The postseason NIT (National Invitation Tournament) is a "best of the rest" college basketball tournament where those not good enough to play for a National Championship can still play for national pride. This postseason tournament is seen more like a consolation prize for NCAA tournament-bound teams that fail to make the NCAA tournament. Selecting a field of teams is tough unless you win your conference championship. Even then, you will still be among the odd teams that could still get in as an at-large. Some teams put forth a valiant effort all season long, but don't do enough of a good job to impress the NCAA tournament selection committee. So as a result, they are relegated to the NIT and will have to settle for next season to try to make the NCAA Tournament.
Recent talks a few years ago of expanding the current field of teams to a larger number have meant that the NIT may be done away with. The current alignment for the NCAA tournament on the Division 1 level is a 68-team field for the men and a 64-team field for the women. If you were to tack on the 32-team field that make up the NIT, you would be looking at a 96-team field (as well as a seeding and scheduling nightmare)!
The postseason National Invitation Tournament is seen as a slap in the face for snubbed NCAA tourney teams. However, it is severely underappreciated. So where do YOU stand? Do you think the Postseason NIT is an honor or a dishonor for all the teams involved?
--- Postseason NIT: Honor or Dishonor? My Stand ---
I only think the NIT is a dishonor if you feel you've been wrongly snubbed by the NCAA tournament committee. Every year, the NCAA tournament committee picks some teams that seem overrated or have no place in the field to sports reporters and sports fans. Look at what the NIT provides. For one thing- you can still play basketball, and you still have something to play for. Success in the NIT can help you to recruit better and maybe get some new players who can take a school to the NCAA Tournament.
I also think it is a dishonor if you feel this tournament is a way of saying you are just not good enough. There are two ways to look at it. You may be a team that had loads of promise but had a lackluster season. Conversely, you may be a team that had next to no promise of tournament aspirations until you came alive and started going on a tear through the season. It is tough to make either the NCAA tournament or the NIT tournament. There are more than 330-something tournament eligible schools in NCAA Division 1 basketball (Independent schools are disqualified from tournament entry). A team has to be among the best less than one-thirds of the 330-something eligible schools in NCAA Division 1. TALL order if you ask me.
My inclination is to say that the NIT should be an HONOR and not a dishonor. I equate the NIT in NCAA Division 1 basketball to competing in any non-BCS Bowl game in NCAA FBS Football. I would rather watch the NCAA Tournament more than I would the NIT tournament. However, teams who play in the NIT are not bad teams just because they weren't selected to play in the main tournament. It just means they were the select number of teams that stood out among others despite not making the NCAA tournament field. Look at it this way- you're still playing meaningful basketball while every other school is done and are preparing for next season. And as far as the NIT is concerned, who DOESN'T love the opportunity to play at Madison Square Garden in New York City with something big to play for? Every team in the NIT is playing for that chance to play for the championship. And just because you win the NIT, does it mean that you're not good enough to win the NCAA tourney, so you have to settle for the NIT? No. It just means that you shown that you are one of the best teams in America even if you don't make the NCAA tournament or didn't make the NCAA tournament.
So I see the NIT as an honor rather than any sort of dishonor. It is really a tournament that just isn't as appreciated among others since it isn't for the NCAA Division 1 National Championship. There is still a good deal of pride involved nationally to extend a basketball season and win something like the postseason NIT.
That concludes another post of mine here on John's Blog Space. Make sure to subscribe as well as follow and comment on my material. Remember- John's Blog Space is about anything and everything. You may or may not know what I'll blog about next (even if I share my ideas for my next post online) or when I'll blog about it. At least subscribe/follow for that element of surprise! :) Thank you for reading!
Congratulations if you are going to graduate, get your degree, get promoted to higher grades, or anything like that! The best way to be done with school or college is to get your degree or complete a course with satisfactory marks. Maybe you are in a certain level of school and working to get promoted to the next level of school. Maybe you are a High School student ready to advance to college. Maybe you are in college and working to get a degree. Whatever your situation, my blog post here is for you. This blog post is a salute to everyone who will be graduating, getting their degree, or anything like that.
Most of this blog post concerns just graduation. However, I included promotion and getting degrees as part of the discussion.
--- The Meaning of Graduation ---
^ from: cdn.dailyclipart.net - When you take to the stage after hearing Pomp and Circumstance, you know that all of your hard work will finally be rewarded with the highest honor any learning institution can bestow its students- graduation (or promotion if in lower grade level schools).
Graduation means that you completed all that is asked of you to complete your studies. This is your way of telling your family and your classmates that you did the impossible. School and education are predicated on taking in lessons while enhancing and enriching your skills. You will have loads of social issues and everything to deter your interest to an extent, but it all boils down to hitting the books and making as high of grades as you can. You have the rest of your life ahead of you- why not handle school so you can look forward to a happier life when you eventually graduate?
I think people take this for granted, like we're all going to go through each grade successfully. That is completely NOT true. School, like life, is a constant struggle to be better each day and each year than we were in past days and years. The lessons we learn now will carry us into the future. School is a long drag, but it is a long drag that makes us all better and prepares us better for life. There are even those who may have had to repeat a certain grade or grades because of poor performance. Whatever it takes, if you think school sucks, there's only one way to be done with school (like it or not)- graduate. It is the least damaging way to be done with school. After grade school, you can think about college.
What about college? You'll have your fair share of gaining degrees to help you land better jobs in the future. College is certainly tougher than anything you've faced in grade school. Getting your degrees will take a great deal of time and effort. You will need to push yourself even further to even get any kind of degree ranging from an Associate's to any Post-Graduate degrees.
For any level of education, the main goal is to graduate. It takes effort and years of your life to perfect yourself and your mind for the future. Perhaps the greatest challenge of education is to make sure your skills are great for years to come. Graduation basically says that you've mastered all you need to know or have cleared the most basic of criteria to warrant graduation.
--- Graduation: Kindergarten to 12th Grade ---
Most of this blog post pertains to graduation, so I'll share my experiences. For my international readers, I'll explain my road through grade school through the system used here in most United States schools. Elementary school is Kindergarten through 5th Grade. The Secondary School discussion is broken down into two parts: Middle School (or Junior High School) is 6th Grade through 8th Grade, and High School (or Senior High School) is 9th Grade through 12th Grade.
So now some of you internationals understand some of what I'm about to discuss here. This is my own personal story of graduating through grade school.
Elementary Experiences.
It was somewhere between 1988 to 1990 for me when I started out in Kindergarten. I knew I was a young lad trying to learn more about the world and learn lessons that I will eventually have to prepare myself for in life. Times in elementary school were fun for me because I was kid basically enjoying being a kid. After going through some of the initial years of Elementary, including my fair share of corporal punishment and fights with fellow students, I knew getting up and up the ladder would be tough as I entered the 5th Grade. In 1994, I was pleased as I was about to get promoted to high school after a tough stretch through Elementary School. The saddest reminder for me then was how I was shafted in the school's Spelling Bee. I placed fourth on trying to spelled "bearded" or something like that. Back to my promotion. I had to sing "Hero" by Mariah Carey as part of my promotion to Middle School. Just the feeling of going to Middle School was an accomplishment for myself as well as assurance that I wouldn't let my family down. I was getting older and maturing more. Time for Middle School next!
Secondary School Experiences: Middle School.
My road through Middle School was not fun. After just two weeks at one bad Middle School, I would eventually complete my Middle School education elsewhere. The people were friendlier, and I felt I could better concentrate on my studies. It was at this point where I felt concerned for myself because I wasn't as good as I was back in Elementary School. Classes and assignments were getting harder, and I had more responsibilities asked of me if I had any chance of advancing. These challenges are there to prepare me for the rigors of High School.
