Golfer Trpp Isenhour Kills a Hawk

Tripp Isenhour, who is a PGA tour golfer was recently with a film crew as they taped a show called "Shoot Like a Pro". There was a hawk that was apparently making some noise so to get rid of the problem what Tripp Isenhour did was shoot some golf shots at the hawk which he ended up succeeding at and has now been charged with cruelty to animals and killing a migratory bird. Tripp, whos real name is John Henry Isenhour III faces a maximum penalty of 14 months in jail and a $1,500.00 fine. According to court documents, Isenhour got upset when a red-shouldered hawk began making noise, forcing another take. He began hitting balls at the bird, then 300 yards away, but gave up. Isenhour started again when the hawk moved within about 75 yards, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer Brian Baine indicated in a report. Isenhour allegedly said "I'll get him now," and aimed for the hawk. "About the sixth ball came very near the bird's head, and (Isenhour) was very excited that it was so close," Baine wrote. A few shots later, witnesses said he hit the hawk. The bird, protected as a migratory species, fell to the ground bleeding from both nostrils.

He many have thought that he could not realistically hit the bird but he did and should be punished for his actions. This is really a dumb thing to do, a real sign of immaturity. Just seems like something a child would aim to do. Maybe his punishment should be to put him in the middle of a game of dodge ball and let them throw some golf balls at him instead of a dodge ball. Not that anyone would want one to crack one on his head and take him out or anything but just to give him a good hurting.

The NCAA and the NBA: Interlocked

Several decades ago, the drafting of players by the National Basketball Association was afforded only to those who have already passed and graduated from their collegiate classes. This arrangement was found to be a mutually favorable affiliation between the NBA and universities or colleges. This way, the universities and colleges mainly held only onto players who otherwise went toward the professional basketball league. By the same token, the NBA did not need to fund minor leagues.

However, basketball games in the collegiate levels developed commercialization overtime. This progress made it even more difficult for student athletes to take on their responsibilities as regular students. Particularly, statistics reflected an overwhelming growth in the number of under-educated and poor, yet extremely talented youth basketball players. This finding created an exploitative image for the NCAA and NBA-adopted system.

In an effort to resolve this setback, the American Basketball Association started employing players who have not graduated yet from their college classes. Because of this, a legal conflict ensued up to the Supreme Court of the United States regarding players who were drafted to the NBA. In the legal battle, players insisted their need for the job in professional basketball to support their family. In 1971, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the NBA did not hold an "antitrust exemption" that Major League Baseball did. Thereafter, collegiate players belonging to the economically deprived were permitted early entry unto NBA Drafts. The requirement on hardship was then abolished five years later.

The past three decades marked a noteworthy change in collegiate games. Many American international basketball players skipped college routinely. This group included Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James and Tracy McGrady; and Carmelo Anthony who played one year in college basketball. Notably, the annual NBA draft had only selected a few college graduates among its sixty players selected.

There are much fewer high school basketball aspirants that directly progress unto the professional basketball league without at least a year of involvement in college basketball starting in the year 2006. This system cites some maturity concerns following disputes over young players. To be eligible, labor agreements between league owners and basketball players now stipulate for players to turn 19 years old within the draft's calendar year. Players from the U.S. are required to be a year, at least, when removed from graduation in high school.

Undisputedly, the popularity of college basketball in all states in the U.S. is largely attributed to the huge number of graduates from universities that hold major basketball conferences. College basketball is also kept alive by the NCAA's advertising of their "March Madness," which officially is NCAA Men's Basketball Championship for Division I. Though certain commentators argue that the high turnover of players increases the need for good coaches, numerous teams achieved unprecedented success by putting ample emphasis on "personality" in their recruiting programs. The NCAA organizers have also disclosed their goal to create cohesive groups that play together for four years, which develops higher sophistication, that other teams with less stability are deemed to achieve.

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About the Author:

James Brown writes about FansEdge.com coupon, SportsFanfare.com key code and FogDog Sports discount codes

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About the International Fight League

While the UFC is the most popular mixed martial arts fighting organization in the U.S., the International Fight League or IFL is working to rival the UFC for attention.

The International Fight League was founded in January of 2006 and has a different approach to mixed martial arts competition by using team match ups. Each team has a coach and fighters in each of five weight classes. This team approach is closer to wrestling where remembers face off and each victory counts as points for the team. The first team to win three out of five matches is declared the winner.

Teams compete throughout the season and the two winning teams then compete for the team championship. Like other sports, each league name is related to the city in which they train. The IFL also holds open drafts to find new talent unlike the UFC. They seek skilled fighters that will add excitement to the sport of mixed martial arts.

