this translates to sports. I wonder if teams play better if more people care about them...aka more media attention, more fans, and more support staff.
Freshman
One thing I will say about freshman is that they are like herding sheep.
They will go and do whatever you tell them too...for awhile.
I was one of 100's of freshman in 2006 to watch the men's soccer team play. Everyone went, even if they didn't like sports or soccer.
Watch...you'll see herds of freshman for the first month or two...with their keychains around their necks.
They will go and do whatever you tell them too...for awhile.
I was one of 100's of freshman in 2006 to watch the men's soccer team play. Everyone went, even if they didn't like sports or soccer.
Watch...you'll see herds of freshman for the first month or two...with their keychains around their necks.
All better now
I was able to get my laptop fixed
I saw a men's soccer player...who I won't name...riding a nice pink bicycle. He stands out...I am confident his play will too.
Melissa Gonzalez is a fantastic athlete. An amazing athlete. I heard that she is one of the top 5 field hockey players in the country. On top of that I heard she could have played another sport at the Division I level. It is not possible to talk about great UConn athletes without mentioning her.
She put the boogies on some defenders yesterday. Lauren Sherer is also really really really really good. Cara Silverman had a goal and had another one taken back.
I saw Rayell Heistand make a nice play on defense too.
Yesterday was also my first time as a public announcer. It went well. I was concerned that I wouldn't have the right energy level but I did. I apparently sounded fine. There are two names that I have to work on and I apologize non-stop for not saying them correctly. It's Sheer-er and Man-air-oh. I'm working on it!!! Usually there are one or two names you mess up. Especially at your first ever game. The other thing is that you can't have people laughing in the press box while you try and announce. It just doesn't work well. I was able to pull through...pretty well without laughing uncontrollably. Although you probably did hear some giggling going on.
There is also so much to keep track of during the game. You need to see the substitutions, you have to judge whether or not a shot was a shot. Communications also needs to keep track of who shot what, who got an assist. Who touched it. Sometimes you have to judge saves from a bad angle. There is a lot to working in communications at a game...and field hockey is one of the easier sports to do.
Volleyball and Basketball are the most difficult because so much is happening.
I saw a men's soccer player...who I won't name...riding a nice pink bicycle. He stands out...I am confident his play will too.
Melissa Gonzalez is a fantastic athlete. An amazing athlete. I heard that she is one of the top 5 field hockey players in the country. On top of that I heard she could have played another sport at the Division I level. It is not possible to talk about great UConn athletes without mentioning her.
She put the boogies on some defenders yesterday. Lauren Sherer is also really really really really good. Cara Silverman had a goal and had another one taken back.
I saw Rayell Heistand make a nice play on defense too.
Yesterday was also my first time as a public announcer. It went well. I was concerned that I wouldn't have the right energy level but I did. I apparently sounded fine. There are two names that I have to work on and I apologize non-stop for not saying them correctly. It's Sheer-er and Man-air-oh. I'm working on it!!! Usually there are one or two names you mess up. Especially at your first ever game. The other thing is that you can't have people laughing in the press box while you try and announce. It just doesn't work well. I was able to pull through...pretty well without laughing uncontrollably. Although you probably did hear some giggling going on.
There is also so much to keep track of during the game. You need to see the substitutions, you have to judge whether or not a shot was a shot. Communications also needs to keep track of who shot what, who got an assist. Who touched it. Sometimes you have to judge saves from a bad angle. There is a lot to working in communications at a game...and field hockey is one of the easier sports to do.
Volleyball and Basketball are the most difficult because so much is happening.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Laptop Broke!!!! and a few other things
First of all I must say that I am so glad that my one month old laptop stopped working just in time for school to start....great
NOT.
I think UConn Field Hockey should get a lot of credit for the love they showed their coaches on the rock on campus. I loved driving in to school to see that "UCFH Loves Paul Caddy." Thought that was cool.
I love moving in early. It makes things so much easier. I love living in on-campus apartments because I have room to breathe without having too much room between myself and campus.
I have also mentioned that I would stop writing about a certain subject/team should I end up helping them.
You should be able to figure out which team that is. You will soon realize that I haven't mentioned them in a while. I also told a player and former player on the team in passing that I might help out at some point.
I am excited to help out. I will give as much effort as I possibly can. I look forward to learning new things and being helpful.
I believe that it is important to get experience doing all sorts of different jobs to help enrich my sports management education. The more experience doing different things, the better.
I expect that I will be writing a little bit less about other things here too as I get busy with school and commitments.
I also expect to be picked on (in a playful way) and I deserve to be. What goes around, comes around.
Now I can't wait to get my laptop fixed, so I can check email, write and TAKE notes for class. I will have a busy fall. I was hoping to get a nice head start. That...won't happen.
Oh and Ohio is West of Pennsylvania. West of that is Indiana. West of that is Illinois. West of that is Iowa. West of that is South Dakota and Nebraska. West of that is Wyoming. West of that is Idaho. West of that is Oregon. West of that is the Pacific Ocean. West of that is Hawaii. I love geography. I don't know what inspired that! I'll just go with the flow and let it stand.
NOT.
I think UConn Field Hockey should get a lot of credit for the love they showed their coaches on the rock on campus. I loved driving in to school to see that "UCFH Loves Paul Caddy." Thought that was cool.
I love moving in early. It makes things so much easier. I love living in on-campus apartments because I have room to breathe without having too much room between myself and campus.
I have also mentioned that I would stop writing about a certain subject/team should I end up helping them.
You should be able to figure out which team that is. You will soon realize that I haven't mentioned them in a while. I also told a player and former player on the team in passing that I might help out at some point.
I am excited to help out. I will give as much effort as I possibly can. I look forward to learning new things and being helpful.
I believe that it is important to get experience doing all sorts of different jobs to help enrich my sports management education. The more experience doing different things, the better.
I expect that I will be writing a little bit less about other things here too as I get busy with school and commitments.
I also expect to be picked on (in a playful way) and I deserve to be. What goes around, comes around.
Now I can't wait to get my laptop fixed, so I can check email, write and TAKE notes for class. I will have a busy fall. I was hoping to get a nice head start. That...won't happen.
Oh and Ohio is West of Pennsylvania. West of that is Indiana. West of that is Illinois. West of that is Iowa. West of that is South Dakota and Nebraska. West of that is Wyoming. West of that is Idaho. West of that is Oregon. West of that is the Pacific Ocean. West of that is Hawaii. I love geography. I don't know what inspired that! I'll just go with the flow and let it stand.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Interesting things
A few things I read that I found interesting...
In the world cup the team that scores first wins 77% of the time (as of 1999). This again is why I think it's more impressive to see comeback wins in soccer than other sports...more impressive to see late goals in soccer because scoring is difficult.
The person who first perfected the bicycle kick was a Brazilian named Leonidas. He played in the 1930's and 1940's.
UConn will also be installing new video boards in Gampel Pavilion and at the softball and baseball fields. I think these upgrades will be great for our venues.
This isn't really interesting, but it was a first for me. As I was cycling down Route 119 I saw some bright yellow signs on the trees that said "CAUTION, Firearms in use."
In the world cup the team that scores first wins 77% of the time (as of 1999). This again is why I think it's more impressive to see comeback wins in soccer than other sports...more impressive to see late goals in soccer because scoring is difficult.
The person who first perfected the bicycle kick was a Brazilian named Leonidas. He played in the 1930's and 1940's.
UConn will also be installing new video boards in Gampel Pavilion and at the softball and baseball fields. I think these upgrades will be great for our venues.
This isn't really interesting, but it was a first for me. As I was cycling down Route 119 I saw some bright yellow signs on the trees that said "CAUTION, Firearms in use."
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
observations
This is a big, broad subject that I am going to bring up. I don't know exactly what to say about it. I've been doing some reading and have read some interesting things. I think there are exceptions to what I'm about to say. I don't mean to stereotype either. These are things that I have noticed and have read a little bit about in books.
I think that personal relationships are more important on female teams than they are male teams.
I think female athletes stress more about being named a team captain than a male athlete does. I think they worry that being named a captain will change their relationships with their teammates.
I think senior day is a place where you see how relationships mean more on female teams than male teams. Female teams senior days are much different than male teams senior days. Female teams have balloons, they make signs, and the entire team cries. It's like the seniors are leaving the family.
Male teams senior days are different. They celebrate, but there aren't typically posters made by their teammates. There aren't balloons and the team doesn't cry. I think it's more of a celebration of accomplishments for a male team than it is about leaving a family.
A famous soccer coach who I have been reading about thinks that team chemistry can have a stronger impact on female teams than male teams. He says that if female teams are really really close with one another off the field will also play better together. If they really don't like each other, they won't play as well.
I think a lot of this can be traced back to sociology, gender differences and differences in how boys and girls are raised. These are a few things that I just felt like throwing out there.
I think that personal relationships are more important on female teams than they are male teams.
I think female athletes stress more about being named a team captain than a male athlete does. I think they worry that being named a captain will change their relationships with their teammates.
I think senior day is a place where you see how relationships mean more on female teams than male teams. Female teams senior days are much different than male teams senior days. Female teams have balloons, they make signs, and the entire team cries. It's like the seniors are leaving the family.
Male teams senior days are different. They celebrate, but there aren't typically posters made by their teammates. There aren't balloons and the team doesn't cry. I think it's more of a celebration of accomplishments for a male team than it is about leaving a family.
A famous soccer coach who I have been reading about thinks that team chemistry can have a stronger impact on female teams than male teams. He says that if female teams are really really close with one another off the field will also play better together. If they really don't like each other, they won't play as well.
I think a lot of this can be traced back to sociology, gender differences and differences in how boys and girls are raised. These are a few things that I just felt like throwing out there.
He is a Metropolitan
I was wondering if Johan Santana was really a New York Met.
Now that he's missing a game and may be needing surgery I know the he is truly a New York Met.
Now that he's missing a game and may be needing surgery I know the he is truly a New York Met.
Monday, August 24, 2009
I think they can
I am not soccer expert, and I admit to not seeing much of the men's soccer game that I was working at against Hartwick. I also know it was a 0-0 game. However, I do think that the young players (and tranfers) are up to the challenege of replacing O'Brian White, Akeem Priestley and Dori Arad. I think they can replace a lot of that scoring. I have heard a lot of good things and saw some things that I liked in the brief moments that I saw during the exhibition game.
I can't picture this
I was reading a textbook of mine for class this semester. It mentioned that Native American's first played the first form of lacrosse with fields that were miles long and it involved hundred's of players on each team.
I can't imagine a field that is miles long. I can't imagine how you could go that far without turning the ball over. I can't imagine how anyone scored.
I can't imagine a field that is miles long. I can't imagine how you could go that far without turning the ball over. I can't imagine how anyone scored.
I always think this
I always get to this point of the year and get mad. Summer is ending. What's worse is that I always get to this point of the year and realize that I didn't accomplish so many things that I had hoped/planned to do.
I had really wanted to hike Mount Monadnock, which is one of the world's most hiked mountains, and is about 30-45 minutes from my house. I never got around to hiking it.
I can't complain because I also did a lot that I didn't think I'd do, but I also get mad that I couldn't fit everything in.
I have to start packing for school and cleaning up the house and enjoying the last moments of summer before I get really busy at school. I look forward to school. I really want to go back and enjoy this year. It might not be the last at UConn, but it could be (Graduate school is hopefully next). However, I also love vacation.
I also have no idea how much I'll be writing until I get fully settled at school this week.
I had really wanted to hike Mount Monadnock, which is one of the world's most hiked mountains, and is about 30-45 minutes from my house. I never got around to hiking it.
I can't complain because I also did a lot that I didn't think I'd do, but I also get mad that I couldn't fit everything in.
I have to start packing for school and cleaning up the house and enjoying the last moments of summer before I get really busy at school. I look forward to school. I really want to go back and enjoy this year. It might not be the last at UConn, but it could be (Graduate school is hopefully next). However, I also love vacation.
I also have no idea how much I'll be writing until I get fully settled at school this week.
Some soccer stuff
Meghan Schnur and the New York/New Jersey Sky Blue FC team won the first ever WPS Championship.
I saw part of the replay of the game today on television. Schnur made a key stop against one of the leagues top players, Marta, within the last five minutes of the match.
I also am watching a little bit of Liverpool vs Aston Villa on ESPN. Sometimes the ball is passed so quickly it's like watching pinball. It's impressive to watch.
Hawaii tied BYU 0-0 in women's soccer action. Shauna Musser played in the match. The UConn women play BYU in the teams season opener on Saturday.
I also need to get used to using "match" instead of "game" when I talk about soccer. Some people I know who love soccer only use "match".
When I was writing about soccer at work I made sure to go through everything and make sure I didn't use the word "game".
I saw part of the replay of the game today on television. Schnur made a key stop against one of the leagues top players, Marta, within the last five minutes of the match.
I also am watching a little bit of Liverpool vs Aston Villa on ESPN. Sometimes the ball is passed so quickly it's like watching pinball. It's impressive to watch.
Hawaii tied BYU 0-0 in women's soccer action. Shauna Musser played in the match. The UConn women play BYU in the teams season opener on Saturday.
I also need to get used to using "match" instead of "game" when I talk about soccer. Some people I know who love soccer only use "match".
When I was writing about soccer at work I made sure to go through everything and make sure I didn't use the word "game".
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Nike vs Adidas
Here is an interesting fact.
The last time UConn Soccer won a National Championship they were sponsored by Nike.
I have proof in the Men's Soccer media guide if you don't want to believe me.
The last time UConn Soccer won a National Championship they were sponsored by Nike.
I have proof in the Men's Soccer media guide if you don't want to believe me.
Speaking of Larry Taylor
I love ESPN 360 because of the replay feature. Right after I wrote about Larry Taylor's 2 punt returns for TD's I saw him score his second of the season on ESPN 360.
I realize why I miss Larry Taylor so much.
He pretty much never broke stride. If you have ESPN 360 you can see Taylor do this at 9:57 of the 1st quarter from the August 21st game vs Saskatchewan. He went around 60 yards on the return and didn't really have to juke around much.
I am so happy that someone found a use for Larry Taylor in the pro leagues. He seems to be doing well in the CFL. I thought an NFL team would have taken a chance on him.
I still think they should.
I realize why I miss Larry Taylor so much.
He pretty much never broke stride. If you have ESPN 360 you can see Taylor do this at 9:57 of the 1st quarter from the August 21st game vs Saskatchewan. He went around 60 yards on the return and didn't really have to juke around much.
I am so happy that someone found a use for Larry Taylor in the pro leagues. He seems to be doing well in the CFL. I thought an NFL team would have taken a chance on him.
I still think they should.
Larry Taylor
I thought it was great that the student section would chant "Larry Taylor" everytime there was a punt return for UConn.
Taylor has returned two kicks for touchdowns so far this season in the CFL for the Montreal Alouettes.
Taylor has returned two kicks for touchdowns so far this season in the CFL for the Montreal Alouettes.
Random
Ok I hate saying this...but the Yankees are really really really good this year. I mean they are much better than the team that I knew would collapse and choke when it mattered. 2009 could be their year. I will hope that I am wrong on this.
Also do you remember when the Texas Rangers mattered? They used to challenge the Yankees for a couple of seasons. This is when they had Ivan Rodriguez, Juan Gonzalez and Rusty Greer and were managed by Johnny Oates.
I think it's funny how I said I don't like cold water. I really really don't but my definition of cold is well...really different then most people's. 75 or less is cold...Even when my lake was 83 it took me a little bit to get in the water all the way.
I love the hot tub. I get in that easily.
Oh I thought it was cool that I saw O'Brian White's father at the exhibition soccer game on Saturday.
Also do you remember when the Texas Rangers mattered? They used to challenge the Yankees for a couple of seasons. This is when they had Ivan Rodriguez, Juan Gonzalez and Rusty Greer and were managed by Johnny Oates.
I think it's funny how I said I don't like cold water. I really really don't but my definition of cold is well...really different then most people's. 75 or less is cold...Even when my lake was 83 it took me a little bit to get in the water all the way.
I love the hot tub. I get in that easily.
Oh I thought it was cool that I saw O'Brian White's father at the exhibition soccer game on Saturday.
