Like most everything else, the Motor City Comic Con was cancelled this year. A yearly staple on my convention list, I am hoping things settle down so MCCC can return in May 2021.
Oddly, I went all the way to Novi, MI for the MCCC and met actor Donald Gibb, only to see him at my health club a fwew weeks later. Of course, I did not recognize him, but my friend Jim did. We approached him and talked a bit, but I did not bother him for a picture there on his personal time. I did mention meeting him at MCCC, not expecting him to remember, because fo all of the people he meets.
Gibb had small roles in Stripes and Conan the Barbarian, before landing his most notable role in Revenge of the Nerds. Gibb embraced that role and even marketed Ogre Beer, although I am unsure if it still exists.
Gibb was just as pleasant at the health club as he was at MCCC. We didn't bother him too long at either place and he seemed genuinely appreciative of his fans.
Nothing has been announced yet for MCCC 2021, but I am hoping for the May return. Until then, go to MotorCityComicCon.com for more info and follow MCCC on Facebook for more frequent updates.
Donald Gibb, Cuzz Gekas and me in Novi, MI-May 2018.
Monday, I had the pleasure of doing a virtual interview with pro golfer Brittany Fan. In this fun interview, Fan talked about everything from her golf career to favorite destinations to mangoes..
Born in Hawaii 25 years ago yesterday, Fan says she started late in golf. Despite that “late” start, Fan quickly excelled. Fan was victorious in the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association Match Play and the Makalei Invitational Ladies Championship before she headed to the University of Colorado where she put her name all over the school's record books.
Only the second CU women's golfer from Hawaii, Fan stated she chose CU for the coaching staff’s experience and passion for the game. She spoke in more detail about choosing CU in the interview. I joked with her about leaving the beautiful weather of Hawaii, but Fan was quick to point out her love of Colorado weather.
During her time at CU, Fan racked up many awards and honors. Notable achievements included:
2014-15 CU's Freshman Athlete of the Year
2014-15 WGCA Academic All-America Scholar
2015-16 Pac-12 All-Academic honorable mention
2017-18 Pac-12 All-Academic honorable mention
2017-18 honorable mention All-Pac-12
2017-18 honorable mention WGCA All-America
2017-18 team's Co-MVP Award
Fan also finished her CU career with the second best season stroke average (73.16) through all 14 events.
After graduating from CU in 2018, Fan quickly notched two pro tournament wins in 2019, her first year as a pro. Those victories occurred on the Cactus Tour, which features many first year golfers gaining valuable experience. The Cactus Tour leads to the Symetra Tour, formerly known as the LPGA Futures Tour. It is the official developmental tour of the LPGA Tour, which is the top step in women's golf and the goal of the young hopefuls.
In the interview, Fan talked about her start in golf, her golf role model, the challenges of golfing in Hawaii's conditions, her passion for Hawaii and so much more, including mangoes. In one of the funnier segments, Fan answered my question about the differences in Hawaiian mangoes versus other mangoes. I appreciate her willingness to go off topic a bit and I learned valuable info about my beloved mangoes.
I have no doubt Fan will go far in golf. She has a fantastic attitude and work ethic. I was very impressed by Fan's approach to the game and her thought process. Clearly, she is well-grounded, determined and highly focused.
I mentioned to Fan she would be a great spokesperson for the Hawaiian Tourism Authority. She's articulate, passionate and personable. These qualities would also make for a great career in media, if she so chooses down the line.
I really appreciate Fan's time and consideration in the interview. Despite technical video issues on my side, this was one of the most fun interviews I have ever done. Hopefully, Fan will allow us to interview her again sometime in 2021 to get an update.
Admittedly, I am not a golf expert, but I know enough successful elite athletes to know Fan has everything it takes to be a winner for a long time. It is going to be a lot of fun following her and watching her career progress.
On a final note, Global Women's Sports Radio and I would like to wish Fan a very happy 25th birthday!
Cards That Never Were is a recurring series in which I create virtual trading cards for players missed in various sets. It is a concept I have borrowed from far too many to list, but I appreciate all of their efforts. More of my creations and many great creations of others can be found in the Custom Baseball Cards Facebook group (and not just baseball cards). Mike Hohensee set many school records as a quarterback for the University of Minnesota and is in the school's Hall of Fame. He went on to play for the Washington Federals of the United States Football League from 1983–1984 and the Ottawa Rough Riders and Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League in 1985. In 1987, he played in two games for the Chicago Bears, while the regular NFL players were on strike. He was 28-52 with four touchdowns and one interception, while racking up 343 yards. That would be it for his NFL career. In 1987, he played for the Pittsburgh Gladiators in the Arena Football League and threw the first TD in AFL history. He played one more season with the Gladiators before retiring as a player and starting his coaching career. Hohensee had a few stops on his resume, most notably for me was his stint with the Chicago Rush. In 2006, he guided the Rush to the AFL championship. I had the pleasure of interviewing Coach Hohensee, which can be found at On the Beat With Mike Hohensee. After the Rush folded, the Iowa Barnstormers held a tryout in the Chicago area and I contacted the team about interviewing Coach Hohensee. It was a thrill of mine, since I had been a fan of his for a long time. I'm happy to say he was super nice. We've been Facebook friends for a while and when he recently posted a rare photo of himself playing with the Bears, I had to put it on a 1987 card. More specifically, I had to ask Lynn from that FB group to put it on a card, which he so graciously did. Thank you to Coach Hohensee for great memories and the interview. Thanks to Lynn for the great card.
Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.
