Ladies & Gentlemen your Big West Champion Cal Poly Mustangs...Woot Woot!!!

I remember, it was January 2002, I walked into Baggett Stadium for my first game as the Mustangs Stadium Announcer. Man, was I nervous. I had done Public Address for two minor league baseball teams in Syracuse and Albany, A-League soccer in Seattle and semi-pro football in Syracuse. But, 2002 was a special year, because I was back in California, my home state, three hours from my home town; and doing what I love, baseball PA. Little did I know, 12 years later Cal Poly would win the Big West Season Championship. This week Cal Poly earned an automatic bid into the NCAA Regional Baseball playoffs by winning the Conference. The crowd noise in the stadium this season has gradually escalated from cheering to a loud & crazy roar each game. It's taken five years to get the crowd to repeat "Hoooooooo" after me when either Chris or Michael Hoo come up to the plate. It took 12 years for the fans to stand up and cheer when there's two outs with one needed to end the game and seal a win for the Mustangs. It took 12 years for the Tuesday night attendance to go from a few hundred to 1,552 vs. Pepperdine this year. It took 12 years for Mustang Concessions to fill the concourse with extra food vendors. It took 12 years for the stadium to expand to over 3,000 seats. And for this Public Address Announcer it was well worth the wait. The energy and excitement surrounding the Poly baseball team has been awesome as the season has progressed this year. But, it's not over yet. We'll find out on Sunday if Poly will host a regional. On Monday morning the Mustangs find out where they'll play as they try to improve on their two and out appearance last year in the UCLA region. Wouldn't it be nice if I could turn on the mike, for the very first time, next weekend and say "Welcome to Baggett Stadium home of the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo NCAA baseball regional playoffs..." this time around. Ride High and enjoy it fans. I know I sure will.

Ignorance...Scram, let's Eracism!

First thing I think...What would Jackie do? The donald sterling situation has been going on for years, in basketball and his other business ventures. This has got to be the end, at least it should be. Unfortunately, the owners/league cannot force him to sell. He loves to go to court and isn't afraid to get sued. Freedom of speech is legit, we all have it and should. But, come on, there finally needs to be some consequences for this behavior. Do the Clippers players and coaches have any choice? If Doc Rivers leaves, it would be a strong statement! If Chris Paul or Blake Griffin go, there's another one. These guys are taking part in some of the best playoffs I've ever seen in the NBA. I don't think it's the players jobs to punish this fool. But, who would want to play for an ignorant and racist owner. What should the league do? What should the players do? The owners and commish need to do something, and quick! The public can take a stand too. We can stop going to games where the Clippers play, home and away. We choose what businesses to support and give money. I would like to see something big happen! As Mark Jackson of the Warriors mentioned, why not have an empty Staples for the playoff game this week. Fans can stand up and make a difference too. That would be incredible!!! If the players keep playing and don't take a stand, then he still makes money. If the players boycott I would be inspired and it's totally courageous! But, if they do play, it's not wrong. The league and the owners need to take control of this situation, NOW! not tomorrow or the next day. I keep thinking What would Jackie (JR42) do?

Who is your Sports Hero? JR42

What is a hero? Someone who drives us, inspires us and motivates us? Where are our heroes? In our schools, on TV, in movies or right here at home? Can we have more than one hero? I find myself thinking about this often, most certainly two specific days a year...January 31st, Jackie Robinson's birthday and April 15th, the day we celebrate Jackie Robinson Day across the country at MLB parks and stadiums. My mom is a hero, my track coach, Andy Roberts, at Syracuse is a hero and my uncle Rick is a hero. All of these people have touched my life personally in some way or another. Unfortunately, I never met JR42. He was out of baseball and the public spotlight when I was just old enough to understand his story. He died the year I went to my first Dodger game. But, lucky for me I at least got to hear his story. I hope other kids had and have that chance. I didn't know Mr. Robinson. He knew not of me, or the thousands of other kids from my generation who might have looked up to him. Who is your hero? Do you have more than one hero? When do you think of that person? Are you someone's hero? I sure hope I am!

Selfull vs. Selfish...Thankful!

