It's that time again. Time to talk about awesome, All-American sports! Motor sports-in particular.

According to merriam-webster.com, a sport is defined as a "physical activity engaged in for pleasure," and "a particular activity (as an athletic game) so engaged in".

Personally, I believe that there are three major categories in which to place the different "sports". First, there are true sports, athletic competitions, and motorsports. I would also like to say that it doesn't really matter from which category said activities come from; they are all awesome in their own right.

This week though, I'm going to talk about motorsports. They hold a special spot in my heart. As I've stated in the past, NASCAR was an instrumental part of my childhood. Racing in general was important, for that matter. Although people usually laugh at that, it's got its roots in one of the true "Romantic" pieces of the history of America. Stock car racing began as something well, quite illegal, during the years of Prohibition. 'Rumrunners' were individuals who drove home-brewed alcohol from the secret brewing locations to their customers, often across state boundaries and through areas which were heavily patrolled by law enforcement. These rumrunners sought for ways to tweak their personal vehicles to outrun the cops, and in some cases, each other. Thus, the idea of making "stock" cars faster and faster came to be.

While the rumrunners were hard at work evading the police, speed-thirsty drivers were flocking to Daytona Beach, Florida. This stretch of sand was used by speed-record setters and car racers alike for their high speed affairs. It would soon become the "home field" for NASCAR races, and the motorsport exploded into a multimillion-dollar industry throughout the mid-20th Century, and it continues today to draw fans from all parts of the nation with races at multiple tracks in multiple states. Some of the more famous tracks are Daytona International Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and Watkins Glen Motor Speedway, to name a few. There is far too much more history to get deeply into here, so I'm going to explain the basics.

Most tracks range between 1-2 miles. Some are longer, some are shorter. The races are completed when a specified number of miles (and therefore laps around the course) are completed. The cars start the race in a double line formation, with 43 starting drivers. The yellow flag is waved to indicate that the pace car, which drives in front of the formation and keeps the drivers' speed in check, will be leading the pack. When the green flag is waved, the race is on. The yellow will return if there is a hazard on the track, including wrecks or debris that need to be cleared. Red flags stop the race in case of extreme emergency or inclement weather. White flags indicate that there is one lap left in the race, and a checkered black and white flag means the race has been completed. Black flags indicate that the driver who has been flagged needs to go to the pits and consult NASCAR officials over a concern. A black flag with a white 'X' is flown if the driver does not pit within five laps of being "black flagged". There is also a blue flag with an orange, diagonal stripe-this is rarely used and simply requests that the flagged drivers move over to let the faster leaders, who are coming up behind them, pass.

There are multiple series in which drivers can compete, the highest and most competitive being the Sprint Cup, followed by the Nationwide Series, the Camping World Truck Series, the Canadian Tire Series, the Corona Series, and various regional racing circuits.

There are dozens of other styles of motorsports as well. They range from Indy Car and Formula 1 racing, which are popular internationally, to motocross racing and Baja racing.

To change gears a little, I wanted to touch up on intramural basketball-there has been some awesome competition, from both the guys and the girls teams! I've got to say, it's interesting seeing the difference in attitude between the guys and the girls. Now, obviously this isn't true for everyone involved-let me say this up front. But the observations that myself and some other people have concurred upon are rather interesting.

For the girls: they seem to love what they do! There is a lot of team spirit, and many of them meet to practice on non-game nights. The competition is definitely easy to see when watching any of the games. Sometimes the girls can get vicious! But they seem to have a genuinely great time, regardless of winning or losing.

The guys: it's a little different with the guys. I've heard them planning out game strategies which are specific to the teams that they are going to play. That's intense. It's pretty awesome. I definitely have respect for that kind of dedication!

At the same time though, it's intramurals, and although they're supposed to be fun and competitive, they aren't meant to be matches for blood or for pride. Good sportsmanship is important. We all know this; it's something we've been told from day one. Little League, CYO basketball, youth football and youth soccer all preach about bringing each other up, putting the team first, love of the game and good spirit of play.

This carries true to life outside of sports. We should always do our best for each other. That's what God wants! Humility is so important in sports. It never hurts to be confident. Let's be honest, if you can play, there's no sense in denying it. But that doesn't mean that because you might be a 'baller' on the court, or a heck of a rucker on the pitch, or the best goal-keep this side of the Great Plains, you're "da bomb". Above all, you are meant to be man or woman of God. Guys, it's time for us all to be the best MEN we can be. Sure, the ratio of men and women on this campus would seem to be largely "in our favor", but it doesn't mean that we're God's gift to the ladies here. Each woman here deserves the respect that we ought to give her. If you've got your eye on that girl, that one girl who always seems too elusive or too out of reach, go out of your way to do something for her. Don't just text her to meet up for lunch at the Caf. No: go out there and ask her to Scaffidi's! Take her to a Pirates game in Pittsburgh, baseball season is starting up soon! Ladies, I implore you, if you want to make that one guy that you've sort of been crushing on the happiest man on campus, knock his socks off and go up to him one day in the JC and just say hello. It is really that simple. Contrary to what y'all may think, we are as simple as we look. Let that guy know that he at least has somewhat of a chance to win your heart. Love is a touchy subject, both in newsprint and in real life. But in reality, it's not that complicated. Just like in sports, give it your best shot.