Below are the 9 most recent journal entries recorded in finalfourus' LiveJournal:

Monday, January 29th, 2007
7:10 pm	The Big Game When we think of college hoops hotbeds, we immediately think of places such as Bloomington, Ind., Chapel Hill, N.C., Lexington, Ky., and of course, San Diego. (Although the above photo combined with the word "hotbeds" might not have us thinking about basketball for long). We all have fond memories of our fathers and grandfathers taking us to the Sports Arena or majestic Peterson Gym or the old USD SportsCenter to watch college basketball at its finest. Who needs North Carolina and Duke when you have the Aztecs and Toreros? San Diego's college basketball history is rich with tradition. So much so that the most memorable college basketball player in town, to this day, is still a guy who was only a part-time basketball player. There have been so many great college basketball moments in town over the years ... Well, there was the NCAA Final Four at the Sports Arena in 1975, but that was really more of a UCLA moment than a San Diego moment. Now there's a chance for more memories this week as San Diego State and the University of San Diego meet for The City Championship at Cox Arena. When the Aztecs and Toreros clash, "America's Finest City" will come to a standstill for a couple hours Wednesday evening. Oh wait, that happens every night on the I-15 anyway. We're pretty sure all county businesses will shut down early Wednesday, so that employees and their loved ones can either go to the game or gather as a family to watch it on TV. Shopping malls in the county also are expected to go dark on Wednesday in observance of City Championship Day. Don't even bother trying to do any Christmas shopping at Fashion Valley. Around town, elderly men will be entertaining youngsters with stories about City Championship games from years gone by. Last year's game, for instance, was so special, we can't remember a thing about it. As they enter Wednesday night's game, the Aztecs are 7-0 and with a win over the Toreros, SDSU would equal the best start in school history. The Aztecs have looked very impressive and coach Steve Fisher is doing his part to divert attention away from less successful coaches on campus. USD is 2-3 and the Toreros have looked pretty pathetic. USD is coming off a 15-point loss to perennial powerhouse Texas-San Antonio, a game in which the Toreros shot so well, they got coach Brad Holland ejected. USD's 24.5 percent shooting performance set a school record for field-goal defense for Texas-San Antonio. If that wasn't enough, Holland also was ridiculed for his wardrobe. What does all this mean heading into Wednesday? What else? USD will win by 15. (Comment on this)
Tuesday, December 26th, 2006
5:55 pm	Is College Football Goofy Or What? It's Only September and Already ... The collegiate football season is just a few weeks old, but already it's becoming so much fun I can hardly stand it. I mean, it can't get much better than a university president -- David Boren [lower left] of Oklahoma -- asking that the Sooners' 34-33 loss to Oregon be eliminated from the records and that the Pac-10 Conference guys who officiated the game be suspended for the rest of the season. If that wasn't enough, consider what happened two time zones to the west. In Los Angeles, Southern California officials complained that ABC-TV play-by-play announcer Brent Musburger [lower right] gave away "privileged information" during the Trojans' 28-10 victory over Nebraska last week. Let's get to the Musburger incident first. I think it's kind of fun to see a hotshot network announcer like Musburger -- who usually thinks he can say anything he wants to say -- get in trouble with a bunch of college people who trusted him. Actually, this isn't Musburger's first brush with controversy, and it probably won't be his last. He was fired in 1990 after his bosses at CBS-TV thought he was becoming too power-hungry. At the time, he had just announced the NCAA Final Four basketball extravaganza and he was well on his way to being behind the microphone at every major sporting event in the world. Musburger eventually hooked up with ESPN and ABC, and has been a giant in football and basketball broadcasting in recent years. But that didn't stop him from being fined for drinking beer in a car outside Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb., last year following Nebraska's game with Pittsburgh. Some folks [Musburger included] wondered why he was picked out of the crowd by police for drinking after a game. Nine-tenths of Lincoln was drinking something or other before, during and after the game. Whatever, it's USC -- not Nebraska -- that's complaining about Musburger this week. USC sent a letter to ESPN, which oversees the sports programming at ABC, saying Musburger described how USC quarterback John David Booty lets receivers know he has spotted a certain type of pass coverage. The incident in question happened in the final 10 minutes, with the Trojans ahead, 21-10. "John David told us that his signal when he finds one-on-one and they're coming, is the 'hang-loose,' that fimiliar sign you've seen surfers use," said Musburger, referring to the sign where the thumb and little finger are raised. USC sports information director Tim Tessalone sent a complant to ESPN/ABC game producer Bill Bonnell and a copy to the Pac-10 office. USC said it considered the discussion private and background-only in nature. USC must be kidding itself. If it didn't want the information about signals to go public, it should have never let Booty tell the announcers about it in the pregame meeting. Like the commercials for Las Vegas, it should be a matter of, "What's said in the football meeting rooms stays in the football meeting rooms." Musburger said it was "misunderstanding." Sure. I'd say this to USC, if indeed it actually should need advice on how to deal with TV announcers: Don't say anything in the next pregame meeting that you don't want heard on TV the next day. As for the Oklahoma controversy, I would think university president Boren would have more to deal with than the officials who worked the Sooners' loss to Oregon. For him to say the game should be wiped from the records because of bad calls is ridiculous. For him to say the officials should be banned for the rest of the season is none of his business. Actually, the officials have already been suspended for one game. Now Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops [pictured above] says he'd consider canceling his team's game at Washington of the Pac-10 in 2008 because of the problems that developed at Oregon. This can't get any more silly. I remember when it was only basketball officials and baseball umpires who were held up to such scrutiny. People pretty much left football officials alone. But such things as instant replay have changed all of that. And, just think, the 2006 season is only three weeks old. (Comment on this)
