But I do have to admit that as the site has grown, we have had the good fortune to have some pretty outstanding opportunities presented to us.

Today, I’m going to tell you about another one, via the fine folks at Crown Royal, and the best part is that one of you is going to be getting something awesome as a result of it.

When it comes to great opportunities at MSF, Crown Royal has really come through big time.

For example, Jon Washburn recently enjoyed an expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas to race against Matt Kenseth in a real NASCAR at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, which he’ll be posting about it this week. The trip to Vegas came after Crown Royal sent him to the Matthew and Daniel Hansen 400 in Richmond, VA.

Now, Crown Royal is giving us the opportunity participate in the #PassTheCrown Contest, in which we get an awesome prize and you do too.

Here are the details, and pay attention because you do have a little bit of work to do to earn your prize:

First, take a look at the incredibly cool prizes that have already been doled out to other sites participating in #PassTheCrown:

Yes, that is an iPad2 you see there, as well as Beats by Dre Headphones, a Kindle Fire, and even an all-expenses paid trip back to my home state of Indiana for this year’s Crown Royal “Your Hero’s Name Here” NASCAR race.

If you didn’t believe me before that prizes involved in the #PassTheCrown contest are incredibly cool, you surely do now.

And here’s the thing: we can claim any prize that has already been doled out. Yep, we can swipe Robert Littal‘s “Crown Royal Reserve & Happy Hour” out of his hands like it’s a piece of his cornbread, or we can steal the iPad2 from the folks at Smoking Section, or we can take anything else on that list.

Or we can hold out for “our” prize. And what is “our” prize you may be thinking?

Here is a clue:

This Crown Royal bag features quite an intriguing clue, especially considering my well-known love for music.

It also features pretty sweet custom embroidery, a feature that Crown Royal has made available to everyone at CrownRoyal.com for just $9.95. You can also personalize Crown Royal bottle labels for free if you’re 21 or older. Not a bad gift idea for the Crown Royal lovers on your gift list.

So the question is: do I take the prize represented by the embroidered bag above – perhaps concert tickets, maybe another pair of Beats by Dre headphones, or who knows…maybe my own starring role in a music video – or grab one of the ones that we already know about?

It is important to note that whatever gift we choose could ultimately be stolen from us by one of the seven sites still to participate. This enters a little bit of strategry into the discussion.

And remember as you’re trying to help out that you get one too!

Well, one of you gets one.

So here is how I’ll decide who that lucky reader is:

• Comment somewhere – either here, on our Facebook page, or on Twitter @JerodMorris with the hashtag #PassTheCrown.
• In your comment, make your case for whatever decision you think I should make; and really make your case. Make your argument compelling, funny, interesting, etc. Stand out.
• I will weigh all arguments before I make my decision today at 4:00 ET (3:00 CT); at that time, I’ll also pick the MSF reader that gets to join in the prize-winning fun with me.

Pretty simple huh?

Note: I don’t necessarily have to pick the prize you argue for to choose you as the recipient. I’m sure any of us would be happy with any of these prizes. The gift goes to the argument that entertains me the most, with extra credit being awarded for persuasiveness.

Also, though not required, I’ll give extra credit – think of it like a potential tie-breaker – for those who tweet a link to this post using the #PassTheCrown hashtag or who post a link to the contest on their Facebook page.

If you have any questions, pose them below. Otherwise, start making your case. The clock is ticking on our decision.

Regardless, a couple of pretty cool prizes await me and one of you.

What’s it going to be?

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Update: After initially leaning towards going for the iPad2, I realized that it would probably get swiped with seven sites still to go…so what was the point? Plus, a number of persuasive comments were left here and on Twitter that convinced me to stick with “my” prize (which hopefully will stay “my” prize).

And here it is, via the email I just received from the #PassTheCrown folks:

A friend of Crown Royal, country music star Rodney Atkins will autograph a guitar especially for you to show off to friends, family and co-workers alike as a piece of music history.  His song, “Take a Back Road” just hit No. 1 – his sixth hit to reach the top of the charts!

Hell. Yes.

Could there be a more perfect gift for MSF than this? From the singer of a song about taking back roads? (I know what Ari Kaufman will say!)

