According to Olympic.org, the official website of the Olympic movement, the ancient Olympics began in 684 B.C.  Included in these games were running events, long jump, shot put, javelin, boxing, pankration (a combination of wrestling and boxing) and equestrian events.

Twenty-four years later, in 708 B.C., wrestling and pentathlon were added to the games. According to Ron Dicker, a freelance writer who covered sports for the New York Times from 1996 to 2005, Plato was a brawny wrestler. Homer may have been the world's first sportswriters, covering some epic wrestling matches.  In short, from its beginning, wrestling has been a big deal in the Olympics.

In 2002, though, the International Olympic Committee determined wrestling lacked "global popularity" and suffered from low media coverage. As a result, last week they determined both free style and Greco-Roman wrestling will be eliminated from the Olympics, beginning in 2020.  

In announcing their decision, the IOC said it wants to remain "relevant to sports fans of all generations."  Mark Adams, spokesman for the IOC noted the decision was not because something is wrong with wrestling, but because of what is right with the 25 core sports.  The IOC also pointed to a lack star power.

In my mind, this leaves some serious holes. Citing several sources,  Cole Scott, bronze medalist at the London games, reported that nearly every wrestling session was sold out. He also pointed out that millions of boys and girls, men and women in more than 200 countries compete. Sounds like an awful lot of global popularity to me.

And star power? Name one competitor in badminton, handball, sailing, trampoline, mountain biking or BMX, all of which will be in the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Look, I admit I'm a traditionalist when it comes to the Olympics. I long for the amateur days; I am not at all a fan of the basketball Dream Teams or NHL superstars playing in the winter games. But I can understand the decision to let highly paid professionals compete much more easily than I can comprehend the elimination of one of the earliest, most sacred sports in the games.

Fortunately, wrestling is not going quietly. Several petitions and protests have taken place and are being planned, including a "lie in" at this week's Wrestling World Cup in Tehran, Iran, where wrestling is king. 

Sorry, IOC, but it seems to me you got this one wrong.

Had to share this; a student and friend of my, Vestal Church, put this together for me.  He is a talented cartoonist, and I just wanted to share! Great job, Vestal!

Inspirational story of brother triathletes

Speaking of inspirational, try to watch THIS without tearing up!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=535846619773001

I'm right there with LeBron.  As the father of sons 8 and 6 years old, this really strikes home.  And, as one who has competed in a couple triathlons, I can attest to how physically difficult this must have been for Conner. But, seeing the love Conner has for his little brother, I'm going to guess that the physical toll mattered little.
Congratulations, Conner and Cayden! You epitomize all that is good about sport!

"Here Comes the Boom" and the power of film

Friday night by sons spent the night with a friend, so it was just my wife, my daughter and me.  Given my daughter is in junior high, we can now watch movies together that DON'T include princesses or talking fish or cars. So we settled in to watch a movie I have been wanting to see since I first saw it advertised, "Here Comes the Boom" starring Kevin James, Selma Hayak and Henry Winkler.  If you haven't seen it or don't know anything about the movie, view the trailer here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4L6ruTF5qE

First, it must be said I am a big Kevin James fan.  I love a good comedy, but these days it is really hard to find one that is not rank and rife with sexual content, nudity and swearing that would embarrass a drunken sailor.  And of course, what man from my generation doesn't love the Fonz (or Selma, for that matter)? It was incredibly entertaining.  A science teacher from a troubled high school learns that his school is in financial duress and is facing cuts and the elimination of all extracurricular activities, including the music program (Winkler's program).  James says they can raise the money and takes it upon himself to begin ultimate fighting. He takes a beating (still making money from each loss), but keeps coming back for more.  If you need a pick-me-up, check it out.

More importantly, it motivates me to take on a study of sports films I have been considering for some time.  I want to examine the impact of such films on the psyche of college students.  I'm going to actually conduct a full-on experiment with a control group and all the fixins!

