S.E. Cupp Interview

S.E. Cupp

Frequent cable news show guest, columnist and author S.E. Cupp talks sports and politics. S.E. has even written for SI.com. Here is what she has to say about sports and politics.

1. Did you play any sports growing up, and do you have a favorite to watch?

I studied classical ballet for 10 years, and danced with the Boston Ballet, so sports were generally off-limits. But I liked playing soccer when I could. I also ran track a little, and was a cockswain for a couple crew teams.

My favorite sport to watch is undoubtedly baseball. I love it – it’s such an egalitarian sport. I also love watching NASCAR.

2. What sports figure would make the best politician?

Al Leiter is a friend, and a fantastic conservative with great ideas. I’ve been trying to convince him to run for office, but so far, no dice.

3. What is you favorite TV show to appear on?

I love “Hannity.” Sean’s such a patriot, you can't help but get riled up. I also like doing “Red Eye.” Greg, Bill and Andy are all such great writers – incredibly smart, hilarious, and irreverent. It’s nice to have a break once in a while from the heavy policy-talk and just relax and have a good time.

4. I've said that sports in a way have distracted a large portion of the population from paying attention to politics. What are your thoughts?

Sports are a great diversion, a useful escape. But there are also some lessons to be learned from sports that could easily be applied to politics. Lessons about equality, merit, individual responsibility, discipline, strategy, the pitfalls of celebrity and hero worship, etc. I love that sports plays a big role in a lot of peoples’ lives. I just wish we’d take more away from the games than we do.

5. Statistics are very important is sports, but in politics they’re not. Why shouldn't we know the numbers of unemployment, debt, etc. during a politician’s term or year by year. Your thoughts?

Well, I think we do. I think people are paying more and more attention to this stuff now that their wallets and bank accounts are being substantially affected. I think the problems we’re facing now are making us more informed consumers and voters.

6. As a woman, I wanted to get you're take on woman's sports, do you watch many, do you have a favorite?

I don’t really watch women’s sports. The draw of sports for me is that it’s a world I’m NOT a part of. Watching a Met game doesn’t make me want to play baseball…it makes me marvel at the men who can. The talent of a Mike Piazza or a Brett Favre or a Tony Stewart is mind-blowing to me…and that’s just how I want to keep it.

7. Is there one sporting event that you really want to attend?

I’ve really gotten to see a lot. I’ve been to NASCAR races, bull riding competitions, pro and college baseball, basketball, football, soccer, golf, tennis, etc. I’m dying to get to the Kentucky Derby one year…maybe 2010.

8. Rumor has it you're a Mets fan, what is going on with them this year, is it time to bring back Bobby V?

It’s always time to bring back Bobby V. What a guy. He’s been doing so well in Japan, though, I’m not sure he’s interested in coming back to MLB. But I’d love it if he did.

9. What are your future plans? Any new books coming up?

Yep, working on my second book as we speak. Will come out early next year. Also completing my masters at NYU.

Thanks again, and best of luck to you in your future.

Follow up: First off anyone who calls for the return of Bobby V has to be cool. So she certainly is a favorite talk show guest. SE is an excellent writer, I wish my columns were half as good as hers, and I wish I was on Hannity half as much as her too. Or just once. Her website is Red S.E. Cupp, and she normally posts at least one column a week. If you have a chance make sure you check her out, and be on the look out for her new book.

If you would like to link to this story, please link to the achieved interview 0n RizzoSports.com

**Images used with permission from: S.E. Cupp

Coaching is Everything

I can’t think of a level in team sports where the coach isn’t the most important member of the team. Even more so now then ever, because not only do they have to manage during the game, they have to manage everything going on around the team. Who thinks Mike Tomlin just got a lot more added to his plate. Even the most talented team in the league the Penguins needed a new coach to change their season. Would the Pirates still be bad with the best manager in baseball, yes, but they would bad with Albert Pujols too. In a playoff game or series none one has as much influence on the outcome as the coach. If it wasn’t for Ozzie Guillen’s defensive substitution we wouldn’t have seen a perfect game yesterday. Strategy is what sports are all about.

World Football Challange Schedule

This week the World Football Challenge will be in full swing through out the US. Here is the TV schedule for the remaining matches.


Tuesday, July 21
Chelsea FC vs. FC Internazionale Milano at the Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Cal.
11 p.m. EST on ESPN2

Wednesday, July 22
AC Milan vs. Club America at the Georgia Dome Atlanta, Ga
7 p.m. EST on ESPN2

Friday, July 24
AC Milan vs. Chelsea FC at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Md.
8 p.m. EST on ESPN

Sunday, July 26
AC Milan vs. FC Internazionale Milano at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
5 p.m. EST on ESPN2

Sunday, July 26
Chelsea FC vs. Club America at Dallas Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas
7 p.m. EST on ESPN2

I'm going to the game in Baltimore, I'm curious to see if there will be more Milan fans or Chelsea fans. Does anyone have an idea?

Put Bryce Harper in the Home Run Derby at the All Star Game.

Apparently MLB is having a difficult time finding guys from the AL to be in the All Star Home Run Derby at Busch Stadium. I suggest they ask high school phenom Bryce Harper. It would probably be the highest rated show in ESPN history if they did.

Think about the buzz it would generate. It would be a great showcase for baseball. I'm not sure the pros would like it, but if they're afriad of a high school kid, well that's their problem. Actally just the rumor might make the AL fill their slots.

Williams and Federer win Wimbledon.

It will probably go down as the sporting event of the year. Roger Federer defeated American Andy Roddrick in an epic five set Wimbledon Final.

The final fifth set was decided by a score of 16-14, and it alone took over an hour an a half. The win gave Federer a 15th major title, one more than Pete Sampras. Sampras said that Federer went from a legend to an icon with the win. It’s now hard to argue that he’s not the best ever.

This completed a great weekend of tennis as Serena Williams won her 11th major title on Saturday.