The COVID 19 World Crisis

Postings Starting March 13  to Who Knows

We have entered uncharted waters. This virus was largely unknown three months ago.  Back then Corona was just a beer from Mexico. However, the virus is on everybody’s mind now. I want to observe what happening, so I am going to keep some notes. I have seen lots of things which I haven’t seen before. Like most people, I am trying to understand as much as I can.  I found the World Health Organization’s detailed data on a website  (www.ourworldindata.org/coronavirus). You can check their bona-fides, which look very good to me. Each day I will post what I think is accurate data so we can see trends. Early on,  I was told the UK has done a very poor job of dealing with this, so I will post the number of confirmed cases and deaths in the US and UK. In addition, our financial markets have reflected the scare, so each day I will report the change in the DJII from the prior day. Let’s see where this takes us.

3/13/20

Day -3   Strong Warning Signs

Measure                      USA                 UK

Confirmed Cases         1,264               594

Deaths                         36                    8         

DJII                              +9.4%

Usually, I am not a suspicious person. However, I realized something was definitely up. In the morning when I shot my worst round of golf on an otherwise beautiful day. Felt great, played lousy. I got home at 1 PM, and Carol told me she was unable to shop. The crowds of people getting ready for “whatever” translated into no parking places. Period.

I volunteered to go, and started at Target. We needed toilet paper, sanitary wipes, etc. I was shocked to see many shelves were completely bare. This isn’t Russia, our free market works. However, when people hoard, the system gets balled up. That is exactly what was happening. Then to Berkeley Bowl and Whole Foods for food. Their shelves were often bare, as well. It took 90 minutes each to check out of these mobbed stores. People in line seemed to be bracing for the unknown. There was no six feet of separation.    

The radio warned of acute shortages of toilet paper, as people bought up everything on the shelves. And, forget about getting the N95 masks, personal sanitizers (Purell), and sanitary wipes.

3/14/20

Day -2    Confirming More to Come

Measure                      USA                 UK

Confirmed Cases         2174                707

Deaths                         47                    10

DJII                              N/A

The flood of cancellations started quickly. No NCAA March Madness is crushing to me. That is perhaps my favorite sporting event. I am sorry that red hot teams like the Dayton Flyers have lost their chance to show everyone how good they really are. The Olympics, which are scheduled to start in July, are “going forward”, so far. Non-essential flying was discouraged. Everyone watched the daily charts which states showed the quickest increases. Washington and California are off to a “bad” start.

Non-essential group meetings have been discouraged. That really made me laugh. During my career I hate to estimate how many non-essential meetings I attended. A very savvy boss of mine once told me if I am not in front of a client, or working on a financing, I was not doing my job. In this case and many others, he was more right than wrong. One other maxim of Ben’s was “business is personal”. To succeed, your co-workers, clients and advisors need to know you. That means spending social as well as deal oriented time with them. It was my good fortune, he often concluded that meant us having Friday lunch dates at the PU club playing backgammon, or dominos. Quality time, and that buffet had just about anything you might like.

3/15/20

Day -1      Last “Free” Day

Measure                      USA                 UK

Confirmed Cases         2,951               1,140

Deaths                         57                    21

DJII                              N/A

As explained above, I will track COVID 19 in the UK and USA. They are perhaps our closest ally. It has been painful to watch as they have worked to extricate themselves from the EU. I am in the minority and think this can be a good thing for them, but there is much to do. Today the UK population is 66.4mm, or about 20% of our 327mm. Fifty years ago their population was 27% of ours. During that time, their population grew 11mm (20%), while ours grew 122mm (nearly 60%).  That is a profound difference, which doesn’t bode well for them.

3/16/20

Day 0     It Starts Now

Measure                      USA                 UK

Confirmed Cases         3,774               1,140

Deaths                         69                    35

DJII                              -13%

With all sorts of directives expected, we filled up our cars, did one last shopping (but didn’t buy ice cream), got cash from the ATM, and ordered out dinner from a favorite local spot. It’s official, starting tomorrow, the rules kick in big time.

