Rhetorical Precis

In Trevor Martin's sports documentary "Schooled- The price of College Sports(2013)”, he exposes Colleges and universities exploitation of college athletes that negatively benefits them. The author first introduces the problem with college athletics and how college athletes are not compensated; they then continue to offer solutions to the problem by suggesting compensation for the athletes. His purpose is to speak out against the NCAA for taking advantage of these student athletes making millions off of them without them making a single cent and trying to get fair compensation for these athletes. He seems to have sports fans and student athletes in mind because the documentary has college athletics in mind. I agree with the documentary in the fact that it is wrong and unjust for the colleges and NCAA to be making millions off of these athletes without them getting a single cent. Although I still believe college athletics should be kept amateur, I believe after athletes graduate from college, they should be offered compensation, leaving them the choice to remain an amateur or not. Although these athletes are getting amazing educations for free, they should still be compensated. 

Wilfork remaining a Patriot?

     The general argument made by author Mark Farinella in his work Wilfork:No Patriots place for him is that the Patriots will let the Nose tackle. He writes that Wilfork may be leaving the Pats​​when he says, "Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork is likely to become a free agent in he days to come". In  this passage, Farinella suggests that this may have been Vince's last season wearing a Patriots uniform. In conclusion, Farinella’s belief is although today's free agent market in the NFL is very unpredictable, Vince will likely not return as a Patriot.

     In my view, Farinella is right because rarely when a team does not pick up a players option do they aquifer him in free agency. More specifically, I believe that ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​there is a chance Vince Wilfork my retire. For example, ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​many Nose Tackles in the league last half as long as Vince has due to the nature of the position. Although Farinella might object that Vince may retire. I maintain that Vince may retire this offseason. I conclude that Vince gave the Patriots many great years and although his future is uncertain, he still has had a major impact on the game​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​.

Munger with incredible success at Redneck games!

Johnny Munger of Norton left the 2015 Redneck Games as the most decorated athlete. He placed in all eleven events placing first in six of them. Some of his top events were the Toilet seat throw, Hubcap hurling and Wet T-Shirt contest.

Johnny Munger went into the Redneck games as the underdog never expected to take home any of the coveted crushed beer can trophies. But as soon Munger saw the coveted trophies, he knew he had to leave with at least one if not more. Munger was off to a slow start in the pig trotter bob where he only got three in the time limit. However he excelled in the next event taking home the trophy, Seed Spitting.

“I knew this would be one of my strong events with my baseball background, I only played baseball for the seeds anyway” said Munger. In the toilet seat throw he blew his competition away from the start showing his excellent toilet seat horseshoeing skills. He then proceeded to win the Mud Pit Belly Flop, Wet T-shirt contest and Dumpster diving. He also placed second respectively in the Big-Hair contest and Armpit Serenade. 

Mungers true moment of glory came in the Hubcap Hurling. “I could not disappoint Larz” said Munger who took quite a different approach than other competitors. Where most competitors took a conventional approach to the throw, Munger used what he learn from his coach Tenglin and approached the competition throwing the Hubcap as a Discus beating his closest throw by 50 feet with a monstrous throw of 165’!

“I am very proud of my performance and hope to repeat next year” said Munger.

Hoop dreams

     Hoop dreams still matters today. As college sports are growing and recruiting practices are questioned everyday, the importance of this documentary has only become more important. Today we hear stories of kids getting recruited as young as 10 or 12, which is way too young. Hoop Dreams is an excellent documentary which followed Author Agee and William Gates through their journey to hopefully gain a scholarship and move onto the NBA. Through their high school careers though, basketball becomes more of a job for them. It becomes a challenge to continue to play the sport they grew to love. William even said when he went to Marquette, that it wouldn't bother him if he stopped playing basketball forever right there and then. 