My dad is watching this
My dad hates sports.
Yes, he hates them. You'd probably never have guessed that. He is the worst athlete maybe ever. He runs away from a ball if you were to throw it at him. Maybe he thinks a football is a grenade.
My mom loves sports because I love sports.
Anyway my dad would rather watch "Lord of the Dance" for the 100th time than watch the Super Bowl.
He doesn't love to dance, but he'll watch others do it on TV. He is watching a Gene Kelly film called "An American in Paris."
My dad thinks that Gene Kelly is the best athlete ever.
I don't know if I would go that far.
However I did notice that Gene Kelly had amazing balance, footwork, coordination, strength (as proportional to his weight) and energy to pull off a lot of the things that he did in the movie. I have come to respect his athleticism and those of dancers more than before.
Yes, he hates them. You'd probably never have guessed that. He is the worst athlete maybe ever. He runs away from a ball if you were to throw it at him. Maybe he thinks a football is a grenade.
My mom loves sports because I love sports.
Anyway my dad would rather watch "Lord of the Dance" for the 100th time than watch the Super Bowl.
He doesn't love to dance, but he'll watch others do it on TV. He is watching a Gene Kelly film called "An American in Paris."
My dad thinks that Gene Kelly is the best athlete ever.
I don't know if I would go that far.
However I did notice that Gene Kelly had amazing balance, footwork, coordination, strength (as proportional to his weight) and energy to pull off a lot of the things that he did in the movie. I have come to respect his athleticism and those of dancers more than before.
Being is good, doing is better
I believe that confidence is very important. It's important because it gives you the confidence to do something.
That means you have to do something.
You also need to have a positive attitude so you can perservere. I completely forgot that I am not good at swimming and hate cold water while I tried to learn how to waterski.
I had a good attitude and I had the confidence to do the things necessary to make waterskiing happen.
I also knew that waterskiing just wouldn't happen overnight. I knew I'd have to work on it over time. I knew that I'd fail...a lot...but I continued to get better over time and became successful.
I focused on completing mini goals everytime I went out. I focused on improvement and I took advice when offered. Over time I got to the point where I could get out of the water. I progressed from doing that to being able to stay up. I still have a long way to go.
However, if I gave myself the unrealistic goal of getting amazing at waterskiing overnight I would have failed. I would have been unhappy that I didn't get out of the water the first time and next ten or so times I tried.
Its very important to focus on a big goal but you reach that goal by completing mini goals. As you accomplish a bunch of small very realistic goals you will be able to complete a huge goal over-time.
I progressed from not being get out of the water...to getting out of the water a little bit....to getting out of the water for a couple of seconds...to getting out of the water for 20 seconds...to completing laps around my lake...to now just begining to go over wakes.
Had I been discouraged early on I wouldn't be writing this. I had a positive attitude. I had the confidence to know that I could do it...then I went out and did things. I completed smaller goals over time. I improved each time. I tried to forget any mistakes and kept moving forward.
You can't go from being born to walking...first you have to sit up and be able to crawl.
Stay positive, set a big goal and acheive it by completing a lot of routine smaller goals over time.
Losers let losses get to them. They don't take any good things out of losses, they lose confidence and the willingness to continue to try and improve. Winners learn from losses. They realize they need to work and improve more. They realize that failing is part of the journey.
That means you have to do something.
You also need to have a positive attitude so you can perservere. I completely forgot that I am not good at swimming and hate cold water while I tried to learn how to waterski.
I had a good attitude and I had the confidence to do the things necessary to make waterskiing happen.
I also knew that waterskiing just wouldn't happen overnight. I knew I'd have to work on it over time. I knew that I'd fail...a lot...but I continued to get better over time and became successful.
I focused on completing mini goals everytime I went out. I focused on improvement and I took advice when offered. Over time I got to the point where I could get out of the water. I progressed from doing that to being able to stay up. I still have a long way to go.
However, if I gave myself the unrealistic goal of getting amazing at waterskiing overnight I would have failed. I would have been unhappy that I didn't get out of the water the first time and next ten or so times I tried.
Its very important to focus on a big goal but you reach that goal by completing mini goals. As you accomplish a bunch of small very realistic goals you will be able to complete a huge goal over-time.
I progressed from not being get out of the water...to getting out of the water a little bit....to getting out of the water for a couple of seconds...to getting out of the water for 20 seconds...to completing laps around my lake...to now just begining to go over wakes.
Had I been discouraged early on I wouldn't be writing this. I had a positive attitude. I had the confidence to know that I could do it...then I went out and did things. I completed smaller goals over time. I improved each time. I tried to forget any mistakes and kept moving forward.
You can't go from being born to walking...first you have to sit up and be able to crawl.
Stay positive, set a big goal and acheive it by completing a lot of routine smaller goals over time.
Losers let losses get to them. They don't take any good things out of losses, they lose confidence and the willingness to continue to try and improve. Winners learn from losses. They realize they need to work and improve more. They realize that failing is part of the journey.
A few things
I always promote all of UConn's fall schedules when people take schedule cards at the marketing table.
What I noticed today was that the most likely people to take women's soccer schedule cards at the men's soccer game were mothers who brought kids to the men's game. Parents with young girls often got those schedule cards too. A few guys got women's soccer cards too. For the most part they were older.
A few people were asking about ice hockey schedules. One women seemed to have the women's ice hockey schedule on her mind.
Also I noticed some great new photos on the 2nd level of the field house in the marketing and development offices. One office has a great picture of Cory Bildstein going up for a header in front of the goal. There is a great photo of I think Tony Cascio up in the main hall-way on the second floor. Great pictures of Jasper Howard and Courtney Wilkinson-Maitland are also up too. Tons of basketball players are up too...Maitland's seems to be one of those great shots that you would almost define a career with. It's not a fancy shot...just her with the ball. But its a really nice photo because she's not making any weird faces and you can easily tell its her in the photo.
What I noticed today was that the most likely people to take women's soccer schedule cards at the men's soccer game were mothers who brought kids to the men's game. Parents with young girls often got those schedule cards too. A few guys got women's soccer cards too. For the most part they were older.
A few people were asking about ice hockey schedules. One women seemed to have the women's ice hockey schedule on her mind.
Also I noticed some great new photos on the 2nd level of the field house in the marketing and development offices. One office has a great picture of Cory Bildstein going up for a header in front of the goal. There is a great photo of I think Tony Cascio up in the main hall-way on the second floor. Great pictures of Jasper Howard and Courtney Wilkinson-Maitland are also up too. Tons of basketball players are up too...Maitland's seems to be one of those great shots that you would almost define a career with. It's not a fancy shot...just her with the ball. But its a really nice photo because she's not making any weird faces and you can easily tell its her in the photo.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
I needed some practice
So I was practicing my public announcing today. I feel like I have a lot of work to do.
I did practice saying Field Hockey names for an hour out of my hour and forty-five minute drive back home tonight. I worked on being more energetic.
Hopefully no one thought it was weird that I was shouting "Starting at forward, a junior, from Uithoorn, Holland, number 29 Robin Kleine." I tried not to do any of that while my car was stopped. But yes I spent a lot of time just practicing in my car. It's not everyday that someone is yelling field hockey introductions down the highway.
I saw Uithoorn, Holland and I went...uhhhhhhhh? hmmmmmm? how do I say that....I asked some coaches...they had a similar reaction. Then I went to Robin Kleine and got it straight from the source. Uithoorn is pronounced sort of like Owwt-horn. (That's my interesting fact for the day) Kleine seems really nice and I will try my best to make sure everything goes perfect with her prounounciations. I will be devasted if I mess anything up for her.
I also remember that Kleine lived in my dorm when I was a sophomore. I never knew her or really spoke to her. Then as I was moving out I remember holding the door for her or something and I wished her good luck...She gave me this weird look....and I said good look in field hockey...To which I got a thanks.
I try to just say good luck to the athletes on smaller teams if I run into them because whether they would admit it or not, they are usually glad that someone knows who they are and cares enough to wish them well.
I also worked at the men's soccer game tonight. I have a really bad view of the action so I miss most of what goes on. In the little parts I saw I was impressed with Tony Cascio and Jordan Branco. I felt that both of them were very active on the field. I also remember Toni Stahl controlling the ball so well. It's a routine part of soccer but it just looks so cool and he's really good at it. I heard that the coaches were happy with how things went.
I've made an hour and forty five minute drive yet again for men's soccer and this time added field hockey to the mix. It seems so far for most people, but I am used to it and hate missing these games.
It also felt so good to see a soccer game at Morrone today. I've had an itch to watch soccer there for a long time this summer. I was finally able to watch it.
I also saw a clip online from the Huskies Media Day for men's soccer. I was impressed with how well-spoken the team was. As I've said a lot of times before, I've never run into a soccer player that I haven't thought highly of. I also never ever heard a bad thing about Kwame Watson Siriboe and Josh Ford.
I wish I got a better look at the freshman and transfers, who will be a big part of the team this year. According to the video I saw on UConn Huskies, the men's recruiting class was one of the best that Coach Reid has had. He said the best since 1998....which is really cool considering that the team won a National Championship two years later in 2000.
I did practice saying Field Hockey names for an hour out of my hour and forty-five minute drive back home tonight. I worked on being more energetic.
Hopefully no one thought it was weird that I was shouting "Starting at forward, a junior, from Uithoorn, Holland, number 29 Robin Kleine." I tried not to do any of that while my car was stopped. But yes I spent a lot of time just practicing in my car. It's not everyday that someone is yelling field hockey introductions down the highway.
I saw Uithoorn, Holland and I went...uhhhhhhhh? hmmmmmm? how do I say that....I asked some coaches...they had a similar reaction. Then I went to Robin Kleine and got it straight from the source. Uithoorn is pronounced sort of like Owwt-horn. (That's my interesting fact for the day) Kleine seems really nice and I will try my best to make sure everything goes perfect with her prounounciations. I will be devasted if I mess anything up for her.
I also remember that Kleine lived in my dorm when I was a sophomore. I never knew her or really spoke to her. Then as I was moving out I remember holding the door for her or something and I wished her good luck...She gave me this weird look....and I said good look in field hockey...To which I got a thanks.
I try to just say good luck to the athletes on smaller teams if I run into them because whether they would admit it or not, they are usually glad that someone knows who they are and cares enough to wish them well.
I also worked at the men's soccer game tonight. I have a really bad view of the action so I miss most of what goes on. In the little parts I saw I was impressed with Tony Cascio and Jordan Branco. I felt that both of them were very active on the field. I also remember Toni Stahl controlling the ball so well. It's a routine part of soccer but it just looks so cool and he's really good at it. I heard that the coaches were happy with how things went.
I've made an hour and forty five minute drive yet again for men's soccer and this time added field hockey to the mix. It seems so far for most people, but I am used to it and hate missing these games.
It also felt so good to see a soccer game at Morrone today. I've had an itch to watch soccer there for a long time this summer. I was finally able to watch it.
I also saw a clip online from the Huskies Media Day for men's soccer. I was impressed with how well-spoken the team was. As I've said a lot of times before, I've never run into a soccer player that I haven't thought highly of. I also never ever heard a bad thing about Kwame Watson Siriboe and Josh Ford.
I wish I got a better look at the freshman and transfers, who will be a big part of the team this year. According to the video I saw on UConn Huskies, the men's recruiting class was one of the best that Coach Reid has had. He said the best since 1998....which is really cool considering that the team won a National Championship two years later in 2000.
Friday, August 21, 2009
As I was buying books
As I was buying books at the co-op I noticed that a picture of Shauna Musser and Karen Gurnon were up in the Co-Op on the top floor. Both pictures looked to have been taken at the exhibition game last year against Boston College.
some stuff
Finally, soon I will be back to school. Back to class. Back to games.
I certainly have no opinion on any position battle on any UConn team. I trust the coaches. I trust that the players, win or lose, will give the same maximum effort that is expected.
The University of San Francisco won 2-0 today. Ashley O'Brien played.
Also, Seasons are marathons, not sprints. That is a cliche. A good start means nothing. A bad start means nothing. Neither are cause for too much celebration (although you should be happy and celebrate for a little bit after you win) or too much concern. (Although you should be concerned enough to work really hard and focus harder in practice after a bad start)
I think the best thing is to take something good out of every day of the season. In some part of your game (mental, physical, tactical..etc.) you should feel like you are improving each day. Win or lose, what matters is that you see that you and your team are improving after every game and practice.
I certainly have no opinion on any position battle on any UConn team. I trust the coaches. I trust that the players, win or lose, will give the same maximum effort that is expected.
The University of San Francisco won 2-0 today. Ashley O'Brien played.
Also, Seasons are marathons, not sprints. That is a cliche. A good start means nothing. A bad start means nothing. Neither are cause for too much celebration (although you should be happy and celebrate for a little bit after you win) or too much concern. (Although you should be concerned enough to work really hard and focus harder in practice after a bad start)
I think the best thing is to take something good out of every day of the season. In some part of your game (mental, physical, tactical..etc.) you should feel like you are improving each day. Win or lose, what matters is that you see that you and your team are improving after every game and practice.
Random things
So waterskiing improved once again. I was able to do two full laps around my lake...It's not THAT big...but I felt it...and will tomorrow.
Also...don't come to me for cooking ideas often...
My favorite food is Sour Milk Cake...yes it's made with Sour Milk...Real Sour Milk...yumm...I guess that explains a few things...
Anyway I also love Filet Mignon. My cousin's boyfriend made the most tender filet that I've ever had. Filet is almost always good...this was just amazing. This was high quality resturaunt good. I didn't pay much attention to what he did. After eating I realized I should have. All I know is that he slow cooked the filet. I think he had it at 275 in the oven. The temperature is all I know. But it was so good and I feel like spreading the love.
Also Go Huskies. I can't make every game of the season...(Trust me I make many...or most home games) but I miss a few and I can't make most road games. However, I'm either following the game on game tracker if I'm studying or I'm wondering what's going on if I'm busy. This goes for every UConn team...I was watching the men's basketball game vs Syracuse this March and I wondered about the softball team who was out in California.
True story...I had a meeting with the athletic director and he asked me "what's up?" at the begining of the meeting. I said..."Softball team is winning 3-1. Danielle DelPonte hit a homerun." Probably not what he was expecting to hear.
Also...don't come to me for cooking ideas often...
My favorite food is Sour Milk Cake...yes it's made with Sour Milk...Real Sour Milk...yumm...I guess that explains a few things...
Anyway I also love Filet Mignon. My cousin's boyfriend made the most tender filet that I've ever had. Filet is almost always good...this was just amazing. This was high quality resturaunt good. I didn't pay much attention to what he did. After eating I realized I should have. All I know is that he slow cooked the filet. I think he had it at 275 in the oven. The temperature is all I know. But it was so good and I feel like spreading the love.
Also Go Huskies. I can't make every game of the season...(Trust me I make many...or most home games) but I miss a few and I can't make most road games. However, I'm either following the game on game tracker if I'm studying or I'm wondering what's going on if I'm busy. This goes for every UConn team...I was watching the men's basketball game vs Syracuse this March and I wondered about the softball team who was out in California.
True story...I had a meeting with the athletic director and he asked me "what's up?" at the begining of the meeting. I said..."Softball team is winning 3-1. Danielle DelPonte hit a homerun." Probably not what he was expecting to hear.
She was great at UConn
Jennifer Kleinhans was a great student athlete at UConn. I know she won awards for her academics and I know she was the three time Big East defender of the year.
I wish I could talk about field hockey. I can't really do it all that well. If you think my soccer is bad...field hockey would sound even worse. Kleinhans was nominated for the 2009 NCAA Woman of the Year.
http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/w-fieldh/spec-rel/082109aaa.html
I wish I could talk about field hockey. I can't really do it all that well. If you think my soccer is bad...field hockey would sound even worse. Kleinhans was nominated for the 2009 NCAA Woman of the Year.
http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/w-fieldh/spec-rel/082109aaa.html
This is really well done
This is really well done. It is a women's soccer preview for 2009.
http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/082009aaa.html
http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/082009aaa.html
Games
Tomorrow UConn Field Hockey has a game at 11am and Men's Soccer will have one at 7pm.
