Just a few things on my mind to share with you this morning:
I’m been glancing at the Asbury Park Press this week and reading their coverage of what is the Pop Warner National Cheer & Dance Championships at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. It appears that the Jersey Shore area is always well-represented at this event with a large number of teams able to raise the money necessary to travel and compete for big trophies. I guess what I wonder is why nobody ever makes an issue that this event requires students to miss school right after they’ve been off for Thanksgiving and will have a long break for Christmas. Of course this is a big money maker for Disney World as thousands of kids and their families head to Florida for the cheerleading events as well as youth football games. It’s perfectly timed for the resort as it comes just before the Christmas vacation which of course is a very busy period. Bottom line is like many other events this one exists to make money and there is apparently a lot to be made.
Even if you are more Grinch than Santa Claus you have to admit houses that are decorated for Christmas add something to a street or neighborhood. There is something about driving around at night during the holiday season and seeing home after home lit up and tastefully decorated.
Sorry to say but the Monmouth University Men’s basketball program has really fallen off the radar. Despite having a tremendous facility to play in if the Hawks don’t win some games there will be plenty of seats, rows and sections available at the Multipurpose Activity Center. Worse part is that the students themselves really don’t seem to care.
Speaking of basketball…we held the seeding meeting for the 27th annual WOBM Christmas Classic last night with the 32 boys and girls coaches. The top seeds are…..sorry we don’t announce them until Monday when we hold the Tipoff Brunch at the Quality Inn in Toms River.
Has pro basketball returned to New York? After a decade of futility the Knicks are showing signs that time might be changing. They have now won 6 in-a-row and 11 of their last 12 games and are exciting to watch. Of course at the end of the day you must remember this is the NBA which most people care little about.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Ocean Couny Stormwatch
It seems that about a week ago we abruptly went from fall to winter and out came heavy coats, gloves and hats. Another sign, at least for us here at WOBM has been the recent flurry of phone calls inquiring about weather-related announcements.
Yes while we are many things to many different people the one constant is that much of Ocean County will turn to us first during bad weather for storm-related information, including closings and cancellations. With winter pretty much here I am as a public service spending a moment this morning alerting you to our Stormwatch program. This is especially important for those of you who are enrolled in the program as well as those of you wanting to find out details about becoming part of it.
If you have listened to this station during winter months with bad weather (like last year) than you know what it’s like…well you know some of it. For many years the only way we had to inform you of weather-related announcements was to read them over the air and this was after several of us would spend hours answering phone calls and logging the information. As the county and our list grew this was no longer a practical way to disseminate information so in recent years we have gone with a web-based program. This program has proved very valuable for both us and you and a few changes have been instituted for this winter.
For those of you already part of Ocean County Stormwatch than the big change is that you will now go to the website, www.njstormwatch.com to report your cancellation or delay. You should update your computer’s favorite places and your Stormwatch notes with that address. The good news is that you can still use your user name and password from last year. If you have forgotten or misplaced that information you will find a short form on the website which you can fill out…however do not wait as you should have the required information before bad weather hits. Without your user name and password you cannot log on and report your announcement. For those organizations that are not part of our program than all you need to do is visit www.wobm.com and look for the “Ocean County Stormwatch” link. It will direct you to a form which can be filled out that’s how you get into the program.
As for you listeners there are two ways for you to get the information you need when bad weather hits. You can visit www.wobm.com 24/7 and get the information as we receive it or you can listen to 92.7FM. Either way we’ll be there for you this winter like we have since 1968.
Yes while we are many things to many different people the one constant is that much of Ocean County will turn to us first during bad weather for storm-related information, including closings and cancellations. With winter pretty much here I am as a public service spending a moment this morning alerting you to our Stormwatch program. This is especially important for those of you who are enrolled in the program as well as those of you wanting to find out details about becoming part of it.
If you have listened to this station during winter months with bad weather (like last year) than you know what it’s like…well you know some of it. For many years the only way we had to inform you of weather-related announcements was to read them over the air and this was after several of us would spend hours answering phone calls and logging the information. As the county and our list grew this was no longer a practical way to disseminate information so in recent years we have gone with a web-based program. This program has proved very valuable for both us and you and a few changes have been instituted for this winter.
