Volunteer Opportunity: Los Angeles Rock n Roll Marathon Series

::Los Angeles Rock n Roll Marathon Series::

The Rock n Roll Series consists of marathons and half marathons across the country where you can experience events that blend the excitement of rock ‘n’ roll music with world-class endurance events. It has grown tremendously over the years, and we now need more volunteer support than ever.

Come support your community and 15,000 runners and walkers by volunteering at the Inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Los Angeles 1/2 Marathon on from October 21st- October 24th, 2010! With over 1,500 positions available there is a spot for everyone, including teams, corporate groups, or just friends and family.

The event partners with DetermiNation of the American Cancer Society, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training, and the Grove of Hope.


Open Volunteer Positions with their signup link:

Health & Fitness Expo:

Location: LA Convention Center, Kentia Hall, 1201 South Figueroa St.

Dates: October 21, 22, 23

Time and Link:
Friday 11:00 am-4pm Sign up Link: http://www.elitevolunteer.com/er/signup_form1.php?event_id=209&shift_id=2202
Friday 2:30 pm- 7pm Sign up Link: http://www.elitevolunteer.com/er/signup_form1.php?event_id=209&shift_id=2203

Saturday 8:00am - 2:30pm Sign up link: http://www.elitevolunteer.com/er/signup_form1.php?event_id=209&shift_id=2205
Saturday 1:00pm - 6:00pm Sign up link: http://www.elitevolunteer.com/er/signup_form1.php?event_id=209&shift_id=2206

Potential Positions: Pre-Expo Setup, Registration, T-Shirts, Goodie Bags, Souvenirs



Start Line

Location: Griffith Park (near LA Zoo)

Date: Sunday, October 24

Time: 5:00AM – 10:00AM (subject to change)

Potential Positions: Runner Corrals, Gear Check, Refreshments, VIP

Sign Up Link: http://www.elitevolunteer.com/er/signup_form1.php?event_id=209&shift_id=2208


Finish Line

Location: L.A. Live (Downtown LA)

Date: Sunday, October 24

Time: 5:30AM – 1:30PM (subject to change)

Potential Positions: Secure Zone Refreshments, Gear Check, Runner Timing, VIP

Sign Up Link: http://www.elitevolunteer.com/er/signup_form1.php?event_id=209&shift_id=2209



Neon Trees will headline the post-race concert at RnR LA! Their hit song "Animal" is currently #1 on the Billboard List of Alternative Songs. Check them out: http://www.fameisdead.com/



Benefits of Volunteering:
• Official roadie t-shirt
• Race goodie bag
• Support a great cause
• Fulfill community service hours
• A great time!


If you are interested in participating, please contact: volunteerla@competitorgroup.com, or call Chris Hammond, Volunteer Coordinator at: (805) 300-8301.

You can also register online at http://los-angeles.competitor.com/volunteers/

Respectfully Disagreeing With the L.A. Sparks Co-Owner

The opinion of stupidity transferred onto the LA Times blog graced by Los Angeles Sparks co-owner, Kathy Goodman, brings several concerns to mind. Goodman attempted to give her opinion of yesterday's Sparks match up against the Atlanta Dream. The Sparks had the lead for 95% of the game until that 4th quarter came into play where the Dream came back on their own turf to get the win, 89-81. While being in touch with the fans via Twitter and posting an "in depth" insight to a 'co-owners' take of their own organzation using a new media platform is refreshing, there still needs to be tact.

Of course, blogs were meant to share your thoughts and give you an unconventional outlook to whatever the subject matter may be. However, if you're a co-owner of an organization, tact still needs to be involved on some level. Maybe that missing tact was to start some kind of drama around the WNBA to promote it or market it some more?

Whatever the senseless cluster of wording was for, the translation was clear, you don't believe in your team.

If you're an athlete that trains, day in and day out, you watch what you do, you watch what you eat.. and then your 'boss' blatantly shares with 'X' amount of individuals that:
I took some time on Saturday to get a little perspective and inspiration by visiting the Martin Luther King Center and the Carter Center in downtown Atlanta. By game time, I was fairly philosophical and just wanted us to play some good basketball, win or lose. So why is it the Sparks had to start so strong and get my hopes up all over again?....

