Ryan believes ‘trust’ will help win PACs

CHRISTINE GRAF STAFF WRITER ACG724@CABRINI EDU

With this year’s field hockey team being mostly freshmen, who will lead the team to victory? Captain Kate Ryan, a junior exercise science major, is a good candidate, as well as this issue’s player of the week.

Ryan made first team in the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference as a sophomore last year. Her goal is to make first team again as a junior, while guiding this year’s team to a PAC Championship.

according to msn.foxsports.com.

With this statement, there were many consequences to follow with such organizations as the NFL, the Atlanta Falcons Football Club and Nike and Reebok.

According to CNN.com, Commissioner Robert Goodell decided to suspend Vick indefinitely without pay from the NFL. In a letter from Commissioner Goodell to Vick, he wrote, “Your admitted conduct was not only illegal, but also cruel and reprehensible. Your team and NFL fans have all been hurt by your actions.” In response, according to atlantafalcons.com, Vick’s exteam said, “This situation has been troubling to many people, including our fans, during the last few months. With today’s news, our club and team will continue to be tested as Michael works through the legal process toward a conclusion. Our plan is to continue to do everything we can to support our players and coaches.”

Nike suspended Vick’s endorsement deal and the release of the Nike Air Zoom

Vick V shoe. Any apparel or Vick-related products were immediately pulled from shelves across the country along with Reebok stopping the selling of his replica jersey.

According to atlantafalcons.com, Nike spokesman Dean Stoyer said, “We do believe that Michael Vick should be afforded the same due process as any citizen; therefore we have not terminated our relationship.”

Acting managing director of the Delaware County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Nicole Wilson agrees with Commissioner Goodell.

“Any animal lover is horrified by the prospect of what Vick has done, but more disconcerting that what Vick did are the excuses that others have attempted to make for the quarterback.”

She went on to tell a story of a public service piece that she participated on with Isaiah “Ike” Reese, a former player of the Philadelphia Eagles and the Falcons. After the filming was completed to shed light on the tens of thousands of homeless animals coming to shelters in this area, he told her of a pet parakeet he owned all though his college career.

“You could hear in his voice the true affection he had for something as small as this bird. These are the players who should be held up as examples of the true nature of southern athletes. People shouldn’t regulate them to some image of limitation presented by the likes of Michael Vick.”

Vick’s sentencing hearing will take place on Dec. 10, 2007.

Vick said, “I will redeem myself. I have to.”

These are high hopes Ryan has for a team so young and inexperienced in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III. The team has only six returning upper classmen, but Ryan is confident in the team’s highly recruited freshmen.

“The freshmen complement our team nicely; they are really smart players,” Ryan said.

The practices have been going strong and Ryan is impressed with how hard everyone has been working. Her favorite quote is from Mia Hamm and it emphasizes the importance of practice in a champion.

“The vision of a champion is bent over, drenched in sweat, at the point of exhaustion, when nobody else is looking.”

That type of dedication is just what they need to accomplish another team goal, which is beating Eastern University, a rival school that won the PAC last year.

“This is Eastern’s last year in the PAC and it would be awesome to beat them,” Ryan said.

Overall Ryan feels that although this year is somewhat of a transition period, the team is off to a great start. She also feels that the talent is most definitely there, but championships take more than talent, but a trust that will take some time to perfect on.

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