I attended my last in person meeting for the next few weeks. (Going forward our committee will use Zoom which is great.) Anticipating things wouldn’t get back to normal, our Rector proposed “Easter in June”, knowing it won’t happen as now scheduled on April 12.  This is horrible news for me for a couple of reasons. Lent has never been my favorite time of year. The music of the period is depressing to me. No Joy. Making Lent longer is bad news. It also means delaying the fantastic music of Easter.

3/17/20

Day 1 Stay in Place

Measure                      USA                 UK

Confirmed Cases         4661                1543

Deaths                         85                    55

DJII                              +5%

So, what’s so hard in this new world after just one day?

·      Can’t go to the Exercise facility where I work out most days. (that also means no steam room, which I love.)

·      Can’t putt the 36 balls I putt at the beginning of each day. In fact, no golf period.

·      Can’t (shouldn’t) jump in the car to do errands.

·      Turning on the TV is guaranteed to have bad news: either COVID 19, the election, or the markets. This too shall pass.

·      Can’t see friends.

·      I have not felt like I have an ankle bracelet on, yet.

Working out now means going out for long walks. It is usually cold when I go out, often before the sun has risen. Very quiet, not many people out. It is actually a  pleasant way to start the morning. I listen to classical music, podcasts, or rock & roll. All have their place. Yes, I wear one of those bright worker’s vests so cars can see me. Traffic on roads is visibly lower than usual.

I read that Zoom had 300,000 new customers in one day, as people learn more about their terrific video conferencing product. It is truly great, but we have all seen lots of good products whose companies aren’t a good investment. Schwab reports Zoom’s PE is a modest 1,800. (At least that means they are making some money.) Today’s PE is a bargain compared to their peak of a bit over 2,200. It appears the stock is up 50% in the last month. Again, using Schwab data, all major rating sources which cover ZM rate it as a HOLD.  Caveat Emptor.

Poor Ohio. The governor and other officials wanted to postpone their scheduled primary, but 11^th hour jockeying was needed to postpone.  Biden won all the states today, including a one sided win in Florida (76%-22%). What could go wrong? Who knows?

Spent part of the afternoon planting beautiful small flowers in our new terraced side area.  Our Bacopa are light purple and white, the colors of our local high school. Also cleaned out our outdoors garden storage room. Surprising that never got to the top of the “to do” list. You could eat on the counters now.

Italy, Spain, and other countries are “locking down” key cities or their country. Many countries have stopped allowing people to come into their country.

In the USA, we are told to wash our hands in hot, soapy water for 20 seconds. That is the time it takes to sing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star or Happy Birthday twice. It is also the same time it takes to see all the highlights of the Democrat’s presidential debates of the last 12 months.  (We have got to change the way we elect our president!)

3/18/20

Day 2 Self Isolation

Measure                      USA                 UK

Confirmed Cases         6427                1950

Deaths                         108                  55

DJII                              -6%

The Dow is bouncing around like a rubber ball. Usually valuations change fractions of a percent in a typical day. These aren’t typical days. Are program traders accentuating this volatility?

Our local Episcopal diocese (essentially about 60 churches in the bay area) announced all services are cancelled, other than those done electronically.  Can you imagine a couple who had set their wedding date for this coming Saturday, only to have this come up? What about memorial services?  Life goes on. We will see what we will see.

Carol and I are taking great satisfaction in doing projects around the house. Carol has cleaned out her cloths closet. I finally crossed the bridge by recognizing the 100 LPs, and more cassettes aren’t essential anymore. I hope wherever they end up, they are enjoyed as much as I did. You Tube allows me to hear just about anything, any time. If you haven’t tried this, you should. Pick your favorite piece and view it.

