November 20, 2008 - The San Francisco Bay area’s entry in the new Women’s Professional Soccer league will be named FC Gold Pride.

The franchise unveiled its name Wednesday along with its gold-and-black color scheme and a logo featuring a growling lioness in mid-stride.  Their tagline? Welcome to the jungle.

Owner Brian NeSmith  came up with the team’s name after many discussions at the family dinner table. It’s meant to evoke California, the Golden State, along with honoring the U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning women’s soccer team. The rest of the name, “that’s tying into a pride of lionesses,” NeSmith said, discussing how well lionesses work together.

NeSmith became involved in soccer through his daughters, Sarah (now at Northwestern) and Amanda, and both are considered part of the ownership group.

“Awesome, a major-league sports owner, you must be pretty popular at school,” Earthquakes goalie Joe Cannon told 16-year-old Amanda NeSmith during the news conference. Referring to her youth-league club, he added that it was a long way from the Pink and Purple People Eaters.”

FC Gold Pride will play their home games at Buck Shaw Stadium, the 10,000-seat stadium that also hosts the expansion San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer.

Goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart, defender Rachel Buehler and forward Tracy Hamm are among those slated to play for head coach Albertin Montoya with the Pride.

Check back for our exclusive interview with former UCLA standout and Pride player Jill Oakes.

Filed under: General, News Bytes, Pro Soccer, Soccer by jane
1 Comment »

November 18, 2008 - Eleven-time NSSA National champ, former Roxy Pro Gold Coast runner-up and sure-to-be future world champ Carissa Moore has just upped the ante – this time in the sponsorship arena.

Recently split from her longtime sponsor Roxy, the Hawaiian teen has signed two major deals - one with Red Bull and the other with Nike 6.0. 

According to Surfing Magazine,

All said and done, the 16-year-old Punahou junior will likely be enjoying one of the most lucrative contracts in female pro surfing history (estimated to be in the range of three-quarters of a million dollars by one anonymous source). “Carissa’s new agreements have for the first time ever shattered the glass ceiling of surfing sponsorship, opening up new and never heard of before possibilities for other surfers to eventually emulate,” says [agent Bryan] Taylor.

Moore is apparently also close to making a deal with a major department store - kind of like the deal snowboarder Shaun White made earlier this year to “design” a fashion line for Target.

And as a “head to toe” Nike rider, Moore will likely be marketed not just in the surf world, but in some of their more mainstream campaigns as well joining the likes of well-known Nike athletes Tiger Woods, Maria Sharapova and LeBron James.

After eight years with Roxy, Moore’s split from the sponsor who’s been with her since the beginning is truly the end of an era. It seems a bittersweet transition but it’s great that Nike and Red Bull are stepping up to the plate with women’s surfing and Moore seems a great choice to represent the sport.

To other brands looking for the TNBT - there’s a whole new generation of super groms stealing the show.

Filed under: General, News Bytes, Surfing, sponsorship by jane
1 Comment »

November 13, 2008 - How does one sport or event get voted into the Olympics while another doesn’t?

BMX made it’s debut in Beijing and the International Cycling Federation wants to include a freestyle event for the London games.

But last year, attempts to introduce skateboarding to the London Olympics failed.

The sports for London 2012 have already been decided but there are currently seven sports short-listed for consideration 2016 Summer Games. Only two will be added.

Leaders of baseball and softball, along with five other sports seeking inclusion in the Olympics, will present their cases to the International Olympic Committee in Geneva this week.

Golf, karate, roller sports, rugby and squash officials will also meet the 16-member commission, which will deliver a report to the IOC before the  members vote in October.

Baseball and softball were dropped after the Beijing Games because they didn’t receive enough votes in 2005 to remain on the 2012 program.

(more…)

Filed under: General, Golf, London Summer Games 2012, Martial Arts, Olympics, Rugby, Softball, Squash by jane
No Comments »

November 13, 2008 - Ever wonder what life was like for the first girls to sail to America?