Tony Feddeler has appeared here several times. After Tony and I crossed paths at comic cons, softball games and wrestling shows, we finally decided we might as well become friends. Actually, I am not sure where I first met Tony, but we did become friends and have hung out at many of those events ever since.
Tony turned me onto Joel Robinson, an American horror artist. That probably sounds more macabre than it really is. Joel creates beautiful art featuring horror film icons like Freddy Krueger, Elvira and Chucky, but you'' also see creations like Edward Scissorhands in his portfolio.
I always make it a point to stop by Joel's booth at any con. He always has new stuff to see and old stuff that still amazes me. Joel is extremely talented and very open to talk about his artwork.
Tony doesn't have any artwork, but he does own a nice Seattle Seahawks collection. Ever surly, he's nowhere near as fan friendly as Joel though. Seriously, Tony is one of the nicest, funniest people around and I am glad to call him a friend.
This is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys. Because it's cold in Chicago, I'm featuring some California celebs.
Actress, comedian and writer Ellie Kemper was born in Kansas City, MO. Kemper is probably best known for her role on The Office, a show which I never watched, making me one of the few it seems. When Kemper sang the National Anthem at a Los Angeles Rams game, she wore the #16 jersey to earn her Celebrity Jersey Card. Danny Amendola wore it most recently, while Ron Jaworski wore it years ago. Also, Warren Beatty wore it in Heaven Can Wait.
Correction: As pointed out in the comments, this is most likely a Jared Goff jersey. How did I miss that?
Faithful reader and contributor Brian suggested a Celebrity Jersey Card for actress Lindsay Ridgeway. Perhaps best known for her role on Boy Meets World, Ridgeway also originated the role of Tina Denmark in the Los Angeles cast of Ruthless! The Musical. An accomplished singer, Ridgeway has performed the National Anthem several times for the the Kings and Angels. Ridgeway's Celebrity Jersey Card comes from her appearance at a San Francisco 49ers game, however. The #1 doesn't have a rich history with the 49ers, but is currently worn by Shawn Poindexter.
Cards That Never Were is a recurring series in which I create virtual trading cards for players missed in various sets. It is a concept I have borrowed from far too many to list, but I appreciate all of their efforts. Other creations of mine and many others can be found in the Custom Baseball Cards Facebook group (which is not just baseball cards, despite the name).
Jim O'Brien played his college ball at Cincinnati, before being selected by the Baltimore Colts in the 3rd round of the 1970 NFL draft. O'Brien kicked the winning field goal in Super Bowl V in January 1971. Because of that kick, NFL Films named him the #9 "One-Hit Wonder" of all time. O'Brien played three seasons for the Colts, before finishing his career with the Detroit Lions in 1973. All told, he hit 60 of 108 field goals (55.6%) in his career. He also caught 14 passes for 305 yards and two touchdowns.
For his efforts, Topps gave O'Brien cards in sets from 1972-'74. I filled in the gap with his rookie card, which features his big moment.
Lisa Marie Varon has been a body builder, fitness competitor, restaurant owner, wrestler and more. Recently, she added podcaster to her impressive resume.
Varon has teamed with SoCal Val and Mickie James to produce GAW TV (Grown A** Women TV). Lest you think it is all wrestling, the ladies discuss all aspects of life and have guests from many fields. It is as entertaining as the ladies were in their wrestling careers.
With no disrespect to the others, Varon is special to me. I was a regular diner at her restaurant in Chicago many years ago. I have met and interviewed her several times. She has put me in a few wrestling holds along the way. No matter the place or occasion, she is always such a sweetheart.
Flashback Weekend is postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic. While I won't have fun there this year, I recall some of the great folks I have met there in the past.
Brad Dourif made his big screen debut in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. He also appeared in Blue Velvet, one of my favorites. He got my attention when he appeared as Charles Lee Ray/Chucky in Child's Play.
I loved Child's Play and its sequel. I thought it was such a unique concept and i loved Brad's voice as Chucky.
Brad has remained busy on television and the big screen He even co-starred in Body Parts,another favorite cult classic. He also did voice work in a few video games.
I was very excited to meet Brad at Flashback Weekend. I always feel for celeb guests like Brad, who are known for voice work. Everyone wanted him to do the Chucky voice. It has to get tiring, even though it has made him lots of money. Brad handles it all well though. He embraces the role and is great to fans.
Brad's daughter Fiona actually co-starred inCurse of Chucky. The film takes place 25 years after the events of the first film, as Chucky torments Nica Pierce (Fiona). I later had the pleasure of meeting Fiona, but I have yet to meet them together.
Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.
Ty Wasilk is another friend I met through the world of pro wrestling. He is a devoted and passionate fan and has met hundreds of wrestlers.
He seems to have a special knack for meeting the beautiful women of wrestling. I think his favorite is Charlotte Flair, daughter of the legendary Ric Flair and a multi-time champ in the WWE. He also likes Bayley and Sasha Banks and Trish Stratus and pretty much every other woman wrestler.
Ty met Becky Lynch about a year after she made her WWE main roster debut. She has since gone on to win a women's title four times and was the 2018 and 2019 Female Superstar or the Year.
I wonder if Ty takes credit for her ascension to greatness? He actually should. That could pave the way for better meetings with other female supestars, not that Ty needs the help. He is doing quite well on his own.
Becky Lynch and Ty Wasilk in Chicago, IL-August 2016.
Two days after upsetting No. 9 Kentucky, DePaul faced a Georgetown team playing their first game of the season. DePaul came away with a 72-54 victory, but it wasn't quite an easy win.
The Blue Demons were basically in control the entire game. DePaul led for 37:21 of the game,while Georgetown only held a lead for 1:28. Georgetown's biggest lead was 2 points, midway through the second quarter.
