Tim Rickabaugh – Sociology of Sport (SPMT 320) instructor
Recently (April, 2023) the US House of Representatives passed a Transgender Sports Ban Bill with no member voting across party lines on the controversial issue (219 Republicans “for” and 203 Democrats “against”). This bill states that, “Transgender athletes whose biological sex assigned at birth was male would be barred from competing on girls or women’s teams at federally funded schools and colleges”. Being that this is an issue central to the study of sport sociology, our SPMT 320 course discussed the bill and then voted on it as a class.
Despite 95% of our SPMT students personally supporting transgender individuals and rights as a whole, the class voted 16 to 3 in favor of the transgender sport ban. At face value, this would appear to be quite a contradiction, however, our students focused upon the central issue of fair competition when voting on the ban instead of placing judgement on transgender persons. In fact, 90% of our students felt that deciding whether to support the sport ban should require deep self-questioning and self-reflection upon one’s personal beliefs and attitudes.
What the class found to be most alarming was that it appeared that not a single member of the US House of Representatives appeared to question their own personal beliefs or to struggle with the issue; They simply voted along party lines. When questioned if the House vote indicated that politicians display fixed/rigid beliefs on issues related to the rights of transgender individuals, 85% agreed that our representatives cared more about voting along party lines than individually considering the importance of the issue. Both sides, Liberals and Conservatives alike, failed to show any true appreciation of the delicate balance between fairness in athletic competition with the inherent right of all individuals to participate in sports.
If Defiance College sport sociology students can take the time to personally consider, and struggle with
such a complex issue, why can’t our elected members of the US House of Representatives?
Sports have always been a testament to human potential, showcasing the limits of physical and mental abilities. However, the factors that determine an athlete’s performance remain a subject of intense study and debate. While some attribute success to natural talent or genetics, others emphasize the importance of training, nutrition, and psychological factors. In reality, the interplay between nature and nurture is complex, with a growing body of research shedding light on the role of genetics and training in elite sports.
The Role of Genetics in Athlete Performance
Genetics plays a crucial role in determining an athlete’s physical attributes, such as height, muscle mass, lung capacity, and metabolism. However, the extent to which genes influence performance varies depending on the sport and the individual. For instance, height and body size are advantageous in basketball and volleyball, while endurance and aerobic capacity are crucial in long-distance running and cycling. Moreover, genetic variations can affect an athlete’s susceptibility to injuries, recovery time, and response to training.
Recent studies have identified several genes that are associated with athletic performance, including ACTN3, which is linked to fast-twitch muscle fibers, and ACE, which affects the body’s response to training. However, the influence of these genes is limited, and their expression is also affected by environmental factors, such as training and nutrition. Therefore, while genetics can provide a blueprint for an athlete’s potential, it is not a guarantee of success.
The Importance of Training and Nutrition
Training and nutrition are critical factors that can enhance or limit an athlete’s performance, regardless of their genetic predisposition. Training involves a systematic and progressive approach to improving physical and mental abilities, such as strength, speed, agility, and decision-making. Effective training programs incorporate periodization, which involves varying the intensity, volume, and frequency of training to optimize performance and prevent injury.
Nutrition is equally important, providing the fuel and nutrients that support an athlete’s physical and mental demands. Proper nutrition involves a balanced and personalized approach, taking into account an athlete’s energy needs, nutrient requirements, and individual preferences. In addition, hydration is critical for maintaining fluid balance and preventing heat-related illnesses.
The Role of Psychology in Athlete Performance
While genetics and training are critical factors, the role of psychology in athlete performance cannot be overlooked. Mental skills, such as motivation, focus, confidence, and resilience, are essential for athletes to perform at their best under pressure. Moreover, psychological factors can affect an athlete’s decision-making, risk-taking, and emotional regulation, which can impact their performance and well-being.
Effective mental skills training involves techniques such as visualization, goal-setting, self-talk, and mindfulness, which can enhance an athlete’s mental toughness and performance. In addition, sports psychology can help athletes manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues that can affect their performance and quality of life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, athlete performance is a complex interplay between genetics, training, nutrition, and psychology. While genetics can provide a blueprint for an athlete’s potential, it is not a guarantee of success. Effective training and nutrition programs can optimize an athlete’s physical and mental abilities, while mental skills training can enhance their mental toughness and well-being. Therefore, a holistic approach that considers all these factors is essential for athletes to reach their full potential in sports.