And as for who will be sharing in this gift with me, there were a number of excellent comments that both entertained me and compelled me to make the most excellent choice to stick with my prize. I have to admit though, one stood out about the rest in terms of creativity and entertainment value; and it was one of the first ones submitted, by @FutureOfFantasy aka Josh Culp:

 It could be a Beats by Dre Crown-Dispensing Helmet… gotta take your prize

Though it didn’t turn out to be a crown-dispensing helmet that also plays music with incredible clarity and bass…the concept of such a thing is awesome, made me laugh, strangely made me think of Drew Lange, and separated itself from all the others.

Seriously, I pissed would I have been if I’d passed up the Crown-dispensing Beats by Dre helmet?

A little less than pissed than if I’d passed up autographed guitars by Rodney Atkins!

Now, remember: Josh and I are not guaranteed to keep our prizes. Someone could swipe them, which would then mean that we’d get whatever their prize was supposed to be (which someone could then later swipe…and so on). I’ll keep everyone updated on the latest via the #PassTheCrown hashtag on Twitter. We’ll know the final results a little over a week from now when all the prizes have been unveiled.

Thanks to everyone who helped me make the decision. Clearly we made the right one.

Regardless of which teams will be involved (Penn State or Wisconsin VS. Michigan State or Michigan), the game will be one for the ages.  This is the first Big Ten Championship game in history, and it is certain to be a memorable occasion.

These tickets are a hot commodity. General public tickets for the Big Ten Football Championship Game went on sale July 30 and were completely sold out within two hours.

Tickets include entry into the 2011 Big Fan Feast which is being held at the Indiana Convention Center the day of the fame from 10AM -8PM EST.

To enter, go to our Facebook page and click on the picture that looks like the one below.  All you have to do is comment on the photo, “I want tickets!”  Make sure to “like” us when you go to our page as well (this is not required for entry into the contest…but we would still appreciate it!).

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME QUICK FACTS
Date: Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011
Time: 8:17 p.m. ET
Television: FOX Sports
Site: Indianapolis, Ind.
Facility: Lucas Oil Stadium
Surface: FieldTurf
Capacity: 67,604

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CONTEST DETAILS:

• One winner will be chosen by random.org from among the entries received by November 29, 12:00 PM CST.
• The winner will be contacted via email and must respond by November 30, 12:00 PM CST. If winner does not respond within said time a new winner will be selected at random.
• Winner will need to provide a name and address for shipment and prize will be shipped out via FedEx.
• This prize must be shipped to a United States physical address.
• NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.
• The NFL Ticket Giveaway ends on November 29, 12:00 PM CST.
• Verizon Wireless has provided Midwest Sports Fans with the tickets.
• Midwest Sports Fans is not a sponsor of the giveaway.

Here is how the overall season-long rankings look heading into Episode #12:

• Dan Greenham, John Krampf, Louie Tartaglia, and Tony Nelson remain tied in 1st place with 68 points
• Jeff Wallack, Andrew Schwartz, Chuck Dombrock, Kevin Luljack each have 67 points
• Pedro Diaz has 63 points
• Adam Swank has 62 points

Click here to see it all broken down.

I think you’ll really enjoy tomorrow’s episodes. Ari really has some great, challenging questions, and our guest is Brewers fanatic and former MLB Network personality Trenni Kusnierik.

If you are into fantasy football but have not participated at FanDuel, it’s time to change that. At FanDuel, fantasy football leagues last just one week and you can play for real money. Like in Week 1. Against other MSF readers and members of our writing staff.

• What: MSF $250 Freeroll Challenge
• When: Sunday, September 11th
• Buyin: $0
• Prizepool – $250 (1st-$100, 2nd-$50, 3rd-$30, 4th-$25, 5th-$20, 6th-$15, 7th-$10)

To enter, follow these simple directions:

1. CLICK HERE to sign up for an account at FanDuel.
2. Pick your team within the $60k salary cap consisting of QB, 2xRB, 3xWR, TE, K and D.
3. Watch the live scoring on FanDuel during the games and see how your picks perform up against other MSF readers.

The contest is live and is open for registration today. Turn your free entry into $100…and more.

You may be wondering how FanDuel is different from other fantasy leagues. Here are a few ways:

• These are salary cap leagues that last only one week
• You get instant cash payouts every Monday
• You don’t have to rely on your buddies – you can pick new opponents every week
• You can play for free or for real money – up to $10,000 in prizes per game.

