Black Eye Friday

What could possibly define the holiday spirit of giving and kindness and being with family than standing in line for days to buy something from Wal-Mart?

This looks like fun. (Reuters / Rick Wilking) 

Black Friday has become a holiday in itself. Thanksgiving - no thank you.

An extra hour of sleep perhaps, a little more time to enjoy that cup of coffee while actually reading the entire newspaper (and heck, maybe two papers).  Perhaps spending some time with the family watching a parade and a little football.  Nope, what could be better than heading to the store in the wee hours of the morning and spend the day literally fighting your neighbors over a 20 dollar toaster.


Only a few weeks have passed since my hope for humanity returned momentarily when the great city of San Francisco came together to give one true brave little boy the day of all days as Batman. But here I am again scratching my head with the news of gun shots, arrest, and brawls while, yes, shopping.

I've  even come across a dedicated web page keeping score of the Black Friday casualties.

And the list keeps growing.

The optimist in me is encouraged by the fact that people are willing to open their wallets after enduring a long, nasty recession over the past couple of years. Spending money can only help keep the economic engine running. More so if the attention of the consumers focus on main street and the local small retail stores as opposed to the mall and the big box outlets.

Did people actually camp out days in advance, miss Thanksgiving all together, just to spend a few nights sleeping outside a store.

But despite the viral videos and news outlets covering these shopping frenzies, the early returns from analysts are that the spending was quite at the level expected. Hard to believe given the volumes of people so eager to spend their paychecks.

Sure I'll head out and do some shopping. And heck, probably even find a few good deals while I'm at it.

I still have time, right?

Guess we'll just wait and see

If you’ve read this page a few times, you probably already understand my affinity for the Big East, at least from a historical perspective. I won’t get into my past memories of growing up a fan of the league from a basketball perspective. Instead, with the new college basketball season upon us, I wanted to put into words a discussion I had today with a colleague.

Will the 2014 Big East basketball tournament electrify Broadway yet again? 

It was only a matter of time that the last known version of the Big East Conference, 16 teams and arguably the best basketball conference in all the land. The conference landscape has been as stable as the San Andreas fault.  Tradition and rivalries have been brushed aside by colleges in search of the bigger payday that comes with television deals with major conferences.

So with the “new” BIg East ready to embark on its first basketball season since the split, just how is the league going to fare?  

There is no question it is a superb basketball league, especially with the addition of Xavier, Butler, and Creighton to the break-a-way seven: Providence, Georgetown, DePaul, Marquette, St. John’s, Villanova and Seton Hall.  Schools with great basketball tradition and history.

But it’s the last word that is particularly interesting. Sure curiosity of the “new” league will peak some interest and intrigue with great matchups once conference play begins in January. But how long can the league sustain it’s place among the best of the best, will be interesting to follow.

Keep in mind, you won’t be able to find any league games on ESPN. Nope. The Big East signed a long-term deal with the fledgling FoxSports1.  That can be huge. True sports fans will find the games if they really want to, but obvisously ESPN is the go-to network to watch college sports, especially with younger adults.

And that is my second point. The audience. Today’s kids are more than likely going to be drawn to the attention of the big-time college basketball matchups of Big 10, Big 12, SEC, ACC, and Pac-10 … excuse me, Pac-12. Why, because ESPN has pretty much blanket coverage of these power conferences just about every night of the week.

The appeal of Georgetown-Villanova, St. John’s - Butler, Xavier-Providence will be great. But will that buzz last. Will Madison Square Garden been filled with college basketball fans hungry for that Marquette-St. John’s championship game in March, just as they did when Louisville and Syracuse electrified the city.

I think back to when UNLV was the program. The Running Rebels, with a sparkling arena just off the famed Las Vegas strip and a lineup of future NBA stars. They reached the NCAA championship game twice walking away with one national title.  But how many kids today even remember those teams or can even name a player from that era.

NCAA infractions deflated the program over the years and today, the Rebels play in a solid conference and have made some great strides to get back to the postseason tournament, they are still not quite what they used to be.

Maybe it’s not the best example and I hope not. I’m a  big fan of the Big East Conference … at least it’s history.

End of Summer

We all know the feeling. Like a Sunday afternoon during the school year where time seems to speed up as the sun sets only to rise too quickly signaling the arrival of Monday morning.

Labor Day can be kind of depressing for me.

The flip of the kitchen calendar declares September has arrived, and with it, that feeling that the summer is officially over. Labor Day Weekend has arrived and while many celebrate the last hurrah with a BBQ and maybe one more trip around the lake in the boat, a feeling of sadness envelopes all of us.

We know that it is back to work, back to school, back to early mornings, school bus stops, pack away the flip flops and bathing suits along with all of those white articles of clothing. It’s an annual feeling and quite the opposite of that inner joy that comes with Memorial Day Weekend where the thought of the clean slate of a full summer is coming down the street, just ahead of the ice cream truck.

Sure summer is still around for much of September, and who can argue with those late Indian Summer days that the first week of October tends to treat us. But there is something kind of depressing with that end of summer.

