Jan. 13 – 19, 2013

Welcome to week forty-two of the Sports Doing Good newsletter.

This was a relatively strange week in the world of sports. While there were certainly a number of individuals and groups doing good – we highlight more than a dozen below – news was dominated by someone who maintained a lie for a number of years (Lance Armstrong) and another who “lied” for a few months (Manti Te’o)

What stood out for us from these stories was the fragility of our respective reputations and how many people out there live with disregard for that reputation. Lance Armstrong forever sullied his name and that of his family (including kids). We don’t know the full Te’o story yet so we withhold judgment. However, what we will say is sports is often a place where someone can “make a name” for him/her-self. That name is not only built on great performances on the field of play, it depends on one’s character. What we continually find in the stories featured at Sports Doing Good is that strength of character and that commitment to bettering oneself and/or others. Whether it is Lance Armstrong or Manti Te’o or the average man or woman, we must live with the character that we earn. With that in mind, it might as well be one of which we can be proud. For more on this issue of reputation, character, and legacy please visit the Sports Doing Good blog, which can be reached by clicking here.

Please continue to send along your stories. You are both our audience and our best source of stories. Our Twitter handle is @sportsdoinggood, and you can find us at www.facebook.com/sportsdoinggood. We anticipate 2013 being just as robust when it comes to the number and quality of stories

Finally, if you think others would like to receive the newsletter, please feel free to forward it on or have them contact us directly at sab@sportsddoinggood.com. (If you do not want to receive the newsletter anymore you can use the Unsubscribe button at the end of the email)

So enjoy. And have a good week.

Forging Path to Starting Line for Younger Disabled Athletes
The McFaddens helped promote a state measure requiring schools to include disabled students in sports and other extracurricular programs. At least 12 other states have enacted measures similar to the Maryland law.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/16/sports/disabled-athletes-suit-up-raising-questions-of-logistics-and-fairness.html

Caption: Scott Strazzante/Chicago Tribune. Mary Kate Callahan, who because of a neurological disease contracted as an infant does not have use of her legs, was initially denied the opportunity to compete in statewide high school swim meets.

USA Network Sets Second ‘NFL Characters Unite’ Doc After Super Bowl
Part of USA’s Characters Unite public service campaign to fight prejudice and discrimination, the documentary will feature NFL players Larry Fitzgerald, Jameel McClain, Troy Polamalu and Justin Tuck. NFL Characters Unite will profile the four players through personal stories, from bullying and embracing one’s heritage to discrimination and being homeless.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/nfl-usa-reteam-characters-unite-411635

MLB Luminaries Descend on Boston to Raise Money for Disadvantaged Youth at Hot Stove Cool Music Event Series
Baseball and music stars teamed up to hit a home run for Boston area youth at the 14th Annual Hot Stove Cool Music event series as some of the biggest names in the industry joined together to celebrate music, baseball and giving back by over $200,000 for Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein’s Foundation To Be Named Later.
http://bostonredthoughts.com/2013/01/16/january-16-2013-14th-annual-hot-stove-cool-music-raises-over-200k-last-weekend/

NHL Unveils Two-Minute TV Spot To Mark The Return Of Hockey (#hockeyisback)
The NHL has unveiled a season-opening promotional spot, titled “Hockey Is Back,” which comes on the heels of the ’13 season schedule announcement. The spot, which in its longest form is two full minutes, focuses on fans’ connection to the sport and the meaning it has in their lives.

Jeremy Lin, others earn respect for NBA Development League
Like so many players in this 12-year-old, 16-team league that is looking more and more like Major League Baseball’s farm system every year, he earns between $13,000 and $25,000 (plus benefits, free housing and a per diem) for an entire season.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2013/01/13/nbdl-nba-development-league/1830827/

Caption: Before reaching NBA stardom, Rockets guard Jeremy Lin spent time with the Reno BigHorns in 2011. (Photo: Melissa Majchrzak, NBAE/Getty Images)

Laureus Ambassador André Villas-Boas helps launch new report
The Tottenham Hotspur Head Coach joins the Laureus Ambassador programme and helps launch a new report showing how sport can make a positive effect to society.

Bill Clinton uses Humana Challenge tie to preach an active path to well-being
Listen to former President Bill Clinton discuss his involvement at the Humana Challenge, and it can be difficult to figure out which he’s more excited about, the health care conference he hosts or the PGA Tour golf event.
http://www.mydesert.com/article/20130112/SPORTS0504/301120048/Bill-Clinton-uses-Humana-Challenge-tie-preach-an-active-path-well-being?nclick_check=1

Caption: Former President Bill Clinton offers opening remarks Jan. 17, 2012, in Indian Wells at the Health Matters: Activating Wellness in Every Generation conference hosted by The William J. Clinton Foundation. Clinton spoke of the rise in diabetes, playing golf with Bob Hope and the importance of walking every day. / Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun

World Leaders, Celebrities Supporting 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games
Sports Legends Yuna Kim, Michelle Kwan , Yao Ming ; World Leaders including Nobel Peace Prize-winner Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, H.E. Mrs. Joyce Banda , President, Republic of Malawi, Others, Gather in Republic of Korea This Month For 2013 World Winter Games in PyeongChang
http://s.tt/1yuyb

Seahawks QB Russell Wilson surprises cancer-stricken Timberline baseball star David Padilla
Around 10 a.m. Tuesday, Wilson walked into Padilla’s private room at Seattle Children’s Hospital and made his dream of meeting the star rookie quarterback come true. His first words to the cancer-stricken 17-year-old Timberline High School senior baseball star: “Hey, buddy, how are you doing?”
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/01/15/2437634/seahawks-qb-russell-wilson-surprises.html#storylink=cpy

Caption: Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (center) visits with Timberline High School senior David Padilla at Seattle Children’s Hospital Tuesday morning with younger brother, Dallas Padilla on the right. Photo courtesy of Seattle Children’s Hospital.

