The Slate Sports staff debate what sports topics had the biggest impact this year, while sports editor, Sam Stewart picks which writer knows best
Nick Sentman: Asst. Sports Editor
All right we all know about the Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun and his positive steroid test. Yes, the reigning National League MVP was tested for performance enhancing drugs, and it came back positive. It turns out though that Braun’s samples went through some mix up, and he won his appeal with baseball. Braun is now a free man, and he holds his MVP title from last year. In a collegiate setting this looks horrible.
When we just got done going through an entire era of steroids in sports, we now have players showing how to beat tests. Maybe he did not take steroids or maybe he did; that is between him and God. I just think that now, kids in colleges like Shippensburg can see how easy it is to take P.E.D’s and mask them. Playing natural is washed up, and many of us only have the tainted memories of Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa from 1998.
No matter what the circumstances, Braun should have been disciplined to show college athletes that no one is immune to punishment. If you take them then you need to pay for it.
Dave Brown: Staff Columnist
With the recent surge of anti-bullying campaigns both in the classroom and beyond, there has been a dramatic shift in what is now considered acceptable. In the National Hockey League, they used to call bullies “enforcers” and they were part of the game.
Now new regulations and tough suspension rulings have been raining down. Big hits and fights are part of hockey. Zdeno Chara gets paid big money to hit and launch a slap shot at blazing speed, but he remains a class act and a fan favorite, He also happens to 6 feet 9 inches, and weighs 255 pounds.
On the other end of the scale is Marty St. Louis, at 5 feet 8 inches and 176 pounds. He plays a gritty game, and can also dish out a body check with the best of them. Sure, dirty hits happen, but that is what a double minor or a major penalty is for.
Parents need to let their kids play hockey, and high schools and colleges should keep pushing sportsmanship and teamwork, but taking hockey out of schools to stop bullying is hurting the future of the NHL.
Alaina Rodriguez- Staff Writer
Ozzie Guillen’s statement was a major story to hit the press in the previous few weeks, since Opening Day of the baseball season. Guillen made a comment to the press saying he was in support of Fidel Castro.
This could have an effect on Shippensburg students if it ever were to happen here, because we have a diverse campus that mixes together very well.
We have numerous students who are Asian, African-American, Hispanic, caucasian, etc.
Depending on what the person were to say, the effects could be seen on the whole entire campus, not just the ethnicity that is being depicted.
As a community, you can see many students collaborating together [of all different races] and they would stick up for another race if they were under attack. Similar to the situation in Miami, where baseball fans of all races came together to help the Cubans state their displeasure on their new manager.
I feel this story brought awareness to everyone, of what all races have gone through and how we should be careful of what we say, especially about others.
Michael Shipman – Staff Writer
It is hard to believe that it has been three months since the passing of a true sports legend like Joe Paterno.
However, his passing might have affected those at State College the same as the college sports fans throughout Central Pennsylvania. Shippensburg University is no exception whatsoever.
I remember the evening of Jan. 21, the day before Paterno’s death, when my roommate and I were watching a basketball game on ESPN. A headline read on the newsreel at the bottom of the screen, “Joe Paterno close to death.” Immediately, my roommate, a Penn State football fan, retreated to his room in our Seavers apartment.
Joe Paterno had a magical influence on college football fans all over the country, but none as much as students in and around the Central Pennsylvania area.
For days after his death, SU students could be seen decked out in Penn State football apparel to honor the coaching legend.
This just goes to prove what a lasting effect Joe Paterno left on students here at Shippensburg University, not just at State College.