'30 for 30' an informative look at sports
Ken Schmidt
Issue date: 11/9/09 Section: Entertainment
The series has already shown off five documentaries that have pleased avid sports fans. The debut documentary was entitled "King's Ransom" and was an in-depth look at the Edmonton Oilers trading the greatest hockey player of all time, Wayne Gretzky, to the Los Angeles Kings. The "Great One" was moved from his home country of Canada to the United States for two players, $15 million and three draft picks. The trade was known as a "King's Ransom." New Democratic Party House Leader Nelson Riis went as far as to demand the trade be blocked but it went through anyway.
The other four documentaries covered the Baltimore Colt's marching band in "The Band that Wouldn't Die," Donald Trump's destruction of the spring football league the USFL in "Small Potatoes: Who Killed the USFL," Ali's downfall in "Muhammad and Larry" and the death of the Celtic's number two pick in 1986 Len Bias in "Without Bias."
Nov. 3's "30 For 30" film director and producer Kirk Fraser relived the untimely death of Len Bias. Bias was the standout star of the Maryland University basketball squad in 1986. He was selected number two overall by the Boston Celtics. Many sports writers believed he had the greatest jump shot of all time. ESPN columnist and PTI commentator Michael Wilbon said, "he had the perfect jump shot." However, while celebrating his selection into the NBA Bias took a lethal dose of cocaine and went into cardiac arrest. He never made it to the hospital.
Fraser showed heart-wrenching clips from Bias' teammates and family, including a nightmarish interview with Bias' stoic mother. Students from Maryland spoke of Bias' death being a wake-up about the reality of drugs and alcohol. Though the narrative weaved the story of a tragic sports figure, it also can touch close to home for many university students.
On Nov. 10 "30 for 30" will unveil their sixth documentary. It will cover the life and times of Jimmy the Greek, the infamous commentator and Vegas odds maker.
Following a break, "30 For 30" will return in December and highlight the stories of the Steve Bartman incident, the 1995 South African Rugby team that will also be brought to the big screen with Invictus and the death of Tupac Shakur. "30 For 30" will also chronicle the life of Marion Jones, Mat Hoffman, the Steinbrenner family and many more.
Ken Schmidt is a fifth-year student majoring in English with a minor in Journalism. He can be reached at KS609536@wcupa.edu.
The other four documentaries covered the Baltimore Colt's marching band in "The Band that Wouldn't Die," Donald Trump's destruction of the spring football league the USFL in "Small Potatoes: Who Killed the USFL," Ali's downfall in "Muhammad and Larry" and the death of the Celtic's number two pick in 1986 Len Bias in "Without Bias."
Nov. 3's "30 For 30" film director and producer Kirk Fraser relived the untimely death of Len Bias. Bias was the standout star of the Maryland University basketball squad in 1986. He was selected number two overall by the Boston Celtics. Many sports writers believed he had the greatest jump shot of all time. ESPN columnist and PTI commentator Michael Wilbon said, "he had the perfect jump shot." However, while celebrating his selection into the NBA Bias took a lethal dose of cocaine and went into cardiac arrest. He never made it to the hospital.
Fraser showed heart-wrenching clips from Bias' teammates and family, including a nightmarish interview with Bias' stoic mother. Students from Maryland spoke of Bias' death being a wake-up about the reality of drugs and alcohol. Though the narrative weaved the story of a tragic sports figure, it also can touch close to home for many university students.
On Nov. 10 "30 for 30" will unveil their sixth documentary. It will cover the life and times of Jimmy the Greek, the infamous commentator and Vegas odds maker.
Following a break, "30 For 30" will return in December and highlight the stories of the Steve Bartman incident, the 1995 South African Rugby team that will also be brought to the big screen with Invictus and the death of Tupac Shakur. "30 For 30" will also chronicle the life of Marion Jones, Mat Hoffman, the Steinbrenner family and many more.
Ken Schmidt is a fifth-year student majoring in English with a minor in Journalism. He can be reached at KS609536@wcupa.edu.
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