Snow on Sports

The Boston Bruins Are Playoff Ready

2010-04-13T19:55:00.000-04:00

Finally, the NHL playoffs are here, and the Boston Bruins have drawn the Northeast Division leading Buffalo Sabres in the quarter-final series that begins Thursday night at HSBC Arena.

On paper, this series looks like it will be a goalie-duel, pitting the number one and two Goals Against Averages during the regular season against each other.

Boston’s Tuukka Rask finished with a league best 1.97 GAA in 45 games played. Buffalo’s Ryan Miller, who is a favorite to win the Vezina trophy as the league's best goaltender, was close behind 23 year old Rask with a 2.22 GAA. Miller was between the pipes for 69 of the Sabres 82 games this season, as well as back-stopping Team USA to an Olympic Silver medal, bringing considerably more weight to his strong numbers.

The Bruins were able to defeat the Sabres in four of their six meetings this season, including a 3-1 victory last Thursday (4/8) at the TD Garden. Even though things look optimistic, with the B’s taking the season-series, the numbers don’t tell the whole story. With Miller in net for the Sabres, which he is sure to be every game, the teams split four games winning two each. Rask was the winning goal in all four of Boston’s victories. Boston did outscore Buffalo during the six meetings, 15-11, but produced a paltry 2-17 on the power-play, which will have to improve exponentially if the Bruins hope to advance deeper into these playoffs.

To have success, Boston will need continued production from their top scorers. Patrice Bergeron (19G, 33A) and David Krejci (17G, 35A) led the Bruins’ offense with 52 points each. B’s captain Zdeno Chara (7G, 37A) was third on the team’s list with 44 pts. His contributions, both on offense and defense, will be monumental in the Bruins’ success or failure this postseason.

In the other Eastern Conference match-ups are as follows: Washington Capitals/Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils/Philadelphia Flyers, and Pittsburgh Penguins/Ottawa Senators. In the West, the San Jose Sharks play the Colorado Avalanche, followed by the Chicago Blackhawks/Nashville Predators, Vancouver Canucks/LA Kings, and Phoenix Coyotes/Detroit Red Wings.

Let the quest for Lord Stanley’s Cup begin!

Mass. Schools For The Blind Face Off In Fencing Tournament

2010-04-09T14:18:00.000-04:00

In a first of it's kind event, the Perkins School for th Blind in Watertown and the Carrol Center for the Blind in Newton faced off in a friendly fencing competition.

The teams of boys and girls were coached by Ceaser Morales, a former fencing coach at Brandeis University. The only accomodation for blind fencing participants is a carpet runner on the floor to help keep their feet properly oriented.

The Perkins School also offers rowing on the Charles River, bowling, ice skating, rock climbing, and martial arts.

For more on this outstanding story of overcoming the odds, read more at the Boston Herald or check out a video interview on ABC News.

Frozen Four Is Set To Take Over Motor City

2010-03-30T18:18:00.000-04:00

March Madness is almost at its end, and it’s time to crown a National Champion. This isn’t another story about Duke, Butler, Michigan State and West Virginia though; I am talking about Wisconsin, RIT, Miami (OH) and BC. It’s time for the Frozen Four at Ford Field in Detroit.

The Boston College Eagles have found their way back into the national-semifinals, on April 8th, where they will be fighting for their second National Title in three years. The Miami (OH) Redhawks are trying to make it to the Title game for the second year in a row, after losing last year to Boston University in the games closing minute. These teams will face-off in the late game (8:30 p.m.)
The first semi-final (5 p.m.) pit’s the Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers, in their first national tournament appearance, against the Wisconsin Badgers of the strong WCHA. RIT is a true Cinderella-story, playing in just their fifth season as a D1 program. The school awards no scholarships to athletes and no former Tiger has played even a minute in the NHL in the program’s 48-year history.
BC got to Detroit by defeating Alaska-Fairbanks, 3-1, and then winning a slugfest against Yale, 9-7, in the Northeast Region final. In the Midwest Region, Miami (OH) first beat Alabama-Huntsville, 2-1, then went on to win a hard fought double-overtime game against Michigan, 3-2.
Wisconsin took down the Vermont Catamounts, 3-2, and then St. Cloud State, 5-2, in the West Region. In the East Region, Rochester stunned the WCHA champ Denver Pioneers, 2-1, then ended the Hockey East regular-season champs season, beating the UNH Wildcats with apparent ease, 6-2.
There should be plenty of great hockey yet to come for the Division 1 Men, and I for one am rooting for the underdog Tigers to take the title home to New York. The National Title game will be played on Saturday, April 10, at 7 p.m.

Spurs Coach Popovich Mouths Off About ‘World Champ’ Banners In Boston

2010-03-29T22:36:00.001-04:00

The San Antonio Spurs laid down a serious beating on the Boston Celtics Sunday night at the TD Bank Garden; the 94-73 loss was the C’s worst of the season and only the third time they have been beaten by 20 or more.

There was another story making headlines in Boston, though, other than the disgraceful loss. Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich spoke with local media and had some interesting things to say about the 17 banners hanging from the Garden rafters.

“There are no World Champions in the NBA, so anybody that has the flag up that says world champions is not correct,” Popovich told a local Boston rag… I mean mag. Popvich went on to say “The world champions, I believe, are the Spanish team right now. USA is the Olympic champion. The Lakers are the NBA champion. It doesn’t make sense for an NBA team to call themselves world champions. I don’t remember anybody playing anybody outside our borders to get that tag. Isn’t that true? I keep waiting for somebody to tell me I’ve missed something.”

Though Pop comes off as an arrogant choad, he poses a valid argument. It is an argument that could also be posed about the so called ‘World’ Series champions in the MLB. To call yourself world champs you should have to prove yourself against the world.

“There’s a team in Canada. That’s true,” Popvich said. “The world’s bigger than North America. I know sometimes we as arrogant Americans don’t respond to the rest of the world, but it’s true. There’s a big world out there.”

I agree with Popovich on this one and I hope that everyone else sees his logic. I for one will be saying NBA and MLB champs from now on, unless these teams want to challenge the rest of the world in a tournament similar to the UEFA Champions League. Now that’s an idea that could be huge…

Bruins Fight For Playoff Life In Tight Eastern Conference Race

2010-03-29T21:13:00.000-04:00

If the NHL regular-season ended today, the Boston Bruins would be in the playoffs; they currently sit in the 8th, and final, spot in the Eastern Conference. The season isn’t over, though, and with eight games left to play there is a lot that can happen.

Boston (80pts) barely leads the 9th place Atlanta Thrashers (78pts) and the 10th place NY Rangers (76pts), though the Black and Gold have a game in hand on both teams. They also only trail the 6th place Philadelphia Flyers (82pts) and 7th place Montreal Canadiens (82pts) by the slimmest of margins. Also, Boston holds two games on each of these squads.

Of the eight remaining games on the B’s schedule, five will be played against top-tier Eastern Conference teams. Boston plays 3rd place Buffalo twice (3/29, 4/8), 4th place NJ once (3/30), and the powerhouse Eastern Conference leading Washing Capitals twice (4/5, 4/11). Their other three games, though, are against the worst teams in the East: Florida (4/1), Toronto (4/3), and Carolina (4/10).

The Thrashers also have a tough road ahead of them, playing games against Carolina (3/29) and Toronto (3/30) before finishing the season with Washington twice (4/1, 4/9), Pittsburgh twice (4/3, 4/9), and NJ once (4/6). The Rangers have a seemingly easy schedule in comparison with Buffalo (4/3) being the only top-5 team they will face, though they do have to hold off the 11th place Islanders (3/30) and 12th place Lightning (4/2) as well as finishing the season with two games against the Flyers (4/9, 4/11) who are currently in 6th. Montreal’s only challenge seems to be a match-up against the Sabres (4/3), while Philadelphia is the only team in the picture to have a game against a Western Conference team; they have to face-off against the Detroit Red Wings on Easter Sunday (4/4).

To hold on to their playoff spot, or possibly climb in the Conference standings, Boston will have to earn some hard fought points; which will come down to them scoring key goals and continuing to play solid defense. They are currently second in the league with a 2.34 GAA and also stand at second in penalty-killing. Tonight’s opponent (Buffalo) has the number four GAA, at 2.41, and is third in the NHL in penalty-kills; tomorrows opponent (NJ) is the number one defensive team in the league, allowing only 174 goals so far this season. Boston has allowed just 177. It seems goals will be precious in the upcoming matches, and the weeks ahead should hold some exciting hockey, no matter what team you cheer for.

Welcome to 'Skate Sessions'

2010-03-25T16:42:00.000-04:00

It just hit me one day, that urge somewhere deep in my brain that I hadn’t felt in a long time. I really wanted, no I needed, to skate.

There was a time, in my teens, when I spent whole days out ‘rolling’ with my friends. We were a solid crew of 6-8 kids, most of them younger and a couple of them older than me; we met at the park almost everyday.

We pushed each other to be better skaters. Seeing one of the guys land a new trick made me want to try it too. We brought each other progression, we brought each other support. We would all even pile into each others cars to make trips to other parks, or into Boston for some nighttime street skating.

But that was then and this is now.

Now, I find myself skating alone, or worse surrounded by bikes, boards and an unfathomable swarm of scooters. Aggressive skating was taken out of the X-Games back in 2005 and skating mags like Daily Bread and Box are gone and nearly forgotten. But that old urge stays with me, and it’s an itch that must be scratched.

So join me at Skate Sessions, and help me revive this dying art with Park Profiles, Recon Mission‘s to underground street spots, and general insight into the skating world; or just watch me ride out aggressive skating’s final days.

Justice Will Be Served: Bruins' Sights Set On Matt Cooke and Penguins

2010-03-18T18:18:00.004-04:00

The Pittsburgh Penguins are in Boston tonight to face off against the Bruins at the TD Garden.

This is the first meeting between these clubs since Matt Cooke delivered a season ending head-hunter elbow to Bs star forward Marc Savard.

The obvious cheap shot (seen on the right side of the screen at :10 of this video ), which did not earn Cooke a penalty at the time, has been discussed by hockey fans on the Northeast, and across the country, since the March 7^th game in Pittsburgh.

I don’t know what is more surprising; that there was no retaliation from the Bruins players during that game or that there was no suspension/fine issued by Colin Campbell , the NHL’s principal disciplinarian, after the game tapes were reviewed by him and his staff.

With Cooke and the Pens, coming to Causeway Street completely unpunished (either physically or judiciously), there is a unanimous belief that justice will be served on the Garden ice tonight.

Campbell himself will be in attendance and I am sure there will be plenty of action for him to punish before the night is through.

The question now is:

Do the Bruins go directly after Cooke for his transgressions? Or, do they target a Pittsburgh star with an "eye-for an-eye" strike?

Either way, something must be done and since the NHL took no action when it had the chance there is only one answer; old time hockey justice. Something that the once "Big, Bad Bruins" were known for.

So all eyes will be on Boston tonight. Puck drops at 7 pm EST. Gloves drop shortly after?

Mass. Schools Use Love of Sports to Teach Kids

2010-03-01T20:23:00.007-05:00

Now that the Olympics are over and the Big, Bad boys in Black and Gold are heading back to Causeway Street, I'd like to take a minute to shine some light on a positive community outreach the Boston Bruins are involved in.

The B's have started a program called the “Bruins I.C.E. (I Can Excel) School," and it was featured in an article written for the Marblehead Reporter.

Follow the link below to read the article and learn more about how local Mass. schools are using the Bruins and hockey to teach children important lessons in the classroom.

"Making school cool... as I.C.E." Marblehead Reporter, Jan. 27, 2010.

Polish Skiing Star Wins Big in Vancouver

2010-03-01T20:02:00.005-05:00

The 2010 Winter Olympic games were full of great stories of personal triumph and amazing athletic prowess. One such story that has gone greatly under reported is that of Polish cross-country skiing starlet Justyna Kowalczyk.

Kowalczyk’s gold medal performance in the 30km classical is only the second time Poland has placed an athlete on top of the podium; the first Polish gold was captured by Wojciech Fortuna in ski-jumping at the 1972 games in Sapporo, Japan. Fortuna’s medal was the only one earned by a Polish athlete that year.

Kowalczyk finished her Vancouver games with a full collection of Olympic hardware, winning one medal each of gold, silver and bronze. Preceding her first place finish in the 30km classical, she won a silver medal in the individual sprint and a bronze in the 15km pursuit. Her three medals comprise half of her country’s total 6 medals; Poland finished the 2010 games with 1 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze.

With her bronze medal in the 30km freestyle from the 2006 Turin games, her 4 medals make her the most decorated Winter Games athlete Poland has ever seen. Kowalczyk is truly a world-class athlete with extreme talent, and at 27 years of age there may be more Winter Olympic medals on the horizon for Poland as fans of this one of a kind tournament experience set their sights on Sochi, Russia and the XXII Winter Olympic Games in 2014.

Keeping an Eye on the Biased Media

2010-02-28T10:15:00.004-05:00

As the Canadian's and the Americans prepare to once again face off for Olympic Ice Hockey gold, it's interesting to take a look back at how the media approached their coverage the last time these two teams met on the International stage.

