There are two months of the year my uncle Larry disappears into a bunker with 17 bags of chili cheese Doritos, a fist full of cash and every bookie up and down the eastern seaboard on speed dial. March because of the big dance, and May. This is the time of year professional sports fans come out of the woodwork like termites fleeing a burning down abandoned log cabin. Pro junkies have options galore. From the MLB season starting to settle in, to the latest Tiger tabloid, to horse racing, to the NBA and NHL playoffs. Heck, even pro soccer is available to those in Des Moines looking to put off that root canal for one more night. (kidding! I love futbol)
I have to admit that as much as I enjoy being a part of the college and high school sports scene. This is the month, that like big Lar, I am locked in the most. In fact, I probably take it too far. For instance, I help myself get over the fact that my beloved T-Wolves most likely won’t sniff a playoff berth until the turn of the next century, by building a dynasty on NBA Live 10. (some people knit, I Xbox) I mean if I can assemble a starting lineup featuring Derrick Rose, Joe Johnson and Amare Stoudamire, it’s about time Wolves GM David Kahn starts earning his money.
Back in the real world, I will stop and smell the horse manure over the next couple of weeks. After all, falling leaves and noon kickoffs at Kinnick and Jack Trice will be upon us before we know it.
Excuse me now; I have to go dust off the resume. I heard that Fred Hoiberg getting hired at ISU leaves an opening in the Wolves front office.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
You've Got To Trust Your Instincts
I need to give a shout out where a shout out is due. I have ripped on my bosses sense of direction (a blind shipwrecked mouse with a broken compass would find his way home faster) but when it comes to breaking news JW is second to none. The past week has been one of the best hands-on learning experiences of my life. It all started Sunday when Creighton started to court Greg McDermott to Omaha. It is then that JW, in the words of Omaha based band 311, said "you've got to trust your instincts". (he more acted, than actually said it but you get the point)Following your instincts can mean following up on a piece of information that seems less believable than Barry Bonds biceps, or running into a road closed sign and deciding a bum country road would be a good detour. All that and much more happened in the 3 day span that saw McDermott leave and native son Fred Hoiberg return. JW along with Dave Z were on top of it all from start to finish. As Dave Z said to me before the Hoiberg press conference. One of the fastest ways to succeed is to surround yourself with good people. I'm fortunate enough to work with two of the best. Alright, enough of the sappy stuff.
Make no mistake about it, this has been a great week for Cyclones athletics. Only time will tell if Hoiberg can turn around his beloved program and in the process help Hilton magic reappear. In the present though, it's a win-win for everybody involved. Instead of having a black cloud hanging over his head, McDermott gets a fresh start in a league where he has a proven track record. Meanwhile, ISU ends it's third men's basketball coaching search in five years with a ton of momentum and one happy fanbase. Even the doubters will give him time because he's one of them. Has been since the day he could walk. A risk indeed, but Jamie Pollard decided to trust his instincts in hopes that you can go home again, and in this case bring ISU back to prominence in the Big 12.
Make no mistake about it, this has been a great week for Cyclones athletics. Only time will tell if Hoiberg can turn around his beloved program and in the process help Hilton magic reappear. In the present though, it's a win-win for everybody involved. Instead of having a black cloud hanging over his head, McDermott gets a fresh start in a league where he has a proven track record. Meanwhile, ISU ends it's third men's basketball coaching search in five years with a ton of momentum and one happy fanbase. Even the doubters will give him time because he's one of them. Has been since the day he could walk. A risk indeed, but Jamie Pollard decided to trust his instincts in hopes that you can go home again, and in this case bring ISU back to prominence in the Big 12.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
The "Offseason"
Like many highly trained athletes we sportscasters have an offseason. After six straight months of football and basketball it’s time to get outside and enjoy a potpourri of events.
This is how I found myself doing a Drake Relays story, talking to Rusty Wallace, and then interviewing Ted Lilly in one eight hour work day. Speaking of Rusty, he told me his team is being sponsored by 5 Hour Energy. I had to stifle a laugh because more energy is the LAST thing Rusty needs.
