Me and the AE Tourney - Why I'm sad to see it go.

It is tough to find a place to start. I think it's because I'm having a hard time believing it's finished.

The America East Tournament has been a part of my life since 2002. Through the years I've brought other people in on the fun. With the group growing it's largest in 2013 when we had 11 people in our group! The countless memories from just traveling to the cities are enough to make me miss this tourney. It was for most of us our first escapes after a long winter. A chance to shake things up as the weather warms and the Madness of March crept in.

I got to know Boston, Binghamton, Hartford, and Albany. I got to take in match-ups between other squads from the conference. It was fun to see them battle each other and  just enjoy a game rather than be stressed or have big time rooting interest. I went on the floor at Walter Brown Arena to attempt a half-court shot (just missed), won $1000 for the Burlington Boys & Girls Club in Hartford, and this past year in Albany won a bouncing horse race (video available on Facebook). I could rile up opponents fans and then get ours going. Getting to play the "face" and "heel" roles often moments apart. I made fans laugh with my signs, chants, yells, and barbs. I watched Hartford players attack our fans. Jose-Juan Barea well before he hit the NBA. I witnessed upsets, shockers, buzzer-beaters. Heroic performances like Taylor Coppenrath's 43-point effort in the Championship game. I dressed as Kitty Catamount for the 2003 Championship game and stormed Boston U's floor as UVM made the NCAA Tourney for the first time. I stormed the court in 2012 when we took down Stony Brook on long island. I've helped cut down nets for UVM, and twice for Albany. I have formed relationships with past coaches, players, alums, and employees from not just UVM but other America East teams as well.

I feel like a part of this conference. A part of this tournament. I'm the guy always in full uniform. The young guy amongst the sea of elderly UVM fans. The guy who always gets it going with the fans and keeps it clean. This tournament will always be a part of me, and maybe more importantly to me, I felt I was a part of it.

To say the least, this tournament format change upset me greatly. Its about more than those high seeds getting home games. It's about more than trying to "protect the conference's better teams."

It's about a tournament our teams can win. Sure the NCAA Tourney is the goal, but really will an America East team ever win it all? Probably not in my lifetime. This was the time of year any team could win. They all came to a neutral site and at the end the high seed hosts the big game on ESPN. The way a tourney should be. The hottest teams playing good basketball at the time playing for a shot a glory.

Having this format enter so soon meant we only had a chance to do this one last time. I'm not sure if it will truly hit me until this same week next year. When there's no trip to plan. No games, hotel parties, or city wandering. No eating at different restaurants, seeing other teams fans and bands, or gathering with my friends to support our squad. No Madness.

I am constantly angered to think of the people who made this choice and okayed it. They never thought about how many people loved this tourney. It wasn't a "basketball" decision. It was a business one, and one I'd love to see numbers, or projected numbers on, because I don't buy it. Seemed a lot of non-basketball people made the choice and it makes about as much sense as if I changed the format of a soccer tournament.

I was further angered at this situation when it was first announced and I joined the nay-sayers. I was asked to remove a Tweet to the AE Commissioner that simply read "You should be ashamed." in response to a video she posted about the change. I wasn't asked by her, mind you, but my boss. Someone went through the trouble of calling UVM to have me take it down. I think it was petty. I didn't say anything inappropriate. I just shared my opinion. Then I was blocked from following our team on Twitter. Ridiculous, and immature if you ask me. Trust me, "You should be ashamed." was very edited from what I wanted to say. Nonetheless I said very little about it until now out of respect for UVM and my then employment there. I'm not one to rattle cages, or unnecessarily be a dickhead, but I felt my opinion was just, and also not alone.

I still feel the same way today as I did the day of the announcement. Now I'm just sad. Sad to know there won't be anymore great March moments like the ones in years past. New ones will have to be made, but it will never be in the same way again.

Now I'm having a hard time finishing this. I know it's because of how many great memories will start with "Remember that time at the America East Tournament...?" It's sad they will just be memories now... instead of future fun.

Good-Bye friend. It was a pleasure.

R.I.P. America East Tournaments Done Right

State of The Pich' Address / From Fieldhouse to Forum Part 2

Hey y'all. Back again and I realized I need to hand out the coveted hardware. The Pich' Awards MVP male & female. Basically the folks that led me to this point need to get their just desserts right here before our story continues.

As announced on his birthday Derek Rabideau-Campbell (or Dr. Soup as I'm now realizing we should have called him) was a co-MVP. The DRC was a good friend this past year and even added his name to my ever growing list of roommates. Me thinks that Derek and I have even more in common than maybe we both realized. For awhile I really felt we were two dudes just going through the motions of life. Not really happy with where we were, but making the most of it, laying low, and trying to find a better way. We didn't have as many fun times as we should have, but when we did they were always memorable. For being there as a good friend, roommate, and softball coach Derek was a co-MVP male in 2013! Thanks D-Train!

