2008 Woodie Awards
I want you to hit me as hard as you can
Danny Acosta
Issue date: 10/3/06 Section: Sports
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Saint Mary's students should be punched in the face. They should learn proper techniques to punch others in the face. Saint Mary's should toughen up and introduce a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) program.
Saint Mary's has been wussified. Saint Mary's once offered the sweet science of boxing. It disappeared, but there is a new direction-the future-for the college.
With the emergence of MMA in America, Saint Mary's should catch up with the times. It would be a very unique program that could make Saint Mary's stand out among other colleges in California. If there is any hot bed of MMA, it is California. Nothing has captured the 18-24 year old demographic like MMA.
MMA encompasses the disciplines of boxing, kickboxing, muay thai, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu among many. It combines the most effective fighting elements, while focusing on self-discipline and aligning the mind, body and spirit. This can be very beneficial to Saint Mary's students.
"But it's too dangerous!" are the cries that come from those that have helped wussify the school and the nation. MMA dates back to the Pankration portion of the Olympics, which originated in the Greek games in approximately 648 B.C. It has evolved a long way and MMA is now a state-sanctioned sport. Since the inception of modern MMA, there has not been one death in any sanctioned event. The nature of MMA makes it safer than boxing since there is no standing eight-count, which allows a fighter to take more punishment after a knockout. Furthermore, the wrestling and submission aspect can see a fight end without any punches thrown.
To put it simply: high school football has more deaths. Like any sport, injury is possible. That is something true athletes are willing to put on the line.
I, like all college males-or females-need to stay in shape and compete. With all the angry testosterone and catty estrogen that float around daily, I doubt there is a lack of interest in my proposed program. If it's a money issue, throw some lab fees out. I find it hard to believe there is a lack of funding for a few heavy bags and mats because it's relatively inexpensive compared to the multi-million dollar buildings popping up everyhwere. Team sports are great, but nothing more says "warrior's spirit" like stepping into a ring and battling.
Imagine if Saint Mary's was the first college in the nation that offered MMA. It would make up for the fact Saint Mary's does not offer boxing and wrestling. It could start a national college sports revolution. School trained fighters, literally fighting for their college. Sign me up.
Saint Mary's has been wussified. Saint Mary's once offered the sweet science of boxing. It disappeared, but there is a new direction-the future-for the college.
With the emergence of MMA in America, Saint Mary's should catch up with the times. It would be a very unique program that could make Saint Mary's stand out among other colleges in California. If there is any hot bed of MMA, it is California. Nothing has captured the 18-24 year old demographic like MMA.
MMA encompasses the disciplines of boxing, kickboxing, muay thai, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu among many. It combines the most effective fighting elements, while focusing on self-discipline and aligning the mind, body and spirit. This can be very beneficial to Saint Mary's students.
"But it's too dangerous!" are the cries that come from those that have helped wussify the school and the nation. MMA dates back to the Pankration portion of the Olympics, which originated in the Greek games in approximately 648 B.C. It has evolved a long way and MMA is now a state-sanctioned sport. Since the inception of modern MMA, there has not been one death in any sanctioned event. The nature of MMA makes it safer than boxing since there is no standing eight-count, which allows a fighter to take more punishment after a knockout. Furthermore, the wrestling and submission aspect can see a fight end without any punches thrown.
To put it simply: high school football has more deaths. Like any sport, injury is possible. That is something true athletes are willing to put on the line.
I, like all college males-or females-need to stay in shape and compete. With all the angry testosterone and catty estrogen that float around daily, I doubt there is a lack of interest in my proposed program. If it's a money issue, throw some lab fees out. I find it hard to believe there is a lack of funding for a few heavy bags and mats because it's relatively inexpensive compared to the multi-million dollar buildings popping up everyhwere. Team sports are great, but nothing more says "warrior's spirit" like stepping into a ring and battling.
Imagine if Saint Mary's was the first college in the nation that offered MMA. It would make up for the fact Saint Mary's does not offer boxing and wrestling. It could start a national college sports revolution. School trained fighters, literally fighting for their college. Sign me up.