Superbowl Simas

GIANTS RECEIVER AMANI TOOMER CELEBRATES SUPERBOWL XXLII WIN - nfl.com

It was that annual Sunday when grocery stores sold out of guacamole and tortilla chips and advertising companies spent billions for seconds of airtime.

When Trinity International University (TIU) students gathered around televisions on campus, at local houses, and church buildings, senior athletic trainer and women’s soccer player Loryssa Simas sat four rows up from the New England Patriots’ end zone in Phoenix, Ariz.
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Manning threw a 13-yard touch-down pass to Burress with just 35 seconds remaining.
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“I lost ten years of my life watching the last two and a half minutes,” said Simas. It was about the time when the New York Giants began their miraculous 83-yard march down the field.

Eli Manning threw a 13-yard lob pass to Plaxico Burress for the winning touchdown with just 35 seconds remaining. Giants won Super Bowl XLII and beat the undefeated, two-touchdown favorite Patriots 14-10.

“It was terrible,” said Simas.

The New England resident has been a life-long Patriots fan, a product of her parents Dave and Lorry Simas, who live in Rhode Island.

Sunday was Simas’s third Super Bowl experience. She watched live the Indiana Colts beat the Chicago Bears last year in Miami and the Patriots win their third championship over the Philadelphia Eagles in Jacksonville, Florida in 2005.

In the late 90s things were looking up for the Patriots, and so was business for Mr. Simas, who bought season tickets to Gillete stadium. He upgraded from club seats to box seats a handful of years ago.

The Simases attended the Athletes in Action (AIA) Super Bowl breakfast, an official sanctioned event and award ceremony to honor an National Football League (NFL) player who “exemplifies outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community,” said an AIA spokesperson.

San Diego Chargers LaDainian Tomlinson won the 2008 Bart Starr Award. Simas met Super Bowl XLI Championship Coach of the Indiana Colts Tony Dungee and retired NFL player Bart Starr at the breakfast.

“Even though the Pats lost, it was an NFL record-breaking year, and it’s always a blessing to spend time with family,” said Simas.

Belichick's Resume Impressive, Suspected of Cheating

VINCE LOMBARDI TROPHY - nfl.com

Forty years ago today, Vince Lombardi resigned as head coach of the Green Bay Packers. Many Trinity International University (TIU) students hail from Wisconsin, and to their dismay the Packers will not compete in Super Bowl XLII.

But Lombardi will be there, making his $25,000 sterling silver entrance, just as he has every year since 1971.

The Vince Lombardi Trophy was named in honor of the Green Bay coach who led the Packers to six division titles, five National Football League (NFL) West championships and to win Super Bowl I and II in the ‘60s. His post-season record was 9-1.

The undefeated New England Patriots are fated to be champions Sunday, and the win over the New York Giants would be Super Bowl championship number four for head coach Bill Belichick, and a 14-3 playoff record – second best in NFL history, as he trails only Lombardi.

Some NFL fans have tossed around the idea of a replacement “Bill Belichick Trophy,” and their voices have been heard in less reputable outlets – mainly sports comedy formats, late night television types, and random internet forums.

“It would be a dishonor to rename the trophy and replace the legend Lombardi,” said TIU student and Kevin Geldon, a Packers fan who calls Wisconsin home.

Others think it is inappropriate to compare coaches from different eras and dissimilar football styles of play.

“Lombardi is the history of football and one of the greatest coaches of all time. Football is the way it is now because of him,” said Rhode Islander Loryssa Simas, a Patriots fan. “Belichick is more of the now and he will be history. He’s hall of fame worthy.”

But Belichick’s entrance in to the Hall of Fame was potentially marred by accusations of illegal spying. In September the NFL confiscated a tape from the Patriot’s sideline and after an investigation Belichick was fined $500,000. The Patriots were fined $250,000 and lost a future priority draft pick.

