About Ashley Russell
Meeting Bobby Knight!
December 2nd, 2009 | Ashley
I know I say this all the time but here it goes again…. Bobby Knight is my hero! When you’re a kid from Indiana, meeting Bobby Knight is equivalent to meeting the president. I got my lucky chance when I was nine. I was invited by my best friend, Andy, who by the way was a girl, to French Lick, Indiana for a get away with her family. Yes, the same French Lick that produced basketball great, Larry Bird. Bobby Knight had been asked to give a speech to a group of professionals that Andy’s dad belonged to. I remember Coach Knight telling a funny joke or two and filling the group in on his projections for the upcoming season. When the speech was over Coach Knight agreed to give autographs to the kids that where sitting in the audience. I was extremely nervous. After all, this was Bobby Knight. Images of chairs flying across the room raced through my head. Finally, it was my turn. Right as I approached Coach Knight, a giant kid from out of nowhere stepped on my foot and cut in front of me. This kid was twice my size and it hurt. This didn’t go unnoticed by Coach Knight. As I was holding back my tears I watched him scold the mean kid. This is the scene as I remember it…
BK: “Do you see this nice young lady here?”
Mean Kid: “Yeah?”
BK: “Well then apologize to her and get your fat ass back to the end of the line.”
I couldn’t believe it! Bobby Knight stood up for me. Ok, so he didn’t save me from a burning building or anything, but to a nine year old, Bobby Knight standing up to a bully for you is a big deal.
IU BASKETBALL….ARE WE BACK YET?
December 2nd, 2009 | Ashley
In its first “REAL” match up of the season, the Maryland Terps (5-2) used a late run to pull away from the Hoosiers, 80-68. The loss drops Indiana to 3-4 on the season. As disappointing as it is to watch my beloved Hoosiers lose, I truly think Tom Crean has done an excellent job cleaning up the program and getting them back on track. After all, he essentially had to rebuild this program from scratch. I hate to see IU lose more than anything though. I grew up in the days where Bob Knight reigned as king and names like Calbert Cheaney, Damon Baily, Alan Henderson and Greg Graham are forever imprinted in my mind. I have faith that victory is around the corner for this young team. Right now they are trying to find their identity, and rebuild confidence that has been lacking from this dynasty we call HOOSIER basketball. I don’t know what the masses believe, but this team is slowly but surely meeting my expectations this year. The core of the team is very young, and if they keep developing, we could have some special years in Bloomington a few years down the road.
Up next: Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Dec. 8 at Madison Square Garden at 9:00 EST. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
Notre Dame vs. USC
October 16th, 2009 | Ashley
NOTRE DAME VS USC
As an Irish fan, of course I think it’s an Irish victory. For all you haters, remember I grew up an Indiana fan. I don’t think folks can spell the word football if you’ve grown up an IU fan. Therefore, my heart belongs to the IRSIH. I guarantee Coach Weis is preparing his team to see the victory in the game plan in this weekend’s match up too. The time has come for the Irish to take this victory against USC!! We’ll see what happens, but I really think they can pull it off. Jimmy Clausen is having his best season yet, and the Irish pass game is on. Clausen is the nation’s No. 1-rated passer, but he has yet to earn a victory over a top-25 team. He has led Notre Dame to three heart-stopping triumphs, but is 14-13 as a starter. Sure, USC is ranked sixth and is again a national title contender, while No. 25 Notre Dame has struggled against Purdue and Washington. The Southern Cal Trojans have really been beating up on Notre Dame in recent years. This is their 81rst meeting. Have no fear, the Fighting Irish feature a flashy offense and have shown their talent for pulling off close games. Three of their four victories were by seven points or less – including 37-30 overtime over Washington on Oct. 3. In Clausen, Weis and Notre Dame finally may have a quarterback capable of moving the ball against the Trojans. So, if you wonder where you will find me on Saturday, I will be perched somewhere with a Notre Dame sweatshirt on rooting on my deserving team. GO IRISH!
