DuPont’s 10 New Years Things
By: Darren DuPont
Happy New Year! Plenty to be grateful for and plenty to improve on as we head to 2025 … plus some sports notes so let’s get to it:
1. Cheers to ‘24 – Let’s all take a minute today to look back at the positive things that happened over the past 366 days. Yes, it was a leap year. This is also the time where we build our plans for the year ahead. But first, a look back …
Personally, it feels like a ho-hum year that I want to improve upon but on further review, there were plenty of highlights. From meeting Jim Nantz, to calling provincial championship curling, broadcasting OHL games in multiple new markets, and caddying in a professional golf tournament, it was a pretty good year. Add in some great networking and new personal strategic relationships things are looking pretty good heading into 2025! Let’s hear your 2024 highlights in the comments.
2. Year Ago In Review – From Michigan winning a wild overtime game in the CFP on NYD over Alabama and then finishing an undefeated National Championship run beating Washington, right to Canada/USA at the World Juniors on NYE, we were locked into sports right from beginning to end in 2024. We were looking back on Tuesday’s RP Show and it really was a great sports year.
3. The Best of ‘24 – Did you forget it was an Olympic year? Seems like ages ago but the games took place this past year and delivered some memorable moments like the Canadian men’s 4x100m relay team capturing a gold medal. I can still hear Mark Lee on the call.The PWHL dropped the puck exactly one year ago today and really captivated sports fans with sold out buildings everywhere you looked. We took in a game and the atmosphere really was incredible. The Kansas City Chiefs won their second-straight Super Bowl and The RP Show was there with live broadcasts from radio row. I called a historic Canada West conference championship for the Regina Rams when they beat the Saskatchewan Huskies in Saskatoon. That magical run for the Rams took them all the way to the country’s Final Four. And the Grey Cup and Toronto’s win in Vancouver. Again, The RP Show was there and the festival was first-class. But….
4. Number One – For me, it’s hard to be the Stanley Cup Playoffs. And in 2024 we had one of the top *feel good* stories in a long time as Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice lifted the Cup high over his head for the first time. It really was a moment that made us all stop and smile. The Stanley Cup celebration usually brings out the best in us as we feel good for the players and staff but this one, more than others recently, seemed to universally unite the hockey world. Almost felt like Ray Bourque winning in Colorado.
5. Oilers – The runner-up in those playoffs provided some memorable moments too. A Canadian team making a deep playoff run is always special and this was no different. It was another chapter in the career of Connor McDavid and the comeback from being down 0-3 to the Cats was thrilling. We had Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Final. What else could we ask for?
6. Wacky and Wild – Now it was December of ‘23 when the Shohei Ohtani-to-Toronto madness happened. But, it was in 2024 when he and his LA Dodgers teammates came to Toronto for an early-season series and the slugger delivered, belting a home run during his first plate appearance. I was there. Bill Belichick is now coaching college football, Nick Saban is on TV and playing along with Pat McAfee’s antics, and Paul Bissonnette is a cult hero after taking on the now infamous “Scottsdale Six” in a restaurant/parking lot brawl. Wild year indeed. What else?
7. Curling – It’s a big week on the curling front. The 2025 Canadian Mixed Doubles Curling Trials are underway in Liverpool, NS this week and wrap up Saturday. Sixteen teams are there with the winning team representing Canada at worlds late April in Fredericton, NB. That tournament will determine what countries make the Italy Olympics and, if Canada qualifies, it’ll be the winner of this week that will represent the red and white in Italy in 2026. I’d say it’s a big week…
8. WJHC – Ok… to Tuesday night. Canada actually looked really good… 5-on-5. The problem is that they didn’t play a lot of it. Penalties killed the Canadians as the USA took advantage of the undisciplined teens en route to a 4-1 win. Canada continues to have trouble finishing and that could end up defining this group if they don’t figure it out soon. My confidence doesn’t waiver and we move on to Czechia now in the QF on Thursday. Do-or-die now.
9. CFP – While we were mainly focused on the WJ’s, Penn State was cleaning up on Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. We did watch a good chunk and the Broncos held their own for a large part of the game but ultimately the Lions contained the Heisman runner-up and advanced to the CFP semis. Three big games on NYD. Can’t wait!
10. Randoms – Did they really play the Winter Classic on NYE instead of NYD? I was looking forward to watching it and completely missed it. … Does Michigan beating Alabama in the Reliaquest Bowl end the CFP argument about who made the final 12? Probably not but it should. …. Lion King: Mufasa was really REALLY good. …. Also, re-watched the original Gladiator over the Holidays. It holds up and now I’m ready to see the second one.
Can’t wait to see what you remember from 2024. Share your best!
Happy New Year! 🥳