The NFL prohibits taping an opponent’s signals on the sideline. Video recording is not allowed in the coach’s booth during the game, on the field or in the locker room.
Some Patriot fans are skeptical about whether Belichick really authorized the operation.

“Nobody knows if he was directly involved,” said Simas. “The Patriots aren’t the first ones to videotape games and read plays off of opponents lips. Whoever did it was just the first one to get caught.”

New York Jets coach Eric Mangini, a former Belichick assistant, was the one who knew of the Patriots spying tactics and ratted them out. But Mangini has been suspected of spying too.

Athletes Use Fruit & Vegetable Supplements

A dietary supplement wholesaler urged the Trinity International University (TIU) women’s soccer team to eat more fruits and vegetables during a lecture Saturday.

Health professionals and clinical research support the many healthful benefits of Juice Plus (JP), according to a company representative Lynne Page, who gathered the female athletes in the Meyer Sports Complex conference room.

The usual morning soccer fitness testing and indoor practice was lengthened by a yoga session in the foyer with instructor and national ranking triathlete Joann Della Torre, who swears by the dietary supplement. A complimentary fruit buffet was provided at the sales pitch that turned six female athletes into Juice Plus customers – a four-month $39.75 per month commitment.

Juice Plus claims to be the next best thing to fruits and vegetables and does not label it's product as a vitamin supplement. We are a whole food based product providing nutrients found in seventeen fruits, vegetables, and grains, said Page.

In 1992, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the food pyramid that recommended 3-5 servings of vegetables and 2-4 servings of fruit. In 2005, the USDA released the new “MyPyramid,” which was only a visual redesign of the former— the only difference was the added recommended amount of physical activity.

Juice Plus pushes for 7-13 servings of fruits and vegetables every day, and attempts to link American eating habits to the national rise of cardiovascular disease, cancer and infertility.

Page presented a two-year old MacDonald’s Happy Meal and the only thing to show for its age was the wrinkled and ripped bag. The hamburger bun was absent of mold and the patty had not been decomposed – bacteria won’t eat the fast foods Americans shove their faces with.

Fruits and vegetables, though, are dubbed today’s new fast foods – they are small, easy to pack, and perfect for snacking on between meals.

“Fruits conveniently come in their own natural wrapper,” said Page. The women’s soccer team was delighted to learn that the kiwi fruit skin was edible and healthy, although the texture wasn’t appetizing.

Studies show that people should get their nutrients by eating actual food products and not supplements. Page recognized that incorporating more servings of fruits and vegetables into a diet can be difficult and expensive, especially to TIU students who rely on the food vendor Sedexho as their main food source. Although it is not a substitute for the real thing, Juice Plus serves as a “convenient, affordable, and natural” supplement for the extra needed servings.

TIU men’s basketball Head Coach Marc Davidson has his familyon Juice Plus. His five kids, all under the age of 12, participate in a children’s research program that allows them to take the supplements for free. Davidson and his wife take the capsules while the kids take the gummies and chewables.

“My taste buds have changed and crappy food doesn’t satisfy me,” said TIU Physical Therapy major Laura Della Torre, who has been on JP for three years and became a JP representative three months ago.

Since taking the supplement, Della Torre desires foods rich in nutrition and has experienced an increased energy level. She suffered chronically from Mononucleosis all throughout high school and into her freshman year at TIU, but since taking JP she has been Mono-free.

“Juice Plus in only ten bucks a week,” said Della Torre, “And that’s manageable when you think about all the crap-food you buy in a week.”

No Wins for the Trojans

Winter came before the snow for athletics here at Trinity International University (TIU).

Men’s Soccer ended their season at St. Xavier University Friday night, losing 2-0 in the NAIA Region VII quarterfinal. The Center Referee endured harsh criticism for calling a seemingly one-sided match for the Cougars.

“We disagree,” shouted Director of Student Affairs Adam Gustine from the stands after a dubious foul was called for the wrong team. Gustine was respectful and his sentiment was understood, said Associate Dean of Students Greg Leeper who had sat next to Gustine in the stands.