DePaul led 21-18 after the first quarter and stretched it to 39-31 at halftime. Georgetown started hot in the third quarter, scoring the first five points, but DePaul bounced back with a 10 point run and led 57-40 at the end of the third. A 15-14 DePaul fourth quarter secured the DePaul win.
Dee Bekelja was the star for DePaul, reaching a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds. She also added two assists, four steals and a blocked shot to her stats line.
Lexi Held was next with 16 points, while Deja Church and Sonya Morris added 10 each. Darrione Rogers (7), Jolene Daninger (4), Kendall Holmes (3) and Nadege Jean (3) also got in the scoring column. Coach Doug Bruno was able to give his bench valuable playing time, with four reserves seeing double digit minutes.
Yasmin Ott led Georgetown with 18 points. Kelsey Ransom had 14 points. Five other players had single digit point totals.
Despite the large amount of minutes DePaul's bench played, they were outscored 14-10 by Georgetown's reserves. DePaul had the edge in points in the paint (26-20), second chance points (9-3) and fast break points (28-16).
Another notable stat saw DePaul forcing a season high 32 turnovers against Georgetown. DePaul has forced 23 or more turnovers in every game so far.
DePaul now stands at 4-2, with a three game winning streak. Their next game, is their first Big East road game. DePaul travels to Creighton for a Tuesday night battle, which will be televised nationally on FS1.
Today is another Gekas brother birthday. This time, brother Jim gets the birthday treatment.
I actually originally crossed paths with Jim back during our days at DePaul. I didn't know Jim then, though. I officially met Jim after his brother Chuck started at Lerner Newspapers. No matter the origin, Jim has become a great friend.
Oh sure, he might drive me crazy with his lack of punctuality, but if that is a person's biggest fault, it's a good life. Perpetual lateness aside, Jim is a great friend. (Editor note: Jim isn't always late and has gotten better, but I don't mind reminding him to prevent a backslide.)
Of course, Jim can always fire back with the history of me somehow causing him pain, like spilling a hot coffee on his lap or other such instances. Fortunately, we are both too mature to really get that petty.
Jim and I have had a lot of adventures with the Boys of Summer, the Michigan football trips and other shenanigans.
He never ceases to amuse me with his somewhat distorted view of his favorite sports teams and players. For a person who knows so much about sports, Jim can sometimes view things through extremely rosey glasses, but that's part of Jim's charm.
We used to meet often for lunch, but the pandemic stopped that. Hopefully soon, we shall resume our lunch gab sessions.
For now, I will settle for raising a virtual toast to my dear friend. Happy birthday, Jimmy!
Chuck and Jim Gekas in Niagara Falls, NY-July 2014.
This is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys.
Today, I am breaking form and only featuring one card. Sarah Fuller deserves the entire spotlight.
Sarah is the starting goal keeper for the Vanderbilt soccer team. When COVID struck the Vanderbilt football team, a kicker was needed. The Vanderbilt coach reached out to Fuller to fill the void.
Fuller made history when she kicked off to start the second half of the next game. That was the only kicking opportunity, as Vanderbilt was shutout. The next week, Fuller was kicking again and connected on an extra point, along with handlng the kickoff duties.
I wrote more in depth about Fuller's march into history at But They're Girls for Global Women's Sports Radio. At the time of that story, she had only kicked off. My point was it was still a small step in the right direction. Small steps by women lead to larger steps in the future.
Most people liked the piece and my angle. Some did not. Some immediately mocked her short kickoff. Others questioned what would happen if she got crushed by a defender. Still others said it was nothing more than a publicity stunt.
While her first kickoff was a bit short, perhaps we could cut her slack based on the pressure and the fact it was her first time ever in a men's NCAA football game. She didn't whiff or muff it. It was just a bit short. I'm quite sure she is capable of kicking it farther. In fact, it is said that she kicked 50 yard field goals in practice.
As far as her being tackled, most kickers would have a hard time absorbing a bone-crushing tackle, but how often does that even come into play? If that is the biggest concern, there should be no problem.
Was it a publicity stunt? Was Ann Meyers trying out with the Indiana Pacers a publicity stunt? Was the tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs a publicity stunt? Maybe. Probably. Yet still, many years later, we remember those incidents.
Maybe a "publicity stunt" like this will have a similar longer term impact. Maybe some young girl out there watching thinks differently about her own future. Maybe the next young woman who has ability can get a shot at whatever.
Will a woman ever play middle linebacker in the NFL? That is doubtful, but 50 years ago, people would have said that about a female goalie, and yet there came Manon Rheaume. Also, with the increasing concerns over concussions in the NFL, who knows what rule changes will occur. In 50 years, we might not even recognize the game.
In the end, all that really matters is Fuller stepped up and did something no other woman ever did. If it ends right there, it is still an accomplishment. Sometimes, we don't need to look for the next step. In the end, we should just applaud Fuller and the Vanderbilt program.
The Tennessee Titans honored Fuller and we should all follow suit. I am doing my small part in giving Fuller a Celebrity Jersey Card.
Cards That Never Were is a recurring series in which I create virtual trading cards for players missed in various sets. It is a concept have borrowed from far too many to list, but I appreciate all of their efforts.
After a great carer at the University of Texas, running back Jim Bertelsen was selected in the second round of the 1972 NFL Draft, thirtieth overall, by the Los Angeles Rams. He went in to play five seasons for the Rams, gaining rushing 2,466 yards (for a 4.0 average) and scoring 16 touchdowns.
For his efforts, Topps gave Bertelsen cards in their sets from 1974 through 1976. Since he was missing a 1973 rookie card and a '77 career capper card, I filled in those gaps.