Here are two pieces which I think will bring joy to your day:

·      Handel’s “As Steals the Morn” (L’Allegro HWV 55) performed by Voices of Music (SF based) featuring Amanda Forsythe and Thomas Cooley performed 11/4/19

·      Mozart’s “Laudate Dominum” performed by Bel Canto Choir Vilnius performed 3/1/11

(An interesting option of the same piece is the performance by Barbara Hendricks dated 11/2/17.)

So long as I have access to music like this, I can get through anything.

3/19/20

Day 3 Self Isolation

Measure                      USA                 UK

Confirmed Cases         9415                2630

Deaths                         150                  103

DJII                              +1%

Note US numbers were restated by 50% upward in last few days. This can’t be surprising since our healthcare system is so decentralized and this is such a fast changing situation. Expect more of this. Likely in all cases, it will be increases from previously reported levels.

As of today, world-wide confirmed cases totaled 213,254, while deaths confirmed were 8,843. That is a rate of 4.1%. However, that is likely overstated since many may have the virus but not be confirmed in the morning.

You all know “older” people are  more at risk. Guess who they are talking about? I learned of senior shopping time (usually when a store opens and remains for two hours). The intent is to minimize crowding for those most at risk. In search of the holy grail (sanitizer wipes, gloves, and toilet paper) I got to Safeway 15 minutes after it had opened. All the toilet paper which had been delivered the night before was gone. (At least I saw people with TP!) I asked a clerk about gloves, and he took me to a shelf which had them!!! Awesome. My first instinct was to grab them all but decided to just take one package of 2 pair. Shortly there-after the same clerk came to me and asked if I was interested in a small Purell. Having only seen pictures for the last week, I thanked him and took it. A final deal sealer, he agreed to hold some TP for me tomorrow morning. America is great. (It turns our Carol found 8 rolls in our storage area. Fade out to We’re In The Money.

You know things aren’t normal when the ironing board comes out. Has it come to this? Carol has done hours of ironing. I am guessing every house has some drawer where stacks of clean, un-ironed napkins, and the like live. They don’t see the light of day much before the afternoon of a dinner party. Think of ironing as getting ready to re-socialize. I can hardly wait.

I heard today that half of the cases in the USA are in 3 states and 10 counties. California, Washington, and New York, are the states. The map demonstrates huge concentrations.

Tonight, our governor ordered the state is on shut down. Everyone is to self-isolate. This is a dramatic and bold step. By drastically limited contact with others, the spread of the virus should slow. However, this is going to mean economic hardship for many, many people. I can’t imagine the scale of this devastation will take.

3/20/20

Day 4 Self Isolation

Measure                      USA                 UK

Confirmed Cases         14250             3277

Deaths                         150                  144

DJII                              -5%

For the past few days, when walking,  I have seen young families with their kids biking, walking, or whatever. School is out so parents have their hands full 24x7. I hear about groups which are forming shared teaching situations. Awesome.

More importantly, it’s what I don’t see these days which is great. Way less traffic. This translates into less noise,  but the pace of life seems to slow down with less cars. I can’t tell how much traffic has decreased in Oakland and Piedmont. I would guess something like 50%. We get so use to traffic in our area we take it for granted. Thus, I can’t tell you how far back one needs to go to have this as our traffic level.

Face it, the bay area has lost a lot of its appeal in the past several years.  Harder to drive around. Restaurants are more crowded, and more expensive. People move  a bit faster and are more often rude or ignore those around them. More hassles. And of course, crime and homelessness hasn’t improved things.

BTW, did you notice for the past 6 trading days, the DJII had alternated from a day up to a day down. However, during those days, the measure has lost 10%. Added to losses in February the equity markets are off about 1/3^rd through today.