For those of you already part of Ocean County Stormwatch than the big change is that you will now go to the website, www.njstormwatch.com to report your cancellation or delay. You should update your computer’s favorite places and your Stormwatch notes with that address. The good news is that you can still use your user name and password from last year. If you have forgotten or misplaced that information you will find a short form on the website which you can fill out…however do not wait as you should have the required information before bad weather hits. Without your user name and password you cannot log on and report your announcement. For those organizations that are not part of our program than all you need to do is visit www.wobm.com and look for the “Ocean County Stormwatch” link. It will direct you to a form which can be filled out that’s how you get into the program.
As for you listeners there are two ways for you to get the information you need when bad weather hits. You can visit www.wobm.com 24/7 and get the information as we receive it or you can listen to 92.7FM. Either way we’ll be there for you this winter like we have since 1968.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
A Day That Will Live In Infamy
For many of us there are three dates that will forever remain etched in our mind, not counting personal things like birthdays and anniversaries. Those dates are
September 11th, November 22nd and December 7th. 9/11 of course needs no explanation and if you are 50 or older you probably remember November 22nd as the day JFK was assassinated. Those of you in the younger generation may need a reminder as to the significance of today. This is the 69th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor which claimed the lives of 2,400 Americans and the next day led President Franklin Roosevelt to declare war on Japan as he proclaimed “December 7th, 1941…a day which will live in infamy.” Today is a bitter reminder for those that survived the attack on the U.S. Naval base in Hawaii and the anniversary is traditionally marked by the return of some of those survivors although sadly that number is dwindling. There will be a day not too far from now in which there are no survivors still alive but December 7th will indeed always hold historical meaning and purpose and should not be forgotten.
Unless you are my age or older you have no idea what Monday Night Football was like years ago. Before ABC began televising a weekly Monday game in 1970, pro football fans pretty much were limited to watching a couple of games on Sunday.
Monday Night games became events and the main announcing trio of Frank Gifford, Don Meredith & Howard Cosell were superstars. Meredith, a former Cowboys quarterback died over the weekend at age 72 and it’s made many of us think fondly about how special those Monday games were. Ironically one of the significant moments during one of those games took place on December 8th, 1980…..30 years ago tomorrow. In the final moments of a tight game between the Patriots and Dolphins, Cosell was the voice that informed America that John Lennon had been shot and killed in New York. For years after that Howard accepted praise for interrupting the game to deliver the sad and stunning news. However what many don’t know is during a commercial break before that he pretty much refused to make the announcement until he asked Gifford for his opinion. Frank said without question you have to let people know so Cosell reluctantly agreed and I’m sure until he died he never gave Gifford any credit.
September 11th, November 22nd and December 7th. 9/11 of course needs no explanation and if you are 50 or older you probably remember November 22nd as the day JFK was assassinated. Those of you in the younger generation may need a reminder as to the significance of today. This is the 69th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor which claimed the lives of 2,400 Americans and the next day led President Franklin Roosevelt to declare war on Japan as he proclaimed “December 7th, 1941…a day which will live in infamy.” Today is a bitter reminder for those that survived the attack on the U.S. Naval base in Hawaii and the anniversary is traditionally marked by the return of some of those survivors although sadly that number is dwindling. There will be a day not too far from now in which there are no survivors still alive but December 7th will indeed always hold historical meaning and purpose and should not be forgotten.
Unless you are my age or older you have no idea what Monday Night Football was like years ago. Before ABC began televising a weekly Monday game in 1970, pro football fans pretty much were limited to watching a couple of games on Sunday.
Monday Night games became events and the main announcing trio of Frank Gifford, Don Meredith & Howard Cosell were superstars. Meredith, a former Cowboys quarterback died over the weekend at age 72 and it’s made many of us think fondly about how special those Monday games were. Ironically one of the significant moments during one of those games took place on December 8th, 1980…..30 years ago tomorrow. In the final moments of a tight game between the Patriots and Dolphins, Cosell was the voice that informed America that John Lennon had been shot and killed in New York. For years after that Howard accepted praise for interrupting the game to deliver the sad and stunning news. However what many don’t know is during a commercial break before that he pretty much refused to make the announcement until he asked Gifford for his opinion. Frank said without question you have to let people know so Cosell reluctantly agreed and I’m sure until he died he never gave Gifford any credit.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Christmas Customer Service
Sometimes you just have to wonder what people in business are thinking.