As the fourth quarter began, I was wondering whether I would have preferred it if I thought we had never had a chance in the game. Atlanta was first in the East; the Dream had scored over 100 points when we played them in Staples earlier in the season; I didn’t have a real reason to be hopeful. Except that first half. When we played the kind of basketball I knew our team could play. ....

We just couldn’t hold on through the fourth quarter. The Dream won, 89-81. I wanted those three minutes back at the beginning of the third quarter, but I thought the tradeoff might be that Atlanta would have the chance to retake some of their free throws (they made only 19 of 35.) In the end, though, I just can’t help remembering those first-half Sparks. We are still just a game out of fourth, two games out of second in the West. We play New York on Tuesday night at Staples Center. Hope springs eternal. I think we can win that one.

Honestly, I'd probably be livid my boss is sharing the news with the world that she hopes we can win, and why did we have to get her hopes up.

Yes, the Sparks record isn't the greatest, but there truly is talent or they wouldn't be in the WNBA. The players have talent, passion, heart and faith to get through it. When speaking via Twitter to fellow Sparks and WNBA fans, I always mention, it's about figuring out the right type of glue to make this team stick and play as the powerful unit they can be.

Besides the fact that there are Olympians on the team (even if one is done for the season - Candace Parker due to a dislocated shoulder that underwent surgery today), there is some amazing talent such as Kristi Toliver with her clutch shots and ability to recover even if it's a bad game or bad shot. Of course it's going to take some time to find that glue, whether it's Super Glue or Elmer's, it's going to take some time to dry and work together. This is the first year without Coach Michael Cooper and Lisa Leslie. The team still has leaders in Tina Thompson and even from the soon to undergo surgery, Betty Lennox.

The team is truly capable of winning games without their other troops, it's just about coming together...and staying together until the end of the game.

Too Much Sun for the Dislocated Sparks

On Thursday, soon after the announcement that Candace Parker, the Los Angeles Sparks influential forward, would not play for the rest of the 2010 Season was more than a mere blow to the arteries for Parker's career as well as the Sparks. Parker dislocated her left shoulder coming down for a rebound getting tangled up with a Minnosta Lynx in the 1st Half last Sunday..managing a win without Parker over the Lynx, 88-84. Parker's overdue surgery has now been forced to be scheduled soon.



After giving birth and finally assessing that nagging shoulder injury, here's hoping that 3rd time is a charm -- that Parker will come back to truly flip the WNBA around for the better.



According to Sparks Media Relations, it is "very likely" she will also miss the World Championships in Sept. Candace Parker averaged 20.6 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game this season.

"Losing Candace is definitely a huge loss for us and the league in general," L.A. Sparks general manager Penny Toler said. "We still have a great team that is led by two Olympians and loaded with talent. Our goal, as always, is still to win."

And Toler couldn't be more on the money.

However, Friday night turned into its own soap opera in the Sparks' 1st (full) game without Candace Parker. Tina Charles had career highs of 26 points and a team-record 19 rebounds and the Connecticut Sun rallied from a 16-point deficit for a 78-75 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks.

Sandrine Gruda added 12 points for the Sun (7-3), who moved within one game of 1st place Atlanta in the Eastern Conference.
Tina Thompson had 24 points and Marie Ferdinand-Harris added 16 points for the Sparks (3-8), L.A. is currently 5th in the WNBA's five-team Western Conference.


The Sparks took on the Connecticut Sun on the Laker championship ground(at Staples Center); Kristi Toliver took a moment (on Gospel Night) to announce Parker would "not be playing (the rest of the season)..Lets get this win for C.P.!"..Which no doubt became painfully clear it was not an easy convince to articulate to the crowd, yet inspired a new level of excellence to be achieved. Candace Parker sat with the Sparks bench in support while retiree Lisa Leslie rooted from the other side of the court.

