Amado,+Aaron


 * Winter/Spring 2011 Mr. Dunne **

** A Pre-Game Warm-up **

What do sports mean to you as an athlete and as a fan?

As an athlete sports are a way for me to relax and at the same time better myself physically. I am also motivated to stay healthy while engaging in sports actively. I have a strange perspective compared to others when it comes to the teams that I follow, I don't root for any of the home teams other than the Patriots. I also usually stay loyal to players,meaning that I am a fan of whatever team my favorite player is on.

What has been your experience with youth sports? Describe your best and worst experiences.

I feel youth sports are an essential part of a child's growth. They help build character, enforce team skills, and provide exercise. I had always enjoyed youth sports, playing soccer and basketball, but if I were to name my worst experience it would have to be losing a soccer game, in the rain, after playing hard and getting dirty. My best recollection is when I won the game for my youth basketball team by getting an and-one layup and hitting two clutch free throws to put us ahead at the last second.

Do athletes make good role models? Identify one or two professional athletes to make your case.

Yes, I think athletes make excellent role models as long as they are conscious of the effects they have upon the people that look up to them. For example: Michael Jordan, arguably the best basketball player of all time, has given dreams to many children that otherwise wouldn't have much to look forward to. He has also provided inspiration for people that wish to become successful businessmen, such as myself, by constantly broadening his the ways in which he collects revenue and stays professional.

What sports/teams do you pay attention to the most? How much time do sports occupy in your life? How do you spend that time (attending, watching, reading, talking, participating)?

I pay attention to the Patriots, the Miami Heat, and the Memphis Grizzlies the most. I have a ritual of watching Sportscenter every morning while I eat breakfast, I haven't missed a show for a few months. I occasionally watch football on Sundays and I watch basketball whenever the Heat are playing and the game is available, same with the Grizzlies. My father has season tickets to the Patriots games and I attend a few games a year. Sports are often a part of my conversations with friends and I love playing sports video games.

What sports-related issues would you be disappointed //not// to cover in this class? Why?

I would be disappointed if we did not discuss the amount of time athletes should spend in college before joining a pro team. I think it would be interesting to see everyones opinions based upon the sport.