Who's Bret Vandergard and what's he done for us lately? [DDSCB3]

[PointGuard 70]

Reconvened meeting continued…

 

BV: OK, so let’s discuss Clement Morgan some more. If he’s innocent and being framed, why and by whom?

SO: That’s gonna be a stretch for us. But let’s continue our focus on the Carpelli family. Maybe they decided to expand their vendetta to others at EWU. And remember, Luigi Carpelli, Florence’s husband was charged with RICO statute violations while he was president and CEO of that company. Maybe Ma Carpelli decided that they should take down the top dog at EWU like almost happened to her husband.

BV: Holy Toledo! That definitely would be devious. But setting up Morgan with charges like he’s alleged to have committed would take someone on the inside I think. Someone else at the university.

SO: It could be a lot of people, but since we’re making all kinds of suppositions, here’s a rather far out one. Who had the most to gain from Clement Morgan losing his position as president of the university?

BV: Ummm..I really don’t want to guess on this one, Swede. But obviously you have a name in mind. So who is that?

SO: Again, this may be way off base. I’m just throwing it out there for consideration. 

BV: Swede, the name!

SO: Alright, alright. Even I hesitate to say it. But the name that pops into my mind is Fred Partington. He is the one who moved up to take Clement Morgan’s position. He had Morgan’s trust. Remember that Clement Morgan named him to head up the university investigating team on the purported point shaving. And he’s got a lot of geek in him…a lot of computer and technical expertise. He may well have been in a position to place damning emails, texts, letters Morgan’s signature, etc and had the skill to do it as well. And Fred Partington is no friend of the athletic department, so that could also factor into any involvement he has not only with Clement Morgan’s alleged transgressions but the effort by the Carpelli’s (or whomever it may be) to dmage the basketball program

BV and AJ; (this meets with their total silence)

BV (finally): Swede, since this brings into play some rather technical and complex legal matters, it might be time for you to give your daughter a call to see if she may be able to help us.

SO: Let me think more about that, Bret.

[PointGuard 70]

Reconvened meeting continued…

 

AJ: OK, you seem to have considered everyone you mentioned earlier…everyone that is except one. And that is…Christine Rozniak.

BV: I’m gonna take a pass on that name. Obviously we had a relationship so that puts me in a difficult position to look at her objectively, but I really want to believe that while she may have ulterior motives about politics, I truly doubt she was involved in the nefarious actions that have been going on with the basketball program.

SO: I think you’re being overly forgiving with respect to her, Bret. But the only connection that seems to fit for her is her use of the word “consequences” and how it has shown up otherwise. So, let’s get back to my plan. Are you guys on board with implementing it?

AJ: Swede, it very well may be a good way to ferret out information, but you did a lot of thinking today and brought up a lot of possibilities, some of which may be right and others which are likely wrong. I suggest we all take some time to think about what we discussed today and get back together soon to see where we go with it. But in the meantime, I can begin to work on where Corky Branigan may be or how to get in touch with him and also where Dawes Johnson is.

SO (glumly): Wellll, OKKKK, we won’t kick some butt yet. But dammit, let’s not wait too long to get back together on this. (again speaking on his intercom)…NANCY, have you found anything yet?

Nancy (responding on the intercom): SWEDE! You’re always too impatient! Give me some time. This isn’t a simple search. Don’t get your blood pressure up!

SO (growling): Women!

(the meeting concludes. Bret and Swede both think the same thing…Alek never smiled or frowned once the whole time…his face and his mannerisms don’t give away any emotions. Both also feel like wincing and shaking their sore hands after shaking hands with Alek as he left, but keep from doing so since neither wants to let on to the other that his extra firm handshake was like a vice)

[PointGuard 70]

Toren “Swede” Olaffsen, athletic director

 

(on the phone)

Hey, honey, this is Dad. How you been doing?

Good, good, glad to hear it.

Hey, I’ve got to run, but I need your help.

No, I don’t need you to come and take care of an old invalid!

What I need is some legal research. Can you see what you can find out about a RICO investigation about 6 years ago involving a company called CPI, Inc and it’s president and CEO, Luigi Carpelli? And while you’re checking out Luigi Carpelli, can you see if you can find out anything about him being lost at sea about 4 years ago or his wife, Florence Carpelli? And there’s at least a couple kids, Gina and Tony. And finally, can you see if you can get ANY information about charges against Clement Morgan?

Yes, he was our university president, but is now being held by the feds, charged with domestic terrorism and postal fraud.

