|
|
Post by Nicole Cisco on Oct 3, 2004 13:14:46 GMT -5
 I just read it and am absolutely uphalled.. My sister and I each got a copy and read it together... All I can say is "half truths..." The bit about "butch a**.... don't know where that came from.. That is not even something that has ever come out of my mouth... He also implied that I am no more than beer drinking (I don't drink)- Chain smoking (yes I smoke but not nearly as much as described), party girl who may or may not be on steroids... The article insinuates that "I" may use steroids.. humm interesting. I really saw this as an oppertunity to push forward -- in actuality -- Jeff did not want a quality story -- rather something more fitting for Star or the Enquirer.... I apologize to my fellow arm wrestlers for trusting that the writer would represent our sport in a positive light. I am utterly embarassed at this. Nicole Cisco
|
|
|
|
Post by Bill Cox on Oct 3, 2004 14:15:21 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by STEVE PHIPPS on Oct 3, 2004 15:23:38 GMT -5
I went to ESPNmag.com and noticed they have a feedback section for their mag. Maybe we should all send them feedback once we have read the article. Sounds like the reporter had a predetermined agenda for this article, because he didn't report what he was told
|
|
|
|
Post by Gary Roberts on Oct 3, 2004 18:54:56 GMT -5
where do I read this article?
Which issue? Is it on the web or only in the magazine itself?
gary
|
|
|
|
Post by Michael Griffin on Oct 3, 2004 19:07:31 GMT -5
Nicole, I hate to hear about this attack against you and women's armwrestling in general. I know you ladies work hard , train hard, and take this sport very seriously.
I'm gonna read the article and like Steve said, maybe we can send them some feedback about the article.
You on steroids...what a hoot. That's the crazies thing I've ever heard. Don't worry, I know the truth!!
I've got your back!! Take care and god bless,
Michael "Animal" Griffin
|
|
|
|
Post by gambit on Oct 3, 2004 22:30:41 GMT -5
Nicole
You know you have shown this sport in a brighter light than many other people. Always remember, no matter what you say, especially to a reporter, someone that has complete control of your words, can do creative editing to turn your whole intent into something less than flattering. Something that only makes for more interesting reading to them. ("Butch ass...")
You know the ones that know you knew your true intentions.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dan Fortuna on Oct 4, 2004 8:29:06 GMT -5
Nicole,
I read the article,I do realize like everyoneeles somtimes a reporter has there own agenda.ayou have nothing to apolagise for. Your an insperation to all the underdogs,no article can hide that Fact.Keep up the good work hope to meet you soon.
|
|
|
|
Post by Vic Sargent on Oct 4, 2004 10:42:20 GMT -5
Nicole,
I thaught the article wasn't as bad as some are making it out to be. All in all in painted a very good picture of the determination that's inside each one of us to succeed. As far as some of the references to the other woman don't worry about it, because those that know you already now that's not you. I will admit the reference to the guys that the reporter himself made are deffinately jaded, but then again it's his opinion and he has a right to it..
Take care and AWESOME JOB!!!
Your Brother in Arms
Vic
|
|
|
|
Post by Nicole Cisco on Oct 4, 2004 16:46:37 GMT -5
Thanks guys... I really needed to hear the support from you all -- my armsport family... The last thing I ever wanted to do was down or "slam" the sport that I love so much --
those that know me - know that I try to ALWAYS be positive and love to motivate others to excel far and beyond... in whatever they want to do.....
I have learned a valuable lesson though -- no story unless we can read and have final okay....
Keep Strong,
Nicole
|
|
|
|
Post by Keith Michel on Oct 4, 2004 21:57:23 GMT -5
Hang in there, Nicole
You want real stories, go to Muscle & Fittness, Oct. 2004. Page 28.
Its a shame that people will use you like that, just make fun of you and the sport at your expense. You don't know who to trust anymore
Sincerely
Keith Michel
|
|
|
|
Post by STEVE PHIPPS on Oct 4, 2004 22:09:08 GMT -5
Nicole,
I picked up a copy of ESPN mag today, and I felt that most of the article was positive so don't feel too bad. Afterall you were able to get armwrestling some exposure and there were some good pictures of you, the team and even a section with John B. Too bad the writer had to take liberties with parts of the article, looks like he wanted to try and justify his ideas of what armwrestlers should be like and not report on what they really are like. As we all know there is a broad cross section of people that armwrestle. I however have nothing against bikers, ride one myself. ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by Karen Brisson on Oct 4, 2004 22:21:15 GMT -5
Nicole, You have already received good advice but i wanted to ditto what has been said here- those of us that know you, know that you have been a victim and I'm sorry that happened to you. Thanks for trying and keep trying, dont let some jerk get in your way. I also think we should all take the time and go to the website and let them know what we think!!! Well, gotta go get a twelve pack and pack of marbs and head out and get a new tatoo before armwrestling practice  |
|
|
|
Post by Gary Roberts on Oct 5, 2004 2:56:23 GMT -5
Nicole...
