Scandals

It seems that these days we see more and more scandals in college sports. Whether it is a sex scandal, or breaking the rules, over the years we have seen some of our beloved coaches and teams go down.

Earlier in April, it was announced that Bobby Petrino would no longer be the head football coach at the University of Arkansas. The 51-year-old man got in a lot of trouble when he got into a motorcycle accident on April 1st. It wasn’t until days later that the police report of the accident revealed that Petrino was with a girl. Unfortunately, Petrino was forced to admit that he had been in an inappropriate relationship with a girl named Jessica Dorrell. Dorrell is a 25-year-old former volleyball player at the University of Arkansas that had just been hired by Petrino to be the student-athlete development coordinator for the football team. Petrino’s hiring of Dorrell just made the situation worse. Not only did Petrino violate university policy by hiring Dorrell, but he also gave her twenty thousand dollars in cash. The athletic director at the University, Jeff Long, says that Petrino had a four day period that he could’ve come clean about being with Dorrell, but he chose not to, making the penalty worse for him. It all comes down to the fact that coach Petrino abused his authority when he hired a new member to the staff and jeopardized the integrity of the football team. When asked if Petrino should have been fired, Trenton Cundiff said, “Yes, he has had a rough past in coaching and in this case lied to the program and could no longer be trusted.”

This isn’t the first time Petrino has exited a football team. In 2007, he departed from the University of Louisville less than a year after signing a 10-year contract with the school. He also departed from the Atlanta Falcons in the year 2007. He left the Falcons with three games still left in the regular season.

Petrino may be known as one of the most prestigious coaches in school history. He led the University of Arkansas to the Sugar Bowl in 2010 and in 2011 he led them to win the Cotton Bowl after an 11-win season. Petrino exits Arkansas with a 75-26 record while coaching at the college level.

Arkansas just recently hired a new coach by the name of John L. Smith. Smith was the perfect man for the job because he had already been on the staff, he knew the players, he even recruited some of the players. He was there in the Sugar Bowl against Ohio State and made many of the special team calls possible. Lets not forget that Smith was replaced as the head coach of the University of Louisville by Bobby Petrino years ago. Coincidence? I think not, Smith is enjoying the sweet, sweet taste of revenge.

I can’t believe I’m doing this. I swore to myself that I wouldn’t succumb to writing an article about One Direction, the adorable boy band that hails from Europe. Of course they’re irresistible, and I can’t deny this any longer.

My direction infection began when Hannah Hughes, senior at OHS, made me listen to their songs on her I-pod during school. Though this wasn’t my first encounter with the boy band. Catherine Clark, sophomore at OHS, introduced them to me months prior to my Hannah experience. She says, “Even though my fandom has died down, I remember going through the obsessed phase. I found them via Facebook when a friend posted a video and thought ‘cute boys!’ but I still categorize myself as a one direction hipster because I found them in September.” Hannah was already obsessed when she began spreading the infection onto me. I refused to become what I like to call a “fan girl” which is pretty much self-explanatory. I would notify Hannah that I refused to learn any of the boy’s names, because I knew that once I knew their names, it would all be down-hill from there. Sure enough, I started watching YouTube videos of them. Within a week or two I knew first names, and now I’m accidentally learning last names. This is not by choice, people. IT IS A DISEASE.

Just a little background information for those of you who aren’t “Direction-ers,” the boys in the band auditioned for the British talent show “X Factor” two years ago as separate singers. Simon Cowell, one of the judges, suggested the five boys become one act. Thus became “One Direction” consisting of Harry, Louis, Zayn, Niall, and Liam.

I do believe there is such thing as a One Direction infection, because ladies and gentlemen, I myself am infected.

Common symptoms of One Direction Infection:

• When you say something humorous, your first thought is, “I wonder if Niall would think that’s funny?”
• When going to YouTube to search a music video of a song you recently heard on the radio, you suddenly find yourself watching One Direction videos. It starts with their music videos, then the video diaries, and soon enough you find yourself clicking on related videos entitled “Cute, funny facts about Harry Styles <3.” And even though you laugh on the inside about how ridiculous you’re being, you can’t help it. At this point there is no turning back.
• You compare Harry, Louis, Liam, Zayn, and Niall to the boys at your school. This is completely unfair to said boys at school, because the boys of One Direction are very attractive, can sing, have British accents, are funny… basically perfect.
• You secretly believe that one day you will meet them, and not that meeting them is highly unlikely, you also believe they will like you and at least one of them will want to date you. I mean, out of five there’s got to be at least one, right?

