In one of the least-dramatic, most celebrated sporting events in recent memory, the United States Women’s National Team defeated The Netherlands 2-0 Sunday to claim the World Cup. I’m far from a soccer expert but even I knew the Americans winning was a foregone conclusion.
I still watched it, though. I get very patriotic every three or four years and I support female athletes every day. In fact, I’ve been supporting women and girls in sports for most of my life. It’s a passion of mine.
I’ve heard every negative stereotype one can imagine when it comes to female athletes. They simply can’t win. They’re either too masculine or too big or not attractive or, ask Anna Kournikova about being too beautiful.
So, when the many non-sports fans started seeing the soccer women on their television screens, I knew it wouldn’t be long before they found something to criticize. People complain about the WNBA because they don’t find the women feminine. The LPGA women are foreign and the female tennis players scream too much.
What is the great complaint about our women’s soccer team? That’s right, they’re too damn confident. Or, cocky. Or, arrogant. Whatever word that fits the best is fine. They all, basically, mean the same thing.
I’m not going to get into the Megan Rapinoe stuff. I’ve never been a huge fan of her as a player. It has nothing to do with her political beliefs or her stances on social issues. I just felt she was a bit overrated. Even in this tournament, half of her goals came on penalty kicks.
I’m a Christen Press fan.
But it wasn’t just Rapinoe that had the critics singing. It was the overall team’s attitude. They celebrated after each of the 13 goals scored against helpless Thailand. When criticized about being too joyful in that win, they toned it down with golf claps in the next game. Finally, Alex Morgan felt the wrath of the world when she mimed sipping a cup of tea after scoring the game-winning goal against England.
I find this just so silly and, yes, sexist.
First, no one becomes one of the best in the world in their field without being super confident, perhaps even, dare I saw, arrogant. Confidence is what separates elite athletes from all the others. If you don’t have supreme belief in yourself, you’ll never be as good as you could be.
Second, what the women did was not even close to the arrogance shown by their male counterparts. Shaquille O’Neal has the Superman emblem tattooed on his arm. LeBron James has “The Chosen One” tattooed on his back. Mike Tyson once told an opponent he wanted to eat his children.
Alex Morgan sipped tea. Has no one seen a Conor McGregor press conference?
And no, this isn’t me saying, “If the men can do it, why can’t the women?”
Wrong is wrong. But, none of these people did anything wrong.
O’Neal called himself Superman and then he backed it up. Tyson said he wanted to devour his opponent’s children because, A, he’s a bit insane and B, he meant it.
When Alex Morgan taunted England with the tip sipping gesture, she did it during the game. If her opponents had a problem with it, they would’ve had no trouble finding her.
One of the great things about sports is, no matter what you say, eventually, you’ll have to back it up. I despise this politically correct era which asks athletes to lie or sugar coat their words. If I hear one more loser preaching about sportsmanship …
Remember when the cheerleaders use to chant, “U-G-L-Y, you ain’t got no alibi. You ugly?”
I want those days back. That’s when sports were fun. That’s when athletics was still a game. Play as hard as you can. Talk a little bit of noise, laugh and then do it again.
Now, you have to be careful what you say. Don’t score too much. Don’t act so happy when you win.
Say what you want about the soccer women, they had fun. All the critics around the world didn’t appear to dampen their celebration. And yeah, they’re kind of cocky. They worked their butts off to become the best at what they do. They’ve earned the right to have a little attitude.
If you don’t like to see the best athletes in the world enjoying what they do, watch a movie. Not that the actors are any less arrogant but at least they can pretend to be something they’re not.
Sunday, July 7, 2019
Friday, June 28, 2019
She can make that shot
So, I’m watching a WNBA game tonight. I know, Rick Butler, I’m the one. Anyway, a 6-foot-5 post player floats out to the top of the key. She catches a pass and, routinely, drains a wide-open 3-point shot.
After the shot, the TV color analyst explained proudly, “She can make that shot.”
I’m not even kidding. That’s what she said. “She can make that shot.”
No crap, Carla. (I don’t know that her name is Carla.) We know she can make that shot. We, literally, just saw her do it.
This woman is supposed to be somewhat of an expert on women’s basketball and generally knowledgeable on the sport as a whole. And, that’s what she came up with?
