FGCU 's Azul

While in Florida visiting my sister Jean, we saw the Loyola women's basketball team was playing an NIT game in the area. My last night there unexpectedly became a night of cheering for the Ramblers.

The big question was if the Ramblers would have their mascot LU Wolf at the game. If he was there, I would find a way to get a picture. Unfortunately, he was not there.

Florida Gulf Coast University, their opponent, was playing in their home arena. Naturally, their mascot was there. Call me a turncoat, I had to get a picture with him. I do not apologize for my fascination with mascots.

.FGCU's mascot is Azul the Eagle. Introduced in 2001, Azul is named after the school's colors (cobalt blue and emerald green). That's an odd connection. Azul is a multi-time winner of the ASUN Conference Most Valuable Mascot Award. Azul wears jersey No. 23 and leads the "Dirty Birds" student cheering section. "Wings Up" is the official, popular cheer of fans and the Azul.

I was automatically on a mission to get a selfie with the mascot, but he made it easy for me by coming into the stands. Jean became an unintentional photo bomber in my picture, but she is a good sport about it.

I do have to comment on his costume though. While his head was fine, his upper body was okay and his lower body was basically green sweatpants. Call me a mascot snob, I expect a bit more from mascots. FGCU needs to step up their game a bit. Still, I appreciate adding Azul to my collection.

and me in Fort Myers, FL-March 2026.

Dirk Manning at C2E2 2023

This year was a rarity for me. I missed Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo, but creator Dirk Manning made it.

I have been a fan of Dirk's for many years. I think I first met him more than a decade ago at the Motor City Comic Con. I have seen him and interviewed him many times since then.

Dirk is often listed as a comic book writer, but he is so much more. Dirk has created several comics, but he also created graphic biographies for wrestler Arn Anderson and announcer Tony Schiavone. In addition to comics, Dirk is the author of the how-to column turned book series Write or Wrong: A Writer’s Guide.

As engaging as he is talented, Dirk is always a popular guest at any comic con. He always makes time for me at cons though and I appreciate that immensely. If you are at a convention, stop by his booth and feel free to give him advice on great ice cream wherever you are. He is an ice cream aficianado.

For more info on Dirk, go to dirkmaning.com. Also, check here for my recurring updates on him.

Dirk Manning and me in Chicago, IL-March 2023.

Stevie Ray at Squared Circle Expo VI

Squared Circle Expo VI was another amazing event. SCX continues to raise the bar for great conventions and not just wrestling cons. SCX is among the best of any convention.

One of the many guests Tony and I wanted to meet was Stevie Ray. Laslon Steven Huffman is the older brother of Booker T, with whom he formed the great Harlem Heat tag team. Together they won the WCW tag tiles 10 times. Stevie Ray also had some success outside of WCW, but it was there which really put him and Booker T into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2019.

Obviously, we knew he was a big man (billed as 6'5" and 292), somehow he seemed even bogger. The man is 68 and his is almost as thick as Tony and me together. His arms are huge, too.

One thing that makes these encounters special is when the celebrity is into it and Stevie Ray was. He was very engaging and seemed delighted to meet so many fans. He initiated extra conversation with us, which is always welcome.

This also speaks to the folks who run SCX. While Stevie Ray went above and beyond, I have never had anything near a bad encounter at SCX. The promoters to a great job with bringing in the right people. So kudos to Steve and to the SCX folks.

For more info on SCX, go to squaredcirclex.com. I am already looking forward to next year!

Stevie Ray, Tony and me in Indianapolis, IN-March 2026.

Friend Encounters: Weird Al Yankovic and Troy G.

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Once again I present my media pal Troy at the Big Slick Charity Celebrity Softball Weekend. Troy covers and participates in it and I cover Troy.

Weird Al Yankovic was one of the many celebs who were in Kansas City. Yankovic is such a talented person. Many years and hundreds of parody songs into his career, he is still going strong. Unfortunately, there is no box score to see how he did at the game, but outcomes don't matter, because it's all about raising money. 

The brainchild of Rob Riggle, Paul Rudd and Jason Sudeikis, Big Slick debuted in 2010. It has raised $21 million for Children's Mercy.

I saw so many other celebs with Troy. I really am envious. I also hope to be there some year.

Go to The Geary Stein & Stevens Show to be entertained. Also, check bigslickkc.org for more info on that great event and organization.

Troy and Al Yankovic in Kansas City, MO-May 2024.

Celebrity Jersey Cards #794: Pepper Burruss & Joel Kopischke

Celebrity Jersey Cards is a weekly series in which I create virtual trading cards for celebrities wearing sports jerseys. Today, I continue my season-long alphabetical journey through all Major League Baseball teams with two longtime Wisconsin staples.

Pepper Burruss was recognized as a Pro Football Hall of Fame Award of Excellence recipient last year. He is one of only 14 NFL athletic trainers to be so honored. His 42-year career started with the New York Jets, but he spent 26 years with the Green Bay Packers, retiring after the 2019 season. The Milwaukee Brewers had Burruss toss a ceremonial pitch, which landed him on a Celebrity Jersey Card.

