JANUARY 2011 - Sport Memories and 2011 Predictions

There are some great hopes for 2011 in terms of sports and among them is the wish that Cleveland would get a real winning franchise. In the interim, move over Nostradamus - here are some predictions of what possibly could happen in the sports world in 2011 [Disclaimer – note these are predictions and not necessarily true or completely representative of the views of the writer].

• Brett Farve, cleared of sexual harassment, retires from the NFL and returns to play in the home opener for the Detroit Tigers before being sent down to play the remainder of the baseball season for the Toledo Mud Hens [Hey – it worked for Michael Jordan!].

• The BCS says the heck with it all and goes to a real play-off system with a lot fewer than 70 teams going to no-name bowls – and the biggies waive the stipulation that competing institutions must buy over 17 thousand tickets even though their earning $17 million for just showing up on the field.

• The philanthropist who bought almost 8000 tickets to help the hopeless Buffalo Bills avoid a blackout bribes NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to settle with the players union and avoid a lock-out to the 2011-12 season.

• Tiffin University and Heidelberg become NCAA II and III national champions in all sports.

• Calvert and Columbian become OHSAA state champions in all sports.

• The NBA bans tattoos and strange haircuts.

• Any athlete who used performance enhancement or recreational drugs, lied to their coach, lied to their mama, gambled on sports, or killed anyone is banned from all record books and Hall of Fame nominations [but, it’s still okay for your daddy to pimp you out to the highest bidder].

• Caster Semenya, the world-class sprinter from South Africa, is declared a man, after all.

• Look Who’s Talking: Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf can’t hide their jealousy when Drew Brees and Lindsay Vonn make an amazing super athletic baby a month behind the birth of super-athlete baby #1 between Michael Phelps and Venus Williams.

• Maya Moore scores 42 points to avenge UConn’s loss to Stanford in regular season, but loses to Xavier in the NCAA Women’s championship game.

• Butler’s men’s team finally wins it all at the NCAA basketball tourney.

• The city of Cleveland mourns as the Miami Heat battles to win the NBA crown, but recovers when the Browns win their first 3 games of the season.

Yes indeed, amazing sport feats are bound to happen in 2011, but let’s also remember some of the events that shaped 2010! First of all, “Rest in Peace” and goodbye George Steinbrenner. You went out with a bang at the age of eighty on July 4th after serving as the most beloved and most hated owner of the Yankees.

“RIP” to other notorious sport figures that died in 2010. Bye-bye Bob Feller, 7’6” Manute Bol, Dorothy Kamenshek [the inspiration for the movie “A League of her Own”], Nodar Kumaritashvili [Olympic luger from the country of Georgia who fatally crashed in a trial run], Dandy Don Meredith, Merlin Olson, Juan Antonio Samaranch, Sparky Anderson, and the infamous, John Wooden.

2010 did leave the world with plenty of interesting and entertaining sport stories.

• Remember the summer of Vuvuzelas? Those annoying bee-buzzing South African horns heard during the World Cup even trickled down to Major League Baseball in a failed promotion that had umpires and players on the Marlins and Rays teams wearing ear plugs.

• Le-Decision caused a monstrous Cleveland outcry culminating in one nasty note from one pissed-off owner.

• Yeardly Love, a player on the 5th ranked University of Virginia women’s lacrosse team was murdered by her former boyfriend who played for the men’s lacrosse team, then ranked 1st in the nation. Ironically, Duke’s men’s team surfaced from a 2006 gang-rape scandal to defeat Virginia in the semi-finals enroot to becoming the 2010 men’s national champions.

• Drew Brees lifted the humble Saints over Peyton Manning and the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV to continue the healing process for the city of New Orleans. Unfortunately, both New Orleans and Indianapolis are out of this year’s play-offs after both lost a first-round wild-card game last week.

• USA and Canadian hockey helped the IOC score a TV-rating bonanza during the 2010 men’s Olympic Gold Medal Hockey Game in Vancouver. The Canadian women’s hockey team also had a bit of extra media attention when photos surfaced of the team’s post game celebration with cigars, beer, and bottles of champagne on the ice rink. Unfortunately, Marie-Philip Poulin who scored both goals over team USA, was only 18 years old – meaning, underage.