I read the article, only after finding out about it here and I too didn't think it was that bad. I know it has been said already but you have nothing to apologize for. For every negative comment there were two positive comments on the hard work and determination you have gone through. I thought that came accross well in the article.
The reporter seems interested in getting some basic information about the sport in the article which is good. (They had the side bars with Brzenk and instructions.)
I really wasn't offended by the Butch a...biker chiks comment whether it is true or not. I doubt many butch biker chiks are reading ESPN magazine.
Overall millions will read that article and it could generate some interest for some out there to find out more about the sport. In the end...we know what kind of great person you are so that is all that matters!!!
(a small little comment that I hope doesn't offend anyone)...
I will just pose this question from the devil's advocate point of view. I don't really know the answer so that is why I would be interested in a response.
Does smoking affect an armwrestlers ability to be taken seriously as a true athlete?
If it does then would it be a good idea to not let the reporter see you smoke?
Just curious on this topic,
Gary
|
|
|
|
Post by James on Oct 8, 2004 17:25:53 GMT -5
Nicole, I haven't had a chance to respond since I was down in Florida (messageboard-less  ) for a few days. I read the article while in the airport and then re-read the article trying to take it from the perspective of someone that doesn't armwrestle. First of all, yes, some sarcastic and negative things were implied about the sport. I would not take them personally. The only thing I would have been offended at was the chainsmoking party-girl bit and their description of Joyce King's haircut. I must also say that I thought many of the things that are idiosyncratic and cliched regarding the sport were magnified, if not exaggerated a bit. However, all in all, it is not a bad piece. The article is choc-full-of imagery and there could be worse things than a 4-page spread. That is a much better piece to promote the sport than some blurb or some hack job done by Maxim. The pictures were good and I think they were shown in a perspective that garners respect for the sport. The shot of the South Carolina team was very good and the full-page of you was great as well. Overall, I thought it was a story of triumph. I learned things about you that I did not know. It is empowering to know that you lost all that weight and that you drive 6-hours to practice and that you are a self-made woman. I would not overlook all of that. It was actually a very motivating story and was (sorry to say to those of you that didn't like it) well written. I thought it correctly portrayed Chad as an expert, and also as a person that was dedicated to helping other armwrestlers. Who cares about the steroid references? He is asking questions that need to be answered before we start seeing the sport taken seriously by the media. If the mass-media controlled public opinion dictates that armwrestlers are loud, brash, steroid abusers than we are until we start testing. If we don't want the jeans and t-shirt image than we have to start wearing uniforms. If we don't want the bar-room image than we have to get tournaments out of the bars. If we don't want the empty seats image than we have to start doing a better job marketing the sport. But things are getting better and Dave Devoto's initiatives to get the sport on ESPN are helping. Pulling John is helping. Arm TV is helping. The GNC is helping. The Arnold is helping. People often don't understand when things aren't portrayed the way they want it to be. But that guy is there to give us his perspective, it is not a (just-the-facts) news story he is writing. Sports magazine articles aren't like that. Many writers are taught to embellish to draw more readers. He is trying to illustrate with words what he sees to people that cannot be there. Do I agree with embellishing details? No. But I think we should let sleeping dogs lie. (Like the double entendre?)  |
|
|
|
Post by Nicole Cisco on Oct 13, 2004 17:24:35 GMT -5
James,
thanks buddy.... After the initial shock -- I feel better.. At the Show of Strength the joke was that I am going to get a T- Shirt made --that Leonard has so graciously offered to do -- that has B.A.B.C. (Butch A** Biker Chick -- Armwrestling Chapter President -- hehehehehehe....
At the Show of Strength some pics are (quite possibly) going to be in the next issue of Sports Illustrated.. yea!!! I think we were told that that there are going to be pics of most of the finals -- keep your fingers crossed..
As far as the SOS goes -- it was great.. Chris Myers -- whatta guy -- quite possibly the nicest in our sport...
Andrea Paul is awsome - and at her age she only has one way to go -- straight up..
Beth Westberry won the award for "most improved".. She trains her toosh off and you can tell.....Almost beat Renee AND Mary (fouled out with Renee -- and like me fell victim to Marys deadly hook...)
Hope to see you all real soon ---
Nicole Cisco
|
|
) for a few days. I read the article while in the airport and then re-read the article trying to take it from the perspective of someone that doesn't armwrestle. 