I kept waiting for her to expound on her commentary. Perhaps explain that the player had worked hard to extend her range or point out this was a shot the player wouldn’t have taken or made a year ago. But no, that was it. “She can make that shot.”
Why am I sweating?
I know I sound like an angry, bitter, old man. I won’t deny some of this. I am a man.
And I know you think I’m overreacting. I can’t help it. Incompetence irks me when it comes to basketball. If the only thing you can say after watching a person make a shot is, “She can make that shot,” perhaps you should just be quiet.
This wasn’t the only pearl to pop out of this woman’s pie hole. Earlier in the game, one team grabbed a defensive rebound. The other team had two of its players trip over each other and fall in the backcourt. The offensive team proceeded to push the ball up the floor and score.
This time, the color commentator, being the basketball savant that she is, stated proudly, “That’s what this team can do to you.”
What? Score with a 5-on-3 advantage? That’s what every team can do to you. That’s what most eighth grade teams can do to you.
She really said that. “That’s what this team can do to you.”
Why am I dizzy?
The lady would later explain why she didn’t wear her hair in a ponytail when she played. I can’t tell you exactly what she said because I think I blacked out for a second.
How many people tried out for this job?
Jealous? You’re calling me jealous?
You’re darned right I’m jealous. She’s sucking at a job, probably making close to triple-figures, while I’m at home eating burnt fish sticks on stale bread.
Oh, okay, now she’s explaining why she didn’t wear her hair in a ponytail. She wore it in a bun instead. Meanwhile, the teams are still playing somewhere in the background.
“She can make that shot.” She actually said that out loud, into a microphone.
Seriously, is it hot in here?
The thing is, I’m probably the only person who notices this stuff. Then again, I’ve heard other WNBA fans say they mute the television in order to enjoy the game. I’ve never done that but perhaps it’s something I should consider.
I just don’t understand why they can’t find qualified folks to broadcast the games. The WNBA doesn’t have a lot of fans but the fans it has are loyal. We want to support the league even while our friends mock us. (Bite me, Rick Butler.)
But how can you defend a league whose expert commentary consists of, “She can make that shot,”?
I know I didn’t dream this. She watched a player make a shot and followed it up with, “She can make that shot.”
Really? The shot she just made? You’re telling me she can make that shot?
Ma’am, you are a basketball genius.
Hold on, I think I may be having a stroke … wait … okay, maybe not.
I know I shouldn’t be making myself ill watching a game. I also know I’m not perfect at my job, either. I’m sure there have been times a reader has been left scratching their head at one of my typos.
But we’re not talking about me here. Besides, considering how much money I make, I do a pretty damn good job. Trust me on that.
And, I’m pretty sure any faux pas in my past was not on the level of, “She can make that freaking shot.”
Did I mention the lady had just made the shot and then the commentator explained, “She can make that shot,”?
Lord have mercy.
Where’s my aspirin?
After the shot, the TV color analyst explained proudly, “She can make that shot.”
I’m not even kidding. That’s what she said. “She can make that shot.”
No crap, Carla. (I don’t know that her name is Carla.) We know she can make that shot. We, literally, just saw her do it.
This woman is supposed to be somewhat of an expert on women’s basketball and generally knowledgeable on the sport as a whole. And, that’s what she came up with?
I kept waiting for her to expound on her commentary. Perhaps explain that the player had worked hard to extend her range or point out this was a shot the player wouldn’t have taken or made a year ago. But no, that was it. “She can make that shot.”
Why am I sweating?
I know I sound like an angry, bitter, old man. I won’t deny some of this. I am a man.
And I know you think I’m overreacting. I can’t help it. Incompetence irks me when it comes to basketball. If the only thing you can say after watching a person make a shot is, “She can make that shot,” perhaps you should just be quiet.
This wasn’t the only pearl to pop out of this woman’s pie hole. Earlier in the game, one team grabbed a defensive rebound. The other team had two of its players trip over each other and fall in the backcourt. The offensive team proceeded to push the ball up the floor and score.
This time, the color commentator, being the basketball savant that she is, stated proudly, “That’s what this team can do to you.”
What? Score with a 5-on-3 advantage? That’s what every team can do to you. That’s what most eighth grade teams can do to you.
