WON AND DONE

March has yet another great tradition in sports; where one (any one) can become an expert for a day or even a month. Where bragging rights are more valuable than your salary; or employment. Where a team can become legendary; where a coach can live in infamy, where a Christian can become larger than life. Is there a method to March’s Madness…

HOW SWEET IT WILL BE

TIME TO HAPPILY UPSET

BRACKETOLOGY

The NCAA Tournament isn’t like any other post season. As all others build to a crescendo; building drama, suspense, interest and passion. 4 Days in March; the opening rounds are where it all exists, and then we dwindle to the final four. A Microcosm; are the One and Dones, as soon as we get to know your name - your gone. 

THE ONE AND DONES

ARE YOU A STUDENT ATHLETE

MARCH IS MADDENING

If you were a business would you rather pay millions for Research & Development or have a Non-Profit provide the R&D free of charge. The NBA has been Stern on the issue but maybe they will see the Silver lining.

ONE SHINING MOMENT

IF YOU ONLY HAD ONE CHANCE

SURVIVE AND ADVANCE

As you fill out your brackets; consider that The Tournament has all ready been won. There is a team that knows The Key to positioning; as they have stepped up year after year. WernerLadders has the greatest product placement; of all time.

NOTHING BUT NET

THAT'S ODD

What happens in Vegas; stays in Vegas. Most likely it has been your motto for the weekend and your excuse to take a chance you otherwise wouldn’t. But why don’t you stay in Vegas and see what happens…

Gambling didn’t start with a deck of cards or some dice; it started with sports, in fact didn’t it create sports. I bet I can run faster than you. Why don’t we ever look at what Sports Gambling has taught us over the years.

Most of us follow the norm and gamble for Entertainment Purposes Only. The professionals know there are no guarantees but a few tricks of the trade. The most important; follow the money….and do the exact opposite; as statistics have proven that betting against the public is smart money.

...If there is one guarantee in life; it is that life is a gamble.  You thought the road less traveled was just about life. If the Public will be wrong in Sports why would they be correct in life? Don’t make Vegas your motto for the weekend; parlay it into your life.

SPREAD THE WORD

WHERE

WHERE

Where the potential to fulfill ones dreams are in good odds. 

Where those dreams are prayed upon to the hardwood Gods. 

Where one can get lost in the moment.

Where banners are earned. 

Where the greatest memories are learned.

Where one seeks to be All-Tournament.

Where time will fade with the score.

Where legend will grow to folklore. 

PENDLETON

TUNNEL VISION

What was your first love? It’s not your family; well it is but you don’t know that is love at the time. As a child your views on life are naïve but truthful and your first love is simple…

It was 95’ and I was at my first Mariners game…

Most recall the sensory overload, they remember the Greats that were playing, they remember the score, the big plays, where they sat, what they ate and just how perfect it was. I remember standing in that concrete tunnel knowing my world was about to change. Then it happened. I saw the brightest green I have ever seen and as each step I took; the world got that much bigger, I got that much smaller and I no longer had those childish views.

I recall a lot of details from that day and those memories always resurface when I walk through a concrete tunnel to find my seat. Like that of your parents you don’t always realize how they have shaped your life; until you see the metaphor.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The Kingdome. The exact location angle as I saw it in 95'

STUDENT BODIES

A RARITY: DUELING STUDENT SECTIONS

Sportsmanship is becoming as neutral as the color blue. In a day of being ever more PC and the heighten sense of sensitivity we are seeing an ill effect on some of the games greatest endearments. 

The Student Section. An Articulate and well timed student section is better than any trap defense. Currently we are limited to the boredom of "Mascot Power, Mascot Power, Mascot Power". 

The Attaboy; The Ass Pat, The Butt Slap. It doesn’t matter if you score 20 points or pull down 15 boards; all that matters is if coach gives you an Ole Attaboy. It is only in this reception of acceptance that you know you have had a good practice, play, game or season.

…It used to be called Sportsmanship but it’s not too late for us to win the award for most passionate fans, inspirational coaches and leave-everything-on-the-floor players. You don’t need to give every kid a blue ribbon to boost their self esteem just a gentle tap on the hind…. Let's bring back the injection of borderline inappropriate and teach these kids some vocabulary.

ADMIT ONE

50 SHADES OF GRAY

10 Year Patch

Over the last 11 years I have seen a lot of things; according to some missed a lot too. I've seen the good, the bad and the ugly; the jaw dropping, the head shaking and the eye opening. I have compiled stories and memories that can be told for Easter’s to come. I've witnessed great moments, heartbreaks, glory and the agony of defeat... 

The Takeaways: Dad’s should not coach. Coaches are few and far between. Basketball is a contact sport. Advantage/Disadvantage can not be explained to anyone with an emotional tie to the situation. No Coach, Parent, Player nor Fan understands the 3 seconds in the key rule. They too don’t understand that “Reach” and “Over the Back” are rules they made up. The Glory: The greatest compliment to an official is the notion that you didn't even know they were there. The Catch: The way to improve and succeed as an official; is to be noticed. The Conclusion: Though we wear black and white everything we do is in shades of gray.

…For 3 months out of the year I get to be a part of a community that is rarely understood by outsiders. We read from our book; we recite those words, we spend countless hours debating the minuscule of details. We gather in support; to build our community and the community. We guard the teachings of young men and women through the avenues of sport. I am a patron of this church and protector of the spirit of the rule.

THE HARDWOOD GODS

NUMBER OF ROLES

What is your favorite number... it's not as arbitrary as your favorite color as you most likely know why it is your favorite. As a parent; do you care what your kid’s favorite number is?...

My brother’s favorite number is 8; for one simple reason, Cal Ripken Jr. Cal is the Iron Man, he never missed a day of work in 17 years. Go to work everyday, work hard and good things will happen. In our generation the number 8 stood for a lot but none more meaningful than loyalty.

My favorite number is 13; again for one simple reason, Dan Marino. Dan [is] The Man, he would rewrite the record books but never win a Super Bowl. He wore the number 13 proving that it could be super and/or superstitious.

…My brother is in the middle of his 11th year with the same company. I write; to tell you, there are perspectives to life. It’s not a perfect picture but we first pick our favorite color; then our favorite number.

PAINT BY NUMBERS