For the sake of my blood pressure, I've learned throughout the years to not get too bent out of shape over things that I can't control, especially rooting for my favorite sports teams.
For the most part, I'm talking about screaming at the TV and not sleeping when things don't go my way. Like I said, for the most part, I've done a pretty good job of not getting too upset.
Until Sunday, that is.
My Packers lost a game they shouldn't have to the Lions. No, I did not take it well. I screamed at the TV and at the dog. Poor Sam, he did nothing wrong and didn't deserve to be yelled at. Of course, he has forgiven me without hesitation. I haven't forgiven myself.
To make a short story long, I'm in a foul mood and I have to go to work. It's a long drive to Cheyenne as it is, but even longer when you're ticked off. I hadn't had lunch, so a quick stop at the McDonald's drive thru was going to have to do.
Wouldn't you know it. Like Sam, they (McDonald's workers) were about to take the brunt of my unpleasantness. For some reason, no one waited on me for about 5 minutes in the drive-thru, although cars were getting their orders in from the other drive-thru. Yeah, I'm not too happy. Then after getting my food and pulling out into Grand Ave., I realize that they didn't give me a straw or napkins.
No, it doesn't get better.
I pull back into the parking lot, go inside and grab a straw and some napkins. I decide to wait a couple more minutes and get in line. "What can I get for you?" the 19-year-old or so McDonald's employee asks me.
"How about some better service," I grumbled, much to the surprise of the worker and the man and his kids who had just ordered. "It took you guys 5 minutes to get my order from the drive-thru when others were going through the other order lane. When I got my food, there wasn't a straw or napkins."
A fool am I.
"Well ... uh, we only have four people working now ... uh, they must have gotten behind," the worker said.
That wasn't what I wanted to hear.
As I was walking out the door, I screamed back, "I don't want to hear excuses!"
Of course, the second I walked out of the door, I realized what an idiot I was and regretted my actions.
"So much for not letting the little things bother me," I say, as I called my wife when I got to the parking lot at work.
Earlier in the week, I told Teresa, no more sweating the small stuff. After all, I had enough to deal with. Things hadn't been going well with Teresa's health, and this past week was especially a rough week. A friend of mine had just lost his mother to a massive heart attack. Just a few months ago, he lost his wife to cancer. He has two young kids at home.
We often complain about things that aren't important when others, like my wife and my friend, have serious issues to deal with every day of their life. They keep going because they have to and they want to, and we bitch about crap.
So I'm screaming at the TV, the dog and minimum wage workers at McDonald's because my team lost and I'm in a bad mood.
Later on Sunday, I go to the hospital to eat and visit Teresa. I'm at the cafeteria to pay for a visitor's tray (great deal, anything on the menu for $5.75) and I discover that I only have $3 cash on me. I give the cashier my debit card. Unfortunately, they don't take plastic. So I ask him if there is an ATM.
"Yes, there is an ATM, but don't bother," the cafeteria worker said. "I got it."
He reaches for his wallet and takes out $6 and puts it into the register. I'm stunned and say, "Did you just pay for it?"
He said, "You know, I have to be here because this is my job. You're here because your wife is sick and she is here. I try to help people out when I can."
Still stunned, and quite frankly, embarrased by my earlier actions, all I can do is shake his hand and thank him.
I asked the girl who brought up my tray to Teresa's room what his name was and described him. She smiled and said, "That sounds like Chris. He does things like that all of the time."
Well, Chris, you're a better man than me. You reminded me that there is hope in this world and maybe there is still hope for me.
Once again, I'm not going to sweat the small stuff. I owe it to Chris.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Say an extra cheer for UW -- my wife would if she could
For those who don't know, my wife is a former Cowgirl basketball player from the mid 1980s (Teresa Poindexter, later Teresa Clift). She then became a RN at Ivinsion Memorial Hospital for many years before working at the Cathedral Home for Children. She has spent much of her adult life taking care of people.
Teresa was diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis in 1993 and the disease has taken a serious toll on her health. Add to that, she was in a very bad car accident a year ago that basically shattered her back beyond repair. To make a long story short, she has been in and out of hospitals and nursing homes since then, as she basically can't walk or hardly sit up in bed on her own. She is now in the Cheyenne hospital without much hope of ever leading a normal life again.
Teresa, along with her daughter, Cassie, were fixtures at Wyoming athletic events throughout the years, especially Cowgirl basketball games. She was proud to be a Cowgirl, and win or lose, loved cheering for her school. You might have seen or heard her at the games. She was the one who was constantly standing up cheering, telling the Cowgirls or Cowboys to run their offense, get back on defense or rebound. As a former player, she was still in the game.
Teresa and Cassie might have more Cowgirl basketball t-shirts than anybody I know. They seemed to come home with a new one after each home game. The WNIT title, and then the NCAA Tournament appearance the next year, were special times in their lives, something they'll never forget. It was also an opportunity for Teresa and some of her old teammates to reconnect again, which is something I'll always be grateful to Joe Legerski and the Cowgirls for giving them that opportunity.
I can't help but think about how my wife would give anything to be able to go to a UW game and cheer on her Cowboys or Cowgirls again. I can only pray that that will happen.
I know sports message boards give fans a place to vent -- I've done it before myself. But I'm thinking, instead of trying to find all that is wrong, take a break and cheer on the Cowboys and Cowgirls, even when things aren't always going as well as you would like. It just seems to be easier these days to be critical, rather than supportive.
Maybe I'm crazy, but when you get a chance, give an extra cheer. Hopefully, Teresa will have the opportunity to cheer again some day. If anybody needs a reason to cheer, it's my wife.
