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(03/23/15 4:35pm)
It’s not often that you get to experience really great jazz in downtown Macon. While we have a wealth of talented musicians in our community, expertly executed jazz music tends to be somewhat of a rarity. Thanks to Corner Concerts, the Macon Pops Jazz Quartet, the Keith Fitzgerald Quintet and philanthropic organizations like the Knight Foundation, however, the Macon area was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to hear two stellar jazz performances by top-notch musicians within a little over a week of one another.
At the first event put on by Corner Concerts in the historic Brownstone building, the general atmosphere was that of a college-house-party-meets-New-Orleans-speakeasy. The venue, built in 1858, was designed by architect T. Thomas and Son and still managed to maintain some of its former elegance with its high ceilings equipped with chandeliers and murals on the walls, while also possessing a sort of grungy and gritty vibe that was well-suited to the evening.
The Macon Pops Jazz Quartet was made up of Matt Catingub on piano and vocals, Steve Moretti on drums, Billy Thornton on bass and Joe Gransden on trumpet and vocals. They riffed on such classics as “Star Eyes,” “Some Day My Prince Will Come,” “Tristesse” and “Fly Me to the Moon” in a way that made them simultaneously familiar and new.
Each member was completely invested in his own individual part, while at the same time in sync with the one another. Moretti’s drumming was both precise and playful, Catingub’s fingers glided up and down the keyboard with remarkable ease, Thornton’s solos had a transfixing complexity and Gransden’s stylings were unbelievably smooth.
At the Hay House’s “Jazz: A Multisensory Experience,” the ambiance was somewhat in the same vein as the Corner Concerts event, but geared towards a slightly older demographic. It was also structured as more of a concert-style performance, as opposed to that of a more informal listening party. The Hay House, also designed by T. Thomas and Son, featured some of the same elements as the Brownstone building, but on an even grander and more elaborate scale.
Seated in the beautifully ornate gallery area, listeners were transported back to the turn of the century as the Keith Fitzgerald Quintet broke out into renditions of “Sweet Georgia Brown,” “Stardust,” “Autumn Leaves,” All the Things You Are,” and “Freddie the Freeloader.”
The quintet, comprised of Keith Fitzgerald on trombone, Matt Miller on tenor saxophone, Danny Smith on guitar, Gary Land on bass and Dr. Marcus Reddick on drums, would take turns having a go at a particular part of the melody, each demonstrating effortless virtuosity and skill. There were even some musical quotes present from Kismet’s “Stranger in Paradise” and Rachmaninoff’s “Prelude in C# Minor,” that added even further intricacy and depth to their variations. Between songs, Fitzgerald would share stories and tidbits of historical information about the selections and the Hays that served to enrich my understanding and appreciation of the jazz age even more.
Although the Keith Fitzgerald Quintet and the Macon Pops Jazz Quartet do not appear to be having any concerts coming up in the near future, the Macon Pops Jazz Orchestra will be performing in downtown Macon on April 11 at the Cox Capitol Theater in celebration of Frank Sinatra’s 100th Birthday. If these two events are any indication of the caliber of talent in the Macon area, this event will definitely not disappoint.
(03/23/15 1:42am)
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=X-48jXAVE2Q[/embed]
In an exciting quarterfinal with the Marshall Herd, the Mercer Women's Basketball Team came out victorious with a 73-71 win. With this win, the Bears improved to 20-14 for the season, which is the second time in three seasons that the Bears reached 20 wins.
Although the Bears came out with the win, they were trailing for the majority of the game. When Precious Bridges was fouled with 36 seconds left, she tied the game at 71-71 with two made free throws. After The Herd in bounded the ball, Mercer was able to steal it back and Teanna Robinson was then fouled. She made one of her two free throws, which gave Mercer their first lead of the game at 72-71. With only 0.6 second remaining, Brianna Williams was fouled and made a single free throw, making the final score 73-71.
In the win, Bridges tallied a total of 35 points with four assists and five rebounds. Freshman Kahlia Lawrence posted a total of 17 points, while teammate Teanna Robinson added 11 rebounds.
The Bears will travel to Loudonville, N.Y. to play Siena in the semifinals of the WBI. The game is scheduled for Wednesday, March 25 at 7 p.m.