The game looked promising as Tina Thompson scored her 6,000th career point in the 1st quarter making her only the 2nd in WNBA history, trailing behind Lisa Leslie with 6,263 career points. The momentus achievement certainly made for a nice momentum booster as Thompson kept her game face on focusing on the task at hand - getting the "W." L.A. continued to lead at the half 43-36.

It wasn't until the 3rd quarter where the girth of body was noticeable missing. The Sparks lead was blown with the Sun's Kara Lawson, Tina Charles, and Gruda consistently shooting from the outside. Sparks failed to score for more than 6 minutes that later allowed the Sun rally to take place from a 16-point deficit enhancing the drama thoroughly taking it down to the wire.

..Into the 4th quarter proved to be a battle where the slightest of mistakes (i.e. giving away shots in the 3rd) could be the deciding factor in the end. After Gruda made a jumper with 54 seconds on the clock, Sparks' Marie Ferdinand-Harris made a questionable basket that appeared to be a 3-pointer that could have tied the game at 76-76 with 1.5 seconds left. After the crowd assumed it was a 3, there was celebration and disbelief the Sparks could come back once again with such a clutch play. Due to the annoying, yet reliable nature of technology - instant replay quickly became available for the officials to review... the crowd slowly was silence waiting in anticipation. The officials went with the 2-pointer leaving the Sun to keep their lead at 76-75. Tina Thompson's 0.5 second hail mary shot was no good, and the Sun (7-3), closed it out in LA LA Land with a win over the Sparks (3-8), 78-75.





Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press/STATS LLC

Sleeping Griffey ...

If only those two unnamed sources were as 'Ride or Die' as Designated Hitter Mike Sweeney ... We wouldn't have the tales of baseball favorite Ken Griffey Jr. dozing in the Seattle Mariners clubhouse chair - during their game against the Baltimore Orioles last Saturday night.




According to FoxSports.com, Mike Sweeney made it clear to the media, "We will support and fight and take a bullet for Ken Griffey Jr. if we have to. He's our teammate. Nothing is going to divide this clubhouse, especially a makeshift article made up of lies."

Sweeney and mot of the Mariners are sticking together in not speaking to the press ... that is if The Tacoma News Tribune are in the vicinity. Such animosity has been focused on the Tribune and its News seeing as that they are the publication that printed the story that were informed by two inside unnamed sources. So much for No "I" in "Team," right?

Besides if it weren't for those two knuckleheads we wouldn't have such ridiculous gossip that really could mean less killing trees .. well unless the Mariners lost, then it'd be a whole different ballgame.

So much for the good ole boys club. Apparently the memo was never passed along that whatever happens behind closed doors was meant to stay there. Listen, if the locker room was meant for public access .. there'd be a live feed during the game. Although the thought of Ken Griffey Jr. pulling a "A Manny" makes me giggle and would make for good conversation over some brews - You.. Just .. Don't .. Tell... especially not the press about something that has nothing to do with the game of baseball.

It's a code.. and Unspoken Rule.
Whether it's snoozing in the clubhouse to late night activities - there are just some things we really don't need to know.

Plus, it's Ken Griffey Jr., the kid.. the one that was pretty much birthed into the game of baseball. Please, for the sake of baseball fans, don't expose anymore of the baseball favorites when trying to break that big story.

High School Academic All-American Classic: Basketball and Academics Still Go Hand-in-Hand

The anticipation for the young men chosen to play basketball in the 2nd Annual High School Academic All-American Classic (HSAAAC), will mark an invaluable experience in their lives. The HSAAAC, formerly known as the Academic All-American Classic emphasizes and rewards being great on and off the court. The National All-Star team will square off against the American All-Star team Saturday, May 1, 2010 at 7:30pm at Azusa Pacific University’s Felix Events Center.

Founder, Robert Icart created the HSAAAC to feature the finest high school boy’s basketball players in the country who have also excelled in the classroom and have contributed to their communities. Student-athletes are selected based on the following criteria: grade point average, SAT/ACT scores, strength of high school curriculum, college selection, community service involvement, extra curricular activities and basketball ability. Being that this is the 2nd year of the classic, players chosen will have had to maintain a cumulative 3.0 grade point average. This year’s participants have an average grade point average of 3.6.

