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(08/27/08 1:57am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Fresh off its two exhibition game wins, the IU men’s soccer team is anxious to begin the regular season.With a 3-1 victory against Tulsa and a 3-0 shutout of No. 24 UNC, the Hoosiers are primed for Friday’s season opener against Duke.The high-scoring games are a departure from last season, when the team struggled to find its rhythm offensively. Having scored three goals only four times in 2007, the output generated against the Golden Hurricane and the Tar Heels gives a boost of confidence to both players and coaches.“In some ways, the last couple years we’ve created good chances – we just haven’t finished them,” said IU coach Mike Freitag. “I think some guys come in – they have the knack of scoring. I think it’s rubbed off on some other people.”With only 14 juniors and seniors on the team, the pressure to deliver a national championship is greater. But senior midfielder Brad Ring said he’s not worried.“I think the chemistry got a lot better,” Ring said. “With the addition of some freshmen and transfers, we’re going to be much better than last year. Last year we were struggling to score two goals a game. This year I think we can score four or five goals a game.” Despite losing seniors Greg Stevning and Charley Traylor, the recruiting efforts of the staff have paid off. With a No. 3-ranked freshman class, Freitag has a plethora of young stars from which to choose. Currently, he plans to start freshman forward Will Bruin and defender Tommy Meyer, both from St. Louis. Meyer’s father, Keith, played for IU when the Hoosiers won championships in 1982 and 1983.Regardless of their inexperience, Ring said Bruin’s and Meyer’s high school careers have prepared them for the collegiate level.“They’ve been in rowdy atmospheres,” Ring said. “They may be a little shell-shocked for a little bit, but after the first 10 to 15 minutes they’ll settle down, and they’ll be fine.”With transfers Cameron Jordan and Nate Mitchell, the depth of the squad provides a healthy competition for those fighting for a spot.“That’s a good thing in the sense that everybody has to fight for a job,” Freitag said. “You’re never secure in your position. It keeps you on your toes.” After weeks of practice, senior goalkeeper Chay Cain said a familiarity is in place between the veterans and rookies.“The first couple weeks of preseason, it gets all the kinks worked out,” Cain said. “The first couple days it’s kind of hard because you don’t know people’s names and you’re trying to figure out people’s habits and tendencies. At this point ... everybody is kind of on the same page as far as what we want, where we want to go, the habits of each individual that by the time we open up on Friday we should be good to go.” The Hoosiers, ranked No. 7 by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, are entering the season as one of the top teams in the country. Ring was announced to the first team Pre-Season 2008 All-America team, while junior defender Ofori Sarkodie made the second team. “Sometimes you just get a feel of how the season’s going to go, and I feel very good, very confident about this season and about this team,” Freitag said.
(08/04/08 12:06am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>In the meandering, turbulent road to the Beijing Olympics, which start Friday, thousands of protesters and activists have objected to China’s human rights – or lack thereof.They have pointed to Tibet, Darfur and to China itself. They have stood up for Buddhist monks, Sudanese victims and Chinese citizens.But while millions of faceless advocates cry out for salvation, thousands of athletes have already descended on Beijing to represent their nations in perhaps the most prestigious and internationally recognized athletic venue on Earth.But while fans, politicians and Olympic organizers shower these athletes with medals, publicity and money (most athletes receive a bonus for winning a medal), many people are calling on them to use their minutes of fame to highlight China’s transgressions. The force of just one mega-athlete or superstar is greater than one million everyday humanitarians. If Kobe Bryant or Michael Phelps ignored the “no protest” agreement they signed and called out the Chinese government for suppression of basic human rights, it would be greater than the men’s basketball team reclaiming the gold medal or Phelps surpassing Mark Spitz’s record of seven gold medals.Last month Tommie Smith and John Carlos were honored at the ESPY Awards for their legendary fist raising at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. After being ostracized, condemned and threatened for their actions for most of their adult lives, Smith and Carlos are finally recognized for their provoking statement advocating civil rights. How many athletes today have the courage to risk their lives to stand up for something that needs to be acknowledged on an international level?How many have the nerve to stand on the platform to cheering fans, hearing their national anthem being played and raise a fist? But we cannot call the athletes cowards without asking why they would not dare to repeat Smith and Carlos. Our society rewards athletic accomplishments with endorsements, contract extensions and front-page covers. And Nike, Gatorade and McDonald’s do not want any controversy from their multimillion-dollar grossing athletes.I’m not asking Candace Parker or LeBron James to lead a crowd of protesters in Tiananmen Square, but a few thoughtful sentences during a press conference speaking out for Sudan or Tibet couldn’t hurt. At the very least it could dispel any thoughts that all athletes are self-absorbed, unaware individuals. Roger Federer, Tiger Woods, Derek Jeter and Thierry Henry all star in a Gillette commercial together. But what if those four superstars released a commercial bringing attention to the AIDS epidemic, malaria or some other disease striking third-world countries where shaving cream is the last thing on the people’s minds?Even if they lost their endorsements, most athletes have enough money (at least more than the average American) to provide for them and their families. What they could gain in immortality and legacy would be worth more 40 years hence. Athlete-celebrities like Woods (not competing in the Olympics) could use their fame for something greater than another Gatorade commercial. Something more important than a sports drink, more valuable than a $90 million contract, more far-reaching than a 30-second ad, more consequential than another major championship.More than themselves. That’s what the Olympics are supposed to be, competing for a nation while symbolizing the ideals of peace, cooperation and unity.
