Sponsoring in Sports

Sponsors Score Big With Colleges
Anthony Walick

Quarterback Sean Glennon was faced with a tough choice. He narrowed down his college choices to two, Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech. Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech football coach, told Sean that he would be guaranteed playing time as a freshman. That ended up being the deciding factor and the choice was made. Sean was going to become a Hokie.
Entering his senior year at Virginia Tech, Glennon circled two games on the calendar, the ACC championship game and the game at Georgia Tech.
It happened to be the first night in November when the Hokies squared off against the Yellow Jackets of Georgia Tech. It was one hour before game-time when Virginia Tech quarterback, Sean Glennon, entered the visiting locker room. Sean went into his normal routine including listening to music and putting on his equipment. Something was different this time. His white, trimmed in maroon, away jersey was not to be seen.
The football equipment manager had mistakenly lost the quarterback's football jerseys. Glennon and second-string quarterback, Tyrod Taylor, both had empty lockers. When the football coach of Georgia Tech, Chan Gailey, heard of this news, he let Glennon use their old jerseys from a couple years ago.
Sean received the old Georgia Tech number seven jersey. It was a tattered, white jersey with his number on it. He used a black Sharpie marker to write in his last name on it. "It was funny," Glennon said. "That was the jersey of a school I almost went to."
Sean could not go out and play right away. The old Georgia Tech jersey he was wearing had a small logo on the right shoulder. It was the logo of Russell Athletic, a multi-million dollar corporation. Since Virginia Tech is sponsored by Nike, they had to somehow figure out a way to get the Nike check on there and get the Russell one off of it. The staff took a marker and scribbled out the Russell emblem and put a little Nike swoosh where it would have been on their own jerseys.
Sponsoring in sports has exploded over the last decade. They exist everywhere from NASCAR to golf. Every big star has his or her own label. Just like Tiger Woods is sponsored by Nike, Virginia Tech is also sponsored by Nike. During that Virginia Tech versus Georgia Tech football game, the Hokie players had to make sure that the Russell symbols were nowhere to be found. This just shows what a major role sponsors play in the world of sports.
College athletics are much different than professional. The main viewpoint of a pro jersey could be anything including the name of the team or any sponsor that wishes to pay money. The main viewpoint of a college jersey must be the name of the school or the mascot that represents the school. In Virginia Tech's case, their jerseys say Virginia Tech right on them. Sponsors can buy a little square inch of material anywhere on the jersey to put their logo.
That little piece of jersey may seem like nothing but to a company, it is a much bigger deal. The logo can be a one inch square on a jersey or it can be plastered on an athlete from head to toe.
Imagine a label that sponsors an entire team, like Under Armor and the University of Maryland football. The founder of Under Armor, Kevin Plank, is a Maryland graduate. Plank played football at Maryland when he developed the idea for Under Armor. He told reporters that, " I got tired of having to change out of the sweat-soaked T-shirts I wore under my jersey, so I developed a type of moisture-wicking fabric for athletic performance." Now Under Armor is the sole sponsor for the University of Maryland. Under Armor made a whopping $430.7 million in 2006. Coincidently, the first school to use under armor as a part of their uniforms was Georgia Tech.
Sponsorships have exploded onto the sports scene over the last decade. It seems like sport franchises keep coming up with new ways to make money through sponsors. In 2007, a national convenient store called 7-11, paid millions of dollars to get their name out there. They paid the Chicago White Sox, a Major League Baseball franchise, to start all their home games at precisely 7:11 p.m. Yes, it sounds crazy to the people but this could end up benefiting 7-11 more then ever expected.
Tiger Woods is a perfect example of what sponsoring does in sports. Every single golf tournament that Woods participates in, he is covered in everything Nike. His hat, shirt, shoes, and clubs all belong to the label. Getting the world's #1 golfer is not cheap though. Nike signed Tiger Woods to a 5-year, $105 million contract extension. Woods is also endorsed by American Express, Buick, and Titleist. That is only one man.
