Calling all Huskies (Offering 2 tix for tomorrow for next best MarkersMuppet responses) | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Calling all Huskies (Offering 2 tix for tomorrow for next best MarkersMuppet responses)

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The day was March 29th, 1999. The boy was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, the youthfulness and freedom of childhood briefly confined. It was his daily sentence to the ten hours of purgatory known to his parents as bedtime. Suddenly, he heard a yell from the unmistakable voice of his father. The young boy scampered downstairs, liberated from his personal imprisonment. His father screamed, “Look at the TV! Connecticut shocked the world!” The boy looked at the TV just in time to see a middle-aged basketball coach lifting his arms in joy as pure as the boy’s. Fifteen years, a couple feet, and bushels of facial hair later, hardened by the challenges of adolescence, few things remain the same. One thing that does, however, is my love of Connecticut basketball, and that all started with Jim Calhoun.

Unlike many in the coaching fraternity, Calhoun was not gifted with the benefits of family connections or superior athletic genetics. While coaching at Northeastern, he burst onto the radar of college basketball. Fourteen years later, Calhoun landed at Connecticut, a perennial doormat in the Big East Conference. Twenty seven years after taking that job, Calhoun retired a legend. If making lemonade from lemons is considered admirable, Calhoun’s creation of an empire from his bare hands is nothing short of heroic.

In an age where political correctness is nearly overbearing, Calhoun’s type is a dying breed. As a coach, he was content to dismiss concerns about his public perception to ensure that his values were paramount within his program. He was not perfect, but whatever flaws he had, he wore on his sleeve. The man was always willing to give a troubled kid a chance, even if self-righteous media members criticized him from their moral mountaintops. Polish, lipstick, and glamor were punted away at the expense of toughness, courage, and loyalty, a resounding theme that has endured into the Kevin Ollie years and been adopted passionately by his players.

If the opponent were anyone but Michigan State, I would advice you to give the ticket to someone else. The first Connecticut basketball game I attended in my lifetime was 1,822 days ago, in Detroit. I was accompanied by my father, who turned on the radio when his old, rugged BMW - which we had been driving in for upwards of 16 hours at that point, from our home in Massachusetts - finally crawled within 30 miles of Ford Field. "The place is littered with Spartan green", the local talk show host boasted. "This place holds 70,000 people, and I expect 50,000 Michigan State fans will be here." As my father and I marched into Ford Field, the estimate proved to be frighteningly accurate. To this day, I've never been to a louder venue. The rambunctious crowd propelled the Spartans to victory, and to my dying day I'll remember being swallowed up by one big wave of Spartan ectasy as I sat in my seat in the upper deck, begging for the opportunity to one day return the favor.

As one of the sole Husky fans who braved the hostile elements of Ford Field that day, I believe the mojo dictates that I reap the rewards of a decidedly pro-Husky crowd on hand tomorrow. Jim Calhoun's hand-picked successor, Kevin Ollie, debuted against a nearly identical Spartan team fourteen months ago on a Naval base, and in just over 16 hours, he'll meet them again for a chance to go to the final four. The symmetry of it all is glaringly palpable, and as somebody who is eternally grateful for the kids who remained loyal to the program when they had every opportunity to bolt, I'd forfeit my left thumb for the chance to watch them in the world's most famous arena one last time. Yesterday afternoon, I departed for New York City at 1 PM, and arrived back in my bed at 6 AM Saturday morning. And do you know what? I'd love nothing more than to do it all over again. And while I can't promise a victory, what I can promise is that my voice will be hopelessly hoarse by the time its all over. Jim Calhoun, Kevin Ollie, and the kids on the team who have devoted more to their craft than we could ever comprehend deserve at least that much.

I can't tell you who to give the tickets to, huskies92. There are a lot of staunchly loyal posters on this board, and I wouldn't fault you for giving the tickets to any of them. But if you're looking for somebody to share and embrace the gift of UConn basketball with, I can assure you I will not disappoint. We may be total strangers. But for forty minutes tomorrow, we might as well be lifetime friends united by one common bond. If I'm lucky enough to win them, I'd be more than happy to bring another poster along with me. Whether I'm watching with you tomorrow, or here on my couch, people like you and everyone else on this board are what make this program a joy to root for. Go Huskies.
 
