...but of course, we're still trying to figure out if anyone followed us over here to the new site.
While the primary contributors to this blog have spent the last four months busy in various ways (attempting to further our educations and careers) we have missed out on some goings on.
This is our attempt to bring you up to speed in 15 minutes or less.
Mavericks > Cornhuskers
Fine... you already knew that. We've preached it from day one. But we think there is a legitimate claim, now.
Our beloved Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks currently sit at 10-0, and have secured a bye in the first round of the NCAA Division-II Playoffs. Meanwhile, 50 miles to the southwest, the University of Nebraska Felons... err, Huskers just broke a 5-game losing streak.
Had it not been for a 50+ yard field goal by the Ball State Fightin' Lettermans which sailed just wide to the left (arguably the best defensive play of the Huskers' season), most of this state would be suicidal over not being bowl eligible. As it is, Bill Callahan faces a 'win or join the unemployment line' game in Boulder.
It raises the question of who is the best college football team in the state of Nebraska. It is very possible that Lincoln's team is the THIRD best, behind the Mavericks and Danny Woodhead-led Chadron State (also undefeated in D-II).
The consensus among RFN writers is that the 'Skurs would be pwn3d by either the Mavericks or Eagles.
Chambers Sues Tom Osborne
At least, that was the predicted headline of the day when Nebraska State Senator, and all-around nutball, Ernie Chambers has sued God.
Chambers is attempting to make a point about frivilous lawsuits.
Shortly after Chambers went public with his lawsuit, the Cornhuskers named Tom Osborne (God, himself, to many Husker fans) as the interim Athletic Director, replacing Satan... err, Steve Pederson.
The contributors of RFN would have liked to have been at the press conference introducing Osborne to ask to simple questions:
1. What are your thoughts on being sued by Ernie Chambers?
and 2. What exactly are your qualifications for running an entire athletic department?
Maverick Puckers Progressing
The much-beloved (at least of RFN) UNO Hockey Team has begun their 2007-08 campaign with a roller-coaster ride. The season started with mundane triumphs over Manitoba and Alabama-Huntsville to reclaim the Omaha Cup in the Mutual of Omaha Stampede. The Mavericks then lost four straight-- two each to Miami-Ohio and Michigan. Both the Redhawks and Weasels were ranked #2 in the nation at the time of sweeping UNO. Both teams have also risen to the #1 spot in the polls since beating the Mavericks, with the Maize and Blue currently the leaders.
The Mavericks then went on the road to Columbus, where they swept the Ohio State University by identical scores.
The most alarming note for UNO is the presence of a very youthful blueline corps. The Mavs have just one upperclassmen on the defense, Juha Uotila. Uotila, however, is academically ineligible pending the results of a correspondence course from Portland State University.
Possible issues involve the UNO administration not knowing if Portland State is in Portland, Oregon or Portland, Maine.
The leadership role on the blueline has fallen to sophomores Eddie Del Grosso and Mark Bernier in Uotila's absence.
The Mavericks return home this weekend to face Ferris State in a Friday/Sunday series. Plenty of good seats are still available.
Matty Finds Work... Twice
And before we forget, congrats go out to RFN senior editor Matthew Semisch. Always the diligent student and the brain child of many of our antics here at RFN-- Matty has taken on two new roles. One is a new job on campus, and the other is as U.S. College Hockey Online's arena report for Omaha.
You can keep up with his USCHO work at www.uscho.com
12 November 2007
04 July 2007
2007-08 UNO Hockey Schedule Released
2007-08 UNO Hockey Schedule:
Mutual of Omaha Stampede
19 Oct: Manitoba
20 Oct: Alabama-Huntsville or Canisius
26-27 Oct: @ Miami
2-3 Nov: Michigan
8-9 Nov: @ Ohio State
16-18 Nov: Ferris State
23-24 Nov: Alaska-Fairbanks
30 Nov-1 Dec: @ Notre Dame
7-8 Dec: Lake Superior State
14-15 Dec: @ Union
18 Dec: Minnesota State-Mankato
28 Dec: Princeton
30 Dec: Yale
4-5 Jan: @ Western Michigan
11-12 Jan: Miami
18-19: @ Alaska-Fairbanks
1-2 Feb: @ Michigan State
8-9 Feb: Ohio State
15-16 Feb: Bowling Green (@ Civic Auditorium)
22-23 Feb: @ Northern Michigan
26 Feb: @ Minnesota State-Mankato
29 Feb: U.S. National Development Team
Oh, for fuck's sake.
