who would you rather support...

I have yet to watch a professional basketball game this year, yet I will defend who I think the most valuable player is in the NBA.  I think everyone has a favorite player.  Are you a witness?

Well, I am.  Lebron James is by far the most talented athlete out there.  He is incredible to watch.  He joined an okay basketball program and now where are they?  The play- offs. That is the least of his accomplishments.

If you've read my last blog, I stress the importance of sportsmanship.  Relating Lebron to this, he is adorable and perfect.  Joining the NBA at the innocent age of 18, he has only gotten a big head in being able to lead his team.  He is confident in them and has remained loyal to the people of Cleveland.

What about Kobe?  Really, what about him.  He brings nothing.  He plays for one of the most popular teams in the nation.  The Lakers Franchise is like the New York Yankees.  They can buy whatever player they want.  Kobe is great, but better than Lebron?

As I am sitting in my dorm room, I have asked my friends who they like more.  Lebron or Kobe?  My friends rarely like to watching professional sports.  All girls are currently in my room and all responded unanimously stating Lebron.  Why?  How could they agree with me?

Well, simply the fact is Lebron is an entertainer.  The purpose of sports in this society is to provide entertainment for the community.

Another individual said Lebron. She said she doesn't like Kobe's past behavior.

If you have spare time or just bored, watch the play- offs. I'll let you decide what player you like more.  Is it going to be # 24 or # 23?

Sportsmanship

I have been a referee for officially an entire year in the Department of Intramural Sports.  Part of the captain- talk I have to give before every game stresses one thing in particular.  Sportsmanship.  That is the most important thing on the field, it does not matter what sport it is or what level of intensity. 

Growing up, I have always learned to be respectful on the playing field. I remember if I would mouth- off to a referee, it would be because I strongly felt that he/ or she made the wrong decision.  Typically, I would then be yelled "shut up Abbey!," eventually I just learned.  No matter what I say to a referee, to an opposing player or my teammates, it will not make a difference in the last call.

What has happened to respect?  In this day in age, players can get a way with a variety of things.  Why?  Because we let them.

Let's take this example of a player on Creighton's basketball team.  He was suspended in January due to behavior.  Nothing else was ever told to the media.  I still wonder what could have made Altman so mad that he could no longer deal with it.  What is the final straw? I support Altman in his decision because I think there needs to be a change in the way athletes behave.

Tiger Woods

Woods used to be a spokesperson for a variety of products and be a role model for children.  He always had a smile on his face and as far as the public was aware, he had a perfect family life.  Completely wrong.  I have read a lot of articles on Tiger with people stating that he was influenced strongly by Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley.

Athletes act like they're superior and are on a different pedestal.  This happens in college where players off the court behave like they're special.  This needs to change.  People shouldn't want to play sports for the money, the fame and the behavior.  When young boys and girls find out about Tiger Woods, it only confuses them.

Maybe then, they can spit into their hand right before they shake their opponent's hands.  Or they can sing a song after they win, just to remind their opponents who won.  As this is all going on, the parents sit back and relax.  These little actions gradually grow as the player gradually gets better.

As a referee, you know the most important thing is respect and sportsmanship.  I will honestly say that participating in sports after reffing that I am a lot more cautious of my behavior.

Favre hurt? Uh- oh for the Vikings.

There is always something happening in the sport's industry.  I have always known this, but of course, Favre is on the headlines.  The last thing I remember reading about him was on his family.  His oldest daughter, Brittany, 21- years old, gave birth to a baby boy.  Brett officially became a grandpa, outside of the the NFL, on April 6th.  The media is not interested in that anymore, but on Favre's current physical condition.

Last spring, Favre had arm problems.  Now his ankle?  

He would need to have surgery on his ankle.  The surgery is not major, but actually quite minor.  The fact of the matter is another surgery.  I am worried about my brettie.  He has always been my favorite player, but when is enough a enough?  He will push himself like he does every game.

This leaves the Vikings in a dilemma.  There are two different scenarios that could play out.  One, Favre returns and is the starting quarterback for the Vikings.  They make it to the play- offs, become NFC Champions and possibly the Super Bowl?  Or, no Favre at all.

