NFL Partnering with sport in society.

Sport in society usually educates and supports emerging leaders and organizations within sports with the awareness of knowledge and skills to implement innovative and imapctful solutions for social change. In area as leadership, healthy development, diversity and inclusion, violence prevention, community building, community service and civic engagement. So when I heard about the NFL partnering with sport in society I thought that was really interesting. Boston, MA making an effort to ensure professional, inclusive working environments for its teams and personnel, the National Football League is partnering workplace-conduct program. Sport in Society is the world’s foremost authority in providing professional development and consulting for organizations that use sport as a tool to promote social responsibility.

Reaffirming the league’s commitment to professional conduct in the workplace, the NFL is instituting this training program to reinforce the social and moral responsibility of those who represent the NFL and make certain that this continues to be an integral part of the NFL culture.

N.Ha kin 332i S3200

North Korea Gymnasts Banned from 2012 Olympics

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) ruled that Hong Su Jong listed three different birth dates in registering for international competitions since 2003 until this year. This means that she would have been too young to compete in the 2004 Athens Olympics. Age falsification has been a problem in gymnastics since the 1980s. The minimum age was raised from 14 to 15 to help protect still-developing athletes from serious injuries in the 80's. Since 1997 however, gymnasts must turn at least 16 in the calendar year of an Olympics to be eligible. "The FIG's decision is a clear signal to those who would willfully disregard the current rules surrounding gymnast age," the FIG said in a statement. "The health of its athletes and respect for the law are among the International Gymnastics Federation's highest priorities." With that being said, last Friday the federation said it was effectively banning North Korea from any competition outside its borders until Oct. 5, 2012. In the ruling, Hong was also barred from national competitions and the North Korean federation also was fined $20,800. This kind of behavior shown from North Korea falls under over-conformity to norms, but in this case they are not playing through injury but through age. I understand where North Korea is coming from working in the gymnastics industry myself. I know that athletes peak at a young age in gymnastics due to their flexibility and strength but, at the same time, during a child's adolescence is when they are growing developing the most. I find it inconsiderate of coaches to not take that into account when they are trying to force their athletes into the Olympics.

Newton wins the Heisman

This past Saturday, Auburn's Cam Newton won the heisman trophy despite his stained story of the NCAA determining that his father tried to make him go to Mississippi State so he could get $180,000. However, the NCAA cleared him to play because they had no proof or any type of evidence that showed he or Auburn knew about his father's scheme. they're still investigating the story but Cam Newton has denied doing anything wrong. However, many are speculating that this story might just be a repeat like the one of Reggie Bush and that he may end up having to return his trophy. As far as right now, the only thing thaat has been done is that the NCAA has decided not to punich Cam Newton but to limit his father's access to Auburn athletics. His father was not in attendance at hte Heisman ceremony which stirred up a lot of talk but his father said it was simply because he did not want to "rob cam of this sacred moment". espite this investigation, it didnt keep voters from making their choice and making Newton one of the most voted players ever. My personal opinion is that as far as everyone is concerned the only one who did anything wrong in this situation is Cam's father. I don't think that Cam Newton should be robbed of his trophy just for what his father did. He earned that and despite arguments, he should be able to keep it. He worked hard and as long as his father has limited access it shouldnt happen again, also because its speculated that Cam Newton will easily be an NFL draft pick.

P. Macias Kin 332I

San Francisco Fog Rugby

San Francisco’s premier Division III club rugby team is a team known as the San Francisco Fog Rugby Football Club. The team boasts full men’s and women’s sides as well as being active in the community with the development of the Fog Lions Youth Rugby Team. The team has an impressive record and by all accounts seems like your typical men’s club rugby organization. However, there is one thing that sets Fog Rugby apart from almost all other clubs in the United States, and possibly the world. The vision of this club is to become “the preeminent rugby club in the world that actively pursues the participation of people of color, gay men, women, and other groups traditionally underrepresented in rugby” (SFFog.org). The club was founded by three former college rugby players who were unable to find a gay-friendly rugby club in their community. Having been a rugby player for nearly ten years, I will absolute attest to the fact that unfortunate as it may be, rugby is not a gay-friendly community. However, I feel this can be said just as much if not more in other men’s sports. I believe that what the SF Fog is doing can bring nothing but positive results not only for the rugby community but the sports community at large. Furthermore, the club actually competes fairly well despite preconceived notions about gay men and masculinity involved with rugby. The SF Fog is an excellent example of a group of people who saw what they felt was a problem with the sports community and took action to change it, rather than act victimized.
More about the fog @ sffog.org
Kin332I
Matt Kinsel 006912891

