Link to Ebay store with XU auction items

AUCTION STARTS 2/9/12 AT 8:15 PM EST. ENDS 2/16/12 AT 8:20 PM EST.

http://stores.ebay.com/Brian-McCormick-Memorial-Fund

Xavier Auction Items ---- Cool Stuff for Your Man Cave, basement, office, mosque or basilica.

All proceeds benefit Xavier students in need.

Items up for auction include:

Autographed items (5)

Reds vs. Cubs in Chicago (4 sets of tix) THANKS COLIN WILLER!!

Bobbleheads (2)

Cintas Floor (1) Signed by Coach Mack

XU Gear (6)

Posters - framed and unframed (4)

Staggered auction ending times so you can compete for multiple items. No shipping charge if you pick up.

All proceeds benefit The Brian McCormick Memorial fund that helps Xavier students in financial need.

Please bid high and often!!!

Thanks!

4th annual “Have a drink with Brian (Pablo) & 300 of his closest friends" fund raiser.

Last year was a rousing success. UD was rightfully humbled as according to prophecy and we raised over $3,000 for Brian's memorial fund that kept many Xavier students in school. Plus, a massive amount of beer was consumed by all.

Pablo’s “feelings” towards UD have been well documented and will be dissected by historian’s/religious scholars for years to come. We thought it would be great to honor Brian by toasting him on this night of nights and drinking a beer or two (or eight) at Dana’s right before the XU/UD game on 2/18. The cost is $10 (plus $1 per beer domestic & $2 import after that) and you get a cup that magically replenishes itself with beer!

PLUS, BJ WILL HAVE A SHOT SPECIAL ($2 washington apples) for anyone who gets the magical “no watermelons” stamp!

All proceeds will go to “The Brian McCormick Memorial Fund” at Xavier. This fund helps keep financially strapped XU students in school regardless of their academic record. Brian always wanted to start a fund like this. Through your generosity, over 60 students are still in school/graduated thanks to Brian - and this is only just the beginning! Think of all the good things and how the world will benefit from these future Xavier graduates!

We will soon list some cool Xavier items/gear for auction on E-bay. All will have a buy it now price and make great gifts to those XU fanatics you love, or for the one you love most (you!)

Join us. You know Brian would be (and will be) there! I guarantee it will be a blast and no watermelons will be allowed on the premises!

When: Saturday, 2/18/2012

Where: Dana Gardens. 1832 Dana Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45207, 513.631.BEER.

Time: 4:00 – 7:30 PM. Cups are still good after the game until Dana's closes!

What: A night of fun, laughter, and beer before XU defeats UD once again. Honoring Pablo and benefiting "The Brian McCormick Memorial Fund" at Xavier University.

Cost: $10 bucks (or more) gets you the commemorative collector's edition cup that will only increase in value. (Antique Road show recently appraised the 2009 cup at over $11.23!) $1 for each beer thereafter, plus shot specials.

Contact Matt McCormick mmccormick@bahl-gaynor.com at for more information or if you can’t make the party and want a cup/donate.

Special thanks to Brian Hicks at Xavier, Chris Gogul for the facebook invite, and BJ Hayley (and everyone at Dana's) for all of their help!

C'mon down! Get your drink on, toast Pablo and help out Xavier.

For those of you who can't make it and want to donate, gifts may be made to:

The Brian McCormick Memorial Fund

C/O Xavier University

3800 Victory Parkway

Cincinnati, Ohio 45207

Or call 513-745-3314

Thanks and God Bless, Matt McCormick ’92, ‘95

Merry Christmas!

Seems hard to believe this is our fourth Christmas without Brian.  It is amazing how life goes on.  How we are all busy, moving from point A to B and yet we always want more time.  We want more time to do the things we really want to do.  To spend more time with our family.  To say the things we want – and are supposed to say to our loved ones.  We want the experiences that you think back during tough times and say; “yeah, that was a great day.”  It has been my opinion  almost all these great memories are associated with family.  Sure, we may have a good day at work, but does anyone really want to think about completing another “TPS Report” on your deathbed?

