Ok, here we go the Top 10 of 2018. This included people, events, and art. The things that stuck with me through 2018 and will carryon in my memory and my heart.
10. The Rowdy One
I enjoy a good technical wrestling match, or an epic brawl, but what I love the most in a professional wrestling match, in the square circle, is seeing a superhero. When Ronda Rousey in her first professional wrestling match at WrestleMania 31 rolled over Triple H and somehow hoisted him up on his shoulders, it felt like seeing Superman lift up a plane. Yes, I knew in the back of the mind that he helped her pick him up, and yes I know that this match was meticulously choreographed and rehearsed, but it didn’t matter. In that moment, in that moment, I believed, and what a great feeling.
I got back into professional wrestling about two years ago, and with the guidance of Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Weekly Online community, I got pulled right back in to this wonderful world. Meltzer is an encyclopedic genius, historian, and an incredible writer. Bryans is a hilarious personality and also great critic, and at the center of the “empire.” They sees the professional wrestling sins, shortcomings, and failings. However, they also see the beauty, genius, drama and art in this form of entertainment. More a feminist than not, and with a fierce anti-racist view on the world, these great men makes me proud to be a wrestling fan.
Ronda Rousey’s made the past year of professional wrestling fun, exciting, and energizing. In a time when many of wrestlers billed to be “the guy” failed to truly get over, it was Rousey, and other women wrestlers who made the shows on the main rosters more than something to talk about. They made wrestling something to cheer about.
The Rock was the first wrestler who made me believe, and it’s Ronda who in the past year has reignited and confirmed this faith.
9. By The Way, Brandi is Back
Like many people I first came to Brandi Carlile as that person who did that song on Grey’s Anatomy.
Then a couple years ago I decided to analyze the media and art I was consuming. Looking at this list of authors, musicians, actors and writers, I noticed they were almost all, white, cis-gendered, straight white men. If I was to become a more accepting and inclusive person, it needed to start with what I was consuming so I deliberately sought out diversity, and this led me to Brandi Carlile.
Along with her “Tragedy”-like ballads, her albums are full of a wonderful mix of genres and themes. Her unmistakable voice is intimate, gentle, and powerful. Oh, and her lyrics, they are everything. She was the soundtrack of 2016 for me, and in every difficult moment of that year, there was Brandi’s voice bringing me hope, comfort, and validation.
This past year, she released her most recent album By The Way, I Forgive You. I preordered this album and I was looking forward to this new work. This album all about the concept of forgiveness was one of her best albums, mature, venerable, honest, and relevant. It’s about so much: her coming out as lesbian and being turned away from her church, how much parenthood sucks, protests, understanding your parents, knowing through forgiveness what is love. This album mattered, it’s song were really, and I wasn’t the only one who noticed.
This album appeared on many of the best album lists recently and has gotten nominated for many awards. The world is coming around and seeing what I’ve been discovering: Brandi Carlile is one of the greatest singers and songwriters in her generation.
President Obama also featured this song on his list of favorite songs this year:
Sometimes when musicians take the stage they seem taller, extraordinary, with power beyond mortal men. Watching Brandi lead the crowd in the video to "Hold Out Your Hand" in Seattle's "March For Our Lives" protest she was every bit a SuperHERo. Through her art, and the power of her voice Brandi Carlile help us all lift ourselves all out of the tragedy in our lives.
Showing posts with label sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sports. Show all posts
Friday, December 28, 2018
Monday, August 13, 2012
Top 5 London Olympic Moments
The 30th Olympiad is over and it was really a fun ride. I watched more of this Olympics than any other games and overall I really enjoyed the experience.
So here are my top 5 favorite moments from the games.
5. McKayla Maroney is not impressed
As the memes exploded over the internet with Maroney’s indignant expression, I couldn’t help wonder what McKayla thought of this herself. As a competitor and an Olympic gold medalist she brought a high level of dignity and poise to what she did, which is why every website and new source seemed to get so much glee from this website.
Then McKayla showed her good humor poking fun at herself proving that even the most serious gymnanst have fun.
