Buses, Battle and Baseball

I don't write about specific work items much, even though it is so much of my life, because there is a lot I can't write about. I write about the games that are work-related. 

However, it's pretty well known that there are bus problems. That being said, I think I am okay writing about this. It's definitely an issue in Fairfield County and Connecticut. I've heard of many towns having difficulties. 

It's also supposedly a national issue. The problem is that there are not enough drivers. 

This has been an issue since COVID, at least. 

The week, however, was really rough. 

That being said, great job by the transportation office working with the bus company. This is not a knock on either of those groups. I'm just talking about what we deal with. Great people working at both those places doing their best. 

This ends up being a large part of my workday. Figuring out what buses we can combine, what time buses can pick up, what games we have to postpone and more. 

We normally get most of it figured out, it's just not as simple as it may seem. It depends on what other routes for the schools the bus drivers have to do, the locations of the events, the number of people going, and so much more. 

The spring is also always the worst of the seasons because we have the most sports, there are a lot less programs who share buses (JV and varsity) and the weather moves games which impacts the number of buses on certain days. 

Hopefully next week will be better. Every week gets closer to the end of the season and the end of the school year. 

While dealing with buses today, it was Battle of the Houses at Warde. 

Each of the three houses at Warde, Pequot, Towsend and Fitts, compete against each other in a number of activities. 

I was asked to be a judge. This just means as they go through the events, make sure there is no cheating and for some events, keeping track of scores. 

The games/events range from sports like knockout and handball, to non-sporting events like relay races that include eating Jello and so much more. 

So, as I was helping judge Battle, I was also dealing with the bus issues. Multitasking at its finest. 

Congrats to Pequot House, which I guess I am technically a part of since that's where my office is located, even though we are considered part of the main office sometimes, on winning this years Battle of the Houses. 

Great job by Jeff Seganos, Matt Narwold, Joe Saad, Duncan Dellavolpe and everyone else who was involved in making it happen. 

After all that was done, for the most part, it was on to baseball. 

I had to fill in and coach the JV game. I did this once last year as well. 

Ironically, both games I coached were against Norwalk High School. 

I got over to Owen Fish and knew there were things I had to figure out and get myself settled to coach. That all went well.... for the most part. 

Although in the first inning, someone from Norwalk comes up to me and says there is a car that is going to be boxed in by the ground crew's truck. You guessed it...Mine. So, as the bottom of the first is happening, I run to the parking lot to move my car and ended up having to park in a tough spot on the edge of the lot/driveway.

It all worked out fine. Just another thing to have to deal with. Oh well. It's all part of the story. 

The game was a good one, as we got out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and ended up winning 5-2. 

It's definitely about the kids and they were great. Made my job easy. I will say, I think I improved as last year I got someone thrown out on the plate. That did not happen today. 

Once our game ended, I headed over to the varsity game at Kiwanis against Norwalk which was in extra innings, tied at one. I got their by the top of the tenth and we were trailing 3-1. Norwalk ended up coming away with a 5-1 victory in 10 innings. 

Long, crazy day to end a long, crazy week. 

April 16

Well, another birthday has come and gone (well, there are a few hours left as of starting this post). 

Thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes, whether in person, text, email, Facebook post or over the phone. Some people I see every day, others I haven't seen in a while. All the wishes are appreciated. 

It was a low-key day and that is good. Saw some great people but others I would have liked to see I did not. That's okay. 

I used to feel like you had to do something big or special on your birthday and I didn't want it to be just a normal day. I probably liked my birthday too much. But I am realizing it doesn't need to be anything crazy. There are more important things in life and special days can be any day, for a number of reasons. 

So today. 

Work and baseball. Then we did go out to dinner. 

I think it's only the second or third time I've ever had school/work on my birthday as tends to fall over the schools April Vacation. 

In fourth grade (I think it was fourth) I had school on my birthday as we had so many snow days that we lost some of April Break. It's elementary school so I am pretty sure my dad came in and we had cupcakes or some other treat. I remember walking around the school to share the treats with certain teachers after my class got them. 

