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Message: [QUOTE="SUMBA, post: 1334674, member: 913"] The Blarney was like an annual extended family reunion every March. It was a great place to catch up with people's lives. How is your family? How is the career going? were always asked before discussing hoops. nycfan was the mayor of the Rock. He seemed to know everyone in the place. He introduced me to several board posters. This included several of his closest friends whom he had just met moments earlier. I think he needs to come out of his shell a bit. After attending the BET pre and post game booze fests for years at the Rock, I became a regular. Even if I was two deep at the bar, the barkeep recognized me and always took my order before the Johnny and Jill come latelys who were closer to the bar than I. I remember the look on some young SU fans faces when they realized with whom they were drinking. A fan was wearing a necklace crafted out of a 2003 National Championship ring. One of the recent SU grads commented on the jewelry. The wearer of the necklace confirmed that it was indeed authentic. The skepticism registered on the young fan's faces as they inquired as to how such a unique item could be procured. Their expressions changed quickly when the bearer of the necklace told them that she is rather closely related to a certain head coach. The young fans went from being skeptical to being awestruck instantly. One never knew who one might run into at the Rock. If nycfan was the mayor of the Rock, Tomcat was certainly the controller. I recall him working tirelessly, fueled by double ginger ails, to make sure every SU fan who wanted a ticket got one. He also offered advice on recognizing fair market prices and fraudulent tickets. He was an absolute bulldog working the Rock and surrounding area to make sure tickets were procured. Of course the all time legendary Rock story, which many posters witnessed, won't be repeated here. After all "What happened at the Rock, stayed at the Rock." One cryptic clue: it involved an ambulance... There was the time when a poster left the Rock to answer a call. In attempting to rejoin our little group, the poster could not find us and insisted we had moved our spot near the Rock stairs. As I recall, the text got rather testy as the frustration grew about not being where we said we were. It turns out the poster had mistakenly wandered into Stout next door after their call. (Note: Unlike the incident above, this Rock story was placed on this very board by the poster in question, which makes it fair game...and fun!). After the 6 OT game, I instinctively wandered over to the Rock. There were lines to get in and I looked for familiar faces. I ran into orange79 and another poster, who I can't recall (phillydad? nycfan?). We all high fived and talked about the fantastic event we had just witnessed. Mustering just about all that was left out of my strained vocal cords, I mentioned that the next work day was my early morning. I had to be at work at 5:30, which by that time was just a few hours away. The board pals physically turned me and pushed me toward the subway and told me to get my a** home. Those are great friends and it was good advice. Yes, Stout was nicer, cleaner, and had better food. But it paled by comparison to the Rock in atmosphere and charm. Although perhaps I am a bit biased after being forced to do the perp walk out of Stout in front of a packed house...by TWO security dudes no less! I figured my Stout transgression would never have been noticed at the Rock so I stuck with the place I was most comfortable. The bonds formed at the Rock were special. That they are no longer being renewed each March is indeed sad.... I miss the Rock too! [/QUOTE]

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