And yes, FanDuel is 100% legal in the US and Canada, based in New York, and if you want to play with real money you can deposit and withdraw using PayPal and all major credit cards.

What are you waiting for? Click here to sign up and join the MSF FanDuel competition.

So when I heard about H&S’s new promotion with Troy Polamalu, and eight other memorably coifed NFL legends, I was only too happy to share the news.

Besides, this being a Midwest sports blog, how can we not promote something that features the iconic Jim McMahon?

Image source: GlideMagazine.com

Now go watch this. Let’s be honest. It never gets old.

Okay, here are the details of the H&S hair challenge:

This is a weekly, bracket-style tournament where eight NFL Legends will be competing for the title of most iconic NFL hair style of all time. Fans can vote for their favorite player each week until ultimately one player goes hair-to-hair against current heavy-weight, Troy Polamalu for NFL hair supremacy.

The Mane Event officially kicks off with a matchup between Mike Golic and his tightly curled locks and Jim McMahon with his pretty boy style at Troyshair.com.

In October, the NFL player left standing will challenge Troy Polamalu on ESPN’s Mike & Mike in the Morning, where the final winner will be anointed.

Mane Event showdowns include:

• Week of 8/23: Jim McMahon vs. Mike Golic
• Week of 8/30: Jimmy Johnson vs. Tony Siragusa
• Week of 9/6: Brian Bosworth vs. John Riggins
• Week of 9/13: Anthony Muñoz vs. Franco Harris

For more information, go to www.Troyshair.com

In case you didn’t figure out, MSF officially endorses Jim McMahon.

But we are not front-runners here at Midwest Sports Fans, and both Cubs and Indians fans are among our readership; thus I pledge to you that we will not forget about you during the dog days of August and September. (Keep in mind, I am an Indiana basketball fan that has had to suffer through three straight years of depression and disappointment. I feel a small fraction of your pain Indians and Cubs fans!)

That is why I decided to launch this contest. I wanted to find a way to give suffering Cubs and Indians fans something to smile about over the next two months. And in my experience as a baseball fan, few things make baseball fans smile like old and often goofy pictures of retro ball players.

If you don’t believe me, go to Sharapova’s Thigh and look through their list of Random Retro Baseball Players, like this one (complete list in sidebar). That’s entertainment.

So our goal is simple: let’s sift through the litany of unintentionally entertaining retro Cubs and Indians to come up with the greatest retro Cub and the greatest retro Indian of all time.

What does “greatest” mean? Who knows. It’s totally open to interpretation; you the reader will decide with your votes. And you’ll surely be voting on guys like these two classics (assuming someone nominates them):

Here is how this will work:

• For the next three weeks, I will accept nominations for the greatest retro Cub and the greatest retro Indian. You can submit your nomination using the form at the bottom of this post. (If you have any problems, just email me: jerod [at] midwestsportsfans [dot] com.)
• Be sure to include the goofiest picture of the player that you can find, along with a description of why you are nominating that player. (And make sure you include your correct email address so I can get in contact with you if you win.)
• Three Saturdays from now, on August 28th, I will post all of the nominations with some sort of system in place for readers to vote on a winner. That system will be determined based on how many nominations there are. It could be a bracket or it could be some other method. But you will get to choose the winners.
• Once winners are chosen, the nominators of the 1st and 2nd place finishers on both the Cubs side and the Indians side will receive T-Shirts, courtesy of our friends at Alternative Hero. Below is what the shirts look like. Click on the image to go to the Alternative Hero site to buy one:

So that’s it. Pretty simple huh? And I think it will be fun. There are A LOT of goofy former Cubs and Indians who could be nominated, so I look forward to seeing who you come up with.

Here’s the nomination form:

[gravityform id=3 name=ContestSubmission Form]

Flab and drab are getting the boot in 2010. So heat up your workouts in 2010 by trying something new: Boot Camp Fitness.

The holiday season is over. Our pocketbooks may be a bit lighter, but how ‘bout the bod? It is common and quite often expected to have a chub-tastic holiday and treat ourselves a little too much to the cookies and delectable delights that come with the territory. However, it’s time to whip into shape and take it off; I am talking about the lb’s of course.

