Bleacher Report - Articles by Aron Glatzer

New Media Wins Big at Gatorade High School Athlete of the Year Awards

Aron Glatzer — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:35:45 -0400

Playing a managerial role at B/R certainly has occasional perks, as I was invited to Los Angeles to attend Wednesday’s seventh annual Gatorade High School Player of the Year luncheon at the Biltmore Hotel.

In addition to a comped surf 'n' turf meal and a few laughs courtesy of Stuart Scott acting as emcee, the intimate one-on-one post-show media interview atmosphere, to which only 21 news outlets were given access, provided us with an exceptional opportunity.

I was able to discuss new media (and B/R in particular) and the changing landscape of journalism with a couple of the biggest names in sports on the planet and some of the brightest stars of tomorrow.

The end result from this small sample size was an enthusiastic thumbs up to new media as a means of bringing fans and athletes closer together than ever before.

“I think it’s good for fans to be able to interact and give their opinions,” said Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year Matt Hobgood, the No. 5 overall pick in June’s Major League Baseball Draft by the Baltimore Orioles. “Whether it’s positive or negative, it keeps everybody involved, and it’s good for sports in general.”

To tell you the truth, I was a bit taken aback when I realized how visible the site has already become. I couldn’t get two words past "Aron Glatzer with Bleacher Report" to Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant before he responded, “Oh, you’re with Bleacher Report!”

OK, in fairness, the exclamation mark may have very well been a question mark instead, but he had a smile on his face, commented on how he’d rather be walking around in my Nike Frankensteins than his formal dress shoes, and clearly was familiar with B/R.

Twitter received the strongest endorsement of all as an outlet for athletes and fans to connect on the same medium, which really didn’t surprise me one bit with the number of athletes who have active accounts there at this point.

“Fans do feel a connect when guys (athletes) write what they are feeling and what’s going on (in the locker room),” said Detroit Lions rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford, who presented the award for Gatorade Male Athlete of the Year along with Durant and USA soccer star Landon Donovan. “It’s a great way for us players to give back to our fans and get them in the moment.”

Durant, a rare combination of the words "NBA superstar" and "extreme humility," has recognized the value of player interaction with the fans as well.

“We never had that. I never talked with football, basketball, or baseball players growing up, so it’s a great outlet for fans to see that we’re all going through the same things (in life); just we play basketball for a living,” said the self-described regular guy, still awestruck by the likes of LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. “I had a lot of questions growing up (for pro athletes), and it’s good to be able to answer them and get to know people.”

Softball superstar Jessica Mendoza, owner of Olympic gold and silver medals, has developed an affinity for her own online written contributions with which all of us at B/R have been able to relate.

“I find myself blogging almost like a reporter...it’s opening up a landscape where everyone is a reporter, although some are much better than others,” said Mendoza, who presented the Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year along with volleyball legend Misty-May Treanor. “For a fan, I’ve noticed that the popularity is increasing because you feel like you’re there (when reading firsthand reports from athletes).”

High-profile athletes on their way to successful collegiate careers have been equally interested in the evolving medium of sports journalism as they make a mark at the next level.

“I’m excited about it, but I try not to pay too much attention to it,” said Garrett Gilbert, incoming University of Texas quarterback and recipient of the Gatorade Male High School Athlete of the Year Award, who admitted he gathers most of his sports news from watching ESPN's SportsCenter in the locker room. “It doesn’t matter as long as you perform on the field.”

Along with Gilbert, Skylar Diggins (basketball standout recipient of Gatorade Female High School Athlete of the Year Award), Reed Connor, Brandon Knight, Dillon Powers, Hobgood, Curtis Beach, Gina Mancuso, Jordan Hasay, Rachel Quon, Kenzie Fowler, and Anna Jelmini have excelled in sports, in the classroom, and in the community to get where they are, and the fans will be there to discuss their future impact in the sporting arena through outlets like Bleacher Report.

Frank Shamrock-Nick Diaz Fight: Live Notes From San Jose

Aron Glatzer — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 22:05:50 -0400

10:50: Brett "The Grim" Rogers notable quotes from press conference:

"I want to thank Abongo, because there are not a lot of fighters that want to get in the ring with me."