She really said that. “That’s what this team can do to you.”
Why am I dizzy?
The lady would later explain why she didn’t wear her hair in a ponytail when she played. I can’t tell you exactly what she said because I think I blacked out for a second.
How many people tried out for this job?
Jealous? You’re calling me jealous?
You’re darned right I’m jealous. She’s sucking at a job, probably making close to triple-figures, while I’m at home eating burnt fish sticks on stale bread.
Oh, okay, now she’s explaining why she didn’t wear her hair in a ponytail. She wore it in a bun instead. Meanwhile, the teams are still playing somewhere in the background.
“She can make that shot.” She actually said that out loud, into a microphone.
Seriously, is it hot in here?
The thing is, I’m probably the only person who notices this stuff. Then again, I’ve heard other WNBA fans say they mute the television in order to enjoy the game. I’ve never done that but perhaps it’s something I should consider.
I just don’t understand why they can’t find qualified folks to broadcast the games. The WNBA doesn’t have a lot of fans but the fans it has are loyal. We want to support the league even while our friends mock us. (Bite me, Rick Butler.)
But how can you defend a league whose expert commentary consists of, “She can make that shot,”?
I know I didn’t dream this. She watched a player make a shot and followed it up with, “She can make that shot.”
Really? The shot she just made? You’re telling me she can make that shot?
Ma’am, you are a basketball genius.
Hold on, I think I may be having a stroke … wait … okay, maybe not.
I know I shouldn’t be making myself ill watching a game. I also know I’m not perfect at my job, either. I’m sure there have been times a reader has been left scratching their head at one of my typos.
But we’re not talking about me here. Besides, considering how much money I make, I do a pretty damn good job. Trust me on that.
And, I’m pretty sure any faux pas in my past was not on the level of, “She can make that freaking shot.”
Did I mention the lady had just made the shot and then the commentator explained, “She can make that shot,”?
Lord have mercy.
Where’s my aspirin?
Friday, July 28, 2017
Give 'em the 'Rook Look'
Like many of my readers, my thoughts and prayers recently have featured Mandy Rook-Stephenson, who had surgery this morning. Mandy is one of my favorite former players from Union County.
The daughter of Lynn and Debbie Rook, I met Mandy when she was in, about, the seventh grade. I took my camera to Norphlet to take mug shots of the senior girls basketball team. This little nosy blonde girl walked right up to me and sort of peered over my shoulder at the camera. She looked up at me and asked what I was doing.
I found out later she was the new coach's daughter. That first impression revealed a lot about Mandy Rook. She's not shy. She's not scared of anybody. And, if she wants to know something, she's going to found out.
I liked Mandy from that moment on. Even though she couldn't shoot a lick, I enjoyed watching her enthusiasm on the defensive end of the floor. As a player, she wasn't the most skilled or the most athletic, just a scrappy, hard-nosed kid that no girl wanted to go up against.
As you stare down your toughest opponent today, I know Mandy is going to fire up with the notorious "Rook Look" and figure out a way to come out on top.
The daughter of Lynn and Debbie Rook, I met Mandy when she was in, about, the seventh grade. I took my camera to Norphlet to take mug shots of the senior girls basketball team. This little nosy blonde girl walked right up to me and sort of peered over my shoulder at the camera. She looked up at me and asked what I was doing.
I found out later she was the new coach's daughter. That first impression revealed a lot about Mandy Rook. She's not shy. She's not scared of anybody. And, if she wants to know something, she's going to found out.
I liked Mandy from that moment on. Even though she couldn't shoot a lick, I enjoyed watching her enthusiasm on the defensive end of the floor. As a player, she wasn't the most skilled or the most athletic, just a scrappy, hard-nosed kid that no girl wanted to go up against.
As you stare down your toughest opponent today, I know Mandy is going to fire up with the notorious "Rook Look" and figure out a way to come out on top.
Sunday, January 22, 2017
I will miss Pat Summitt
This college basketball season, there have been several tributes to the late coach Pat Summitt. The legendary women’s coach at Tennessee passed away in 2016 after a career in which she helped put her sport on the map - literally.
