Corning NY – Pelham AL – New York NY – Evansville, IN – Boston MA – Mt Prospect IL – Champaign IL (Go Illini!)

Take a Look and click on them to go to the shop.

Jessica L, Your Spikeballer of the Week

It’s not every day that we get a Spikeballer who played D1 sports in college.  Well, Jessica L is filling that void this week.  She was a star at Hofstra playing Volleyball.  Post graduation she is now smarter and realizes how superior of a sport Spikeball is.  Petitions to replace volleyball with Spikeball are being drawn up.  Let’s learn about her skills…

Where do you live?
Astoria – Queens, NY
Hometown?
Wantagh – Long Island, NY
College?
Hofstra University – Long Island, NY.  Yes, the one that doesn’t have a football team anymore, making the chances of having a Spikeball team obsolete.  FAIL!
Ever been arrested?  If yes, details please.

Never, but don’t count me out just yet. I have a grand idea that involves the Spikeball net, a can of paint (lead free), a watermelon and a stuffed moose.  So we will see where that leads me and maybe next time I’ll have a different answer.

Best vacation?
Western Caribbean Carnival Cruise in Spring of 2009.  If only I knew about Spikeball then, I would have had Spikeball as my carry-on on the plane to get to the port, and probably wouldn’t have lost so much money at the casino.
Worst vacation?
It involved a ski slope and my first call ever to 911.  Enough said.
Occupation?
Project Manager at a Web Design and Development firm in NYC.  In a nutshell, we make websites, and our VP of Security and Integrity is a French Bulldog.
How long have you been Spikeballin’?
A little less than 525,600 minutes ß I’m a Broadway buff too, so if you know what that is, you get bonus points.
Bea Arthur or Betty White?

Tough choice, and I mean in terms of a Spikeball partner.  Bea has the height, but Betty has the agility.  If I had to choose, though, I’d go with Betty, only because she’s still breathing.  Details…
Have you ever purchased a Spikeball set as a wedding gift?

No, but I did receive it as a gift from my boyfriend, another competitive Spikeballer worthy of mention.  This Spikeballer of the Week award is his as much as it is mine. (Editor’s note: I’m hearing Spikeball wedding bells)

Favorite music group/artist?
Music taste varies like the wind.  Mood dictates all.  I also may be the only New Yorker that likes country music, thanks to my best friend from Ohio.  We’ll leave it at that.

How has Spikeball helped your love life?

2 words – hip flexor.(Editor’s note: Go on…)

What concert are you most embarrassed to have attended?

That’s got to be a toss up between the Spamalot Coconut Orchestra Concert in 2006 and a Megan Mullally in 2008.  Megan Mullally, aka Karen from Will and Grace, live in concert in NYC.  Classic.  (Editor’s note: our long run of a Monty Python-free SBOTW series has come to a screeching halt)

Tell me about your HS Prom.

It ended at the Jersey Shore.  No fist pumping involved. (Editor’s note: I think I might have found an old prom picture)

Why did they pick you to be Spikeballer of the week?

I was a D1 volleyball player in college, and Spikeball is the answer to every volleyball alumni’s post-collegiate dreams – the essence of the game, without the two-a-days to go along with it.  I promote the sport everywhere I go, and dream of the day they come out with Spikeball for the Wii.
I keep the set in my trunk and have played the game in multiple states throughout the US.  It was such a “hit” at my last birthday party that my friends called me the day after letting me know they were sore from my party.  If that’s not hardcore, I don’t know what is.

What are you going to do with your prize money?
Rent out Times Square, so only three friends and I can enter to play Spikeball.  I’d also track down the Naked Cowboy to see if he wanted to get in on the game.
Pre-game meals?  Rituals?  Superstitions?

If I’m playing on the beach – always have to wear sunglasses and a headband.  If I’m playing on the grass – sneakers and prefer to play to the left of my partner.  This coming winter, I’m taking the game to the snow.

Favorite movie of all time?
Not my all time favorite movie, but a great classic one:  Wayne’s World.  There’s a slight chance I dressed up as Wayne for Halloween in 5th grade, and my best friend (also female) was Garth.  Party on!