As the 2002 Winter Olympics closed, the whole world witnessed the Canadian Men’s Ice Hockey Team defeat the Americans to capture the gold medal. As is expected, there are many different journalistic approaches to reporting the outcome of this game; three articles about it make these different approaches clear.

The first article, titled “After a 50 year wait, Canada has gold medal again,” appeared in the New York Times and seems to reflect the Americans view of the game. Starting with the title, which makes it a point to mention the 50 years since Canada’s last gold, the whole article is biased towards the Americans. The title is biased because it directly comments on the long span since Canada’s last gold medal in it’s national pastime. It is almost a shot at the Canadians, questioning their ability in the game they love. The article excuses the American team multiple times, which is made clear when the author says, “Defenseman Brian Rafalski fell with an apparent skate problem.” The way that the author presents this event shows his biased view of the game. The article also points out the fact that “Canada caught a break by facing Belarus, a weak opponent…” while it makes the excuse for the Americans by stating, “But the Americans had to play a later game against a stronger team from Russia…” It becomes obvious that he was a fan of the American team and was trying to make some excuses for them. By quoting US Captain Chris Chelios, “Yesterday, Mario’s quote said it was his game, or Canada’s game. We’ve listened to that. It might be the only game that they’re very good at, except for curling and a couple of other things. All kidding aside, they’re a proud group of players,” the author can give the article an American bias without coming out and saying it in his own words. The choice of this quote lets him present his own opinion of the game without saying, “I think…”

On the other side of this story, is the Canadians view on the outcome of the game. An article in The Globe and Mail, a Canadian newspaper, shows an entirely different view of this game. The headline reads, “Canada will look at ’02 as golden,” which is a more positive way to look at the Canadian victory than how the N.Y. Times portrayed it. Following the positive angle, the first paragraph gives Canada credit by saying, “a new date was added to the country’s long and enduring hockey history” The author then makes it a point to tell the readers “there were as many people cheering for the visiting Canadians as there were for the home side.” The Canadian bias shows through when the author mentions, “U.S. Coach Herb Brooks thought his team looked ‘more tired’ because it had a more difficult path to the final.” The author’s choice of this quote shows his bias, because he could have mentioned how the American’s clearly had a harder route to the finals on his own, but instead he chose to use Brooks’ words against himself, portraying him to the readers as the coach that makes excuses when his team loses.

Presenting a more unbiased view on this game, I chose and article titled “Young and old lead Canada to gold” from Espn.com. This article shows a broad view of the whole game and of the back-stories on both teams, not favoring either. The article mentions Canada’s “50 year wait” and the end to the U.S. team’s “70 year unbeaten streak” making it clear that both teams had a significant event occur due to the outcome of this game and not making one sound more important than the other. The author does mention that “Canada had an easy route to the final, beating only Germany, Finland and Belarus, while the Americans twice played bronze medallist Russia,” but unlike the other articles, this is presented as pure fact without the quote that would have given the article a biased towards either country.

Canadian Women Win Third Straight Ice Hockey Gold

2010-02-27T10:04:00.011-05:00

The Canadian Women’s hockey team continued its dominance of the Olympic ice with a 2-0 win over their archrival US squad Thursday night in Vancouver.

Spurred by two first period goals from 18 year-old Marie-Philip Poulin, of Dawson College, Canada went on to win it’s third straight Olympic gold medal, following first place showings in both Salt Lake (2002) and Torino (2006).
Team USA is the only other Olympic squad to capture gold, finishing first in the inaugural Women’s ice hockey Olympic tournament at the 1998 games in Nagano, Japan. The US women finished second at the Salt Lake games and a very disappointing third in Torino four years ago.

Team Canada controlled play most of the night, even successfully holding off the US women during a 2-man advantage following consecutive delay-of-game minors at 2:35 and 2:58 of the 2nd period. The Canadians outscored their opponents 48-2 in the tournament, while the Americans finished scoring 40 goals and allowing only 4.

Canadian Meghan Agosta, a 23 year old law student at Mercyhurst College, led all scorers with 15 points (9 goals, 6 assists); right behind Agosta were teammates Caroline Ouellette and Canadian team captain Hayley Wickenheiser, who both recorded 11 pts totals (2G, 9A). Natalie Darwitz (4G, 7A) and Jenny Potter (6G, 5A) led the US women, also totaling 11 pts each. Wickenheiser is the all-time leading goal scorer in Women’s Olympic ice hockey history with 16.

Finland defeated Sweden in the perennial consolation game. This is the third bronze medal for the Finnish women.

Linus Omark Stick Tricks and the Worst NHL Shootouts Ever

2010-02-16T22:16:00.008-05:00

The Olympic Games are in full swing, and I have been scouring the internet for some amazing hockey moments to share with all of you. This innovative shootout goal features Linas Omark, playing for the Swedish National team in a preliminary match at the World Championships, pulling the rug out from under a very unlucky Swiss goaltender.

If that didn't hook you onto this Dynamo Moscow left winger, who was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in 1997, then check out this nifty stick work.

After seeing those great finishes, you have to watch these not so great shootout attempts from the NHL.

Most Ironic Sports Names

2009-07-16T00:17:00.018-04:00

I am an avid reader of Sports blogs and lists, but all of the other blogs out there keep posting the same 20 ridiculous sports names over and over again. Sure, Rusty Kuntz was hilarious the first time I heard it... but not so much the 50th. This is not one of those raunchy, lame Sports names lists. I have searched for the most ironic sports names out there, and this is what I found:

NASCAR

Scott Speed.

With a name like Speed, he was born to be a race car driver. Speed started his racing career on the F1 circuit but has more recently been driving Red Bull cars in both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series. The only way his name could be better is if his parents named him 'Racer'; get it? Speed, Racer... OK so it's lame, but not for a race-car driver.

Honorable Mention: Michael Waltrip.

Major League Baseball

Roland "Rollie" Fingers.

This Hall of Fame pitcher has easily the best name of anyone to ever take the mound, not to mention the most memorable mustache. With a name like Fingers, he was either destined to become a famous Pitcher or a not so famous Painter...

Honorable Mention: Seth Schwindenhammer.

WNBA

Sheryl Swoopes.

Swoopes was the first woman signed into the newly formed WNBA, and it was probably because her name sounds like 'nothing but net'. Regarded by most pundits as the female Michael Jordan, Swoopes holds three Olympic Gold medals.

Honorable Mention: Swin Cash.

National Football League

Mike Quick.

Quick is the perfect name for any athlete that needs to run away from his opponents as fast as he can, and this is more true in Football than most American sports. The only sports better than this for Mike would have been Track & Field... but more on that later.

Honorable Mention: Mac Speedie.

National Hockey League

Lindy Ruff.

While his first name is rather weak, his last name does justice to the type of game that Ruff played.
He gained a reputation as a player for his toughness, character and hard work on the ice. On May 10, 1980 in a playoff game against the New York Islanders, opposing goaltender Billy Smith struck Ruff with his stick as he passed in front of his net. Ruff got up, skated back to the goaltender and tackled him.

Honorable Mention: Radek Bonk.

Other

Usain Bolt.

Officially the fastest man in the World, until someone runs faster than him, Bolt was blessed with a great name to go with his blazing speed. The Jamaican sprinter set records in the 100m, 200m, and 4 X 100m relay at the 2008 Summer Games in China. Bolt was the second man to win gold in all three events, but he became the first to set World Records at a single Games.

Honorable Mention: Tiger Woods.

This is just a small list of great sports names, feel free to leave a comment with your favorite Ironic Sports names and I may include them in a later Snow on Sports post.

5 Great Red Sox Commercials

2009-07-14T00:36:00.006-04:00

I have been a Red Sox fan since I was born in 1983, and while most of those teams were great disappointments there were plenty of great media to amuse and entertain. These are 5 great Red Sox commercials I chose.

Funny Boston Red Sox MasterCard Commercial
This is a commercial aired after the Sox won the 2004 World Series. It features a hilarious cameo from Denis Leary, a very vocal Boston sports fan.

Nike Red Sox World Series commercial - 2004
This is a cool commercial. It tracks the entire 86 years the Sox went without a World Series title. I really like this one, but it is more heart-warming than amusing.

YANKEES VS. RED SOX ESPN SPEC COMMERCIAL

This is a funny commercial focused on the Sox/Yankees rivalry that has become sports legend. I don't like the portrayal of the Sox fan much, but it is still pretty funny.

Ortiz Rocks Yankee Hat

This is a hilarious ESPN commercial featuring Jorge Posada, David Ortiz, and Wally the Green Monster.

ESPN Sportscenter Commercial - Roger Clemens Fastball

An old school ESPN commercial featuring the Rocket. This is back when people outside of Texas still liked Roger Clemens.

Leave a comment with your favorite Red Sox commercial of all time to see them with your name in an October Snow on Sports post!!!

MLB All-Star Game Festivities: Just an Idea

2009-07-13T11:52:00.006-04:00

With the MLB All-Star Break half over, and the immense hype about the home-run derby upon us, here are a few things I believe could improve MLB's All-Star Festivities.

Extend the Festivities. Stuffing the All-Star Break into what amounts to nothing more than a long weekend is unnecessary. If the event was extended to encompass an entire week, with the addition of some new exciting challenges (see 2), it would give the players involved a better chance to recover from any All-Star event they participate in.
Add other skills events. Sure, we all know that 'chicks dig the long-ball' and all that... but given a week to schedule events, the MLB could expand on the success of the All-Star Futures and Celebrity Softball games, and even on the Home-Run Derby with events like:

Fastest Base-Stealer. End the debate once and for all and declare the league's fastest. Bring back Henderson?
Outfielder Accuracy. Let's see who can throw frozen ropes through every target. Ichiro's event?
AL v. NL Double-Play Challenge. This is the only questionable addition. Involving base runners could make this a dangerous event; but not including them sounds boring. Maybe only the player from the plate tries to beat it out at first... I'm sure there is a way for this event to work.

These are only a few ideas that could improve on the failing success of MLB's All-Star Events. All of which could draw attention away from the steroid-tainted spectacle that is the Home-Run Derby.

Bill Bulloch remembered by Salem State

2008-10-17T23:58:00.005-04:00

as featured on Red Skies.

Bill Bulloch Tribute

Bill Bulloch is remembered by the Salem State Community

By Nate Snow

Under gray skies on a windy Friday October 3^rd, the Salem State College athletics and training communities held a memorial service for late head athletic trainer William F. Bulloch II. The service was attended by coaches, athletes, training staff, alumni, NCAA reps, and Salem State College President Dr. Patricia Maguire Meservey. Bill, 58, lost his long battle with cancer on August 11, 2008, at home surrounded by his friends and family. He was the senior member of

SSC’s athletic department and had served as head athletic trainer since 1977. He holds the unique distinction of having worked more Salem State College athletic events than any other individual.

Director of Athletics and Women's Basketball head coach, Tim Shea, opened the service by introducing Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Reverend Arthur Gerald.

Reverend Gerald described Bulloch as "jovial" and "a good person, a good man," before passing the microphone back to Shea who then introduced Dr. Stanley P. Cahill, Executive Vice President. Cahill recalled how Bill "always had a smile on his face," and how much fun they had teasing each other when his and Bill’s alma maters, Indiana and Michigan, met. Cahill presented a memorial plaque to Assistant Athletic Trainer, Carey MacDonald. The plaque, which will hang in the athletic training room, is inscribed with one of Bill's favorite quotes, "Dance as if no one were watching, sing as if no one were listening, live every day as if it were your last."

Other speakers included former Salem State basketball player John Furlong, Salem State Sports Information Director Tom Roundy, and head Ice Hockey coach Bill O'Neil. O'Neill commented on how he has been inspired by how Bill Bulloch lived. "Salem State has lost a treasure," O’Neill said.

Bill's wife and daughter read from cards and letters that they have received from far and wide. "Bill had two families," Betty Bulloch said, "us and Salem State." Both families will always remember Bill Bulloch for all the wonderful things he has done for people's lives.

Tee-shirts are being sold in Bill's memory, with the proceeds going to benefit education in his name. For more information, contact Carey MacDonald at: cmacdonald@salemstate.edu.

Germany's Lahm plays the Lion in Euro-Cup Semifinal Victory

2008-06-25T18:38:00.006-04:00

Few expected Turkey to make it to these semifinals, in Basel, Switzerland, against a tournament tested German team. Germany led the head-to-head battle between these two countries 11-3-3, though Turkey had won two of the last three meetings. Further, with four players suspended and five players unable to take the pitch due to injury, including starting goalie Volkan Demirel, captain Nihat Kahveci, and midfielder Arda Turan, the Turks were going to have a very hard time overcoming the odds and booking another historic victory in these European Championships. It is important to note that other than Nihat (2) and Arda (2), there was only one other Turkish player who found the back of the net before today's match, that man was Semih Senturk who also accounted for two scores.

Even after all of these statistics are taken into account the game still has to be played, as they say, and what an exciting game it turned out to be.

