PORTFOLIO
sports blogs
during my final semester in graduate school i wrote a series of blogs on current events in the sports world. take a look at the full collection at shessporty.wordpress.com.
athletes, our heroes
Super abilities, despite an incredible physical vulnerability. A great hero, internationally loved. Are we talking Olympian Oscar Pistorius or Achilles, the Greek Hero? Until recently I was talking about both.
Today, Olympic athletes are the closet parallel to the gods of Ancient Greece. Especially in countries outside of the United States, Olympic competitors are national heroes if they bring a medal home. The parallel is fitting, as the history of the Olympics ties its athletes in with the myths of the Greek gods and heroes.
Olympians are human though.
It’s sad to see Oscar Pistorius and other athletes fall from their places of grace. I’m in no way condoning the alleged acts of Pistorius, but this is another example of the apparent pressures on athletes as they are in the public eye, and the lack knowledge of who our favorite athletes really are.
I admit I have my favorite athletes, but these recent events remind me not to blindly worship. After all, we must remember that Achilles also had his weakness.
finish college or leave early to go pro?
As a former collegiate athlete who is nearing in on her second degree, it should be no question where I stand on this debate. From my own experience, I know the maturity and knowledge that comes along with 4-year education. To me, these were priceless and I made sure to take full advantage of my scholarship. My experiences truly drive my belief that student athletes should do the same, and earn that degree.
Setting aside my idealistic view for a moment, and begrudgingly accepting some truths 1) football and men’s basketball are completely different situation than women’s track, even at its highest level. 2) Fully aware my collegiate athletic career would be the ending for my track career, I had other aspirations reflecting this understanding- something many athletes don’t do. 3) For many, college is merely stepping stone to get into professional sports. Looking at these, see the other side, college isn’t for everybody. I get it.
Returning to my world of scholastic appreciation.
While I understand that professional sports is the end goal for many, and college may just be the means to get there; It’s not about getting into professional sports, its about maintaining a long career. If a student-athlete is of the professional level as a sophomore or junior, he will also be at that level once he graduates. AND he’ll be more athletically developed, have a stronger focus on the team, posses a higher level of maturity, and be better educated; things I believe go into making an athlete well rounded and slated for a long-term career.
For all of these reasons, I commend Matt Barkley’s decision to stay with USC through his senior year and believe he will do well because of it. Numbers are flying around concerning the amount of money Barkley lost by waiting a year to enter the NFL Draft. But for all of these speculations, it’s also important to remember what he gained.
all wrong
Hey Ryan Lochte, you’re doing it all wrong! I am here to tell you all fame is not created equal. And you are going in a direction that may be more harmful than beneficial. Rocking a gold grill on the Olympic podium, hosting pool parties in Las Vegas, and now a reality TV show, What Would Ryan Lochte Do? I am starting to worry.
Michael Phelps seems to have studied Michael Jordan’s public relations handbook. Looking in sponsorships, deals, and using the media smartly; Phelps has used the media to his benefit. Maintaining a focus on his athletic achievements, he has created an image that will maintain far after he is done swimming, and likewise will continue to make him money.
Lochte, on the other hand, is more reminiscent of another (in)famous Chicago Bull, Dennis Rodman. With antics and shortsighted publicity stunts, Lochte may be taking his fame in the wrong direction. Shifting the focus from his athletic abilities are shaping his image as swimming’s bad boy.
Be smart Lochte, and if a communist nation’s leader invites you to dinner, just say no.
on manti te'o
Manti Te’o. A name that, unless you were a faithful sports fan, would not have rung a bell until about 2 weeks ago.Unless you’ve been under a rock these last few weeks though, you now know this name. Not as a Heisman Trophy runner up from Notre Dame, instead, you know him because of the girlfriend hoax that’s been national news.As more information unfolds surrounding the hoax, and it is becoming clearer that Te’o truly was an innocent victim in the situation, I can’t help but feel sorry for the kid who has been thrown into the media spotlight.I feel bad for him because he is so similar to many in our generation, who spend much of their time online. It really isn’t all that crazy to have a relationship that was lived out in the virtual world, I know a few people in long distance relationships that were similar to what it seems Te'o had with his "girlfriend". The show Catfish shows just how common this really is as more people look to the Internet to find love.It’s unfortunate that Te’o garnered so much attention from this, rather than his football talents. But it since this phenomenon of “catfishing” is so new, Te’o really attracted a ton of coverage.I will say that he has handled the unwanted spotlight very well. Allowing the story to unfold, and not addressing all of the silly side stories, hats off to Te’o and his PR team. It will be a matter of time before this blows over for Te’o, and soon enough he’ll be recognized for his football talents rather than being the victim of a cruel catfish. This is partially a wish, more than a statement. I mean really, I cant be the only person who is exhausted from this story!