What else does the Spikeball community need to know about you?
I spend my nights with the crew that “eats burpees for breakfast” at Crossfit Queens. (Editor’s note: see Crossfit Queens, NY  photo of Spikeball)

Any parting words for your ex?
I’d rather bump and practice safe sets with someone else. (Editor’s note: well put)

Matt W is the chosen one this week folks.  Heading to the heartland, Des Moines, IA for this week’s Spikeballer of the Week!

When Spikeball was just a wee pup we thought that it would be popular for people that live near the beach and not really anywhere else.   As usual, I was waaaaaaaaaay off the mark.  This week’s SBOTW proves the fact in that he is livin’ the lifestyle, the Spikeball lifestyle that is, in Des Moines, IA.  As you make your way through this interview you’ll read that Matt has beaten up people in jail, hangs out at yacht clubs, tosses in a ‘Joey from Full House’ reference, and has some choice words for the ex.  Let’s make sure she doesn’t see this one, K?

Dig in…

Where do you live?

-Des Moines, IA

Hometown:?

-Fort Madison, IA

Ever been arrested?  If yes, share ALL details.

–Public Intox @ age 19 at an Iowa State football tailgate. Do not remember getting arrested or booked in. Next thing I know some old regular in the drunk tank was running his mouth at me and I was tossing his toothless a$s on the ground. Solitary confinement is boring.

–Boating Under the Influence, one 4^th of July I was at a friend’s cabin up in MN and we were out boating…he asked me if I’d hold the wheel for him while he got something out of the back of the boat. I held the wheel for about a minute going idle speed and got pulled over by a Sherriff Boat (only in MN). Was 4 guys in our boat along with about 100 dead soldiers on the floor. I didn’t stand a chance on the field sobriety test.  A-hole cop looked exactly like Dave Coulier (Joey from Full House), and he was probably excessively pissed that people tell him that. Plus he most likely is still upset he got his ass kicked all the time in high school. I decided to tell him that he probably really needed to get laid. This also didn’t help my case…good thing BUI’s were not considered the same as DUI’s yet (now they are).

Best vacation?

-The best unplanned trip ever…4 college roommates jumped in the car for spring break with a week’s worth of clothes with no plans other than to drive out of the frozen Midwest. Partied with friends in several different cities all the way to Southern FL and managed to royally piss off most of the St. Petersburg Yacht and Country Club by partying all night. Put 3k miles on my friends new car and let him drive about 50 of them out of our own personal safety.

Worst vacation?

-Refer to question 2…Crosslake, MN. Would have been cool if I hadn’t been tossed in the slammer.

Occupation?

-Loan Adjustor for a BIG BANK, until you get Spikeball Pro Tour going so I can quit my job and will no longer want to shoot myself every day at work. I feel like Ron Livingston’s character in Office Space. (Editor’s Note: Mmmmmm yeeaaa….Peter, we’re gonna need you to come in this weekend.”)

How long have you been Spikeballin’?

-I’m a rookie so far, just learned about a month ago while visiting friends out in Chi…one game and I was hooked and played for 5 hours straight. Couldn’t get off couch for a day or two after. I’m going to put Iowa on the map of Spikeball though. We don’t have a lot to do here but drink, play games, and play drinking games…just a matter of time.

Bea Arthur or Betty White?

-Why isn’t Blanche an option? She was the original Cougar. And GOD BLESS COUGARS! But if I had to pick between the two…Betty is the best—didn’t you see the Snicker’s commercial or when she hosted SNL?? Hilarious.

Have you ever purchased fine China as a wedding gift?

-My friends don’t really deserve classy things, and would probably just ruin them anyways.

Have you ever purchased a Spikeball set as a wedding gift?

-Not yet but that’s a good idea…nice subliminal message to get people to buy more sets, though!

Favorite music group/artist?

-I have a hard time picking favorites, but one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen is a band called Hairball out of Minneapolis. They tour the Midwest…have to be the best cover band ever. They cover almost every 80’s hair band you can think of, and not only just cover it—they get fully into character. They have two lead singers so while one is playing as Bret Michaels, the other is backstage changing his clothes and makeup and next thing you know, Prince is out there, then the Crue, GNR, etc. Very good show.

