Facilitation: Was It Really Worth It?

Today I am here to present the simple question: should athletes have their awards and endorsements taken away after being caught with performance enhancing drugs?

During my facilitation I will present the story of an Olympic sprinter who came under the scrutiny of the press and fans for being caught taking such illegal substances. This athlete is Olympic gold medalist Kelli White. She was stripped of prize money and her medals, after she held a press conference stating her side of the story?

Human Error

Tim Donaghy has apparently claimed to have information implicating 20 other NBA referees in gambling-related activity. He's not exactly a reliable source, but what if it turns out that this epidemic is widespread? What can fix this problem??

Answer: Robot refs. We have the technology. We can build them.

Glanville is a goldmine

With the hiring of former NFL head coach Jerry Glanville, Portland State has hit the football jackpot. They've already sold three times as many season tickets, compared to last year, and they are getting consistent national media coverage.

You can't pay enough for the kind of attention Jerry brings to the program, as it raises money for the program and makes PSU more competitive in the recruiting war with behemoths Oregon and Oregon State.

But that's not the most important part, because the guy happens to also be a brilliant coach. His 3-4 defense will make the Vikings a force to be reckoned with, possibly taking them to their first National Championship.

I think I'm going to go buy some tickets now before they sell out their September 8 home opener against UC Davis.

The SEC is practically the NFL

Each year, the SEC seems to become more and more dominant. No other conference in college football can hold a candle to the SEC, and this year it will be even more evident than in the past.

The SEC West boasts consistent powerhouses Auburn & LSU, complemented by Arkansas, whose tailback Darren McFadden is the favorite to win the Heisman trophy, and Alabama, who welcomes National Champion coach Nick Saban to the fold this year. This half of the conference alone has as much depth as any other full conference, and it's not even the stronger side.

The SEC East has defending National Champion Florida, who routed an Ohio State team that rode massive hype through the season until they were thoroughly embarassed by the Gators. Florida is just the beginning though, with Georgia, Tennessee, and blossoming programs at South Carolina and Kentucky filling out the East.

No conference has half the depth of the SEC, but this actually hurts the teams in the conference. Playing such difficult competition every week, it is rare that an SEC team can run the gauntlet and finish undefeated. Auburn did it in 2004, and Alabama in 1992, but most years SEC teams get snubbed in favor of teams with cake schedules who go undefeated.

In my opinion, the SEC Championship might as well be the National Championship. As Florida showed last year, when they were tested by Arkansas in the SEC Championship then rolled over Ohio State, the SEC Championship is more difficult to get to and more difficult to win than the National Championship game, simply because 2 SEC teams won't play in the National Championship.

Should women be allowed to play on the PGA tour?

This debate has been going on for some time now. Should women EVER be allowed to play on the PGA tour? My answer to this question surprises even me... yes! Before going in to my reasoning I have to make a few clarifying statements. Firstly, I don't think that a female golfer should be allowed to play on the PGA tour simply because it would make good headlines. I believe this was the single determining factor in Michele Wie being allowed to play. People were interested to see a 14-year-old girl compete against grown men, and mission accomplished, the ratings were good. But what was the result? Missing cuts and possibly destroying a very promising career. Secondly, I am asking if they should ever be allowed to play, basically asking if a rule should be established to ban female competitors on the PGA tour.

My reasoning for believing that no such rule should be made is simple. What if one day a woman truly dominates the LPGA tour? And I mean true domination. If a woman comes along and wins nine straight majors, 50% of tournaments she play in, etc. who are we to prevent her from showcasing her skills against the best players in the world? I compare this situation to the Annika Sorenstam era. She was truly impressive on the LPGA tour and in my opinion earned the right to try the PGA. But even she failed to be successful, thus I think she forced the bar even higher for future woman competitors; they have to dominate considerably more than even she did. I look forward to seeing if a woman will ever be skilled enough to compete with the boys, and I think to ban the effort would be a pathetic attempt for the ‘good-ole-boys’ to secure their manhood.

Is NBA gambling that much worse than dog fighting?

Donaghy faces 25 years in prison for a gambling scheme that lasted six months. Michael Vick is negotiating with authorities for a term of 18 months in the penitentiary in a dog fighting scheme that lasted for six years. Is NBA gambling that much worse than dog fighting?

Okay Donaghy was a trusted referee, and disgraced the NBA, but what did he really do, he participated in illegal gambling. I mean is that really worse then funding an illegal dog fighting operation, in my mind clearly no!

With the popularity of gambling these days, it just doesn’t seem like such a severe crime. I believe that Donaghy should be obviously kicked out of the NBA, not allowed to legally bet on sports ever again, pay a huge fine, and maybe up to 18 months in prison, but 25 years is just ridiculous.

Tim Donaghy: The best thing to happen to the NBA in years?

Tim Donaghy plead guilty today for getting paid to influence the outcomes of some of the NBA games which he officiated. He could serve up to 25 years in prison, if he is not drowned in a Suns fan's spackled jail-cell latrine first.

I know, this guy is a Class-A scumbag. However, I would be shocked if he were the only crooked ref. In my opinion, the quality of refs in just about every officiated sport is below average. Refs have been given such substantial protection from criticism, it has often made me ill. Ludicrous fines are routinely handed down for even hinting that officiating affected the outcome of a game. I think, just like most professionals, they should have to answer for their actions. If they screw up, they should have to publicly apologize, explain why, and receive a demotion.

Increasing referee scrutiny is long overdue, and Tim Donaghy has ushered-in this new era. Sure, it is terrible that he tainted the playoffs for 7 years or so. He has tarnished the game. In my opinion, though, this game I love was already tarnished. I can't count the times I've seen terrible calls change the course of an NBA game.

That will still happen, of course, but hopefully less and less as a result of corruption being brought to the light of day, rather than casually dismissed as conspiracy theory. Eventually, I think the NBA will be better as a result.

So thanks Tim, you sick depraved bastard.

Bobby Cox, the Grumpy Old Man

Let's play a little game of pick 'em:

Which of Bobby Cox's feats should we really be celebrating and glorifying?