“Nuts and bolts, nuts and bolts, we got screwed!” chanted another disapproving fan at the final whistle, though eliciting an embarrassed response than a proud one.

This year the team experienced one of their most unique seasons, said senior captain Caleb Redelman. They went nine games with no wins (0-8-1), but stole second place in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) and earned a bid into the Region VII tournament.

“We had a good group of guys,” said Redelman, “We never gave up hope that we could win.” The men finished 6-12-1 overall.

Women’s Volleyball ended their season at the University of St. Francis Tuesday night, losing in the fourth game (30-17, 31-33, 30-28, 30-21) of the CCAC quarterfinal.

“I feel good about how we played,” said Coach Jill Rokosik. Her eyes and mouth told the story of a coach who was still recovering. The women finished 13-22, shoddy compared to last year’s 24-18 finish at the NAIA Region VII semi-final.

Women’s Soccer is exhausting all opportunities for post-season play again this year. They ended their NAIA future hopes Oct. 26 at St. Xavier, losing 2-1 in the NAIA Region VII quarterfinal.

But, unlike the men, their current overall record is above 50 percent (9-8-1), which makes them eligible by TIU standards to compete in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA). The women play in the NCCAA North Region semi-final against Judson University 7:30 at St. Xavier tonight.

Men’s Football lost by a touchdown at St. Francis Saturday, 13-6. They finish their season in Davenport, Iowa against St. Ambrose University at 1 p.m. tomorrow. The men are 2-8 overall.
Men’s Varsity Basketball suffered tight losses in their first to games of the season. The men were defeated at Mount Mercy College (IA) 79-73 Tuesday.

“The team is playing really well. Our freshmen are putting in some good minutes,” said senior captain Chad Reilly, despite the losses.

Women’s Basketball also came up just short Tuesday at home against Viterbo University (WI) 57-52.

The only win of the week was Men’s JV Basketball at home against Trinity Christian College – a win only recorded in the minds of those who care.

Chicago Marathon Marred by Heat

The Chicago Marathon was canceled for the first time Sunday as the heat and humidity put over 300 runners in ambulances, hospitalized 49 and took the life of a 35-year-old man.

Chad Schieber of Midland, Mich was pronounced dead after collapsing in the 18th mile. Four runners have died in the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon’s 30-year existence, but never have so many been reduced to unconsciousness or suffered nausea, heart palpitations and dizziness as on Sunday.

“It was absolutely insane,” said Trinity International University (TIU) senior Laura Della Torre. She was one of several TIU Athletic Training students that volunteered at the race-sponsored aid stations.

Libertyville’s Condell Medical Center employs Certified Athletic Trainers for the Marathon. TIU’s Athletic Training Program Director Karl Glass works in conjunction with Condell to provide TIU Athletic Training students the opportunity for monitored volunteer work and experience to earn clinical education hours in order to sit for the National Athletic Training Certification exam – a graduation requirement.

Senior Athletic Training students Kate Nelson and Christy Bullmore could be found sweating alongside Della Torre between miles 17 and 18, running quarter-mile sprints with wheelchairs to pick up and haul collapsed runners to the medical tent.

Early on about every 15 minutes a dizzy runner would visit the tent. But that number increased suddenly to an average of two-dozen people at any given time until the race was cancelled at 11:30 a.m., said Della Torre.

Three cots, five chairs and the floor at this station were shared by thousands of dehydrated runners over the course of the race. The volunteers responded to all needs – Notified emergencies, monitored temperatures and treated rolled ankles. They also distributed Vaseline and Band Aids for common chaffing and blisters, and gels, power bars, and water for nutrition and hydration.

The highest temperature Della Torre took that day was 108 degrees. Brain cells are destroyed at such high body temperatures. The man was unresponsive, unconscious and injected with two IVs, one was a chemical-seven solution – containing essential fluids beyond the normal sodium-chlorine saline.

