IF YOU WANT TO MAKE SOMETHING MANDATORY, TRY THIS

It's something you've probably seen and yes, heard.  Most likely, the first time you experienced it, you were a little surprised....both by the fact that it took place and even more so, that it's not done more often.  It's even neater to think that it props up something very important to the patriotic part of us...the National Anthem.

And if you're a Chicago Blackhawk fan I need not say more because not only is it something you've gotten used to, it's now part of each and every pre-game ceremony.  The "what" is a rousing rendition of the National Anthem complete with 22,000 yelling and screaming, applauding and waving fans.  All in support of their country. 

The origin of Chicago fans cheering wildly during the anthem dates back to the 1980s, according to the New York Times.  Some say it started in 1982, while everyone agrees it took off in 1985 when the Blackhawks hosted the heavily favored Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of the conference finals.  Whenever it happened, it happened big time. 

A fan base energized and wild

And now it's taken to the road as this October, 2014 newspaper article depicts...."It’s no secret that the Nashville Predators don’t appreciate Chicago Blackhawks fans coming to Bridgestone Arena and taking over.  So once again last night in their 3-2 home win against the Blackhawks, the Predators utilized passive-aggressive tactics to try to silence the visitors.

The Predators chose to play “God Bless America” instead of the national anthem before the start of Thursday’s game, a move the organization had employed before as a way to quiet Blackhawks fans, who are famous for cheering loudly throughout the Star-Spangled Banner at the United Center as the talented Jim Cornelison belts out the anthem".

In this case of Predator sneakery, Nashville came out on top.  But that's not often the case. 

Last week my son, Jordan, and I traveled to Phoenix for some sun, baseball and a surprise hockey game.  At the last minute I sprang some Hawk tickets on him so he could see his favorite team play the Phoenix Coyotes.  Remember, it was in Phoenix. 

We arrived in our seats around 6:45 p.m wearing our Blackhawk garb.  And we weren't alone.  There must have been 10,000 Chicago fans in attendance shouting "Let's Go Hawks, Let's Go Hawks".  Then the anthem came.  Right on cue, the stadium erupted in applause and screaming.  It was if we were in Chicago Stadium, not Gila River Arena.  It was to say the least eventful.  Wow!!

Smiles are prevalent home and away for Blackhawk fans and their Anthem

 

As we enter the final weeks of the National Hockey League season there will be many times to catch this act.  Chicago has been on a run lately and despite losing star forward, Patrick Kane for another 6-8 weeks they look primed to make a run at yet another Stanely Cup.  If you don't have an opportunity to hear this rousing rendition on the tube.....here is a sample in all it's Blackhawk glory.  And like my headline mentioned, if anything needs to be mandatory, it's this!!

Kind of puts a shiver up your spine, doesn't it?

Thanks for reading,

John

 

A DOSE OF REALITY FOR SYRACUSE...AND MORE

News came fast and furious today when our friends at ESPN released the following story concerning the Syracuse athletic program.

"The NCAA suspended  Syracuse  basketball coach Jim Boeheim for nine ACC games, took away 12 scholarships, and ordered that 108 wins be vacated as a result of a multiyear investigation into the university's athletic programs.

Over the course of a decade, Syracuse University did not control and monitor its athletics programs," the NCAA said in a statement, "and its head men's basketball coach failed to monitor his program."
Syracuse's penalties also include a five-year probation and the vacating of all wins in which ineligible men's basketball student-athletes played during the 2004-07 and 2010-12 seasons, and in which ineligible football student-athletes played in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

In addition, the NCAA agreed to accept the university's decision for the men's basketball team to not participate in any postseason games this season, including the ACC tournament.  The NCAA said that the violations, which were self-reported by Syracuse and dated back to 2001, included academic misconduct, extra benefits, failure to follow the drug-testing policy, and impermissible booster activity.

Other violations included impermissible academic assistance and services, Boeheim's failure to promote an atmosphere of compliance and monitor his staff, and the school's lack of control over its athletics program."

If you can't thumb your nose....try something else

One would have to ask.....why has it taken so long to come to this decision.  And this was by the university self-reporting itself.  Wow!!  Chalk one up for the NCAA and their rapid work.  For years there have been questions involving the integrity of the Orangemen program.  Add this to the sexual allegations made of assistant Bernie Fine in 2011 and you have the makings of some great marketing copy.  How about "What difference does it make....let's play ball!"

If....the higher ups at Syracuse want to show some wisdom, they'll use this recent news to distance themselves from Coach Boeheim.  Despite racking up a whole lot of wins, now's the time for him to go. 

MORE REALM THOUGHTS....

Will Kentucky be the first NCAA team since 1976 to go through an entire season undefeated?  Indiana was the last squad to run the table enroute to a 32-0 mark.  For some reason, I'm not convinced the Wildcats will.  Perhaps its Coach John Calipari's record in big games.  I just think someone's going to stop the run.  The probables???  someone in the SEC tourney?  Virginia?  Maybe a shocker like Wichita State.  Or Villanova?  A good three point shooting team that plays tough defense would be the perfect combination. 

The Big 12 tourney is beginning to look like it could be any one of 5-6 teams cutting down the net.  No one particular team has been head and shoulders above the rest .  Up and down.  It's been a season of inconsistency.  Next week, whoever gets the hot-hand wins it.  I'm liking Baylor.  They appear to be trending at the right time.

In the Big 10, it looks like Wisconsin's to lose.  They're just too good.  I'm amazed at their play each and every year.  They simply have a system and it works.  No one else in the league looks like they could challenge the Badgers.  Wisconsin. 

In the Pac 10, Arizona looks like the dominant team.  Typical that you don't see a whole lot of their games from the west coast area compared to the East and Midwest teams.  But they're solid.  

Up next.....NCAA time when the real hysteria begins!!!  GET READY

Thanks for reading,

John