Teresa was diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis in 1993 and the disease has taken a serious toll on her health. Add to that, she was in a very bad car accident a year ago that basically shattered her back beyond repair. To make a long story short, she has been in and out of hospitals and nursing homes since then, as she basically can't walk or hardly sit up in bed on her own. She is now in the Cheyenne hospital without much hope of ever leading a normal life again.
Teresa, along with her daughter, Cassie, were fixtures at Wyoming athletic events throughout the years, especially Cowgirl basketball games. She was proud to be a Cowgirl, and win or lose, loved cheering for her school. You might have seen or heard her at the games. She was the one who was constantly standing up cheering, telling the Cowgirls or Cowboys to run their offense, get back on defense or rebound. As a former player, she was still in the game.
Teresa and Cassie might have more Cowgirl basketball t-shirts than anybody I know. They seemed to come home with a new one after each home game. The WNIT title, and then the NCAA Tournament appearance the next year, were special times in their lives, something they'll never forget. It was also an opportunity for Teresa and some of her old teammates to reconnect again, which is something I'll always be grateful to Joe Legerski and the Cowgirls for giving them that opportunity.
I can't help but think about how my wife would give anything to be able to go to a UW game and cheer on her Cowboys or Cowgirls again. I can only pray that that will happen.
I know sports message boards give fans a place to vent -- I've done it before myself. But I'm thinking, instead of trying to find all that is wrong, take a break and cheer on the Cowboys and Cowgirls, even when things aren't always going as well as you would like. It just seems to be easier these days to be critical, rather than supportive.
Maybe I'm crazy, but when you get a chance, give an extra cheer. Hopefully, Teresa will have the opportunity to cheer again some day. If anybody needs a reason to cheer, it's my wife.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Sewell lights up the boxscore
Cowgirls sophomore Chaundra Sewell has been a high-energy player in her short tenure at Wyoming. Elbows flying and pure hustle up and down the court. She has been a crowd favorite from the beginning.
In her previous time off the bench, the 6-foot-1 forward did many things a team needs that doesn't always show up in the boxscore.
Until Saturday, that is.
Sewell started her first game as a Cowgirl and played a career-best 37 minutes, scored a career-high 23 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out four assists in the 68-55 win over Idaho in the Arena-Auditorium.
To put this linescore in perspective, her previous high in points was 11 and she went into Saturday's game averaging 4.8 points per contest.
Sewell got the start with junior Kristen Scheffler now out for the season with her chronic bad back. While the news is certainly disappointing for Scheffler, the Cowgirls and the UW faithful in the stands, Sewell's performance was not only an eye-opener, but it gives all involved an adrenaline shot of optimism.
Without Scheffler, Wyoming certainly needs another scoring option to go along with go-to seniors Aubrey Vandiver and Hillary Carlson. A more consistent offensive effort from senior forward Jade Kennedy and senior guard Randi Richardson -- who both do a fine job in other aspects of the game -- will help the depth-challenged Cowgirls down the road, especially once they reach Mountain West Conference play.
"For Chaundra to get her first start, play 37 minutes and get 23 points and eight rebounds, she was a force out there on the court," Wyoming coach Joe Legerski told the media after the Cowgirls win over the Vandals.
Was this a one-time highlight for Sewell? Not necessarily because the gangly forward has shown signs of offensive prowess. Yet, to think the Cowgirls are going to get 23 and 8 every time out is unrealistic, especially for a young player who is really just getting her feet wet.
But it was that type of effort and performance that will get noticed from around the league -- and if that happens -- it could open up a lane or two for Vandiver and Carlson.
One highlight game does not make a career, but it's not a bad way to make your first start.
Until Saturday, that is.
Sewell started her first game as a Cowgirl and played a career-best 37 minutes, scored a career-high 23 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out four assists in the 68-55 win over Idaho in the Arena-Auditorium.
To put this linescore in perspective, her previous high in points was 11 and she went into Saturday's game averaging 4.8 points per contest.
Sewell got the start with junior Kristen Scheffler now out for the season with her chronic bad back. While the news is certainly disappointing for Scheffler, the Cowgirls and the UW faithful in the stands, Sewell's performance was not only an eye-opener, but it gives all involved an adrenaline shot of optimism.
Without Scheffler, Wyoming certainly needs another scoring option to go along with go-to seniors Aubrey Vandiver and Hillary Carlson. A more consistent offensive effort from senior forward Jade Kennedy and senior guard Randi Richardson -- who both do a fine job in other aspects of the game -- will help the depth-challenged Cowgirls down the road, especially once they reach Mountain West Conference play.
"For Chaundra to get her first start, play 37 minutes and get 23 points and eight rebounds, she was a force out there on the court," Wyoming coach Joe Legerski told the media after the Cowgirls win over the Vandals.
Was this a one-time highlight for Sewell? Not necessarily because the gangly forward has shown signs of offensive prowess. Yet, to think the Cowgirls are going to get 23 and 8 every time out is unrealistic, especially for a young player who is really just getting her feet wet.
But it was that type of effort and performance that will get noticed from around the league -- and if that happens -- it could open up a lane or two for Vandiver and Carlson.
One highlight game does not make a career, but it's not a bad way to make your first start.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
To hell with logic or excuses
Sometimes it is hard to remember if I'm a sports fan or a sportswriter.
For much of my adult life, I've been both. On Saturday, I was just a sports fan after the Wyoming Cowboys let one slip away, losing to New Mexico 34-31 in Albuquerque.
Evidently, I still think I'm both.
Like most sports fans whose team loses, I was ticked off. Still am. Yet, immediately I was trying to justify the outcome as a sportswriter to those around me. Evidently, nothing really has changed.
And several hours after the disheartening loss to the Lobos, the game was still eating me up. Why now?
A lot of it has to do with the fact that I didn't cover the game as a sportswriter and I had no outlet in explaining the actions on the field and the reactions after the game.