No, I’m not kidding! And yes, I know, I know…that won’t be easy since it’s an ongoing investigation. But if anyone can do it, it’s my girl!

OK, honey. Thanks and yes I’ll take care of my health. And hey, I know its late to invite you, but want to come visit us for the St. Patricks Day weekend? Helluva parade here, you know.

(after hanging up, he goes to intercom): 

NANCY! 

No, I’m not pressuring you about the internet search. But, when you finally do get around to finishing that project, be sure to make a copy of a recent photo of Tony Carpelli for me. But the main reason I was so respectfully calling you just now is that I need you to get me the cell phone number for Jim Rome.

Hey, remember I’m supposed to be your boss, so don’t call me that. And yes, I remember what Jim Rome is like. But I may need to get in touch with him later on anyway.

Oh yeah, one more thing…got any recent dirt on your friend, Christine Rozniak?

Oh, one more thing…you know a lot about the big wigs in Cheney…what do you know about Chief Hauseer and his wife Gina?

No dammit. I’m not starting to write a gossip column for the paper! And if you’re gonna start complaining about the number of projects I’m giving you, maybe we need to reduce the length of your lunch break.

Oh, the guy who just was in the meeting with me and Bret? His name is Alek Johannsen and I agree, he’s a VERY big man.

No, I don’t know if he knows how to smile or not.

Now get going on your job!

[PointGuard 70]

3 hours later in Swede's office

 

Nancy buzzes the intercom:

Ok, Crankybutt...

Oh okay, yeah, you're my boss and yada yada yada...you want to know what I found out or not?

That's better. First of all are there any other simple tasks you want from me today? Solving world peace maybe, or curing cancer? I have a date at 6..

Oh calm yourself down Swede before you give yourself another heart attack. I'm getting to it. Besides as much as I love ya, I'm way to busy to spend that much time at the hospital holding your hand...although I did meet a couple of cute doctors...

You call that calm? Okay, okay, here it is.

First of all, the internet search for Tony Carpelli. I was surprised how many hits I found although most of them were unconnected...a bunch about some crime family on the east coast, and some more about some company that got themselves in trouble with the Feds a few year ago, but finally I found a few things. Ignoring all the Facebook and Twitter pages of snot nosed high school and college kids, I finally found a few things. Most of them were mentions of his High school teams in Washington with several different teams. Apparently he was pretty successful at 3 or 4 different schools, went to the state tournament a bunch of times and even won a couple of small school championships. Finally, I found a picture of him in the archives of the Tacoma newspaper from his last state championship about 4 years ago. It wasn't a real clear photo since he was surrounded by a bunch of kids dumping Gatorade on his head, but it looked vaguely familiar. Only thing else I found was some article in that same paper where he said that he could connect with some of the underprivileged kids that had played for him having grown up in Ohio as an orphan. Then I remembered you interviewed someone by that name a few years ago for Bret's job. Is this the same guy?

Yeah? Well, you might saved me some time by telling me that in the first place! I pulled up the resume he gave us from my files. According to the resume he was born in 1974, attended a private prep school in Ohio...how does an orphan afford a private prep school...bizarre...and went to Portland State University and played basketball there as a walk-on. Anyway, I used your credit card number to register at classmates.com...

What do you mean how do I know your credit card number? How many times have you asked me to call Jimmy John's for your lunch, you old grump! I have the damn thing memorized.

At any rate there actually was a high school yearbook uploaded to the site. Sort of a mouse faced little twerp. Under his picture it said he lettered in basketball and polo. I guess it vaguely looks like the guy I remember you interviewing. At any rate I printed out the picture for you along with the one from the Tacoma newspaper.

I was able to find an old press release pdf in the archives of the Portland State athletics page, and it showed your guy as a 5'5" guard who had walked on to the team his sophomore year and had played limited minutes. The picture pretty much looked like the same mouse-faced kid from the yearbook. The short bio said that he had been born in Jackson Heights in the Queens borough of New York City, and his favorite musical group was Madonna, and his favorite movie was The Godfather II. Not much else I was able to find out about him, Swede.

As for the cell number for Jim Rome, who do you think I am, Magnum, PI? I did the next best thing, and found the the number for the production office of his show, and left a message that you wanted to talk to him, and they promised to forward him the message. The production assistant I spoke to seemed pretty excited about it though, so I'm guessing there is a good chance Mr. Rome will get back to you.