This year’s event will feature a formal banquet, a Los Angeles tour, a free camp for Special Olympics, Slam Dunk and 3-Point Competition and a parent workshop. HSAAAC will also provide Life Skills Performance workshops on topics such as: Financial Planning For Life After Basketball (held by Edward White & Co., LLP), Managing Academics & Athletics In College (taught by UCLA’s Kenny Donaldson), Mental Training For Success (by Graham Betchart – GB Performance), Maximizing The College Experience, Preparing For Professional Basketball After College, and a College Panel Board with former Academic All-Americans.

Local college freshman standouts like: Sylmar’s Tyler Honeycutt (UCLA), Mater’s Dei’s Twin Towers - David & Travis Wear (Univ. of North Carolina), and Windward’s Darius Morris (Univ. of Michigan) are just some of the HSAAAC Alumni doing well for themselves.

Southern California’s participants include: Allen Crabbe (Price HS), Richard Solomon (Price HS), Gary Franklin (Mater Dei HS), Keala King (Mater Dei HS), Anthony Brown (Ocean View HS), Erick Swoope (Harvard-Westlake HS), Nate Bullock (Harvard-Westlake HS), Mike Attaanasio (Harvard-Westlake HS), Casey James (Capistrano Valley HS), Miles Cartwright (Loyola HS), Josh Duckworth (Brentwood HS), Kendall Williams (Los Osos HS), and James Johnson (Elsinore).

This All-Star game encourages young athletes to be the best they can be in life, in basketball, and in the classroom.

High School Academic All-American Classic:
Felix Events Center
Azusa Pacific University
901 E. Alosta Ave.
Azusa, CA 91702-7000

And if you’re unable to make it to the game, the game will be available via webcast on FOX Sports at 7:30pm (PST).




For information (ticket purchase, media credentials, roster, etc.), visit: www.hsaaa-classic.com or Follow on Twitter @hsaaa_classic

Vancouver 2010: Heeeeere's Johnny! . . . Johnny Weir that Is!

{Video from Nationals - Same performance}

After watching the Short Program of Men's Figure Skating during the Vancouver Winter Olympics, Johnny Weir (USA) held his own with a stellar performance even though he placed 6th with 82.10 behind his nemesis Evan Lysacek (USA) now in 2nd place with a personal best of 90.10. Considering Johnny and PETA haven't been significant BFF's since he himself is a fan of sporting fur on his costumes; it later lead to getting death threats from the animal activists putting Weir in fear of his safety sleeping somewhere else - that was a performance that deserved much higher scores.



Weir has been quite the topic of "controversy" in regards to Men's Figure Skating and that may have been an incentive to unfairly score him. Categorized as "colorful" or better yet, "flamboyant" when describing the outspoken witty skater are the favorite terms to use when others don't know what to make of him. Johnny is .. well, Johnny. Johnny Weir that is!







After watching his reality show, "Be Good Johnny Weir" on the Sundance Channel, you have a better understanding of Weir's upbringing and relentless tenacity to succeed. He was never coaxed into ice skating - he begged his parents to start skating at the age of 12 years old. He would practice in front of the television imitating the skaters before ever being professionally trained. Growing up in the countryside, he would skate over the cornfields in the winter. If that doesn't scream trendsetter or star in the making, how about adding a bit of spice to a sport that not many used to really care about. Myself included, I never really watched Men's Figure Skating as closely until Weir stepped into the picture.





Athletes not afraid to be themselves while fusing it together to be a successful talent are strongly encouraged here. His honesty and wit are delightful along with his analogies. Although Johnny needs to be "good" and has quite a mouth piece on him, it's good for the sport. He thinks outside of the box and should in retrospect be paid for the promoting and income he's increased for the sport. Tonight, Lysacek even had to step it up, performing in not just a regular tight black outfit - even better, he added some Weir to it with frilly type of feather pieces around the shoulderblade. Weir and Lysacek have had an ongoing beef since their childhood and are complete opposites in styles - I guess until now. Thursday will be the final round of Warfare.





