2008, a great sports year

For sports, 2008 was a great year for me. Many journalists are saying good riddance, but I'll miss it.

January

Watch the first Winter Classic. While I read many detractors who said it shouldn't have been held on New Year's Day, it was perfect in my opinion and drew record ratings.

Attend a Red Wings game at JLA, Wings beat the Vancouver Canucks, 3-2 in a shootout. Hang out with Detroit friends watch the Wings beat San Jose, 6-3.

Travel to California, take my dad and brother-in-law to a Wings - Kings game. At my dad's first NHL game, Wings win, 3-0.

March

Attended first Indiana Ice game at the Pepsi Coliseum.

April

Attended my first Indiana Pacers game at Canesco Fieldhouse, which continues to garner rave reviews. Pacers beat the Milwaukee Bucks, 105 -97.

The Detroit Red Wings finish the regular season with the best record in the NHL winning the President's Trophy, no other organization has won as many as the Wings, six.

Attended opening day of the Indianapolis Indians 2008 season.

May

Attend Fast Friday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway ... on pit lane.

Attend and work Community Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and tour the Pagoda.

Watch the Detroit Red Wings sweep the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Semifinals.

Work and attend the Indianapolis 500 with my brother, cousin, and high school friend. Meet IU head basketball coach Tom Crean. Vitor Meira's pass was spectacular; I get cold chills watching replays.

June

Watch the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup, the organization's 11th.

Travel to Detroit with my brother and attend the Stanley Cup parade and rally.

July

Travel to Nashville attend IndyCar race, the Firestone Indy 200. Scott Dixon wins.

August

Travel to Detroit for the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix.

While there attend first Tigers game at Comerica Park with one of my Detroit friends. Tigers lose, 13-3 to to the Kansas City Royals. At least the tickets were free.

See the Stanley Cup with some more of my Detroit friends.

Attend grand prix, Justin Wilson wins and dedicates his win to his team owner, Paul Newman.

October

Attend the Detroit Red Wings opening night game and banner raising ceremony. Wings lose to the Toronto Maple Leafs, 3-2.

November

Travel with my brother to south Florida and watch the Panthers take on the Red Wings. Wings win, 3-2.

December

Brother and I travel to New Castle, Ind. and attend the Spartans - South Muncie Rebel game. Spartans beat the Rebels in overtime at the largest high school gymnasium in world.

We visit the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame the next day.

Then on Sunday we attend the Indianapolis Colts - Detroit Lions game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Our first game there and the Colts win, 31-21.

Attend two Indiana Pacers games at Canseco and am lucky enough to buy court-side seats at both. Unfortunately the Pacers lose both, first to the Los Angeles Clippers, 117-109 in double overtime and then to the New Orleans Hornets, 105-103.

Yep, 2008 was great. Hopefully 2009 will be just as fine.