As someone who watches more than their fair share of ESPN programming (I can’t help it!), I have to say they put together great commercials.

That is why my interest was instantly peaked when I learned that Phelps just shot an “on-air advertising promo” this week for the network.

He wasn’t alone, either. ESPN also filmed spots featuring fitness guru Richard Simmons, author Stephen King, NBA stars Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, as well as Jose Reyes and Jimmy Rollins from the MLB.

This better be good, Phelps!

Or else we’ll send Erika to your house to punch you in the face!

We just want to let y’all know, since Club Wolverine Owns Us, that the UM schedule for 07-08 is out and y’all need to go support those boys. Why? Because we said so! Oh, and also because we can’t…

We’d also like to let you know that nothing, short of an act of God, will get us to any UM meets this time around. Yea, we know we’re slacking, but we have a plan, so just bear with us. We will be there in spirit! The alum exhibition and Big Tens interests us more than anything else, but we have to use a little self control this year. Next summer is going to make all of us broke! Besides, I need to go see some of my peoples on tour this fall. I work for/with some music artists too. Y’all don’t know nuthin’ bout that!

And I know I have less of an excuse than the other Swim Aids, being that I’m less than 3 hours from Ann Arbor, but I’d just like to remind everyone that I went to all of the UM meets (home & away) but one during the 2005-06 season. So back up off me! Now, my mind can be changed in rare occurances — and by request — but I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were y’all. However, it should be noted that I will accept gifts in the form of flowers (lillies) and McDonald’s gift certificates (mmm, fries).

Anyway, Go Blue!

Moving from an angry Vanderkaay story to a celebratory one!

Just got word that the other VK brother we show love to (no, not that one. He’s still a hater) has won his first international medal over in Bangkok. Competing at the 2007 World University Games, AVK had already raced the 200 Fly and 800 Free. But his podium appearance came courtesy of the 400 IM, where he turned in a 4:17.34 performance to score the silver medal.

So we take a moment to salute a Vanderkaay named Alex for representing the USA the only way he knows how; like a P.I.M.P.

A picture is worth a thousand words. haha. Have fun with this one!

Now I hope y’all are sitting down as you read this, because if not, you might just fall over!

There is a meet going on in Ann Arbor starting tomorrow, and none of us are going! Shocking, is it not? Canham tends to have this ridiculously strong gravitational pull when it comes to us and big meets, but we are fighting the power this time around. We’re not exactly sure where this sudden strong will came from, but we’re hoping this same force can help us save money this fall. (What can I say? We like to dream big!)

Anyway, being the massive CW whores that we are (Remember our 2 Top 10 lists?), we wish the team all the best during the meet. Besides, with the exception of AVK & Kaitlin, we’ll see them all in a few weeks at Nationals. We know they’ll miss us, because who doesn’t? No one else really pays attention to the majority of the CWers except us. And that’s because we, alone, like to keep it real.

I’m also pleased to see the Cincy Marlins making the trip up to dear ol’ A2 for this competition. I checked out one of their home meets last month and was quite impressed.

I know what you’re all thinking: “Who’s the new guy?”. According to the meet announcer, Chris DeJong has now started pronouncing his name “dijon”. Yes, like the mustard. This wasn’t the only mistake the meet announcer made. He continuously gave us the wrong names, lanes, and times throughout the meet today. Now that we’ve all unrolled our eyes we decided to make a post.

A couple of things: if you’re not sure how to pronounce a name, GO ASK! Keep the correct heat sheet, come on it can’t be THAT hard. I don’t know, maybe it’s just me, but if I were announcing a meet I would at least try to correctly pronounce peoples names. I’m surprised no one has corrected him. Next time let me announce the meet. I have no problem pronouncing names, unless they are Japanese.

That is all. Goodbye.

And on his birthday too, how cute!

So yesterday, USA Swimming put up another one of their swimmer features. This time they big-upped a Vanderkaay named Alex. We’d been wondering when they might jump on the AVK Train, and bets may or may not have been placed. But it’s nice to see his hard work acknowledged. My only critiques are that there were no mentions of his NCAA title from March (that was a huge deal!), and that they should have done a 20 Question Tuesday with him instead. That would have been pure comedy!

Anyway, ch-check it out here.

P.S. I am also amused that the picture of Alex that accompanies this feature is from 2005 (note the non-fug cap). That’s all they got? I have a larger selection than that! And nevermind that it’s only so I can help his mama build up her own collection; it’s still funny!