I am writing today on behalf of the players of the now former Washington Glory. For those of you who don’t know, the Washington Glory is a Professional Women’s Softball team that belongs to the National Pro Fastpitch League (NPF).
The Glory first came to the DC area in the spring of 2007 joining the NPF as an expansion team. During their inaugural season, which was played at George Mason University , the Glory not only claimed the NPF Regular Season title, but won the 2007 National Pro Fastpitch World Championship.
During the 2007 season, the Glory quickly developed a fan base, initially stemming from the local softball community, but grew in popularity as a friendly environment not only for families, but for sports fans in general. The stadium was filled with energy and fans were provided access to the players and coaches for autographs and photos for everyone in attendance after every game.
The immediate on-field success of the Glory played a great role in building the team, but more importantly, the Glory had an immediate impact on the community. Young softball players from all around the DC, Virginia , and Maryland areas, instantly found positive, female role models to look up to and learn from. The youth of our community had professional athletes that they could have direct contact with and aspire to be. More to follow...
After winning the championship in 2007, the Glory returned for 2008, but had to temporarily relocate to Westfield High School in Chantilly, VA as George Mason’s softball field was undergoing major renovations and upgrades in anticipation for the Glory’ return in 2009. The Glory once again proved to be one of the best teams in the NPF making it to the championship game for the second year in a row, falling to Chicago , and finishing the season as runner-ups.
At season’s end, the Glory was faced with negative financial and business issues but remained hopeful as an outside group became interested in taking over the team. Although I do not know the details of the deal, the potential new ownership sought to bail-out the previous owner in a very difficult transaction. After several months of negotiation, the players and coaches were informed that the deal was finally going to happen, and we would have new ownership for 2009 with guaranteed financial support.
Just weeks ago in February, the excitement for the upcoming season began to grow. Players and coaches were being organized for the 2009 season, and the college draft provided even greater potential depth to our dominant roster. The Glory had negotiated with three U.S. Olympians who competed in Beijing last summer, along with many of the core players who made up the Glory of the first two seasons. With a brand new field, the return of a consistent coaching staff, and a star filled roster, the Glory were to report for the start of the season on May 23, 2009 under new ownership.
This brings us to date, and where the dream has been halted. On Friday, April 10, 2009, the Glory players and staff received an email from the group that once hoped to purchase the team, stating that they had rescinded there offer to purchase the Glory. Although we received only minimal details, the email explained that excessive debt from the previous owner as well as other complications were too great to absorb.
The players and coaches have now been left with no team or answers. I have received emails, calls, and texts, from many of the players who are in disbelief and heartbroken. They just can’t believe there are no other options and that their dream has been ripped away on such short notice. These women don’t play for the money or endorsements, they play for the love of the game, and to give hope and create opportunities for those who follow. Salaries range from $1,000-15,000 for the entire season. All of us have made huge sacrifices to be a part of this and do something special.
Being a part of the development of our sport and women’s athletics, we have come to expect challenges and realize that it isn’t always an easy road. But we don’t have to accept it, nor do we have to give up. The purpose of this letter is to reach out to our community and create awareness of the situation. We owe it to ourselves, the many fans, young softball players, and those to come, to stand up and spread the word to gain support for the Glory, whether it be immediately, or for the future.
Please pass this on to anyone you can that might be able to offer advice, give us support, lead us in the right direction, or help in any way. I have attached what would have been our 2009 roster this year. You will recognize many of the names as they are Olympians, College World Series Champions and participants, NPF award winners, and local athletes.
As it stands now, the NPF league owns the name, logo, and marketing rights for the Glory. There is no official team operating under the name of the Washington Glory. I am volunteering myself to help pass along information and be a contact if you wish to reach out to us. We appreciate anything you can do for us.
Beyond Sports and The Softball Network have created a discussion group for the 2009 Glory. I am working closely on this website as the Softball Director for Beyond Sports. My goal is to create a site that can connect the entire softball world at all levels of the sport. We are hoping to find ways to generate revenue through this site that can benefit the NPF and the Glory as well. You can find the site at www.thesoftballnetwork.com. I encourage you to check it out, sign up, and join the Group titled "2009 Washington Glory Discussion Group".