Football has an open practice from 9:10-10:30 in Storrs.
There are a lot of reasons to be in Storrs tomorrow.
Should you be in Boston you can see a good soccer game at 2pm.
Women's Soccer goes on the road and has what should be a really interesting exhibition game. So often exhibition games are played against a school that is known for a lot and a school that is known for nothing. This won't be the case as both UConn and Boston College have well respected women's soccer programs.
Should be interesting as far as exhibition games go.
Football has an open practice from 9:10-10:30 in Storrs.
There are a lot of reasons to be in Storrs tomorrow.
Should you be in Boston you can see a good soccer game at 2pm.
Women's Soccer goes on the road and has what should be a really interesting exhibition game. So often exhibition games are played against a school that is known for a lot and a school that is known for nothing. This won't be the case as both UConn and Boston College have well respected women's soccer programs.
Should be interesting as far as exhibition games go.
Been meaning to post this
I've been meaning to post this for a while. Brittany Tegeler was invited to take part in the W-League combine. Hopefully she impresses the WPS coaches and scouts.
Closing out games
In order to win you have to keep your foot on the pedal at all times. It's to easy to relax when you have a lead.
I think you need to play with a one score lead the way you would play with a one score deficit if you want to close out games and pick up wins.
I think you need to play with a one score lead the way you would play with a one score deficit if you want to close out games and pick up wins.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
dumb stat of the day
I have a game room at my lake house. I put UConn Posters up among other things. I put up both soccer posters yesterday. Since then I am 5-1 in pool.
To be fair I was playing with people who had something to drink. I was sober.
They drank and had fun. I won and had fun.
To be fair I was playing with people who had something to drink. I was sober.
They drank and had fun. I won and had fun.
Trying to understand a few things
I went in to work early to try and understand a few things about volleyball this year. I thought I should utilize the volleyball coach that was more than happy to explain things to me.
I've been reading up on soccer a little bit...actually a lot. I have soccer for dummies. I can't lie. I bought that.
I'm sort of learning about the position of back-lines on defense. The stuff I'm reading is slightly complicated and harder for someone who doesn't fully understand soccer lingo. I wish I saw this with X's and O's. I think I'm grasping it slowly.
Hopefully when I get to watch soccer I will have a better feel for whats going on. I'd like to be educated enough to get excited about something other than a goal being scored or a diving save being made.
Another thing I've read talks about how anyone can be good on defense if they have the desire to be good on defense.
I believe that's true. It takes more grit, reliability, hustle and toughness to do well on defense than it does talent.
One thing I know Coach Auriemma has talked about...and many other coaches have surely talked about too...is how the incoming freshman always come in knowing how to score. So many of the highly recruited players in sports score a lot...(often times they are moved to different positions and utilized differently in college and pros...)
Anyway, basically everyone knows how to score...and in basketball freshman usually dominated when they were in high school. They would drop 20-30 points per game and their team would win. They never had to worry about playing defense because they could score at will.
As you play against better competition you can't get away with not playing defense. Many young players have to learn to focus on defense. They have to pay as much attention to defense as they do on offense.
I also believe that you can always raise your defensive pressure. You can always hustle more, be tougher etc. You can always display effort. That can always make a difference. You can't always rely on talent. Sometimes you just aren't on. Your not mentally dialed in or your just having a bad day. On those days you can still be effective if you work hard, and hustle and give maximum effort. Effort is something that can always be controlled.
I think I've said that 8,000 times. I just think hustling is underrated. I'm more impressed by the player who consistently gets offensive rebounds than I am by the player who can make an alley-oop from half court.
The Alley Oop is great entertainment. The offensive rebounds win games.
I also love players who are in the right spot at the right time. A great example of this is Meghan Gardler. When she plays she always seems to be able to get in the middle of things and make an impact on the game. I think they are in that spot because they just have a certain feel for the game. A certain instinct that allows them to process little cues quickly to help them make sure they get to a spot on the court where they can make something happen.
I've been reading up on soccer a little bit...actually a lot. I have soccer for dummies. I can't lie. I bought that.
I'm sort of learning about the position of back-lines on defense. The stuff I'm reading is slightly complicated and harder for someone who doesn't fully understand soccer lingo. I wish I saw this with X's and O's. I think I'm grasping it slowly.
Hopefully when I get to watch soccer I will have a better feel for whats going on. I'd like to be educated enough to get excited about something other than a goal being scored or a diving save being made.
Another thing I've read talks about how anyone can be good on defense if they have the desire to be good on defense.
I believe that's true. It takes more grit, reliability, hustle and toughness to do well on defense than it does talent.
One thing I know Coach Auriemma has talked about...and many other coaches have surely talked about too...is how the incoming freshman always come in knowing how to score. So many of the highly recruited players in sports score a lot...(often times they are moved to different positions and utilized differently in college and pros...)
Anyway, basically everyone knows how to score...and in basketball freshman usually dominated when they were in high school. They would drop 20-30 points per game and their team would win. They never had to worry about playing defense because they could score at will.
As you play against better competition you can't get away with not playing defense. Many young players have to learn to focus on defense. They have to pay as much attention to defense as they do on offense.
I also believe that you can always raise your defensive pressure. You can always hustle more, be tougher etc. You can always display effort. That can always make a difference. You can't always rely on talent. Sometimes you just aren't on. Your not mentally dialed in or your just having a bad day. On those days you can still be effective if you work hard, and hustle and give maximum effort. Effort is something that can always be controlled.
I think I've said that 8,000 times. I just think hustling is underrated. I'm more impressed by the player who consistently gets offensive rebounds than I am by the player who can make an alley-oop from half court.
The Alley Oop is great entertainment. The offensive rebounds win games.
I also love players who are in the right spot at the right time. A great example of this is Meghan Gardler. When she plays she always seems to be able to get in the middle of things and make an impact on the game. I think they are in that spot because they just have a certain feel for the game. A certain instinct that allows them to process little cues quickly to help them make sure they get to a spot on the court where they can make something happen.
Ok so here is what I learned
The obvious is that a school that has its final four vacated can make absolutely no reference to that event in anything that it promotes and any stats and history.
The player who was ineligible has all stats, honors etc. erased.
Team vacates all wins in which ineligible player participated in. That doesn't mean those turn into wins for the teams they played.
The player who was ineligible has all stats, honors etc. erased.
Team vacates all wins in which ineligible player participated in. That doesn't mean those turn into wins for the teams they played.
What happens
I wonder what happens to all the statistics when wins are vacated...are players stats erased? the players in question stats erased?
It's too bad for all the schools that Memphis beat in 07-08...and UConn did lose 81-70 in 07-08...I guess we get to take that loss off of Calhoun and UConn's record...???
It's too bad for all the schools that Memphis beat in 07-08...and UConn did lose 81-70 in 07-08...I guess we get to take that loss off of Calhoun and UConn's record...???
I feel honored
Someone emailed the link to my blog to prove that there is someone who is more obssessed with sports than they are. I feel honored.
Rehab is not in the plans.
Rehab is not in the plans.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Heard a few things
I bought my books early...want to beat the rush. Visited school and met with some people.
One thing that every team can control is work ethic, energy and hustle. According to someone I spoke to a certain team is displaying a lot of energy this year. Thats a good thing.
The University of Hawaii won 2-0 in exhibition women's soccer. Shauna Musser is wearing number 11 for the team now.
UConn Women's Soccer is ranked 20th.
I also met with Sam Witryol and he told me a few stories about Sara Whalen. She was the athlete that got Sam interested in Sports at UConn. He told me that she was really fast and that her dad ran track.
It's also very common to see that female athletes have male athletes in their family that socialize them into sports at a young age.
Sam also told me how he was able to get Ashley Battle to hug him everytime they saw each other.
One thing that every team can control is work ethic, energy and hustle. According to someone I spoke to a certain team is displaying a lot of energy this year. Thats a good thing.
The University of Hawaii won 2-0 in exhibition women's soccer. Shauna Musser is wearing number 11 for the team now.
UConn Women's Soccer is ranked 20th.
I also met with Sam Witryol and he told me a few stories about Sara Whalen. She was the athlete that got Sam interested in Sports at UConn. He told me that she was really fast and that her dad ran track.
It's also very common to see that female athletes have male athletes in their family that socialize them into sports at a young age.
Sam also told me how he was able to get Ashley Battle to hug him everytime they saw each other.
I think the title of this is misleading
I understand that newspapers need to sell papers.
I do not understand this headline.
Probation Violation Hearing Continues In Ex-UConn Athlete's Case
The story goes on to talk about a 50 year old former basketball player, who quite honestly I've never heard of. This story has nothing to do with UConn and UConn should not be in the headline.
The athlete is not promoted by the University in any advertising either. Truly this has nothing to do with UConn. Reality is that people will click on this story (like me) to see what it is all about because it says UConn Athlete.
I hate this headline because others will just see the headline and think negatively about the school.
I do not understand this headline.
Probation Violation Hearing Continues In Ex-UConn Athlete's Case
The story goes on to talk about a 50 year old former basketball player, who quite honestly I've never heard of. This story has nothing to do with UConn and UConn should not be in the headline.
The athlete is not promoted by the University in any advertising either. Truly this has nothing to do with UConn. Reality is that people will click on this story (like me) to see what it is all about because it says UConn Athlete.
I hate this headline because others will just see the headline and think negatively about the school.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
NSCAA rankings
I got really bored so I skimmed over 2008 fall high school soccer rankings to see where the best soccer high schools are...
I guess Ludlow, Mass is known for soccer...(that's home to the Western Mass Pioneers and Lady Pioneers...the W-League team that Mandy Schwartz, Kacey Richards, Courtney Maitland, Sam Kelley and Brie Gray played on)
Anyway the Ludlow, Mass boys high school team was ranked 17th at the end of the year.
Farmington, CT which is where Matt Sangeloty went, had the 8th best high school boys team.
St. Benedicts Prep, where Marco Zanfardino and Mike Pezza went finished 2008 as 24th in the country.
Germantown Academy, which is where Caroline Doty went...and played soccer... finished 2008 as the 21st ranked girls soccer team.
There is an incoming freshman on the women's soccer team who went to the 4th ranked 2008 high school girls soccer team. Unlike the others that I have mentioned she actually was on the team that earned that ranking.
The others I listed are just graduates of those schools.
Thought it was interesting. I love doing research on sports.
These rankings mean a little bit more to me because it's the final poll at the end of the season.
I saw the Division II pre-season polls and they were virtually useless and meaningless. The team's pre-season rankings were pretty much exactly the same from their final rankings from the year before.
Once again, rankings shouldn't mean anything to athletes. They are for marketers, fans and writers.
I guess Ludlow, Mass is known for soccer...(that's home to the Western Mass Pioneers and Lady Pioneers...the W-League team that Mandy Schwartz, Kacey Richards, Courtney Maitland, Sam Kelley and Brie Gray played on)
Anyway the Ludlow, Mass boys high school team was ranked 17th at the end of the year.
Farmington, CT which is where Matt Sangeloty went, had the 8th best high school boys team.
St. Benedicts Prep, where Marco Zanfardino and Mike Pezza went finished 2008 as 24th in the country.
Germantown Academy, which is where Caroline Doty went...and played soccer... finished 2008 as the 21st ranked girls soccer team.
There is an incoming freshman on the women's soccer team who went to the 4th ranked 2008 high school girls soccer team. Unlike the others that I have mentioned she actually was on the team that earned that ranking.
The others I listed are just graduates of those schools.
Thought it was interesting. I love doing research on sports.
These rankings mean a little bit more to me because it's the final poll at the end of the season.
I saw the Division II pre-season polls and they were virtually useless and meaningless. The team's pre-season rankings were pretty much exactly the same from their final rankings from the year before.
Once again, rankings shouldn't mean anything to athletes. They are for marketers, fans and writers.
Life is like a box of chocolates
I often can't believe some of the things that end up happening to me. I never thought that a certain thing would happen...If you would have told me that five years ago I would have said that you were crazy...
I can't believe that I got to ask Randy Edsall and Geno Auriemma a question during a press conference in 2007.
I can't believe that I enjoy reading and writing...especially reading.
I can't believe that my internship turned out so well. I can't believe I learned as much as I did.
I can't believe that a press release that I wrote showed up on soccer new england.
That one really makes me laugh because not that long ago I could have cared less about the sport of soccer.
I can't believe that I learned how to water ski (although I still have a lot to learn)...or that my family has a boat now.
It's cool when life just happens.
Sometimes it's fun just to look back and try to figure out how you got where you are now.
I can't believe that I got to ask Randy Edsall and Geno Auriemma a question during a press conference in 2007.
I can't believe that I enjoy reading and writing...especially reading.
I can't believe that my internship turned out so well. I can't believe I learned as much as I did.
I can't believe that a press release that I wrote showed up on soccer new england.
That one really makes me laugh because not that long ago I could have cared less about the sport of soccer.
I can't believe that I learned how to water ski (although I still have a lot to learn)...or that my family has a boat now.
It's cool when life just happens.
Sometimes it's fun just to look back and try to figure out how you got where you are now.
Monday, August 17, 2009
I am looking forward to football too
I can't say this enough but I am really looking forward to the college football season this year. I think UConn has a really good chance of having a fantastic season. I truly believe this. We lost a lot of good talent, but I think we still have a lot of players who are really really good and a lot of talented players who will get a chance to play this year.
I've heard that the team is doing really well right now. I also know that Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon will be a great 1-2 punch out of the backfield.
I've heard that the team is doing really well right now. I also know that Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon will be a great 1-2 punch out of the backfield.
Desi Cullen is awesome
Desi Cullen is awesome. Since I saw this video I am going to do a fake punt every 4th down and let Desi run for a touchdown in NCAA football 2010.
http://www.courant.com/videobeta/watch/?watch=c3d6cf95-ce70-4c83-83c2-89ec1408b84d&src=front
http://www.courant.com/videobeta/watch/?watch=c3d6cf95-ce70-4c83-83c2-89ec1408b84d&src=front
Crazyness is cool
I love it when athletes do seemingly crazy things (to the average person) to make themselves better.
I read that Kristine Lilly would run the stairs in her house when she was young if she couldn't do any training outside.
I read Terrell Owens book in which he talked about how he would get out of the house at night and run sprints.
He also does sit-ups while being interviewed.
I read about a former UNC women's soccer player named Laurie Schwoy. In a book by Anson Dorrance she said she played soccer for two hours...in the morning and at night...She used to wake up in the morning at 6 am before school and play soccer in her back yard...She said that if she got tired and didn't get her time in that she would get up at midnight and play. She'd play in her basement if it was raining.
I love it when people have so much passion for what they do that they would go to the lengths of these people to make themselves better. I love it even more when it involves sports.
I read that Kristine Lilly would run the stairs in her house when she was young if she couldn't do any training outside.
I read Terrell Owens book in which he talked about how he would get out of the house at night and run sprints.
He also does sit-ups while being interviewed.
I read about a former UNC women's soccer player named Laurie Schwoy. In a book by Anson Dorrance she said she played soccer for two hours...in the morning and at night...She used to wake up in the morning at 6 am before school and play soccer in her back yard...She said that if she got tired and didn't get her time in that she would get up at midnight and play. She'd play in her basement if it was raining.
I love it when people have so much passion for what they do that they would go to the lengths of these people to make themselves better. I love it even more when it involves sports.
Been a little busy
First of all I need to talk about Willis Reed.
I think Willis has had a profound effect on the play of the Red Sox. For the first time in her life she has been neglecting Fenway Park for NL West ball parks. She first went to Coors Field and she told me that she will be seeing a Diamondbacks game soon.
The Red Sox haven't had their best year...coincidence...I think so. Fenway thinks Willis is cheating on them.
Back to me being sane....
I have been a little busy of late. Hopefully you can't tell. However, for once summer has arrived and I am trying to enjoy it by relaxing outside, working out, enjoying the water, and doing yard work.
I also have a paper that I need to get done for school so I've been working on that lately. It will require a lot of time...we'll see if I can post one more thing tonight. I want to, not sure if I'll have time!