According to “Everything You Need to Know About Brownies” states that “Brownies have two of their own holidays: National Brownies Day on December 8 and National Have a Brownie Day on February 10th.” Brownies first appeared in cookbooks in 1904 and walnuts are the most popular brownie mix-in.
Although the origin of brownies or where they came from is unknown, some theorists believe that they were created after a chef made a mistake. Another interesting fact about brownies is that the classic recipe only consists of five ingredients including butter, sugar, chocolate, eggs, and flour.
Some brownies turn out chewy as a result of adding in extra eggs and a combination of different chocolates. Brownies are also considered a “comfort food” which means that whenever they are eaten, they provide a sentimental feeling to the person eating it. Most people know of the traditional chocolate brownies, but there are also brownies that are called “blondies”.
These blondy brownies are known for their golden brown color and are made with brown sugar, vanilla, butter, and eggs; however, no chocolate is needed. The term “brownie” could also be used to address a mythical creature. These brownies are small and can secretly carry out good deeds under the cover of darkness.
The largest brownie ever made weighed in at three thousand pounds and was served at the Hudson Valley Chocolate Factory in 2001. This brownie included 850 pounds of sugar, 750 pounds of chocolate chips, 500 pounds of butter, 500 pounds of flour, and 3,500 eggs.
To finalize, brownies are a popular comfort food that has been around for hundreds of years.
I would like to introduce you to Kathryn Phillips. This year she was the Krieger Visiting Scholar in Religious Studies. Next year, her title will be Assistant Professor of Religious Studies. She has been at Defiance College for 2 years. She decided to come to Defiance College because Defiance Collegel is focused on teaching. She knew she wanted to work for a school that was focused on teaching. She knew she really wanted to be in the classroom with the students. Her favorite part about working at Defiance College is the smaller class sizes, so she can get to know her students. She worked for a large state school and some of her classes had almost 200 students in one class. Kathryn got her PhD in Religious Studies from the University of California, Riverside.
Dr. Phillips grew up in Southern California in Riverside County. She lived more inland and closer to the deserts. She did live close to the beach and Hollywood, but it took a couple of hours to get to those places. She lived about an hour and a half away from Disneyland. She had an annual pass for a few years to go to Disneyland.
Kathryn’s favorite food is carne asada fries. She said they are similar to steak nachos but with French fries. They are hard to find outside of Southern California. She also really likes pizza and buffalo wings, but she needs blue cheese with her wings. Dr. Phillips does like to collect more books than she can ever read. She also collects Funko Pop figures. She has close to 100 of the Funko Pop figures. She likes to collect the Funko Pop figures from The Office because that is one of her favorite shows. She is very passionate about teaching, but she is also about LGBTQ+ issues. She is currently the advisor for DC Pride on campus. She is very passionate about “creating safe environments and communities for people to be their authentic selves.” She thinks she is more of a night owl because she hates waking up early. Lastly, her favorite season is fall. Halloween is her favorite holiday because she loves dressing up and decorating for it.
It was a warm June night in 1998, when the Chicago Bulls faced the Utah Jazz in Game 6 of the NBA Finals at the Delta Center. The Bulls were leading the series 3-2 and had a chance to clinch their sixth championship in eight years. The Jazz were trying to force a Game 7, and they had home-court advantage. The game would end up being a thriller, with both teams playing at a high level and exchanging the lead numerous times.
The Jazz led 86-83 with less than a minute left in the fourth quarter, and they had the ball. They were looking to extend their lead and put the game away. But then, something happened that would change the course of NBA history.
The Bulls’
Scottie Pippen stole the ball from Karl Malone, and passed it to Michael
Jordan. Jordan dribbled up the court, and made a layup to cut the deficit to
one point with 37 seconds left.
The Jazz called a timeout and inbounded the ball to John Stockton. Stockton brought the ball up the court and ran down the clock. He passed it to Malone in the post, who was guarded by Dennis Rodman. Malone tried to back down Rodman, but Rodman held his ground.
With 18 seconds left, Jordan came from behind Malone and stripped the ball away. He grabbed the loose ball and dribbled up the court again. He crossed half-court with 10 seconds left and slowed down near the top of the key. He was guarded by Bryon Russell, who had been his nemesis throughout the series.
Jordan dribbled to his right, then crossed over to his left. Russell stumbled, and Jordan pulled up for a jump shot from just inside the three-point line. He released the ball with 5.2 seconds left and held his follow-through as he watched it fly through the air.
