Playing or Praying

The NCAA respect colleges who honor the Sabbath like that of the Mormons? How Rugby is not an NCAA sanction sport. Instead its ran by USA Rugby. If the NCAA were involved this match would of been held on Monday. Instead the BYU ladies rugby team has decided to forfeit their Sunday Round of 8 match against #1Penn State. Should the championship match been moved to Monday to accommodate the schools religious views? Are they quitters? Is this fair to the team from Wisconsin....You decide.



To Pray or Play, That Is Not a Question
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4/18/2010 7:30 PM ET By David Whitley

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David Whitley
National Columnist
SANFORD, Fla. -- The field was empty Sunday. Just a day earlier, the BYU women's rugby players had happily posed for a team photo under the stadium's scoreboard.

The lights said the Cougars had just beaten Wisconsin-Milwaukee 46-7. The score didn't begin to tell their story.

"We won today," Coach Tom Waqa said. "But the girls' biggest opponent is tomorrow. That is adversity."

With a national championship in sight, the Cougars walked away. To advance meant they would have to play Sunday.

As in the Sabbath. As in keep it holy.

As in bye-bye championship.

"It's bittersweet," team captain Kirsten Siebach said. "But it was a decision we had to make."

The players are all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Perhaps you know them as Mormons. By any name, what they did is almost unheard of these days.

Imagine Kentucky forfeiting a chance to make the Final Four. John Calipari probably wouldn't get a bonus for placing religion ahead of basketball. Or is there a difference in Kentucky?

BYU is the updated Title IX version of Chariots of Fire. In that movie, Scotsman Eric Liddell refused to run in the 100 meters in the 1924 Olympics because it fell on a Sunday.

Instead of running his specialty, the devout Christian started training for the 400 meters. Newspapers called Liddell a traitor to his country. He persevered and won a gold medal.

Sandy Koufax triggered a national debate when he attended a synagogue instead of pitching Game 1 of the 1965 World Series. It was Yom Kippur and Koufax couldn't bring himself to work on the Jewish holy day.

There have been other conscientious objectors to Sabbath play. This may be the first time an entire team has stood up by walking away.

The difference is BYU won't get another chance to compete. And unlike Liddell and Koufax, the Cougars were blindsided into this predicament.

Governing bodies usually accommodate BYU's scheduling wishes. The NCAA classifies women's rugby as an "emerging sport," and doesn't fully sanction it.

It is run by USA Rugby, which inadvertently scheduled games on Saturday and Sunday at the Seminole Soccer Complex. The Cougars said they couldn't play on Sunday, and USA Rugby said it would switch the schedule.

BYU's 35 players raised $10,000 to pay for non-refundable plane tickets to the Sweet 16. That's another thing you'll never see a men's basketball have to do.

To save money, the Cougars arranged to stay with local Mormon families. It's hard to imagine John Wall sharing a bunk bed with the son of a local Wildcat booster.
"They'll be remembered more for this than being champions."
-- Tom Waqa
BYU Women's Rugby Coach
After the plans were set, USA Rugby informed BYU that other teams had made plane and hotel reservations that couldn't be switched.

Too bad, so sad.

Would the Cougars have gone to all that trouble if they hadn't been assured they wouldn't play on Sunday?

"No way we'd do that," Siebach said.

She sounded slightly irritated, which was something of a relief. The Cougars were so magnanimous about their predicament it was almost enough to make me look into becoming a Mormon.

Instead of bellyaching, they went on a mission.

"We saw it as an opportunity to stand up for what we believe we have to do," Siebach said. "We're not trying to tell everybody not to play on Sundays.

"But we'd like to show them it's important to stand up for what you believe in."

Koufax did and became the World Series MVP. Liddell not only won a gold medal, he became a missionary to China and died a hero in a Japanese prison camp. Being true to yourself is a reward far more valuable than a trophy.

With that kind of attitude none of BYU's young women will make it as athletic administrators. College sports are built on compromise, from hiring shady coaches to recruiting Dumbo students.

If ESPN wanted to schedule a game at St. Peter's Square during Papal Mass, teams would fight for the contract. And don't say it's only women's rugby, so nobody would watch even if ESPN paid them.

BYU's women wanted to win a rugby championship every bit as badly as Duke's men wanted a basketball title. Judging from the grass, dirt and sweat covering their white uniforms Saturday, the Cougars certainly worked as hard for their goal.