Thursday, November 2nd, 2006
1:34 pm	NCAA Final Four (Comment on this)
Friday, August 18th, 2006
11:55 am	learning lessons I'm adding a couple of new blogs to my blog roll tonight: Marktd is "a library of marketing articles weighted in importance by users". I think I get most of this content from some of the other blogs I read, but I like the idea, so I'm adding it for now. A View from a Broad (which I found via Andrew Sullivan) is written by ginmar (aka Alanna?) who is a feminist and a former soldier in Iraq. She's all over the place (so am I, of course), but I generally like her perspective. Glad to see her write about the Duke women's lacrosse team and their bullsh*t decision to show their solidarity with the men's team by wearing "innocent" sweatbands today at the NCAA Final Four. I don't know if the alleged victim in the rape case is telling the truth, but neither do the lacrosse players and turning your back on another women like that is just wrong. On top of that -- according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) -- one in six women is a rape victim. I checked and there are 30 women on the Duke lacrosse team roster, which would suggest that five of them have been victims themselves. In their effort to present a united front, they may be turning their back on one of their own. Kevin Sweeny over at Salon (whose daughter goes to Duke) thinks the team might want to reconsider their word choice: "I'd like to suggest a different term: 'Respect.' It would likely mean different things to different people, and that wouldn't be so horrible. Some might take it to mean respect for the men's team. Others might see it as a request for women to be treated with respect. Others still might see it as a plea to respect the process. I'd look at it with a bit of hope, and a sense that, finally, lessons might actually be learned." P.S. The women's team lost yesterday. But apparently the pain of losing was not as bad as what has been going on for the past two months, since the rape accusations were first made. Nope, said the team's coach, "Any attention we got for the wristbands paled in comparison to having the media staked outside of our practice and the girls' dorms; of watching your friends be arrested; watching your fellow students not support fellow students; watching professors not support students." What, did you feel VIOLATED? Cry me a river. (Comment on this)
Friday, August 11th, 2006
11:17 am	what's that smell? We stink. Uncle Crappy’s pathetic effort in his various NCAA basketball pools has already been documented, but now that we have a Final Four, it’s obvious that everyone else entered in Uncle Crappy’s First Annual NCAA Final Four Contest is equally inept. Here’s what we got: a Final Four of LSU, UCLA, George Mason and Florida. Here’s what that means, beyond the blatant suckitude of all the contestants involved: Three people -- me, Fred and Mr. Burns -- get a point for correctly picking at least one Final Four team. For Fred and me, UCLA got us each the point; in the case of Mr. Burns, who was dragged kicking and screaming into the contest after I made some half-assed picks in his name, the unlikely story of George Mason has kept him in the running. So. We have us a three-way tie. But here’s the interesting part. Neither Fred nor I can advance further, because we didn’t have UCLA making it to the finals. Only Mr. Burns, who gamely accepted the picks I foisted upon him, can earn another point — if the Patriots beat the Gators to advance to the championship game. Because I made the picks for Mr. Burns, there’s going to have to be a consultation with The Official Uncle Crappy’s First Annual NCAA Final Four Contest Rules Committee to determine what should happen with the Fabulous Prizes if he gains his second point. But since I already owe Mr. Burns a case of beer for a long-ago completed Simpsons trivia contest, it wouldn’t seem right to stiff him in this case, even though he didn’t make the picks. And if the three-way tie holds up? Christ, I have no idea what happens then. This should have been so simple… (Comment on this)
Monday, July 31st, 2006
10:12 pm	NCAA Final Four Or, Numerous Containers of Aquired Awesome (yarns). I will be working on all the outstanding projects during my husband's mental absence while he watches EVERY SINGLE BLESSED MARCH MADNESS GAME AND RELATED PICK SHOWS, not to mention CONFERENCE calls to discuss brackets, picks, etc. I believe with all my 'alone' time, I can finish much. THEN, I can organize the above-referenced containers into projects...you know, yarn with patterns, swatches, etc. Sort of like me own personal challenge. Only, Dick Vitale will not offer commentary, no opinions on what I should do next. I will keep you updated. It starts today, this evening, at my knitting group get together. One 2/3 complete shawl shall makes it's debut, which hopefully will be completed by next weekend!! (Comment on this)
Saturday, July 29th, 2006