The clearest way to get a name of a business to be recognized in sports is to buy the naming rights of a stadium or arena. Heinz field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the stadium for the city's favorite team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
H. J. Heinz Company bought the naming rights of the stadium for $57 million, maybe because there are 57 varieties claimed on the ketchup bottles. Heinz Field or "The Mustard Palace" is covered in everything Heinz has to offer. There are giant ketchup bottles surrounding the scoreboards, all the way down to little Heinz ketchup packets that accompany every hotdog.
Since the Steelers have sold out every home game this year, the $57 million that Heinz spent to name the facility is finally paying off. The more people that come to watch the games, the more
Dan Gilbert is the founder of Quicken Loans Inc. and is majority owner of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers. He bought the franchise in March 2005 and quickly made some changes. The home arena, then named Gund Arena after prior owner Gordon Gund, was one of the nicer arenas in basketball. Gilbert soon changed the name to Quicken Loans Arena, or simply "The Q". It does not just host basketball games. It also has held wrestling events, music concerts, figure skating, ice hockey, and football. Since the acquisition of the arena's name, Gilbert has increased his earnings and has been named to the Forbes 400 list.
That list is well-known for naming the top 400 wealthiest people.
University of Oregon track athlete Bill Knight and his coach Bill Bowerman stirred up a storm in 1965. They didn't know it yet, but they started what would come to be the greatest sponsoring and manufacturer of everything sports in the world. What started out as selling track shoes out of the back of a van turned into Nike Inc.
Nike was named after the Greek Goddess of Victory, Nike. It is easily the biggest supplier of athletic apparel, shoes, and athletic equipment. Nike is apparent in basically every sport worldwide. It litters every arena and sporting complex around the globe. Nike sponsors professional teams as well as college teams. They are the lead sponsor for The University of North Carolina and The Ohio State University.
Nike seems to have a lock on every star player in nearly every sport. They include NBA stars, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. They have NFL players such as LaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Urlacher. Famous tennis players, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Serena Williams are sponsored by Nike also. One of the first endorsers was legendary track runner, Steve Prefontaine. Today, the Steve Prefontaine Building is named in his honor at Nike's corporate headquarters.
"I love the fact that I am one of Nike's main sponsors," says NBA star LeBron James, "I feel like they wanted me to represent their label and I feel like that is something special." LeBron should feel special since Nike offered him a $100 million deal before he even played his first NBA game. Sounds like Nike took a huge risk, huge reward situation but cashed in big for it. Nike usually is not that risky but when you get the opportunity to sign a future superstar, which is something that you cannot pass up.
Nike can be seen on shoes, shorts, shirts, hats, and athletic gear. They control most of college and professional sports. Nike only has about 30,200 employees but in 2007 alone, Nike pulled in a whopping $16.4 billion. Over the past couple of weeks, there have been over 30 college football bowl games. That means there were about 60 college teams. Out of those 60 teams, approximately 51 of them are sponsored by Nike.
University of Georgia 's running back Knowshon Moreno commented, "When you strap up and put on that Nike uniform, you know that you're about to go into battle. This jersey signifies perfection and you better go out there and achieve it."
With the college football season wrapping up in early January, sponsors must look back and see if the money they put out was worth it. Allstate Insurance paid millions of dollars to have their name correspond to the two biggest bowl games of the year, the Allstate Sugar Bowl and the Allstate BCS Championship Bowl. Every single T-shirt or football jersey sold between those four teams will have the word Allstate on them. The four teams include Ohio State, Louisiana State, Georgia, and Hawaii.