The real rough times was in my 8th Grade time in the 1996-1997 school year as I was getting more into fights and doing not very well with my studies. Before going on to the 9th Grade, me and my fellow 8th Graders made it out to a family fun place called FunPlex. It was a chance to unwind and enjoy ourselves before being promoted. It was a fact that I may never see some of my fellow classmates again when going to the 9th Grade. To be brutally honest, my 9th Grade promotion was terrible! It wasn't because we had to sing a version of R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly" with a modified version called "I Believe I Can Try," but it was because the people at my Middle School treated it like going to High School was no big deal. I mean- I'm going to High School! Leaving behind Middle School for High School, and THIS is how we make the transition? FAIL!!!
Secondary School Experiences: High School.
Life was at its most unforgiving when I entered High School. If my Middle School problems weren't bad enough, High School was going to feel like a trip through Hell. This was a time where I experienced everything from being suspended to planning suicide. This was also where I would go to three high schools in one year. In 1999 (as a 10th Grader), I would finish the last three months of the 1998-1999 school year at an alternative school. It was an eye-opener to see what some other High Schoolers experience. That was a bad experience. The remaining two years of my time in High School would be spent at an alternative magnet school. I was an 11th Grader, and I felt like I was getting pounded and bombarded by tough assignments. This was where failing was more prevalent.
In 2001 (the turn of the new millennium and the 21st Century), I barely got to stay at my alternative magnet school because you have to maintain at least an average grade of 75 to remain. In addition, I needed to take some extra classes to help out my GPA to have a better chance of graduating. I failed Art and Government. Therefore, I needed to take classes at Houston Community College [Southeast Campus] to basically have class every day of the week- Friday nights, Saturday morning, and Sunday afternoon. It was the same story by the end of the second semester of the 2000-2001 school year. Later in 2001, I would get to attend the 2001 Texas Scholars Banquet along with my fellow soon-to-be High School Graduates. I cheered on one High School that was my former High School when it was announced.
Before taking the stage to receive my diploma I was told that there was a surprise in store for me. I learned of that surprise on June 2, 2001; I was the Most Improved Student of my class. It was at this point where I felt like I finally proved something to myself and my family. There may have been points where I doubted myself or felt like I could never impress anyone ever again. However, I knew I could do it- I just didn't know how to execute when it mattered most. Life was tough. I felt like the only one I could trust to get through high school was myself. I trusted myself and my abilities. Even though I was 15th out of my 15 Seniors, I was Most Improved Student because I didn't allow to bring myself down so much to where I was incapable of graduating. Even heading into ten years since graduating, the pain and suffering of school (or college) is worth it if you want to graduate.
The one thing I've learned in my High School experience is that you may be overwhelmed with life and school, but you can still do all you need to do in eventually graduating. You never give up or take anything for granted. Do your very best. I NEVER said I was a student that had high grades. This is me- someone who didn't mind the challenge of Math, someone who enjoys writing more than reading, someone who loved Social Sciences, one who couldn't get through lab sciences even if his/her life depended on it... yet still graduated.
I would have posted about getting college degrees, but the most of what I have is an Associate's Degree. I am still technically considered an undergraduate. So I will pass on this. In fact, I've loved blogging and making online videos that I am just following my crafts rather than get a Bachelor's Degree for something I don't think I will truly utilize. These are about the best things I feel I can do in trying to give back to others. These are also the things I am happiest in doing regularly and/or often.
--- Motivation for Graduates or Those Soon to Graduate ---
I don't think of myself as any sort of role model. I actually don't believe in role models. Why pattern your life after someone else? So don't think of me as a role model. However, take my inspiration.
I actually enjoyed being a student back in grade school. I had nothing else going in my life. It wasn't like I was working to help financially support my family or anything. Maybe I do regret doing only the Spelling Bee and not any other after school activities. I never... you know, been to any school sports games or anything like that. Maybe I do regret that I could have done much better for someone who only did a Spelling Bee and not much else outside of schoolwork. I do regret not being able to complete my education at any school that I first attended. And later in my life, I regret that my personal problems got to me so much that led me to planning suicide. TRUE STORY! My life was bad that after doing one story in my English 1 class that I considered suicide after one story concerned suicide. I had to see a psychologist on-campus every Tuesday. It was enough to get me to focus on school and be happier about myself.
My motivation- honor having friends and never be afraid to ask for help. You can be self-sufficient, but you need to build bonds with fellow students as well as teachers. Building bonds with teachers helped me to eventually get to me getting through some future classes in college. It's your fight to get through to graduation, but you don't have to enter this fight alone. I have endured my own disappointments and shortcomings. The end result, however? I graduated. It wasn't flying colors. It wasn't valedictorian-level success. I graduated through effort and unrelenting passion.
Even in my current status, I look back on my life thinking about how I could have done much better while still in my youth. Life is unfair- only one chance at many things in life. It is like being asked about how you would have done better in the past if you had to re-live your life at a certain point in time. Of course, the past is the past, and you can't change it. All you can do is make the future better for yourself and your future by performing well in school in the present. You have to make the most of what you have. Various issues will set the tone to get you to fail. However, you still need to make the most of your abilities, both in learning and in perfecting your skills. Consider the long-term rewards while still in school or college. It will be tough, but nothing is impossible. Do NOT give up!
--- A Quick Salute to My Readers ---
To those of you who read my material and see me as an inspiration, thank you. I don't post anything online if I don't think it has any value to my readers. I don't do random blog posts. Everything I do is with the intent that it will mean something to someone someday. I hope this blog post helps in this department.
--- Pomp and Circumstance (Bonus Section!) ---
Here is one last treat for all of you for reading this blog post. I have found a video where you can listen to the song that serves as the march for graduates, "Pomp and Circumstance." This is "Pomp and Circumstance March" made originally by Sir Edward Elgar. This version below was redone by the London Philharmonic Orchestra:
Congratulations, graduates! :D
Having said all of this, I congratulate everyone graduating, being promoted to another grade or school, and everyone soon to earn their collegiate degrees. Thank you for reading and congratulations (especially if graduating, getting a degree, or being promoted)!
NCAA March Madness for 2011 now is spread across four cable networks. An advantage of this is that you are able to watch full games in their entirety without the network switching over to other games in progress. I thought initially that the death of premium TV to cable/satellite was even more apparent when cable networks started to televise some of the early round matches. The more I thought about it, however, this is really a good deal. Even if you were watching a game of a #15 seed getting their brains beaten out by a #2 seeded team, you can still watch your team gloriously lose while not having to worry about seeing TV coverage immediately shift to a #12-seeded team potentially upset a #5-seeded team. No more regional matches- you can watch whatever game interests you. It's a good deal to me because I can actually check out the individual matches I want to see. I guess this wouldn't be possible on regular TV, so it's a plus for cable/satellite owners to get to see the matches they want to see in their entirety. Many people think this is a great idea to have these individually-televised games. And again- I think it is a great idea myself now that I think more about it.
CBS, TBS, TNT, and TruTV will air the individual round matches. All 68 teams that play in this year's men's tournament all have a chance to play right here in Houston for the men's Final Four and a National Championship in NCAA Division 1. As of the date and time of this blog post, the 2011 NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball tournament field has yet to be selected. Congratulations and good luck to all 68 teams who get selected to this year's Big Dance.
What do you think about this new TV package allowing you to see whatever game in the tournament you want to see in its entirety? This is one blog post in a series of three different blog posts related to television coverage of certain programs and events. This one is coverage of the NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball Tournament (March Madness). The other two respectively pertain to NewsFix and the coverage of the ALMS on ESPN/ABC.