And in the process, I get to watch some of my favorite movies :)

Great time to be a journalist

I still believe that if your aim is to change the world, journalism is a more immediate short-term weapon.
Tom Stoppard

I just saw this quote.  LOVE IT!!!  Fits right with what I teach about the business.  I begin every semester by telling my news students how valuable the are in our democracy and what an awesome responsibility they have.  THEY are the individuals who are to inform and educate the masses. THEY are the individuals who are responsible for sharing heartwarming and inspiring human interest stories. THEY are the individuals given the task of providing the details about upcoming election issues and candidates, scientific breakthroughs, and developments in health and fitness.  And, unfortunately, THEY are the individuals who are expected to uncover corruption and serve as the watchdogs of society.
When I ask my students how many branches of government there are, they always say, "Three:  legislative, judicial and executive" (see, your tax dollars are paying off).  I always answer, "Nope, there are four: legislative, judicial, executive and the media."  Because, while the generally recognized three serve as checks and balances for one another, the media serves as a check and balance for all.
So, while you may poo-poo the job and complain about the "liberal" media, think about where the U.S. would be without it!

Check your facts, Ray

I have never been a Ray Lewis "fan." Really, I've always been indifferent. I love the passion with which he played the game (I say "played" because I am assuming he is going to stick with retirement). I've never been really thrilled with his antics, though; I prefer great players let their play do the talking and show some restraint. But as the playoffs came around, I couldn't help cheering for him. He IS one of the all-time greats, and it is always nice to see them go out on top.


It was with great interest, then, that I read the following article in which Lewis claimed God doesn't use people who do bad things.    

http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2013/02/03/ray-lewis-cbs-pregame-super-bowl-xlvii-baltimore-ravens/1888367/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+newsmain2+(News+-+Flipboard)

In the article, Lewis said it was clear he was innocent of the murder he was charged with 13 years ago. He said it is clear he was not guilty because God had allowed him to succeed.  Now, I'm not saying Lewis IS guilty; I have no idea about the facts of the case.  BUT, there is a severe error in his logic.  Repeatedly in the Bible God used people who had done bad things and they found success, the most obvious example being King David.  David had Uriah moved to the front lines where he would almost certainly be killed, thus leaving Uriah's wife, Bathsheba, available for David.  When David's sin was pointed out to him and he overcame his lustful desires, he repented, God forgave him, and a great nation was formed.  
Similarly, Saul openly persecuted followers of Jesus, often standing in judgment and holding the cloaks of those assigned to stone or crucify Christians.  Yet God spoke to him in a vision, Saul (later to be renamed Paul) repented and became one of the chief leaders of the early church.  Throughout history, He has used murderers, adulterers, prostitutes, thieves and cheats for His glory.  They first repented, paid for their sins and acknowledged His majesty, but He used them nonetheless.
I openly profess my faith in Jesus Christ.  I believe in a loving, forgiving God who is slow to anger and slow to judge, but whose judgment is firm and often harsh when repentance is not present.  So it disturbs me when someone with a bully platform like Ray Lewis stands up and tries to use his God as evidence of his innocence in a heinous crime.  As I said, I don't know if Lewis was guilty or not; I want to believe he is innocent.  But, Ray, please to twist the nature of God and provide false teachings for your own benefit; He will NOT be mocked!

Foiled by my 6-year-old

My 6-year-old son, Grant, beat me at checkers tonight.  Did I say beat? I mean he PUMMELED me! How bad was it? The game was over and I still had five pieces on the board.  I thought I was being cunning, but he had me pinned to the point where I could not even make a MOVE with my remaining pieces! It was a bittersweet moment.  Oh, who am I kidding; it was HUMILIATING!!! He's 6 and I have a Ph-freaking-D!!!

Okay, so I was a little proud.  He is such a competitive little stink.  I'm really having to teach him to be a good winner AND a gracious loser.  But he just lights up when he is playing, whether it is basketball at Parks and Rec, soccer in the backyard or checkers with his old man.  It is that love of competition I pray he carries with him the rest of his life.

Now, excuse me while I Google "checkers strategies" ...

Teaching Bloggers to Blog

New experience today:  I taught my writing across the media students the value of blogging and how to establish their own blogs.  We'll be following each other throughout the semester, posting our thoughts and comments, reviewing other literature and/or movies, talking sports--really whatever they are interested in.  I'm eager to see them practice the writing skills we are discussing in class and to see how their minds work.

My number one word of advice to them all:  HAVE FUN!!! Hope they enjoy the ride!

Never Stop Learning!!

The thing I love about teaching is the exact thing I love about sports: it's unpredictable.  Just as you never know when a no-hitter is coming or when a three-point binge is going to take place, neither do you know when you are going to be asked to "reinvent" yourself and learn a new skill set. That's one of the great things about higher education; we teach AND experience life-long learning!