That of course makes you wonder. Who was the other co-MVP male? Doug Dupont. Doug and I reconnected in the past year and he was the key factor in to my getting in better shape over the summer. We often hung out watching MMA new or old, getting by on the McDonald's Value menu, working out, and grabbing some beverages at any bar. When I returned from Seattle my hours were supposed to change and they didn't. That coupled with the fuel to find something better, and Doug's new job, kept us from hanging out as often. But there is no way that 2013 would have gone as ok as it did without Doug. I always have a good time hanging with him and enjoy our conversations so much that we've always felt they should be documented. Someday maybe we'll make that podcast. Thanks for everything Doug!

That brings me to the MVP female. Never have I had a tougher choice to make. After  meeting the nominees you'll understand.

Judi Jerome is the name of the therapist I saw for awhile, and she was the person that got me to figure out how to control my adhd and anxiety. I tried medications, and scheduling. She taught me methods to remember things, ways to stay focused, I learned so much from her and I couldn't be successful at my new job without the skills she taught me. Really everyday I make a list, update my dry-erase calendar, or stay calm in an anxiety-ridden moment... it's all thanks to her. Thank you so much Judi. I couldn't have done it, or be doing it, without you!

Laura Ewell and I met years ago at the America East Tournament. We were introduced by Justin St. Louis, and I had no idea then, that she would become such an important person in my life. During last year's Super Bowl as her then roommate scooted out in a Ravens t-shirt to go watch the game, I was informed he was moving out. (SideBar: His team won last year then I moved in to that room this year. My turn? Go Broncos! Also DRC might want to move his stuff in to that room and bet on the Pack in 2015!) I inquired about living there because quite frankly I wanted a place to call my own. Living at the family's house was great for a lot of reasons but I needed my own space. Laura gave me that space. She joined us with our crew for the second straight year at the AE Tournament, was a great friend, and a better landlord! 2013 would have been a big bowl of suck without you Laura! Thanks so much!

Danielle Dufresne was as impactful as a person can be who lived in NYC the whole year. She seemed to be in Vermont at some keys times and then of course I weaseled my way into being one of her escorts to Michelle and Ryan's wedding in Washington state. That trip which still bears the "Best Vacation Ever" mantra, was probably enough to put her on the top of the MVP-female heap, but being there for me whenever I needed to chat, or needed to lineup a date of my own for the Companion-Bailey wedding, made Danielle a stand-out in 2013. Words really can't be formed to explain how much thanks I have for having her in my life. Maybe I'll come up with some for our "wedding" if she's still single when she hits 30. #BackUpPlan But seriously I love you Danielle. Thanks for everything, and don't think I forgot how you helped me move all my shit to New Hampshire, but that goes in your 2014 campaign!

Last but not least how could I not mention Brittni Simmons. I have to admit I think I'm about to piss some people off, but I  really have to get this off my chest. First off I understand why everyone has the ideas and views they have when it comes to Brit and I, but here's the thing. I'm not saying everything you think is wrong, but a lot of it is. I have always hated that I feel like I have to "defend" my relationship with her to some people, no matter what the official or unofficial label is or was. I appreciate that people were concerned for me. Don't think I don't. However I'm a grown man. If Brit was really as poisonous as people think for me then why the hell did I get so much out of our time together in all capacities? How many times did she give me a place to crash, a free meal, an ear? How often were we such a great team being there for each other? Often we were the only other person that could calm the other down. Who recommended I see someone to figure out what was up with me (ADHD & Anxiety)? Who taught me to be more accepting of Boston sports, and look past people's fandom? Who taught me to enjoy hiking, healther foods, Vermonter-type stuff? Who taught me to enjoy parts of Massachusetts? I WOULD NEVER HAVE APPLIED FOR A JOB this close to Boston before I met Brittni. For every inch of heartache I felt, it was met with something positive. If anyone ever takes the time to get to know her you'll enjoy the same giving, loving, caring person that I know. In fact her main downfall is that she gives to much, often loves too hard, and cares too much. Remind you of anyone? This isn't Rihanna taking Chris Brown back... this is two people who formed a damn good team, and learned a ton from each other in the process.  When I left I didn't have the good-bye moment with Brit because I left a day early. I couldn't bear the thought of saying good-bye. Even though I'm still pretty close by. I had a tearful good-bye with Sadie and left a note. I haven't talked to her much since, but I still think about her everyday. From every long relationship I've had I've gained valuable knowledge, and lasting friendships. The last thing I'm saying on this topic is the following. Hopefully it sheds some light on how I feel.