Today I celebrate the birthday of my brother-in-law Dave. I'd reveal his age, but actors always shave off a few years anyway.
Who would have thought Dave would be a thespian? Okay, he's not been the lead actor in any of the productions, but who knows what might happen in the future? Dave somehow finds ways to bypass the normal red tape.
Acting aside, I really appreciate Dave. He's been a supporter and friend, along with being Nancy's husband for all of the years. He's helped me many times and I know he's always there.
Oh sure, I might poke him about his love of Domino's pizza, but it's only in fun and he has fun with it, usually turning it on me at some point anyway. I'll never admit Domino's is great pizza and Dave will never admit it isn't a favorite of his. The long-running bit will probably last our lives/
Happy birthday, Dave. If I was there, I would even share a Domino's pizza with you, but only because it's your birthday. I still say it's only one small step above a frozen pizza. Haha!
Dave and his acting brethren in Chicago, IL-Summer 2019.
Facing their third top ten opponent in this young season, the DePaul Blue Demons women's basketball team battled Kentucky and came away with an 86-82 win. The victory over No. 9/9 Kentucky wasn't a major surprise, but it was an upset for the No. 23/24 Blue Demons.
Kentucky started strong, building an 8 point lead midway through the first quarter. That would be their biggest lead of the game. By the end of the 1st quarter, DePaul was up by one, but Kentucky came back to lead at halftime 37-35. DePaul had an 8 point scoring run in the 3rd quarter to take a 7 point lead, their biggest of the game, and finished the 3rd quarter leading 57-53. DePaul matched Kentucky in the 4th to preserve the win.
DePaul, wearing their alternate red uniforms, led for 24:25 of the game, compared to Kentucky's 12:02. Kentucky dominated second chance points 21-8, but DePaul did the same with fast break points 38-17. DePaul had a slight edge in points in the paint 50-48.
Sonya Morris led the Blue Demons with 23 points. She also had 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in a great effort.
Deja Church had 18 points, and Lexi Held, Darrione Rogers and Dee Bekelja all had 12. Kayla Caudle (5), Kendall Holmes (2) and Jean Nadege (2) rounded out the scoring.
This was a bigger win than it would seem. Kentucky brought it to the Blue Demons all game long and DePaul stayed one step ahead. DePaul's resolve was clear in this seesaw battle. They never gave in and they never let up.
It was also an interesting win for new DePaul athletic director DeWayne Peevy. The former Kentucky deputy AD watched his new team defeat his former team. Was Peevy the secret weapon? All lips were sealed, but the win probably had more to do with DePaul pounding the paint, instead of relying on 3 point shots. Still Peevy's presence added a fun wrinkle.
DePaul coach Doug Bruno reached a career milestone in notching his 725th win for the Blue Demons. The win allowed him to pass the legendary Ray Meyer as DePaul's all time winningest coach. The significance of that was not lost on Bruno, but he was quick to deflect praise, choosing to credit Meyer instead. Bruno played guard for Meyer and obviously holds him in high regard. Coach Bruno was emotional when discussing their relationship in the post game presser.
Sonya Morris and Deja Church joined Coach Bruno in the media session. In addition to discussing the game, both talked about the pros and cons of an empty arena.
DePaul is now 3-2 on the season, with a two game win streak. Their next game is Saturday, December 19 at 2 pm CST at Wintrust Arena against Georgetown. After that, DePaul faces Creighton on December 22. The rest of the schedule has yet to be announced, but is expected to be revealed soon.
Born in Louisville, KY, Jim Cornette rose to fame in wrestling, by working his way from the bottom. Starting in the wrestling business at 14, he worked as a photographer, ring announcer, timekeeper, magazine correspondent, and public relations correspondent.
Always armed with his trademark loaded tennis racket, Cornette is most noted for managing the Midnight Express in Jim Crockett Promotions and elsewhere. He did however work with many other companies, like WWE, WCCW, TNA and elsewhere.
"Corny" is certainly among the best managers of all time, and probably on the Mt. Rushmore of managers. Manager of the Heavenly bodies and multiple incarnations of the Midnight Express, Cornette managed a few others, although sometimes his stints were simply ruses to eventually turn and set up a match with another wrestler/tag team.
Cornette has had his share of controversies. I am not condoning nor judging Cornette, but he pulls no punches and is not a phony. Sometimes though, that gets him in trouble. Still, his legendary career will not be defined by a few issues, but by a lifetime of working within the wrestling industry.
Cornette started doing the convention circuit and has proven to be a popular guest. When I met him last year, he was awesome. His line moved slowly, because he spent real time with everyone and nobody complained. Often, fans would converge and just listen top his stories or his answers to questions. He is very engaging.
The DePaul Women's basketball team was back in action after an eight day layoff following a big loss to Louisville in the Jimmy V Classic. The Blue Demons started a bit slow, but finished with a big fourth quarter to take a 76-67 win over Loyola University, their cross-city rivals.
DePaul led by two after one quarter and one at the half. The Ramblers came out strong in the third quarter to lead 53-48 going into the fourth quarter. DePaul outscored Loyola 29-14 in the final quarter to secure the win.
DePaul's late explosion started at the five minute mark of the fourth quarter. A 15-0 run propelled DePaul to the lead and they never looked back. Sonya Morris) 12 points) and Lexi Held (11 points) were the main sparks of the DePaul comeback, scoring 23 of the team’s 29 points in the fourth quarter.
Morris led all scorers with 26 points. She also added six rebounds. Held had 17 points and Deja Church contributed 15. Only three other Blue Demons got in the scoring column. Dee Bekelja had 8, Darrione Rogers tallied 7 and Kendall Holmes had 3.
