The Pros the Pros Would Pay to See

Last week in class I read the article, "The Pros the Pros would pay to see" by Sports Illustrated (2004). Sports Illustrated asked 600 athletes in baseball, basketball, and football which athlete they would pay to see. The top 5 were Tiger Woods, Barry Bonds, Shaquille O'Neal, Michael Vick, and Serena Williams. It is amazing to me how much different that list would probably be today. Tiger Woods and Serena would most likely still be in the top 5, but I don't know about the other 3. Barry Bonds broke Hank Aarons home run record, but he is accused of lying to a federal jury and using steroids. Michael Vick served two years in federal prison for dog fighting. He was released by the Falcons and lost over one hundred million dollars. Both of those athletes images are severely hurt right now. Finally I don't think Shaq would be on the list because so many other NBA players have surpassed him like Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, and DyWayne Wade. I don't even think he's the best center anymore. I would take Dwight Howard, Amare Stoudamire, or Yao Ming.

There were a couple intersting quotes in the article. In one quote Donovan McNabb talks about Michael Vick. Donovan says, "He's got so much ability; he can throw, he can run, but I don't do it as he does. Everybody talks about stats--passing yards, rushing yards--and how he's an exciting player, but the thing about Mike is, he's a winner. Forget the numbers and just look at his record [23-11-1 career]. He doesn't get enough credit for the fact that he's a winner (McCallum, 2004, p. 3). I think it is interesting because now Vick just recently signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and is Donovan McNabb's backup.

Finally there were a few quotes from athletes about Serena Williams. Gerald Wallace says, "I'll pick Serena Williams, but only if she has on that tight little outfit she usually wears (McCallum, 2004, p. 3). Mike McKenzie says, I wouldn't mind paying too see Serena... if she has the leopard suit on (McCallum, 2004, p.3). I agree with all of the athletes about Serena.

Introduction

My name is Scott Baker and I am a senior at Bowling Green State University. My major is Sport Management with an emphasis in Enterprise and a minor in General Business. I plan on graduating next August after I complete an internship in the summer. I have also been thinking about going to graduate school and getting my masters right after I graduate, but am not sure yet. I want to get my masters eventually unless I get a real great job without it.

When I first started college I had no idea what to major in. I didn't even really want to go to college at first. I was only 18. My parents and brother forced me to go. So I went to Wright State in Dayton for a year and a half and did so bad there that I got kicked out. I use to never study and was doing things that I should not have done. Then I decided that I wanted to major in Sport Management and wanted to go to Bowling Green, but my GPA was so low that I couldn't transfer. So I went to Owens for a year and did a lot better. My GPA was over a 3.0 at Owens. I then went to the University of Toledo for a couple semesters and finally transfered to BG last year. I learned a lot from that experience. Now I know how to study and developed a work ethic. I am now 100% dedicated to school and my future career. I am still only 22 years old. I hope that I can get my masters before I'm 25.

Before I was in college I played basketball, football, track, and tennis. My favorite sport by far though is basketball and I would love to work for an NBA team or college basketball team someday.

If I could see one male athlete today it would have to be Derrick Rose. I love the way that he plays the game. He is big for a point guard at 6'3" 196 lbs., fast, great ballhandler, unselfish, and knows how to run a team. What surprises me the most about Derrick is his maturity at such a young age. He is only 20, but is very humble.

My favorite female athlete is Serena Williams. She is so powerful. It's crazy how hard she hits the ball. I think her and her sister have easily been the most dominant females in any sport in this last decade. The other reason I like her is the way that her body is built. I would love to play her one on one.

My goals for this class are to learn, have fun, and hopefully get an A.