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Welcome to this biweekly newsletter, written by me, Corye Perez Beene, Ph.D. I am a United States History Professor and certified “sports nut.” I find the sports stories from the past to the present that celebrate the Awesomeness of American Sports.
Seven Sets
What I am reading, listening to, tweeting and thinking about…
1. Women’s Sports continue to grow
Athletes Unlimited, a women’s sports league of basketball, volleyball, lacrosse and softball, has been enjoying success in its first 2 years of existence. They recently had more great news as ESPN will have the exclusive rights to broadcast their lacrosse and softball games for the next 2 years. I love their website and its user friendly platform: HERE
Later this year, the Women’s Sports Network will be available in the USA. It is a dedicated streaming platform that will not only cover various women’s sports, it will also have a daily studio show, sports talk show and daily highlights. I look forward to subscribing!
2. NFL Draft
I enjoy watching the NFL draft and seeing young men’s dreams come true. I like it for the same reasons I enjoy ABC’s Shark Tank: its watching the American Dream unfold before your very eyes! Here are my fave moments:
*After watching Kyle Hamilton and his girlfriend do their cool handshake, Im thinking my husband and I need one! What do you think? Hamilton was taken by the Baltimore Ravens as the 14th overall pick.
I loved Kenny Pickett’s emotional reaction and the reaction by his family and friends! He played for the University of Pittsburgh and got selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers! He was the only quarterback taken in the first round!
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell hugs the draft picks if they want to hug. I loved Devin Lloyd picking him up! He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
3. Overcoming Obstacles
These athletes inspire me!
Karlee Myers has one arm and plays softball for her high school team: WATCH IT HERE
Zach Bates has autism and just completed a 100 mile ultramarathon race. Competing in the Coldwater Rumble in Arizona, the 19 year old was the youngest finisher in the race’s history! READ HIS STORY HERE
Jules Hoogland from Michigan plays for her Unified Sports basketball team. She made this free throw even though she is blind.
Texas A&M athlete Ethan Gogulski beat cancer not once, not twice but THREE times to earn the silver medal in the 100m and 200m backstroke at the SEC Swimming & Diving Championships.
4. Sports card collectibles
A Kobe Bryant card sold for $2 million in February. It is a 1997–98 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Emerald, which is not a rookie card, nor is it autographed. However, the card is only one of 10 in existence.
A Honus Wagner baseball card is one of the most valuable cards out there. This card, though damaged, sold for $1,528,066! It is missing 3 sides, has a crease in the middle of the card and has been trimmed.
A Jackie Robinson bat, used in his appearance at the 1949 All-Star Game, sold for $1,080,000! That game was the first time Black players were selected to play in an All-Star game.
A 1916 Sporting News Babe Ruth rookie card sold for $1.5 million.
5. What I am reading…
Is James Naismith really the creator of the game of basketball or have we been wrong all this time?
I came across a story from The Washington Post (story is behind a paywall) last week claiming that the originator of basketball was really Lambert Will of Herkimer, New York. A new book by George Robert Fosty, Darril Fosty and Brion Carroll entitled Nais-MYTH: Basketball's Stolen Legacy argues that 16 year old Will came up with the idea after tossing cabbages into a peach basket.
Here is some other content about the book and its claims:
From The Times Union
From BoxScoreNews.com
Podcast episode on spreaker.com
From darik.news
This story is from 2012 on TodayIfoundout.com
6. What I am listening to…
There continues to be some terrific podcasts out there on sports and sports history. While I am anxiously awaiting the 50th anniversary of Title IX next month, I have been listening to this special podcast from the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers program. While I have no connection to the University, the women featured describe their wonderful experiences playing, coaching and thriving in sports after Title IX’s passage.
Guests include 1992 Olympic Silver Medalist LaVonna Martin Floreal in the 100m hurdles:
Olympic Silver Medalist in Softball Monica Abbott:
Women’s Athletic Director from 1983-2012 Joan Cronan:
Look for my special issue on Title IX next month!
7. What I am laughing about…
A walk down MEME memory lane! ESPN compiled a list of the best sports memes… My favorite is definitely the scowling McKayla Maroney:
Who could forget Marshawn Lynch’s “I am here so I dont get fined!”
Did you see this? The Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies both showed up in their all white jerseys for a game in March, creating quite a bit of confusion. I have never seen a mix-up like this in any professional sport.
Thank you for your support! I am so appreciative of YOU being here 😃
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