UPDATE Here is a look at the 2011 Men's Tournament brackets:
--- #1 Seeds --- * Ohio State (what a stunner...) * Kansas * Pittsburgh * Duke
LEGEND: !! = #1 overall seed ! = #1 seed
--- East Region --- #1 Ohio State!! vs. #16 (UTSA/Alabama State) #2 Villanova vs. #15 George Mason #5 West Virginia vs. #12 (UAB/Clemson) #4 Kentucky vs. #13 Princeton #5 North Carolina vs. #12 Long Island #7 Washington vs. #10 Georgia #7 Syracuse vs. #10 Indiana State #8 Xavier vs. #9 Marquette
--- West Region --- #1 Duke! vs. #16 Hampton #2 San Diego State vs. #15 Northern Colorado #3 Connecticut vs. #14 Bucknell #4 Texas vs. #13 Oakland #5 Arizona vs. #12 Memphis #6 Cincinnati vs. #11 Missouri #7 Temple vs. #10 Pennsylvania State #8 Michigan vs. #9 Tennessee
--- Southwest Region --- #1 Kansas! vs. #16 Boston University #2 Notre Dame vs. #15 Akron #3 Purdue vs. #14 Saint Peter's #4 Louisville vs. #13 Morehead State #5 Vanderbilt vs. #12 Richmond #6 Georgetown vs. #11 (USCal/Virginia Commonwealth) #7 Texas A and M vs. #10 Florida State #8 UNLV vs. #9 Illinois
--- Southeaest Region --- #1 Pittsburgh! vs. #16 (UNC-Asheville/Arkansas-Little Rock) #2 Florida vs. #15 California-Santa Barbara #3 BYU vs. #14 Wofford #4 Wisconsin vs. #13 Belmont #5 Kansas State vs. #12 Utah State #6 St. John's vs. #11 Gonzaga #7 UCLA vs. #10 Michigan State #8 Butler vs. #9 Old Dominion
Snubs: Saint Mary's, Colorado, Alabama, Virginia Tech, Missouri State, Boston College
Congratulations to all who got in; tough luck for all who were taken out.
The Philippines' NCAA and America's NCAA are NOT one in the same. The only similarity is that both specialize in collegiate athletics. I am using "NCAA Philippines" to differentiate between the Philippines' NCAA and the NCAA here in the United States. In fact, the NCAA's Philippines was first named as the National Catholic Athletic Association. This is a blog post to highlight on the eight member schools of today's NCAA in the Philippines. This is a blog post under the Philippines and Filipino label, so once again- I want to salute and welcome my Filipino audience to my blog, John's Blog Space!
^ from: ask.com (best I could find) - the NCAA (Philippines) logo.
The eight member schools of NCAA Philippines are all private universities and colleges. One aspect of the 2010-2011 season of NCAA Philippines was that some schools are invited as guest schools. A big controversy erupted as Philippine Christian University had some of their Dolphins enroll with forged documents. Because of this, a few schools were added in place of PCU.
I won't get seriously in-depth with NCAA Philippine sports. This is mostly a digest of the NCAA Philippines schools. Any sports I mention for these schools mostly pertains to basketball.
--- The Eight Schools of NCAA Philippines ---
Here are the eight member schools of today's NCAA Philippines. If each heading has a hyperlink, click on that to visit either the school's official home page or (if any) the athletics site. Meet the eight schools and their teams:
NOTE: Lots of my information came from Wikipedia. More information and content could be added in future edits.
Arellano Chiefs.
Arellano University is located in Manila and is home to the Arellano Chiefs. As the school's motto is "For God and Country," they proudly wear their school colors of red, blue, and gray. They are one of the youngest schools to join the NCAA Philippines, having joined in 2010. They played as a guest school in the 2009-2010 season. Arellano used to be known as the Flaming Arrows back in the 1970s.
Of all the schools, the Knights of Colegio de San Juan de Letran (or CSJL) are the first I've heard of previously because on YouTube, I saw a video of a basketball game Letran had. In NCAA (Philippines) Season 82, Escobal of the San Beda Red Lions got fouled hard by #20 Jazul of Letran. Louis Alas, the Letran head coach, was mad that the foul called on on Jazul was an Unsportsmanlike foul. Coach Alas picked up a Technical Foul for his troubles. Then afterwards, he picked up another Technical Foul and was ejected from the game. Here was the video released back in 2006:
The Letran Knights wear red and blue and have won over nine Senior championships, including their recent triumph in the 2009-2010 season. Their Junior program is known as the Squires, who have won eight NCAA Philippines championships. This school can be found in "The Walled City" of Intramuros, Manila, Philippines. The school has been an NCAA Philippines school between 1928-1932 and since 1936.
De La Salle University should be familiar to you if you follow UAAP sports. This De La Salle, however, represents the College of Saint Benilde. While Green Archers rule De La Salle, this De La Salle of NCAA Philippines is ruled by Blazers. The school has been an NCAA Philippines school since 1998. Within their time in NCAA Philippines, they have won three general NCAA Philippines championships. They wear green, white, and black as their colors. One alum of Saint Benilde is PBA basketball player Jondan Salvador. Jondan Salvador plays for the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados (formerly the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants).
Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals.
Another newcomer to the NCAA is the Generals of Emilio Aguinaldo College . Before the NCAA, they were part of the UCAA between 2002 and 2008. EAC wears red and white proudly. EAC can be found in Ermita, Manila, Philippines.
José Rizal Heavy Bombers.
Not just any bombers- José Rizal represents the Heavy Bombers. I can appreciate the colors: blue and gold- the official colors of John's Blog Space (and most of my other online sites)! José Rizal University has been an NCAA Philippines member school since 1926. The school is based in Metro Manila in Mandaluyong City. In case you're wondering how they became known as the Heavy Bombers, the reason is because during World War 2, the Japanese army took hold of JRU as a garrison for holding bombs buried beneath the campus.
Mapúa Institute of Technology Cardinals.
The Mapúa Cardinals have been an NCAA Philippines school since 1930 and has garnered over 20 general championships in the Senior ranks. The Intramuros, Manila, Philippines-based school wear red, gold, and black as their school colors. It is one of the finest institutions in producing great basketball talent.
The Red Lions of San Beda College roar loudly and wear red and white. The school has been with NCAA Philippines between 1924 through 1983 and since 1986. The school has five general NCAA championships, but their Juniors' team (known as the Red Cubs) have won nine general NCAA championships. The Seniors' team is located in Mendiola, Manila, Philippines; and the Juniors' team plays in Taytay, Rizal, Philippines. A notable player from SBC is PBA basketball player Ren-Ren Ritualo.
San Sebastian College - Recoletos is home to the Golden Stags, whom have been NCAA Philippines members since 1969. They have five Senior general championships in the NCAA. Red, gold, and white are their school colors. They have notable rivalries against Letran, José Rizal, and Saint Benilde. They also have a rivalry with the University of Santo Thomas in the women's basketball ranks.
Since 1984, the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA has been an NCAA Philippines member school. UPHSD was established in 1975, and its Senior athletics team has two general NCAA championships. The Atlas' colors are maroon and gold. UPSHD's motto is "Character Building is Nation Building." In case you wonder what DALTA stands for, it is named for the school's founder, Dr. Antonio Laperal Tamayo. The namesake also is the origin of the Altas nickname (based on Dr. Tamayo's initials).
--- More Links ---
To learn more about each of the aforementioned schools themselves, here are links:
You can keep up with college basketball in the Philippines by checking out ! The specific link on www.inboundpass.com for NCAA Philippines' basketball can be reached at NCAA (Philippines) basketball on inboundpass.com.