• Butler reminded the world that a little dog can have a big bite when competing in the finals of the NCAA Men’s basketball championships. There were 11 lead changes until mighty Duke ousted tiny Butler in a 61-59 win what was the closest margin of victory in a final game in 21 years.

• Bobby Cox retired [okay, so I’m a big Braves fan!].

• Tiger Woods went on a tailspin after the media caught wind of his infidelities with ex-wife Elin Nordegren who won a $110 million divorce settlement a few months ago. Even weeks of sex addition counseling couldn’t help the Tiger regain his focus on the golf course. 2010 was a year without a PGA Tour win for the first time since he turned pro in 1996.

• The Big Ten disappointed with their divisional “Leaders and Legends” idea, but scored big in a year of massive conference restructuring affecting the Pac-10 and Big 12 [which might become the little 10].

Other 2010 memories included Rick Pitino’s extortion trial over a table-sex incident at an Italian eatery; Reggie Bush handing over the Heisman trophy; and, Big-Ben’s nightclub “sex-capade” with a 20-year old who didn’t welcome the advances. Yep, 2010 didn’t fail to entertain and 2011 can be just as interesting for sports fans everywhere.

Stay tune next month for more inspiring and amazing sport stories from our small community in northwest Ohio to around the globe.

DECEMBER 2010 - From Sportsman of the Year to Heisman Trophy Winner: Beware - Dangerous Temptations Ahead

December was the month the oil-rich nation of Qatar in the Arabian Desert beat out the United States as future host of the 2022 World Cup which came pretty much on the heels of the US losing to Rio de Janeiro for hosting the 2016 summer Olympics. It may be a little easier to understand the bitter feeling of being rejected for the World Cup knowing that corruption allegations led to two executive committee members being excluded in the final vote. Once again, politics and sports collide. Qatar [pronounced “Cutter”] borders Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf, is the size of Connecticut, and has four billion to spend on nine air conditioned stadiums in 130 degree temperatures proving that money and oil wins votes.

December was the month to congratulate Cam Newton and Drew Brees, respective winners of the 2010 Heisman Trophy Winner and Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year. Newton follows in the company of memorable players like Bo Jackson, Doug Flutie, Hershel Walker, Roger Staubach, and Archie Griffin. Brees joined the company of iconic personalities like Tiger Woods, Derek Jeter, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Joe Montana, Bill Russell, Roger Bannister, Joe Paterno, Tom Brady, Lance Armstrong, Cal Ripken Jr., Arthur Ashe, Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus.

It may be cynical, but don’t be fooled by the exceptional on and off-field persona or general likability of these two 2010 sport celebrities. Beyond his talents as a top rated quarterback who won this year’s Super Bowl to help revitalize the city of New Orleans, Drew Brees has been brilliantly exploited in commercials for Pamper diapers and Dove Soap. Cam Newton has a great smile he was more than happy to flash after his Heisman Win on guest appearances for ABC’s Good Morning America and Late Night with David Letterman.

Don’t be fooled by the naivety of Cam Newton, a controversial figure for being allegedly “shopped around” to the highest bidder by his dad. Don’t be fooled either by Drew Brees who fits the mold of the more mature-version of squeaky clean Tim Tebow. We should hope that these two players remain humble in their careers, but let’s not forget there was once a local boy named Ben Roethlisberger and a resilient rough and handsome Brett Farve who were both held in high esteem, too. Former Heisman winner OJ Simpson was also a likeable guy at a point in his football – and acting - career.

America has been down this road before. Just a year ago, the almighty Tiger Woods fell out of social graces and has yet to return to his former invincible self. Even Michael Jordan’s image was tarnished after it was revealed he gambled like a mad dog on the golf course and everywhere else. Ironically, Michael Vick’s good boy turned bad image has done a 180 and America is eating up the persona of a former felon seemingly turned good. Just check the retail market for #7 Eagles jerseys.

Sport celebrities live in a fishbowl with media and social attention focused on execution of superior athletic performance. Occasionally, distorted realities lead to susceptibility for super-star athletes to become intoxicated by public adoration. The clinical analysis is that the propensity to feel emancipated from everyday life and reside in a perpetual world of kingdom is a byproduct of stardom that been known to trigger deviant behavior in celebrity athletes.

