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Dec. 28, 2006 Just a few thoughts I throw out, like so much leftover dressing… There are too many damn bowl games! Like any good idea, if corporate America gets involved, the product is bastardized, watered down, milked for profit and loses its luster. College football bowl games are no exception. Back in the good old days—circa 1978 B.C.I, (Before Corporation Intervention), rarely—if ever—were there bowl games involving teams with more than two losses. If such a team like that did make the final count, then it was because they had a superstar player that the nation wanted to see. Back then, most bowl games were played during the two-week winter school break. There was but a bowl game a night, and on New Year’s day there were four, any of which could have decided the mythical national championship. Most of the bowl games were broadcast by the now-defunct Hues Sports Network. Of course the big games (New Year;s Day slate), were broadcast by the big three of NBC, CBS and ABC--or Curt Gowdy, Dick Emberg, Keith Jackson, et al. The bowl games then were the Liberty Bowl, Peach, Orange, Fiesta, Rose, Tangerine, the now-defunct Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl, Sugar, Cotton, Sun, Gator and the Holiday Bowl (which was added in 1978). Now there are bowl games with corporate titles, which has allowed for greater monetary payouts to the schools involved. Now you can’t even recognize the bowl, or they are simply used as marketing tools. If you follow college football, ask yourself, does UCLA really deserve a bowl bid? See what I mean? Congratulations Jack Lepairz and Brooks A. Mick. Some think light of this award. I think it is our fellow scribes way of saying “nice job.” I only wish more people would have voted. UK needs to recruit more writers and somehow get back in Google and Yahoo’s good graces. Speaking of which, does anyone truly understand what the rebuttal forum is about? We start debating one subject and rather than let it run its course, we begin a new thread within that thread—and those babies start multiplying like the children of Noah. (See “Columnist of the Year” and “Best Article” debate). Second, we need to take it easy and realize no one ever “wins” these things; but all can learn from them. At least, that’s the way I se it. Speaking of News magazines (tongue planted firmly in cheek), Time copped out on it’s choice of “Person of the Year.” I would have opted for Warren Buffet. His endowment to the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation makes it the wealthiest such entity, with 29.5 billion dollars, as compared to the Ford foundation’s 11.6 billion. Athlete of the Year: Tiger Woods. Could it have been anyone else? No. Should it have been? No. He won 2 majors, 8 PGA tournaments in a row, and had to overcome the death of his father. Better still, he is just hitting his prime. In closing, I must pay tribute to the black celebrities we lost this year: Gerald Levert, Coretta Scott-King, James Brown, Ed Bradley, Wilson Pickett, Kirby Puckett, Buck O’Neil and Lou Rawls. May they rest in peace… Happy New Year, folks. ------------ About the author: Timothy N. Stelly, Sr. is a 46-year old poet, novelist and aspiring screenwriter who resides in northern California with his three youngest children--Lawrence, Kimberly and Dante. He is a member of various writer's groups and has three novels in print, his most recent, "Like A Straight-Up Sucka," is available at www.lulu.com. website: http://stellbreadO@tripod.com Email: stellbread@yahoo.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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