I recently spoke with someone at the ACC in Greensboro. He was a very interesting person who did a lot of cool things.
I met him at the headquarters, which is in what looks to be a magnificent home with a parking lot in front. Inside in the lobby there are trophies everywhere.
He showed me how editors edit all football games live. They use similar software that Women's Soccer uses for game film to capture and tag clips of every penalty in every game so that the referees can take a look at everything the next day and go over calls. They also look to make sure that conference advertisement spots and school spots are being filled. They are checking to make sure advertisements are being shown on television and for the right amount of time.
Contracts specify how much air time you are supposed to get, so you have to make sure you and your partners are getting your money's worth.
I also found out something that is relieving. More people watch Men's Lacrosse or Softball on ESPN than Poker.
I also heard that Women's Softball has hiring ratings than College Baseball on ESPN.
Soccer was "ok" but I got the sense it was behind baseball, softball and lacrosse in ratings. Not sure, but that's the impression I got. It does ok, not great.
There is so much to TV and television contracts. More than I could have ever imagined. Keep in mind that different conferences do things differently. From what I understand in the ACC ESPN gets the games it wants to broadcast. Then RAYCOM gets the choice of the next ones. Then schools can let regional networks carry the rest. Sometimes regional networks can carry ESPN or RAYCOM games, but the regional networks would have to pay RAYCOM or ESPN for the right to do that.
Now you know why contract law is so valuable. It has to be the most complicated thing to read television contracts. You have to figure out who produces and broadcasts the game, and who pays to produce and broadcast the game. Then you have to choose who can redistribute your game.
Sometimes schools can re-air games as part of contracts, but can only re-air those games during times that are approved of. Networks might not want you going head to head with their content if you have a re-air that would get more people to tune in.
I don't know a lot about television contracts, but I learned a lot more than I did before. At the same time I learned enough to know that I don't know a lot.
I also learned about software that can read a "fingerprint" that is put on all video and maybe even audio now that is broadcast. If someone uses ACC film on you tube, the ACC would find out the instant it is put online.
If people pay for that film they can use it, but if not they have to take it down.
Random things I learned and thought I would write about.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Burnout among College Sports Professionals
I read something a while back that I think captures what burnout is. It's when people don't have time to do the things that they want to do in life.
At some point if people don't see how they can accomplish what they want to in life, they will eventually get burned out and move on into something else.
Burn out is something that I see in college athletics. I see it a lot. I have experienced it as well, and sometimes I wonder if I still am in a way burned out.
I was so shocked a couple of years ago when one of my friends, who graduated with a degree in sports management, ended up pursuing a career in real estate. How could you not want to work in sports?
Well there are plenty of reasons. Among those that I have worked with in the past and re-connected with now, there are plenty of them who are just burned out. They still work in sports, but would be happy to do something outside of sports for a change.
Why is that?
Mostly, LONG HOURS and LOW PAY.
$9 an hour plus commission doesn't exactly amount to a whole lot more than $30,000 a year. That's not a whole lot when you are trying to pay off college debt. That's not a whole lot if you want to have a family and certainly not enough to be the only provider.
My favorite typical college athletics move is to have the intern, or graduate assistant who works 40 plus hours a week while only getting compensated for about half of that. Is that illegal? Yes. You can't be forced to work more than 20 hours a week. However, you do it if given the opportunity. You work those hours and work hard in the name of experience and networking. You know that if you won't donate those extra hours without really being compensated, that you won't ever make it in the industry. There is a little of the "Devil Loves Prada" in college athletics as well.
Those that do have a full-time position are not compensated well for their time. They work atleast 9-5, plus set-up and break down at all events. Often times they work after or before hours as well. Events often happen on weekends or on the holidays. If you are lucky you might get to go home for a few days. If you are one of the workers who is sacrificing a lot and living far from home, you may not get to go home for the Holidays. Why go home for 48 hours if it takes you 16 hours to get there?
Then those that work in sports get to see their friends and hear about their jobs. Their friends jobs might not be that interesting. They might be boring jobs, but they might be from 9-5 exactly, from Monday through Friday and they might pay three times or more the amount of what they make in sports. When you see people who are just as capable and smart as you are making three times the amount of money you are while working less hours it's hard not to ask yourself why you don't get out of college athletics.
Some people forget that people who work in college athletics don't always get to work for their favorite team. How many people actually get to work in the department of their favorite team? In reality it's not as many as you would think. Yes, everyone roots for the teams that they work for. You instantly become their fan. But in many cases you root for teams of schools that you didn't go for. You have to develop a passion for another school. Some people are good at that and some aren't. I'm personally ok at doing that. I know of someone else who recently said that "I just want to be able to go watch the games I want to go to." If you work at Bowling Green but are an Ohio State fan you aren't going to be excited about the chance to watch the Bowling Green game from the sideline while the Ohio State game is on television.
Another reason I hear of is that they don't see how they could work their way up.
Sports is extremely competitive because everyone wants to work in sports. Why sell rope if you can sell season tickets to your favorite team? It's obvious why everyone wants to work in sports, but it's also what makes it hard.
Many people with a Sports Management degree are looking for jobs in college sports. Many people outside of sports want to work in sports. Many people with business degrees, MBA's or Law Degrees want to apply their knowledge to sports. They can do that. Every team needs an accountant, someone to understand rules, someone to market to fans. If someone has that knowledge from another background and can apply it to sports they will be stiff competition.
It's also easy to get stuck in certain positions with no way out. Many coaches can get stuck at a Director of Operations position, or they get that assistant position but at a bad program. The coaches lose and can't find another job. Coaches usually get jobs because they know a successful head coach. When that head coach gets a job they can be brought in as part of their staff.
Ticketing is another place that I have heard of a few people being stuck. For some reason I have heard that people who work in ticketing aren't taken as seriously as people in other positions. If you aren't taken seriously or aren't included in important meetings than you can't work your way up. At some point you decide that you are capable of being more than a ticket sales manager with an MBA who works for $40,000 a year.
In order for people to work their way up you have to work those long hours and do your job well, plus volunteer and do other things. You have to get involved in other departments. It helps you network and understand them. But remember, this extra volunteering is on top of the already long hours you put in.
The thoughts that can start to creep in about your career in sports is how you can balance everything you want in life with everything you want to do in your career. Is it possible is the question that people have to ask themselves. Can you stay healthy and work long enough and hard enough and catch the right breaks to get a job that pays? Are you willing to sacrifice everything for it?
Many times people in sports start to see that the price paid to get to the top eventually isn't worth it. How do you have a relationship or marriage that functions when you are never home and make no money? No matter how much people say they love one another, that leads to divorce more often than not. How can you afford to pay off your college debt, buy a car, buy a home, support a family and pay for your children's college education when you don't make a lot of money?
These are all things that I have either heard people complain about or are things that I have thought about. Working in sports is extremely cool. It's extremely cool to be in the know. It's amazing to be on the floor when an arena is rocking. It's amazing to see two hall of fame coaches and their teams battling each other.
But doing that comes at a price and over time it can take it's toll on people and can lead them to being apathetic towards working in college athletics over time. Burn out and apathy towards jobs are something that I have witnessed a lot of. There are many and probably a majority who work in college athletics who enjoy what they do, but their are more than you think who would just be happy to do something that requires less hours and pays more so that they can accomplish all the things they want to in life.
At some point if people don't see how they can accomplish what they want to in life, they will eventually get burned out and move on into something else.
Burn out is something that I see in college athletics. I see it a lot. I have experienced it as well, and sometimes I wonder if I still am in a way burned out.
I was so shocked a couple of years ago when one of my friends, who graduated with a degree in sports management, ended up pursuing a career in real estate. How could you not want to work in sports?
Well there are plenty of reasons. Among those that I have worked with in the past and re-connected with now, there are plenty of them who are just burned out. They still work in sports, but would be happy to do something outside of sports for a change.
Why is that?
Mostly, LONG HOURS and LOW PAY.
$9 an hour plus commission doesn't exactly amount to a whole lot more than $30,000 a year. That's not a whole lot when you are trying to pay off college debt. That's not a whole lot if you want to have a family and certainly not enough to be the only provider.
My favorite typical college athletics move is to have the intern, or graduate assistant who works 40 plus hours a week while only getting compensated for about half of that. Is that illegal? Yes. You can't be forced to work more than 20 hours a week. However, you do it if given the opportunity. You work those hours and work hard in the name of experience and networking. You know that if you won't donate those extra hours without really being compensated, that you won't ever make it in the industry. There is a little of the "Devil Loves Prada" in college athletics as well.
Those that do have a full-time position are not compensated well for their time. They work atleast 9-5, plus set-up and break down at all events. Often times they work after or before hours as well. Events often happen on weekends or on the holidays. If you are lucky you might get to go home for a few days. If you are one of the workers who is sacrificing a lot and living far from home, you may not get to go home for the Holidays. Why go home for 48 hours if it takes you 16 hours to get there?
Then those that work in sports get to see their friends and hear about their jobs. Their friends jobs might not be that interesting. They might be boring jobs, but they might be from 9-5 exactly, from Monday through Friday and they might pay three times or more the amount of what they make in sports. When you see people who are just as capable and smart as you are making three times the amount of money you are while working less hours it's hard not to ask yourself why you don't get out of college athletics.
Some people forget that people who work in college athletics don't always get to work for their favorite team. How many people actually get to work in the department of their favorite team? In reality it's not as many as you would think. Yes, everyone roots for the teams that they work for. You instantly become their fan. But in many cases you root for teams of schools that you didn't go for. You have to develop a passion for another school. Some people are good at that and some aren't. I'm personally ok at doing that. I know of someone else who recently said that "I just want to be able to go watch the games I want to go to." If you work at Bowling Green but are an Ohio State fan you aren't going to be excited about the chance to watch the Bowling Green game from the sideline while the Ohio State game is on television.
Another reason I hear of is that they don't see how they could work their way up.
Sports is extremely competitive because everyone wants to work in sports. Why sell rope if you can sell season tickets to your favorite team? It's obvious why everyone wants to work in sports, but it's also what makes it hard.
Many people with a Sports Management degree are looking for jobs in college sports. Many people outside of sports want to work in sports. Many people with business degrees, MBA's or Law Degrees want to apply their knowledge to sports. They can do that. Every team needs an accountant, someone to understand rules, someone to market to fans. If someone has that knowledge from another background and can apply it to sports they will be stiff competition.
It's also easy to get stuck in certain positions with no way out. Many coaches can get stuck at a Director of Operations position, or they get that assistant position but at a bad program. The coaches lose and can't find another job. Coaches usually get jobs because they know a successful head coach. When that head coach gets a job they can be brought in as part of their staff.
Ticketing is another place that I have heard of a few people being stuck. For some reason I have heard that people who work in ticketing aren't taken as seriously as people in other positions. If you aren't taken seriously or aren't included in important meetings than you can't work your way up. At some point you decide that you are capable of being more than a ticket sales manager with an MBA who works for $40,000 a year.
In order for people to work their way up you have to work those long hours and do your job well, plus volunteer and do other things. You have to get involved in other departments. It helps you network and understand them. But remember, this extra volunteering is on top of the already long hours you put in.
The thoughts that can start to creep in about your career in sports is how you can balance everything you want in life with everything you want to do in your career. Is it possible is the question that people have to ask themselves. Can you stay healthy and work long enough and hard enough and catch the right breaks to get a job that pays? Are you willing to sacrifice everything for it?
Many times people in sports start to see that the price paid to get to the top eventually isn't worth it. How do you have a relationship or marriage that functions when you are never home and make no money? No matter how much people say they love one another, that leads to divorce more often than not. How can you afford to pay off your college debt, buy a car, buy a home, support a family and pay for your children's college education when you don't make a lot of money?
These are all things that I have either heard people complain about or are things that I have thought about. Working in sports is extremely cool. It's extremely cool to be in the know. It's amazing to be on the floor when an arena is rocking. It's amazing to see two hall of fame coaches and their teams battling each other.
But doing that comes at a price and over time it can take it's toll on people and can lead them to being apathetic towards working in college athletics over time. Burn out and apathy towards jobs are something that I have witnessed a lot of. There are many and probably a majority who work in college athletics who enjoy what they do, but their are more than you think who would just be happy to do something that requires less hours and pays more so that they can accomplish all the things they want to in life.
Friday, December 7, 2012
I love Bleed Blue
I remember being a little critical of Bleed Blue at first. I thought it was too similar to Big Blue.
But you know what.
I use #bleedblue a lot now in Tweets.
While at first it seemed a little quirky to me, in the back of my mind I knew it would be successful and would eventually catch on if it was integrated into everything.
I think UConn has done a great job of that. Every tweet has it. Posters have it. But even more importantly, even videos, like this well done one that I love, has Coach Auriemma mention it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV3uoXTaVH0
At first I wasn't sure about the #bleedblue hash tag. I've grown to really like it. I think it's important, especially this year in regards to Men's Basketball, to take pride in who we are as fans. We bleed UConn Blue, no matter what. This year we take pride in things that don't involve playing in the NCAA's. We take pride in being the best and representing Connecticut and UConn every time we step on the court or field. We bleed blue.
Bleedblue elicits an emotional feeling in me. That's a good thing.
But you know what.
I use #bleedblue a lot now in Tweets.
While at first it seemed a little quirky to me, in the back of my mind I knew it would be successful and would eventually catch on if it was integrated into everything.
I think UConn has done a great job of that. Every tweet has it. Posters have it. But even more importantly, even videos, like this well done one that I love, has Coach Auriemma mention it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV3uoXTaVH0
At first I wasn't sure about the #bleedblue hash tag. I've grown to really like it. I think it's important, especially this year in regards to Men's Basketball, to take pride in who we are as fans. We bleed UConn Blue, no matter what. This year we take pride in things that don't involve playing in the NCAA's. We take pride in being the best and representing Connecticut and UConn every time we step on the court or field. We bleed blue.
Bleedblue elicits an emotional feeling in me. That's a good thing.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
First in Flight
Today I did something that I was not planning on doing at all. In a spur of the moment decision I ended up flying a plane today. Obviously I only did VERY BASIC things. But I did steer and control a plane all by myself. When the opportunity presented itself I just went.
This is the perfect way to take something off of my bucket list.
More on this later...Much more.
This is the perfect way to take something off of my bucket list.
More on this later...Much more.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Quick Story
I won't get into the details, but let's just say that a male student athlete, who in my mind should be rejected by almost every women he meets, was caught getting the phone number of his so called "Dream Girl" (I think he has more than one...) who is a really nice female student athlete. This young women could do SO MUCH better than this clown whose number she gave to.
After the male student athlete told me it was his dream girl I told him point blank that, "you know she is going to change her number within a week?"
Then the male student athlete goes "No, I am better than that man, two weeks."
To which I replied, "Well, atleast you are honest with yourself"
After the male student athlete told me it was his dream girl I told him point blank that, "you know she is going to change her number within a week?"
Then the male student athlete goes "No, I am better than that man, two weeks."
To which I replied, "Well, atleast you are honest with yourself"
Bad Tweeting
A Boston College women's soccer player thought it would be funny to make jokes about Penn State on twitter.
Well it wasn't. It's one thing to think things or joke privately, it's another thing when you post it publicly, which is what you do if you are a Division I athlete with a Twitter or Facebook account. Nothing that you say is just to your friends, it's to the whole world, so don't forget that.
http://onwardstate.com/2012/11/15/boston-college-womens-soccer-player-stephanie-mccaffrey-makes-rape-jokes-on-twitter/
I'm not quite sure athletes understand just how dangerous it can be to post certain things publicly. Things can just be taken the wrong way.
Well it wasn't. It's one thing to think things or joke privately, it's another thing when you post it publicly, which is what you do if you are a Division I athlete with a Twitter or Facebook account. Nothing that you say is just to your friends, it's to the whole world, so don't forget that.
http://onwardstate.com/2012/11/15/boston-college-womens-soccer-player-stephanie-mccaffrey-makes-rape-jokes-on-twitter/
I'm not quite sure athletes understand just how dangerous it can be to post certain things publicly. Things can just be taken the wrong way.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
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I spent a lot of time today on my drive home thinking about how much I miss soccer. After the Duke vs San Diego game I attended back in September I saw this opportunity for a photo and I thought it was a very good one to take.