Dog Vs. Human

All this talk about Michael Vick...Michael Vick should be MVP, Michael Vick has had a phenomenal season, Michael Vick is being treated unfairly by the officials...The one remark that bothers me the most is "Michael Vick does not deserve to play football." Says who?! Who are we to judge? And how does a player's actions off the field differentiate them from the rest the world? Back in 2006, Vick was considered the most exciting player in the game by anyone who had ever laid eyes on him and his ability to kill a defensive strategy...Then the accusations of dog abuse surfaced. When the authorities realized they wouldn't be able to prosecute Vick on these "accusations" alone, they quickly turned to his "friends" to forcefully help them build a case against Vick. By 2007, Vick had been tried, ultimately accepted what he thought would be a plea deal, & escorted off to begin serving his time. The prosecution recommened 12-18 months for his crime of bankrolling a $34,000 dogfighting ring. His punishment: 12 months for bankrolling, and an additional 11 months for being "uncooperative"...Even though he copped the plea and proceeded with a confession. He lost his NFL contract and all lucrative endorsements, totaling what many believe to be around the $142 million dollar mark. Vick served his time, has been a stellar parolee, still does an enormous amount of giving back to the community including his new projects with PETA and other various animal rights groups; not even beginning to mention what he has done on the field. The man has become a model citizen. And still, he has no place in the league? After 23 months off, the average athlete would not even be in shape to play at the NFL level...And still the man does not deserve to be where he is?! As Americans, we are taught that this is the land of the free...the home of the brave...So when does it become okay for us to have abortions and that not be considered a premeditated murder against...get this...A HUMAN?! The child is living and breathing in the womb...The mother can go to any local Planned Parenthood and plan to have her baby killed, even if she is a minor and without her parent's consent! But there's no charge for this crime...The city even funds this murder for those who are considered "low income" individuals. So when does the crime against killing a human being become less harsh then that of an animal? Donte Stallworth...Back in 2008, struck a man and killed him while driving drunk in his 2005 Bentley. His sentence? 30 days in jail, 2 years on house arrest, 8 years probation (PROBATION, NOT PAROLE), 1,000 hours of community service and a lifetime driver's liscense suspension that will most likely be lifted sooner for good behavior (as if he doesn't need a driver when he's drunk anyway). He was suspended for the 2009 NFL season as well. He killed a 59 year old man with a family because he wanted to drink a drive his Bentley. Does Vick's punishment equal that of Stallworth's? Since when does a dog's life become more important than that of a humans? Stallworth served his time in all aspects and is moving on with his NFL career...Still, I hear no one even mention the fact that he does not belong on the field because he killed a human being~! Ben Roethlisberger...Prior to the 2010 NFL season beginning, Ben Roethliseberger found himself in the midst of yet his 3rd rape charge. Just like all of the other women who accused him in previous meetings with various police departments in the U.S., they gave their statements of how they were forced to have sex with Ben and that his entourage of "big bodyguards" set these women up to be alone, and only let Ben get to them to take advantage...And just like all of the rest, this 3rd charge has also been dismissed with no tests being ran or evidence collected by officials in an attempt to prosecute this man that is repeatedly degrading women and getting away with it. The NFL suspended him for 6 games...Nothing compared to the emotional trauma and lack of self worth that these women will suffer because of what Ben has put them through. They go back home, only to be ridiculed and publicly humiliated in their own city; just for coming forward and speaking out against a man who is doing the wrong thing. So when does it become okay to take what you want from a woman and never see the inside of a jail cell, but you must serve 23 months for the death of a dog? At Michael Vick's sentencing, the judge told him that he should apologize to the millions of fans and especially the children around the world who looked up to him. Officials at Virginia Tech even considered tearing down the building that he funded. Of course, they take all of that back now...But what message are we sending to the public (especially our children) when millions of Americans abort/kill humans everyday and players like Stallworth and Roethlisberger can get away with the murder and rape of a human being? What do you think?
Kin 332I
008566452