Now, let’s not focus just on how we want to look. Instead, let’s focus on how we want to feel: endorphins flowing and energy levels rising.

You don’t need to hear me harp on and on my love for group fitness; however, I just experienced the ultimate group fitness program that seriously left me gasping for air. By my measure, it has proven to be the ultimate workout that I’ve encountered in the last few years.

I am sure a lot of you are searching for that one golden fitness routine that will be the real deal, the one that is going to help you become more inspired, fit, and energized. And I may have encountered exactly what you are searching for.

Whenever you are looking to shake things up and transform your physique, you literally need a change-up. Otherwise, your body will simply maintain and your shape will not change. Looking for my own “shock to the system” I called upon the team from Jay Johnson’s Boot Camp.

Here is a video diary of my first ever Boot Camp Fitness experience:

I remember hearing about boot camp fitness about ten or fifteen years ago as it was making its debut on the coasts. As a child, I imagined men and women traipsing through mud and being thrashed by barbed wire. Many years later, I now realize that the callisthenic exercises are implemented into Boot Camp Fitness, minus the mud. (Although blood, sweat, and tears still remain.)

I have had my share of boot camp classes at several gyms and they are indeed challenging, but I always found myself at the front of the pack and was able to keep up with all the exercises. With Jay Johnson’s Boot Camp Fitness, that simply was not the case at all.

I am literally laughing out loud as I type this and think back to my 5:30 am face-to-face with Jay Johnson and his crew. I was chatting it up with the lads, laughing and smiling before the interview, being as chipper as I could be at 5:30 am in the blistering cold. They asked me if I was going to do the boot camp and I told them, “of course!”

The mood quickly changed, however, when I was commanded to get in line with the rest of the campers and hit some laps.

I must admit I was intimidated and followed their cue without skipping a beat. I joined everyone else, hoping the running would bring some warmth to my body. As I was running I thought how crazy we all were for leaving our warm beds and running against the cold concrete with the moon still shining down.

But as my heart rate rose, so too did my body temperature. That craziness soon felt like inspiration and gratitude.

Once we got back to our mats and begin stretching, I thought, “This isn’t so bad. What’s the big fuss about?”

Yeah, that lasted for about one and a half minutes.

Soon we were doing squat-thrusts, high kicks, leap frogs, and more calisthenics than I could even name. All I can tell you is that they worked and it’s hard to walk as I write this post immediately afterwards. My entire body is aching. When I turn my shoulder, I feel my abdominals scream with pain.

So, of course, I love it! I am getting some bang for my buck indeed – and then some.

Back to the workout. After the warm up, the stations were outlined quickly for us. I was trying to be a front row diva and get in the first group as I am all smiles and eager for the challenge.

The first station required us to run around the parking garage holding a body bar. After our stint around the block three times, we were to do squats and overhead raises with a jump fifty times. I didn’t think this sounded too intense as I don’t mind running at all. Once again, I underestimated the intensity of the drill.

Gripping that heavy body bar tuckered me out and I was spent. After a few minutes I wanted to chuck that body bar out the window and break free. Instead it just kept getting heavier and heavier and I was actually grateful when it was finally time for squats. My heart rate was soaring and I was huffing and puffing. Just when I thought I was in great shape and my endurance was the best its ever been, I got knocked down a few pegs.

The next round of joyous torture included ladder jumps, ab rollers, and many more intense drills. I soon realized the main reason my heart rate was soaring was because the exercises involved level changes. Whether they were jump squats or leap frogs, the level change pumped up the heart rate and provided me with a complete body workout. (Note: on some of the workouts, I worked at a low impact level, which means I nixed the jumping. I simply bent my knees and involved the level changes, which in turn kept me working at a high intensity, low impact level.)

Others around me also modified their workout to suit their level of fitness. Regardless, everyone was kicking it, and sweat was pouring left and right. If you’re not sweating, you aren’t working hard enough!

Clearly, Jay Johnson’s boot camp style is rubbing off on me.

I must admit I am grateful for the fitness revelation I had at Jay Johnson’s Boot Camp. As painful and miserable as it might have felt in the moment, I wanted to go back for more. I know I need the endless push-ups, ladder jumping, and pain-piercing abdominal exercises. This is going to be my ticket for a transformation of the body!

