sports

Nice article on UVa’s men’s lacrosse team hunting down another NCAA championship.

Especially telling, and applicable to most very successful teams: (read, I’m posting this as a reminder for ultimate season)

“We pride ourselves in getting after you and playing hard. That hasn’t always been associated with Virginia. We always have talent,” [Coach] Starsia said. “We ride hard, we pick the ball up off the ground. We’ve been very focused on the quality of our effort every day.”

Added Poskay, who leads the team with 29 goals: “We have 3:30 practices, and we have guys on the field at 2:45 shooting and half the team is there at 3. Guys want to be there, and the seniors are a perfect example. We know what happens when you don’t do the work.”

Three years removed from a national title, two years removed from missing the tournament with a 5-8 record, and one year after a stunning 9-8 loss to Johns Hopkins in the national semifinals, the seniors such as Ward, Culver and midfielder Kyle Dixon have an extra sense of urgency.

In preparation for this evening’s try at finally getting one for the thumb…

via Myron Cope sounds:
Myron: “…yoi and double yoi!” (.wav file)

Stillers’ tunes: (click arrow to play)
We’re from the ‘Burgh
the Steelers Polka

on the Towel: (via steeler shop)

It is not an instrument of witchcraft…It is not a hex upon the enemy. THE TOWEL is a positive force that lifts the Steelers to magnificent heights – and poses mysterious difficulties for the Steelers’ opponents’ only if need be. Many have told me that THE TERRIBLE TOWEL brought them good fortune, but I can’t guarantee that sort of thing because the Steelers, after all, are THE TOWEL’S primary concern. Still, at the least, the symbol of THE TERRIBLE TOWEL will serve as a memento of your having been part of the Steelers’ Dynasty and if it causes good things to happen to you, so much the better.

-Myron Cope

and finally, the slightly spooky, strangely intimidating, s t e e l e r b a b y
(see esp. the “babyfood” link on the left, which involves one of the hallowed Primanti bros. sandwiches)

Not much to say re: the Braves. Still probably my favorite team, maybe even with UVA basketball (a challenging team to follow in a different way). I’ve always maintained, and will still, that I’m happy when my team gives me a reason to be excited about games all the way into October.

Still, slightly further into October would be nice some of the time – as would not having the annual bashing of the Braves fans. Hey, statistically, we’re still only a little behind what would be expected in terms of WS wins (1 in 8 chance), and we’ll be right on if we get another one in the next 2 years (er, those are rough #s but you get the idea).

This appropriate picture is from one of the better Braves and baseball in general sites, Sabernomics

I may check records later, but while I could still write it, I wanted to recognize that this may be the latest into the football season that the ‘Dawgs, Cavaliers, and yes, Commodores have gone yet to taste defeat in well, any time recently.

So for now, here’s to us!

        

UPDATED: now 8 and 0, with knock-on-wood winnable games upcoming!