Chaka and Gino

Happenings.....

I was at the Showboat Casino in Atlantic City, NJ this weekend for the Chaka Kahn concert and got to have my picture taken with her backstage. She is about 4'11" and is now 64 years old...but still puts on one helluva show.

Gas approaching $4 per gallon. For the equivalent of 7 gallons you can get a decent pair of walking shoes.

I met Gino Marchetti, the HOFer from the old Baltimore Colts of the late 50's/early 60's. recently. He is reviving the Gino's hamburger restaurants in the area and was cooking onion rings when I met him. Now that's the old work ethic.

The Cubs are 10-11, and we might be extending the streak to 103 years without a World Series title.

Check out my magazine http://www.jerseymanmagazine.com/

The Passing of Tiger Great Larry Finch

Just as the Rendezvous was to ribs and Graceland was to Elvis, Larry Finch was pure Memphis.

The ex-star player and former Memphis State University coach died from complications of a stroke and heart attack he suffered years earlier. But similar to his play on the court, it took a lot to take him out of this game.

Finch was an assistant coach for Dana Kirk in 1979, and I had rejoined the Tigers basketball team after a switch to football to finish what I had come there to do. Although this new regime was not interested in having a senior with limited skills take up much time on the court, I am thankful that Finch, Kirk, and assistant Lee Fowler allowed me to return and complete what I has started. Football had become my future, but basketball remained my passion.

A product of the Orange Mound section of Memphis and Melrose High School, Larry Finch rose above his meager beginnings to become a star player for the Tigers. His 29 point performance in the 1973 NCAA championship game against UCLA and Bill Walton (who shot 21-22 from the field and had 44 points) was indicative of Finch's talent and desire. He loved his city....he loved his university....and he most certainly loved the game of basketball.

Under Kirk, Finch was responsible for attracting one of the biggest recruits in the history of the school; 6'10" power forward and HS All American Keith Lee. Lee led Memphis to the Final Four in 1984, and Finch succeeded Kirk as head coach in 1986. Penny Hardaway, Elliot Perry, and David Vaughn all played for him. And he remains the winningest coach in school history with 220 victories.

We were two totally different people coming from opposite ends of the spectrum, but I spent many hours in his office offering differing opinions on the game, evaluation of players, and the kind of basketball repartee` that only two pure hoop junkies can enjoy. I'm pretty sure he had a unique respect for me trying to play division 1 football, and I know I had a tremendous respect for him and his incredible basketball legacy.

Thanks for the memories Larry.