Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Final Project: "Albia Buck"

The "Albia Buck"

Tony Lovstuen's life forever changed the day he hit the 38 point 307 5/8 scored "Albia Buck," the largest buck ever shot in the world. Hunter all over the world dream about landing a buck the way this 15-year old kid did.

"That buck is in a class all its own. There were hunters from all over the United States, even the world, who were trying to get deer tags to hunt in Iowa because they wanted to hunt the Albia buck," said Dale Ream, an official measurer from Missouri for the Boone & Crockett Club in a previous statement. The club is said to be the most recognized scoring system.

Exerpt from final project:

Iowan Dustin Gaskill also has dreamt about landing a large buck. The recent 170 scored buck he shot was nothing compared to the "Albia Buck," but that won't deter him from the state of Iowa.

“I never shot one that big, but there’s the possibility of always hitting one like that,” he said. “Especially in the state of Iowa.

Last hunting season, Gaskill shot a deer with an arrow. After waiting the standard 45 minutes or so for the deer to fully die, he stepped out of his tree stand only to see the deer run away.

“It wasn’t dead yet,” he said. “It was the biggest buck I ever shot. We just lost the blood trail. Never could find it. The point of the chip is, you don’t need a blood trail. You turn that sucker on and it takes you within 2-5 feet of the deer.”

Gaskill used the “Albia Buck” as an example of not wanting to lose the deer of his life. He said that “Albia Buck,” was a once in a lifetime buck that has made millions of dollars in endorsements. That is part of the reason he created a mircochip to help locate the wounded animal.

Here's a video of the "Albia Buck." The Lovstuen family watched the buck for almost five years.

"They knew everything about him," Gaskill said. "They made him not nocturnal. So they could keep him up during the day. Some people take it really serious."


Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Richard Lapchick

Richard Lapchick of The University of Florida produced two articles titled "The Racial and Gender Report Card" and "The Racial and Gender Report Card of Associated Press Sports Editors." Lapchick grades the world of sports in both the media and the profession in terms of race and gender.

The reports cards bring to the light the fact that the white man rules the world. In the APSE article, the number of white males greatly outweighs other categories. The professional sports numbers were better, but still swayed. The piece show that there is still a disparity in the number of women and people of color holding jobs in the sports. However, there has been an increase in diversity among these jobs, a sign that maybe things are getting better.

I thought the most astonishing of all the grades, were the ones recieved by the Assoicate Press Sports Editors. The grades for the total staffs were a C+ for race and an F for gender. For the ediotors, both gender and race received an F. 94% of the editors were white males. Also there were only 20 people of color found in a sports editor position.

To me this is just astounding that the number is so low. I think it's sad to live in a world where you won't even get a chance at a job because of your race or gender.
Some people beleieve that the best person deserves the job. There have been situations where a person gets a job or an increased opportunity because of their race. I have seen in with admittance into school and with head coaching postitions in professional football.

I believe in fairness and an equal opportunity to get a job, but just that. I think there's a fine line, and it can be very difficult to not cross.

Everyone's perceptions are shaped by their unique experiences that make them who they are. It is always going to be hard to please everybody, because everyone is different. I think it's important to be able to refer to these report cards to let us know the progress we are making. Hopefully, the number of women, and people from other racial backrounds will continue getting the opportunities and making their great contributions to the world.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Twitter

For many readers, Twitter has become the new media tool for many news and communication enthusiasts throughout the world. While Twitter continues to grow, many people are left wondering whether or not the information they received is factual. However, Twitter can be used effectively and in a positive way.

The media uses Twitter for good in many ways. First, Twitter can be used to post quick updates and links to larger stories. Sometimes print media doesn't always have luxury to get out information as quickly as television and radio. Therefore Twitter can be used to post small updates and quick useful information. Here, you can sort through short posts and choose to read more about any subject.

Another way the media uses Twitter in a positive way is to promote their stories. Frequently, many readers miss certain stories because they may or may not be in the newspapers. Here you may follow an author and he may post a link to his or her story. As a journalist doing this, you can boost web hits, revenue, and financial viablilty.

To combat any debatable information, many Twitter users follow certain authors, journalists, or celebrities for news. Here readers tend to choose which journalists they find to be the most trustworthy, and then build a reading/media relationship. While doing this, you can find which readers you trust and which information is useful and truthful. Also you can interact with the writers more quickly to

Reporting should never be confused with gossip. Real reporting is based on factual information. When writers using Twitter are reporting factual information, they cite and usually use multiple sources. The media is trying to sway readers in their direction, by only printing truthful and accurate information.