My internship just finished and I am glad to say that not only did I really enjoy myself, but according to everyone I worked with they'd have me back with open arms because I was reliable and got a lot accomplished. That does make me feel good.
I'm probably much more humble than you might think. I don't like making a big deal about myself, but I also think I should be proud of myself when I do a good job.
I should also warn you that I will probably have more stuff about UConn to write about (although as I've said, depending on what I do in athletics can always change who and what I write about...aka if I worked for football I wouldn't write anything about the team) and also have less time to write once school starts...I'll probably be posting less as I study and work more and also be talking more about stuff that happens on campus.
It's tough to talk about my school when my school isn't playing any games and when I am not on campus.
I can say that I am sure all the fall teams are exhausted right now. They shouldn't be reading this. They should be sleeping...wait a second...who am I to assume that this won't put them to sleep?
Why assume anyone reads this???...I don't know. "It's been discovered" could mean a lot of different things. I doubt that means my parents have read it. They can't figure out you tube.
I also avoid talking about position battles because I feel that the coaches know more than me and that I have no business sticking my nose into their decisions. There is a reason that they are a coach and a reason why I am not.
I think Willis has had a profound effect on the play of the Red Sox. For the first time in her life she has been neglecting Fenway Park for NL West ball parks. She first went to Coors Field and she told me that she will be seeing a Diamondbacks game soon.
The Red Sox haven't had their best year...coincidence...I think so. Fenway thinks Willis is cheating on them.
Back to me being sane....
I have been a little busy of late. Hopefully you can't tell. However, for once summer has arrived and I am trying to enjoy it by relaxing outside, working out, enjoying the water, and doing yard work.
I also have a paper that I need to get done for school so I've been working on that lately. It will require a lot of time...we'll see if I can post one more thing tonight. I want to, not sure if I'll have time!
My internship just finished and I am glad to say that not only did I really enjoy myself, but according to everyone I worked with they'd have me back with open arms because I was reliable and got a lot accomplished. That does make me feel good.
I'm probably much more humble than you might think. I don't like making a big deal about myself, but I also think I should be proud of myself when I do a good job.
I should also warn you that I will probably have more stuff about UConn to write about (although as I've said, depending on what I do in athletics can always change who and what I write about...aka if I worked for football I wouldn't write anything about the team) and also have less time to write once school starts...I'll probably be posting less as I study and work more and also be talking more about stuff that happens on campus.
It's tough to talk about my school when my school isn't playing any games and when I am not on campus.
I can say that I am sure all the fall teams are exhausted right now. They shouldn't be reading this. They should be sleeping...wait a second...who am I to assume that this won't put them to sleep?
Why assume anyone reads this???...I don't know. "It's been discovered" could mean a lot of different things. I doubt that means my parents have read it. They can't figure out you tube.
I also avoid talking about position battles because I feel that the coaches know more than me and that I have no business sticking my nose into their decisions. There is a reason that they are a coach and a reason why I am not.
I can't believe people are having this discussion
I turned on the TV today and I listened to 4 people argue about whether or not this is the end of Tiger Woods...will Tiger Woods ever win a Major again? Did Tiger Woods choke? Does this mean that Tiger Woods is no good anymore?
Why is it that people think that one game, one round or one event that goes the wrong way for a team or athlete mean that it's the end of something? Tiger Woods has had bad rounds before...and will have a bad one again. Great teams have bad practices and bad games... This happens all the time in sports. People always make a big deal if someone like Tiger Woods has a bad day. Time after time these athletes and teams respond to their bad days with great days.
I don't think anyone would bet against Tiger Woods in the next major. Tiger Woods is still really good. He's still the best golfer in the world. Your skills erode over time, not in just one day. Tiger is also coming off a major knee injury. Can you reasonably expect him to just trounce the competition right after his surgery?
Tiger will be coming off a year in which he didn't win a major.
Tiger will be motivated.
Tiger Woods will win again and a year from now these same people on TV will be arguing about whether or not Tiger Woods is the most dominant athlete in the last century.
See the forest through the trees.
Why is it that people think that one game, one round or one event that goes the wrong way for a team or athlete mean that it's the end of something? Tiger Woods has had bad rounds before...and will have a bad one again. Great teams have bad practices and bad games... This happens all the time in sports. People always make a big deal if someone like Tiger Woods has a bad day. Time after time these athletes and teams respond to their bad days with great days.
I don't think anyone would bet against Tiger Woods in the next major. Tiger Woods is still really good. He's still the best golfer in the world. Your skills erode over time, not in just one day. Tiger is also coming off a major knee injury. Can you reasonably expect him to just trounce the competition right after his surgery?
Tiger will be coming off a year in which he didn't win a major.
Tiger will be motivated.
Tiger Woods will win again and a year from now these same people on TV will be arguing about whether or not Tiger Woods is the most dominant athlete in the last century.
See the forest through the trees.
You can follow the links
http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/081709aaa.html
Here is the release on UConn Huskies about O'Brian White. You can follow the link they provide to see video of White's first career goal. Look on the right hand side for a video called "White seals the deal for Toronto" on 8/15/09.
If you look further down you can see O'B in front of many reporters for a 1 minute and 30 second interview. That one is also from 8/15 and it's titled "O'Brian White on debut goal."
Here is the release on UConn Huskies about O'Brian White. You can follow the link they provide to see video of White's first career goal. Look on the right hand side for a video called "White seals the deal for Toronto" on 8/15/09.
If you look further down you can see O'B in front of many reporters for a 1 minute and 30 second interview. That one is also from 8/15 and it's titled "O'Brian White on debut goal."
UConn Volleyball gets some love
UConn Volleyball seems to always get in my facebook newsfeed as of late. I can't resist the temptation of seeing what they are doing. I am very very very very happy with a photo album I just saw of the team going around campus trying to sign people up to join the Block Party.
I like that they are proud of what they do. I like that they are taking the iniative themselves to get people interested in the team. Like it or not, it means 10x more to a potential fan to have an athlete ask them for their support than it does for someone else to...even if your not world champions and even if you ride the bench... It's even easier in college if your an athlete. If you carry yourself well and are friendly I doubt that an athlete would have too much trouble getting a lab partner, or a neighbor to check out atleast one game for a little bit...even if they don't like sports.
It's never good to be nice on the court, but it's always good to be nice to fans off the court.
If your not excited about your team and your sport than don't expect anyone else to be.
The Volleyball team does seem to be excited about their team and sport. I love the teams effort and I hope it pays off. College Volleyball is exciting and I hope others take notice and show up to Gampel to watch them play.
I like that they are proud of what they do. I like that they are taking the iniative themselves to get people interested in the team. Like it or not, it means 10x more to a potential fan to have an athlete ask them for their support than it does for someone else to...even if your not world champions and even if you ride the bench... It's even easier in college if your an athlete. If you carry yourself well and are friendly I doubt that an athlete would have too much trouble getting a lab partner, or a neighbor to check out atleast one game for a little bit...even if they don't like sports.
It's never good to be nice on the court, but it's always good to be nice to fans off the court.
If your not excited about your team and your sport than don't expect anyone else to be.
The Volleyball team does seem to be excited about their team and sport. I love the teams effort and I hope it pays off. College Volleyball is exciting and I hope others take notice and show up to Gampel to watch them play.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Two things I saw today
Usain Bolt is soooooooo fast. I know it's not the Olympics but I couldn't miss watching Tyson Gay vs Bolt. I told you I love track and field.
I also saw some golf...which is strange for me. Of course I like Tiger Woods. Not only is he good but he's also sponsored by NIKE and I love NIKE.
Y.E. Yang played really well and I was impressed with his second shot on the 18th...It takes guts to try and hit it over the tree and onto the green.
I also saw some golf...which is strange for me. Of course I like Tiger Woods. Not only is he good but he's also sponsored by NIKE and I love NIKE.
Y.E. Yang played really well and I was impressed with his second shot on the 18th...It takes guts to try and hit it over the tree and onto the green.
Sunday is usually my day of rest
I try not to do much on Sunday's...according to twitter UConn Men's Soccer has a training session tonight...already had one earlier in the day...
I don't remember if I wrote this
I can waterski. I got above the water for like 20-30 seconds...went over a couple of small wakes for the first time. Slow progress, but progress and progress makes me happy.
You Tube is great
You Tube is great because I found a Dickey Simpkens Highlight video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUMFdiK7_lQ
You have to know about the 1996-98 Bulls...
This is proof that you can make anyone look amazing on you tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUMFdiK7_lQ
You have to know about the 1996-98 Bulls...
This is proof that you can make anyone look amazing on you tube.
You know what I think would be pretty cool
Some people claim that spring sports are dull. I'm not one of those people, but I've heard it.
I know UMass has a soccerfest in the spring.
I know that the UConn Basketball teams have a skills competition.
Why not have a skills competition for the soccer teams? I think people would show up.
I think the soccer players would love to do it.
It would give them a chance to show off their pure talent and do things that they should never do in games. I'm sure they attempt and pull off some crazy ball tricks in practice.
Maybe they could donate any money raised to a couple chairities like Emeka Okafor's Safe Blood initiative.
Also completely, well almost completely off topic. I can do a lot of thinking when I am cycling. I think I've solved the world's problems while thinking on my rides before. I've probably gone 10,000 miles in my life....probably more through cycling. That's a lot of hours that I also just sit and think. It's very relaxing...it also allows me to write stuff in my head.
Anyway yesterday I wondered if there has ever been a good soccer player to ever come out of the State of Wyoming.
I bet most east coast residents couldn't find Wyoming on a map, but I will say it's a really really really cool state. I liked Wyoming...seriously. I went to a Rodeo and there was just so much open land and so much wildlife. I felt free. Yellowstone was beautiful.
Now completely off topic...honestly you should skip over this next stuff.
My favorite state is New Hampshire...even though I hate the cold. (I also love Hawaii and Florida...but they aren't on New Hampshire's level) My family has vacationed in New Hampshire every year of my life. Our Lake House is 2 or 3 miles from the New Hampshire state line so we always go to New Hampshire for groceries.
Of course we also go for the New Hampshire State Liqour stores. The New Hampshire State Liquor stores seem to inhabitat every strip mall in the state. I think there are more signs for the N.H. State Liqour Store than there are speed limit signs.
I don't really drink, but my dad buys his wine there. I was joking about going for the liquor store.
I also love the people in the state because they are so nice. Honestly...I mean this honestly...if I see someone is from New Hampshire I think that they are great. If I see that something is from New Hampshire, I think it's great. I love the state because I've always associated the state with fun. I also love the Lakes Region. It's perfect up there.
I know UMass has a soccerfest in the spring.
I know that the UConn Basketball teams have a skills competition.
Why not have a skills competition for the soccer teams? I think people would show up.
I think the soccer players would love to do it.
It would give them a chance to show off their pure talent and do things that they should never do in games. I'm sure they attempt and pull off some crazy ball tricks in practice.
Maybe they could donate any money raised to a couple chairities like Emeka Okafor's Safe Blood initiative.
Also completely, well almost completely off topic. I can do a lot of thinking when I am cycling. I think I've solved the world's problems while thinking on my rides before. I've probably gone 10,000 miles in my life....probably more through cycling. That's a lot of hours that I also just sit and think. It's very relaxing...it also allows me to write stuff in my head.
Anyway yesterday I wondered if there has ever been a good soccer player to ever come out of the State of Wyoming.
I bet most east coast residents couldn't find Wyoming on a map, but I will say it's a really really really cool state. I liked Wyoming...seriously. I went to a Rodeo and there was just so much open land and so much wildlife. I felt free. Yellowstone was beautiful.
Now completely off topic...honestly you should skip over this next stuff.
My favorite state is New Hampshire...even though I hate the cold. (I also love Hawaii and Florida...but they aren't on New Hampshire's level) My family has vacationed in New Hampshire every year of my life. Our Lake House is 2 or 3 miles from the New Hampshire state line so we always go to New Hampshire for groceries.
Of course we also go for the New Hampshire State Liqour stores. The New Hampshire State Liquor stores seem to inhabitat every strip mall in the state. I think there are more signs for the N.H. State Liqour Store than there are speed limit signs.
I don't really drink, but my dad buys his wine there. I was joking about going for the liquor store.
I also love the people in the state because they are so nice. Honestly...I mean this honestly...if I see someone is from New Hampshire I think that they are great. If I see that something is from New Hampshire, I think it's great. I love the state because I've always associated the state with fun. I also love the Lakes Region. It's perfect up there.
O'B scored
O'Brian White is back from his ACL injury now...He started his first career match and netted his first career professional goal against DC United yesterday.
The MLS better watch out for him.
This is from the Toronto FC press release
Guevara sent a corner kick in front of the net that found Attakora, who sent a short pass to White a few feet away. The rookie striker had the angle for a strong shot that Wicks managed to get a hand on, but found the upper right corner of the net to put the Reds up by a 2-0 margin.
It was White's first career professional goal, and it represented the pinnacle of a long recovery from an ACL injury suffered last October while White was playing for the University of Connecticut. Saturday's match was only the second MLS contest that White has participated in, and just his fourth game overall for Toronto.
http://www.mlsnet.com//news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20090815&content_id=6439978&vkey=news_t280&fext=.jsp&team=t280
The MLS better watch out for him.
This is from the Toronto FC press release
Guevara sent a corner kick in front of the net that found Attakora, who sent a short pass to White a few feet away. The rookie striker had the angle for a strong shot that Wicks managed to get a hand on, but found the upper right corner of the net to put the Reds up by a 2-0 margin.
It was White's first career professional goal, and it represented the pinnacle of a long recovery from an ACL injury suffered last October while White was playing for the University of Connecticut. Saturday's match was only the second MLS contest that White has participated in, and just his fourth game overall for Toronto.
http://www.mlsnet.com//news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20090815&content_id=6439978&vkey=news_t280&fext=.jsp&team=t280
Tradition
Tradition can be a funny thing in athletics. Everyone wants to have a winning tradition. Those that have it want to keep it. Those that don't have it want to build it.
It's hard to build tradition, but it's easy to lose it because of the complacency that comes with the fact that you have a winning tradition. If you have a winning tradition you have to work harder than those before you to acheive the same results. A target on your back comes with tradition.
It's hard to build tradition, but it's easy to lose it because of the complacency that comes with the fact that you have a winning tradition. If you have a winning tradition you have to work harder than those before you to acheive the same results. A target on your back comes with tradition.
Athletes and cars
I've noticed that at the two schools that I've been to that athletes love to drive pointlessly short distances around campus. Maybe it's not just athletes...I mean at one of those places I've only been there when athletes were at school for pre-season.
I just can't believe that one kid drove to a team meeting on a small campus. It seems so pointless...a waste of gas...unnecessary wear on the car...(my dad is proud that I wrote that)
Someone else at work in athletics noticed this...and I know my roommate freshman year always preferred to take a car. I just can't figure out why. I'd rather walk 100% of the time.
I just can't believe that one kid drove to a team meeting on a small campus. It seems so pointless...a waste of gas...unnecessary wear on the car...(my dad is proud that I wrote that)
Someone else at work in athletics noticed this...and I know my roommate freshman year always preferred to take a car. I just can't figure out why. I'd rather walk 100% of the time.
Smart players
I was reading something interesting today and it was talking about how players who have sport smarts aren't necessarily the brightest off the field.
What I am saying is that you can play a sport smartly. You can understand the game really well. You can anticipate well and also have no brains whatsoever in anything else. You can also be brilliant but be completely perplexed by the game. Just because your book smart doesn't mean you can apply book smarts to sports.
Often people with book smarts are good at both school and sports but it's not always necessarily the case.
I'd like to think I'm smart, but that doesn't mean I could do anything about a calculus problem if you put it in front of me.
You also find people in life that are brilliant at one thing, like selling bonds based on advanced mathmatical formulas, yet at the same time be unable to open a door and pour water into a cup.
No one is brilliant at everything. Those that we perceive to be brilliant at everything probably have stronger communication skills than actual smarts. We think they are brilliant because they can explain things well.
What I am saying is that you can play a sport smartly. You can understand the game really well. You can anticipate well and also have no brains whatsoever in anything else. You can also be brilliant but be completely perplexed by the game. Just because your book smart doesn't mean you can apply book smarts to sports.
