UNC ACC Champions?

After UNC's 81-67 win over the Duke Blue Devils in the regular season finale, the Tar Heels were awarded in the 2011 regular season crown. So like any good fan, immediately after the final horn, I proudly posted ACC CHAMPS to my facebook page.

Of course, not all of my facebook friends are Carolina fans and that's ok. A few made sure to let me know that the regular season champ is not technically according to by laws called the Atlantic Coast Conference Champions..... blah blah blah.

So you're telling me that when you show through the entire regular season that you are without a doubt the best team, that shouldn't merit an ACC Champion title? Now I understand where my friends are coming from. But I believe that thought process is outdated. Back in the 60s, 70s, and 80s, you HAD to win the conference tournament to get into the NCAA's. But nowadays, you are pretty much guaranteed a spot in the tournament if you finish in at least the top 4 or 5 of the league. So no, you are not technically assured a spot in the big dance without the tournament champion bid, but we all pretty much know who is going to make it and who is not going to make it.

Now back to my argument for not considering the regular season champion worthy of the title ACC Champions. We all know that virtually ANYTHING can happen in the conference tournament. We see it all the time. A team that really hasn't been that competitive all year long makes 15 threes and knocks off the number one seed. This can be a great thing, and that's what makes the conference tournament so exciting. But to say this underdog, miracle, lucky, etc. team is better than the regular season champ is ludicrous in my opinion.

I know after losing out on the regular season crown, Duke fans have their eyes set on their annual tournament run. BUT, if Duke wins this weekend in Greensboro, does that necessarily mean they are better than UNC? No, not in my opinion. They obviously split this year and are fairly evenly matched teams. It's hard to say what Duke would have done with freshman sensation Kyrie Irving sidelined, but we'll never know. Irving is not likely to return this year and is more than likely heading to the NBA as a lottery pick.

The bottom line is, whether you can consider the tournament champion the actual champ, or the regular season champion, you have to admit, surviving the ACC season and coming out on top (although not as impressive as it once was) is still impressive. Not saying winning the tournament is not a feat of an accomplishment, but I personally believe the regular season is a better determinant of who is the best. After all, that little get-together is just a cocktail party, right? (See Roy Williams' quotes).

New beginnings

As I walked across that stage at graduation in the Holmes Center and shook Chancellor Peacock's hand over a year ago, I never would have imagined the position I am in today. Well, that's not entirely true. I did imagine that I would for sure have a job, preferably within driving distance of Salisbury.

That thing called reality bit me in the butt fairly hard. After graduation, I methodically browsed job sites, and very casually would apply somewhere every once in a while. I soon realized that process was not going to get me anywhere, and through persistence and help of others, I have finally gotten a job. While it is a huge relief to say the least, I am mostly excited to be getting my career jump-started in journalism.

Why yes, journalism you say is a risky business to be in, but, it's a business I want to be in. There's nothing like seeing your name and copy in print and the thrill it brings to me is worth the low salary. Being a journalist is not about the money. You get to meet sometimes famous individuals, and a lot of times, just plain ordinary folk that can find a way to impact your life in unimaginable ways. I do foresee potential roadblocks, but I feel prepared to face these challenges.

As I make this transition in my life, and my transition to Burlington, I want to thank anyone that has ever helped me along the way. Whether that be professors, various editors, colleagues, friends, parents, relatives, and peers. You have helped me reach my goal. While this career may or may not be long-term, today I am satisfied to be where I am and I know that God has chosen this path for me to follow.



“Generally speaking, the best people nowadays go into journalism, the second best into business, the rubbish into politics and the shits into law”
-Auberon Waugh

Panthers falter in week one

Coming into the 2010 season, the Carolina Panthers were labeled as the NFL's youngest team, which isn't necessarily a terrible thing, but normally it means you're rebuilding.

Some prognosticators have said the Panthers could do big things, while skeptics say it could be a long season in Charlotte. After week one's 31-18 loss to the New York Giants, Panther fans are left with many questions.

After five turnovers, some coming in crucial situations where the Panthers were close to coming away with some points, it's hard to remain optimistic as a fan.

Panthers linebacker Jon Beason's optimism of the team was not shook.

"I like this team. I think we still have an opportunity to be very special. We'll just move forward." Beason said.

Moving forward is all you can do.

The season is still extremely young, and while Carolina may be without starting quarterback Matt Moore (who suffered a concussion) for this week's home opener against the 1-0 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fans may get to see rookie QB Jimmy Clausen, who came in late in the game Sunday.

The Panthers had no expectations coming into the season, and after falling on their face in the Meadowlands. We don't know what to expect Sunday.

We do know that Cats will have to get back to the drawing board, and correct the mistakes they made.

DeAngelo Williams may have said it best.

"It's no time to panic at all. It was the first game. We've got 15 left."

Let's just hope the second is better.

Understanding fan devotion

So, here's the situation. I'll set the scene for you just in case you weren't there. Rowan is playing at Lexington in American Legion Baseball and of course myself and Brent are there like we always are. It's a close game at Holt-Moffitt field, a place that is not easy to win at.

Rowan's hitters have finally gotten to the pitcher, Beaker, who had kept the Rowan bats a bit off-balanced. A pitching change is eminent.

If you've ever been to a Rowan Legion baseball game, you know when the opposing team makes a pitching change in the middle of an inning, the traditional 'whooooop wooooo' chant ensues. As the pitcher delivers his pitch to the catcher as he warms up, the Rowan crowd goes, whooooop, and as the catcher throws it back, we all go woooooooo, until the ball finds the pitcher's mitt.

Most of the time, it is not a big deal and most people usually laugh like it's a comedy routine. And that's exactly how it should be viewed.

