Basketball Season

New floor this year in the Ludlowe gym

I'm sure I'm unfortunately going to make this post way too much about myself, when that's the exact opposite of what I want. As part of the blog, it seems to happen way too often. 

Seasons change. 

The actual season and sports seasons. 

We have finished the Fall high school sports season and are on to winter. 

Some sports are already underway and others start up tomorrow. 

For me, other than my real work with all the sports, that means being around Ludlowe boys basketball once again. 

Head Coach John Dailey calls me the "Director of Basketball Operations." 

Every year I tell John you can tell me he doesn't want me around, or at least as much, but he always tells me to keep coming around. I love it. 

Great coaches and great kids. I'm excited to watch this group this year. A good mix of upperclassman and younger guys who will be out there competing every day. Lots of great athletes and even better people who I enjoy being around. 

But what do I really do? A lot of different things. 

Helping the coaches, players, team managers and others. Just doing whatever is needed. 

Whether that means running the clock, getting equipment out and set up, or jumping into a drill. Those are just a few of the things I might be doing on a daily basis. 

Then during games, it might be doing the clock or scorebook, during varsity and/or junior varsity and freshman games. Or it could be more of just watching and being around if needed. Sometimes, especially for sub-varsity, it's sitting on the bench and helping out in ways there. Often that is just talking to players, in good time and bad, when they come out of a game. 

Some of the same things I did when I was the student manager and some other things as well. I really try not to overstep on the current managers just because I have certain ways of doing things, but I try to teach and help out however I can. 

Then sometimes it's doing things behind the scenes such as making copies, making film reservations, etc. I also end up being the photographer for random group photos when they aren't being taken by parents or professional photographers. 

As I said I was afraid I would, I've made this way too much about me when it's about the players. I just enjoy helping out any way I can. 

Once basketball ends, it will be baseball season. There could even be some overlap. Looking forward to all of it! 

See you in late June! 

Time to get going! 

Thanksgiving 2023

Thanksgiving means family, food and football. 

Football both on the professional level and the high school level. 

In high school football action around here, it's the Battle of Fairfield with Ludlowe and Warde.

On Thursday morning at Warde, the Falcons of Ludlowe came away with a 42-12 victory over the Mustangs. 

The game was close on the first half, with Ludlowe holding a 14-0 lead after one and a 14-6 lead at halftime. 

Ludlowe got touchdowns from John Kleinbeck, Justin Toothaker, Chris Bellantoni and Charlie Mahoney, among others. Not intentionally leaving anyone out, just going off the top of my head as I write. Kleinbeck was named the Ludlowe game MVP. 

Ludlowe has now won three straight matchups. Warde's last win came in 2019. The Mustangs lead the post-Fairfield High School matchup 10-8. 

Ludlowe finishes the season at 7-3, while Warde finishes at 1-9. 

Personally, it's always good to see people from town, as well as Alumni, and many others. I was helping with tickets for the first half of the game so I got to see those who came in at the gate I was at. 

Then, in the second half, I was able to walk around the stadium and see people and then watch the second half while trying (key word, trying) to keep The Nest, the Ludlowe student section, in line.

With that, fall sports are over and it's on to winter. For me, that specifically means basketball.  

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On the NFL side, the Packers got a big win over the Lions. Jordan Love with a strong game and a couple of touchdowns from Christian Watson. 

Green Bay is not having the season we'd like, but the win today over a good Detroit team, keeps them in playoff contention. 

In the other games, the Cowboys defeated the Commanders and the 4ers and Seahawks are playing right now. 

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Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone. Hope all had a great day with friends and family. 

Thankful for the friendships with many different people in my life from different avenues, even though a lot of them have to do with, or at least stem from work. 

Smaller, quiet here than it's been. Only eight of us where most years it's been more and even some years close to 30, if not more. 

Times change. Traditions change. 

I hate change, but that's just the way it is, for a variety of reasons. 

