MVC Champions 2006

This picture says it all. Stay tuned for more Pictures and my story. Go Shocks!

ONE DOWN & ONE TO GO

We survived what I believe to be the hardest of the last two Basketball games in the regular season. Last night's game was great but, about caused me much pain. I worry way to much about things that are meant to be entertainment. If the Shockers win or lose, it no way directly affects me. When the game is on you'd think it determined my life or death. Sad, sad! Anyway, here's what some important dude from ESPN thinks about how great WSU is. I love this!

Andy Glockner
"I'll be honest and say I had a hard time finding more than about 12-13 teams that really deserved to be in the list this week, so I'll wrap with a couple of the best mids. Villanova jumps UConn on the strength of the head-to-head win and UConn's escape against Notre Dame. On an unrelated note, how deja vu-ish was that ending in Gainesville, where Dane Bradshaw (again) got a layup off a late steal and Chris Lofton (again) iced the game with two late free throws? We've seen more bizarre, late, game-blowing plays lately (see Bucknell-Northern Iowa) than I can remember. I was very disappointed with Memphis and C-USA last night -- the Tigers were ragged at home and still slogged past a UTEP team that lost its best player to injury. That national TV performance might have hurt both teams.
1. Duke
2. Villanova
3. Connecticut
4. Memphis
5. Tennessee
6. Gonzaga
7. Texas
8. Ohio State
9. Kansas
10. Pittsburgh
11. George Washington
12. North Carolina
13. LSU1
4. Georgetown
15. George Mason
16. Wichita State

Yes, that's right WSU is on the same list as KU! God I love this man. Finally WSU gets some well deserved respect and love!

For more on last nights game click the link below:
http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/sports/colleges/wichita_state_university/13939347.htm

Big Night in Basketball

Well tonight could be the start of something great!
The Shocker's play Drake at 7pm.
(Kansas Now cable 22 if you wanna see.)
If they win, they'll finish the regular season on top.
Then the worst they can finish is tied for first.
If they also win on Saturday,
the Shocker's will be MVC Champs for the first time since 1983.
With the way things are going,
We're also hopeful of getting to go to the NCAA tournament instead of the NIT.
The NIT is good but, the NCAA is way better!
I've been a shocker fan since my first year of college.
Clear back to 1991.
It's gone something like this...
They've been bad,
Worse than bad,
Horrible,
Bottom of the barrel,
Okay,
So-so,
better,
pretty good,
to where they are now.
According to me... Pretty Damn Good!
The way I figure it, I'm bound to get an ulcer before this is all over.
Pray for them to win!
Go Shox!!!!

Some Lyrics To Ponder

The below song was just playing on Launchcast and for some reason, I felt like I should post them here for all to read. I hope you enjoy them. For more on James Otto, go to www.CMT.com

Days of Our Lives
by James Otto

Well I left for work in a hurry
I rushed out the door without saying goodbye
I didn't tell her I loved her this mornin'
But I'll tell her tonight
I thought to myself

An as I hurried off towards the highway
This truck outta nowhere caught me by surprise
He missed me by inches an my life passed in front of my eyes
I guess that's the reason that they say

Dance every dance an live each day'
As though it's your last
An tell those that you love how you feel
Before it's too late
Life is right here and now
We only go around just one time
So embrace'em and don't waste'em
For these are the days of our lives

Well son as my my legs stopped a shakin'
Took a deep breath an turned my car around
Oh,I'm gonna take that vacation
That we talked about startin' right now

Although I know tomorrow will be here for me'
Cause nothin' in life is for certain but death's guaranteed
And that's the reason that I say

Dance every dance an live each day
As though it's your last
An tell those that you love how you feel
Before it's too lateLife is right here and now
We only go around just one time
So embrace'em and don't waste'em
For these are the days of our lives

Yeah,life is right here and now
We only go around just one time
So embrace'em and don't waste'em
For these are the days of our lives
Yeah

Shocker's give me a Happy Valentine's Day!

Wow! Last night's game at home against a long time rival Creighton was enough to make me grow an ulcer. Going into this game we were tied with 3 other teams for first place in the MVC. The game was close and back and forth. There were many times it looked as if this game would be just like history shows. Creighton seems to come out on top. A few weeks ago, we played at their house. We led most of the game. By 19 points in the first half. As most of you know we lost at the buzzer. Very sad, heart breaking game. Last night, I'm happy to say...Matt B. #22 made an almost buzzer winning 3 point shot. There were .5 secs left in the game & I'm happy to say we got to hold onto the win. As you can see by the list below our other first place buddies weren't as fortunate. Could WSU win the MVC title? Go to the NCAA tournament instead of the NIT? WE SURE HOPE SO!!!!!!!!!!!!

