Every year we get out a Lifetime Achievement Award, our highest honor 🎖 and that Award is proudly called the Jay Neal Lifetime Achievement Award.

In 2024 it was Rick Nester that received the Award and Woodstock legend Jerry Walters the year before. Jay Neal is one of the few people that reached out to guide two hard working struggling folks back when we needed someone to care ❤ about them.

I’m proud to list Jay Neal on a very short list of people that led us to the point where we can do for others in the manner that we can. Somewhat retired from his day job of being an Attorney, Jay spends his time in the press box at the ball field he is responsible for – the Strasburg Express.

If asked, Jay will tell you that the Strasburg Express exist today because I brokered the deal to get them here. That fact there’s a Baseball ⚾️ team playing under the guidance 🙏 of someone with the class of Jay Neal remains near the top of my Feel Proud List !

For the Hokie Football fans out there you will 💘 the fact that he graduated 🎓 from VT and played Defensive Back while in the Land of Hokies !

For roughly two hours last night we were entertained by Women’s College Basketball at its best. Game 2 of the night gave us everything one could ask for with Iowa and Connecticut playing the roles of New Money 💰 and Old Money 💰.

For years people pulled against UCONN because Geno was winning too much but since Stewie pulled off her Four Peat roughly a decade ago, the Huskies have not been able to cut down the ultimate nets. Caitlin Clark has reached the Hearts 💕 of so many Americans over the past two seasons because she is not only super talented , she’s very likable to boot.

Caitlin and Paige , Hawkeyes and Huskies delivered the goods from start to almost finish last night. The game was far from perfectly played but it didn’t need to be. The energy in the building had me wondering what it would have sounded like in say, Lucas Oil Stadium 🏟 ?

America was watching a game being played with no villains. UConn was playing in the Final Four despite having lost FIVE players to season ending injuries and Iowa played with a balanced team led by a Generational player in Clark.

Just like the script of a Hollywood movie 🎥, the game was played with twists and turns. Clark was facing the ultimate team defense and Iowa was on the verge of getting blown out early.

In the second half Iowa stormed back and the crowd got into it. For a moment it looked like the Hawkeyes would end the doubt of the outcome but the Huskies wouldn’t go away.

The game was down to one possession and UConn had the basketball 🏀 with 10 seconds remaining and down one point. The trio of former Huskies hosting the AT&T broadcast on ESPN2 all seemed bummed that their former Coach called a time out to set up the final play.

My mind immediately went back to the movie Hoosiers and I pictured Paige telling Geno, “I’ll make it,” just like in the film 🎥. Sadly for all of us watching and waiting for the SHOT, we were all left with an offensive foul call 📞.

One of the most entertaining moments in the recent history of the game of basketball 🏀, possibly the second coming of Duke – Kentucky back in 1992, ended with a whistle for an illegal screen.

Unlike the folks who will take to “Social Media” and state with 1000% certainty that it was or was not a legit call at the time, I just know that if I was directing this show in Hollywood, I would have yelled “CUT”, let’s take it from the top.

Paige was once again a Class Act in the post-game press conference, choosing to take the high road by saying she could have played better during the game to avoid it coming down to one call. Great sound bite available out there.

Now we move to Sunday afternoon when once again we should have a game for the ages. Dawn Staley looks to Coach her team to what would be the 10th undefeated National Champion in Women’s Basketball while Clark will be trying to write ✍ a Hollywood ending to her career at Iowa.

Let’s hope that one comes down to whether one shot 🙏 falling or not falling as well with one difference, having the shot take place.

This post 📫 will serve as a day long note 📝 pad so I can produce the three stories that I owe folks

Marion Harris, Alan Knight and the Athletic Department at Montreat are our partners for the Day ! Let’s get this party 🥳 started now that we have made it to Pensacola.

First pitch has been thrown in North Carolina….

Reece Witherspoon comes to mind

First time 🚗 driving an electric car 🚃

Rough start for our ball club in the opener

Bonus !!!! Buc-ees

Game #1 has gone Final, we came up a bit short

Carroll County trails 31-23 @ the Half

@ Halftime in Mobile, American 7, National 7…..

Fun Day

In Salem, nearing the end of the 3rd, Cavs trail 42-32

Golden Bears 🐻 leading 6-0 , 5th inning….

Golden Bears 🐻 Baseball ⚾️ team closes out the weekend strong 💪, gaining a four game split!

It’s over here in Mobile at the Reece Senior Bowl 🥣. Your final score, Penny Butter 16, Milk Chocolate 🍫 7!

Carroll County High School fell short up in Salem versus Fleming.

Everything is final now.

 Four stories to ✍✍✍✍ as they night played out.

There’s still two hours + of daylight left so is there anything else left to tack onto one crazy day ????