What Santonio Holmes and Ben Roethlisberger pulled off last night in Super Bowl XLII is the stuff young wide receivers and quarterbacks dream of all of their lives. As a wide receiver in high school, I can remember practicing that very same reception Holmes made to clinch the Steelers’ sixth Super Bowl title.
The trick is to keep your feet “inbound” and concentrating on catching the ball, all the while being aware of the defenders! Holmes and company attempted the same play on the left-side of the field and woefully, blew it. Given the importance of scoring at that pivotal time in the game, it took a lot of chutzpah to gather oneself after that failure to come back in the very next play and run the same pattern in the opposite corner for a picture-perfect completion! Man…that is every receivers’ dream come true.
In my tweet, I admitted that I was prepared for a Steelers blow-out. I was, pleasantly, surprised to see that the Cardinals showed up to play. My heart went out to Kurt Warner who defied the odds in his serpentine and unlikely football career to wind-up in Super Bowl XLII. Steelers’ linebacker, James Harrison, initially squashed the Cardinals hopes of victory with a hundred yard interception which left him gasping and Holmes' TD was the fait accompli.
I would be remiss not to mention the importance of the young Steelers’ coach and give kudos to Mike Tomlin. I am proud of this young brother and I look forward to his long and successful career.
Wednesday, September 9th 2009 will start the Inaugural Season of the Ultimate Street Football League. Ages 9 - 18 years of age. 16 teams in this league 8 To a region in DC the East Region which will be North East and South East Division and The West Region which will be South West and North West Division. There will be Four Teams to a Division. I am looking for Volunteer Staff.
1. East Region Commissioner
2. West Region Commissioner
3. North East & South East Division Leaders
4. South West and North West Division Leaders
5. Head Coaches & Asst. Head Coaches
6. Web Developers
Please note that these are volunteer positions and also be advised this is for our youth in dc to give them something positive to look forward to so lets help our youth out. To contact me please email me at keithbwarren@yahoo.com
I am a redskin an and obviously dont have a horse in the race. Why does feldy not like the steelers.He always picks against them and he loves the ravens.last week he said he loved the chargers over the steelers and also thr ravens this week.What is the love affair with the ravens
I am a redskin an and obviously dont have a horse in the race. Why does feldy not like the steelers.He always picks against them and he loves the ravens.last week he said he loved the chargers over the steelers and also thr ravens this week.What is the love affair with the ravens
Okay, if not number one, but DEFINATELY #2 as it turns out in the AP Poll (with 16 first place votes). Now, I will most likely catcha little grief for this...why you ask? Well, truthfully the schedule certainly was NOT an SEC, Big 12 or ACC schedule for sure. The Mountain West will never be the SEC,Big 12 or ACC for that matter BUT the Utes did go undefeated, even if the wins were to the likes of San Diego State, Wyoming, UNLV (harkens memories of Jerry Tarkanian and Rebels B-Ball), Colorado State etc. Now BYU, Air Force and TCU had pretty good seasons...but again Mountain West games for the most part.
Now the argument for theUtes. They are the ONLY Undefeated Team in the nation at 13-0. 4-0 against the Top-25 (Alabama, TCU, Oregon State, Brigham Young). This includes the win over Oregon State...remember them...the Beavers beat the allmighty Trojans of SoCal. And please don't forget the DOMINATION, well maybe that's a strong word, of Alabama? Utah scored 21 points in a seven-minute span against Alabama....yes, the TIDE ....'BAMA...and the defense they tout.
Okay, I vented, and feel much better. So I can live with the AP and the number 2...but what we really need is a playoff (never happen too much money,tourism in the Bowls) and what I really want is to be saying...this time in 2010...CONGRATS TERPS FOOTBALL! NATIONAL CHAMPIONS.....ah, it has a nice ring.
As y'all probably remember me saying not long ago I quit being a NASCAR fan when they decided to go with that "car of tomorrow".For me that was the last straw of an organization that's been trying for years,IMO,to take the "car" out of NASCAR.If you're a Mopar fan like I am and have had to constantly listen to the drivelings and whinings of Found On the Road Dead and Chevylate drivers over the years then you know what I mean."Oh please Mr. NASCAR official man,make those Mopars slow down so WE can win some".