While at the game I was sad that I wasn't really playing soccer. I missed the game. I missed the practices and games.
It felt like life had occurred in such away that there was a barrier or a fence that was blocking me from getting on to the field and enjoying the game. So this photo, is a favorite of mine because it's for all of those people who wish they could play the game and be on the field, but can't for whatever reason.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Add this to your bucket list...
I recently cursed at a football player...and not from the sidelines, in person. He was a linebacker, although, a skinny one.
How many people can say they cursed at a football player?
Bad day and not following directions and trying to be an idiot in study hall lead to a curse word just flying out of my mouth.
I think it may have worked and got his attention.
I don't recommend cursing at football players though. You will usually get your ass kicked.
How many people can say they cursed at a football player?
Bad day and not following directions and trying to be an idiot in study hall lead to a curse word just flying out of my mouth.
I think it may have worked and got his attention.
I don't recommend cursing at football players though. You will usually get your ass kicked.
500
Well I need to talk a little bit about Coach. I think it's important he gets his due, and that I say something reflecting back on what I have learned from him.
The amount I have learned about soccer is unbelieveable. I still don't know much, but I know so much more than when I first started. One of his first assignments for me was keeping track of passes completed at a game. I was so new to the game of soccer that I wasn't sure what he meant. Did it count if we touched the ball but lost it right away? Now I know better. I can watch games and know if we are playing well or not. I understand nuances better.
Through him and his program I learned a lot about soccer basics and fundamentals. I really get the game a lot better than before. I may not be able to explain it, but I have learned a lot.
Coach affected me in two ways more than anything else though. I learned the importance of balance and academics. Coach always did a great job of making sure that soccer didn't run the lives of his players or staff. There was a sense of balance and that other things are important in life besides just soccer. For me, I make sure I always find time to work out. As I left, that's what Coach was most happy with me for. He was happy that I got fit.
The thing that I think Lenny should get the most credit for is the culture that has been created around academics. I can tell academics is genuinely important to him. It's always comes up with recruits, especially early on in his conversations with them. It's also always the first question he asks in every meeting it seems. Coach understands that his players are student-athletes. I love that he allows players to miss practice if they have an exam that they need to get prepared for. Soccer is important to him, but the growth of his players academically and personally through college and beyond is very important to him. There is no coach that I have observed in college athletics yet that seems to genuinely care as much about academics as Lenny. I had a 4.0 my last two semesters of grad school, and I am not sure if I would have completed that if it wasn't for the culture of the team to do well in school. The fact that the team studied hard, and that coach expected everyone to actually trickled down to me. I felt pressure to do well and was motivated to do well.
Coach is also a great story teller. It's something that I think he hides a little too much from view. When he gets going and talking about soccer, or Greece, it's really fascinating. When players get to hear these stories they are lucky, and they often enjoy them.
I remember him describing fishing at home as a boy in Greece. He was talking about how the fisherman would row out to sea and fish. I think he mentioned putting a line with 50-100 hooks on it and catching all these fish. I was impressed, and didn't learn of his enjoyment of fishing until right before I left.
I also love that coach, at whatever age he is, still plays the game of soccer. That's a testament to his love of the game, and his ability to stay fit. I love the game of soccer because of his program and teams and I hope that I can still play and enjoy the game at his age.
500 wins is quite an accomplishment. Not that many basketball coaches have that many wins! In soccer it's even more impressive. I am happy for coach.
Everything I did in my time with the team was to geared toward helping the team succeed. That meant not only the players, but Lenny. I really wanted him to get the National Championship that he deserves. That motivated me then, and I hope he gets it now and in the future.
The amount I have learned about soccer is unbelieveable. I still don't know much, but I know so much more than when I first started. One of his first assignments for me was keeping track of passes completed at a game. I was so new to the game of soccer that I wasn't sure what he meant. Did it count if we touched the ball but lost it right away? Now I know better. I can watch games and know if we are playing well or not. I understand nuances better.
Through him and his program I learned a lot about soccer basics and fundamentals. I really get the game a lot better than before. I may not be able to explain it, but I have learned a lot.
Coach affected me in two ways more than anything else though. I learned the importance of balance and academics. Coach always did a great job of making sure that soccer didn't run the lives of his players or staff. There was a sense of balance and that other things are important in life besides just soccer. For me, I make sure I always find time to work out. As I left, that's what Coach was most happy with me for. He was happy that I got fit.
The thing that I think Lenny should get the most credit for is the culture that has been created around academics. I can tell academics is genuinely important to him. It's always comes up with recruits, especially early on in his conversations with them. It's also always the first question he asks in every meeting it seems. Coach understands that his players are student-athletes. I love that he allows players to miss practice if they have an exam that they need to get prepared for. Soccer is important to him, but the growth of his players academically and personally through college and beyond is very important to him. There is no coach that I have observed in college athletics yet that seems to genuinely care as much about academics as Lenny. I had a 4.0 my last two semesters of grad school, and I am not sure if I would have completed that if it wasn't for the culture of the team to do well in school. The fact that the team studied hard, and that coach expected everyone to actually trickled down to me. I felt pressure to do well and was motivated to do well.
Coach is also a great story teller. It's something that I think he hides a little too much from view. When he gets going and talking about soccer, or Greece, it's really fascinating. When players get to hear these stories they are lucky, and they often enjoy them.
I remember him describing fishing at home as a boy in Greece. He was talking about how the fisherman would row out to sea and fish. I think he mentioned putting a line with 50-100 hooks on it and catching all these fish. I was impressed, and didn't learn of his enjoyment of fishing until right before I left.
I also love that coach, at whatever age he is, still plays the game of soccer. That's a testament to his love of the game, and his ability to stay fit. I love the game of soccer because of his program and teams and I hope that I can still play and enjoy the game at his age.
500 wins is quite an accomplishment. Not that many basketball coaches have that many wins! In soccer it's even more impressive. I am happy for coach.
Everything I did in my time with the team was to geared toward helping the team succeed. That meant not only the players, but Lenny. I really wanted him to get the National Championship that he deserves. That motivated me then, and I hope he gets it now and in the future.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Dale Jr. Concussion
I was thinking about attending the NASCAR race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday but I didn't once I found out that Dale Earnhardt Jr. wouldn't be racing because of a concussion.
Junior, as he would be referred to by North Carolinians or NASCAR fans, is not my favorite driver, Jeff Gordon is, but is probably my second favorite now. Funny because I used to hate Jr. I didn't want to go to a race without him racing in it. What fun would that be?
Jr. sat out because of a concussion. He did this in the middle of his sports playoffs. Some may question whether his father would have sat out. His father may have raced with a concussion.
I am glad Jr. did not. As much as it sucked that he didn't race, I understand just how devastating concussions can be, and I think it's a good thing that people are being very careful with them.
My family has been effected by them. One of my cousins has yet to recover from a brain injury he suffered in a car accident...and he was just about to get a doctorate from MIT. He can no longer really function. I haven't heard from him in years now. All I have heard is that he basically sits in a dark house.
My great aunt hit her head when she slipped in the bathroom at 96 years old. She got a concussion and started to forget things that she never used too, like eating. She would sometimes forget to do that. Although, she did have amazing coordination.
It's important that everyone understands the dangers associated with brain injuries. When a famous NASCAR driver takes time off from racing it helps underscore the importance of taking care of concussions.
Junior, as he would be referred to by North Carolinians or NASCAR fans, is not my favorite driver, Jeff Gordon is, but is probably my second favorite now. Funny because I used to hate Jr. I didn't want to go to a race without him racing in it. What fun would that be?
Jr. sat out because of a concussion. He did this in the middle of his sports playoffs. Some may question whether his father would have sat out. His father may have raced with a concussion.
I am glad Jr. did not. As much as it sucked that he didn't race, I understand just how devastating concussions can be, and I think it's a good thing that people are being very careful with them.
My family has been effected by them. One of my cousins has yet to recover from a brain injury he suffered in a car accident...and he was just about to get a doctorate from MIT. He can no longer really function. I haven't heard from him in years now. All I have heard is that he basically sits in a dark house.
My great aunt hit her head when she slipped in the bathroom at 96 years old. She got a concussion and started to forget things that she never used too, like eating. She would sometimes forget to do that. Although, she did have amazing coordination.
It's important that everyone understands the dangers associated with brain injuries. When a famous NASCAR driver takes time off from racing it helps underscore the importance of taking care of concussions.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Strange Dutch Sport
Check out this Dutch Sport.
Much more entertaining than their soccer team that didn't show up to Euro 2012.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=8482871&categoryid=2378529
Much more entertaining than their soccer team that didn't show up to Euro 2012.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=8482871&categoryid=2378529
Sunday, October 7, 2012
If you are a nerd like me...
I love history. I love U.S. History and I love sports.
I happened to enjoy watching this program on Jesse Owens.
Long, but interesting and educational.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/owens/player/
I happened to enjoy watching this program on Jesse Owens.
Long, but interesting and educational.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/owens/player/
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Never do this again...
Applying for jobs taught me the need to network and keep gaining experience. I love working with athletes but also enjoy the fast paced action that makes up running events. I couldn't land an interview for an operations or event management position so I did what I could to find a chance to do get more experience. I preferred to do this in a sport that I enjoy but have no experience in, motorsports. It's big down here in North Carolina. I talked to a friend who know someone and I got in contact with them about helping out.
My phone conversations with the person I was going to help were a little suspect. Seemed to have no energy or enthusiasm in his voice, and his accent was thick and hard to understand over the phone. It was like trying to figure out what the words in Psy Psy Gangam Style meant. I just said, sure sounds good, I will get back to you.
A little concerned by his lack of enthusiasm or plan for my help I had someone vouch for him first. They vouched so I decided, well what the heck, let's give this a try.
The ride to this place was interesting. I got my directions on my IPhone. They started out great. It followed signs to the race track so I decided I could trust it. I needed to trust it since I was in "Real North Carolina" now. The places outside of the big cities. The places where I have been told it means something slightly different when you say the word "Yankee." Your not a fan of the baseball team if you catch my drift. I start wondering on less traveled roads. I then get to a residential neighborhood (of trailers) and get to a dead end road without driving lines. This concerns me.
But my IPhone tells me to continue onto a gravel road, that looks like a driveway.
FUCK this is a driveway. FUCK I am a Yankee. FUCK, I see the speedway in the distance, and no I can't go through the farm field to get there Google Maps.
Let's hit reverse.
FUCK it's not in gear. FUCK these people are going to come out of their trailer, ask me why I am in their driveway, and take my money and shoot me once they find out I am a Catholic Connecticut Yankee.
Please dear god, get in gear. Thank you. I get the heck out of there quickly. I use the map on google, without directions, to find the speedway, somehow.
I showed up to the track thirty minutes early and saw some cars practicing. It was cool, especially watching a few cars slide a little through the turns. I called the person I was supposed to meet and well, they said they were running an hour or so behind and that I should just go up to the women at the table by the white fence. I ran up there and said that I was here to help. "Well we don't have anything to really do." So I just waited for the person I spoke to, to arrive and meet him and get going.
Six O'Clock and still no one. 6:30...still doing nothing. During this time I found out that there was no race tonight, just the rodeo. I thought both events would be happening at once. Instead it would just be the rodeo. I started to see some of the Bull Riders and Cowgirls show up. The entertainers shall we say. I must admit, the Cowgirls, or atleast the girls they were arriving with were much, much, much better looking than I had expected. The Bull Riders were much, much, much more country than I had expected. Many were smoking cigarettes. I am sure others were dipping tobacco. I've already learned that it might not be gum these people are chewing down here. The Bull Riders came together, like poor college students crammed into cars, only probably minus the college part.
7:00 guy shows up that looks like could be the person I spoke too over the phone. He then proceeds to be stressed out and cursing at a few workers. Not sure who was right and who was wrong, but it wasn't a wonderful impression.
Looks like I picked a great day to volunteer.
The person who cursed out workers. Probably, said the F-word five times, was indeed the person I spoke over the phone with. I finally meet him and he just shakes my hand. We road in a gator to the Rodeo. I figured maybe I'd start to do something then. But I didn't. I thought maybe I would follow him around and shadow him atleast, but no offer to do that was extended.
Then I saw him down a beer. The event hadn't even started yet. I was quite confused. I've known about workers downing a beer or two at sporting events AFTER the event, but never before, and never when they were in charge of the facility. Only after the beer did I get to speak with the guy.
I learned that they tore up middle of the go-cart track to make room for the rodeo. The speedway paid the rodeo to put on the performance. The posts and set-up was done by the rodeo people. There were also EMT on standby. I might have actually had an ambulance, but that's just me.
Speaking to this person at the event and shadowing him was much more difficult and boring then I had imagined. I almost never spoke to the guy. I could have had better conversation with a supermodel if I started with the corniest line ever "how much does a Polar Bear weigh?"
I spent the entire event observing things. Rodeo is part bull riding, barrel racing and other different things as well. It's also part marketing. The Rodeo clown and MC work together with music to dance and liven things up. Kids got a chance to ride sheep. The event was well run.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect in terms of the people I would run into. I'd heard stories about some people from this county from my Aunt, who was a doctor there. I knew they might be a little different. I knew they certainly weren't going to any Al Sharpton for President rallies.
There were a lot of characters out of King of the Hill or other movies featuring country living. Maybe a Marlboro man or too as well. Fans could choose to bring their Pick-Up of choice and watch from ring side on their truck beds. You got the sense at this event that it was a big deal if you owned a pick-up truck that could tow a mountain and also drive over them as well. Having one rear tire was never enough. These people would have laughed had you owned a Ferrari or luxury car. Why own one of those when you could own a big old pick-up.
I felt really out of place, especially in my Nike. I saw one other person with a piece of Nike Apparel on. I honestly saw more people with a confederate flag on their clothes than a swoosh. I looked out of place and it was at this point that I could say that there is a difference between a southern country boy and a New England person who likes the country. I'm a New Englander who likes the country (and auto racing). I am not a Southern Country Boy who wears a Remington sweat shirt and enjoys riding around in golf carts drinking beer and smoking cigarettes. There were certainly plenty of people doing that. Also should note that many people had untrimmed beards and had that rugged country look.
All in all this was quite an experience, and probably not worth repeating. I would give the guy I was supposed to help another chance because I do have interest in helping out at a race...and I realize the importance of making contacts, gaining experience and doing new things, but all in all I don't need to repeat a day like yesterday for a bit.
I still enjoy auto-racing and would still like to help and see how everything comes together event wise, but I am open to trying at a place like say, Lime Rock, where people might be more New England Country than Southern Boy Country. Last night was a little culture shock.
My phone conversations with the person I was going to help were a little suspect. Seemed to have no energy or enthusiasm in his voice, and his accent was thick and hard to understand over the phone. It was like trying to figure out what the words in Psy Psy Gangam Style meant. I just said, sure sounds good, I will get back to you.
A little concerned by his lack of enthusiasm or plan for my help I had someone vouch for him first. They vouched so I decided, well what the heck, let's give this a try.
The ride to this place was interesting. I got my directions on my IPhone. They started out great. It followed signs to the race track so I decided I could trust it. I needed to trust it since I was in "Real North Carolina" now. The places outside of the big cities. The places where I have been told it means something slightly different when you say the word "Yankee." Your not a fan of the baseball team if you catch my drift. I start wondering on less traveled roads. I then get to a residential neighborhood (of trailers) and get to a dead end road without driving lines. This concerns me.
But my IPhone tells me to continue onto a gravel road, that looks like a driveway.
FUCK this is a driveway. FUCK I am a Yankee. FUCK, I see the speedway in the distance, and no I can't go through the farm field to get there Google Maps.
Let's hit reverse.
FUCK it's not in gear. FUCK these people are going to come out of their trailer, ask me why I am in their driveway, and take my money and shoot me once they find out I am a Catholic Connecticut Yankee.
Please dear god, get in gear. Thank you. I get the heck out of there quickly. I use the map on google, without directions, to find the speedway, somehow.
