PRAYERS FOR BETTY

Please keep our Mom Betty Hudgel in your prayers. She is in Cottage Hospital in intensive care. She is stable, alert and keeping the same positive attitude about her health as she has for many, many years. We would appreciate you keeping her in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.

NEW DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

You are looking at the new Defensive Coordinator at Alcorn University. With all that has went down we know it isn't going to be easy next season but we know Zach will give it his all. We will be cheering you on son. Best of luck!!

SEASON OVER

The VOLS just lost to Oklahoma State 77-75 in the NCAA tourney. Not a fun day at the Shay household. Good game, bad outcome. Better luck next year. On to the Cubs!!

VOLS GO DOWN

No SEC tourney title this trip. Hard fought contest but we ended up losing 64-61. Hope be can get our act together for the "Big Dance".

We got a #9 seed for the NCAA tourney.

Pictures courtesy of the University of Tennessee media department.

Jason yelling instructions

Not looking very happy

The infamous clipboard

ON TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

The VOLS did it they are in the championship game of the SEC tourney for the first time in 20 years. I hope they can get the job done. They play Mississippi State who beat us by 5 earlier in the year. I will keep you posted...

Picture coutesey of the University of Tennessee media department.

Bruce Pearl & son Steven

Wayne Chism (Wheezy)

Tyler Smith

Scotty Hopson

Bobby Maze

A VISIT TO NYC

Last weekend Beau & Jen had some special company from Chicago, Jess (Jen's sister), Matt McGinn and Dee Irons. They spent the day in NYC on Friday and partied in Hobogen on Saturday. A great time was had by all. They flew out on Thursday and back to Chicago on Sunday. Beau and Jen appreciated them coming out. They will be home in April so I am sure they will see their friends again at that time. Friends you can't do without them!

MARCH MADNESS BEGINS

Is it that time of year already? Of course at the Shay house this is an exciting time of year along with Bowl season for football. The VOLS play in the SEC tournament on Friday night. It has been an up and down season for them, but they did win a share of their division in the conference. Young players, didn't buy into defense early on in the season and free-throw shooting is suspect at best. They will go to the "Big Dance" but what type of seed they will get is in their hands. Right now they are predicted as a #6, if they go far in the SEC tourney that could change, we will just have to wait and see. Here are some pics of the "ole ball coach", I still get goosebumps when I see Jay and Zach coaching college ball. We are proud of you boys! Not to mention the more intelligent one ~ Beau!! haha

Jason speaking with Brian Williams

Jay with his famous clipboard - it has been surgically attached to his hand

Jay and Steve Forbes in their BRIGHT ORANGE sport coats. WOW whose idea was that?

Not a happy looking group

CANCUN - EVERYTHING AND MORE

Where do I begin? Cancun was absolutely awesome!!! Weather was great, people were fun, food was wonderful and of course the drinks were incredible!!! A great time was had by all. I will give you a short synopsis of each day with pics...

We flew out of O'Hare on Sunday 2/22/09 a.m.

When we checked into our room at the Cancun Palace this is what we found...

Two person jacuzzi

View off our balcony


Some folks para sailing


That evening Platinum had a Welcome Reception for everyone

Tables at Welcome Reception

Platinum people ready to party!!!

Monday we sat around the pool all day and then Monday night was the awards banquet. John received his 3 year ring (gold with a black onyx) and a crystal trophy and cash for his selling efforts.

Tables at the banquet

John and his awards

Craig and Carol Balsar

Matt and Kimberly Leitch

Dennis and Debbie Brinkman

James and Barbara Ivey

Tuesday we went shopping all day and got some nice goodies. That night 4 of us couples went to an awesome Italian restaurant right there at the Cancun Palace. A 7 course meal, that was delicious and all you could eat. All-inclusive is definitely the way to go!!!

Wednesday morning we went on a Jungle Tour. Each couple got a 2 man speed boat. We had a guide who took us out to the gulf, it was beautiful. Those that wanted to could snorkel. John snorkeled, I am going to have to scan the pictures onto my computer because we took them with a waterproof camera. Platinum had given 2 of them to us the day we arrived. They were in a nice canvas bag that read Cancun 2009, on our bed.

Wednesday evening we went to the Group Leader's dinner. It was at a nice Mexican restaurant in town. It was a fun place to go and we sat outside on a deck overlooking the gulf. It was a lot of fun.

Matt & Kim

Dennis & Debbie

Now here is a REAL Margarita!

Thursday we sat by the pool in the morning and then went to the Chocolate Factory for lunch... :)

Kim & Deb


The Mexican City Bomb ~ Yummy


Thursday night was the Farewell Dinner :

The gang saying farewell

Then off we headed for Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville ~ what an absolute blast we all had!!! It was a great ending to a wonderful trip.