The Turkish team showed the world that they were not listening to all the chatter when they once again got a fortunate ball off of the crossbar, which landed on the foot of Ugur Boral before being slipped gingerly past the German keeper Jens Lehmann in the 22nd minute; a soft shot that most will admit he should have made a much better play on.

From here, it was noted that only five teams have ever come back after trailing by a single goal in the European Championships; two of these were scored in extra time, while two of those games were decided on penalty kicks.

Germany wouldn't stay down for long though, when just four minutes later (26') Lukas Podolski made a quick move and low cross that once again found the boot of Bastian Schweinsteiger for the second time of the tournament and the second time in just as many games, evening the score at one all. This score would bring both teams into the second half, where the majority of their goals had been scored. This tournament, Germany had scored five of it's eight goals in the last 45 minutes of play; while Turkey had also netted more of it's goals after halftime, coming out of the locker room and scoring six of their seven goals.

Play resumed with Germany seeming to be better rested after the half. It seemed that the untested Turkey squad was losing their legs much more quickly than their German counterparts, and this was most expressed in a dicey tackle from Sabri Sarioglu on Philipp Lahm in the corner of the penalty area at the 51st minute; the Turks were fortunate, though, when no call was made by the referees and play continued.

During one of three weather related television blackouts, Lahm got his first taste of redemption for the non-call when he made a decisive cross across the pitch. The ball was badly misjudged by Turkey's back-up keeper, Rustu Recber, and was finished into the open net with a strong header by Miroslav Klose. This goal, in the 79th minute, was a much needed lift for the German squad; and for Klose, who was the leading scorer for the team in the last World Cup but had been much of a non-factor in these European Championships.

As has been the story of this tournament, Turkey would not give up. In the 86th minute, Sabri once again opened up Lahm down the sideline and played a strong low cross towards the net. It seemed that Lehmann had it all sized up when the man dubbed 'the life-guard', Semih Senturk, came swooping in and tipped the ball past the frozen German keeper on the short post side. Once again, it seemed that Turkey was making history.

This proved to not be the case though. As the game wore down, Germany did the same to the Turkish defense. In the 90th minute of play, just as it seemed that extra-time was once again in the cards, Lahm made a slicing run through the Turkish defense, playing a quick one-two with Thomas Hitzlsperger, and found himself one on one with Rustu. He would not falter, driving a wicked shot into the top right corner, ending the Turkish dream of a European Championship final and bringing elation to the German players and fans.

This, like many of the games played during this tournament, was one for the ages and showed just how exciting this game of football can be; it clearly exemplified why the world calls it 'the beautiful game.'

Felix Hernandez goes yard, in a big way...

2008-06-25T12:10:00.000-04:00

As a fan of an American League team, I find it extremely interesting when we are involved in inter-league play for the simple reason that I want to see pitchers hit. This disparity between leagues has always bothered me, and the other day I was rewarded with what I believe is a main point for eliminating DH.

Johan Santana is a 2-time Cy Young award winner. He has faced over 5000 poisiton players in his short, storied career. In that time he has only allowed a single grand-slam. He has been called one of the most dominant pitchers of his time.

Felix Hernandez had only been to the plate eight times before facing Santana, and had only managed one hit. He stunned many fans of the game, though, when he stepped into the batters box and eto take the Met's Santana out of the yard, blasting his first career home-run (a grand-slam at that) out of Shea Stadium.

I believe that this is the reason that pitchers should be batting all the time. I apologize to guys like David Ortiz, who could be out of a job if the DH is abolished, but I believe this would make the two leagues more level in terms of production and talent.

And it is just much more exciting to see two pitchers face off in that way, giving pitchers a real chance to help their own cause, as it were.

Violence and Aggression in Sport

2008-06-16T18:25:00.000-04:00

It has been said of sport, "It does not create the conditions for war, but it does maintain the possibility of those conditions, and adds its own efficiency to the other forces which produce a social order in which trails of strength are seen as part of the natural course of things" (Holt, 2000, p. 88). George Orwell (1950) once made the observation, "Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play. It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness, disregard of all rules and sadistic pleasure in witnessing violence; in other words it is war minus the shooting." Competitive sports, such as football, basketball, and baseball may involve aggressive tactics, but actual violence is considered to fall outside the boundaries of good sportsmanship. Contact sports, such as American football, ice hockey, rugby football, boxing, mixed martial arts, wrestling, and water polo involve certain levels of physical violence, but include restrictions and penalties for excessive and dangerous use of force. The overt physical actions that take place in sports can be described as both aggression and violence (Kerr, 2002, p. 68). These actions take place for many reasons, and can become dangerous to those participating in the sport, as well as spectators of the competition. These aspects of physical interaction between players/fans has been subdivided into two separate types of action (Brink, 1995). In describing the rugby union, Brink (1995) does a good job of highlighting the difference between the two types of aggression and violence:

Because the game is so relentless by its very nature, the borders between the permissible and the inadmissible are not always very clear-cut. Both are inherently violent. But surely the distinction between hard play and foul play lies in the resort of the latter to violence of an underhanded, malicious, treacherous kind. It is a condition of foul play that is not supposed to come to light, to be exposed, because it is not directed to the enfolding of the game but to the private goals of rage or revenge, to 'get at' a specific opponent, to 'prove' oneself. It foregrounds the individual, not the team. (p. 29)

In Brink's quote, the terms 'permissible ' and 'hard play' refer to acts of violence within the laws of rugby union. Conversely, 'inadmissible' and 'foul play' refer to acts of violence outside the laws of the game. (Kerr, 2002, p. 70) While trying to define aggression, behavior with intent to injure has been given great emphasis by some: (Tenenbaum, Sacks, Miller, Golden, & Doolin, 2000, p. 317)

Aggression is defined as the infliction of an adverse stimulus, physical, verbal, or gestural, upon one person by another. Aggression is not an attitude, but behavior and, most critically, it is committed with the intent to injure (LeUnes & Nation,1989). (Tenenbaum, Stewart, Singer, & Duda, 1997, p. 1)

Physically aggressive acts, like blocking in American Football, regular tackles in rugby, and body checks in ice hockey, can be ferociously violent actions yet be both within the rules of the games and not intended to injure. In addition, this critical element of intent to injure is controversial and not as all encompassing as Tenenbaum et al. (2000; and some others e.g., LeUnes & Nation, 1989) claim (Kerr, 2002, p. 70).

Violent and aggressive action outside the rules and regulations of game play, and the punishment regulated for such acts, is clearly apparent in the outcome of Marty McSorley's slash to Donald Brashear. Then Boston Bruin slashed then Vancouver Canuck Donald Brashear with a heavy blow from his stick on the side of his face. Brashear fell to the ice and the back of his head struck the ice, causing a grade three concussion and a grand malls seizure. Brashear was not near the puck at the time McSorley's unsanctioned violent act took place. In addition to receiving a one-year ban from playing, McSorley was prosecuted in a British Colombia court and found guilty of "assaulting Donald Brashear with a weapon, a hockey stick." The guilt verdict was based on the judge's decision that "Brashear was struck as intended" (p. 70). deciding 'intent' is an clear process, it is the subjective meaning of the particular behavior to the individual concerned that is important and, therefore, the only person who really knows whether or not there was any intent to injure is the person who carried out the action (Russell, 1993; Smith, 1983). Based on an interview with McSorley, Kennedy (2000) pointed out that McSorley was aiming his blow at Brashear's shoulder to provoke a fight and that he never meant to hit Brashear in the head. "'Yes I meant to slash him,' says McSorley, 'did I mean to hurt him with my stick? No.'" (Kennedy, 2000, p. 60). Video evidence confirms that his blow first struck Brashear on the shoulder before making contact with his face. Thus, although this was an act of unsanctioned aggression, if what McSorley said is true, it was not undertaken with the intent to injure. This aspect of violence and aggression creates an atmosphere of 'I didn't mean it' actions possibly being passed over as accidental, which could be extremely dangerous and unfair to the victim of the violent/aggressive act.

In attempting to produce a satisfactory definition of aggression and violence in sport, it is necessary to take into account the special status that sanctioned aggression and violence hold in sport, which distinguishes them from aggression and violence in most other contexts (Kerr, 2002, p. 71). Another definition of aggression and violence in sports as regards to the agreement for competition is:

In general, aggression can be seen as unprovoked hostility or attacks on another person which are not sanctioned by society. However, in the sports context, the aggression is provoked in the sense that the two opposing teams have willingly agreed to compete against each other. Aggression in team contact sports is intrinsic and sanctioned, provided the plays remain permissible within the boundaries of certain rules, which act as a kind of contract in the pursuit of aggression (and violence) between consenting adults (Kerr, 1997, p. 115-116).

Kerr (2002, p. 72) goes on to argue that, "controversial as it may sound", it should be reemphasized that sanctioned violence and aggression are a necessary part of team contact sports, and those who take part know that there are risks of physical injury and sometimes even death. This is similar to participation in other types of risk sport (e.g., skiing, snowboarding, motorcycle racing; Chirivella & Martinez, 1994; Cogan & Brown, 1998; Kerr, 1991; Zuckerman, 1983) where athletes also participate in spite of the high level of risk involved (Kerr, 2002, p. 72). Perceptive sports psychologists will recognize that sanctioned aggression and violence are a primary source of players' excitement, pleasure, and satisfaction and thus a major factor in their motivation for participation (Kerr, 1997; Novak, 1976; Russell, 1993). This argument was not made to exonerate unsanctioned aggression and violence but to understand the real nature of these sports (Kerr, 2002, p. 72).

Another argument on the cause of violence and aggression in sports is that socialization (i.e.; a learned response) is to blame (Nucci & Young-Shim, 2005). Socialization can take place through participation in sports since sports provide a microcosm for living and society. The structure of social relations in sports influences the participants' development of social skills. Researchers have striven to answer whether sports provides a positive outlet for, or teaches and reinforces, aggression (Nucci & Young-Shim, 2005). Human beings cannot live a fulfilling life in isolation, and can have more effective and healthy lives through association with others. This means that human beings must somehow learn how to live together. Socialization can take place through participation in sports since sports provide learning environments where participants have the opportunity to learn competition, cooperation, role-playing and discipline regarding rules, regulations, and goals (Bloom & Smith, 1996). In this sense, sports can be seen as a laboratory of human experience. The structure of social relations in organized sports can give participants experience in various roles and group interaction, and contribute to the development of social characteristics that integrate them into existing larger social structures (Nucci & Young-Shim, 2005).

Unfortunately, a "win-at-all-costs" philosophy has often led to unethical and aggressive behaviors, impacting negatively and destructively on the development and well being of young athletes and of society at large. Researchers (e.g.; Arms, Russell, & Sandilands, 1979; Bredemeier, Weiss, Shields, & Cooper, 1986; Ewing, Gano-Overway, Branta, & Seefeldt, 2002; Guivernau & Duda, 2002; Terry & Jackson, 1985) have striven to answer whether sports provide a positive outlet for an instinctive drive of aggression or whether sport teaches and reinforces aggression through the highly competitive nature of many sport settings (Nucci & Young-Shim, 2005).

Proponents of instinct theory such as Freudians argue that aggression is instinctive, and that vigorous physical activities provide cathartic benefits by releasing the pent-up emotions of participants. Sloan (1979, p.23) wrote, "Catharsis or reduction of aggression level will occur either by participating in an aggressive act or vicariously through watching acts of aggression by others. Thus, they [pent-up emotions] must be relieved periodically or erupt, producing catharsis in wither case (Nucci & Young-Shim, 2005). Minninger (1948) argued that competitive games provide a medium through which aggressive tendencies are discharged. Johnson and Hutton (1955) used the House-Tree-Person test to determine the cathartic effects of a combative sport by testing eight college wrestlers approximately three weeks before season, and again the morning after the competition. The findings revealed a cathartic effect as a result of competition (Nucci & Young-Shim, 2005).

Although aggressive behaviors may sometimes provide catharsis, an opposing view is that participating in or viewing aggressive behaviors is more likely to elicit greater amounts of aggression than to result in decreased aggression (e.g.; Bandura & Waiters, 1974; Berkowitz, 1970; Geen, Stonner, & Shope, 1975). Gelfand and Hartmann (1982) found that participation in competitive games raised boys' and girls' levels of aggression, regardless of competition outcome (Nucci & Young-Shim, 2005). It was found that spectators also become more aggressive after observing the event. Bloom and Smith (1996) noted that violence in hockey often spills over into violence in other social settings for spectators as well. A slight increase in hostility has also been found for non-contact and non-aggressive sports (Arms, et al., 1979; Goldstein & Arms, 1971). And, Zillman, Katcher, and Milvasky (1972) found that even vigorous physical exercise using a bicycle-ergometer could enhance aggressive tendencies (Nucci & Young-Shim, 2005).

