Fantasy Sports
For the countless teenagers and adults who participate in fantasy sports around the globe, there are many reasons to explain their love for the activity: social interaction, stimulation, enjoyment. However, some in the world of fantasy sports claim that participation can also help youngsters develop superior math skills. In fact, there is a site that is specifically dedicated to encouraging fantasy sports as a means to help kids learn math. Among its many features, this site (www.fantasysportsmath.com) lists 25 reasons why fantasy sports should be used to help students learn math. The number one reason listed refers to the performance of 8th grade students at Woodbine School in New Jersey. According to their study, the percentage of students who tested proficient in math at the school jumped from 10% all the way to 54% in one year after using fantasy sports. Other given reasons for using fantasy sports to help students learn math is that it alters the negative perception many students have toward math, it incorporates real world data, it features the relevant world of sports, it builds school-wide community, and it addresses all learning styles.
Even though baseball, basketball, and football are perhaps the most well known fantasy sports, there are a host of other sports that are also becoming popular in the fantasy world. Since participation in fantasy sports has become such a favorite pastime in recent years, more nontraditional fantasy leagues have sprung up around the world. For example, on an international level, cricket has become a popular fantasy sport. Sites like Cricket Web, Cricketinc.com, and Fantasy Cricket Online are just a few of the places dedicated to fantasy cricket leagues. In the United States, the PGA now offers fantasy leagues on their site (PGA.com) and feature standard league play, salary cap play, and playoff/tournament style play. Hockey is another sport that has been growing in popularity. Today, NHL.com provides the most comprehensive fantasy competitions, news and analysis for those who want to participate in a fantasy hockey league. In addition, there are also lesser known fantasy competitions that have been increasing in popularity over the past few years, including leagues that revolve around collegiate sports, pro wrestling, and even Hollywood (where you pick movies instead of athletes).
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LSU barely holds off depleted UNC 30-24 (AP) With the NCAA lurking around Chapel Hill and some of its best players sitting in the stands, North Carolina found itself in a most improbable position. The 6-yard line with a few seconds on the clock, a touchdown and an extra point away from actually winning the game. T.J. Yates took one shot at the end zone, the ball slipping through the hands of Zack Pianalto. more info |
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Cardinals release QB Leinart (AP) The Arizona Cardinals have released Matt Leinart, parting ways with the former Heisman Trophy winner who was supposed to be the team's franchise quarterback but couldn't escape the backup role. The team made the announcement on Saturday, shortly before the Cardinals had to reach their 53-man roster limit. more info |
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Top pick Bradford to start for Rams (AP) No. 1 overall draft pick Sam Bradford will start at quarterback in the regular-season opener at home against Arizona next weekend. Coach Steve Spagnuolo announced the decision Saturday, saying Bradford had earned the job. "We're confident. The staff's confident. The team's confident," Spagnuolo said. more info |
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Jacksonville State stuns Ole Miss in 2OT (AP) On the final crazy play of a crazy game, Jacksonville State running back Calvin Middleton found himself in the middle of a mass of bodies as quarterback Coty Blanchard lofted a 2-point conversion pass toward the end zone. Somehow, through the arms and legs, Middleton came down with the football as the Gamecocks celebrated a stunning 49-48 victory over Mississippi in double overtime. more info |
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Padres' skid hits 9 with loss to Rockies (AP) Neither a pregame players-only meeting nor the Famous Chicken's fowl humor could keep the NL West-leading San Diego Padres from stumbling to a nine-game losing streak, their longest since 2003. Maybe Jon Garland's comments will help end a slump that has changed the Padres' position from the best record in the NL to looking over their shoulders in the division. more info |
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Dalton leads No. 6 TCU by Oregon State (AP) The TCU Horned Frogs realize they likely will have to be perfect again in the regular season for the chance at a BCS do-over. The sixth-ranked Horned Frogs didn't slip up in a difficult season-opening test, despite a less-than-perfect performance. Andy Dalton ran for two touchdowns and threw for another score, making up two interceptions and leading TCU to a 30-21 victory Saturday night over... more info |
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No. 1 Tide roll without Ingram, win 48-3 (AP) After a tough week for the defending national champions, No. 1 Alabama enjoyed its dress rehearsal before 100,000-plus fans. The established stars -- minus Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram and defensive end Marcell Dareus -- made big plays and some young understudies also got plenty of time on stage in the Crimson Tide's opening 48-3 route of San Jose State on Saturday night. more info |
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Notre Dame beats Purdue in Kelly's debut (AP) Brian Kelly looked around at a packed stadium and saw -- fittingly enough -- a sea of kelly green shirts. On a day of firsts for Notre Dame's new head coach, highlighted by a 23-12 win over Purdue, the colorful and enthusiastic crowd stood out. They were actually rooting for his team. "Maybe this is just my background, but anytime I've gone into a stadium with 81,000, I've always... more info |
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N. Dakota St. spoils Gill's Kansas debut (AP) Ryan Jastram kicked two field goals and North Dakota State's defense smothered Kansas in a season-opening 6-3 victory Saturday night. The first-ever victory for the FCS Bison over a current member of the Big 12 spoiled the coaching debut of Kansas' Turner Gill. Jastram snapped a 3-3 tie with a 32-yard field goal at the 8:04 mark of the third quarter. more info |
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Woods has 65 to keep playoff hopes alive (AP) About the only thing fun for Jason Day was being atop the leaderboard in the Deutsche Bank Championship. One day after he opened with a 63 in conditions so calm he might as well have been playing indoors, Day found out quickly what he was up against Saturday in tree-shaking wind on the TPC at Boston. more info |