I've covered games with Bob Behler in five times zones and I've never arrived at a game before him. His pregame preparation and attention to detail are legendary as Boise State fans will soon find out. Boise State made a good hire, but Behler wasn't good by accident. He wasn't good by accident. Every game from the opener to the postseason is worth considerable meticulous notes. I didn't hear him much because I was at most of the game he called, but there were times I'd sit next to him and marvel at how many little nuggets of info he'd have in a broadcast that I wouldn't know, and I like to think I'm pretty knowledgable when it comes to UMass sports.

UMass will miss him more than it realizes. Most of the coaches and administrators haven't been at the school without him and the stuff he does are things they've come to expect. But how many other radio guys will give up their own time to make sure a field hockey game gets broadcast on the internet? Or a swim meet? Most of you didn't go online to watch the swim meet broadcast. But the swimmer's parents did and that was enough for Bob. Athletes parents will miss Bob Behler.

I'll miss Bob as a friend, especially on road trips. We've talked about politics, religion, life, death, love, relationships and a whole lot of sports and we've never run out of conversation. I'm an all-conference cailber talker. Bob is at Olympic level.

Sports journalism can be a really fun job, but if you don't like the other people on your beat, it can be a pretty lonely existence on road trips. I have friends who cover other teams, who hate the other beat writers or radio guys or at least don't have enough in common to really enjoy their company.  I've been fortunate to have both Bob and Ron Chimelis/Jeff Thomas, who I've gotten along really well with for the past nine years. In that time I've probably spent more hours with Bob than anyone, in rental cars and when possible steak or BBQ restaurants. I'd drive cause he's too slow and he'd navigate cause I'm bad with directions. We were almost always hunting for a Damon's Sports Bar and Grill.

Whoever replaces Bob has big shoes to fill.

...61 days til Boise State vs. Idaho State...