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At the Intersection of Sports and Culture

Photo Credit for Header: Alex Foucre-Stimes

College Basketball: Last Year’s Darlings, This Season’s Hunted

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For the past decade, Gonzaga has held a special place in the hearts of most college basketball fans.  They have been the Boise State of college basketball, the Cinderella team from a non BCS conference that usually hangs around, pestering the perennial powers, until late March.  Last season, with their run to the national championship game in Indianapolis, the Butler Bulldogs emerged as America’s other sweetheart alongside the Zags.  Both programs tip off this season ranked in the top 25.  If last night was any indication, opponents have circled their calendars and are ready to take aim at both teams.

The Louisville Cardinals opened their new arena, the “KFC Yum! Center” with an impressive 88-73 win over Butler.  The crowd was clearly exited about the new arena and gave their Cardinals an overwhelming home court advantage.  For their part, the Bulldogs looked detached and a bit scared.  This is not the same team that came within inches of beating Duke in last year’s national championship.  Matt Howard refuses to stay out of foul trouble and Butler clearly misses the presence of a supreme talent like Gordon Hayward.  Not time to write the obituary yet, Butler has the pedigree and coaching to recover and stay in the headlines.

Share your views. Will Butler make a run in the NCAA tourney this year?  Is Louisville a true contender in the Big East?  And finally, “KFC Yum! Center”. Really? Can’t take the place seriously with a name like that.  I prefer the name Freedom Hall.

Monday Night Football: Dollar Signs Abound

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Those dollar signs are for Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick, the starting QB’s in last night’s Monday Night Football game where Vick’s Eagles destroyed McNabb’s Redskins by a final score of 59-28. Before the game, it was announced that McNabb had just signed a new contract extension with the Redskins which could guarantee him $78 million over 5 years.  It has since been reported that Washington may only be on the hook for $3.75 million this season and could cut ties with their franchise quarterback as early as the end of the 2010 campaign.

Vick, on the other hand, has put himself in position to make a ton of money this off-season.  If he continues playing at his current level, 6 total touchdowns last night alone, he will become the most highly coveted free agent.  But why would the Eagles let him go?  Are they really committed to QB in waiting Kevin Kolb?  Why not sign Vick and trade Kolb to a team in need of a young, potentially productive, quarterback?  If Vick doesn’t resign with Philadelphia, could he ink with Washington and replace McNabb for the second time in his career?  Share your views.

NFL Roundup: The Lights Went Out in New Jersey

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…and the same could be said for the NY Giants who were completely trounced by the lowly 1-7 Dallas Cowboys by a final score of 33-20.  Everyone was surprised by the outcome of yesterday’s game including the operators of the New Meadowlands Stadium, who, for their part, did all they could to ensure that the national TV audience would be unable to witness what was transpiring on the field.

Do not be alarmed, this is an actual image taken from yesterday’s Giants/Cowboys game at the New Meadowlands Stadium.  The blackout lasted for a mere 30 seconds or so before power was gradually restored throughout the stadium.  The game itself was delayed by a total of 12 minutes, which, was not nearly as long as the Giants would have liked considering the final score.

In other NFL news, the Mark Sanchez led Jets won their second overtime game in a row, defeating the Cleveland Browns by a score of 26-20.  The Patriots were able to stay atop the AFC East alongside the Jets with their 39-26 dismantling of the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night.

What impressed you the most about Week 10 in the NFL?  Share your views!

College Football Roundup: Rivalry Weekend for the “Little Ivies”

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While major college football waits a few weeks for Ohio State/Michigan and Alabama/Auburn, fans/alums of Division III conferences like the NESCAC, were able to enjoy a beautiful weekend full of tradition rich rivalries. The contest that usually receives the most recognition is the matchup between Williams and Amherst.  Yesterday was the 125th time that these two colleges have squared off against one another in what is generally referred to as the “The Biggest Little Game in America”.  This time around, Williams defeated Amherst 31-16, completing an undefeated season and winning the NESCAC title outright.

I was able to travel up to Waterville, Maine to watch my alma mater Colby College take on our rival Bowdoin College in the battle for the C-B-B (Colby, Bates, Bowdoin). The game did not turn out well for the Mules who lost 26-21 and ended their 2010 season at a mediocre 4-4.  All was not lost however as I was able to spend the perfect 60 degree afternoon tailgaiting with a group of friends.

This view from my seat doesn’t do the day or game any justice as it would be nearly impossible to capture the overall experience in a single photograph.  For me, yesterday was proof that you don’t need a 100K stadium or College Gameday to manufacture the type of environment which makes alums proud of their school and friends thankful for the opportunity to create new memories.