I really enjoyed Witherspoon's presentation. Vype is a great magazine that really focuses on the personal side of sports.
Profile writing is one of my favorite sides of the job. Vype does an excellent job.
There is never a laps in personal coverage.
I do wonder how this mag will stay in circulation. Every issue I have ever read, has been picked up for free in a Dillon's.
Guess it is just the power of advertisement. If people are willing to bet you will pick it up and look at it, people are willing to bet you will see the ads.
I had my ears pinned back when the question about competition came up.
He gave the Eagle as the biggest source of competition. I actually wasn't offended by that. A monthly magazine and the Eagle are about on the same page.
Vype does such a good job with previews, and giving up-and-comers the press they deserve. As a monthly rag, they are the best at keeping high school sports timely.
Great balancing act. I am really interested in the freelance part of it. Tom talked about getting stories and photos out there. Make yourself visible to any media out there.
The beautiful part of journalism, is that there is a niche out there for you. If it is sports, great. If it is music, there is a mag for you.
If it is food, eat up.
But even within sports, there is a unique niche. Hockey, football, baseball, basketball, combat sports, you have a home.
Just need to get out there and write, show you have some chops, and elbow your way in.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Kansas sports Hall of Fame
There has been a lot of, shall we say, negative feedback on the Hall of Fame visit.
At Catch It Kansas, we work pretty closely with the Hall in order to keep our records. We get a lot of negative feedback saying my kid just broke the state record with these numbers. Why don't you report it.
Well, don't bitch at us. It is up to the coach for your team to report this information, to THE OFFICIAL RECORD KEEPERS AT THE HALL OF FAME!
Of course there is a big basketball list of Kansas heroes. But I enjoyed the bulk of the museums' high school accomplishments.
There were a lot of Jim Ryun SI covers. But I loved the lack of Ryun displays!
Have any of you met Ryun? I have. I can't believe this religious lunatic represented a district in this state as an elected official!
Anyways, It was nice to see a photo of, Derby head coach Ryan Herrs, dunking in a McPherson uniform (short shorts). I covered Derby last year, and Herrs seemed tough as nails. Not so mean in daisy dukes huh?
Sorry Ryan. People will make fun of my dumb, high school ass too! But I won't be in the Hall!
Speaking of McPherson. The Hall also acknowledged McPherson as having the best gym in Kansas. The, "Mini Roundhouse," as KWCH calls it, is with out a doubt, the basketball destination.
As a wrestling fan, I was impressed by the display. It wasn't updated with Chase Nitcher's 175 career wins. If you are not into wrestling, 100 wins is probably a school record.
Nitcher had 175 career wins. I'm not good at math, but that is an extra Hall of Fame career worth of wins.
Nitcher did lose eight matches. Punk.
Sorry Chase! Didn't mean to call you a punk. Don't kill me!
There was also the display of Bo Maynes. In the Hall as a 130-0 career wrestler from Salina South, but there is a big omission.
Maynes holds a record that may never be broken. The Cougar was never taken down in his entire wrestling career.
Never taken down?
You tell me what's more impressive, 175 wins, or 130-0, never taken down?
If you have seen it all, then tell me about Lauri Koehn! Four-time 2A state basketball player of the year. NCAA record holder for 3-pointers made in a career with 392. I graduated with her brother and knew her from the time she was blowing us off to shoot.
When we were playing kids basketball, she was the only one on the court during halftime practicing her shot.
I never, ever, saw Lauri without a basketball in her hands. She hit 392 career 3-point shots through a lifetime of dedication.
Forget Ohlde and Wecker. Koehn was the glue.
I liked the Hall. Sorry if you didn't.
At Catch It Kansas, we work pretty closely with the Hall in order to keep our records. We get a lot of negative feedback saying my kid just broke the state record with these numbers. Why don't you report it.
Well, don't bitch at us. It is up to the coach for your team to report this information, to THE OFFICIAL RECORD KEEPERS AT THE HALL OF FAME!
Of course there is a big basketball list of Kansas heroes. But I enjoyed the bulk of the museums' high school accomplishments.
There were a lot of Jim Ryun SI covers. But I loved the lack of Ryun displays!
Have any of you met Ryun? I have. I can't believe this religious lunatic represented a district in this state as an elected official!
Anyways, It was nice to see a photo of, Derby head coach Ryan Herrs, dunking in a McPherson uniform (short shorts). I covered Derby last year, and Herrs seemed tough as nails. Not so mean in daisy dukes huh?
Sorry Ryan. People will make fun of my dumb, high school ass too! But I won't be in the Hall!
Speaking of McPherson. The Hall also acknowledged McPherson as having the best gym in Kansas. The, "Mini Roundhouse," as KWCH calls it, is with out a doubt, the basketball destination.
As a wrestling fan, I was impressed by the display. It wasn't updated with Chase Nitcher's 175 career wins. If you are not into wrestling, 100 wins is probably a school record.
Nitcher had 175 career wins. I'm not good at math, but that is an extra Hall of Fame career worth of wins.
Nitcher did lose eight matches. Punk.
Sorry Chase! Didn't mean to call you a punk. Don't kill me!
There was also the display of Bo Maynes. In the Hall as a 130-0 career wrestler from Salina South, but there is a big omission.
Maynes holds a record that may never be broken. The Cougar was never taken down in his entire wrestling career.
Never taken down?
You tell me what's more impressive, 175 wins, or 130-0, never taken down?
If you have seen it all, then tell me about Lauri Koehn! Four-time 2A state basketball player of the year. NCAA record holder for 3-pointers made in a career with 392. I graduated with her brother and knew her from the time she was blowing us off to shoot.
When we were playing kids basketball, she was the only one on the court during halftime practicing her shot.
I never, ever, saw Lauri without a basketball in her hands. She hit 392 career 3-point shots through a lifetime of dedication.
Forget Ohlde and Wecker. Koehn was the glue.
I liked the Hall. Sorry if you didn't.
Bob Lutz
Bob Lutz really is a fun guy to hear speak. Sports Daily with Bruce and Bob is entertaining.
I get the podcast every day.
But there is a good reason Bruce is listed above Bob.
Sorry, can't take the I out of this one.
I lost all respect for Bob when he wrote a column about the firing of Hesston College head coach Tim Swartzendruber.
At the time, I was the Hesston College sports beat writer for the Hesston Record. Keep in mind, this was my very first venture into journalism. And I lived in a "mod" with the big three basketball players at Hesston.
Marlon, Mike, and LaMonte were my roommates, and are still my friends.
Three black students, and basketball players from Louisiana, Texas, and Wichita respectively, at a mostly white, Mennonite school.
I had been at Hesston throughout a couple of coaching changes. And I can say that this class of basketball players were special.
They achieved success on the basketball court no other class had achieved. And they were the most stand up, likable humans I have ever known in my lifetime of years on the Hesston campus.
But when Swartzendruber's contract was let go by the college, he ran to every media outlet that would listen, with the message that racism had to do with his firing.
Like I said, this story broke in my first, untrained year of journalism. I have many close friends, people I consider family, inside of Hesston College.
People who would, and did break Hesston's code of "we don't talk about personnel issues," silence.
Swartzendruber's failure to have his contract renewed had nothing to do with his recruitment of black players to the basketball team. I will get into this later.
But this was the rumor he circulated. It spread like wildfire in a small Kansas town.
His players were hurt, understandably. How would you feel if you were a black kid from Louisiana in the middle of white Hesston College. And all the sudden everyone is talking about RACISM!??
It all came to a head when a basketball player presented me with a copy of the Wichita Eagle with a Bob Lutz column detailing the possible racism leading to Swartzendruber's firing.
A player actually slammed the paper down and said to me, "It's in the Wichita Eagle. It's true."
At that moment, I knew that you actually can't believe everything you read.
I had this revelation at a bible school mind you!
More importantly, I learned a real lesson. As a journalist, people are going to try to use you as a bullhorn for their own gain. It is important to filter this garbage out when sitting down to write.
Since then, it has always been my goal to abstain from sounding off for any cause that would take advantage of my situation.
I held back from this story as a bright green kid who didn't have a clue. But Bob Lutz taught me the importance of holding back, getting all the facts, and knowing what you are talking about before pulling the trigger.
I knew better. Lutz pulled the trigger and wounded an entire college campus.
I get the podcast every day.
But there is a good reason Bruce is listed above Bob.
Sorry, can't take the I out of this one.
I lost all respect for Bob when he wrote a column about the firing of Hesston College head coach Tim Swartzendruber.
At the time, I was the Hesston College sports beat writer for the Hesston Record. Keep in mind, this was my very first venture into journalism. And I lived in a "mod" with the big three basketball players at Hesston.
Marlon, Mike, and LaMonte were my roommates, and are still my friends.
Three black students, and basketball players from Louisiana, Texas, and Wichita respectively, at a mostly white, Mennonite school.
I had been at Hesston throughout a couple of coaching changes. And I can say that this class of basketball players were special.
They achieved success on the basketball court no other class had achieved. And they were the most stand up, likable humans I have ever known in my lifetime of years on the Hesston campus.
But when Swartzendruber's contract was let go by the college, he ran to every media outlet that would listen, with the message that racism had to do with his firing.
Like I said, this story broke in my first, untrained year of journalism. I have many close friends, people I consider family, inside of Hesston College.
People who would, and did break Hesston's code of "we don't talk about personnel issues," silence.
Swartzendruber's failure to have his contract renewed had nothing to do with his recruitment of black players to the basketball team. I will get into this later.
But this was the rumor he circulated. It spread like wildfire in a small Kansas town.
His players were hurt, understandably. How would you feel if you were a black kid from Louisiana in the middle of white Hesston College. And all the sudden everyone is talking about RACISM!??
It all came to a head when a basketball player presented me with a copy of the Wichita Eagle with a Bob Lutz column detailing the possible racism leading to Swartzendruber's firing.
A player actually slammed the paper down and said to me, "It's in the Wichita Eagle. It's true."
