All-Access with Dragons in Wilmington
Mike Mazzeo
Issue date: 1/23/09 Section: Sports
2:15 p.m.: After arriving at the hotel and quickly unpacking, we head over to the dining room for the team's first meal. The coaches sit at one table, while the players separate themselves into two others. The media/staff are at the final table. While eating, I learned that radio play-by-play announcer Dan Baker sat courtside watching the 1979 Final Four National Championship game: Michigan State versus Indiana State. That's right, Bird versus Magic. Dan is full of these stories. He was commentating the third-place game: Penn (yes, Penn) versus DePaul.
2:30 p.m.: While the media/staff leave, the team now focuses in on watching game film. I retreat back to my room. Dinner isn't until 7 p.m. at the City Club in downtown Wilmington.
6:30 p.m.: After watching a couple of Entourage episodes to keep myself occupied, it's time to board the bus and head over to the City Club for dinner.
7:00 p.m.: We arrive at the City Club, which happens to be officially called City Club at de Rosset (trust me it was that nice). As its official website states, "this venerable and historic pre-civil war southern mansion was completely restored in 1998 … and is now a private club for the enjoyment of its members and their guests." The City Club is located in the historic district and apparently faced a river, though it was too dark to tell. The inside is just as nice as the outside. Dinner is served buffet style and features catfish, ham and chicken. All of it is unbelievable. I sit with coaches Tony Chiles and Ashley Howard. Dr. Zillmer introduces each donor. Dr. Chuck Pennoni, for whom the Honor's College is named, receives by far the loudest ovation. For dessert there's a great chocolate cake and key lime pie. I wish I could eat in places like this more often.
9:00 p.m.: We leave and arrive back at our hotel. It's going to be a long night. Fortunately an NBA doubleheader on television saves me.
Saturday:
8:30 a.m.: After an early wakeup call, it's time to have breakfast. The coaching staff begins arguing about the best NBA players of all-time. Pretty hilarious. "How can you compare Lebron James to Larry Bird?" Good question. Obviously Michael Jordan is mentioned. We are in Wilmington. Time for shootaround.
2:30 p.m.: While the media/staff leave, the team now focuses in on watching game film. I retreat back to my room. Dinner isn't until 7 p.m. at the City Club in downtown Wilmington.
6:30 p.m.: After watching a couple of Entourage episodes to keep myself occupied, it's time to board the bus and head over to the City Club for dinner.
7:00 p.m.: We arrive at the City Club, which happens to be officially called City Club at de Rosset (trust me it was that nice). As its official website states, "this venerable and historic pre-civil war southern mansion was completely restored in 1998 … and is now a private club for the enjoyment of its members and their guests." The City Club is located in the historic district and apparently faced a river, though it was too dark to tell. The inside is just as nice as the outside. Dinner is served buffet style and features catfish, ham and chicken. All of it is unbelievable. I sit with coaches Tony Chiles and Ashley Howard. Dr. Zillmer introduces each donor. Dr. Chuck Pennoni, for whom the Honor's College is named, receives by far the loudest ovation. For dessert there's a great chocolate cake and key lime pie. I wish I could eat in places like this more often.
9:00 p.m.: We leave and arrive back at our hotel. It's going to be a long night. Fortunately an NBA doubleheader on television saves me.
Saturday:
8:30 a.m.: After an early wakeup call, it's time to have breakfast. The coaching staff begins arguing about the best NBA players of all-time. Pretty hilarious. "How can you compare Lebron James to Larry Bird?" Good question. Obviously Michael Jordan is mentioned. We are in Wilmington. Time for shootaround.
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