LSU Championship t-shirt

This T-shirt sold thousands in stands across the country. Including the Allstate and Nike logos, this shirt is a sponsors' dream. Allstate spokesman, Rich Halberg explains, "Having our name associated with these two events pays dividends to our company. This allows us to get our name out there and have people get familiar with us."
A world without sponsors may result in a world without sports. Sponsors help design and market the gear that teams wear. Having equipment made by a reputable company ensures that the gear is well-made and can endure the test of time and sweat.
Villanova University basketball has been sponsored by Nike since 1985. They have noticed an increase in sales ever sine Nike signed them. Equipment manager Lionel Brodie states, "You cannot go outside without seeing Villanova stuff. Ever since there has been Nike apparel, our students go out and buy it. It livens up school spirit and we are starting to see more and more people attend games. I guess people associate Nike with having quality clothing. If that is true, then we are grateful to have Nike supporting us."
The sporting events themselves are much more than just the game. There are contests and give-aways almost every dead ball. Some teams give out free t-shirts, hats, calendars, or towels. Sponsors love doing these things because people can take something simple like a t-shirt, and notice the sponsor right away. It is a great tool to get the name of the business out there for the whole arena to see. The complex itself is covered in signs and sounds of sponsored-paid ads.
The focus of the event is not focused upon these things; the main point is obviously the players. The whole crowd is centered on the action. The jerseys, pants, and shoes are the main thing that sponsors love to target. On the jersey itself, there one square inch on the shoulder that bears the emblem of the sponsor. This might not seem much but when the game is televised, re-played, or shown on the JumboTRONs, the logo can be clearly seen. Since sports nowadays are centered on prime-time players and their plays, they seem to be played over and over. The more the emblem is shown, the better.

Villanova Basketball Shorts
This plays perfect to the game between Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech. Since the game was focused around the Orange Bowl bound Virginia Tech defense. People from across the country tuned in to watch this late Thursday night game. Sean Glennon was plastered on every television in the area. Nike must be embedded in that uniform or they could lose their sponsor.
Like it or not but sponsors play a huge role in sports. Whether it is apparel, signs, or just a commercial playing at halftime, sponsors basically control sporting events. People think that on Sunday afternoons, it is all about professional football. Well, those people should be corrected, because in the real world, it is all about sponsors.

Nike Denver Nuggets Jersey. Nike Villanova Basketball Shorts. Allstate BCS Ohio State t-shirt.

BCS

People need to stop complaining about how the BCS does not work in college football. Who cares that Ohio State dropped to #7 after losing but LSU only dropped to #5 when losing. The staff that puts together these polls put many days into deciding on the perfect spot for each team. Everyone needs to take a huge step back and just let it happen. Everyone legitimate team has one loss and clearly the best one loss team is Ohio State since they were #1 for basically half the season. When it comes down to it, a 1-loss Buckeye team is surely better than a 1-loss Kansas or a 1-loss Georgia. A playoff system would surely work but it is not in place for a long time. People say that a playoff system like college basketball would be perfect since mid-majors such as George Mason last year would make a season of dreams come true. Who would watch Ohio State vs. Bowling Green in a national championship game. These MAC schools or WAC teams could make it with a couple upsets and maybe a double over-time thriller and then they wind up in Pasadena in the national championship game against a Goliath. Maybe it will happen, maybe not but for right now, everyone needs to sit back and let the season plays out. If everything happens the way it should, the real championship teams will be playing for the trophy.

