A fan is sickened when a player is taunted because of appearance

By Tim Trower | Published: February 4, 2010 | 0 Comments

Something came across my desk the other day that I hadn’t seen before. A fan was upset after attending a high school basketball game and witnessing a player for one team being mocked because of his/her appearance. Said player has red hair and attracted chants of “Ginger” from some in the opposing student section.

In e-mail correspondence, I told the fan I wasn’t aware of the term. Turns out it’s from the irreverent TV cartoon South Park. An episode in November 2005 indicated redheads were inferior. It spawned controversy and some redheaded-related violence. Then in November 2008, a Facebook page declaring “National Kick a Ginger Day” surfaced. The “day” was back this year and its message has apparently carried over in ensuing months.

The fan, sickened by the callous, bullying behavior he witnessed, wrote both schools and considered writing the OSAA. Someone from the offending school responded to the fan that it wouldn’t be allowed to happen again. In the note to me, the fan wrote: “I know we have had some problems with hate crimes which have been started by someone calling someone a Ginger. I really think (school) was very wrong for allowing this to happen. The chants of airball and stuff are part of the game, but chanting hate stuff is wrong.”

At first, I thought, how serious could this be? Then I checked out the Web and got a better idea. I’ve got to admit, I’m not a big fan of bullying and, judging by some of the cases I found, this clearly is a form of it. The fan just wanted to be heard, wanted to get the word out in hopes of preventing future incidents. Maybe this will help.

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Sharing a column about Tebow’s Super Bowl ad

By Tim Trower | Published: February 4, 2010 | 0 Comments

There will be three quarterbacks who will dominate the dialogue during Sunday’s Super Bowl. You know about Peyton Manning and Drew Brees. You may or may not know about Tim Tebow, the Florida senior who will be featured in a controversial anti-abortion commercial with his mother, Pam, during the big game.

As the story goes that Pam was doing missionary work in the Philippines while pregnant. She came down with a disease that made the pregnancy dangerous. She was encouraged to abort but opted not to and gave birth to her fifth child, Tim.

The National Organization of Women and other groups have denounced the ad and criticized CBS for its plans to run it.

Here’s a column by The Washington Post’s Sally Jenkins on the subject.

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Tony Dungy talks about son going to Oregon

By Tim Trower | Published: February 3, 2010 | 0 Comments

Oregon football coach Chip Kelly reached out to ex-Colts coach Tony Dungy when Kelly’s running back, LeGarrette Blount, was working his way through “The Punch.” Now Dungy’s son has worked his way to Oregon as a recruit, and Tony Dungy talked about it on the Dan Patrick Show this morning.

Eric Dungy is high school senior wide receiver and safety in Tampa, Fla. He and his dad visited Eugene last weekend, and Eric committed to the Ducks on Monday. Today’s is official signing day, and Eric will pen his name to a letter of intent at 12:30 Pacific during a ceremony at his school. His parents will attend.

Patrick hadn’t heard this and asked Tony if Eric was going to Florida State, one of several schools he considered. Then Tony shared some thoughts on his son’s decision:

* “Mom has gotten over the shock he’s going to be on the other side of the country.”

* “I’m kind of a Big Ten guy, and I’ve gotten over the fact he’s going to be playing in the Pac-10.”

* “Coach Kelly is a tremendous guy. I’d gotten to know him a little bit earlier this fall. He’s got a great program and Eric’s really fired up about going.”

* “What we really tried to figure out was who was interested in Eric for what he could bring to their program. And that’s what I think really sold my son on Oregon. He got to the point where he didn’t feel like coach Kelly and his staff were doing anything special for me but were really interested in him. That made the difference, I think.”

* On whether he got a job offer from the Ducks: “I did not, I did not. If the frequent flyer and the travels across the country get to be too much in a couple years, I may have to try to apply out there.”

* Patrick said if Dungy had taken the Seattle Seahawks job, he would have been right there, to which Dungy said people have been telling him that. “The Lord does work in kind of strange ways. If I’d have known Eric was going to go out there, maybe I’d have thought a little more about it.”

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Why does McCarron carry on like this?

By Tim Trower | Published: February 2, 2010 | 0 Comments

I’m not sure why Scott McCarron is digging his heels in against Phil Mickelson and a handful of others using the Ping wedges with square grooves. I find it curious that no one else — to my knowledge, anyway – is stepping forward with similarly strong views. Remember? McCarron said those using the clubs are cheating, but he didn’t say they’re cheaters. That’s like me saying you stole something, but I’m not calling you a thief.

Mickelson nonetheless feels like he was slandered and hinted at legal action if the PGA doesn’t step in and do something. It could reprimand McCarron, fine him, suspend him, something like that.

