Archive for the ‘ Sports: The Game Plan ’ Category

LINmania

Photo Courtesy of usatoday.com

Linmania is sweeping across New York and the United States alike. Since Jeremy Lin has started to shine for the New York Knicks, ticket sales have jumped 45% in price. He has helped the team ride a seven game winning streak and reach a 15-15 record, compared to the prior record of 8-15. But you may be surprised to hear that Jeremy Lin almost didn’t get a shot with the Knicks.

Lin’s career started when his Palo Alto High School basketball team won the Calinfornia Division ll state title. From that accomplishment alone, you’d probably guess that he’d had college basketball coaches knocking down his door with offers. He did not. Since he wasn’t granted a scholarship, he chose to attend Harvard, where he was offered a starting position in the basketball program. Before he graduated in 2010 with an impressive degree in Economics, Lin received All-Ivy League Second Team honors and even ranked in the top 10 in his conference.

If he had been drafted right out of college, Lin would have been the first Ivy League player to be drafted since 1995. Instead, he signed a two-year deal with the Golden State Warriors and became the first Amercian of Chinese or Taiwanese decent to play in the NBA – a LINtastic accomplishment in itself! It wasn’t until after the 2011 NBA Lockout that Lin signed with the Knicks as a backup for other injured players. Thanks to teammate Carmelo Anthony, Lin got the opportunity to play in the second half of the game on Feb. 4th and impressively outscored the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant by 4 points.

Jeremy Lin has already made a huge impact in the world of professional basketball, and all because he didn’t give up on his passion. He is truly a LINspiration! Never give up on your passions and you will go far.

Visit us at UniversityDecisions.com today!

2012
02/17
POSTED BY
Beth Wood
CATEGORY
Sports: The Game Plan
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Super Bowl Recipes

SuperBowl Party

AP Photo/Matt Slocum

With the 2012 Super Bowl fast approaching, everyone is gearing up for the big game parties. With so many options of party foods to make, it can be hard to determine what variety of food to provide your football fans with. To help narrow it down UniversityDecisions.com has come up with our favorite Super Bowl Recipes for your party.

Buffalo Chicken Dip:

2 8oz packages of cream cheese
1 cup blue cheese or ranch dressing
3/4-1 cup of Monterrey Jack cheese (Or white cheddar, or mozzarella, or whatever you have handy, aside of maybe gouda)
1/2 cup blue cheese (optional)
fresh chives or green onions to taste
3/4 cup Franks Red Hot Sauce Original (Yes, the Original. They make a buffalo style sauce, but there is no need for “soybean oil and buttery flavoring” when you have next…)
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons chopped garlic – use as much or as little garlic as you like.
2 cups shredded chicken

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake or poach 2-3 chicken breasts and then shred. Saute garlic over medium low heat. Add chicken and Red Hot sauce and heat thoroughly. Layer chicken in a casserole dish. Melt cream cheese on top medium-low heat. Reduce heat and add blue cheese dressing. Pour mixture over chicken then bake for 20 minutes then add blue cheese on top and bake for another 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos:

6 fresh jalapeno peppers (halved lengthwise and seeded)
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
12 slices bacon

Spread cream cheese into the jalapeno halves. Wrap bacon around the stuffed jalapenos and secure with toothpick. Place on grill or in fry pan and cook until bacon is crispy.

Sriracha Fried Pickles:

1 24 ounce jar of Rick’s Picks Hotties, or other spicy pickles marinated in sriracha sauce
12-14 ounces of pilsner beer, preferably highly carbonated variety like Miller High Life for a light batter
2 cups of all-purpose flour, sifted for batter, plus 1/2 to a 3/4 cup of flour for dredging
2 teaspoons garlic powder, plus a dash more for the flour dredge
2 teaspoons chili powder, plus a dash more for the flour dredge
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 to 1 teaspoon of ground pepper
Oil for frying

Mix together the flour, garlic powder, chili powder, salt and pepper into a medium sized bowl. Work in the cold beer a few ounces at a time. Cover with plastic wrap and let the batter rest in the fridge for at least 30 to 45 minutes. Make sure the pickles are dry then toss them with flour, garlic powder and chili powder. Put the pickles in the freezer for at least 20-30 minutes, then dip them in the beer batter and drop in hot oil. Fry for a couple of minutes on each side. Wait until they cool down then serve!!