We went out yesterday to purchase a Christmas tree and my wife is very particular in that she always gets a Douglass Fir. So we stopped in a place and were greeted by a lone employee who happened to speak very little English. My wife asked to see the section where the Douglass Firs were and he shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. We asked if they had that type of tree and he communicated to us that he had no idea. We looked around and some trees were labeled but there was no indication that what we wanted was available plus many of the trees were still tied up so it was difficult to tell. We did learn that someone else would be in later
who might be able to answer our question. We didn’t wait and drove a few miles down the road and found just what we were looking for.
Mixed weekend for the two Ocean County teams that played Saturday for state sectional football championships. Lacey capped off a perfect season with a 56-7 rout of Delsea while Brick Memorial was shut out by Sayreville 14-0 in a game played before 45,000 empty seats at Rutgers. The day also saw Shore Regional, Freehold and Rumson-Fair Haven capture titles with Rumson’s upset of Matawan considered among the biggest anyone can remember in the 36 years the playoff system has been around involving a Shore Conference team.
Monsignor Donovan senior Thomas Albanese is one of 50 national Semifinalists for high school football Rudy Awards which honors those players who bring heart if not great talent to the game. Albanese was nominated by his coach Dan Duddy for the attitude and sacrifice he brings to the program. Despite being a senior he would play in JV games to help make a contribution to the Griffins and never missed a practice. An only child, he lost his father to cancer just before entering Monsignor Donovan but never felt sorry for himself and always went out of his way for others. The winner will receive a $10,000 college scholarship with two runner-ups each receiving $5000. Named after a former Notre Dame Player, you can vote for Albanese online at www.highschoolrudyawards.com. Online voting will continue through December 28th.
We went out yesterday to purchase a Christmas tree and my wife is very particular in that she always gets a Douglass Fir. So we stopped in a place and were greeted by a lone employee who happened to speak very little English. My wife asked to see the section where the Douglass Firs were and he shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. We asked if they had that type of tree and he communicated to us that he had no idea. We looked around and some trees were labeled but there was no indication that what we wanted was available plus many of the trees were still tied up so it was difficult to tell. We did learn that someone else would be in later
who might be able to answer our question. We didn’t wait and drove a few miles down the road and found just what we were looking for.
Mixed weekend for the two Ocean County teams that played Saturday for state sectional football championships. Lacey capped off a perfect season with a 56-7 rout of Delsea while Brick Memorial was shut out by Sayreville 14-0 in a game played before 45,000 empty seats at Rutgers. The day also saw Shore Regional, Freehold and Rumson-Fair Haven capture titles with Rumson’s upset of Matawan considered among the biggest anyone can remember in the 36 years the playoff system has been around involving a Shore Conference team.
Monsignor Donovan senior Thomas Albanese is one of 50 national Semifinalists for high school football Rudy Awards which honors those players who bring heart if not great talent to the game. Albanese was nominated by his coach Dan Duddy for the attitude and sacrifice he brings to the program. Despite being a senior he would play in JV games to help make a contribution to the Griffins and never missed a practice. An only child, he lost his father to cancer just before entering Monsignor Donovan but never felt sorry for himself and always went out of his way for others. The winner will receive a $10,000 college scholarship with two runner-ups each receiving $5000. Named after a former Notre Dame Player, you can vote for Albanese online at www.highschoolrudyawards.com. Online voting will continue through December 28th.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
The high school football season will come to an end tomorrow and it could result in as many as five teams from the shore winning state sectional titles. Lacey will try and complete a perfect season and win the fourth state championship in school history when they host perennial South Jersey power Delsea in the South Jersey Group 3 final at 1pm. The Lions senior class might be the best in school history and boasts a number of outstanding players including Jarrod Molzon, Craig Cicardo, Dave Viera, Jake Dabal and Matt Uveges.
Brick Memorial plays the final game of the season as the Mustangs will battle Sayreville in the Central Jersey Group 4 Final at Rutgers tomorrow night at 7, in a game which we will broadcast on our sister station 105.7FM. The Mustangs beat the Bombers in the title game two years ago but lost in the final to Monroe last December as this is the third straight year Walt Currie has coached a team into the championship game. More so than in the past this is a balanced team with no players whose season statistics will wow you in any way. Mike DiGuilmi runs the triple option attack but this team’s success is largely based on a swarming defense, led by Will Wowkanyn.
