The BulleTin • Tuesday, april 6, 2021 A7
WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
DEAR ABBY
Write to Dear Abby online at dearabby.com
or by mail at P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069
Dear Abby: I am a senior
male. I understand I may
have some beliefs that others
find old-fashioned. How-
ever, I consciously try to be
tolerant of others’ feelings
and beliefs. That said, my
problem is with my younger
brother, who is a homosex-
ual. I have always tried to
ignore that side of his life
and, consequently, we have
always had a good relation-
ship. He lives in another
state, so we only talk on the
telephone.
A couple of months ago
while we were talking, the
subject of sexuality came up,
and I told him I find the fact
that he is gay “disgusting.” I
know it was a poor choice
of words. I merely meant to
say that I, myself, am and
always have been totally het-
erosexual. I have never had
any sexual interest in mem-
bers of my own sex. I never
meant my comment to be
judgmental of my brother or
anyone else.
I left several messages
apologizing for anything I
said that he found objection-
able. Now, when I try to con-
tact him, he doesn’t answer
my phone calls.
Abby, I miss my brother.
I truly love him, and I don’t
want to lose all contact with
him. If you have any advice
for me, please give it to me.
I’m desperate and can think
of nothing I might be able
to do to restore our relation-
ship. Please help me.
— Feels Like a Fool
in Washington
Dear Feels Like: I have
never understood why so
many straight people spend
so much time obsessing
about what gay people might
be doing behind closed
doors. THAT, to me, is dis-
gusting.
I’ll be frank. After what
you said to your brother, he
would have to be a saint to
forgive you. He is doing what
emotionally healthy people
do, erasing a negative influ-
ence from his life. You can
continue trying to apologize
by penning a heartfelt let-
ter of apology and remorse,
promising to never use those
words again, and sending
it to your brother. But if he
continues to be unreceptive,
you will have to live with it.
Dear Abby: I met a man
online seven months ago.
We hit it off right away. I
checked to make sure he
wasn’t a “catfisher” and ev-
erything checked out. We
talk on the phone at least
twice a day, Facebook Mes-
senger and video chat. He
sent me a card for my birth-
day along with some money.
I have developed strong
feelings for him, and he has
told me he loves me. He has
told me many times he wants
to meet, but we couldn’t do
it because of the pandemic.
He’s a jewelry designer try-
ing to get his business back
up before he loses it. He’s
afraid to lose everything.
I don’t know what to do.
Should I keep waiting or just
stay friends with him? We
really care about each other,
but circumstances prevent us
from meeting.
— Brokenhearted in New York
Dear Brokenhearted: Be-
cause “circumstances” pre-
vent you from meeting this
man in person, try HARD to
regain your balance and stay
friends. Although you think
you know him, until you fi-
nally meet in person, you
really don’t. Even if you con-
firmed he works in jewelry
design, he may still be hiding
something from you. Of-
ten when a significant other
keeps making excuses not to
meet, there’s a good reason
for it and not always what
you want to hear.
YOUR HOROSCOPE
Stanford wins championship
for all those teams that couldn’t
BY JANIE MCCAULEY
Associated Press
STANFORD, Calif. —
Chiney and Nneka Ogwumike
had their chances at champi-
onships for Stanford that fell
short before the sisters finally
celebrated one in San Antonio
when the Cardinal finally got it
done again.
Kate Starbird, Nicole Powell,
Candice Wiggins and count-
less others were also part of
talented Stanford teams that
never ended their seasons by
cutting down the nets.
“It’s heartbreaking to go
through that,” recalled Tara
VanDerveer, who completed
her 35th year coaching Stan-
ford by capturing the program’s
first NCAA championship
since 1992.
The Cardinal had made 10
Final Four appearances only to
come up empty-handed since
the previous championship —
twice finishing as runners-up
before holding off Pac-12 ri-
val Arizona 54-53 to end the
nearly three-decade drought.
“It means everything,” Wig-
gins said of seeing Stanford
come through this time.
The coach and her emo-
tionally spent team returned
to Northern California on
Monday for a victory parade
through campus after winning
it all again.
VanDerveer took time af-
ter winning to reflect on all of
those special players, deep runs
and near-misses. And how this
talented team did it for the oth-
ers who did their part to build
the perennial powerhouse.
“I really feel like we won
this for all the great players
that have played at Stanford,”
VanDerveer said. “The former
players would be so proud to
Eric Gay/AP
Stanford players celebrate on the River Walk in San Antonio after defeat-
ing Arizona 54-53 in the NCAA championship game on Sunday.
be part of this team because of
the resilience they’ve shown,
because of the sisterhood that
they represent.”
