UConn Women's Basketball

2 nights ago history was made. UConn Women's Basketball won their 89th game in a row. Geno Auriemma and his Huskies broke the 88-game win streak set by John Wooden and the UCLA Bruins in the late 1970's. A streak that no one thought anyone would break, let alone a women's team.


Final Four on 2008, UConn lost their last game to date. In a sport dominated by a few teams, it seemed only right for them to lose to Stanford, another top team. UConn was set to win yet another national championship that year, but they lost. That feeling in the locker room after losing so close to the championship changed the way the team wanted to play, wanted to win. There are many people in the sports world who disregard women's basketball as competitive and exciting as men's college basketball. The women's league is dominated by a few teams, but isn't that the same in men's as well? Men's bball has been dominated by teams like Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, UCLA, UConn and a few other teams. Yes there may be other championship teams that break up championship streaks, but looking at total championships won there are a few elite programs that stand out. It's sometimes hard to see because NCAA men's basketball has been around a lot longer than women's. Since the NCAA recognized women's basketball in 1982 the 3-4 teams that are discussed every year: Tennessee, LSU, Stanford and UConn, naturally. When you're an elite female basketball player, you dream to play for one of these teams, therefore they are always going to be the ones winning championships. There aren't as many successful programs in women's basketball, so unlike men's, the elite talent is not spread out amongst numerous programs.

While at UConn, and beyond, there are few teams that I've seen control and dominate in their sport like the Lady Huskies.During this win streak, there have been 2 games where they haven't won by more than 10 points. One of those games being the first game of the season this year against Baylor, where they won by 1, 65-64. They're only true test during this streak, even last year in the 2010 NCAA tournament they beat Baylor 70-50 in the final four then went on to defeat Stanford in the championship. On average they are beating opponents by 30+ points. In their win over Florida State for their 89th win, they won 93-62. Few teams in any sport can say that they truly dominate like these women do. No it's not the same as a men's team, but in relating even the Wooden's UCLA didn't dominate like these ladies are doing. It is a team sport, but in this era the game itself is dominated by a single player from UConn, Maya Moore.

There have been man players in NCAA women's basketball history who have completely dominated in their time playing for their team: Rebecca Lobo, Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird (all from UConn), Candice Parker and Kara Lawson (Tennessee) and many others, but since 2007 there has been one player who can't be stopped: Maya Moore. It isn't a single person sport, but it's a team that since her arrival, has almost played around her. She's had some phenomenal teammates in Renee Montgomery and Tina Charles, both tops in UConn players, but when coming down to the wire of a close game (if there are any) you want Moore with the ball in hand driving the lane. In their last victory, at halftime Florida State had 27 points while Moore herself had 26. By the end of the game she had a career high of 41 points. Auriemma has instilled a motto with the team that has allowed their dominance, play a perfect game. They don't care what the score is, but they play to play a perfect game. 100% of shots taken made, no fouls, high rebounds, good defense. While the likelihood of that happening is slim to none, but this motto and goal has created this dominating team. And there is no one better to have on the team than the perfectionist Moore. When she was 2, she lost a game (not basketball) and hated the feeling of losing and vowed to herself that she would do anything in her power from then on to win anything she did. Her work ethic, if placed in any decent athlete, would make them great. She will stay after practice on her own and shoot layups or free throws or 3-pointers if during practice or a game she didn't make as many as she wanted. She's a phenomenal team player, if someone on her team is playing well in a game, she'll change her play to give them the ball. It's not just about her points, it's about the teams.

This is a big year in UConn sports. Men's basketball is ranked in the top 10 and playing like a high caliber team, football is going to it's first BCS bowl game, baseball is pre-season top 25, and my swim team has man swimmers in the top 50 and with NCAA qualifying times. It's not a bad time to be a Husky and with this women's team still winning, we're all proud.

U! C! O! N! N! UCONN! UCONN! UCONN!

2001 WIAA HS Swim & Dive State Champions

Going back and remembering a night, a single night, that happened a little over 9 years ago can be very difficult even when it's one of the most important nights of your life. However for me, remember this night, it seems like it was yesterday. I can remember it all perfectly. Friday November 10, 2001 changed my life forever.

August of 2001 was the beginning of my high school swimming career, a new chapter in my life. As a freshman, myself and the entire team knew that I was going to come in as one of the top swimmers immediately. Regardless, I was still scared shitless of the upperclassmen and the pressure of being at Shorewood. In the late 1990's, Shorewood had won 4 state championships in a row and were the team. Dominating every meet they went to and at the beginning of my freshman year there were some talks about our team in the next few years had potential to be almost as good. With a new coach we were nervous about how we were going to adapt to a new coaching style, but as the season progressed we started winning meets and swimming fast. Something was obviously clicking.

Conference and sectionals came and went and the next thing we know, we're preparing ourselves for the state meet. In Wisconsin, hs swimming is divided into 2 divisions, the smaller schools in division 2 and the larger schools in division 1. As one of the smallest schools with a swimming program in division 2, we were still able to have a dominant force. Winning our sectional and qualifying a number of swims to state our coach sat us down and Monday and told us how real it was that we COULD win state. Of course we wanted to win, but I think in the back of our minds we weren't sure if it really was possible. We had a week to prepare for the final meet of our season and come Thursday night, we were ready. With only 11 or so girls on our state team, we found it wildly hilarious that when we got to the parking lot Friday morning, our coach Rob had rented a full size school bus (that was the last year we did that) but of course it just made the day even better. We got in our bus and headed to Madison but before we went to the pool we stopped for lunch and a movie. Of all movies to see we sat down for Serendipity, a Christmas romantic comedy. Finally it was time to get to the UW-Madison Natatorium.


Now for anyone, the Nat can be a frightening place. Walking into the pool area, the pool itself and the separate diving well aren't so intimidating, except for the 2.5 ft high gutters and walls that make it nearly impossible to get out of the pool after you're done swimming, it's the stands that are the kick in the stomach. You walk on deck, turn around and look up to see the stands that seem to go on for an eternity, holding nearly 4,000 people. We walked onto the deck not really knowing what to expect, and as soon as our parents, teammates and other Shorewood students saw us a huge roar erupted followed by Shorewood cheers. If we weren't nervous before, we were at that moment. We got in for warm-ups and kept our routine the same as it had been all season. I don't get nervous often for a meet, I was always a very relaxed swimmer, but that night was one of the first moments I ever truly felt sick to my stomach with nerves.

We started the meet off with a bang, placing 2nd in the 200 Medley Relay. We had a good relay team all through the season, but unlike Whitnall, we weren't a sprinting team, so we knew that was their relay. With that energy that we got in that relay we continued to swim right where we needed to be, placing in the top spots either at our seeds or higher. What helped us win that meet wasn't just our swims that got us on the podium, but rather the ones that didn't. Everyone says that in order to win you need to win all the events, and yes that will help immensely, but it's the people who bring in the small points that can creep up on you. We had a few swimmers who got in those 4,5, and 6 points to keep us near the top of the leader board. To me there is no other meet quite like any high school state meet. Being in the Nat, you can barely hear yourself think at times because it's so loud. Everyone one of the competitors are there to win, there is no extra bonus or side incentive, pure competition to win the trophy and state title. We don't get paid to be there, we're there simply because we love the sport. Every stroke, race and finish is for ourselves and our team, nothing else.

As the meet progressed we started to realize that we really did have a chance to win the meet. We continued to place high in every race with at least one swim keeping ourselves in the mix. By the 100 Breaststroke, we were in 3rd place, but not by much. The rest of our team and coaches had figured out that if we won the final event, 400 Freestyle relay, we could win the meet, but for good reason did not tell us on the relay. Rob pulled us together before we walked to the blocks for the final race of the meet. Word for word he said (yes I still remember it): "Ladies, it's the last race of the night, you're in lane 1, outside smoke, no one's going to expect us. Swim fast and I better need a fucking crane to pull you out of the water when you're done". Our relay team of Marika Ross, Emily Whipp, myself, and Allison Clark had been together nearly all season. We knew exactly how we swam together and we ready for our final swim of the season.

