Wednesday, February 27, 2008

The Double-A

Over the course of six months of blogging, I have come to accept the inescapable certainty of natural law. To wit, during holidays, there will be more recreating than reading. As a result, I have adopted a Prime Directive similar to that of James Tiberius Kirk, intrepid Captain of the USS Enterprise. My General Order #1 is, to take no action to interfere with the normal affairs of the readership.

I have it on good authority that this week, the attention, and schedule of many of the readers of this periodical will be focused on the 63rd edition of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Basketball Tournament. Now I can hear some saying what is that? Others are bemusedly thinking that is no holiday. And some are simply waiting for me to…Break It Down!

Well for starters, I will stipulate that for the next five weeks, Charlotte will be transformed into the center of the CBU, College Basketball Universe. The metamorphosis began on Monday, February 25th when the CIAA Women’s Tournament kicked-off at Bobcat’s Arena in Charlotte. The basketball and festivities, and there are a lot of both, conclude on Saturday, March 1st, with the crowning of both the 2008 Men’s, and Women’s Tournament Champions.

The Double-A, as the event is affectionately called, is not a battery, nor a shoe size. Neither is it really a holiday; it is actually a holi-week! I will address that later, in greater detail.

In less than two weeks after the CIAA packs it in, the vaunted Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Tournament will take up residence at Bobcat’s Arena, as Charlotte hosts the Conference’s 55th Tournament, March 13th – 16th. Finally, after another much needed pause, the third in the trio of collegiate basketball sporting events, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Eastern Regional Basketball Tournament takes center stage, also at Bobcat’s Arena, March 27th and 29th.

Most people, sports fans or not, are familiar with the NCAA Tournament. The phrase, The Road To The Final Four, has been oft repeated for many years. It’s a National phenomenon. The ACC Tournament now includes teams from Boston to Miami, and is also a widely popular brand, know throughout the Country. Fewer people know about the CIAA. But that does not diminish its appeal, success, or venerable history.

While many may find it surprising, the Double-A is older than the ACC Tournament. In fact, the Conference is much older than the ACC, having been established in 1912. The ACC was formed in 1953. The CIAA Tournament also boasts a level of success on par with its better known, younger counterpart. For the third year in a row, the event has sold out Bobcats Arena months in advance. Like the ACC, there are no general ticket sales. Tickets are allocated to member Institutions (the ten member colleges and universities), and sold through them.

The 2007 CIAA Tournament entertained 165,000 fans and patrons at its various events. To be sure, the CIAA is not just a basketball tournament. Its part reunion, part party, part history lesson, and all fun! The Conference has already reached an accord for a three-year extension, ensuring that Charlotte will host the event through 2011.

The Tournament features great men’s and women’s basketball. Several of the CIAA’s best have left, and continue to leave, their mark on the NBA. Vernon Earl "The Pearl" Monroe (Winston-Salem State University/Baltimore Bullets & New York Knicks), Alvin "Al" Attles (NC A&T State University/Philadelphia-San Francisco Warriors), Sam Jones (North Carolina Central University/Boston Celtics), Derrick "Rick" Mahorn (Hampton University/Detroit Pistons), Charles Oakley (Virginia Union University/New York Knicks), Ben Wallace (Virginia Union University/Detroit Pistons & Cleveland Cavaliers), Terry Davis (Virginia Union University/Dallas Mavericks), Ronald "Flip" Murray (Shaw University/Detroit Pistons), and Darrell Armstrong (Fayetteville State University/Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks, & Indiana Pacers) are all CIAA alumni.

There are currently ten member schools in the CIAA. Two more are scheduled to join, Lincoln University (Pennsylvania), and Chowan University (Murfreesboro, NC), for football only. The ranks currently include public and private colleges and universities in North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland:

Member schools

Eastern Division
Bowie State University
Elizabeth City State University
Saint Paul's College
Virginia State University
Virginia Union University

Western Division
Fayetteville State University
Johnson C. Smith University
Livingstone College
Saint Augustine's College
Shaw University

Bowie State University
Location - Bowie, Maryland
Founded - 1865
Affiliation - Public
Enrollment - 5,454
Nickname - Bulldogs
Varsity Sports - 11
Joined - 1979

Elizabeth City State University
Location - Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Founded - 1891
Affiliation - Public
Enrollment - 3,025
Nickname - Vikings
Varsity Sports - 10
Joined - 1957

Fayetteville State University
Location - Fayetteville, North Carolina
Founded - 1867
Affiliation - Public
Enrollment - 6,085
Nickname - Broncos
Varsity Sports - 10
Joined - 1954