That sisterhood became
even stronger following a poor
decision by players in Septem-
ber that could have derailed
the championship season be-
fore it began.
Kiana Williams and some
teammates left campus to play
pick-up basketball in a gym
nearby when they were sup-
posed to be under quarantine
following COVID-19 protocols
after everyone reconvened on
campus.
VanDerveer shared her dis-
appointment in their choices
— and her hurt.
That “incident,” as the coach
and her star point guard de-
scribed it after Sunday night’s
win, made Williams strive to
be a better leader. The only way
she imagined making it up to
her coach: hoist the champion-
ship trophy.
“When she found out
she was just so heartbroken
and disappointed,” Williams
shared. “I felt like the only way
to make up for that is to win a
national championship for her.
“Me and Alyssa (Jerome), we
said from there on out we’re
going to be better leaders, fol-
low the rules, follow protocol,
to win this natty. To look back
on that experience, having that
feeling to now, I’m extremely
proud of this team.
“I also want to add I feel like
it was worth it going to play
those pickup games.”
Yet positive coronavirus tests
from that group delayed the
start of practice. VanDerveer,
in a more risky age group if she
were to contract the virus, ex-
pressed her feelings and frus-
trations.
“I was hurt. I was upset. I let
them know that,” she said. “I
think, though, that developed
more trust with us as a staff
with our players. They under-
stood that you have to be ac-
countable. But since then, we
did have staff test positive —
three staff — but no players.
“I think that incident helped
us because they were quaran-
tined for 14 days. ... It was a
very tough year. That was just
the beginning of it. But I think
that really set the tone that
said, ‘We’re going to be honest,
we’re going to be trustworthy,
and we need that from all of
us.’ I think it was a learning ex-
perience.”
It helped these close-knit
women, who spent more than
two months on the road living
out of hotels, make it up to the
Hall of Fame coach they ad-
mire.
“So many great players have
passed through this program.
They have all come for the
same reason that we have, to
be coached by the greatest, to
develop not only as a player
but just as a person, as a young
woman,” sophomore Haley
Jones said. “So I think this is
just an honor to be able to do
this for her and with her.”
The 67-year-old VanDerveer
is the all-time winningest
women’s coach and not ready
to say whether she is ponder-
ing retirement now that she is
back on top — not yet anyway.
“Maybe I’ll think about it
later. Right now I am very ex-
cited about what we accom-
plished, and I’m really excited
about the team that we have
... and the young people that
are committed to Stanford,”
VanDerveer said. “I’m happy.
I’m enjoying it. I don’t know
if I can go through another
COVID year, so I hope every-
body is wearing their mask.
Let’s get better so we can get
back to normal.”
SOCCER
By Madalyn Aslan
Stars show the kind of day you’ll have
DYNAMIC | POSITIVE | AVERAGE | SO-SO | DIFFICULT
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 2021: Energetic,
sensual and quick-witted, your pioneering spirit propels you forward. This
year, you are the spark that people count on to get things started with you at
the helm. Act on creative ideas, and watch your financial fortunes multiply.
Pace yourself and come up for air, or you’ll exhaust yourself before you begin.
If single, pursue people who let you be yourself. If attached, laugh and play
more. VIRGO has a plan.
ARIES (March 21-April 19)
Call on your team spirit. At work or in a group, your compassion will
prevent things from falling apart. Don’t be shy about asserting your need for
harmony and cooperation. You are more inspiring than you know. Tonight:
Home shopping.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
Challenge yourself with a project that is a bit over your head. You
have a great support system, and everyone wants you to succeed. Be pre-
pared to put in overtime, since everything may take longer than expected.
Tonight: Exercise video.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20)
Your curiosity will urge you to research a nagging idea. Use your te-
nacity to follow through until you’re fully satisfied. A friend or family member
will thank you for siding with them in an argument. Tonight: Put your feet up.
CANCER (June 21-July 22)
Put money where your interests are, and you’ll stay in focus. Advice
from a pragmatic friend or adviser will keep you grounded. Your quick mind
always makes amazing moves. There’s no need to worry. Tonight: Ask for a
back rub.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
Your powers of attraction are strong today. Partners for work, friend-
ship and love want to be close to you. Choose your companions carefully and
select those who will give as much as you do. Tonight: Confide in someone
special.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
An urge to organize could influence how you treat your mind and
body. Close attention to diet and exercise helps you develop greater focus
and build more consistent stores of energy. Relish this “can do” mood. To-
night: Express your inner child.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) 5
Find a creative outlet. There’s no harm in doing something that’s
just for fun. Friends appreciate your ability to make ordinary things seem
exceptional. Show them how to whip up exquisitely plated, healthy snacks.
