String Theory and Streaking

Still the number one post all-time on this blog had to do with my opinion on the future of String Theory, (known mostly as M-Theory by the smart set).  Physicists from around the world have hit on my post and realized that I don't really have much useful knowledge on the subject, despite my supreme curiosity.  Many still come back to download the photo on the post and spread the news to still other people much smarter than I. It's more popular than any post on even Coach Groves, on a site dedicated primarily to him! (You can change that by clicking on the interview I did with him at last year's Reunion or the Happy Birthday post with a great Big Mac birthday cake.)

Although I'm not in the league of the heavyweights (or even the lightweights!) of the field, I'll bet I'm right about the whole topic.  The whole field represents an intellectual exercise of the highest order for brains you and I cannot keep up with.  But it will probably never lead to anything practical that you and I will benefit from.  Which is okay, I suppose, as very smart people need to exercise their brains just as much as some of us need to exercise our diminishing athletic capacities.

Here's an article by someone who can articulate the problems with the field better than I.

And Penn State is in the mix of the discussion on Colleges with the best tradition of Naked Runs.  Those were the days of glory before political correctness took away the first glimpse of a naked member of the opposite sex for the nerds among us!  The Mifflin Mile probably still goes on in some capacity.  Maybe someone can let us know?

Membership Categories Created** (I'm Joking)

NITTANY LION MEMBERSHIP: $1,000 per year.
The opportunity to attend PSU Track and Field Alumni Idiot Officer's annual shepard's pie dinner, at the RV parking area next to the cow field after the season's first football game.  One guest post, custom-written by us on a topic of your choice to appear on the blog.  A Group Store coffee mug, along with a free gift basket of high quality cheeses from the Berkey Creamery.
HORACE ASHENFELTER INDOOR COMPLEX MEMBERSHIP: $500 per year.
Unlimited commenting privileges (with minimal editing).  A night out with the Idiot Officers, at The Lion's Den on Friday night before the Alumni Reunion.  An engraved Group Store license plate.
REC HALL MEMBERSHIP: $250 per year.
A free thirty minute telephone consultation on the podiatric matter of your choice (valid in Pennsylvania only).  A Group Store Golf Shirt, and a Group Store tote bag.
ICE PALACE MEMBERSHIP: $100 per year.
A selection of State Colege-themed snacks  chosen by Idiot Officers while really, really hungry, and a custom fit  "PSU is 800 U" t-shirt.

Higher contributions are allowed, and bring greater rewards.  For more information on how to obtain the coveted Super Colossal Diamond Membership Status, please contact any Idiot Officer at home between 1:00 AM and 3:00 AM.  And thank you for your support.

**  As always, membership here costs nothing at all.  But do think about coming to the Annual Alumni Reunion and participating in the Coach Groves Golf Tournament.  All monies go directly to the future of PSU Track and Field.

Outdoor Track Season Begins!

 Outdoor Track Season is finally here!  Since I don't have any photos of PSU athletes in action yet, I have substituted photos of my daughter Martha in action in two meets.  That's her in the lead in both photos in the 800 M run in two meets. She has already brought her best time down by 8 seconds. In the second one she's just ahead of one of my best friend's daughter from high school, running for my old high school, Dover.  I'm told I still have the 2-Mile/3200 M record after 35 years!  (The Mighty have fallen...)

YSHS is 800 HS doesn't quite have the same ring, does it?  I'll post any updates of other alum's sons and daughters track and field exploits.  Photos, videos, text, audio!  We'll post (almost) anything.  We're all about families here.

Wilt the Stilt Could Do It All

Before the Man became the Myth, he dabbled in just about every sport there is.  He was good at all of them.  Like a 49.0 440 yard dash and under 2:00 for 880 yards.  Like 6' 7" high jump. Like third in his High School League Cross Country Meet.  Like 22 feet in the Long Jump.( He won the 1957 Drake Relays College High Jump at 6' 6".)

He then went on to a fairly good basketball career.  My favorite part of that was when reporters started badgering him about his lack of passing ability.  The next year he led the league in assists. The only big man to ever do that. Following basketball, he played pro volleyball for ten more years.  And all that while sports were what he was second best at!  We all miss you, Wilt.

Watch Wilt high jump in this video celebrating his leaping ability.

The Short Story Needs a Plot Twist!

I've neglected the story for a while and it fell off the bottom of the page.  I bring it back so some of you can add to it and possibly spice it up some.  A plot twist or a colorful character may be necessary.  I know I can depend on my dozens of readers to come up with something!

Here's the story so far.  Just add a sentence of two in the comments, and if it's suitable I'll add it to the mix.