Johnson C. Smith University
Location - Charlotte, North Carolina
Founded - 1867
Affiliation - Private/Non-sectarian
Enrollment - 2,500
Nickname - Golden Bulls
Varsity Sports - 13
Joined - 1926

Livingstone College
Location - Salisbury, North Carolina
Founded - 1879
Affiliation - Private/African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Enrollment - 1,100
Nickname - Blue Bears
Varsity - 11
Joined - 1931

St. Augustine's College
Location - Raleigh, North Carolina
Founded - 1867
Affiliation - Private/Episcopal
Enrollment - 1,700
Nickname - Falcons
Varsity Sports - 14
Joined - 1933

Saint Paul's College
Location - Lawrenceville, Virginia
Founded - 1888
Affiliation - Private/Episcopal
Enrollment - 750
Nickname - Tigers
Varsity Sports - 14
Joined - 1923

Shaw University
Location - Raleigh, North Carolina
Founded - 1865
Affiliation - Private/Baptist
Enrollment - 2,500
Nickname - Bears
Varsity Sports - 13
Joined - 1912

Virginia State University
Location - Petersburg, Virginia
Founded - 1882
Affiliation - Public
Enrollment - 4,300
Nickname - Trojans
Varsity Sports - 14
Joined - 1920

Virginia Union University
Location - Richmond, Virginia
Founded - 1865
Affiliation - Private/Baptist
Enrollment - 1,525
Nickname - Panthers
Varsity Sports - 12
Joined - 1912

If you have never attended the Double-A, and have the opportunity, by all means do so. Just be advised, this is not your father’s Oldsmo…, I mean tournament. The activity is non-stop, and multi-dimensional. There are multiple venues, and it is common to see folks engaged in milling about, visiting, viewing exhibits, eating, watching people and a host of other endeavors…during games.

By the same token, there are staunch fans of the game who wouldn’t think of missing the action on the court. Fortunately for them, there is a virtual panoramic parade of activity going on inside the arena, ranging from Mr. CIAA, to cheerleaders of teams that have been eliminated, haven’t played yet, or just not playing at the time, but who are committed to providing their own fashion show.

As an alumnus of a CIAA constituent member institution, I am intensely interested because I have a stake in the outcome…no matter how much of a long shot it is. But I have found the event to be enjoyable and entertaining on its face. I am certain I would feel this way even were I not the proud owner of a degree from one of the schools...with no outstanding college loans.

The fun is just getting started. Catch it if you can. I am out; holla back!


Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.blogspot.com/, or by Googling thesphinxofcharlotte. A new post is published each Wednesday.


http://www.charlottesports.org/ciaa/

http://www.ciaatournament.org/content/page/title/CIAA_History

http://www.ciaatournament.org/content/page/title/Commissioner

http://www.ciaatournament.org/content/page/title/Schedule_of_Events

http://206.142.5.6/ec_promo/107/promoproducts.asp?TFSession=S8FdSEwZzWv9ht4heUPr09kI3k3m9j4ccKFUnC8NY3HFhv1M5bDqV3YYxCk71Pjn

http://www.ciaatournament.org/content/page/title/CIAA_After_Party

http://www.ciaatournament.org/content/page/title/2008_CIAA_Ford_Fan_Experience

http://www.ciaatournament.org/content/page/title/Sonic_Boom

http://www.ciaatournament.org/content/page/title/Black_Magic

http://www.ciaatournament.org/content/page/title/2007_Tournament_Highlights

http://www.ciaatournament.org/content/page/title/2008_CIAA_McDonald

http://www.earthquakeproductions.net/

http://www.ciaatournament.org/content/page/title/Mobile_Marketing_Tour

http://www.ciaatournament.org/content/page/title/Press_Kit

http://www.ciaatournament.org/content/page/title/Press_Conferences

http://www.ciaatournament.org/content/page/title/Sponsors

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Eclipsing The Moon

As my mind turned toward selecting a topic for this week’s blog, a clear path toward this evening’s total lunar eclipse seemed to be emerging. After all, this periodic natural phenomenon is a spectacle that will be viewed with interest across North America. There has not been a total lunar eclipse since August 28, 2007, and there will not be another until December, 21, 2010.

Of course other newsworthy events continue to unfold. Senators Obama and McCain won their respective Wisconsin Primaries, McCain also won in Washington State, and Obama is expected to prevail in Hawaii, where he was born, and still has family. The price of oil exceeded $100 per barrel, and the United States has decided it will soon test new military technology to shoot down a dysfunctional spy satellite.

Yes, all of these matters are interesting subjects, compelling in their own right. But upon deeper reflection, I decided to spend a few minutes contemplating the quite expected demise of one of the most enduring and enigmatic political forces in the history of the Americas, Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz.

