As I walked out of the Pickerington North gym area last night I ran into two Moeller parents who are friends of my parents. They said, “Oh you’re here for TV again? Did you know this is Greg’s last match?”
My jaw hit the floor. I’m not kidding either.
“Greg? Ulland? The head coach?” I stammered.
“Yeah, it’s his last match, and his assistant, Joe,” they replied.
Just ten minutes before Moeller was scheduled to take on St. Edward in the state title in volleyball, the biggest storyline of the night had just hit me.
For the two hour drive up to Pickerington the only thing I could think about was the importance of St. Edward having a shot to break the reign of GCL teams in the state title match.
That changed in a heartbeat, literally.
Ulland, who has been the head coach of his alma mater for nine seasons, was the consummate head coach in boys volleyball in the past decade. His teams captured four state titles in that run, and only once did his Moeller team miss the state championship match in those nine years: in 2008.
Kind of tough to argue with those credentials.
Ulland also played on Moeller’s first state title team in 1997. And while many coaches seem to be ego driven, never once did Ulland take any of the credit for his team’s success. During last year’s run to being state runners up, Ulland had every opportunity to stand in front of the TV camera and say, ‘Look at me.’
He didn’t.
In fact, he walked out of the Moeller locker room with his captains after beating St. Ignatius and said, “You don’t need me do you?”
‘Well,’ I thought, ‘it would be nice to talk to you coach,’ but before I could get that thought out, I said, “No, these guys are good.”
“Great,” he said. “I want to get my guys on TV. People could care less about hearing me.”
And this wasn’t the first time he’d told me that. When I did my story on Moeller’s volleyball program last year for FOX19, Ulland noted numerous times, “This is about the kids. I’ll do anything to get my kids on TV. Don’t worry about me.” (Here's that story in case you've never seen it: http://www.fox19.com/story/12536075/moeller-volleyball-lesser-known-dynasty?redirected=true)
I respect the hell out of that, and I’m damn glad I got to see Greg Ulland coach volleyball for almost every one of those nine years he sat on Moeller’s bench.
As Tucker Skove, one of Moeller’s senior captains, pointed out last night, Ulland’s final match was one that every single player wanted to win. But even in the loss, there was silver lining.
“We came up a little short tonight but it’s not the win or the loss that is going to make us or define Greg’s success,” he said. “It’s a lot more about the relationships we’ve made throughout the year. We sent him out on the right note.”
---------------------------------------------
I said it earlier and I’ll say it again, it’s been a pleasure to work with Ulland and the Moeller volleyball program (file that under things I never thought I’d ever say about four years ago) over the past two seasons. I wish Coach Ulland the best of luck in whatever his future holds for him.
It’ll definitely be different without Ulland on the bench at Moeller next season, but he’s laid one heck of a foundation for whoever takes over for him.
Showing posts with label Moeller High School. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Moeller High School. Show all posts
Monday, May 30, 2011
GCL South reign ends: St. Edward takes volleyball state title
PICKERINGTON, OH—The sun rises in the East, sets in the West. The grass is green, the sky is blue. I love NASCAR. And the GCL South wins volleyball state titles. All of these are given facts, at least one of those ended last night.
Sunday night in Pickerington was a night of history in Ohio boys volleyball. For the first time since 2004 one of the two teams in the state title match was a non-GCL South team. And, for the first time since Centerville won back-to-back titles in 2001 and 2002, a team not named St. Xavier, Elder or Moeller hoisted a state championship trophy.
“I think the gap is just getting closer and closer in Ohio high school volleyball,” said Moeller captain and libero A.J. Eckhoff. “Ohio volleyball is at its best right now and it’s only going to get better from here.”
“It was a hell of a match and I was proud to be a part of it,” said Moeller captain Tucker Skove.
Moeller and St. Edward battled back and forth, splitting the first four sets of the best of five match. Moeller took an 8-4 lead in the deciding set, but with the score tied at 11-11 Moeller took a timeout.
It was 13-13 when St. Edward called a timeout. The Eagles got the next point setting up the first match point at 14-13. Moeller tied it up at 14-14. St. Ed’s jumped to a 15-14 lead, but Moeller tied it at 15 on a tip by Casey Pieper.
St. Edward took the lead again, 16-15, and Pieper’s tip on that match point fell just inches outside the line on the St. Edward side of the net, handing the Eagles their first ever state title in volleyball.
It was easily the second best volleyball match I’ve ever seen. The first took place four years ago on May 27, 2007.
In an overly crowded gym at Cincinnati State Moeller battled Elder for a state title in a five-game marathon that felt like it took six hours to complete.
Every point was crucial in that match.
Moeller won 22-25, 25-19, 27-29, 26-24 and 15-12.
Last night I said to myself, ‘This match has shades of 2007 written all over it.’ And it was almost exactly like that match in 2007, except the 2011 Moeller volleyball team was equivalent to the 2007 Elder volleyball team. That Panther team, in my senior season, won games one and three, but fell just short in the deciding game.
“If Moeller and St. Edward played ten times tonight, Moeller would win five times and St. Eds would win five times,” Skove said.
“They had two of the best players in the state, two of the best players the state has ever seen,” Eckhoff added.
Since 1997, when Moeller won their first state title, only three titles have been taken by non-GCL South schools: Centerville’s two and St. Edward’s win last night.
Moeller’s head coach, Greg Ulland, was a setter on that 1997 team, and last night was his last match as head man of the Moeller volleyball program. Moeller’s assistant coach Joe Burke stepped down too.
“We definitely wanted it for him. He’s one of us as far as we’re concerned,” said Eckhoff.
“We wanted it really bad for him,” said Skove. “With a big senior class too, we definitely wanted it for all of us too. We came up a little short tonight but it’s not the win or the loss that is going to make us or define Greg’s success.”
I felt the pain of the Moeller players, coming up just short of their ultimate goal. Even though I didn’t play, I sat at the end of the Elder bench for that five game marathon in 2007, and lived through every up and every down, every point that made the difference in that match.
But in the end, I realized that it didn’t matter if we won or lost that year. It was about more than winning and losing. The captains from Moeller noted that same thing last night.
“It’s a lot more about the relationships we’ve made throughout the year. We sent [Coach Ulland] out on the right note,” said Skove.
----------------------------------------------
It was truly the second best match of volleyball I had ever seen behind that match in ’07. I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank Greg Ulland, head coach of Moeller, as well as Tucker Skove and A.J. Eckhoff, who walked out of their locker room last night and gave me some time for my stories for FOX19. They didn’t need to, but they were more than willing in a tough situation to talk.
Ulland has been more than helpful over the past two seasons and very gracious to me for my work in covering volleyball last season, including the story I did on Moeller’s volleyball dynasty.
He’s had a hell of a run as a head coach, and I wish him nothing but the best in his future. Eckhoff and Skove told me they’ll both be attending Ohio University next fall, and they both plan on playing volleyball there. Skove also might play football. He was a running back on Moeller’s team this year.
*The photos from 2007 were taken from EHSports.com (many years ago)
Sunday night in Pickerington was a night of history in Ohio boys volleyball. For the first time since 2004 one of the two teams in the state title match was a non-GCL South team. And, for the first time since Centerville won back-to-back titles in 2001 and 2002, a team not named St. Xavier, Elder or Moeller hoisted a state championship trophy.
“I think the gap is just getting closer and closer in Ohio high school volleyball,” said Moeller captain and libero A.J. Eckhoff. “Ohio volleyball is at its best right now and it’s only going to get better from here.”
“It was a hell of a match and I was proud to be a part of it,” said Moeller captain Tucker Skove.
Moeller and St. Edward battled back and forth, splitting the first four sets of the best of five match. Moeller took an 8-4 lead in the deciding set, but with the score tied at 11-11 Moeller took a timeout.
Moeller warms up before the match last night (from my Twitter account: @adamniemeyer)
It was 13-13 when St. Edward called a timeout. The Eagles got the next point setting up the first match point at 14-13. Moeller tied it up at 14-14. St. Ed’s jumped to a 15-14 lead, but Moeller tied it at 15 on a tip by Casey Pieper.
St. Edward took the lead again, 16-15, and Pieper’s tip on that match point fell just inches outside the line on the St. Edward side of the net, handing the Eagles their first ever state title in volleyball.
It was easily the second best volleyball match I’ve ever seen. The first took place four years ago on May 27, 2007.
In an overly crowded gym at Cincinnati State Moeller battled Elder for a state title in a five-game marathon that felt like it took six hours to complete.
Every point was crucial in that match.Moeller won 22-25, 25-19, 27-29, 26-24 and 15-12.Last night I said to myself, ‘This match has shades of 2007 written all over it.’ And it was almost exactly like that match in 2007, except the 2011 Moeller volleyball team was equivalent to the 2007 Elder volleyball team. That Panther team, in my senior season, won games one and three, but fell just short in the deciding game.“If Moeller and St. Edward played ten times tonight, Moeller would win five times and St. Eds would win five times,” Skove said.
“They had two of the best players in the state, two of the best players the state has ever seen,” Eckhoff added.
Since 1997, when Moeller won their first state title, only three titles have been taken by non-GCL South schools: Centerville’s two and St. Edward’s win last night.
Moeller’s head coach, Greg Ulland, was a setter on that 1997 team, and last night was his last match as head man of the Moeller volleyball program. Moeller’s assistant coach Joe Burke stepped down too.
“We definitely wanted it for him. He’s one of us as far as we’re concerned,” said Eckhoff.
“We wanted it really bad for him,” said Skove. “With a big senior class too, we definitely wanted it for all of us too. We came up a little short tonight but it’s not the win or the loss that is going to make us or define Greg’s success.”
I felt the pain of the Moeller players, coming up just short of their ultimate goal. Even though I didn’t play, I sat at the end of the Elder bench for that five game marathon in 2007, and lived through every up and every down, every point that made the difference in that match.
But in the end, I realized that it didn’t matter if we won or lost that year. It was about more than winning and losing. The captains from Moeller noted that same thing last night.
“It’s a lot more about the relationships we’ve made throughout the year. We sent [Coach Ulland] out on the right note,” said Skove.
----------------------------------------------
It was truly the second best match of volleyball I had ever seen behind that match in ’07. I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank Greg Ulland, head coach of Moeller, as well as Tucker Skove and A.J. Eckhoff, who walked out of their locker room last night and gave me some time for my stories for FOX19. They didn’t need to, but they were more than willing in a tough situation to talk.
Ulland has been more than helpful over the past two seasons and very gracious to me for my work in covering volleyball last season, including the story I did on Moeller’s volleyball dynasty.
He’s had a hell of a run as a head coach, and I wish him nothing but the best in his future. Eckhoff and Skove told me they’ll both be attending Ohio University next fall, and they both plan on playing volleyball there. Skove also might play football. He was a running back on Moeller’s team this year.
*The photos from 2007 were taken from EHSports.com (many years ago)
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Which SEC football program matches a GCL South program?
The guys I work with, like myself, love football. An interesting question came up yesterday on Twitter between myself and former co-worker Joe Stanek.*
Another co-worker of mine, Joe Bachman (or Bambi, as we have dubbed him over the past four years) chimed in with the actual question. “Match the GCL programs with its similar SEC program and list why,” he tweeted.
*Congrats to Joe (Stanek) who just took a job with the Tennessee Volunteers as an assistant in their video department. Not sure exactly what his official title is, but I know we’ll be seeing him in September when the Bearcats visit the Vols.
Needless to say, our GCL minds went to work. Joe graduated from Moeller in 2006, a year before I graduated from Elder, and Bambi graduated from St. Xavier. Needless to say, we had this question covered.
Joe said, “Moeller is [Georgia], we cheat and we’re good but not lately. St. X is Florida cause they weren't good until the last 20 years. Elder is Auburn because they're always strong but only won a couple and LaSalle is Kentucky.”
Bambi countered with his alma mater being Mississippi State or Vanderbilt, “but I don’t want to insult their fine institution,” he said.
I agree with Joe that LaSalle is Kentucky, by far. LaSalle is decent, but normally has a tough time holding their own against the other three schools (minus the past few years where the Lancers have stepped their game up, significantly).
As for Moeller, I argued that they could be Alabama, who was good back when Bear Bryant coached there in the 70s. Moeller won numerous state titles back then, but the football program has taken a back seat since. Sure they’ve been good, but they haven’t been to the state title game since 1989, I believe.
I also countered with Moeller being Tennessee, and that’s probably more because Joe is there now, but I also gave the same line of reasoning. Tennessee has slumped in the past few years, and even though they were good a few years back, they haven’t been as strong in a while.
I still haven’t gotten a response from Joe (@JoeStanek) or Bambi (@joebachman11) on any of my feelings.
I stated that St. X would be more like Vanderbilt because of their academic standing, but it doesn’t make sense to say St. X is like Vanderbilt’s football program because Vandy normally isn’t strong, and does not compete regularly for SEC titles.
I appreciate Joe’s statement that St. X is like Florida because St. X’s first state title came in 2005, so they weren’t great until lately, but they still competed for GCL titles.
The toughest school to pin down is my alma mater. I just don’t know which team Elder is most like. Joe stating that we’re like Auburn because we’re always strong is appreciated, but Auburn only has two national titles (1957 and 2010). Elder’s two state titles came in back-to-back years, 2002 and 2003.
And the recent success of Elder’s football program (The Panthers were also state runners-up in 2008 and reached the state semi-finals in 2009) makes me think that Elder matches up more to a program like Florida, who has become a perennial contender in the SEC and nationally.
But if St. X is Florida, then how can Elder be Florida too?
Oh the dilemmas I face when writing about hypothetical questions.
However, Elder could be LSU, and the similarities go far beyond both teams sharing purple as a color. Think about LSU’s home stadium, nicknamed “Death Valley.” It’s so loud and raucous, and teams hate playing there. Sound familiar?
Elder’s home stadium, nicknamed “The Pit,” is a place that everyone hates to play at. Students and fans show up in droves—although in this writer’s opinion the fan support of Elder has dwindled mightily since the early part of the 2000s—wearing purple and white. And they are loud.
So, I rest my case. What turned out as a short Twitter conversation has turned into a 700 word blog post.
According to me, Moeller is Tennessee (I’ll go with the Vols over Alabama) St. X is Florida, LaSalle is Kentucky and Elder is most like LSU.
Debate? Leave me a comment or tweet at me. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Another co-worker of mine, Joe Bachman (or Bambi, as we have dubbed him over the past four years) chimed in with the actual question. “Match the GCL programs with its similar SEC program and list why,” he tweeted.
*Congrats to Joe (Stanek) who just took a job with the Tennessee Volunteers as an assistant in their video department. Not sure exactly what his official title is, but I know we’ll be seeing him in September when the Bearcats visit the Vols.
Needless to say, our GCL minds went to work. Joe graduated from Moeller in 2006, a year before I graduated from Elder, and Bambi graduated from St. Xavier. Needless to say, we had this question covered.
Bambi (far left), myself (next to Bambi), and Joe (second from the right) joined video coordinator John Sells (in white) and former video guy Marcus Hanrahan on the field before the 2009 Orange Bowl
Joe said, “Moeller is [Georgia], we cheat and we’re good but not lately. St. X is Florida cause they weren't good until the last 20 years. Elder is Auburn because they're always strong but only won a couple and LaSalle is Kentucky.”
Bambi countered with his alma mater being Mississippi State or Vanderbilt, “but I don’t want to insult their fine institution,” he said.
I agree with Joe that LaSalle is Kentucky, by far. LaSalle is decent, but normally has a tough time holding their own against the other three schools (minus the past few years where the Lancers have stepped their game up, significantly).
As for Moeller, I argued that they could be Alabama, who was good back when Bear Bryant coached there in the 70s. Moeller won numerous state titles back then, but the football program has taken a back seat since. Sure they’ve been good, but they haven’t been to the state title game since 1989, I believe.
I also countered with Moeller being Tennessee, and that’s probably more because Joe is there now, but I also gave the same line of reasoning. Tennessee has slumped in the past few years, and even though they were good a few years back, they haven’t been as strong in a while.
I still haven’t gotten a response from Joe (@JoeStanek) or Bambi (@joebachman11) on any of my feelings.
I stated that St. X would be more like Vanderbilt because of their academic standing, but it doesn’t make sense to say St. X is like Vanderbilt’s football program because Vandy normally isn’t strong, and does not compete regularly for SEC titles.
I appreciate Joe’s statement that St. X is like Florida because St. X’s first state title came in 2005, so they weren’t great until lately, but they still competed for GCL titles.
The toughest school to pin down is my alma mater. I just don’t know which team Elder is most like. Joe stating that we’re like Auburn because we’re always strong is appreciated, but Auburn only has two national titles (1957 and 2010). Elder’s two state titles came in back-to-back years, 2002 and 2003.
And the recent success of Elder’s football program (The Panthers were also state runners-up in 2008 and reached the state semi-finals in 2009) makes me think that Elder matches up more to a program like Florida, who has become a perennial contender in the SEC and nationally.
But if St. X is Florida, then how can Elder be Florida too?
Oh the dilemmas I face when writing about hypothetical questions.
However, Elder could be LSU, and the similarities go far beyond both teams sharing purple as a color. Think about LSU’s home stadium, nicknamed “Death Valley.” It’s so loud and raucous, and teams hate playing there. Sound familiar?
Elder's stadium, "The Pit," as viewed from the top of the school
Elder’s home stadium, nicknamed “The Pit,” is a place that everyone hates to play at. Students and fans show up in droves—although in this writer’s opinion the fan support of Elder has dwindled mightily since the early part of the 2000s—wearing purple and white. And they are loud.
So, I rest my case. What turned out as a short Twitter conversation has turned into a 700 word blog post.
According to me, Moeller is Tennessee (I’ll go with the Vols over Alabama) St. X is Florida, LaSalle is Kentucky and Elder is most like LSU.
Debate? Leave me a comment or tweet at me. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Spring football in Ohio
It’s almost a rite of passage now for college football teams: spring football. Spring games have turned into made-for-TV events. Ohio State boasts the largest crowd to ever see a lacrosse game, only because they held that game right before the spring football game in Columbus.
(Side note: No news on whether or not free “I saw the spring game 2011” tattoos will be given away at the game while Jim Tressel, uh, well, “gets on it asap.”)
In early April, the OHSAA’s Board of Directors will vote on whether or not Ohio, a high school football hotbed, will adopt a “spring practice” policy. The Cincinnati Enquirer reported today that when the board meets on April 7th they will vote on whether or not to allow high schools to have the option of running 10 two-hour, non-contact practices during the final two weeks of May.
In Kentucky, schools are allowed to practice 10 times for two-hours. And the schools in the Bluegrass State can go full-contact. In fact, Highlands High School, in Fort Thomas, is holding an intrasquad scrimmage this evening.
Highlands head coach Dale Mueller believes that doing all the contact drills in the spring allows his team to stay healthy for the fall. Highlands is 58-2 in the past four seasons, and the Bluebirds captured the Class 5A State Title last year.
Rivals.com named the Highlands-Elder matchup in week nine of the upcoming season as one of the top interstate high school football games this year. Elder and Highlands last met in 2006, with the Panthers winning 21-18.
(Side note: No news on whether or not free “I saw the spring game 2011” tattoos will be given away at the game while Jim Tressel, uh, well, “gets on it asap.”)
In early April, the OHSAA’s Board of Directors will vote on whether or not Ohio, a high school football hotbed, will adopt a “spring practice” policy. The Cincinnati Enquirer reported today that when the board meets on April 7th they will vote on whether or not to allow high schools to have the option of running 10 two-hour, non-contact practices during the final two weeks of May.
In Kentucky, schools are allowed to practice 10 times for two-hours. And the schools in the Bluegrass State can go full-contact. In fact, Highlands High School, in Fort Thomas, is holding an intrasquad scrimmage this evening.
Highlands head coach Dale Mueller believes that doing all the contact drills in the spring allows his team to stay healthy for the fall. Highlands is 58-2 in the past four seasons, and the Bluebirds captured the Class 5A State Title last year.
Rivals.com named the Highlands-Elder matchup in week nine of the upcoming season as one of the top interstate high school football games this year. Elder and Highlands last met in 2006, with the Panthers winning 21-18.
In 2006, a then-Elder junior tight end, Kyle Rudolph made a touchdown catch against Highlands. You may know a guy in the background (not that you can see me because the background is blurry) Photo from EHSports.com, Sept. 2006
Mueller wonders just how much better teams like Elder, Moeller, St. Xavier and Colerain would be if they were given the opportunity to practice in the spring.
“If Elder, Moeller, St. X and Colerain had spring football, picture how they would compare to some of those dominant teams in Florida and other states that have spring practice,” he told the Enquirer.
While it’s all speculation right now, I’m interested to hear what certain coaches have to say about it. For the Enquirer’s story with comments from Mueller and Boone County coach Rick Thompson, along with Ohio’s coaches: St. X head coach Steve Specht, Moeller’s John Rodenberg, Lakota West’s Larry Cox and Wyoming athletic director Jim Barre, click here: http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110310/SPT030101/103110370/A-step-toward-spring-football-?odyssey=tabtopnewstextSports
This was a topic I was going to pitch as a story idea for Fox19, so there’s no doubt I’ll keep an eye on this and perhaps have the opportunity to write another story about spring ball in high school within the next few weeks.
------------------------------------
Next week, while I'm busy studying for final exams, I will post a series of fun stories about Fox19's Ron "Rufus" Millennor with a lot of the information I gathered for a class feature story on him.
Rather than running one, long 3,000 to 5,000 word story on him, I'll break it up and find a few funny stories from Rufus (and other co-workers he's had) about his experiences in sports. Also, you might see a few memories from me. Hope to have you back next week, enjoy your weekend.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
The year in (local) sports
I love family parties. The opportunity to sit back and talk to family members is something I really enjoy. However, I hate answering one question: “What are you going to do after your graduate?” My response is normally, “I don’t want to grow up and get a real job,” but if push comes to shove I guess I can’t be a Toys R Us kid for my entire life.
Of course you read that paragraph thinking, ‘Where’s he going with this?’ and I don’t blame you. One of my courses of action after I graduate is to get into covering local sports with one of the TV stations I have interned with. So why not take a look at 2010 in local sports?
I enjoy every level of sports in Cincinnati, from high school to college to professional sports, but I obviously keep more of an eye on certain sports than others. My apologies to those teams that I seem to not care as much about. Better step up my game if I want a job in this city I guess.
Yesterday Cincinnati-area radio personality Mo Egger posted on his blog about the year in local sports. His thoughts were pretty good, and might I add that I have enjoyed four years of sitting behind Mo on flights to out of town games. He’s always a fun guy to listen to, and enjoys joking around on flights. He’s also a guy who really tells it like it is about his local teams.
Here’s Mo’s blog if you haven’t seen it yet: http://www.1530homer.com/pages/mo.html?an=2010-HAPPENED
So, with some memories of my own, here was the 2010 year in local sports.
The Moeller basketball team made a run at their fourth state title since 1999. Their state final four game and state title game was the first thing I got to cover in my spring internship with FOX19. Moeller won the state semi-final game against Cleveland-area Mentor High School, but fell, and fell hard in the state finals to Jackson High School. The Polar Bears beat Moeller 57-34.
I also thoroughly enjoyed watching the Cincinnati Cyclones win the 2010 Kelly Cup, their second title in three years. Both as a fan and as a guy who got to cover the Cyclones, it was a fun run. The Clones may be Cincinnati’s best kept secret, and the marketing they’ve employed over the past few years have made their games more exciting than they used to be. Dollar beer nights and other fun giveaways have made the Cyclones a fun night out with friends.
Of course I love to tell people about the biggest news that only I seem to care about in this city: NASCAR is coming to town (kind of). With the summertime announcement that Bruton Smith was finally making every Cincinnati-area NASCAR fans’ dream come true—bringing the big boys of the Cup Series to Kentucky—I was more excited than I thought I’d be. There’s 50 plus days until the Daytona 500, and a little over seven months until the Sprint Cup Series goes under the lights in the Bluegrass State.
My money is on Joey Logano, and I have three years of experience to back me up on that. Logano completed the three-peat at Kentucky by winning the pole and the Nationwide (nee Busch, hey, old habits die hard) Series race in Sparta. Anyone want to bet against me on that?
Reds fans—who were used to having nothing much to root for after August—saw their Reds make a run at the playoffs, and one player win the MVP. Although the Reds fell apart after they won the NL Central, the way they clinched was nothing short of awesome.
A homerun by Jay Bruce to centerfield was one of the coolest moments I had seen in quite some time, and although I’m not a Reds fan, I was thrilled to see the hometown team in the playoffs, even though they fell short.
After the summer swelter goes away, Cincinnati area sports fans start thinking this is the year the Bengals make that elusive Super Bowl run. Even with the city in Reds fever, the Bengals found a way to make headlines of their own. This year, with the addition of superstar wideout Terrell Owens, most Bengals fans thought their team would be unstoppable. Not so much.
The Bengals turned into the “Bungals” as the season rolled along, and fans have become disgruntled once again. I honestly don’t follow much NFL ball, but it’s so entertaining to open the Cincinnati Enquirer every day and read the angry letters to the editor about the Bengals. Kinda makes me wish I was more of a fan of some NFL team. It would make this more fun.
The biggest surprise of this sports season locally was the absolute failure of the UC Bearcat football team to repeat as Big East champions for a third year. Sure, not a whole lot of “experts” (real or perceived) expected UC to win the Big East, but no one, no one, expected to see this much of a failure by the Bearcats.
Next year is a new year, and that’s how UC football fans should look at it. Plus, Mick Cronin has the basketball team playing well, so that’s a plus for Bearcat fans.
Without reading Mo’s blog I would have completely forgot what Mo called “The Worst TV Sports Move” of the year, even though it happened right in front of my eyes. Egger said FOX19 letting go of Zach Wells was the aforementioned “Worst Move.”
In my six or so months of hanging out at FOX19, I got to know Zach, and learned a lot from him. I’m glad he got to stay in the city (he’s now working at WKRC, Channel 12) and so we all get to hear from one of the most fun guys I’ve worked with in my two internships in as many years.
One of my favorite Zach Wells memories wasn’t of the advice he gave me (and Zach was willing to give me advice, and lots of useful advice to boot) but of the day I walked in to the station and he looks at me and says, “You know what we need to do to get fired up this evening?” I gave him a quizzical look, and said, “What?” He made a few clicks on his computer and within seconds was blaring Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On a Prayer” from his speakers, complete with Zach playing the air guitar.
We had fun that night, and I would enjoy working with Zach Wells in the future if I had the chance to do so. After all, it’d let me cover local sports, kind of like this blog post attempted to do.
To borrow a line from Zach Wells, “It’s time to turn out the lights on another edition” of the local sports blog here. Join me tomorrow for a final look at the year, and possibly a little look ahead to 2011.
Of course you read that paragraph thinking, ‘Where’s he going with this?’ and I don’t blame you. One of my courses of action after I graduate is to get into covering local sports with one of the TV stations I have interned with. So why not take a look at 2010 in local sports?
I enjoy every level of sports in Cincinnati, from high school to college to professional sports, but I obviously keep more of an eye on certain sports than others. My apologies to those teams that I seem to not care as much about. Better step up my game if I want a job in this city I guess.
Yesterday Cincinnati-area radio personality Mo Egger posted on his blog about the year in local sports. His thoughts were pretty good, and might I add that I have enjoyed four years of sitting behind Mo on flights to out of town games. He’s always a fun guy to listen to, and enjoys joking around on flights. He’s also a guy who really tells it like it is about his local teams.
Here’s Mo’s blog if you haven’t seen it yet: http://www.1530homer.com/pages/mo.html?an=2010-HAPPENED
So, with some memories of my own, here was the 2010 year in local sports.
The Moeller basketball team made a run at their fourth state title since 1999. Their state final four game and state title game was the first thing I got to cover in my spring internship with FOX19. Moeller won the state semi-final game against Cleveland-area Mentor High School, but fell, and fell hard in the state finals to Jackson High School. The Polar Bears beat Moeller 57-34.
I also thoroughly enjoyed watching the Cincinnati Cyclones win the 2010 Kelly Cup, their second title in three years. Both as a fan and as a guy who got to cover the Cyclones, it was a fun run. The Clones may be Cincinnati’s best kept secret, and the marketing they’ve employed over the past few years have made their games more exciting than they used to be. Dollar beer nights and other fun giveaways have made the Cyclones a fun night out with friends.
Of course I love to tell people about the biggest news that only I seem to care about in this city: NASCAR is coming to town (kind of). With the summertime announcement that Bruton Smith was finally making every Cincinnati-area NASCAR fans’ dream come true—bringing the big boys of the Cup Series to Kentucky—I was more excited than I thought I’d be. There’s 50 plus days until the Daytona 500, and a little over seven months until the Sprint Cup Series goes under the lights in the Bluegrass State.
My money is on Joey Logano, and I have three years of experience to back me up on that. Logano completed the three-peat at Kentucky by winning the pole and the Nationwide (nee Busch, hey, old habits die hard) Series race in Sparta. Anyone want to bet against me on that?
Reds fans—who were used to having nothing much to root for after August—saw their Reds make a run at the playoffs, and one player win the MVP. Although the Reds fell apart after they won the NL Central, the way they clinched was nothing short of awesome.
A homerun by Jay Bruce to centerfield was one of the coolest moments I had seen in quite some time, and although I’m not a Reds fan, I was thrilled to see the hometown team in the playoffs, even though they fell short.
After the summer swelter goes away, Cincinnati area sports fans start thinking this is the year the Bengals make that elusive Super Bowl run. Even with the city in Reds fever, the Bengals found a way to make headlines of their own. This year, with the addition of superstar wideout Terrell Owens, most Bengals fans thought their team would be unstoppable. Not so much.
The Bengals turned into the “Bungals” as the season rolled along, and fans have become disgruntled once again. I honestly don’t follow much NFL ball, but it’s so entertaining to open the Cincinnati Enquirer every day and read the angry letters to the editor about the Bengals. Kinda makes me wish I was more of a fan of some NFL team. It would make this more fun.
The biggest surprise of this sports season locally was the absolute failure of the UC Bearcat football team to repeat as Big East champions for a third year. Sure, not a whole lot of “experts” (real or perceived) expected UC to win the Big East, but no one, no one, expected to see this much of a failure by the Bearcats.
Next year is a new year, and that’s how UC football fans should look at it. Plus, Mick Cronin has the basketball team playing well, so that’s a plus for Bearcat fans.
Without reading Mo’s blog I would have completely forgot what Mo called “The Worst TV Sports Move” of the year, even though it happened right in front of my eyes. Egger said FOX19 letting go of Zach Wells was the aforementioned “Worst Move.”
In my six or so months of hanging out at FOX19, I got to know Zach, and learned a lot from him. I’m glad he got to stay in the city (he’s now working at WKRC, Channel 12) and so we all get to hear from one of the most fun guys I’ve worked with in my two internships in as many years.
One of my favorite Zach Wells memories wasn’t of the advice he gave me (and Zach was willing to give me advice, and lots of useful advice to boot) but of the day I walked in to the station and he looks at me and says, “You know what we need to do to get fired up this evening?” I gave him a quizzical look, and said, “What?” He made a few clicks on his computer and within seconds was blaring Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On a Prayer” from his speakers, complete with Zach playing the air guitar.
We had fun that night, and I would enjoy working with Zach Wells in the future if I had the chance to do so. After all, it’d let me cover local sports, kind of like this blog post attempted to do.
To borrow a line from Zach Wells, “It’s time to turn out the lights on another edition” of the local sports blog here. Join me tomorrow for a final look at the year, and possibly a little look ahead to 2011.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
The Best Blogs of 2010
Happy 20th birthday to my brother Tony on this lovely Wednesday, and thanks for reading as always.
This year was full of fantastic stories on the blog, and I hope you tuned in to read the 160-plus (and counting) posts I have put up. Throughout the year I have had the chance to weigh in on NASCAR, college football, high school sports and much, much more. Yesterday I went through my posts a month at a time and checked them to find my favorite stories of the year.
Whether they were well written (and let’s be honest, most of them were pretty good—I know, I’m extremely humble) or they were just great stories with awesome storylines, I picked each story because of what it meant to me. Let’s check out some of my favorite stories of the 2010 calendar year.
During my annual Daytona 500 countdown I offered up my reasons on why I love NASCAR drivers, and the sport in general. Stories about Denny Hamlin, Jeff Gordon, Clint Bowyer and my own memories of Mark Martin filled the story, which you can check out here: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/01/as-young-kid-growing-up-in-cincinnati-i.html
It was a fun story to write, but without fans, NASCAR is just another set of grown men driving around with road rage. One of my favorite stories of the year was one I wrote about my friends, the Markaholics. For a class I went in-depth with some members of the Markaholics, who gave me so much information to work with I actually had trouble paring down the info to write a good article! Here’s my favorite story about my favorite Mark Martin fans: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/02/nascar-fans-use-internet-to-connect.html
Also for that same class I did a little “behind the scenes” story on the Elder High School basketball team. Head coach Joe Schoenfeld allowed me to visit a few practices and the game against St. Xavier. At Elder, the all-male Catholic school of 1,000 or so young men, team masses are a big part of the athletic experience. I had the ability to write about the team masses from the perspective of the basketball team, and I got to watch the Panthers defeat their No. 1 rival St. X, all in a good week’s work. Here’s the story on Elder basketball and the tradition of team masses: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/02/elder-basketball-team-learns.html
Speaking of high school sports, one of my favorite high school sports, and one that gets zero publicity, is high school volleyball. In May, while I was interning at FOX19, I had the ability to go out to Moeller High School and talk to four members of the Moeller squad along with head coach Greg Ulland. As a three-year stat guy with Elder’s volleyball team I never saw my team beat Moeller, and I know that the Crusaders are dominant. Six state titles in 13 years equals a dynasty in my book.
So I did my first ever video report for the FOX19 website, and I also ran the story on the blog. Here’s my story on the Moeller volleyball dynasty, but you have to go to the link at the top to see my smiling face on the video: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/02/elder-basketball-team-learns.html
I also took a class during the spring in Holocaust Literature. It was quite interesting, and we had the ability as a class to listen to a local Holocaust survivor give his memories about the horrible experiences he had as a German Jew during the Holocaust. The day was full of thoughts from a man who had seen possibly the worst period of human history. Here’s the story: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/05/holocaust-survivor-werner-coppel-shares.html
Then came Father’s Day, and this year was a different year. As you may know, my 87-year-old grandfather was in failing health and so I did the only thing I could think of: write. It’s a story that was shared to all my family members, including one of my cousins, who told me it was “professional grade stuff.” FOX19 Sports Director Brian Giesenschlag told me it reminded him of a story he wrote when he was in college about his grandfather. Get your tissues ready, here’s my Father’s Day Wish: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/06/fathers-day-wish.html
Then came the low point of the year, when my grandfather passed away. Again, all I could do was write about it. Except, I had a difficult time putting words down on paper; it was that tough to write about. But, the end product was a blog that was once again shared by my family before my grandfather’s funeral, and a number of my mom’s relatives said they were crying as they read the story. Here’s the story “In Memory”: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/07/in-memory.html
July was also a happier time for myself, as I once again got to attend the Brickyard 400, again with a media pass. In 2009 I wrote a story about Mark Martin’s coach driver Bart Starr (not the quarterback) and this year I decided to do a long profile story on a woman that all Mark Martin fans have become acquainted with via Twitter, his media relations manager Kendra Jacobs. On a hot and sunny afternoon in Speedway, Ind., I stood in Mark Martin’s hauler and chatted with Kendra. Here’s the story: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/07/kendra-jacobs-media-manager-and-top.html
Some of my less well written pieces are my rants and ramblings about college football stadiums that we’ve visited with the UC football team. Here are all of my stories, complete with photos of course:
Fresno State: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/09/fresno-state-stadium-photos.html
NC State: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/09/carter-finley-stadium-best-in-four.html
Louisville: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-papajohns-cardinal-stadium-still.html
West Virginia: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/11/post-400-country-roads-take-me-home.html
Connecticut: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/11/they-say-its-not-over-til-fat-lady.html
Speaking of college football, a profound incident occurred on October 27 of this year in South Bend, Ind. During a Notre Dame practice, a 20-year-old student videographer, Declan Sullivan, died when the scissor lift he was filming practice from toppled in high winds. The story hit especially hard for myself, being that I too perform the same job as Sullivan, and did for three years under Brian Kelly. While I had no time to write a response to the incident, I found an article by ESPN.com’s Ryan McGee, called “Up in the wind,” and it was so good that I shared the link via my blog. Here’s McGee’s article (and it’s one of the finest bits of reporting I’ve ever read, and definitely the best story about the Notre Dame tragedy) http://espn.go.com/ncf/blog/_/name/mcgee_ryan/id/5740321/up-wind
As the football season wound down and the first term of my final year as a student at UC wound down I had the ability to write a story about Dave Allen, the “West Side Musical Maestro,” as I called him. Dave Allen impacts hundreds and hundreds of lives each year with his work as Elder Glee Club director, St. William childrens and adult choirs director and director and conductor of the Cincinnati Metropolitan Orchestra. My story about DA can be found here: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/12/dave-allen-west-sides-musical-maestro.html
I hope you’ve enjoyed each and every post I’ve put up this year. It’s been a fun year, with plenty of ups and downs, as you can see from browsing my short list of the best posts of 2010. I’m compiling a few more stories to post before the crystal ball drops on Friday night to ring in 2011, and check back for those posts. Enjoy your day, and tell my brother Happy Birthday if you see him around town.
This year was full of fantastic stories on the blog, and I hope you tuned in to read the 160-plus (and counting) posts I have put up. Throughout the year I have had the chance to weigh in on NASCAR, college football, high school sports and much, much more. Yesterday I went through my posts a month at a time and checked them to find my favorite stories of the year.Whether they were well written (and let’s be honest, most of them were pretty good—I know, I’m extremely humble) or they were just great stories with awesome storylines, I picked each story because of what it meant to me. Let’s check out some of my favorite stories of the 2010 calendar year.
During my annual Daytona 500 countdown I offered up my reasons on why I love NASCAR drivers, and the sport in general. Stories about Denny Hamlin, Jeff Gordon, Clint Bowyer and my own memories of Mark Martin filled the story, which you can check out here: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/01/as-young-kid-growing-up-in-cincinnati-i.html
It was a fun story to write, but without fans, NASCAR is just another set of grown men driving around with road rage. One of my favorite stories of the year was one I wrote about my friends, the Markaholics. For a class I went in-depth with some members of the Markaholics, who gave me so much information to work with I actually had trouble paring down the info to write a good article! Here’s my favorite story about my favorite Mark Martin fans: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/02/nascar-fans-use-internet-to-connect.html
Also for that same class I did a little “behind the scenes” story on the Elder High School basketball team. Head coach Joe Schoenfeld allowed me to visit a few practices and the game against St. Xavier. At Elder, the all-male Catholic school of 1,000 or so young men, team masses are a big part of the athletic experience. I had the ability to write about the team masses from the perspective of the basketball team, and I got to watch the Panthers defeat their No. 1 rival St. X, all in a good week’s work. Here’s the story on Elder basketball and the tradition of team masses: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/02/elder-basketball-team-learns.html
Speaking of high school sports, one of my favorite high school sports, and one that gets zero publicity, is high school volleyball. In May, while I was interning at FOX19, I had the ability to go out to Moeller High School and talk to four members of the Moeller squad along with head coach Greg Ulland. As a three-year stat guy with Elder’s volleyball team I never saw my team beat Moeller, and I know that the Crusaders are dominant. Six state titles in 13 years equals a dynasty in my book.
So I did my first ever video report for the FOX19 website, and I also ran the story on the blog. Here’s my story on the Moeller volleyball dynasty, but you have to go to the link at the top to see my smiling face on the video: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/02/elder-basketball-team-learns.html
I also took a class during the spring in Holocaust Literature. It was quite interesting, and we had the ability as a class to listen to a local Holocaust survivor give his memories about the horrible experiences he had as a German Jew during the Holocaust. The day was full of thoughts from a man who had seen possibly the worst period of human history. Here’s the story: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/05/holocaust-survivor-werner-coppel-shares.html
Then came Father’s Day, and this year was a different year. As you may know, my 87-year-old grandfather was in failing health and so I did the only thing I could think of: write. It’s a story that was shared to all my family members, including one of my cousins, who told me it was “professional grade stuff.” FOX19 Sports Director Brian Giesenschlag told me it reminded him of a story he wrote when he was in college about his grandfather. Get your tissues ready, here’s my Father’s Day Wish: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/06/fathers-day-wish.html
Then came the low point of the year, when my grandfather passed away. Again, all I could do was write about it. Except, I had a difficult time putting words down on paper; it was that tough to write about. But, the end product was a blog that was once again shared by my family before my grandfather’s funeral, and a number of my mom’s relatives said they were crying as they read the story. Here’s the story “In Memory”: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/07/in-memory.htmlJuly was also a happier time for myself, as I once again got to attend the Brickyard 400, again with a media pass. In 2009 I wrote a story about Mark Martin’s coach driver Bart Starr (not the quarterback) and this year I decided to do a long profile story on a woman that all Mark Martin fans have become acquainted with via Twitter, his media relations manager Kendra Jacobs. On a hot and sunny afternoon in Speedway, Ind., I stood in Mark Martin’s hauler and chatted with Kendra. Here’s the story: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/07/kendra-jacobs-media-manager-and-top.html
Some of my less well written pieces are my rants and ramblings about college football stadiums that we’ve visited with the UC football team. Here are all of my stories, complete with photos of course:
Fresno State: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/09/fresno-state-stadium-photos.html
NC State: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/09/carter-finley-stadium-best-in-four.html
Louisville: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-papajohns-cardinal-stadium-still.html
West Virginia: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/11/post-400-country-roads-take-me-home.html
Connecticut: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/11/they-say-its-not-over-til-fat-lady.html
Speaking of college football, a profound incident occurred on October 27 of this year in South Bend, Ind. During a Notre Dame practice, a 20-year-old student videographer, Declan Sullivan, died when the scissor lift he was filming practice from toppled in high winds. The story hit especially hard for myself, being that I too perform the same job as Sullivan, and did for three years under Brian Kelly. While I had no time to write a response to the incident, I found an article by ESPN.com’s Ryan McGee, called “Up in the wind,” and it was so good that I shared the link via my blog. Here’s McGee’s article (and it’s one of the finest bits of reporting I’ve ever read, and definitely the best story about the Notre Dame tragedy) http://espn.go.com/ncf/blog/_/name/mcgee_ryan/id/5740321/up-wind
As the football season wound down and the first term of my final year as a student at UC wound down I had the ability to write a story about Dave Allen, the “West Side Musical Maestro,” as I called him. Dave Allen impacts hundreds and hundreds of lives each year with his work as Elder Glee Club director, St. William childrens and adult choirs director and director and conductor of the Cincinnati Metropolitan Orchestra. My story about DA can be found here: http://adamniemeyer.blogspot.com/2010/12/dave-allen-west-sides-musical-maestro.htmlI hope you’ve enjoyed each and every post I’ve put up this year. It’s been a fun year, with plenty of ups and downs, as you can see from browsing my short list of the best posts of 2010. I’m compiling a few more stories to post before the crystal ball drops on Friday night to ring in 2011, and check back for those posts. Enjoy your day, and tell my brother Happy Birthday if you see him around town.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Another "Golden Girl" dies
Yes, occasionally I don’t watch NASCAR races or football games, and in fact, when I have some leisure time I enjoy watching re-runs of the old show, “The Golden Girls.” Well, today fans of the show got some more bad news.
Rue McClanahan, who played Blanche Devereaux, in the show, passed away from a brain hemorrhage in New York City. Last year Bea Arthur passed away. Now the only surviving “Golden Girl” is Betty White, now a pop culture icon, who is 88.
“Golden Girls” is just a fantastic show, and while I’m not going to be a movie or TV critic any time soon, I’d love to share my thoughts on the show. And of course my favorite quote about the show from an outsider.
“You know what,” Joe Tresey, who was at the time the defensive coordinator for the UC Bearcats, said, “That show is what is wrong with our society today. People won’t even take care of their own families now.”
It was more than just that which made the “Golden Girls” such a fun and funny show. It’s just too bad we’re missing out on another “Golden Girl” now. Especially one as funny as Rue McClanahan was on the show.
Tomorrow I’ll be traveling to Columbus, Ohio to watch Elder and Moeller play baseball in the state semi finals. Reports and highlights will be on FOX19 tomorrow night. Check it out. And this will be the second time this week the two schools have met up. Elder is 1-0 and took the state volleyball trophy home. We’ll see who makes it on the baseball diamond.
Rue McClanahan, who played Blanche Devereaux, in the show, passed away from a brain hemorrhage in New York City. Last year Bea Arthur passed away. Now the only surviving “Golden Girl” is Betty White, now a pop culture icon, who is 88.
“Golden Girls” is just a fantastic show, and while I’m not going to be a movie or TV critic any time soon, I’d love to share my thoughts on the show. And of course my favorite quote about the show from an outsider.
“You know what,” Joe Tresey, who was at the time the defensive coordinator for the UC Bearcats, said, “That show is what is wrong with our society today. People won’t even take care of their own families now.”
It was more than just that which made the “Golden Girls” such a fun and funny show. It’s just too bad we’re missing out on another “Golden Girl” now. Especially one as funny as Rue McClanahan was on the show.
Tomorrow I’ll be traveling to Columbus, Ohio to watch Elder and Moeller play baseball in the state semi finals. Reports and highlights will be on FOX19 tomorrow night. Check it out. And this will be the second time this week the two schools have met up. Elder is 1-0 and took the state volleyball trophy home. We’ll see who makes it on the baseball diamond.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Elder wins 2010 volleyball state title
The Elder Panthers volleyball team wrapped up the school’s second state title in four straight championship match appearances last night in Centerville. The Panthers defeated the Moeller Crusaders in four games, 23-25, 31-29, 25-20 and 25-19.
“We were the early season favorite,” Elder head coach Sean Tierney said after the match. “And when we didn't perform to people's expectations, the kids really got down on themselves and to see them fight through that, learn a lot about themselves, learn to trust each other, and have confidence in each other, and just improve their play throughout the season, that's what makes this so satisfying.”
That’s Elder High School for you. The kids keep fighting, they never give up, they never quit, and in the end it paid off for the men wearing purple.
In 2007, 2009 and this year, it was an Elder vs Moeller matchup for the state title. In 2007 and 2009 Moeller came out on top, but this year it was Elder’s turn. Elder won the state title over GCL opponent St. Xavier in 2008.
In 2007, the Moeller Crusaders had arguably one of the best teams in state volleyball history. In front of a state record crowd in the Cincinnati State gymnasium, the Moeller Crusaders defeated Elder in five games. Moeller had very little competition all year except when they had to play Elder.
Last night was a very even matchup, and the games went back and forth with both sides showing moments of absolute dominance, and moments where their play lulled.
But in 2007 it was a heartbreaking loss for Elder. As I have stated numerous times before I sat on the end of the bench, tallying every hit, every set, every dig for the Panthers. Last night was almost a moment of redemption for the 2007 Elder team.
If you haven’t seen my story on FOX19’s website on Moeller volleyball, I suggest you check it out (http://www.fox19.com/Global/story.asp?S=12536075). They are a lesser known dynasty in Cincinnati sports. Just don’t tell Tierney that. After shaking hands with Moeller last night Tierney walked across the net and told me, “How’s that for a dynasty?”
Without a doubt the Elder volleyball program is also a dynasty. Maybe they’ll get their story on the news next year. After four straight state title match appearances, I think the Panthers deserve a little air time. Even more than they’ve gotten this weekend.
Congratulations to Elder on another state title in volleyball. It was fun to watch and even more fun to report on. Hopefully next year is just the same.
-------------------------------------
Elder and Moeller aren’t done facing one another this sports season though. The two schools will meet on Friday morning in Columbus in the baseball state semi-finals. More on this rivalry later.
Happy Memorial Day…Enjoy your time off folks.
“We were the early season favorite,” Elder head coach Sean Tierney said after the match. “And when we didn't perform to people's expectations, the kids really got down on themselves and to see them fight through that, learn a lot about themselves, learn to trust each other, and have confidence in each other, and just improve their play throughout the season, that's what makes this so satisfying.”
That’s Elder High School for you. The kids keep fighting, they never give up, they never quit, and in the end it paid off for the men wearing purple.
In 2007, 2009 and this year, it was an Elder vs Moeller matchup for the state title. In 2007 and 2009 Moeller came out on top, but this year it was Elder’s turn. Elder won the state title over GCL opponent St. Xavier in 2008.
In 2007, the Moeller Crusaders had arguably one of the best teams in state volleyball history. In front of a state record crowd in the Cincinnati State gymnasium, the Moeller Crusaders defeated Elder in five games. Moeller had very little competition all year except when they had to play Elder.
Last night was a very even matchup, and the games went back and forth with both sides showing moments of absolute dominance, and moments where their play lulled.
But in 2007 it was a heartbreaking loss for Elder. As I have stated numerous times before I sat on the end of the bench, tallying every hit, every set, every dig for the Panthers. Last night was almost a moment of redemption for the 2007 Elder team.
If you haven’t seen my story on FOX19’s website on Moeller volleyball, I suggest you check it out (http://www.fox19.com/Global/story.asp?S=12536075). They are a lesser known dynasty in Cincinnati sports. Just don’t tell Tierney that. After shaking hands with Moeller last night Tierney walked across the net and told me, “How’s that for a dynasty?”
Without a doubt the Elder volleyball program is also a dynasty. Maybe they’ll get their story on the news next year. After four straight state title match appearances, I think the Panthers deserve a little air time. Even more than they’ve gotten this weekend.
Congratulations to Elder on another state title in volleyball. It was fun to watch and even more fun to report on. Hopefully next year is just the same.
-------------------------------------
Elder and Moeller aren’t done facing one another this sports season though. The two schools will meet on Friday morning in Columbus in the baseball state semi-finals. More on this rivalry later.
Happy Memorial Day…Enjoy your time off folks.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Moeller’s volleyball dynasty adds to school’s athletic legacy
This story can be found on FOX19's website:
http://www.fox19.com/Global/story.asp?S=12536075
When you think Moeller athletics one word comes to mind: dynasty. Dynasties like Moeller’s nationally ranked football teams from the ’70s, the recent success of Carl Kramer’s basketball program, and players like Barry Larkin and Ken Griffey Jr. on the baseball diamond, all have made their mark as Moeller athletic dynasties.
But if you think of athletic dynasties at Moeller, you might not think of the sport where the Crusaders have captured six state titles in since 1997—volleyball. So, what makes Moeller volleyball such a dominant force in this state?
“I think we definitely have the coaching to take athletes who get cut from other sports and turn them into volleyball players,” said junior A.J. Eckhoff.
Head Coach Greg Ulland played on Moeller’s first state title team in 1997. Now, he’s the head coach of the best team in the GCL. Ulland mentioned that volleyball is, “The ultimate team sport.” Players at Moeller have bought into the competitive atmosphere the school has created and transferred that spirit to the volleyball court.
“It’s so competitive here at Moeller,” Ulland said. “We have fed off of some kids who have had real good experience and skill and some other kids that were just looking to be part of something that was great.”
Volleyball is often thought of as a “girl’s sport”, but the men of Moeller have made volleyball their own. What separates girl’s high school volleyball from the boys?
“Just the physical abilities makes boys volleyball a lot more intense than girls and a lot more fun to watch in my opinion,” said senior John Abeln.
Ulland added, “In the rest of the world it’s not considered a girl’s sport at all, but here in Southwest Ohio we don’t play on Friday nights and that’s where we get left I guess.”
And Ulland should know. He began his coaching career in the late 1990s at Mount Notre Dame. He admitted that the difference between girls and boys volleyball is shrinking though. “The girls tend to be a little more skilled and play a little more defense and the boys like to hit more,” he said. “But I had some Mount Notre Dame teams that played like a bunch of guys, and we were pretty good.”
However, the Crusaders have been more than pretty good. Compiling seven state championship trophies in 13 years is no easy task, especially with some of the rivalries in the GCL South.
“The competition between teams, the rivalries between us and St. X, and us and Elder, and LaSalle just makes every game that much more important and that much more intense,” Abeln said.
Intensity is the key at Moeller. This year’s team won the GCL championship, Moeller’s fourth, and they are looking to win yet another state title. On Saturday the 22nd, the Crusaders defeated St. Xavier in three games, moving on to the state quarterfinals. Moeller will play Cleveland’s St. Ignatius in Centerville on Saturday at 3:15 p.m.
Junior Tucker Skove knows what it takes to win a state title. His brother Trevor was a senior on last year’s team that defeated Elder in five games to win the state title. “Everybody’s just committed to excellence. Guys come here and they don’t accept mediocrity,” he said. “Everybody wants to come here and win championships and everybody wants to win.”
With only three more wins, Moeller will have another state title to add to their already full trophy case.
http://www.fox19.com/Global/story.asp?S=12536075
When you think Moeller athletics one word comes to mind: dynasty. Dynasties like Moeller’s nationally ranked football teams from the ’70s, the recent success of Carl Kramer’s basketball program, and players like Barry Larkin and Ken Griffey Jr. on the baseball diamond, all have made their mark as Moeller athletic dynasties.
But if you think of athletic dynasties at Moeller, you might not think of the sport where the Crusaders have captured six state titles in since 1997—volleyball. So, what makes Moeller volleyball such a dominant force in this state?
“I think we definitely have the coaching to take athletes who get cut from other sports and turn them into volleyball players,” said junior A.J. Eckhoff.
Head Coach Greg Ulland played on Moeller’s first state title team in 1997. Now, he’s the head coach of the best team in the GCL. Ulland mentioned that volleyball is, “The ultimate team sport.” Players at Moeller have bought into the competitive atmosphere the school has created and transferred that spirit to the volleyball court.
“It’s so competitive here at Moeller,” Ulland said. “We have fed off of some kids who have had real good experience and skill and some other kids that were just looking to be part of something that was great.”
Volleyball is often thought of as a “girl’s sport”, but the men of Moeller have made volleyball their own. What separates girl’s high school volleyball from the boys?
“Just the physical abilities makes boys volleyball a lot more intense than girls and a lot more fun to watch in my opinion,” said senior John Abeln.
Ulland added, “In the rest of the world it’s not considered a girl’s sport at all, but here in Southwest Ohio we don’t play on Friday nights and that’s where we get left I guess.”
And Ulland should know. He began his coaching career in the late 1990s at Mount Notre Dame. He admitted that the difference between girls and boys volleyball is shrinking though. “The girls tend to be a little more skilled and play a little more defense and the boys like to hit more,” he said. “But I had some Mount Notre Dame teams that played like a bunch of guys, and we were pretty good.”
However, the Crusaders have been more than pretty good. Compiling seven state championship trophies in 13 years is no easy task, especially with some of the rivalries in the GCL South.
“The competition between teams, the rivalries between us and St. X, and us and Elder, and LaSalle just makes every game that much more important and that much more intense,” Abeln said.
Intensity is the key at Moeller. This year’s team won the GCL championship, Moeller’s fourth, and they are looking to win yet another state title. On Saturday the 22nd, the Crusaders defeated St. Xavier in three games, moving on to the state quarterfinals. Moeller will play Cleveland’s St. Ignatius in Centerville on Saturday at 3:15 p.m.
Junior Tucker Skove knows what it takes to win a state title. His brother Trevor was a senior on last year’s team that defeated Elder in five games to win the state title. “Everybody’s just committed to excellence. Guys come here and they don’t accept mediocrity,” he said. “Everybody wants to come here and win championships and everybody wants to win.”
With only three more wins, Moeller will have another state title to add to their already full trophy case.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
GCL volleyball reigns supreme
The Greater Catholic League (GCL) is known for its football, basketball and baseball dynasties. But is the GCL best in a sport that isn’t as widely covered and publicized? Since 1997, the GCL-South schools have all but dominated men’s volleyball in the state of Ohio.
Moeller, Elder and St. Xavier have combined to win 11 of the past 13 state titles in volleyball, and they all moved on in tournament play last night. The only GCL-South member who hasn’t won a volleyball state title, LaSalle, also moved on in tournament play on Wednesday evening.
Moeller defeated Milford in three games, but had some trouble in the second game. The Crusaders led 20-10 before the Eagles mounted an 11-1 run to tie the game at 21 all. Moeller won that game 25-23, and crushed Milford in the final game 25-6. Moeller will move on to defend their 2009 state title by playing another GCL rival on Saturday.
That rival is St. Xavier, who defeated Fairfield in three games as well. At Elder High School the LaSalle Lancers defeated West Side rival Oak Hills, and Elder defended their home court by taking down Mason in three games. Elder will play LaSalle on Saturday night at Moeller.
So, of the state’s final 16 teams, four of them are from the same league, and the same conference within the league. The GCL is known for great athletic programs, but not many people are aware of the GCL’s dominance in volleyball.
If you seem interested in watching some great volleyball, head on out to Moeller High School on Saturday evening, I can almost guarantee you will be surprised by the fast pace of play and excitement in these matches. Moeller and St. Xavier start the action at 5:30 p.m. and Elder will take on LaSalle following the first match.
Also, I hope to soon post a story to the FOX19 website about Moeller’s dominance of the sport. When the story runs I’ll post a link and my written story here. Have a great afternoon.
Moeller, Elder and St. Xavier have combined to win 11 of the past 13 state titles in volleyball, and they all moved on in tournament play last night. The only GCL-South member who hasn’t won a volleyball state title, LaSalle, also moved on in tournament play on Wednesday evening.
Moeller defeated Milford in three games, but had some trouble in the second game. The Crusaders led 20-10 before the Eagles mounted an 11-1 run to tie the game at 21 all. Moeller won that game 25-23, and crushed Milford in the final game 25-6. Moeller will move on to defend their 2009 state title by playing another GCL rival on Saturday.
That rival is St. Xavier, who defeated Fairfield in three games as well. At Elder High School the LaSalle Lancers defeated West Side rival Oak Hills, and Elder defended their home court by taking down Mason in three games. Elder will play LaSalle on Saturday night at Moeller.
So, of the state’s final 16 teams, four of them are from the same league, and the same conference within the league. The GCL is known for great athletic programs, but not many people are aware of the GCL’s dominance in volleyball.
If you seem interested in watching some great volleyball, head on out to Moeller High School on Saturday evening, I can almost guarantee you will be surprised by the fast pace of play and excitement in these matches. Moeller and St. Xavier start the action at 5:30 p.m. and Elder will take on LaSalle following the first match.
Also, I hope to soon post a story to the FOX19 website about Moeller’s dominance of the sport. When the story runs I’ll post a link and my written story here. Have a great afternoon.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Odds and Ends on March 29th
Over the past week UC students had a break from classes and school work, and today that all changes. The ten-week spring quarter has begun and it’s back to work for college students here in Cincinnati, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to neglect my thoughts here. So for some tidbits of fun, here’s a few thoughts to get rolling for spring.
Moeller basketball ends up short in state title game
The Moeller Crusaders ran through the GCL South and the Cincinnati region before heading to the state semi finals on Friday evening. They faced Mentor in the final four game and withstood a state record for three point attempts. In overtime the Crusaders pulled away and clinched a spot in the state finals, defeating the Cardinals 66-59.
I had a seat courtside for that game as well as the state championship game the next evening where Moeller took on the Massillon Jackson Polar Bears. Jackson led 20-15 at halftime and opened the game up with a 24-5 advantage in the third quarter. Jackson won the game handily 57-34, denying Moeller the chance to win its fourth state title since 1999.
Through my current internship at Fox 19 in Cincinnati I got to witness both games, and from my vantage point nothing was more awesome than watching high school basketball up close and personal. The men of Moeller gave it their all, and even in winding up just a little short, they showed true heart and a spirit that made me proud to support a fellow GCL South school.
Check out this fun story on the Moeller cheering section, which exemplifies the spirit of an all-male cheering section, like any other GCL South school: http://communitypress.cincinnati.com/article/20100328/SPT01/3280308/Moeller+students+give+team+an+extra+lift
Almost Heaven, Indianapolis?
West Virginia is headed to the Final Four—the real one—in Indianapolis this upcoming weekend, and who would have picked that? While the popular picks for the national title were Kansas and Kentucky, my unconventional wisdom went with fellow Big East member West Virginia and former UC head coach Bob Huggins.
Turns out it could help my mom win her pool as only we have West Virginia cutting down the nets one week from today, but a WVU loss on Saturday evening could put us in second or third place. I’ll take my odd picks, and the bragging rights that come with picking a national champ.
Rainy days in Martinsville
Rain canceled yesterday’s running of the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 in Martinsville, Va., pushing the start of the race to this afternoon, a few minutes past midday. Tons of storylines to follow at NASCAR’s shortest track, so tune in if you have the time.
Spring football starts across the nation
UC got kicked off under new head coach Butch Jones two weeks ago before taking the last week off, and the two-time defending Big East champs will re-fire their engines tomorrow morning. The spring has brought a completely new style of practice to Nippert Stadium, but it’s just as intense as it was under the previous regime.
And part of the previous regime, most notably head coach Brian Kelly, got kicked off in South Bend last week. Kelly’s uptempo, energetic style of offense and practice surprised some Notre Dame players. It’s something the players at Cincinnati are used to, but at Notre Dame it’s all new, and it’s going to take some time for players to get used to everything.
One of Notre Dame’s opponents this season got kicking this morning in Annapolis, Md. Ken Niumatalolo and the Naval Academy Midshipmen got the ball rolling on spring practices with one of the most underrated players in all of America leading the charge under center, junior quarterback Ricky Dobbs. The Georgia native led the Middies to a huge win in the Texas Bowl last season 35-13 over Missouri, and captured ten wins for the Academy.
David Fox of Rivals.com says that Dobbs, “could end up being the academy’s top QB since Roger Staubach.” Pretty high praise for the best throwing Naval Academy quarterback in years. Dobbs’s threat to run and throw will keep defensive coordinators guessing all season long. It’ll be fun to watch Navy take on former UC defensive coordinator Bob Diaco when Notre Dame and Navy meet up on October 23 in East Rutherford, N.J.
I know who I’ll be rooting for.
More personal odds and ends
The girl’s basketball season is reaching its conclusion and although we’ve only won one game this season we’re trying to make some progress toward getting better for next season. As girls basketball winds down boys volleyball begins and I begin my fourth stint as an official.
I got to officiate two matches yesterday and although the kids seem to change from year to year very little changes at each school. It’s fun to think back to when I was a young kid running around the gym at St. William, learning all the skills necessary to become a decent volleyball player and have a little fun too.
The Beatles and I agree today, “How I long for Yesterday…”
Have a good one today, and stay dry if you’re stuck in the rain.
Moeller basketball ends up short in state title game
The Moeller Crusaders ran through the GCL South and the Cincinnati region before heading to the state semi finals on Friday evening. They faced Mentor in the final four game and withstood a state record for three point attempts. In overtime the Crusaders pulled away and clinched a spot in the state finals, defeating the Cardinals 66-59.
I had a seat courtside for that game as well as the state championship game the next evening where Moeller took on the Massillon Jackson Polar Bears. Jackson led 20-15 at halftime and opened the game up with a 24-5 advantage in the third quarter. Jackson won the game handily 57-34, denying Moeller the chance to win its fourth state title since 1999.
Through my current internship at Fox 19 in Cincinnati I got to witness both games, and from my vantage point nothing was more awesome than watching high school basketball up close and personal. The men of Moeller gave it their all, and even in winding up just a little short, they showed true heart and a spirit that made me proud to support a fellow GCL South school.
Check out this fun story on the Moeller cheering section, which exemplifies the spirit of an all-male cheering section, like any other GCL South school: http://communitypress.cincinnati.com/article/20100328/SPT01/3280308/Moeller+students+give+team+an+extra+lift
Almost Heaven, Indianapolis?
West Virginia is headed to the Final Four—the real one—in Indianapolis this upcoming weekend, and who would have picked that? While the popular picks for the national title were Kansas and Kentucky, my unconventional wisdom went with fellow Big East member West Virginia and former UC head coach Bob Huggins.
Turns out it could help my mom win her pool as only we have West Virginia cutting down the nets one week from today, but a WVU loss on Saturday evening could put us in second or third place. I’ll take my odd picks, and the bragging rights that come with picking a national champ.
Rainy days in Martinsville
Rain canceled yesterday’s running of the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 in Martinsville, Va., pushing the start of the race to this afternoon, a few minutes past midday. Tons of storylines to follow at NASCAR’s shortest track, so tune in if you have the time.
Mark Martin paced practice on Saturday morning, and he starts 16th today in Martinsville. Will he visit Victory Lane and bring home a grandfather clock? (NASCAR.com photo)
Spring football starts across the nation
UC got kicked off under new head coach Butch Jones two weeks ago before taking the last week off, and the two-time defending Big East champs will re-fire their engines tomorrow morning. The spring has brought a completely new style of practice to Nippert Stadium, but it’s just as intense as it was under the previous regime.
And part of the previous regime, most notably head coach Brian Kelly, got kicked off in South Bend last week. Kelly’s uptempo, energetic style of offense and practice surprised some Notre Dame players. It’s something the players at Cincinnati are used to, but at Notre Dame it’s all new, and it’s going to take some time for players to get used to everything.
While the head coach at UC, Kelly ran very high paced practices, a practice he has brought with him to Notre Dame (Photo from Twitter.com; Tom Gelehter)
One of Notre Dame’s opponents this season got kicking this morning in Annapolis, Md. Ken Niumatalolo and the Naval Academy Midshipmen got the ball rolling on spring practices with one of the most underrated players in all of America leading the charge under center, junior quarterback Ricky Dobbs. The Georgia native led the Middies to a huge win in the Texas Bowl last season 35-13 over Missouri, and captured ten wins for the Academy.
David Fox of Rivals.com says that Dobbs, “could end up being the academy’s top QB since Roger Staubach.” Pretty high praise for the best throwing Naval Academy quarterback in years. Dobbs’s threat to run and throw will keep defensive coordinators guessing all season long. It’ll be fun to watch Navy take on former UC defensive coordinator Bob Diaco when Notre Dame and Navy meet up on October 23 in East Rutherford, N.J.
I know who I’ll be rooting for.
More personal odds and ends
The girl’s basketball season is reaching its conclusion and although we’ve only won one game this season we’re trying to make some progress toward getting better for next season. As girls basketball winds down boys volleyball begins and I begin my fourth stint as an official.
I got to officiate two matches yesterday and although the kids seem to change from year to year very little changes at each school. It’s fun to think back to when I was a young kid running around the gym at St. William, learning all the skills necessary to become a decent volleyball player and have a little fun too.
The Beatles and I agree today, “How I long for Yesterday…”
Have a good one today, and stay dry if you’re stuck in the rain.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Popular Posts
-
Re: Turbo voor astra g astra g turbo Alfa Romeo Bulletin Board & alfa romeo sprint Astra G Turbo Alufelgen astra g turbo of the exhibiti...
-
Volvo 244 GL 88' B200E [IT 244gl white blood cells , red blood z4 m coupe white the new BMW Z4 M Roadster z4 m coupe white Applicati...
-
manufacturers: Nissan: nissan patrol 4800 Opel Tigra (High Resolution opel tigra tuning Ford Taunus TC3 Fastback Coupe old ford taunus opel ...
-
Mercedes-Benz W123 230E mercedes benz w123 The Lamborghini Murciélago lamborghini diablo spoiler Alfa Romeo: Shopping Trolley alfa romeo mit...
-
3651 Barkas B 1000 Polizei, barkas b1000 Team JB-Weld, Pontiac Grand pontiac grand prix 66 with a few illest stickers illest Light form gene...
-
1992 Lamborghini Diablo lamborghini in parking lot Gallardo Generazioni GT3 gallardo gt racer New to the W124 club. benz w124 club really co...
-
the 6-Series Convertible, db5 cabrio Index of /files/autogespot/files/26_03_2006 autogespot 1965 Pontiac 2+2 (SC) pontiac 1941 Austin Guitar... -
1956 Mercury Phaeton emblem. 1930 chevrolet phaeton Peugeot SA («Пежо») peugeot quadrilette Peugeot ...
-
Passat B5.5 XENON headlight passat b5 5 wheel Ford introduced the Falcon 1976 ford landau Ford 17M ford taunus 17m Ford Bronco - Tractor 197...
-
2008 hyundai accent accent RSR 70-300, canon 70-300, car, cars, auto, racing, racing car, oldtimer, classic cars, racing cars, porsche, Pors...
