To all of you that follow this blog, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!
I hope that 2009 is the best year you ever have. I know that I am looking forward to year 2009. There are so many exciting things to look forward to in this upcoming year.
We are looking to add up to maybe 6 new managers. We have 8 awesome managers returning and we already have a few good ones looking to join us.
This spring football season should be loads of fun. With all the depth we have now, the competition for some spots on the team should be fierce, especially the QB position.
There are many other things that are exciting too, but I don't want to bore you with my personal things that I look forward to.
Best wishes for 2009, Wendell
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Nice and Quiet
Well, it has been a week since we go everything loaded back into McKale from the Bowl Game. Other than hearing a few balls bounce out on the court, it has been very very quiet.
The basketball team had a very nice win over defending National Champions, Kansas Jayhawks. Tonight they take on a very dangerous Weber State.
Tim and I will be attending the AFCA Convention in Nashville that begins January 10. We will also be having a Pac 10 Equipment Managers meeting while at the AFCA.
The basketball team had a very nice win over defending National Champions, Kansas Jayhawks. Tonight they take on a very dangerous Weber State.
Tim and I will be attending the AFCA Convention in Nashville that begins January 10. We will also be having a Pac 10 Equipment Managers meeting while at the AFCA.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Just wanted to wish the few of you that follow the blog a very Merry Christmas. If the past few days are any indication, this Christmas should be outstanding!!! Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl Champions, Coach Stoops gets contract extension, and Coach Pennell and the guys beat up on defending National Champions, Kansas Jayhawks last night. Santa must hang out in Tucson?
Merry Christmas everyone,
Wendell
Merry Christmas everyone,
Wendell
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl Champions
The Wildcats won the game over BYU Cougars, 31-21, to top off an already awesome week in Vegas!!! The game was so much fun. Our four year QB, Willie, had a great game, and Mike Thomas became the all time Pac 10 career reception leader in the conference, but the best was to see a group of seniors that have endured so much and took a chance with Coach Stoops and win out winners. I always tell people how awesome our players are, and THEY ARE!!! This could not have happened to a nicer group of kids.
The whole week was AWESOME. The bowl game is lead by the Executive Director, Tina Kunzer-Murphey and she is simply THE BEST!!! To me, that is why the whole experience is so awesome. She has put together an energetic group of people that bust their backsides to make sure things are perfect.
Our hotel was incredible. The rooms at the Venetian are so nice and BIG. Of course the entire Hotel is as nice as any hotel in the world.
Maybe the best thing is that it is played early enough that we can be home for Christmas and be able to enjoy all of the other bowl games. I didn't like the rush at first, but you know what, it was nice. Everything still went off with no problems, and the stress of everything doesn't linger for weeks.
I have to mention a few people who deserve all the credit for everything being so smooth. First, and most importantly, Tim Pfennig. Tim carried on like a 20 year veteran! Sure, he stressed a little, but he hit home run after home run for two weeks!
Benny was sensational! He took the lead on loading the semi truck and trailer and did an outstanding job. He packed all the players and coaches personal luggage and when those people arrived at the hotel, all of their luggage was already in their room. Benny manages to do all of this with NO STRESS and a HUGE SMILE the whole time. We are so lucky to have Benny.
Then, the 15 student managers did a lot of work loading field equipment and moving it around, along with all of the other duties. Rarely do I hand out A+ grades, but as a whole, they were A+ sensational.
We have to give a shout out to Erick Harper, Director of Football Operations. He is without a doubt the best I have ever worked with in my 30 years in the business. Not only does he do a GREAT job, but he somehow manages to be so nice and positive all the time. Nothing seems to shake him. He treats all of us like we are the most important part of the team.
Down below you will see a picture of The Hoff and me in the equipment room before the game. He sang the National Anthem before the game (and nailed it!!). His daughter is a freshman at the UofA and The Hoff has joined her for almost every home game up in the Zona Zoo. He loves the Zona Zoo and has done videos on his website about his experiences at home games. I think he enjoys the Zoo more that anyone!!! Great guy!
On our site visit before the team arrival, I noticed that Pooch had a bunch of very nice permanent signs in their locker room at Sam Boyd. In the pictures below, you will notice that we covered up all of his signs with banners that Tom Boesel had made for us at Graphic Impact. We always put Tom in the clean up spot because he always seems to not only hit home runs, but GRAND SLAMS!!! Great job Tom!!!!!
Coaches locker room (one of two) at Sam Boyd:
Banner right outside of Equipment room at Sam Boyd:
Coach Mike Stoops favorite sayings, so we had a banner made for the locker room:
One of the many banners we had made for Sam Boyd Stadium locker room:
Teams exit to the stadium field:
One of our future superstar Student Managers, Jordan Bates of Orlando, Florida:
Our equipment room right off of the main locker room (lots of room!!):
Our locker room before the game at Sam Boyd Stadium:
Wendell with David Hasselhoff before the game:
Wendell with Paul Pucciarelli (Pooch):
Wendell with Executive Director of the Bowl, Tina Kunzer-Murphy:
The whole week was AWESOME. The bowl game is lead by the Executive Director, Tina Kunzer-Murphey and she is simply THE BEST!!! To me, that is why the whole experience is so awesome. She has put together an energetic group of people that bust their backsides to make sure things are perfect.
