Catching Up With T

Ty Shipalane has been a key player in the Michigan Bucks run to two consecutive North American Championships [in 2006 and 2007] and a PDL Regular Season Championship this year. T recently attended the USL Combine with a few of his Bucks teammates and gave us a quick wrapup, as well as insight into his life and what he's been doing since August.

You played your final year of collegiate soccer at Lindsey Wilson last fall (2007), so what have you been doing since the Bucks season ended in July?
First I went to train with the Cleveland Stars USL-2 team (now USL-1) for a couple of days right after our season ended. Basically I’ve been training on my own for the most part, developing my strength physically by lifting weights and running and staying in shape. Spending some time with my family and friends that I don’t get to see much very much during the summer league with me being in Michigan. As far as school goes, with soccer not taking anymore of my time out of the day I was able to concentrate more on my studies and education was the only major part that I had to balance. I graduated December 13 and then headed to Charleston for the USL Combine the next day.

How did the combine go? Did you see your Bucks teammates there?
The combine was very challenging, well organized and fun. I had the opportunity to play with my former Bucks teammates Jake Stacy, Steve Clark, and Ian Daniel. We won 2 games and lost one. Personally I had a slow start with the struggle of fitness and not having played competitive soccer in a while, but I did great. I feel I could have done better but I was glad with the interest that I drew out of the combine really.

What is the outlook for your future? Where do you hope to be on February 1, 2009?
Well I’m planning to become a professional football player. Really at this point in time it doesn’t matter where I begin my pro career but I would love to play in Europe and in South Africa sometime in the future. But right now in God’s willing hopefully I’ll sign with a pro team here in the United States whether is MLS, USL D1 or D2 then work my way up to become the best that I can be.

Favorites

Player - Robinho, because he has been a major influence on my playing style since I’ve entered my mature stage of football. He always play with passion, commitment, and more important joy and happiness.
League - Spanish La Liga. They play the most entertaining football in the world and the style of football I grew up playing.
Club - Real Madrid. They’re simply the best and most successful football club in the world.
Food - “Pap and Chicken” is a traditional South African dish. Pap is made out of Maize Meal Powder and well chicken is chicken.
Quote - "If at first you don’t succeed, its because of me.”
Bucks Game - Michigan Bucks vs Laredo Heat in the 2006 PDL Championship. Scoring the winning goal that helped the Bucks bring home the title to Michigan was special.
Bucks Goal - Michigan Bucks vs. Chicago Fire at the 2007 Canton Cup. I shot from 35 yards to the top corner in a 4-0 win.

This or That

Video Game (FIFA or Pro Evolution): Pro Evolution
Best in the World (Ronaldo, Kaka, or Messi): Messi
Best of All Time (Pele or Maradona): Maradona
Place to Live (South Africa, Kentucky, or Michigan): South Africa of course!

Thanks T!

Game Day

No long post today, we'll do something tomorrow. Hope everyone's out tonight for the US-China game. Enjoy it!

Tomorrow we'll do a wrapup of whatever happens tonight downtown and also hear from a Bucks player who just finished the USL Combine...

Have a good day.

Almost Here

I hope everyone is as ready for the US-China match on Wednesday as I am. For those of you that have been patrons at Ultimate Soccer Arenas in the last week, you surely will have seen me sitting at the entrance hawking tickets for the game. As much fun as spending 10 hours of your one of your weekend days sitting at a table can be, I'm ready for the fun part of all this.

With that said, the mood all weekend at USA was one of excitement and anticipation for the visit of the Chinese team to the facility for today's training session. It surely is the biggest event to occur at the facility since they opened their doors a little over a year ago. I can't imagine what the mood would be like if the US team also elected to train there. Either way it is a great honor and also really cool to be involved in an event like this one. For me personally this will rate up there with my trips to Craven Cottage and el Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, the home grounds for Fulham and Real Madrid respectively. Yes I have photos to prove it:

If you're sitting on the fence about attending Wednesday night's game, let me remind you this is the first US Soccer event in the metro area since the '94 World Cup. If you've read the press releases I've written, you'll already know that, but I feel the point still needs to be driven home - this is a BIG deal. The Bucks still have tickets left and we'd be happy to sell them to you this week, although with this article and this article in the Free Press yesterday their is very little time for fence sitting. I hate to sound like that infomercial guy who's always screaming, Billy something, but seriously, "WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?"