Marika was our lead-off swim, she had the best start and got us out in front with Sauk Prairie and Oregon. Emily then dove in and kept us right there in the mix of things. Between us and the other 2 teams at this point we knew it was going to be a close race. Standing on the block for the 3rd leg we had the lead, I was shaking with nerves thinking "don't false start, don't false start"(and I'm shaking right now). Emily came into the wall and rather than making it risky I stayed safe, but still fast and dove into the water. I could barely see the other girls in the water because we were outside in lane 1, but I knew all I had to do was swim fast and keep my stroke strong and I could either pull ahead or stay with these girls. Finishing my 100, Allison dove in. She was our anchor our go to girl, if she was in the water we knew she'd be doing anything in her power not to lose the race. I pulled myself out of the water, out of breath, legs nearly dead, but I somehow mustered up the air left in my lungs to scream as Allison swam the final leg of our race. Allison swam that leg against two of the fastest girls in the state, Brittany Shutes (Oregon) and Lauren Bruenig (Sauk Prairie, 100 Freestyle state champion) and it all came down to the last 5 yards, the last stroke into the wall.

All 3 relay teams, state teams, fans in the stands, watched intently as these 3 girls came into the wall. With us being in lane 1 you could barely even see us swimming from the stands. The girls came into the wall at what to the naked eye was the exact same time and the entire natatorium went dead silent as everyone (including other teams) turned their heads to the scoreboard to see who won. What seemed like an eternity for the scoreboard to release the times it finally showed:

Shorewood 3:40.56
Oregon 3:40.62
Sauk Prairie 3:40.68

12-hundredths separated us from 3rd place. Chills ran up my back and all through my body with excitement and before I could even fathom what was going on we were jumping up and down with pure excitement that we had won the relay. We looked into the stands and saw the Shorewood cheering section erupting chanting "Shorewood Relays... Shorewood Relays!!!" Allison got out of the water and we were beyond ecstatic as our the rest of our team on the deck came running to us screaming "We won! We won!" we looked at them and were like of course we did, but then we realized as they changed the scores on the leader board that we had done it... we won state. That relay, those .06 hundredths of a second, won us the meet. Allison's perfect finish won us that meet. We couldn't believe it. Jumping up and down, looking to the stands, the feeling can't be described, it just can't no matter how much I try. Joy, excitement, elated, exhausted, pride, overwhelmed, nothing can describe how amazing it felt.

We waited impatiently as the award ceremonies happened then finally we got our chance to stand atop the podium for the 400 FR relay. The four of us squished on thee small podium didn't matter, we looked into the stands to see our teammates, family and friends, raised up the #1 and it was perfect. Finally, it was our chance, they announced the runner-up team, Whitnall, acknowledged their great meet. Then our trophy was handed to us, it was even better to see in person in our hands. Holding it up to the rest of the team, it was our time, our moment, and no one can take that away from us. We jumped in the water all together didn't matte if clothes were on. Once we were able to change in the locker room we walked out to the main hallway to an eruption of cheers and a mob of hugs. The amount of pride that came from our high school couldn't be matched that night. Even our principal and other teachers were there to support us. Our tradition was to go to the Olive Garden after the meet, they keep it open for us and bringing that trophy back there once again was indescribable. We ate, laughed, and shared stories from the night. Getting back onto the bus to drive back to Milwaukee we were rowdy and on such an adrenaline high we thought we'd stay awake the whole ride home, but alas we fell asleep. I woke up about halfway home and looked to the back of the bus, between the 11 of us there, everyone was laying across the aisle on two seats parkas on, we were a team, we won together and now we were all sleeping together. A perfect way to end the night. I can't help but smile right now thinking about how amazing that day was for us. No event in my life has been able to match the joy of that night and to this day I still remember it like it was yesterday.

"Shorewood Re-lays... Shorewood Re-lays..."
We... We are... We are the mighty... We are the mighty Greyhounds...

UConn Football

A school really known for anything other than basketball is now hearing more about it's football program on ESPN than basketball. Well not really especially since the women's team are 2 wins away from tying the all time winning record of 87 games in a row (John Wooden's UCLA team) and the men's team is finally showing themselves to be worthy of ranking again thanks to Kemba Walker. But for right now, at least until January, UConn country is looking at the football field. Last night thousands of UConn students, alumni and fans were glued to ESPN during the BCS special to find out that UConn will be playing Oklahoma in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ on January 1st.

UConn football has been far from a powerhorse like many teams from the SEC, Big 12 or the Big Ten, but in the last few years they have come from a nearly invincible team to right in the mix of things. While we maybe don't deserve to be in the Fiesta Bowl like some other teams but it's the way things panned out and we can't change it at this point. We're going to a bowl game, it's happening, and we're ready for it.

I was at UConn from 2005-2009, but being from Wisconsin I grew up watching Badger football. It's just a notch above the program UConn has and not to mention a very different atmosphere at the games. I went to my first football game the first week at UConn (student-athletes get in free) and while different than the games I've seen at Wisconsin, it was a lot of fun. Like any college sporting event it's a time for students to come together and have a great time. As my years continued at UConn I got to know some of the players. You see them in class, in the training rooms and around the campus (even sometimes at the bar) and unlike some other bigger programs, they don't feel so unapproachable because of their "celebrity" status. So when we're watching these games on tv or at the stadium you look at them more as peers and you can actually say "hey I know that guy!". Randy Edsall has a different type of program and while it may not work for other teams, it works at UConn.

Edsall is still building a program, but going from 1-AA to a BCS bowl in 12 years is pretty damn good. No we haven't beaten a lot of powerhouses but this team is slowly establishing themselves as a team that should be recognized. We don't have any flashy all stars or Heisman trophy candidates, but we do have a group of phenomenal athletes who together work as a team. Last season we lost one of our teams best players, Jasper Howard, in a fatal incident after the homecoming game victory against Louisville. The next weekend we played Notre Dame @ South Bend, a very emotional game for the UConn community. This was quite possibly going to be one of the biggest games to date that UConn would play. A team like Notre Dame, who in recent years has fallen off, but is known historically for their success is playing an unknown program from UConn at home. I don't think a lot of people thought it was going to turn out the way it did, but UConn prevailed. For us it was a big moment, a win over that kind of program in prime time tv. Fast foward to the current season. UConn traveled to Michigan to play in the Big House. We faltered in the beginning of the game and fell behind, but coming back out in the 2nd half we played pretty well holding our own. The experience for our team to play in that kind of environment really helps for future seasons.

Now that the season is over, UConn players are watching tapes of Oklahoma and vice verse, preparing for one more game of the 2010 season. It's not the national championship, but it's still a big deal. These players need to think about this as just another football game, 4 15:00 quarters to execute plays and score more points. As a UConn alum, it's an exhilarating feeling to be able to watch my school in a BCS game. I've watched many games throughout the years wanting a team to win, but it never meant as much as this one. Let's Go Huskies!

Green and Gold

It's a tough thing to like a sports team. They can bring so much excitement and happiness into ones life but they can also cause an immense out of pain. People claim to love their home team more than someone else, but no one can say how much you love your team. Some fans have it tougher when the organization they root for doesn't win very often, if ever, but through thick and thin true fans will stay faithful to their team.

