A Letter to The Incoming Freshman Class

Dear Incoming Freshmen,

   Welcome! You made it to college. Woohoo. Your parents must be so proud. I bet you think that you are prepared and your college years here at Marquette are going to be a walk in the park. Well that is where you are wrong young lady from some random small town in Wisconsin or wannabe frat bro that says he is from Chicago but is really from Peoria.

    I am about to give you a tutorial on all that you need to know about Marquette University. You may have had one of our fine tour guides lead you around and fill your mind with facts about campus life. They probably did a tremendous job, but they are paid to leave out what you really need to know.

   First off let us start with your dorm selection. If you are living in McCormick, get ready for one hell of a time. If you are someone that enjoys studying long hours on weekends in the comfort of your room, well you might as well transfer out now. If you live in any other dorm, I am sure they are swell, but they are not like McCorms.

   Next, lets dive into partying. “Oh I never party. I just find it wrong and want to keep my body away from the Freshman 15.” Easy there Gandhi. I guarantee you that every single person will party by the end of the year.

   You will be surprised who you see at parties. That quiet, librarian looking girl in your Philosophy class will be going to town on Jungle Juice every weekend. Staying in your dorm room every night will drive you crazy. You will know if you had the “freshman experience” if you can say that you have eaten pizza personally delivered to you by a man named Victor.

    This leads me into my next topic: the city. Milwaukee is definitely not like Chicago, but there are a plethora of activities to partake in. Just consider Water Street your new State Street. Cheese curds will be your best friend and downtown has an array of places to get them. Befriend the first cab driver you meet. This person will become your personal driver. Take his business card and call him whenever you are stranded on the streets of Thrillwaukee.
    In high school you may have used Facebook to play Farmville or whatever kids play nowadays. This is not the case anymore. Facebook is now your new Encyclopedia Britannica. Say you see a person that draws your eye at a party and want to know more about them. Go on Facebook and "research" the living crap out of them. Some say this might be creepy. You tell them to shove it and that you are getting your Albert Einstein on by researching. Anyone who tells you they have never done this is lying to your face.
   Finally, let me give you an overview on what you need to know to be a true Marquette sports fan. I want to make it clear to you now stop saying that Todd Mayo is going to be your “boy” or that you will praise Davante Gardner like he is Buddha. End that fantasy now of you chilling with Derrick Wilson outside Dog House.
   Invest in every Chris Otule item they have at the Spirit Shop. He will become your favorite player on the team. Guys, if you see ladies taking pictures with the ballers at the AMU, that does not mean you can do that too. Do not speak a word about Vander Blue. He is gone and quite frankly should never return to campus.
    Enjoy the basketball games but do not ask “where does Al sit" or "why does Otule wear glasses on the court?” Also, go check out some soccer, volleyball, and lacrosse games.

    Enjoy your freshman year because it will be one of the best years of your life. It will not go as you imagined, but that is the beauty of college. Follow the guidelines I laid out for you and you will have one heck of a year. Lastly, tune in to The Sports ReKap on Marquette Radio hosted by myself and my co-host Dave Vogt. We will continue to tell it like it is, whether you like it or not.

                                                                                               Sincerely,

                                                                                                  Juan Anderson’s number one fan
                                                                                                          Nick “Chach” Kapetan

Breaking Rivalry Lines

      After living in the state of Wisconsin for two years, I have come to admire many facets of this place. The way they are able to mass produce the mouthwatering, heart attack inducing snack that is cheese curds is one. Another would be the assortment of, oh let us just call them “beverages”, to those that thirst for variety. While this may not be shocking, there is a person that resides most of the year in Wisconsin that I have come to adore. No no no it is not that one girl at Marquette that I am happy to openly confess my admiration for (if you are reading this, I have been hitting the gym every other...month, so just be ready come late August). It is actually someone that lives further up north.

     Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, I have become accustomed to the hatred Bears fans have for everything that has to do with the Packers. Unflattering adjectives always were used to describe Brett Favre. When someone said that they were a Packers fan living in Chicago they were taken out back and beaten with a deep dish pizza.