His establishing the all-time ejection record after being told to hit the showers for the 132nd time on Tuesday night

OR

His guiding the Braves to an unprecedented 14 consecutive NL East titles

Well, let's see here, I think I'll select the latter. It's most definitely the greater accomplishment and provides a better indication of his managerial skills. However, on the "World Wide Leader in Sports" and several top-notch publications, Cox's newly established record is being treated like it is a bona fide achievement. And, to be honest, I simply don't understand it.

I can't fathom how the media can glorify the juvenile acts of a grown man. What did Cox really do to deserve the publicity for breaking John McGraw's record? The guy charged onto the field, screaming and spitting on umpires because he disagrees with the call. On many occasions, Cox has thrown an unmerited, unprovoked tirade. I mean, records are for intended to be bestowed upon athletes and coaches for honorable acts, not for throwing a fit and carrying oneself more like a bratty five year old than a professional Major League manager.

And, I hate to play the role model card, but, how what kind of precedent does this set for America's youth. Baseball is often depicted as the beautiful game. It's supposed to be the prefect game, essentially acting as a child's safe haven from violence and the World's gravest realities. A place where a youngster can learn how to conduct himself or herself through observing how the athletes, umpires and coaches conduct themselves.

Although, I'm beginning to think Cox is sending the message that if a child doesn't agree with something, he or she should simply show their frustration by kicking dirt, screaming and using profanity. Then, eventually, others will begin to take notice and that disobedient, unrelenting child earns recognition for the insubordinate behavior.

Call it a slippery slope, or an exaggerated claim. But ask yourself, isn't that exactly what Cox is promoting?

Guilty Pleas

Two more of Michael Vick’s co-defendants plead guilty in the dog fighting allegations per ESPN.com. Vick now has 7 witnesses testifying against him. Things are not looking good for him, especially since his co-conspirators are now going to testify against him. Oh how sad his friends are going to testify against him, I feel for him. Not really. What does he expect? These people are being made deals for lesser punishments to testify against him; of course they are going to take the deal when they must all know how guilty they are. How can it get worse? Well, it just might. In Virginia there are charges they may be coming against him any day and one of those possible charges is racketeering. Yes all you Sopranos fans remember the term “RICO?” Well Vick may be prosecuted for that. (RICO is the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act). Vick is getting what he deserves. People are too easy on celebrities and entertainers and they start to think they are above the law. Vick is going to be a prime example of how just because you are famous does not mean you are above the law. ESPN.com feels Vick may enter a plea of guilty in the next few days.

The Search Continues

U of O is currently looking for a head coach to take over the new men’s baseball team. The job was supposedly offered to Pat Casey, the head coach of the Oregon State team. Many people seem to be upset about this move by Oregon, saying they are trying to steal the Beaver’s coach. Everyone who lives in Oregon, and even most who do not know that the two schools are rivals. The decision to offer the job to Casey was based on his past performance as a head coach. People are taking the offer as some under-handed decision by Pat Kilkenny, Oregon’s athletic director. Beaver fans should take the job offer as a compliment to their program and coach. Kilkenny’s job is to bring the best coaches, players and staff to the school. College sports are a competition that gross enormous amounts of money for universities, and trying to bring in a coach that has lead his team to two consecutive championships is a smart move. The only downfall is that Casey has decided to stay with Oregon State. Baseball is now one more thing for Duck and Beaver fans to argue about, and a new way for Duck’s to support their school, the better school.

Go Raiders!

This past Saturday the Oakland Raiders opened their 2007 season at home when they hosted and beat The Arizona Cardinals 27-23. While there is an entire season to play, it will be interesting to watch Lane Kiffin, they youngest head coach in Raider history, and his team attempt to turn things around in Oakland this year. Since I'm a Raider fan I obviously have biases, however it sure was good to see the boys in black and silver get the "W" again, especially after last season.

It should be noted that Arizona played Matt Leinart only one quarter and running back Edgerin James in just two series in the game. Although, The Raiders were without No. 1 overall draft pick JaMarcus Russel and that Dante Culpepper did not enter until there was 9:38 left in the third quarter.

Best non baseball Moment of the MLB season

Earlier this season I saw a video of one of the funniest things I have seen occur during a baseball game. I know there are plenty of Red Sox fans in this class but I don't know if you all have seen this video or not yet.

*Click the question mark where there should be a pic for the video.*

I will post the link to the video and just be sure to watch the entire thing. Listen to how the guys calling the game forget about the game for an entire inning and break down what has just happened in the stands. This is just great stuff. The announcers cannot keep themselves from laughing during the broadcast, enjoy.

If you didn't enjoy this video you quite possibly may have no soul.

Golf isn't a sport... and the Earth is flat!

A couple of times in class the topic of whether or not golf is a sport has been brought up, but not discussed in detail. I’m interested it seeing what people’s opinions are on this subject.

Personally I’ve been playing golf my whole life. I have always had immense respect for the game but will admit that I haven’t always considered it a sport. The way most amateurs and I play the game would probably be more accurately described as a recreation. But in the last 10+ years a shift has occurred. Now athleticism is a major factor in whether or not a player is successful on tour. Is it a coincidence that the best player on tour is the one in best shape? I don’t believe it is. Many key characteristics that make a football or basketball players skilled in their discipline are comparable to what make golfers good in theirs. Examples are such characteristics as mental strength, flexibility, determination, and of course physical condition/athleticism.

Tiger has been rumored to bench over 300 lbs, squat 500+ lbs, and run sprints that are comparable to NFL athletes (and I assume not lineman!). Some people question this since it’s difficult to find hard data, but one look at his physique and it would be hard to doubt. Many of his nearest competitors are in great shape as well, and even Jon Daly is unbelievably strong and is considered to have the ‘softest hands’ (playing soft shots, not hand texture) on tour, even though he’s a little out of shape.

Basically my argument for why golf is a sport is simple. Take a doubter out to walk 36 holes of golf on a hot summer day and see if he is as tired as playing some pick-up basketball. If athletes are playing a game, competing for money, and entertaining millions of people, how could it not be a sport?