Considering we're really not all that far removed from that UNO - Maine - Minnesota - Wisconsin field in the Stampede when you think about it, how can UNO continue to call their tournament one of the premier season-opening competitions when the field includes the University of Manitoba (a game which obviously won't count, and against a team that UNO has completely shook the cunt out of all but two times every year for the last decade), Alabama-Huntsville which has no discernable defense to speak of, and Canisius, who I thought dropped hockey when Iona did? Absolutely pathetic. Add to that an otherwise fairly poor non-conference schedule (Union College, Mankato, Princeton and Yale) and an exhibition against the USNDTP on the last day of the season, and it's enough to make you sick to your stomach. Nevermind the rest of the schedule; if UNO doesn't absolutely walk the Stampede, I'm not going anymore. That's just bullshit.
Come to think of it, the worst part is that I'm trying to get out of the country come January, because depending on what Miami and Alaska do next season, UNO on paper could run the table after New Year's.
Mutual of Omaha Stampede
19 Oct: Manitoba
20 Oct: Alabama-Huntsville or Canisius
26-27 Oct: @ Miami
2-3 Nov: Michigan
8-9 Nov: @ Ohio State
16-18 Nov: Ferris State
23-24 Nov: Alaska-Fairbanks
30 Nov-1 Dec: @ Notre Dame
7-8 Dec: Lake Superior State
14-15 Dec: @ Union
18 Dec: Minnesota State-Mankato
28 Dec: Princeton
30 Dec: Yale
4-5 Jan: @ Western Michigan
11-12 Jan: Miami
18-19: @ Alaska-Fairbanks
1-2 Feb: @ Michigan State
8-9 Feb: Ohio State
15-16 Feb: Bowling Green (@ Civic Auditorium)
22-23 Feb: @ Northern Michigan
26 Feb: @ Minnesota State-Mankato
29 Feb: U.S. National Development Team
Oh, for fuck's sake.
Considering we're really not all that far removed from that UNO - Maine - Minnesota - Wisconsin field in the Stampede when you think about it, how can UNO continue to call their tournament one of the premier season-opening competitions when the field includes the University of Manitoba (a game which obviously won't count, and against a team that UNO has completely shook the cunt out of all but two times every year for the last decade), Alabama-Huntsville which has no discernable defense to speak of, and Canisius, who I thought dropped hockey when Iona did? Absolutely pathetic. Add to that an otherwise fairly poor non-conference schedule (Union College, Mankato, Princeton and Yale) and an exhibition against the USNDTP on the last day of the season, and it's enough to make you sick to your stomach. Nevermind the rest of the schedule; if UNO doesn't absolutely walk the Stampede, I'm not going anymore. That's just bullshit.
Come to think of it, the worst part is that I'm trying to get out of the country come January, because depending on what Miami and Alaska do next season, UNO on paper could run the table after New Year's.
20 June 2007
And Now A Word From Our Sponsors...
The Mike Kemp Show in cooporation with the Comrades General of the Carrysville Red Army bring you the following classic Maverick Hockey moment-- involving a Maverick Hockey Classic Moment...
...the preceeding message was brought to you by the Red Army.
The Red Army: We've Got Something To Put In You.
Stay tuned later on for 'Chaz in the Morning'.
'Chaz in the Morning' can be heard weeknights on KFLF. We're back in 60 second. You're tuned in to Radio Free Nebraska right here on KFLF-Omaha.
KFLF: We're What's For Dinner!
...the preceeding message was brought to you by the Red Army.
The Red Army: We've Got Something To Put In You.
Stay tuned later on for 'Chaz in the Morning'.
'Chaz in the Morning' can be heard weeknights on KFLF. We're back in 60 second. You're tuned in to Radio Free Nebraska right here on KFLF-Omaha.
KFLF: We're What's For Dinner!
19 May 2007
Aren't Local Sports of Local Interest?
If it ain't the Huskers, they don't give a s---.
OK, we live in a cornfield. But there is a lot of stuff going on out here. Just don't expect the media to tell you about any of it, unless you bring a lot of people into town... and with them: wallets, billfolds, purses, loose change, greenbacks, and those pieces of plastic that people like to steal.
But even then, don't count on it... unless you can some how trace it all to the 'scarlet and cream'. I don't scream, you probably don't scream, but they all seem to scream for the scarlet and cream... you know big school by the train yard 50-miles to the southwest.