What is the best “Spikeballin” song on your ipod?

-Even Rocky had a Montage – DVDA (Trey Parker/Matt Stone)…..at least when I’m not listening to the Days of Thunder or Major League soundtracks to pump me up.

What concert are you most embarrassed to have attended?

-Limp Bizkit…give me a break I was 18…and this was before the Fred Durst depression/starving for attention time started, but there were hints of his closet douchebaggery emerging.

Why did they pick you to be Spikeballer of the week?

-Has to be the Chuck Norris beard. Wait til I perfect my roundhouse spike shot…you’re all in trouble. (Editor’s Note: AMAZING Halloween git up)

What are you going to do with your prize money?

-My bank account and my bar tab are on opposite sides of a revolving door.

Dream location for your next Spikeball game?

-Helipad on top of the Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai…1,053 ft off the ocean. I’ve been jealous of Agassi and Federer for getting to shoot that Nike commercial playing tennis up there. Would sure make your diving saves a lot more interesting and intense. May need a stock of extra Spikeballs though.

Pre-game meals?  Rituals?  Superstitions?

-Well you have to drink enough to hit it just right on the Bell Curve to optimize your buzz without killing your motor skills too much. This also helps for some witty drunken trash talking. So a few pre-game beers and/or shots are a must.  (Editor’s note: +1 for first ever mention of a bell curve in the SBOTW series)

Favorite Movie of all time?

-The Big Lebowski…… and I did some checking–The Pope does, in fact, shit in the woods on occasion. (Editor’s note: STFU Donny)

What else does the Spikeball community need to know about you?

- I’m a Daywalker, not a Ginger…I do have half a soul.

****You didn’t ask me if I’d have anything to say to my ex but I liked that question from other previous SBOTW….so just throwing this in, I’d say: “Sorry, but we were bound to not workout…I’m an Aries……….and you’re a selfish B!tch”  (Editor’s note: More than happy to bring back some old questions, especially when they yield answers like this)

Thanks for the time Matt.  Should you ever run into Full House Joey again give Spikeball a call and we’ll help out with bail.

Take your mind off things and dig deep into this week’s Spikeballer- Jason C.   After a hot riverfront photo shoot we caught up with Jason to learn his secrets.  Don’t let the Celtics jersey fool you- he’s born and bred in Minnesota.  Actually, I didn’t ask where he was bred- a bit too personal, right?  Anyway, forward this on to all of your ‘Sota friends as Jason and team (Ryan C) are hosting the “World Cup of Spikeball”  on Aug 28th.  Ehhhhhpic is what it’s going to be.

-Where do you live?

Reppin’ the 612 Minneapolis, baby!

-Hometown:?

The burbs of Mpls

-Ever been arrested?

Yes once, but I swear I thought I was paying for “back job” (Editor’s note: looks like this may turn into an 18+ interview

-Best vacation?

Spending 3 months backpacking across Europe and Turkey.  Ever been to Amsterdam? You don’t get arrested for back jobs there.

-Worst vacation?

Start with a 15 year old Volvo wagon with no a/c. Fill it with teenage siblings and plenty of Christian music cassette tapes. Then like shaking a jar filled with bees, head out for 12 hour drive across South Dakota in middle of the summer. Not even a palace made of corn is worth that type of torture. (Editor’s note: is this the wagon?)

-Occupation?

I work in an endless sea of cubes at Buy More’s corporate office.

-How long have you been Spikeballin’?

Man I guess it’s only been about 4 months, oh how did I ever survive before it.

-Bea Arthur or Betty White?  Why?

Betty White because she doesn’t get me in trouble at work when I Google image her name. Bea, you crafty lil horse you got me again. If you doubt me, live on the edge and try it yourself.

-Have you ever purchased fine China as a wedding gift?

Does Target make “fine” China? I did buy a set of bowls made in China for a wedding. Does that count?

-Have you ever purchased a Spikeball set as a wedding gift?

No, you guys need to start a wedding registry on your site.

-Favorite music group/artist?

My favorite artist would have to be Jason Caesar

-What is the best “Spikeballin” song on your tape player?

No Question the Last of the Mohicans Soundtrack. It will take your game to another level.

