Paw Prints TidBits
September 
2007
Paw Prints TidBits for September
The theme of this issue of Paw Prints TidBits is sports, an important part of American society. The anecdote is about "Red" Auerbach, coach and manager of the Boston Celtics. Like many "great" coaches, he was tough, but fair and even players that he cut from the team admired him. This month's sidebar contains some factoids about an important element in many sports—speed. But we're approaching it from a different perspective. Read the sidebar!
The Paw Prints homepage this month features more sports-related trivia, including anecdotes about sports figures and sporty quotes.
If you have any comments or suggestions, don't hesitate to contact us.
Anecdote of the Month
Arnold Jacob "Red" Auerbach (1917–2006)
A n e c d o t e . . .
On tour with the Boston Celtics, Auerbach met three of his players, each with an attractive
young woman on his arm, in the hotel lobby at five o'clock in the morning. One of the players covered his embarrassment by introducing the young woman as his "cousin." Auerbach nodded politely. The player, desperately trying to make the unlikely tale sound more convincing, continued, "We were just on our way to church."
Auerbach, relating this story later, remarked, "I couldn't take that. I fined him $25 for insulting my intelligence."
B i o g r a p h i c a l . N o t e . . .
Auerback was a U.S. basketball executive. Having studied physical education at George Washington University, he began coaching basketball in 1941. He joined the Boston Celtics in 1950 as coach, and became general manager. In later life he was the front office executive and president of the Celtics.
M o r e . I n f o r m a t i o n . . .
The Boston Globe offers an excellent tribute to Red, "Remembering Red Auerbach," with many fine photos, quotes, videos, and stories.
Archives
Some Like It Fast
Getting from
A to B
Ostriches:
The ostrich is the fastest animal on two feet. It can run about 30 mph.
Cheetahs:
The cheetah is the fastest animal on four feet. A cheetah can accelerate to a running speed of more than 97 km/h (60 mph) in just two
to three seconds, sustaining that speed for up to 300 m (1,000 ft).
Turtles:
Typical tortoise speed is about 0.17 mph. It would take one about one year, 11 months, 18 days to crawl from Los Angeles to New York City.
Elephants:
Normal walking speed for an elephant is 7-1/2 mph.
Hummingbirds:
Normal flight speed of a hummingbird is about 25 MPH.
Visit our site for more sports-related trivia..>