On the Tuesday, December 10 edition of Prime Time Sports, host Bob McCown, Toronto Star sports writers Dave Perkins and Mary Ormsby, and Globe & Mail scribe Stephen Brunt discussed the voting process for the 2008 Lou Marsh Award.
Standardbred Canada had led the charge to have superstar pacing colt Somebeachsomewhere considered for the award, which celebrates Canada's athlete of the year.
Chantal Petitclerc was eventually voted the recipient of this year’s award and SC congratulated her for her tremendous achievements, contributions to Canadian sport and winning the Lou Marsh Award.
During Prime Time Sports, McCown referred to the debate amongst the Lou Marsh voters about whether Somebeachsomewhere could be considered for the award as, "a debate that started stupidly." He did say that he thought the debate was intriguing.
On Tuesday, just prior to the voting, it was announced by the Lou Marsh Committee that only humans be eligible for the award.
McCown also added that he didn't think a horse should be considered for the Lou Marsh Award. He went on to add that he didn't think anyone riding a horse should be considered, either. McCown also said that he didn't agree with auto racing driver Jacques Villeneuve winning the award in 1997. Thoroughbred jockey Sandy Hawley was voted winner of the 1976 Lou Marsh Award.
Click here to listen to the show on fan590.com.
"If there was no law against it, these people [behind the Somebeachsomewhere push] did the right thing by going through the process," Perkins said. "Silken (Committee chair Silken Laumann) immediately passed the law and I'm fine with that -- I figure it should be for people, too."
"Maybe it merits some consideration," said Ormsby, who referred to thoroughbred Curlin captivating the nation with his achievements a couple of seasons ago.
Standardbred Canada will continue its initiative to have Somebeachsomewhere recognized for his tremendous athletic accomplishments in 2008 and will put forth his name to be considered for the Lionel Conacher Award. The Award, also named annually is given to Canada's Male Athlete of the Year. The award, first given in 1932, is voted upon by members of the Canadian Press.
Promoting SBSW for the Lou
Promoting SBSW for the Lou Marsh was a great publicity stunt for racing, but that's all it was. The award should be for human athletes. There are plenty of awards already for equine athletes.
By the way Travis, you should get your nose out of the racing form and find out what's going on in the rest of the world. Chantal Petitclerc is a most worthy recipient of the award.
Within their broadcast Bob
Within their broadcast Bob McCowan made mention that anyone driving or riding a horse or driving a race car, in his opinion, shouldn't be eligible for the award. I'm not saying I agree with that because we all know that drivers/riders are important too (if you were to put someone like John Campbell, Eric Lamaze or myself in a race car and vise versa, the outcome would differ) but they are comparing apples to oranges. We're not asking to nominate a motorized vehicle like a race car. SBSW is definitely in my opinion an amazing athlete and should have been considered as should any outstanding equestrian athletes.
If they had have nominated Big Ben there wouldn't have been this dispute I'm almost sure of it!! Congrats to Chantal Petitclerc, you probably deserve the award but how can you change the rules of a game as it's played?? It didn't specify humans/animals so how can you switch that while the nominees were in the running? It's almost like saying no Texans can run for President after the ballots were drawn up...........the outcome would have changed wouldn't it?!? Racehorses have never received the same recognition as the equestrians and that should be changed and I think that Somebeachsomewhere is the one that should do it!! This should be debated further I think......not "oh well, we tried" *SHRUG* like we always do!
I think Northern Dancer was
I think Northern Dancer was athlete. ???
MR. MCCOWN, YOU ARE SO
MR. MCCOWN, YOU ARE SO WRONG! SBSW SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR THE AWARD. HE IS DOING THE SAME AS RUNNERS IN THE OLYMPICS. I'D LIKE TO SEE YOU TRY TO RACE AGAINST THE BEST ATHLETES IN THE WORLD AND BEAT THEM EVERY TIME EXCEPT FOR ONCE AND GET 2ND IN WORLD RECORD TIME AND NOT GET CONSIDERED THIS AWARD AND SEE WHAT YOU THINK OF THE SITUATION. ALSO, I DON'T SEE ANY REASONS AT ALL THAT JACQUES VILLENUEVE DIDN'T DESERVE TO GET THIS AWARD. HE DRIVES A CAR FOR HOURS IN SCALDING HEAT RISKING HIS LIFE!!! THE SAME WITH SBSW HE GOES OUT AND GIVES IT HIS ALL AND RISKS HIS LIFE.
Here's an opinion from the
Here's an opinion from the U.S., not that it matters. The award is for Athlete of the Year, it didn't specify Human Athlete of the Year. As an American, I never heard of the person who won the award, but I have heard about SBSW and have talked about him to others who have followed him. He's been an amazing ATHLETE, even if he isn't human, he's brought attention to Canada and it's equine industry, and he's been interesting to follow. What more can you ask of any athlete?
In reply to Here's an opinion from the by Karen in Indiana (not verified)
Karen, I was going to make a
Karen,
I was going to make a comment but you have said everything that I wanted to say.
Way to go!
i am a huge race fan but I
i am a huge race fan but I agree the Marsh is an award for humans.Sorry SBSW. I don't agree that a standardbred driver , or a t-bred jockey shouldn't be considered though.
the lou marsh is an award
the lou marsh is an award that really means nothing
voted by the media and not many people pay attention to it
that being said i think it is a human thing- not a horse award
Who the heck is Chantal
Who the heck is Chantal Petitclerc? I've never heard of her. Im sure there are more people in the country that have heard of SBSW and his accolades.
This colt is likely the best sports story to come out of Canada since the Jays won back to back world series.
In reply to Who the heck is Chantal by Travis Fowler (not verified)
best thing to happen in
best thing to happen in canadian sportsd since the blue jays ?????
donavon bailey ring a bell ????
katriona lemay doan ?????
ABSOLUTELY - ONLY HUMANS
ABSOLUTELY - ONLY HUMANS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS AWARD.
AFTER ALL, ONLY HUMANS CAN INJECT THEMSELVES WITH DRUGS, DEMAND RIDICULOUS SALARIES, BREED FIGHTING DOGS, COMMIT MURDERS, BEAT UP THEIR WIVES AND SHOOT THEMSELVES IN THE FOOT.