Anyhow, since it was a Friday, I thought I would take a few moments and share a my notes from the Captain's Breakfast from back in April of this year.  I thought the junkies might enjoy it.

For those who are not aware, UC has a tradition of having a Captain's breakfast the morning of the final spring game.  All of the past Captains are invited back to have breakfast with the upcoming senior class and coaches.  After breakfast, each Captain gets the opportunity to say a few words to the seniors.  There are always some great stories and messages, and it is neat to hear about the impact UC and playing football at UC has had on the lives of some of these players.  This year I made some notes, so I could keep a record of the attendees and some of the things that were said.  I do not think I will violate any Captain's code by sharing it, so for those who are interested and true Bearcat football junkies, below is the Reader's Digest version of my notes (I apologize in advance for misspelling some of the names and any slight
inaccuracies due to the passage of time since I made my notes).  

1942 Dean Giacomenti - He has been on the "C" Club board of directors for 40 years.  He told the story of how he and eventual co-captain Nick Skorich pooled their funds to buy a suitcase for $1.50 and hitch-hiked to UC together from Pittsburgh.  UC scholarships kept them out of the coal mines.

(I think it was Dean who told the Captain Bravo story.  Captain Bravo was the bravest sailor on the seven seas.  One day his firstmate said, captain a pirate ship is approaching fast and we can't out run.  Captain Bravo asked the firstmate to bring him his red shirt.  When the battle ensued, Captain Bravo fought bravely along side his crew and defeated the pirates.  While celebrating the victory with his crew, a sailor asked why the Captain put on a red shirt.  Captain Bravo responded that it was to hide his blood in case he was injured in the battle, he did not want the injury to discourage his sailors.  The sailors marveled at his bravery.  A few days later the firstmate came to Captain Bravo and said - "five pirate ships are approaching and we cannot out run them."
Captain Bravo immediately instructed the firstmate "bring me my brown pants."

1945  - Lefty Pittman - This was at the end of WWII and UC had not had a team since 1942.  Players on the team ranged in age from 17 to 32.
Some of the married players lived in "kwanza" huts on the field behind Memorial Hall.  One player described the huts as being so small that when he stood up in the morning with a "W__dy" he would knock his wife down in the bathroom.

1949 - Thurman Owens - Played DE at 176 lbs.  Went onto be Brigadier General in USMC.

??? - Pete St. Clair - (Maybe I was in the bathroom when he spoke, because  I have no notes).

1951 - Nick Shundich - Played for legendary Sid Gillman and his team set record for UC wins at 10 -1.  Told the seniors it was time to beat his team's 10 win record.

1952 - Glen Sample - Glen has only missed one Captain's breakfast since 1952.  Currently, he is the official scorer for the Reds.  He described meeting Dan Laurence the 1893 Captain at the first breakfast (for whom Laurence Hall is named).  Glen always does "the Trick", which is a magic trick he works into a message to the players about leading a straight life.

???? - Dick Goist - One of only 5 UC players to have his number retired.

1958 - Bobby Del Rosa - Coached against A.D. Goin in the 60's.  Has coached at Case Western Reserve (wrestling and football) for something like 30 years.

1960 - Howard Converse - His coaches were Jim Kelly and Glen Sample. 

1961 - Ken Byers - Played both ways during that time and was OG and NG.  Went on to play several years for Giants. 

1965 - Brig Owens - Came to UC from Fullerton, CA.  Chose UC over UCLA, because UCLA did not want him to play quarterback.  Was one of the first triple threats in college football.  He is in the Washington Redskins hall of fame, has been the associate VP of NFLPA, and told two great stories about his recruiting visit from Calif. To Cincy on a day when it was 18 degrees below zero and how he met his wife UC.  He practices law and is a player's agent.

1966 - Jay Bachman - Played pro ball for several years.  He is quite the character and always has a joke to tell.  He comes every year with his college roommate and fellow captain John Parker. 