On a Monday morning in November I woke up and saw a picture of Brit on Facebook. For some reason seeing this picture made me realize it wasn't to be, at least right now, and it motivated me to re-start my search for jobs elsewhere. Honestly living in Vermont was ok with her in the picture but that picture seemed faded now. I applied to a job at a rink in East Boston online. 15 minutes later FMC called me and the rest is history...  So when people asked if I was "moving alone." It bothered me because internally it seemed so obvious. I later realized the other two times I moved away an ex was involved so it made sense to ask. Just when you think this isn't so different... think again. I stepped out to this place on my own because the job was so great, the situation was so perfect, other than missing all the fine folks of Vermont and UVM everything for me here is better. And I wanted a better life, and I'm having it. So another motivating moment from Brit led me here. I'm ok with that, because she's had a good track record with me. I always knew that. Now everyone else does to.

Thank you for everything Brittni! I love you and Sadie and I know I'll be seeing you guys soon! I hope you aren't mad at me for sharing this. I know you're a very private person but I wanted people to know how much you've done for me and how much you mean to me and always will.

All of that said I have decided that this year's MVP Female is the first ever 4-way tie. Oddly enough the ladies either don't know each other, or in one case had a falling out of being best friends, but you know what did bond them all? Me. I was lucky enough to be influenced, loved, and surrounded by 4 great ladies this past year and it's only fitting they all get a quarter of the award that bears my mother's name. When I look back at this award in the future I'll never regret having a 4-way tie, and it will always remind me of my final year in Vermont and how in each their own way, they helped me get what I needed out of myself to succeed as I left.

So there they are. The Pich Award MVP's from 2013. I'll return to the story of Hudson, NH, the Chelmsford Forum, and life here now next time.


P.S. Go Broncos! 

The State of The Pich Address 2014 / From Fieldhouse to Forum Part 1

It's been far too long since I last checked in. In fact I was recounting my trip to Seattle. Ironically the weekend I was there the Denver Broncos played the Seattle Seahawks in a pre-season game that the Seattle papers said could be a Super Bowl preview. I laughed at the thought of Seattle being up to the task, but earlier today as I start writing this we learned that to be true. 

I don't intend to go back and finish the description of the best vacation ever, but that takes nothing away from that trip which also was the 2013 Trip of the Year Pich' Award Winner (announced now, but really is anyone shocked?). 

On that trip I came up with the #DoMoreAwesomeThings or #DMAT initiative. That trip awoke something in me. I needed to be able to get out and do more awesome stuff, but why didn't I? Mostly lack of money. I set the summer of 2012 as my goal to leave VT back in 2010 before I even moved back from Milwaukee. My time in VT was growing stale. I wasn't satisfied with what I did, what I got paid to do it, or where my life was or where it was heading. The trip to Seattle was a wake up call I desperately needed to get back out there and search for that "more" that I can be.

Soon after returning others saw that spark in me too. People often asked when I was moving to Seattle, and to be honest it was the first place I started sending resumes. As time wore on I broadened the search. Eventually looking in the last place you ever thought I'd look...

Tangent: For folks that know me you know how much I like to share. For the past couple of years I shared less and less. I felt I had very little worth sharing and what I did have that I valued I didn't wish to share. As this blog continues, and I think it will be quite long, know that I have done so much in the past few months that is worth sharing. And I want to share it with you. Partially because I'm proud to have things to share, and partially as a way of thanking everyone who got me to this point. With me leaving, all the working, traveling, packing, the holidays... it was hectic, and I don't feel I gave a proper good-bye except for at UVM where the final day at work couldn't have been much sweeter. But I'll get to that... Along the way Ill also hand out some Pich' Awards, and tell you how much we have all lost in comedy and entertainment by my lack of a video camera. Soon that problem will be remedied. Until then read these words...

On November 11th I woke up and readied to search for jobs as usual on my day off. I found a job managing a rink in East Boston and sent my resume online. 15 minutes later they called to setup an interview for that Thursday. So secretly I told a few fibs and made my way down for the interview. Despite locking my keys in my Jeep not far from the office I made it there on time. 

During the interview I was vocal and earnest about why I was there. I wanted to do more than I was doing, and I wanted to earn more money. I'm still not exactly sure what I sold them on, I've still only seen the people I interviewed with once since I was hired, but I could tell when I left it went well because they had me stop by another rink that they would rather perhaps have me at. That's when I met the Chelmsford Forum and Casey Murdough (2013 Male Rookie of the Year). I had actually met Casey before a couple times at NEISMA conventions, but never in Vermont where we are both from. He worked for years in Essex at the rink there where his dad ran the building and he went to school. He had moved down to the Forum about 4 years ago. Casey had done a great job of maintaining the Forum and I could tell from things that were said that the company, FMC Ice Sports, was going to miss him. I guess maybe they felt another dude from Vermont was the best guy to step in mid-season and take the reigns?

