JOURNAL

JOURNAL ARCHIVE

Coaches vs. Cancer, College Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Las Vegas Classic 2007

I had a great start to the college hoops season in New York City at the mecca, Madison Square Garden. I really enjoyed doing the match-up of Memphis versus Connecticut. Memphis prevailed with their great team defense. Their freshman, Derrick Rose, is a tremendous point guard. My wife and I went from New York to Kansas City where we saw the unveiling of the new College Basketball Hall of Fame at the Sprint Center. It was absolutely phenomenal. I was fortunate to see all the inductees being inducted into this prestigous Hall including Kareem Abdul Jabbar.

It was terrific Sunday night when I was honored to speak and welcome all the beautiful people for the big event. The Hall will now showcase all the stars in college hoops. While in Kansas City, I did the College Basketball Experience game of UCLA versus Michigan State. UCLA came from behind to win, headed by their terrific diaper dandy, Kevin Love. He was sensational winning the MVP of the tourney. From Kansas City we headed to Las Vegas where we stayed at Caesars Palace. My wife and I had an amazing dinner at Nero's for Thanksgiving. While in Vegas we took in three shows, Danny Gans, the Rat Pack, and Tony Bennett.

It is always terrific to see the show and all the happenings in Vegas! On Saturday night it was time to work again as it was North Carolina versus Brigham Young in the final of the Las Vegas Classic.

BYU made the championship game as they upset Louisville the day before. It was a great game but North Carolina ultimately prevailed.

 

To view more photos from these trips CLICK HERE

 

 

Nov. 12, 2007

I had a chance today to shoot some commercials for Auto Advantage.

Their owner Kevin Geagan, is a terrific guy who has done a phenomenal job with pre-owned vehicles. Yes, Auto Advantage in Ft. Myers, FL and Asheville, NC are the place to go if you want to save loads of cash and get high caliber quality pre-owned vehicles. it was a fun afternoon baby!

I did the shoot at Sound Stage One in Sasasota, FL under the production of John Kline, who I have worked with extensively for ESPN shoots. It was a lot of work but lots of fun.. remember Auto Advantage is the place to go ot save big bucks, hey I am even doing the commercial on my website...

 

Nov. 9, 2007

I had a super time at Ferris State University as I was the guest speaker for the Ferris State Foundation banquet.

It is an annual event that raises thousands of dollars for scholarships for students at the university. It was black tie affair in Grand Rapids, Michigan held at the Amway Grand hotel ballroom. I met some beautiful people including Jeremy Mishler, Director of Advancement and Marketing at the university. He was the host of the evening and always made sure my wife and I were being taken care of. He did an outstanding job!

Then I had a chance to sit at my table with Dr. David Eisler, President of the univeristy, and his wife Patty and his daughter Heather who is studying to obtain her Phd in Biology at the Univertsity of Notre Dame. Also at my table was Bill Sall, coach of the Ferris State Univesrity basketball team and his wife Karen, and chariman of the Ferris State Foundation Board Sueann Walz and her husband Ken.

Also enjoyed sitting with the state seantor, Bill Hardiman and his wife as well. We had a blast sharing story after story. It was a great event and a positive memory I will always have!

 

Nov. 4, 2007

What a great time I had at the Ritz Carlton in Jupiter, Florida where I was giving a speech for Williamson Energy. Williamson Energy is headed by Chairman of the Board, Chris Cline, an outstanding leader, who in the coal business has a reputaion that is impeccable. He is without a doubt the Peyton Manning of the coal industry. Also had a great time shooting the breeze talking sports with Mike Beyer, CEO. Also a fanatic hoops fan was the controller Keith Varney.

My wife and I could not have been treated better. The host Stephanie DiPeitro was very gracious, her hospitality was outstanding. After speaking at the event, it is easy to see why Chris Cline is a big time success. He is a great leader, delegates well and surrounds himself with terrific people. He does all the things that are essential to making it in the corporate world. It was special night, shared with special people.