Fall Opportunities

It is getting to be the time of year when teams will be appearing on campus to begin preseason conditioning and practice. I'm glad I'm just an observer and not a participator anticipating mid August heat and extreme conditioning! In preparation for our upcoming season in our quest to attend all 36 sports in 36 months, I have done a little investigation into what events will be happening during August and September.

I hate to speak for A but I have a feeling due to her aversion to inclement weather I believe our priorities will attending outdoor events on fairly nice days and saving indoor events for rainy or cold days. Not all schedules for teams have been updated on OSU's website so I am going off the ones that seem to have been updated for the 07-08 school year. We have two months to catch up since there actually are some sporting events in August! I am not sure about with the beginning of school either A or I will be up to attending any in August though. We'll see how much energy we have by then.

Options for events are as follows:

August:
Field Hockey- 25th and 26th
Soccer(M)- 31st
Soccer(W)- 21st and 31st

September:
Cross Country(M&W)- 15th
Field Hockey- 1st, 2nd, 21st, 23rd, & 28th
Football- 1st, 8th, & 22nd
Soccer(M)- 2nd, & 23rd
Soccer(W)- 2nd, 4th, 7th, 9th, 13th, 21st, & 28th
Volleyball(W)- 4th, 14th, 15th, 21st, & 23rd

Shirts and Sharpies are ready to head respectively North or South on 315 and support our Buckeyes!

New Honorary Members

Two more folks have become honorary members in our 36 in 36 journey. Although they have not been at an "event attended" with us they both participated in an "unofficial event" (the tour of RPAC on June 21)

I am excited to present to you the new 36 in 36 honorary members: Steph S. and Jil A. Congratulations ladies I know you feel as if you have reached the pinnacle of life by being included on our quest.

RPAC

A., M., and friend Steph were treated to a thorough tour of OSU's new Recreational and Physical Activity Center(RPAC) by soccer star Jil Anderson(Thanks Jil for taking time out of your busy schedule to show us around).

For those of you who attended OSU in earlier years, the new rec center is located on the site of the former Larkins Hall. Some express nostalgia to the old facility but fond memories encased in cobwebs would be promptly dusted away on entering the current facility. It is an amazing opportunity for students recreational needs to be met. All students enrolled in over four hours of classes are automatically charged a approximately $75 fee and are considered members of the facility and allowed access to all of it's recreational options.

I didn't realize how much was involved until I came home and tried to explain to hubby, Brent, exactly what we had seen on the tour. Hours later I was still remembering portions of the tour I had neglected to include in my description. It's difficult to describe over 25,000 square ft. of space accurately.

Some of the highlights of the tour:

*The company

*The moveable floor in the pool which aquatic aerobics are offered

*"Cardio Canyon"

*The natatorium ( new word learned meaning: an indoor swimming pool)

*The Lobby/Welcome Center area

Check this out - TBDRITL

This youtube clip is about the Horseshoe, but it got me pumped for the fall sports in general.

Click here to view.

(Someone needs to show me how to put it in my blog)

OSU revisited

After a long hiatus, we are back in the saddle, metaphorically speaking. Because there are no summer sports available to qualify as eligble to fufill the quest, we have booked some other summer events to keep the 36 in 36 girls active. June 21st J. A. will be taking A. and I on a tour of RPAC- the new rec center at The esteemed Ohio State University. A few of my soccer pals will be joining us. I can't wait until we have new pics to upload on the blog. If you would like to come please contact one of us.

BIG TEN CHAMPS!

Congratulations to the 2007 OSU Softball team and the 2007 OSU Men's Tennis team. Both are the 2007 Big Ten Champions of their respective sport.

GO BUCKS!

Summer Events

Although we will not be able to officially check off sporting events during the summer months, we have decided we would like to have a monthly event throughout the summers of our 36 in 36 challenge. The agenda is as follows: a tour of the RPAC in June - the new State of the Art Rec Center on the OSU campus from a close friend J. A. who works in the facility, Dinner out at the Buckeye Hall of Fame Cafe in July, Picnic with the Pops on Aug 2nd or 3rd with a guest appearance by TBDBITL ( also known as The Best Damn Band In The Land).

Softball

What a great day for a softball game! A balmy breeze was blowingout to left, the sun was shining, and the crowd was in their shirt-sleeves. At our second official event we were pleased to watch the Lady Buckeyes win their second game of a double header against the Wright State Rowdy Raiders in a shut-out game. Pitcher Jamee Juarez broke two OSU records this evening by having the most career strike-outs and shut-out games!!! She now owns four OSU career records: strike outs, shut-outs, wins, and innings pitched. 36 in 36 now has a 2-0 win loss record. It's too early to say but we just might be good luck charms!

