Lowe Finds a Career Calling?

The computer network at the fledgling conglomerate of Robert B. Lowe Communications was hit by viruses. This was more of a black plague bug than an upset stomach.

Computer virus buster "Big Mike" of Archdale, N.C. noted: "There's one thing for sure your computer will do: it'll die."

Big Mike is right. If not a virus, a computer crash can cause similar heartache. Having been a PC owner for 20+ years, I knew better.

I lost about 20 hours of recently-completed work and countless personal information. Most notable was the 4 years of personal photo images. (Note: my next installment will be about setting up a virus-preventing system and data backup procedures.)

After the attack--and with our main desktop in the ICU for one week--there was plenty of time to contemplate worms, Trojans and the state of viruses on the digital world. Here are a few thoughts I heard on the subject.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say the loss of money, productivity and sanity is near infinity on this issue.

-Macintosh users don't have to worry about viruses (see update below).
-Virus authors create havoc-wreaking software just to see if they can.
-Hackers are now hitting Macs.
-Microsoft and Windows have not done nearly enough to prevent invasion to their software and our computers.
-Computer virus writers, under the guise of being malware-finders, extort millions from unsuspecting users.

This being said, my new career path should be that of a politician. It would have to be a high-level post because my reign would have to cover miscreants from Kernersville, NC to Kuala Lumpur who seek to ruin your life.

Seriously, what is our government and the rest of the World doing to combat these thugs who exist to hoodwink, extort and steal from good people?

Truth be told, I just read a story that American intelligence forces hacked into to Iraqi computer systems. Certainly computer virus warfare operates at a very high level. Ironically, hacking into your PC has been helped by our tax dollars.

As the self nominated "World Hacker Czar" I would be a hanging judge. Break out old punishments--stoning, tar and feathering, and firing squads--to deal with criminals who are invading business and households worldwide.

My name is Bob Lowe and I approve this message. I'd appreciate your vote!

Confessions of a Working Stiff in Transition

What would happen if a long-time working stiff said "enough?"

Time for a change. A new direction. He needs new challenges, not the same GroundHog Day of the past 13 years.

There are no guarantees, however. They say it's a tough economy. NPR just told me it takes the unemployed an average of 39 weeks to find work.

I'm sorry, that's too pessimistic. Was Ari Fleischer (seen with author Bob Lowe above) a buzzkill when he started his PR firm? I doubt it.

A proposed name for my new company was Half Full Media, meaning that glass is not near empty. I'm taking the road less traveled, the path of positive thinking and Norman Vincent Peale.

When I decided to move on, good things happened. The long-expected IRS refund arrived. On my last day at my old job, the state refund was in the mailbox. There were many more signals that new path was indeed the right choice. I certainly hope that trend continues.

In the short time I've been "without a traditional job" my eyes have been opened. In addition to fixing many house-related repairs, I've had a new look at work and life. Most employees, certainly in that field of sports information of which I toiled, sacrifice family, free time and regular hours to tell the story of their teams. To these soldiers I say, it's OK to turn the bedside light off if the email or game file hasn't arrived by 11 p.m.

I have relished the opportunity to connect with other communications and business professionals here in Greensboro. There's a dynamic group called Linking Greensboro (http://www.linkinggreensboro.com) that is doing a fantastic job of sharing ideas and creating networking opportunities.

What I know about new media is that many business are not using this valuable tool. If you need more business, you are losing an opportunity if your not engaging current and potential clients on their Droid via Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. Is your competitor doing the same thing?

I commend my childhood friend, Bob Mutch, for taking a leap of faith and starting a business. Good luck to him as he tries to connect people and businesses via the Internet in Fairfield, Ca.

I'm proud of my journalism background--Whittier HS and San Diego State--and my work in the athletic communications field. I believe very strongly, however, that we all need to challenge ourselves to keep learning.

My journey as a strategic communicator will be with eyes wide open. If you haven't been paying attention, that generation behind us has been raised on Blackberrys, and social media. They don't have to go back to school to learn it. Just keep that in mind. That much I do know.

With more than 20 years of communications experience, Bob Lowe started Robert B. Lowe Communications in April, 2011. He can be reached at robertbrianlowe@gmail.com or, of course, on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

Pointing Us to a Playoff!

My daughter got me the "Death to the BCS" book for Christmas. I could not put it down and finished it on Dec. 25, 2010.

The book by Dan Wetzel, Josh Peter and Jeff Passan does a great job of exposing a great job of exposing the BCS for what it is: an un-American, unfair money grab by some of the nation's best universities.

I challenge any sane person to read this and still support the sham that is "bowl subdivision."

The book contains many examples and illustrations of why this farce must end. There is, however, one thread that keeps coming to mind for me:

Many Public institutions need taxpayer subsidies to cover the cost of their athletic departments. These schools are doing this when they are well aware that a football playoff could easily support said programs without the taxpayer subsidy.