(03/19/15 1:10pm)
This year’s Mercer Women’s Basketball season was one to remember. With four decorated seniors and a slew of inexperienced freshmen, the team debuted Mercer’s reign in the Southern Conference with class. Although their season ended in the semifinal of the Southern Conference Championship, the team experienced a number of huge highs throughout the season.
Because of its stellar performance in the 2013-2014 season, the team was invited to participate in the Preseason WNIT. In the tournament, the team won two out of the three games they played. Precious Bridges, a standout guard for the Bears, recorded over 20 points in all three games while freshman guard Kahlia Lawrence started to display her serious competitiveness as a player.
After their preseason tournament, the Bears continued their success with wins over both Tennessee Tech University and Saint Louis University. In their double overtime win against Saint Louis, Bridges recorded a career-high of 43 points, which consisted of 18 field goals and six three-pointers. She also recorded nine rebounds, five assists and a steal. Alicia Williams, a senior guard for the team, notched a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
As the season continued, the Bears continued to impress with back-to-back wins over Georgia Southern University and the University of Alabama. Lawrence and Bridges continued to lead the Bears offensively with a combined 30 points against the Tide and 32 points against the Eagles.
The Bears returned home after their big wins to be defeated by in-state rivals Kennesaw State University and former A-Sun Conference members Belmont University. They continued their losing streak on the road with losses from the College of Charleston, Jacksonville State University and the University of North Florida.
After the five-game losing streak, the Bears bounced back with a five-game winning streak, which also began their Southern Conference schedule. The team started its conference slate with a 3-0 record before dropping the next three, giving it the record of 3-3. The Bears once again bounced back going on a five-game winning streak, which included a overtime win at Furman University. In one of the highest-scoring games of the season, Lawrence recorded a career high of 24 points against the Paladins, while Bridges added 22 points to the Bears’ 88 points overall.
Although the team lost its next two conference games, the Bears won their last home game, which was also Senior Night for the team. In her last game in Hawkins Arena, senior Alicia Williams scored her career-high of 24 points, while Bridges added 21 points. The win earned the team a No. 3 seed going into the Southern Conference Tournament.
The Bears opened their tournament play with a 75-54 win against the Wofford Terriers. Lawrence tallied a total of 16 points while teammate Alex Williams notched her third double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The team’s championship run came to an end with a 66-56 loss against the East Tennessee State Buccaneers in the semifinals of the tournament. Bridges added 24 points to the loss while Lawrence added 10.
Although its season ended early, the Mercer Women’s Basketball Team had a year to remember. Both Lawrence and Bridges were recognized for their stellar performances throughout the season. Lawrence received the women’s basketball Freshman of the Year award while Bridges received the Player of the Year award for the Southern Conference.
While the team is losing four fearless leaders, it seems as though the Bears have a great deal to look forward to in upcoming years.
(03/19/15 1:02pm)
As a right-handed pitcher for the Mercer Bears, Eric Nyquist has had a phenomenal breakout senior season thus far. Last week, Nyquist was named Southern Conference Pitcher of the Week after recording a pair of victories on the mound. Nyquist is no stranger to this honor, which was bestowed on him as a junior as well. Last season, with a 3.12 ERA, four complete games and two shutouts, Nyquist was selected as a member of the First-Team All-Atlantic Sun. This season, having already recorded two wins and with a 0.56 ERA, Nyquist feels much more comfortable as a leading pitcher for the Bears.
“Confidence is the biggest thing for me,” said Nyquist. “Over the years, I've gotten more and more confident about throwing any of my pitches in any count to any hitter. I'm not afraid of the big moment.”
The Mercer baseball program has come quite a long ways since Nyquist’s inaugural season as a Bear. He is now in a position to pass on what he has learned over the years to younger players on the team.
“This program has grown into a very recognized, winning program since I've been here. We've beaten teams like Georgia Tech, University of Florida, Virginia Tech and other big baseball schools,” said Nyquist. “We've made a name for ourselves, but that only puts more of a target on our back. Everyone wants to beat the MU. We have a lot of young guys this year, so the rest of the seniors and I need to teach them how to bring it every single day.”
