Sconnies Speak

Category: column

  • Redefining the Finish Line

    By Ellie Wise

    Even an impressive fourth-straight driver’s title in Las Vegas for Max Verstappen and a constructor’s title for McLaren in Abu Dhabi, its first in 26 years, couldn’t stop Lewis Hamilton from defining the 2024 Formula 1 season.

    While his record-breaking ninth British Grand Prix victory at Silverstone in July was the homecoming of every Brit’s dreams, it was his announcement just four weeks before the season’s start that turned the racing world on its head.

    Hamilton was trading his Mercedes blue for Ferrari red.

    He’s won six driver’s titles with the Silver Arrows and holds the records for most wins (105), pole positions (104), and podium finishes (202). Hamilton is arguably the greatest driver there’s ever been. Maybe the greatest there ever will be.

    Though following his second-place championship finish in 2021, Hamilton had been in a bit of a lull—murmurs of him losing his competitive edge, murmurs of retirement. And at 40 years old, everyone expected that he’d be retiring with Mercedes.

    But Hamilton is nothing if not ambitious. 

    And why should we expect greatness to be neatly packaged and gracefully retired anyway? Maybe the refusal to walk away is the most zealous, most human part of what it means to be great.

    Hamilton’s decision has challenged more than just his own narrative. In sports, we’ve come to glorify the “perfect exit.” The swan song. The last title before the curtain drops. We romanticize athletes who ride off into the sunset, untouched by decline and preserved in our memories at their best. 

    A comforting story, but not a very fair one.

    It’s an easy narrative to sell, too. Sports coverage thrives on arcs: the rise, the peak, and the poetic farewell. Michael Jordan sinking the championship-winning shot in 1998—that image became gospel. 

    The problem is, most athletes don’t want to be defined by a singular moment. They want to keep going. Yet, the media often treats any attempt to extend greatness as vanity or delusion. This narrative assumes greatness is something that can be lost by trying too hard or staying too long.

    But what if that’s a fundamental misunderstanding of what greatness actually is? Greatness isn’t static. It’s relentless, evolving, and often uncomfortable to watch.

    Perhaps no one wrestled with this more publicly than Tom Brady. After winning his sixth ring with New England, he could’ve bowed out as a Pats legend. Instead, he left the dynasty he built, joined a losing franchise, defied all odds, and won again.

    It would’ve been the perfect storybook ending. Many believed he should’ve stopped there—that he proved what he needed to prove. And yet, he refused to quit.

    I mean, hell, what did he have to lose? Brady will be remembered as one of the best to ever do it, if not the best. Not only did his legacy not suffer, but he reinforced it by pushing the boundaries of longevity.

    Legacy isn’t always about more rings or records. For some athletes, it’s about what showing up represents. Take Serena Williams. Her post-motherhood career wasn’t defined by Grand Slam victories, but by what her presence on the court stood for.

    Female athletes often step away from their sports careers when becoming mothers. There’s no denying the physical and mental impact of pregnancy and childbirth—and that’s something male athletes just don’t have to experience. Novak Djokovic even expressed that becoming a father gave him a competitive edge. 

    So, when Williams won the 2017 Australian Open while eight weeks pregnant and returned to play in 2018 after giving birth, it meant something. 

    Her final years before retirement may not have been filled with Grand Slam victories, but they deepened her legacy in ways that stats alone can’t quite measure. Every match was a statement—not just about her skill, but about motherhood, persistence, and the power of showing up on her own terms.

    That same refusal to be neatly written off is exactly what makes Lewis Hamilton’s next chapter so compelling.

    His 2025 F1 season may not be off to the start he anticipated—adding more fire to the fuel for critics who say that his time has passed. Nevertheless, Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes for Ferrari wasn’t about comfort or legacy preservation. It was about hunger. About love for the sport. About chasing something bigger than a safe ending.

