Unionize Questions

1. I personally don't think college athletes should be able to unionize. They aren't equals to professional sports players who get to make their own rights. They play the sport because they love it, they are not that important. They only play for the school. Giving them their own rights would only make them too cocky because most of them never make it past college. We shouldn't start now giving them their own rights.

2. No, college students that play a sport should not become employees and get paid to be playing that sport at their college. They're not going to the school just to play the sport. They are their to learn playing a sport they like just gives them more things to do. There is no way they can be labeled as employees because they are not professionals.

3. I think if they were able to earn a salary, which they shouldn't be, but if they did then I think they should still earn their degree. They are still going to school so they should still be learning. Their education shouldn't be taken away just because they are now being paid to play a sport. That is irrelevant to learning.

Prefontaine Q&A

1. Pre is portrayed as a mean, cranky person who needs to prove something. As an athlete he is a strong competitor.

2. No, I don't think he is a likable character he is really snobbish.

3. He makes sure he always the center of attention.

4. That he will never lose even if there is no prize for winning. Also, that he wont win everything so not to get your hopes up.

5. They endure a lot doing a sport and worrying about academics. It is stressful.

6. He wanted to be the greatest runner and get to Munich.

7. Its not a good area, they weren't given any nice things, they didn't even have beds. Maybe reminds us of one of our Olympic games.

8. Terrorists came and assassinated some of the Israeli team members. This became known as these Munich Massacre.

Q&A Transgender Athletes

1. They should make sure shes matched up with equal components that are either male or female since she has traits from each sex. They should take a safety precaution for the people that fight her.

2. I think if they haven't fully made the change to what they want to become then that is unfair because they are basically on drugs to enhance their physical changes. That influences there ability to win which isn't fair for the opponents.

3. If I was in her opponents position I would be nervous because I think I would assume she would still have all those masculine abilities, but also I would want to see if I have the strength and determination to fight her because that is like fighting a man almost.

4. I think instead of segregating them from the sport, they should be put in a division with men of similar skill and weight that way everyone is equal or they could go with women in the same division. As long as the fight is equal and not unsafe in any way then I think everything will go fine.

Ken Ross Response

        I agree with the actions done to Donald Sterling because he was simply a racist. Most of the players and coaches that have worked closely with him know this. I can’t seem to comprehend how you can be a racist against African Americans, but 85% of the team you own is black. It just doesn’t make any sense. I think he will be fine not owning the team anyways. He is in his 80’s, already rich, and got another 2.5 million just for having to quit his team. I honestly don’t think he really ever loved the game, or his players. He just wanted money and power. 

What is a Sport

           A sport requires great physical strength, mental determination, and skill. In a sport you play with others to become equal to defeat your opponent. Many physical activities are sometimes said to be sports even though they technically don't obtain the same requirements to be considered a sport. For instance, working out is a physical activity but it is not a sport. You still gain muscle and strength like you do while playing a sport but it doesn't have the same meaning. Most sports have a ball, or something involved to make it that particular sport. There are some exceptions, like cross country or running for track. In the sport there must be physical activity, it doesn't have to be extreme but that does play a big role. 

          Playing a sport, you have to be able to decide a winner. This makes it competitive in some way. Sometimes the game or match turns up in a tie, but then they must find a way to declare a winner, for example overtime. Some sports are not played with just a team vs. a team, it can be an individual vs an individual. As long as a winner can be determined, it is a sport. In order to win a sport you must have the physical strength and skill to do so. Winning just doesn't come naturally you must work at it. It takes time and patience to become the best player you can be, and there is always room to become better!

          Most activities or hobbies people enjoy require skill, so sports do also obviously. Many people enjoy interacting in sports but not everyone is particularly good at them. In order to be on a team you have to obtain the skill it takes to compete and beat another person or team. Becoming a professional doesn't happen for everyone, you must be very skilled to be given that offer. If someone has that skill then they should try to work even harder at it so that they can get even better, and maybe one day become professional. If you stay persistent then you'll excel in the skill you have and might even gain new skills that you can use to your own personal advantage. 