Sitting at 11-11 on the season so far, the baseball program has proved to be worthy rivals in the SoCon, yet the young team still has a way to go.
“We're constantly improving the way I hoped we would,” says Nyquist. “I knew we were going to struggle at times because we are so young, but I feel good about the way our team has come together with conference play coming up.”
As they approach conference play, Nyquist notes that consistency will be of utmost importance to his team’s success.
“Our team has shown that we can play very well, but there have also been times when we didn't play very well,” said Nyquist. “Our coach always talks about needing to be consistent, so once we put all the pieces together (offense, defense, and pitching), we're going to be a tough team to beat in the SoCon.”
When asked about the biggest influences on his career as a pitcher, Nyquist names Jake Peavy of the San Francisco Giants.
“He's just a high energy Bulldog on the mound,” said Nyquist. “Extremely competitive. Not the best pitcher in the League, but he's not afraid to pitch in any game.”
When asked about his post-graduate plans, Nyquist says that playing professionally is his ultimate goal. The Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Angels and Philadelphia Phillies have all expressed an interest in Nyquist.
If playing professionally does not pan out for Nyquist, he plans on finishing his management internship and attending graduate school at Georgia State.
(03/19/15 12:51pm)
Andrew Eck, a member of Mercer Maniacs and an avid Mercer Bears fan, started his time as a Mercer Bear earlier than most. His older brother began attending Mercer in 2009, and this began Eck’s true love for the school and its athletics.
“I've been going to Mercer Basketball games since I was a junior in high school when my brother Kevin was a freshman here in 2009,” said Eck. “I'd spend the night in Plunkett with him, sit in on a couple of classes and then go to the game that night. It just felt like home.”
Eck started attending Mercer in 2011 with the dreams of becoming a mechanical engineer and continuing his love for the Bears. Because of his initial exposure to the program, Eck continued to cheer for and support the Mercer Men’s Basketball Team alongside his brother. The team has remained to hold a special place in his heart throughout the years.
“My favorite sport would have to be men's basketball just because of the backstory that I've been involved in,” said Eck.
During his sophomore year, Eck decided to join the organization now known as the Mercer Maniacs. Now, Eck holds an executive position in the Maniacs.
“Currently, I'm the Vice President of Finance and Operations for the Maniacs,” said Eck. “It is behind the scenes work to support the rest of the executives, which have done a great job this year.”
Although this type of organization has been around for a number of years, people actually started noticing the Maniacs during March Madness of last year. The entire country was pleasantly surprised with the overwhelming support that the Maniacs and the University offered in the NCAA tournament, especially against the Duke Blue Devils.
“Last year, one of our main goals was just to get people to learn the fight song,” said Eck. “Little did we know, we would be a face of the University during the NCAA tournament.”
Eck was one of the many Mercer Bears who traveled to Raleigh, N.C., to cheer on the team, but his favorite memory from the trip differs from most students. While he was thrilled for the team’s win over Duke, he found a more meaningful memory on the trip.
“My fondest memory would not be when we beat Duke, even though that was great. It was after we lost to the University of Tennessee at the NCAA tournament and we made it back to the bus waiting on the bus drivers,” said Eck. “I've never felt so proud of our school then. Everyone was in good spirits and even started different Mercer chants. It was a one of a kind experience.”
Along with his appreciation for the men’s basketball team, Eck also appreciates all that Bob Hoffman has done for the Maniacs and the university as a whole.
“Coach Hoffman is definitely my favorite coach because he always has Mercer’s best interest at heart. He funded, out of pocket, Hoffman Hooligans when it was just getting started and was one of the initial leaders of creating Mercer spirit,” said Eck. “To be a Mercer Bear is to be a part of a family that will stand by you and support you to do great things and make a meaningful impact.”
Because Eck has been a part of the organization since its start as Hoffman’s Hooligans, he has seen the Maniacs get bigger and better throughout the years. He believes that the Maniacs has grown into an organization that represents Mercer in all the right ways.
“The beauty of Mercer Maniacs is that it highlights what Mercer students are: a strong community that is smart and classy, yet not above going crazy for their team,” said Eck.
