One of the downsides of being the Hall Director is that it is hard sometimes to get away from Siebert and campus to explore the Columbus area. Between meetings, being on call, programs and other commitments, it can be real tricky to try to steal away from campus for a little bit.
But that's why I love spring break. Without any students around, I get a little more free time since there are no meetings, judicial hearings and so on. So I decided to venture out of Siebert and headed down to German Village for dinner at Schmidt's Sausage Haus. Being a huge fan of sausage, I was eager to sample the fare at the restaurant. I was not disappointed. Once I got into the restaurant, I was seated at the bar since I was alone this evening. The bartender gave me the beverage list, which consisted of many local brews and imported German beers. The bartender then informed there was a special which would get me the famous Bahama Mama sausage, weiner schnitzel and two sides for about 12 bucks. That sounded good to me, so I ordered that with German potato salad and red cabbage as my two sides. I barely had to wait and my food was in front of me.
While I was eating, the live German band started playing. It was a great atmosphere. When my plate was clean, the bartender asked me if I wanted dessert. Schmidt's is famous for their half pound creme puffs, so how could I turn that down? As I ate the heavenly puff, the band (which consisted of accordion and tuba) starting playing the Simpsons theme song, then the Family Guy theme song, and finally, the Super Mario Bros. theme song. At this last song I had to call my brother, so I did, and he was enjoying the music as much as I was. After I hung up the phone, the band played one of the Tetris songs! I paid my bill, and left with a full stomach and big smile on my face.
I know it can be hard to explore Columbus when, like many of you, you don't have a car on campus. But I encourage you as the Spring quarter starts, to take advantage of the opportunities to explore what this area offers. Whether it is your home or your home away from home, I'm positive Columbus has something to appeal to every person! And if you want to experience Schmidt's, you can find them on the web at http://www.schmidthaus.com/index.html.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
A Personal Message to Buckeye Nation
It's my pleasure to deliver this personal message to all of Buckeye nation from Purple Eagle territory. Since many of you have become friends of Niagara University this year, I am sure you will be happy to support this request. I present the following to you, and I quote, from a fan after finding out I work at Ohio State at Niagara's NIT game:
~When you get back to Ohio State, make sure you tell them we are all rooting for them. We hope they crush the [Siena] Saints. Make it happen!~
O-H! I-O!
~When you get back to Ohio State, make sure you tell them we are all rooting for them. We hope they crush the [Siena] Saints. Make it happen!~
O-H! I-O!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Ed with Niagara at the NIT
Despite the outcome, I thoroughly enjoyed my second NIT experience with Niagara. This one was much more exciting since it was actually played at the Gallagher Center.
I arrived on campus with mom who was also attending the game (my dad would get there later) at about 5:30pm to partake in the pregame festivities. We picked up our tickets from will call and promptly headed over to the free cookout across from the Gallagher Center. After picking up our hotdogs and beverages, we ventured into the newest building on campus, Bisgrove Hall, to experience it for the first time. Since this building took the place of my beloved Quad, it had a lot to prove to me to win me over. And win me over it did! It was an extremely state of the art complex, and exactly what Niagara needs to continue to remain competitive in the coming years.
After leaving the building, we headed over to the live entertainment just as coach Joe Mihalich was preparing to greet the revelers! He thanked us for coming out, and then headed back inside to prepare for the actual game.
At about 6:00pm we headed inside the Gallagher Center. Despite being 1 hour before game time, the general admission seating was filling up fast. Luckily we scored great seats on the aisle at midcourt. As we waited for tip-off, I was able to get my hands on a green Niagara NIT t-shirt, thanks to my connections at Niagara! I was also able to chat with one of my favorite people at Niagara, Fr. Joe Hubbard, the team chaplain, before the game got underway.
The game itself was exciting for the most part. Niagara led at half by 4. At halftime I visited with my mentor, the VP for Student Life Sheila Hausrath, one of the people responsible for getting me into student affairs. While talking with her I also spoke with the VP for Academic Affairs Dr. Bonnie Rose. Now if only I could get that contact at OSU just imagine the quality of faculty programs Siebert would have! After half, Niagara continued it's troubling trend of missing shots and believing it needs to rely on the 3-pointer to win games. While that may be true, no team will ever win if you shoot 7-27 from behind the arc like Niagara did yesterday. If that wasn't bad enough, Niagara shot an abysmal 36.5% from the field overall. They looked about as bad from a shooting perspective as they did in the MAAC championship. It's sad to watch some of the best players on the team, such as Tyrone Lewis (who missed 11-14 3-pointers) and Bilal Benn (4-10 from the field overall, two of those being 3's, and committing 5 turnovers) struggle in the big games. Niagara blew a lead as high as 9, and as high as 7 in the second half, to lose by 6 at home. Disappointment is an understatement. Frustration may be a better word.
