Playing the Game (FB)

It is the last three days of my college lacrosse career.  It has creeped up on me so quickly I haven't even had time to really process the fact I just completed my last practice, last warm up, last drills, and last cheers on the beautiful green grass at Paradiso Sport Complex.  It is a bitter sweet moment in my life.  Bitter in the fact these last two games are all I have left as a DII athlete.  But sweet, because I am ready to start the next chapter of my life.  This moment in time makes me wonder if I have fulfilled my purpose to the team and if I have given it my all these past three years here as a Dragon.  Did I reach my fullest potential?  That is a question I believe no one can truly answer when evaluating themselves.  I made mistakes, like most do, I had my off days where I didn't want to "show up" and play.  Though in the end id like to say I gave it my all and these next two games I am going out with a bang.  


Though my body is physically ready to be done haha,  mentally I will always be ready to play some LAX.  This game has defined who I am as a person.  It has helped shape my life and brought me to be the young woman I am today.  Without lacrosse I wouldn't have been given the opportunity to attend a university out of state, along with meeting some of the most amazing ladies I have had the honor of playing with.  I will miss my teammates, especially my fellow graduate class of 2013.  We have been through thick and thin together and my heart aches at the idea of not being able to play along side these talented ladies again.  Though distance may separate us, we will forever remain as a team and bonded together through our trials.  I am proud to be a Lady Dragon despite our record, because in the end it always boiled down to one thing, and that was playing the game with my heart.  


So long Tiffin University & FSU!                 

  

The Rock Prevailed (FB)

It was a hard fought battle against the Rock.  The dragons started out strong with a goal right out of the gate, but Slipper Rock answered back with 3.  Though the hard work and consistent effort by the Dragons fell short and they were trumped 17-10.  Katie Clarke, freshmen mid fielder, dominated the draw controls with fifteen, but it wasn’t enough to keep the ball on the attacking end. 

The game boiled down to caused turn over’s.  The Dragons fell back into their own ways with a total of 27 turnovers to their 13 that really hurt the team.  Freshmen goalie Jessica Bombard had an outstanding game with 20 saves to add to her total current career of 206 saves, making her one of the top 10 goal keepers in DII for this 2012 season.

With two games left Lady TU LAX really wants to end strong, especially the seniors who will not be returning next year.  Heather Denaro, Anna Tong, Elyse Braun, & Kelley Miller will not be returning next season, all of whom are starters. 

“It’s my last year playing lacrosse at this level.  Its bitter sweet in the sense my body is ready to call it quits, but mentally I am ready to go and don’t want it to be over haha.  I will miss my teammates and wish them the best of luck in the future and I’ll be cheering them on from the stands.”  Senior Anna Tong stated on the bus ride back home from PA.      

Advertising: How Much is to Much?

We have all been to sporting events, paid for our tickets, sat our tooshies in the seats and panned our eyeballs over every square inch of the enormous stadium.  Sometimes it seems that on every beam, concrete wall, and nook & cranny there is some sort of sign, sticker or electronic banner advertising for something.  Now personally when I go to a sporting event my focus is on the game itself, but sometimes I get caught up in those bright electronic signs flashing food images and I am just like gahhh!  I could really go for a McDonald's french fry or Taco Bell bean and cheese burrito.  That is the point right, for advertising within the stadium to captivate our attention just long enough to embed images in our minds, hoping that after the game fans will go and invest in those products.  So it poses this question, how much advertising signage is to much in a stadium to where it effects the fan experience?

Commercialization is the act of exploiting or making know for 
a financial gain.  It is seen very commonly in sporing arenas.  In my opinion, as soon as the advertisements distract me (the fan) form the game being held, that is when it effects my experience.  As soon as I, for some reason, crave that bean burrito, my attention and focus is not about the game it is about leaving the game to get food.  Now, if the stadium conveniently has a Taco Bell then my purchase would remain profitable for the sporting venue.  However, at what point do our brains stop absorbing the advertising we see and in turn just zone it out making it not as effective to the marketers? 