Well we’re not historians by any stretch of the imagination but with Thanksgiving right around the corner, we got to thinking about the first females to arrive in the New World. With a little help from Google, old textbooks, and friendly teachers we cobbled together the following:

In 1620, nearly 100 passengers boarded the Mayflower for one of the most important journeys in history. As with all great adventures, the journey was fraught with hardship and danger. The ship carried about 51 men, 22 boys, 20 women, and 11 girls.

By any definition, the girls onboard the Mayflower were Pretty Tough. Some of the passengers included:

Mary Chilton
At the age of 13, Mary came with her parents on the Mayflower. Legend has it that Mary Chilton was the first female ashore at Plymouth. There is no contemporary recording of the event, but there are also no competing claims. Mary Chilton’s landing on Plymouth Rock is celebrated in Bacon’s The Landing of the Pilgrims, painted in 1877 on exhibit at Pilgrim Hall Museum.

Her father was one of the first who died after the ship had anchored off Provincetown Harbor. Her mother also died sometime later the first winter, orphaning her in the New World.

Mary Chilton went on to marry John Winslow around 1627 and they had 10 children.

Constance Hopkins
Constance, also 13, came with her father Stephen, step-mother Elizabeth, brother Giles, and step-sister Damaris on the Mayflower. Her younger brother, Oceanus, was born while the Mayflower was at sea, so she probably spent a lot of time taking care of her mother’s needs. Oceanus did not survive long, however, and apparently died by 1623. Constance’s future husband, Nicholas Snow, arrived on the ship Anne in 1623.

(more…)

Filed under: Entertainment, Fun Stuff, General, Sailing, fun facts by georgia
No Comments »

November 3, 2008 - History was made at the PAC-10 Conference Cross-Country Championships on Friday, as University of Washington’s Lady Huskies did the unthinkable as they went one, two, three, four, five, … and six. Not only did they take the team Pac-10 title, they obliterated the field and etched their names into history as the only team to ever win the title with a perfect score.

Washington freshman Kendra Schaaf won the women’s individual title with a course and Pac-10 6K record time of 19 minutes and 24 seconds, while lowering the previous course mark by 33 seconds.

She was followed across the finish line by sophomore Mel Lawrence, freshman Christine Babcock, senior Anita Campbell, junior Katie Follett and senior Amanda Miller. Lawrence and Babcock also finished under the previous course mark of 19:57, and Campbell tied it.

Coming into the race, Washington was ranked #1 nationally and PAC-10 rival Oregon was ranked #2. Those spots were solidified as Washington left no question as to whether or not they were the superior team. Oregon’s #1 runner would not have even been a scorer for Washington.

More interviews, videos and photos at FloTrack.com

Filed under: College Athletics, Cross Country, General, Running by anngaff
No Comments »

The holidays are a time to reflect on the bounty of nature and, more importantly, pig out with family and friends. For many athletes, the holidays are also a time to compete in a special tournament or competition. Whether soccer, basketball, running or some other sport, you want to enjoy the great spread, especially the desserts, without giving up your game. What’s a player to do?

If you’re trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle, don’t feel like you need to be deprived of your holiday favorites. Fitting all the yummies into a healthy eating plan is easy. Try to eat smaller portions, replace high calorie foods for lowfat options or slightly alter your recipes. For example, replace two egg whites for one egg or used dried fruits intead of nuts, or try evaporated  skim milk in place of cream or whipping cream. You can also snack on foods that are high in soluble fiber such as fruits, veggies, and legumes - they actually slow down food digestion and make you feel full longer.

Roast turkey, a holiday staple, gets high marks from most dietitians for overall nutrition. It’s low in fat and high in protein. It’s also a good source of iron,  zinc, selenium, phosphorus, potassium and B vitamins. A 3-ounce serving of boneless, skinless turkey breast contains 26 grams of protein, 1 gram of fat and 0 grams of saturated fat. To keep it healthy, you may want to forgo the skin and choose white over dark meat. If you’ve got a holiday sports event you’ll be burning plenty of calories so for this one day, it’s probably okay to “have it your way.”

