Print
E-mail
Share
iPod
del.icio.us
digg
Newsvine
FacebookGame for a good time? Not in Nebraska
Ron Kantowski stays focused on some dull hoops games in Omaha, since there’s nothing else to do there
Mon, Mar 24, 2008 (2 a.m.)
Beyond the Sun
Omaha, Neb. — Say this about the road to Omaha, and the Rebels making their second consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament: It was fun while it lasted.
And it lasted a long time, because it was Omaha.
A look back at the NCAA Midwest Regional first and second rounds as seen through the eyes of Sun sports columnist Ron Kantowski who kept a blog, basically because there was nothing else to do.
Tuesday, real late, Eppley Airport — Greetings from Omaha. When I arrived last night, Omaha was closed. You cannot get anything to eat or drink in Omaha at 1:50 a.m. The bars close at 1 a.m. So do the 7-Elevens. (I will never make fun of Boulder City again.) The only thing you get at 1:50 a.m. in Omaha is a cab from the airport. But don’t forget the ear muffs.
Wednesday morning, Qwest Center interview room — Here’s something you don’t see every day on the Big Dance floor: An aeronautical studies major. “I used to drive past the airport, see them taking off and landing,’ Kent State’s Mike Scott said about his passion for things that fly. “I love airplanes.” If Scott says he used to drive past the airport and see airplanes taking off and landing, it can be assumed the airport in Indianapolis, which is where he’s from, is a lot busier than the one in Omaha.
Wednesday, late afternoon, The Qwest Center — It’s 5:45 p.m. in Omaha, and they are already rolling up the sidewalks. Speaking of things slowing to a crawl, the Wisconsin basketball team has just hit the court for its shoot-around.
Wednesday night, The Qwest Center — If you’re a Las Vegan, the first thought that crosses your mind upon seeing the Qwest Center is how Omaha managed to build an arena like this while we have diddly-squat. My only beef is that all the seats are drab gray. When it’s empty, The “Q” looks like a London morning. Or Richard Gere’s head. Last Friday, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band peformed there. So The Boss played Nebraska, but he didn’t play “Nebraska,” the title track of his critically acclaimed 1982 album. That was a bigger upset than Bucknell over Kansas in 2005.
Wednesday night, Old Market District — Father Flanagan just walked by chomping on a steak sandwich and I gotta ask him where he got it. Because I refuse to settle for a Subway sandwich, regardless of how long that Jared guy has kept off the weight.
Thursday morning, The Qwest Center — They’ve unrolled the sidewalks and it’s time to play some basketball, which is what everybody (except Portland State, which is just happy to be missing poli-sci class) came for. That, and the frozen Omaha Steaks at the airport.
Thursday afternoon, The Qwest Center — Portland State and Kansas have tipped off. I don’t think this game is gonna qualify for the “One Shining Moment” montage. Every time one of the Jayhawks makes a long basket or does something athletic, the big guys for the Vikings have these silly grins on their mugs like, “What are we doing here, playing these guys?” It’s 36-18, and I’ll bet CBS already has switched away to Denver or D.C. Or “The Young and the Restless.”
Later Thursday afternoon, The Qwest Center — Kent State is down 31-10 to the Rebels, and it is holding the ball for the last shot of the first half. It missed. Now there’s a surprise. With that errant toss, the Golden Flashes have just tied Villanova’s record for fewest points in a half in an NCAA Tournament game, set in 1939. Remind me to ask Corey Bailey if he played in that one.
15 minutes later, The Qwest Center — Confounding all on press row, Kent State did come out for the second half. Now the media is protesting on the commons. Quick, someone call the National Guard before this gets out of hand.
Friday morning, The Qwest Center media work room — Here’s one thing you don’t want to hear if you’re cheering — or have money — on a major college power during the NCAA tournament: A frenzied crowd, followed by Ian Eagle, whoever that is, yelling that such and such is the pride of such and such conference. Especially if such and such conference has the word “Sun” in it.
Friday night, The Omaha Hilton — Here comes Pat Riley strolling through the lobby. Like a werewolf from London, his hair is perfect.I think he’s here to scout USC’s O.J. Mayo or K-State’s Michael Beasley. Or the half-frozen Omaha Steaks at the airport. Four Kansas fans, still rocking and chalking and Jayhawking with their feet propped up on beer coolers the size of horse troughs, ask Riley if he would pose for a photo. “No,” Riles said, making tracks toward the elevator as if his sartorially splendid suit jacket needed pressing. Riley is headed toward the penthouse suite when a security guard tells Kansas fans to get those coolers out of the lobby, that there is a Motel 6 in Council Bluffs they could take them to. Omaha, I have found, is very accepting of a lot of things. But apparently it draws the line at beer coolers the size of horse troughs in the lobby.