I remember spending a labor day weekend at the lake in New Hampshire. It was a beautiful weekend of boating, fishing, camp fires at night.  But the air was a little cooler than it was earlier in the summer. The lake was a little quieter with rental houses closed up for the season.

But that’s okay.

One of the nice things about living in an area of the world that gives us the taste of each season, the change is nice. The cooler air is refreshing, and the start to the new academic year, the new sports season, the new wardrobe, can be exciting.

Only wish that Sunday clock would slow down a bit.

True Inspiration

Okay, after being occupied with one of the busiest's summers in recent memory, time to get back to the Wickenden Blend. 

Finish line entering Falmouth Heights (Falmouth Road Race)

My family and I relocated (see previous post) but it didn't stop me from keeping on my training schedule for perhaps the greatest road races in the world: The Falmouth Road Race.  Unlike the common 5K (3 miles) and 10K (5 miles) races, Falmouth is a challenging 7.1 mile course that takes the runners from the narrow streets of Woods Hole to a beautiful two mile run by the ocean before heading into Falmouth Heights. 

This year marked my eighth year running the race.  Hard to believe, but after volunteering at the finish line, with duties that entailed handing out water, collecting chips, picking up exhausted runners off the ground, and giving the legendary Bill Rodgers a high five, I finally gave in and decided to run.  

That was in 2006 and now, eight years later, I am proud to say that I posted another personal best mark. Who knows how much faster this 42 year-old body can continue to push, but considering my first race was a relaxing 1 hour and nine minutes, this year's 58 minute blitzkrieg through the coast of Cape Cod was so rewarding. 

After a grueling, high-humidity race a year ago, this year's race was much cooler. Warm, but there was actually a nice breeze to cool the runners. Providing inspiration to each and every runner, volunteer and fan was Boston Marathon bombing victim Jeff Bauman who served as the official starter to the race. Security was tight, but I think his presence gave a little boost of energy to everyone. 

To run Falmouth, you need to pretty much do two things: pace yourself, and train.  So many runners, and I'm usually in the back of the pack with the average weekend warriors, love to just sprint out in the first mile only to start calling it a day around the Nobska Lighthouse (yes, that is just 1.1 miles into the race).  

For me to be successful, you really need to pace yourself. Coming out of the woods while leaving Woods Hole, you pass mile three, but you still have four miles of bright sunshine and little kids to high five along the course. 

Training is key. I never really made a training run over the summer of longer than 50 minutes, but I made sure I stayed consistent with keeping a solid pace and logging good miles during the week.  The final week of training included a terrific and difficult hill workout (very important) and ended with a track workout focusing on a little speed work.  

It paid off.  

I was able to dodge those ready to throw up the flare guns all the while maintaining a good pace before I was ready to dig down deep for a little kick in the final mile (thank you track work) before heading down to the finish line. 

It's a great race.  Among the 12,000 plus jammed like cattle into Woods Hole include former Olympic Champions, winners of the Boston Marathon and London Marathon, kids of all ages, and weekend warriors. 

Like me. 

The right decision

Sometimes you need to step back, to make a big leap forward. That was the decision we made when selling our condo and the future in mind.

Selling is always difficult. I’ll try to follow up shortly with what was an incredible ordeal and  promise you won’t be disappointed.  

But after seven years, it was time to part ways with our first home.  As expected, we simply have out-grown the place.

When we moved in, it was perfect for just my wife and I. Small but enough space for the two of us. It is in a wonderful, vibrant neighborhood with the scent of freshly roasted coffee a few blocks away on Wickenden mixed with the chatter of Brown and RISD students and faculty making their way towards Hope Street.

Less than a year since moving in, we welcomed Brady, our little, beloved and self-proclaimed “rock star” of the neighborhood puppy dog who fit right in. Our family continued to grow with the addition of our beautiful boy Liam.

As he continues to grow, and yes, he is quite active, space became an issue. Simple things such as riding a bike, playing pass, running around the house, were nearly impossible on a busy city street. Several wonderful parks were within a short walk, but it was time to get out.

While sad to pack up and move away from a place we created so many memories, thankfully we will always have those memories to look back on and photos and videos to share one day return to.  Maybe once Liam gets a little older.

But it’s time for another chapter in our lives. Cheryl and I have moved before and we thought it was going to be tough moving from a wonderful spot in California. We’ve managed. 

The time is right for another challenge and looking out for Liam. Already he’s mastered riding his bicycle and is a proven slugger with the baseball bat.

The coffee may have smelled good on Wickenden, but we could never have captured those two moments on film.

We made the right decision.

Glimpse into the future of online education

The digital disruption of higher education: College is going online, whether we like it or not theatln.tc/12hgKBZ
— The Atlantic (@TheAtlantic) May 17, 2013

I came across an excellent article in a recent Sunday Boston Globe focusing on what some area colleges and universities are doing to enhance their online offerings.  Specifically when it comes to earning graduate degrees and the challenges that many face in finding the time to actually attend classes.

Having recently completed an online graduate program and working in higher education for nearly 20 years, this certainly piqued my interest.