The 81 year-old Cuban attorney, turned revolutionary, has been in power since January 8, 1959, nearly 50 years, the result of an armed revolution that overthrew the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista. Over the years Castro assumed various titles, but always retained a firm grasp on the Cuban government. Shortly after the revolution, he was sworn in as Cuba’s Prime Minister. In 1965 he became the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, and transformed the Country into a one-party socialist republic. In 1976 he assumed the presidency of the Council of State as well as of the Council of Ministers. He also maintained the supreme military rank of Comandante en Jefe ("Commander in Chief") of the Cuban armed forces. Fidel also holds at least one non-Cuban title, Secretary-General of the Non-Aligned Movement, an international organization of states considering themselves not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc.

The evolution of the downward trajectory of the Castro era was considered in full effect on July 31, 2006 when after surgery for an undisclosed illness, believed to have been diverticulitis, Fidel transferred his responsibilities to First Vice-President, Raúl Castro, his younger brother. At that time, it was widely rumored that Fidel would never again resume authority. In fact, he was thought to be near death by many.

Yesterday, five days before his mandate expired, Fidel Castro, in Lyndon Johnson style, declared he would neither seek nor accept a new term as President or Commander-in-Chief. For decades, Castro has been considered a lightening rod in American political circles. The United States has maintained formal economic, commercial, and financials sanctions on Cuba since February 7, 1962, in the form of an embargo. President Bush has already declared he will not immediately lift the embargo.

It is estimated more than one million Cubans have migrated to the United States, many settling in Miami, and South Florida. The Castro Regime developed a number of policies that ostensibly benefited many of Cuba’s poor, while disfranchising the wealthy and middle class. Many of the latter, whom supported the revolution, were displaced, and subsequently fled to America, where they formed a passionate anti-Castro community.

American business and citizens also had their property expropriated and Nationalized. In 1992, the embargo was codified, and entitled the Cuban Democracy Act. The purpose of the law was framed as “bringing democracy to the Cuban people. To augment the measure, Congress passed the Helms-Burton Act in 1996, further restricting United States citizens from doing business with Cuba. In 1999, President Bill Clinton expanded the trade embargo by eliminating subsidies to businesses doing business with Cuba. It is worth noting, however, despite the trade embargo and all of its iterations and expansions, the United States is still the seventh largest exporter to Cuba, totaling over 4 percent of Cuba’s imports.

There has been significant speculation that Raul Castro will move Cuba toward more centrist policies, which in turn will result in a gradual normalizing of relations with potential trading parties, including the United States. There may be opportunities for repatriation and family reunification, also.

While symbolically, the change in Cuba may not be as fundamentally earth-shaking a shift as the fall of the Berlin Wall, the implosion of the Soviet Communist Bloc, or even the evolution of China, it is as close as we can come in the Western Hemisphere. In a manner of speaking, Fidel relinquishing power is akin to the end of a half-century eclipse, as the people of Cuba may now see past the impediment that blocked their path to a free and open society.

I am done; Holla back!

Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.blogspot.com, or by Googling thesphinxofcharlotte. A new post is published each Wednesday.


http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2008/02/19/eclipse-moon.html

http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/LEmono/TLE2008Feb21/TLE2008Feb21.html

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/candidates/barack.obama.html

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iE2JCSH5p9r2GBkQWS9TWAMzmuvQD8UTPBR00

http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2008/02/19/oil_prices_rise_above_96_a_barrel/

http://www.chicagotribune.com/technology/sns-ap-dead-satellite,0,4250915.story

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fidel_Castro

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=4311654

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/19/ap/latinamerica/main3849946.shtml?source=search_story

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23241817/

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/02/19/castro/index.html

http://www.charlotte.com/world/story/499742.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/20/world/americas/20castro.html?ex=1219035600&en=b893f31a988eeaa3&ei=5087&excamp=GGGNcastro&WT.srch=1&WT.mc_ev=click&WT.mc_id=GN-S-E-GG-NA-S-castro

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/19/AR2008021900147.html?wpisrc=newsletter

http://www.latimes.com/news/la-fg-castro20feb20,0,3783611.story

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-cuba_marx_20feb20,0,5742965.story

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

The Diesel In The Desert

For three weeks in a row now, I have discussed things political. The list has included weighty matters, such as Super Tuesday, The State of The Union, and Super Tuesday results. The political Battle Royale continues, and is likely to do so for a while. Even though the process has narrowed to a candidates' Final Four, with two candidates left in both Major Parties, there is reason to believe the Primaries will take a while to unfold before the final match-ups are determined. But that is enough about that topic for this week.

