#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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#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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