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Books and freelance work by Beau Dure

Category: work portfolio

general sports, work portfolio

Go Duke! And Go UNCW — except when you’re playing Duke

Posted on June 13, 2016 by Beau Dure

My first job after Duke was in Wilmington, and I lived just a few feet away from UNCW’s campus. So I wrote something for my old paper about my split loyalties when Duke and UNCW were paired up in the NCAA Tournament.

Source: Two trips down memory lane | StarNewsOnline.com

March 15, 2016

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culture, work portfolio

Did I waste my college opportunity?

Posted on June 13, 2016June 26, 2016 by Beau Dure

I actually wound up not going to my Duke reunion, for reasons that had nothing to do with this piece in which I question how I spent my time in college and which classes I took. I hope Duke’s advising has improved since then. But I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. (Well, almost anything.)

Source: Did I waste my college opportunity? | Mostly Modern Media

Feb. 17, 2016

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culture, work portfolio

Flat-Earthers are back

Posted on June 13, 2016 by Beau Dure

Oh, this was entertaining. I’ve spent years being hounded by soccer people who refuse to listen to any evidence they don’t like. That got me wondering about the Flat Earth movement, which is small but quite lively.

This piece was shared more than 20,000 times.

Source: Flat-Earthers are back: ‘It’s almost like the beginning of a new religion’ | Science | The Guardian

Jan. 20, 2016

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work portfolio, youth soccer

The real controversies of U.S. Soccer in 2016

Posted on June 13, 2016 by Beau Dure

Eric Wynalda’s session at the NSCAA Convention has fun, healthy debate. But look elsewhere, and you’ll find people more actively punching the sacred cows of the youth game.

Source: The real controversies of U.S. Soccer in 2016 | SportsMyriad

Jan. 16, 2016

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Best of 2010-2015

Posted on June 13, 2016June 25, 2017 by Beau Dure

Selected pieces from an arbitrary period between my departure from USA TODAY and a re-organization of my work portfolio:

BEST OF 2015

Dec. 4, 2015: College football’s playoff format is broken. Here’s how to fix it (The Guardian)
Dec. 1, 2015: US college sports are a factory for Olympic medalists – but for how much longer? (The Guardian)
Nov. 7, 2015: Speed skating: can the US team shine after the failure of Sochi? (The Guardian)
Oct. 29, 2015: Single-Digit Soccer: Time for parents to raise their voices (SportsMyriad)
Oct. 28, 2015: Teddy Dure, 2001/02?-2015 (Mostly Modern Media)
Oct. 15, 2015: A fully legal way to set up youth soccer leagues not strictly by birth year (SoccerWire)
Sept. 24, 2015: Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing. Right?(The Guardian)
Aug. 30, 2015: Why Serena Williams, not Ronda Rousey, is the world’s most dominant female athlete (The Guardian)
Aug. 28, 2015: My hometown, my writing, my life (Mostly Modern Media)
Aug. 27, 2015: U.S. Soccer’s birth-year plan is shortsighted, helping coaches, not kids (SoccerWire)
Aug. 27, 2015: What’s THAT Supposed to Mean?: R.E.M., “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” (Popdose)
Aug. 18, 2015: Alex Morgan and the Bedbugs That Ate the NWSL(SportsMyriad)
Aug. 4, 2015: Is the UFC turning into Rollerball? (The Guardian)
June 25, 2015: Can U.S. women ditch “Whack it to Wambach” style? (SoccerWire)
May 21, 2015: Young players must learn to pass the dadgum ball(SoccerWire)
April 30, 2015: Ann Hammond Dure: 1939-1995 (Mostly Modern Media)
March 23, 2015: Paul Jeffrey, Duke jazzman (Mostly Modern Media)
March 15, 2015: The value of a four-year college (Mostly Modern Media)
March 12, 2015: USA soccer culture is and is not what you want(SportsMyriad)

