Well, it has finally come to pass. I have found a job. Let the angels sing and the earth rejoice. Obviously, a new job is a life changing deal. Well, at least it is when you go from 24 hours a week to possibly 60-plus. Keep your eyes out for a LIFE UPDATE in the coming weeks.

On to the events of the past week. The big story in sports has been March Madness. I am pleased to say my championship game on my bracket is still alive. Syracuse vs West Virginia. On the other hand, having Louisville in my Final Four...

Saturday was a great one. Got out to Gryphon Stadium to record our first baseball game of the year for the Stretchlon Sports Show. The weather was perfect, the breeze was blowing out to left and the boys put up an 11-0 win over Tarboro. We can only pray that the weather will hold for the rest of the spring, but it was a great way to kickoff the 2010 Stretchlon outdoor season.

That evening, Tracy and I headed up to Greenville for a little date night. Nice dinner, not so nice trip to the new craft store in G-Ville, and then finished it up with a movie night. "Brooklyn's Finest" was the choice and it lived up to the hype. Just don't ask Tracy if she liked the ending.

That's about all I've got today. I'll leave you a video for your entertainment. Later.

Oh What A Night...

Saturday, March 13, 2010.

Rocky Mount - 84
Concord - 79

And I still have goosebumps writing it three days later.

My group consisting of Britt and Grant Johnson and also Chris and Jay Falk arrived at the Dean Dome in Chapel Hill at about 5:15 for the 7:30 tip. I have been to plenty of baseball games and football games in Chapel Hill, but somehow through all my travels, I have never been to the Dean Dome.

After picking up press passes and making sure everyone got in, I took a moment to look around the mezzanine area of the Dome. It really gives you a blast from the past to look at the pictures of all the UNC teams. Of course the first one I sought out was the 1977-1978 team, which starred former Gryphon great Phil Ford. I figured with it being a Rocky Mount night, who better to find a big picture of than a Rocky Mount legend.

I started down the steps to go to press row and drop off my radio equipment when I started to look up. And up, and up, and up, and...

Now I may not be a Carolina fan, but even I have to admit that it is incredible to just look up into the Dean Dome rafters. It is like a college basketball time machine. Every kid growing up in this state knows the names. Rosenebluth, Cunningham, Miller, Scott, Kupchak, O'Koren, Worthy, Jordan, Kenny Smith, Reid, Fox, Montross, Stackhouse, Jamison, Carter, McCants, Felton, Lawson, Hansbrough. And of course, Ford.

Just an awesome sight. You see the six national championship banners. The ACC championship banners. It kind of gives even the most hardcore Carolina hater a chill.

After finding our seats on press row, I set up the radio equipment and went exploring. The media room had the Georgia Tech-NC State game running, so I watched some of that with Chris Falk, who for the day was posing as Paul Andre so he could use a pass. Next I went in search of the Rocky Mount locker room. After I found this, the nerves started to kick in. So, as I had done before both regional games, I found a trash can and blew out my guts. Lovely huh?

Skip ahead to game time. Our radio broadcast started off great and I was getting a lot of text messages saying we sounded good. I know we had a coast-to-coast listenership and that had us feeling great as well. The broadcast went great and as you know, the game did as well. With about 18 seconds left, Coach Mike Gainey was able to put in the injured TJ Walker and that was the point I almost lost it. To see that kid get to realize his dream of playing in a state championship game was incredible. Torn ACL be damned, he got his chance. As the final buzzer sounded, Tony gave his championship call, which has been played over and over on Jammin 99.3 the last few days. And then everything I felt just welled up inside of me and I said how no one believed this team had the chemistry, the coaching or the grit to win a state title. It was satisfying way to end a heck of a season.

After the press conference and an interview on air with Coach Gainey, we called it a night and signed off our broadcast. I shook Tony's hand, packed up the equipment, found my crew and started to leave. As the guys were heading up the stands, I stopped short for a moment. I then jogged out to mid-court, slapped the logo and smiled. I figured this might be my one and only chance to get on the court at the Dean Dome. I mean, it's been 28 years since Rocky Mount had played for a state title. And you never know when you'll get a chance to get back.

So if I never get back, I will have March 13, 2010. The City of Rocky Mount will have March 13, 2010. The kids will have March 13, 2010.

And really, what better way to be introduced to the legendary Dean Dome than seeing my beloved Gryphons make history on that court. Heck of a lot better than having to see Carolina win on it...