It feels sacrilegious to write a post knowing it will be measured against Makers Muppet, but I remember watching Skinner at the Maui game in '10 and if there is ANY chance I can get to sit next to this live.....you're goddamned right I'm going to take it. Here's why.

Like some of you cretinous reprobates I started watching and living Husky basketball during the dream season. I was 13 and as I went through school I remember the state shutting down this time of year. Every year. Huskymania. TVs pulled into the library for the BET, scouring the Bridgeport Post and reading articles about how Donny Marshal was going to have a barbeque if we made the F4 in '95. Of course I watched all the games, but at that age the idea of attending one was fantasy.

Fast forward 15 or so years and I've somehow managed to escape my parent's basement and the Trumbull school system and I can actually start going to see the Huskies live. I don't know what happened to the people in this state, but sometime between then and now most attendants at a Husky game ceased being Husky fans. I don't know why they choose to spend their time and money doing something they seem so disinterested in, but there's nothing I can do about that. I can't make them stand up. I can't make then cheer for a shot, let alone a rebound or a straight hustle play. All I can do is yell from start to finish, and find the other sections with the real fans, last night it was 208, and think "I want to go sit with THOSE ".

So tomorrow, I'll standing outside the Broadway stubhub office. Waiting for my friend and fellow true fan to get a last minute ticket, knowing when we walk up to MSG and shout "UCONN" the vast majority of people from Connecticut will ignore me, but true fans, like Skinner, like Muppet, like the Boneyard, will answer back.

JCS
 
CTBasketball said:
I second this. Without tcf, our memories would just be memories. Now everytime we want to re-live our memories we can go to his YouTube channel. 99% of teams don't have a tcf. Heck, I would start him over Ennis.
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Skinner? Seymour Skinner? Springfield Elementary School principal? Vietnam Veteran tormented by his mother? I didn't think so. Way too Simpsons, and they date back to UConn's Dream Season. Not relevant.

I know you've asked for new writing, but you've already seen it elsewhere and it's very simple: these tickets are for tcf15. Hands down.

Again in CAPS: TCF15

You say want a MakersMuppet-ish post? So far, the best would be from David Carlson, who put up a 'Show Us Some Hate' post on St Patrick's Day, arguing that we don't need anyone's love. I copied and pasted that post and stuck it into The Judge Speaks thread on Page 6, just before testicular avatars got erased as the moderators tried their best to kill a mojo that rapidly got way too NSFW. Carlson's post got some kudos from the bump, but no great traction. Now, every time I read a pre-game or post-game article about UCONN, it mentions last year's post-season ban. Every damn article. If I didn't think it was indispensable to the mojo, I'd hate reading it every time. It's like a guaranteed winner on a March Madness BINGO card.

TCF's contribution to a self-crippling mojo has been extraordinary.

It saps me of any motivation to weave a narrative that speaks of how my dad used to dine with Harry Gampel at Scoler's Restaurant (dating back to when it was on Farmington Avenue) once monthly with the Toppers, a quasi-fraternal collection of Jewish guys who grew up during the Great Depression mostly in Hartford's North End; my high school classmate Danny Novarr , a 30 year season ticket holder who died mid-season at age 60; Jackie Burns, the wicked witch from Broadway's Wicked who appears on one of the UCONN ads in the MetroNorth cars and whose dad was a 45 year buddy of Dan's; Amby Burfoot who got mention in the thread about long distance running and cellphones after I ignored posted William Shea; the guy from Cape Town South Africa who I hope gets an online link to watch the game, and who has to be somewhere nearby the mom & dad that traveled there from Trumbull for a family wedding such that I'm back at their home changing diapers and teaching their twin 31 month old boys to say, "Go Huskies"; or the wonderful wife who will enjoy tomorrow's closing night of The Book of Mormon at The Bushnell with kids and now a lucky friend who gets the husband's ticket as he's off to MSG. I had the good sense to be at the Bushnell on opening night, before the Round of 64 kicked in.

Would I like to go to MSG? Sure. But I still say it's TCF, so all you get is this name-dropping sketch of what makes me love The Boneyard, this team, and the Husky basketball ever since my dad first took me to the Field House starting in 1962 when I got Toby Kimball's autograph.

Tcf15 ALL THE WAY!
 
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I agree @tcf15 deserves a ticket more than anyone. But where is he? Tcf post a señor T in here so we know you want to go!!
 
