Ask about anyone where they stand on politics and they claim to be centrist or middle-of-the-road.
This goes to my colleague who is not in "any party" and not a Republican. Every time we go to lunch Rush Limbaugh is yelping on his SUV's AM radio. As for the Tea Party, they "just don't like big government." Gimme a break!
My liberal chum drives a Prius and railed about Carl Rove for years. When a buddy spews some right wing falsehood (Obama a Muslim, or not born in the USA), he goes bonkers.
My self-evaluation of my politics. I'm Democrat. I've voted that way all but twice in Presidential elections since 1980. When Reagan-led Repubs hooked up with the far-right Christian wing, I leaned more left.
The point is we all have strong opinions. We want our people to win.
Yet the problem is the folks on the far fringes of each side. There's so much hate and a willingness to do whatever it takes to crush the opposition.
Can't we all just get along or just be civil?
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Saturday, July 10, 2010
LeBron's Personal Brand Went South
The most popular phrase out there is "personal branding?And in this week after LeBron deserted Ohio for South Beach, his brand took a nose dive.
Wherever he chose to sign, he was going to get more money than he could ever spend. In Miami, he may have team success if more talented players sign with the Heat's "Big Three."
Had King James signed with the New York Knicks his "marketability" would've went through the roof. But marketing over the next three years is not what we're speaking about in this piece.
If James had signed with his hometown Cavaliers he his personal branding Q-rating (or is it PB-rating) would've risen to epic proportions.
-Hometown hero stays home
-Loyalty
-There are things more important than money and winning.
Those things are invaluable and could've been parlayed positively by personal branding for many, many years.
We'll never get to see that special cachet that LeBron would have if he'd chosen to remain in the Buckeye State.
I won't second guess his decision, although he did not seem elated when he shared his thoughts with the World.
Though it's off topic, the LaBron haters (Cavs owner, fans) need to get a life. Whining is not good for your personal branding, Mr. Gilbert.
He was a free agent and can go wherever he wants. The Cavs should worry about getting some new players, rather than crying over spilled Gatorade.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Lowe Picked to CoSIDA BOD
Bob Lowe, Greensboro College's assistant athletics director for communications, has been selected to serve on the College Sports Information Directors (CoSIDA) Board of Directors.
Lowe was hired as The Pride's sports information director in the fall of 1999. He has provided publicity for GC's 16 intercollegiate athletic teams and was promoted last August to assistant AD.
As a member of the CoSIDA Board, Lowe will serve a three-year term beginning with the upcoming 2010-11 athletic year. He will be a college division representative from the Southeast region. Lowe is one of 16 elected board members who represent the more than 2400 sports information professionals in the USA and Canada.
"Bob has done an outstanding job covering Pride athletics, and Greensboro College is proud of this special selection," said Pride Athletics Director Jean Lojko. "He has been on the forefront of many developments in his profession. Bob will offer a great deal to CoSIDA."
Lowe is the driving force behind PrideNet/PrideTV, which offers live and archived broadcasts of Greensboro College athletic events. In addition, Lowe's responsible for upgrading the college's athletic website, including the new greensborocollegesports.com launch in August of 2008.
In 2004 and '05, Lowe served as media coordinator for the NCAA Division III men's and women's soccer championships. These highly successful events were held in the Gate City and hosted by The Pride. The championships returned to Greensboro again in the fall of 2008.
Lowe received two first place regional writing awards in 2000 from CoSIDA. He serves on the new media/technology committee, and has had a number of professional articles published in the CoSIDA Digest. In July of 2008 Lowe was selected to the inaugural D3-SIDA Board: an advisory group that represents NCAA Division III SIDs for CoSIDA.
At the 2000, '01, '04 and '08 CoSIDA conventions, Lowe led discussions regarding broadcasting on the Internet. At the 2004 and '10 convention, Lowe also served on a technology panel. He served as chairman of the CoSIDA New Media/Technology committee from 2003 to '10.
In the summer of 2002, Lowe helped form the North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association (NCCSIA). Since that time, NCCSIA has honored nearly 1,000 "All State" student-athletes. Lowe previously served as both the organization's treasurer and president.
Lowe was the sports information director at Santa Ana (Calif.) College for three years prior to arriving in Greensboro.
"I'm honored to represent the nation's SIDs," said Lowe. "This an exciting time in our profession, and I look forward to working with a talented board led by President Larry Dougherty and Executive Director John Humenik."