Make sure to Follow Johnny Weir Via twitter @JohnnyGWeir as he prepares for round 2 - the Long Program. Also the great thing about this new age media, the wonderful ability to post links with thumbnails and up to date pictures can be found on the Johnny Weir Facebook Page.

Tebow Super Bowl Commercial

The "Tim Tebow Super Bowl Commercial" ended up being more overhype than harmful to Tebow's career as far as the presumed message the anti-abortion ad would convey. A sigh of relief came upon me seeing that Tebow wouldn't completely slaughter his career. When word first hit regarding Tebow's pro-life ad, it suggested that it was going to be a quick reenactment that would overdramatize its point.

Pam Tebow recounts her pregnancy in 1987. After getting sick, she ignored the doctors' recommendation to abort her fifth child and gave birth to Tim, a Heisman Trophy winner.

The news had initially prompted women's groups in a protest campaign. The ad was funded by the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family.

Two versions of the commercial were apart of the Super Bowl festivities, one aired during the Super Bowl pregame while the other aired during the actual Super Bowl making sure to get 1st Quarter viewers.

- #1:


Pam Tebow: “I call him my miracle baby. He almost didn’t make it into this world. I can remember so many times when I almost lost him. It was so hard. Well he’s all grown up now, and I still worry about his health. Everybody treats him like he’s different, but to me, he’s just my baby. He’s my Timmy, and I love him.”
Tim Tebow: “Thanks mom. Love you too.”


- #2:

.. Was I the only one that thought it was hilarious a Quarterback was tackling? .. LOL!


The extended interview of Tim Tebow's story with his parents has now become available for your viewing enlightenment. His story and his courage are admirable.

Super Bowl Commercials

Super Bowl commercials are typically the fun-loving or heart-jerking, emotionally-moving spot that doesn't chose a side on a controversial topic. It does usually bring both sides for some comedic relief to advertise the product.



Sure, any topic can be considered controversial depending on whom you debate with and how passionate your stance has become. Controversy can be good sometimes, it'll surely boost ratings at some point and create a buzz if you're neither a Colts or Saints fan. If I hadn't joined in the friendly-wager pool, didn't think it was going to be a good game, or had zero interest in the annual commercial buzz, I probably would watch the Jersey Shore Marathon. Besides how did having controversy with a side of dicy content become acceptable over a star on Janet's "tittay". They all go under the category of steering away from the purpose of the celebration of football.

Athletes that have a mental backbone can always be respected, but come on man... it's the SUPER BOWL! You could have at least waited for Baseball season or something.

Here's the commercial, it comes off harmless, but we'll see how "innocent" it becomes after millions have seen it. They first aired this commercial during the CBS Super Bowl pregame show. The second will air during the actual Super Bowl.



Pam Tebow: “I call him my miracle baby. He almost didn’t make it into this world. I can remember so many times when I almost lost him. It was so hard. Well he’s all grown up now, and I still worry about his health. Everybody treats him like he’s different, but to me, he’s just my baby. He’s my Timmy, and I love him.”
Tim Tebow: “Thanks mom. Love you too.”


Here are some of the good Super Bowl commercials that were used to create buzz for the others.

Baseball Players: Athlete or Other?

The statement: "Baseball players are not athletes .. Although they make athletic plays from time to time" will continue to echo in my cranium until a diagnosis of sorts may be resolved to such a vile comment. Sadly enough, this is not the first time the intended message has been stated.



So with any attempt in a fruitful debate in defending the players and America's Favorite Pastime, a definition from the recently controversial Merriam-Webster's Dictionary would only be sensical.



