By now, you regular readers are able to identify crappy writing when you see it. I do my best to provide you with a seemingly endless supply of examples.
If you're one of the Texas Swimming "regulars", you're (over) qualified to judge the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest.
In the Utica* Observer-Dispatch, Don Drumm writes that Competitive Cheer might just be the answer to Title IX's assault on men's swimming and wrestling.
He first points out the idiocy of applying a quota system to sports.
Does the government insist that an equal number of men and women be taking French, or playing in the orchestra?
How about nursing programs or elementary education?
The quota system has caused some colleges to drop worthwhile sports such as wrestling. But it’s gotten a little easier for athletic directors to cope. Some of them are counting cheer, predominantly female, as a competitive sport.
I think he's saying that competitive cheer might cut back on A.D.'s lying about roster numbers.
As competitive cheer grows, look for the girls and women to perform at fewer sports events and take their gymnastics and dance moves to shows and meets where they’re the main attraction.
I think Don's dreaming, but if it means men can once again swim and wrestle (not at the same time) in college, I'm all for it!
Here in the Metroplex there are two AM radio stations that are polar opposites.
On the political right is KSKY (660). Now that school's out, I catch a little of Dennis Prager now and then. The guy seems to make a lot of sense. Might want to pause Free Bird while you watch this:
On the left is Rational Radio (1360). You know the saying, right? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Even hard-line conservatives should listen now and then.
There's this promo they run occasionally. It's an exchange between show hosts from an actual broadcast. One guy's asking another if it would be the worst day of his life if his wife/girlfriend came home one day and told him she was pregnant. The guy replies that no, it wouldn't be the worst day of his life. Then someone chimes in "It would be the worst day of his life if she said she wasn't getting an abortion." They all cracked up. Ha-friggin'-ha...
Michael Phelps nearly took down Ian Crocker's 100 fly WR in Montreal:
Garrett's got more race videos and interviews at Floswimminghere.
Want to carry around results from every meet ever swum in your pocket? If you just shouted "Yes!", then: a) you need therapy, and b) I've got news for you!
There's a 128 GB flash drive coming out soon. It will only cost $547. I know you'd been saving that money for a new suit. Since LZR's are so hard to find right now, go ahead and spend the dough on the flash drive...it's geek-a-rific!
An article in the Seattle Times points out what we already know about athletic department finances. Read the article (and 70+ comments) here.
Washington athletic director Scott Woodward says he has always pointed out the tuition waivers when asked and doesn't think it invalidates Washington's larger claim — that it doesn't receive any funding from the general university budget or general taxes for its athletic department. He also says "we didn't ask for" the tuition waivers but because they are available, will take them to allow the school to field more women's sports. WSU led the fight for the tuition waivers, saying at the time it needed some financial relief to comply with the mandate to equally fund athletic programs for both men and women.
Washington cited the self-sufficiency of the athletic department in its news release announcing the elimination of the men's and women's swimming programs, saying that expenses needed to be cut to allow the department to remain able to pay all of its own bills. Actual operating expenses at UW for 2007-08 were $60.6 million, operating revenues $64 million.
First posted about this back in March. Seems they want to make Double Dutch a sport. Maybe the NCAA can add that to their list of emerging sports. I'm not too keen on most of them, but I'd support a combination or two. How about Synchronized Equestrian? Maybe Double Dutch Archery?
Whoa! I'm going off on one of those rare tangents. Must focus.
Seems Tes Siarnacki and friends are forcing their values on young people in New York City. I know - it's hard to imagine that kind of thing happening anywhere in our country, let alone N.Y.C., right? Read more in a New York Times article here.
Tes Siarnacki, a recess coordinator at a school in East Boston, regularly encourages older girls to referee boy-dominated soccer games, and assigns older boys to monitor double Dutch jump rope, which is played mostly by girls.
Can't you just see guys like Leon & Junior making those tough calls over at the Billie Jean King Jump Rope Venue?
Here's a newsflash from the NCAA on football salaries:
Spending on coaches’ salaries and scholarships had no significant relationship to success or increased revenue.
The study also confirmed earlier hypotheses that spending on athletics has no relationship to academic quality, and successful athletics teams do not prompt more alumni giving.
They're saying we can still put the same product on the field for less money...and still have enough for a swim team?!?!?! Outrageous!!! Read more here.
Ready for objective reporting in the mainstream media? Looks like you'll have to wait a little longer. There's got to be a reason that Florida's state association isn't working with Nancy Hogshead-Makar. You won't find it in a First Coast News report/video here.
It's a great example of how so-called "experts" can con people with statistics. Did our reporter ever think to question the numbers? Won't more boys - thousands more? - be effected by the 40% game cuts at the JV level?
Slow reader? Finish it out with this:
Have a defibrillator handy for this one. Another athletic department didn't take very good care of their money. No shock advised? Good! Seems Kansas State's in trouble. Read more here.
The audit, released by the Kansas Board of Regents on Friday, describes thousands of dollars paid to companies owned by current and former university employees. They include head football coach Bill Snyder; former athletic director Tim Weiser; and Bob Krause, a former vice president for institutional advancement and former athletic director.
Thirteen payments totaling $845,000 to Snyder, Weiser, Krause and others had no supporting documentation, auditors said.
Here's more about college sports and money. Can you guess which university's athletic department generated the most revenue last year? That's right, UT! Read more here.
