strange opportunities abound.

There must be something in the water over at IUPUI during basketball games or something. Last night I did P.A. for a men's basketball game; same as I've done for four seasons here (and about four or five seasons prior to that at IU South Bend). After the game I notice a fellow walking toward me from the opposite side of the court. He was a tallish, African American fellow; maybe in his late 30s or early 40s. I could tell by his gait that he was approaching me at the scorers table, where I sit and work during the games.

"How are you doing?" he said, politely.

"Good, you?" I replied in a curious tone. Typically, when a person approaches me after the game like this, it's to request I announce something (missing car keys, etc.)

"Do you work for the University, or do you work on your own?" he asked.

"Uhh, no, I don't work for the University. I used to," I replied, somewhat perplexed.

"I was just wondering," he continued. "Because I'm the owner of a new ABA franchise we're starting up here and I wondered if you do announcing anywhere else but here."

"Sure, yeah, I do other announcing other than here," I responded.

"Do you have a card?" he asked. "I'd like to call you, because I really like your style."

huhwhat?

Did he just say he likes my announcing "style?"

I gave him a card with my cell phone number on it. He introduced himself as Rob Blackwell. After a quick bit of googling, I learned he is, in fact, the named owner of the Indianapolis Alley Cats, a new franchise in the ABA.

Aside from the astonishment to the news that the ABA is starting up again (after a very recent and public failing), I was equally stunned to be approached.

Truth be told, I think I do a decent job as a PA announcer. I make mistakes from time to time, but overall I think I am better than average. I admit that I'm somewhat snobbish when I hear shitty announcers; but this is not to make anybody think I'm some sort of pro.

Nevertheless, I've received more positive feedback from complete strangers for my announcing than ever before. Opposing team fans, college girls at a cheerleading gig, and now the owner of a team in a fledgling league.

I'll take the guy's call, should he decide to phone me. I'm a big enough whore (and smart enough whore) to at least listen to what he's got to offer. But I'm also highly realistic. The ABA has failed twice already; once in the 70s and once a couple years ago.

But I sort of have visions of working Indiana Pacers games. I have goals of working NCAA National Basketball Championship tournament games (including the Final Four). So I'll take the call. Hey, a little extra work can only help.

But the truth is this: I still have a long way to go to be as good as some of those guys in NBA arenas.

those scrappy jags . . . and ed "macgyver" holdaway.

After a largely difficult and trying season, our women's team left it all on the court tonight and came away winners in their final home game of the season. It was impressive, to be perfectly honest. The women's team -- and I say this with absolutely no malice -- is not as talented as many other teams in the conference. In fact, I would bet our best player isn't as good as any one of Chicago State's top four. But what they lack in talent, they make up for it in scrappiness.

Early on in the season, the women's team was getting pounded out of games. But they seem to have found a bit of a rhythm as a gritty team that won't go quietly. I honestly hate watching them lose because they're such good kids, every one of them. They have good attitudes and seem to want to have fun on the court. I'm glad to see they were able to finish the season respectfully. Of course, they'll have their work cut out for them when they go to the conference tournament in a couple weeks. Who knows? Crazier things have happened. Maybe they can shock the world; or at least Tulsa and the Mid-Con.

Overall tonight's game was fun. We had a spirited crowd -- both home and visiting fans -- and had a good game to watch. A couple friends even came out tonight, which was really cool. They now know I'm actually doing this and not making it up. Of course, the game was not without technical difficulties. We lost one set of speakers due to faulty wiring. Thanks to Ed "MacGyver" Holdaway, we were able to get the sound back for the second half.

We also had our Senior Night recognitions for Eboni Jamssens and Jessica James. They're my first "four-year" players. I've been there at the scorers table for four years, so I've watched them all four years. I'm glad they left on a winning note.

Let's hope the men do the same tomorrow and next Monday.

vengeance is mine, sayeth the announcer.

We only have one more women's home game. Last night was the Valpo game and, well, we lost. It sucks, but oh well. This is not meant to be an overt dig on the team: they are not as talented as most teams in this conference, but they are a scrappy bunch. They've gotten better about fighting for every game. The problem is, they just don't have the scoring ability to come back from five, six, or ten points down.

The game had better attendance than I had anticipated. Most teams and fans are the same: if you don't win, they don't show up. Period.

The girls on the team are really nice kids so I wish they had better crowds and more wins, but those are the breaks.

I won't be able to travel with the teams to Tulsa for the conference tournament. If I had a cheaper way to board my dog, I might. And if I could afford to take the time off, I would. It's different, now that I no longer work for the U.

It's funny. Two of the IUPUI Dancers were beside themselves when I told them I walked away from a job that gave me seven weeks off a year.

Stop looking at me like that!

I tried incorporating as many "love" songs in the game last night, but nobody really caught on. After the SID gave me some grief over on error, I paid him back in full. I played YMCA, by the Village People. He hates that song and it makes him insane.

