Kenney Myers

10 Professional Sports Coaches Named Ken

June 7, 2015 by Kenney Myers

A coach is someone who brings out the best in you. Professional sports coaches are renowned for driving athletes to give 100%, then turn around and give a 100% more. The 10 coaches in this list are no exception, and each one of them was blessed with the birth name Ken.

Ken Carter – Very few coaches can claim the distinction of having a movie made about them, but Ken Carter can. In 2005, the basketball coach was played by Samuel L. Jackson in the movie Coach Carter. The values that Carter set down for his college team during the 1999 season, mixing a solid grounding in academics with performance on the field, were the main subject of the movie that made him famous.
Kenneth S. Hitchcock – Currently coaching the St. Louis Blues, Hitchcock is an NHL coach and pro scout. In 1999, he coached the Dallas Stars to victory in the Stanley Cup, and has also acted as head coach for the Philadelphia Flyers and Columbus Blue Jackets. Kenneth S. Hitchcock, or “Hitch” as he’s better known, is a native of Western Canada.
Ken Mushinskie – Until early 2013, Ken Mushinskie was the coach for the Beckman High School Patriots. After only two seasons with the team, he was forced to retire, citing a dispute of the direction the team was going. For the two seasons that Ken spent with the team, the Patriots had a record of 14-11, and he led them to the CIF Southern Division title game in 2011.
Ken Whisenhunt – The San Diego Chargers is where Whisenhunt currently hangs his hat, however, from 2007 – 2012 he was the head coach for the Arizona Cardinals. During his time with the Cardinals, Ken brought the team to the Super Bowl in 2008, which marked the first time in their history. Earlier coaching roles included the Baltimore Ravens (1997–1998), Cleveland Browns (1999), New York Jets (2000) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (2001–2003).
Ken Shamrock – Opposite his upcoming opponent, Tito Ortiz, who he was set to fight at UFC 61, Shamrock acted as head coach on the third season of the franchise reality TV competition The Ultimate Fighter. Team Ortiz dominated the competition, which was to become an omen of future for Shamrock at the main event. Ortiz beat Ken, effectively heralding the end of Shamrock’s UFC career.
Kenny Adams – An amateur boxer in his own right, Adams helped the U.S. team bring back nine gold medals from the 1984 Olympic games. In 1989, Kenny coached French fighter Rene Jacquot to victory against Donald Curry. He has also coached B.J. Flores, Michael Nunn and Ray Mercer.
Ken Niumatalolo – The United States Naval Academy is proud to have Ken Niumatalolo currently serving in the position of head coach. Ken came up through the ranks of college football as a quarterback, when he played for University of Hawaii. When he wasn’t playing football, Niumatalolo was pursuing his other love on the basketball court. He took on the position of head coach with the Naval Academy on December 8, 2007.
Ken Wood – With over four decades of coaching under his belt, Wood has helped a number of world champion-caliber swimmers achieve gold. He is currently acting as the head coach at Redcliffe Leagues Swimming Club in Queensland, Australia. Wood faced controversy after the 2008 Summer Olympics, due to one of his swimmers leaving his camp. The swimmer in question, Jessicah Schipper, left because he sold her training regime to rival Liu Zige of China. The move cost Schipper her 200m Butterfly world record and a defeat at the hands of Zige.
Ken Chertow – This American wrestler competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. Chertow now runs extensive wrestling training camps throughout the U.S., which have produced a number of college wrestling champions. He dedicates most of his time to perfecting his program, which he also promotes across the country. Ken has won a number of titles in the sport, including the Olympic Festival Champion and the Tulsa National Team Championship.
Kenny Dalglish – One of the best known names in British soccer, Dalglish was instrumental in the coaching style of Liverpool FC. Kenny became player-manager for the side in 1985. Among some of the titles that Kenny won as a player with Liverpool are six Football League First Divisions, two FA Cups and four League Cups. He resigned in 1991, only to return as manager from May 2011 until he was released in May 2012.

10 Reasons Every Poem Should Rhyme and How it Could Impact You BIG Time

May 29, 2015 by Kenney Myers

While Ezra Pound is largely credited with starting the free verse poetry movement that created more relaxed style requirements and eliminated the wide-spread use of formal poetry, there are still plenty of aficionados out there who firmly believe that all poetry should rhyme. These are ten of the reasons they use to support their argument, and reasons why some believe that rhyming poetry is far superior to its free-verse brethren.