Since birth, I've bled Green Bay Packer Green and Gold. There is nothing better than that team winning on Sunday (or Monday or Thursday). We've had more up and down seasons than many other teams in the NFL. We've gone from being the best team in the league to the worst in a matter of seasons, sometimes within the same season. The organization has a history unlike many others in professional sports. From the beginning as the Acme Packers, a group of Wisconsin meat packers led by Curly Lambeau, have remained true through and through. The Packers are the only NFL organization true to its roots, still playing as the Packers and in the founding city of Green Bay. (They did play some seasons in Milwaukee, WI). What we can hold over the rest of the NFL is a few things. One, we won the first 2 Superbowls, one being the legendary "Ice Bowl" against the Cowboys. Two, the trophy everyone wants... the VINCE LOMBARDI trophy, was named after the legend. Lombardi is God in Green Bay. He changed the game with his coaching and with what he did in his years at Green Bay. Excuses weren't an option on his team and his word was the final word. It wasn't a bad thing either that he had players like Bart Starr, Ray Nitschke, Jerry Kramer, and Willie Wood. Under his leadership the Packers were lead to their 10th and 11th "NFL World Championship" (Before Superbowls 1 and 2, they won the first 3 by league standing and the next 6 by the "NFL Title Game") The Packers eventually won the 1997 Superbowl to claim their 12th world title, which by the way is the most for any NFL organization with the closest being the Bears at 9.

After Lombardi's reign ended, so did the winning, however that didn't deter the fans. If anything that made them even more crazed than before. Packers fans are unique. We don't like the hot weather, we prefer the below freezing temperatures where we can drink beer and wear our coveted Cheeseheads. Despite many a dreadful seasons, Cheeseheads continued to flock to Lambeau Field for every game with hopes of a victory, or sometimes even a touchdown. I'd say more about this era but that's all there was, fans showing up to games hoping for a win and more often than not, getting nothing. From Lombardi's departure to Brett Favre's arrival the Packers only had 5 winning seasons. FIVE. The 1992 happened. 1992 was an ever changing season for the Packers. With Mike Holmgren now the head coach hired by Ron Wolf and some young QB traded from the Atlanta Falcons named Brett Favre, Packer Nation didn't know what was coming.

That year the Packers went 9-7 and already started to turn heads in the NFL. But when they signed Reggie White your head went a full 360. This team was going to be unstoppable. Almost at once, the Packers found success with this revamped team. The next two seasons they made it to the 2nd round of the playoffs and finally to the NFC championship in 1995, sadly all 3 years they were defeated by the powerhouse that used to be the Dallas Cowboys. All the while I'm growing up in Wisconsin during this resurgence, now I'm not even 10 years old at this point but despite what others may say, I remember this time period. Growing up, Sundays were spent at someone's house watching games with a group of other loud Cheeseheads. The only attire allowed was Green and Gold, food was themed to the game. Some of these parties were (and still are today) bigger than some holidays, especially when we get to the playoffs. Everything in those years revolved around 2 main players: Brett Favre and Reggie White.

Brett Favre, the man who not only changed the Packers but changed the way people watch professional football. An unknown 2nd round draft pick by the Falcons, traded to the Packers replacing Don Majkowski in 1992 almost instantly became the face of NFL. No one played like he did. Legends like Steve Young, Troy Aikman, and John Elway didn't know what to think of the young gunslinger from Mississippi, and neither did anyone else. But it didn't matter, especially to Packer nation, because he was throwing touchdowns and winning games all with that boyish grin. He took a lot of chances that many other QBs would never take and more often than not, it worked. I remember countless times holding my breath when he'd launch a rocket 40 yds down the field to Robert Brooks and not breath until the ball was caught. And while nervewrecking to watch it was thrilling all in the same. People criticize him for having a high number of INTs in his 20 year career in the NFL, but for me I look at it differently. He took chances, and yes sometimes they didn't turn out the way he wanted, but he took that chance. He went for it, gave it all he could. There are countless games that I remember watching Favre play with the Packers, but one will forever stand out, besides their Superbowl victory in the 90s. December 2003, Favre's father had died the day before their game against the Oakland Raiders. A number of people expected Favre to not play, but he did quite the opposite he played the game of his life. Anyone who watched that game could feel the emotion coming from not only Favre but the entire team. They all wanted to win for him and seeing him after the game looking to the sky will bring tears to anyone's eyes. For the better part of 2 decades, I watched that man play for my team, and right now I want nothing to do with him while he plays for the enemy but when it's all said and done, what he did for the Packers and for the NFL can not be overlooked. He's one of the game's greatest QBs and players of all time. Anyone who refutes that just doesn't understand.

During the 1990's on the other side of the ball was the gentle giant that we knew as Reggie White. When the Packers picked him up as a free agent, I think deep down every other team knew they were in trouble. It's because of White that I have an immense respect for the Philadelphia Eagles organization. White was never like a lot of players in the NFL then or today. He didn't over-celebrate a sack or a tackle, he didn't get into fights with other players or bad mouth refs (not saying that he didn't get upset at a bad call because he did) but all he wanted was one thing: to play the game. He was an unstoppable force and would play each play like it was his last. You could see in his eyes, from the moment the ball was hiked that he was going to do anything he could to stop the play. Known across the league as the Minister his gentle nature and leadership was unmatched. While it's always exciting to watch a good offense make plays and score points, that's not what it was all about w/ the Packers. During White's tenure with the Packers, fans got just as excited to see the defense take the field. When Reggie got a sack you could have sworn it was a game winning TD. Reggie's legacy in Green Bay and with the Eagles will never be forgotten. He was good man until his death in the early 2000's and we will remember him forever. Rest In Peace Reggie, you're in good hands upstairs with the other greats of the NFL.

Superbowl 31... Packers/Patriots... Bledsoe/Favre... Holmgren/Parcels. Going into the game many thought it was going to be an evenly matched game, but it all changed as soon as Desmond Howard caught that first kick off return and ran it back for a touchdown. I remember being at a family friends house for the game and thinking this is going to be good. All pistons were firing together that day. The Packers could do no wrong and when the final seconds ran out, the joy that was felt was unmatched. I couldn't believe that I had seen a Packers Superbowl victory before the age of 10. The talk for the next months leading up to the next season was, How many more Superbowls could the Packers win before Y2K? Little did we know... it would be 0. The next year we played the Broncos, in San Diego. A heartbreaking loss and one I wish to never have to relive again. We had gone from a dominating performance the year before to a devastating loss. The next 10 years were hard on the entire Packers organization. We lost a lot of players, many losing seasons, devastating losses but nothing hurt more than the loss of our leader: Brett Favre. After his first decision to retire in 2007, the season of the heartbreaking loss to the Giants in the playoffs on a Favre INT, a lot of Packer nation thought we would never recover. But then we found a new leader in Aaron Rodgers. The man truly stepped into a big pair of shoes and in my honest opinion, he has succeeded beyond my expectations. While we may not have seen a lot of success like we did in the early 90's it's not something to be pinned to Rodgers himself. Since his start, he's been a phenomenal QB making some plays that even Favre himself couldn't make.

Through the ups and the many downs, Packer fans are more faithful than any other team in the NFL. We've been through some of the hardest times and still have sat through the below freezing games with the smallest hope that they could pull out a win from 14 points down. This 2010 season has already caused me to have about 6 mini heart attacks but have I stopped watching the games, absolutely not. I feed off the thrill every week of watching my team. Yesterday's loss to the Falcons was especially painful, but the team they have is outstanding. The Packers didn't show up with everything they had and the Falcons did. There is nothing we can do to change the outcome (unless something happens to the Falcons organization and they're stripped of all their victories in the 2010 season) so we have to move on, prepare for the next game and hope the final score is in our favor.

"I don't wanna work, I just wanna bang on the drum all day"

GO PACK GO!

Hugs for Zach Benefit Weekend

There isn't often that one person can influence so many others with a such a positive Ora and personality. But fortunately for myself and many others we have been able to meet someone who does just that. Let me tell you about my friend, Zach Powers.