Unpatriotic Rock Star

Unpatriotic Rock Star
Nicole Rossoll
Anthony Walick

The first thing that comes to mind when you hear the name of Bruce Springsteen is his nickname the boss and his All-American image. Now, that image, of his classic album cover with the American Flag in his back pocket, is under attack.
His newest album “Magic”, where he is reunited with the E-Street band, is getting some harsh criticism. “Magic” is said to have an anti-war and an anti-American image.
Its hard to picture this great American Rock Star, who’s most famous hit is Born to Run, with an anti-American attitude but, this Rock Star’s newest album is likely to be his most controversial album he has ever written and performed yet.
In an interview with 60 minutes’ Scott Pelley, Bruce Springsteen took all of this harsh criticism head on and answered questions on his new controversial album, his latest tour, where he will be reunited with the E-Street band, and about his life as a Rock Star.
Springsteen says that writing is how I find out who you are, and who I am, and then who we are. I’m interested in that. I’m interested in what it means to be an American. I’m interested in what it means to live in America. I’m interested in the kind of country that we live in and that we leave our kids in. I’m interested in trying to define what that country is. I got the chutzpa or whatever you want to say to believe that if I write a really good about it, it’s going to make a difference. It’s going to matter to somebody.
Springsteen does not believe his album is anti-American but he does realize that some people will believe it has an anti-war message. But, everyone has a right to their own opinions. “You know, I think this record is going to be seen as anti-war. And you know there are people watching this interview who are going to say to themselves, Bruce Springsteen is no patriot,” Pelley remarks.
“Well, that’s just the language of the day, you know? The modus operandi for anybody who doesn’t like somebody, you know, criticizing where we’ve been or where we’re goin’. It’s unpatriotic at any given moment to sit back and let things pass that are damaging to some place that you love so dearly. And that has given me so much. And that I believe in, I still feel and see us as a beacon of hope and possibility.”
Bruce Springsteen is just expressing what he believes needs to be said in this country right now. And if we are truly “the land of the free and the home of the brave” where we believe everyone has a right to freedom of speech and a right to express their opinions. Why are we so critical when people actually have the courage to step up and express their beliefs? Bruce Springsteen has the same rights that every American has to express their opinions and beliefs but, most of the average Americans do not have the amount of courage it takes to take a stand and fight for what they believe in.
“I think we live in a time when what is true can be made to seem a lie, and what is a lie can be made to seem true. And I think that the successful manipulation of those things have characterized several of our past elections. That level of hubris and arrogance has got us in the mess that we’re in right now. And we’re in a mess. But if we subvert, the best things that we’re about in the name of protecting our freedoms, if we remove them, then who are we becoming, you know? Who are we, you know? The American idea is a beautiful idea. It needs to be preserved, served, protected and sung out.
The message of the album can be focused around anything and everything. No matter what the lyrics say or what the song is about, the rabid fans will still flock to the stores to buy it. On October 11, 2007, it was reported that Springsteen's “Magic” sold 563,000 copies around the world in its first week, making it the best-selling record in the world for that particular week. The next world chart saw Bruce remaining at the top, selling another 270,000 copies of Magic and bringing the total for that album to 833,000 copies worldwide. This is Bruce’s 15th album and it can grow to be the most popular. Along with his 15 albums, he has won 15 Grammy Awards.
“Woke up Election Day, sky's gunpowder and shades of grey, beneath the dirty sun, I whistle my time away.” This excerpt from the song “Livin’ in the Future” explains how Bruce feels about the presidency. It clearly states that after the election, it seemed that a dark cloud was cast over the entire nation. “You can’t kill your way to security, and you can’t lead through scaring people,” says Bruce. With the new election coming up next November, the outcome is unpredictable. There are numerous candidates that include Hillary Clinton, John McCain, and Barack Obama.
It is clear that the message of the album does not reflect its sales. Good music is good music. “Who cares what the message is. Anti-war, pro-war, it does not matter. The boss will always be the boss of rock and roll,” says fanatical follower, Lisa Garrett. The other fans seem to agree since his album is the top of the charts around the world.
Bruce has been recording songs for decades, but is there an end in sight? Some people may agree that his long-lasting career might be finishing soon but others hope that he is still born to run. “Bruce lives on for as long as he keeps making good music,” says blogger Michelle Lanese.
Bruce Springsteen has been on the rock music scene for years. It seems like he goes away silently and comes back quickly with a huge album with a huge message. This message is just a little different. That does not mean the music is different. It is the same Bruce that everyone loves or loves to hate. “I’m not competing with 50 cent or trying to get on MTV. I’m playing for myself, my band, and my audience,” says Springsteen. No matter what comes of this “anti-war” album, Bruce will continue to listen to the beat of his own drum, and ride off into the rock and roll sunset.