"We want Penn State!" a fan yelled.

Penn State's the defending national champ. BYU is ranked No. 6.

"No disrespect to the other teams," Waqa said, "but I think we could play well against any Division 1 team."

So playing Devil's Advocate, why not just do it?

Siebach just smiled.

"As members of the church, we're committed to its standards and commandments," she said. "And one of them is to keep the Sabbath day holy. Everybody may not understand that."

No, but we should all understand principles. And nowadays when anybody refuses to compromise theirs, it's worth applauding.

"They'll be remembered more for this than being champions," Waqa said.

Let's hope so, though the sports world's attention hasn't exactly been focused on the Seminole Soccer Complex the past few days. On Sunday, there was only an empty field and a blank scoreboard.

Penn State reluctantly accepted the forfeit and advanced to the Final Four. BYU's women reluctantly boarded a plane, taking their next opponent with them.

Adversity?

It didn't stand a chance.

Remembering Dixie Carter

Dixie Carter, Spirited Actress and Chanteuse, Dies at 70
By Robert Simonson
11 Apr 2010

Dixie Carter

Dixie Carter, the stage and television actress who played the tempestuous and fiercely dignified Julia Sugarbaker for seven seasons on television's "Designing Women," and carved out a late career as a nightclub singer, died April 10. She was 70.

Of the four spirited females that ran the Atlanta-based Sugarbaker interior design company—the others were played by Annie Potts, Jean Smart and Delta Burke—Ms. Carter's Julia was the most authoritative and opinionated, and clearly the mother hen. Many episodes climaxed with her launching into a comical tirade about the bad behavior of her fellow human beings, the clear intimation being that the end of civilization was just around the corner.

Ms. Carter sometimes complained that the liberal politics espoused by Julia—shared by the show's creator Linda Bloodworth-Thomason and her husband Harry Thomason (both friends of President Clinton)—were in direct opposition to her own conservative views. She forged a deal with Bloodworth-Thomason that, for every time she was an unwilling leftish mouthpiece, she would be given an opportunity to sing on the show.


The actress took her life-long love of singing to a new professional level after leaving "Designing Women," appearing at such select New York cabarets as Cafe Carlyle and the Oak Room. She was known for championing the work of composer John Wallowitch, who often joined her as accompanist. The two artists met in Greenwich Village in the 1960s, when Ms. Carter had just moved to New York. She also sang as the villainous Mrs. Meers in the Broadway musical Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Dixie Carter made her professional stage debut in a Memphis production of Carousel. Moving to New York in 1963, she won a part in A Winter's Tale. An eight-year hiatus from acting soon followed, during which she married businessman Arthur Carter and gave birth to two children. She returned to her profession by taking on work in the soap operas "One Life to Live" and "The Edge of Night."

Meaningful success started to come as she approached her mid-30s. She received a Theatre World Award for Jesse and the Bandit Queen in 1976, and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for her performance in Fathers and Sons Off-Broadway in 1979. Around this same time, she made two brief appearances in Broadway musicals, 1974's Sextet and a 1976 revival of Pal Joey.

Dixie Carter was born May 25, 1939, in McLemoreville, TN, (her first husband shared her last name and was no relation). Her earliest dreams were of becoming an opera singer. A botched tonsillectomy when she was seven, however, ruined her chances. Still, she studied singing and classical music and learned to play the piano, trumpet, and harmonica. She graduated from Memphis State with an English degree. Ms. Carter retained her southern accent in most her performances, adding a headstrong, subtly sexy tinge to the characters she portrayed.

"I started performing for a quart of strawberries when I was two," she told Playbill. "I sang a song in Sunday school, and my reward was a quart of fresh strawberries. I don't know whether it had to with that or, probably, more with my parents being very loving individuals. I always come to an audience expecting that they're just gonna love what I have to do for them and [love] me, too. I'm scared to death and very nervous, but I love the audience, the people in the audience."

If she never got to be an opera singer, she did get to play one on stage, being the third and last actress to play Maria Callas in the hit Broadway production of Master Class.

Dixie Carter was married three times. She and Arthur Carter were married in 1967 and divorced in 1977. Her second union, to actor George Hearn, lasted from 1977 to 1979. Actor Hal Holbrook, whom she wed in 1984, and who had a recurring role as Julia Sugarbaker's love interest in "Designing Women," and frequently performed together on stage, survives her. She is also survived by Mary Dixie and Ginna, daughters from her first marriage.

