Notre Dame vs Alabama

Well hello everyone. Here it is 2013 and looking forward to a better year. I've been waiting since 1988 for this moment. What moment is that you ask? That Notre Dame would once again be relevant in Football. This years team has been magical in every sense of the word. I'd like to say surgical but can't because of there 6 games won in dramatic fashion. Cardiac kids would be more appropriate. Brian Kelly in his 3rd year @ N.D. has embarked on history you might say. The Coach along with 3 of his predecessors were in exactly the same boat when fate came a calling. Something about being in the 3rd year at N.D. which brings the best out in these guys. Manti Teo Linebacker for the defensive side of the ball has been inspirational in every sense of the word. How many of us could say we'd continue playing much less at that high of pace after finding out your Mom had just passed. Oh but there's more tragedy just 6 hours later hearing of his Girlfriend passing away as also. You think he wasn't tested. I can only imagine. Having lost my Mom this past Oct. was a reminder just how precious life is and can cut short at any time. At 12-0 it's no mistake the Irish are where there @ and that is the Title game against a very good Alabama team which has won 3 of the last 4 title games in recent years. A win here would certainly have them saying DYNASTY. Can't say as I argue that. I can't even remember the last time a team has done with what the Tide have done. For me it's bitter sweet but I'e gotta tell ya. I get tired of hearing just how good the SEC is despite how good they just might be. No one's every saying the Big 10 is this and ACC is that. ESPN seems to have a bias. So be it. The Mantra when going down the stairs  read's PLAY LIKE A CHAMPION TODAY. when the players are heading toward the field on Gameday. In my book this particular group for what they've done before they play this game in my book are considered Champions                  Go Irish!!

Spring activities

Ah March 12th and I proclaim no more snow even though we know this is Illinois and anything's possible. So what's everyone's plans for 2012? I generally don't look to far ahead therefore no disappointments arise, well usually. Spring training has arrived and it's 150 years or so but who's counting since the Cubbies last won a World Series or for that matter anything. March madness is now here and getting ready to begin. Should be exciting albeit no Illinois or Arkansas, bummers. I'm looking forward to umpiring and getting out a bit more often. This is my 4th year of umpiring through I.H.S.A. and I've met some wonderful people along the way. This year I'll be heading to Onarga and Monticello where I've never umpired but figures to be a positive experience regardless. This is also a good time to get the garden tilled and ready, home improvements and such. Limiting in an apartment kind of limits me there but never shying away from being the optimist hey why not. NASCAR if you like that I hear is gaining popularity. Sorry like watching cats chase there tail but that's just me. Gas prices may keep a lot of us from going to far but there's always the forest preserves to get away. Cookouts and getting friends together is what I'll enjoy the most since I'm not really able to get away to far due to my job. No complaints though. Getting out of debt will open more doors for my wife and I as we move forward and for that I'm grateful. Here's hoping a safe and happy Spring/Summer season brings happy surprises and many a laugh's to all and that everyone stays safe.

Some final thought's on Joe Pa.

You will be missed by many who've learned from you,listened to you,adorned by you and of course the people in your inner circle who loved you. You were an inspiration to so many. I certainly didn't follow his coaching career but am very aware of who this larger than life icon was and should always be known for. He was part of an institution for 61 years. How many people can say that about any job they've ever had? He was Penn States Head Football Coach for 43 of them. Again there are very few who make it that long at 1 School much less Coaching that long at something he loved doing. He was a man who lived his life and went about doing all he knew,Coaching mentoring,molding young men into something they can be proud of when there education is done. Joe Pa comes from a time most of my generation can only read about and wonder what it must of been like. Unless a final book is written about the life and times of this once proud Coach/Father..long time Coach we'll always remember him having been reduced to rubble because of something he didn't do, so they say. History will remember him most likely for what happen in the Jerry Sandusky case but I say let's never forget what he achieved over 1/2 a century. I know I will. R.I.P. Joe..You will be missed.

Aquick look at this years Bruins

Well the 2011 Bruins are a strong resemblance of the team that won the Stanley Cup last year after 39 long years. After a slow 3-7 start they've rediscovered the magic once again and find themselves in 1st place in the Conference. Stellar Goaltending has provided the consistency night in and night out giving a chance to bring home points. Tyler Seguin the 2nd overall pick in the 2010 NHL Draft in his 2nd year has surpassed last years totals in what's become a remarkable season with 13 goals and counting. David Kreji has been slow to come around and as a result has a negative +/-. Rich Peverely and Kris Kelly were beautiful pickups and continue to play well in there 2nd year with the big club. Lucic just served a 1 game suspension for a controversial hit on a Montreal player. Now looking at teams around the league and the league office aren't happy with how the Bruins play. It's a physical style and seem's to be the Blueprint to there sucess and for that is looked upon in a negative way. Winning never get's old and these last 2 Bruins teams are the embodiment of past Rock'em Sock'em kinda Bruins teams that play fast and rough. If that's the problem maybe they should put skirts on there players like they do Quarterbacks where there's so many rules not allowing a hit or to be touch. What a shame Hockey has come to this but it's a sign of the times. judging by the ratings and attendance the game is strong so I say let it be. The Winter Classic in Philly this year should be another good rating's and game itself so be sure to check out New Years Day in the city of brotherly Love between Philadelphia Flyers and the N.Y. Rangers. 2 of my least liked teams so I may watch or may not,who really know's. Another deep run into this years playoff's is expected by the Bruins. Will be interesting for this year trade dealine who the Bruins target. Give hockey a watch as there exciting and fast but if you like watching a good hockey team catch the Bruins,you won't be disappointed.

