BOO!!!
Now that I have your attention, lets take a moment to look at all the happenings in the Hawkeye's Halloween weekend.
Apparently the Iowa football team did pretty well, but how about the struggling soccer squad, which was on the road in the state of Michigan. The Hawkeyes started on Friday in Ann Arbor, but were unable to pick up a W, losing 2-1. The Hawkeyes were out-shot by the #11 Wolverines 13 to 3 in the first half, but were able to hang tough, keeping the score 1-0 in favor of Michigan at halftime. When the Hawkeyes traveled to East Lansing, things went a little better, but the result was only a tie, 1-1. Although the Hawkeyes were out shot 22-10, goalkeeper Emily Moran made 14 saves to keep things knotted up. Back when the Hawkeyes were winning, a magical time known as September, they were out shooting opponents and pressuring defenders and goalkeepers. Now the Hawks are consistently playing defense and rarely winning leading possesion time. After a 7-1 start, they have one game left to pick up their first win in Big Ten play.
The Iowa field hockey team is also win-less in conference play. This week they finished the season at home against #5 Ohio State. The Hawks got out worked and lost 3-0, putting a cap on a very forgettable regular season in which Iowa only won 3 contests. Tracy Griesbaum's squad now prepares for the Big Ten Tournament in Evanston, in which they will be the bottom seed. The only question in who they will play. This is quite a drop off from previous seasons, as the Hawkeyes were Big Ten Tournament champs three years in a row from 2006-08.
The Iowa volleyball team had a big challenge in Carver Saturday night against #24 Northwestern. Again an Iowa team lost to a top-25 team. The Hawkeye volleyball team lost in 3 sets. This marks the third match that Iowa has failed to win a set. BUT...unlike the soccer and field hockey squads, the volleyball team still has another month of play to try and salvage the season.
Since you've made it all the way to the bottom of this post, I'll reward you with some good news: the Iowa men's tennis team won 5 out of 7 consolation matches on Saturday at the Big Ten Singles Tournament and the Iowa rowing team took 2nd at the Head of the Iowa in women's varsity 8+ final. (Those dirty Badgers took first, we just can't get rid of them!)
Oh, and while bartending at the Wildwood on Saturday night, I wore my white Hawkeye polo and dress slacks for my costume. A lot of people thought I was Kirk Ferentz but I had to explain that I was Reese Morgan, the offensive line coach. They should know an o-line guy when they see it.
October was a struggle for many teams, but soon we will turn towards the winter sports, such as the #22 women's basketball team and the wrestling squad, to warm us up in Carver.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Hawkeye Wrestlers need Big Effort from New Names
As we turn the table towards winter, the Iowa Wrestling program gets ready to warm our hearts with intense takedowns and hardnosed pins. This season is going to be one of the most interesting for Iowa wrestling fans, as the team is no longer the overall favorite to win a national title. Hell, they’re not even the favorite to win the Big Ten.
According to most rankings, the Hawkeye’s aren’t even a top 5 team.
First of all, let me explain that wrestling has more polls than Tom Brands has top recruits. Well…maybe not that many.
Here is a brief list of the preseason rankings for the Hawkeye wrestling team:
Intermat -8
NWCA/USA Today - 7
AWN - 8
TOM - 5
W.I.N. – 11
This is a sharp difference from last year, when the Hawkeyes returned a stable of All-Americans like Brent Metcalf, Jay Borschel, Daniel Dennis and Ryan Morningstar.
Now, the only returning All American is 2010 national champion Matt McDonough. McDonough is also the only wrestler to be a preseason individual #1.
By the end of the 2010 season, the Hawkeyes had a virtual head lock in the first four weights, now they have graduated Metcalf (149), and Daniel Dennis (133); and lost Montell Marion (141) to a bad case of being an idiot.
The shelf seems bare at the upper weights too, as the Hawkeyes lost national champion Borschel, All American Ryan Morningstar, and heavyweight Dan Erekson, who finished 7th at nationals and won a Big Ten title last year.
Basically, the class of wrestlers that brought home the last three national titles is gone. But the shelf is not, in fact, bare.
Guy like Nate Moore (133), Luke Lofthouse (197) and Derek St. John (157)and Jake Kerr (165) will have to start forging a legacy of their own. Moore, Lofthouse and Keer we saw in limited action last year, St. John was redshirted.
If they don’t, you can bet your ass Tom Brands will find someone who will.
But the guy I almost feel sorry for is a freshman wrestler Dylan Carew. (Who most likely wants neither my pity nor yours) He is slotted to fill in at 149 after the loss of Brett Metcalf, arguably the most dominant wrestler over the last three years.
Everytime Carew takes the mat at 149, fans will inevitably compare him to Metcalf, fair or otherwise. It is just a fact that over the last three seasons the Hawkeyes have been able to pencil in a victory (and usually domination) at 149 before the match even started. The most shocking events over the last three seasons were the rare times when Metcalf actually lost. It happened thrice.
Now…we shall see. Hold on to your singlet, 2010-11 could be a wild ride.
According to most rankings, the Hawkeye’s aren’t even a top 5 team.
First of all, let me explain that wrestling has more polls than Tom Brands has top recruits. Well…maybe not that many.
Here is a brief list of the preseason rankings for the Hawkeye wrestling team:
Intermat -8
NWCA/USA Today - 7
AWN - 8
TOM - 5
W.I.N. – 11
This is a sharp difference from last year, when the Hawkeyes returned a stable of All-Americans like Brent Metcalf, Jay Borschel, Daniel Dennis and Ryan Morningstar.
Now, the only returning All American is 2010 national champion Matt McDonough. McDonough is also the only wrestler to be a preseason individual #1.
By the end of the 2010 season, the Hawkeyes had a virtual head lock in the first four weights, now they have graduated Metcalf (149), and Daniel Dennis (133); and lost Montell Marion (141) to a bad case of being an idiot.