The frustration-aggression hypothesis has been proposed to explain human aggressive behaviors, maintaining that aggression is caused by frustration (Bird & Cripe, 1986; Gill, 1986; Husman & Silva, 1984). In this view, frustration occurs due to the blocking of one's efforts to achieve goals. Critics of the frustration-aggression hypothesis have questioned whether all frustration causes aggression. Although frustration sometimes leads to aggressive behavior, a direct casual relationship between frustration and aggression cannot always be claimed (Nucci & Young-Shim, 2005). In sport context, the losing of a game can be an important factor eliciting frustration. Evidence cited by Martin (1976) supported the contention that competitive sport generates either catharsis or increased aggression, depending upon the outcome of the game. Martin administered the Rosenzweig Picture-Frustration Study to 32 male undergraduate students to determine the impact of winning and losing on participants' aggression: Individual sport athletes experienced more frustration than did team athletes upon losing; yet participants of both type of sport enjoyed reduction of aggression when they won (Nucci & Young-Shim, 2005). Further, Reyes and Lorant (2001) administered the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire to 150 8-year-old children who were beginning martial arts training. They found that only the children who were receiving judo training did not score more aggressive; those receiving other forms of martial arts training did in fact score more aggressive (Nucci & Young-Shim, 2005).

Social learning theory maintains that aggression is a behavior learned through the processes of reinforcement and modeling (Bandura, 1973; Bloom & Smith, 1996). In this view, participation in sports may teach and/or reinforce either aggression or sportsmanship. Alland (1972) observed a Pacific people, the Samai of Malaysia. Since the Samai did not express any aggressive behavior when a role model of aggression was absent, Alland concluded that aggression is not instinctive. In this view, sports can serve as a medium for teaching and reinforcing sportsmanship and moral reasoning, with aggression and unsportsmanlike behaviors occurring primarily in response to adverse and "dog-eat-dog" situations and to sport situations involving leadership (coaches, etc.) who do not discourage aggression or support sportsmanship in the participants (Nucci & Young-Shim, 2005).

Some argue that athletes tend to be more unsportsmanlike than their non-athlete counterparts, and that a long period of involvement and high degree of physical contact in sports impacts negatively on participants' moral reasoning (Bloom & Smith, 1996). Gardner and Janelle (2002) asked athletes and non-athletes to judge the legitimacy of overtly aggressive acts performed by both contact and non-contact sports participants. They found judgments legitimizing aggressive behavior to be inversely related to the respondents' moral reasoning (Nucci & Young-Shim, 2005). Bredemeier, et al. (1986) conducted a study with 106 children at a summer sport camp and found that participation in high contact sports was associated with greater aggression and with lower levels of moral reasoning. Similarly, Belier and Stol (1995) found that high school non-athletes scored significantly higher in terms of moral reasoning than did high school athletes. Treasure (2002) argued that participating in sports with the wrong kind of coaching could have devastating lifelong impacts on a child's moral development. Guivernau and Duda (2002) interviewed 194 soccer players, 13 through 19 years of age. They found that regardless of gender, the players reported that they would be more likely to be aggressive if they thought their coaches supported such behaviors (Nucci & Young-Shim, 2005). Both Guivernau & Duda and Stephens (2000) found players' perceived team pro-aggressive norms were the best predicator of the players' likelihood to aggress. From these studies, it can be argued that unsportsmanlike behaviors of young athletes are learned and reinforced depending upon the type of sport and leadership of coaches (Nucci & Young-Shim, 2005). On the other hand, Loughhead and Leith (2001) interviewed and observed hockey players (10 to 15 years of age) and their coaches, and found that, regardless of age, players' views were unrelated to coaches' views on aggression (Nucci & Young-Shim, 2005).

Conversely, research studies have revealed a positive correlation between sportsmanlike behavior and moral growth when both quality leadership environments that support behavior and growth were guaranteed. Geibink and MacKenzie (1985) used three intervention strategies (instruction and praise, modeling, and a point system) to investigate the effects on children's sportsmanship through a 22-day recreational basketball class (Nucci & Young-Shim, 2005). They found that with each strategy, un-sportsmanlike behavior (e.g., fighting, cheating) was reduced yet there was little increase in sportsmanship (e.g., congratulating opponent winners). The point system with contingent reinforcers was most effective in producing positive changes (Nucci & Young-Shim, 2005). Silverman's (1998) study suggested curriculum (in particular, "Fair Play For Kids' curriculum) was effective in promoting moral development in young children enrolled in physical education.

One can assume that an athlete who experiences competitive situations under quality leaderships and healthy environments is more capable of coping with aggression-inducing situations than his or her counterparts. Thirer (1993; 1978) asked female athletes and non-female athletes to view a violent film and to complete an aggressive attitude inventory before and after viewing. Thirer found that athletes displayed a non-significant change in aggressive attitude score pre- to post-viewing whereas non-athletes showed a significant increase in their score (Nucci & Young-Shim, 2005). This finding supports social learning theory and implies that athletes are less vulnerable to aggression-inducing situations. Furthermore, Daniels and Thornton's (1989) study revealed that combative sports could possibly serve to reduce hostility under good leadership. Smith, Watson, Ficher, and Sung (2003) conducted a longitudinal study with 325 children aged 7 to 14. In determining whether socio-demographic variables affect trajectories of aggressive behavior in middle childhood, they found family environment and temperament variables had a greater impact than did socio-economic factors (Nucci & Young-Shim, 2005). It can be contended that sport participation facilitates and teaches sportsmanship and moral reasoning if quality leaderships and environments are provided.

It can be suggested that positive behavior changes in children are assured when children are positively reinforced and exposed to quality role models. Conversely, aggressive and unsportsmanlike behavior is likely to increase under the lack of good leadership, especially when young athletes are involved in highly competitive sport (Nucci & Young-Shim, 2005). Aggression or sportsmanship can be learned and/or reinforced by significant others, the structure of sport, and the society's attitude (Terry & Jackson, 1985). Loopholes in sport rules and inconsistencies in rule application may trigger reinforcement of aggressive behavior. In addition, practices by some sports marketers are related to the use of violence for selling products (Jones, Ferguson, & Stewart, 1993). According to the findings of Russell (1986), violence may not increase box office receipts.

The underlying motivation for violence in hockey has been the source of some debate (Stewart, Ferguson, & Jones, 1992). A number of social scientists have argued that hockey violence reflects cultural values; some Canadian literati maintain that hockey violence meets the need for national "release," calling it "the counterpart of Canadian self restraint" (Beardsley, 1987, p. 133). The official NHL view is that fighting is primarily spontaneous and a useful cathartic reaction to a physical game (Eitzen, 1985, p. 103). To some degree all of this may be true. Economists, however, work on the assumption that economic agents (leagues and teams) are interested in their own concerns (profit maximization), and, therefore, their behavior can be explained principally by economic factors (Stewart, Ferguson, & Jones, 1992). Indeed, Ferguson, Jones, Stewart, and LeDressay (1991) found considerable support for the hypothesis that hockey teams act as profit-maximizes. In this context, violence can be considered a "good characteristic," an attribute of the product. Another study was also done to explain why hockey fans would possibly join a crowd disturbance (Russell and Arms, 1998). This study consisted of having male ice hockey fans (N = 78) completed a battery of biographical, social, cognitive, and individual differences measures that has previously been administered piecemeal to spectators found in attendance at games. Participants' self-reported likelihood of joining in a crowd disturbance served as the dependent measure. The individual differences measures included physical aggression, anger, impulsivity, psychopathy, sensation seeking, and public self-consciousness (1998). All but public self-consciousness was positively related to subjects' likelihood of escalating a disturbance. Participants' age, number of accompanying males, the false consensus effect, number and recency of fights, and attending in anticipation of watching player fights were also related to the dependent measure (1998). The time since the participant was last in a fight and liking to watch player fights emerged as significant predicators. This study shows the promoting affect that fighting in hockey has on spectator violence.

Aggression or sportsmanship can be learned and reinforced in many different ways. multiple reasons rather than a single one influence such behaviors. Reinforcement and modeling of aggressive behaviors and/or sportsmanship but parents, coaches, referees, peers, and the media influence their reoccurrence. Young athletes need positive, appropriate and constructive role models to teach and reinforce sportsmanship and moral reasoning (Nucci & Young-Shim, 2005). The coach is perhaps the most significant person influencing the amount of aggressive or sportsmanlike behaviors displayed in the competitive sport context (Conan, 1980; Cratty, 1983; King, 1990; Terry & Jackson 1985). Smith (1983) reported that nine percent of hockey players (N=166) between the ages of 12 to 13 perceived their coaches as approvers of hockey violence. The role of referees has also been identified as a significant factor affecting athletes' subsequent behaviors (Lefebve, Leith, & Bredemeier, 1980). Failure of referees to correct an athlete’s aggressive behavior may reinforce and increase the probability of reoccurrence (Nucci & Young-Shim, 2005). Parents sometimes push their children into competitive sports. They may wish to realize their personal, unfulfilled desires through their children, or to have their children exposed to excessive competition, believing it is appropriate preparation for later, adult life (Nucci & Young-Shim, 2005). Pagelow (1984) noted that aggressive children tend to have aggressive parents and that parents can be strong role models of aggression. Similarly, Freishlag and Schmidke (1979) stressed the importance of parents' influences on young athletes' moral reasoning (Nucci & Young-Shim, 2005).

The potential role of media should be recognized in moderating aggression in sports (Lefebvre, et al., 1980). The broadcaster should identify aggressive and un-sportsmanlike behaviors immediately in terms of rule regulations and sportsmanship conduct. Sullivan's (1991) study explored the impact of television commentary on viewers' perceptions and enjoyment of player hostility, including violent behavior, in the context of a less combative sport. Effects of fanship, gender, and varying levels of commentary (dramatic, neutral, no commentary) we tested. A videotape of a heated Georgetown versus Syracuse men's college basketball game provided stimulus material, with the dramatic commentary treatment contradicting the visual evidence as to which team was the aggressor (1991). Strong medium effects were reveled, with viewers of the dramatic commentary treatment perceiving Syracuse players as being significantly more hostile, in line with the manipulation. Men were more likely than women to enjoy the fighting in the game segment, but fans' perceptions of opponent hostility were as vulnerable to the biased commentary as those of non fans (1991).

Three seminal studies examined bias in commentary and its relationship to viewer responses to player hostility (Sullivan, 1991). Comisky, Bryant, and Zillman (1977) and Bryant, Comisky, and Zillman (1981) found that appreciation, including enjoyment, of heavy contact sports contests (professional hockey and professional football, respectively) is facilitated by roughness, enthusiasm, and violence of play, and that commentary alters viewer perception of rough play (Sullivan, 1991). It is important to note that the stimulus material used in these studies was game action that, regardless of intensity, reflects normative player behavior for hockey and football and is clearly within the scope of the game's rules. The third study on commentary bias (Bryant, Brown, Comsiky, & Zillman, 1982) manipulated the affective relationship between players rather than roughness of play. Bryant, et al. (1982) varied commentary to manipulate the affective relationship between tennis players, finding that increases in perceived enmity, intensity of play, and competitiveness between opponents contributes to viewer enjoyment (Sullivan, 1991).

Since television most often mediates this intense fan experience of sport (Bellamy, 1989; Eastman & Meyer, 1989), commentators serve a central role in influencing public perceptions of violence in sports contests. The chief role of commentary traditionally has been narrative in function (Sullivan, 1991). In this role, commentators use a set of descriptive narrative modes- objective, judgmental, and historical- to tell the game story (Morris & Nydahl, 1983). In its objective mode, commentary complements the camera by summarizing what has occurred in the game. In the judgmental mode, commentary assigns motivations to player and team performance and player behavior (Sullivan, 1991). Commentary that places players, teams, and game sin historical perspective typically relies on biographical material and statistical comparisons. Descriptive narration demonstrates the commentator's credibility as game expert. Commentators, for example, borrow liberally from the descriptive language of the locker-room; cued by jock jargon, viewers believe they are getting "shop talk" (Snyder & Spreitzer, 1983)

Bryant and Zillman (1983) note that rough and aggressive action would represent "human conflict at its peak, and intense conflict is the heart and soul of high drama" (p. 7). By extension, violence can be considered the ultimate in human sports conflict with increases in viewer enjoyment corresponding to increases in the likelihood of serious injury to the athletes (Sullivan, 1991). The fight fan cherished the heavyweight who delivers the knockout, the football fan idolizes the linebacker who wrecks quarterbacks, and the hockey fan cheers the defense man who uses his elbows in the corners and his fists around the goalmouth. Players' violence attests to their will to win (Sullivan, 1991). The nature of heavy contact sports, the rules that govern such sports, media attention, the lack of punitive deterrents to fighting, and American society's emphasis on outcome rather than process all contribute to players' use of violence. in contact sports, coaches and players perceive the use of intimidation and aggression as a vital ingredient to winning (Swift, 1986). In programs that emphasize win-loss records, players are more likely to use intimidation through violence (Smith, 1978; Tyler & Duthie, 1979).