Well, the Vikings really messed up the 2010 draft.  I am not sure who was in charge of that, but all I know is hell I would not have done it that way.  Why?  Simple fact is, who was ever going to replace Favre?  

Tarvaris Jackson?

Sage Rosenfels?

No way.

Why did the Vikings not draft a quarterback?  

The Vikings gave their 30th draft pick to the Lions.  Why? I still don't comprehend it.

Tim Tebrow?  He did play with Percy Harvin, but again I am not sure if I would have wanted him either.  He surely does not have Brett's intelligence and perspective on the field. Anyways, Tebrow was never available for them.

Who would have been available?

Jimmy Clausen is an arrogant player, but the kid does have talent.  I am not sure if he would have been the best player for them. I do not see a resemblance of Brett's poise and respectful behavior.

Or, Colt McCoy.  I would have chosen him.  Instead, the 85th player drafted was McCoy by the Carolina Panthers.  I think he is going to blossom as a player and become a great quarterback.

 McCoy went to University of Texas where he was the starting quarterback for four years in a row.  He has won more games than any other Division 1 quarterback in history. He has all the statistics.  McCoy won quarterback of the year, offensive player of the year, outstanding football player of the year, and 10 other awards during his senior year.

If this isn't enough to have you like McCoy and question the Vikings?  Take a look at this.

The Vikings decided to use the 100th pick, they got from the Lions, to draft Everson Griffen. A defensive end? I doubt he plays quarterback as well.

 

Why?

I am unsure what the Vikings were thinking, if they ever were, during the draft.

In support of Favre, he shouldn't worry about the status of the Vikings.  I want him to choose what he wants.  So what if the Vikings are left with two quarterbacks that will not lead the Vikings anywhere.  As long as Brett is happy then I support him.

The NFL will never see a quarterback ever like him again.  He is irreplaceable.

An exclusive interview with a Jay's basketball player

One of the perks about having this blog is using the excuse to ask all my questions. I have always wondered what it'd be like to be part of the basketball team here. There has been a lot of hype in the past week about the team. To set the record straight, I asked Ross Ferrarini to sit down with me. Currently, the two of us are sitting in the fourth floor of Swanson Hall. Not a typical interview to hold with a Division One basketball player, however he happens to be my friend. A little background information, this is Ross' first year at Creighton. He transferred from University of Nebraska- Lincoln. Ross attended Westside High School in Omaha, Neb.

How’s your day going so far?

It’s phenomenal Abbey. Thank you for asking.

How long have you been playing basketball?

Probably since first or second grade. I first played on a team and in a league in second grade.

How have you ended up on the Creighton team?

I played my freshman year at Nebraska and I wanted to transfer back home, so…shit. So, we got in touch with Coach Deverees. Altman and him said I could come play here.

Do you think you would not have come back if you knew he (Altman) was leaving?

I probably still would have tried. For the simple fact, that I wanted to play for Creighton and not any other school.

Alright great, what’s your opinion on McDermott and have you had interaction with him?

Yes, he met with us as a team on Tuesday. And then he met with each of us individually on Wednesday. So I met with him Wednesday morning. He seems like a really nice guy, very down to earth guy. We don’t know him that well because he hasn’t been around for that long.

Do other players have different thoughts than you?

I think everyone so far likes him, we just don’t really know him that well.

It’s been in the news that Tyrone Nared has been released?

I don’t really know him that well. I don’t know a whole lot about other people. I don’t know the scholarship situation or who is coming. Just no clue.

Tell me about your experience playing with Antoine Young and Josh Jones (because I know you knew them before Creighton)?

I have played with them ever since they were little. When we were in High school since AAU team. I know their games really well. It’s fun playing with them because I know them so well.

Do you think the chemistry is there as a team?

Yeah, I think there is chemistry. I think it is something we can work on.

What about the problems with behavior on the team?

Smirks. I don’t know, guys just put themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. They don’t use their brains quite honestly.

What about P’Allen Stinnett- was he at the meeting on Tuesday?

No, I don’t know what will happen with him. With my knowledge, he’s not coming back. But who knows.

Growing up as a kid and living in Omaha, have you always kind of dreamed or wanted to play for Creighton?

