2/23/13: "Beers for Brian" 12-2 PM @ Dana's

I am looking forward to seeing everyone there. It is always a great time to remember Brian and have some fun. Remember, seek me out and you "shall be rewarded!" Take care and God bless you and yours. Matt　 

Brian/Pablo and the XU/UD game

Brian’s “feelings” towards the University of Dayton are well known and will be dissected by fans and scholars for years to come.  He was one of Xavier University’s biggest fans and his nom de guerre on the XU message boards was “Pablo.”  Brian loved beating UD.  He especially delighted in irritating the “Flyer Faithful” whenever possible and they absolutely despised “Pablo.”  Brian pushed – and exceeded – normal fan boundaries through his numerous “provocative” posts, his epic live rant on WHIO 1290 “Flyer Feedback” and making watermelons forever associated with the University of Dayton. 

We decided not to hold a fund raiser for Brian’s memorial fund at XU prior to the UD game this year as the game was on a Wednesday and at 9 PM.  This is the first time since 2008 we have not held an event.  (I understand many of Brian’s buddies are going to Dana’s at noon on 2/23/13 prior to the 2 PM VCU game.  We are not conducting a fund raiser at that time and are contemplating new ways to honor Brian and raise more jack. All are welcome and people may still donate directly to XU in his name at anytime.  I encourage anyone who knew Brian to seek me out as you will be “rewarded!”)

The McCormick’s went to Dana’s prior to the UD game to have “Pablo’s cheesy tater tots, a burger and beer.  Though we did not discuss it, it was also partly to think of Brian, honor him in our own way and think of him as we know he would be exactly at this spot if he was physically with us. 

As I have discussed before, Brian seems to make his presence known to us in mysterious ways.  Some may call them coincidences - I call it “really cool.”  Case in point, while we were at dinner Susan received an email from Barnum & Bailey circus addressed to Brian McCormick.  Brian took Patrick, Susan and I to the circus at the UD Arena when Patrick was five.  What are the odds that Susan would get an email addressed to Brian, while at Dana’s an hour before the XU/UD game?   

 

Here is another example; the game was really close and there was less than a minute to play.  I silently prayed to Brian “c’mon Brian, help your boys out.  They really need some help.”  Take a look at the video below.  Number 15 shot a deep three.  It went a close as possible to going in and then suddenly it popped out.  XU got the rebound, got fouled/made some free throws and the game was over.  This video does not do this shot justice.  Our seats are right in line with the basket and I absolutely thought that three-pointer was in and yet it was not.  Many people said it was "divine influence."  Brian was not divine - but he could and did "influence" many people and things!  Maybe even this shot?

http://www.daytondailynews.com/videos/news/final-seconds-of-ud-xavier/vpbNn/

One day I will ask Brian did he do this stuff.  Knowing Brian, he will take complete credit and even make up some things too.  Either way, both experiences made us feel that Brian is with us.  Lastly, thanks Pablo!  It is so sweet to beat UD! 

Two more students stay at Xavier thanks to you!

 

Dear Mr. McCormick:

I just wanted to give you special thanks for helping me with my college tuition.  It means soooo much to me that there are people out there who are still able to give back to educate the young. With that money, I was able to complete the rest of my semester with a 3.0 GPA.  Now I am able to complete my last two semesters of college and graduate.  I wouldn’t be able to do this without your help.  You have inspired me to do the same when I get out of school. I want to give back to less fortunate college students like you did for me.  I will never forget the blessing you have given me.  Thank you again and happy holidays!

 

Name withheld

 

Dear McCormick Family:

 

Thank you for your generosity.  I received $1,000 from the Brian McCormick Fund to help me with my tuition here at Xavier University for the fall semester of 2012.  Thanks to your help.  I will now be able to complete my sophomore year as a pre-med student.  I aspire to be a pediatrician and you helped me on my journey to reach my goal. Thank you!  I hope you have a wonderful new year! 

 

Sincerely,

Name withheld

Merry Christmas from Brian

 

Yesterday at Christmas Eve mass I said a little prayer asking for Brian to give us a sign he is still with us.  Today, all four of us were in the VIP Lounge setting up a video game.  Out of nowhere we all heard a short blast of static from Patrick’s Blue Man Group drum machine.  This machine was given to Patrick from Brian and was not being used.   Susan and I looked at each other with surprise.  Patrick asked “what was that?”  Susan said “your Uncle Brian just said Merry Christmas.”

 

Some would say this is a weird coincidence.  I prefer to say “thank you Brian.  Miss and love you.”

You have to respect that!

Brian Dargin Gunnoe is our cousin and from Kansas City.  He was named for Brian and goes by Dargin.  He had his tonsils removed yesterday. From our understanding the surgery went well and he is fine.  Interestingly, Dargin absolutely refused to wear the hospital gown.  His parents and nurses did not know what to do.  Like the boss that he is, Dargin decided to walk to surgery – down the corridor – completely naked!  Talk about not letting “The MAN” get him down!  Dargin, you namesake would be proud.  Easy to see how they are related!

