#SocialStudies
February 1, 2012
Welcome, welcome, welcome. So glad you’ve stopped by our new Second Half Thursday feature -- #SocialStudies.
This weekly collection of video clips, tweets and posts should serve to get you up-to-speed on whatever has gone viral, victorious or just plain weird this week in high school sports and beyond.
As your tour guide, I’ll take the reins in providing commentary for what you see here – feel free to ignore what you don’t like and watch everything else on repeat. Additionally, if you’ve found something spectacular on the ‘interwebs’ that you think deserves a spot on #SocialStudes, submit it!
Now, let’s get on to the goodies, shall we?
1. Are you ready for this?
In order to get you amped for the first installment of #SocialStudies, I think it’s necessary to begin with what only a true high school sports fan can begin with: a "Jock Jams Remix." Enjoy. (Cue toe-tapping and an immediate nostalgia-induced adrenaline rush!)
2.!!!elbaveilebnU
File this next clip under the “We Enjoy People with Totally Bizarre Talents” category. When I first watched this clip, I was convinced that either (1.) everything was scripted or (2.) this girl is an alien robot.
Turns out, neither is true. Watch and try to keep up. Or better yet: try this with your teammates on your next long road trip to an away game. If you can rival Alyssa, it’s probably time to call Letterman.
3. Glove save
It’s official: Prince Fielder needs to DH. I think I’ve found a solution for the Tigers’ hot corner.
4. Launch the shot, off the defender, nothing but net.
Oh, and just in case you missed it earlier this month: Olivet handed defending Class C Boys Basketball champion Schoolcraft a heart-breaking loss on this bizarre buzzer-beater in double OT. We take you to the good stuff, starting at 2:20 into the clip with Olivet (white jerseys) leading 94-91.
5. Howell Highlander -- or High Flyer
Kudos to Brandon Nazione for this ridiculous dunk. Seems that Howell High School has their own Blake Griffin doppelganger! (Note: I don’t think it’s necessary to watch all 5 slow-mo versions of the dunk – but that’s just me.)
6. And in this corner ...
Lastly, we’d like to present Michigan State University Women’s Basketball Coach Suzy Merchant, who happens to be our keynote speaker at this weekends’ Women In Sports Leadership Conference. Who knew the reigning Big Ten Coach of The Year had such a sweet left jab?
On that note, we’ll knock out for the week. See something over the weekend that caught your eye? Snag a stupendous cheerleading squad on video at a pep assembly? Actually: snag ANYTHING at a pep assembly that we should see? Upload it to YouTube and send it on over.
You might just see it on Second Half’s #SocialStudies.
#SocialStudies v3.0
February 15, 2012
If you were able to escape all 4,864 angles of the NBA’s hottest sensation Jeremy Lin going “rags-
to-riches” all over the Internet this week, you might’ve discovered these little morsels scattered about.
1. Phi Slama Jama
By now, you've figured out that we're dunk fans (who isn't?). ... The title of this clip might be a little hyperbolic, but it's still a pretty nifty jam. I imagine the play-call went something like this: "Okay. Whistle blows, you run, I'll heave it."
2. Just like the pros
It was bound to happen sooner or later ... ice hockey makes its long-awaited #SocialStudies debut in Week 3. Reigning Division 1 runner-up Orchard Lakes St. Mary will look to return to CompuWare Arena in March; for now, senior captain Luke Rodgers (#87) is content to flaunt some "stick trickery."
3. It's almost time
One of our most popular and well-liked promo pieces resurfaces this week: the Individual Wrestling Championships will take place March 1-3 at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Tickets are available for purchase through the Palace Box Office starting at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 29.
For now: get hyped.
4. 'This is crazy'
And lastly, a non-video story that caught our attention. Social networks like Facebook and Twitter instigate a smattering of negative celebrity chatter – and rightly so, in some cases. But, on occasion, there are tales of someone using a service to extend itself in a capacity that wasn’t available a decade ago.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell writes about an astonishing week in the lives of a Twitter fan and a superstar (who formerly starred at Central Michigan).
That's it for 3.0. Remember, if you see something high school sports-related online that the rest of us must see, or if you videoed something yourself, upload it to Youtube and send it on over. It could make next week's #SocialStudies line-up.
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