As we near Super Bowl Sunday and the much-anticipated rematch between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants, the talk is not only about which team will win but which one is more mentally tough.

This begs the question: what is mental toughness? Everyone from sports writers to fans throws that term around – sometimes incorrectly.

Sport psychologists coined the term years ago when they discovered that 50 to 90% of success in high-level sports could be attributed to mental factors, known collectively as mental toughness.

Ok, so what are those mental factors?

Well, first, let me tell you what they are NOT:

Mentally tough is not…

• Acting mean and aggressive
• Knocking the bejeezus out of another player just because you can
• Talking trash
• Thumping your chest or strutting like you’re “the man”
• Playing when injured (if doing so can cause further serious damage)
• Staring down your opponent in an effort to scare him
• Playing dirty

In other words, toughness or a display of toughness is not the same as being mentally tough.

Super Bowl Coaches Coughlin and Belichick have their own definitions which Mark Cannizzaro reported on in his article on mental toughness in the New York Post. According to Cannizzaro, Giants’ coach Tom Coughlin said; “I’m very impressed with our mental toughness. We preach it from Day One and try to explain what it is – a perfectly disciplined will that refuses to give in.”

Adding a slightly different spin, Coach Belichick of the Patriots referred to mental toughness as “…doing your best for the team even when everything’s not going right for you personally.” Pat’s quarterback, Tom Brady, said that the team has demonstrated resiliency over the season. “Even in the games we’ve lost we fought until the end. We’re always going to fight until the end.”

These are all elements of mental toughness, which is not any one thing but includes a number of mental factors. Sport psychologists have their own definitions of mental toughness. I like this one:

Mental toughness is the ability to consistently perform toward the upper range of your talent and skill regardless of competitive circumstances. It is the constellation of psychological and cognitive qualities that determine one’s competitive edge.

I’ve come up with 8 psychological and cognitive qualities that I think are associated with mental toughness. And by the way, mental toughness isn’t just for athletes. We can all work to strengthen our mental toughness. So, take a look at each factor and consider how you would rate yourself. Let me know what you think.

Mentally Tough Is…..

Championship mind-set

• Willing and open to seeking feedback about your performance
• Eagerness to learn and improve
• See critiques as information, not personal indictment
• Open to ongoing learning/coaching

Concentration

• Ability to get and stay focused on task at hand
• Ability to manage internal and external distractions
• Flexibility in shifting focus as task demands change

Composure

• Staying cool and calm in the clutch
• Poise and self-assurance even in high stakes situations
• Ability to perform well in high-pressure, competitive situations

Come-back from mistakes

• Ability to bounce back from set-backs and mistakes
• Ability to let go of disappointments
• Seeing mistakes as opportunities to learn and improve

Clarity about motivation

• Motivation gives purpose/direction to behavior
• Motivation is your “why”
• Not what you desire but the reason you desire it

Commitment

• Dedicating yourself to a course of action
• Clarity about your why drives action
• Creating SMART goals facilitates commitment
• Agreeing to be accountable for your actions

Confidence

• Your belief in yourself to perform well
• Positive expectations for favorable outcomes
• Sweet spot between arrogance and despair

Courage

• Quality of spirit that enables you to face danger
• Not absence of fear; triumph over it
• Heart, spirit

As the two teams meet on Sunday, we can be guaranteed of an exciting game. Both teams seem to exhibit great mental toughness skills but we will learn which team has the edge on Sunday.  What do you think…..which team has the mental toughness to win SuperBowl 46?

About Pamela Enders

Dr. Pamela Enders is a psychologist/peak performance coach with 30 years experience who is on the faculty of Harvard Medical School. Pamela works with people who have to succeed in high stakes, high visibility situations such as athletes, professionals in law, medicine, and business plus performing artists - providing coaching and training in peak performance skills, mental toughness techniques, presentation skills, and business building strategies. When not working, Pamela enjoys hiking in the French Alps, biking in Maine (or anywhere) and cooking. She is also a performing artist with 3 CDs to her name.

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On July 12th and 13th some of the biggest names in digital sports marketing will be attending and speaking in Sydney, Australia for the annual Sports Technology Conference.

SportsNetworker.com and the SEA has teamed up as a media partner for the event, and I’ll be speaking on personal branding in sports, and leveraging LinkedIn (among other things).