Jets Assistant Coach Banned

New York Jets assistant coach Sal Alosi was suspended for the remainder of the season, including playoffs, and fined $25,000 by the team. Alosi tripped Dolphins player Nolan Carrol, who has broken his right leg twice, causing the medical staff to come out and treat him. Alosi was emotional during after being interviewed about the incident and took full responsibility. Carol said that he wasn't mad, but his teammates went off on Alosi. This incident is going to stir up a lot of controversy. This season the NFL has been fining players for helmet to helmet hits and players felt that Alosi's punishment wasn't enough and I agree because he could have ended Carrol's career. As a coach and a leader, it was a classless act and an unfortunate one for him because he's going to be remembered as the coach who tripped the player and players, as well as fans, will be considering the Jets as a dirty team.

Mondo T
Kin 332I Sec 3017

Favre's Legacy

Tonight for the first time in two hundred and ninety seven NFL games, Brett Favre couldn't tie his cleats and step out on the field with his teammates. This streak that started in 1992 when I was only three years old. Five years after his first start, he was the starting quarterback in Superbowl XXXI. This game was where I found an identity as a football fan and the Packers' were my team. Thirteen years later I'm still a Packers fan and I witnessed history as Brett wasn't the starting quarterback for the rivals Minnesota Vikings. Not only is he missing tonight's game, but has a chance to not play for the rest of the year due to the severity of his shoulder injury. The guy played through almost every imaginable injury, but couldn't get himself fit enough. His desire and love of the game is never questioned, at his age he shouldn't even be allowed to get tee'd off by some of the defensive linemen in the league, but his passion willed himself for another season. I dispised Favre when he left Green Bay and moved onto Jets and now the Vikings. It was a complete slap to the face as a fan. (For Yankee fans, it's like Jeter moving forward and is playing shortstop at Fenway against your rivals) Emotions aside, Brett Favre has given not just me, but millions of other football fans excitement through his streak. I hope the turbulent social side of his life with his incident with a woman in the Jet's organization and him moving to different teams hasn't soiled his legacy. He is a top ten quarterback of all time and I've enjoyed his time greatly.

Steve C.
kin 332I.S3200

How Do You Fire Your Friend?

Yesterday, Dec. 12, at the Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets game in East Rutherford, NJ there was a clear act of disobedience and foul play. During the third quarter on a Jets punt return, Sal Alosi, the Jets' 33 year old strength and conditioning coach stuck out his knee just enough to trip Dolphins' cornerback Nolan Carroll running down the Jets sideline. Carroll was an outside coverage man on the play and was completely defenseless to the trip. He stayed down in pain for a second until medical personal came to his aid. Carroll eventually made it to the bench with assistance from the training staff, and eventually made it back into the game in the fourth quarter. Conveniently for Alosi, he was escorted secretly away after the game avoiding the media and questions about his act of foolishness. The Jets continued to "play dumb" about the incident after the game, however Alosi did apologize through a statement later. Now there is a clear line between gaining an edge and pushing the boundaries of the rules, and he clearly crossed it. To interfere with play and almost injure a defenseless player is a clear act of disobedience. Punishment, which will clearly be handed down from the NFL, will be the topic of discussion for the next coming week. But what I find particularly interesting is what the response will be from Jets management and Chairman/CEO Woody Johnson. I'm sure Johnson and Alosi have some sort of relationship. The two must have spoke for awhile at some time and Johnson must like him if he appointed Alosi head of strength and conditioning. The Jets wound up losing the game 10-6 (karma if you ask me), and I'm curious as to if Johnson can fire Alosi. He must since the act was clearly an infraction of protocol and judgement of character. To be honest this is the last thing the New York Jets need right now coming off back to back losses, and Johnson is in an extremely unenviable position. How do you fire a personal friend of yours? If you don't your own personal character will be in question. Honestly, how do you fire a friend?

M. Howard

Kin 332I, S3200

Michael Vick's Return to Popularity

We all know about the terrible things Michael Vick has done in his past. These charges of animal cruelty quickly made Vick one of the top hated athletes in all sports. After serving his time in prison, Vick proclaimed himself ready to return the world of professional football. Many protests erupted causing many teams to be hesitant in signing this free agent with all of the baggage which came with him. It seemed as if the fans were not ready to forgive Vick and accept him as an NFL quarterback.