Studies show, that on average we see 3,000 ads per day.  Though it is not exactly determined how much of those advertisements really influence our buying power, they affect us in another way.  The most powerful effect of advertising is just to create a good feeling about a product by surrounding it with other things that we like.  This is called affective conditioning and it is proven most effective when we don't realize that it is happening. Why would advertisers want us to be happy and not more in tune with what they are trying to sell?  The feelings we have are often a good marker of what is safe to do and what is likely to turn out well. If we have to make a choice, and one of the options just feels good to us, then we are likely to go with the one that feels good, aka purchase.  


**More info at http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/ulterior-motives/201008/what-does-advertising-do

Losing Streak Finally Over! (FB)

Sophomore Elyse Braun in a action shot with the ball 

After ten consecutive loses the dragons finally pull out a win against Alma.  TU wasted little time turning up the offense, enjoying a 27-8 shot advantage in the first half and scoring 12 straight unanswered goals to close out the first half. Overall TU held a 41-15 shot total and a 52-31 advantage in ground balls. They also forced 24 Alma turnovers, including 16 in the first half.   Nine different athletes scored goals making it a 21-3 victory over the Scotts.  

The Dragons look to bring the heat this coming Tuesday against the competitive Slippery Rock of Pennsylvania.  Last year’s match was a cold one and consisted to two lighting delays that made the match last an extra 45min.  Unfortunately, TU Lady LAX got beat by the Rock 18 to 7.  This year however, the Dragons are coming off a solid win and are looking to keep the streak going and stick it to the Rock.  

What I have Learned

There is no doubting the importance of having superior writing abilities in the sporting industry.  Whether it is posting Blogs, writing a press release, designing a marketing piece or simply just Tweeting, it is crucial that every aspect of ones writing is done with precision.   This is probably the most important thing I have taken from the class Sport Writing for Marketing and Promotion.  Though I will admit I am not the fondest of writing, in fact I loathe it, but being able to Blog about something that I thoroughly enjoy makes it a little easier than trying to whip out a 15 page research paper on statistics.   


One of my more favorable aspects of the class was getting to create and design my own sponsorship proposal.  Though most individual projects are usually stressful and time consuming, I actually took my time in making sure I created every aspect of the project that was needed, and even three weeks before it was due!  I learned a lot about this class through the textbooks that were used.  The materials really simplified the language and gave examples that helped me to understand the content.  


All in all, this class was rather enjoyable despite the overwhelming amounts of work needed to be done outside of the classroom, but then again that is a hybrid class for you.  I loved how everything was hands on and not as much of a lecture.  There were always discussion being held in class and the assignments really forced you to get your hands dirty in the field of Sports MKT & Writing.  LETS JUST HOPE I CAN PULL OUT A  =) 

Stadium Naming Rights

Despite the original naming rights of Fenway Park in 1912, it is more widely believed that naming major sporting arenas begun in 1926 when William Wrigley, the chewing gum entrepreneur and owner of the Chicago Cubs, named his team's stadium "Wrigley Field."  Naming rights are a financial transaction where a corporation or other entity purchases the right to name a facility, typically for a defined period of time.  The duration of these purchases can last anywhere from three to twenty years depending upon the contract. 

University of PHX Stadium
Home of AZ Cardinals

Being a native of Arizona I remember all too well the bidding war that took place in 2006 when the multipurpose football stadium in Glendale (home of the Cardinal NFL team) had officially been built.  The University of Phoenix acquired the naming rights in September 2006, shortly after the stadium had opened under the name Cardinals Stadium.  The naming rights contract totals $154.5 million over the course of 20 years.  Over those twenty years the stadium played/will play host to Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl 2015,  WrestleMania XXVI and the 2011 BCS National Championship Game.  Each event can draw crowds up to 63,000+ people who all will see University of Phoenix logo as the premier sponsor for that stadium.