-What concert are you most embarrassed to have attended?

I’m not sure what’s more embarrassing being at a  Ja Rule/Brian Mcknight/Ginuwine concert, whispering the words to all the slow jams into my girlfriends ear, or enjoying myself

-Why did they pick you to be Spikeballer of the week?

Bringing the joy of Spikeball to the Twin Cities. I am co-throwing the World Cup of Spikeball August 28th @ Lake Calhoun in Mpls, MN with my PIC Ryan “When I grow up I want to be a Robot” Corder. If you’re going to be in the neighborhood hit us up on facebook, Lake Calhoun Spikeball Event. (Editor’s note: if you live in MN and don’t go this, immediately return your Spikeball set, you are not worthy.)

-What are you going to do with your prize money ($4)?

I am going to put it towards a plaque that says spikeballer of the week, so I can put it up next to my 2nd greatest accomplishment my high school diploma.

-Dream location for your next Spikeball game?

Think Mortal Kombat or more like that Bloodsport rip off the Quest. The greatest athletes from across the globe meeting at Machu Picchu invite only and matches judged by the original Jedi master himself the Dalai Lama, yeah either that or this year’s World Cup host Lake Calhoun. It’s a toss up

-Pre-game meals?  Rituals?  Superstitions?

Breakfast of Champions… egg mcmuffin.

-Favorite Movie of all time?

The timeless classic Surf Ninjas

-What else does the Spikeball community need to know about you?

People say I play like a white Larry Bird. I like pizza and tacos. Mpls is the greatest city in the world. No matter what you think there is no such thing as back jobs. Oh yeah before I forget I also like doing stuff and things (not necessarily in that order)

It’s time for a visit to the Southeast.  We’ve been hearing a LOT of chatter from North Carolina so I figured it was time to investigate.  After some digging around I turned up this week’s Spikeballer of the Week, Thomas L.  Thomas and crew seem to have a solid routine of Spikeball and Surfing.  That’s an awfully tough combo for the ladies to turn down.

You’ll see that he mentions the site, wpwsports.blogspot.com a few times.  Once there, and you WILL go there, you’ll see the world’s first Spikeball Haiku and some of the finest, funniest Spikeball writing you’ll ever find.  Oh yea, you’ll also find Marisa Miller and Erin Andrews…if you’re into that sort of thing.

By the way, he works for ESPN…you’ve heard of them, right?  They’re the ones that gained notoriety from the Spikeball video they made.

On to the interview…

Where do you live? The concrete jungle with Hova

Hometown:? Greensboro, North Carolina

Best vacation? Winston Salem, North Carolina

Worst vacation? The one that lasted a whole year after college trying to find a job.

Occupation? Production Assistant at ESPN, but only doing it so someday Spikeball will makes its way to Sportscenter’s ‘Top Ten’

How long have you been Spikeballin’? Only 4 months, but I feel like I have been training my whole life.

Bea Arthur or Betty White?  Why?  Betty White.  Better hips.

Have you ever purchased a Spikeball set as a wedding gift? Yes, if Spikeball was sold at Crate & Barrel, im sure they would have registered for it.
Favorite music group/artist? The Band.  “What band?”  The Band

What is the best “Spikeballin” song on your tape player? HAHA tape player. How old are you? I have an Ipod and my spikeballin’ anthem is Mel Gibson cussing out his wife. (Editor’s note: it was a toss up between ‘tape player’ and Walkman).

What concert are you most embarrassed to have attended? NC State vs UNC 2008. 41-3 final. I just felt embarrassed for UNC fans. (Editor’s note: With equally strong Spikeball contingents at NC State and UNC me thinks we need a death match)
Why did they pick you to be Spikeballer of the week? Its a lot more complicated than just being “picked”

Dream location for your next Spikeball game? Playing mixed doubles with my friends Rick Noisewater (wpwsports.blogspot.com), Erin Andrews, and Marissa Miller on the Croatian coast at sunset. Afterwards we would bury Rick in the sand and I would take the girls out for a nice salmon dinner.

Pre-game meals?  Rituals?  Superstitions? Bo’jangles (if you have to ask, you’ll never know).