Niagara really wanted to be considered an NCAA bubble team. When that didn't happen, they were rewarded with a 3 seed in the NIT. Niagara did not play like a 3 seed last night, and as such, they were ousted from the tournament. They clearly did not look like an NCAA bubble team. Frustrating because the team had been playing so well before imploding in the MAAC championship game when they shot 37 threes and made only a handful, and the shooting woes continued in the NIT. On the bright side, or maybe of concern, Niagara only loses one player next year, Benson Egemonye. I say bright side because the core of the team will be back, and they are good players. I said maybe concern because it is these same players that went cold in the biggest games of the year. Hopefully Niagara will fix what went wrong at the end of season this year and do even better things next season.
But like I said in the beginning, this was a great experience since it was on campus, even if I left campus frustrated and a little bit numb after the frigid temperature inside the Gallagher Center from the Niagara shooters. BRRRR, I thought this was supposed to be March????
I arrived on campus with mom who was also attending the game (my dad would get there later) at about 5:30pm to partake in the pregame festivities. We picked up our tickets from will call and promptly headed over to the free cookout across from the Gallagher Center. After picking up our hotdogs and beverages, we ventured into the newest building on campus, Bisgrove Hall, to experience it for the first time. Since this building took the place of my beloved Quad, it had a lot to prove to me to win me over. And win me over it did! It was an extremely state of the art complex, and exactly what Niagara needs to continue to remain competitive in the coming years.
After leaving the building, we headed over to the live entertainment just as coach Joe Mihalich was preparing to greet the revelers! He thanked us for coming out, and then headed back inside to prepare for the actual game.
At about 6:00pm we headed inside the Gallagher Center. Despite being 1 hour before game time, the general admission seating was filling up fast. Luckily we scored great seats on the aisle at midcourt. As we waited for tip-off, I was able to get my hands on a green Niagara NIT t-shirt, thanks to my connections at Niagara! I was also able to chat with one of my favorite people at Niagara, Fr. Joe Hubbard, the team chaplain, before the game got underway.
The game itself was exciting for the most part. Niagara led at half by 4. At halftime I visited with my mentor, the VP for Student Life Sheila Hausrath, one of the people responsible for getting me into student affairs. While talking with her I also spoke with the VP for Academic Affairs Dr. Bonnie Rose. Now if only I could get that contact at OSU just imagine the quality of faculty programs Siebert would have! After half, Niagara continued it's troubling trend of missing shots and believing it needs to rely on the 3-pointer to win games. While that may be true, no team will ever win if you shoot 7-27 from behind the arc like Niagara did yesterday. If that wasn't bad enough, Niagara shot an abysmal 36.5% from the field overall. They looked about as bad from a shooting perspective as they did in the MAAC championship. It's sad to watch some of the best players on the team, such as Tyrone Lewis (who missed 11-14 3-pointers) and Bilal Benn (4-10 from the field overall, two of those being 3's, and committing 5 turnovers) struggle in the big games. Niagara blew a lead as high as 9, and as high as 7 in the second half, to lose by 6 at home. Disappointment is an understatement. Frustration may be a better word.
Niagara really wanted to be considered an NCAA bubble team. When that didn't happen, they were rewarded with a 3 seed in the NIT. Niagara did not play like a 3 seed last night, and as such, they were ousted from the tournament. They clearly did not look like an NCAA bubble team. Frustrating because the team had been playing so well before imploding in the MAAC championship game when they shot 37 threes and made only a handful, and the shooting woes continued in the NIT. On the bright side, or maybe of concern, Niagara only loses one player next year, Benson Egemonye. I say bright side because the core of the team will be back, and they are good players. I said maybe concern because it is these same players that went cold in the biggest games of the year. Hopefully Niagara will fix what went wrong at the end of season this year and do even better things next season.
But like I said in the beginning, this was a great experience since it was on campus, even if I left campus frustrated and a little bit numb after the frigid temperature inside the Gallagher Center from the Niagara shooters. BRRRR, I thought this was supposed to be March????
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
It never gets any easier
No matter how many times you experience it or prepare yourself for it, losing still hurts. Sure I wasn't playing in the game. But the name on the front of the jersey is on my wall on my diploma. It feels like a little piece of me died when the buzzer sounded and Niagara was on the short end of a 77-70 decision.
