Chinas Universities open the door for baseball players
Chinese Baseball Association Hails Historic Announcement
Several of China’s Universities have agreed to add baseball to their list of sports that offer a passport to a tertiary education: a move that baseball insiders have greeted as instantly increasing the People’s Republic’s potential to produce stars in the future.
Shanghai International Studies University, North China University of Technology, and Nanjing University of Technology, East China University of Political Science and Law, Guangzhou Sport University and Tianjin University of Sport have all agreed that they will include baseball among the sports where young talent will be recruited at lower academic admission requirements or exempted them for immediate admission.
“The cooperation of these Universities with CBA is of epoch-making significance. Baseball will become a popular and favorable sport to the young generation now,” Madam SHEN Wei, Secretary-General of the Chinese Baseball Association (CBA) and an Executive Committee Member of International Baseball Federation, the worldwide governing body for the sport of baseball said.
“I’m not sure how easy it is for baseball fans anywhere else in the world to understand the significance of this. It’s a milestone for youth baseball development!” declared Chinese-born financier Kenny HUANG Jian Hua, the chairman of QSL Sports Limited, who earlier this month was unveiled as the CBA’s long-term partner chosen to China Youth Baseball League (“CYBL”).
“This is an enormous step in unlocking the potential of a country of 1.4 billion people. Now baseball is a potential path into the university system it will free hundreds of young players to continue to combine their studies with their sport, instead of being forced to drop baseball completely, and it will inspire thousands more, maybe even tens of thousands children, to give the sport a try! “
Huang’s excitement stems from the enormous importance Chinese parents place in their offspring’s education, a phenomenon that can be traced back to the country’s so-called “one-child policy”.
“For many families there is only one chance, so they plan their child’s education very carefully, almost from the day they are born,” explained Huang, who graduated from Chinese Zhong Shan University, one of the top 10 universities in China before furthering his studies in the United States. Huang has also been involved in a variety of sports deals involving the New York Yankees.
“Naturally, they are reluctant to let anything get in the way of their child’s future. Now, however, baseball can be part of that future. The fact is, overnight, playing baseball has turned into something that can improve the talented child’s chances of getting into a good university!”
Almost all Chinese universities reserve a proportion of places, with slightly lower academic requirements, for talented young athletes with basketball, soccer and volleyball among the most common sports. Earning one of these places is notoriously difficult.
One of the universities entering into the swing of baseball is particularly likely to attract the attention of parents with would-be sluggers or flame-throwing pitchers: The Shanghai International Studies University is one of China’s leading foreign language colleges and part of China’s prestigious “Project 211″ programme aimed at developing its universities into world-class academic establishments.
Meanwhile the CBA has also announced an acceleration in the growth of their sport. Mme SHEN revealed that, through a co-operation with the Ministry of Education, 1,000 schools now have baseball teams, of which 140 are in the tertiary educational institutions. Official statistics now suggest that over 100,000 Chinese are engaged in baseball activities.
Source: QSL Sports Limited
They Are the Champions, Concrete Canoe Champions, That Is
University of California, Berkeley Wins National Concrete Canoe Competition
Despite the clouds, thunder and occasional lightning, the event being held yesterday at Tuscaloosa’s Lake Nicol looked like an ordinary canoe race. The canoes these competitors were racing were far from ordinary, though; in fact, the competitors themselves were anything but typical. They were civil engineering students from across the United States and Canada, and the canoes they were racing are made of concrete.
With equal parts technical skill, creativity and determination, the University of California, Berkeley captured the ‘America’s Cup of Civil Engineering’ yesterday at the American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) 22nd Annual National Concrete Canoe Competition. Their first championship since 1992, Berkeley’s 230 pound, 20-foot-long canoe, the Bear Area, defeated entries from 21 other top engineering schools.