OkaForPrez said:
I agree @tcf15 deserves a ticket more than anyone. But where is he? Tcf post a señor T in here so we know you want to go!!
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Maybe one of him sitting with the UCONN band at MSG.
 
Give 1 to big red if he is still in need, and 1 to tcf. I'd lobby for myself, but the mojo requires me to point out the obvious, they both deserve it more than I do.
 
Not what the OP has solicited but similar to others suggestions - TCF and Big Red would be at the top of my list. They are the virtual and physical incarnations of PURE MOJO.

That aside... what a facking thread. Nothing better than being a UConn fan!
 
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Skinner - I have tickets but felt the need to comment...this is such an awesome gesture and speaks volumes to the type of person you are. You truly do BLEED BLUE and we are lucky to have you. From what I hear, you were absolutely instrumental in making our practice facility a reality, which will keep our program at an elite level for years to come.

I met you briefly after the Florida game this year (celebrating at good old Ted's). Hope to see you again postgame tomorrow after a similar outcome!! Probably won't have a voice left by the end of it but it will all be worth it.

There is something special about this team, I can feel it. The team chemistry is incredible, we have an All-American PG, and one of the best coaches/motivators in America. WHY NOT US?

GO HUSKIES!!!
 
I am sitting at a table with our UConn family, some of the all time greats and we've read every post. We are overwhelmed by how awesome they are, I wish I had tickets for everybody and if I could I would. It was a hard decision and I had tears in my eyes. I share the same passion as all of you and but I have decided to give the two tickets to champs99and04. Thank you for all your responses, they were amazing. I will see you in Dallas! Everyone is awesome.. Love you all and I BLEED BLUE!.. LETS DO THIS
 
Congrats Champs. If anything, waiting for my chance at a ticket has helped me patiently watch prices fall on stub hub, I probably would have pulled the trigger hours ago. If you guys want to meet up for a pre game beer, would love to share stories.
 
OkaForPrez said:
Congrats Champs. If anything, waiting for my chance at a ticket has helped me patiently watch prices fall on stub hub, I probably would have pulled the trigger hours ago. If you guys want to meet up for a pre game beer, would love to share stories.
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There were tickets on sale for $112 on StubHub. I kid you not they lasted a good 16 seconds and my internet is so slow. Fudge.
 
Enjoy the game at MSG Champs and Skinner. Thanks for your generosity toward the Boneyard.
 
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Woah, Skinner, this is awesome!

I see a lot of people throwing my name in the ring, but I am on a self-imposed ban from going to MSG when UConn is playing there. I've been there 3 times and I've witnessed 3 losses - UK, St. John's (2011) and NC State. I believe in the power of mojo, and by being in UConn's presence at MSG, I'll be putting that in jeopardy.

We can't have that happen. I can't believe I'd ever say this, but I'm much more comfortable watching at home and photoshopping Senhor Testiculo than being in person at MSG.
 
tcf15 said:
Woah, Skinner, this is awesome!

I see a lot of people throwing my name in the ring, but I am on a self-imposed ban from going to MSG when UConn is playing there. I've been there 3 times and I've witnessed 3 losses - UK, St. John's (2011) and NC State. I believe in the power of mojo, and by being in UConn's presence at MSG, I'll be putting that in jeopardy.

We can't have that happen. I can't believe I'd ever say this, but I'm much more comfortable watching at home and photoshopping Senhor Testiculo than being in person at MSG.
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You have no idea how much testiculos it takes to man up and say that. You my friend, are a legend. Like almost on Big Red/Blue n' White guy level.
 
tcf15 said:
We can't have that happen. I can't believe I'd ever say this, but I'm much more comfortable watching at home and photoshopping Senhor Testiculo than being in person at MSG.
Expand ...

I wouldn't have it any other way.
 
If anybody else desperately wants to go, I can meet you somewhere in the city. Otherwise I'm probably going to bring my mother. Thanks so much for the opportunity, huskies92, it's something I'll never forget.
 
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champs99and04 said:
The day was March 29th, 1999. The boy was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, the youthfulness and freedom of childhood briefly confined. It was his daily sentence to the ten hours of purgatory known to his parents as bedtime. Suddenly, he heard a yell from the unmistakable voice of his father. The young boy scampered downstairs, liberated from his personal imprisonment. His father screamed, “Look at the TV! Connecticut shocked the world!” The boy looked at the TV just in time to see a middle-aged basketball coach lifting his arms in joy as pure as the boy’s. Fifteen years, a couple feet, and bushels of facial hair later, hardened by the challenges of adolescence, few things remain the same. One thing that does, however, is my love of Connecticut basketball, and that all started with Jim Calhoun.