You see, that's what sportswriters and sportscasters do. They observe, ask questions, write or comment and then move on. But Saturday night, there was no justification through words written or spoken as to why the game turned out like it did.
All I could do is ask myself what happened and try to rationalize it to my co-workers or in my head. The latter, I'm finding, isn't working.
As a sports fan on the outside, games like this leave you with an empty feeling, kind of like a kick to the stomach.
So what happened? It's pretty simple. The Cowboys turned the ball over four times, three times deep in New Mexico territory and once deep in their own territory.
The 34-31 loss should have been a 52-27 win. Of course, that's the sportswriter logic in me.
As the sports fan, I don't really care about logic or excuses, even though I agree with the sportswriter. All the sports fan in me really cares about is if my team won the game. The Cowboys lost the game on Saturday. Just keep logic or excuses to yourself.
As a sportswriter, I can state the facts, I can lash out, I can justify through words. When that is done, it all starts over again for next week's game.
The sports fan in me can't get over it as easy. I can complain to whoever will listen. I can be an armchair quarterback at the coffee shop, the bar or on the message boards. Regardless, I'm still pissed off.
I've got a sneaky suspicion that I'll probably pissed off for a while.
For much of my adult life, I've been both. On Saturday, I was just a sports fan after the Wyoming Cowboys let one slip away, losing to New Mexico 34-31 in Albuquerque.
Evidently, I still think I'm both.
Like most sports fans whose team loses, I was ticked off. Still am. Yet, immediately I was trying to justify the outcome as a sportswriter to those around me. Evidently, nothing really has changed.
And several hours after the disheartening loss to the Lobos, the game was still eating me up. Why now?
A lot of it has to do with the fact that I didn't cover the game as a sportswriter and I had no outlet in explaining the actions on the field and the reactions after the game.
You see, that's what sportswriters and sportscasters do. They observe, ask questions, write or comment and then move on. But Saturday night, there was no justification through words written or spoken as to why the game turned out like it did.
All I could do is ask myself what happened and try to rationalize it to my co-workers or in my head. The latter, I'm finding, isn't working.
As a sports fan on the outside, games like this leave you with an empty feeling, kind of like a kick to the stomach.
So what happened? It's pretty simple. The Cowboys turned the ball over four times, three times deep in New Mexico territory and once deep in their own territory.
The 34-31 loss should have been a 52-27 win. Of course, that's the sportswriter logic in me.
As the sports fan, I don't really care about logic or excuses, even though I agree with the sportswriter. All the sports fan in me really cares about is if my team won the game. The Cowboys lost the game on Saturday. Just keep logic or excuses to yourself.
As a sportswriter, I can state the facts, I can lash out, I can justify through words. When that is done, it all starts over again for next week's game.
The sports fan in me can't get over it as easy. I can complain to whoever will listen. I can be an armchair quarterback at the coffee shop, the bar or on the message boards. Regardless, I'm still pissed off.
I've got a sneaky suspicion that I'll probably pissed off for a while.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Blond beauty in the stands
OK, nothing special of this photo I took Saturday of the Wyoming-San Diego State game. But notice the guy in the stands with the halter top and skirt with the blond wig (click on photo). When told that it was a cool Halloween outfit, he responded, "What Halloween outfit?"
Friday, October 29, 2010
Brent Favre is following me
I must admit, I took a second, third and fourth look when after checking my e-mail yesterday, I noticed that "Brent Favre" is following me on Twitter (http://twitter.com/RichsRamblings).
Did I read this right? Favre is following little old Richard Anderson from Laramie, Wyoming, on Twitter?
OK, who's pulling my chain? This is October, not April 1.
It just can't be. No way, no how. After the third look, I realized it said "Brent Favre," which is not the one and only turncoat quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings, Brett Favre.
You've heard of Brett Favre. If not, just see Deadspin or turn on ESPN, the 24-hour Brett Favre network for your Brett Favre fix. On Deadspin ... uh, apparently you'll see more than of the guy that you really want to see.
As it turns out in the twitterlicious social networking world of Twitter, there is a "Brent Favre: (http://twitter.com/#!/BrentFavre) and he wants to follow me. I guess my chest kind of puffed up a bit until I realized "Brent Favre," is following about 2,000 other Twitter accounts.
Evidently, I must have said a disparaging word or two about the former Packers quarterback who is now on my No. 1 enemies list, my No. 1 shi&%$# list, soon to be on my dartboard in my basement.
I admit to be a little curious when I receive an e-mail from a new Twitter follower, especially from somebody that I don't know. Some are sports related, some are trying to sell me something and some are ... well, they are just plain naughty. Yeah, I said it, naughty. The latter two I delete immediately. Well, eventually.
So in my research of "Brent Favre" on Twitter, I discover that he is not a long, lost cousin of the Favre klan in Mississippi, but a Packers fan who, like yours truly, probably wants to punch old No. 4 in the nose for signing with the Viqueens. As it turns out, there is also a http://www.brentfavre.com/ blog as well that features all things Packers and all things insulting of you know who. It describes itself as, "The Packers Blog Born From Treachery."
I haven't decided if I will follow "Brent Favre" myself on Twitter, although it is mighty tempting. I'm a little afraid that I will get flooded by tweets from "Brent Favre" that would overshadow my usual updates from Pee wee Herman, Gene Simmons, and of course, Butterbob.
I might have to sleep on this, flip a coin or just throw a dart at my Brett Favre dartboard.
Now that's an idea, a Brett Favre dartboard. Maybe I can sell them on http://www.brentfavre.com/.
Did I read this right? Favre is following little old Richard Anderson from Laramie, Wyoming, on Twitter?
OK, who's pulling my chain? This is October, not April 1.
