New conference of Catholic schools...

Two posts in one day?  Some kind of record for me recently...

I wanted to touch base on the report that several schools, including DePaul, St. John's, Marquette, and Notre Dame, are forming a new conference made up of all Catholic schools.

This is where Loyola should be.  I know they're a founding member of the Horizon League.  I was there when they formed it.  It was then called the Midwestern City Conference, and included Butler, Oklahoma City, Oral Roberts, Detroit, Xavier, Evansville and Loyola, and maybe one or two more.  That's right, Xavier.  They were a founding member of this conference also.  They didn't let that keep them from joining a better conference.  Back then, they were often in the NCAA tourney as a representative from this conference when they went to that automatic bid system.  They were good.  They've gotten better because they're in a better conference.  Of course, now Butler's gone too.

Loyola isn't good.  But if they were playing ND and St. John's regularly, they might be.  They might be able to recruit better players, and do better things.

Maybe there's going to be a requirement that the team play in a certain sized stadium, and the Gentile Center won't be big enough.  But if they can, they should move to that conference.

Hey, a Jesuit is now pope, so why shouldn't LU embrace their religious background and play in this much better conference?

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Harry Teinowitz gone from ESPN 1000

I noticed it a couple weeks ago and meant to find out why ESPN 1000 had gotten rid of afternoon co-host Harry Teinowitz from the show Carm, Jurko and Harry.  I liked Harry.  I thought he injected levity and irreverence into an otherwise not-very-attractive grouping.  Yes, some of his jokes fell flat, but some didn't, and I thought the show was better for his input.

It seemed, however, that his co-hosts didn't like him much.  First Dan MacNeal, who seemed to be happy to throw insults Harry's way, and didn't like it much when Harry returned fire.  Now John Jurkovic (I don't know if I'm spelling that correctly), who does the same thing.  When I'd listen, it would sound a little like bullying with Carmen trying to smooth things over and keep things focused on sports, which is where Carmen always seems to be focused.

I guess that the common denominator was Harry in these little on-air feuds...so maybe his personality in person was a problem.  But over the air, it sounded like he just was being made the brunt of jokes.  And the other two, especially Jurko, were a little too happy when he was gone and they were on their own.

I liked them, with Harry, as an alternative to the insulting and arrogant Bernstein and Boers on WSCR.  I think Bernstein and Boers both are very intelligent, but I think they got the idea that their schtick of ripping their callers for their opinions is worth listening to.  I know I switch over, even though I like their insights.  Too uncomfortable listening to them trashing another fan as knowing nothing, or however they can belittle the caller's opinion.   

Listening to Carm and Jurko the last few days on my drive home has NOT been as entertaining.  Carm is likeable but Jurko just comes off as, well, kind of a jerk.  At least they're not condescending and downright insulting to their callers, so I'll probably keep listening to them.  But it won't be as fun.  I'd rather listen to Waddle and Silvy.  Or J. Hood.  (Always have really liked Hoodie.  He can be condescending at times, but usually he's pretty respectful of his callers/listeners.  He's smart, informative, opinionated, and funny.)  Or Lawrence Holmes on the Score.  Thank God for Mully and Hanley and for Mac and Spiegs in the morning.

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