Friday, April 25, 2014

Alert Your Admins

Like Paul Revere, G:TB is in the business of offering early warning to our community. Today, we give you distant early warning of a pair of events worth your consideration, in terms of attendance, and in one of the two cases, engaging your networks in support of a good cause.

On June 20-22, Robinson High School in Fairfax, VA hosts the first annual Tom Tufts Lacrosse Festival. The festival honors an All-American defenseman at the University of Massachusetts in the late 60s, and a member of Garber's Gorilla's, UMass' undefeated 1969 squad. Tufts later joined the U.S. Army and served with distinction before retiring to become the head coach of Robinson High School's boys lacrosse squad. At Robinson, he built a powerhouse, his teams compiling a record of 185-36-1 over his 14 seasons. He was named the Northern Region Coach of the Year in 1991 and 1992, after which he refused the award - allow me to suggest that he'd have won it nearly every year thereafter, until he retired in 2004. Lt. Col. Tufts passed away last August at the age of 65, far too young.

Tom Tufts is also the father and namesake of one of my best friends from high school, and the first lacrosse coach I ever had. I took up the game too late to be any good at it, but not too late to learn the fundamentals, and a whole lot about life, from Mr. Tufts. All of us have people in our lives that personify character, and what it means to us. Tom Tufts Sr., and his son, my friend, Tom Jr., are among those in my life that I hold as ideals. If you like lacrosse, or just like being around a big event for a great cause, make plans to be at Robinson in June.

After you're done digging some lax, head to RFK Stadium for a far less personal, but probably equally exciting event. Volkswagen Rallycross D.C., will turn the venerable stadium complex from Redskin to Red Bull (in here, somewhere, is a finely articulated anti-Snyder joke, but I'm a little bit tipsy and a lot lazy). Tiny cars driving fast over dirt, jumps, and marginal asphalt while people drink heavily and cheer for something they barely understand - is there anything more American? Focus on the last part of that sentence, and don't think too hard.

Now that your calendars are marked, I'll ask you to take lots of pictures. I'll be at the first day of the Tom Tufts Lax festival, but then I'm heading to Cape Cod. Because I'm an elitist bastard. Tell me how the Rallycross is, 'cause it looks like fun.

50 comments:

T.J. said...

I'll be in Richmond tomorrow for my second NASCAR race. Giddyup.

Greg said...

the Teej really enjoys all the meats of our cultural stew

zman said...

There is, unfortunately, no love for rally cross on America.

Shlara said...

Who's excited for game 3 of Wiz vs Bulls???

I'm stopping to get some ear plugs before I head to the arena--its too loud in there during the regular season, so its going to be crazy tonight.

GO BULLETS!

Mark said...

So the NCAA suspended Mitch McGary for a year after he was randomly selected for and failed a drug test following a tourney game he only dressed for? McGary hadn't played a game since December and only dressed for the game because John Belien thought seeing him in uniform might inspire his team.

The suspension seems both logical and fair. Good job, NCAA.

Greg said...

File this under "cuz rumors gotta start somewhere"...Carmelo to Wiz next year

T.J. said...

In addition to throwing Houston/Morey under the bus...what will folks say if/when Memphis beats OKC? Kinda takes some shine off wonderboy Durant, no?

Mark said...

Related to the McGary thing. I hope Michigan fans enjoyed the past two seasons because they're going to blow next year.

And while I think a loss to Memphis takes a little shine off Durant I believe more blame should go to Shlara's boy Sam Presti. Look at OKC's roster. Not exactly loaded after the top 2/3.

Mark said...

For you, Mitch: http://youtu.be/SHoNWwhzh3M

Greg said...

McGary should go to Europe for a year. Eventually, I think we'll have a either baseball-style minor league system evolve out of the NBA D-League. Or a soccer-style youth development program. NCAA sports will still be popular but let's give up on the whole sham of "amateur athletics" and "student-athletes". Many schools don't really give a shit if the athletes end up with an education.

rob said...

many, in this case, means all bcs and most other division one schools.

Mark said...

McGary entered the NBA Draft, Greg. He should've last year when he would've been a lottery pick. As is, he'll still likely end up a first round pick. Though his age (he'll be 22 when the next NBA season starts) and his back will give some teams pause.

mayhugh said...

Sucks about McGary - the guy had no chance to play but they are testing him. Seems like someone had some inside info and wanted to bone over Mich.

He was my favorite player in the tournament two years ago. Mark, assuming he can stay healthy, what does he project to be in the NBA? I feel like his ceiling is a still just as a bench/energy guy.

Shlara said...

I love Bradley Beal, and I love that people are comparing him to Ray Allen (who I also love).

And, the Wiz aren't getting Melo. We MAY have a shot at KD though, and I am beyond excited about that.

Mark said...

Just remember who told you the Wiz were better off drafting Beal than Thomas Robinson, Shlara. All Gators aren't bad.