4. Women’s Soccer On The Podium
As I watched American atheltes on the podium who won the gold medal I noticed very different reactions to the playing of the National Anthem. The male swimmers stood there looking serious without singing and the female gymnast sang along respectfully. Then I watched the women’s soccer team. The entire team sang along proudly and without hesitation to the National Anthem.
The “Star-Spangled Banner” is a song of pride and celebration and the women’s soccer team truly honored America reflecting on their love of country singing with pride and joy.
3. Freddie Mercury
Watching Freddie Mercury come back to life doing a call and response during the closing ceremony almost brought tears to my eyes. This was taken from a 1986 concert at Wembley Stadium.
Featuring him on enormous screens calling out to the world was a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come and how far we have to go. The fact that he was homosexual and died of AIDs doesn’t matter to so much of the world that love him for everything he was and all that he gave to us. Unfortunately many people in the world still believe stereotypes about homosexuals and get in the way of them having equal rights. London showed the world during the closing ceremony that those people will are wrong through Freddie’s voice and everlasting spirit.
2. American Beating Brazil
There were two stories in American Women’s beach volleyball: Misty and Kerry’s triumph at their last Olympics and Jennifer and April shocking Brazil. Jennifer and April beat top-seeded Brazil in an intense three set match.
What I’ll never forget is how Jennifer and April supported each after every point even the ones they lost. Watching them play in the pouring rain, you truly felt that while they were fighting to win the game, they were partners and they were not going to give up on this game, but more importantly each other.
1. Gabby Falling Off The Beam
I understand why women gymnasts sometimes cry. They are under incredible pressure performing in front of millions of people and many of them are teenagers. After thrilling the world winning a team gold and an individual all-around gold, Gabby competed for the individual event medal on the balance beam.
During her routine she fell off the beam. She fought to stay on but she just couldn’t do it and because of this error she finished in second to last place.
But she didn’t cry.
It would have been perfectly understandable if she broke down but instead Gabby was poised and kept it together. In an interview afterwards, she acknowledged that she was drained mentally but wasn’t too hard on herself. It wasn’t a pity party and it wasn’t a tragedy. You could her in her words a level of perspective and maturity.Some may think that this was because she had already won two gold medals but I believe that even if she hadn’t she would have carried herself with that level of dignity because Gabby is truly the best kind of Olympian.
So here are my top 5 favorite moments from the games.
5. McKayla Maroney is not impressed
As the memes exploded over the internet with Maroney’s indignant expression, I couldn’t help wonder what McKayla thought of this herself. As a competitor and an Olympic gold medalist she brought a high level of dignity and poise to what she did, which is why every website and new source seemed to get so much glee from this website.
Then McKayla showed her good humor poking fun at herself proving that even the most serious gymnanst have fun.
4. Women’s Soccer On The Podium
As I watched American atheltes on the podium who won the gold medal I noticed very different reactions to the playing of the National Anthem. The male swimmers stood there looking serious without singing and the female gymnast sang along respectfully. Then I watched the women’s soccer team. The entire team sang along proudly and without hesitation to the National Anthem.The “Star-Spangled Banner” is a song of pride and celebration and the women’s soccer team truly honored America reflecting on their love of country singing with pride and joy.
3. Freddie Mercury
Watching Freddie Mercury come back to life doing a call and response during the closing ceremony almost brought tears to my eyes. This was taken from a 1986 concert at Wembley Stadium.
Featuring him on enormous screens calling out to the world was a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come and how far we have to go. The fact that he was homosexual and died of AIDs doesn’t matter to so much of the world that love him for everything he was and all that he gave to us. Unfortunately many people in the world still believe stereotypes about homosexuals and get in the way of them having equal rights. London showed the world during the closing ceremony that those people will are wrong through Freddie’s voice and everlasting spirit.