City ambulances outside of Chicago responded to the surplus of calls and it took 45 minutes for one to retrieve the athlete now reduced to a comatose patient, said Della Torre.

Over 35 thousand runners began the Chicago Marathon and less than 25 thousand finished the race, according to race officials.

TIU student Graham Hallen was about four hours into the race at mile 23 when a marathon official with a megaphone announced, “The Marathon has been canceled, please walk.” Graham completed the race at 5 hours 6 minutes and 10 seconds. He survived the heat, but had surgery on his foot the following Thursday.

Athletic Director Patrick Gilliam finished his sixth marathon at 5:25:28, and TIU student Danielle Plantz finished at 5:51:04 – both an hour after their anticipated time.

“Running is now a felony, please walk,” said another course official.

Joining the Opposition for a Practice Session

CALUMET & TIU POSE AFTER A JOINT PRACTICE TUESDAY - Dana Larmour

Calumet of St. Joseph’s College Crimson Wave Women’s Soccer forfeited their third game this season Tuesday against the Trinity International University (TIU) Trojans. The Crimson Wave (0-12) are battling a variety of injuries in addition to a slim roster.

Despite the forfeit, the TIU women’s soccer program traveled to Indiana for a combined training session with Calumet to encourage them and show them love.

Led by the inspiration of Athletic Director and Coach Patrick Gilliam, the women’s soccer team desires to be others’ focused this year. This is not just an ideal set aside for the off-season, but a mindset lived out even during the unpredictable demands of the fall.

The decision to go was made by the Trojans via a 36-party conference call at 10:45 the night before. Typical teams would have used the forfeit as an opportunity to go scout other league matches to be better prepared for future opponents in the post-season. Robert Morris College and Trinity Christian College, both top teams in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC), had games that evening.

“Success in soccer is not the most import thing,” said Gilliam. “The most important thing is how when we see somebody in need we reach out and minister to that need.”

On Tuesday afternoon, 30 TIU women’s soccer players joined seven Calumet players, traded names, training t-shirts, and a cheer. The teams ran sprints, practiced drills and competed in a full-field scrimmage under the leadership of a combined coaching staff.

Lightning and thunderstorms emerged from a clear sky, and although the blinding wind and heavy rainfall made training difficult, the energy and hustle on the field increased.

“You are a classy bunch of ladies,” said Calumet of St. Joseph’s College Head Women’s Soccer Coach Emily King to the Trojans in a the post-practice huddle. King’s is a first-year coach at Calumet. She graduated in 2006 from Valparaiso University where she played NCAA soccer for four years.

When the training time expired and the rain did not, the group huddled as one, hands in, and on a three-count shouted “unity.” The players stripped off their soaked shirts, shorts, shoes and socks, and took refuge in a gym to eat pizza and fellowship.

Reflecting on a time when he coached a high school team that had similar injury and roster setbacks to Calumet, Coach Gilliam prayed aloud for Coach Emily and her developing program. The Trojans didn’t plan to engage in direct evangelism that afternoon, but trusted that if they were hearers and doers of the Word, the Holy Spirit would do His work.

“Hopefully along the way they ask what’s inside of people that makes them give up their afternoon to drive down here and do it joyfully and excitedly,” said Gilliam.

The teams have continued contact through Facebook, an online social network.

“We had a lot of fun and enjoyed you guys coming out,” wrote Calumet women’s soccer player Jorie Arnold in a Facebook message. “It lifted our spirits and we thank you very much!”

Athletes Modify Popular Drinking Game

Water Pong was the social game of choice for over 30 Trinity International University (TIU) athletes Friday. Represented at the off-campus Buffalo Grove residence were soccer, basketball, baseball and football athletes.

Water Pong and Beer Pong are one and the same, with the obvious exception: alcohol. Closet doors and kitchen tables have been substituted for the playing surface, and plastic party cups filled with a couple ounces of a liquid are set up like billiard balls at both ends.