NASCAR Fun

Today’s NASCAR race was heated. Kevin Harvick and Juan Pablo Montoya were compared to WWE wrestlers, per ESPN.com, after they collided with 15 laps to go in the race at Watkins Glen, New York. A fan was also escorted off the track when he tried to get racer Matt Kenseth’s autograph during the delay of the race. Tony Stewart also won for the third time in four weeks. NASCAR’s ratings have been on decline and they are hoping that this day of excitement way bring some viewers back. This brings me to wonder if some of this stuff is staged to increase the poor ratings. NASCAR fans are some of the most passionate of fans but they want to see excitement while watching cars go around and around a track for hours upon end. They love the drama between the racers because it can make them hate certain drivers for reasons. Tony Stewart has a solid fan base but he is disliked by many for his “aggressive” driving towards others on the track that can cause others to wreck and be out of that day’s race. His wins leave some ecstatic and others annoyed.

I don’t think the drama should be staged at all but it sure makes things more fun to watch doesn’t it? I can’t sit there and watch cars go in circles for hours without something happening. Today’s race was full of excitement and if NASCAR could have more races like these. It was great seeing Harvick and Montoya argue on the track especially since they both were misunderstanding what led to the crash taking place. I think they confronted each other out on the track to make things more interesting. They could have waited until later to go at each other but they didn’t. They fought in front of the crowd and on national television. Maybe they will start being like hockey soon and take off their helmets and start beating each other up on the track. I know that would be bad but it would make things more fun to watch.

When Will it Stop?

Scandals in professional sports are becoming as common as the cold it seems. Recently, professional tennis has been abuzz with a possible scandal brewing. Number 5 in the world, Nicolay Davydenko has been under the microscope since a suspicious betting incident on August 2nd. Davydenko, seeded 4th in the tournament, played the 73rd ranked player in the world, Martin Vassallo Arguello. Most bets placed on tennis matches go unnoticed, but what made this one odd, was most of the $7 million in bets were placed on Arguello, after Davydenko had already won the first set. Davydenko eventually retired from the match citing a nagging toe injury. Since the investigation has begun, the bets have been canceled, and the money has been returned. It's too early to say whether or not Davydenko was aware of the betting and if he fixed the match. Time will tell if he fixed it or not, but here are reasons why he may or may not have.


Davydenko possibly fixed the match:
• the disparities in their world rankings (#5 vs. #73)
• most of the $7 million in bets came after he was already winning the match
• despite the injury, he is continuing to play tournaments without resting
• the amount of ATP players being asked to fix matches
• other Russian tennis players were photographed with a suspected Russian mobster

Davydenko unlikely fixed the match:
• he is #4 in the world, and has too much to lose if caught fixing matches
• he has been having foot problems, which were noticeable during the match
• despite the foot problem, he was noticeably trying to win the match
• he has been struggling in the early rounds of tournaments lately
• he truly seemed stunned when word got out regarding the investigation
• Davydenko was not one of those photographed with the suspected mobster

Only time will tell, but I truly hope he isn't involved, and I don't think he is. I am not however stunned by the fact that many players and judges are asked to fix the games.

B-12 Injection

Vitamin B-12 has the primary use of treating a rare form of anemia. However, according to an Oregonian story, “it is also often implicated in steroids-related cases.” The intended use of injection for people with anemia is to build fresh cells and protect nerves. Justin Gatlin, a world record-sharing sprinter was recently suspended from the sport for eight years after testing positive for steroid use. Gatlin said this came two weeks after he thought he was injecting a shot of B-12 given to him by an assistant coach, not a banned substance. Gatlin stated his suspension was too severe, considering he did not know he was taking a banned substance. I cannot imagine any athlete who would voluntarily confess to taking illegal drugs. It would be in his or her best interest to place the blame on someone else. The steroid use among sports figures these past few months alone have been covering the sports sections of newspapers. It is getting old, and I don’t want to read about it anymore. Eight years is a long time, and this could potentially mark the end of Justin Gatlin’s sprinting career, but he made the ultimate decision to inject himself with a substance that he wasn’t entirely sure what it was. The punishment is harsh yes, but it is also fair. When you put yourself in the public eye your job in not only as an athlete, but also as a role model. Gatlin failed in both those aspects, and he deserves to be punished.

U of O Baseball & Cheer teams

The University of Oregon made an announcement earlier this summer that they would no longer have a wrestling team. This decision was made so the university could add a baseball team to their list of athletics. In an attempt to make the distribution of teams fair between the sexes, competitive cheerleading is also being added to the athletic teams. Both baseball and cheerleading will be given an equal number of scholarships to be given to team members, but that is where the equality ends. The baseball team will be operating with a budget of almost $250,000 a year more than the cheerleading team, and between 5-10 million dollars is going to be spent to build a new baseball stadium for the team. The decisions being made by the school, and the athletic department are unfair. They are supporting the male sporting events with extra funding and media coverage, while choosing a less expensive female sport to add in a botched attempt at equality. U of O already has a cheerleading squad, and with the addition of this new competitive cheer team, they will be one of only a handful of schools with both. This is not a good use of money to promote what females can do as athletes, and it is an obvious attempt to try and not seem sexist in their choices. As a duck I am disgusted at these choices.

Just Stay Home Miller

Ladies and gentlemen, yes, Reggie Miller is now contemplating a comeback in the NBA. The newly revamped Boston Celtics are in contact with Miller to see if he would be interested in a reserve role with the team. Miller is supposedly going to his family and friends to seek their position on the recent Celtic push to force him out of retirement.

Miller has good reason to think hard about making a comeback because he went 18 seasons with the Indiana Pacers without getting a ring. The furthest the Pacers have pushed in the playoffs came in 2000 when Reggie helped carry the team to its first appearance in the NBA finals. Unfortunately it was only to meet Shaq and Kobe to square off for the title. The Lakers won the series in 6 games, bringing an end to Reggie's last solid chance at a championship push.

Miller's last game was on May 19, 2005 when the Pacers lost 88-79 to the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, ending the series four games to two. The whole Indianapolis crowd stood up and showered Reggie with their final praise, when he was taken out of his final game with 15.7 seconds left to play.

Miller needs to stay in retirement because he is currently 41 years old and he will be 42 by the time the season starts. Aside from the age debate, he needs to leave his career in the memory of Indiana's fans who were there to embrace him throughout his entire career. I understand that he may still be hungry for a ring but is that a good enough reason to come out of retirement? Is Boston really the team to carry him that far? Yes, the Celtics will be a contender in the East, but they are unproven and we have not seen the newly acquired "big three" play together yet. Even if the Celtics make a push and win a championship, Reggie would have hardly made an impact on that outcome.