It was a dark and stormy night.  He had his entry form for the 11th Annual Coach Harry Groves Golf Tournament filled out and ready to send.  As he sat, intently honing his pitching wedge to a fine edge, his email alert sounded.   When he realized his hands had begun to tremble violently, then bizarrely in step to a favorite song from back in the day.  Somewhere nearby, a dog barked, a door slammed.  Undaunted by the slamming door, he focused on his choice between a medium shirt and an extra-medium.  Extra medium isn't going to work, he thought, I might need a large.  Checking off the space between "extra medium" and "large", he turned his thoughts to who else might be coming to the greatest golf tournament he has ever entered?  As the anxiety of the shirt selection abated, his next chore was to sort through the inventory in his golf bag - where could he get newer range balls in time for the big event?  Ignoring the elements, he decided to break out his pitching wedge and chip a few balls in the back yard. That's when he noticed Skwilli's 3 extra putters in his bag. They were right next to Paul Mundy's oversized driver carved out of illegal whale bone. After numerous fruitless whacks the only loft he gained was from clumps of lawn flying into the neighbor's yard; a neighbor who claims he "played" track at Pitt. but our hero knew that one of those putters was in the loooooooooong process of being delivered to its rightful caretaker who lived just minutes away.  Meanwhile, at headquarters, dozens of blog operatives were getting ready for the photo of last year's Golden Putter Winner, this year's Golden Putter Winner and Horace Ashenfelter III, the putter's namesake. But first, the police had to sort out the damage caused to the neighbor's house from all the night chipping and determine who was wildly chanting something having to do with rusty boots.

Physicists Are People Too

(Kinda, Sorta)  And get your entries in for the Reunion. You've been warned!

The made-up TV world of Sheldon and Leonard may not be too far from the truth, if you go by this article about the arrest of a University of North Carolina Physicist in Argentina on drug charges.  It turns out he claims he was targeted by criminals because he's a nerd (I believe him!).  Many swirlies, wedgies and noogies are had by unsuspecting brainiacs, after all!

His superiors at the college aren't helping him as much as they could, possibly because the Provost is also a Physicist who feels he was overshadowed for career advancement by the poor schmuck in jail in South America. Quantum grudges are a bitch.

Celebrating PSU Track and Cross Country on the 40th Anniversary of Our Course Marshall's Senior Season!

Morale Officer Larry Mangan brings us this post, and I concur whole-heartedly!  And don't forget to get your entry and fees in for our Reunion and Golf Tourney!

Dave – This is the 40^th anniversary of Greg Frederick’s legendary senior outdoor season when he set the still standing 5k and 10k (former AR) records – Bob Snyder got within 2.3 seconds and Charlie Maguire only 21.4 seconds since that time).  When he left PSU, Greg held every record from 1 mile to 10K and a slew of indoor records and relay records (indoor and out) to boot!! 

I’m pretty sure he the indoor and outdoor mile, indoor 2 and 3 miles, outdoor 5 and 10, 4xmile (in and out), DMR (in and out) and possibly the Sprint medley and 4x800 outdoors.  He was a multiple All-America, IC4A champ and had, arguably, the best range from 400 meters to 10K of any runner of his era – including Pre and Liquori.

His megawatt athletic accomplishments aside, I defy someone to find a nicer person (ok, Mr. Rogers does not count)!! (Check out Coach Groves' opinion of Greg in this old post!)  (Addendum:  One of Mr. Roger's sons was on my dorm floor at PSU.)

Best, Larry

Don't Try This At Home

Don't forget to get your entry in for the 2012 PSU Track Alumni Reunion and the 11th Annual Coach Harry Groves Golf Tournament!!  

With the several recent posts on treadmill running, including the fastest one ever, proper warnings must be given.  They are dangerous, dangerous things, particularly to the very stupidest among us.  Enjoy these attempts at the Darwin Awards, even from a few of our four-legged friends.

Final Four Standings, With PSU Track Alum Golfers in the Mix

From Ken Cooper:

Great weekend of hoops.  we have 3 long-standing hoops powerhouses and Ohio State headed to the Final 4.  Nearly every game since Thursday has seen some solid basketball.  Good stuff.  One more weekend to go!

• Congrats to my bro Kyle who is takes over first place with 3 of 4 in the Final 4.  As many of you know, he is very familiar with the Top 10 due to the strong corrrelation of his picks to Uhaff Noballs.    
• 4 people picked 3/4 in Final 4 - Kyle Cooper, Chris Garrison, Larry Mangan and Bob Hamer.  Bob Freaking Hammer?
• 8 scenarios could take place - 8 people could be champs - Gavin Rupe, G Duya, Kyle Wood, Kyle Cooper, Larry Mangan, Andy Tate, Crash, and Darryl Jones
• Larry Mangan with 3 and Darryl Jones with 2 are in the drivers seats with those being the number of scenarios they win.
• Can we all wish Mark Anderson a hearty congratulations for officially taking the DFL title for 2012.
• Can you believe there has only been one game that went to OT so far?
• Want to see if you will be in Top 3 - check out the "Scenarios" tab to see if you will fall in the Top 3 under any scenario.
• Tom Bisko - please reply to this email so we know you are OK after the Tarheel loss.  Its OK, dude.

