Having a Blast at Mike & Mike

I had the opportunity to do one of the cooler things of my career this morning. I awoke at 3:30 a.m. and went to the Dye Club at Barefoot Resort for Monday After the Masters. The brainchild of Darius Rucker, this charity event draws professional golfers and celebrities. The portion of Monday After the Masters that I was specifically attending was Mike & Mike, only my favorite sports talk radio show ever. Because of the close relationship between Rucker and “The Mikes”, it is a tradition that the show comes to Myrtle Beach each year for the fundraiser. Our dance team, mascot, and pep band were on hand to give this morning’s show a special spark so I was given a media credential to cover it.

Just a few photos to get started. That is me in front of the set (you can see Golic), a photo I took of Golic and Chauncey that the show actually used for its own social media purposes, and my credential.

Just a few photos to get started. That is me in front of the set (you can see Golic), a photo I took of Golic and Chauncey that the show actually used for its own social media purposes, and my credential.

I just want to briefly mention the minor disappointment and get it out of the way before I talk about what a blast I had. Unfortunately, Mike Greenberg had to cancel last minute. The common fan half of the show, contrasting to the ex-jock persona of Mike Golic, had a family issue he needed to tend to. In his place was Ryan Ruocco, an ESPN up-and-comer who happens to be the same age as me.

Our dance team represented Coastal Carolina University very well.

Our dance team represented Coastal Carolina University very well.

The students and a handful of us staffers arrived at the broadcast site around 5:30 a.m. As someone who attended College Gameday last September, something jumped out at me immediately. Mike & Mike was much more intimate. Instead of numerous different sets, a large crew, and a spectator area liberally roped off to accommodate a thousand students, the Mike & Mike setup was cozy. You probably had no more than a hundred chairs and a crew that numbered around ten.

As you can see, it was not an overwhelming set. Especially during the early morning hours, everything seemed very intimate.

As you can see, it was not an overwhelming set. Especially during the early morning hours, everything seemed very intimate.

The show started and it was pretty much just like watching at home. Everything went very smoothly. Even though it was their first show ever together, Golic and Ruocco had a natural flow. I stood right next to the dance team just a few feet from stage and enjoyed the banter about the Masters. An ESPN cameraman would come over to the band when the show was about to go to break. While Golic or Ryan would start to send the show to the first commercial the band was given permission to start playing. While Mike & Mike seemed just like I was listening in on the radio or watching on ESPN2 during the live action, once the commercials started a much more personal side came out.

Once the show went to break, Mike Golic was all over the place talking with the audience. I took this photo while he was interacting with our dance team.

Once the show went to break, Mike Golic was all over the place talking with the audience. I took this photo while he was interacting with our dance team.

If I could describe Mike Golic in one word it would be awesome. During the commercial breaks he did several different things from talking to our dance team, addressing the crowd with a microphone, signing autographs/posing for photos, and judging a “best sign contest” with Ryan. He acted just like a regular guy and was accommodating with every request. I photographed him with Chauncey, our dance team, and then with the whole group including Ryan Ruocco and Shane Battier and each time he was gracious and humble. When the show ended he let his hair down a little. When he competed in the longest drive contest he chugged a can of Michelob Ultra as he walked up to the tee and then had the whole gallery laughing as he made joke after joke while taking his swings.

A few of the photos I took during commercial breaks. Golic was always walking around talking with the audience.

A few of the photos I took during commercial breaks. Golic was always walking around talking with the audience.

Celebrity guests on the show this morning included Shane Battier, Golden Tate, and, of course, Darius Rucker. Before he went on Mike & Mike, Darius was holding court with about 15 members of the media. Chauncey saw this and ran over, completely video bombing the whole operation. Mr. Rucker was a good sport about it though and I got some awesome photos of the exchange. For Darius’ interview with Mike and Ryan they went away from the main set to a putting green. With the other members of Hootie and the Blowfish surrounding the three, I stood a few feet away and watched the lively and funny interview. Unfortunately I don’t think Darius recognized me from the crucial part I played in his latest music video.

This was one of my favorite photos I took today. Golic and Ruocco interview Darius Rucker and his band.

This was one of my favorite photos I took today. Golic and Ruocco interview Darius Rucker and his band.

The show started in the dark with a modest crowd. However, as the sun came up more people arrived and the buzz started to heighten a bit. It was cool to watch the transformation. Although I enjoyed every minute of my experience, I did start to realize that a four-hour radio show is a long time. I have a lot of respect for Golic and Greeney going out there Monday through Friday and talking to millions of people for 20 hours.

A couple photos showing the night and day contrast along with a shot of Darius and a photo of Golden Tate with Golic and Ryan.

A couple photos showing the night and day contrast along with a shot of Darius and a photo of Golden Tate with Golic and Ryan.

When the show ended, the Monday After the Masters longest drive event commenced. Darius Rucker performed the National Anthem and teed off first. After him I watched up close as folks such as Larry the Cable Guy, Rick Barry, Josh Kelley, and Golden Tate took whacks with the club. It was as if each celebrity put on a show himself as he stepped up. They all told jokes and they all connected with the audience in a different way. After the longest drive contest it was time for the actual golf competition to begin. Although I would have loved to stay I had to get back to the office.

A photo I took of Larry the Cable Guy and Chauncey. When Larry got up to the tee he told everyone to look out.