(Just a little hint... 'The Big Red'... that's Cornell. Nebraska(-Lincoln): you're the Cornholios, or Cornholers, or Cornf---ers, or something like that. I can't really be bothered with what you call yourselves-- Bugeaters comes to mind for some reason, too.)
I'm not saying the Omaha media shouldn't cover the felons of the Cornbelt, but they need to realize that they are the major market... (ok, stop laughing and let me finish)... major market of the state. With that comes the responsibility to cover much more than one team or institution.
Here's the problem. The local Omaha media: KETV, KMTV, KPTM, KXVO, WOWT, and the Omaha World Herald really show no interest in anything going on in Omaha sportswise, unless it involves their beloved Cornthingers. Maybe Creighton gets a little love, but only when they do something really great-- and I'm talking NCAA Tournament greatness.
They give quick scores of high school athletics-- which is fine... if you have a professional team to cover. The Knights and Royals (both teams AAA in terms of level, but professional teams none the less) are largely neglected in this town by the media. They never get front page Sports coverage-- not even when one leaves town. But if the assistant associate equipment manager in charge of picking up used prewrap off the two-toned turf in Memorial Stadium gets Montezuma's Revenge, you'd be sure to hear all about the stink in Lincoln-- front page, above the fold... and lead story in the broadcast media.
High school scores here consist of 5-seconds of video of someone who is 'Lincoln-bound', usually of them picking their nose or scratching their ass, and a final score if you're lucky. Except for football-- you get 20-minutes of high school football, because everyone here wants to go to Lincoln. God only knows why.
What we have going on right now is the Nebraska State High School Track Meet-- here in Omaha, at Burke Stadium. Now, the World Herald has it covered. But only because it involves the reasons stated above-- the accessories and monetary contribution to the city. But the broadcasters... they're only interested in those who will be appearing at a school near 'the Penis of the Plains'.
There is no television coverage of the state track meet in Nebraska. However, KXVO was broadcasting the Iowa State High School Track Meet. They also broadcast high school football championships, high school basketball championships, and high school wrestling championships-- all from Iowa. Why? You're in Omaha, and I doubt Council Bluffs could really care less, unless they had a team there-- which they don't.
How is it that Iowa high school sports is on one of the affiliates in Omaha, while Nebraska high school and college sports are relegated to the occaisional airing on NET1 (PBS)?
Right now, Telepro Productions (in Omaha) has a deal in place to broadcast several athletic events for the University of Nebraska-Omaha (the Mavericks, not to confused with the Convicts). So, what's the problem? There is nowhere to air these events.
The affiliates don't care, and really have no place to air them, citing their network affiliation requirements (and the inability to preempt prime time scheduling... except, that KETV does it for Creighton basketball-- also produced by Telepro). And NET1, in Lincoln, refuses to allow KYNE to be anything other than a repeater station for NET1. KYNE also operates The Knowledge Network of Greater Omaha, but unless you have cable... AND live within Douglas County, you can't see it...
'... attendance is thin today, what with the tractor pull in town and all. So, if you're in the area, and if you can hear me you must be in the area-- because this isn't a very powerful television station-- come on down to the fieldhouse and be apart of Maverick basketball-- live on TKN...'
The other issue TKN faces, is a battle with Cox Communications-- I said Cox, but I might as well have said c--ks-- over public access availability. Cox wants to reduce the number of public access channels in another classic Cox move to bend their customers over the table. Worse yet, they somehow got the support of Omaha City Councilman Jim Suttle, probably through the means of the biggest payoff since 'Payola'.
You can see the dichotomy and idiocy. Willing to bend the rules for the big schools, willing to go out on a limb for another state. It leaves the local teams in a hole-- which may not be totally unitentional. Needless to say, something needs to be done.
With NBC's recent performance, I don't think anyone would care if WOWT interrupted netword broadcasting for local interests. Beyond that, all the affiliates have broadcasting space on their digital licences which they are not fully using, yet.
But what really needs to be done, is that KYNE (UNO-TV) needs to get together with UNO's new Chancellor and new Athletic Director, and come together to build a sports network to bypass the bureaucratic bull---- the local affiliates and representatives are feeding them. It needs to be done, it needs to be done by UNO (or they'll just play second fiddle to UNL or CU), and it needs to be done now.
OK, we live in a cornfield. But there is a lot of stuff going on out here. Just don't expect the media to tell you about any of it, unless you bring a lot of people into town... and with them: wallets, billfolds, purses, loose change, greenbacks, and those pieces of plastic that people like to steal.