I should have slapped you for calling that Rozniak bitch my friend, but then I remembered you were a senile old coot with a heart problem so I decided to let it slide. Nah, haven't heard much new other than she was in my beauty parlor a couple of weeks ago crowing about being grand marshal for the parade, like anyone gives a damn. Word at the salon is that she's been seen in the company of some slow witted big slug a couple of times lately, but that's about it. She hasn't managed to die yet though after eating feces as I had prayed, so I'm disappointed. I KNOW she's the one that left that note on my car last fall.

The police chief and his wife? I've met them a couple of times, why? Gina seems nice enough but dumb as the day is long. Chief Hauser came across to me as not being very approachable and with a sour look on his face kinda like the one you get after one of your Jimmy John's sandwiches goes down wrong. Funny you mentioned them though. A good friend of mine is friends with Gina and is is fact the one that actually introduced us. At any rate. my friend the other day said she has been invited to the couple's silver anniversary party next weekend, and asked me if I'd go with her. Haven't decided yet, but free booze and a chance to maybe meet some handsome unattached guy, I may take her up on it. You monitoring my personal calls now?

So, um...is this Alex guy single?

 

[Copied from posting by CoachC in Wolverines Studios forums]

[PointGuard 70]

7:45 that eveing at Swede's house

 

(telephone rings)

Hi Daddy, it's Kelli! Sorry, I'm calling so late. You weren't sleeping were you?

Well 8 o'clock may be early for some, but you have a ...condition....and you need your rest. Besides, when you called me earlier today you sounded like you were about to have another...condition. I'll try to be as brief as I can so that you can go get some rest.

I checked into the things you asked me to look into. The case of Luigi Carpelli's disappeaance is neither open or closed, primarily because no case was ever opened in the first place, at least not officially. His presumed death took place over international waters. The cruise ship was licensed in the UK, but the British refused to get involved. Why on earth are you asking me about the don of a notorious New York crime family in the first place? Are you watching too much Angela Landsbury again? You worry me, Daddy!

Okay, okay, okay, you just want to know! Calm down, Daddy!

Okay, I looked into the RICO charges filed against Carpelli's company by the SEC. Most of the charges basically boiled down to money laundering. After Luigi Carpelli's death and when most of the SEC's prime witnesses either died or disappeared, the charges were dropped. The company was subsequently sold at at a ridiculously small sum of money to an international conglomerate based in Sicily. The Carpelli name is no longer associated with the company offiicially, but an associate of mine who works with the SEC told me in confidence that the company is still being watched.

The Carpelli crime family is Infamous in New York City, Daddy. I even remember having to provide a couple of case abstractions involving them when I was in law school. I sorta remember that their base of operations was in Jackson Heights and that Luigi had 2 or 3 kids. You can find all this stuff out on the internet these days, Daddy. I didn't have any more time to look into it, though, because I was more concerned about trying to help you out with your friend, Dr. Morgan. At least with that I could understand your interest.

Since it's a federal case it was difficult to get any information out of anyone, but I was eventually able to bully someone into giving me the name of Dr. Morgan's legal counsel. I've never met Karen Morrisey myself but know her by reputation, and I must say, Daddy, Dr. Morgan is in good hands!

I was able to eventually talk to Karen, briefly, and, fortunately she knew me by reputation as well. Of course, she couldn't give me much information about the case because of confidentiality she was able to tell me the details of the charges since they are pubic record.

It's like out of some comic book, Daddy! Apparently various unnamed people in the state of Washington received letters in the mail demanding money to be sent to sent to a P.O. Box. The letters all concluded with the statement that if the demand weren't meant, there would be consequences. A couple of days later, those that didn't comply were sent a second letter. The envelopes all contained a note that said, "Consequences!" and were filled with a white powder. Forensics later discovered that it was merely talcum powder, but I bet there were a lot of Washington VIPs with brown-stained panties that day! *giggles*

At any rate, Daddy, even without knowing any more details about the case, it's pretty obvious to me that anyone intelligent enough to be a university president would never be dumb enough to extort money and have it sent to a P.O. Box registered under his name. My gut feeling is that Dr. Morgan was being set up for a crime that was easily traced back to him, but serious enough to guarantee he'd be otherwise occupied for a while. I have no doubt that Ms. Morrisey will be able to have him acquitted of all charges, however, so no worries there.

I've thought about your invitation, Daddy, and I accept! I've been long overdue for a vacation, and guess what? I've already made reservations for my fight. I'll be at the Spokane airport at 9:15 next Wednesday. I'll catch a cab to Cheney or something.