This fact seems unfathomable in today's economic times.

What can we do about this? Well, you can contact your alma mater and voice your displeasure.

San Diego State University, my undergraduate college, is not part of the "Big Six" conferences that siphon 86-percent of the current bowl revenue. Their conference, the Mountain West, is currently on the outside.

As much as I hate to admit it, if the Aztecs were in the "cartel" (that's the book's fair term) they, too, would likely support the status quo. That's the frustrating part: If you get in the club, all good sense goes by the wayside, and you simply shrug your shoulders and run to the bank with your deposit.

If President Obama just got "don't ask, don't tell" pushed through can he not mandate a 16-team playoff. Executive order!

Already 90-percent of fans dislike the BCS. Yet more grassroots support is needed to keep the light shining on the nuclear-sized roach that is the BCS.

I'm a fan, too, of UCLA and the Pac 10. I plan to write Bruin Athletic Director Dan Guerrero and Conference Commissioner Larry Scott about my BCS opinions.

Additionally, I am a resident of North Carolina. Since there's a viable alternative to help fund athletic departments that go into the red, I will contact my elected officials.

What will you do today to help end the BCS sham?

Fabulous Football Friday

Friday, November 26 will go down in infamy as one of the best ever days of college football. Let's revisit some of the highlights.

Uptight About Uprights

Did Boise State kicker's field goal really go wide right? The boot at the end of regulation was much higher than the high-school-height uprights. Like many of the calls in the game, this "miss" favored the Wolf Pack.

In the officials' defense, this has to be one of the toughest calls in football. Replay should probably be in effect for such plays, but not sure that would've mattered.

Yet it's the WAC and Karl Benson who are red-faced. The WAC looks like the Bush League by not requiring higher goal posts. Wethinks there will be taller yellow uprights in Reno in 2011.

Greensboro College lost to Guilford in overtime on a similar call in the 2006 Gate City Soup Bowl. But that's NCAA Division III football with a little less on the line.

Friday's Loser: Boise State

Not playing in the national championship? Check.

Not winning the BCS lottery? Check.

Yet the highlight of the Bowl season would've been the undefeated Broncos heading to Pasadena to face Ohio State. Remember, OSU Pres Gee just dissed BSU and their "sisters of the poor" schedule.

I would've paid for the cross country flight to see BSU wax the elitist Big Ten team. It would've happened, trust me, I promise.

War Eagle Comeback

Yes Auburn's comeback at Alabama was impressive. Most of the free world, however, wanted to see 'Bama roll and one of the outsiders (TCU, BSU) get a shot at the brass ring.

We all hear how great the SEC teams are. However, a more efficient Tide team should've been ahead by 40 points int he first half!

If the SEC and its teams are so great, why didn't Alabama pounce Auburn when it had the chance?

More BSC/SEC/BS

On Friday I heard a radio analyst utter ridiculous banter. He said even if Auburn lost in the SEC Championship, they should go to the BCS title game.

Huh?

Let's says Oregon, BSU and TCU all ended up undefeated. You should take a one loss Tiger team riding a one-game losing streak ahead of undefeated clubs?

"Boise and TCU could not withstand the SEC schedule week in and week out," he pontificated.

Really. We'll never know because geography and elitism would never allow such a dynamic.

By the same token, we will never know if an SEC team, with much fewer resources, much fewer future NFL athletes, with much less tradition, could go 14-0 in the WAC or MWC.

Don't Drink BCS Kool Aid

I implore you to turn the channel, page or station if you hear that current structure of the FBS/BCS is a reason to keep the status quo--or is somehow responsible for the Fantastic Friday.

Fans should not have hope that one team loses so that its undefeated team can get a shot at a championship. All undefeated teams should be included in a playoff.

It's happening today in the FCS, Division II and Division III. Imagine that...

A championship among current FBS teams would have the thrills of Friday and the excitement and pageantry of March Madness. It would also bring more money to college athletics than anything we've ever seen.

How much longer do we have to wait for a playoff?

Future NBAer Singleton Leads FSU

FSU 97, UNCG 73 -- Singleton Gets Triple-Double

By Bob Lowe

Greensboro, N.C. – Chris Singleton had a triple-double and a game-high 22 points as Florida State (2-0) defeated UNC Greensboro (0-2), 97-73, on Sunday.

Singleton also set a new school record with 10 steals. He added 11 rebounds and six assists. His triple-double is the first in the Atlantic Coast Conference to feature 10 or more steals. He is the only ACC player to record one in the Greensboro Coliseum--home of this year’s ACC Tournament.

“Hard work paid off, and I was really into the game tonight,” said Singleton. He was 7-14 from the field, and made all seven of his free throws.