National Signing Day is that day where prospective High School football players announce their college of choice. The fanfare and the anticipation of where they want to play their college football. Much ado is made of this deal. You know- is he playing for Texas, LSU, Florida, Alabama, or whoever? Let's set the mood with a picture:
^ from: media.charleston.net - National Signing Day means a lot to big-name colleges trying to sign star High School football recruits. Who will these recruits sign their Letter of Intent with?
To be honest, too much a big deal is made of this. This is a big deal obviously for the schools involved because the big-name High School recruits. Big name schools get the big name recruits. However, what if a five-star recruit considers Ohio State or Notre Dame... and chooses Eastern Michigan, Duke, UNLV, or Army? It is great to follow a High School star to become a star in college (and maybe in the NFL if he chooses to go into the National Football League). But, do we really NEED to hype up High School athletes like this?
So what's my problem with National Signing Day? It's media hype and extra pandering and exposure for big name schools and big name players just so ESPN can make some extra paper stacks (as in money). High School athletes obviously have a big choice to make in determining what school they want to play for. It's a huge decision for the High School athletes involved. However, if you're going to pick a big-name school (let alone any at all), it doesn't need to be hyped up on a day like National Signing Day. Don't make your choice much like LeBron James and "The Decision." Announcing your college of choice and signing that Letter of Intent shouldn't be an announcement-worthy, TV-worthy moment.
It is news when a certain professional player requests a trade or is drafted to a certain team. You can't just hype up a High School athlete like this on the college he chooses to go to and play football at like this. There is really no need to hype up college football like this, even if to make a quick buck. A High School athlete is still a student trying to get his way into college. And when he eventually gets to the college level, he will be trying to get his education while also prepping for the rigors of major college football. Enjoy National Signing Day because it will be where some of the top recruits will want to play ball in the future. However, too much of a big deal is made about National Signing Day. There is really no need to announce your intents like this. It is a big deal for colleges because the decision ultimately comes down to the students involved. However, there is no need to make National Signing Day like the NFL Draft.
To all the High Schoolers looking to play football in college, best of luck to you. National Signing Day is just really unnecessary to hype up and make a big deal out of. Whatever happened to just choosing wherever you want to go without having a lot of fanfare involved? That's just my opinion. What is YOUR opinion on this deal? Feel free to comment!
By the Way...
You can keep up with the National Signing Day (which is on February 2, 2011) action by visiting these sites (among others):
...because this sports year has been depressing for me as a sports fan. All or most of my favorite sports teams have failed (sometimes badly) this season. This was further brought about as my Rockets just lost to the Suns 123-116. Here's a rap sheet for you showing my frustration as a sports fan this season:
* 2010 Texans great disappointment. I love them, but they've failed in clutch times and overall. I hate the notion of people saying we find creative ways to lose games. Save talk like "creative ways to lose games" for times like when Sage Rosenfels basically gave away a 17-point lead on the Colts at home. THAT is creative losing. The loss to Jacksonville on that Hail Mary was a prayer from Heaven answered by the Jags as we failed in heartbreaking fashion. Yet still, it won't stop networks like ESPN showcasing the Texans to show them while they are down and prostituting their "Always Hate Houston" policy. I am still a Texans fan even if we're croaking winning opportunities.
* 2010-2011 Rockets (so far) What the hell can I say? I'm a Rockets fan, but this team is much better than their current 3-10 record after letting Phoenix dominate them just tonight. The Rockets need to get their heads in the game and play much better than how they are playing. It has been since 2008 or so since last making the playoffs. It's been since 1995 since we've been champions. Some fans are already calling Clutch City as "Choke City." I'm still a Rockets fan despite our depressing start to the 2010-2011 season. In preparing this blog, one woman just called into the call-in show after the Rockets' loss that we're finding "creative ways to lose." I'm like... damn it, SHUT THE HELL UP WITH THAT! There are teams in other sports much worse than us that do much better in finding ways to lose. Stop making it sound like we're the only team or the only sports city that finds ways to fail.
* 2010 Houston Astros The Astros made a huge turnaround to go from doormat to NL Pennant Winners in 2005. Since? Out of the playoffs five successive seasons with pathetic play all around. Roy Oswalt reluctantly wanted a trade to play for a contender despite his solid work for the Astros. Then... whoever would have heard "former Astro Lance Berkman?" Isn't that a shame to hear? This team is in disarray and has been for some time. I almost wish I could clone the 1998 Houston Astros so that we stand a better chance of winning than falling on our faces constantly. Michael Bourn, however, is still one of the most solid players, and he had a heck of a year. Still, this team needs to do more winning than failing. I'm still n Astros fan despite my hometown baseball team's inability to consistently be a contender.
* 2010 Houston Dynamo We've stumbled a great deal this season and never shown the championship form we've enjoyed since the Dynamo arrived in Houston. I don't usually watch football (as in "soccer"), but I am huge on the Dynamo in the MLS. You can't win them all. You can't be a heavyweight champ all the time because someone will always knock you on your bottom. I certainly love the Dynamo despite our losses.
* 2010 Houston Cougars- Football I'm a Cougars fan, and while this season hasn't been completely disappointing, it's still sad Case Keenum was done for the year along with the other guy we lost at the UCLA game. I'm still a UH fan regardless; just sad this season could have been much better.
* USA Soccer Ousted by Ghana when many predicted the United States could go very far, I was sad the US basically seemed to give up in their World Cup match against Ghana. I saw a US team basically concede defeat by not making timely defensive moves to try to give themselves a realistic chance. Football/Soccer isn't our sport, but I am still a great fan of USA football/soccer.
* Pearland Little League I do cheer on the Pearland Little League team that played in the Little League World Series. They just get hammered by two different teams, basically being outscored 24-2 respectively to Hawaii (a 10-0 defeat) and Chinese Taipei (a 14-2 defeat). I still have respect for these little guys on a job well done.
* Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon is used to winning. It's sad when a four-time NASCAR champ has a 50+ winless streak. I absolutely hated how this season has gone for him this season. Just never finding that winning magic. He hasn't won a race since Texas in 2009 or 2008. If that's not bad enough, his pit crew was traded to the #48 team. There were also those times late in the season when Jeff Gordon just had his rough 2010 season end in frustration. I love Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon, but I'm sad Jeff Gordon hasn't been in his past form. Today's NASCAR is basically Jimmie Johnson... and 42 other drivers. I still love Jeff Gordon.
* Danica Patrick Let it be known that I love one Danica Sue Patrick and love watching her race. This past season, unfortunately, hasn't been very good in the IndyCar Series. She had an AMAZING run in ARCA at Daytona, finishing 6th or so. My heart went out to Danica in her Nationwide runs, even when Danica was on pace for a great finish until being tagged by James Buescher at one race. Danica had a great season last season, though the second half was a bit rough as she had a tough time getting out of 5th in the points. If there was a favorite race from 2010 with Danica, hands down- her performance at Texas. She was rock solid and raced harder than I've ever seen her race. I think Danica is finding her way in racing in NASCAR Nationwide. She will be a consistent contender in NASCAR in due time. I still love seeing Danica race.
The one prevalent issue in all of this? I'm still a fan of many of these various teams. I am not going be a Lakers fan or a Spurs (especially not the Spurs) just because they're doing better than my Rockets. I'm not going to praise the Colts or Titans just because my Texans are disappointing as crap. Some people just become fans of other teams in bandwagon fashion just to be fond of winning teams. I think some people stop becoming fans of their favorite (yet struggling) teams strategically to say that their real favorite team is so bad, that they'd rather follow other teams than see their true favorite teams stink up games. Like every team has to dominate EVERY season. Sports do not work that way. Teams will stink. Athletes will stink. May not happen often, but not every sports team dominates, and it's not the end of the world if one team just isn't doing that well. I'm just sad that most of my favorites have done so poorly this year.