The shelf seems bare at the upper weights too, as the Hawkeyes lost national champion Borschel, All American Ryan Morningstar, and heavyweight Dan Erekson, who finished 7th at nationals and won a Big Ten title last year.
Basically, the class of wrestlers that brought home the last three national titles is gone. But the shelf is not, in fact, bare.
Guy like Nate Moore (133), Luke Lofthouse (197) and Derek St. John (157)and Jake Kerr (165) will have to start forging a legacy of their own. Moore, Lofthouse and Keer we saw in limited action last year, St. John was redshirted.
If they don’t, you can bet your ass Tom Brands will find someone who will.
But the guy I almost feel sorry for is a freshman wrestler Dylan Carew. (Who most likely wants neither my pity nor yours) He is slotted to fill in at 149 after the loss of Brett Metcalf, arguably the most dominant wrestler over the last three years.
Everytime Carew takes the mat at 149, fans will inevitably compare him to Metcalf, fair or otherwise. It is just a fact that over the last three seasons the Hawkeyes have been able to pencil in a victory (and usually domination) at 149 before the match even started. The most shocking events over the last three seasons were the rare times when Metcalf actually lost. It happened thrice.
Now…we shall see. Hold on to your singlet, 2010-11 could be a wild ride.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Coverage of Female Sports: $ Marks the Spot
In response to Dr. John Vincent’s assessment of the treatment of female athletes, I feel he misses the overall problem facing women’s sports. The issue is that covering women’s sports is simply not seen as a profitable endeavor for media outlets. Until newspapers, television stations, and radio outlets can harvest a profit from covering women’s sports in a straight-forward manner, there will a sharp disparity and minimalized treatment.
At KRUI, the student radio station, I host a show called “From the Cheap Seats”. On this show we talk about all the under-the-radar sports. A majority of the time, we are talking about female sports, such as volleyball, field hockey, and women’s soccer. However, at a commercial radio station, this show would be a hard sell to management. It’s not about football, and therefore may not garner the listenership that would justify putting it on air.
The same can be said for most student media outlets. We can cover these sports without having to worry about readership, listenership, or viewer. For commercial outlets, this is not the case.
This brings me in a round-about way to the more detailed point from Dr. Vincent that the media treatment of female athletes is not the same as the media treatment of male athletes. I think this is not a separate issue, but a symptom of my first point. It is simply not profitable for media outlets to cover female sports in a direct fashion. Until viewers, readers, and listeners demand more direct coverage, media outlets are forced to use sexuality and societal roles (mother, wife, daughter, etc.) as a narrative tool to generate interest in their stories.
Whether we like it or not, the goal of every commercial media outlet is to make money. If being a beacon for social change is anywhere on the priority list, it is probably very low. Entertain and inform are often at odds, but need not be a dichotomy.
While noble, Dr. Vincent’s suggestions for how newspapers can change to provide “equitable coverage devoid of outdated, stereotypical and sexist portrayal of female athletes” will fall on the deaf ears of editors and managers, until equitable coverage is determined to have fiduciary value.
At KRUI, the student radio station, I host a show called “From the Cheap Seats”. On this show we talk about all the under-the-radar sports. A majority of the time, we are talking about female sports, such as volleyball, field hockey, and women’s soccer. However, at a commercial radio station, this show would be a hard sell to management. It’s not about football, and therefore may not garner the listenership that would justify putting it on air.
The same can be said for most student media outlets. We can cover these sports without having to worry about readership, listenership, or viewer. For commercial outlets, this is not the case.
This brings me in a round-about way to the more detailed point from Dr. Vincent that the media treatment of female athletes is not the same as the media treatment of male athletes. I think this is not a separate issue, but a symptom of my first point. It is simply not profitable for media outlets to cover female sports in a direct fashion. Until viewers, readers, and listeners demand more direct coverage, media outlets are forced to use sexuality and societal roles (mother, wife, daughter, etc.) as a narrative tool to generate interest in their stories.
Whether we like it or not, the goal of every commercial media outlet is to make money. If being a beacon for social change is anywhere on the priority list, it is probably very low. Entertain and inform are often at odds, but need not be a dichotomy.
While noble, Dr. Vincent’s suggestions for how newspapers can change to provide “equitable coverage devoid of outdated, stereotypical and sexist portrayal of female athletes” will fall on the deaf ears of editors and managers, until equitable coverage is determined to have fiduciary value.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Return of the Black and Gold Blues
It has been a rough weekend for the Iowa Hawkeyes.
But special team woes and the inability to stop a freight train Wisconsin offense wasn’t the only thing haunting Hawkeye athletics over the past few days.
The women’s soccer team, who I thought would surely get a burst of positive karma after head coach Ron Rainey visited the KRUI studio, lost in double overtime to Indiana at home. This was a devastating loss for a team that needed to pick up a W. The soccer team has not won a game since September 17th, going 0-7-2 in the month long drought.
On the field hockey front, the youthful Hawkeyes continued to struggle, this time losing 4-2 to the highly talented Northwestern Wildcats. Head coach Tracy Griesbaum’s squad is now 3-12, an awful record, especially when you consider that the 2008 Iowa field hockey team made it to the NCAA final four and lost to the eventual national champions, the Maryland Terrapins.
On Friday, the Iowa volleyball team lost in five sets to the dirty Wisconsin Badgers, who thoroughly ruined my weekend. (Sorry Bucky, I just haven’t gotten to the acceptance part in the mourning process yet) The Hawks played the Badgers tought but came away empty handed, dropping the final set 13-15. Another squeaker lost, another opportunity gone to the bad guys, or bad gals, in this case. On Saturday night, following the football teams loss, the Hawkeye volleyball squad got worked over by #6 Illinois. Although the first two sets were close, the Hawks lost both by two points. The Hawks would handily beaten in the third set for the Illini victory.