The current Boot Camp Fitness campers are living proof of the effects this specific boot camp can have on your body. Johnson said it is remarkable the amount of weight loss participants see with his boot camp. People will come, and within several weeks both pounds and inches have been shed. While improving their physique is often a prime motivation for people to workout, let’s not forget the most important benefit: our health. Endurance, strength and agility increase with the military-inspired exercises performed.

With 2010 here, I am sure the majority of us have some extra motivation to boost up those workouts and trim up the tummy. As I was reminded at the boot camp, “no pain no gain.”

If you live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, give it a whirl yourself by visiting www.jaysbootcamp.com. There are many locations in the Dallas Metroplex where you can join a group. Not from Dallas but still want the live Jay Johnson Boot Camp Fitness experience? No problem. You buy, they fly. Really. Jay Johnson and his team will pack up their boot camp supplies and whip you and your gang into shape.

You can also have Jay Johnson in your home every day with his fitness DVD’s. There is a 9-week box set you can order from www.jaysbootcampstore.com. Enter in the promo code JJBCXMAS10 and save 10% during the month of January. (I just have to tell you the bargains – I am notorious for keeping my eyes peeled for them.)

Speaking of Jay Johnson, you may recognize him from CMT’s Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team. He is notorious for putting the training camp candidates through grueling workouts in hopes that they will receive a Power Squad shirt. I asked Johnson how I could attain one of those tops and he informed me I had to complete a 300 on the military performance test. No cutting corners with this guy!

Good luck making 2010 your year to take it to the next level in your fitness journey. We all are looking for that next challenge, whether it is to start walking three times a week or to run a marathon. The hardest part is getting your bum off the couch and getting into a routine.

And regardless of what workout routine you choose, make sure that you do something that’s fun, that makes you happy, and that re-charges you!

Boot Camp Fitness Video Giveaway

Now, here comes the really exciting part: MSF and Jay Johnson’s Boot Camp Fitness are teaming up to give you an opportunity to participate in a Boot Camp Fitness Video Giveaway.

By entering, you will be eligible to receive free Jay Johnson Boot Camp Fitness DVDs, or possibly even the first fitness Blu-Ray Discs ever!

Here is all you need to do and know:

• Email your name, address, and phone number to freedvd@9weeks2anewyou.com.
• A winner will be chosen every day to receive on one of the follow Jay Johnson Boot Camp Fitness videos while supplies last through the end of January: Ultimate Abs; Ultimate Cardio; Ultimate 3X30; Ultimate Body Vol. 1.
• The four videos available for daily winners are also available on Blu-Ray Disc. Once a winner is selected they will be given their choice of either Blu Ray or DVD and title.
• Prizes will be sent out once a week to all the winners for that week.
• The daily winners are still eligible to win the weekly grand prize, which is the complete 9-week Jay Johnson Boot Camp Fitness system! (Note: since there are four different single DVDs available, the daily winners can win more than once, but there will only be one weekly grand prize per winner.)
• Please email questions to: freedvd@9weeks2anewyou.com

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About Jay Johnson - Fitness Trainer of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

After serving his country in the United States Army for over two decades, Jay Johnson emerged a man of intense focus, desire, drive and energy. He has combined these qualities to develop one of the nation’s most effective and talked about boot camp fitness programs. His boot camp fitness program takes a streamlined, common sense approach to health and fitness. He uses his unique motivational techniques to help individuals attain their highest level of fitness. He does this the old fashioned way, by pushing boot campers — hard!

Over the years, he has helped thousands of individuals to sculpt their bodies, minds and spirits into top condition.

Boot Camp Fitness, Inc. was founded in 2001 by Johnson on the same principles of faith and character that he lives by. His commitment to excellence has garnered him a fiercely loyal following comprised of both elite athletic individuals and fitness novices working to better their overall physical strength and endurance. His experience as a combat infantryman, where he received and imparted rigorous physical training, uniquely qualifies him to know exactly how the human body will respond to military style techniques.