Hope to see everyone at training this morning, please remember that its FREE and open to the public and if you've read this blog, please chat me up and tell me how enjoyable it was.

See ya,

Jeff Crandall

DoC.

Two BIG weeks

Welcome back Bucks fans.

Another big week coming up soccer fans as the US Women’s National Team faces China in a friendly game next Wednesday at Ford Field. Hope you all get there early and get snuggled up in your seats. As you do you can look for me, I’ll be the young lad pulling stretcher duty during the game in case any one of those ladies are lucky enough to “break a leg” and get to be carried off the field by yours truly. I’m thinking I’ll grab the back right corner of the gurney so the lucky lady can catch my good side. Ahhh, what a thought; down on Ford Field. I’ll make sure to give it my blessings next week before that other team's last home game of the year.

The Lions final home game will be played in two weekends against the New Orleans Saints. Over a month ago I said it would be their best chance to win this year and the Lions will put on a show. Christmas came early this year and I was lucky enough to receive a ticket to the game. I’ll be in section 107, roughly the 50 yd line so I’ll get a firsthand look at the boys in blue. In the end I think Detroit comes up with a big defensive play in the 3rd quarter...

Lions 31-Saints 24.

That’s all for now sports fans – Come back next week when I give you a firsthand account of events of what it is like to be a part of the grounds crew at the US Women’s game next week.

USA ALL THE WAY

USA vs China Tickets
Directions to Ford Field

Locks of the week:
NFL:
Colts 34 Lions 13
Raiders 16 Patriots 13
Steelers 27 Ravens 20

NBA:
Jazz 97 Pistons 93

Brad Jakubiec

What's The Point?

Hello again Bucks fans, its Jordan the Marketing Director. My never ending journey through useless facts and equations that will never be used again is almost over. I've been on a stupid marathon of four exams, four speeches and three research papers in a 3 week period. After this evening I'll be completely finished for the semester, with only 4 semesters to go. Going through this relentless task has made me ask myself, "What's the point?" I asked a professor of mine "What's the point?" and his response was generic, "To show future employers you have discipline and to expose your mind to different theories." I've been a firm believer for many years that any class you take in college that doesn't deal with your major is a scam. If you never use the knowledge you gain from the class it's a waste of time.

A perfect example was History of the Middle East. After one week I realized first that I would never use any of this information and then asked myself, "Why do I care if a camel died 2000 years ago?" It doesn't make any sense to me. For all my fellow peers out their learning the facts that will never be used I salute you for your efforts, and the useless knowledge you gained.

I leave you with this poem:

If I Should Fail to
Learn this Junk,
I Pray the Lord
I Will Not Flunk.

Jordan Przybylo

Marketing Guru

The President Says.

Well as many of you may know by now, and some of you may not, the U.S. Women's national team will be coming to Ford Field to play against China. The game is next Wednesday at 7:30 and the Bucks are currently selling tickets through our office for the match. This will be the first major soccer event in the state of Michigan since the World Cup back in 1994. I would encourage all soccer enthusiasts to attend this event. To order tickets call (248) 334-7460.

Familiar Face

For those of you who may have missed yesterdays blog, former Michigan Bucks goalkeeper Steve Clark stopped by to write a blog for everyone. It is always nice to hear from the former players and see how they are doing. I know with the seasons just ending, many of them are enjoying some relaxation for the very first time in awhile. Stay tuned for more players that will be writing soon.

Campers

Also I wanted to make a note, those of you with children that might be interested in our winter camps, those are now posted on our website. You can click on the camp page and click on the link to register right online. This years camp will be very exciting, as we are working in coordination with the Oakland University Mens Soccer Team featuring head coach Gary Parsons and Bucks legend Eric Pogue.

Video of the Day

Once again I wanted to make sure all of you enjoy my video of the day. I figure with the new year coming up, some people might be getting ready for a New Years Resolution. If yours is to start working out, and get in shape, make sure you don't use your excersise ball like this guy:



-Kyle Karns

The Rat Tail Speaketh.