5:03 pm	A Show of Unity Once again here we are talking Lacrosse here at Walker-Sports. This time it’s the Duke Women’s Lacrosse team making the headlines in Durham. Duke’s women’s lacrosse team has had a storybook season amid all the extra curricular distractions on campus this spring, and they have made their way to the NCAA Final Four beginning on Friday. While this was an expected outcome for a team that was stacked with talent, the women’s team will show their support and solidarity to their male counterparts by wearing wristbands with the word “innocent” written on them. While most of the news coming out of Durham in the wake of recent accusations has been anything but surprising, this bit of information is intriguing enough to raise the eyebrows of most readers. First off the fact that women’s team has stepped forward to show such staunch support becomes a point of interest. When the accusations of rape first emerged in Durham at the very least the trail became a gender based issue. It was gender based before race, politics or class issues moved to the forefront. Rape is one of the most heinous crimes known to man. There is no quicker way to gain the attention of female activist and support groups than when rape allegations are brought forth. At the bare minimum women have typically bonded together to support one another via a common bond. The unity shown by Duke’s lacrosse team becomes a point of interest. They have abandoned the bonds of sisterhood rather to reinforce the bonds between classmates, teammates, and brethren of sport. Making the teams protest an even bolder statement. In another interesting turn of events, is the silence coming from the administration at Duke University. When this whole case fist broke back in March the administration at Duke was quick to make decisions and reactions to gain control over their athletic program and teams. They suspended the men’s team before any charges were pressed and well before a grand jury was connived. The university pressured Coach Mike Pressler into retirement. For over a month now the school has held a strong line, supporting the law, and allowing the authorities to do their business, while keeping the university out of the way. Now at what could be a crucial moment for Duke University the administration is remaining silent. When the women’s lacrosse team takes the field on Friday, they will be wearing a Duke University uniform. No mater what they may claim that team will be representing their school in a public setting. If every player on that team comes forth and is wearing a wristband that says ‘innocent’, then the wristbands become a part of the Duke uniform and the impression to the general public becomes the ‘innocent’ stance is the official stance of the university. Sometimes silence can be worth 1000 words. Watch as the investigation moves into a trial and see how the university changes its stance. Finally do not get me wrong. I am glad the women’s lacrosse team is sticking together with their brethren. As a member of a sporting fraternity that is often misunderstood, and having been through my own scrutiny as a result, I understand the need to stick together. The side of me that believes in social protest appreciates the fact that these women are using their public platform as an opportunity to state their case. It is good to see that in this modern age when sports marketing and entertainment is more important than the individuals. We live in a P.C. age where players are unwilling to take a stand for anything more than making more money. As a result of that it is good to see there is still a social pulse in sports. I don’t agree with what these ladies are standing up for, but at least they are making an effort. (Comment on this)
Thursday, July 27th, 2006
11:05 am	learning lessons I'm adding a couple of new blogs to my blog roll tonight: Marktd is "a library of marketing articles weighted in importance by users". I think I get most of this content from some of the other blogs I read, but I like the idea, so I'm adding it for now. A View from a Broad (which I found via Andrew Sullivan) is written by ginmar (aka Alanna?) who is a feminist and a former soldier in Iraq. She's all over the place (so am I, of course), but I generally like her perspective. Glad to see her write about the Duke women's lacrosse team and their bullsh*t decision to show their solidarity with the men's team by wearing "innocent" sweatbands today at the NCAA Final Four. I don't know if the alleged victim in the rape case is telling the truth, but neither do the lacrosse players and turning your back on another women like that is just wrong. On top of that -- according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) -- one in six women is a rape victim. I checked and there are 30 women on the Duke lacrosse team roster, which would suggest that five of them have been victims themselves. In their effort to present a united front, they may be turning their back on one of their own. Kevin Sweeny over at Salon (whose daughter goes to Duke) thinks the team might want to reconsider their word choice: "I'd like to suggest a different term: 'Respect.' It would likely mean different things to different people, and that wouldn't be so horrible. Some might take it to mean respect for the men's team. Others might see it as a request for women to be treated with respect. Others still might see it as a plea to respect the process. I'd look at it with a bit of hope, and a sense that, finally, lessons might actually be learned." P.S. The women's team lost yesterday. But apparently the pain of losing was not as bad as what has been going on for the past two months, since the rape accusations were first made. Nope, said the team's coach, "Any attention we got for the wristbands paled in comparison to having the media staked outside of our practice and the girls' dorms; of watching your friends be arrested; watching your fellow students not support fellow students; watching professors not support students." What, did you feel VIOLATED? Cry me a river. (Comment on this)
Thursday, February 2nd, 2006
4:13 pm	Final Four Final Four is a mainly American sports term that is commonly applied to the last four teams remaining in a playoff tournament. In other countries, where knock-out tournaments are more common than in the U.S., the last four stage of a knock-out competition is called the semi-finals. (Comment on this)