In college, I remember having class one year and going to a seminar (for extra credit) with a guest speaker. 

Work today was quiet with there being no school and people away, but very productive. 

Baseball practice was also productive. That's most important. The players also sang happy birthday which was embarrassing but appreciated. It's a special group of young men. I keep saying that but it's true. 

Dinner with the family was good. 

A good end to a low-key but good day. 

Thanks again to everyone. Onto tomorrow. 

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We also talk about dates often and I have a weird memory of remembering certain dates, often of bad events, either personal/family or more public/national events. 

Well, with it being my birthday, April 16 is also known for an awful memory. It happens to be the Virgina Tech shooting in 2007. 

We remember all the lives lost, 32 of them, on this date. 

Today, we’re honoring the lives of the 32 Hokies who were tragically taken from their loved ones and the Virginia Tech community on April 16, 2007. On the 2024 Day of Remembrance, we reflect on the tremendous promise each of them embodied for our world. #VTWeRemember 🧡 pic.twitter.com/MjEkHsotSV

— Virginia Tech (@virginia_tech) April 16, 2024

John, Billy and Jackie

John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman

I keep wanting to blog more but the topics I have thought about blogging about would either be overall themes and thoughts that might seem as too vague and inflict questions or just topics that nobody cares about. 

Then again, you likely don't care about the topics I am about to write about. Or you can find thoughts on all this elsewhere. 

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John Sterling, the voice of the Yankees on the radio, announced that he is retiring, effective immediately. 

It was first reported by Andrew Marchand of The Athletic and confirmed by both the Yankees and Sterling himself. 

Sterling will have a press conference on Friday and be honored on Saturday. 

The timing is interesting, and I wonder if we will hear more but he's doing what he feels is right for himself and you cannot fault that. 

For me, there were years of summers listening to John and Suzyn Waldman call Yankee games on WCBS 880 before the Yankees moved to 660 WFAN. 

I personally also think about listening to the end of game six of the 2009 ALCS as the Yankees won the pennant over the Angels and listening to John's call as I was in the car at the time. 

There are so many other great calls of Sterling's From the World Series, to other milestones, to no-hitters and perfect games, and so much more. 

So many iconic home run calls, and other calls with nicknames, from "Bern Baby Bern" to an "A-Bomb from A-Rod" to many others. 

We will all think of John as the Yankees radio voice, but he was more than that. 

Before John started with the Yankees, he broadcast the Islanders, Nets, Hawks and Braves. 

Just a tremendous career for John Sterling and a well-deserved retirement. 

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Let's get to the Billy Joel concert at MSG on CBS that took place on Sunday night. 

Yes, I actually watched and listened. Partly because it was on in my house, but I actually was interested and paid attention. 

There is certain music I like (mostly "oldies"), I just don't pay enough attention to it or know enough to really talk about it or anything. If only I paid attention to it the way I do sports. 

Lots of great songs played, and some that were not. 

Now, to get to the broadcast. 

First off, yes, a lot of people were not happy with it starting late due to The Master running long. 

During football season, this happens all the time with 60 minutes and other shows and broadcasts being delayed due to football games running longer than planned. 

Second, yes, the broadcast cut off when Joel was still playing "Piano Man." Someone at CBS likely had it set to cut away to commercial and the local news at a certain time and didn't make adjustments when the show ran late/long. 

Good to hear that CBS will re-run the show in full later this week. 

I also found it interesting that it was presented as Billy Joel being live when others were reporting that this was a show that happened a few weeks ago. 

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Lastly, it's Jackie Robinson Day around Major League Baseball. 

The league has done a good job of recognizing Jackie and what he did both on and off the field by retiring number 42 around the league and having everyone wear 42 on April 15 every year. That day is used because that is the day Jackie broke the color barrier in 1947. 

People have talked about different, and possibly better, ways to honor Jackie. We will see if baseball changes that one day. 

That's one thing sports does well, is honoring it's history. 

UConn....National Champions Again!

Photo: The Athletic

For the second year in a row, the UConn men's basketball team has won the National Championship! 