I guess the eternal optimist can hold out hope for an at large bid. But let's be serious. Despite Niagara's final 26-8 record, 51 RPI, 2-3 against RPI Top 50, 15 road wins (most in country), 3rd best steals in the country, winning 12 of last 14 and losing in the conference title game to team with a 24 RPI by 7, Niagara is not a serious bubble contender. I'd be shocked and willing to put up my car, XBOX 360 and Wii that Niagara will not receive an at large bid.
So we wait and hope for an NIT bid. But again, I won't hold my breath, as college athletics always seem to find a way to screw over the "little guy" even if they deserve more than the "big guys" get.
I guess the eternal optimist can hold out hope for an at large bid. But let's be serious. Despite Niagara's final 26-8 record, 51 RPI, 2-3 against RPI Top 50, 15 road wins (most in country), 3rd best steals in the country, winning 12 of last 14 and losing in the conference title game to team with a 24 RPI by 7, Niagara is not a serious bubble contender. I'd be shocked and willing to put up my car, XBOX 360 and Wii that Niagara will not receive an at large bid.
So we wait and hope for an NIT bid. But again, I won't hold my breath, as college athletics always seem to find a way to screw over the "little guy" even if they deserve more than the "big guys" get.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Purple Eagles Go For Glory
It's no secret that I love my Niagara University Purple Eagles. All you have to do is take one step into my office to be bombarded with purple Niagara cups, paper clip holders, posters, numerous bobble heads and of course, my degrees.
Part of what made being a student at NU so great was the rich basketball tradition. The basketball team is a rallying point of pride for the student body and community. Niagara is in no means a sports school, but the team acts as a unifying agent in a community which has struggled with economic difficulties much longer than the current recession we are experiencing. At only $10.00 a pop for a game in the legendary Gallagher Center, almost anyone can afford to attend at least one high energy, extremely exciting Niagara basketball game.
People often times scoff at the fact Niagara is considered a "mid-major" team, and that the school is "small." While this may be true to some degree (Niagara has nearly 4,000 students which technically earns the classification of mid-sized), Niagara offers something that few if any large scale programs offer anymore: The four-year player. You can be assured that outside of transferring, you will get to watch your favorite Purple Eagle grow from his first-year to his Senior night game. The community forms attachments to the special players: NBA Hall of Famer Calvin Murphy, the late great Phil Scaffidi, All Time Canadian born NCAA scoring leader Juan Mendez, and the reigning MAAC Defensive Player of the Year Tyrone Lewis among a host of other legendary Purple Eagle players. Sure they may be student-athletes, but to so many people looking for an escape from their difficult lives, searching for something to cheer for, to be excited about, these student-athletes represent hope. The hope that every year Niagara will compete for a championship and put "Old Niagara" in the national spotlight with an NCAA Tournament appearance.
While we would like to advance to the Big Dance every year, we know that that is not a viable option. Niagara's mid-major status dictates that only the conference champion will be invited to the dance. So we savor every opportunity with have to participate in college basketball's grandest of stages. It took 35 years before Niagara made it back to the NCAA tournament during my senior year in 2005, having not appeared since Calvin Murphy lead the team to wins in the 1970 tournament. It then took only 2 more years for another appearance. Tonight, Niagara has a chance to add another banner to the rafters of the Gallagher Center. A win tonight in the MAAC championship games nets NU it's third bid in five years, a remarkable achievement considering the history cited above.
At 26-7, Niagara stands as one of the best programs in the country this year. Argue all you want about playing in the MAAC, but Niagara still had to win its games. Niagara leads the country in wins away from home. They rank third in steals. Their RPI is 51, just percentage points behind South Carolina to crack the top 50, yet ahead of Arizona and 12 spots ahead of Penn State, who people are talking about getting at-large bids. On back to back Fridays in February they beat the RPI 47 (Illinois St.) and RPI 24 (Siena) teams, both by double digits on ESPN 2 and ESPN U in front of a national audience. They have won 11 of their last 12, including 5 in a row. And yet, if Niagara loses tonight in the rematch with the RPI 24 Siena Saints, the NCAA tournament disappears. The power conferences gobble up the majority of the 34 at large bids, leave a scant few for teams about the "major" conferences to battle for. Niagara most likely has guaranteed themselves an NIT game should they lose, despite the fact Niagara will be better than, and more than likely would have beat, many teams in the NCAA tournament. But Niagara can avoid all of that by taking care of business tonight and winning the conference championship.
