Archive for August, 2008
College Football Should Do Away with Preseason Rankings
By Christopher Gabriel, CGabriel.com I love college football. It is unlike any other sport on the planet. The pageantry, traditions and unbridled emotion from its fans allow it to walk alone in its uniqueness. College football also walks alone when it comes time to crown a champion. Rather than have an actual playoff, there is an Olympic figure skating-like system combining [...]
USA Volleyball Won Gold in Character
It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish. Athletes are told that from their earliest days of competition. Implied in the phrase, however, and what is often overlooked, is the importance of the journey. In the case of USA Volleyball, the indoor men’s and women’s teams understand that importance a little better than the [...]
Can Two Sisters Control the Universe?
By Christopher Gabriel, CGabriel.com There was a time not so long ago when we were the parents that got a good chuckle over the wild stories we heard from other parents about their children. The assaults on their sanity, the mass chaos that would commence without warning and the meltdowns in stores. Good laughs, indeed, because [...]
Olympic Pressure: Could You Handle It?
By Christopher Gabriel, CGabriel.com During the Olympic Games, a curious phrase that seems as old as the Olympics themselves keeps turning up. A phrase that consistently finds its way out of the mouths of broadcasters. You’ve heard it right after a team, let’s say the U.S. women’s gymnastics team, has failed to win a gold medal: “. . . [...]
Beijing’s Moment of Spectacle Marred by Reality
This wasn’t supposed to happen. Not here. Not during China’s moment. This would be more than just a nation’s 15 minutes of fame. That’s what we’ve been told since Beijing was awarded these Olympic Games. This was going to be a country playing show and tell with the world, and the world would be dutifully impressed. [...]
College Football 2008: Stories, Non-Stories and Near-Stories
By Christopher Gabriel, CGabriel.com In just a few days, the Beijing Summer Olympics will begin. Whether or not anyone actually sees who wins events in track and field because of the smog is anyone’s guess. In just a few weeks, the Democratic and Republican national conventions will commence. Whether or not anyone actually sees a candidate that can lead this nation is everyone’s hope. [...]
The Packers and Favre Defy Logic
By Christopher Gabriel, CGabriel.com Let me see if I have this straight: Last season, Green Bay Packers quarterback – former quarterback – Brett Favre leads the Pack to within one game of the Super Bowl and has a terrific season along the way. Several months later, he retires. After he retires, the Packers ask him several times [...]
