Aug. 1, 2008

I have definitely been enjoying my summer and trying to make the most of it! I started out like most of the men's basketball team and took a summer school course. The class was in psychology, which is my major. The class went smoothly, and it looks as though I will be able to graduate in May with a psychology degree and marketing minor. I'll be pretty happy to get that piece of paper in May!

I haven't gone out of the country to Greece or Africa like Michael Bramos and Nick Winbush, but I've been plenty of places this summer. During a weekend while I was in summer school, my father and I made a road trip to Virginia Beach to visit my grandmother ... 12 hours is too long to be in a car! Although I can't really swim all that well, I enjoy the beach as long as I don't forget my sunscreen! A friend of mine from Mason High School and I went on a short vacation over the 4th of July to Tampa, Fla., for a few days. That was pretty fun.

Also, I got a chance to sit in and listen to a speech by Presidential Candidate Barack Obama at the NAACP Convention in Cincinnati. I also am heading to sunny California in August to visit my friend from school, SheyDizzle (there's his shout out), and see exactly how big he's living in L.A.

I joined a fitness center that's near my hometown of Mason, Ohio--Lifetime Fitness--where I've been working out hard pretty much every day. I like it because it's open 24 hours a day, and I've been taking spinning classes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5:45 a.m. ... I wish the class started later and the bike seats were softer, but hopefully it pays off for the season! I realize staying in good condition will help increase my game, so that's what I'm working on.

As Tyler Dierkers said in his entry earlier, we played in the Deveroes Summer League this summer in Cincinnati. We didn't go as far in the playoffs as we would have liked (thanks to some "injuries" to Doug Penno and Danny Horace ... haha), but it was still good to get the competitive juices flowing, and I think Tyler and I especially played well together. I see him having another big season!

Before I forget, I have to thank my parents and Mr. Eddie Caldwell for the BIGTIME COOKOUT we had at our house for the basketball team and some of my other friends that were in Oxford for the summer. It was a good time, and I don't think I've ever seen a man eat as much as big Vince Legarza. Also, I just want to say that I'm pretty excited for my senior year, as my only intentions are to: make the NCAA Tournament, personally be a big contributor to the team, and earn my degree ... I don't think that's too much to ask, and I expect those all to happen! I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their summer.

This is a continuation of a series of updates from the Miami University men's basketball players throughout the summer.

Printer-friendly format	Email this article