Remembering Pablo

I've thought of our departed friend Pablo a number of times this week.

On Tuesday, as I cast my vote for John McCain, I thought of him, and remembered one of the best obituaries I've ever read, and it put a smile on my face.

And this week, as we gear up for another season of Xavier hoops, I've been remembering one of the greatest Xavier basketball fans I've ever known. I imagine this will be a tough time for his family, sitting in their seats and cheering for the Muskies without their beloved Brian.

So remember Brian McCormick tomorrow night as our Muskies take the court and begin another glorious season. Keep his family in your thoughts. And as his brother Matt said, "Give a toast to my brother, hug your family, and do everything possible to live the life you dream of. God Bless."

We miss you Brian. LET'S GO X.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by xeus

On Tuesday, as I cast my vote for John McCain, I thought of him, and remembered one of the best obituaries I've ever read, and it put a smile on my face.

---

Well said. I did not know or had ever met Pablo, but I did enjoy the "discussions" he would start and/or add to on this and the other chatboards.

Since you mentioned his obituary I decided to go check it out at enquirer.com.

My favorite part: "Irish to the core, Brian was often wrong but never uncertain. "

My in-laws are Irish and that in itself gave me tremendous insight into Pablo; lol.

God Bless Brian, and his family.

Xeus: Thanks for your kind thoughts about Pablo, our Brian. His brother and I spoke tonight about how poignant it will be at the game tomorrow without him, but then we figured that his spirit will be there and will be more worried about how X handles a press and his not being able to get another beer than anything else.

We still feel his presence and rememberences like yours are most appreciated.
Brian's dad
26+6+1

Xeus: Thanks for the great post about Brian. He will be missed but not forgotten! I understand Dana's renamed the cheezy tater tots in Pablo's honor. I wonder if Cintas would let us sponsor the "Brian Dargin Pablo McCormick Memorial Beer Line?"

On a more serious note, we recently met with Xavier and formally set up the "mission" of Brian's memorial fund. Thanks to many generous people here on the boards and elsewhere, the funds will be able to retain Xavier students who need emergency funds (& to further honor Brian) regardless of academic record. Adrian Schiess, Director of retention services, will administer the fund. Since some consideration will be given to rugby players, cash disbursements will be strongly discouraged! (We picture Brian as being one of the first to try and give Adrian "a sad song," get a couple of bucks, and throw a hell of a keg party.)

We felt that Brian would love to help those kids most in need stay at his beloved university. In many ways, Brian never left - nor wanted to "leave" - Xavier during his life. This way, his legacy will actually make a difference for a XU kid when it really matters. Like I told Fr. Graham, "nothing against trees, but we think this is the best way to honor Brian."

If you want to help, please send a check to:

The Brian McCormick
Memorial Fund
C/O Xavier University
3800 Victory Parkway
Cincinnati, Ohio 45207

Or call 513-745-3314.

Lastly, some of you are aware that we produced a web site to make fun of/honor Brian. Take a look at http://onlybrian.blogspot.com/ if you need a smile. God, his Irish melon was huge!

We know Brian would want all of us to go our beloved Xavier games and ENJOY the experience. Think of him when you have the season's first brew. Think of him when the last second shot goes in. Think of him when the Dance Team “performs.”

Especially think of him whenever UD gets spanked!

Thanks for all of your many prayers. Brian, and all of the McCormick’s, still need them.

God Bless!

I only knew Pablo through Xavier basketball. I didn't know him all that well. But I am a better man because I knew him. He cracked me up. I kid you not, right now I am smiling and shaking my head in disbelief thinking about his antics. What a great, great guy. He is missed.

Love the site Matt and will be thinking of you guys during the game tomorrow. I don't know when I'll get to Cintas next, but whenever I do, I will continue to make my pregame visits to your section as I used to to say hi to Brian and the rest of you guys. He was one of the best Xavier fans I've known and was so welcoming and generous to me both when I was a young poster on these boards and later when I was a student at X. I will not forget that.

As far as I'm concerned, Pablo will always be present at that lower level corner of Cintas, and when we win one of those unexplainable games this year, I won't be able to help but believe that along with Fr. Hoff and Coach Prosser, Pablo will have helped pulled a string or two to help get us over the edge.

Best wishes to the McCormick's as always and GO X!

The site is wonderful. Thanks for sharing your memories (and as someone new to the X board scene, I suddenly have a desire to read his postings).

I didn't have the pleasure of ever meeting him and knew him only through this board. And I'm the lesser for it. It was a privilege to minimally memorialize him in a column a while back. Requiescant in pace.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GuyFawkes38

The site is wonderful. Thanks for sharing your memories (and as someone new to the X board scene, I suddenly have a desire to read his postings).

---

I had the same thought...already pulled up this gem:

Pablo responds to Watermelongate haters

Great thread xeus. I too will think often of Pablo this season. Having been a student at X when both Pablo and his big brother were there, I got to know two great Americans and two great Musketeers! He will be sorely missed, but never forgotten.

