Ay-Ziggy-Zoomba.com

http://www.collegesports.com/chat/013105aaa.html

Worth reading.....scan down to her thoughts about the Hobey, goalies, and Jordan. I think she answered in a very thoughtful manner:

"Mike (Columbus, OH): What do you think of the fan voting results for the Hobey Baker? Would Jordan Sigalet be at the top of the list if he hadn't announced he has MS earlier this season?
Paula Weston: I have mixed feelings Jordan Sigalet as a candidate. No, if he hadn't announced his MS this season -- a very, very brave thing to do, given where he is and what he wants to do with his life -- I do not think he would be considered a candidate. Here's where my feelings are mixed. Sigalet is a very good goaltender -- one of the best in the conference -- and a terrific young man. If the Hobey committee decides to go with the original intent of the award -- leadership, all-around character, things of that nature -- I can't imagine a better candidate. But -- and I'm going to get myself into trouble here, but I don't care -- I have difficulty with an athletic department promoting someone *because of* an illness, and that's some of what it feels like with this. Scott Paluch is a wonderful coach and really class act, and Paul Krebs -- the BGSU atheletic director -- has more integrity than most people I know. It still feels a little "off" to me, for lack of a better word. Then there's the Hobey Committee. They could choose -- legitimately -- to give Sigalet the award based on real criteria, or they could give him the award to make themselves feel good (they will look good by doing so), or they could award it to the best player in college hockey, as they have been for years, and that wouldn't be Sigalet, as good as he is. Sticky situation that gives me a headache.
Paula Weston: Maybe, though, my difficulty with it has more to do with me than the situation. Or, maybe it reflects both how far we've come -- acceptance of disclosure of illness, etc. -- and how far we still have to go, as a society. "

bgbill wrote:http://www.collegesports.com/chat/013105aaa.html

Worth reading.....scan down to her thoughts about the Hobey, goalies, and Jordan. I think she answered in a very thoughtful manner:

"Mike (Columbus, OH): I have difficulty with an athletic department promoting someone *because of* an illness, and that's some of what it feels like with this. "

What a f'n prick.

Well, it's a fine line to walk, I'll say that.

I'll give her props for saying what some people are probably thinking, even if what they're thinking is inaccurate.

Shes probably one of those hardline women that can't get the stick out their @$$, and see no thrill in life besides trying to prove everyone wrong. I see no problems with her other than that

momtartin wrote:Shes probably one of those hardline women that can't get the stick out their @$$, and see no thrill in life besides trying to prove everyone wrong. I see no problems with her other than that

How do you really feel?

is the Athletic Dept promoting him?

Falcon Commander wrote:is the Athletic Dept promoting him?

Thats what my response from all of that was. Her points are all very valid, but I don't think the athletic department is whoring him out for the award.


Maybe I missed it, but I don't think Jordan has a billboard in Times Square.

I've got no problem with MOST of what Paula says in this article. As an objective reporter, she's got an obligation to put in to print, that which many of us, must have quietly wondered to ourselves, BUT...I take extreme exception to the thought that ANYBOBY IS PROMOTING SIGGY BECAUSE HE HAS MS. If that were true, it would be shameful...but to state it as if it were fact is outrageous! Shame on you, Paula.

By the way, I am 200% positive that the "Mike in Columbus" who posed the original question is known on uscho as "Mike The Mullett". He's a well known bonehead of classic proportions, and he and I exchanged some heated posts on this topic last week. I've got it on good authority that he's the loud-mouth, long-haired 'stoner' who sits in the first row right next to the OSU penalty box. Anybody who has been to the Schott has seen him...probably a ninth-year sophomore with a double major of New-Age Religions and Sodomy...supports himself by running a meth lab out of his double-wide trailer home in rural Licking County. Otherwise, I've got no problem with him.

exactly, DD. I think they've got a logo on the main site, but it was just that graphic done by Cornelius McGrady, and a page on his stats. Nowhere does the University refer to MS, except for some of the print stories done on him that it links at the bottom.

