For decades he traveled miles and miles with college teams on buses and witnessed the transformation in athletics from the introduction of Title IX to today’s “get-back” coaches. He occupied a dugout seat for an Old Timer’s baseball game, shook hands post-game with Bobby Bowden at midfield and questioned Raymond Berry. He earned a technical foul from a basketball referee yet remains adored by baseball’s umpires. He flashed peace signs from the deck of President Nixon’s helicopter, owned an Orange Bowl record, was reluctantly driven by Bill Murray and attended a pre-race NASCAR drivers’ meeting. He sipped brandy with the Lord Mayor of Cork, Ireland, ordered one grit at the Waffle House, went out with Little Miss Sunbeam and was kissed by Morganna. He delighted in a press box beer with Bob Uecker, phoned Willie Mays with heartbreaking news, persuaded Phil Ford to pull a prank, and reflected in a cemetery with Pat Conroy. He worked games at the best and worst facilities, and crossed paths with many of today’s and yesterday’s sports figures on all levels.

Only Andy Solomon could have done these things. And more.

A career athletics administrator shares his favorite stories, accounts and anecdotes from his working career at five South Carolina colleges, a world-class resort and minor league baseball. He describes a fabulous and memorable journey but that, too, got old. And while most of the games were fun, the people he met along the way were indeed funner.