Enterprise Journalism Release – May 5, 2011
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Wrestling with the Truth
Outside the Lines (Sunday, 9 a.m. ET, ESPN)
ESPN.com
On March 12, the University of Nebraska-Omaha wrestling team won its third consecutive NCAA Division II National Championship. Just a few hours later, the team learned that the school would eliminate the wrestling and football programs in a move to a Division I conference that does not field either sport. Many are questioning the motives behind the school’s move. An Outside the Lines investigation has uncovered discrepancies between the financial data received from UNO, from public records requests, and official statements the school made to the public. Paula Lavigne reports for OTL.
“’Unfortunately, the program’s been dropped, you and football.’ He (coach Mike Denney) shared it with us right then and there, and it was just a big stab, right in your heart.” — Esai Dominguez, junior wrestler, on learning his sport was being dropped
“It’s extraordinarily difficult. I was a student-athlete, and I can’t imagine what it must feel like to be a coach or student-athlete to be faced with this reality.” — Trev Alberts, former All-American linebacker from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, hired as UNO Athletic Director two years ago
“Because of the potential powerhouse that Nebraska-Omaha could have built, I think that was intimidating to the powers that be at Lincoln.” — Van Deeb, major athletic department donor, on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln being apprehensive of UNO’s move to Division I
Hours before they learned their program was being dropped, UNO wrestlers celebrate their 3rd straight Division II national title on March 12.
ESPN’s award-winning prime-time news magazine continues its spring run Tuesday, May 10 at 7 p.m.
Cockfighting is illegal in every state except Texas, where certain laws allow the sport to continue. Texans can legally raise roosters for fighting and even attend cockfights. E:60 goes undercover to look inside at how this illegal sport thrives in a no-holds-barred environment.
Soccer is religion in Brazil, the players heroes. Goalkeeper Bruno Souza was one of the game’s idols until an accusation of masterminding a brutal, twisted murder of a former lover led to his fall from grace. Jeremy Schaap traveled to Rio de Janeiro to report on a case that is Brazil’s version of O.J. Simpson’s.
Zach Bennett: Journey of a Lifetime
When the Albany River Rats, the Carolina Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate, moved to Charlotte, 11-year-old Zach Bennett thought he lost his inspiration to fight through a degenerative disease that had taken both his legs. While suffering from neurofibromatosis, in which soft-tissue tumors form on nerves, Bennett’s favorite outlet was River Rats’ games and his connection with the players. His parents had been looking to move closer to specialists to better treat his disease, so Zach’s plea to “be with the guys” became a unified mission. Tom Rinaldi chronicles the journey.
Alabama Tide & Tigers Team Together in Tornado Recovery
SportsCenter (Sunday, 10 a.m., 6 p.m., 11 p.m., ESPN)
The University of Alabama and Auburn University have long been sporting rivals. But when tornadoes ripped through Tuscaloosa on April 27 causing massive damage and dozens of deaths, students and fans came together in unprecedented ways. Alabama native and University of Alabama alum Rece Davis returned to campus this week to see the devastation firsthand and to report on how the two schools have been helping in the recovery.
Teresa Noyola Has Chance to Achieve Soccer Dream
ESPN Deportes SportsCenter (Sunday, 11 p.m.)
Reportajes Especiales piece (ESPNDeportes.com)
Teresa Noyola was 12 years old when she wrote a school essay describing what she dreamed of doing when she grew up: become a soccer player and win a world championship amidst the roaring cheers of the crowd. Ten years later, she’s one step closer to achieving that dream as she prepares to travel to Germany in June and play for Mexico at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. What few know is that Noyola could well be playing for team USA, and that she actually did, as part of the American youth team. She grew up in the U.S. where she learned her soccer skills, but says she had to follow her heart and that her heart beats to a Mexican tune.