Often people with book smarts are good at both school and sports but it's not always necessarily the case.
I'd like to think I'm smart, but that doesn't mean I could do anything about a calculus problem if you put it in front of me.
You also find people in life that are brilliant at one thing, like selling bonds based on advanced mathmatical formulas, yet at the same time be unable to open a door and pour water into a cup.
No one is brilliant at everything. Those that we perceive to be brilliant at everything probably have stronger communication skills than actual smarts. We think they are brilliant because they can explain things well.
some stuff
I think that you need to treat different people on a team differently. Everyone is motivated by different things. Some can take the heat if you give it to them. Others need re-assurance. I don't think there is anything wrong with treating different players differently.
Also I was thinking about my favorite players...and also Ryan Grace's favorite athletes. We generally like really different athletes on teams. I'll have to run this by Ryan to see if he agrees but if I had to guess it's because Ryan likes the artistry of athletes. He likes the creativity and the flair and spunk.
I like artistry and creativity, but I like doing the fundamentals well more. I tend to like players who don't stand out as much. I like the players that do the little things well. I like the person who follows rebounds, or the wide receiver that blocks on running plays or the guy that can get the bunt down in key situations.
Ryan and I both like artistry and players who do the fundamentals but I care more about the fundamentals then artistry. I like hustle and the little things done well. I think artistry should only happen when your up by 50.
Also I was thinking about my favorite players...and also Ryan Grace's favorite athletes. We generally like really different athletes on teams. I'll have to run this by Ryan to see if he agrees but if I had to guess it's because Ryan likes the artistry of athletes. He likes the creativity and the flair and spunk.
I like artistry and creativity, but I like doing the fundamentals well more. I tend to like players who don't stand out as much. I like the players that do the little things well. I like the person who follows rebounds, or the wide receiver that blocks on running plays or the guy that can get the bunt down in key situations.
Ryan and I both like artistry and players who do the fundamentals but I care more about the fundamentals then artistry. I like hustle and the little things done well. I think artistry should only happen when your up by 50.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
I really do like
I am not lying when I say that I enjoy watching Track and Field. I was watching the world championships today from Berlin. I really enjoyed watching the 400 meter hurdles and shot put.
I really love the foot races though because at the elite levels it's so perfect. It looks effortless and there is no wasted motion. I just hate it when people slow down towards the end. I want to see people run through finish line.
One of my favorite athletes at UConn was men's track athlete Museveni Akanno, who is currently an assistant coach for the team. I think that his intensity is pretty much unmatched. I loved how focused and intense he looked when he competed.
I really love the foot races though because at the elite levels it's so perfect. It looks effortless and there is no wasted motion. I just hate it when people slow down towards the end. I want to see people run through finish line.
One of my favorite athletes at UConn was men's track athlete Museveni Akanno, who is currently an assistant coach for the team. I think that his intensity is pretty much unmatched. I loved how focused and intense he looked when he competed.
I don't know much
I don't know much about field hockey. I couldn't tell you how to spot a good back from an average one. Besides Melissa Gonzalez, Rayell Heistand, a sophomore back, was also named to the Big East Field Hockey Pre-Season team. She must be really really good. So watch out for numbers 27 and 9 at Field Hockey. They are good.
UConn was picked to finish second...they recieved 3 first place votes and were 1 vote behind Syracuse for first place.
UConn was picked to finish second...they recieved 3 first place votes and were 1 vote behind Syracuse for first place.
Chukwudi
Chukwudi Chijindu is playing for Chivas USA and has recorded one goal in 358 minutes of play in 9 games.
Julius James was just acquired by DC United from the Houston Dynamo
http://www.dcunited.com/press-release/dc-united-acquires-defender-julius-james
Kevin Burns has played in four games this year.
Julius James was just acquired by DC United from the Houston Dynamo
http://www.dcunited.com/press-release/dc-united-acquires-defender-julius-james
Kevin Burns has played in four games this year.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Former UConn Two Sport Athlete
Former UConn Two-Sport Athlete Ashley O'Brien is currently playing for the University of San Francisco...where I believe she is going to graduate school.
She netted the game-winner in a 1-0 win over UC Davis. She scored on a header.
http://www.usfdons.com/sports/w-soccer/recaps/081309aaa.html
ok I'm just taking this from her San Francisco athletic page profile because I thought this was funny and worth highlighting...btw this would be a fun biography to write...I have written several of these...This one would be fun to write...
This is what she said about the number she chose...
chose number 8 because eights turned sideways stand for the infinite amount of time she is playing college soccer
She netted the game-winner in a 1-0 win over UC Davis. She scored on a header.
http://www.usfdons.com/sports/w-soccer/recaps/081309aaa.html
ok I'm just taking this from her San Francisco athletic page profile because I thought this was funny and worth highlighting...btw this would be a fun biography to write...I have written several of these...This one would be fun to write...
This is what she said about the number she chose...
chose number 8 because eights turned sideways stand for the infinite amount of time she is playing college soccer
I promised something on this
I remember promising that I'd talk about some of the insane conditions that the first women's national soccer team had to deal with...this is from a book on the 1999 Women's World Cup by Jere Longman. It's a good read if you like sports.
Here are some highlights from the stuff I've read...
Flew to Italy in 1988 on a Cargo Plane...
Trips to China in the late 1980's meant living on Snickers bars and Pop Tarts and weight losses of up to 10 pounds per player. Also meant barren hotel rooms that flooded or were so grungy that players slept in their clothes. The players sometimes took photos of their food before they ate it.
They'd stay at some of the worst hotels...One hotel they stayed at only had running water for an hour or two a day. One place was so dirty that no one would take their shoes off and would lay on top of the covers fully clothed.
The team once slept under mosquito nets in China.
Thankfully things have improved.
Here are some highlights from the stuff I've read...
Flew to Italy in 1988 on a Cargo Plane...
Trips to China in the late 1980's meant living on Snickers bars and Pop Tarts and weight losses of up to 10 pounds per player. Also meant barren hotel rooms that flooded or were so grungy that players slept in their clothes. The players sometimes took photos of their food before they ate it.
They'd stay at some of the worst hotels...One hotel they stayed at only had running water for an hour or two a day. One place was so dirty that no one would take their shoes off and would lay on top of the covers fully clothed.
The team once slept under mosquito nets in China.
Thankfully things have improved.
Reminded of this
I am sitting in our cottage next to my lake house and I have an oil painting up in the corner of the room.
I got this painting from my job last year at the investment bank, RBS Greenwich Capital...who knows if that even exists anymore...(it never surprised me that they lost money...they paid me three hours pay to take a limo ride from Greenwich into New York City, at like the corner of 5th and Madison Ave, to pick up two things and bring them back...it seemed like a huge waste of money to me...but some of that money went in to my bank account so I can't complain too much.)
Anyway there was this painting that was lying around on the 2nd level Trading Floor. I asked whose it was. No one had any idea. I asked about it all summer long until I flat out just asked if I could have it.
It was a painting of a football player but the people at work had no idea who it was. They asked me and I said "Number 34, Georgia...HERSCHEL WALKER!" Some remembered who he was...but they said...ahh an old employee left it here...you can have it.
I was surprised I was the only person who could identify that as Herschel Walker. He was a pro-bowler for the Cowboys and won the Heisman Trophy in college. He played for the Cowboys for a little bit. Then the Cowboys traded him for a boat load of draft picks. The very draft picks that netted the Cowboys several Super Bowl caliber players.
I got this painting from my job last year at the investment bank, RBS Greenwich Capital...who knows if that even exists anymore...(it never surprised me that they lost money...they paid me three hours pay to take a limo ride from Greenwich into New York City, at like the corner of 5th and Madison Ave, to pick up two things and bring them back...it seemed like a huge waste of money to me...but some of that money went in to my bank account so I can't complain too much.)
Anyway there was this painting that was lying around on the 2nd level Trading Floor. I asked whose it was. No one had any idea. I asked about it all summer long until I flat out just asked if I could have it.
It was a painting of a football player but the people at work had no idea who it was. They asked me and I said "Number 34, Georgia...HERSCHEL WALKER!" Some remembered who he was...but they said...ahh an old employee left it here...you can have it.
I was surprised I was the only person who could identify that as Herschel Walker. He was a pro-bowler for the Cowboys and won the Heisman Trophy in college. He played for the Cowboys for a little bit. Then the Cowboys traded him for a boat load of draft picks. The very draft picks that netted the Cowboys several Super Bowl caliber players.
My Aunt makes me look sane
I feel like posting this. Apparently my Aunt (she's 60)...hopefully she doesn't kill me for saying that...went to a UConn Football game last year. She went early and ran stadium stairs around the stadium before the game. She didn't want to miss her workout.
If you see someone running stadiums at a UConn sporting event, don't worry. There is nothing wrong with her.
If you see someone running stadiums at a UConn sporting event, don't worry. There is nothing wrong with her.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Jesse Owens
If you care about sports you must know who Jesse Owens was. Here is a great article about his impact on society.
http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/trackandfield/columns/story?id=4396363
http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/trackandfield/columns/story?id=4396363
I think
I think Angelika Johansson is my new favorite soccer player. I got to get to one of her games this fall.
Pierre LePage
Pierre LePage had a two-run single in the second game of the Cape Cod League Championship to help give the Bourne Braves their first championship.
LePage walked and singled in the first inning of the first game to help give Bourne a 15-5 win in game one. LePage finished the game with two runs and 3 RBI's to go along with a single and two walks.
Scott Oberg is also on Bourne.
LePage walked and singled in the first inning of the first game to help give Bourne a 15-5 win in game one. LePage finished the game with two runs and 3 RBI's to go along with a single and two walks.
Scott Oberg is also on Bourne.
She Scored
Melissa Gonzalez picked up a goal for Team USA in the Junior World Cup for Field Hockey. She scored on a diving shot.
Rayell Heistand also saw a lot of time for Team USA
Rayell Heistand also saw a lot of time for Team USA
I was at a team meeting
So for the first time in my life I got to be in the same room as a team meeting. I actually was in for two team meetings for both the men's and women's soccer teams at work.
It was funny how different the two meetings went.
Although neither involved swearing. Probably because it's too early for anything to have gone wrong.
The men's team was much quieter. It was more business like with them. A few of the older players looked like they introduced themselves. The freshman looked nervous. Maybe a little scared and unsure. They also looked so scrawny. The men have a new coach and a lot of new players coming in. Their old head coach moved on to Division I.
The women's meeting was so much different. It was like an instant family reunion. Everyone was hugging and waving and yelling. They never stopped talking. They really acted like a family though. They acted as if this was the first time they'd seen relatives in years. Everyone seemed to want to catch up. That also made the meeting more difficult to run.
I got to listen to both head coaches talk. Considering that each program has won national championships before, the women have won 5, the men won in 2007, both teams had the same goal. That was to win a National Championship.
The coaches mostly talked about pre-season and it gave me some insight into what athletes go through.
These teams each had scrimmages planned. They had team-building activities planned. The coaches warned that it wouldn't be easy. What I got out of the meetings was that the players would eat, sleep, train and play soccer day in and day out.
There was an emphasis, a huge emphasis on fitness level, staying hydrated, proper nutrition and stretching...and napping...if they weren't playing soccer or running they needed to put their feet up, nap, and stay hydrated.
I think the training staff also said something about blisters...I'm guessing that the feet must get tons of them when you spend five or six hours a day in soccer boots.. (cleats for those of you who aren't used to the terminology)
It was funny how different the two meetings went.
Although neither involved swearing. Probably because it's too early for anything to have gone wrong.
The men's team was much quieter. It was more business like with them. A few of the older players looked like they introduced themselves. The freshman looked nervous. Maybe a little scared and unsure. They also looked so scrawny. The men have a new coach and a lot of new players coming in. Their old head coach moved on to Division I.
The women's meeting was so much different. It was like an instant family reunion. Everyone was hugging and waving and yelling. They never stopped talking. They really acted like a family though. They acted as if this was the first time they'd seen relatives in years. Everyone seemed to want to catch up. That also made the meeting more difficult to run.
I got to listen to both head coaches talk. Considering that each program has won national championships before, the women have won 5, the men won in 2007, both teams had the same goal. That was to win a National Championship.
The coaches mostly talked about pre-season and it gave me some insight into what athletes go through.
These teams each had scrimmages planned. They had team-building activities planned. The coaches warned that it wouldn't be easy. What I got out of the meetings was that the players would eat, sleep, train and play soccer day in and day out.
There was an emphasis, a huge emphasis on fitness level, staying hydrated, proper nutrition and stretching...and napping...if they weren't playing soccer or running they needed to put their feet up, nap, and stay hydrated.
I think the training staff also said something about blisters...I'm guessing that the feet must get tons of them when you spend five or six hours a day in soccer boots.. (cleats for those of you who aren't used to the terminology)
Despite these two plays
Despite these two plays I loved Leon Lett, the defensive tackle (from Emporia State)
for the Dallas Cowboys.
These two plays were bonehead plays. I thought this clip was good and the ending was funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2kcpTmheM4
The Cowboys won that Super Bowl 52-17...and won it the year Lett made that other mistake.
for the Dallas Cowboys.
These two plays were bonehead plays. I thought this clip was good and the ending was funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2kcpTmheM4
The Cowboys won that Super Bowl 52-17...and won it the year Lett made that other mistake.
Volleyball
According to facebook, UConn Volleyball put on a good defensive performance in their practice.
OTL story
This is a pretty cool story about one wrestler who is blind and another one who competed without legs.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4372243&categoryid=3286128
I do love outside the lines because it makes you realize that there is much more to sports than just what happens on the field.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4372243&categoryid=3286128
I do love outside the lines because it makes you realize that there is much more to sports than just what happens on the field.
This is a first
I just happened to see a picture of Maya Moore with the basketball during the game. She was smiling and I've never noticed her smiling during the middle of a game. It was if she was about to do something to her opponent, maybe blow past her or make an excellent pass. I've just never noticed her do that before.
Also, I remember the 2007-08 Notre Dame game at Notre Dame. I've never seen a basketball player get off to such a hot start in a game. Moore must have had about 15 points by the 5 minute mark of the game. I remember saying to myself that she's on pace to score well over 100.
She didn't because she's human and because Notre Dame, being a good women's basketball school, decided that they should play defense.
Also, I remember the 2007-08 Notre Dame game at Notre Dame. I've never seen a basketball player get off to such a hot start in a game. Moore must have had about 15 points by the 5 minute mark of the game. I remember saying to myself that she's on pace to score well over 100.
She didn't because she's human and because Notre Dame, being a good women's basketball school, decided that they should play defense.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Thought it was funny
I thought it was funny that earlier in the summer I said that I'd go and watch a WPSL and Cape Cod League game. I saw neither.
Instead I saw two W-League games and a NECBL game...rival leagues of those two.
When it came down to it the W-League and NECBL were much more convinent for me.
Instead I saw two W-League games and a NECBL game...rival leagues of those two.
When it came down to it the W-League and NECBL were much more convinent for me.
More Volleyball
Wow I did so more research for volleyball...
Here are a few things that I learned:
For the jump serve you can put top spin on the ball which generates more velocity and it sinks and the end. You can figure out where this serve is going but you need to be quick in order to get to it. Annie Luhrsen is a great example of someone who did this. Her serves were fast and sunk into the court at the end.
There is also a serve called the Float Serve that is sort of like a knuckle ball in baseball. The float serve is not as fast as the serve I was talking about above, but it moves around more and it is much more difficult to pass. I think...going off of memory...that Jessica Isaac has used this serve in games. I know that I've seen Coach Tim O'Brien serve a knuckler in practice before.
Also the higher in the higher you make contact with the ball the harder it is for the opponents to hit it back.
I hope I interpretted the conversation I had with a volleyball coach correctly!
Here are a few things that I learned:
For the jump serve you can put top spin on the ball which generates more velocity and it sinks and the end. You can figure out where this serve is going but you need to be quick in order to get to it. Annie Luhrsen is a great example of someone who did this. Her serves were fast and sunk into the court at the end.