While the organization has come a long way, Eck believes that it can go one step further by expanding its support for all Mercer teams.
“I would love to see Mercer Maniacs expand its support for other sports in upcoming years. We've gotten an unfair reputation for not caring about other sports… particularly women's basketball, but the truth is that we are understaffed with only 8 executives that volunteer their time,” said Eck. “The question shouldn't be ‘what can maniacs do for this sport’ but rather ‘what can I do to help this sport.’ We would be glad to take in people who want to promote another sport. We'll give them funds and support to do so.”
(03/19/15 12:46pm)
For the fourth year in a row, the Mercer Men's Basketball Team has won a post season game. Mercer is only one of seven teams to ever win at least one game in the NCAA, CBI, CIT and NIT Tournaments.
In the game against the Seawolves, there were 23 lead changes, with the majority being in the second half. The Bears struggled offensively in the first half of the game. Ike Nwamu, offensive leader for the Bears, only made one out of ten of his first shots, but that did not stop him. Nwamu scored 19 of his 25 points in the second half
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5F8giTvT2hE[/embed]
. Ten of Nwamu's points came in the last 2:00 minutes of the game. Jibri Bryan found Nwamu at the three-point line to begin his offensive statement in those final 2:00 minutes.
After Stony Brook tied the game at 70 with only a few seconds left, Nwamu took the game into his own hands. At the top of the key, Nwamu drove to the basket with only a single defender on him. He put up a shot that would hit both the backboard and the rim before dropping in, making the final score 72-70.
Also in the win for the Bears, T.J. Hallice netted 13 points and had eight rebounds in the win. Justin Lewis also added to the win with 12 points, while Matt Panaggio added six of his own.
The Bears will return to Hawkins Arena on March 23 to play Louisiana-Monroe in the quarterfinals of the tournament.
(03/19/15 4:46am)
Dinner and a show will be provided by the new stir-fry restaurant opening in Macon where the healthy food will be cooked in an open kitchen for an audience to watch.
Genghis Grill is opening on March 23 on Bowman Road to add to the Macon environment, said William Conner, an owner of the restaurant and Mercer University graduate.
“We want to be integrated in the heart of the community, not just a restaurant in it,” Conner said.
The restaurant is partnering with the Cherry Blossom Festival and has created a cocktail drink for the festival called Thunder Cherry Blast.
Genghis Grill is partnering with Macon Mayhem, the hockey team, to have a meet and greet with the new head coach on April 22.
This will be the first time that the head coach is introduced to the public.
This Genghis Grill will be the first to have a full island bar in it with televisions that face in every direction of the restaurant for people to watch games while they eat, said Conner.
Customers will come in and be seated by a waiter. Then they will go and choose from 80 different ingredients and pass their choices to the grillmaster who cooks the food on a 12-foot circular grill in the open kitchen.
“You are the ultimate boss of what you want,” Conner said.
The grillmaster cooks the food with a 2.5-foot cooking stick and rings a gong when an order is ready.
The food will be brought out to the customers when it is finished, said Conner.
“I think that this will bring a new and exciting concept to Macon,” Conner said. “It’s a different change of pace from your average restaurant where you go and sit down and you order off a menu. This is a lot more interactive. It’s a lot more fun.”
Connor said that a customer will speak to every member of his staff throughout his or her eating experience because during one visit a customer will be welcomed by a host, served by a waiter, speak to staff members behind the buffet style bar about the food, and tell the grill master his preferences.
Ben Donaldson, the general manager of the restaurant, said that customers can choose from meats, vegetables, sauces, spices and starches when creating their meal.
The restaurant is good for catering to people with allergies, and the customer will be asked twice if he or she has allergies while he or she is choosing his or her foods.
If a customer does have allergies, his or her food will be separated and cooked to avoid any allergic reactions, Donaldson said.
“Everybody seems to be hyped up about it. People that have traveled [who] have eaten Genghis Grill are like, ‘Oh my God! Ya’ll are coming to Macon?’” Donaldson said.
Although Macon already has a stir-fry restaurant called Ginger’s, Donaldson said that Genghis Grill is different.