Ludlowe Seniors

Some Ludlowe players and coaches 

John Kleinbeck the Ludlowe game MVP

Ludlowe Juniors 

"The Nest" 

JFK 60

JFK and Jackie 

November 22, 1963 

Sixty years ago today. 

The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy. 

So many places to find information on the internet about that day. 

From so many different angles too. 

The events of the day before the assassination

The car ride/campaign and the actual assassination. 

The details of what happened in the car and at the hospital. 

The announcement of President Kennedy's death, most notably by Walter Cronkite on CBS News, but many others too. 

The events with Lee Harvey Oswald. 

Then there are the days between the Nov. 22 and Nov. 25, which was the date of the funeral. 

Then the events of the funeral, such as John Jr. saluting his father. 

And so much more. 

Go read and watch about it for yourself. 

I've watched so many things and when I was younger, I read many things on JFK's life and presidency, which include information on his assassination.

There's so much more about what President Kennedy did during his (short) time in office and what he did prior in life in political jobs. 

It's also about the entire Kennedy family. From Jackie to Robert and so many others.

Today is one of those days in US history. One that everyone remembers forever. One, that if you were alive, you know where you were. 

People who were alive then also talk about how that day changed the history of the country. Not just the immediate impact of the President being killed, but so many other things. People who were alive say that America "lost it's innocence" that day. It's also said that both the job of the President and the media were looked at different following that day. 

The media person in me finds the coverage fascinating. Especially how the information was announced on different networks.  

It's been sixty years. But that day is still remembered. He is still remembered. 

That's what a legacy does. That's what a tragedy does. 

It makes us never forget and always remember. 

Busy Week

The captains meeting prior to the FYF game

I thought this past week was going to be a relatively quiet week. 

Most fall sports were done and winter sports have not started yet. 

It was anything besides quiet. 

Let's go through it. All of this is in addition to normal work. 

Honestly, most of you won't care about what I'm rambling about, but sometimes it's just about writing for myself and to talk about experiences. 

Monday was our winter coaches meeting at Ludlowe. 

While I don't have to be at this, I try to go and help and it also makes my life easier when it comes to the work I have to do after the meeting related to what takes place at the meeting. Also, if coaches have questions for me, sometimes it's easier to handle in person. 

Tuesday Warde hosted St. Joseph and Staples girls soccer in the state semifinals and I was at the ticket table. I know some people don't like it, but I love that tickets are only only and we don't need to worry about taking cash. Now, sometimes, technology issues are a problem, but we figure it out. 

As for the game, Staples took a 2-0 lead before St Joe's came from behind to win 4-3. I'm not a huge soccer fan, but that was a terrific soccer game between two great teams. 

Wednesday was more soccer as the Ludlowe boys played Hall in the state semifinals at Waterbury's Municipal Stadium complex. 

We had a fan bus so as the Nest Advisor, and the fact that I said sure, I was the adult chaperone for the fan bus. It was interesting. 

The game did not go in Ludlowe's favor as Hall came away with the 1-0 win, in what was a very well played game by both teams. I wrote about this on Wednesday, so I don't need to say the same thing again. 

Thursday was the coaches meeting at Warde, so it was much like Monday's meeting at Ludlowe. 

Friday was a new experience, in a way. 

After the last Ludlowe home football game on November 3, I thought I was done with the scoreboard for football for the season. Well, not so much. 

I was asked to work the scoreboard for the Fairfield Youth Football 8th grade championship game vs Greenwich, which took place at Ludlowe. 

Fairfield came away with the 44-22 victory. Fun to watch them all but especially the kids I know somewhat like Drew Kane, Dylan Toothaker, Ryan Saja and Matthew Keating, just to name a few. 

The whole night was a cool scene. In addition to the scoreboard, they had the PA system, as well as a DJ. They wanted to make it have a big time feel for the kids, which I am always a fan of. 

I was happy for the opportunity and it's always good to network and make connections. Thanks to Mitch Ross, Brendan Sullivan for their help and for asking. 

