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Ohio State Football is coming….Here we go again!

August 7th, 2007 categories: Columbus, Entertainment, Local Communities, Recreation, Sports

It’s true. We are less than a month away from kick off at the Horseshoe. I realize many think our passion for Buckeye Football here in Columbus borders on insane. I for one enjoy the ride each year and am looking forward to another season.

I consider myself a die hard fan and despite last year’s humiliating loss to Florida and the loss of so many talented players, I believe in this year’s squad. Last year was a great run, but it is in the past. Let’s look to the future whatever record it may bring.

And as we look to the future I offer some suggestions for good fan behavior. My time at the 2006 Michigan game, which was potentially one of the best college football games of all time, was marred seriously by ignorant, rude and childish fan behavior from all ages.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a bit of tailgating before the game just as much as the next Bucks fan. The reality, however is that too many take it too far. Drunken, cursing fans and burning couches are unbecoming to say the least.

I would think every OSU fan would want visitors to our area to be impressed by our home town including the people, the sports facilities, the sportsmanship and the football team. With this in mind I would encourage everyone attending a Buckeye game to consider the following:

We are ambassadors of the University, the City of Columbus and the State of Ohio.
It really is, in the end, just a game.
The players on the field are just kids and they work incredibly hard to provide the sporting entertainment we so enjoy. Honor them.
We owe it to the younger generations in the crowd to see what true sportsmanship is and how to be a true fan, win or lose.
We know what is right and wrong. Remember the golden rule and treat others as you would like to be treated.

I believe we can be the best fans in the land, but from my experience this has not been the case. I attend many games and I LOVE Buckeye Football. My comments here are not meant to criticize the fans as a whole or to take away from the excitement of the coming season.

I just know the Horseshoe can be a better place on Saturday afternoons. With all of this in mind, dig out your Buckeye necklace and the four paneled scarlet and gray corduroys, smear on some face paint and GO Bucks!

O-H!

Authored by Eric | Discussion: 4 Comments »

Summertime, Summertime, Sum-Sum-Summertime!

June 26th, 2007 categories: Columbus, Entertainment, Lewis Center, Local Communities, Recreation, Sports

Central Ohio is a bastion of outdoor activity this summer. We may not have mountains and we may not have the ocean, but we do have a vast array of outdoor recreational choices for you to indulge yourself, your family or even Fido.

We have Alum Creek State Park. Not only is there a 3,000 foot beach offering a changing area and concession stand, but Alum Creek Resevoir is a dream for boaters and water skiers.

Alum Creek State Park (4)b

Nearby is the 4 acre Alum Creek Dog Park, where fellow Fidos will think they left the suburbs and went to heaven. Alum Creek Dog Park offers separate fenced areas for large and small dogs as well as a fenced beach area to cool off on a hot day. Simple, unadulterated, canine bliss, my friends.

Also worth mentioning is the venerable Alum Creek Mountain Bike Trail, which offers beginner, intermediate and advanced trails. Get your heart rate going in the fresh Ohio air on these gorgeous trails:

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Ohio Mountain Bike Association. Check out the Alum Creek Phase 1 and Phase 2 maps on the left sidebar. Plenty of fun for beginners to advanced mountain bike enthusiasts.

So, no excuses, people! Get outside and enjoy these central Ohio jewels. Take yourself, your family, your bike or your dog. Just GET OUT!

Authored by Eric | Discussion: No Comments »

It’s tough being a Crew fan!

June 18th, 2007 categories: Columbus, Entertainment, Local Communities, Sports, Westerville

Until a few years ago when my twin daughters began playing soccer, I didn’t know the first thing about the game. In fact, I often made fun of one of my good friends from high school who is, to say the least, a soccer fanatic. And now, I have become a bit of a fanatic!

My daughters are entering their third season as a part of the WASA Eagles club. For most of the year, our family devotes 4 days a week or so to the sport I once jeered. Truth be told, I love it. The Mid Ohio Select Soccer League is a thriving organization and we have enjoyed seeing our girls and their friends learn, grow and challenge themselves.

Win, lose or draw, they are our children and we support them. As a parent, this is easy to do, but as a fan of the Columbus Crew it is a bit harder.

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I do not consider myself a fair weather fan, but winning is nice. My new found passion for soccer has lead me to follow the only Major League Soccer team in our area.

The Crew were introduced in 1994 and in in 1999 opened the first soccer specific stadium in the United States. Fan support was strong and Columbus was honored to be a part of Major League Soccer. The story since then has been one of ups and downs.

The last few seasons the Crew has struggled, not making the playoffs since 2004. Last year, with storied coach Sigi Schmid coming on board, was billed as a re-building season. After a dismal 2006 season the “construction” is again active this year. With a roster which changes like Columbus area weather the Crew again have a firm grip on the basement spot in the Eastern Division.

But wait! There is hope! They are actually scoring goals and fortunately have tied more often than they have lost. This is a good thing in soccer as ties gain points for a team while losses do not. Somehow, someway there is still hope. At least from my perspective as a soccer convert there is hope.

In the meantime what can we as Columbus Crew Fans do to help?

1. Attend the games – Crew Stadium is a great venue and a fun place to take a date, have a family night out or just be alone in your soccer kilt

2. Watch the games – This year MLS has the best TV coverage ever

3. Stay positive – Remember, there is hope

4. Be patient – The Crew is here to stay as is evidenced by the planned training facility

The bottom line is we are lucky to have the Crew. Soccer is growing in the United States and will continue to do so. Clearly, we can not win them all but at the same time it can’t get much worse. If you are like me, you will find a way to put your disappointment aside and be a true fan, win or lose.

Go Crew!

Authored by Eric | Discussion: 1 Comment »