Genghis Grill has a set price for its food, with the only upcharge being the shrimp, while Ginger’s is pay by the pound, Donaldson said.
Priscila Contreras, a cashier at Ginger’s, said that she doesn’t believe that the new restaurant will affect their business much because “a lot of people have heard about Ginger’s, and they really like it, and people from downtown come over here… because people’s jobs are close by.”
Conner said that the hours at Genghis Grill will accommodate college students because of the late hours it stays open and its fun environment.
“You go to the others to have a meal. You come to Genghis Grill to have an experience,” Conner said.
(03/15/15 4:00pm)
You can hardly log onto social media without seeing a post regarding weight loss. Promoters claim they will make you fit for the summer season by way of body wraps, 24 day cleanses, and popping magic fat burning pills that boast no research to back their claims. However, fad diets are not new. As early as the 1800s, individuals were selling cure all patent medicines from traveling caravans that guaranteed a slimmer figure. In the 1920s, Lucky brand cigarettes famously coined the term “Reach for a Lucky Instead of a Sweet,” which lead to a boost in the companies sells on the pretense of weight loss. Even now in 2015, modern day charlatans are attempting the same ploys by selling products filled with unknown substances and promising weight loss with no research backing the claims. So how safe are these products promising Victoria’s Secret abs in less than a month?
One popular product on the market is the It Works body wrap system. According to the It Works website, the wraps claim to shrink, tighten, and tone problem areas with results appearing after the first 45 minute wrap session. That sounds like a dream come true, right? According to the Inc. 500 list, the company was ranked number 290 among 2014s fasted growing companies. However, a high number of merchandise sells does not mean the products are healthy. The It Works website states that the body wraps pull toxins from the cells which subsequently make the fat cells shrink in size, but results are temporary and claim to only last approximately 30 days. Taking into account that a box of four wraps can cost as much as $99.00, this is certainly not a cheap alternative to buying healthy foods. The wraps are also not FDA approved. So while the wraps might be harmless, there are no solid scientific studies backing their all natural ingredients claim or product safety.
Another commonly promoted product line is AdvoCare. The AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge offers a 10 day cleanse followed by a 14 day maximum results phase. The cleanse time frame is designed to rid your body of toxins and water weight in preparation for maximum weight loss. Essentially, it is 10 days of drinks and supplements that are no more than overpriced laxatives. The max period that follows offers a nutrition plan of lean proteins, non-starchy vegetables, and more daily supplements. There are hardly any fruits or dairy products listed in the suggested menu, and again, the diet plan is not FDA approved. The entire course of products will also set you back approximately $200, plus tax and shipping.
If none of the products are backed by proven scientific research, then why is the fad diet industry still thriving? Because we are all guilty of desiring instant results and wanting things the moment we decide we want them. Fast food, fast money, and fast weight loss are popular because delayed gratification is not in human nature and difficult to learn. But as the saying goes, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The only healthy way to lasting weight loss is through sustained changes to diet and exercise.
(03/15/15 4:00pm)
Imagine opening your Mercer email for the hundredth time today and noticing the subject line: “Mercer University and Emory University Are Engaging in Talks for Merging Schools.”
Perhaps you would feel dumbfounded, angry, worried, and possibly excited? You might ask questions such as, “What are the new opportunities?” “How will this affect our class sizes?” and “Will tuition go up?” Likewise, due to these sentiments, hospital mergers currently are a hot topic in healthcare, especially in the metro Atlanta area.
A merger is a partnership where two entities join and share common objectives and resources. As of last month, Emory University Hospital announced its deliberations to merge with WellStar Health System, the largest not-for-profit health system in Georgia. In 2012, Piedmont Healthcare and WellStar formed a joint-venture partnership (similar but not as formal as a merger) to launch a health plan for patients in the Atlanta area. In fact, when asked about the consolidation of the metro Atlanta hospital market, Rondell Jaggers, the Director of Pharmacy at Grady, noted that he can only recall three hospitals (Grady, DeKalb Medical, and Gwinnett Medical Center), out of 59 in the area, that are not integrated into a health system. As future health care practitioners and administrators, this merger activity will impact our future work environments.