If it sounds harsh to punish a man for speaking his mind, consider your own workplace. If an employee disparages another employee in a public forum, would the former skate without repercussion? What if he blasted the business’ CEO or top money-maker or top performer? And if the comments went deeper than just a personal attack and suggested the company condones unethical behavior in its ranks, wouldn’t that be cause for concern and action? He has the right to say it, and the PGA has a right to act in its own best interest.

Some friends pointed out that McCarron was the first, or among the first, to use a long putter on the PGA Tour, and many other players viewed it as outside the spirit of the game. So it’s odd that he’d be the one taking up this cause. Sure, he’s on a tour advisory council and someone stuck a microphone in his face, but, as said, he continues to push the issue when it might be best to let others take it over.

I saw where Ken Green was suspended in 1997 for 30 days for calling Hall-of-Famer Raymond Floyd a cheater. Green, a five-time tour winner, thought Floyd made an improper drop 10 years earlier at Doral. So there’s precedent on the PGA’s side. Whether the tour goes that far or even does anything remains to be seen.

My thought? Mickelson is playing within the rules. Can you imagine if we all were allowed to interpret golf’s rules as we saw fit? It’s black and white, and it’s up to the governing bodies to fix the mess.

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Singler comes up on DP show

By Tim Trower | Published: January 28, 2010 | 0 Comments

Coach Mike Krzyzewski is on the Dan Patrick Show and Kyle Singler’s name came up a couple times. First off, the Duke mentor is very engaging as he answers a variety of questions.

Singler was first brought up during commercial break, when Patrick was shooting baskets in his studio and proclaimed himself to be “the Kyle Singler” of his broadcast staff. Coach K was on hold so it was for his and Duke’s benefit.

On the air, they talked about one-and-dones, freshmen who will play only one year before jumping to the NCAA. Kentucky’s John Wall is the most obvious current example. Patrick asked, well, what’s wrong with the junior Singler? He hasn’t gone yet. Coach K said it’s because, right now, he’s not a lottery pick. He said each kid is different, but if he has a top-three or a lottery pick, he’d have no problem encouraging the player to move on.

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Woman bowler Kulick did much better than when she was here

By Tim Trower | Published: January 26, 2010 | 0 Comments

Kelly Kulick — who competed in Medford three years ago — has been making the sports and network morning shows since she defeated Chris Barnes Sunday to become the first woman to win a PBA event. That she made it a major, the Tournament of Champions, only enhances the story.

Some of the stuff was very revealing: Kulick told on ESPN First Take how she was characterized in a Spider-Man comic because she befriended a daughter of one of the writers. In the pages, Kulick wound up hitting an evil-doer with a bowling pin, then was rescued by Spider-Man.

Some of it was silly: Harry Smith, on CBS’s Early Show, said of Kulick’s 152 opening game in the tournament, “I could have beaten you.” He no doubt thought the house shot (or easy oil pattern) had been put down.

Her victory really was something to see, especially since it came against one of the world’s best and most popular bowlers. For his part, Barnes, the 2007-08 player of the year, sat and watched Mika Koivuniemi beat Rhino Page, then watched Kulick beat Koivuniemi. When Barnes finally got up, he couldn’t find a shot, and there was no stopping Kulick, who won, 265-195. She earned $40,000 and a two-year tour exemption.

Barnes was gracious in defeat. He’s a bright guy and recognized the monumental occasion for what it was. But it did come at his expense. He was trying to win his second T of C crown, having done so in 2006. On his Facebook page, Barnes posted a picture of a rainbow with the notation, “there’s light at the end.” A friend joked, “That’s an oncoming train.” Barnes, referring to his match against Kulick, replied, “haha, that was yesterday.”

Barnes was a regular at Lava Lanes for the PBA’s nine-year run here and was a fan favorite. Kulick was here, too, when she was the first and only woman to qualify for exempt status on the tour. That was in the 2006-07 season, after she made it through the PBA’s qualifying tournament.

Here, she finished 63rd in the round of 64, failing to make the top 32 and advance to match play. She earned $1,800, finishing ahead of only Hall of Famer Norm Duke, who withdrew with a foot injury.

Kulick bowled alongside Hall of Famer Marshall Holman of Medford that day, and neither was thrilled with how things went.

Here’s the STORY that appeared in the M-T about them.

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Challengers to don pink Friday in mother’s memory

By Tim Trower | Published: January 21, 2010 | 0 Comments

The Cascade Christian boys basketball team members will pay their respects tonight to the mother of team manager Micah Johnson and the wife of avid fan Robert Johnson. Rosann Johnson passed away on Jan. 3 following a heart attack the night before.

