http://www.wcmhblogs.com/ en oruiz@wcmh.com Copyright 2008 2008-07-05T20:33:00-05:00 http://www.wcmhblogs.com/sports/omars_olympic_odyssey/ http://www.wcmhblogs.com/sports/omars_olympic_odyssey/#When:19:33:00Z I had the great privilege of working with NBC Sports at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. I’d say it was probably the best month of my life. Technically, it was an internship – my last school credit at Syracuse University – but, thankfully I held a position not normally reserved for interns. I was in the utility position, working side-by-side with regular employees. I have so many stories to share. I’ll sprinkle them in the blogs throughout our coverage leading up to and during the Olympics. One of the coolest benefits of my job was that the credential I was issued gave me access to every event at the Olympics. We weren’t supposed to abuse it, but I used it to get into the Opening and Closing ceremonies, the gold medal beach volleyball match (where I sat right behind the Spanish royal family), a couple of Team USA basketball games, track and field, and so many others including, of course, every gymnastics event as I was positioned on the floor, between the vault and the floor exercise. So this time of year is very special to me, the bond forged at the Olympics with my co-workers, countrymen and people from around the world with one common passion for sport is something I’ll cherish forever. We’re just getting warmed up - until the next time!  2008-07-05T19:33:00-05:00 http://www.wcmhblogs.com/sports/does_red_white_and_blue_gold_well_see/ http://www.wcmhblogs.com/sports/does_red_white_and_blue_gold_well_see/#When:02:05:00Z I’m not one of those people who makes outlandish predictions - just for the sake of going against the grain – so I’m not going to tell you the United States will not win basketball gold in Beijing. However, they’ll face stiff competition throughout their run. Obviously, the international teams are better. You only have to look at NBA rosters to notice that. But so too is Team USA. Kobe Bryant’s killer instinct(where was it in the Finals?!) will infect his elite teammates. And the team was built with, well, TEAM in mind. Ohio State’s Michael Redd’s inclusion is an example. As great as the West High product is, he’s probably not one of the best 12 American ballers, but he’s among the best fits. His outside game will allow the likes of Kobe, Lebron and Carmelo to take advantage more often of their athletic mismatch against the competition. It’ll be close and fun to watch, but even if the red, white and blue take home the gold, the days of the Dream Team are gone. The rest of the world has woken up. 2008-06-30T02:05:00-05:00 http://www.wcmhblogs.com/sports/westerville_local_boy_makes_good/ http://www.wcmhblogs.com/sports/westerville_local_boy_makes_good/#When:00:18:00Z If a basketball player wants to work on his skills in the offseason, there’s always a pick-up game somewhere. Baseball players have leagues and football players workout with seven on seven drills. What about wrestlers? Jason Still says he has the answer. The newly named Westerville South werstling coach has fulfilled an eight-year dream opening an wrestling exclusive gym on Westerville Road. There’s a weight room, mats and Still’s reminders of his glory days. Several trophies and medals are on display. Although, you can argue, these are his glory days bringing in what he says is Central Ohio’s first wrestling friendly gym. He says they are common place in northern Ohio, where most of the state’s powerhouse program’s reside. This business venture is ceratinly a risk - he gave up his $75,000 a year job to pursue his passion. So good for him and good luck! For more information on TeamStill’s Matforce call 614-679-9354 or go to www.teamstills.com. 2008-06-24T00:18:00-05:00 http://www.wcmhblogs.com/sports/fire_the_coach_hire_the_coach/ http://www.wcmhblogs.com/sports/fire_the_coach_hire_the_coach/#When:23:32:00Z Who would you hire to coach your college football team:  Ron Zook, Rick Neuheisel, Pete Carroll, Tyrone Willingham, Dennis Francione, Lou Holtz or George O’Leary?  Guess what---they’ve all been fired before (3 of them by Notre Dame!). Coaches say it all the time--you get hired to get fired. We demand, so they get canned. Truth is, if you or I get canned it’s a big deal.  We have families to support and careers to look after.  Firing is a devastating event because it’s so much tougher to get a job when you have to explain why you don’t currently have a job.  But when a coach gets canned, it’s almost expected.  They all make calls, keep in close contact with their coaching community buddies.  And when the axe falls, they don’t cower.  They simply dust themselves and move on to the next stop---very nomadic these coaches are.  Not that Doug Kay’s firing/resignation as coach of the Destroyers Monday was any great surprise, nor a bad idea.  Just got me thinking about how quickly the fortunes of coaches can change--all based on winning and losing. Take Kay for example.  Just last year, his Destroyers put on an historic rally through the Arena League playoffs, making the Arena Bowl. A year later, his team’s among the worst shows under a roof--just 3-13.  