But even then, don't count on it... unless you can some how trace it all to the 'scarlet and cream'. I don't scream, you probably don't scream, but they all seem to scream for the scarlet and cream... you know big school by the train yard 50-miles to the southwest.
(Just a little hint... 'The Big Red'... that's Cornell. Nebraska(-Lincoln): you're the Cornholios, or Cornholers, or Cornf---ers, or something like that. I can't really be bothered with what you call yourselves-- Bugeaters comes to mind for some reason, too.)
I'm not saying the Omaha media shouldn't cover the felons of the Cornbelt, but they need to realize that they are the major market... (ok, stop laughing and let me finish)... major market of the state. With that comes the responsibility to cover much more than one team or institution.
Here's the problem. The local Omaha media: KETV, KMTV, KPTM, KXVO, WOWT, and the Omaha World Herald really show no interest in anything going on in Omaha sportswise, unless it involves their beloved Cornthingers. Maybe Creighton gets a little love, but only when they do something really great-- and I'm talking NCAA Tournament greatness.
They give quick scores of high school athletics-- which is fine... if you have a professional team to cover. The Knights and Royals (both teams AAA in terms of level, but professional teams none the less) are largely neglected in this town by the media. They never get front page Sports coverage-- not even when one leaves town. But if the assistant associate equipment manager in charge of picking up used prewrap off the two-toned turf in Memorial Stadium gets Montezuma's Revenge, you'd be sure to hear all about the stink in Lincoln-- front page, above the fold... and lead story in the broadcast media.
High school scores here consist of 5-seconds of video of someone who is 'Lincoln-bound', usually of them picking their nose or scratching their ass, and a final score if you're lucky. Except for football-- you get 20-minutes of high school football, because everyone here wants to go to Lincoln. God only knows why.
What we have going on right now is the Nebraska State High School Track Meet-- here in Omaha, at Burke Stadium. Now, the World Herald has it covered. But only because it involves the reasons stated above-- the accessories and monetary contribution to the city. But the broadcasters... they're only interested in those who will be appearing at a school near 'the Penis of the Plains'.
There is no television coverage of the state track meet in Nebraska. However, KXVO was broadcasting the Iowa State High School Track Meet. They also broadcast high school football championships, high school basketball championships, and high school wrestling championships-- all from Iowa. Why? You're in Omaha, and I doubt Council Bluffs could really care less, unless they had a team there-- which they don't.
How is it that Iowa high school sports is on one of the affiliates in Omaha, while Nebraska high school and college sports are relegated to the occaisional airing on NET1 (PBS)?
Right now, Telepro Productions (in Omaha) has a deal in place to broadcast several athletic events for the University of Nebraska-Omaha (the Mavericks, not to confused with the Convicts). So, what's the problem? There is nowhere to air these events.
The affiliates don't care, and really have no place to air them, citing their network affiliation requirements (and the inability to preempt prime time scheduling... except, that KETV does it for Creighton basketball-- also produced by Telepro). And NET1, in Lincoln, refuses to allow KYNE to be anything other than a repeater station for NET1. KYNE also operates The Knowledge Network of Greater Omaha, but unless you have cable... AND live within Douglas County, you can't see it...
'... attendance is thin today, what with the tractor pull in town and all. So, if you're in the area, and if you can hear me you must be in the area-- because this isn't a very powerful television station-- come on down to the fieldhouse and be apart of Maverick basketball-- live on TKN...'
The other issue TKN faces, is a battle with Cox Communications-- I said Cox, but I might as well have said c--ks-- over public access availability. Cox wants to reduce the number of public access channels in another classic Cox move to bend their customers over the table. Worse yet, they somehow got the support of Omaha City Councilman Jim Suttle, probably through the means of the biggest payoff since 'Payola'.
You can see the dichotomy and idiocy. Willing to bend the rules for the big schools, willing to go out on a limb for another state. It leaves the local teams in a hole-- which may not be totally unitentional. Needless to say, something needs to be done.
With NBC's recent performance, I don't think anyone would care if WOWT interrupted netword broadcasting for local interests. Beyond that, all the affiliates have broadcasting space on their digital licences which they are not fully using, yet.
But what really needs to be done, is that KYNE (UNO-TV) needs to get together with UNO's new Chancellor and new Athletic Director, and come together to build a sports network to bypass the bureaucratic bull---- the local affiliates and representatives are feeding them. It needs to be done, it needs to be done by UNO (or they'll just play second fiddle to UNL or CU), and it needs to be done now.
16 May 2007
Travis Justice: Need I Really Say More?