    And isn’t that what greatness truly is? Not knowing when to walk away, but daring to keep going. Legacy isn’t tarnished by chasing the impossible—it’s defined by it.

  • The Brewers’ Blueprint to Success with a Low Payroll

    By Matthew Ramthun

    In Major League Baseball, the trend in recent years has been clear: to win, you have to spend. And spend big. If you look at teams that consistently win and make the playoffs every year, you’ll find high-spending franchises like the Yankees, Dodgers, Phillies, Astros, and Braves—all of whom rank in the top 10 in payroll this year, according to FanGraphs.

    When it comes to winning the World Series, the correlation between spending and success is even stronger. In 2024, the Dodgers won with the 8th-ranked payroll (a rank that’s a bit misleading due to the large amount of deferred money on their books). In 2023, it was the Rangers with the 4th-ranked payroll. The 2022 Astros ranked 8th, and the 2021 Braves were 10th. According to Sportrac, there hasn’t been a World Series champion without a top 10 payroll since the 2017 Astros.

    One team that has been defying the odds and finding consistent success despite a low payroll is the Milwaukee Brewers. They’ve made the playoffs in five of the past six seasons while maintaining a payroll in the bottom half of the league each year. So, how do the Brewers manage to compete? What’s their blueprint?

    Trades.

    The Brewers make the most of their limited resources by making smart trades—both acquiring key players and dealing away stars they can’t afford to re-sign.

    The trade that kicked off this successful stretch came when the Brewers acquired Christian Yelich from the Marlins. It was a landslide win for Milwaukee. The players sent to Miami were underwhelming at best. The best player the Marlins received in the trade was Lewis Brinson, who hasn’t played in the majors since 2022, and owns a career-high batting average of just .226. 

    Meanwhile, Yelich went on to win the NL MVP immediately after the trade and nearly repeated the feat the following year. He’s been the team’s cornerstone player ever since—and one of the few players the Brewers have invested significant money in.

    Another major win came when they acquired All-Star catcher William Contreras before the 2023 season. Contreras has since turned in back-to-back stellar seasons, finishing 11th in MVP voting in 2023 and 5th last year. Who might the Brewers have given up for him? Esteury Ruiz, who was recently cut from the Oakland A’s 40-man roster after a couple of underwhelming seasons. To add insult to injury, the Brewers also acquired Joel Payamps—a key piece of their bullpen.

    The Brewers have also made a habit of trading away players they know they won’t be able to afford. While these trades may not always favor the Brewers, it’s better to receive some sort of compensation for players they know they would lose for nothing in free agency. In recent seasons, the Brewers have traded away high-quality players like Josh Hader, Corbin Burnes, and Devin Williams.

    The Hader trade, at the time, was bad for the Brewers—arguably costing them a playoff spot that year. However, they received two key players: Robert Gasser, a top pitching prospect who impressed before an injury, and Esteury Ruiz, who was later flipped in the deal that landed Contreras and Payamps.

    In the Corbin Burnes trade, the Brewers received DL Hall, Joey Ortiz, and a competitive balance first-round draft pick from the Orioles. Hall showed promise despite being injured much of the year, and Ortiz had a solid rookie season as Milwaukee’s starting third baseman, hitting .239 while playing great defense.

    As for the Devin Williams trade? Jury’s still out. 

    However, the Brewers received former All-Star Nestor Cortez and promising prospect Caleb Durbin from the Yankees. Despite his smaller stature, Durbin hit .275 and hit 10 home runs in the minors last season.

    One notable player the Brewers have not traded away, despite his contract expiring, was star shortstop Willy Adames. Having learned a hard lesson from the Hader trade, the Brewers opted to keep Adames to avoid destabilizing the team mid-season.

    But, of course, Adames himself was originally acquired via trade—a deal they also clearly won when they picked him up from the Rays in 2021.

    By trading away high-value players before they walk in free agency, the Brewers have been able to retool their roster with key pieces. They’ve also been able to utilize trades to acquire key players, while giving up a minimal amount in return. 

