The boys varsity basketball team played MacDuffie on center court at the Basketball Hall of Fame.  They ended up losing by 15, but put up a good fight and played without one of their top players (who was out with a sprained ankle).  Matt Sulda ’14 played very well, as did Sam Blake ’14.  The court had remarkably little seating and overhanging levels blocked the sight lines for shooting.

Following the game, a group of alumni and I went over to Max’s Tavern for drinks. Everyone loved the new basketball pint glasses.  Mike Jackson (trustee) and Jim Brennan (trustee) showed up after the game.  Jim knows David Monroe ’83 through basketball.  David continues to play competitive basketball in the Springfield area and has a couple of nephews who are pretty good.

The other parents to attend were the Sulda’s (Erik and Kim).  What nice people!  They hung out the whole time and seemed to have fun.

Warren Barnett ’03 and Jon McGowan ’03 drove to the game together.  Jon drove up from Rhode Island where he’s a wine distributor.  We all started talking about the Sonoma Valley Alumni event and Jon suggested a few other vineyards for us to visit.  He travels out to California a couple times a year to visit with wine reps.  Both he and Warren were back last June for their Reunion.

Ashley Picknelly Vassallo ’03 happened to be at Max’s with a friend and stopped by to say hello.  Ashley is starting her own photography business while working with MGM on bringing the casino to Springfield. Marlin Howard ’63 was also in attendance.  Marlin owns a tax firm and said, “This will be my last chance to get out and have fun before tax season arrives so a little snow wasn’t going to stop me!  Besides, this was an easier drive than the West Hartford event” (which he attended as well).

Marlin spent a lot of time talking with Jim Brennan, Mike Jackson and Courtney Miniter ’03.  Courtney graduated from college with a degree in architecture. She has since gone back to school to get a degree in exercise physiology and is working at Choate. She said keeps in close contact with a few of her Williston friends such as Justin Simons, Becky Hayden and Felicia Wilson.

Overall, a pleasant night.