2. American Beating Brazil
There were two stories in American Women’s beach volleyball: Misty and Kerry’s triumph at their last Olympics and Jennifer and April shocking Brazil. Jennifer and April beat top-seeded Brazil in an intense three set match. 1. Gabby Falling Off The Beam
I understand why women gymnasts sometimes cry. They are under incredible pressure performing in front of millions of people and many of them are teenagers. After thrilling the world winning a team gold and an individual all-around gold, Gabby competed for the individual event medal on the balance beam.During her routine she fell off the beam. She fought to stay on but she just couldn’t do it and because of this error she finished in second to last place.
But she didn’t cry.
It would have been perfectly understandable if she broke down but instead Gabby was poised and kept it together. In an interview afterwards, she acknowledged that she was drained mentally but wasn’t too hard on herself. It wasn’t a pity party and it wasn’t a tragedy. You could her in her words a level of perspective and maturity.Some may think that this was because she had already won two gold medals but I believe that even if she hadn’t she would have carried herself with that level of dignity because Gabby is truly the best kind of Olympian.
Monday, July 30, 2012
The Soul of The London Olympic Opening Ceremony
Right now, not very far from here [London], a German war machine is rolling up the map of Europe. Country after country, falling like dominoes. Nothing can stop it. Nothing. Until one, tiny, damp little island says "no". 'No'. Not here. A mouse in front of a lion.. You're amazing, the lot of you. Dunno what you do to Hitler, but you frighten the hell out of me. Off you go then... do what you've gotta do. Save the world.
- The Doctor (Who)There is a sense of inevitability when we study history. Whether it’s the progress of Civil Rights in America or the defeat of the Axis in the World War II, sometimes there’s a feeling of “well, of course it happened, that was just the way things were headed.” Here’s the thing though, nothing great and important in history just happened. Individuals had to stand up and change the course of events deliberately, often at the cost of their own lives.
The opening ceremony of the 30th modern Olympic games in London last weekend was a joyous celebration of everything that is important and central to London and the United Kingdom and the values that the Allied forces fought so hard to preserve in WWII.
In a stark contrast to the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony, London did not express militaristic might through a ceremony that reeked of insecurity and hubris. Instead they looked in the mirror and showcased what we all should be proud of as Americans and people who value freedom.
When the Kaos Signing Choir for Deaf and Hearing Children started performing “God Save The Queen,” I was kind of confused. Why wouldn’t you put forth a better musical presentation for the Olympic ceremony? But as I watched these children with special needs perform the anthem and felt tears welling up, it made completely sense.
Hitler categorized people with special needs as genetically inferior and placed them in concentration camps. It wasn’t uncommon in our culture in past generations to not allow family members with special needs to participate in important family events like weddings. So it is truly extraordinary that London put these amazing children in front of the world to perform one of the most important songs in their culture. There were other moments that spoke directly against Hitler’s distorted ideas of racial superiority like the love story featuring an interracial couple and Freddie Mercury’s image shown proudly during the playing of “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
The connection to history was powerful but didn’t overshadow the future. J.K. Rowling paid tribute to the great authors of children’s literature that made her success possible. The youth who lit the cauldron paid tribute to the past generations but ran the final length to light the fire representing future generations. The focus on pop music covered decades of songs that spoke to generations of young people.
The United Kingdom celebrated last weekend not only the Olympics but what it truly means to live in a democracy that values liberty and freedom. Many countries and many people across the world would scoff at children with special needs being on stage, and ending the ceremony singing "Hey Jude," a song written to comfort a child whose parents are going through a divorce. London didn’t try to placate any of these people and reminded all of us the amazing results of the freedoms that we all too often take for granted.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Why Chris Brown needs to go away, why Jeremy Lin should stay and issue with the Westminster Dog Show
It's been an interesting week with some issues that I take very seriously. What has been really cool is that I've found some articles that capture the way that I'm feeling and bring some great perspectives to the table.
First there's the issue of Chris Brown performing at the Grammy's. I’m not okay with Chris Brown performing at the Grammys and I'm not sure why you are provides the history of the beating of his former girlfriend Rihanna and why this is still an important and relevant issue. This blog also covers why it is unacceptable that he is so widely accepted by our culture.