Zach is one of the most amazing people I have been fortunate enough to meet. We met approximately a year and a half ago on a Dave Matthews Band fan club message board known as the Warehouse. I know it seems lame to meet people through it, but as in previous posts, they are some of my closest friends and because of them I have some of the greatest memories of my life. Zach is one of those people. We officially met in July 2009, when he, along with many other people who I knew, and had yet to meet, came up to Wisconsin for the DMB shows @ Alpine Valley Music Theatre. We all went downtown Milwaukee the night before the first show. Before I could even get a word out Zach was there giving me the biggest hug (I showed up around midnight). We stayed for a few hours until bar close and in those few hours, I already knew just how awesome Zach truly was. He was either sitting at a table telling awesome stories, drinking Appletinis w/ his pinky up with Matt, or dancing for a group of people doing some of his favorite dance moves. Little did I know he'd become one of my closest friends.

Fast forward a year or so and we're in the next DMB summer tour season. Zach is part of the reason I went to half of the shows I did. Because it would give me a chance to see him. By this time Zach had become very close. Many inside jokes, constant txting, phone calls at 3-4 am just for the hell of it. I ventured down to Indy for the n2 show at Deer Creek, aka Best.Seat.Buddies.Ever night (see DMB Part 2 post). I waited a few weeks for Alpine Valley and of course Zach was there. We all spent the weekend camping in Ang's parents backyard and I couldn't ask for a better weekend. I don't know how many times he did the worm, but every time someone asked, he was happy to do it.
No matter who he was talking to they had a smile on their face. Besides Jeff, when he lost the Worm-off, well more like failed miserably. If it weren't for Zach pulling me away that afternoon, I probably would have been beaten up by some Notre Dame football players with whom I was trash talking to (I blame the tequila).

September 2010 rolls around and we're all together once again in Chicago for the DMB shows at Wrigley Field. So many people came in for the weekend and it was going to be memorable, good and bad. The weekend was amazing, great shows, good people, good times. Saturday night/early Sunday morning we were struck with a tragedy. Zach fell from the 8th floor balcony of our hotel to the roof of the hotel's convention center. An accident that we are very lucky to have him still alive. He is currently at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and has a long road ahead of him in his recovery. He has a broken pelvis, 3-4 fractured vertebrae and about 6-8 fractured ribs, with some moderate brain damage that with time will heal. But thankfully there is no serious brain damage or paralysis. Right now we're just waiting for him to fully recovery and get back to his normal self.

What truly amazed me in this situation is the outpouring of love that has come from not only his friends and family, but the entire DMB community. Within 48 hours of the accident there was a PayPal acct set up in his name taking donations from anyone and everyone. Within a few weeks we had a trust fund, Hugs for Zach, set up with nearly $3000 purely from donations. While the money is helpful, what's amazing are the cards and gifts sent to his hospital room. A group of people here in Chicago and across the country thought of the idea to have a few benefits to help raise more money for his trust. Here in Chicago, I helped put together and run this regions benefit. We had raffle prizes, paintings, an incredible musician in Alex Hoffer and even Zach himself on the computer via Skype. In NYC, they had a phenomenal turnout from the DMB community with raffle prizes as well as bunny ears galore (Zach this year at Alpine Valley was given a pait of bunny ears that we could all see in the pit in front of the stage the entire night, we felt it tribute to wear them for him)

Between the 2 benefits 1000 miles apart we were able to raise more than $3000. We may not be professional event planners, but I think that's pretty damn awesome. The outpouring love and support from everyone was the best part. To see his family and friends able to talk to him on the computer and cheering him with their drinks was beyond amazing. The best part of the evening, his mom, Gina. She was given the chance to finally get out and see his friends and share with us the stories about what makes him so amazing. In NYC, Operation Rabbit Rampage and MSG n2 was a success. Nearly a hundred bunny ears were seen throughout the venue and more people became aware of what we were doing and who it was for.

A friend of mine put it best for the past weekend: 2 benefits, 2 different cities, all for one guy...pretty amazing.

It's not done yet. With DMB at their "Last Stop" in Charlottesville, VA we've got a few more benefits and gatherings for Zach that I know will be a huge success. Not many people can impact so many lives, but Zach, he's one of them. I can't wait for him to get better and I can dance with him once again.

For any information about Zach please visit www.hugzforzach.org

LoVe

Mid-American Junior Golf Tour

As a child growing up my mom always believed that during the summer I needed to be doing something active at all times. Whether I was signed up at a month long girls camp (Camp Agawak) in northern WI, going to College for Kids and UW-Milwaukee or taking various sports camps, there was always some activity for me to participate in. Summer is about being outside and enjoying youth before it slips out from under our feet. I spent many summers playing various sports and going to various sports camps. Sports, among other activities, provide many kids stability in their lives and allow them to focus on something they enjoy. This summer was truly a new experience for me watching the juniors play on the Mid-American Junior Golf Tour (MAJGT).

Golf is a different sport, some people will often say it's not a sport at all, but rather a game. It may not be deemed as athletically challenging as football or wrestling or even baseball, but it indeed takes a lot of physical strength to play the game. To hit a ball 250+ yds (and in many cases further) it takes a lot of strength. It's true than anyone can hit the ball, maybe not as far, but they can hit it. What it comes down is the strength and accuracy that these kids can really hit the ball. They want it to go 300 yds from the tee to the middle of the fairway and when their swing goes right or they get the right bounce of a hill, the ball will land right where they want it. Depending on the hole they might have to try and hit it further or choke up on their club and hit it softer but then do it 18 times with hopes of either hitting the green (on the par 3's) or in the fairway everytime. It's challenging anyway you look at it. Not only does a player need the strength to swing the club, but hell walking 18 holes and carrying that ungodly awkward and heavy golf bag, you've gotta be at least somewhat athletic to do so. On average a golf course is between 6500-7000 yds which equates to approximately 3.75 miles. For anyone to walk that distance and then again the day after is impressive.

What is most impressive however is these kids' mental game. We see kids from the ages of 10-18 playing a sport that most people would say is better suited for an older generation. While like any other sport, the kids get frustrated and angry when they hit a bad shot or miss a 2 ft putt for birdie. We do on occasion have to give them warnings about their actions because like I said it's a respectful game. Our players need to keep in good form with the sport by respecting the rest of the field and not lashing out. However, it is good for them to grunt, slam a club or throw a towel to let out a little frustration. In watching the 20+ tournaments this summer I came to realize truly how awesome these kids are at what they do. At one tournament in Indiana, there was a 13 year old kid who was leading after the 1st round of the tournament. On the 2nd day he wasn't doing that well, mentally he was intimated by the other older players. He finished the 11th hole w/ an 11 (it was a par 4) and when we saw him on the 12th tee he had already re focused his mind and forgot about the 11th hole. He came out and birdied 12. I'll remind you, he's 13. A lot of kids his age aren't mentally able to keep that kind of focus in a sport. Not all of the players have that ability, we do see a lot of tears and lot of frustration. But still in the end, they come back for more because they love the game.

More kids in todays society are getting stuck in an environment where playing video games all day long is okay. That sitting around doing nothing but play on computers is what's best for them. It's not. Kids, at any age, need activity, they need to be out in the world creating experiences and memories. Socially it's better for our younger generations to be able to create social experiences and develop. The more they can experience the better they are able to figure out exactly who they are. For me, in swimming I found out that while I'm very determined and hard working to achieve my goals, I need to be able to have fun while doing it or else it's going to make it that much harder to achieve my goals. I goofed around a lot when at practice and at meets, but that's because it helped me to stay unfocused and loose rather than overthink what I was doing. Parents, grandparents, brothers/sisters, whoever you are, make sure we don't lose our younger generations to computers and video games. Get out in the world and give them the activities that you got when you were a child. Hell even throwing a football around can make all the difference.

NCAA Football season is upon us once again

It's that time of the year. For sports fans it's the start of 2 of the best seasons in sports: the NFL and NCAA Football. It's the perfect way to spend a weekend. Thursday through Sunday there is something to watch. Even for those who are still invested in baseball season, the playoff race is beginning to get tighter.

