The Green One » Sports

Pittsburgh Players Go Pro

Ryan — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 01:10:00 +0000

The University of Pittsburgh has always been a school with a solid academic history and now its sports teams are reaching that level as well. The basketball team has improved year after and year and some of the top recruits have decided to come on board. The team is becoming nationally recognized because of some of the accomplishments of these athletes that graduated from the school.
One of the most successful athletes to come out of the University of Pittsburgh is the wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL, Larry Fitzgerald. Larry Fitzgerald has taken the NFL by storm ever since he was drafted. Each year that passes he increases the number of catches and touchdowns and yards earned. Every season and even from game to game you see new dimensions added to his game. One of the plays Larry Fitzgerald perfected while at the University of Pittsburgh is a play when the offense in deep in the red zone and Larry lines up off to the side alone one on one with the corner back. Then Larry does a fade route to the corner of the end zone and the quarterback lofts the ball up high and since Fitzgerald is very tall and lanky with great jumping ability he comes down with the touchdown 8 out of 10 attempts or so it seems. He has also learned how to stretch short catches out and gain huge chunks of yardage after making the reception.
Dejuan Blair a basketball player currently playing for the San Antonio Spurs who had attended the University of Pittsburgh and put up very impressive numbers during his couple of years there. Before San Antonio drafted Blair he was leading the Pittsburgh Panthers basketball team to the final four and scoring and rebounding at will. Nearly all of his college games were sold out and people would come from all areas to see him play. People from out of state would come to Pittsburgh and book rooms at some of the best hotels available.

French Open 2009

Ryan — Mon, 11 May 2009 21:19:11 +0000

Each year the French Open tennis tournament attracts the highest ranking tennis players in the world to “Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France to compete for one of the most prestigious titles in tennis – French Open Champion. Past winners include historic tennis greats such as Bj�rn Borg and Mats Wilander; 2009′s French Open tournament will likely feature current tennis greats such as Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, Venus Williams, Serena Williams, and returning 2008 French Open champion, Rafael Nadal.

The 2009 French Open tennis tournament, scheduled to occur May 24 through June 7, 2009, is not only one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world, it’s also one of the most physically demanding. While grass courts overwhelmingly favor players with crushing serves, the French Open‘s clay surface rewards well rounded players who instead possess big ground strokes, patience, stamina, and foot speed.

As an example, ‘big serve’ tennis tournament players like John McEnroe, Stefan Edberg, and Boris Becker have never won the French Open, while ‘finesse’ players such as Bj�rn Borg, Ivan Lendl, Rafael Nadal, and Mats Wilander have.

For those who amour (love) tennis, the city of Paris provides an excellent backdrop to witness the athleticism and finesse of the greatest tennis players in the world, the 2009 French Open Tennis Tournament.

The Dubai Tennis Open

Ryan — Mon, 11 May 2009 09:54:02 +0000

One of the world’s most glamorous sports is tennis. And tennis has found itself a home in the glamorous city of Dubai. While other sports are quite popular throughout the city such as football and camel racing, tennis is in the lead as the most attended and the most watched of them all. Many are becoming avid fans of the sport, and the government of Dubai is noticing and has begun to support the games and the players. With all areas of the city growing, such as the tourism industry, the movie industry, the Dubai UAE luxury hotels, tennis is just one more aspect that is drawing visitors. One of the most anticipated events in tennis today are the Dubai Tennis Championships.

The Dubai Tennis Open began in 1993. It was governed by then, and is still currently, the UAE Tennis Assoc. This tournament has played a key role in the growing popularity of the sport, in the promotion of the games. The championships are held at the Dubai Tennis Stadium. These are outside matches, and draw close to five thousand spectators. There are enclosures for the Royal Court and for VIPs. Tennis has been of the elements of the city that has boosted tourism. International fans travel the world, just to attend these events. The tournament is scheduled each year in February , sometimes March, depending on the other events that are going on in the city at the time. Often times many festivals and sporting events occur in the same time frame, each benefiting from the attendees of the others. The sport is so popular now in the city that the fans are filled with passion and a love of the game. And now, with as much fervor and desire as players have for the Wimbledon games, some of the most famous tennis players in the world have their eye set on the city and winning the championship.

