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This month’s Sports Traveler blog takes us to the “Windy City” in which I reside, Chicago! The city has its fair share of amazing sports venues, and this month’s blog highlights “The Madhouse on Madison.”

The United Center hosts both the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks and the NBA’s Chicago Bulls, two teams always competitive in their respective divisions. And it was last Friday I attended a Blackhawks game right at the United Center. From the moment you pull unto Madison Avenue on the West side of Chicago you can feel the energy radiate from the fans on the street all marching towards the United Center! Half of the fun of the night was interacting with other fans, including fans of the opponents at the game.

I was just getting into the arena a few minutes late, side note always leave early to guarantee stress-free parking, and walked into a guttural rendition of O-Canada. One of the most famous traditions at the United Center came next, the cheering of the national anthem! The UC literally was

This current century is still relatively young but I think it is time to look back on the NCAA Tournament since the millennium changed over.  It was hard to narrow the list down to 10 so the Top 10 essentially becomes the most memorable for me.  A lot happens from year to year and sometimes it can be hard to remember a buzzer-beater or crazy comeback.  But then again, if it is hard to remember then perhaps it wasn't that great.

*I apologize in advance if I have done a disservice to an outstanding NCAA Tournament moment by leaving it off of this list.

The Tournament is my favorite postseason for any sport at any level.  It just does not get any better.  So many games.... So much on the line....  This is what sports fans live for.

Seriously, is there anything better than the NCAA Tournament?  Throughout the world there are sporting events that capture excitement and majesty in the performance of excellence.  Some say the Super Bowl is the greatest event.  Others might contend that the Olympics or the World Cup represents the best that organized sport has to offer.  A fan representative from every major sport could file an argument for their sport's top event.

Most times we are consumed with professional athletes and for good reason.  Pro athletes are at the top of their game and talent levels across the board are much higher than that of any amateur league.  However, there is just something special about college basketball.

Sure some of the pageantry has been lost over the years from players leaving college early.  And yes there are a litany of dirty coaches in college but at the end of the day these players should be allowed to receive compensation.  Tax friendly of course.  The only obvious problem is the disparity between schools and the pocket books of their boosters.  But until the NCAA cleans up their act that is a conversation for another day.  For now we just get to enjoy the amazingly competitive basketball we have had the pleasure of watching all season.

Does the thought of putting together a corporate outing to a sporting event cause your blood pressure to rise at the mere thought of the cost? What if I told you that you could plan an affordable corporate sports travel outing guaranteed to impress your guests and fit into your meager 2011 end-of-year budget?

Hey, it’s not 2006 anymore, money is tight and your company isn’t willing to break the bank for anything these days. I understand completely. I’ve been putting corporate outings together for 11 years now and I have had my fair share of experiences with all different types of corporate trips. Here are my tips for planning a trip that is meaningful, cost efficient, and well received.

Whoa!  This was my first reaction when I first saw this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ljb6Mne8Mfc&feature=player

The sport being played in the above video is called Sepak Takraw.  Since the mid-late 19th century, it's been one of the most popular games in Asia.  At first glance, you see a combination of soccer and volleyball.  Players are only allowed to use their feet, knees, chest, and head.  You can NOT use your hands.

There are only three players on each side of the court at one time.  They kick a rattan ball over the net that is generally shorter than the actual player. Each side is awarded a point when either team commits a fault. The first team to 21 points wins.

Can this be a sport we will one day see in the Summer Olympics?  If curling can become a Winter sport, I can't see why Sepak Takraw couldn't be considered as a Summer event.

Over the last 10 years, we have witnessed many astonishing feats in the sports world.  Roger Federer won 16 Grand Slam Finals (and still counting) to surpass Pete Sampras for most in history, 6 no-hitters thrown during one season, Michael Phelps winning 8 gold medals in Beijing, and Brett Favre retiring 957 times.

However, during this time, we have not witnessed the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing.  Actually, this feat last occurred back in 1978 when Affirmed won all three races. 

Any true Notre Dame or Navy fan already has September 1, 2011 circled on their calendar. That's when The Fighting Irish and Midshipmen take the field in Dublin, Ireland to renew an old battle on relatively new turf. The two football teams have been playing each other every season since 1927, making it the longest running uninterrupted non-conference series in college football. It doesn't seem like much of a rivalry as ND owns a 71-12-1 record, but Navy has won the last two match-ups. Maybe a change of venue is just what the Irish need to change their luck against their long-time rival.

It seems like a natural choice - Notre Dame taking their gridiron talents to the Emerald Isle - but it has only happened once before in the 124 year history of the prestigious Indiana school. Back in 1996, The Golden Domers topped Navy 54 to 27. The two again will meet in Dublin in a game dubbed the Emerald Isle Classic on September 1, 2011 at beautiful Aviva Stadium. Sports Traveler is offering fans of both

While the Kentucky Derby (and Oaks) is the crown jewel of Louisville, the party starts wellbefore the races. Several exciting events dot the calendar in the weeks leading up to the most exciting 2 minutes in sports.

The first thing to do before landing in Louisville is learn how to pronounce the name of the city...unless you enjoy getting the evil eye from the locals. It's correctly pronounced "LOO-uh-ville"...not "LOO-iss-ville" or "LOOY-ville."  Can't pronounce the pronunciations? Click here for the audio pronunciation.

On Friday, April 29th, the Great Balloon Rush-Hour Race is set for a hopeful 7 a.m. start, weather permitting of course. During the rally, balloon pilots chase a "hare" balloon and attempt to drop bags of Kentucky Bluegrass seed as close to a target on the ground as possible. Take a look here for several other hot air balloon-related events, including "The Glimmer" which takes place at night.

A few days before the Derby on Wednesday, May 4th a race of a different

Pundits can argue all day about how the NCAA chose the teams in this year's NCAA Tournament, but they nailed it when they chose the host city. Houston may be the perfect place to host a large event like the Final Four. It is, after all, the fourth largest city in the United States and has all the entertainment and dining opportunities a hoops traveler could ask for.

H-town has really stepped it up for this year's edition of what is arguably the best sporting event of the year. Some big names are already committed to play during the three-night concert series creatively dubbed "The Big Dance" in the city's Discovery Green area. Here's a schedule with a look at who's headlining on each particular day:

• Friday ,April 1 (4:00-10:30): Sublime with Rome (basically the 90's-band Sublime with new lead singer Rome Ramirez)
• Saturday, April 2 (6:00 to midnight): Kings of Leon
• Sunday, April 3 (2:00-10:30): Kenny Chesney(Pat Greene is also reportedly playing this day)

Besides the music, abundant food

On June 17-19, the Yankees will be visiting Wrigley Field to take on the Cubs for the first time since 1939. To mark this historic event, Sports Traveler is offering a once in lifetime experience to you.

Prior to each game, fans will have the opportunity to go on the field and watch the Cubs take part in batting practice! This is an extremely rare chance to be a part of the game.

Cubs Batting Practice Packages are available for the Yankees series on June 17, 18, and 19. These packages can now be reserved and include the following:

- 30-45 minutes on the infield warning track to watch the Cubs Batting Practice
- Reserved Tickets to the Cubs Game of your choice
- Souvenir Gift Bags full of game used merchandise
- Packages are sold in groups of two (2)

View Cubs Batting Practice Packages