Anyhow,the goings on I'm alerting you to now have escaped my attention until just this morning when a friend of mine pointed them out.In a nutshell what the following story means is that the #43 will continue to have a place in NASCAR as a partner of Evernham Motorsports,which is much preferable to suffering the fate of being sold for pennies on the dollar like many racing teams have been forced to do in the past.
It's not like that would happen to the Pettys though due to them having several profitable ventures going on with the Petty name like the Richard Petty Driving Experience which is a race school conducted at twenty some tracks around the country.There is also an ongoing deal with Goody's Headache Powders.
So as you can see the Petty name isn't worthless,it's just that the race team can't draw big sponsorship due to not having a win since 1999,leaving Petty Enterprise with the longest winless streak in NASCAR history at 348 races.
Well,here's hoping that the following "merger" does what it intends to do and puts Petty back in the winner's circle.Be sure to check some of the other stories on the NASCAR.com site regarding this turn of events.
By NASCAR.COM January 8, 2009 10:30 PM EST
Petty, GEM complete deal, will run four cars in 2009
STATESVILLE, N.C. -- Richard Petty will remain a prominent figure in the garage. However, Petty Enterprises -- a 60-year staple in the Cup Series -- has closed its doors.
Gillett Evernham Motorsports and Petty Holdings announced Thursday an agreement in principle to form a new Cup team co-owned by Richard Petty, Petty Holdings (owned by majority shareholder Boston Ventures) and Gillett Evernham Motorsports.
Richard Petty and Petty Holdings will continue to own and operate the Richard Petty Driving Experience as an independent entity.
"I want to get back to winning and together we will bring the resources, technology and infrastructure to do that," Petty said.
The team will field four Dodge entries in the 2009 Cup season: Nos. 9, 10, 19 and 43.
NASCAR.COM's David Caraviello says a change to the team name, which will reflect Petty's, will come at a later date.
"This is pretty exciting stuff," said Kasey Kahne, driver of GEM's flagship No. 9. "I've gotten to know Richard over my five years working with Dodge and I look forward to being around him more.
"This is pretty awesome. The Gilletts have done a fantastic job of putting this together. I think you can see their commitment to winning. We could have kept on the same path, but they made a pretty bold statement that they are here to win."
The No. 10, which finished outside the top 35 in owner points in 2008 and thus is not guaranteed a starting position through the first five races this season, will complete in the Budweiser Shootout with additional races contingent on sponsorship. (Bud Shootout lineup)
Details of the transaction are expected once the deal is closed. Petty and GEM officials anticipate a final agreement by the end of January.
"This was a big decision for us but it's something we really wanted to do," said Petty, a seven-time champion and owner of 200 Cup victories. "We hope everyone in the sport embraces what [GEM co-owner] George [Gillett] and I are doing.
"Nothing is going to change for me. I'm going to be at the track every weekend and really involved with the teams and drivers back at the shop. We are very happy. George and I have a lot of work to do, but we have a plan and we'll be ready for Daytona."
Petty Enterprises is the winningest team in NASCAR history with 268 Cup victories since 1949.
Gillett said it is a privilege to help write a new chapter in the Petty family history.
"To join with Richard Petty and Petty Holdings is such an honor for me and my family," said Gillett whose business interests also include ownership in the NHL's Montreal Canadiens and the English Premier League's Liverpool FC.
"Richard and I have gotten to know each other well over the last few years and both of us believe we have formed something that NASCAR fans will support. We plan to keep the Petty name in the forefront of NASCAR. We ask that all of the King's fans join with us. Our goal is to get the cowboy hat and sunglasses back in Victory Lane."
GEM has its own role in the history of NASCAR.
Ray Evernham, named by the media as the sport's greatest crew chief of all time in 2006, created Evernham Motorsports in 1999 spearheading Dodge's return to NASCAR. In 2007, Evernham partnered with Gillett to form GEM -- and Evernham retains a minority ownership role with the new team.
"A lot has changed over the years in NASCAR but success still boils down to that cat holding the steering wheel and how he conducts himself both in and out of the car," Petty said. "I really want to help these guys with their driving and their careers."