Tonight: Get lost in a novel.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Fill your favorite, most elegant-looking vase with spring flowers. A
splay of Mother Nature’s colors will lift your mood. Childhood memories
could spawn a candy craving. Treat yourself to something that tastes so good
it makes you giggle. Tonight: Clear your calendar.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Write your thoughts in a journal that you keep to yourself or a blog
for others to read. A positive message could arrive from a sibling or relative
that inspires you to think about a visit. Tonight: Reflect on a mystery.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Be prepared for but not afraid of financial surprises. Stay frugal for a
while longer, and you’ll have cash on hand for unexpected repairs. Be honest
about what you value and go ahead and seek it in others. Tonight: Experi-
ment with spices.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Make a change in your appearance that reflects your amazing evolu-
tion. Subtle adjustments in style help convey your confidence and enhance
your attractiveness. Someone who can’t help but notice you will catch your
eye. Tonight: Smile at your reflection.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)
Define what privacy means to you and insist on it. Nobody needs to
know everything you’re doing or thinking. A sly smile lets a friend know there
are things you’d rather not share. Take time to regroup. Tonight: Zumba class.
Leagues to test concussion substitutes
BY ANNE M. PETERSON
Associated Press
U.S. Soccer, Major League
Soccer and the National
Women’s Soccer League are
joining a trial program that
will allow teams two addi-
tional substitutes for sus-
pected concussions in each
match.
The International Football
Association Board, which
sets the rules for the game,
approved the trial for con-
cussion substitutes last De-
cember. It is expected to run
through August 2022.
U.S. Soccer is working with
the top men’s and women’s
leagues, as well as the United
Soccer League and the Na-
tional Independent Soccer
Association, to implement the
pilot program protocol across
the sport in the United States.
“We do think it’s incredi-
bly important for players and
player safety, and it speaks
to our role of being a leader
in this area and prioritizing
health and safety above really
anything else that we do as a
league,” said Jeff Agoos, vice
president of competition for
MLS.
Starting this season, teams
can make two substitutions
for suspected concussions.
That’s in addition to the five
substitutions already allowed
because of the coronavirus.
Normally teams are allowed
three total substitutions.
Concussion substitutions
can be made even if a player
has returned to the field to
play. If teams sub out a player
because of concussion, the op-
posing team gets an additional
sub — addressing competitive
balance concerns.
“It was critical to come to-
gether as a sport with our pro-
fessional leagues and proceed
in this pilot program, prior-
itizing the well-being of our
players above all,” Dr. George
Chiampas, U.S. Soccer’s chief
medical officer, said in a state-
ment. “We’ve worked hard to
raise awareness of head in-
juries in soccer over the last
several years, and this change
should go a long way in pro-
tecting players suspected of
suffering a concussion.”
The concussion rule was in
force during the SheBelieves
Cup in February. FIFA is con-
sidering whether it will be
used at the Tokyo Olympics
this summer.
The English Premier
League has allowed use of
concussion substitutes since
early February. West Ham
United’s Issa Diop became
the first player subbed out
because of a suspected con-
cussion in an FA Cup match
against Manchester United on
Feb. 9.
In MLS, Agoos there will be
additional resources to deter-
mine is a concussion substi-
tute is needed.
“If a player is injured, ob-
Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP file
United States midfielder Kellyn
Acosta (10) and Trinidad and To-
bago midfielder Andre Fortune (8)
battle for a header during an inter-
national friendly soccer match in
Orlando, Florida, on Jan. 31.
viously the medical staff will
be called on to the field for an
evaluation,” Agoos told The
Associated Press. “If it’s a head
injury, the venue medical di-
rector may come on and eval-
uate the player. In parallel, we
have an independent group of
people (spotters), similar to
some of the other sports, that
are reviewing the video of that
play and then can send that
video to the fourth official’s
table where the venue medical
director, the VMD, is located
for further evaluation.”
Additionally, different cards
will be used by officials during
MLS matches to indicate the
kind of substitution being
made: White for a normal sub,
pink for a concussion sub and
blue for an additional sub.
MLS opens its regular sea-
son on April 16; the NWSL’s
preseason Challenge Cup
tournament starts Friday.
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