There is also a serve called the Float Serve that is sort of like a knuckle ball in baseball. The float serve is not as fast as the serve I was talking about above, but it moves around more and it is much more difficult to pass. I think...going off of memory...that Jessica Isaac has used this serve in games. I know that I've seen Coach Tim O'Brien serve a knuckler in practice before.
Also the higher in the higher you make contact with the ball the harder it is for the opponents to hit it back.
I hope I interpretted the conversation I had with a volleyball coach correctly!
the number 7
The 2007 Men's Division I Soccer Leading Goal Scorer (O'Brian White) wore number 7
The 2008 Women's Division II Soccer Leading Goal Scorer (Angelika Johansson) wore number 7.
The leading goal scorer for UConn Women's Soccer the last two years (Annie Yi) wore number 7.
Interesting
I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Johansson today. She's really nice...everyone at her school calls her a sweetheart. I can still say that there hasn't been one soccer player that I've met that I haven't thought was a cool, down to earth person.
The 2008 Women's Division II Soccer Leading Goal Scorer (Angelika Johansson) wore number 7.
The leading goal scorer for UConn Women's Soccer the last two years (Annie Yi) wore number 7.
Interesting
I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Johansson today. She's really nice...everyone at her school calls her a sweetheart. I can still say that there hasn't been one soccer player that I've met that I haven't thought was a cool, down to earth person.
This is why my baseball team is horrible
I have to admit that I haven't missed watching the Mets play since I am out of the TV Market up in Massachusetts. I've watched the Red Sox a little bit more.
Anyway here was the Mets line-up yesterday
This is not a joke
Cory Sullivan WHO???
Luis Castillo
Fernando Tatis
Daniel Murphy
Jeff Francouer
Jeremy Reed
Alex Cora
Brian Schneider
I used to be able to name the Mets entire farm system. I wouldn't say that this group of guys belong in the minor leagues....but I'd also say that no more than 2 or 3 of those guys should be starting regularly in the major leagues.
Anyway here was the Mets line-up yesterday
This is not a joke
Cory Sullivan WHO???
Luis Castillo
Fernando Tatis
Daniel Murphy
Jeff Francouer
Jeremy Reed
Alex Cora
Brian Schneider
I used to be able to name the Mets entire farm system. I wouldn't say that this group of guys belong in the minor leagues....but I'd also say that no more than 2 or 3 of those guys should be starting regularly in the major leagues.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
baseball phenom
I was watching something on ESPN2's E:60 about a 16 or 17 year old phenom who plays baseball. He throws 96 and has hit a 570 foot homerun with an aluminum bat. Also hit the back wall at Tropicana Field with an Aluminum bat. He is touted as being one of the best ever.
His name is Bryce Harper. He is leaving high school for his final two years and will try to play for a junior college now before entering the MLB draft at 17. This is obviously risky. I hope the best for the kid but I really hope that the fame doesn't get to him. With all the attention it will be easy for him to lose focus on the game and focus on the fame he has. He must focus on the game in order to be as good as he can be. I feel like there are a lot of high school athletes who are really good but then relax or get caught up in other things that prevent them from reaching their potential. I hope Bryce Harper is not one of those kids.
His name is Bryce Harper. He is leaving high school for his final two years and will try to play for a junior college now before entering the MLB draft at 17. This is obviously risky. I hope the best for the kid but I really hope that the fame doesn't get to him. With all the attention it will be easy for him to lose focus on the game and focus on the fame he has. He must focus on the game in order to be as good as he can be. I feel like there are a lot of high school athletes who are really good but then relax or get caught up in other things that prevent them from reaching their potential. I hope Bryce Harper is not one of those kids.
Volleyball update...and stuff that athletes have to do
According to facebook UConn Volleyball had another good day...
They had tests in the weight room and six hours of volleyball.
...And there are no hour rules to my knowledge for pre-season.
and yes I do believe that athletes are tested on their athletic as well as academic skills.
The regular student seems to think that all athletes do is miss class because they are playing a sport, get scholarships and free clothes.
It's actually much much much much more than that.
In reality few athletes get a totally free ride. This a misconception. Most basketball players and 85 football players are on scholarship...but for example the NCAA limits Division I Men's Soccer programs to 9.9 scholarships for their entire team...That's not even a full line-up of full scholarship players.
Less athletes than you think are on them.
There are also more rules than you could ever imagine. Like no fantasy sports. Basically no gifts...not even water. They have more forms to fill out than you could possibly imagine...such as a letter of intent...EVERY year.
Random drug tests. Some athletes have media appearances too. Every sickness is supposed to be reported by the next morning. There are practices, community service, study halls...early morning every things...team meetings with compliance, film sessions, meetings with coaches, meetings with athletic academic advisers, banquets, camps, appearances at games for achievements...things that I don't even know about...I'm sure I'm leaving things out.
They also have training regimens from strength and conditioning that is personalized for every athlete...and is to be completed during breaks in school.
And then their is the time spent worrying about how a practice went or how an upcoming game will go. I remember having a discussion with my roommate freshman year before he ran in the Blue and White track meet.
Regular students see the perks of being an athlete, they should also see the time commitment both in and out of school too...
They had tests in the weight room and six hours of volleyball.
...And there are no hour rules to my knowledge for pre-season.
and yes I do believe that athletes are tested on their athletic as well as academic skills.
The regular student seems to think that all athletes do is miss class because they are playing a sport, get scholarships and free clothes.
It's actually much much much much more than that.
In reality few athletes get a totally free ride. This a misconception. Most basketball players and 85 football players are on scholarship...but for example the NCAA limits Division I Men's Soccer programs to 9.9 scholarships for their entire team...That's not even a full line-up of full scholarship players.
Less athletes than you think are on them.
There are also more rules than you could ever imagine. Like no fantasy sports. Basically no gifts...not even water. They have more forms to fill out than you could possibly imagine...such as a letter of intent...EVERY year.
Random drug tests. Some athletes have media appearances too. Every sickness is supposed to be reported by the next morning. There are practices, community service, study halls...early morning every things...team meetings with compliance, film sessions, meetings with coaches, meetings with athletic academic advisers, banquets, camps, appearances at games for achievements...things that I don't even know about...I'm sure I'm leaving things out.
They also have training regimens from strength and conditioning that is personalized for every athlete...and is to be completed during breaks in school.
And then their is the time spent worrying about how a practice went or how an upcoming game will go. I remember having a discussion with my roommate freshman year before he ran in the Blue and White track meet.
Regular students see the perks of being an athlete, they should also see the time commitment both in and out of school too...
Story from the ESPY's
This is humbling...This video was shown at the ESPY's too
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4068083&categoryid=3060647
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4068083&categoryid=3060647
This is amazing...I want to see this live
I want to see a soccer player do this live...not in a game...please not in a game...but just like randomly on the street...I'd love to see this.
This is impressive
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4108081&categoryid=3060647
This is impressive
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4108081&categoryid=3060647
Kick for Nick
I was just looking at the UConn Men's Soccer promotional schedule and I noticed that Kick for Nick is once again coming to UConn.
This is a great charitable organization that honors a soldier who died in Iraq named Nick Madaras. He loved soccer and he wanted to give the kids in Iraq soccer balls to play with because they didn't have any. Kick for Nick collects the soccer balls, puts Nick's name on it and then they are shipped to Iraq for the kids to enjoy. It's a great example of how sports can be about more than just wins and losses.
(Nick Madaras is from Wilton, Connecticut in Fairfield County, not far from my house in North Stamford. It is also where my Uncle, who is a priest, lives and where Kristine Lilly is from.)
I was very happy when I saw that the State U, UConn, helped this charity out last year. I believe that over 1,000 soccer balls were collected in a dumpster at UConn. It was a great success. I ran out to the store to make sure that I gave one. I encourage everyone to do the same this year.
The collection is listed to happen at the St. John's game on September 25th...which makes that game a must see game.
Here is a video done by ESPN about the Kick for Nick intiative.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo0iPO8uYFk
Here is the official website for Kick For Nick.
http://www.kickfornick.org/ball_collections
Hopefully we can collect even more soccer balls than last year and also see UConn pick up a win against St. Johns.
This is a great charitable organization that honors a soldier who died in Iraq named Nick Madaras. He loved soccer and he wanted to give the kids in Iraq soccer balls to play with because they didn't have any. Kick for Nick collects the soccer balls, puts Nick's name on it and then they are shipped to Iraq for the kids to enjoy. It's a great example of how sports can be about more than just wins and losses.
(Nick Madaras is from Wilton, Connecticut in Fairfield County, not far from my house in North Stamford. It is also where my Uncle, who is a priest, lives and where Kristine Lilly is from.)
I was very happy when I saw that the State U, UConn, helped this charity out last year. I believe that over 1,000 soccer balls were collected in a dumpster at UConn. It was a great success. I ran out to the store to make sure that I gave one. I encourage everyone to do the same this year.
The collection is listed to happen at the St. John's game on September 25th...which makes that game a must see game.
Here is a video done by ESPN about the Kick for Nick intiative.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo0iPO8uYFk
Here is the official website for Kick For Nick.
http://www.kickfornick.org/ball_collections
Hopefully we can collect even more soccer balls than last year and also see UConn pick up a win against St. Johns.
Willis has done it
Willis Reed interning abilities have helped lead the Cotuit Kettleers to the Cape Cod League Championship series. Game one is today.
The other team that is still alive is Bourne. Scott Oberg and Pierre LePage are on Bourne.
Oberg has pitched 5 innings as a late addition to Bourne. His era is 1.80. LePage is hitting .308 with 14 RBIs
I hope it goes three games.
The other team that is still alive is Bourne. Scott Oberg and Pierre LePage are on Bourne.
Oberg has pitched 5 innings as a late addition to Bourne. His era is 1.80. LePage is hitting .308 with 14 RBIs
I hope it goes three games.
I saw this stat
I saw that a goalie had a GAA of just over 100 in lacrosse...no they didn't play an entire game...it was 7 goals given up in 4 minutes...but if you think your GAA is bad it's probably nothing compared to that.
And it gets better
Toni Stahl was named to the MAC Hermann award Watch-List.
Brittany Taylor was named the Big East Pre-Season Defender of the year.
Kacey Richards and Annie Yi were also named to the Big East All-Preseason team.
The women were picked to finish 2nd in the American Division and received three first place votes.
Brittany Taylor was named the Big East Pre-Season Defender of the year.
Kacey Richards and Annie Yi were also named to the Big East All-Preseason team.
The women were picked to finish 2nd in the American Division and received three first place votes.
I like it
The Hartfourd Courant published the UConn Men's Soccer team's pre-season NSCAA poll.
UConn is ranked 12th.
http://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-huskies/hc-uconn-men-soccer0812,0,7596731.story
UConn is ranked 12th.
http://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-huskies/hc-uconn-men-soccer0812,0,7596731.story
Here is a shocker
ESPN college football gurus didn't pick UConn for a bowl game in their first bowl projection of the season.
That means absolutely nothing. Just think it's interesting that they are still not respecting our program. I have a feeling they will be proved wrong again.
That means absolutely nothing. Just think it's interesting that they are still not respecting our program. I have a feeling they will be proved wrong again.
Thinking about this problem
Yesterday I was talking with a friend about the problem of the lack of men's soccer popularity in the United States.
I think one problem is the lack of an American men's soccer role model. Freddy Adu had promise, but I don't know what happened to him. Every young kid growing up wants to be the next Derek Jeter, Lebron James, or Peyton Manning. They don't have an American soccer player who they see a lot and can look up to.
I think the other problem for men's soccer is that it is a fall sport. In America we consider football to be the toughest sport to play. In our culture "a real man" plays football. High School's have pep rallies for the homecoming football game. The athletes that get the most attention in high school play football. I had no idea who played on the men's soccer team at my high school, but I knew and all the teachers knew who played football. In our culture you get more respect if you play football and therefore I think that if most guys were forced to try one fall sport that they would try football.
A lot of young boys grow up and our encouraged to be big and strong so they can play football. (I think you can say almost the same thing about basketball, baseball or hockey...I just don't think they quite compare to the pressure to play football) I can think of two examples from husky sport where we saw this fast athletic kid and a couple of us went "Oh man he's going to be a great defensive tackle one day" and for another kindergartner we saw we thought "oh man he's going to be a hard hitting linebacker one day." Soccer never crossed our minds in class.
The more I watch soccer the more I realize how tough the sport is. As a matter of fact I think I know how tough it is. Before I understood and appreciated the game I didn't think that it was tough. When I saw a soccer player with a cast on I thought to myself "how could you get injured by kicking a ball around." Now that I watch the game I see tons of injuries. Now that I've played the game I understand that going up for a header is really risky. I've also messed up my ankle a couple of times already.
I don't think women's soccer has the same problem that the men do with regards to having a competing fall sport and lack of role models.
In America, our most successful soccer teams have been the United States Women's National Team. I bet that if you walked down the street and asked someone about United States soccer that most would talk about the 1999 Women's World Cup team.
I think that there is more societal pressure on an athletic male to play football than there is for an athletic female to play a certain sport. If your strong and athletic and male it's almost like you have to try football. If your a strong and athletic female I don't think there is any societal pressure to play a certain sport over another...although I'm not female so I can't call myself an expert on that at all. That's just an assumption.
I think that women's soccer HAS the role models that men's soccer doesn't have...and therefore I think it makes girls a little more likely to try soccer than another sport. I don't even think any women's basketball player (even though the most famous professional women's league in the country is the WNBA) has had an impact on female athletics the way Mia Hamm has. She is a role model to so many female athletes and she plays soccer.
I think it's much easier to grow women's soccer than men's soccer right now because of those reasons. I hope that as more people become educated about soccer (The World Cup is a good opportunity) and how tough the sport really is, that more young guys play the game. It's a tough sport that is fun to watch and play...and I admit that I never thought that I would say that.
Men's Soccer in the United States could use the male equivalent of Mia Hamm (maybe we will see one in a World Cup soon) and would benefit greatly if it got just half the respect that American football gets.
I do think that respect will grow as more and more people become educated about the sport and as more and more hispanics become a part of American culture.
I think one problem is the lack of an American men's soccer role model. Freddy Adu had promise, but I don't know what happened to him. Every young kid growing up wants to be the next Derek Jeter, Lebron James, or Peyton Manning. They don't have an American soccer player who they see a lot and can look up to.
I think the other problem for men's soccer is that it is a fall sport. In America we consider football to be the toughest sport to play. In our culture "a real man" plays football. High School's have pep rallies for the homecoming football game. The athletes that get the most attention in high school play football. I had no idea who played on the men's soccer team at my high school, but I knew and all the teachers knew who played football. In our culture you get more respect if you play football and therefore I think that if most guys were forced to try one fall sport that they would try football.
A lot of young boys grow up and our encouraged to be big and strong so they can play football. (I think you can say almost the same thing about basketball, baseball or hockey...I just don't think they quite compare to the pressure to play football) I can think of two examples from husky sport where we saw this fast athletic kid and a couple of us went "Oh man he's going to be a great defensive tackle one day" and for another kindergartner we saw we thought "oh man he's going to be a hard hitting linebacker one day." Soccer never crossed our minds in class.
The more I watch soccer the more I realize how tough the sport is. As a matter of fact I think I know how tough it is. Before I understood and appreciated the game I didn't think that it was tough. When I saw a soccer player with a cast on I thought to myself "how could you get injured by kicking a ball around." Now that I watch the game I see tons of injuries. Now that I've played the game I understand that going up for a header is really risky. I've also messed up my ankle a couple of times already.
I don't think women's soccer has the same problem that the men do with regards to having a competing fall sport and lack of role models.
In America, our most successful soccer teams have been the United States Women's National Team. I bet that if you walked down the street and asked someone about United States soccer that most would talk about the 1999 Women's World Cup team.
I think that there is more societal pressure on an athletic male to play football than there is for an athletic female to play a certain sport. If your strong and athletic and male it's almost like you have to try football. If your a strong and athletic female I don't think there is any societal pressure to play a certain sport over another...although I'm not female so I can't call myself an expert on that at all. That's just an assumption.