Establishing Structure and Rhythm – The placement of rhyming words and the establishment of structure, meter and vocal rhythm in a poem can significantly affect the way it sounds when read aloud. Fans of the formal rhyming styles insist that rhymes are necessary in terms of establishing rhythm.
Assisting in Memorization – One of the reasons why many early poems were penned with rhyme schemes can be traced back to low literacy rates and the desire to memorize verses. Those who couldn’t read poems were still able to recite them, due to the memory-sparking power of rhyming words.
Adhering to Style Guidelines – Formal styles of poetry dictate not only the number of lines and the number of syllables within those lines, but also a strict rhyme scheme that must be adhered to. In order to create classic, formal poetry, a poet must write verses that rhyme.
Creating Symmetry – Symmetry among the verses of a poem can rely largely upon the way that a rhyme scheme is created by the poet. For this reason alone, some poetry purists refuse to entertain the notion of unstructured, asymmetrical free verse.
Appealing to Younger Audiences – Kids are wild about poems that rhyme, making the creation of works that rhyme a wise literary and career move for poets hoping to appeal to a younger audience. From helping kids remember the words to their favorite verses to making it fun for them to recite, rhyming words are a cornerstone of kids’ poetry.
Appealing to Older Audiences – Though it was established more than a century ago, there’s something about the wild-eyed, unrestrained emotion of free verse that makes it more suited to young adults’ fancies than more settled adults. As a result, poetry collections marketed at the senior citizen audience almost always feature works with a defined rhyme scheme.
Carrying On a Grand Tradition – The works of greats like Emily Dickinson and William Shakespeare rhymed, and there are those who believe that carrying on that grand tradition has far more artistic merit than more relaxed, informal free verse.
Rising to a Challenge – Managing to adhere to formal poetry styles with an established rhyme scheme while remaining true to the inspiration behind the work of art without penning a contrived, forced or awkward poem is a very real challenge. For those who value such a challenge, rhyming work is the only way to go.
Lightening the Mood – Humorous poems, like limericks, often rely upon the clever turn of phrase and wordplay that comes with rhyming. Though it is certainly possible to write a serious, heartfelt poem with a classic rhyme scheme, it’s much more difficult to convey humor with free verse.
Fulfilling an Artistic Vision – Just as some visual artists work exclusively in a particular medium, so do some poets. Those who are dedicated to traditional, formal styles as part of their own artistic vision work exclusively within those bounds, eschewing free verse altogether.

Despite adherents like the Queen’s English Society, which demands that all poetry rhyme in order to be recognized as such, most poetry publishers balk at printing formal, rhyming poetry. In fact, the submission guidelines of some of the more popular poetry publications clearly state that rhyming poetry will not be considered. If you don’t plan to publish the poems you write, these ten reasons are more than enough to justify a refusal to write free verse poetry.

10 Famous Lawyers Named Ken You May Debate

May 24, 2015 by Kenney Myers

There are ten lawyers in this list, all of whom are named Ken. However, that’s not the only thing that they have in common, as each of these Kens has also flirted with fame over the course of their career. Robert Frost once said, “A jury consists of twelve persons chosen to decide who has the better lawyer.” If that’s true, then each of these lawyers has more than adequately presented his case.