As Brian has always said; “family is everything.”  We look forward to spending the Christmas season with our family.  Sure everyone likes presents (especially the kids).  But, we all really enjoy the  shared experiences – the laughter, the unbelievable amounts of food my Mom prepares, and seeing how we all react to the many turns in our lives.  This is what I am the most sorrowful about.  That Brian cannot physically be with us.  To congratulate Justin & Jenny on their engagement.  To make Joanna puke again by drinking some noxious soda pop.  To see how beautiful Patrick and Caroline are.  To be with us period.  However, I feel like he knows.  That he helps us.  That Brian is doing everything he can to be apart of our lives.  We (especially me) are probably too obtuse to see his help occur in real time.  But, I have the cool comfort of knowing that he is – and will be – with us. 

Sometimes our closest friends help us more than they know.   Russ Newsom is a dear friend of the McCormick family.  I met him while he was a student at Xavier.  He went on to work in the West Wing of George W. Bush’s White House, graduated from Chicago Law School and now works as a lawyer for a prestigious Cincinnati law firm.  Russ is destined for great things.  The McCormick family treat Russ like he is one of own and frequently attend Xavier basketball games with him.  Brian was especially fond of him.  Recently, Russ unexpectedly sent us a large, beautiful photo of a tip off at the Cintas Center featuring past XU basketball standouts Derrick Brown, Stanley Burrell, BJ Raymond and Josh Duncan.  It is really cool and for some reason Susan will not let me hang it in our bedroom!   Susan and I were very excited and called Russ to thank him.  He said  “You have done more for me than you I can do for you.  I love you guys.”  After we hung up, Susan said “didn’t he sound exactly like Brian?  Didn’t you feel like Brian was talking directly to us? Wouldn’t he say those exact words?”  What is amazing, is Russ DID sound like Brian. His cadence, inflection and joyous speech pattern was extremely similar to our Brian.   This conversation made Susan and I smile.

I don’t know how (or if) Brian somehow pulled this conversation via Russ off, but I like to think he did.  I like thinking he is always with us even if we can’t see him.  I like thinking he is my “super” guardian angel that can pull a rabbit out of the hat for me and our family when we really need it.  I like him knowing how much we miss him, how much he is loved and how we look forward to being with him on the other side some day.  In my mind, these small signs are his way of communicating back to us, indicating he is with us and saying “I love you guys.” 

We can’t bring him back.  Yet, we will always have our memories, stories and love for Brian.  Our shared experiences will always be with us and discussed – because few people outside of those who knew Brian would actually believed they occurred!  They did.  For that, we are grateful.    

And yes, Brian, I will watch “The Christmas Story,” eat duck dip and say “Armand Assante” for you tonight! 

Merry Christmas to all and may 2012 exceed your expectations!

"Your brother must have been a special kind of person to make such a huge impact on the lives of so many people."

Dear Mr. Matthew McCormick:

I would like to say I am sorry for the loss of your brother. My name is ______ _____. This fall was my first semester at Xavier University. My parents are 250 miles away in northern Ohio. They are going through some serious medical conditions right now, which have caused financial hardships. With the help of your brother’s scholarship (given by Mr. Schiess), I will be able to continue my education at Xavier. Your brother must have been a special kind of person to make such a huge impact on the lives of so many people.  Just recently, I lost a few close family friends and relatives. I know it is hard and is not something you get over easily. I want to thank you, again, for keeping your brother’s memory alive at Xavier.  I will be forever grateful.

Thankfully,

Name withheld

Dear Mr. McCormick:

Because of your contribution and donation towards my schooling, I was able to stay enrolled at Xavier this semester. You are a great person for what you have done and I wanted to send a big THANK YOU your way.

Happy holidays!

Name withheld

** Brian certainly was a "special kind of person" and he did, indeed, make a big impact on almost everyone he met. Again, this is not "my" fund, nor are the contributions solely from me. They are also from Brian's family, friends, relatives, and the extended Xavier Nation. I just made the blog and post your thank you notes so we can all remember him and share a smile. Finally, this fund was always Brian's idea. We are proud that he has helped 60 Xavier students stay in school. Amazing! Thanks, Matt **

"Having experiences like these and receiving such a great education would not be possible without the generosity of people like you."

Mr. McCormick:

Hello, my name is ____ ____ and I am a current Junior at Xavier University. I am from Cincinnati and am studying Business. I have met so many great people and have really enjoyed getting involved on campus. Some of the things I enjoy to do include being on the board of __________, playing intramural sports and being a part of student government. Having experiences like these and receiving such a great education would not be possible without the generosity of people like you. I can never thank you enough for the help you have extended to me.