Micah, a 2008 graduate of the school and a student at Rogue Community College, learned of the heart attack as he rode home with Challengers coach Brian Morse after a win at Rogue River. He got a text message from his father that his mother was sick and in the hospital. Micah learned the details when he called moments later. Mrose then pulled the van over and everyone prayed.

Morse dropped a couple passengers off and he and Micah went to Rogue Valley Medical Center, where they stayed until 2 a.m. They returned the next day, and Rosann died in the afternoon.

“I felt privileged that we could be there with him,” says Morse. “When that happened, he needed the support of the coaches and players. It really did help him.”

The Challengers will wear pink shirts in Rosann’s honor prior to tonight’s 7:30 home game against Reedsport. There will be a poster at the gym entrance with photos of her, and they’ll have a moment of silence before the game.

On the back of the players’ pink T-shirts will be a memory verse from Romans 8:28:

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

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Where’s the story on Tiger, you ask?

By Tim Trower | Published: January 20, 2010 | 0 Comments

A friend sent me a text wondering why there was no story about Tiger Woods being treated at a sex addiction facility. I’m going to say it’s an example of responsible journalism. ESPN began running a crawl yesterday that said a blogger reports Woods has checked into a facility, but no one could confirm it, not even ESPN. They still haven’t been able to as of this morning. My guess is that’s why The Associated Press hasn’t moved a story, and why most newspapers aren’t going with it.

In case you haven’t noticed, the life and times of Tiger Woods has spawned enough rumors to keep TMZ on the air 24-7 for the foreseeable future. I suspect when a credible source or an official with the facility says Tiger’s there, the story will move on national wires.

I’m not saying the blogger isn’t right on, but who knows? I recall a story I heard that power was out in a small town. Someone sent a sarcastic e-mail or text to a news organization (not ours), and said organization blogged that an unconfirmed report said the town was hit by a meteor.

There’s reason to be wary of unsubstantiated reports. That AP hasn’t moved anything yet should buoy confidence in its and our reports, I would think.

On that note, here’s a BLOG I found on the subject of an elusive Tiger and rumors/stories following him. It is not confirming anything, by the way.

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Cage fights were a big hit

By Tim Trower | Published: January 19, 2010 | 0 Comments

I received results of the Rogue Warrior Cage Fights in my e-mail today. The show was a success, according to promoter Mike Brown, and another has been scheduled for April 17.

In his e-mail, Brown said local fighters won four of the 10 fights.

“I brought in the best in the Northwest,” wrote Brown, “and the locals competed. The Rogue Valley has great talent.”

Brandon Kochron of Redding Submissions and Peter Wolf of Medford Valor Elite engaged in what was ruled the fight of the night. Kochron won by decision. The upset of the night was Jesse Sumner of Ashland MMA defeating previously unbeaten John Wilson of Medford Vidonic by a second-round tap out in the 155-pound title match.

The main event between Eli Peterson of Portland and Nate Miller of Medford Valor Elite was ruled no contest when a fighter was injured by an accidental illegal strike, according to Brown. More details weren’t submitted.

Here are the results:

David Kohart, Medford, second-round KO over Josh Flint, Pendleton.

Cliff  Easley, Tri Cities, Wash., decisioned Johny Sexton, Klamath Falls.

Brandon Kochron, Redding, decisioned Peter Wolf, Medford.

Robert Schepps, Redding, decisioned Jesse Filan, Roseburg.

Ryan Wood, Springfield, second-round tap out over James Bennett, Medford.

Toney McCorkindale, Tri Cities, Wash., decisioned Tyrone Angolia, Springfield.

Jesse Sumner, Ashland, second-round tap out over John Wilson, Medford.

Tia Spurlock, Medford, second-round KO over Liz Kelly, Washington.

Jeremy Johnson, Medford, first-round tap out over Cole Malini, Hawaii.

Eli Peterson-Nate Miller, no contest.

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Interesting choice of video for Jackson story

By Tim Trower | Published: January 19, 2010 | 0 Comments

I saw a TV report today about Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson being pulled over and briefly handcuffed a few hours before San Diego’s playoff loss to the New York Jets. He was cited for playing loud music, driving with a suspended license and expired tags, and his car was impounded. The police said the handcuffs were standard procedure.

The video clip used from Sunday’s game to accompany today’s story was interesting. Rather than show Jackson’s catch that set up a Charger TD with just over two minutes to play, or another of his seven receptions for 111 yards, what we saw was Jackson kicking a challenge flag thrown by the Jets that resulted in an unsportsmanlike penalty. I guess the clip accentuated his “lawless” nature. Just an observation.

 

 

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