Ken Starr – Arguably the most famous lawyer in the world during his heyday, Ken Starr played a pivotal role in a number of investigations during Bill Clinton’s presidency. Two of Starr’s most controversial investigations were the death by suicide of White House counsel Vince Foster, and the Whitewater scandal involving Bill and Hilary Clinton’s real estate investments.
Ken Dryden – Before his career in law, Ken Dryden had already made his name as a NHL (National Hockey League) goaltender. In fact, due to his impressive record, he is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Ken earned his degree in Law at McGill University, before eventually going into politics. From 2004 to 2011, Dryden held a seat in the Canadian government as a Liberal Member of Parliament.
Kenneth Feinberg – No stranger to difficult and sensitive cases, Kenneth Feinberg was Special Master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund and administrator of the BP Deepwater Horizon Disaster Victim Compensation Fund. Feinberg is usually the first choice when it comes to legal administration, and has served as a professor at the Columbia University School of Law.
Kenneth Kleinberg – Lawyer to the stars, Kenneth Kleinberg has represented the elite of Hollywood. Although Kleinberg’s client list is highly confidential, his string of awards – which includes the “2011 Entertainment Lawyer of the Year” – speaks volumes about his success in the industry. Kenneth Kleinberg is a graduate of UCLA School of Law, and has served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Weintraub Entertainment Group.
Kenneth Okonkwo – A popular Nollywood actor, Kenneth Okonkwo holds a master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy. The actor is best known for his role as “Andy” in the Nigerian film Living in Bondage. Although qualified to practice law, Okonkwo decided to step out of the limelight for another calling; he now frequently appears at Christian events as a guest minister.
Ken McKenna – In his long and successful career, Ken McKenna has worked on a number of high profile cases. However, the biggest case of his career was in representing the mother of a teenage suicide victim against the might of the record industry. The case involved two teenage boys who created a suicide pact while listening to the heavy metal band Judas Priest. One of the boys died instantly from a shotgun blast, while the other survived with serious face and head injuries. During the case, McKenna identified alleged subliminal messaging in a track that the boys had been listening to, which led to a landmark decision in the case.
Kenneth Clarke – This Conservative politician was first elected to the British parliament in 1970. Clarke is one of Britain’s best known politicians, and holds an honours degree in law from Cambridge University. Kenneth Clarke has held some of the highest positions in British government, including Health and Education Secretary. However, he saw his most successful years in government during his role as Chancellor of the Exchequer from May of 1993 to May of 1997.
District Attorney Ken Anderson – Former District Attorney for Williamson County in Texas, Ken Anderson found himself on the wrong side of the dock after being implemented in hiding crucial evidence in the murder trial of Michael Morton in 1987. Morton was subsequently given life for the murder of his wife, Christine Morton.
Ken Thompson – As a lifelong advocate of truth and justice for the poor and unrepresented masses, Ken Thompson has made quite a name for himself. Thompson was first thrust into the public light when he represented Abner Louima, in what would become one of the biggest police brutality cases to take place in New York. Two police officers were later found guilty of brutal attacks on Louima, which are still referenced in human rights cases today.
Ken Corning – Everyone has heard of the fictional lawyer, Perry Mason. However, few will know that the character was born in an earlier guise under the name, Ken Corning. Corning was a sleuthing lawyer and the main character of six short stories, which were featured in “Black Mask,” a popular magazine where Perry Mason creator Erie Stanley Gardner was a lead writer.

10 Sitcom Stars Named Ken

May 23, 2015 by Kenney Myers

Sitcoms are a treasured institution in television, with roots that reach all the way back to the earliest days of programming. These 10 men have brought to life some of the most beloved characters in sitcom history, sharing in the grand tradition of making people laugh. In addition to a shared career path, the 10 people on this list also share a given name. For your reading enjoyment, here are 10 of the most well-known sitcom stars named Ken.

Ken Berry – While Ken Berry started his career as a dancing military man, he found lasting fame as a sitcom star. His breakout role in the classic show “F Troop” allowed him to make a name for himself, with roles on “Mayberry R.F.D” and “Mama’s Family” to follow. “Mama’s Family,” a spin-off of “The Carol Burnett Show,” allowed Ken’s character to live on in syndication for the better part of 20 years.
Ken Jenkins – While Ken Jenkins is something of a Hollywood veteran, his real claim to fame is an eight-season stint as the irascible Dr. Kelso on the hit sitcom “Scrubs.” He’s also an accomplished theatrical star, with an average of 10 stage productions under his belt each year for the last three decades. A playwright, director and an actor, Ken Jenkins is one artist whose contributions to the dramatic arts stretch far beyond a few supporting sitcom roles.
Ken Curtis – While “Gunsmoke” was a long-running Western, there were elements of comedic relief to be found amidst the gunslinging and outlaw behavior. Ken Curtis, the actor behind the role of “Festus,” was often the source of those laughs. Unfortunately, this Hollywood treasure passed away in 1991 after suffering a heart attack in his sleep. Still, his legacy lives on, as “Gunsmoke” is still in syndication 50 years after it first hit the airwaves.
Ken Jeong – While this Korean-American star may have started out in the field of medicine, he’s quickly become a household name in comedic circles. In addition to his work on laugh-riot films like Knocked Up and The Hangover franchise, he’s also enjoyed a bit of sitcom fame. The role of Señor Chang in the hit series “Community” has solidified his place in television history.
Ken Marino – Launched to fame in the MTV sketch comedy series “The State,” Ken Marino has since enjoyed steady work in film and television. His roles on sitcoms like “Eastbound & Down” and “Reaper” have earned him the title of “sitcom star,” but he’s most well-known for appearing in the cult hit “Veronica Mars.” Much to fans’ delight, he will reprise his role in the upcoming feature film that follows up the abruptly canceled series.
Ken Foree – With roles in a variety of horror films, Kentotis Foree may not be the first Ken who comes to mind when you think of sitcom stars. Still, he did enjoy quite a stint on the Nickelodeon hit sitcom “Kenan and Kel,” which helped costar Kenan Thompson become a full-fledged member of the “Saturday Night Live” cast.
Ken Howard – After a breakout role on the long-running drama The White Shadow, Ken Howard went on to star in a variety of sitcoms and to head up the Screen Actors’ Guild. Most recently, he’s been acclaimed for his turn as Hank Hooper on the hit series “30 Rock,” which was sadly canceled in 2013.
Ken Osmond – Kenneth Charles Osmond, better known as “Ken,” was never able to break out of the typecasting mold after bringing Eddie Haskell to life on the family hit “Leave it to Beaver.” While he later became a Los Angeles police officer after the cancellation of “Leave it to Beaver,” he still lives on in the hearts of fans everywhere.
Ken Lerner – Roles on classic, hit sitcoms like “Happy Days,” “Lavern & Shirley,” “Newhart,” “Valerie,” “Family Ties,” “The Facts of Life,” “Who’s the Boss,” “Dharma & Greg” and “Will and Grace” have solidified Ken Lerner’s place in sitcom history. His most famous role, though, is that of Principal Flutie in the Joss Whedon cult hit “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”
Ken Weatherwax – No list of sitcom stars named Ken would be complete without child star Ken Weatherwax, the actor behind the iconic role of Pugsley Addams on the iconic series “The Addams Family.” While his career stalled out after his stint on the hit show, his childhood face is still immediately recognizable to legions of stalwart fans.

