The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator
The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator
The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator
All content by Parker Reed
The Blugolds eight game winning streak, and their season, came to an end over the weekend.

Blugold softball falls in the WIAC championship

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
May 10, 2017
Adrian Peterson has been member of the Minnesota Vikings for his entire career before signing with the New Orleans Saints in the offseason.

The Face Off: Does Adrian Peterson have anything left in the tank?

Story by Parker Reed and Scott Procter
May 10, 2017
NBA all-star Lebron James has been a longtime supporter of shortening the length of the NBA season.

The NBA playoffs need to be restructured

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
May 10, 2017
Green Day – ‘American Idiot’

Green Day – ‘American Idiot’

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
May 10, 2017
UW-Eau Claire's graduating student teachers pose to reenact the university's first graduating class of teachers in 1917.

Student Senate begins transition to fall

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
May 10, 2017
Snow in May creates a paradox on the UW-Eau Claire campus

Snow in May creates a paradox on the UW-Eau Claire campus

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
May 2, 2017
The Damned Things - ‘Ironiclast’

The Damned Things – ‘Ironiclast’

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
May 2, 2017
The Blugolds dominated their four games over the weekend, outscoring their opponents by a tally of 31-1.

Blugold softball extends win streak to eight games

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
May 1, 2017
Aaron Hernandez played professional football in the National Football League (NFL) for the New England Patriots before his run in with the law.

The mocking of Aaron Hernandez reflects the nature of football fans

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
April 26, 2017
Eau Claire dominated over the weekend, outscoring their opponents by a staggering amount.

Eau Claire softball pulls out four straight victories over the weekend

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
April 26, 2017
Kings of Leon – ‘Walls’

Kings of Leon – ‘Walls’

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
April 25, 2017
Lebron James is one of many NBA players who opted to declare for the NBA draft after high school instead of attending college.

The Faceoff: Should professional athletes be required to attend college?

Story by Parker Reed and Gabriel Lagarde
April 25, 2017
Ray Rice is one of the most prominent examples of a professional athlete’s off-the-field issues costing him or her their job.

Where to draw the line between players’ professional and personal lives

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
April 19, 2017
Chance the Rapper – ‘Coloring Book’

Chance the Rapper – ‘Coloring Book’

Story by Parker Reed and Sami West
April 18, 2017
Star UW-Madison basketball player Nigel Hayes is one player who has recognized and is standing up to the NCAA in regards to their economic hypocrisy.

College athletes continuing financial struggles without representation

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
April 12, 2017
One Direction – ‘Midnight Memories’

One Direction – ‘Midnight Memories’

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
April 11, 2017
Teams such as the Las Vegas Raiders (formerly Oakland Raiders) relocating has caused a lot of controversy in and around professional sports.

The moral dilemma of relocating a franchise

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
April 5, 2017
Metallica – ‘St. Anger’

Metallica – ‘St. Anger’

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
April 4, 2017
An increasingly popular trend among teams competing for a championship in the NBA is for these teams to rest some of their star players towards the end of the regular season.

A conflict between competition and entertainment

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
March 29, 2017
G-Eazy – These Things Happen

G-Eazy – These Things Happen

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
March 28, 2017
The time frame most commonly referred to as the “steroid era” is the mid- to late 1990s.

Color Commentator: Steroids and the Hall of Fame

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
March 15, 2017
Pink Floyd – ‘Animals’

Pink Floyd – ‘Animals’

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
March 14, 2017
With a loss in the WIAC championship game, Eau Claire’s national championship goals will have to be delayed another year.

Eau Claire Men’s Hockey falls short of the national tournament

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
March 8, 2017
Professional athletes are among the wealthiest individuals in the world, but is that justified or not?

Are professional athletes overpaid?

Story by Parker Reed and Kelsey O'Connor
March 8, 2017
Advertised as a way to help small-market teams, it is largely used as a way to hold onto a player teams don’t want to pay up for.