In other news, I’ve decided to get back into the gym. It’s only been about a month but I feel like a 90 year old, retired cage fighter. My joints are constantly on fire and I fear I may not be able to walk up the stairs if I do one more leg press. I figure with four months of hardcore training, five bottles of fake bake and a heavy duty sheep shears; I will finally be able to realize my dream of being a Pacific Ocean tank top model. (OP was as popular as permed mullets in late ‘80’s)
This is how I found myself doing a Drake Relays story, talking to Rusty Wallace, and then interviewing Ted Lilly in one eight hour work day. Speaking of Rusty, he told me his team is being sponsored by 5 Hour Energy. I had to stifle a laugh because more energy is the LAST thing Rusty needs.
In other news, I’ve decided to get back into the gym. It’s only been about a month but I feel like a 90 year old, retired cage fighter. My joints are constantly on fire and I fear I may not be able to walk up the stairs if I do one more leg press. I figure with four months of hardcore training, five bottles of fake bake and a heavy duty sheep shears; I will finally be able to realize my dream of being a Pacific Ocean tank top model. (OP was as popular as permed mullets in late ‘80’s)
Friday, April 9, 2010
The Circle of Life
Many sports fans consider this to be the ultimate week of the year. A non-stop barrage of top notch events, crammed into about eight days. It starts with the Final Four, then MLB opening day before ending with the Green Jacket on the 18th hole at Augusta. I must say that I agree. In fact for me, this week will be hard to top. One day in particular. Saturday, April 3rd. The wife and I decided to get away to the in-laws place in Arkansas. (They are not originally from that uh…. wonderfully scenic part of the country, so when I have kids they should have all of their appendages and be able to grow more than one tooth)
That Saturday, I played 18 holes with my father in-law and managed to only lose 10 balls, hit two houses and lower my handicap from about 90 to 88. We followed that up by posting up on the couches and taking in the Final Four. Sometimes I live a truly charmed life.
In my line of work I run into the occasional sports celebrity but so far I’ve only been star struck twice. Mario Lemieux made my palms sweaty way back in the mid 2000’s and new I-Cubs manager Ryne Sandberg recently turned me into a nervous 12 year old kid with a dream and a pair of cleats.
The back story is this. I grew up idolizing #23 as he wowed the masses at Wrigley and I pondered my future beyond the cornfields of southern Minnesota. I am the biggest Twins fan I know but when it came to childhood heroes, it was always Ryno. I wore #23 in football and baseball. I pretended it was me roaming the right side of the infield when that tennis ball bounced off the house back to my glove, over and over, all summer long.
You forget about those moments as the gray creeps into your beard and one high paid, spoiled athlete after another slowly ruins your image of pro sports.
Now the circle of life brings me and Ryno together in Des Moines, and it’s my job to stick a mic in his face all summer long. Kids don’t grow up worshiping the manager, but my eyes will be locked in on the guy making the calls from the dugout for the next 6 months of my adult life.
That Saturday, I played 18 holes with my father in-law and managed to only lose 10 balls, hit two houses and lower my handicap from about 90 to 88. We followed that up by posting up on the couches and taking in the Final Four. Sometimes I live a truly charmed life.
In my line of work I run into the occasional sports celebrity but so far I’ve only been star struck twice. Mario Lemieux made my palms sweaty way back in the mid 2000’s and new I-Cubs manager Ryne Sandberg recently turned me into a nervous 12 year old kid with a dream and a pair of cleats.
The back story is this. I grew up idolizing #23 as he wowed the masses at Wrigley and I pondered my future beyond the cornfields of southern Minnesota. I am the biggest Twins fan I know but when it came to childhood heroes, it was always Ryno. I wore #23 in football and baseball. I pretended it was me roaming the right side of the infield when that tennis ball bounced off the house back to my glove, over and over, all summer long.
You forget about those moments as the gray creeps into your beard and one high paid, spoiled athlete after another slowly ruins your image of pro sports.