11 Days after that Thursday I was called and offered the job. I took sometime to think about it and after weighing all the particulars I couldn't find any good reason not to go. The money was so much more than I made at UVM and I could train during December on my off days at UVM. Everything just started to fall in to place which was good because all of the sudden I had to relocate in a month!

Thus began a hectic December during which I only had glimpses of the holidays. If not for Brittni, her roommates, and family I might have forgotten the holidays entirely. I still feel like I missed out on a lot of it. I didn't really get gifts for people with my money tied up in a move. I did help get a Christmas tree, make a Gingerbread hockey rink, and take part in an epic unwrapping experience at Brit's family's place.

The farewell tour began at UVM. The travel began down to Chelmsford on the weekends returning on Tuesdays (they put me up in a hotel). While there and not working I setup places to look at to live. Then when I was back in VT I often spent time packing and trying to organize my move to wherever I ended up.

Mini-Tangent: Throughout this time I noticed that as I got ready to leave Vermont for the 3rd time, that unlike the other times where I only thought of the excitement and newness... this time I was sad to leave. My final days at UVM brought tears to my eyes as did saying good-bye to Sadie. Even not saying good-bye to some made me saddest. But at the end of the day then, and even more so now, I know I did the right thing for me. Not a doubt in my mind. I like that I'm only 3 hours away from home this time. I live in a bordering state for crying out loud. However this time I was smart enough to realize how much I've missed the 802 in the past. How much it shaped me as a man, and how wherever I go and whatever I do... even if I am embarrassed sometimes of the Vermont stereotypes and truths... I will always be proud to be a Vermonter!

And we're back. The last few weeks seemed to race by. And as the year came to an end I realized that I started the new gig on Jan. 1st! Talk about starting a new year differently! On my last trip down for training I headed back for Vermont on Christmas Eve. I had one last place to look at in the morning before I decided on which of the other places I'd seen, all of which I wasn't crazy about, I would live at. That's when I met Heidi. Tucked away not far from the major shopping area of Nashua, NH lies the town of Hudson. I met Heidi at her place and could tell right away she was pretty chill. We spoke for about a half hour during which she gave me the tour and then offered me the place starting whenever. I was further honored to learn that I was the only decent person she had met in the several months she had the place posted on Craigslist.

So at the last second I had found the perfect spot for me. Room bigger than my old one but at the same price. Therefore, with my making more money, I'll be able to pay off old debts, and eventually do that thing called, "Saving." I mean at some point in the next couple years I could actually afford a house, and that wasn't happening at UVM anytime soon. I mean I love the place, you know I do, but I was sick of having to have a second job to make ends meet or be able to afford food, clothes, gas, and basic things. If not for the painting job I picked up over the summer I would have never been able to go to Seattle. The #DMAT initiative may have never been born.

As the final days arrived I thought it and odd coincidence that the Catamount Cup was hosting not only Canisius & Clarkson but also UMass-Lowell. The Chelmsford Forum (formerly known as the Tully Forum) was the home of UMass-Lowell hockey for many years before they built a new downtown arena closer to campus. They still practice at the Forum on occasion in fact. I introduced myself to their staff throughout the weekend and then watched as the Riverhawks and Catamounts both won their games but with a last-second goal by UVM they won the overall goals tiebreaker and were declared Catamount Cup Champs. It was the best-case scenario for me as the new home team and the forever home team won both games and the Cats won the cup. It was a fitting end to my career there and the guys even wished me good luck via the scoreboard during my final ice. I even took an extra lap to wave good-bye to the fans. I will miss UVM game days more than you could ever know. The weekend was perfect and I will forever remember the send-off, well wishes, and great moments!

 

In the coming days I will get back to writing more. I will finish this mega-blog to update everyone on how it's going. This pretty much takes you up to when I left. Next time I'll get in to the actual leaving, arrival, and first days on the job. A polar vortex, non-working heaters, and growing pains sure made it interesting. Then of course the weekends around the Companion-Bailey wedding! So much to tell... This guy is off to bed for tonight. If anyone has an in for Super Bowl tickets let this guy know!

From Fieldhouse to Forum Part 1 was brought to you by:

Market Basket - A grocery store chain down here that is pretty cool.

Center Sports - The only place to get Chelmsford Lions gear!

&

Best Western Hotels - "We beat out several other Westerns for the title. Come see how the Best was won." 

(Those are all non-paying endorsements added for my own amusement, but c'mon that last slogan is good right?)