BEST OF 2010-14

Oct. 1, 2014: Why Millennials are avoiding small-town America(OZY; picked up at NPR)
July 22, 2014: Remembering Dan Borislow (SportsMyriad; yes, he’s the guy you read about at Deadspin)
May 21, 2014: Why we believe utter crap (Mostly Modern Media)
Jan. 1, 2014: How Reality Bites and the dictionary screw up irony(Mostly Modern Media)
(2013 was heavily focused on the book Enduring Spirit)
Dec. 12, 2012: The year in moderately popular sports (Popdose)
2012 medal projections (SportsMyriad)
July 3, 2011: Marta has her Diego Maradona moment (ESPN; Women’s World Cup coverage)
June 2011 special section: Day jobs: Fighters’ balancing acts (USA TODAY)
Jan. 27, 2011: For U.S. Soccer, it’s a matter of style (ESPN.com)
Aug. 26, 2010: Leap from boxing to mixed martial arts not always pretty (USA TODAY)
July 2, 2010: Brock Lesnar on return: ‘I’m a cat with 9 lives’ (USA TODAY)

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Best of USA TODAY years (1999-2010)

Posted on June 13, 2016 by Beau Dure

Selected pieces from my tenure as a full-time writer/editor/online content producer at USA TODAY:

Feb. 25, 2010: Demong, Spillane give USA 1-2 finish in Nordic combined (USA TODAY)
Feb. 24, 2010: At Whistler, there’s just no party like a biathlon party (USA TODAY)
Nov. 23, 2009: After overtime, penalty kicks, Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup (USA TODAY)
Oct. 7, 2009: Women’s jumpers still hoping for flight in 2010 Games (USA TODAY; shot video on a ski jump ramp, recorded audio interviews)
Jan. 7, 2009: Fighters’ entrance music gets brawlers in the mood (USA TODAY)
Aug. 23, 2008: Iceland eyes gold medal in handball (USA TODAY; includes interviews with Iceland’s president and first lady)
Aug. 21, 2008: Weight lifted with U.S. soccer victory, gold (USA TODAY)
Aug. 20, 2008: China beat: Handball, war, sanitation, etc. (Mostly Modern Media)
Aug. 17, 2008: Last shot sinks American again (USA TODAY; Olympic shooting stunner)
May 29, 2008: UFC has fight on its hands against Elite XC (USA TODAY)
Aug. 22, 2007: Maykel Galindo’s road from Cuba to Chivas USA (USA TODAY)
Aug. 27, 2006: Donovan answers D.C. fans’ taunts in 5-2 Galaxy win (USA TODAY)
April 4, 2004: Clausen walking tall to third Olympics (USA TODAY; yes, it’s about Olympic walking, and it includes Bryan Cranston reference)
Dec. 10, 2002: Manchester United ducks MLS competition (USA TODAY; got a few e-mails from this one)
Sept. 13, 2001: The world’s game is needed more than ever (USA TODAY; post-9/11)

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work portfolio, youth soccer

Youth soccer writing: 2011-2015

Posted on June 13, 2016June 25, 2017 by Beau Dure

Selected youth soccer pieces:

January 2015: I made a presentation on Single-Digit Soccer (U10s and below) at the NSCAA convention. See my notes and the slideshow.

Feb. 23, 2016: Is U.S. Soccer trying to fix what isn’t broken?(SoccerWire)
Jan. 22, 2016: Should young soccer players be banned from heading the ball? (The Guardian)
Jan. 15, 2016: NSCAA Convention shows soccer still needs to work on sales pitch (SoccerWire)
Dec. 11, 2015: U.S. Soccer coaching curriculum leaves parent coaches in a jam (SoccerWire)
Nov. 16, 2015: The bond of a rec team (SportsMyriad)
Oct. 29, 2015: Time for parents to raise their voices(SportsMyriad)
Oct. 15, 2015: A fully legal way to set up youth soccer leagues not strictly by birth year (SoccerWire)
Aug. 27, 2015: U.S. Soccer’s birth-year plan is shortsighted, helping coaches, not kids (SoccerWire)
May 21, 2015: Young players must learn to pass the dadgum ball(SoccerWire)
May 14, 2015: Youth soccer’s vanishing (non-financial) middle class (SoccerWire)
April 24, 2015: If you must cut players, consider the options(SoccerWire)
March 26, 2015: Machiavelli’s guide to winning in youth soccer(SoccerWire)
March 5, 2015: Time to make travel soccer a part-time thing for U10 and below (SoccerWire)
Feb. 2, 2015: NSCAA presentation slideshow (SportsMyriad; re-creation of the slides used in my presentation at the NSCAA convention)
Jan. 28, 2015: Youth sports: For everyone or for elites?(Huffington Post)
Jan. 15, 2015: What hath we wrought? (SportsMyriad)
Jan. 27, 2011: For U.S. Soccer, it’s a matter of style (ESPN.com)

