The calendar says there’s still another three weeks of summer but for many if not most of us this upcoming weekend really is the swan song of the summer season. While not as noticeable as it used to be many years ago, it’s still amazing to see how things change after Labor Day when tourists and most summer residents return home. There was a time when that meant the end of traffic but of course in most of Ocean County you might not even realize that a change is taking effect. Beach areas are the exception to that
and no matter what the weather next week finding a parking spot will not be a problem.
Even the most ardent fans and alumni will admit shock and surprise at how the fortunes of Rutgers football have changed in the last year. The Scarlet Knights opened the season Thursday Night with a 38-3 rout of Buffalo and expectations are very high in Piscataway where a football ticket has become a hot commodity. It was not all that long ago you could walk up the box office minutes before kickoff and get a good seat…now there’s a waiting list for tickets as all 8 home games are sold out. I was one of those who said for years that Rutgers would never be a big time football school but like others I’ve had to eat crow as Greg Schiano has made Red & White popular colors in New Jersey.
Those are also the colors of the Philadelphia Phillies who plan on making the month of September a memorable one in a city usually thinking only about the Eagles by Labor Day. Last Saturday they Phillies were 7 games behind the division-leading Mets but after sweeping New York they head into this weekend only two games out of first place. Citizens Bank Park is also no longer a home away from home for Mets fans as I found you yesterday when we were a small minority as compared to just a couple of years ago.
Toms River’s Todd Frazier has been promoted to the Cincinnati Reds single-A team in Dayton, Ohio and is 1-7 in his first two games with the Dragons.
Frazier batted .319 with Billings in the rookie league before the promotion
and when the season ends this weekend will report to the Reds instructional league in Sarasota, Florida. Another Toms River resident, Jimmy Principe
is also headed to the instructional league in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization after completing his season in Missoula, Montana.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Saying Goodbye To Vic Kubu
Nine days from now fans will flock to Manasquan High School to watch the Warriors open their season against Holmdel. They’ll pack the stands, many having walked from the neighborhood, and cheer as the 2007 edition of the Big Blue run onto the field. Talk will center on the possibility of winning an 11th state sectional championship and how they can replace a slew of big time players from last year who led Squan to a perfect season
and ranking among the best teams in New Jersey. If you look quick you’ll think this is no different than any other season.
However it will be very different because Vic Kubu, the heart, soul and brains of Manasquan football won’t be on the field although I get a sense his presence will be felt next Saturday and every other Saturday. Yesterday nearly 2000 jammed the high school gym to say goodbye to the coach who brought success and respect to a school and entire community. Kubu fought the good fight before losing his year and-a-half battle with cancer Sunday at the age of 65.
The memorial service brought out friends, coaches, alumni and players past and present. A testament to Kubu’s impact was that current players from not only Manasquan but Wall, Raritan, Middletown North and Middletown South packed the gymnasium for a tribute which included touching and humorous words from his daughter Wendy Kubu Callahan, former school superintendent Carole Morris and interim head coach Pete Cahill, who shared the sidelines with Vic for more than 20 years.
After the 90-minute service many milled around Vic Kubu Field, where tents were set up with refreshments and videos playing magical Manasquan football moments. There was also a display of Kubu’s 11 state sectional titles, including one at Middletown North. Team photos and memorabilia, family pictures and his famous briefcase brought smiles and comfort to those who knew him best. It seemed like many didn’t want the day to end, using the time to share stories about a unique individual whose life was dominated by five F’s…..family, friendship, faith, football and fishing.
Today the Manasquan football team goes about its task of getting ready for a new season knowing that their old coach is very much still a part of them…that will never change.
Comment received via email:
Kevin,
This mornings update was tremendous. To wake up and hear you pay tribute to a great man was a great way to start the day. Tears came to my eyes thinking about Coach. As always you did a wonderful job in your brief memorial. As I never played for him, I had the pleasure of meeting him back in the 90’s as he and his coaches would come into my Bagel store several times a week. I became a Vic Kubu fan and admirer long before I knew about his accomplishments back then. To hear and read the tributes being paid to him, makes me feel proud to know that I crossed paths for a brief moment in my life with not only a great teacher/coach but a role model of a person. May God Bless Coach Kubu and his family.