      I do hate the Packers. When they beat the Bears I am as upset as any other Bears fan around. I was cheering like a little child on Christmas Eve, when the Packers lost last year because of the replacement refs. However there is one player that I have grown fond of and I can label as one of my “man crushes” right beside Bradley Cooper and current White Sox catcher Josh Phegley. This man is Aaron Rodgers. 

    Without saying “but dude he is the (expletive) (expletive) quarterback of the (expletive) Packers bro” ask yourself what Aaron Rodgers has ever done wrong. Sure he showboats a little bit and is a part of terrible law office commercials in Wisconsin, but what else? Unlike the quarterback in Chicago he is not a chach who treats fans like they are garbage.

     Rodgers has won a Super Bowl and continues to make Pro Bowl after Pro Bowl, even if that game does not mean anything anymore. Look up the recent USA Today article where even Mike Ditka calls Rodgers “the best in football”. Bears fans even Ditka likes him. DA COACH loves the guy.  
     Rodgers has the ability to use the plethora of Packers receivers he is provided in a way that brings out each players’ strengths. Yes I know the Bears offensive line has always been terrible in front of Cutler. It is not like Rodgers has had anything close to a solid wall in front of him either. In fact, over the past three years Rodgers has been sacked only .265 times less per game than Cutler. The difference is that Rodgers picks himself up and delivers in the clutch. Cutler is too busy cursing out his coaches, players, officials, and fans.
     I am not saying you have to love the Packers. Go ahead and hate away. Just have respect for one of the best quarterbacks of our generation. I sure cannot hate the guy. Most of my hate is already directed at basketball players anyway.

Hate Nick for his sudden liking of a Packers player? Leave your comment below the link on Facebook

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Nick hosts The Sports ReKap with DJ Vogt which will start up again this coming September on MarquetteRadio.org

What A Knucklehead

    

     

    How do you say “I told you so” in Spanish? I am sure Vander Blue will be able to tell me in a couple months as his basketball journey has taken the turn for the worse after going undrafted. 

    After declaring months ago that he would forgo his senior season to test the NBA draft waters, Blue finds himself in the same situation as me: without a degree, not associated with an NBA team, and suddenly craving Marquette Gyros. While I do not know the latter for sure, (let’s face it he probably likes Dogg Haus much better) I do know that Blue made the stupidest decision of his life. Sure Blue could latch on to a team in the summer league and make an impact in the NBA. However, the odds of this happening are slim to none. 

    As I watched players from every land in the world get selected last night, I felt a burning feeling in my stomach. (it could not have been the ten piece chicken nuggets I had earlier because I already took TUMS for that)

    It was anger over Blue's decision to leave the greatest opportunity Marquette has had to win in years. Everything was set up for Marquette to have a break out year with the best recruiting class in school history coming in. Players like Davante Gardner and Jamil Wilson were coming into their own which would have been excellent compliments to Blue. 

   Why leave a school that has been nothing but great to you to pursue a career in Croatia or Poland? Why throw away an opportunity to improve your leadership skills and lead your school to the promise land all to not hear your name called on draft day? I have not spoken to Vander and I do not plan on ever sitting down with him, but let me give you my opinion on why he did it (it is very simple really).

   The thought process behind his decision can be broken down to one word: GREED. You may be asking yourself “Nick you are just a hater who dislikes all the basketball players because freshmen women adore them and not you”. Yes this is true. I am jealous of the basketball players' ability to be more appealing to women than hot cookie night. While I do envy the “ballers”, I am also a realist.

   Blue saw the opportunity to make a few million and jumped at the chance. He thought he could capitalize on an above average junior campaign. Instead of tuning up his shooting deficiencies, Blue thought he could just transition to the point guard position like the process was a walk in the park. Would I do the same? Hell no. Why not you ask: because I would want to finish what I started. 

    I would have wanted to lead Marquette to the championship. I would have wanted to be known as “the guy” on campus. I would have known that having a stellar senior year would have laminated myself as a sure fire draft pick. But, I am just a below average athlete that will never get to make the decision Vander did. 

    Oh well life goes on. I will still get to enjoy stuffing my face with cheese curds while Vander explores interesting food choices in places like Albania and Finland. Best of luck to you Van, I hope you have your passport updated.

