The Portland Monarchs defeated the Rogue Warriors, 70-6, at Milwaukie High School, for the Championship.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Springfield Buzzards take third place.
Tobey Hay, Kevin Pardy and Wyatt Ledbetter, accept the trophy for third place in the Oregon Football League, in Milwaukie, on May 30.
The Portland Monarchs defeated the Rogue Warriors, 70-6, at Milwaukie High School, for the Championship.
The Portland Monarchs defeated the Rogue Warriors, 70-6, at Milwaukie High School, for the Championship.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Are there any good role models left in sports?
Travis Pastrana, Photo taken by glpdrum, Flickr
Since the invention of sports, athletes have been idolized and worshiped for their accomplishments on and off the field. Some athletes are inspirational; they have become role models and mentors for many children including myself. When I was growing up, some of my biggest idols were athletes. Track star, Jackie Joyner Kersee, swimmer, Matt Biondi, and volleyball player, Karch Kiraly were among some of the athletes that I looked up to. I even grew up at the same time as Marion Jones; I looked up to her as well. When allegations of doping started to circulate about one of my hero’s, I was stunned and refused to believe such blasphemous rumors. I defended Jones, I believed her when she said her accomplishments were due to hard work and dedication. I now know how naïve I was. I was so disappointed that someone I had looked up to for so many years could cheat and lie in order to win. That to me was a disgrace.
Unfortunately it has become all too common place; athletes these days are making poor decisions and becoming less and less viable options as good role models.
It goes beyond just doping however, illegal dog fighting by Michael Vick, who was the poster boy for the NFL, with millions in endorsements and advertising, he had everything in the palm of his very young hand. NFL player Dante Stallworth, was recently found guilty of drunk driving after he hit and killed a man in Florida.
Since the dawn of sports, athletes have always been looked up to, it seems sad that so many choose to go down the wrong path. Are there any good athlete role models left?
I think there is a beacon amongst all the burned out former lights that once used to shine. His name is Travis Pastrana.
Pastrana, who is only 26, has already accomplished more in his sports, than many athletes will in the course of a lifetime. Pastrana was born in 1983 in Maryland; his father is an ex-marine, who is in his own right, a daredevil with a wild streak. It is no wonder where Travis gets his wild side from. By the time he was four years old he was all ready on his first motorcycle. He exhibited tremendous talent and natural ability even at that early age. By the time he was fifteen, he was five-time National Amateur Champion, two- time Canadian National Champion, five-time Loretta Lynn Champion, and he had won the World Freestyle Championship at age fourteen. He was the youngest rider ever on Team USA when they won Motocross de Nations in 2000 by the age of sixteen. Travis won his first X Games gold medal in 1999 when he won Moto X. He has accumulated over fourteen medals (nine gold) through X Games as well as five gold medals through the Gravity Games. From 1998-2003 Travis never lost a freestyle competition that he entered. His first defeat came in 2004 after he had taught one of his main competitors, Nate Adams how to do a back flip. Travis was competing with a concussion after he crashed his bike the day before attempting a 785 foot 360. He still got second place and won a silver medal. Travis didn’t only want to win; he wanted to make the sport better. He would rather have competition than win too easily.
He has amassed more titles and medals then I can mention, as well as several Guiness records, including the first and only double-back flip landed in competition. It is not only his accomplishments in sports that make me believe that he is a good role model, but his outlook on life and “good old boy” persona.
Travis is proof that you do not have to pick either your sport or an education, you can do both. Like many things in Pastrana’s life, just doing well, wasn’t good enough. Pastrana graduated from high school three years early at the age of fifteen with a 3.9 GPA.
That would be a huge accomplishment by its self, but he did it all while he was accumulating huge triumphs in his sport. Travis is also maintaining a 4.0 GPA in college at the University of Maryland. Even though he has made a successful career in his sports and amassed quite a fortune, he wants to make sure he has an education to fall back on.
Pastrana comes from a very close nit family; he grew up in the house next to his grandmother, where his uncles, who own a construction company, still meet for lunch on a daily basis. When he was young and money was tight the family triple mortgaged the home to find ways to keep him in motocross. When that was not enough his aunts and uncles all pitched in too. He has mentored many athletes at his 100 acre compound in Maryland where he has taught several riders to back flip, including female Motocross Champion, Jolene Van Vugt, who was the first female to do a back flip in competition. He also spends a fair amount of time filming extreme stunts with his pals from Nitro Circus, including former FMX great Andy Bell, pro skier, Erik Roner and Van Vugt.