The Brooklyn Nets Score Big In Fight Against Blood Cancer; Shooting guard Joe Johnson serves as spokesperson for Delete Blood Cancer DKMS in honor of his mother, afflicted with leukemia
This unique partnership includes bone marrow donor drives during five Brooklyn Nets home games, advertisements for Delete Blood Cancer throughout the arena and a community drive outside of Barclays Center, which Johnson will attend. The goal of the partnership is to register thousands of fans as potential life-saving bone marrow donors at one of the in-arena drives or online at deletebloodcancer.org/brooklyn.
http://s.tt/1yxUK

Caption: Brooklyn Nets star shooting guard Joe Johnson and Delete Blood Cancer DKMS co-founder Katharina Harf share time together while shooting recent PSA for Delete Blood Cancer DKMS. (PRNewsFoto/Delete Blood Cancer DKMS)

Sports as a Tool for Refugee Empowerment (downloadable report)
The psychosocial factors faced by refugees and displaced persons as well as the ramifications of such factors are discussed, followed by descriptions of key players whose programmatic efforts address such factors. Finally, recommendations for improving the efficacy of refugee sports programs are addressed.
http://www.sportanddev.org/en/toolkit/latest_publications/?5188/1/Sports-as-a-Tool-for-Refugee-Empowerment

Rebuilding Together, Lowe’s revitalize homes as part of 18th Annual Kickoff to Rebuild Super Bowl Sanctioned Event
The only Super Bowl-sanctioned charity event on the West Bank, Kickoff to Rebuild brings community volunteers, past and present NFL players, national celebrities and local leaders together to rebuild homes and revitalize communities.
http://rebuildingtogether.org/news-item/rebuilding-together-lowes-18th-super-bowl-sanctioned-event/

Trained community sports volunteers lead young South Africans into the future
International Development through Sport (IDS) concludes a five year partnership with SCORE on a high note. Through this partnership, SCORE has delivered youth leadership training to address HIV/AIDS awareness and gender equality through football in South Africa.
http://www.sportanddev.org/en/newsnviews/news/?5181/1/Trained-community-sports-volunteers-lead-young-South-Africans-into-the-future

NBA Family, American Diabetes Association, and Sanofi US Tip Off 2013 Dribble To Stop Diabetes Awareness Campaign
As part of the campaign, NBA, WNBA, and NBA D-League teams will host Dribble to Stop Diabetes in-arena nights featuring on court activations, concourse tabling providing fans with educational materials, and PSAs. In addition, Dribble to Stop Diabetes clinics will take place during the 2013 WNBA Finals and NBA Nation – the league’s largest mobile basketball playground, which visits cities across the country each summer – will feature Dribble to Stop Diabetes activities.
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/01/14/5112899/nba-family-american-diabetes-association.html#storylink=cpy

IPC set to launch ‘Diamond League’ event for Paralympic athletes
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is investigating plans to launch a series of grand prix events this year, with the UK to the fore following the huge success of London’s 2012 Paralympic Games.
http://www.sportbusiness.com/news/186981/ipc-set-to-launch-diamond-league-event-for-paralympic-athletes

A Special Freshman Back, and Then Came the Injuries
That is the legend of Frank Gore, one of the most talented players on, perhaps, Miami’s most talented team, who was never as good as he might have been in college. He had to overcome two significant injuries, tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee just after he beat out Willis McGahee in spring practice before Gore’s sophomore season, then the one in his right knee the next season. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/18/sports/football/49ers-frank-gore-was-a-special-back-at-miami.html?ref=sports&_r=0

Caption: Tony Avelar/Associated Press. Frank Gore, a six-time 1,000-yard rusher for the 49ers, overcame two knee injuries in college.

Man Builds Backyard Ice Rink Using 15,000 Gallons of Water
“I played hockey growing up. So did my cousin. And the kids just love skating. It was their idea. We were sitting around thinking about how cool it would be to have a rink in the backyard,” Vriesema said. Vriesema captured the entire five-day construction process in a series of more than 28,000 photos on his GoPro Hero2 camera he mounted outside, and edited them together in this time-lapse video.

Backyard Ice Rink Time-Lapse from Four Winds on Vimeo.

Chase, Orlando Magic Enter New Partnership at Amway Center, Community Will Benefit
The partnership will positively impact the greater Orlando community through military programs, multicultural platforms and improving neighborhood sports facilities throughout the city. The multi-year agreement with the Magic makes Chase a “Champions of the Community” (COTC) sponsor for the franchise and Amway Center.
http://westorlandonews.com/2013/01/18/chase-orlando-magic-enter-new-partnership-at-amway-center/

And something to surely smile at – Bad Lip Reading