Regards,
Mike Galeotafiore
and ranking among the best teams in New Jersey. If you look quick you’ll think this is no different than any other season.
However it will be very different because Vic Kubu, the heart, soul and brains of Manasquan football won’t be on the field although I get a sense his presence will be felt next Saturday and every other Saturday. Yesterday nearly 2000 jammed the high school gym to say goodbye to the coach who brought success and respect to a school and entire community. Kubu fought the good fight before losing his year and-a-half battle with cancer Sunday at the age of 65.
The memorial service brought out friends, coaches, alumni and players past and present. A testament to Kubu’s impact was that current players from not only Manasquan but Wall, Raritan, Middletown North and Middletown South packed the gymnasium for a tribute which included touching and humorous words from his daughter Wendy Kubu Callahan, former school superintendent Carole Morris and interim head coach Pete Cahill, who shared the sidelines with Vic for more than 20 years.
After the 90-minute service many milled around Vic Kubu Field, where tents were set up with refreshments and videos playing magical Manasquan football moments. There was also a display of Kubu’s 11 state sectional titles, including one at Middletown North. Team photos and memorabilia, family pictures and his famous briefcase brought smiles and comfort to those who knew him best. It seemed like many didn’t want the day to end, using the time to share stories about a unique individual whose life was dominated by five F’s…..family, friendship, faith, football and fishing.
Today the Manasquan football team goes about its task of getting ready for a new season knowing that their old coach is very much still a part of them…that will never change.
Comment received via email:
Kevin,
This mornings update was tremendous. To wake up and hear you pay tribute to a great man was a great way to start the day. Tears came to my eyes thinking about Coach. As always you did a wonderful job in your brief memorial. As I never played for him, I had the pleasure of meeting him back in the 90’s as he and his coaches would come into my Bagel store several times a week. I became a Vic Kubu fan and admirer long before I knew about his accomplishments back then. To hear and read the tributes being paid to him, makes me feel proud to know that I crossed paths for a brief moment in my life with not only a great teacher/coach but a role model of a person. May God Bless Coach Kubu and his family.
Regards,
Mike Galeotafiore
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Gutless Comments
As some of you probably know I wear many different hats at WOBM and the one which allows me to do this segment each weekday is one of my
favorites. Simply put I’m like a newspaper columnist but instead of writing my words for you to read I read them for you to hear. For the last couple of years though you can also read the Hometown View as it’s posted on a blog on our website each day…thank goodness for spell check.
That blog also allows you to comment on what it is I’m talking about and on occasion I will get feedback from listeners which I always welcome. When you do anything where you’re giving an opinion you will no doubt often tick off as many as you will satisfy. I have always looked forward to discussing issues with people and there have been occasions where my opinion was changed because of a healthy dialogue.
The nature of this business is to understand not everyone likes what you do and you certainly can’t get too upset by those who are clearly not fans. However what really ticks me off is those who take shots and refuse to give you a chance to respond and that’s what I have with a frequent critic who hides under the name “anonymous.” This gutless weasel often posts a comment on my blog and it’s almost always a criticism of the subject matter. If I do something which addresses sports in any manner he or she rips me for talking about sports. If it’s something personal then I get ripped for wasting time by talking about myself or family (I can only imagine what this is going to bring). My guess is this person knows me a little because one comment was about my lack of athletic prowess in high school which I guess means I should not have the forum to talk about sports.
Listen my ego can certainly handle this and I haven’t lost a minute’s sleep but all I want is a chance to address “anonymous” on the phone or even via an email. I’m probably not going to get that chance although certainly he or she is going to hear and or read this. So with that in mind let me make this perfectly clear…if you don’t like me or what I have to say than do what most intelligent people would…simply ignore me. Life will be better for both of us without each other.