Summer Olympics

Ryan — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:21:33 +0000

Last summer Beijing, China had all the world�s attention as it hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics. Numerous countries sent their top athletes to compete for the glory of the gold medal and many came away with honors and satisfaction. China, the hosting country won the most gold medals with a total of 51. The United States was a close second bringing in 36 gold medals, and Russia rounded out the top three collecting 23. These same three countries also came in with the highest total medal winnings with the United States receiving the most of all with 110. China took second with a total of 100 medals and Russia was third with 72 total gold, silver and bronze medals.

The games began with a spectacular welcoming ceremony that featured Sarah Brightman and Liu Huan singing on a large globe. Two thousand fou drums thundered across the capital while a magnificent fireworks display speckled the sky. There were fourteen thousand performers that night demonstrating the splendor of Chinese culture and history. There were approximately ninety-one thousand spectators in attendance at the National Stadium, commonly known as the �bird�s nest.� Many of those present were visiting from other countries and left no room available at the five star Beijing hotels.

Some of the highlights from the games include the recording breaking efforts of swimmer Michael Phelps from the United States. He won a total of eight medals, surpassing the previous record of seven held by fellow American Mark Spitz. He began the series in rare form, breaking records as he went. The first was for the Men�s 400m Individual Medley, for which he made a world record, clocking in at 4:03:84. Another American athlete, Shawn Johnson made the news with her gold medal in gymnastics, though China has the distinction of winning the most gold medals for the sport, with a total of nine.

Fun in the Mallorca Sun

Ryan — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 13:22:01 +0000

Mallorca, one of the islands off the coast of Spain is known for its mild climate all year around. The breezy mild winters and the warm summers have made this island a favorite destination for tourists from Europe as well as the rest of the world. With more than 300 sunny days a year, this has become a great get away for people living in the countries with winter climates that are far less accommodating . One may leave the harsh winters of Germany or Great Britain, and whether they find themselves sitting on a white sand beach, or shopping in an open air market, or having lunch at a gourmet Spanish restaurant or sitting on the patio of the 4 star hotels Mallorca offers up some summer sun and relaxation at any time of the year.

While the islands are known for that relaxing type of vacation, there are many activities for those wanting just a bit more excitement and those activities take place out on the Mediterranean. The cool and clear blue water of the sea invites sportsmen, and women, to enjoy the beauty of the sea and the island, while traveling at thrilling speeds. One such activity, for those perhaps not athletically inclined para-sailing is a great option. With a parachute attached to a speedboat, one is whisked up into the air and can peacefully experience the island and all its natural beauty from a birds eye view. Another option would be the inner tube, also attached to a boat, one is pulled along while lounging in the center of the tube. If a little more action is desired there is water skiing or wake boarding. The wake board is like a surf board or boogie board, and has become popular with ski enthusiasts as the acrobatic flips and jumps are easily mastered due to the fact that once you get the hang of it the board is actually quite easy to control. Another favorite is of course the jet ski. Sometimes referred to as the “sea horse”, the jet ski allows one the freedom to explore where one desires, or to simply “gallop” through the waves at top speed, a thrilling ride. So whether it is that thrill one seeks on the open water, or the more relaxing tugs along behind a boat, there are many options for those wanting to get off dry land and experience all that Mallorca and the Mediterranean has to offer.

Westminister Week in New York

Ryan — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 01:04:14 +0000

The 133rd annual Westminister Kennel Club Dog Show will be held next week in New York City (February 9-10). While the official show is the main event, there are numerous events held in conjunction with the Westminister Dog Show that make the two-day event into a week of fun and excitement.

It is the only “Titled Champions Only” dog show in North America as well as the oldest dog show in the United States. The Westminister Kennel Club was founded to improve breeding lines and increase interest in various dog breeds. The Club dates back to 1877 and the first show featured 1201 dogs. The “Best in Show” award first appeared in 1907 and ever since champion dogs from across the country have traveled to New York to compete for the coveted title. This year the Show will be held at Madison Square Garden.

