They start playing in April and you will be able to find Sarah and myself in the North End!
We hope you will join us.
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I like the logo.
But, just to be sure that I wasn’t being all “super rookie” I decided to seek out the thoughts of my brother, a trained graphic designer. He likes the logo and thinks it was fairly well done. He has a better eye for these things than me and his opinions backed up my own. This means I can now refute all the critics and say, “my brother said it was good and he knows what he is talking about, so there!”
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It is a proven fact that a mascot is the most important thing for a new sports franchise. Far outweighing the need for players, coach, stadium, merchandise and a team identity. With the logo and team name announced the team is quickly running out of time in announcing the mascot for the 2010 season. Why would any player want to sign with a team if they don’t know what the mascot is going to be?
This is a HUGE issue and it needs to be dealt with immediately.
In order to help speed up the process I have been surfing the internet (big surprise) to gauge what the fans of the new team are thinking and the near unanimous pick for OFFICIAL TEAM MASCOT is Nessie!
Why?
Because Nessie already has her name on the shield, gosh.
NSC=Nessie.
What mascot could possibly be more awesome than this?:
(One suggestion is for Nessie to be wearing a 1950’s style glass space helmet. I approve of this idea.)
We have finally gotten to the big day! The National Sports Center is going to be hosting a news conference at 1pm CST to announce the new logo and name for the team that is going to be replacing the Minnesota Thunder at the highest level of soccer in our state. You can tune into the press conference at www.NSCGAMECAST.tv.
Sarah and I were privileged to attend a focus group meeting about the new name in Blaine last Sunday evening. We were impressed by the logos and color schemes presented to us and the final naming options. While not everyone is going to be happy with the final choice, it isn’t the name that will determine the amount of support we are going to bring to the team!
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Since we are talking about logos I was stoked when I saw the newest entry into the Australian A-League:
While I was a little hesitant on the name at first, I must admit that I was completely sold with the logo presentation. Everything about it is wonderful. The Red/White color combo is a simple combination, yet is extremely striking upon presentation. Although I do not know what the fonts in the name are called they are very well done, especially the balance of the word, “heart”.
Upon looking at this logo I was immediately impressed with the level of professional care and design. Yet, I must admit that it took me about 20 seconds to discover the greatest feature of this entire logo presentation! Do you see it? Do you see the “H” on the lower half of the logo. It is extremely similar to the old Hartford Whalers logo which featured the “H” and “W” within the logo of a Whale’s tail. Here it is for reference:
Every week I watch the Austrailian A-League recap show and at the end of the season I tune in for their playoffs on the Fox Soccer Channel. I have been doing this for about two years now and I have still to find a favorite team, although I have been a little partial to the Newcastle Jets:
The reasoning behind this partiality is that the name is vastly superior to everything else on offer in the A-League. Here is the list of team names and logos and as you can see almost 100% of the league is awful in their naming selections:
Perth Glory. Horrible.
Melbourne Victory. The more established derby mates to the Heart.
The Fury. Really? Who came up with that?
The Mariners seem to be relying on the old New York Cosmos logo of the old NASL. I must admit that I do like the color scheme and their uniforms.
Gold Coast United. Why would they put an impression-esque tribute to the Sydney Opera House on their badge if they are not even located in Sydney? Don’t get this one.
Adelaide United. Not as bad as most of the others, but the stylized soccer ball of stars is a little played out and has been done before.
Brisbane Roar. Perhaps the worst name and mascot combination in the history of soccer, um, maybe not.
Sydney F.C. A flagship team in the league that has a strong following and some beautiful colors (just like Manchester City), but the inclusion of the soccer ball in the logo is a deal breaker.
Wellington Phoenix. Although the Black and Gold color scheme makes me go all Como Park High School (voted as having most school spirit in the class of ‘99), I just can’t get over the fact that the team is full of online college graduates. Oh, they even found a way to include a soccer ball. How cute!
Sydney Rovers F.C. These are the expansion cousins of the Melbourne Heart. The logo is nice and the colors are sharp, but the soccer ball and inclusion of “FC” on the bottom of the badge stinks of amateur design scheme. This team should be called F.C. Clip Art.
It isn’t very often that I find myself agreeing with a self-admitted Republican whom also heads the Joint Chiefs of Staff, but after seeing our current Joint Chief, Adm. Mike Mullen state;
“No matter how I look at the issue, I cannot escape being troubled by the fact that we have in place a policy which forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens, allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly would be the right thing to do.”