If cooking is a passion of yours, research how to become a chef or a prep cook and turn your passion into a career! If cooking is just a hobby, we hope you enjoy some of these tasty recipes at your Super Bowl party and have a great Super Bowl weekend!

2012
02/03
POSTED BY
Beth Wood
CATEGORY
In the Kitchen
Sports: The Game Plan
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Shaun White Wins Pipe At Winter X Games 2012

Written by UniversityDecisions.com Guest Blogger Mackenzie Crawford.

Shaun White

Photo Courtesy of www.ShaunWhite.com

Shaun White made history this weekend after perfecting his SuperPipe run at the Winter X Games, held in Aspen, CO since 2002.  White, an X-games veteran, has an established reputation from his years in the extreme sports scene, in particular snowboarding, which has made him a crowd favorite. This most recent performance has brought him to hero status among his fans.  Some could argue that going in to the weekend, his biggest competition was his own previous performances, seeing as he has already won the gold for this event several different times.

Early Sunday morning, White had already assured his fifth consecutive gold medal in the SuperPipe event by earning a 94 from the judges on his first run during the qualifier.  Although he wiped out on his second run, his score was already good enough to secure the gold.  So when White entered the final run on Sunday night, he did not have much to prove nor lose.  He was determined, however, to perfect his form and he did just that.  The 100 score he received on the last run was the first in SuperPipe history and his roaring fans showed their support and excitement as White celebrated with them upon hearing the news.

Surprisingly, two days earlier, White had to withdraw from the Slopestyle event due to an ankle injury.  He made the choice to do so in order to rest his ankle for the SuperPipe- which I’m sure he is glad he did!  Although this caused him to miss Saturday’s practice session, it obviously didn’t affect him, as his performance seemed to show no signs of being slowed down by the injury.

While his performance on this perfect run was unbelievable, Shaun White is not the first athlete to 5-peat in a Winter X-games event.  Nate Holland has won five consecutive gold medals for his performances in Snowboard Cross and Tucker Hibbert for his in Snocross.  White, himself, is also a two-time Olympic gold winner and thirteen-time X Games gold medal winner for his participation in various events throughout the years.  This is just one of many historic performances to come out of the young, determined and ambitious White.

White is a dreamer and a very hard-worker who sets goals for himself. If you have goals you’ve been putting off, try taking some inspiration from Shaun White, and get started today.

2012
01/30
POSTED BY
University Decisions
CATEGORY
Sports: The Game Plan
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Super Bowl XLVI

Super Bowl XLVI finally has it’s contestants in what seems like a case of Déjà vu.  After close and mistake filled AFC and NFC Title Games, The New England Patriots will face the New York Giants on Sunday, February 5th.  A rematch of the 2008 Super Bowl, where Eli Manning denied the patriots their perfect 19-0 season, The Giants once again come in as underdogs.  Both teams are considered to be playing extremely well throughout this post season with the New York finally getting all of their players healthy when it counts and the Patriots are riding a 10 game winning streak.  In fact, the last loss the Patriots had was November 6th to, you guessed it, the New York Giants.

Photo courtesy of ESPN

So what will be the keys to this game?  Here are three points that will decide the winner of Super Bowl XLVI.

1. Which Tom Brady is going to show up?

Tom Brady wants this Super Bowl but will he play well enough to back up that desire?  Brady performed less than stellar in the AFC Championship game completing 22 of 36 passes for 239 yards and 2 interceptions with a 57.5 passer rating compared to a 105.6 during the regular season.  In the last Super Bowl match up between these two, Brady was 29 of 48 for a passer rating of 82.5 compared to his average for the 2007 season of 117.2.  Those numbers aren’t terrible but it definitely falls short of what Brady is capable of and with a Giants defense that prides itself on its pass rush there will be no room for error.