No, not really. It’s more of the social scene then actually watching the games. I never really envisioned myself playing for them quite honestly. Not like a dream, I guess.

This is a picture of a shirt design of Ross while in High school.
These t-shirts ended up being made.

Since you had to red shirt your freshman year, or whatever it’s called…

Well I was ineligible since I transferred from D1 to D1. But Continue Abbey…

Okay, what are your initial thoughts on being able to play?

Ha. Well, I’m a walk- on, so I don’t know how much I’ll play. I don’t really give a shit to be quite honest. Smirks.

Do you think it’ll be a lot different than the teams you played against in the Big 12?

Um…like the Big 12 is one of the best conferences in the nation.

Were the locker-room half-time talks a lot different between the two schools?

Um....yeah, I guess. Neither coach really yelled at half- time to be quite honest. I never really pay attention to be that honest.

Are you nervous about McDermott’s experience as a Coach to better the program of a mid- major school?

Are you nervous? That’s what you said. - Ross

Yeah. What was the question?

Are you nervous about McDermott’s experience as a Coach to better the program of a mid- major school?

Uh...I don’t know. I wouldn’t say nervous. He did really well when he was the coach at UNI.

What’s been your favorite memory this far for basketball? Of college?

Just whenever, Abbey.

Yeah. Fuck. Jesus that’s such a hard question to answer.

What about at Creighton? –Anna Singleton sitting nearby.

I’d have to say my junior year against Prep. It was sold- out and standing room only. I had two free- throws in the last 8 seconds and I iced the game I guess.

That’s sweet Rossy.- Anna

Haha.

I’ll look it up on you- tube.- Anna

I doubt it’s on YouTube.- Ross

Any last ideas or comments for this?

Smirks. Ha. Uh, not really no. Thank you for interviewing me Abbey.

Well thank you very much for your time Ross. I appreciate this.

If you want to follow or see Ross' blog click here. Ross is in my intro to mass communications with me.

Sweet Sixteenth Coach

Sweet Sixteenth coach for Creighton? Greg McDermott represents the 16th coach for Creighton University. Could that mean a possible appearance in the NCAA and maybe even the sweet sixteen? Creighton announced that the new Men's basketball coach is Greg McDermott. Creighton signed him for a 10- year, $9 million contract. Making Creighton a Altman- free team.

McDermott, a 45- year old coach born in Cascade, Iowa will move to Omaha, Neb.

McDermott is returning to the Missouri Valley Conference and leaving the Big 12. After coaching for Iowa State University in Ames for the past four years; McDermott leaves a weak program.

Bruce Rasmussen, Athletic Director at Creighton, said that McDermott has always been on the top of his list. Rasmussen knows that anything can happen and it's important to have a list of possibilities if something occurs. Although Oregon chose to do a 37-day search, Rasmussen felt confident enough to hire McDermott. Why?

Looking more closely at McDermott, I came to realize he could bring a lot to Creighton. First of all, I want to share that I never spoken to Altman, but also have never read a quote of him making a joke. McDermott already seems incredibly outgoing and I am excited to welcome him into the Creighton community. However, the lack of experience should not be looked upon as a weakness. Prior to being a coach at ISU, McDermott coached at Northern Iowa. There, he brought the Panthers to the NCAA tournament for three years in a row. McDermott has the experience, but how come ISU did not do that well these past four years? I blame ISU.

McDermott will be dedicated and will try to make Creighton become a power- house. It has been announced that Creighton's latest recruit has been released. Tyrone Nared has chosen not to go to Creighton. On his visit, Nared played pick- up with the current team this year. A current player on the team told me Nared wasn't that great of a player, just an athetlic guy.

I feel as though it's not much of a loss. McDermott is not just coming to coach at Creighton, he is also coming to move his son into the dorms in the fall. McDermott's son, Doug, a high school senior is going to play ball for his Dad. Doug is raked at No. 29 in the nation as a small forward in the class of 2010. Doug had originally committed to University of Northern Iowa, but has changed his mind due to his Dad's new position. Could UNI be honest over this? Of Course.

How is it, that a team that went 18- 16 and was in the CIT tournament just got UNI's best recruit (an up and coming basketball program) as a new player? Blame the Creighton community. I think Wragge and D. McDermott will lead Creighton out of the CIT and NIT, and finally to the NCAA tournament. There, Creighton will prove Altman was not replaceable. Because clearly, I do not think so.