But things aren’t all doom and gloom. Both the men’s and women’s swimming team picked up wins over Michigan State. Maybe this is a preview for the upcoming football contest. One can only hope.
At this point, I'll take what I can get.
The women’s tennis team is still competing in their weekend tournament, so maybe I can comeback tomorrow with a few bits of positive reactions, but for now I’m just going to bed and forgetting about this weekend.
But special team woes and the inability to stop a freight train Wisconsin offense wasn’t the only thing haunting Hawkeye athletics over the past few days.
The women’s soccer team, who I thought would surely get a burst of positive karma after head coach Ron Rainey visited the KRUI studio, lost in double overtime to Indiana at home. This was a devastating loss for a team that needed to pick up a W. The soccer team has not won a game since September 17th, going 0-7-2 in the month long drought.
On the field hockey front, the youthful Hawkeyes continued to struggle, this time losing 4-2 to the highly talented Northwestern Wildcats. Head coach Tracy Griesbaum’s squad is now 3-12, an awful record, especially when you consider that the 2008 Iowa field hockey team made it to the NCAA final four and lost to the eventual national champions, the Maryland Terrapins.
On Friday, the Iowa volleyball team lost in five sets to the dirty Wisconsin Badgers, who thoroughly ruined my weekend. (Sorry Bucky, I just haven’t gotten to the acceptance part in the mourning process yet) The Hawks played the Badgers tought but came away empty handed, dropping the final set 13-15. Another squeaker lost, another opportunity gone to the bad guys, or bad gals, in this case. On Saturday night, following the football teams loss, the Hawkeye volleyball squad got worked over by #6 Illinois. Although the first two sets were close, the Hawks lost both by two points. The Hawks would handily beaten in the third set for the Illini victory.
But things aren’t all doom and gloom. Both the men’s and women’s swimming team picked up wins over Michigan State. Maybe this is a preview for the upcoming football contest. One can only hope.
At this point, I'll take what I can get.
The women’s tennis team is still competing in their weekend tournament, so maybe I can comeback tomorrow with a few bits of positive reactions, but for now I’m just going to bed and forgetting about this weekend.
Friday, October 22, 2010
The "Scrappy Golfer" debate makes it to the 'Corner
An ongoing debate on “From the Cheap Seats”, my weekly radio show, has perked my angst, and I would like to share it with you. Hopefully, you will leave your take on this very imperative issue.
Can a golfer be described as “scrappy”?
A while back I was doing a “Did you know?” segment on the Iowa men’s golf team. One of my did-you-knows was that senior golfer Vince India is listed at 5-11, 140 lbs.
I said “he’s a scrappy little golfer.”
Two of my co-hosts, clearly unaware of my limitless intellect and humility, babble “ what are you talking about, a golfer can’t be scrappy!”
“Why not? He small and light; he’s scrappy!”
My reasoning being that little Vince India may not have the natural physical skills to drive the ball five miles, but he gets it done with technique and “scrappyness”.
Dictionary.com defines scrappy as “made up of scraps or of odds and ends; fragmentary; disconnected. “
That’s not the definition I’m looking for.
Definition #2 goes, “fond of fighting, arguing, or competing.”
Boom- there it is. Clear proof that a golfer can be “scrappy.”
Merriam-Webster.com: “having an aggressive and determined spirit”
I think I’ve made my case.
Maybe Vince India isn’t, in all reality, “scrappy golfer”, but to say that no golfer in the history of the game has ever been, nor ever will be, scrappy, is clearly wrong.
Does Tiger Woods not have a determined spirit? Was Jack Nicklaus not fond of competing?
The defense rests.
(Please share your thought on this very important “scrappy golfer” debate, and help me once again prove how much smarter I am than my co-hosts.)
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Is Coach Dingman's Job Secure? Wins and losses don't tell the whole story.
Iowa volleyball is in last place in the Big Ten.
There, I said it.
Well, tied for last place in the Big Ten technically with Wisconsin, however, the Badgers have a much better overall record. The Hawkeyes (and Buckingham U. Badger) have a conference record of 1-7, but the Hawkeyes only have 6 wins overall. The Hawkeyes are the only team in the conference without double digits in the win category. (The next worst is Sparty with 11 wins.)
So what does all of this mean? And when do we put Sharon Dingman’s job on the line?
Before I can take this conversation any further I must admit that I am a bit biased. Coach Dingman has visited KRUI three times now, and has always been a delight to talk to. She seems thoughtful and insightful, and the players talk about her as a leader and mentor. They seem to have the highest respect for her.
So I am a little subjective when I say that Dingman’s job is secure. She is fighting an uphill battle with a program that has never had success. The previous coach, Cindy Fredrick, managed to maintain a consistent level of poor volleyball, and she lasted four seasons.
Dingman is in her third season as head coach and has raised the bar already. Former volleyball players who played under both coaches talk about the differences in the volleyball culture at Iowa. The focus on nutrition is better; the practices are intense but fun; and the in game coaching is clearer and more precise.
Wins and losses aren’t the only factor that should be considered with a coach’s job. I think there are a lot of players on the Hawkeye volleyball team who would agree.
There, I said it.
Well, tied for last place in the Big Ten technically with Wisconsin, however, the Badgers have a much better overall record. The Hawkeyes (and Buckingham U. Badger) have a conference record of 1-7, but the Hawkeyes only have 6 wins overall. The Hawkeyes are the only team in the conference without double digits in the win category. (The next worst is Sparty with 11 wins.)
So what does all of this mean? And when do we put Sharon Dingman’s job on the line?
Before I can take this conversation any further I must admit that I am a bit biased. Coach Dingman has visited KRUI three times now, and has always been a delight to talk to. She seems thoughtful and insightful, and the players talk about her as a leader and mentor. They seem to have the highest respect for her.
So I am a little subjective when I say that Dingman’s job is secure. She is fighting an uphill battle with a program that has never had success. The previous coach, Cindy Fredrick, managed to maintain a consistent level of poor volleyball, and she lasted four seasons.
Dingman is in her third season as head coach and has raised the bar already. Former volleyball players who played under both coaches talk about the differences in the volleyball culture at Iowa. The focus on nutrition is better; the practices are intense but fun; and the in game coaching is clearer and more precise.
Wins and losses aren’t the only factor that should be considered with a coach’s job. I think there are a lot of players on the Hawkeye volleyball team who would agree.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Dear Uncle John...
All season long I have been passing along my quick thoughts about the Hawks with my Uncle John, who is out in Colorado these days. He is an Iowa alum and fellow die-hard Hawkeye. He lived in Michigan for a while so he had alot to say before the game. Just thought I might share a few back and forths with you. (Please excuse misspells and errors, but I wanted to preserve the messages as they are.)
-----------------------------------------------------
Uncle John,
Michigan in review...
I'll start with the off-the-field stuff: the people in Michigan were the best! Friday night we found a honkytonk by our hotel in Canton MI. At first it looked like a pretty rough joint, but we had a blast hanging out with the people. My friends really enjoyed the live band and dancing, but I mostly enjoyed the conversation and beer, as usual. (If you could take your beer on the dance floor I might consider it) Saturday we did a little tailgating before finding our press passes. They really know how to do it right in Ann Arbor. The Michigan fans showed great hospitality, and I got a lot of "you guys ain't fucking BUCKeyes, so you're alright with us!". Then they would shove beers in our hands and offer us a brat. I've always been a bit of a Michigan hater, and while I still think Rich Rodriguez is a crybaby and the worst coach in the Big Ten (especially now, after the Tim Brewster firing), I will have a hard time rooting against the Wolverines after this past weekend. Oh and you were right...they do call it the BIG HOUSE for a reason.
The game itself was awesome, the best game this season for a Hawkeye fan. 140+ yards for Adam Robinson on 30+ carries, plus he had some receiving yard to go along with that. 200+ total yards I think. Most of his big runs and both of his TDs were along the left side, with Rieff and Vandervelde. Zues and MacMillan are coming along but running the ball left and right is night and day. I thought it was awesome when the Hawks ran a roll out pass to the TE for 20 yards or so but it was called back for illegal formation. They ran the same play again, this time for 10. Classic! In case you didn't know: DJK set the school record for receiving yards, and the 38 point scored by the Hawkeyes was the most EVER scored by an Iowa team against Michigan, and we could have scored more if we really needed to. (We ran the ball on 3rd and 8 late in the game)
Looking ahead to Wisconsin: Badgers coming off the OSU upset will come to Kinnick riding high, but we match up well with them, as far as stopping the run and getting pressure when we need it. their defensive end JJ Watts is a motor-always-running kind of player, (very similar to former Hawk Matt Roth, except Roth is about as smart as a brick) who could give us trouble, especially if he bounces around to take on Zuesevicks. Keeping Stanzi upright could be a real problem. And their o-line is massive and athletic. They basically have 5 American bison in football pads. We may have to blitz for pressure, but thats not our style. Also, we have gotten better at kick and punt coverage, but Gullory took the opening kick to the house for the Badgers against Ohio State.. look out.
This was a long one...GO HAWKS!
Kif Richmann
Sports Director
KRUI 89.7 FM
kruisports@gmail.com
319 464 2043
--------------------------------
Kif,
Glad you had a good time. I've spent a lot of time in Canton and Ann Arbor
and know the area well. Hillsdale is about 75 minutes away. I watched the
first 3 quarters and liked it. Glad I missed the last quarter though. Was
that the best our defense could do or was the plan to let them move it while
eating up the clock? Did Norm have a serious setback (heart attack) or is he
doing better?
Once again, though, I agree with you assessment. This week is a much sterner
test and I think we win a close one -- that only if the o-line and Arob can
move the ball and our dbacks and linebackers can step it up. If not, long
day for us.
Rich Rod is a not the right guy for any team in the Big Ten, much less
Michigan. Big East, SEC, ACC ok, but not for a conference that at least
tries to play by the rules. He is also an ass. Same is true of Brewster. I
saw him at breakfast in my hotel in Newport Beach after the NC game in
January. I walked by and said, "go Big Ten". He eyeballed me for a few
minutes thereafter as if he was trying to figure out what I meant -- he must
have thought I was giving him a hard time. Struck me as an awkward, insecure
and overly competitive guy.
Thanks, always enjoy these.
JEC
-----------------------------------------------------
Uncle John,
Michigan in review...
I'll start with the off-the-field stuff: the people in Michigan were the best! Friday night we found a honkytonk by our hotel in Canton MI. At first it looked like a pretty rough joint, but we had a blast hanging out with the people. My friends really enjoyed the live band and dancing, but I mostly enjoyed the conversation and beer, as usual. (If you could take your beer on the dance floor I might consider it) Saturday we did a little tailgating before finding our press passes. They really know how to do it right in Ann Arbor. The Michigan fans showed great hospitality, and I got a lot of "you guys ain't fucking BUCKeyes, so you're alright with us!". Then they would shove beers in our hands and offer us a brat. I've always been a bit of a Michigan hater, and while I still think Rich Rodriguez is a crybaby and the worst coach in the Big Ten (especially now, after the Tim Brewster firing), I will have a hard time rooting against the Wolverines after this past weekend. Oh and you were right...they do call it the BIG HOUSE for a reason.
The game itself was awesome, the best game this season for a Hawkeye fan. 140+ yards for Adam Robinson on 30+ carries, plus he had some receiving yard to go along with that. 200+ total yards I think. Most of his big runs and both of his TDs were along the left side, with Rieff and Vandervelde. Zues and MacMillan are coming along but running the ball left and right is night and day. I thought it was awesome when the Hawks ran a roll out pass to the TE for 20 yards or so but it was called back for illegal formation. They ran the same play again, this time for 10. Classic! In case you didn't know: DJK set the school record for receiving yards, and the 38 point scored by the Hawkeyes was the most EVER scored by an Iowa team against Michigan, and we could have scored more if we really needed to. (We ran the ball on 3rd and 8 late in the game)
Looking ahead to Wisconsin: Badgers coming off the OSU upset will come to Kinnick riding high, but we match up well with them, as far as stopping the run and getting pressure when we need it. their defensive end JJ Watts is a motor-always-running kind of player, (very similar to former Hawk Matt Roth, except Roth is about as smart as a brick) who could give us trouble, especially if he bounces around to take on Zuesevicks. Keeping Stanzi upright could be a real problem. And their o-line is massive and athletic. They basically have 5 American bison in football pads. We may have to blitz for pressure, but thats not our style. Also, we have gotten better at kick and punt coverage, but Gullory took the opening kick to the house for the Badgers against Ohio State.. look out.
This was a long one...GO HAWKS!
Kif Richmann
Sports Director
KRUI 89.7 FM
kruisports@gmail.com
319 464 2043
--------------------------------
Kif,
Glad you had a good time. I've spent a lot of time in Canton and Ann Arbor
and know the area well. Hillsdale is about 75 minutes away. I watched the
first 3 quarters and liked it. Glad I missed the last quarter though. Was
that the best our defense could do or was the plan to let them move it while
eating up the clock? Did Norm have a serious setback (heart attack) or is he
doing better?
Once again, though, I agree with you assessment. This week is a much sterner
test and I think we win a close one -- that only if the o-line and Arob can
move the ball and our dbacks and linebackers can step it up. If not, long
day for us.
Rich Rod is a not the right guy for any team in the Big Ten, much less
Michigan. Big East, SEC, ACC ok, but not for a conference that at least
tries to play by the rules. He is also an ass. Same is true of Brewster. I
saw him at breakfast in my hotel in Newport Beach after the NC game in
January. I walked by and said, "go Big Ten". He eyeballed me for a few
minutes thereafter as if he was trying to figure out what I meant -- he must
have thought I was giving him a hard time. Struck me as an awkward, insecure
and overly competitive guy.
Thanks, always enjoy these.
JEC
Friday, October 15, 2010
Iowa Field Hockey Status as Top Program in Doubt
Just two short years ago, the Iowa Hawkeye field hockey team was playing their hearts out on way to a NCAA final four appearance. They were three-time Big Ten Tournament champions; they would end the season with a semi-final loss to eventual National Champion Maryland, in double overtime no less. The program was the glory of the Big Ten and a national anomaly: a damn good field hockey team from Middle America. At home, the team was second only to the championship Hawkeye wrestling squad.
Now, twelve games into the season, the team is 0-3 in the Big Ten, and has only three wins this year. The wins have come over Brown, Ball State, and Central Michigan; not exactly field hockey powerhouses. Out of seven Big Ten schools that play field hockey, the Hawkeyes rank last in scoring, goals allowed, and penalty corners.
They are in the middle of the pack at saves per game, but are second to last in save percentage. In other words, they are making a lot of saves because their opponents are constantly on the attack; the Hawkeyes are also last in shots per game.
Head coach Tracy Griesbaum is quick to shrug off any thoughts that the team is losing because of youth. But if not youth, then what else is the problem? The roster has a grand total of one junior and two seniors. Out of a listed roster of 17 players, seven are sophomores and seven are freshmen.
Griesbaum has swatted away the “youth = losses” argument, but she does talk about lack of competitive fire and lack of on-the-field leadership. To me, these seem like symptoms of youthful teams.
I am not going to claim that the curtain has fallen on the Hawkeye field hockey program, but it is certainly at a low. Even when the wrestling program was down, they were still frequently in the top 10 in the country. (I know, it is not fair to measure any team from any sport against the Iowa wrestling program…BUT, Hawkeye coaches often use the wrestling team as an example, so I will do the same.)
Griesbaum can coach, as her 2008 West Region coach of the year award will show, but I am always interested in seeing how a coach does when the team is down.
Griesbaum probably won’t be winning many coaching awards this year, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t done a good job with what she has to work with. In the end, these last four games of the regular season could be the toughest challenge of Griesbaum’s career.
Now, twelve games into the season, the team is 0-3 in the Big Ten, and has only three wins this year. The wins have come over Brown, Ball State, and Central Michigan; not exactly field hockey powerhouses. Out of seven Big Ten schools that play field hockey, the Hawkeyes rank last in scoring, goals allowed, and penalty corners.
They are in the middle of the pack at saves per game, but are second to last in save percentage. In other words, they are making a lot of saves because their opponents are constantly on the attack; the Hawkeyes are also last in shots per game.
Head coach Tracy Griesbaum is quick to shrug off any thoughts that the team is losing because of youth. But if not youth, then what else is the problem? The roster has a grand total of one junior and two seniors. Out of a listed roster of 17 players, seven are sophomores and seven are freshmen.
Griesbaum has swatted away the “youth = losses” argument, but she does talk about lack of competitive fire and lack of on-the-field leadership. To me, these seem like symptoms of youthful teams.
I am not going to claim that the curtain has fallen on the Hawkeye field hockey program, but it is certainly at a low. Even when the wrestling program was down, they were still frequently in the top 10 in the country. (I know, it is not fair to measure any team from any sport against the Iowa wrestling program…BUT, Hawkeye coaches often use the wrestling team as an example, so I will do the same.)
Griesbaum can coach, as her 2008 West Region coach of the year award will show, but I am always interested in seeing how a coach does when the team is down.
Griesbaum probably won’t be winning many coaching awards this year, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t done a good job with what she has to work with. In the end, these last four games of the regular season could be the toughest challenge of Griesbaum’s career.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Black and Gold Sunday Blues
Sunday afternoon was sunny, warm and pleasant. If you made it over to the Hawkeye athletics area, near the Hawkeye athletics hall of fame building, you could have bounced between two Hawkeye games. At Grant Field, the Iowa field hockey team was taking on Michigan. Just a few yards to the west, the women’s soccer team was competing against Penn State.
Finding a win was a little harder.
The Hawkeye lost both competitions today, and now both teams are on the down slide.
The field hockey team lost yet again, they now sit at 3-9. The team took Michigan into a 0-0 tie at the half, but was unable to finish, eventually losing 2-0. Not what head coach Tracy Griesbaum had in mind for the season. If coach Griesbaum is upset, she certainly has a lot of reasons to be. The Iowa field hockey team now has no chance of finishing the regular season above .500.
As I have harped before and will probably harp again, this team is young and needs time and patience. They have talent, now they need experience, which is coming hard and fast.
On the soccer side, the Hawkeyes lost to Penn State. In what could only be redemption for the football team's loss to the Hawkeyes last weekend, the Nittany Lions out worked the Hawks, raking up 25 shots and holding the Hawkeyes to only nine.
This is still one of the best teams in the Iowa athletics department, with an over all record of 7-5-2. Although the team has lost three in a row, the losses have come at the hands (err…feet) of very tough Big Ten opponents. On any day, this team can be extremely dangerous.
It may have been a Sunday to forget for the Hawkeye fans, but for the players and coaches, this day offers a lot of valuable lessons. The future will tell us how much they learned.
Finding a win was a little harder.
The Hawkeye lost both competitions today, and now both teams are on the down slide.
The field hockey team lost yet again, they now sit at 3-9. The team took Michigan into a 0-0 tie at the half, but was unable to finish, eventually losing 2-0. Not what head coach Tracy Griesbaum had in mind for the season. If coach Griesbaum is upset, she certainly has a lot of reasons to be. The Iowa field hockey team now has no chance of finishing the regular season above .500.
As I have harped before and will probably harp again, this team is young and needs time and patience. They have talent, now they need experience, which is coming hard and fast.
On the soccer side, the Hawkeyes lost to Penn State. In what could only be redemption for the football team's loss to the Hawkeyes last weekend, the Nittany Lions out worked the Hawks, raking up 25 shots and holding the Hawkeyes to only nine.
This is still one of the best teams in the Iowa athletics department, with an over all record of 7-5-2. Although the team has lost three in a row, the losses have come at the hands (err…feet) of very tough Big Ten opponents. On any day, this team can be extremely dangerous.
It may have been a Sunday to forget for the Hawkeye fans, but for the players and coaches, this day offers a lot of valuable lessons. The future will tell us how much they learned.
Field Hockey Starts Michigan Week
I can't wait for next week’s trip to Ann Arbor. My first pilgrimage to one of the great college football cathedrals. I’d love to pack an Iowa Hawkeye field hockey win as bragging rights for the excursion.
The Hawkeye Iowa takes on the #22 Michigan Wolverines today at noon at Grant Field in Iowa City. This team desperately needs a win. They have underperformed all over the field, with only three wins on the season.
A 3-8 record is not where this team thought it would be at the beginning of the season, and this has to be extremely frustrating for senior mid-fielder Sarah Pergine. Pergine participated on the 2008 team that made it to the final four on NCAA field hockey. Now, in her last season sporting the black and gold, her team needs to win it’s last five games just to finish with a .500 record.
Even if this season is a disappointment, there is always a chance for redemption. Not for the Hawkeye fans, not for the coaches, maybe not even for teammates. Personal redemption. A chance to leave the field with your head held high.
In all likelihood, this team with finish the regular season under the .500 winning mark. But beat Michigan, and you can at least feel proud of what you’ve done.
Often times, this is all we compete for anyway.
The Hawkeye Iowa takes on the #22 Michigan Wolverines today at noon at Grant Field in Iowa City. This team desperately needs a win. They have underperformed all over the field, with only three wins on the season.
A 3-8 record is not where this team thought it would be at the beginning of the season, and this has to be extremely frustrating for senior mid-fielder Sarah Pergine. Pergine participated on the 2008 team that made it to the final four on NCAA field hockey. Now, in her last season sporting the black and gold, her team needs to win it’s last five games just to finish with a .500 record.
Even if this season is a disappointment, there is always a chance for redemption. Not for the Hawkeye fans, not for the coaches, maybe not even for teammates. Personal redemption. A chance to leave the field with your head held high.
In all likelihood, this team with finish the regular season under the .500 winning mark. But beat Michigan, and you can at least feel proud of what you’ve done.
Often times, this is all we compete for anyway.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Iowa Soccer Takes on OSU Under the Lights
The Iowa Hawkeye women’s soccer team needs a boost. Iowa sits at 7-3-2, but hasn’t won a match since September 19th against Iowa State. They are also winless in the Big Ten (0-1-1). A win over Big Ten power Ohio State could turn rev the engine. But with a record of 8-2-1, there is a good reason why Ohio State ranks #19 in the country.
Here's how the two team rack up among the Big Ten:
(WARNING: Statistical content ahead, proceed with caution)
Goals per game: Iowa is tied with Minnesota for second with 1.92. OSU is fourth with 1.91. Practically no difference at all. (Illinois is #1 with 2.09)
Goals against average: Hawkeye opponents average less than one goal per game, 0.72, largely due to a four game shutout streak in September. The Buckeye opponents score even less: 0.53. If more than two goals are scored tonight, this could qualify as a shootout.
Total Shots Taken: In 12 games, the Hawkeyes have taken 174 shots, a 14.5 per-game average. In 11 games, the Buckeyes have taken 193 shots, a 17.55 per-game average. Keeping the ball on the attacking end and limiting the Buckeyes shot will be crucial.
Total Yellow Cards: Okay, this one is mostly for fun, BUT, the Hawkeyes and Buckeyes only have 3 yellow cards apiece. It seems both coaches have their teams well disciplined. (Take it easy Wisconsin! You have 15 yellow cards in 12 games! And Illinois, would it hurt to show a little emotion? Zero yellow card this season for the Illini.
For a deeper, and arguably better, look at tonight’s match-up check out Seth Robert’s article in the Daily Iowan.
Here's how the two team rack up among the Big Ten:
(WARNING: Statistical content ahead, proceed with caution)
Goals per game: Iowa is tied with Minnesota for second with 1.92. OSU is fourth with 1.91. Practically no difference at all. (Illinois is #1 with 2.09)
Goals against average: Hawkeye opponents average less than one goal per game, 0.72, largely due to a four game shutout streak in September. The Buckeye opponents score even less: 0.53. If more than two goals are scored tonight, this could qualify as a shootout.
Total Shots Taken: In 12 games, the Hawkeyes have taken 174 shots, a 14.5 per-game average. In 11 games, the Buckeyes have taken 193 shots, a 17.55 per-game average. Keeping the ball on the attacking end and limiting the Buckeyes shot will be crucial.
Total Yellow Cards: Okay, this one is mostly for fun, BUT, the Hawkeyes and Buckeyes only have 3 yellow cards apiece. It seems both coaches have their teams well disciplined. (Take it easy Wisconsin! You have 15 yellow cards in 12 games! And Illinois, would it hurt to show a little emotion? Zero yellow card this season for the Illini.
For a deeper, and arguably better, look at tonight’s match-up check out Seth Robert’s article in the Daily Iowan.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
First Month in Review: Iowa Hawkeye Soccer
It’s October, the chlorophyll is withdrawing from the trees, and it’s time for another Iowa Hawkeyes September in Review.
IOWA HAWKEYE SOCCER:
Historically, the Iowa soccer team is nothing particularly impressive. Since the program’s inception in 1997, the Iowa Hawkeye women’s soccer team has an overall record of 98-133-17 going into the 2010 season. It would be easy to overlook coach Ron Rainey’s Iowa soccer team.
But they may be the hottest fall team to sport the tigerhawk logo.
The soccer schedule was the first to start the fall season, actually beginning official play as early as August 20th. The premier match against DePaul resulted in a 2-0 loss, but it would be over four weeks- seven games- until the Hawkeye soccer team would win again.
The streak started at the Iowa Tournament in Iowa City, which featured Iowa, Central Michigan, Northern Illinois and Northern Iowa. (Somehow, the Hawkeyes didn’t play UNI in this weekend tournament) They would however, pick up a 2-0 win over Northern Illinois, and a scrappy 1-0 win over Central Michigan, a Sunday match in which Alyssa Cosnek scored a second half goal with the help of a Leah DeMoss assist.
Next, the Hawkeyes would be on the road for six consecutive matches, starting with Loyola in Chicago, a 3-0 win, before a trip up north to take on UNI. (There we go.) A big 6-0 beat down of the Panthers in Cedar Falls left the Hawkeyes riding the September winds on a massive wing of confidence.
On the weekend of September 10th, the Hawkeyes would travel on their furthest road trip of the season (unless they make the NCAA Tournament and get sent further) to Charleston, North Carolina. A 2-0 victory over The College of Charleston gave the Hawkeyes a streak of five consecutive shutout wins. In these five games, the Hawkeyes out-scored their opponents 14-0. Unfortunately, the shutout streak would come to an end on Sunday, Sept. 12th . The winning streak, however, would continue. The Hawks beat Davidson 3-1 before returning to the Midwest.
The Iowa soccer team would give The University of Iowa a 5-2 advantage over Iowa State in the Cy-Hawk Series with a 4-0 victory in Ames. In this game, Leah DeMoss picked up 2 goals, and Morgan Schowalter picked up a goal and an assist.
All good things must come to an end, (I don’t see why, but this is what wise people tell me) and the Hawkeye winning streak would snap at the feet of the Nebraska Cornhuskers by a 3-1 final.
The Hawkeyes would finish the month of September about as unremarkable as it gets: two consecutive ties. In the Big Ten opener, the Hawkeyes brought the #18 Minnesota Golden Gophers to a http://www.hawkeyesports.com/sports/w-soccer/recaps/091910aab.html, and then would play an entire scoreless game against St. Louis.
The Iowa Hawkeye soccer team would end the month of September 7-2, arguably the best month among all Hawkeye teams, and certainly the most surprising.
--------------------
FYI- The Hawkeyes began the month of October with a 2-0 loss at Wisconsin. The Hawks out-shot the Badgers 10-7, but couldn’t break through a Wisconsin defense that sits at the top of the Big Ten in goals allowed.
IOWA HAWKEYE SOCCER:
Historically, the Iowa soccer team is nothing particularly impressive. Since the program’s inception in 1997, the Iowa Hawkeye women’s soccer team has an overall record of 98-133-17 going into the 2010 season. It would be easy to overlook coach Ron Rainey’s Iowa soccer team.
But they may be the hottest fall team to sport the tigerhawk logo.
The soccer schedule was the first to start the fall season, actually beginning official play as early as August 20th. The premier match against DePaul resulted in a 2-0 loss, but it would be over four weeks- seven games- until the Hawkeye soccer team would win again.
The streak started at the Iowa Tournament in Iowa City, which featured Iowa, Central Michigan, Northern Illinois and Northern Iowa. (Somehow, the Hawkeyes didn’t play UNI in this weekend tournament) They would however, pick up a 2-0 win over Northern Illinois, and a scrappy 1-0 win over Central Michigan, a Sunday match in which Alyssa Cosnek scored a second half goal with the help of a Leah DeMoss assist.
Next, the Hawkeyes would be on the road for six consecutive matches, starting with Loyola in Chicago, a 3-0 win, before a trip up north to take on UNI. (There we go.) A big 6-0 beat down of the Panthers in Cedar Falls left the Hawkeyes riding the September winds on a massive wing of confidence.