The Driving Factors: The Affordable Care Act
Why merge? It is a laborious process that undeniably produces detractors. The answer is the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Recent healthcare reforms stress “triple aim” goals: improving patient care, improving population health, and reducing cost. Health care administrators believe merging will combine clinical and/or managerial strengths and gain geographic coverage, which increases access to more patients and thus payment for services.
Good or Bad?
Proponents believe mergers ultimately prevent hospitals from trading-off healthcare quality and services for cost reductions. Mergers and similar partnerships have produced innovative healthcare models with a purpose of coordinating care and improving patient health, such the Georgia Health Collaborative, an Accountable Care Organization (ACO), and Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMH). However, critics cite studies that demonstrate that merger’s anticompetitive effects increase the cost of health care for patients. Regardless, mergers are trending: 20% of US hospitals seek to merge within the next 5-7 years.
The Odds Are Ever In Your Favor
The likelihood that health care graduates will be working within a recently merged entity is high. It is important to be proactive when entering the workforce in these transitioning times:
If interviewing for a position, ask about past or prospective mergers. What are employees’ perceptions on the partnership? What barriers still exist? What is the workplace culture before and after the merger?
If working in an entity that is merging, get involved. Successful mergers require communication and coordination. Opportunities will arise to work on organizing committees and interdisciplinary patient-care teams. Keep an open mind and be willing to push the boundaries of your role. Otherwise, people will make decisions that impact your patients without you.
(03/15/15 4:00pm)
Like it or not, many institutions in our daily lives are riddled with politics. It can be found in the darkest places: Bureaucracies, school systems, and the door down the hall from your office. Politics are also fond of places that act as a safety net: Hospitals, churches, and even family cookouts.
Politics has sunk its teeth in every facet of our lives, and its venom now seeps from the one area that we all love – sports.
We have athletes cashing in on megadeals that would cause Ty Cobb to turn over in his grave. And while these multimillion dollar deals are careless – like Daisy Buchanan – they are not the real issue here. The true issue with politics in sports are the turncoats who bites the hand that fed them. 2058 years ago yesterday, conspiratorial senators did just that when they repeatedly stabbed Julius Caesar 23 times.
Although we are a day removed from the Ides of March, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the collaborators who betrayed Julius Caesar. There are many modern-day backstabbers in sports that swore their allegiance, only to later assume the role of Benedict Arnold.
So, now that visions of Hulk Hogan trading in the red and yellow garb for “NWO” apparel run through your mind, we invite you to take a moment, and see if your favorite antiheros made the list of our Top 10 Traitors in Sports.
10.) The Dwarf Star – Who could forget the polarizing Terrell Owens? His actions will forever be remembered on and off the field. And while he could have his own top ten list, his most notable action came when he celebrated on the Dallas star in midfield. It was no secret that Terrell Owens hated the Dallas Cowboys, and vice versa. Then in 2006, Jerry Jones spits in the face of the Cowboys, signing Owens to a multi-year deal.
9.) Trojan… Man? – Lane Kiffin’s resurgence in Knoxville lasted only one year before he put the “Ney” in Neyland, and left for USC. Like a 3 p.m. class, he was dismissed from USC three years later. He’s now employed by the next man on our list.
8.) From the Bayou, to the Big League, and Back Again – After compiling a 48-16 record and a national championship at LSU, Nick Saban decided he was better fitted for the NFL. When his tenure with the Dolphins fell apart like the Hindenburg, Saban up a left again! He’s now the coach of LSU’s modern rival in Alabama (winning multiple national championships).
7.) The Intimidated – In 2007, Dale Earnhardt Jr. stated that he would no longer race for D.E.I. Racing, opting to become a member of Hendricks Motorsports. While many of you may not see this as a problem, true NASCAR fans view this as a treacherous act. D.E.I. is the acronym for Dale Earnhardt Inc., a team founded by his late father. Not only did Dale Jr. ditch his own family, he joined the team that Jeff Gordon races for (Dale Sr.’s rival from 94-01).
6.) A True “Packer” – Is he the greatest Packer of all-time? Some could make that argument. Is he the most detested Packer of all-time? No one would argue against it. Brett Favre is synonymous with the Green Bay Packers. What he brought to the city, as well as the game, will never be forgotten. Brett Favre playing for the Minnesota Vikings after his retirement will never be forgotten either.
