THE DECEMBER ATHLETIC EVENT PLANNER
10 >Boys Basketball at East Haven HS @ 10:30 am
>Indoor Track at Hillhouse @ 9:00 am
>Wrestling at Berlin HS @ 9:00 am
12 >Girls Hockey at Veteran’s v. Simsbury @ 7:00 pm
13 >Girls Basketball at Hall v. Bloomfield @ 7:00 pm
14 >Boys Basketball at Hall v. Glastonbury @ 7:00 pm
>Boys Hockey at Veteran’s v. Windsor @ 7:30 pm
>Boys Swimming at Cornerstone v. Fermi @ 3:30 pm
>Wrestling at Hall v. Greater Hartford Classical Magnet @ 6:00 pm
15 >Boys Basketball at Hall v. Southington @ 7:00 pm
>Girls Basketball at Simsbury @ 7:00 pm
>Boys Swimming at Bulkeley HS for Bulkeley Relays @ 6:00 pm
17 >Boys Hockey at Norwich Free Academy @ 6:00 pm
>Girls Hockey at East Haven Ice Rink v. Guilford @ 6:00 pm
>Indoor Track at Yale Invitational @ 9:00 am
>Wrestling at Farmington @ 7:00 pm
19 >Boys Hockey at Newington Rink v. Northwest Catholic @ 7:40 pm
>Girls Hockey at Veteran’s v. Hand @ 7:00 pm
20 >Boys Basketball at Weaver @ 7:00 pm
>Girls Basketball at Hall v. Weaver @ 7:00 pm
>Boys Swimming at Cornerstone v. East Hartford @ 3:30 pm
21 >Boys Hockey at Newington Ice Rink v. Rocky Hill @ 7:50 pm
>Wrestling at Maloney w/ Meriden @ 6:00 pm
22 >Indoor Track at Bulkeley HS for CCC Meet @ 4:00 pm
23 >Boys Basketball at Hall v. Newington @ 7:00 pm
>Girls Basketball at Bristol Central @ 7:00 pm
26 >Wrestling at Rocky Hill for Rocky Hill Tournament TBA
27 >Boys Basketball at South Windsor @ 7:00 pm
>Girls Basketball at Hall v. Windsor @ 7:00 pm
28 >Boys Hockey at Veteran’s v. Manchester @ 7:30 pm
>Girls Gymnastics at Whiting Lane v. Glastonbury @ 6:30 pm
29 >Indoor Track at Brown Invitational TBA
>Wrestling at Simsbury for Farmington Tournament @ 10:00 am
30 >Girls Basketball at East Hartford @ 7:00 pm

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FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS OF THE WEST
By Josh Wirth, ’08
Highlights Staff Writer

19. One number. A huge accomplishment. It has been a long, almost tedious path, and after the smoke clears, one number stands tall: 19. That’s right, after 19 years Hall football reigns once again as CCC West football champions.
After claiming victory versus Conard, 27-21 on November 19, the Hall Warriors became the football champions of the CCC West Conference for the first time since 1986, finishing 8-2 for the season. The newfound success was lead by senior captains Maxim Budyansky and Rene Coleman.
Senior standouts such as David Rivera, Eric Ardolino, Howie Elson, Eric Michaud, Jordan Gaillard, Jeremy Bersin, Mike Morgan and others will be missed on next year’s team, but success should continue with the return of juniors Evan Ogren, Steve Honyotski, Mike Rodriguez, Jesse Ludgin, and sophomore Colin Sitarz, along with the recruits from a solid 8-2 junior varsity team.
When asked why the 2005 Hall football teams exceeded all expectations on the road to victory, Head Coach Frank Robinson stated: “All of our past years were successful and just decided by one or two points…This year’s games were won with the installment of a great passing game as well as a great presence and output of the team seniors.”
Truly, between the new game plan and the hard working players, it all must have worked out, because we now have the 2005-2006 season CCC West football champions!