March 21, 2020

Day 5 Self Isolation

Measure                      USA                 UK

Confirmed Cases         19624              3983

Deaths                         260                  177

DJII                              N/A

On my walk this morning, I got to thinking about isolation. I grew up with three siblings, and always shared a bed-room with one of both of my brothers. Throughout college I had room mates, culminating in my last year in college when I roomed with three other guys. They  turned out to be my best friends. And, I have been married for over 50 years. My jobs always involved working with small groups of people, and then interfacing with clients. Thus, not much time on my own.

The closest to isolation happened at boy scout summer camp. Each summer our, quite active, Berkeley troop had a three week camp experience on a PG&E lake near Big Bear. We had to hike about 6 miles in to get to the camp site. When I was 14, two other scouts (about the same age) and I left camp. We had our packs stuffed with clothing, food, a sleeping bag and tarp, and very importantly a topo map and compass. We were taking our 20 mile hike, which would complete the hiking merit badge. Ruy, Art, and I were on our own for probably three days and two nights. I am happy to report it all went without a hitch, because of our growing knowledge, an abundance of caution, and good luck. (I looked online today and most of that beautiful area has succumbed to drivable roads, camp sites, and lots of people. When we were there, it was highly unusual to see anyone other than our troop and dads.

3/22/20

Day 6 Self Isolation

Measure                      USA                 UK

Confirmed Cases         22767              5018

Deaths                         340                  233

DJII                              N/A

Most Episcopal churches had some sort of virtual church service. I watched a few, and all had something to offer. (Unfortunately, music is largely missing, and that is why I go to church.) Toilet paper has been in very short supply in the East Bay, and elsewhere. Starting 10 days ago or so, a “run” started on TP. I have learned the US produces about 7 billion rolls per year. (I assume we don’t import additional supply.) Seven billion equates to an average of about two rolls per month per person. Note, manufacturers has quietly shrunk the typical size of TP from 4.5”x4” (1999) to 4”x3.7”. That’s nearly a 20% drop is size. I am going to stick my neck out and bet prices didn’t drop. It seems reasonable to assume the demand for TP is usually very stable. Thus, stores probably keep no more than a few days’ supply are on the shelves most of the time. I conclude,  it doesn’t take too many people to hoard, to goof up the supply chain. I would guess a few hundred at each store would do the trick.

3/23/20

Day 7 Self Isolation

Measure                      USA                 UK

Confirmed Cases         35206              5683

Deaths                         471                  281

DJII                              -4%                 

We had our first virtual lunch today. We chatted with our good friends the Bonds, as we swapped funny stories, discussed the virus, while having lunch.  It is great to see friends during this time of isolation.

3/24/20

Day 8 Self Isolation

Measure                      USA                 UK

Confirmed Cases         41442              6650

Deaths                         590                  335

DJII                              +11%              

Face it, Congress has suffered from grid-lock for some time. They have failed to reach compromise in many critical areas, as “business as usual” continues. (I am always heartened by the quote attributed to the comedian Will Rodgers who said, “Be glad we not getting all the government we’re paying for”.) Well COVID 19 got the congress on the same page in a few days. The Senate passed an 880 page bill while is filled with financial aid to groups in need. (How many people actually read this bill?) Two trillion is about one month of our GDP. Many are saying this colossal bill is just the first step. I certainly agree drastic steps like this (and bold initiatives by the Federal Reserve) are essential to keep the economy from going off the tracks. Even with this, some predict a double digit unemployment rate in a month or so.  In addition, a drop in GDP growth may be as high as 30% annualized.

If I remember correctly, the original size of this bill was about $1 trillion, so lots was added as the sausage was made.

This Could be the Start of Something Big

In February 1809, the United States awaited the inauguration of our forth president, James Madison, which was one month away. On the European continent Napoleon was facing a new type of opposition, guerrilla warfare, in the Peninsula Wars. In Spain citizens resisted when he replaced their king. They led ambushes, sabotaged the “invaders”, and ignored the usual rules of war.