I grew up in a family that completely immerses itself into sports. Saying that we like football would be a complete understatement. We grew up in Wisconsin therefore of course making us Green Bay Packer fans. Not just fans, diehards but that's for another post. In addition to being Packer fans my family grew up watching the Big Ten Wisconsin Badgers. My family loves this team so much that my aunt when she turned 60 got the Bucky Badger tattooed on her ankle. Now that's dedication.

This week is one of the most highly anticipated weeks of the sports year. Each team, whether they're a conference powerhouse or they are just a small division III school, this is the start of a new season, a new chance to win. Every year is a clean slate, anything that happened since the previous season is behind them, if you dwell on bad games, it's going to effect the way you approach the upcoming season. Even schools like Lane Kiffan's USC team this year who is under probation from illegal recruiting in the past have a chance to prove to the sports world that they have what it takes to win. We look at some of the programs who get the constant media attention: Alabama, Florida, Notre Dame, USC, Michigan, Ohio State, Texas and the likes, yes they are powerhouses who dominate season after season and they make for great football but some of the truest players and teams are found in the smaller programs.

We start this season with Alabama and Ohio State atop the AP polls, but then the Broncos from Boise State sneak into the AP poll and #3. A lot of sports fans alike have already put their money on Boise State to win the BCS championship. For years the Broncos have been rising amongst the top dawgs of college football. Building a program like they have has finally shown the critics that not every year is going to belong to the standard SEC or Big XII powerhouse. Boise State stands apart from many other teams. First they play on a blue field, something that you can't ignore. Other teams watch Boise State play and when it's their turn to play on that turf, it's almost surreal to them, and it's as if they forget how to play the game. But when traveling to the blue turf that's the least of their worries. This team, who by the way for those who don't know went undefeated last year and STILL didn't make it to the BCS championship game, wants to win more than almost any other team out there. They aren't a flashy team, they don't recruit players who showboat their talents. They want players who simply want to go out there play the best football they can and win.

Those who are most excited about the season to start aren't just the college football fans, but the students themselves. Now I can say that I'm a college football fan because I am, I love all parts of the game. But when you're a current student and whatever college you're attending, nothing is better than spending a Saturday at the football stadium. Some school's have such history with their football programs that without the students it wouldn't be the same. I went to a basketball school (UConn) where everything revolves around basketball season but since the early 2000's UConn has started to develop themselves into more of a football school. While our traditions may not be as timely as schools like Ohio State or Notre Dame, we're creating our own traditions that we can call our own. Each school has something that they are known for. Ohio State's marching band has their infamous "dotting of the I" in Ohio as well as the O-H-I-O cheer. Wisconsin at the end of the 3rd quarter will play "House of Pain-Jump Around" where the entire student section will jump causing nearly the entire stadium to shake. It's because of the fans that some teams shake with fear when entering the domain of teams like Texas, Ohio State and Michigan.

My Alma Mater is traveling to Ann Arbor this weekend for what might be the biggest game of their season. Last year UConn beat Notre Dame in amazing fashion after tragedy struck the team when a friend and teammate Jasper Howard was killed. For our still developing program that was a huge win. This Saturday has a chance to top that. If we're able to overcome the intensity that the Michigan stadium brings and pull out a win there, we can win anywhere. Every team goes into a game no matter who they are up against with the mindset that they can win. And when they walk off that field all they need to know is that they played their hearts out and left it on the field.

This season is already shaping up to be pretty amazing and I look forward to sitting in front of a tv on consecutive Saturdays to watch more football games than one can count. Expect more posts during the season. I'm already planning one about rival schools. College football season is here, I hope you're ready.

it's not where, but who you're with that really matters

Part II: The Concerts. The People. The Memories.

After so many years and so many shows it's not just about the music anymore, it does play a large part obviously because if it weren't for the band I wouldn't go, but after years it's become much more than that.

There are so many groups, artists and bands that travel the world performing in countless cities, but few can match what DMB does. Yes there are bands like The Rolling Stones, Elton John, U2, and others who have an amazing live act, but they can't do it like DMB does. Every show DMB plays, they sell out. While these other acts are making more money by having their tickets cost up to $250 for face value, they aren't selling out entire 40,000 person amphitheaters. DMB will sell out in minutes for a show that's months away keep prices relatively low. Not saying there aren't scalpers out there, cause there are, but in general no ticket should be over $100. They have toured every summer for the past 15 years and are just now taking the summer of 2011 off. Year after year they put in 50+ shows all over the country and even the world and in those 15 years, no setlist has ever been the same. Bands like U2 will play one tour every few years and within that tour you will see the same songs if you go to more than one show. Not saying that you won't get repeats at multiple DMB shows, but there is always some variations between the concerts.

Each show has it's own element, vibe, mood and experience. I have been to 30+ shows and each one has been a completely different experience. There is no other band (and I have seen my fair share of live acts) that can perform the way this band does. From the first song to the last, they are 100%. They may not play a song that you want to hear or that you've heard before but it doesn't matter because odds are it's going to be different. Whether a solo is different, Dave changes the words, misses a line, has the crowd sing a verse, adds an intro or outro, it's all different. I've heard songs like Two Step and Crush so many times I can't even count them all but each time they've been different. For a while I was starting to dislike every time they played Two Step, then last year at Saratoga Springs Performing Arts Center (SPAC) I heard it again, but it was revamped, Carter added a 2nd badass drum solo. It blew me out of the water. That one moment at the show I fell in love w/ the song all over again.

there are a lot of people who have been to countless shows who go into the next concert expecting the perfect setlist, all the songs THEY want to hear. It's up to the band, they will play what they want to play. If you go into a show with your nose in the air expecting to hear something they haven't played in 6 years, you're going to be sorely disappointed when you don't get it. Going into every show just wanting to enjoy the music that you love you're going to have a good time. They go out there and do what they love for their fans (and of course for the money) going into a venue just wanting to have a great time is going to make the experience 1000x better. What matters most though, I think, are the people you're with.

Yes Dave says it himself "it's not where but who you're with that really matters" and as cliche as it sounds, it's true. I started going to concerts when I was in high school with my mom and a few friends. We'd show up to the show a few hours before, walk into the venue, sit down listen to the opener, wait for DMB and then leave right after the show. It wasn't until 2006 when I really experienced what it's like to be at a DMB concert. What I call my home venue is Alpine Valley in East Troy, WI. To me it's the best place in the country to see a show. Everyone is going to have their own opinion naturally but Alpine is my home. 06 was the first year I showed up early to tailgate with friends, we drank (yes underage) and we had a great time. From that moment on I knew I had to have an experience just like that at every show. Summer 2007 I stayed out on the east coast @ UConn during the previous year I had spent a lot of time on the Warehouse Message Boards (the official DMB fan club) talking to a lot of other fans who loved the band just as much as I did. DMB was coming to Hartford, CT and I was going to both shows, so finally I met so many of these people who I'd become friends with through one common interest. That weekend is a weekend I'll never forget.

Hartford 2007 changed my life instantly. I never thought that I could be embraced by a group of people so easily. I walked up to the tailgate and before I could even get a word out people were running up to me to give me a hug. In high school and somewhat in college I was never really accepted by a lot of people. I was left out of a lot of things for reasons I'll never know, but showing up at Hartford in 07 made me feel at home. I felt like I belonged. After meeting these people I felt whole (yes I know it sounds cheesy). Time continued on and I kept getting closer and closer with these people. Some of them I've become closer with online than some friend I've known for years. We have one thing in common to start w/ the band, but then we grow and expand from there. No judgments, no reservations, just be who you are. I've become so involved with this community that it often has consumed parts of my life. I'd rather go home and see a friend from the Warehouse than someone I went to high school with. They understand me, they get me, and they like me. More years pass, more shows, more tailgates, and more people. While we all have people we are closer with, it naturally happens, every person I've met at these gatherings has been good to me and I wouldn't change the experience for anything.