Also see SoccerWire index.

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women's soccer, work portfolio

Women’s soccer writing: 2004-2015

Posted on June 13, 2016June 25, 2017 by Beau Dure

Selected women’s soccer pieces, including coverage of the Women’s World Cup (2011) and the demise of WPS:

Women’s World Cup 2011 (espnW/ESPN)

Despite speed and spirited offense, Japan falls twice
German soccer moves to next level
Preview (ESPN): Germany-Canada
FIFA press conference has abrupt ending
Game 1: Loudly supported Germany defeats Canada
Game 1 (ESPN): Germany makes strong opening statement
Game 2: New Zealand gains confidence in loss
Game 3: Equatorial Guinea wins over fans
Game 4: Germany’s effort thus far raises questions
Game 5: Japan dazzling in win over Mexico
Preview (ESPN): Norway, Brazil struggling to find form
Game 6: Young Colombia can gain from experience
Game 7 (ESPN): Marta has her Diego Maradona moment
Game 7: If there’s a crowd, Marta must be there
Tournament rewind (after each team had played twice)
Game 8: New Zealand pulls out dramatic draw
Game 9: Inspired Swedes shock USA

WPS dissolution/magicJack suit (ESPN/espnW)

Oct. 27, 2011: WPS terminates ties with magicJack
Nov. 18, 2011: Dan Borislow files suit against WPS
Nov. 28, 2011: WPS facing pressure over its future
Dec. 12, 2011: Trying to figure out what’s next for WPS
Jan. 10, 2012: Dan Borislow, magicJack score court victory over WPS
Jan. 18, 2012: WPS, Dan Borislow agree to work together again
Jan. 30, 2012: Suspended WPS season brings uncertainty
Feb. 3, 2012: WPS: U.S. Soccer said deal with Dan Borislow won’t work
Feb. 20, 2012: WPS files for summary judgment in Borislow case
May 18, 2012: What’s next for women’s soccer?
May 18, 2012: Women’s Professional Soccer folds after three seasons

Game stories and news

Sept. 3, 2013: Leroux helps team USA crush Mexico (Fox Soccer)
Nov. 23, 2011: Virginia finally makes quarterfinals with possession style (espnW)
Aug. 27, 2011: Western New York wins WPS title (espnW)
(Nine World Cup 2011 stories above)
Aug. 24, 2008: Gold medalists return home as new pro league awaits (USA TODAY, Olympics)
Aug. 21, 2008: Weight lifted with U.S. soccer victory, gold (USA TODAY, Olympics)
Aug. 18, 2008: USA secures rematch with Brazil for gold (USA TODAY, Olympics)
Aug. 17, 2008: U.S. women not taking Japan lightly in soccer semifinal (USA TODAY, Olympics)
Aug. 12, 2008: U.S. women rout New Zealand to reach quarterfinals (USA TODAY, Olympics)
Aug. 6, 2008: Norway still a thorn in U.S. side after winning opener 2-0 (USA TODAY, Olympics)

