In just a few short hours, millions of soccer (or should I say football) fans across the globe will tune in for the kickoff of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. With more than 136,000 U.S. fans in attendance, we’re sure to hear rousing chants of U-S-A circling the stadium.

To give soccer novices a little background, the World Cup is held every four years and is undoubtedly the most prestigious competition in the world of soccer. Over a one-month period, 32 teams will compete to claim the title of World Champion – not to mention, major bragging rights!

The festivities begin tonight, the eve of the opening match, with the Kick-Off Celebration Concert. The show starts at 2:00 PM (EST) and VEVO is planning to webcast all of the action, including performances by Alicia Keys, The Black Eyed Peas, John Legend, Shakira and more. Don’t forget to tune in to ABC on Saturday, June 12 at 2:30 PM (EST) as Team U.S.A. squares off against England.

New Yorkers in search of places to watch the games can check out Metromix New York’s “Where to Watch” list.  

And, if you’d like to do your homework before the games begin, refer to “The top players to watch in South Africa” list on the NY Daily News website. 

Jennie Long

As an all around sports fan, I love the Olympics.  I love the competition.  I love the excitement. But most of all, I love the useless sports that draw me to the television like a moth to a flame. Like curling.  Every four years, I spend two weeks routing for Team USA’s curling squad, equipped with brooms and beer guts, as they strategically place their rocks in the house. 

For those of you who don’t understand what I would like to call “The Most Exciting Sport Since Go Fish,” let me enlighten you to the basics:

- Curling is similar to a huge shuffle board game on ice.

- Two teams of four alternate sliding huge stones, called rocks, down a long stretch towards a circular target called a house.

- During each match, both teams have ten attempts to get their rock closest to the center of the house.

- The team that successfully wins the most matches out of ten is the overall victor.

Right now, you might be saying, “Curling doesn’t sound like my cup of tea.  I like contact sports like hockey.” I’m here to set the record straight and tell you that curling, in fact, is a full contact sport. For example, when your opponent has the extreme athletic ability to slide his/her rock into the center of the house perfectly, it’s time to play defense.  On the next turn, you would throw your rock straight down the lane knocking his stone and sending it flying out of the house. And I ask you, my friend, what is more contact than two 25 lb. stones hitting each other?

While this description might not convey the intensity of the greatest winter sport ever, I invite you to take the time during the next week and watch a game. I promise that after spending some quality time enjoying a curling match, this sport will “rock” your world.

Dan

I wouldn’t consider myself an avid football fan; quite frankly I have never been to a professional football game in my life.  But when I was invited to attend the Super Bowl, by one of Hunter PR’s clients, Diageo, to help with events they were sponsoring, I couldn’t resist.   Needless to say, I received many bribes of shoes in exchange for my ticket, but I politely passed. 

So I packed two big bags filled with an absurd amount clothing and shoe options and I was off.  I landed in Miami and made my way through the sea of black, blue and green (yes, they were still there) jerseys to my hotel. 

I met my client to begin our evening at the Eden Roc hotel, where the jerseys disappeared and I was transported into a room of tube tops, blue blazers, button downs and ripped jeans.  The lights went down and I heard “sippin on gin and juice.”  I was about five feet away from Snoop Dogg performing, and although I haven’t listened to Snoop since 1994, it was a great start to my Super Bowl experience.

Celebrity sighting – Jessica Alba – in the ladies room.

The next day was spent organizing items for that evening’s event and enjoying a leisurely lunch at outside. Hundreds of people were walking up and down Ocean Drive, screaming “who dat” to each other and I was confused.  I asked my friend what that meant.  She laughed and told me that maybe I should have taken the shoes!

Celebrity sighting – Chris Rock – getting into a black SUV. 

On Saturday night Ciroc Vodka sponsored the Wyclef party at the Edun Roc.  Wyclef rocked out on stage and performed for three hours, with a surprise appearance by LL Cool J, singing “Mama Said Knock You Out,” another great throw back to the mid-90s.  Even though we were enjoying Wyclef from our table, which was about 20 feet away, we wanted to go backstage.  So we did – and just in time for a solid rendition of “Redemption Song,” one of my personal favorite Bob Marley tunes.  But I prefer to watch the performance, so I left my friend backstage and went back to our table, where I finally remembered that I had my camera and snapped this shot.