America has seen and heard plenty of Ray Carruth’s murder case, Pete Rose’s gambling disgrace, Marion Jones steroid denial, Kobe Bryant’s and Rick Pitino’s sex scandals, and Mike Tyson’s rage. America has been disappointed by Michael Phelps smoking marijuana after his tremendous Olympic swimming feat and by the lies from MLB greats like Roger Clemens and Mark McGwire about steroid use. Unfortunately, these lessons tell us that Cam Newton and Drew Brees are just as susceptible to have a lapse in judgment, too - just like the committee that voted on Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup.

Let’s hope not.

Stay tune in January for more interesting and entertaining sport stories from our small community in northwest Ohio to around the globe.

NOV 2010 GIVE THANKS TO A FOOTBALL HERO IN TIFFIN - AND MORE FOOTBALL!

Between the Macy’s Parade and turkey leftovers, the NFL has offered up three Thanksgiving Day games to keep America’s habit of remaining sedentary in front of the television set the primary holiday tradition for yet another year. The NBA, thankfully, only has two games to offer – and neither features the guy who needed to “clarify” his playing time for the Miami Heat. On the college scene, only the state of Texas is featuring a Turkey-Day game, but Black Friday will feature a horn-of-plenty in top 25 match-ups and Saturday will highlight “The Game” when Ohio State attempts to continue beating the stuffing out of Michigan.

Cyber Monday will probably be a great day to search for Tim Tebow’s #15 Bronco’s jersey, the hottest selling pro jersey on the market. The Gator’s poster-boy is on fire as a fresh face for retail marketers. Ben Roethlisberger used to have a hot selling jersey, but in comparison to squeaky clean Tebow, image may have dictated where the cash goes for adorning NFL apparel.

A few years ago, there may have been a #23 Troy Vincent Philadelphia Eagles jersey around, but the perennial all-pro player who visited Tiffin University’s campus last week has retired his shoulder pads and helmet in favor of a brief case. After fifteen successful seasons in uniform, Vincent was selected as President of the NFL Player’s Union and eventually earned the appointment as NFL Vice President for Player Development. His couple of days in Tiffin allowed a glimpse into the personality of a former professional athlete turned business executive…a former Bart “Starr” and Walter Payton “Man of the Year.”

If anyone closed their eyes while Troy spoke, they might have thought they were in the presence of Denzel Washington. Troy’s subtle style and professional demeanor provided genuine insight into the business of the NFL – from the perspective of the players, whom he vehemently protects, to the league’s biggest bosses, whom he is careful to revere.

He articulated both sides of the proposed 18-game schedule which is a just one point of contention in the upcoming collective bargaining agreement. Troy made it known that only once in his fifteen year career does he remember entering the post-season in full health [seven documented concussions stand on record]. The physical demands of an 18-game season are grueling, yet he understands that he owners are tired of no-one in the stands to watch pre-season games with coaches keeping their marquee players on the sidelines to avoid injuries. Even by adding a bye week, canceling two pre-season games, and adding roster players, the thought of two extra regular season games does not favor the players who already have a limited career in the NFL which barely spans over three years.

Mr. Vincent’s prepared remarks were carefully delivered, but occasionally, he spoke off the cuff to answer question after question. When the camera wasn’t rolling in front of 500+ student-athletes in St. Mary’s gym, Troy jokingly poked fun at the long list of prima-donna players that adorn their bodies with ugly “tats” down their arms, up their necks, and even on their fingers. He reminded his audience that “Catch-Up is for Hotdogs” because being goal-oriented and focusing on a mapped-out plan always gets you further than back pedaling to make up for overlooked details.

Troy was able to develop an instant rapport with the many individuals he met over his brief time in Tiffin. He was professional, yet personable whether he was discussing rookie salary caps, classes he was taking in the Tiffin University MBA program, life with his wife Tommie and their five children, or the news he learned while relaxing in Tiffin’s Carmella Hospitality Suite that a grand jury had been convened to investigate violations of federal labor laws in a wrongful termination case [he denies any wrong doing]. Of more interest were his candid comments on the relationships he had with personalities such as Deion Sanders, Jim Kelly, Dan Marino, Don Shula, Donavan McNabb, Ricky Williams, Gene Upshaw, and Roger Goodel.

