2AM thoughts on Robin Williams, Ferguson....There's a lot, here is a snapshot

I find myself awake tonight for multiple reasons. I watched half of World's Greatest Dad (interrupted by a call on the duty phone, and not an uplifting movie especially considering recent events) and when I got back my wife was half asleep. Robin Williams was (and still is) an inspiration to me, and that has been said many times. As a child of divorce, Mrs. Doubtfire really hit home for me. Looking back, it still does....I wish my father cared abut me the way the father was portrayed in the movie. It was him (along with a few others) that made me want to be funny. Not necessarily stand-up or acting, but someone who can make people laugh and bring them joy. He made me want to be a genuinely good person, one someone can go to for help, or one that will help someone without being asked. There have been many celebrity deaths in my lifetime, but this one seems to have a bigger impact on me. It makes me want to be a better husband, friend, family member and student affairs professional. It makes me want to listen well and have good conversations. It makes me want to challenge and educate myself as well as others. It makes me want to be better.

With these thoughts in my head I couldn't sleep so I started just going link to link on my phone, the way we all know how to do. I went from Robin Williams, to John Belushi, to Chris Farley, to ALS and then to Twitter. Twitter is where it seemed everyone was talking about the events that are happening in Ferguson right now.  I find myself in kind of a dark place, the type of place where I am thinking about death, the issues in the world. Mind you I am happy with where I am not, I am happily married, I am 2.5 weeks into a great job, things are going well. However, I think sometimes, we can all get to a place where we are thinking about things like this.

In order to not disturb my wife, I moved out to the living room and started reading through the tweets about Ferguson to get a handle on what is going on. Mostly, for me anyways, what I am reading is very informative. From the protests to the arrests of journalists for just trying to cover the story. It is truly horrible  what is happening there. People are getting hurt and arrested. Officers are in full combat gear as if going into a war zone, and looking at the pictures that is exactly what it has turned into. Unfortunately some of the tweets have been....rather tasteless. Blaming what has happened on Obama being elected (and this being the sole reason mind you), that the people of this town are animals, and the cops have every right to do what they are doing.

I used to be that naive...I really did. I thought that the people in power could do no wrong and that no matter what it was always the fault of the people going against those in power. Let's get something straight here...there are great cops who do a great job, there are bad cops who are dirty. We have white people who are trying to make a change and understand the world and then there are those who are overtly racist. There are good people in this world and there are bad people in this world. Let's make one thing clear though....Racism is still a huge issue in this country. Anyone who denies it is either oblivious or just choose not to pay attention. Regardless of how this turns out in Ferguson, whomever is responsible, we still have a huge issue. I am trying to wait until all the details to come out before rushing to judgment, but eye witness accounts and other reports are hard to turn a blind eye to. Reporters being arrested for no clear reason is hard to ignore.

One thing is for sure, we are not equal. From what I have seen not only today but in my lifetime, we are still a while away. I am straight, white, male and I am privileged. It is safe to assume that if I don't get a job, it is because I wasn't qualified or not a right fit, not because of my gender or sexual orientation. If I get arrested or pulled over, it was because I was committing a crime, not because of my race. If I am ever unemployed, odds are that people won't think I am lazy or mooching of the government, people will think that I have fallen on hard times and will reach out to me for help.

What can I do? I am just a 25 year old student affairs professional. I know what I can do...I can talk. I can have conversations about this. And hope that I am educating others and building for a better tomorrow. Sit down, talk, listen and learn. That is how we will grow and become equal

A Week Late and a Dollar Short: The End of the Boston Bruins Playoff Run

The title of the blog is both about being late with this writing but also because the Bruins always started slow this series and only could dig themselves out of the holes twice. I am sorry that this blog is so late. It seems like everyone has forgotten the Bruins actually existed in the last week. However with being on duty the rest of last week, and my graduation, as well as clearing out the Seniors after graduation The week just got away from me. I wanted to evaluate the Bruins playoff series loss to the hated Montreal Canadiens. After taking reading what "fans" have said about who is responsible for the loss, and I'll evaluate each one I have seen so far.