Then there's the this brilliant article Why Jeremy Lin's race matters. It's been a rough couple months to be Asian-American and the success of Lin int he NBA is a breath of fresh air. Unfortunately his success has revealed further racism in our culture we need to deal with.
Oh, and then there's the whole thing about a Pekingese winning at the Westminster Dog show this week. This is not a good thing. The breed standard for this dog creates pressure on breeders to create dogs with massive health problems. This BBC documentary talks about a former Pekingese champions health issues (about 5:50 in).
First there's the issue of Chris Brown performing at the Grammy's. I’m not okay with Chris Brown performing at the Grammys and I'm not sure why you are provides the history of the beating of his former girlfriend Rihanna and why this is still an important and relevant issue. This blog also covers why it is unacceptable that he is so widely accepted by our culture.
Then there's the this brilliant article Why Jeremy Lin's race matters. It's been a rough couple months to be Asian-American and the success of Lin int he NBA is a breath of fresh air. Unfortunately his success has revealed further racism in our culture we need to deal with.
Oh, and then there's the whole thing about a Pekingese winning at the Westminster Dog show this week. This is not a good thing. The breed standard for this dog creates pressure on breeders to create dogs with massive health problems. This BBC documentary talks about a former Pekingese champions health issues (about 5:50 in).
Monday, September 19, 2011
What it means to be a Northwestern Football Fan
With the first loss of the season upon us, it's made me reflect on my experience as a Northwestern football fan and made me realize one reason I love my college the way I do.
At my four years at Northwester University I performed as a member of the “Wildcat” marching band at every single home game and one away game a year. Through this experience I became connected with the tradition of Northwestern Football. I would probably never gone to a football game if I wasn’t part of the band, but I’m glad I did.
Northwestern University is not the kind of place that shuts down for a football game or a basketball game. If you went to the library during a football game you’d find people studying. During away games I would often be practicing in the music building and there would always be other people practicing as well and I love that about Northwestern.
Let me explain.
This is a place where there is a wide diversity in the student experience in not only accepted but also is celebrated. If you are someone who never goes to a football game but is actively involved in other organizations, good for you. For every person who never goes to a football game, there are sports fans who never go to a concert at Pick-Staiger. Are both of these people missing out? Yeah, kind of, but is it something to get annoyed at? Of course not, people connect with Northwestern in different ways and the fact that this campus isn’t singularly focused on Northwestern sports throughout the year allows for this great diversity.
It’s a beautiful thing.
When I first got to Northwestern, there was a lot heard about the football team not being very good. This is the team that has the record for the longest losing streak in Division I history which was 34-games. I mean in 1981 season they were outscored 505 to 82 points. However after experiencing a 8-4 season and a trip to a bowl game I didn’t really know what people were talking about.
Then in the 2001 season in which we went 4-7, and in 2002, it got worse and we went 3-9. Many of these loses were heartbreaking. The team really earned the nickname the “cardiac cats.” It was in these two seasons that I started to understand older Northwestern fans. For generations, fans of this team saw them lose, so it meant that much more when they won. And I felt that the next year in 2004 when the ‘Cats went 6-6.
Since then Northwestern has had winning seasons except for 2006, but even with these wins, Northwestern hasn't one a bowl game since 1948 and hasn’t been the outright conference champion since 1995.
Northwestern University is not a school of die-hard football fans and it’s a not a team that is well-respected by people outside of the fandom because they don’t win championships. While some people may see these two things as negatives, I don’t.
If everyone on campus were rabid football fans I don’t think I would have ever really been able to get into the games. The fact that there was a range of casual fans allowed me to feel comfortable cheering on a game that I still barely understand.
People who are fans of Northwestern football aren’t doing it to be cool. They aren’t random followers who just want to hook on to a winning team. If you see a person cheering on Northwestern, it’s because they have a meaningful personal connection to the school.