Eventually the Philadelphia Eagles signed Vick and due to trades and injuries, Vick found himself as a starting quarterback once again. Taking advantage of his opportunity, Vick has put up MVP worthy numbers and is leading the Eagles to the playoffs.

All of a sudden, Vick’s popularity has risen. Most likely due to the fact that he is having a phenomenal year so far. I find it interesting that because of his on-field success, the fans around the league are more willing to accept him and forgive his actions of years ago. Last year as a member of the Eagles, Vick hardly saw any playing time, and remained one of the most hated athletes. This year as a starting quarterback, he is cheered and admired. Which leads me to question, have the fans truly forgiven him? Or is the fact that he is performing at a high level allowed the fans to forgive him?

-Brian Cordeiro

Kin 332i Tu/Thur 12:30 - 1:45

Should Rene Portland's Awards be Taken Away

Rene Portland coached women’s basketball at Penn State University for twenty-seven years. There is no doubt that her skills as a basketball coach on the court are excellent, but what she demands of her players is cause for concern.

For many years leading up to her resignation, rumors floated around about Rene Portland banning all lesbians from her basketball team, and all players from associating with lesbians. From this, Portland created a hostile and intimidating environment for any homosexuals wishing to openly express their sexual orientation.

Clearly breaking discrimination laws, Rene Portland was awarded numerous coaching awards throughout her career including coach of the year in 2003 and 2004. If Reggie Bush has been stripped of his Heisman Trophy award for breaking rules and not following the policies in place, I believe that Rene Portland should also have her awards questioned. A coach is a person who helps guide athletes not only on the court, but through life. Undoubtedly Rene Portland understood the game of basketball very well, but failed to accept players who had beliefs differing from her own.

-Brian Cordeiro

Kin 332i tu/th 12:30 - 1:45

Youth Sports and Deviance

This past Saturday I attended the Mega Bowl for my nephew’s football team, the Corona Chargers. This was the biggest game of the season and my nephew was excited to play. But a week prior to this game my nephew rolled his ankle. It was badly swollen and he was unable to walk on it. On the day of the game my nephew suited up to play, he and his father agreed that he was ready. Fortunately, his defensive coach thought otherwise because he wasn’t able to do one of the drills, due to his ankle. In the end the team lost.

At home, after the game, both my nephew and his father displayed a lot of sports ethic. My nephew gave me every excuse for why he was ready to play. I’m really glad that his coach didn’t let him play because I didn’t think he was ready- he was still limping. The most amazing thing to me is how my nephew’s father reacted to the game. He also thought that his son was ready to play. He said that they should’ve let him play. I told him that I thought otherwise and he gave me a sour look. And when I said that he could have injured his ankle, he said aggressively that would not have happened (As if to say his son was invincible).

I’ve seen this overconforming before in my nephew and his father but, it was much more heightened in this high stakes game. It was really interesting to see.

Ann Marie Evidente

KIN 332I

T/Th 12:30

homosexuality in sport

Gareth Thomas is one of the greatest rugby players in the world. He played for the Welsh rugby union team for 12 years in which he played 100 games, and currently the Welsh rugby league team. In the rugby world, Thomas is one of the greats and even a legend. Gareth Thomas is also gay. According to Sports Illustrated, as of June 12, 2010, he is notably the only professional male athlete in a team sport to be openly gay. To be a male athlete you have to be "macho" and by no means can you be gay. Even in women's sports no one wants to hear that someone is gay. In the film "training rules" we saw what homophobia does in sport. It creates divisions between groups and even ruins lives. America, even the rest of the world, has not been ready to accept homosexuals into sports. In men's sports there is even less acceptance. Rugby is what most would call a "macho", or even barbaric sport. How could it not be? Big, powerful men hitting each other without pads. Gareth Thomas is no different. Prior to coming out, no one would have expected Thomas to be gay. He was big, strong, and an amazing athlete, but as he said "what I choose to do when I close the door at home, has nothing to do with what I have achieved in rugby." Just because he is gay, has no impact on his achievements. He has hidden his homosexuality for dozens of years and he still accomplished everything he did when he was "straight." In the UK he was voted the most influential gay person and in October 2010, he won the Stonewall's Hero of the Year Award, which celebrates the person with the most positive impact in Britain's LGBT community. If a man, that is a british and rugby wide icon, is able to achieve so much, especially as an openly gay male athlete, why is there so much homophobia in sport? He could never accept being gay "because [he] knew that [he] would never be accepted as a gay man and still achieve what [he] wanted to achieve in the game". Homophobia is a mind set that America is stuck in. As a society, we are scared to accept anything that is different, regardless if it is better or worse. Different is different and change is scary. But if more athletes like Thomas, show they can achieve the same goals a straight male athlete can, why should we hold them back. In the long run, everyone wants to win. I would rather have a homosexual teammate that is more talented and a better teammate, then a straight teammate that does not have the same potential, but to pick him purely because he is straight. Is player not reflected by what he or she does on the field? Or is he or she reflected by their personal life? What a player achieves on the field is no reflection of their orientation, it is a reflection of who they are as an athlete.