“Travis has a real strong sense of who he is, I think that’s because we let him make mistakes. We let him fall, but we were always there to support him and pick him up.” Pastrana’s mom told ESPN. She can be found cheering him on at his competitions, while praying for his safety. His daredevil ways have not escaped injury; he has had over 25 concussions, more than 60 broken bones, and 15 knee surgeries. He is also only the third person in medical history to dislocate his spine from his pelvis and survive. Travis has even competed during major championships while injured. His never quit mentality is quite inspirational; it’s going to take an awful lot to keep this guy down. “That drive to come back from an injury, sets you apart and is what makes you one of the top competitors,” fellow athlete and friend, Tony Hawk said of Pastrana.
He considers himself a risk analyst and likes to look at things in terms of, worst case scenario divided by percentage chance of failure, towards success. “I calculate risk for a living” he says. His other calculation is; fun, plus or minus money, plus reward, minus risk. His dad told ESPN, “consequences be damned, if something is do-able, DO IT!” That has been Travis mantra since he was a kid. He used that kind of thinking when he back-flipped his motorcycle into the Grand Canyon.
Some of his other hobbies include base jumping, BMX, jet skiing, mountain biking, his latest passion rally cars and skydiving. Some of Travis’ nicknames include; Good ol’ boy, Mr. Nice Guy, and the gimp. He lists his most treasured possessions as his family, friends and his foam pit. He has been described as; Howdy Doody meets Wally Clever, not your typical rock star, and kind of a dork. He always makes time for his fans and has even stayed at competitions as late as 2:00 am, in order to sign every last fan’s autograph. He is unpretentious and his positive, very likable personality has made him a media darling, landing him on shows like The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.
He is always seen smiling and enjoying life to the fullest. “If I die doing what I’m doing, don’t worry, I’m fine,” he told his mother, right before he attempted the first ever double-back flip in competition. “I was either gonna land it or die.” To the delight of millions of fans that were watching, including myself, he landed the jump. The crowd went nuts, as did I, I even got a little emotional when the camera panned to his mother and you could see the tension and fear leave her as she cheered her son on.
His fearless attitude and belief in his own abilities is inspiring to multitudes of fans and future athletes. More people would be better off if they had his never quit mentality.
“My strengths and my weaknesses are the same: I’ve got the willingness and the stupidity to try anything. If I think it’s even remotely possible, I’ll do it.”-Travis Pastrana
Unfortunately it has become all too common place; athletes these days are making poor decisions and becoming less and less viable options as good role models.
It goes beyond just doping however, illegal dog fighting by Michael Vick, who was the poster boy for the NFL, with millions in endorsements and advertising, he had everything in the palm of his very young hand. NFL player Dante Stallworth, was recently found guilty of drunk driving after he hit and killed a man in Florida.
Since the dawn of sports, athletes have always been looked up to, it seems sad that so many choose to go down the wrong path. Are there any good athlete role models left?
I think there is a beacon amongst all the burned out former lights that once used to shine. His name is Travis Pastrana.
Pastrana, who is only 26, has already accomplished more in his sports, than many athletes will in the course of a lifetime. Pastrana was born in 1983 in Maryland; his father is an ex-marine, who is in his own right, a daredevil with a wild streak. It is no wonder where Travis gets his wild side from. By the time he was four years old he was all ready on his first motorcycle. He exhibited tremendous talent and natural ability even at that early age. By the time he was fifteen, he was five-time National Amateur Champion, two- time Canadian National Champion, five-time Loretta Lynn Champion, and he had won the World Freestyle Championship at age fourteen. He was the youngest rider ever on Team USA when they won Motocross de Nations in 2000 by the age of sixteen. Travis won his first X Games gold medal in 1999 when he won Moto X. He has accumulated over fourteen medals (nine gold) through X Games as well as five gold medals through the Gravity Games. From 1998-2003 Travis never lost a freestyle competition that he entered. His first defeat came in 2004 after he had taught one of his main competitors, Nate Adams how to do a back flip. Travis was competing with a concussion after he crashed his bike the day before attempting a 785 foot 360. He still got second place and won a silver medal. Travis didn’t only want to win; he wanted to make the sport better. He would rather have competition than win too easily.
He has amassed more titles and medals then I can mention, as well as several Guiness records, including the first and only double-back flip landed in competition. It is not only his accomplishments in sports that make me believe that he is a good role model, but his outlook on life and “good old boy” persona.