I showed up to the track thirty minutes early and saw some cars practicing. It was cool, especially watching a few cars slide a little through the turns. I called the person I was supposed to meet and well, they said they were running an hour or so behind and that I should just go up to the women at the table by the white fence. I ran up there and said that I was here to help. "Well we don't have anything to really do." So I just waited for the person I spoke to, to arrive and meet him and get going.
Six O'Clock and still no one. 6:30...still doing nothing. During this time I found out that there was no race tonight, just the rodeo. I thought both events would be happening at once. Instead it would just be the rodeo. I started to see some of the Bull Riders and Cowgirls show up. The entertainers shall we say. I must admit, the Cowgirls, or atleast the girls they were arriving with were much, much, much better looking than I had expected. The Bull Riders were much, much, much more country than I had expected. Many were smoking cigarettes. I am sure others were dipping tobacco. I've already learned that it might not be gum these people are chewing down here. The Bull Riders came together, like poor college students crammed into cars, only probably minus the college part.
7:00 guy shows up that looks like could be the person I spoke too over the phone. He then proceeds to be stressed out and cursing at a few workers. Not sure who was right and who was wrong, but it wasn't a wonderful impression.
Looks like I picked a great day to volunteer.
The person who cursed out workers. Probably, said the F-word five times, was indeed the person I spoke over the phone with. I finally meet him and he just shakes my hand. We road in a gator to the Rodeo. I figured maybe I'd start to do something then. But I didn't. I thought maybe I would follow him around and shadow him atleast, but no offer to do that was extended.
Then I saw him down a beer. The event hadn't even started yet. I was quite confused. I've known about workers downing a beer or two at sporting events AFTER the event, but never before, and never when they were in charge of the facility. Only after the beer did I get to speak with the guy.
I learned that they tore up middle of the go-cart track to make room for the rodeo. The speedway paid the rodeo to put on the performance. The posts and set-up was done by the rodeo people. There were also EMT on standby. I might have actually had an ambulance, but that's just me.
Speaking to this person at the event and shadowing him was much more difficult and boring then I had imagined. I almost never spoke to the guy. I could have had better conversation with a supermodel if I started with the corniest line ever "how much does a Polar Bear weigh?"
I spent the entire event observing things. Rodeo is part bull riding, barrel racing and other different things as well. It's also part marketing. The Rodeo clown and MC work together with music to dance and liven things up. Kids got a chance to ride sheep. The event was well run.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect in terms of the people I would run into. I'd heard stories about some people from this county from my Aunt, who was a doctor there. I knew they might be a little different. I knew they certainly weren't going to any Al Sharpton for President rallies.
There were a lot of characters out of King of the Hill or other movies featuring country living. Maybe a Marlboro man or too as well. Fans could choose to bring their Pick-Up of choice and watch from ring side on their truck beds. You got the sense at this event that it was a big deal if you owned a pick-up truck that could tow a mountain and also drive over them as well. Having one rear tire was never enough. These people would have laughed had you owned a Ferrari or luxury car. Why own one of those when you could own a big old pick-up.
I felt really out of place, especially in my Nike. I saw one other person with a piece of Nike Apparel on. I honestly saw more people with a confederate flag on their clothes than a swoosh. I looked out of place and it was at this point that I could say that there is a difference between a southern country boy and a New England person who likes the country. I'm a New Englander who likes the country (and auto racing). I am not a Southern Country Boy who wears a Remington sweat shirt and enjoys riding around in golf carts drinking beer and smoking cigarettes. There were certainly plenty of people doing that. Also should note that many people had untrimmed beards and had that rugged country look.
All in all this was quite an experience, and probably not worth repeating. I would give the guy I was supposed to help another chance because I do have interest in helping out at a race...and I realize the importance of making contacts, gaining experience and doing new things, but all in all I don't need to repeat a day like yesterday for a bit.
I still enjoy auto-racing and would still like to help and see how everything comes together event wise, but I am open to trying at a place like say, Lime Rock, where people might be more New England Country than Southern Boy Country. Last night was a little culture shock.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
I won't post my rant
I won't post my rant on needing to be smart with money because I just don't think I should talk about money.
I don't understand scooters, $170 shoes, and all sorts of expenses. Then again people could come up with a list of things they think I don't need if they looked at how I spend money on my wants.
Different people have different priorities. That's fine. One priority I have is to save and invest in my future more than spending on wants right now.
One priority athletes should make is to watch ESPN's 30 for 30 about how pro athletes lost all their millions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NIuG_Kn06E&feature=relmfu
In the real world you need to keep track of everything that comes in and goes out and you need to budget for what you need now and in the future to figure out what nice things you can afford to do for yourself, without putting yourself through the hell of going bankrupt.
Should I buy that expensive pair of shoes or should I put money away for a house or washer and dryer one day?
I am blessed to have grown up with the values that my grandmother learned from living through the Great Depression. Those values have been instilled in me. Don't be wasteful, be resourceful, work hard and be smart with money.
The tradition in my family is to eat cake and ice cream off of a special plate that has been passed down. On it this plate it has a saying "For age and want, save while you may. For no morning sun lasts all the day." I'm lucky to have grown up with these values.
That's not to say not to spend money. It is to say, spend it wisely and plan how you want to spend it compared to your goals in life.
(One reason I made a bucket list is that it creates a set of objectives and goals to work towards. It helps make sure you plan both the time and money necessary to do the things you want to do in life)
I hope people are smart with money, because it's sad to see how many people aren't good with it, and the trouble being bad with it can get them in.
Come up with the things you care most about in life and start to figure out how you are going to pay for it. You will start to weigh buying things you want now with things you want in the future.
Do I want to spend an extra $5,000 to buy a BMW or do I want to make sure my child goes to college?
I don't understand scooters, $170 shoes, and all sorts of expenses. Then again people could come up with a list of things they think I don't need if they looked at how I spend money on my wants.
Different people have different priorities. That's fine. One priority I have is to save and invest in my future more than spending on wants right now.
One priority athletes should make is to watch ESPN's 30 for 30 about how pro athletes lost all their millions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NIuG_Kn06E&feature=relmfu
In the real world you need to keep track of everything that comes in and goes out and you need to budget for what you need now and in the future to figure out what nice things you can afford to do for yourself, without putting yourself through the hell of going bankrupt.
Should I buy that expensive pair of shoes or should I put money away for a house or washer and dryer one day?
I am blessed to have grown up with the values that my grandmother learned from living through the Great Depression. Those values have been instilled in me. Don't be wasteful, be resourceful, work hard and be smart with money.
The tradition in my family is to eat cake and ice cream off of a special plate that has been passed down. On it this plate it has a saying "For age and want, save while you may. For no morning sun lasts all the day." I'm lucky to have grown up with these values.
That's not to say not to spend money. It is to say, spend it wisely and plan how you want to spend it compared to your goals in life.
(One reason I made a bucket list is that it creates a set of objectives and goals to work towards. It helps make sure you plan both the time and money necessary to do the things you want to do in life)
I hope people are smart with money, because it's sad to see how many people aren't good with it, and the trouble being bad with it can get them in.
Come up with the things you care most about in life and start to figure out how you are going to pay for it. You will start to weigh buying things you want now with things you want in the future.
Do I want to spend an extra $5,000 to buy a BMW or do I want to make sure my child goes to college?
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Cross Country Runners
When you first start a position you get easy work to see if you can handle it.
When it comes to academic advising you get to help Cross Country.
No sport could possibly be easier to advise than Cross Country.
Ever notice what team gets all the 4.0's among athletes?
So basically my advice to all of the athletes was. Good job, keep it up and I am sure you will be fine.
The hardest part of the whole meeting was how to open it up. All of a sudden they got the intern. Nothing says you are on cross country or a small sport when they switch you to the intern for your meetings.
They are lucky I am the intern, but they don't know that yet.
To take off the awkwardness for the first meeting I came up with a great line. Occasionally I have them.
I said. "Well, I have never advised before, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night." Glad the room erupted into laughter. Guess I delivered it perfectly for once.
The other one I wanted to use was "Don't worry, I'm a limo driver."
Fairly certain these kids are too young for the Dumb and Dumber reference.
On a tangent, I am also pissed off that in my adventures looking for a car that I didn't introduce myself as "Jerry Lundegaard" to a salesman. Will have to do that one... That's a Fargo reference.
Anyway, the meeting went fine and it's because it's cross country. Never heard of cross country runners who struggle academically. Maybe some struggle getting that 3.99 GPA. It's nice to work with a few easy athletes to start with.
My theory as to why Cross Country athletes are so easy to deal with academically is because of the self discipline required to run everyday. I think that self discipline and need to individually challenge themselves everyday carries over into the classroom. I also think that cross country runners typically come from more affluent homes. That might be wrong, but it's an impression I have.
Speaking of which, two athletes I had meetings with were from Kentucky. Not sure I have ever met people from Kentucky before. They seemed normal. It's obvious they aren't from West Virginia.
Speaking of athletes, it has only taken me three weeks to figure out who the crazy athlete is. She is a hurdler on the track team. She's nuts. She wore a tiara for her birthday. She also studied during study hall with her feet up on the table and her ass hanging off the seat. Couldn't have looked any less normal, especially when she said she hadn't showered for a week. Maybe she meant a few days, hope that wasn't literal. She also tried to convince me to buy Crocs.
How about, No?
When it comes to academic advising you get to help Cross Country.
No sport could possibly be easier to advise than Cross Country.
Ever notice what team gets all the 4.0's among athletes?
So basically my advice to all of the athletes was. Good job, keep it up and I am sure you will be fine.
The hardest part of the whole meeting was how to open it up. All of a sudden they got the intern. Nothing says you are on cross country or a small sport when they switch you to the intern for your meetings.
They are lucky I am the intern, but they don't know that yet.
To take off the awkwardness for the first meeting I came up with a great line. Occasionally I have them.
I said. "Well, I have never advised before, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night." Glad the room erupted into laughter. Guess I delivered it perfectly for once.
The other one I wanted to use was "Don't worry, I'm a limo driver."
Fairly certain these kids are too young for the Dumb and Dumber reference.
On a tangent, I am also pissed off that in my adventures looking for a car that I didn't introduce myself as "Jerry Lundegaard" to a salesman. Will have to do that one... That's a Fargo reference.
Anyway, the meeting went fine and it's because it's cross country. Never heard of cross country runners who struggle academically. Maybe some struggle getting that 3.99 GPA. It's nice to work with a few easy athletes to start with.
My theory as to why Cross Country athletes are so easy to deal with academically is because of the self discipline required to run everyday. I think that self discipline and need to individually challenge themselves everyday carries over into the classroom. I also think that cross country runners typically come from more affluent homes. That might be wrong, but it's an impression I have.
Speaking of which, two athletes I had meetings with were from Kentucky. Not sure I have ever met people from Kentucky before. They seemed normal. It's obvious they aren't from West Virginia.
Speaking of athletes, it has only taken me three weeks to figure out who the crazy athlete is. She is a hurdler on the track team. She's nuts. She wore a tiara for her birthday. She also studied during study hall with her feet up on the table and her ass hanging off the seat. Couldn't have looked any less normal, especially when she said she hadn't showered for a week. Maybe she meant a few days, hope that wasn't literal. She also tried to convince me to buy Crocs.
How about, No?
Getting Educated about Lightening
I got to see the weather map at an athletics event today. I was very curious about lightening and how that effects operations and the clearing of fields.
I wonder what would make me interested?
Forget about the past.
But, I saw what was the weather channel map on steriods.
Here is the website for the program. http://www.telvent.com/en/business_areas/environment/solutions_overview/sports_rec/index.cfm
The weather map has rings around the location of the event that extends out for about 18-20 miles. These rings help show where lightening strikes are occurring and how close they are to the location of the event.
Lightening strikes within six miles of the field means that the game has to be delayed. Now there is a difference between cloud to cloud lightening and cloud to ground lightening. Cloud to cloud lightening does not necessarily mean that a game has to be delayed. Cloud to ground lightening means that it does if it is within six miles.
A referee can see lightening but can be told that it is beyond six miles out and the game can continue. Operations people can have some discretion. Obviously if the lightening is headed towards the game, then it will likely be delayed if a referee sees it.
The weather map program also keeps tracks of cloud to cloud lightening and cloud to ground lightening strikes within the last three minutes and three to fifteen minutes. These can be viewed in a table and the table can automatically restart the thirty minute clock that determines when a game can resume.
So this is what I learned today about lightening strikes and sporting events. I hope to learn more.
I wonder what would make me interested?
Forget about the past.
But, I saw what was the weather channel map on steriods.
Here is the website for the program. http://www.telvent.com/en/business_areas/environment/solutions_overview/sports_rec/index.cfm
The weather map has rings around the location of the event that extends out for about 18-20 miles. These rings help show where lightening strikes are occurring and how close they are to the location of the event.
Lightening strikes within six miles of the field means that the game has to be delayed. Now there is a difference between cloud to cloud lightening and cloud to ground lightening. Cloud to cloud lightening does not necessarily mean that a game has to be delayed. Cloud to ground lightening means that it does if it is within six miles.
A referee can see lightening but can be told that it is beyond six miles out and the game can continue. Operations people can have some discretion. Obviously if the lightening is headed towards the game, then it will likely be delayed if a referee sees it.
The weather map program also keeps tracks of cloud to cloud lightening and cloud to ground lightening strikes within the last three minutes and three to fifteen minutes. These can be viewed in a table and the table can automatically restart the thirty minute clock that determines when a game can resume.
So this is what I learned today about lightening strikes and sporting events. I hope to learn more.
Marching Sound Machine
Here is a you tube video of the Marching Sound Machine, the North Carolina Central University Marching Band.
They are really good. They make me realize just how much having a good band can help make an athletic event fun and entertaining. They are probably more of a reason to come to a game than the football team.
I'd start watching around 11:40
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWaTRr1uoxQ
They are really good. They make me realize just how much having a good band can help make an athletic event fun and entertaining. They are probably more of a reason to come to a game than the football team.
I'd start watching around 11:40
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWaTRr1uoxQ
Friday, September 28, 2012
Watched Highlight Video
So I have been able to watch the webcasts of the last four UCWS games. It inspired me to watch parts of the highlight video of last year tonight...albeit using a lot of fast forwarding.
I know the video too well.
I don't think I ever really explained the ending of it. It was artistic for me. Figured I would explain it since it was really different.
I liked the song. I didn't over analyze the lyrics. I rarely listen to them. The word "Paradise" is what mattered. Hopefully when the players leave and pop in the video randomly one day they will think back to their years in college and the UCWS program and think of it as paradise.
They should, because college is really some of the best years of your life.
I took every goal celebration from every game and fast forwarded them. Those were happy moments. I also took atleast a huddle or clip from every game no matter result. Every day of the season was represented.
Then I went and put together a clip of every player smiling or laughing. Hopefully when you think of your teammates you think of them laughing and having fun and smiling. I think athletes miss more of the down time and time away from the field with teammates than the games, although they do love the games.
Then I went on to go through all of the goals scored by seniors and or highlights of seniors.
That was a lot of film.
I fast forwarded everything for a few reasons. One was so it would all fit in a timely manner, but mostly the reason it was in fast forward is because time in college and with the program goes by really fast. The whole season feels like it goes by as quickly as the ending of the video. Lastly, when you think back on things, and a career or season, you can only remember bits and pieces of it. You can't remember all of it, and you can't have it back. By fast forwarding the film, you can't see what happened, you only can see bits and pieces of it.
I actually thought about putting a weird meaning into the end of the highlight video. About time I finally explained it.
I know the video too well.
I don't think I ever really explained the ending of it. It was artistic for me. Figured I would explain it since it was really different.
I liked the song. I didn't over analyze the lyrics. I rarely listen to them. The word "Paradise" is what mattered. Hopefully when the players leave and pop in the video randomly one day they will think back to their years in college and the UCWS program and think of it as paradise.
They should, because college is really some of the best years of your life.
I took every goal celebration from every game and fast forwarded them. Those were happy moments. I also took atleast a huddle or clip from every game no matter result. Every day of the season was represented.