(Webmaster's note: All comments are subject to review, however it has always been WOBM's policy not to publish unsigned comments).
favorites. Simply put I’m like a newspaper columnist but instead of writing my words for you to read I read them for you to hear. For the last couple of years though you can also read the Hometown View as it’s posted on a blog on our website each day…thank goodness for spell check.
That blog also allows you to comment on what it is I’m talking about and on occasion I will get feedback from listeners which I always welcome. When you do anything where you’re giving an opinion you will no doubt often tick off as many as you will satisfy. I have always looked forward to discussing issues with people and there have been occasions where my opinion was changed because of a healthy dialogue.
The nature of this business is to understand not everyone likes what you do and you certainly can’t get too upset by those who are clearly not fans. However what really ticks me off is those who take shots and refuse to give you a chance to respond and that’s what I have with a frequent critic who hides under the name “anonymous.” This gutless weasel often posts a comment on my blog and it’s almost always a criticism of the subject matter. If I do something which addresses sports in any manner he or she rips me for talking about sports. If it’s something personal then I get ripped for wasting time by talking about myself or family (I can only imagine what this is going to bring). My guess is this person knows me a little because one comment was about my lack of athletic prowess in high school which I guess means I should not have the forum to talk about sports.
Listen my ego can certainly handle this and I haven’t lost a minute’s sleep but all I want is a chance to address “anonymous” on the phone or even via an email. I’m probably not going to get that chance although certainly he or she is going to hear and or read this. So with that in mind let me make this perfectly clear…if you don’t like me or what I have to say than do what most intelligent people would…simply ignore me. Life will be better for both of us without each other.
(Webmaster's note: All comments are subject to review, however it has always been WOBM's policy not to publish unsigned comments).
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Think Snow
What kind of sick person would on such a perfect day at the end of the summer dare to direct your attention to the Millennium Shore Stormwatch program which for most only kicks in during the worst of winter?
The answer is the kind of person who was asked to do so because now is the time to gear up for Stormwatch….not on a morning when snow
and ice is falling.
As I have said in the past there is nothing like a snow day here at the radio station when our nerves and patience are tested…sometimes to the limit.
However we recognize the importance of providing important information to our listeners and over the years we have made many changes in an attempt to get accurate information to you in the quickest possible manner while also realizing that we can’t spend 50 minutes of every hour telling you what’s closed or delayed.
In the last few days we have begun emailing letters to all those enrolled in Stormwatch last year explaining how they can verify key information and make necessary changes. If you were in our website-based program last year and have not received anything from us in the last week or so I will tell you at the end what you can do. The same goes for those not part of our program in the past.
The key factor here is it’s a website-based program in which a contact person or persons from each school, government agency, civic organization, club, etc. can go on the Stormwatch website and enter the weather-related information and they can do this any time without waiting to call the radio station. This insures accuracy and also allows you to post the announcement ASAP as listeners can go on line and view the information without having to wait for it to be read on the air. We’ve also taken steps this year to improve the speed of our site which was a problem at times last year.
As the technology has improved I have told you the past couple of years it’s vital that ALL organizations have someone who can use a computer to handle this task because we are moving further and further away from taking announcements over the phone. The responsibility must be yours and you can’t use the excuse that nobody has a computer any longer. We are happy to be the vehicle that gets information to the public but you have to help us drive that vehicle.
Not only have we upgraded our service this year but there is NO CHARGE to participate and that includes businesses and for-profit daycares that meet certain criteria. If you want or need more information on our Stormwatch program then please email Dan Alexander at dan.alexander@mrgnj.com. You can also call our business office at (732) 269-0927 and we’ll try and assist you.
While snow season may be months away we’re still very much in Hurricane season so don’t wait until the last minute.
The answer is the kind of person who was asked to do so because now is the time to gear up for Stormwatch….not on a morning when snow
and ice is falling.
As I have said in the past there is nothing like a snow day here at the radio station when our nerves and patience are tested…sometimes to the limit.
However we recognize the importance of providing important information to our listeners and over the years we have made many changes in an attempt to get accurate information to you in the quickest possible manner while also realizing that we can’t spend 50 minutes of every hour telling you what’s closed or delayed.