For those interested in attending, make sure to use “sportsnetworker” during your checkout process in the coupon code to receive a discount.

Read below to learn more about the speakers and sessions, but make sure to click here to read more on the event and to register.  I look forward to seeing you in Sydney! 

Speakers

The 2011 conference is headlined by a dozen of the world’s best digital sport marketers who discuss how they have incorporated both social and digital media into various aspects of their own operations.

John McCauley, New Media Director, Maple Leaf Sports Enterprises, owners of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors & Toronto FC [more] Monday Masterclass, Presentation 1: Maple Leaf Sport Enterprises’ multi-platform approach to digital strategy Day 2, Presentation 7: Game Day digital

 

Andy Pawlowski, Global Digital Lead, Nike Basketball [more] Monday Masterclass, Presentation 2: Personal Brand panel Day 1, Presentation 2: Nike Basketball’s digital and social media initiatives supporting Kobe Bryant’s Black Mamba range

 

Brian Kalinowski, Executive VP, WWE [more] Monday Masterclass, Presentation 2: Personal Brand panel Day 1, Presentation 9: Why choosing Facebook as your primary social media presence makes sense

 

Lewis Howes, Author – Founder of the Sports Executives Association, Publisher of The Sports Networker blogsite [more] Monday Masterclass, Presentation 2: Personal Brand panel Day 2, Presentation 9: Digital Publishing panel

 

Matt Owen - Manager, Online Communities Liverpool FC [more] Day 1, Presentation 1: How Liverpool FC adapts its social media strategy to engage with different communities and cultures Day 2, Presentation 9 Digital Publishing panel

 

Peter Stringer, Director – Interactive Media, Boston Celtics [more] Day 1, Presentation 3: How the Celtics’ 3 Point Play Facebook app both encourages fan engagement and generates fan data Day 2, Presentation 4: Celtics Video – the journey from intern-held camcorder through to a sponsorable digital asset

 

Jason Yeh, Director – New Media, MLB Advanced Media [more] Day 1, Presentation 4: Shaping baseball fans’ social medi chatter into a  saleable “digital” asset Day 2 , Presentation 3: Delivering MLB’s Mobile Picture and Video Blogging sevices to baseball fans

 

Shane Harmon, General Manager, Marketing and Communications, Rugby NZ 2011 Ltd [more] Day 1, Presentation 6: Managing issues in the digital age Day 2, Presentation 7, The media aspect of Social Media

 

Russ Stanley, Managing VP, Ticket Sales & Services San Francisco Giants [more] Day 1, Presentation 9: Using digital means to deliver an exlempary Season Ticket Holder experience Day 2, Presentation 2: Dynamic pricing pays

 

Matt Higgins – Executive VP Business Operations New York Jets [more] Day 2, Presentation 1: How New Meadowlands Stadium provides the New York Jets with triple digital advantages in the areas of branding, fan engagement and business operations Day 2, Presentation 6: The media aspect of Social Media

 

Tom Jolly, Managing Editor, Night News & former Sports Editor – New York Times [more] Day 2, Presentation 7 Media aspects of Social Media Day 2, Presentation 9: Digital Publishing panel

 

Simon Collinson, Marketing Director, Wigan Warriors; formerly Marketing Manager, Bradford Bulls [more] Day 2, Presentation 8: Generating considerable team revenue through a substantive online presence

About Lewis Howes

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The very first NBA All-Star Game ever was staged in 1951. This year the game will be celebrating its diamond anniversary, which is why the uniforms feature an integrated diamond pattern.

Sunday’s game will go straight into the rich history of the NBA. As players and fans are making their way to the Staples Center, let’s take a look at the All-Time Best from All-Star’s Past.

Here’s my picks:

Eastern Conference All-Stars (36 wins).

Guard: Micheal Jordan, “Air Jordan”
Words are not enough…

Guard: Dave Bing
Put Detroit basketball on the map

Forward: Larry Bird, “The Hick from French Lick / Larry Legend”
Smartest player ever

Forward: Julius Erving, “Dr, J”.
Doctor of Dunk

Center: Bill Russell
The Sultan of Swat

6th man: Isiah Thomas, “Zeke”
Best little man ever

Coach: Arnold Auerbach, “Red”
Lord of the rings (16!)