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Steroids: Pervasive And Detrimental But Worth The Risk?
By Mitch Bernstein, ’08
Highlights Staff Writer

ARE SPORTS AND STEROIDS a prescription for danger? Over the past few years, anabolic steroids have been a huge downer in the sports world. Recently, Major League Baseball, the National Football League, and the prestigious Olympic Games have had difficulty with the recurrent use of steroids in their organizations.
What are anabolic steroids and what do they do? Anabolic steroids are a group of synthetic hormones that promote the storage of protein and the growth of tissue. They are sometimes used to increase muscle size and strength.
So, what is the reason all of these prominent athletes use steroids to increase muscle size and strength? The answer is that athletes compete to become famous, break records, win games, achieve ultimate statistics, as well as reach the American Dream, making millions of dollars. Distinguished athletes such as Jose Canseco and Rafael Palmeiro, both in MLB, have spoken to the public about their anabolic steroid use.
In Jose Canseco’s book, Juiced, he tells the public about his encounters with steroids and informs readers about other sluggers he said were users. In an interview, Canseco stated his reasons for using these synthetic hormones: “I tried to do everything to become the best player in the world. Do I believe steroids and growth hormones helped me achieve that? Yes.” Athletes other than Canseco have used steroids for exactly the same reasons because they thought it would lead to only positive outcomes.
In March, the Reform Committee held a Congressional hearing to discuss the issue of steroids in Major League Baseball. The athletes that attended were mentioned in Jose Canseco’s book. One of the attendees was Rafael Palmeiro, a veteran in the league who has played professionally since 1986. When it was his turn to speak to the Reform Committee, he clearly stated, “I have never used steroids. Period. I don’t know how to say it any more clearly that that. Never.”
Six weeks later, Palmeiro failed a drug test under the league’s new steroid policy and had to serve a 10-game suspension. Palmeiro then changed his obstinate stance to never “intentionally” used steroids. This is just another reason why steroids are a shameful act in sports.
Rafael Palmeiro’s stats show evidence of when he started using steroids to get stronger and better. In 1993 Palmeiro was on the Texas Rangers and Jose Canseco was his teammate. Canseco has said that he had shown other teammates how steroids could help them out. Palmeiro must have taken his advice because his number of home-runs jumped from 22 in 1992 to 37 in 1993. After 1993, Rafael Palmeiro’s homers per season (without injury) was anywhere from 38 to 47 over the next nine years. This massive jump in stats raises the question of whether or not steroids were in
his blood.
President George Bush had this to say about steroids in professional sports, “The use of performance-enhancing drugs like steroids in baseball, football, and other sports…sends the wrong message: that there are shortcuts to accomplishment, and that performance is more important than character.” Other recognized athletes caught “doping,” or using steroids, have been Steve Courson, Super Bowl winner from the Pittsburgh Steelers and Ben Johnson, 1988 Summer Olympics 100 meters gold medal winner.
Negative side effects of steroids (other than being suspended, that is) are balding, acne all over the back, kidney/liver problems, etc. Offensive lineman Courson developed a heart problem and became one of the first NFL players to admit to using steroids. Courson could have died from using anabolic steroids to get stronger. Johnson, who won the gold medal in 1988 at the Olympic Games for the 100 meters was tested and caught for “doping.” He was then stripped of his gold medal and suspended. Johnson lost millions in endorsements because of his steroid use.
Recently in Washington, DC, the Senate has been working on legislation concerning steroids. As of now, the proposed bill states that there will be a half-season suspension the first time an athlete tests positive for performance-enhancing drugs. The bill, sponsored by Senators Jim Bunning and John McCain, will guarantee a one-season ban for a second steroid offense and a lifetime ban for a third crime. This bill would apply to the MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, and minor league baseball. One of the first versions of the bill proposed was based on the Olympic model: a two-year suspension for a first offense and a lifetime ban for the second. The bill proposed by Bunning and McCain would order players to be tested five times a year for steroids.
On November 15, Major League Baseball agreed on a new rule for steroids. A first time offender will be suspended for 50 games and a second time getting caught will result in a 100 game suspension. The consequences of using steroids allow a player to be banned from the league for life if caught using for a third time.
Bunning and McCain’s bill on steroids has not yet been forgotten. While the MLB addressed its steroid problem, the Senators’ bill could still be used for the other professional sports. For Bunning and McCain it will be a “wait and see” approach if other organizations make up their own individual policies on this steroids issue, or in fact use their previously created bill.
Are steroids worth the risks including the life-threatening side effects? Professional athletes use these steroids to break records, make money, and win games; but, did the athletes who use steroids ever think about getting caught, suffering detrimental consequences, having their records disqualified, looking like a fool, and ruining the opportunity to be a young fan’s role model?