Did Kay forget all the firey speeches that worked so well the year before?  Doubt it.  Was he just crazy lucky the year before?  I doubt that, too. Truth is, what’s great about sports is it’s all about performance--winning vs. losing. What’s bad about sports is---it’s all about performance--winning vs. losing. Some of the greatest coaches in our history, in any sport, have been canned.  Bill Belichick will go down as one of the NFL’s all-time greatest coaches.  He didn’t last more than a couple years as head coach of the Browns. Can you even name the Bengals head coaches over the past 20 years (well i can--Wyche, Shula, Coslet, LeBeau, Marvin).  Fun fact: they all got fired (well not Marvin--yet).  Not many careers I know of where a firing is practically expected.  Donald Trump would love this blog. 2008-06-23T23:32:00-05:00 http://www.wcmhblogs.com/sports/still_waiting/ http://www.wcmhblogs.com/sports/still_waiting/#When:01:59:00Z I love the R.J. Umberger trade, think Nikita Filatov has a chance to be special, but make no mistake – the Blue Jackets are still no where near the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They are, however, inching along in the right direction. I’m not saying Scott Howson did anything wrong over draft weekend. I thought he did what he could – no reason for disappointment. I didn’t mind him not pulling the trigger for Patrick Marleau. He’s making more than 6 million bucks a year, and while he’d upgrade the roster, he’s clearly on the downside of his career. And then you’d be back to where we started with Federov and Foote – good, but overpaid veterans. All this means is that Howson’s work really begins once free agency starts July 1st.  2008-06-23T01:59:00-05:00 http://www.wcmhblogs.com/sports/rocconot_rocky_the_underdog_faces_the_eye_of_the_tiger/ http://www.wcmhblogs.com/sports/rocconot_rocky_the_underdog_faces_the_eye_of_the_tiger/#When:02:00:00Z In September of 2006, while sitting in my parents’ living room – first year of college – doing Advanced Calculus homework, I stumbled upon the US Amateur golf championship and a fellow named Tiger Woods. I had heard of this golf prodigy. He’d been featured in Sports Illustrated and several other national publications as he dominated the college and amateur ranks. I wasn’t a golf fan - had only played once in my life, a couple months before - but I decided to check out this Eldrick Woods character I’d read so much about. I don’t remember much about the golf specifics, other than that he was down two shots with three holes to go. He came back to win in dramatic fashion, of course, and just like that I became a golf fan, forever thankful to Tiger’s greatness. The excitement he created was infectious even through the tube. Everyone knows what he’s done since. He’s arguably the greatest golfer ever, and when he’s done, there probably won’t be any more argument. And even though I expect him to win every time out, expect each incredibly clutch putt to fall, it’s no less exciting than it was 12 years ago. I was jumping up and down and going crazy when he nailed that putt on 18 to force the playoff in the US Open Championship. Rocco Mediate is a great guy. I saw him at The Memorial and ran into him at the Open qualifier at Scarlet. But there will always be great stories like Rocco’s. The underdog long shot trying to break through and win his first major. But a Tiger Woods only comes once in a lifetime, so I say let’s enjoy him for all we can as long as we can. So I’ll be pulling for Tiger to win his 14th major and move closer to Jack’s record. 2008-06-16T02:00:00-05:00 http://www.wcmhblogs.com/sports/golf_outing_for_st_judes/ http://www.wcmhblogs.com/sports/golf_outing_for_st_judes/#When:01:17:00Z After meeting Zach Thompson today (one of the most inspirational kids I’ve met in a long time), I thought it was important to talk about a golf event very close to Zach and his family.  The Money Concepts Classic Golf Club of Dublin June 20, 2008 The outing is to raise money and awareness of the work done by St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.  It’s where Zach underwent some his treatment for a brain tumor.  St. Jude’s is one of the great hospitals in America, and this outing goes toward supporting their outstanding work. Registration and Practice 8-9am Shotgun start 9am Awards and Auction 1:30pm For more information, please call Craig Sutherland at 614-841-9650 An individual player costs $150, a foursome $600.  After meeting Zach and having been part of the planning for an outing myself, I know how important it is to support these events.  Zach and his many friends would appreciate your support.  2008-06-13T01:17:00-05:00 http://www.wcmhblogs.com/sports/the_browns_bentley_breakup_huh/ http://www.wcmhblogs.com/sports/the_browns_bentley_breakup_huh/#When:22:58:00Z Tuesday:  “I’m a Cleveland guy--always be a Browns fan---love being a part of it” Wednesday: Peace, I’m outta here. In less than a day, former Buckeye LeCharles Bentley went from rebounding Brown to questionable free agent.  