: ath·lete
Pronunciation: \ˈath-ˌlēt, ÷ˈa-thə-ˌlēt\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin athleta, from Greek athlētēs, from athlein to contend for a prize, from athlon prize, contest
Date: 15th century
: a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina


: ath·let·ic
Pronunciation: \ath-ˈle-tik, ÷ˌa-thə-ˈle-\
Function: adjective
Date: 1636
1 : of or relating to athletes or athletics
2 : characteristic of an athlete; especially : vigorous, active
3 : mesomorphic
4 : used by athletes



The consistency in needing physical strength to complete tasks including: running, tackling, kicking or dribbling can commonly be construed as formulating an athlete in an exercise or sport type of manner; while standing in a field with a mitt or in a chalk-outlined box with a wooden stick in their hands may seem to take less effort to the non-baseball fan. According to Webster or Merriam whichever you prefer, an athlete must be one who trains in their sport that requires a physical strength, agility or stamina. Minus the juice heads, Baseball players train just as hard as any committed human being would be to their respective sport. It does require physical strength along with proper training that creates the stamina and agility to swing a bat, strike a batter out, pitch a no-hitter, or even dive to catch a ball that could save a last inning from turning disasterous. Jumping out of the box or beating a throw to the base takes an athlete to complete the task at hand.



To make any type of athletic play, one must be an athlete to make plays that would be considered athletic. An athlete commits themselves to their sport. Being called an athlete of course can not be taken lightly. But whether it is Soccer, Snowboarding, Synchronized Swimming or Baseball it still takes an athlete to take part in those events. Athletes compete against other athletes using their agility to out-compete the other. No matter the size of the athlete, just like in football they've trained to do their job and play their role on the team.

In closing: Baseball players physically train to compete, ergo Baseball players are athletes.

:: Los Angeles Dodgers Update ::

Either I enjoy gossip and rumors then investigating them further or the possibility of the Dodgers strengthening their roster makes me a giddy little baseball fan considering they've consistently lost to the Philles when it mattered the most.

Possibility #1: 4th Outfielder May Soon Be Finalized

So first up as of yesterday and seems to be getting closer to the final shabang - Former Chicago Cub, Reed Johnson looks to be finalizing a deal with the True Blue Squad for a $800k contract for one year (pending a physical). According to ESPN Chicago mixed with other sites including the Los Angeles Dodgers News site, the Cal State Fullerton Alumnus will be the 4th outfielder on the squad just beating out So.Cal favorite and now an Atlanta Brave, Garret Anderson as well as Brian Giles (San Diego Padres), and Gabe Gross who as of today signed a 1-year deal with the Oakland A's.


This Catch just pumps be up for the Season!


The 4th spot would fill Juan Pierre's spot when he was traded to the Chicago White Sox in December. Pierre's socks as well as the Jay-Z Song will always be missed in Dodgers Stadium as he takes on new endeavors in good ole Chi-town.



Funny enough and perhaps not as funny for Johnson's pocket, he had asked the Cubs for almost three times what he may get from the Dodgers. Although Johnson became a fan favorite, when the Cubs signed Xavier Nady they forgot who was that other guy. Word on the street has it though, if Johnson would had asked the Cubs for the same deal that he reportedly will sign with the Dodgers, they would have agreed on a deal two months ago. Hmm.. is this where you shrug your shoulders and pretend to speak French? ... "C'est La Vie" ... Well, good thing he loves the game.



There does seem to be some promise for the Dodgers 4th string of sorts, but hopefully he'll remember all of those acrobatics he had no problem doing in Chicago. After hitting .303 with the Cubs in 2008, injuries limited Johnson to 65 games and a .255 average in 2009. The 7-year veteran outfielder missed time with a broken foot and back spasms. Back problems have been an ongoing condition for Johnson the last three seasons.



Possibility #2: An East Coast Reunion of Sorts

According to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports, the Los Angeles Dodgers are interested in pitcher Chien-Ming Wang.

The Dodgers will happen to be in Taiwan for two exhibition games in March and are looking for some Wang (to join them on the pitchers mound). The True Blue squad are interested in Wang, major-league sources say, but not because of their scheduled spring-training trip to his native land. Wang may be worth the risk as a number five starter if he comes cheap. He has a 55-26 record with a 4.16 ERA over 5 seasons with the Yankees. However, Taiwan's baseball stud is just coming off a season-ending shoulder surgery last July 30, and is not expected to be ready before May 1. The Mets and other teams also are monitoring his rehabilitation.