Nice to work with Mike Donovan and Rob Kaminsky, who were in the booth doing public address. Great to see former Ludlowe athletic trainer Sydney Ciuffo, who was covering the game. 

In addition to the scoreboard, it was somewhat of a site director role, just in terms of running the booth, as well as cleaning up the pylons and chains from the field after the game 

Saturday I was asked and said I would do the scoreboard for the Ludlowe/Warde JV football game. 

I wanted to be nice and give the kids the scoreboard as part of the experience. Parents asked so why not. The fact that it was Ludlowe/Warde made it more of a reason to do it, not that I wouldn't have done it regardless. With the new scoreboard setup, it's more of a process, but happy we were able to make it work. 

Ludlowe came away with the 36-13 win. 

I mention all these things that went on this week and there were even some things I couldn't be at. Sometimes, just too much going on and too many variables. 

Now it's on to Thanksgiving football and then winter sports. 

Tremendous Run

Soccer field at Municipal Stadium 

The season came to an end for Ludlowe boys soccer on Wednesday night in the Class LL semifinals. The Falcons fell to Hall 1-0 at Municipal Stadium in Waterbury. 

Hall got on the board early in the first half and took a 1-0 lead into the halftime break. Ludlowe had multiple chances in the second half and thought they had tied the game, but a goal was waved off for offsides.  

After a slow start to the season, Ludlowe finished the season strong, making the FCIAC tournament before making this deep run in the state playoffs. 

It's the deepest state tournament run in Ludlowe boys soccer history. 

So much great play all around this season from so many. From guys like Kenny Luczaj and Ian Moore, to Charlie Jones, Shane Praver, Jason Lambert, Zach Weiner and Alex Parent to so many others. 

This seemed to be a group I got to know more than normal. From the baseball and basketball guys to many others as well. From what I see, a really good group of kids, and obviously great soccer players. 

It's also a great coaching staff of Kevin O'Hara and Wayne Schwaeber, along with the sub-varsity coaches. Great coaches and great for me to work with. 

Congrats, boys, on a tremendous season! 

With that, it's just Thanksgiving football left and then on to winter sports. That's at least in terms of things to go to/work, as girls swimming and diving is still going on as well. 

Final Home Game

It was the final home game of the season for Ludlowe football on Friday night. 

That means the final night of me on the scoreboard for the season....So I can't mess up anymore for the time being...I hope. 

Ludlowe came away with a 49-6 victory over Norwalk on senior night to improve to 6-2. 

With Ludlowe playing Norwalk it was the a reunion for a few Bears. Norwalk Head Coach Mike Forget is a current Ludlowe PE teacher and former Ludlowe head coach. Norwalk Athletic Trainer Sydney Ciuffo is the former athletic trainer for the Falcons. 

Lots of contributions tonight including a touchdown reception and INT from Ryan Menozzi and a pick-six from Justin Toothaker. Senior John Kleinbeck also had a touchdown as did freshman Brady Morison. Not trying to forget anyone as there were a lot of points scored. It's tough to track everything while doing the scoreboard. Not enough time to jot scoring down. 

The Falcons have two games remaining as they look to make the playoffs for the first time in school history. Next Friday night, they play at Wilton at 7pm in a matchup of two teams fighting to get in the playoffs. They finish the regular season on Thanksgiving against cross-town rival Warde at 10am. Always a great game and atmosphere. 

In terms of the scoreboard duties for me....it was definitely an eventful time all season. You never want to be a part of the story. Luckily, while some of the ways I did things impacted the score, it never impacted the final outcome of any of the games. 

Good to work with both Paul Piorek and Phil Simpson who both had PA duties on select games this season. Thanks to the Ludlowe students, including Nick, Luca, Luca (yes, two different Luca's) and others for their help as spotters for both myself and the PA while they were doing the film for the team. 

Congrats to all the seniors. A successful senior night leading into next week's big game. 

Exciting times ahead.