photo courtesy of http://www.reuters.com

JUNE 9: One H-E DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS of a Day

Possibly the biggest day of sports in the entire year was on June 9th, and it all started at 6:30PM.
At 6:30PM, a report leaked that Nebraska University would leave the Big 12 and join the Big 10. This sparks what most people think will dissolve the Big 12 entirely, splitting the Big 12 between the Big 10 and the Pac 10. Missouri and Nebraska should end up joining the Big 10 and Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and Colorado will join the Pac 10. Where Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State will end up is still a mystery. Nebraska should have a decision made by Friday, when they will make a statement. If Nebraska does join, it seems likely that other teams may join the Big 10, including Notre Dame. End of part one.

Part two. About thirty minutes later, at 7PM, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Philadelphia Flyers started game six for the Stanley Cup finals, with the Blackhawks leading the series 3-2. The Hawks struck first, with Dustin Byfuglien scoring in the first period to give them the 1-0 lead. The Flyers then scored two straight to come back and give them the 2-1 lead. The Hawks then quickly struck back, scoring two of their own goals, to end the second period in a 3-2 lead, in favor of the Hawks. Then with four minutes to go in the final period, Scott Harnell scored for the Flyers, tying the game and sending it to over time. Then four minutes and six seconds into overtime, after Antii Niemi surviving an onslaught of shots from the Flyers, Patrick Kane got the game-winning goal, clinching the Stanley Cup for the Blackhawks, their first Stanley Cup in 49 years. As the Hawks hoisted the Stanley Cup over their heads, the players skated around in disbelief and absolute happiness, which could be one of many Stanley Cup wins, with their team being as young as they are.  The win breaks the fifth longest drought of any championship for a team in the NFL, NBA, MLB, or NHL. End of part two.
Part three. Immediately after the Blackhawks-Flyers game ended at 10:30PM, another source leaked that the University of Southern California was in trouble. Big trouble. An NCAA investigation has shown that USC has violated rules in both their men’s basketball and football teams. The punishment handed out to USC includes forfeiting all of their 2004 victories, reduced amount of scholarships, and a two-year ban on postseason football. The NCAA will release their sanctions on Thursday. If true, this could scar USC athletics for many years to come. USC has recently gotten into trouble, as being sanctioned August of 2001, but has also been investigated for breaking NCAA rules by buying gifts for recruits, such as Reggie Bush. USC also self-sanctioned themselves a few years ago, vacating all their wins from the 2007-2008 season, putting a one year postseason ban on themselves, and reducing their number of scholarships. If USC does get in trouble again, the NCAA says they are “repeat offenders”, offering a much more major punishment.
This day is possibly the biggest day of the year in sports, or possibly of the decade.