"The Kimbo (Slice) situation, it's old to me. Kimbo's kind of done, he's relaxing now."

10:45 Scott Coker on a possible upcoming Gina Carano-Cris "Cyborg" Santos showdown:

"That's a fight that deserves to be a main event; the female division of Strikeforce has definitely earned it."

10:25: Nick Diaz's notable quotes from the post-fight press conference:

On exacting revenge on Frank Shamrock for beating his mentor and trainer Cesar Gracie in 2006:

"I had to get that one done for my coach."

On his strategy to use his reach advantage to hurt Shamrock:

"I was trying to get him to put that right hand out there, then jump in and counter

10:00: Tito Ortiz's notable quotes from the press conference:

On Shamrock's performance:

"I'm disappointed Frank lost, as I was looking forward to a rematch. Thanks Nick, it was like watching money go out the window."

On returning to UFC:

"The chances are slim to none of me going back to UFC."

On returning to the cage:

"I've started weight training again, and it'll be two months until I can wrestle again. I need a tune-up fight, but I'm excited to get back in the cage and compete."

8:35: Updated crowd figure is 15,211, which approaches the largest-attended fight in HP Pavilion history, 18,265 when Shamrock took on Cesar Gracie in 2006.

8:15: The crowd turnout is 14,409, which is a strong showing for the Bay Area fight fans.

7:45: I think Cyborg Santos just punched Hitomi Akano into next week, as she was clearly still dazed being escorted out of the cage. Cyborg has definitely laid a claim in her hopes of a future matchup with Gina Carano, if Carano's status clears up.

7:20: Brett Rogers just knocked "Abongo" Humphrey out so hard with a combination of left knees and right-handed shots to the face that it took a crew over two minutes to get Humphrey back to his feet.

7:15: Rourke was the focus of the jumbotron's, where he revealed a message of "Get Well Eugenia" scribbled on the inside of his right palm.

7:05: The entire building honored the late Charles "Mask" Lewis, Jr., co-founder of TapouT, who died in a tragic car crash last month with a moment of silence.

7:00: Mickey Rourke has been spotted near the cage. Plenty of starpower here tonight.

6:50 p.m.: Cung Le is here taking in the action. The Strikeforce middleweight title holder will see how Shamrock and Diaz square off.

6:45 p.m.: Tito Ortiz is in the building, posing for photos and signing autographs for a throng of fans in lower-reserve seating. This can only fuel the fire to the talks of Tito possibly joining Strikeforce in the future for a potential showdown with Frank Shamrock, barring tonight's results against Nick Diaz.

6:30 p.m.: This is the most well-attended fight I've ever seen at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, and that includes six-to-eight other boxing and MMA events I've covered in the past two years. The turnout compared to the Gilbert Melendez-Josh Thomson fight in the summer of 2008 is staggering, and proof Strikeforce is truly on the rise.

Augusta National Masters Hole-by-Hole Breakdown

Aron Glatzer — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:12:15 -0400

Augusta National is one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world and has been the site of memories forever ingrained in our minds.

From shaking our heads in wonderment at the ability of Jack Nicklaus to lock up a green jacket in his mid 40s, to witnessing the changing of the guard with a fist-pump seen around the world (Tiger Woods in 1997), magic is never lacking in this fine event.

We've taken things one step further for the true Masters aficionado, with hole-by-hole breakdowns, which will be updated multiple times daily.

Interested in analysis on how to attack each hole? Want insight into why certain players are rising to the top of the leaderboard, while others are stumbling to three putts in certain places?

Want a comprehensive breakdown on why Chad Campbell separated from the pack so early or where Tiger is likely to make his ascension up the chart?

Look no further, as we have you covered from beginning to end with stories which will be updated multiple times per day throughout the weekend...

Joe MacDonald takes you through holes 2-4.

Let Nick Howson show the way from 5-7.

Jon Staub has you covered on the 8-10 holes .

Martin Fitzpatrick breaks down Amen Corner.

Andy Reistetter gives insight on location at 14-16 .

Let Leroy Watson start and finish your day with analysis on holes 17, 18, and 1.

Finally, follow the roundtable discussion on all of the biggest ongoing Masters storylines on the 19th hole.