What happened?  I’m a bit confused what the Browns were thinking here---they spend two years putting this guy through knee surgeries and the resulting staph infection… they watch him devote his life to building back his strength. In October, Bentley worked in live contact drills and performed surprisingly well.  But there he was Tuesday at Browns mini-camp, basically just watching.  Why?  The Browns had basically given up on Bentley being in their plans, and were counting on him as a Plan B.  A former Pro Bowler doesn’t like to hear that he’s someone’s Plan B, even after two years off. So who’s to blame here?  I say, no one.  The Browns did the right thing, helping Bentley through his rehab.  But over the past two years, in the wake of Bentley’s injury, Cleveland has rebuilt its offensive line and has been quite pleased with their progress. They weren’t exactly counting on having Bentley, and were simply not convinced he’d ever be the player they originally signed to a $36 million dollar contract. Why did Bentley ask for his football freedom?  Because if he believes he can play at an elite level again, he deserves the right to earn top dollar with a team willing to invest in him.  If he can prove he can not only play, but show his knee will hold up over a 16-game season, teams would have to be crazy not to give Bentley a look.  He’s a game-changing blocker who’s motivated by two years of frustration and faith building.  Bentley says his believe in God has not only helped him heal, it’s helped fuel his desire to return to the field. I’m pulling mightily for Bentley.  I just wish he could’ve done it in his hometown. JROD 2008-06-11T22:58:00-05:00 http://www.wcmhblogs.com/sports/the_media_softball_showdown_for_autism/ http://www.wcmhblogs.com/sports/the_media_softball_showdown_for_autism/#When:22:56:00Z So Mindy Drayer and I talked about this idea about a month ago---wouldn’t it be fun to get the folks from Channel 10, 6 and ONN together with us to play a little softball tournament.  Then the idea of making it a benefit for autism… and one thing led to another… and because we don’t do anything halfway… here goes! Media Softball Showdown for Autism July 13th at 11:00am at Hoff Woods Park in Westerville On diamond #1 - NBC4 will face off against ABC6/Fox 28 On diamond #2 - Ch. 10 will face off against ONN The winners of those games will meet for the title on diamond number 1...the losers will play for 3rd and last place on diamond number 2....those games will most likely start around 12:30pm… Admission is free---we’re taking donations for the autism center at Children’s Hospital (they run therapy programs for hundreds of kids, including my son Brady). Children’s will have a booth set up at the field…for information and networking--and we’re working on food, too.  Hoff Woods park is a great site--lots of parking and a great playground, picnic area, etc.... I’m inviting all of you who read this blog to consider bringing your families out to this event.  It would be great to get so many families together, and with so much to do there, it’s a great chance to meet and just goof off!  Plus you can meet “mega tv celebrities” like Cabot Rea, Jym Ganahl and.... whoever else shows up!  More details to come… but we’d love your help in making this a great event. Thanks JEROD 2008-06-11T22:56:00-05:00 http://www.wcmhblogs.com/sports/osu_recruiting_on_a_roll/ http://www.wcmhblogs.com/sports/osu_recruiting_on_a_roll/#When:00:45:00Z When Tressel calls, they answer.  That’s the only explanation for the number of early commitments to OSU’s 2009 recruiting class. This is how the business works now---you invest in kids early, check them out at your summer camp, etc… Think about the risk you have to take to get elite players--you have to offer now before they’re even seniors in high school.  You’re projecting they’ll become OSU in the next year, which as we all know is a calculated gamble. 17 guys so far have said yes to Tress for the ‘09 class, including most of the top ranked players in Ohio.  A couple others, like Dublin Scioto’s Bradley McDougald, have an OSU offer on their table.  National signing day isn’t nearly the theatre it once was, because coaches offer earlier and players make up their minds earlier. BTW--to judge this class so far… 6 OSU commitments are ranked in Rivals top 100 list that came out this week. That’s the most of any school (yes, USC and Texas have 5 so far). So here’s the deal… I have two sons, Brady and Tyler.  Ty’s the little guy, about two months old.  I’m here to announce that we’re taking offers for Ty’s college football services in the year 2026.  If the Buckeyes or anyone else would like to get an offer in now, feel free… it’s gonna get competitive--he has good numbers!  Haha… A lot of folks will say they oppose the way recruiting has changed---the intense focus on younger and younger kids. While I’m not a fan of that, I understand that’s the new cost of doing business.  If you’re not out recruiting that stud high school freshman, your competition is.  Buckeye fans can rest easy--when it comes to recruiting, they’re second to no one.  2008-06-11T00:45:00-05:00