Now that Twitter has become a large landscape of news, many people also think they can relay information. However, the media remains committed to providing the most factual and reputable work possible.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Check out NFL NATION LIVE

NFL Nation Live, brought to you by ESPN is chat with fantasy football bloggers and reporters sharing info and insight. The site is filled with polls, news, and information for your team.

Check it our here: http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/11891/nfl-nation-live-10

Week 10 injury updates

Here's an injury update courtest of ESPN:

http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/football/ffl/story?id=4651422

And CBS: http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasyfootball/injuries

Pay or Play Week # 10

Quarterbacks: Joe Flacco, Bal.
Flacco hasn't been putting up eye-popping numbers much lately but that's all about to change. With the Ravens set to travel to Cleveland, expect Flacco to put up a big game. The first time these two met in week #3, Flacco torched the Ravens for a career high 342 yards passing and a score.

Oh so close: Matt Hasselbeck, Sea.
You might be asking why I'm putting this guy here. The Seahawks are still in disarray. And in Week #6 when the Seahawks welcomes the Cards to Seattle, they were almost shut out losing 27-3. This week will be different. With Hasselbeck finally healthy I expect him to put up respectable numbers.

Running backs: Ray Rice, Bal.
I usually don't like to have fantasy studs on this list, however there are still a few owners not on who do not consider this old Rutgers star. When the Ravens saw the Browns in week #3, Rice was still splitting carries with Willis McGahee. Now Rice is the guy. Expect big things.

Oh so close: Pierre Thomas, N.O.
Similar to Rice, there are still some owners not believing in this guy, bases on the 20% of ESPN owners who still have this guy on their bench. This guy may be the most underrated consistent running back in football.

Wide receivers: Sidney Rice, Min.
Rice may be the best Rice on this board. Well probably not, but he is the best pass catcher the Vikings have. This guy is also Favre's most trusted target, and they're going to see the Lions this week. Enough said.

Oh so close: Nate Burleson, Sea.
Burleson has finally lived up to his hype. This season, Burleson has become a trusted target for Hasselbeck as well a play maker. This week I expect the trend to continue.

Tight ends: Brent Celek, Phi.
Celek has only had less than 3 fantasy points and 3 receptions once. Another safety valve for McNabb in a high octane passing offense. Celek also has touchdowns in his last two games. He's a safe start.

Oh so close: Jeremy Shockey, N.O..
Shockey has redeemed himself and his career after falling short the last few seasons in New York. He's went for over 200 yards his last three games and with the Saints ready to take on the lowly Rams, he's a good start this week.

Defense: Jets
The Jets will see the Jaguars this week. With the Jaguars inept offense, expect the Jets to contain Jones-Drew and go on to win this game big.

Oh so close: Dolphins
The Dolphins have been an up-and-down team all season long. Winning some big games, and losing some games they should have won. However this week in a battle of South Florida, expect the Dolphins to hold the Bucs and their rookie quarterback to low points.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Injury Updates

Here's the list of inactives courtesy of ESPN

http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/football/ffl/story?id=4626700

and CBS sports.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/injuries

Pay or Play Week # 9

Quarterbacks: Matt Schaub, Hou.
Schaub should be considered even more this week considering the Colts just lost cornerback Marlon Jackson and Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders for the year. Expect Schaub to put up better numbers than usual, which is great.

Oh so close: Matt Ryan, Atl.
The Falcons have the Redskins this week and Ryan has been on fire as of late. He finally has his rapport back with receiver Roddy White, and tight end Tony Gonzalez had a season-high 89 yards last week. Expect more of the same.

Runningbacks: Lesean McCoy, Phi.
McCoy will be the man this week with Westbrook taking another seat to rest his injuries. With the game being played on Sunday night in front of of a national audience, McCoy should have plenty of motivation.
Oh so close: Pierre Thomas, N.O.
Thomas should be in store for a great week. Carolina can't stop the run, and Thomas has been productive all season. I'm not expecting a huge game, but he's almost the safest play besides Adrian Peterson, and he's on a bye week.

Wide Receivers: Andre Johnson, Hou.
I know he's arguably the best receiver in the league and you would start him regardless of my input, but come on. Johnson should have a great day with the Colts secondary hurting. ( See Schaub, Matt.) With a rookie covering Johnson, well you get the idea.

Oh so close: T.J Houshmandzadeh
The Seahawks have the Lions this week, and that's almost enough information to start. But the Seahawks play great at home and should be good to score numerous touchdowns.

