Rich Woods

Professor* Rich Woods gave the Chapel Talk yesterday morning.  As soon as I saw the title – “Taking a Walk In The Dumb A** Zone” – I knew I had to be there.  (I’ve traveled the path through that zone more times than I care to count.)

Rich didn’t disappoint.  Straight talk from one of the most respected people on campus.  I’ll not give away any gems – watch it on You Tube, including his ending!

Every liberal arts education includes a class on the “zone”.  In a lot of places, you don’t get the luxury of someone telling you, in straight talk, how to avoid staying in the zone too long or falling right into the center.   Most places you’re in the zone usually without a wingman.  At Wabash, Rich Woods in ALWAYS your wingman.  That doesn’t mean all sins are immediately forgiven.  It means Rich truly understands and he sees his teaching role as minimizing a young man’s opportunity to stay too long in the “zone”.

Rich Woods – Some Little Giant

* Professor- Quick definition.  A teacher of the highest rank.

122nd Monon Bell Game

The 122nd edition of the Monon Bell game looks to be a good one.  DePauw is currently at 6-1 and Wabash stands at 7-0.  DePauw and Denison are tied for second in the conference and Wabash plays both in November.  Wabash’s opponent this weekend is OWU who just handed DePauw their first loss of the season.

So, the Bell game will be a Big One – but it always is.

Hopefully, you’ve ordered your tickets from the Wabash Bookstore and you’re already planning your tailgate in Greencastle prior to the game.  If you can’t be there in person, we hope you’ll join other Wabash fans at one of the more than 60 Monon Bell telecast parties.  You can see the complete list here.

If you can’t make it to a party, you can tune in from home.  It’s channel 340 on Directv, channel 167 on Dish TV, and channel 881 on Metronet.

I’ve watched the movie “Rudy” at least 100 times.  Carol’s tired of me pointing out all of the scenes in the movie where she and I have been in that same spot on the ND campus.

Well, Saturday at Wooster we got to witness another Rudy – not a Blue and Gold one but a Scarlet one.

Meet #58…Ethan Shultz.  Freshman linebacker from Danville, Ohio.  Stands 5’6” tall and weighs in at 152.  Practices and plays well above both.

Tackle by Ethan Shultz ’19

Ethan played on the kickoff coverage team at Wooster.  Streaking down the far side of the field, he made a b-line towards the ball carrier and down he went.

Ethan Shultz ’19

It was a team bear hug as Ethan made his way to the sidelines.

Pretty fitting that the shirt under his jersey says “Wabash Always Fights”

AJ Clark takes it to the house

AJ Clark ’16 is as nice a young man as you’ll ever meet.  Over the past four years I’ve had a chance to talk with him on several occasions.  Great young man – he’ll be a world changer.

AJ has been a solid contributor on special teams while at Wabash.  Things change and this year AJ has been starting at linebacker..and he’s been an impact player.  He’s always around the ball and no highlight reel is complete without an AJ Clark tackle or two.

Saturday at Wooster was no different…but it was.  That’s AJ streaking down the sidelines on his way to the end zone on a pick – six.  As I watched, through the lens, as AJ tucked the ball in and took off, I said to myself: “He will not let anyone catch him.”  And he didn’t.  Different gear…absolutely.  But it was his mind and heart – clearly visible from 40 yards away – that told the story.  I almost put the camera down and started clapping.

At the end of the play, with his teammates all around him, the smile came out.

Touchdown AJ Clark!

AJ held on to that football for awhile.  The official didn’t run in and grab it…I think he understood what a special time it was.  For AJ…and for his team.

This is a view of the southernmost Townhouse (occupied) with the Hall going up right behind it.  This Hall seems to be slightly ahead of the other one to the North.  We’re hoping the new facilities will be ready for students to move in when the students return for Holiday break.

This photo shows construction on one of the Lodges.  The Lodges aren’t too much bigger than the Townhouses – they’ll hold 16 young men versus the 12 in a Townhouse.  The Lodges are connected to the Halls via a walkway.

You can see the brickwork being added to the northernmost Hall in this photo and the one below.

You can just make out the roof of the connector between the Hall and the Lodge in this photo.