“Over the past three days, these outstanding civil engineering students have shown that technical skills combined with an innate sense of creativity can turn a seemingly impossible task into a reality,” said ASCE president D. Wayne Klotz, P.E., D.WRE, F.ASCE. “With the innovative thinking we saw during the competition in Alabama, I can’t wait to see what’s to come from these students in the future as they begin their professional careers.”
Berkeley’s closest competitors were second place Ecole de technologie superieure (ETS) with the 190 pound, 20-foot-long Vintage, and the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, which finished a close third with the 246 pound, 20-foot-long canoe, also called the Vintage. For their top finishes, the Berkeley, ETS and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo earned $5,000, $2,500 and $1,500 in scholarship money, respectively.
The 2009 ASCE National Concrete Canoe Competition teams in order of final rank are:
1. University of California, Berkeley
2. Ecole de technologie superieure
3. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
4. University of Florida
5. University of Nevada, Reno
6. New Mexico State University
7. Universite Laval
8. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
9. University of Alabama in Huntsville
10. University of Cincinnati
11. University of Wisconsin – Platteville
12. Clemson University
13. Ohio Northern University
14. Polytechnic Institute of New York University
15. University of Evansville
16. University of Washington
17. Fairmont State University
18. Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville
19. University of Texas at Tyler
20. University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
21. University of Memphis
22. University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
The races counted for only 25 percent of the teams’ overall score. The remaining 75 percent was based on a technical design paper; a formal oral presentation; and the end product–the final racing canoe and project display, which were scored on aesthetics and visual presentation. Special awards were given to two teams.
The event, organized by the American Society of Civil Engineers and hosted by the University of Alabama, was made possible by the support of the American Concrete Institute; Baker Concrete Construction; World of Concrete; and Holcim (US) Inc.
The National Concrete Canoe Competition is organized by the American Society of Civil Engineers and is funded by the generous support of the American Concrete Institute; Baker Concrete Construction; World of Concrete; and Holcim (US) Inc. This year’s event is hosted by the University of Alabama.
Source: American Society of Civil Engineers
Columbus To Host 2010 McDonald’s All American High School Basketball Games
Nation’s Top-Rated High School Basketball Players Will Compete in Columbus to Raise Money for Ronald McDonald House Charities(R) and its Local Chapters
McDonald’s Corp. announced that Columbus, Ohio, will host the 2010 McDonald’s All American High School Basketball Games March 31, 2010 at Value City Arena, home of The Ohio State University basketball teams.
The McDonald’s All American Games are recognized as the premier showcase for the top high school basketball talent in the country. Annually, 24 boys and 24 girls are selected from a pool of more than 2,500 nominees nationwide. The players will not only become part of the long-standing tradition of the Games, but will also raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC(R)) of Central Ohio.
“It’s a great honor to be hosting this game in our own backyard,” said Shirley Rogers-Reece vice president and general manager, McDonald’s Ohio Region. “This opportunity is a huge coup for not only McDonald’s in central Ohio, but for the entire community. We can’t wait to show off our great city by hosting the athletes, families and fans here.”
The McDonald’s All American Games tradition will continue with the following events planned for 2010:
- Team visit to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio: Every athlete who participates in the McDonald’s All American Games visits the host city’s local RMHC Chapter to experience first-hand how the Games impact the local community.
- POWERADE(R) Jam Fest: Slam dunk, skills and 3-point competitions–March 29, 2010
- Fundraising Event for the Community: March 30, 2010
- The Boys and Girls All American Games: March 31, 2010
“We could not be more excited to have the Game here in Columbus,” said Paul Thompson executive director of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio. “This will provide us with even more opportunities to help families in and around Ohio and show off our beautiful new House.”
More information on ticket sales will be available in fall 2009.
