Basketball

 I've always loved and played basketball.  Of course, growing up to be 6'6" didn't hurt.  (When I hit my growth spurt in 9th grade I finally realized I wasn't going to be a jockey, lol).  Growing up we played basketball all year, in freezing weather where we wore gloves on our non-shooting hands, rainy weather where I'd purposely stomp on a puddle to force the defender to take a step back, then I'd pull up and shoot while he was too far away to block my shot, (more subtle then just pushing him away, but just as effective)  to long hot summer evenings playing under the lights until we barely had enough energy to walk home.   I coached for over 30 years.  My first job was coaching a church league team when I was 18 where most of the players were my friends who were still in high school, my last coaching job was at the high school level.  March Madness is the best time of the year.  Before I retired I'd take the first two days of the tournament off from work and watch non-stop basketball.  Still do!!

• UCLA - Before I had even heard of Florida State I was a UCLA basketball fan.  I admired Coach John Wooden's ability as a basketball coach as well as hie demeanor on the sidelines.  While he was one of the greatest basketball coaches ever, his more important role was how he prepared his players for life.  I tried to mold my coaching style after John Wooden, although I know fell far short.

 

Football

Going to college football games is a social event as much as an athletic event.  You build friendships during tailgate parties, make friends with the people who sit next to you year after year, enjoy the pageantry of the bands and singing the fight song, and watching the athleticism on the field.  Always a fun time!

• Florida State - I attended grad school at Florida State and athletics are part of the fabric of the school.  Football games especially, with tailgating with friends before the game, the action of the game itself, and then post-game get-togethers.  While I enjoy all FSU sports, football is the sport of choice in Tallahassee.

 

Aussie Rules Football

One of the most exciting games around.  See for yourself.

• Adelaide Crows - It all started when my department head brought in several baseball caps from her native Australia.  There were many to choose from, but I picked the yellow Adelaide Crows hat because I didn't have any yellow caps and I liked Aussie Rules football.  Later I researched the team and became a fan, and although I've never seen them play in person (on my bucket list), I have a subscription to Aussie Rules Football games and watch them regularly on TV.

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Calcio Storico

One of the wildest sports I've ever seen.  If you think football is too rough, watch this.

 

Ice Hockey

My Dad grew up in New England playing hockey on frozen ponds, and he introduced me to the game when he took me to see the Washington Capitals during their first season.  I immediately loved the sport.  Their record that year was 8-67-5, but we were there for one of their eight wins!!!!  We were also there for a lot of losses!  

My Dad took me to games when I was young, and when he got older I'd take him to the games.  I introduced my wife and step-daughters to the game and they are Caps fans as well.  When I get older, perhaps one of my step-daughters will take me to the games.

 

Lacrosse 

My high school didn't have a lacrosse team, and I'd never heard of the sport until I visited a friend who was attending UVA.  One of his suitemates was a lacrosse player, and we went to watch him play.  I was hooked!  

 

Softball

Part of my internship at Florida State was working at the home softball games, and I became a fan.  With the bases being closer together  than baseball, every play was exciting.  I still follow FSU Softball today.    As an adult, I played a much slower version of the sport, where your social skills after the game were just as important as your performance on the field.  As I got older, I appreciated being able to sit half the time to when were at bat!  

 

Olympics

 I enjoy love watching the Olympics, summer and winter.   I attended the Olympics in Atlanta, and it was one of the best times in my life.  Not only are you watching the best athletes in the world, but it's the world's biggest party, and you meet interesting people from all over the world.  I enjoy watching the sports I don't usually get to see (Rugby, Team Handball, Surfing, etc.)