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.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
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.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Welcome!
Welcome to my blog From The Cheap Seats.
First of all, a couple of things on the title. It took me all of about 35 seconds to find it in the book of Biggest Sports Clichés of all-time. Also, it is somewhat ironic (I admit that I like Alanis Morissette, and have no idea what the true definition of irony really is) that as a member of the media I usually have a press pass and get to enjoy the best seat in the house.
That said, I am a weekend sportscaster with $300 and a 2003 Dodge Stratus RT (6-disc changer) to my name so when I do attend a sporting event, you will find me among the mongrels in the cheap seats.
As for the purpose of my musings? I hope to narrate about and drop some knowledge on the sports scene and whatever else happens to be on my mind. Also, at the end of each reading I will ask, in the words of General Maximus Decimus Meridius: “Are you not entertained?!?!?!”
On a serious note, I sat in on Iowa State Athletic Director Jamie Pollard’s press conference Monday morning. It came on the heels of his statement to the Cyclone fans, stating basically that Greg McDermott will be back next season. This ends weeks of speculation that Big Mac would be let go after winning just 4 conference games in his 4th year at the helm.
For all of us that have had the pleasure of dealing with McDermott this is a good thing. Although, he will have to start winning eventually. As my great-great-grandfather Seamus McKnight used to say, the proof is in the pudding and right now, the pudding doesn’t taste good in
On the court, March Madness is in full effect. Three tournaments down, about one hundred to go by my count. JW (John Walters) and I are taking off this morning for the Big 12’s in KC. I’ll be blogging from that glorious event so be sure check in every 30 seconds or so.
Speaking of the Big 12 Tournament, will the Cyclone men be able to make some noise on day one? My answer: Most likely not, but don’t be surprised if they give stumbling
The reason I won’t commit is because the Cyclones remind me of my high school girlfriend. On paper they look good and have great taste in 1970’s cinema, but you’re just not sure if they’ll be there for you for a full 40 minutes.
Either way, we expect the ISU women to make a run so we should be posted up in the city of…. whatever the catchy nickname for
Be sure to check back for partial and full reports as time allows.
Murph
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