Well, the guys just through loading all the trunks and everything else we need, except player bags, onto the truck and Bob and Bob are headed north once again.
Don't really have any new pictures to show everyone pushing trunks again like last week.
We may get a break on the weather while we are in Eugene to battle the ducks. As of now, there is only a 20% chance of rain, and the temperature could SOAR up to the low 60's!!!!! We will still order heaters for the sideline though.
I always look forward to seeing Pat Conrad, Eq Mgr for the ducks. I just got off of the phone with him and he wasn't sure if he, or Tony Piro up at Washington Huskies was the "dean" of Pac 10 equipment managers. I think I may be third behind those two? Matters.
We will be taking another great crew on the road this weekend. Joining the 3 regulars: Ronnie Platt, Ben Hulka and Ryan Ewalt will be Jeff Gallego from right here in Tucson (former Sahuaro Cougar!!!!) and Willie Salzman from Palo Alto, CA. Those two guys will be making their third trip of the year.
This is our last road game of the year, with the exception of our BOWL GAME.....there, I could finally say it.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Pictures from Pullman
My nephew Trevor helping me set up coaches locker room.
Trevor setting out coaches towels for post game shower.
Brad Wilson's son, Connor
Visitors locker room at WSU
How we set out players gear
Ronnie Platt doing one of his duties, which is to make sure coaches drinks are cold.
Robert Lloyd pulling jerseys on to taped shoulder pads.
Mike Harlow working in locker room before the game. This was Mike's first ever road trip and this is his first year. He was able to see his parents at the game because they live in Idaho. By the way, he did an AWESOME job and he is a GREAT guy to have around!
One of two areas we had to use for our coaches. We put Coach Mike Stoops and the nine full time assistants in this room, and all the others in an are close by. Nice and spacious!Sean Scanlon at WSU
One of the MANY great things about traveling to Pullman for football game is the security in the locker room. It is one of the few places where you can get good overnight security.
Milton provides Sean Scanlon to stay in your locker room from the time you leave it in there on Friday night, until you return on Saturday.
I had the privilege of being able to work with Sean when I was at WSU in the late 90's. We were very fortunate to have him for laundry and many other duties. Like most good workers, we over worked him because he was so good.
He saved my rear end when we had Pawthentics. If not for him and B. Rose, Pawthentics would have been a flop.
Not only is Sean a great worker, but he is a solid guy who you can trust. Like so many others, I owe alot to Sean. Thank you very much Sean!!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Veteran's Day
I hope everyone had a pleasant Veteran's Day. Hopefully each of you took a little time out of your busy day to think about, and thank alot about Men and Women who have served our GREAT country. Without them we would not have the opportunities that we have and the freedoms we enjoy. God Bless these brave individuals.
Well it took awhile to post today's blog because I had a very trying and troubling day. My wife and I have the privelage of having my mom live here in Tucson with us. While we were in Pullman for the football game, she was admitted to the hospital. Today we had to deal with the fact that she will not be able to return to her apartment she has enjoyed for years and be able to continue living independently. Starting tomorrow, she will have to live in an Assisted Living enviroment. It was a long and rough day.
I was able to go into work for just a little bit. Tim and the guys were hustling around packing trunks. The truck will have to leave for Eugene tomorrow.
Since we have a basketball game in the arena tomorrow night, we will have to load the truck in the afternoon and be cleared out for the fans and television trucks that will invade McKale.
It appears that we may be able to dodge bad weather for the game in Eugene.
Thanks for your patience while I am dealing with my mom's situation.
Well it took awhile to post today's blog because I had a very trying and troubling day. My wife and I have the privelage of having my mom live here in Tucson with us. While we were in Pullman for the football game, she was admitted to the hospital. Today we had to deal with the fact that she will not be able to return to her apartment she has enjoyed for years and be able to continue living independently. Starting tomorrow, she will have to live in an Assisted Living enviroment. It was a long and rough day.
I was able to go into work for just a little bit. Tim and the guys were hustling around packing trunks. The truck will have to leave for Eugene tomorrow.
