Gabe's Take
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Quidditch, Whales and Public Relations
Principles of Public Relations is a pretty straight forward class. No surprises in this course, the class outlines the basics of what it would be like to work in a Public Relations setting. It gives details on everything from studying solutions to Seaworld's Whalegate (yes, I made that up) to working Public Relations in a sports setting. In fact, I volunteered to run a Twitter account for USF Quidditch. That decision was inspired on what I'm learning in this class. I'm obviously a big sports nut; working a Public Relations career with a sports franchise is a dream for me.
This class, Principles of Public Relations, has confirmed my desire to work in the field of Public Relations. Before this semester, I wanted to take up this major mostly because I felt like I had the skills to do the job well. It had nothing to do with the fact that I thought I'd actually enjoy working in Public Relations, I just felt like I had the basic skills to work well in the field. . However, as I am finishing up this course, I have realized that this is a field I am actually interested in. I enjoy the inner workings of Public Relations, and I feel like this is a career that I'll learn to love.
Follow me on Twitter: @Gabriel0430
Follow USF Quidditch on Twitter: @USF_Quidditch
Friday, February 14, 2014
USF Quidditch Takes to Twitter
As you all know, I am a member of the USF Quidditch Club. Yes, it is based directly off of the sport as it appears in the Harry Potter series. I'm sure you all have questions in reference to how the game is played. Tweet @USF_Quidditch, a new Twitter account created by me just a few hours ago. As always, you can tweet me directly @Gabriel0430.
Friday, December 6, 2013
Lightning Defeat Senators
The Tampa Bay Lightning were able to beat the Ottawa Senators 3-1 in last night's game. It was a decent game for the Lightning, especially considering how many injuries the team is dealing with. Speaking of that, the team lost Hedman and Aulie to injury during the game. Aulie will be out for some time with a broken hand while Hedman is day to day. Lightning coach Cooper said Hedman likely won't be ready for Saturday's game.
St. Louis scored twice from nice passes by Palat, and Filppula finally got on the board again for the Lightning.
The story coming out of the game, other than St. Louis scoring twice, is the lengthening injury list. The team showed it has guts and heart, but let's not forget the opposing team wasn't exactly an elite team. Great effort from the Lightning, bit not something to get excited about just yet. We'll see what happens Saturday against the Jets.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Tampa Bay Lightning Face the Columbus Blue Jackets
The Tampa Bay Lightning have had their own fair share of problems coming into the night as well. Two weeks ago, the Lightning went on a four game west coast road trip that saw the team go 0-3-1. The last three games for the Lightning were played at home. Tampa Bay managed to win two out of three games in the short home stand. Now the Lightning pay a visit to Columbus before heading back home for a couple games later in the week. The Lightning hold a record of 4-5-1 in their last ten games.
Obviously the loss of star-center Steven Stamkos has impacted the Lightning tremendously. While the Lightning have continued their home dominance, now holding a record of 10-3-0 at home, the team is just 6-6-1 away from the Tampa Bay Times Forum. While the Lightning lost their last game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at home, head coach Jon Cooper was not too upset with his team. According to Lightning beat reporter Missy Zielinski, Cooper said, "it was just a game where the puck was unable to make it in the net." Indeed, the Lightning looked to have done everything right that night against the Penguins, but they could not get past a focused Marc-Andre Fleury. The Lightning will look to bounce back from that game tonight against a struggling Columbus team.
The Blue Jackets lost on Saturday to the Boston Bruins by a score of 3-1. The Blue Jackets do not have any notable injured players, but the team is struggling to get any traction this season. The team holds a 5-7-1 record at home, which may be an advantage for the a Lightning team that has struggled in its last few road games. Defense may be the biggest issue for the Blue Jackets this season. The team has allowed 80 goals this season, ranking them in second most for goals-allowed in the Metropolitan Division. The only team in the division that has allowed more goals is the last place New York Islanders (93).
On paper, the teams come into this game evenly matched. Both teams have had their own fair share of struggles. While the Lightning are the stronger team overall, the Blue Jackets may be able to play up to par against them because of road struggles for Tampa Bay. While the Lightning should win this game, the Blue Jackets certainly have the ability to earn a surprise win tonight.
Stats from NHL.com, Tampabaylightning.com and Columbusbluejackets.com.
Tampa Bay Lightning Game Preview by Missy Zielinski
Follow me on Twitter: @Gabriel0430
Monday, December 2, 2013
NHL Winter Classic: Not So Classic
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Alabama Field Goals
Why was backup kicker Adam Griffith attempting the field goal in the fourth quarter instead of starter Cade Foster? Sure, Foster was 0-3 in field goals during the game, but he is the starter for a reason. I think a coach should definitely stick to his best players in order to provide the est chance to win a game. There are many accounts that say Griffith nails 50+ yard field goals during practice, but it's just that; it's only practice. A player can't be judged by what he's done during practice. Practice does not create an environment equal to a tie game with one second left in the fourth quarter against a rival team.
Adam Griffith has only take two field goal attempts this season, hitting one and missing the other. And to top it all off, Griffith is a freshman. It isn't fair to thrust a freshman player into a situation as big as this and expect him to nail a 50-plus yard field goal. It isn't as though Cade Foster missed all three of his field goals either.
Sure, the stats read as zero field goals in three chances for Foster. But he technically only missed one, and that was after a made field goal was canceled by a false start penalty. The other two missed field goals were blocked, so if anyone should be subbed out it's the linemen attempting to protect their kicker. Why punish Foster for two blocked field goals? Why is Griffith taking that kick in the fourth quarter?
Griffith probably felt horrible after the game, and still might not be too happy with his attempted field goal today. However, Griffith is the last person to blame for the loss to Auburn. The linesmen lining up in front of both Griffith and Foster can be blamed quite heavily for Alabama's loss. A penalty added unnecessary pressure to Cade Foster, while lack of strength and coverage led to two blocks for Auburn's field goal defense. It would have been a shame if Griffith would have curled up in the fetal position right in the middle of the field as he felt the massive amount of pressure surrounding the situation in the fourth quarter.Thinking back on it a day later, Alabama may wish it would have happened that way instead.
IMAGE from ESPN: #43 Cade Foster hangs his head with quarterback A.J. McCarron looking on after a missed field goal during a game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Follow me on Twitter: @Gabriel0430