Sports

Powell’s Playbook: Coach knows what is best

So I’m back in Norfolk, Va. this weekend. Oddly enough, this was the same location for the women’s tennis championships. I thought I saw more cars than usual around the tennis courts.

Previewing the field: NBA postseason begins as Lakers look to defend their crown

Western Conference

No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 8 Oklahoma City Thunder
In the incredibly competitive West, young upstarts Oklahoma City are looking to bring the lightning to the defending champion Lakers and perennial overachiever Kobe Bryant. However, the Lakers look to defend their title with one of the top defenders in the league, Ron Artest. Los Angeles was rated in the top 10 this season, allowing just 96.3 points per game thanks to the suffocating defensive play from Artest.

A successful combination: Track teams have shown great success since uniting as one team

The men’s and women’s track and field program at George Mason University has a rich tradition and a successful history.

In the past, the men’s and women’s teams were separate programs, with a separate set of coaches and two different itineraries each season. Practicing together was not common, and traveling together was taboo, but they supported each other during their spare time.

Under the brother influence: The Maloneys show great support for one another

Being part of the George Mason University men’s volleyball team is being part of a big family. Strong bonds are created on and off the court, and team members consider each other brothers.

With freshman outside hitter Patrick Maloney joining the roster this season, the description “brother” becomes literal. Patrick is senior libero and outside hitter Luke Maloney’s younger brother. Patrick started playing volleyball under Luke’s influence.

Second-year success: Roller Hockey skates their way to Nationals

The George Mason University Roller Hockey club, in just its second year of existence, recently competed in the 2010 Collegiate Roller Hockey Championships. The event was held for just 16 teams at the Silver Creek Sportsplex in San Jose, Calif. from April 7-11.

Despite winning just three games one year ago, the squad was an impressive 13-3 during the regular season with 12 consecutive victories.

They were 4-3-2 in the Southeastern Collegiate Roller Hockey League playoffs prior to their journey to California.

Powell’s Playbook: Coach knows what is best

There is a difference between coaching and managing, but neither a coach nor a manager can teach the intangibles.

Coaches have to teach the game to players; managers merely have to get all the moving parts to work together.

Now managers cannot be in high school or intramural or club teams because their focus is on teaching how the game is supposed to be played.

You might think that coaches have less to concern themselves with because of how little they are comparatively given, but they certainly have the hardest job in all of baseball.

One-hit wonder: Mason blanks Maryland Eastern Shore in doubleheader

Senior starting pitcher Becky Anderson continued her mastery over Maryland schools. In her latest outing, Anderson had a no-hit bid with two outs in the fifth inning, but was unable to register her second no-hitter of the season.

Regardless, the George Mason University softball team went on to sweep the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks on Wednesday at the George Mason Softball Complex by a score of 8-0 in both games.

The inner lane with Kimmy

You may know me as the future 800-meter U.S. Olympian in the 2012 London Games, as you may have read in the paper a few weeks ago. While it is quite an accomplishment, considering the fact that I was able to qualify easily, one must ask, “Really? Craigslist?”

Before I go any further, though, please, please tell me that you realized the article published two weeks ago about how I’ll be competing in the 2012 Summer Olympics was completely false. Other than lifting the minivan over my head, that is.