Head Coach: Claude Julien

I always feel like there is always too much blame placed on the head coach for losses and not enough credit for wins. Fans seem to forget the Julien changed the Bruins Franchise and led them to a Stanley Cup in 2011, an appearance in 2013, as well playoff appearances every year since he first started coaching in 2008. Fans have blamed him for who he played on defense, mainly Mezaros or Bartkowski. Either way he had fans against him with either choice, but what else can he do with Seidenberg injured. I am personally a fan of Claude Julien and I think the whole "Fire Claude" fans aren't actual fans, but actually just ridiculous in general.

Defense

This I can understand, as it was an issue at points throughout the series. Chara was clearly hurt (at least in the last game), Mezaros and Bartkowski clearly didn't perform up to standards. However there is a lot to look forward to when it comes to the defense. Barkowski has a lot of potential, just some growing to do. Krug and Hamilton will become great defenseman for years and years to come for the Bruins. Seidenberg coming back next year, I don't expect any big changes next year in this department. Maybe adding some depth would be smart. After losing Seidenberg, that really hurt us, do depth will be something we go after next year. 

Players MIA

There were a couple players for the Bruins that were Missing in Action for this series. Marchand is the biggest name that comes to mind. He didn't do anything in the series except for take stupid penalties and hurt Bruins momentum. The entire first line just didn't seem to click at all on any consistent level throughout the 7 games series. It was like an entirely different line from the 1st round to the 2nd. I will agree that this had a lot to do with it. However, that is when the secondary players step up. The 3rd line (Fraser, Soderberg, Erikkson) were great but it has to be more than just those 3. The 4th line was not as good as it was in the 2011 or 2013 playoff runs. Depth is huge, the Bruins have it, but they just disappeared. 

Tuukka Rask

This one is the most ridiculous of them all. For most of the series, Rask's numbers were comparable to Carey Price's. I am a firm believer that if a shot hits the net, then the 5 people in front failed to do their job. Most of the goals that Rask allowed were no chance or absolutely cannons from PK Subban. Rask is here to stay, the goalie of the future, and the 2014 Vezina Trophy winner. Anyone who blames this series on Rask needs to re-evaluate whether or not they are a fan. 

Luck for the Canadiens

This one makes me laugh quite a bit. Yes there is a lot of luck that goes into a game of hockey..bounces of the puck, calls on the ice, etc. However the difference was that the Bruins were unable to finish on their luck and the bounces. The Habs seemed to have finished every single chance they had, capitalize on every lucky bounce. So yes, luck goes into the hockey game, but the team has to capitalize on that luck. Yes the Bruins did hit the post it seemed like 100 times and pucks hop over their stick at least the same amount of times. But that is no excuse...

At the end of the day, the Bruins did not play well enough to win this series. Canadiens won this series. They played better, capitalized on all of their opportunities and played with the lead most of the time. More importantly, they were not afraid of the Bruins. They took the physical game the Bruins had and gave it right back. Montreal was the only team I was really afraid of and for good reason. I have to give credit where credit is due. Montreal won this series and deserved to move forward. Their forward outskated, the defense played really well, and played a really smart series. However, I will say that even though Price played well, the Bruins had more than their fair share of opportunities to score and didn't finish. If they do, the Bruins win this series in 6. Again though, Montreal outplayed and did so when it mattered. 

These playoff series will be occurring more frequently and as a fan I am looking forward to it. The Bruins are going to be really good for years to come (think Cup Favorites for the next few years). It is a great time to be a Bruins fan, despite the loss. Too bad they don't receive more attention. They deserve it. 