On Sunday February 20, 1809 two babies were born each of whom would change the course of history. In time they both challenged conventional wisdom in different areas. Their beginnings could not have been more different. The first was born in Shrewsbury England to a wealthy, well-connected family. (His father was a doctor and his mother was a Wedgewood, a family already known for making excellent china.)  The other was born in a modest 12 foot by 18-foot one-room cabin in Hardin County Kentucky. The family and relatives were poor. The English family was Unitarians, while the later was Separate Baptists who didn’t consume alcohol, dance, or “frolic”. The former grew up in a family where lively, intelligent conversations were the frequent by product of evening meals of plenty. The later family never had “too much on the table”. Given the absence of education, conversation was probably sparse.

We recently visited the Galapagos Islands, about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador. As you likely know, this is a unique, protected environment of a wide assortment of species. Some only exist on those islands. This is the first of what may be several postings concerning this trip. As you have probably figured out, the young boy from England was Charles Darwin, who is inexorably linked to the Galapagos. The other was perhaps our greatest president, Abraham Lincoln. Darwin’s important role in these islands and the coincidence of he & Lincoln share a birthday makes this a good place to start.

Lincoln’s family moved around during his youth, looking for better opportunity. Darwin’s family stayed at their estate, the Mount. Darwin showed an early interest in nature, while Lincoln was forced to work around the house. Darwin went to the best schools, but often got poor grades, attributed to his lack of attention. His father worried “he had no direction in his life”. Lincoln had one year of formal education. (Of course this was supplemented by his prodigious effort in self-schooling.) Not insignificantly, both lost their mother before the age of 10. Darwin’s father convinced him to enroll in medical school at the age of 16.  He found the lectures “dull” and the surgery “distressing”.  His father sensed a disaster, and withdrew his son after two years. Darwin was then placed at Christ College, Cambridge to earn a BA, as the first step to becoming a minister. Once again parental direction could not override his unbridled interest in nature. As was the rage at the time, Darwin loved to collect beetles, and spent lots of time with various similarly inclined scientists. He graduated with a degree in Geology from Christ College Cambridge in 1831. He was 10^th in his class of 178, not bad for all dad’s worries. The plans for ministry were off the table. Shortly after graduation Darwin received an invitation to join a sea voyage to chart the west coast of South America, as well as collect specimens. Dad, predictably, was against this two year “boondoggle”. However, an uncle convinced him this might be good, and dad subsequently acceded to the request and provided needed funding. That voyage took Darwin half way around the world. (In contrast, Lincoln never traveled very far. He lived his life in about one quarter of our current borders.) The trip started just after Christmas 1831. It lasted five years. Darwin’s work on that voyage, and his subsequent thinking changed the way we see nature. What if dad had not changed his mind?

The year Darwin set sail on the Beagle, Lincoln struck out on his own. He found a series of jobs, each without much future. For example, in 1832, he and a partner purchased a general store. Later that year he ran for the Illinois state assembly. He lost because he had no financial backing, or connections.  Two years later he tried again, and won. He stayed in the state legislature for 8 years.

While Lincoln was toiling in the state legislature, Darwin was on an adventure. He studied the geology of land they visited. He also collected so many specimens (and thought they were so valuable) he sent home boxes and boxes complete with careful notes at many ports they visited. The scientists who received them were thrilled at the diverse and sometimes unknown specimens.  Darwin’s only regret was his frequent bouts of seasickness.