Altman pulling a Favre? I think not.

Bye Dana?

This morning I opened the World Herald and on the front page it announced Altman was taking a head coaching job at Oregon. I was shocked. I had read on some sites that Altman was a candidate for the Wake Forest job, but Oregon? My friend was even more shocked that I hadn't heard the news. She said people had been talking about it since Friday because our friend is on the basketball team and he had started hearing things then. How could this have happened over the weekend? gocreighton.com still has not posted anything. Ironic? No. Where is the public relations department of the athletic department? This is something the University needs to address.


I doubt a circumstance like Arkansas will happen.

After 16 years at one institution, Altman decides to leave? In my mind, I am excited. I know he has done great things for Creighton. He brought attention and recognition to a mid- major school in a state where Husker football is much more important. I am still proud to say I have never been to a Husker football game. Altman brought the team to many NCAA tournaments. Some people may say he is one of the leading factors for the establishment of the Qwest Center.

However, the current status of Creighton's basketball team is not worth $1 million dollars a year. If he is as great as a coach some people think, then why did the team participate in the CIT this year? A lot of it has to do with the coach. He may have had an 'off- year' but what about last year? The NIT is not a whole lot better. Creighton needs a coach that will revamp the program, especially in recruiting new players. Also, why would Altman deal with player's with terrible attitudes? I think while recruiting, personality is something that is vital. A team filled with players who do not have love for the sport, but more for the fame should not be playing college- ball. I am quite anxious to see what direction the basketball program will go.

ALTMAN'S ARMY:

Some supporting basketball fans.
(Andrew Beske, Jimmy Zuegner, Jordan Housh).

It is sad to see my friends getting rid of their 'Altman's Army' attire, but I am excited for this new era. I am sure they will come up with a unique phrase for the new coach. They will embrace him/ or her just like how the community opened their arms for Altman after the Arkansas scandal. Except this time, Altman will not be our Coach.

Concessions

At almost every sports game, there is food. Food is served in a variety of ways but a person can certainly find it at these locations: professional, college, High school, junior-high and elementary games. Although the food may be available in different ways, it is still present on the sidelines and in the stands.

The fact of the matter is simple, sports is a form of entertainment. A person wants to be pleased and comfortable in a competitive setting. At the movies, a person is able to relax, eat popcorn and Twizzlers and enjoy their film. While attending a sporting event, the same amenities are typically available.

For the past few years, I have worked at Lucy Winton Bell Athletic Fields. At LWB, I have worked the concessions. The amount of time and effort that goes into preparing the concessions as well as having fresh food is incredible. For the most part, the games at LWB are for elementary and junior high aged kids. Families will buy popcorn, hot dogs, hamburgers, Gatorade, chips, candy as well as ice cream. Families will have their lunches or dinners at the game. With expectations this high for games of this caliber; high school, college and professional concessions should be much better.




At high school games, the food is terrible. This is somewhat ironic because a player’s entire family will typically come and cheer them on. There needs to be some type of improvement among this age- level.

The real reason concessions are on my mind is because of the Minnesota Twins. I have lived in Minnesota my entire life (19 years) and the Twins have always played in the Metrodome. I am quite familiar with the ‘Dome- Dog,’ Cotton- Candy, Popcorn and the other generic food.

An example of a Dome- Dog

Target Field in Minneapolis

The Twins got a new ballpark this year, Target Field. This is exciting news for everyone in the community! For the avid sports fan that secretly loves food, this is heaven. This ballpark has so many new options than the Metrodome, which I am not looking forward to when the Vikings play there in the fall.

A person, not even a baseball fan, might be asking him or herself what’s now available? Well here is a glimpse into it:

Hennepin Grille, Frankie V's Italian, North Shore Creamery, J.D. Hoyt's pork chops and of course the State Fair Classics.

I will not go into detail into the variety of concession stands because I think it is important for a person to experience it for himself or herself. I will say that I was able to attend the first exhibition game played at Target Field and I was quite satisfied. I walked into the Gates and I saw an Asian stand. I knew then that Target Field did it right.