NHL Playoffs Predictions

So far this season the Bruins have done an amazing job. They may even be able to win the Stanley Cup again. Once they get into the game, its theirs, they become unstoppable. Even when they are losing during a game we see them come back and still win. That is how you know they are one of the greatest teams in he league. Even though Bruins are doing well there are other teams who have a shot at winning like the Blackhawks, Penguins, or Ducks. I think were going to beat the Detroit Red Wings! The Bruins are a really well rounded team, the playoffs are going to be really entertaining to watch. Winning the Cup would be an awesome come back from the disappointing loss we had last season!

Quick Write Up

The player that is going to lead his team to the final four is Scottie Wilbekin. His team, the Florida Gators, have won 30 consecutive games! He is a senior point guard. His tactics were weaving through Kentucky's young line up, hitting big shots and drawing fouls. His average is 16.8 points and 3.0 assists. They are going to soon face Connecticut. They are the last team that has beat the Gators this season back on December 2nd. Its crazy how this winning team could lose, but then again, Connecticut is also a very good team! Well have to just wait to see how this game happens to play out!  

O.J Simpson Murder Trial

Were there obvious signs of a killer? O.J Simpson was one of the greatest running backs. He played for the Buffalo Bills, although his career finished with the 49ers. He would soon come to realize what a courtroom looked liked more than a locker room. Simpson was married twice but his second marriage was more recognizable. After his first divorce he quickly moved on to a seventeen year old waitress, Nicole Brown. The police were called frequently because Brown claimed Simpson was beating her but he had made himself so known and friendly with the LAPD that they accused her of lying and all the charges were dropped. One cop that took her side was ruled out as a racist "bad cop". O.J Simpson got away with everything. Beating his wife, also having a baby in the home. If he got away with beating her so severely, could he get away with her murder too?

Of course he could! Brown continuously told friends and family that Simpson beat her because of her "flirtatious" ways. Being that he was so close with the LAPD, when her and Ronald Goldman were presumed dead, he plead 100% not guilty. His alibi was that he was in his backyard playing golf. This is absolutely ridiculous. With all the prior knowledge of what he had been doing previously to his wife, they should of known he was guilty. Even after his case was dropped the police treated him like he was the greatest celebrity of all time. It it very irritating that sports stars can kill, rob, and cheat and get away with it all. He was obviously guilty. The evidence was so comparable to the the crime and they still let him walk away a free man. It is outrageous! Any other regular civilian would have gotten life. Especially with his previous background. The cops just used favoritism to defend his "legendary" title. It is so crazy how someone can get away with anything because of their title or hierachy in the sports world! 

Sandusky Article Reaction

When I hear a story like this I usually go in favor of the victim. In this case I am also choosing that direction because how could 20 or more boys make false accusations that were all pretty similar. They wouldn't make that up because they are probably embarrassed that it happened in the first place. I think they didn't do it for the money because its not worth their pride and manhood to claim that something like this happened to them, just for some extra cash. Being sexually abused is a very life changing ordeal. It isn't something that people could get over easily. I feel horrible that someone with such importance in sports could do such a thing to those poor kids. I don't think athletes and coaches are necessarily above the law because it all depends on the crime they commit. Sexually abusing young kids is a major crime that even somebody like Jerry Sandusky couldn't have gotten away with. I feel as though in time they all get cause for example, Aaron Hernandez. Yeah, they may have tons of money that can bail them out but if the acts they commit are very bad then the judge or jury is going to feel for the victims and make sure the person doesn't get out of prison.  I think his wife isn't truthfully stating how she feels about the subject. She just wants to believe in her husband and his innocence. I think deep down she knows just as well as we do that those boys aren't going to make up something like that. Even when she said something about how she went up to the stand and wouldn't lie, I think she was telling the truth because she wants to believe that what she told the courts is true...even though she is unsure. She is trying to be on her husbands side because nobody really is.

This is Not Comfortable, Ouch!

Should LeBron James keep the mask? He recently broke his nose and was ordered by a doctor to wear the mask to cover it but he says it isn't comfortable. If he decides to not listen and take the mask off, will it affect his playing or no?

