Every year at this time, I send an e-mail to Coach Wright sharing my thoughts about the Cat’s past season. Jay likely dismisses what I have to say as the ravings of yet another lunatic, but he always responds with a polite "Thanks Ed." This year, the theme of my mail is going to be "what NovaNation is thinking." To that end, I thought I would ask for help from the 1,000+ readers who regularly visit VUHoops.com.
I want to keep my message to Jay crisp and focused on only the most important sentiments of the VUHoops readers. We already know from our March 27th poll "After Two Wrongs, Is Jay Still Wright?" that 95% of us feel that "Jay is still the man." However, most who voted that way added a "but" with their vote. I want to determine the "buts" that are most widely held across the VUHoops readers as the basis for my letter to Jay.
To that end, I thought I would steal a page from the phenomenon that began at Peet’s Café in Beverly Hills in 1998 by creating a virtual speed dating event for all of you with Jay Wright. Here’s how it will work:
Imagine that you and the other VUHoops readers assemble on a beautiful spring evening at Pavilion. You are given a number to pin to your sports coat and tickets for three free cocktails (courtesy of VUHoops' owner, Mike) to help you relax and get your thoughts together. When your number is called, you join Jay Wright at a solitary table for two at center court. It’s just you and Jay, mano-a-mano, for 60 seconds. Jay listens intently as you tell him the most important things you believe he should do to make the team more successful next year. When your 60 seconds is up, the court-side buzzer will sound and the next VUHoops reader will take your place at the table. Afterwards, you summarize the suggestions you made to Jay in the comments section of this post.
I will compile the most compelling ideas into a poll that will be posted for a vote next week. The five ideas getting the most votes from the VUHoops readers will find their way into my letter to Jay.
That's it. It’s time to pin that number on your sports coat, Honey Badger. Enjoy your date!