Despite the pesky and controversial labor investigation, Troy was upbeat and warmly welcomed by the Tiffin community who seemed to appreciate the visit from an NFL hero. He was extremely bashful about entering Calvert High School un-announced and waited in the office while permission was sought after for a handful of football players to meet him. Students in Tiffin University’s Gillmor lobby were almost surprised as he shook their hands and asked what major they were studying. His astute management skills were apparent when he revealed in private conversations that he had negotiated every one of his professional contracts without the use of an agent and, in fact, he was the only rookie in the 1992 draft who didn’t have an agent. Vincent is on record as the seventh overall draft selection courtesy of the Miami Dolphins and Drew Rosenhaus was briefly listed as his agent in his final playing season for the Washington Redskins.

The Redskins no longer have Troy Vincent on the sidelines, but the franchise does currently have the highest NFL home attendance record averaging almost 90,000 per game. On the low end, Oakland and Tampa average fewer than 50,000 fans per game, but with ticket prices averaging over $71, even the franchises who succumb to occasional media black outs aren’t exactly crying poverty.

Speaking of tickets, five former University of Kansas athletic employees may be headed towards the poverty line after a grand jury indicted them for allegedly conspiring to steal millions of dollars worth of tickets by running an elaborate scalping scheme for personal gains. Surely it was a scam involving more Jayhawk basketball tickets than football, but the ethical lesson should ring loud and clear for those who work in athletic ticket offices around the country. The commodity of soaring ticket prices and scarcity of seats for high profile events such as the NCAA Final Four and BCS Championship Games are examples of how economics drive college sports as an insanely big business in America and why ethics training for athletics employees is desirable.

Unfortunately, there are no more high school football tickets to buy in support of the Columbian Tornado’s state-play-off race after last week’s loss to Bishop Watterson in Ohio Wesleyan’s stadium. It was a nice run for the local guys and the Tiffin community should be proud. Stay tune next month for more interesting and entertaining sport stories from our small community in northwest Ohio to around the globe.

OCTOBR 2010 - The Sad, the Glad, and the Inspirational Sport Stories

Where would we be without sports dominating our American culture and daily lives? Today’s youthful generations are in touch, in synch, cyber-confident, and blessed with an over-abundance of participation opportunities and instant globalized media access to games, scores, and stats. In many ways, today’s young microwave society is too removed from history lessons to appreciate the evolutionary changes in sports.

There was little surprise in the reaction from members of the Association of American University Women [AAUW] when recanting a story of playing rover on a 1971 basketball team where no other team mates could cross the center line. The majority lived as little girls and teen-agers without ANY sport opportunities beyond what were available though physical education classes. Where would our young women be if Tiffin didn’t have high school sport teams or Blackswamp or YMCA leagues or park leagues or sand volleyball courts or open gyms?

Bettsville High School just canceled the entire girls’ basketball season due to the lack of enough females to field a team. Two dedicated players, however, are living in a time where trying-out for the boys’ team is no longer taboo and Bettsville will become the next local high school with a girl appearing on a boy’s team roster. Anyone who follows local high school soccer is accustomed to girls playing on the boy’s team so the basketball cross over can almost be considered as pretty normal.

Someone who isn’t a stranger to playing with the boys is professional sport agent Molly Fletcher from Atlanta, GA. Talking socially with one of the most powerful women in sports reinforced the perception that grace and charm don’t have to disappear just because you play hard ball with pro team owners like the former George Steinbrenner or celebrity clients like John Smoltz, Ernie Johnson Jr., Tom Izzo, and Doc Rivers.

Molly Fletcher is a genuine southern dynamo who has been called the female version of Jerry Maguire [a.k.a. Tom Cruise]. She is a cross between Susan O’Malley, [former President of the NBA Washington Wizards] and Hollywood’s Susan Sarandon. There is little controversy on her pending induction as one of Street & Smith’s Sport Business 40 Most Powerful Women under 40.

