My Thoughts on Butler's Run

     No. I am not a Butler grad, but neither are alot of the fans that will pull for Butler this weekend, and thats ok. How could you not fall in love with the story, the team, the coach, and the Butler way. I feel I have been adopted into the Butler family, working for the flag ship station of Butler, 1070 The Fan,  and meeting many Butler grads, their isn't a better team to be pulling for in the Final Four.

     What separates Butler from most of the teams in this tournament? They do things the right way, for example, some players on the day of last year's national championship game attended class on campus, and then headed downtown to Lucas Oil Stadium for the National Championship. The problem with the NCAA today is, most basketball players are athletes before students, as for Butler, they are the perfect example of the student athlete. These players are committed to getting an education, as well as a Championship banner in Hinkle. While in Houston, some players even knocked out some homework in the locker room before practice.

     It also helps to have one of the smartest, up beat and passionate coaches in the country. The silent assassin has taken down some of the top coaches in the nation over the past two tournament runs, all while staying true and loyal to Butler, signing a twelve year extension through the 2022 season. Butler has won all of this years tournament games by seven points or less, include last minute wins over Old Dominion, Pitt and Florida.

    This is another magical run for Butler. They are no longer the cinderella, they are now a contendor and one of the top programs in the country. The key to Butlers success is playing as a team. Lead by Shelvin Mack  Matt Howard and Shawn Vanzant, The Dawgs go nine deep and can beat you in so many ways. Ronald Nored, Andrew Smith, Kyhle Marshall and Zach Hahn are key players to the success of Butler, along with a very famous mascot cheering them on in Blue II.

     To all the fans, in Indy and nation wide. Enjoy the Final Four. For the second straight season a mid major will play of the national title. Take a minute before tip, and think about how Butler has got to this point, how hard it is to make one Final Four, let alone two, and the way they get it done on and off the court, The Butler Way.

The Best Images of 2010.

Here are some of my favorite Images of 2010. Enjoy.

                                    Butler Coach Brad Stevens, the night before knocking off MSU in the Final Four.

                                       Everyone in the picture will get a good laugh. Good Ole Rom.

                                              The 2010 Indianapolis 500 with Aaron and Dave.

                                      After Years of Trying (and hanging out as a kid by his pit) I met Tony Stewart

                                      Myself at Wrigley watching the Braves Smash the Cubs.

Green Bay to see Packers and Lions. Great Game and a great time!

Visiting Notre Dame for my first Irish game, which was a W!

Be Passionate.

                    Set Examples.

                                                       Carry On Traditions.

             Share Traditions with Friends.

                Be A Proud Reflection.

                              Remember Where You Came From.

November

November is about in the books already and everything has shifted to the Christmas season. I have been blessed with some great things happening the last couple of weeks. The best thing about my life is my job, the people I work with, and a great boss. I had the privilege to play some 5 on 5 pick up hoop on the Conseco Fieldhouse court a week back. It was amazing, creepy, and emotional at the same time. Amazing in the sense that I was a kid in a candy store being a die hard Pacer fan all my life, creepy because 18,000 seats where empty as we played and emotionally just knowing all the history and great players that have taken to that floor. I manage to sack up and knock down a few three pointers from NBA range. In another awesome experience, I was on the field for the 4a and 5a state championship football games at Lucas Oil Stadium. My grandfather use to take me their as a kid and I would always be jealous of the spectators on the field, and now, I was one of them. What a good time with a good friend of mine Heath who got me the field pass. Had some buddies come down for a couple differen weekends, and that makes me miss home a little less. Dave Aaron and I went to an indoor go karting place. This was legit, 2 story track going 40 mph, it was our own mini Indy 500 until I hit the wall so hard that I knocked my helmet off and messed up my back pretty good, dont worry, I kept the pedal to the medal and didnt worry about my back, dont tell my mother. Thanksgiving was great, as I hope it was for you, seeing some family and friends, doing some shopping was great. I miss home, but cant see leaving Indy anytime soon. It was good to have a lot of my closest friends around as we midnight shopped and people watched. My goal is still in tact to attend every Pacer home game, might break that streak around Christmas but that is yet to be determined. Hope everyone has a good holiday season!