The ball swished through the net, giving the Bulls an 87-86 lead. The crowd was stunned, as Jordan pumped his fist in celebration. The play would become known as “The Shot”, and it would be replayed over and over again as one of the greatest plays in NBA history.
The Jazz still had a chance to win the game, but Stockton missed a three-pointer at the buzzer. The Bulls had done it. They had beaten the Jazz and won their sixth championship.
“The Shot” was more than just a game-winning basket. It was a crowning moment for Jordan’s legendary career. It marked his sixth NBA title, sixth Finals MVP award, and second three-peat. It was his last shot as a Bull, as he retired after the season (although he would come back later with the Washington Wizards). It cemented his place as one of the greatest players of all time.
“The Shot” is still remembered today as one of the most memorable moments in sports history. It is still celebrated every year on June 14th, the anniversary of the game. It is still featured in movies, documentaries, and books. It is still cherished by those who witnessed it live or on TV.
Defiance College’s Softball team traveled to Manchester University on Wednesday to take on the Spartans. The first three frames were scoreless until Defiance struck first in the top of the fourth inning. Senior Josilyn Guzman blasted the ball over the fence in left center field to score herself and junior Brooke Silcox (0-2). Manchester University scored in the bottom of the inning to take the tie the game. Izzy Dittmar hit a sacrifice fly and Sabrina Leonard scored on an error by Defiance which was followed by a Kaitlyn Carr single to score Alee Eaker (2-2). The Spartans grabbed the lead in the sixth inning after Faith Hittle was walked with bases loaded to score Izzy Dittmar, followed by an Erin Singleton single that scored Brianna Craig and Delayne Sanchez (5-2). Defiance recorded four hits in the game three coming from Brooke Silcox and one from Josilyn Guzman. Two pitchers saw action for the Yellow Jackets. Starting pitcher junior Savannah McCoy threw 5.1 innings, facing 27 batters and throwing 114 pitches with 72 strikes. The next pitcher to see action was junior Riley Alcorn who tossed 0.2 innings, facing 2 batters while throwing 6 pitches, 4 of which were in the zone.
Final
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Runs
Hits
Errors
Defiance
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
2
4
3
Manchester (Ind.)
0
0
0
2
0
3
X
5
8
1
Manchester University 3 vs Defiance College 1
The second game of the night for Defiance College’s Softball team was another low scoring game. Manchester kicked off the scoring in the bottom of the first inning when Alee Eaker reached first on an error that scored Sabrina Leonard (1-0). The Yellow Jackets tied the game up in the top of the fourth inning after junior Brooke Silcox singled up the middle to score sophomore Anika Craft (1-1). However, Manchester tacked on another run in the bottom of the inning after Kaitlyn Carr reached on an error that scored Izzy Dittmar (2-1). The Spartans sealed the deal in the bottom of the fifth inning when Brianna Morrow attempted to steal third and drew an error that she scored on (3-1). The Yellow Jackets recorded 3 hits in the contest, one each from Marissa Roberts, Brooke Silcox, and Ali Mowen. Anika Craft pitched the full 6 innings for Defiance. Facing 27 batters and throwing 119 pitches with 66 of those being strikes.
Final
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Runs
Hits
Errors
Defiance
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
3
3
Manchester (Ind.)
1
0
0
1
1
0
X
3
3
1
Earlham University 4 vs Defiance College 3
Defiance College Baseball traveled to Indiana on Friday to kick off a three game series with Earlham University. Defiance struck first in the top of the first inning when senior Hunter Bostater reached on a fielder’s choice that scored junior Mitchell Roever (0-1). Earlham tied the game in the bottom of the same inning when Nathan Lancianese doubled to score Sean Jefferies (1-1). Earlham scored again in the bottom of the fourth inning when Christian Lancianese doubled to score Sean Jefferies and Zach Swearingen (3-1). Defiance tied the game in the top of the eighth inning after Hunter Bostater singled to score seniors Josh Vischer and Alex Morr (3-3). Earlham scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning to end the game after Ian Bullis singled to score Cameron Powell (4-3). The Yellow Jackets had 8 hits in the game: Mitchell Roever, Trent Murdock, Alex Morr, and Hunter Bostater each contributed one while Jacob Hild and Josh Vischer added two apiece. Two Defiance pitchers saw action on Friday night. Starting pitcher sophomore Sam Thombs threw 5 innings, facing 27 batters, tossing 100 pitches with 57 of those being in the zone. The next Defiance pitcher was junior Johnny Hammerstein who faced 15 batters, throwing 44 pitches with 31 of those being strikes in his 3 innings of work.