(07/27/08 11:57pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>In November 2004, a fight between the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers broke out at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Fans and players – most notably Ron Artest – were both involved in the melee, which resulted in the longest suspension ever handed down to an NBA player (Artest) and the stigma that the NBA is like the NHL, only with basketballs.Last Tuesday, players from the WNBA teams the Detroit Shock and the Los Angeles Sparks had a fight of their own. While the severity did not match that of their NBA counterparts – only players and coaches were involved – many see as it another example of basketball players who can’t control their actions or emotions.While I would normally disparage a player for losing her temper during a game, in this case I think the fight is good for the WNBA. In its 11th year, the WNBA is still a struggling league with empty seats and few advertisers. While women’s college basketball can draw an audience – especially with Tennessee or UConn – professional women’s basketball is about as popular as curling during the Winter Olympics.I’m not saying Lisa Leslie or Candace Parker should be proud of their actions – but at least they showed that the WNBA is no less passionate than the NBA and that its players are no less loyal to their teammates than their male equals. At least they proved the WNBA could captivate the average 40-year-old, beer-guzzling coach potato. Even if he’s thinking “ooh catfight,” at least the game got him thinking about the WNBA.Ever since its inceptions, fans have not given the WNBA its due. While many complain that today’s NBA stars are spoiled and sated, they rarely look to the WNBA, where its stars are hungry and energized. While Parker garnered covers of magazines at Tennessee, her rookie year with the Sparks has been a blip on the radar. These days it seems golfers Lorena Ochoa and Michelle Wie grab more headlines than Parker. Despite being one of few players in league history to dunk, the lack of popularity in the WNBA might not ever let us see Parker recapture her glory days in the NCAA.After the game was over Leslie said to a broadcaster, “This is not the way we want to represent ourselves and the WNBA. I’m a mom. I don’t want to represent myself like that in front of my daughter.” Now if I ever saw my mom kicking butt and taking names, I would be proud. Leslie can explain to her daughter that sometimes you lose your cool, sometimes you make mistakes. It’s human nature.But Leslie can also explain to her daughter how to play hard for 48 minutes, to grab every loose rebound and fight for every jump ball. She can tell her that sometimes you have to kill yourself trying, even if almost no one is watching. No Sports Illustrated, no ESPN. She can teach her how to earn respect, even if only your parents and spouse are witnessing your moment of glory. She can make her a fighter.
(07/21/08 1:16am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Dear Brett Favre,Please make up your mind already.Sincerely,Cheeseheads, NFL executives, sportswriters.To retire or not to retire? That is the question former (or current? I get confused) Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre has been contemplating for months now. When he announced his departure from football in March, he was showered with praise. Fans mourned his loss while sportscastors debated how Green Bay would live without such an icon.After months of training next-in-line quarterback Aaron Rodgers, it seemed that the Packers were ready to move on. Favre had his spot secure in the hearts of NFL fans everywhere.Until he changed his mind.Favre’s case isn’t new. Retired athletes frequently regret their decisions, especially great ones, when they realize just because they’re gone doesn’t mean they don’t miss competing. But Favre can take a lesson from the following example of another superstar.In 1998 when Michael Jordan decided to retire, he left under ideal circumstances: He had just won his sixth championship and his second three-peat. Both coach Phil Jackson and his fellow teammates dispersed. Jordan had left just the way he wanted to. Even producer Jerry Bruckheimer couldn’t have scripted Jordan’s decision to leave any better.But, of course, he decided to come back and ruin the storybook ending to his career.Has Favre not learned anything from Jordan’s return? The entire world saw Jordan rejoin the NBA not as a ferocious Bull, but as a Wizard. Unlike Merlin, Jordan couldn’t spark his team. The Wizards floundered as younger stars reminded Jordan that he was no longer the Most Valuable Player, but more like the Most Valuable Veteran.Not anymore. Favre’s decision to come back and try to reclaim his starting spot from Rodgers is reprehensible. Rodgers has been preparing for the starting spot for four months now and somehow Favre expects everyone to give him his spot back. Favre is more indecisive than a 16-year-old girl picking out a prom dress at Macy’s.In 1998 we saw two ultimate endings: Jordan’s second retirement and the end of the hit sitcom Seinfeld.Both exited when people were clamoring for more, when fans and critics weren’t ready to say goodbye. But even the biggest Bulls supporter or Seinfeld addict had to admit, they went out on top.Every athlete dreams of saying goodbye on his own terms, when he has the choice to stay, but chooses to go. Houston Rockets forward Shane Battier once said, “I hope I can leave the game when I want to, not because they don’t want me.” Even Oakland Raiders legend Tim Brown said Favre should stay retired or risk damaging his legacy.Great athletes are decisive; they can be counted on when the pressure’s on. Now that the pressure is on Favre, the best thing he can do to ensure he remains America’s sweetheart is to stay just where he is: home.
(07/13/08 4:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>This past week, after being given the heave-ho from star point guard Brandon Jennings, veteran Arizona coach Lute Olson announced he is finished with signing “one-and-done” players.Olson was no doubt burned not only by Jennings’ sudden departure, but also by Jerryd Bayless leaving the Wildcats for the NBA Draft. (He was taken 11th by the Indiana Pacers.) Apparently Bayless promised Olson that he would stay two years.Maybe the combination of two stellar recruits breaking their word was too much for Olson, who was absent this past year for personal reasons, is one of the most respected coaches in NCAA history. Several of his contemporaries, including Jim Boeheim of Syracuse, said they would continue recruiting the best players, no matter their intent to leave after a single season.Instead, Olson is recommending the NBA re-allow players to jump from high school to the NBA or require that they spend at least three years in college. I don’t disagree.While the signing of a phenom does bring attention and prestige to a university’s program (see: Eric Gordon) – it also puts pressure on the coaches, who only have one year to win a national championship before agents and NBA teams come calling. While the “year of the freshman” was interesting to watch, it was also comical. These players aren’t deluding anyone into believing that they are genuinely interested in advancing to the Final Four, unless it means the top four lottery picks. It’s a waste of a college scholarship, and while the fault does lie with the NBA and commissioner David Stern for enacting the rule, the fault also lies with the NCAA, who championed it because they knew it would result in more profits and higher TV ratings.If more of Olson’s peers had the courage to say they would refrain from recruits who look at college as the Waffle House rest stop before heading to the NBA, then maybe Stern would rethink his rule. He can either eliminate it altogether or extend it to a minimum of two or three years, so universities could develop complete players, not just another kid with “upside.”While Boeheim and other coaches might not see a problem with the rule, it’s obvious that teams whose star players are 18-years-old and waiting to walk across the podium at Madison Square Garden are not true teams, and are more like standout freshmen and 11 other guys. Is that really what’s best for the NCAA? I always enjoyed watching players stick around, hungry to win a national championship, like Tyler Hansbrough.Instead of disparaging Olson for his unique statement, maybe we should take a moment and think that someone with more than 30 years of coaching experience and 4 Final Four appearances is on the right track. Follow the Lute.