Entertainer Joel Kopischke has been on stage for most of his life. He is known for song parodies, jingles and wide variety of singing styles. He has done jingles for McDonald's, Visa, Kohl's and many other well-known companies. Kopischke earned his Celebrity Jersey Card by entertaining fans at a Brewers game.

Cards That Never Were: Lamar Johnson Topps 1975

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 borrow from far too many to list, but I appreciate all of their efforts.

First baseman Lamar Johnson was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 3rd round of the 1968 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 1974 playing a few games in September after playing most of the year in AAA. After playing most of 1975 in AAA, he was up for good in 1976. He was part of several platoons at first base through the 1981 season, usually playing the most games. He became a free agent and signed with the Texas Rangers before the 1982 season, but was released before the 1983 season to end his MLB career. For his career, Johnson played in 792 games, hitting .287 with 64 HRs, 381 RBIs and 294 run scored.

Topps gave Johnson cards in sets 1976-'83. That left a 1975 card missing. His 1976 card was a multi-player rookie card, which I previously made into a solo card. Now his full run is complete.

Introducing Katerina Mrazova of the PWHL

Born in Czechoslovakia, Kateřina Mrázová plays for the Ottawa Charge of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). She is also a member of the Czech Republic women's national ice hockey team.

In international play, Mrázová has represented the Czech Republic since 2008. She has also played for several other leagues since 2012. She joined the Ottawa Charge for their first season in 2023. In 62 games with the Charge, she has 10 goals and 33 points.

The Charge were in Rosemont, Illinois as part of the PWHL neutral sites Takeover Tour. It's basically an attempt to raise awareness of the league and possibly test for future expansion. After the second Takeover Tour game here, the thought is Chicago has a legit shot at getting a team next season.

I might have been the oldest fan in line to meet the players, but they were all very nice as I expressed my respect and support for the players and league.

Currently there are eight teams in the PWHL. I don't know if any expansion if officially planned for next season, but it's only a matter of time before more teams are added, especially if the league continues to draw as many fans as it has.

For more info on the league, go to thepwhl.com. Also, check back here for my coverage.

Katerina Mrazova and me in Rosemont, IL-December 2025.

Athletes Unlimited Volleyball: Willow Johnson

 As regular readers know, I have always been fascinated by sports families, particularly multi-generations and multi-spots. Today's feature fits all of thos categories.

Willow Johnson is a star volleyball player and the daughter of Major League Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson. I had heard of Willow a while back, but being she plays for the University of Oregon, I didn't get any chances to watch her games. That changed earlier this year with Athletes Unlimited debuting a volleyball league.

Like her father Randy, Willow, at 6'3", is a tall lefty. At Oregon, she finished ninth in program history with a .272 hitting percentage. She had 1,011 kills and 1,165 career points. In AU competition, Willow was of to a solid start, but got injured.

On a selfish side, I was happy to have gotten a chance to speak to Willow prior to her injury. She had a great game and was part of the post-game media session. I asked Willow about advice from her famous father. Willow responded that her father has helped her with generalities, but his expertise isn't volleyball, so he didn't get into specific stuff. Willow's entire media session is at On the Beat With AU Volleyball 2021 Week 2.

I never had the chance to interview Randy, but I have added Willow to my list of interview subjects. I hope to talk to her sometime in the future..

For more info on all of AU sports, go to AUProSports.com. Follow Willow on social media to get updates on her career and life (and maybe Randy, too).

Willow Johnson and me-March 2021.

Scott Romer Shout Out

After our recent interview at Squared Circle Expo VI, ace photographer Scott Romer gave a shout out to Johngy's Beat. We appreciate Scott's consideration.

In turn, I highly recommend his book, When It Was: My Life on Both Sides of the Camera. It's a great book full of stories and pictures from Scott's many years covering wrestling. If you missed our interview, look back to early April when it ran here.

Friend Encounters: David Cone and Jerry

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Look at my bud Jerry all spiffed up. I used to see Jerry in a cape.

I have known Jerry for many years. He was my first main contact at Wizard World (now Fan Expo). He was awesome, not only because he facilitated so many great interviews for me, but because he was just a good guy. I always looked forward to catching up with Jerry every year at Wizard World.

Unfortunately, things changed a bit when Fan Expo took over Wizard World. While much of the convention stayed the same, the PR person situation changed. Jerry hasn't been back to Fan Expo Chicago, although he still is a part of the organization.

One of the fun parts of "The Pride of Fordham" is he often wore a cape for fun. Jerry has the right balance of professionalism and fun. He is the standard for PR guys and I appreciate all he did for me.

A noted baseball fan, it is fitting I feature him meeting a baseball pitcher. David Cone had an excellent career, including a perfect game. Some would say he deserves an induction into the Hall of Fame. I say he is close, but I am all for a small HOF. I think he falls a bit short. His record of 194-126 is impressive, but despite the modern view of stats, I don't vote for a pitcher in that era with less than 200 wins.

Jerry, on the other hand, is a Hall of Famer in my book. If there is ever a comic con HOF or a PR HOF, Jerry i a first ballot lock!

David Cone and Jerry in New Rochelle, NY-December 2012.