Northern Star
 

Advertisement

hiring ad
 

 
Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

Ensure student journalism survives. Donate today.

Express Yourself: A Northern Star project
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

NIU sports are full of heartbreak

By Steve Brown | February 14, 2006

If your idea of romance involves watching a sporting event, you have two problems. First, you should probably get out more — maybe try dinner and a movie. And if you're an NIU sports fan, your second problem is you've probably had your heart broken...

NIU finding itself behind wire-to-wire

By James Nokes | February 14, 2006

It has been 80 minutes of game time — four halves — since the NIU men's basketball team held a lead. To label the first two legs of a three-game road swing as unkind to NIU would be an understatement. The last time the Huskies led a game was against...

Three-pointers doom Huskies

By James Nokes | February 13, 2006

The biggest loss for the NIU men's basketball team Sunday took place before the game even started. The absence of leading scorer James Hughes and a 7-0 deficit to start the game paved the way for Kent State to post a 67-55 victory. NIU (13-9 overall,...

Four game streak ends at Ohio

By James Nokes | February 10, 2006

Ohio proved that all good things must end by snapping the NIU men's basketball team's four-game winning streak with a 78-67 win Thursday night. A sloppy start marred by four early turnovers and the absence of leading scorer James Hughes forced NIU to...

Huskies riding hot streak

By James Nokes | February 9, 2006

If you are an opponent of the NIU men's basketball team, you just don't know who is going to beat you. "You never know with our team, which guy will have the hot hand," NIU coach Rob Judson said. "That's the strength of our team, the unpredictability...

Point – Counter Point

By Jarrod Rice & Sean Ostrszka | February 8, 2006

Editors note: Point/Counterpoint features two members of the Northern Star sports staff in a debate about topics in the NIU sporting world. Sean Ostruszka: Let's face it. The MAC East is just too good. Jarrod Rice: Yeah, the MAC East is tough, but the...

NIU hopes to stay hot

By Ben Gross | February 7, 2006

It's nice to be hot during this time of year, especially when a groundhog has said there are six more weeks of winter. That's exactly what the NIU men's basketball team has been, with its victory over Western Michigan tying a season-high four game winning...

Women’s hoops: next big thing

By Lacy Searcy | February 7, 2006

OK, we all know football is the powerhouse sport at NIU. Everybody loves the football program. And they should — the team wins, and that's what fans like. The men's basketball team does get some attention from students. They should get more because...

Men’s Basketball: Huskies 86, W. Michigan 60

By Ben Gross | February 6, 2006

Big Ben toppled down this weekend — and as he fell, 2,612 fans rose and cheered at the once-in-a-lifetime sight. "[Ben Rand] makes all of his free throws," NIU coach Rob Judson said. "And makes a shot that I think Huskies fans will probably remember...

Huskies buck Broncos

By James Nokes | February 6, 2006

The NIU men's basketball team could do no wrong Saturday at the Convocation Center. At least it seemed that way to Western Michigan coach Steve Hawkins, as NIU rolled to a 86-60 win in front of 2,612 fans. "I thought NIU played a terrific ball game,"...

Huskies look for fourth straight to make it four in a row

By Ben Gross | February 3, 2006

Every game is important for the NIU men's basketball teams, but the final score against Western Michigan could decide a lot more than a win or a loss. That's because the NIU men's basketball team only holds a half-game lead over Western Michigan in the...

Commentary

By Steve Brown | February 3, 2006

A word to any college athlete who believes they're the next great star.

Whether you are or not, please, please, keep your mouth shut.

However you have to do it, whether it be duck tape, a dirty sock or a voice-activated shock collar, keep your opinions and ego to yourself.

Why you might ask’ Because, right now, your silence is what makes college sports so much better than pro sports.

Turn on ESPN and you'll notice they are broadcasting 24/7 the every thought, sound and muscle twitch of the Indiana Pacers' Ron Artest.

In case you're not up to date on his latest hissy fit, Artest publicly declared he wanted to be traded to "any team" in December. The forward had been suspended from the team up until Tuesday when the Pacers arranged a trade for Artest to go to the Sacramento Kings.

Unfortunately for the Pacers, Artest nixed the trade by saying he didn't want to play there. Sound familiar’ Try Terrell Owens two years ago. Apparently, the latest word is the Artest trade is back on but who knows or cares.

Scenes like this are becoming more and more common in today's sports realm. More and more pro athletes are putting themselves first for more money, exposure or just because that's what they felt like doing that day.

But not in college.

Ahh, sweet and innocent college athletes have yet to find their voices. And I hope it stays that way for all time.

There is no coach bashing. No demands to get the ball more. No demanding period. Why’ Because as an athlete in college you have no power. Shoot your mouth off once and your coach will have you running wind sprints for the next six weeks, nonstop.

Imagine a Texas Tech player going on television and screaming for more playing time. Bob Knight would break a chair over his head — and then he'd really go to work on him.

In sports there is a term that is sometimes overused and yet under appreciated: team.

Such a simple word holds the reason for success in college athletics. Team is the reason for March Madness upsets and bowl game glory. As great as Vince Young or Garrett Wolfe are, take away the 10 guys beside them and you'd never have heard of them.

So, college athlete, heed this advice. Keep your mouth shut and keep college athletics pure of egos.

And if you see one of your teammates mouthing off, tell Bob Knight.

  1. Pages:
  3. 1
  4. ...
  5. 80
  6. 81
  7. 82
  8. 83
  9. 84
  10. 85
  11. 86
  12. ...
  13. 135