Professionals have realized the need for advanced degrees to not only move up the proverbial corporate ladder, but it is almost a must as we face an ever-changing and advancing workplace in all areas such as law, corporate taxes, and international relations, and technology. 

But the challenge again lies with finding the time to do so.  Many of us are already working full time, which really means to six to seven o'clock, and balancing family responsibilities with our working spouse who is also likely to be occupied with a full-time work schedule. 

Limitations also extend into the physical location of available graduate school offerings. If you live in a metro area, such as Boston, there are several excellent choices within reach.  School's in remote areas are limited to a radius of potential applicants who could physically attend a class two or three nights a week.

Technology has changing that. Or should I say, is changing the way many school's are looking at making access that much easier and available. Many, according the Globe's report, are offering a "hybrid" program to allow flexibility of learning online, and face-to-face interaction on campus. 

Online education that fits your schedule.

While a majority of the work is done online, there are requirements to meet at least one weekend a month or even in some cases, twice a year.  This greatly expands the reach for many schools to draw from outside the region and even in some cases, from around the country. 

My experience was wonderful and was all that I expected, and even more. There were very little barriers to communication and the interaction and learning process was quite intense and beneficial, and fit my busy schedule perfectly. 

As technology continues to improve with better broadband service and video conferencing capabilities are made available to just about every desktop, laptop, iPad and smart phone, school's can only benefit by being a leader in this new offering.

It's the simple things

I always love a great idea. 

Mobile pet services simply makes life much easier. 

Customer service these days can be rare. We have access to pretty much every kind of convenience we need. Malls and shopping plazas with just about every variety of need can be found on just about on every block.

But what about a businesses that comes to you?

This isn't about the pizza delivery guy or the cable company that comes to your house in the only time slot available: anytime between 8 and 4.  Which really means, 3:55 p.m.

But how about a new trend, particularly in the area of pet services.  Sure there are veterinarian offices in just about every town, and you go visit any of those shopping centers and usually find a big-box pet store anchored in one of the corner spots.

However, we've kind of stumbled upon a pair of services that has proven to be a wonderful experience.  And one that fits our busy schedules:  mobile pet groomers and mobile vets.

That's right, make an appointment, and then take a look out your window as soon enough there'll be a friendly white customized mobile offices that has everything you need.  Having stepped inside, these air-conditioned offices-on-wheels are quite elaborate and loaded with just about everything you'd find in a doctors office.

Of course, if your pet (in our case our dog) has a keen sense that we're up to something when he hears the beeping sound of the van backing up, but to us, it's a luxury and convenience that simply works.

Perhaps there'll soon be other "mobile" services that will make their way into our daily lives. A few glass companies have caught on with windshield repairs already.  But if you have a pet, be sure to do a simple search and see if one of these services has made its way into your areas.

It's kind of nice.

Spring may be a little late, but that's okay

Enduring a good old long New England winters, the arrival of spring in Providence is a welcomed site. Even it if feels like its arrival is long overdue.

Corner of Cooke and George Street in Providence, RI

The last few weeks of March, typically comfortably warm where only a sweatshirt was necessary, and for a good portion of the month of April, resembled more of how late February and early March.  Bitter cold, whipping winds, and frigid temps had local folks mumbling and asking if spring would ever get here.

And perhaps that's the beauty of living in New England. Surviving through a cold winter with the visions of warmer days ahead, helps those who live here truly appreciate the warm weather when it gets here.

And the change of the season can be seen, not by glancing at whatever the calendar may say, but rather taking a glace around at the beautiful purple and white blossoms and vivid colors of the tulips lining the treelined streets around Governor and Wickenden Streets.

It seems like everything is in bloom, which, of course, will lead to the inevitable allergy season, it's still refreshing to feel the warmth and enjoy the beauty as we bid winter adieu at least for a few months at least.

Will the last one out, please turn off the lights

Good night Superman

Former Bank of America building in Providence, RI

It’s light’s out for a landmark in the skyline of Providence as Bank of America officially packed up its business and vacated the old Industrial Trust building downtown.

Built in 1927, with 26 floors, it is the largest building in the state, and easily one of the most iconic. The art-deco style appearance was believed to be the inspiration for “The Daily Planet” building of Superman fame, but actually wasn’t.  But the resemblance was close enough, and the name kind of fits.

The night time skyline of Providence is really quite beautiful. The new glimmering office building surrounding Water Place Park and the now Omni Hotel (formerly Westin) tower reflects a vibrant energy happening in a town of just under 200,000.

As the building goes dark, however, it also reflects the difficulty this state has endured to grow in terms of business and development. The leaders of Rhode Island have lacked leadership and a vision for the future with heavy taxes on local businesses and poor decision-making keeping the state behind the rest of the country that is currently rebounding nicely from the recent recession.

But with challenges comes opportunities. An empty building may be a symbol to some of the current climate, but there’s room to grow.

Perhaps one day we’ll be able to light up the Superman building and showcase it’s beauty yet again.

Trying to make sense

A few thoughts as I still try and move on from one of the toughest weeks on the heart and the soul.