At that moment, I knew that you actually can't believe everything you read.
I had this revelation at a bible school mind you!
More importantly, I learned a real lesson. As a journalist, people are going to try to use you as a bullhorn for their own gain. It is important to filter this garbage out when sitting down to write.
Since then, it has always been my goal to abstain from sounding off for any cause that would take advantage of my situation.
I held back from this story as a bright green kid who didn't have a clue. But Bob Lutz taught me the importance of holding back, getting all the facts, and knowing what you are talking about before pulling the trigger.
I knew better. Lutz pulled the trigger and wounded an entire college campus.
SID sorta censored info
I was amazed by the list of rules given to college athletes at WSU. I wonder what the rules at Oklahoma or Kentucky entail.
On the list at No. 7: Do not conduct an interview over the telephone unless you have been notified by someone from the media relations staff or your coaching staff.
It is illegal for a member of the media to record a phone conversation, without first saying the conversation will be recorded. If you aren't informed, say what ever you want. If they print it, you are not in trouble, THEY ARE!
No. 8: Dress appropriately.
These athletes are bringing millions into there schools. Ticket sales, TV contracts, and enrollment. If you want me to wear a nice shirt and pants, GIVE ME THE MONEY TO BY THEM. Dillard's is not cheap and I am a college student.
No. 10: Answer all questions honestly. If you do not feel comfortable with the nature of a questions (off the quote a minute--nature of a questions? Really, go back and look at the hand out.) answer, 'I do not want to discuss that.'
Yes. Answer everything honestly. Unless honesty will get us, and you, all in trouble. In which case, turn it over to the coaching staff and AD. They are much easier to demonize than a scholarship athlete who has an intelligent opinion.
There is a real sarcastic tone to all of this. But Wichita State has a stellar record of graduating athletes.
What nonsense does Florida have on its list of things not to say to the media?
How about, "The U!" Miami?
Should those athletes be any more censored than any of the people in the media?
Do we have free speech or not?
How about Kentucky basketball, or Virginia Lacrosse?
What bullshit rules did the mens, and more importantly, the womens lacrosse teams at Virgina have to follow when the, "evil," "gonna take it out of context and make us look bad," media came knocking.
I would like to refer these questions to the AD!?
Yes my best friend and teammate was murdered by a member of the mens team.
But, due to rule No. 11: If uncomfortable with the tone or direction of the interview, politely terminate the interview....
Sorry! Can't say a word. Guess I'll just keep my mouth shut an enable the next douche with a violent past. Wouldn't want to make the athletic department look bad! After all, it's about winning games and looking good, right?
If we, as journalists, operate under the umbrella of free speech, than the people we talk to should have the same rules.
But, whenever someone in athletics speaks their mind, all hell seems to break loose.
Catch 22 huh?
Lets not forget the recent history of Baylor mens basketball.
On the list at No. 7: Do not conduct an interview over the telephone unless you have been notified by someone from the media relations staff or your coaching staff.
It is illegal for a member of the media to record a phone conversation, without first saying the conversation will be recorded. If you aren't informed, say what ever you want. If they print it, you are not in trouble, THEY ARE!
No. 8: Dress appropriately.
These athletes are bringing millions into there schools. Ticket sales, TV contracts, and enrollment. If you want me to wear a nice shirt and pants, GIVE ME THE MONEY TO BY THEM. Dillard's is not cheap and I am a college student.
No. 10: Answer all questions honestly. If you do not feel comfortable with the nature of a questions (off the quote a minute--nature of a questions? Really, go back and look at the hand out.) answer, 'I do not want to discuss that.'
Yes. Answer everything honestly. Unless honesty will get us, and you, all in trouble. In which case, turn it over to the coaching staff and AD. They are much easier to demonize than a scholarship athlete who has an intelligent opinion.
There is a real sarcastic tone to all of this. But Wichita State has a stellar record of graduating athletes.
What nonsense does Florida have on its list of things not to say to the media?
How about, "The U!" Miami?
Should those athletes be any more censored than any of the people in the media?
Do we have free speech or not?
How about Kentucky basketball, or Virginia Lacrosse?
What bullshit rules did the mens, and more importantly, the womens lacrosse teams at Virgina have to follow when the, "evil," "gonna take it out of context and make us look bad," media came knocking.
I would like to refer these questions to the AD!?
Yes my best friend and teammate was murdered by a member of the mens team.
But, due to rule No. 11: If uncomfortable with the tone or direction of the interview, politely terminate the interview....
Sorry! Can't say a word. Guess I'll just keep my mouth shut an enable the next douche with a violent past. Wouldn't want to make the athletic department look bad! After all, it's about winning games and looking good, right?
If we, as journalists, operate under the umbrella of free speech, than the people we talk to should have the same rules.
But, whenever someone in athletics speaks their mind, all hell seems to break loose.
Catch 22 huh?
Lets not forget the recent history of Baylor mens basketball.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Score one for the Dirtbags
If you haven’t seen Bryan Holmgren’s video of the Newton Railers baseball team yet, I have no idea what you are waiting for. This package brought on a flood of memories.
Athletes across the board are borderline loopy at best. But nothing compares to the obsessive compulsive disorder that seems to be a part of the same genetic code that makes a baseball player.
Hockey players might have an argument, but it’s a close race.
And in the middle of Harvey County, the Railers have found a way to crossbreed baseball and hockey madness, in the form of facial hair. Playoff beards have been a hockey tradition as old as the sport itself. When the playoffs come around, you let it grow—plain and simple.
It doesn’t matter if you have to shave four times a day to keep from looking like you have lived off the land in the mountains for the past decade, or if you have the scrawniest, patchiest, 13-year-old beard known to man. You let it grow.
Now Newton’s baseball team has taken this scruffy, awesome superstition and made it their own. I hope the team adopts this as an annual tradition.
Dirtbaggers, I salute you!
I happen to be among the ranks of the crazies who believe in these superstitions. There are a billion or more baseball superstitions—stepping over the foul line when you come on and off the field just to give one tame example.
My tick was not washing my game socks for an entire season. Let me tell you, it didn’t get to smell any better throughout the course of the summer. And no one was knocking anybody over to haul my disgusting feet to the road games either.
But the way I see it, I had all the dirt from all the games in the past with me, and I was a catcher so my “essence” was extremely distracting to the opposing hitters.
Naturally, there was a ceremonial burning of the socks when the season was over. All just a completely normal, rational part of being the best ballplayer you can.
I have been in a heated argument over the reality of superstition with a friend of mine that has been going on for years now.
He thinks the whole thing is completely absurd. I beg to differ.
It’s not that I believe in superstitions on a supernatural level. I would not be swallowed into the bowels of a monster without my superstitions. But it is a form of OCD. You need your rituals to get yourself right in the head.
If I had washed my socks, I wouldn’t have been able to stop thinking about it. It would have been the itch on your back you can’t quite reach. In a game of failure, it wouldn’t have taken much to send my thoughts into a tailspin of negativity.
Swing and miss for strike one with dirty socks—no big deal. Swing and miss for strike one with freshly washed socks—oh no, what have I done!?
Wait. You mean its over?
After going to the girls soccer game between Maize and Wichita Heights on April 16, I have to say that I was left frustrated. It is not because the game was boring or one-sided though.
The game went into double-overtime.
It was because after investing the 80 minutes of game time in regulation, plus the extra 20 minutes of game time in the two overtimes, the game ended in a 2-2 tie.
Was there a reason to even play this game? I suppose it’s the old glass that’s either half empty or half full I hear so much about. Of course, when a game ends in a tie, nobody loses. However, nobody wins either.
Winning isn’t everything in high school sports. It is much more important in high school than middle school, but learning to work as a member of a team, learning the importance of hard work in preparation for an event, having fun…etc, are important too.
Blah, blah, blah.
Look, nobody likes to lose. It’s not fun.
But sometimes more can be learned in a loss than a win. The measure of who we are as humans comes down to how we deal with adversity.
Ever met someone who has skated through life without ever having to deal with any kind of a rainy day?
Admit it. They make you want to puke, don’t they?
Steve Morse from the Bad Dog boxing gym in Wichita once told me the tough guys aren’t the ones who knock people out. The tough guys are the ones who get up and keep fighting after being knocked down.
You never can tell if an undefeated prospect has a real shot at a title until you see the fighter deal with adversity. It may come in the form of a knockdown, or even a knockout. It may just be a really bad cut. The ones who keep fighting through it are the ones who become champions.
So, here is my idea for a better version of high school soccer overtime, one that doesn’t waste everyone’s time with a tie.
First, keep the sudden death format. But either cut each of the periods in half so there are two five minute overtimes, or just go with one, 10 minute overtime.
Why shorter overtime periods?
According to KSHSAA, the maximum amount of overtime allowed in a regular season game is two 10-minute periods. So, with the extra 10 minutes saved, let’s get to the shootout and have some closure.
Someone wins and someone loses, the way competitions were meant to be.
With these rules, you could go to a hockey-style points system to determine league champions, and playoff seeding.
Just won a game? That’s two points added to your wins and losses season point total.
Lost in regulation? Sorry, but you don’t get any points.
Lost in overtime? You do get one point for losing in overtime, or in a shootout. Some credit for making it that far is due.
Plus, you are already guaranteed at least a point. So go for it in the sudden death portion. Push the attack. Time is short and losing one point isn’t as big a deal as the point you will gain if you get the goal in overtime.
Acquire the most points using these rules at the end of the season, you are a league champion. The teams with the most points in each side of the postseason bracket are the No. 1 seeds, and so on.
Of course using this point system will still require tiebreakers at the end of the regular season. There are a number of possible tiebreaker scenarios, that all end with a coin flip anyway, so get creative. Take it down to head-to-head if possible. Did you rack up the points with overtime losses or with wins? The team with the most wins takes the tiebreaker.
However you break the tie, make sure that it is broken for Pete’s sake.
