Basketball Coach blames his history major for his team's loss!

Jimmy Patsos the coach of Loyola, MD's men's basketball team lost to Davidson College yesterday because he had his players double team the leading scorer in the nation, Stephen Curry. While the strategy prevented Curry from scoring a single point, Loyola lost because the rest of the team had to play 3 on 4.

When asked why he stuck to a strategy that was obviously not going to win his team the game, coach Patsos replied: “We had to play against an NBA player tonight,” Patsos explained. “Anybody else ever hold him scoreless? I’m a history major. They’re going to remember that we held him scoreless or we lost by 30?”

I think Coach Patsos maybe didn't quite understand what his history profs were trying to teach him. I suspect that people will remember BOTH that Patsos held Curry to 0, but that Loyola STILL lost. There is a lesson to be learned here, and I doubt it's the one Patsos hoped it would be.

Curry gets 0, Davidson routs Loyola (Md.) 78-48 - College Basketball - Rivals.com

Christmas Shopping for the Historian

Tired of buying the historian in your life some heavy book that no on else in the family would ever be tempted to read? Perhaps you'd be tempted to purchase a present that can be enjoyed by young and old, historian and people who like interesting things, alike. I am, of course, referring to the Forgotten Presidents Puppet Set.

The present that is not only educational, but also hours of fun for the entire family.

Professorial Influence

Damn. Academics already don't have any influence over public policy, popular culture, or even educational matters. Now you are telling me - we don't even impact our students' political choices?!?

Actually, I'm not that surprised. I try to keep my students guessing about my political leanings - so even if they wanted to vote like me they might not be able to figure out my choices. Besides by teaching American foreign policy, I'm always critizing Republicans and Democrats alike. If anything, my classes probably think I'm unAmerican, as opposed to an adherent of one political party over another. Still it is kind of depressing to see how little impact we have on impressional young minds. Perhaps the only thing we are good far is teaching critical thinking skills.

You can read the NYT story here: Professors’ Liberalism Contagious? Maybe Not - NYTimes.com

The Last Barrier

I am excited to see the U.S. take a historic stance and break down the racial barrier to the presidency. It was in 1870 that the 15th Amendment to the Constitution was passed - the amendment that made it illegal to bar someone from voting based on their race.

Now only one barrier is left - the gender barrier. It took fifty years after the passage of the 15th Amendment for the 19th Amendment to be passed. This was the amendment that allowed women to vote -- black and white women. I don't want to turn my eyes to the future too soon, but I sure hope it doesn't take another fifty years before the first woman attains the presidency.

Why we vote on Tuesday... and other election fun facts

Hint: It has to do with farmers

I voted last week... but I saved my sticker for today. Can't wait to watch the returns tonight.