Customer Loses Fingers in Japanese Steak House

Customer Loses Fingers in Japanese Steak House
Anthony Walick

It started as a typical Saturday night at the Hiroshima Steak House in Portland, Maine. Joshua Sorge and his family were seated at a booth on the left side of the restaurant.
“I wanted to order something different, something that I could write a story on for my food section on my personal webpage,” says Sorge. Josh ordered the “Chi-Chang Teryaki Saki” but it came with a warning label that read “Eat with Caution”.
This choice was nothing like Josh has ever seen. The waiter brought it out on a hot, steaming pan. It was still caught in a fiery blaze and looked dangerously spicy. It is in the restaurant regulations that if somebody dares to order such a meal, that everyone at the table must put on safety goggles, a fireproof apron, and steel-toed shoes. The Sorges suited up, and were ready to face the Chi-Chang Teryaki Saki.
“The first bite went down alright but it kind of tingled down my throat,” says Josh. Bite after bite, Sorge attacked this plate as if it were the state championship baseball game. “I eat food like I play baseball, take no prisoners, and have no mercy.” Thirty seconds later, there was no food left but mere crumbs surrounding the napkin. It was completely devoured.
Seconds later, the chef came running out screaming in Japanese. He slowed down and calmly said, “I switched your sauce with some nuclear waste, I’m sorry.” Josh jumped up out of his seat, sweating from every pore in his skin. He ran into the bathroom, hoping that his body can handle the waste. He could not have been more wrong.
Walking back to the table, Josh looked exhausted. His face was green with nausea, his hair was fraying in the air, and his hand was slightly bleeding through his pockets. Slowly taking out his hand, he shrieked with anguish. His hand, showing only a thumb and a pinky finger, looked like it was put through a cheese-grater.
“I know it was the nuclear waste that caused my fingers to disappear. They didn’t come within a mile of anything sharp and I never felt them leave my hand. It seemed magical,” Josh told reporters. Chi-Chang Teryaki Saki is now illegal in 49 states and most countries world-wide. It single handedly was the cause for a poor family-man to lose his fingers. His fingers were never found.
Joshua Sorge is still a baseball coach at a local high school. He is very open with his story and calls it a magical experience. “I probably won’t return to the restaurant,” says Josh, “but I would like to know what happened to my fingers!” This goes to show you, do not trust anything that comes with a warning label.

Halloween Comes Early This Year

Halloween Comes Early This Year
Anthony Walick

Inside every one of us there exists a dark side. Most people rise above it. But some are consumed by it. Until there is nothing left, but pure evil. This is what movies are made of. A sense of an unforgettable legend that was almost lost. This is horror. This is Michael Myers. This is Halloween.
Director Rob Zombie (The Devil’s Rejects and House of 1000 Corpses) unleashes a unique vision of a legendary tale and proves that evil has a destiny. Starting out as a child, Michael (Daeg Faerch) is just a normal 10-year old kid. He is one of those students who just do not fit in. He is frequently called down to the office for fighting and causing disturbances. Michael is different. He does not solve his problems by talking or reasoning, he solves them by slaughtering. Hold on to your popcorn. The rollercoaster of Michael Myers has begun again.
The movie moves on to young Michael’s home life. A drunk and careless step father mixed with a mother, who is never home, is not a good combination. Throw in a sex crazed sister who could not care if Michael exists. Michael turns to his favorite thing, making masks that “cover his ugliness.”
He couldn’t take it anymore. Mike is sick of his family and lifestyle, so he takes matters into his own brutal hands. He gets his favorite Halloween mask and the biggest kitchen knife he could find. Mike goes on a murderous trail leaving his step dad, sister, and sister’s boyfriend lying in a pool of blood. Not shaken up one bit, he notices his baby sister in the crib. Everyone cringes, thinking about what he will do next. On the contrary, he leaves her alone. He is soon admitted to a psychiatric facility.
Michael is in this building for 15 years, from the ages of 10 to about 25. As he is being transported, he takes control and viciously executes the five guards surrounding him. He knows what is next. Find his old house, find his tools, and find his sister. He recovers the missing pieces. The mask, the knife, the attitude of what is Michael Myers, right where he left it. Mike begins a quest to find the baby sister he left behind. This sister (Scout Taylor-Compton) is now a 16 year old adopted young adult. She has no idea of her infamous brother or the murders of the decade prior. For the remaining 90 minutes, he lurks around the neighborhood searching for her, eliminating everyone in his path.
This movie was a horrifying tale of a troubled young man trying to find his past. Filled with the typical “Halloween” music and horror, this new film grabs the mind and doesn’t let go. You will find yourself fastened to your seat and eyes glued to the big screen. Yes, it is late summer, but it definitely had you believing it was spine-chilling Halloween night. Trick-o-Treat, baby!