At the end of the day, all I want is for there to be a different outcome at the end of the game than there was before the game started. It’s a competition, not friendly pick-up game where everybody has to quit in time for supper, right?
Amazing soccer goal
I just watched a YouTube video of one of the most amazing soccer goals I have ever seen. In the Mexican Premier League, a goal was scored on a free-kick from 45 yards away! I played soccer for 15 years and I have never seen that happen before.
You might ask how could the goalkeeper let this happen? It was such a long shot! I was a goalkeeper when I played and I would have never expected someone to take a shot from a free kick that far away. I would have been just as helpless as he was.
The kicker of the whole deal was it the game winning goal with ten minutes left. How embarrassing for that team to lose a game in that fashion. If that doesn't give you a reason to watch the World Cup this summer, then you really need to watch this. Give soccer a chance, you'll see things you've never seen before.
You might ask how could the goalkeeper let this happen? It was such a long shot! I was a goalkeeper when I played and I would have never expected someone to take a shot from a free kick that far away. I would have been just as helpless as he was.
The kicker of the whole deal was it the game winning goal with ten minutes left. How embarrassing for that team to lose a game in that fashion. If that doesn't give you a reason to watch the World Cup this summer, then you really need to watch this. Give soccer a chance, you'll see things you've never seen before.
WSU Baseball Breast Cancer Game
Last night's game versus Oral Roberts was successful on more than one level; not only did we beat ORU for the first time since 2007, but we raise over $8,000 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research. We wore pink jerseys in honor of the Susan G. Komen Foundation and during the game we held a silent auction and all jerseys were bid on. We made approximately $7,900 from the silent auction, along with a $300 donation from Oral Roberts University, we raised over $8,000 dollars for breast cancer research last night.
This game held special meaning for two Shockers in particular, Preston Springer and Grant Muncrief; their mothers are both breast cancer survivors. It felt great for the program to raise money for a cause that has directly affected two of our own Shocker family.
It also felt great to beat ORU, 7-6 in 10 innings. We haven't beaten those guys in regionals in 2007, Aaron Shafer was the winning pitcher in that game, that gives you an indication of how long ago that was. These guys were becoming a giant gorilla on our backs and it was high time we knocked them off.
Great night, all the way around.
This game held special meaning for two Shockers in particular, Preston Springer and Grant Muncrief; their mothers are both breast cancer survivors. It felt great for the program to raise money for a cause that has directly affected two of our own Shocker family.
It also felt great to beat ORU, 7-6 in 10 innings. We haven't beaten those guys in regionals in 2007, Aaron Shafer was the winning pitcher in that game, that gives you an indication of how long ago that was. These guys were becoming a giant gorilla on our backs and it was high time we knocked them off.
Great night, all the way around.
Commentary
Graduating from college is a goal many of us want to achieve. It's ingrained in us from early education all the way through high school. For those who work hard and stay committed, a degree is earned. For many athletes the goal is to play professionally, it's a dream that is spawned early in childhood, and for some through high school and for even less, college.
Reaching the ultimate playing field among the elite, signing a contract, having all the luxuries one can afford, are all very alluring, but is it worth bypassing a college degree? For a very small percentage the answer is simply, yes. No questions asked. But for the majority chasing the big dream can be a struggle and many athletes who were lucky enough to receive scholarships to promising colleges across the country, never make it.
Graduation rates for division 1 male athletes participating in baseball, basketball or football are alarmingly low. Fresno State men's basketball team graduation rate as of 2008 was 7%. Fresno State basketball is not what many would call a powerhouse. So why are more players from that program not graduating?
In football, Oklahoma is a perennial national powerhouse in the Big 12. In 2008 the Sooners posted a 46% four-year grad rate that was fifth-lowest in the NCAA's Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-A). Georgia and Georgia Tech were only slightly better at 48%.
As for baseball, players can be signed out of high school. Some take the scholarship to play at the college level but only 68% graduated with degrees.
What happens to the athletes that don't make it to the professional level? What do they do? There are plenty of students out there that would do anything to have a scholarship to the school they desire and would never dream of letting it go. It is confusing, aside from the possibility of the big contract, as to why many give up on such a great opportunity.
Many college athletes do graduate and that is what it should be about. Secure your future with an opportunity that is given to you. It's never too late to graduate, but graduate when you don't have to pay for it.
Reaching the ultimate playing field among the elite, signing a contract, having all the luxuries one can afford, are all very alluring, but is it worth bypassing a college degree? For a very small percentage the answer is simply, yes. No questions asked. But for the majority chasing the big dream can be a struggle and many athletes who were lucky enough to receive scholarships to promising colleges across the country, never make it.
Graduation rates for division 1 male athletes participating in baseball, basketball or football are alarmingly low. Fresno State men's basketball team graduation rate as of 2008 was 7%. Fresno State basketball is not what many would call a powerhouse. So why are more players from that program not graduating?
In football, Oklahoma is a perennial national powerhouse in the Big 12. In 2008 the Sooners posted a 46% four-year grad rate that was fifth-lowest in the NCAA's Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-A). Georgia and Georgia Tech were only slightly better at 48%.
As for baseball, players can be signed out of high school. Some take the scholarship to play at the college level but only 68% graduated with degrees.
What happens to the athletes that don't make it to the professional level? What do they do? There are plenty of students out there that would do anything to have a scholarship to the school they desire and would never dream of letting it go. It is confusing, aside from the possibility of the big contract, as to why many give up on such a great opportunity.
Many college athletes do graduate and that is what it should be about. Secure your future with an opportunity that is given to you. It's never too late to graduate, but graduate when you don't have to pay for it.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Koch Arena tour
Honestly, the Koch Arena tour didn't shed too much new light on a subject I already knew a thing or two about. I was involved in sports writing for nearly a decade; when your 28, that's a big chunk of your life. Obviously, I'd been in one or two press rooms and interviewed one or two collegiate coaches. So no, there wasn't a whole lot of new material seeping into the nooks of my brain.
However, there was one little bit of the tour that kind of got to me in that oh-no-she-didn't kind of way. Forgive me for not remembering her name, but the woman from the athletic department who talked to us while we were waiting for the PR rep down in the press room really, really, really bit down on of my most sensitive nerves.
Here is one tasty, little paraphrased quote of hers: "of course, some professors are too lazy to get these back to us." What she was referring to here is grade sheets that the athletic department sends out two or three times a semester, in which they ask teachers to give updates on the progress of their student-athletes. This is completely understandable. They want to keep tabs on their kids. Ok, fine. Good for them.
However, for her to imply that some professors/GTAs are too lazy to do this is particularly annoying, and mildly insulting.
Look, I was an athlete as an undergrad, so I understand what it's like to try to balance a course load on top of a rigorous game/practice schedule. But again, I also always understood that we were not special enough to get all these privileges.
Now, as a GTA, I can sympathize with my student-athlete students.
But I also don't treat them any differently than my other students.
While I do fill out those grade sheets, I can understand why some of my peers ignore them. We don't give grade updates to most other students.
And it's not like we are just lying around laughing at the questions these sheets ask. We are busy, busy people, especially GTAs. As GTAs, we not only have a teaching schedule, but we also have our own classes to attend and prepare for. I won't even mention what we get paid.
This whole process of filling out the grade sheets is also a practice in redundancy, considering that grades are constantly updated on Blackboard.
Why can't these people from the athletic department take a few minutes out of their day to simply log on to their athletes' Blackboard sites?
I guess that's just too much extra work.
I have no problem giving these progress reports. I've yet to have any real problems with an athlete and it seems like they are being mentored in the proper manner.
But I'd also like to get a little more respect.
However, there was one little bit of the tour that kind of got to me in that oh-no-she-didn't kind of way. Forgive me for not remembering her name, but the woman from the athletic department who talked to us while we were waiting for the PR rep down in the press room really, really, really bit down on of my most sensitive nerves.
Here is one tasty, little paraphrased quote of hers: "of course, some professors are too lazy to get these back to us." What she was referring to here is grade sheets that the athletic department sends out two or three times a semester, in which they ask teachers to give updates on the progress of their student-athletes. This is completely understandable. They want to keep tabs on their kids. Ok, fine. Good for them.
However, for her to imply that some professors/GTAs are too lazy to do this is particularly annoying, and mildly insulting.
Look, I was an athlete as an undergrad, so I understand what it's like to try to balance a course load on top of a rigorous game/practice schedule. But again, I also always understood that we were not special enough to get all these privileges.
Now, as a GTA, I can sympathize with my student-athlete students.
But I also don't treat them any differently than my other students.
While I do fill out those grade sheets, I can understand why some of my peers ignore them. We don't give grade updates to most other students.
And it's not like we are just lying around laughing at the questions these sheets ask. We are busy, busy people, especially GTAs. As GTAs, we not only have a teaching schedule, but we also have our own classes to attend and prepare for. I won't even mention what we get paid.
This whole process of filling out the grade sheets is also a practice in redundancy, considering that grades are constantly updated on Blackboard.
Why can't these people from the athletic department take a few minutes out of their day to simply log on to their athletes' Blackboard sites?
I guess that's just too much extra work.
I have no problem giving these progress reports. I've yet to have any real problems with an athlete and it seems like they are being mentored in the proper manner.
But I'd also like to get a little more respect.
Friday, May 7, 2010
An Open Letter to Lawrence Taylor
What were you thinking L.T.?
A 16-year-old girl? Really?
I’m probably not the first one to lecture you on your behavior, and I know for sure I won’t be the last, but you need to get yourself together.
Having sex with a teenage girl, one so young she can’t even legally drive, is going to cost you most of the your fan base. That is, the ten or so fans you have left.
I understand you haven’t been popular since you last got in trouble for behavior deemed immoral by most of society, but you have to get your act together.
No one will remember how dominate your were on the field. You’ll be remembered as another professional athlete who could not get their act together of the field. And no statistic can make up foe those mistakes. Just ask O.J. Simpson.
And this is just the beginning. Your all night, excessive partying of yesteryear wouldn’t fly under the radar today. Just ask TMZ.