I love you, Daddy, and I swear if you complain even ONE time while I'm there about me being over-protective I'll hire the meanest. nastiest live-in nurse I can find to take care of you. Are we clear?

Good, Daddy! Love you too! Nite,nite! Now go to bed like you promised!

 

[Copied from posting by CoachC in Wolverines Studios forums]

[PointGuard 70]

9 AM the next day, Swede's office

 

Phone call from Alex Johannsen:

Just wanted to check in with you, Mr. Olaffsen concerning my preliminary investigation. I'll only give you a brief debriefing of the most salient details, sir, so that we can both get back to our jobs.

Have an associate with the NYPD that owed me a favor. Called him to ask for information concerning the Carpelli crime family. The family is still active but despite repeated efforts no one has ever been able to determine for sure who moved into the power vacuum after don Luigi's death. I asked him about a Tony Carpelli. All he had was that Tony was the name of both Luigi's father and grandfather who had been dons prior to Luigi. He told me that Luigi had two children and that the son had resisted Luigi's grooming to be the next don and had moved away from New York, possibly altering his background information to remain incognito. The daughter's name was Gina.

I used the rest of my evening plying my resources to get a lead on Mr. Brannigan. I was able to discover that Mr. Brannigan was a fellow SEAL and had served in the first gulf war and had received several medals for courageous action and had once saved the lives of his entire squad. Prior to his service he had finished close to the top of his class at Annapolis. Rest assured, Mr. Olaffsen that Corky Brannigan will not be found until he wants to be found, not even by me. It is possible that I may have a way to get a message to him if you so desire. Do not ask me how, because I will not tell you.

This morning, I have been following up on another lead. I will have an early birthday present waiting for you at the Last Chance motel on rt. 17, room 218 if you can be available to meet me there at 1300 hours sharp. Bring Mr. Vandergard if you choose.

Have a good day, sir!

 

[Copied from posting by CoachC in Wolverines Studios forums]

[PointGuard 70]

Spokane Sentinel

 

Father Pleads For Help In Son's Murder Investigation

Bud Springfield, wealthy auto czar in nearby Cheney called a press conference yesterday to plead for help in the ongoing investigation into the murder of his son, Bud "Buddy" Springfield, Jr, which is now in it's fifth month without an arrest.

Said the elder Springfield: "Buddy was not a bad kid. He made some bad choices and got himself involved with a bad crowd, but no one deserves to die the way my Buddy did. I ask you...no I BEG of you as a grieving parent, now that the police have finally uncovered a solid lead in the case, I know that there must be someone out there that recognizes one of the men in the sketches released the other day, and I plead with you to come forth and tell the police what you know."

Below the article are enlarged versions of the police sketches previously released to the public.

 

[Copied from posting by CoachC in Wolverines Studios forums]

[PointGuard 70]

Torbern “Swede” Olaffson, athletic director

 

(Meeting with Bret Vandergard)

SO: So there you have it Bret… everything I learned from Nancy Kelli and Alek. After I suggested to Nancy that Alek MIGHT want to go to the Hauser’s party with her, she has her friend trying to wrangle an extra invitation. I think it could be a good way for Alek to get some inside info and no one is going to suspect him since he’s unknown here and just would be Nancy’s ‘date’.

BV: Let’s see if the pictures Nancy got of Tony Carpelli seem to be positive matches for those who have seen the rat face guy.

SO: I know you are trying to prepare for the game, but do you want to go with me to the Last Chance Motel this afternoon?

BV: Hell yeah!

[PointGuard 70]

Swede's office while he and Bret are out

 

(Phone Rings)

NP:Good afternoon, the is the office of the EWU Athletic Director. How may I help you?
JR: Hi, Honey, this is sports guru Jim Rome returning the call of ..um...Cogburn Oliveoyl.
NP: I'm sorry, Mr. Rome, Mr. OLAFFSEN is not in at the moment. Could I have your cell phone number so that he can return your call as soon as he gets back?
JR: Sure, honey, hold on a second while I turn the phone around. (muffled) Got something to write this down? It's a long one. 11123-234234VN It's a Motorola.
(hangs up)

 

[Copied from posting by CoachC in Wolverines Studios forums]

[PointGuard 70]

Last Chance Motel

 

(Swede knocks on door)

AJ: Come right in!

Alek Johannsen is standing in the middle of the dilapidated room with his arms folded.

AJ: I believe you had some questions for these two gentlemen.