Final
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Runs
Hits
Errors
Defiance
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
3
8
1
Earlham (Ind.)
1
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
1
4
9
0
Earlham University 18 vs Defiance College 4
Defiance struck first in the second game of the series against Earlham on Saturday afternoon. In the top of the first inning senior Hunter Bostater singled to score junior Mitchell Roever (0-1). This was followed by a ground out by sophomore Gunner Gregg to score junior Trent Murdock (0-2). In the bottom of the first inning Max Fries reached on a throwing error that scored Christian Lancianese and Sean Jefferies which was followed by an Ian Bullis double to score Fries (3-2). In the top of the second inning sophomore Tyler Dehan tripled to score sophomore Jacob Hild to tie the game (3-3). In the bottom of the second inning Nathan Lancianese doubled to score Zach Swearingen which was followed by a Max Fries double to score Christian Lancianese and Nathan Lancianese (6-3). Then Mitchell Roether homered to score himself and Max Fries (8-3). In the bottom of the third inning Zach Sweringen hit a sacrifice fly to score Easton Embry (9-3). In the bottom of the fifth inning three Hanover runners advanced to score: Zach Swearingen, Sean Jeffries, and Christian Lancianese (12-3). Then Michael Medley and Easton Embry singled to score Nathan Lancianese, Ian Bullis, and Mitchell Roether (15-3). In the bottom of the sixth inning Mac Moore and Michael Medley homered to score themselves as well as Reece Zonts (18-3). In the top of the seventh inning freshman Garret Long singled to score freshman Ryan Reckner for the Yellow Jackets (18-4). Defiance recorded 8 hits in the contest, Trent Murdock, Garret Long, Hunter Bostater, Gunner Gregg, Austin Horning, Jacob Hild, Tyler Dehan, and Kolbe Vanderleest had one apiece. Five Defiance pitchers saw action on Saturday. Starting pitcher freshman Blake Bowman went 1.2 innings facing 14 batters, throwing 49 pitches with 32 of those falling in the zone. The next pitcher was sophomore Tyler Sickmiller who went 1.1 innings facing 6 batters and throwing 20 pitches with 15 of those falling in the zone. Junior Jeremy Russo was up next throwing 1.1 innings facing 13 batters while tossing 52 pitches with 22 of those being strikes. Freshman Ethan Jenkins went the next 1.1 innings throwing 25 pitches with 17 of those falling in the zone and facing 9 batters. Lastly sophomore Damarius Taylor threw the last 0.1 innings facing 2 batters and throwing 8 pitches while 5 of those fell in the zone.
Final
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Runs
Hits
Errors
Defiance
2
1
0
0
0
0
1
4
8
5
Earlham (Ind.)
3
5
1
0
6
3
X
18
15
2
Earlham University 4 vs Defiance College 3
In the final game of the three game series Defiance rallied late, but fell short. In the bottom of the second inning Earlham put a run on the board. Ian Bullis singled to score Max Fries (1-0). The game was silent until the bottom of the sixth inning when Earlham added a few more runs to the board. Nathan Lancianese bunted to score Mac Moore than Ian Bullis hit a sacrifice fly to score Christian Lancianese (3-0). Defiance Rallied in the top of the seventh inning when junior Mitchell Roever singled to the pitcher to score freshman Garret Long (3-1). Sophomore Gunner Gregg then singled up the middle to score senior Alex Morr and freshman Ethan Jenkins (3-3). In the bottom of the ninth inning Max Stewart reached on a fielder’s choice that scored Noah Collins for the go ahead winning run (4-3). The Yellow Jackets recorded 12 hits in the contest Hunter Bostater, Austin Horning, Dylan King, and Ethan Jenkins each recorded one hit while Garret Long, Jacob Hild, Gunner Gregg, and Mitchell Roever all had two. Senior Cohen Nies went the full 8 frames for Defiance facing 35 batters and throwing 121 pitches with 81 of those falling into the zone.
Final
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Runs
Hits
Errors
Defiance
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
3
12
1
Earlham (Ind.)
0
1
0
0
0
2
0
0
1
4
8
0
Hanover University 7 vs Defiance College 6
Junior Riley Alcorn throws a pitch to a Hanover University batter on Sunday.