I've become so close with some of these people that we've even created Blackberry Messenger Chat groups so we have another way to keep in touch. Many people don't understand how we can all become so close with one another over something like a band. It's more than the band now, it's the memories that we're creating every time we get together. We don't even need the concerts anymore, we just need each other. This year may have topped the charts on my experiences at these shows. It started in New York @ SPAC this year. We had our normal group of UConn alumni who went upstate together and we spent the first night at our same tailgate just enjoying one anothers company and having a great time. The 2nd night I convinced them to come to the Warehouse gathering, BALLSfest. It's a huge gathering of hundreds of people with food, alcohol and music. While I only knew probably 50 people, it was a great time to meet new people and still have my friends there with me.

That weekend is always hard to top but then this year I ventured to a new venue: Deer Creek. After hearing so many things I figured I'm in Chicago I can drive down Sat am and go to the 2nd night. Arriving at a friends house around 11 we left shortly after for the Poole House. The Pooles are a truly amazing couple who own a house nearby the venue with of course... a pool. The entire day is spent lounging, drinking, eating, laughing, and just relaxing with friends. We're away from all the under aged kids who are out of control and with the people we care about. That night I was supposed to sit alone in a single seat about 25 rows up from the stage. Another friend of mine had a single as well about 5 rows behind mine so she suggested we sit together. Behind her seat were 2 more of our friends... the other 7 people who were supposed to be around her didn't show up so we had 8 seats for 4 people. While the setlist may have not been the best... we had the greatest time. Thus creating: BEST... SEAT... BUDDIES... EVER!!!!! I woke up the next morning with bruises on my leg because I was dancing so much and hit the seats so many times.

My summer of DMB 2010 came to a close (for the time being, but since Wrigley has been announced 2 more shows were added) at Alpine. Because of work I only planned to go to the first night buttttttt the crazies that are known as my friends of course convinced me to stay for the 2nd night. I arrived in Milwaukee after a brutal commute from Chicago, but even the traffic couldn't get to me because I was so excited. Rather than staying in separate hotel rooms all over the city a friend was kind enough to open her parents home where they had plenty of land for us to camp on for free. Not many communities based around a band can say that they can do this. Friday night before the concerts was spent downtown Milwaukee at bars and camping in the backyard. Not getting back until the wee hours of the morning and we were still ready to go the next day for the shows. We left at noon on our Joy Farm school bus loaded with beer, alochol, and a buffet of food. Not many people can say they can board a bus with 40 of their friends and go to a concert like we do. There are too many things to even try to remember that went on during the weekend but without the people it wouldn't be the same. We created so many inside jokes, memories, nicknames, and whatever else we can think of that will stick with us for the rest of our lives. I mean hell, they convinced me to stay another night that's how much they mean to me.

While the band has a lot to do with our plans and our trips to see one another, without the band next year we're already planning to make the same trip to Wisconsin during Summerfest to check out other bands. Some of us are getting together for Labor Day weekend to camp, when I'm home in Milwaukee I always try to grab drinks with friends. I'm even going to ones wedding next weekend in northern WI. Yes we may have not met what would be considered the normal way, but how is it any different than meeting a random person walking on the street. Plus in our modern world, especially where internet plays such a large factor in all of our lives, who's to say what's not normal. I cherish every chance I get to see these people and so what if we go to multiple concerts a year, so what if it seems obsessive. I love my life and I love my friends that are in it. Judge me all you want, but I'm going to keep going to shows as long as the band is touring.

I love what this band has done for my life, they've introduced me to a world that I never though existed. Happiness, great memories, good music, amazing experiences, life-long memories, phenomenal people, and just an all around "good good time".

Stay up and make some memories...

Part I: The Start, The Music, The Band.

As summer's end fast approaches I've begun to think a lot about the one thing that has consumed the better part of the last 10 years of my life: Dave Matthews Band. While most people make fun of me for my choice in music (and lifestyle) it's something I would never trade. Yes it could seem extreme and as some put it "obsessive" but if they could experience what I experience when I listen to the band then they'd understand. If they had something that they cared about as much as I do they would understand what this band means to me. I think it's a good thing to have something in your life that you can care so much about, it helps keep you sane.

I started listening to the band on a very regular basis when I was in high school thanks to my mother and now stepfather who are also big fans. I blame them for the obsession. I listened to Before These Crowded Streets for the first time a few years before and instantly fell in love with the rhythms, the lyrics, the percussion, the bass, the violin, the voice, everything. I know everyone will say how a song moves them and effects them deep inside their soul and others will laugh, but until you've heard that one song, you won't know what I'm talking about. When going through the BCTS album "Crush" began to play. From the opening bass lines, my heart melted. It's the perfect song, all of the elements put together are perfect. Nothing should be changed, it's the perfect love song. It's the pure love you have when you've met the perfect person to match your soul.

There were a lot of things I didn't believe in until I started listening to DMB. The songs that Dave Matthews (and other members who co-write songs as well) can be related to almost any mood you're in. Whether you're angry at the world, just happy to be alive, trying to live life to the fullest, enjoying time with friends, wanting to be different, confused, in love, or you just have no idea what's going on, there is always a song you can listen to. Lyrically they could be one of the most brilliant bands in history, while they may not write songs like the Beatles but what they do is so unique to them, that no matter who you are, you know "it's DMB". So many people who claim they don't like the music (which is more than okay) have never truly given it a chance. I've turned people on the music unintentionally and before they know it, they're addicted just like me.

I'm not a fan who wants all of their friends around them to be just as obsessed but there is one thing that always gets me. People who say the band sucks just because they don't like the music personally but they don't credit the members of the band for their musical talent. Even if you don't like their music, you have to appreciate and understand the level of talent in the band. While they may have not changed music like Led Zeppelin or Nirvana did with their styles of music, they did change the way other musicians and fans approach, listen and write music. They have a very unique style that only they can pull off. Leroi Moore, may he rest peacefully in heaven with other music greats, was as strong presence in the band that you can't help but just close your eyes and float away while listening to his solos on "#41" or "Bartender". Stefan Lessard, the bass guitarist, and youngest member of the band is oftern overlooked but as a 16 year old he obviously caught the attention of Dave Matthews for that's when he dropped out of school and joined the band. The thumping bass notes at the beginning of "crush" or his electric jam on "anyone seen the bridge" or the every famous fist pump during the "woo" on "warehouse" just make you want to dance. Boyd Tinsley, for 20 years has made the violin seem like the coolest instrument, even when he's moving around so much on the stage that you can barely see his face. The plucking at the beginning of "two step" or the phenomenal solo in "Lie in our Graves" gets everyone in the crowd excited.

While I love all the members of the band there are 2 who stand above. Carter Beauford, percussion extraordinaire and Dave Matthews, lyrical genius. Carter, the oldest member in the band now that Roi has passed away, still jams like he did 20 years ago. Not only does he play the standard drum set, but it includes any other percussion instrument that he needs. His 60 piece drum set would make any beginning, intermediate or advanced drummer drool, but the best part is that he makes it look easy. His movements are so fluid and smooth it's just mind blowing that he's 50 and doing what some 20-something year olds could never do. I often think that drummers in other bands watch and listen to him and just bow their heads because they will never be able to do what he does. His jam intros for songs like "you never know" and "say goodbye" make any fans jaw drop, but for me the song that makes my jaw drop all the way to the floor would have to be "Halloween". Such a brilliantly angry song and then to hear the pounding of the drums throughout the song and during his solo by the end you already feel better.