2009 McDonald’s All American Game
The 2009 McDonald’s All American Games will be played Wed., April 1, 2009 at the Bank United Center in Miami, Fla. The Girls Game begins at 5:30 p.m. ET and airs live on ESPNU, and the Boys Game tips off at 8:00 p.m. ET and airs live on ESPN. For a complete list of players and more information on the McDonald’s All American Games and RMHC, please visit: www.mcdonaldsallamerican.com or www.mcdepk.com/2008allamericangame/. You can also visit www.insidethegames.net to obtain news and analysis of the Games and other basketball topics of interest on a regular basis.
McDonald’s All American Games Background
Since 1977, more than 850 players have competed in the McDonald’s All American Games, forming an elite list that reads like a “Who’s Who” in basketball history. McDonald’s All American athletes include NBA greats Alonzo Mourning (retired), Magic Johnson (retired) and LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers), as well as WNBA star Seimone Augustus (Minnesota Lynx) and Candace Parker (Los Angeles Sparks) and women’s NCAA stars Tina Charles (Connecticut) and Maya Moore (Connecticut).
Source: McDonald’s Corp.
New Study Reveals Swimming Can Cut Men’s Risk of Dying in Half
Research shows swimming may be the prescription for longevity
A new study shows that swimming cuts men’s risk of dying by about 50% compared to runners, walkers and sedentary peers. The University of South Carolina study led by Dr. Steven Blair evaluated comprehensive physical exams and behavioral surveys from thousands of people who were enrolled in the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study (ACLS) over the last 32 years. The results were presented at the 2008 World Aquatic Health(TM) Conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and have been published in the International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education.
“Swimmers had the lowest death rate,” explains Blair. He adds that the study takes into account age, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol intake, hypertension, other medical factors and family history. “This is the first report that examined mortality rates among swimmers in comparison with other types of physical activity and sedentary lifestyle. We conclude that men who swim for exercise have better survival rates than their sedentary peers,” he summarizes.
The ACLS includes extensive medical and physical activity data on more than 40,000 men, age 20-90 years. “These lower rates in swimmers compared with walkers and sedentary men might well be expected,” comments Dr. Blair, “but it is surprising that we also observed lower mortality in swimmers than in runners,” he adds. “Therefore, swimming appears to be a healthful alternative to other types of physical activity.” The study population was limited to white, well-educated, middle- to upper-class men. While this limits the generalizability of the study, it should not affect the study’s internal validity, advises Blair. He explains that, “there is no compelling reason to assume that the benefits of swimming would be different for women or for men in other socioeconomic groups. In an earlier study in this same population we found that both women and men had similar benefits from swimming in terms of fitness and other health indicators.”
Dr. Blair also found that regular swimmers had a higher cardiorespiratory fitness than walkers and sedentary people. He concludes that, “Swimming provides a healthful alternative to traditional modes of exercise for improving cardiorespiratory fitness and health for the general population, as well as for patients suffering from chronic diseases. Swimming may be a good alternative exercise for individuals who cannot participate in running or other forms of physical activity.” Future research will compare injury information between swimming and other forms of physical activity.
Founded in 1965, National Swimming Pool Foundation(R) (NSPF(R)), which helped fund this research, is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving public health worldwide by encouraging healthier living through aquatic education and research. NSPF is the leading educator of aquatic facility operators and the chief philanthropic research sponsor in the aquatics field. For additional information, visit www.nspf.org.
Source: National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF)
Longhorn Fans Crowned Champions of Tostitos Race to the Bowl Winning $200,000 Scholarship
Die-hard University of Texas and Ohio State University football fans complete five-day, cross-country race to Tostitos Fiesta Bowl in ultimate demonstration of school spirit
The Tostitos brand today crowned six die-hard University of Texas fans champions of this year’s Tostitos “Race to the Bowl” competition and awarded them $200,000 for their school’s general scholarship fund during the national broadcast of the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. Starting on New Year’s Eve in New York City, a team of fans from Ohio State University and the University of Texas embarked on a cross-country dash to Glendale, Ariz. – home of the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl – with stops along the way in Columbus, Ohio, Austin, Texas and Las Vegas where they competed in a variety of challenges to test their school pride and spirit. The winning team was announced, along with a highlights presentation of the entire journey, during the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl halftime show, which was televised nationally on FOX Sports.