Although, I’m not saying the disease is a bad thing. All I’m saying is becoming crazy obsessed with these British boys is something I never wanted to do. Senior Hannah Hughes says, “The moment I saw their faces I knew I was hooked. Then I heard them sing, then YouTube. Oh my gosh. I blame Catherine Clark.” And I blame you, Hannah Hughes, because if it weren’t for you I’d have nothing to obsess over. So my advice is this, if you wish to not become hooked like many others before you have, stay away from those who are infected. The One Direction Infection is contagious.

April 14^th, 2012 marked the 100^th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. The ship that was hailed to be “unsinkable” has received much attention ever since that chilly day it sunk to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. From an award winning movie to millions of articles and media attention, many believe we’ve uncovered all there is to know about the doomed luxury ship. However, I guarantee there is much you didn’t know about the Titanic.

• The ship had its own newspaper titled The Atlantic Daily Bulletin. It was printed daily and included news articles, society gossip, horseracing results, and the daily menu. Aboard the massive ship were also some uncommon amenities such as a Turkish bath, a squash court, and a heated swimming pool.
• Of the nine dogs on board, two survived: a Pomeranian and a Pekinese. These dogs were among the first ordered, women and children, onto the lifeboats once the ship started to sink.
• The former home of one of the most famous survivors, Molly Brown, is now a museum in Denver, Colorado. Her home is open for tours and workshops.
• Millvana Dean, the last known survivor of the Titanic recently died in 2009. She was the youngest passenger on the ship at the time. It’s noted that her death came just a month after actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet paid for her nursing home expenses.
• Ten survivors of the sinking would commit suicide later on in their lives. Annie Robinson, who was sailing across the Atlantic at a later date, jumped overboard. Frederick Fleet, the lookout who was the first one to spot the ice-burg, hung himself in his garden.

The tragedy of the sinking of the Titanic will be forever remembered, and has been apart of so many lives for a century.

Most people go to school just for the social reason (forgetting that it’s even a required law to enroll in school), part of that social reason includes boyfriends and girlfriends. Some students lose focus of what the purpose of school is and life in general. When a boyfriend or girlfriend comes into the picture teens start to get all their priorities messed up and put their boyfriend or girlfriend at the top of the list where God should be their main priority or family. Some teens that walk the halls insist that they must always have a boyfriend or girlfriend. That trait in a person can be very annoying to other people. There’s more to life that having a relationship, especially in high school people! The main reason people even started dating was so they could find the person that they were going to marry. Chances are you’re not going to get married at age 16, or even at 18.
Josh Harris, the author of I Kissed Dating Goodbye, Is a book in which Harris gives people, especially young adults to take on a new attitude towards dating. The core message of the book isn’t about “dating,” but living your life for God. In his book he shares “7 habits of highly defective dating”. Here are some that some teens can relate to and live out:
• Dating distracts young adults from their primary responsibility of preparing for the future.
• Dating creates an artificial environment for evaluating someone’s character.
• Dating often isolates a couple from other vital relationships.
• Dating often mistakes a physical relationship for love
• Dating tends to skip the ‘friendship’ stage of a relationship.

He also says in his books that unless a man is prepared to ask a woman to be his wife, then why have a relationship or claim her exclusive attention? Also, he gives out hints about dating. He says friendship is about something other than the two people, something other than the two friends being together. The key to friendship is a common goal or object on which both companions focus. As soon as the two people involved focus on the relationship, it has moved beyond friendship. Include others, such as your family and friends instead of isolating yourself with just one person. Finally, seek opportunities to serve, not to be entertained.
If you want to read more about dating, just go and buy Josh Harris’ book, I Kissed Dating Goodbye. This book is very resourceful and will most likely change your perspective on dating and help you take careful steps in finding the perfect relationship in the future.