BCS Conversation...My thought's and more

With LSU  winning it's game against Arkansas there more than likely going to win it all. They are a good example of what a GREAT defense can be. Alabama is right there as well.  Stanford is thumping my IRISH so they'll move up in the standings. Bowl games should be fun to watch with exception to LSU vs Alabama again. People want offense and even though those 2 teams have plenty it'll be the defenses that lead the way. I was looking at some of the projections of possible bowl games I see a game that's intriguing. Oregon vs Wisconsin. Personally I want to see where my Irish go as they more than likely will go to a decent bowl. Other thought's though if today's loss for Illinois didn't secure Ron Zook getting fired then I don't know what will. It's hard to get excited about watching Illinois football. Ron Zook was a high profile Coach whom Illinois landed and for the better part of his time there hasn't done anything. Despite what you feel about the Big Ten as a league you have to ask yourself who would you rather play for? Wisconsin,Michigan,Michigan St,Nebraska,Ohio St? Ya see where I'm going with this? As this is not the team I support but can usually tell ya how teams do on any given week. In other news I'd have to agree Urban Meyer would be a great fit for Ohio State but nothings in stone just yet. As for Penn St who know's what's going to transpire there. An unfortunate situation has engulfed that community and although time heals the pain it will never be forgotten. This incident will no doubt cost them recruits they count on to keep them going as a football program but I think they'll fall off a bit because of all this. Was good to see Nebraska join the big 10.

Who is this you ask?

This hear sports fans is Lane Kiffin. It's ok if you don't remember that name after reading this article. He is the Head Coach of USC Football. He's an arregont person who doesn't rationalize well and the same goes for his players. Let's go back in time to get a idea who this guy is and what makes him tick. He's Coached the Oakland Raiders of the NFL for a short time and wasn't succesful. Fast forward where he took a job with the Tennessee Volunteers which is a step down but that is in the very competitive and some would say best conference in America....SEC. He stayed 1 year and didn't even make a bowl. So abruptly he left there on a moment's notice taking the University and A.D. off guard. In listening to the interview I don't remember him apologizing for leaving but more of a Thank You for having the chance to Coach there. So where am I going with this story because so far I haven't told you about his latest demeanor. So keeping in mind where he's at now and adding that his football program is ineligible for bowl games for 2 years because of sanctions from the Previous Coach Pete Carrol who's now a Coach in the NFL. Boy isn't life great. So you'd expect a Coach given these circumstances to keep a low profile until he gets his footing right? Not exactly. I can tell you as a Notre Dame fan there's no love lost with USC but then add this Coach in and you have a powder keg just waiting to go off. During the week of the game and afterwards where USC won 31-17 some less than flattering comments were made from him and some of his players stating that Notre Dame had seemingly given up because they didn't use there 3 time outs in the 2nd half. Oh but it get's better. Another comment had them saying that N.D. is not USC. Ummm no that would be correct USC IS ON PROBATION YOU IDIOT. That Kiffin and members of his football team would stoop so low after a Nationally televised game is classless. The Coach also made a comment leading up the game about that because of the magnitude of the game and all the hype that went into it and that only an independant could pull this off. Guess what Notre Dame is? You guessed it,independant. This saga is not over yet rest assured but chances are when Notre Dame goes to a bowl game this year USC will be watching it @ home and eating crow in the process. Your right were not you USC and damn proud of it. Go Irish!!

Notre Dame football

These are tough times for the Irish but need I say not uncharted waters. In listening to Coach Kelly's post interview conference after the Michigan game it's clear he get's it. He's been doing this like 25 years. The kids need to buy into what's going on and when that happens they'll start winning again. Everything is relevant until this happens. For me it's gotta come back to the Discipline factor. You get off to a good start and build a lead and momentum but it's what happens once the controversy starts. Opposing teams are going to make changes as there suppose to and how you react to that will determine if your successful not in your game plan. Let's see 9 Turnovers in 2 games you clearly should've won. Not only are these mental mistakes but there confidence killers. Those start to play on your teams psyche after awhile. The main players are making plays but that doesn't include the defense. Bob Diaco Defensive Coordinator after having this unit hitting on all cylinders has got to be pulling his hair out. The schedule doesn't get any easier as they play Michigan St next. For a team that was tabbed to make a BCS bowl game throw that thought out the window. Gathering there sanity back and some composure is of utmost importance. I can assure you this problem will get turned around but how long will it take is the question.