Follow Nick on Twitter @KapN93

Nick Kapetan hosts The Sports ReKap on MarquetteRadio.org along with DJ Vogt.

The Sports ReKap will start airing again in late August

Check back to see more blog updates throughout the summer

Just One of Us

     The Sports ReKap is starting a new series where we catch up with a former or current professional athlete to give you a glimpse into their life.  I sat down recently with former White Sox outfielder Michael Huff.

    After going to school in what is technically deemed the North Shore, the northwest suburbs of Chicago, I struggle to imagine many people coming from the area and making an impact in the professional sporting world. There are an immense number of players who come and live in the fancy residences the North Shore provides, but few home grown individuals make a name for themselves in sports. Former major league baseball player Michael Huff is the exception. 

    Huff, who attended New Trier East and Northwestern University in Evanston, came from these parts and has had a lasting impact on the sports scene in the Chicagoland area, even after the end of his career.    

   Michael Huff may not be a household for most of the readers of this blog. In his three years with the White Sox, Huff played in one hundred and fifty four games while striving as a defensive replacement as well as a pinch hitter and runner. He was a part of the 1993 American League West Champion White Sox as a key asset coming off the bench. 

   While his contributions on the field may be overlooked, his work since retirement stands out. Huff, the Vice President of Sports for the Bulls-White Sox Academy, takes pride in teaching kids, no matter their talent level, to be active instead of just playing video games. Just like any former ball player who teaches kids, Huff preaches that “the fundamentals, especially balance” is key. 

    The number of responsibilities Huff has would take up an entire business card. He oversees the fast pitch, baseball, and basketball department as well as the planning of special events, to just name a few. 

    Along with his work at the Academy, Huff fills in for White Sox broadcasts from time to time. After sitting down with Huff, two observations stood out to me: he knows what he is talking about and being a professional athlete has not affected who he is as a person.  

    As a baseball nerd, I jump at any opportunity to talk about the game with someone, especially a former major league baseball player. Huff quickly pointed out to me that the White Sox struggles so far this year can be attributed to the “offense in general” and the defense. In a way that made it seem like I was listening to him give his analysis during a game, Huff commented on how the Sox meager defense “puts an extra strain on pitchers.”

    Our conversation quickly shifted to his time in the majors as he described his first plate appearance against Tom Glavine which resulted in a base hit. Huff, who also played for the Dodgers, Indians, and Blue Jays, has countless stories to tell about his time in the big leagues. The former ballplayer spoke about his favorite teammates including “John Olerud, Chuck Nagy, and Robin Ventura.” He also describes the excitement of being a part of the 1993 postseason chase. 

    I am taken aback by the stories Huff has about his time living out most young boys' dreams. While Huff could have puffed his chest out and acted as if I was sitting in the presence of greatness, his down to earth personality was welcoming. 

   We discussed the famous New Trier-Loyola rivalry and how, after he scored a touchdown in a football game between the schools, lifted the football over his head in a celebratory fashion. Just like most individuals who attended either school, he enjoyed the rivalry and wanted to perform to his highest capability during the match-ups. 

    As I searched for the source of his humbleness, I discovered it when Huff began talking about his family and his time at Northwestern University. Huff preached the importance of having not a lot of “unused time and surrounding yourself with the right people.” Preaching this message, which teenagers now a day hear embedded in rap lyrics, Huff has the view on life needed to teach those that are the future of America.

    He never expected that he could make the majors when he was at Northwestern playing with the great Joe Girardi , but he worked hard both on the baseball field and in the classroom (he received a degree in computer science and industrial engineering). Through events out of his control (his sister was diagnosed with leukemia and his own personal injuries) he faced hardship but was able to have a seven year MLB career playing with the likes of Frank Thomas and Carlton Fisk. Huff shows that people from the North Shore can make an impact in professional sports by possessing the right mindset and caring about more than just oneself.

To find out more about Michael Huff and the Bulls-Sox Academy please visit their website http://www.bullssoxacademy.com/

Follow Nick on Twitter @KapN93

Have a suggestion on who The Sports ReKap should reach out to next, please comment below

It's What The Cool Kids Are Doing

   

     Here is a test for all Blackhawks fans out there: name three, make it one, Hawks player from before 2007. Take a minute. Anyone? Eric Daze? Tony Amonte? Nikolai Khabibulin?