She does make some valid points about if he'd be considered among the best w/o the illness. I personally think he'd be very close, but possibly on the outer fringe. As far as the arguments about "do they want to go against tradition and vote it in for the criteria originally intended", I'm pretty sure that helped Jason White get over the hump with the Heisman in '03.. Great numbers, but the personal story of triumph likely swayed a few voters as well.

As for the original question posed to Ms. Weston, if that's the same "Mike" that was posting that drivel on the USCHO boards last week, he sure did a nice job of softening his stance on Jordan and the Hobey... chodesmoker.

Freddie wrote:I've got it on good authority that he's the loud-mouth, long-haired 'stoner' who sits in the first row right next to the OSU penalty box.

OSU penalty box? Or the corner by the BG bench? I thought that was him, one of the group that included "the dancing idiot" last year, that I mentioned in a previous thread. If that's NOT him, it must be his twin/meth lab partner.

TG1996 wrote:

Freddie wrote:I've got it on good authority that he's the loud-mouth, long-haired 'stoner' who sits in the first row right next to the OSU penalty box.

OSU penalty box? Or the corner by the BG bench? I thought that was him, one of the group that included "the dancing idiot" last year, that I mentioned in a previous thread. If that's NOT him, it must be his twin/meth lab partner.

The more I think about it, you're right...he sits right on the glass, just to the left of the visitor's bench...I'm sure we're thinking of the same guy.
FWIW, he just started another thread on uscho, taking a jab at the 'unjustified' votes for Jonathon Sigalet...what's next?...maybe a thread insulting their mother.

Regardless of what anyone has to say (ESPECIALLY Blackeyes fans), this is what I tell people who question Siggy's worthiness for the Hobey:

Throughout his career, Jordan has consistently improved. Last year, he was one of the best - if not the best goalie in the country. He just happened to be on a poor team (although it was getting better). He was diagnosed with MS the week before last season ended. Given the way that his career has gone, I believe it is reasonable to assume that he would have been blowing the competition away athletically this year if it were not for his illness. That being said, he is still - despite numbness in his extremeties and his susceptability to fatigue and attacks - among the top 3 or 4 net minders in the country. What he is doing with this disease proves how good of a hockey player he truly is. He may not be putting up Tarkki's numbers, but he's not far behind him in any category - and yes, he is doing it with MS - which is amazing.

If it were a mediocre player who came out and said that he had MS and started getting this type of Hobey hype, then yes, that would have been a direct result of his disease. In Sigalet's case, it is not. He is a phenomenal goalie who has maintained that phenomenal level of play despite a disease. So, should his disease play a part in his winning the Hobey? Absolutely! There are very few athletes, and I would wager none in NCAA hockey, that could continue to do what he has done with this disease.

Oh, and Paula Weston obviously has her head shoved so far up her a** that she hasn't seen the light of day in at least six months. I don't blame her for questioning Siggy's worthiness for the award, but to say that Sigalet, the team, athletic department or even fans are promoting him for Hobey simply because he has MS is outrageous, insulting and unacceptable.

I hope people took the time to read all of Paula's chat. If not, here's something she wrote just prior to answering the direct question about Jordan:

".....and as good as Tarkki is, he is among the best, but probably not the best. Given that the Hobey Baker has become sort-of the Heisman Trophy of college hockey -- not taking into account many of the original criteria -- it will be interesting to see how the committee selects its top candidates, and who wins. Tarkki is certainly a top-10 in my book, but if the committee sticks to original criteria -- actually revises its own intent -- I think BGSU's Jordan Sigalet has a better chance."

My take is that she's not taking sides on the issue, and is offering things to consider.

I think back on Brian Holzinger's senior year....he probably wasn't the best on-ice player in the country that year, but had additional attributes that made him the choice.

Would there be a Hobey Baker award if Hobey Baker hadn't died at 26?