Western Conference All-Stars (23 wins)

Guard: Earvin Johnson, “Magic”
The Houdini of basketball

Guard: Oscar Robertson, “The Big O”
Mr. Triple double

Forward: Karl Malone, “The Mailman”
Made UPS look bad

Forward: Kareem Abdul Jabbar, “Cap”
Captain Skyhook

Center: Wilt Chaimberlain, “The Stilt”
100 points in one game

6th man Jerry West, “Zeke from Cabin Creek / Mr. Clutch“
The NBA logo

Coach: Phil Jackson, “Zen Master”
Master of Bling with 13 rings, will he ever catch Red?

Currently active players were not part of my selection. With that being the only ‘rule’, who do YOU believe are the Best NBA All-Stars of All-Time?

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Image by pdxsurreal

About Thomas van Schaik

Thomas studied Communications in Amsterdam and has been working in international sports for over 15 years. He started his professional career at the Amsterdam Admirals in the NFL Europe and moved to Dutch professional soccer champions PSV Eindhoven in 1997. In 2001 he moved to Southern Germany to join Adidas. He's filled a variety of roles with the sporting goods brand, including 'Head of Global PR'. In 2011 he moved into the role of Global Brand Director.

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On February 15th, the UEFA Champions League will finally recommence. 16 of Europe’s best soccer teams are still competing for the title. Who will end up lifting the trophy? Nobody will be able to predict the future, well … except me of course.

Below you will find 6 bold predictions concerning the world’s most successful annual sports competition: the UEFA Champions League.

By 2011:

The UEFA Champions League Will Be the Most Watched Event…Ever

The UEFA Champions League final on May 28^th 2011 will become the most watched annual sporting event in global television history! The live broadcast will exceed the grand total of 115 million average viewers worldwide.

A Spanish Team Will Win the 13^th ‘Spanish Trophy’

Defending FIFA World Cup & UEFA European Champions Spain will also become the most successful nation in the history of European club soccer, with a grand total of 13(!) UEFA Champions League wins (might have something to do with this character). Currently Italy and Spain both boast 12 wins; England has 11.

By 2015:

The Finals Will Be Numbered

UEFA will start numbering its UEFA Champions League finals. Most probably in Arabic numerals, the numeral system widely used in Europe and the Americas – as opposed to the Roman numerals used for the Super Bowl.

50% of All Finalists Will Be in English

At least 5 out of the next 10 teams to qualify for the UEFA Champions League final will be English. (Bonus prediction: All winners during these five years will be English, Spanish or Italian football teams).

By 2021:

Only 2 ‘New Teams’ Will Win the Competition

The UEFA Champions League title will not have been won by more than 23 different clubs (currently its 21, 12 of which have won the title more than once). The only additions to the current list could be Chelsea FC and / or Manchester City (sorry to disappoint all gunners).

Asian Players Will Leave Their Mark

The coming decade will see the break-through of Asian soccer talent. By 2021 at least 11 players will have participated in the UEFA Champions League final. Up to now only one Asian player has participated (South Korean Ji-Sung Park who lost the final with Manchester United in 2009).

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Image by yo_ghurt

About Thomas van Schaik

Thomas studied Communications in Amsterdam and has been working in international sports for over 15 years. He started his professional career at the Amsterdam Admirals in the NFL Europe and moved to Dutch professional soccer champions PSV Eindhoven in 1997. In 2001 he moved to Southern Germany to join Adidas. He's filled a variety of roles with the sporting goods brand, including 'Head of Global PR'. In 2011 he moved into the role of Global Brand Director.

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A week ago, a British sports commentator was fired because of a sexist comment made when he believed the microphone to be off. The story was widely covered around the world and shows that being a sports commentator comes with its own set of challenges and responsibilities. Fortunately the profession also offers some very unique opportunities. While some of the best sports commentators are genuinely admired and appreciated for the drama, humor and passion they bring to the game, the very best of them are simply never forgotten!

What defines great sports commentary? Simply sharing your insights and knowing when to shut-up are clearly not good enough. Truly memorable commentary, the kind that firmly engraves itself in our collective memory, can only stands out because when the commentator is as passionate about the game as the audience itself.Some commentators are never forgotten, because their words were (almost) as memorable and inspirational as the events they covered. Below is a Top Five of some of the most iconic sport commentary ever. Some was given before I was even born but most certainly deserves its place in this top 5!