Unlike many in the coaching fraternity, Calhoun was not gifted with the benefits of family connections or superior athletic genetics. While coaching at Northeastern, he burst onto the radar of college basketball. Fourteen years later, Calhoun landed at Connecticut, a perennial doormat in the Big East Conference. Twenty seven years after taking that job, Calhoun retired a legend. If making lemonade from lemons is considered admirable, Calhoun’s creation of an empire from his bare hands is nothing short of heroic.

In an age where political correctness is nearly overbearing, Calhoun’s type is a dying breed. As a coach, he was content to dismiss concerns about his public perception to ensure that his values were paramount within his program. He was not perfect, but whatever flaws he had, he wore on his sleeve. The man was always willing to give a troubled kid a chance, even if self-righteous media members criticized him from their moral mountaintops. Polish, lipstick, and glamor were punted away at the expense of toughness, courage, and loyalty, a resounding theme that has endured into the Kevin Ollie years and been adopted passionately by his players.

If the opponent were anyone but Michigan State, I would advice you to give the ticket to someone else. The first Connecticut basketball game I attended in my lifetime was 1,822 days ago, in Detroit. I was accompanied by my father, who turned on the radio when his old, rugged BMW - which we had been driving in for upwards of 16 hours at that point, from our home in Massachusetts - finally crawled within 30 miles of Ford Field. "The place is littered with Spartan green", the local talk show host boasted. "This place holds 70,000 people, and I expect 50,000 Michigan State fans will be here." As my father and I marched into Ford Field, the estimate proved to be frighteningly accurate. To this day, I've never been to a louder venue. The rambunctious crowd propelled the Spartans to victory, and to my dying day I'll remember being swallowed up by one big wave of Spartan ectasy as I sat in my seat in the upper deck, begging for the opportunity to one day return the favor.

As one of the sole Husky fans who braved the hostile elements of Ford Field that day, I believe the mojo dictates that I reap the rewards of a decidedly pro-Husky crowd on hand tomorrow. Jim Calhoun's hand-picked successor, Kevin Ollie, debuted against a nearly identical Spartan team fourteen months ago on a Naval base, and in just over 16 hours, he'll meet them again for a chance to go to the final four. The symmetry of it all is glaringly palpable, and as somebody who is eternally grateful for the kids who remained loyal to the program when they had every opportunity to bolt, I'd forfeit my left thumb for the chance to watch them in the world's most famous arena one last time. Yesterday afternoon, I departed for New York City at 1 PM, and arrived back in my bed at 6 AM Saturday morning. And do you know what? I'd love nothing more than to do it all over again. And while I can't promise a victory, what I can promise is that my voice will be hopelessly hoarse by the time its all over. Jim Calhoun, Kevin Ollie, and the kids on the team who have devoted more to their craft than we could ever comprehend deserve at least that much.

I can't tell you who to give the tickets to, huskies92. There are a lot of staunchly loyal posters on this board, and I wouldn't fault you for giving the tickets to any of them. But if you're looking for somebody to share and embrace the gift of UConn basketball with, I can assure you I will not disappoint. We may be total strangers. But for forty minutes tomorrow, we might as well be lifetime friends united by one common bond. If I'm lucky enough to win them, I'd be more than happy to bring another poster along with me. Whether I'm watching with you tomorrow, or here on my couch, people like you and everyone else on this board are what make this program a joy to root for. Go Huskies.
Expand ...

That was pretty glorious champs.
 
champs99and04 said:
If anybody else desperately wants to go, I can meet you somewhere in the city. Otherwise I'm probably going to bring my mother. Thanks so much for the opportunity, huskies92, it's something I'll never forget.
Expand ...

If your mother is going to yell and scream, take her. There's good mojo in that.
 
Congrats Champs, well deserved. Thanks Skinner for being a leader & ambassador of the program. I had the good fortune to listen to you speak at the practice facility ground breaking ceremony. We spoke for a few minutes, after the event, & I know you're very proud of UConn basketball tonight. Thank you.
 
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