The long day of football at Rutgers tomorrow begins with Shore playing Dunellen for the Central Group 1 title and features a Middletown South-Freehold Central Jersey Group 3 collision. Also Saturday, Matawan will aim for its second straight Central Jersey Group 2 championship when they face shore rival Rumson in a game at Kean University.
The Shore Sports Network, in conjunction with area head coaches, has selected our
“Fabulous 40”….the top 40 players from the Shore Conference. The complete list is available on our web site at www.shoresportsnetwork.com
We have also selected Lacey’s Lou Vircillo and Mark Costantino of Shore as Coaches of the Year in Ocean & Monmouth counties and our Players of the Year are record-breaking running back Matt McLain of Pinelands, Manalapan running back Josh Firsker, Frehold linebacker Jazzmar Clax and Brick Memorial’s defensive hurricane Will Wowkanyn.
Brick Memorial plays the final game of the season as the Mustangs will battle Sayreville in the Central Jersey Group 4 Final at Rutgers tomorrow night at 7, in a game which we will broadcast on our sister station 105.7FM. The Mustangs beat the Bombers in the title game two years ago but lost in the final to Monroe last December as this is the third straight year Walt Currie has coached a team into the championship game. More so than in the past this is a balanced team with no players whose season statistics will wow you in any way. Mike DiGuilmi runs the triple option attack but this team’s success is largely based on a swarming defense, led by Will Wowkanyn.
The long day of football at Rutgers tomorrow begins with Shore playing Dunellen for the Central Group 1 title and features a Middletown South-Freehold Central Jersey Group 3 collision. Also Saturday, Matawan will aim for its second straight Central Jersey Group 2 championship when they face shore rival Rumson in a game at Kean University.
The Shore Sports Network, in conjunction with area head coaches, has selected our
“Fabulous 40”….the top 40 players from the Shore Conference. The complete list is available on our web site at www.shoresportsnetwork.com
We have also selected Lacey’s Lou Vircillo and Mark Costantino of Shore as Coaches of the Year in Ocean & Monmouth counties and our Players of the Year are record-breaking running back Matt McLain of Pinelands, Manalapan running back Josh Firsker, Frehold linebacker Jazzmar Clax and Brick Memorial’s defensive hurricane Will Wowkanyn.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
When I stepped outside this morning it suddenly hit me….winter is coming. Never mind what the calendar says I just have this feeling that we are now entering that period in which cold weather will pretty much be what we face each day. I looked at the extended forecast and over the next ten days it is not expected to get out of the 40’s and obviously that means at night and early in the morning it will likely be in the 30’s on a regular basis. While for some they welcome this because it will make them feel more like Christmas, I personally don’t relish the thought that we are coming into a period in which warmth only comes when the heat is on.
I guess it bothers me because it signals what is seemingly the longest period of the year and as I get older I swear winter becomes longer and summer gets shorter.
What’s worse than getting up at 3am and having to go out and warm up your car or worse-yet….scrape ice off your windshield? Truthfully December doesn’t usually bother me all that much because we really don’t get severe winter weather in this month…that was until last year when we got crushed by a pre-Christmas blizzard.
If that were to happen again frankly I will probably just crawl up in a corner and cry because it just made for what seemed like an endless period of cold weather and snow.
What we need is a quiet December with maybe a little dusting of snow on Christmas Eve for visual effects and that’s about it. January and February are endless no matter what but if December is mild it will help speed along the process until we get to spring which right now seems more like years and not months away. As for summer….I can’t even fathom that there will be a day again in which I can sit on the beach basking in warm sunshine with a cool ocean breeze.
Man I have to snap out of this!
An unrelated program note. The season-ending edition of the Saint Barnabas Healthcare High School Football Show will air tonight on 105.7FM from 7-9pm.
Ed Sarluca, Matt Harmon and I will broadcast live from Boston’s in Toms River and preview the state football finals this weekend and also announce our All-Star teams and players and coaches of the year. The show streams live at www.shoresportsnetwork.com
.
