From the shoes we wear on our feet to the high definition televisions in our living room, wearable devices, the sports universe is a breeding ground for technology. Writer and Photographer Rick Limpert will examine this each week on The Tech of Sports – With guests which include athletes, inventors and journalists that cover the intersection of sports and technology.
Rick talks to his friend, Bob Gillespie, former sportswriter and now co-author of South Carolina Golf.
For nearly three hundred years, South Carolina has played a vital role in American golf. The first golf clubs in America came from Scotland to Charleston in 1739. Myrtle Beach is sometimes called the “Golf Capital of the World,” with more than eighty golf courses. The Country Club of Charleston produced World Golf Hall of Fame members Henry Picard and Beth Daniel. The 1991 Ryder Cup matches, the “War by the Shore,” took place at Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course, also the site of the 2012 and 2021 PGA Championships. Hilton Head’s Harbour Town Golf Links has hosted the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage for more than fifty years. Bob Gillespie and Tommy Braswell detail the history of the game in the Palmetto State.
Bob Gillespie was a senior sportswriter, columnist and golf writer for The State newspaper in Columbia, South Carolina, from 1979 to 2010. He won The State’s Ambrose E. Gonzales Award for distinguished journalism in 1988, was Associated Press Sports Editors’ national runner-up in features (2001) and explanatory stories (2009) and was named the Herman Helms Excellence in Media Award winner by the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019. He and his wife, Jane, live in Columbia.
If you like golf, if you like South Carolina… get this book!
Keira McCarrell is one busy girl. A redshirt senior at Auburn University, is staying occupied in 2021 with school, track and field and her love of creating works of art.
Rick talks to Keira about combining being in school, running track and selling her beautiful artwork, which this holiday season included Christmas cards.
“I was born in British Columbia, Canada, and compete on their national team when presented the opportunity. I was raised in Oregon and transferred from University of Oregon to now Auburn. As a multi athlete, I have always found myself trying new things and doing everything I can to keep myself busy.”
Her artist journey started in high school when she started being very passionate about pottery.
“As I lost my access to a studio I picked up watercolor. My mom suggested I started selling them online and I’ve been doing it ever since. It’s what keeps my mind at ease when I’m constantly thinking about sports and school during the week!
See how Keira does it all and has a shot at the Olympics. Have a listen.
LG’s John Colaneri talks about the new OLED evo G1.
Unlock the potential of your room with LG OLED evo G1 packing all the ground-breaking technology that makes LG OLED the most celebrated TV in the world into a shockingly thin design that fits your style. John Colaneri explains how the #LGOLEDTV can elevate your space with features like the new stylish stand, gallery mode & design, ultra thin design, and a range of sizes. Let’s not forget picture quality like no other with a screen that has over 8 million self-lit pixels.Follow LG USA:
That would be Zane Smith. He is the feature of the Tech of Sports this week.
Zane Smith who finished second in the Truck series points in 2020 was recently introduced as the driver for the Abingdon based late model team.
“I feel like this group definitely deserves some wins,” said Smith. “I feel like they have all the resources to do so,”
In addition to finishing second in the points, he was also the Truck Series Rookie of the Year and Most Popular Driver. He won two races last season at Michigan and Dover.
“He’s a great driver,” said Josh Reeves, Highland Motorsports crew chief. “To finish second in the points and win most popular driver his rookie season in the truck series, there’s so many different incentives to make him the perfect fit for what we need.”
Highlands Motorsports Crew Chief Josh Reeves talks about new driver Zane Smith
Owner Wayne Lopez agrees. He said he can’t think of a better driver to help ramp up his Super Late Model team.
“Being able to add Zane as a talent is just amazing for us,” said Lopez. ” I think if you were going to start a program, I don’t know if you wouldn’t pick him at any level.”
Every year more than 3 million people suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI). While those are the reported cases, it is estimated that the actual number is two-three times higher. A TBI occurs from the sudden jarring of the brain such as in a car wreck or fall.
Dr. Haider answers the tough questions.
