Sports Talk “60″

Chip and I started our 2008 hockey quest by hitting tonight’s game. There are many perks available to the media, free parking, media access to the players, catered food and press box seating are some of them. Of course you also have to do the reporting, show or column. Last night at the Joe would have to be noted as one of the best outings Sports Talk 60 has taken. I am not trying to knock the Lions or Tigers, but the PR people of the Wings are first rate. Everyone from Lisa , our arena media contact, to the parking lot attendant made our night thoroughly enjoyable .

Wandering around underground prior to the game we came across Karen Newman. For those of you who don’t know, she sings the national anthem at every home game. Talk about courteous and classy, she is all that. Ms.Newman took time to talk to us and pose for a picture which we will soon post.

We made our way from the media room to the press box by following Jeff Riger, another sportscaster. Jeff has been more than helpful to Chip and me. Winding through hallways, shortcuts and a stairway or two we finally arrived at the pressbox. My job is to report and talk about the game, but I actually had a better time talking to the fans in the section where the press box was. In the second period we sat down in front of a family from Westland. This section was filled with die hard Wings fan who were yelling, shouting for the home team, booing the refs and the Vancouver team; doing things that hometown fans should be doing.

Then there was Caden. This little guy of maybe 5 or 6 who was cheering his team on, dancing in his seat and totally awestruck with what he was seeing. It makes one forget about the price of the tickets, hot dog, gasoline, and the troubles we are having with the economy. Caden probably didn’t even know he was talking to two sport show guys from radio. He could care less, because he had a hockey game going on. My day had been pretty stressful, but after watching Caden and talking to him, I felt like I was five again. I was at a hockey game and the troubles of the world were not something to worry about (of course it was back to reality when I hit the expressway), but for that 2nd period I was carefree and soaring with my fantasies. Thanks Caden!