Is it goofy? Well, yeah.

Is it malicious? Absolutely not.

A handful of times, from Sumter to Lexington, we've had people ask us if it was necessary? We respond by promptly saying yes it is, and that is not the response some folks want to hear.

The problem with most team's fans these days, is they are too soft and they often come straight from their church service and pretend we are in still in church.

Rowan has fans. We may not be the most popular bunch, but believe me, we love our Legion baseball like no other. We take every pitch and every terrible call made by the umpires seriously.

Most people don't understand it, and we don't expect them to.

The whoooop woooo chant was definitely not started by Brent and I, we merely just kept the Rowan tradition alive. Neither of us EVER bad mouth or single out opposing players. We simply cheer for our team a little differently than everyone else.

Another item that seems to get under opposing team's fans' skin is the rally clap. The rally clap is pretty self-explanatory. When Rowan is trailing in the late innings, we start clapping in unison to ignite a fire under our team to let them know we want them to rally and win. If you watch college baseball, the rally clap is a very regular thing. Well, much to my surprise, some folks don't like this. We've heard things like, it's rude or disrespectful, and it messes with the pitcher's concentration.

I'm sorry, I didn't know we were at a golf or tennis match.

If you let it bother you, it will. In this case, we know we are doing our job as fans. Fans are not just supposed to be spectators at games. Fans make the games what they are. They bring a certain atmosphere to an otherwise boring athletic event. I guarantee you, if you go to a game at Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium, you will hear much worse at a much higher rate.

My final point I am going to make is that we are going to cheer for our team the way we want to. We are the most devoted fans there are. We have no direct connection to the team. We just know that we are going to cheer on our boys no matter what somebody's mom thinks of us.

And you can take that whoooop wooooo to the bank.

Can Otis Campbell pitch?

"I can't rightly tell, I wasn't wearing my glasses"

If you recognize that quote, than you're a die-hard Andy Griffith fan and know that it was said by the local town drunk, Otis Campbell, when asked by Griffith if he was drunk when Barney arrested him.

So like the local town drunk stumbling his way out of the local bar (or still), knocking over things, getting kicked and pushed around by others and ultimately falling flat on his face, the Rowan County American Legion Baseball season of 2010 has symbolized Otis Campbell at his best.

After the unforgettable ride the 2009 edition took us on, this bunch so far has left us at the train station locked in the bathroom, begging to be let out. It is indeed early as I try to remind myself continuously to numb the sting. Tonight was the very first night that Rowan has been "full strength", with the addition of the recent 3A State Champion East Rowan Mustangs. But it's going to take a little heart and want-to to get this ship (or train) heading in the right direction.

After tonight's debacling 17-7 thrashing at the hands of Lexington Post 8, it is serious gut check time for Rowan.

The biggest issue so far has been pitching, or the lack thereof. Rowan has not gotten what it needs out of it's starting pitching so far and that is going to have to change if this team wants to succeed this summer. The offense has put up some good numbers and has a lot of talent, so that shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Pitching, pitching, pitching.

It's where it all starts. Last year's team had pitching. Not overpowering pitching (with the exception of Corbin Shive), but pitching that was steady and got the job done. The pitching has got to get people out on a consistent basis.

If not, I shudder to think of the long summer that lies ahead.

Rowan County American Legion baseball will come around, and before the summer is done, I still honestly and wholeheartedly believe this is going to be a good team.

After all, it has to right?

Looking up

Finally. Things are starting to look up in my life when it comes to the J.O.B. department. I do have a job now. It isn't a full-timer, yet. And it isn't related to my field. But at least I do have a job (Rowan-Cabarrus Community College), and that's more than I could say a month ago.

Everyone keeps asking me, what are you going to be doing? And I can honestly say to them, I really don't know yet. Today (5/8) was my first day and has mainly comprised of showing me around the different buildings and learning some of the passcodes to the security.

My training actually begins next week. I mainly think I will be sitting at the front desk and answering any kind of administration type questions. My job title is Continuing Education Administrator.

I also have a position lined up with CarolinaPreps.com, a prep football website that covers North Carolina High School football. That will be in the fall when football season rolls around. I am hoping that will turn into some type of good profit and will look nice on my resume.

I am continuing to look for a job in the journalism industry. I found two positions very recently that I'm considering applying for. One is with the Greensboro Business Journal and the other is with the Mecklenburg Times. Both are reporter positions.

I met with a friend recently who used to work at the Salisbury Post. His name is Brad Thomas and he is helping me set up the church's website that I've been working on. He said he was going to speak with some colleagues of his that might be able to help me in finding a position.

Got to (or have to) love networking!

Other than the job situation, I am really looking forward to my Rowan Legion baseball season beginning! It is my favorite time of the year and I live for it.

Yes, things are definitely looking up!

Ahh yes, baseball season!

One of my most favorites times of the year is upon us. The start of baseball season. Although high school baseball has been going on for a couple weeks now, the major league baseball season opening day is today. For me that means the start of the Atlanta Braves season.

The Braves open with the Chicago Cubs this afternoon at 4:00. I couldn't think of anything else I'd rather do than tune in, besides actually being there in Atlanta. I would like to make it to a Braves game this season, seeing as how this is manager Bobby Cox's final season at the Ted, but we'll see.

Baseball season always brings with it warmer weather, hot dogs, hot summer nights at the ballpark and plenty of excitement.

Of course Rowan County American Legion baseball won't start until the end of May, but it will be here before you know it. I'm wondering if Rowan can top last season's magical run? I'm not saying we can or that we won't, but I'm looking forward to seeing what happens.

So, I've got my Braves shirt on and my toma-hawk chopping arm ready to go!

Here's to baseball season!