NOTE: Leo, I will not be rooting for the Canadiens, that is like treason. To be fair I am not rooting for any team, I am just looking forward to more great hockey. It's the best playoffs in the 4 major sports

Time to Get Back to Writing: Tale of Two Graduations

When leaving my sisters house this evening, my brother Leo (that's just easier) told me I need to keep blogging. I would be neglectful if I didn't mention the fact that the Bruins came back from a 3-1 Deficit and scored 3 goals in 5:32 and an empty-netter to seal the game. Leo wants it to be clear that the Canadiens blew that game and Carey Price should've made that save on Reilly Smith goal, but hey a W is a W. That should be a very exciting series, maybe a blog in the future about it could appear on this blog. I keep saying I want to keep writing, but I never know the topics. I need to work on that to make this a regular thing.

As of this writing I am two weeks away from receiving my Master's Degree of Education in Psychology with a concentration in Student Personnel Administration (essentially I get to work with college students for the rest of my life) from Springfield College. Yesterday marked the 2nd year anniversary of my graduation from Undergrad at Northeastern University. I find myself comparing the two graduations in my head and there are some very different takes on these two monumental moments in my life.

Before my undergrad graduation, I would've done anything to delay the moment. I had built many different relationships with people I love dearly (from my wife, to my best man Max, Big Al, Z, Jake to my favorite ladies Caitlin, Alia, Jillian...the list goes on) and I knew that we were all going in different directions in our lives and who knows if those relationships would last. Distance makes everything more difficult. It was the best 5 years of my life. I was taking a step into what my life is going to be as being an RD and getting my master's degree. I spent the summer having as much fun as possible and try to have as much interaction with my friends as possible to make up for the lack of hanging out that I'd struggle with in Springfield.

The challenged I expected were there but the friendships made it through. Right now I have built a lot of very important relationships here at Springfield College, friends I will carry with me for a long time, but this graduation is one I am really looking forward to. These past two years have been very challenging in multiple ways with this year being particularly more difficult. There have also been great times as well....getting married is the best day of my life so far, grad nights at Theo's, and just the overall laughs I have enjoyed. However, I don't live with my wife and that is quite frankly terrible. I am looking forward to graduation so that I can get a job and work full time and finally live with my wife. I don't want to delay my graduation even a little bit as I am ready to move forward. I am going to miss my friends I've made here (the wrong crowd, Cora, the many RAs and Residents that I have built relationships with). I am excited to see where I end up, hopefully closer to Boston, and finally (for real) start my life with my wife and continue my career. I'm ready to be more of a presence with my family and friends again. I'm ready

Sports Can Be More Than Just Wins and Losses...So Much More

It is 1:30am and I am starting this blog. I am not sure why I can't sleep, maybe it was because I came crashing down from the high of a potential game 7 and came crashing down in just 17 seconds. Maybe it is because of the great conversation I had with my fiance after the game (and an episode of the West Wing) for about an hour. Maybe it is thinking about all of the things that are going on in my life right now. I already knew what this blog would be about and was going to wait until tomorrow to write it. I don't know if I will finish this tonight, but I had to get started...

Just a quick thought on this loss, as I don't want this to be just about the loss itself. This is the first time I have witnessed a loss by a Boston sports team and not come away either hating the team, a player, or the fans. This wasn't losing to the Giants (twice), this wasn't losing to the Heat, this wasn't losing to the Yankees, this was...different. I come away from this series with the utmost respect for the Chicago Blackhawks, their players and their fans. They are a great organization and played a great series. I would say this is the best Playoff series I have ever seen in my young life, even better than when we beat the Canucks two years ago (Yes, I still hate them and the Sedin Sisters). 13 more weeks until the season starts again.

The title gives away what this blog is (read: intended) to be about. On the outside, I joked with friends about not wanting to shave my playoff beard, not wanting to hear one of my staff members gloat about her hawks winning the series, telling my fiance that my heart racing as fast as it did when I proposed meant that I loved the Bruins just as much as I did her. This postseason was something more, and I think you know where this is going.