Being a Northwestern football fan has taught me to not take good things for granted, to never give up and that winning is NOT a measure of success. You don’t give up on a team because they have a loosing season the same way you don’t give up on a friend that makes a mistake. Most of the time life isn’t winning game after winning game so you’ve got to know what it means when things don’t go your way.
One of my favorite Northwestern football memories is marching out of Iowa’s stadium after loosing 27-17 holding my head up high with pride as Iowa fans heckled us.
To me that’s what being a Northwestern football fan is really about.
At my four years at Northwester University I performed as a member of the “Wildcat” marching band at every single home game and one away game a year. Through this experience I became connected with the tradition of Northwestern Football. I would probably never gone to a football game if I wasn’t part of the band, but I’m glad I did.
Northwestern University is not the kind of place that shuts down for a football game or a basketball game. If you went to the library during a football game you’d find people studying. During away games I would often be practicing in the music building and there would always be other people practicing as well and I love that about Northwestern.
Let me explain.
This is a place where there is a wide diversity in the student experience in not only accepted but also is celebrated. If you are someone who never goes to a football game but is actively involved in other organizations, good for you. For every person who never goes to a football game, there are sports fans who never go to a concert at Pick-Staiger. Are both of these people missing out? Yeah, kind of, but is it something to get annoyed at? Of course not, people connect with Northwestern in different ways and the fact that this campus isn’t singularly focused on Northwestern sports throughout the year allows for this great diversity.
It’s a beautiful thing.
When I first got to Northwestern, there was a lot heard about the football team not being very good. This is the team that has the record for the longest losing streak in Division I history which was 34-games. I mean in 1981 season they were outscored 505 to 82 points. However after experiencing a 8-4 season and a trip to a bowl game I didn’t really know what people were talking about.
Then in the 2001 season in which we went 4-7, and in 2002, it got worse and we went 3-9. Many of these loses were heartbreaking. The team really earned the nickname the “cardiac cats.” It was in these two seasons that I started to understand older Northwestern fans. For generations, fans of this team saw them lose, so it meant that much more when they won. And I felt that the next year in 2004 when the ‘Cats went 6-6.
Since then Northwestern has had winning seasons except for 2006, but even with these wins, Northwestern hasn't one a bowl game since 1948 and hasn’t been the outright conference champion since 1995.
Northwestern University is not a school of die-hard football fans and it’s a not a team that is well-respected by people outside of the fandom because they don’t win championships. While some people may see these two things as negatives, I don’t.
If everyone on campus were rabid football fans I don’t think I would have ever really been able to get into the games. The fact that there was a range of casual fans allowed me to feel comfortable cheering on a game that I still barely understand.
People who are fans of Northwestern football aren’t doing it to be cool. They aren’t random followers who just want to hook on to a winning team. If you see a person cheering on Northwestern, it’s because they have a meaningful personal connection to the school.
Being a Northwestern football fan has taught me to not take good things for granted, to never give up and that winning is NOT a measure of success. You don’t give up on a team because they have a loosing season the same way you don’t give up on a friend that makes a mistake. Most of the time life isn’t winning game after winning game so you’ve got to know what it means when things don’t go your way.
One of my favorite Northwestern football memories is marching out of Iowa’s stadium after loosing 27-17 holding my head up high with pride as Iowa fans heckled us.
To me that’s what being a Northwestern football fan is really about.
Friday, June 4, 2010
The Blackhawks Goal Song aka Chelsea Dagger by The Fratellis
Ever since I've moved to Chicago ten years ago, there's been ups and downs with the Bears, Cubs, Soxs and Bulls but one consistent I've heard is that the Blackhawks are one of the best sports franchise we got. This year is no exception as the Blackhawks fight for for their first Stanley Cup since 1961.
I mean we are SO into the Blackhawks we went Old Testament and turned our water into blood.
Okay, maybe the plan to dye the water in the fountain at Daley Plaza red to honor the Blackhawks was a bad idea but the intention was good. As disturbing as it is to see fountains of blood at least they didn't dye the water black (fountains of bile is far more disturbing in my book).