     This documentary showed us the great pressure these young athletes compete under today. Kids play with the pressure knowing college scouts could be watching them. After the documentary, both athletes went on to college careers, but neither made it to the NBA. William Gates played three seasons at Marquette, with 29 starts. He trained with Michael Jordan and was offered to try out for the Washington Wizards, but injured his foot and never did. Authur Agee transferred from Mineral Area College on scholarship to Arkansas University. He never moved on to the NBA although going D1. He later on launched a Hoop Dreams clothing line and his role models foundation teaching young kids to look to their parent    

Sports in todays culture

In todays culture the impact sports has is tremendous. Sports have broken many barriers and has let many athletes improve society not only for themselves but for the many. Sports have had many political connections. Sports have shaped our culture, pitting own state against another. Sporting events have become major news stories. Sports have broken many barriers from race to even communism. We close entire cities for sporting events (Boston Marathon) and even sports parades. We don't even start school until after labor day because of the golf tournament in town. Sports run our culture in many aspects. Sports will always have a major influence on our culture.

Where in the past sports helped us attack issues such as racism and  communism, today sports help us take on new issues. These issues include gay rights. As major athletes come out as gay, it gives other the confidence to also come out and feel more comfortable. another issue that sports have dealt with is domestic abuse. Recently the NFL joined the Nomore campaign that has featured many popular athletes and big figures associated with the NFL to speak out against domestic abuse. These are only two of the more recent issues that sports have dealt with in a positive way. Although the NFL has help the fight against domestic abuse, some of its players have been the center of these scandals. Sports also sometimes cause kids to idolize the wrong figures. But I believe the many positives outweigh the few negatives.

Sports have also had a major impact on my life. I am proud to call myself an athlete. Sports have helped me express myself and challenge myself. Sports have helped me create many friendships that will last my entire life. Sports have also influence many of the things I do everyday, from what I wear to what music I listen to. Sports have given me many opportunities that I will forever be grateful for. Sports have taught many lessons, one of the most important lessons being how to comeback. How to comeback from defeat, from injury, and succeed. Sports are something Iwill always be grateful for, for the rest of my life.

Pats with the W

The New England Patriots will be Super Bowl XLIX champions this Sunday. This is the first time in super bowl history that the Line is set even. There are a couple key matchup. One being Kam Chancellor and Rob Gronkowski. They are calling this a key matchup. The associated press is calling this matchup that will be the focus point of the Super Bowl. This article calls this an equal matchup, but I think otherwise. I believe though, Gronk will win this matchup, by his sheer size and strength, the only worry of mine is to get him the ball.

 Another factor is deflatgate. Some people are worried that the current "deflatgate" allegations may distract the patriots going into the game. But this will only fuel the Patriots. In the past when this team has faced allegations such as this, it has only fueled them to prove everyone wrong. This Patriots team not only has strength through the few, but has great depth that will help them secure the Super Bowl win. 

A Dunn Deal for Friars analysis

The general argument made by author Peter Gobis in his work, A Dunn deal for Friars, is that Sophomore Kris Dunn is setting records and taking his team to new levels, becoming one of the best college basketball players in the country. He writes, “Dunn ranks No. 1 nationally and in the Big East”. In this passage, Gobis, is suggesting that Dunn is not only going up national rankings himself, but is also bringing his team with him. In conclusion, Gobis’s belief is that Kris Dunn’s amazing success in his redshirt freshman year is amazing especially considering what he has gone through.

In my view, Gobis is right because although he is a sophomore, this is his redshirt freshman year and he has already set many records. More specifically, I believe that this all the more impressive considering this is first year since he had double shoulder surgery. For example, “The Sophomore guard from New London, Con., became the first Friar ever to post double digits in three columns in Big East hoop history”. Although Gobis might object that the Friars play in a weaker league, I maintain that Kris Dunn’s accomplishments are still amazing in his redshirt freshman year. Therefore, I conclude that Kris Dunn may be one of the best athletes the Friars men’s basketball program may ever see.