For Loyola, Maya Chandler scored 14 to lead the Ramblers. Allison Day with 11 and Ellie Rice with 10 were next, as nine Ramblers scored in the game.
On a personal note, it was cool to see second year guard Sam Galanopolous play. She scored five points with four assists in 32 minutes of play. I am a longtime friend of her family and I had never seen her play at the collegiate level.
DePaul managed to take the win, despite shooting just 36 percent overall, including 18.9 percent from three point territory. DePaul coach Doug Bruno discussed this in the post-game presser, stating good teams find ways to win. DePaul did just that. DePaul won its fifth in a row against the Ramblers in this “Red Line Rivalry” and the 26th in the last 27 games.
In the presser, Coach Bruno, Held and Morris talked about the game, in addition to the long layoff, the uncertainty of the schedule, practices and the city rivalries. All looked forward to the challenge awaiting them Wednesday in the form of Kentucky.
DePaul now stands at 2-2. DePaul's next game is against #9 Kentucky on Wednesday, December 16, at 2 pm CST at Wintrust Arena. This will be DePaul's third game against teams ranked in the top ten.
Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.
Based in Indiana, Jayson Maples is a former pro wrestler and current promoter. He is the man behind Heroes and Legends Wrestling Fan Fest.
George Gray wrestled under a few different names, before adopting the "One Man Gang" moniker which would become his most popular gimmick. After s hort perioed as the OMG, Gray was signed by the WWF, who quickly changed his gimmick to Akeem the African Dream, a gimmick which probably would never make it today. Even back in the 80s, it was a questionable choice, but Gray made it work. This really speaks volumes for Gray's skills in the ring and on the mic. Few people could have pulled off that gimmick.
After a few years in the WWF, Gray went to the WCW and then to the independent wrestling scene, resurrecting his One Man Gang character. Mostly retired, Gray still makes occasional wrestling appearances, as well as meet and greet appearances.
Gray was at the Heroes and Legends Fan Fest in October. Looking at the picture below, Gray and Jayson could be the Two Man Gang tag team. Both men lost a lot of weight over the years, but both men still can look pretty imposing. Fortunately, both men are really good guys and very fan-friendly. Go to HeroesandLegendsWrestling.com to get all of the info on the great events. Also, follow Heroes and Legends on Facebook for more frequent updates.
Jayson Maples and George Gray in Fort Wayne, IN-October 2019.
This is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys. Today, for no specific reason, I am saluting Cincinnati..
Born in Houston, Texas, Beyonce Knowles has achieved great success with Destiny's Child and as a solo performer. Beyonce has added acting, fashion designing and more to her resume. Beyonce made a fasion statement by wearing a Cincinnati Bengals #9 jersey as a dress, thus earning her a Celebrity Jersey Card. The #9 was most notably worn by former QB Carson Palmer.
Connecticut native Camille Kostek is a model, actress and host. She graced the cover of the Sports Illustrated 2019 Swimsuit Issue. She has been involved with NFL player Rob Gronkowski, but their dating status is uncertain at the moment. Kostek wore an Devon Still #75 Cincinnati Bengals jersey in support for the former player who's daughter was diagnosed with cancer. Thankfully, Leah Still battled the disease and remains cancer-free.
Cards That Never Were is a recurring series in which I create virtual trading cards for players missed in various sets. It is a concept I have borrowed from far too many to list, but I appreciate all of their efforts. More of my creations and many great creations of others can be found in the Custom Baseball Cards Facebook group (and not just baseball cards).
Running back John Brockington starred at Ohio State, before being selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 1st round of the 1971 NFL draft. Brockington played a little over six seasons with the Pack, before joining the Kansas City Chiefs for the final 10 games of the 1977 season.
All told, he played 95 games, rushing for 5,185 yards with 30 TDs. He also had 1,297 receiving yards and 4 TDs.
For his efforts, Topps gave Brockington cards in sets from 1972 through 1977. That left a 1978 "career capper" missing. I was able to find a nice pic which I think fit that set well.
This is recurring series in which I create virtual trading cards for players missed in various sets. It is a concept I borrowed from too many to list, but I appreciate all of their efforts.
Lizzy Borden is the co-owner (with Mark Hall) of Rock N Horror Apparel. Lizzy states, "We live and breathe rock and horror. Entertainment or Death."
Borden has been an actress, a wrestler, a music producer and more. She really seems to have found a niche in the apparel business. Rock N Horror Apparel is often one of the busiest booths at any comic con.
Rock N Horror Apparel has a large line of merchandise including clothes, pillows, home goods and all sorts of stuff, all adorned with some cool, horrific image. They even have a kimono!
Borden is a lot of fun at conventions. She is always willing to talk about horror or anything else really. Rock N Horror Apparel is a regular stop of mine at any con.
With Flashback Weekend postponed because of the pandemic, I am left with memories of previosu years until FB 2021. One of the most pleasant encounters I have had was with Amanda Bearse.
Probably best known for her role as Marcy Rhoades/D'Arcy on television's Married With Children, Amanda is also a favorite with the horror crowd from her role in Fright Night. Although I enjoyed Bearse's work in both of those and several other projects, I first saw her on All My Children.
At Flashback Weekend a couple years ago, I had the pleasure of talking at length with Bearse. Of course, I had to start with my appreciation for her work on AMC. She seemed surprised that I knew her from there, but at a horror con, I might have been the only one to mention that.
We talked about her directing career and her work in the LGBTQ+ community. Bearse came out as bisexual in 1993. Times were changing back then, but it still wasn't as "acceptable" as it is now. That took a lot of courage, especially considering she was on a hit sitcom at the time.