Some research has been done into whether sports do enough to deter from player and fan violence (Nagel, Southall, & O'Toole, 2004). This study was designed to identify the punishments levied for unacceptable player behaviors by the four major North American professional sport leagues from 1995 through 1999. The sample was the players from the sample leagues for the same time period. Punishment means and occurrences for identified player behaviors were calculated and league punishment occurrences were analyzed for equivalence using a Chi Square Goodness of Fit Test (2004). Results indicated that the most common league punishment occurrences were responses to player behaviors 'Fighting' and 'Intimidation'. In addition, 81% of Major League Baseball's responses resulted in a punishment of $0.00 (2004). The studies results strongly suggest the four major North American professional sport leagues use punishment as a public relations tool and not as a meaningful deterrent to player behaviors. Lapchick (1996) has contended that the punishment for professional athletes' violence in sports must be harsh enough to reduce and deter such violence. According to Lapchick, "Fines are useless for players making more than $1 million each year" (p. 192). Appropriate and effective ways for sanctioning athletes must be determined (Nucci & Young-Shim, 2005).

Using violent language could also encourage aggressive and violent behaviors. Wren (1991) made a strong comparison of using violent language to smoking:

Language, like tobacco, is habit forming. Some patterns of writing and speaking are addictive and may damage both the user and the others who breathe the same linguistic atmosphere. If we can see the damage being done and decide to kick the habit, we may get withdrawal symptoms and hostility or derision from other smokers. But in the end, we shall enjoy breathing fresh air (Holt, 2000, p. 102)

The language used in sports print journalism is also evident of the connection of violence and sports (Holt, 2000). Particularly since the 1985 Heysel Stadium soccer massacre, even some sports journalists have begun to view violence in sport as problematical. Dwyre (1996), for example, reflecting on a long career as a reporter of sporting events in the US, concluded: "Sportswriters tend to view sports-related violence such as fights between opposing team members, vicious boxing matches, and assaults on players as part of the game rather than an intolerable an offensive incident. Violence in sports should not be so easily tolerated" (Holt, 2000). Writing in Sports Illustrated, Wulf (1988), in similar vein, criticized the president of the US national ice-hockey league for denying that the league was prone to violence while at the same time marketing videos with titles like; "Brand New. Part 4. Hockey's Bloodiest Fights and Knockouts'. or '165 Hours of Good Quality Hockey Fights'.

Holt's (2000, p. 89) study consisted of a sample of ten per cent of the annual diet of newspaper sport reporting of the inhabitants of New Zealand's largest city, Auckland, being examined from the point of view of the most salient features of language for a period of 35 consecutive days (five calendar weeks - 1 June to 5 July). In sifting the language of the sports supplements in both newspapers (New Zealand Herald and Sunday Star Times), it was clear that many of the characteristics of journalistic style generally were present; these included: dramatization of headlines (e.g., 'Kiwis Light Up Night'); idiomatic and emotive diction (e.g., 'The game is screaming out for guidance on what has become an extremely ugly turn of events'); the blurring of the border between information and entertainment; the meshing of visual images with concept, including advertising layout; simplification or trivialization of content; and the use of clichés and catch-phrases (e.g., 'on-a-roll captain finds X's Achilles heel') (2000, p. 90). The most salient or distinctive element of journalistic style for sports reporting in the present sample was found to be images of violence. This study did not concern itself with the relatively innocuous terms that have long been assimilated into the normal, basic vocabulary of sport, such as: 'to win, to beat, victory over, to defeat, to lose, etc.'. These refer to an underlying metaphor of ‘battle’, which reflects the competitive nature of sports generally, but through time, common usage and familiarity have achieved the status of 'dead' or 'frozen' metaphors that are taken more or less literally (2000, p. 90). Rather, this study was concerned with more consciously graphic images that have not (or, not yet) lost the true metaphor's relative vividness of effect.

Examination of the 35 separate sports supplements/sections revealed the images to be focused on four major metaphorical complexes. The one most frequently occurring has been simply labeled 'violence' and concerned language used to evoke related notions along a spectrum from injury to killing. All three main classes of content-words (nouns, verbs, and adjectives) are widely used, with a slight preponderance of verbs. The next most frequent complex was a 'military' metaphor, which also incorporated associated terms from semantic fields like 'hunting' or the 'cowboy Western'. In this particular word sample nouns and verbs tended to be roughly equal in number, with adjectives being largely absent, suggesting semantically a relatively equal emphasis on process and product aspects. The third most frequent key metaphor discovered was that of 'mechanization' or 'machinery'. The word usage in this sample follows the patterns of the previous sample. The final complex related closely to the machine-metaphor, but differed in that it went a step further by representing particular body parts as machine parts; what one might term a 'robotic' model (2000, p. 93). The significance of the machinification-metaphor represents an attempt to camouflage the true physical effects of violence; as Bataille noted: '(language can often substitute) the appearance of a solution for the insoluble, and a screen for violent truth.'

Bibliography/Works Cited

Women's College Softball team goes 0-25, learns sports greatest lesson...

2008-05-13T19:47:00.012-04:00

The Rosemont College softball team just finished their season, unfortunately they failed to record a single victory finishing 0-25, and 0-20 in the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference, finishing dead last. Sadly, none of the Ramblers games made it past the 5-inning 'mercy rule'. This season, as bad as it seems, isn't a far cry from the 1-23 season they posted just a year ago. "I had to start with the basics: This is a ball. This is a glove. This is a bat," Ramblers coach Joe Long (top: pictured middle) said in an interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer. "That first practice, I used rag balls and Wiffle balls and we still had girls jumping out of the way when I threw them a ball."

This isn't exactly a story of champions, but it is one of athletes who acted like champions. Rosemont, a 400-student, all-women, liberal-arts Catholic college nearly lost its program prior to this season when it graduated 4 seniors and 5 of its players didn't return for another season. The players who did stay played with heart and determination though.

"Quit? No, I never felt like quitting at all," said T ammy Do (top: pictured left, bottom: pitching), 21, a junior from Philadelphia PA who was 0-11 as one of two pitchers on the squad. "I couldn't be more proud."

Karen Boyle (top: pictured right), 19, a freshman infielder from Swarthmore PA, feels the same way. "It's hard to explain," Boyle said. "It has definitely made me stronger, and it helped make me realize that winning isn't everything."

"This was by far the best group of girls I've ever coached," Long said. "They stuck up for each other, and they never once got down on each other. I have never had a team bond like this. These kids have character."

This is really what sports should be all about. The games have become so much about winning, that this spectacle is hard to fathom for most sports fans, casual and die-hard alike. But it did happen and it should be remembered as a lesson for the ages. It is the real-life example of 'It's not whether you win or lose, its whether you have fun playing the game.' And isn't that the lesson we should be teaching the young athletes today?

And as for the Rosemont Ramblers hopes for next season, according to coach Long, "The goal for next year is to get past five innings." It's that simple, and it should be that easy for all athletes and coaches. Maybe we should all endure a winless season at some point in our lifetimes, it would surely make the victories that much sweeter. This season did have a bright spot after all the losses though. The Ramblers, who only have 10 girls on their squad, were awarded the 2008 Pennsylvania Athletic Conference Softball Team Sportsmanship Award. A fitting recognition for a deserving team.

To the winners go the spoils. Which Trophy is the best though?

2008-05-06T19:39:00.013-04:00

Everyone grows up wanting to be a champion of something. Whether you have dreams of hitting that grand-slam home run in the bottom of the ninth to win the World Series, or sinking that three-pointer to close out game seven of the NBA championships. Everyone wants to win, but which trophy is the one worth winning? Here they are, and you can decide. Be sure to vote for your choice on the poll in the right column.

The Commissioner's Trophy is awarded each year by Major League Baseball to the team winning the World Series. The trophy was first awarded in 1967, when the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Boston Red Sox. The current trophy, which was redesigned slightly in 1999 and made by Tiffany & Co., is 24 inches tall, excluding the base, and 11 inches around. It weighs approximately 30 pounds and is made of sterling silver. The trophy features 30 gold-plated, hand-furled flags, one for each of the Major League teams, which rise above an arched silver ox baseball with latitude and longitude lines that symbolize the world. The baseball also contains 24-karat vermeil baseball stitches. The baseball itself weighs over 10 pounds. The base contains an inscription and the signature of the commissioner. It has an estimated value of $15,000. It was presented for the first time at the conclusion of the 2000 World Series, which was won by the New York Yankees. It is the only championship trophy of the Big Four that is not named after a particular person.

The Vince Lombardi Trophy is the trophy awarded each year to the winning team of the National Football League's annual championship game, the Super Bowl. The trophy was originally called the "World Championship Game Trophy" in 1967, when the Super Bowl was originally named the AFL-NFL World Championship Game. It was renamed in 1970 in memory of legendary Green Bay Packers head coach Vince Lombardi to commemorate his victories in the first two Super Bowls. Since Super Bowl XXX, it is presented to the winning team's owner on the field following the game. Previously, the trophy was presented inside the winning team's locker room. The trophy is valued at $25,000. The trophy depicts a regulation-size football in kicking position that is made entirely of sterling silver. It stands 23 inches (55 cm) tall, weighs seven pounds (3 kg), and takes approximately four months and 72 man-hours to create. The words "Vince Lombardi Trophy" and the NFL logo are engraved on the base. After the trophy is awarded, it is sent back to Tiffany & Co. to be engraved with the winning team's name, the date and final score of the Super Bowl. The winning team is rewarded the trophy afterward.

The Stanley Cup, awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) champion, is the most coveted ice hockey club championship trophy in the world. The Stanley Cup is the oldest professional sports trophy in North America. Originally inscribed the Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup, the trophy was donated by former Governor General of Canada Lord Stanley of Preston in 1892 as an award for Canada's top-ranking amateur ice hockey club. In 1915, the two professional ice hockey organizations, the National Hockey Association (NHA) and the Pacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA), reached a gentlemen's agreement in which their respective champions would face each other for the Stanley Cup. After a series of league mergers and folds, it became the de facto championship trophy of the NHL in 1926. The Cup later became the official NHL championship prize in 1947. The Stanley Cup is surrounded by numerous legends and traditions, the oldest of which is the celebratory drinking of champagne out of the cup by the winning team. Unlike the trophies awarded by the other three major professional sports leagues of North America, a new Stanley Cup is not made each year; Cup winners keep it until a new champion is crowned. It is the only trophy in professional sports that has the name of the winning players, coaches, management, and club staff engraved on it. The original bowl was made of silver and has a dimension of 18.5 cm (7.28 inches) in height and 29 cm (11.42 inches) in diameter. The current Stanley Cup is made of silver and nickel alloy. It has a height of 89.54 cm (35.25 inches) and weighs 15.5 kg (34.5 lb).

The Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy is awarded to the National Basketball Association team who wins the NBA Finals at the conclusion of every basketball season. The current NBA Championship Trophy was created for the 1978 NBA Finals, replacing the previous trophy design. Originally named after Walter A. Brown, it was renamed in 1984 in honor of former NBA commissioner Larry O'Brien. The trophy is made of approximately sixteen pounds of sterling silver and vermeil (with a 24 karat gold overlay) and stands about two feet tall. It is designed to look like a basketball about to enter a basketball net. The basketball itself is the same size as a regulation size NBA basketball. The trophy is created each year in the Tiffany & Co. Silver Shop. A new Larry O'Brien Trophy is made every year, and the winning team maintains permanent possession of that trophy. The trophy is engraved with the year and team name, and the trophies are often prominently displayed in the team's arena.

On Charging the Mound

2008-05-05T22:02:00.007-04:00

For the most part, baseball is a passive aggressive sport. You focus all of your aggression and take it out on the baseball. What happens when the player is hit by the ball is something completely different though. It can be both comical and/or violent, depending on how the batter decides to react.

Every pitcher can only hope they are as lucky as this Japanese pitcher, when he beans Tony Batista. Sorry for the Japanese commentary, unless you speak Japanese in which case you're welcome.

Sometimes, it's not the pitcher that should be worried. If the batter happens to be Izzy Alcantara, maybe the catcher should be ready to defend himself.

Finally, when you think of the worst thing that can happen after you bean someone with a baseball, it would be this act by Jose Offerman. Offerman really uses all of his .373 career batting average on this one.

Just a word for the wise, be sure you know what you are getting into when you decide to charge that mound. Because, as Robin Ventura found out when he charged Hall-of-Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan in 1993, sometimes that pitcher just might be able to beat the crap out of you; even if he is in the final year of a 27 year MLB career.

Salem State Lacrosse Tournament Bound

2008-05-05T18:56:00.014-04:00

The Salem State men's lacrosse team reaped the rewards of their hard work and determination today, when it was announced that they had received the fifth seed in this weeks Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New En gla nd Lacrosse Championship Post-season Tournament. SSC, who posted an 8-4 record this year as an independent after returning to the varsity level for the first time since 2003, will play an opening round match at No. 4 seed Castleton (VT) State University (12-6) at 4:00 pm on Wednesday, May 7.

The winner of the SSC/CSU match will advance to the semifinal round and play at No. 1 seed Endicot t College (16-3) on Saturday, May 10 at 12:00 pm. The other semifinal round match, between No. 2 seed Plymouth State University (12-5) and No. 3 seed Lasell College (9-6) will be played later that day at 3:00 pm at Endicott.