Curses, Foiled Again

Because of the lovely Ohio weather we have all come to know and love, our plans have are subject to change at the drop of a ... raindrop. Tonight we were to attend the OSU softball game against Miami University in the hopes of seeing a rousing Ohio rivalry and achieve 2/36. Here I am, in my living room, typing on my laptop, watching an occasional drizzle out my picture window. We are not discouraged! (Mr. S that's for you) We will try again next Tuesday, May 1st for the second game of a double header against Wright State. We welcome Buckeyes and Rowdy Raiders alike to come out and share your support.

Panic Subsides...

After scouring the spring sport schedules and our OEA calenders (those of you who are also teachers in this great state that is round on the ends and HI in the middle know exactly which ones I am talking about) we have found an opening! I can rest easy now knowing that we will be going into the summer months with 2 out of 36 checked off my shirt.

Softball it is folks! A and I will be attending the softball game against Miami of Ohio Wednesday. They are playing a double header starting at 5:00. We would be proud to induct any new Honorary Members who feel so inclined to tune themselves into the 36 in 36 sports family.

Panic Strikes!

I must admit I feel quite harried at the end of this spring sports season. Both A and I have fairly busy schedules (yes I know some of you are thinking, "They obviously have enough time to think up, blog about, and try to follow through with this ridiculous scheme of theirs"). I'm beginning to panic because we may not be able to attend any more sporting events before summer quarter, which incidentally there are no sporting events scheduled for the summer months so this means we have to double up in other seasons to achieve our 36 in 36. M/W Lacrosse, M/W Tennis, M/W Golf, M/W Track and Field, Baseball, Softball, and M Volleyball are spring sports for those of you wondering. Yikes!

Jeni's

We planned to spend last Sunday watching tennis, but it didn't happen. Instead Brent, M and I decided to spend our time touring our great city. Fortunately for us, the tour began with a trip to Jeni's ice cream. Magnificent! I had Thai Chili ice cream where I experienced for the first time in my life spicy ice cream. I know sounds weird...but it was good. Next time we have the good fortunate to visit Jeni's I will be having the Strawberry and Rose Petal...not quite as exotic as Thai chili but it tasted oh-so-good. Thanks for a fun day M and Brent!

If any of you fans out there know of any other uniquely Columbus eateries that we should try in the event of another sporting snaffoo (sp?) please comment and let us know. If we can't attend events we will be happy to spend time indulging ourselves instead!

#42

For those of you 36 in 36 readers not plugged in to the sports world, today marks the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in professional baseball. In 1947, before public education or the army were integrated, before the Civil Rights movement, and before guaranteed voting rights for all citizens, #42 Jackie Robinson stepped on to Ebbet's field as a Brooklyn Dodger. Even though he remained hitless in his debut, he was awarded the Rookie of the Year trophy that season.

Today Dodger players take the field donning #42 on their jerseys honoring one of the most influential Americans of the 20th century. The number was retired ten years ago for the 50th anniversary not only for the Dodgers franchise but throughout the entire league. (In fact any player playing this evening throughout the major leagues was given the go ahead to wear the number if they so chose.)

As I was watching the ceremonies preceding this evenings game I am reminded why I am a sports enthusiast. Sport (and by "sport" I mean games, competition, and play from board games to professional athletics) offers us the opportunity to reveal character as participants or observers. Whether taking turns swinging bats at an annual picinic, discussing strategy, or intense competition, sport allows us to share laughter, thought, and struggle on fairly neutral ground. In the long run we know that it is not truely the game that matters but what we learned of the participants that does.

It was through this neutral venue that a young man was able to bear his heart in the face of criticism and death threats.

You Live you Learn

Life lesson for Sunday April 15th, 2007:
If you want to attend an indoor tennis match you must arrive early! Seating is limited.

A, M, and Brent were excited to induct a new Honorary Member, "Trophy Life," today at the men's tennis match. Unfortunately because seating already was filled we were unable to attend our second event. Fret not faithful readers and hopeful honorary members, we will persevere.