(Seated in chairs just in front of Alek are Sig Vorchuck and Kevin Gebbers looking confused and bewildered. )

 

 

[Copied from posting by CoachC in Wolverines Studios forums]

[PointGuard 70]

Toren “Swede” Olaffsen, athletic director

 

(Swede Olaffson (SO) enters Last Chance Motel room 218 along with Bret Vandergard (BV). They see Sig Vorchuck (SV) who was Tony Carpelli’s assistant coach at EWU for several years and Kevin Gebbers (KG) who was Bret Vandergard’s assistant coach at EWU for one year. Swede moves toward them but remains standing. Bret moves to the corner of the room and stands. Alek moves over to stand directly in front of the door, arms folded. Swede stands quietly for a minute or so looking steadily at Sig and Kevin, even though to everyone in the room (other than Alek) it seems like 10 minutes)

SO: OK guys, I’m busy and Bret needs to get back to his team, so I’m going to get right to the heart of this matter. (Clears his throat). What have each of you heard of the events that have been going on off the court related to basketball at EWU?

(neither Sig or Kevin immediately answer…both seeming to hope the other speaks first…the only thing that can be heard is the blaring tv in the next room)

KG: I really haven’t been following things here all that closely. After not getting my contract renewed at the end of last season, I decided to work toward becoming a high school head coach. I’ve been taking teacher credential courses that will enable me to apply to be a history teacher, and hopefully head basketball coach, at a high school starting in August 2015. But a while back, I did get contacted by a NCAA investigator about alleged recruiting violations here. I answered his questions and it seemed the whole thing blew over when the facts came out. And although I didn’t hear it myself, someone told me Jim Rome was blabbing about Coach V and the program here. But I was too busy with classes to ever listen myself. Oh yeah, and well, most everyone knows that Corky Branigan, who covered some of our games for the radio station, went AWOL a few months ago. I just figured the guy had a breakdown and got away from everyone and everything to clear his head.

(All eyes move to Sig Vorchuck who doesn’t say anything.)

SO: OK, Sig, just what do you know?

SV: Hey, I divorced myself from everything here when you guys didn’t see fit to make good on your initial offer to promote me to 1st assistant once Bret Vandergard got here. By the time you finally saw fit to let me know, it was too late to get another assistant’s job. So thanks a lot…things haven’t been all that rosy for me the last 18 months. It’s hard to eat without a good job. But as far as what’s going on here, I really have no idea and don’t care. Why did you guys haul me in here anyway? This all seems rather, shall I say, illegal on your part.

SO: Interesting you should bring up the word “illegal”, Sig. I really didn’t think you’d want to allude to “illegal” things.

SV: (glares at Swede and then at Bret, but doesn’t say anything else)

SO: Question #2, what’s been your involvement with Tony Carpelli since you left EWU?

KG: Tony Carpelli? I don’t even know the guy. I know OF him, of course, since most everyone knows he's been a successful high school coach in the state.

SV: I don't know much about him. Of course, i met him while I was here as an assistant. We tried recruiting kids from his program.

SO: Don’t tell me, Sig, that you have never communicated with him since you both left EWU.

SV: Hey, I talk to many people I’ve known in the past.

SO: Do I have to keep you here forever? What have you and Tony talked about and done, Sig?

SV: I don’t think I have to divulge personal communications.

 

(Swede goes over to Bret and whispers for him to go out and rent another room on the other end of the motel and he will join him there soon. Bret departs.)

SO: (Turning back to face Sig) Don’t need to divulge? Maybe, maybe not, Sig. I tell you what, Kevin you come with me. Since you seem to not what to “divulge”, I’ll leave you here with Alek for a bit, Sig. He’s familiar with dealing with people who don’t want to “divulge”.

(Swede and Kevin leave room 218 leaving Alek and Sig alone in the room)

[PointGuard 70]

Toren “Swede” Olaffsen, athletic director

 

(Escorts Kevin Gebbers to Room 103 where Bret Vandergard is waiting)

SO: Look Kevin, now that it’s just you, me and Bret, I’m going to ask you once more, have you talked with, done anything with, or know anything about Tony Carpelli? And be aware, if your answer proves not to be absolutely correct, that high school coaching job could be pretty difficult to nail down.

KG: Look guys, I was being completely honest in the other room. I don’t know Tony Carpelli at all. I’ve never met him, spoken with him, or done anything with him and I know nothing about the guy other than he has a few state championships under his belt.

SO: OK, Kevin, I’m going to accept your answer as the truth and nothing but the truth. Let’s ALL hope that it is.