If I was Reggie, I would have a hard time sleeping at night knowing that I could win a championship without making much of an impact, and also doing it as a sell out. Stay home Reggie, its the best for the game and it is best for your legacy.

SURVEY

Hey class! Jill, Bo and I would love it if you could all take this survey for us, for another class we have this term. If you all could send it to anyone else you know that would be great! Just copy the survey link into your web browser and it will direct you to the survey, if it does not let you just click on it.

http://survey.oit.pdx.edu/ss/wsb.dll/175/drivercellphoneuse.htm

Let The Boys Play!

Three Time Pro Bowl running back Preist Holmes has officially stated he wants to attend training camp. The only problem is due to his prior injuries KC's coach is not sure if he will be their dynamic starter like he was in the 2005 season. Lets take a look back at his previous achievements shall we?

In the 2001 season he led the NFL in rushes with 1555 yards, and in 2002 rushed 1615 yards and 21 touch downs with an injured hip. In 2003 he broke Marshall Faulk's record for total touchdowns in a season. That's three consecutive seasons with breakout performances, with injuries.

The Problem: In 2005 his season ended with a massive spinal cord injury, which he has been healing ever since.

So here's the question: If he has proven time and time that he can perform at such standards with injuries, what makes this season any different?

If Priest has taken all the right precautions to help heal correctly, why not let him by that dynamic starter Kansas City needs?

Just a thought.

Just shut it

Perhaps one of these days, Rory Sabbatini will learn what it takes to become a real professional - not just play professional golf, but learn how to act professionally as well. Or maybe just learn to not call out the greatest golfer on the planet. Didn't he learn anything from Stephen Ames?

After saying Tiger had only won three tournaments so far this year (Sabbatini has won 4 times since turning pro in 1998), he said Tiger looks "as beatable as ever" and that he "likes the new Tiger". Tiger then dismantled him on Sunday, starting the day one stroke back and finishing 8 strokes ahead, winning the WGC-Bridgstone Invitational again.

Sabbatini is no stranger to making an arse out of himself, but one thought he may have learned a lesson in humility and professionalism after his tantrum while playing with Beaverton's own Ben Crane two years ago. You may remember, Sabbatini was irked by Crane's slow play, and finished the 17th hole at The Booz Allen without waiting for his playing partner. After the round, Crane was nothing if not diplomatic, accepting what he thought was his part of the blame for the fiasco.

That came as no surprise to me. Ben and I grew up in the same neighborhood. We played youth soccer together for years. We went on church youth group missions together. Through all of the years I've known Ben, he truly is a genuine, humble person, even in the face of someone who is not.

Mr. Sabbatini, my only hope is that someday you will learn your lesson and keep your mouth shut. After all, golf is supposed to be a gentleman's game. Apparently, somebody forgot to tell you that.

But for now, to borrow a line from Seinfeld, "The jerk store called, and they're running out of you!"

Would landing Jermaine O'Neal be enough to satisfy Kobe in L.A.?

Jermaine O’Neal would be great for the LA Lakers because he is the key for the triangle offense Phil Jackson preaches about, with the addition of Derek Fisher and Kobe in the front court. Odom and O’Neal would be perfect for the posts. O’Neal is an all star caliber player who can demand a double team for most of the season and give Kobe a chance to create successful young players like Jordan Farmar, Andrew Bynum, Jarvis Crittenton, Luke Walton and build them into great role players of the future and they will develop much faster with all star caliber veterans to learn from.

Most people don’t like Kobe Bryant because of his playing style and image. When Kobe doesn’t pass the ball and scores 50 points, it’s considered selfish, but when he scores 20 points and has 8-10 assists people get upset because he isn’t scoring enough. This all has to do with false accusations of alleged rape that happened a few years ago in Colorado. Kobe is the most unstoppable player in the NBA and you can ask any player for the last 4 years, that it is a fact. They will all agree that Kobe Bryant is an A class player and without injury he will be a NBA first team offensive and defensive player for the next seven years of his career. With the addition of Jermaine O’Neal, it will give the Lakers more depth and a well balanced team to compete with. With fisher at one, Kobe at 2, Walton at 3, Odom at 4, and O’Neal at 5, the Lakers will be a 2nd round playoff team that will have the opportunity to compete with the best.

And Yet Another A-Rod story

It appears that Alex Rodriguez has yet again found his way onto the blog. This past weekend the Yankee third baseman hit his career 500th HR, making him the youngest and fastest player to reach the plateau. This is quite the accomplishment for Rodriguez and I am sure an enormous amount of weigh has been lifted from his shoulders. But it appears that the pressure now has shifted to the recipient who was lucky enough to obtain the historic ball from the home run. Walter Kowalczyk of Trenton, New Jersey, is now stuck in a situation that many sports fan dream of being of. What to do with this historic piece of memorabilia?

Kowalczyk is set to go on a local New York radio program and openly debate what he should do with the ball. I personally would give the athlete the first dibs at the ball. I would not openly ask for anything from that athlete, but I would definitely be lying if I said I would not expect anything in return. Fans that sell historic pieces of memorabilia on auctions for a high price, display a tremendous amount of selfishness and greed. Sure its fun to bask in the fifteen minutes of fame when one grabs a historic baseball HR, but that fan should do the right and respectful gesture by chucking it back within the game of baseball.

My question to the rest of the blog/class: What would you do if you caught Barry Bond's 756th HR ball?

Irvin, the Most Articulate Athlete

Just like his playing days, Michael Irvin promptly stole the show at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday evening.

The speakers we preceded The Playmaker were decent, probably pedestrian at best. Bruce Matthews was bland, thanking God, and deservedly so, every opportunity he had. The sweat dripping from Thurman Thomas' dome was indicative of his speech: erratic and free-flowing. Besides Charlie Sanders waving to the camera and directing a "Hi, Mom," to his deceased mother, the other speakers lacked the charisma and spontaneity of Irvin.

Call me a homer, because I am a Dallas Cowboy aficionado, but Irvin's speech is easily one of the best ever by an athlete. Lou Gehrig's emotional farewell speech may have been more riveting at the time, but I think The Playmaker will soon supplant him and be regarded as the best ever with the microphone in a matter of years.