It just can't be. No way, no how. After the third look, I realized it said "Brent Favre," which is not the one and only turncoat quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings, Brett Favre.
You've heard of Brett Favre. If not, just see Deadspin or turn on ESPN, the 24-hour Brett Favre network for your Brett Favre fix. On Deadspin ... uh, apparently you'll see more than of the guy that you really want to see.
As it turns out in the twitterlicious social networking world of Twitter, there is a "Brent Favre: (http://twitter.com/#!/BrentFavre) and he wants to follow me. I guess my chest kind of puffed up a bit until I realized "Brent Favre," is following about 2,000 other Twitter accounts.
Evidently, I must have said a disparaging word or two about the former Packers quarterback who is now on my No. 1 enemies list, my No. 1 shi&%$# list, soon to be on my dartboard in my basement.
I admit to be a little curious when I receive an e-mail from a new Twitter follower, especially from somebody that I don't know. Some are sports related, some are trying to sell me something and some are ... well, they are just plain naughty. Yeah, I said it, naughty. The latter two I delete immediately. Well, eventually.
So in my research of "Brent Favre" on Twitter, I discover that he is not a long, lost cousin of the Favre klan in Mississippi, but a Packers fan who, like yours truly, probably wants to punch old No. 4 in the nose for signing with the Viqueens. As it turns out, there is also a http://www.brentfavre.com/ blog as well that features all things Packers and all things insulting of you know who. It describes itself as, "The Packers Blog Born From Treachery."
I haven't decided if I will follow "Brent Favre" myself on Twitter, although it is mighty tempting. I'm a little afraid that I will get flooded by tweets from "Brent Favre" that would overshadow my usual updates from Pee wee Herman, Gene Simmons, and of course, Butterbob.
I might have to sleep on this, flip a coin or just throw a dart at my Brett Favre dartboard.
Now that's an idea, a Brett Favre dartboard. Maybe I can sell them on http://www.brentfavre.com/.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
How dare they hold media day without me
Another Wyoming basketball media day has come and gone. For the first time since 2000, it went on without me.
Part of that was my fault as I am kind of out of the loop this year. I say that as I am not doing my usual sportswriting this year as a news copy editor for the Wyoming Tribune Eagle.
Part of it was also because I forgot. I probably could have hung out there, had lunch and listened to Cowboys head coach Heath Schroyer and Cowgirls head coach Joe Legerski. Instead, I was at the hospital visiting my wife and waiting for the car to get fixed so I could go to my job in Cheyenne.
Now that I think of it, even if the epic event hadn't slipped my mind, I did have other things to do.
From what I've have heard and read, though, it was a typical media day. They never really change. The coaches and players are optimistic about the upcoming season. If they can stay away from injuries, they think they can play well and have a good year.
Yes, we have all heard that before.
But that's OK. If the players and coaches don't say those things, then there is likely going to be a problem.
If you went to the media days or saw pictures in the various media outlets, you saw the Cowboys sport new uniforms -- or unis, as we like to say. What did you think? I like them. I guess we'll see how they look on the court.
With that said, here's a couple of links to the coverage by the WyoSports staff.
Cowboys grow up
Cowgirls are building a lasting legacy
As you can see, it was nothing Earth shattering. Typical media day. I've probably even written the same stories myself throughout the years.
But for some strange reason, I am optimistic as well for good seasons from the Cowboys and Cowgirls. Then again, I thought the same thing last year.
I was half right, as the UW women did have a a good year, qualifying for the quarterfinals of the WNIT. Of course, the injury bug, along with other problems, showed its ugly head for the Cowboys and the result was a 10-21 season.
Oh yeah, what did I miss for lunch?
Part of that was my fault as I am kind of out of the loop this year. I say that as I am not doing my usual sportswriting this year as a news copy editor for the Wyoming Tribune Eagle.
Part of it was also because I forgot. I probably could have hung out there, had lunch and listened to Cowboys head coach Heath Schroyer and Cowgirls head coach Joe Legerski. Instead, I was at the hospital visiting my wife and waiting for the car to get fixed so I could go to my job in Cheyenne.
Now that I think of it, even if the epic event hadn't slipped my mind, I did have other things to do.
From what I've have heard and read, though, it was a typical media day. They never really change. The coaches and players are optimistic about the upcoming season. If they can stay away from injuries, they think they can play well and have a good year.
Yes, we have all heard that before.
But that's OK. If the players and coaches don't say those things, then there is likely going to be a problem.
If you went to the media days or saw pictures in the various media outlets, you saw the Cowboys sport new uniforms -- or unis, as we like to say. What did you think? I like them. I guess we'll see how they look on the court.
With that said, here's a couple of links to the coverage by the WyoSports staff.
Cowboys grow up
Cowgirls are building a lasting legacy
As you can see, it was nothing Earth shattering. Typical media day. I've probably even written the same stories myself throughout the years.
But for some strange reason, I am optimistic as well for good seasons from the Cowboys and Cowgirls. Then again, I thought the same thing last year.
I was half right, as the UW women did have a a good year, qualifying for the quarterfinals of the WNIT. Of course, the injury bug, along with other problems, showed its ugly head for the Cowboys and the result was a 10-21 season.
Oh yeah, what did I miss for lunch?
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Ranking the best sports towns
Laramie is a long way from No. 1 nationally, but in the state of Wyoming, the Gem City is top dog.
Of course, if you're from Casper, Cheyenne or Gillette, right now you are scoffing at that notion. As a Laramie resident who works in Cheyenne and being in Casper enough, I know exactly what most residents in the state's two largest communities think of Laramie.
Maybe the green-eyed monster is involved. Why? Because Laramie has the University of Wyoming and they don't.
With that said, that is why Laramie is No. 1 in the state of Wyoming and No. 121 in the country (and Canada) -- as a sports town, according to The Sporting News.