BV: Good luck with your classes and going after the high school coaching job, Kevin.

(The three leave. Kevin’s head is spinning wondering what that was all about; Swede texts Alek Johannsen to let him know what he finds out from Sig Vorchuck; Bret goes to basketball practice)

[PointGuard 70]

Nancy Parker, Athletic Department Secretary

 

(leaving a message on Swede Olaffson’s voicemail):

OK, so where the heck have you been? What happened to keeping your secretary aware of where you are going? 

Just wanted to let you know that my friend got an extra invite to the Hauser’s Silver Wedding Anniversary party. So are you going to come through with getting Alek Johannsen to go along with us? Don’t expect ME to have to invite him. 

Oh, yeah, and thanks so much for getting me involved with Jim Rome. I just got the most infuriating call from him. That guy is a world class jerk. I’m thinking you will have to line up the interview when he gets to town…or maybe you could just cozy up with that b___, Christine Rozniak, and have HER ask him.

Now I've got to go out and find a dress to wear to the party, so I won't be here WHENEVER you return from WHEREVER you are.

[PointGuard 70]

Meaghan Kriley, Spokane Spokesman-Review Columnist

 

(phone call with Bret Vandergard)

MK: HI Bret, I just wanted to get back to you about your request for me to do some skulking around about a few people. 

BV: Meaghan, I really appreciate this. I’m sorry to have had you have to do this, but I think it’s important.

MK: Well, nothing more about Corky. And I’m still researching the Carpelli family, so no news there. But I do have a few tidbits about Christine Rozniak. The woman has quite a reputation, not necessarily a good rep though. One thing interesting I’ve found out so far is that she’s received several sizeable out-of-state political contributions from an organization in New York. I’m still checking into just what that organization is and does. But not many people running for city council get out-of-state political contributions. And the amounts of the contributions could have been enough to swing her elections in her favor. 

BV: Yes, that’s good information, Meaghan. If you can get anything more on this, I certainly would like to hear it.

MK: Sure thing, Bret. The second thing I have found out is that Chief of Police Hauser has made contributions to her campaign chest. Again, rather unusual for the Chief to do that. And more interesting is the fact that Rozniak has voted in favor of several of the Chief’s pet projects, even when most people have been against them or the cost has been much higher than what it would seem a small town like Cheney could afford. If nothing else, it gives the appearance that the two have a good connection with mutual benefits.

BV: Thanks so much, Meaghan. I really appreciate it. 

MK: I just wish I was able to find our something about Corky. I’m really worried since he’s been missing so long. Anyway, good luck with the upcoming tournament selections.

[PointGuard 70]

CIT Tournament Selections

 

Eastern Washington will be the #3 seed in the West Regional and play #6 seed Louisiana Tech

Weber State will be the #5 seed in the East Regional of the CIT and play #4 seed James Madison

[PointGuard 70]

Potato-Pickin’-Paul, “Eagle Flight” blog

 

Hey, what’s up with the NIT selection committee? They should have invited Eastern Washington with their 19 wins, Big Sky regular season championship, and strong RPI to the NIT Tourny.

Coach Vandergard said he was happy to have the team in the CIT Tourny. He said it was just another step in the team’s progression. Last season they improved from a long series of losing records to get to .500 ball, place high in the conference standings, and get to the conference championship game. This year they improve their record to 19-10, win the conference regular season championship, and get to the CIT.

Well, yeah, but still the team should be in the NIT rather than the CIT. Life isn’t fair.

[PointGuard 70]

Room 218 Last Chance Motel

 

SV: OW! THE PAIN! Please stop! The pain is too much This torture is inhumane! I'll talk! I"LL TALK!

AJ: That's better! (turns off the Yoko Ono CD) So, tell me about your dealings with Tony Carpelli.

SV: There's really not all that much to tell. I met him when he was on campus interviewing for the head coaching job after Dawes was fired. We hit it off. We seemed to have the same vision for the program and he told me that if he was hired for the job he wanted to keep me on as his top assistant. Of course, that never happened, and then that nitwit Vandergard fired me after he got the job. 

AJ: And then?

SV: I only ever heard from Carpellli again once after that. It was last spring during the conference tournament. He called me and he said he had something big lined up for me and asked me to meet him at the tournament arena. I thought it was about a coaching job, but he just had me sit outside the arena the afternoon before the championship game in a car with the motor running. Eventuallly Tony and some huge oaf come out and Tony tells me to drive them to the airport. He didnt seem very happy. We get to the airport and Tony hands me 500 bucks and he and the big guy got out. I never heard from him again?