Masked Bandit Robs Local Bp

Masked Bandit Robs Local BP
Anthony Walick

The time was 8:57 PM when a masked bandit stormed into a local BP gas station in Strongsville on November 14th.
The burglar was wearing an aqua colored ski mask when he appeared at the counter. He pulled out a gun and aimed it at Joe Smyth, an 18-year-old Senior at Brunswick, who has only been working there for a short time. “He pointed the gun at me and told me to open the register,” says Smyth, “I was so scared that he was going to kill me and I panicked.” Luckily, Joe was not hurt and will continue working there.
Jayne Dough, who was shopping alone at the time of the attack, hid behind the candy shelves. “I have seen these kinds of situations before and the proper way to handle them is to stay away and make it seem like you are not there,” Jayne noted. She was unharmed also.
The masked bandit only stole two packs of Slim-Fast and barely any cash. Apparently, the bandit was overweight and could not afford the expensive drinks.
The Chief of Police, Frank Giffendorrf, arrived on the scene moments after the bandit escaped. “I saw him speed off in a yellow Volkswagen Beetle,” comments Giffendorrf, “We did not catch him yet but we have a lot of clues and we are on the right track.”
Clearly, this is not like an ordinary robbery. Demanding money but shoplifting 12 bottles of Slim-Fast is not seen everyday. “The masked-man will be caught,” says Giffendorrf, “He will be brought to justice.” Let’s hope that he is correct.

Upgraded Men in Uniform

The Upgraded Men in Uniform
Anthony Walick

The Strongsville Police Department used to pale in comparison to the other task forces around the area. People think of the Strongsville police as being careless and sloppy. The city is littered with run-down police stations and the old 1995 Ford Crown Victorias. Strongsville City Hall has realized that they need to revamp their style and remodel the appearance of what is Strongsville Police.
The Strongsville Police has changed a lot over the last year. There is a new, upgraded 911 system that can locate and map cell phone calls. Monica Pivato, a local resident of Strongsville, hit a mailbox with her car. She used 911 to get to the police so they could come to her rescue. The new system made it possible for the police to find her location. “It was really easy for me. I did not have to tell them my location,” she said.
Just like the Strongsville City School levy, the Police levy failed also. They had an idea to build a new facility combined with a new City Hall but did not get enough votes to make that a reality. When I asked Ptl. C. Koenig about it, he said, “There is no Police levy anymore.” It is a sad sight because the police stations in the city are about to fall over and the fire stations are gorgeous. The new alternative idea is to knock down the current fire station on Royalton Road and add on to the police station which already is standing there. That is possible because there is a new fire station being built in the area.
As if the police training was not hard enough, they had to complete National Incident Management System training through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Combined with that training, the officers also had to complete over 4,098 hours of advanced training. This includes seminars and training schools around the nation. How can you still want to be a police officer after all of this? Ptl. C. Koenig responded by saying, “Because it is just a fun job.”
Last year alone, the men in uniform had 186 arrests for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. That is one arrest for every two days. The force is also a member of the Ohio High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program. This particular program coordinates drug control efforts among local, State, and Federal law agencies.
Something that is very important to the people of Strongsville is internet interaction with the youth. The Police Force of Strongsville participated with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. This agency was created to help find multiple offenders who use the internet to talk to young children.
The Strongsville Police Force has a new face and a new attitude. They are now a group of crime-hungry young men and women. If you are used to bending the law, you better watch out or they will find you.