Cleveland rocks!

Ok, so I did end up going to Cleveland last Tuesday for the MAC Basketball Tournaments. I got the call Tuesday morning, telling me I had a hotel room for the week and job duties for the women's championship. Needless to say, I was frantic Tuesday morning, but the trip was worth every second. Here are some highlights and thoughts:

Tuesday night, I roll into town with Cameron, our assistant director of marketing. She used her flirting skills to get owner of a little Irish pub to close his doors and take us out on the town. He buys us drinks all night, and we end up at this sweet place called Liquid, were we end up drinking with NFL Hall of Famer, and former Cleveland Brown, Leroy Kelly. How is that for your first night in Cleveland?

You have to love being the benefactor of a girl flirting. She does all the work. Dumb guy falls for it. I get free drinks all night.

Wednesday I head over to the Gund for the quarterfinals of the women's tournament. Was fortunate enough to meet some GREAT people with the MAC, as well as with other universities. Marshall and Kent State apparently volunteer for these tournaments every year. I'm pretty proud of myself for volunteering, when it seemed like such a strange idea to some of my co-workers. Hey, it helps for me to meet these people, but I truly believe it also helps to show that our athletic department is ready and willing to help out the conference.

Wednesday night, more of the same. This time Flip was in town, as well as some others from the department. We all went out yet again. Good times.

Girls have it too easy. Second night in a row I have benefited from girls flirting with guys. Hey, I don't mind the free drinks, but couldn't it just happen once where I flirt with a girl and it actually works?

I slept in late Thursday. The women's teams had the day off, and it was quarterfinal day for the men. I didn't really care about the early games, so sleeping in was a much better option. However, when I did wake up, I was sucked into possibly the worst movie EVER made. James Earl, what were you thinking?

So once I motivated myself, I headed down to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I figured I had to do at least one touristy thing, but this was pretty remarkable. U2 was the featured exhibit. I have always been a fan, but now I have much more respect for their work. The HOF is indeed something everyone should try to see, even if you aren't a music lover.

No real jazz or rap areas in the HOF, except the clothes Chuck D wore in the "Don't believe the hype" video. I suppose neither are really rock and roll. Maybe there just needs to be a Music Hall of Fame.

Had a drink before the Huskies game vs. Western Michigan in the sports bar in the Gund. We ask the lady bartender to turn one of the TV's to ESPN so we can watch the FSU/Clemson game. Here is the conversation that transpired: ME:Yes ma'am, could you please turn the above TV to ESPN. We'd like to watch the ACC tournament play-in game
LADY:I don't think we get that channel.
ME:I'm sorry? Is this a sports bar?
LADY:Honey, we are busy. Let me see if I can find a remote. (there were maybe 15 people in there)
ME:Nice to see customer service is of the utmost importance here.
LADY:Here. I changed it.
ME:Ma'am, that is Fox Sports. They are playing the 1783 Sun Belt championship. I was looking for ESPN.
LADY:Give me a few minutes.
ME:Fine. Man, you thought the 80s had short basketball shorts. They wore just underwear in the 1783 Sun Belt championship.
LADY:Ok, here you go.
ME:Ma'am, this is ESPN2. See, before ESPN2 was ever created, there was this wonderful channel called ESPN.
LADY:Well, I don't think we get that.
ME:WHAAAAAAAAAAT?!?!?! With all due respect, could you be insane? I'm not sure I've ever heard of a Sports Bar without ESPN.
LADY:Jim (manager), do you know if we get ESPN?
JIM:Um, YEAH. Give me the remote.
ME:Oh thank Christ.

The ACC really needs to spring for a custom championship floor like the BIG 10(11) did in Chicago. Davis, you listening?

The Huskies pulled out a nice win over Western, only to set-up the ass beating from Central Michigan (they won the whole thing)Friday night. The Huskies had a hell of a season considering how it started out. I was proud of the coaches and kids.

What is it about wearing a visor that causes people to want to pick on you? Yes, I like wearing visors from time to time. And yes, I like spiking up my hair with gel. Get over it.

Friday night, had a great sit down session with some of the guys in the department who made the trip ... Smoose, RC, Tim, Brad, Phil ... great bantering back and forth, although I can repeat none of it here.

Tim actually gave me some very enlightening advice. He is about 5 years away from being an athletic director somewhere. I've got to ponder the advice over the next few weeks, but if I want to be an athletic director, I think I know the road I need to take.

Western Michigan is your 2003 MAC women's basketball champion. It was really a great experience being involved with the tournament. I love the championship atmosphere. I was told to plan on being back next year for both tournaments. So I'm back in DeKalb. Had a great week that I wasn't even expecting. Time to kick some work ass this week and nail down all of the travel plans for football, and get this 2003 MAC Men's Tennis Championship squared away. Should be a great week. And hey, it's MARCH MADNESS time. Yeah, I know. My Dogs aren't in it, neither are my Huskies or Heels. All I have left to say is ... GO DEACS!