Now the circle of life brings me and Ryno together in Des Moines, and it’s my job to stick a mic in his face all summer long. Kids don’t grow up worshiping the manager, but my eyes will be locked in on the guy making the calls from the dugout for the next 6 months of my adult life.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tour de March
You'll have to excuse me for my two week absence in the Cheap Seats. Dave Z and I just got back from our spring tour through the country God forgot (Illinois mostly)
I still live in 1999 (no IPhone) and the NCAA thinks that everyone should give them a small country, your first born child, or $7 million to use the internet. I used my limited time online to check my fantasy Cricket stats not write about the awesomeness of Tom Izzo. ( He is awesome)
A quick report from each of our stops along the way.
St. Louis: Great support for the Panthers and a great first half showing by UNI. Ben Jacobson got Izzoed coming out of the break. No worries Jake, you are not the first and won't be the last. The man may be the best NCAA Tournament coach of all-time.
Dayton: The real story is our adventure on the way to D-Town. Remember this kiddos, we in the communication biz often times have trouble communicating. This is how Dave Z and I ended up in Cincinatti INSTEAD of Dayton when trying to track down the Iowa State women. I thought they were staying at the Fairfield Inn in Dayton. We were told, no, they are staying in the Holiday Inn in Fairfield. A quick check of the GPS tells us Fairfield is a suburb of Cincy. We are quick thinkers so naturally we thought the superstitious Bill Fennelly was up to his old tricks. His team was staying in the same hotel as they did in 1999 when they upset the almighty UConn Huskies. ( also this seasons Sweet 16 opponent) Imagine our horror when we arrived at the Holiday Inn Express in Fairfield only to find out they've never heard of Iowa, let alone an Iowa State Cyclone. (I'm no doctor and no I did not stay in the Holiday Inn Express in Fairfield last night) After checking in again with the ISU Sports Information Director we were set straight. They stayed in FairBORN, not FairFIELD.Only 50 miles out of our way. Thankfully coach Fennelly has a great sense of humor and waited for us to arrive rattled and relieved.Also, this just in. UConn is really good.
Iowa City: Next stop, the hiring of Fran McCaffery. This was the 7th coaching change I have covered since coming to Iowa four years ago. I don't get too hyped about these events because we have yet to see the man actually coach a game in Carver Hawkeye Arena. That said, Fran did win the press conference by saying all the right things and actually showing a pulse. Then again, sitting through 10 lectures on the state of post depression trade in the Northwest Territories would be more exciting than a press conference with Todd Lickliter (too soon?)I ran into McCaffery's mother-in-law on my way out. They've been season ticket holders at Williams Arena in Minneapolis for 35 years. Fran said they will now give up their seats at the barn. I asked his MIL if that was true. "No way!" was her response.
Home Sweet West Des Moines: March Madness is over for us. That means it's time for baseball and Drake Relay's. Right up my ally because a) I can throw really hard and run really fast or b) I don't like to move and really like the sun. Come see me in my hammock for the answer.
I still live in 1999 (no IPhone) and the NCAA thinks that everyone should give them a small country, your first born child, or $7 million to use the internet. I used my limited time online to check my fantasy Cricket stats not write about the awesomeness of Tom Izzo. ( He is awesome)
A quick report from each of our stops along the way.
St. Louis: Great support for the Panthers and a great first half showing by UNI. Ben Jacobson got Izzoed coming out of the break. No worries Jake, you are not the first and won't be the last. The man may be the best NCAA Tournament coach of all-time.
Dayton: The real story is our adventure on the way to D-Town. Remember this kiddos, we in the communication biz often times have trouble communicating. This is how Dave Z and I ended up in Cincinatti INSTEAD of Dayton when trying to track down the Iowa State women. I thought they were staying at the Fairfield Inn in Dayton. We were told, no, they are staying in the Holiday Inn in Fairfield. A quick check of the GPS tells us Fairfield is a suburb of Cincy. We are quick thinkers so naturally we thought the superstitious Bill Fennelly was up to his old tricks. His team was staying in the same hotel as they did in 1999 when they upset the almighty UConn Huskies. ( also this seasons Sweet 16 opponent) Imagine our horror when we arrived at the Holiday Inn Express in Fairfield only to find out they've never heard of Iowa, let alone an Iowa State Cyclone. (I'm no doctor and no I did not stay in the Holiday Inn Express in Fairfield last night) After checking in again with the ISU Sports Information Director we were set straight. They stayed in FairBORN, not FairFIELD.Only 50 miles out of our way. Thankfully coach Fennelly has a great sense of humor and waited for us to arrive rattled and relieved.Also, this just in. UConn is really good.