(Fred Somers photo)

I’m not sure why, but for some strange reason, I can remember the name Lenny Skutnick without hesitation.  I was in the third grade when an airplane, taking off in Washington, D.C., crashed immediately into an icy Potomac River.  A rescue helicopter was struggling to connect a life raft to a frostbitten woman from the frigid waters as she was unquestionably too cold to grasp the cable. 

A passerby observing the daring rescue that was going no where, understood that it was a race against the clock in terms of survival. Without hesitation, he did what he thought he should do:  he dove into the water.  The first blast of the icy water must have felt like thousands of needles pinching the skin, but I am sure the pure adrenaline was what drove this hero. 

He almost came out of the corner of the tv news broadcast.  But there he was, swimming some 50 yards through rippling waves from the helicopter overhead, the gasoline and oil pooling on the surface, and of course, the blocks of ice that broke apart where the airliner when down.  But there he was, reaching the woman just in time to get her hooked onto the cable and saved her life.  Lenny Skutnick: a name I’ll always remember.  

It was a tragedy that gripped the nation, including me. And there’s been others. I can remember being touched by the Oklahoma City bombing that claimed the lives of so many, including young children. I remember the feeling I had visiting the memorial site a few years following while traveling with our school’s basketball team.  The chill of seeing an erected statue of Jesus Christ overlooking the site with the words “… and Jesus wept” scrawled underneath.

I remember the feeling of how time seemed to come to a halt with the 9/11 attacks on the United States.  The images were just too horrific and sad to even look at. 

Senseless attacks and loss of life in Aurora, Colorado and Sandy Hook, Conn. have hit me just as hard a decade later. And there have been others. Important moments I certainly don’t want to diminish. But now that I am a parent, the attack at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn. last December ripped my heart out.

As the father of a beautiful boy, I struggled to come to grips to what had happened, and still do. 

Now, with spring upon us, the hope for renewal, for warmth and beauty after the cold, gray winter, the tragic events of the Boston Marathon brought me right back to that deep, dark struggle internally to find answers once again.

Innocent lives changed forever. More than 100 injured, many critically, and the lives of three spectators and one law enforcement officer taken from us.  

The bravery of the first responders helps me attempt to heal the very deep injury to my soul and faith. These men and women ran towards danger while others’ instincts were, understandably, to run away.  They ran to help those in need, not knowing if more attacks were in front of them.  Just like Lenny. They saved lives and I salute each and every one of them. 

Though as I try to understand and move on, I am left with the hopeless, empty feeling of sadness for the loss of 8-year-old Martin Richard. The images of this beautiful boy, holding a sign for peace, followed by one showing pure enjoyment of being at a Bruins game, being a regular, happy little boy, just tears me apart.

I know time will heal, but I have a feeling that I'll alway remember Martin Richard. And I’ll remember his simple message to the world:

“Stop hurting people.  Peace.”

So close

I was there in Anaheim.  I saw it with my own eyes and felt it in my stomach. I still do from time to time as the memory is as vivid as if it was only yesterday.  Watching this year's Frozen Four and the heartbreak of coming up just short made me think back to a first hand account of finishing as a runner up.

It was 14 years ago (1999) when my alma mater, the University of New Hampshire, came within inches of winning the NCAA Division I hockey national championship. And when I say inches, that may be exaggerating a bit.  A fraction of an inch may be more precise.

UNH had reached the NCAA's Frozen Four at The Pond (now Honda Center) in Anaheim, and since I was working on the West Coast, I figured I had to make the trip down to Southern California to cheer on the Wildcats.  Even if it was about a five hour drive from the Central Coast.

A convincing win over Michigan State in the semifinals sent the Wildcats to the championship game where they would face, who-else, but long-time rival and nemesis -- the University of Maine.

What little thoughts I had of not returning to Anaheim were quickly vanquished at the thought of seeing the Wildcats potentially parading around the ice with the national championship trophy held high. I was going.

My wife and I got back in the car and headed back to Anaheim, nervous, but excited. Perched in the front row of the upper balcony, we had the perfect view of the entire rink, and the UNH net directly below us (more on that shortly).

I was a nervous nut. I couldn't eat, I couldn't drink, I just sat on the edge of my seat hoping what the several thousand UNH fans in the arena, and many more back home in Durham, wanted to see, a UNH win.

Maine scored first and held a 2-1 advantage before UNH stormed back to tie the game and force, ugh ... overtime. Midway  into the extra period, UNH had a tremendous opportunity at the far end of the ice.

Hobey Baker award recipient Jason Krog sent an absolute rocket from just inside the blue line on the right side that clanked off the post by the Maine goalie, Alfie Michaud. The dreadful sound could be heard throughout the arena, but that ringing sound would soon change to a different, even worse sound.

The puck caromed around the dasherboard and led to a Maine break-a-way.  Coming right at us, we could see the whole play develop.  UNH netminder Ty Conklin would make the initial save on the Maine rush, but couldn't corral the rebound as the next thing I saw was the puck pop into the net over a sprawling, helpless Conklin.

It was rough, but sometimes games like that can put things into perspective and keep one humble. Life goes on and it's only a game.