AJ; What about Dawes Johnson?

SV: What about that idiot?

AJ: Ever talk to hm again after he was fired at EWU?

SV: Hell, no! I would have hung up on that lazy SOB if he'd ever called me. What few games EWU won while Dawes was there was thanks to me. That's why Vandegard was so stupid for firing me. And that moron Swede Olafssen was just as stupid for not at least offering me a chance to interview for the head coaching job after he fired Dawes.

AJ: Sounds like you don't care much for Mr. Olaffsen or Mr. Vandergard.

SV: I hope the three of you all rot in hell. What's that got to do with anything?

AJ: Do you know anything about the disappearance of Corky Brannigan? I'll know if you are lying.

SV: Brannigan? Are you insane? I never had a problem with him. He even told me once that the EWU program would be better off with me at the helm instead of Dawes.

AJ: What about the supposed point shaving allegations against the EWU program? Know anything about that?

SV: Only that I think Olaffsen and Vandergard are both shaky enough to have done it. What else would I know? I wasn't part of the program any more by then.

AJ: hmmm (walks around the room) Okay, I believe you. Here's 500 bucks for your trouble. Now get out of here and forget this conversation ever took place. One more thing...you ever hear from Carpelli again, you call the number on this card immediately. Do we have an understanding? Good, now get out of here.

____________

Voice mail left for Swede: "He didn't know anything, I'm sure of it, but Carpelli apparently used him. I think you can cross both those guys off your list. I'll send you a voucher for 528 dolllars in expenses tomorrow."

 

 

[Copied from posting by CoachC in the Wolverine Studios forums]

[PointGuard 70]

CIT Round 1

 

#5 seed Weber State (18-10) vs #4 seed James Madison (17-11) [The lead in the first half went back and forth with James Madison coming out of the half with a 35-33 advantage. But Weber State clamped down defensively in the 2nd half and gradually pulled away. Weber State-70, James Madison-64. PoG: Weber State C John Hearns-20 pts, 4 reb, 3 steals.]


Game #30, Mar. 15, 2015: #6 seed Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (16-13) vs #3 seed Eastern Washington Eagles (19-10)

Spokane Spokesman-Review article

The opening game of the CIT for Eastern Washington was against Louisiana Tech, a team they beat in Cheney early this season by a score of 80-65. The question was whether the Eagles could duplicate this performance on a neutral court.

The Eagles had numerous defensive lapses early in the game allowing Louisiana Tech to build a 23-11 advantage in the first 7 minutes of play. Bulldog SG Brad Blackshear shredded Eastern Washington’s defense for 15 quick points during that period of play. Even though he was double-teamed, Blackshear drilled 3’s with reckless abandon. The combination of poor defense and too many turnovers by the Eagles resulted in the Bulldogs continuing to pull away and finishing the half with a 53-36 advantage. Brad Blackshear scored 25 points for Louisiana Tech. The top scorer for Eastern Washington was Joseph Palmer with 12 points.

Louisiana Tech continued their embarrassment of the Eagles in the 2nd half. They increased their lead to as much as 25 points. Eastern Washington made a run late in the latter stages of the game but could only cut the lead to 14, and the team then ran out of gas.

Eagles’ fans were disappointed by the team’s quick exit from the tournament and the end of the season. Jerry Tarzany, a long-time fan summed up the frustration by saying, “I really thought we had a good chance to go deep into this tournament, if not win it all. The team just didn’t get untracked tonight. I’ve got to lay the blame on the coaching staff, though. Again they just weren’t able to prepare the team for another big game.”

But Joseph Palmer, the Eagles’ center who graduates this year, said when interviewed after the game, “It was great to get into a tournament after we played well this season, but if you don’t play defense, you’re going to get run out of the gym and that’s just what happened to us. You’ve got to hand it to Louisiana Tech though. They came in prepared to play and executed their game plan perfectly.” When asked what he thought the team’s chances were next year, Palmer responded, “We have some good players returning and some strong recruits as well, so I think Coach Vandergard can continue the improvement he’s brought to EWU already. I’m sorry to be leaving.”

Final Score: Louisiana Tech-90, Eastern Washington (19-11)-72.

Leading players for Eastern Washington: C Joseph Palmer-17 pts, 1 reb, 1 assist, 1 block; PF Cory Davis-10 pts, 4 reb, 1 steal, 1 block; SF Joe Blackwell-10 pts, 1 reb, 1 assist.