As a long-time supporter of college football and the Fiesta Bowl, the Tostitos brand created its “Race to the Bowl” as a tribute to the ultimate true-blue college football fans and the friendships that can be fostered over the mutual devotion to their team. Tostitos recognizes the truly devoted fans as college football’s unsung heroes and rewarded the most devoted Buckeye and Longhorn fans with the trip of a lifetime with their friends to the 2009 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl and the chance to give back to their school with a scholarship contribution.
Emotions ran high as the winners were announced before the enthusiastic crowd at the University of Phoenix Stadium, and were presented with a surprise, final challenge – correctly answer one trivia question testing the team’s knowledge about past Fiesta Bowl appearances by the Longhorn football team for the chance to double the prize for their school’s scholarship fund. Following a quick team deliberation, the team of true-blue fans provided the correct answer, winning the ultimate prize of $200,000 for the University of Texas general scholarship fund.
“The Tostitos brand congratulates the winning team of University of Texas fans and we are thrilled to present them with a $200,000 scholarship for their university,” said Ann Mukherjee, group vice president, marketing, Frito-Lay North America. “What an amazing journey this has been for these groups of friends, and it has been great to see the passion and school pride from both teams. We have always seen college football as a unique opportunity that brings friends together to share fun, memorable experiences and we hope both teams of true-blue fans will remember their ‘Race to the Bowl’ as one of their highlights of 2009. We congratulate both teams on a job well done.”
The Tostitos “Race to the Bowl” put six die-hard Ohio State University fans head-to-head against six ultimate University of Texas fans in a race across America to the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl and a chance to win $100,000 for their school’s general scholarship fund. The race kicked off on New Year’s Eve day in New York City where teams faced-off for their first challenge – a football passing drill against the backdrop of the hustle and bustle of Manhattan, and then performing their school’s fight songs to earn “tips” from the public. The teams then traveled to their respective college towns for a test of hometown school spirit that had teams recruiting local fans to have their faces painted in school colors as the truest demonstration of school pride. Next, the teams competed in a football scoring competition at Planet Hollywood on The Strip in Las Vegas and then raced to Glendale, Ariz., where they completed a football training camp-style obstacle course before crossing the finish line inside the University of Phoenix Stadium.
“This entire experience has been nothing short of amazing. After hearing about the ‘Race to the Bowl,’ I knew we had to compete as we’re the loudest, most die-hard group of Longhorn fans. We definitely proved it this week,” said Dani Peebles, captain of the team of University of Texas fans. “We’re so thankful to Tostitos for not only giving us the opportunity of lifetime, but also allowing us to give back to our school. We couldn’t have asked for a better way to cheer on the Longhorns in the Fiesta Bowl.
The winning team members and their home towns include:
- Tiffany Fogarty, Austin, TX
- Shawn Fogarty, Austin, TX
- Scott Hauptmann, Kyle, TX
- Jeffrey Judkins, Austin, TX
- Megan Luther, Austin, TX
- Dani Peebles, Austin, TX
In addition to the $200,000 scholarship presented to the University of Texas, the Tostitos brand also will award a $50,000 scholarship to Ohio State University on behalf of its team of die-hard fans that competed in the Tostitos “Race to the Bowl.”
Between November 26 and December 14, 2008 the Tostitos “Race to the Bowl” received more than 1,000 entries from true-blue college football fans who boasted their unwavering school pride and spirit. Entries were submitted through the official Tostitos “Race to the Bowl” Facebook page and the competing teams were determined by a panel of Tostitos judges.
Fans can view recaps of the race by visiting the official Tostitos “Race to the Bowl” Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/TostitosRaceToTheBowl.
Source: Frito-Lay North America