Notre Dame Football Stadium

With what seems like a win win for both the stadium operators and sponsoring company, why is it not all large stadiums such as Michigan and Notre Dame participate in naming right contracts and cash in on the dough?  Sports Business Daily states Notre Dame could gain $6M per year from corporate stadium naming rights, while Michigan and Ohio State could command more than $2M per year.  So what’s stopping these institutions from cashing in?  Sports Business Daily reports, “Notre Dame Senior Associate AD John Heisler said unless there is a “radical change in philosophy” among the university’s administration, the uncluttered look at Notre Dame Stadium will endure. “It’s not a conversation anyone spends a lot of time thinking about,” he said. “In many respects our stadium is a non-commercial zone.”  Univ. of Michigan Associate AD for Media Relations Bruce Madej said the estimates for Michigan Stadium naming rights did not surprise him, but he added the brand equity in the stadium is more important to the school. “The Michigan name and the branding of the University of Michigan is of utmost importance and we want that name to be recognized as the leader in athletics and academics,” he said. “We want to stay as collegiate as possible.””

Essentially it boils down to tradition and brand recognition.  Though lots of money is generated and lost through these multimillion dollar contracts, is it really worth it in the end?  I think yes.  If the two parties can come to a collaboration where both end up happy, then why not.   

**More INFO @ http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com 

It’s All About the Right State of Mind (FB)

With five consecutive games on the road, it certainly has shown on the drained lady dragons.  Long drives and late nights mixed with a nine game losing streak, is sure to take not only a physical toll, but mental strain on any athlete.  Stepping off of a bus after 4 hours on the road and being expected to play hard for 60min is challenging for any away team.  There is no doubt that a large cheering section, custom warm up music and the familiarity of one’s own field gets a team pumped for their game.  But what about the traveling team?  How do they get amped for games?  The Dragons are spicing up their routine to help get them mentally into game mode as soon as they step off that bus.

"Remember the Titans" sports film

First and for most within an hour of arrival time, the players have to wake up and are not allowed to lie down.  I personally applaud anyone who can even fall asleep on the dragon bus, but this ensures that that each athlete is wide awake and not groggy when they arrive.  Secondly, if they play a movie on the way to the game, it can only be motivational films (mostly sports related).  Movies that have violence, lots of swearing and derogatory content tend to put people in a weird state of mind, make them upset or uneasy.  By playing only motivational films, it puts the team in a positive mood before game time.  Thirdly, before exiting the bus our coach always gives a motivational speech to help get us in the right state of mind. 

It is pivotal that everyone is on the same page and focused prior to exiting the bus.  If there is a teammate who is semi awake or upset, it can throw off the whole momentum and pre game warm-up of the team, which could result in a poor first half to a game.  The lady Dragons are hoping with these new implementations it will better ensure the readiness of the team to come out of the gate strong.    

Phelps Scandal

Phelps wearing his Olympic medals

We all remember the, well most of us remember, 2008 Olympics in Beijing.  The U.S kicked royal booty in aquatics.  Super stud Michael Phelps won 8 gold medals and now currently holds the record for most Olympic medals in history with 16.  This one of a kind all star athlete can do no wrong, or can he? Phelps was caught smoking  marijuana at a college party.  After his poor actions not even months after the hype of the Olympics, his endorser Kellogg dropped him from their contract, however Speedo decided to keep them as their representative. 


According to Kellogg Phelps had broken the morals clause they had held him to.  A morals clause is a provision in a contract or official document that prohibits certain behavior in a person's private life. They deal with behavior such as sexual acts and drug use. They were commonly used in the contract between actors/actresses and film studios to uphold the public image sought to be portrayed by the studio. Morals clauses are included today in certain contracts of public figures, such as athletes, actors/actresses, and others.  In other words Kellogg saw pot smoking as bad publicity for their comany and did't want to be affiliated with Phelps.  Why is it however Speedo remained faithful to their beloved star?    

Phelps Speedo advertisement

My assumption is Speedo is a premier swimming brand.  Phelps is an outstanding swimmer.  Kelloggs target market is usually associate with kids.  They make childrens cereals and other snack like products and having a pot smoker as a representative would reflect badly on their company, not to mention the message it would send to kids.  Speedo doesn't just cater to youth, they make products for adults as well.  I believe this is why they held onto Phelps.  They wanted to still be perceived as the best in the swimsuit market and at the time Phelps was the best swimmer.  There was no one else people would recognize other than his face so Speedo took the risk.  I am sure Speedo didnt just brush off the incident, they had probably fined Phelps heavily for breaching contract or didn't pay him in the full he was originally awarded.  