Steve Clark is one of the most renowned and recognized Michigan Bucks of all time. A three year veteran of the team, Clark backstopped the Bucks to the North American Championship in 2006, two consecutive PDL finals ('06-'07) and a PDL Regular Season Championship in 2008. In collegiate play he was recently named as the Summit League's Defensive MVP while backstopping Oakland to the League Regular Season Championship. With all this said, we're not positive but pretty sure he holds a number of Bucks Goalkeeping records so for now that premise works for this piece in which Steve (sporting a new hairstyle yet again) tells us all he wants for Christmas...

What a wonderful time of year the holiday season. My house is overflowing with cookies, poinsettias, Christmas decorations and most importantly, Christmas presents. For many impatient kids like me, Christmas is a time of anticipation, wondering and waiting to open presents. This holiday season my presents aren’t under the tree or in a stocking or even dropped off by Santa and his reindeer. The only thing on my Christmas list this year is, well, a professional soccer contract.

I am often asked these days questions that go something like:

*"How is the contract search going?”
*“ What team are you going to play for?”
*“Are you going to like, play for Manchester United?”

I often answer politely with the rehearsed script in which I try to summarize a very complex process in thirty seconds or more but it recently occurred to me that I feel like a kid waiting to open presents Christmas morning. I am overwhelmed with anticipation of what the next month or so will bring. I often catch myself daydreaming for long periods of time about countries or teams that I could play for much like a kid thinking of what kind of presents he will receive. Well, I have to admit that I do know one thing; I AM NOT GOING TO PLAY FOR MANCHESTER UNITED.

As the days count down to the MLS combine in January and the USL combine in a week, I have found myself more and more anxious about the ambiguous nature of my future. The one really fun part is that I am not alone in my anticipation; I am sharing it with many of my former Bucks teammates. Over the years while playing for the Bucks we have all become friends and as friends often talk about the future; us soccer guys are no different. The form of communication varies form phone calls to Facebook messages but we all are sharing the common goal, the common dream of becoming professional soccer players. I could not be happier pursuing a professional soccer career and having my buddies right along with me.

If you really think about it, what could make Christmas better? Having your friends right next to you opening presents.

Go Bucks!

Steve Clark # 25

Tough Week in Sports

This week was certainly an interesting one in sports. For starters we had a former Spartan and current New York Giant shoot himself in the thigh ending his season. Then we found out another Spartan, and former Detroit Lion Charles Rogers violated his probation putting him back in court and off the field. We also had Sean Avery, current NHL bad boy berate fellow NHLer's and ex-girlfriend Elisha Cuthbert of "The Girl Next Door" and "24" fame. Finally as I write this I am watching former NFL great O.J. Simpson get sentenced to 18 years for armed theft and kidnapping charges.

Whatever happened to the days where kids could grow up and watch SportsCenter and hear the good stories about athletes? Unfortunately when you tune into SportsCenter now, it seems that you hear more about who was arrested, suspended, or using illegal drugs. When I was much younger I grew up watching sports, just like many of you I am sure. But when I turned on the highlights, I would see true role models like Dan Marino, Jim Kelly, Barry Sanders, and Steve Yzerman. Don't get me wrong, I know there are still some great athletes out there that devote a lot of their time to helping causes, but its just sad you don't hear more about it.

Fantasy Weekend

Not sure how many of you are fantasy football fans like myself. Each year I join several different leagues, and I follow it every Sunday. This weekend most leagues begin playoffs. So I just wanted to wish everyone good luck unless of course you are the person playing me.

Just Weird

A guy has acquired (not sure how) the underwear of Alex Rodriguez, and Josh Beckett and is currently auctioning them off on E-bay starting at $9.99.

Sports Video of the Day
I figure since it was Friday and for some, it may have been a long week, I would treat you to something new. The sports video of the day. Hope you get a good "Kick" out of this one.



Enjoy your weekend,

KK

Another New Face.

Buck fans, supporters, and soccer freaks…..thank you for joining me on the 14 Point Blog. This is a place in internet space where you can come and enjoy firsthand insight into our organization from individuals behind the scenes. My name is Brad Jakubiec and I am the newly appointed Soccer Business Development Manager here with the Michigan Bucks.

As a former student of Central Michigan University with a degree in sports and business I was looking for an opportunity in the wide world of sports to learn the industry and hone my skills. When I heard of the opportunity to apply for the Bucks I jumped at it. Of course it took a lot of hard work to impress Kyle Karns, a man who has a vested interest in the Bucks as a former intern and current Team President, but he’s a sensible man who saw potential in me and brought me in to join this team.