Then I went and put together a clip of every player smiling or laughing. Hopefully when you think of your teammates you think of them laughing and having fun and smiling. I think athletes miss more of the down time and time away from the field with teammates than the games, although they do love the games.
Then I went on to go through all of the goals scored by seniors and or highlights of seniors.
That was a lot of film.
I fast forwarded everything for a few reasons. One was so it would all fit in a timely manner, but mostly the reason it was in fast forward is because time in college and with the program goes by really fast. The whole season feels like it goes by as quickly as the ending of the video. Lastly, when you think back on things, and a career or season, you can only remember bits and pieces of it. You can't remember all of it, and you can't have it back. By fast forwarding the film, you can't see what happened, you only can see bits and pieces of it.
I actually thought about putting a weird meaning into the end of the highlight video. About time I finally explained it.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Mich
It's been awhile since I wrote about memories of a player. I am also so busy that I may really forget stories or things, but I will try to write something.
Over the summer I was reminded of Mich. I was networking with an assistant AD and she gave me a great compliment and it was that I was personable and easy to talk too and that she knew because of that, that I would find a job and do well.
This reminds me so much of Mich, and what I think of her. She has a great personality and will succeed because of it.
Now at first I didn't know she had one.
I thought she had no personality because of all the players in the spring of 2010, she was the only one never to say hello, or wave to me when she walked by.
Maybe I got an awkward stare.
To be fair she had just joined the team and was probably intimidated.
It didn't take long for her to get comfortable.
I think she will succeed in business, and a lot of that goes with her great inter-personal skills. She is also confident.
I also often side with her on twitter when she gets into arguments with Cory. Mich gets it, and Mich is usually on the right side of the argument.
When someone I know pretty well was thrown in goal, Mich would be sure to give them directions on what to do and not to do. Sometimes it was intimidating, but always helpful. She would also point out good things as well.
My favorite story about Mich involved the rivalry that her and Riley had when they played against each other at Oakwood. I can't remember if they got physical with each other or not, but they might have. Regardless I know their teams were physical with one another. I will have to check the interview I did one day to see exactly what happened, but I know Riley and Mich were rivals in their club years.
One thing that really impressed me about Mich is how far she came in just one year. She went from becoming a walk-on to traveling for our trip to Syracuse. Then she made the roster for the NCAA tournament. She deserved it. She worked hard, and was always fit.
Now Mich has played some and I know is someone who can be relied on to play solid defense.
Those are some random thoughts and stories on Mich. It's a good thing she walked-on. UCWS was definitely very lucky.
Over the summer I was reminded of Mich. I was networking with an assistant AD and she gave me a great compliment and it was that I was personable and easy to talk too and that she knew because of that, that I would find a job and do well.
This reminds me so much of Mich, and what I think of her. She has a great personality and will succeed because of it.
Now at first I didn't know she had one.
I thought she had no personality because of all the players in the spring of 2010, she was the only one never to say hello, or wave to me when she walked by.
Maybe I got an awkward stare.
To be fair she had just joined the team and was probably intimidated.
It didn't take long for her to get comfortable.
I think she will succeed in business, and a lot of that goes with her great inter-personal skills. She is also confident.
I also often side with her on twitter when she gets into arguments with Cory. Mich gets it, and Mich is usually on the right side of the argument.
When someone I know pretty well was thrown in goal, Mich would be sure to give them directions on what to do and not to do. Sometimes it was intimidating, but always helpful. She would also point out good things as well.
My favorite story about Mich involved the rivalry that her and Riley had when they played against each other at Oakwood. I can't remember if they got physical with each other or not, but they might have. Regardless I know their teams were physical with one another. I will have to check the interview I did one day to see exactly what happened, but I know Riley and Mich were rivals in their club years.
One thing that really impressed me about Mich is how far she came in just one year. She went from becoming a walk-on to traveling for our trip to Syracuse. Then she made the roster for the NCAA tournament. She deserved it. She worked hard, and was always fit.
Now Mich has played some and I know is someone who can be relied on to play solid defense.
Those are some random thoughts and stories on Mich. It's a good thing she walked-on. UCWS was definitely very lucky.
Been a month
Been a while since I posted last.
So I'll talk a little bit of Women's Soccer...since I am in the Women's College Soccer Capital of the World, North Carolina. (Can you really argue with UNC...and then Duke and Wake?)
Duke is for real. They can score. They are impressive to watch.
Summer Green on UNC can play. I think UNC is ranked too low. I think they are better than the 12th best team in the country.
Marquette looked overmatched against North Carolina. Was not even close. They had half a chance at best when I was there. My favorite player on Marquette is number 17...what a shocker... Rachel Brown impressed me though.
Not quite sure how Cincinnati managed to tie a team in it's first game that had a forward playing in goal...
I heard that the Florida State coach thinks his team is stacked and going all the way this year.
And most importantly. UConn is still the best.
So I'll talk a little bit of Women's Soccer...since I am in the Women's College Soccer Capital of the World, North Carolina. (Can you really argue with UNC...and then Duke and Wake?)
Duke is for real. They can score. They are impressive to watch.
Summer Green on UNC can play. I think UNC is ranked too low. I think they are better than the 12th best team in the country.
Marquette looked overmatched against North Carolina. Was not even close. They had half a chance at best when I was there. My favorite player on Marquette is number 17...what a shocker... Rachel Brown impressed me though.
Not quite sure how Cincinnati managed to tie a team in it's first game that had a forward playing in goal...
I heard that the Florida State coach thinks his team is stacked and going all the way this year.
And most importantly. UConn is still the best.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Did I call It? 2012 Predictions Revisited
I called Heather O'Reilly making the difference in the Canada game.
I called Will Middlebrooks hitting a three run home run yesterday at Fenway to tie the game at Nine.
Am I Miss Cleo...No..
But let's grade my predictions from January for the year of 2012...A to F...feel free to leave your own grades as well.
1. Golf explodes, Tiger Woods wins TWO majors and between Tiger, Rory McElroy and company, golf and the PGA will see their interest go up.
C+ ...for now... I don't think golf has really exploded...If Tiger wins the PGA I will give myself a B. Basically I thought Tiger would win again this year. He has, but hasn't been as dominant as I thought he would be. He has been in contention, just wasn't quite as good as I thought.
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins the Daytona 500. The streak that everyone talks about in NASCAR, the fact that Dale Jr. hasn't won in so many races, will end after the first race of the season.
A - Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished second in the Daytona 500 and is currently number one in the points standings and won a race to end his winless streak this year. I thought Dale Jr. would do well in 2012. He has far exceeded my expectations, but I think my high expectations were on point. If he had actually won the 500 I would get an A+.
3. NIKE will make NFL jerseys popular to wear again. I see this as the biggest DUH of all my predictions.
Incomplete - NFL hasn't started yet
4. The Miami Heat will win the NBA Championship.
A ... Wasn't really going out on the limb other than that people didn't want to see LeBron win it.
5. People will be talking about Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps again...the London Olympics are here.
B + ...Not a bold enough prediction for an A. But it was very true...
6. The US Women's Soccer Team WILL WIN GOLD at the Olympics. Canada wins Bronze.
A+ ...not surprising that the US won the gold. But I had Canada winning the Bronze. That Canada winning the Bronze makes it an A+
7. The Mets will finish in last place in the NL East.
C- ...The Mets have exceeded my expectations for this year by a lot...but are starting to lose again so maybe this grade improves. Progress report is a C-
8. Rex Ryan will shut up, or we will stop listening, if we haven't already.
Incomplete - No football yet.
9. The Red Sox will rebound and make the playoffs, The Yankees won't win the World Series. I don't know who will win the World Series, maybe the Red Sox. All I do know is that baseball's popularity will continue to slowly decline.
D...Yeah the Red Sox suck...Yankees look pretty good...sort of incomplete, but the Red Sox suck. Anyone want Josh Beckett?
Anyone?
I can't hear you...
10. The Knicks and Rangers bring back some life to Madison Square Garden in the spring. The Rangers go to the Stanley Cup Finals
D -...Linsanity didn't last and I don't know what happened to the Rangers...literally...I think they made the playoffs
11. The Jerry Sandusky case only gets worse.
A ...Yeah Penn State looks a lot worse now...and their football program...not good with all those sanctions.
12. College Sports continue to deal with scandal, but not as much as in 2011.
A - ... Thanks Bobby Petrino!! But that wasn't quite like Penn State
13. Courts rule that West Virginia has to play in the BIG EAST for the next few seasons. Conference Realignment calms down, although there will be plenty of rumors involving BIG EAST football schools. Those rumors will also have some solid foundation to them.
F ... West Virginia is not in the BIG EAST anymore...Realignment has sort of calmed down, but not much
I called Will Middlebrooks hitting a three run home run yesterday at Fenway to tie the game at Nine.
Am I Miss Cleo...No..
But let's grade my predictions from January for the year of 2012...A to F...feel free to leave your own grades as well.
1. Golf explodes, Tiger Woods wins TWO majors and between Tiger, Rory McElroy and company, golf and the PGA will see their interest go up.
C+ ...for now... I don't think golf has really exploded...If Tiger wins the PGA I will give myself a B. Basically I thought Tiger would win again this year. He has, but hasn't been as dominant as I thought he would be. He has been in contention, just wasn't quite as good as I thought.
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins the Daytona 500. The streak that everyone talks about in NASCAR, the fact that Dale Jr. hasn't won in so many races, will end after the first race of the season.
A - Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished second in the Daytona 500 and is currently number one in the points standings and won a race to end his winless streak this year. I thought Dale Jr. would do well in 2012. He has far exceeded my expectations, but I think my high expectations were on point. If he had actually won the 500 I would get an A+.
3. NIKE will make NFL jerseys popular to wear again. I see this as the biggest DUH of all my predictions.
Incomplete - NFL hasn't started yet
4. The Miami Heat will win the NBA Championship.
A ... Wasn't really going out on the limb other than that people didn't want to see LeBron win it.
5. People will be talking about Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps again...the London Olympics are here.
B + ...Not a bold enough prediction for an A. But it was very true...
6. The US Women's Soccer Team WILL WIN GOLD at the Olympics. Canada wins Bronze.
A+ ...not surprising that the US won the gold. But I had Canada winning the Bronze. That Canada winning the Bronze makes it an A+
7. The Mets will finish in last place in the NL East.
C- ...The Mets have exceeded my expectations for this year by a lot...but are starting to lose again so maybe this grade improves. Progress report is a C-
8. Rex Ryan will shut up, or we will stop listening, if we haven't already.
Incomplete - No football yet.
9. The Red Sox will rebound and make the playoffs, The Yankees won't win the World Series. I don't know who will win the World Series, maybe the Red Sox. All I do know is that baseball's popularity will continue to slowly decline.
D...Yeah the Red Sox suck...Yankees look pretty good...sort of incomplete, but the Red Sox suck. Anyone want Josh Beckett?
Anyone?
I can't hear you...
10. The Knicks and Rangers bring back some life to Madison Square Garden in the spring. The Rangers go to the Stanley Cup Finals
D -...Linsanity didn't last and I don't know what happened to the Rangers...literally...I think they made the playoffs
11. The Jerry Sandusky case only gets worse.
A ...Yeah Penn State looks a lot worse now...and their football program...not good with all those sanctions.
12. College Sports continue to deal with scandal, but not as much as in 2011.
A - ... Thanks Bobby Petrino!! But that wasn't quite like Penn State
13. Courts rule that West Virginia has to play in the BIG EAST for the next few seasons. Conference Realignment calms down, although there will be plenty of rumors involving BIG EAST football schools. Those rumors will also have some solid foundation to them.
F ... West Virginia is not in the BIG EAST anymore...Realignment has sort of calmed down, but not much
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Liked this movie
I really liked the movie "Senna" that was on ESPN last week. It's about a former Formula One Race Car driver. It's quite interesting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOQLeqRcgKc
I really would like to win the lottery one day and race cars to see what it's like. All I know about race car driving is that it's really expensive...especially when you are pushing the limits trying to win.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOQLeqRcgKc
I really would like to win the lottery one day and race cars to see what it's like. All I know about race car driving is that it's really expensive...especially when you are pushing the limits trying to win.
They send managers for a Nature Walk
I've decided it's time to rank the players most likely to cause a manager to run into the woods "Nature Walk" and get a soccer ball... An expensive soccer ball.
I'll never forget the time Erin Clark kicked a ball way down in Shenkman and than I went and got it. Then as I was running back with it she kicked another one past me. Clark doesn't make this list though.
Players most likely to make a manager go on a Nature Walk...or the players you want in Kickball Home Run Derby
1. Charno
2. Devin
3. Shoey
4. Mika
5. I can't just have four, so for Five I will go with Sam
The top four players might terrify a manager on a hot day.
The very sight of those players in a shooting line makes managers run like Forrest Gump.
One time Mika kicked one that I thought was going to go high so I jumped to see if I could stop it that way, and she miss hit it so badly it rolled under me. That may be the only time Mika didn't kick a home run.
At one point I got bored last year at practice and started to count who hit the ball over more than anyone else. Charno won that contest by a mile.
I'll never forget the time Erin Clark kicked a ball way down in Shenkman and than I went and got it. Then as I was running back with it she kicked another one past me. Clark doesn't make this list though.
Players most likely to make a manager go on a Nature Walk...or the players you want in Kickball Home Run Derby
1. Charno
2. Devin
3. Shoey
4. Mika
5. I can't just have four, so for Five I will go with Sam
The top four players might terrify a manager on a hot day.
The very sight of those players in a shooting line makes managers run like Forrest Gump.
One time Mika kicked one that I thought was going to go high so I jumped to see if I could stop it that way, and she miss hit it so badly it rolled under me. That may be the only time Mika didn't kick a home run.
At one point I got bored last year at practice and started to count who hit the ball over more than anyone else. Charno won that contest by a mile.
Mika
So Mika is one player I had met before she joined the team. I drove her to the airport after her visit the weekend of the South Florida game in 2010. I got up really early, maybe around 6:30am and drove to Dulski's apartment to pick her up to bring her home. Mika did not show the signs of someone with a huge personality at the time. I'm sure we made small talk, but I have no idea what we spoke about, other than that a former player who I never knew, but had watched, named Sarah Stanczyk, was someone Mika knew.
The most eventful part of the trip was right before Mika got out of the car. I wished her well and for some reason instinctively went, "You have everything?" I don't remember if I looked under her seat or went "You sure you have your wallet? your ipod? your CELL PHONE?" but thankfully my instincts were correct. Mika's phone was under her seat and thankfully it was found before anyone went too far.
By the time pre-season had started I'm not sure if she remembered who I was or not. It's always funny with freshman and how awkward it can be meeting them. I think I actually tried to be distant with the freshman since I knew I'd only be here for a small part of their time at UConn. However, I didn't remain distant all that long.
I don't think my first memory of Mika came until we had our 90 minute interview with her and Charno. It was hilarious and mostly because of Mika. She has a personality. Like jalapenos, she spices things up.
That was the worst line I've ever written.
Mika was so good at making stuff up on the fly on camera which is a really hard thing to do. She was just freaking funny. No one else could make eating a gummy worm off the ground seem so awesome. No one else could have pulled off the Halloween costumes and getting candy or vegetables in August.
She once ordered me as a side on a food order. That was quite unforgettable. I don't know what possessed her to do that, but it did make for an interesting conversation with the restauraunt we ordered from.
"We don't have what Bussey ordered?"
"Just ignore that, she was just messing around"
They did call about things like that. I don't remember if I brought it up with them, or they brought it up with me, but I did explain to them to ignore it.
I probably should have just crossed it out, but quite frankly I thought it was too different, or funny to actually do that.
Mika made something routine and boring, less boring by doing this. People with great personalities and people who are really funny can take the boring and routine situations in life and make them fun and interesting. Mika definitely has that skill and I think it's an important one. Imagine how boring it is without her around. She brings a lot with her personality. Who wouldn't miss Mika?
Mika and Charno helped make things fun for me by willingly putting themselves on camera often.