8 Losses and Counting (FB)

What may be the longest losing streak this team has ever seen, the Lady Dragons are still keeping their heads up.  “It’s not the fact that we don’t have the skills, because we have the skills and talent we need to win, we are just lacking that want and power within us to want to win.  We aren’t confidant,” Coach Colleen Dixon stated after the 8^th loss at Edinboro.  Being a senior on this team and practicing with my girl’s every day, I know what we are missing and it is confidence.  We have so many talented players and we will be up at half thinking that we have the big W, then one person makes a simple mistake and our momentum is shot and we crawl into a hole that is too deep to get out of.  We have shifted gears and with eight more games left and a week to recoup after this long streak of disaster, we are expecting to bounce back.  The captains have helped changed the tone of practices by helping to boost the confidence of the freshmen and underclassmen who have become discouraged, along with coach Dixon is spending ample amounts of time on the areas we need the most improvement.  The team is finally coming together as one and we are all on the same page and hungry for a win.  We will see the fire unleashed from the Dragons this Wednesday April 4^th away at Indiana Tec.      

Is Mike Veeck Crazy or Genius?

Mike Veeck

Minor league owner and consultant to a number of professional baseball teams, Mike Veeck is considered a legend in his promotional tactics of getting fans to the ball park.  He hired a dog & pig to deliver baseballs to the umpire, a Roman Catholic nun to give massages, and locked fans out of the stadium to set an all-time attendance record for fewest people at a game.  Hands down one of my favorite ideas that came out of Veeck’s brain was hiring mimes to reenact the instant replays.  This didn’t go over well at all with the baseball fans.  They were so heated at the lack of instant replays on the big screen, they began to throw hot dogs at the mimes.  Though this “promotion” drove fans nuts and even cause so agitation, the ball park sold out of hot dogs.  So it poses this question, is Mike Veeck crazy or a genius?  Not all of his schemes have been successful, but I find that his creativeness is brilliant.  Veeck is trying to sell the fan experience by thinking out side of the box.  He is purposefully trying to get under the fans skin, get them out of their comfort zone.  Though some may not react to this in a positive manner (throwing hot dogs), I bet everyone who was at that game will remember it for the rest of their lives and that is what sells tickets.  Creating memories that people can attach on to and that will get them back in those seats for more “bizarre” moments/entertainment.  

Spring Break Down South (FB)

While most college students spend their spring break at a beach relaxing, getting tan and partying, TU Lady LAX was working hard in Savannah Georgia.  With 6:00am conditioning and late night practices in bug infested swamps, these ladies were determined to reap havoc on the south.  Unfortunately, the hard work did not pay off and the dragons fell short against SCAD and St. Michaels College on Tuesday and Thursday evening.  Though both games were a close match, the team took some valuable lessons from the losses and hopes to implement new strategies for the next four games on the road. 

Half the team in a shop at the river walk

Despite the upset of loosing during spring break, TU LAX still managed to have fun in the beautiful city of Savannah.  With bright sunny weather and clear sky's it was hard to stay disappointed about the looses for too long.   The team got to explore the river walk and shops, eat some fine sea food and managed to go to the beach for a day.  The long 12 hour bus ride brought the team together and hopefully it can be used to their advantage on the field in upcoming games.  

First Victory of the Season! (FB)

Freshmen goalie Jessica Bombard making a save

Tiffin University picked up its first win of the season, defeating Tennessee Wesleyan 12-11 on a chilly night at Frost Kalnow Stadium.  Tiffin showed improvement from its first game of the season, cutting down its turnovers and battling back from a narrow halftime deficit to get the win. TU had a rough first 10 minutes, falling behind 4-1 before ripping off five consecutive goals to take a 6-4 lead with 9:09 to play.

“In the locker room prior to warming up, coach [Colleen Dixon] really emphasized the importance of trying to cut our mistakes in half.  Those caused turnovers really hurt us in the first game. So as a team we held one another accountable to eliminate the little errors,” defensive player Heather Denaro was quoted saying after the game.   

The Dragons certainly prevailed and were able to run the clock out over the final 2:54 while maintaining a one goal lead.  Lady TU LAX looks forward to playing the competitively ranked Mercyhurst College at home in two days.