Without Summitt, women’s basketball would not have the television exposure it enjoys today. What made her so great was her love for the entire sport. When Geno Auriemma was starting out with a fledging program at Connecticut, it was Summitt and Stanford coach Tara Vanderveer, who took their programs to tiny Storrs so his Huskies, pre-Rebecca Lobo, could get to play on television.
I watched those games during weekday afternoons on ESPN2. You could see how excited the players at Connecticut were to be on television. They wouldn’t have been if Tennessee and Stanford had not made their way to Storrs, when they didn’t need to or have to.
But, Summitt wanted to grow the sport. It wasn’t enough to have two, three or four big programs. She wanted more schools to spend money on women’s basketball. She wanted ESPN to showcase the sport in all parts of the country, not just the Southeast or on the West Coast.
I don’t know how she felt about it but I’ll never forgive ESPN and the East Coach media for acting like Coach Auriemma and Connecticut invented the sport of women’s basketball. Today, ESPN is televising the Huskies against Tulane and after the game, they will bemoan UCONN’s dominance and talk about how much better Auriemma is than all the other coaches in the game.
If ESPN would look back into its own vault, it could find the sport existed before Rebecca Lobo ever stepped foot in Storrs. Summitt and Vanderveer and Leon Barmore and Jody Conradt and Joe Ciampi and Andy Landers and countless others had the game at a high level. And, it was competitive, too, with talent spread throughout the country. I remember when Virginia had Dawn Staley and Tennessee had Daedra Charles and NC State had Andrea Stinson and Stanford had Jennifer Azzi and Auburn had Ruthie Bolton and LA Tech had Venus Lacy and Western Kentucky had Lillie Mason and Texas had Andrea Lloyd and, of course, USC had the great Cheryl Miller.
That’s what built the sport.
I don’t watch much women’s basketball anymore. What’s to watch? All of the talent goes to Connecticut. ESPN would rather showcase the Huskies murdering Tulane than Kelsey Plum at Washington or Katelynn Flaherty at Michigan or, well, you get the picture.
The sport is all about one team, which is only fun for folks who follow that one team.
I will miss Pat Summitt, who was always nice to me when I called her for interviews. She always called me by my name and insisted I call her “Pat.” She didn’t know me and probably had forgotten she talked to me 10 minutes after she hung up the phone. But, I’ll remember each interview forever.
And, I will remember fondly the sport she built.
I miss her. And, I miss women’s basketball.
Without Summitt, women’s basketball would not have the television exposure it enjoys today. What made her so great was her love for the entire sport. When Geno Auriemma was starting out with a fledging program at Connecticut, it was Summitt and Stanford coach Tara Vanderveer, who took their programs to tiny Storrs so his Huskies, pre-Rebecca Lobo, could get to play on television.
I watched those games during weekday afternoons on ESPN2. You could see how excited the players at Connecticut were to be on television. They wouldn’t have been if Tennessee and Stanford had not made their way to Storrs, when they didn’t need to or have to.
But, Summitt wanted to grow the sport. It wasn’t enough to have two, three or four big programs. She wanted more schools to spend money on women’s basketball. She wanted ESPN to showcase the sport in all parts of the country, not just the Southeast or on the West Coast.
I don’t know how she felt about it but I’ll never forgive ESPN and the East Coach media for acting like Coach Auriemma and Connecticut invented the sport of women’s basketball. Today, ESPN is televising the Huskies against Tulane and after the game, they will bemoan UCONN’s dominance and talk about how much better Auriemma is than all the other coaches in the game.
If ESPN would look back into its own vault, it could find the sport existed before Rebecca Lobo ever stepped foot in Storrs. Summitt and Vanderveer and Leon Barmore and Jody Conradt and Joe Ciampi and Andy Landers and countless others had the game at a high level. And, it was competitive, too, with talent spread throughout the country. I remember when Virginia had Dawn Staley and Tennessee had Daedra Charles and NC State had Andrea Stinson and Stanford had Jennifer Azzi and Auburn had Ruthie Bolton and LA Tech had Venus Lacy and Western Kentucky had Lillie Mason and Texas had Andrea Lloyd and, of course, USC had the great Cheryl Miller.
That’s what built the sport.