Bearse was such a delight. I love meeting and talking to celebrities like her. She has done so much and hasn't done many other conventions. It was a rare chance to meet one of my favorites from my teen years.
Check FlashbackWeekend.com for info and scheduling updates. Hopefully, we'll get the chance to have more fun at Flashback Weekend later this year.
When last I delved into absurdities, I questioned whether it would become a series. I quickly realized there are enough absurdities out there to make it a recurring series.
I could go into a rant on the missing comma. I have little tolerance for bad grammar and punctuation on permanent or massed produced consumer goods. Do they not know better before they make something?
Instead though, I will focus on the more absurd aspect. In the lower right corner, it reads "Names can be changed."
The fact that this needed to be included is a scary statement on our society. I would hope the names can be changed. What are the odds of Jack and Jane having a dog named Sophia? That market would be incredibly small.
I should probably applaud the fine folks at What's Up Dog for anticipating the absurd questions and being proactive. Still, even with that note, I am willing to bet people responded with questions about names.
It's been a rough year for all, but it's ending on a high note celebrating the birthdays of a couple great friends. Today, I feature birthday boy Chuck Gekas.
I love the picture below. It's from a pre-game press session on the field at a St. Louis Cardinals game. I am so happy to have been able to bring Chuck on the field. It's a little bit of something good I gave him after he has been there so many times for me.
Chachi has been everything to me, including a work colleague, a sounding board, a mentor, a partner in silliness and trivia and more. Words really do not encompass all that Chuck means to me.
When I first got a press pass for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2008, I immediately thought of Chuck to join me. To say we were like kids on the field is a gross understatement. We have since repeated this at several ball parks and we have never lost that little kid feeling. For me though, doing it with Chuck and giving him the experience is a big part of the fun for me.
Today, like every other year on this date, I raise a toast from afar to my great friend Chuck. Happy birthday, buddy. I hope it is the best, because you deserve it.
I first saw Princess Victoria in my early days of following professional wrestling. Princess Victoria was a Native-American wrestler in the NWA. A respectful representation of her Native American heritage, Princess Victoria was a talented young wrestler on the rise.
In those pre-internet days of the early 80s, I only knew what I read in wrestling magazines or heard on television broadcasts. I had no idea of the traumas the woman in the ring had endured. Obviously, I also had no idea of the challenges she would face during and after her wrestling career.
Fortunately soon the full story of Princess Victoria will be told in a book. Vicki Otis, the woman I saw grace the wrestling rings as Princess Victoria so many years ago and wrestling author and historian John Cosper are collaborating to publish the Vicki Otis story.
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of interviewing Vicki and John about the upcoming book, which is planned for a spring 2021 release. This interview comes a few weeks after John first announced the book partnership.
I previously had inerviewed John about this book and other books of his. He described Vicki's book as being a hard read. In all honesty, I knew Vicki had experienced some difficulties, but I never knew what she experienced until I did even more research after that interview with John.
Vicki Otis was born in Portland, Oregon. After being trained by Sandy Barr, she feuded and then teamed with fellow trainee Velvet McIntyre. Vicki won the NWA Women's Tag Team Championship with Sabrina and later won it again with McIntyre. Vicki also held the NWA Women's USA title and later the WWF Women's Tag Team championship with McIntyre.
As a singles wrestler or in a tag team, Vicki was very popular and had a bright future. Tragically, Vicki suffered a career-ending injury in September 1984.
Vicki's career was relatively short, but her impact is still felt. Vicki was a true pioneer in women's wrestling. In a time when women's wrestling was slower-paced, Vicki's energetic, lively style stood out. She forced opponents to step up their game to match her in the ring. Vicki's legacy goes well beyond her in ring career though.
Every woman wrestler after her owes Vicki a debt of gratitude. As John states in our interview, a certain wrestling league shapes the history of women's wrestling as they see fit, but the real story involves women like Vicki, who put on great matches in small and large venues all over the world, without the benefit of being part of the “Diva Revolution” or the perceived “Women's Movement.” The true women's movement started with Vicki and others who haven't received the proper recognition by some.
Fortunately, the Cauliflower Alley Club is an independent organization that can celebrate the real heroes of wrestling. In 2018, CAC presented Vicki with their prestigious Women's Wrestling award.
One would think Vicki would be bitter, but that is far from the case. Vicki lives by the motto that a bitter vet helps nobody and she will not become bitter. That's not just lip service either and her upcoming book will be written, palpable proof of that.
In our interview, Vicki passionately talked about wanting others to know they can overcome life's adversities. Vicki is revealing pain and anguish, while also showing triumph and joy. Reliving traumas, putting them on paper and having them out there forever isn't an easy task. It's heartbreaking and gut wrenching, but Vicki felt so compelled to do it for others to benefit.
In our interview, I focused on the book. Stories from her career are best left to her book for now. Once the book is out. I certainly would love to revisit Vicki and delve into some stories.
I wanted to know what drove Vicki to write the book. I wanted to know how she found the courage to write the book. I had a rare chance to speak with a true wrestling legend and I wanted to hear her explain that.
I gotexactly what I wanted. I got Vicki speaking from her heart about her attitude, her desire to inspire others, her desire for others to take hope and more. That talk from the heart is much more meaningful and valuable than anything.
I hope we will have future interviews. I was so impressed with Vicki's perspective. Of course, I was already impressed with her career and accomplishments. Now I am even more impressed with Vicki on a much more significant level.