Interview One ; Joey

Joey likes to watch many sports and also participate in them. He has played in many backyard games of football and basketball. His favorite sport to watch or play is basketball though. His favorite sports team is the Celtics. His best memory of them is when they won the 2008 finals. He has seen many games live, such as, the Bruins, the Celtics, and the Red Sox. All great New England teams! It just so happened that each game he went to they won. Except for one Red Sox game. He has had many of his own personal highlights as well. Joey has got touchdowns, and scored baskets. His favorite memory was when he was younger and scored his first touchdown without people letting him win. He still continues to watch sports on television but doesn't participate in any at the moment. 

Joey has a favorite player by the name of Vince Carter. He is a well known dunking all star. His reasoning for this is because he has always tried to dunk and learn the techniques from Carter. He says that he is one of the greatest in his opinion. Carter is a shooting guard/small forward in the NBA. He has been on many teams including, the Toronto Raptors, New Jersey Nets, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, and the Dallas Mavericks. He also won Gold medals in the Olympics Games in Sydney (2000) and San Juan (2003)! Carter has also won the dunk contest at the NBA All-Star Weekend in 2000. I agree with Joey, he seems to be quite an amazing player! 

Yearbook Write Up

Every member of the wrestling team this year has done an awesome job in their division/class. Some players in particular that did outstanding were senior co-captains Mike Travers and Myles McAlpine. Travers took home some medals. Their coach, a renowned one, Coach Coleman trained his wrestlers to their full potential. They went a long way and came out on top, with eight wrestlers placing in All-States. Their season this year was great with some set backs due to injured players, they still managed to all have a great season with each ones own personal wins!

Fighting For a Victory

           The Norton High wrestling team has always been a strong team. Coach Coleman has never doubted the ability for his team of wrestlers to come out on top because he trains them to be champions. Over the weekend they proved their strength and determination by slaughtering at the Foxboro championship game. Not just one or two, but all of the team members made points to add to their score in order to win. Not to mention some took championship titles.

            The Lancers started off great winning meets against Norwell (54-24), Nauset (70-9), and Taunton (57-9). Triple winners for the Lancers were sophomores Aidan Kahn and Deven Schuko, juniors Elliott Johnson, Adam Marcon and Alek Donovan as well as senior captains JT Taylor, Myles McAlpine and Mike Travers. Although Norton took a lost against North Attleboro, they won against Plymouth and Newton. It showed that the Lancers are a strong fighting team because these were D-1 and D-2 programs, even though they are only a D-3 school. They have many strengths not just physically but emotionally. They strive to be winners because wrestling is what they love to do and they are always trying to beat records and older students that competed before them that were once on their team. Along with have kids that have been competing in wrestling events since they were freshman, they also have gained some new freshman this year who have proved their love for the sport also with minor wins. Some actually won titles coming in 3^rd or 6^th place. During the Marshfield Holiday tournament Norton placed 8^th out of 37 competing towns. They proved their defiance placing 8^th against many D-1 and D-2 schools. Their strength as a whole team are probably the older members of the team that have been competing since the beginning of their high school careers.

             Although the Lancers took some losses, they still became the champions. Some of the players had to take a loss because they were injured. This somewhat impacted the outcome of some of the meets they competed in. During the Marshfield Holiday Tournament, there were supposed to be three starters but one was forced to drop out due to injury. This could have been one of their major weaknesses because other than that they usually came out on top. Some of the freshman, and other sophomores didn’t place sometimes in meets though so this could’ve been another contributing factor.  Most of the upper class men on the team have been experienced for a few years and know exactly what to do to accomplish their goals. Another thing that could have been a weakness for the Lancers was that they are D-3 team competing against teams that are higher in rank than them.

            During the entire season the Lancers put up a great fight. They took some losses but it didn’t take them long to recover from them. They came out on top with eight wrestlers qualified for All-States! This victory was well worked for all season. Going through many obstacles to accomplish where they wanted to be. As a whole they all did very well and many took home medals for their hard work. I think next year they will also do very well because coach Coleman continues to find players who would do anything to win their meets because they love the sport. I think if they continue to practice and keep the same determination they will keep coming out with victories for seasons to come and so on.    