Originally I was going to have Mika Irish Dance after Drea, because she was the only person I thought would be crazy enough to do it. Mika still tried too.
Irish dancing was not her thing, but she is the first and only player to my knowledge to have ever done the inchworm into the goal at Morrone Stadium.
Mika's voice is amazing. I hope I can watch her sing the anthem before a game. She tried out for a show on NBC and wanted to sing the National Anthem before a basketball game.
Mika and I had a miscommunication about her singing the National Anthem at one point though. I was asked if I could get a player to recite the Pledge of Allegiance before a big Men's Basketball game on ESPN. I knew that the only player who would realistically consider doing it would be Mika. She said yes, but she misunderstood that it was the Pledge and not singing the National Anthem. On Facebook her status read something like "Singing the National Anthem before the Men's Game Tonight on ESPN." I quickly corrected her and as it turned out she had no interest in reading the pledge from the jumbo tron. She just wanted to sing the Anthem. To me, both are nerve wracking. But reading seems easier than singing...
I thought Mika was so crazy that I was sure she was the one who was doing the dancing in the talent show instead of Dre.
Mika was also famous for calling "cross bar" and then hitting anything but that.
I do think she has a very powerful shot, but I would not pick her for the cross bar challenge.
I know I am forgetting a lot about Mika at this point. I've already been away so long, and thinking about so many different things that I've actually sort of begun to forget a few things. I really have to sit and think to come up with stories and memories.
One thing I really want to do though is put Mika Bussey and Kemba Walker in the same sentence.
You can now google "Mika & Kemba"
Sounds like a show for Bravo.
Mika pretty much came up with that story by herself. Charno helped a little I think, but Mika went with it and tried very hard to make it believable. Mika made it seem as if some people on the team, especially Dulski and Celeste, really believed that Kemba traveled to Michigan to see Mika. (you can now google Kemba traveled to Michigan to see Mika)
I believed that Dulski believed Mika so I made sure to interview Dulski on the matter. As gullible as Dulski is I'm very happy that within a few minutes Dulski seemed to be more "realistic" and that Mika was full of it.
Mika also had one of my favorite parts of a pre-game video and it was wishing Cory a "Happy Rosh Hashanah."
Anyway, Mika is awesome. I may have forgotten a few things, but in summary she makes things fun. I wish her all the luck in the world with a music career and hope the rest of her soccer career goes well. If you don't like Mika there is something wrong with you.
Now go get a you tube account and like her video.
Now
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i86m_Qp6Af4
The most eventful part of the trip was right before Mika got out of the car. I wished her well and for some reason instinctively went, "You have everything?" I don't remember if I looked under her seat or went "You sure you have your wallet? your ipod? your CELL PHONE?" but thankfully my instincts were correct. Mika's phone was under her seat and thankfully it was found before anyone went too far.
By the time pre-season had started I'm not sure if she remembered who I was or not. It's always funny with freshman and how awkward it can be meeting them. I think I actually tried to be distant with the freshman since I knew I'd only be here for a small part of their time at UConn. However, I didn't remain distant all that long.
I don't think my first memory of Mika came until we had our 90 minute interview with her and Charno. It was hilarious and mostly because of Mika. She has a personality. Like jalapenos, she spices things up.
That was the worst line I've ever written.
Mika was so good at making stuff up on the fly on camera which is a really hard thing to do. She was just freaking funny. No one else could make eating a gummy worm off the ground seem so awesome. No one else could have pulled off the Halloween costumes and getting candy or vegetables in August.
She once ordered me as a side on a food order. That was quite unforgettable. I don't know what possessed her to do that, but it did make for an interesting conversation with the restauraunt we ordered from.
"We don't have what Bussey ordered?"
"Just ignore that, she was just messing around"
They did call about things like that. I don't remember if I brought it up with them, or they brought it up with me, but I did explain to them to ignore it.
I probably should have just crossed it out, but quite frankly I thought it was too different, or funny to actually do that.
Mika made something routine and boring, less boring by doing this. People with great personalities and people who are really funny can take the boring and routine situations in life and make them fun and interesting. Mika definitely has that skill and I think it's an important one. Imagine how boring it is without her around. She brings a lot with her personality. Who wouldn't miss Mika?
Mika and Charno helped make things fun for me by willingly putting themselves on camera often.
Originally I was going to have Mika Irish Dance after Drea, because she was the only person I thought would be crazy enough to do it. Mika still tried too.
Irish dancing was not her thing, but she is the first and only player to my knowledge to have ever done the inchworm into the goal at Morrone Stadium.
Mika's voice is amazing. I hope I can watch her sing the anthem before a game. She tried out for a show on NBC and wanted to sing the National Anthem before a basketball game.
Mika and I had a miscommunication about her singing the National Anthem at one point though. I was asked if I could get a player to recite the Pledge of Allegiance before a big Men's Basketball game on ESPN. I knew that the only player who would realistically consider doing it would be Mika. She said yes, but she misunderstood that it was the Pledge and not singing the National Anthem. On Facebook her status read something like "Singing the National Anthem before the Men's Game Tonight on ESPN." I quickly corrected her and as it turned out she had no interest in reading the pledge from the jumbo tron. She just wanted to sing the Anthem. To me, both are nerve wracking. But reading seems easier than singing...
I thought Mika was so crazy that I was sure she was the one who was doing the dancing in the talent show instead of Dre.
Mika was also famous for calling "cross bar" and then hitting anything but that.
I do think she has a very powerful shot, but I would not pick her for the cross bar challenge.
I know I am forgetting a lot about Mika at this point. I've already been away so long, and thinking about so many different things that I've actually sort of begun to forget a few things. I really have to sit and think to come up with stories and memories.
One thing I really want to do though is put Mika Bussey and Kemba Walker in the same sentence.
You can now google "Mika & Kemba"
Sounds like a show for Bravo.
Mika pretty much came up with that story by herself. Charno helped a little I think, but Mika went with it and tried very hard to make it believable. Mika made it seem as if some people on the team, especially Dulski and Celeste, really believed that Kemba traveled to Michigan to see Mika. (you can now google Kemba traveled to Michigan to see Mika)
I believed that Dulski believed Mika so I made sure to interview Dulski on the matter. As gullible as Dulski is I'm very happy that within a few minutes Dulski seemed to be more "realistic" and that Mika was full of it.
Mika also had one of my favorite parts of a pre-game video and it was wishing Cory a "Happy Rosh Hashanah."
Anyway, Mika is awesome. I may have forgotten a few things, but in summary she makes things fun. I wish her all the luck in the world with a music career and hope the rest of her soccer career goes well. If you don't like Mika there is something wrong with you.
Now go get a you tube account and like her video.
Now
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i86m_Qp6Af4
Monday, August 6, 2012
Been awhile..This is Too Unoriginal
I don't like criticizing UCONN, or it's athletic department, especially it's marketing department, because I love the marketing department.
But the hash tag of BleedBlue that I saw on posters and other places is one of the worst hash tag ideas and marketing slogans I have ever heard.
Duke could get away with that as they are the Blue Devils.
The Football Giants could get away with it because they are known as "Big Blue."
UCONN can not get away with it. UCONN is known for having the color Blue in it's logo, but it's not something that people associate with the word blue around the country.
BleedBlue is PAINFULLY UNORIGINAL and not very specific. I think it's awful. This Is UCONN Country was good. Bleed Blue sucks.
I'm not sure that UCONN could do a Blue Out game.
True Blue sucks. I hate that slogan as well. Those are stupid T-Shirts, that did not make me think of UCONN.
I know BleedBlue keeps things short, but I think there are enough smart people at UCONN that could have come up with a better twitter hash tag. I bet athletes who use twitter could have come up with something great.
But the hash tag of BleedBlue that I saw on posters and other places is one of the worst hash tag ideas and marketing slogans I have ever heard.
Duke could get away with that as they are the Blue Devils.
The Football Giants could get away with it because they are known as "Big Blue."
UCONN can not get away with it. UCONN is known for having the color Blue in it's logo, but it's not something that people associate with the word blue around the country.
BleedBlue is PAINFULLY UNORIGINAL and not very specific. I think it's awful. This Is UCONN Country was good. Bleed Blue sucks.
I'm not sure that UCONN could do a Blue Out game.
True Blue sucks. I hate that slogan as well. Those are stupid T-Shirts, that did not make me think of UCONN.
I know BleedBlue keeps things short, but I think there are enough smart people at UCONN that could have come up with a better twitter hash tag. I bet athletes who use twitter could have come up with something great.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Very Happy We Helped Her Live
My Great Aunt passed away at the age of 96 today. I was shocked. I mean you expect that anything can happen when you a relative is 96, but I just saw her on our trip to North Carolina and she looked great. She moved better than most 66 year olds and we were able to get a video of her flipping a card and catching it quickly. Amazing reflexes for someone her age.
I spoke on the phone with her on Monday (one reason was to remind her to eat) and on Thursday I listened to her tell my mom how wonderful I am and how she fell in love with me on our visit. She seemed full of life over the phone then. She actually passed away later that night.
She was an avid golfer, and she hit a hole in one in her sixties. She played up into her 90s.
I'm not really all that sad, because when my mom and I visited, and when my uncles did as well earlier in the month, we helped her live life. Since her husband died she has just been couped up in her apartment. That's not much of a life to live. When we visited we took her out to eat and drove around to see her old house. Her memory wasn't that good because of a fall, but she got us close. She appreciated seeing it. Another day while we were in North Carolina we took her out for Ice Cream because she really liked Ice Cream and her facility had a problem with it's freezer. We drove her through one of the worst rain storms I have ever been through in order to get ice cream. She really enjoyed herself and couldn't believe what we were driving through just to get her some ice cream.
We couldn't go golfing because of the weather being too hot. That's the one thing we wish we could have done, whether it be the driving range or mini golf.
I showed her my IPhone and all that it can do. It's amazing how much things have changed from the Woodrow Wilson administration. She was amazed by it. I showed her some of the work that I did because she was interested in it. She saw a sample of a video I made and she couldn't believe what girls were doing in athletics now. We showed her video of us skydiving and we got her to say that "Well if everyone else was going than I might go."
It's always sad when someone passes away, but it feels much better when you know that you helped them enjoy the final moments of their life.
Create a list of things you want to do in life and make them happen and help others make theirs happen.
I spoke on the phone with her on Monday (one reason was to remind her to eat) and on Thursday I listened to her tell my mom how wonderful I am and how she fell in love with me on our visit. She seemed full of life over the phone then. She actually passed away later that night.
She was an avid golfer, and she hit a hole in one in her sixties. She played up into her 90s.
I'm not really all that sad, because when my mom and I visited, and when my uncles did as well earlier in the month, we helped her live life. Since her husband died she has just been couped up in her apartment. That's not much of a life to live. When we visited we took her out to eat and drove around to see her old house. Her memory wasn't that good because of a fall, but she got us close. She appreciated seeing it. Another day while we were in North Carolina we took her out for Ice Cream because she really liked Ice Cream and her facility had a problem with it's freezer. We drove her through one of the worst rain storms I have ever been through in order to get ice cream. She really enjoyed herself and couldn't believe what we were driving through just to get her some ice cream.
We couldn't go golfing because of the weather being too hot. That's the one thing we wish we could have done, whether it be the driving range or mini golf.
I showed her my IPhone and all that it can do. It's amazing how much things have changed from the Woodrow Wilson administration. She was amazed by it. I showed her some of the work that I did because she was interested in it. She saw a sample of a video I made and she couldn't believe what girls were doing in athletics now. We showed her video of us skydiving and we got her to say that "Well if everyone else was going than I might go."
It's always sad when someone passes away, but it feels much better when you know that you helped them enjoy the final moments of their life.
Create a list of things you want to do in life and make them happen and help others make theirs happen.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Another Nolan Munroe Post
Really impressed about this person who is sort of my neighbor...Rindge is just over the state border. He competed in the X-Games
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhPgQz1hR7I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OexfmIlEXMI
Father was a track and field athlete and mother was a volleyball player.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhPgQz1hR7I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OexfmIlEXMI
Father was a track and field athlete and mother was a volleyball player.
Saw this video of a former UCONN Football Player
Former UCONN Cornerback Terrence Baltimore looks like he is taking his talents to show business.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0TxWvH8Q4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0TxWvH8Q4
Two Awesome Soccer Facilities...
I wish I could find some videos or examples, but Creighton and Michigan both have great soccer facilities...Ones that would go to the top of my list based on photos and videos I saw.
Here is Creighton...wish I could have gone there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn5bDtdwLkg
Here is Creighton...wish I could have gone there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn5bDtdwLkg
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
He's sort of my neighbor...
I guess you can't really call someone who lives in another town your neighbor, but since I bike past his house everyday, I guess it feels like he's in the neighborhood.
Anyway, probably about six miles down the road there is someone named Nolan Munroe who competes in the X-Games.
http://espn.go.com/action/athlete/_/id/45176/nolan-munroe
I think that is pretty cool.
His father and his company are going to do tree work for us.
So now I have someone to root for when I watch the X-Games.
Apparently he made enough money living his dream to buy himself a car on his own. That's pretty cool.
Anyway, probably about six miles down the road there is someone named Nolan Munroe who competes in the X-Games.
http://espn.go.com/action/athlete/_/id/45176/nolan-munroe
I think that is pretty cool.
His father and his company are going to do tree work for us.
So now I have someone to root for when I watch the X-Games.
Apparently he made enough money living his dream to buy himself a car on his own. That's pretty cool.
A Little Experiment
I wonder how many people are googling for information on potential transfers from the Penn State Football Program. This experiment will help me find out.
I have no real interesting news and no knowledge of anything that is going on. That's the most important thing.
I can however, speak a little bit about college football recruiting and a story I heard. This one is about Khairi Fortt, who went to my high school. I heard some things through the grapevine about his recruitment.
I know that at the time, Head Coach Randy Edsall visited my alma mater to watch Khairi. I heard that Coach Edsall gave Khairi these big huge hugs as if they were long lost brothers. Sounds like major ass-kissing was involved and I can't blame Coach Edsall for trying either.
I still don't quite get how recruits can deal with the major ass-kissing to the "you suck, go run five 120s."
Anyway the other part of the story is just a simple thing that I heard early on from Khairi's father, who I just happened to be standing next to at a Thanksgiving game. Very early on in the process, Mr. Fortt mentioned how impressed they were by UConn's facilities and the initial tour they were given. It's good that UConn is at least impressing some big time recruits.
This makes me wonder how awful the recruiting process really is for a family. Here I am, a day before Thanksgiving talking to someone I don't know about someone I don't know and where they are thinking about going to college. I can't imagine how old that would get to my family and I if I had two years of constant questions about where I am looking to go to college.
If I was the Fortt family now I'd disconnect the phones and buy a pay as you go cell phone.
I also heard in a separate incidence about a separate player that UConn was too cautious recruiting and that it didn't have anyone on the inside either "breaking" or "flirting with" or "in the grey area" to get a good recruit. So basically cheating still exists...and 1 plus 1 still equals 2
I have no real interesting news and no knowledge of anything that is going on. That's the most important thing.
I can however, speak a little bit about college football recruiting and a story I heard. This one is about Khairi Fortt, who went to my high school. I heard some things through the grapevine about his recruitment.
I know that at the time, Head Coach Randy Edsall visited my alma mater to watch Khairi. I heard that Coach Edsall gave Khairi these big huge hugs as if they were long lost brothers. Sounds like major ass-kissing was involved and I can't blame Coach Edsall for trying either.
I still don't quite get how recruits can deal with the major ass-kissing to the "you suck, go run five 120s."
Anyway the other part of the story is just a simple thing that I heard early on from Khairi's father, who I just happened to be standing next to at a Thanksgiving game. Very early on in the process, Mr. Fortt mentioned how impressed they were by UConn's facilities and the initial tour they were given. It's good that UConn is at least impressing some big time recruits.
This makes me wonder how awful the recruiting process really is for a family. Here I am, a day before Thanksgiving talking to someone I don't know about someone I don't know and where they are thinking about going to college. I can't imagine how old that would get to my family and I if I had two years of constant questions about where I am looking to go to college.