MLB World Series Showdown: Claire Vs. Nino

Aron Glatzer — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 06:38:15 -0400

If you've seen Claire Reclosado and Nino Colla's respective Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays reactions throughout this 2008 Major League Baseball playoffs, you've noticed these two writers are extremely dialed in to the daily happenings of each ballclub that has advanced to the World Series.

Along with their usual game reactions, they have matched wits on some major questions facing both teams.

Phillies Q: Does Jamie Moyer give the Phillies any sort of a shot winning Game Three?

Claire's Response: Was the dependable arm conditioned to lose steam in October? It’s been a while since Moyer won a game in October (2002), but this is the World Series, and he knows that there may not be many chances for this opportunity ahead of him.

Let’s wipe the slate clean. Jamie Moyer is a seasoned veteran who is a vital part of the National League Champion Phillies. During the regular season, he led the team in wins, so people shouldn’t be so quick to overlook the crafty 45 year old.

Game Three will find Moyer well rested and at home. He’s been in the postseason before and knows what’s required of him. No one wants to be the man on the bench who didn’t contribute.

The Rays are a fastball-hitting team (although they were successful against Boston's Tim Wakefield), so the Phillies' hometown pitcher can easily rediscover success against the youngsters. Game Three will be the game where the Moyer redeems himself.

Rays Q: B.J. Upton and Evan Longoria got off to poor starts. How much of that came down to the pitching of Cole Hamels and how much falls on their shoulders?

Nino's Response: Given what we saw in Game Two, it looks as if one is suffering from his own doing, and the other was suffering of Cole Hamels' changeup. For Evan Longoria, it's between the ears. He actually hasn't been hitting the ball all that well in a consistent fashion this postseason.

His six home runs are great, but they are also more than half of his hit total. Longoria is hitting .220 for the entire playoffs, and his struggles are the product of his own doing.

Manager Joe Maddon has tried getting back to basics with the youngster, and it's simply a process for the rookie. He'll need to take a different approach into each at-bat and just try to hit the ball up the middle or the other way. His home-run stroke is there, but pitchers like Cole Hamels are smart enough to not give him a pitch that he can hit out of the ballpark.

B.J. Upton, on the other hand, was just struggling with the Hamels changeup. He's part of that group of Rays that can't adjust to it if it's good enough. As you saw in Game Two, Upton was back at it, getting two hits, but he also hit into another double play. Upton is on fire right now, and the changeup is probably the only thing that can stop him.

Phillies Q: What will it take for Ryan Howard to get his act together?

Claire's Response: Ryan Howard looked better in Game Two but is still not in September form. His troubles are shared by the other big names on the team: trying too hard.

Game Two showed a more relaxed Howard, but as the game progressed into the late innings, he seemed to tense up and his improving vision seemed to stall.

His numbers are improving, and this must make the Rays nervous.

Howard did not lead the league in home runs and RBI by accident. His approach needs to remain the same. Without a home run in 48 at-bats, pitchers should not become lax when Howard comes to the plate— just ask Phillies manager Charlie Manuel.

"Take him for granted and start throwing to him, see what happens," Manuel remarked. "He's had 146 RBIs, 48 home runs, check his batting averages and his run production from the seventh inning on or late in the game and see what you come up with.”

Howard is well past due, and it should be no surprise if he breaks out of his slump when the home crowd welcomes him.

Rays Q: Even though Brad Lidge has been a dominant force all season and in Game One, do you have any sort of gut feeling that the ghosts of Lidge past could show up in terms of a meltdown?

Nino's Response: No gut feeling that Brad Lidge will revert to the old Brad Lidge. Hoping for a meltdown like the one he suffered against Albert Pujols in the NLCS years ago is like hoping to win the lottery. If it happens, great you're rich, but the chances are pretty unlikely. He might blow a save, he's bound to at some point before his career is over, and you just have to hope you get him on a night that he isn't feeling it.

He probably won't suffer the meltdown because there isn't an Albert Pujols in the Rays' lineup, someone who could hit the ball 600 feet into the Houston night. Partially because we aren't in Houston and Jonny Gomes isn't on the postseason roster.

