Hey, Hey, Colleen here!

So I will be the first to admit, the LadyBallers were out of comission as we were devestated by the NBA lockout. Yes, it's silly but personally it hit a sensative spot with me and "politics" in the sports world. Yes, I am aware politics will always be a part of sports but it really stinks when it overshadowns all the amazing things about the sportsword; Passion, True Talnet, Fun and Excitement! 

So, like I do with x-boyfriends who don't apologize for being liars, I have to be the bigger person and move forward and just forgive them. So, NBA, I officially forgive you for taking a break... I still love you. And yes, I know this blog and community is more than basketball and the NBA but it did start there. 

The NBA lockout is still going on, WHACK! But basketball will still be going down in Orlando. The UCF Knights kicked off the season on Nov 5th against West VA Tech!

Now, AJ isn't just a UCF basketball player, he is one of the most positive people I have ever encountered! His twitter account is a must follow (@A3Rompza) filled with positive anecdotes, tweets of determination and of course some comical relief but the boys got skills! If you haven't seen this its a must watch! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYjOScGcGps

In a sports world filled with cocky players, players getting arrested or doing anything other then playing the game they love, it was refreshing to come across such a young, vibrant, and talented player with such a positive outlook on life and a true love for the game. He nevers takes a day for granted and reminded me to do the same, AJ thank you for your inspiration! GO KNIGHTS!

Have you been engaging in Twitter #chats? If not, you should be! It is a great way to meet others with similar interests as well as gain insight into some interesting topics. Today we are featuring PR specialist, Angie Taylor, the host of #SportsPRchat on Twitter! She has been involved with the sports industry for the past 6 years. 

Please give us a little background on how you got to your current role:          

Outside of my full-time position as Assistant Account Executive for Weber Shandwick, a global public relations firm, I became involved with #SportsPRchat, a Twitter-hosted chat (every Tuesday evening at 9 p.m. ET), earlier this year. The chat features questions based on current sports issues and communications trends affecting the industry.

Did you know that women watch more sports than soap operas! Yep, BigResearch Media Study found us that over 60% of women watched sports regularly vs. 42% who watched soap operas regularly. Thanks to sites like Jersey Girl Sports for recognizing this and creating a one stop shop for for female sports fans around the world! Today we are happy to have one of the founders of this great site, Marcelle English, who has been in the sports industry for almost 7 years, share her experience with us. 

Very similar to LadyBallers, Jersey Girl Sports strive to create an experience where a woman can find her place and add value within her favorite sport. Additionally they educate, inform and entertain women who enjoy sports. Jersey Girl Sports understands the power and influence that women have in sports and thus creates opportunities to capitalize on the strengths and value they bring to the industry.

Please give us a little background on how you got to your current role: I have been a sports enthusiast for since high school. I did my first celebrity athlete interview in high school with baseball and football Great, Bo Jackson, and I went on to cover the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. While in college I wrote for the sports section of my college paper. While doing morning drive radio in Atlanta, I met a number of athletes and when leaving that job I decided to open my own PR/Marketing Agency that catered to professional athletes. My first client became the starting QB for the Dallas Cowboys, Quincy Carter. So taking all of my sports passion and knowledge, I was able to put all of that into what I do today with Jersey Girl Sports.  

Have you heard about espnW.com? Yes, it is a bit different from the LadyBallers mission but just as strong towards respect for female sports fans. ESPNW's "first business dedicated to serving female athletes and fans. We'll shine a brighter spotlight on women's sports, and put you in touch with top female athletes from across the globe." Today we have the pleasure with learning more about one of their columnists, Adena Andrews who has been in the sports industry for 7 years. 

Please give us a little background on how you got to your current role: After graduating from the University of Southern California in 2007 with a B.A. in Print Journalism I interned with ESPN The Magazine for six months. After that I began working at NBA.com as an editor. Two years later, espnW was born and I was ready to embark on my new adventure. Lots of networking and the power of social media helped me get where I am and sharpen my skills.

I feel Chris Paul is one of the most talented, honorable, humble point guards in the NBA. Fun fact, did you know he was in People's 100 Most Beautiful People list back on 2006 AND GQ's Men of Year in 2008? You wouldn't be able to tell from his humbleness i know. On top of that he spends his time off with his son whom he adores as well as raising money for the community he grew up in.

Want to know more about the Communications Manager for the Orlando Magic? We thought so. Happy Monday! We have the lovely Melanie Curtsinger featured as our Female Sports Professional today so brighten your day. In addition to her present role, she has been in the sports industry for 12 years ranging from roles with the University of Kentucky and the Philadelphia 76ers! Find out how her planning ahead scored her entrance into her dream job path.

Please give us a little background on how you got to your current role: I am the communications manager for the Orlando Magic, so that means I do everything from setting up media credentials for home games to writing press releases, setting up interviews/appearances for players and coaches, producing the game-day program and even traveling with the team as the PR rep. I completed a year-long internship at the University of Kentucky athletic media relations department after I graduated, did another 13-month internship in my current department with the Magic after that and worked for the Philadelphia 76ers as a public relations coordinator before joining the Magic again full-time in January 2006.

Sports fans always have diverse feelings on Tim Tebow as a football player, but one thing you can not deny is his admiration to help people.

When Tebow still played college football for the Florida Gators, NCAA rules did not allow him to start his own foundation. Some people would have seen that roadblock and stopped, but not Tim. He partnered up with the school and several other UF students and started: First and 15. This UF Student Government is still active on the UF campus and now raises money for several charites, including our feature foundation, The Tim Tebow Foundation.

Happy Monday morning! We have the lovely Alana Nguyen today for our Female Sports Professional feature today, such a great treat. She has 5 years of experience in the sports industry under her belt and is currently the managing editor for Yardbarker, a FOX Sports Interactive company, and she has tons of amazing advice. We appreciate her sharing her journey and experiences. 

How did you learn you wanted to get into the sports industry?

I kind of got here by accident. I had always loved the online media world, but it wasn’t by design that I ended up in the sports corner of it. While in law school I wrote a few personal blogs about various subjects. One of them was a silly cartoon blog about the NBA that ended up getting me a gig as one of the original bloggers on NBA FanHouse. From there I networked my way into a job as a part-time producer for FanHouse and I eventually took over as head producer from my former bosses Jamie Mottram and John Ness. After that role, it was natural to stay in the sports space. 

We're taking a break from the NBA madness for a moment today (at least until Game 2 tonight.)

Yesterday, June 1, was National Running Day. This event was organized for those who love to run to join each other all over the country and share their love of running. The event website states, "We may run alone, but on National Running Day, we celebrate together! On this day, runners everywhere share their passion for a lifestyle that is one of the best, and simplest, ways to stay fit—and so much more. You can head out solo to clear your mind, gab with your regular running buddies, or turn an unsuspecting friend into a running fiend. This day is for us!"