"We Are Orange With Pride!"

I got this video from the boys over at "Otto's Army." At first glance, you think you are about to watch a Chessy/Dick Clark/Vanessa Williams/Any Famous SU Sportscaster Alum ladened promotions video for Syracuse University. Instead, you get a promo for being a Hooter's girl which is comic gold. I can almost take it seriously until the blonde at the 0:18 mark says, "Hooters taught me the value of serving others." Hilarity ensues.

Blinded By My Own Loyalty

I finally did my Final Four brackets. A few years ago, based on my boy Matt Troha, I decided to only fill out one bracket and use that in all my pools. I know, I know, it limits my changes -- but I want to win big or not win at all.

This year, I went with my heart and my Orange. AO or not, I think they have what it takes. I based my FF on the "Melo Theory." Basically, what team has the best stud with a really, really, really ridiculously good supporting cast -- just like Carmelo et. al in '03. With that being said, my picks:

- Ohio State (Turner is a beast)

- Kentucky (Ditto for Wall)

- Nova (Scottie has something to prove after a poor regular season finish -- plus their bracket sucks)

- Syracuse (All-America and Big East POY Wes!)

Final: Syracuse over Kentucky 81-78. NB Ever since 2003, I always use 81-78 as my score. Sappy, but I don't care.

PS -- Follow Otto's Army if you aren't already.

Obama Displays Class to the Graduating Class of 09

President Obama gave the commencement address at Arizona State yesterday.  

{Quick side note/bragging: It so awesome to have a President (sitting or former) give your graduation speech.  Here's an article about President Clinton's speech at my Syracuse graduation in 2003 :)}

Back to Obama.  For those who don't remember, there's been a bunch of hoopla over this ASU speech since the university decided not to give the President an honorary degree.  Fats forward to the speech, Mr. Obama -- not surprising at all -- took the high road when he addressed the university's decision: 

"In all seriousness, I come here not to dispute the suggestion that I haven't yet achieved enough in my life. I come to embrace it; to heartily concur; to affirm that one's title, even a title like President, says very little about how well one's life has been led - and that no matter how much you've done, or how successful you've been, there's always more to do, more to learn, more to achieve."

I cannot imagine any other President in recent history admitting that having the title of "Most Powerful Person in the Free-World" says a little about how well they've led their life.  Is there any one on this planet with more humility than this guy?  He's amazing. 

Another great excerpt from his speech: 

"Many of our current challenges are unprecedented. There are no standard remedies, or go-to fixes this time around.

That is why we are going to need your help. We'll need young people like you to step up. We need your daring and your enthusiasm and your energy.

And let me be clear, when I say "young," I'm not just referring to the date on your birth certificate. I'm talking about an approach to life - a quality of mind and heart.

A willingness to follow your passions, regardless of whether they lead to fortune and fame. A willingness to question conventional wisdom and rethink the old dogmas. A lack of regard for all the traditional markers of status and prestige - and a commitment instead to doing what is meaningful to you, what helps others, what makes a difference in this world."

The full speech can be found here.