Monday, September 12, 2011

Loving Basketball: A Genuine Passion for the Game

Loving Basketball: A Genuine Passion for the Game
By Neffe Morris, ENGL 336.002
 
            Some hidden talents are not always visible to the person who attains them. For twenty years old, Frostburg State University Junior, Michael Monroe, this was the case.  Michael or his preferred nickname, Mike, never really had the aspiration to become a basketball analyst, but after receiving advice from his father, he decided to turn into it a career goal.  He already held the extreme dedication for the sport but never knew he had what it took to become an analyst.          

Mike, born and raised in Fort Washington, Maryland, first entered Frostburg State University as an economics major.  He originally desired to go to his dream school at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, but after reviewing the school’s expenses, he decided to be wise, save money, and attend school in the mountainous city of Frostburg.  Economics, however, proved to be quite the struggle for Mike, so he recalled the advice given by his father and switched to pursing a communication studies major. 

Mike demonstrates his passion for sports by his genuine love for basketball.  He enjoys anything that is pertaining to basketball.  His favorite book is For the Love of the Game, a Michael Jordan autobiography, that is, of course, basketball oriented. His favorite television show, inevitably, is ESPN’s SportsCenter; he is not yet open to watching any other television broadcasts.  His favorite team is the Los Angeles Lakers with star player Kobe Bryant.  As one may guess, Kobe is his favorite player.  When the Lakers were swept by the Dallas Mavericks and failed to maintain their championship status, Mike was affected greatly. “I really felt like throwing something at the TV; I said I wasn’t watching anymore of the playoffs," expressed Mike on the Laker’s appalling loss. Essentially, one day, Mike wants to place that fervor into studying the game and transform it into his profession which is why he plans on interning this summer to network and meet professionals in the field.

Mike, a laid-back, career oriented junior, enjoys his time at Frostburg.  He shows his desire to interact with the campus by his hopes of starting a freshman based organization.  He thinks “Orie does not teach you everything,” so with the start of his organization, he seeks to inform Frostburg freshman about more important information they ought to know.  
            
            Basketball, however, does not take up Mike’s entire life, he acquires other interests.  In his free time, he loves to listen to rap artist Young Jeezy and eat his favorite food, fried chicken.  Adorably, he also displays a special love for his ten year old sister.  They share a close bond.  She loves to stay in contact with Mike which explains why she texts him very often.  He says “she acts like my mother;” but he certainly does not mind, because the feeling is mutual between the two.
            
Mike simply wants to broaden his horizon in any way so he can make it into the basketball media industry.  He undoubtedly anticipates executing his zeal for the game of basketball and has his eyes glued on the prize of ultimate success. 

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