Petty employees Robbie Loomis, Dale Inman and Brian Moffitt also will have active roles with the new team, which will use the GEM race shops in Statesville, N.C. and engine shop in Concord, N.C.
• Meanwhile, Elliott Sadler's tenure in the No. 19 car may not be over yet.
Sadler, who has driven the No. 19 car for the past two seasons, may return to the vehicle for the 2009 campaign, NASCAR.COM has learned.
How is everyone doing? My name is William Murray and I am the father of three wonderful boys that love the sport Motocross. I am in the Army and currently stationed here at Ft. Belvoir. When I am home from deployments this is what we do as a family. I am e-mailing you because I need some help with a fund raiser. All three of my boys race motocross. Last year was their first year and I could not believe how much it cost for them to race. I sold my street bike and we sacrificed our vacation so they could race 8 out of 15 races. My five year old raced the last 3 races of the season. He is on a training bike but he raced anyways. I am trying to sell shirts to buy him his racing bike. I found a used one that cost $1800. I have to sell 300 shirts to buy him his bike. He is the only one that does not have a racing bike. Those three races that he raced I could not believe how good he was. He just could not keep up with the other bikes. If you could help that would mean so much to my family and myself. I have added a couple pictures of my boys on my profile so you can see the excitement they have for the sport. I also added a picture of the shirt. Thank you for your time and I hope you have a great day. If you have any question please feel free to e-mail me murraymx17@yahoo.com or call me on my cell 703-489-7701. I have also created a eBay store but have yet to sell a shirt on it. The site is http://stores.ebay.com/murraymxracing.
I am requesting My FOX and all of the commuinty to come down to the DC ARMORY on 24 Jan 09 to find out who are the DC RollerGirls which support the community and the Soldiers who are protecting our country and two member of the team are military Soldier. And if possible interview a few member of the team to get the real story and help Advertise the activity which will be held on Date: January 24th, 2009 Time: Doors @ 4:00pm, Bout Begins @ 5:00pm Price: Adults $12, Kids 6-11 $6, 5 and under free! Location: DC Armory. For more information about the team please log on to WWW.DCROLLERGIRLS.COM.
PLAY THE DALLAS GAME!!! I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE LOGIC IN PLAYING THE REDSKINS... LOCATION MEANS NOTHING TODAY... ITS ALL ABOUT THE PLAYOFFS~ :) NOW, PUT THE RIGHT GAME ON!
what is wrong with this network. They are airing a game that doesnt mean anything for the playoffs. Face it the redskins suck and this game means nothing for both teams. Dallas and Philly are both able to make the playoffs with a win. I am so angry with this station for airing the redskins game. What is wrong with you fox 5.
I guess Dallas owner Jerry Jones sure got his money's worth -- T.O., Pacman, Roy Williams -- all to the rescue. Not. Seems there is alot more to a successful team than talent. But Jerry Jones just doesn't get it. And I heard he says he's going to keep Wade Phillips next year -- the most uninspiring coach in all of football -- good news for opponents.
The Dallas Cowboys are who we thought they were -- perennial December loosers. They're all mirrors and smoke...
My husband is one of the assistant coaches for the H.D. Woodson girls' basketball team. The article below is about a one of the young ladies on the team who was ruled ineligible to play. This may not seem like a big deal to most, but this child has been through a lot in just the 6 months that I've known her. From a stressful home life to the recent death of her mother, she is one that has shown resilience and a determination to have and do great things. She cares for her two younger siblings and is doing very well in school. She has the opportunity to continue her education but this ruling may hurt her in the long run. Please read for yourself......
H.D. Woodson's Johnson Ruled Ineligible to Play
By Jeff NelsonSpecial to The Washington Post Friday, December 19, 2008; Page E05
H.D. Woodson center Jeniece Johnson was ruled ineligible this month after D.C. Public Schools determined she had exhausted her eight semesters of eligibility.
Johnson, a 6-foot-6 center and one of the area's most coveted recruits, has not played for the top-ranked Warriors (5-1) this season. She was declared ineligible two days before the team's opener this month.