If I was the Fortt family now I'd disconnect the phones and buy a pay as you go cell phone.
I also heard in a separate incidence about a separate player that UConn was too cautious recruiting and that it didn't have anyone on the inside either "breaking" or "flirting with" or "in the grey area" to get a good recruit. So basically cheating still exists...and 1 plus 1 still equals 2
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
UCWS Photos
I found these photos online from the Wake Forest game in 2011. Didn't know they existed.
http://sportsonfilm.photoshelter.com/gallery/09-02-2011-WS-Connecticut-vs-Wake-Forest/G0000Mn8I_PRK8A8/C0000ZwyIP7UgzgY
And my favorite photo...This would probably look nice by a locker room if someone paid for the photo...
http://sportsonfilm.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/09-02-2011-WS-Connecticut-vs-Wake-Forest/G0000Mn8I_PRK8A8/I0000.81PeQaINwU/C0000ZwyIP7UgzgY
http://sportsonfilm.photoshelter.com/gallery/09-02-2011-WS-Connecticut-vs-Wake-Forest/G0000Mn8I_PRK8A8/C0000ZwyIP7UgzgY
And my favorite photo...This would probably look nice by a locker room if someone paid for the photo...
http://sportsonfilm.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/09-02-2011-WS-Connecticut-vs-Wake-Forest/G0000Mn8I_PRK8A8/I0000.81PeQaINwU/C0000ZwyIP7UgzgY
Penn State
I watched the press conference yesterday because I love college athletics and I was very interested in how the case was going to be handled.
I am surprised that the NCAA punished Penn State for something that did not give a competitive advantage to the football program. Usually rules violations are for things such as extra benefits for student athletes.
However, I can see why the NCAA is applying the lack of institutional control rule and overall I am glad with all of what they did. Penn State needed to be made an example of and punished. Too many universities make decisions that are not good for the school, or the whole of an athletic department just to suit a football or basketball program.
There is this culture that I think exists in basketball and football programs at the Division I level that they can do no wrong and that everything needs to be done for them. Basketball programs and football programs do a lot for schools, but they also don't teach students engineering, or science. They don't solve cancer and they don't create world peace.
I don't mind that coaches in revenue sports make lots of money, because they have more responsibility. I do mind that they think that everything revolves around them and their interests and not the interests of Olympic Sport athletes and the University as a whole.
I hope that the penalties serve as a reminder to big revenue programs that while we love what they do on the field, and while we want them to succeed, that not everything is done to their benefit and that they don't control every decision at a university or in an athletic department. They can have a large say as large revenue producers, but I'd like them to realize and care about the other people and sports on campus as well.
Part of competing in college athletics should be about being a student and an athlete. I often think big programs forget that. Part of competing should be about teaching and showing good values too others, such as respect, fair play, hard work, determination etc. I would feel guilty as a coach if a student athlete left an athletics program without any skills to compete in the real world and make a living on their own. College Athletes are worshiped in college, but if they aren't educated and don't gain skills then what happens to them?
I'd like to read a story about a student athlete who didn't make it in the professional ranks and also didn't graduate or skated by with a degree in general studies. What are they doing now?
The NCAA must also walk a fine line and make sure that they also always espouse those values that they punished Penn State for. Sometimes the NCAA puts money before student athletes as well.
As for the punishments, I think a five year bowl ban would be better, but four is fine. That is pretty harsh.
I like the scholarship limit. I like that players can transfer without penalty and that they can go to any program (and allow other programs to go above their 85 scholarship limit to get them)
I wish that the $60,000,000 fine had to come directly at the expense of the football program, but I am not sure how you could make that happen. I like the financial penalty and that it can't come at the expense of other programs.
I don't care about the wins being vacated. That penalty means nothing to me. The games were already played and I feel like the program and student-athletes deserved those wins. I'd actually sort of prefer that this not have been a punishment because Penn State didn't gain any advantage in those games that were played.
Will Penn State recover from this?
Yes, just not anytime soon.
I am surprised that the NCAA punished Penn State for something that did not give a competitive advantage to the football program. Usually rules violations are for things such as extra benefits for student athletes.
However, I can see why the NCAA is applying the lack of institutional control rule and overall I am glad with all of what they did. Penn State needed to be made an example of and punished. Too many universities make decisions that are not good for the school, or the whole of an athletic department just to suit a football or basketball program.
There is this culture that I think exists in basketball and football programs at the Division I level that they can do no wrong and that everything needs to be done for them. Basketball programs and football programs do a lot for schools, but they also don't teach students engineering, or science. They don't solve cancer and they don't create world peace.
I don't mind that coaches in revenue sports make lots of money, because they have more responsibility. I do mind that they think that everything revolves around them and their interests and not the interests of Olympic Sport athletes and the University as a whole.
I hope that the penalties serve as a reminder to big revenue programs that while we love what they do on the field, and while we want them to succeed, that not everything is done to their benefit and that they don't control every decision at a university or in an athletic department. They can have a large say as large revenue producers, but I'd like them to realize and care about the other people and sports on campus as well.
Part of competing in college athletics should be about being a student and an athlete. I often think big programs forget that. Part of competing should be about teaching and showing good values too others, such as respect, fair play, hard work, determination etc. I would feel guilty as a coach if a student athlete left an athletics program without any skills to compete in the real world and make a living on their own. College Athletes are worshiped in college, but if they aren't educated and don't gain skills then what happens to them?
I'd like to read a story about a student athlete who didn't make it in the professional ranks and also didn't graduate or skated by with a degree in general studies. What are they doing now?
The NCAA must also walk a fine line and make sure that they also always espouse those values that they punished Penn State for. Sometimes the NCAA puts money before student athletes as well.
As for the punishments, I think a five year bowl ban would be better, but four is fine. That is pretty harsh.
I like the scholarship limit. I like that players can transfer without penalty and that they can go to any program (and allow other programs to go above their 85 scholarship limit to get them)
I wish that the $60,000,000 fine had to come directly at the expense of the football program, but I am not sure how you could make that happen. I like the financial penalty and that it can't come at the expense of other programs.
I don't care about the wins being vacated. That penalty means nothing to me. The games were already played and I feel like the program and student-athletes deserved those wins. I'd actually sort of prefer that this not have been a punishment because Penn State didn't gain any advantage in those games that were played.
Will Penn State recover from this?
Yes, just not anytime soon.
NASCAR Drivers Compete in Triathalon
I'm trying to defend NASCAR drivers in the classic debate of "Are race car drivers athletes?"
Kasey Kahne and Jimmie Johnson (Five Time Champion of NASCAR) along with pit crew members took part in a triathalon in Charleston, South Carolina in early July.
http://www.nascar.com/news/120718/kkahne-jjohnson-triathlon/index.html
I can't argue that NASCAR drivers are on the same level as soccer players, basketball players, track and field athletes, hockey players, or football players. All of those sports, and many others, require a higher level of fitness than racing.
However, I would argue that race car drivers are in the same ball park in terms of fitness (and some drivers are more in shape) as golfers, baseball pitchers and catchers, designated hitters, first and third baseman. (I once read the average baseball game has 17 minutes of actual action)
Race car drivers are more athletic than people realize. Every sport requires different skills and race car drivers spend just as much time as other athletes do preparing for their races.
The triathalon is also proof that some NASCAR drivers take their fitness seriously. I also know of a race car driver, (not NASCAR, but a different smaller series) who went to UCONN and works out a lot. He likes to bike and I always see tweets about him going for a run.
Kasey Kahne and Jimmie Johnson (Five Time Champion of NASCAR) along with pit crew members took part in a triathalon in Charleston, South Carolina in early July.
http://www.nascar.com/news/120718/kkahne-jjohnson-triathlon/index.html
I can't argue that NASCAR drivers are on the same level as soccer players, basketball players, track and field athletes, hockey players, or football players. All of those sports, and many others, require a higher level of fitness than racing.
However, I would argue that race car drivers are in the same ball park in terms of fitness (and some drivers are more in shape) as golfers, baseball pitchers and catchers, designated hitters, first and third baseman. (I once read the average baseball game has 17 minutes of actual action)
Race car drivers are more athletic than people realize. Every sport requires different skills and race car drivers spend just as much time as other athletes do preparing for their races.
The triathalon is also proof that some NASCAR drivers take their fitness seriously. I also know of a race car driver, (not NASCAR, but a different smaller series) who went to UCONN and works out a lot. He likes to bike and I always see tweets about him going for a run.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Sad and Strange Story
This story that I saw was just so bizarre and sad.
http://www.courant.com/news/breaking/hc-mich-woman-i-lived-with-corpse-watched-nascar-20120713,0,4928625.htmlstory
She lived with a corpse for a year and watched NASCAR.
"He always listened"
The moral of the story is that when you grow old and you have no one, either a significant other, kids or friends, you will have nothing to live for.
I have witnessed this with my own great aunt. She married but decided to have no children. At 97 she is now a widow, has no real friends and no family of her own to help her, take care of her and keeping her wanting to live.
You don't want to end up so lonely that you end up watching television with a corpse for a year. I don't mean that to be funny at all. It's a lesson.
For all that sports fans love watching games, I think it's equally as important to turn off the television and participate in sports and be with friends. It's healthy to participate and be with others.
You want something to live for when you get old, and maybe those buddies you play tennis with will be it.
Sports fans shouldn't let their life completely revolve around watching some stranger's life. You have to have your own life.
http://www.courant.com/news/breaking/hc-mich-woman-i-lived-with-corpse-watched-nascar-20120713,0,4928625.htmlstory
She lived with a corpse for a year and watched NASCAR.
"He always listened"
The moral of the story is that when you grow old and you have no one, either a significant other, kids or friends, you will have nothing to live for.
I have witnessed this with my own great aunt. She married but decided to have no children. At 97 she is now a widow, has no real friends and no family of her own to help her, take care of her and keeping her wanting to live.
You don't want to end up so lonely that you end up watching television with a corpse for a year. I don't mean that to be funny at all. It's a lesson.
For all that sports fans love watching games, I think it's equally as important to turn off the television and participate in sports and be with friends. It's healthy to participate and be with others.
You want something to live for when you get old, and maybe those buddies you play tennis with will be it.
Sports fans shouldn't let their life completely revolve around watching some stranger's life. You have to have your own life.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
NASCAR Trip
I went to Charlotte/Concord, NC today to tour and look at NASCAR related sports facilities.
As a sports fan, and as someone who hopes to work in sports, it's important to take advantage of looking at how other sports and organizations set things up and work. You get new ideas from new experiences.
Plus I like NASCAR and like Hendrick Motorsports and want to see their race shop.
At Hendrick I got to see the garages. There are mechanics everywhere. There are tools everywhere. It smells like people are working on cars.
They are building new cars and working on old ones. They have tools in position to be worked on. Everything seemed relaxed in the shop, but people were working. It was just amazing to see how big of a building is necessary to house a full time NASCAR team. It was amazing to see how many people were in the background at the team shops. It's a really big operation. I didn't even get the chance to see where they build the engines. How I wish I got to see that.
There is nothing like hearing a race engine at 8,000 RPM's. It gets you hooked. The sound of the cars can just get you hooked.
The race shop was partly blocked off, so I couldn't see everything, and I probably didn't stop and observe as much as I should, but it was really awesome and impressive to see everything. There must have been 15 $200,000 cars in the garage.
The complex for Hendrick feature two huge garages. One for the 5 and 24 team and the other for the 48 and 88 team. The owner also had his own personal building for stuff, including what I believe is a 120 car collection.
Apparently there is a warehouse for Hendrick Motorsports with old cars that it can lend out for museums somewhere as well.
Hendrick also had a huge building for it's racing engines. I'm sure they build the engines their by hand, and also take apart all engines from races to look for wear. I wish that was open to the public.
The team store and museum was pretty cool as well. I got to sit in a mock race car seat. NASCAR Stock Cars do not have a door, so you have to unhook the steering wheel and then go through the window to sit in a race car seat. Getting in was difficult, but it wasn't as bad as getting out. Getting out was so hard because you are basically in a cocoon as a driver. The seat was quite comfortable, but you can't freaking move in your seat. You are strapped in and you are not moving. There is a piece of padding that made it sort of awkward for me to get out. Drivers make it look easy, and it is with experience, but for my first time getting in a race seat, it was difficult.
The shop and museum and whole complex had trophies and race suits everywhere. There were race cars everywhere as well.
Every imaginable piece of team apparel was for sale as well. They also had unique things like race used tires and used sheet metal. They are pretty cool things for a game room, or sports memorabilia collection, or if you need a conversation piece at the office.
So I bought something that a future women in my life will try desperately to get me to get rid of, (and will not succeed). I bought a used race tire. The tire had a marking that said "RF-9" which means it's the Right Front tire, and the ninth set of tires. The tire didn't look that worn, and I think I know why. I know what car and race it came from, but we won't divulge that info. I think it's a really cool.
Cars can also have markings where they check for tire wear. They showed me a tire that had 5 numbers from 76-82 along wear indicators. The numbers were close together which meant that the team had a good set-up. That is pretty cool.
I thought about getting a different tire that was more worn, and chewed up, but decided that the one I got, with less wear, was more meaningful.
I also visited Charlotte Motor Speedway briefly. It's a massive sports facility. It's just massive. It's bigger than you can imagine. It was a nice facility, although I noticed some interesting things, such as "condominiums" for race fans to watch a race from and a "smoking lounge." I guess you can really only find a smoking lounge in NASCAR (or maybe bowling, or cigar smoking in golf). I would never go to that place and think it's strange to have that, but as someone who doesn't smoke and doesn't understand why anyone would, it's not meant for me. (Thought it was strange Atlanta Airport had smoking lounges as well)
The facility had a LARGE screen for fans to watch the race from along the back straightaway. It looked like Charlotte had great views from most seats. Most seats also appeared to have chair backs which surprised me. There wasn't much activity at the track, especially on a Wednesday, but the gift shop was open and they were giving tours. A challenge for a sport facility is to try to get money out of it when they aren't actually racing. You have to figure out how to make this great facility more useful. You don't want it to sit empty for all but two weekends a year.
The Charlotte racing complex also had a dirt track across the street from the track along with a drag strip.
I had fun on my trip to Charlotte/Concord and I am glad I got to experience the things that I did. New ideas come from new experiences.
As a sports fan, and as someone who hopes to work in sports, it's important to take advantage of looking at how other sports and organizations set things up and work. You get new ideas from new experiences.
Plus I like NASCAR and like Hendrick Motorsports and want to see their race shop.
At Hendrick I got to see the garages. There are mechanics everywhere. There are tools everywhere. It smells like people are working on cars.
They are building new cars and working on old ones. They have tools in position to be worked on. Everything seemed relaxed in the shop, but people were working. It was just amazing to see how big of a building is necessary to house a full time NASCAR team. It was amazing to see how many people were in the background at the team shops. It's a really big operation. I didn't even get the chance to see where they build the engines. How I wish I got to see that.
There is nothing like hearing a race engine at 8,000 RPM's. It gets you hooked. The sound of the cars can just get you hooked.
The race shop was partly blocked off, so I couldn't see everything, and I probably didn't stop and observe as much as I should, but it was really awesome and impressive to see everything. There must have been 15 $200,000 cars in the garage.
The complex for Hendrick feature two huge garages. One for the 5 and 24 team and the other for the 48 and 88 team. The owner also had his own personal building for stuff, including what I believe is a 120 car collection.
Apparently there is a warehouse for Hendrick Motorsports with old cars that it can lend out for museums somewhere as well.
Hendrick also had a huge building for it's racing engines. I'm sure they build the engines their by hand, and also take apart all engines from races to look for wear. I wish that was open to the public.
The team store and museum was pretty cool as well. I got to sit in a mock race car seat. NASCAR Stock Cars do not have a door, so you have to unhook the steering wheel and then go through the window to sit in a race car seat. Getting in was difficult, but it wasn't as bad as getting out. Getting out was so hard because you are basically in a cocoon as a driver. The seat was quite comfortable, but you can't freaking move in your seat. You are strapped in and you are not moving. There is a piece of padding that made it sort of awkward for me to get out. Drivers make it look easy, and it is with experience, but for my first time getting in a race seat, it was difficult.
