Congratulations to Andrew Gunnoe Ph.D!

Our cousin Drew passed his oral defense yesterday at The University of Tennessee. He is now "Dr. Drew" and will start teaching at Auburn University in the fall. Amazing how Drew's presentation occurred yesterday, four years to the day when Brian passed. As I said yesterday, I believe Brian was with Drew. Though Drew probably did not need his help, I like to think Brian was there and would have been ready to "assist" if necessary. Brian: "Drew, the Chinese dude has 'four' down for number 12." Congratulations to Drew and the entire Gunnoe family on such a major accomplishment. Brian and all the McCormick's are extremely proud of you!

Four years

Four years ago today (4/9/08) is when we lost Brian.  

Though this site is a testament to Brian, I believe he would not want us to be “professional mourners” for him.  Brian would want us to enjoy life, our loved ones and honor him by living life to the fullest as only he could. 

However, sometimes you still think about the “what ifs” and wonder why?  There are no easy answers and though all of us want a “do over” – and somehow get Brian back – intellectually we know it is impossible.

I see my brother in my kids.  They both give me Brian’ unique look that is part humorous, questioning and full of guff.  He loved both of them.  You can tell in this photo with Patrick that Brian was a proud Uncle and would (and did) do anything for him.  You can also tell he was really tan. 

There are days I seem to feel that Brian is with me.  Often, I think he would be laughing at me, making fun of me and treating me like only a brother can.  I also feel him when I need strength.  I frequently ask for his help and have no doubt he is there for me, for his friends and for his beloved family whenever we need a lift.   

Though we all my shed a tear today for Brian, know he is next to you.  He is always supporting you and yes, crying with you.

Love and miss you. 

RIP Adam Dittman

Brian and I played Rugby with Adam Dittman (second row, dark hair, kneeling, fourth from right).  He was a 1995 graduate of Xavier and passed away at age 39 on March 28, 2012. 

He was a great guy, well liked by everybody and was fun to be around. Built like a Mack truck and could hit like a ton of bricks. Really fast too. Unlike most rugby players, Adam was very smart! Adam was always the guy who you missed seeing, wanted to catch up with and was everybody's friend. I never heard anyone say a bad word about him - ever.

My guess is he and my brother Brian are at the The Woods right now catching up, rehashing rugby stories and telling lies.  I also know we don't get a vote on the death of our loved ones or friends. Sometimes, there are no answers.

Please honor Adam and your loved ones by remembering the times they made you smile, laugh or proud that they considered you a friend.

Rest easy my friend and EAT DOUGHNUTS!

Beerwolf Lives!

This past weekend my friends and I hosted Logolympics IX on the piece of property where I live in Knoxville, TN. Logolympics is our semi-annual gathering where my friends and I compete to see who is best at drinking beer and playing woodsman games all day. This year Beerwolf had one of the best seats in the house and got to see me win the Log Splitting competition for the second year in a row.

I think Brian would be proud!

The Shocker

As we all know Brian loved to pull pranks on people, especially people he didn't know. The best example of this I can remember happened many times in many different locations.

To fully explain "The shocker" I have to start with Brian's love of the magic store in downtown cincy. Brian loved going and checking out all of the latest gadgets and tricks. Some of his favorites were cigarette loads, used to make cigarettes explode while someone was smoking it, the flash paper wrist shooter, and of course a bunch of things that shocked people.

Brian's favorite "shocker" was the slot machine. This was a tiny version of a slot machine that fit in your hand. It was fully functioning, meaning the lever worked and the dials spun. The catch was that when you pulled the lever it shocked the piss out of you. Brian loved taking it to the bars with us and seeing how many people he could get to fall for it.

The best display of Brian's "Shocker" happened in Mount Adams. We were all out having our usual beer and discussing the days pressing social issues, when Brian pulled out the shocker. He then proceeded to approach every girl in the bar and say that if they got all cherries he would pay for all of their drinks the rest of the night. It was one of the greatest nights. Watching Brian approach girls of the hotter variety and not hit on them but the opposite. The looks on those girls faces was priceless but the look on the faces of the people around the event that didn't know Brian was even better.

Miss you tons buddy. Happy Birthday, tell Jesus and Knute Rockne I said hello.

Go X! Beat Notre Dame!

Brian loved Notre Dame.  He considered himself 100% Irish and felt it his was his duty to root for ND. Brian especially loved Notre Dame football and would be in a foul mood if they lost (which, unfortunately was often). Few would be surprised to find out Brian would often tell people Notre Dame was his “safety” school!

However, Brian loved Xavier University even more. He loved XU will all his heart and was one of the team’s biggest fans.

Brian would be keyed up for today’s game. He would have agitated the ND fans on their message boards since “Selection Sunday” and they would really hate this “Pablo” guy from Xavier.

Like me – and all the McCormick’s - Brian is cheering for Xavier today to beat Notre Dame.

Go X and happy early St. Patrick’s Day!

Photo's from Brian's fundraiser

Special thanks to Xavier’s Greg Rust for the great photos!  As you can see in the shots below, everyone had a great time.  From all accounts, Dana’s was packed and rocking!  Thanks for yet another great fund raiser.  See you next year.

Thanks from Pablo’s family for your generosity

Thank you all for your generosity. We raised over $3,200 from the auctions and cup sales at Dana's. This money goes directly to the Brian McCormick Memorial fund that helps Xavier students in financial need stay in school. These funds really make a difference. Thanks to you, 60 students (so far) have been able to stay at X thanks to Brian's fund.

Special thanks to Brian Hicks, BJ Hayley (and everyone at Dana's), Chris Gogul for the facebook invite and Colin Willler. Also want to recognize the many of you how travelled so far to honor Brian. It was great seeing you, hearing stories and having a great time.

What a great day. The good guys won, we raised a ton of jack and many beers were consumed in honor of our victorious Muskies and Pablo.

My brother is smiling and laughing at your hangovers.

God bless you all.

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