I don’t watch much women’s basketball anymore. What’s to watch? All of the talent goes to Connecticut. ESPN would rather showcase the Huskies murdering Tulane than Kelsey Plum at Washington or Katelynn Flaherty at Michigan or, well, you get the picture.
The sport is all about one team, which is only fun for folks who follow that one team.
I will miss Pat Summitt, who was always nice to me when I called her for interviews. She always called me by my name and insisted I call her “Pat.” She didn’t know me and probably had forgotten she talked to me 10 minutes after she hung up the phone. But, I’ll remember each interview forever.
And, I will remember fondly the sport she built.
I miss her. And, I miss women’s basketball.
Thursday, October 27, 2016
What a year for the Wildcats
I’ve been around a long time but I’ve never seen anything quite like this.
I’m not sure what’s shocked me more, the number of injured athletes in El Dorado’s football program or the, almost, nonchalant attitude of the coaches, who shake their head, shrug and say, “next man up.”
El Dorado has lost, at least, five players to season-ending injuries. That number could be higher depending on whether a couple who are questionable can make it back on the field in time to play.
But, Kameron Buie, Tomas Howell, Anthony Thomas, Jamerious Junior and L.J. Yarbrough are players who will definitely not be back this season. Seven players have undergone surgeries this season.
El Dorado has played four quarterbacks, including Brennan Claypoole, the senior kicker and punter who was supposed to be the “emergency” quarterback in August. Well, the Wildcats’ “emergency” quarterback has completed 24-of-52 passes for 318 yards.
Of course, Claypoole was injured last week so sophomore Wanya Frazier will likely start at quarterback Friday night against Russellville.
In addition to the four signal callers, El Dorado has used six running backs, 10 offensive linemen and seven cornerbacks this season.
“They’re at the point with the injury situation, they don’t even blink on that,” said El Dorado coach Scott Reed.
Well, that was before Thomas, the team’s senior running back, broke his leg last week. The coach admitted, he’s not sure how the team will respond to the latest broken bone.
“You don’t know about that. That guy is very well liked and an integral part of our team. He comes to work every day,” said Reed. “He’s a kid that, all of our kids would admire the way he works and handles himself. He never says anything negative to anyone. He loves to play. He competes really hard.
“Anthony is a loss for us because he’s a really good player but he’s a better person. He’s never in any trouble. He’s fun to be around.”
Reed was emotional when he knelt down on the field beside Thomas last Friday. A week later, the coach still sounds a tad shaken up.
“I just went by to see him earlier today,” Reed said on Wednesday. “I said, ‘Do you remember when the injury happened?’ He says, ‘yeah, I remember everything about it, Coach.’ Their middle linebacker ran off the field yelling, ‘get him some help.’ I said, ‘I got out there pretty quick and you still had the ball.’ He goes, ’we don’t fumble.’ I know he was proud of that.”
It’s been a difficult 4-4 season in El Dorado. The Wildcats have played back-ups at quarterback, running back, receiver, right tackle, center, left guard, left tackle, nose guard, outside linebacker, both cornerbacks, safety, kicker, punter, holder and kickoff man.
When I suggested the injuries would, at least, build depth for next season as a lot of youngsters who didn’t expect to see the field have seen significant playing time, Reed smiled before reminding me about this year’s seniors. El Dorado’s seniors don’t have next year to look toward.
Reed’s only concern at the moment is squeezing every drop of success out of the 2016 season.
“Honestly, you know it’s been tough and all but I’m real hopeful we’re still going to get some guys well eventually,” he said.
“I think we’re going to be better than expected Friday. It’s going to be tough with the losses we’ve had offensively. And, we’re playing a real good team. But, all I care about is our kids continue to compete like they have.”
Tonight is Senior Night at El Dorado. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.
I’m not sure what’s shocked me more, the number of injured athletes in El Dorado’s football program or the, almost, nonchalant attitude of the coaches, who shake their head, shrug and say, “next man up.”
El Dorado has lost, at least, five players to season-ending injuries. That number could be higher depending on whether a couple who are questionable can make it back on the field in time to play.
But, Kameron Buie, Tomas Howell, Anthony Thomas, Jamerious Junior and L.J. Yarbrough are players who will definitely not be back this season. Seven players have undergone surgeries this season.