    How will the Brewers’ strategy of flipping players to stay lean work out this year?

    My guess is pretty well. But only time will tell.

  • How the NBA and NFL Can Save Their All-Star Games? – Ask the NHL 

    By Halley Mackiernan

    All-Star Weekends and Pro Bowls were created to be the crown jewel of sports entertainment – a weekend filled with remarkable talent, high-stakes competition, and moments fans wouldn’t wasn’t to miss. So why did this year’s NBA All-Star Game and NFL Pro Bowl Games resemble an awkward family reunion no one wants to attend? 

    The defense was non-existent, players barely broke a sweat, and fans wondered why they even bothered to watch. What was supposed to be a showcase of competitive, high-performing sports games became a boring exhibition game that showed little if any honor towards the leagues and its remarkable stars. 

    And fans have noticed. Viewership for both events declined significantly from previous years, with the 2025 NBA All-Star Game experiencing a 13% decrease in viewership compared to the 2024 game and the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Games hitting the lowest live audience since the 2021 “virtual” edition. 

    Meanwhile, the NHL cracked the code. This February, the NHL debuted the 4 Nations Face-Off, a mini-tournament featuring top hockey players from the U.S., Canada, Sweden, and Finland. What made it so successful? They actually gave their athletes something worth playing for – National pride. And because the players cared, fans followed suit. 

    Where is the Motivation? 

    The cause of the current NBA All-Star and NFL Pro Bowl problem is clear – they don’t offer their players a real incentive. With players only having guaranteed contracts and the risk of injury on their minds, it makes sense that they are hesitant to play their hardest. They are preserving their talent and athleticism for the moments that truly matter. But when you lack competitiveness in a televised sports game, the product is bound to suffer. 

    This year’s NBA All-Star Game was criticized heavily by sports fans as defense was practically illegal, and scoring records were broken in the least exciting way possible. Even the league’s own stars admitted it was hard to take the game seriously, including Draymond Green, who told ESPN that the new format for this year’s game was a “zero on a 1-to-10 scale” and “sucked.” 

    The NFL Pro Bowl faced similar critiques. With the game being recently reduced to a flag football game and a few skills contests, it feels more like a reality TV show than a sporting competition. 

    Bring Out the Stakes 

    What the NHL discovered – and what the NBA and NFL still need to find – is that athletes will put in effort if they have something bigger to play for. Pride, legacy, bragging rights. Make it more about money and entertainment; the athletes will commit. 

    Imagine if, instead of pointless skills challenges and effortless pick-up games during the NBA All-Star Game, the league introduced a Team USA vs. Team World All-Star Game. They could have Nikola Jokic, Luke Doncic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo leading an international team against top USA players, such as LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant. No one can tell me that doesn’t scream instant drama, trash talk, and actual effort. It becomes a game with legitimate stakes instead of just a show.  

    For the NFL, The Pro Bowl Game could also encompass a USA vs. The World concept. This would give international football stars like Chuba Hubbard and Moro Ojomo a chance to prove themselves against America’s best football talent. Sure, the U.S. would be favored – but that idea could improve the game’s drama. The opportunity for upsets, rivalries, and motivation. That’s how entertaining sports games are created. 

    Evidence to Back It Up 

    The NHL 4 Nations Face off is not the first time national pride fueled unforgettable sports moments. The 2023 World Baseball Classic First Round experienced a +564% increase in total engagements across its social media accounts and broke an attendance record, with a +98% increase from the previous record in 2017. 

    Similarly, Olympic basketball continues to embrace full effort from NBA athletes, even during the offseason. Wonder why? Because they get to represent their country and compete for something that actually matters. 

    Don’t Let the Legacy Die 

    Sure, the logistics of the games still need some help. Deciding timing based on season, dealing with health concerns, and player availability are valid components that must be discussed in more depth. However, this year, the NHL made certain that a more compelling and successful product is realistic. If the NHL was able to hold such an event, the NBA and NFL should have little problems pulling it off too.  