Later Friday night, Johnny’s Cafe — You never know where you are going to bump into a Rebel fan. When in Omaha … well, get a new travel agent. But when in Omaha, also have an Omaha Strip at the original Johnny’s Cafe just off the 470 freeway. You can miss it, but probably won’t, because it sort of looks like Porky’s, at least on the outside. We told the hostess we came all the way from Las Vegas for a good steak. She said she did, too. Kari Kawa-Harding actually owns Johnny’s. She was born in Omaha, but graduated from UNLV — “when Tark was coach,” she said proudly — where in addition to the Amoeba defense she learned everything about managing a restaurant that her grandpa, who opened the place fronting the old Omaha stockyards in 1922, didn’t teach her. There’s a picture of Kari and Jack Nicholson on the wall. They filmed the retirement dinner scene in “About Schmidt” at Johnny’s. Kari said Jack was like the Kansas defense. Not all that accessible.
Real late (for Omaha) Friday night, Corner of 10th and Gass — Well, in the immortal words of REO Speedwagon, it’s time for me to fly. A sports writer pal just called and said he was going to catch the shuttle across the river to Council Bluffs, and I’m actually thinking about joining him. When you are thinking about going to Iowa to have a good time, it’s time to fly.
Saturday afternoon, The Qwest Center — The Clydesdales beat the Thoroughbreds. Wisconsin 72, K-State 55. Actually, the Wildcats shot the ball more like Mister Ed. They were 0-for-13 from beyond the 3-point arc. Back in the interview room Bo Ryan, the Wisconsin coach, is probably still complaining about Kevin Kruger flopping on that 4-point play he hit against the Clydesdales last year in Chicago.
Saturday night, The Qwest Center — Halftime: Big Guys 34, Little Guys Who Try Hard 29. The Rebels are hanging in there. The Kansas fans don’t exactly look nervous — or sober — but nobody rocking and chalking and Jayhawking is making reservations for Detroit just yet.
Saturday night, The Qwest Center — Uh-oh. Kansas is shooting layups on almost every possession now. Jayhawks fans have pulled out their cell phones. They still look a little buzzed. They’re either snapping low resolution photos or dialing 1-800-I-FLY-SWA. Kansas is pulling away like this were a tug-of-war on Battle of the Network Stars. Or something like that.
Sunday morning, The Omaha Hilton — The closest of the six games played in Omaha was decided by 13 points. Not exactly a thrill-a-minute. Just like Omaha.
Discussion: 14 comments so far…
Post a comment
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Editors’ Picks
- UPDATE: Girl dies after heart attack on Las Vegas Strip roller coaster
- Team USA knows its Achilles’ heel
- In his shoes: Self tries to reload just like everyone else in Vegas
- Dressing down: Web gambling’s hallmark
- MWC chief Thompson says he’d listen to a Pac-10 (or 12) offer
- Ron Kantowski thinks it’s swell The Mtn. finally has a national TV hookup, but wishes the wind would stop knocking the camera around
- Man dies in scooter accident
- LeBron sprains ankle, but the Rolls-Royce isn’t his
- Just go with the Izzard flow
- Fired hospital workers get settlements
Blogs
Joe Brown
Dive-in movies at Mandalay Beach
Sports: Upon Further Review
From Iranian hoop courts to Las Vegas, with love
Culture Blog
More than candles blown out at Slash-A-Palooza
Elsewhere
Saint Mary’s warns patient database compromised (1 Comment)
2 dates identified in Vegas hepatitis C outbreak (1 Comment)
Sports: Upon Further Review
Local stars Johnson and Marshall team up at adidas Super 64 ... and maybe at the next level, too? (2 Comments)
Cotto-Margarito quiet on pre-fight front (1 Comment)
Now and Then
Florida State steals UNLV's last-place softball coach
Calendar
- Jerry Tiffe (2 p.m. to 4 p.m.)
- The Bargain DJ Collective (9 p.m.)
- Las Vegas Weekly presents Acoustic Strip (9 p.m.)
- A Crowd of Small Adventures and Leaving Springfield (10 p.m. to 4 a.m.)
-
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Sounds like this writer is a big time bore. Did you even go out of the hotel room??? I've been to Omaha many times and there are so many good places to eat and things to do downtown. Where did you go??? Sounds like the problem wasn't the city, but the guy who went there. There is even a thread on a UNLV message board talking about Omaha and the QWest.
Did you fly to Omaha expecting NYC??? Glad I don't have to travel with you though, must be a boring life.
What the heck? What could have possibly motivated this story? Some personal grudge against Omaha?
My wife and I had a wonderful time, the Old Market district is fabulous, they have a world class zoo, the city is clean and modern, but with the kind of history our new home in Las Vegas will never have outside of the strip. Please apologize to the people of Omaha, who did a great job of hosting the NCAA tournament.
You are the only person out of all the UNLV people in Omaha that I have heard this negative reaction from. Where did you stay? Are you a loner? Do you not like to talk to people?
Omaha was a great time- Lots of amazing places to eat, AMAZING people, and an amazing event.
I think the newspaper should reconsider sending you to the tournament next year, you must have sat in your hotel room and watched reruns of Full House.
Ever seen "Debbie Downer" on Saturday Night Live- Watch it..You may be related.
