Behind the Mic

Those Lazy, Hazy Days of Summer

Posted by: Brian Barnhart

Monday, June 22, 2009 11:29 AM

This is the season of the year I have to take some vacation...and I will be doing just that over the next couple of weeks. 

When I first started as the "Voice of the Illini" 8 seasons ago... I have to admit ...I didnt like the "off-season" (summer) very much.  I was ready to start a new season about a week after the basketball season was done in March (or April).  Part of the reason for that feeling was probably  because I was younger ...and I was just having so much fun broadcasting the games...I did not want to take a break. 

 "Bring on the next game!" was my motto.

Maybe because I am a little older  (and wiser) now, I have learned to pace myself a little.  I still REALLY enjoy doing the play-by-play and soak up every minute of the football and basketball seasons.  Countless interviews and practices and stats to update and scoresheets to fill out make the fall and winter go by fast.   Getting paid to go to Illini games is a real honor...and I look forward to hopefully doing it for a long time to come.

I have even added extra duties with my television work for baseball on the Big Ten Network ...which allows me some play-by-play opportunities that extend into mid-May.  That is also a lot of fun.

But over the last few  years...I have come to appreciate the off-season (June and July)  as well.  Trips to the pool with my family.....cookouts....pushing my daughters on a tire swing....resting in a new hammock under big shade trees....listening to baseball on the radio and TV...taking a family vacation.  As my  pre-teen daughters grow older.... I realize the chance to spend time with them is precious ....and I try to make the most of that time while I can.

I am looking forward to the start of the Illini football season... and Camp Rantoul will come soon enough (see Bob Asmussen's Camp Rantoul Countdown).

But for right now...time to put up my feet...have a cool drink...and NOT get up at 4:30 am for at least a couple of weeks.  I am looking foward to the break!

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