"With the help of your funds, I am able to pursue my academic goals so that one day I can give back to others."

Dear McCormick Family:

My name is ____ _____ and I am a Junior Environmental Sciences major here at Xavier University.  I would like to say a personal THANK YOU for awarding me funds from the Brian McCormick Fund.  I am very grateful.  These funds have allowed me to register for my classes for the spring semester and to remove the hold on my account.  Because of these funds, I am able to continue my education at Xavier University.  My experience at Xavier has been wonderful.  The faculty are very nice and they really care about our understanding as students.  Everyone here is very open and accepting.  I could not have chosen a better place for my undergraduate education.  With the help of your funds, I am able to pursue my academic goals so that one day I can give back to others. 

Thank you again!  Your help is very appreciated.

Sincerely,

Name withheld

The Lord of the Dance

I heard some of the “Lord of the Dance” music this week.  It made me remember the time Brian got us tickets for my mom’s birthday.  The event was after Christmas and my mom, Brian, Susan and I attended.  As usual, Brian got us great seats at the US Bank Arena.  We actually sat in the penalty box for the Cincinnati Cyclones and were only a few rows from the stage.  My mom enjoyed it and cried as usual.  We had a good time. 

The funniest thing in my memory was Brian coming back from the restroom and had one beer in each hand.  As I was taking a pull I noticed that we were the only people in the entire stadium drinking beer watching Lord of the Dance.  I mean, only Brian would find the one guy selling beer (or, did he steal it?) and have no problem brazeningly drinking it in front of the entire stadium.  He was famous (infamous?) for pulling these kinds of stunts. 

I also remembered Brian would occasionly dance like an Irish dancer.   He was absolutely terrible.   (I think there is even a picture out there of him wearing a kilt from a Xavier party!)  That did not stop him from doing the Irish jig at parties and once at our Cousin Jennifer’s wedding in New York to House of Pain’s “Jump Around.”  God, he was awful.  But, it did not stop him from getting his Irish on!

"...maybe someday I can impact someone as much as you did for me."

Mr. McCormick:

My name is ____ ____ and I was a recipient of your Brian McCormick fund.  I wanted to thank you, although I cannot thank you enough, for granting me the opportunity to follow up my studies here at Xavier University.

A little about myself, I am an Environmental Science major.  It is my third year here and I am the first in my entire family to come to a school as privileged as Xavier.  I only have one older sister, and she went to community college.  My sister finished two years and dedicated them to me with my single mother as a sitter, to work and help me pay for my studies.  Our family of three has made it far, and we continue to hold to our value; “the best and only inheritance we have is education.”  My mother came from Mexico and unfortunately did not finish more than high school.   Therefore, every day she encouraged me and is proud of me and my continuous education of myself in something that I am very passionate about.

I know that the second requirement of this grant is to give back when I have the chance.  I grew up in a culture of gratitude and self-sacrifice.  I have grown up with strong ethics and was taught that every day I have the ability to give back and to never forget to come back to where I came from.

Again, I cannot express how grateful I am for your gift.  Your self-giving not only helped me incredibly financially, but it made me feel great to know that someone, who I haven’t even met, believes that I am meaningful to them.  That good people are here and that is possible for me to keep holding to my values because maybe someday I can impact someone as much as you did for me. 

Thank you so much again and I wish you and your family many blessings.

Peace be with you,

Name withheld

 

** You are most welcome and God Bless.  Again, all gifts are from funds donated by Brian's friends, family and the XU community.**  

Brian helps a girl from Kenya pursue her dreams

Mr. McCormick:

 

Thank you for your kindest donation to Xavier that has helped kept me (a girl from Kenya) in the pursuit of my dreams in science as Physics major.  I hope to inspire the other girls in the future to explore opportunities and afford them just as your generous donation had done for me.  I will continue to pursue these opportunities to ensure a worthwhile investment of your funds.

 

Sincerely,

 

Name withheld    

"Thanks to you, I am able to continue my education."

Hello:

 

I would like to thank you for awarding me the Brian D. McCormick scholarship.  It is wonderful to know that you are committed to helping Xavier students in memory of your brother.  I greatly appreciate the donation.  You have made a huge impact on my Xavier experience.  Thanks to you, I am able to continue my education.  I am very grateful.  I will keep you in my heart.

Thank you!

Name withheld

 

*********************************************************************************

 

You are most welcome.  Again, this is not "my" fund. Brian's family and friends deserve all the thanks.  They work very hard to keep Brian's dream of helping needy Xavier students in financial distress a reality.  All we ask is that one day, when you are able, you try and return the favor.  Good luck and God Bless!  MDM