In My Humble: NBA vs NCAA Basketball

The Winter Games

I like to fashion myself a fine connoisseur of all things athletic.  It doesn't matter the sport; if it's on TV, I'll most likely watch it. One of my favorite sporting events to watch has been, and still is, the Winter Olympics.  

The Winter Olympics aren't as elderly as it's summer brethren. The First winter games were held in 1924, in Chamonix Frances.  The five original sports consisted of: Bobsleding, Curling, Ice Hockey, and Nordic Skiing - (Military Patrol, Cross Country Skiing, Nordic Combined, Ski Jumping, and Skating.) The Winter Games were held every four years from 1924-36, only to be interrupted by WWII, before returning in 1948.  Winter Olympics have been held in over eleven different countries and on three different continents.  

No I can't ski, figure skate, curl, or bobsled. What I can do: appreciate the hard work, commitment, and sacrifice of athletes who compete at the highest levels.  What higher level is there to compete, than at the Olympics? History is literalIy made at the Winter Olympics. Dick Button was the first American skater to win Olympic gold in 48' and 52'. Peggy Fleming overcame the death of her coach (Bill Kipp) in a plane crash, to win gold in Brussels at the 61' games. 

America's Dorothy Hamill brought home the gold medal in women's figure skating during the 76' games in Innsbrook Austria. The "Miracle on Ice" saw the 1980 US men's hockey team knockoff the vaunted Soviet's, en route to the gold medal.  In the 92' games,  Toni Nieminen of Finland, became the youngest Winter Olympic gold medalist at age 16.  

I remember sitting in front of the television cheering on Italy's Alberto Tomba as he raced down a snowy hill; ultimately winning the Men's Giant Slolam during the 88' games in Calgary.  I sat in amazement watching the excellence of the Ukraine's Oksana Baiul, who won ladies singles gold in Lillehammer Norway in 94'.  I was astounded by the unbelievable courage of Austrian downhiller Herman Maier.  Maier survived an early crash, then went on to win gold in the Super G and Giant Slolam, during the 98' games.  I marveled at the beauty and grace of the 92' gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi's performance in the ladies single figure skating compitetion.   

Underdog stories at the Winter Olympics become legendary.  The Jamaican bobsled team became famous during the 88' games. The Jamaicans were the first team from a tropical nation to compete at the winter games. American speed skater Shani Davis became the first black athlete to win an individual gold medal (1000m) in 06' in Turin Italy; and again winning in 2010 at the Vancouver games. 

 I reiterate, history is made during the Olympics.  

I must admit that I watch the Winter Olympics as I do the summer games; with my heart firmly invested in the American athletes that are competing.  The list of great American Olympians include:  Dan Jansen, Brian Boitano, Picabo Street, Lindsay Vonn, Shaun White, Bonnie Blair, Eric Heiden, Scott Hamilton, and Michelle Kwan; just to name several. When an American medals in an event, it brings me a sense of national pride. What can I say but; USA USA USA! 

The  closing ceremonies of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi Russia has me a bit melancholy. I have to wait four more years to witness history.  Until then, athletes will train and sacrifice for the chance to represent countries at the next winter games; in PyeonChang South Korea.  No I can't ski, skate, or bobsled.  What I can do is patiently wait for the next group of Winter Olympians to live vicariously through. Until then, I'll leave you with this quote.  

“Focus, discipline, hard work, goal setting and, of course, the thrill of finally achieving your goals.

These are all lessons in life.”

–Kristi Yamaguchi, gold medalist in figure skating

In My Humble: 2014 NBA All-Star Game Reserves

In My Humble: Super Bowl XLVIII Preview

Footballdum

If I may, let me preface this post by stating that I'm a huge San Francisco 49ers fan.  

I've been a 49ers fan since the days of Joe Montana and Jerry Rice. Who wouldn't love to see Hall Of Fame safety Ronnie Lott "decapitate" an opposing wide reciever coming across the middle of the field?  I've had the privilege of seeing my favorite pro football team win multiple Super Bowls. The 49ers don't win the Super Bowl every year, but I root for them as if they do.

From 2002 to 2011 the 49ers failed to qualify for postseason play.  I had to endure nine seasons of football futility; and let me tell you, it pretty much sucked.  Even though my favorite team was absent, I still watched the NFL playoffs. You see, I suffer from a disease known as footballdum. I simply have to watch football. It doesn't matter if my favorite team isn't playing, I'll still watch. My footballdum gave me the opportunity to see this guy play while he was still in college; at the University of Nevada Reno. 

As I type this, we're smack dab in the middle of this season's playoffs. Four teams remain:  The Denver Broncos, The New England Patriots, The Seattle Seahawks, and my San Francisco 49ers.  There are 28 other teams in the National Football League; and those teams season's have concluded.  Fans suffering from footballdum are in a critical stage.  If your team is still playing, then I salute you. If your team is "gone fishing," then your undoubtably upset.  My suggestion would be to get to know the actor Christopher Lambert.  The playoffs are much like his sci-fi movie's Highlander; in the end, there can be only ONE! 

The Resurgence of Duke Football.

