Sunday, July 24, 2011

The summer of high heat and NCAA rules violations

Bruce Pearl in Charlotte - Peter Koutroumpis, PKS Consulting
As many people living in the United States and Canada are trying to cope with living through record-high temperatures, it seems that the off-season in the collegiate sports scene has been sizzling with news of rules violations and announcements made by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

During the last few weeks alone, three announcements have been made regarding major rules infractions decisions involving Louisiana State University, West Virginia University, and Georgia Tech.

Last summer, one that seemed like a comparatively cooler one, mostly featured the big news that surrounded the University of Southern California Trojans football program. The completion of a four-year NCAA investigation culminated in the resultant punishment that the university and former NCAA championship-winning program is now living through.

On the heels of that announcement, the University of North Carolina football program stepped into the glaring beams of the media spotlight. At the time, UNC became the next high-profile athletics program to undergo scrutiny related to alleged rules violations that led to a  major NCAA investigation. A year later, the saga continues in Chapel Hill, NC, but so many more others have shared the spotlight along the way.


As the year progressed into basketball season, news broke of alleged rules violations in men's basketball at Tennessee and Connecticut. Shortly after coaching in the NCAA tournament in Charlotte, NC, Tennessee basketball coach Bruce Pearl and his staff were relieved of their duties as the investigation surrounding the basketball program picked up its pace.

Here is a great synopsis of the story that details Pearl's fall from grace due largely to his inability to tell the truth.

At the end of March Madness, the national championship in men's basketball was won by a program led by a Hall of Fame coach who was sanctioned to sit three games for the upcoming 2011-2012 season. Many could see what was coming, but how was it allowed to happen? A good question to ask. No answer given.

The heat of summer approached and the flames continued to be fanned as more reports of rules violations news came rolling in. The names involved were getting bigger. Then the big flash bomb hit and Ohio State football and its head coach Jim Tressel were in the middle of it all.

As the investigation of what happened at Ohio State continues, Jim Tressel has already departed as head coach after it was found out that he had lied to NCAA investigators regarding his knowledge of rules violations committed by many of his players. Some may see him as a martyr trying to protect his players while others will not.

The important question still remains - why is there a problem with being accountable and telling the truth anymore?

Recent news from the Raleigh Sports Examiner:

NCAA Violation 2011: Infractions reporting and rulings keep administrators busy

There is no doubt that the upcoming collegiate sports season in the Triangle area will take place with much speculation amongst college sports fans about who's cheating or not in the wake of recent NCAA infractions rulings and...
 

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Clarke captures the Claret Jug and the essence of Sunday golf

Darren Clarke kisses the Claret Jug - Andrew Redington, Getty Images
The Claret Jug could not have been won by a more amiable and likeable golfer on Sunday at Royal St. George's.

No one else but Darren Clarke would include in his acceptance speech a forewarning to Open Championship tournament officials that the "Irish black stuff" would be poured from the historic trophy soon after.

Not only was this Northern Irishman deserving of winning the Open, but considering how much he has been through in his personal life, the ending was fitting. It seems that from a fan's perspective, he is considered the 'people's champion' and the 'working man's man'.

As he strode down the fairways at Royal St. George's with cigarette in hand at various times, he might as well have been carrying a lunch pail in his hand instead of a golf club. He looked content, yet focused. He showed up to work and was ready to grind it out.

That is what he did.

By the end of it all, he had played the final round of this major championship as he should have - maintaining the lead and not making any costly mistakes.

Clarke captured the essence of the sport. As many golfers do after playing a round of golf on Sunday, he was ready to have a beer, specifically a Guinness - the Irish dark stuff.  However, on this day, the beverage will go down tasting even better than it ever has.

Cheers and congratulations to a great 2011 Open Champion who will represent and share his win with all around him.

If only a trophy could speak about the adventures it has been on and those it will most certainly encounter while in Clarke's possession.


Recent news from the Raleigh Sports Examiner:

Triangle Sports Roundup: Hurricanes prospect camp ends as British Open begins

The Carolina Hurricanes had a productive week in holding conditioning camp for its prospects which ended on Wednesday and provided local hockey fans a glimpse of the future. Top picks Ryan Murphy and Victor Rask went through the paces along...

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Monday, July 11, 2011

Carolina Hurricanes class of 2011 is here

The Carolina Hurricanes began conditioning camp for its newest group of prospects on Sunday. A crowd numbering between 100-150 were on-hand to welcome the team's newest prospects to Raleigh and to the life of being in the NHL in Carolina. Though they didn't expect it, the young guys now know that Caniacs look forward to another exciting season of hockey with heightened expectations as a result of the draft and moves made during Free Agent Frenzy.
"I don't think any of us were expecting some of the Carolina fans here at a skate like this, but it was great. I'm sure some of the guys aren't even used to playing in front of a crowd like this, so it was a lot of fun." - Ryan Murphy - Carolina Hurricanes 2011 top draft pick

Ron Franis gives some 1-on-1 instruction - Peter Koutroumpis, PKS Consulting


Ryan Murphy takes a splash of water between drills - Peter Koutroumpis, PKS Consulting

 Recent news from the Raleigh Sports Examiner:

Carolina Hurricanes select top prospect in 2011 NHL Entry Draft

The Carolina Hurricanes selected top prospect defenseman Ryan Murphy from the Kitchener Rangers with the twelfth overall pick during the first round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft that took place at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN...