Run to Win

Rather than writing on different news notes that I have noticed from over the weekend, I thought (for the sake of brevity) that I’d just link to the interesting articles.

• Saturday evening, I went to the RIT at Bentley hockey game. RIT lost by one point, 7-6. There were probably about 8 or 9 RIT fans for every Bentley fan. It has been a long time since I have painted my chest for a sporting event, but myself and a few friends decided to be a little cold while watching the game. The night before they had clinched the Atlantic East title, so RIT was giving their 3rd string goal tender some minutes. It is only their second year as a Division I program, so they are not eligible for post-season play until next year.
• The commissioner, a few owners, the players association and a few players in the NFL sat down to chat about how to clean up some of the off-field shenanigans and negative publicity that has been plaguing the NFL the past few years. The players thought that there should be a three strikes and you’re out policy. Apparently, they feel that it is hard to be in the wrong place at the wrong time over and over again.
• In cycling news, Jan Ullrich announced his retirement and plans to be a consultant rather than a competitive biker. He still maintains his innocence, and his involvement with the Spanish doping ring was dropped, but the damage to his reputation had already been done. He is still facing legal action in Germany for “fraud against the public.”

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a part of an athletic program that has recently moved from Division III to Division I? RIT’s hockey program is in their second season of Division I, which does not leave them eligible for the post season until next year when they finish their probationary period. However, this does not mean that they can’t try to win their division. Jim Mandelaro of the Democrat and Chronicle went behind the scenes at a recent win against UConn to describe what it is like throughout the day of the program.

The Tigers are the surprise of the Atlantic Hockey Association, but this is a weekend on the brink. Friday’s stunning defeat concerns Wilson. Immediately after that loss, Wilson and his assistants watched the game on tape until 11:30 p.m. “He wouldn’t have done that if they had won,” says sports information director Steve Jaynes. “It really bothered him.”

Wilson calls it “the most frustrating loss of the season.”

“We have to turn it around tonight,” he says.

I have only gotten to one RIT hockey game since I graduated, and that was a women’s game up here in Maine. I am planning on getting down to Boston for the last game of the season (possible for the last two games) and to watch a track meet that is also happening that weekend. I recommend taking a look at the article (linked below) if you are interested in seeing the pictures or reading the hour by hour summary of the day.

(Source: D & C » An inside look at the Tigers in their second year as a Division I hockey team)