November 13, 2015
This week-end will begin another college basketball season for most colleges and university. Two of my favorite schools, Lipscomb U. and Belmont U. will begin their seasons on the road tonight. Today as I sat in a coffee shop in the Washington D.C. area I called the coach at Belmont U. {Rick Byrd} to wish him well as he begins another season. I think it might be good for us as fans to remember some of the sayings of the late Al McGuire as another season begins.
LA
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“Go barefoot in wet grass” –
“Congratulate the temporary”-winning is only temporary a lot of other things are more important
“I’m not ashamed of crying I just want to cry alone”-said to a reporter after winning the NCAA
After we lost our last three games I thought the carnival gates would close.”
“Life never depends on anyone else but yourself.”
“Sports is a coffee break.”
“There’s got to be more to life than hangin’ up jock straps.”
“If you don’t stop to see what’s at the side of the road you might miss something.”
“Never use words that a shoeshine boy can’t understand.”
“You can always tell the Catholic schools by the length of their cheerleader’s skirts.”
“Never be afraid to make a fool of yourself.”
“Ray Meyer has been around so long that he held the ladder for Dr.Naismith when put up the first peach basket.”
“No one negotiates for me.”
“Stretch out the day, live for the moment, and make every day just a little bit more special.”
“If you see me dressed in a suit talking to more than four people someplace, I’m gettin’ paid.”
“Winning is only important in war and major surgery.”
“Being truthful is not always the nicest thing in the world—you’re better off treading water with
some room to move.”
“I’m a positive thinker but I always thought I’d come in second.”
“I don’t dodge problems, but I don’t create problems.”
“Always put a little back in the kitty.”
“You don’t kiss the cheerleader and shake hands of the parents until the game is over.”
“You can’t get a sense of humor or common sense from a computer.”
“Dance Hall player.” –McGuire’s description of himself—short on talent long on effort
“Even the mice were hunchbacked.”Description of the small room in which he once lived
“All love affairs end. Eventually the girl is gonna put curlers in her hair.”
“The game in never over until the cheerleader has been kissed and the parents hands shaked.”
Well eventually the girl did put curlers in her hair; time came to kiss the cheerleader and to shake the parent’s hand…but my appreciation for McGuire remains.
Personally for me I rather quickly tire of too many of the present television basketball analyst and their over the top with so called needed information and their drama descriptions. I always felt when McGuire was doing a game most things were going to be kept in proper perspective. Not so today.
Al McGuire passed away on January 26, 2001.
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January 26, 2013
Keep on,
Larry Adamson