On Wednesday April 18, 2012 Pat Summit resigned as the head coach of the Tennessee Women’s Basketball Team. Summit has been coaching the women’s team since 1974 and just recently retired due to her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s She is the all-time winningest coach in NCAA basketball history of either a men’s or women’s team in any division. Summit agreed to coach the team 38 years ago for only $250 a month according the CNN reports. She led the Lady Vols to eight national basketball championships and 1,098 wins.
On Thursday April 19, 2012 Pat Summit was told she would be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This award is the highest civilian award handed out by the government. Summit was quoted saying, “I didn’t see it coming, but that is a tremendous honor.” This award was bestowed by President Obama just moments before Summit’s press conference dealing with her retirement. The Presidential Medal of Freedom was establish in 1963 and replaced the earlier Medal of Freedom in 1945 that was established by Harry S. Truman. The award is given to an individual who has contributed to the security of national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors excessively. President Kennedy established the current decoration in 1963 through Executive Order 11085.
The award is given to many people under the category of sports, art, media, and lots more. Bill Russell, winner of 11 NBA Championships, was the most recent winner in the sports category of the Presidential Medal of Freedom winning it in 2011. Others who have joined his success were Muhammed Ali, Joe DiMaggio, John Wooden, and now the most recent winner Pat Summit. Pat Summit has changed the way we view women’s basketball, but some people consider whether she is worthy of this award. Copeland Sook states, “ Summit was a great basketball coach but I don’t see how she fits into this honor.” In my personal opinion I believe that Pat Summit has accomplished a whole lot of respectable honors in her life that qualify her for winning this prestigious medal. She has not only brought fame to her sport of women’s basketball but she has also brought respect towards women. Summit was the first woman that was a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the sport’s category. This award should shine on the great works of an unbelievable coach.

I’m going to be a very honest person right now. I might the biggest gossip in the world. When it comes to other people, I can always find plenty to say. I can be critical, and sometimes a little bit careless. It’s a fault of mine, and I don’t mean what I say the majority of the time. Not to say that that makes me any better.

The reason for my gossiping isn’t cruelty or jealousy or even hatred (rarely anyways.) The reason is purely for the purpose of my entertainment. Talking about the people I see everyday is natural. They interest me because their lives are a spectacle I get to catch glimpses of everyday. I can’t help but to discuss other people because I love getting to know more about the people I see so often.

What I’ve realized throughout my years of gossiping however is that I am not the only person that likes to judge, compliment, or discuss other people. I have never had a friend or acquaintance that failed to respond to my gossip.

True, there are always those people that say they never judge anyone. But in reality, those people still find narrow loopholes to criticize their peers.

Phrases like, ”I love her but”, “She’s one of my best friends but,” and “He’s really funny except he” are used prolifically. While they may feel like they make what you say less critical, in all reality all you’re doing is sugarcoating something bitter. Someone is promiscuous, someone parties too much, and someone gets on your nerves. Adding that the person your discussing is your friend and you like them doesn’t make what you’re saying any less gossipy or mean.

Typically when someone uses one of those phrases it isn’t to spare the feeling of the person their discussing anyway. The main reason these cop-outs are used is to make ourselves feel better about being so judgmental. We say that since we see the good in someone it makes it ok to see the bad. We feel that once we give a criticism, a compliment evens it out.

The truth of the matter is that it doesn’t. It’s like fighting fire with a shot glass of water; no tiny glimmer of kindness can wash out a field of harsh judgment.

What I’d love to write is that there is a way to stop gossip from spreading. However I have always believed that our desire to criticize others is a natural part of our beings. People are cruel, and they always have been. It’s an unfortunately permanent aspect of the human character.

There are always efforts to put an end to judging but can it really be stopped?

Junior Taryn Lewis states that, ”Behind closed doors, people will always gossip. Any time you put a group of girls in a room they will always gossip. There’s no way that anyone can just get everyone to stop.”

Personally I couldn’t agree with her more. I think that the idea of stopping pre-judgment is beautiful and desirable, but frankly impossible. It has become a major function of our society. It’s too late for it to be removed.

If you don’t believe me then why are shows like, “Real Housewives,” and, “Keeping up with the Kardashians,” successful? It’s because they are based upon gossip. They allow us to look into lives different then our own and judge the subjects according to what they say and do.