And finally the man who's name IS the band, Dave Matthews. Many people say it's arrogant to name the band after yourself, but as the co-founding member and lead singer it just sounds right. Many fans if you ask them who their favorite member is, it's not Dave himself (most will say Carter, his smile is irresistible). What Matthews has done lyrically, can put him up there with some of the greatest lyricists of all time. He has written everything from love songs ("Crash", "Crush") to living life to the fullest songs ("Pig", "Lie in our Graves", "Tripping Billies") to songs about death ("Shotgun", "You Never Know") to songs about god knows what ("Rhyme and Reason") and no matter what, there is always a song you can listen to. He may not be the best guitarist of all time but his style and the rhythms that he composes other musicians can't do it like he does. He even has songs that he can't play and sing at the same time because the guitar part alone is too difficult. His stage presence has drawn so many people into the music alone and without him center stage it wouldn't be the same band for most people. Some can't stand his voice but to me it's so soothing (even during the angriest of songs) with the hint of raspiness, no one could sing these songs the way he does.


tomorrow... Part II: The Concerts, The People, The Memories

Ben Folds and a Piano

My first adventure into the big city could not have been any better. Tuesday afternoon I left work a little early to catch the 4:43 train into the city and of course the non Chicago resident that I am forgot to buy my ticket beforehand and the ticket window was of course, closed. It doesn't matter that much because you can buy your ticket on the train. After my adventure on the train I made it the Purple L Line and headed north to the Belmont stop.

I got the to the Vic Theatre to pick up my ticket from Will Call and of course the line was around the corner long before I got there at 6:30. I got a spot in line and waited but my hopes of being up close and center were severely diminished. They let us into the venue and me being on my own made it a lot easier to get around and manuver my way to the front. Getting into the venue I was expecting the front to be jam packed, but found it near empty and I still can't figure out why it was so empty in front of the stage. I perfectly centered myself at center stage and about 2 people back. Pretty much near perfect seating/standing for this show. The only thing I couldn't see were his hands which are always amazing to watch. Either way I was close and exactly where I wanted to be. We still had another hour until the opener came on so of course it was incredibly boring.

The opener was this chick, can't remember her name, from Australia. She reminded me a lot of Regina Specktor but with opera. She had quite the voice and had one of the best songs that night about facebook. It's surprising how short an openers setlist is, she only played a 1/2 hour. So once she got off the stage we waited for Ben. He just finished a new album so right before he came one they played 2 songs over the sound system and they were pretty good, from what I could hear. Ben came on stage to a thunderous roar and unlike some artists he just went right into the music. The entire show was a good mix of old songs, newer solo songs, and new songs off the new album. I found it funny that he wears these special band aids on his fingers to prevent blisters (yet it kind of makes sense) but he also forgot to put them on that night so he had to stop and have the roadie bring them out which of course prompted many people to shout out various things. They then reminded him that it was his father in laws birthday so we preceded to sing happy birthday so they could record it. He brought out the opener to sing the female part on "you don't know me" and it was just amazing.

This man seriously puts on one of the best concerts I've ever seen. His stage presence resembles that of an entire band, and he's just on his own w/ his piano. It's quite remarkable. He played some of my favorite songs including Zak and Sara, Underground, and Kate. Ben played a few new songs, not too many which was perfect, but one song that he played was pretty much pure brilliance. His new album he cowrote w/ Nick Hornby (High Fidelity) and I guess for a few months Hornby was obsessed with Levi Johnston, yes the guy who knocked up Bristol Palin, and somehow figured out how to write a song about it. Ranging from paparazzi to killing mooses, it pretty much sums up everything about his life and it's spectacular. I wonder what Levi is going to think once the cd is released. It's kind of strange going to a new concert thats non-DMB because I'm used to the 2.5-3 hour concert and this was only 2 BUT he played more songs and it was just as amazing in its own way. For the encore Ben came back out and played a new song then messed around soloing on his piano when from the side stage a roadie came out and brought him a snare drum. He then transitioned to the other side of the stage while the rest of the crew built the drumset around him and NOT ONCE did he stop playing. Even when he lost one of his drumsticks he stretched out got it while still hitting the symbol. Talk about talent. He closed the show with "One Angry Dwarf" and it was single handedly one of the best performances of any songs I've ever seen.

Ben Folds is one artist that anyone and everyone should go see at some point in their life. He's a fantastic performer with incredible stage presence to wow any crowd no matter who they are. I can't wait to see him again in the future.

The Hunt for the Green Jacket

The Masters @ Augusta National, to me it's the start of Summer. Baseball season opening day has already come and gone and once those first couple of games are underway then it's time the Masters. The coveted Green Jacket. Augusta National is the most private and most prized course in the United States. Hell the groundskeeper pretty much has an unlimited budget in order to keep the course looking spectacular.

Every golfer who sets foot on the grounds almost always takes a second, deep breath and just pauses. The history and the legends who have walked this course is astounding. A lot of players, veterans and first-timers, can't handle the pressure that comes with the tournament but then some thrive on it. Those who do thrive are the ones who find success at the Masters. I've been watching golf all my life. I've been to countless tournaments and watched at least 5x that on tv and there is no tournament (in the US at least) that comes with the same pressure like the Masters. The British Open is a whole different story.

The days leading up to the first round are always quite relaxed. The always entertaining Par 3 Contest on the courses Par 3 holes is almost as great to watch as the tournament itself, but for different reasons. The Par 3 Contest is a fun event, players bring their families, kids and other fans into the fun. Many players have their kids caddying for them and it's just a great chance to let loose before the tournament begins. Despite all the fun of the tournament, many are very supersitious when it comes to the contest, and for good reason: no player who has won the par 3 contest has won the Masters. A lot of players will flop a shot, hit a ball in the water, or have their kid or a fan hit the putt for them. The day that someone wins the tournament after winning the par 3 contest will quite possibly be the greatest win in Masters history, from a superstitious standpoint at least.

First round play came on Thursday. Not only was the anticipation of the tournament to begin high but Tiger Woods' first tee shot in his rebirth in the sport was even higher. Before Tiger even teed off there were lots of suprises and lots of good golf. Tom Watson and Freddie Couples, 2 of the oldest players in the field, were battling it out for the lead. Not many people were expecting to see them play as well as they did. It's amazing how different a year can be at the Masters, or in any sport for that matter. Last year's champion may not even cut while another player who just skated through at a few strokes under par all weekend could walk away as the champion. No tournament can do that to any other golfer. Tiger's return had dominated the media leading up to the tournament. No one really talked about the tournament itself but rather on what Tiger was going to do. I thought before the 1st round that the weekend was going to be a disappointment because of the hype behind Tiger's rebirth. Boy was I wrong.

This weekend was single-handedly the best Masters tournament I've ever seen in my life. From the first round it was nothing but spectacular golf. And unlike most years this year it wasn't just about a handful of players doing well, the entire field (at least those under par) played amazing after amazing shots. Eagles from the farways, outstanding chip shots and long birdie putts were the theme for this weekend. More players this year were in the zone for the tournament. While some putts wouldn't sink and other tee shots were better, the majority of the field was playing each hole with extraordinary skill. Other than the champion, Phil Mickelson, the biggest story has got to be Tiger, of course. The man disappeared from golf following his personal life meltdown and the world was anticipating when and where he'd make his return. Boy did he not disappoint... at least the fans. He ended up in 4th which by no means is a bad tournament but for Tiger, it's a failure. Like he said he comes to win and when he doesn't he fails. That's the true sign of a competitor.

This year however it was Phil Mickelson's tournament. Even when he wasn't leading he was right in the mix, never more than a few shots out of the lead. After the 3rd round he was one shot out of the lead, but I don't think anyone expected him to have the kind of Final round today that Phil had. No bogeys... none... not one... zero...zilch. Phil played about as close to a perfect game that one could play in golf @ Augusta. After the 3rd round back-to-back eagles and a near triple eagle it would be hard to top that on Sunday. However somehow Phil managed to do so. With daring shots and brilliant putts he was able to shock the golfing world with what might be the greatest shot of his life in the rough on the 13th hole. He could have played it safe and just drove the ball out into the far way but what he did was brilliant. He took the risk and hit the shot full swing and landed the ball right where it needed to be. Pure brilliance.