Irvin brought the viewer inside his mind, allowing us to examine his most central beliefs and values. He is a man of God, and he addressed that subject with more straightforwardness than any professional athlete, possibly with the exception of Deion Sanders and Reggie White.

With his faith on his sleeve and visible to everyone, Irvin spoke of his sons, specifically about how he prays that the are both better fathers and husbands than he. He also explains how he hopes they never make the same mistakes, as far as abusing drugs, he made when playing with the Cowboys. Then he delivers the line that resonated most poignantly with me when he mentions that God told him to instruct his sons to "Look up, get up and never give up."

Basically, Irvin crafted a speech, without notes or cue cards, that provided the viewers and those in attendance a glimpse into his life. He could have easily thanked high school coaches and spent minutes dwelling on the solid relationships his maintains with Troy Aikman and Jimmy Johnson , but, instead, he chose to address those issues that some still find mysterious. And after Irvin's tell-all speech, I'm quite sure no one we describe them as mysterious any longer.

Facilitation 8/6: Should fighting be allowed in NHL?

When you watch hockey, it is almost expected to see the players break out into some sort of fight with the opposing team. It brings excitement and fans go crazy. It seems like fighting has been a part of hockey as long as ketchup's been w/ fries. But does that make it right?



So thus the question for this debate is: Should fighting be allowed in NHL games?



Pros:

• Fighting adds entertainment value to the game aka sells.
• Gives the fans something to talk about.
• It's usually fair (equal sized opponents) and consensual.

Cons:

• Fighting takes attention away from the actual game.
• Poor players could injure good players and therefore completely cripple the game unfairly.
• Bad example for younger leagues, making it seem like fighting is just "part of the game."

Time to Go Camping Before the Summer's Over!

For the first eight days of training camp, it appeared that #1 overall pick QB Jamarcus Russell (left) and #2 overall pick WR Calvin Johnson (not pictured) were waiting for one another to sign contracts. Most of the time, it is the #1 pick who is given the highest paid contract in the draft, and every pick after that decreases in value. However, on that eighth day, Johnson ended his holdout and signed with the Detroit Lions, leaving many to feel that this was the first step for the other unsigned picks to get their deals done. With the exception of Jon Beason and Dwayne Bowe, this has not been the case. The two highest profile picks who continue to hold out are Russell and QB Brady Quinn (right).

So, who needs to be in camp more right now, Russell or Quinn? Both men are the potential saviors of teams who have suffered in recent years, and both play the key leadership role of the franchise. However, with the recent signing of Daunte Culpepper by the Oakland Raiders, suddenly the pressure to perform immediately has been taken off the shoulders of Jamarcus Russell. Brady Quinn is entering a situation where the starting quarterback last year was Charlie Frye, a man who has nowhere near the name recognition of Quinn, and has had limited success in the NFL. The other quarterbacks are better known, but have also seen limited success. So the job is basically Quinn's if he wants it, but with that job comes the expectation to perform, and when the quarterback is missing this much of training camp with the preseason beginning this week, pretty soon there is not going to be much time left to gel with his teammates and get his timing down.

On top of that, Quinn needs to accept the fact that he was drafted 22nd overall. Sure, he played for a high profile program at Notre Dame (whether they deserve to be or not), got the most media exposure a college player could hope to get, and played for an NFL style coach. The stars seemed to be aligned for him to be a top 10 pick at worst. The fact is, it didn't happen, so deal with it. This is not the same situation last year with Reggie Bush, where the team is going to give you a smaller contract than the #1 pick, but more bonuses and guaranteed money. Quinn should use that as motivation to perform, and feel lucky that he's in a situation where he can play right away. I saw an interview on ESPN a few days ago, and they asked him if he was prepared to sit out the season. He sort of dodged the question and said he hoped it wouldn't come to that, but he left himself open to the idea. So is a guy who was one bad game away from being benched before Charlie Weis came to Notre Dame that self-centered that he'd sacrifice a year of his aspiring career because he can't get paid as much as Jamarcus Russell? I'd like to think he isn't, but then again, it wouldn't surprise me.

That all being said, I'm very surprised that Jamarcus Russell wasn't signed before the NFL Draft even took place. I can't even remember the last time that the #1 pick held out this long. It kind of sets up a poor trend that I hope doesn't continue for the years to come. So, while there are plenty of reasons why Jamarcus Russell should be in camp right now, there are many more why Quinn should be.

Refs making Bets, what's Next?

I have been to and watched many professional games, and after it was over, wondering if the refs had anything to do with the victory. You see it see it so often, one ref makes any iffy call, and then the next play you see what us fans call "a make up call". Do refs have more on the line then just their reputation as professionals who monitor and control the game. As you have heard recently on the TV and and read in the papers, an NBA official Tim Donaghy was convicted of betting on games which is a big no no, and even bigger, he was betting on on some of the games he was refereeing. Also to add to his resume', he has been involved in a couple off court verbal conflicts with NBA players, one including Rasheed Wallace. I actually witnessed this fight that you still hear so much about on the news. I was a ball boy at the time taking bags to the visitors bus, and on the way back I was actually caught right in the middle of the famous conflict. When the people who monitor the game have their own personal agendas that take over their job, when the people who are suppose to set the example break it so willingly, that is when the sport loses its thrill. Tim Donaghy used and abused all he had, when he had so much. He should be brought down quick, and this problem needs to be addressed more seriously, so professional sports don't lose their professionalism.

Facilitation

Facilitation 8/6
The topic of my facilitation is the use of aluminum bats in college baseball. I decided to look at the pros and cons of using aluminum bats, to see if players would be better off if they used wooden bats.

Pros for aluminum bats:
- There are more homeruns, making the game more exciting.
- You can get an on base hit using a larger surface area of the bat.
- The bats do not break, making it less expensive to replace, and less dangerous with regards to pieces of flying bat.
- Aluminum bats were first put in place to save money.
- Aluminum bats can be made from recycled materials.