I was happy to see something being done about this horrible law. I always had major issues with how our government openly supported bigotry in the armed forces through the implementation and enforcement of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
Finally, it seems that Obama is taking a stand.
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While I am all fired up I might as well get on my soapbox.
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The way in which the LGBT community is discriminated against sickens me almost more than anything.
For instance, how any rational thinking parent could send their son/s to the Boy Scouts is beyond me. It is impossible for me to understand how this can be a prideful thing. Especially when openly gay men are not allowed to participate within the organization. What does that teach our youth?
The mission of the Boy Scouts according to their website is;
The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
The Scout Oath and Law;
Scout Oath:
On my honor I will do my best
to do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
to help other people at all times;
to keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.
Scout Law:
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
By discriminating who is allowed in their ranks the organization is showing tomorrow’s leaders that homosexuals are not able to fulfill the scout law and oath, and therefore they are not able to be responsible citizens in today’s society.
Sure, apologists for the Boy Scouts will defend the organization as it is shaping the future of young citizens, and individual troops across the country have no issues with homosexuals, and in fact are working to correct this issue within the organization, but this is not enough. The organization needs to be boycotted until they change their rules for admission.
Normally, I would let private groups make their own rules regarding memberships, but when a private group is allowed to actively recruit in our public schools, receive some government funding, allowed to use public facilities for meetings, I have major issues.
I hope next year we are not in our cozy little apartment in St. Paul so I do not need to have an awkward conversation with our landlords and tell them, “Thanks, but no thanks”, for when they buy a wreath from a kid in uniform during the holidays.
Is it morally wrong to laugh slightly after watching an SUV have a one car accident on the freeway?
Would your answer change if I told you that the SUV was tailgating just moments before in horrible driving conditions?
I thought it was hilarious, albeit a little scary, but hot damn, just because you have a 4×4 doesn’t mean you can drive teh stoopids.
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I think the NSC is going to make a scoreboard for the new professional team that is a mix of Wrigley Field and the old scoreboard at FC St. Pauli (thanks to Seamonster and Bruce for pointing this out). How awesome would it be to have a manual scoreboard? Plus, not like you have to change the score as often as a baseball game (cue the snickering)!
While I am thinking about it, the new teams colors should be Pink and Black.
Sarah and I were privileged to go to a small focus group-esque meeting for the new professional soccer team at the National Sports Center. It was a good time and I am impressed with how much they are reaching out to fans in order to make this team the best it can be. This meeting had to do with possible names and color combinations, and sadly my suggestions of “pink and black” did not make the final cut.
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Sarah directed me to this article about the New York City Public School system and their “Rubber Room”, which is officially known as the Temporary Reassignment Center. Basically, it is where teachers go to do, well, nothing. Turns out there are quite a few teachers in the school system that are facing disciplinary actions, or contract arbitration issues and they still have to report to work everyday, but are not allowed to be in a classroom with students. Some of these teachers get stuck in this room for 2-5 years and should be fired immediately, but there is a little caveat in their contract…arbitration!
Wow. What a horrible example of bureaucracy!
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Is there anything worse than waking up in the morning to get ready for a bicycle ride and see that it is only 5degrees out?
I went to the 2nd Bike Nights at the National Sports Center tonight. About 30 people showed up and Jim from the mighty fine Modern Cafe threw down two $50 gift certificates! How awesome is that?
It is always nice seeing local businesses supporting things you love to do. The racing was fairly entertaining and for the second time I had some fun hanging out with other bike dorks rather than sitting alone on my trainer.
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The new soccer team at the NSC recently ended their naming contest. We should know the official choice shortly. I voted for Northstar SC. I usually vote for winners, so take that for what it is worth (zero).
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Justine Henin vs. Serena Williams in about 20minutes.
I want Henin to win. When was the last time an “unseeded” player won a tennis major? Then again, it isn’t everyday that the former world number 1 retires and comes back two years later to play. Sucks, for the women.
Sarah has been watching a ton of Lost over the past few weeks in order to get caught up for the series premiere next week. I bet she hopes it doesn’t turn out being a dream! How terrible would that be?
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I wrote an article for Inside Minnesota Soccer the other day regarding the whereabouts of players from the 2009 Minnesota Thunder roster. A few of the top players have already been signed away and the new team run by the National Sports Center has yet to make any signings, but we still have quite a few members of the squad still in the Twin Cities. I hope a few of them get the call.