Another championship for Danny Hurley, and UConn finishes on top after being the best team basically all season. 

What Hurley has done for UConn is tremendous. As great as the team was under Jim Calhoun, they struggled under Kevin Ollie (despite the one championship in 2014) and Hurley brought them back to prominence. 

There is a reason his nickname is "The Carpenter." 

This is championship number six for the UConn men. 1999, 2004, 2011, 2014, 2023 and now 2024. 

Per Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports on Twitter, Hurley becomes just the fourth coach since 1965 to win back-to-back championships. The others: Billy Donovan, Mike Krzyzewski, and John Wooden. That's good.....actually great company. 

Also, from a local high school sports perspective, Donovan Clingan, who played at Bristol Central High School, gets his second National Championship. Unlike last year when he was a backup, Clingan played a major role in what UConn did. 

UConn, the capital of the basketball world again! 

Baseball Time!

Kiwanis prior to the first day of tryouts

It's baseball season! 

High school baseball season, that is. 

We are underway with practices and scrimmages with opening day this weekend. 

I'm looking forward to this season for Ludlowe baseball. I always look forward to the season, but this season especially. It's a special group. 

A fantastic group on the field and even better young men. I know that's cliche, but it really is true. 

A senior class we have talked about for at least a few years. 

Guys I have known since they are in elementary school, and I had them as campers in Parks and Rec camp. Others who I haven't known as long but have developed a bond with. 

I always talk about this, but the bond with these athletes goes beyond the sport. Yes, we are coaches, and they are student-athletes, but it's more than that. It's always being there for them and then becoming friends for life. That's what sports is about. 

I got to know the senior class well when they were freshman, and I was going to watch and help out at a bunch of their games. 

It goes beyond the seniors though. It takes everyone to be a special team. It's about the full program. Those juniors and sophomores on varsity as well as everyone on the JV and freshman team. 

A lot of the current varsity guys got experience last year and some even got varsity experience two years ago. Hopefully all that pays off. 

It's a terrific coaching staff to be a part of, led by Head Coach Ken Geriak. Then it's Jeff Love, Tommy Howell, Chris Howell, and Vin Riccio. 

It's a long season. 20 regular season games. Hopefully eight playoff games. Looking forward to it being a lot of fun. 

Take it a game at a time. 

Game one is Saturday at 11am at Lyman Hall. We will see what happens! 

What a Run

Another Ludlowe boys' basketball season is in the books. 

And what a season it was. 

12-8 regular season, with a state tournament and FCIAC tournament berth. 

This was the first playoff appearance since the 2020-2021 season, which was the COVID schedule/postseason. 

It was a tremendous run in the state tournament this season, advancing all the way to the Division III Final Four. 

Wins in the state tournament over Killingly, number three ranked Wilby in dramatic fashion and Waterford to get the chance to play Lewis Mills in the state semifinals in what was an exciting finish, coming up just a point short. 

Congratulations to all the players and coaches on a tremendous season. 

Tate Mahoney had an amazing season. He set a number of school records and put himself high on the list for others. A couple records that he set were points in a game with 39 and three-pointers in a game with eight. Both of those Tate set on February 14 in a win vs Darien on Senior Night. 

Tate was named All-FCIAC first team and Charlie Mahoney was named All-FCIAC third team. 

Head Coach John Dailey picked up his 100th career win on January 19 with a 49-29 victory over Westhill. 

There were so many other great accomplishments. 

However, it's about so much more than that. This was just a tremendous group of young men, both on and more importantly off the court. 

A senior group who cared about the entire team, from the freshman all the way up. To the seniors, Jake Medor, Luke Cristodoro, Porter Davis-Whatley and Tate Mahoney, Congrats on a tremendous season and careers and best of luck. 

A total group of kids who cared about each other and the program and were incredible fun to watch and be around. 

