Jason Ferguson of Miami Dolphins, suspended

Free agent Jason Ferguson of the Miami Dolphins was recently suspended for the first 8 games of the 2010 season for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances. Ferguson, who tested positive for marijuana in his scouting combine in 1997 followed by a suspension just two years after in 1999 for anabolic steroid use, defended himself by saying, "People are thinking I'm a drug addict or something like that, and that's ridiculous... I read bottles and I know steroids. I didn't take no damn steroids." Because no further details were released regarding which specific NFL policies were violated and to what degree, it is difficult to assess Ferguson's fault and liability. Still, I trust that the NFL is and will continue to appropriately administer its penalties and/or fines. However, I don't believe the NFL is doing all that it can to prohibit steroid or other illegal performance-enhancing substances from the league. Perhaps more frequent and thorough testing combined with more severe penalties, the NFL can help rid of illegal substances from the game for good.

Joseph Park
KIN332i Sec. 2

Is it Realy Safe?

Before the 2010 Olympic Winter Games started, tragedy struck at the Luge track. Athlete Nodar Kumaritashvili of the Republic of Georgia lost control of his sled near the end of the training run while traveling near 90 miles per hour. Kumaritashvili was thrown off his sled over the short ice-covered concrete wall and slammed into a vertical support beam that holds a canopy. Medics arrived instantly and Kumaritashvili was pronounced dead at a hospital nearby. The accident raised many questions about the safety of the track. Officials have said the track was perfectly safe and that Kumaritashvili is to blame for the accident, not the track. If the track was safe then why did official move the starting line closer to the finish line? The gaps, between the beams where Kumaritashvili was thrown through, where covered up with plywood. By moving the starting line closer and closing the gaps contradicts the statement that the track was safe. It seems like the Olympic officials are passing the blame to Kumaritasvili. The Olympic officials should admit the track wasn’t safe and face the music.

Magdaleno Ponce
KIN 3221 Sec. 2

Noche Latina returns to the NBA

The NBA is bringing back Noche Latina for its fourth season throughout March. The Hispanic marketing campaign will feature nine U.S. Hispanic markets in Los Angeles, Miami, Phoenix, San Antonio, Dallas, Chicago, Houston, New York, and Orlando. The NBA hopes to highlight the impact the leagues Hispanic players and to connect with the Latino fan base. Players such as Paul Gasol love this idea because the arenas are filled with Latin themed activities such as music, performances, and giveaways. The NBA uses this special month to reconnect and thank the Hispanic fans for their support, which makes up 15 percent of the NBA’s fan base. Eduardo Najera believes it’s a great idea for more Latinos to watch us and to open doors to more Latino players in the NBA. Other NBA players such as Robin Lopez of the Los Suns likes the idea because it will bring more international attention to the NBA and bring more international players from South America to try and participate in the NBA. Personally I believe this is a good move on the NBA because it allows more diversity into the NBA and allows it to grow even more internationally.

-Cardinal Sanker
Kin 3391 Section 02

Sticking By Tiger

Tiger Woods has lost many sponsors due to his recent public infidelities with Rachel Uchitel along with other girls. Some of the recent sponsors that decided to drop Tiger Woods are Gatorade, AT&T, Buick, and Accenture. At the time of Wood’s scandal hit the public and he announced that he would be quitting golf indefinitely, his sponsors collectively showed a $12 Billion decrease in their returns. Tiger Wood’s image and honor has been completely obliterated, but he has been laying low and with the help of his remaining sponsors; Tiger will gradually regain his popular and trust-worthy reputation. Nike, EA Sports, and Gillette are the big sponsors that stayed by golfer in the hopes that he can swing his clubs with pristine accuracy. Despite his promise to quit golf and focus on repairing and maintaining his relationship with his wife, Tiger Woods has been getting back into shape to enter some major tournaments in the future. Regardless of the recent scandal, Tiger Woods is one of the greatest golfers with one of the best work-ethics and drive for success; and he will repair his reputation with his family, fans, sponsors, and colleagues.

Casey Chung
KIN 332I sec 02

Deaf player's teammates see inspiration.

Cal State Northridge has NCAA’s only D1 basketball player that is deaf. I do not know about anyone else but when I thought about this, not being able to hear in sports especially basketball, I couldn’t imagine it. Michael Lizarraga had a choice of going to Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., the nation's only liberal arts university for the deaf, but he always wanted to play basketball so he chose to attend Northridge to play D1 basketball. He had a dream and he did what he had to and didn’t let the fact that he can’t hear get in the way. Another amazing part of this story is how his teammates and coach reacted towards him. His teammate and best friend Willie Galick began asking Lizarraga’s interpreter how to say certain words just to goof off at practice, but then began picking up on a lot more and was able to take the place of Lizarraga’s interpreter. Other teammates have also began picking up on certain words and join in conversations, none of them make him feel as if he doesn’t fit in, they all respect him and look to him for inspiration. It’s amazing to see how far a person can go as long as they follow their goals and never give up.
ABeaston
KIN332I Section 2

College Basketball: Best Postseason in Sports

With conference tournaments starting for mid-majors this week, we are two weeks away from the best-postseason in sports. My two favorite aspects of the tournament are the inclusion of mid-majors schools; these schools get the chance of a lifetime by getting to play the big-time programs that overlooked them as players and would never schedule these small schools in the regular season. Other sports only include about 16 teams at most, and division 1 college basketball includes 65 (with talks of expansion to 96 teams). Historically, these schools fair poorly in the tournament, but just the opportunity and the rare upset (George Mason in 2006 was probably the best example of this) makes it fun to watch. Then there is the format, 1-game elimination. This creates incredible pressure on all teams; teams that go 32-1 in the regular season can be out in one game if they have an off game. In professional baseball, basketball, and hockey they play 5 to 7 game series. The 1-game format favors the underdog, especially since the NCAA tournament is played on neutral court (although top seeds get to play close to home). This makes the NCAA tournament the most exciting in all of sports.

Zach Stiffel
Kin 332I Sec. 2

Shaun White's Gold Medal Win

At the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, Shaun White amazed me when you competed in the half pipe event. His first run he score 46.8 beating all his competitors by at least a few point. By the time it was his turn to do the half pipe the second time, he had already got the Gold Medal no matter what his score was. As I watched his second run, or as he called it his victory run, he blew my mind. He had a new trick up his sleeve that he was saving for the olympics. As he was about to do his new trick he calls the Double McTwist 1260, I was on the edge of my seat feeling as if he was going to be able to pull it off because Shaun did not have a lot of speed. Shaun does the Double McTwist 1260 and lands it perfectly, proving he earned that Gold Medal for the second olympics in a row. He scored a 48.4 (out a possible 50) and is the best half pipe competitor in the world.
Heather Funk
Kin 332i Section 2