The franchise tag, the NFL’s secret weapon

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
March 8, 2017
Jansen is one of Eau Claire’s leading scorers, a position he said he is used to occupying on the roster.

Ice in his blood

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
March 8, 2017
Ed Sheeran – ‘You Need Me EP’

Ed Sheeran – ‘You Need Me EP’

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
March 7, 2017
Salary caps have been in place in various professional sports leagues in America, but Major League Baseball refuses to implement one.

Salary caps may not be for everyone

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
March 1, 2017
Eau Claire has yet to defeat Stevens Point this season, and they will face a tough challenge Saturday in their rematch on the road.

Blugolds look to take the WIAC championship Saturday

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
March 1, 2017
'La La Land' soundtrack

‘La La Land’ soundtrack

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
February 28, 2017
Even with all of the recent studies showing conclusive evidence that football can cause brain damage, it remains one of the most popular youth sports in the United States.

Should parents allow their child to play tackle football?

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
February 22, 2017
Despite not winning the WIAC outright, the Blugolds still have a chance to go deep into the playoffs.

Eau Claire’s hopeful title campaign kicks off Friday

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
February 22, 2017
Bon Jovi – ‘This House is Not for Sale’

Bon Jovi – ‘This House is Not for Sale’

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
February 21, 2017
The sole aspect of an athlete’s career that determines their legacy has been highly debated for decades.

What makes an athlete ‘the best of all time’?

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
February 15, 2017
Avenged Sevenfold – ‘The Stage’

Avenged Sevenfold – ‘The Stage’

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
February 14, 2017
Saturday's game also served as senior night, honoring members of the team who will be graduating in a few months.

Blugold men’s hockey ends their season on a rough note

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
February 13, 2017
Despite his calm demeanor, Deo manages to compete with a lot of ferocity on the ice.

The man behind the mask

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
February 9, 2017
The logo for Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls resembles a logo that belongs more so on the front of a can than a soccer jersey.

When advertising in sports goes too far

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
February 8, 2017
Record of the week: “The 1975” – The 1975

Record of the week: “The 1975” – The 1975

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
February 8, 2017
Leonardo DiCaprio portrays millionaire stockbroker Jordan Belfort in a movie aiming to live up to the decadent lifestyle of the man behind the story.

‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ in review

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
February 7, 2017
The Los Angeles Galaxy is one of the many professional sports franchises that features a company advertisement on the front of their uniforms, that dwarfs the name of the team.

Is advertising on professional sports teams’ jerseys going too far?

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
February 1, 2017
The iconic artwork featured on Let There Be Rock differs in both Australia and New Zealand, as those nations opted to use a simpler cover featuring a guitar neck and an alternate take on the classic AC/DC logo.

Record of the week: AC/DC, Let There Be Rock

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
January 31, 2017
Eau Claire hockey players celebrate after one of their seven goals Saturday against Superior.

Blugold men’s hockey takes care of UW-Superior in dominating fashion

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
January 30, 2017
Blugold defensemen, Bryan Sinz and Lucas Kohls look on as Eau Claire battles Stevens Point.

Defending national champions overtake the Blugolds

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
January 23, 2017
A team’s success can help draw more student attendance, but ultimately it won’t be enough.

Methods to increase student turnout at games

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
December 14, 2016
Great Debate

Great Debate

Story by Anne Sandell and Parker Reed
December 13, 2016
With only one loss so far this season, Eau Claire looks poised to continue their success in the second half of the season.

Blugolds come out unscathed over the weekend

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
December 12, 2016
The decision between a good school, and a school with a good athletic program, sometimes conflict with each other.

What should be more important to a high school athlete, sports or education?

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
December 8, 2016
The Blugolds are on a roll, winning eight of their first eleven games. Photo was taken by Eau Claire photographer Chico LaBarbera for blugolds.com.

