Obscure Sports Friday, Vol 1

Tomorrow morning I head for San Fran for a few days so I'm not sure if I will be able to post anything until I return. To keep you interested while I'm gone, I decided to start a new segment that pays homage to my roots, called Obscure Sports Friday. Every so often I plan on taking the opportunity to fill you in on some of the sports you might not be following. So without further adieu, let's get to it.

-The Arena Football League is five weeks into their 2011 season. Since coming back last year after a years hiatus, the AFL is as strong as ever. This year they have added one new team - the Pittsburgh Power and have brought back four former franchises - the Philly Soul, New Orleans VooDoo, San Jose Sabercats and Kansas City Brigade. Last year I started the process of picking an AFL team to support, but I never finished that search. It is something I hope to finally do this year. As for an update, the Cleveland Gladiators (led by QB Aaron Garcia and the bastard stepchild of the New Jersey Red Dogs) and the Arizona Rattlers are the only two undefeated teams. The reigning champion Spokane Shock are in last place at 1-3.

-The Bucknell men's lacrosse team is ranked 12th in the nation and undefeated in the Patriot League. After rallying past Lehigh tonight (down 7-1, won 12-11), they have set up the match of the year against 16th ranked Colgate, who are also undefeated in the league. If we can get past the Red Raiders, I think an at-large big to the NCAA Championship has to be a given, even if they don't win the league tournament. I mean, I don't know much, but at 13-3, how can they stay home?

-Adding to the list of sucky Seattle sports teams, the Seattle Thunderbirds finished in last place in the Western division of the Western Hockey League. The rival Everett Silvertips finished in 8th place and promptly got swept by the Portland Winterhawks in the first round of the playoffs. The state of Washington will be represented in the Western Conference, however, as the Spokane Chiefs and Tri-City Americans face off in the semi-finals.

-Northampton Town FC have now gone 15 league games without a win. The Cobblers sit only two points out of the relegation zone in League Two, a league they have never been lower than. All is not lost though as they do have a fixture against the last place team before the end of the season. With only 5 games left though they need some results to stay safe.

-The WNBA Draft occurred this week. Courtney Vandersloot of Kentwood High School and Gonzaga University was selected third overall to the Chicago Sky. She is said to be the best point guard to enter the league since Sue Bird. Liz Cambage, the 18 year old Aussie sensation went one spot ahead of her at #2. Cambage and newly signed 40-year old Sheryl Swoops certainly make an interesting pair.

-Did you know that the National Lacrosse League has a tv deal with versus? Did you also know that the Washington Stealth are the defending champs? Finally, did you know that they are the most exciting team in the league? They have scored the most goals in the league and have the two two leading scorers. They have also given up the second most goals in the league, meaning that there games are going to be high-scoring affairs. The Stealth roster is made up of mostly Canadians, but they do have a 24 year old from Kinnalon, NJ, a town 5 minutes from my grandparents.

-The North Sound SeaWolves are entering their first season in the USL Premier Development League. They are playing their home games in Everett and recently released their jerseys. Last year I was into the Kitsap Pumas because I didn't like the Seattle Wolves or Tacoma Tide (and I thought taking a ferry to Bremerton to watch a game was cool), but I'm glad to have a team in my immediate backyard. They won't have an easy go at it however, as they in the same division as the defending champs Portland Timbers U-23 and the Pumas (who won the division in 2009). You can get season tickets (8 games) for $50.

-The Tacoma Rainiers opened up newly renovated Cheney Stadium tonight. The original stadium was built in 1950. That's all I got.

-Finally, the United Football League is currently conducting off-season training camps. The league currently has 5 teams and is quietly hoping that an NFL lockout will have a positive effect on their league. Let's quickly review the teams. The Hartford Colonials are coached by former Falcons coach Jerry Glanville and have Josh McCown at QB. The Sacramento Mountain Lions are coached by Dennis Green and led by Daunte Culpeper under center. The Las Vegas Locomotives and Virginia Destroyers don't have many players of note, but are coached by Jim Fassel and Marty Schottenheimer. And finally, the Omaha Nighthawks have Maurice Clarett and former Georgia QB DJ Shockley on their roster. In the most intriguing development, former Heisman Winner Eric Crouch was seen at try-outs. The season starts in September.


If you have any sports you would like me to follow, please let me know about it. I am happy to feature it on Obscure Sports Friday.