Defiance College took on Hanover University on Sunday at Sal Hench Field. After a silent first two innings Hanover took the lead first in the top of the third. Sydnie Raisor singled to score Kendra Hutchinson which was followed by a double by Dani Steward to score Sydnie Raisor and Kensie Bradley (3-0). Defiance put up some runs in the bottom of the fourth inning Freshman Ali Mowen grounded out to score junior Brooke Silcox (3-1). Then senior Josilyn Guzman launched the ball over the centerfield fence (3-2). The top of the sixth inning Hanover added a few more runs. Cadence Northern doubled to score Mallorie Fultz (4-2). Alex Miller followed this up with another double to score Lexi Garloch and Cadence Northern (6-2). The Yellow Jackets answered in the bottom of the sixth inning when sophomore Destiny Coil blasted the ball over the fence in left center field to score herself, Josilyn Guzman, Ali Mowen, and Brooke Silcox (6-6). However, in the top of the seventh inning Hanover’s Cadence Northern doubled to score Mallorie Fultz taking the lead (7-6). The Yellow Jackets recorded 6 hits in the game: Brooke Silcox, Ali Mowen, Josilyn Guzman, and Destiny Coil each recorded one, while Marissa Roberts led the way with two. Two pitchers saw action for the Yellow Jackets. Starting pitcher junior Savannah McCoy faced 25 batters while throwing 100 pitches with 63 of those being strikes in her 5 inning outing. Junior Riley Alcorn finished the game throwing the last 2 innings, facing 11 batters, while throwing 56 pitches with 37 of those falling in the zone.
Final
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Runs
Hits
Errors
Hanover (Ind.)
0
0
3
0
0
3
1
7
11
1
Defiance
0
0
0
2
0
4
0
6
6
0
Defiance College 4 vs Hanover University 3
Junior Brooke Silcox prepares to hit the ball against Hanover University on Sunday.
In the second game against Hanover University the Defiance College Yellow Jackets rallied in the second half of the game to add another win to their record. Hanover struck first in the top of the first inning. Dani Steward was hit by a pitch with bases loaded forcing Kendra Hutchingson to score (0-1). Then Mallorie Fultz grounded out to score Kensie Bradley (0-2). Hanover scored again in the top of the fourth inning when Kendra Hutchinson singled to score Mallorie Fultz (0-3). The Yellow Jackets answered in the bottom of the fourth inning. Sophomore Amber Krause sent the ball sailing over the left field fence to put Defiance on the board (1-3). Then senior Marissa Roberts singled to score sophomore Anika Craft (2-3). Defiance scored again in the bottom of the seventh inning when Marissa Roberts tripled to score Anika Craft (3-3). Junior Brooke Silcox then singled to drive in sophomore Kelly Limbaugh for the game-winning run. Defiance recorded 8 hits in the contest, Anika Craft and Laney Grimwood each added one, while Amber Krause, Brooke Silcox, and Marissa Roberts all had two. Anika Craft spent all 7 innings in the circle for the Yellow Jackets, facing 31 batters. She tossed 93 pitches with 61 of those falling into the zone.
Final
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Runs
Hits
Errors
Hanover (Ind.)
2
0
0
1
0
0
0
3
6
2
Defiance
0
0
0
2
0
0
2
4
8
2
Men’s Track & Field at the Otterbein Twilight
Defiance Men’s Track Team competed at the Otterbein Twilight meet on Saturday. Sophomore Gavin Maratea ran the 100-meter dash finishing with a time of 11.66 seconds earning him a new PR and 3rd place. He also threw the javelin for the first time, throwing 31.49 meters. Junior Ron Scott competed in the hammer throw for the first time throwing 21.30 meters. He also threw the shot put for 11.63 meters earning himself 12th place.
Women’s Track & Field at the Otterbein Twilight
Defiance Women’s Track Team also competed at the Otterbein Twilight meet on Saturday. Senior Brianna Snider threw the Javelin earning herself a new PR with a distance of 21.94 meters.