Awakening The Echo's

Ill start this one with my first trip to Notre Dame. Growing up an hour from Notre Dame, and being such a huge fan, this trip was long overdue, so when my father asked him to meet me there, I had to jump on the oppurtunity! What an electric atmosphere it was, everyone was as happy as I was too be there, Welcome to Notre Dame! Our seats were pretty decent, but more important it was just my dad and I which doesnt happen often, not to mention we were watching The Irish put a beating on Western Michigan. Luckily the game was a blow out because I had to leave early to drive back to Indy to make work by 930, the real world can be a bitch, but thats what happens when your working hard , enjoying your job, and putting the best effort into everything you can.

Since my last post I turned 22, and it is always fun to have a birthday, but the excitement definatly burns off after your 21st. Instead of taking off like I did last year, I worked 9 hours, but squeezed in a Pacer game in a suite. Your going to think Im crazy, but spending a birthday at a Pacer game, even though Preseason, was exactly what I wanted to do, but I still got some decent celebrating in throughout the weekend, so thanks for everyone who took the time to spend it with me, or say Happy Birthday!

Its hard to beleive its Mid October, but is it to early to look forward to Thanksgiving? Didnt think so. The NFL is great as always, besides the NFC Conferance who has no legitimate contenders to the AFC's top teams. The Braves got knocked out last week, but just glad they made playoffs, and Ill be pulling for the Giants and the Rangers, hell anyone but the Yankees.

Thats all I got, more Later!

Green Bay Trip

One of my goals in life is to see every NFL and NBA teams stadium and see every team play. I attended the Packers Lions game yesterday at Lambeau Field. What a great place to watch a game the atmosphere is electric, it was a perfect 52 degrees and the sun shining. I was one of 10 peoplein the whole place wearing a Lions Jersey. Thats ok though the Lions gave the Pack one hell of a scare, I got razzed and booed, and even had a kid from the Odoyle family off Billy Madison tell a cop to arrested me because he kicked me in the back 7 times and the 8th I told him not touch me. One of the most hilarious things I have seen even funnier when Hot Sauce came up and told me to keep my cool.WTH!? The kids dad apologized to me. After the game, the kid ran up to me and asked who won, I told him im telling the cops, and he literally jetted to the nearest usher. hahah WOW. Back to the game, my boy Calvin Johnson scored both his TD's in front of us, we sat about 20 rows up on the 20 yard line, amazing seats. We got to Green Bay late Saturday night and hit the casino where we were staying. Won about 3o bucks and was exhausted from the drive, but atleast I made a quick stop in the 219 to see my parents!! What a great weekend it was, and another good week is in store as the Pacers open up pre season , 3 on 3 tourny on Sat birthday is Friday, MLB Playoffs and Week 5 of the NFL!

Football Preview

Well, im not an expert, I do make bold predictions, and who knows maybe one day ill make it. But heres a look at the NFL Week 3 and some college games. No Bias here, just going to call it like I see it. Let me know your thoughts.



Where do we begin? How about some College Football.. The rode for the Irish doesnt get any easier, after the heart breaker vs Mich State, Stanford and the best QB in the nation Andrew Luck come to down. This would be a huge Win for the Irish and jump start to BK's career at ND. Will it happen? Based on what Notre Dame has put fans through, ill walk away from that game pissed, they give you enough to get excited, then your totally disapointed, similar to a strip club.
Game to watch this week, Arkansas vs Bama, we know from top to bottom SEC Football is the best across the country, but this will be one hell of a game.

NFL Week 3- Colts will roll over the Broncos, wont even be close, KO has played well but has no weapons, Colts roll 42-10.
Ill be the first to admit I predicted the Bears to win 3 games. Well I promise to fit fan hood aside. Hell of a win over the Cowboys, but not sure how good the Boys are this season ...im not gonna praise the Bears just yet tho, maybe if they knock off the Pack Monday, but , that O line is one play away from collapsing and putting Jay on his butt. Pack 31-20

Mike Vick gets the job with the Eagles. Now .. I know .. everyone hates him. The guy is specatacular on the field, and thats what matters, People can get over it, he paid his dues, did his time,get off his back, hes goin to turn the Eagles in the right direction.

My predictions : 49ers 17 Chiefs 10
Seahawks 20 Chargers 17
Lions 17 Vikings 27
Bills 13 Patriots 38
Falcons 17 Saints 20
Titans 20 Giants 26 OT
Steelers 13 Bucs 10
Bengals 31 Panthers 10
Browns 7 Ravens 31
Cowboys 27 Texans 31
Redskins 31 Rams 16
Eagles 24 Jags 14
Raiders 27 Cardinals 21
Jets 13 Dolphins 20