Sports stories that fly under the radar

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Tuesday, 21 December 2010 15:39

Life is full of interesting sports stories—so many stories, so little time. It’s impossible to catch them all, and some fly under the radar. The following items may not have made headlines, but they are interesting nonetheless.

And we would do well to remember, as someone once said, “In the department store of human affairs, sports are, after all, the toy department.”

• “Our mascot is tougher than your mascot!”

Consider the student from Ohio University, aka the school’s Bobcat mascot, who tackled Ohio State mascot Brutus Buckeye, touching off an impromptu wresting match before a football game at Ohio State.

The Bobcat went after Brutus as the OSU mascot led the Buckeyes onto the field for the game. But the Bobcat...

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BCS not a democratic system for sports fans

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Tuesday, 07 December 2010 15:57

Politicians campaign for change, unless running for re-election. Once in office, politicians prefer the status quo. If college football were run like a democracy, candidates would campaign on a platform of having a playoff in college football to determine its national champion. Football fans are clamoring for a playoff. Sportswriters want a playoff. It doesn’t matter, though, because the difference between college football and the American political system is simple—fans don’t have a vote to bring about change. In fact, college football is not against the idea of playoffs, except at the Division I level. Divisions II and III have playoffs. Division I, however, is a one-game, winner-take-all format to determine a champion. Certainly...

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Mike Gardner shows why he’s TC’s winningest coach

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Tuesday, 23 November 2010 15:40

Someone needs to talk to Tabor College football coach Mike Gardner. Clearly, he doesn’t get it. Turning a football program around isn’t that easy.

The second coming of Gardner as head coach of Tabor football wasn’t as dramatic as the first time around, but under the circumstances, the results are every bit as amazing.

The first time Gardner assumed the mantle as head football coach, his Bluejays won back-to-back conference championships. Of course on that occasion, he was already on staff as an assistant coach before he became head coach, and the program was on the up-tick.

After being the head coach of Malone College (Ohio) for four years, Gardner returned to take over a Tabor program that was back in the basement of the KCAC...

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Don’t blame tutition increases on athletics

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Tuesday, 09 November 2010 16:09

It takes more than chump change to get a college education. Every year, parents have to reach deeper into their pockets to pay for the cost of tuition and fees.

There’s a misconception that tuition climbs at universities, in part, because of athletics. Rising tuition has little, if anything, to do with what universities spend on athletics, if that’s any consolation.

Granted, college students who choose to attend sporting events might have to dig deeper into their pockets, but what’s a little extra money to support their team?

There aren’t many careers in a down economy that are recession-proof, but coaching at the Division 1 level might be one of them.

So how are athletic departments seemingly able to thrive in the midst of...

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