When I was hired to teach journalism, I was coming in primarily from the "other side." The vast majority of my experience had been in public relations. Sure, I had spent four years in college as a freelance sports writer and yes, my graduate assistantship was as a business manager for the campus newspaper.  But I spent 15 years in sports information. So, when I was hired, I refocused my point of view and began to teach students to report and write in an unbiased fashion.

Necessity being the mother of invention, I quickly learned about broadcasting (I always thought hey got to play with the cool toys anyway). My broadcast experience consisted of working WITH broadcasters and serving as a color commentator. But I knew if we were going to begin web casting sporting events and if I wanted to fully serve our journalism students in the converged media world, my comfort zone was going to have to expand. 

 

Well, because our students have done such a great job in a short period of time,  our dean and chair have charged me with finding a grant or donor(s) to help us run fiber and install an upgraded server in our studio. I've also been given the task of working with our local cable provider to re-establish our dormant public access educational channel. Guess now I get to learn about television programming.  Thank goodness I work with some supportive and highly skilled individuals who can help guide me on my way.

 

Now, anybody have about 30 grand they'd like to contribute to the cause?

A Tribute to My Dad

Yesterday, January 24, 2013, would have been my dad's 67th birthday. It was difficult to celebrate because Dad died last summer after suffering a pair of massive strokes.  He was my hero, my mentor, my best friend and I miss him like crazy.  But difficult though it was, I chose yesterday to celebrate my father's life and what he meant to and continues to mean to me.

Like many young men, my love of sport came from my father.  Dad was a great athlete.  He never made the tour, but he was a fiercely competitive golfer.  He was a football official well into his 40s until a shoulder injury from playing church softball put him on the sidelines.  He was strong as a bull; even as I hit adolescence and began lifting weights I could not touch him arm wrestling or playing mercy.

Thanks to his inspiration and guidance, I was able to play football in college, ultimately earning a partial scholarship that helped offset the cost of my education.  He had a way of inspiring me no coach ever figured out.  I remember one time when I was really getting frustrated by a lack of playing time (I was a tireless worker, but was never the athlete Dad was), I got down and continually made the same mistake, biting on play action and giving up the long pass.  I whined to Dad and his words have stuck with me to this day:  "Stop being a (expletive)." Very poignant.  Now, I don't encourage fathers (or mothers) to speak to their children like this, but then again, Dad never had.  He'd always tried to encourage me and use positive reinforcement.  But this time he knew I needed a kick in the butt.  I didn't get much more playing time after that, but I DID have a better experience after his little attitude adjustment.  Dad always knew just what to say and when to say it.

I will miss Dad's call this year as the Super Bowl rolls around.  He always wanted to know who I was cheering for, and nine times out of 10 he took the other team so we could bet. A quarter was the standard; I think I still owe him abot $20!

My youngest son has taken a love of sports just like his dad and my father before me.  When I see him dribbling a soccer ball or swining a bat, I think I feel the same pride my dad felt when I ran onto the gridiron.  My oldest son isn't a huge sports fan, and that's okay.  I'm able to enjoy his zest for life and his creativity and artistic skills, again with the pride my dad showed in me.

I guess that is why I am such a sports fan and why I get so fired up at games.  It was a way for Dad and me to connect, to have fun together and to compete.  That may be what I miss the most.

America: Land of Second Chances

Today I read a great article in the USA Today about forgiveness.  Rick Hampson penned the article, headlined "Can You Forgive?" with a drophead of "America's about second chances. Will Lance get his?" It was, of course, dealing with Lance Armstrong and his admission to using blood doping and performance enhancing drugs during his unprecedented run to seven Tour de France victories.

Hampson contends that, while we Americans are willing to turn the other cheek (see Bill Clinton, Martha Stewart, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Vick, seemingly every baseball player to his a steroid-powered home run a country mile), Armstrong "tests even Americans' capacity for forgiveness."  

Is it because he denied it for so long? Is it because we wanted to badly to believe that a once cancer-riddled body could ride so hard for so long? Is it because his crimes went beyond simply doping, but extended to bullying other riders and suing anyone who dared to question him? Hard to say, but I'm going to have to agree with Hampson's assessment.

