The award for the most ridiculous, self-absorbed, overzealous all sports entertainment network in the world goes to...
ESPN, for the 10th year running.
They have once again proven that outside the 4 major sports, Tiger Woods, and the Williams sisters, you're really not much of an athlete. Unless you count token consideration of Cael Sanderson and -ahem- Sarah Hughes (don't even get me started on figure skating).
No offense to college athlete of the year Sue Bird (UConn BB) but a certain swimmer from Cal who set at least 6 AR and 1 WR over the short course season would have had my vote.
Anyone else? Natalie Coughlin, female college athlete of the year as awarded by the USMS discussion crew?
-RM
Parents
Former Member
The williams sisters were not the first tennis players to have come from the wrong side of the tracks. Little Mo was a top tennis player in the 1950's. Also, both Dawn Fraser and Shirley Babashoff can from families that were more blue-collar. Shirley's dad work two jobs, so the faimily could afford a little-tract house in Fountain Valley. Many of the swimmers in the 1970's did come from upper-middle class backgrounds. What is interesting that two Anglo swimmers came from poorer backgrounds than hispanics like Pablo Morales and Dara Torres. Which also disproves another sterotype of swimming, the upper-middle class anglo.
The williams sisters were not the first tennis players to have come from the wrong side of the tracks. Little Mo was a top tennis player in the 1950's. Also, both Dawn Fraser and Shirley Babashoff can from families that were more blue-collar. Shirley's dad work two jobs, so the faimily could afford a little-tract house in Fountain Valley. Many of the swimmers in the 1970's did come from upper-middle class backgrounds. What is interesting that two Anglo swimmers came from poorer backgrounds than hispanics like Pablo Morales and Dara Torres. Which also disproves another sterotype of swimming, the upper-middle class anglo.