The shop and museum and whole complex had trophies and race suits everywhere. There were race cars everywhere as well.
Every imaginable piece of team apparel was for sale as well. They also had unique things like race used tires and used sheet metal. They are pretty cool things for a game room, or sports memorabilia collection, or if you need a conversation piece at the office.
So I bought something that a future women in my life will try desperately to get me to get rid of, (and will not succeed). I bought a used race tire. The tire had a marking that said "RF-9" which means it's the Right Front tire, and the ninth set of tires. The tire didn't look that worn, and I think I know why. I know what car and race it came from, but we won't divulge that info. I think it's a really cool.
Cars can also have markings where they check for tire wear. They showed me a tire that had 5 numbers from 76-82 along wear indicators. The numbers were close together which meant that the team had a good set-up. That is pretty cool.
I thought about getting a different tire that was more worn, and chewed up, but decided that the one I got, with less wear, was more meaningful.
I also visited Charlotte Motor Speedway briefly. It's a massive sports facility. It's just massive. It's bigger than you can imagine. It was a nice facility, although I noticed some interesting things, such as "condominiums" for race fans to watch a race from and a "smoking lounge." I guess you can really only find a smoking lounge in NASCAR (or maybe bowling, or cigar smoking in golf). I would never go to that place and think it's strange to have that, but as someone who doesn't smoke and doesn't understand why anyone would, it's not meant for me. (Thought it was strange Atlanta Airport had smoking lounges as well)
The facility had a LARGE screen for fans to watch the race from along the back straightaway. It looked like Charlotte had great views from most seats. Most seats also appeared to have chair backs which surprised me. There wasn't much activity at the track, especially on a Wednesday, but the gift shop was open and they were giving tours. A challenge for a sport facility is to try to get money out of it when they aren't actually racing. You have to figure out how to make this great facility more useful. You don't want it to sit empty for all but two weekends a year.
The Charlotte racing complex also had a dirt track across the street from the track along with a drag strip.
I had fun on my trip to Charlotte/Concord and I am glad I got to experience the things that I did. New ideas come from new experiences.
Elon Tour
I met some great people at Elon through a connection I have there. You have to network. Trust me, you have too.
I met an academic adviser today at Elon and we discussed how much she enjoys her job and how rewarding it can be to work with student-athletes. She talked about how there are the athletes you never worry about, the ones you worry about once a week, once a day and once an hour.
I could probably do this with UCWS pretty easily.
Anyway, onto the athletics facilities. Elon is beautiful. Everything is so well maintained. They are a member of the Southern Conference. They have a nice gym, which is fairly small. They recently replaced the center video board and four video boards in the corners of the gym.
The football stadium seats about 8,000 and it looks really nice. Baseball field is turf, and again it has beautiful brick on the outside, like all the other facilities. Soccer had a nice field.
I do feel bad for the football players at Elon though. They have a practice field that is twice as long as a normal field. That must make for grueling wind sprints.
Elon also has really nice, and well maintained, student rec fields. The field that the students play on for soccer is probably as nice as Morrone Stadium at UConn. Elon also features a driving range on campus and a putting green that looks like it was imported from Pinehurst. Darn good I didn't go to school there, because I probably would have been on the driving range all day.
Elon University is a beautiful campus and a nice private school. I loved their facilities and you should definitely check out their school.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
How did they come up with that?
Did you ever wonder who came up with an idea?
I do.
I mean who the hell came up with the idea for some games we play. For example, golf?
Who decided it would be fun to chase a small ball around a field with a stick, and hit a ball into a hole? It's truly fun. But who was the first guy? What possessed and inspired him?
This is what Robin Williams thinks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcnFbCCgTo4
Tennis? Maybe someone got bored of hitting a ball back and forth with a friend and came up with rules to make the endless amount of back and forth hitting end.
The same goes for soccer. Let's kick a ball into the back of a net. It seems pretty normal to us now, but who decided that it would be fun to kick and head a ball into a net?
What about Figure Eight School Bus Racing? I want to go so badly because it sounds stupidly fun. How do you come up with an idea to get school buses, race them and then race them in figure eights?
How about dog scootering? How do you come up with an idea to have a dog pull you on a scooter? I love people who think like this. I hope this becomes a new thing. I don't know how you come up with the idea, or maybe more importantly, pull off the idea. I mean I've probably thought about something similar, but the fact that our dog stops every few feet to pee kills the motivation to try.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgZLW7PmmF8&feature=plcp
I do.
I mean who the hell came up with the idea for some games we play. For example, golf?
Who decided it would be fun to chase a small ball around a field with a stick, and hit a ball into a hole? It's truly fun. But who was the first guy? What possessed and inspired him?
This is what Robin Williams thinks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcnFbCCgTo4
Tennis? Maybe someone got bored of hitting a ball back and forth with a friend and came up with rules to make the endless amount of back and forth hitting end.
The same goes for soccer. Let's kick a ball into the back of a net. It seems pretty normal to us now, but who decided that it would be fun to kick and head a ball into a net?
What about Figure Eight School Bus Racing? I want to go so badly because it sounds stupidly fun. How do you come up with an idea to get school buses, race them and then race them in figure eights?
How about dog scootering? How do you come up with an idea to have a dog pull you on a scooter? I love people who think like this. I hope this becomes a new thing. I don't know how you come up with the idea, or maybe more importantly, pull off the idea. I mean I've probably thought about something similar, but the fact that our dog stops every few feet to pee kills the motivation to try.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgZLW7PmmF8&feature=plcp
My incomplete and inaccurate soccer facility rankings
Well why don't I rank the facilities that I have been to for soccer.
I have been to or seen UConn, Duke, UNC, Wake, St. John's, Syracuse, DePaul, Notre Dame, Marquette, South Florida, Seton Hall, Rutgers, Boston College, Penn State, Providence, Franklin Pierce, West Virginia, (I have been to Pittsburgh and Harvard, but not there new facility so they won't count) Boston University,
1. Notre Dame - I really don't think this is close. Notre Dame has by far the nicest stadium that I have been to. Not even close. Amazing Press Box, beautiful stadium itself. Clean, plenty of practice fields. I don't know exactly what is in their stadium, but they have room for themselves in there. A+ facility. It's amazing, but hopefully Notre Dame realizes that not every other school can have what they have, but can still have nice overall facilities.
2. Penn State - I loved the stadium and the practice fields. I thought the stadium had a great atmosphere. I liked the set-up of the stadium, and that I could film from inside. It was clean. The practice fields were also really nice. They had plenty of fields and plenty of goals. I was very impressed with what they had.
3. Wake Forest - Of the ACC schools that I have been to I liked Wake Forest's stadium the best. It felt new. Stadium was nice, and loved the practice fields (other than that they were sloped) Grass was well maintained on their practice fields in my mind. I didn't the ladder to the film platform, and that it was poor planning, but that's a minor problem that most people don't care about.
4.West Virginia - The stadium didn't really blow me away. I didn't like or dislike it. (I do wish they had a larger net behind the endline) However, I was blown away by their practice facility, with lights. I think every soccer practice facility should have the look and feel of West Virginia's. It's also a plus that they have storage at their facility, complete with parking as well for student athletes and coaches. I believe they may have even added a meeting room there. The grass on the field was so well maintained that I couldn't tell if it was turf or grass.
5. UConn - I know more about this schools facilities than any of the others. I am trying to be unbiased. I'd put Morrone Stadium only behind Notre Dame, Penn State and Wake Forest's (maybe tied with Wake). I love the stadium. I like the practice fields, other than for the fact that they don't have lights. Lights are a necessity. Having some turf for practice might be nice. If we ranked spring facilities, I'd think that Shenkman is better than any other facility. You have the training room, and weight room right next to the field.
Now nothing with soccer should still be in the field house. The field house and the fact that the offices and lockerroms are not near the practice field hurt the rankings. I'm also thinking that the lockerrooms could be outdated. Not sure, but it's an impression I have. I can't rank lockerrooms because I haven't been to any. UConn is upgrading sometime in the future and I think they should strive to have a world class stadium like they already have, with upgrades (like taking away the ugly grey fence exterior) and have soccer offices and lockerooms located at the field. UConn should be forward thinking, as should any other school making a facility. It's not good enough to have the bare minimum if you are a BCS program, because you will find yourself well behind competitors.
Schools building facilities should do things right the first time and think hard about what they want the program to be like in the future and build to that, or make it upgradeable. A new fixed up, average facility with no room for improvements is a headache in 15 years.
6. Boston College - I'm not sure where B.C. practices, but I would sort of assume they could just practice on their turf game field. I like that B.C. has mobile trailers for lockerroms on the site. I think the press box is decent. I just don't like that the field isn't on the main campus and that it is turf. B.C. feels like it could use more stands. I like that the field is out in the woods. Overall it's pretty nice.
7. Duke - From what I saw the stadium was above average. It was nice. Not amazing, but very nice. I'd say the same things about their practice fields. It's not a Notre Dame, but it's extremely useful and relatively very nice. I liked it overall, and having the ability to practice under the lights is a bonus.
8. UNC - UNC could be too low on this list. I really am impressed that their game field has their soccer offices. I'm sure if I actually walked into their offices and soccer specific building, that I would move them up the list. They appeared to have nice turf practice fields as well. However, I was THAT unimpressed with their actual game field. Maybe it would show nicer with soccer nets, but I'm not a fan of soccer stadiums with a track around the outside of it.
9. South Florida - South Florida has a beautiful new soccer stadium. It's really top notch. It's a beautiful lay out and I like the bank on the other side of the field, opposite of the stands. Everything at USF is nice, and their stadium is much nicer in my opinion that UNC's. I'm not sure where the team practices. I know that when I was there the visiting team practiced on their old game field. It wasn't anything special in terms of practice. My only dislike of their wonderful stadium was their lack of stands on both sides. They do have room to expand though from what it looks like. They could have had a nicer scoreboard as well.
All of those schools, had really nice facilities. Overall, these were the best I went too.
These are more of the average facilities.
10. Boston University - Considering that it is not even a BCS school, Boston University had a nice set-up. They were the only school with a video board, which I of course love. (Obviously this is not a soccer specific facility) I liked the landscaping one the end line by the guests bench. I liked the home teams bench with the big BOSTON UNIVERSITY sign, with the Ivy coming down. It also seemed cool to have the dorms surrounding the field. The press box was nice. It even had a heater. It also had lockerrooms at the facility. My only knock on the place is that it felt too big for soccer. The stands felt like they were so far away from the field. I really didn't like the turf either. It's great for a mid major school though.
11. Marquette - I didn't like the smell of Marquette and it's fields. That brings it down. I loved the evergreen trees at each side of the stadium though. It helped make the stadium feel more intimate and it helped hide a not so nice background. The stands were made of wood and the wood didn't look new. Taking away the bad smells and where it was, Marquette wasn't that awful, but to me it was, average.
12. Rutgers - Average to the definition. I don't like the stands at all. The stands go really tall on one side and there is nothing on the other side. It's nice they can pack so many people in, and it's nice they have a big press box, but overall it felt a little dated and too big. Lockerrooms in the stadium are a plus. I didn't like the facility and I don't know why it hosted the Big East Tournament. The plus for Rutgers is that they had a bubble that could be used to practice in.
Needs improvement
13. Seton Hall - I don't like that it's a turf field, or that it's shared with baseball. I don't like the filming location either. It could be worse though. For some reason, I didn't dislike the field enough to say it should be blown up. Something about the stadium I sort of liked. Now, the fact that they don't have a field that could be practiced on when a lot of events are going on is a joke. Seton Hall does not belong in the BIG EAST in terms of it's facilities. Somehow it survives the blowing up for some unexplainable, "this isn't as awful as I thought reason." Sometimes beating expectations or meeting them does a world of good in rankings.
I like Franklin Pierce's facilities over all of these following facilities that I think should be blown up.
Blow these up.
14. Syracuse - I probably have better things to say about Syracuse than Seton Hall. The stands and stadium itself at Syracuse was average. Their practice field was nice. However, they had pot holes or divots in front of the goalposts. They also didn't do anything about it when it was pointed out to them. Syracuse had divots in front of the goal posts for a goalkeeper to turn their ankle on. For this reason their soccer facility is a joke.
15. Providence - They really don't have any stands. The field is sloped. It just feels like no one cares about the teams there. It felt like I could have been at a high school field. It would be a decent high school field, except Providence is a Division I school. I'd probably rank Franklin Pierce's field and stadium higher.
16. St. John's -Their press box was quite nice. However, the game is on a turf field that is on top of a parking garage. You could feel the field move or shake when a car left the garage. It's the best way to use space efficiently at any college sport facility that I know of. However, it's a turf field on a lot of cement. It's not appealing at all. It doesn't help that for some reason they couldn't manage to get water for a visiting team to practice. That seems like a necessity. If they can't bring drinking water, their facility should be blown up.
17. DePaul - Not a fan of turf. Not a fan of turf that isn't well connected at the seams. Not a fan of turf that is shared with a softball team. Not a fan of a place with a subway/train going past the field every two minutes. How do you practice or have a game when you have to listen to a train rumbling by? You can't hear a thing when the train passes. It would be a great Division II facility. It doesn't belong in the BIG EAST though.
The worst place I ever went to was Pitt, but they have a new field which has to be much nicer.
This is strictly my opinion. This is based on what I know, have heard and mostly first impressions. It's inaccurate and incomplete, but whatever, it's what I think.
I have been to or seen UConn, Duke, UNC, Wake, St. John's, Syracuse, DePaul, Notre Dame, Marquette, South Florida, Seton Hall, Rutgers, Boston College, Penn State, Providence, Franklin Pierce, West Virginia, (I have been to Pittsburgh and Harvard, but not there new facility so they won't count) Boston University,
1. Notre Dame - I really don't think this is close. Notre Dame has by far the nicest stadium that I have been to. Not even close. Amazing Press Box, beautiful stadium itself. Clean, plenty of practice fields. I don't know exactly what is in their stadium, but they have room for themselves in there. A+ facility. It's amazing, but hopefully Notre Dame realizes that not every other school can have what they have, but can still have nice overall facilities.
2. Penn State - I loved the stadium and the practice fields. I thought the stadium had a great atmosphere. I liked the set-up of the stadium, and that I could film from inside. It was clean. The practice fields were also really nice. They had plenty of fields and plenty of goals. I was very impressed with what they had.
3. Wake Forest - Of the ACC schools that I have been to I liked Wake Forest's stadium the best. It felt new. Stadium was nice, and loved the practice fields (other than that they were sloped) Grass was well maintained on their practice fields in my mind. I didn't the ladder to the film platform, and that it was poor planning, but that's a minor problem that most people don't care about.
4.West Virginia - The stadium didn't really blow me away. I didn't like or dislike it. (I do wish they had a larger net behind the endline) However, I was blown away by their practice facility, with lights. I think every soccer practice facility should have the look and feel of West Virginia's. It's also a plus that they have storage at their facility, complete with parking as well for student athletes and coaches. I believe they may have even added a meeting room there. The grass on the field was so well maintained that I couldn't tell if it was turf or grass.
5. UConn - I know more about this schools facilities than any of the others. I am trying to be unbiased. I'd put Morrone Stadium only behind Notre Dame, Penn State and Wake Forest's (maybe tied with Wake). I love the stadium. I like the practice fields, other than for the fact that they don't have lights. Lights are a necessity. Having some turf for practice might be nice. If we ranked spring facilities, I'd think that Shenkman is better than any other facility. You have the training room, and weight room right next to the field.
Now nothing with soccer should still be in the field house. The field house and the fact that the offices and lockerroms are not near the practice field hurt the rankings. I'm also thinking that the lockerrooms could be outdated. Not sure, but it's an impression I have. I can't rank lockerrooms because I haven't been to any. UConn is upgrading sometime in the future and I think they should strive to have a world class stadium like they already have, with upgrades (like taking away the ugly grey fence exterior) and have soccer offices and lockerooms located at the field. UConn should be forward thinking, as should any other school making a facility. It's not good enough to have the bare minimum if you are a BCS program, because you will find yourself well behind competitors.