• I cant believe OBama is still in the Top 5   

• The average number right of 1.46 is highest since 2008 and the 5th best in history.   

Coop

 

 

Current			Total
Place	Move	Name	Points
1	12	Cooper, Kyle	87
2	(1)	Obama, Barack	86
3	24	Garrison, Chris LTF	85
4	(2)	Licari, Danielle	84
5	(2)	Will, Sean	84
6	0	Bisko, Tom	81
7	0	O'Reilly Aidan	80
8	2	Venne, Lisa	79
9	2	Roth, Andy	79
10	57	Mangan, Larry 2	78
11	5	Hall, Ricardo	78
12	57	Hamer, Bob	78
13	5	Bilas, Jay	78
14	5	Moskowitz, Spott	77
15	5	Rupe, Gavin	77
16	5	Dickey, Alex	77
17	6	Hansen, Steve PSU	77
18	6	Weaver, JudyLynn	77
19	6	Dubya, G	77
20	6	Sabel, Douglas	77
21	7	Wood, Kyle	77
22	8	Pruitt, Christopher	76
23	8	Caldwell, Ryan	76
24	8	Oliver, Steve	76
25	8	Angelo, Peter	76
26	(22)	Morse, Karen	76
27	7	Smith, Harry	75
28	8	Smith, Harry SYR	75
29	8	Oliver, Owen	75
30	8	Hutz	75
31	8	Hansen, Steve LTM	75
32	8	Clelland, Jim	75
33	9	Cooper, Kathleen	74
34	12	SNAKE	74
35	13	Miller, Kristin 1	74
36	(31)	Wimmer, Mark	74
37	20	Jones, Darryl	73
38	20	Tate, Andy	73
39	20	CRASH	73
40	20	Sports Illustrated	73
41	20	Dickey, Brandt	72
42	21	Gifford, Bob	72
43	21	Hardyk, Drew	72
44	(36)	Noballs, Uhaff	72
45	(36)	Fat Ass	71
46	19	Whittaker, Whit	71
47	(35)	Kletter, Ekaterina	71
48	18	Novak, Jay	71
49	(34)	Verhoeven, Nick	70
50	(33)	Berseth, Kyle	70
51	(29)	Caldwell, Sean	69
52	(23)	McCarthy, Dennis	68
53	22	Cannon, Marshall  2	68
54	22	James, LeBron	68
55	(20)	Caldwell, R.B.	67
56	(15)	Mangan, Larry	66
57	22	Clinton, Joe	66
58	(14)	Bisko, Matthew	66
59	(14)	Lincoln, Matt	66
60	(13)	Brownie	66
61	(12)	Wintersteen, Kyle	65
62	(12)	Bettis, Lena	65
63	(12)	Adkins, Jeff	65
64	(12)	McCandless, Tyler	65
65	(12)	Cole, Jason	65
66	(12)	Buenting, Mike	65
67	(12)	Kletter, Todd	65
68	(12)	Bettis, Lena 2	65
69	(7)	Smith, Holden	64
70	17	Boyer, Brian SYR	64
71	(57)	Walter, Doug	62
72	(4)	Ancharski, Frank	62
73	16	Garrison, Chris PSU	62
74	(4)	O'Brien, Kevin Kelly	62
75	(4)	Riter, Tony	62
76	(3)	Heitzmann, Colin	60
77	(3)	Hamer, Allison	60
78	(1)	Moore, Ron	59
79	(1)	Morse, Mike	59
80	(37)	Caldwell, Kevin	58
81	(1)	Oppenheimer, Hank	58
82	(1)	Murphy, Patrick	58
83	(1)	Cooper, Kevin	57
84	(1)	Jackson,Jayson	57
85	(1)	Venne, Lisa 2	56
86	(1)	Munro, Scott	56
87	(1)	Bisko, Tommy III	56
88	0	Carney, James	54
89	(17)	Bodine, James	53
90	1	Strandberg, David	53
91	1	Vitale, Dick	53
92	2	Cannon, Marshall	52
93	2	McCann, Ian	51
94	3	Radzwich, Bob	50
95	(5)	Radzwich, Maddi	45
96	(3)	Rupe, Mark	44
97	(1)	Cooper, Ken	43
98	0	Anderson, Mark	37