From under the scoreboard

Took the crew out to UCLA for a little stretching and racing. A yawner of a meet, that served as a meet and greet more than any hot competition. The purpose being to ease into the season and wake folks up. They are all awake now. By the end of practice today they will know it is time to turn the lights up. We do not need the switch flipped, but we do need to turn the lights up.

I was honored after the meet and humbled. There was an alumni social, which they have been having for the past few years to reconnect with alumni and expose the team to the history of our tradition. I went a few years back and it was the usual old guy convention, very few of my contemporaries were there. I figured I am so vocal about my Alma mater I better start doing things that matter and at least be present. Nothing worse than sideline critics that do nothing to solve the problem.

So there I was observing that the alumni from the 60 and 70s were out in force, and then the alumni from the new millennium were there, but very few from the 80s and 90s. I am talking 4 of us and three of us were surprise visitors, myself being the veteran. So I am thinking I have to spread the word next time to make sure I see my teammates when the festivities start up. Honoring Coach Bush, his athletes not letting him live down the fact that he came out of retirement to coach USC, his athletes telling stories, and then Art stepped up and gave the closing remarks. He was joking about some of his ex athletes, and recognizing various people when out of the blue he said my name. Hahahahahahaaha, made me chuckle.
I have been a vocal person about the state of my schools program and Art and I have had a few emails and a couple of face to face discussions. I would love to be the sprint coach at UCLA, I make no secret, but I do not chase it because Tony is a personal friend. So when Art recognized me in the room, I had to smile, and the strange feeling of humility ran in the room. "He has come into his own as of late," was the line he used. Great on ya Art. Thank you.
For me, it is always strange to hear my name said correctly. Darrell is so commonly pronounced Daryl here in the US, I have grown accustomed to the mistake and the needed correction, Da - Rail, is my name. Art said it right, and that rang in my ears. Felt good too, the room was full of alumni and current Bruins, my people, my brethren. We like that.

Meanwhile, before the social event there was the meet I was talking about. Nothing spectacular to speak about. That will be reserved for the up coming weeks. All I can say is there is a beast on the prowl out there and there will be some disappointed faces in 2 weeks. Stay tuned. I got a little something for everyone this year, no where to run to baby, no where to hide. LOL
I look forward to seeing all of you soon. And remember, "He who run fast in April, get ass kicked in August." I love that saying, good luck to you all, stay healthy, be patient, and let's have some fun at this thing!