Player of the Game: Louisiana Tech’s SG Brad Blackshear-29 pts, 2 reb, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block.

[PointGuard 70]

Radio Station KSPK sports call-in show after the game

 

Unidentified female caller: “The way the Eagles played was an embarrassment for the school and for the city of Cheney. The Eagles were favorites going into this game and came out as dog-meat. You know what I think? Vandergard and his assistants didn’t get this team ready to play. Otherwise they wouldn’t have come out there like zombies. I think the administration needs to clean house, because when things don’t go right there has to be CONSEQUENCES!” (Hangs up)

[PointGuard 70]

After the post-game press conference

 

In the hallways back to the athletic offices:

TO: Damn, Bret you had a great year, especially given everything that has been going on around us all year. I'm awfullly damned proud of you, you know. You are going to lead us to great things!

BV: Thanks, Swede, you know i feel....

(Just then 4 deputies from the Spokane County Sheriff's Department surround Bret and Swede)

"Bret Vandergard and Tolburn Olafson, you are both under arrest. You have the right to remain silent...."

 

[Copied from posting by CoachC in the Wolverine Studios forums]

[PointGuard 70]

Meanwhille on KSPK Radio

 

"Yes, I totally agree with the previous caller. After the promise of this team, and the way we fans supported the program throughout the point shaving scandal...all I can say is, Bret Vandegard, what have you done for us lately? You killed our dreams. You oughta be arrested for murder!"

 

[Copied from posting by CoachC in the Wolverine Studios forums]

[PointGuard 70]

Nancy Parker, Athletic Department Secretary

 

(As Swede and Bret are led out of the athletic department, Nancy runs up)

Nancy: Here Swede, be sure to take your coat. (visibly patting the pocket containing his heart pills so he can see)

Swede (yelling over his shoulder): Nancy, call my lawyer...I need my mouthpiece. And call Kelli and Alek also. Kelli is on her way here so call her cell. She'll know what to do.

Nancy: I assume you want me to complete "work" on the "Dawes and Others" file that I know you've been working on in your office?

Swede: You're too damned nosy about what I do in my office. But yes, and share it with Kelli.

Nancy: Gotcha.

Swede: And be sure to not let this cause you to miss going to the party.

(Deputies push Swede and Bret out through the door)

Players Tim Dove and Shaun Jackson, who were walking down the hallway, look aghast. Tim says to Coach V, "Say it ain't so, Coach, say it ain't so."

[PointGuard 70]

Alek Johannsen, private investigator

 

(on the phone with Nancy Parker)

OK, thanks Nancy for letting me know.

Yes, I will pick up Kelli at the airport. Even though you couldn't talk with her since she's on the plane, I'm glad you were able to text her. She'll see it as soon as she lands. And I'll fill her in completely.

Oh yeah, I still MOST CERTAINLY want to go to the party with you. in fact, it's a must for me.

[PointGuard 70]

Meaghan Kriley, Spokane Spokesman-Review Columnist

 

(Walks into the Athletic Department offices and up to Nancy Parker's desk)

MK: Hello. I'm Meaghan Kriley with the Spokane Spokesman-Review. Do you know where Bret Vandergard is?

NP: Oh hello, Miss Kriley. Yes, I know who you are. Why do you want to talk with Coach V?

MK: Well, he asked me to check on something and I have some news for him.

NP: He asked you to check on something? About baskeball?

MK: No, not about basketball. 

NP: Miss Kriley, I think we need to level with each other (explains the arrest of Swede and Bret).

MK: Oh my! That's terrible. I just KNOW there is something more behind all this. There are some very shady people around the small city of Cheney. All this happening when I was supposed to attend the Chief of Police's anniversary party also. I better cancel so I can stay of top of this story.

NP: You are "checking on things" for Bret and YOU going to that party also? Hmmm...I think you really should be there, Miss Kriley. In fact, I'm going to go together in the same car. I think it might be good for us all to know each other.

[PointGuard 70]

Swede's outer office 25 minutes later

 

Nancy Parker goes through both her rolodex and her online contacts 5 times before she realizes that Swede has never asked her to call a lawyer before and she has no idea who his "mouthpiece" is. She lays down in the corner of the office and cries for about 45 minutes before remembering that Swede said about Kelli and a party, and then remembers that Swede's daughter is a lawyer and 25 minutes later through her tears she finds Kelli's number and calls her.

 

[Copied from posting by CoachC in the Wolverine Studios forums]