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...

 

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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.


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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

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Davis Love III and Mark Wilson in top five at John Deere Classic

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Tomas Kaberle signing with Carolina Hurricanes shows big moves are possible

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NC State Wolfpack loses member of the family in Lorenzo Charles

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Carolina Hurricanes hold NHL Awards viewing party as Skinner wins Calder Trophy

Carolina Hurricanes fans attended the NHL Awards viewing party at Buffalo Brothers on Lake Boone Trail in Raleigh on Wednesday. Many Hurricanes personalities were on hand including radio play-by-play announcer Chuck Kaiton, assistant coach Tom Barrasso, and members of the Storm Sqaud.

Fans had opportunities to win many raffle prizes including Jeff Skinner memorabilia that included pieces of the 2011 All-Star Game Super Skills targets that the young sniper disintegrated back in January.

Skinner wins and the crowd goes wild!!

Storm Squad

Jeff Skinner's Calder Trophy-winning season through the eyes of the Raleigh Sports Examiner.

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Skinner leads Carolina to 6-2 victory over Montreal

 

Hurricanes radio play-by-play announcer Chuck Kaiton

 

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Carolina Hurricanes start the season 2-0

 

     Jeff Skinner memorabilia and raffle prizes

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Oops, we did it again - Vancouver riots after Boston wins Stanley Cup

Bruce Bennett, Getty Images

The Boston Bruins claimed the 2011 Stanley Cup with a 4-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday night, winning the best-of-seven series in the final game played at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC. It was a tough way to lose for the Canucks players and their fans after winning the first two games of the series and having the chance to win the Cup at home one last time. High expectations brought with it high emotions and disappointment.

You'd think that the City of Vancouver would have learned from the past and prepared for it accordingly. No one can say that there wasn't fair warning. However, the city wasn't ready for it.

At least that is the way it appears from afar.

After last night's loss, rioting took place once again, similar to events in 1994 after the Canucks lost in the Stanley Cup final series to the New York Rangers. This was happening to the point that social media reports indicated that police, fire and rescue personnel were being advised not enter into areas during the height of the rioting. Just who was in control of the city at that point?

Though it was 17 years ago and it was probably assumed that people would hold their emotions in check and not destroy their city again and represent themselves as hooligans, in hockey of all sports, that did not happen.

Vancouver makes YouTube again

As the Bruins hoisted their first Stanley Cup since 1972, the scenes from 1994 in Vancouver re-emerged.

(Footage via MoxNews.com)
 

 

Many are blaming a few, some not even hockey fans, for making everyone else look bad and tainting what hockey fans and the Stanley Cup is about - sportsmanship, pride, history and tradition. A game was lost, but the world was not coming to an end. However, it seems that some wanted to create a spark to create something to that end. Let's hope that new traditions are not being created for losing the chance at winning the Stanley Cup, particularly from hockey fans in Canada.

Unfortunately, after Wednesday night's game, Lord Stanley's Cup has another smudge on it.

 

Stanley Cup Final: Bruins and Canucks take fans for a wild ride

Just as Vancouver Canucks fans were ready to celebrate a four-game sweep of the Boston Bruins and the first-ever Stanley Cup win for the franchise in three tries (1982, 1994, 2010), the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals took a sharp turn in the other direction. After losing two closely-played games in Vancouver, 1-0 and 3-2 (OT) respectively, the Bruins put a 'world of hurt' on Vancouver and goaltender Roberto Luongo  particularly after Nathan Horton was laid out by Vancouver's Aaron Rome. Boston lit Luongo up for a decisive 8-1 win in game three while goaltender Tim Thomas built a mound of snow on the goal line in a 4-0 shutout win to tie the series at two games apiece.

Once again fans in both Vancouver and Boston braced themselves for game five in which a win would provide the edge to the victorious team in sitting only one game away from claiming Lord Stanley's 'Holy Grail'. Luongo met the challenge head-on in Vancouver as the Bruins could not put the rubber past him and the Canucks regained the series lead 3-2 with a 1-0 win. Heading back to Beantown, the home-ice advantage belonged to the Bruins, hoping for the series trend to continue - that the home team wins.