Teams stand at each end table and exchange attempts at tossing a Ping Pong ball into the opponents’ cups. Both teams are responsible for consuming the contents of any cup made on their side. A winner is determined when a shot has been made in each cup, then losing team is responsible for drinking all cups remaining.

“I’m not sure that adapted drinking games are a great thing to promote,” said Athletic Director and Women’s Soccer Coach Patrick Gilliam.

Drinking games of this sort are commonly played at colleges nationwide because they double as a social activity and one that aids a faster consumption of alcohol. But simply mimicking the drinking game while meeting Trinity Expectations was not the goal for the event.

“We’re getting hydrated for tomorrow’s game,” said women’s soccer senior captain Loryssa Simas. Simas is also a student Athletic Trainer and studies under a department that takes serious the practice of hydration.

Before the start of the semester, all the athletic teams congregated in the Meyer Sports Complex to watch the Gatorade documentary on hydration, compliments of Athletic Training. During last week’s Boil Order, Certified Athletic Trainer Angie Ryan traveled to Lake Forest College to fill a total of 80 gallons of water for the athletes practicing that day in 90-degree weather.

Soccer athlete Serena Bjurlin shares the passion for necessary hydration and can be spotted around campus carrying a Nalgene water bottle. Bjurlin dominated Friday at Water Pong with partner and soccer player Steve O’Brien. Together they managed a seven-game winning streak during “winners- stay” play.

But rules of the game were a little shaky, because few actually knew how to play.

“I have the rules posted in my basement,” said soccer athlete Jesse Edson, “and I forgot to bring them.” Edson put up a handful of impressive wins with partner and soccer player Bobby McColl.

“We had matching uniforms,” said McColl, attributing the attention to attire as a winning strategy. It cannot be determined whether Bjurlin-O’Brien or Edson-McColl were the Water Pong champion, because the teams never played head to head.

Losing in Water Pong was really winning – as losers in Beer Pong get are the most drunk, losers in Water Pong are the most hydrated.

A hydration party is as rare as a party with a curfew. Nevertheless, everyone was kicked out of the house upon 11, because the women’s soccer team has a strictly enforced 11:30 “lights-out” policy the night before every game.

A Different Kind of Madness

Seven teams were ranked, a round-robin bracket was drawn and two handfuls of Trinity International University (TIU) business majors jumped into bumper-carts to compete in an aggressive Whirly Ball tournament that lasted until midnight Wednesday.

The free event was student picked, organized, marketed, and managed by the Trinity Council on Business (TCB), a club led by Business Professor Sidney Yeomans and elected officers. It is open to business majors, minors and undecided students, and convenes once a month in lower Melton on Wednesday nights.

This year TCB has alternated between serious and fun events; from an Executive Advisory Board (EAB) Panel Discussion and a bowling outing with the Business Professors in the Fall, to an Alumni Business Forum, where alumni were invited on campus to share about their business experience, and a Business Etiquette Dinner in the spring.

Because TIU is a small campus, building relationships is key and networking is helpful for business students to find a job after graduation, said TCB. Their mission is to provide a conducive environment for spiritual, academic, and personal growth in preparation for Christ-centered leadership in the business world.

“Our main purpose is to facilitate relationships between current business students, faculty and alumni,” said TCB Co-President and accounting major Tim Jeanson. WhirlyBall is an unconventional, yet entertaining and active way to cater to that vision.

“It was a good time of fellowship and competition,” said TIU business-accounting major Jason Kofroth. The activity was fitting for a business club event, since nearly half of all business majors, a male-dominated major, are involved in Trinity Athletics.

The Whirly Ball court was similar to the size of a basketball court, but it included elements from several different sports. Hoops were laid flat in the middle of the backboards that suspended from opposite walls. The absence of out-of-bounds was similar to ice-hockey, and the use of a miniature quasi-lacrosse stick was the means by which a softball-sized whiffle ball was scooped from the ground, passed between teammates and shot against the target.