Here's how the top ten fared:
1. Texas – $120.3 million 2. Ohio State University – $118 million 3. Florida – $106 million 4. University of Michigan – $99 million 5. University of Wisconsin – $93.5 million 6. Pennsylvania State University – $91.6 million 7. Auburn University – $89.3 million 8. University of Alabama - $88.9 million 9. University of Tennessee – $88.7 million 10. Oklahoma State University – $88.6 million
Sigurd Hofmann, leader of a team that discovered a new element, needs to come up with a name for element 112. Let's hope it's not something too basic, like Hofmannium. Since it's really big (as far as atoms go) and isn't around for long (milliseconds), how about Twitterium? Read more here.
Not satisfied with just fourteen women's varsity sports at UC Davis (men have eleven), three students sued to force the university to add women's field hockey. Read more here.
Where to start? It's been a busy past few days, so updates have been impossible.
Who dreams up these studies...and who funds them? Researchers have discovered that breastfed babies are more likely to go to college than those raised on the bottle. Read more here.
Suit Wars has a post on the latest suit from Rocket Science Sports. Yes, it's on the FINA approved list. No, it won't be available until July. Read more here.
Y'all probably already know about Hill Taylor's:23.10 underwater back, right? Check out the video here. Reason for Eric Shanteau's DQ (1:01.22) in the 100 breast final? He wanted to try out one of the Jaked suits that's not on the FINA approved list. He fessed up before the swim, so it wasn't a big deal for officials to make the call. View that swim here.
Floswimming covered Senior Circuit #3. View videos from finals as well as several interviews here. Results are here.
Should bitterness be classified as a mental disorder? Read more here.
"They feel the world has treated them unfairly," says Dr. Michael Linden, a German psychiatrist who labeled the behavior. "It's one step more complex than anger. They're angry plus helpless."
Linden estimates that between 1% and 2% of the population is embittered, though he didn't specify whether that percentage increased during or immediately after the Bush years.
Liberals became bitter during the Bush years. Bitterness is now being labeled a mental disorder. Years ago, Michael Savage had it right when he said liberalism is a mental disorder.
Three families used Title IX to force a change that hundreds of players, coaches, and parents opposed. Read more here. Thanks Title IX!
Several rallies and protests have been staged against the season change, while many of the coaches and other PSAL officials continue to fight in hopes of having the decision overturned. However, according to Mr. Cushing, the opinions of the opposition have basically been ignored.
“They were receptive to three families but not to hundreds of families, it is just a mystery,” said the RKA teacher and coach, “The NYCLU does not do its homework and the DOE does not put up any kind of a fight, so now it all falls on the PSAL, the coaches and the schools to coordinate everything and find a way to make this mess work.”
Memorial Services at Noon Friday June 19th Westlake Presbyterian Church 7127 Bee Caves RoadAustin, TX 78746
Celebration of Richard's Life Reception following the service starting approximately 2pm Royal Memorial Stadium at UT 2100 San Jacinto Blvd Belmont Hall 9th FloorAustin, TX 78712
In lieu of flowers donations to the Richard Quick Memorial Fund are encouraged to benefit needy in Austin, Auburn and abroad. With part of the Austin funds to fund a scholarship to Discovery Training (www.discovery-training.com/). The abroad funds go to Love n Care (www.love-n-careministries.org). Greg Bland , pastor of PRF, will send funds to each of these organizations as well as Auburn United Methodist Church. We feel that Richard would have wanted to continue to support all of these worthwhile organizations and causes.
Richard Quick Memorial Fund c/o Pedernales River Fellowship Church 22800 Hwy 71 W. Spicewood, TX 78669
Or if you prefer Swim Across America (www.swimacrossamerica.org/) still has a fund in Richard's name where donations can be sent as well.
And for those that chose to send flowers instead please send them to the Celebration of Life address.
Again the family and I wish we could thank each of you individually for all the prayers and support. May God continue to bless each and every one of you as you look to his light on your path.
With my head down and eyes closed I saw a very small point of light in my minds eye. I felt Richards spirit trying to leave. Struggling to leave. Finally the point of light flickered, then went out. I wasn't sure then felt a presence or rather a warmth and peace...I looked up and Michael told me he was gone...Richard went home to our Lord about 6:45pm tonight.
He was in coma yesterday and today. Mostly peaceful, unless he was moved then he would let us know he was having some discomfort. I was holding his hand, Michael Quick was at his other side and my daughter, Tiffany was beside me as he took his last breaths.
He fought the good fight and all of us were beside him battling with him.... The family thanks you for all of your prayers and support. I know that God has answered our prayers even though we may not understand His answer. Richard we miss you already at the same time we sense your presence in our lives and hearts always. You are and always will be a miracle to us.
I want to share with you all part of a beautiful essay that Emily, his grandaughter, wrote entitled Believe in Belief.... It starts with "Miracles are simply a mystery." and ends with"To me, my grandad is the miracle in my life." For a 13, now 14 year old to have the insight and maturity shown in this written prose is amazing... I cried when I read it.
I close with tears and with peace knowing that Richard is whole again and looking after us from heaven.... our guardian angel.
Love and Blessings to you all,June, Kathy, Tosh, Tiffany, Ben, Blake, Emily and Michael
PS Services and a Celebration of his Life is TENATIVELY set for Friday June 19th in Austin. Announcements soon.
By now, you regular readers are able to identify crappy writing when you see it. I do my best to provide you with a seemingly endless supply of examples.
