Barnhill Rides In Car With Segal And Lives To Blog About It

Sept. 22, 2008

-- posted by Joel Barnhill, Assistant Commissioner for Sales and Marketing

I was formulating in my mind what to say in this blog as Matt Segal (one of the New Guys) and I drove home from a Valpo site visit last Wednesday. My thoughts literally came to a screeching halt; however, when I looked up to see that Matt was attempting an Evel Knievel-like stunt to fit our car underneath a semi-truck! For the record, he's a terrible driver, but he's one of us and I'll keep him even though he "claimed" on this same blog that I have a snoring problem! Fortunately, I was able to talk him out of the attempted feat and we made it home in one piece. So, my thoughts are now disjointed and I'm not sure how good this blog will be, but I'll press on.

For those of you who don't know me, I work on what is to some the "Dark Side" of athletics - Sales and Marketing! When people ask me what I do, I tell them that every day I put on scrubs, wash up, pull on the gloves and go in and operate to make miracles happen for the Horizon League! I'm not sure I make a lot of miracles happen, but I truly enjoy what I do.

My two main focuses are working with Nelligan Sports Marketing to raise corporate dollars for our league and to develop ticket sales plans to increase revenue for our championship events. In addition, I act as a resource for the athletic marketing and ticket sales staffs throughout the league. In my two years with the HL, I have found the marketing and ticket sales folks to be very helpful and willing to assist me whenever needed, so I will give them my only "shout out" in this blog - "You Guys/Gals Rock!"

I've also had some unique experiences in my time with the League: I've ridden in Chicago Police Officer Tom Conway's squad car (and wasn't wearing handcuffs); I have eaten at many local establishments such as Becky's, Hawkeye's, Mackinin's, Cadillac Jack's, Harry's, The Winking Lizard, Tuty's, The Bluff, Brewski's and Giordano's to name a few (I don't miss many meals); and I have my very own parking spot behind Bruno's near Loyola's campus!

On a personal level, I've been married for almost 21 years (yes, to the same woman - amazing she puts up with me) and have two wonderful children, who are both very well-behaved (wink-wink). My hobbies are golf, watching sports on TV and spending time with my kids, not necessarily in that order.

Something not many people know about me, you ask? I am a lover of 80's Big Hair Bands and as recently as 2006, attended Motley Crue's Carnival of Sins concert and was in the second row for Poison's 20th Anniversary Tour concert. So anytime you want to hang out and crank up some Van Halen, AC/DC, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Guns & Roses, KISS, Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Journey, etc. - count me in!

So that's my story and I'm sticking to it! If you see me on your campus you have two choices; turn and run quickly in the other direction (which is what most do) or come over and say hello. I hope you pick the latter because I'd like to meet you!