A photo I took of Larry the Cable Guy and Chauncey. When Larry got up to the tee he told everyone to look out.

I had a wonderful experience watching Mike & Mike. As with College Gameday, it is so special to watch the actual show in person after watching/listening to it religiously on television/radio for so long. Mike Golic is the real deal and I am now a big fan of Ryan Ruocco; I hope he becomes a prominent player at ESPN. I was very proud of how our dance team, pep band, and Chauncey represented Coastal. Several times during the show they were recognized on-air, just another example of invaluable exposure. I am thankful for what I experienced today and can’t wait for the next awesome adventure I get to go on for work. Don’t Blink.

A Great NCAA Tournament Experience in Omaha

Yes, I know I sound like a broken record. As I have said before, attending the NCAA Tournament is special; occupying a spot on the travel party for a participating team is a career highlight. Just about 24 hours shy from returning to Myrtle Beach from Omaha, I am still on a high from the experience I had watching the Chanticleer men’s basketball team compete in the most well-known tournament on the planet.

It was a pleasure to travel with the team to Omaha. I took this photo after the public practice in CenturyLink Center on Thursday night.

It was a pleasure to travel with the team to Omaha. I took this photo after the public practice in CenturyLink Center on Thursday night.

But what is it that makes the NCAA Tournament experience so special? Well, let me tell you one thing that doesn’t make it special…the city. God Bless Omaha but I won’t be moving out there anytime soon. You see, there is something about the tourney that transcends geographical boarders and makes whatever town you are in irrelevant.

It is the respect.

Team charters, police escorts, hotel employees dressed in university apparel, school logo plastered everywhere, locals looking at you in awe, national media on location, and an organizational structure that is ten times better than what the phrase “on point” can ever express all convey a deep level of reverence. It is intoxicating.

This is the police escort that led our bus to the CenturyLink Center for Thursday night's public practice.

This is the police escort that led our bus to the CenturyLink Center for Thursday night’s public practice.

Personally, I had a wonderful trip. I had complete freedom and access to do my job but at the same time I also had fun. Throughout the duration of the trip, #CCUSocialMedia was able to give our audience a real time look inside the tournament experience through constant posts in addition to the release of four videos and three photo galleries. When I wasn’t sharing the sights and sounds with #TEALnation I was able to visit the site of the College World Series, eat an Omaha steak, check out a cemetery, and tour the downtown part of the city.

I got to see TD Ameritrade Park, eat an Omaha steak, and visit a cemetery.

I got to see TD Ameritrade Park, eat an Omaha steak, and visit a cemetery.

But let’s get real here, the trip was about the student-athletes and it was a complete pleasure observing them and following them. The team let me shoot everything from breakfast to the private shoot around at Creighton University to moments before the game when they were stretching in the bowels of the arena. From the time of the sendoff to touch down in Myrtle Beach yesterday, everyone on the squad was a complete gentleman. It was a joy to cover them.

I have a couple of personal highlights from the trip. First was attending the public practice/press conference at CenturyLink Center the day before the game. The minute the fleet of police motorcycles lead you into the private entrance of the arena you really realize what a big deal it is. The size of the media workroom, the hospitality area, the staging area, and of course the facility itself quickly remind you that you aren’t in the HTC Center anymore. Watching the team practice in high spirits while Marv Albert and other notables looked on was really cool.

This was me at the shoot around at the CenturyLink Center on Thursday night.

This was me at the shoot around at the CenturyLink Center on Thursday night.

Second, the game night experience itself was awesome as well. Once again, the prominence of the tournament hits you when you have schools like Oregon and Oklahoma State playing right before you. You feel like you have really made it when Barry Alvarez walks right by. You know your school is center stage when at halftime the TBS feed is displayed on the video board and Charles Barkley is talking about Coastal Carolina. Add that with a full arena with countless staff members/tournament officials in suits walking around and you can’t help but feel the pageantry.

Me on the court moments before Coastal and Wisconsin tipped off.

Me on the court moments before Coastal and Wisconsin tipped off.

Our men’s basketball team represented our university gallantly on the huge stage. The Chants played Wisconsin tough and registered the slimmest margin of defeat in the tournament between  #1 vs. #16 teams. The Badgers just had too much size. When the buzzer sounded, our student-athletes had nothing to hang their heads about.

Badou Diagne goes up against Wisconsin's big stud, Frank Kaminsky.

Badou Diagne goes up against Wisconsin’s big stud, Frank Kaminsky.

Our other students who came along on the trip didn’t either. The pep band, cheer squad, and dance team did a fantastic job at the game and conducted themselves with class the whole time in Omaha. It is really cool to observe them as well and see how much fun they have. They did a lot to earn their way on such a special journey so it is gratifying to see them enjoy it.

The CCU dance team, along with the pep band and cheer squad, did a great job representing Coastal.

The CCU dance team, along with the pep band and cheer squad, did a great job representing Coastal.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention one final aspect that makes an NCAA Tournament trip so memorable…the relationships made. In addition to the ones I already knew, I got to meet and hang out with more staff members from the athletic department, many around my age. To talk with them and have fun with them was a great opportunity for me to connect with other young professionals who share the same interests as me.

Many thanks to Athletic Director Matt Hogue for allowing me to go on the trip. He understands the importance of having someone who specializes in social media covering such a major event. I brought back a lot of memories from Omaha and will always look back on this trip very fondly. Don’t Blink.