(07/03/08 1:34am)
Just before stepping on the treadmill a few days ago, I opened my DVD holder to select a movie appropriate for a hard run. As I flipped through my selection of chick flicks and ‘80s movies, I came across an old favorite, one that my friends and I watched countless times during our senior year of high school: “Remember the Titans.”\nI love everything about “Remember the Titans.” I love the actors, the perfect ‘60s soundtrack, the dialogue, and of course the Cinderella ending. I love it when Julius and Gerry become best friends, I love it when Cheryl and Coach Boone – played by the ever-versatile Denzel Washington – talk football, and I especially love it when a crowd of football players start singing “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”\nCritics have often lambasted the film as too sentimental, so sugary as to make your teeth rot after one showing. But just as often as people have criticized the film, I have stood up for the movie, for its morals and for its message. What better way to call attention to human-rights issues than to watch a cinematic work of art detailing the struggle for integration? What better way to remind sports critics that athletics are sometimes the only way to foster change? Sports are one of the few things that can bring strangers and enemies together through a common bond. Once you start sharing your love of the game with someone, all racial, religious, and ethnic differences vanish. It’s player to player, athlete to athlete, competitor to competitor. \nOften today’s sports headlines read of various transgressions, instead of astounding achievements. Some of the top stories from the past year include Michael Vick’s dog-fighting ring, Roger Clemens’ steroids, and Tim Donaghy’s betting on the NBA. These stories not only infiltrated the sports pages and blogs, but the minds of those who say sports aren’t worth watching anymore, that they’re just another way for kids to look up to spoiled, lazy, criminal athletes. \n“Remember the Titans” – based on a true story – doesn’t make the viewer forget the present, but it honors the past. It commemorates a moment when sports changed a group of people and a community for the better. Recently sports have become a scandal-ridden section of the newspaper, instead of a pastime used to convey life lessons to children. \nWatching coaches Yoast and Boone create a championship-winning and fully integrated team only gives me hope that baseball will survive the steroid scandals, the NFL will find new heroes to follow, and the NBA will prove past champions won deservingly. That’s the real message of “Remember the Titans” and most sports movies: hope. \nHope in a goal or belief – no matter how lofty or unrealistic – can be the only thing to power you through adversity. It’s the love of the game, the hope that things will turn out ok, that most players are good, that can power the average fan through the hard times.
(06/26/08 1:42am)
It has arrived. Draft day. Possibly one of the biggest days in the NBA calendar, even more so if your team is the Clippers, Grizzlies or (God forbid) the Knicks.\nThis year’s draft will be deep, mostly fattened with players who if not for a certain NBA commissioner, would have already collected NBA paychecks.\nEver since David Stern announced that the NBA would no longer draft straight-out-of-high-school players, colleges have been flooded with talented recruits, the NCAA showered with buckets of money and TV stations bombarded with ratings boosts.\nBut despite millions of individuals profiting from the ban, the players themselves are not necessarily better off. Take this year’s draft, for example. Stars like Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, Kevin Love and O.J. Mayo are projected to go in the top 10 of the draft, but the question of whether or not their one-year stint did them or the university any good is still unanswered.\nThese players, for the most part, are only biding their time waiting until the year is up before they can fulfill their real dream – playing in the NBA.\nWhat purpose does it serve the college for the player to spend one year with them? What good is it for the unfortunate professors who have to worry about a player potentially being ineligible when they cut class? And can society blame these athletes for ditching when their only goal in life is being momentarily hindered by a guy old enough to be their grandfather?\nI’m sure David Stern had good intentions when he and the rest of the NBA enacted that rule. Many high-schoolers entered the NBA and faltered, floating away to the sea of the CBA or Europe. And while Stern most likely wanted to prevent that outcome, he instead forced colleges to accept so-called student-athletes that have no interest in anything except improving their mock-draft rating.\nA recent New York Times article described a groundbreaking possible solution to the problem of high-school seniors committing to a college and leaving after one year. Brandon Jennings – a senior at Oak Hill Academy in Virginia – originally signed a letter of intent with Arizona, but after the NCAA forced him to retake the SAT for the third time, he searched for another way to spend his year.\nInstead of wasting a scholarship to a basketball powerhouse, Jennings could spend his year in Europe, playing with seasoned professionals, living alone and maturing light years ahead of his college-bound peers.\nJennings’ possible decision offers the perfect solution to other high school seniors debating the merits of college. If Stern truly does want to help future NBA players, then he should only support Jennings. Going to college for a year helps everyone involved except the player and his family. Going away helps the player.\nAs Jennings told the Times, if the idea becomes popular, “It’ll be a good thing for the kids and a bad thing for the college coaches.” \nOnly time will tell if his logic proves correct, but one thing’s for certain. NCAA’s stronghold on freshmen may be coming to an end.
(06/12/08 12:43am)
On a recent trip to Ukraine – the host of the 2012 Union of European Football Association Euro championship and the country where I was born – I started reading Franklin Foer’s “How Football Explains the World.”\nFoer describes through a series of 10 essays how the game of soccer – the clubs, players and especially fans – has influenced the world more than people assume.\nReading the book gave me a quick 280-page education in how deep the devotion is that fans have for certain teams and how fervent the hatred they have for other teams. And when I finished reading one thought came to mind: “How can America – the country of McDonald’s, Disney and MTV – possibly develop a love and appreciation for soccer that can even compare to European countries?”\nI’ve always been fascinated by the attempts of some Americans to introduce “the beautiful game” to the U.S. Despite many attempts and the arrival of David Beckham, soccer has not made a significant dent in American culture.\nAnd how can it? As the “national pastime,” baseball has already claimed a spot in America’s heart. Football and basketball – along with less popular but still relevant golf and hockey – occupy the other facets of U.S. sports. In short, sports fans have plenty to choose from.\nSupply and demand. There are enough sports in supply, and demand for something else – something foreign no less – is small. How can you integrate a sport when there are options galore and no deep base? Soccer is king in Europe because it has been there for centuries. It has become a part of their culture, something it has not done in the U.S.\nBasketball, football and baseball have deep roots in this country. Even golf – which was developed in Scotland – occupies a large slot in TV ratings during the Majors. After the lockout in 2005, hockey has been on the rise, drawing fans with new talent like Sidney Crosby.\nIn Europe, soccer is a way of life and for many people a loyalty that can never be broken. The most intense sports rivalry in the U.S. cannot compare to the most mundane in soccer. One of the most interesting essays in Foer’s book describes the powerful hatred between fans of the Glasgow Rangers and Glasgow Celtic. These fans will kill – or at least attempt to – any opponent who dares to stray onto their territory. How can you compare that to the middle and upper-class students at Duke and the University of North Carolina who merely scream and paint their bodies?\nInstead of trying to import fading talent (see: Beckham) or hype up American prodigies (see: Freddy Adu), Americans can turn to European soccer or more specifically to the UEFA Euro 2008 which started this month and ends on June 29.\nI’m not saying soccer will never catch on in America. There was a time when professional basketball players had to have second jobs in the off-season. And now? The average NBA player makes $5.356 million. So to say that soccer doesn’t have a future in America would be to deny that change happens, especially in sports.\nBut why create, fund and promote an American league when the talent in European teams is overwhelming? The product is out there, but it has yet to be marketed successfully to American fans. \nSo flip on the TV, find a UEFA match and settle in for a few hours of pure obsession, pure enthusiasm and pure zeal. Turn on the beautiful game.