Two feel-good stories for this year for me- USA basketball in the FIBA World Championship in Turkey and Texas Southern Tigers' football clinching the SWAC West conference crown. Also, I'm proud for the NL to win both the All-Star Game and the World Series. I have NL solidarity because of my Astros and the handful of great NL teams. I'm also proud for UH men's basketball because the Cougars returned to March Madness for the first time since 1992. I just wished they played better in their game against Maryland in the NCAA tournament. Other than this, just bring on 2011 because most of this year has been depressing to me as a sports fan. Perhaps releasing my frustration as a sports fan will be motivation for my favorites to play better for the rest of this year/season or for next year/season.
So... bring on 2011 because 2010 has been most depressing for me as a sports fan. :(
Is the NBA becoming a "No Fun League?" A reason why you'd say yes is because of these "Respect the Game" Technical Fouls being called for overreactions to calls by the referees. The premise of these tech fouls is to get players and others to respect the game rather than curse out officials or overreact. Sure, foul calls are going to be debated like crazy. Do you have to, however, take away the emotion of basketball by calling ticky-tacky Technical Fouls just because you argue a certain call made by a ref? This whole "Respect the Game" foul deal was patterned after the Technical Foul meister himself- Rasheed (or 'sheed) Wallace.
Allow me to set the mood with a picture:
^ from: bleacherreport.net - Careful arguing foul calls... you could get hit with a "Respect the Game" Technical Foul if you overreact to a foul call. That's even if you act in a way that you don't think warrants a Tech Foul.
I'd rather get T'ed up for a bogus foul call (and in essence give up points to the other team) than get a dumb foul call against me. Part of any sport is emotion, and without emotion, you ruin the atmosphere and character of the game and the sport. The whole "Respect the Game" aspect began (according to USA Today) back in 2006 when NBA referees were cracking down on players who overreact to calls made by referees. Punching the air, turning away in anger, getting in the referee's face complaining a call, and things like that are grounds for picking up these "Respect the Game" Technical Fouls. Yeah- just shut up and play the game, but you can't play the game when you have bull crap foul calls called in games. At least in baseball, most of the refs are willing to let players and coaches argue as much as they like (unless the official ejects them from the game). It's almost as if NBA referees are much less intolerable compared to MLB umpires. Hell, you can get in the face of an MLB umpire in a heated argument. The NBA, though... you try to argue a crappy call, and you get T'ed up (and maybe ejected).
Properly Defining "Respect the Game."
How exactly are you disrespecting the game of basketball if you argue a call (especially a stupid call) made by a referee? The officials have the final say in all actions on the court, but it's not like you're disgracing the sport James Naismith invented with many other people around the world playing and enhancing. Disrespecting basketball (to me) means hating the game of basketball itself- complaining about how poor basketball is, giving rants about how the game is played, saying something like "(some other sport) is better than basketball," and stuff like that. How are you disrespecting basketball by simply overreacting to a foul call? Do coaches disgrace baseball when the coach argues with the umpire? Well... there is ONE case of "Respect the Game" Technical Fouls. Flagrant fouls are acts of disrespecting the game. Flopping (making a foul look harder than it actually is) is NOT respecting the game, either. Oh, and another example of not respecting basketball? Remember a fellow named Tim Donaghy that bet on games? Did he revolutionize and respect basketball? I don't think so. Just play the game, but there's a fine line between what should and shouldn't be considered as "Respect the Game" fouls.
I'm not saying that NBA players have the right to get all up in the face of referees and call them out like punks on the street, but these "Respect the Game" Technical Fouls are just bogus. Save them for when people REALLY want to object and rebel against the NBA. It's not really disrespecting the game unless you have a bunch of referees who make pathetic foul calls and other officiating moves. They are just refs and it's just a game of basketball, but there are LOADS of gray areas in regards to what qualifies as "respecting the game." Even worse is when you try to penalize someone who the ref thinks is acting out of himself/herself in a self-promoting manner outside the boundaries of the game. The NBA is fun (I prefer college, though), but is the emotion of the NBA going to get sapped out with these bogus "Respect the Game" Technical Fouls? The answer looks to be a resounding yes if this thing gets any worse.
What do you make of these "Respect the Game" Technical Fouls in the NBA? Feel free to comment. Oh... there is a petition going on for the NBA to revoke these "Respect for the Game" technical fouls. Look around online for it, though.
This crossed my mind as my Texans got dominated 34-10. Some sports fans think that no team should ever lose to anybody. That's the heart of a true fan of a team. Reality, however, shows that teams DO lose games and that you can't win them all. There are two schools of thought in regards to losing games- losing games you know you could have won, and losing games simply because a team played better than you in every phase of the game. My Texans were simply beaten by a good Giants team. Also, we just simply played a sloppy game.
Losing: Losing Games You Could/Should/Would Have Won.
For many sports fans, any game can be won with no excuses. An example in regards to my Texans was a few years ago when we were supposed to beat the Colts by 17 here in Houston... until Sage Rosenfels (who was the kick holder for the Giants today) became too much of a hero and basically GAVE the win to the Colts. You have to be able to close out games when you know you are leading.
Losing: Losing Games to a Better Team.
A team sometimes plays better than the other. My Texans lost badly to the Giants just now, and the Giants were simply much better in every phase of the game. It wasn't like we were a three-touchdown favorite against the Giants. The Giants were the better team on this day. The Houston Texans have been around since 2002, but we haven't developed any serious and consistent character that makes us stand out. Think about it- you have powerhouse NFL programs like Pittsburgh, Baltimore, San Diego, and teams like that. The Texans are finding their way in the 2010 season. We aren't, however, anything established and fearful. At least... not yet. You can be a talented team and still lose. The questions to answer simply relate to how to get better for the next season. It's not time to panic unless there's just no hope of making the playoffs or at least having a winning season.
I think a lot of people feel that any team can beat any team. This is especially true in pro sports since the level of competition is about equal (good and bad teams notwithstanding) and that every game is a foregone conclusion as to who will win and that anything short of that team winning is a disappointment. Depending on the fan, a loss can be taken either like it shouldn't have happened, or that a team simply played better than the other.
The moral of this story... sometimes to deliver punishing knockouts to others, you have to take some knockouts yourself. Even Mike Tyson got knocked on his rear even as he's been making others kiss the canvas. You can't win them all. You CAN win the ones you play hardest for. Play hard all the time, but sometimes, your hardest doesn't always equate to your best.
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The Houston Texans lost to the Dallas Cowboys 27-13 today. It doesn't mean, however, that we were predicted to finish unbeaten or head straight to the Super Bowl. I think lots of people thought we can win almost any game after being Indianapolis Colts at home and the Washington Redskins in Overtime. The Texans just did NOT play well. While the Texans are having a great season, there is still lots to be desired. This team still has to learn to play hard and consistently. I think a lot of people just feel like the Texans can beat ANYBODY if they can beat the Colts and Redskins in the first two weeks of the season. While that's true, there's still the human element. Life teaches us that we are not always going to be winners all the time. We need to accept failures to help make us stronger in the future. Yes, a 2-0 Texans team losing to an 0-2 Cowboys team is bad. However, it's not like the Texans are "playoffs or bust." Some people are just taking this loss a bit too far.
If You are a Cowboys Fan...
Congratulations to the Cowboys. They simply played better, harder, and more consistently than the Texans.
If You are a Texans Fan...
It's not the end of the world. The Texans aren't going to become the second coming of the 1972 Miami Dolphins. This is the National Football League... NOT the BCS of major college football. You can't let one loss crush your spirits. Look at it this way- would you rather lose a game to a team you can easily beat or a very good team (win-loss record notwithstanding) that you simply played poor against? I wanted to the Texans to win, but I wasn't making jokes or insults and everything. Calm down, people! So what? We lost to the Cowboys. It's not like the Cowboys are some NCAA FCS team. Don't take this loss like Virginia Tech losing to James Madison.