It was a memorable ride. One that came so close to ending with the storybook national championship.

Less than an inch to be exact.

India Point Park in Providence

Having a dog allows the great opportunity to explore.  If it's a dog that like to walk, like mine certainly is.  One of our favorite places to visit in Providence is India Point Park in Providence, R.I.  An old metal scrap yard along the upper reaches of the Narragansett Bay, India Point Park has been converted in a wonderful and relaxing park.

Serene evening at India Point. twitter.com/jasonsullivan5…
— Jason Sullivan (@jasonsullivan5) April 9, 2013

It's the perfect place to catch some sun, read a few chapters of a book, relax on the grassy hillside that protects visitors from the busy hum of near Interstate 195, or watch the boats come in and out of the Port of Providence. Or even just walk a dog.

For me, it's a little bit of everything, including a great place to see the beauty of nature.  Here are a few of some of the favorite recent images captured using my iPhone while taking my dog for a walk.

Trying to recall my first trip to Fenway Park

As I sit in my office with the 101st Fenway Park Opening Day on my television, I get a little nostalgic thinking back to my first ever visit to Boston to see the Red Sox.

My memory is usually strong, but I'm going to have to take a guess that it was roughly around the spring time of 1977. Our minor league baseball team was embarking on the annual Fenway Park trip into Boston to see the Red Sox.  It was something that was on the schedule every year for all of the minor leaguers to go along with their coaches and parents.

For me, this was the best.  I loved playing baseball and the opportunity to see the Red Sox in person was just the greatest moment.

The best career advice I ever received

Heading out on your own into the "real world" can be a real eye-opening moment in one's life. Four years of college life is certainly fun and memorable as we begin slowly begin the transition from youth adolescence to a responsible adult.

Soaking up the moment before a game at the Hartford Civic Center.

But as the date of graduation starts getting closer and closer, the fear of what is next on the horizon can be very scary. During those short years of being an undergrad, there's isn't really a sense of urgency and no need to focus on career plans. Graduation is way off and once I get that degree, a job will find me. 

That's certainly not the case and I've witnessed several who have come to me looking for career advice and jobs with only a month to go before graduation. The time to start planning is the moment you step onto campus. 

Attack of the cell phone zombies

I felt like I was in a real-life video game.

Dodging zombies left and right as I tried to make my way down the hallway of an academic building on our college campus.  A class must have just ended as about 20 to 25 students were making their way down towards me.

Plenty of room, right? No way.  It was an obstacle course of sorts to elude every single one who were more focused on their cell phones than watching where they were going.

Seriously, the President of the United States could have been walking down the hallway, but he would have had no trouble enjoying a peaceful, uninterrupted stroll because nobody would have noticed.

I can't be too critical without sounding hypocritical as I rely heavily on my own smart phone to keep in touch with important emails and messages, as well as the latest scores. I'm a news and information junkie and I do find myself checking on the phone quite often.

Survey's by the Pew Research Center indicates that 80 percent of adults have a cell phone, and recent data shows that the number of cell phones in out-numbers the U.S. population.  I would believe it.

It's an important part of today's society. Advances in technology has certainly helped make our lives easier to stay connected, but it has also consumed our daily lives and in a way, ironically, hurt our ability to, of all things: communicate.

We'd rather email or text rather than pick up a phone and make a call. We'd rather send an instant message to someone just down the hall than get up and take a walk to visit face to face. And when we do have an encounter with an individual, the conversations are awkward and difficult.

So is this an improvement.  I'll let you know once I figure out how to safely navigate the hallways in between classes.

Look out.

I'm ready for spring, are you?

Thank you old man winter, for flexing your muscles and giving us a good 'old fashion arctic wonderland for the past several months.  But I'm tired of it.  I think I speak for many when it comes time to bid winter adieu and welcome spring with open arms. 

It is, after all, the last week of March and we are expecting yet another snow storm. This at the heels of a week of January-like bitter cold highlighted by a lovely blustery weekend where the wind-chill dipped into the 20's.

I read over the weekend about an Ohio prosecutor officially indicting the over-hyped Punxsutawney Phil, the Pennsylvania groundhog who earlier in February (Feb. 2 to be exact) predicted an early spring. 

Ohio prosecutors "indict" famed groundhog Punxsutawney Phil over spring forecast: apne.ws/ZZQtpo -KM
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 22, 2013

That may be a little much. It is an animal after all. Plus, with something like 450 cameras and news stations shedding light on the little guy's burrow, how could he NOT see his shadow. 

As ridiculous as it may be, you can see the point. It's been a little cold and it's time to at least feel a little warmth.  Maybe not in the 70's, as it was a year ago this month, but just a little sunshine without having to scrape ice off my windshield in the morning. 

Global warming, right? 

A Curtain Call?

A curtain call of sorts

I sure hope not. Though things will never be the same.  

The Big East Conference will still exist, but only in a shell of itself. It’s not to say that there will still be great heated rivalry games, last-second shots, pep bands and mascots, fans wearing their school colors proudly.  The new Big East will feature seven of the current members of the basketball behemoth, plus perhaps a few newcomers to join the fun.

