The Fine Men of Sports-Reggie Bush

In the second installment of The Fine Men of Sports we will learn about Reginald Alfred "Reggie" Bush II.  This young gentleman was born March 2, 1985 in San Diego, California. Standing at 5'11 with a 203lb build Reggie Bush plays for the New Orleans Saints, the 2010 Superbowl Championship Winners. Being drafted in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft, Reggie Bush became #25 and a heart throb for women everywhere.

Starting his career at the University of Southern California, Reggie Bush was the first freshman that USC has seen since 1974 to lead the Pac-10(Pacific-10 conference) in kick off returns. His 1,331 all-purpose yards set a USC freshman record and was awarded ESPN's Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year.




In 2005 Bush was a unanimous First-team All-American and winner of the Heisman Trophy. He was also named the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year, Pigskin Club of Washington D.C. Offensive Player of the Year, and Touchdown Club of Columbus Player of the Year. Reggie also won the Walter Camp Award and the Doak Walker Award; which is given to the nation's best running back.

Unfortunately all has not been fun and games for Mr. Bush.

• Just before the 2006 draft, reports surfaced raising questions about whether Bush's family received gifts in violation of NCAA policies. 
• In November 2007, sports agent Lloyd Lake sued Bush and his family for not repaying over $290,000 in gifts. 
• On June 10, 2010, the NCAA announced major sanctions against USC. The NCAA found that Bush had received lavish gifts from Lake and his partner, Michael Michaels, from at least December 2004 onward, including a limousine ride to the 2005 Heisman Trophy presentation. As a result, USC was slapped with four years of probation and forced to vacate its last two wins of the 2004 season as well as all of its wins in the 2005 season. The Trojans were also banned from bowl games in 2010 and 2011 and will lose 30 scholarships over three years. The NCAA also forced USC to permanently disassociate itself from Bush.
• On July 20, 2010, incoming USC president Max Nikias stated that the school would remove jerseys and murals displayed in Bush's honor from its facilities, and would return the school's copy of Bush's Heisman Trophy.

 Now despite all the negative attention Reggie Bush is receiving one can not downplay his actions on the field. Having a shaky start in 2006 and 2007 season he became a surprising attribute to the Saints in the following years.


So ladies and ladies please have your napkins ready, and enjoy an eye full of the New Orleans Saint's #25 Reggie Bush!  

References :
Yahoo Sports
NFL
Wikipedia

Come one, come all....please?!

In these trying times the public want a way to escape their financial woes, but at the same time, not spend a lot of money. IAAM.org had an article that can be seen here, that touches on what facilities are doing to raise attendance while keeping the cost down.

First I will touch on how the venues itself reach their target audience. The idea of traditional marketing seems to be a thing of the past. I am not saying venues have stopped using it; it is just more of a back burner deal.

This day and age a lot companies are relying on social media to reach their audiences. Being apart of the younger generation I feel that this is an inexpensive way to advertise. Like the article stated most consumers will not recognize a venue by name only, but by the events that are held there. Sports teams have taken the steps in creating Twitter accounts and Facebook pages to alert fans to information, updates and even ticket sales to their events. Celebrities such as comedians and musicians have taken to social media to advertise upcoming shows and ticket prices, some even at a discount.

The article also touches on not only how venues reach out to consumers, but how to generate an income that will benefit both venue and the costumer. Offering discount package deals like that of the 76ers at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They offer a Family Fun Pack that includes four tickets to a game, four hotdogs and four sodas. The prices for the packages are based on seat location and range from $99 to $149. Other venues hold $1 hotdog days and a 5 for $5 meal deal.

Having specials like this is a sure way drive attendees to events.  In a article by an NBC affiliate, Austin News KXAN.com speaks about the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and how they used Twitter and Facebook to send out messages to promote a free ticket giveaway. 

I feel that social media is a great way to reach out to fans to let them know what is happening with their favorite events. Another approach venues can use is mobile marketing. Setting up a campaign that will send alerts to consumers interested in getting updates, discounts and even fun games and invites to special events can catch the receivers attention. Everyone loves a good deal and with the down economy its something we are all looking for.

The Fine Men of Sports-Cristiano Ronaldo

Since the World Cup just ended a few weeks ago, I felt it would make sense to have the first "Fine Men of Sports" to be a soccer player. Now there are many to choose from, but one that gets worldwide acclaim for his young and marketable looks.

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro born February 5, 1985 is a Portuguese soccer player who plays as forward for Spanish club Real Madrid and serves as captain of the Portuguese national team. Cristiano currently holds the distinction of being the most expensive player in soccer history after being transferred from Manchester United to Real Madrid in a transfer deal worth $132 million(US). In addition, his contract with Real Madrid, in which he is to be paid $17 million(US) per year over the following six years, making him the highest paid football player in the world. So not only is Cristiano highly talented, he's not bad eye candy as well.

He has received any awards for his outstanding abilities in soccer including:

• FIFA World Player of the Year: 2008
• FIFPro World Player of the Year: 2007–08
• World Soccer Player of the Year: 2008
• FIFPro World XI: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09
• Portuguese Footballer of the Year: 2006–07

And the list goes on.

At the age of 8 Cristiano starting playing soccer (football) for amateur team Andorinha. In 1995 he signed with local club Nacional, and, after a title-winning campaign, he went on a three-day trial with Sporting CP(Sporting Clube de Portugal).

While playing with Sporting CP Cristiano was first spotted by then-Liverpool manager Gérard Houllier at the age of 16, but Liverpool declined to take him on because they decided he was too young and needed some time to develop his skills. However, he came to the attention of Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson in the summer of 2003, when Sporting defeated United 3–1 in the inauguration of the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon. Ronaldo's performance impressed the Manchester United players, who then urged Ferguson to sign him.




Ronaldo became Manchester United's first-ever Portuguese player when he signed after the 2002–03 season. Cristiano played with Manchester United from 2003-2009 and was well received by fans and his teammates. In July of 2009 Ronaldo was officially signed to Real Madrid for a six year contract.








Now on to the parade of Cristiano Ronaldo

 DELICIOUS RIGHT!?!?!

Until next time!

Welcome!!

As stated above this blog is dedicated to sports and sports related topics for a class assignment. I’ve been to numerous sporting events professional, semi-pro, collegiate and high school, and just enjoyed the thrill of the games. The hard work of the players on the field and the hard work that goes into planning the game day activities is something that has always left me enthralled.

My blog will consist of my views on different events happening in the sports world. It will range from news, to equipment, from collegiate to professional. I’ll even have a few posts for the ladies ( hottest men in sports! :o) ). Of all the sports I’ve participated in I’ve found a passion for cheerleading (yes it is a sport!), and I am not talking about the “cheerleaders” you see on the sideline at professional sporting events.  So welcome to my world, enter into my brain, sit back, relax and enjoy Sports 4 All Sorts!