Tight Ends: Brent Celek, Phi.
This guy has been consistent all season long, catching less than 4 passes in a game once this season. McNabb loves the tight end, and this one is primed for a shootout.

Oh so close: Greg Olsen, Chi.
The Bears and fans have been waiting for Cutler to finally get it going with his tight end. This week they'll see the Cardinals where they have had trouble covering the tight end. Cutler will be looking Olsen's way all day.

Defense: Falcons
The Falcons will see the Redskins this week who are in complete disarray. They have no almost no passing game, and the running game just hasn't been there this year. The Falcons have also given up the least amount of points in the NFC South this year.

Oh so close: 49ers
The 'Niners should also be primed for a big day when they face the lowly Titans. The Titans running game should be able to get going, but I don't for see Vince Young doing much this week.


Thursday, October 29, 2009

2009-10 Iowa City West Trojans High School Girl's Basketball Season Preview

Despite losing their top scorers and missing the state basketball tournament last season, Iowa City West is hoping for a Trojan horse of it's own.

The Trojans women's basketball team enters the season missing 25.7 p.p.g. after graduating two top players. However head coach B.J. Mayer doesn't expect that to deter them.

"We always want to expect a post-season run," Mayer said. "We feel we play in a top conference in the state, and just by doing that it gets us better competition and makes you improve in order to compete. When we get to tournament time hopefully we can be playing our best basketball and have that good experience playing in the Mississippi Valley Conference."

Last season, the Trojans relied heavily upon graduated seniors Emma Krieger-Kittle and Madison Sadecky who averaged 15.3 p.p.g. and 10.4 p.p.g. while both shooting over 60% from the field.

Krieger-Kittle and Sadecky led the Trojans to perhaps the most successful season in Trojans girl's basketball history going 16-6. Mayer is hoping the experience and success of last season, will fuel this season's squad.

"In sports it's very difficult to get tot he next level until you've been there once," he said. "At West, nobody in the girl's basketball program has ever been to the state tournament. So to get to the game before state was just a huge confidence builder. Now they could kind of see what it's like to get to that level. It becomes a different kind of atmosphere, night in and night out.

"I just think the more experience you have in those types of games, better prepares you not only as a coaching staff but players who have been there."

Mayer said Iowa City West has a strong tradition in athletics, and is hoping to soon continue that success this season with the basketball program.

This season the Trojans will be looking to seniors Reed Mackenzie and Kristin Fomon, who have to step up their scoring after averaging 5.2 and 5.9 p.p.g. last season.

A strong start is what Mayer said may mean the difference between taking a step back and having another successful season.

"I think it's going to be very important that we're able to get off to a good start," Mayer said. "Just get our young kids some confidence and hopefully allow them to play a little bit more relaxed."

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

John Vincent Piece

Equitable Media Coverage of Female and Male Athletics: Is there a solution?
By: John Vincent Assistant professor of Sports Management at The University of Alabama


The article primarily focuses on media coverage of both male and female athletes and the inequity in the amount of coverage.

Vincent's study used numerous empirical studies investigating the interaction of gender, sport, and media have consistently found that media coverage of female athletes hasn't equaled their athletic achievements. "Studies of media coverage of female athletes shows that they are generally under-represented compared to their male counterparts," Vincent writes. He goes on to write how women only receive 10 percent of print media coverage.

Even when women do get coverage most of it is constructed to place them in their stereotypical roles doing things women would be seen as doing. Vincent said that research shows that women who participate in sports that are deemed as "fit for women" receive more electronic print media coverage than athletes who compete in more "gender inappropriate" sports as Vincent refers to it as.

Vincent said that the majority of media coverage on athletes is focused on men and their athletic ability and their heterosexuality.

Recently in Europe, coverage was thought to be swaying in the direction of a 50-50 share in coverage. The tennis coverage there was getting an equal amount of coverage. After more thorough investigation, the aim for the coverage was directed at men and therefor they've concluded that media coverage is predominantly directed at men. So we've yet to make any progress on that front.

To make sure they were getting the right information, in terms of quantity and equitable coverage they looked at several categories. Quantity of coverage, quality of coverage, position on page, content and quality of photo, balance coverage etc.

As far as Vincent's recommendations, I am not exactly sure if they will ever happen, but I think he makes some very insightful points. It's sad to say, but most sports revolve around male athletes because we perceive them to be the best in the world, and always are obsessed with getting the best. Stories on female athletes do tend focus on them being females, mothers, or something other than their actual sports. Until the majority of the world, and especially the media begin to take women more seriously in the world of sports, then I doubt there will be equitable coverage anytime soon.