Ha.

Ha. Ha. Ha.

where has the season gone?

Saturday was our last basketball doubleheader of the season. In fact, we only have four total games left at home. Wow, where did the season go? I can't believe we've already gotten through three months of the season.

Despite losing on Saturday afternoon, our women's team is improving. Granted, that's a very relative term, but they're a far cry from where they were early in the season. It's a very scrappy team, really. The overall talent level is low, I'm sorry to say, but they play with a lot of heart. I think they'll make the conference tournament, but probably won't get that far. Then again, we had a golden opportunity to knock off the #1 seed last season, but choked away a 10-point lead. Perhaps that's why we have a new coach this year.

The men's team are so Jeckyll-and-Hyde that it probably gives Coach Hunter a facial tic. On Thursday, their free throw shooting and field goal percentage were so bad that they could barely hit the floor. Saturday night they shot the lights out. Sure, Southern Utah is not as good as Valpo, but our shooting is so up and down anymore that you have no idea what to expect out of this team. They scare me, going into the tournament. They're the most unpredictable team in the tourney. UMKC is the most surprising.

Saturday was a very fast day, really. We had so many promotions and such that I felt like I was talking all day long. My personal favorite, obviously, was the game sponsorship for UITS. I had three good years of employment with them, so it's always great to see them. Although I forgot to do an announcment in the men's game for them. I hope Angie A. finds it in her heart to forgive me.

It's sort of bittersweet when we wind down the season. I always feel like I have to put it back on the shelf just as I'm getting in perfect sync. I've probably had more fun this season doing PA than any other season I've worked. I'm not ever sure why.

Oh well, there's always next year. I hope they have me back again.

cinderella goes to the ball.

History shall recognize Thursday, 3 Feb 2k5 as a pivotal moment in the life of Kevin the P.A. Announcing Monkey. Just as that November evening in 2k1 was momentous in that I graduated from P.A. duties at an NAIA school to an NCAA D-I school, last night I moved up to working at Conseco Fieldhouse.


All alone in this big, empty house. Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis.

Conseco Fielhouse is:
* one of the finest basketball arenas in the country
* home of the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever
* where Ron Artest is currently being held without bond

I do P.A. announcing for the IUPUI Jaguars and we played our first game ever at Conseco last night. It was, without a doubt, a major moment for the program. Sadly, we lost the game, but it did not dampen my ability to bask in the moment. I got there early yesterday, knowing it would be a great opportunity to take it all in; sort of like that scene in Rudy when Rudy's dad entered The House That Rockne Built for the first time.


That's me, standing right directly on Conseco Fieldhouse's Center Court. Yeah, the stat guys giggled when they saw me doing this.

Okay, that's a little puffery, but it's not everyday I get to step foot on the same court used by Jermaine O'Neal and Reggie Miller. So what did I do?

* Stood on Center Court and made phone calls to my brother and my boy Franny
* I called my mom whilst dribbling a basketball on that spot and said, "do you hear that? I'm dribbling a ball on the floor at Conseco!!!"
* I shot hoops in the shoot-around with the team (under asst. coach's instructions, I was not permitted to leave the court until I made a shot...I think I was one-for-eight from the field and couldn't hit an NBA three to save my life.

Doing P.A. with real, professional equipment was something to behold. To hear my own voice echoing throughout the Fieldhouse was both cool and frightening.

My initial thoughts on the floor:
* It seems "bigger" on TV
* It's really surprising how well you can see faces far away from the floor
* You can feel the floor vibrate under your feet when you pound the basketball
* The nets are actually hand-woven; not pre-woven
* Stat guys are the same, no matter age or place

Do I have visions of pursuing this beyond my gig with the Jaguars? I'd be lying if I said taking a shot at it, should it come available, isn't a private goal.

In the meantime, I shall bask in the moment. Even if we did fucking lose the game.

d-day.

Tonight's the night.



The Clash at Conseco
Valparaiso Crusaders vs. IUPUI Jaguars
7 p.m. tonight.

You can listen on ESPN 950 AM locally, or at Indiana Sports Radio on the Web.

this and that.

I forgot to blog about a couple recent events.

Last Weekend

I PA'd a cheerleading/dance competition at Plainfield High School. It was actually better than expected. The first day was quite grueling, though. Eight hours or so of PA in one day? Yeah, I was fried. It was made easy for me by the crew working the event. It was staffed by many cheerleaders from local colleges. They all were very nice and friendly.

It was fun to branch out and work a "gig" for a change.

If they ask me to do it again, I'd do it.

Monday's Women's Game

Admittedly, it's tough to get excited about the season this year as the team continues to struggle. But on this night, the Jags showed something. They were down by 16 points to open the second half.

And won.

They held UMKC to just 12 points in the second half. Twelve points!

Considering the amount of tough luck this team has experienced this year, it was nice to see them leave it all out on the floor and come away with a win.

It was their best effort of the season, thus far.