O.M.G. Moment: Wendy Williams Show - Guest Omarosa

Is it real or fake? If I was Wendy, I would of asked her to leave!

ANTM - End of the Season News ! Teyona and Paulina

Now that ANTM is over..It's time to just add my final thoughts...

Teyona Anderson, of New Jersey captured the title on last night's season finale of the wanna-be a model show. This is not the first year in which a winner has been chosen that I personally don't agree with. I will admit though that Teyona was very consistent throughout the competition and always avoided drama. She received a lot of hate from several contestants, because she had what they lacked. She wasn't my favorite to win the modeling competition. My favorite was Celia, but the judges obviously didnt agree and felt although she had amazing style she was just to old to be a model. I also didn't agree with Allison Harvard being in the Top 2. Honestly the girl was a train wreck, Aminat should have been in the final 2 with Teyona. Oh well congrats to Teyona and good luck to all the girls.

In other ANTM news...It seems Paulina will not be returning to the show next season. Paulina was in the words of Mr. Trump "Fired" by Tyra. The reason fired, her ego was way too big. Poor Paulina...who will replace her next. I say bring back Twiggy or hell why not bring back my favorite supermodel, the bitch with all the attitude Janice Dickinson...

Read more below...






Woodstown native Teyona Anderson wins 'America's Next Top Model' competition
by Jennifer Dailey, Today's Sunbeam
Wednesday May 13, 2009, 10:01 PM

After weeks of photo shoots and challenges, Woodstown, New Jersey, native Teyona Anderson is America's next top model.

She battled it out with 12 other finalists over the last couple months on the CW Network's "America's Next Top Model" to win the title tonight. While considered a quiet hometown girl in the beginning, her looks and fierce attitude helped put her on top.
Photo special to Today's Sunbeam/ Frank Ockenfels / The CW & Co.; 2009 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.Woodstown, New Jersey, native Teyona Anderson has won the "America's Next Top Model" competition.

As the winner of "America's Next Top Model," Anderson, 20, will receive a contract with Elite Model Management. She will also receive a $100,000 contract with cosmetics company CoverGirl.

She will also appear on the cover and in a six-page spread in "Seventeen" magazine.
It's been a little over two months since the show started. It began with 13 finalists and ended up with the final three -- Anderson, Allison Harvard and Aminat Ayinde.

The season finale started with the three finalists filming a CoverGirl commercial for the company's new lip stain and a CoverGirl headshot for the campaign of the product.

When it came time for elimination, Harvard was called to safety first putting Anderson and Ayinde in the bottom two. This was the first time Anderson was in the bottom two on the show. However, it wasn't her time to go as Ayinde was sent home.

This put Anderson in the finals against Harvard, known for her large eyes, in a Brazilian fashion show for the title. The two also did their photo shoot for the headshot that the winner will have featured on the cover of "Seventeen."

During the final elimination tonight, the judges went over Anderson's and Harvard's runway walk as well as their portfolio of pictures. Once the judges finished reviewing the body of work between the two young women, they went into deliberation over who should win.

After all was said and done, Anderson came out on top winning the title of "America's Next Top Model" over Harvard.

Throughout the competition, Anderson was a favorite of the judges. From day one, they were mesmerized by her facial features stating her face looks as if it is wind-blown.

Other then her consistency throughout the competition, judges pointed out in their deliberations that Anderson wanted to win the most.

Tyra Banks, creator and host of the show, was a big fan of Anderson's from the beginning.

Anderson was raised in Woodstown, Salem County, surrounded by family as she lived with her mom, brother, uncle, grandmother and grandfather.

Then at the age of 14, her family moved to Elkton, Md., where she would go on to be very active while attending Elkton High School.

As a student at the school, she was on the track and field team as well as the basketball team. Teyona also volunteered at an elementary school.

When Anderson's picture came up showing she had won on tonight's season finale, she was overcome with joy.

In an interview at the beginning of the competition, she said it was her personality that gave her an edge in the competition. She also said she's not the type to let things get to her.

A lot of times in her photo shoots, it was her personality that made it a joy for photographers to work with her.

"I just have a good personality and a lot of energy. I just keep everything moving so I think that gives me an edge over the competition," she said.





