Unpublished Stories

So apparently most of the editors at the New Britain Independent aka the website I write for up and quit. Not sure what that says for the future of my "job" cause ya know, a job should technically pay you or something. Also not sure why four of the editors decided to take their ball and go home but I would love to know that story, I'm sure it would make for an interesting blog post. I know the editor-in-chief went to Central and he resigned first and then the three editors that resigned today were friends of his from Central, the whole thing sounds rather childish and dramatic, just like the rest of my life. I can't even get away from it even at my "job". Figures too because they were allegedly going to start printing a monthly and eventually weekly newspaper in New Britain besides running their website. Plus ya know supposedly they were going to start paying us shmucks too. I should have known it was too good to be true. Anyway in case it never sees the light of day...here is a story I wrote about Tom Thibodeau who was born and raised in New Britain and is now the head coach of the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves and assistant coach of the US Men's Basketball Olympic Team. Here are some awesome photos I found of him on the Google haha 

Andrew D. Bernstein /NBAE/Getty ImagesAP Photo/Jim Mone

One of the most recognizable and well known teams at this year’s summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro has a tie to New Britain and several residents might be unaware.

                Tom Thibodeau,was born and raised in New Britain, but he has also worked his way into becoming an assistant coach for the USA Basketball Men’s National Team. Thibodeau has been an assistant coach on the National Team since 2013.

                Known for his skills as a defensive leader, Thibodeau serves as the defensive coach for the Men’s National Team under head coach Mike Krzyzewski. The Men’s National Team is seeking their third straight gold medal, and so far has yet to lose a game in Rio.

                Thibodeau achieved most of his success as head coach of the NBA’s Chicago Bulls. In 2011, he won NBA Coach of the Year, after he led the Bulls to a 62-20 record in the regular season. The following season, he became the fastest head coach in NBA history to reach 100 career victories.  

                After failing to get the Bulls out of the second round of the NBA playoffs during the 2014-15 season, and despite getting Chicago into the playoffs every season as head coach, Thibodeau was fired after five seasons. However in April of this year, Thibodeau was named head coach and president of basketball operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves.  

Originally a standout player at Salem State College, Thibodeau helped lead his team to consecutive appearances in the Division III national tournaments during his sophomore and junior years. In his senior season, in which Thibodeau also served as a captain, he led his school to its first ever league title and appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

                Upon graduating from Salem State College, Thibodeau immediately took a job as an assistant coach at his alma mater in 1981. In 1984, he became the head coach at Salem State, before leaving the next year to become an assistant coach at Harvard University.

                In 1989, Thibodeau took his first job in the NBA as an assistant coach for a then expansion franchise Timberwolves. From there he served as an assistant coach for several NBA teams including the San Antonia Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, and the Boston Celtics.

                It was with the Knicks that Thibodeau began to make a name for himself as a coach in the NBA. In 1999, Thibodeau as an assistant coach to then-Knicks head coach Jeff Van Gundy helped lead the Knicks to the NBA Finals. During the 2000-01 season, he helped the Knicks set a then-NBA record of 33 consecutive games holding opponents under 100 points.

As an assistant coach in 2008, he won an NBA title with the Celtics. Two years later, he earned his first NBA head coaching job with the Bulls.  

Thibodeau is thought to love basketball so much, that he has never been married or had any children. 

Here is another story I wrote about a player on the New Britain Bees who got signed by the Cleveland Indians, not as interesting but didnt want to waste my time writing it for nothing so here it is....pictures courtesy of the New Britain Bees website so don't sue me assholes!

Middletown, Connecticut native Shawn Haviland was the latest New Britain Bee to have his contract purchased by a Major League Baseball team, last week when he was signed by the Cleveland Indian organization.
Haviland is now playing for the Columbus Clippers the Indians AAA team.
“Shawn has been a great asset to both the starting rotation and the bullpen this season, and has certainly earned this opportunity,” said Bees Manager Stan Cliburn. “We wish him the absolute best with the Indians organization.”
He was the first member of the Bees to ever make a relief appearance. This season, Haviland started in the bullpen, before he was moved into the starting rotation after Josh Zeid’s contract was purchased by the New York Mets.
In 94.1 innings Haviland struck out 70 batters and had an ERA of 3.33, which was seventh in the Atlantic League when his contract was purchased. Haviland has also played in the minors for the Oakland Athletics, Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox.
The 30-year-old is the sixth Bees player and pitcher to have his contract purchased by a Major League Baseball team. He joins Nick Greenwood (Minnesota Twins), Josh Zeid (New York Mets), Josh Outman (Pittsburgh Pirates), Cole Johnson (Arizona Diamondbacks) and Eric Fornataro (Baltimore Orioles).
Greenwood was signed by the Twins in May and is currently pitching for their AAA team the Rochester Red Wings. Zeid was signed by the Mets in June and is currently pitching in AAA for the Las Vegas 51’s. Outman was signed by the Pirates in July and is currently pitching for the Indianapolis Indians in AAA. Johnson was signed by the Diamondbacks in July and is currently pitching in AA for the Mobile BayBears.
Fornataro was signed by the Baltimore Orioles before the Bees season even began. However, two weeks later he was released by the Orioles and signed back on with the Bees in June. On July 31st, Fornataro along with fellow relief pitchers Orlando Santos and Sean Gleason were released by the Bees.
During his time with the Bees Fornataro was 1-4, in 19 games. He appeared in relief in all 19 games and compiled a 5.90 ERA.