You Think You're Busy? Ask Titus Young.

A busy day for most people may include school, work, family duties, things that most people would be consumed with throughout the day. But that is for the common man, and Titus Young is not a common man. As a former college football player turned pro, you would think his days would be spent training, practicing, or preparing for a game. Evidently, this former Detroit Lion is doing none of the above, as he was arrested twice in one day. First, there was the suspicion of driving under the influence. Naturally, his car was impounded after he was arrested and upon his release, he tried to go get his car back...by trying to steal it from the tow yard. I guess he keeps himself busy with crimes after he gets released. Wouldn't most people look for a new job instead?

-Mike Brosseau

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/former-detroit-lions-wr-titus-young-arrested-twice-in-one-day-in-california-050713

Amare to Return

After looking at the season Amare Stoudemire has had it seems crazy to me that he and Knick management are looking for him to return for game 3 in the Pacer series. While STAT is a talented player, he simply has not been in the lineup long enough this year to be his effective self. Mike Woodson and the Knicks managed to win the Atlantic Division and go on 13-game week streak this season all without one of their top players. To me the timing simply is not right in this situation. I do not think anyone knows how Amare is going to fit in with the overall flow of the game. Although STAT can be a dominate offensive player, his mediocre defense at best is a significant weakness that other teams will look to exploit. Another factor that can not be ignored is conditioning. There is no doubt STAT has done his best to keep his body in shape but nothing compares to actual game experience. Amare can run, lift and do all of the tangibles but the high speed pace of the NBA game is something that you can't just throw yourself into. As a New York fan all my life, I just do not see Amare's return being what is best for the Knicks at this point. The team has Melo and JR producing at a high offensive level and the rest of the team has learned their roles. It would not be a huge surprise if STAT ends up being a positive contribution but overall I think the team chemistry may be disturbed as they have managed just fine without him.

Erika Schmid

 http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/22206993/amare-stoudemire-likely-to-return-for-game-3

Tebow Time...AGAIN?

All of the spotlight Tebow gained with his unprecedented style in Denver has ceased to exist since his signing and recent departure from the New York Jets. The Florida Gator who could once do no wrong now finds himself in he midst of offers from the CFL and wait for it...the Omaha Beef of the Champions Professional Indoor Football League. There is no question that what Tebow was able to accomplish in his college days was impressive but people need to realize  there is a tremendous difference between the collegiate and professional game. The quick snap and run style of Tebow has lost his effectiveness as he is now surrounded by the most elite players who possess abnormal speed and football intelligence.While Tebow was briefly a sufficient quarterback in the NFL, the run option has become all too predictable for the opposing defense. As soon as the ball is snapped defenses just have to pack the line to take away the run and instill minimal secondary coverage against the pass. Tebow has the ability to throw the ball on routine plays to hit the open man, his problem lies with tough on the ball coverage. Although "Tebowing" has become a national phenomenon, I do not see any future for Tim in the NFL unless he can somehow impress a team with his throwing ability.

By: Erika Schmid

 http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/eye-on-football/22171259/omaha-beef-offer-tim-tebow-contract-to-play-indoor-football

Collins Comes Out;Someone Gets Fired

When your phone goes off with an ESPN app notification, you rarely think anything of it. Standard notifications about your favorite team(s), player(s), games, etc. are common notifications to get at 11 am on a Monday. Here at the Center, we never figured that we would get the kind of announcement regarding an active major league player declaring he was gay. Except for that it did. Monday, Collins became the first active athlete in a major league sport to openly declare he was gay. In an article with Sports Illustrated, Collins discussed his decision, why he felt now was the time to come out publicly. Support was far and wide throughout the league, outweighing any negative criticism from people such as Chris Broussard, who said that "I'm a Christian. I don't agree with homosexuality. I think it's a sin, as I think all sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman is.... If you're openly living in unrepentant sin, whatever it may be ... that's walking in open rebellion to God and to Jesus Christ." Regardless, Collins has made history in major league sports, and it will be interesting to see if this effects his ability to sign a contract with any NBA team for the upcoming season. It's definitely a story to watch, and we will be interested to see how it develops. By the way, has anybody heard that Tim Tebow is unemployed?

By: Mike Brosseau

SI Article

NHL to Add Six Outdoor Games to 2013-2014 Season?

Originally reported by TSN's Darren Dreger, the National Hockey League is rumored to incorporate up to six outdoor games next season.  If the rumors prove to be true, the outdoor games will kick off with the NHL fan favorite Winter Classic event.  Due to the lockout, this annual game was cancelled for the 2012-2013 season earlier this year.  The 2014 Winter Classic will feature Toronto vs. Detroit at Michigan Stadium.  The  outdoor schedule would conclude with the Heritage Classic, which is expected to take place at BC Place and feature Ottawa vs. Vancouver.  Other teams expected to have a hand in the outdoor games include Anaheim, Los Angeles, New Jersey, Chicago, Pittsburgh and both New York teams.