Geoff Pound

Kin 332i, S3017

Cal-Berkeley Cuts 5 Athletic Programs

Recently, sports writer for the Los Angeles Times Joe Drape has brought to light that the University of California, Berkeley, will be eliminating five of its intercollegiate sports programs. This is a controversial move because the budgets of academic departments are being cut severely while sports that lose money are still being supported. The university will be saving an estimated $4 million a year from cutting both men’s and women’s gymnastics, women’s lacrosse, and men’s baseball along with rugby. These cuts will have a dramatic impact on 163 student athletes and 13 coaches. Relating this article to the issues in the book, it can be seen that much of the funds made available for intercollegiate sports are being miss-managed. Athletic programs like football are receiving more money even though only 14 of the 120 programs in the Football Bowl Subdivision made profits in the 2008-9 year. Author Joe Drape also reveals that despite this lack of profit, programs in the Football Subdivision have increased their spending by almost 11 percent over the previous year. Similarly, the chapter on intercollegiate sports discloses that college football programs may be the main cause for many issues in sport like gender inequality. It was found in the book that although football and basketball receive sufficient funds due to television rights fees to boost women’s sports, the recent dramatic increase in expenses has not made this possible. Many of the schools with the largest gender inequalities are the ones with football programs. If intercollegiate football was organized and operated correctly, many of these problems could be avoided. Requiring all football teams to have the same budget limits and demanding expense ceilings for all FBS and FCS teams are easy ways to achieve gender equity in college sports. However, this is not likely because most football teams require a roster of 85 + players. “Football is the S.U.V of the college campus: aggressively big, resource-guzzling, lots and lots of fun and potentially destructive of everything around it” (Sokolove, 2002, p. 508). Why are so many universities considered nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations if their sports programs do not require an open and demographic educational experience? If this is not made possible, shouldn’t academic departments be treated like other businesses that are dependent on the advertisement and profit needs of private companies?
Jeff Miller
KIN 332I Sec. 3017

The Sport Deviance of Hazing

On Tuesday November 23, HBO sport series, “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel,” did a story about marching bands in historic black colleges. They wanted to expose that brutal hazing even happens in this extracurricular activity. They focused on Southern University and Jacksonstate University. Southern University’s Legarian Bridgewater was interviewed about hazing in his marching band. He admitted that upperclassman would repeatedly beat new freshmen with wood boards and it could range from one month to several months. Legarian had to go through it until the end of his freshman year. The severity and length of punishment all ranged by marching section of the band. Once Legarian was an upperclassman he could not wait to haze the new freshman. He said it was being “like a vampire looking for blood.” One of the freshmen that Legarian and his band mates hazed was Marcus Heath. He was beaten so bad that he was hospitalized to the point where we couldn’t walk, on a ventilator, and his kidneys had stopped working. Legarian had stated that he was “getting back at what they did the year before.” The night of the beating of Marcus, Legarian said he was “caught in the moment and didn’t want tradition to die.” He said that hazing “builds commodore” and is a “brotherhood.” He said that they “play the same instruments together, ate together, study together, and hit together.” Legarian and six other were eventually prosecuted. Over the last fifteen years, only twenty members of Southern University’s band had been arrested for violent hazing and countless other have been expelled from the band. What is interesting is that those members are never expelled from the school, just the band for a period of time. The band as the whole is never punished either. They still want to compete, so they only suspend certain member of the band. Schools now, however, make all band members sign an SU marching band anti-hazing contract. The problem is that it still continues to be a “normal part of the experience” of being part of a team. Back in the semester during one of class activities, the class was asked if hazing was unacceptable under any conditions or was accepted as a part of sport tradition. The class pretty much split fifty-fifty on this concept. We all have our interpretation of deviance in sport and what is considered the sports “norm.” I was on the side against hazing in any form. It was interesting to see how many people thought otherwise and I’m sure they thought that too when they saw how many people weren’t on their side. Deviance in sport needs to be recognized and people need to be educated about it. Thanks to this program, the sport deviance of the action of over conformity and hazing made more people aware of what’s happening in our school system and our athletics.