While Molly Fletcher represents a handful of pros on the ATP circuit, one client she would love to haveis Maria Sharapova. At the age of 23, Sharapova is the world’s highest-paid female athlete having earned $24.5 million in prize money and endorsements last year. In the finals of this past summer’s Wimbledon, Sharapova lost to Serena Williams. Williams earned $1.5 million – the same amount earned by men’s champion, Rafael Nadal. Billie-Jean King, on the other hand, earned $1,175 for winning the 1968 Wimbledon title which was less than half of what men’s champion received.

Molly Fletcher is the keynote speaker for the NCAA Women’s Leadership Symposium in Intercollegiate Athletics. Although Fletcher is a true inspiration for women breaking though the glass ceiling in the sports world, her story almost pales in comparison to that of Sarah Panzau who spoke to 700 plus Tiffin University student-athletes this week.

Panzau was a two-time JUCO All-American volleyball player who drove drunk [.308] and survived a near-fatal car accident that left her with one arm, many scars, and yet, a new lust for life. After nearly forty surgeries, she rose above adversity to qualify for the USA Paralympics volleyball team and competed internationally until more surgeries ended her career forever.

It is impossible to express the emotion Sarah drew out of her young Tiffin audience as she passionately told her gut-wrenching story of a flawed decision that led to a severed limb, countless broken bones, life-threatening internal injuries, weeks in a coma, being declared a “Jane Doe” until her mother could positively identify the body, and being forever labeled a disabled handicapped person. Sarah was a perfect example that while most college students live for the moment thinking they are relatively invincible, one poor choice can forever shatter their life and become a parent’s worst nightmare.

Panzau described years of rebelling against a parent who seemingly and relentlessly badgered her to excel in sports, school, work, relationships, and every facet of her life. Now, that former perception of over-intrusion has been replaced by knowing she was blessed with a caring parent who should have been cherished instead of chastised.

Maybe it was the fact that Sarah Panzau was a volleyball stand-out, but it led me to consider how much my husband and I constantly push our 16-year-old daughter who just completed her junior year as a starter on Calvert’s volleyball team. “Success rarely comes without effort; failure is never an option, and being the best is always the goal in every phase of your life”. It is a mantra she and her younger sister have heard a thousand times over, yet, while at an impressionable age for decision-making regarding future colleges and important social choices, the seemingly constant pressure to exceed expectations will hopefully be appreciated rather than scorned.

One can only wonder what a Sarah Panzau – before the accident – would have added to a Tiffin University or Heidelberg volleyball team. Across town, Seiberling Gym was probably beyond capacity when the Student Princes volleyball team, ranked 13 in NCAA Division III, defeated Ohio Northern to earn their second consecutive OAC title. The stands were filled with hundreds of players and parents from local high schools and Dave’s infamous Blackswamp Club. It is difficult to imagine any of those parents not constantly reminding their daughter about the road to success. The pay off for Heidelberg players seemed eminent – those young ladies have definitely found a new level of success and the Sarah Panzau of today would have appreciated the adoration too, if only she had the chance to change one poor decision in her life.

Molly Fletcher would have been proud to be among those listening to Sarah’s story or in the gym when Heidelberg women won their latest crown.

By the way, another local youth sport star to keep on the radar screen is Derrick Goliday, a transfer to Tiffin Columbian who has excited those fortunate enough to have witnessed a mighty good football team headed into playoffs. Goliday is one of the NOL leaders in rushing, kick-off returns, and scoring. He lives with his brother - also his guardian, Lamar Tipton. Tipton was a stand-out for the Dragon’s football team at Tiffin University and is proudly supporting the Tornados.

Stay tune next month for more inspiring and amazing sport stories from our small community in northwest Ohio to around the globe.

SEPTEMBER - HANGING ON TO SUMMER SPORTS AS LONG AS WE CAN

Summer has all but faded in September’s rush to begin another great fall sport season. The thrill of Friday night lights has quickly overshadowed anything resembling summer fun. Our community is not unlike many other small American towns excited over the pee-wee guys butting shoulder pads at the local park or fired up for the weekly cross town high school rivalry game.
The local flare of youth football is but a stepping stone to the fascination with the college scene which sends everyone with an inkling of an interest to park themselves in front of TV sets or Sirius/XM radios if they weren’t fortunate enough to land coveted tickets inside the Horseshoe, Big House, or Notre Dame stadium. The media delivers with plenty of coverage of the Buckeyes and Fighting Irish as well as wonderful side bar stories such as the dozen-plus players suspended for academic fraud at my alma mater in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and the suspension of the Boise State assistant coach for suspicion of intoxicated driving before their victory at Virginia Tech. Will they ever learn?