The Sporting News ranked the top 402 sports towns in the country (and Canada) recently and listed Chicago as No. 1 (Yakima, Wash., is No. 402).
The rankings were from summer 2009 to summer 2010 and based on point values assigned to various categories, including but not limited to won-lost records, postseason appearances, applicable power ratings, number of teams and attendance.
Denver is ranked ninth to lead the way in the rocky Mountain region. For all of you UW sports fans, yes, Colorado State and Fort Collins beat us again -- barely. Fort Collins is ranked 120th. Maybe that can flip-flop by this time next year with just a little better sports season.
Other area cities to make the listing were Lincoln, Neb. (63), Colorado Springs, Colo. (103), Missoula, Mont. (145), Greeley, Colo. (160), Fargo, N.D. (217), Bismarck, N.D. (296), Grand Forks, N.D. (346), Great Falls, Mont. (386), Helena, Mont. (396), Casper (397) and Billings, Mont. (401).
As you can see, college towns are the common denominator. Evidently, junior college towns aren't quite cutting it, although Casper barely made the list, likely thanks to the Casper Ghosts minor league baseball team. Sorry Cheyenne and LCCC, better luck next time.
Here's the complete list if you really want to know: best sports cities
Of course, if you're from Casper, Cheyenne or Gillette, right now you are scoffing at that notion. As a Laramie resident who works in Cheyenne and being in Casper enough, I know exactly what most residents in the state's two largest communities think of Laramie.
Maybe the green-eyed monster is involved. Why? Because Laramie has the University of Wyoming and they don't.
With that said, that is why Laramie is No. 1 in the state of Wyoming and No. 121 in the country (and Canada) -- as a sports town, according to The Sporting News.
The Sporting News ranked the top 402 sports towns in the country (and Canada) recently and listed Chicago as No. 1 (Yakima, Wash., is No. 402).
The rankings were from summer 2009 to summer 2010 and based on point values assigned to various categories, including but not limited to won-lost records, postseason appearances, applicable power ratings, number of teams and attendance.
Denver is ranked ninth to lead the way in the rocky Mountain region. For all of you UW sports fans, yes, Colorado State and Fort Collins beat us again -- barely. Fort Collins is ranked 120th. Maybe that can flip-flop by this time next year with just a little better sports season.
Other area cities to make the listing were Lincoln, Neb. (63), Colorado Springs, Colo. (103), Missoula, Mont. (145), Greeley, Colo. (160), Fargo, N.D. (217), Bismarck, N.D. (296), Grand Forks, N.D. (346), Great Falls, Mont. (386), Helena, Mont. (396), Casper (397) and Billings, Mont. (401).
As you can see, college towns are the common denominator. Evidently, junior college towns aren't quite cutting it, although Casper barely made the list, likely thanks to the Casper Ghosts minor league baseball team. Sorry Cheyenne and LCCC, better luck next time.
Here's the complete list if you really want to know: best sports cities
Monday, October 4, 2010
One win at a time
I don't think there is any doubt that the Wyoming Cowboys season hinged on Saturday's game at Toledo.
A loss to the Rockets, and at 1-4, you could probably kiss the Cowboys chances of being bowl eligible good-bye.
At 2-3, there's still hope. The Cowboys will still likely need to knock somebody off that isn't expected, and I think BYU should be in their sites. But closing the season with four very winnable games - at New Mexico and UNLV and at home with San Diego State and CSU, another 6-6 regular-season record could get them in a bowl.
Again, losing to Toledo would have made that opportunity very difficult.
Now, that's not to say that the Cowboys are a lock to win those final four -- we all now that the road to success has stumbling blocks along the way if you aren't paying attention.
Wyoming needs to pay close attention to detail.
If the Cowboys finish 6-6 and get in and win another bowl game -- remember, I said if -- then it would be hard to deny that this was a successful season. In fact, to be able to accomplish what they did last year, I'm not so sure that it wouldn't be a more successful feat.
Yes, I'm probably ahead of myself, as there is a lot of season left and it all could crumble if the Cowboys don't close with those four wins. For now, its five games into a 12-game season. It is what it is.
So, you say same record, but more successful? With Wyoming's schedule this season, that's what it will amount to.
In the meantime, the Cowboys need to revert to last year's strong finishes in games (UW has been outscored 50-0 in the fourth quarter this year) and they need to shore up things offensively and defensively.
But none of that would mean a hill of beans if the Cowboys gave up a late TD to Toledo Saturday and lost 22-20.
So be patient Wyoming fans, especially with TCU, Utah and BYU up next. It's what follows these three that will decide things.
A loss to the Rockets, and at 1-4, you could probably kiss the Cowboys chances of being bowl eligible good-bye.
At 2-3, there's still hope. The Cowboys will still likely need to knock somebody off that isn't expected, and I think BYU should be in their sites. But closing the season with four very winnable games - at New Mexico and UNLV and at home with San Diego State and CSU, another 6-6 regular-season record could get them in a bowl.
Again, losing to Toledo would have made that opportunity very difficult.
Now, that's not to say that the Cowboys are a lock to win those final four -- we all now that the road to success has stumbling blocks along the way if you aren't paying attention.
Wyoming needs to pay close attention to detail.
If the Cowboys finish 6-6 and get in and win another bowl game -- remember, I said if -- then it would be hard to deny that this was a successful season. In fact, to be able to accomplish what they did last year, I'm not so sure that it wouldn't be a more successful feat.
Yes, I'm probably ahead of myself, as there is a lot of season left and it all could crumble if the Cowboys don't close with those four wins. For now, its five games into a 12-game season. It is what it is.
So, you say same record, but more successful? With Wyoming's schedule this season, that's what it will amount to.