Our hotel was incredible. The rooms at the Venetian are so nice and BIG. Of course the entire Hotel is as nice as any hotel in the world.
Maybe the best thing is that it is played early enough that we can be home for Christmas and be able to enjoy all of the other bowl games. I didn't like the rush at first, but you know what, it was nice. Everything still went off with no problems, and the stress of everything doesn't linger for weeks.
I have to mention a few people who deserve all the credit for everything being so smooth. First, and most importantly, Tim Pfennig. Tim carried on like a 20 year veteran! Sure, he stressed a little, but he hit home run after home run for two weeks!
Benny was sensational! He took the lead on loading the semi truck and trailer and did an outstanding job. He packed all the players and coaches personal luggage and when those people arrived at the hotel, all of their luggage was already in their room. Benny manages to do all of this with NO STRESS and a HUGE SMILE the whole time. We are so lucky to have Benny.
Then, the 15 student managers did a lot of work loading field equipment and moving it around, along with all of the other duties. Rarely do I hand out A+ grades, but as a whole, they were A+ sensational.
We have to give a shout out to Erick Harper, Director of Football Operations. He is without a doubt the best I have ever worked with in my 30 years in the business. Not only does he do a GREAT job, but he somehow manages to be so nice and positive all the time. Nothing seems to shake him. He treats all of us like we are the most important part of the team.
Down below you will see a picture of The Hoff and me in the equipment room before the game. He sang the National Anthem before the game (and nailed it!!). His daughter is a freshman at the UofA and The Hoff has joined her for almost every home game up in the Zona Zoo. He loves the Zona Zoo and has done videos on his website about his experiences at home games. I think he enjoys the Zoo more that anyone!!! Great guy!
On our site visit before the team arrival, I noticed that Pooch had a bunch of very nice permanent signs in their locker room at Sam Boyd. In the pictures below, you will notice that we covered up all of his signs with banners that Tom Boesel had made for us at Graphic Impact. We always put Tom in the clean up spot because he always seems to not only hit home runs, but GRAND SLAMS!!! Great job Tom!!!!!
Coaches locker room (one of two) at Sam Boyd:
Banner right outside of Equipment room at Sam Boyd:
Coach Mike Stoops favorite sayings, so we had a banner made for the locker room:
One of the many banners we had made for Sam Boyd Stadium locker room:
Teams exit to the stadium field:
One of our future superstar Student Managers, Jordan Bates of Orlando, Florida:
Our equipment room right off of the main locker room (lots of room!!):
Our locker room before the game at Sam Boyd Stadium:
Wendell with David Hasselhoff before the game:
Wendell with Paul Pucciarelli (Pooch):
Wendell with Executive Director of the Bowl, Tina Kunzer-Murphy:
Fun at the Vegas Bowl
Everyone seemed to have a lot of fun in Vegas. The managers seemed to have really enjoyed all that Vegas had to offer. Yes, there was a lot of work to do once we got there, but there was lots to do, and lots of free time.
The managers went to the Outback Beef Bowl with the players on Thursday night. They also attended the Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl luncheon on Friday.
Our hotel was awesome and close to UNLV campus, so we didn't have to spend a lot of time on the road. We can not thank Pooch and his staff at UNLV enough for all the hospitality they provided. Our days at UNLV were so smooth, and we could not have done it without all their hard work.
Managers putting out laundry every morning. UNLV mgrs did our laundry for us each night:
Willie Salzman putting out laundry bags in UNLV locker room:
Josh and Daniel putting out laundry:
The managers went to the Outback Beef Bowl with the players on Thursday night. They also attended the Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl luncheon on Friday.
Our hotel was awesome and close to UNLV campus, so we didn't have to spend a lot of time on the road. We can not thank Pooch and his staff at UNLV enough for all the hospitality they provided. Our days at UNLV were so smooth, and we could not have done it without all their hard work.
Managers putting out laundry every morning. UNLV mgrs did our laundry for us each night:
Willie Salzman putting out laundry bags in UNLV locker room:
Josh and Daniel putting out laundry:
Locker room at UNLV was perfect! Plenty of room and lockers for our team:
Everyone seemed to love the snow we got on the first day in Vegas:
Everyone seemed to love the snow we got on the first day in Vegas:Not even a little snow could dampen the fun in Vegas:
Ronnie helped Wendell all week making sure the coaches were taken care of:
Monday, December 22, 2008
Bowl practice at UNLV
Our practice facility at UNLV was perfect. Two great Field Turf practice fields, nice big equipment room, nice locker room, close to the hotel. What more could you ask for? Well, the bonus was that the UNLV equipment manager, Pooch, was with us each day, every step of the way. He treated us like royalty. He turned over his equipment room to us and let us have our way. Just like the bowl itself, Pooch in his staff are first class all the way!