(06/09/08 12:08am)
Throughout the week, I’ve been seeing the same articles on Web sites and on sports pages across the country, all mentioning the resurgence of the Lakers-Celtics rivalry.\nI don’t disagree that this NBA Finals series is possibly the most exciting to come in a long time or that the matchups between Kobe and Paul Pierce and KG and Pau are not compelling. Both teams are exciting to watch, with talented rosters and a gifted coaching staff. And let’s face it: Any championship where one team is the San Antonio Spurs is almost automatically a snoozefest. \nBut seeing dozens of headlines detailing the old Los Angeles and Boston teams of the 1960s through the 1980s reminded me of the past, not the present. Reading the articles was similar to reading a history book about famous generals in World War II. To the younger generation these rivalries are not relevant. Many of today’s NBA fans are simply too young to remember Magic and Bird except for old highlight reels on ESPN Classic.\nHaving been born in the late 1980s – the last year the Lakers won a championship in the 20th century – I grew up with Jordan’s Bulls, Kobe and Shaq’s Lakers and Duncan’s Spurs. Vince Carter, Steve Francis and Penny Hardaway were the heroes when I was attending basketball camp. In fact, one of my earliest memories is Jordan beating the Jazz in 1998 with a last-second shove on Bryon Russell and making the perfect jumper to clinch his final championship.\nBut I’m not alone in my youth. Just take a look of the rosters of both teams. Sixteen players out of the 30 total on both teams were born in the ’80s, meaning they would have been in elementary school or younger during the last great runs of the historic franchises.\nLarry Bird and Magic Johnson retired in the early 1990s, effectively ending the rivalry. Even now one finals matchup cannot be heralded as the resurgence of two teams. This is Boston’s first 60-plus win season since 1986 and the Lakers’ first title run since O’Neal left. In fact Boston didn’t make the playoffs the past two years.\nThe last time the Lakers and Celtics met in the finals was 1987, four months before Lakers center Andrew Bynum was born. Guard Jordan Farmar would have been seven months old, hardly old enough to appreciate the matchup between Johnson and Bird. In fact 10 out of 15 players on the Lakers were born in the 1980s, so while they might remember the history from their childhood, it’s the same as saying every episode of “Sesame Street” is emblazoned in my memory forever because I watched it when I was 5. The Celtics roster is more experienced. Only six players were born in the 1980s. Even so, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce were all pre-teens in 1987. Still, that means they witnessed the rivalry dying down, not in the throes of the heated hatred.\nWhen the Lakers played in Boston last year, fans chanted “MVP” for Kobe. Celtics fans chanting for Kobe? Forget that the team had just lost their 13th consecutive game. You can’t call it a rivalry if so-called supporters are cheering for the opponent’s star player. These aren’t the same die-hard fans that turned up the heat in the visitor’s locker room in Boston Garden more than 20 years ago to give their hometown team an advantage. \nBoth cities and fans are changed and the same intense and passionate hatred is gone, to be replaced by more of a casual dislike, one that can’t match the fury of the past.\nAnd while this year’s finals may remind some of history and old victories, let’s detach it from the West and Russell era, the Magic and Bird dynasty. This is Kobe and KG, Pau and Pierce, Ray and Radmanovic. Let’s make some new memories.
(06/05/08 8:26pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>From the bustling, noisy Starbucks in the Indiana Memorial Union to a quiet nook in the library, student study spots are as diverse as the majors the University offers. With almost 30,000 undergraduates, the University has countless options for people searching for the perfect place to finish their schoolwork. StarbucksWhile most consider a quiet atmosphere conducive to learning, sophomore Grace Green enjoys the hustle and bustle of the Starbucks in the IMU Gallery. The milling crowds and background music keep her focused on her homework while the coffee and desserts keep her nourished as she works.“I like to study at Starbucks because it’s not too quiet and it’s not too loud,” Green said. “In my (dorm) room I get too distracted, and the library is too quiet. It seems kind of tense in the library. But in Starbucks, there are people moving around and talking, but they are not necessarily people you know who you’re going to talk to.”Unlike some of her classmates, Green said she enjoys background noise and isn’t easily distracted by the sounds of coffee being made, the chatter of the students and music. She said the atmosphere relaxes her and allows her to concentrate on her work without being anxious or stressed.“Some people need absolute silence to study, but I don’t really need that,” Green said. Campus librariesJust as Green needs noise to loosen her up as she does her homework, junior Robert Barnell prefers the solitary space and quiet ambiance of libraries, and chooses to study mainly in the Herman B Wells and School of Public and Environmental Affairs libraries. Barnell stops in several times a day between and after classes, and values convenience and absolute silence when he is working, he said.“Between classes, I’ll go to whatever library is nearest,” Barnell said. “A lot of people seem to not go (to the SPEA library), so it’s not super crowded. I like how they have windows, and it’s an interesting building.”While Barnell enjoys the SPEA library, he switches locations if he is working on a larger assignment.“I go to SPEA just for day-to-day things,” Barnell said. “When I have a really big paper, I’ll go to Wells to the second floor of the West Tower.” Dorm roomsWhile some students prefer to leave the distracting space of their own dorm rooms, other students favor the convenience and companionship of studying with friends.Sophomore Leah Myhre said she dislikes areas with constant noise, such as the Starbucks in the IMU, and the quiet atmosphere of the library. Rating convenience as a main priority, she said she stays in her dorm to study in the company of friends.“If it’s something small that has to be completed for the next day and doesn’t require a lot of focused attention, then I like to study with friends,” Myhre said. “I think it creates a fun, energetic atmosphere that keeps me awake to do my homework.” However, if she has an upcoming paper or project that requires more consideration than her daily work, then Myhre said she leaves her dorm to visit the library.“If I have to work on a paper or do a huge project, then I like to do it alone or maybe with one other person who’s doing the same work in the library so I’m more focused and concentrating,” she said.Around campusJunior Carmen Cronin said she varies her study setting depending on her location and her assignments. She said she also enjoys mixing studying and socializing with friends.“If I’m on campus, I generally study in Collins or in the Starbucks,” Cronin said. “They’re sort of quiet places, but they’re also places where I can get some food or a drink. There are people passing by so it’s nice to have a little bit of light noise in the background.”Like Myhre, Cronin heads to the library if her homework requires more time than usual. Generally, she said she prefers to avoid the library unless absolutely necessary.“Sometimes I’ll go up to the library in the stacks if I have to get a lot of work done,” Cronin said. “It’s also kind of nice to be in Collins or in the Union because I can do easier homework and usually I can socialize at the same time. It’s not intense studying; for that I’ll go to the library.”After her day ends, Cronin said she takes pleasure in doing homework with friends back at her dorm.“In the dorm, I study in the lounge a lot,” Cronin said. “Sometimes in my room, but mostly studying is also a time when I can socialize with others.”