     I am not trying to practice for an audition with the show Stump the Schwab or attempting to impress lovers of sports nerds. My goal is to point out a problem that plagues the sporting world. This issue currently infests the hockey scene in the Chicagoland area. The problem I speak of are bandwagon fans springing up like weeds. 

    So called Blackhawks fans have come out of nowhere to support “their” team. Hockey sweaters of Kane, Toews, and Hossa have become a fashion fad like sperrys or Oakleys. That is just what being a Hawks fan has become: a fad. 

    Ask most Hawks fans why they cheer for the team and if they answered you honestly they would say “Cause it’s what everyone else is doing.” If you rooted for the Hawks in the early 2000's you were looked at like a homeless man preaching random bible passages on the street corner. Now if you don’t root for the boys in red, and you live in the Chicago area, you are a cast-off. 

    True, there are die-hard fans out there that have been through the days when the Hawks were not on television. I tip my cap to them and pat them on the back. However before the year that ended with Toews grabbing the Cup from goblin Gary Bettman, the United Center would be half-filled for Hawks games. The most popular hockey team in Chicago was the Wolves of the AHL located in remote Rosemont.

    I want the Blackhawks to win another cup; I truly do. Seeing the Madhouse on Madison rocking is a tremendous sight for a city whose baseball teams are struggling right now. Still,the springing up of these fans only after success, casts a negative light on Chicago sports fans. 

   Most fans of the Blackhawks are now the prime example of bandwagon fans. I am not the only one who thinks this. Ask Red Wings fans, Blues fans, or any other fans in hockey. 

    I do not expect this to change any time soon. I do want to get the word out though that if you are a Hawks fan, stick with the squad through thick and thin. If they struggle next year, still pack the UC. Educate yourselves about the non-mainstream players like Sheldon Brookbank and Nick Leddy. Enjoy these winning seasons Hawks fans; we wished we could sniff this success when Jocelyn Thibault was between the pipes. 

   While you guys watch the Hawks throughout the rest of the playoffs, I’ll be enjoying deserted White Sox games. Anyone want to join that bandwagon? Didn’t think so. 

Follow Nick on Twitter @KapN93

The Sports ReKap will begin airing again on MarquetteRadio.org at the end of August

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Check back throughout the summer to see new blog posts on The Sports ReKap's official page

Bringing Us Back to the Good Old Days

                            

     For a brief second last night, a king was dethroned. The reaction to the simple shove that briefly put LeBron James on his keister, symbolizes the disgust people have for the direction the NBA is heading.     

    Yesterday Chicago Bulls big man Nazr Mohammed pushed the divine James during a second round playoff battle at the United Center. After a technical foul was assessed to James after his brush with Mohammed, Nazr took out his frustration through action.

    The aftermath has caused quite a stir on ESPN and social media. Mohammed has received death threats from LBJ backers and marriage proposals from Bulls enthusiasts. This is not a surprise. Die-hard fans will stick by their players through thick and thin. What caught my attention was the reaction of those considered “casual” NBA fans. 

    Over the years, my interest in the NBA has subsided. A game where defense won championships has turned that aspect of the sport into a joke. Players labeled as “defensive specialists” carry the stigma that they do not belong. Flashy dunks land players on highlight reels, which it seems is all superstars care about. (Ask the Clippers how that mentality worked out for them)

    Nowadays,  I would label myself as a casual observer of a once promising league. My initial reaction to what happened to LeBron during the Madhouse Malay was “take a seat you chach” because as much as I hate the NBA, I hate everything James stands for. 

    Kids line up in droves to buy his jersey and referees provide him with every opportunity to flaunt his talents without obstacles. He controls the league and the media. Major networks flock to cover what he ate for breakfast or whether he will practice for thirty minutes rather than forty minutes before a game.

    Still there are fans and players that are fed up with James as well as the majority of other superstars in the league. The special treatment they receive tarnishes the purity of the game. Good riddance that Mohammed stood up for himself, other non-superstars, and fans that are tired with the new NBA. Someone needed to literally push LeBron off his high horse for a moment. 