Mayhugh- I think you're right on McGary. Though depending how he measures out he might be able to play center. The NBA is trending towards smaller, quicker front lines and McGary is physical enough to hold up against slightly bigger guys. Plus, he a really good passer which is a huge bonus as a big offensively.

Mark said...

One more thing on McGary. I'm not buying his story. He smoked once two weeks before the test and it came up positive. If he's actively working out and only smoked once I don't think it'd still be in his system. Not that I know anything about such things.

Shlara said...

weren't you guys debating Ashley Judd's hotness a few weeks ago?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/wp/2014/04/24/ashley-judd-spotted-grabbing-a-burger-with-gw-sorority-girls/

Clarenence, I figure you can make one of your snide comments abotu the cold Kappas too...

zman said...

Nice work Shlara. Frosty the Kappa was my favorite carol. At first glance I thought the girl on the far right in Shlara's link wasn't wearing any pants. Ashley Judd can join my frat anytime.

Clarence said...

Shlara, I've come around on Kappa.

I've come on Chi O, but I've come around on Kappa.

Mark said...

I remain unconvinced on Judd at her advanced age.

TR said...

Swell semen joke, Clarence!

And Ashley is a little bit beaten up in non-grainy photos. She done had some less-than-stellar work done on her face parts.

Shlara said...

You're funny Clarenece!

Dikembe is here in the arena tonight

rob said...

clare' niece has a dirty old man for an uncle

Clarence said...

Oh, come on.

Chi Omegas.

Seriously. Ladies, you know you who you are. You could form a soccer club. Your headers are glorious.

Mark said...

This weekend last year I was in New Orleans for Jazzfest. This year I'm working the local Indian Medical Associations annual event. I'm a little bitter this morning.

Mark said...

For those who didn't stay up late last night, Rob's boy Troy Daniels came through big time. http://usat.ly/1gZCPf2

rob said...

yeah, he did

rootsminer said...

The most brutal marathon course I can imagine is happening here in Roanoke today. It's just cruel - http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3692118

zman said...

Mark Rypien's daughter is a lingerie football player. I would not have expected this based on how Mark Rypien looks.

rob said...

1000 foot climb in the first 8 miles? brutal.

T.J. said...

NASCAR Day!

Mark said...

Indian Medical Association day!

Somebody come here and shoot me.

rob said...

weed's legal in indian medicine, right?

rob said...

huge match for fulham against hull city right now

Mark said...

No. Not yet at least, Rob.

rob said...

fulham, at home, take a two-goal lead into the final 15 minutes. and walk away with a tie. relegate!

Dave said...

cape cod in april?

zman said...

Today I made omelettes with Gouda and Taylor ham on the side for breakfast. I also cleaned up. I squelched at leat two open rebellions by zson, changed a few diapers, then got him dressed so we could go to Home Depot to return a light fixture and purchase another one, which I then came home and installed after feeding zson and making lunch for zwoman and myself. I plan to caulk up a yellowjacket nest that has been sprayed into complete extinction, and I'll need to climb a ladder to do it because it's in a crack above a gutter. I also need to lay down Scott's step 1, which will likely happen tomorrow because I'm making pork chops for the fam for dinner. Dad of the year/uber manly performance, right?

What if I told you that zwoman got me Lululemon sweatpants and they're really comfy. Would that change the analysis?

rob said...

still trying to figure out dave's riddle

TR said...

Got this email from my wife's 80 dad today:

"Returned from Tangier about two hours ago. It was a good trip. I rode a camel and went to the Casbah. DO NOT RECOMMEND GOING THERE ON YOUR OWN!! It is a port city and only go on an escorted bus tour!!

Anyway we all enjoyed the tour. Will be back home on Thursday."

Oh yeah. Forgot to add that he's in Spain for three weeks with his day-trading buddies. And he turned 80 on 4/20. He shares a birthday with Hitler.

zman said...

I think Dave's riddle is really a question, to which the answer is "Bad idea unless you want cold and rainy weather."

Mark said...

I dated a girl in college who's birthday was 4/20. She didn't smoke and got really annoyed when people got excited about her birthday. I dated her for waaaaay too long.

Mark said...

Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik dropped 20 years ago today. I remember buying on cassette (I was the first person at my HS to have...pretty sure this is true) and listening to it in my friends Chevy Astro. It still bangs, by the way.

Mark said...

Rick Carlisle is an awesome coach. What he's done with this Dallas team is remarkable. To say nothing of how he turned Monta into an efficient and winning player. That feels like a miracle.

rob said...

these nba playoffs doe

Danimal said...

Strong performance z. I recognize. Abstaining on the lululemons.

Danimal said...

Am watching snl's "SNL shorts"...I miss. Macgruber.

Danimal said...

Louis ck as Abe Lincoln looks a lot like Whitney.

TR said...

New "science" post up!

rob said...

great time to drop a post