Competitors will find lodgings in some of the finer five star New York hotels around the Garden and several hotels will host smaller shows by groups such as the Collie Club of New England, the Boston Terrier Club of New York, and the English Spaniel Club of Long Island. The Dog Judges Association of America Symposium will be held during the week as will the 24th Annual Theatre Benefit for the American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog. The Pedigree Awards Dinner and the Purina Pro Plan’s 54th Annual Show Dogs of the Year Awards are invitation-only events adding to the glamour of the week.

The William Secord Gallery will offer a special exhibit of artwork featuring dogs and the American Canine Education Foundation will hold a dance and reception. The Dog Writers Association of America will also honor their own at their yearly Awards Dinner.

And that’s just a snapshot of the events held in celebration of dogs being held in New York from February 5 – 11th.

U.S. Open Tennis Championship at Same Time as Olympics

Ryan — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:36:55 +0000

July is winding down and tennis fans from around the world are anxiously awaiting the U.S. Open tennis tournament, which is held toward the end of August through the beginning of September. This is the last of the Grand Slam tournaments but not the end of tennis this year. In fact, tennis fans will get a lot more because the 2008 Olympics begin in August.

U.S. Open tennis championship coverage can be see on the Tennis Channel and they will also have updates on the Olympics throughout. The Olympics begin on 8/8/08, which is lucky to the Chinese who will be hosting it. Beijing has been made up and they have even taken steps to get rid of some of the pollution.

The games will played on a hard court and they should be interesting since the players will not have a break from the U.S. Open to the Olympics. In fact, I would not be surprised if there are a few injuries that happen since the players will not have had time to recoup. I imagine that those with injuries from this season will re-injure themselves and those that don’t have injuries will get some.

A Long Term Career in Golf Instruction

Ryan — Mon, 19 May 2008 21:02:40 +0000

Of all the professions with a sports related focus, one will find that careers in golf are the most reliable. This is because golf is a sport that is played by individuals from all walks of life and in every age range. In fact, a golf course can be found in nearly every city on the globe. A good-sized metropolis will likely have not only a municipal golf course but at least one private golf course as well. Golf enthusiasts are well known for consistently looking for ways to improve their game through golf courses, golf resorts, camps and clinics. This creates a demand for golf professionals.

Those seeking to take on a career in golf instruction will need to be properly prepared to do so. As every client will need different kinds of help in different areas, a golf instructor must have the skills to know how to approach each individual situation. Learning these skills from a legitimate curriculum such as those offered at SDGA can get an individual on the right track. Ever growing and ever changing, the golf industry can guarantee a livelihood that will be anything but dull.

French Open Schedule Should Favor Roger Federer

Ryan — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:27:51 +0000

Last year’s French Open was great but I think this year’s might be even better. That’s because in the recent French Open tennis news coverage, the defending champion Rafael Nadal lost on the clay court during a tournament in Rome. The schedule has been very intense this year and his cries to the ATP president were ignored.

Since he is most likely shaken from this unexpected loss, his rival Roger Federer might have a chance this year. Roger is getting older and winning the French Open 2008 might be his last chance to complete his career Grand Slam. He has lost the last two years to Rafa. I’m hoping this year is the year for Roger.

I also hope that he retires when he is on top instead of waiting until he slips in the rankings. Maybe the French Open schedule will be favorable toward him. I guess I’ll just have to keep my fingers crossed and stay glued to the television.

French Open Shows Who is the Best Athlete

Ryan — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:37:34 +0000

The French Open is upon us once again. I love the Roland Garros tournament the best because I think that the athletes that win are the most athletic of them all. That is because the court is clay, which slows down the ball and produces a higher bounce compared to other types of courts.

Roland Garros was a French World War II pilot and this tournament is names after him. I guess he loved tennis. This is the second of the Grand Slam tennis tournaments. First is the Australian Open, the this one, then Wimbledon, and finally the U.S. Open. All of the tournaments keep me on my toes.

The trophies given at the French Open are pure silver with very intricately etched designs on the sides and the winner’s name is etched on a plate holding the trophy. The winners actually receive replicas of the trophy that are still pure silver.