Besides the seniors, it was guys like juniors Charlie Jones, Charlie Mahoney, Ryan Torello, Juan Stcherbina Castro, Jack Short and Andrew Fraise. It's sophomores Brennan Martino, Arlo Sollinger, Devin Brenner. Finally, it's the freshman like Timmy O'Neill, Gavin Mertz, Tyler Geriak, Carlo Noecker and Johnny Stauss. And that's just the varsity and JV guys. Then you have the freshman team. Too many to name. Bright future for all. 

To the juniors, sophomores and freshman, use this run to feed into next season! 

Tremendous job by the coaching staff of John Dailey, Joe Bossio, Darren Lee, Marty Conlon and Earl Coleman. These guys put in so much time and effort and just want what is best for the kids. 

Always a pleasure to help out in any way I can. 

Looking forward to see what these guys do next season. 

What a season this was. 

Relationships Through Sports

Rob Adams and Mike Buswell interview Ludlowe Head Coach John Dailey following the Falcons win

In sports, there are so many relationships and friendships made. 

Between, players, coaches, fans, and so much more. It's part of the aspect of being part of a group. 

These relationships are between those on the same team, and those on opposite teams. 

There are also relationships formed between other people involved in sports. 

With all the different aspects of sports I am and have been involved with, I have made so many relationships. 

From playing to coaching to working in sports, to covering as a writer and broadcaster. 

Some of those relationships transcend through multiple teams and sports. 

Well, what I am getting at and burying the lede, was tonight Ludlowe hosted Waterford in the CIAC Division III quarterfinals. 

Where have we seen Waterford before? Well, in the Babe Ruth baseball coverage. 

That leads us to Matt Shampine and Colby Sheehan, who were a part of the Waterford Babe Ruth team that Rob Adams and I have seen and covered often as part of the Trumbull Babe Ruth coverage. 

Shampine, who we have gotten to know well, and Sheehan, are both a part of the Waterford boys' basketball team. 

When we saw the matchup last Thursday and I realized they were on the team, I mentioned it separately to Rob and Mike Buswell, who is the Trumbull Babe Ruth coach as well as a former FCIAC assistant boys basketball coach (including Ludlowe at one time.)

Well, that led to Rob and Mike deciding to call the game tonight. 

As Rob said, Matt Shampine, (Ludlowe Coach) John Dailey, and some other guy (me) all involved in the game, why not? 

It was great to chat with Shampine and Sheehan for a bit. Great young men and terrific multi-sport athletes as well. 

As for the game, it did not go in Waterford's favor, as Ludlowe came away with the 70-48 victory to advance to the state semifinals. The Falcons led 16-0 after the first quarter and never looked back. 

Ludlowe will play Lewis Mills on Wednesday at a time and site to be determined. 

A fun night of hoops and friendships. 

Super Saturday - FCIAC Boys Basketball Style

During intros before Ludlowe/Ridgefield

One of the best, if not the best, days of the high school sports year is the FCIAC boys' basketball quarterfinals. That was this Saturday, also known as Super Saturday. 

Eight teams, four games. All at Fairfield Warde. 

Lots of great players and coaches. 

Tremendous job by those running and working the day. From Dave Schulz and Matt Narwold to Jack Kelly, Franey Donavan, Art Cockerham, and so many others. A total team effort for a long day. 

On the court, the first game saw an upset, with the six-seed Danbury, knocking off the three-seed Stamford, 50-46. 

In game two, Trumbull got out to a 15-3 lead over Warde after a quarter and came away with a 57-38 victory, despite Warde cutting the deficit to four in the fourth quarter. 

The third game, much like the previous one, saw a team jump out to a convicting first quarter lead. Staples led Wilton 19-5 after one period, in route to a 60-43 win. 

The nightcap saw the number-eight seed Ludlowe get out to a strong 12-6 lead after the first quarter, before the top seed Ridgefield outscored the Falcons 20-9 in the second quarter to take a halftime lead. The Tigers would eventually go on to win by a score of 55-37. 

Trumbull will meet Danbury in the first semifinal on Tuesday at 5:30pm at Wilton High School. Staples and Ridgefield will face off in the nightcap at 7:15pm. The winners head to Thursday's championship. 

