Life Changing Sports Injuries

Michelle LaHam, 22, former basketball player at Western Michigan University.

During the winter of 2003, Naperville North High School senior Michelle LaHam was debating whether she was going to be a Badger or a Bronco. She had received several offers to play college basketball from different universities but had narrowed her decision down to two: the University of Wisconsin and Western Michigan University. After committing to Western Michigan University, her parents were so proud and relieved that they wouldn’t have to pay for college, that they purchased her a brand new Ford Escape as a congratulatory gift. With Michelle’s dream becoming a reality, she had no idea that a serious injury would cut her basketball career short.


Brendan Camplin, 21, Cross Country & Track for the University of Iowa

At Batavia High School, Brendan Camplin was four-time all conference in track and conference runner-up in cross country during his senior year. Brendan spent all of his time in high school running and taking honors courses. School was always top priority in Brendan’s life and running was the only way he relieved stress. Brendan knew the only way he could keep himself balanced in college was to run at a competitive level. On a visit to the University of Iowa, a meeting with Coach Larry Wieczorek sealed the deal. Brendan was going to be a Hawkeye. Although Brendan said coming to the University of Iowa was the best decision he has ever made, he couldn’t predict the unfortunate incident that would lead to red shirting his freshmen year.


Matthew Abraham, 20, catcher, University of Wisconsin-Parkside

Matthew Abraham has been playing baseball since he was six-years-old. His father played at Iowa State University and influenced Matthew to start playing baseball at a young age. During his senior year at Naperville North High School, Matthew was All Conference, All-City and All-Area. He was also elected to play on the Illinois All Star team. In the spring of 2006, Matthew committed to the University of Wisconsin at Parkside. His life dream is to play for the MLB. When he began is college career he felt one step closer to making this dream a reality. Several sports related injuries during his sophomore year at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside have made achieving these dreams seem further and further away.


Each of these athletes has experienced a life changing sports injury. Aside from the obvious physical effects of sports injuries, these athletes often experience negative emotional turmoil. Through conducting several interviews, each of these athletes were kind enough to share their story with me. Stay tuned, tomorrow I will post their emotional stories.

A Sad Day For Henry Blanco

MLB.com sadly reported that Cubs catcher Henry Blanco's brother was found dead in Venezuela. Carlos Simon Blanco Sanchez was kidnapped Sunday and found shot Monday evening. Blanco had reportedly been in the negotiation process to save his brother's life. The kidnappers were asking for a reported $200 million.

Blanco is currently in Venezuela playing winter ball for the Margarita Bravos. My condolences to Henry Blanco and family for their loss.

The Chicago Cubs are scheduled to begin Spring training on February 25th in Mesa against the LA Dodgers.

Simple. To The Point.

I think the Chicago Cubs are the best team in the MLB.

Worst Holiday Gifts

As we approach the holiday season...
You all know the feeling. You have been eying that one present for weeks and now it's time to see what it really is. An iPod? A computer? Jewelry? A new North Face? We all have such high hopes going into the holiday season. We all have faith that our parents/grandparents/love interest will surprise us with the most thoughtful and/or creative gift. You try your best to crack that fake smile, as your family ooooo's and aaahhh's, and thank grandma for the sweater...

Below is my personal list of embarrassing/useless/worst Christmas gifts. What do you think? What is the worst/embarrassing gift you have ever received from a relative that you were forced to open in front of your entire family?


*SOCKS*

*FRUIT CAKES*










*HOLIDAY SWEATERS*









For girls...any type of *LINGERIE*, or anything that comes in a Victoria's Secret Box (This can be really embarrassing to open in front of dad and grandpa... )








*PICTURE FRAMES* ( I. Hate. Picture Frames. I see picture frames as kind of a filler gift; come on you can be more creative than that. )






*RE-GIFTS*( That are obviously re-gifts )



*CALENDERS*



*SNOW GLOBES* (I know everyone has gotten one of these)





Acceptable Gifts for Both:

*MONEY.* The gift that keeps on giving. Happy Holidays!

That All-Star Game...Do You Remember When?

When I was a child, the summers seemed to last forever. Long days and nights with friends, no school, no responsibilities. Oh how I miss those days. When I was a child, the highlight of my summer was softball season. From the time I was six, I would spend my summers at the softball diamond. I will never forget those days, I wish they never had to end. In particular, one moment from my favorite summer past time sticks out in my mind...

It was the summer of 1997. I was ten years old and had not a care in the world. My best friend Kelly and I were both members of the Wildcats softball team. I remember my excitement the first day when I found out we were going to be Wildcats. I even remember when my coach handed me the purple jersey.

Kelly and I were next door neighbors back on Yorkshire Lane. I will never forget how excited we were when we found out we would be playing on the same team. Kelly had a great arm, and I had a great eye for the ball. Together we would have made one amazing softball player.

Aside from getting our jerseys on the first day of practice, we both will never forget the 1997 All-Star game. Kelly and I both were excited to be selected to represent our team that year. As a child, the little things seem so important. We both can vividly recall that day....the day we both got two amazing hits off the fastest pitcher in the league.

Kelly and I knew that we would have to face Katherine Fisher, the fastest pitcher in the entire league. I will never forget how white our faces were before we stepped up to the plate. Kelly struck out her first time at bat. I assured her that the next time she was up she would smack the ball over the right fielders head. And she did.