Home Opener (FB)

Tiffin University picked up right where they left off last year on a fiery streak with new coach Colleen Dixon.  Dixon joined the Dragons last year and brought a new team structure and dynamics that proved successful in her first season with a 7 and 9 record, just shy of .500.   

Starting mid fielder Alexandria Quast was the Division II leader in goals per game in 2011 and scored 8 goals in the Dragons' season opener with Shepherd University. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough, as TU fell 19-14 to the Rams to open the 2012 women's lacrosse season 0-1.

The turnovers gave Shepherd a big shot differential, as they held a 45-25 shot advantage. Shepherd also won the ground ball battle 36-29 in the physical contest which saw 91 total foul calls.

Tiffin held a 5-3 lead midway through the first half, but the turnovers led to a 7-2 Rams run over the next 15:00 as Shepherd held a 10-7 lead at the half. TU cut down the turnovers in the second half and kept the game close, cutting the score to 16-14 with 4:35 to play, but could get no closer as the Rams tacked on three more goals to put the game away in the closing minutes.

Strategies for Ticket Sales

So you’ve finally reached the big time and are working for a pro sports team. Your only objective/job is to sell tickets (marketing) and make you’re franchise the green stuff.  In the textbook “Developing Successful Sport Marketing Plans, “  it poses this question, “would you rather sell 10,000 tickets at $2 each or 1,000 at $20 each?”  This is a tricky question in the fact most pro sports franchises, I would imagine, shoot for sold out home games every time.  I think what it boils down to is who that team is playing.  If it is rival games say the Heat Vs. Calvs or Dallas Vs. Houston, obviously a lot of people would be looking to attend those games so the demand would be high.  When demand is high for any service or product it is an indication that that company can and should raise the prices.   If the game is lower key and hasn’t had a great turn out in the past, then one can gage that and perhaps sell tickets at a lower price to give more of an incentive to customers to attend that game. 

Lax-4-Life (FB)

Every year Tiffin University's Lacrosse team plays host to a LAX-4-Life game.  LAX-4-LIFE Inc. is a national lacrosse campaign to provide and support programs geared toward adolescent and young adult suicide prevention awareness.
Lax-4-Life was started in spring 2009 by members of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Association after teams were confronted with the prospect of life after suicide. When resources were not available they asked "What can we do?" Lax-4-Life was the answer.

In the spring of 2010 they took the campaign nationally throughout NCAA Division II womens lacrosse. They had over 2/3 of  teams participate in close to 50 designated games throughout the season. As a result over 1,000 t-shirts were sold. These profits along with donations collected during the games resulted in $17,000 being raised for the Allyson Rose Green Foundation.
This year Lax-4-Life decided they wanted to do even more. To really make a difference they have invited Division I and Division III to join the cause. This seasons LAX-4-LIFE games will take place during the last week of March and the first week of April.
They are currently in the process of creating a non-profit organization, LAX-4-LIFE Inc. Through their 501C# organization, it is their hope that they can raise suicide prevention awareness on college campuses throughout the country. Understanding the pressures of student athletes are under before they come to college as well as while on campus, they feel a program like this is long overdue.



**More info at http://www.lax-4-life.org

Mentally Tough (FB)

Being an athlete isn't just about the physicality and conditioning of your body to be better and stronger than the opposing team/opponent.  It also involves training your mind to be mentally tough. It takes a lot to be a part of competitive events and sports. With yelling fans, coaches harping down your back and teammates depending on you, how do you maintain a steady and focused attitude that allows for peak performance? What is being mentally tough exactly and how do you develop it? Dr. David Yukelson of Penn State University examines these questions and has developed the answer that all athletes should consider before any competition or workout. 

What is mental toughness? Mental toughness is having the natural or developed psychological edge that enables you to: cope better than your opponents with many demands that are placed on you as a performer (competition, training, lifestyle). A key component of mental toughness is learning how to condition your mind to think confidently and be able to overcome frustration/self critical negativity. Personally for me as soon as a coach or teammate points out my mistakes I have made, I immediately shut down and begin to dwell on those mistakes in my mind and begin to psyche myself out as a player. In order to prevent this from happening and develop mental toughness Yukelson lists six steps athletes should consider preparing themselves mentally before competitions or workouts. 

