The Likeability Factor

TigerBlog estimates that since Monday morning, he's received more than 500 emails.

Of the 500 emails, most, as usual, were deletable without ever opening them, leaving TB to once again wonder how his email address ends up on so many different lists.

There were two emails that really stuck out.

The first was one of those Linked In invitations.

TB doesn't have a Facebook page, and he didn't create his Linked In page. He does, though, like to accept the Linked In invitations because TB can be, you know, polite.

Anyway, this particular Linked In invitation came from Donn Cabral, Princeton's NCAA champion and Olympic steeplechaser.

TB can't remember too many athletes who have been easier to root for than Cabral, both because of the impressive nature of his skill and his general likeability.

It's an interesting subject, that of likeability in athletes.

Terrell Owens, who is widely considered to be unlikeable, has always made the point that while people think he's a jerk, he's never been arrested, doesn't do drugs, doesn't beat up women.

True, TB always though, but is this how low the bar has been set in contemporary society? Not getting arrested makes you a good person?

In a time when the headlines every day seem to be filled with this athlete or that athlete who was charged with something (none of whom every seem to be held fully accountable), it's easy to get numb to it.

With that backdrop, TB got another email, this one from men's soccer coach Jim Barlow. It was a link to an online soccer publication, and it included this quote from Lionel Messi, who might be the best player in the world right now:

"I am more worried about being a good person than being the best soccer player in the world. When all this is over, what are you left with? ... When I retire, I hope I am remembered for being a decent guy. I like to score goals but I also like to have friends among the people I have played with."

That's quite a statement. In fact, that's about the most refreshing statement that TB has heard from a high-profile athlete in a long time.

Think about it. Here's a guy with it all, money, fame, extraordinary athletic ability.

And what's important to him? Being a good person.

Barlow forwarded TB something a few weeks ago that TB can't remember word-for-word, but it did have something to do with how soccer fans were more loyal to their sport than fans of other sports. TB didn't used to buy into that, but his level of appreciation for international soccer and all of its leagues and championships has skyrocketed in the last few years.

And the World Cup has become his favorite athletic event. 

Still, for all that, the soccer championship he is most interested in remains the Ivy League version.

There is a big soccer doubleheader against Brown Saturday on Myslik Field at Roberts Stadium, beginning at 4 with the women's game and then concluding at 7 when the men take on the Bears.

The Ivy League women's race is in Week 3, one week ahead of the men.

Right now, there are three undefeated women's teams: Princeton, Penn and Columbia at 2-0, followed by 1-1 Harvard and Dartmouth and 0-2 Brown, Yale and Cornell.

This weekend's game is anything but a given, though, as Princeton (6-3-1) vs. Brown (6-3-0) women is a matchup of the two best overall records in the league. Add to that the fact that of the eight league games played so far, seven have been one-goal games, including Princeton's two wins, both by 2-1 scores (over Yale in OT and Dartmouth).

Princeton follows the Brown game with a midweek home game against Lehigh, followed by a trip to Columbia.

As for the men, Princeton looked good in its opener last weekend with a 2-1 OT win over Dartmouth. The Tigers feature Thomas Sanner, who has won four of the five Ivy Rookie of the Week awards.

The first week of the men's season did the women one better - the four league games were decided by a total of three goals, with three one-goal games and a tie.

Brown comes into the game 8-1-1 overall and 1-0-0 in the league, not to mention ranked 19th in the country, one spot behind undefeated (9-0-0) Cornell.

In other words, Princeton could take a huge step in the direction of regaining the league title it won two years ago or putting itself in position for an at-large bid should it not get an automatic bid. Then again, Brown is not the only ranked team Princeton will play in a short span, as the Tigers turn around to play No. 24 Creighton at home Tuesday.

For everything that Princeton Athletics offers its fans, it's really hard to beat a good soccer doubleheader at Roberts Stadium, which will be in its glory on ESPNU for Tuesday night's game, as an aside.

The facility isn't going to get old anytime soon, and it affords a great spot to watch a game. The quality of the play on the field is tremendous, and of course there is no charge for admission.

What could be better?