Friday, April 15, 2011

Making The Right Call


If you possessed the skills and characteristics featured in that want ad you have what it takes to be an official on the playing surfaces of today's athletic sport teams. A profession not suited for the faint at heart. Officiating takes character, fairness and emotional preparedness.

So who's apt to pursue a career as an official? Surely some fall into it by accident. Some use it as a way to earn additional funds. Candidates range from ex-athletes of the sport, perhaps their way of staying involved? Teachers, professionals or entrepreneurs looking for extra income or the challenge? However the beginning for some what starts out as a part-time job can manifest into a full fledged career. Regardless the beginning, the reasons for staying may be vastly similar,...passion for the profession, opportunity to encourage good sportsmanship, the travel or a chance at impacting the youth of today. Some may set their sights higher to achieve at the highest level the sport has to offer, professional leagues, even Olympic competition?

Most officials are name-less bodies on the court or field who interpret the rulebook. Most keep relative anonymity to the everyday fan. But some enjoy somewhat of a celebrity status. Their name and face is recognizable and their decision making on the job has yielded them success in their field. Recently the NCAA did a piece on three well known officials. Whistle While You Work gives the reader a glimpse into a day in the life of a collegiate basketball official. The three woman crew was part of the Women's Final Four officiating team. You are treated to how they prepare for games and what process they use to critique their performance. It is a good read which paints a picture of the human side of these face-less authorities.

So the next time you are participating or spectating at an athletic event amateur or professional, acknowledge the face of the person wearing the whistle/mask. Critique their performance. Agree with the calls or not but understand the work involved in improving their craft is a difficult one. One that is shroud in constant learning, constant reflection and second guessing. Ultimately they just want to get the calls right!

Saturday, April 9, 2011

WPS New Season Begins

With the new season of the WPS comes a few new teams and certainly new merchandise for the 2011 season. Be sure and check it out at www.shopWPS.com.

You can check out Sky Blue FC vs. Philadelphia Independence live on FOX Soccer and online, Sunday 6pm ET.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Texas A&M 2011 National Championship Gear


Celebrate the Women of Texas A&M and their outstanding run in the NCAA Tournament and their first ever National Championship with officially licensed merchandise. Check out the Lady Fanatics site for official gear. You can also find a larger selection of officially licensed apparel in the Aggie Locker.

Friday, April 1, 2011

And Then There Were Four.....

It's the eve of the final four and as I reflect on the incorrectness of my bracket I think back on where I started and how I arrived at this point. Every year my brother and I make a friendly wager on both the men's and women's tourney. Rules?...two points for every correct win. The loser makes a desert of choice for the winner. I don't put much stock in winning the men's brackets. Although I watch a lot of basketball, I watch much more women's basketball. I pretty much knew I was making one desert when #1 Pitt went down on the men's side (I had them in the final four). After the first round of the women's tournament I was comfortably leading without a care in the world, after all the women's tourney doesn't experience Cinderella's,...right? You can pretty much copy the number one seeds in the bracket blanks all the way to the finals.

Television coverage usually lets you see into the lives of many different basketball programs across the country. Especially if you're a part of the ACC, Big East, Big 12, Big Ten, SEC or PAC-10. But, I'm afraid I, like others, never got to know the caliber of talent in some obscure women's basketball parts of the nation. I thought cheese-heads only cheered for the Packers. I'll admit I had Tennessee and Baylor in my final four bracket (now I owe my brother two deserts). I didn't expect anything different than the four number one seeds meeting in Indianapolis. Just another reason to play the games, right? You always hear the critics of the world say that women's basketball is not exciting, the same teams always get in year after year. The top seeds always prevail. I took a look back at the last 11 years (2000-2010) from both the men's and women's tournament final four to see if they were on to something.

Just The Facts (200-2010)
#1 seeds who have won the national title?
Men-8
Women-9

*(Looks pretty even to me)

Schools which have had a men's and women's program in the final four.
Duke (2 or more times)
Louisville
LSU
Maryland
Michigan State
Oklahoma
Texas
UCONN (2 or more)
UNC (2 or more)


The statistic that starts most of the comparisons and arguments comes in this form. From 2000-2010, there has been 27 different schools (men) who have participated in the final four versus 17 schools (women). Clearly there are a lot of repeat programs there year after year. Here's where the parity in men's basketball takes centerstage and where most people consider this to be why men's basketball is more exciting. Any team on a given night can beat the top seed. Perhaps this year was a turning point in the women's game. Teams like Gonzaga could make a memorable run to the Elite Eight or Louisville's giant slaying of top seeded Xavier. Even the pressure felt by some top seeds to dispatch their lower seeded counterparts. The gap is beginning to widen. It was truly fun to watch this years tournament. And even though Tennessee and Baylor are absent, the additions of Notre Dame and Texas A&M offer plenty of drama and personalities. After this year I'm just not confident that UCONN will defeat Notre Dame, again, nor are they a lock for their 8th National Championship. It's anybody's tournament.

So I look forward to the uncertainty of the remaining games. I'll watch the final four and the championship game and simultaneously satisfy my brothers sweet tooth. Mid majors!... these cookies, brownies and pound cake are for you!