They probably have a full time “reporter/photographer” on you as we speak, detailing and documenting your every move. Just as Tiger Woods.
I know this isn’t your first brush with the law; that this is child’s play (no pun untended) compared to your cocaine-fueled party days.
Athletes have to walk a finer live than before. With the invention of camera phones, and Twitter and Facebook, they can’t get away with what they use to. Just ask Ben Roethlisberger
Joe Drape: Not your average New York Times reporter
You wouldn’t imagine a guy from the New York Times being so down to Earth.
As an aspiring journalist, who would one day like to have a job as prestigious as the New York Times, I thought it was interesting to meet someone who has one of those dream jobs.
Joe Drape is not only a NY Times reporter and bestselling author, but he is also an all-around good guy, which is probably why his book on the Smith Center Redmen turned out so well.
Drape stopped by our sports journalism class to talk about his book, “Our Boys: A perfect season on the plains with the Smith Center Redmen.”
Although the title of the book leaves very little to the imagination, Drape’s insight on the nine months he spent of living in the middle of nowhere was interesting.
You wouldn’t imagine someone who resides in New York City would fit is so well in a town of 2,000 people, but Drape seemed to make himself at home.
What made his book interesting was his personal connection with all the characters. The genuine personality that came through in his book was reinforced with his visit to class.
His interest in the topic and ability to listen carefully created an extraordinary and unique portrayal of small town Kansas life.
I could tell he was a great writer by the questions he asked our class. He listens well, which is one of the best attributes a reporter can have.
His visit was truly inspiring for anyone who wants to one day take a stab at be a journalist for a living.
Sports Muse...um?
You know what the best part of the Sports Museum in Newton was?
No really, I want to know.
Because I'm struggling here.
I completely understand the reasoning behind visiting the place, but overall, I can't say I took much away from it. The museum simply didn't have enough panache. Too many SI covers, not enough everything else.
Really, a museum is supposed to wow you, to make you go "huh, I didn't know that."
But, honestly, I think I knew a whole lot of the information I saw there already. And the rest just didn't interest me.
Not to be a homer, but the best part of the place was the WSU section. Specifically, the baseball wing. And even more specifically, the 1989 video of the national championship.
That video was terrific, giving me some insight into what put Shocker baseball on the scene. Though I knew Eric Wedge played in Wichita, I didn't know he was the big gun for Stephenson that year. I also didn't know that so many players from that team were never really heard from again. Yes, there were some studs -- Wedge, Mike Lansing, Pat Meares --but overall, where did they all go? It always amazes me to look back on the greatest collegiate teams, regardless of sport, to see just how many of their players have vanished into the flameout ether. Greats in college don't always make professional studs. Hello, Curtis Enis. Say hi, Lawrence Philips. You too, Bobby Hurley.
While I appreciate the effort of the Kansas Sports Museum, the followthrough just wasn't there. Save for the WSU video and the high jump bar of the state record holder, the trip to Newton was a practice in eh.
The NFL Draft is not important
I don’t understand why people get so worked up about the NFL Draft.
I’m mean I could spend this paragraph name dropping NFL nobody’s like Patrick Ramsey, Jim Druckenmiller and Rashard Anderson, and maybe even throw in a convicted felon or two. (I’m looking at you Ryan Leaf)
These gems were all high draft picks in the NFL Draft. Needless to say, they didn’t turn out to be as good as the scouts thought.
Will Sam Bradford, the 2010 overall pick make a name for himself? Probably so, but statistically you can’t prove that.
Just look at Brady Quinn. He was the future of the Cleveland Browns. He was the ticket to the Browns postseason glory. Just a handful of years later, Quinn doesn’t even play for Cleveland.
The Draft is a high odds crapshoot. A gamble. Maybe something Pete Rose would be good at.
You can look at all the attributes a college player has, from his time in the 40 to the number reps he can do at the bench press, but nothing will tell you how good he will be in the NFL until he actually steps on the field.
The level of play in the NFL is such a huge step from college. The best test is a little on the job training.
Final Commentary: Rise and Fall of Athletes
The rise and fall of the modern-day athlete has been the stories of legend, from the highest of highs to the cataclysmic fall from grace. There are many people who have tried to explain how this happens. Some say it has to do with black culture, gangster culture, the fall of morals in American society, the list goes on. The truth is it totally depends on where the athlete came from.
One rarely hears about an athlete who came from a good background, without poverty or violence, without some of the legendary hardships that make unbelievable stories, do something stupid that would get them in trouble with the law or get them thrown in jail. It does happen, but those are the stories that usually do not catch as much attention because the press was not waiting on those to happen.
The stories that capture the most attention are the ones where athletes who came from harsh backgrounds and have become successful wind up having a fall from grace where they get involved in a bad situation and break the law. These stories are many, Michael Vick, Allen Iverson, Lawrence Taylor, etc. You get the point.
The reasons why these athletes get in these situations is not totally their fault. The honest truth is, they just do not know how to deal with success. They grew up without success, and now that they have it, they do not know what to do with it.
For example, when an athlete comes from a background where lived in poverty, they obviously do not know what to do with money. After they become successful, they have all this money and they just want to celebrate and surround themselves with friends and live it up. The problem is everyone wants to jump on the gravy train, these athletes have everyone telling them what to do with their money, what to buy, where to go party, who to spend it on, etc. They are in a position to make everyone happy and that is what they want to do now that they are finally in a position to do so.
There is a code among professional athletes, do not laugh when you see an athlete go down because you never know when that might be you. The press needs to adhere by the same code. Until the press realizes that athletes that come from nothing and all of the sudden have everything will probably wind up falling from grace, usually from the fault of others trying to screw them over, the press will never understand.
This is not intended to blast the press and call everyone bad journalists. This is intended for everyone to broaden their horizons and realize that until you walk a mile in some one's shoes, you will never know where they came from. Therefore, you probably should not be so harsh with the words that go in the paper, on the air, or on the Web.
One rarely hears about an athlete who came from a good background, without poverty or violence, without some of the legendary hardships that make unbelievable stories, do something stupid that would get them in trouble with the law or get them thrown in jail. It does happen, but those are the stories that usually do not catch as much attention because the press was not waiting on those to happen.
The stories that capture the most attention are the ones where athletes who came from harsh backgrounds and have become successful wind up having a fall from grace where they get involved in a bad situation and break the law. These stories are many, Michael Vick, Allen Iverson, Lawrence Taylor, etc. You get the point.
The reasons why these athletes get in these situations is not totally their fault. The honest truth is, they just do not know how to deal with success. They grew up without success, and now that they have it, they do not know what to do with it.
For example, when an athlete comes from a background where lived in poverty, they obviously do not know what to do with money. After they become successful, they have all this money and they just want to celebrate and surround themselves with friends and live it up. The problem is everyone wants to jump on the gravy train, these athletes have everyone telling them what to do with their money, what to buy, where to go party, who to spend it on, etc. They are in a position to make everyone happy and that is what they want to do now that they are finally in a position to do so.
There is a code among professional athletes, do not laugh when you see an athlete go down because you never know when that might be you. The press needs to adhere by the same code. Until the press realizes that athletes that come from nothing and all of the sudden have everything will probably wind up falling from grace, usually from the fault of others trying to screw them over, the press will never understand.
This is not intended to blast the press and call everyone bad journalists. This is intended for everyone to broaden their horizons and realize that until you walk a mile in some one's shoes, you will never know where they came from. Therefore, you probably should not be so harsh with the words that go in the paper, on the air, or on the Web.
Drapes
Forgive me for not being in awe of Joe Drape. Yes, he is wildly successful and completely more involved in the global scene than I, and probably the next 10 generations of Muilenburgs, ever will be, but he just didn't give me the aweshuckses that some celebs of his ilk do/did/will. The fact is, I might have met Drape at the wrong time. I was fresh of my trip to Denver where, like I mentioned in earlier postings, I met several of my literary heros, the men and women who are at the forefront of the current literary surge. This may mean nothing to you, but I had a face-to-face, personal conversation with George Saunders. I mean, the guy practically shoved me into fiction writing just by assembling some of the best short stories I'd ever read into several collections.
I'm guessing there's a better chance that most of you had heard of Drape and not Saunders. And that's fair. Drape is a bigwig in our sports fan market. Saunders is merely someone that probably five percent of the population has ever even heard of.
That's kind of a shame.
Even Drape admitted such when he alluded to the fact that his book has outsold Let the Great World Spin -- a National Book Award winner by Colum McCann -- several times over. Granted, I enjoyed Our Boys, but to say it's anything but a feel good piece of gee-golly-goshes would be a stretch.
As a person, Drape seemed genuine and midwestern, a guy you could probably have a beer with as long as it wasn't a Philly-Dallas game.
He kept my attention the entire time and his anecdotes were engaging.
I just wish I was a little more starstruck.
Kansas Sports Museum a Work in Progress. Hopefully.
If you really like sports, especially local sports, then I suggest the Kansas Sports Museum in Newton.
If you’re a casual sports fan, and typically only like what’s popular, then I suggest Heroes Sports Bar in Oldtown.
A recent visit to the Kansas Sports Museum taught me one thing. Unless you are an avid sports fan, enough to where you really dig the most obscure artifacts, then you wasted a trip to Newton.
It’s not that the museum is completely null and void of interesting memorabilia, but they are few and far between.
For every Bill Synder headset is a handful of track and field medals from a high school you’ve probably never heard of.
For every KU Big 8 trophy is another handful of track and field medals from a high school you’ve probably never heard of.
I understand the issue probably nothing to do with sports and everything to do with money. At one time the museum had a beautiful new home in downtown Wichita. Now it’s been banished to an outlet mall in Newton, sandwiched between and wholesale carpet supplier and an archery repair shop.
If the museum could generate some interest I believe the funding will follow. It’s not like the state doesn’t have some of the most dominant and interesting sports programs in the country.