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Terrell Owens No Longer the Celebrated Role Model of Yesterday
By Jeff Seiger, ’08
Highlights Staff Writer

FLASHBACK TO THE PAST couple of years, and the name Terrell Owens reminds many of the name on the back of young children’s jerseys, a touchdown-catching machine, and most importantly, an idol.
Fast-forward to now and the name Terrell Owens represents the complete opposite: a shameless, money starved, yet still gifted wide receiver. He has most certainly guaranteed that the Hall of Fame career he had once secured is now over.
What happened to TO, once the most celebrated wide receiver since Jerry Rice? Well, he couldn’t keep his mouth shut, and is now without a team. When Terrell Owens caught his 100th career touchdown pass, the Philadelphia Eagles failed to celebrate it with a video tribute, and instead announced the accomplishment over the loudspeaker. This was apparently not up to his standards. “They claim to be first class and the best organization. It’s an embarrassment. It just shows a lack of class they have,” commented the all-important Owens.
It’s not as if this prima-donna attitude has just begun. Owens was responsible for running quarterback Jeff Garcia out of the San Francisco 49ers organization despite the fact that the two were dominating opposing defenses together.
When TO finally did get the quarterback of his choice in Donovan McNabb, it seemed as if the two were brothers in the city of brotherly love, even rooming with each other prior to the beginning of the regular season.
What went wrong? Was it that poor TO didn’t get the ball on every single play? Was it that Donovan McNabb actually threw to another of his wide receivers? Even if that is so, TO should keep his mouth shut. He is getting paid an unparalleled salary to play a game, not to speak his mind.
Most recently Owens has said that the Eagles would benefit more if Green Bay Packers’ quarterback Brett Favre were the quarterback. This statement, coinciding with the “lack of class” comment, led Terrell Owens to a suspension, which is justice that definitely should have been served after last year’s incident.
During last year’s Super Bowl, TO had quite a few rude comments to say about Donovan McNabb’s ostensible sickness at the end of the game. Well, I know what it is that made him sick, TO!

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Words From the Wise
“The Hall fans looked sexy.”
-Bijan Bandani, ’06

“The game will be something the seniors can look back on and remember what great spirit and pride we had on that day.”
-Lauren Fitzgerald, ’06

“The most amazing game I’ve ever seen.”
-Security Officer Dave Ross

“It was incredible. When we were in the huddles, we kept saying, “Do this for Mark, do this for Chris.” When we finally won and finally did it for them, it was a feeling incomparable to anything I’ve ever done in my life. It’s something that will stay with me forever. I’m gonna tell it to my kids.”
-Captain Max Budyanski, ’06

“Conard is a girl’s name.”
-Andrew Veale, ’06

“Evan Ogren is God.”
-Tom Callahan, ’06

“It was a great game. We came out of the locker room second half focused on one goal, and we came together as a team to pull off the big win.”
-Captain Rene Coleman,’06

“Nothing can compare to the intensity in the stands during the last minute of the game!”
-Kara Cook, ’07

“To be honest, the best seat in the house was the band section. That day was a double win for Hall; we won the Battle of the Bands also!”
- Adam Nestler, ’06