    The NBA All-Star Game and NFL Pro Bowl Game used to mean something. People would want to watch the most talented players across the league compete outside of the competition included in the regular seasons. That excitement is fading fast. 

    If the NBA and NFL want to regain this excitement, they need to look at a new format that includes giving their players something extra to play for and their fans something more to care about. They need to embrace a greater level of competition and rivalry and feed the passions of their audience. 

    If they don’t make these changes soon, people won’t talk about how last year’s Pro Bowl or NBA All-Star Game was so lame they can’t believe they watched. They will be talking about how they can’t believe the games were so bad that they had to be eliminated entirely.   

  • The MVP Debate is Great, But it Really Shouldn’t be Close

    By Michael Gentleman

    The current MVP race is perhaps the most competitive in the last 25 years, showcasing a blend of established superstars and an emerging face of the league. As the postseason edges closer and closer, the ongoing debate about who will win the award will finally be over. While it certainly is a close race with the top two contenders both having historic seasons, the answer isn’t as complicated as it’s being made out to be — Nikola Jokić should be walking away with his fourth MVP.

    Nikola Jokic has completely redefined the center position over the last half-decade with his extraordinary playmaking and scoring abilities. Averaging 29.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game, he’s on track to become the first center in NBA history to average a triple-double for a season – oh, and he also ranks top 3 in the league in all those categories. His efficiency is equally remarkable, shooting 56.8% from the field (8th) and 42.0% from three (14th). That’s absurd for a 6-foot-11 big man.

    But it’s not just the box score. When Jokic is on the court, the Nuggets become a completely different team – a championship front-runner. With him playing, the Nuggets have a net rating of +10.6, meaning they are outscoring opponents by 10.6 points per 100 possessions. When he is off the court, in sharp contrast, Denver has a -8.2 net rating. Out of all the players with a positive net rating this year, his +18.8 swing on and off the court is far and away the largest difference.

    And then there are the moments and the games that stop you in your tracks. On April 1st, he recorded a historic triple-double with 61 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Minnesota Timberwolves in their 140-139 double-overtime loss – the first ever 60-10-10 game. 

    And just a month earlier, on March 7th, Jokic delivered a 31-point, 21-rebound, 22-assist game as the Nuggets beat the Phoenix Suns 149-141 in overtime – and yes, that is also the first ever 30-20-20 game. This is not just MVP stuff, this is stuff we’ll still be talking about in 10 years. 

    Of course, this isn’t a one-man race, Jokic certainly still has strong competition from young Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA is leading the Thunder to an NBA-best 64-14 record while averaging a league-leading 32.6 points per game along with 6.0 assists and 5.2 rebounds. 

    However, when looking at his impact on OKC’s net rating, there is a clear difference between him and Jokic. When SGA sits, the Thunder are still really, really good. 

    With SGA on the floor, the Thunder have a +18.3 net rating – marking the highest net rating in the league. Of course, this is incredibly impressive and shows just how great of a player he is, but with SGA off the court, the Thunder still have a +5.8 net rating. The difference of +12.5 again shows how great an impact SGA has on his team, but the fact that his team still has a fantastic net rating (this would rank 4th in the NBA amongst all teams) means that Jokic is much more valuable to his own team’s success than SGA is to his team. 

    This race might be filled with stars, but there’s only one player who checks every MVP box — and then rewrites the criteria. Jokić’s statistical dominance, his overwhelming impact on team performance, and his record-breaking performances leave little room for debate.

    So let’s not overthink it. Jokić isn’t just having the best season of anyone this year — he’s doing things we’ve never seen before. The MVP award should reflect that. And when the votes are counted, it should reflect him.