Listen to the semifinals and championship on Robcasting Radio with Rob Adams on the call. 

FCIAC Girls Basketball Quarterfinals and some wrestling notes

Stamford and New Canaan FCIAC quarterfinal action

It was FCIAC girls' basketball quarterfinal Saturday. 

Eight teams, four games. All at Staples High School in Westport. 

Both Ludlowe and Warde were represented in the tournament. 

Ludlowe, the number six seed, opened the day versus the three-seed Ridgefield. 

It was a close game throughout, but Ridgefield was able to come away with a 10-point win, 45-35. 

For Ludlowe, Kate Cimador finished with 19 points and Hayden McBean finished nine points. 

The next game was number two Stamford and number seven New Canaan. The Rams were able to come up with the upset victory, 47-42. 

Then it was Warde's turn. 

In the second quarter, Trumbull opened up a 16-9 lead before Warde went on a run to take a 18-16 lead with 1:28 left in the half. 

At halftime, the Mustangs held a one-point advantage, 20-19. 

The third quarter was extremely tight and low scoring. Emmy Carley hit a fadeaway buzzer beating jump shot to knot the score at 26 after three quarters. 

Trumbull got a lead as large as five with two minutes to play but Warde would come back to tie the game at 33 with under one minute left. Both teams had chances to win with under 20 seconds left but couldn't convert and the game would go to overtime. 

In the extra session, Warde would take a three-point lead with under one minute to play and the Mustangs would hold on for the three-point victory. 

Ryanne Gulbin led the Mustangs with 19 points. 

Warde advances to the FCIAC semifinals, where they will play the top-seed, St. Joseph, who defeated Wilton in the nightcap, on Tuesday at 6pm at Trumbull High School.  

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In other playoff action, congrats to Warde Wrestling on winning the Class LL State Championship. 

In addition, congrats to Ludlowe's Dylan Sherman who won the Class L Wrestling Championship at 144 pounds. 

Chiefs Repeat

Chiefs Twitter 

Tremendous game. 

Well, was it? Tremendous second half and overtime, for sure. 

Of course, I am talking about the Super Bowl. 

Chiefs 25 49ers 22 - Final (OT)

Kansas City wins the Super Bowl for back-to-back years. 

The first half, while competitive, was not great football. Multiple turnovers and not a lot going on offensively.  

The fourth quarter and overtime were electrifying. 

The special teams were a huge factor, especially the kicking and punting for both teams. 

Happy I am not a fan of either team. 

I was torn with who to root for but felt myself rooting for the 49ers. The Chiefs have just won too often and the Taylor Swift craziness is just too much. 

It was tough to root for the Niners after they eliminated the Packers but I felt like they were the underdog and that's always fun to root for. Plus, my guys Charlie Mahoney and Sam Sweeney are both 49er fans, so that helped in rooting for them. Feel for both of them.  

What the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes have done is pretty remarkable. Truly a dynasty. 

Congrats to the Chiefs. 

Now bring on baseball season. 

Ludlowe/Warde Basketball 2024 Edition

The crowd at one point in the night. It would get bigger than this. 

Friday night was the annual Ludlowe vs Warde girls' and boys' basketball doubleheader. 

This year, the games took place at Ludlowe as they rotate ever year. 

This was a big discussion, as Ludlowe is a lot smaller than Warde and with online tickets, the game was a sellout. Now, it's often been a sellout when at Ludlowe, but it sold out earlier in the week due to the pre-sale of tickets. 

It made for a crazy packed gymnasium but overall, I thought everything went very smooth. 

As for the games, it was a split decision. 

Ludlowe won the girls game, coming away with a close, hard fought 29-26 victory. 

In the boys' game, Warde came out on top, 50-36. 

The crowd was terrific for both games. From the Nest (Ludlowe student section) to the Stampede (Warde Student Section), to the youth basketball players, parents and other Fairfield community basketball fans.

The games are also Coaches vs Cancer fundraiser games as money is raised in a variety of ways including but not limited to the players raising money in advance, the concession stand at the game and a 50/50 raffle. I've heard a lot of money was raised for cancer research, which is phenomenal. 