Side dishes can be traditional or creative but chances are there will be some potatoes on the table. You can add butter and sour cream, or you can make them lower in fat by using broth as a liquid or 2% milk instead of cream. Another way to add a lot of flavor without adding extra calories is to mash them with a few cloves of roasted garlic, which adds a mellow flavor. However you eat ‘em, they’re a great source of vitamin B6.

Stuffing can also get a holiday makeover and added nutrition by using whole-wheat  bread and adding ingredients such as:

• Chopped vegetables (onion, celery, mushrooms, and eggplant)
• Nuts (toasted walnuts, pecans, or almonds)
• Fruits (fresh or dried cranberries, apples, apricots, or pears)
• Wild rice

Cranberry Sauce, always a staple, is rich in antioxidants which help protect your body from free radical damage. Cranberries also contain salicyclic acid, the same anti-inflammatory found in aspirin. Less inflammation means faster recovery so eat up!

Freshly picked pumpkins from the pumpkin patch are ideal for decoration, but the canned version wins for ease of preparation as well as for its nutrient score. In terms of both dietary fiber and beta-carotene, canned pumpkin’s nutritional profile far surpasses that of fresh. If you’re concerned about carbs and calories, consider:

• Pumpkin mousse or soufflé as an alternative to pumpkin pie.
• One-crust or no-crust pies rather than two-crust pies.
• Nonfat or reduced-fat whipped topping rather than full-fat whipped cream.  

Most experts say you shouldn’t view a holiday dinner as a meal of extreme excess or extreme restriction. To support the rigors of training, you need to eat well, but don’t forget a dose of good, sound common sense. The best game plan is to eat small portions of a variety of protein, fat, and carbohydrates throughout the day. And most important, take time to enjoy your friends, teammates and family.

Cheers, and happy, healthy holidays to all.

Filed under: General, Nutrition, Training by jane
No Comments »

October 30, 2009 - Gymnast Nastia Liukin turns 19 today!

Liukin, who won five medals at the Summer Olympics in Beijing, including gold in the individual all-around, is on a roll. And much of her success is due to her parents.

Both her mother and father (who is also Liukin’s coach) captured Olympic gold medals and world championships as stars of the former Soviet sports empire.

In Columbus this weekend to headline the 2008 Tour of Olympic Gymnastic Superstars, the birthday girl talked to the Columbus Dispatch about her parents: 

“There was never any pressure to be a gymnast,” Nastia Liukin said. “They just wanted me to be happy.”

It looks like Liukin grew up to be both. Happy Birthday Girl!

Filed under: General, Gymnastics, News Bytes by jane
No Comments »

October 28, 2008 - Ever wonder how you can make a living as a gymnast? Just ask Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson.

With the Olympics still fresh on many minds, a number of brands are trying to leverage the appeal of the two medal winning gymnasts.

Both Liukin and Johnson were heralded for their skills in the Beijing Olympics, turning in elegant performances that showcased their athletic physiques. Now both gymnasts, who each won Olympic medals, are the latest darlings of sports marketing. 

Liukin and Johnson signed a deal with Covergirl before the Olympics (along with Alicia  Sacramone) and they wore custom-made makeup during their events. It’s the first time female athletes have been named as the face of CoverGirl and it’s a very different direction for the cosmetic company to go.  Keep your eyes peeled because these champions will be in ads seen on magazine newstands very soon.

Meanwhile, Nastia Liukin is also designing her first clothing line in collaboration with Vanilla Star Jeans. Nastia’s collection, which will hit all major department stores for the holiday season, will be titled the Gold Collection. Check the site for in-store appearances in your area.

“My style is very casual and relaxed so my ideas fit perfectly with the designs of Vanilla Star. I can’t wait to see my new Vanilla Star Gold Collection in the stores and be able to wear it too!” Nastia said in a press statement.

The collection will feature T-shirts and jeans designed by the gymnast. If you can’t wait until the holidays, the brand has come out with an “Inspired by Nastia” line that is in stores now.

In addition to her deal with Covergirl, Liukin has appeared on a Wheaties box and has sponsorships with Adidas, American Athletic, AT&T, GK Elite Sportswear, Visa, Longines and Sega. And she’s appearing in a guest role on “Gossip Girl.”