I mean basketball, one of the biggest sports in the world, was invented in Kansas. That alone is worthy of its own museum.
The history is here, the museum just needs the dollars to make it happen.
Bobby Lutz is just trying to pay the bills like everyone else
I rarely agree with Wichita Eagle sports columnist Bob Lutz. And when I say rarely, I mean never.
What he enjoys in the world of sports, I do not, and pretty much vice-versa.
Even though I disagree with most of what he writes I would never threaten the guy or post obnoxious, hateful comments to his stories online. Which is more than I can say for most.
Want a specific example?
Go to any online version of a column Lutz has ever written and scroll down to the comments. I guarantee there will be a bevy of downright hateful comment. Most will probably be personal attacks to Lutz himself and have nothing to do with the commentary.
After having Lutz in class this semester, it’s easy to see he doesn’t lose sleep over all the electronic hate mail. As a matter of fact, he doesn’t even read it.
Lutz has a wonderful job, at least for someone who loves sports. He knows he landed a pretty special gig. But no job deserves that type of harassment.
Lutz is no different than you and I. He has to pay bills and work for a living just like everyone else. Give the man a break. He’s just trying to make a living the best way he knows how.
If you disagree with some he says, which believe me is definitely possible, comment on his column in an honest and respectful way. You don’t have to personally attack the guy.
Mike Kennedy is recession proof
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
That should be the first words out of Mike Kennedy’s mouth if he should ever decide to ask for a raise.
As the Voice of the Shockers for the past 30 years, Kennedy has become as much a part of the Wichita State baseball team as the players themselves.
Along with longtime head coach Gene Stephenson, Kennedy is one of the few to personally watch generations of Shockers play at Eck Stadium.
After meeting with Kennedy up in his booth before a big game against K-State, one thing is for certain; his love for the game and for the Shockers is what makes him such an entertaining play-by-play announcer.
Yes, having all the technical aspects down, like a strong voice and proper diction, makes for a good career in radio.
Kennedy’s skills go far beyond that.
He has an uncanny knowledge for the game. Kennedy said baseball is a statistically driven sport, and he spends hours everyday digging and compiling those statistics to add to his plat-by-play.
As long as radio waves travel across the Plains, Kennedy will have a job as the Voice of the Shockers. Just ask longtime (and now retired) KU basketball commentator Max Faulkenstein, dedicated sports fans do not like change. Faulkenstien kept his gig for 60 years, and he stepped down when he felt it was time.
I believe Kennedy will be able to share that same opportunity, and it will not be any time soon.
Perry Ellis
Is he the next Barry Sanders? Or the next Korleone Young?
Is he the next big thing? Or the next bust?
No one knows what Heights sophomore Perry Ellis will be, but everyone sure does have an opinion.
There's nothing wrong with expressing an opinion, but when it is uninformed and based on brief instances, there's something wrong.
It's impossible to tell if Ellis will go and be a successful basketball player. My first question would be what is deemed successful for Ellis at this point?
By the end of middle school, Ellis had appeared on the cover of the Wichita Eagle, inside the pages of Sports Illustrated For Kids and countless other web sites hyping up the top recruit in the 2012 class.
Would just accepting a scholarship to a blue-chip program be enough? Clearly not. It's almost a given by now that Ellis will be playing for a national power. Nearly every top-10 program has, or will, offer him a scholarship. Everyone wants him. So just playing for a school won't suffice.
What about having a meaningful career, starting a handful of games his freshman season and recording solid statistics? Would it be enough to average 10 points and 5 rebounds his freshman season? Clearly not. Scouts have been raving about his ability to post up and score and also take his defender on the perimeter. He must be a star, then?
But what if he records a somewhat decent season-worth of stats and bolts for the NBA and the millions of dollars awaiting him after just one college season. This is what people are expecting. Anything less than the NBA and Ellis will be considered a flame-out.
Whether or not that is far is irrelevant. It's what Wichita will be expecting after four years of the hype machine while he is winning championships at Heights.
What most people don't know is Ellis has a solid support system at home with his parents. He ranks first in his class at Heights with a flawless 4.0 grade point average. He plays video games just like any normal 16-year-old.
The allure of the one-and-done season just doesn't seem to appeal to Ellis. That's easy to say now, though, before people are promising you to be drafted in the first round and guarantee you millions of dollars. But Ellis seems, right now, to want more than that.
It's too early to tell where Ellis will go to college, but academics certainly will play into the equation. While he may not make as much money in his major, Ellis will certainly consider the school's academic history while making his decision.
If Ellis goes to a prestigious school, graduates with a degree and earns All-America status for academics, it should be considered a successful career. It won't be, though. People will be interested more in the other All-American status and how Ellis performs on the court.
It's a shame that the hype will likely put near-unbearable amounts of pressure on the kid. But if anyone can handle it, Ellis' calm demeanor might be the best bet.
Fifteen years from now, people will look back and see a successful Ellis making a lot of money.
But whether he is making it in his career choice or the NBA will be the determining factor.
It shouldn't be that way, but his ultimate success will be.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
K-State Spring
So who is going to be the quarterback for K-State?
This seems to be the question that every friend that is a fan of an opposing team has been wanting to ask me lately.
It's like asking someone a question that you know has an embarrassing answer. I'll give you an example.
My friend dropped his phone in the toilet one night (may, or may not have been intoxicated). He went to AT&T the next day and asked them if he could get a new one, saying he dropped his phone in the sink. As the worker walked away, my other friend asked (a little too loud) "Where did you really drop it?"
Carson Coffman is the answer. Carson Coffman is the toilet. Carson Coffman is the answer that I really don't want to tell you, even if it's the truth.
Lawrence Taylor
When news came out early this morning about former NFL great Lawrence Taylor, I was disgusted. Taylor, if you didn't know, was accused of raping a 16-year-old girl in a hotel in New York. Taylor is now 51-years-old. That's 35 years of difference, ladies and gentlemen.
Innocent until proven guilty, of course, but the more details released as the day progressed, the more it sounded like he was going to spending some time with Prison Mike fearing dementors.
But the thing I was interested in was how many people make light of this terrible situation. Does that make it right, to make fun of someone in a case like this? It's a touchy subject when you first think about it, but I think many people won't feel as offended when the butt-end of the joke is an accused rapist.
So I got in on the action. I cracked jokes on Taylor's behalf all day, mostly ending with "Hi LT, I'm Chris Hansen from Dateline NBC. You wanna take a seat over there?"
Another one that made me laugh was a question Hansen might pose, "So LT, the girl said she was 16. Did you not see the flag on the play?"
Does everyone else find this funny, or is this in bad taste?
ESPN's 30 For 30
I've always loved the E-Ticket, a semi-regular feature-length story on ESPN.com. I just love reading good feature stories. I love reading them, I love writing them and I am fascinated in how other people go about writing them.
So I was pretty excited to hear that ESPN was starting a documentary series called 30 For 30. I don't know if any of you have ever seen them, or any one yet, but they are amazing. I can't get enough of them, all of them. And I think there are like 15 of them out right now.
I just watched the one called Run Ricky Run over Ricky Williams and his life story. If you haven't seen this, YouTube it and watch all six parts of it because it is one of the best things I have ever seen. It was so interesting to see the life path of Ricky while everything (weed, leaving the NFL) was going on.
The director had access to everyone in Ricky's life and took full advantage. The interviews made you feel like you were part of the story. They made you care about the outcome of Ricky Williams and I bet after watching, you will be a Ricky fan.
It is a truly inspiring series and is a great example of superb sports journalism.
NBA Playoff Basketball
I love NBA playoff basketball. I know that I am in the minority, but I just find this time of the year fascinating to watch. The rest of my friends...eh, not so much.
I always joke that I will wake them up for the last five minutes of the game because that is the only part of the game worth watching. I joke, but it really is true.
The first 43 minutes of a NBA playoff game are usually meaningless. Now when I say meaningless, I mean the teams are building up to peak at the end, so they are not exerting as much energy on offense, defense until the last five minutes of the game.
Certainly, a team can make a run and establish a comfortable lead in the first three quarters. But I can almost guarantee you the losing team will make a run at the lead and eventually bring it within a possession, tie or even take the lead. It's just a fact.
I enjoy watching the progress of the game and how each player is playing that night. I don't have a favorite NBA team, but for some reason I have watch nearly every game of every series religiously. I just have. Deal with it.
I know many people won't watch for the first 45 minutes of the game, so I'll be there when you tune in the last few minutes to tell you what you missed.
I Have A Dream
I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the start of the greatest miracle season in the history of our nation.
Two score years ago, a great American, in whose shadow we sit under at The K, signed the Kansas City Royals into existence. This historic decree came as a sense of hope to millions of fans exposed to the pains of mediocrity. It came as a joyous ray of light to end the long gloom of incompetence.
But forty years later, the Royals fan still is not free. Forty years later, the life of the Royals fan is still sadly crippled by the blind guesses of a clueless front office. Forty years later, the Royals fan lives in shame and is mocked throughout the land. And so we’ve come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.
In a sense we’ve come here today to cash a check. When the architects of baseball wrote the magnificent words of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, they were signing a promissory note to which every fan was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all fans, yes, Royals fans as well as those of the Evil Empire, would be guaranteed the “unalienable Rights” of “Hope, Faith and the pursuit of the Pennant.” It is obvious today that baseball has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her small-market teams are concerned. Instead of of honoring this sacred obligation, baseball has given the Royal fan a bad check, a check which has come back marked “insufficient funds.”
But we refuse to believe that the bank of David Glass is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of the Wal-Mart riches that he owns. And so, we’ve come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of the Yankees and the Red Sox and the security of re-signing our home-grown talent.
But there is something that I must say to my fans: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for victories by drinking from the cup of unfaithfulness. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline.
The Royals cannot win alone.
And as they win, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.
We cannot turn back.
Let us not wallow in the cellar of the standings, I say to you today, my friends.
And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the heart of every Royals fan.