1. Mental toughness starts with the right attitude and state of mind (know what your core confidence is all about) -Confidence comes in knowing you are prepared and having an unshakable belief in your abilities to reach intended goals.

2. Program your mind for success ahead of time with positive affirmation and expectations -Expect the best from yourself; affirm what you are going to do to be successful -Confident goal oriented statements starting with “I will, I can, I am going to…” -Focus on the things you want to occur, other than things that might go wrong -Visualize yourself performing (confident, energized, full focus)

3. Routinize your behaviors: develop a systematic pre-performance routine that clicks on desired mental emotional state of mind (practice, pre-game, competition).

4. Poise and composure: Learn how to let go of mistakes quickly if things do not go the way you want. -Don’t allow frustration to undermine your confidence/focus

5. Take control of negative self talk: Reframe “stinking thinking” into positive task oriented suggestions.

6. Look at failure as a stepping stone for future achievement. -Champions approach to overcome adversity: Play to win as opposed to fear of making mistakes -He missed 9000 shots, missed 26 game winning shots, lost 300 games –Michael Jordan, NBA 6 time world champion “I failed over and over, that is why I succeed.” Be a difference maker, step up and have a peak performance when it matters most.

Being mentally tough isn’t a cake walk; in fact it takes a lot of internal strength and focus to maintain the right state of mind. By examining these steps and applying them to your life it can help individual’s confidence and allow for peak mental performance. 

** Following video is a motivational film about what is takes to be successful and inspired**

Product Life Cycle of a LAX Stick

STX Wooden Stick

Lacrosse comes from a rich history of being one of the first sports ever played on American soil.  Invented and played by the Native Americans, the equipment used in LAX consists of a stick in order to control a small ball that is passed among team members. The lacrosse stick holds significance to the Native American way of life, including religious beliefs.  As one can only imagine with the growth of the sport, the lacrosse stick has come a long way from its original form carved of wood, using animal tendon or vines to form a basket at one end. The game continued to be played with wooden sticks until the latter 20th century.

STX 1970s Composite Stick

Taking a look at STX, leaders/innovators of women’s lacrosse equipment, they were among the first to mass produce wooden sticks for play.  As the game began to become more popular, along with advancements in safety, STX produced one of the first composite heads to fit on a wooden handle in the 70s.  The introduction of this new innovation began to slowly emerge then boomed in the growth period as players began to notice a significant change in their performance.  The transition from the traditional wooden stick to composite quickly transformed the game of lacrosse forever. 

The new composite sticks were definitely a cash cow for producers, even at the maturity stage of their life cycle players still invested because, at the time, they were the best product for lacrosse in the market.  STX still continues to invest in new materials and technologies to enhance the equipment of the game. 

STX Xen

In today’s game, sticks are made of synthetic materials for durability and easier handling. According to SimplyLacrosse.com, today's lacrosse sticks are made of an aluminum pole with plastic forming the netted head. These materials, as well as materials such as titanium and graphite, are designed to lighten lacrosse sticks, making them simpler to control during game play.  Depending upon the player’s position can determine on the type of stick someone can get, however it is usually based upon preference. 

To say the least, the sport of lacrosse is still in its growth cycle and along with that the equipment and products are continually being changed and enhanced.  In other words, the company with the newest and effective designs and technologies will turn the most product sales.     

 
**Facts obtained from the following sources:

http://www.oldschoollaxfreak.com/STX-Lacrosse.html

http://www.livestrong.com/article/340895-history-of-lacrosse-sticks/#ixzz1n32Br230

5 Foods TU LAX is Eating (FB)

With grueling workouts and the continual strain put on these LAXERS bodies, it is important to replenish with nourishing foods that will always keep them at the top of their game. Taking a look at various health and nutritional web sites I have found the top 5 foods most nutritionists recommend for all athletes. The Lady Dragons are now implementing these foods into their everyday diets. 

1. Whole grains:
Whole grain food such as cereal, bagels, pasta, and bread give good, long-lasting energy to the whole body. As the most important food group, athletes should eat many whole grain carbohydrates before an event.