Top Model: Celia Says Age Can't Hold Her Back

Thu., May. 7, 2009 11:53 AM PDT by Natalie Abrams
ANTM, Celia Ammerman Tyra Banks/Pottle Productions Inc

Even though Tyra Banks said see ya to Celia Ammerman last night on America's Next Top Model because she thought she was too old to make it to the top, age doesn't seem to be hindering the 25-year-old Kentucky gal one bit. "It doesn't seem to be hurting me at the moment. There is life after ANTM if you're older than 25," Celia says.

She's right about that. Celia was late phoning us today because she was wrapping up her photo shoot for the New York Post. Check this Sunday's Style section for her Post debut.

So how did she feel about Tyra telling her to go into fashion or styling instead of modeling?

"[That] is really sweet, and I would love to do those things as well," Celia says, "but modeling is definitely something that I'm so passionate about and will continue to pursue as long as I possibly can. It's like having a two-headed baby. I love them both the same. If I do either one I'll be happy."

Still, Celia knew how the game was played and wasn't offended by Tyra straight up telling her not to model. "I understand it's a show, so I understand there needed to be a reason that I needed to be eliminated. But I couldn't be offended by that because there's nothing I could do about it. I hate to say it, [but] they knew the entire time how old I was, and they knew how I photographed. With an industry obsessed with age, I felt like this was an opportunity for Tyra to say that age doesn't matter as long as you photograph well and present yourself and have all the facets of modeling. Age shouldn't matter."

Celia did, however, feel there was someone else behind her elimination. "I feel like Ann Shoket had a definite say in who she wanted to be representing Seventeen magazine, and I was not one of them. And Paulina [Porizkova] as well. I really actually like Paulina, but I think near the end, she couldn't see me winning it."

Are you surprised Celia was sent packing last night, or was it long past her time? How about Celia's accusations about Ann Shoket being ageist? Hit the comments with your thoughts.









Paulina Fired From ANTM

Tomorrow's finale won't just be Allison, Aminat, and Teyona's last time on America's Next Top Model, the finale will also be judge Paulina Porizkova's last ANTM appearance. During an apperance on tonight's Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Paulina says she was let go by Tyra Banks and America's Next Top Model.
When Craig Ferguson asked Paulina how it was working with Tyra Banks, Paulina broke the shocking news. "Listen, do you know why I am in Los Angeles...because I am looking for a job. Because I was fired by America's Next Top Model on my birthday." A birthday firing? Ouch!
A quick wikipedia check reveals that Paulina's birthday was April 9th, so the supermodel stunner was fired just over a month ago. It sounds like no love is lost between Paulina and her now former employer, "The reason I was told I was fired was because, it seemed that America's Next Top Model has gotten too fat and they needed to cut some fat and the fat was me." Paulina later said she figured the other reason she was fired was, "My gigantic huge ego. Which I wasn't aware of until I was told by the producers that I have an ego problem." Sounds like it was not a pleasant ending for either party.
Paulina joined America's Next Top Model as a judge during Cycle 10 as a replacement for Twiggy.

Miss Gay USofA - Carrie Fairfield.com Post...

Miss Gay USofA kicks off May 19 in Dallas Texas who will win...

Ok so I can't find a post that talks about Top 12 predictions at USofA this year. If its on here, sorry about the duplication. There are a lot of strong entertainers and by the looks of it it looks like its anyone's crown to take. I especially see a few past MGA contestants cracking the 12 this year. Here are my choices in any order...

Stasha Sanchez Top 5
Amaya Mann
Dominique Sanchez Top 5
Dorae Saunders
Leyla O'hara Top 5 and my pick for Miss Gay USofA 2009
Alina Maletti
Natasha Braxton
Coti Collins Top 5
Sasha Andrews Top 5
Summer Knight
Josephine Andrews
Page Passion

On the Bubble on pushing someone out: Tiffany Rachels (would love to see her crack the 12)

Anywho this are my choices....Good Luck to everyone competing. Safe trips to all.

Cheers

Shanna Moakler resigns from post at California USA

Today former Miss USA and Director of the the Miss California USA pageant Shanna Moakler stepped down from the position. The news comes a day after Donald Trump made the announcement that the MUO will not be pulling the reigning Miss California USA Carrie Prejan's crown after risque semi-nude photos appeared all over the internet. Today Moakler, a huge supported of Gay Rights and Gay Marriage made an announcement saying, "Since the press conference yesterday, I had a chance to think about what has taken place, and I feel that at this time it is in my best interest to resign from the Miss California USA organization"

Check out the stories below...







