Assignment 2-2: Icon Analysis

I’m going to keep the sports theme going on this blog and identify three icons in the sports world. I’m going to go a little further and identify three icons in the Ohio’s sports world. The first icon I chose is the Ohio State Buckeyes Head Football Coach Jim Tressel. The second icon I chose is the Cleveland Cavalier superstar and Akron St. Vincent St. Mary alum Lebron James. The last icon I chose is the Cleveland Browns backup quarterback and Dublin Coffman alum Brady Quinn. All three of these icons I personally idolize. This does not necessarily mean they are the three most popular sports figures in Ohio either.
I could write a whole 1000 word essay on why Jim Tressel can be considered as an icon but I will just highlight his accomplishments at Ohio State. In only his second year as head football coach he led the Buckeyes to a perfect 14-0 season and capped it off with a victory in the National Championship. Tressel’s record at Ohio State is 73-16, with four Big Ten championships, and a 4-3 record in bowl appearances. Those are all phenomenal feats but the statistic that trumps all others is Tressel’s record of 6-1 against the hated Michigan Wolverines.
“King James” has basically held the Cleveland Cavaliers on his shoulders since his arrival in 2003. James was drafted No.1 overall out of high school in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. I could also write another 1000 word essay on why Lebron can be considered as an icon but I will just highlight his major accomplishments. He was named Ohio’s “Mr. Basketball” three times, was named NBA Rookie of the Year, is a 4-time NBA All-Star, and led the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1992. Most recently he helped the USA Men’s Basketball team win gold in Beijing.
Brady Quinn is very unlike the first two icons and it would be difficult to write a 1000 word essay on his accomplishments unless you were his mother. I am by no means saying that Quinn is not a good athlete it is just that he hasn’t been in the spotlight for very long. At Notre Dame, Brady was a superstar and after he was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in last year’s draft he has ducked under the radar. But his popularity is starting to gain as the probability of him being the starting quarterback in Cleveland increases. Brady always his popularity with the ladies to fall back onto but I think years from now I’ll be able to write that 1000 word essay.
The whole reason I chose these icons is mainly because they were all born in the state of Ohio and they all still play in Ohio. It may all be just a coincidence but it says a lot about a person to stay loyal to their home. A lot of athletes leave their homes for bigger contracts and more spotlight but all three of these athlete didn’t chose to do so. Now the spotlight is on the state of Ohio.

References:

Jim Tressel. Available http://whatsthefuss.freedomblogging.com/files/2008/01/jim_tressel.jpg, August 28, 2008.

Lebron James. Available http://www.openentrance.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/lebron-james-vogue.jpg, August 28, 2008.

Weekly Written Analysis I

This being the closing day of the 29th Olympiad I find it fitting to write my thoughts and reflections of this Olympics. My thoughts going into this Olympics were very pessimistic because of the negativity coming out of Beijing. There was the issue of the poor air quality and smog that caused China to take millions of cars off the roads prior to the Olympics in an attempt to reduce the smog. There was also the issue of China’s human rights policies and their attempts to control everything within their country. For me today, all of that is forgotten and only the memories from a memorable Olympics left behind.
I usually don’t pay much attention to the Olympics because they have truthfully had no appeal to me whatsoever but for some reason this year was different. It wasn’t just Michael Phelps quest for eight gold medals either it was more about nationalism than anything. With country our in dismay we needed something to bring us together I think the Olympics have had an impact.
I saw something this past weekend that absolutely astonished me. I would have never thought in a million years that I would see people at sports bar watching the Olympics, let alone cheering like it was the Super Bowl. The whole bar was glued to the TV’s cheering Phelps on to his record 8th gold medal. What I witnessed that night really gave me a better outlook on our values as a country. These athletes don’t have multi-million dollar contracts; they are out there to win for their country and show the rest of the world who we truly are.
It wasn’t just a stroll in the park either; it took four years of dedication and sweat. Many didn’t go home with anything but to make it there is an accomplishment in itself. I hope the 30th Olympiad brings me these memorable moments just as this past Olympics has.

References:

Beijing Olympics. Available http://www.granitegrok.com/pix/BeijingOlympics.jpg, August 24, 2008

Michael Phelps. Available http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2008-08/41641871.jpg, August 24, 2008

Popular Culture Blog

A simple definition of popular culture is a contemporary lifestyle and items that are well known and generally accepted, cultural patterns that are widespread within a population (dictionary.com). This definition basically sums up what pop culture means to me, as well. What first comes to my mind personally when thinking of pop culture, is celebrities and everything that surrounds them. I have found that this is partially true but it is much more involved than just what is on the surface. There are myths, rituals, stereotypes, popular beliefs, heroes, and formulas just to list a few.
The definition of pop culture in itself explains why understanding pop culture is beneficial to anyone in a business environment. In order to be successful in a business environment you must be able to make a profit. One must be able to understand what “items that are well known and generally accepted….within a population (dictionary.com).” It can be simply put as knowing what the general population wants and desires. The same can be said for my present and future career.
When I think of a pop culture artifact I think Brutus the Buckeye and/or the Ohio State logo. Considering that the college football season is upon us these artifacts are present everywhere in the state of Ohio and even outside of the state. Buckeye fans spend costless dollars each year on Ohio State apparel, name it and they make it with an Ohio State logo on it. The artifact represents more of a way of life and Saturdays in the fall are considered a religious holiday. It is the popular belief that there isn’t a better college sports program in the country and those who do not share this belief are considered traitors. The athletes and coaches are icons and even heroes in our culture.
As I sit here and write this I am surrounded by walls that painted are scarlet and white with an OSU border separating the two. The floor is covered with an OSU area rug and right beside me an OSU folding chair that I use on those sacred Saturdays. Before I go to bed tonight I’ll throw my dirty clothes into my OSU hamper (which is borderline sacrilegious) and I’ll brush my teeth with my OSU toothbrush. I’m just not some oddity either, there are countless others that are just like me and many are even more dedicated than I. This idolization of the Buckeyes isn’t just an isolated phenomenon; every state in the United States has their team that they worship. Sports have become a way of life for many and this is what makes it part of the pop culture.


References:
Brutus the Buckeye. Available http://www.columbusing.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/0001brutus.jpg, August 24, 2008.

Dictionary.com LLC (2008). Popular culture-definitions from dictionary.com. Retrieved August 20, 2008 from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/popular%20culture

Ohio State Logo. Available http://sasso.careercore.com/comps/images/OhioState_logo.jpg, August 24, 2008.

OSU Room. Available http://www.picturethislebanon.com/images/osu_room.jpg, August 24, 2008.