2. Peanut butter:
Peanut butter is a good source of protein and essential fats, and it is easy to carry and eat on the go. Other protein sources will work as well, such as lean meat or dairy; the important thing is to get adequate protein before and after a work out. Protein helps the body in maintaining aerobic metabolism instead of anaerobic metabolism, which prevents the body from taking protein from lean tissue. Adequate protein speeds recovery and helps in actual performance situations.


3. Fresh fruits and Vegetables:
Fresh produce is a great way to get vitamins and minerals that help the body function as normal.  They are usually fat-free and contain lots of energy for the body to use during exercise. Some fruits, such as bananas, contain potassium, a mineral that regulates water levels in the body and stabilizes muscle contraction. Low potassium levels can lead to muscle cramps and fatigue, so eating potassium-rich foods is a good idea. However, it is important to regulate potassium intake, because too much too quickly can lead to a heart attack. Athletes should take in 435 milligrams of potassium for every hour they exercise. While potassium does not aid in actual performance, it speeds recovery and should be considered as one of the most important supplements to an exercise program.


4. Calcium-Rich Foods:
Foods such as cheese, yogurt, and milk contain necessary calcium, which creates strong bones and protects athletes from injury. These dairy products are also a good source of protein, but they should be eaten well before an event, as they take some time to process. If the body does not tolerate dairy well, supplements should be included to ensure that athletes receive the recommended daily intake of 1000 milligrams. As an example, a cup of skim milk provides about 300 milligrams of calcium.


5. Fiber-Rich Foods:
Fiber is the nutritional component that keeps athletes full and regulates the digestive tract. Many of the foods already mentioned include fiber, but it is important for coaches to know which foods help athletes regulate fiber levels. Examples of fiber-rich foods include whole grains, apples, berries, almonds, and legumes. A simple way to determine the necessary amount of fiber is to add 5 to the athlete's age. For example, a 10-year-old athlete needs about 15 grams of fiber daily. After the age of 15, athletes need 20-25 grams of fiber a day.

Super Bowl Hype

With the hype of the super bowl slowly dwindling down from last night, the commercials and advertisements still linger strongly in the air.  As we all know it wouldn't be a Super Bowl without the 15 to 30sec commercial productions that cost more money to make than most even earn in their lifetime.  With a large viewing audience of around 90 million, this is every marketers dream to create that advertisement that can be gawked at by audiences from around the globe.  However, this year there seems to be some mixed reviews on the commercials and whether they were note worthy at all.  Of course, it was going to be difficult for Chrysler to out shine themselves from last year’s empowering message on the the city of Detroit, but Clint Eastwood?  Granted an amazing actor and very deep prominent voice, I honestly didn't know if the commercial was supposed to be serious or comedic.  BUT this is beside the point, I want to discuss other forms of advertising that were showcased during the SB that may or may not have gone unnoticed by viewers.

Some interesting observations I made about last night’s game.  Both players were sponsored by Reebok.  The Reebok logo was plastered on all of the players jerseys, however the shoes and accessories the players had worn were by different brands, predominately Nike.  I am not sure how player sponsorships work, but apparently they are allowed to wear other brands other than Reebok.  If I were to take a guess I think that Reebok is the official sponsor of the NFL and all teams wear Reebok jerseys, but footwear, gloves, sweatbands ect. can be up to the player? (not sure).  Also, Toyota must have shelled out a lot of money to have their name on the half time report commentators table.  It is a safe to say that the vast majority of commercials/advertisements were cars.  There was Fiat commercials, Kia Optima, al lot of Chevy, and of course Chrysler.  Also, NBC being the network/channel the game was on didn't hesitate to plaster their, what I like to call, rainbow orange slice logo everywhere.  They advertised upcoming TV programs, along with their sports network and just NBC in general.  If the camera angel was just right you could see Verizon flash on the electronic boards throughout the stadium.  Finally, those classic green Gatorade cups and water bottles were being used by the players and coaches.        