Now I may not be able to analyze hockey games (I barely understand the concept of the game), talk about the history of the team or know what dye they used to color water but I do know music. So all of you who have asked me "What is the song that they play when the Blackhawks score?" and for all of you Blackhawks fans out there, this is for you.
After the buzzer rings after the Blackhawks score and sometimes at the end of games the rousing chorus begins "dadaDa dadaDa dada daDada." This celebratory and rocking sing along is "Chelsea Dagger" by The Fratellis.
The song is inspired by lead singer Jon Fratelli's wife Heather who's stage name as a burlesque dancer was "Chelsea." He combined this with a nod to Britney Spears (Spears . . . Spear . . . Dagger, get it?) to create the fictional Chelsea Dagger. The songs tell the story of meeting the enticing girl Chelsea Dagger that inspires devotion and gratitude, “it’s one for the Dagger, another for the one you believe!” The saucy words don’t make literal sense, but they paint a picture of fun, naughtiness and humor.
“Chelsea Dagger” isn’t a sport anthem like “We Will Rock You” that express intimidation. Instead it is about sharing happiness. The unbridled joy that this song creates after every goal embodies one of the most endearing things about living in Chicago.
While Chicago features some of the best high culture in the world, the soul of Chicago is working class: Italian Beef sandwiches, baseball games and hanging with friends at a local bar. Being a Chicagoan is about taking the time to enjoy the simple things in life with good people. Even though a band from Scotland created "Chelsea Dagger" it shares this same feeling.
The best way to understand what I'm talking about is to pump up “Chelsea Dagger” and dance and sing along to the last verse:
Chelsea, Chelsea, I believe when your dancing,
Slowly honestly.
The boys get lonely after you leave
It’s one for the Dagger and another for the one you believe!!
The words don't quite make sense but it feels so good to sing. The hard swung rhythms feel like they just want to explode through your body in dance and the melody flows across the vocals chords like uncontrollable laughter.
It’s like singing “Sweet Caroline,” at University of Wisconsin football games however, this is hockey so we need something a little bit faster and more aggressive. Also this is Chicago so we need something that swings a little bit harder and the chorus born out of pub culture, drinking songs and soccer chants is perfect.
Game 4 is tonight. There's really no shame in losing game three in overtime during the Stanley Cup finals, especially when you won the first two games. As you watch the game revel in how great life is, how awesome it is that the Blackhawks have made it this far and remember when they score sing it out for “the one you believe!”
Go Blackhawks!!
I mean we are SO into the Blackhawks we went Old Testament and turned our water into blood.
Okay, maybe the plan to dye the water in the fountain at Daley Plaza red to honor the Blackhawks was a bad idea but the intention was good. As disturbing as it is to see fountains of blood at least they didn't dye the water black (fountains of bile is far more disturbing in my book).
Now I may not be able to analyze hockey games (I barely understand the concept of the game), talk about the history of the team or know what dye they used to color water but I do know music. So all of you who have asked me "What is the song that they play when the Blackhawks score?" and for all of you Blackhawks fans out there, this is for you.
After the buzzer rings after the Blackhawks score and sometimes at the end of games the rousing chorus begins "dadaDa dadaDa dada daDada." This celebratory and rocking sing along is "Chelsea Dagger" by The Fratellis.
The song is inspired by lead singer Jon Fratelli's wife Heather who's stage name as a burlesque dancer was "Chelsea." He combined this with a nod to Britney Spears (Spears . . . Spear . . . Dagger, get it?) to create the fictional Chelsea Dagger. The songs tell the story of meeting the enticing girl Chelsea Dagger that inspires devotion and gratitude, “it’s one for the Dagger, another for the one you believe!” The saucy words don’t make literal sense, but they paint a picture of fun, naughtiness and humor.
“Chelsea Dagger” isn’t a sport anthem like “We Will Rock You” that express intimidation. Instead it is about sharing happiness. The unbridled joy that this song creates after every goal embodies one of the most endearing things about living in Chicago.