In the meantime, the Cowboys need to revert to last year's strong finishes in games (UW has been outscored 50-0 in the fourth quarter this year) and they need to shore up things offensively and defensively.
But none of that would mean a hill of beans if the Cowboys gave up a late TD to Toledo Saturday and lost 22-20.
So be patient Wyoming fans, especially with TCU, Utah and BYU up next. It's what follows these three that will decide things.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Get your tickets now
Thinking about seeing the Cowboys take on No. 3 Boise State on Saturday (6 p.m.)? Don't think too long, as there are less than 1,000 tickets available as of Tuesday afternoon. At the rate that tickets are being sold, it is expected that the game will officially be sold out by Thursday morning. Tickets may be purchased online at www.WyomingAthletics.com or by calling 877-WYO-FAN1.
All Wyoming fans are also invited to take part in the Cowboy Walk approximately 2 1/2 hours prior to each home game. The Cowboy Walk starts each week at the Hilton Garden Inn on the corner of 22nd Street and Grand Avenue, directly east of War Memorial Stadium. Fans are encouraged to be a part of Saturday’s walk to honor the players and coaches and wish them well as they walk from their team hotel through the parking lot east of War Memorial Stadium and on into the football locker room in the Rochelle Athletics Center. This week’s Cowboy Walk will begin at approximately 3:30 p.m.
Saturday’s game will also be televised by CBS College Sports, check your local listings.
All Wyoming fans are also invited to take part in the Cowboy Walk approximately 2 1/2 hours prior to each home game. The Cowboy Walk starts each week at the Hilton Garden Inn on the corner of 22nd Street and Grand Avenue, directly east of War Memorial Stadium. Fans are encouraged to be a part of Saturday’s walk to honor the players and coaches and wish them well as they walk from their team hotel through the parking lot east of War Memorial Stadium and on into the football locker room in the Rochelle Athletics Center. This week’s Cowboy Walk will begin at approximately 3:30 p.m.
Saturday’s game will also be televised by CBS College Sports, check your local listings.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Sunday, August 1, 2010
I remember that kid
As is the case on most Sundays, I watched the Twins on DirecTV. There was a little extra interest today, with the Twins taking on the Mariners, who I followed from 1998-2001 when I worked in Mount Vernon, Wash.
I was also a little intrigued with M's third baseman Matt Tuiasosopo, whose bloodline is thick with professional sports, as his father, Manu, was a college and NFL star lineman and his brothers, Marques and Zach, were college stars at the University of Washington and then NFL players.
Matt Tuiasosopo chose baseball and while he has been up and down from Tacoma to Seattle this year, he is a Major Leaguer. He also faced the Laramie All Stars in the 1998 Northwest Regional Little League Tournament in San Bernardino, Calif.
That led to me to wonder, with Laramie's rich history of going to the regional tournament, there probably have been a few Major Leaguers that not only have played in the tournament, but against Laramie.
One other comes to mind, the Rockies Troy Tulowitzki. I'm sure there are others and local baseball coach and historian, VerDon Hoopes, would have a better idea of how many MLB'ers came up through the ranks as 11- and 12-year-olds.
It's always fun to see a young baseball player turn into a MLB player. While that hasn't quite happened in Laramie or surprisingly in Cheyenne, for some reason Casper has three -- Mike Lansing, Tom Browning and Mike Deveraux.
While in Mount Vernon, I covered Kyle Kendrick while he was a high school football, basketball and baseball star, and now he pitches for the Philadelphia Phillies. I also briefly interviewed NASCAR star Kasey Kahne while he was a teenage sprint car sensation in NW Washington.
While I am sure that Kendrick and especially Kahne don't remember me from those days, I haven't forgotten, and yes, that always makes good bar conversation.
In a related note, the Laramie All-Stars will be making another trip to San Bernardino as they are coming off their 17th state title (fifth in-a-row) and will open the tournament on Aug. 6 against Auburn, Wash.
Keep track, maybe there is a future MLB'er in this tournament. Of course, we won't know for until another 10-12 years.
I was also a little intrigued with M's third baseman Matt Tuiasosopo, whose bloodline is thick with professional sports, as his father, Manu, was a college and NFL star lineman and his brothers, Marques and Zach, were college stars at the University of Washington and then NFL players.
Matt Tuiasosopo chose baseball and while he has been up and down from Tacoma to Seattle this year, he is a Major Leaguer. He also faced the Laramie All Stars in the 1998 Northwest Regional Little League Tournament in San Bernardino, Calif.
That led to me to wonder, with Laramie's rich history of going to the regional tournament, there probably have been a few Major Leaguers that not only have played in the tournament, but against Laramie.
One other comes to mind, the Rockies Troy Tulowitzki. I'm sure there are others and local baseball coach and historian, VerDon Hoopes, would have a better idea of how many MLB'ers came up through the ranks as 11- and 12-year-olds.
It's always fun to see a young baseball player turn into a MLB player. While that hasn't quite happened in Laramie or surprisingly in Cheyenne, for some reason Casper has three -- Mike Lansing, Tom Browning and Mike Deveraux.
While in Mount Vernon, I covered Kyle Kendrick while he was a high school football, basketball and baseball star, and now he pitches for the Philadelphia Phillies. I also briefly interviewed NASCAR star Kasey Kahne while he was a teenage sprint car sensation in NW Washington.
While I am sure that Kendrick and especially Kahne don't remember me from those days, I haven't forgotten, and yes, that always makes good bar conversation.
In a related note, the Laramie All-Stars will be making another trip to San Bernardino as they are coming off their 17th state title (fifth in-a-row) and will open the tournament on Aug. 6 against Auburn, Wash.