  • NIL is a Can Opener

    by Rachel Van Hefty

    From the beginning of college sports, the NCAA insisted that college athletes should be deemed “amateurs.” Meaning, student-athletes should compete purely for the love of the game rather than a paycheck. All the while, schools, coaches, media networks and sponsors have cashed in on the millions, if not billions, made from said “amateur” talent. How does that work? 

    Now, a new player is in the game – Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). With NIL deals in full effect, college athletes can finally cash in and make a profit. The ideology behind NIL deals is to allow athletes to profit from their personal brand by signing deals with other brands. Athletes can earn money through things ranging from endorsement deals and autograph signings to TikTok partnerships and social media posts without violating their amateur status. They are finally getting a slice of the pie they’ve long helped bake.  For some athletes, this has been life-changing! 

    For example, Arch Manning has the highest NIL valuation, reaching a staggering 6.5 million dollars. While some star football and basketball players are reaping the benefits, athletes in less marketable sports are paying the price. This is where NIL acts as a can opener, one that changes the entire landscape of college athletics, for better and for worse. Can of worms: open. 

    As seen in the NIL era, the deals tend to favor male athletes in revenue-generating sports such as football and basketball. For athletes in non-revenue-generating sports like swimming, softball, or wrestling, the opportunities become limited, and the gap widens. Not only does this affect the individual athletes, but NIL also heavily affects athletic departments. According to USA Today, they are shifting their attention towards NIL collectives — donor-funded groups to help athletes monetize their brand —  to keep programs like football and basketball stay competitive. With the attention of the athletic departments shifted, there has been less attention and potentially less funding for other sports. It also brings Title IX considerations into play. If NIL-related fundraising efforts are disproportionate between men’s and women’s teams, could there be legal challenges? 

    Name, Image, and Likeness is meant to empower athletes and give them control over their own worth, but the lack of structure risks turning the college athletics landscape into one where only a select few can benefit. According to ESPN, “The NCAA has expressed concern that, without a federal law, enforcing its own NIL rules could violate antitrust rules — so while the organization has hoped that Congress will pass a federal standard, there’s no national set of rules.”  The concerns of the NCAA voice the concerns of many. Non-revenue generating sports could begin to shrink or even disappear without meaningful regulation. The gap between men’s and women’s sports could widen. These are only a few of the “worms” in the can that the NIL era has opened. While fair compensation is necessary, this complete free-for-all is not sustainable. If schools, the NCAA, and/or lawmakers don’t step in to create a more equitable approach, college sports may become unrecognizable. 

    NIL is here to stay, but like any can opener, when the lid pops, everything inside it spills. So, the question is, who’s cleaning up the mess?

  • Wisconsin Volleyball: Underdogs on the Rise

    By Natalie Compe

    After one of the biggest roster turnarounds in program history, the Wisconsin Badgers have started their spring season. Underestimate them at your own risk. 

    At the close of the 2024 season, the Badgers had a handful of key players move on from Wisconsin, including Julia Orzol, Caroline Crawford, Sarah Franklin, Anna Smrek, Devyn Robinson, and Gulce Guctekin. Almost all moved on to play pro, while a few transferred to continue their collegiate careers at other schools. 

    Despite losing nearly their entire 2024 starting lineup, the Wisconsin Badgers aren’t backing down. Emerging leadership, raw talent, and an undeniable hunger to prove themselves are already shaping a promising new era.

    Not only were the lost players a huge factor in the team’s success, but they also accounted for a ton of height in the front row. Smrek: 6’9, Franklin: 6’4, Crawford: 6’3—all dominant powerhouses. This year’s team is much smaller in comparison, which means the Badgers will need a returning player, 6’7 middle blocker Carter Booth, to utilize both her experience and height. 

    The new team consists of only three returning “starters”. 10 out of 13 players are freshmen, so it is essential that the returning players provide leadership on and off the court. With the help of Oregon transfer Mimi Colyer, whose experience has already shone, the Badgers are already building a foundation for success.