Tonight, the focus shifts to the Greatest Show on Earth (in my humble opinion); professional basketball! Last week, in an unexpected development, The Miami Heat traded Shaquille O’Neal to the Phoenix Suns, prior to the NBA Trade Deadline. Shaq Diesel cleared his physical a week ago today.

Admittedly, this development causes me mixed emotions. I have always been an O’Neal fan. When the Orlando Magic traded the Big Guy to the Los Angeles Lakers, my lifetime favorite pro sports team*, not just basketball team, in 1996, I was thrilled. His pivotal role in leading them to three subsequent NBA Championships served to validate and solidify my admiration.

Obviously, when the Lakers traded O’Neal to the Miami Heat in 2004, I was a seriously unhappy camper. But I sucked it up, and grudgingly pulled for him as he teamed with Dwayne Wade to win his fourth, and Miami’s first NBA Championship in 2006. Truthfully, it was Kobe Bryant whom I harbored ill will toward, for being instrumental in breaking up a Dynasty, even if it were aging…and even though the key aging component, and frequently out of game-condition player was Shaquille. Fans do not have to be logical!

The Big Aristotle is 35-plus years old and certainly on the downside of his stellar career. The Phoenix Suns are one of the two or three most exciting and successful teams in the NBA today. They win lots of regular season basketball games. The playoffs, not so much! That’s largely because they have very little post presence, and the play-offs are much more physical than the regular season.

O’Neal should help with that if he can stay healthy enough to contribute during the Sin's play-off run. At 7’1” and over 325 pounds, he is an imposing presence on both ends of the floor, offense and defense. With the addition of Shaq Daddy, the Suns will no longer rely on pantywaists in the paint.

In fact, if O’Neal can achieve the necessary conditioning required to be consistently involved in the offense, their effectiveness in the half-court will instantly change from a significant liability to a huge asset. With a healthy, engaged, and effective O'Neal, the Suns will be a major factor in determining the Western Conference Championship, which of course establishes the Conference representative in the NBA Finals.

Therein lies the rub; the source of my mixed emotions. The Lakers are my favorite team. They also executed a recent trade that should strengthen their efforts to advance to the Conference Finals, and if successful there, to the League Championship series. During the weekend before the Suns traded for Superman, the Lakers acquired Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies.

Gasol, a Spaniard, who is 7’1”, 260 pounds, is a prototypical European post player. That means while not a banger, he is a skilled player and is effective shooting the ball long range. His addition in the Lakers' line-up replaces Kwame Brown primarily, the 2001 NBA #1 Draft Pick, and considered widely a bust. Pau will join Andrew Bynum, drafted #10 in 2005 by the Lakers. Together Gasol and Bynum are expected to rejuvenate a re-tooled Lakers' front court, and help Kobe Bryant return the vaunted franchise back into Championship contention.

In closing, Shaq is still cool with me. I will pull for him, except when his team plays the Lakers, or the Bobcats, of course. I wish The Diesel In The Desert success in his quest to re-claim the West, this time for the Suns. His efforts will definite strengthen the Suns, whose style of play I enjoy immensely. But that’s as far as it goes. When it comes to “How the West Is Won,” GO Lakers!

*The Lakers will always be my favorite team. But my goods friends and especially fellow Lakers' fans know I am a 'homer.' When the Lakers visit Charlotte, as they did a couple of nights ago, I root for the Bobcats.

I’m done; Holla!

Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.blogspot.com, or by Googling thesphinxofcharlotte. A new post is published each Wednesday.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/07/AR2008020704267_2.html?wpisrc=newsletter

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/07/AR2008020704267_2.html?wpisrc=newsletter

http://www.sportsline.com/nba/players/playerpage/6725

http://www.nba.com/suns/news/top10reasons_080210.html

http://www.flathatnews.com/sports/1892/acquiring-shaq-makes-suns-the-wests-x-factor

http://www.chicagosportsreview.com/inthemeantime/contentview.asp?c=207788

http://www.transworldnews.com/NewsStory.aspx?StoryID=36200

http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jXXw2BwR1f0wFux8l5vYXrGpBHNg

http://www.latimes.com/sports/printedition/la-sp-lakerep11feb11,1,2281451.story

http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/nba/20080211-1421-bkn-suns-shaq.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pau_Gasol

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http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3226203

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/nba_experts/post/Whaddayouthink-Pau-Gasol-traded-to-the-Lakers?urn=nba,64793

http://www.mercurynews.com/sportsheadlines/ci_8237997

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Dateline: February 5, 2008

In NOLA, that’s New Orleans, Louisiana for the culturally illiterate, yesterday was Fat Tuesday, commonly known as Mardi Gras. That means, of course, today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, and 40 days before Easter. In 2008, it’s also National Signing Day for College Football, and the epicenter of Rivalry Week in College basketball…which quite simply means dook plays Carolina in hoops! But I digress.