RIVALS.COM
September 17th, 2009 | Ashley
Weekend Watch 2009 Link
http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1185&CID=989881
My trip to the Pats game and more!!!
September 17th, 2009 | Ashley
So many great things have happened since my last blog entry. Here we go…. Football season is in full swing and that always makes my job more exciting! My “All Girls” Fantasy Football League, The Pigskin Pussycats have our teams and the cat fights have began!! I’m impressed with my roster and feel like I’ve got an edge over the girls in my league. Sorry girls but I got this!!!! Just incase you were wondering who some of my picks are here is a short list……
QB: Tony Romo RB: Chris Johnson WR: Larry Fitzgerald TE: Jeremy Shockey. DEF: New Orleans. This could all change in the blink of an eye but so far so good!!!
Monday night football this week was killer and I was there! We were invited to report LIVE from the Patriots season opener against the Bills. What an experience and what a game!? The Dunkin’ Donuts execs were in attendance and we had a blast at the game! Thanks DD, you guys are great! I hosted the YSM with actor/comedian, Mike O’Malley. He was hysterical to work with and Boston absolutely loves him!! The show was a hit! http://sports.yahoo.com/sportsminute;_ylt=AnxKljXaCrv74TKuKp_hlv4dwcwF
I’ve also started hosting a new show for Rivalshigh.com called, WEEKEND WATCH 2009. There are a handful of top tier games this weekend so be sure to check out all the highlights!
http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1185&CID=989881
I’ve worked with so many terrific people. I’m excited about working on a few new projects and would love more opportunities to work from the sidelines. I love the thrill of not knowing what is happening next! I will be at the Cowboy’s season opener this Sunday but as a fan not a reporter. I will inform you what I thought of the game, the new stadium, and all the dirt next week. Hopefully, ROMO won’t let me down! I need fantasy points!
Blessings,
Ashley
Favre Retires!
July 31st, 2009 | Ashley
Brett Favre called it quits (again) Tuesday. I actually wanted to see Brett Favre play again! He was an exciting player to watch and would have brought a great element to the game by coming back. It would be hard to give up something you love as much as Brett Favre loved football. I believe he waited as long as he could before retiring, hoping his body would bounce back. Brett Farve’s reluctance to retire was exhausting at times, but in time it will be forgotten. How many people talk about Michael Jordan’s Baseball/Wizards fiasco? Eventually, people will forget about it and remember him for being a great quarterback.
VICK BACK TO THE NFL?
July 17th, 2009 | Ashley
Michael Vick unquestionably was a great player but he has lost the respect of millions of Americans who will forever remember his destructive behavior and actions against helpless animals. He may have served his time in jail, lost millions, and lost all of his endorsements, but I don’t think he should be a part of the NFL ever again. What message does it send to young kids who look up to Vick and other NFL players who commit major felonies? Playing in the NFL doesn’t make you a super hero but they do have a responsibility to be role models. I applaud the Atlanta Falcons for releasing Vick. I doubt they would have sold a single ticket had he have been resigned. I just wonder which organization is willing to take on the risk of damaging their franchise with Vick’s presence.
Do I think people can change? Do I think people deserve a second chance? The answer is YES. I don’t however want to see kids at an NFL game sporting a Michael Vick jersey. He doesn’t deserve to play in the NFL. It is a privilege that he squandered. Send him to Europe!
MONTANA IN WASHINGTON!
June 10th, 2009 | Ashley
I’ve been following this kid’s high school career for three years now. I find it incredibly interesting to watch anyone pursuing the same career field as their famous parent. But honestly, Nick Montana has some mighty big shoes to fill!! I reported today that Nick, son of legendary NFL quarterback, Joe Montana made it official that he will play for the Huskies. Nick is the number 12 pro-style quarterback in the nation and the four-star gives Washington nine commitments. I truly thought like most of you that he would chose his dad’s alma mater but I applaud the kid for stepping out on his own. As if it wasn’t enough pressure having Joe Montana as your dad, playing at Notre Dame and trying to live up to yet another expectation might have been added pressure he didn’t need. For more about Nick Montana and his decision head to www.rivals.com