In the last few days we have begun emailing letters to all those enrolled in Stormwatch last year explaining how they can verify key information and make necessary changes. If you were in our website-based program last year and have not received anything from us in the last week or so I will tell you at the end what you can do. The same goes for those not part of our program in the past.
The key factor here is it’s a website-based program in which a contact person or persons from each school, government agency, civic organization, club, etc. can go on the Stormwatch website and enter the weather-related information and they can do this any time without waiting to call the radio station. This insures accuracy and also allows you to post the announcement ASAP as listeners can go on line and view the information without having to wait for it to be read on the air. We’ve also taken steps this year to improve the speed of our site which was a problem at times last year.
As the technology has improved I have told you the past couple of years it’s vital that ALL organizations have someone who can use a computer to handle this task because we are moving further and further away from taking announcements over the phone. The responsibility must be yours and you can’t use the excuse that nobody has a computer any longer. We are happy to be the vehicle that gets information to the public but you have to help us drive that vehicle.
Not only have we upgraded our service this year but there is NO CHARGE to participate and that includes businesses and for-profit daycares that meet certain criteria. If you want or need more information on our Stormwatch program then please email Dan Alexander at dan.alexander@mrgnj.com. You can also call our business office at (732) 269-0927 and we’ll try and assist you.
While snow season may be months away we’re still very much in Hurricane season so don’t wait until the last minute.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Remembering Vic Kubu
When Manasquan beat West Deptford 28-0 last December 2nd it capped a
perfect season for the Warriors with many calling them among the best teams in Shore Conference history. Hundreds of people joined the celebration on the field which seemed like it would never end and many of them shared the same thought I had…if this is Vic Kubu’s final football memory than it’s a heck of a way to go out.
When I got the phone call early Sunday morning that Kubu had died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer and complications at age 65 I immediately went back to that December afternoon less than 9 months ago. Nobody wanted to say it but everyone thought it could be the final game of his legendary coaching career. Kubu never complained publicly but his close friends and assistant coaches knew how tough it was for him to handle the rigors of coaching while fighting the disease and treatments, which made him sick and weak.
His doctor wouldn’t let him on the field so the feisty Kubu coached from the press box and I remember him climbing down with a few minutes left in what would be the 263rd and final victory of his career. We were broadcasting the game on the radio and as he came down the stairs I gave him a smile and thumbs-up signal which he returned with a slight shake of his head. He then made his way across the field where he hugged players and coaches and as the game ended it seemed like the entire town of Manasquan made its way onto what was then Warrior Field and is now Vic Kubu Field. The name was changed in the spring and credit the Board of Education with making that appropriate change while Kubu was still alive.
The numbers tell you what a great coach he was. A record of 263-71-5 as a head coach, starting at Middletown North in 1975 before moving to his alma mater ten years later. 11 State Sectional titles, 10 of them with his beloved Big Blue Warriors, 18 Shore Conference Divisional titles, 7 undefeated seasons. As great as they are…those are just numbers. What you can’t always see is the impact Coach Kubu had on his players and the community he worked in and lived in. He made fall Saturdays a coming together which usually ended with another victory. Manasquan never had the best facilities and the field looks pretty much the same as when I was in high school. However what they had on the sidelines was a great coach who leaves a legacy and memories that will never be forgotten.
perfect season for the Warriors with many calling them among the best teams in Shore Conference history. Hundreds of people joined the celebration on the field which seemed like it would never end and many of them shared the same thought I had…if this is Vic Kubu’s final football memory than it’s a heck of a way to go out.
When I got the phone call early Sunday morning that Kubu had died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer and complications at age 65 I immediately went back to that December afternoon less than 9 months ago. Nobody wanted to say it but everyone thought it could be the final game of his legendary coaching career. Kubu never complained publicly but his close friends and assistant coaches knew how tough it was for him to handle the rigors of coaching while fighting the disease and treatments, which made him sick and weak.