Cons for aluminum bats:
- The ball is hit harder, making it more dangerous for players and fans.
- Players don’t have experience hitting with a wooden bat.
- Players don’t have experience fielding hits off a wooden bat.
- Over the past 10 years injuries from aluminum bats exceeds injuries from wooden bats.
- Pitchers don't throw inside to players using aluminum bats.
- Performance of aluminum bats can benefit from engineering science, such as alloys and processing methods. Aircraft quality aluminum is the material of choice for aluminum bats.

The Conditions of Honorable Player !

Being an athlete is not easy. First of all, it is required to have an appropriate physical condition and an aptitude for sports. Secondly, a strong physical strength and mentality are important to build an outstanding career as an athlete. Finally, thoroughly taking care of oneself is the most important condition to be a legendary player. I prefer a player who achieves good records steadily rather than a player who shows outstanding work for a short time. That’s why I like Cal Ripken Jr.

From May 30, 1982 through September 6, 1995, Cal Ripken Jr. has shown up every game and he broke Louis Gehrig’s record, which was not broken for 56 years.
He has made more than 20 home-runs in 10 years. In 1991, he won the second MVP with a .323 hitting average and the second place number of hits, the fourth place of Runs Batted In, and the third place number of home-runs.
Finally, he played 2632 games continuously. It means he was never injured, he never slumped, and he never got in an accident. Obviously, he had some hard time. For instance, in 1993 June, his knee got injured while he was involved in a fight with the Seattle Mariners. He bandaged his knee and practiced how to play in this condition before he played a game. He played that game all until nine innings. If he didn’t have such a strong mental power, he would not be able to accomplish such a great record. He was a lucky guy and he was the Iron Man. Fans love his sincerity, fans love his humble attitude. This is the idle of baseball player what I think.

He was inducted into hall of fame with Tony Gwynn. I believe that he is eligible for being in hall of fame. His play is not as attractive as Ichiro. He is not as powerful as Barry Bonds. However, I love him, because of his attitude. Fans desire another Cal Ripken Jr.

Whatever happened to baseball cards?

I remember back in the 90's when baseball cards were cool. It seemed like the entire neighborhood had a whole market of trading seemingly useless pieces of cardboard that had some secret value. Certain cards were golden while others were worthless. The whole trick was convincing the other person that X player would soon be worth so much money and you could eventually cash out on these cards and make big money.

But then something happened, and now who even collects them anymore? I can honestly say that I do not know a single soul that spends their precious time and money collecting these cards of value.

Or is there?

I have some theories as to why these cards have lost their popularity and glamour. Of course, it could have all been just another fad, but looking at the rate of production...it seemed like in the mid 90's Upper Deck and their friends started desperately printing cards of every sort, from glossy to holagraphic. They were in such abundance, anyone could buy any card at any time for so cheap, that they just lost their value. There was no point in trading anymore if everyone already had every card.

I think its such a shame that the baseball card died. It provided such a great activity for kids in the neighborhood. I remember people were so excited to trade their cards, they would meet with the local kids maybe even with some older people who were into it, and argue away trying to convince that X trade was worth Y. It brough unity. Made kids think in terms of economics, business. And they would take super care of their cards, getting those plastic protectors and storing them all neat in a binder. It was precious.

Now, the only card trading I see is with those Pokemon/Magic cards. So perhaps the era of the card still lives on. But do you guys think the baseball card will ever return to be as big of a thing as it was?

She's Back!

Apologies for that first post.

Today i would love to talk about Venus Williams. From the time she first stepped into the pros, she has been a force to be reckoned with. Winning 14 majors, Venus has been fierce in the competition for years. Coached by parents, her and her sister Serena have brought an aggression to the sport that some would argue, was not as prevalent before they stepped onto the scene.

Me being an avid tennis fan, I have watched Venus take the competition and eat it up as a sweet snack of victory.

Although I have seen her dominate the game for a while, I have to say that sometimes I wonder if she is really all that inspired. I sometimes get the sense that she gets tired of the sport, and is doing it for reasons other than her own. When I look at how competitive her sister is, it is a severe difference in level of intensity and drive. After defeat, her interviews make her look as though she didn't care she just lost a match, and I wondered if that was the case. She would always make it far, but not far enough to make it to the big show.

Well, all of those concerns when out the window with her performance at the 2007 Wimbledon Championship. She defeated heavy-hitters like Maria Sharopova in straight sets 6-1, 6-3, and high profilers like fifth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3, 6-4. I don't think I have ever seen her play with such passion, and intensity, and it was nice to she her dominating again. Every match was a chance for her to show spectators like me that she really is that into it, and I'm glad to see that in her.

Should New York Giants give Strahan

Michael Strahan has been a loyal and dedicated defensive end and 7 time pro-bowl player for the New York Giants for 14 years. He has recently been through and very rough and public divorce, which no matter what a person does for living will take a toll on them. He has been questioning retirement, one of the hardest and stressful decisions of a professional athletes career. So what do the New York Giants do? They start fining him $14,000 a day for sitting out at camp, not giving him room and time to figure out what he wants to do. People feel that if the Giants have came at him a little different way, then things would be different. Strahan did have the off season to figure out his retirement, though with the things happening in his personal life the question stands whether or not the Giants should give him space.
Michael Strahan says the team is breaking a promise by not re-negotiating his contract.
Looking back at the formal General manager Earnie Accorsi telling Michael is WOULD update his contract, though not getting around to it. Now, with a new sheriff in town named Jerry Reese who is a lot more reluctant to raise his salary to more than 4 million dollars, Strahan feels disrespected.
Reese has said they will welcome Strahan into camp, but will not be waiting and hoping.
Reese declined to say whether Strahan asked to renegotiate his contract when Strahan finally contacted the Giants, which will pay $4 million this season. However, he said there are repercussions for missing camp. Strahan has incurred fines of $71,440 for missing the first five days, but neither side gave a deadline for him to make up his mind.
So with all these details to think about, is it fair for Michael Strahan how the Giants are handling this situation?

Gagne's a Good Move for Sox

Yesterday was a good day in Boston professional sports. Not only did the Celtics get Kevin Garnett, but the Sox scored Eric Gagne, adding more depth to the majors best bullpen. We've already seen that money itself does not translate to wins. However, money well spent can go a long way. One may argue that the Sox didn't need anymore help in the bullpen, but let's see why that this trade is a smart one.

