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Elizabeth (Wiz) Bachman's parents' - Todd and Barbara Bachman who were visiting the Olympics with her were attacked on August 8th. Her Father was killed and her Mother is in critical but stable condition.

"The United States Olympic Committee and USA Volleyball are saddened to confirm the death of Todd Bachman, father-in-law of United States Olympic Men's Indoor Volleyball Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon and father of Coach McCutcheon's wife, 2004 U.S. Olympic Women's Indoor Volleyball player Elisabeth Bachman McCutcheon. "

Elisabeth was with them at the time of the attack but was not injured. The assailant took his own life by jumping from the Drum Tower immediately after the attack. Local law enforcement authorities believe he acted alone.

For those of you who do not follow volleyball as closely as I do, Elisabeth (Wiz) Bachman played volleyball for UCLA, then made the national team and played for the United States in the 2004 Olympics. Her parents Todd and Barbara were the epitomy of "Volleyball parents".

Security has been increased at tourism locations throughout Bejing according to the Chinese government.

We recently caught wind of the name of the murderer - Tang Yongming. The 47-year-old Tang had a series of failures in his life and took his anger out on society, according to the police department here in his hometown in Zhejiang Province. The police said fingerprints and DNA tests had confirmed Tang's identity.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Elisabeth, Hugh, Barbara and the people close to Mr. Bachman.

Volleyball Equipment and Shoe Coupons

Labels: Volleyball

Flip flops have become part of the fashion landscape as much as athletic shoes, jeans and t-shirts. Now, many kids wear flip flops all the time, replacing their athletic shoe trainers.

Volleyball players, basketball players and even boys and men wear flip flops or flip sandals.

Did you know that in the past flip flops were called thong sandals?

Finally a store that offers name brand sandals and shoes at great prices. Flip flops and flip sandals are the absolute craze amongst high school and college age girls (and boys too).

Crocs are out and Chacos are in - so if you are looking for a great holiday gift this year for a young athlete or a young at heart - check out the The Flip Flopper

The growth in flip flops has been part of a general change in fashion overall during the past twenty years, as it has become more casual overall for everyday events.

Customs such as casual Fridays and a loosening in what is considered appropriate office attire have made consumers more flexible about casual dressing.

The use of the word flip-flop for thong sandals is a modern term dating from the 1960’s that describes what is probably the oldest form of footwear still being worn (the term flip flap has been used in various echoic senses since 1529).

Flip flops have been around for at least six thousand years.

Labels: Flip Flop Sandals, Sports Performance Gear, Volleyball

Sportsmanship - Do we even know what it is?

I was reading something today that I believe is Gold:

In the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Germany's Luz Long, one of the world's best broad jumpers, was looking forward to competing against the great U.S. track and field star, Jesse Owens, the world-record holder. Owens, however, foot-faulted on his first two qualifying jumps and, down to one last chance to qualify, was in danger of missing the competition.

Seeing Owens pacing in agitation, Long suggested that Owens make a mark several inches before the takeoff board to avoid fouling again. It worked, Owens qualified by a centimeter, then kept right on going, beating out Long for the gold medal.This story illustrates the most noble dimension of a concept called sportsmanship, which some argue is a relic of a time gone by.

If you are a parent and Long was your son, would you be proud or appalled?

Sportsmanship is about the honorable pursuit of victory. Gamesmanship is just about victory, where winning by fooling the referee is just as good as winning by outperforming a competitor.

Are you teaching your children Gamesmanship or Sportsmanship? What about your child's coach?

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Labels: Children's Sports, Sportsmanship, Volleyball