As a citizen of Omaha, let me be the first to apologize to Mr. Kantowski (and any other Rebel fans) for his miserable experience in our fair city. Having been to Vegas several times myself I know that we don't have as much to offer here in Omaha for entertainment. I know you made that clear in your piece but you also forgot the "hick" and "fat women" references that usually litter these kinds of articles. What were you expecting? However, I enjoyed meeting all the fans downtown from other parts of the country. I met many Rebels fans and they were all pretty cool. I must not have run into you because you sound like a bitter and angry man who probably should have been put on another assignment by the Sun. Here in Omaha, we welcome fans from all over the country during the College World Series and we look forward to hosting more NCAA Tourney games in the future.
It was great to have the UNLV fans in Omaha for the tournament. I have lived in the Omaha area all of my life and have been a Runnin' Rebel basketball fan for over thirty years. Thursday was the first time I had ever seen them play in person and it was great! All of the UNLV fans I met were very nice.
It is amazing that I have lived here all of my life I can still find plenty to do in the Old Market area so I don't think you tried very hard Mr. Kantowski.
Go Runnin' Rebels!
Hey Ron,
TJ Simers just called, he wants his angle back. Real original buddy. It sounds like there are plenty of actual fans who explored the city and enjoyed their stay in Omaha. Feel free not to come back if the Rebs happen to qualify for the CWS this year or any other year for that matter. UNLV fans however, you and Larry Johnson are welcome back to the Big O any time!
Wow, where did everybody's sense of humor go? Why is it when David Letterman or Jay Leno makes a joke about a city everybody laughs? And when a newspaper columnist does it, everybody wants to send him there on permanent vacation?
Things about Omaha I actually liked:
-- Johnny's Cafe
-- Kari Zawa-Harding
-- Zio's Pizza
-- The people (all were friendly, except for our cab driver)
-- The Qwest Center
-- Walls made of brick
-- It's not Des Moines
Wow, Ron -- how about taking the time and effort to write a column about what you mentioned in your weak defense above? Any first-year journalism student could have produced the garbage you wrote about Omaha. I'm not sure which is more pathetic -- what you wrote or the fact that an editor actually ACCEPTED what you wrote and allowed it to ultimately be published.
Omaha, is certainly no Vegas, but it has so much more to offer than the lame assessment you provided. Feel free to step away from the laptop the next time you are assigned somewhere outside of Nevada and take in some of what the city REALLY has to offer. The items you mentioned in your defense in the comment section doesn't even BEGIN to scratch the surface of what Omaha has to offer.
And if you can't do that -- ask to be assigned to a copy desk. Lazy journalists like you shouldn't be allowed outside the city limits to represent the newspaper you work for.
As someone who has spent a lot of time and has a lot of family in the fair Cornhusker State, I would just like to say that everybody needs to lighten up a bit. IT'S A JOKE! The column was not meant to be taken as a serious criticism of Omaha. Yeesh.
Ron,
Are you going to the College World Series this year? Absolutely the best time to be in Omaha. It's beautiful.
What kind of bums are you looking for anyway when you wander the streets in Omaha at 2:00 in the morning? Were you out scouring the curbs and gutters for your last shot of whiskey?
Looking for the same kind of "love" you befriend for an hour or two for $50?
Try Miami at 2 am ... if you feel safe around gangs and druggies. I've lived there.
I for one am glad Omaha is a clean, respectful city and a great host.
Mr. Kantowski, you sound young or woefully desperate. No wonder the public has such a horrible perception of journalists. You have trouble with facts and obviously have trouble separating what's real from the illusion Vegas has confused you with.
You really should get out more.
As to a previous post where he claimed to be joking? Obviously it's not the case. Just sadly misinformed.
Go Omaha. Hope we get to travel there again for another tournament in coming years. Fun place. Go Jayhawks.
JohnF:
No, sorry I'm gonna miss the CWS. Unless, of course, UNLV signs Roger Clemens between now and June. But yes, it's on my things to do list.
But just in case the Rebel baseball team catches fire -- and now that I have been 86'd from Omaha for making fun of it -- I have an old friend in Elkhorn I could probably stay with it.
Well, gotta run. There are a bunch of Elvis impersonators in our (sometimes) fair city that need defending from a bunched of crazed Nebraskans.
If you ever get to Las Vegas, lemme know. I'll buy you a 99-cent shrimp cocktail downtown and we'll ogle some showgirls.
Ron K.
1) Elkhorn was annexed by Omaha last year. Looks like you'll have to stay in Lincoln.
2) People laugh at David Letterman because he's on TV and funny.
3) I can't explain Jay Leno.
I am from Omaha and I want to thank you for your article. Seriously - Omaha is basically a different city than it was 15 years ago but we have hold outs on our VERY conservative past including the 1 AM closing.
PLEASE don't apologize for your article - I for one thought it was rather juvenile but it opened up a subject that we have basically ignored for years. When a city like Omaha does not allow casinos, closes its bars at 1 AM, and forces people to go across the river to get their entertainment - what does that say for us as a city.
Ron - if you hadn't noticed - too many of us are cry babies. Trust me - you are still welcome here. Omaha is certainly not Vegas but we really don't want to be either. If your article is the catalyst that opens debates on the 1 AM crap - you will be on my Christmas card list...
Thanks
Ron, you're always welcome in Omaha. Just leave the computer and notepad home the next time you come...