My team had another great game last night. We tied the best team in the league 2-2 and I was extremely stoked with how well I played. I made a couple of good saves and my brother was able to save me a couple of times and the team came through with a couple of nice goals.
Not to shabby!
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This song made me a fan of independent hip-hop in the summer of 1998:
It is always cool when some of your favorite things come together in unlikely places. This recently happened to me with a favorite television show of mine: Burn Notice and my love for historic preservation. Who would have thought those two would ever come together?!
One of my favorite shows on television is “Burn Notice” on the USA Network. I started watching a few years back during its first season and I have been a huge fan ever since. Admittedly, it is cheesy and a little far-fetched, but it is a ton of fun. Even my favorite massage therapist Tom Hagerty is a fan. He describes it as, “Rockford Files, Miami Vice and CSI all in one.” He is pretty spot on with that assessment. I think everyone should watch it, and the best part? Bruce Campbell’s chin is a co-star!
The most recent episode includes a brief appearance of Miami Marine Stadium. This facility was listed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation on their 11 Most Endangered Places in America list in 2009. As a member of the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota I believe it is important to protect historic landmarks, and hopefully many viewers of the recent Burn Notice episode will become intrigued with the Marine Stadium that played a role in the plot.
The significance of the building according to the Trust:
Completed in 1963, Miami Marine Stadium, on Virginia Key, is both a South Florida landmark and an icon of modern design. Built entirely of poured concrete and featuring a dramatically cantilevered folded-plate roof, the stadium, which has been closed for 17 years, is a sentimental favorite of many Miami residents who experienced their first concerts under the stars over Biscayne Bay. With its 6,000-by-1,400-foot water basin in the shape of a Circus Maximus, the stadium, named for Coconut Grove pioneer and boating enthusiast Ralph Munroe, has all the trappings of an acquatic mid-century hippodrome. The 6,566-seat arena was designed by Hilario Candela, a Cuban-born architect, who at age 27 conceived a stadium that would, decades later, be viewed as a masterwork of civic architecture and modern construction.
Here are some pictures of the coolness:
Minnesota has one of the best preservation societies in the country. Sarah and I are proud members. You should check out all that they do to help keep Minnesota…Minnesota.
Sarah and I have been trying to eat healthy for the past year or so. Lately, this has included oatmeal for breakfast, or some yogurt. We only have eaten Quaker Instant during this time, but Sarah made the wise choice to bust out some fabulous Bob’s Red Mill Steel Cut Oats the other day and I was sold. It is awesome.
Topping it all off is the fact that Bob’s Red Mill is a big sponsor of cyclocross racing across the country. They are at every USGP event in the country and I even got to sample their goods in Madison (this made the choice between Bob’s and other brands that much easier). I always like supporting the sponsors of cycling, even if they are a tad overpriced (Colavita Olive Oil anyone?), but when the product is amazing, like Bob’s Red Mill I couldn’t be happier with my choice.
When I look at the old man, who I can only assume is Bob, I think of the Little Guy in about 40 years.
Last time I saw the US play against Honduras in soccer I was at the game with the Courteous Fellow and our better halves. While going to the Sweetwater inside the Kelly Inn is no where close to the excitement, cleanliness and atmosphere of being at the game it is a decent substitute. We will be there for the 8pm kickoff and hope that others will come and say hello. Maybe we can talk about the brand new soccer team starting up at the National Sports Center.
If you want to know about anything related to watching the US Mens National Team games in the Twin Cities head on over to two of the best soccer websites in the entire country, both of which are run by residents of the Twin Cities, Inside Minnesota Soccer (Brian Quarstad) and DuNord Futbol (Bruce McGuire). These sites are some of the most visited in cyberspace by those wanting to know everything about soccer in this country.
From Inside Minnesota Soccer:
The event will be held at the Sweetwater Bar and Grille in the Kelly Inn in St. Paul. As always, free parking and 2 for 1 tap beers.
The Sweetwater is now an official U.S. Soccer Bar and is now the place to watch USMNT games.
So come early, get a seat, order some dinner and get ready to enjoy another US National Team win with like-minded US Soccer supporters.
Come join the party and see you at the Sweetwater!
Kelly Inn
161 Saint Anthony Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55103
(651) 227-8711
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For those not heading to South Africa for the World Cup I hope that you make the Sweetwater your place to watch the games. The best part? You won’t have to deal with all of the poser fans that will be cheering on England when the US play them in the first round. After all, didn’t we already beat England twice in 1783 (Revolutionary War) and 1815 (War of 1812)?