The championship match is scheduled for Sunday, May 11 at 1:00 pm at Endicott.

"Success Through Preparation, Teamwork and Leadership" with Bill Belichick

2008-05-04T03:14:00.010-04:00

When it was announced that the mastermind behind the dynasty that is the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick, was the next featured speaker in the Salem State College serie s, I knew that I had to be there. After realizing that the tickets had sold out quicker than any speaker before, or so it seemed, I had to join the majority of students that had missed out on what should be a once in a lifetime experience. However, as Sports Editor at The Salem State Log I was fortunate enough to find my way into the lecture, in the top balcony with the rest of the local media. In accordance with Coach Belichick's contract, there were only local credentials in attendance. This wasn't the only thing Belichick had termed into his deal. Photography was only allowed for the first five minutes of the lecture, and only from your seat.

The capacity crowd at Rockett Arena was first greeted by new president of Salem State College, President Patricia Maguire Meservey, Ph.D., R.N. She proclaimed that she 'deeply treasures' her new position as president of the college, and received a loud cheer from the crowd upon mentioning the Patriots' prefect 16-0 season. Following the president was a short video collage of the Patriots' and Coach Belichick accompanied with Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir". The video covered all the major accomplishments of Coach Belichick's career, which are numerous.

Bill Belichick is a 33 year veteran of the NFL, and is the only coach in NFL history to win three Super Bowl titles in a four-year span. In 2007, Belichick led the Patriots to the fourth perfect (no losses or ties) regular season in the NFL's 88-year history and the first since the NFL established a 16-game schedule in 1978. He has led the patriots to the Super Bowl four times in the last seven season and has produced five straight AFC East titles and six division championships in the last seven seasons. Belichick's Patriots teams own the all-time NFL records for cosecutive total victories, 21 from 2003-04, consecutive regular-season victories, 19 from 2006-07, and consecutive playoff victories, 10 from 2001-05. Belichick owns the second best postseason record in NFL history, 15-4, and is the winningest NFL head coach since 2001 at 100-29. Belichick has spent more seasons in the league than any other current NFL head coach, and in that time has been a part of five Super Bowl championship teams. His overall record of 105-40 with the Patriots gives him the most victories and the best winning percentage of any head coach in franchise history.

This man is truly a football genius, but his humor is probably what makes him such a great coach. After a roaring ovation, coach Belichick commented on his apparent 'genius',

"I've been called a football genius, but I've also been called a moron by my kids; when I forget to take out the trash or I let the dogs off the leash.... So that kind of goes both ways."

Coach Belichick also offered some kind words about the City of Salem.

"We just finished the college draft last weekend and it seems like, in those later rounds, your always looking for those gems; similar to what Salem is to the state of Massachusetts.."

Take that Mass. Belichick thinks Salem is better than you. At least that's what he told us. Next, Coach Belichick reminded students to "Follow your heart, do what you love, and take a shot at it." He warned that years from now the things that you want most will only be yours if you get out there and make it happen. He says that you have to "Give it a chance to work out."

Next, Coach touched on the old cliche, "There's no 'i' in team; but there is an 'i' in win." The 'i', he says, stands for 'individuals'. He says that "if you want to win, then every one has to do their job, and go out there and out perform the competition..."

In the Belichick dictionary, under 'Leadership', it reads 'Attitude'. Attitude is the number one quality of leadership according to Coach Belichick. A leader does the following things:
1. He does his job.
2. He puts the team first.
3. He works hard.
4. He pays attention to the details, trying to get everything right.

A perfect mold for a perfect player, according to Belichick. Coach goes on to talk about Troy Brown and his leadership on the Patriots. He says that Troy is a quiet captain, but he just goes out there and 'does his job'. A leader in Belichick's book. The Coach admits that his weekly meetings with the Captains, where they 'talk about things that are important for winning', are the most helpful thing that he has done here in New England. Something that he admits he did not do while he was a coach for the Cleveland Browns. These meetings allow him and his coaches to let the captains know what the coaching staff needs from the team, but it also allows the captains to let the coaches know what the team expects from them. The captains then convey what needs to be done to the rest of the team, acting as liaisons to the coaches who are too busy to meet with every player about every problem. This is just one of the ways that the organization tries to be better prepared to do the best job possible.

A funny moment with Coach Belichick followed, when speaking about discipline he spoke about how sometimes you need to punish the whole team instead of just punishing just one player to make a larger statement. "When a player goes out there and makes a mistake, the team can suffer from that mistake. Conversely, when a player goes out there and successfully executes a play, the whole team benefits from that." He recalled a time on the practice field, when he was a defensive coordinator with the New York Giants, and the line continued jumping offsides. He started out by talking with the team, telling them how bad it was for the team to get the offsides calls. When that didn't work, he pulled guys out separately to tell them about it. He said he'd 'yell at 'em, and swear at 'em' and that didn't work either. Coach Belichick finally found his solution to the problem,

"If we jumped offsides, then the whole defense would just run a lap all the way around the field. And while they were running that lap, all the guys that didn't jump offsides were letting the guy who jumped know about it. And it really helped take care of the offsides problem, not that we don't jump offside, but I'll tell ya there's not a lot of it; and whenever it happens, they're running."

This was just the first comical story that Coach Belichick would share with the crowd. Next he recalled a time during training camp, where Matt Light kept asking for a night off for the team during August practices. Belichick says that he looked at Matt like "You gotta be kiddin' me!", which garners laughter from the crowd. He believes that training camp is the time where you need to be working everyday to be ready for the late game situations. This is where you build your stamina. He jokes with Light though, and says "You don't get something for nothing." Belichick challenged Matt Light, having him stand down field and catch a punt. If he catches it, then they get the night off; if he misses it then they will double the number of sprints they have to do that day. "To make a long story short, there was a lot of team building that went on in that next minute or so," he said, "Troy Brown was showing him how to shield the sun from his eyes, and Kevin Faulk was teaching him about rotation. Well, Light caught it." This was met with another booming applause from the crowd, but this story wasn't over yet. Next year, Vince Wilfork was the one who had to catch the punt. He caught it. So this past year, Wilfork was made to do it again; but this time he had to hold a football in his hand and catch the punt. "We won 18 straight games last year," Belichick said, "but when Wilfork caught that punt, that was one of the high points of the entire season." Even pro's like the New England Patriots know how to have fun. Belichick went on to say this though;

"When you are in charge of a group of people, like a team, first thing you do is put down some ground rules. And if they don't do it, then you immediately know that this guy is not part of the team, and that this guy is going to be a problem."

Belichick says that everyone should have the attitude that Randy Moss brought to New England. He came to the head coach and said to him, "Just tell me what I gotta do." Belichick called it the 'Randy Moss Attitude'. So thats what it is from now on, add it to the Belichick dictionary. The coach went on to talk about how football has changed in his long time with football. He talked about changes in formations and technology along his career. 'It's like that in every other job too," he reminds the crowd, "the landscape is gunna change." He says that learning to change and adapt is vital to making it in the work place, as well as on the football field.

Next, Coach Belichick spoke about a specific play that had received a lot of coverage the past season. It was a double-reverse pass ran against the Pittsburgh Steelers; where Brady lateral passed the ball to Moss, who dropped it (which he was not supposed to do) and picked it up and passed lateral passed it back to Brady, who found Jabar Gaffney deep into the Steelers end zone. "We initially put that play in against the Ravens," coach said, "so we called it 'raven'" he finished tapping his shoulder to emphasize how clearly things need to be stated in the football world. He says that they had been working on this play in practice and it had been going pretty good, but they realized that the play would work better if they flipped it over. So they practiced it until they had it right, and when they ran it in a game, it worked just as they had planned. 'Practice makes perfect' is the idea here.

This is where the evening got monumental. Coach Belichick began to break down practice and game films with the crowd at Salem State. "I know this is a little unconventional. Not like what President Clinton or President Bush or all those guys did," he claimed. He started with some punt coverage formations. A 'picket fence' move that he describes is supposed to trap the ball deep in the zone, before it gets to the goal line. He shows this play a few times through in practice films, then he shows it during game situations against the Redskins, the Chargers, and the Jets where it is clear that practicing the play makes it easier and more likely to happen during a game.

"Practice preparation become game reality."

The next video cues up, showing a bunch of large men jogging slowly around a football practice field. "Tell me what you think happened here." Belichick says evoking more laughter from from the crowd. Then he shows the clips of Light and Wilfork catching the punts at the training camp practices; the catch by Wilfork with the ball in his hand created the loudest cheer, and the biggest celebration from the Patriots on the practice film. This was priceless stuff for a fan of the organization.

Next, he showed the 'raven' play. He started breaking it down in the game film, rewinding constantly with his hand-held remote to make sure everyone sees what he is talking about. It went like this;

"Moss drops back, so it's a lateral, and Gaffney lined up right here is gunna go down and fake like he is going to block. See, this adds a lot of draw to the play when Moss drops it. We were planning on having him run around right over here for a little but and then throw it back but it all happened too fast. Nice perfect throw (from Moss to Brady)." Followed by loud applause from the crowd when Gaffney caught Brady's touchdown bomb.

Then Coach Belichick went back to practice, noting that they had been practicing the play from the other side of the field. The Patriot defense covers the play well the whole time, making Brady find other options than the Gaffney deep out. "Because the defense has seen it too many times," says Belichick. Finally, Coach Belichick runs the Steelers tape again, with the final result of Jabar Gaffney striding into the end zone in front of the trash talking Anthony Smith, who had "guaranteed" a victory over the Patriots and he wasn't sorry he had. "There's our boy Smitty," joked Coach Belichick, showing that he does take some offense to the trash talk that goes on in the game.

After this Coach Belichick mentioned Super Bowl XXXVI, where the Patriots team chose to be announced as a team. Which has become common practice for both teams in the Super Bowl.

To end the evening, Belichick fielded six questions that were previously submitted by Salem State students and one from faculty/staff. They went as follows:

1) Who is the most talent athlete you have ever worked with? Why?
- Lawrence Taylor. "Coming out of college, at North Carolina, he could run the 40 in 4.6. That's real good for a guy his size." Brady would have to be the best football player though.

2) After things didn't work out in Cleveland, were you ever worried that people might think of you as a defensive coordinator not a head coach?
- "I didn't get into football to be a head coach. I just love coaching."

3) How much of your success is attributed to you knowing someone rather than knowing something; in other words, how does "it's not what you know, it's who you know" pertain to your career?
- Belichick agrees with this statement. "Relationships that are based on respect are going to be the most meaningful to you."

4) What was the purpose of drafting Jerod Mayo in the first round of this years NFL Draft, and coach please don't tell us that you couldn't pass on the Mayo.
- "We just try to do what is best for our football team." Belichick refers to the incoming rookie as a '4 down player' who is very 'versitle'.

5) Does your uncanny ability to breakdown offenses stem from your patience on the golf course?
- "Definitely not. You obviously haven't seen me golf."

6) Has the media ever tried to get you to say things that would compromise your image as a head coach?
- Coach Belichick says that he meets with the media six times a week, "everyday but Thursday', and that he has ' a lot of respect for what they do.' He sees the media as the connection between the team and the fans.

7) What do you predict for the 2008-09 season?
- "We just try and keep short-term focus." He says that there is no need to think about the future. Training camp comes first, then they take it one game at a time.

That was the perfect way for Coach Belichick to end this amazing and exciting evening with probably the smartest football mind ever involved in the game. It was a once in a lifetime experience and I am so grateful to have been there for it.

I would just like to thank Jim Glynn of College Relations at Salem State College for allowing
me the credentials.

Football's Future at Salem State College

2008-05-02T03:51:00.005-04:00

Salem State College has been making leaps and bounds in the past few years. It has added new dorms on Central Campus, acquired new parking for commuter students off of Canal Street, and has begun construction on new athletic fields behind the new dorms. All of these additions have greatly improved student life on campus, but some associated with the college still feel something is missing.

"What's Homecoming Weekend without a football game?" is the question asked by Salem State College Trustee Howard Wayne as he spearheads the campaign to create a Viking's Football team. This is a question that has been echoed across Salem State for years, and though it is well received, it seems to be no closer to reality. The process, which could involve the widening of Alumni Field, the expanding of the current field house, and the possible construction of a private training facility, is in the early stages of planning but would ultimately cost the school 'millions of dollars' to complete according to Salem State College Athletic Director and Women's basketball head coach Tim Shea.

AD Shea sees an on campus field as the right way to have a team. "The best programs are the ones that play on campus," Mr. Shea said. This feeling is evident presently in the construction of a baseball field on Central Campus to bring the Viking's baseball team on school grounds. In the past, they have had to share a field with Salem High school and play their games at Palmer Cove field in Salem's 'Point' neighborhood. Mr. Shea went on to say, "If we are going to add a program, we would like to do it in a way that they have a reasonable chance for success." This success would come at great expenses to the school.

