Now that life has settled down a bit after a whirlwind June and more than half of July, I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of you in the Tulane Community who took the time to reach out to me personally, also by text, or on social media after it was announced I was leaving my former position of Director of Broadcasting at Tulane. The response truly was overwhelming and humbling to me...I guess you never really understand the impact you have on people over the years when you're doing something you truly love to do...and I truly loved calling Tulane Athletics. I know it wasn't always a pleasant listen. I understood I was a bit of a negative nelly at times, trust me, I know. I honestly tried the best I could to not be that way when things weren't going our way..it's just that's the way I am, it's the way I've always been. My greatest asset as a Tulane broadcaster was a blessing and a curse. I just cared too much. I won't apologize for that. If you had to turn the radio off because of it, I would've liked to have turned myself off sometimes.
There are countless people I could thank on here...You're not at a place for over 25 years and not have a list as long as an arm. As far as I'm concerned though, there really is only one. If not for this person, none of this would have been even possible. Ken Berthelot, former Voice of the Green Wave, is that person. He gave an opportunity to a kid who was still at Loyola trying to figure out what he was going to do with his life. He didn't have to. He didn't know me from a hole in the wall. He believed in my ability even when I had no idea what my ability was. Two years in he entrusted me to be the lead play-by-play for Tulane Baseball. Heady stuff for a 24 year old. He allowed me to grow not only in that position, but also in other areas, whether it was TV coaches shows, men's hoops pregame, or calling women's hoops in '96-'97. He always encouraged me and gave me advice when I needed to do better...it was always constructive. It wasn't always a smooth ride either. I wanted to quit many times. I was called into the principal's office many times also. Never in a million years would I have thought I'd be in the position I am now, but here we are. Thank you, KB.
I have also been fortunate to forge lasting relationships with the coaches (both Head and assistants) that have passed through the Wilson Center. Many of those coaches I still talk to regularly. It's pretty awesome when the coaches you work with over the years allow the access that I had, because they DO NOT have to. It makes your job much easier when you're privy to things the normal person (even broadcaster) is not privy too. They trusted me and it made me feel good to know I never betrayed that trust. Hopefully I was able to convey those things on the broadcasts.
Memories as far as games are long as well...I've pretty much seen it all...Highest highs, lowest lows....I would do it all over again. Having been a part of two College World Series teams, and a 12-0 Football Season and a Women's Basketball Conference and Tournament Championship are things that you treasure always. My biggest regret in my Tulane career is that I never got to call an NCAA Tournament game for Men's Basketball. Hopefully the new VOW will get a chance to do that very soon...but my greatest memory is the fact that three of my brothers played baseball and graduated at Tulane. I watched every game they played, called every at bat they had, and with our mother sitting 4 rows in front of me at old Turchin with headphones on. Tough to top that.
Finally, I'm just really looking forward to do something that I really haven't been able to do the last 12 years...and that's WATCH Tulane sporting events. Please don't hesitate if you see me at Yulman, Devlin, or Turchin (I WILL be there if I'm able) to say hey. The expectation levels are rising for the entire Athletic Dept. and thats a GOOD thing. I can tell you I'm really looking forward to the football season and to see if the momentum we were able to build at the end of last year continues. I will continue to lurk on here when the football season starts but I'm going to be very busy starting this week when Saints Training Camp begins on Friday, and then at the end of September when the Pels start their camp.
Thanks again for all of your support throughout the years. Here's to many victories in every sport. Look forward to seeing you wherever it may be...and as always, ROLL WAVE!!
Graff