Travis is proof that you do not have to pick either your sport or an education, you can do both. Like many things in Pastrana’s life, just doing well, wasn’t good enough. Pastrana graduated from high school three years early at the age of fifteen with a 3.9 GPA.
That would be a huge accomplishment by its self, but he did it all while he was accumulating huge triumphs in his sport. Travis is also maintaining a 4.0 GPA in college at the University of Maryland. Even though he has made a successful career in his sports and amassed quite a fortune, he wants to make sure he has an education to fall back on.
Pastrana comes from a very close nit family; he grew up in the house next to his grandmother, where his uncles, who own a construction company, still meet for lunch on a daily basis. When he was young and money was tight the family triple mortgaged the home to find ways to keep him in motocross. When that was not enough his aunts and uncles all pitched in too. He has mentored many athletes at his 100 acre compound in Maryland where he has taught several riders to back flip, including female Motocross Champion, Jolene Van Vugt, who was the first female to do a back flip in competition. He also spends a fair amount of time filming extreme stunts with his pals from Nitro Circus, including former FMX great Andy Bell, pro skier, Erik Roner and Van Vugt.
“Travis has a real strong sense of who he is, I think that’s because we let him make mistakes. We let him fall, but we were always there to support him and pick him up.” Pastrana’s mom told ESPN. She can be found cheering him on at his competitions, while praying for his safety. His daredevil ways have not escaped injury; he has had over 25 concussions, more than 60 broken bones, and 15 knee surgeries. He is also only the third person in medical history to dislocate his spine from his pelvis and survive. Travis has even competed during major championships while injured. His never quit mentality is quite inspirational; it’s going to take an awful lot to keep this guy down. “That drive to come back from an injury, sets you apart and is what makes you one of the top competitors,” fellow athlete and friend, Tony Hawk said of Pastrana.
He considers himself a risk analyst and likes to look at things in terms of, worst case scenario divided by percentage chance of failure, towards success. “I calculate risk for a living” he says. His other calculation is; fun, plus or minus money, plus reward, minus risk. His dad told ESPN, “consequences be damned, if something is do-able, DO IT!” That has been Travis mantra since he was a kid. He used that kind of thinking when he back-flipped his motorcycle into the Grand Canyon.
Some of his other hobbies include base jumping, BMX, jet skiing, mountain biking, his latest passion rally cars and skydiving. Some of Travis’ nicknames include; Good ol’ boy, Mr. Nice Guy, and the gimp. He lists his most treasured possessions as his family, friends and his foam pit. He has been described as; Howdy Doody meets Wally Clever, not your typical rock star, and kind of a dork. He always makes time for his fans and has even stayed at competitions as late as 2:00 am, in order to sign every last fan’s autograph. He is unpretentious and his positive, very likable personality has made him a media darling, landing him on shows like The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.
He is always seen smiling and enjoying life to the fullest. “If I die doing what I’m doing, don’t worry, I’m fine,” he told his mother, right before he attempted the first ever double-back flip in competition. “I was either gonna land it or die.” To the delight of millions of fans that were watching, including myself, he landed the jump. The crowd went nuts, as did I, I even got a little emotional when the camera panned to his mother and you could see the tension and fear leave her as she cheered her son on.
His fearless attitude and belief in his own abilities is inspiring to multitudes of fans and future athletes. More people would be better off if they had his never quit mentality.
“My strengths and my weaknesses are the same: I’ve got the willingness and the stupidity to try anything. If I think it’s even remotely possible, I’ll do it.”-Travis Pastrana
Saturday, May 30, 2009
This is my college life post
I forgot the password.....
Riders in the Seventh Annual Thrill of Swill, get ready to take off from the starting point of the Duck Inn, in Eugene.
Looking for something to do on your next weekend off? Try organizing your own annual event to do with friends or family, like a bike ride around your community. It’s a fun and healthy way to get together with friends and check out local landmarks, parks and points of interest.
Riders in the Seventh Annual Thrill of Swill, get ready to take off from the starting point of the Duck Inn, in Eugene.
Looking for something to do on your next weekend off? Try organizing your own annual event to do with friends or family, like a bike ride around your community. It’s a fun and healthy way to get together with friends and check out local landmarks, parks and points of interest.
Jerrod Riddle starts his bike ride, as Mechelle Hoselton (right) watches the riders take off.