Then, there is the over-commercialized excitement of the NFL, especially in our town since the New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans each have a former Tiffin University player earning a roster spot. Actually, only the rookie Chris Ivory had to earn his roster spot with the Saints. Nate Washington’s free agency signing paid huge dividends for the Titans in week one since the former Dragon led all receivers in a 38-13 thumping of the Oakland Raiders.

Tiffin sport fans still love to flock to the Dawg Pound when the battered and bruised and hopeless, hapless Browns play in town. The NFL package is another vehicle which has helped the force of pro football frenzy while also helping Heritage Lanes, the Clover Cub and other local establishments drum up their share of Sunday afternoon business for a few of the colder months.

But despite the charge of fall volleyball, soccer, and football seasons, summer sports in Ohio aren’t completely over in September. Major League Baseball is hot and heavy into pennant races and even a handful of local softball and baseball leagues wait to wrap up their seasons until after Labor Day. Summer sports such as tennis and road racing just continue right into fall without skipping a beat.

Then there is golf.

The wonderful world of golf is the one sport that remains alive and well for as long as possible in this area despite the change in seasons which quickly freezes out a majority of fair-weather players. Golf fever in the colder months just turns into travel season for the diehards who can’t stand to go without swinging a club for too long. Just ask Dr. Hoyda who usually can’t decide to drive or fly his plane back and forth to his second home in Myrtle Beach almost every month.

One local enthusiast with an interesting summer on the links is Bryce Gorrell, a rising local sport star to keep on the radar screen. The eighth grader at Hopewell won his age division in at least six tournaments on the Lake Erie Junior Golf Association tour this summer. More impressive is that Gorrell also finished in the top 15 in his second trip to the British territory of Bermuda where he competed in the Blackie Talbot Junior International Classic. Anrdrea De Bono from Basiglio, Italy won the 54-hole tournament held at the Mid Ocean Golf Club, host for two PGA Grand Slam events.

Gorrell continued his global tour a month later by qualifying for the International Junior Tournament at the PGA National Resort Course in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The field in his age-group alone included players from Thailand, South Korea, Australia, Venezuela, Canada, Uruguay, Ecuador, Columbia, Malaysia, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Denmark, and South Africa.

The young Hopewell student kicked off the season winning the Mohawk Golf Club Derby Day tournament with a cast of a bit older team mates including Dr. Mark Akers, Dr. Ajit Desai, and the infamous Jim Streaker. But the game is far from over for this young man whose favorite place to hang after a round of golf is probably anywhere serving hot wings [just ask his dad or my husband or a few of our friends who often argue who gets to partner with him during some of their friendlier games]. Bryce still hits the links at Mohawk as often as possible and will be competing in a shoot-out in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina over Thanksgiving … perhaps with my husband as his caddy or Dr. Hoyda cheering in the gallery. But remember, this amateur only accepts the customary hardware or a twelve-piece hot wing special.

Kudos goes out to another youth golfer. Heather Steiner is a senior who plays for Calvert Catholic High School’s varsity boys’ golf team. Having followed her progression since she picked up the game a summer or two before her freshmen year, it is inspiring to see how years of dedicated practice has helped her shave around ten strokes from just her nine-hole game. The improvement vaulted her from Junior Varsity to Varsity status.

Steiner has always been extremely coachable in all the sports she played growing up, primarily because it is apparent that she truly respects her teachers, coaches, and mentors. Her attitude is far too rare in the era of a society of youth often characterized by an expectation of immediate gratification and entitlement. Steiner breaks the mold and she has a younger sister, Haley, who has another year to match Heather’s accomplishments.

Yes, golf helps keep the love of summer in our hearts while the chill of fall has become inescapable. Either way, you have to appreciate that sports are a large part of the fabric of Tiffin, no matter the season or the times. Stay tune for more interesting sports talk next month.