#SocialStudies v11.0
April 26, 2012
April is coming to a close and we're catapulting into the final full month of the 2012 sports year.
Let's dive right into a few video bits -- shall we?
1.Spring in his step
Spring college football doesn't involve a lot of technical tackling or hard-hitting, but that doesn't make this feat any less impressive. When was the last time you saw a ball carrier run full tilt into a jump-stop and then front-flip over a defender? And stick the dismount ... errrrr "landing' ... well enough to keep gaining yards?
Prior to watching this clip from Lincoln (Mo.) University, my answer was never.
2. GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLL!!!!
It's a bit out-of-season, but I had to share this clip between Saint-John and Chicoutimi (Quebec Junior Hockey League) -- won in OT by a player who needs some recognition for being, in my recollection, the first to celebrate a goal in such fashion.
The French announcers are a bit obnoxious, but trust me here: The Frozen Worm this kid busts out after the goal is epic.
3. The agony of ...
Earlier this month, SB Nation online voters were tasked with selecting the best animated sports GIF of All-Time -- and it should be noted that a clip from the mitten made the Finals.
Wolverine fans, even you have to appreciate the sheer awesomeness of this mortified punter face. In his defense, I'm pretty sure this is exactly how I would look in the Big House if I was in his cleats. (Click on photo for link to clip.)
4. One more look at two of Michigan's finest
To finish off this week: we bring you the recently-compiled highlights from the 2011-12 Team Wrestling Finals in Battle Creek this winter. Clips include a close-up of Taylor Massa's championship win for St. Johns in Division 2 and Student Advisory Council member Kevin Beazley's pin in the Division 1 Final for Detroit Catholic Central.
As always, shoot us your favorite internet gems anytime -- you might just see them on #SocialStudies.
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Wounded Warrior Project: DeWitt vs Portland
December 16, 2011
DEWITT -- The meeting of two state-ranked teams always will ratchet up a typical football night. Both communities, naturally, want to see which is better on the field.
But during the hour before the opening kickoff Oct. 14 of DeWitt’s game against Portland, those teams and their supporters together recognized a grander cause. The night was dedicated to the Wounded Warrior Project, which aids U.S. soldiers (and their families) who have suffered service-related injuries and illnesses.
Rain washed out some planned attractions, but the evening certainly was memorable. Both teams wore camouflage jerseys and each sent its captains to the pre-game coin toss with an honorary captain representing the military. A number of other service personnel were involved – including a local color guard that presented a 30-foot flag for the national anthem.
It’s understandable if people’s visions of wars and our military are focused an ocean away. But connections hit close to home. DeWitt’s honorary captain, Lansing’s U.S. Army Spc. Jacob Shumway, recently returned from a deployment and has been in the service for two and a half years. He’s a 2003 Lansing Everett graduate, and his mother Susan Land is the principal at Lansing Eastern. His cousins Ethan and Collin Rennaker start for DeWitt, and he walked alongside them for the pregame flip. Shumway plans to attend Lansing Community College and study digital graphic design.
Both teams are considered contenders for their respective state titles next month; DeWitt is ranked No. 7 in Division 3, while Portland is No. 4 in Division 5. And they played like it – Portland prevailed 22-20 in overtime.
A great game, no question. But similarly significant was a preliminary figure of more than $11,000 raised for the WWP.
For more about the Wounded Warrior Project visit http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org.