{"id":9545,"date":"2019-03-19T23:20:37","date_gmt":"2019-03-20T03:20:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=9545"},"modified":"2019-03-19T23:25:20","modified_gmt":"2019-03-20T03:25:20","slug":"diversity-training","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=9545","title":{"rendered":"diversity training"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the best parts of the annual NCAA basketball tournament is its clear manifestation of diversity. Too often too many inaccurately boast of their all-accepting, diverse nature; then they reject the one who does not<\/em> embrace diversity, meaning the original boaster isn\u2019t as diverse as he or she might believe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not true in the madness of March. Each of the 351 Division I men\u2019s basketball teams has an opportunity to make the tournament. It\u2019s a striking, sui generis field\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

68 teams fill the benches and brackets. As is typical, we see our share of birds, bears and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the Cardinals of Louisville to a soaring pair of Eagles \u2014 with even Golden ones flying from Marquette\u2026 not to mention the Hawkeyes and Jayhawks and that team from Temple (although I\u2019m sensing that an Owl doesn\u2019t exactly intimidate one\u2019s opponent all that much). <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of intimidation, I like Maryland, but few seem fearful of a team named after a turtle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bears seem to instill a little more fear in one\u2019s adversary, as I assume Baylor can attest to. Just as formidable, however, are the Bruins and Grizzlies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Belmont Bruins are actually represented by \u201cBruiser the Bruin\u201d \u2014 who is not to be outdone by the prowess of VCU\u2019s \u201cRodney the Ram.\u201d Still more of the furry and fictional will grace the sidelines, noting especially \u201cKaboom\u201d (the gargoyle),<\/em> \u201cPounce\u201d (the blue panther),<\/em> and \u201cPeter the Anteater\u201d (\u2026 yes, I did say \u201canteater\u201d\u2026). <\/em>Pete is a popular name, no doubt, also represented via \u201cPistol Pete\u201d from the state of New Mexico and the muscular \u201cPurdue Pete\u201d from my absolute favorite college in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u201cPistol\u201d is really an Aggie \u2014 of which there are two. (What\u2019s an \u201cAggie,\u201d by the way?)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That pales, I suppose, to the Billikens, another ambiguous name, whose moniker \u2014 crazily \u2014 is said to have originated from the football coach’s uncanny resemblance to a charm doll 108 years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s not forget, though, man\u2019s best friend and its feline counterpart; the numbers included are impressive. There are four sets of Bulldogs (although only Gardner-Webb\u2019s are Runnin\u2019),<\/em> a pair of Huskies, and one Wofford Terrier. Then there\u2019s the Queen City\u2019s Bearcats, the resurgence of Phi Slamma Jamma\u2019s Cougars, a pair each of Tigers and Panthers, and four more of the always well-represented Wildcat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s give a brief shoutout to Abilene Christian\u2019s \u201cWillie the Wildcat.\u201d I love the creativity! Granted, it would be even more fascinating to see a face-off between Buffalo and NKU. We would then witness the sweet, semantic duel between \u201cVictor E. Bull\u201d<\/strong> and \u201cVictor E. Viking.\u201d<\/strong> (Does the \u201cE\u201d in each stand for \u201cepic\u201d?)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is more of course \u2014 the homologous mammals found in the Wolf Pack and Wolverines. Forget not also the Catamounts, Golden Gophers, Badgers, and Bison. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then come the Ducks. (Right. Another intimidating sports team.)<\/em> Please don\u2019t let a Gator near a Duck. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As with any diverse group, no less, the royal fighters and tough-sounding teams abound. This year we find Spartans, Monarchs, and Cavaliers included, in addition to two sets each of Knights and Gaels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tough-sounding teams always sound tougher when opposed by perceived bad guys. We have two sets of Raiders (only one which is Red),<\/em> one organized group of Rebels, and one band of Pirates. With all due respect, don\u2019t even get me started on the worthiness of a Devil, regardless of whether it\u2019s Sun(ny) or Blue. No worries. The nice guys still show up, Volunteering from the southeast state of Tennessee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still more teams are a little ambiguous, i.e. the weather-representing Cyclones, the actual color Orange, and then the combination of weather and color found in the men from St. John\u2019s. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Virginia Tech shares its pride on the hardcourt by depicting what most of their buildings are made from \u2014 the Hokie Stone, a limestone common in Southwest Virginia \u2014 while Florida State and Oklahoma duly honor their Native American heritage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To be truthful, as much as I desire to be inclusive and diverse \u2014 I greatly respect them \u2014 but I struggle with the athletic nuts from Ohio and the tar, pitch, and turpentine created from the pine forests in North Carolina. There the freedom Flames, too\u2026 and the Racers\u2026 ah, yes, the Racers. Now there\u2019s a basketball name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What a great representation of diversity. What a great tournament, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

May the madness now begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

One of the best parts of the annual NCAA basketball tournament is its clear manifestation of diversity. Too often too many inaccurately boast of their all-accepting, diverse nature; then they reject the one who does not embrace diversity, meaning the original boaster isn\u2019t as diverse as he or she might believe. Not true in the … <\/p>\n

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