It was the seventh inning, I was on deck and Kelly was batting. She looked really nervous as she moved back in the batters box. Ball, Ball, Strike, BOOM. The ball soared over the head of the girl in right field. Kelly rounded third and slid into home. Homerun! What a feeling. (I think she was more excited that she got to slide into home, which we all thought was so cool back then).

Now it was my turn. I shivered (Not sure why..) as I approached the plate on that 90 degree July day. My dad told me to choke up and get back in the box. He was standing behind the chain link fence. Ball,Strike, BOOM. A line shot into center field. Double. I was so proud of myself, I'll never forget that moment.

Although neither one of us play softball anymore, we are still proud of our accomplishment that day. I would say this is probably my proudest personal moment as a child. My dad still tells this story...just ask him about it.

49ers v. Cardinals LIVE BLOG!!

7:15 I am getting ready to start watching the 49ers/Cardinals game...countdown 15 minutes! I don't know a lot about either one of these teams, so it should be overall an interesting game! here we go!

7:30 it's not looking good for the 49ers, Cardinals are predicted to win this evening.
Team records: 5-3 AZ, 2-6 SF

7:42 Cardinals kick off, touchdown 49ers Rossum runs 104 yards, wow... before the clock even starts. Field goal good... 7-0 49ers.

7:50 Just couldn't make it to the end zone.. Field Goal.. Arizona 7-3 49ers

8:00 offense number 47 false start 5 yard penalty

8:10 49ers 2nd and 8, pass to Hill incomplete. 49ers are challenging the call of an incomplete pass. After the play was reviewed, the call stands. San Fran was charged with their first time out

8:15 FLAG: False start Arizona offense number 76, five yard penalty..

***END OF FIRST QUARTER**

8:22 TOUCHDOWN 49ERS caught by Morgan.. Flag thrown, Hill's 2nd touchdown toss of the year, the Cardinal defense is pretty weak this evening I'd say... Field goal good! 14-3

8:30 Warner's pass caught by Preston, unbelievable catch, perfect position catch. the Cardinals are getting real close to the end zone for the 2nd time tonight. TOUCHDOWN ARIZONA! Warner's pass complete to Bolden--Field goal good! 14-10 49ers, the Cardinals are coming back

8:45 pass escapes Hightower who was running for an extra yard, fumble was ruled to be recovered by the 49ers, the Cardinals will challenge the play... call rules in favor of Arizona, they are not charged with the TO.

8:55 Singletary is doing a great job coaching tonight...thoughts?? Flag called...false start, offense number 74 San Fran, five yard penalty The call is not challenged..Hill loses his helmet, 49ers get their first down

9:10 Davis flag for un-sportsman related conduct for removing his helmet 15 year penalty.. 21-13.

**HALFTIME***

9:30 Arizona is getting close to the end zone, 4th and one, Warner to Fitzgerald, touchdown Cardinals..making a come back from this game that was supposed to be an easy win for them.. it's getting real close now in the 3rd quarter. The field goal is good.. 21-20 49ers remain ahead

9:38 first down 49ers, pass incomplete to Davis...the 49ers only maintain a 1 point lead now, field goal is good... the score is now 24-20

9:53 FLAG, pass interference offense number 81, repeat 2nd down. Out of field goal range...Fans are not pleased in Arizona tonight, boos from the crowd

10:00 Sean Hill's pass is intercepted for a Cardinals TOUCHDOWN, Arizona takes the lead 26-24, Wilson number 24 is called off sides, five yard penalty...Arizona loses the lead, false hope too quickly!!

Great 49er defense tonight..

**END OF 3RD QUARTER**

10:12 24-23 it's getting to be a close game in the 4th quarter..Arizona needs to win this game, as they were predicted to.

10:21 first down for Arizona, Warners throw is caught by Boldin

10:23 flag is throw false start Arizona number 85, Warner throws to Fitzgerald incomplete

10:30 Wilson intercepted a pass thrown by Hill, FLAG defense number 90, five yard penalty.

10:32 FLAG, pass interference offense number 80, 1st down

10:33 TOUCHDOWN Boldin! Cardinals take the lead 29-24, looks like they are making their comeback with not much time to spare!

10:45 3:37 left of the game 2nd and 3rd 49ers, Hill's pass is no good, 3rd down, Sean Hill's pass is good to Jason Hill

10:50 Arizona pass interception , unnecessary roughness call on Arizona, 10 yard penalty, San Fran is a few yards shy of a first down, with one time out left, Arizona leads by five with two minutes remaining

11:00 1:15 left on the clock, 49ers last chance ... 1st and 10, Sean Hill's pass complete to Jason Hill, 2nd down J. Hill catches the ball again with two yards to go

11:02 20 seconds left, Arizona calls a time out...49ers are in the end zone, two seconds left, flag called runner "down by contact" clock reset to four seconds, third down .. 49ers fail to make it into the end zone

11:06 CARDINALS WIN! As predicted, although they had to struggle to win..the 49ers played a really good game with great defense. Arizona had to put up a fight, but in the end they ended up winning the game 29-24

BREAKING NEWS

Cubs catcher Geovanny Soto was named National League Rookie of the Year today. CONGRATS SOTO!!