Syracuse and Pitt battle in Madison Square Garden 2013

But past glory, brotherhood, and tradition is only a memory.

I’m writing this while taking the 178 train from Penn Station back to Providence after catching an afternoon matinee featuring Georgetown, Syracuse, Pitt, and yes, Cincinnati too. I guess they have been in the Big East for a few years now.

For Pitt and Syracuse, this year marks their final conference tournament at Madison Square Garden. Choosing to trade Broadway for Greensboro (kind of ironic name) all in the name of football money that awaits in the ACC.

And for me that’s a shame. 

I’ve written in the past about how important the Big East was to me growing up in New England. I loved basketball, and I loved all that the Big East embodied.  I watched proudly as an eighth-grader the conference land four teams, Georgetown, St. John’s, and Villanova in the Final Four in 1985.  A feat that still to this day has yet to be duplicated.  And what a Final it was with Villanova pulling off the huge upset of the heavily favored Hoyas.

I pulled for Syracuse. My uncle had played football there, but it was a New York City kid named Dwayne “The Pearl” Washington that drew me in. I was a point guard only wishing to be able to push the ball and magically dish the ball like The Pearl.  The Orangemen (now Orange) were loaded.  Coleman, Triche, Addison, and later the likes of Sherman Douglas and Stevie Thompson. I remember the Dome Ranger (don’t know if he still gallops around the Dome anymore, but it was great.

My friend Chag loved Villanova.  Well, let me put it this way: He LOVED Villanova.  In fact, he picked the Sweet 16 bracket in 1985 perfect, capped by the ‘Nova upset of G’Town.

My friend Jason Palmer loved Georgetown. Patrick Ewing, Michael Graham, John Thompson, and Hoya Paranoia.

We all played basketball together growing up, and when we weren’t, we were watching basketball, talking basketball, and breathing basketball. Big East basketball.

My brother loved St. John’s. And why not? Walter Berry, Willie Glass, Bill Wennington, Louie Carnesecca are just a few names off the top of my head.

Many think the 1986 title game between Syracuse and St. John’s (won by the Johnnies on Berry’s block of the Pearl’s attempt at a game-winner in the closing seconds) was the best of the best. Of course, a little six-overtime game between Syracuse and Connecticut on the same floor would rightfully take it’s place as maybe the greatest game ever.

I’m okay with that. It was a Big East game. It was in the Garden. Tune into other conference tournaments on TV and tell me how many seats are filled. The Big 10, the ACC, the Big-12, the Pac-10: all have nothing on the Big East.  By tipoff of today’s quarterfinal game, at noon mind you, the Garden was packed full of students, alumni, fans, Wall Street executives, all who made the pilgrimage, but by car, train, plane, and taxi to catch the Broadway Show that is the Big East Tournament. It is nearly impossible to describe the electricity in a packed arena with a tight game and everything on the line.

Next year will be a new day.  Teams will leave and new ones will take their place. I’ll still cheer on the Big East, whatever shape it decides to take. I’ll also have many great memories that nobody can take away.

Heading to Gotham

New York City and the Big East Tournament, here I come. 

I thought out it for a little while, but then history and my childhood got the best of me. I've always been a fan of college basketball and with March upon us, it can only mean one thing: The Big East Championship.

I know I've written about this tournament, the greatest week in college basketball, several times before. But I thought I would relive a few fun memories after purchasing my train ticket to Penn Station this morning to catch the quarterfinal round in New York City.

Sports was my life growing up. But basketball was my favorite. I was a junkie, staying up late Monday night's to watch Big Monday, which way back then featured teams from the Big East and capped off with the Big West (a conference I actually had the opportunity to be a part of for several years as a communications director), tipping off at midnight.   Yes, I remember seeing UNLV at UC Santa Barbara and the flying tortillas.  I may have been the only one up on the East Coast, but it provided a talking point during my career in California.

But back to the Big East. Hands down the best tournament. I got hooked as a follower of Syracuse in the days of "The Pearl," Howard Triche, Stevie Johnson, Rafael Addison. I loved St. John's with Mullin, Louie, Walter Berry, Willie Glass and the immortal Bill Wennington.  Didn't like Georgetown, but boy were they tough with Ewing, Thompson and the Hoya Paranoia.  Pitt with Miller, Charles Smith and Jerome Lane's back-board breaking style came a bit later, but they were the Big East.

It was enough to draw me in as a college hoops junkie and now, for the third time in the last five years, I am heading down to MSG to soak in the atmosphere and childhood love of mine.

Train leaves at 6:45.

A birthday trip to Reno

March in New England can be notorious for some cold wintry weather as folks anticipate the coming spring.  As I made my way through the snow, slush, wind and cold, it reminded me of a birthday trip I took on my way to Reno, Nevada about a decade ago. 

The Donner Pass from Truckee, Calif. can be tough in the winter.
Bring your chains.

I was enroute from San Luis Obispo, Calif. to the so-called "Biggest Little City in the World," a.k.a., Reno. Joined by a colleague, the two of gassed up our rental car and set out for the six-hour drive from the Central Coast to the snowy mountain passes on Interstate 80. 