5 Preventable Life-Threatening Injuries to Kids and How You Can Stop Them

May 19, 2015 by Kenney Myers

Life-threatening injuries are tragic when they strike families with young children, but the tragedy feels magnified when the accidents and injuries could’ve been prevented with a few simple precautions. As a parent, one of the smartest things you can do is take the necessary steps to make sure accidents like these don’t come into your life. You can’t control everything, but you can do a lot to stay safe. Think about these tips as you plan your home and care for your child:

Falling From a Window
A screen isn’t enough to keep a child from pushing through an open window and falling, even if it’s securely attached. They’re ultimately too flimsy, and they aren’t designed to do anything but loosely sit in a window frame and let air pass through. Even on a ground floor of a home, falling out of a window can be a life-threatening injury for a child. To avoid this situation, you’ll need to install high-quality window guards and locks designed to keep children from tampering with window openings. Window locks usually attach to the edge of the window frame and keep the window from being opened past the lock point, so you can keep the window from opening more than, say, three or four inches if you want to. That lets you open the window to let in air but not worry about leaving a gap wide enough for a child to pass through. A window guard looks like a lot like a pet door guard, and it has bars that extend across a window opening that prevent a child from exiting through an open window. They’re childproof but still removable by adults in emergency situations.

Heat Stroke
It’s estimated that several dozen children die heat-related deaths every year after being left in hot cars. It’s never OK to leave a child in a car, even for a few minutes. The lack of air and the oppressive heat — in any weather — can overpower even an adult, leaving kids totally defenseless. Being absent-minded isn’t OK, either. To make sure you never leave a child in the car, always open your rear door and check the back seat when you arrive at your destination. This might sound goofy — how could you forget if your child was with you? — but it’s a worthwhile habit. Similarly, do mirror checks of the back and give everything a once-over everytime you arrive at a destination to make sure you’ve got everybody.

While you’re at home, your kids might want to play in your car, not knowing how dangerous it can be. Always, always lock your doors and make sure your kids can’t get to the keys when you’re home. Your kids should never be able to access your car without your presence and permission.

Drowning
Pool and swimming safety is another area that requires solid supervision. Almost 10 people per day die from unintentional drowning, two of those 10 are kids under 15, and children between 1 and 4 years old have the highest drowning rate. It’s a major cause for concern, especially since so many life-threatening situations could be prevented. Be smart when it comes to how you and your kids interact with the water. Swimming lessons are wise, and you should always supervise all swimming activities, even if it’s a tiny inflatable pool in your backyard. Floating accessories (foam noodles, water wings, etc.) can help kids stay afloat, but these are not safety devices, and it’s not OK to think that the presence of these toys can mitigate disaster. Always, always watch your kids when they’re in or near the water.

Bumper Pad Suffocation
Crib bumpers were intended to protect against injury while sleeping, but the American Academy of Pediatrics says that bumpers don’t do anything to prevent injury and in fact pose a major risk for suffocation and entrapment. Infants don’t have the motor skills necessary to turn their heads or untangle themselves if they become stuck in the bumper pad. Other types of bedding, and even some mesh bumpers (which are more breathable), are much better alternatives and will keep your baby safer.