Favorite Movie of all time? The one I’m going to produce about Spikeball.  Coming soon.  Followed closely by Ace Ventura: Pet Detective

What are you going to do with your prize money ($4)?Play roulette. Put it on Black 8 (35-1) = $140.  Tip the dealer $2 =$138. Invest in Spikeball Tank tops.  (wpwsports.blogspot.com)

What else does the Spikeball community need to know about you? Thats about it, just want to thank Forest for introducing me to the game. It’s changed my life.  (My record vs Phillip Foy 2-0)  (Editor’s note: Phillip, what’s up?  0-2?)

This week’s Spikeballer of the Week is Piper B!  After waiting a few hours for her to wake up (see photo) we got down to business to see why she is deserving of this HUGE award.

-Where do you live?
Newport Beach…the real Orange County

-Hometown?
Dittoooooooo.
-Best vacation?
Backpacking in Italy with 15 friends.  I call that fun.

-Worst vacation?
Ever heard of Milkdew, Kansas? Yeah, me either.

-Occupation?
It’s hard enough to be athletic, smart and sign autographs for being Spikeball baller of the week. I have no time for a real occupation.
-How long have you been Spikeballin’?

What’s Spikeball? just kidding. I jumped out of the womb spikeballing.
-How has Spikeball affected your love life?

It’s gotten me plenty of fans, boyfriends, admirers, etc. Even some wanna-be girlfriends… (Editor’s note: things are indeed a bit different on the W Coast)
-Will Ferrell or Chris Farley?

Will Ferrell. Even though he basically plays the same role (dumb, awkward and crazy) in every movie, it makes me laugh every time.

-Favorite music group/artist? Group:

Any soundtrack from a Disney Original Animated Movie, my favorites being Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast.
-What concert are you most embarrassed to have attended?

Rod Stewart with a ton of 55 year-old women screaming, “I love you Rod!” is not embarrassing, its amusing.
-Why did they pick you to be Spikeballer of the week?

Obviously, my Spikeball skills should no longer be unknown to the Spikeball community. I rock on and off the court.
-What are you going to do with your prize money?

My $4 will allow me to buy a 16 gumballs and chew them all at once. And if that doesn’t work out, I’ll buy a Denny’s Grand Slam Breakfast!
-Dream location for your next Spikeball game?

In the middle of the ocean, at the bottom. And I am a mermaid with a small fish-friend named Flounder.
-Tell me about your worst job:

It’s not a job, it’s a chore. Needless to say, I pick up the poop from 5 St. Bernard dogs. (Editor’s note: this may be the worst job of all Spikeballers so far.  We send our condolences)
-Favorite Movie of all time?

Dirty Dancing. I’d do anything to dance with smooth-dancing Patrick Swayze, and the scene where they’re on the log bridge, ahh i die of cuteness every time. (Editor’s note: this is Swayze’s 2nd reference in the Spikeballer of the Week series.  A few weeks ago there was a  Roadhouse mention.  It’s pretty similar to Dirty Dancing…”Dalton, razor blade, right boot”)
-Anything you’d like to say to your ex?

“taking a break” doesn’t exist. Neither does “I want some space.”

So, we are going to do a little experiment this month: Milwaukee is the world’s first “Spikeball CITY of the Month”.  Over the next few weeks we’ll be highlighting one amazing Spikeballer of the Week from the place that brought us PBR, Schlitz, Miller, Lakefront Brewery, Fonzie, Jeffrey Dahmer (ouch!), Marquette Univ,  The Avalanche (bar), beautiful beaches, and a police report with yours truly on it (I swear I’m innocent…kind of)

To do this right, we brought in the big guns.  Trenni Kusnierek as an on air reporter for MLB Network.  Those of you in the ‘Burgh will remember her as sports anchor at WDJT a few years back.  Oh yea, she also completed this year’s Boston Marathon.  What have you done?  Didn’t think so.  In addition to all of that, she can add the oh so sweet title of ‘Sr. Spikeball Badass Correspondent’.

She took our q’s and put her own spin on them.  Let’s see how it went…

Ballin’ with a Base Tan
by Trenni Kusnierek
Ladies and Gentlemen, we go back to Bradford Beach in Milwaukee for this installment of ‘Spikeballer of the Week’.  This time around, the honor is bestowed on one M Parsons.