I am thankful recently for setting boundaries. Two years ago I had no idea what a personal boundary was, lately, I'm feeling growth and movement. Up until now, I had no clue how to set a boundary. Recently, it finally happened, 40+ years later, Woot Woot! I have found myself caught up in work stuff from one job getting in the way of the other job at the absolute worst time. I love my life and all of my jobs. I put my heart into each one. But, I SET A BOUNDARY! Yes, I'm yelling, at the top of my lungs. I did not allow issues at one job filter into the other. I protected myself. I felt bad and guilty about it for three hours, but I got through it, I grew. I am stronger and better because of it. This week, I'll be even better at setting a boundary, if needed. This is HUGE for me. I credit my sisterhood, the group of women friends who stand by me through my life experiences! I am energized in my recent journey by all of the girlfriends, derby sisters, CrossFitters and family members in my world who are teaching me as well as supporting me through these life lessons. I've learned to honor myself, first. It has been a tough go at times, but, whew, my goodness...I'm learning and using the struggles or challenges for my benefit now, and not letting anything get in the way of cherishing myself. It's one thing to be selfish, it's another to be "Self-ful!"

CrossFitting at any age...

When I walked into CrossFit Five Cities last spring I had no clue what I was getting myself into. In fact, I was darn right scared out of my mind. I knew nothing about the sport of CrossFit and thought it was just for young and in shape athletes. Don't get me wrong, I'm in shape and I'm an athlete, but I'm far from young. At first, I planned on going once a week to cross train for roller derby. Pretty quickly, after working with Chad Franco, I was in "the box" two times a week. Fast forward six months and I was seen there three times a week, at least. Now, almost a year later, I've even got my roller derby team working out at CrossFit Five Cities. This past weekend I woke up and found myself driving my car to Atascadero CrossFit, and competing in the SLO County Games. A first time beginners competition, set up for those of us that just started practicing the sport. It gave newbies a feel for what CrossFit looks like from a competitive angle. Wow, it was a life changing experience, to say the least. I had a blast, I felt strong, supported and part of something, something different. As competitive as I am in my roller skates, basketball kicks or running shoes, the inner athlete showed up and it was a gnarly adrenaline rush for sure! I finished, I felt accomplished, but more importantly, I'm now hooked on this sport and engulfed in a new community. Anyone, I mean ANYONE can do CrossFit, at any level. As long as you have a quality coaching staff guiding you, and keeping you safe. The family shows up too, the CrossFit family, to cheer you on and encourage you to do and be your best. It's up to you, to dig deep and make it happen. Moral of the story...CrossFit is for everyone and anyone who wants to be fit and healthy! The road to awesomeness begins at a CrossFit box near you, I promise.

Sometimes it's hard to be nice!

I have been doing this a long ass time. Often I run into amazingly helpful Media Relations folks, PR people and Sports Information Directors/staff. But, once in a while, I come into contact with no contact at all. I call, I email, I fax (in the old days) and I send snail mail (in the really old days). Usually, it's an interview request, a meeting idea or hopes for tickets for myself or a listener giveaway. Most of the time I get through to the right person within a day or two. when I was a full time producer in the 90's I got people on the same day, that was awesome. Now, it's a little different, harder to get a live voice, for sure! Then there are the times when I want to pull my hair out or say what I really feel. Two of those instances have come up quite recently. One with an SEC college Sports Information Department and the other with a major player in the communications department of one of the "top four" sports. This second incident also included two professional team media relations departments. I don't like to throw people under the bus or talk crap, but I've come close. If you read my book, you'd see that, because I changed people's names to avoid calling out a few of the jerks in this business. Today, I am frustrated, it took me three weeks to book an interview that happened too late to air on my show. Then it took seven weeks to get a live voice and an answer to a simple question. The answer was 'no.' And now it's too late for me to find other options for my plan. Do I go on my show and rip these people? Do I ignore being ignored and continue to move forward with my career? Do I stop engaging with these teams or businesses and focus on the helpful ones? After writing this and finding it quite cathartic, I will breathe deep and let it go. But, this experience gives me just one more reason to dislike the...

Cheers to 2014!!!

Wow, I'm sure ready for this year! I don't think I know a single person who had a smooth 2013. We've got a fresh start each day, but a fresh year, that's exhilarating! I learned a bunch about myself last year, I grew even more. I went through really, really, sad times and tough moments. My heart hasn't hurt that much in a long time, but I made it through. Thanks to my amazing Central Coast friends; my local family, I can say it was difficult but I NEVER felt alone. I lost love in more ways than I can describe. Yet, I gained a new found love of my true self. Sounds cheesy, yeah maybe. But, I don't care. I am on a new path with a wonderful group of derby sisters, incredible friendships, a thriving new business, a baseball job I absolutely love, the football gig of my dreams, and a new adventure that will take me back into the restaurant business. At Kanpai in Shell Beach, I'll be surrounded by my favorite food, and a family who has welcomed me in, trusting me to help them share their delicious menu with our Central Coast community. So, today I toast the beauty of a fresh start and the love we can all CHOOSE to have in our lives each day. It doesn't always last as long as we'd like, but, you still gotta go for it. Because a strong, deep, but brief love is better than no love at all.