Celebrity Sighting – Nick Lachey – sipping Jose Cuervo Platino.

Finally game day had arrived and I was ecstatic.  My first football game and it was the Super Bowl…does it get better than that?  We left the hotel around 1pm and attended a pre-party where I saw something that still makes me laugh.  This man super-glued a mini Saints helmet to his head.  That is dedication. 

 We arrived at the stadium and walked through a maze to finally find where we were going.  Steve Winwood was playing as we arrived and there were people of all ages smiling and cheering and eating and drinking and spending time with their friends.

Celebrity Sighting – Ed Westwick and Jessica Szohr – walking in three feet behind me.

I met my friend, who works in the sports industry for a quick bite (chicken tenders), but we had to leave him when he went to his seats in the 400 section and we had to head down to section 106…literally 20 rows behind the field. 

 But I did try to look for my friend…

By the second quarter, I found myself jumping out of my seat and cheering along with the rest of the crowd.  The energy in the stadium, the amazing game, the weather in Miami was all perfection.  But, there was one thing that was missing.  And it was something that I was looking forward to….

Where was Kim Kardashian?

Stacey

One thing the Hunter PR staff loves is a good, healthy dose of competition.  And I’m not talking about work-related competition – I’m talking football!  For the past seven years, Amy Coles has been running the “Hunter PR Gridiron Gurus” NFL football pool.  Sure, the monetary winnings are great, but in this office, it’s all about the bragging rights!

There are few of us veteran players that enter the pool every year and place much like former Miami Dolphins Quarterback Dan Marino in the Super Bowl – never coming out victorious.   Then, of course, there are the rookies who join the pool for the first time and place high up at the top.  We’ll call them the Mark Sanchez’s of the world (editor’s note: I’m a huge New York Jets fan!).  I’m proud to say in my six-year NFL career at Hunter PR, I finally came out on top this year.  But it was close; rookie Dan DeVece and veteran all-star players Amanda Hirschhorn and Amy Coles were right on my heels the entire time.  Check out my cool “Goddess of the Gridiron” trophy that I get to display at my desk year round:

Since I’m now 1-5 in my football pool record, I’m hoping this will mean I’ll actually fair better in upcoming Hunter PR pools like March Madness and the Gigi Russo baby pool.  Either way, I’ve got bragging rights….at least for now!

Mel

Even though I was born in Southern California, I never considered myself a surfer girl.  After all, I chose to live in NYC and pound the pavement, not the sand!  However, back in 2007, I became associated with the Surfrider Foundation through a beach-cleaning initiative hosted by one of Hunter’s clients, Barefoot Wine.  What I got exposed to was something I could not shake - surf culture!  It is the best of the laid back life - catching waves, going with the flow and not sweating the small stuff.  Some of the friendliest and more sincere people I have met came through a few hours spent at the shore.  Since my first Surfrider meeting out at Rockaway Beach, I had been looking for the right way to get further involved and start bringing this feeling to other people.

It was through Surfrider Foundation that I learned about WAVES for Development in Peru.  While it's a fairly new organization, its mission is clear - and refreshing.  Peru has some of the most epic coastlines in the world, yet the people living on it are too poor to ever afford the supplies/materials to surf it.  WAVES volunteers provide these materials and give local children the chance to hit the water.  When I dug a little deeper, I decided I had to be a part of it.  So, back in October, I headed out to Peru to lend a hand with the WAVES team.  What I got was a trip of a lifetime!

After landing in Lima, I faced a 17 hour bus ride to rural Lobitos.  Yes, 17 hours sounds horrible – and it was no picnic – but, my excitement helped take the edge off (plus the assortment of random, poorly selected American movies they played, ranging from dated romantic comedies to graphic, violent thrillers played in the wee hours of the morning).  Also, the three other volunteers who were joining me at the camp were also on the bus, so we shared the pain and got some of the initial introductory awkwardness out of the way.  I met Tom and Mark, two guys from Sydney, Australia who graduated college in May and had just embarked on a six month journey across South America and Billy from Kentucky, a man with an apparently very flexible work schedule and a thirst for gnarly waves (not available to him in KY!)

