And Cheech & Chong Were A Big "Hit" Here Too

I'm a Murrayan. I grew up in Murray, Kentucky from age 3 until I left for college at 18. That's the same Murray as in Murray State the sports world is talking about. And for good reason: It's the greatest season ever for a tradition-rich program in a basketball-crazy part of the world. Their 13 year-old arena is filled to rafters, finally--kinda like the old days. But this was the arena I watched many an MSU game in. It began life as The Fieldhouse, then was renamed Racer Arena. From 1954-1998 it was where Murray State played its men's and women's basketball games and hosted many a concert (Diana Ross & Supremes, Billy Joel, 3 Dog Night, ELO, Kenny Rogers & 1st Edition, Sly & Family Stone--even Andy Williams--all played there). In 1971, Murray State hosted Western Kentucky when both were ranked in the top 20. See that long steel support beam in the front? The one that curves all the way over to the right press box, just above the word "volleyball?" I stood on top of that very press box and leaned on that very beam during that sold-out, SRO game in 1971. With memories like that still reverberating 41 years later I can only imagine what the big bang of this season will do for my hometown and its people--the best you'd hope to meet--for decades to come. Go Racers!

(BTW Justin Seeley took the photo above; here's his site for more great shots.)