“It was so exciting. Conard finally got what they deserved.”
-Kristina Bornstien, ’08

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Worse Than A Terrell Owens
By Matt Ginden, ’07
Resident Sports Columnist

OK, OK, I get it. Terrell Owens is an interesting case. On the one hand he’s a very good receiver. On the other hand he’s a terrible teammate. These two facts have been beaten into our heads for the past several weeks.
One thing we can all definitely agree upon is that he gets too much attention and he’s a pain in the neck. But I’ll tell you who’s worse: TO’s agent Drew Rosenhaus. Despite being the agent for over 90 NFL players (Chad Johnson, Willis McGahee, Santana Moss, Warren Sapp, Sean Taylor, Zach Thomas, Billy Volek, and Javon Walker) he is probably best known as the real life Bob Sugar of Jerry McGuire fame.
This season he’s spent a lot of time on TO than on movies; but it doesn’t seem like he’s had much success. He’s made a lot of promises and made a lot of apologies, but is it just me or does Rosenhaus seem more like a politician than an agent?
Rosenhaus promised to get TO a better contract in the off-season. It didn’t happen. Rosenhaus promised to get TO back on to the Eagles when he got suspended. That’s not going to happen any time soon. Rosenhaus looks like a dog with its tail between its legs.
TO has tried to be as vocal as his agent, but TO hasn’t had much success (being vocal that is). During the off-season on ESPN’s show Pardon the Interruption, Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon had an interview with TO… and Drew Rosenhaus. They asked a lot questions of TO, and Rosenhaus answered a lot of questions that weren’t directed to him. I remember thinking to myself, “Why does anyone care what this bum has to say?”
TO needs to learn to deal with the problems he creates and his agent needs to learn the difference between supporting his employer and butting his head into places it shouldn’t be. I’ve said this before that TO should be seen and not listened to; but more importantly, Drew Rosenhaus should not be seen, heard or have any communication with the public of any kind.

Matt Ginden is a junior at Hall High School and lives and dies with the Red Sox.

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Coach Curnias’s Accomplishments Honored
(continued from front page)
...of these students Brianna London, Jenna London, Stephanie Bohannon, Erin Bourgault, and Lauren Bell.
At the recent cross-country awards dinner, the two captains acknowledged that they couldn’t have made it to the state open without the support and encouragement of Curnias. Rosenblum said, “No one deserves this prestigious award more than Coach Curnias. Her cross country and track teams’ great success over the years is a direct result of her outstanding coaching. She has established an incredible running program at Hall.”
Curnias works so hard to maintain the quality of her teams. Not only are they successful at their sport, but they also respect themselves, Curnias, and their teammates. For many coaches, the most important thing is winning; for Curnias, however, the most important goals are self-improvement and support for ones’ teammates. She makes winning a lesser priority than bettering oneself, and supporting the team.
She said, “I believe that in addition to skill development, we need to respect the role of a coach and realize that every act we perform or word we say is under the scrutiny of developing young minds and spirits. We as coaches must cherish our role and act responsibly in our victories as well as our defeats.” Curnias encourages a healthy environment in which winning, while clearly important, is less of a priority. This is most likely why she has been so successful.
Her teams have an optimistic attitude when it comes to competition. Bohannon said, “Coach Curnias has been so supportive of her cross country and outdoor track teams and has helped runners of all abilities to progress throughout their running careers.”
This attitude has earned her three Coach Of The Year awards already, one each for outdoor track, gymnastics and cross-country. As the only woman to receive three Coach Of The Year awards for three different sports, she is a role model for women athletes everywhere.
When ending her acceptance speech, she used a quote that encompasses her coaching philosophy. She began with, “True nobility is not about being better than someone else, but by being better than one used to be.” She went on to say, “I hope that I have been a noble coach and teacher.” All of Coach Curnias’ athletes wish her good luck with her future endeavors and congratulate her on having such an amazing career.