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Jeff MacGregor on why expanding the Big 10 is stupid

Discussion in 'Journalism topics only' started by Songbird, Dec 18, 2009.

  1. Songbird

    Songbird Well-Known Member

    Terrific column.

    http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/commentary/news/story?id=4754157
     
  2. playthrough

    playthrough Moderator Staff Member

    Awesome.
     
  3. Jersey_Guy

    Jersey_Guy Active Member

    All it lacked for some sort of official old crank award would be the obligatory "Hey you kids! Get off my lawn!"

    Seriously, what a bunch of crap. Whether you agree or disagree with the Big Ten expanding, it's got absolutely nothing to do with 4,000 square foot houses.
     
  4. Armchair_QB

    Armchair_QB Well-Known Member

    That's three minutes of my life I won't get back.
     
  5. Boom_70

    Boom_70 Well-Known Member

    How about ESPN Jeff - think that is too big also?
     
  6. DanOregon

    DanOregon Well-Known Member

    Agree that it is a great read. Forget the sentiment, the writing alone is worth the time.
    The Big 10 took the first leap when they let in another team. When you are willing to scar your brand like that - I don't care whether the extra team was Penn State, Notre Dame or USC - subsequent tweaks are that much more easily digested.
    They already trashed the "midwestern" roots of their conference bringing in Penn State, they may as well go all the way and bring in Hooters State - Pompano Beach. And there isn't anything "big" about most of the out of conference teams brought in during football season.
    You think the Ivy League couldn't raise some cash by admitting a couple more colleges? They don't, because Ivy League still means something.
     
  7. Harry Doyle

    Harry Doyle Member

    Wow ... Hard to understand the vitriol here.

    What makes great column writing? Turns of phrase, concise writing, sticking to your guns, having one point. The man is a master. His writing is melodic -- and yeah maybe the lyrics are a little angry, but so were Kurt Cobain's.

    Maybe I'll get hassled because this isn't the Writer's Workshop, but look at the way the man writes. His argument be damned and to hell with whether or not you agree with him.

    "Long thought of as the conference of earnest ham-necked farm boys, lead-footed and dim-witted and grave, smiling shyly, courageous and square-jawed in sepia team photos in their shawl-collar letter sweaters and raccoon coats, the Big Ten has traditionally sold Midwestern toughness, character and simplicity as its main product."

    That's writing I can appreciate. And there is not a single person on this board who can't learn something about our craft by reading it.
     
  8. GB-Hack

    GB-Hack Active Member

    Didn't read it, did you?

     
  9. YGBFKM

    YGBFKM Guest

    I'm sure he can turn 2,000 well-written words on how to make a tuna casserole. Doesn't mean it's interesting beyond the verbiage.
     
  10. PopeDirkBenedict

    PopeDirkBenedict Active Member

    The verbiage was top notch. But I'm not sure I understand what his argument is, which makes this a waste of nice phrases.
     
  11. Mystery Meat II

    Mystery Meat II Well-Known Member

    Nice imagery in a cumbersome sentence -- the equivalent of using diamonds to build a leaky toilet.
     
  12. YGBFKM

    YGBFKM Guest

    My point exactly. Better stated without dragging tuna casserole into it.
     
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