Keep track, maybe there is a future MLB'er in this tournament. Of course, we won't know for until another 10-12 years.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Sportswriting withdrawl
August is right around the corner and for most of my last 30 years or so, that usually means getting ready for the fall sports season on the high school and college levels.
And of course, it is NFL training camp time, but that is another story.
This year, though, it is going to be a little different for yours truly, as with my position as a news copy editor for the Wyoming Tribune Eagle, I won't be getting ready for high school and college football and everything else that goes with it.
Just as it was strange this summer not covering youth baseball at some level for the first time since 1983, that will be the case only multiplied many times over with everything else that I have covered in my years as a sportswriter.
Let's see ... I began my first full-time newspaper job in 1982 in Worland. I actually did some high school sports coverage in college (Black Hills State University) in Spearfish for the neighboring Belle Fourche Bee (it's been so long I think that was what the weekly paper there was called). I also some part-time work for the Hot Springs (S.D.) Star before I landed in Worland.
Technically, you can say this will be the first time in 30 years that I haven't been a sportswriter.
I might need a therapist soon. I know, maybe I could start a new VH1 reality show, something like, "Sportswriting Withdrawl with Dr. Drew." We could even include sportscasters on the show. We could invite Jim Gray. After that LeBron James/ESPN fiasco, he probably shouldn't be on the air anytime soon.
It won't be long before the football pads are popping and the 128-pound freshman running back with no speed gets ready for the first Plainsmen practice. Of course, three days later, 11 of those players will realize why they hadn't gone out for football previously.
It won't be long until the fall media day at UW when football coach Dave Christensen, volleyball coach Carrie Yerty and cross country coach Randy Cole will be their optimistic selves in dreaming of better things to come this season. And why not? They're all undefeated at this time.
Of course, there will be hordes of reporters asking the same questions to the athletes, who will give the same answers as last year.
Maybe I'll try to blend in with the crowd. After all, UW officials are used to seeing me there. They might forget that I'm not actually working this time.
I won't tell if you don't tell.
I guess there are some positives about not being a member of the working press. I can wear a UW t-shirt to a Cowboy game or a Plainsmen hat to a LHS contest. I can voice my displeasure about the officiating (clean, of course). I can leave the game early if I want to.
Crap, that also means I will have to pay to get into the game.
I think I would rather be working.
And of course, it is NFL training camp time, but that is another story.
This year, though, it is going to be a little different for yours truly, as with my position as a news copy editor for the Wyoming Tribune Eagle, I won't be getting ready for high school and college football and everything else that goes with it.
Just as it was strange this summer not covering youth baseball at some level for the first time since 1983, that will be the case only multiplied many times over with everything else that I have covered in my years as a sportswriter.
Let's see ... I began my first full-time newspaper job in 1982 in Worland. I actually did some high school sports coverage in college (Black Hills State University) in Spearfish for the neighboring Belle Fourche Bee (it's been so long I think that was what the weekly paper there was called). I also some part-time work for the Hot Springs (S.D.) Star before I landed in Worland.
Technically, you can say this will be the first time in 30 years that I haven't been a sportswriter.
I might need a therapist soon. I know, maybe I could start a new VH1 reality show, something like, "Sportswriting Withdrawl with Dr. Drew." We could even include sportscasters on the show. We could invite Jim Gray. After that LeBron James/ESPN fiasco, he probably shouldn't be on the air anytime soon.
It won't be long before the football pads are popping and the 128-pound freshman running back with no speed gets ready for the first Plainsmen practice. Of course, three days later, 11 of those players will realize why they hadn't gone out for football previously.
It won't be long until the fall media day at UW when football coach Dave Christensen, volleyball coach Carrie Yerty and cross country coach Randy Cole will be their optimistic selves in dreaming of better things to come this season. And why not? They're all undefeated at this time.
Of course, there will be hordes of reporters asking the same questions to the athletes, who will give the same answers as last year.
Maybe I'll try to blend in with the crowd. After all, UW officials are used to seeing me there. They might forget that I'm not actually working this time.
I won't tell if you don't tell.
I guess there are some positives about not being a member of the working press. I can wear a UW t-shirt to a Cowboy game or a Plainsmen hat to a LHS contest. I can voice my displeasure about the officiating (clean, of course). I can leave the game early if I want to.
Crap, that also means I will have to pay to get into the game.
I think I would rather be working.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Bad soccer fan, bad soccer fan
Evidently, I am supposed to follow the World Cup.
"Anyone who doesn't root for the U.S. team is un-American," I overheard in the newsroom recently.
Those are fighting words, I tell you.
Nobody should ever suggest that I am un-American, although the comment wasn't directed at me ... I don't think.
I will admit that I have never been accused of being politically correct. With that said, I just can't watch an event like the World Cup where I don't know 99 percent of the participants. I think I could name about three players on the U.S. team, so make that 99.9 percent.
I have a hard time watching a sport in which I can't pronounce the names of 99 percent of the participants. I even get a little lost at times, I admit, in tennis.
I have a hard time watching an event where I have to look up where the country is located ... as soon as I can figure out how to spell and pronounce that country's name.
I have a hard time watching an event that I didn't grow up playing. Blame that on my age (51) and blame that on my school. There was no organized and sanctioned soccer then, and actually, still to this day I don't think it exists.
I played football, basketball and baseball. I'm a meat and potatoes sports fan, I guess. As far as I am concerned, those are the three sporting seasons. Sure, I've played a little golf and tennis. I tried wrestling once for three days in the sixth grade. My tall, gangly frame at the time didn't allow a lot of grappling leverage, so to speak. Oh, how I yearn for those gangly days again. Now I fit in the chubby category.
Let's see, what else. I ice skated but never really played hockey. I watch hockey now and then, but am far from an expert on the game.