Features and columns

Dec. 15, 2015: The U.S. women’s team is a soccer team, not a traveling circus. It’s time for a fix. (The Guardian)
July 6, 2015: U.S. Women’s player ratings show world-class performances, long-term questions (SoccerWire)
July 5, 2015: The U.S. women’s unlikeliest win (SportsMyriad)
June 25, 2015: Can U.S. women ditch “Whack it to Wambach” style? (SoccerWire)
June 5, 2015: A brief guide to the Women’s World Cup (Fox News Latino; tailored to Americas)
April 2, 2015: Jill Ellis stubbornly goes forth into the World Cup(SportsMyriad)
July 22, 2014: Remembering Dan Borislow (SportsMyriad)
Jan. 3, 2014: Best XI of U.S. women’s soccer in 2013 (Fox Soccer)
Oct. 18, 2013: Lessons From A New Women’s Soccer League(Huffington Post)
Sept. 3, 2013: Hard to crack exclusive USWNT squad (Fox Soccer)
Dec. 26, 2011: Tina Ellertson combines family and soccer (espnW)
April 6, 2011: Reflections on “The Man Watching” and Anson Dorrance (SportsMyriad)
July 23, 2010: WPS faces challenging future (ESPN.com)
Dec. 9, 2009: Off-field issues could halt three leagues, leave fans out in cold (USA TODAY)
May 21, 2009: New players, style in the plans for USA women’s soccer team (USA TODAY)
Aug. 4, 2008: Kai changes attitude, fitness after flawed first impression (USA TODAY)
July 11, 2007: Washington Freedom awaiting pro game’s rebirth (USA TODAY)
Aug. 21, 2004: Dear Mia … (USA TODAY)
June 24, 2004: Women’s soccer goes on without pro league (USA TODAY)

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soccer, work portfolio

MLS and men’s soccer writing: 2001-2015

Posted on June 13, 2016June 25, 2017 by Beau Dure

Selected MLS and men’s soccer pieces …

MLS and men’s soccer features (USA TODAY except as noted)

March 20, 2015: Fuzzy memories of soccer’s good (ironically) old days (SportsMyriad)
March 12, 2015: USA soccer culture is and is not what you want(SportsMyriad)
Nov. 9, 2014: The twisty career of Landon Donovan (OZY)
Jan. 27, 2011: For U.S. Soccer, it’s a matter of style (ESPN.com)
Oct. 26, 2010: MLS Golden Boot winner Chris Wondolowski defies the odds
July 7, 2010: Tipping Point for U.S. Soccer Has Long Passed (Huffington Post)
May 16, 2010: World Cup preview: Group A has hosts, two former champs
March 24, 2010: MLS preview: Cup contenders model after champions past
Nov. 22, 2009: ‘March to the Match:’ Sounders fans represent host city at Cup
Nov. 18, 2009: MLS Cup preview / Title contender Real Salt Lake beat politics, finance: Put together a matchup graphic with feature preview
Sept. 30, 2009: On the field, Landon Donovan is showing a lot of game (exclusive interview)
Nov. 11, 2008: Crooning Crew fans band together in show of support
Oct. 29, 2008: Striking career for Fire’s Brian McBride: Added photo gallery and research for a graphic
July 22, 2008: In year 1, Beckham on target for MLS
July 15, 2008: MLS player Hilgenbrinck has a new goal: priesthood
May 7, 2008: Podcasts shed light on close calls; VW joins MLS
March 25, 2008: South Americans give MLS a boost (2008 MLS preview)
Oct. 27, 2007: Chivas USA’s Preki ‘scores’ quickly as MLS coach
Aug. 29, 2007: Eddie Pope and Cobi Jones reflect before retirement
Aug. 22, 2007: Maykel Galindo’s road from Cuba to Chivas USA
May 25, 2006: MLS squeezed by World Cup player losses
July 29, 2005: Goalkeeper Tim Howard expects much of himself with Man U, U.S. team
June 8, 2005: Freddy Adu looking to impress at U-20 tournament
March 24, 2004: Youth makes its mark in MLS
Oct. 29, 2003: Carlos Bocanegra forgets football past, focuses on soccer future

Game stories and news (all USA TODAY)