As for John, I know he is the perfect person to help tell Vicki's story. With more than 20 books on his resume, John is knowledgeable and has a true appreciation for wrestling and wrestlers. His book on the late Chris Candido is scheduled for publishing in early 2021, to be followed by Vicki's book. Both promise to be must reads. Both will find themselves in the ever-growing John Cosper section on my book shelf.
I started this process with an average knowledge of wrestler Princess Victoria. Through things like Taeler Hendrix's piece and my interview, I have learned so much about Vicki Otis and through the upcoming book from Vicki and John, everyone will learn all about Vicki.
I thank Vicki for a lot of great memories in my early days of following pro wrestling. I thank Vicki and John for their time and consideration in the interview. I look forward to the book and to future interviews. I encourage everyone to check back here for Global Women's Sports Radio's future coverage of Vicki's book. Lastly, check EatSleepWrestle.com for news on Vicki's book and for all of the other books John has written.
Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring my friends who have met celebrities.
Tiffany Darwisch made her musical debut while still a pre-teen. She really gained fame with Could've Been, released in 1988. While her popularity rose and fell over the years, Tiffany remained active on the music scene. I am actually a fan of her 2000 Color of Silence album.
I have featured Jim Strong here several times. I first met Jim at a wrestling show many years ago. We crossed paths mny times and became friends in the process. When I heard Tiffany was performing in Schaumburg, I thought Jim would want to go and he did.
The show was at the Prairie Center for the Arts, an intiamte theater and we had front row seats. Young Ali Morgan opened for Tiffany. It seemed fitting that a teenager would set the stage for the now veteran Tiffany. Both ladies put on a great night of music.
After the show, we met Tiffany and she was as sweet as could be. The line was long, but somehow we ended up near the front.I wrote more about the night at Halloween With Tiffany for Global Traveler.
Go to TiffanyTunes.com for more info on Tiffany. Hopefully, things will return to normal next year and we can see Tiffany again!
Tiffany and Jim Strong in Schaumburg, IL-November 2019.
This is a regular series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing jerseys.
Born in Mississippi, Spencer Haywood was a star at Detroit Mercy before being selected by the Buffalo Braves in the second round (30th overall) of the 1971 NBA draft. Haywood went on to have a Hall of Fame 13 year career, including five seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics. Haywood was once married to model Iman. For his Celebrity Jersey Card, Haywood wore the #12 as a flag raiser for the Deahawks.
Illinois native Jack Sikma starred at Illinois Wesleyian University before the Seattle SuperSonics selected him in the first round (8th pick) of the 1977 NBA draft. Sikma carved out a Hall of Fame craeer, playing 14 sesons, the first nine with the Sonics. Sikma was a flag raiser for the Seahwks, earning a Celebrity Jersey Card in the process.
The DePaul Blue Demons ran into a buzzsaw in the Louisville Cardinals, falling 116-75 before an ESPN nationwide audience. Although DePaul hung close in the early stages, Louisville was in control virtually the entire game.
Louisville jumped out to a 30-26 lead at the end of the first quarter. Louisville's 14 point second quarter run broke open the game, leading to a 61-37 half time lead. A 40-17 third quarter sealed the game. Despite DePaul's fourth quarter 21-15 advantage, Louisville cruised to a relatively easy win.
Darrione Rogers led the Blue Demons with 25 points, followed by Dee Bekelja with 18 and Lexi Held with 12. Only five other Blue Demons got in the scoring column, with none reaching double digits.
Kianna Smith and Hailey Van Lith led the Cardinals with 21 points each. Three other Cardinals reached double digits and 11 total Cardinals scored.
With all due respect to Louisville on an impressive win, the victory wasn't the main story of this game. A few other aspects are my main focus.
First, I applaud Louisville Coach Jeff Walz, DePaul Coach Doug Bruno and both school's athletic departments for making this game happen. This game wasn't originally scheduled.
UConn was supposed to play Louisville in The Women's Jimmy V Classic, which annually raises money for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. When UConn had to withdraw due to COVID issues, DePaul's Coach Bruno stepped up to the challenge. Several factors had to be ironed out, but ultimately all parties involved (including the Big East and Kent State) worked together to get this done.
Ths was a perfect example off the beauty of sports. All involved saw the bigger picture and collaborated for the good of all.
Second, a special applause to Coach Bruno and the Blue Demons. Facing Louisville on any night is a daunting task. Facing them on short notice in an unscheduled game is that much harder, but Coach Bruno did not hesitate to fill the void left by UConn's sudden absence.
Next, most folks would look at a 41 point loss as a beatdown. Most teams would be down after such a thrashing. The Blue Demons aren't most teams. Coach Bruno stated very clearly in the post-game presser that this will only benefit his team. He wanted this challenge. He wanted his team to go against the best. Certainly, Coach Bruno would rather have the win against Louisville, but this was a loss in name only. DePaul will win from this in the long term.
Last and definitely not least, great things were done for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. The extra fun started on the ESPN broadcast when Ryan Ruocco and Rebecca Lobo pledged $50 for each three-pointer. Upon learning of this, Coach Bruno pledged $50 for each three-pointer and every assist for both teams. Bruno’s total contribution will come to $2,300.
The V Foundation honors former North Carolina State Coach Jimmy Valvano who courageously battled cancer before passing at the age of 47. Bruno knew Valvano and his brother Nick. In the post-game presser, Coach Bruno spoke about the Valvano family and his money pledge. Coach Bruno was happy to “lose” that $2300.
As always, Coach Bruno ended the presser by thanking reporters for covering women's basketball. It's just a class act on his part.
DePaul now stands at 1-2. Their next game is against Xavier on Sunday, December 6 at 3 pm CST at Wintrust Arena.