For a short clip from the interview of Legarian Bridgewater, copy and paste the url into a new browser.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_kd4JrXpB8




T. Richmond
Kinesiology 332I, Sect 3017

Brett Favre Over-conforming

I recently read an article of Brett Favre playing with multiple injuries that sparked my interest. In week 8, against the New England Patriots, Myron Pryor who plays defensive end for New England tacked Brett Favre who was left with a laceration on his chin. Favre needed 8 stitches to close the cut and was interviewed later saying that he planned on playing in week 9. This alone is over-conforming to norms in sports but this was not all that was wrong with the All-Pro quaterback. Favre was later quoted saying, "I have a broken foot. I have eight stitches in my chin. I've had tendinitis in my elbow, but I threw it as well as I have all season." Playing with this many injuries is ridiculous, let alone that he is over 40 years old. Favre has been doing this his entire career, never missing a start since his first start. This is a perfect example of over-conformity.


Levi L.
kin 332I.S3200

Bigger, Faster, Stronger

In the documentary "Bigger, Faster, Stronger*", Chris Bell discusses the controversies covering performance enhancing drugs and the impact they create on our society. He created a non-biased approach to such a sensitive issue and really opened my eyes to both pros and cons of enhancers. Bell outlined performance enhancers using interviews with anyone and everyone associated with making, taking, or protesting enhancers. He begins discussing the effect that society’s ideologies about muscular, fit bodies have on us and the lengths that people go to achieve it. Bell also goes beyond typical enhancers and America’s view steroids, to observing cheating and enhancing your body in non-drug forms. As kids, we are always taught that steroids are bad, extremely dangerous, and should never ever be used. We are being told this, while many of our parents, teachers, coaches, or peers, smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol excessively, and abuse other drugs, which from a mortality stand point, are far more dangerous the anabolic steroids or other enhancers. On the other hand, he shows us that enhancers do also have their side effects as shown by Greg Valentino, who used anabolic steroids to the point that he is disgusted by his own image. While I myself have moral issues with using anabolic steroids or other enhancers, Bell really makes you step back and think about the pros and cons, and you ask yourself, what is REALLY wrong with performance enhancers?

Geoff Pound

Kin 332i, S3017

European Futbol Debt out of Control

The National football league in the United States can’t compare to the financial debt in European Futbol leagues. This article covers mismanagement in European futbol club teams and an economic collapse among European soccer clubs. An example in this article was based on Spain’s top soccer club Real Madrid. Both the teams find themselves broke and in huge debt. Real Madrid is responsible for the two most expensive transfers ever in 2009, bringing in Kaka for $86 million and Cristiano Ronaldo for $123 million. And it was broke when setting the previous transfer records, buying Luis Figo for $57 million in 2000 and Zinedine Zidane for $71 million in 2001. To confiscate for this money spending addiction for the tops players in the world, Real Madrid sold a huge downtown training complex to the city of Madrid for $445 million dollars. This is despite the fact that they make an estimated $500 million annually from endorsements and TV time, yet the team debt is $414 million, according to the club's 2008-09 financial report. This is clear example that club teams must global market their team logo and players to make up for their debt. Sometimes the economy will financially suffer, yet sports club still find the means to pay millions to men that chase a ball.

