A Somber Return to Professional Sport by Adam GAUTHIER

The weeks following the sui- cide bombing of the World Trade Center in New York have been very traumatic for millions, if not billions, of people around the world. Returning to normalcy has been a difficult process and will no doubt be an ongo- ing one.

Unfortunately for some, returning to normalcy had to be done more quickly. At the time of the disas- ter, the professional sports world was at its peak. Major League Baseball was just weeks away from the play- offs, the National Football League was entering its second week of the regular season, the National Hockey League was about to begin its presea- son and 38 year-old Michael Jordan was to announce that he was coming out of retirement for the second time to play for the Washington Wizards. Countless sports organizations, from College Sports all the way down to lit- tle league, halted their regular sched- ules in the wake of the tragic events.

After taking six days off, the sports world made an attempt to go back to work. A lot had changed in a week. Security had been increased substantially in all of the professional leagues with new __ regulations. Backpacks and small bags are now banned from MLB ballparks. But the harshest of the new precautions hit young fans: Player autograph signings behind team dugouts are no longer permitted before the game.

the biggest fear for returning players was not security but the psy- chological effects the attack would have on their ability to play the game. Many players are used to annoying fans and the pressures of playing over- time but this is so much different. Many people, including players, have expressed worries about the possibili- ty of a plane crashing into one of the sports stadiums during a game. Air space has therefore been restricted over all sporting facilities in North America during games. Some players

also fear traveling on commercial air--

liners and, as a result, many organiza- tions have had to use private jets to move their teams around North

America.

Many of the teams have been able to return to their routine, but for some teams it will be a gradual process. A week after the tragedy, the New York Rangers opened their pre- season at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan just a few blocks away from the World Trade Center. It was an emotional night in which tributes were given to the rescue workers of New York who gave their lives to save others, and who continue to dig away at the rubble of the twin towers.

Last weekend, the New York Mets returned home to play against the National League East leading Atlanta Braves. The Mets sat just two and a half games behind the Braves for first in the Eastern Division and were on a role having won 10 of their last 11 (The Mets now sit 4 games back). To honour the rescue workers of New York, the players donned the hats of the NYPD, FDNY, the NY Port Authority and the paramedics. The players on both teams then stood side by side as the national anthem and “God Bless America” were sung.

Beside the pregame honours that the various teams have bestowed, they have also donated millions of dollars in aid to those affected by the disaster. Players in the New York area have also donated their time to the effort. Players from MLB and NFL teams have visited the disaster site many times to move supplies and to help boost the moral of rescue work- ers.

Many of us see professional athletes as money-grubbing crybabies. There are definitely a few in profes- sional sport, but I think over the past few weeks we have been able to look past this and see these people for who they really are: earnest human beings who are willing to put whatever resources they can offer forward in the hopes of helping those in need. In the aftermath of this disaster many people will change their outlook on life. In all likelihood the spectacle of the sports world, and the way in which we view it, will change as well.

The Eve

bara

nt Tent

cts

wednesday, october 3 vacant

TRE NAIC Coe

friday, october 5

Melons:

saturday, october 6

Brennan

Myron’s Olde Du sunday, october 7 vacant monday, october 8 vacant

tuesday, october 9

Baba’s Lounge: Chas Guay and friends

Brennan’s: Eyes For Telescopes and Windom Earle

The Barn: Great Balancing Act

McAssey’s: Greg Doucette

Myron’s: Some Metallica cover band

Olde Dublin Pub: 1749

Baba’s Lounge: Mitch Schurman Band

The Barn: Downtime

Big Momma’s Pub: Roger Jones and Marvin Birt

Brennan’s: Eyes For Telescopes

Myron’s: Kindle and The Mahones Olde Dublin Pub: 1749

Baba’s Lounge: Zubot and Dawson and Eyes For Telescopes

Big Momma’s Pub: Paul MacAusland and Gary Chapman

McAssey’s: No Fuss Movers

Baba’s Lounge: Crush

Split Lip

’s: Dysfunctional Dads

: Big Tilda blin Pub: 1749

Have You Quit Smoking?

Participants willing to be inter- viewed about their experience will be awarded $20 for a 30- minute interview.

To sign up or for information about interview _ elligibility, please call 894-2833 or e-mail aevans@upei.ca.

Showing at City Cinema this week Greenfingers

and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back

Times and Descriptions at www.citycinema.net 368-3669

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THE CADRE