They tried me in just about every event possible in track and field in the ninth grade. Too tall and gangly to be a sprinter; I could never pace myself as a distance runner, and I couldn't jump much. I even ran the high hurdles once. I jumped about two feet over each hurdle in an attempt of not wiping out.
Basically, I sucked at every event.
The funny thing is, if my high school would have had soccer in the spring, I would have played the sport, and I would have been good at it. But my soccer experience amounted to a week or so each year in PE class.
So now I am supposed to get excited about the World Cup. Talking on Sportsline Live last Monday on the radio, it was pretty apparent that I was not excited and my co-host was. So let him talk about it.
I did watch about 10 minutes of the U.S.-England match. I did see the American goal. I didn't see any of the U.S-Slowhatevervenia match. I think I was sleeping at the time.
Did I say I have a hard time watching a sport that ends in a tie? I have a feeling that former NFL player and coach Herm Edwards could not coach soccer. Imagine if he did. He would have famously been quoted as saying, "You play to tie the game!"
Don't get me wrong, I don't hate soccer and I wish the U.S. team well. Maybe I'll even try to watch (part of) its next game ... if my allegiance to my country requires it.
Oh yeah, what the duce is up with those vuvuzela-like horns? I see in Miami Saturday night, they passed them out for the Rays-Marlins baseball game (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=300619128). Already, this is my nominee for worst promotion idea of the year in MLB.
In the minutes I have watched the World Cup, because of those horns, I became paranoid that there was a bumble bee loose in the room.
I think there still is.
"Anyone who doesn't root for the U.S. team is un-American," I overheard in the newsroom recently.
Those are fighting words, I tell you.
Nobody should ever suggest that I am un-American, although the comment wasn't directed at me ... I don't think.
I will admit that I have never been accused of being politically correct. With that said, I just can't watch an event like the World Cup where I don't know 99 percent of the participants. I think I could name about three players on the U.S. team, so make that 99.9 percent.
I have a hard time watching a sport in which I can't pronounce the names of 99 percent of the participants. I even get a little lost at times, I admit, in tennis.
I have a hard time watching an event where I have to look up where the country is located ... as soon as I can figure out how to spell and pronounce that country's name.
I have a hard time watching an event that I didn't grow up playing. Blame that on my age (51) and blame that on my school. There was no organized and sanctioned soccer then, and actually, still to this day I don't think it exists.
I played football, basketball and baseball. I'm a meat and potatoes sports fan, I guess. As far as I am concerned, those are the three sporting seasons. Sure, I've played a little golf and tennis. I tried wrestling once for three days in the sixth grade. My tall, gangly frame at the time didn't allow a lot of grappling leverage, so to speak. Oh, how I yearn for those gangly days again. Now I fit in the chubby category.
Let's see, what else. I ice skated but never really played hockey. I watch hockey now and then, but am far from an expert on the game.
They tried me in just about every event possible in track and field in the ninth grade. Too tall and gangly to be a sprinter; I could never pace myself as a distance runner, and I couldn't jump much. I even ran the high hurdles once. I jumped about two feet over each hurdle in an attempt of not wiping out.
Basically, I sucked at every event.
The funny thing is, if my high school would have had soccer in the spring, I would have played the sport, and I would have been good at it. But my soccer experience amounted to a week or so each year in PE class.
So now I am supposed to get excited about the World Cup. Talking on Sportsline Live last Monday on the radio, it was pretty apparent that I was not excited and my co-host was. So let him talk about it.
I did watch about 10 minutes of the U.S.-England match. I did see the American goal. I didn't see any of the U.S-Slowhatevervenia match. I think I was sleeping at the time.
Did I say I have a hard time watching a sport that ends in a tie? I have a feeling that former NFL player and coach Herm Edwards could not coach soccer. Imagine if he did. He would have famously been quoted as saying, "You play to tie the game!"
Don't get me wrong, I don't hate soccer and I wish the U.S. team well. Maybe I'll even try to watch (part of) its next game ... if my allegiance to my country requires it.
Oh yeah, what the duce is up with those vuvuzela-like horns? I see in Miami Saturday night, they passed them out for the Rays-Marlins baseball game (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=300619128). Already, this is my nominee for worst promotion idea of the year in MLB.
In the minutes I have watched the World Cup, because of those horns, I became paranoid that there was a bumble bee loose in the room.
I think there still is.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
The dirty world of snooker
I always thought that snooker was a dirty game. Here's proof from an AP story.
LONDON (AP) - Former world snooker champion John Higgins was suspended Sunday over allegations that he accepted money to influence match results as part of a betting scam.
The 34-year-old Scot, who lost his world title last week, was filmed by the News of the World newspaper apparently agreeing to accept $400,000 from undercover reporters in Kiev in return for losing certain frames in matches to be played later this year.
Barry Hearn, chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, said Higgins had been suspended pending an investigation. His manager, Pat Mooney, who was also filmed
accepting the deal, has resigned from snooker's governing body.
LONDON (AP) - Former world snooker champion John Higgins was suspended Sunday over allegations that he accepted money to influence match results as part of a betting scam.
The 34-year-old Scot, who lost his world title last week, was filmed by the News of the World newspaper apparently agreeing to accept $400,000 from undercover reporters in Kiev in return for losing certain frames in matches to be played later this year.
Barry Hearn, chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, said Higgins had been suspended pending an investigation. His manager, Pat Mooney, who was also filmed
accepting the deal, has resigned from snooker's governing body.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
This is my new blog
With my new position at the Wyoming Tribune Eagle, I have decided to end Wyoming Sports.org.
I'm going to try and just blog, hence the new blog, Rich's disjointed ramblings. We'll see where it goes from here.
I'm going to try and just blog, hence the new blog, Rich's disjointed ramblings. We'll see where it goes from here.
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