(Next Week April 24th – April 30th)
*Home Events are indicated in purple*
(Tuesday, April 25th) Baseball vs Kalamazoo College
Location: Kalamazoo College
Time: 4pm
(Tuesday, April 25th) Softball vs Kalamazoo College
Location: Sal Hench Field
Time: 3pm and 5pm
(Saturday, April 29th) Baseball vs Transylvania University
Location: Transylvania University
Time: 10am and 1pm
(Saturday, April 29th) Softball vs Franklin College
Location: Sal Hench Field
Time: 1pm and 3pm
(Saturday, April 29th) Men’s Track & Field at the HCAC Outdoor Championships
Location: Franklin College
Time: TBA
(Saturday, April 29th) Women’s Track & Field at the HCAC Outdoor Championships
Location: Franklin College
Time: TBA
(Sunday, April 30th) Baseball vs Mount St. Joseph University
I would like to introduce you to Sally Bissell. Sally is the Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and has been at Defiance College for 34 years. She has been in many different roles during her time at Defiance College. She started her career in the admissions department. Sally has been a coach for the volleyball and track & field teams throughout her time here. Sally decided to come to Defiance College because there were limited opportunities for education due to the economy at that time. Her favorite thing about Defiance College is the people, including the faculty, staff, and students.
Sally Bissell started at Defiance for College in 1997, and she graduated in 1981. She decided to come to Defiance because she grew up in the area, and some of her high school friends had a good experience here as well. Her volleyball coach & guidance counselor had a huge impact on her need to look into Defiance as well. Sally obtained her physical education (k-12), health (7-12), and recreation degree from Defiance. She attended The University of Toledo for her master’s with a focus on higher education.
Sally grew up in Payne, Ohio, and attended Wayne Trace High School. She is currently living in Grand Rapids, Ohio. If Sally could live anywhere in the world, she would want to stay in northwest Ohio. Aside from her necessities, she could not go a day without her phone and her computer. Sally thinks of herself as more of an extrovert than an introvert. During her school years, Sally played volleyball, basketball, track, summer softball, and golf. Sally was asked her own definition of accomplishment and stated that being respectful of others. she thinks respect is an accomplishment because she thinks we lack respect right now for others and that some people are in too much of a hurry. She said, “life is too short; enjoy it.”
Did you know that “9 Fun Facts About Hotdogs” states that “According to the National Hot Dog and Service Council, Americans purchase 9 billion hot dogs per year from grocery stores.” “In addition and including the hot dogs that are consumed at restaurants or ballparks, the NHDSC estimates that the total number of hot dogs consumed in one year would be approximately 20 billion hot dogs.
Another interesting fact is that the most expensive hot dog costs $2,300 and can be found at the 230 Fifth Restaurant located in New York City. This luxurious hot dog is made out of top-quality ingredients, including Japanese wagyu beef, and topped with onions, caviar, and sauerkraut. This hot dog also has to be ordered at least 48 hours in advance.
During peak hot dog season, which is from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Americans are expected to consume 7 billion hot dogs. According to “ 25 Hot Dot Facts for 25 Years,” states that “ On Independence Day, Americans are expected to enjoy 150 million hot dogs which will stretch from D.C. to L.A. more than five times.”
A standard beef hot dog consists of 190 calories, offers 7 grams of protein, and 30 percent of the daily value of vitamin B12. The longest hot dog known to date was 668 feet which are long enough to stretch over two football fields. The average weight of a fully loaded baseball park hot dog vendor’s bin is 40 pounds, and baseball parks first started selling hot dogs back in 1893.
In conclusion, hot dogs are one of the most popular foods to eat and have been around for thousands of years.
The 2008 College World Series was one of the most improbable and inspiring stories in college baseball history. It featured a Cinderella team that defied all odds and expectations to win the national championship.
That team was Fresno State, a No. 4 seed in the regionals that barely made the postseason with a 33-27 record. The Bulldogs had to overcome injuries, adversity, and powerhouse opponents to achieve their dream.
They started their journey by upsetting No. 1 seed Long Beach State and No. 2 seed San Diego in the Long Beach Regional. Then they stunned No. 3 national seed Arizona State in the Tempe Super Regional, winning two out of three games on the road.
They arrived in Omaha as the lowest-seeded team to ever make the College World Series. They were dubbed the “underdogs to wonderdogs” by their fans and media.
But they were not done yet. They faced No. 6 national seed Rice in their first game and won 17-5, scoring 11 runs in the fifth inning. They then beat No. 2 national seed North Carolina 5-3, thanks to a clutch two-run homer by Steve Detwiler in the eighth inning.
They lost their next game to Georgia 4-3, but bounced back with a 19-10 rout of Rice in an elimination game. Detwiler hit two more homers and drove in six runs in that game.