Nov. 21, 2010: Rapids take down FC Dallas in extra time to win first MLS Cup
Nov. 3, 2010: Taylor Twellman retires two years after latest concussion
Nov. 23, 2009: After overtime, penalty kicks, Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Oct. 14, 2009: USA scores late stoppage-time goal to tie Costa Rica 2-2
Sept. 5, 2009: USA regroups to take down El Salvador 2-1 in WC qualifier
Feb. 11, 2009: Bradley’s goals help USA blank Mexico in World Cup qualifier
Aug. 13, 2008: Short-handed USA men KO’d from Olympic soccer tourney (Olympics)
June 8, 2008: USA, Argentina tie in last warm-up before World Cup qualifying
Nov. 18, 2007: Dynamo capture second consecutive MLS Cup
Nov. 1, 2007: Fire shocks United again, advances to Eastern final
Aug. 27, 2006: Donovan answers D.C. fans’ taunts in 5-2 Galaxy win
Nov. 6, 2004: United boot New England from MLS playoffs(classic game)

Columns

Dec. 10, 2002: Manchester United ducks MLS competition (got a few e-mails from this one)
June 26, 2002: USA is a legitimate, if peculiar, soccer nation
Sept. 13, 2001: The world’s game is needed more than ever (post-9/11)
Feb. 27, 2001: Annoy everyone; support the USA
Netminder column index

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mma, work portfolio

MMA writing: 2008-2015

Posted on June 13, 2016June 25, 2017 by Beau Dure

Selected pieces on mixed martial arts — all USA TODAY except as noted:

Issues

Aug. 4, 2015: Is the UFC turning into Rollerball? (The Guardian)
July 12, 2015: Huge night for McGregor, Lawler and UFC 3.0(SportsMyriad)
May 25, 2012: UFC, MMA wrestling with testosterone issues
March 28, 2010: State of New York still not submitting to MMA advances
March 10, 2010: In mixed martial arts, hitting the head can hurt the fist
Sept. 15, 2009: UFC president tries out softer stance in business matters
July 7, 2009: UFC’s early beginnings packed more than punch
May 7, 2009: New York still fighting UFC
March 4, 2009: Refs face tough calls in mixed martial arts
June 12, 2008: Can judo stars find success across the spectrum in MMA? (yes, Ronda Rousey makes a pre-celebrity appearance)
May 29, 2008: UFC has fight on its hands against Elite XC

Preview, features, event coverage

June 5, 2012: The Ultimate Fighter: It’s the reality, stupid!(Popdose)
May 14, 2012: Jeff Hougland: I saved myself through fighting
March 2, 2012: MMA star Miesha Tate fights for respect (espnW)
June 2011 special section: Day jobs: Fighters’ balancing acts
Feb. 3, 2011: Forrest Griffin, Rich Franklin break mold
Oct. 21, 2010: MMA’s Matt Hamill a hit in the cage and on the big screen
Oct. 21, 2010: Brock Lesnar more humble, but ready to rumble
Sept. 14, 2010: ‘TUF’ coach Josh Koscheck’s alter ego comes out in the cage
Aug. 26, 2010: Leap from boxing to mixed martial arts not always pretty
Aug. 6, 2010: Sonnen talks a big game ahead of UFC 117 bout
July 2, 2010: Brock Lesnar on return: ‘I’m a cat with 9 lives’
June 25, 2010: Fedor Emelianenko: Russian mystery remains MMA enigma
May 7, 2010: Reality show rivals Kimbo Slice, Matt Mitrione meet again in UFC 113
March 18, 2010: UFC’s Jon Jones enjoys rapid rise, seeks redemption vs. Vera
Feb. 4, 2010: Mark Coleman’s trek leads him back to UFC, bout with Couture
Jan. 20, 2010: Herschel Walker’s effort at mixed martial arts is no joke
Jan. 12, 2010: Mixed martial arts fighters often play a weighing game: Shot video, since disappeared
Dec. 16, 2009: MMA fighters making big moves into movies, TV
Oct. 28, 2009: ‘Mayhem’ Miller not your ordinary fighter or TV host
Aug. 27, 2009: MMA fighter Couture takes role of both mentor and mauler
Aug. 6, 2009: Former UFC champ Forrest Griffin is one for the books
July 12, 2009: Lesnar, St. Pierre stamp authority on titles at UFC 100
Jan. 7, 2009: Fighters’ entrance music gets brawlers in the mood
Sept. 7, 2008: Unheralded Evans makes quick work of Liddell’s UFC return

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