Johnson’s reputation as one of the country’s premiere experts in health and fitness has been highlighted by a number of print and television outlets including: Muscle and Fitness magazine, Bloomberg News and ABC’s Evening News. He has also been featured on several prime-time programs including: Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Wife Swap, Judge Hachett, HBO’s Hard Knocks, CMT’s Making of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and many others. He is also a featured monthly fitness contributor to WFAA-TV 8′s (Dallas ABC Affiliate) Good Morning Texas. Johnson is also the official trainer of the world famous Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. In March of 2007, he and wife Lin were invited to speak at the After-School All-Stars Annual Fundraiser in Columbus, Ohio, with featured guests Jack LaLanne, bodybuilding star Ronnie Coleman and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

In June, Boot Camp Fitness was selected as the official fitness sponsor for the Mrs. Texas Pageant. Johnson was also elected to serve on the first US Army DFW Advisory Board along with other leaders such Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief, Hillwood Chief of Staff Marc Hildenbrand, LULAC District III Director Coty Rodriguez-Anderson and former DISD Superintendent Dr. Mike Moses. Johnson and Lin also look forward to the launch of their new clothing line, Eternal Bling, and workout programs called Sweat Tunes. They will also star in their own CMT reality television program, I Want to Look Like a Cheerleader, in the fall of 2007.

Most importantly, Jay Johnson and his family are followers of Christ. He is a dedicated husband, soldier, entrepreneur and father to the couple’s 13-year-old daughter, Sydney.

*- Jay Johnson photo credit: CMTPress.com

About the Author

Kimberly Westphall is the author of Blogging Fitness and a regular contributor to Midwest Sports Fans. She is a recent graduate of the University of Kansas where she majored in Journalism. She participated in a podcast with Jerod, which will help you get to know her even better.

While at KU, she was an anchor and online web producer for Jayhawk Sports Talk. Kimberly made her MSF debut in 2009 discussing the fight between Kansas’ basketball and football teams and also had her column about the Dallas Stars Ice Girls featured at Dallas Sports Fans.

She has a passion for fitness and is on the lookout for emerging fitness trends and workouts. Her favorite group exercise format is kickboxing, which she discusses in her first Blogging Fitness post today.

When she’s not hitting up the aerobics studio both as a participant and instructor, Kimberly is training for the 2010 Washington D.C. Marathon with her best friend Jackie.

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[Editor's note (updated): Originally when I published this post, I said that Kimberly received no compensation nor incentives for writing/posting it. That is not entirely true. The idea to write this article came from Kimberly herself in her endless quest to provide readers here at MSF with valuable health and fitness information, but she did receive free entry in the class that you see featured in the video above, as well as a free Jay Johnson Boot Camp Fitness workout DVD after the fact. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”]

We’ll be accepting nominations (details below) up until the Friday before Mother’s Day (May 8th), with the winner to be announced on Sunday, May 10th. Then, that following week, the winning mom (a.k.a. the coolest sports mom ever) will be receiving a bouquet of flowers courtesy of MSF, along with a headlining post highlighting the qualities that made her the winner.

Before I talk about my own mom a little bit, and then give you the official Mothers Days contest details, I do want to pass along a few Mothers Day gift ideas and deals from the de facto sponsors of the The MSF Coolest Sports Mom Ever Contest. If you’re still wondering what to get your mom for Mother’s Day, perhaps the links below can help. (And we thank each of these companies for allowing us to bring these offers your way.)

All moms deserve flowers on Mother’s Day. When are you ordering yours?

Get 10% Off Mother’s Day Flowers with USAFlorist

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Is your mom a golfer? Hook her up with some new equipment and accessories.

Save 10% on all orders $250 and up at InTheHoleGolf.com. (Use code: 10OFF)

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How about a gift that you and dad can enjoy too?

Give the Gift of Sports Weekly for as low as $0.67/issue

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Or, why not give the best gift possible: a surprise trip home for Mothers Day!

Save up to $150 with Flight + Rental Car package from Priceline

Last minute travel deals and vacation packages at Expedia.com

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Mothers Day Contest

Now back to the Mothers Day Contest.

The way I see it, dads always get lots of recognition for their sports influence, and rightfully so — and, in fact, we’ll be doing another contest come Father’s Day — but the influence that moms have on young athletes and sports fans should not go unnoticed, unrecognized, or uncelebrated. For example, while my dad was always the one who would go out and shoot hoops with me, or throw batting practice, or take me to QB camps when I was young, it was Mom who really showed me what being a passionate and dedicated sports fan was all about.