While Chicago features some of the best high culture in the world, the soul of Chicago is working class: Italian Beef sandwiches, baseball games and hanging with friends at a local bar. Being a Chicagoan is about taking the time to enjoy the simple things in life with good people. Even though a band from Scotland created "Chelsea Dagger" it shares this same feeling.
The best way to understand what I'm talking about is to pump up “Chelsea Dagger” and dance and sing along to the last verse:
Chelsea, Chelsea, I believe when your dancing,
Slowly honestly.
The boys get lonely after you leave
It’s one for the Dagger and another for the one you believe!!
The words don't quite make sense but it feels so good to sing. The hard swung rhythms feel like they just want to explode through your body in dance and the melody flows across the vocals chords like uncontrollable laughter.
It’s like singing “Sweet Caroline,” at University of Wisconsin football games however, this is hockey so we need something a little bit faster and more aggressive. Also this is Chicago so we need something that swings a little bit harder and the chorus born out of pub culture, drinking songs and soccer chants is perfect.
Game 4 is tonight. There's really no shame in losing game three in overtime during the Stanley Cup finals, especially when you won the first two games. As you watch the game revel in how great life is, how awesome it is that the Blackhawks have made it this far and remember when they score sing it out for “the one you believe!”
Go Blackhawks!!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Big Ten. . .wait a sec . . . Big Twelve?!?
Conversation between Kingsley as a freshmen at Northwestern University (K) and an upperclassmen friend (U)
K- wait, the Big Ten has 11 teams?!?
S- uh. . . yeah. . . well, they added Penn State in 1992 and never changed the name.
K-ok, I guess that makes sense, Big 11 doesn’t sound as good
S-dude didn’t you ever notice that in the Big Ten logo there’s a “11” outlined around the “T” in “Ten”
K-[stunned silence as my mind is blown]
Okay, after 9 years of being a Big Ten fan, I finally got my head around the fact that the Big Ten has eleven teams and now I hear that they want to add another one. Really people, if you add another team and you don’t change the name, you will have some really confused Asian freshmen at Northwestern.
This week the news broke that Big Ten was looking into adding another university to the conference. Twelve teams would make it easier to have a singular Big Ten Champion every year and keeping the teams playing through November and December would probably help keep the teams more fresh for bowl games. Adding a university would pull in another region of fans and add new energy to the conference. At the same I worry that we are doing this for the wrong reasons. All of the commentary and blogs that I've read about this subject have failed to recognize something very important. The Big Ten is not just about football.
My first year of Graduate School Northwestern University, we hosted the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC) Music Education conference.
Every year a different school in the Big Ten hosts all of the music education professors and doctoral candidates for an annual conference. I had the opportunity to be part of this as a participant and a bar tender (yeah that's a different story). It was an amazing thing to see these people come together and share knowledge. I discovered that it was the norm for Big Ten Professors to collaborate on research. This sense of community benefits the music education profession greatly in the Midwest and I am grateful to be a part of it.
Now I admit that as a member of the Northwestern University Marching Band we would make jokes about other Big Ten teams but the amazing thing is that whenever we would visit another school as a band or another band would visit Northwestern the sense of camaraderie was amazing. The drum lines would have drum offs, marching bands would host receptions for visiting bands and we would often invite each other to parties after games.
My favorite Big Ten band bonding memory was when we were playing at an away game and the home marching band alto saxophone section brought us a gift bag. Excited, the whole alto sax section (my section) starting changing "what's in the bag? what's in the bag?" My section leader reached in the bag and pulled out a bottle of Jose Cuervo. We immediately changed the change "put it back in the bag! put it back in the bag," knowing how much trouble we'd be in if we were caught with that bottle in uniform. Later that night we met up with the other band's alto section and shared the bottle at a great party they hosted. I couldn't tell you which of our teams won the game that day but what I do know is that it never came up when we were hanging out.
Probably the greatest thing about the Big Ten experiences are ROAD TRIPS. It's awesome that ever school is within driving distance of each other. That's something that conferences like Pac 10 simply doesn't have. Road trips are a norm for Big Ten fans and I'd hate for a university to join and not be part of this experience.