I have a dream that the Royals, for the first time since “Lima Time,” will band together for a miracle run and give Royals fans everywhere something to cheer about…for the first time in 25 years.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and recognize the true brilliance that is Zack Greinke and he stand up and shun the big-market teams.
I have a dream that one day our lineup will be able to provide the support and security Zack deserves, and he will be able never again receive a no decision after allowing one run.
I have a dream that one day even ESPN, a network sweltering with the intense worship of the Yankees, Red Sox and Phillies, will be transformed into an oasis of Royals Nation.
I have a dream that the four new acquisitions will one day play in a league where they will not be judged by the name on the front of their uniforms but by the content of their statistics.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day Trey Hillman will play his best players, instead of the eldest.
I have a dream that one day Willie Bloomquist will never enter the game and Mike Aviles will receive sufficient plate appearances.
I have a dream that one day Yuniesky Betancourt learns what a walk is and somehow incorporates it in his offensive skill set, which has plenty of room for it.
I have a dream that one day Dayton Moore will explain what he was thinking giving Gil Meche $55 million dollars for a 9.89 ERA.
I have a dream that one day the name Kila Ka’aihue is known in every American household, and maybe even worldwide.
And if the Kansas City Royals are to be a great team, this must become true.
And so let victories flow from the fountains of the K.
Let victories flow from the newly-opened ceiling of Target Field.
Let victories flow from the winds of U.S. Cellular Field.
Let victories flow from downtown that surrounds Comerica Park.
Let victories flow from the mistake by the lake Progressive Field.
From every ballpark, let victories flow.
And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every city and every state, when the Royals shock the world with a miracle, when that dog pile forms on the mound on that chilly October evening, we will be able to see the day when all Royals fans, those dedicated for their life-time and those freshly on the bandwagon, will be able to join hands and sing in the words that every baseball fan dreams of saying:
Champions at last! Champions at last!
Thank God Almighty, we are champs at last!
Year of the Sex Scandal
Raise your hand if you love a good sex scandal?
It seems like everyone nowadays has been caught under the covers doing something, or someone they’re not supposed to.
Sex scandals have dominated the headlines, and sports sections of the newspaper have been no exception.
You can thank Tiger Woods and his bevy of mistresses for this one. Apparently, the Woods everyone knows and loves on the golf course is also the Woods everyone knows and loves in the bedroom.
What’s the count up to these days? Fifteen women? Twenty? Hell, Huffington Post has the count up to 121. No joke.
Anyways, the Woods/Stripper/Porn Star/Sex Rumpus saga has taken the average sex scandal to a whole other stratosphere, especially for sports.
What makes it so interesting is Woods’ clean cut and straight-laced image. It’s hard to imagine Woods having an outstanding parking ticket, let alone a sex addiction.
Woods isn’t the only popular athlete in hot water. Take Ben Roethlisberger for example.
Professional athletes make a boatload of money. With a lot of money comes a lot of attention, both good and bad.
So when Big Ben decided he wanted to hit the sauce at a college bar in Georgia, it didn’t go unnoticed.
Maybe Ben had a few too many drinks and got a little handsy. Maybe he didn’t. Either way, his late night/early morning stunt landed him a six game suspension and possibly his career.
Roethlisberger took the suspension without argument, which makes you wonder a little. You have to also remember this isn’t his first run in with a girl claiming he was a little too friendly.
Although these are completely different incidents with completely different outcomes, the basis is the same. Sex stories featuring big name athlete’s make for big news. Big news makes for big $$$.
Did you watch the Tiger Woods press conference? It was probably sponsored by Heineken.
The press conference was on every sports channel on cable. ESPN ran it on everyone of its channels and streamed up-to-date quotes from the press conference across the bottom of the screen. It probably had ratings hovering around the final episode of M.A.S.H.
The root of this problem goes far beyond an athletes fall from grace. It has to do with the news stations that find it necessary to continuously cover these events.
It’s almost a guarantee that Huffington Post, the Internet news sight that claimed Woods’ mistress count was up to 121, has a story on Tiger up on its sight right now.
It probably features quotes from someone named Porches, or Stormy, or whatever pornstars name themselves these days.
You can’t blame Woods for the downfall in society. Sex tapes existed long before Woods’ dad duct taped a putter to his hands, and he won’t be the last to make the mistake of hitting the record button when he wants to get frisky.
Blame credible news sources for going all TMZ on everybody and replacing real news with gossip.
The things we do to make money.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Los SUNS
Good for Robert Sarver and the Phoenix Suns organization for standing in solidarity with their Latino community and many others who oppose Arizona's new immigration law. With class, the Suns can represent their team and to the world make a political statement.
I'm sure there are supporters of the immigration law who are sports fans. I don't know how the law works with professional athletes playing in the USA that are from other countries, but one thing is for certain and that is there are a lot of athletes playing sports in America that are not from here.
I think the decision to wear the Los Suns uniform is the beginning of a joint effort among all athletes and will possibly extend past the world of sports. People look up to these professionals and I hope their positive stance on the issue will spark a following.
I'm sure there are supporters of the immigration law who are sports fans. I don't know how the law works with professional athletes playing in the USA that are from other countries, but one thing is for certain and that is there are a lot of athletes playing sports in America that are not from here.
I think the decision to wear the Los Suns uniform is the beginning of a joint effort among all athletes and will possibly extend past the world of sports. People look up to these professionals and I hope their positive stance on the issue will spark a following.
Mike Kennedy
Jammed in that tiny room high above Tyler field I gained a new perspective on baseball. I've never been in a press box, therefor I have never seen the stadium from that vantage point.It's incredible. I would love my job too if I covered baseball for a storied program like WSU and got to watch it from a spot like that every home game.
I never wanted to pursue a job in radio, or doing play-by-play, but I do remember pressing the mute button occasionally just to see if I could call the correct pitch thrown. I guess I don't have the patience. I would last about two batters, never a full inning or a half at that.I would call my own play-by-play in the drive way as I missed the game winning shot, but I don't recall interviewing myself after the fact. I'm sure I was too disappointed.
Mike Kennedy's profession seemed to start the same way, with the TV on mute. With a lot of hard work, a finding a home at WSU, he seems to have the job he was always wanted.
I really only listen to the play-by-play on the radio when I'm on the road, and I never thought about how much work it takes to call the game. Kennedy seems to be a hybrid of sorts, part scout part radio personality. As I looked through the windows into the other press boxes I saw the younger guys plugging their laptops in and munching on some pizza. Then I looked at Mike's desk. A few pieces of paper staple together, a line up taped on the wall, a microphone and a sweet view of the action below. Mike's an old school guy and he has a system that works.
I appreciated the pointers he gave us like being yourself, which makes up for a lack of voice or humor.
After leaving his office I was excited to watch the game. I used to go to games and watch about half of it. That day I was completely tuned and in my mind the TV was on mute.
I never wanted to pursue a job in radio, or doing play-by-play, but I do remember pressing the mute button occasionally just to see if I could call the correct pitch thrown. I guess I don't have the patience. I would last about two batters, never a full inning or a half at that.I would call my own play-by-play in the drive way as I missed the game winning shot, but I don't recall interviewing myself after the fact. I'm sure I was too disappointed.
Mike Kennedy's profession seemed to start the same way, with the TV on mute. With a lot of hard work, a finding a home at WSU, he seems to have the job he was always wanted.
I really only listen to the play-by-play on the radio when I'm on the road, and I never thought about how much work it takes to call the game. Kennedy seems to be a hybrid of sorts, part scout part radio personality. As I looked through the windows into the other press boxes I saw the younger guys plugging their laptops in and munching on some pizza. Then I looked at Mike's desk. A few pieces of paper staple together, a line up taped on the wall, a microphone and a sweet view of the action below. Mike's an old school guy and he has a system that works.
I appreciated the pointers he gave us like being yourself, which makes up for a lack of voice or humor.
After leaving his office I was excited to watch the game. I used to go to games and watch about half of it. That day I was completely tuned and in my mind the TV was on mute.
To Hate Like This Is To Be Happy Forever (Book Review #2)
When I first read this book as a sophomore in high school, I read it through the eyes of a sports fan. I saw myself as a mini-Will Blythe, an obsessed fan with unfiltered hatred for his team's rivals. I broke chairs, yelled at announcers who couldn't hear me, and forced my whole family out of the basement for whole days when my team didn't win. I was nuts, and I wanted to read a book from a person like me. Now, slightly more level-headed, I have read this book through the eyes of a writer. And, while most would say it's unorthodox, I would say Blythe's writing style makes for an excellent sports book.
One of the things that really struck me a lot the second time reading this book was the constant battle between the beast and journalist inside Blythe. The beast wanted to come out. After all, Blythe was a die-hard North Carolina fan attempting to chronicle the rivalry that he enthusiastically participated in. It ended up creating two personas for Blythe during the book. There are many times that the beast and journalist argue or have some type of dialogue. This symbolism of Blyhte's internal conflict is important because he could have left it out of the book altogether. Instead, he 'fesses up that there are times when his hatred gets in the way of his writing. I appreciate that admission.
In my second reading of the book, however, I did not like some of the almost sarcastic interviews Blythe did. For example, his meeting with the Buddhist monk about how his hatred might affect his reincarnation was bordering on ridiculous. His meeting with the pastor was equally as unnecessary. Those sections just seemed like filler and made it seem more like a book of humor for those pages, rather than a book with an actual point to it.
All in all, I'm glad I chose to go back and read this book again. It felt like I had never read the book before at all because I was looking at it from a different perspective.
Women in "Sports" or at least cheering for sports
I am passionate of just about any sport that I watch. I love everything about them. Baseball and football would have to be my top two favorites of all though. Nothing beats sitting at a ballpark on a beautiful summer day, watching my favorite team and chomping down on pickle flavored sunflower seeds.
What I also love about baseball is the fact that there are no cheerleaders or dancers. Baseball is purely baseball.