El Dorado has played four quarterbacks, including Brennan Claypoole, the senior kicker and punter who was supposed to be the “emergency” quarterback in August. Well, the Wildcats’ “emergency” quarterback has completed 24-of-52 passes for 318 yards.
Of course, Claypoole was injured last week so sophomore Wanya Frazier will likely start at quarterback Friday night against Russellville.
In addition to the four signal callers, El Dorado has used six running backs, 10 offensive linemen and seven cornerbacks this season.
“They’re at the point with the injury situation, they don’t even blink on that,” said El Dorado coach Scott Reed.
Well, that was before Thomas, the team’s senior running back, broke his leg last week. The coach admitted, he’s not sure how the team will respond to the latest broken bone.
“You don’t know about that. That guy is very well liked and an integral part of our team. He comes to work every day,” said Reed. “He’s a kid that, all of our kids would admire the way he works and handles himself. He never says anything negative to anyone. He loves to play. He competes really hard.
“Anthony is a loss for us because he’s a really good player but he’s a better person. He’s never in any trouble. He’s fun to be around.”
Reed was emotional when he knelt down on the field beside Thomas last Friday. A week later, the coach still sounds a tad shaken up.
“I just went by to see him earlier today,” Reed said on Wednesday. “I said, ‘Do you remember when the injury happened?’ He says, ‘yeah, I remember everything about it, Coach.’ Their middle linebacker ran off the field yelling, ‘get him some help.’ I said, ‘I got out there pretty quick and you still had the ball.’ He goes, ’we don’t fumble.’ I know he was proud of that.”
It’s been a difficult 4-4 season in El Dorado. The Wildcats have played back-ups at quarterback, running back, receiver, right tackle, center, left guard, left tackle, nose guard, outside linebacker, both cornerbacks, safety, kicker, punter, holder and kickoff man.
When I suggested the injuries would, at least, build depth for next season as a lot of youngsters who didn’t expect to see the field have seen significant playing time, Reed smiled before reminding me about this year’s seniors. El Dorado’s seniors don’t have next year to look toward.
Reed’s only concern at the moment is squeezing every drop of success out of the 2016 season.
“Honestly, you know it’s been tough and all but I’m real hopeful we’re still going to get some guys well eventually,” he said.
“I think we’re going to be better than expected Friday. It’s going to be tough with the losses we’ve had offensively. And, we’re playing a real good team. But, all I care about is our kids continue to compete like they have.”
Tonight is Senior Night at El Dorado. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Big-time dreams in a small town
In the middle of the past high school swim season, I sat across from Isabella Gati, a ninth grade phenom, for our first interview. I'd heard about this young athlete, read her dominant results on paper, but it was our first meeting. It didn't take long for her to tell me her aspirations - to compete in the Olympics.
Isabella had it mapped out for a specific year and everything. She wasn't just talking. She had a plan.
I listened intently before I popped the obvious question.
"Can you get to the Olympics from El Dorado?"
Isabella, who was with her mother, glanced at her mom and then looked toward the floor, smiled at me and gave one of those shoulder shrugs. It wasn't really an answer but then again, oh yeah it was.
Isabella will be attending a boarding school in Virginia so she can compete on one of the country's premier swim clubs out of Washington D.C. She's among her peers, girls with similar hopes and dreams. She will be pushed by her coaches and competitors to reach her full potential.
It was an obvious move because, unfortunately, you cannot get to the Olympics from El Dorado. At least, not a straight shot.
I've been here 25 years. So far, El Dorado doesn't appear to be a launching spot to professional or world caliber competition.
No Wildcats in the NFL, NBA, MLB, PGA, LPGA, WTA, ATP, WNBA, MLS ... pick a letter.
Junction City's Kevin Payne made it to the NFL Chicago Bears. Junction City's James Anderson recently signed with the NBA Sacramento Kings. But, why has El Dorado been shut out?
Oh, it got close. Remember Amanda McCurdy? She's probably the best female golfer this state has ever produced. She finished second in the U.S. Amateur and made the cut in the LPGA U.S. Open as an amateur. She was close to getting on the LPGA Tour but never really got the support and backing she needed.
