Nick Lilja's Sportswriter Profile

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Nick Lilja

Joined about 1 year ago

19 articles written
24 comments posted
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Nick's Bio

Some people think you should just start writing—no introduction. That is what my college newspaper once told me. Well, phooey to that. Like people aren’t going to know? Yea, I’m the guy who has been here the whole time, you just haven’t noticed. Makes you feel silly, doesn’t it? I’ve never been one to insinuate that anyone else is less intelligent.

All sports bloggers have delusions of grandeur. If you disagree, you are one of them.

Jim Murray is my inspiration. Shirley Povich is, too. Jimmy Cannon is a great read, though I can never find him. The ease at which these three writers constructed a column will never be seen again. Write that down.

Back in college, I hosted a nationally syndicated sports talk show for four years, wrote an award-winning column for two years and managed to get my degree in something completely unrelated—Earth Sciences.

I keep college women’s sports as a high a priority as the men’s sports. I hate it when fans say women’s sports are boring. They aren’t as physical. They aren’t as athletic. True, but, there is an aspect to women’s sports that men’s sports lack. Tact, efficiency and patience. Go watch any college women’s basketball game. Cruise to a softball game or check out a swim meet. If you actually watch the game and stop complaining you might enjoy it.

I dislike the idea of soccer. Kicking a ball only to chase it down and kick it again isn’t my idea of an entertaining 90 minutes. Same with lacrosse. Rich white guys on the east coast playing keep away? I’d rather go skinny-dipping in Mauna Loa. Maybe I don’t get it, but I know I’m not alone.

Michelle Wie frustrates me beyond compare. I understand that Safeway and Sony need to put people in the stands at these events, but for God’s sake find someone that has actually won an event – at least once. Give me an amateur champion or a great college player over a young woman who shoots 9-over and is 27 back of the leader.

Brett Favre reminds me of early America. He wanted to do it his way and they wouldn’t let him anymore—so he moved to New York. He probably won’t win the MVP this year but the Jets wouldn’t be able to win more than 5 games without him.

I rarely "toot my own horn," but when I do, it's necessary. I rarely lambaste professionals, but when I do, it's necessary. Most writers don't read enough and most readers don't write enough. If an author writes a column once a week, they better be finishing a book once a month. And vice-versa.

Now that you have reasons to disagree with me, I hope we can both make this reader to writer relationship a healthy one. Full of arguments, late night tantrums, and perhaps a little resolve.

Nick's Recent Articles

DETROIT - SEPTEMBER 20: Quarterbck Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on during the game with the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on September 20, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan. The Vikings won 27-13. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Did You Ever Notice That...

Published 26 days ago
95 reads 0 comments

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 15: Juan Martin Del Potro (L) the 2009 US Open Tennis Champion with Charlie Rose following an interview for the the Charlie Rose show on September 15, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images for ATP Tour)

Sitting Down With Sportswriter and Everyday Champ1on Nick Lilja

Published 28 days ago
15 reads 0 comments

Myles Brand Left His Mark

Published about 1 month ago
7 reads 0 comments

GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 03: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots huddles with his team during Super Bowl XLII against the New York Giants on February 3, 2008 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Tom Brady Is Not Comeback Player of the Year Material

Published 5 months ago
209 reads 9 comments

See 15 more of Nick's articles »

Nick Writes About

Opinion (16),
College Football (5),
NCAA (5),
Football (4),
Multiple Sports (4),
NFL (3),
Humor (2),
Men's Golf (1)

Nick Lilja commented on How to Beat The 2009 Patriots
Krishna Dhani responded to a comment on The NCAA President Myles Brand Dies at Only 67

The Short List What Nick thinks about sport's most pressing questions

Favorite Athletes

Brett Favre, Roy Halladay, Andre Johnson, Sterling Sharpe, Jaquizz Rodgers, Darwin Barney, Jacoby Ellsbury, Ebony Young, Nicolas Batum
Favorite Sports Teams

Oregon State Beavers, Green Bay Packers, Toronto Blue Jays
All Time Sports Moment

Calling play-by-play when Oregon State beat Oregon in the 2007 Civil War
Most Memorable Game Attended

On the field at the 33-31 Oregon State upset over USC in 2006 and working for ESPN when Oregon State upset USC again in 2008
Most Unbreakable Sports Record

Either Brett Favre's consecutive games streak or Joe Dimaggio's consecutive games with a hit streak
Ruth or Mays?

Mays
Unitas or Montana?

Neither, I'll take Favre. I live on the edge.
Jordan or Russell?

Jordan
Gretzky or Orr?

Gretzky
Pele or Maradona?

neither
Federer or Sampras?

Agassi
Tiger or Nicklaus?

Ben Hogan
Petty or Earnhardt?

Neither.
Schumacher or Senna?

Schumacher
Pac 10, Big 12, Big 10, SEC, ACC, or Big East?

A Pac-10 vs. Big-10 game.

Bulletin Board (49) Post a note »

by JW
2 months ago

read this awesome news!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/243219-the-philadelphia-eagles-finally-find-respect
by Steven
4 months ago

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/210460-the-nfl-where-neglecting-ex-players-happens
by Sayre
5 months ago

Thanks Nick, that means a lot!
by T.A
7 months ago

Check out my list of the NFL's Top-10 first overall draft picks. Let me know what you think.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/155562-top-10-nfl-first-overall-picks
by Sayre
8 months ago

Hey thanks a lot Nick, good to hear from you! I always enjoy your edits and feedback, so thanks for what you do!
by robert
10 months ago

Looks like the Cowboys have made a couple of New Years Resolutions. Check it out!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/99644-dallas-cowboys-10-resolutions-for-the-new-year
by robert
10 months ago

Hey Nick:

I don't typically go profile to profile promoting my writings, but I put a lot of time into this one. It is about how fans of non-playoff teams can cope with their team not playing next weekend. Unfortunately, this applies to my Cowboys, but I still think it is a kind of funny read.

But it doesn't matter what I think, let me know what you think! Thanks!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/97635-nfl-playoffs-so-your-team-didnt-make-it-three-solutions-to-help-you-cope
by Pete
10 months ago

Wow that's cool that you got to be in the press box. Maybe that'll be me in a few years if I decide to go to UO. Yeah the Ducks have Ok State. All of the East Cost biased analysts on ESPN are picking the Cowboys, but they're underestimating Oregon's offense. We've been known to put up 50-60 points a game. You know that better than anyone!
by Pete
10 months ago

How'd ya like that Civil War?
by robert
11 months ago

Thanks for the read and edits!
by Chad
11 months ago

Thanks for the edits!
by Ryan
11 months ago

Thanks for the kind words on my article, really appreciated.
by Eric
11 months ago

I like your bio! Lol, so true about Lacrosse!

Thank you for checking out my article, and for the edits.

You're right, those em dashes can be addicting.
by Andrew
11 months ago

Thanks for the comments sir. Good luck to you as well.
by SportMonk
11 months ago

A great Cinderella story.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/89852-buffalo-42-ball-state-24-turner-gill-and-the-bulls-win-mac-championship

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Nick Lilja

Nick's Fans (15)

Nick's Lineup

Favorite Tags

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Nick's Bio

Nick's Recent Articles

Did You Ever Notice That...

Sitting Down With Sportswriter and Everyday Champ1on Nick Lilja

Myles Brand Left His Mark

Tom Brady Is Not Comeback Player of the Year Material

Nick Writes About

The Short List What Nick thinks about sport's most pressing questions

Bulletin Board (49) Post a note »

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