Warriors Coach Frank Oliver said the team has been exploring legal options. Her initial appeal was denied by DCPS general counsel Jim Sandman earlier this week.
Johnson, who holds offers from more than a dozen top college programs, is in violation of the eight-semester rule, which states that once a student starts high school, he or she has eight semesters from that date to participate in athletics. Johnson first took classes at Woodson in the fall of 2004, meaning her eligibility expired this past spring.
Oliver and Johnson have been trying to get an exception because she did not complete even one semester of classes her first year. She was expelled in December 2004 for repeated behavioral problems, which Oliver has argued stemmed from an extremely difficult home situation. Johnson's mother, raising three kids by herself, was incapacitated by diabetes after having her legs amputated and was unable to work. After being expelled, Johnson spent the remainder of her freshman year working as the family struggled with financial difficulties.
After re-enrolling at H.D. Woodson the following year, Johnson eventually became an inside force on the basketball court and is on track to graduate this spring.
"They say kids first," Oliver said, referring to DCPS. "But how can it be kids first if you're not going to look at this individual kid's situation and say: 'This merits an exception. She's been through a lot and she's on the right path and she has this opportunity to go to college.' "
Oliver believes there is precedent for an exception to the eight-semester rule because former H.D. Woodson football player Josh Stover, who repeated the ninth grade, was allowed to play football in the fall of 2007, his fifth year of high school. DCPS Chancellor Michelle Rhee, who made that decision, directed questions about Johnson's case to Sandman.
"Computing semesters of eligibility is a hot subject in high school athletics," Sandman said in a statement. "Our rule is modeled on and very similar to the rules in other jurisdictions. We have to apply the rule uniformly and can't bend it from case to case."
Johnson averaged 7.9 points and 7.2 rebounds last season and was named most valuable player in the City Title game after recording 14 points and 12 rebounds in a win over Bishop McNamara.
Johnson traveled with the Warriors to Phoenix on Wednesday and watched yesterday as Woodson beat Clovis West (Calif.) in its opener in the prestigious Nike Tournament of Champions, 63-56.
Cloudy and cool start to the day with showers in the forecast. Some early fog has developed in the mountains to our west. High temperatures today will soar into the mid to upper 40's.
Just clouds overnight with cool temperatures. Lows generally in the mid 30's but some communities well off to the north and west could touch the freezing mark.
Clouds again to start the weekend. High temperatures in the low 40's and a brisk northwest wind will make holiday shopping an appealing option.
Could be another round of winter weather by late Saturday or early Sunday as another storm approaches from our south and west. Just rain by Sunday afternoon with high temperatures in the upper 30's to around 40.
A friend of mine told me that she goes to a personal trainer to help her get in shape. The place is called Pinnacle Performance on rt. 925 in Waldorf, MD. She said that she loves it because she is feeling good about herself and she has a lot more energy.
So, on last Monday I stopped by Pinnacle Performance for a visit. I was impressed by the trainer, Fran. He really seemed to know how to help me with my problem areas and some injuries I got in college. (He had turf in there too because he also trains athletes,) His prices are average and consistent with other gyms in the area. But, since it's completely one-on-one, I won't have other people watching me try to lose my pounds. I begin tomorrow (Friday)!
Oh, since my son (10th grader) wants to continue to play football in college, if I like it my son is going to start too!
What do you think will happen to Jim Zorn do you think he survives for a 2nd season I see us going 1-1 over the last 2 games I think it is time that Bill Cowher thinks about coming out of retirement and saves the redskins because I do not think that Jim Zorn has a good future for the team. I love the Burgundy and Gold but somebody has go to help us out besides Jim Zorn.
Every year, before the season, the fans and the pundits put The Washington Redskins in the playoff chase. But in reality, The Washington Redskins aren't a very good football team!!!! In fact, they are a very mediocre team.
They aren't among the worst teams in the National Football League, But, they aren't among the elite teams in the league. In my opinion, the Redskins are a 9-7, 8-8 and/or 7-9 team. The Redskins easily could finish the year with a 7-9 record.
It isn't the fault of Jason Campbell or Jim Zorn for the mediocre play on the field this year. Campbell has played pretty well during the season. Zorn is a first-year head coach and he may need a couple of years to prove himself.