After arriving in Lobitos, we met the other volunteers already at camp, Tom and Ali from Melbourne, Australia, Jen from Houston, TX and Naomi (also from Australia), the program director.  We were also introduced to our project to complete during our time there, a surf board repair shack (La Choza de WAVES), designed by Tom.  The idea in building such a place was to provide the local kids a place to do quick-fixes on boards for tourists passing through.  This was just one part of a larger effort to empower these people who are quickly becoming a part of a tourist town – guiding them towards recognizing the fiscal opportunities there are when more people start coming to visit their shores!

Outside of the days spent building, we spent our time visiting with the local people to practice our Spanish, trying to cook with limited supplies (and usually giving up and eating cookies washed down with beer) and of course, in the water.  The Aussies and Billy all had experience surfing, but Jen and I were there to learn.  All dressed in my wetsuit and carrying a long board, I certainly looked the part.  But, even after a few lessons, I did NOT (I am sad to say) ever pop up.  But, even riding the waves on my stomach was exhilarating and gave me the motivation to get back out there.  And, on top of everything else, it was all happening in a beautiful place!

I am thankful to the folks at WAVES for giving me such a memorable experience in such a short amount of time.  I was only at camp for ten days while everyone else stayed for at least a month, and we maximized every minute.  I had an amazing time seeing a new part of the world and made friends for life.  I hope to go back some day!  See below for some pictures from my trip.

Marieke

Lobitos, Peru in all its glory

Working on the surf shack

Warming up before surf lessons

The beautiful beaches of Lobitos

About a year and a half ago, I packed two suitcases and moved from the Midwest to New York City. While it had been my dream to live in the city for years, it was a big transition. I went from a college student to an adult, an apartment in a small city to an apartment in Manhattan and a person with a huge group of friends to just a few.

Starting anew in a new city really taught me about the importance of networking. One of the ways I’ve been networking outside of work has been through participation in sports leagues. I’ve always enjoyed both playing and watching sports and in addition to the exercise, it has been a great way to meet people and try new things.

I started playing on the “Thunder From Down Hunter” kickball team with a group of coworkers last spring through the World Adult Kickball Association. We had a lot of fun playing a sport that we hadn’t played since middle school gym class.

This fall, a friend discovered the Zog Sports league, which offers a variety of different co-ed sports. We signed up to play touch football and were placed on a team. While not the best football player, I look forward to playing with my teammates every weekend. We also plan to play together in Zog’s winter football league.   

My biggest piece of advice for someone who moves to a new city is to become involved. Step outside of your comfort zone and try something new and different.

Megan

If you’re interested, here are a few co-ed sport leagues in NYC:

Zog Sports 

World Adult Kickball Association 

New York CoEd Soccer 

NYC Social Sports Club 

When I moved to New York City two years ago I was told that I would not be considered a “New Yorker” until I celebrated my fifth anniversary in the city. Fair enough. However, I felt like a “New Yorker” last week when the Yankees won the World Series. Decked out in Yankee blue, I celebrated with fans from all over Manhattan and beyond.  

With many famous fans in attendance, including Kate Hudson, Spike Lee and Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the pinstripes-clad team ended their season in the new Yankee Stadium with a bang. Marking the 27th World Series win in Yankee history, fans are already hoping for an equally impressive season in 2010.
 
Hunter PR celebrated the big win with Yankee-themed cupcakes that were distributed to the tune of “ We Are the Champions” playing in the background.

Seven tried-and-true HPR fans even ventured down to the Victory Parade on Friday morning.

Braving the cold temperatures to show their support for the new champs, “Hunters” watched as Matsui, A-rod and crew made their way up the “Canyon of Heroes.”

I may have three years to go, but even without the “New Yorker” title, I will continue to wear my Yankee blue with pride.  

Jennie