5. “The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant!”

Major League Baseball, New York Giants – Brooklyn Dodgers
3 October 1951,Russ Hodges, WMCA-AM radio

4. “They think it’s all over”

1966 FIFA World Cup Final, England – Germany
30 July 1966, Kenneth Wolstenholme, BBC

3. “Do you believe in miracles?”

1980 Winter Olympics medal-round, USA – Soviet Union
22 February, 1980, Al Michaels, ABC

2. “Maggie Thatcher can you hear me?”

FIFA World Cup qualifier, Norway – England
9 September 1981, Bjørge Lillelien, Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation

1. “Cosmic Kite, what planet did you come from?”

1986 FIFA World Cup quarter final, Argentina – England
22 June 1986, Victor Hugo Morales, Radio Argentina

If your personal favorite is not yet included in this list, please feel free to add it to the comments…

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About Thomas van Schaik

Thomas studied Communications in Amsterdam and has been working in international sports for over 15 years. He started his professional career at the Amsterdam Admirals in the NFL Europe and moved to Dutch professional soccer champions PSV Eindhoven in 1997. In 2001 he moved to Southern Germany to join Adidas. He's filled a variety of roles with the sporting goods brand, including 'Head of Global PR'. In 2011 he moved into the role of Global Brand Director.

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(This is a guest post by Debra Miller)

Golfers use approximately $800 million in golf balls every year. We all know how expensive the game of golf can be, let alone a golf membership at an exclusive country club. However, there is a way to play at famous private courses without mortgaging your house or calling in a favor of a friend who knows someone who belongs there.

Every year, thousands of non-profits across the country conduct golf outing fundraisers, typically on a Monday, which is a slow day for most clubs. It’s an opportunity that provides exclusive access for golfers at just a fraction of what a club membership costs.

I recently coordinated the local Liberty Mutual Invitational at TPC (Tournament Player’s Club) Jasna Polana in Princeton, New Jersey. Amateur golfers from all over were more than willing to pay the $300 entry fee to play the course designed by the legendary Gary Player to help support the Hunter’s Hope Foundation. Over $48,000 in prizes and giveaways were donated to the outing by Liberty Mutual Insurance, TaylorMade adidas, Polaroid, Sports Vision Eyewear and Golf Digest.

This tournament was unique in that it also provided an opportunity for the local first place team to compete in the National Finals at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina – a 72-hole cumulative scramble tournament played on three Tour quality courses. Now, who wouldn’t feel like a professional golfer after playing there?

With 72 Invitational tournaments being held throughout the country, you have plenty of options. You can find one at the Liberty Mutual Invitational website.

The opportunity to play a TPC course with your friends also makes for great bragging rights and the networking opportunities can be endless. After all, we know how key building relationships can be, especially in the sports industry. The best part is that it’s all part of a good cause.

So if you think of your golf game is up to par, perhaps you can consider testing your skills for a shot at the finals. If you have a good day, you may just find yourself ending up at Pinehurst Resort.

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Debra Miller is the President of Central Jersey based DM Events LLC. Her expertise in assisting non-profits enhance their events has resulted in increased participation at golf outings, galas and special functions for various organizations who utilized her skill set for both small and large projects over the years.

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About Lewis Howes

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The Carolina Panthers are challenging their fans to compete in the  ’Panthers Purrsuit’ social media contest, the first of its kind in the NFL, on Saturday, October 23.

Fans will pair up into teams of two and compete against other fan teams in an all day “Amazing Race” style contest which will take place at locations throughout greater Charlotte. The Purrsuit begins at Bank of America Stadium at noon. Teams will then follow a series of clues and instructions and complete challenges at locations throughout the day.

Check-in to Play

At each location, the smartphone-toting teams will complete a task and check-in with geo-location apps like Foursquare and Gowalla. Tasks vary at each location and can include physical challenges or collecting items similar to a scavenger hunt. Locations will range from public landmarks to local charities to Panthers sponsors throughout the region.
Teams will earn points for completed tasks at each location. At the end of the day, all contestants will reconvene for a Tweetup and party at an as-yet-unannounced location during which prizes will be awarded.
The grand prize is a pair of tickets, airfare and hotel accommodations to watch the Panthers play the Steelers in Pittsburgh on December 23. The Panthers will also give out prizes for a number of other criteria including the most original team name.