The year was 1930. Famed University of Alabama coach Wallace Wade leaves Tuscaloosa and becomes the new head football coach at Duke University.  Wade's success in Durham culminated with a final AP (Associcated Press) ranking of #2 for the 1941 season, and a football stadium on Duke's campus that bares his name.  Duke University actually enjoyed great football success during the first half of the 19th century.  Duke captured 10 Southen Conference titles and 6 ACC titles; with the final coming in 1962 under head coach Bill Murray.  After head coach Bill Murray's tenure, let's just say Duke Football went from Sugar to S#%t.  The next 27 years was an exercise in futility for Duke football.  Four different coaches: Tom Harp, Mike McGee, Shirley Wilson, and Steve Sloan, complied a total record of 88-133-6.

Futile indeed; then along came Steve Spurrier. Suddenly, Duke was winning  football games again. 1989's ACC Championship season was Duke's first in over 25 years.  Head Coach Steve Spurrier road that success to his Alma Mata (University of Florida) and again Duke Football fell off the map.  

Fast foward 23 years. Duke compiled one winning season (1994) and went through 4 more head coaches:  Barry Wilson, Fred Goldsmith, Carl Franks and  Ted Roof.  Duke was a University with so much success in all other sports, but had quite possibly the worst football program in the country.  It would take a special coach to bring this program back from the dead; insert David Cutcliff.  Cutcliff had spent many successful years as an assistant at The University of Tennesee and as Head Coach at Ole Miss.  Prior to Cutcliff's arrival in 2007; Duke had not only stopped winning game, but they weren't even competitive while loosing.  Coach Cut set out to change that.  Duke still had losing records under Cutcliff in his first four seasons; but he had succeeded in changing the culture of non-competitive football.  2012 was somewhat of a breakout year for Cutcliff and the Blue Devils.  Duke started the season 6-2; with the 6th win coming against arch rival UNC, making the Blue Devils bowl eligible for the first time since 1994.  Unfortunately; Duke proceeded to lose their next 6 games, including a crushing defeat in the Belk Bowl to Cincinnati.  Nevertheless, progress was being made on the gridiron in Durham.  Cutcliff was building a competitive program that actually participated during college football's bowl season.  

The 2013 football season begin with Duke being picked to finish dead last in the ACC's coastal divison.  Duke was replacing senior QB Sean Renfree and WR Conner Vernon from a 6-7 team.  After a 2-2 start; with two of the losses being conference games, something happened.  Duke started to win, and they haven't stopped.  The 2013 Blue Devils have done what many pundits thought the impossible. Cut's boys have rattled off an incredible 8 straight victories.  Four home wins and an improbable four road wins.  The four road wins were all comeback victories, which makes this run all the more impressive.  8 teams that now realize that Duke Football is for real: Troy, Navy, UVA, VATech, NC State, University of Miami, Wake Forest, and lastly those Tarheels in Chapel Hill.  Duke's Victory Bell win this past Saturday in Chapel Hill catapulted them to ACC Coastal Division Champions; and a spot in The ACC Championship game Dec. 7th.  Duke will play heavily favored Florida State, and not many will give the Blue Devils a chance to win.  Win, loose, or draw; Duke Football has had a resurgent season. Congrats to Coach Cut and the Boys for making the impossible, possible.  

Raleigh North Carolina, Home of the Hurricanes.

One would think that Raleigh North Carolina would be the least likely destination for a professional Hockey team. This is Tobacco Road. College basketball is king in this part of the country.  The UNC Tarheels, Duke Blue Devils, and NC State Wolfpack all call the triangle home. These three schools have won a combined (11) national titles in men's basketball.  My question to you is this.  How can a Hockey team flourish and become champions in a place were the roundball outweighs the hockey puck?  Before I give you that answer, I'll give you a short history lesson on The Carolina Hurricanes. 

The Carolina Hurricanes where born The New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association in 1971. The Whalers joined the National Hockey League as part of the WHA-NHL merger in 1979.  The Whalers played in Hartford Connecticut, which was the smallest american market in the NHL.  Peter Karmonos Jr. purchased The Whalers in 1994 and a franchise move seemed eminent. So where would the Whalers call their new home?  Surely a Midwestern city and state
where hockey is traditionally played would be the ideal destination for Karmonos' new team.  Not quite. Karmonas moved his team to Raleigh North Carolina and renamed them The Carolina Hurricanes.

With the new arena in Raleigh ( EA Sports Arena) not yet finished, the Hurricanes played their first two seasons at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro NC.  Only a small legion of "Caniacs" would make the 90 minute drive from Raleigh to support the team, so attendance an issue  When The EA Sports Arena finally opened in for the 1999-2000 season; The Hurricanes were fresh off of a playoff appearance, so expectations were high. Although the Hurricanes missed the playoffs that year, fan support in Raleigh was tremendous.  The next two seasons would see additional playoff runs and a NHL Finals appearence in the 01-02 season.  Finally, "Canes" had arrived. Raleigh North Carolina had embraced NHL hockey; culminating with a Stanley Cup Championship in the 05-06 season.  

I've been to my fair share of Carolina Hurricane hockey games.  The atmosphere is electric and the action is non stop.  I've watched players like: Ron Francis, Rod Brind'amour, Jeff O'Neil, Eric Cole, and Eric Staal grace the ice in Raleigh. The name on the building has changed from: The EA Sports Arena, The RBC Center, and now PNC Arena. Through it all the Hurricane fanbase has been exceptional and loyal.  Raleigh North Carolina; home of NHL Hockey, and home of The Hurricanes.  Wow!  Who would have ever thought that "country folk" would love hockey?