Sports News: Spring 2011

Thursday, April 14, 2011

AMOS HEADS TOWARDS A REPEAT
Only University of Sioux Falls ’Cooper the Cougar stands in the Moravian College mascot’s way as SportsTalkNY’s annual Mascot Madness competition reaches finals

            NEW YORK, NY --- Moravian College’s Amos the Greyhound continued to steamroll his way through the bracket, and only one mascot remain in his way for a repeat in SportsTalkNY’s annual Mascot Madness competition: the University of Sioux Fall’s Cooper the Cougar.

            Amos handily defeated the University of Montana’s Monty to move into the finals, while Cooper defeated the University of the Pacific’s Power Cat – a victory he may live to regret.

            “Once again, Moravian College faithful have proven they can rally behind their greyhound,” co-host A.J. Carter noted. “Bethlehem may be a little town, but it’s large when it comes to supporting its mascot.”

            “There are only five days left before the winner is announced, and I’m sure that if he could speak, Cooper would be saying: Are you listening Sioux Falls?  Our honor is on the line,” co-host Mark Rosenman said. “I just wonder if it will be too little, too late.”

            The answer to that question will come shortly after 9 p.m., eastern daylight time, when the winner is announced on the Internet television sports show. Until then, people wanting to cast their ballots – and view the latest results -- should visit  the show’s website, www.sportstalknylive.com, and click the Mascot Madness link

                Now in its fourth year, the weekly SportstalkNY has built a growing loyal following with its mix of interviews with sports celebrities and authors and its analysis of the week’s developments. Guests have ranged from boxing greats Evander Holyfield, Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvelous Marvin Hagler to hockey legends Phil Esposito and Gordie Howe and authors Peter Golenbock, Phil Pepe and Jim Bouton as well as comedians Pat Cooper Robert Klein.
  
                What makes SportstalkNY different from other sports talk shows is the live chat component, allowing viewers to comment, in real time, on the evening’s discussion, talking about the hosts, to them, or even asking questions that are passed on to the guests.

                Mascot Madness stemmed from a chat room discussion, as Carter reported on his trip to the college cheerleading championship at Disney World (his son cheers for the University of Delaware) and watching the mascot competition. The reports sparked so much back-and-forth in the chat room that Carter and Rosenman decided to run a bracket competition similar to the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament.

                Viewers wishing to catch up on the competition can view previous shows in the archive section of the SportstalkNY website. They can also download podcasts of the interviews.

                The show airs from 9-11 p.m. Sundays on UStream Television. The winner of the Mascot Madness competition will be announced on the April 24 show.