Johnson found gold even before heading to Beijing to compete for Olympic medals according to her hometown newspaper The Des Moines Register.

The petite 16-year-old has a slew of endorsement deals from major corporations like Coca-Cola, Adidas, McDonald’s and Hy-Vee and appears in television ads and on Coke cans, ice cream boxes and orange juice containers. She drives a 2008 Land Rover LR2 and is outfitted in Adidas and GK Elite sportswear. And ABC cast her in a cameo role on ”The Secret Life of the American Teenager.” 

These gymnasts’ endorsements are worth more than $1 million each. And that was before they even won a Olympic medal.  Maybe time to pay their parents back for all the classes, travel and leotards.

Be sure to support the girls - and the brands that support them!!

Filed under: General, Gymnastics by jane
1 Comment »

October 28, 2008 - Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know we’re in the midst of the World Series. The Phillies and Rays are tied 2-2 and Game 5 was suspended due to rain.

Most Phillies fans know that starting pitcher Jamie Moyer is a local guy who attended Souderton High School.

But many would be unaware of the other locals who take the field for each game at Citizens Bank Park.

The Bucks County Courier Times reports that three Phillies ballgirls have ties to the area and, though they may not be household names, they’re having the time of their lives.

Twenty-somethings Justine Pletnick, Laura Litzenberger and Lauren Economou have to pinch themselves whever they take to the field.

Pletnick is a physical therapy major at Temple University. This is her second season as a ballgirl. Litzenberger is a fourth-grade teacher at Durham-Nockamixon Elementary in the Palisades district. Economou, another teacher by day, ballgirl by night teaches art at Hatboro-Horsham High School.

“It feels like a dream come true,” said Pletnick. “I feel like a part of the team. I know it’s crazy, but I feel like I’m in the World Series.”

The group of 17 Phillies ballgirls were selected among 600 candidates. They work the foul lines during games and participate in various charity events, including softball games.

Aside from their duties on the field, the ballgirls travel to team charity functions and play in several softball games throughout the year.

On the other side of the field, the Ray Team rally the Tampa Bay fans. You won’t find these ladies - and two men - catching foul balls, though. Their duties include greeting fans, giving away prizes and sometimes dancing on the dugout.

Not everyone can play major league ball - and we certainly don’t want to discourage you from trying - but if you’re a fan who wants to be part of the action, or you want to tell your grandkids you were in the World Series, being a ballgirl might just be a way to fulfill your fantasy.

Filed under: Baseball, Entertainment, General by jane
No Comments »

By Saturday night, we’ll know who will be the first woman to ever qualify for the Bassmaster Classic. The prestigious Women’s Bassmaster Tour Championship takes place Oct. 23-25 in Arkansas - pitting the top 20 female anglers against each.

But the bigger news is in the WBT points race. Currently, Kim Bain holds a gigantic lead and, if she can hold that lead, will break the gender barrier at the 2009 Bassmaster Classic. Through 37 years of Classics, no woman has ever competed.

In fourth place in the points standings, Martin-Wells holds a only a shred of hope of overtaking Bain, but she isn’t counting herself out.

“It would take nothing short of a miracle,” (Pam) Martin-Wells said. “I figured it up: Kim’s 73 points ahead of me. If led for two days, and then won, Kim would have to finish low. I can only do what I can do; a lot depends on how others do.”

The current Top 10 standings on the WBT:

1. Kim Bain, 890
2. Cindy Hill, 876
3. Juanita Robinson, 855
4. Pam Martin-Wells, 817
t5. Sheri Glasgow, 801
t5. Lucy Mize, 801
7. Angie Douthit, 794
8. Patti Campbell, 774
9. Jan Heavener, 763
10. Laura Gober, 759

Obviously, with Martin-Wells admitting that she’ll need something incredible to take place for her to climb the ranks, that leaves just three woman with a legit shot at advancing to the Bassmaster Classic.

Live coverage from this weekend’s WBT event can be found on Bassmaster.com.

http://outdoors.fanhouse.com/2008/10/20/history-set-to-be-made-on-wbt/

Filed under: General by Becki Wheeler
No Comments »