After the Marathon Bombings, so many people didn't know what to do. The next day came, but it was not the same and for good reason. The tragedy struck the city and the country very hard. I for one didn't know where to turn. Then all of a sudden...the support came. For the sake of this post being decent length, I will focus on the sports. Teams across the country played Sweet Caroline at points during their games to show their support for our city. Fans cheering when the song came on and and singing along...It was just amazing to see. For a time, the games became more than just about the score, but about helping people heal from these physical, mental and emotional wounds that were suffered that day. That's why these playoffs were different, you could just see it in the eyes of the players. They knew it was about something more.

The Boston Bruins were playing for Boston, for Newtown, and for every single person affected by those events. When the players said what they are playing for, you can see whether or not they were just saying that. Not this team...you saw it in their eyes, in their words and in their actions. For me on a personal level, I have always loved the Bruins, they will be my number one team for the rest of my life. Hockey will always be fun for me to watch, regardless of who is playing, and the NHL video game will always be my favorite. These playoffs meant more to me. They allowed me to build connections with residents and staff members in my building, allowing them to see a side of me they have never seen (Like me jumping for joy during quiet hours...oops). It brought together a new friendship for me. Finally it reminded me of the importance of family. My older sister was dealing with issues that I won't get into and when Johnny Boychuck scored the tying goal, I immediately texted her that he scored for her. She then called me on Sunday to chat and I decided to that my Fiance and I would watch the game at her house. The evening became more about spending time than the game. Yes we did all watch the game intently, cheered when they scored and swore when they gave up a goal. When they (heartbreakingly) lost, I was upset for about 30 seconds. Then I remembered that I was there because the game was an excuse to stay past the usual 8pm. It was a chance to stay with my family and show my support.

I would say that maybe it is just me, but sports as this great ability to help people heal, to move on, or to rally behind something if only to take their minds off the tragedy for a couple months. It brings together family, friends, and strangers.Yes it can bring out the worst in people, but more often than not it brings out the best. It doesn't always take a tragedy for sports to have that impact on people, because on a deeper level it has always brought me together with people.When I first met my best man, we just sat down and played NHL 08 on his XBox 360...and we've been going strong ever since.

Sports can be more than just wins and losses...so much more.

Boston Marathon Tragedy

I understand that most people feel the same way as I do, but I needed to write this

It was as if time was frozen, I had no sense of minute going to minute, hour to hour in the aftermath of the horrible events that occurred yesterday afternoon during the Boston Marathon. To me that seems so odd because of how easily it is to find out what time it is. I for one wear a watch, have a cell phone, computer and an iPad. I was using the last 3 devices to try and gather all of the information that I can possibly find on what happened, while also checking in with all of my family and friends to make sure they were ok. I knew a few people that were running in the Marathon, as well as so many more who were spectators that day and one uncle who is a Boston Police Officer working the event. Luckily all of them are safe and were not hurt in the blast, but I can't seem to take solace in that. With so many people hurt in this event, it's hard to not have a heavy heart at this time.

I had walked by these spots so very often during my life. Growing up in Boston, I would often be taken downtown by family members and view all the beauty had to offer. Coming to college at Northeastern, I was the person who could show people around. I can't tell you how many times my friends and I have walked down Boylston St. to either go to the shops, to take photos of the city, or just because we wanted to. It was so surreal to watch. I have gone to the Marathon each year for the past 6 or 7 years, and have always ended up at the finish line at some point during the time of the race. This is the first year I was unable to go to the Marathon, and honestly if it was up to me I would've been there.

I read the news via twitter very shortly after it happened and immediately texted my Fiance to see how she was doing. I then started reaching out to every single person I knew was there to make sure they were ok. I was supposed to go to class at 4pm, but I found myself sitting on my couch at 4:15 when a classmate asked if I was going to make it. I knew I should go, but was unable to move for hours. I just wanted to find out everything I could find out. So many emotions have run through my head over the past 30 hours or so since this started.

