As a student on campus who is not a part of UCLA athletics, it is easy to assume that being an athlete is not difficult. As a recruited walk-on for the track and field team and the president of the Black Business Student Association (BBSA), Anthony Martore can attest to not only the difficulty of being a student athlete, but …
Jason Collins: The First Openly Gay, Male Athlete
Watch Jason Collins’ interview with Oprah discussing the struggle of being gay as well as African American, above. “I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m Black. And I’m gay.” – Jason Collins, Sports Illustrated A few months ago NBA player, Jason Collins became the first openly gay male athlete that is still active in an American team sport. His revelation …
Feel The “Magic”
Earvin Johnson Jr., better known by the name “Magic” for his magical basketball talent, is truly a magical human being. At a college level, Johnson was destined for greatness after leading Michigan State University to a NCAA National Championship, making him the easy choice for the #1 draft pick in the 1979 NBA draft. Now a retired Hall of Fame …
Hold On, We’re Going Home
We are just a week into the new 2013-14 NBA season, and a few teams have already made some big moves. The Toronto Raptors, lately, have been making headlines news. Started from the Bottom Now, They’re Here. The Toronto Raptors latest acquisition of local rapper DRAKE has the team on a quest to be Successful. Most certainly, DRAKE is the best …
Gabby Douglas and The Hair Dilemma
Douglas is the first Afrikan American gymnast in Olympic history to become the individual All-Around Champion, and the first American gymnast to win gold in both the individual All-Around and team competitions at the same Olympics. In addition, she is the first and only American All-Around Champion to win multiple gold medals, so far. Despite all of her accomplishments, however, …
Kobe Bryant: Making A Statement On and Off The Court
One of the most talented athletes on the planet, Kobe Bean Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, is well known for his amazing skills and success on the basketball court. One aspect of his life that should be noted, in addition to his athletic career, is his service to the public. In 2007, Kobe Bryant founded the VIVO Foundation, currently …
Former NBA Player, Now A Mayor
An average career in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for most players is within 6 years. Many professional basketball players that do not pan out in the NBA find careers in business, politics or film and television. In the case of former NBA player Kevin Johnson, he went from playing on the hardwood to becoming the current mayor of Sacramento, …
The L.A. Dodgers on a Winning Streak After a Dreadful Slow Start
Yasiel Puig celebrates the recent success of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Official Los Angeles Dodgers Instagram/ October 14, 2013) ANGELES, Calif. (AP)- The Los Angeles Dodgers have had a magical season this year after a dreadfully slow start. After being at (30-42), a season-worst 12 under .500 on June 21st with the season in danger of spiraling out of control, …
The UCLA Bruins Are Back, But Are They Forreal?
UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr, left, celebrates with teammate Myles Jack after recording a sack during the first quarter of Saturday’s game. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times / October 12, 2013) PASADENA, Calif. (AP)- Just two days after their convincing win over the California Golden Bears, 37-10 UCLA Bruins. Once previously ranked at 11 in the Associated Press (AP) and USA Today coaches’ poll, …
NBA Lockout Over
NBA Lockout Over By Will Edem The NBA Owners and Players have reached a tentative deal to end 149 day lockout. This news comes as a surprise because during the lockouts the NBA Player’s Association had disbanded and cut off all talk with the Owners of the teams. A secret meeting of about 15 hours was held between both sides …