An ode to the alma mater

I know its not national sports news but to me its a big deal and since its my site I will continue. My alma mater is heading to the big dance, the Division 3 big dance that is.

William Paterson defeated Stockton to win the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship today and the automatic bid for the tournament. Pioneer Pride. Not since the days of Horace Jenkins has the men's program been at these heights.

The Bible has arrived

Its been a busy couple of weeks at the OTWT home office. The scouting department welcome a new member to its staff and the Baseball America prospects book has arrived. I have gotten the book for the last decade and its part of the baseball season starting.

I like him, but he can be annoying

While the men's hockey tournament has been fantastic, something about the coverage is starting to bother me. Its funny cause I really like Pierre McGuire and the work that he does during different events, but something about his roll with NBC during the tournament has driven me crazy and a ton of other people.

"McGuire might know what he's talking about. He might be a fantastic authority on the game of hockey,'' according to a post on the Bleacher Report. "But if you can't be a professional about it, you can't be handed a microphone and expect the listening audience to take you seriously."

While providing great analysis about some of the different players in the tournament, McGuire, who was born in New Jersey, also gives you a little bit of information about something that you could care less about. Like the fifth defense men on the Belarus team played a great game in the 2003 WJC against Switzerland or that the Swiss defense man played with someones father in the ECHL. Its great to show that you know this, but it also makes you look like a arrogant douche bag and that rubs people the wrong way.

McGuire does a great job with the NHL draft and the World Junior Championship and always knows who the next great player is going to be, but sometimes he can get really annoying like he has during the last 10 days.

The End of Route 36

Five years ago the thought of an Eagles team without Jon Runyan, Tre Thomas, Brain Dawkins, and Brain Westbrook seemed like a nightmare, but now its a reality. Last year the management got rid of Runyan, Thomas and Dawkins and now this year the Birds say good bye to one of everyones all time favs Route 36.

Sure this one stings, during the last decade the Birds offense has been built around Mc5 and Route 36. Now there is only one of them left. Westbrook was always the professional, no matter the game he always made the biggest plays.

In 2006,Westbrook set a career-high in rushing yards with 1,217, topping 1,000 yards for the first time in his career. He also lead the team with 77 receptions for 699 receiving yards. His eleven total touchdowns (seven rushing and four receiving) were also tops on the Eagles. On January 7, 2007 Westbrook set a career-postseason rushing record, rushing for 141 yards on twenty carries against the New York Giants, including a 49 yard touchdown. The following week against the New Orleans Saints, Westbrook nearly willed the team to another playoff victory, scoring two touchdowns in the game.

After his strong playoff performance, Westbrook picked up right where he left in 2007 and cemented himself as one of the top backs in the league. He had over 100 yards rushing and receiving combined in twelve of the fifteen games that he played. His 1,333 rushing yards were a new career high and his 2,104 yards from scrimmage led the NFL. Westbrook was named to his second Pro Bowl and first All-Pro team, after setting a new franchise record with 90 receptions.

After the concussion issues this year, I kept hoping that Westbrook would say goodbye to the game and allow us to remember him as one of the all time greats that has ever worn the eagles green. Sure it will be weird seeing him in an another uniform next season, but as a birds fan, I will always remember being on Route 36 and traveling it a high rate of speed.

The Cover Story: Team USA shows a ton of heart

They might not be the most talented team in the men's hockey tournament, but Team USA showed they had the heart last night in beating Canada in 5-3. The loss was huge news in Canada and even made the front page of one United States newspaper.

Detroit Free Press

The Province (Canada)

The Chronicle Herald (Canada)

Nanaimo Daily News (Canada)

The Calgary Sun (Canada)