Happy birthday to my father. Dad, you've provided a great deal for your family. Despite working for those death merchants (kidding), you've been able to provide a wonderful home and a tremendous living environment for your children. I love you, and I hope you enjoy your day. And the DVDs I sent you!
I would be lying if I said things have been easy the past few weeks. Hosting two SEC championships in consecutive weeks is quite tiring. It was a hell of a team effort by the people here though. It is refreshing to know that even if something isn't "your job," that people are still willing to chip in to put on a successful event. We received many thanks from coaches and SEC staff, and that really makes all of the work and loss of sleep worth it.
I will give it up to Team Squeegee. Were it not for our tremendous efforts during the men's championship, we'd probably still be hosting the damn thing. Uh yeah, that's right. We had to clear the courts three times last Friday alone. Needless to say, I'm tired of rain. Hopefully we'll avoid it when we host NCAA Women's 1st and 2nd rounds in two weeks.
Well, I'm moving again. No, no. I'm not leaving Vanderbilt, but I am moving MUCH closer. Scott has been all over finding us a cool house in Sylvan Park, which is a young area close to campus. Let's see ... I'm moving 5 minutes away from work, I'll be saving $225 a month AND we'll have a kickass bachelor pad? Who WOULDN'T take that offer? It shall rock.
Amidst the craziness that was last week's men's tennis championship (congrats Georgia, by the way), I was fortunate enough to have two visitors. My Mom came into town last Monday and was here until Friday. While here, she got to check out some live country music at Tootsie's, watch a little tennis and take in the CMT Flameworthy Awards. It was nice having her here. And most importantly, she approved of my living conditions. See mom, I told you I was ok.
Friday afternoon, Ekhoff strolled into town. If you aren't familiar with Ek, he is the man whose lovely wife allowed him to turn his playroom into a TRUE player palace. Anyway, he drove down from Illinois to run the Music City Half Marathon, which took place on Saturday. Much props to everyone who ran in that damn thing. After witnessing the expressions of friends and watching the highlight film from it, I am determined to at least run the half next year. I don't really know why. There really is no reason to put your body through that type of event, but it is amazing to see a sea of people taking over the city streets.
Just in case I don't bitch enough on this page, here is a brief rundown of how the month of May looks for me:
- May 5-9, @ ECU for Marian's graduation
- May 11-14 @ Mauston, WI for an event management conference
- May 14-16 @ Oxford, MS for SEC Track
- May 19-23 @ Athens for NCAA tennis
Needless to say, I'll be running around like an idiot the entire month. At least I'll check out a couple of places I've never been before. More importantly, I'll be able to see some old friends.
A lot of my friends in the business ask me how the reorganization of Vanderbilt Athletics is going. To be absolutely honest, I don't know how to answer the question. Day to day, I do the things I need to do to put on athletic events. I run my office the way it should be run ... or I will once I have a little more time here. But in reality, I do not know what the future holds for the department. I think there are some decent reasons for some of the changes, but I also question other changes. I did take a substantial risk by taking this job with the uncertainty that surrounded the department. However, I totally feel like this has been worth it. In a short time, I've already made so many contacts that I would not have been able to make while at NIU. It has been a tremendous opportunity, and I hope I will have the resources here to continue my growth as an athletic administrator. Hey, it is ok to question things. It is ok to be concerned.
I just realize I have a great deal to prepare for next Fall, and many of the good people who are here now may not be here after the summer. It is sad, but I've got to find a way to do the things I need to do to make this a successful and well run Operations office. I may be slightly insane, but I think I can beat this challenge.
By the way, thanks to everyone who emailed me asking about a new Lowe Down. You guys are too kind.
I would be lying if I said things have been easy the past few weeks. Hosting two SEC championships in consecutive weeks is quite tiring. It was a hell of a team effort by the people here though. It is refreshing to know that even if something isn't "your job," that people are still willing to chip in to put on a successful event. We received many thanks from coaches and SEC staff, and that really makes all of the work and loss of sleep worth it.
I will give it up to Team Squeegee. Were it not for our tremendous efforts during the men's championship, we'd probably still be hosting the damn thing. Uh yeah, that's right. We had to clear the courts three times last Friday alone. Needless to say, I'm tired of rain. Hopefully we'll avoid it when we host NCAA Women's 1st and 2nd rounds in two weeks.
Well, I'm moving again. No, no. I'm not leaving Vanderbilt, but I am moving MUCH closer. Scott has been all over finding us a cool house in Sylvan Park, which is a young area close to campus. Let's see ... I'm moving 5 minutes away from work, I'll be saving $225 a month AND we'll have a kickass bachelor pad? Who WOULDN'T take that offer? It shall rock.
Amidst the craziness that was last week's men's tennis championship (congrats Georgia, by the way), I was fortunate enough to have two visitors. My Mom came into town last Monday and was here until Friday. While here, she got to check out some live country music at Tootsie's, watch a little tennis and take in the CMT Flameworthy Awards. It was nice having her here. And most importantly, she approved of my living conditions. See mom, I told you I was ok.
Friday afternoon, Ekhoff strolled into town. If you aren't familiar with Ek, he is the man whose lovely wife allowed him to turn his playroom into a TRUE player palace. Anyway, he drove down from Illinois to run the Music City Half Marathon, which took place on Saturday. Much props to everyone who ran in that damn thing. After witnessing the expressions of friends and watching the highlight film from it, I am determined to at least run the half next year. I don't really know why. There really is no reason to put your body through that type of event, but it is amazing to see a sea of people taking over the city streets.
Just in case I don't bitch enough on this page, here is a brief rundown of how the month of May looks for me:
- May 5-9, @ ECU for Marian's graduation
- May 11-14 @ Mauston, WI for an event management conference
- May 14-16 @ Oxford, MS for SEC Track
- May 19-23 @ Athens for NCAA tennis
Needless to say, I'll be running around like an idiot the entire month. At least I'll check out a couple of places I've never been before. More importantly, I'll be able to see some old friends.
A lot of my friends in the business ask me how the reorganization of Vanderbilt Athletics is going. To be absolutely honest, I don't know how to answer the question. Day to day, I do the things I need to do to put on athletic events. I run my office the way it should be run ... or I will once I have a little more time here. But in reality, I do not know what the future holds for the department. I think there are some decent reasons for some of the changes, but I also question other changes. I did take a substantial risk by taking this job with the uncertainty that surrounded the department. However, I totally feel like this has been worth it. In a short time, I've already made so many contacts that I would not have been able to make while at NIU. It has been a tremendous opportunity, and I hope I will have the resources here to continue my growth as an athletic administrator. Hey, it is ok to question things. It is ok to be concerned.
I just realize I have a great deal to prepare for next Fall, and many of the good people who are here now may not be here after the summer. It is sad, but I've got to find a way to do the things I need to do to make this a successful and well run Operations office. I may be slightly insane, but I think I can beat this challenge.
By the way, thanks to everyone who emailed me asking about a new Lowe Down. You guys are too kind.
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