In the 2003-2004 school year, South Dakota State University began the transition from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I. As my Alma mater, I was interested, though saddened because as a Division II school, we were always competitive in the 2 sports that mattered most...basketball and football. But, being a big D1 school did bring some perks, like more national exposure and the possibility to be in the NCAA tournament.
My favorite sport when I was a student at SDSU was basketball. I loved going to both the Men's and Women's games and both teams were always competitive. When the transition to Division I happened, the school went into it's 5 year transition period, which meant no post season play for 5 years. For the first several years, the Men's Basketball team was terrible, while the Women's team was good right away.
During their first year of eligibility for the NCAA Tournament, the women's team went 32-3, made the tournament and won a game in the tournament before losing to the #5 team in the country. The success of the women's team continued, and this season, they won the Summit League title and made it to their 4th consecutive NCAA Tournament.
While the women's team has had tremendous success, the men's team has struggled. A few years back, they went 6-24...it was brutal! But, 2 years ago, things started to turn around. The players started getting better and the record started getting better. Last season, the Jackrabbits men's team had their first winning season at the D1 level. This season, the Jacks came into the conference tournament as the #2 seed in the conference with a 24-7 record and they have one of the best point guards in the country in Nate Wolters.
The Jackrabbits easily won their first game of the Summit League tournament, and won the 2nd game with a big second half. With the upset of the #1 team, Oral Roberts, SDSU was the favorite in last night's Summit League title game. But, with this team, nothing is ever easy. They played a very good Western Illinois team, and were down 12 points at one time. But they rallied back to force overtime, and then won the game by 2 points in Overtime.
I was so hyped up after the game last night that I really struggled to fall asleep, but I finally did. Today, several people at work congratulated me on the victories (like I had anything to do with it!). This win makes the move to D1 and all the heartache that went with it worth it. We are now a competitive Division I program, and while taking any self worth out of this is stupid, it is fun to be watching and reading about good basketball again.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Sunday, March 4, 2012
This is Absurd
I am not going to defend what Rush Limbaugh said earlier this week. I think the personal attacks he made on Sandra Fluke are ridiculous and a big part of the reason why I quit listening to Rush over a year ago. I spent all my time listening to him either angry or getting angry at the other side, and it just wasn't worth my time, nor was it helping me to be the person I should be.
However, I am going to point out that what Sandra Fluke is going after is ridiculous! First the background on what got Rush into so much trouble. This is from Reuters:
"Fluke had appeared at a Democratic event on Capitol Hill at which she advocated for religion-affiliated institutions to cover contraception in health care plans. She said female students at Georgetown must pay for contraception out of pocket because the school won't cover it."
Oh my gosh!!! The have to pay for their own contraception? Out of Pocket?!!! No, that's so unfair (he says with tongue firmly in cheek).
In my opinion, this further illustrates the decline of our society. When did we get to the point that we felt we were entitled to contraception?!!! When did it become ok to be irresponsible and expect one's employer, educational institution or government to pick up the tab? That's what Rush should have said...essentially Ms. Fluke is advocating a world in which anyone can be irresponsible in their "relations" and not have to face any consequences!
Tell me, where does the Constitution say that the Federal Government has the right to force employers to pay for health insurance that covers contraception? Where does it say that the Federal Government has the right to force employers to pay for health insurance at all? Let me give you a little hint...it doesn't say that...anywhere. Remember, the Constitution is a document of positive rights...if it doesn't say it, technically the Federal Government can't do it. The Constitution was once a great document. Too bad we're not using it anymore!
So no, I'm not defending Rush Limbaugh. What he said was reprehensible, and I'm not going to shed a tear over the sponsors he loses because of this. But, I'm also not going to defend Sandra Fluke. What she said and believes is patently absurd. Sadly, I think she reflects the majority in what is increasingly becoming an absurd country.
However, I am going to point out that what Sandra Fluke is going after is ridiculous! First the background on what got Rush into so much trouble. This is from Reuters:
"Fluke had appeared at a Democratic event on Capitol Hill at which she advocated for religion-affiliated institutions to cover contraception in health care plans. She said female students at Georgetown must pay for contraception out of pocket because the school won't cover it."
Oh my gosh!!! The have to pay for their own contraception? Out of Pocket?!!! No, that's so unfair (he says with tongue firmly in cheek).
In my opinion, this further illustrates the decline of our society. When did we get to the point that we felt we were entitled to contraception?!!! When did it become ok to be irresponsible and expect one's employer, educational institution or government to pick up the tab? That's what Rush should have said...essentially Ms. Fluke is advocating a world in which anyone can be irresponsible in their "relations" and not have to face any consequences!
Tell me, where does the Constitution say that the Federal Government has the right to force employers to pay for health insurance that covers contraception? Where does it say that the Federal Government has the right to force employers to pay for health insurance at all? Let me give you a little hint...it doesn't say that...anywhere. Remember, the Constitution is a document of positive rights...if it doesn't say it, technically the Federal Government can't do it. The Constitution was once a great document. Too bad we're not using it anymore!
So no, I'm not defending Rush Limbaugh. What he said was reprehensible, and I'm not going to shed a tear over the sponsors he loses because of this. But, I'm also not going to defend Sandra Fluke. What she said and believes is patently absurd. Sadly, I think she reflects the majority in what is increasingly becoming an absurd country.
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