#SocialStudies v13.0

May 24, 2012

After a brief hiatus, class is back in session. Let the #SocialStudies commence.

1.This is nearly unbelievable

You’ve seen it done with basketballs, Frisbees – all sorts of things you can throw. Here’s a twist on the popular “trick-shot clip compilation:” long-snapping! Pretty impressive accuracy here from Nick DiChiara, a Boston high school senior who’s headed to Colgate next fall. 


 2. Time Lapse-tastic

The Staples Center in Los Angeles is home for the Lakers (NBA), Clippers (NBA) and Kings (NHL) – and the spring of 2012 saw all three franchises in the playoffs. Between May 17-20, the Staples Center was host to six playoff contests.

Six gargantuan events, four days. Here’s hoping the facility folks are somewhere with their feet up after that stretch. I’m sure a few athletic directors out there feel this way during the spring season, too. This clip shows all the action, hyper-speed.


3. Is he in pain?

Umpires, feel free to weigh in here.  Points for style, but I think his mechanics may be slightly off ...


4. Gotta feel for this guy

And now, for reason No. 467-B why being a hockey goalie is hard. You’ve got to be ready for shots from anywhere, all the time. 


Trying for a trick shot or a similarly incredible feat?

Get some video, and let us show it off here on #SocialStudies.

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#SocialStudies v9.0

April 12, 2012

While thousands of high school students return to class this week after Spring Break -- surely ready to regale their friends, teammates and teachers with tales of their adventures on vacation (or "stay-cation" for some), I thought it might be fun to show you what we've been privy to over the past week.

Welcome to #SocialStudies, the Back-to-School-In-Spring Edition.  

As usual, it's a hodgepodge of ridiculous, funny and sporty. Enjoy, and don't forget that a little moisturizer makes that tan last a lot longer.

1. Stayin' Alive in the Magic Kingdom

For the marching band at Dexter High School, Spring Break meant traveling to Orlando, Fla. -- and performing before the Main Street Electric Parade at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. Congratulations to the Dreadnaughts Band, who clearly enjoyed its time down south, and gave the Mickey & Minnie-loving crowd a sweet Bee Gees jam.


 2. Buckle up

Any adrenaline junkies out there? Yeah, I figured as much. If you haven't ridden this coaster at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio -- think about making the trip. Just try not to get all amped up around 50 seconds into this front-row POV vid from the spectacular Erie-lakeside Millenium Force. Keep your hands and arms inside the car at all times, and enjoy your ride.


3. Even the pros do it once in a while

We've all been there. If you've played a sport, you know that sometimes the desire to try something spectacular can sometimes end in sheer disaster. This is why coaches tell you to take the "easy two." In that spirit, I give to you a sure-fire NBA Hall-of-Famer, Vince Carter, missing a wide-open layup.


4. Lots of Laughs

To be perfectly honest, when schools are out of session, our office gets a little too quiet. The phones ring less, several staff members take vacations to coincide with Spring Break, and it's typically the week after our winter tournaments (read: CRAZY TIME!) conclude.  

As such, those of us left in the office need to get creative with how we stay engaged. Here's one way we got through last week without you all. I make no excuses.  (As an aside, big congratulations to our Assistant Director of IT, Jordan Cobb, on the birth of his first child, Zoey!)


As always -- if you find something worthy of us watching, send it over. Links, photos, stories ... whatever strikes your fancy that week. Make it part of our #SocialStudies!

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