Lidge has put that all behind him; he's a changed pitcher. Then again, if the ghosts of Fenway can make an appearance, you never know in this sport we call baseball, where nothing ever makes sense.

Phillies Q: Which Rays do you dislike the most and why?

Claire's Response: No matter how hard I try, I can’t dislike any of the Rays. The same can’t be said for the 10th man on their team, the cowbell.

Having low tolerance for all artificial noisemakers, the cowbell ranks high on the irritating list, arm-in-arm with plastic hand-clappers and thunder sticks. Call me a traditionalist, but I love a screaming crowd, intoxicated from the fan energy. Sometimes I can even appreciate a creative heckler.

Oh, but those cowbells. All they do is provide the dull, emotionless, repetitive clanging that reminds me of high school jazz band.

With today’s off day, fans should prepare themselves for a cowbell-free three games, filled with rally towels and a vocal crowd—the perfect home for the passionate Phillies.

Cinderella versus the Underdogs will continue on Saturday with Matt Garza on the mound for the Rays against the Phillies’ Moyer.

Eight games down, three to go.

Rays Q: Which Phillies do Rays fans (I know you are a Cleveland guy) dislike the most and why?

Nino's Response: Seeing as I'm technically an Indians fan and in my heart I'm rooting for Charlie Manuel, because he's such a great person, I'll definitely remove him from the equation.

If I were a Rays fan, I'd probably dislike any player that would come up with a big hit to break my heart, if that would ever happen. It's the Edgar Renteria-effect that has killed me and Cleveland-fans alike. I hope that never happens to the Tampa fanbase.

I heard a lot about Shane Victorino from Dodgers' fans, probably because of his "Don't throw at my head" gesture and how he absolutely killed them in the NLCS, but Victorino is too cool to dislike.

If the Rays want a poster child, I'd use Jimmy Rollins, the ultimate smack-talker on the Phillies team. Rollins has no problem speaking up, and he's easy to dislike, even his own fans booed him this year.

Every Dog Has Its Day in "Animal Witness: The Michael Vick Case"

Aron Glatzer — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:05:10 -0400

My first thoughts associated with the cable channel Animal Planet are an expose on a pride of lions in Africa and Steve Irwin cuddling with one of the world's most deadliest snakes.

When I was approached with an assignment to watch Animal Planet's upcoming feature—"Animal Witness: The Michael Vick Case"—my only real expectation was a focus on the wrongs of dog fighting.

Sure, that played a part of the story, but the prevailing focus of the detailed documentary was about how Vick's indictment really came to be, and what happened to all of his dogs that were seized from his property in Surry, VA.

Of the 49 pit bulls found malnourished and in kennels on Vick's property, only two had to be euthanized (one due to aggression and another which had sustained too many painful injuries from fighting).

The misconception is that pit bulls are naturally vicious animals. The reality explained in the documentary by Bay Area group BAD RAP (Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pit Bulls) is that pit bulls are one of the most obedient types of dogs that will do anything to make their masters happy.

If they are respected and taken care of, pit bulls are extremely friendly, but if they are encouraged to attack another dog to a human's satisfaction, they will take to that personality.

What was absolutely astonishing to watch is that after being harbored away from society and other dogs for four months in basically solitary confinement, these dogs showed zero aggression toward each other and still had a respect and care for humans, despite all of the hardships they had been put through.

One dog, named Leo, is so kind and social that he has become a therapy dog for cancer patients in California.

This makes it extremely difficult to have any sympathy for Vick, who is shown apologizing to his family and friends but not once showing any remorse for what he did to these dogs.

Animal Planet did a nice job of piecing the story together, with interviews with the reporters who covered the event, high-ranking PETA members, and most-importantly, former Surry Deputy Sheriff Bill Brinkman, who helped blow the case wide open, but was later fired for going over the heads of his bosses to involve the Feds when the case stalled.

My lone criticism, playing devil's advocate, would be to give a rationale or explanation from dog fighters about why they participate in this "sport," and also to give them a chance to defend themselves.

More than likely, any attempted defense would help the viewer side to an even stronger degree with the argument for the rights of dogs, but it would form a more complete picture.

