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WHERE ARE THEY NOW ?
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WHERE ARE THEY NOW ?
This is a section of the Web page devoted to people who have had some involvement with Swans over the years
I hope to expand this page to include sections on such luminaries as Fred Pesqua, our current Development Officer and other people with historical ties to, and some influence over, Swans in the past
The first subject of Where Are They Now ? is former SBL player Mark Griffen who, unfortunately, has had his playing career cut short by illness following his return to the USA after his stint with Swans
Mark stumbled upon the Swans Web page while undertaking a further education course in the USA, and opened up a line of correspondance with our Web Master
What follows are excerpts from Mark's e-mail correspondance with the Web Master
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Hi
I was glad to see your web site and I am trying to keep up with the SBL the best I can. I hope the Swan's get back in the league. My name is Mark Griffin and my email address is www.govolsfan.com Drop me a line sometime and fill me in on the latest scoop. Take care Mark |
e-mail # 2 :
I e-mailed you before but did not leave my proper e-mail address.
It is griffo@govolsfan.com
Please drop me a line so I will know that my first e-mail got through or not.
e-mail # 3
Geoff,
I found your web page by browsing through a search for basketball and come across the Goldfield's Giant web site and hit links.
I am currently a sales representative for a pharmaceutical company called Janssen which is a division of Johnson & Johnson. I also coach middle school basketball at the school where my wife is a teacher. She coaches the girls.
I have been married for 5 months.
I also conduct a basketball camp on June 29-July 3 and occasionally I am a guest on a local sports talk show in Knoxville.
But, I miss Perth and watching Aussie Rules footy. I met some great people over there but I did not have any long term job opportunities outside of basketball.
Plus, it was a blessing that I got into the pharmaceutical industry for a doctor I called on noticed that my eyes were jaundice and starting running some tests and noticed that my heart did not beat normally. He sent me to a cardiologist and he ran an EKG and noticed I had a condition called atrial fibrillation where part of my heart only flutters.
Plus, my heart rate instead of increasing was at 16 beats a minute at night. So, I was hospitalized and they put a pacemaker in my chest to make sure my heart beat. The doctor said if I would have played another year of basketball I would have had a heart attack on the court. Thank goodness for the time being I am in this industry because no other boss or manager or coach would have noticed.
I am fine now and actually working out more but am on several medications.
I do keep up with the SBL and NBL through internet at work. Thanks for E mailing me and I look forward to some good gossip next time. Take care and say hello to Bev Boyle.
Mark
email # 4 :
Geoff,
I do not mind at all you describing my health related status for it has been printed in my work Journal at Janssen (division of Johnson & Johnson) for and the Knoxville paper as well so feel free.
I hope the Swan's make it back but I know it will be tough.
I came across this site's name while looking at The Goldfield's Giants site. It seems that more and more SBL teams are developing sites. Do you think this will go over well?
I got to run so drop me a line again sometime and thank you for your help.
Mark
The second subject of Where Are They Now ? is popular former Development Officer Matt Ivulich
As many long - time Swans people will be aware, Matt was appointed Head Coach of the Willetton 'Tigers' Mens' SBL team after a successful stint as Swans' Development Officer
The problem with these Development Officers, is they have aspirations towards Head Coaching positions at SBL level and higher, and thus organisations often lose terrific people
Matt is currently teaching at an exclusive college in Rugby, England - yes, the home of that 'other' football code
Subject: Matt Ivulich in Rugby, UK
Dear Geoff
Great to hear from you.
If you had not heard, the big news in the camp here is that Di is pregnant again and her 20 week ultra-sound scan showed everything to be normal. A cardiac specialist was in attendance and checked the heart extensively. It was great to see a normal picture on the screen. The normal operator did everything else and it showed everything you expect for a 20-week baby.
The lady thought it was a boy, but her tone was not that confident. As long as the baby is healthy, we don't really care if she 'stuffs up' on the sex.
At this stage the due date is October 17th
Di went and celebrated by going shopping, and shopping, and more shopping.... ( she deserves it ) and then by attacking our garden. She has done a great job so far.
We feel luck is going our way for a change with the baby and with the fact that 6 weeks ago, Katelyn ( our 2 year old ) just escaped being reversed over by our neighbour's car.
Trust me, it was a scary affair. Apart from a bad graze on her ankle and some bruising, she was OK. It followed two bad falls while climbing that resulted in a sore elbow and cut lip.
I have 1 more week to go until the school year finishes ( exams to be marked, reports to be written etc etc ) and we have been trying hard to organise a budget that will allow us some travel during the 9 weeks summer holiday.
Di's Mum has family living in Brighton, and they have invited us to visit them there and in a cottage they own in France during July.
On August 1st we plan to fly to Germany utilising tickets that we gained as part of our return tickets to the UK. We plan to stay for 2 weeks. One of my students has invited us to stay with them during part of our stay in Germany. They live in Munich.
Obviously we are looking forward to spending time together as a family and enjoying the sights this part of the world has.
Take care and behave!
Matt
