As 2006 ends, we
will be looking back at some people and stories that
dominated the sports world and our coverage at Outsports
this year.
Our seven
"Sports Story of the Year" nominees represent the
good, the bad and the ugly of a year that was as marred by
major sports controversy as any before it.
Doping in sports
It seems every sport was hit this year with positive
tests surfacing and rumors spreading, from some of
the biggest hitters in baseball to the fastest man
in the world to the successor to Lance Armstrong.
Duke lacrosse scandal
Whether they did it or didn't do it, the lives of
several people were dramatically hit by a scandal
that got a coach fired and ignited racial tension in
North Carolina. With word now that the accuser is
pregnant and that the D.A. hit DNA-test results,
this scandal just keeps getting worse.
Gay Games and Outgames
These two events both came off this past summer with
positive reviews. They both then posted deficits
after saying they would not. Still, the participants
had a great time at both, as they always do.
George Mason to the final four
It's been a long time since an 11-seed made it to
the Final Four, but this little school outside of
Washington, D.C., made virtually everyone believe in
Cinderella.
Hazing run amock
From high school to college to the NFL, examples of
hazing went out of control this year, with entire
teams being suspended and seasons being cancelled.
And until professional organizations like the NFL
put a stop to it in their ranks, it will continue.
Homophobia in Penn State women's basketball
While Penn State issued a hand-slap for women's
basketball coach Rene Portland, Jennifer Harris, who
accused Portland of homophobic policies, spoke for
many people when she said, "Penn State did not take
the allegations seriously and does not appear
interested in solving the underlying problem." Now,
a court case looms.
New Orleans Saints
Probably the feel-good story of the year, the Saints
shocked most people by winning the NFC South in
their first season back in the Superdome after
Hurricane Katrina.
