I am a sports fan through and through. There are some sports that I enjoy more than others. I love watching professional football. I also like watching pro basketball, but only during the playoffs. At the Division I college level, there is nothing quite like football’s bowl season and basketball’s March Madness. Those are things we sports fans base our schedules around.

I also love to watch UCSD athletics. I don’t discriminate. Watching playoff-caliber and national champions is great, but it’s not too bad to watch some of our teams that have enjoyed less success. The men’s basketball team had an awful season, but with many of the games it was in the thick of things at half-time. Heck, it is all about pride — Triton pride.

A couple of my favorite sports are women’s soccer and softball. It’s not a gender thing. I just like the slow pace of softball, and our own women’s soccer team, which kicks everyone’s ass, really got me high on the sport.

Hockey is one of those sports that I am not that interested in. Yeah, I follow it some, especially during the playoffs.

I have nothing against hockey — it is a great sport, fun to watch, and I have a lot of respect for those who play it.

Here is an interesting commentary: I can name but a few hockey players, and one of those players is Tie Domi.

He plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The reason I know of him is not because of his skill, but because he’s an ass.

See, he is what is called an enforcer. His job is to knock people down and out. He did just that the other night, knocking out Rob Niedermyer of the New Jersey Devils. Niedermyer is out for a while. Domi is also out for the playoffs, suspended by the National Hockey League. But I know who he his.

It’s a sad state for professional hockey. You would think that those at the top would try to market themselves a little better. I mean, obviously they are getting attention, but for all of the wrong reasons.

Speaking of women’s soccer, here is a little tidbit: The new women’s soccer league, the Women’s United Soccer Association, is immensely popular. It has great players and great marketing. Saturday night’s San Diego Spirit game sold out (again). I think this league has a legitimate shot at survival.

Now, if only those at the top of the XFL gang could get a clue.

In other news, I just watched the Lakers beat the Kings in their first game of their seven-game series. That makes 12 straight for the boys from Los Angeles. Now, is there any doubt that they will be holding the championship trophy come June? Check back with me during finals.