Players don’t just ride on bumper cars aimlessly.

Each shot that ricocheted against the backboard earned one point, while a shot hitting the target earned two. In the championship game, Jeanson scored a point with only 10 seconds remaining to break the 2-2 tie and secure a tournament win for his team.

“It was a very sweet experience to get together with my fellow business majors and win,” said TIU business-human resources major Jonathan Ott. These kind of activities are important because it helps the students spend time with their business classmates and professors outside of the classroom, said TCB.

Just before TIU’s spring break, Jeanson and TCB Co-President Josh Antioho invited Professor Yeomans for dinner at their off-campus house. They students made side-dishes while Professor Yeomans brought nine steaks to grill.

“Having fun is a key part of keeping our Christian faith real and exciting,” said Professor Yeomans, who also competed in the Whirly Ball tournament.

“He is definitely one of the coolest professors,” said Jeanson, who has made the most of his involvement with TCB. On Jun. 29 Jeanson begins a four-year program in the financial department of the Boeing Company in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Trojan Soccer Donates Gear to Zambian Orphanage

ZAMBIAN ORPHANS GATHER FOR A GROUP PHOTO - Adam Riddell

Zambian orphans posed for Trinity International University (TIU) alum Adam Riddell’s “my kiddies” facebook album with cleats, tennis shoes, jerseys, shorts and soccer balls donated by the men and women of TIU soccer Wednesday.

Former TIU men’s soccer captain Riddell now partners with Jesus Cares Ministries (JCM) and lives and works with orphans and vulnerable children in Lusaka.

“There are 52 of them and they all love to play soccer,” said Riddell. Upon a short visit to Chicago in January for his best friend’s wedding, Riddell came up with the idea to bring donated goods from TIU back to his kids at the orphanage.

TIU women’s soccer player Wendy Moore answered Riddell’s call and volunteered as point-person for the soccer clothes drive. Moore posted a sign at the Meyer Sports Complex and at her Trinity Hall suite, both complemented with empty cardboard boxes that turned over 150 items over the span of winter break.

“It was something I wanted to do, because I had met those kids and had been there,” said Moore. Her and Riddell were both part of TIU’s first team to be sent to Zambia in the spring of 2006. “You could tell already last year that Adam was going to be back.”

The donated gear exceeded the luggage regulation and Riddell was unable to bring it all with him on the plane. The excess goods will be taken by Interim Associate Dean of Students Greg Leeper and his wife Hillary Leeper on their return to Zambia – a short-term mission trip scheduled for spring break. The Leepers plan to unite with Riddell and do ministry with JCM – “Combating child labor through education.”

“In short, we remove kids from the work force and put them back into schools,” said Riddell. In addition to helping the children, Riddell and JCM teach the parents specific skills, such as baking, catering, and tailoring, in order to help them to provide for their child so that he or she can go to school instead of work.

Riddell and JCM also head efforts to remove some of the 800 kids who live on the streets in Lusaka alone. In one weekend Riddell and his team removed 13 kids and invited them to the orphanage.

“It’s heartbreaking to see a 10 or 11-year- old sleep on concrete,” said Riddell. After adding kids to the orphanage Riddell begins the process of building their trust and finding out their real story.

Riddell put ear-to-ear smiles on the kids’ faces when he arrived back at the orphanage with boxes of the Trojan soccer gear, and pictures were posted online for all TIU men and women soccer players to see. Kings put on the New Castle jersey, Esau juggled the TIU Brine practice ball, and Jack wore the Predator soccer cleats with style.

“Many thanks to the wonderful people in the men and women’s soccer program at TIU for their generous donations,” said Riddell. “If I was an emotional man, I would have cried many times over at the sight of my guys wearing shoes and playing ball. Thank you so so much.”

ADAM RIDDELL GIVES A HEARTY THANKS ON BEHALF OF HIS KIDS - Adam Riddell