For this reason, I’m not ashamed to admit I’m a gossipy girl. I’m one of a million, and since it can’t be stopped I think that everyone should just start being honest with themselves. We all gossip and it’s not because we are cruel, uncaring people. We’re judgmental because it’s a part of our flawed human system. Until we can re-image personalities, gossip will always be a part of our lives.

Topping the news since late Feruary is the story of the murder of a minor named Trayvon Martin. He was shot on February 26 while walking back from a convenience store with a bag of skittles and an iced tea. George Zimmerman, a neighborhood’s watch volunteer, shot Trayvon in “self defense” after a so-called scuffle between the two. Zimmerman says that he stuck to the stand your ground law, which states that a person may use force in self-defense when there is reasonable belief of a threat, without an obligation to retreat first.
At first Zimmerman was taken into custody but was released after a short time and no charges were filed. Then on March 8, 2012 Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon’s parents, create a petition on Change.org calling for Zimmerman’s arrest. A week later the story becomes national airing on cable news stations and appearing in newspapers like the Huffington Post and the New York Times. No one knows of the true events that took place that fatal night but the story has sparked many racial rallies, which call for Zimmerman’s arrest. The New Black Liberation militia announces they plan on making a citizen’s arrest for Zimmerman. In New York City hundreds of people attend a “Million Hoodie March” in which people were wearing T-Shirts and signs that read, “I am Trayvon Martin”. President Obama addresses the public by stating he thinks the shooting should be investigated and telling reporters, “ If I had a son, he’d look like Trayvon”.
On March 19, 2012 the Department of Justice announcedit will investigate the shooting and on April 3rd the FBI opens its own investigation. On April 11, 2012 Special Prosecutor Angela Corey announces the Zimmerman is being charged with second-degree murder in the Trayvon shooting and that he is in police custody. Zimmerman’s attorney, Mark O’ Mara hopes that a judge will grant a bond for Zimmerman in the case. According to Zimmermans defense attorney there is a possibility that the judge will grant Zimmerman bail as long as he stays in the area but this could put his life at risk if he were to walk down the streets today in Sanford, Florida. Zimmerman, 28 turned himself in Wednesday after being told he would be charged in the trial. Although the true events in the case are a mystery, people’s opinions have become clear.
Harper Lashbrook responds to the incident saying, “ It’s a terrible tragedy”. The event has also sparked a rally in the Hip Hop industry with making music tributes to Trayvon and his family. Hip-Hop artist Young Jeezy was quoted saying, “ It’s something very near and dear to me, because my son is around that age…” Once Zimmerman was arrested Trayvon’s Mother was quoted as saying, ” We have a sense of peace right now because we know that the person that shot and killed our son will be held accountable for it. We can’t really say what the outcome will be, but we have committed to this journey.”

It’s a sad day for Mac users. For the first time ever, a very contagious computer virus is infecting machines thought to be completely immune. Apple is scrambling to fix the problems. What you want to avoid is an Adobe pop up screen telling you to update your flash player. It looks completely legitimate and could fool anyone so be on your toes! It could allow attackers to get all of your personal information and even take over your Mac. It is a real wake up call for those of us users who assumed our Macs were virus proof. Many are criticizing apple for being slow to admit there is a problem and warning mac users. Many believe that since Steve Jobs passed and Tim Cook took over that the company has a completely different feel, not in a good way. Many Mac users they figured they’re immune to the type of virus, called “Flashback,” that’s already infected over 600,000 Macs. You catch said virus by surfing and so you surf to a website and it suggests that you need to update your flash. When you click on it, the virus installs a “keylogger” on your computer. The “keylogger” will track your user name and passwords, and so that’s a pretty big concern. The virus also connects you to a remote host, giving it invisible control of your computer. Apple says the virus gets in through Java and Javascript. “It’s very widespread… at least the attempts,” Cook said. There are free anti-virus you can download for Mac online. Apple is also offering a patch, but only for its latest operating systems. Experts call this the most extreme attack on Macs ever. Apple’s employees are scrambling to find a permanent solution for this serious issue. In the meantime many Mac users will continue to hold their breath.