Wednesday was my one-year anniversary here at Northern Illinois. I promised myself I wouldn't get all reflective about it, since I've done enough of that over the past year ... but the more I thought about it, the more I realized it is ok to be reflective.
I've been here only one year, and I've met so many great people. Some of those people are here by choice. Some of them are here out of necessity. Some are here simply to make a name for themselves. I respect all of those stances. I'm here by choice, but I'm also here out of necessity and to make a name for myself.
I've learned a great deal about collegiate athletics in the past year. If it enables me to move on this year or in another year or two, that doesn't matter to me. I'm comfortable here. Do I feel like we run like a well-oiled machine? No. But we will. There is so much potential here at Northern. I hope I am here to see it all succeed.
So next Thursday, we are hosting Maryland. It is a huge game for this university. I am not sure if I've ever been involved with a game that meant so much to one program. Maryland is good. Hell, they are great. But NIU has put up some damn good numbers in the past. It'll be interesting to see where the game ends. I honestly believe we ... Northern ... will beat Maryland. Call me crazy. Call me an idiot. Regardless of what you call me, you MUST watch the game Thursday night. It is on Fox Sports, national ... so check it OUT.
I suppose it was only a matter of time before I got sentimental. In my one year, I've allowed two women to get close to me. When I say, "get close," I mean I've allowed myself to think of them as possible dating prospects. Really, what it boils down to is that I have no prospects. I was having to defend myself tonight. I used to be the man in Winston. Right? Didn't I have a lot of girls to choose from? I think I did. Here though, I have nothing. It's kinda sad, but I realize things go in cycles. It's not that I'm some horrible person ... it's just that I'm not finding decent women to surround myself with.
***Omitted upon request.***
So this week is the Maryland game. There is so much to do, but I feel so much better about things this year than I did before the Wake game last year. The biggest thing I'm worried about this week is getting our mid-field logo in place. We are fortunate enough to have Field Turf as our surface in Huskie Stadium. The turf was installed over two years ago, but no mid-field logo was ever placed. This past spring, our director of athletics made the decision to name the field after a former NIU AD. Because of the delay in the decision to name the field, we were having trouble nailing down a date for the logo installation. The project was handed over to me, and I've begged and pleaded with the fine people at Field Turf to get this project done before August 28. Why? Well because our game is on national TV and we are having a half-time ceremony for the naming of the field. The logo has finally arrived in DeKalb, and installation will begin Monday night after practice. Honestly, this was a project I was unsure would be completed. Considering its magnitude, I realized how vital it was to have this project completed. My hero in this story is Kenny Gilman at Field Turf. He has been nothing but professional throughout this entire process, and the logo will be installed before out game Thursday night. I'm relieved. Our AD is relieved. Obviously I won't be totally thrilled until I see this thing in place, but it's nice to know it is in town and ready for installation. I have a dream last night that they brought the wrong logo. Just goes to show that I can't escape work, not even in my dreams. I'll post a picture of the installed logo on here hopefully this week. Or you could just look for it on national TV this Thursday.
Our volleyball coach had a little party Saturday night. It was good to hang out with some cool work friends. I am hoping that this year, being my second at Northern, will be as much fun as my second year at Wake. That probably isn't fair, considering the great times we had at Spring Street and where ever else we roamed in Winston. I shouldn't complain. I've got a great new apartment, plenty of friends living close by ... I know I'll make the most of it. I just hope everyone around here does as well.
That's it kids. Pull for the Huskies Thursday night. We can use all the help we can get.
ps - Don't forget about the ARGUS show September 6, at Fatty's here in DeKalb, IL.
I've been here only one year, and I've met so many great people. Some of those people are here by choice. Some of them are here out of necessity. Some are here simply to make a name for themselves. I respect all of those stances. I'm here by choice, but I'm also here out of necessity and to make a name for myself.
I've learned a great deal about collegiate athletics in the past year. If it enables me to move on this year or in another year or two, that doesn't matter to me. I'm comfortable here. Do I feel like we run like a well-oiled machine? No. But we will. There is so much potential here at Northern. I hope I am here to see it all succeed.
So next Thursday, we are hosting Maryland. It is a huge game for this university. I am not sure if I've ever been involved with a game that meant so much to one program. Maryland is good. Hell, they are great. But NIU has put up some damn good numbers in the past. It'll be interesting to see where the game ends. I honestly believe we ... Northern ... will beat Maryland. Call me crazy. Call me an idiot. Regardless of what you call me, you MUST watch the game Thursday night. It is on Fox Sports, national ... so check it OUT.
I suppose it was only a matter of time before I got sentimental. In my one year, I've allowed two women to get close to me. When I say, "get close," I mean I've allowed myself to think of them as possible dating prospects. Really, what it boils down to is that I have no prospects. I was having to defend myself tonight. I used to be the man in Winston. Right? Didn't I have a lot of girls to choose from? I think I did. Here though, I have nothing. It's kinda sad, but I realize things go in cycles. It's not that I'm some horrible person ... it's just that I'm not finding decent women to surround myself with.
***Omitted upon request.***
So this week is the Maryland game. There is so much to do, but I feel so much better about things this year than I did before the Wake game last year. The biggest thing I'm worried about this week is getting our mid-field logo in place. We are fortunate enough to have Field Turf as our surface in Huskie Stadium. The turf was installed over two years ago, but no mid-field logo was ever placed. This past spring, our director of athletics made the decision to name the field after a former NIU AD. Because of the delay in the decision to name the field, we were having trouble nailing down a date for the logo installation. The project was handed over to me, and I've begged and pleaded with the fine people at Field Turf to get this project done before August 28. Why? Well because our game is on national TV and we are having a half-time ceremony for the naming of the field. The logo has finally arrived in DeKalb, and installation will begin Monday night after practice. Honestly, this was a project I was unsure would be completed. Considering its magnitude, I realized how vital it was to have this project completed. My hero in this story is Kenny Gilman at Field Turf. He has been nothing but professional throughout this entire process, and the logo will be installed before out game Thursday night. I'm relieved. Our AD is relieved. Obviously I won't be totally thrilled until I see this thing in place, but it's nice to know it is in town and ready for installation. I have a dream last night that they brought the wrong logo. Just goes to show that I can't escape work, not even in my dreams. I'll post a picture of the installed logo on here hopefully this week. Or you could just look for it on national TV this Thursday.
Our volleyball coach had a little party Saturday night. It was good to hang out with some cool work friends. I am hoping that this year, being my second at Northern, will be as much fun as my second year at Wake. That probably isn't fair, considering the great times we had at Spring Street and where ever else we roamed in Winston. I shouldn't complain. I've got a great new apartment, plenty of friends living close by ... I know I'll make the most of it. I just hope everyone around here does as well.
That's it kids. Pull for the Huskies Thursday night. We can use all the help we can get.
ps - Don't forget about the ARGUS show September 6, at Fatty's here in DeKalb, IL.
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