I think that women's soccer HAS the role models that men's soccer doesn't have...and therefore I think it makes girls a little more likely to try soccer than another sport. I don't even think any women's basketball player (even though the most famous professional women's league in the country is the WNBA) has had an impact on female athletics the way Mia Hamm has. She is a role model to so many female athletes and she plays soccer.
I think it's much easier to grow women's soccer than men's soccer right now because of those reasons. I hope that as more people become educated about soccer (The World Cup is a good opportunity) and how tough the sport really is, that more young guys play the game. It's a tough sport that is fun to watch and play...and I admit that I never thought that I would say that.
Men's Soccer in the United States could use the male equivalent of Mia Hamm (maybe we will see one in a World Cup soon) and would benefit greatly if it got just half the respect that American football gets.
I do think that respect will grow as more and more people become educated about the sport and as more and more hispanics become a part of American culture.
Just thought about this
Sometimes I take it easy in pick up games with friends because I want to be a good sport and not be a jerk. However, the more I think about it the more I realize that I should go 110%. If your friends don't want you to win and don't respect you if you do whatever it takes to succeed then they aren't really good friends at all.
I also think that you should pretend that you are going up against your biggest rival at all times in games and in practice.
I also think that you should pretend that you are going up against your biggest rival at all times in games and in practice.
Monday, August 10, 2009
My dream team
I was just thinking about my dream lineup for a baseball team of current MLB players
CF Jacoby Ellsbury
SS Jose Reyes
C Joe Mauer
1B Albert Pujols
LF Ryan Braun
3B David Wright
RF Ichiro
2B Dustin Pedroia
P Johan Santana
Am I Mets biased...yes...many people might insert Hanley Ramirez in for Jose Reyes...but if I could choose any players in the game for one game...this is who they would be.
CF Jacoby Ellsbury
SS Jose Reyes
C Joe Mauer
1B Albert Pujols
LF Ryan Braun
3B David Wright
RF Ichiro
2B Dustin Pedroia
P Johan Santana
Am I Mets biased...yes...many people might insert Hanley Ramirez in for Jose Reyes...but if I could choose any players in the game for one game...this is who they would be.
I hate this
I really don't like it when I type something into google to do research on and see that my blog comes up as a hit.
It means that either I already know the answer, or that the only person who cares enough about the subject is me.
Quite often it's the second option on that. I think it's sad that I'm the only person that cares about the history of Belknap County high school club water polo.
I also worry about what Meghan Nanfeldt meant when she said "it's been discovered."
By the way while I'm not talking about sports...I must tell you that I am really really sore from waterskiing. I tried again today...which will make me even more sore tomorrow. I definetly improved a little bit. I had new skis which took some time to get adjusted too...but this time I was able to stay out of the water for maybe five seconds...which is improvement from yesterday. (today was only my second time ever going)
It means that either I already know the answer, or that the only person who cares enough about the subject is me.
Quite often it's the second option on that. I think it's sad that I'm the only person that cares about the history of Belknap County high school club water polo.
I also worry about what Meghan Nanfeldt meant when she said "it's been discovered."
By the way while I'm not talking about sports...I must tell you that I am really really sore from waterskiing. I tried again today...which will make me even more sore tomorrow. I definetly improved a little bit. I had new skis which took some time to get adjusted too...but this time I was able to stay out of the water for maybe five seconds...which is improvement from yesterday. (today was only my second time ever going)
WPS playoffs and attendance
According to the UConn Huskies website, two former Huskies, Meghan Schnur and Niki Cross will be competing in the WPS playoffs.
http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/081009aab.html
I also read that Men's Soccer has lead the nation in attendance for nine of the past 11 years. That's impressive. More people need to know that across the state and across the student population...you know maybe have the bandwagon effect. They go so maybe I should too.
Also, when it comes to attendance, I'd like to see more soccer/UConn fans at women's soccer games. I don't know how many people like UConn and like soccer but I have a feeling it's more than what I see at games. My cousins friend came to our lake house and he was saying how he had heard that the women's soccer team has such a tradition but that almost no students show up.
As much as I may not like St. John's, it was very impressive for them to bring a bus load of students to UConn women's soccer senior day. I also can't tell you how disapointing it was that there were only a handful of UConn students there to try and drone out the St. Johns fans. I hope that some members of goal patrol and some of the students who are women's basketball fans would pick up a women's soccer schedule and show them some support. Based on things I've heard I have a feeling that the team would appreciate it.
I also don't think that people realize how presitgious UConn Women's Soccer is. There is some tradition of success. The team's been to eight final fours, and four national championship games. Only North Carolina has made the NCAA Tournament in Women's Soccer more than UConn has. UConn Women's Soccer is one of the top handful of programs at the school. Three former UConn players are playing professionally in the WPS now. Another former player, Sara Whalen, was a part of the 1999 Women's World Cup team.
http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/081009aab.html
I also read that Men's Soccer has lead the nation in attendance for nine of the past 11 years. That's impressive. More people need to know that across the state and across the student population...you know maybe have the bandwagon effect. They go so maybe I should too.
Also, when it comes to attendance, I'd like to see more soccer/UConn fans at women's soccer games. I don't know how many people like UConn and like soccer but I have a feeling it's more than what I see at games. My cousins friend came to our lake house and he was saying how he had heard that the women's soccer team has such a tradition but that almost no students show up.
As much as I may not like St. John's, it was very impressive for them to bring a bus load of students to UConn women's soccer senior day. I also can't tell you how disapointing it was that there were only a handful of UConn students there to try and drone out the St. Johns fans. I hope that some members of goal patrol and some of the students who are women's basketball fans would pick up a women's soccer schedule and show them some support. Based on things I've heard I have a feeling that the team would appreciate it.
I also don't think that people realize how presitgious UConn Women's Soccer is. There is some tradition of success. The team's been to eight final fours, and four national championship games. Only North Carolina has made the NCAA Tournament in Women's Soccer more than UConn has. UConn Women's Soccer is one of the top handful of programs at the school. Three former UConn players are playing professionally in the WPS now. Another former player, Sara Whalen, was a part of the 1999 Women's World Cup team.
According to facebook....
According to facebook, day one for UConn Volleyball is complete and the coaches are happy.
Putting it up in case you missed it.
Putting it up in case you missed it.
I love how
I love how sportswriters claimed that it was the end of the Yankees after they lost the first 8 games against the Red Sox...Clearly that didn't happen.
I love how sportswriters claim that this is the end for the Red Sox. They might make you think as if this is the great depression...as if the Red Sox will continue their 6 game losing streak for the rest of the year.
Usually these things balance out in a week or two...by that I mean it won't seem as if the Yankees are invincable or that the Red Sox can't do anything right. The Yankees will fall into a slump again and the Red Sox will get hot again.
There are still atleast 7 games to be played between the two teams.
Do I think 6 1/2 is a lot...yes. Do Yankees fans have a right to be happy and excited...yep....do Red Sox fans have reason to be concerned...yep. However, rarely does a 4 games series in early August mean much for a Red Sox-Yankees series. Usually it's how you perform in the fall and in the last at bat the means something.
I love how sportswriters claim that this is the end for the Red Sox. They might make you think as if this is the great depression...as if the Red Sox will continue their 6 game losing streak for the rest of the year.
Usually these things balance out in a week or two...by that I mean it won't seem as if the Yankees are invincable or that the Red Sox can't do anything right. The Yankees will fall into a slump again and the Red Sox will get hot again.
There are still atleast 7 games to be played between the two teams.
Do I think 6 1/2 is a lot...yes. Do Yankees fans have a right to be happy and excited...yep....do Red Sox fans have reason to be concerned...yep. However, rarely does a 4 games series in early August mean much for a Red Sox-Yankees series. Usually it's how you perform in the fall and in the last at bat the means something.
I came close
I tried to waterski yesterday. I got myself up and out of the water pretty much everytime....but I didn't stay out of the water for very long! I felt what it was like to be on the water for a second or two several different times. I guess I didn't stand up quickly enough once. Another time the captain accidently backed off the throttle. Another time I wasn't balanced right because I pulled myself up too much. I tried about 10-15 times and I was SO CLOSE. It's challenging. We'll have to try again soon.
I also admit that it makes you sore. It's a good sore though. It's fun.
I also admit that it makes you sore. It's a good sore though. It's fun.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Do I need a new nickname now?
Willis Reed may need to get a new nickname now. I have been informed that she has added another accolade to her already legendary rowing career.
I might stick with Willis Reed...or I'll change it too
Skipper Reed
Cap'n Reed
Cap'n Willis
I might stick with Willis Reed...or I'll change it too
Skipper Reed
Cap'n Reed
Cap'n Willis
I think you should do this on August 22nd
There are two reasons why you should come back to campus early (if your not already in or around Storrs) and that is to go watch the UConn Football team practice on August 22nd between 9:10 and 11:30 am.
http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/080809aaa.html
at 7:00pm you should head over to Morrone Stadium and support the Men's Soccer team as they face Hartwick in an exhibition match.
http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/080809aaa.html
at 7:00pm you should head over to Morrone Stadium and support the Men's Soccer team as they face Hartwick in an exhibition match.
I love this quote
I love this quote...
Excellence is accomplished through deliberate actions (training), ordinary in themselves (everyone does them), performed consistently (regularly) and carefully (done with high standards and focus), made into habits (coached into your technical, tactical, psychological and physical fabric), compounded together (putting all of those things together), added up over time (done when appropriate on a regular basis).
I do love reading books by successful coaches.
Excellence is accomplished through deliberate actions (training), ordinary in themselves (everyone does them), performed consistently (regularly) and carefully (done with high standards and focus), made into habits (coached into your technical, tactical, psychological and physical fabric), compounded together (putting all of those things together), added up over time (done when appropriate on a regular basis).
I do love reading books by successful coaches.
I gotta feeling
I got a feeling that I gotta feeling is going to be played on the mix-tape of either women's soccer, volleyball or field hockey this fall. It just sounds like something that would be played at one of those teams games.
Just something that I've noticed is that there is an obvious difference in the choice of music between male and female athletic events.
I'm guessing that team photos, playlist selections etc. etc. will be happening this up coming week as teams head back to campus to start practicing. I know that football starts tomorrow. I think Volleyball starts soon too. I'm guessing all fall sports will be back within the next week to 10 days.
And my thoughts on pre-season....It's great. It's when champions are made. If you focus on the goal ahead you will not feel any soreness, you will feel satisfaction that you have begun your journey.
Just something that I've noticed is that there is an obvious difference in the choice of music between male and female athletic events.
I'm guessing that team photos, playlist selections etc. etc. will be happening this up coming week as teams head back to campus to start practicing. I know that football starts tomorrow. I think Volleyball starts soon too. I'm guessing all fall sports will be back within the next week to 10 days.
And my thoughts on pre-season....It's great. It's when champions are made. If you focus on the goal ahead you will not feel any soreness, you will feel satisfaction that you have begun your journey.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
$1.25 million per goal
So I was reading something on Forbes about the amount of money Cristiano Ronaldo is costing Real Madrid in terms of his contract and transfer fee.
His transfer fee was $130,000,000. He signed a contract for 6 years at $15.5 million for his first year and possibly a 25% increase for every year of his deal.
He could ultimately cost Real Madrid $304,000,000. If he kept up his scoring from Manchester United it would cost about $1.25 million for every goal that he was involved in (scoring or assisting).
It also talks about David Beckham being paid a $50,000,000 transfer fee that ended up netting $100,000,000 in jersey sales in 6 months.
http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/29/cristiano-ronaldo-soccer-business-sports-ronaldo.html
His transfer fee was $130,000,000. He signed a contract for 6 years at $15.5 million for his first year and possibly a 25% increase for every year of his deal.
He could ultimately cost Real Madrid $304,000,000. If he kept up his scoring from Manchester United it would cost about $1.25 million for every goal that he was involved in (scoring or assisting).
It also talks about David Beckham being paid a $50,000,000 transfer fee that ended up netting $100,000,000 in jersey sales in 6 months.
http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/29/cristiano-ronaldo-soccer-business-sports-ronaldo.html
I'm cutting ties with
I'm cutting ties with my hometown of Stamford, CT.
I do not consider myself from Stamford anymore, even though I graduated from Stamford High.
Truly I don't know what to call home.
North Stamford is where I was born and raised...and I guess I still techincally call home, home.
I spend 7 months in Storrs.
I spend the summer in Ashburnham, Mass.
I could be from any one of those three places...North Stamford, Storrs or Ashburnham.
I refuse to be from Stamford for three reasons...Jerry Springer, Maury Povich and Steve Wilkos. All three of them will be filming in Stamford now. Some people complain that they have nothing going on in their city/town and I must say that I wish nothing was going on in my city.
I do not consider myself from Stamford anymore, even though I graduated from Stamford High.
Truly I don't know what to call home.
North Stamford is where I was born and raised...and I guess I still techincally call home, home.
I spend 7 months in Storrs.
I spend the summer in Ashburnham, Mass.
I could be from any one of those three places...North Stamford, Storrs or Ashburnham.
I refuse to be from Stamford for three reasons...Jerry Springer, Maury Povich and Steve Wilkos. All three of them will be filming in Stamford now. Some people complain that they have nothing going on in their city/town and I must say that I wish nothing was going on in my city.
Some other summer stuff
When you consider how great Melissa Gonzalez is at Field Hockey and how great her team is you begin to realize just how great of an athlete she is. There are only a select few athletes at UConn who are as important to their team and as good at their sport as she is.
Gonzalez recently scored a goal in the Junior World Cup for Field Hockey and helped the U.S. defeat India 4-2.
Gonzalez recently scored a goal in the Junior World Cup for Field Hockey and helped the U.S. defeat India 4-2.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Christ the King
The place I work at had a women's basketball player that went to Christ the King High School. The moment I saw that I went ..."OHHH Christ the King."
Lorin Dixon, Tina Charles and Sue Bird all went to Christ the King high school (It's in New York) and UConn.
The people in the office laughed and said that they got the better end of that deal.
That's fine with me. I'll take those three. They've only lead UConn to a couple of championships.
Lorin Dixon, Tina Charles and Sue Bird all went to Christ the King high school (It's in New York) and UConn.
The people in the office laughed and said that they got the better end of that deal.
That's fine with me. I'll take those three. They've only lead UConn to a couple of championships.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
A typical soccer game...some other stuff too
I read this in a book...about what a typical teenage soccer player does in a game...
Average player runs 5-6.5 miles per game...(2.5 miles for goalkeepers) rests are for only about 3 seconds every 2 minutes.
A player actually has a ball for only about 2% of game time or about 200 yards of that 5 to 6.5 miles.
There is a change of speed or direction every 6 seconds
Games are played at 75% of a player's limits.
I also liked this quote from Anson's Dorrance's book about soccer...
"It's a team game that also requires individual flair, but a player's singular ability must be executed within the team context....The challenge is to become a ball master without becoming a ball hog. That's why the most extraordinary individuals can either elevate or destroy, their own teams."
I think that last sentence is applicable to a lot of star athletes. The first one that comes to mind is Terrell Owens. That is a perfect description of him. He elevates...and then destroys. And I will say that he certainly elevates. He is a phenomenal worker and amazing talent...but he also doesn't understand that less of him can make a team better. I am rooting for the Cowboys as usual, but I do hope that Terrell Owens can prove every sports writer wrong and be a part of a Super Bowl Champion team.
That goes back to what I was saying about how you need to be confident enough to make a difference in a game and not overly confident so that you put on your own show at the expense of your team...or are so confident that you don't prepare correctly. It's so hard to get that balance right. This doesn't just apply for soccer, it applies for all team sports.
Average player runs 5-6.5 miles per game...(2.5 miles for goalkeepers) rests are for only about 3 seconds every 2 minutes.
A player actually has a ball for only about 2% of game time or about 200 yards of that 5 to 6.5 miles.
There is a change of speed or direction every 6 seconds
Games are played at 75% of a player's limits.
I also liked this quote from Anson's Dorrance's book about soccer...
"It's a team game that also requires individual flair, but a player's singular ability must be executed within the team context....The challenge is to become a ball master without becoming a ball hog. That's why the most extraordinary individuals can either elevate or destroy, their own teams."