2012 Super Bowl Halftime Show

Though this blog is predominately on the advertising I want to conclude with my thoughts on the half time show.  IT BLEW MY MIND!  Though the actually performers, Madonna cough cough, could have done without; the overall entertainment value was spectacular.  The show/camera positions/network went off without a hitch in my opinion.  A lot of organization and event planning went into this production and it was on point.  Perhaps one of the more entertaining half time shows.  The usage of fiber optic lights (moving floor) was brilliant and I bet we will see the usage of more digital stuff such as that in the upcoming opening ceremonies for the Olympic games.            

Count Down!! (FB)

Lacrosse season is officially underway.  With only one month till the first home game, the lady LAX team is gearing up for game time.  First week back to school there was no “settling in” to the new semester for these athletes, they were up and at um at  5:45am hitting the paint with sprints and conditioning.  This year the Dragons are focusing on stick skills and conditioning.  With only one sub to relieve a player it is pivotal that this team is going to be in top cardio shape to play 60min long games.

 

With 2 weeks into the AM practices and conditioning the Dragons are coming along.  There are going to be six new faces out there on the field, 5 freshmen and 1 sophomore.  These ladies have brought much needed stick skills that will help the team move the ball quickly up and down the field.  Unfortunately, with the loss of 6’2 center Taylor DeMaio, these ladies will have to work extra hard to get the ball of the draw.  For those that are not familiar with the sport of lacrosse, the attached video is an example of a typical face off/draw control at the beginning of each game and after every goal that is scored.

 If the Dragons get the face off there shouldn’t be any problems on the attack side of the game as long as the offense can keep moving the ball quickly.  With two weeks in, the offense has yet to really connect with one another.  There are new additions (players) to this end of the field and a new “set up” if you will that the ladies are working on.  With only a few weeks left let’s hope they can find the flow. 

As for the defense, I have no real comments other than they need to MOVE THEIR FEET.  There are a lot of power houses on D, very aggressive girls that will be a fighting force of terror if their reaction time can improve.  I am not a defensive player, so I give those ladies props.  D in lacrosse is very similar to basketball, it requires a lot of fast foot work and nice low body positioning on the attacking team.  With 4 more weeks to practice I am hoping the D can step it up and become a wall of fury that opposing teams will fear when stepping onto that field.

Benefits of a Blog

Though most Blogs never get read, they can be very beneficial to the Blogger.  Blogging can enhance writing skills.  With continual posts on topics I enjoy, it enables me to be creative in what I write without any restrictions or guidelines.  I get to voice my opinion and people can choose to agree or not.  Also, blogging hones my researching skills and broadens my knowledge on topics I might not be so familiar with.  From a business standpoint, blogging is a free tool used for advertising and it is an excellent way to get a product and or company name out there. 

If ever given the opportunity to work as a “pro blogger” for a sports fan page, I would take into consideration what I as a sports fan would want to read.  Though focusing on scores and pre season workouts is entertaining, as a reader I want to read the scoop and 411 on behind the scenes.  I want to know about the players, what they are doing, what perks they get, and how they psych themselves up before a game.  Fans want to feel close to the players and if given a blogging job I would try my best to do just that.   

My Sports Autobiography

State flag of Arizona

Growing up in the cactus state of Arizona, it was always the perfect time and temp for sports.  I started out as a budding soccer player in elementary school then later played volleyball as I moved into Jr. High and High School.  Though my desire to play volleyball faded my sophomore year, I grew to have a fiery passion for the Native American game Lacrosse.  My sister had played in high and in college.  Me being the younger sister wanted to do everything that my big sis was doing, so I joined the Lady Tigers at Gilbert High School and soon fell in love with the fastest growing sport on two feet.  Lacrosse wasn't as popular as soccer and volleyball were in Arizona.  I believe that is why the game really sparked my interest, it was different.  That and the fact I was a total bad a**(kidding).  Thanks to my involvement with the sport I was able to receive a scholarship to play for Tiffin University.  Now as I enter into my final semester and last season playing for the Tiffin Dragon's, I wanted to document the team and their success in this Blog.  After graduation I am still anticipating on being heavily involved with the sport.  I currently am the marketing director for Wildfire Lacrosse, a company dedicated to spreading the sport like WiLdFiRe.  After graduation I am looking to travel and possibly coach oversees then return to the sates and work in higher education.  But enough about me, lets take a gander on the specs of this years lady lax team!