I have nothing against the cheerleaders or dancers. I was a college cheerleader so I feel they do try and give support and encouragement and just get fans excited to be at the games. Why I like that there aren't any of these spirit leaders is because I feel really sorry for them. The pressures that they have to endure to fit into a skimpy-next-to-nothing outfit is ridiculous.
The sad part about this all is that it is happening at our very own campus. The dance team recently held try-outs and some girls who had all the dancing background and a long history of dance didn't make it because they didn't fit the "look" aka: anorexic or even just size 2's and 4's. while some girls who had little to no dance experience got the spots because they looked like Barbies. I hate that women have to go through this and it's why I appreciate baseball so much because girls don't have to put up with this. And everyone seems to wonder why so many women have eating disorders and health issues...sheesh!
Baseball, the best sport there, with no pressures thrown out at women. Our all-America sport.
Bleachers Book Review
John Grisham stole my heart in his novel, “Bleachers”, chronicling the life of one coach who lost the game he loved so much with injury and to come back to some painful memories of his past. Grisham capturing the true and pure spirit of the game of football and illustrated it in the purest form. I loved this book and it has been my favorite book I have ever read.
This story follows Neely Crenshaw, who is also the protagonist of the story, whose life took a different path than expected when a knee injury ended his football career during his 2nd year at Texas Tech. His past comes back to haunt him as his Coach Rake, his high school football coach, passes on. Crenshaw is now faced with some old demons in his return to Messina.
Grisham really captured the essence of the relationship between Crenshaw and the former players by using flashback to really build up the climax and showcase this story. I don’t think the book would have been this effective and heartfelt without this technique.
Coach Rake affected Crenshaw the most after the falling out between them in the 87’ Championship game, after Rake struck Crenshaw. This one action stays with Crenshaw and haunts him through the rest of his life, carrying into his knee injury, wife leaving, and love-hate relationship with Coach Rake. Rake’s death is the first time that Crenshaw has had to come to terms with his past and face what has turned him into a bitter, lonely man.
My favorite part in the book was when Neely speaks at the funeral and really comes to terns in his speech with Coach Rake. Call me a softy, but it definitely brought tears to my eyes. I was rooting for Neely to have that closure with Coach and himself. I loved that he went back to talk to his old high school flame and mend things with her too. Neely grew, as a person by the end and it was fun to read about his transformation.
Bleachers is a book that I would definitely read again and recommend to anyone. This book can reach the most loyal football fan or even just a person looking for a good drama. Grisham gets an A+ in my book for this novel.
A secret code
Today, in another installation of Stuff Candice Never Would Have Thought About In Sports Had She Not Read About It: Baseball’s unwritten rules.
This article, a shorter version of a book, explains The ‘Code.’
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/The-Code-Ten-unwritten-baseball-rules-you-mig?urn=mlb,238853
There are apparently rules you follow—more courtesy for players and respect for the game than anything—that are not written down. Alex Rodriguez’s cut across the Oakland mound last month is one example of these rules. The article lists 10 others.
Among them, don’t swing at the first pitch after back-to-back home runs. Obviously the pitcher is going to be a little down. So the general rule is to give him a second to get back in the swing of things. This one I’ve actually heard, but the others I had no idea about.
One rule that I found most interesting were, when you’re hit by a pitch, you don’t let the pitcher know it hurt. These pitches can break bones or require surgery, and still, you’re not supposed to rub the area where you’re hurt.
Obviously this is some sort of manly proving yourself to the world thing, but I know I couldn’t do it. I’d bawl like a little baby.
Also, pitchers who are pulled should stay in the dugout until the end of the inning, at least, in order to show your teammates that you don’t think the game is already lost.
It’s an intriguing list, and an unofficial survey at The Sunflower found that even people who know sports and baseball didn’t know about these rules. Check them out.
This article, a shorter version of a book, explains The ‘Code.’
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/The-Code-Ten-unwritten-baseball-rules-you-mig?urn=mlb,238853
There are apparently rules you follow—more courtesy for players and respect for the game than anything—that are not written down. Alex Rodriguez’s cut across the Oakland mound last month is one example of these rules. The article lists 10 others.
Among them, don’t swing at the first pitch after back-to-back home runs. Obviously the pitcher is going to be a little down. So the general rule is to give him a second to get back in the swing of things. This one I’ve actually heard, but the others I had no idea about.
One rule that I found most interesting were, when you’re hit by a pitch, you don’t let the pitcher know it hurt. These pitches can break bones or require surgery, and still, you’re not supposed to rub the area where you’re hurt.
Obviously this is some sort of manly proving yourself to the world thing, but I know I couldn’t do it. I’d bawl like a little baby.
Also, pitchers who are pulled should stay in the dugout until the end of the inning, at least, in order to show your teammates that you don’t think the game is already lost.
It’s an intriguing list, and an unofficial survey at The Sunflower found that even people who know sports and baseball didn’t know about these rules. Check them out.
The Circuit
It's about 6 P.M. on a Friday night, and I'm sitting in the gym at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence. The only reason that I can find for being here is that I love basketball. When people asked why, as a college kid, I had decided to spend my weekend watching hoops in Lawrence, I had no real answer. I said that I'd been a volunteer assistant at a high school, and that a few of the players from that school were playing in this tournament; but that wasn't the whole reason I was there.
I guess I've always been intrigued by the AAU basketball scene. Teams with names like Fury, Playaz, Pump N Run, and Dream Vision go all over the country with rosters full of players looking to put their names out there. They want to play basketball at the college level. I'd heard lots of crazy stories about the AAU basketball circuit (a.k.a. The Circuit), and I just had to see what it was like for myself.
The Circuit is a funny thing. Gary Parrish, a college basketball/recruiting blogger for CBS Sports, tweeted about The Circuit, "Some stuff on the circuit is wild." Yes, it is.
It's midday Saturday, and I've already seen ten games over the course of the weekend. I've seen guys that are deemed to be future All-Americans and others who may never play basketball after high school. I've seen dunks, flops, fouls, awful calls (plenty), and scantily clad Kansas freshmen who take your money with a smile at the door. The 'recruiting experts' are packing these little gyms in droves. Lawrence High's auxiliary gym, if it can even be called that, is now standing room only to see the stars of tomorrow.
What's so crazy about all this? Well, those scantily clad girls who took my money are now running the scoreboard. Who knew such a task could be so difficult? The head coach of one team is sporting a white tee with shorts that would make anyone sing "Pants on the Ground." Half the crowd is cussing out the referee crew, while the other half is cussing out the other team's fans. And, after cussing out the refs, those same fans put on a smile, tug at their Kansas University polos and shout, "Perry, come to Kansas. Shabazz, we want you in Lawrence. Be jayhawks, you'll love it here!"
Off to the side, the Morris twins chat up the Kansas recruits after a sloppy game. Cole Aldrich pops his girlfriend's bra strap as he walks out of the gym and the recruiting gurus swarm their targets for the day. The coach of the losing team, a heavy favorite, smiles and jokes with a nearby fan. His smile tells the whole story: The Circuit isn't about winning. It's about the attention and exposure. It's about playing for yourself. And it's about the crazy things you hear and see when all you wanted to do was watch a few ball games.
Baseball becoming a no-hit game
“Baseball has become a game of catch between the pitcher and catcher more than ever before.”
An article by Tom Verducci on Sports Illustrated’s website (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/tom_verducci/05/04/contact.pitches/index.html) discusses how baseball has become less intriguing to audiences everywhere because pitchers have become so good.
This is something I never would have considered, though it makes perfect sense. Baseball is boring when all you do is walk and strikeout players. The contact with the bat and the ball is what really makes fans giddy.
Verducci says pitchers are not taking chances on easy hits, instead dabbling on the outside so teams don’t score up easy runs.
But this makes for boring baseball. Nobody likes it when boxers block all the punches; we want to see someone get hit. The same applies here.
He says another reason the game has become so ho-hum is the way hitting is taught. “Wait out the pitcher. Run up his pitch count. Swing early in the count only if the ball is in the middle of the plate. Take your walks. Teams don't swing at about 55 percent of all pitches.”
Teams aren’t taking any chances on strikeouts either. Teams are edging away from the record-breaking plays and are instead opting for the plays that might let them keep up with their opponents, and that makes for a less interesting, more snoozeworthy baseball game.
An article by Tom Verducci on Sports Illustrated’s website (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/tom_verducci/05/04/contact.pitches/index.html) discusses how baseball has become less intriguing to audiences everywhere because pitchers have become so good.
This is something I never would have considered, though it makes perfect sense. Baseball is boring when all you do is walk and strikeout players. The contact with the bat and the ball is what really makes fans giddy.
Verducci says pitchers are not taking chances on easy hits, instead dabbling on the outside so teams don’t score up easy runs.
But this makes for boring baseball. Nobody likes it when boxers block all the punches; we want to see someone get hit. The same applies here.
He says another reason the game has become so ho-hum is the way hitting is taught. “Wait out the pitcher. Run up his pitch count. Swing early in the count only if the ball is in the middle of the plate. Take your walks. Teams don't swing at about 55 percent of all pitches.”
Teams aren’t taking any chances on strikeouts either. Teams are edging away from the record-breaking plays and are instead opting for the plays that might let them keep up with their opponents, and that makes for a less interesting, more snoozeworthy baseball game.
Mike Kennedy reaction
Honestly, the only time I'd ever heard Kennedy before was as I radio surfed my way up and down the dial. His voice has been nothing but a series of blips, the in-and-out minutia one hears when they cannot decide on a station.
After hearing Kennedy speak, I realize that might have been a mistake of mine. The guy has a subtle passion about what he does, highlighted by the fact that he basically learned a sport, volleyball, in order to give WSU fans an intelligent breakdown of the game.
While there were many topics on which he touched, the one that has stuck with me centers on his opinion of the current great radio voices.