After a hiatus of more than a year, Resistance Pro Wrestling is returning. RPro was scheduled to return on July 25, but it has been postponed due to the health pandemic.
With Tampa as the new home of RPro, I am very happy to see RPro return and with its original name, although a bit sad that I won't be at these shows. It's a bit of a long road trip. I will be following and cheering from Chicago though!
I have met so many interesting and talented wrestlers at RPro over the years. Holidead is certainly near the top of that list.
I had heard about Holidead on the indy wrestling scene and was excited abot seeing her perform at RPro. She did not disappoint. Shortly after debuting in the Resistance, she won the Woman's title from Rachael Ellering. She held the title for 223 days before dropping it to Roni Nicole.
Holidead has achieved a lot outside of RPro. PWI ranked her #95 in the 2019 PWI Top 100 Females. She won the RWA Woman's title twice. She also won the SHINE Tag Team title and the NWA International tag team titles (with Thunder Rosa as The Twisted Sisters).
Holidead has a unique look. I always like facepaint on wrestlers. It's a throwback to some old school talent like the Road Warriors.
I don't know if Holidead will reappear in RPro, but I wouldn't bet against it. You never know. She would certainly be a welcome addition.
Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of interviewing Kerry Feirman for Global Women's Sports Radio. The multi-talented Kerry is a director, producer, actress, emcee, all around tennis whiz and much more. You can learn all about Kerry from our interview at On the Beat With Kerry Feirman.
Recently, Kerry was kind enough to send a shout out our way. We always appreciate the love our friends show us. We return the love by recommending everyone check out Kerry at TalkTennisWithKerry.com.
I have known Wizard World PR Manager Jerry Milani for several years. Pretty much everything I have done at Wizard World conventions I owe to Jerry.
I dubbed him "The Pride of Fordham" (pretty creative of me), but he could also be the Wiz World Wiz. It is no easy task handling the celebrities, attendees and press at any comic con and Wizard World is the biggest and best. Jerry will eschew credit, but he is a big part of the reason Wizard World has continued to be the standard for conventions.
This year was a big challenge for all conventions, but Wizard World once again led the pack. They were the first to do virtual conventions and have done many in the last few months, with many more scheduled.
The next scheduled virtual experiences feature Spaceballs on December 5 and Stars from Hallmark Movies on December 6. These are a chance to experience a free panel led by Jerry with the stars. There are a few add-on possibilities for small fees, including one-on-one chats and video messages. I recently wrote about a Brady Bunch panel for Global Traveler at A Very Brady Saturday.
I applaud Jerry and the fine folks at Wizard World. Of course, they are trying to continue business, but they are doing it smartly and with the fans in mind. Giving the free panel is brilliant. It's the best marketing they could do and it gives fun to fans who wouldn't ordinarily see these panels. Plus, Wizard World is getting celebrities together who might not have ben able to coordinate such live appearances otherwise. It is a complete win for all.
I hope and believe Wizard World will return to live conventions at some point in 2021, but I also believe these virtual experiences will continue. It's the best of both worlds and it is all brought to you by Wizard World.
Go to WizardWorld.com for all info and to check out the virtual experiences past and future. Also follow Wizard World on Facebook for more frequent news and updates. If you attend the virtual experience, look out for the Pride of Fordham.
When I last left the DePaul Blue Demons Women's Basketball team, I was ankle deep in confetti celebrating the Big Ten Tournament victory at Wintrrust Arena. The team, the fans and I were happy and looking forward to the NCAA Tournament. Of course, the Tournament and all else stopped shortly after that day.
Last Saturday, the Blue Demons were finally back in action. Unfortunately, they lost a tough game 93-91 to Texas A&M.
The post-game presser featured Coach Doug Bruno, along with players Deja Church, Dee Bekelja and Sonya Morris. Of course, they discussed the game, but other main topics included playing while wearing masks, the lingering pandemic situation and the long layoff.
Despite the loss, everyone just seemed so happy to actually have basketball back. As usual, Coach Bruno ended his session thanking all for covering the tam and women's sports. Coach Bruno is a class act and is genuinely appreciative of the support. He has thanked me personally several times off camera and I always appreciate him for that.
The DePaul Blue Demons bounced back from their season opening loss in grand fashion with a huge 128-66 win over Chicago State. Their first win included an all-time scoring record, among other accomplishments.
DePaul came out strong and the game was never really in doubt. The Blue Demons, who started the game with a five guard offense, came out shooting. Thanks to a 21-1 run, the Blue Demons jumped to a 24-5 lead and never looked back. The big lead allowed Coach Doug Bruno to empty his bench early in the second quarter.
Coming of the bench, freshman Kendall Holmes led all scorers with 23 points, including hitting 6 of 8 3-point attempts. Lexi Held and Sonya Morris were next with 21 points, followed by Dee Bekelja with 15, Darrione Rogers with 12 and Deja Church with 11, as six players scored in double digits. Hannah Purcell (8), Jean Nadege (8), Maya Stovall (5), and Kayla Caudle (4) also got in on the scoring binge. Only Jolene Daninger somehow did not score, despite playing more than 17 minutes.
Not surprisingly, DePaul also dominated in team stats. DePaul's biggest lead was 63 points, compared to Chicago State's early 2 point lead. DePaul led for 38:39, while Chicago State had the lead for 52 seconds. There were only three lead changes in the game.
DePaul's Friday game against Villanova was postponed, but will instead play Louisville in the prestigious Women’s Jimmy V Classic at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The game will be televised nationally at 6 pm CST on ESPN. DePaul also announced it has canceled the December 9 game at Kent State.