Parsons may have found his calling.  After pretending to live on the beach while watching Lost for six straight seasons, “Parsy” is living the dream of minimal showers and dominating the beach with Spikeball.  If only the Candidates had thought to bring their Spikeball sets on Oceanic 815… Forget Jack or Sawyer, Milwaukee has Parsons.

*Where do you live?

Milwaukee, WI

*Hometown:?
Madison, WI

*Best vacation?
3 week family vacation w/ the ‘rents visiting my sister in Viet Nam where my ‘rents paid for everything.

*Worst vacation?
3 week family vacation w/ the ‘rents visiting my sister in Viet Nam. Never take a family vaca in a country where there are no rules…it is Nam you know.

*Occupation?
Recruiter, we help the deaf talk on the telephone. I interview candidates all day and either make their dreams come true by hiring them or crush them and make them feel inadequate.

*How long have you been Spikeballin’?
1 year

*Will Ferrell or Chris Farley?
Definitely Chris Farley. Before he died, my buddy ran into him in Madison. He was wearing army boots, cutoff sweatpants, yellow cop shades, a cheetah print sportscoat w/ no shirt on underneath and was sweaty as balls. Will Ferrell hasn’t been funny since Anchorman, except for Eastbound and Down. (Milwaukee reference: Farley went to Marquette…Ferrell didn’t)

*Favorite music group/artist?
Ween

*You bring the tunes to the beach, so what is the best “Spikeballin” song on your ipod?
Maybe a lil’ Black Betty by Ram if we need to turn up the intensity or The Isley Brothers Summer Breeze is always good at the beach

*What concert are you most embarrassed to have attended?
A Blues Traveler concert/pseudo date I went to as a freshman in high school. I sure as shit didn’t have any game back then and I think there might have been some attempt at slow dancing to a harmonica solo.

*Why did they pick you to be Spikeballer of the week?
My base tan is insane, I’m usually in charge of coordinating the beach day with Wesman, making sure we’re fully prepared and stocked with all the necessities that no one else remembers and I only play one way…Charlie’s Angels-Full Throttle. Did I mention my base tan is gonna be ridiculous this summer?

*What are you going to do with your prize money?
Stock up on temporary tats and c*%#rings

*Dream location for your next Spikeball game?
On top of an active volcano, so the losers go out Mortal Kombat style

*Who from LOST would you rather have as a spikeball teammate–Jack or Sawyer?
Probably Jack because Sawyer would make my base tan look like shit, but then again I could catch his overflow

*Which lady from LOST would you rather bring to the beach– Kate or Juliette?
Definitely Juliet, Kate would just jam everybody up half way to next Tuesday.

*Why do you think Milwaukee has become such a hotbed of spikeball dominance?
Bradford Beach used to be a ghost town, but since it got cleaned up, it’s the spot to be…much like The Island on LOST. As far as the Spikeball domination, I’d have to say it’s because it’s ingrained in our genes from birth and the desire to make Chicagoans lose
at one more thing other than to the Packers and at life.

*Pre-game meals?  Rituals?  Superstitions?
Usually a Bud Light, I don’t like to eat right before playing…got to keep the beach bod looking good. Usually some stretching concluded with the ol’ Cobra pose.

*Favorite Movie of all time?
It’s a toss up between the awesomeness of Ren McCormick in Footloose or the cockiness of Dalton in Road House.

*Katy Perry…worthy of Maxim’s top spot in the Hot 100?  If no, who should reign supreme?
Katy Perry’s pretty smoking these days, but definitely not numero uno. I’m leaning more towards Victoria Secret supermodel Miranda Kerr.

*What else does the Spikeball community need to know about you?
Spikeball’s changed my life. I don’t care about things I used to. I only focus on succeeding in joining the Professional Spikeball Circuit (PSC), making other teams look foolish…and did I mention my base tan? Also, I did chat w/ Sprewell while taking a piss at the beach last summer, I’m going to try to get him involved in promoting Spikeball worldwide.

Trenni K at her day job with MLB Network.