First, it is unlikely that Gagne will stay in Boston after the year is over, since he wants to close, and Jonathan Papelbon is still Boston's main man. Because Gagne is considered a Type A free agent, if he leaves at the end of the season, Boston will receive two draft picks within the first two rounds.

Secondly, Boston didn't give up much in the big picture to get Gagne. Gagne comes to Boston in exchange for Kason Gabbard, David Murphy, and Engel Beltre. Gabbard has pitched well in Curt Schilling's absence. However, he looked a bit shaky in his last start (5 runs in 4.2 innings). Overall, Gabbard looks good right now, but he hasn't had a full season in the majors, so Boston is taking a chance by selling him high, not to mention, there will be a log jam of starters once Schilling returns. Although Murphy was a good looking prospect in Pawtucket (Red Sox AAA affiliate), he was unlikely to see playing time because of Jacoby Ellsbury. It's hard to say what Beltre might do, as he was playing in A ball. That being said, Boston may be able to replace him with one of those early draft picks if Gagne decides to leave.

Lastly, the addition of Gagne will prevent the overuse of Boston's bullpen. Overall, Terry Francona has managed the use of the bullpen well. It helps to have starters who go deep into the game as well, but it never hurts to have a rested bullpen in the stretch run. With the Yankees starting to get it together, Boston will gladly take any help to make the final push towards the playoffs.

Hindsight being 20/20, only time will tell if this will pan out for Boston, but right now, I think Boston has a lot to be excited about.

Facilitation 8/1: Bill or Bill?

Through out the NFL's existence there have been numerous great coaches, however I am simply interested in who our class considers a better coach between the late Bill Walsh or Bill Belichick? While these two coaches have coached on opposite sides of the country and in different decades, there are some interesting similarities between them which we can use for debate material. First, they both won three Super Bowls. Second, they both have coached legendary quarterbacks. For instance, Walsh coached Hall of Fame quarterbacks, Joe Montana and Steve Young. While Belichick continues to coach future Hall of fame quarterback, Tom Brady. In addition, they have each passed their "knowledge of the game" and "knack for success" onto younger generation coaches. Some of Walsh's past coaches include George Siefert, Dennis Green, Mike Holmgren, Andy Reid, and Tony Dungy. While A few of Belichicks past coaches include Nick Saban, Charlie Weis, and Pat Hill.




BILL WALSH

• Won three Super Bowls



• Career reg. season record 92-59-1 (60.9%)



• Career post season record 10-4



• Six Division titles



• Coach of the Year 81' and 84'



• Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame 93'

BILL BELICHICK

• 
  Won three Super Bowls



• Career reg season record 111-81-0 (57.8%)



• Career post season record 13-3



• 12 Division titles



• ESPY Award winner for Best Coach/Manager 05'

With this knowledge it should be interesting to see who you will coin "the better coach" today.

Mariners Quiet at Trade Deadline

For a team that has arguably passed expectations for this season, and finds themselves firmly entrenched in the postseason race, the Seattle Mariners were conspicuously docile as yesterday's trade deadline approached and passed.

Yes, the Mariners managed to move Julio Mateo, but he has spent most of the season in AAA Tacoma or suspended. Not a big surprise, as the Mariners made it clear to Mateo that he would never pitch in Seattle again (nor is it a surprise that Phillies' GM, and former Mariners' GM, Pat Gillick, would swoop in and take him). Also, Seattle's bullpen has been lights out this season without him - J.J. Putz and George Sherrill have been nearly unhittable.

But why didn't the Mariners pick up another bat? Only two everyday players are hitting over .300, and much as it pains me to say it, Adrian Beltre (especially after his breakout 2004)and Richie Sexson haven't exactly been as good as advertised at the plate, although nobody can deny Beltre's value on defense. Sexson has power, but it seems like he's all or nothing at the plate.

The Mariners' starting pitching has been somewhat of a mystery, too. It seems like everybody has been struggling all year, but most everybody has at least a .500 record, even with some high ERAs (Can Jeff Weaver - who in his two wins looked like a Hall-of-Famer - figure out who the hell he's going to be?). How is Horacio Ramirez 6-3 with an ERA approaching 6.5? And poor King Felix, who just hasn't been the same since a stint on the disabled list early this season, is only 7-6 with a 3.85 ERA - he just can't get much run support.

It's a shame the Mariners' brass couldn't figure out something to try to improve this ball club, who is only 4 games back of the Angels in the division and only 1.5 games back of the Indians for the Wild Card. While most teams in that position would try to make some type of move to get themselves over the hump, the Mariners have a history of standing pat at the trade deadline, watching the teams around them make deals instead.

Although, I guess M's fans shouldn't be too disappointed - they weren't supposed to be this close to begin with. Consider yourselves lucky?

Is The UFC a Sport?

The UFC is the largest promoter of combat mixed martial arts (MMA). Competitors are allowed to not only punch like in boxing, but also kick, knee, elbow, slam, and choke their opponents. Although very entertaining, is it a true sport? Can we compare it to the NFL, NBA or the MLB?

I must confess I am a fan, and I am completely entertained by watching two fighters enter the ring, in an attempt to knock out or tap out their opponent. Come on, this is just great entertainment. Does it really stand up to the other sport leagues? Why not? In recent months, UFC fighters have appeared on the covers of Sports Illustrated and ESPN The Magazine. Pay-per-view events are selling huge numbers. TV events get great ratings. Coverage of UFC events is starting to appear in the morning newspaper.

Some might wonder if boxing is a threat for the UFC, but I don’t see that happening, boxing is struggling in my opinion, it has been a while since a boxer has come along to grasp America’s attention. It’s lacked a peoples champ. The UFC is simply more dynamic, and in my mind most people watching a boxing match are waiting for blood, and the UFC delivers that a lot quicker. Many boxers have tried to fight in the UFC, and have not been successful.

The UFC is a fast growing sport that is trickling into mainstream America. It’s come a long way since Dana White took over the organization, and is on track to become the most popular sport in America.

Contenders in the East?

Today, the Boston Celtics acquired one of the best players in the NBA, Kevin Garnett, from the Minnesota Timberwolves. This past summer Danny Ainge has turned the Celtics from one of the leagues worst to a now contending team in the Eastern Conference. In addition to acquiring Garnett, the Celtics also got sharpshooter Ray Allen from the SuperSonics.

