News Cut: November 3, 2011 Archive

Gopher guard fired

Posted at 10:29 AM on November 3, 2011 by Bob Collins (5 Comments)
Filed under: Sports

Maybe a security guard at the TCF Bank Stadium didn't get the memo that it'd be OK for fans to rush the field if the Gophers beat Iowa last Saturday, but it's cost him his job.

Check out the guy in pink:

University of Minnesota athletic director Joel Maturi says he's disappointed in the guard's actions. The company responsible for security fired the guard, but has not revealed his name.

(5 Comments)

An unglamorous look at women in athletics

Posted at 11:10 AM on November 3, 2011 by Bob Collins (10 Comments)
Filed under: Sports

Common sense, an even an occasional glimpse at the sports pages, will confirm the problem that MPR's Midmorning tackled today -- women's sports don't get the attention they deserve, it may discourage more girls and women from participating in sports, and the media too often portrays women as sexual beings before showing them as outstanding athletes.

Mary Jo Kane, professor in the School of Kinesiology and director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport at the University of Minnesota, used Minnesota native Lindsey Vonn as an example, saying she was constantly portrayed in sexual tones rather than athletic ones.

"It's because there are too many men -- and in particular white men -- in sports journalism," added Don Sabo, professor of Health Policy and Health Education at D'Youville College in Buffalo.

Unanswered in the hour was whether Vonn, herself, is making it more difficult for women to be portrayed as athletes. Vonn has crafted her sexy image. Just check our her website.

In a recent tournament, the Associated Press reported on what Serena Williams was wearing while reporting on the results of her tournament. It struck me as despicable, but it's also a role Serena Williams has cultivated. Check her website.

Dr. Kane said this isn't about an individual female athlete, it's about why corporations don't want to sponsor female athletes as athletes. She suggested that women athletes who market their own sexuality do so because of the need for corporate sponsorships.

It also may have something with the Williams' sisters non-athletic businesses which push the glam, and the fashion, and the perfumes.

In the recent Minnesota Lynx run to their championship, there's no question that many people -- mostly men -- dismissed the WNBA, often appearing personally threatened by the success of female athletes. But it's also true that many men overcame their gender and their whiteness to support the squad. And so did the media.

For example, when's the last time you read or watched a story about Lindsey Whalen that stressed sexuality and glamor? The Star Tribune's Jim Souhan -- he hates everybody -- lavished nothing about athletic praise on the squad at season's end.

By the way, Dr. Sabo indicated during the show that NPR did its part to diminish the coverage of women's sports. "They had Diana Nyad," he said. "Now, she's out. Instead we have Tom Goldman." (Disclaimer: Nyad was at one time also the highest paid non-executive in American Public Media)

That didn't stop NPR, however, from providing consistent and compelling coverage of the athlete's recent attempt to swim to Cuba. It was written by Greg Allen, a white guy.

That, too, is worth acknowledging. Maybe a corner has been turned.

(10 Comments)

The new Twins broadcaster

Posted at 12:24 PM on November 3, 2011 by Bob Collins (4 Comments)
Filed under: Media, Sports

The Twins have named a new play-by-play radio broadcaster to replace John Gordon, who retired at the end of last season.

Cory Provus gets the job after serving the last few years as the backup to Milwaukee Brewers' legendary broadcaster Bob Uecker.

I haven't listened to an entire season of Milwaukee Brewer baseball but a quick scan today revealed a solid play-by-play style -- nothing particularly flashy and generally whitebread in nature -- with the occasional baseball cliche thrown in...

He's no Ernie Harwell nor Vin Scully, but who is?

You can learn a little more about him and his baseball knowledge by reading his blog at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Of course, Provus won't have Uecker in the booth with him, so we wont' have exchanges like this, which Provus documented on his blog:

Bob: "Do you know anything about Tony Plush? Where does he come from?"

Cory: "Well, Nyjer Morgan is who you see on the plane and in the clubhouse. However, once he takes the field he becomes Tony Plush."

Bob: "All right."

Cory: "So, tonight's text question tonight is for you. If Tony Plush is Nyjer's alter ego, what is Bob Uecker's?"

-Now, without any hesitation he uttered the following answer....

Bob: "Bette Davis."

-Little background on Bette. Her website, BetteDavis.com, labels her as "The First Lady of the American Screen." She won numerous awards over her legendary acting career incuding a couple of Academy Awards.

Cory: "Why?"

Bob: "Just the way she dressed. Powerful. Good right handed hitter. Looked good in flats, heels and pumps. I do all of that."

Cory: "Really? I haven't seen that side of you yet?"

Bob: "Well, don't come into my room unannounced. Otherwise you'll see me in a dress."

(4 Comments)