Confusion was one of the first, with the lack of information at the start and slowly trickling to the media made this more apparent. It was tough to not take the bait on some things that were said online, in a desperate search for answers. Those of you who know me, I need to have answers in order to make sense of anything that has happened. It quickly turned into frustration as many media outlets, or people working in the media, when "facts" were revealed to be not true. As a Journalism student I learned the focus on an event like this should be on the victims/survivors and getting the facts straight rather than being "first" to report something. However I do want to point out the great work done by Steve Silva, a Boston Globe producer who ran toward the explosion while continuing the video he was filming. This allowed people like me to see what happened and it took tremendous courage.

Helplessness was next because I couldn't do anything to help. I tried my best to tweet out updates so people who might not follow the same outlets I follow could know what happened. That didn't seem like enough, I wanted nothing more to be one of those people running towards the explosion offering anything I could do to help, it really didn't have to be much, I just wanted to help. Unfortunately I couldn't do that, as a matter of fact I couldn't even give my Fiance a hug because we are an hour and a half away from each other. I am still trying to figure out ways to help.

The next was anger and rage. It was first directed to the person/people responsible for this atrocity. Why would anyone do this? I just wanted them to be caught and punished for their actions. I hope this person suffers for what they have done. Then the rage was refocused on the Westboro Baptist Church, who have spun this in favor of their beliefs. I don't want to get into what was said. I have never been religious and probably won't ever be. Turning innocent people who were killed/injured into propaganda is disgusting and absolutely sickening.

Sadness now overwhelms me, after seeing each twitter update from friends and news outlets I follow. More and more the numbers of injured go up. Friends, most of whom are still in Boston blocks from the bombings, expressing their fear of where the next bomb might go off. The uncertainty of what had actually happened and the demand for answers. The pictures of the deceased come up the next day and the sadness continues. An 8-year-old boy? Really?

Watching the events unfold, I have never been prouder to be from this city. Not because of the sports teams, but because of the brave men and women who ran towards the explosions to help others. I sometimes forget that our Police, EMS and Firefighters are actually real people and are brave on a daily basis, but this showed something special. The outpouring of support around the nation and the world for what the city has gone through. The googledoc that circulated of Boston residents offering their homes for people to stay for a night. The people who just finished running 26.2 miles and decide to keep running to the nearest hospital. The picture of a friend of mine who is pushing a stretcher with a survivor on it.

The good definitely outweighs the bad, and this is how I am getting through this tragedy. Knowing in my heart that despite the actions of one person or a group, their numbers are no where near the amount of good, kind hearted people in this world. One of my RAs asked me that if I don't believe in God, what do I believe in. I answered "People, my faith is in people. Despite the terrible evil that occurred, the events following reaffirmed my faith is in people and it will continue to be that way.

After what I have seen unfold, I have one more emotion... Excitement. I am excited to return to my home in just 6 weeks to work there for the summer. After all the good I have seen and heard, and will continue to hear over the next few weeks,
I have never been more excited to go HOME!

We are Boston Strong!

Intro and Penn State Thoughts

Let's start by introducing myself, my name is Matt and I was born and raised in Boston, Mass. I graduated from Northeastern with a degree in Journalism, however after my experience as a Resident Assistant, I have decided to alter my path and pursue a career in Student Affairs. I will be attending Springfield College in Springfield, Ma this upcoming fall, going for my degree in Psychology with a concentration in Student Personel Administration. I will also be starting my job as an Assistant Residence Director there as well in just two short weeks, and I could not be more excited to start! This is my first post as a blogger and I want to use it as a way to keep my writing skills sharp as well as give my opinion (informed or uninformed) on various topics. This blog will be all over the place covering many aspects of my interests. Please read and comment with any criticism you might have. Since I am aiming to pursue a career in Student Affairs, I find it fitting that my first topic is about Penn State and the recent punishment handed down by the NCAA.