Schools building facilities should do things right the first time and think hard about what they want the program to be like in the future and build to that, or make it upgradeable. A new fixed up, average facility with no room for improvements is a headache in 15 years.
6. Boston College - I'm not sure where B.C. practices, but I would sort of assume they could just practice on their turf game field. I like that B.C. has mobile trailers for lockerroms on the site. I think the press box is decent. I just don't like that the field isn't on the main campus and that it is turf. B.C. feels like it could use more stands. I like that the field is out in the woods. Overall it's pretty nice.
7. Duke - From what I saw the stadium was above average. It was nice. Not amazing, but very nice. I'd say the same things about their practice fields. It's not a Notre Dame, but it's extremely useful and relatively very nice. I liked it overall, and having the ability to practice under the lights is a bonus.
8. UNC - UNC could be too low on this list. I really am impressed that their game field has their soccer offices. I'm sure if I actually walked into their offices and soccer specific building, that I would move them up the list. They appeared to have nice turf practice fields as well. However, I was THAT unimpressed with their actual game field. Maybe it would show nicer with soccer nets, but I'm not a fan of soccer stadiums with a track around the outside of it.
9. South Florida - South Florida has a beautiful new soccer stadium. It's really top notch. It's a beautiful lay out and I like the bank on the other side of the field, opposite of the stands. Everything at USF is nice, and their stadium is much nicer in my opinion that UNC's. I'm not sure where the team practices. I know that when I was there the visiting team practiced on their old game field. It wasn't anything special in terms of practice. My only dislike of their wonderful stadium was their lack of stands on both sides. They do have room to expand though from what it looks like. They could have had a nicer scoreboard as well.
All of those schools, had really nice facilities. Overall, these were the best I went too.
These are more of the average facilities.
10. Boston University - Considering that it is not even a BCS school, Boston University had a nice set-up. They were the only school with a video board, which I of course love. (Obviously this is not a soccer specific facility) I liked the landscaping one the end line by the guests bench. I liked the home teams bench with the big BOSTON UNIVERSITY sign, with the Ivy coming down. It also seemed cool to have the dorms surrounding the field. The press box was nice. It even had a heater. It also had lockerrooms at the facility. My only knock on the place is that it felt too big for soccer. The stands felt like they were so far away from the field. I really didn't like the turf either. It's great for a mid major school though.
11. Marquette - I didn't like the smell of Marquette and it's fields. That brings it down. I loved the evergreen trees at each side of the stadium though. It helped make the stadium feel more intimate and it helped hide a not so nice background. The stands were made of wood and the wood didn't look new. Taking away the bad smells and where it was, Marquette wasn't that awful, but to me it was, average.
12. Rutgers - Average to the definition. I don't like the stands at all. The stands go really tall on one side and there is nothing on the other side. It's nice they can pack so many people in, and it's nice they have a big press box, but overall it felt a little dated and too big. Lockerrooms in the stadium are a plus. I didn't like the facility and I don't know why it hosted the Big East Tournament. The plus for Rutgers is that they had a bubble that could be used to practice in.
Needs improvement
13. Seton Hall - I don't like that it's a turf field, or that it's shared with baseball. I don't like the filming location either. It could be worse though. For some reason, I didn't dislike the field enough to say it should be blown up. Something about the stadium I sort of liked. Now, the fact that they don't have a field that could be practiced on when a lot of events are going on is a joke. Seton Hall does not belong in the BIG EAST in terms of it's facilities. Somehow it survives the blowing up for some unexplainable, "this isn't as awful as I thought reason." Sometimes beating expectations or meeting them does a world of good in rankings.
I like Franklin Pierce's facilities over all of these following facilities that I think should be blown up.
Blow these up.
14. Syracuse - I probably have better things to say about Syracuse than Seton Hall. The stands and stadium itself at Syracuse was average. Their practice field was nice. However, they had pot holes or divots in front of the goalposts. They also didn't do anything about it when it was pointed out to them. Syracuse had divots in front of the goal posts for a goalkeeper to turn their ankle on. For this reason their soccer facility is a joke.
15. Providence - They really don't have any stands. The field is sloped. It just feels like no one cares about the teams there. It felt like I could have been at a high school field. It would be a decent high school field, except Providence is a Division I school. I'd probably rank Franklin Pierce's field and stadium higher.
16. St. John's -Their press box was quite nice. However, the game is on a turf field that is on top of a parking garage. You could feel the field move or shake when a car left the garage. It's the best way to use space efficiently at any college sport facility that I know of. However, it's a turf field on a lot of cement. It's not appealing at all. It doesn't help that for some reason they couldn't manage to get water for a visiting team to practice. That seems like a necessity. If they can't bring drinking water, their facility should be blown up.
17. DePaul - Not a fan of turf. Not a fan of turf that isn't well connected at the seams. Not a fan of turf that is shared with a softball team. Not a fan of a place with a subway/train going past the field every two minutes. How do you practice or have a game when you have to listen to a train rumbling by? You can't hear a thing when the train passes. It would be a great Division II facility. It doesn't belong in the BIG EAST though.
The worst place I ever went to was Pitt, but they have a new field which has to be much nicer.
This is strictly my opinion. This is based on what I know, have heard and mostly first impressions. It's inaccurate and incomplete, but whatever, it's what I think.
Different Shades of Blue
I am in North Carolina and the RTP "Research Triangle Park" area and I toured, briefly, the athletic facilities at Duke and UNC.
I skipped N.C. State because who cares about N.C. State?
My overall impression was that UNC had nicer facilities. The football stadiums weren't even close. North Carolina has an impressive football facility. (Where $4.00 gets you a small soda, $6.00 gets a souvenir soda, and $13 gets you the jumbo hot dog and souvenir soda)
No one should ever spend $13 for a soda and hot dog.
Anyway the Tar Heels, Kenan Memorial Stadium had chairback metal benches for most of the stadium. One end zone (must be for Alumni and donors) had nice Tar Heel Blue seats. Another endzone was clearly the Student Section, as it had chest metal benches with no chairbacks. I can't say that I have been to many college football stadiums, but this stadium appeared to me to be a very nice one.
Duke's stadium looked awful from the view I had. It looks like they don't really care about college football. It was about as appealing as UConn's old Memorial Stadium cement side, but the cement stadium wrapped all around the field.
I was on my bike at Duke, and stopped from my car at UNC so I really only had limited views and was operating on a tight schedule. I did not stop inside any arena, although I did bike past Cameron Indoor Stadium at Duke.
Besides football, I obviously stopped at the soccer complexes at the respective schools.
The Duke complex was busy with teenage boys soccer camps. The UNC soccer complex was empty except for a runner around the outside on a track.
UNC has one major advantage over Duke and that is that UNC has it's soccer offices overlooking the stadium, and the soccer complex at UNC looks to be substantial, as it appears to be a two or three story building. I am sure it has lockerrooms and meeting rooms and film rooms etc. This was the only thing however that impressed me about UNC's field, more than Duke's field.
In terms of first impressions, UNC's Fetzer Field was extremely unappealing. The track around the field made the stadium feel like the Grand Canyon. The grass was also not in great condition. I was extremely dissapointed with UNC's soccer field. I know it's July, but I expected better from one of the top soccer schools in the country.
I liked the feel of Duke's soccer field. There were nice shrubs growing on one side of the bleachers. There looked like there was a nice place to film, and there was a pavilion on one end line that looked really nice and could serve many purposes. I much preferred Duke's stadium on my first look than UNC's, and it wasn't even close.
Duke's practice fields looked ok. They had nice turf ones next to the soccer stadium. They had grass across Frank Basset Drive. It didn't look like the fields were full size, but maybe I was wrong. Atleast it seemed as if Duke had both the option of grass and turf fields. I believe that the turf fields had lights at Duke.
UNC had nice turf fields. I am not sure if they had grass fields. I would imagine they must, but I couldn't find them. UNC had lights on their turf fields.
Just in terms of soccer, if I gave myself a self guided tour, I would prefer the facilities at Duke over UNC. Maybe it's just me. Maybe I missed a few places, but I liked Duke better than UNC for soccer facilites.
Overall, I preferred UNC's athletic facilities (all sports). I really liked UNC's outdoor pool that I passed by. It looked really nice.
I skipped N.C. State because who cares about N.C. State?
My overall impression was that UNC had nicer facilities. The football stadiums weren't even close. North Carolina has an impressive football facility. (Where $4.00 gets you a small soda, $6.00 gets a souvenir soda, and $13 gets you the jumbo hot dog and souvenir soda)
No one should ever spend $13 for a soda and hot dog.
Anyway the Tar Heels, Kenan Memorial Stadium had chairback metal benches for most of the stadium. One end zone (must be for Alumni and donors) had nice Tar Heel Blue seats. Another endzone was clearly the Student Section, as it had chest metal benches with no chairbacks. I can't say that I have been to many college football stadiums, but this stadium appeared to me to be a very nice one.
Duke's stadium looked awful from the view I had. It looks like they don't really care about college football. It was about as appealing as UConn's old Memorial Stadium cement side, but the cement stadium wrapped all around the field.
I was on my bike at Duke, and stopped from my car at UNC so I really only had limited views and was operating on a tight schedule. I did not stop inside any arena, although I did bike past Cameron Indoor Stadium at Duke.
Besides football, I obviously stopped at the soccer complexes at the respective schools.
The Duke complex was busy with teenage boys soccer camps. The UNC soccer complex was empty except for a runner around the outside on a track.
UNC has one major advantage over Duke and that is that UNC has it's soccer offices overlooking the stadium, and the soccer complex at UNC looks to be substantial, as it appears to be a two or three story building. I am sure it has lockerrooms and meeting rooms and film rooms etc. This was the only thing however that impressed me about UNC's field, more than Duke's field.
In terms of first impressions, UNC's Fetzer Field was extremely unappealing. The track around the field made the stadium feel like the Grand Canyon. The grass was also not in great condition. I was extremely dissapointed with UNC's soccer field. I know it's July, but I expected better from one of the top soccer schools in the country.
I liked the feel of Duke's soccer field. There were nice shrubs growing on one side of the bleachers. There looked like there was a nice place to film, and there was a pavilion on one end line that looked really nice and could serve many purposes. I much preferred Duke's stadium on my first look than UNC's, and it wasn't even close.
Duke's practice fields looked ok. They had nice turf ones next to the soccer stadium. They had grass across Frank Basset Drive. It didn't look like the fields were full size, but maybe I was wrong. Atleast it seemed as if Duke had both the option of grass and turf fields. I believe that the turf fields had lights at Duke.
UNC had nice turf fields. I am not sure if they had grass fields. I would imagine they must, but I couldn't find them. UNC had lights on their turf fields.
Just in terms of soccer, if I gave myself a self guided tour, I would prefer the facilities at Duke over UNC. Maybe it's just me. Maybe I missed a few places, but I liked Duke better than UNC for soccer facilites.
Overall, I preferred UNC's athletic facilities (all sports). I really liked UNC's outdoor pool that I passed by. It looked really nice.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Hi Hater
Someone talking about top games in 2012 had this to say...
"UConn? Not even close"
Hope someone will shut them up.
"UConn? Not even close"
Hope someone will shut them up.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
I want to make something like this
You have no idea how badly I'd love to make a highlight video like this. If I had all the technology and camera angles...
If I learned a few more things and got some experience it would be really freaking good.
It's soccer highlights from Euro 12
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcZKWYBS9Sg
Most importantly to me I finally figured out what song was in the ESPN promos for soccer.
It is "Charlie Brown" by Coldplay.
Like most songs I have no idea what the lyrics are, or it's significance, but I do know that the song makes me think of soccer and watching games summer. Therefore it's now on my IPod/IPhone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTFBJgnNgU4
If I learned a few more things and got some experience it would be really freaking good.
It's soccer highlights from Euro 12
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcZKWYBS9Sg
Most importantly to me I finally figured out what song was in the ESPN promos for soccer.
It is "Charlie Brown" by Coldplay.
Like most songs I have no idea what the lyrics are, or it's significance, but I do know that the song makes me think of soccer and watching games summer. Therefore it's now on my IPod/IPhone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTFBJgnNgU4
Monday, July 2, 2012
Family
We got a letter about how we had joined the "Fenton Toyota Honda Volvo of Keene Family"because someone in our family did a test drive.
It made think of UCWS. I'd call UCWS a family. I'd do so for many reasons. I don't even know if I can elaborate or expand on it, but I think it's true of all athletic teams. It's a family and you support everyone no matter what.
We talked about this and athletic teams in our sports management class, and it's when I first got comfortable considering UCWS a family.
Now I'm not going to go where you think I will with this. I won't list all the reasons why I think it's a family.
Instead I'm going to describe what it's like to all of those people who wonder what it is like to travel with a team. Regular students and fans wonder how you would describe traveling with a team, or even our team.
It's quite simple. It's just like traveling with your family.
Everything revolves around the same basic things. Food, bathroom, sleep and curing boredom.
What's to eat?
Are we there yet?
When are we going to eat?
Are we there yet?
What's to eat?
What movie should we watch?
Are we stopping for lunch?
Are we there yet?
Where is the bathroom?
Are we there yet?
Can you change movies?
When are we stopping?
Can we watch the Justin Bieber movie again?
What should I wear to dinner?
Where is dinner?
I think I lost my ID.
What can I have to eat?
Is there any gatorade?
What time is breakfast?
In many ways traveling with a team is just like traveling with your family.
It's most fun for the players who get to enjoy one another in different places and don't really have to worry so much about logistics.
For those who are coaches or staff members it's fun, (I loved and looked forward to every trip. The trips are one of the top things I will miss) but it can also be stressful.
I had very little to do in comparison to our assistant coach when it came to road trips, but I still was able to do enough to walk away with a great appreciation for all of the work that my parents put into our numerous trips across the country. I honestly thought my parents were absolutely nuts for wanting to take trips with my sister and I after realizing all that goes into making an itinerary and executing it.
I understood the stress involved in getting a rental vehicle, overseeing things, figuring out where you are going, making dinner reservations etc. For Mother's Day I wrote a thank you for her organization of a trip to Florida because I truly understood how much work it took to make everything happen.
It made think of UCWS. I'd call UCWS a family. I'd do so for many reasons. I don't even know if I can elaborate or expand on it, but I think it's true of all athletic teams. It's a family and you support everyone no matter what.
We talked about this and athletic teams in our sports management class, and it's when I first got comfortable considering UCWS a family.
Now I'm not going to go where you think I will with this. I won't list all the reasons why I think it's a family.
Instead I'm going to describe what it's like to all of those people who wonder what it is like to travel with a team. Regular students and fans wonder how you would describe traveling with a team, or even our team.
It's quite simple. It's just like traveling with your family.
Everything revolves around the same basic things. Food, bathroom, sleep and curing boredom.
What's to eat?
Are we there yet?
When are we going to eat?
Are we there yet?
What's to eat?
What movie should we watch?
Are we stopping for lunch?
Are we there yet?
Where is the bathroom?
Are we there yet?
Can you change movies?
When are we stopping?
Can we watch the Justin Bieber movie again?
What should I wear to dinner?
Where is dinner?
I think I lost my ID.
What can I have to eat?
Is there any gatorade?
What time is breakfast?
In many ways traveling with a team is just like traveling with your family.
It's most fun for the players who get to enjoy one another in different places and don't really have to worry so much about logistics.
For those who are coaches or staff members it's fun, (I loved and looked forward to every trip. The trips are one of the top things I will miss) but it can also be stressful.
I had very little to do in comparison to our assistant coach when it came to road trips, but I still was able to do enough to walk away with a great appreciation for all of the work that my parents put into our numerous trips across the country. I honestly thought my parents were absolutely nuts for wanting to take trips with my sister and I after realizing all that goes into making an itinerary and executing it.
I understood the stress involved in getting a rental vehicle, overseeing things, figuring out where you are going, making dinner reservations etc. For Mother's Day I wrote a thank you for her organization of a trip to Florida because I truly understood how much work it took to make everything happen.
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