There's still a long season ahead. If you let a loss like this ruin your spirits, then you'll just look at this game as a missed opportunity, and it wasn't a missed opportunity. This was simply a game that the Texans didn't play their best and didn't really prove to be a factor. We played like crap but still won at the Redskins last weekend in Overtime. Losing to the Cowboys is bad, but it's not anything seriously demoralizing. You just have to come out better and stronger for the next test.
Another thing to note... it seems like when we lose, a lot of fans know exactly what to say like we're supposed to win every game. So when we do indeed lose, it's like someone has to punish or chastise the Texans just because they didn't beat the hated Cowboys. These are the ones that really need to calm down. A lot of Texans fans are still Texans fans whether losing by a field goal or by three or more touchdowns.
The Cowboys beat my Texans as the Texans failed to really show up. My only problem is with people who feel like this loss is like the end of our season. We're not a Super Bowl lock. We are (at least, in the minds of many NFL fans) a middle-of-the-road team trying to win over the hearts of NFL fans by making the playoffs and making as best of a push as we can. Losing to a rival is bad, but it's just a game. It wasn't like this game was for home-field advantage in the playoffs or anything. We just lost to the Cowboys. That's sports. Too many people take sports TOO seriously, to the point where victory over a certain team is vital to living.
Texans lost, but it's not the end of the season. And don't worry... we'll take down the Cowboys next time! :)
One of two different college sporting associations is the UAAP, or the University Athletic Association of the Philippines. Eight schools play in over 15 different sports for this league established in 1938. I was first introduced to the UAAP as I saw an infamous video of a game between De La Salle University and University of the East (or UE). The infamous incident involved Rico Maierhofer fouling Mark Borboran hard. A melee by both teams ensued afterwards. And as Mark Fampulme (of UE) went in to confront Rico Maierhofer, Brian Ilad of De La Salle, on the bench, sucker punches Fampulme in the back of his head. As I began to learn a little more about the UAAP, I became a bit more educated about the schools involved. The UAAP is the only Filipino college sports association I know of besides the NCAA (the NCAA in the Philippines is NOT associated with the NCAA in the United States).
This blog entry will expose you a bit to the teams that comprise the UAAP. I get a lot of viewers from the Philippines, so this is a chance for me to chat about Filipino sports. Here is a logo of the UAAP that I've found online. The eight circles represent the team colors of the eight member schools:
^ from: photobucket.com - the UAAP logo.
CREDIT: Wikipedia (most of the following information)
--- The Teams of the UAAP ---
Teams in the UAAP feature eight colleges and eight high school equivalents. You'll see the college teams followed by their high school counterparts. The nicknames for the sports teams are in CAPITAL LETTERS. The female teams (if any) are in parentheses and in italics. You can visit these teams' websites (if any) towards the end of this blog entry. Have a look:
UAAP Schools: Colleges and Universities/Seniors.
First up, here are the eight member schools of the UAAP. These are the college teams.
• Ateneo de Manila University BLUE EAGLES (LADY EAGLES) (I included Ateneo first in honor of a friend of mine. You can visit my friend's blog at Ericatrish) ^ from: photobucket.com - the Ateneo Blue Falcons' men's basketball team. They are often called the "Hail Mary School" for their miraculous comebacks and clutch performances.
• Adamson SOARING FALCONS (LADY FALCONS) ^ from: photobucket.com - the Soaring Falcons men's basketball team of Adamson.
• De La Salle GREEN ARCHERS (LADY ARCHERS) ^ from: archerpride.com, by way of facebook.com - De La Salle wants its opponents to "Fear the Green."
• University of the East RED WARRIORS (LADY WARRIORS) ^ from: gmanews.tv - The UE Red Warriors taking on the FEU Tamaraws.
• Far Eastern University Nicamor Reyes Educational Foundation (or FEU) TAMARAWS (LADY TAMARAWS) ^ from tamarawbayan.com - the FEU Tamaraws (green/gold) vs. the Growling Tigers (white/gold).
• National University BULLDOGS (LADY BULLDOGS) ^ from: varsitarian.net - a Bulldog (white uniform) trying to defend against a UST Growling Tiger.
• University of the Philippines FIGHTING MAROONS (LADY MAROONS) ^ from: photobucket.com - the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons' men's basketball team.
• University of Santo Tomas GROWLING TIGERS (TIGRESSES) ^ from: yfittopostblogph.wordpress.com - the UST Growling Tigers' men's basketball team.
UAAP Schools: High Schools/Juniors.
Up now are the high school (or Junior) teams.
• Ateneo de Manila University High School BLUE EAGLETS (no girls' team) • Adamson High School BABY FALCONS (LADY BABY FALCONS) • De La Salle Zobel School JUNIOR ARCHERS (LADY JUNIOR ARCHERS) • University of the East High School JUNIOR WARRIORS (LADY JUNIOR WARRIORS) • Far Eastern University Nicamor Reyes Educational Foundation BABY TAMARAWS (---no girls team ---) • National University High School BULLPUPS (LADY BULLPUPS) • University of the Philippines Integrated School JUNIOR MAROONS (LADY JUNIOR MAROONS) • University of Santo Tomas High School TIGER CUBS (LADY TIGER CUBS)
The three original schools of the UAAP are the University of the Philippines, the University of Santo Tomas, and National University. The youngest member of the UAAP was De La Salle, who joined in 1986. The only two former schools of the UAAP were Manila Central University (1952-1962) and the University of Manila (1952-1954). Ateneo, De La Salle, UP, and UST all compete in all sports the UAAP offers.
--- Sports of the UAAP ---
Among the 15 sports of the UAAP, the biggest sport in the UAAP is basketball. Sports are offered in two semesters. The first semester sports last between July and October, and the second semester schools last between November of the current year and into March the following year.
First Semester Sports of the UAAP.
• Basketball • Badminton • Beach Volleyball • Judo • Taekwondo • Table Tennis • Cheerdance (think of this as cheerleading meets Battle of the Bands)
Second Semester Sports of the UAAP.
• Baseball • Football (soccer to us Americans) • Softball • Tennis • Track and Field • Volleyball • Chess • Fencing
Unlike in America's NCAA, most of these games are played at certain venues rather than at most of the on-campus or nearby facilities. That probably helps when you have only eight member schools or not as many schools that could afford on-campus facilities. Most of these sports are played at only one facility while many others are at others. Not a lot of games are played at on-campus or near campus facilities. The UAAP season is usually divided into actual numbered seasons, and a certain university plays host to UAAP action. This season (2010-2011) of UAAP action is UAAP Season 73 and hosted by De La Salle.
I noted basketball earlier. Unlike in America's NCAA Basketball, basketball is played in four ten-minute quarters. Just to tell you right now, this is going to be almost completely from Wikipedia reading. I do not know how to explain the format. However, I will try. There is a playoff system in UAAP basketball. The best four teams qualify for Postseason play. There is also a step ladder format used if a team is unbeaten. Of the top four, the two highest seeds have the advantage. The top seeds have to be beaten twice to be eliminated from the playoffs. If the top seeds win their elimination games, they go right into the Finals and get a Bye. The bottom two seeds of the best four go into single-elimination. Their next match will be against either the first or second seed based on the tournament bracket. Again, I'm sorry that I couldn't explain the format better than what I came up with.
I've read that the biggest rivalry in the UAAP is the rivalry between Ateneo and De La Salle. NOTHING makes sports better than rivalries, so I'm sure this rivalry is extremely heralded.
Overall Championships.