Short, Sweet and to the Point

Sorry about not posting this week. It has been a barn burner of a week from the get go. But now the culmination is almost here.

At 7:30 tonight, in the Dean Dome, Rocky Mount plays Concord for the 3A State Basketball Championship. There it is. Short, sweet and to the point.

If you're not able to attend, we'll be broadcasting the game live on Jammin 99.3 FM. So if you're in listening range, tune us in. If you're not, click on the following link to listen to us live streaming Jammin 99.3. So that's it. Next time I post, I'm hoping Rocky Mount will be State Champs. One way or the other, it's been a heck of a ride.

Have fun America...

Just A Quick Hint About The Topic Of My Next Blog Post...

See ya'll Monday night with a new post...

Rain, Snow, and Wind: Why?

I think that God has a sense of humor. I truly do. And I'm not trying to be sacrilegious or anything. I just truly believe he does.

I believe he read my blog post from last week. You remember, the one where I was talking about how he gave us great weather just as baseball was arriving and it was his way of rewarding us for all the crummy weather we have had in 2010. Well, as I sit here now, the wind is blowing about 35 mph, and there is a mixture of rain and snow falling mercilessly. And today was opening day of high school baseball season. Wild guess on how that ended.

So anyway, now we sit back and wait for... WHY!!! WHY!!!! WHY!!!!!! IT WAS SO PERFECT!!! THE WEATHER, THE BASEBALL, THE ACTIVITIES!!!!

Please excuse that last outburst. Back to my post...

This past weekend was chilly, but the sun was out and ball was played. I personally attended my first ever women's college softball game thanks to Britt Johnson. (Britt's girlfriend Kendall Street pitches and plays 1st base for Barton) *SIDENOTE: I was also promised getting to go to the UNC baseball game, which never materialized. But we'll live.* I got the chance to take in a doubleheader involving the Barton Bulldogs and truthfully, I went in with very low expectations. They were blown off the map. I had a great time with Baseball Britt and got a chance to meet the Street family, and they are great people. When Kendall's sister, Megan, began harassing the umpires along with Britt and myself, I knew I was in an OK place. Barton lost both games (both to D-I schools) but played hard and looks to have a successful season ahead.

In college baseball news, East Carolina took two of three games against the #10 nationally ranked South Carolina Gamecocks. I attended the Friday game, which of course ECU lost. On Saturday, the Pirates tied and then won the game in the bottom of the ninth inning, with former Washington star Trent Whitehead knocking in the winning run. A big thanks to Grant Johnson for keeping me up to date on Sunday's game, which the Pirates won 4-2. A big thanks to Megan Street for the use of her cell phone, since the ole Crackberry refused to call out while at the Thomas Brooks Park in Cary. Yes Megan, your phone IS better than mine. Happy?

Tyler Joyner did not pitch any over the weekend, but I would not be surprised at all if TJ picks up some innings Wednesday as the Pirates travel to High Point for their first road test of the year. If you're in the Triad, catch the Pirates for a 4:00 first pitch at Williard Park. ECU is back in Greenville this weekend as they host Western Carolina, Illinois and West Virginia in the 7th Annual Keith LeClair Classic.

UNC took two of three against a very game Maine Black Bears squad. The highlight of the weekend was Brian Goodwin's first college homerun in Saturday's game. Then to cap off the weekend, B Good went 3-5 with a double in Sunday's game. You know, I have heard word of a former UNC player who is quite well known in these parts saying Brian would be nothing more than a pinch runner this season for the Tar Heels. I guess he was a little off in that observation as Brian leads UNC in total bases and RBI.

On the high school front, basketball is still going and the Gryphons are in the Eastern Regional. RM takes on Northern Guilford Thursday night at 7:00 at Minges Coliseum in Greenville. We are set up to do The Stretchlon Sports Show and hopefully a Gryphon win will be coming our way. If it does, Rocky Mount will play Saturday at 3:00 for a berth in the state championship game. Good luck to the boys on the hardwood and to head coach Mike Gainey!

I guess that will wrap it up for today. Keep an eye out this week for my Rocky Mount Baseball preview!! And yeah, it still sucks outside. But trust me, it will get better. God has a sense of humor, but I know he loves baseball too. And he will let us have it soon enough. Good night America...

PS: I know it's cold outside, and it doesn't feel like baseball weather. But these two will make anyone want to enjoy America's pastime.