A quick cut of the Sports With Shook crew’s debate on Johnny Manziel potentially joining the Cleveland Browns.
Author: nshook61
St. Vincent-St. Mary 68, Mentor Lake Catholic 52: Jalen Hudson leads Irish to Division II regional final
By Nick Shook | Special to the Beacon Journal
Read full story on Ohio.com
CANTON: It took nearly all 32 minutes of play before the result was no longer in question, but St. Vincent-St. Mary continued its march to Columbus on Thursday night.
St. V-M outlasted pesky Mentor Lake Catholic to advance to the Division II regional final with a 68-52 win at the Canton Civic Center. Continue reading
Dri Archer grabs attention of NFL
By Nick Shook
Read original post on TheBurr.com
Kent State running back Dri Archer is tripped up by Buffalo linebacker Jake Stockman during first-quarter action at Dix Stadium in Kent, Ohio, on Saturday, October 26, 2013. The Buffalo Bulls defeated the Kent State Flashes, 41-21. Photo by Ed Suba Jr. of the Akron Beacon Journal. Photo courtesy of MCT Campus.
In September of 2012, Dri Archer was just starting a record-breaking season as the Flashes’ do-everything back. Archer already had two kick returns for touchdowns under his belt and was quickly becoming the Flashes’ catalyst. National media took notice, honoring him with weekly special teams and all-purpose awards.
I took to the airwaves and social media to declare Archer the fastest man in college football. At the time, Oregon’s DeAnthony Thomas was the center of attention, even being featured in an ESPN the Magazine article about pure speed in college football. He was the consensus pick for fastest man in the NCAA. Continue reading
Michael Sam handles NFL spotlight like a true professional
By Nick Shook
Oklahoma State quarterback Clint Chelf (10) evades Missouri defensive lineman Michael Sam (52) in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Friday, Jan. 3, 2014. Photo by Richard W. Rodriguez of Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Photo courtesy of MCT Campus.
The NFL has become a year-round attraction.
It started with the creation of the NFL Network 10 years ago, and the network continues to prove that its product is the best in America. NFLN started broadcasting the league’s scouting combine live years ago, giving around-the-clock coverage to a bunch of burly, athletic men running as fast as they can in a straight line (40-yard dash), running and cutting between cones and bench pressing 225 pounds consecutively as many times as possible.
But this year’s combine is different. It includes the first openly gay prospect. And that player is handling the spotlight excellently.
Sports With Shook: Nate Ulrich on Dri Archer [Feb. 24, 2014]
Cleveland Browns beat writer Nate Ulrich joined Sports With Shook on Monday to discuss the NFL Combine. Ulrich discusses the impressive workout of Kent State graduate Dri Archer with host Nick Shook and compares him to the Browns’ Travis Benjamin, calling Archer faster. Tune into Sports With Shook every Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. only on Black Squirrel Radio.
Sports With Shook: Feb. 24, 2014
Sports With Shook returns for its final semester of programming. This week, Nick Shook is joined in studio by Kory Kubasek, Austin Moore and Jake Rosenberger to discuss the Cleveland Browns almost trading for head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Cavaliers’ trade, Jadeveon Clowney and Dri Archer, the end of the Olympics and the demise of the Sochi’s Nightmare Bear. Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal joins the show to discuss the Browns news, the NFL Combine and upcoming free agency. Christian Petrila makes a surprise appearance and again delivers a great impression of the late Howard Cosell. Tune in every Monday from 2-4 p.m. for more of Black Squirrel Radio’s two-time award-winning sports-talk show.
Sports With Shook on Michael Sam [Feb. 10, 2014]
The Sports With Shook crew discusses Michael Sam coming out as gay before the NFL Draft.
One family’s loss
By Nick Shook and Alyssa Morlacci
View video here: One family’s loss
Martin Alvord was an aspiring artist.
At a young age, he began checking out library books about famous artists. He used them to teach himself how to draw and paint, despite the fact he was born with just two fingers on each hand. While growing up in urban Akron, Martin practiced graffiti on dilapidated buildings. Once a family friend asked him to spray paint his entire basement.
Martin pursued his passion for art in college, first attending the Cleveland Institute of Art and then transferring to Kent State. Despite many successes, Martin felt pressured when figuring out how to make his art profitable. He didn’t want to sacrifice his own creative freedom for the financial pressures associated with a college education.
Martin died by suicide on Nov. 13, 2011. His friends and family remember him as a fun-loving, comical young man with a bright future that was ended too soon.
Martin’s oldest brother, Phil Alvord, and college friend Eddie Kilroy reflect on Martin’s talents, hilarious personality and sudden departure.
Wells Report reveals cowards inside Miami Dolphins locker room
Tackle Jonathan Martin, right, in his stance before ball is snapped during Miami Dolphins practice at the Dolphins training facility at NSU in Davie, Florida, Tuesday, July 23, 2013. Photo by Joe Rimkus Jr. of the Miami Herald. Photo courtesy of MCT Campus.
Jonathan Martin did the right thing.
When the Miami Dolphins’ starting left tackle slammed his food tray down in frustration and abruptly left the facility’s cafeteria, and ultimately, the organization, he was doing the right thing.
When Martin drove to the gas station, bought a bottle of vodka that he did not drink, saw a movie, bought a sandwich and later checked himself into a hospital because he felt he was acting irrationally, he was doing the right thing.
The ensuing forest fire of debate and national scrutiny surrounding the Dolphins’ sudden bullying scandal was not Martin’s fault. He didn’t wish for any of that to occur. He had simply had enough, and finally decided to do something about it.
After reading snippets from the Wells Report, released last week after a months-long investigation into the Dolphins’ locker room, I was disturbed, but not entirely shocked. Because I knew, on a much lesser scale and for a much shorter amount of time, how it felt to be Jonathan Martin.
College fans leaving class at home
By Nick Shook
Oklahoma State’s Marcus Smart sits on the bench with four fouls during the second half against Kansas State at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Ks., on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014. K-State won, 74-71. Photo by Travis Heying of the Wichita Eagle. Photo courtesy of MCT Campus.
Where’s the class?
College students sit through them, older fans passed—or flunked—them, but lately, fanbases big and small are missing stylish excellence and respect.
Saturday night’s altercation between Oklahoma State University’s Marcus Smart and a Texas Tech fan brought this issue to the forefront of national criticism. Talking heads have had opinions on what Smart should or should not have done and on the surrounding circumstances, but it seems like the focus is on the wrong person in this situation.
At the end of the game between Oklahoma State and Texas Tech, Smart attempted to block an opposing dunk but stumbled into the baseline seating area, feet away from opposing fans. As the video shows, Smart was relaxed and was helped up by teammates when, suddenly, his head snapped around in a reactive manner. He immediately got up and into the face of a Texas Tech fan, who said something to Smart before the Oklahoma State star shoved the man.
As expected, chaos ensued. A smattering of Oklahoma State officials escorted Smart away from the section and to the OSU bench. Smart pointed at the man as he was escorted away and reportedly claimed the man yelled a racial slur at him.
I’m not going to get into the potential racism of this issue. Racial slurs are ugly weapons that are, unfortunately, all too real even in this day and age.
Nick Shook 