That's what makes the situation Manti Te'o so difficult. Was he duped in an elaborate hoax in which he thought the girl with whom he had a long-time online relationship had died on the same day as his grandmother, or was he PART of the hoax in an effort to gain the sympathy vote for the Heisman Trophy? Because so many have lied only to be found out and humiliated later, we have a tendency to doubt.  But, we also come back and forgive.  

As journalists, we are trained to be skeptical and to question everything.  It is difficult to turn that off, but maybe that's why I wasn't a great journalist.  I am the eternal optimist.  I WANT to believe Te'o.  Hey, I've had several friends who started relationships online and ultimately ended up married.  If you never meet the person face-to-face, how do you know? But then, I wanted to believe that Mark Maguire wasn't using steroids, I wanted to believe Lance Armstrong was clean (I fell hook, line and sinker for his, "What am I on? I'm on the bike!" line). I wanted to believe Pete Rose.  

It will be interesting to see what happens here.  Will Armstrong ever be forgiven? What is the truth in Te'o's case? My guess is Armstrong will find redemption at some point and, if he was part of the hoax, Te'o will too.  

I just wish our celebrities would quit putting us in these situations!

Experiential Learning

When I was a lad, I was a HUGE fan of the Indiana Jones movies.  Oh, who am I kidding? I'm  STILL a big fan.  I loved how he was a faculty member at a major university yet still was able to ply his trade.  How cool would that be? By day, a mild-mannered archeology professor, sharing his wisdom with the young and young at heart who would one day unravel the mysteries of our world.  By night, a swash-buckling digger, cracking a whip or firing his six-shooter to ward off evil in search of truth.  That sounds like an exciting world if you ask me.

When I became a professor seven years ago, I tried to think how I could "practice what I teach."  I was a journalism professor.  I wasn't going to work for the local newspaper or a KC television station.  Sure, I could provide color commentary for UCM football and co-host a sports talk show on the local radio station.  But beyond that ...

That's why I am so excited to be part of the UCM Media Network.  I stress to my students the value of being involved -- writing for the Muleskinner or digitalBURG, working with KMOS or The Bridge, serving in the athletic media relations or university relations offices.  Applying the lessons taught in the classroom--called experiential learning--is CRITICAL to student learning. And now, thanks to the UCM Media Network and our live webcasts of sporting events and our recorded webcasts of debates, commencements, newscasts, school board meetings and other events, I along with my students am able to ply the trade.  I, too, am able to "experience" experiential learning. 

Through this blog I also hope to practice my skills as a journalist.  I'll be weighing in on issues in sports, whether they be hirings, firings, rules changes, admissions (see Lance Armstrong), etc.  I will be writing features on individuals who are training in sports communication.  I'll be sharing my experiences as a professor of communication, and I'll be sharing things I've learned through research.

I won't be cracking a whip or (sorry NRA) packing heat in the classroom, but it suits me just fine!

My son, Grant, enjoys spending time with dear old dad at a UCM basketball game.  Grant manned the "take" button while I directed the game. Just another thing I love about working in sports--if you are creative and make it a priority, it can really be a family affair!

Don't Blame the Media!!!

When I was a college football player, our sports information director, Bill Turnage opened every season by telling us "Never again will you be 'Joe Moore'. You will now be known as 'Mules football player Joe Moore'." So when I see stories in the USA Today about Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel and his offseason arrest for disorderly conduct and presenting false identification, I can't help but think "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!?!?!" (If you haven't read the article, you can find it at:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2012/11/27/johnny-manziel-texas-am-heisman-trophy/1729957/
Now, to be fair, I don't know all the details of Manziel's arrest.  According to George Schroeder's article in USA Today, Manziel (then 19) was at an off-campus nightspot when one of his companions called a a 47-year-old man a racist slur.  Manziel stepped between the men and that's when the fight started.  He then presented a phony driver's license to the police, who also found another fake ID in his wallet.
The story also reports that Manziel's mother was surprised at how quickly the news spread, stating "(Johnny) thought nobody would know about it."  As any good mother would, Momma Manziel pointed out to her son that he, as a college football player, is different.
If only he had listened to my good friend, Bill Turnage!  Now, to his credit, Manziel has not blamed the media in breaking the news.  Perhaps that's because he has become only the fifth person in NCAA history to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 in a single season.