As reported earlier in this blog, the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights of the American Hockey League (AHL) are primed to relocated their operations to Moline, Illinois-- and the MARK of the Quad Cities. It was reported that Calgary Flames General Manager Darryl Sutter was sighted in a Moline hotel earlier today, adding fuel to the fire that is the story of the teams impending move.
CBS affiliate WHBF in Rock Island, Illinois is confirming the reports that the Knights are QC-bound -- where I assume they will maintain the name of the current United Hockey League (UHL) team in Moline, the Quad City Mallards. WHBF cites their confirmation as coming from the CBS affiliate in Omaha-- KMTV (branded as 'Action 3 News').
What comes as no shock to the editors of this blog-- or really anyone in Omaha-- is that KMTV Sports Anchor Travis Justice made no reference to the story during KMTV's 10 o'clock newscast. That takes some real balls. I'm sorry, but as a journalist, it brings in huge moral and ethical concerns to report to another agent on a story, then make no mention of it yourself.
For those of you who are interested, Justice's sports report for the evening consisted of him bitching about the lack of scoring in soccer-- that soccer games should start with a shootout to make them more interesting, bitching about how he had to suffer through two and a half hours of the Class A Girls State Soccer Championship, giving the Class A Boys State Soccer Championship score, and then highlights of the Boys State Baseball Game... in a rather lackluster effort.
It seems to me that Justice has lost any desire he had for the job. If that is the case, perhaps it is time for him to move on-- and I doubt very much that the people of Omaha would miss him.
To the contributors of this blog, the Knights were a joke. Maybe we were a little biased-- with one of us being a former benchwarmer for the local university's hockey program, the other being a former assistant equipment manager for the same team, and both continuing to be strong supporters of the University of Nebraska-Omaha hockey program.
However, our biases will not keep us from reporting what needs to be known. We are even more shocked that Justice-- known for his controversial rantings and ravings, not to mention his continual cracks about the attendance figures for the Knights and the Pacific Coast League's Omaha Royals-- said nothing. It makes you wonder if the story is true, if Justice was attempting to stir the pot, or if he really has a clue what is going on.
Suffice it to say that there is a reason that Justice has not made it above the #76 Nielsen Market. Perhaps it is time for a change in careers for him.
Stay tuned to Radio Free Nebraska for updates on the situation concerning the Knights and their courtship with the Quad Cities.
CBS affiliate WHBF in Rock Island, Illinois is confirming the reports that the Knights are QC-bound -- where I assume they will maintain the name of the current United Hockey League (UHL) team in Moline, the Quad City Mallards. WHBF cites their confirmation as coming from the CBS affiliate in Omaha-- KMTV (branded as 'Action 3 News').
What comes as no shock to the editors of this blog-- or really anyone in Omaha-- is that KMTV Sports Anchor Travis Justice made no reference to the story during KMTV's 10 o'clock newscast. That takes some real balls. I'm sorry, but as a journalist, it brings in huge moral and ethical concerns to report to another agent on a story, then make no mention of it yourself.
For those of you who are interested, Justice's sports report for the evening consisted of him bitching about the lack of scoring in soccer-- that soccer games should start with a shootout to make them more interesting, bitching about how he had to suffer through two and a half hours of the Class A Girls State Soccer Championship, giving the Class A Boys State Soccer Championship score, and then highlights of the Boys State Baseball Game... in a rather lackluster effort.
It seems to me that Justice has lost any desire he had for the job. If that is the case, perhaps it is time for him to move on-- and I doubt very much that the people of Omaha would miss him.
To the contributors of this blog, the Knights were a joke. Maybe we were a little biased-- with one of us being a former benchwarmer for the local university's hockey program, the other being a former assistant equipment manager for the same team, and both continuing to be strong supporters of the University of Nebraska-Omaha hockey program.
However, our biases will not keep us from reporting what needs to be known. We are even more shocked that Justice-- known for his controversial rantings and ravings, not to mention his continual cracks about the attendance figures for the Knights and the Pacific Coast League's Omaha Royals-- said nothing. It makes you wonder if the story is true, if Justice was attempting to stir the pot, or if he really has a clue what is going on.
Suffice it to say that there is a reason that Justice has not made it above the #76 Nielsen Market. Perhaps it is time for a change in careers for him.
Stay tuned to Radio Free Nebraska for updates on the situation concerning the Knights and their courtship with the Quad Cities.
College Hockey News: CCHA Officiating Director Resigns
College Hockey News reports that Brian Hart, CCHA Director of Fascism...er..officiating, has resigned.
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