2006 Year End Survey | Alex Wolff

Any regular reader knows of our love of minor league sports, in general, and, specifically, the Vermont Mountaineers and Vermont Frost Heaves. So, we asked both teams to contribute to the survey. To both of their credit, they sent back responses which speaks well of their desire to be a part of the community regardless of whether that corner of the community is in their comfort zone or a silly music blog.

People who want to knock sports writers often say they are writers because they aren't capable of being athletes, GMs or owners. Well, Alex Wolff, a senior sportswriter at Sports Illustrated has shot that misbelief to hell. After years of writing about basketball, Wolff decided to throw his hat in the ring and started a hoops team in the ABA.

Well, so far, Wolff has proven to be a great owner by melding a strong community feeling, great gametime atmosphere and a well-run organization that has led to sell-out crowds. Additionally, as a GM, Wolff has put together a team with the third best record in the entire ABA and leaders of the North Division of the Blue Conference. Well done. I'd like to see an NBA owner knock out a few thousand words each week for a national magazine. Probably wouldn't happen.

This coming weekend, The Frost Heaves will play a pair of games in Barre against division foes, The Cape Cod Frenzy (does anyone really associate the word "frenzy" with Cape Cod?). The game on Saturday is at 7:05pm and the game on Sunday is a 1:05pm start. Tickets are available at the Barre Opera House Box Office.

1) What was your favorite song of 2006?
2) What was your favorite album of 2006?
3) What was your favorite concert of 2006?

Because Wolff has been so busy with getting the team up and running in 2006, he didn't have much time to focus on music. However, he did send over a song associated with the Frost Heaves.

Since fans at the games bang cowbells to generate noise for the Heaves, the team has adopted the classic cowbell skit from SNL with Christopher Walken. As a result, Wolff sent over a musical mix of the skit that Phish Radio put together during their farewell shows in Coventry a few years ago.

Come on. How many team owners send music bloggers mp3 files? The guy is definitely a new mold of franchise owner.

4) What was your favorite thing about 2006?

My wife and I have a five-year-old with asthma and we live maybe 8 miles from International Paper's Ticonderoga plant, so the best thing about '06 for us is that IP stopped the tire burn. That's sweeter than any song, more desert-island worthy than any album, and more memorable than any concert.

5) What are your best wishes for 2007?

As for my wishes for '07, an ABA title in the Frost Heaves' first season would be quite fine.

Blue Oyster Cult, Nazareth & SNL Cast w/ Christopher Walken | More Cowbell