Since we have a basketball game in the arena tomorrow night, we will have to load the truck in the afternoon and be cleared out for the fans and television trucks that will invade McKale.
It appears that we may be able to dodge bad weather for the game in Eugene.
Thanks for your patience while I am dealing with my mom's situation.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Best Roadtrip of the Year
First things first. I have already received a few comments of "where's the blog today" comments, so at least a few are looking for the daily blogs.
No excuses here, but having camera/picture problems from WSU trip, so I didn't want to delay any more. I will add pictures tomorrow morning if I am lucky.
Tim, Benny and the managers did an AWESOME job with the trip. It makes it so much fun when we have everything we need to make sure the players are safe and comfortable, and the coaches are comfortable. I evaluate trips by stress level, and we had very little stress, so it was a very successful trip.
We also had alot of fun. Lots of laughs at dinner. Tim, Benny, Ronnie and I were able to have dinner with my brother, Milton, and his family (Wife, Lisa and kids Megan and Trevor). Besides the laughing and fun, it was without a doubt the best dinner on the road this year! Any of you going to Pullman should eat at the Fireside Grill. The Prime Rib is off the chart good. Coach Mackovic would give it at least 4 stars!!!, I give it 5 bright and shiny stars.
We did discover at dinner that Benny resembles Steve Carell of The Office and 40 Year Old Virgin. We can't believe it took Lisa and Megan to realize that, but man are they right on!
Milton took good care of us with coffee and donuts when we got to the locker room on Saturday morning, and out did himself with an AWESOME lunch too.
My son Austin was able to go with us on the trip, and he ended up being a huge help, along with his cousin, Trevor. Those two basically set up coaches while I enjoyed playing with the iPod and visiting with a number of visitors to the locker room.
Besides my niece Megan coming by, Brad Wilson, his son Connor and his Dad came by for awhile. We got some good pictures of Connor wearing a Wildcat uniform. Always fun to see B-dub.
The weather ended up being pretty good for November in Pullman. It did sprinkle just a little bit towards the end of the game.
We were at the Lewiston Airport for what seemed liked two hours. Security is very tough there I guess. We got home at 11pm.
We were fortunate enough to get a win, and now we focus our attention to the ducks.
No excuses here, but having camera/picture problems from WSU trip, so I didn't want to delay any more. I will add pictures tomorrow morning if I am lucky.
Tim, Benny and the managers did an AWESOME job with the trip. It makes it so much fun when we have everything we need to make sure the players are safe and comfortable, and the coaches are comfortable. I evaluate trips by stress level, and we had very little stress, so it was a very successful trip.
We also had alot of fun. Lots of laughs at dinner. Tim, Benny, Ronnie and I were able to have dinner with my brother, Milton, and his family (Wife, Lisa and kids Megan and Trevor). Besides the laughing and fun, it was without a doubt the best dinner on the road this year! Any of you going to Pullman should eat at the Fireside Grill. The Prime Rib is off the chart good. Coach Mackovic would give it at least 4 stars!!!, I give it 5 bright and shiny stars.
We did discover at dinner that Benny resembles Steve Carell of The Office and 40 Year Old Virgin. We can't believe it took Lisa and Megan to realize that, but man are they right on!
Milton took good care of us with coffee and donuts when we got to the locker room on Saturday morning, and out did himself with an AWESOME lunch too.
My son Austin was able to go with us on the trip, and he ended up being a huge help, along with his cousin, Trevor. Those two basically set up coaches while I enjoyed playing with the iPod and visiting with a number of visitors to the locker room.
Besides my niece Megan coming by, Brad Wilson, his son Connor and his Dad came by for awhile. We got some good pictures of Connor wearing a Wildcat uniform. Always fun to see B-dub.
The weather ended up being pretty good for November in Pullman. It did sprinkle just a little bit towards the end of the game.
We were at the Lewiston Airport for what seemed liked two hours. Security is very tough there I guess. We got home at 11pm.