In addition to championships in individual sports, the UAAP has an OVERALL championship awarded for excellence in all sports during that season. Think of it as an accord for winning championships and finishing well in all sports. The Seniors' honor has been around since the 1947-1948 season, and the Juniors' crown has been around since the 1995-1996 season. The University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University (in order) have won the most Overall championships. The winner of the very first Overall champion honor was Far Eastern University. They won the Overall Championship every year until the University of Santo Tomas won in the 1958-1959 season. The first Junior Overall championship honor went to the University of Santo Tomas. The most total Overall Championships by any school (as of the date of this blog entry) is 49 (12 Juniors, 37 Seniors) overall championships by the University of Santo Tomas.
That concludes this blog entry. Here are links to each of the aforementioned schools. The links include links to the school's official website. On my check, none of these schools have any official websites for their sports teams. The only thing close to an official sports site for the specific schools is a site for the De La Salle Green Archers at. Have a look:
No official Twitter for the following: Adamson, University of the East, Far Eastern University, National University, University of the Philippines, or University of Santo Tomas
You can learn more about the UAAP by visiting the official website of the UAAP. You can keep up with college basketball in the Philippines by checking out ! The specific link on www.inboundpass.com for UAAP college basketball can be reached at UAAP basketball on inboundpass.com.
Texas is known as a gridiron football state, so it's strange when you don't have football. When you also consider certain colleges that take part in the expensive realm of college football, some schools simply don't have the money or resources to have football. Two of the most recent schools (among others) to either reinstate or start football are Lamar University (Beaumont, TX, USA) and the University of Texas-San Antonio (San Antonio, TX, USA). These are schools to recently reinstate or start football among many other schools, such as (but not limited to) Campbell University, Old Dominion University, the University of South Alabama, University of the Incarnate Word, Kentucky Christian University, and many others. This blog entry expresses my thoughts and wishes for football at both Lamar and UTSA.
I welcome any fans or athletics personnel (or even players) from Lamar and UTSA who may be reading this blog entry!
Lamar Cardinals' Football.
^ from: lamarcardinals.com - a Lamar football helmet.
When I was a Lamar student [for only 11 weeks (long story)] in 2002, Lamar did not have football. Lamar discontinued football back in (I believe) the 1980s. The football stadium close by Lamar University is near the Montange Center (where Lamar plays basketball at). The only action I've noticed at that stadium was mostly grade school football. While I haven't been a Lamar student ever since, I still strongly support the Lamar Cardinals. In fact, I always cheer on Lamar in their athletics even though my favorite school is the University of Houston. I think Lamar will be solid in the Southland Conference. I'm sure, though, that they'll need to be on top of their game to take on teams like Sam Houston State, Nicholls State, and (especially) McNeese State.
(UPDATE: MAR 11 2011) In their return to football, the Lamar Cardinals finished 5-6 in their 2010 campaign. I hope Lamar will be able to keep playing hard and maybe surprise some people in FCS-level football. I proudly cheer on Lamar, speaking as a former student of Lamar University.
Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners' Football.
^ from: utsa.edu - a UTSA Roadrunner football helmet.
I've been to San Antonio twice in my life, but never explored the city (meaning that I've NEVER been to the Riverwalk). The University of Texas-San Antonio is not only starting football, but hoping to play on the NCAA FBS level in the future. The only real facility San Antonio has is the Alamodome. The Alamodome usually plays host to the Alamo Bowl in the FBS ranks. If UTSA has their way, the UTSA Roadrunners will proudly call this site home. UTSA may likely join the Sun Belt if they do step into FBS. The longshot would be if UTSA joined Conference USA to play with and against the better mid-major schools in Texas. The Coach for UTSA's football team is the great former head coach of the University of Miami Hurricanes, Larry Coker.
(UPDATE: MAR 11 2011) The Roadrunners have not yet played a season of football. They will play their first season later this year, starting in September. When I looked up UTSA Football on Wikipedia, they anticipate playing on the FBS level in 2013. Therefore, they'll be taking on future FBS opponents such as Houston, Kansas State, Virginia, and Oklahoma State among others.
One thing to note is that Lamar and UTSA are both in the same conference- the Southland Conference. There are two other Southland Conference schools that don't have football at present- the University of Texas-Arlington and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. I heard that Texas-Arlington is still considering reinstating a proper football team for the UTA Mavericks. If students or athletics personnel for Lamar and/or UTSA somehow are reading this blog entry, I want to wish the two of you the absolute best in football. Nothing gets adrenaline pumping in the college sports ranks quite like college football (though college basketball is always exciting). Lamar Cardinals... UTSA Roadrunners... go kick some butt on the football field, you hear me?
Earlier today, one of the all-time greatest coaches, John Wooden, died at age 99 of natural causes. I really must say... he was God in college basketball who achieved fame as winning ten national championships for the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA, of course). Name me any other coach in NCAA Division 1 men's basketball (or perhaps ANY collegiate or pro basketball team that has a coach who has won 10 championships. He was the Wizard of Westwood and just one of the all-time greats in coaching. I wish I knew more about him as a player, but I heard that in his 29 seasons as UCLA head coach, he has had a grand total of NO losing seasons. People, the man is an absolute legend. There will never be another John Wooden (at least in our lifetime).
Here is Mr. John Wooden below:
^ from: imperfectwomen.com - John Wooden (Oct. 14, 1910 - June 4, 2010).
When you can win one championship for a school, you've accomplished something. When you can win multiple championships for one school, you're a powerhouse. When you win 10 for one school, you're God, and John Wooden was a college basketabll god. He was accounted for 10 of UCLA's 11 National Championships as coach. That is totally impressive. He's left a huge mark in sporting history (let alone college sports history).
My thoughts and prayers go out to John Wooden's friends, family, and all whom have known and loved him. For a look at what John Wooden left behind, please read this Yahoo! Sports article: Legendary Wooden Dead at 99.
And here two YouTube videos for your enjoyment:
Rest in peace, John Wooden. You are a total legend.
ESPN's "College Football Live" had a poll asking whether Notre Dame should join the Big Ten. Over 74% voted that perhaps America's most popular Catholic university SHOULD join the Big Ten. Most of Notre Dame's other sports are in the Big East. So for some people, why don't Notre Dame play in the Big East? So let's explain the two sides in this rather brief blog entry of mine.
^ from: valuecarpetonline.com
Notre Dame Should Join... the Big Ten! Considering that Notre Dame has rivalries against schools like Michigan, Michigan State, it would make sense to have these rivalries become part of national pride. Don't forget about their in-state opponents like Indiana and Purdue. It would mean that Notre Dame would have to contend consistently against some of the better Big Ten teams. By doing this, though, I have to imagine Notre Dame having to match up against Ohio State in the Big Ten.
The best reason why I think Notre Dame should join the Big Ten is for regional purposes. Notre Dame is a Midwestern school, and for a nationally-recognized school like Notre Dame, it would not do too much a dent to their recruting.
Notre Dame Should Join... the Big East! Notre Dame is part of a mega-conference in basketball. A lot of their other sports are in the Big East, so why not Big East FOOTBALL? Well for many people, the Big East is too weak a conference. I think even if for the sake of trying to re-establish yourself against some good opposition, why not join the Big East? I'd be very okay to see Notre Dame match up against Big East teams like Pittsburgh, West Virginia, a vastly-improving South Florida, and let's not forget about Cincinnati as well.
The reason why I think the Big East would be a better fit is simply to fall in line with other schools. I think a conference like the Big Ten is full of tradition with truly capable schools. I think the youngest Big Ten school is Penn State, who joined in 1993 (I believe). Why not fall in line with your other sports by joining the Big East? So what if the Big East is considered too weak? At least this is a platform you can use to really prove yourselves against quality opposition (beisdes from the Big Ten, of course).