There were her stories of going to Dolphins games back in the glory days of the early 19XX’s (out of respect and fear for my life if I do otherwise, dates have been redacted so as not to give away any age information) to cheer on her favorite player: Mercury Morris. And there was her superstitious insistence on wearing the same earrings or socks or other accessory if the Dolphins were winning and playing well, something I do to this day.

There was her complete and unyielding support for whatever team my dad was coaching, as well as her constant support and attendance at every single athletic event I ever participated in.

There was her willingness and desire to always plan weekend duties and meals around whatever major sporting events were going on, plus her understanding that unless it was a matter of life and death, nothing came before IU basketball games.

Plus, and this is perhaps her greatest contribution to my life as a sports fans, she gave up her season ticket to IU basketball games so I could go to every game with my dad and become the IU fanatic I am today. (Bob Knight grabbing then-IU freshman Delray Brooks by the jersey might have had something do with that one, but it’s neither here nor there.)

So, I will leave my own mom out of the running, because I’m not sure anyone else’s would stand a chance. But I want to read as many stories as possible about your moms, or moms that may not be your own but that you would like to submit, before we ultimately settle on the official MSF Coolest Sports Mom Ever.

So over the next few weeks, leading up to Mothers Day on May 10th, we will be in search of the coolest sports mom out there. I am leaving the criteria and description relatively vague specifically because I do not want to discourage anyone from submitting a nomination.

Here are your rules for The MSF Coolest Sports Mom Ever Contest.

1. The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 8th, at 12:00 PM Central Time.
2. Email your nomination to jerod [ at ] midwestsportsfans.com or use our contact form.
3. Your nomination prompt is simple: tell us why your mom is the coolest sports mom ever. Whatever that means to you, whatever the reasoning, and however in-depth you want to get. Take it and run with it. Obviously the more detailed and compelling your entry, the better your sports mom nominee’s chance of being considered the coolest.
4. Understand that anything you write in your nomination can and probably will be reposted here at Midwest Sports Fans. Even if your entry isn’t chosen as the winner, we’ll be posting excerpts of the most compelling and interesting stories.
5. If your nomination wins, please be prepared to send us a picture we can use when the winner is announced as well as an address to where we can send the flowers, which will be sent in your name courtesy of MSF.
6. We have not decided specifically how the winner will be chosen. It will all depend on how many entries we get and how soon. If we get enough entries in the next ten or so days, we will post the best stories and allow readers to vote on the winner. If entries are not that plentiful, or if they all come rushing in before the deadline, the Mothers Day contest winner will be chosen by our editorial staff.
7. If you have questions (unless they are somehow personal in nature), ask them in the comments section. That way I can reply and it will answer the question for anyone else who may have it.

I think that about covers it. I’ll update this post if I can think of anything later. Now, go get busy writing your nominations.

Why not see how you match up with other readers/writers/fans/random-passersby of Midwest Sports Fans?

Last night I set up the official Midwest Sports Fans NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge on ESPN.com. The steps to join are simple:

1. Go to the ESPN.com Bracket Challenge and create an entry.
2. Then, follow this link for the Midwest Sports Fans group. Or just search “Midwest Sports Fans” in the groups.  You should see our entry come up. It will ask you for a password. Enter: midwestsports and you will be signed in.

It’s that simple.

I have not decided on a prize yet, beyond constant monitoring here on the site and obvious pub should you win (or public humiliation should you do horribly awful). But I will probably do something. No promises. Sign up for the challenge and fun of it, but there could — could – be something in it for you at the end.

Hope to see you all there, and good luck with your picks.

You already know the drill.

Here we go:

1. Cleveland @ Tennessee
2. Cincinnati @ Indianapolis
3. Houston @ Green Bay
4. Minnesota @ Detroit
5. Jacksonville @ Chicago
6. Dallas @ Pittsburgh
7. Tampa Bay @ Carolina

Last week, Midwest Sports Fans began its weekly NFL Pick’em contest, and it is not too late to join in on the fun.

Just make sure you post your outright winners below before 1:05pm EST on Sunday for your picks to be counted and recorded. For more information regarding the contest rules, regulations, and standings, visit the Midwest Sports Fans NFL Pick Em page.