5.) Johnny [Expletive] Damon – In 2004 he was Boston’s poster boy. He led his team to one of the greatest comeback in sports history – overcoming a 3-0 deficit to the Yankees. He would go on to hit two home runs in game 7 of the ALCS, clinching Boston’s berth to the World Series. The Red Sox would go on to sweep the Cardinals, forever “reversing the curse” that plagued them for 86 years. In 2005, Damon would skip town, signing with Boston’s biggest nemesis. Damon’s signing with the Yankees led to him being loathed by Red Sox fans for years to come.
4.) LIVE! with LeBron… and LeBron – The native of Ohio broke the hearts of many when he announced that he was signing with the Miami Heat on national television. And while leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers – his hometown team – was bad enough, it made it worse when he did it live on ESPN. Making an ESPN spectacle of “The Decision” turned non-basketball viewers into LeBron haters. To make matters worse, he did it again this past season when he announced he was leaving the Heat to return to Cleveland (LeBron had led the Heat to four consecutive NBA Finals, winning two). Is LeBron a double-agent, or a talk show host?
3.) Needle in a Haystack – If you were a fan of inflated stats and towering home runs, then the late ‘80s through the late 2000s in the MLB filled that obsession. It seemed like every year someone was breaking a home run record. Who could forget the summer of 1998, when Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa electrified America with their race to 62 home runs in a single-season? McGwire would go on to destroy the record, hitting 70 home runs, only to have it broken by Barry Bonds in 2001. The home run heroics of the 1998 and 2001 seasons were called into questions as McGwire, Sosa, and Bonds were among a litany of major leaguers linked to the use of steroids. Between 1998 and 2009, 10 players reached the prestigious 500 home run club. Of the 10 players, six – Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, Manny Ramirez and Gary Sheffield – have been linked to steroids.
2.) Selling Your Soul to the Devil – While the Boston Red Sox did “reverse the curse” in 2004 when they won the World Series, the road to the top took 86 years. It all began in 1919, when the Boston Red Sox sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees. Before the sale, Boston had been one of the winningest franchises in baseball. By selling The Bambino, Boston paved way for the New York Yankees – who went on to become one of MLB’s most successful franchises, while Boston disappeared like the XFL.
1.) “Working on Our Night Moves” – Bob Seger sang about it, Robert Irsay actually did it. For over a decade, the Colts owner tried to upgrade their stadium. With little progress, Irsay decided to shop the team around, hoping to find a city willing to make the renovations. Finally, in 1983, Baltimore agreed to take the team, and give it a makeover. Irsay was not completely sold on the idea. Baltimore was given the rights to seize the team in 1984, but Irsay pulled the rug out from under them, and moved the Colts to Indianapolis. To make matters worse, he pulled the “heist” off at 2 a.m., using a series of decoy trucks to throw off the police.
(03/15/15 4:00pm)
Last month, Vanderbilt University Men’s Basketball coach Kevin Stallings committed an “egregious” error in judgment. He publicly “ridiculed’ one of his players for engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct by telling the player he was going to “f---ing kill [him]”. Immediately, sports writers, commentators, and news outlets jumped on the story, calling for the university to punish the coach for his comments. Some even called for his termination. No one with common sense or prior experience in athletics took Coach Stalling’s words literally. As a former student-athlete at the junior high, high school, and collegiate level, I found the media reaction not only laughable, but extremely concerning. I can say without reservation, that I heard far worse during my time in junior high, high school, and in college. The reaction is evidence that America has grown soft...America has become a nation full of "wussies". Coaches, teachers, and other professionals charged with developing young people are no longer allowed to hold students accountable, and ultimately, discipline them if necessary.