Iowa City: Next stop, the hiring of Fran McCaffery. This was the 7th coaching change I have covered since coming to Iowa four years ago. I don't get too hyped about these events because we have yet to see the man actually coach a game in Carver Hawkeye Arena. That said, Fran did win the press conference by saying all the right things and actually showing a pulse. Then again, sitting through 10 lectures on the state of post depression trade in the Northwest Territories would be more exciting than a press conference with Todd Lickliter (too soon?)I ran into McCaffery's mother-in-law on my way out. They've been season ticket holders at Williams Arena in Minneapolis for 35 years. Fran said they will now give up their seats at the barn. I asked his MIL if that was true. "No way!" was her response.
Home Sweet West Des Moines: March Madness is over for us. That means it's time for baseball and Drake Relay's. Right up my ally because a) I can throw really hard and run really fast or b) I don't like to move and really like the sun. Come see me in my hammock for the answer.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Out of the KC BBQ into the Fire
My wife- the Grammar Hammer- has discovered The Cheap Seats. She has pointed out that my writing skills leave me a few fries short of a happy meal. I believe that a happy life is a happy wife so after 21 easy payments of $14.95, Hooked on Phonics better work for me.
JW and I made it back from the Big 12's in one piece. (same can't be said for the Muskrat JW failed to see while eating a burger and using his knees to steer) A quick story about the state of ISU men's basketball. I was in the hotel elevator with a nice older couple dolled up in KU Jayhawk gear.
Me, " Congrats on winning the Big 12 tournament.... again"
Old guy, "Dagnabbit that team better learn to play ball real quick or I'm going to hit Phog Allen's gravestone with my pitchfork!"
Me, "ISU's starting five next season will be Diante Garrett, three walk-ons and a cardboard cutout of Marcus Fizer" Spoiled much?
After unpacking I was immediately dispatched to Iowa City to hear Gary Barta officially fire Todd Lickliter. My feeling is that the loss of season ticket holders had a lot more to do with the ousting than the loss of 22 games this season. I posed that question to a sportswriter (usually very smart people) but his response confused me. His theory is that if they went 22-10 and still couldn't draw flies, Lick would still have his job. True, but if they were winning 22 games a year, and couldn't draw flies, I think the marketing director would be the first to go. They kind of go hand in hand, no? Maybe that was his original point. Now I'm confused again. Let's move on.
My wish list for Iowa's new coach:
Keno Davis- Tom's kid and one of the best coaches I've dealt with in my long illustrious career
Phil Jackson- I would love to see if he could win without great players (low blow, but Cully Payne! for reals!)
John Wooden- He's got one season left in him
Bruce Pearl- Shirts optional would be a big change from the button up days of Big Lick
As you can tell I have inside knowledge of the situation. I'll let you know when I hear something.
JW and I made it back from the Big 12's in one piece. (same can't be said for the Muskrat JW failed to see while eating a burger and using his knees to steer) A quick story about the state of ISU men's basketball. I was in the hotel elevator with a nice older couple dolled up in KU Jayhawk gear.
Me, " Congrats on winning the Big 12 tournament.... again"
Old guy, "Dagnabbit that team better learn to play ball real quick or I'm going to hit Phog Allen's gravestone with my pitchfork!"
Me, "ISU's starting five next season will be Diante Garrett, three walk-ons and a cardboard cutout of Marcus Fizer" Spoiled much?