    This is not an attempt to stir up a Jordan-James debate. Jordan loved the spotlight just as much as James does, and received the benefit of the doubt quite too often. Former Utah Jazz guard Byron Russell would be the first one to back up that claim. I want to acknowledge overlooked All-Stars like Tim Duncan and Kevin Love as well as Hall of Famers like John Stockton. Guys that went about their business in a professional manner and put their team first. 

    James and the superstars of today have attracted a novel following to the sport. However, fans of yesteryear desired a nanosecond that would bring us back to the good old days when the name on the front meant more than the name on the back. Those were the days when players were not kings on the court, and divas off it.

Follow Nick Kapetan on Twitter: @KapN93

The Sports ReKap will start to air again next August on MarquetteRadio.org

Check back for blog updates throughout the summer

If you agree with Nick's view tweet using the hashtag #Lebroning

Last Minute Packers Draft Coverage

Biggest Needs (in no particular order)

Defensive Line- Well, this position has Ted Thompson written all over it. Hmm.. has he ever drafted DL in the draft? The answer. Try almost every year with multiple picks, which makes this one a no brainer because of ongoing struggles. If you don't agree then look up a recap from the the playoff game against San Francisco. They need to find a guy who can stop the run and they need to get him in the early rounds. 

Running Back- I hate this one. Do they really need a running back? The problem I have with running back is that I don't see a sleeper like Alfred Morris in this draft. I certainly don't think Green Bay should burn their first round pick on this one either. The Packers have seen some solid production out of Dejuan Harris recently and lets be honest, if Cedric Benson returns..he will be wearing Green and Gold again being paid the league minimum. Overall, I feel the Pack has plenty of options with so many RB's on their roster.

Cornerback/Safety- The Packers chose not to bring back Charles Woodson, but they still need to fill the role and bringing in young talent is the best way to do that.

Offensive Line- Green Bay allowed the most amount of sacks last season. Don't be to frightened by this fact because they also throw a lot more than the majority of the league. However, it is still a problem and the loss of six-time pro bowler, Jeff Saturday, loses a lot of leadership and depth. Look for the Pack to pick a OL with there third or fourth pick.

Overall Thoughts- This could be an ideal draft for Green Bay. They have plenty of needs to acquire, as does every team. With eight picks in the draft and a lot of quality players in the positions they need, the Packers have the opportunity to be very flexible.

Who will they pick first?- My guess is that they go with the best available. That is simply how Ted Thompson makes his decisions. It is also the reason that the Packers are year after year among one of the best teams in the NFL. Do you think Thompson had it planned out that he was going to pick Aaron Rodgers at 24 overall? Of course not! All you cheese heads need to respect the unpredictable man. If you were a fan of any other team,  you would realize how darn good of a GM you have.

Therefore, here is my projected picks at the 26 selection. Keep in mind that this is based on my thoughts of who will be picked before Green Bay is on the clock.

FS John Cyprien College: FIU 

FS Matt Elam College: Florida

DT Sylvester Williams College: North Carolina

DT Jesse Williams College: Alabama

RB Eddie Lacy (not sold on this but if he is the best available) College: Alabama

Packers Sleeper Pick- RB Marcus Lattimore College: South Carolina. This guy is the real deal. Sorry, what I meant to say is that he used to be the real deal. And then the terrifying knee injury happened. Green Bay has eight selections so they have the ability to take a risk with Lattimore in a later round.

Finally- who I actually go with if I am the Packers. NOBODY! There is going to be a ton of teams who want to trade for that pick. They could work out great for Green Bay if they consider some offers.

Bold Prediction of the Draft

The Chiefs take Eric Fisher instead of Luke Joeckel. Keep in mind no one outside of the public and media cares about where the kid went to college. The main difference between Fisher and Joeckel is that Joeckel played in the SEC and blocked for Johnny Football. Eric Fisher went to Central Michigan. Plus I know how Kansas City is and they would be the one to shock the world with their pick rather it be a good thing or bad thing.

The other thing I see happening is that they trade the first pick because of the high interest teams will have in Joeckel. I am not saying I want these things to happen. In fact as a Chiefs fan, I would like to see them draft a guy that can give Alex Smith time in the pocket. At the end of the day it is not my decision and these are just the things I could see occurring.