I like this deal for two reasons because 1) the Trail Blazers only have to see both Allen and Garnett only twice a year now, and 2) it is better for the league to have storied franchises in contention. The Boston Celtics are one of the most historic teams in the NBA. It was very sad to see this team be very bad these last couple of years. ( The same can be said for the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks) I believe that it is better for the league for storied franchises to be good. Fans follow the big name teams, with the Celtics suddenly good again the NBA will attract more fans. My question for the blog to comment on is it better for the league to have the storied big name franchises contending or is more exciting for new teams to win?

Faciliation 8/1: Should Sammy Sosa be in baseball's Hall of Fame?

This past weekend baseball held its Hall of Fame induction ceremony. This year two of the classiest and purist players ever to play were the new inductees, Tony Gwyn and Cal Ripken Jr. Both of these players showed hard work during their long careers, and were both loyal to the organizations that brought them up. These players were more than eligible to be inducted.

With the recent steroid scandal hovering over Major League Baseball, many players with Hall of Fame caliber numbers may not get into the Hall of Fame because with the speculation of these players using performance enhancing drugs during their careers. These players include Barry Bonds, Rafael Palmeiro, Mark McGwire, and the player to be debated, Sammy Sosa.

Sammy Sosa is a difficult player to determine whether or not to be in the Hall of Fame because he has never been tested positive for steroid use. However, during the congressional hearing, involving Major League Players, Sosa spoke through an interpreter which was something he had never done when speaking to the media. This was considered a cowardly and questionable move. Below are some bullet point reasons whether or not Sosa should be a Hall of Famer.

Reasons to be in the Hall of Fame:

• Only player in MLB history to hit more than 60 HRs three seasons.
• Has over 600 career HRs
• 1998 NL MVP

Reasons Not to be in the Hall of Fame:

• Used a corked bat in 2003
• Walked out on team in 2004
• No other great stats other than HRs
• Spoke through an interpreter at Congressional Hearings

Would A Dress Code Have Prevented This?

Okay, so some would argue that a dress code in the NBA would help reinforce professionalism, and shape a "cleaner" demeanor within the players. But on November 19, 2004 when the entire arena broke out into a full fledged brawl between players and fans, would a dress code really have made a difference?

The topic I present to you today is really dealing with a number of issues, but in essence I want to keep it focused on just two.

The first being that if the NBA had a dress code for their players, would they really have a greater sense of professionalism; or would they simply be basketball players in suits?

The second and final issue I'd like to present is fans and boundaries. When I watch a game I feel as though there is this 4th wall separating players from fans, which was clearly knocked down after this display. So my question then becomes (in the context of the clip), when fans cross the line and taunt players, is it just as much their fault, as the players involved?

Just a thought.

Who's the Blazers True Point Guard?

The idea that Blake was brought back to Portland because he is a better performer than our current point guards is ludicrous. In my opinion, he was brought back on to the squad because he was the best available role player for our young team. The young players need a seasoned player to help provide direction during the growing pains that the Blazers will more than likely be faced with. Also, Nate trusts Blake to run the offense the way he wants it run.

Blake is not a better one on one player than Jack; Blake has no skill demonstrably better than Jack. Career 3-point averages are meaningless - recent performance and trends are far better indicators of immediate future performance and trends. Even if Blake gets better at some skills, with his one potentially valuable skill being 3-point shooting, Jack is likely to improve faster and be better.

So why Blake again?

Because the Blazers do not trust Jack to run the team like it should be run - which would threaten the development of the rest of the youngsters. If Jack doesn't start, it won't be because he isn't the better basketball player, it will be because Blake will be a more stable, error-free guard. Blake will play the game McMillan wants him to play, while Jack - in my opinion - is more prone to play for the moment.

From a pure performance perspective - Blake is a backup point guard, but he doesn't think he is a backup. Many fans don't believe he is a backup. But lets face it, Steve Blake is a solid backup. What is being over looked is Sergio Rodriguez will be the point guard of the future, and Blake will help Sergio hone the skills necessary to run the team.

Facilitation 7/30: Should sports contracts be guaranteed?

In the NFL, contracts are not guaranteed by owners -- a team can terminate a player's contract and avoid having to pay them. In MLB and the NBA, contracts are guaranteed, so when an athelete signs a $100 million contract, he will get paid that $100 million regardless.

Sports agents, such as Drew Rosenhaus (right), have encouraged NFL players to hold-out, or refuse to play, until they get a large amount of guaranteed money. Many NFL contracts are re-negotiated every year. NFL players often push for large signing bonuses, which they receive immediately, to counteract their lack of contract security.

In contrast, MLB and the NBA have dozens of ridiculously overpaid players that nobody wants. There have been many instances in which players have had career seasons in the last year of their contract, then return to mediocrity after signing a massive deal. This is especially true for high-demand positions such as NBA center and starting pitcher. Some examples: Erick Dampier, Adonal Foyle, Michael Olowokandi, Joel Przybilla, Darius Miles, Carl Pavano, Adrian Beltre, & Russ Ortiz -- but these guys are just the tip of the iceberg. A prime example of the failure of this system is Steve Francis (above), who received nearly $31 million in a buy-out of his 2-year, $34 million contract from the Trailblazers -- they prefered to pay him to leave than pay his salary. Francis recently signed a 2-year, $6 million contract with the Houston Rockets, consequently receiving both a $14 million pay cut and a $17 million raise for the same season . . .

Arguments for guaranteed contracts:

-- They add an element of commitment to the vicious world of sports, in which atheletes are often treated more like commodities than people.

-- Atheletes with guaranteed contracts can relax and play the game without fear of an injury that could end their career and threaten their livelihood.

-- There are many more contract disputes in the NFL compared to MLB and the NBA because of the inequity between the sports related to guaranteed contracts.

Arguments against guaranteed contracts:

-- It reflects the real world, in which a company can fire a person without continuing to pay them.

-- Many professionals risk injury to complete their job responsibilities, such as construction workers, crab fishermen, & military personnel.

-- Just because the NFL is the odd-sport out in this area doesn't make them wrong. If MLB and the NBA didn't guarantee contracts either, there would be far less contract disputes in the NFL than there are currently.