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2013/04/16/report-there-could-be-up-to-six-outdoor-games-next-season/related/

BaseBrawling in San Diego

Last night, in San Diego, the Padres hosted division rival, Los Angeles Dodgers. In the sixth inning, on a 3-2 count, to Padres slugger, Carlos Quentin, Dodgers pitcher, Zack Greinke lost control of a pitch and plunked Quentin in the left arm. The two players have had a history going back to their days in the American League Central Division, along with Quentin's notoriety for getting hit by pitches frequently. Greinke shot some unknown words at Quentin after the pitch resulting in Quentin's charging the mound and slamming into Greinke with his shoulder. The act resulted in a bench-clearing brawl and multiple ejections from both teams. When the dust was settled though, there was a bigger problem, Greinke suffered a broken collar bone on the initial hit from Quentin, and most likely will be out at least 2 months waiting for it to heal.
Dodgers coach, Don Mattingly brought up an idea after the game, an idea I found very interesting but one that could never happen. He suggested that Quentin should be suspended until Greinke is healed and able to pitch again, though the league will probably give Quentin somewhere in the range of a 2-4 game suspension.
But just imagine if that's the way things went. If there was an intentional hit on a player resulting in an injury, the suspension wouldn't be dealt out by the league, but instead the amount of time the injured player takes to come back. The extreme though could be a little too extreme. Think if someone intentionally hit Derrick Rose, causing his season-ending ACL tear. That player would still be out because Rose is taking so long to get himself prepared to return. Maybe leagues should look into this, and the severity of the injury dished out, results in how many games the aggressor would miss. Maybe the ACL tear isn't a good example, because of the usual self-injuring it comes from.
Let's look at the NFL quickly. Remember all of the hits that Austin Collie took the last few years, causing him to miss an entire season. What if every one of the defenders who lowered the crown of their helmet and hit Collie head on received half-season suspensions instead of fines in response to Collie missing an entire year. Could this be something leagues look into for the future? Maybe this could be the way that leagues, especially the MLB and NFL, can cut back on these occurrences in their respective sports.
Just something to think about.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/greinke-breaks-collarbone-brawl-padres-164135275--mlb.html

By Joe Palagonia

Whose got Rice?

Talk about treading deep water, and then drowning in it. Former Rutgers Coach Mike Rice has found himself in the hot seat once again as allegations that his behavior at Robert Morris University, his coaching position prior to Rutgers, was less than stellar. Reports that he used homophobic slurs and got into a physical altercation with a former player surfaced when a former player confronted the administration. That former player denies any wrong doing on Rice's part, but at this point, the damage has been done. Robert Morris conducted it's own internal investigation and found no evidence of wrong doing; however, it was confirmed that a player did leave Robert Morris during Rice's tenure, citing his behavior. Do you think he doesn't like Rice, or he is not a fan of getting yelled at and physically abused. Even Kobe Bryant said he would not take that from anyone and he's, well...Kobe.

UConn Women Defeat Louisville in NCAA Final

Last night, freshman Breanna Stewart led the UConn Huskies to their eighth national championship, defeating Louisville 93-60.  After missing the title game over the last two years, coach Geno Auriemma finally tied the renowned Pat Summit for the most NCAA championships in women's basketball history.  Stewart, with 23 points in title game, was awarded the Most Outstanding Player honors for the final four---only the fourth freshman to do so in the tournament's history.  This win was especially unique for the Huskies, as this was the first time that UConn failed to win a regular season or Big East tournament championship in conjunction with the NCAA title.  Congratulations to the Huskies and coach Auriemma!

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/uconn-races-48-29-halftime-014928892--ncaaw.html

BMX and 3- on- 3 Basketball to be Potential Olympic Sports

There seems to be something wrong that basketball is already an Olympic sport yet 3-on-3 basketball is in the discussion to be added. If a sport such as wrestling that has been in the games since 708 B.C. has been dropped, how can the committee look to add another version of a sport that is already in the games. On another note, the United States already dominates  with elite athletes such as Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Kobe Bryant already playing on the same team. If 3-on-3 basketball is added, it almost seems as if the competition will not be close to fair when looking at the possible teams the United States could create. BMX and other extreme sports have taken off in popularity over the last decade. The case for this sport to enter the Olympics is slightly more convincing because we have never seen anything like it before. An issue with adding the sport is that BMX, moto-cross, and similar sports are all featured and highlighted in the X-games. This type of event draws a relatively large crowd because an element of exclusivity exits with such sports rarely aired on T.V. There is a chance this sport could take off with being added into the Olympics but I believe it will largely depend on the interest other countries have in it. 