Below are some pictures of us working in his equipment room. The first picture is all of us by the truck in the snow we got while there. The second picture is of our host, Pooch.
The other pictures of our managers working to get items ready to hand out to our players and coaches.
Below are some pictures of us working in his equipment room. The first picture is all of us by the truck in the snow we got while there. The second picture is of our host, Pooch.
The other pictures of our managers working to get items ready to hand out to our players and coaches.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
We Have Equipment in Vegas
Benny called and said they are at the Venetian, the truck is spotted and they are about to start unloading at the hotel.
The main thing to off load at the hotel is personal luggage, video equipment and trainers stuff. The trainers and Video staff sent early people as well to help off load and set up their stuff.
Benny and the seven managers will then have the drivers take the truck to UNLV for set up there.
The main thing to off load at the hotel is personal luggage, video equipment and trainers stuff. The trainers and Video staff sent early people as well to help off load and set up their stuff.
Benny and the seven managers will then have the drivers take the truck to UNLV for set up there.
We are lucky to have the two best drivers in the world, which work for the best moving company in the world, Horizon Moving.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Truck is Leaving Tonight
Our truck drivers, Bob Keith and Bob Caprari, are heading up to Vegas after practice tonight. We have practice field items to load up after practice, then they are gone.
Benny and seven managers are leaving in the morning to unload the truck and set up our equipment room and locker room at UNLV. The other eight managers are going with Tim, and I on the team charter after practice tomorrow afternoon.
Benny and the managers have been loading the Equipment Truck since early this morning. Besides the trunks and team equipment, we are trucking 30 or more boxes for marketing, all of the luggage for the coaches and their families, plus all the players luggage.
Benny and seven managers are leaving in the morning to unload the truck and set up our equipment room and locker room at UNLV. The other eight managers are going with Tim, and I on the team charter after practice tomorrow afternoon.
Benny and the managers have been loading the Equipment Truck since early this morning. Besides the trunks and team equipment, we are trucking 30 or more boxes for marketing, all of the luggage for the coaches and their families, plus all the players luggage.
Our Equipment Truck that we have used for over five years:
Benny and Adam strapping things down:
Benny has a log sheet for each of the coaches luggage as a checklist:
Harlow and Salzman helping out on the truck:
Benny has a log sheet for each of the coaches luggage as a checklist:
Harlow and Salzman helping out on the truck:
Willie using a players checklist to make sure all the players have checked bags:
Benny and Adam have done a GREAT job loading the truck:
Sunday, December 14, 2008
A Little Rainy Sunday Afternoon
Big news of the day is that we are getting a little rain today and it feels like winter today. Temperature is in the high 40's and it is gray and sprinkling rain.
We are heading over to Tucson High School to practice because they have Field Turf. Since the school is across the street we are able to drive the pick up truck over there with everything we need. Actually, for the first week of training camp back in August, we practiced there everyday. It is a very nice facility and close by.
Well, we spotted the truck out front of McKale and it is ready for loading all day tomorrow. We are having the players, coaches and staff to load their luggage on the truck during the day tomorrow so their luggage will be at the hotel when the team arrives on Tuesday afternoon.
Everything has fallen into place, and Tim and his staff deserve a lot of credit. They have worked extremely hard and that is why everything is going so smooth.
We are heading over to Tucson High School to practice because they have Field Turf. Since the school is across the street we are able to drive the pick up truck over there with everything we need. Actually, for the first week of training camp back in August, we practiced there everyday. It is a very nice facility and close by.
Well, we spotted the truck out front of McKale and it is ready for loading all day tomorrow. We are having the players, coaches and staff to load their luggage on the truck during the day tomorrow so their luggage will be at the hotel when the team arrives on Tuesday afternoon.
Everything has fallen into place, and Tim and his staff deserve a lot of credit. They have worked extremely hard and that is why everything is going so smooth.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Getting Ready
Recruiting never ends, Tim and I will talk to a few recruits later today in the Equip Room:
Willie running the tags through our laminator:
Ronnie using his scissor skills:
Ronnie, Colin, and Willie working to get the coaches name tags done for the duffle bags:
Willie getting the name tags ready for the laminator:
Willie running the tags through our laminator: Ronnie using his scissor skills:Ronnie, Colin, and Willie working to get the coaches name tags done for the duffle bags:
Colin cutting the name tags we printed here in the equipment room for coaches:
Managers made these name tags for the coaches practice duffle bags:
Managers made these name tags for the coaches practice duffle bags:
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