2. Can New York handle the dynamic duo?

I am of course talking about the Patriot’s Tight Ends Gronkowski and Hernandez.  These guys are huge targets in New England’s offense, being thrown to 19 times against the Ravens and having 14 catches and 4 touchdowns against the Broncos.  They were even good for two touchdowns when New England faced New York earlier this season.  Gronkowski injured his ankle in the game against San Francisco, but eventually returned and finished the game.  If the Giants can stop these two, especially in the red zone, they will be in a great position to win the game.

3. Eli Manning

I’ll admit it, I’m surprised.  At the beginning of the season when this guy claimed he was an elite NFL quarterback I laughed and dismissed him and his team. Then when the Giants dropped four in a row I was there to say I told you so.  And now here I am eating humble pie which is extremely bitter, as expected, saying that yeah, Eli is the real deal.  Manning has been playing out of his mind since entering the post season throwing for 8 touchdowns and only one interception.  Manning attempted 64 passes against the 49ers, getting hit 20 times, knocked down 12 times, and sacked 6 times.  That toughness could have served as the inspiration for a Chumbawamba song.  New England shouldn’t take him lightly especially with all of the defensive concerns they have had this year.

So who will win?  Tom Brady is looking for revenge, but I think that all he’ll find is a Giants team ready to take the dish that’s best served cold and reheat it as leftovers.

Whoever you are rooting for, we at University Decisions hope you enjoy the game!

2012
01/23
POSTED BY
Ben Erickson
CATEGORY
Sports: The Game Plan
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Anticipated Super Bowl 2012 Ads

Super Bowl XLVI

Photo Courtesy of NFL

Most people change the television channel when commercials come on, but not during the Super Bowl. Super Bowl ads are the funniest and most clever ads that air. Companies work hard all year long to come up with an ad that will rock the minds of viewers in only 30-seconds.

NBC Universal announced Tuesday that it has sold nearly all of its 30-second advertising spots for  Super Bowl 2012, which retailed for about $4 million per slot. Ad sales hit a record amount for NBC, who is now tied with CBS for airing 17 Super Bowl games. These numbers are up about 17% from last year when Fox sold each spot for around $3 million.

Since Super Bowl commercials are the most anticipated of the year, all the major brands fight to get slots. Anheuser-Busch bought a whopping nine slots during the game. You can also expect to see ads from top brands like Coca-Cola, Doritos, Bridgestone, General Motors, Volkswagen, Kia Motors, Toyota, Hyundai, Audi, Century 21 Real Estate and GoDaddy. We’ll see if any if of Super Bowl 2012 commercials can keep up with last year’s Imported from Detroit Chrysler commercial.

It’s no wonder that major brands fight for these advertising spots because last year’s Super Bowl had 111 million viewers tuned in. The chances of capturing an audience for a brand has the best odds during the Super Bowl, since more viewers tune in than any other shows airing on television.

With the cost of Super Bowl ads and potential market reach they can have, major brands put tons of pressure on their marketing and advertising agencies to produce a commercial that will not only be successful, but that the audience will remember well after the airing of the big game. If you think you have what it takes to thrill and captivate emotions through a commercial, consider getting a degree in marketing or the filming business and start producing your own commercials that will capture the minds of the estimated 54% of viewers that are there for the commercials.

2012
01/06
POSTED BY
Beth Wood
CATEGORY
Sports: The Game Plan
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Deal or No Deal: NBA Schedule Coming

In what seemed like a case of déjà vu, news that the NBA lockout had ended finally arrived on Nov. 26. If you’re like me, you might have been thinking, who cares?  Millionaires that were arguing over the split of revenue seemed to have forgotten that they are getting paid to play a game. Yet here I am, crawling back to the NBA hype. As Dec. 6 nears so does the release of the 66- game NBA schedule, and I find myself wondering why I am already intrigued.

Then it hits me, it’s all so obvious now. Trade rumors.  You can’t help but listen to what’s going on in the league. It’s like passing a car accident on the freeway and not looking at what happened.  So let’s dish on this gossip.

Rumor #1: Chris Paul

Chris Paul

Photo courtesy of ESPN.com

Where is this guy going to end up? At first it was thought that Boston might have an interest in Paul in a deal that would revolve around Rajon Rondo. But Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge was quick to quell that rumor saying the organization loves him and there is absolutely no intention of trading Rondo. Then, it was heard that Paul has expressed interest in playing in New York with his friend Carmello Anthony, but he knows the Knicks lack the assets for a trade, using most of their talent to acquire Anthony from Denver last season. Paul has been very respectful to the Hornets organization, expecting them to receive due compensation if he is traded, and unless the Knicks are thinking about trading Amare Stoudemire or Anthony, I wouldn’t expect this deal to happen.

Rumor #2: Dwight Howard

If the Magic aren’t careful, Superman might fly up, up and away. The New Jersey Nets are prepared to offer a deal to Orlando where they send Brook Lopez and two future first round draft picks for the big man before he becomes a free agent in July. This deal might be tempting for the Magic considering the Nets would also absorb the contract of Hedo Turkoglu, who has three seasons and $35 million left. Also expect to hear the Lakers express interest as they may be looking to deal Gasol and Bynum for the Magic center. Many teams are in the mix for Howard so it will be interesting to sit back and watch this drama play out.

The first games this year have been set for Christmas day, with the of Chicago Bulls at the L.A. Lakers, Miami at Dallas, L.A. Clippers at the Golden State Warriors, the Boston Celtics at the New York Knicks, and Orlando at Oklahoma City.

Whether your plans include watching NBA games or not, we at UniversityDecisions.com hope your holiday season is a slam dunk.

2011
12/02
POSTED BY
Ben Erickson
CATEGORY
Sports: The Game Plan
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Yale Quarterback Must Decide: Play Harvard or Interview for Rhodes

Patrick Witt often makes tough decisions on the football field, whether it’s reading coverage, avoiding blitzing linebackers, or making an audible and checking down into the right play, but he is now faced with a decision that no amount of game planning or watching tape could prepare him for.

Patrick Will

Photo courtesy of yalebulldogs.com

Witt, the 22-year-old starting Yale quarterback, has to make a choice on Nov. 19: Lead his team against rival Harvard University, in what would be his last college game, or interview for the renowned Rhodes Scholarship in Atlanta. For those of you who don’t know, the Rhodes Scholarship would give Witt an international award for the study at the University of Oxford. The scholarships are awarded by the Rhodes Trust, established in 1902, under the terms and conditions of the will of Cecil John Rhodes, and funded by his estate. Recipients of the scholarship must have four criteria stated in Rhodes’ Will:

  1. literary and scholastic attainments;
  2. energy to use one’s talents to the full, as exemplified by fondness for and success in sports;
  3. truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship;
  4. moral force of character and instincts to lead, and to take an interest in one’s fellow beings.

With that in mind, in an interview with Bloomberg news Witt said, “In the description of the Rhodes, leadership is a major facet of who they select as candidates and finalists, in some ways, if I were to attend the interview and miss the game, I wouldn’t be acting as the leader that they selected to interview.”

Whatever his decision, he certainly has options after graduation. He has already been offered a full-time position with The Boston Consulting Group and as the most accurate passer in Yale history, he is also projected by some scouts to be a sixth or even seventh round pick in the next NFL Draft. If faced with the decision to choose between being selected in the Draft and obtaining the Rhodes Scholarship, “The Rhodes would absolutely take precedence,” he said.

Are you facing a difficult choice regarding your own education? Why not let UniversityDecisions.com help you accomplish whatever your goal may be. Explore our EDU Smart Start Decision Center and take the first step toward your degree.

2011
11/11
POSTED BY
Ben Erickson
CATEGORY
Sports: The Game Plan
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Kelly Slater Becomes Surfing World Champion

Kelly Slater

There is a certain stigma attached to athletes: that they perform best in their younger years. But not Kelly Slater; he just become the oldest world champion in history when he won the record-setting world surfing crown on November 2, 2011 at the age of 39. He had previously also been the youngest world champion; when he achieved his first surfing win at the age of 20.

This recent world title also had some sentimental value to Slater. A year ago to the day,  he lost his long-time friend and surfing rival, Andy Irons.

“It’s been a special time. Someone’s looking over us here, and it’s probably Andy. What are the chances that I do this on the anniversary of Andy’s passing away? In a way it makes this a lot more special. It’s a way to celebrate my memories of him …” Slater said after the win.

Kelly Slater’s history-making performance is not only a great personal achievement, but also a great inspiration for those of us who are influenced by the fear of aging. It doesn’t matter how old you are, you can never be too old to accomplish lifelong goals and dreams. If pursing an education has been one of your dreams, don’t put it off- visit UniversityDecisions.com today and explore all of your education options!

*Photo courtesy of surf.transworld.net

2011
11/04
POSTED BY
Beth Wood
CATEGORY
Sports: The Game Plan
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Cards’ Tony La Russa Retires

Three days after the St. Louis Cardinals won the World Series, Tony La Russa announced his retirement. On Monday morning, the third-winningest manager in baseball history told everyone he will no longer be at the helm of his team.

“It’s just time to do something else, and I knew it,” La Russa said at a news conference.

Tony LaRussa

Photo courtesy of stltoday.com

For 33 years La Russa has been managing teams, 16 of those years in St. Louis. His announcement means he is going out while he’s on top. With the St. Louis Cardinals championship this year, La Russa has won three World Series titles: two with the Cards and one with the Oakland A’s. He has also won six pennants: three with the Cards and three with the A’s. In case you’re not a baseball fan, these numbers are phenomenal.

La Russa’s retirement isn’t a complete surprise to the St. Louis Cardinals organization. La Russa had told owners he would retire at the end of the season. So, what’s next for the team? A lot of searching for his replacement. La Russa was the best thing in St. Louis, surpassing Whitey Herzog who helped his team win a World Series and three pennants during his 11 years there.

So, what’s next for La Russa?

La Russa is 67 years old and highly educated. He graduated from University of South Florida with a degree in Industrial Management. He received his Juris Doctorate from Florida State University. He has indicated he plans to work in baseball in some capacity but wasn’t specific.

With his record of success and education- the world is wide open.

Pave your own road with success. Explore UniversityDecisions.com and discover degree programs that can help you obtain the career you want, whether your passion is in Technology, Health Care or Teaching.

2011
10/31
POSTED BY
Christian Richardson
CATEGORY
Sports: The Game Plan
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College Mascot Mayhem Quiz

With the college football season well under way, we here at UniversityDecisions.com wanted to give credit to those that have been working hard, day in and day out, elevating their team to the next level of play in the pursuit of victory.  If you hadn’t guessed by now, I of course mean college mascots! Here is a little college mascot quiz to see how much you really know about some of the more obscure mascots from colleges around the U.S.  Can you guess which schools these mascots belong to?

Photo courtesy of www.azcentral.com

Artie the Fighting Artichoke

This mascot came to be after a vote from a student body that was a bit irritated about the way their administration was using funds for athletics instead of academics.

Photo courtesy of www.gostatesmen.com

 

The fighting Okra

This “unofficial” mascot started in the 1980’s when the student body began chanting this name at basketball games after deciding that their official mascot was less than frightening.

 

Fighting Pickle

Photo courtesy of http://www.uncsa.edu

Once again, this mascot was the result of a contest in 1972 where the student body had a unique sense of humor.

 

Sammy the Slug

Photo courtesy of http://news.ucsc.edu

 

Sammy the Slug was the unofficial mascot of coed teams in the university’s early years until 1986, when after a battle between the Sea Lions or the Banana Slugs, Sammy won the title.

 

WuShock

Photo courtesy of ESPN

An anthropomorphic shock of wheat, this creation originates from the schools early years when its football games were played on a wheat field.

Did you get them right?  If not here are the answers: Scottsdale Community College, Delta State University, University of North Carolina School of Arts, UC Santa Cruz, and Wichita State University. If you feel the team spirit, why not go back to school?  Let University Decisions be your mascot and cheer you on your way to a new degree!

2011
10/13
POSTED BY
Ben Erickson
CATEGORY
Sports: The Game Plan
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