(05/02/08 3:17am)
Anxiously awaiting their NCAA seed, the women’s tennis team sat on faded burgundy couches crowded around the large TV monitor.\nThey weren’t alone in their apprehension. Only minutes earlier the men’s team had been in the same position. As the screen changed to announce the seeds, disappointing sighs reverberated through the IU Tennis Center. The TV showed the Hoosiers would face No. 39 Louisville in the first round. However, if they beat the Cardinals they will possibly take on the top seed in their conference and the nation, Northwestern.\nIf they advance, it will not be IU’s first time competing against Northwestern. The Hoosiers lost 6-1 to the Wildcats in April and 4-1 to them in last year’s tournament.\nJunior Sigrid Fischer said she had hoped the team would have the chance to play a new team in the second round. However, Northwestern’s familiarity will benefit IU, Fischer said.\n“It helps that we have notes on them, that we know the players, that we can imagine what the matchups will be,” Fischer said. “It’s always great to play the No. 1 team in the country. (But) you want to play somebody else. You want to get more experience.”\nAfter the announcement, associate head coach Ramiro Azcui gathered the players and trainers in a tight circle. He opened a box and presented senior captain Brianna Williams with a ring commemorating her four years on the team. \nWilliams joked, “I feel like I’m being proposed to.”\nLater Williams said she is excited to compete in the tournament, but also bittersweet as she reminisced about her tennis swan song.\n“It’s definitely kind of sad,” Williams said. “This is the finale of a whole college career.”\nIU coach Lin Loring said the NCAA Tournament will be relaxing for the players, who will not have to juggle academics and competition. \n“There’s a lot less pressure on us in this tournament because our goal all season was to get to this tournament,” Loring said. “So once you’re there it’s kind of the icing on the cake.”\nHaving competed well in the Big Ten Tournament, the Hoosiers are feeling optimistic heading into May’s matches. \n“I think we’re confident because we played a really good match against Michigan,” Loring said. “If we can play at that level we can have a lot of success against Louisville. Our main effort the rest of this week will be trying to find out whatever we can about Louisville and preparing for them.” \nA disadvantage for the Hoosiers could be their inexperience. With four freshmen, the team is lacking veterans who have competed in the NCAA Tournament before. \nHowever, freshman Myriam Sopel said she felt confident about IU’s chances. Despite the team’s young age, their confidence is not lacking.\n“We’re going to compete well,” Sopel said. “We’re ready for it. We’re really close to each other, and I think it’s going to be a good test for us.”\nAs the only senior on the team, Williams has seen plenty of tournaments. If there is one thing she has learned, it is that every team can be upset if they lose their focus.\n“We definitely have a great opportunity to play Louisville and Northwestern,” Williams said. “Obviously that’s going to be a tough challenge for us. But any given day, any team can beat anybody.”\nThe Hoosiers will play Louisville on May 9. The second round would begin for IU on May 10.
(04/28/08 4:31am)
Regardless of a familiar result, the Hoosiers performed at a higher level this weekend against No. 21 Michigan than they did in the past. \nLess than a week after losing 7-0 to the Wolverines, No. 30 IU was once again knocked out 4-2 by its conference rival in the semifinals of the Big Ten Championships\nThe match began with strong doubles play from IU. After junior Sigrid Fischer and freshman Myriam Sopel lost the first match 8-1, IU’s other two pairs won both of their matches and captured the doubles point for the Hoosiers. All-Big Ten team member junior Alba Berdala and sophomore Lindsey Stuckey evened up the match by defeating Michigan 8-5, before senior Brianna Williams and freshman Katya Zapadalova narrowly finished off the Wolverines 9-8 (7-1).\nHowever, Michigan quickly came back 2-1 after Stuckey and Berdala each lost their singles matches. Williams defeated the Wolverine’s Lindsey Howard 7-5, 6-0 to tie up the match 2-2.\nSoon after that, the match turned downhill. Freshman Charlotte Martin lost a three-set match 2-6, 6-1, 6-0, which put the Wolverines up 3-2. Fischer then lost a 6-4, 6-4 decision, ending the match and sealing the win for Michigan.\nIU coach Lin Loring, who has won the Big Ten Tournament 16 times, said he was proud of the way the Hoosiers competed against Michigan after their loss last week.\n“It was a huge difference,” Loring said. “It was a great college match. It could have gone either way. Even though we lost, it was fun match.”\nDespite the loss, Williams was glad the Big Ten Tournament gave the Hoosiers another crack at the Wolverines.\n“I think we just performed as a team a lot better,” Williams said. “We came fired up and ready to go. We had the camaraderie and the right mind-set.”\nThe first round of play came easier for the Hoosiers, who defeated 11-seed Wisconsin 4-0. The Hoosiers came out strong in the beginning. Berdala and Stuckey teamed up to win 8-5 before Williams and Zapadalova closed out the doubles point with an 8-4 victory. \nWilliams was also triumphant in her singles match, handily defeating Wisconsin’s Erin Jobe 6-0, 6-0. Fischer closed out Chelsea Nusslock 6-4, 7-5, putting the Hoosiers one win away from victory.\nZapadalova came through big for IU in narrowly defeating Jessica Seyferth 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 to clinch the match for the Hoosiers. \nWinning both doubles points over the weekend was a satisfying accomplishment for the Hoosiers, who struggled with the doubles early in the year.\n“I’m really pleased with how we ended up with the doubles,” Loring said. “We came a long, long way. The Big Ten Tournament is always tough because we’ve always got final exams. The girls handled everything really well. For so many of them it was the first time they’ve had to go through the pressure of finals while they’re competing.”\nHowever, the tournament won’t be the Hoosiers’ swan song. IU will compete in the NCAA Championships in May. Berdala said the team will enter the tournament with an optimistic outlook.\n“I think the most important thing about this weekend was we saw we can be competitive with Michigan,” Berdala said. “We’re going with a positive attitude to the NCAAs.”