http://olympictalk.nbcsports.com/2013/04/09/ioc-discussing-new-disciplines-for-rio/related/

-Erika Schmid

No Warm Welcome in Texas for Josh Hamilton

For the first time as a member of the Angels, Josh Hamilton returned to his old stomping grounds over the weekend. Throughout the course of the offseason, even turning up the dial in spring training, the former No.1 overall pick made a number of controversial comments regarding the Rangers, and their fans in particular. Hamilton even came out and said that his wife had to call security for the opening game of the series. However, his performance over the weekend didn't quite live up to the lofty standards of his mouth. Before a 3-5 game on Sunday, Hamilton was 0-8 with four strikeouts over the first two games of the series. Not exactly the way he envisioned his return to Texas. Running your mouth beforehand doesn't always pay dividends.

-Joe Fitzhenry

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/josh-hamilton-anaheim-angels-zings-and-misses-in-texas-return-john-farrell-boston-red-sox-toronto-blue-jays-040713

Costa Rica Asks for Rematch 

Last week the soccer game between the United States and Costa Rica was played in anything but the ordinary environment. In what is being declared "The Snow Globe Game", Costa Rica is protesting the conditions and asking for the qualifying match to be replayed. The game was more than just a friendly but soccer is typically an outdoor sport and should be treated as one. In baseball, lacrosse, and other outdoor sports, weather is a factor that athletes should expect to deal with and be comfortable to play in under any circumstances. Soccer already faces criticism as being labeled a "soft" sport in comparison to football and other high contact sports; this game does not help the cause. The game has referees for a reason and if their discretion does not permit any form of delay or rescheduling for weather conditions, then players should continue to play. While a protest has been issued, I believe the U.S.A victory should stand to set a precedent for the sport.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/25/costa-rica-us-rematch-world-cup-qualifier-snow-game_n_2949977.html

- Erika Schmid

Johan Santana to Miss Entire 2013 Season After Shoulder Surgery

New York Mets' ace, Johan Santana, received surgery on his left shoulder, after tearing the anterior capsule in it for the second time in three years. Santana, who's season also ended early last year had a 6-9 record while posting a 4.85 ERA. After missing the entire 2011 season with the same injury and procedure, Santana will have to show extreme perseverance to try to return to the MLB, if he even tries to return at all. This also means that Santana has most likely has thrown his last pitch in a New York Mets uniform. The pitcher, who is owed 25.5 million dollars this season, has not been the pitcher the Mets had hoped he'd be when they signed him to that 6-year 137.5 million dollar contract. After bringing home two American League Cy Young awards with the Minnesota Twins, Santana has not been the superstar in New York. As a Mets fan, I feel like Santana's tenure with the blue and orange could only receive an "incomplete", with his only true accomplishment locking up the first no-hitter in franchise history, on June 1, 2012. Here's wishing the best to Santana, and that one of the best pitchers of the past decade doesn't have to go out like this.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/mlb/news/20130329/johan-santana-mets-shoulder.ap/?sct=hp_t2_a10&eref=sihp

By Joe Palagonia

Do the Schimmel Shake!

If you claim to hear of the Schimmel sisters, you are either one of two things: related to them by blood, or a die-hard Louisville Cardinal fan. The Schimmel sisters are big topics in the media recently as their Louisville Cardinals have made headlines recently for upsetting #1 overall seed Baylor Bears in the Women’s Basketball NCAA Tournament.  How does one defeat Baylor, spear headed by 6’8 Brittney Griner? Well for starters, you have to literally shoot lights out during the game, which the Cardinal were able to do, shooting 64% from long distance throughout the game, and collapsing on Griner defensively. Baylor Head Coach Kim Mulkey wasn’t pleased with the officials throughout the contest, even at one point turning the side line into an aggressive fashion show, as she reacted to a call that she did not agree with. Regardless, Shoni and Jude Schimmel are the talk of Women’s Basketball right now, as they did what was considered unbeatable this season: defeat the defending National Champions Baylor Bears. The highlight of the game to us;however, was a sweet behind the back move by Shoni Schimmel in which she got fouled, and then stood up to Brittney Griners waist and tried to stare her down. 2 more points to Shoni Schimmel. 