In 1836 the Beagle returned home. Darwin has reams of un-sent notes, and hundreds of new specimens. At age 27, he had no job. Soon he decided his work would be to study and write about his research. Dad arranged a group of “angels” to  privately fund that work. The ensuing 25 years were years of hard work and growing success for Darwin. He moved to London to focus on his work, and later was accepted into the elite Royal Society, which began nearly 200 years earlier.  In 1853 he was awarded their prestigious Royal Medal for his work. He published several books culminating in the release of the Origin of the Species in 1859. (That book was funded by a Treasury grant of the equivalent of today’s $100,000, not a bad investment.) One year earlier he learned of Alfred Russell Wallace who was developing similar ideas concerning the new idea of evolution. There was a joint presentation to the Linnean Society in 1858, which Darwin missed because of illness. His radical thinking and intelligence resulted in the theory of evolution and the concept of the survival of the fittest. Both have stood the test of time, but were widely challenged and ridiculed at the time they were introduced. They were particularly challenged by the church which believed God created the world in six days. To me, his thinking is well summarized by this quote: “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change”. Time and again on the islands we saw how birds or reptiles evolved to live more efficiently.

 One of my favorite pictures of Darwin is below, showing ape like tendencies.

In their prime of life, neither gentleman distinguished himself in courtship. Twice, Lincoln decided on a partner, became engaged, and then backed out before the wedding. Three times was a charm, as he was captivated by Mary Todd in 1840, waited two years to propose, and tied the knot in 1842. Darwin moved a bit more quickly, but equally unsurely. In July 1838, he contemplated marriage by writing advantages & disadvantages. On the plus side were: “a constant companion, friend in old age, and better than a dog”. On the down side was “less money for books, and a terrible loss of time”. He ended up marrying a cousin, Emma Wedgewood, in 1839. I’m guessing they didn’t get Limoges china.

Lincoln’s progress was inconsistent. In his early-married life, Lincoln started a law practice in Springfield, IL, often representing railroads. In 1846 he ran for congress, and won. However, he failed to get a subsequent expected appointment and returned to practice law. In 1854 he gave his Peoria speech, which was his first strong public stand against slavery. In the 1856 election he was considered, but not chosen for the Republican VP position. However, his real national political presence started in 1858 when he had seven debates with Steven Douglas as they vied for a US senate seat. Lincoln was eloquent in the debates, but lost the election.

Luck smiled on him at the 1860 Republican convention. Supporters of the front-runners, particularly, Samuel Chase and William Steward, fought hard, but inconclusively in ballot after ballot. Finally, Lincoln was chosen as a compromise candidate. In the general election he carried almost all states except the south, which was united in their desire to leave the nation over the issue of slavery. Before his inauguration in March 1861, several southern states left the union. One month into office, the Civil War started when southern troops fired on Fort Sumter.

The ensuing years were gut wrenching for the president and our divided country. He was troubled by a series of poor generals to lead the union troops, inflation, a need to raise taxes to fund the war, and his need to exert unpopular executive powers in time of war (such as suspending habeas corpus). Voters punished his Republican party in the mid term elections of 1862 (complaints of inflation, higher taxes, and too much government power. Sound familiar?) However, slowly, the tide of the war turned.

A few months after a convincing victory by the north, the president was asked to give a short speech at the Gettysburg Soldiers’ Cemetery in November 1863. Astoundingly, the president was not the featured speaker. That honor went to the distinguished Edward Everett. Everett spoke for over two hours and was well received. However, history is unanimous; on that day Lincoln delivered one of the best political speeches in our history. The assessment the next day was not unanimous. The Chicago Times observed “The cheek of every American must tingle with shame as he reads this silly, flat and dishwatery utterances of the man who has been pointed out to intelligent foreigners as the President of the United States.” Below is a picture of Abe on a battle site.

 In the end the south could not compete with the more wealthy and industrial north. Lincoln won re-election in November 1864, and the war ended in April 1865. The 13^th amendment prohibiting slavery passed in December 1865. Not bad for less than 5 years work.

Unfortunately for the country, the bodyguard assigned to guard the president and his guests at the Ford Theater in April 1865 decided to join the president’s driver for a drink away from the theater. Lincoln was shot and died at the age of 56.

Darwin lived for nearly 20 more years. He wrote 25 books including an autobiography, and was widely recognized. Unfortunately, the pressures of his life resulted in many episodes of health challenges and intermittent bouts of failing health. He died on April 19, 1882.  His clear legacy lives on.