"Chris contributes for us when he’s not scoring," said FSU Head Coach Leonard Hamilton. “He is quick and has such long arms that he makes things difficult for opponents."

Singleton joins former Seminoles Reggie Royals and Bob Sura in the exclusive FSU triple-double club.

FSU got off to an 8-0 lead and led 46-29 at halftime. The visitors used a 12-2 run near the end of the half en route to the advantage.
"We got off to a good start due the energy of Singleton and (Michael) Snaer," Hamilton said. "We played well tonight and are improving as a team. The one negative: too many (21) turnovers."

Snaer and Okaro White added 16 points apiece for the Seminoles. UNCG got a team-high 16 points from David Williams, who was 7-13 from the field.

“We came out flat on offense and were just standing around on offense," said UNCG Head Coach Mike Dement. "You just can’t do that against a good defensive team like Florida State.”

Aloysius Henry scored 15 and Cody Henegar contributed 12 points for the Spartans.

The Seminoles had 11 blocked shots and forced 26 Spartan turnovers resulting in 32 points. UNCG was out-rebounded 42-39.
UNCG, a member of the Southern Conference, hosts four Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball teams at the Greensboro Coliseum this year. This is the Spartans second year using the venerable arena as its home court.

In addition to boosting attendance for UNCG, playing at the site of this year’s conference tournament has been a draw for ACC teams. In addition to FSU, Virginia Tech, and Duke will play at the Spartan’s home floor. Additionally, North Carolina, Wake Forest, and North Carolina State will compete in the arena this year.

"I guess it's good to play here in preparation for the tournament, but I think the exposure on Tobacco Road is more imporatnt," said Hamilton.

"We lost in the first round of the ACC Tournament here last year, so I'm glad we came out and played well in this building tonight," added Singleton.

In regards to being just four short of the extremely rare quadruple-double, Singleton said: “I had one in high school and I won’t rule it out.”

The Seminoles host Gardner Webb on Tuesday. Thereafter, FSU has two more mid-major schools before the University of Florida visits on Nov. 28.

Virginia Tech visits UNCG on Nov. 21.

-30-

Hockey Hack For Hire

Hockey Game Story

A View From the Other Side

I recently had the opportunity to see my job from the other side.

I'm a sports information professional or--some say--a "strategic communicator for college athletics," at Greensboro College. With an open evening, I took on the job for stringing for a newspaper at a professional sports event.

The experience illuminated the challenges of the sports writer. It also reiterated some of the basics of our profession: common courtesy and customer service.

After confirming the gig, I contacted the public relations professional from the home team. My email requesting credential and parking details was not responded to. A day later, two phone calls requesting the same information were not returned.

I left early and it was good thing. Traffic put me behind schedule.

When I arrived, I circled the arena searching for media parking. I then asked a parking lot attendant and she noted that the television stations park "on the street near the red cones."

My baby blue Ford Taurus squeezed between TV station vans. I haphazardly created a hand-written media pass and stuck it on my dashboard.

The thoughts raced through my head. Will I be ticketed? Towed?!

The media entrance was nearby. I passed through security. Alas, there was a media pass for me.

An employee directed me to press row. I searched for my name plate, to no avail.

I asked for the PR director and where I should sit and maybe some game notes. One staffer suggested I got to one of the luxury boxes since it was very tight in the media area.

The PR pro was summoned to the press box. He was friendly bloak and cleared a seat for me. The game notes arrived shortly.

Due to the pomp and pageantry of the season opener, the game started late. That was good in some ways, but would make the 11 p.m. deadline difficult.

When halftime arrived, I made my way to the food room. You know, the big perk for scribes is a square meal provided by the home team.

Well, the prime rib was gone. There was bread, salad, popcorn and some cake. No problem except the only utensils available were plastic knives.

This meal lacked protein. I prayed the starch, veggies and sugar would get me through the night!

After the game, I headed to the locker room. To my surprise, there was another journalist waiting outside the visitor's dressing room. Intrigued, I struck up a conversation with the chap.

Turns out, he was covering the game for the same newspaper! A phone call to the sports editor followed.

Basically, we did rock, paper, scissors (or Ro-Sham-Bo, if you prefer) to seal the gig.

I won. (Note: When feeling strong, go with "rock!")

After getting some quotes, I ventured to the media room. I popped in the quotes, proofed the story and emailed it off.

My numerous confirmation calls to the sports editor went to voice mail. You know, it was Friday night night and high school football rules the day.

I exited the arena to find my car. Things were going good and there was no ticket!

I worried the entire drive home if my email made it to the sports editor. Would the whole night be for naught?

Too tired for much else, I hit the sack at 12:30 a.m.

The next morning, I checked the paper's web site and saw my article with byline. Phew!

What an adventure. It should've been a night with much less drama.

To my fellow athletic communicators, please return calls and emails.

And, save a seat for a writer and you will be cherished.