MISS CALIFORNIA FALLOUT: Shanna Moakler Resigns
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JOHN ROGERS | May 13, 2009 05:09 PM EST | AP


FILE - In this May 11, 2009 file photo, Miss California USA Pageant state executive director Shanna Moakler participates in a news conference in Beverly Hills, Calif.

LOS ANGELES — Former beauty queen Shanna Moakler has resigned as executive director of the Miss California USA pageant, a day after controversial titleholder Carrie Prejean (pray-ZHAN) was allowed to keep her crown.

Moakler, a former Miss USA , said in a statement issued by her publicist Wednesday that she no longer believes in the organization.

She had angrily accused Prejean on Monday of violating the contract she signed with pageant organizers by speaking out repeatedly on behalf of organizations opposed to gay marriage and by failing to disclose she had posed nearly nude for photographs as a teenager.

Pageant owner Donald Trump, who could have ousted Prejean, said Tuesday she will remain Miss Calfornia.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Former beauty queen Shanna Moakler has resigned as executive director of the Miss California USA pageant, a day after controversial titleholder Carrie Prejean (pray-ZHAN) was allowed to keep her crown.

Moakler, a former Miss USA , said in a statement issued by her publicist Wednesday that she no longer believes in the organization.

She had angrily accused Prejean on Monday of violating the contract she signed with pageant organizers by speaking out repeatedly on behalf of organizations opposed to gay marriage and by failing to disclose she had posed nearly nude for photographs as a teenager.

Pageant owner Donald Trump, who could have ousted Prejean, said Tuesday she will remain Miss Calfornia.



People: Shanna Moekler resigns pageant post over Trump's decision.
By Tony Hicks
Contra Costa Times
Posted: 05/13/2009 03:29:01 PM PDT
Updated: 05/13/2009 03:32:59 PM PDT

Former Miss USA Shanna Moakler resigned as co-executive director of the Miss California USA pageant Wednesday after her boss Donald Trump allowed Miss California Carrie Prejean to keep her crown.

Good for you, Shannon. Beauty queens have no business posing for nudie pictures. Unless, of course, they go full-frontal, like you did in Playboy.

At a news conference Monday, Moakler accused Prejean of violating her contract with pageant organizers by speaking out on behalf of organizations opposed to gay marriage and by failing to disclose she posed nearly nude for photographs before entering the state pageant.

On Tuesday, Trump defended Prejean's statements that marriage should be exclusive to men and women, saying her position was similar to President Barack Obama's. Although he acknowledged the photos of Prejean were "risque," they weren't bad enough to get her booted.

Moakler, Miss USA 1995, decided after the news conference to quit. "I cannot with a clear conscience move forward supporting and promoting the Miss Universe Organization when I no longer believe in it or the contracts I signed committing myself as a youth," she said in a statement issued by her publicist.

Prejean, who was the first runner-up at last month's Miss USA pageant, created a brouhaha when she responded to a question by celebrity judge Perez Hilton by saying, "I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody
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out there, but that's how I was raised."

Prejean, 21, then spoke without permission in front of crowds opposed to gay marriage, including her San Diego church and the National Organization for Marriage. Then she began missing Miss California events she was contractually obligated to attend. Then she began punching old people and eating puppies.

Trump, who coincidentally really seems to like blondes, blamed some of that on what he said was miscommunication between Prejean, pageant organizers and the outside groups.

Miss CA keeps her Crown...

I hope we can put this whole Carrie Prejean issue to an end.

The Donald has spoken and life goes on. Not everyone agreed with Miss California's final answer on the subject on GAY MARRIAGE. As I said before I am not against Carrie's final answer. She stated her honest opinion on her view on gay marriage and she shouldn't be penalized. As a open gay male, I completely want gay marriage to pass here not just in NYC but throughout the entire country. There are always going to be people who are going to be for or against very delicate subject matters.This is what makes this country what it is. In the end. Carrie also said she doesn't have a hidden agenda and isn't speaking on behalf of any organization supporting the ban against gay marriage.

On to the photos...I agree with Carrie's comments on Headline News..who ever released the photos should be ashamed of themselves. This was clearly an attempt to add hatred to Carrie's character and add fire to flame regarding the issue of Gay Marriage.

I also commend Donald for staying out of the Gay Marriage debate and also inviting Perez Hilton back to the Miss Universe Organization.

This battle of course isn't over and will continue on...