Cal Poly was playing in the Big West Conference Basketball Tournament and I was set to handle the radio broadcast.  Also, what better way to spend my birthday, than heading to Nevada.  

Rolling hills and farmlands on I-5 quickly turned into some higher grades as we made our way past Sacramento. But the sunny skies quickly turned into gray and darker clouds.  The weather was about to change. 

The first warning was the Cal Trans LED message to motorist: "Winter Weather Advisory Ahead." This wasn't going to be good. 

Keep in mind, I certainly was dressed for the occasion. It was nice and warm when I left my apartment back in SLO. I was after all just going to be in a rental car, right? 

Nope.  By the time we got to Truckee, Calif,. the snow was coming down pretty good. Road conditions were starting to deteriorate.  This was nothing new for those who travel this part of I-80 regularly, but this was a first for me.  

By the time we got to the base of the infamous Donner Pass, the Cal Trans message board had the sign we didn't want to see:  "Chains Required."  

What were we supposed to do. We were in a rental and while I am sure there was a spare tire in the trunk, but chains?  

We inched our way slowly as far as we could before we came to a wide area of the interstate where officials were checking for chains and telling those who weren't outfitted properly, to turn around.  Luckily, we pulled up alongside a place where officials were providing chains for those willing to install.  Naturally, this was not an easy task. 

Wearing only loafers and a fairly nice pair of dress pants, I plopped myself down in the dirty, slushy snow and did my best to try and wrap the pair of chains around the front tires.  But it was too icy and I just couldn't find a way to hook the chains up.  My hands were freezing and my feet were soaked. 

Nearby, a trucker was putting some on his big rig and was kind enough to offer some help. With a little cash in my pocket, we both accepted his assistance and so glad we did.  Continuing through the pass was just a white-knuckle type of ride you would expect at an elevation of more than 7,000 feet. 

It was an all-out blizzard, but we kept moving along and finally on the downward slope, things started to ease weather-wise. But there was one problem:  the chains were still on the front tires.  

The maximum speed you could go with chains on was about 35 mph, and we were on I-80 where the speed limit in clear conditions was at least 65 mph.  We just didn't want to stop.  We did our best to work our way to Reno as the city's lights in the distance was the equivalent of a beacon calling us to port in a storm. 

Crunching on the asphalt, we pulled into our hotel and since my pants were already ruined, figured I would try and unhook the chains.  It was much easier to unhook the chains when there was virtually no snow and ice and slush to contend with. 

We were exhausted, but happy to make it to our destination safely. A memorable birthday, and if I seem to recall, I think I treated myself to a new pair of shoes. 

It's time for madness

Villanova defeated Georgetown in 1985 in one of the most memorable finals. 

Always thought Duke could go winless and still receive a top seed in the Charlotte Regional of the NCAA basketball tournament.  

Sure, teams that belong to some of the powerhouse conferences certainly have a tough go of it when it comes to picking up wins. That’s why you see schools from the Big East, the ACC, Big-10, dot their early season schedule with games that they can get the win, also known as “buy-games” where a top program will actually pay a school from a smaller conference to come to their place and take the loss.  

Instead of meeting again the following year at the “small-school” gym, the payment buys out the home-and-home return trip.  Basically, Big Time program gets the win, and smaller school helps fills holes in the department budget, or maybe can finally buy a new set of uniforms.

And that is fine.  It’s the nature of the business and sometimes you see the major upsets, but rarely.

But to avoid getting off-track.

Remove names of schools when discussing selection for the tournament. I know it’s not as easy as it sounds. The committee takes a look at each team’s schedule in depth and probably would be pretty simple to figure it out.  Or would it?  Couldn’t you just assign each team a nickname (other than the school’s mascot).  Maybe a crayon color.  A monopoly piece?

A power conference certainly deserves to have more teams in the tournament, but does the 10th-place team in a so-called power league, really deserve to go?   Perhaps as it is hard to argue when your schedules for the months of January and February feature teams ranked in the top-25 on a weekly basis.

The beauty of the NCAA tournament is the opportunity for a team to prove it is a national champion by its performance on the court. The field has expanded considerably over the years, and I think the current field of 68 is just about right.  If you are not one of the 68 best (34 at-large selections), then probably you don’t deserve to be in the tournament.

But unlike FCS football (I-A) where a computer and coaches decide on a telephone call who will play in the national championship, the basketball tournament let’s the players decide who is the best.  The opportunity to see a David vs. Goliath and the underdog team make a run and challenge the top seeds to see which is a better team.

Villanova and Georgetown of 1985 was a classic case. Villanova was the No. 8 seed of the tournament but earned its way to the finals and pulled off the perfectly executed game to defeat the powerhouse and top-seeded Hoyas from Georgetown in the championship game. Others have followed. Butler, VCU, Gonzaga, Xavier have all been NCAA underdog darlings, coming so close but only to finishing just short of winning the national title.