(04/25/08 4:15am)
After 10 Big Ten matches – including eight wins – it all comes down to this. After 25 matches, grueling road trips, agonizing defeats and thrilling victories, it all comes down to this.\nOn Friday, the IU women’s tennis team will travel to West Lafayette to compete in the Big Ten Championships. After a regular season that began in September with a road trip to Winston-Salem, N.C., and ended last Sunday in Michigan, the matches the No. 30 Hoosiers have been preparing for all season are here. \nThe Hoosiers are the No. 3 seed and will get a bye in the first round. They will take on the winner of No. 63 Michigan State and No. 73 Wisconsin. IU defeated Michigan State 6-1 in March and Wisconsin 7-0 earlier this month.\nThe Hoosiers have already received a bid to the NCAA Regionals and Championships in May. But as a warmup, they have the Big Ten Championships, a tournament they have won 16 times under current coach Lin Loring.\nSenior Brianna Williams, who will be competing in her fourth Big Ten Tournament, said this weekend will prepare the Hoosiers for the championships.\n“It’s definitely a great warm-up because we have some competitive teams in the conference,” Williams said. “It gives us good experience before going to the NCAAs. This is closer to the tournament. It gives you the same atmosphere the NCAAs will have.”\nDespite the heightened emphasis, Loring said competing in the Big Ten Championships will be similar to their dual matches.\n“It’s really not any different (than the regular season),” he said. “You’re still going in, playing matches. The difference is you’ve already played the teams once. You have a little more knowledge of who you’re playing and the lineups compared to the regular season.”\nFreshman Charlotte Martin said because the Hoosiers have competed against the teams, they are more optimistic about their chances this weekend.\n“I think we’ve played every team now so we know the players a bit more,” Martin said. “We know exactly what to expect. I think we’re a bit more confident now. We know how to play to do well.”\nOut of the 11 teams in the conference, nine are ranked, including the No. 1 team in the country, Northwestern. Four of those teams are ranked in the top 50.\nSophomore Lindsey Stuckey said this weekend will not only get the Hoosiers ready for May’s tournament, but it will also test the team’s chemistry and ability.\n“I think (the Big Ten) is definitely more competitive this year,” Stuckey said. “We’ve had a lot more closer matches. It’s not an easy conference. It’s definitely going to be a \nbig challenge.”\nThe tournament will not be the only thing on the Hoosiers’ minds. Like other students, the team will be busy preparing for the finals next week. Despite their busy schedules, the players are used to juggling academics and athletics.\n“The good thing is we have a lot of downtime between the matches,” Williams said. “It does get kind of stressful. But when we get out on the court we have to focus on tennis and forget about everything else.”
(04/21/08 4:53am)
The Hoosiers had no deja vu this weekend. Last year, the then-No. 27 Hoosiers closed out the season with a 6-1 victory over Penn State and upset then-No. 25 Michigan 5-2. \nBut that was then. \nThe Hoosiers closed out their regular season by splitting matches. No. 29 IU defeated unranked Penn State on Friday 5-2. Two days later, the team traveled to No. 23 Michigan, losing 7-0. \nCompeting against Penn State, the Hoosiers came out prepared and easily captured the doubles point, winning all three doubles matches. The victories carried over to the singles matches, where the Hoosiers captured four out of six. \nJunior Alba Berdala and freshman Myriam Sopel both won their three-set matches. Junior Sigrid Fischer and freshman Charlotte Martin also won, while sophomore Lindsey Stuckey and freshman Katya Zapadalova lost the final two matches.\nCompeting in only their fifth outdoor match of the year, the Hoosiers said they thought the weather was challenging. \n“That was a match where we felt we had to win to keep our record clean for the NCAA Tournament,” IU coach Lin Loring said. “We hadn’t played in that kind of heat yet. It was a good win that we needed to have.”\nZapadalova said the outdoor practice was necessary for the Hoosiers.\n“Those matches were really good to play outdoors to get us ready for the Big Ten (Tournament),” Zapdalova said. “I think it was really good to play more matches outdoors even if we lost (to Michigan).”\nSenior Brianna Williams competed in the doubles match but sat out the singles with a cold. Williams said the Hoosiers’ must-win mentality was a big factor in their win.\n“We definitely competed well against Penn State,” Williams said. “We knew we needed that win. I think that was a motivation.”\nLoring said he was let down with the Hoosiers’ play on Sunday. The loss was IU’s sixth to higher-ranked teams and their only 7-0 loss this season.\n“We played the No. 1 Northwestern seed a much better match than we played these guys,” Loring said. “It was a little disappointing that we didn’t have a much closer match. All the three top-20 losses that we have had, we played much better. I’m not disappointed we lost. I’m disappointed the match wasn’t closer.”\nWilliams said a number of factors were responsible for their poor performance.\n“I think with Michigan, one of their advantages was having their home crowd and senior day,” Williams said. “We’re not used to playing a stronger team outdoors. I’m just hoping we’ll learn a few things and beat them in the Big Ten (Tournament).”\nOtherwise, Loring said he was pleased with the Hoosiers’ overall 19-6 and 8-2 Big Ten record.\n“For us, last year we were 9-1 and now we’re 8-2,” Loring said. “That’s two good years back-to-back.”\nZapadalova said the team chemistry is responsible for their improvement this season.\n“I think we got really close as a team, especially after spring break,” Zapadalova said. “We support each other all the time. It’s amazing. I think we found our spot in the team and we play really good with each other. We have a really good team spirit.”\nThe Hoosiers will compete in the Big Ten Tournament, which starts on Thursday.
(04/18/08 4:04am)
The Big Ten Tournament does not start for another week, but the Hoosiers will take on two possible opponents this weekend.\nNo. 29 IU will play two road matches as it competes against No. 23 Michigan and unranked Penn State. The Wolverines pose a major threat with two ranked players, No. 49 Chisako Sugiyama and No. 116 Tania Mahtani. Sugiyama and Mahtani will also compete as the No. 44 doubles combination.\nThe match against Michigan will seem familiar to fans. Last year, the then-No. 27 Hoosiers upset the then-No. 25 Wolverines 5-2 in the last match of the season.\nIU coach Lin Loring said the Hoosiers are prepared to face Michigan, a team looking for some revenge.\n“The only difference is we’re playing on Michigan’s court,” Loring said. “It’s really, really kind of scarily similar to last year’s situation.”\nJunior Alba Berdala, who has been bothered by a sore wrist, said no matter what happens this weekend, the Hoosiers are in a good position for the Big Ten Tournament.\n“The worst that can happen if we lose both matches, we’re still going to be the No. 3 seed,” Berdala said. “The fact that we did really well this whole season makes us more confident and gives us less pressure. We can play more relaxed.”\nLoring said beating Michigan will secure a No. 2 seed. However, he said he’s more concerned about the match with Penn State.\n“We really need to win against Penn State to keep our record clean as far as NCAA selection,” Loring said.\nSophomore Lindsey Stuckey said the team does not feel pressured this weekend, but hopes to gain some good experience before the Big Ten Tournament.\n“I think Michigan will really be a challenge for us because they are one of the top teams in the country,” Stuckey said. “We know we’re competitive with Michigan. We’re just going to bring everything we have.”\nExcited about taking on a tough opponent, Berdala said she is expecting a tight contest between the two teams.\n“I’m not going to say we’re going to beat Michigan, because I know it’s going to be a close match,” Berdala said. “They’re playing at home so they’ll be extra motivated. The fact that we won against them last year means they’re going to be fired up.”\nBecause of last weekend’s poor weather, the team did not compete outdoors. Senior Brianna Williams said the team will take advantage of playing outside this weekend.\n“Normally we have a lot more (outdoor match experience) going into the Big Ten and NCAAs,” Williams said. “It’s been a little while since we’ve played outdoors.”\nStuckey also said the team hopes to improve its doubles play, which has been weak all season.\n“I think we’ve been struggling with doubles lately,” Stuckey said. “We just want to continue to improve, especially in doubles, because we want to have that point. We just want to make sure to get off the right foot.”\nIU will take on Penn State Friday and Michigan on Sunday. Both matches will take place on the road.