    On April 16th against Marquette, Colyer contributed an impressive 14 kills, with freshman Madison Quest trailing with 12. While Quest usually plays on the outside, in the past three spring season games Wisconsin head coach Kelly Sheffield has challenged her to play on the right side—making a huge impact. 

    In a post-game interview, Sheffield explained how much he enjoys coaching Quest, since she is so eager to learn. “Even if we threw her in to play middle or setter, she would ask no questions, and just play to the best of her ability,” said Sheffield.

    Against Marquette, the Badgers hit an impressive .337—far higher than their .286 team average last fall. Although it’s just one match, recent results show an upward trend: a .237 hitting percentage in their spring opener, .274 against Green Bay, and now .337 against Marquette.

    Yet, the Badgers will be seen as underdogs this fall—and that’s exactly what will fuel their rise. They’ll acknowledge these accusations and strive to prove they’re more than just a young team. Their individual talent is powerful, and even though they lack experience and height, this team will be known for their resilience and determination.  

    Inexperienced? Maybe. Ready to prove you wrong? Absolutely. The Big Ten will soon see that Wisconsin came to play and will only thrive in the years to come.

  • Still Golden: Why You Can’t Count Out the Warriors 

    By Deanna Frater

    To many, this was just a play-in game for the Warriors. But to some, it was a flashback—and a warning. 

    Many fans have counted out Stephen Curry and the Warriors, claiming they’ve aged out of relevance. Yet, the team still secured a win against the Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday night (121-116). The Warriors managed to remind the league and fans why experience will always be one of the most dangerous assets a franchise can have in the postseason. 

    But no one is saying the game was pretty. 

    The Warriors almost blew their 20-point lead, letting Memphis back into the game. The Grizzlies were pressing forward, and both Curry and Butler took that personally. Butler led the way with 38 points, and Curry followed close behind (37). 

    Though the game was chaotic at times, it showed that the NBA still has the grit and thrill factor that enthralled fans decades ago. Above all, it was proof that even though Golden State isn’t the league’s top seed anymore, they’re still built for the moments that matter most. 

    The Core Clock Still Ticks 

    One of the key takeaways from this game is that the Warriors’ core, led by Curry (and now Butler), still knows how to close. Even in moments when it seemed as if the pendulum was swinging in Memphis’ favor, Golden State kept its cool. That level of composure isn’t just rare—it’s earned. 

    Curry’s late-game dominance was about more than making shots, it was about controlling the rhythm of the game. Sure, the Grizzlies had speed and athleticism. But the Warriors had control. 

    And if six rings for the Warriors tells you anything, it’s that control matters most.

    The Long Game

    That being said, only two players outside of Curry and Butler were able to score in the double digits—Gary Payton II and Quinten Post. Though this performance may have won the Warriors this game, it won’t hold up in a seven-game series against a team like the Houston Rockets. 

    If the Warriors want to keep progressing this postseason, they’ll need more consistency from players like Jonathan Kuminga and Jaylen Wells. The league is getting undeniably younger, faster, and deeper by the year—and truthfully, Golden State has very little margin for error. 

    Underdog Energy Still Reigns Supreme

    Right now, the Warriors are in a space they haven’t been in since before their dynasty days: the underdog position. 

    There’s something dangerous within that. Maybe it’s the weight of legacy or the mutual respect between Curry and Butler, because Curry is playing for more than just to make the playoffs. He’s playing to add another chapter to an already legendary career and the heritage of the Warriors franchise. 

    Critics will say the Warriors barely scraped past the Grizzlies—and that’s fair. But winning ugly is still winning. If the play-in has taught us anything, it’s that Golden State still knows how to survive. And survival is the name of the game. 

    Golden State Shines On

    Though the NBA has proven to be a league that prioritizes what’s next over what’s proven, the Warriors serve as a reminder that championship DNA doesn’t just fade overnight. 

    They may not be the most explosive or the youngest team left in the postseason, but they’re certainly the most experienced. When the game slows down and every possession matters, that might just be enough. 

