In Pursuit Of Higher Education?

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

For those of you who checked in yesterday looking for the Weird & Whacked Wednesday entry - I was playing in a poker tournament last night; so enjoy it one day later...I think you'll agree it was worth the extra day. For those of you who haven't been here before, Wednesday entries take a look back at the "notable newsmakers" from the world of sports over the last week or so. The stories generally fall under the category of weird or whacked, with the select few making the downright silly or just plain dumb categories. I'll let you decide where you think they fit.

This week's entry theme is all about academic excellence - those striving to achieve it, and those who didn't but probably should have. Enjoy!

NCAA

GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN
Catholic University in Washington has launched an investigation of its woman's lacrosse team after being informed that the young ladies had posted photo of their freshman initiation party on the internet. Allegedly, the photos feature a male stripper providing the entertainment for the night. Athletic director Michael Allen was quoted as saying "appropriate disciplinary action will be taken" if any of the lacrosse players are in the photos - hands up those of you who went to Catholic school and remember "appropriate disciplinary action" being the strap? I wonder who is conducting the investigation with Mr. Allen...is he taking this matter into his own hands?

I'm going to file this one under "just plain dumb" - you are attending a Catholic school and you are posting pictures of a male stripper entertaining you on the internet? Man (ladies), the cash your parents are spending on higher education is really paying off huh? I wonder how many dudes are sitting there telling their buddies - see? its true what they say about Catholic girls.


THESE GIRLS REALLY WANNA HAVE FUN
By now you have no doubt heard about the hazing incident with the women's soccer team at Northwestern University. Men's college and professional sports teams have nothing on these girls when it comes to hazing - this special event includes pictures of bondage, lap dances (for the men's soccer team) and simulated sex acts. Some of the ladies have been quick to respond - saying that no one girl was forced to do anything they didn't want to, and that it was all in good fun. I'm waiting to hear the first one to say "I was drunk, I didn't know what I was doing."

I'm going to file this one under "whacked" - again, with all the negative attention focused on hazing in recent years, these ladies post the pictures on the internet. On a side note, I don't remember the girls soccer team at my university looking like some of these ladies.


MLB

FOR WHOM THE BELLE TOLLS
Former Cleveland Indians slugger (and headcase) Albert Belle was arrested AGAIN for felony stalking of his ex-girlfriend. Belle, who was out on bail awaiting trial for another stalking charge in February, ignored a restraining order against him and violated his parole - because he was arrested for committing a felony while out on bond, he won't be eligible for bail if charged. This story isn't funny...but it is sad.

I'm going to file this one under "whacked" - After being arrested and charged on one count of stalking, he repeats the same actions. I think Albert would have benefitted from a couple of years of college - he would have learned that those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it. Albert Belle - MLB's Ricky Williams...just plain whacked.


WAY TO GO TIGER!!!
Detroit Tigers DH Dmitri Young has been charged with domestic violence after his ex-girlfriend accused him of choking her. Young has denied the allegations, saying he doesn't see her anymore. For those of you who don't know, Dmitri is the older brother to Devil Rays' top propect Delroy Young who was suspended for 50 games earlier this year for throwing his bat at an umpire in a minor league game. These two are something special huh? I'm sure Mr. & Mrs. Young are proud of their sons - two upstanding professional athletes.

I'm going to file this one under "whacked" - for obvious reasons. In the face of the charge, he blows it off by saying "I don't see this person anymore." - not exactly professing his innocence huh? Hey Dmitri, I think you just used Albert Belle's excuse "I don't see this person anymore." Unlike Albert...Dmitri didn't have to go to college to learn what he should have as a child - it isn't right for boys to hit girls.


ANOTHER CURSE OF THE BAMBINO?
Barry Bonds told viewers of his "Bonds on Bonds" series that he feels haunted by Babe Ruth as he tries to hit HR #714. Bonds likened his pursuit of Ruth to Roger Maris' quest during his record setting HR season. Bonds thinks the Babe is hovering over him. If you have two minutes to read the article - do it. I haven't seen or heard of Barry being this downtrodden and resigned since his infamous "I'm tired fellas" speech to the media last year when he announced he might miss the whole season.

I'm going to file this one under "weird" - to see Barry this humble...this resigned to his own limitations is just plain weird. What have they done with Barry Bonds? Who is this imposter?

99 BOTTLES OF BEER ON THE WALL
Former NL Rookie of the Year Rick Sutcliffe did his best impersonation of Joe Namath during a San Diego Padres television broadcast last week. Sutcliffe stopped by the booth to visit with the team doing the broadcast and went off on an incoherent rant about his daughter, George Clooney and Africa - before gushing all over the announcing team. No word on whether Rick told either of them that he wanted to kiss them.

I'm going to file this one under "just plain dumb" - but then again, aren't we all when we have a few pops?


EUROPEAN SOCCER

WELL, WHEN YOU PUT IT THAT WAY...
As you already know, Barcelona beat Arsenal 2-1 in the Champions League Final on Wednesday night in Paris. Surprise, surprise - a major soccer game with some controversy. Norwegian referee Terje Hauge sent Lehmann off for a foul on Barcelona forward Samuel Eto'o. When interviewed by the British press (who no doubt badgered him about the call - even though it resulted in a goal being taken away from Barcelona on the play) Hauge say he may have made a mistake. Leave it to the British to use this as an excuse and gloss over the fact that Barcelona would have gone up had Lehmann not been red-carded, and likely used their 1-0 advantage to pummel Arsenal. Man I hope England's run in the World Cup is short and painful.

I'm going to file this one under "downright silly" - for the press to be talking about this as a turning point, when Barcelona dominated the entire game, is just silly. Arsenal is not in Barcelona's class - had the Barcelona goal counted...the floodgates would have been opened up much earlier.


TRACK AND FIELD

ITS MINE ALL MINE!
U.S. Sprinter Justin Gatlin thought he had set a world record in the 100 metre dash; originally recorded as 9.76 seconds - officials changed the time to 9.77 (equalling Asafa Powell's world record - claiming his time was 9.766 seconds). Gatlin is upset and wants the IAAF to reconsider. If Justin is a track and field star - doesn't that mean that is he likely "in university" (nudge nudge) - should he know that you always round up?

I don't know where to file this - I just wanted to mention it...read on and you'll see why.

That about does it for me tonight - have a great one peeps!

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world...enjoy your weekend.

Song of the Night on Hazelspeeps - especially for Justin Gatlin

Conductin' Thangs - Maestro Fresh Wes

"I'm a brother who is real not fake
and I heard Robert Palmer wants to do a remake
when it comes to rhymes be original don't duplicate
cuz I'm 5 foot 10 but big like BEN JOHNSON"

Note to U.S. readers...Ben Johnson will always be the world's fastest man...he got screwed (apologies to Donovan Bailey) - we've got Ben's back here.

Peesth Out...Buh Bye!