I’m a Xavier University alum and have season tickets for their men’s basketball team, so I was thrilled that they beat Georgia State yesterday to get to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament. (It’s their 5th Sweet 16 since 2008.) But I think members of the media and casual fans of the tourney were disappointed because it ended a great story line about the Georgia State coach, Ron Hunter. While celebrating his team’s win in their conference tournament finals, he blew out his Achilles tendon…
…so he had to coach in the NCAAs while wearing a boot and sitting on a rolling chair that looked like it was straight out of the Staples catalog. When his son R.J. Hunter, a junior guard on the team, hit an amazing game-winning shot in their first round upset of Baylor, he was so excited that he fell out of his chair.
As fate would have it, another Georgia State player is Kevin Ware, who suffered a gruesome broken leg in the NCAA tourney while playing for Louisville two years ago.
And this is not the first time Ron Hunter has drawn attention to his feet. In 2008 he coached a game barefoot to encourage shoe donations and raise awareness for a charity called Samaritan’s Feet that provides shoes to poor children around the world.
Georgia State’s run was a great story. It wasn’t just about the injury but also about the joy of a father coaching his son, and both of them experiencing success together. Ron gave his son a big, teary-eyed hug when he came out of the game in the waning seconds yesterday.
And Coach Hunter had a heartwarming perspective about his team’s magical run in his post-game press conference:
What a class act! Now I almost feel bad that my beloved Musketeers beat them. Almost.
Today’s Target ad touts a sale where shoes are “buy one, get one 50% off.” I didn’t realize Target sold shoes individually. Most stores sell them in pairs. I wonder which shoe is 50% off… is it the right shoe or the left shoe? Or does it vary by shoe style? Can I buy one sneaker and get 50% off a dress shoe?
Mr. T is the new Tool Time man. “I Pity the Tool” is the best title ever. I just hope his gold chains don’t get caught in the shop vac… that could be fatal.
He has a prediction for the houses he’s going to rehab, too:
I’m thrilled to announce that this blog has received one of the most coveted consumer group endorsements in the country.
You may think that means the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval
But this is much more prestigious. My 11-year old daughter, upon hearing that I had a blog, said “That’s so lame! Does anyone even read it?” Coming from her, that really meant a lot. After all, her previous experience with blogging comes from a Disney show called Dog with a Blog.
Basically she’d rather read posts from a canine than from her old man. So from here on out my blog will proudly display this badge of honor:
Kevin Sullivan on Life advice from a man who lived it: “A good one Damian. Bring our lens into focus after the long weekend or our long life journey.” Jul 7, 09:38
Thomas Kuhl on We’re alive, because nothing happened.: “That is why we should celebrate every day when our feet hit the floor. Another to enjoy and share with…” Jun 25, 04:33
Thomas Kuhl on We’re alive, because nothing happened.: “This simply explains why we should celebrate every day our feet hit the floor. Another day to enjoy and share…” Jun 25, 04:31
You done said…