The closest the documentary gets to the dark side of the equation is a description that inner-city gang members are the most predominant dog fighters, that starter kits for the materials and foods needed for dog fight are available on the Internet, that some anonymous bloggers brag about their exploits, and that an investigative reporter encountered a lot of difficulty trying to make his way into the subculture.

Regardless, anybody who wants to be brought up to speed about how Vick went from star quarterback to villain in an instant will want to tune in when this controversial piece airs in the foreseeable future.

For further discussion about the documentary, check out the following:

Home: http://animal.discovery.com/tv/animal-witness/michael-vick/index.html

Forum: http://animal.discovery.com/tv/animal-witness/forums.html

Open Mic: All-Time Golden State Warriors Disaster Team

Aron Glatzer — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 10:57:19 -0400

The Golden State Warriors set an NBA record in the '90s and beyond with 12-straight non-playoff seasons before their magical run in the 2006-07 season.

To accomplish such a tremendous feat takes many bone-headed decisions. It's almost like studying in junior high—you receive a "C" for simply showing up to class but it takes that extra effort to earn an "F".

Anyhow, the Warriors found a solid plan of attack with terrible drafting and handing out roster-crippling contracts to offset any draft picks on the path to greatness.

Case in point: Gilbert Arenas. Former GM Garry St. Jean almost sabotaged the team by picking up "Hibachi" in the second round of the 2001 draft, giving the team an emerging superstar that could derail plans of continued peril.

Fear not—by locking up the diabolical front-line of Danny Fortson, Adonal Foyle, and Erick Dampier, the team could not afford to match Washington's offer when he hit restricted free agency.

The scary thing: the aforementioned players simply don't have what it takes to make the All-Time Disaster Team. Here are the winners.

PG: Muggsy Bogues—It was tough to pick Bogues over Earl Boykins as a bigger mismatch for the opposition, but Bogues played for Golden State in the twilight years of his career, giving him the nod.

Bogues was fun to watch, and actually held his own in a time where big point guards became en vogue, but he also led the team to 19-63 and 21-29 records in his two seasons in Golden State.

SG: Bimbo Coles—I'm well-aware that Coles primarily played point guard, but I needed an undersized shooting guard to continue a defensive mismatch for the opposition. I also remember one thing clear as day with Coles—planting both his feet on attempted layups.

You know how you learn as a kid to separate from a defender while attacking the rack by using your 1 1/2 steps to run to the rim after picking up your dribble? Well Bimbo, a professional player at the sport's highest level, never picked up this nuance of the game. Ever!

If your name is Jason Richardson and you can jump over a defender by planting both feet, so be it. But if your vertical jump measures under 30 inches, this is an easy way to turn two points into zero—and an inclusion on the All-Time Disaster Team.

SF: Billy Owens—The No. 3 overall pick in the 1991 Draft out of Syracuse, the Warriors traded Mitch Richmond in his prime for Owens, an easy way to break up Run-TMC and help set back the future of the Warriors.

By my unofficial count, Owens led the league multiple times in losing the ball out of bounds. It was a constant in his tenure, without fail (or in constant fail), that he would have the ball in his hands, try to pass it while running out of bounds, and then lose the ball. It was a talent in itself.

PF: Todd Fuller—The No. 11 pick in the 1996 draft, he was former Warriors draft legend Dave Twardzik's crowning achievement.

Instead of looking for talent in a talent-laden draft that may have led him to the conclusion of taking Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Peja Stojakovic, or Jermaine O'Neal, Twardzik focused on the fact that Fuller had a great G.P.A. at NC State and a blue-collar work ethic.

What resulted was a player who shot more baseline jumpers off the side of the backboard than any other player I have ever encountered.

C: 1988-Season Manute Bol—This was a tough decision as Foyle has a strong resume for this spot as well, but what did it for me was the fact that Bol, at 7-foot-7, shot 91 3-pointers in the 1988 season and made only 20. Imagine the amount of lost possessions with Bol firing errant threes and Fuller being out-rebounded.

Coach: PJ Carlesimo—Lit the fire under his players by being choked in practice by Latrell Sprewell during the '97-'98 season.

There you have it, the reason "We Believe" became such an important slogan—because we became so accustomed to failure.