I grew up listening to Harry Caray both on the radio and television. After his passing, Pat Hughes took over for Caray on the radioside and the guy has proven to be one of the best in the biz. He has won numerous awards and he is widely considered as one of the top color guys. Kennedy, however, neglected to mention him. I understand this is a matter of taste; plus, who knows if he's ever even heard Hughes broadcast a game.
With that said, Kennedy did mention Jon Miller as one of the greats.
Oh please, no.
I detest Jon Miller and his self-indulgent tongue. Maybe it's my distaste for all things ESPN, but Miller is just the worst. the guy over enunciates every Spanish name, gets way too excited at the inconsequentialities, and half the time sounds like he's calling a game from a bottle of Johnny Walker. Check this website (awfulannouncing.blogspot.com) and look for some examples. There aren't just a couple.
So while Kennedy seemed like a pro's pro, I must respectfully disagree with his assessment of the best.
After hearing Kennedy speak, I realize that might have been a mistake of mine. The guy has a subtle passion about what he does, highlighted by the fact that he basically learned a sport, volleyball, in order to give WSU fans an intelligent breakdown of the game.
While there were many topics on which he touched, the one that has stuck with me centers on his opinion of the current great radio voices.
I grew up listening to Harry Caray both on the radio and television. After his passing, Pat Hughes took over for Caray on the radioside and the guy has proven to be one of the best in the biz. He has won numerous awards and he is widely considered as one of the top color guys. Kennedy, however, neglected to mention him. I understand this is a matter of taste; plus, who knows if he's ever even heard Hughes broadcast a game.
With that said, Kennedy did mention Jon Miller as one of the greats.
Oh please, no.
I detest Jon Miller and his self-indulgent tongue. Maybe it's my distaste for all things ESPN, but Miller is just the worst. the guy over enunciates every Spanish name, gets way too excited at the inconsequentialities, and half the time sounds like he's calling a game from a bottle of Johnny Walker. Check this website (awfulannouncing.blogspot.com) and look for some examples. There aren't just a couple.
So while Kennedy seemed like a pro's pro, I must respectfully disagree with his assessment of the best.
Book Review #2 - Moneyball
The second book I read for our class was Moneyball, written by Michael Lewis. The book covers the 2002 Oakland Athletics during the era where they remained competitive with large-market teams such as the Yankees and the Red Sox. The book delved into how such a small-town team could be competitive.
The answer? Sabermetrics.
General manager Billy Beane was ahead of his generation and used tons of advanced stats to further break down baseball players. While most of the teams in Major League Baseball still valued the common attributes, like batting average, runs batted in and stolen bases, Beane found other ways of measuring success.
He broke down the game even further. He looked at on base percentage, slugging percentage, average when runners are in scoring position. He developed a new set of defensive ratings that were used to measure a player's defensive value. It was such a different way to analyze baseball players that it wasn't accepted among the league.
Beane came along and thought outside of the box, while everyone else was confined to it. No one wanted to go against the olden ways, how everyone else did, so they got left behind. The A's thrived in identifying players no one else would have dreamed of taking in the early rounds of drafts. Beane prided himself in raising his talent through his own farm system, rather than signing expensive free agents in the off-season.
After the A's success, Beane's methods exploded on the scene and all of a sudden everyone wanted to examine stats in a sabermetric way. The playing field was evened, and now that's why the A's aren't as competitive as they once were. Because everyone is doing what they were doing 10 years ago.
It was an excellent penned book by Lewis, and I would strongly suggest it to any baseball fan out there. But be weary, there are lots of stats and it gets broken down pretty intensely. Still, I read it in a few days and it remains one of my favorite books.
Mike Kennedy Reaction
He's the voice of Wichita State and one of the most popular figures connected to Shocker Athletics. I grew up listening to his voice call WSU basketball games and have heard him so much, I could recognize his voice from almost anywhere.
But one thing...I had never seen Mike Kennedy.
He looked different than what I expected, but it was still pretty cool meeting with Kennedy and listening to him talk over what he does on the radio. It was interesting to hear his background in life and how he got started in radio.
I think I could relate to him when he started covering Shocker volleyball games, in terms of trying to learn the terminology and the integral parts of the game. I knew next to nothing about volleyball when the Eagle sent me out on my first WSU volleyball game, but I quickly picked up some terms.
It was interesting to hear that he does everything by hand. He puts together tons of notes before games and he does it all on sheets of paper, instead of on a lap top. I found that very interesting, and in some ways, limiting because you can't look stuff up on the internet if you need something else. You are confined to what you wrote down before the game started.
I don't really have any interest of advancing in the radio industry, so that part of the discussion didn't really intrigue me as much. But I do think I could apply some of what Kennedy said to news writing and how I write my stories, so it was still a pretty cool trip.
Joe Drape Reaction
This was the visit I had circled on our syllabus the whole semester. I couldn't wait to listen to the New York Times' Joe Drape talk to our class, and I didn't even care about what he said about the book. I was more interested in his career, how he got where he was and what to do to get there.
Drape is an example that I want to follow. All my life I've been working to get to that point, and it's going to be a long ways off, but it was the most interesting journalism person I've talked to in my life. I am still intrigued, in fact, that I will try to keep in contact with Drape through e-mail over time.
You can't ask for any better of a source to have than Drape. He's been through everything and knows the in's and out's of the newspaper business. I enjoyed speaking with him after class for awhile and it was encouraging to listen to him.
I haven't e-mailed him yet, because I'm waiting to finish a story I've been working on for over a month. I believe it's the best story I have written in my career, but it's controversial in nature so the Eagle and VYPE magazine have backed off running the story. After I finish penning it, I plan to send it to Drape and get his critique of it and see if I can get it published anywhere.
This was one of the most beneficial visits of the semester and in the future for this class, I think it would be awesome to book more big-time journalists like Drape to speak with the class.
3 TV Anchors
I remember laughing when I read other classmates' reactions after the three television anchors came to speak with our class. And they're right. Wow, what a depressing session for anyone wanting to go into television.
I think there is something to be said for Bruce Haertl's, Jim Kobbe's and Chris Frye's honesty, but man, they did a heck of a job squashing anybody's hopes of going into television. Haertl and Kobbe sounded like depressed old generation workers that almost hate their job to a certain extent. Frye was the up-and-comer, but complained of the amount of hours you have to put in.
After listening to those three speak, I'm glad I'm not wanting to go into television, I'll say that. I agree with them, however, when they said if you love sports and love what you do, then go for it. But they did a pretty nice job of making everyone re-think their stance on their future.
Besides that, it was by far the most entertaining visit of the semester. Speaking with Lutz got interesting at times, but listening to Haertl and Kobbe talk is always a fun experience. They both crack me up at times with certain things they do, but you have to respect them and all the hard work they've put in over the years.
But after speaking with the three of them, let's all pray for Chris Frye. Because it sounds like he's going to need it.
Lutz Reaction
I haven't blogged in forever, so I figured I should catch up on what has happened this semester.
Although it happened quite a while ago now, the visit with Wichita Eagle columnist Bob Lutz is still fresh in my mind. He seems to do that, always stick in your head.
I'm not really ever in the actual Eagle building, so I haven't talked extensively with Bob in the past. But I have talked to him enough to know he is a pretty funny guy and isn't afraid to stir things up. I've learned this more from his son and fellow Eagle writer, Jeff Lutz, who I am pretty good friends with.
I'm not old enough to remember how Lutz wrote when he was on an actual beat. I've just read his columns and he definitely has a specific voice and a way with words. He's one of the more under-rated columnists in the Midwest, I think, but he's not someone you would expect to see on Around the Horn anytime soon.
Lutz is probably one of the most polarizing figures in Wichita. People love to hate him; others agree with his words. Every sports fan has an opinion on him and whenever I introduce myself as a writer for the Eagle, that is usually one of the first things people reference - something about Lutz.
He's a very talented writer and it was entertaining to sit down with him and get a discussion going. I don't think I will ever be a columnist, so I couldn't take away too much. But since I read his writing so much anyway, I have probably taken away quite a bit from that.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Don't take me out to the ballgame, take the ballgame away.
It’s nights like tonight that I hate sports. Not because I don’t like to watch sports, not because I don’t understand sports, but because I don’t want to wait at the paper after all our news is done for one silly game.
The fall is my refuge, thankfully, because Wichita State doesn’t have football. Basketball season and baseball season make me cringe. I’m here panicking as our midnight deadline approaches and we are still waiting on stories to be finished and photos to be toned.
I sit in the dungeon that is the Sunflower office, with no windows. I never know the weather. The only way I know if a game has been rained out (or delayed because the lights went out — seriously?!) is by listening to the radio or TV.
You would think they could play earlier, wouldn’t you?
Not so fast, Candice.
There’s money in athletics, and there’s no money if nobody shows up to them now, is there?
Millions of dollars are likely not easy to give up for the media. The Eagle often has to push its deadlines back for sports. It’s funny that news rarely lets us miss our deadlines at the Sunflower (I say lets because it would be great to have some news that actually happened on a time-sensitive basis!).
Maybe someday I’ll have a job that will leave me singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” instead of cursing the sports industry, but for now, I want sports to stop ruining my early nights.
The fall is my refuge, thankfully, because Wichita State doesn’t have football. Basketball season and baseball season make me cringe. I’m here panicking as our midnight deadline approaches and we are still waiting on stories to be finished and photos to be toned.
I sit in the dungeon that is the Sunflower office, with no windows. I never know the weather. The only way I know if a game has been rained out (or delayed because the lights went out — seriously?!) is by listening to the radio or TV.
You would think they could play earlier, wouldn’t you?
Not so fast, Candice.
There’s money in athletics, and there’s no money if nobody shows up to them now, is there?
Millions of dollars are likely not easy to give up for the media. The Eagle often has to push its deadlines back for sports. It’s funny that news rarely lets us miss our deadlines at the Sunflower (I say lets because it would be great to have some news that actually happened on a time-sensitive basis!).
Maybe someday I’ll have a job that will leave me singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” instead of cursing the sports industry, but for now, I want sports to stop ruining my early nights.
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