BuzzFest Thanks You

[Coach Rip]

Hello everyone,

I would like to thank all who attended the 2008 BuzzFest. I know some that were apprehensive about the event, as my usual assistants were not going to be there.

This event had a real laid back family feeling. I was happy to see how the kids were all hanging together playing on the boards, and just hanging out going from room to room and playing in the hallways. I think some of us adults need to take lessons from these kids as their tournament seemed to flow very smooth, and I noticed a camaraderie I had not noticed before, and for the most part they ran their own games without any controversy. If they are going to be the future of the hobby, ……………….then I think we ( the Hobby) are in good hands!

I would like to thank Andrew Stewart for reffing the Championship game for the kids. Andrew is a real asset to the hobby, and I’m glad to have had the opportunity to get to know him.

Congrats to the Champions, Paul “Raiderman” Bartels, Anthony Hough, pronounced HUFF!. I got that now,…….. The Custom BuzzBall World Champion , ……………..and Paul “Spike” Diamond The Youth BuzzBall World Champion.

The Buzzy Awards: Preliminator went to Raiderman for being top qualifier, and Mike Guttman got “Best in Show” for his custom Seahawks.

The runners-up, ………..Joe Greco, ………………….always seems to be around the final four routinely, Mike Carr, his first BuzzBall event, and Nigel, all deserve high praise for their skills and sportsmanship, ……………….all class acts.

Soooooooo many folks to thank, I don’t want to start a list as it will be too long and may leave someone out unintentionally, ………………but I would like to thank shawn and damon, the custom figure guys, …………….. I have never been to the north pole, ………………….but, I now have a good idea of how the elves make things, ………………..these two guys were making incredible figures, and I’m happy to have met them and had the opportunity to talk to them AFTER the event was over, ……….truly gifted artists. Custom Figures take time and imagination to make, …………..I see why the swivel guys are $20.00 a pop, ……..and they are worth the price, that’s why I bought some!

I also want to acknowledge Adrian Baxter the former champion, another CLASS ACT, because I could see the pride he had in the way his best friend Anthony, and Kevin, his other protégé played. Adrian, I know you were just as proud of them as I was of Spike……….

I was also proud of my little girl, Priscilla who helped run the concession stand, I’m still in a fog, I can’t remember who, ………but one of you nice gentleman tipped her a dollar, …………and she values that more than the $20 I gave her for helping me………

Last but not least, two people, ……………….I would like to thank Jeff “Strange” Lau for his collaboration with me one the new redesigned PD –2520. We had been working on them mostly on weekends for the past two months getting them ready for the event. We had 16 boards big boards running, some of the older style and some of the new. Jeff literally put blood, sweat and almost tears into the boards. And also Mike Guttman, who helped me run the event just as smooth as it ever ran, …………..Mike, …….no doubt you were the MVP of the event. THANK YOU, guys.

George Diamond, Pres.
S.I. Warehouse