(04/14/08 4:28am)
As the school year comes to a close, so will senior captain Brianna Williams’ college tennis career. On Senior Day, Williams finished her last home match victorious as the No. 29 Hoosiers defeated No. 58 Illinois 4-3 Saturday and Purdue 4-3 Sunday. \nIn their last home matches of the season, the Hoosiers beat two of their close rivals and improved both their record and their chances of getting into the NCAA Tournament.\nWith the two wins, IU tied Michigan for the second-best record in the Big Ten at 7-1. Undefeated Northwestern (8-0) holds the top spot. The Hoosiers have an overall record of 18-5. \nThe Illinois match marked the first one this season in which the Hoosiers lost the doubles point but ended up winning. \nThe Purdue match was especially memorable for Williams, who was honored afterwards for her four-year commitment to the team. After the victory, players and coaches gathered on the court to thank Williams. Players wore shirts that said “We love our senior” and “Chance made us teammates, choice made us friends.” \nJunior Sigrid Fischer said Williams has always been there for her. Along with junior Alba Berdala, freshmen Charlotte Martin and Myriam Sopel will live with Fischer and Williams next semester.\n“Brianna has always been not just a teammate to me but a great friend,” Fischer said. “She’s just such a great support for me. As soon as I came in as a freshman, she was just always there. I’m really close to her, and that’s why it’s even harder for me to see her leave.” \nBittersweet about leaving, Williams said she is proud of her time spent at IU.\n“I had a lot of different feelings: excitement and sad at the same time,” Williams said. “I got really sad because my teammates made me these shirts. They were so cute, and I started crying before the match. I know I’ve competed well here my last four years. I’m definitely sad it’s my last home game, but I know that the season’s still not over.” \nIU coach Lin Loring said he was proud of her dedication to the team and the way she captained the Hoosiers.\n“This year, with four freshman out of eight scholarship players, leadership was really key because it’s really easy for freshmen to kind of lose their way academically and tennis-wise,” Loring said. “Brianna has just been a great team leader as far as supporting everybody and pointing everybody in the right direction. She’s just been an unbelievable team leader this year.” \nJunior Alba Berdala said Williams has been a great influence on her for the past three years.\n“My experience at IU would not be the same without her,” Berdala said. “She has been such an amazing player and having such an input into every single one of our games this year. We will miss her so much.” \nHowever, the weekend was important not just for Williams but for the team’s chances in the upcoming Big Ten and NCAA tournaments.\nLoring said he was pleased with the team’s Big Ten standing and their chances of getting into the NCAAs.\n“At this point in the season, you’ve got to really not have bad losses on your record,” Loring said. “(Beating) teams below you is really important. We have a really clean record so far. The fact that we can’t finish less than third in the Big Ten is really good.” \nThe Hoosiers will travel to Penn State on Friday to take on the Nittany Lions. They head to Ann Arbor, Mich., Sunday to compete against No. 26 Michigan.
(04/14/08 4:27am)
Students who came to rapper Yung Joc’s concert at the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity house Friday night more interested in student athletes than music were disappointed. \nFormer IU athletes Eric Gordon, D.J. White, Tracy Porter and James Hardy were intending to speak during the concert but did not take the stage. Fraternity members said several complications prevented the athletes from speaking. \nOut of the four athletes, only Gordon and Porter showed up to the concert. However, neither of them took the stage. Even though he was mentioned as an attendee, Hardy is visiting teams currently, his agent Eugene Parker said. White was not seen at the concert, but members said he had a ticket to the event. \nMembers also said the fraternity was crunched for time and did not want to have another incident similar to the DMX concert last week, when the performer sang only three songs before police ended the concert because of noise violations. \nBefore Yung Joc’s performance, Gordon said he was there for the concert as well and to support his friends who organized concert.\n“I’ve got lots of friends at Sammy house,” Gordon said.\nGordon said he appreciated the fans’ support throughout the year.\n“It’s good that they really supported us during the basketball season this year,” Gordon said. “They were great this whole season. It’s a little bit of both (sadness and happiness). Basketball-wise, it’s good for me. Just to leave college is the worst part, but I got to move on to the next thing.” \nFormer football star Porter said he was a little upset he wasn’t able to get on stage. However, Porter said he always takes the time to thank fans in his day-to-day life. Porter said he will miss IU and the fans, but is happy to take the next step. \n“It’s a little bittersweet because I love the fans,” Porter said. “I think we have one of the best fan bases in the country, but I have the opportunity to go on and prolong my career. The true fans of IU know that I’m going to represent IU well.” \nGordon is projected to be a top-10 pick in the NBA draft this summer, while White is a low first-round selection. Hardy could possibly go in the first round of the NFL draft, while Porter will likely go between the second and third rounds.