It is the fault of the management of the team for producting a mediocre product on the field. Until they sign a general manager to run the football operations of the team, they will contnue to be a mediocre squad.
Jr. Pee Wee Championship: "Warriors Rip Wolverines!"
"I've coached with four Pop Warner national championship teams and this is, bar none, the most disciplined, hard hitting team I have ever had," beamed White Oak Warriors Jr. Pee Wee Head Coach Steve Norcio.
It's no wonder Coach Steve had high praise for his team after this morning's big game here at Disney's Wide World of Sports. With an "O" line that opened up hole after hole , White Oaks corps of running back ripped through the vaunted defense of the Eastbay Wolverines (from the San Francisco area) time and again for big scoring bursts en route to the Warriors 45-6 triumph.
White Oak tailback Myles Robinson rolled to a modern day Pop Warner Junior Pee Wee-record 5 touchdowns in the Warriors win, while White Oaks defensive coordinator Larry Smith's troops shut down the slick Wolverine spread formation time after time to maintain ball control for most of the game.
White Oak tallied early in this one after intercepting an Eastbay pass and blasting into the end zone at 6:09 to go in the first quarter. After recovering a Wolverine fumble of the ensuing kickoff, the Warriors scored again on Myles Robinson's second TD of the day. Then, after holding the Wolverine's offense in check, Robinson scored again from 15 yards out on a twisting , slashing run behind some superb blocks to make it White Oak 20- Eastbay 0.
But the Wolverines refused to give up. With 9:48 to go in the first half, they ran a swing pas off their spread formation to perfection, racing to pay-dirt from 33 yards out to make the score 20-6.
But today, it was just too much White Oak toughness and speed as the Warriors commanded the second half . Behind the running of Myles Robinson and Casey Stanton, Jr. - who raced 64 yards for a TD- the Warriors prevailed 45-6. Coach Steve had special praise for the studs up front , including Donovon Vassar, Jordon Anthony, Rashan Jones, Devin Garrett, Anthony Tedder, and Jordon Byers. But, this was a total team victory, and Coach Steve made that clear.
"I'm fifty years old now," reflected Coach Steve, "And, I gotta tell you, I've never had a more attentive, dedicated bunch of kids. We've been hard on them to this point, but they have responded with a terrific season capped by this national championship. We pick kids who do well in school, who pay attention to instruction, and who knuckle down and play as a team." Wow! You can't ask for more than that.
Congratulations to the White Oak Warriors for a great Jr. Pee Wee National Championship win. And congratulations as well to the Eastbay Wolverines for a terrific road to the title game here at Pop Warner Super Bowl Week- 2008. Division I Bracket
Peewee Championship "White Oak Pee Wees Victorious!"
The White Oak Warrior of Maryland registered a convincing 26-0 win over the Southfield Lathrup Falcons of Detroit in the Pop Warner D-1 Pee Wee National Championship game before a big crowd at Disney's Wide World of Sports.
"Our guys have played hard all season," said White Oak's Head Coach John Vassos. "Our defense has just shut everybody down. They're fast, they're quick, they're strong and they just keep going hard, hard, hard."
The White Oak Wariors offense wasn't too shabby either as they tallied early in the 1st quarter on a ten yard TD by Clarence Allen. When the PAT failed, the Warriors had the lead 6-0.
Later in the same quarter, White Oak completed a 30 yard TD pass to Terrence Jones. This time the two-point kick conversion was good and the Warriors lead grew to 14-0.
Clarence Allen scored on a four-yard touchdown pass to help the Warriors close out the first half with a 20-0 lead.
The Falcons managed to cage the Warriors for the 3rd quarter. But in the 4th quarter, White Oak's C. Allen scored his third touchdown of the day on a two yard plunge. The PAT failed and the score rose to White Oak 26- Southfield Lathrup 0.
With the White Oak defense stopping the hard running Falcons on every possession, the Warriors salted away a hard-earned victory and the second championship of this sunny Saturday for a White Oak team.
Congratulations to the White Oak Warriors and to the Southfield Lathrup Falcons on a great Pop Warner Super Bowl Week-2008
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