I guess it bothers me because it signals what is seemingly the longest period of the year and as I get older I swear winter becomes longer and summer gets shorter.
What’s worse than getting up at 3am and having to go out and warm up your car or worse-yet….scrape ice off your windshield? Truthfully December doesn’t usually bother me all that much because we really don’t get severe winter weather in this month…that was until last year when we got crushed by a pre-Christmas blizzard.
If that were to happen again frankly I will probably just crawl up in a corner and cry because it just made for what seemed like an endless period of cold weather and snow.
What we need is a quiet December with maybe a little dusting of snow on Christmas Eve for visual effects and that’s about it. January and February are endless no matter what but if December is mild it will help speed along the process until we get to spring which right now seems more like years and not months away. As for summer….I can’t even fathom that there will be a day again in which I can sit on the beach basking in warm sunshine with a cool ocean breeze.
Man I have to snap out of this!
An unrelated program note. The season-ending edition of the Saint Barnabas Healthcare High School Football Show will air tonight on 105.7FM from 7-9pm.
Ed Sarluca, Matt Harmon and I will broadcast live from Boston’s in Toms River and preview the state football finals this weekend and also announce our All-Star teams and players and coaches of the year. The show streams live at www.shoresportsnetwork.com
.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Bouncing Around
On this first day of December I choose to bounce around a bit:
Clearly those that run college sports need lessons in geography and in simple math.
The Big Ten conference has 11 teams and next year will add another to make 12.
The Big 12 conference has 12 teams but will lose two next year and have 10. Wouldn’t it make sense for the two conferences to switch names?
The Pac 12 conference will expand to 14 next year but not change its name.
Louisiana Tech is in the Western Athletic Conference. Saint Louis is in the Atlantic Ten Conference, the University of Denver is in the Sun Belt Conference and just this week the Big East Conference announced it will add TCU as in Texas Christian University. That should make travel agents used by the schools very happy. Plus it will result in some great rivalries….nothing like a Syracuse-TCU soccer game.
I’m not sure exactly how it came to me but the other day I received an email with an attachment. The attachment was a copy of the contract offered to E.J. McGroarty to play for the Green Bay Packers during the 1944 season, along with a personal welcome letter from Packers coach Curly Lambeau. McGroarty would have his transportation paid to Green Bay, receive $35 a week during training camp and would get $150 per game. Well it appears he signed the contract but I guess he did not make the team because there’s no record of him playing for the Packers. Think of all that money he missed out on.
I have always thought that of all the sports awards given out annually the most prestigious in some ways is Sports Illustrated’s “Sportsman of the Year” because it’s more than just performance based. This year’s recipient is Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who led New Orleans to an improbable Super Bowl victory. He is also a terrific person whose foundation has worked hard to help rebuild the city after Hurricane Katrina. A great choice!
Clearly those that run college sports need lessons in geography and in simple math.
The Big Ten conference has 11 teams and next year will add another to make 12.
The Big 12 conference has 12 teams but will lose two next year and have 10. Wouldn’t it make sense for the two conferences to switch names?
The Pac 12 conference will expand to 14 next year but not change its name.
Louisiana Tech is in the Western Athletic Conference. Saint Louis is in the Atlantic Ten Conference, the University of Denver is in the Sun Belt Conference and just this week the Big East Conference announced it will add TCU as in Texas Christian University. That should make travel agents used by the schools very happy. Plus it will result in some great rivalries….nothing like a Syracuse-TCU soccer game.
I’m not sure exactly how it came to me but the other day I received an email with an attachment. The attachment was a copy of the contract offered to E.J. McGroarty to play for the Green Bay Packers during the 1944 season, along with a personal welcome letter from Packers coach Curly Lambeau. McGroarty would have his transportation paid to Green Bay, receive $35 a week during training camp and would get $150 per game. Well it appears he signed the contract but I guess he did not make the team because there’s no record of him playing for the Packers. Think of all that money he missed out on.
I have always thought that of all the sports awards given out annually the most prestigious in some ways is Sports Illustrated’s “Sportsman of the Year” because it’s more than just performance based. This year’s recipient is Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who led New Orleans to an improbable Super Bowl victory. He is also a terrific person whose foundation has worked hard to help rebuild the city after Hurricane Katrina. A great choice!
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