If you had to choose between Notre Dame football going to the Big Ten or the Big East, which would YOU take? Pass along some comments if this topic interests you.
Formula SAE is one of the most popular collegiate competitions in the world. Cars built are completely made by students. You don't even have to be an automotive engineering major to enjoy Formula SAE. SAE International, or the Society of Automotive Engineers, is the principal body behind this style of collegiate competition since 1978. If you think that FSAE is more like wheel-to-wheel racing you're used to seeing on TV, think again. Formula SAE primarily focuses on building a formula-type race car that passes a bunch of key areas. FSAE is not the only program devoted to formula racing for schools, but it's the most popular. This program even featured in the February 2007 edition of Road and Track Magazine.
This blog entry will share as much as I know about Formula SAE. This is a chance for me to talk about Formula SAE.
LATEST UPDATE(S):
MAR 28 2012 - made a number of edits to update this very old post.
PERSONAL NOTE: Thanks to all of you for continually reading this blog post despite it being very old! I appreciate your support!
--- Formula SAE at a Glance ---
The premise of Formula SAE entails many things. The least of which includes developing technologies to perhaps create better technologies for existing cars, or it can be just to challenge college students to build a formula race car that meets a variety of different aspects. There are multiple Formula SAE divisions around the world as well as here in the United States.
The scenario is that a fictional team wants colleges and universities to build a formula race car for them. To be used as a product, it must meet a number of key points for it to sell. Schools are in charge of everything from building up these cars to testing them and racing them. You build it, you test it, you race it. Not only that, you also have to make sure it meets a few different performance and efficiency standards.
Aspects of Grading Formula SAE Cars.
Here are some of the many different areas in determining what car ends up winning top honors: • overall cost • efficiency • performance • fuel consumption
Most of the teams that make these cars usually make cars powered by motorcycle engines. There are a variety of specific specifications usually listed by SAE International. For example, Wichita State University's Formula SAE car is powered by the engine that powers the Honda CBR600RR. There are even motorcycle mufflers used on a lot of FSAE cars.
Cars are usually built by the automobile engineering colleges at universities. You have everything to try to make an FSAE car. You have to weld the frame, build a body for the car, put on some tires, and add whatever little touches you like to make the car stand out. Don't expect to see any cars that could start in a Formula One Grand Prix race. Most of the cars have blunt edges and noses. Some cars have rear wings while others don't.
More information on performance criteria and car regulations can be found at the conclusion of this blog entry.
--- Why I Love Formula SAE ---
The thing that stands out to me about Formula SAE is the fact that students build and race these cars. Outside of racing, many go on to mostly look for jobs in the fields of automotive engineering, making automobiles and automobile technologies run more efficiently.
Also, it's the closest I'll ever imagine colleges racing for pride without doing any true wheel-to-wheel racing.
--- Formula SAE Cars in Photos ---
This section pertains to various colleges and universities that have or still take part in Formula SAE competition. You will see various Formula SAE cars from many universities and colleges. I'll show you some pictures followed by various schools that take part in, or have taken part in, Formula SAE competition. Here are some pictures now:
American Teams.
^ from: formularpi.com - Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute's Formula SAE car in 2008. They have one of the longest-running programs in Formula SAE, starting all the way back in 1992.
^ from: amsoil.com - Ohio State's Formula SAE team (also called Formula Buckeye).
^ from: engin.umich.edu - a Formula SAE car by the University of Michigan. I can't mention Ohio State without mentioning Michigan! :)
^ from: flickr.com - the 2008 Formula SAE car of the University of Texas-Arlington. Some of their cars are the most sophisticated-looking FSAE cars you will ever see.
International (including Canada and Mexico) Teams.
Here are some non-American schools that have taken part in Formula SAE:
^ from: sdsef1.com - a Formula SAE car made by the University of Toronto in 2000.
^ from: flickr.com - Helsinki Polytechnic Stadia's Formula SAE car.
^ from: yfrog.com - a Formula SAE car made by Tokyo Denki University.
^ from: photobucket.com - a Formula SAE car made by Monash University in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
--- Formula SAE Preparation and Shakedown ---
Many teams don't have the luxury of using a race track, so a lot of schools simply use roads around campus as well as parking lots. This bit of shakedown testing will help put each Formula SAE car through their paces. It will give schools a better idea as to the amount of progress made on their cars.
Here are two YouTube videos to show off shakedowns. The first one is on the campus of the University of Minnesota-Duluth around parking lots. The second one is a news piece with a shakedown on a race track featuring the University of South Florida. Have a look:
--- Formula SAE Competition ---
School pride (and sometimes national pride) is on the line in these events. You are going up in most competitions against schools from around the world. The competition process is in
Most of the events are primarily autocross-style competitions. Formula SAE cars must manuver around a set of cones. Anyone used to autocross racing know what to expect. You have to be within cones and may even have to do slalom runs. There are also skidpad tests and endurance tests.
Here is a sample of what a Formula SAE competition is like:
Now a look at individual events.
Acceleration Events.
From a standing start, blast from the starting gate to the finish gate in the quickest amount of time. This is where drag racing skill comes into play. The course is about a 75 meter drag strip (which is about 3/4 of an American gridiron football field).
Autocross Events.
Formula SAE cars are asked to clear an open circuit autocross course. Keep the car within the cones and be sure to properly slalom around slalom cones. Fastest time wins. Most of these occur around parking lots and some race tracks. For example, the University of Texas-Arlington competed in an Autocross section that used part of the infield road course of Texas Motor Speedway.
Skidpad Event.
Formula SAE teams face a skidpad test. Two skidpad circles are marked off with multiple cones. FSAE cars enter the course and run two laps around the right-hand skidpad. After the second lap around the right skidpad, they must quickly transition over to the left-hand skidpad and run two laps around that skidpad. The car must finally clear the Finish gate to complete the run. Penalties are handed out for hitting cones.
Endurance Testing.
Formula SAE's endurance tests are about really punishing the car with a long race. These endurances usually last more than 20 minutes long. The key is in completing the race while trying to do it conserving the least amount of fuel. It isn't a wheel-to-wheel race, though there may be multiple cars on the same course. Your job is to finish the race with the amount of fuel you start off with. Halfway through the race, you can make a pit stop and do a driver change. Use this time to inspect details on the car before completing the rest of the race. You cannot change any settings on the car or add any fuel. Knocking over cones result in two seconds of penalty time added to your Endurance time. A DNF results in a 20-second penalty. Points are rewarded for great performance in certain categories, such as fuel consumption (teams with lesser fuel consumption score better).
Formula SAE Events.
These are a variety of Formula SAE events held around the world (source - Wikipedia):
• Formula SAE (Michigan, USA) • Formula Student (United Kingdom) • FSAE Australasia (Australia) • FSAE Japan • FSAE Brazil • Italy • Formula Student Germany • FSAE West (USA) • Formula SAE at Virginia International Raceway • Formula Student Austria • Formula Hybrid
--- Where Do Students Go After Formula SAE? ---
Formula SAE can be great fun in making race cars and being able to test and race them. Where do most Formula SAE team members go after FSAE? You know how the NCAA has commercials saying that their athletes go pro in something other than sports? Well, a number of those who take part in Formula SAE can go on to building and engineering better products for automobiles. Many of these FSAE people can go on to major automobile makers and engineering firms to make cars better. A big part of Formula SAE is in getting more engineers to make better products for automobiles. Some enjoy making cars, while many others are seeking employment in the automotive engineering industry.
That concludes my blog entry on Formula SAE. I salute all the colleges and universities around the world who take part in this. If you enjoyed this blog entry, I want you to learn more about Formula SAE by checking out these resources. Right click to open these links in a new window or tab:
