Friday, April 30, 2010
The Political Season - aka the BCS
Bill's blog from October 20, 2008:
Orators-debates- senators! It’s that time of the year. Lest you think I mean Obama/McCain, I have no interest in that arena. The two presidential candidates are rookies compared to the oratory of the football coaches of America – their debates are too few to mention (just three every four years, compared to at least 13 every year for football coaches). And college football even has its own Senator from Columbus, Ohio – the always fashionably attired Jim Tressel.
Let’s get to it! The first BCS rankings are out and the debate is on. Leading orator Pete Carroll always thinks USC should be or will be number 1 and play for the national championship. While he gets points for believing in his program, he gets a little tiring year after year especially when he loses to unranked teams early in the season. BCS rank in week one: 5. (he’s making points with the USA Today poll though – ranked 4th.
What about senator Tressel and Ohio State? Ranked number 9 in the BCS and 10th in all the other polls, the Buckeyes have been humiliated by the aforementioned USC Trojans and knocked off such powerhouses as Youngstown State (3 - 6), Ohio University (2 – 5) and Troy University (4 – 2) enroute to a “glittering” 7 – 1 record. Still, a win over Penn State this Saturday and a Big Ten title along with a few “senatorial” statements could catapult the Buckeyes into the National Championship game…maybe even a chance for a rematch with the Trojans – ugh!
Other one-loss teams will be polishing their images as well: Oklahoma (4); Georgia (7); Florida (10); and LSU (13). The ranks of the one-loss teams will grow in the weeks to come and the flawed BCS system will give us a “Championship Game” between two of the top teams in the land, but, as history has proven, not necessarily the BEST two teams in the land.
The debate is on…what’s your projected BCS title matchup?
Labels: big_ten, buckeyes, ESPN_Founder, florida, georgia, lsu, ohio_state, ohio_university, oklahoma, penn_state, Pete_Carroll, Senator_Jim_Tressel, troy_university, usa_today_poll, youngstown_state
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Road-Trip Excitement!
Bill's blog from October 13, 2008
Last Thursday found me at Bay Path College in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Bay Path is a member of the brand new NECC (New England Collegiate Conference). Other members: Becker College, Daniel Webster College, Elms College, Lesley University, Mitchell College, Newbury College, Southern Vermont College and Wheelock College.
After a warm welcome by President Carol Leary, I had the opportunity to speak to some of the amazing students in the undergraduate and MBA entrepreneurial programs. The enthusiasm in the room was electrifying…great questions and lively discussion. Steve Smith, Athletic Director; Sandra Coyne, Director MBA Program, and other faculty members added to the success of the afternoon.
Later that day, Mike Cotnoir, Chairman and Tim Jensen, Co-Chairman of the Enfield, CT Athletic Hall of Fame (I was inducted with the Class of 1999) served as hosts for “Bill Rasmussen Day.” Dinner with Mayor Scott Kaupin was followed by a private reception and then a public presentation dating back to my days as an Enfield resident. Given the audience, my comments on the evolution of ESPN (and the ties to Enfield) right up to the here and now with College Fanz were enthusiastically received. More great questions and lively discussion followed with many “remember when…” conversations. All this culminated with a long line for book signing (Sports Junkies Rejoice: The Birth of ESPN) and more reminiscing.
I’m certain I had more fun on this Road Trip than Oklahoma, LSU and (again) Michigan had on Saturday. And did you notice where USC is ranked? It won’t be long before all the talk turns to the BCS. I’ll get into that swirl of tangled opinions and options in the weeks ahead.
After a warm welcome by President Carol Leary, I had the opportunity to speak to some of the amazing students in the undergraduate and MBA entrepreneurial programs. The enthusiasm in the room was electrifying…great questions and lively discussion. Steve Smith, Athletic Director; Sandra Coyne, Director MBA Program, and other faculty members added to the success of the afternoon.
Later that day, Mike Cotnoir, Chairman and Tim Jensen, Co-Chairman of the Enfield, CT Athletic Hall of Fame (I was inducted with the Class of 1999) served as hosts for “Bill Rasmussen Day.” Dinner with Mayor Scott Kaupin was followed by a private reception and then a public presentation dating back to my days as an Enfield resident. Given the audience, my comments on the evolution of ESPN (and the ties to Enfield) right up to the here and now with College Fanz were enthusiastically received. More great questions and lively discussion followed with many “remember when…” conversations. All this culminated with a long line for book signing (Sports Junkies Rejoice: The Birth of ESPN) and more reminiscing.
I’m certain I had more fun on this Road Trip than Oklahoma, LSU and (again) Michigan had on Saturday. And did you notice where USC is ranked? It won’t be long before all the talk turns to the BCS. I’ll get into that swirl of tangled opinions and options in the weeks ahead.
Labels: Bay_Path_College, Bill_Rasmussen_Day, Carol_Leary, Enfield_CT, ESPN_Founder, Mike_Cotnoir, Scott_Kaupin, Sports_Junkies_Rejoice, The_Birth_of_ESPN, Tim_Jensen
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Welcome to my World!
Bill's original College Fanz blog post October 7, 2008: http://www.collegefanz.com/people/founder/blog/2008/10/07/welcome-to-my-world
This is the world of sports … sports in America. I am Bill Rasmussen, ESPN Founder and now, CEO and Founding Partner of College Fanz.
I’ve been involved in sports for over a half century…really, over 50 years! I’ve played, broadcast, telecast, watched, scored and listened to countless games over those years.
So here’s what this is all about: I’m going to blog about sports, sports and more sports … its people, plays and passion … from my perspective. I want fanz like you to jump in as well with comments, ideas and questions … whatever moves you.
For example, do you think Rich Rodriguez is wishing he’d never left West Virginia? Think Big Blue fans are having the same wish? Can you believe it: Illinois 45 – Michigan 20?
The feel good upset of the season so far: Vanderbilt over Auburn 14 – 13 … Vandy’s best start since the middle of World War II-Wow!!! That goes back farther than the Chicago Cubs last visit to the World Series.
Naturally I’ll get to topics such as the BCS of today and how champions were crowned in the past. What about today’s players vs. stars of yesteryear? Just a hint of where this blog will go. With each Monday’s post, I’ll introduce new features and raise other topics of interest to fanz of all generations.
Come along with me for this weekly journey through the world of sports.
Labels: College_Fanz, ESPN, ESPN_Founder
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
