The Extent We Go to Win

If you know anything about Peru, soccer, or both—one thing is clear: results prove that Peruvian soccer teams are far from the best. With that being said, as I was on MSN today I saw there was an article that headlined “Peruvian team allegedly poison foes”. Of course I was intrigued only to be shocked by the report.

The headline states exactly what happened on the soccer field. In an attempt to win the game after a first rough half, Sport Ancash poisoned their opponents. Little by little players began to collapse in the middle of the field. In total four of the players from Hijos de Acosvinchos collapsed while playing and they were taken to the hospital. After investigations at the hospital, doctors found a sedative drug in the players’ bloodstreams. The coach from Sport Ancash (the team that poisoned the opponents) claims it was the chicken and energy drinks their opponents consumed before the game.

Despite having Peruvian blood, and thus should be a fan of their sports teams… this time I fear Sport Ancash did the poisoning. Morally the whole idea is truly baffling. This event sheds light on a larger idea. Mainly how the demand of winning forces players to sacrifice their dignity, values, and lives to the sport they love. Travel back in time to World Cup 1994: Columbia played the U.S. in the round of 16. A Columbian player scores an own goal causing the U.S. to advance. Upon the Columbian player’s return to his hometown, he is killed at a bar for scoring an own goal. What happened to the love for the game and not the demand and monetary reasons for winning?

While many agree that poisoning one’s foes is bad, a more pressing issue is the extent to which athletes in order to win. In this case, it was poising your opponents. Other athletes however choose to take steroids to help impact their game. Steroids are a widely controversial topic among athletics. I feel that athletes fall under the trap to use steroids based on pressures from society. In addition to a demanding schedule, traveling, and a relationship, players are expected to perform at their peak each time. The stress that sports entail, make it easy for athletes to begin using steroids.

So now for a brief debate: are steroids acceptable for athletes given their demanding schedules? A quick and dirty answer in my view is no. Steroids are enhancements and thus do not show the athlete’s actually potential; rather show what happens when you are under an influence. Interestingly enough, I found a teacher’s take on steroids saying that steroids should be acceptable. He points that with doctor’s approval steroids should not be looked down upon due to medical conditions. Furthermore, he notes that often times athletes are not completely drug free when going to play, so what is different with those “enhancers”.

If you buy into the teacher’s argument that is another thing on its own…

Halloween- American Style

The days are passing quickly in October, leading to the much-awaited night of scares and revealing costumes (in particular for older girls)-- it’s time for Halloween. Jogging my memory I remember how Halloween costumes have progressively changed throughout the years. I remember when I was one and was dressed as a pumpkin like so many other little ones, whereas last year girls around me were French maids, Playboy bunnies, and secretaries.

As a guy, seeing the low cut tops and fish nets make Halloween a night in a league of its own. However, my acceptance of the costumes comes purely from male instinct. A friend recently commented that he feels girls find it socially acceptable to dress the way most of them do: often in slutty costumes that cover close to nothing. Similarly, a girl down the hall agreed with my friend by adding it is the one night where she feels she can dress in such a manner and not be judged.

Certainly as a male college student, I find the costumes quite inviting. Parents on the other hand, are quick to make negative remarks at how their daughters are dressed and at the evolution of society. Costumes targeted to older females today are almost always promiscuous and revealing. Their daughters are gracing the streets in costumes that go against their upbringings and the values parents have instilled in them. While I am a fan, I will leave the negative judgments to the parents.  

Southern Millionaires University?

When I tell my friends about SMU, many joke about the school’s stereotypes. Some say all I have to do is breathe, have my parents take care of the tuition, and I'm set. Or like many of us have heard all too often—Southern Millionaires University. I couldn’t help but search how many people and websites have such a perception of us.

Take a look at this post from Urban Dictionary:

Where going to class is a formal affair and you can never re-wear an outfit. Guys sport Lacoste polo's with their Seven jeans and girls pop their collars underneath their sorority t-shirts. Where Rainbows, Northface jackets and Uggs are a staple for summer and winter weather. Where getting in the right Frat or Sorority house defines who you are for the next 3 years. Nobody cares what you drive, so long as it's a BMW or a Range Rover. Tailgating is a sport and watching football is a break between the pre-partying and the after party. No worries, we aren't sore losers we'll drink our weight in Alcohol whether we win or lose.

SMU- Southern Millionaires University

I do admit the post from Urban Dictionary is not terribly far fetched. With that said, I also think this post like others, are overly embellished making students come across as superficial and stuck up. Granted, many students come from affluent families, but that shouldn’t define who we are as students. It’s always a battle to defend SMU, because outsiders have such an idea of the school. If anything, those who see SMU in that regard should spend a day in our shoes, and notice it’s not all about wealth and a posh lifestyle. SMU is a work hard, play hard environment.