They advanced to the best-of-three championship series against Georgia, a No. 8 national seed that had won its first three games in Omaha.
The Bulldogs lost the first game 7-6, despite rallying from a 5-0 deficit and taking a 6-5 lead in the eighth inning. Georgia scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth to retake the lead and held on for the win.
The Bulldogs faced elimination again in the second game, but they did not give up. They scored six runs in the second inning and never looked back, winning 19-10. Detwiler hit his fourth homer of the series and drove in four runs, while Tommy Mendonca hit his record-tying fourth homer of the College World Series.
The stage was set for a winner-take-all game three on June 25, 2008, at Rosenblatt Stadium.
The Bulldogs took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning on a two-run single by Alan Ahmady. Georgia tied it up with two runs in the third inning on a double by Gordon Beckham and a single by Rich Poythress.
The Bulldogs regained the lead with two runs in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly by Danny Muno and an RBI single by Erik Wetzel. Georgia cut it to 4-3 with a run in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly by Matt Olson.
The Bulldogs added an insurance run in the sixth inning on a solo homer by Detwiler, his fifth of the series and his third of the championship series. He became the first player to hit five homers in a College World Series.
The Bulldogs held on to their 5-3 lead until the ninth inning when Georgia threatened to tie or win the game. The Bulldogs brought in their closer, Brandon Burke, who had saved four games in the postseason.
Burke gave up a leadoff single to Olson, who advanced to second on a wild pitch. He then struck out Bryce Massanari for the first out. He walked Lyle Allen to put runners on first and second. He then got Joey Lewis to pop out to second for the second out.
The final batter was pinch-hitter Robbie O’Bryan, who represented the go-ahead run for Georgia. Burke got ahead of him with two strikes, then threw a slider that O’Bryan swung at and missed.
Strike three. Game over. Fresno State had done it.
The Bulldogs stormed out of their dugout and piled on Burke near the mound, celebrating their historic achievement. They had become the first No. 4 seed to win the College World Series and only the second team from outside a power conference to do so since 1954.
They had also set several records along the way, including the most home runs (14), most runs (84), and most hits (115) by a team in a College World Series.
They had also captured the hearts of baseball fans across the nation with their grit, determination, and joy.
Grant Johnson is a senior here at Defiance College and will be graduating with a degree in Molecular Biology and a minor in Chemistry. Aside from being an exemplary student, he is also involved in just about everything possible on campus. He plays basketball, is a part of SAAC, FCA, APO, the Service Leaders Program, the Campus Activities Board, is the Senior Representative on Student Senate, is an RA, and a Student Ambassador. Grant also recently joined the Defiance College Men’s Choir. And if that wasn’t enough, he also started a podcast called Three Dudes in Their Twenties with his two friends Adam Tobin and Will Garlock in his spare time. I would like to know what kind of coffee he drinks because that stuff is magical.
When I sat down to talk with him, Grant said that if he had to describe himself in one word, it would be grateful. He said that “a lot of small things have built up through my life and I can reflect back on those.” He went on to talk a little bit about his academic career and how much he is grateful for the professors and staff that have helped him, as well as all the coaches that have made his time here at Defiance College the best experience it could be. Grant also talked about the amazing experiences such as his McMaster trip to Panama or being on the basketball team.
Because he’s a senior, Grant had a chance to reflect on some of his favorite memories, but also some of his mistakes or things that he wished he had done differently. When I asked him if he could give advice to his freshman self, he said that “there is a lot of sacrifice and dedication, which I was already used to doing throughout my life, but I would just emphasize to myself to be ready to wake up everyday and not everything go perfect. Just keep being determined on your journey and keep your goals in the back of your mind through it all.” Grant certainly did keep his goals in mind because he just released yesterday that he will be attending the Ohio University Heritage College of Medicine, so if you see him, make sure to say congratulations!
As he starts saying goodbye to Defiance College and all the students, faculty, and staff, he wants to say thank you to everyone he’s met here and for all the experiences he’s had here. He wants to thank the college for “everything it’s done for me. It’s really shaped who I’ve become to this day, and I think it’s really going to propel me through my future life and future career, whether that’s my profession or all the above. Father, Husband, all those things. All I can say is I was happy to be a part of Defiance College. I’m really thankful.”
As always, come to graduation on May 13 to support Grant and his fellow seniors as they
celebrate the hard work they’ve put in over the last four years!