On the weekend of September 10th, the Hawkeyes would travel on their furthest road trip of the season (unless they make the NCAA Tournament and get sent further) to Charleston, North Carolina. A 2-0 victory over The College of Charleston gave the Hawkeyes a streak of five consecutive shutout wins. In these five games, the Hawkeyes out-scored their opponents 14-0. Unfortunately, the shutout streak would come to an end on Sunday, Sept. 12th . The winning streak, however, would continue. The Hawks beat Davidson 3-1 before returning to the Midwest.
The Iowa soccer team would give The University of Iowa a 5-2 advantage over Iowa State in the Cy-Hawk Series with a 4-0 victory in Ames. In this game, Leah DeMoss picked up 2 goals, and Morgan Schowalter picked up a goal and an assist.
All good things must come to an end, (I don’t see why, but this is what wise people tell me) and the Hawkeye winning streak would snap at the feet of the Nebraska Cornhuskers by a 3-1 final.
The Hawkeyes would finish the month of September about as unremarkable as it gets: two consecutive ties. In the Big Ten opener, the Hawkeyes brought the #18 Minnesota Golden Gophers to a http://www.hawkeyesports.com/sports/w-soccer/recaps/091910aab.html, and then would play an entire scoreless game against St. Louis.
The Iowa Hawkeye soccer team would end the month of September 7-2, arguably the best month among all Hawkeye teams, and certainly the most surprising.
--------------------
FYI- The Hawkeyes began the month of October with a 2-0 loss at Wisconsin. The Hawks out-shot the Badgers 10-7, but couldn’t break through a Wisconsin defense that sits at the top of the Big Ten in goals allowed.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Iowa Hawkeye Field Hockey Month In Review
It’s Friday, October 1st 2010, and the first full month of Iowa Hawkeye athletics has come and gone. (“They grow up so fast…”)
We all know about what the football team did in the month of September, but how about the rest of their black-and-gold brethren? Here is the first of a look back at the month that was, starting with a team began a 2010 campaign on the toughest two game road trip among any Hawkeye schedule.
IOWA HAWKEYE FIELD HOCKEY
Head coach Tracy Griesbaum said that the season opening road trip against #6 Wake Forest and #1 North Carolina would be a good test to start 2010. I had my concerns, starting with the argument that this is a relatively young team, (just don’t ask senior Sarah Pergine) that needed time to develop it’s playing style together. I was afraid that facing two top 10 teams in the first two games could be detrimental to the team’s confidence.
Unless, of course, the Hawkeyes could beat one of those teams.
Alas, the then #19 Hawkeyes ended up leaving Chapel Hill with an 0-2 start, which was not a big surprise.
What was a surprise is what came next: A 5-1 loss at the hands of Miami of Ohio, a team that should, at least historically speaking, be throttled by the Hawks.
After picking up a win over Brown on Labor Day, the Hawks then went on a road trip the next week to Kent, OH. Again, the Hawkeyes returned to Iowa City with an 0-2 road trip, this time losing to Stanford (in overtime) and Kent State.
The Hawkeyes picked up a much needed 2-0 win over Ball State on Saturday the 18th. (You remember; the cool rainy day when the football team played in a mystical land where the temperature was 100 degrees and the game didn’t start until 9:30 at night) Well, for the field hockey team, this was a good Saturday.
Finally, the Hawks traveled to the state of Michigan to take on #5 Michigan State and Central Michigan.
In the MSU game, Iowa only rattled off 3 shots compared to the Spartans 11, and lost by a score of 1-0.
In the final match of September, the Hawkeyes defeated Central Michigan 1-0. This was the third shutout of the season for sophomore goalkeeper Kathleen “Murdy” McGraw; she had two all of last year.
The team is 3-6, but has won two of the last three, giving hope to a still young squad with alot of talent.
We all know about what the football team did in the month of September, but how about the rest of their black-and-gold brethren? Here is the first of a look back at the month that was, starting with a team began a 2010 campaign on the toughest two game road trip among any Hawkeye schedule.
IOWA HAWKEYE FIELD HOCKEY
Head coach Tracy Griesbaum said that the season opening road trip against #6 Wake Forest and #1 North Carolina would be a good test to start 2010. I had my concerns, starting with the argument that this is a relatively young team, (just don’t ask senior Sarah Pergine) that needed time to develop it’s playing style together. I was afraid that facing two top 10 teams in the first two games could be detrimental to the team’s confidence.
Unless, of course, the Hawkeyes could beat one of those teams.
Alas, the then #19 Hawkeyes ended up leaving Chapel Hill with an 0-2 start, which was not a big surprise.
What was a surprise is what came next: A 5-1 loss at the hands of Miami of Ohio, a team that should, at least historically speaking, be throttled by the Hawks.
After picking up a win over Brown on Labor Day, the Hawks then went on a road trip the next week to Kent, OH. Again, the Hawkeyes returned to Iowa City with an 0-2 road trip, this time losing to Stanford (in overtime) and Kent State.
The Hawkeyes picked up a much needed 2-0 win over Ball State on Saturday the 18th. (You remember; the cool rainy day when the football team played in a mystical land where the temperature was 100 degrees and the game didn’t start until 9:30 at night) Well, for the field hockey team, this was a good Saturday.
Finally, the Hawks traveled to the state of Michigan to take on #5 Michigan State and Central Michigan.
In the MSU game, Iowa only rattled off 3 shots compared to the Spartans 11, and lost by a score of 1-0.
In the final match of September, the Hawkeyes defeated Central Michigan 1-0. This was the third shutout of the season for sophomore goalkeeper Kathleen “Murdy” McGraw; she had two all of last year.
The team is 3-6, but has won two of the last three, giving hope to a still young squad with alot of talent.
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