Went to Armando’s this morning (and yes-my hair is now perfect).
Missed Coach Kelly since he had his hair styled on Tuesday. But it was like “team day” with Aaron Lynch, Darius Fleming, Manti T’eo and young Eilar Hardy (4* D-back from Ohio) all getting their cuts for the Blue-Gold Game this weekend.
Manti is proud to live in Dillon. I asked him if he knew the fight song. He said he had heard there once was one, but no one seemed to know if that is fact or fiction. In any event…no…he is clueless. We talked about Coach Kelly holding him out of practice yesterday for hitting drills. Manti said he was not pleased and expressed that to the Coach. He may not play much (or at all) Saturday either.
I told Manti that I met his parents and clan of about 20 family and friends in from Hawaii last year for the Utah game and it was pretty obvious who they were visiting all decked-out in Hawaiian shirts and garb. He said they had a great time…though Indiana is not Hawaii.
Darius is one big boy. And very polite. A real gentleman. He stood up, walked over to me and introduced himself. With that, so did young Eilar Hardy.
Aaron Lynch is a specimen, too. He has extremely long, Popeye-ish forearms. On his right forearm is a lengthy tattoo reminding him about dedication and commitment. When we shook hands, his paw wrapped around mine. The word is that his “de-commit” was some confusion for misinformation (by Florida State) and his H.S. coach never had a D-1 recruit like him before and was a little green about the process. As he kept rubbing his buzz cut skull, I asked him how it felt, “Very nice….”
The lads say Spring ball has been hard, but productive. Saturday is designed to test and showcase players who need to see more action. The starters and stars will not see much time, especially in the 2nd half which will be a running clock.
Each paid for their haircuts with their own money. No NCAA violations in sight.
“And his hair was perfect…”
Next through the door was Digger Phelps. He hurried in with an envelope of Chicago Cubs schedules and magnets and reminded Armando, “Don’t say I never gave you anything.” When I commented to Digger that I thought his ties selection was very stylish on the “March Madness” ESPN telecasts, he stopped, starred and said… “It’s not the color of the ties… it’s the colored markers.” His designer shtick…of course.
Out for now.
Abe