Note: I am currently quite happy with the direction of this franchise, and feel that Monta Ellis, Andris Biedrins, Anthony Randolph, and Brandan Wright are the core of a solid team a few years down the line.

Playing Hard, Playing Smart: The Case for Jamie Silva in the NFL Draft

Aron Glatzer — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:29:54 -0400

As NFL Draft prospects prepare for the league’s scouting combine, it is natural for athletes to elicit comparisons to professionals at their respective positions.

Former Boston College strong safety Jamie Silva, 23, has drawn one that stands as a tremendous testament to his play and attitude—namely, to the late Pat Tillman.

“I have been talking to people who knew him personally, who are saying we have similar body types and playing styles,” Silva said. “I always looked up to him and he was somebody [whose career] I followed; to be mentioned in the same category with him is an honor.”

Tillman was the ultimate warrior—a hero who walked away from a three-year, $3.6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals to join the Army Rangers as a member of the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, before being killed in Afghanistan on April 22, 2004, at the age of 27.

Tillman was truly one-of-a kind—an exemplary individual. Nobody can live up to the sacrifice he made, but in football terms, the comparisons to Silva are absolutely valid.

Both players possessed almost identical physical measurements: 5’11” and just over 200 pounds. They also stood out on the field with flowing locks of hair tumbling from their helmets.

Tillman wasn’t blessed with major speed or power, but set an Arizona Cardinals team-record with 224 tackles in the 2000 season.

Silva does not expect to wow scouts in the speed drills, but compensates with his skills and savvy.

“I play smart, I will be in the right position to make a play and I don’t make mistakes to hurt my team,” he said. “I am not going to run a 4.3 [40-yard dash], but I feel with my reaction ability and game speed that I can get to the ball as fast or faster than the guy who runs a 4.3 will.”

Tillman arrived at Arizona State University as a walk-on before working his way into the 1997 Pacific-10 Defensive Player of the Year.

Silva was an unheralded recruit at Boston College who was known as an ironman over his collegiate career, as he missed only one game in four seasons due to injury.

After three seasons of gradual improvement, Silva exploded in his senior year with a team-leading 125 tackles and school-record eight interceptions (tied for first in the NCAA).

“I felt like I was capable [of that production],” said Silva, whose senior accolades included All-American selections by the AP, SI.com, CBS, CFN, Walter Camp, and FWAA first teams, along with inclusion as a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award (top defensive back).

“Fortunately things came my way, I had opportunities to make some plays and I made them.”

Silva’s emergence played a major role in Boston College’s spectacular 2007 season, as the Eagles finished ranked No. 10 in the AP poll and No. 11 in the ESPN/Coaches poll with a record of 11-3.

“I was pretty confident we had a good team, but we kind of surprised the nation as we started out unranked and got all the way to No. 2 [at one point],” Silva said. “It was a lot of fun to be a part of.”

Silva’s selflessness and love for the game will benefit him at the next level.
“I can contribute on special teams, whether that is covering on kick returns or blocking; I’m willing and happy to do that stuff,” he said. “I won’t take a play off no matter what part of the game it is.”

That type of attitude is not easy to find, and will help Silva remain upbeat through Draft weekend. He’s projected to go as high as the late second round or as low as the fifth, but seems to be ready for whatever comes.

“I don’t get involved with that, I’ll really have no clue until draft day,” Silva said. “I just have to do my thing. Hopefully coaches do their homework and pick who is going to be best for them.”

After all, Tillman lasted until the 227th pick in the 1998 draft, and his impact on and off the field will be felt forever.

Tensions Mount, Spirits Rise: It's College Football Signing Day!

Aron Glatzer — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 04:50:12 -0500

For the college football aficionado, Wednesday, February 6th ranks as a national holiday—somewhere between Halloween and Thanksgiving, I’d say.

That’s right, we are talking about signing day. Each school's incoming class of recruited high school seniors will make official all Letters of Intent today, and fax them to the universities for which they will suit up next season.

Some fans will be chewing off fingernails and frantically pounding the refresh key while watching the result come into message boards at scout.com and rivals.com—as possessed as Gollum going after that ring.