His doctor wouldn’t let him on the field so the feisty Kubu coached from the press box and I remember him climbing down with a few minutes left in what would be the 263rd and final victory of his career. We were broadcasting the game on the radio and as he came down the stairs I gave him a smile and thumbs-up signal which he returned with a slight shake of his head. He then made his way across the field where he hugged players and coaches and as the game ended it seemed like the entire town of Manasquan made its way onto what was then Warrior Field and is now Vic Kubu Field. The name was changed in the spring and credit the Board of Education with making that appropriate change while Kubu was still alive.
The numbers tell you what a great coach he was. A record of 263-71-5 as a head coach, starting at Middletown North in 1975 before moving to his alma mater ten years later. 11 State Sectional titles, 10 of them with his beloved Big Blue Warriors, 18 Shore Conference Divisional titles, 7 undefeated seasons. As great as they are…those are just numbers. What you can’t always see is the impact Coach Kubu had on his players and the community he worked in and lived in. He made fall Saturdays a coming together which usually ended with another victory. Manasquan never had the best facilities and the field looks pretty much the same as when I was in high school. However what they had on the sidelines was a great coach who leaves a legacy and memories that will never be forgotten.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Last Vacation Of Summer
(Kevin is off until Monday, August 27)
I’m out of here after today and going on vacation although I’m not leaving the area and planning on enjoying the beach while my son leaves for his senior year at Penn State and my daughter gets ready for her sophomore year of high school. Some of my fellow co-workers have been busting me about taking what they perceive as a lot of vacation time but in truth I get the same 3 weeks as most of them do. However I need to use all mine before the start of the high school football season which kicks off in just a little more than three weeks.
I have to throw out a comment on the lawsuit filed by a member of the Rutgers women’s basketball team Tuesday against radio personality Don Imus and CBS. Kia Vaughn filed the suit in New York alleging slander and defamation of character and damage done to her reputation. This comes more than four months after Imus was fired for comments made about the Scarlet Knights in what was a poor attempt at humor. Rutgers officials say they are not connected to the lawsuit, which does not have a dollar amount tied to it. However the suit does claim that Vaughn was humiliated, embarrassed and publicly mocked and the full effect and damage remains to be seen.
To be honest the Rutgers players and program gained much more then they lost over this incident. Claims that the comments took away from their accomplishments are simply not true…as a matter of fact Rutgers got more notoriety for losing the NCAA championship game than Tennessee did for winning it. What’s more the nation got to see first-hand the quality of the women who comprise the team and my guess is that when all is said and done the players and program will emerge the big winners. Ironically the lawsuit was filed on the same day that Imus reached agreement with CBS on his contract and subsequent lawsuit against the network for firing him.
Comment on the passing of Yankee great Phil Rizzuto. As a lifelong Mets fan and Yankee basher I loved the scooter. There was nothing like listening to him broadcast a game, especially when he worked with Bill White & Frank Messer.
How to you humble a 9-time sportscaster of the year? My assignment tonight is to help announce the Hermit Crab races at Salty’s on Route 35 North in Lavallette. I’ll be there from 6-8pm and I’ll be the guy hiding in my shell.
I’m out of here after today and going on vacation although I’m not leaving the area and planning on enjoying the beach while my son leaves for his senior year at Penn State and my daughter gets ready for her sophomore year of high school. Some of my fellow co-workers have been busting me about taking what they perceive as a lot of vacation time but in truth I get the same 3 weeks as most of them do. However I need to use all mine before the start of the high school football season which kicks off in just a little more than three weeks.
I have to throw out a comment on the lawsuit filed by a member of the Rutgers women’s basketball team Tuesday against radio personality Don Imus and CBS. Kia Vaughn filed the suit in New York alleging slander and defamation of character and damage done to her reputation. This comes more than four months after Imus was fired for comments made about the Scarlet Knights in what was a poor attempt at humor. Rutgers officials say they are not connected to the lawsuit, which does not have a dollar amount tied to it. However the suit does claim that Vaughn was humiliated, embarrassed and publicly mocked and the full effect and damage remains to be seen.