On top of the renovations and constructions, a football team would require an initial $200,000 for equipment (blocking sleds, uniforms, pads, helmets...) as well as $65,000 annually for training supplies and regular team upgrades. These costs do not include the salaries for the staff that would need to be hired to make the team successful. The staff would have to include coaches (more than any team currently on campus), a personal equipment manager, a team secretary, and possibly more janitorial and training staffers to accommodate a team of 80-90 players (the lacrosse team currently has the most players per team, with around 30).

This influx of athletes also creates a problem in what AD Shea called "gender equity." This is the need for the College to keep a balance of men's and women's programs. Creating a football team would require Salem State to improve it's women's athletic programs also, to keep the two on an even keel. This can been seen in the Viking's lacrosse programs. Since the Men's Lacrosse team has been promoted to Division III status, the athletic department has brought back the Women's Club Lacrosse program to balance the scales, a football team would need the same counter element (Women's Hockey is one of the possible additions). The addition of a football team will ultimately require a recommendation from then school's new president Dr. Patricia Maguire Meservey, with advice from her staff and the Board of Trustees, to move forward. "I'm real passionate about the idea," said Trustee Wayne, "I feel football is the natural unifier for current students and our Alumni."

Life in the Fast Lane

2008-04-27T17:07:00.012-04:00

Catching up with the fastest person in Salem State Track history

"I just tried to run as fast as I could and do what I had to do," said Eddie Bynum III aka Da Flash, after successfully defending his NCAA Division 3 indoor 55m dash title by posting a record time of 6.25 seconds. "It's a great feeling to come out on top again. I know my family and coaches are really proud." Bynum says "it feels good" to be successful so close to home. "Going back to [Lynn English] high school and meeting with some of my old teachers, and them reading about what I have accomplished feels good," he said. "It feels good getting the recognition of those that are in your community." Those close to Bynum have always influenced him, and his athletic family can be credited with his decision to run track. "I started running track in my junior year of high school," Bynum said, "Some of my immediate family members participated in track and were relatively good, so I was curious how good I would be." Good would be an understatement while describing the career Bynum has had at Salem State.

Da Flash is a four-time All-American and two-time National Champion. No other SSC sprinter has even captured one National Championship. In his senior season Bynum came out of the blocks quickly, qualifying for the national championship in the first meet. He would go on to defend his New England, Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC), Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC), and All-Alliance championships this winter, before closing it all out with his second D3 National Title. Bynum has won the NEC and MASCAC titles three times, as well as holding some titles in the indoor 200m race.

SSC sprint coach Jeff Rockwood, who head coach Dennis Floyd credits with bringing Eddie's talents to the highest level, said, "He looked better than he ever has," when referring to Bynum's title defense. "Eddie has established a quiet confidence and gained tremendous respect from his opponents. It's not a surprise he was able to defend all his titles, because he was so focused, relaxed, and driven." This mindset is visible in everything that Bynum does. Outside of track, Da Flash likes to "relax and chill" with his friends and family. He also enjoys playing basketball, video games, and watching Justice League cartoons, where he found his nickname. Even though he is very laid back, Bynum's drive can't be questioned; when you take into account that he has been running with a bone fracture in his lower back all year. He recalls "enduring through pain during races."

Hopefully the pain goes away for Eddie Bynum III aka Da Flash, becuase he plans to keep running after college. He plans to "try to qualify for the Olympic trials" or "run track professionally" at some time. If his focus, drive, and determination remain intact, then Da Flash's success in sprinting is far from over.

Salem State Lacrosse has a steller return to Division III; Finishes regular season 8-4

2008-04-27T01:13:00.022-04:00

Salem State Lacrosse stumbled out of the gate, as it began its first season as a Division 3 varsity program since 2003. The Vikings lost their first game 10-4 against the Seahawks of Salve Regina University on a cold and windy Monday, March 10. The Vikings, who captured top honors in the Pioneer Collegiate Lacrosse League B-Division in 2006 and 2007, received goals from sophomore attackman Justin Jones (Danvers), sophomore attackman Logan Godrey (Haverhill), senior midfielder Scott Aronian (Chelmsford) and junior midfielder Alex Verity (Hyde Park).

Next, the Vikings made quick work of the Monks from St. Joseph's (ME) College on Wednesday, March 12, 22-1. State saw 14 different players put the ball in the net that day, headed by Senior Torey Nicholson's (Andover, MA) four-goal performance; as well as hat tricks from sophomore attackman Justin Jones, sophomore attackman Logan Godrey.

Next, Salem State traveled to Boston on March 18, facing off against the Lions of Emerson College at their home field at Rotch Playground, under I-93. The Vikings only lead 5-4 at the half way mark, mainly due to sloppy play in transition, but rebounded nicely in the second half to cruise into a 13-6 victory; the teams first win streak in "forever," as coach Trevor Eaton remembers it. Jones recorded his second consecutive hat trick; increasing his team leading points total to 11.

Salem State took the momentum from the Emerson win with them to Biddeford, ME on Saturday March 22, where they met the Nor’easters of the University of New England. The fans who came out that day saw an excellent game of lacrosse, and the visitors came away with the close 10-9 victory. UNE led SSC for the vast majority of the game until sophomore attackman Justin Jones tied the contest at 8-8 on an assist from freshman attackman Jonathan Falls (Seekonk). Falls would then put the Vikings ahead to stay when he scored just 14 seconds after setting up Jones 1:05 into the final quarter. Sophomore Nate Snow, who also scored the Vikings first goal, recorded the game winner for Salem State with only 10:06 remaining in the fourth quarter, after UNE tied the game just a play prior; the Viking offense showed excellent poise, controlling the ball efficiently to drain the final three minutes off of the clock. Freshman Goalie Greg Gaudet (Lynn, MA) made six saves, earning his first NCAA D3 victory in his first career start at State.

Gaudet played another great game between the pipes on Tuesday March 25, when the Vikings defeated the Huskies from the University of Southern Maine, 9-4. Senior middie Scott Aronian tallied two scores for the winners, while sophomore long-pole middie Mike Carpenito recorded a goal on excellent transition play and a great feed from senior captain Ross Arnold.

The Vikings improved to 5-1 on March 25th, in New London Connecticut, when they faced off against the Pequots of Mitchell College. SSC won handily, defeating Mitchell 17-2. Sophomore attackman Justin Jones once again led the Vikings, recording eight points on five goals and three assists. Freshman goalie Greg Gaudet had another strong game in the net for Salem State, even earning himself an assist in the match.

Salem State's momentum was brought to a screeching halt, as the Corsairs of the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth jumped out to a 7-1 lead at the half en route to a 13-6 win over the Vikings in a match played at North Dartmouth, MA on Saturday April 5. SSC (5-2), who was outshot, 39-20 by the hosts, had its five-match winning streak end. The Vikings received three goals and a pair of assists from freshman attackman Jonathan Falls and two goals from sophomore attackman Justin Jones. Junior middie Padriac Boscoe (Dartmouth) also scored for the Vikings. Senior middie Mike Carpenito (Leominster) also picked up an assist for SSC. Junior goalkeeper Keith Hardy (Walpole) made 10 saves between the pipes for SSC.

The bad luck continued for the Vikings as they faced off against the Buccaneers of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. The home team outscored the Vikings, 3-2, in the final quarter en route to a 9-7 victory in a match played Tuesday April 8 at Buzzards Bay. SSC (5-3) received a pair of goals from junior middie Alex Verity and single tallies from freshman Justin Jones, senior Ross Arnold (Salem), sophomore Luke Metraw (Chelmsford) and freshman James Cross (Beverly).

Salem State turned things around on a beautiful Saturday April 12, against the Colonels of Curry College. SSC (6-3) received four goals from sophomore attackman Justin Jones, three goals from freshman attackman Jonathan Falls and single scoring strikes from senior attackman Ross Arnold, junior middie Alex Verity, sophomore middie Luke Metraw, junior middie Tim Bartlett (Danvers) and sophomore middie Robert Mulroy (Swampscott). Falls and Arnold set up three scores each while Jones, Verity, Metraw, and senior middie Scott Aronian picked up single assists. SSC junior goaltender Keith Hardy recorded the win between the pipes, making 19 stops.

Using a fast-paced, skilled offense and transition, the Western Connecticut State University Colonials scored eight first half goals en route to an 18-3 victory over the Vikings in Danbury, CT on Tuesday April 15. The Vikings (6-4) received a pair of goals from sophomore middie Luke Metraw and a scoring strike from freshman attackman Jonathan Falls. Sophomore Mark Duran (Lynn) registered SSC's one assist. The hosts outshot the Vikings, 46-26, for the match. SSC junior goalkeeper Keith Hardy finished with eight saves.

The Vikings got back on the winning side when they received a final minute tie-breaking goal from senior attackman Ross Arnold of Salem en route to a 9-8 come-from-behind victory over the University of Massachusetts/Boston in a match played at Dorchester on Tuesday April 22. Arnold's goal with just 45 seconds to play capped off a rally for the Vikings that saw the visitors net four goals over the final 8:16. Junior midfielder Alex Verity finished with three scoring strikes for the Vikings (7-4). In addition to Arnold's game-winner, SSC received single tallies from sophomore attackman Justin Jones, sophomore middie Robert Mulroy, freshman middie James Cross, junior middie Tim Bartlett and sophomore middie Nate Snow (Salem). Jones also registered three assists while senior middie Scott Aronian set up a pair of goals. Arnold, Mulroy, freshman attackman Jonathan Falls and sophomore defender Marshall Jutras (Beverly) each picked up a helper. Junior Keith Hardy stopped a dozen shots between the pipes for the Vikings.

The Vikings (8-4) jumped out to a 15-3 lead at the half and then coasted to a 20-4 win over Becker College (7-6) in their final regular season match played Thursday April 24 at Alumni Field. SSC sophomore attackman Justin Jones led the offense with five goals while sophomore Nate Snow (Salem) added a pair. Single scoring strikes were tallied by sophomore Mark Duran, sophomore Mike Carpenito, sophomore Marshall Jutras, senior Jeff Rolke (Millis), sophomore Luke Metraw, sophomore Robert Mulroy, junior Robert Basile (Bedford), sophomore Derek Buckley (Chelsea), junior Tim Bartlett, sophomore Logan Godfrey and junior Scott Aronian. Jones, Mulroy and senior Torey Nicholson each added a pair of assists. Junior Keith Hardy and freshman Greg Gaudet shared the goalkeeping duties for the Vikings with each playing a half. Hardy made four stops and Gaudet one.

The Salem State College Vikings are currently awaiting the selection process for the post-season tournaments to begin. They are practicing hard, and hope to continue their post-season success.

'I'm All-In': A Foxwood's Story (Based on Actual Events)