Some will relax with friends over a few cold ones and watch the drama unfold on ESPNU.

Others will hit the bottle a little early, realizing the next few years—on paper at least—appear pretty bleak.

The lucky few will have the opportunity to pop some champagne as their school hauls in a last-minute surprise with a big-time talent who appears before them on national television donning those familiar colors and a baseball cap.

University of Alabama certainly qualifies for that last section, as it just secured the signature of heralded in-state receiver, Julio Jones.

Take a peak around the office. Who was feeling just fine during a presentation yesterday, but called in with a mysterious "flu bug" today?

In terms of the college student fan base, forget it. Classrooms at Ohio State and Michigan alike will empty as students seek news of Terrelle Pryor’s decision—although it now appears he will hold off his announcement until he has a chance to visit Oregon.

The rumors, waffling verbal commitments, and months of hype all culminate in this dramatic 24-hour period.

I'm fortunate as staying up-to-date on the signings is encouraged in my line of work. How are you all holding up?

Air Jordan's Marketing Legacy Lives On

Aron Glatzer — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 04:34:27 -0500

It is almost an unattainable goal to achieve perfection in the world of professional sports.

Tom Brady's performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars was pretty damn impressive, but his career, as great as it is will be once complete, draws comparisons to one who paved the path before; Joe Montana and his run with the San Francisco 49ers in the 1980's.

Kobe Bryant is capable of dropping 80 points on an opponent on any given day, but he can't hold a finger to the man who trademarked jersey number '23', Michael Jordan. We are talking about the man responsible for inspiring an entire generation of teams to give their greatest guards the honor of donning that same number, from junior-high all the way up to the NBA.

Although Bryant and Lebron James hold lucrative shoe deals with Nike, the fact is, nearly a decade after his final retirement, everybody still wants to be 'like Mike', and the proof is in the pudding.

The Air Jordan is still the top dog of the sneaker industry, held in higher esteem than the rest, and this year marks the final chapter as the twenty-third numbered shoe in the series hit stores on January 25, 2008.

This blue and titanium version of the XXIII's is a beauty, but don't expect to see any pairs on the court or in your school, as Nike intentionally made it one of the most limited pairs of Jordans ever produced.

Only the top twenty-three highest selling stores with Jordan Brand accounts received a shipment of twenty-three pairs each, selling for retail at $230 (one per customer.) Are you seeing a pattern here? That makes 529 pairs of this sneaker available in the entire United States.

The Niketown in San Francisco made the cut, so I decided to check out the situation in advance and see what type of people would wait in the cold and rain to cop a pair for themselves.

What I found was staggering: Chantel Smith and Jeromie Speros stood at the very front of the line, a line which formed after their arrival at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 22nd.

I stopped in again Thursday night and saw a caterpillar-type formation extend down the sidewalk by the front entrance, filled with tarps, tents, and blue, green, and red colored lawn chairs seating a group of die-hard sneaker heads waiting for Friday morning to arrive.

The sun refused to give this group even a brief appearance, so everyone had to acclimate to conditions of grey skies, persistent rain and frigid nights.

"The freezing cold is what I wasn't really prepared for, although I have three pairs of pants and we needed two cars to bring all of our supplies," said Arthur Cervantes. Cervantes is a sneaker legend known as "Ace" in the culture who owns over 600 pairs of kicks and has been featured in prominent shoe magazines such as Sole Collector.

"I've been a big collector the past six or seven years and with this being the last numbered shoe, these will pretty much be the period to the paragraph for my collection."

These shoes could resell near $1,000 at some point, but it was good to see the majority of the Jordan heads in SF in it for the right reasons.

"Everybody has their price, but to me, these are priceless," Cervantes said.

Personally, I could never sleep on street pavement for days on end, as my only previous campout experience involved waiting for an Oregon-Oregon State football ticket while in college.

That was a bit different, as a major party emerged on a Sunday night, followed by a morning that included picking up a highly sought after ticket and immediately passing out for the rest of the morning instead of going to class.

(I do not endorse skipping college classes, but I do miss having the option.)

Anyhow, I do understand that these shoes are like seeking a holy grail for some out there, so big ups to your efforts and for literally earning some street cred in the process.