Invites have been on the street for just about three weeks now. So far we have verbal commitments from many with just 3 plus the referee are signed, sealed and delivered. They include:
- Defending Two-Time Champion,
Kevin "Mr. 300" Bowler. Refusing to accept anything less than 1st place, Bowler was the 1st competitor to send his LOI and check. And as classy as ever, he added his typical $10 extra to ensure that a keg of Yuengling will be on the premises.
- 2009
Greenhorn Tyler Stegeman - one of Uncle Sam's finest - was the 2nd LOI to come through the ol' fax machine. Despite the fact that he received his Invitation a week later than everyone else, due to Newman's refusal to work when it rains, Big Tyler (we need to get this guy a nickname ASAP!!!) was the second to lock in his commitment. This is the type of enthusiasm and excitement we envisioned when The King tossed his name up for consideration.
- Three year veteran and a key member of the Memorial Committee,
Jon "El Jiggerino" Cobb was the 3rd member to officially commit. No surprises here as he is a stalwart up in the mountains. However, this early commitment is vastly different to last year where he held a press conference to announce whether he would attend the 2008 Memorial or be an usher in his buddy's wedding. This much we know: Jigs knows drama!
- Last and certainly not least is the guy whose effort and commitment keeps the Memorial wheels turning.
Chris "The Refereezy" Perry was officially the first LOI I received. Not only was he first, but Peezy actually OVERNIGHTED it!!! Now that is dedication. I don't want to even begin to imagine what would happen if Peezy had a commitment that he couldn't get out of over Memorial Day. Such as a Chic-Fil-A Symposium for aspiring franchisees. I think that that or a game of hockey pass with Big Ves would be the only things that would keep him away. Peezy also did his annual duties as the Treasurer and Official Banker of the Memorial and set up our account with the $50 donation from National City. So, once again, the 2009 Memorial will be brought to you by National City!
- I have received VERBAL commitments from the following:
Big Sweaty, Ty Reese- looking to make his triumphant return to the circle!
Greg "The Beekeeper" Plundo- three-year vet who is coming off his best finish yet!
Rick "No one Waits Longer Than Me" Plundo- still trying to outdo his rival, Bowler, and climb the ranks. He is older, wiser and hungrier - so I've heard!
Jon "The Kingeroo" Plundo- The Unanimous 2008 Rookie of the Year looks to come back and improve on his lofty status in his first year. He turned some heads, shed some blood and showed us how to chug a beer military style!
David "Bluebeard" O'Nan- Three letters for you: M...V...P!
Josh "The Biz" Becker. He committed to the Plundos at Super Bowl XLIII. Was he caught up in the delirium of a Steelers W? Or is he actually committed? Time will tell...
- As for me? Well I haven't begun the drinking portion of the training yet. Although I did get WASTED last weekend while listening to nothing but Classic Rock while Bowling. So, my mind is in the right place. I am also lean and mean and looking for blood after my devastating 2008 last place finish. I know I can chug a beer in 7 seconds no problem. This year? I'm gunning for a Threat Level Midnight performance of a consistent sub-6 seconds.
- There are a few other invites out there that have not been commented on. April 1 is the deadline then we move on to our replacements. We have a gaudy list this year also ensuring that we don't get caught with our pants down again this year!
- We have been told outright that one member has officially declined. Alan Steinman has declined as he is shipping out to Afghanistan in April. As Jigs eloquently summed up: "The more military guys we get, the better!!" Which I agree with wholeheartedly. However, this is the lone issue. Hopefully, he gets out there and back ASAP and safe. Godspeed, Al.
- Bluebeard has made some headway on the location and it appears as if we have this baby locked up. It should be a good change and will allow us the privacy to act like idiots 100%. I refuse to give my idiocy 91% again. Hopefully we will know within the next two weeks whether this is LOCKED up.
- Quick thoughts... This is shaping up to be a much stronger Rookie Class than the 2008 Class was..... I look at Rick and I see potential. When we started this thing in 2006, he was a mere lad of 20-21? We were all seasoned with guts and like 23-24. Now, Rick is older, wiser and more savvy. I expect improvement across the board from Ol' Tsunami!..... Bowler is busy masterminding the Friday night events. Hang on to your hats!..... Expect some new additions to the awards table in '09..... Peezy is still thinking up new ways to spruce up the events. His mind never stops!
Anyway. Let's keep the conversation up and help the days scroll by. We are officially under the 90 day count. Has everyone begun looking at flights? Any training begun? I assume Bowler has been training since mid-September. Anyone else?
Lastly, a tip of the cap to our old lost Memorial competitors, Justin Credible and Rattsfield. They will be shipwrecked at a friend's wedding (Hanks style) over Memorial Day and unable to compete.
But we are hopeful that they are rescued from the island and brought back to civilization in order to compete in 2010!
Caught up in the delirium of the Penguins 3-1 victory on Tuesday night to push the Flyers to the brink of elimination, Ricky "Tsunami" texted me the following exciting news: "My plan was to wait until 31 days out. It's my lucky number!!!! Coincidence? Alert the blog! Rick is BACK!!!!!!!"
im if he also lives his life a quarter mile at a time he simply replied "I apprenticed under Vin Diesel for a semester..." 
im if he also lives his life a quarter mile at a time he simply replied "I apprenticed under Vin Diesel for a semester..." 
d recruiter on this special Memorial athlete: El Jiggerino, Jon Cobb. Entrusted with bagging his first recruit as a "Lead Recruiter" Jigs did not fail to deliver. Jigs did a knock up job of planting seeds in Ricky's mind that lead to some sleepless nights and nightmares where Rick was alone at the Red Oak Chalet while the rest of us competed in Westmoreland County. Jigs set the table, I cooked the meal and Ricky gorged himself on a meal consisting of Busch Light, 13 events, 12 competitors and 1 Refereezy!!!
d recruiter on this special Memorial athlete: El Jiggerino, Jon Cobb. Entrusted with bagging his first recruit as a "Lead Recruiter" Jigs did not fail to deliver. Jigs did a knock up job of planting seeds in Ricky's mind that lead to some sleepless nights and nightmares where Rick was alone at the Red Oak Chalet while the rest of us competed in Westmoreland County. Jigs set the table, I cooked the meal and Ricky gorged himself on a meal consisting of Busch Light, 13 events, 12 competitors and 1 Refereezy!!!
Well, here we are. Officially at the 6 month mark. 2009 figures to be a very important year for The Memorial and the future. We have some slots to fill because of an untimely wedding and because of the reluctance of a certain thunderous competitor to commit to making the cross-country flight. 