Also, make sure to check in early next week to make your picks, as the cutoff will be Thursday night, when the Cleveland Browns demolish the Denver Broncos.

Here are this week’s highlighted games:

(FYI…if you’d like to view the point spreads before picking, head on over to the Week 9 NFL Schedule post real quick.)

1) Detroit @ Chicago

2) Jacksonville @ Cincinnati

3) Baltimore @ Cleveland

4) Green Bay @ Tennesee

5) Arizona @ St. Louis

6) New England @ Indianapolis

7) Pittsburgh @ Washington

Good Luck!

Tonight, the Cleveland Browns take on the New York Giants at Cleveland Browns Stadium, nestled comfortably in the heart of the Midwest. Thus far into the 2008 season the Browns have not done as well protecting their home turf as they did last year when they went 7-1 at home. Already, two writers here at Midwest Sports Fans have predicted a win tonight for the Browns in their Monday Night Football matchup against the currently undefeated Giants.

And while the Browns are clawing their way to a tough, hard-fought, highly significant victory this evening, Cleveland residents, and anyone planning on visiting the city, have the opportunity to enter a contest for a chance to chance to win a significant victory of their own.

PositivelyCleveland.com is sponsoring a contest that honors Cleveland’s history as the Rock and Roll Capital of the World. All you have to do is follow this link to the Cleveland Rock and Roll In the Know Sweepstakes and fill in your name, email address, and phone number to enter.

The winner of the contest will receive four tickets to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, along with a private guided tour with the museum’s curator. According to official contest rules, entries must be received by this Friday, October 17th, at 11:59am.

There are plenty of compelling reasons to enter:

1. Did you know that the first ever rock and roll concert was held in Cleveland in 1952? I did not. Hence, the presence of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
2. Should you be chosen as the winner, you can make an entire week out of your trip to Cleveland. You can take your tour of the greatest music museum in the world, shoot on down to Canton and visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well, see the Goodyear blimp in Akron (also the hometown of LeBron James), and enjoy some outstanding parks and golf courses during your downtime.
3. Brady Quinn is still wearing a hat and holding a clipboard, so if you profess your support for John McCain and Sarah Palin, as Brady Quinn did recently, he might be compelled to accompany you on your tour. (Disclaimer: This claim is by no means guaranteed and is, in fact, utterly preposterous. Do not plan a trip to Cleveland hoping Brady Quinn will be your tour guide. Who knows — if the first half goes badly for Derek Anderson tonight, Quinn could actually be playing.) As of right now, Brady has nothing better to do, and he is obviously a rock and roll fan as evidenced by the picture of he and Brett Michaels from Poison to the right.
4. Our very own Ryan Russell, a Cleveland native who predicted a victory for the Browns tonight and is also a professional musician for The Franchize (who recently played a show at the Playboy Mansion), has been to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame “50 times” according to him, and thinks it’s a necessary trip for any music fan.
5. Karma. The more fans of the city of Cleveland who enter the sweepstakes, the better the Cleveland Browns chances of beating the New York Giants tonight and winning the AFC North. Don’t believe me? Well, answer me this: can it hurt? No. But it could, possibly, in some cosmic way help. To me, that says zero downside, but huge potential for upside. Right now, if you’re a Browns fan, you should be doing everything to increase this team’s karma and good fortune!

Prove your fan loyalty and sign up for the Rock and Rock In the Know Contest right now. Then come back here and leave a comment with your prediction for the score of the game. Whoever comes the closest to the actual game score (assuming a Browns victory — remember folks, we win and lose as a team) will receive two free passes to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, independent of the sweepstakes. We’ll roll the free passes over to next week if the Browns somehow come up short tonight. (Hint: There is NO incentive to pick the Giants to win. We’re all about boosting the Browns karma here at Midwest Sports Fans, objectivity be damned. Let’s see how long of a comment thread we can get of overwhelming Browns positivity!)

Aren’t you glad you kept reading?

So go sign up for the contest, leave your comment and score prediction here, and then cheer your heart out for the Browns tonight. The Season of Great Expectations is at a crossroads this evening, but a victory puts the Browns back on a positive track. We’ve already given you our predictions for the score of the Browns’ victory. What is yours?

[tags]cleveland, cleveland browns, rock and roll hall of fame, pro football hall of fame, ohio, contest[/tags]