After unpacking I was immediately dispatched to Iowa City to hear Gary Barta officially fire Todd Lickliter. My feeling is that the loss of season ticket holders had a lot more to do with the ousting than the loss of 22 games this season. I posed that question to a sportswriter (usually very smart people) but his response confused me. His theory is that if they went 22-10 and still couldn't draw flies, Lick would still have his job. True, but if they were winning 22 games a year, and couldn't draw flies, I think the marketing director would be the first to go. They kind of go hand in hand, no? Maybe that was his original point. Now I'm confused again. Let's move on.
My wish list for Iowa's new coach:
Keno Davis- Tom's kid and one of the best coaches I've dealt with in my long illustrious career
Phil Jackson- I would love to see if he could win without great players (low blow, but Cully Payne! for reals!)
John Wooden- He's got one season left in him
Bruce Pearl- Shirts optional would be a big change from the button up days of Big Lick
As you can tell I have inside knowledge of the situation. I'll let you know when I hear something.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Day three at the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City
So far, so strange here in KC. Beside the fact that JW has the sense of direction of a blind, cave dwelling seeing eye dog things have gone pretty smooth outside of the arena.
"No John the sun sets in the west and Wichita is not a short walk from our hotel"- me trying to help JW find a Skywalk to the media hotel.
Anyway, talk about information overload. In the past 12 hours we have reported on Marquis Gilstrap's career coming to an end, Craig Brackins still undecided about whether to turn pro or not (he gone!), and Alison Lacey upright, breathing, but probably still won't play.
Plus, JW has burned through one battery life on his cell phone trying to keep up on the rumors/speculation back home about the future and health of Iowa coach Todd Lickliter.
All of this adds up to much anxiety and no fingernails but hey this is what we signed up for right? (I just wanted the free shirts to be honest)
One of the toughest things we have to do in our business is going into a losing teams locker room. The scene Wed. night after ISU's season came to an end was a bit emotional.
Marquis Gilstrap was distraught. I mean a mess. It took him 5 minutes (this after a 15 min waiting period) to compose himself enough for us to stick mics in his face. This BEFORE coach Greg McDermott told him his appeal for another year was denied by the NCAA.
I remember feeling similar after my final high school football game ( I mean who would be the hardest working special teams/water boy after I was gone) The only difference, Qwez will have a shot to play ball for money next year. I immediately started preparing for my non-speaking role as a ghoul in one of the worst One Act Play productions south central Minnesota has ever seen. Clearly I've gotten over it.
K-State vs. Oklahoma State tips in 30 minutes. Gotta go. And no I will not be watching it from the cheap seats unless I decide to sell my press pass. Which of course I would never do because I am rollin in dough.
"No John the sun sets in the west and Wichita is not a short walk from our hotel"- me trying to help JW find a Skywalk to the media hotel.
Anyway, talk about information overload. In the past 12 hours we have reported on Marquis Gilstrap's career coming to an end, Craig Brackins still undecided about whether to turn pro or not (he gone!), and Alison Lacey upright, breathing, but probably still won't play.
Plus, JW has burned through one battery life on his cell phone trying to keep up on the rumors/speculation back home about the future and health of Iowa coach Todd Lickliter.
All of this adds up to much anxiety and no fingernails but hey this is what we signed up for right? (I just wanted the free shirts to be honest)
One of the toughest things we have to do in our business is going into a losing teams locker room. The scene Wed. night after ISU's season came to an end was a bit emotional.
Marquis Gilstrap was distraught. I mean a mess. It took him 5 minutes (this after a 15 min waiting period) to compose himself enough for us to stick mics in his face. This BEFORE coach Greg McDermott told him his appeal for another year was denied by the NCAA.
I remember feeling similar after my final high school football game ( I mean who would be the hardest working special teams/water boy after I was gone) The only difference, Qwez will have a shot to play ball for money next year. I immediately started preparing for my non-speaking role as a ghoul in one of the worst One Act Play productions south central Minnesota has ever seen. Clearly I've gotten over it.
K-State vs. Oklahoma State tips in 30 minutes. Gotta go. And no I will not be watching it from the cheap seats unless I decide to sell my press pass. Which of course I would never do because I am rollin in dough.
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