Watching each round this weekend just reiterated everything that I loved about the game of golf. It was thrilling, exhilarating, and just down right entertaining to watching all weekend. People who think this sport is boring should have watched this weekend and they would have experienced the magic of the Masters.

NCAA Men's Championship 2010

Like every other sports writer and sports fan stated it was David v. Goliath last night in the championship... Duke v. Butler... experience v. not. But it didn't matter last night. Duke (Goliath) ended up winning last night but only by 2, in a game that most people thought was going to be a blowout over the Butler Bulldogs (David). Unlike the story, David did not conquer Goliath last night, but they put up one helluva a fight.

Last nights game is the reason why I watch college basketball. While I was definitely rooting for Butler (mostly b/c of my hatred for Duke) all I really wanted to see was a good game, and boy did we get one. The lead was never greater than 6 and Butler never gave up. I mean come on if that last minute hail mary shot by Hayward had gone in it probably would have become the greatest shot in NCAA history, yes Duke fans, it would have been better than Christian Laettner's shot in the East Regional in 1992. Yes that wasn't the championship BUT it's one of the greatest shots in NCAA History. Hayward put up the shot and everyone held their breath, but as it hit iron everyone let go with either a sigh of upset or a scream of joy. Either way you look at it, Butler fought until the very end.

Butler's Coach had said it perfectly during pre-game interviews:
"We don't need to be better than them 364 days out of the year, we don't need to be better 23 hours out of the day...we just need to be better than them for 40 minutes."

And man did they come close. It's like I said previously, it all comes down to one number, on measurement of time: 40 minutes. No one thought they would be able to hang with the dominant force of the Blue Devils for 40 minutes but they did, until the very last second. Everyone will be talking not only about this tournament, but specifically this game. It's probably one of the best games of the tournament ever. Not to mention it was a 5 seed vs. a 1 seed but it was a downright gritty game. Each team, each player played as if it was going to be their last. Everything was put on the table but Duke just had a little bit more in their corner. That game, and this tournament as a whole, shows that it's not about who's got the better shooters or the better all around players, but who can grit their teeth for 40 minutes to come out with a higher score.

Tonight is the women's championship. UConn v. Stanford. The UConn women are the most dominant force in women's basketball, and possibly in men's basketball as well. They don't lose, at least for 77 games. However their last loss... 2 years ago TODAY... to whom????? Stanford. They have already beaten Stanford this year but like last nights game, anything can happen. UConn is 6-0 in national championships but I know that they're not playing like it's theirs... they know it's going to be a tough game and they're just going out to play like they do every other game.

U-C-O-N-N UCONN UCONN UCONN!

NCAA March Madness

And what a tournament it has been this year. This is hands down one of the best tournaments in years. And I even say that over last year when my team, UConn, went to the final four (and lost) because last year was predictable. It was 3 no 1 seeds and a no 2 seed in the Final Four. This year we have two #5 seeds and a 1 and 2 seed. 4 seeds were knocked out of the first round (Vanderbilt) 2 seeds were knocked out of the 2nd round by 10 seeds (St. Marys over NOVA). And while many people want to see the best teams in the country go at it, this to me is what this tournament is really about.

Unlike the MLB or NBA playoffs, it comes down to which team shows up in 40 minutes. Not in 7 games because in 7 games the better (higher seeded teams) is almost always going to win. In one game, 40 minutes, you really find out which team has the grit and the heart to pour everything they've got into that one game. Especially for these lower seeded teams they've got nothing to lose and this is where you see these players shine. We've seen it in past years from teams like Davidson and this year in St. Mary's or Cornell. It's even become a saying from the 2006 George Mason team... an 11 seed who made it to the final four: "Who's going to be this years George Mason?"

While I was in my freshman year at UConn we pretty much were the team to beat. We had everything we needed to win a championship. That year, that tournament was what made me love this sport and this tournament. We were watching the UConn/Washington game in the dorms, the Huskies v. the Huskies. Everyone together in a room rooting UConn on. We ended up winning in Double OT and you could have thought we'd already won the championship, however that was only to get us to the Elite 8. While we were focused on watching our team win George Mason was ruining brackets and surprising everyone. We meet George Mason in the elite 8, a game I'll never forget. In short words, we lost. In OT to a team that wasn't even close to the team we had... (Rudy Gay, Hilton Armstrong etc). Once the time ran out no one said a word, and we all pretty much went to bed. It was heartbreaking and no one can understand that heartbreak until they're team has lost a game like that.

While the loss was devastating, I have to give it up for George Mason. They were an 11 seed facing a 1 seed. A 1 seed that was dominating the tournament and had won the championship 2 years before. They didn't succumb to the pressure, they didn't cave, they did just the opposite... they rose. They rose to the occasion and ultimately became the better team. They played a better game, scored more points, got the rebounds and beat us. It's still heartbreaking and I DO NOT like to discuss it but George Mason really proved that it's anyone's tournament to win. At any moment a team can turn something magical and be the upset. David can conquer Goliath.

This years tournament was saw three 1 seed teams go down. The first being Kansas losing to a #9 seeded Northern Iowa. Despite so many people who had Kansas going deep, or even winning the tournament, they have to respect what Northern Iowa did. They truly played a magnificent game and for that team, that community, that school, it's their moment. They'll forever remember it as the day they beat the overall #1 seed in the NCAA tournament. That is something no one can ever take away from them. This tournament is a chance to prove to everyone that just because you have a lower seed or a less difficult conference to play in, you're not down for the count. It's 40 minutes of basketball. 40 minutes to make mistakes, do things right, hit a three, make a foul, call timeout, grit your teeth through the sweat and pain. 40 minutes to win.

In one week we will know who will be playing for the championship between the Final Four teams: Butler Bulldogs (5), Michigan State Spartans (5), West Virginia Mountaineers (2) and the Duke Blue Devils (1). These 4 teams are playing for another 40 minutes of game time. Another 40 minutes for the chance to claim the championship. It all comes down to one number... not the number on the scoreboard, or the number of points an individual player can score. But rather one measurement of time that will determine who was the better team.

40 minutes.

Please forgive me, if I act a little strange

So last night I had a hot date w/ my friend Sara. We went to the David Gray concert @ the Riverside here in Milwaukee. It was definitely a new experience going to a concert where I had no idea what the show was going to be like. Oh and btw we had 4th row no big deal.


He came out around 9 and it was fantastic from the very beginning. Many of the songs I didn't know by heart seeing as I only really started listening to him a few weeks ago but that didn't matter. It was all amazing. He did play the 3 songs that I do know well: Babylon, This Year's Love, and Please Forgive Me. You can really hear him putting it all out there in his voice. I think that my favorite thing are his mannerisms and the way he moves on stage. It's all just so cool to see a different musician than my usual DMB concerts and to see what they are like in concert. It was a completely different vibe than a DMB show, kinda similar to a Dave & Tim concert. The Riverside is an older theater in Milwaukee and a very classy kind of feel to it. Even the entire band, including David Gray, were wearing suits. At the end of some songs or during some other ones there were a good amount of people standing, but since the 3 rows in front of us weren't dancing we stayed seated as well so as not to disturb the view of those in front of us. He closed w/ Please Forgive Me and it seriously was one of the best songs I've seen live. He extended it from the original version and got the crowd into it. David Gray is definitely a show I'm going to go see again and would recommend that if you get a chance to go and see him to do it.


On another note, it's March Madness and Madness doesn't even begin to descirbe how crazy this tournament has been. #9 No.IA defetaed overall #1 Kansas. Villanova lost to St. Mary's, New Mexico lost to Washington, Cornell got the first Ivy League win since 1998. There have been so many upsets and ridiculous amounts of brackets are shot to hell but that's what this tournament is about. I love it. THIS is why college basketball is the best, these teams are just incredible and it's so much fun to watch. More to come after the rest of these 1st round games are done.