Staying Original in Sports and Social Media

“Panthers Purrsuit showcases how social media can bring people together, forge new connections  and support area businesses” Panthers President Danny Morrison said. “This is a first-of-its-kind use of social media.”

The Panthers created the Purrsuit contest with the help of Scott Hepburn, a Charlotte area social media strategist. “This is the year of location-based social networking,” Hepburn said. “Panthers Purrsuit is about consumers connecting through social media and further developing those relationships through meaningful ‘real life’ experiences.”

Panthers Purrsuit is the latest social media based contest in professional sports. The New Jersey Nets made headlines in April when they gave away autographed memorabilia to Gowalla users who checked in during Nets games.

Fans can register or find more information about the Panthers Purrsuit on the Panthers website or by watching Panthers player Everette Brown explain the Purrsuit in the video below.

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About Brendan Wilhide

Brendan Wilhide runs Sportsin140.com, a site that covers sports and social media. He is currently co-authoring a textbook on social media for the sports industry. Follow him on Twitter: @BrendanWilhide and @Sportsin140.

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Back by popular request, Sports Networker returns to the international stage one again this fall as it teams up with the UK Sports Network for an exciting sports professionals networking event at the Sports Bar & Grill in London.

When:  August 10th from 6pm-9pm

Where:  Marylebone Station, Melcombe Place, London NW1 6JJ, United Kingdom

The UK Sports Network is a group founded by Daniel McClaren that strives to share its expertise on sports social media and the industry’s latest trends with sports professionals.  Since its inception in November 2009, nearly 1,000 sports professionals now seek the insight and creativity that the UK Sports Network offers.

All sports professionals are welcome to attend this event and learn from the experts on social media and the latest developments in the sports industry.  Admission is £10 GBP if you sign up now, and £15 GBP at the door. Stay posted for updates about the event by registering for the event on LinkedIn HERE.

To receive early bird pricing and ensure your spot at this event (as there is limited spacing) register below and we look forward to seeing you at the event!  Make sure to add your company name when you check out as this will be included on your name tag.

About Lewis Howes

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I first started watching the ESPYS thinking I was going to write an article on the good and bad that happened during the event. I had my first entries all ready to go, I had segments written bashing Janelle Monae for those trifling singing performances between segments, and pieces written showing my utmost appreciation toward Erin Andrews and Brooklyn Decker for attending the award show; obviously because I have the utmost appreciation for their successful careers. Than as the night progressed I began to acquire a different tune about the ESPYS, one of which was not solely concentrated on the awards and entertainment of the night, but rather on the underlying meaning behind this huge event.

Approaching the ESPYS it is certainly easy to categorize it as another event that raises the stock and produces more accolades for the already rich and famous athletes strolling their stuff on the red carpet in L.A., but I was able to determine a different summary of the night; a night that highlighted the perseverance of individuals, the resurrection of towns, and the voice of the people in a collective environment.

Quite often their is scrutiny when fans have the opportunity to vote that allows them to determine the outcome of an athletic event or award. It is often claimed that the average fan does not have enough knowledge to wager their two sense into a decision, and therefore voting should be left to the “professionals”. Certainly at times I can back this decision, as I even thought about doing so when the New Orleans Saints were awarded the trophy for best team. Drew Brees and company produced an electric offense and a stellar team during this past season, but can you really compare them to the women’s basketball team at the University of Connecticut that compiled a final record of 33-0 and won a national championship. It was not until the conclusion of the ESPYS that I realized that they were not all about statistics and numbers, but rather it brought a certain emotional and personal level to the stage, a level that was created largely because of “uneducated” fan.

After analyzing the event it is now easy to conclude that the winners of the night were based on various emotional appeals and the connection between American fans and their nation and cities. Should the Saints have really won the Best Team Award, its arguable, but the story linked to that team and Katrina and how our nation rallied together during a time of distress was too powerful for voters to have it any other way. Was Landon Donovan and U.S.A. soccer really the most worthy recipient for the Best Moment Award? They could have been, but what they really did was allow an entire nation to come together as a collective unit while allowing our country to cheer for the red, white, and blue.  That being said, maybe that is the same reason why Lindsay Vohn ousted Serna Williams and Maya Moore for Best Female Athlete. Was Vohn really the better athlete, or could we not detach our American pride from the equation.