(04/11/08 4:37am)
In their last home matches, the No. 29 Hoosiers will take on No. 58 Illinois and unranked Purdue this weekend as they look to improve their Big Ten record.\nDepending on the weekend weather, these two matches could be IU’s first home matches played outside. Sophomore Lindsey Stuckey said the team has been practicing outside all week and is ready to play either outside or inside.\n“I think each time we play outside we get more and more comfortable,” Stuckey said. “I think at this point we don’t really have a preference whether we’d like to play inside or outside.”\nSenior Brianna Williams said competing outside against Wisconsin last weekend has prepared the Hoosiers for any difficult weather conditions.\n“Wisconsin was a very tough match,” Williams said. “There was a lot of wind, a lot of tough circumstances. I think that really helped us more for outdoor matches. It really gave us more confidence that we were able to perform outdoors.”\nIf the Hoosiers defeat the Fighting Illini and the Boilermakers, they will improve to an 8-1 record before heading on the road to play unranked-Penn State and No. 26 Michigan. \n“It’s kind of nice to play the Big Ten matches on a home court, especially if it’s nice outside,” Stuckey said. “We’ve been gone a while, and it’s always good to have home – court advantage, especially against the Big Ten teams.”\nEven though IU is ranked ahead of both teams, senior captain Brianna Williams said the Hoosiers are not taking this weekend’s matches for granted.\n“I think they’ll be really important,” Williams said. “We know we’re ranked ahead of them, but they’re still really important because we don’t want any losses to get into the NCAAs.”\nIU coach Lin Loring said beating Illinois and Purdue are essential to the Hoosiers’ chances of getting into the NCAA Tournament.\n“These two matches we really need to win because we want to be seeded in the top of the tournament,” Loring said. “These are teams we’re ranked in front of, and we had really good matches with these teams last year. We’re expecting good matches this weekend.”\nLoring said the team is galvanized for this weekend’s matches, especially after competing on the road last week.\n“We’re excited to be at home,” Loring said. “Sunday’s our senior day so we want to do really well for Brianna. We have a lot of motivation on Sunday.”\nThe Hoosiers will take on Illinois at 11 a.m. Saturday and Purdue at 11 a.m. Sunday. Both matches will take place at the IU Tennis Center.
(04/11/08 4:33am)
Former IU basketball and football stars Eric Gordon, D.J. White, James Hardy and Tracy Porter will speak at Sigma Alpha Mu today during the Yung Joc concert.\nAssistant promoter DaJuan Wagner said the athletes will speak to the crowd about IU athletics and thank them for their dedication.\n“(The fraternity) just wanted to show their appreciation for the players,” Wagner said. “James Hardy had expressed interest in coming. We just reached out to Eric Gordon and and Tracy and D.J. to see if they wanted to do the same thing. It was just a hard time for IU sports (this year) and they persevered and made it to the bowl game and postseason.”\nOn Monday, Gordon declared himself eligible for the NBA Draft. Porter is eligible for the NFL Draft because his eligibility is up, while Hardy prompted to forego his senior season.\nSigma Alpha Mu President Abe Benson said he hopes the athletes’ appearance will draw more people to the concert.\n“We want people to realize this is a great opportunity to support IU basketball and IU players,” Benson said. “I believe it will help bring in more people.\n“These athletes are coming to Sigma Alpha Mu because we are recognizing them for their accomplishments as athletes. Brothers in the Sammy house have close ties with Eric, and we believe he deserves recognition for his dedication to IU basketball.”\nEven though the fraternity believes seeing the athletes speak is a great opportunity for fans, freshman Curt Ogborn was skeptical and said their appearance won’t influence his decision to go.\n“Maybe if (the conert) was good, I would go,” Ogborn said. “But I think (the athletes) are just regular people. It’s not a really big deal to see them somewhere.”\nThere will be several opening acts, including the IU Essence Dance Team and a reggaeton group, before Yung Joc’s performance begins.\nFor those still shell-shocked from Wednesday’s DMX concert, the fraternity is prepared to offer discount tickets to anyone with a DMX ticket. \n“We realize people are upset with the DMX concert,” Benson said. “We want people to have a good Little 500, and unfortunately the DMX show was a bust.”\nBetween 1,500 and 2,500 people are expected to attend, Wagner said. \nSigma Alpha Mu will offer $15 tickets to anyone who brings a DMX ticket with them. Students can buy tickets from fraternity members or on www.ticketalternative.com for $20. Tickets at the door will be $30. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the concert begins at 7 p.m.
(04/10/08 3:41pm)
Four hundred and fifty miles away from Memphis and 1,157 miles from the NCAA Tournament championship game in San Antonio, I sat helpless, watching my hometown Memphis Tigers lose in overtime. After an incredible season that ended with a 75-68 loss to the Kansas Jayhawks, I couldn’t believe it was over and that I wasn’t even home to commiserate with the rest of the city. \nAs a 15-year resident of Memphis, I defended my team to haters – mostly the rest of the sports desk – throughout the tournament. After the Tigers beat UCLA, I ran around my dorm screaming, “We’re going to the championship!” Wanting to share my joy, I found my friend Matt, who had also been watching the game. He said to me, “Why do you cheer for the Tigers? You don’t go the University of Memphis.”\nIt’s hard to explain to non-Memphians – or as I prefer to call them, the unlucky ones – \nhow the Tigers aren’t just a college team. They belong to the whole city. Even though Memphis has an NBA team, the Tigers reign. The Grizzlies are to Memphis as soccer is to America – they just don’t matter. \nEvery year during March Madness, the city becomes Tiger-crazy. Strangers have a conversation starter, and for once Memphis is in the news for something positive. But this year, March was an especially eventful month. On March 3, six people, including two children, were killed in one of the worst mass murders in the city’s history. A horrific crime can put a basketball loss into perspective.\nBut as the city was reeling, the Tigers kept winning. As the tournament progressed, the city became hopeful. When they reached the Final Four, junior guard Chris Douglas-Roberts told Ron Higgins of the Commercial Appeal, “The city is at an all-time high right now. I would bet there’s not one person in that town not wearing blue. That town loves basketball so much, and it has been awhile since that town had something to be proud of.”\nBesides basketball, Memphis is famous for many things: Elvis, barbecue, the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll. But it also has one of the worst crime rates in the nation, the highest infant mortality rate and one of the worst public school systems. April 4 marked the 40th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in Memphis.\nIt has also been 35 years since the Tigers’ last appearance in a championship game. In 1973, the Tigers lost to UCLA 87-66 as Bill Walton shot an unfathomable 21 of 22 shots from the field.\nFor Memphis coach John Calipari and his players, they weren’t just playing for the 20,000 students, but for the 680,000 Memphis residents, the people who bleed gray and blue.\nWhat my friend Matt doesn’t understand is that the Tigers belong to all of Memphis. It doesn’t matter if you went to Tennessee; if you grew up a Memphian, you root for the Tigers. And Memphians come together for Tigers basketball.\n“I think what we’ve done has brought our city together,” junior forward Robert Dozier told Higgins. “There’s just something about Memphis basketball. They love us, they love the way we play. We’ve brought a lot of attention to the city. Memphis is not really known for anything positive.”\nKansas might have won the game, cut down the nets and had its “One Shining Moment,” but Memphis also left San Antonio a winner.\nThe team is one of the few things of which a Memphian can be proud.