Eastside Brad pictured left.

To tell you the truth the Bucks were not my first job choice. When I learned several weeks ago that a sports team president was needed, with no previous experience, with minimal hours and maximum pay I thought this was a job I could do. I thought to myself, “I know nothing about being a team president,” but neither did another recent Detroit team president. I will not mention any names but his last name rhymes with “chillen.” Anyway, myself being the highly coveted prospect out of CMU, had been trying to contact the Lions but surprisingly, unlike the Lions other 11 opponents, I had no success.

Now, unlike our marketing director, Jordan Przybylo, I am not an adrenaline freak. All though I enjoy being physically active and adventurous I prefer to keep my feet firmly planted on the ground and my body out of harm’s way. All though I enjoy Jordan’s attitude on life and thrill seeking style I do not share in those thrills. Call me the crazy one but I do not enjoy being thousands of feet in the air nor do I actively seek being punched in the face or letting my life teeter on the edge. I have been to the Grand Canyon and I was perfectly content looking down from afar. I was the guy enjoying the view, not from the edge like Jordan, and not next to the railing, I was perfectly content about 5 giant steps away from the railing.

As for the Bucks, it has been what seems to be a fairly busy first offseason. So far we’ve began the challenge of rebuilding last year’s team who had much success with quite a few good players. We are all excited around here about the upcoming season and are working hard and striving to continually distinguishing ourselves as one of the game’s elite teams. Get ready soccer fans for another exciting Michigan Bucks season.

Only 202 days left to the start of the Michigan Bucks 2009 Season. Get Ready To Get Buck Wild!!!

Sports Weekend Predictions: Lions 13 Vikings 45
Brad’s Weekend Outlook: Finding someone who will bet the Lions

A Day Late...

On Monday two NAIA schools with Bucks ties played in the Championship tournament in Fresno and both schools lost.

In the first match of the day #15 seeded Madonna University, coached by Bucks Hall of Famer Tino Scicluna, fell 2-1 to #2 Rio Grande University (OH). Trailing 2-0, the Crusaders were able to pull a goal back in the 74th minute but couldn't find the equalizer to send it to overtime. Madonna finished the season with a 17-3-0 record.

Later in the day #3 Lindsey Wilson, led by Bucks midfielder Nate Jafta were upset by #14 Mount Vernon Nazarene (OH) 1-0. Despite Lindsey's 29 shots, Mt Vernon were able to hang on to the lead causing the biggest upset in the NAIA tournament thus far. Lindsey finishes the season at 18-2-1.

Earlier in the week...

Bucks and Michigan State senior forward Doug DeMartin was named one of 15 semi-finalists for the Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy (The Heisman of college soccer). DeMartin ranked nationally this year in a number of categories: fifth in points per game (1.95), fourth in goals per game (0.89), third in the nation in goals (17) and points (37). Additionally he was named Big Ten Player of the Year and led the Spartans to the Big Ten Regular Season and Tournament Championship.

According to the NSCAA website:
"Division I college head coaches who are current members of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) will vote to determine the 2008 MAC Hermann Trophy recipient. Three finalists for the award [from the field of 15] will be announced on Friday, Dec. 12. They will be invited to the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis for a news conference on Friday, Jan. 9, 2009, where the winner will be announced. A dinner and formal presentation of the award will follow the news conference that evening."

Good Luck Doug!

-JC

A New Face

Hey, Bucks fans. To all those who don't know me I'm the new Marketing Director for the Bucks organization. My name is Jordan and I'm a student at Walsh College aspiring to be a marketing major (some day).

A little about myself, I'm an adrenaline freak. I'll do anything that takes my physical ability to the next level. Skydiving, hand to hand combat sports, barefootskiing -- done all those things and loved it. Each of those activities pushed me to the edge where I didn't know if I was going to survive, and I loved that feeling. I'm only content when I'm on the edge. My goals and ambitions are to take my energy and zest for life into the Bucks organization.

I'm all about having more than a good time, I'm about having an experience. A Bucks soccer game isn't going to be an event it'll be an experience for all those who attend. I have a lot of great plans and ideas for games this season. I'll be sharing them with you at a later date.

European Vacation

A little more insight about myself. I just got back form a little European vacation; I was in Hungary visiting my girlfriend's family. It's a very odd thing travel to Eastern Europe. Everything (except for the women) is very,very tiny. I had a go-cart as a child, which was a little bigger, and more powerful than the car we rented. The roads were a little bit wider than a king size bed.

Jordan met many interesting people at the public steam bath

Meeting the Hungarian people was interesting. I went through a little bit of culture shock there when her guy friends tried to kiss me on both cheeks when they said "Hello". To say the least it was a little weird, a little too weird for my liking. However, Hungary was a very beautiful country; all the villages look like towns from an old Christmas movie. The people seemed nice, even though I didn't have a clue about what they were saying. Over all visiting Hungary was an experience of a lifetime, I'd highly recommend to any person to travel to another country and experience a different style of life.

That's all for now, I'll be posting more later.

Jordan Przybylo
Marketing Director

The Next Day...

Let me preface this post by saying I am a graduate of the University of Michigan...at Dearborn, so although I don't feel the pain quite as bad when a team from Ann Arbor loses, I'm still not happy. Of course as the Bucks "PR Guy" I'm sad whenever a school one of our guys plays for loses. Its amplified though with Michigan because not only do we have 6 current or former Bucks players on the Wolverine roster this year but also two Bucks Hall of Famers, Steve Burns and Paul Snape coach the Maize and Blue.

Steve Burns (middle) and Paul Snape (right) watch the Wolverines in their 2-1 win over UC-Davis on Tuesday

For those unfamiliar, Steve Burns was the Mid-Michigan Bucks first coach from 1996-1999 while also serving as the UM Men's Club Soccer coach. When the UM program took on varsity status in 2000, Burns was elevated to lead the Wolverines fulltime and left the Bucks in the process. Burns was inducted into the Bucks Hall of Fame last July when we played back in Saginaw against Indiana, a game we won 5-1. He's the Bucks all-time winninest coach, going 53-25-2 in his four seasons at the helm.

Paul Snape was one of two Bucks to be original inductees into the Hall of Fame in 2006 along with Tino Scicluna (more about him later). He played for the Bucks from 1997-2003 and holds numerous records. In the US Open Cup he has scored more goals (5) and played more minutes (971) all-time than any Bucks player in history. In 2005 he coached the side to the PDL Quarterfinals.

Of course I got all this great information from the new Bucks History section located on our website. (shameless plug for all the work I did). Let me know if their is something you'd like to see that isn't already there.

Crows coming to roost...

With all that said, I need to eat crow as I predicted a 2-1 Michigan win last night and they ended up bowing out 3-0. Watching the match online, I thought it wasn't as one-sided as the score says and thought the Wolverines dominated the first quarter of the match. After IU scored 34 minutes in Michigan had a hard time breaking through on goal and got caught offsides a number of times. With the Wolverines pushing for an equalizer, Indiana caught them out to take a more comfortable 2-0 lead and with the game all but over added a third late.

Indiana was the better team and seem to be playing their best soccer of the season at exactly the right time. They'll visit St. Johns (NY) on December 6 for a right to go to the College Cup in Frisco, TX. Remember the Bucks are represented on the Indiana roster by Lake Orion native Billy Weaver, so thats a plus.

As has become common practice, I would like to congratulate the UM/Bucks seniors on great college careers, those players would be Mike Holody, Alex Morisset, Jake Stacy, Santos Perez and Steve Bonnell. Only Mauro Fuzetti has a year of eligibility left. Best of luck to all of you.

Others still alive...

Also of note, Bucks midfielder Luke Norman came on as a sub today and scored a goal in #1 seeded Wake Forest's 7-0 thrashing of Dartmouth. With the win the Demon Deacons will host South Florida on a date TBD in the NCAA Elite 8...

Lets also not forget midfielder Nate Jafta of Lindsey Wilson who will take on Mt. Vernon Nazarene tomorrow afternoon at 4:30 pm in the NAIA National Tournament in Fresno, CA. Also at that tournament is the aforementioned Tino Scicluna, now the head coach of Madonna University in Livonia. Scicluna's team will face Rio Grande College (OH) earlier in the day at 11:30 AM.

And finally...

If you're getting sick of hearing from myself and Kyle, have no worries, we'll have better blog posts from more interesting people later in the week. Tell your friends.

Hope everyone had a good holiday and avoids a case of the Monday's tomorrow.

-Jeff Crandall
DoC

Michigan at Indiana

Remember that tonight Michigan, featuring this year's Bucks Mike Holody, Mauro Fuzetti, Alex Morisset, Jake Stacy as well as Bucks of the past, Steve Bonnell and Santos Perez will take on Indiana in Bloomington at 7PM. Indiana also features Bucks striker Billy Weaver who hasn't featured lately because of injury. Fans that can't make the treck (myself) can watch for FREE and LIVE online by clicking here. It was 15 days ago that the Hoosiers won a knockdown dragout war against the Wolverines 1-0 at the Big Ten Tournament in Madison.

Did you know...

*The two teams have nearly identical records: Michigan (13-5-3), Indiana (13-6-3).
*Billy Weaver isn't the only Michigander playing for the Hoosiers. Junior midfielder Eric Alexander is from Portage.

*Tonight's game will be the rubber match in the season series. Michigan won their first ever game against Indiana duriung the regular season, 1-0 on October 4 in Bloomington. Indiana beat the Wolverines 1-0 in the Big Ten Tournament November 14. Indiana has dominated Michigan since the Wolverines first season in 2000, with a 10-1-0 record.
*Indiana's top goal scorers Will Bruin and Andy Aldard have 6 goals a piece this season. In contrast Michigan's top 3 have more Peri Marosevic (13), Mauro Fuzetti (9) and Jake Stacy (8).
*Indiana keeper Chay Cain has played every minute of every game for the Hoosiers this season, posting a 0.94 goals against average and 9 shutouts along the way.
*Michigan and Chicago Fire PDL keeper Patrick Sperry has been impressive as well posting a 1.04 goals against average and 6 shutouts.

Michigan players celebrate Jake Stacy's goal from Mauro Fuzetti on Tuesday

I attended the game on Tuesday against UC-Davis in the cold and snow and can say Michigan played well. Indiana is tough and while history isn't on the Wolverine's side in this one, I still think Steve Burns' side can pull it out and make it back to the Elite 8 for just the second time in the program's history. My prediction 2-1 Michigan. Go Blue!

Have a good Saturday,

-Jeff Crandall
Director of Communication

Almost That Time

Giving Thanks
Hey gang, back again. Right off the bat, I want to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving and a safe holiday. Like most, I get together with my family and enjoy the largest meal I will probably have all year. By the time I leave, I feel like I have to go down a notch on my belt. However, in addition to all of the wonderful food, I usually make sure I watch some football. Unfortunately our hometown Lions are not having a great year, but nonetheless, I will still watch the game. No matter what your traditions are, or where you will be spending the holiday, make sure you enjoy the food, and cherish the time with your family.

Bittersweet
Yesterday was the second round of the NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament and a good chunk of Michigan Bucks players took to the field. The Michigan State Spartans, Big 10 Tournament and Regular Season Champions, hosted the University of Illinois-Chicago, and played tough till the very end. Both teams had opportunities but neither could get a goal in regulation or in the extra frames. After trading penalty kicks, the Spartans came up short, falling 3-2, ending an amazing season and an astonishing career for Head Coach Joe Baum.

Miles away the Michigan Wolverines took the field and came out victorious against UC-Davis. The Wolverines won 2-1 with Bucks players contributing to both of the UM goals. Once again I am happy to see our boys having success well after the Bucks season has concluded. The Wolverines will play Indiana for the third time this season on Saturday. Michigan won the regular season match 1-0, but fell to the Hoosiers twelve days ago in the Big 10 semifinals. Saturday in Bloomington will be the rubber match.

Random Thoughts
When is the right time to start putting up your Christmas lights? Driving through my neighborhood last night, I noticed that one of the houses has turned on their lights and has a tree in their living room window. Is there a correct time, or an unwritten date that all lights and decorations are allowed to be displayed?

What will be the hot item this holiday season? With the notorious day after Thanksgiving shopping day quickly approaching, what is the item on everyone’s list? Of course there are all of the wonderful deals on televisions, DVDs and CDs, but unless you’re awake and shopping by 5am, you’re not going to get those deals. I went through that mess one time, and I learned my lesson. That was the craziest shopping experience I have ever been a part of. I have never been afraid of so many women and their shopping carts. So if you are going out, keep your head on a swivel, and your eyes open, because there is no mercy out there.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Kyle Karns
President of Operations

November Madness

While the professional outdoor seasons have come to an end this year in the US, the college game has just started tournament season. On Saturday Bucks owner Dan Duggan, GM Kyle Karns, along with myself and our friends from Cleveland and Chicago crowded around a laptop at the Hyatt in Tampa to watch our boys from Oakland take on Ohio State in the NCAA tournament in Rochester. Five former or current Bucks helped OU dominate the Buckeyes but the Grizzlies couldn't put one in the back of the net and ended up falling to the team from Ohio on penalties. At least they faired better than Michigan did in football (the games were played at the same time). I'd like to congratulate coaches Gary Parsons and Eric Pogue on another great Grizzlies season as well as OU and Bucks seniors Steve Clark, Ian Daniel and Piotr Nowak on great collegiate careers!

That same day longtime Bucks midfielder Nate Jafta helped Lindsey Wilson to a 6-0 victory over King College (TN) and into the 2nd round of the NAIA tournament. They will next take on Mount Vernon Nazareth in the 2nd round on December 1.

That brings me to...

Today in the cold and snow of our great state, the Spartans and Wolverines will open up NCAA tournament play at home. #4 seeded Michigan State, led by Big Ten Player of the Year Doug DeMartin will host UIC this afternoon at 1PM. The winner will take on the winner of North Carolina-Jacksonville. An hour after the Spartans kick off, Michigan will host UC-Davis in Ann Arbor. If the Wolverines win, we could see a rematch of the Big Ten semifinal if Indiana also beats St. Louis today. Michigan fell to the Hoosiers 1-0 in a scrappy match played in Madison, WI about 10 days ago.

And the pitch...

Although its freezing and snowing (again) as I look outside my window, I assure you their is nothing better than tournament soccer. If you can take the afternoon off or have already taken an early vacation, get out to one of these matches and support your Bucks! Their are a ton of senior Bucks players on both squads and many will soon be moving on to bigger things.

If anyone is going to Ann Arbor this afternoon, come say hi.

Until next time,

Jeff Crandall
Director of Communications

Start of Something New

Welcome Bucks fans, to the first of the Michigan Bucks blogs. Beginning this week, a Bucks staff member or player will blog right here on our website each day. This is a great way for us to stay connected with our fans, as well as giving you the fan a great opportunity to know what is going on inside the organization with insight from our staff members. We encourage your feedback, and look forward to hearing from you.

Congrats are in Order
First things first, I would like to congratulate our Major League Soccer affiliate, the Columbus Crew. Yesterday afternoon the Crew capped off their amazing season with their first MLS Championship, beating the NY Red Bulls 3-1 at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles. We are very proud to be partnered with a first class organization like the Crew, and I couldn’t be happier for not only the players but also the staff that put in the long hours to make the season a success.

In regards to the players, I was very happy to see that former Michigan Bucks player Pat Noonan returned to MLS and was able to contribute to the Crew down the stretch. Certainly it is an honor to watch former players move on and continue their success at the next level. I would also like to send out special congratulations to Frankie Hedjuk. Frankie is an ambassador to MLS and a role model to many youth soccer players. It was very nice to see Frankie have a great game in his first MLS Cup appearance.

USL Annual General Meeting
This past weekend members of the Bucks staff and I attended the United Soccer Leagues Annual General Meetings in Tampa, FL. The meetings are designed to bring the teams from all levels of the USL together to discuss league topics and prepare for the upcoming year. Each year I personally look forward to going to these meetings to discover new ideas that have been successful with other teams. So many different promotions and great ideas are floated around, and it always gets me excited for the upcoming season.

Also during the AGM each team representatives attend the USL Hall of Fame dinner. This year I was fortunate enough to witness both Amos Magee of the Minnesota Thunder and current Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad (formerly of the Rochester Rhinos) inducted in the USL Hall of Fame, an honor well deserved for both players. In addition to inducting in new members, awards from the 2008 season are given out. Of course all members of the Bucks staff were excited when our name was called to accept the 2008 Regular Season Champions trophy. This was a pleasant reminder of our recent success, but of course left us itching for more in 2009.
Be sure to check the website each day for a new blog posting. Until next time, enjoy the start to a short week.

Kyle Karns
President of Operations