Blugold men’s hockey grounds the Falcons

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
December 5, 2016
Great Debate

Great Debate

Story by Parker Reed and Emilee Wentland
November 29, 2016
The Blugolds offensive struggles continue in their contest against the Wartburg Knights.

Women’s basketball falls to Wartburg

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
November 28, 2016
The question continues to arise when students are forced to stay on campus during breaks from academics.

Competing while school isn’t in session: Is it too much?

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
November 28, 2016
Celebrating an accomplishment on the playing field has developed into a negative thing in many sports.

Celebrating: Should it be penalized?

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
November 21, 2016
Eau Claire’s football season was an improvement upon last year’s disappointing results.

The 2016 Blugold football season: Spectator review

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
November 16, 2016
The 2016 Blugold football season was filled with many ups and downs, but through it all, the player’s feel that the program has taken a step in the right direction.

Players look back on the 2016 Football season

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
November 16, 2016
Great Debate

Great Debate

Story by Deanna Kolell and Parker Reed
November 15, 2016
The Blugolds finished the 2016 campaign with two more wins than their previous season.

Blugold football wraps up their season

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
November 14, 2016
UW-Eau Claire football head coach, Dan Larson, is an example of a head coach in his first year at a new university.

Rebuilding requires time and patience

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
November 9, 2016
Losing 56-0, the Blugolds hope to end the season on a high note this coming Saturday.

Blugolds dominated by Pioneers

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
November 7, 2016
Knapp manages to excel on the field and in the classroom despite a relentless schedule.

Star wide receiver nears the end

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
November 1, 2016
Athletes work hard every single week but some colleges may not be able to pay them.

Pay for play: It isn’t as simple as it seems

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
November 1, 2016
The Blugolds did not have an answer for the high powered Warhawk offense.

Blugolds overpowered by the Warhawks

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
October 31, 2016
Sports are one of the few areas of interest in America where college degrees aren’t offered.

A degree in sports: should it be offered?

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
October 26, 2016
The Blugolds soared over the Eagles to earn their second win of the season.

Blugolds score upset over the Eagles

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
October 24, 2016
UW-Eau Claire students and fans often leave home football games after half-time.

Leaving after halftime, a self-fulfilling prophecy

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
October 19, 2016
Great Debate

Great Debate

Story by Sadie Sedlmayr and Parker Reed
October 18, 2016
The Blugolds could only find the in zone once against the Blue Devils. This is the third time this season that Eau Claire has been held to only one score.

Blugolds lose the ‘War on 94’

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
October 17, 2016
Despite a scoring run in the fourth quarter, the Eau Claire defense could not keep River Falls at bay.

Blugolds regress in loss to UW-River Falls

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
October 10, 2016
The 2016 film “Deadpool” is much more faithful to the comic book character’s comic book persona than his initial film introduction in the film, “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.”

‘Deadpool’ in review

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
October 4, 2016
Eau Claire’s mid game comeback effort was not enough to stop a resilient Stevens Point offense.

UW-Eau Claire comes up short against UW-Stevens Point

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
October 3, 2016
International student Gao ZiYi is an avid photographer who prefers film photography over the more common method of digital photography.

Capturing the world on film

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
September 28, 2016
Blugolds capture their first win in dominating fashion

Blugolds capture their first win in dominating fashion

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
September 27, 2016
Eau Claire football bands together during their bye week in order to prepare to take on Wisconsin Lutheran Saturday.

Bye week prepares Blugold football for matchup against Wisconsin-Lutheran

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
September 21, 2016
Blugolds show signs of life in the fourth quarter, but come up short in week two against Concordia-Moorhead.

Concordia-Moorhead overtakes Blugolds in week two

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
September 12, 2016
Blugolds open up their season facing St. Thomas Saturday night at Carson Park in Eau Claire Photo: Kelsey Smith

UW-Eau Claire football falls to St. Thomas in season opener

Story by Parker Reed, Sports Editor
September 8, 2016
Load More Stories
Menu
Activate Search
Home
Parker Reed