MVC Overall
Wichita State
12-4 21-6
Northern Iowa
11-5 21-6
Creighton
11-5 17-7
Southern Illinois
11-5 18-8
Missouri State
10-6 17-7
Bradley
9-7 15-9
Drake
5-11 12-15
Indiana State
4-12 11-13
lllinois State
4-12 9-15
Evansville
3-13 7-17

Hazing or Not? What do you think?

Fraternity under investigation for hazing
By Dana Hertneky
KSNW-TV

WICHITA, Kansas - The WSU chapter of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity at Wichita State University is under investigation after pictures of a tied up student were displayed on a website. University officials don't know yet if this was a case of hazing or simply students goofing around. Either way, they want to get to the bottom of what happened.

The fraternity is now under investigation by both the WSU Student Leadership Center and the national Phi Delta Theta organization. Both groups are looking into a number pictures posted on a national website that showed at least one student tied up.

"Some of the written content related to the picture were really demeaning," said Ronald Kopita, Ph.D., Wichita State University.

Dr. Kopita, who heads WSU's Campus Life Department and is in charge of the investigation, said it is just unacceptable.

"It's just not good. It's inappropriate behavior. It's demeaning behavior that we just don't promote at this university and we don't expect our students to exhibit."

If the investigation reveals this incident was hazing, the entire fraternity would be penalized and those involved could even face criminal charges. If the university determines the incident was students acting on their own, those students would be dealt with individually.

"Clearly these pictures illustrated demeaning and disrespectful behavior. Now what was the context? That is yet to be determined."

We tried to speak to local and national members of Phi Delta Theta but were unable to find anyone who was willing comment. The university's investigation is expected to wrap up early next week.

HAZING DEFINED

According to Kansas law, an act is defined as hazing if it is "intentionally encouraged" and causes "great bodily harm for initiation purposes." If that's the case, officials could charge the person with a Class "B" misdemeanor which could carry a penalty of six months in the county jail and a maximum fine of $1,000.

Kansas is currently among 44 states in the U.S. that has an anti-hazing law in the books.

Lily

Happiness keeps You Sweet,
Trials keep You Strong,
Sorrows keep You Human,
Failures keep You Humble,
Success keeps You Glowing,
But Only God keeps You Going!

God is Good

My Sojourn was great again!
I arrived at about 6:30 on Friday night. I was supose to be there by 5:30 but, run super late.
Aside from scaring the director half to death, it worked out fine.
The candidates started to arrive around 7:00 and by 8:00,
I knew it was going to be a great weekend.
We gathered in the meeting room & got our table assingments.
I must say our directors did a great job. My table team members rocked.
I feel truly blessed to have gotten to lead them.
The all have great Catholic lives ahead of them!
I'd love to share with you the many great things that happened but,
because this is read by so many people I'd love to go on a Sojourn,
I'm affraid I'll have to keep the details a secret as not too ruin their experience.
Trust me it was amazing.

I will share one little thing.
Saturday night, after adoration we all gathered around the alter.
Everyone was kneeling as father said the closing prayer.
After the prayer he began to sing. Others slowly started to join in.
Then out of no where the room was filled with the most intense and beautiful singing I've EVER experienced. It reminded me of one of those christian music comercials. You know, like those WOW CD's. "You're an Awesome God". Those CD's always have the best songs. As we stayed there singing, I got chills. Aside from our closing camp song, I've never been filled with this much emotion.

Anyway, it was beautiful. I sacraficed 4 sessions of my beloved poker as well as the BEST Basketball game of WSU's entire season but, I have to say it was worth it.

Help Me Holy Spirit!

I leave for my Sojourn in less than 24 hours.
I know, you're asking yourself...
"What the heck is a Sojourn?"
so'journ /so-dzern/ n. v. to visit temporarily, to stay somewhere for a short time
I'm going on a Sojourn Weekend.
It's a spirtual retreat for single young adults.
The weekend is for the candidates to take time to search for their "purpose".
It's about exploring your faith.
Each person takes away something a little different.
My friend Jennifer & I were candidate a few years ago.
The retreat meant a lot to me and came at a good time.
(During my cancer treatment)
My purpose on this retreat, is to lead/guide a small group of candidates.
This will be my 2nd time as a leader.

Anyway, I need the Holy Spirit to fill me with energy.
Guide me and help me be a good leader.
I have a ton to do before I leave.
I need to be inspired.
I need a good nights sleep.

Pray for me :)

Something to think about...

'SISTERS'
A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother. As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter.
"Don't forget your Sisters," she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. "They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need Sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them.

"Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women... Your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too. "You'll need other women. Women always do." 'What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman thought. 'Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need t o make my life worthwhile!' But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact with her Sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her Mom really knew what she was talking about.

As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, Sisters are the mainstays of her life. After more than 50 years of living in this world, here is what I've learned: THIS SAYS IT ALL:
Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to do.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end.

BUT.........

Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you.
A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach.
When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end.
Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you.
Or come in and carry you out. Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life!
The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other.
Every day, we need each other still.