By no means am I trying to claim that certain individuals did not deserve their awards, but rather I am embracing the idea that emotional events and times of unity can be ever so powerful. The most memorable moment was probably acknowledging an individual whom you have never heard of before the evening began, Ed Thomas. If you still do not know who Thomas is, that is okay, but what you need to know is the emotional tie that was brought upon the audience during the explanation of his life, a story that allowed an audience of multi-million dollar athletes to realize what they do for a profession is only a small scheme of the big game we like to call life. It was also during the Jimmy V award presentation, when George Karl was presented the award for his perseverance, that everyone was able to realize that there is so much more to everyday living than sports.

Certainly the night was filled with humorous skits joking about Bret Favre’s age, critiquing LeBron’s James’ decision, and questioning Tiger Wood’s steering ability, but when the night was over I was able to reflect on the ESPYS and understand that there is nothing more powerful in our world than emotional connection. Sports are a huge part of our industry today, but in the end everyone must remember something my parents would constantly tell me when I played sports growing up, “remember, it’s only a game.”

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. The decision is yours.

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Images by @ESPYs

About Matt Clark

Matt Clark is currently an intern for Sports Networker, studying sport management and public relations at York College of Pennsylvania. He has an extreme passion for learning about new trends in social media and technology and how it is revolutionizing sports. He has contributed as sports editor for the York College newspaper, been an event manager for collegiate sporting events, intramural supervisor, contributor to the sports information department, and executive board member on the Sport Management Student Association. Matt is heading into his third season as part of the game-day entertainment with the Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees. Connect with him on Twitter @mattgclark

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There are three stereotypes that Canadians are generally known for: 1. we say ‘eh’ a lot. 2. we’re extremely nice to a fault and 3. we love our hockey. Representing both 2 and 3, Communication student Richard Loat decided to embark on a journey across Canada to play ball hockey while raising money for local food banks along the way. The event, dubbed Five Hole for Food in honor of the most glorious way to score a goal in hockey, is fueled by big name sponsors such as Molson Canadian, Boston Pizza, and Marketwire, along with support from teams in the National Hockey League, American Hockey League, Canadian Hockey League and the East Coast Hockey League.

The idea came when Richard was planning a cross-country road trip and decided to do something a little more meaningful with his miles. Already well known in the hockey social media scene as a blogger for the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, Richard reached out to other hockey fans across the country, and found the online community to be extremely receptive and supportive. The blueprint for 9 games in 11 days was quickly formed. So far, games have already been played in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina, Calgary, and Edmonton.

Along with playing hockey and raising food, it has also been a good chance for Richard to put faces to many of those he converses with daily on Twitter. Almost all of the promotion for the event have been done completely online through Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter, while newspapers like the National Post and other hockey bloggers have offered their support:

With a goal of raising 2000 pounds of food, Five Hole for Food has been a huge success with over 1900 pounds raised already and two cities left on the circuit. Plans to expand to Newfoundland, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia have already been talked about for next year. The cross country tour will end on Friday, July 9th in the heart of downtown Vancouver, Richard’s home town and the home of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Originally set at a nearby park, some strings were pulled with the city and the game is now going to be on Granville Street, the same place where all daily parades took place just months earlier. With Calgary raising over 640 lbs of food, Vancouver will have to step it up in order to get gain bragging rights for the year. For those that cannot make the event, you can still donate food items online.

As Richard and his crew wrap up what’s almost sure to become an annual event, they have subconsciously called out to fans of other sports. With the reach of social media, it has become so much easier to organize meetups and events to connect those with the same interests. If hockey in Canada can raise over 2000 lbs of food in 11 days, imagine what could happen with a 30 day basketball tour in all 48 states, eh?

About Sam Chan

Sam is the community manager of Sports Networker and the Sports Executive Association. He is passionate in all things sports, mobile, and social media. His dream is for the Vancouver Canucks to win a Stanley Cup in his lifetime, although so far, its looking kind of bleak. In the past, he worked with BlackBerry and helped relaunch their Business-to-Business network. With his experience there, he can probably help you change your ringtone, maybe. When he finds time (never), he also writes infrequently at his personal blog. If you would like to talk sports, write a guest post for us, or argue about why iPhone > BlackBerry, you can find him on Twitter, Facebook or email.

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