The Ganster in the Huddle

Aaron Hernandez was easily attracted to the life of crime. This would've been because his father died when he was very young, 16 years old. Many young men growing up need a father figure for guidance and discipline. It is easy for them to fall into bad habits and get involved with bad crowds. Before his father passed away Hernandez realized his own mother was being deceitful to his father with a crack head man who she later married when her husband was laid to rest. Aaron Hernandez was involved in many criminal activities growing up. This included, gang affiliation, drug addiction, always getting into fights, and carrying a gun on him all the time. He eventually shot his on friend. More recently he was charged with the murder of 6 different people and conspiracy of more murders. Any reasonable person wouldn't want him on their team because of his extensive record but that was obviously not true because the Patriots drafted him. Even though he failed his drug tests all the time. Many people affiliated with Hernandez were questioned on taking part in the awful murders/crimes. I think that those people along with the members/coaches of all NFL teams that witnessed him fail his drug tests and knew his criminal history should have reported him. The cops obviously weren't doing to much of a good job either because he never got charged with anything or tied to anything until now. I think people that are involved in national sports teams think they are untouchable because they have such notoriety and a big role in other peoples lives.

Did Michael Sam's Sexuality Hurt His Chances in the NFL?

Michael Sam, a top drafted player in the NFL, has recently announced that he is gay. I believe he should be allowed to play in the sport and who he is intrigued by shouldn't effect the real purpose of being drafted, his talent. I think that if the NFL actually had common sense they would realize if he wanted to harrass men in the locker rooms, he would've done that already. Since that is one of their main concerns. Michael coming out I think will probably change peoples views on him because thats just how ignorant people are, but I also think it could possibly bring him a bigger fan base because people will respect him more because he was brave enough to come out and state to everyone he was gay.

Follow Up Super Bowl

I am shocked but kind of happy the Seahawks won the Super Bowl. I had a sure feeling that the Broncos had this game. In the end it was a good game because the young Seahawks played their hardest to be the legendary Broncos and especially Manning. Manning played an awful game anyways, it was a slaughtering score by the end. My first prediction was way off, but i had a slight feeling the Seahawks would come out on top. I'm actually happy they won because that was the first Super Bowl they've ever been too and they won it. Overall it was an interesting game! The half time show was alright, I don't particularly care for Bruno Mars but he has some decent songs. One commercial about a certain car brand I thought was funny! Seattle's wide reciever Percy Harvin, returned a kickoff for a touchdown to start the second half of the game. Denver Broncos' Nate Irving broke up a pass intended for Seahawks' Jermaine Kearse during the first half. The Seahawks strong safety Kam Chancellor, intercepted a pass intended for Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas. 

Super Bowl Predictions

I believe that this Sunday the Denver Broncos will win the Super Bowl. Although many say that Manning's ability to play in cold weather is not to great because he has been more efficient in the dome he has been practicing in, I think he will have a fair game. The Broncos have a pretty good defense so that is going to help them also. The Seahawks are a young inexperienced team. None of the players on their team have ever been to a Super Bowl. In their defense, I believe they will also play a fair game and the score will be slightly close. Also, the Broncos have a very good touchdown-interception ratio. That will help them out in the end because I don't know if Seattle will be able to lock down all four f Manning's targets for all four quarters. My prediction is the score will be Denver 26, and Seattle 22.

College Sports Scandal

This was a very intriguing article. I always believed that in college in order to perform any athletic activities involving the school, you were required to have a passing grade and be able to achieve the recommended credentials of a college attendee. Apparently, some colleges were so focused on gaining the best sports teams they weren't living up to those standards. Some students enrolled in their college couldn't even read at a third grade level. Mainly these students could read at an eighth grade level which is horrifying. These students are clearly not gaining the education they need to succeed in life. They only know how to succeed in sports and physical things. My overall impression of the article was shock and suspicion. I was shocked when they stated that some teachers were getting paid to not teach a class because they were allowing their students to slide pass the class by giving them one or two easy assignments. I also had a tiny bit of suspicion toward the school and how they were "striving" to make their students succeed for the future. Even the graduation adviser, Willingham, said there were still students that most likely couldn't complete the coursework.