Although the IFL focuses on the team aspect, they still allow for individual matches and championships. The company takes the top competitors from each of its weight classes and has them compete in individual matches for a championship title. This practice appeases the team format critics and also gives recognition to the fighters. Fighters get the chance to highlight their individual skills and win championship title just for themselves.

IFL fights are broadcast on FSN and MyNetwork and although are not as popular as UFC fights are gaining popularity as mixed martial arts get more popular in general. The event is also trying to change mixed martial arts convention in the way they treat their players. Because the IFL uses a team format, they want to offer regular fighters a base salary and even health insurance as well as fight winnings. These ideas are quite revolutionary for the world of mixed martial arts but will probably prove popular with both fighters and mixed martial arts fans. International Fight League fighters still make a decent living, most make between five and six figures depending on their fight records and performance.

The International Fight League is also different form the UFC because it offers their fighters more security. The UFC is quick to drop fighters that are not performing well. The International Fight League puts more weight on the team aspect and the excitement of the match. As long as an International Fight League fighter puts on an exciting show, they are likely to stick around.

Although the event is not yet as popular as the UFC, as mixed martial arts become more popular the league is sure to gain even more fans. The UFC faced extreme opposition in its early days, but the International Fight League has not endured as much controversy so it is sure to gain rapid popularity in the years to come.

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About the Author:

Orange County Jiu Jitsu is a marital arts school located in Orange County, California. It offers a complete system of self defense and MMA training. Please go to Orange County MMA for more information.

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Floyd Mayweather to receive 20 million to fight Big Show at Wrestlemania

Professional boxing great Floyd Maysweather reportedly will receive $20,000,000.00 for appearing in the 2008 Wrestlemania. That's right, 20 Million Dollars! He will be fighting wrestling superstar - The Big Show. Mayweather's big pay out will be more than he has received from his boxing fights besides a couple of them. He will be learning some wrestling techniques starting this week and will have about a month to prepare for the Super Bowl of wrestling. Wrestling, of course is some what acting and some have said that Mayweather is making a mistake by getting involved with Vince MCMahan and the WWE. Some say he will ruin his legacy. I beg to differ, Mayweather may have got hit in the head way to many times but he's not a total idiot. If he said "no" to 20 million bucks then he would be an idiot. Of course, in real life the 500 pound Big Show would dribble Mayweathers head in the ring like a basketball but to do a live acting stunt for 20 million, c'mon, Mayweather is a smart man!

Phoenix Suns GM Steve Kerr pays a visit to Brent Barry

Brent Barry, who was surprised at the San Antonio Spurs move to trade him to Seattle for Kurt Thomas may soon become a Phoenix Sun. The Sonics acquired him with the plan to release him last Friday. Barry will clear waivers today and can sign with any team but San Antonio, which must wait 30 days after the trade to do so. Barry, 36, has told his suitors - Phoenix, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas and Boston - that he will commit to a team today but has not yet done so. Phoenix GM Steve Kerr has let Barry know how much the Suns organization wants him. Kerr even personally paid a visit to Barry's home to convince him to sign with the Suns. Phoenix could use another three-point threat like Barry who would automatically open up their spacing on the floor.

Yao Ming out for the rest of the season

The Houston Rockets who have been on a row lately and are currently carrying a 13 game winning streak have learned that their star player Yao Ming will be out of action for the rest of the season as he has a stress fracture in his left foot. This leads to the question - can the Rockets win a championship without Yao Ming? Some have even stated that the Rockets are better off just losing a lot of games so that they can get a better lottery pick next year. I personally think that's a crappy way of thinking and I do not think they can win it with out Yao Ming but, heck, you never know, you got to give your all. Even with Ming in the line up I still don't think Houston would have a chance this season to even make the conference finals against the tough West. Just can't see them getting by the Spurs, Suns or the Lakers and feel that they may even struggle against some of the other teams. But to call it quits on the season - NEVER - You just never know.

Kobe's Lakers VS Shaq's Suns = Big Television Ratings

On Wednesday Kobe Bryant and the Lakers traveled to Phoenix to battle Shaquille O'Neal and the Phoenix Suns. The rivalry between the Lakers has been a great one and with the addition of Shaq to the Suns it made the rivalry even bigger. It was a basketball game that I just couldn't miss and I wasn't the only one because it has been reported that the game had the third highest television ratings for a regular season game in the history of the NBA. The two teams gave us a game to remember as it went down to the wire with the Lakers getting the win at the end. Both Kobe and Shaq gave us a few highlights too. It was a great game!