Great job by everyone. From Athletic Director's Todd Parness and Gina DiGiacomo to the rest of the staff, parents who were involved, players, coaches, fans and all of the other support staff. It was a crazy day and week, but happy to get it over with and move on with the rest of the season. 

A great night of basketball and a great night for the Town of Fairfield. 

Warde Basketball Saturday

It was a Saturday of Warde basketball. 

The Mustangs hosted Ridgefield in a girls and boys basketball doubleheader. Games were played at all three levels. Freshman, JV and varsity. 

On the girls' side, the teams came into today 1/2 game apart (Ridgefield has played one more game) overall and the same FCIAC record. The Tigers were 10-3, 6-2 in the conference. The Mustangs were 9-3 overall and 6-2 in the conference. 

For the boys, both teams were unbeaten in league play at 6-0 and Ridgefield again 1/2 game better than Warde at 10-1 vs 9-1. 

I went over to Warde to watch both varsity games. 

Both games were very good games with Ridgefield coming away with wins in both games. 

It took overtime and a late three in regulation for the Tigers to come away with a 52-47 victory. 

Ridgefield three ties the game with 1.6 left in regulation. #ctgb pic.twitter.com/X0Hv1FNJRl

— Shawn Sailer (@ShawnSailer) January 27, 2024

In the boys' game, Ridgefield led from start to finish, coming away with a 59-56 victory. 

It was good to get to watch both of Warde's basketball teams play. I don't often get to see them play as most games conflict with Ludlowe games. I see the Warde boys a couple times a year, but rarely ever get to see the Warde girls, other than when they play Ludlowe or in the holiday tournament. 

It's always different for me at a Warde game than a Ludlowe game but good to see and talk to many people at Warde. From people I see more often at work, to people I don't see as much. 

Looking forward to another exciting week of basketball with the Ludlowe/Warde doubleheader on Friday at Ludlowe. Girls game at 5pm, boys game at 6:30pm. 

New Era.....Same Heartbreak

Graphic via Packers Twitter 

It was the start of a new era for the Packers with Jordan Love replacing Aaron Rodgers at quarterback this season. It was another season of a heartbreaking loss to end the season, however. 

Green Bay fell to the San Francisco 49ers 24-21 on Saturday night in the NFC Divisional Playoffs. 

The 49ers will play the Detroit Lions, who, as I am typing this, beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  

It was a tremendous football game. 

It was a season in which the Packers exceeded expectations, but that doesn't mean the loss doesn't sting. Especially in the fashion it happened. 

The Packers had a lead with just over a minute to go and led for most of the second half. Then Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffery and company put together a terrific game-winning drive. 

Green Bay had one last shot, but Love, who played a terrific first three quarters, threw a ball across his body that was intercepted and ended the Packers season. 

The Packers had many opportunities that could have changed the outcome of the game, including Anders Carlson missing a field goal that would have extended the lead from four to seven in the fourth quarter. 

Love also had an earlier interception in the fourth as well as missing Aaron Jones on a short-third down pass that would have extended a drive. 

All that being said, it was a great season for the Packers. They exceeded expectations by getting as far as they did in Love's first year as a starter. Getting to the playoffs in year one is something neither Brett Favre or Rodgers did. 

The future is extremely bright in Green Bay. It's not just Love. So many young receivers, an offensive line that is getting better. Sure, there are some things, like the defense and special teams that need to be fixed/cleaned up. That's what the off-season is for. 

There have been some many years recently in which the Packers seasons have ended with heartbreaking, tough losses. 

2013 NFC Wild Card vs San Francisco

2014 NFC Championship (OT) vs Seattle 

2015 NFC Divisional Round (OT) vs Arizona 

2020 NFC Championship vs Tampa Bay

2021 NFC Divisional Round vs San Francisco

Those are just the close, really heartbreaking losses. There have been many other playoff loses, just in that timespan. Plus, there are ones before that like the two to the Giants, especially the 2007 NFC Championship. 