Game 6 sets the stage for big finish

It didn't take the Bruins long as they scored not one, not two, not three, but four goals in a span of just over four minutes during the first 10 minutes of play to take a 4-0 lead early on in game six. The scoring barrage forced Canucks coach Alain Vigneault to pull Luongo from the net after three goals scored against as he was replaced by Cory Schneider who was beat just as quickly for a goal before settling into the game. Behind the spectacular play of Thomas, Boston maintained the four goal advantage over the Canucks until the first minute of play in the third period when Henrik Sedin managed to get one past Thomas on the power play to narrow the Bruins lead to 4-1.

The Bruins took advantage of their own power play opportunity at the 13-minute mark on a goal by David Krejci to reestablish a four-goal lead 5-1.  One last goal by Vancouver's Maxim Lapierre near the end of the game left the final result at 5-2 for the Bruins. A thorough job was completed by Boston all the way around and led by Tim Thomas, the favored candidate for the Conn Smythe trophy whether he wins or loses in game seven.

As may be fitting, the final game of the NHL season will take place in Vancouver and provide the opportunity for fans there to celebrate a Stanley Cup victory as the trend of the home team winning in its home rink is back on the Canucks side. However, as wild as the ride has been so far, don't expect game seven to not bring out every emotion and ounce of energy out of all watching and expect the Bruins to play hard to earn their first Cup since 1972. The final result will be a win for the NHL and the sport one way or the other.

Take it all in stride win or lose

However, an emphatic note and plea to Vancouver fans and hockey supporters taking in game seven live - do not repeat what happened in 1994:



The moment to reveal Lord Stanley's gift to a great sport will finally arrive with all its glory and history on Wednesday and the journey along the way will finally end for the season. Celebrate the game and the sport for what it has provided everyone - a great ride. Do it right and don't tarnish the Cup or its legacy.

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In the wake of Monday's news reports that the Ohio State University's football coach, Jim Tressel, resigned due to the current NCAA investigation of the football program he led and new reports that he had lied...

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Cool sports lead to hot action taking place over Memorial Day Weekend

The  Memorial Day weekend is upon us and with it comes a bevy of playoff action, particularly from the cool ice in NHL hockey to the heat of competition in UEFA Champions League soccer and NCAA lacrosse.

NHL's Vancouver Canucks await Boston Bruins/Tampa Bay Lightning winner

The Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lighting face-off on Friday night in game seven of the NHL's Eastern Conference final to determine which team will compete against the Vancouver Canucks for the Stanley Cup, hockey's 'holy grail'. The Stanley Cup Finals will begin on Wed. June 1 in a best-of-seven series that could finish as early as June 8 and no later than June 15 when a new champion will be declared. As the summer heat is upon us, and with the end of the NHL season approaching, hockey fans can find comfort in knowing that that training camp will begin only two months later.

From the Champions League final to Wake Med Soccer Park

Soccer fans are in for a treat as Barcelona takes on Manchester United on Saturday for the 2011 UEFA Champions League title at Wembley Stadium in London, England. The game will be followed worldwide including in Raleigh, NC as diehard soccer followers will gather to watch the game at a local establishment. Afterwards, these committed souls will carry their revelry for the sport on to Wake Med Soccer Park to cheer on the Carolina Railhawks when they kick-off against the Atlanta Silverbacks.

Champions League Final online : Barcelona vs. Manchester United - Match Centre (UEFA.com)

 NCAA Division I Lacrosse Championships

Both men's and women's lacrosse championship tournaments will finish by end of the weekend and are expected to have great attendance and exposure as all games will be available online and/or on television for fans worldwide to tune in.

The 2011 NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship Final Four takes place at LaValle Stadium in Stony Brook, NY as the defending champions, the Maryland Terrapins, are joined by the Duke Blue Devils, the Northwestern Wildcats, and the North Carolina Tar Heels. The women's tournament begins on Friday and a champion will  be crowned on Sunday.

Watch live simulcast online: May 27 - Maryland Terrapins vs. Duke - 5:00 p.m. - NCAA.com

Watch live simulcast online: May 27 - Maryland Terrapins vs. Duke - 7:30p.m. - NCAA.com

2011 Women's Lacrosse Championship bracket

The 2011 NCAA Men' Lacrosse Championship highlights the talents of the defending champions, the Duke Blue Devils along with the Maryland Terrapins, the Virginia Cavaliers and the Denver Pioneers in this year's Final Four that will take place at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, MD on Saturday and Monday.

Watch online: Virginia vs. Denver - May 28 - 4:00 p.m. - ESPN3.com

Watch online: Duke vs. Maryland - May 28 - 6:30 p.m. - ESPN3.com

2011 Men's Lacrosse Championship bracket

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