The part of me that feels for the underdog is knowing how valuable strength of schedule is in selection for an at-large berth. As I mentioned above, the major conference members benefit from playing each other to bolster its strength of schedule and RPI. For many of those schools at the low to mid-major level of Division I, it is almost impossible to schedule teams from the “Big Six” power conferences to arrange an out-of-conference schedule to draw serious consideration.

Power schools are happy to schedule “winnable games” or “money games” to schools they know they can beat (though sometimes they don’t). But for a team from a mid-major level conference, and pretty darn good, they only chance they’ll get, if any, is to go on the road and forget about scheduling a return trip.

Long Beach State of the Big West has done a fine job scheduling the likes of North Carolina, Syracuse, Pittsburgh.  But what benefit would it give a team in the a major conference to schedule a game with the likes of Creighton, Akron, Butler, Ohio, Wichita State, Northern Iowa, Albany (hello Washington) where the chance of actually losing a game, is pretty high?

I could go on and on, but heck, just give me a bracket. I’m ready to go.

Finally ... The Truth is Actually Out There

Ishmael searched the seven seas for the great white whale.

Others on cable tv chase Sasquatch.  

It took Mulder and Scully several seasons on Fox to find that the "truth really was out there" of alien existence; at least I think they did. 

The famous Wienermobile parked in Providence, RI

For me, I finally saw the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. My great white whale dressed as a 30 foot hot dog in a bun on wheels.  I've know about the infamous rolling hot dog since seeing it on commercials thinking: "what is that?"

My interest increased during my time living on the West Coast while chatting up a friend of mine who hailed from San Diego who knew the actual driver of the hot rod tube steak. Crazy stuff. 

Now, some 16 years later and living in the Northeast, I got word that the Wienermobile was spotted in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts.  But what really were the odds that I would actually come face to face with this freak of a machine (apparently there are more than one) for however long it was planning on being in the area. 

Well, cross it off the bucket list. While waiting at a stop sign, imagine my surprise only to see the Wienermobile barreling down Gano Street in Providence. 

Oh yes, I'm following it.  Nobody would believe me.  I needed a photo.  

Luckily the "Wiener" decided to pull into the old Radisson Hotel in India Point and like an obsessed fan, I managed to capture the beautiful machine with a series of photos I'll cherish forever.  

Well, at least for a day that is. 

Weather in New England

Everyone knows about weather in New England. What's the old saying?  "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes." 

Brrrr. 

Well, judging by the way 2013 has started, the month of January has been the epitome of what it means to live in the Northeast. 

You have to feel for the local meteorologists. I mean, how can one day be sixty degrees, and a few days later, snow and ice.  

Then another week, things "warmed up" to the high 40's so I decided to take the hose out of the garage and give my car a wash, just like it was, um, September. 

But this is January right.  Global warming.  Well, hold everything.  

Yes, things got a bit chilly last week. Yep, single digits while walking the dog and single digits while trying to get to work. 

But wait, a minute.  Enjoy that cup of Coffee Exchange Coffee, because now a week later, we're back up in the high 40's, and low and behold, the forecast calls for 54 degrees and rain.  I mean, it was 5 degrees a few days ago.  Think about that swing for a moment.  

Well, it is January in New England, after all. I do need to wash my car again. 

Warming up to winter hoops

Build it, and they will come.

Bryant takes on LIU at a packed Chace Athletic Center on Jan. 26, 2013 

Well, they sure did on this particular Saturday. Everyone loves a winner. That's no secret.  My recent saying is "there's plenty of room on the bandwagon, jump on board."

In this particular instance, Bryant basketball has taken its fair share of lumps on the chin with its move to Division I.  A jump that is not easy to do by any stretch. It takes time and patience and there were many nights where the gym was "filled" with a few students, family and occasional strangers who happened to wander into the building looking for a restroom.

Fast-forward to 2013. Things have changed quite dramatically.  The team has some players.  Players wo can score.  Players who can rebound. And they are being rewarded in the win column.

Crazy crowd at the Chace today for Bryant and LIU @bryantathletics twitter.com/jasonsullivan5…

— Jason Sullivan (@jasonsullivan5) January 26, 2013

On Saturday, the Bulldogs played host to two-time defending championship Long Island, and the fans came out in droves. Bryant's had some great crowds before. In 2005, the team hosted then No. 2 Bentley College in a game where the fire marshall ordered the doors closed as the gym was at full capacity.

With LIU in town, the gym didn't reach capacity, but certainly came close, with 2,300 screaming fans turning the place into a sweaty sauna.

Like the Bentley game, the Bulldogs came up just short in the final seconds, but something magical is happening in Smithfield.

Get your ticket early.

Where has everything gone?

There’s a great Rhode Island saying (and probably elsewhere as well) where locals offer directions by using former landmarks that are no longer there. Guess that makes sense, but if you are new to the area, good luck trying to find that left turn by the old Ann & Hope building that was Ames before it changed to an empty parking lot.

Uh, okay.

I'm okay with it

I’m okay with it.

The Patriots lost the AFC Championship game at home against the Baltimore Ravens.  A game where the Patriots were a nine-point favorites, but came up empty in trying to get back to the Super Bowl and make amends to a heartbreaking loss to the Giants.