2008-04-22T10:11:00.005-04:00

"Cedars Steak House was a great choice," I said lovingly to Stephanie from across the small wooden table at the Foxwood's restaurant, "my lucky charm picked another winner." She really had though, my Angus-burger was actually cooked to medium and her Salmon salad was large and fresh. All of this after winning $98 on the 'Lucky-Seven' slot she had picked. Hitting the 'Red-White-Blue' combo after only seven or eight pulls was just the thing I needed after spending six hours in the Bingo Hall and not winning a single dollar. We had to play the bingo though; everyone did it for my mom's birthday. It was the reason we were came here for after all.
"So what games are we going to try next? I still need to try the dice game," said Steph, taking that adorable tone and performing her pre-roll ritual of blowing twice into her closed hand and tossing the dice, "and I need to do something exciting after sitting in that room forever!"
"We can play what ever you want Lefty," I said playfully with a smile, "and it's called Craps baby. You love craps remember!" The joke was getting old, but ever since her trip to Canada where she owned the table and declared 'I love craps!' I haven't been able to let it go.
"Ewww. You know I hate craps," she joined in, showing how perfect we are for each other, "and you also know damn well that I don't know anything about this place or how to get around it, that's why I keep you around." She really is a dream come true.
"OK. Why don't we meet back up with the family then and we can pick something around there to get into." I didn't really care what we played; I was just excited to still have money in my wallet. "No more slots though!" I really wanted to get into some table games; I had yet to play Blackjack in any of my two previous trips to the Casino. "I'll call Adam and see what he's up to."
"Oi, Oi, " I shouted into my cell phone, "What up bro? Whatcha playing?"
"Oi, Oi," replied my middle brother Adam, "just thinkin' about hittin' the Hold-em room. What about you? Let's go get in on some $1-2." Adam was 22 and a considerably better poker player than me, but that was all the more reason to go to the World Poker Tour room and play some Texas Hold-Em with him. I had told myself to wait for Day Two to play poker though. I had a plan.
"Adam wants to play some Hold-Em," I said in the way that husbands do, asking with out doing just that, "what do you want to do baby? I can call my mom and find out what her Sharon and Paula are doing. We can call Erin and Brendan?" I really wanted her to be entertained and she had told me she didn't want to play poker.
"What? Mom, and Auntie Paula and Auntie Sharon are playing video poker in the Rainmaker. I don't know where Erin is, do you wanna play cards or what?!?" He yelled back, confused and clearly annoyed as usual.
"I'm not talking to you, hold on a second," I yelled back to him. It really was hard to hear with the constant activity of the slots and video games. "What do you want to do baby!?" I yelled again, unnecessarily considering Steph was standing right next to me.
"You said you didn't want to play Hold-Em today didn't you?" she said, as if she could read my mind, visibly against this choice of gambling activity, "but we can play what ever you want darling, I am staying with you where ever you go though."
"I wouldn't want it any other way baby!" I squeezed her close to me and kissed the top of her head, "you are my good luck charm." I knew she would get bored quick at that table, but hold-em was the game I was most looking forward to. The Cadillac of Poker.
"Me and Steph are going to come and play some poker," I yelled again, as I put the phone back up to my ear, "we'll meet you down there." I hung up the phone, kissed my girl again, and gripped her hand as we headed off to the poker room.
Adam and me put our names on the list at the same time, but we ended up being seated at different tables. Deep down I was glad for this, if I wanted to play against my brother I could have stayed back in Mass. Me and Steph we led over to a table set in the corner, there were already 6 other players seated when we walked up.
"Here's an extra seat for your wife sir," said the Poker Manager politely, "thank you for playing with us and good luck," she added as she walked away. She had obviously made these accommodations for players before.
The minimum buy-in on the $1-2 No-Limit Texas Hold-Em tables is $60; I looked into my wallet and counted $160. I looked at Steph and looked back at my wallet. "I'll take eighty," I said to the dealer. I could already see my future wife getting tense; it's amazing how nervous she gets at these games. "Don't worry baby, I’m only going to play good hands," I spoke softly to her, to be honest these tables always made me anxious too, “Grind it out baby! You'll see." I could tell by the look in her eyes she didn't believe me, but she loved me no matter what.
"Would like to play now or wait for the big blind?" the dealer asked, the same way fast-food servers used to ask if 'You'd like fries with that...' I opted to wait, it was only two hands.
"No need to pay the extra, right baby?" I kissed her softly, I had to make sure I kept her involved if I was going to sit here that long.
"Right darling," she responded quietly, not quite sure what had just taken place.
"I'm not going to pay twice the blind to play right away," I added, "I can just pay the regular blind in two hands." I finished, realizing that I was probably just confusing her more.
"Right darling, we're waiting for the blind," she repeated, pretending that she was on the same page. I really did love having her at the table; I need to do it more for my home games.
After waiting two fairly quick hands go to the quiet guy with the headphones seated two seats to my left, I was finally dealt my first hand, after posting my $2 Blind. 7-3 unsuited. Possibly the worst hand I could imagine, but the table checked to me.
"Check," I said firmly, trying to show strength with my low cards. I didn't think it was working, but I had to try something. 7-3-K unsuited on the flop. Can't get much better than that right? The table checked to me again, was this going to be a regular occurrence? "$20," I said as I tossed my chips in front of me. Time to take control of this hand I thought.
"Baby?" said Steph cautiously, "are you sure? What about slow?"
"Don't worry baby," I answered softly, trying not to give anything away.
"Call," said the quiet guy with the headphones. "Fold," said everyone else at the table.
3 on the turn. Jackpot! I had to be good now right! I just turned my rags into riches with a full house on the turn!
"$20," I bet again trying to keep up my act of strength, but now trying to keep him into this hand to pay me out.
"Call," he said quietly, after taking some time to stare me down through his sunglasses. I really should tell this guy that we are inside and it's the middle of the night. Everyone has his or her thing though. 8 on the river. This card was perfect, I had my boat and I was going to take him to the house.
"Check," he said again, obviously wanting to see what I was going to do first.
"I'm All-In," I said confidently, pushing my remaining $38 into the pot, I was sure that I had this locked up and I wanted to make sure I got the most out of it. Full Houses aren't that common. At least that's what I thought.
"Call," he said quickly as he turned over his hole cards. 8-8.
"You have to be kidding me!" was all I could manage. "Wow!" I added for dramatic effect.
"What happened baby?" asked Steph, aware that something had just gone wrong.
"Player has Full House, Eights over Threes," said the dealer, "there's nothing you can do about that," she said to me as she pushed my chips over to the quiet guy with the headphones and the sunglasses to my left. "Would you like to buy more chips before this next hand?" she added, clearly unaffected by my loss. I looked at the $80 remaining my wallet and looked at Steph again. My heart was beating so hard I thought it was going to leap right out of my chest. My hands were sweating and hand taken on a slight shake.
"Why don't we go see what your mom is up to baby?" said Steph soothingly, she could tell that I was hitting Tilt fast and hard. "Let's go walk this one off and save the rest for tomorrow, we have another whole day darling." She was right, as always. I definitely needed to walk away from that table.
"Well that was fun," I said sarcastically, "let's go tell Adam what happened before we head out." I really couldn't believe that just happened. I was trying to remember what Ticht Nhat Han taught. 'Breathe in. Breathe out. Be Calm.'
"Just meditate on it baby," said Steph; once again my soul mate was reading my mind. I reminded myself how lucky I am to have her with me; otherwise I would piss the rest of my money away at that table right now.
"I will do that baby," I said lovingly, holding her close to me and breathing in-and-out in the Zen-Buddhist teachings. "Thanks for being here for me," I added, she really is my lucky charm I thought, "I love you". Maybe it'll be better luck next time.

For the record, I went back into that poker room the next day and turned my remaining $80 into $680 over a three-hour session. Just goes to show you that anything can happen at the poker table, as long as you have a little luck by your side.

April is Poetry month, or so I'm told...

2008-04-22T09:39:00.004-04:00

April is poetry month, and as it draws to a close I have decided to dig through my old notebooks and pull out some of the sports related poetry I have written. These three selections are from my junior year at Salem High; I only remember that because Steph and I met in Mr. Wallach's Honors English class that year. Who ever said alphabetical seating was a faulty method? Not I. Anyways, I digress, on with the rhyming.

'War Games'
Anxiously...........Silently
Warriors march into battle.
As they face their enemies,
emotions sweep them away.
The battle will bring joy and pain.
Pain In Loss.
Joy In Victory.
Victory in the back of the net.

'The Quest' -This selection can also be found in Red Skies; Salem State's Online Magazine.

In great caves, with floors of glass.
We see great saves and the art of the pass.
Forwards fly on blades of steel.
With heads held high to make the steal.
Their bodies set, they shoot with skill.
It meets the net and brings the thrill.
Defensemen hold the lines of blue.
They must be bold with sticks like glue.
Shots like guns and bodies of stone.
Small forwards are done in they get them alone.
The padded wall with a bit of luck.
Goalies stop it all, each and every puck.
Wrists, slaps, and snaps. Shots of every kind.
Never time for a nap, always the sharpest mind.
These athletes compete to be on top.
Until everyone's beat they will not stop.
In 82 they've won and not,
but they're still here at the playoffs start.
You can see the desire in their eyes,
Lord Stanley's Cup is the prize.
If it ends in sixteen or it takes twenty-eight,
raising the Cup will still feel great.
Their names are engraved so all will know,
that they are the champions with the rings to show.

'From the mind of a Middie'
I get the ball and clear the zone, I look around and I'm all alone.
It's just me and a defensive hole, that brings me charging straight to the goal.
There's a goalie but I don't mind, he'll leave some room I'm sure to find.
I approach the net as calm as can be, with adrenaline pumping 'It's just you and me!'
I give a fake and he takes it big, It's his own grave hes about to dig.
My next move is the one for the kill, the 'behind the back' I perform with skill.
I let the shot fly and it's in the net, the keeper fishes it out looking quite upset.
My team celebrates but I keep my poise, I believe my actions make enough noise.
I look at him and feel bad for the kid, I know he'll never forget what I did.
He'll think on it and confuse his game, but I had to do it just the same.
That one play will open the door, cause while he's thinking I'll score some more.
I can't stop till the game is done, and I can't leave happy unless I've won.

When winning just isn't good enough....

2008-04-10T08:48:00.012-04:00

Statistics could be the end of the sports we know and love

Everyone remembers the old cliché, “It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.”

Kids have been spoon-fed this approach to athletics since gym class in elementary school or sooner — at least that’s how I remember it being at Witchcraft Heights right here in historic Salem.

It is old as game itself, yet the games played by men apparently do not follow these timeless traditions that end all T-ball games in ties. When you reach a certain age, you learn the terms that can ruin sports for you, if you let the numbers get to you. Penalties, strikeouts, losses and wins (yes even wins) are statistics that detract from the sanctity of the game being played.

Wins and losses are the beginning, and they are the numbers that will always drive the game. Maybe it is because we are told that they don’t matter that we put so much emphasis on them, but that is for psychologists to study and this journalist to pretend to understand.

Losses, obviously, are the worst statistic in sports. If you or your team are not getting it done at game time, it shows in the loss column — plain and simple. What is an athlete supposed to do, though, when wins are not even good enough? NCAA athletes know what it feels like to win a game, but just not win by enough for it to matter. Talk about a depressing thought.

Wins are the gold standard in sports; they are the goals, the touchdowns, and the finish lines. But what if you found out that if you didn’t beat your opponent by enough, it actually hurt your ranking to play the game and win it. This is the product of “power rankings” as well as “strength of schedule” rankings, both of which can cause games that looked like great wins at the time turn into a waste of time for the team in the blink of an eye.

Expecting teams to achieve certain scores for it to count toward rankings detracts from the game itself, making it clearly all about winning — and winning big no matter what. Athletics becomes much less about how you play the game, which takes away from what morality of competition. Sure, everyone thinks its great when basketball teams run scores up to 100. Or do they?

The hero tradition

Does this really help sports? Or is it a path for its destruction? I have wondered if enough is enough, but sold-out stadiums and skyrocketing contracts seem to leave no sign of things changing for the better anytime soon.

In 2006, Lincoln University set a Division III men’s basketball record when they defeated Ohio State-Marion 201-78. Lincoln’s Sami Wylie made an NCAA record 21 three-pointers in that game and scored 69 points. How does the coach not take this kid out when his team is up by 50 or 60? And 21 three-pointers for 69 points, that only leaves 6 points scored from someplace closer than 19 feet, 9 inches. NCAA men’s basketball has since voted to move the line back one foot, to 20 feet, 9 inches, for the 2008-2009 season.

This is not even the all-time mark, though, that was set by then-Division II Troy with 258 points against DeVry, Ga., on Jan. 12, 1992 — 258 points. Are they even celebrating when they scored basket 180? It is absurd. Wilt Chamberlin’s 100-point game against the Knicks on March 2, 1962 has to be partly to blame for kids playing college basketball like this. Everyone wants to be a hero.

Loyalist leanings

Also, in baseball today there is a culture of the “homerun chase,” leaving us with overblown records by questionable athletes. Count me among the loyalists who will remember Hank Aaron as the Homerun King until every player in the MLB can be proven without a doubt to be free of performance enhancing drugs.

I’m not holding my breath for this breakthrough of epic proportions any time soon, though. The Texas Rangers scored a modern era (post-1900) 30 runs against the Baltimore Orioles in the first game of a doubleheader on Aug. 22, 2007. In the first game of a doubleheader ... I mean, come on, shouldn’t you be saving some of that run production for game 2? Winning 30-3 is just insane, and sort of Bush League.

My major sporting league of choice, the National Hockey League, even had to address a drop in scoring (gasp!), which was being blamed on large goalie pads and the neutral zone trap. So they made the pads smaller! So fans can see more goals! I couldn’t believe it. I wonder if the NHL-record 16 goal game, won by those Montreal Canadiens against the Quebec Bulldogs way back in 1920, will be a record for much longer. The competition — and victory in that competition — is what makes you keep scoring though.

Learn from The Great One

This feeling is embodied, to me at least, in a quote from “The Great One” Wayne Gretzky, in an interview with John Kreiser of NHL.com in 2001.

It’s important to know that this interview was commemorating Gretzky’s five-goal game on Dec. 30, 1981. It was the 39th game of the Edmonton Oilers season, and Gretzky’s 46th, 47th, 48th, 49th and 50th goals — goals that shattered Maurice “The Rocket” Richard’s record of 50 goals in 50 games.

Gretzky would go on to score 92 goals that season, a feat that has yet to be repeated or surpassed.

In the 20 years since Gretzky made hockey history, only two other players, Brett Hull (86 in 1990-1991) and Mario Lemieux (85 in 1988-1989) have come been within spitting distance of Gretzky’s mark. No one has even broken 70 goals in a season since 1992-1993, when Alexander Mogilny and Teemu Selanne each had 76.

With the current defense-first philosophy, no player had managed as many as 60 goals until the 2007-2008 season, Washington Capital forward Alexander Ovechkin has lit the lamp 62 times as of this writing. And Florida’s Pavel Bure won the first two Rocket Richard Trophies, given to the NHL’s top goal-scorer, in the 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 seasons with 58 and 59 goals respectively.

And yet, after beating a storied NHL record, Gretzky said this in 1981: “It was a thrill to get 92 goals, but in some ways, I thought I let myself down by not getting 100. Maybe I should have pushed myself more.”

When being The Great One just isn’t good enough, and when winning just isn’t good enough, then there is something wrong with the game — or at least the way it is being played in society today.