We were fortunate enough to get a win, and now we focus our attention to the ducks.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Game Day
Well, game day is finally here and we have the locker room all set up and waiting for the team. I am enjoying some Dwight Yoakum as we wait. I will post more pictures when I get home. I have been lucky getting some good help from my nephew, Trevor. Thanks Trev.
Friday, November 7, 2008
The Palouse
Anyone who knows me very well, knows that I am a very emotional guy. If you don't believe me, ask Cindy or the kids when they see me get choked up and teary eyed when I see someone win money on Deal or No Deal. Maybe a manager or former manager can confirm by telling you how emotional I get when I so passionately try to get my point across. Well, I am very emotional right now as I share with you my feelings about going back to the Palouse, the name they give for the region in which Pullman, Washington and WSU sits so beautifully.
I think blogs are suppose to be somewhat short, so this will be tough, but there are so many things to talk about when I speak of my little over 9 years of my career and life there.
It is where I was able to connect with the greatest college Athletic Director and administrator of all time, Jim Livengood. Many have told me how good I have it, and all the credit goes to him. Only he could convince me that cold February day back in 1989 that WSU was right for me and my family. Jim has allowed me to fulfil all of my dreams as an equipment manager.
It is where I have met so many of my very best friends and people who have helped me get to where I am at today. Without these people I would be nothing! Just as much as Jim has allowed me this opportunity, guys like Jeff Bopp, who still makes me laugh today with his funny stories and sayings. Like JOOTP (just one of the perks). He has been one of the best perks of my career. Thanks Jeff.
Jim always said surround yourself with good people and everything else will work out. Well I must say I hit a home run when we hired JT Galloway from the golf course. JT is like a brother to me and is one of the best people I have ever known in my life. I will NEVER be able to repay JT for all that he has done for me. He is one of those rare people who has NO enemies. I am so proud of him. Thanks JT.
How about maybe the best student manager ever, Paul Lopez. I have told the story to so many about how rough those first few years were at WSU. Without Paul I don't think I could have made it. Maybe one of the best honors I have ever had bestowed upon me was the day he asked me to be the Best Man in his and Mary Ann's wedding. To this day, I talk to Paul almost daily and he continues to be one of my best friends, even though he is a Sun Devil. Thanks Paul, thats all.
Probably the most exceptional person I have ever had the privilege of knowing and working with is Brad Wilson. I tell people all the time, if you look up the definition of exceptional, his mug shot would be right there. Brad understands life. He is funny as all get out. He is a leader with no enemies. He is everything I wish I could be. I became a better person when I met Brad. Thanks Wilson.
One of my favorite stories is the day I met the Russell Athletic rep, Bob Cook. To say we didn't get off to a good start is an under statement! Today, he is everything that the definition of best friend means. He is without a doubt, the best rep I have ever had, and no doubt he is the best friend I have ever had. There is no fun like Camp David fun. There is no friend like Bob. Some of the best times in my life have been spent with Bob. He is the big brother I never had. Thanks Bob for EVERYTHING.
There are countless others who I worked with and met during my time as a Cougar in Pullman that mean so much to me, but I would have to write a book to mention it all. I still tell stories all the time about Jaguar Basketball (thanks B Rose and B dub), Cougar Pawthentics (thanks B Rose and Sean Scanlon), THE ROSE BOWL (thanks coach price and ryan leaf), the Page (thanks Bob), the perks, (thanks Ernie), the managers (too many to list), and on and on and on.
But the best part of it all is why I am excited right now, and why I am so emotional right now. You see, the best part of Pullman is because I got to work side by side with my real brother, my real best friend, and MY Best Man, Milton. He is the reason they invented the word PROUD. You see, he had had to deal with my wrath of passion more than anyone. The biggest compliment either one of us have ever received is the day players at both Sam Houston and WSU said they didn't even realize we were brothers when I left to go else where. We just got things done and didn't worry about the other stuff. He sealed the deal for me at WSU. Thanks Milty! I love you.
The bonus is I get to see Milty's family. Lisa, Megan and Trevor. I can't wait!