The seventh annual Thrill of Swill took place on Sat. May 23, 2009. The event takes place over a twelve mile course that covers eight bars and finishes at Mindi and Kevin Pardy’s home, aptly known as Pardy’s Grease Spot, for a huge barbecue and horseshoe tournament.
The course has changed over the past few years but a lot of the riders stay the same. This year’s crew included around 34 riders from areas including Bend and Wash., and of course, several Eugene locals.
Among the stops this year was the Duck Inn, Jameson’s, The Cooler and Shooter’s. There is a poker tournament that had each player drawing one card at each stop from four, double-decks. The players were then able to swap in their cards at the last few stops to try to improve their hand. This year there was a deck of x-rated cards mixed in for a little surprise.
The course has changed over the past few years but a lot of the riders stay the same. This year’s crew included around 34 riders from areas including Bend and Wash., and of course, several Eugene locals.
Among the stops this year was the Duck Inn, Jameson’s, The Cooler and Shooter’s. There is a poker tournament that had each player drawing one card at each stop from four, double-decks. The players were then able to swap in their cards at the last few stops to try to improve their hand. This year there was a deck of x-rated cards mixed in for a little surprise.
Kevin Pardy, 39, of Eugene, shows off his latest poker card.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Oregon Reads; Lauren Kessler's Stubborn Twig
Lauren Kessler's book, Stubborn Twig surrounded by pictures of my Japanese family, including my great grandfather and great grandmother, both Nissei, my grandmother and grandfather, who were both Sansei, and my mother who is Yonsei.
Eugene author, Lauren Kessler had the honor of having her book, Stubborn Twig, picked as one of the three books Oregon Reads, for 2009. Oregon Reads, is a statewide program that will hold events at almost every library in the state to celebrate the 150 year of statehood for Oregon. In honor of the sesquicentennial, from Jan. to April, Kessler, along with other speakers, went on a statewide lecture series to discuss their books. Kessler did readings in Albany, Corvallis and Eugene amongst other stops. Although the book was originally published in 1993, it has recently gained huge popularity and seen a spike in sales since being picked for Oregon Reads.
"I see the world as a series of stories, I see people's lives as stories. I see stories everywhere I go, I have to write about them."
"I see the world as a series of stories, I see people's lives as stories. I see stories everywhere I go, I have to write about them."
Kessler, who moved to Eugene from New York, has written five books including; Clever Girl, The Happy Bottom Riding Club and Full Court Press.
Kessler read an excerpt from the book which is a true account of a Japanese family trying to establish themselves before and after the strike on Pearl Harbor. The book follows three generations of the Yasui family, lead by the patriarch Masuo, who came to Hood River in 1903. Despite anti-Japanese sentiment in the early 1900's, the family was able to run a successful general store as well as several orchards until their world was turned upside down in 1941. After the attack in Hawaii, Masuo was arrested as a spy and imprisoned at an internment camp along with countless other Japanese-Americans. The story continues through the the tradgedies and losses of the next two generations that continued to struggle to establish themselves as patriotic Americans. It is a part of history that many Americans are unfamiliar with.
The book takes account many different points of view from former neighbors and friends as well as the family members. Kessler spent countless hours sifting through family documents that were salvaged from the Hood River farm. She has also formed a tight bond and friendship with several members of the Yasui family, who still run an orchard in Hood River.
Kessler is currently working on her next project Thin House, where she, her author husband and three children, are remodeling a 1930's bungalow into "a model of energy efficiency."
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Buzzard's on their way to the playoffs
Running back, Rashane Jackson, gets a block from wide receiver Shay Black, in Vancouver, Wash., on May 9, against the Vancouver Vipers. The Buzzards won 26-20, in a must win game to get to the playoffs. The Buzzards will head to Medford on Saturday to take on the Rogue Warriors.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
A Buzzards Story
It’s a rainy day in Lowell, located about 21 miles southeast of Eugene. The skies are grey and it's a bit windy for a May afternoon. Not ideal conditions for some of the fans that are starting to arrive at the field of Lowell High School. For some fans, and most players, conditions couldn’t be any better for a good old fashioned mud bowl.
This isn’t the local neighborhood boys getting together for a friendly game of touch or flag football; this is hard-hitting, full contact eleven man football.
The Springfield Buzzards have taken the field in the last home game of the regular season. The range of age in the players varies from late teens to early forties. Their experience is as varied, some have little experience while others have played for Division I and II collegiate teams.