While yesterday was Fat Tuesday in Nawlins, in 24 other States and Territories from Alaska to Massachusetts, it was Super Tuesday, the largest Primary Election Day in the history of America. Election ’08 continues to intensify and gain momentum, moving toward an historical culmination that is all but certain to yield either a woman or a black as a major Party’s nominee for President for the first time.

On the other side, it seems an intriguing duel is developing between two candidates who have chosen to emphasize as their principal point of emphasis the war in Iraq in one instance, and the economy in the other. The fly in that ointment is a third candidate, who is maintaining sufficient traction to remain in the race.

Late in the evening, Senator Obama was the projected by CBS News to be the winner in at least 13 of the 22 Democratic Primaries and Caucuses, including Primaries in Illinois, his home State, and Missouri in the Midwest, along with Georgia and Alabama in the South, Connecticut and Delaware in the Northeast, plus all of the night’s Caucuses, including Alaska, Utah, Idaho, Colorado, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Kansas.

Meanwhile, according to CBS News, Senator Clinton was targeted for victory in 8 Primaries, including her current home State of New York, California the largest, and most delegate-rich state, and Massachusetts, despite Obama receiving Kennedy family endorsements. She is also expected to win in Arizona, Oklahoma, Tennessee, New Jersey, and Arkansas

When the details are synthesized, it is clear; there is still a race, as was anticipated before the day began. A quick look shows Obama won more States, while Clinton maintains the edge in delegates, but not by much.

Flip over to the Republican Primaries, and a different phenomenon is unfolding. Senator McCain has nearly doubled the delegate totals for former Governor Romney, and former Governor Huckabee, combined! He is projected by CBS News to have won nine States, including New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Connecticut, Illinois, Delaware, Arizona, Missouri, and California. By emerging victorious in the most populous States, the Senator has achieved the double bonus of creating breathing room, and simultaneously putting substantial pressure on both Romney and Huckabee.

Next in the pecking order, for the moment anyway, is Romney, whom CBS News projects to have won six States, including Massachusetts, where he served as Governor, Utah, North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, and Colorado.

It is surprising to some, but Huckabee continues to persevere. CBS News projects him to have won five States, including West Virginia, Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia. That Huckabee is managing to remain spiritedly involved in a back and forth competitive delegate race with Romney is said to symbolize several lingering concerns.

One, it is argued that McCain would have an even more dominant lead, were it not for concerns about his conservative credentials. Two, this difficulty Romney has had gaining traction and parlaying it into votes may erode his ability to sell himself as a viable candidate. Three, the combination of one and two above, despite his influx of resources, may wear on Romney’s resolve to continue in the race.

So what have we learned? We already knew that by today, over half the delegates for each Party’s nomination would be decided. They have been. We know that the Democrats are down to the semi-finalists, Clinton and Obama. Theirs is a race that could go the distance, and not be decided until the Convention Floor, August 25-28, in Denver, Colorado.

We know the Republicans have a clear front-runner in John McCain. He has a significant lead, but currently does not have the leverage to persuade either of his two remaining challengers to submit. As long as neither can create separation from the other, it is likely both will remain in the race. All three may not make it to The Republican National Convention, September 1-4, in St. Paul, Minnesota…but they may!

The delegate count is shaping up. The Democratic candidate needs 2,025 delegates to clinch the nomination. After yesterday’s Primaries and Caucuses, Senator Clinton’s approximate delegate total is 835; Senator Obama’s total is 724, and Senator Edwards, who is no longer in the race, 26 delegates. The Democratic composite total looks like this:

Total Delegate Count

Democrats 2,025 Needed to Clinch
CLINTON
835
OBAMA
724
EDWARDS
26

CBS News etimates. Includes superdelegates.


The Republican Candidate needs 1,191 delegates to clinch the nomination. Senator McCain has accumulated approximately 512 delegates, former Governor Romney has roughly 151 delegates, and former Governor Huckabee has a projected 134 delegates. The Republican composite total looks like this:

Total Delegate Count

Republicans 1,191 Needed to Clinch
MCCAIN
512
ROMNEY
151
HUCKABEE
134

CBS News estimates. Includes superdelegates.


Enough already, I am done for this week; holla back!

Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.blogspot.com, or by Googling thesphinxofcharlotte. A new post is published each Wednesday.


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