-Mike 

http://espn.go.com/womens-college-basketball/tournament/2013/story/_/id/9119261/women-ncaa-tournament-2013-louisville-cardinals-stun-baylor-lady-bears-game-biggest-upset

Smart Guys can win basketball games too, Harvard shocks New Mexico

Ask someone what is the first thing that comes to mind when Harvard is mentioned. Their answer? Probably something along the lines of extremely complicated and in-depth math and science problems that can take hours to figure out. Either way, athletics and Harvard are two things that are not often associated with each other. The Ivy League does seem to produce one or two great teams every year, but with the exception of 2010 Cornell and a few other versions, the Ivy League champion often times bows out in the first round as expected. On Thursday night, Harvard proved once again that smart kids can play basketball too. They controlled the game from the outset and seemingly had an answer for every New Mexico run, upsetting the trendy Final Four pick and 3rd seeded Lobos, 68-62. The nation's oldest university won its first ever NCAA Tournament game, nearly 400 years after the school itself had been established. Revenge of the nerds, indeed. -Joe

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2013/basketball/ncaa/wires/03/22/2060.ap.bkc.paul.newberry.032213.1st.ld.writethru.1230/

Derek Jeter to be Sidelined

Still recovering from his ankle surgery, the pinstriped idol Yankees Universe fans have grown to love will not be in the line-up for opening day. While baseball lovers may view this as an ordinary injury, I believe the story line is a little bit deeper. As a Yankee since 1995, the 38 year old Jeter may be limited to the number of opening day appearances he will make in major league baseball. An injury of this extent so late in a players career provides grounds for what could be the end of the Jeter legacy in New York. There is no denying that Jeter will give every ounce of effort but in a game that has incorporated speed and youth now more than ever,  age may finally be a factor. There have been countless incidents with well-known players sustaining injury and simply not being able to return as the same player despite proper medical treatment and training. While I would love to see my childhood star continue to produce quality numbers and be a valuable asset, the stardom that has existed between second and third base over the last 17 years may be on the decline.

Erika Schmid

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/24/derek-jeter-is-expected-to-be-sidelined-until-april-6/related/

Nuggets Set Franchise Record, Still Under the Radar

Thanks to the extreme coverage by ESPN and other news outlets on the very impressive Miami Heat winning streak, which is now at 27, another big NBA winning streak fell to the wayside these last couple of weeks. On March 23, the Denver Nuggets defeated the Sacramento Kings by a score of 101-95. The win was the 15th in a row for Denver, a new franchise record. Like their streak counterpart, the Nuggets have won their games playing the way they have always played, pushing the tempo up and down the floor, scoring in the paint, and playing defense. Over the streak, the Nuggets have actually been playing better defense than the Heat, allowing only 98.7 points per 100 possessions, compared to the Heat's 100.1. Unfortunately while the Heat still strive to reach that monumental 33 in a row that the Lakers once posted, the Nuggets' franchise run came to an end when they lost to the New Orleans Hornets, 110-86. The Nuggets are going to be a big threat though once the playoffs come around and this streak showed they have what it takes to beat anyone. The Heat should be keeping a close eye on them as we get closer to June.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20130323_SAC@DEN/nuggets-101-kings-95

By Joe Palagonia

Florida Gulf Coast!

I’m going to go ahead and admit that I had actually heard of Florida Gulf Coast University before this Cinderella story regarding their men’s basketball program. Amongst the jokes of  “They’re like the University of Phoenix, all their classes are online!”, or my personal favorite, that Dwight Howard left the Lakers and enrolled at FGCU for a chance to win a real title, I knew that it was a legitimate NCAA institution. As a result of this run, exposure for the University has blown up tremendously, with their websites receiving record number views. Recently on twitter, a parody account for their men’s basketball program tweeted about an upcoming match up with the Florida Gators, making a clever pun out of the Gator mascot name. A month ago, nobody would have cared. But thanks to the madness that is March, suddenly they are the headlines of newspapers across the globe. Success really can blow up in your face.  

By Mike Brosseau

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-the-dagger/florida-gulf-coast-discovering-headaches-come-spotlight-130025887--ncaab.html

Griner Dunks to Leave Mark

There is no denying that men in the sport industry dominate as athletes, broadcasters, and coaches. While the female presence in the industry has drastically grown, women still remain under represented across all lines. After emerging into the NCAA, I think Brittany Griner is well on her way to changing certain stereotypes and beliefs about female athletes. Women are at a disadvantage to perform at extreme levels due to the innate traits we are not born with; however, we are still highly talented athletes that can make our mark in sport history. The 6 foot 8 inch athletically gifted monster made a statement as she moved into second place on the women’s NCAA scoring list, accomplished her 14^th dunk, and gained the Big 12 record for points scored against Kansas State. While Griner has not reached the high-flying ability of Terrence Ross yet, fans can look forward to her continued development and potential to show the world the first windmill dunk accomplished by a female.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaw/big12/2013/03/04/brittney-griner-dunk-baylor-bears-kansas-state-wildcats-big-12/1963799/

By: Erika Schmid