Despite the high stakes, Niagara stands on the verge of greatness. With their backs to the wall, star guard Tyrone Lewis heaved a desperation 30-ft 3-pointer to try and tie their game in the conference semifinals against Rider before time expired. It banked off the backboard and through the net to force overtime. Poor free throw shooting extended the contest to a second OT, before Bilal Benn made a huge steal with seconds remaining to seal the deal for the Purple Eagles in the second extra session. Niagara is ready for their final test. They understand what it means to have "NIAGARA" written across their chests. They know they play for more than just themselves. All across the country tonight, the purple faithful will be cheering their boys on to one more victory. Win or lose, we all still beam with Purple Pride for our Alma mater, our favorite team, or our hope in despair.
Part of what made being a student at NU so great was the rich basketball tradition. The basketball team is a rallying point of pride for the student body and community. Niagara is in no means a sports school, but the team acts as a unifying agent in a community which has struggled with economic difficulties much longer than the current recession we are experiencing. At only $10.00 a pop for a game in the legendary Gallagher Center, almost anyone can afford to attend at least one high energy, extremely exciting Niagara basketball game.
People often times scoff at the fact Niagara is considered a "mid-major" team, and that the school is "small." While this may be true to some degree (Niagara has nearly 4,000 students which technically earns the classification of mid-sized), Niagara offers something that few if any large scale programs offer anymore: The four-year player. You can be assured that outside of transferring, you will get to watch your favorite Purple Eagle grow from his first-year to his Senior night game. The community forms attachments to the special players: NBA Hall of Famer Calvin Murphy, the late great Phil Scaffidi, All Time Canadian born NCAA scoring leader Juan Mendez, and the reigning MAAC Defensive Player of the Year Tyrone Lewis among a host of other legendary Purple Eagle players. Sure they may be student-athletes, but to so many people looking for an escape from their difficult lives, searching for something to cheer for, to be excited about, these student-athletes represent hope. The hope that every year Niagara will compete for a championship and put "Old Niagara" in the national spotlight with an NCAA Tournament appearance.
While we would like to advance to the Big Dance every year, we know that that is not a viable option. Niagara's mid-major status dictates that only the conference champion will be invited to the dance. So we savor every opportunity with have to participate in college basketball's grandest of stages. It took 35 years before Niagara made it back to the NCAA tournament during my senior year in 2005, having not appeared since Calvin Murphy lead the team to wins in the 1970 tournament. It then took only 2 more years for another appearance. Tonight, Niagara has a chance to add another banner to the rafters of the Gallagher Center. A win tonight in the MAAC championship games nets NU it's third bid in five years, a remarkable achievement considering the history cited above.
At 26-7, Niagara stands as one of the best programs in the country this year. Argue all you want about playing in the MAAC, but Niagara still had to win its games. Niagara leads the country in wins away from home. They rank third in steals. Their RPI is 51, just percentage points behind South Carolina to crack the top 50, yet ahead of Arizona and 12 spots ahead of Penn State, who people are talking about getting at-large bids. On back to back Fridays in February they beat the RPI 47 (Illinois St.) and RPI 24 (Siena) teams, both by double digits on ESPN 2 and ESPN U in front of a national audience. They have won 11 of their last 12, including 5 in a row. And yet, if Niagara loses tonight in the rematch with the RPI 24 Siena Saints, the NCAA tournament disappears. The power conferences gobble up the majority of the 34 at large bids, leave a scant few for teams about the "major" conferences to battle for. Niagara most likely has guaranteed themselves an NIT game should they lose, despite the fact Niagara will be better than, and more than likely would have beat, many teams in the NCAA tournament. But Niagara can avoid all of that by taking care of business tonight and winning the conference championship.
Despite the high stakes, Niagara stands on the verge of greatness. With their backs to the wall, star guard Tyrone Lewis heaved a desperation 30-ft 3-pointer to try and tie their game in the conference semifinals against Rider before time expired. It banked off the backboard and through the net to force overtime. Poor free throw shooting extended the contest to a second OT, before Bilal Benn made a huge steal with seconds remaining to seal the deal for the Purple Eagles in the second extra session. Niagara is ready for their final test. They understand what it means to have "NIAGARA" written across their chests. They know they play for more than just themselves. All across the country tonight, the purple faithful will be cheering their boys on to one more victory. Win or lose, we all still beam with Purple Pride for our Alma mater, our favorite team, or our hope in despair.
Here's to old Niagara,
Onward to victory
We're out to win, team,
Every loyal, ever loyal we will be;
Get in the game and win, team,
Though the odds be great or small;
For the glory of Niagara,
We'll give our all.
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