To me, that's the problem. If McCurdy had hailed from a community that backed her career financially, perhaps she would be on the LPGA Tour, wearing a Wildcat hat and teaching the world how to pronounce El-doh-Ray-doh. But, she didn't play football. She played golf and, specifically, she played GIRLS golf.
Football players get plenty of support in this town and I think that's great. El Dorado's Bijhon Jackson, hopefully, will soon end our unprofessional skid as he braces for a big year at Arkansas. He squatted 700 pounds the other night.
I just wish there were big companies in our area who would give that same kind of support to the other athletes. You can't get to the Olympics from El Dorado and it's getting difficult to get to a major college in sports other than football. Most of the kids from this area who earned Division I basketball scholarships - Anderson, Stetson Billings, Whitney Frazier, Savanna Langston, etc. - had to drive to Little Rock so they could play on elite AAU club teams. Courtney Lowe's dream was to playing Division I softball. She made it come true but she had to drive deep into Texas just to practice for her summer travel team. Hell, I remember years ago calling tennis hotshot Irene Jadic on the phone. She was headed to Hot Springs because she needed someone to hit with.
I think it's a shame that local kids with big dreams have to leave South Arkansas as soon as they can if they want those dreams to be realized. I'm not saying El Dorado can build a world class training facility for swimmers. If your child is a swimmer or gymnast or something so specialized as that, yeah, they're probably going to have to move from South Arkansas. But, this area is big enough to be more than it is. When I got here in the early 90s, Mellor Park Tennis Courts hosted the biggest junior tennis tournaments of the summer. Teaching professional Suzanne Phillips had built her local program to a point where the best players from around the state and region flocked to El Dorado because it's where the competition was playing.
Of course, Mellor Park is run by the city. The tennis courts started to crack and weren't repaired and, eventually, Miss Phillips quit and the local tennis scene disappeared. But, it was here and it was huge. I watched it.
There's no reason South Arkansas kids should have to drive to Little Rock to play elite level basketball. That's crap. All it takes is one large corporation to step up. Same for baseball and softball and tennis and track.
It's amazing to me that this part of the state has won all these state championships in all these sports. Yet, we've produced no world class athletes beyond the state level except for Payne and Anderson. It's not the kids' fault. They have the talent and some of them have the desire.
They just can't get out of El Dorado fast enough.
Isabella had it mapped out for a specific year and everything. She wasn't just talking. She had a plan.
I listened intently before I popped the obvious question.
"Can you get to the Olympics from El Dorado?"
Isabella, who was with her mother, glanced at her mom and then looked toward the floor, smiled at me and gave one of those shoulder shrugs. It wasn't really an answer but then again, oh yeah it was.
Isabella will be attending a boarding school in Virginia so she can compete on one of the country's premier swim clubs out of Washington D.C. She's among her peers, girls with similar hopes and dreams. She will be pushed by her coaches and competitors to reach her full potential.
It was an obvious move because, unfortunately, you cannot get to the Olympics from El Dorado. At least, not a straight shot.
I've been here 25 years. So far, El Dorado doesn't appear to be a launching spot to professional or world caliber competition.
No Wildcats in the NFL, NBA, MLB, PGA, LPGA, WTA, ATP, WNBA, MLS ... pick a letter.
Junction City's Kevin Payne made it to the NFL Chicago Bears. Junction City's James Anderson recently signed with the NBA Sacramento Kings. But, why has El Dorado been shut out?
Oh, it got close. Remember Amanda McCurdy? She's probably the best female golfer this state has ever produced. She finished second in the U.S. Amateur and made the cut in the LPGA U.S. Open as an amateur. She was close to getting on the LPGA Tour but never really got the support and backing she needed.
To me, that's the problem. If McCurdy had hailed from a community that backed her career financially, perhaps she would be on the LPGA Tour, wearing a Wildcat hat and teaching the world how to pronounce El-doh-Ray-doh. But, she didn't play football. She played golf and, specifically, she played GIRLS golf.
Football players get plenty of support in this town and I think that's great. El Dorado's Bijhon Jackson, hopefully, will soon end our unprofessional skid as he braces for a big year at Arkansas. He squatted 700 pounds the other night.
