As the ACC women’s basketball tournament gets underway, I find it bittersweet as this will be Maryland’s penultimate appearance…for no really good reason that I can fathom. Certainly not geography. Certainly not tradition. In 2014, poof, that disappears and Maryland becomes one of the outlier newcomers of the Big 10 conference who will be tolerated more than welcome. No string of tournament appearances. No history of wins. Reduced access for fans and family (road trips are no longer just a trip up/down I-95). Tougher recruiting because the rivalries are gone.

Normally I’d say something half-jokingly like, “But I’m not bitter,” but frankly, I’m bitter as all-get-out. No offense to the Big 10, they are a great and storied conference, but it’s not the right fit for Maryland (or Penn St or Rutgers, either, for that matter). sigh Guess I should enjoy the ACC run for as long as it lasts. Who knows…maybe they’ll change their mind and decide to stay.

Holiday Watch: Love At the Thanksgiving Day Parade

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One of the holidays given short shrift during holiday movie season is Thanksgiving. When they are made, it usually centers around the holiday feast. But what about the traditional parade? No, not the one in New York, the one in Chicago? When an enthusiastic parade coordinator finds herself butting heads with a corporate scrooge, holiday fireworks are bound to ignite. Continue reading 

Geno’s Rim Revision? Ridiculous!

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UConn Women’s Basketball Coach Geno Auriemma has suggested that offensive deficiencies are keeping the women’s game from growing. His solution? Lower the rims to nine feet. I have to applaud him for making one of the dumbest practical suggestions in years from someone who’s listened to. Continue reading 

USWNT Head Coach Pia Sundhage Will Be Missed

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On September 1, Pia Sundhage, the head coach of US Soccer’s Women’s National Team, announced her intention to return home to pursue opportunities in Sweden (i.e. the head coaching position with their WNT). Like many, I was caught by surprise by this. While I begrudge her none of her opportunities, I can’t help but selfishly worry about the USWNT. Continue reading