Jay told about story on Minter coming home to his wife from Texas recruiting trip.  On the trip he had purchased a new pair of Texas cowboy boots.  When he got home, his wife was reading in bed and Minter asked if she noticed anything new.  She said NO.  So he went to the bathroom and came out in just his boots and his underwear and again asked if she noticed anything new.  She again said NO.  So Minter took off his underwear and said now do you notice anything new.  She said "No, it was hanging down when you left and it is still hanging down now that you are back."  Minter said that is because it is looking at my brand new Texas cowboy boots.  She replied " I wish you would have bought a new hat."

1966 - John Parker - Tells the story of "Teddy" Bear being drunk at first Captain's breakfast he attended.  He grew up on a dairy farm in the metropolis of East Palestine, Ohio.  He had plans to be a dairy farmer, until Mo Scary (UC coach at the time) told him to come to UC and
play football.    Coaches high school football at Marimont (I think).
(See below story of Doug Rosfeld about Parker).

1970 - Earl Wilson - Middle linebacker but broke his leg early during his senior season. 

1972 - Billy Hunter - UC was the only school to recruit him out of Maryland.  Cut by the Washington Redskins.  Went back to his High School where he is teacher and coach.

??? - Eddie Clebovis - NCAA Post-graduate scholar and is college football official.

1980 - Rich Karlis - Walked on at UC, barefoot kicker.  Went on to kick for Broncos, where he became famous for winning kick against Cleveland Browns in the snow in 1987 playoffs.  He mentioned that Elway often gets credit for "The Drive" which took the game into overtime, but he likes to refer to it as "The Kick."  If any of you saw Rich play, when he really got a hold of a kickoff at UC, he would hit the old power plant wall with the ball. 

1981-82 - Mike Gates  sent Jack Barton to stand in for him.  Mike called Jack at 5:30am on a Friday morning to make the request.

1983 Joe Olding - John Parker above was coach at UC when Joe played.
Told some good stories of John yelling at him.

1983 - Lynwood Marshall - came up from Jacksonville, Florida.  He was a senior the year UC knocked off Penn State following Penn State's national championship season.

1983 - George Jamison - Had extended career with Detroit Lions.  Great guy.  It is neat to hear someone who had a 15 year pro career stress to the seniors the importance of getting their degree.

1984 - Nick Francos - Has some great stories of playing against John Parker in Alumni Game. 

1989 - Jack Bruscinelli - He is extremely intense. Busted on yours truly for lack of speed.

1990 - Kyle Stroh - I shared a story on Bachman and Parker.  About Parker taking Bachman to visit his family farm in East Palestine.
Parker took Bachman to the barn and Bachman asked if he could talk to the cows.  Parker said the cows don't talk.  Bachman proceeded to ask the cows how Parker treated them and the cows responded by telling how well Parker took care of them.  Parker was still in shock when Bachman asked if he could talk to Parker's dog.  Parker again said that dog cannot talk.  Bachman, nevertheless proceeded to ask the dog how Parker treated him and the dog responded by telling how well Parker took care of him.  After talking to the dog, Bachman asked if Parker would mind if he talked to the sheep.  Parker responded " The sheep are bunch of liars."

1990-91 - John Arena - John Arena (along with Nick Francos) is one of the most intense individuals you will ever meet.  He usually gets involved with the Bearcat radio broadcasts.  He always delivers a great message to the seniors.

2000 - Doug Rosfeld - He told a story about the summer after his senior year in high school he was playing in an all-star game and John Parker was his coach.  During the game, a player landed on his ankle causing a severe sprain.  He was sitting on the sideline in tears as he was thinking how this is going to effect his readiness for two-a-days at UC.  Parker comes up to him and Doug, all upset, says I need to get to Bill Walker (UC trainer) tomorrow and start getting treatments right-a-way.
Parker responds, just remember, no matter what Bill does for your ankle, you will still be ugly.

2002 - Kurt Doolin and Josh Gardener - These are some solid captains to lead the Bearcats to a great season.

Go Cats!