To be honest the Rutgers players and program gained much more then they lost over this incident. Claims that the comments took away from their accomplishments are simply not true…as a matter of fact Rutgers got more notoriety for losing the NCAA championship game than Tennessee did for winning it. What’s more the nation got to see first-hand the quality of the women who comprise the team and my guess is that when all is said and done the players and program will emerge the big winners. Ironically the lawsuit was filed on the same day that Imus reached agreement with CBS on his contract and subsequent lawsuit against the network for firing him.
Comment on the passing of Yankee great Phil Rizzuto. As a lifelong Mets fan and Yankee basher I loved the scooter. There was nothing like listening to him broadcast a game, especially when he worked with Bill White & Frank Messer.
How to you humble a 9-time sportscaster of the year? My assignment tonight is to help announce the Hermit Crab races at Salty’s on Route 35 North in Lavallette. I’ll be there from 6-8pm and I’ll be the guy hiding in my shell.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
It's A Hard Knock Life
I’ve done several pieces in the past about things that remind you that you’re getting older…I should say we’re getting older. Part of the theme always centers on how older adults talk about how hard things were when they were growing up, which in truth they were…in some cases. Here’s one I received in which a 30-year old goes on and on about how today’s kids have it so good compared to his childhood.
· When I was a kid we didn’t have the Internet and if we wanted to
know something we had to go to the library and look it up in the
card catalog.
· There was no email! We had to actually write somebody a letter,
with a pen. Then you had to walk across the street and put it in
the mailbox where the person would not get it for a few days.
· There were no MP3’s or Napsters! If you wanted to steal music
you had to go to the record store and shoplift it yourself.
· There was nothing like Call Waiting…if you were on the phone
and somebody else called you they got a busy signal. Plus with
no caller ID when the phone rang you had no idea who was
calling….if could be your school, your mom, boss or ex-girlfriend.
You had to pick up and take your chances.
· There were no SONY Playstation video games with high
Resolution and 3-D graphics. There was Atari 2600 with games like “Space Invaders” and “Asteroids.” Your guy was a little square and you had to use your imagination.
· When you went to the movie theater there was no stadium seating
and if a tall guy or some woman with a hat sat in front of you,
you were screwed.
· Okay there was Cable TV but no 100-plus channels and no on-
screen menu and no remote control. You had to look in TV Guide
to see what was on and forget channel surfing. You actually had to get up to change the channel. There was no Cartoon Network
and you had to wait until Saturday morning for cartoons.
· Plus there were no microwaves and if wanted to heat something
you had to use the oven. And when you wanted popcorn, there
was that stupid Jiffy Pop thing which you had to keep shaking and
half the kernels never got cooked anyway.
You kids today really have it easy…you wouldn’t have lasted 5 minutes back in 1980.
· When I was a kid we didn’t have the Internet and if we wanted to
know something we had to go to the library and look it up in the
card catalog.
· There was no email! We had to actually write somebody a letter,
with a pen. Then you had to walk across the street and put it in
the mailbox where the person would not get it for a few days.
· There were no MP3’s or Napsters! If you wanted to steal music
you had to go to the record store and shoplift it yourself.
· There was nothing like Call Waiting…if you were on the phone
and somebody else called you they got a busy signal. Plus with
no caller ID when the phone rang you had no idea who was
calling….if could be your school, your mom, boss or ex-girlfriend.
You had to pick up and take your chances.
· There were no SONY Playstation video games with high
Resolution and 3-D graphics. There was Atari 2600 with games like “Space Invaders” and “Asteroids.” Your guy was a little square and you had to use your imagination.
· When you went to the movie theater there was no stadium seating
and if a tall guy or some woman with a hat sat in front of you,
you were screwed.
· Okay there was Cable TV but no 100-plus channels and no on-
screen menu and no remote control. You had to look in TV Guide
to see what was on and forget channel surfing. You actually had to get up to change the channel. There was no Cartoon Network
and you had to wait until Saturday morning for cartoons.
· Plus there were no microwaves and if wanted to heat something
you had to use the oven. And when you wanted popcorn, there
was that stupid Jiffy Pop thing which you had to keep shaking and
half the kernels never got cooked anyway.
You kids today really have it easy…you wouldn’t have lasted 5 minutes back in 1980.
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