Thanks again,

Name withheld

**  You are welcome.  Remember, it is not just the McCormick's (or me) who are generous. **

XU student gets to buy books thanks to Brian

Mr. McCormick:

I wanted to personally thank you for setting up the fund that allow me to buy books this semester. Mr. Schiess gave me money from this fund to help me continue here at Xavier. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your kindness.

Sincerely,

Name Withheld

16 year ago today

Susan and I got married 16 years ago. What a great day. From what I understand, our best man Brian and his “idiot friends” also had an amazing reception and after party as well. I remember Mark Libs being asked what happened. He would say “do you want the long or the short version?” Needless to say, the night involved Halloween costumes, limos, the US Secret Service, terrorizing the Dayton Marriott and Charlie P___ being locked out of his hotel room (not wearing any pants). Oh, by the way, Brian had mono, felt like crap and looked completely grey the entire day. He, of course, still partied like a rock star. Both he and my mom always said it “was the best wedding ever.” I will always be proud to tell anyone he was my best man.  Miss you Brian.

3 1/2 years

We lost Brian three and a half years ago today.  It still doesn’t seem real or fair.  Our lives have changed, yet Brian is still not with us.  I think about him almost constantly.  Wishing he could be with us watching Patrick play football or Caroline play soccer.  Though I cannot see him, I feel that he is aware of what is going on in our lives and trying to help all of us. 

I remember us laughing at stupid stuff, hilarious antics/posts on the Xavier basketball boards or just laughing in general.  Brian said one phrase that makes Susan and me still laugh out loud.  I don’t know how he came up with it, but only Brian could use it effectively.  Once I was giving him some guff.  Brian looked at me, paused and then said in a matter of fact way “quit sweating my flava.”  (Justin:  “flava” equals “flavor.”)   I laughed out loud at his remark and then Brian did too.  My guess is he heard that phrase a while back and waited weeks for the most appropriate time to use it. 

That is what I always come back to with Brian.  He loved to laugh and have fun.  He had a great laugh too.  That is what I am thinking about today because God knows Brian did (and told us) 1,000 things that made us all laugh out loud with – and at – Brian. 

Smile today and don’t sweat anyone’s flava!

A Christmas Story

This past weekend I visited a friend staying in Cleveland and fulfilled a long-time wish. Not knowing many activities on a Sunday in Cleveland beyond watching the Browns, or going to the Great Lake Brewery that is closed on Sundays, we decided to head to A Christmas Story house.

As anyone who remotely knew Brian can tell you, the Christmas Story played a prominent role in holiday activities. While going on the tour we went through the kitchen and people were taking pictures of themselves mimicking the activities from the movie. I got my picture taken holding the Red Rider BB gun and fondling the leg lamp.


Then I saw the kitchen sink and immediately thought of Randy crying underneath it believing that Ralphie would be killed by his Dad when he got home because Ralphie was caught swearing while beating the crap out of Scott Farkus. I was presssured by my friend and girlfriend to reenact Randy underneath the sink but I resisted because I'm technically an adult and I didn't feel like demeaning myself. Then my girlfriend said to me "What would Brian do?" After that I knew I had no choice.


Love and miss you Brian.

Two more Xavier students get helped by Brian

Mr. Matthew McCormick:

My name is _____ _____ and I am a senior at Xavier University.

I met with Adrian Schiess this afternoon, and after discussing my severe financial situation, we determined that the Office of Student Success and Retention would be able to add an additional $1,000 to help offset the costs of my tuition this year.

My undergraduate career has been an intensely challenging emotional, physical, and financial journey. And because of your grace and the existence of your fund, I have a better chance of being able to afford my senior year. With two other siblings in college, my father's finances have been stretched completely thin, and I am grateful to your vision and mission for allowing me to continue my educational journey.

So I wanted to sincerely thank you on behalf of myself and my father, and I can assure you that I will do my best to keep you abreast on my graduation plans.

Best,

Name withheld

Matthew:

Funds from the McCormick family have greatly enabled me to continue with my education at Xavier University. Receive my sincere appreciation for the contribution through Mr. Schiess.

Sincerely,

Name withheld