A native of Whittier, Ca., Lowe received a bachelor's degree in journalism from San Diego State University.
About CoSIDA
CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) was founded in 1957 and currently is a 2,400-plus member national organization comprised of the sports public relations, communications and information professionals throughout all levels of collegiate athletics in the United States and Canada. The 2010-11 academic year marked the 60th year of the organization.
The association is designed to help the athletic media relations and communications professionals at all levels. It is the desire of the members to have the profession take its rightful place on the decision-making levels of college athletics. Everything done - the short- and long-term strategic planning and initiatives, year-long professional development opportunities, and the annual Convention/workshop - is geared to this objective.
Lowe was hired as The Pride's sports information director in the fall of 1999. He has provided publicity for GC's 16 intercollegiate athletic teams and was promoted last August to assistant AD.
As a member of the CoSIDA Board, Lowe will serve a three-year term beginning with the upcoming 2010-11 athletic year. He will be a college division representative from the Southeast region. Lowe is one of 16 elected board members who represent the more than 2400 sports information professionals in the USA and Canada.
"Bob has done an outstanding job covering Pride athletics, and Greensboro College is proud of this special selection," said Pride Athletics Director Jean Lojko. "He has been on the forefront of many developments in his profession. Bob will offer a great deal to CoSIDA."
Lowe is the driving force behind PrideNet/PrideTV, which offers live and archived broadcasts of Greensboro College athletic events. In addition, Lowe's responsible for upgrading the college's athletic website, including the new greensborocollegesports.com launch in August of 2008.
In 2004 and '05, Lowe served as media coordinator for the NCAA Division III men's and women's soccer championships. These highly successful events were held in the Gate City and hosted by The Pride. The championships returned to Greensboro again in the fall of 2008.
Lowe received two first place regional writing awards in 2000 from CoSIDA. He serves on the new media/technology committee, and has had a number of professional articles published in the CoSIDA Digest. In July of 2008 Lowe was selected to the inaugural D3-SIDA Board: an advisory group that represents NCAA Division III SIDs for CoSIDA.
At the 2000, '01, '04 and '08 CoSIDA conventions, Lowe led discussions regarding broadcasting on the Internet. At the 2004 and '10 convention, Lowe also served on a technology panel. He served as chairman of the CoSIDA New Media/Technology committee from 2003 to '10.
In the summer of 2002, Lowe helped form the North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association (NCCSIA). Since that time, NCCSIA has honored nearly 1,000 "All State" student-athletes. Lowe previously served as both the organization's treasurer and president.
Lowe was the sports information director at Santa Ana (Calif.) College for three years prior to arriving in Greensboro.
"I'm honored to represent the nation's SIDs," said Lowe. "This an exciting time in our profession, and I look forward to working with a talented board led by President Larry Dougherty and Executive Director John Humenik."
A native of Whittier, Ca., Lowe received a bachelor's degree in journalism from San Diego State University.
About CoSIDA
CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) was founded in 1957 and currently is a 2,400-plus member national organization comprised of the sports public relations, communications and information professionals throughout all levels of collegiate athletics in the United States and Canada. The 2010-11 academic year marked the 60th year of the organization.
The association is designed to help the athletic media relations and communications professionals at all levels. It is the desire of the members to have the profession take its rightful place on the decision-making levels of college athletics. Everything done - the short- and long-term strategic planning and initiatives, year-long professional development opportunities, and the annual Convention/workshop - is geared to this objective.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Use state lottery money for college scholarships
With recent budget cuts at our schools, the question comes up, what about the North Carolina Education Lottery. Where is that money going?
Having lived in California when its lottery passed, the same concerns were present. Just like here, lottery money ends up being a small part of the education budget. With that said, is that the best way to spend our lottery winnings?
Georgia’s winnings fund, the HOPE Scholarship, has become a successful model for other lotteries, including the South Carolina Education Lottery. Our lottery is not the envy of all.
I have only heard good things about the HOPE program, where good students get free college tuition at in-state schools. This program seems to offer more direct and tangible benefits to its residents.
The North Carolina Lottery passed in 2005. I don’t recall being asked, or if there was a debate, on how to spend the lottery revenue. I would have favored such a scholarship to our current program.
Can we change our program?
Bob Lowe
Greensboro
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