Two very different men, each born on the same day, changed to world they knew and influenced later generations. However, don’t assume it was just 20^th of February. Others who share that birthdate include local political hack Joe Alioto, actor Loren Green, labor organizer JL Lewis, and indescribable Charles Van Doren.

That Couldn’t Happen, but It Did

We are well into the 2013-14 season of college Men’s Basketball. This is one of my favorite sports. Games don’t drag on, the outcome is often decided near the end of the game, and the players’ ability and heart is often amazing.  As a bonus, you sometimes get overtime.

There are about 350 division 1 schools that play men’s basketball. Those are the bigger, better known schools like Michigan, UCLA, and Coppin State (?). Typically, those teams play 30 games, excluding post-season tournaments.

There are 2 other divisions of colleges and universities; cryptically, division 2 and 3. There is also the NAIA, for smaller schools. All told, it’s a good guess there are more than 15,000 college men’s basketball games a season. That is a lot of chances for strange things to happen. This season had some incredible outcomes, here are two.

David –vs- Goliath

On December 14, 2013 tiny Champion Baptist Seminary (founded in 2005) travelled to Baton Rouge to face the Southern Jaguars. Champion was winless to that point, allowing over 100 points per game, but scoring 40-55. Southern’s program is not that strong: they are ranked 256^th of the 351 D1 schools. However, things were different that night, as seen by the 210 in attendance. Southern got off to a good start, a very good start. The score was 44-0, before Champion’s first point, a free throw, 15 minutes into the first 20-minute half. Champion’s head coach, Eric Capaci, is also the President of the Seminary, and Pastor of the affiliated Gospel Light Baptist Church. He should have figured things might be bad. Before the game Southern’s head coach inquired if he would agree to drop the four media time outs per half. Capaci knew this would be a bad deal for his team. “They need that time to catch their breath”. Media time outs were “in”, for the assumed hundreds of listeners.

When the forty minutes of regulation time ended the scoreboard showed Southern 116 - Champion 12. A loss by over 100 points. Most think this is an NCAA record. Champion’s high scorer had 4 points, while the coach’s son connected for three. Look at it this way, Southern scored almost three points per minute, Champion scored one point each three minutes. Regrettably, Southern’s coach had their superior team “press” the Tigers the whole game. That is bad form in my opinion. One female Southern fan tweeted “I felt so bad for those guys, I felt like I needed to make them some gumbo.” I hope she did. Never one to miss the obvious, Coach C commented in the post game wrap up “I thought we missed some shots we should have made.” (They shot under 10%.) Heading back to Hot Springs, Arkansas, Coach C may have wondered if it was worth the $4,000 guarantee fee they earned. My bet is they did well, if they have logo apparel for sale in the bookstore. The $4,000 seems like chump change to me. My guess is that doesn’t even pay for the teams shoes, although most big schools have deals with shoe manufacturers. Another data point. Last year, each of the teams that made the NCAA’s Final Four in basketball’s March Madness earned $10 million for their leagues. That is serious money.

I would love to report Champion’s season has turned around for their undaunted ten brave souls. Regrettably, the school’s web site is under development, so getting information is tough.  I wonder if the men learned about Daniel in the Lion’s Den when they returned to school?

WSJ Reports A Rare Tie 

Wednesday’s Winston Salem Journal (what did you think WSJ meant, anyway?) reported a strange story. Locals know whenever Winston Salem State University and Johnson C. Smith tangle, “anything can happen”. It did on Wednesday.