Kane House This Morning – The View From Our Porch

Fall has settled in at the ‘Bash.  The guys are back from Fall Break and are into the second part of the semester.  The Arboretum has a couple of “leaf mountains” in it..tempted to jump in…but senior citizens don’t do those sorts of things, right?

Wabash travels to Wooster this weekend for football while our soccer lads will host Wooster here at home.

I’ll wander by the new housing to try to give you a quick photo update…headed to a meeting in that vicinity in a few minutes.

Two Men of Wabash

Reflecting on a Monday afternoon…two great guys and two guys who are always in fashion.  On the left, the late Dick Griesser ’51.  On the right, Dudley “Doright” Burgess ’64.

Featured appearance by …the “W” pants.

Dick Griesser was cut out of the same mold as Dorman Hughes ’43.  A class agent’s class agent.  I think he knew everyone in the class and all of their family members.  The Class of 1951 gave to Wabash out of love….and maybe a little out of fear that they’d end up on the bad side of Dick’s ledger…  He was immensely proud of his class and their love and support of Wabash.

Dudley has become a very close friend.  I’ve hiked the Grand Canyon with him twice…and I am getting ready for a third.  Last year, when Dudley was out of the country, I took some family members out to the Canyon for a R2R – a rim to rim hike.  Dudley coached me through all the prep and planning.  And in true friend fashion, he made a small request.  “Grunge”, he said, “text me when you’re all safe and sound.”  It’s the second thing I did as we exited to the north rim…right after hugging my bride.  I wanted him to know..regardless of when he saw the text.

I love this picture because Dick Griesser and Dudley Burgess were/are timeless in their love of Wabash…the pants speak to a love and pride of our Alma Mater.

The smiles tell me life is good.

Dick Griesser and Dudley Burgess – Two Great Little Giants!

Trippet Hall

Fall has arrived.  Took this yesterday  – the guys are gone for Fall break.  Some of the trees on campus have changed a great deal, some none at all, and a few, like the one in the photo at right, are just beginning the process.

When the guys return, they will be a few weeks from an entire week off at Thanksgiving.  After that, they’re getting ready for finals…and then it’s the Holidays and the end of one semester and the start of a new one.

Fall is the Grunge’s favorite season.  Part of it is the coolness in the air…and my giveaway is I always say: “It feels like football season”.  Fall and football – pretty tough to beat.

Reynaldo Pacheco ’06

Reynaldo Pacheco ’06 is a part of the cast of Sandra Bullock’s new film, “Our Brand Is Crisis”.  The film is due to hit the silver screen at the end of this month.

Pacheco and Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock plays a campaign consultant for a South American candidate.  Reynaldo becomes a critical member of the campaign as…well, you’ll just have to go see the movie.

Reynaldo pursued a Master of Fine Arts at USC after Wabash and has worked with a number of Oscar winners like Bullock and Christopher Plummer.

We’ll want several of these!

Last week, DePauw defeated Wittenberg 35-30 in football.  DePauw is undefeated through their first five games.  There are still some tough games ahead for the Tigers and the Little Giants, for sure, but we could be looking at two 9-0 teams playing each other in the Monon Bell game.  For the Bell.  For the Conference Championship.  Possibly for the only NCAC post season tournament spot.

And why is the Grunge telling you all of this…to worry you?  No.  To support the Tigers?  Heck no.

Think of this as a public service announcement.  Why?  Because, as this season rolls on, tickets to the 2015 Bell Game are going to get hard to find.  When they are gone, they are gone.  Remember this game will be in Greencastle, so we’ll have a lot less seats than we have when it’s a home game.  DO NOT DELAY – contact the Bookstore and get your tickets now.

Another friendly reminder, don’t go to eBay to make up for your lack of timely decision making and buy a ticket that doesn’t have a red background.  Two problems here.  1., You’re paying too much, much more than the $20 face value.  2., More importantly…you’ll get a seat on the wrong side of the field.  Friends don’t let friends do things like that.

So, if you’re making the trip, get the tickets NOW.

If you aren’t making the trip, check this page for a Monon Bell telecast party in your neck of the woods.