Manager Joe Torre has experience managing Wang with the Yankees, and the Dodgers are still looking for another starting pitcher.

Vote Bow for Birth?

The age-old saying: "having a right to an opinion" has certainly been expressed by college football standout, Mr. Tim Tebow. While it's refreshing to see an athlete stand up, as he said in today's news conference, "for something," his focus should be on impressing the NFL in this year's Senior Bowl. Perhaps it's the mucus of being "a little under the weather" that had him a bit sidetracked, but being "controversial" at this stage in his career is jumping the gun a bit.



I speak of the Tim Tebow commercial set to air during the Super Bowl XLIII broadcast on Feb. 7th. Critics say the ad will use Tebow to convey an anti-abortion message. It has already prompted women's groups in a protest campaign Monday against the ad. The ad is funded by the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family. It is expected to recount the story of Pam Tebow's pregnancy in 1987. After getting sick, she ignored doctors' recommendation to abort her fifth child and gave birth to Tim, a Heisman Trophy winner.



Tebow continued to say in the news conference, "I'm standing up for what I believe in." Then emphasizing, "many athletes don't (stand up for what they believe) .. But, I do." Tebow looking to be extremely passionate in his beliefs while explaining the why and never denying the ad's presumed message, ended it by saying, "my mother is a very courageous woman."

The Kingsmen that Could

Once upon a time, nestled in the heart of Thousand Oaks, the clashing of football helmets echoed throughout the California Lutheran University campus: the men have prepared for a battle.

For the very first time in their league, the Cal Lu Kingsmen are officially the outright champions of the Southern California Intercollegiate Conference (SCIAC). The Kingsmen motto: "All In" continues to motivate them to the next step – NCAA Division III playoffs.

Cal Lutheran will take a trip up north to take on the Linfield College Wildcats Saturday at noon at Maxwell Field (McMinnville, Oregon). The Wildcats, ranked as high as No. 5, qualified for the NCAA Division III playoffs for the first time since 2005; however, California Lutheran, ranked 22nd, is making its first-ever NCAA playoff appearance.

Linfield (9-0) sewed up its 33rd Northwest Conference championship last weekend with a 62-44 win over Pacific Lutheran. The Wildcats face the once-beaten Kingsmen (8-1) in the first round of the 32-team playoffs. Cal Lutheran, riding an eight-game win streak, went 6-0 in the SCIAC.

Linfield and Cal Lutheran have three common opponents: Willamette, Occidental and Pacific Lutheran.

Linfield and Cal Lutheran have met twice previously, both times in the postseason as members of the NAIA. The Kingsmen won a 1977 playoff game in Thousand Oaks before the Wildcats prevailed 20-16 in a 1982 first-round game at McMinnville on their way to the college’s first national championship in football.

The 32-team tournament kicks off with 16 games Saturday and culminates with the Dec. 19 Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, the Division III championship game, in Salem, Va.

Saturday's Linfield-Cal Lutheran winner will advance to face the winner of the Mary Hardin-Baylor vs. Central game. The other West Region pairings include Coe at St. John’s and St. Thomas at Monmouth.

For tickets to Saturday's Linfield-Cal Lutheran battle, call 503-883-2229. A limited number of unsold covered reserved tickets will go on sale to for the general public. There are 500 uncovered reserved seats for Cal Lutheran fans at $12 per ticket. The Maxwell Field Stadium will open at 10 a.m.

Fans unable to travel and see the game can stay up to date via the Wildcats broadcast on the internet. Visit the Linfield athletics Website and click on "Listen Live" to catch all the action. The game will also be broadcast live on McMinnville radio station KLYC (1260 AM). There will be no live video streaming.


[[ Previously Posted at 10:15 AM PST, Fri, Nov 20, 2009 on NBCLA.com]]