    You can go ahead and bet on teams with young and flashy players, but don’t be surprised when Golden State proves they’ll forever shine on.

  • Why the NFL Should Let the Tush Push Stay

    By Haley Cohen

    The NFL is a league that is based on strategy and innovation. However, the league’s first reaction to a unique way that one team has mastered is to ban that play. That target is the Tush Push. The Philadelphia Eagles have been able to perfect this short yardage play. Instead of looking to take this play away, the NFL and various football analysts should champion the time and effort it took this team to master a play like this. This play is not an unfair advantage for a team. It demonstrates how powerful teamwork and strength is in a game like football. Taking away this play would be punishment for a team’s success. 

    The Tush Push’s main criticism is that it is boring to watch and bad for the game. But what is really wrong with this play? There is nothing illegal about it and it still keeps the competitive balance aspect of football in the game. Conversely, it represents a team dedicated to perfecting a play that really only helps in short yardage situations. The Philadelphia Eagles are successful because they execute the play better than any other team, not just because they run the ball. With the power of Jalen Hurts, who can squat over 600 pounds and their dominant offensive line, it is not that the Eagles have an unfair advantage; they just have great players who can make this play.

    Another argument people have who are trying to ban this play is bringing up player safety. While this is an understandable concern, almost every play in football puts a player at risk. When looking at the Tush Push, these claims are inflated. There has also been no evidence published that the call puts players more at risk than others. When looking at the execution of the Tush Push, it is one of the more controlled plays compared to open-field collision calls. The play came to fruition in the early years of the NFL and if there was a real safety issue, the league would have outlawed it a long time ago.

    Another narrative about this play is that it is impossible to stop. This is completely false. In a league full of superstars athletes that make plays that seem impossible, why is it unfair that one team is physically stronger and more technically sound than the others? The NFL has been around for almost a century, and innovation is something that has been a hallmark throughout those years. Defensive coaches and players can work on how to defend this powerful short yardage play, and offensive coaches and players can find their own way to be as successful in this play.

    Taking away the Tush Push would set a precedent that goes against the values of the NFL and the game of football. Strength, strategy, and innovation are what this league is all about. When it comes to short yardage situations, the Philadelphia Eagles have really figured out how to make the most of their talented players. Teams should want to learn from their success rather than trying to ban it. Football is a game of adaptations, better defensive strategies is the key to stopping this play, not banning it.

  •  Golden Glove Winner to Major Batting Slump: Christian Walker’s Turnaround

    By Erica Bunting 

    Sixty Million. Three-year deal. Yet, twenty-two games into the season, he is sporting a disappointing .154 batting average. Christian Walker needs to turn it around as soon as possible. Would this jolt come during the Astros series with San Diego Padres on the weekend of April 18th? 

    Christian Walker signed with the Houston Astros in 2024 as a free agent. He has previously played for the Baltimore Orioles and the Arizona Diamondbacks. He is considered one of the best defensive players in the major leagues, having won three Golden Glove awards. But his defensive abilities have not done enough to compensate for his offensive woes.

    Through these first two dozen games, his performance has not been what the Astros’ organization has hoped for. His OPS has fallen nearly 50 points below the league average. It is a different Walker than the 26 doubles and 26 home runs he hit last season with the Arizona Diamondbacks. 

    Going into the series against the San Diego Padres in late April, Astors Head Coach Joe Espada shifted Walker down in the batting order from 4th to 5th. “[I] wanted to change some things up there in the middle,” Espada said in a pre-game interview with the Houston Chronicle. “I get it,” Walker said in an interview with Yahoo! Sports, “We’re here to win. And if I’m not doing what I need to be to help the team win in the four-hole, an adjustment needs to be made.” 