Juan Valencia

Kin 332I Sec.3017

Lebron & Michael Vs Muhammad Ali

In class last thursday we watched a film about how players can make an impact on any important matter that affects our world today such as gay and lesbian playing sports or racial matters. Back in the 1960's Muhammad Ali was at the top of the boxing world during a time when the Civil Rights Movement was at its peak. Instead of standing by and not saying a word because you might hurt someones feeling Ali stood up for what he believed in and never backed down. However in todays world Lebron James and Michael Jordan had a chance to be like Ali but were to afraid they would step on people's toes and there would be backlash. In an interview Lebron James said he would hope to become like Muhammad Ali, he wants to be the richest and most powerful athlete in the world. However Muhammad Ali of course made himself made in the boxing arena but also in the Civil Rights arena. We remember Muhammad Ali for what he did for the African American people. Lebron James and Michael Jordan still have a long ways away to becoming like Muhammad Ali.

Mallori T.
Kin332I, S3200

Dodgers Ownership Case

There has been an ongoing case between Frank McCourt and Jamie McCourt for the ownership of the Dodgers. Their divorce has led to Jamie's pursuit of full ownership of the team. Many people question her actions because they believe that it was a selfish act in order to get back at Frank. Just recently a Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled shared ownership, meaning that Frank and Jamie will have to spilt the ownership of the Dodgers. This has angered a lot of the Dodgers followers because they are concerned with the wellbeing of the team. The fans are mostly anguished because they do not know how good of a owner Jamie will be, they question her integrity for the game. This could be primarily because she is a female. The only reason I would question her ownership would be because she was never as involved as Frank. This issue can relate to social class. The battle for the ownership of the team is between two wealthy people, one of whom doesn't take into consideration the wellbeing of the team or those below them; meanwhile the people at the bottom such as the players, coaches and trainers do not know how they are going to affected. Is Jamie's action justified? Is the questioning of Jamie's ownership by the fans due to sexism or is there truth to their comments?

Gaspar Pascual
Kin 332I Sec 3017

Welcome back Lebron

This past Thursday, Lebron James, a small forward for the Miami Heat, made his first return to Cleveland to play his old team, The Cleveland Cavaliers. Since making the decision to "Take his talents to South Beach", James has been widely criticized for betraying and disrespecting the Cavalier organization, team and fans. Leading up to the most anticipated game of the year, the world wanted to know: Would Lebron be able to deal with the pressure? How would the fans react? Would Cleveland prove that they don't need him? Normally, a hometown legend would be greeted with a standing ovation; however, on this night, the former "King" was booed every time he touched the ball and insulted with numerous signs. The Miami Heat dominated throughout the game. While the pressure of the game rested on James' shoulders, he turned in a Michael Jordan-like performance (38 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists) while sitting out the entire fourth quarter. After the game, James walked off the floor a professional, who just stepped up to the pressure and schooled his former team. This game proved to me that Cleveland needed Lebron more than Lebron needed Cleveland. It was incredible to see Lebron play tremendously well. There was plenty of hype going into the game, but it didn't even seem to faze Lebron. I wonder what was going through his mind before, during and after the game. How did he compose himself in a professional manner in one of the biggest games of the season?

Kimiyo Harada
KIN 332I Section 3017

NBA Lockout is Probable

For the past year or so, the NBA and the NBA players' association have been in the process of negotiating for a new collective bargaining agreement. The current collective bargaining agreement expires beginning the summer of 2011 and things are looking like that there will be a lockout. Both sides of the matter, represented by the NBA players' association director Billy Hunter and commissioner David Stern, agree to the fact that there has been little or no progress in coming to any possible agreement.

The league is proposing that the main issue is the players' salary. Commissioner Stern and team owners are calling for a reduction in players' salary of about 700-800 million dollars next year and are also pushing for a harder salary cap that presents no exceptions that the current agreement allow. The deal Stern is trying to achieve guarantees each team owner an annual profit of at least 10 million dollars. Director Billy Hunter states that the players will not strike, but if the owners decide to lock them out, then let it be.

Hunter suggests to all of his players now to begin saving their money because they are not guaranteed a job for the next basketball season. If no deal is met, or no signs of progress come by the February all-star break, it will be because the player' believe the cuts are completely unfair. I cannot imagine a whole season of no NBA games on the television. I say, give the players their money and let them play for the entertainment of the fans! What do you guys think?