If you haven't followed the news in the past day, let me give you a run down on what the sanctions against the Penn State football program will be:

• A $60 Million fine, with money going to benefit the welfare of children.
• 4-year ban on postseason play. This includes any bowl games, the playoffs (coming in 2014) and the Big Ten championship. 
• Reduction of the number of scholarships Penn can offer to players from 25 to 15 per year over 4 years, losing a total of 40 scholarships.
• Any current or entering player may transfer without any restriction. Players may also keep any scholarship granted to them and decide not to play. 
• All victories by Penn State from 1998-2011(111 total) have been vacated. This reduces the late Joe Paternos number of wins from 409 (an FBS record) to 298. Moving him down to 12th and making Bobby Bowden the winningest head coach in FBS history. 
• Five-year probationary period
• Hiring of an Academic Monitor of the NCAA's future

The president of the University, Rodney Erickson, has accepted the penalties so there will be no appeal on the matter. Many have argued that this may not have been harsh enough and that the "Death Penalty" (the shutting down of the program for a year or two) would have been more effective. I disagree. This punishment is very harsh and rightfully so. It will take a very long time for the football program to recover. What player will want to play for a university that has this kind of reputation and is unable to play in any type of postseason game for the next 4 seasons? Think about it, that the rest of most of the players careers as an athlete. For incoming students this year, it could be their whole career. In a conference as competitive as the Big Ten is, losing the 10 scholarships will be devastating to the program as Penn will not be able to compete with other schools for those 10 players. No player will chose to play at any school that isn't offering them a scholarship over a school offering a free ride, nevermind a school with a now tainted reputation like Penn State. Penn State will now be a losing team for the next decade, at least. It will take a long time for this program to get back to where it was before and be able to compete with other schools. One part of the punishment that I can't pick a side on is the vacating of wins from 1998-2011. Yes Paterno had a hand in covering up the awful events that occured, however I am of sound mind that coaches get too much credit for winning and too much criticism for losing. The players had to go out there and play. You have now stripped hundreds of players of victories, seasons and in many cases entire playing careers of wins they worked hard for. I just can't pick a side on that part of the sanctions, the rest I do agree with entirely.

All the discussion has been about the football program and how that will be affected, but lets look at it from a different side that isn't talked about often. What happens now for the non-football students of that school. Yes the sanctions were handed down by NCAA, however this will affect the recruitment for Penn State for all the other students. Any other athlete will have second thoughts about coming to a school where their largest program helped cover up crimes of this magnitude. Who would pick a school that has a bad reputation now over a school that has a (seemingly) clean background? Penn State was on my top 10 list of schools to apply to for undergrad, and if I had to do the search again I don't know if I would even consider it. High School students don't always make the most informed decision (this is purely based on my opinion of working with students) and these events will hurt the number of students who will apply for admittance.

How about the donors of the University? Their more generous donors may now be considering reducing or cutting off their donations to the school after this is all said and done. Donors who only wanted their money to now go to football program may also cut off their donation. The potential loss of revenue could be devastating for Penn State as a whole. The affect of the loss of money may not be felt in the next year or so, but in 5-10 years it definitely could be. Alumni will also be affected by this and my feel shame for being an alum. Often times people try to tell high school teens to apply to their Alma Mater, but if you are an alum of Penn State do you keep trying to do that? Do you stop going to events in which you are invited to. Some people just hate to answer the questions: "What do you think about these events at Penn State? Did you know him?". It could get to the point where people just avoid Penn State at all costs. 

I am not saying that all of this will happen, but the potential is there. The higher ups will be put in very tough positions over the next few years. Don't be surprised if you see some more shake-ups over the next few years within Penn State. Also other schools will be cracking down and I wouldn't be shocked in the slightest if scandals of the same magnitude are brought to light at other schools. Maybe not the same as abusing a child, but big nontheless. Think baseball when steroids first became an issue, concussions in the NHL, video taping in the NFL, and gambling in the NBA. Crackdowns will happen all over the country and more things may come to light. 

The only thing I can really say for sure is that I would hate to be any of the Penn State higher ups right now. I have a feeling that even though the football sanctions are in the forefront of the news, the effects of this whole situation have only just begun.