Imus, Shame, Shame: Stringer, Standing O

Glad this man is gone. Thanks CBS. He will DEFINITELY NOT be receiving an invitation to join us for our 36 in 36 tour. -A

M has secretly liked IMUS in the past. She is now sitting on the fence about him, because she is mildly incensed by his comments. Question #1: Which word do you think was more inflammatory 36 in 36 fans- the word referring to unkempt hair or the word referring to the young ladies personal character? (Remember, students may be reading so answer with tact.)

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Mostly, I feel for C. Vivian Stringer, coach of the Rutger's women's team. In my viewing of women's basketball over time, she truly stands out as a woman of character who wants to develop character (click to listen to interview with PBS Tavis Smiley) in her players. This past season she took a team that started with a 5-5 record at the beginning of the year to a competitor in the national championship game.

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In December she told her players that if they weren't playing like Rutgers athletes, they would no get the rewards of Rutgers athletes and took away their locker-room privileges, laundry services, and any other perks they received until she began seeing them play with drive and desire. She doesn't seem to be the kind of woman who puts up with anything other than her athletes best.

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I must admit that I myself have referred to specific athletes in uncomplimentary ways. I do not know these players personally, only through their actions on the court. It is probably unfair for me to use any uncomplimentary language referring to the character of a person unless I have had specific dealings with the person. So for all of you out there waiting for apologies from me, here it goes: I will no longer make character judgements based solely on a persons athletic endeavors (I do reserve the right to comment on unfair play or underhanded actions viewed on the court).

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Imus, I am down with freedom of speech and press and disappointed that you chose to insult a the players in a program that has been built by such a classy woman when there are so many other worthy candidates for your scorn out there.

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Quote from Stringer's statement to the press after said incident: "Should we not, as adults, send a message of encouragement to young people to aspire to the highest levels as my team did this season?" M and A say yes! Men's tennis here we come with our message of encouragement.

Men's Tennis

It's a big match. NO.3 OSU versus No. 9 Illinois. Here are some specifics if you'd like to join us for the Men's Tennis event on Sunday, April 15th. The match starts at noon and we have reliable information that tells us it could last anywhere between 2-3 hours. As I understand it the indoor tennis facilities are on Kenny close to west campus. Check out Ohio State's website listed on the right.

Hope to see you there!

Go Bucks!

SNOW BYRDS

Paul Byrd (Cleveland Indians pitcher) may have wanted to tough out the snow in order to get another tally in the win column. It didn't work for him in the home opener against the Mariners and it's not going to work for us either. Although I think we look mighty cute in our OSU stocking caps. (See pic)

If the baseball game Sunday is postponed or cancelled due to snow or inclement weather, don't expect to see our two darling faces at the game. We will save that enthusiasm for month 24-36 of our 36 in 36. Instead we will most likely be found watching men's tennis indoors (hopefully). In these early stages we are still able to pick and choose sporting events based on climate. Trust me we are still committed to our quest but, are you kidding me, wouldn't you rather sit in the warmth than in the cold/wet/snowy weather of mid-April in Ohio?

Fret not future major leaguers, we will definitely bring out T-shirt clad selves to see a full 9 innings soon.

Honorary Members

One of the things I am most excited about during our sports adventure is sharing the experience with any willing, or non-willing but easily coerced participants, friends, and family. Not that I am expecting this to become a state-wide, national, or even international initiative, but the potential is there.

The following is a list of Honorary 36 in 36 members:

April 1st-

MIKE and MARY- (although they didn't take in the lacrosse game that was our official event, they decided to watch a softball game that was being played concurrently)

BYRON- ( officially at the sports complex to take in a tennis match but due to a rain delay, we ran into him in the parking lot and he was easily convinced to watch women's lacrosse until the tennis match began)

Upcoming Baseball Outing

We are currently planning a 36 in 36 outing to the OSU Men's Baseball game at 1:05 pm on April 14th. We'd love to have you join us! Look for the shirts, they will identify us! Plans are subject to change (we're busy women) so please check back to the blog frequently for possible schedule alterations.
Until then...

GO BUCKS!

Taxdollars at work

M- my cousin A is a pro at this blogging thing, me... not so much. She is the brains behind the blog. For all of you 36 in 36 fans out there I have posted the philosophy behind this madness under "philosophy." I would also like to give a hoot and holler to my colleagues students at the Glen. (Since I met Jim Tressel I had to show all my older students this blog.) Don't worry all you taxpayers out there, I am not wasting academic time on this, I have turned this into a lesson about showing appreciation to those who go unappreciated. This is Character Education at it's finest (with a little bit of the WOW factor). It's the week before spring break, I need something to grab their attention!