The have also lost their last five postseason meetings to the 49ers. 

This year was different though. With Rodgers you felt like you had to win, or it was a disappointing season. This year, due to exceeding expectations, it didn't feel the same. Still heartbreaking, but excited for the future. 

I know I probably shouldn't root for the Lions as a division rival, but they are a great story. I also don't really like the 49ers. Probably because of all the losses we talked about above. I know and like people who are fans of each of those teams. Brian Silvestro for the Lions and Charlie Mahoney for the 49ers, to name a couple. Good luck to both teams.  

All the said, forever Go Pack Go! 

100 Wins

Team Photo Following John Dailey's 100th win 

Friday was a special night at Ludlowe. 

Ludlowe boys' basketball head coach John Dailey picked up his 100th career win in the Falcons 49-29 victory over the Westhill Vikings. 

The win for the Falcons is their eighth of the season, clinching them a state tournament berth. Ludlowe sits with an 8-2 record at the midway point of the season. Lots of basketball to play in the regular season before the postseason. 

Making the state tournament is always great, but even more special after not making it the last couple of years. 

It was very cool to have the 100th win for Dailey also be the eight win of the season. Lots to celebrate for the Falcons. 

It's been 10-years for John with many highs and some tougher seasons, as every coach has. 

So many players who he's coached any many assistant coaches who have been with him. Too many to name without forgetting some important people. However, a very cool part of this is Darren Lee, who played for John on the 2014-2015 state quarterfinal team, now coaching with him. 

Darren (No. 10) playing for John, now coaching alongside him. 

It's been a great week for the Ludlowe basketball coaches as Sara Kinsley, the head girls' basketball coach, picked up her 100th win last Friday, January 12, in the Falcons victory over Danbury. 

The girls team currently sits at 7-4, 5-2 in the FCIAC. 

Two terrific coaches who are even better people. Two people who put so much time, effort and care into their programs. A lot more than people see. 

Lots of great things happening with the Ludlowe basketball programs. 

Should be a fun remainder of the season. 

Pack Are Back......In The Playoffs

Photo: Packers.com

With the Packers win over the Bears earlier today, they are back in the playoffs after missing out last season. 

Green Bay will travel to Dallas to play the Cowboys on Sunday at 4:30pm on FOX. 

It was a very impressive first season as a starter for Jordan Love. 

Close to 4,000 yards passing. with 30 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions. 

Most importantly, a playoff appearance. That's something neither Brett Favre nor Aaron Rodgers did in their first seasons as the starting quarterback. 

No matter what happens against the Cowboys, this was a good season. Nobody expected them to make the postseason this year. 

This just makes the expectations that might higher for Love and the team in the future. 

All that being said, I would love (no pun intended) for them to beat the Cowboys and even more so, make a run in the playoffs. 

Obviously, the ultimate goal every year is to win a Super Bowl, but only one team can do that. 

Not to get ahead of anything. It's one play, one quarter and one game at a time. 

Excited to see what happens. 

Go Pack Go! 

Loss

January 4

2005

2011

Uncle David

Grandma Bea

So many memories. So many I could write about. 

Both good and bad. 

However, I don't feel like they are my stories to tell, and a lot of my memories are not important. 

So many more stories I have heard since your passings. 

We think of them often, but especially on a day like today and other specific days of note throughout the year. 

Always in our hearts. 

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Sorry to continue on a sad note, but condolences to good friend Susan and the DeCristoforo family on the passing of her seven-year-old niece Rory on New Year's Day in a fire in their house in Staten Island. 

You can read more here courtesy of ABC7 New York. There is a GoFundMe set up to support the family but support any way you can. 

I'm not going to try to say I know anyone in their family other than Susan more than I do. I don't know her brother Mark or sister-in-law Megan (Rory's parents), or their kids or Susan and Mark's father. But I know Susan and I've heard a lot about the family. A good family. 

This loss comes after Susan and Mark's mom and Rory's grandmother, Mrs. Jane DeCristoforo passed away in November. 

Heartbroken for them all.