God bless Pablo!

Dayton sucks.

Brian is definitely missed. It will be weird not having him around this season. I just the boys beat Dayton by 40 and then we can riot. Brian would appreciate that.

I've mentioned this before ... The single best time I've ever had at an XU game was when my then 3-year old daughter, Caylee, and I sat with Brian in his seats. Brian and I talked the entire game -- about XU hoops, messageboards, politics, family, kids, favorite adult beverages, my daughter's health issues, everything -- and it was a blast.

If he had any feelings at all about something, those feelings were profound and deep. He definitely cared more and lived larger than 99.99% of human beings out there -- an extreme outlier on the bell curve in so many wonderful traits.

It took no time to feel as though I'd known him for years; he was that open and genuine. Many people bottle up so much inside out of fear, shame, pride, etc. You instantly knew that wasn't Brian. What you saw is what he was ... period. And it was very cool.

Brian was the first person I ever met from these forums. I met Muskieman shortly afterward when he invited us down to his seats, where we meet Joe and Byron and he gave my daughter a bag of cool Musketeer goodies.

From that time on, whenever we would go to a game, Caylee would ask, "Is Brian and Muskieman here?" Both of them made such a big impression on her.

I remember later last season after Brian passed, Caylee and I were walking through the concourse to get her traditional cup of Dippin' Dots and she looked up and asked, "Is Brian and Muskieman here tonight?" I hadn't told her about Brian so I paused for a moment trying to figure out how to respond.

After thinking about it , I smiled and said, "Yes, they're both here, sweetie," confident that Brian wasn't going to miss a home game simply because he had been called home.

God bless, Brian and his family.

It will definitely be wierd this season without Pablo. I never met the man, I only knew him through the boards and a few emails. I would send him porn, just because I figured it was something he would like.

He was a great American, and I know he would have had lots to say this week around the election. I will dedicate my first brew tonight to Pablo, and I know he will be there in spirit.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GuyFawkes38

The site is wonderful. Thanks for sharing your memories (and as someone new to the X board scene, I suddenly have a desire to read his postings).

---

Unfortunately, the best of Brian's postings are gone with the board that he had at one time. I wish there was some sort of archive of that board. It's sort of appropriate in a way, because if you turned your head or blinked, Brian was off somewhere else, getting into something else.

I'm heading to Dana's to get some Pablo's cheesy tots tonight. Hopefully I'll see some of you there.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kahns Krazy

Unfortunately, the best of Brian's postings are gone with the board that he had at one time. I wish there was some sort of archive of that board. It's sort of appropriate in a way, because if you turned your head or blinked, Brian was off somewhere else, getting into something else.

I'm heading to Dana's to get some Pablo's cheesy tots tonight. Hopefully I'll see some of you there.

---

Not the site you are looking for, but it does offer a glimpse into his (& other's) "thinking" at the time:

http://www.voy.com/29306/

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by X-Fan

I had the same thought...already pulled up this gem:

Pablo responds to Watermelongate haters

---

I forgot that he sent a watermelon to Mr. W. Classic.

The f'er FedEx'd the watermelon. That is classic Pablo to me. If you're going to do something, do it right. Use the Fed Ex guy as your henchman. I'm sure the FedEx was 10 times the cost of the watermelon, but it really makes the whole thing so hilarious. Just imagine Mr. W. opening that box. Efiing hilarious.

I had dinner with my dad last night. In addition to Pablo, I've lost a couple more friends recently, and we were chatting about that. Somehow I got around to telling my dad the part of Matt's eulogy where he describes how Brian most likely has already convinced St. Peter to let him hold the keys to the back gate for "security purposes. My dad laughed pretty hard at that.

Never met Brian, but I always enjoyed visiting his board and posting there. He was definitely one of a kind. You could tell he truly enjoyed life.

I too thought of Brian alot on Friday night. Having gone to X with Brian and knowing him well, it was weird to think he was watching from such a nose bleed seat!! :) However, I am sure he was yelling as much as all of us were at the game. He was one of the great guys that you wanted to have around. He has the best ability to make a somber moment or a quite dull moment a party. He was just a great guy to have as a friend. One that you knew you could count on no matter what.....

He is and always will be missed and I hope he and Skip and Father Hoff can get us over that hump this year and into a Final Four!! I know those three are going to enjoy having some adult beverages and watching/cheering on their Musketeeers!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kahns Krazy

The f'er FedEx'd the watermelon. That is classic Pablo to me. If you're going to do something, do it right. Use the Fed Ex guy as your henchman. I'm sure the FedEx was 10 times the cost of the watermelon, but it really makes the whole thing so hilarious. Just imagine Mr. W. opening that box. Efiing hilarious.