The one reason that I've heard to add another university that bothers me is to raise revenue. First off, the Big Ten is doing ok with money from what I hear and really if the Big Ten made decisions motivated only by money we would serve alcohol in stadium, we would cutting sports that didn't bring in large audiences and universities would cut majors that didn't result in rich alumni donors.
Don't get me wrong, I don't have anything against making the Big Ten a dozen. I just want to make sure that we are all thinking what being part of the Big Ten means.
I'm proud to be part of the Big Ten. That pride doesn't come from championships or viewership.
It's come from being part of an community, sharing amazing experiences with friends and being part of a great American tradition.
K- wait, the Big Ten has 11 teams?!?
S- uh. . . yeah. . . well, they added Penn State in 1992 and never changed the name.
K-ok, I guess that makes sense, Big 11 doesn’t sound as good
S-dude didn’t you ever notice that in the Big Ten logo there’s a “11” outlined around the “T” in “Ten”
K-[stunned silence as my mind is blown]
Okay, after 9 years of being a Big Ten fan, I finally got my head around the fact that the Big Ten has eleven teams and now I hear that they want to add another one. Really people, if you add another team and you don’t change the name, you will have some really confused Asian freshmen at Northwestern.
This week the news broke that Big Ten was looking into adding another university to the conference. Twelve teams would make it easier to have a singular Big Ten Champion every year and keeping the teams playing through November and December would probably help keep the teams more fresh for bowl games. Adding a university would pull in another region of fans and add new energy to the conference. At the same I worry that we are doing this for the wrong reasons. All of the commentary and blogs that I've read about this subject have failed to recognize something very important. The Big Ten is not just about football.
My first year of Graduate School Northwestern University, we hosted the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC) Music Education conference.
Every year a different school in the Big Ten hosts all of the music education professors and doctoral candidates for an annual conference. I had the opportunity to be part of this as a participant and a bar tender (yeah that's a different story). It was an amazing thing to see these people come together and share knowledge. I discovered that it was the norm for Big Ten Professors to collaborate on research. This sense of community benefits the music education profession greatly in the Midwest and I am grateful to be a part of it.Now I admit that as a member of the Northwestern University Marching Band we would make jokes about other Big Ten teams but the amazing thing is that whenever we would visit another school as a band or another band would visit Northwestern the sense of camaraderie was amazing. The drum lines would have drum offs, marching bands would host receptions for visiting bands and we would often invite each other to parties after games.
My favorite Big Ten band bonding memory was when we were playing at an away game and the home marching band alto saxophone section brought us a gift bag. Excited, the whole alto sax section (my section) starting changing "what's in the bag? what's in the bag?" My section leader reached in the bag and pulled out a bottle of Jose Cuervo. We immediately changed the change "put it back in the bag! put it back in the bag," knowing how much trouble we'd be in if we were caught with that bottle in uniform. Later that night we met up with the other band's alto section and shared the bottle at a great party they hosted. I couldn't tell you which of our teams won the game that day but what I do know is that it never came up when we were hanging out.
Probably the greatest thing about the Big Ten experiences are ROAD TRIPS. It's awesome that ever school is within driving distance of each other. That's something that conferences like Pac 10 simply doesn't have. Road trips are a norm for Big Ten fans and I'd hate for a university to join and not be part of this experience.
The one reason that I've heard to add another university that bothers me is to raise revenue. First off, the Big Ten is doing ok with money from what I hear and really if the Big Ten made decisions motivated only by money we would serve alcohol in stadium, we would cutting sports that didn't bring in large audiences and universities would cut majors that didn't result in rich alumni donors.
Don't get me wrong, I don't have anything against making the Big Ten a dozen. I just want to make sure that we are all thinking what being part of the Big Ten means.
I'm proud to be part of the Big Ten. That pride doesn't come from championships or viewership.
It's come from being part of an community, sharing amazing experiences with friends and being part of a great American tradition.
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