Along with the varsity basketball team's trip on Sunday (see preview below), Saint Ignatius' hockey, wrestling and swimming and diving teams will also be boarding buses.

Coach Pat O'Rourke's varsity hockey team will put its 23-0 record on the line at the 18th Annual Meadville (Pa.) Bulldog Invitational in the DeArment Ice Arena.

*NOTE HOCKEY UPDATE: The Wildcats now stand 24-0 after winning their first round game, 9-1 over Erie McDowell. It marked the second consecutive game that the Wildcats erupted for five goals in the third period. The corner is covering the jv and varsity basketball games against the Lorain Titans tonight, but will also have a hockey update along with the basketball story.

After its meet at University School on Friday, the swimming and diving team will be competing in the Northeast Classic on Saturday at Canton's C T Branin Natatorium and the University of Akron.

Coach Mark Sullivan's wrestling team, coming off a strong performance at the Tool City Tournament, will be at the annual Catholic Invitational on Saturday and Sunday at Cincinnati Elder High School.

Coach Sullivan said the Wildcats will be without standout senior George DiCamillo, who is ill. George has won 57 consecutive matches and is the top-ranked 120-pounder in the nation.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE: I would to express my sincere thanks to Coach Sean O'Toole '87 and his varsity basketball players, who surprised this old-timer with a birthday cake following Thursday's practice. The players even sang Happy Birthday and were never in better voice.

I would also like to say a big thank you to hockey standouts Mike Abood, Taylor Wolf and Matt Kovesdy, hockey guru Chris Abood '11, Mike's brother, the former ace of the SIBN Jacob Corrigan '10, who is currently making his mark at Ohio University and in the Athens sports arena, current SIBN color man and baseball stats wizard Zach Weinreich and Wildcats multi-sport athlete Randy Buffington for their kind BD wishes.

And a huge thanks goes out to the SIBN's award-winning legend Mike Watts '11 for tweeting the first birthday wish to his old halftime guest and passing the others on to me. Mike is wrapping up his semester break at Fordham. Ah, to be that close to Yankee Stadium. Sorry, but this old-schooler is a big fan of Derek Jeter and the way he plays the game. But I also support the Indians and have been for more years than I want to count.

In closing, let me say Happy Birthday to another mainstay from the Capricorn class - senior All-Ohio and All-American football player Mike Svetina, who celebrates his birthday today (Friday). "Viking Pride!" If you don't know what that means, check with Mike.

- Thank You again and God Bless, Eddie.