I just wish there were big companies in our area who would give that same kind of support to the other athletes. You can't get to the Olympics from El Dorado and it's getting difficult to get to a major college in sports other than football. Most of the kids from this area who earned Division I basketball scholarships - Anderson, Stetson Billings, Whitney Frazier, Savanna Langston, etc. - had to drive to Little Rock so they could play on elite AAU club teams. Courtney Lowe's dream was to playing Division I softball. She made it come true but she had to drive deep into Texas just to practice for her summer travel team. Hell, I remember years ago calling tennis hotshot Irene Jadic on the phone. She was headed to Hot Springs because she needed someone to hit with.
I think it's a shame that local kids with big dreams have to leave South Arkansas as soon as they can if they want those dreams to be realized. I'm not saying El Dorado can build a world class training facility for swimmers. If your child is a swimmer or gymnast or something so specialized as that, yeah, they're probably going to have to move from South Arkansas. But, this area is big enough to be more than it is. When I got here in the early 90s, Mellor Park Tennis Courts hosted the biggest junior tennis tournaments of the summer. Teaching professional Suzanne Phillips had built her local program to a point where the best players from around the state and region flocked to El Dorado because it's where the competition was playing.
Of course, Mellor Park is run by the city. The tennis courts started to crack and weren't repaired and, eventually, Miss Phillips quit and the local tennis scene disappeared. But, it was here and it was huge. I watched it.
There's no reason South Arkansas kids should have to drive to Little Rock to play elite level basketball. That's crap. All it takes is one large corporation to step up. Same for baseball and softball and tennis and track.
It's amazing to me that this part of the state has won all these state championships in all these sports. Yet, we've produced no world class athletes beyond the state level except for Payne and Anderson. It's not the kids' fault. They have the talent and some of them have the desire.
They just can't get out of El Dorado fast enough.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Help me out here
I'm confused.
Okay, the quarterback at Florida State, DeAndre Johnson, was kicked off the football team for hitting a female. I get that part. Men are physically stronger and larger and are supposed to be protectors of women. Punching a woman in the face is a criminal offense.
But, but, but, but.
The video shows the woman in this case as the aggressor. She balls up her fist, which he grabs and holds. She then tries to knee him in the groin and finally swings at him with her other hand.
Then, he punched her.
I'm not saying he should've punched her. But, I understand.
My confusion isn't what he did to deserve getting kicked off the football team. I don't understand how she gets away as if she's done nothing wrong.
Two wrongs don't make a right and they damn sure don't when only one of the wrongs is punished.
There are clear-cut consequences for any man who hits a woman. Why are there no repercussions for a female who instigates a fight with a male? Hey, I believe in equal rights for women. I've covered girls sports just the same as boys sports in our local paper for more than 20 years. But, if any woman walks up to me and punches me in the face, I guess I'm going to jail.
If you've got enough testosterone in your body to swing a fist. You should have enough to duck when a fist comes swinging back at you.
To be clear, I'm not advocating violence against women. If a woman hits me and I hit her back, I'm going to jail. I understand that part. But, she should be sitting there with me. I hate to sound like a 5-year-old but, "She started it."
Okay, the quarterback at Florida State, DeAndre Johnson, was kicked off the football team for hitting a female. I get that part. Men are physically stronger and larger and are supposed to be protectors of women. Punching a woman in the face is a criminal offense.
But, but, but, but.
The video shows the woman in this case as the aggressor. She balls up her fist, which he grabs and holds. She then tries to knee him in the groin and finally swings at him with her other hand.
Then, he punched her.
I'm not saying he should've punched her. But, I understand.
My confusion isn't what he did to deserve getting kicked off the football team. I don't understand how she gets away as if she's done nothing wrong.
Two wrongs don't make a right and they damn sure don't when only one of the wrongs is punished.
There are clear-cut consequences for any man who hits a woman. Why are there no repercussions for a female who instigates a fight with a male? Hey, I believe in equal rights for women. I've covered girls sports just the same as boys sports in our local paper for more than 20 years. But, if any woman walks up to me and punches me in the face, I guess I'm going to jail.
If you've got enough testosterone in your body to swing a fist. You should have enough to duck when a fist comes swinging back at you.
To be clear, I'm not advocating violence against women. If a woman hits me and I hit her back, I'm going to jail. I understand that part. But, she should be sitting there with me. I hate to sound like a 5-year-old but, "She started it."
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