I had dinner with my dad last night. In addition to Pablo, I've lost a couple more friends recently, and we were chatting about that. Somehow I got around to telling my dad the part of Matt's eulogy where he describes how Brian most likely has already convinced St. Peter to let him hold the keys to the back gate for "security purposes. My dad laughed pretty hard at that.

---

Brian listed KW's old high school's coach (from Alter High School in Kettering Ohio) as the sender. Supposedly, KW's dad told someone "I wondered what Joe Petrocelli is sending me?" Subtle as ever, Brian also wrapped up the watermellon with several copies of the Enquirer's coverage of David West's 47 point rampage against KW and UD. We heard that KW's dad was plently pissed and then both KW and the dad later laughed - and subsequently lost as usual.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pablo's Brother

Brian listed KW's old high school's coach (from Alter High School in Kettering Ohio) as the sender. Supposedly, KW's dad told someone "I wondered what Joe Petrocelli is sending me?"

---

I never heard that part, although I did get to hear the watermelon story in person during the 2006 A-10 Tournament (this was with Pablo/Brian and Muskieman over at GameDay's).

It is going to be very difficult to imagine the season going on without Brian in attendance this year; I can only imagine how emotional the board will be for the UD games this year.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by X-band '01

I never heard that part, although I did get to hear the watermelon story in person during the 2006 A-10 Tournament (this was with Pablo/Brian and Muskieman over at GameDay's).

It is going to be very difficult to imagine the season going on without Brian in attendance this year; I can only imagine how emotional the board will be for the UD games this year.

---

I remember exactly where you and muskieman were sitting. That is where I first met you X-band.

I also remember talking with Brian that night about the toy industry - that I missed it, and he enjoyed it. We talked about some of the manufacturers he repped, his trips to Asia, and what he expected to big in the upcoming year.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pablo's Brother

Subtle as ever, Brian also wrapped up the watermellon with several copies of the Enquirer's coverage of David West's 47 point rampage against KW and UD.

---

Hilarious. I've never heard this part. Brian is continuing to make me laugh out loud.

With the game pending tomorrow, I recall Pablo was fond of pointing out that bitches from Toledo are crazy.

with Mizzou missing all those FT's yesterday, and Dante's half court shot today, I would like to think that Pablo is helping from above, or at the very least smiling and exchanging high fives with Skip.

I have to say Brian probably played a little part in Dante's shot this afternoon.

Just as it was getting easier, X basketball started again and alot of the pain came back. After the win today I was again hit with the realization Brian wasn't here to share in my/our excitement.

I was thinking of Brian during the free throws and today. We all know he would be estatic and at Dana's in 15 minutes!

Thanks Brian!

Nice shot, Pablo.

And on the eve of the first XU-UD game without Brian/Pablo, let's remember just how much it meant to him to see Xavier beat UD, be it in Cincinnati or Dayton or in the White house.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by X-band '01

And on the eve of the first XU-UD game without Brian/Pablo, let's remember just how much it meant to him to see Xavier beat UD, be it in Cincinnati or Dayton or in the White house.

---

Thanks X-Band. I have complete confidence that my bro will deliver.

We will not lose to the melon humpers on Pablo's watch.

All this great talk of Pablo gave me an idea. Wouldn't it be cool to "retire" his username? It would be the first ever and from what I hear he is very deserving from his contributions to Xavier in many ways. You might think it's a little cheesy, but I think it could end up being really cool. Thoughts?

I believe that anyone else is already banned from using a Pablo moniker. If they try to use it, they're asshats anyway.

However, if there was a way that the webmasters behind this site could hang a banner with his name on it from the toolbar, that would be impressive.

Its been one long year since Brian left us too early. Thanks for all of the good times and for the memories that will last forever. We miss you!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pickledpigsfeet

Its been one long year since Brian left us too early. Thanks for all of the good times and for the memories that will last forever. We miss you!

---

All of the McCormicks thank the entire Xavier Nation for their warm support and prayers. It has simply been amazing and very helpful to us. We have been stunned to find out how many people Brian impacted in his short life (some actually for the positive!) It still does not seem like a year has passed. Rest assured, Brian is not pleased with Sean Miller and will help Mike Bobinksi make the right decision for our beloved team. He will also try and persuade Mike to add Dana's cheesy tater tots to the Cintas Center's concession lines! God bless you all.

Well I never me Brian personally but I feel like I know him just a little bit from this board and the tribute website. And I'm better for it. When you lose someone like Brian, you realize how deep and seemingly limitless the pain can be. There's a reason for that. If it didn't hurt, it didn't matter. Apparently it matters a whole lot. And it always will.

God Bless Brian, his family and friends.

For the first time in over a year, I'm contemplating an avatar change. The hat will always be incorporated into any avatar I switch to, like Waldo, or the Superman in Seinfeld.

I'm on the lookout for the first suitable substitute.

I've always thought the hat by itself looks like a plate of ground beef

You need something Kahn's related - maybe put a watermelon hat on this guy...

http://imageport.files.wordpress.com...-hot-dog-c.jpg