    On Saturday night, April 19th, Walker made his first big swing as a Houston Astro. In the bottom of the sixth inning, he smashed a two-run home run to tie the game. With a rocky start to the season, this was the at-bat he needed to turn himself around. “Really good swing–big hit, big at-bat. I’m happy for him. He’s grinding,” Espada said in an interview with Major League Baseball News. “Just to come through in a spot, you feel like you’re helping the team,” Walker told the Houston Chronicle. “That’s something I’ve been craving largely, something I need to be better at.” 

    Walker’s continuous efforts to improve have never been more evident. He has been working tirelessly in batting practice, focusing on his swing path to the ball and his follow-through. He understands the position he is in. As a three-time Golden Glove winner and an incredible defensive player, he also needs to capitalize on offensive opportunities. He has turned around his batting average within the past couple of weeks, getting better each series at the plate. Astros staff and fans are excited to see what else he can bring to the organization, hoping Walker will contribute to a hopeful playoff run in October. 

    Was it his continuous hard work? Moving him down in the batting order? – Whatever it was, a spark went off, and this was the Christian Walker the Astros have been waiting for. 

  • Issues Surrounding College Athletes Getting Paid Through NIL

    By Sydney Grossfeld

    There is an ongoing debate surrounding college athletes getting paid through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and the unequal distribution of funds. NIL deals have given athletes the opportunity to profit from their name, image, and likeness. However, athletes that play certain higher profile sports receive disproportionately larger deals. NIL contacts heavily favor higher profile sports like football and men’s basketball that tend to have larger audiences. This discrepancy leaves lesser known sports at a massive disadvantage. In addition, NIL was not permitted until 2021. Athletes who played college sports prior to NIL were not entitled to any monetary compensation. 

    In a larkmark lawsuit, House v. NCAA colleges reached a settlement, dedication to implement a revenue-sharing agreement. For the first time in NCAA history, schools will be able to directly pay their athletes. The NCAA would distribute $2.8 billion to current and former players. Football and men’s basketball players were at the top of the list. Players were receiving $135,000 on average. Women’s basketball players were allotted significantly less, $35,000. 

    There is no question that NIL has given power back to athletes, but the new system is broken and lacks regulation. This settlement is creating a tiered system within college athletics with high profile sports at the top. Rather than evening the playing field, NIL is widening the already substantial gap between high profile sports and less profitable ones. 

    What does this mean for college athletics? Programs are now scavenging to find the funds to pay back their athletes. University of Wisconsin-Madison Athletic Director Chris McIntosh shared that “it will be critical for us to make adjustments in the way we have operated and to generate additional revenues through new opportunities.” In other words, departments are being forced to make difficult decisions; cutbacks disproportionately targeting less revenue generating programs could become the norm. While this settlement may be good for former athletes, current athletes are faced with the unknown as their sports programs hang in the balance. Programs that have already been operating on smaller budgets face the potential of coaches losing their jobs, athletic department restructuring, and roster spots shrinking. 

    There is a lot of controversy surrounding the distribution of the settlement. LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne objected to the settlement, telling Eccker Sports that there is “a lack of transparency, inequitable distribution, and exclusion of athletes from the decision making process.” Dunne is among the top earners in the NIL realm, bringing in around $4.2 million. She is an advocate for underrepresented sports and the success they can bring to the sports industry. She believes it is frustrating for an athlete to put in the same amount of work as their peers and receive less compensation, or even none at all.

    The traditional ideals of amateurism are now being challenged with NIL. While we await the final decision from a U.S. District Court on the settlement agreement we have to ask ourselves: Are college athletes students of their universities or employees? How do we maintain the integrity of college sports? Where do we draw the line between professionalism and amateurism? 

    Athletic departments should strive to provide equal opportunities for all of their athletes. This will inspire athletes from all sports to want to come to their schools. Rather than just being a football or basketball school, athletic departments can be most successful when they invest in all of their sports teams. The NCAA should strive to implement better regulations so that there is not another settlement case like this one in 10 years. And lastly, student athletes should continue to voice their opinions and stand up for themselves.