Patrick Tabora

kin 332I.S3200

No Love For Lebron

December 2nd, 2010 was Lebron James' first return back to Cleveland before he decided to leave for Miami and join Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade to make an All-Star team. Thursday night, Lebron James faced his former fans at Quicken Loans Arena. Everyone knew what Lebron was to expect from this. Cleveland fans showed no love to him as he made his entrance to his old home. Rather than the old tradition of boo-ing at Lebron, fans have decided to start a new form of down-grading him and thats by laughing at him. From now own whenever Lebron has the ball in the first quarter, fans will chant, "No Ring-King" and in the 3rd quarter they will chant, "Traiii-tor, Traiii-tor". There are also webites of former fans that have decided to try and keep him [Lebron] out of the All-Star game in February. The website is called Keeplebronout.com. The website encourages people to vote for other players that play the same position as Lebron. These fans have gone a long way to make sure Lebron knows where he is not wanted. Lebron made a decision to no longer continue his career in Cleveland and those fans need to deal with it. The NBA is not only a game but it is also a business and players make decisions for themselves and what will help them with their future not the future of the fans.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/thelife/news/story?id=5872888

Lenore Moreno
KIN: 3321 Section 3017

Caloric Intake Matters

The movie Supersize Me got everyone in an uproar about how bad McDonalds is for an individual's health. And yes, it may not be the best choice out there. It showed the maker of the documentary gaining weight and his LDL (bad cholesterol) levels shoot thru the roof.
A professor of nutrition studies at Kansas State University stated that the documentary makers health problems had more to do with the caloric intake rather than the actual diet he chose. The Supersize Me guy was eating about 4000 calories a day.
By proving this he went on a 10 week diet of primarily twinkies (other snack/junk foods, multivitamin, and protein shake), but only consumed 1800 calories per day. The "average" for an adult is 2000. He ended up losing 27 pounds and his LDL went down 20% and his body fat percentage went from 33.4% to 24.9%.
In no way is an all twinkie diet a healthy choice, but it was just to prove the point that caloric intake beats foods being eaten.

I had trouble posting a link to the article, but if you're interested in taking a look just type in twinkie diet into google.


Zac Brookman

US loses to Qatar for 2022 World Cup host

http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=ap-wcupbids

The United States has lost to the Middle East country of Qatar for the host of the 2022 World Cup. Many issues surround this decision, including corruption allegations among the voting committee. Qatar is an "oil-rich nation" in the Middle East, smaller than Conneticut, with degress in the summer peaking around 130. The question is raised why exactly this country was chosen not only over the United States, but other bidding countries such as Australia, Japan, and South Korea. The United States hoped to win the position of hosting in order to boost the steady growth of soccer throughout the country.
Many Americans believe that corruption was the key to Qatar winning the bid. Former U.S. national team star Eric Wynalda even went as far as to say that Qatar won because they have "oil and natural gas." Whether or not this is true, the country will have to spend over $50 billion to accomodate new stadiums. There is also a huge problem with the overwhelming heat that will be present at the time of the World Cup.
Supporters for the Qatar World Cup believe that this will help the Middle East "dissolve misconceptions." Supporters also hope that the World Cup in Qatar will end the belief that women are facing oppression in the Middle East.
This is the second time recently that the United States has lost a major bid. The US lost to Brazil for the 2016 Olympics host. The US will also have to wait until at least 2026 to try to win the position of host for the World Cup. However, they will most likely have to compete against soccer powerhouse England for the spot, which does not look like a successful outcome.

Allison Evans
Kin 332I.S3200

NFL vs Hines Ward

Recently I read a story on yahoo sports about Hines Ward who is the wide reciever for the Pittsburgh Steeler saying the NFL needs to clarify what an illegal hit is. He says it could cost a team a game if the referee could make an incorrect call just because he is afraid of getting in trouble. This is definitely something that is important because an illegal hit could cause someone to become paralyzed. Another thing that is interesting is the big issue is players hitting the wrong way or illegally hitting someone so it causes them to become paralyzed. Well just by players are now being flagged for an illegal hit a hit that is perfectly legal could cause someone to become paralyzed. Its just about how the players body reacts to the hit because the simpliest hit could end a player career. The NFL needs to make a decision on how they are going to deal with the whole illegal hits because for me as a spectator its taking away for the game. Its called a contact sport for a reason

Mallori T.
Kin 332I S3200