I think that last sentence is applicable to a lot of star athletes. The first one that comes to mind is Terrell Owens. That is a perfect description of him. He elevates...and then destroys. And I will say that he certainly elevates. He is a phenomenal worker and amazing talent...but he also doesn't understand that less of him can make a team better. I am rooting for the Cowboys as usual, but I do hope that Terrell Owens can prove every sports writer wrong and be a part of a Super Bowl Champion team.
That goes back to what I was saying about how you need to be confident enough to make a difference in a game and not overly confident so that you put on your own show at the expense of your team...or are so confident that you don't prepare correctly. It's so hard to get that balance right. This doesn't just apply for soccer, it applies for all team sports.
When you log on to facebook
When you log on to facebook you should become a fan of UConn Volleyball.
We were talking about Volleyball at work this week and the sports information people agreed that Volleyball is one of the most underrated college sports. It is really exciting to watch.
A couple of years ago Maya Moore said that her favorite sport to watch besides basketball was Volleyball.
I must say I didn't know what to think of the Volleyball. Then I attended a few matches and I enjoyed it. Just like I wandered to soccer and found out that I liked it and went to softball and found out that it wasn't bad either. Same goes for lacrosse, field hockey, and ice hockey too. I thought I wouldn't enjoy it, but then I went and had a lot of fun.
There are a lot of great UConn teams that people don't even consider watching and I must say that you are missing out on a lot. Your missing out on a great game, learning a new game, supporting your classmates, being a part of the UConn Community and hanging out while watching the game.
Don't limit yourself to watching just two or three college sports. Your missing out on a lot if you do.
We were talking about Volleyball at work this week and the sports information people agreed that Volleyball is one of the most underrated college sports. It is really exciting to watch.
A couple of years ago Maya Moore said that her favorite sport to watch besides basketball was Volleyball.
I must say I didn't know what to think of the Volleyball. Then I attended a few matches and I enjoyed it. Just like I wandered to soccer and found out that I liked it and went to softball and found out that it wasn't bad either. Same goes for lacrosse, field hockey, and ice hockey too. I thought I wouldn't enjoy it, but then I went and had a lot of fun.
There are a lot of great UConn teams that people don't even consider watching and I must say that you are missing out on a lot. Your missing out on a great game, learning a new game, supporting your classmates, being a part of the UConn Community and hanging out while watching the game.
Don't limit yourself to watching just two or three college sports. Your missing out on a lot if you do.
Interesting news
Former UConn Lacrosse standout Whitney Michele will be an assistant coach at High Point University.
Wait...Defensive STATS in LACROSSE
So I learned that GB is for Ground Ball in lacrosse
CT is for Casued Turnover
DC is for Draw Control.
FPG and FGS stand for Free Position Goals and Free Position Shots.
Now you should be able to understand a lacrosse stat sheet.
Meghan Nanfedlt was third on her team in Ground Balls (15) fifth on her team in Caused Turnovers (10).
Jillian Cerar had 13 Ground Balls and 11 Caused Turnovers.
Whitney Michele lead the team in Goals (33), Ground Balls(26), and tied for the team lead in Caused Turn overs with 12. Michele was a lot of fun to watch. She was a great athlete who moved the ball up and down the field.
Wait...Defensive STATS in LACROSSE
So I learned that GB is for Ground Ball in lacrosse
CT is for Casued Turnover
DC is for Draw Control.
FPG and FGS stand for Free Position Goals and Free Position Shots.
Now you should be able to understand a lacrosse stat sheet.
Meghan Nanfedlt was third on her team in Ground Balls (15) fifth on her team in Caused Turnovers (10).
Jillian Cerar had 13 Ground Balls and 11 Caused Turnovers.
Whitney Michele lead the team in Goals (33), Ground Balls(26), and tied for the team lead in Caused Turn overs with 12. Michele was a lot of fun to watch. She was a great athlete who moved the ball up and down the field.
I got a gift
Someone at work was cleaning out their offense and they found a UConn Men's Basketball Media Guide from 2004-2005 and they knew enough about me not to throw it away.
It's out of date...and would require research in order to get much relevant information on streaks.
I liked looking at the back of the guide to see photos of the coaches and people who work in the athletic department. It's always fun to see coaches with old haircuts. If we went back to the 1970's we might find some really cool haircuts. The kind of picture that your bring to a copy machine and hit enlarge.
I now have a picture of Bonnie Rosen...former women's lacrosse coach for those of you who didn't know. Meghan Nanfeldt spoke about her a couple of times.
The coolest thing about this media guide is that it was made the year after we won the championship in men's basketball, so that makes it really cool.
Plus Justin Evanovich is in this media guide which makes this media guide even better.
It's also a little strange to read about Meghan Schnur winning Big East Freshman of the year honors. It does make this media guide feel old.
I read the re-caps of all the small sports years in 2003-04 and she was pretty much the only name I recognized.
It's out of date...and would require research in order to get much relevant information on streaks.
I liked looking at the back of the guide to see photos of the coaches and people who work in the athletic department. It's always fun to see coaches with old haircuts. If we went back to the 1970's we might find some really cool haircuts. The kind of picture that your bring to a copy machine and hit enlarge.
I now have a picture of Bonnie Rosen...former women's lacrosse coach for those of you who didn't know. Meghan Nanfeldt spoke about her a couple of times.
The coolest thing about this media guide is that it was made the year after we won the championship in men's basketball, so that makes it really cool.
Plus Justin Evanovich is in this media guide which makes this media guide even better.
It's also a little strange to read about Meghan Schnur winning Big East Freshman of the year honors. It does make this media guide feel old.
I read the re-caps of all the small sports years in 2003-04 and she was pretty much the only name I recognized.
Can you please call the travel
Can someone please call the travel in basketball. I was watching a basketball highlight and saw a guy dunking after taking atleast three steps. It was an obvious travel and no one called it. I have to say that to me it made the dunk look so ugly.
Polls and another thing
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the women's basketball team will be the preseason #1 team in women's basketball.
Someone ranked the men's basketball team at #10 already.
Both rankings seem fair to me. Both teams have a shot to go all the way.
Football was picked 6th in the Big East, which is a joke to me. We've been picked low in the Big East the past two years and at some point in the past two years we've been ranked nationally. We had four draft picks in the top two rounds of the NFL draft, and we are still returning a lot of good players. We have a great coaching staff that develops young players into great players. This ranking is a joke, but I've come to expect that. I also expect that the football team will undoubtedly you this as motivation and prove yet again why they aren't in the bottom half of the Big East.
You also should know that I don't care about polls all that much. They are great for marketing purposes and thats about it. I really really really don't care about pre-season polls, but I know so many others do.
I also love it when people anticipate things like pre-season and preparing to win. I like it when people are excited about those things.
Someone ranked the men's basketball team at #10 already.
Both rankings seem fair to me. Both teams have a shot to go all the way.
Football was picked 6th in the Big East, which is a joke to me. We've been picked low in the Big East the past two years and at some point in the past two years we've been ranked nationally. We had four draft picks in the top two rounds of the NFL draft, and we are still returning a lot of good players. We have a great coaching staff that develops young players into great players. This ranking is a joke, but I've come to expect that. I also expect that the football team will undoubtedly you this as motivation and prove yet again why they aren't in the bottom half of the Big East.
You also should know that I don't care about polls all that much. They are great for marketing purposes and thats about it. I really really really don't care about pre-season polls, but I know so many others do.
I also love it when people anticipate things like pre-season and preparing to win. I like it when people are excited about those things.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
A little more on Taylor's summer
Brittany Taylor was named the W-League "Defender of the Year" today.
Taylor was also honored as a member of the W-League All-League Team and the W-League All Eastern Conference Team.
Taylor was a defender on the Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues this summer and she helped lead the Lady Blues to an undefeated regular-season (12-0-2, 38 points). Taylor appeared in 10 matches for the Lady Blues and recorded three goals and an assist as a member of the defense. She netted one match winning goal for the Lady Blues. Her three goals and seven points were both tied for third best on the team.
Taylor netted a goal against National Finalist Washington Freedom on May 31st in a 4-2 win. She scored the lone goal in the match against the Connecticut Passion on June 12th in a 1-0 win. Taylor recorded a goal in the 5-0 win at the Connecticut Passion on July 12th.
I'm doing stuff similar to this at work. I am updating biogprahies and doing some writing. I figure that practice never hurt anyone. The more I write, the more prepared I will be should I get a career in Sports Information.
Taylor was also honored as a member of the W-League All-League Team and the W-League All Eastern Conference Team.
Taylor was a defender on the Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues this summer and she helped lead the Lady Blues to an undefeated regular-season (12-0-2, 38 points). Taylor appeared in 10 matches for the Lady Blues and recorded three goals and an assist as a member of the defense. She netted one match winning goal for the Lady Blues. Her three goals and seven points were both tied for third best on the team.
Taylor netted a goal against National Finalist Washington Freedom on May 31st in a 4-2 win. She scored the lone goal in the match against the Connecticut Passion on June 12th in a 1-0 win. Taylor recorded a goal in the 5-0 win at the Connecticut Passion on July 12th.
I'm doing stuff similar to this at work. I am updating biogprahies and doing some writing. I figure that practice never hurt anyone. The more I write, the more prepared I will be should I get a career in Sports Information.
and one last video
Here is an interesting video on college football recruiting...
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=3809425&categoryid=3286128
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=3809425&categoryid=3286128
AAU vs High School basketball
I have said that I want to understand more about AAU basketball because I know that it rivals, if not trumps high school basketball in importance. I watched a video about it on Outside The Lines and I have come up with a theory about the role of education in high school basketball players...
In AAU your playing for a coach who is developing your athletic talents. You don't have to worry about staying eligible for your AAU team. AAU has nothing to do with a kids education. It also seems as if high school basketball players defer more to AAU coaches.
High School basketball coaches incorporate grades with basketball. You have to go to class and you have to stay eligible. High School coaches can make education important to you kids. AAU coaches could make education important, but I doubt they make it as important as they should.
The less important high school basketball coaches become the less important I think school will be for high school basketball players and when those same players go to college.
In AAU your playing for a coach who is developing your athletic talents. You don't have to worry about staying eligible for your AAU team. AAU has nothing to do with a kids education. It also seems as if high school basketball players defer more to AAU coaches.
High School basketball coaches incorporate grades with basketball. You have to go to class and you have to stay eligible. High School coaches can make education important to you kids. AAU coaches could make education important, but I doubt they make it as important as they should.
The less important high school basketball coaches become the less important I think school will be for high school basketball players and when those same players go to college.
I have to post this
I don't like the Yankees. But I do like Lou Gehrig. I respect Babe Ruth, Joe Dimaggio, Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter too.
Here is a video about Gehrig and the letters he sent to his doctor near the end of his life.
I thought this was really interesting.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4309176&categoryid=3286128
Here is a video about Gehrig and the letters he sent to his doctor near the end of his life.
I thought this was really interesting.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4309176&categoryid=3286128
This story bugs me
I didn't know just how outrageous the salaries of the top 10 picks in the NFL draft are...Mark Sanchez is the highest paid player in the history of the Jets and he has never played for the team.
This makes no sense. NFL teams don't want to have to tie up lots of money in unproven players and its not fair to hard working, proven veterans (who in most cases weren't top ten picks) to receive so much less than top 10 rookies.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4368421&categoryid=3286128
This makes no sense. NFL teams don't want to have to tie up lots of money in unproven players and its not fair to hard working, proven veterans (who in most cases weren't top ten picks) to receive so much less than top 10 rookies.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4368421&categoryid=3286128
I wonder if they've heard of this
Have the Mets ever heard of stretching? Usually stretching helps prevent injuries...Yet another Mets player got injured today.
Goal Patrol has caught on
"Wah Wah Call the Wambulance" came up on my facebook newsfeed. Someone I know from high school posted that on the wall of someone else I know from high school oand it came up on my newsfeed.
Thought that was interesting.
I also want to say that I hope no one who hears that at a game is truly injured. You don't want to say that and find out that a player is out for a season.
I will say that lying on the ground and faking an injury is by far my least favorite part of soccer. I hate that.
I remember that one player did such a good job acting. They were crying and holding their knee. I thought they tore their ACL. The person sitting next to me didn't even want to look at the player for fear of the worst. After 5 minutes they got up. They had some water. They limped twice and then ran about as fast as an F-16 flies.
That water must have had some magical powers, or that player is great at acting...or they are SO TOUGH...that they actually were able to run full speed on a bad injury.
I'll fill in option B as an educated guess on that one.
Either way, I really wish players didn't fake injuries, especially after I saw Mel Thomas on TV trying to play on a torn ACL before she was taken out against Syracuse. There are also so many athletes that get injuries that prevent them from competing and winning championships...They wish they were just faking injuries...I also love that Emmitt Smith played amazing football on a separated shoulder against the Giants in the Meadowlands in 1993 to give the Cowboys home field advantage in the playoffs. And you know I love both the real Willis Reed for playing for the Knicks in the NBA Playoffs and the other Willis Reed who rows with a shoulder injury. I love toughness and I wish soccer players didn't fake injuries.
Here is what I was talking about with Emmitt Smith. I love this toughness...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVHLRpg1WSE
Thought that was interesting.
I also want to say that I hope no one who hears that at a game is truly injured. You don't want to say that and find out that a player is out for a season.
I will say that lying on the ground and faking an injury is by far my least favorite part of soccer. I hate that.
I remember that one player did such a good job acting. They were crying and holding their knee. I thought they tore their ACL. The person sitting next to me didn't even want to look at the player for fear of the worst. After 5 minutes they got up. They had some water. They limped twice and then ran about as fast as an F-16 flies.
That water must have had some magical powers, or that player is great at acting...or they are SO TOUGH...that they actually were able to run full speed on a bad injury.
I'll fill in option B as an educated guess on that one.
Either way, I really wish players didn't fake injuries, especially after I saw Mel Thomas on TV trying to play on a torn ACL before she was taken out against Syracuse. There are also so many athletes that get injuries that prevent them from competing and winning championships...They wish they were just faking injuries...I also love that Emmitt Smith played amazing football on a separated shoulder against the Giants in the Meadowlands in 1993 to give the Cowboys home field advantage in the playoffs. And you know I love both the real Willis Reed for playing for the Knicks in the NBA Playoffs and the other Willis Reed who rows with a shoulder injury. I love toughness and I wish soccer players didn't fake injuries.
Here is what I was talking about with Emmitt Smith. I love this toughness...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVHLRpg1WSE
this came up at work
UConn Field Hockey and Gina Uguccioni came up at work today.
I was talking to a coach and she said she worked with a just graduated UConn Field Hockey player from Western Massachusetts.
I said "Uguccioni?"
She asked for the first name...
I said "Gina"
She said, "Yep that's her"
Great Dialogue eh? Sounds like something out of Fargo.
but thought people should know that UConn Field Hockey came up today at work. The coach also said that UConn always killed URI when she played on URI.
We also started talking about statistics at work for defenders. I learned that a ground ball in womens lacrosse is anytime that someone picks up the ball for a change of possession.
Also, when I was talking about statistics for defenders I was right about a lack of stats for defenders at the college level. Also, like I thought, there are more statistics for defenders when they get to the pros.
Jonathan Mandeldove and Maya Moore also came up at work today...I'm not working at UConn...I don't think it's worth mentioning UConn coming up on campus...I do think it's worth mentioning at other campuses in other states.
I was talking to a coach and she said she worked with a just graduated UConn Field Hockey player from Western Massachusetts.
I said "Uguccioni?"
She asked for the first name...
I said "Gina"
She said, "Yep that's her"
Great Dialogue eh? Sounds like something out of Fargo.
but thought people should know that UConn Field Hockey came up today at work. The coach also said that UConn always killed URI when she played on URI.
We also started talking about statistics at work for defenders. I learned that a ground ball in womens lacrosse is anytime that someone picks up the ball for a change of possession.
Also, when I was talking about statistics for defenders I was right about a lack of stats for defenders at the college level. Also, like I thought, there are more statistics for defenders when they get to the pros.
Jonathan Mandeldove and Maya Moore also came up at work today...I'm not working at UConn...I don't think it's worth mentioning UConn coming up on campus...I do think it's worth mentioning at other campuses in other states.