Similarly, under the current administration, accountability and responsibility have become non-existent. Since his election in 2008, President Obama has worked tirelessly to create an America that is increasingly dependent on the federal government. In doing so, he has generated a society of pariahs that lack any sense of personal responsibility or accountability. This is not our parents’ America nor our grandparents’ America. This is not the nation that defeated Nazi Germany. Whatever happened to the days of old….the days of Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Reagan? These leaders inspired America to reach new heights and blaze new trails. Under their leadership, America created the interstate highway system, won the space race, and defeated the Soviet Union. Now, America is the laughing stock of the world. Foreign leaders openly test America’s strength as we saw with the Russian-backed invasion of Ukraine. ISIS continues to pose an existential threat to the United States both abroad and within our borders, yet President Obama refuses to act swiftly and with force. Fortunately, his golf swing has drastically improved since he took office in 2008.
Not even Republican governors can escape Obama’s influence. Georgia Governor Nathan Deal declared a state of emergency a few weeks back due in large part, to the threat of rain. Northerners laughed as southern states scrambled to brace themselves for the coming “storm” that never arrived. In the past, Americans were not so easily defeated. As a child, I remember hearing stories of my parents and their friends walking to school in the snow, uphill both ways without any complaint or hesitation. It will take that level of toughness and endurance to get America back on the right track. Only then, will the United States become that “shining city on a hill” that President Reagan spoke of years ago.
(03/15/15 4:00pm)
Atlanta, Ga. --- 65 games into the 2014-2015 season, the Atlanta Hawks are 51-14.
Currently a ½ game behind the Golden State Warriors for best record in the NBA, the Eastern-leading Hawks are 10 games up on the next-placed Cleveland Cavaliers.
Coach Mike Budenholzer, 45, is no rookie by any means. Coach Bud, as he is often referred to in the league, was an assistant under San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich from 1996 to 2013. During that period, the Spurs won four NBA championships (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007). Oh, and just for reference, Coach Popovich won his fifth title last year, beating the Lebron James-led Miami Heat in five games (4-1).
Nevertheless, how does a team that was 38-44 just a season ago transform into one of the top teams in the NBA?
The Hawks of this year are not your average run-of-the-mill team, by any means. There are no superstars, let alone stars. No Jason Terry. No Jamal Crawford. No Joe Johnson. No Josh Smith.
The word continuity is every reason why the Hawks sit atop the Eastern conference right now.
The starting-5 for the majority of the season: Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, Al Horford, DeMarre Carroll, and Paul Millsap.
Just how far can this team go?
It should be important to note that Atlanta has yet to put up a championship banner (of any kind) since 1995, and that was for the Braves of the MLB.
According to sportsencylopedia.com, Atlanta has hosted their basketball team since 1968-69.
Before transitioning into being one of Atlanta’s four major professional sports teams (before Winnipeg stole our Thrashers in 2011), the city of St. Louis was home to the Hawks.
Originally called the Tri-Cities Blackhawks, they played in the National Basketball League (NBL) from 1946-49 until the NBL merged with the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Tri-Cities area refers to three cities along the banks of the Mississippi River: Moline, Illinois; Rock Island, Illinois; and Davenport, Iowa.
Suffice it to say, the Atlanta Hawks have a long history within the NBA.
This year’s squad should be able to make it to the playoffs, and then some…
Teague, Korver, Horford, Millsap and backup point guard Dennis Schroder all represented Atlanta in the 2015 All-Star Festivities held in New York City’s Madison Square Garden (MSG).
Let us see how these Hawks will do down the stretch.
(03/06/15 3:57am)
In the quarterfinals of the Southern Conference tournament, the Mercer Women's Basketball Team overtook the Wofford Terriers 75-54 in Thursday night's game.
Kahlia Lawrence, the Southern Conference Freshman of the Year, led the Bears with 16 points and six rebounds. Alex Williams added 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Alicia Williams contributed 15 points to the win. Player of the Year for the Southern Conference, Precious Bridges, also added eight points in the quarterfinal.
The Bears jumped out early on the Terriers with an 8-0 lead, but the Terriers fought back going on an 11-3 run. At the half, the Bears led 31-22 and their lead continued throughout the game. In the end, the Terriers were unable to match Mercer's offensive efforts and fell to the Bears 75-54. The Bears shot 50% from the field and an impressive 78.6% from the free-throw line. The Bears also out-rebounded the Terriers 42-23.
The Bears will face the number two seed, the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers, at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, March 6.
(03/04/15 6:31am)
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