Kevin Pardy, 38, an insurance producer from Eugene, is not just one of those players, he also happens to be co-owner of the Buzzards. Pardy, like a lot of these guys, grew up playing football, “Pretty much since the time I could walk.” His first experience with organized football in pads came in 1978 with the Lakeville Athletic Association in Minn. He recalls Fran Tarkenton, quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings, used to come to the games and get mauled by the kids. Being a Chicago Bears fan, Pardy would have been more impressed to see his idol Walter “Sweetness” Payton, but he was in Minn., after all.
While going to high school in Madison, S.D., Pardy had always wanted to play middle linebacker but his team was deep at that position and his junior year he found himself as third string. When his coach offered him the starting tight end position it seemed like a no brainer. By the end of his senior year he was named to the All-State team at the tight end position.
With dreams of playing in college and no scholarship offers, Pardy tried out for the University of South Dakota football team in Vermillion. Pardy was getting no playing time and was fifth string tight end his freshmen year. He got a crucial break after the first and second stringers were hurt, and finally got "his day in the sun." He defied the odds and made the team as a walk on and gained a scholarship. Earning a spot on the team also earned him his very own number, 81, which he still proudly wears today. “I was 85 all through high school, but after I earned my spot, 81 became my identity on the field.”
This isn’t the local neighborhood boys getting together for a friendly game of touch or flag football; this is hard-hitting, full contact eleven man football.
The Springfield Buzzards have taken the field in the last home game of the regular season. The range of age in the players varies from late teens to early forties. Their experience is as varied, some have little experience while others have played for Division I and II collegiate teams.
Kevin Pardy, 38, an insurance producer from Eugene, is not just one of those players, he also happens to be co-owner of the Buzzards. Pardy, like a lot of these guys, grew up playing football, “Pretty much since the time I could walk.” His first experience with organized football in pads came in 1978 with the Lakeville Athletic Association in Minn. He recalls Fran Tarkenton, quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings, used to come to the games and get mauled by the kids. Being a Chicago Bears fan, Pardy would have been more impressed to see his idol Walter “Sweetness” Payton, but he was in Minn., after all.
While going to high school in Madison, S.D., Pardy had always wanted to play middle linebacker but his team was deep at that position and his junior year he found himself as third string. When his coach offered him the starting tight end position it seemed like a no brainer. By the end of his senior year he was named to the All-State team at the tight end position.
With dreams of playing in college and no scholarship offers, Pardy tried out for the University of South Dakota football team in Vermillion. Pardy was getting no playing time and was fifth string tight end his freshmen year. He got a crucial break after the first and second stringers were hurt, and finally got "his day in the sun." He defied the odds and made the team as a walk on and gained a scholarship. Earning a spot on the team also earned him his very own number, 81, which he still proudly wears today. “I was 85 all through high school, but after I earned my spot, 81 became my identity on the field.”
Q. What positions do you play now?
Pardy: "Mostly defensive end and linemen now, but I fill in where needed, guard, D tackle, O line, I even played tight end last week."
Q. What's your favorite position to play?
Pardy: "Defensive end, I like chasing the quarterback around. I still like tight end, I just can't run with the ball anymore."
Q. How did you decide on Buzzards as a mascot?
Pardy: "I hate extreme sport names like the Edge or Storm, and we didn't want some thug-like name. You see plenty of buzzards as your driving down I-5, it just seemed appropriate that we're from Springtucky."
After being unsatisfied with the organization he was playing for, Pardy with former teammate Wyatt Ledbetter decided to start their own team in '06 and joined the NNFL a nine man league. In 2008 they joined the Oregon Football League which is the oldest and most reputable eleven man league in the state.
"I want to be the best organization in the league, I want to improve the league and create a winning environment."
Pardy would also like to see the Buzzards become a non-profit organization in the next few years so he can give back to the community by helping kids to pursue extra curricular activities. "I think it's a crime for a kid not to play due to lack of money." Whether it's Pop Warner, volleyball or band, Pardy believes that every kid should have a chance to pursue their dreams. His idea is to set up scholarships and contracts, "they'll have to earn."
The last regular season game is scheduled for May 9, in Vancouver, B.C., against the Vancouver Vipers. The playoffs are scheduled to begin May 16, and will be played as the highest seeds home field. With a win in Vancouver and a few losses from other teams, the Buzzards could be on their way to the playoffs and possibly even home field advantage.
Pardy who will turn 39 this month still thinks he's got a few more good years left. "There are those quiet moments when you're stretching out with the team and you think, I wouldn't want to be doing anything else."
Kevin Pardy takes a brief rest on the sideline.
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