The Rams of WSSU drove to Charlotte and JCS’s 50+ year-old Brayboy gym. Both teams were about 15-10, and were trying to “go deep” in the play-offs. Bragging rights were also at stake. With three seconds left, WSS’s Marquez Jones took a 3-point shot to win the game. You have seen that happen before: Gym is going crazy as seconds tick down, a player takes a towering jump shot from way out, horn goes off as ball sails through the air, ball swishes through the basket, “all net”,  fans go crazy, “winner winner, chicken diner”. It didn’t this time. However, WSSU’s Javan Wells got the offensive rebound, and made a quick two pointer to tie with .3 seconds remaining.

JCS’s Golden Rams were ready with a play; after all “they got game”. Joshua Linson, their best player, attempted a full court toss of the ball towards their basket 94 feet away. (Try throwing a basketball 90 feet and you will appreciate the difficulty.) Unfortunately the errant toss hit two of the overhead lights, causing one to drop precariously hanging by its wiring. (Cleverly, Tiffani tweeted “It’s a new meaning to shooting lights out”.) Officials huddled and concluded it would be unsafe to continue the game. Thus, it was concluded the game would end a tie. Frustrated WSSU coach Bobbie Collins, emulating another coach Bobby, tossed a plastic chair in protest, but no one seemed to care. I guess he figured they wouldn’t call a technical.

CIAA league officials huddled early the next morning, and decided the teams would meet in two days (Friday the 21^st) to play a five-minute overtime to determine the winner. Admission will be free, but it is not clear if the concession stands will be open. All this assumes one team would score more than the other in the overtime period. Both teams have games Saturday.

That got me thinking. What is the longest men’s college basketball game? It turns out that happened in December 1981. Cincinnati beat Bradley 75-73 after regulation and seven overtime periods, nearly two full-length games. That is a very long , but low scoring game. For division 3, the record was set in 2010, when Skidmore beat South Vermont 128-123, again in seven overtimes. (Too bad it wasn’t Southern, as mentioned above, that lost.) One player from Southern Vermont played the entire contest.

Full disclosure, I have more than a passing interest in Winston Salem, the WSJ, and WSSU. When my mom was a kid, her parents moved the family from New York City to Winston Salem. Guess what was made in Winston Salem for decades?

One of my dear aunts, Mary, loved sports. She always knew she wanted to be a sports writer, even though that “wasn’t done”. After graduating from college, her first assignment was in the society page. Talk about a fish out of water. The Second World War decimated the sports department (100% men) at many papers as men volunteered to go to war. Knowing southern men needed their sports, just like their grits every morning, management took a chance. They assigned Mary to cover sports. Talk about being thrown in the briar patch. For the next 50 years she worked all levels of sports. She made history doing what she loved. And she gave the best gift ever given, but that’s a story for another day. 

Early on she and Clarence Edward “Big House” Gaines met and became fast friends. Big House, as everyone affectionately called him, excelled in football (4 years All League, 2 years All American) and played basketball at Morgan State. He graduated with a degree in Chemistry. Soon after he joined WSSU, and became the football & basketball coach, athletic director, and ticket manager, all at once. Fortunately, he soon focused on basketball. What a run it was! Eighteen seasons with over 20 wins. Among many others, he coached NY Knicks star Earl ‘the Pearl’ Monroe (pictured below in the 1967 game against, JCS), and the always modest ESPN analyst, Stephen A. Smith. When he retired after 47 seasons, he was the second winningest college men’s basketball coach. He was huge, about a foot taller than Mary, and easily 175 pounds heavier. It was my pleasure to meet Big House on a couple of occasions. Even in his final years he was “big as a house”. 

In his honor WSSU established the Clarence E. “Big House” Gaines Hall of Fame in 2002. It recognizes those who excelled for the Rams, as athletes, coaches, or those “who devote countless hours of tireless work” for the good of the Athletic department. Mary Garber was honored to be added to that shrine, for her part in covering their stories. It was a friendship for the books.

Note: The Fresno Bee (via the AP) picked up that Joshua Linson drained a 3 pointer with 24 seconds to go, sealing a win of 89-86 for JCS. Thus, ending the game that started more than 40 hours previously.