Seat Belt Accidents
Car accidents are, unfortunately, impossible to predict. You can do everything in the world to be a better driver, but you can’t control other people or tell when one of them might cause a wreck. To that end, it’s vital that you properly secure your child in your car when you’re driving so that, should an accident occur, they’ll be safely belted in and not at risk for serious injury or death. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is a great resource for parents that goes over car seat basics, proper fit, seat evaluations, and more. There’s also The Car Seat Lady, which has a wealth of tips, tricks, slideshows, and other breakdowns of the latest in child safety protocols. For example, many parents make the mistake of fitting a lap belt across a child’s belly, when it should go snugly across the lap. It holds the body down, not back, putting strain on strong leg muscles and not weak stomach areas and internal organs.

The real lesson here: Plan smart, do your homework, and keep a close eye on your kids. The saddest injuries are the ones you could have prevented.

10 iPhone Apps to Help You Train for Your First Marathon

May 13, 2015 by Kenney Myers

Training for your first marathon is going to be an enormous challenge, and will require complete dedication. Ideally, when you start you’ll have the best training partners and programs out there to make sure you’re prepared for that challenge. Unless you’re rich or a celebrity sports-personality, however, you’re probably not going to be able to afford that level of training. Fortunately, iPhone’s ever resourceful app developers have created some amazing software that delivers professional training right to your handset. These 10 apps will put you through your paces in preparation for your first marathon, so that when you get to the starting line you’re prepared to go the distance.

Couch to 5K – Since this will be your first marathon, you’re probably bursting to get out there and start training. This app will make sure that you get through your first training session. A mistake that many new marathon runners make is overdoing the first few training sessions. Couch to 5K is designed to ease you into a routine, with training designed by Active.com trainers. The app is available for $1.99 and comes with a great workout journal to log your progress.
Fleetly – If competition is what drives you, Fleetly is the perfect training app. You can earn points for completing your workouts, as well as compete against athletes at all levels. Although you will use this free app for your marathon training, Fleetly supports training in every competitive sport you can think of.
RunKeeper – Successful marathon runners know that pace is important, so make sure you include RunKeeper in your arsenal of training apps. Using GPS and a variety of technologies, this app tracks your pace, heart rate and much more, creating effective logs that help tailor the perfect workout routine to get you in the best shape.
Nike Training Club – This free app from Nike provides users with access to exclusive workout material from celebrity trainers. Nike Training Club is promoted as “Exclusively for Women,” but these great workouts are ideal for anyone who is training for a marathon. Expect to see lots of familiar faces, as there are also a number of workouts led by celebrity trainers.
My Fitness Pal, Calorie Counter – All your training may be for naught if you’re not actively keeping an eye on your diet. This free app will keep track of your calorie intake and help you achieve your ideal weight for competing in a marathon.
FitnessBuilder – Like other fitness apps, Fitness Builder has a multitude of built-in training modules to increase your fitness level. What’s different about this app, however, is the drag and drop feature that allows you to create your own personally-tailored workouts. There are also daily, weekly and intelligent workouts, which have been designed to ensure you receive the best training. The app is linked directly to the Fitness Builder website, where you can also stream videos and fitness news directly to your handset.
Boot Camp Challenge – Designed by an ex-army drill sergeant, this app will give you the edge that you need over the competition. Despite the name, Boot Camp Challenge is not solely designed for hard-core fitness fanatics. There are training programs for beginners also, which get increasingly harder as your fitness improves. The app is available from the iTunes store for $3.99.
Kinetic GPS – This app is both simple and incredibly intuitive. With Kinetic GPS you can easily track your speed, distance, altitude and much more with a touch of the screen. The app does have an extensive training program, too, which was developed by a former London marathon runner. For $3.99, this is one app that you will want as your virtual coach.
Fitocracy – Motivation is something that every athlete needs, and Fitocracy delivers. This is not just a fitness app, it is a game that pushes you to unlock more challenges by completing fitness tasks and quests. Fitocracy is a community-focused app, so you can converse with and compete against other athletes from around the world. This app won’t lighten the load of your wallet, however, as it is free from the iTunes store.
All-In YOGA – You may be asking what yoga has to do with running a marathon. Well, you will need to keep your muscles supple and flexible if you want to endure the distance. There are over 40 ready-made yoga programs available with the app; however, you can also create your own. Over 3000 poses, which include photos, videos and detailed instructions, coupled with over 30 breathing exercises make this free app a great accessory to your training regimen.