When these events occur, the brain is rocked violently against the inside of the cranium, generating a shock wave that reverberates back through the brain severing valuable nerve fibers and rupturing sensitive neurons. Over ninety percent of those with a TBI receive a “mild” categorization. Those with “Mild” TBI suffer from a myriad of symptoms, not much different from those who have received a “Sever” categorization. The symptoms may include headaches, depression, dizziness, memory loss and many other symptoms. These symptoms may take days, weeks or months to manifest – which has also made it difficult to associate the cause of TBI with the symptoms. With “objective proof of injury” the millions of victims suffering from TBI will receive the coverage they require to treat permanent brain injuries.
Topics:
What are the most common causes of these injuries? Do you have tips on how to avoid them?
Tell us your personal story. When and why did you start the National Brain Injury Institute?
What is Diffusion Tensor Imaging? Why is this technology so important in diagnosing patients?
Where can we find more information?
More About Dr. Huma Haider: Raised in Pakistan, the single mother of two children, Huma left everything behind and moved to Chicago to complete her medical training. Her medical career led her to Houston where she founded the National Brain Injury Institute. She is pioneering a technique and protocol to activate a 20 year-old imaging technology called Diffusion Tensor Imaging. Now serving patients in all 50 US states, Dr. Huma Haider is a rare gem. She’s someone who genuinely cares for people who are suffering from this terrible injury.
Dr. Huma Haider knows firsthand how devastating this can be. She lost her husband to a TBI and has devoted her life to the study of traumatic brain injuries.
It’s pickleball this week with Mike and Rob from SelkirkSport.
As the popularity of Pickleball continues to surge during the COVID-19 era, Selkirk Sport has been recognized as the Pickleball Manufacturer of the year by Racquet Sports Industry (RSi) in conjunction with their inaugural Champions of Pickleball Awards. The family-owned Company based in Hayden, ID is at the forefront of driving growth of the sport, offering a full line-up of Made in-the USA Pickleball Paddles for all levels and an assortment of accessories.
As outdoor activities continue to adapt to adhere to CDC and local/national health guidelines, the sport of Pickleball serves as the perfect “social distancing” physical activity. Today, Pickleball boasts more than 3.46 million players across the U.S., according to the most recent data by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association and RSi recognized Selkirk Sport alongside individuals and organizations that continue to make a positive impact, while helping to accelerate the game’s growing popularity and success.
The RSI excerpt from the November/December issue: MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR – Selkirk Sport
Founded in 2014 by brothers Mike and Rob Barnes and their father, Jim Barnes, this family-owned company in Hayden, Idaho, is a leader in pickleball paddle design and technology, building high-performance pickle-ball equipment. Selkirk’s current product line includes paddles, balls, bags, apparel and accessories. Selkirk’s mantra—“We Are Pickleball”—applies as much to the creation of innovative equipment as to the effort to improve and promote the pickleball community as a whole. The brand partners with, among other groups, the Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships, but also with Third Shot Sports, an organization to help bring pickleball awareness and clinics to all ages. Selkirk recently introduced its Vanguard Paddle series, pushing the envelope in technology and its $200 price—which has not deterred consumers, as the paddles quickly sold out on the brand’s website.
“We are committed to supporting the growth of Pickleball at the recreation and professional level, and it’s humbling to be recognized by such a well-respected organization, as a Champion of Pickleball,” said Rob Barnes, Managing Partner, Selkirk Sport. “While 2020 has been a challenging year battling a pandemic, it’s refreshing to see so many individuals of all ages and backgrounds embrace Pickleball as an activity that can be enjoyed in a safe and responsible way.”
Selkirk Sport is one of the industry’s fastest growing companies, and their paddles are used by many of the game’s premier players, many who are national/regional champions. Team Selkirk Ambassadors include: Tyson McGuffin, 4-Time National Champion and one of the top ranked players in the world; Cammy MacGregor, Top ranked senior player and former top 75 women’s professional tennis player; Morgan Evans, Coach to the world’s elite Pickleball players; Enrique Ruiz: Hall of Famer & 6-Time National Champion; Kaitlyn Christian, 28-year old Professional Tennis Player – Top 50 in Doubles on WTA Tour; Joanne Russell, 1977 Wimbledon Doubles Champion; Lindsey & Riley Newman, Top five ranked players and college basketball officials and Sherri Steinhauer: former LPGA star, 3-Time Women’s British Open Champion & 4-Time United States Solheim Cup Winner, among many others.