But everyone who knows me, and knows my emotions, knows that when the ball is kicked off tomorrow at 2pm in Pullman, all this stuff is forgotten. My emotions will be with my team, my guys, my school, my passion, Wildcat Football. Win or lose, after the game I will be right back across that field to give Milty a big hug, tell him I love him and how PROUD I am of him.
Can I get some Kleenex please!
I think blogs are suppose to be somewhat short, so this will be tough, but there are so many things to talk about when I speak of my little over 9 years of my career and life there.
It is where I was able to connect with the greatest college Athletic Director and administrator of all time, Jim Livengood. Many have told me how good I have it, and all the credit goes to him. Only he could convince me that cold February day back in 1989 that WSU was right for me and my family. Jim has allowed me to fulfil all of my dreams as an equipment manager.
It is where I have met so many of my very best friends and people who have helped me get to where I am at today. Without these people I would be nothing! Just as much as Jim has allowed me this opportunity, guys like Jeff Bopp, who still makes me laugh today with his funny stories and sayings. Like JOOTP (just one of the perks). He has been one of the best perks of my career. Thanks Jeff.
Jim always said surround yourself with good people and everything else will work out. Well I must say I hit a home run when we hired JT Galloway from the golf course. JT is like a brother to me and is one of the best people I have ever known in my life. I will NEVER be able to repay JT for all that he has done for me. He is one of those rare people who has NO enemies. I am so proud of him. Thanks JT.
How about maybe the best student manager ever, Paul Lopez. I have told the story to so many about how rough those first few years were at WSU. Without Paul I don't think I could have made it. Maybe one of the best honors I have ever had bestowed upon me was the day he asked me to be the Best Man in his and Mary Ann's wedding. To this day, I talk to Paul almost daily and he continues to be one of my best friends, even though he is a Sun Devil. Thanks Paul, thats all.
Probably the most exceptional person I have ever had the privilege of knowing and working with is Brad Wilson. I tell people all the time, if you look up the definition of exceptional, his mug shot would be right there. Brad understands life. He is funny as all get out. He is a leader with no enemies. He is everything I wish I could be. I became a better person when I met Brad. Thanks Wilson.
One of my favorite stories is the day I met the Russell Athletic rep, Bob Cook. To say we didn't get off to a good start is an under statement! Today, he is everything that the definition of best friend means. He is without a doubt, the best rep I have ever had, and no doubt he is the best friend I have ever had. There is no fun like Camp David fun. There is no friend like Bob. Some of the best times in my life have been spent with Bob. He is the big brother I never had. Thanks Bob for EVERYTHING.
There are countless others who I worked with and met during my time as a Cougar in Pullman that mean so much to me, but I would have to write a book to mention it all. I still tell stories all the time about Jaguar Basketball (thanks B Rose and B dub), Cougar Pawthentics (thanks B Rose and Sean Scanlon), THE ROSE BOWL (thanks coach price and ryan leaf), the Page (thanks Bob), the perks, (thanks Ernie), the managers (too many to list), and on and on and on.
But the best part of it all is why I am excited right now, and why I am so emotional right now. You see, the best part of Pullman is because I got to work side by side with my real brother, my real best friend, and MY Best Man, Milton. He is the reason they invented the word PROUD. You see, he had had to deal with my wrath of passion more than anyone. The biggest compliment either one of us have ever received is the day players at both Sam Houston and WSU said they didn't even realize we were brothers when I left to go else where. We just got things done and didn't worry about the other stuff. He sealed the deal for me at WSU. Thanks Milty! I love you.
The bonus is I get to see Milty's family. Lisa, Megan and Trevor. I can't wait!
But everyone who knows me, and knows my emotions, knows that when the ball is kicked off tomorrow at 2pm in Pullman, all this stuff is forgotten. My emotions will be with my team, my guys, my school, my passion, Wildcat Football. Win or lose, after the game I will be right back across that field to give Milty a big hug, tell him I love him and how PROUD I am of him.
Can I get some Kleenex please!
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