From the desk of the President of the United States:

My fellow citizens,

We are living in the most challenging economic climate in several generations. The financial institutions that surround us have shown their fault lines. The homes we once purchased, assured of their eventual profitability, are just as beautiful, but not as valuable. And we deal with the challenges of a nation at a crossroads between the need for capitalist innovation, and the all-consuming greed that often inspires that innovation. 

But we will rise above these challenges, and continue to shine our light as a beacon of freedom for the world. Because we are Americans, and in over two centuries there is no challenge we have not met. Whether an Act of God or an act of tyranny, our nation always rises above the storm and shines her light of liberty across our planet, serving as a warm reminder that tomorrow is a better day, and that to work and dream for a better future is never fruitless. Tomorrow will be a better day. 

Yes We Can. 

Our economy is highly dependent on consumer spending and confidence. So I feel there is nothing more patriotic you can do for America than to join me on April 22nd at River Hills Country Club for a golf tournament to benefit the USF Volleyball team.  You can do your civic duty by either joining us and playing in the tournament at, by making a gift as a hole sponsor, or donating a prize to the World Famous Raffle. The raffle, much like the investment needed to restart our economy, is an investment in your future. That's because anyone that buys at least $20 worth of tickets always goes home with much more than that in retail value. This tournament not only will assure you of a gift bag of some of the finest items available anywhere, including a very snappy Under Armour polo shirt (Malia says it looks "fly"), but also 18 holes on a Friday afternoon at a wonderful golf course with your friends. 

As you know, the end of prohibiiton was one of the things that really helped to rally our economy out of the Great Depression. In that same vein, we will be serving all the beer and alcohol you can drink, as well as a spectacular catered dinner during our awards reception. A state dinner has nothing on what will be served.

The team you'll be supporting is on the cusp of great things for the 2011 season. You will meet some of the nicest student-athlete's and coaches anywhere, and help their efforts to make the green and gold one of the best teams in America.  Because times are so tough, this tournament is also a great bargain. Skip Holtz wants $5000 for a foursome in his tournament. So does Stan Heath. These leaders are out of touch with Main Street, and that's why I encourage you to work with teams that understand how hard times are.

All the information you need is right here. I encourage all of you to do your civic duty and join me on April 22nd. 

Yes We Can.

Our standard opening disclosure: We don't discuss volleyball rationally. They are our favorites, and they always will be. You don't like it? Go read Bleacher Report.

It's the most wonderful time of the year. And not just because of Spring Training, March Madness, and our invading a new Muslim country. It's time for the USF Volleyball Team Golf Tournament, which doubles as both a legitimate sporting contest between skilled golfers, and a place for hackers to drink and gamble with their foursome at all opportunities. In other words, about as much fun as you can legally have outside of Las Vegas.

For the fourth year running we will be at River Hills Golf and Country Club on Friday, April 22nd for a 1pm shotgun start. The tournament includes both a box lunch and a catered dinner, a sweet gift bag full of swag, a snazzy new Under Armour polo shirt... and beer. As in all the beer you can drink, all day. There might even be some slightly stronger stuff running around.

But you say you're not good at golf, and your team isn't good enough to shoot the lowest score? Who cares! The beauty of this tournament is there’s more than one way to win.  You can win a prize in the raffle drawing.  You can pick up a something awesome for closest to the pin or making a long putt. Or you can just drink enough of the free beer that you won’t remember who else won.  And that, my fellow Americans, is true victory.

Since fellow blogging genius Ken is married with a child, he's using the "Bed, Bath & Beyond/Home Depot" whipped male excuse and can't play with me again this year. He's been replaced by my friend Tara, and I have no idea if she's any good at golf. But she owns a set of pink clubs with a matching bag, and despite barely breaking triple digits on a scale, she can drink most football players under a table. This qualifies her as the ideal participant for my foursome.

This is also the least expensive tournament that supports any of our programs. Skip Holtz's annual tournament is $5000 a foursome. Stan Heath's is too. But this one is $150 for an individual golfer, or $600 per foursome. And you can get all the registration information here.

And if you can't play, we still need you. The World Famous Raffle, where I've never seen anyone that buys $20 worth of raffle tickets NOT walk away with more than that in retail value, is actively soliciting prizes. Things such as gift certificates, complimentary rounds of golf or spa services, tickets to theme parks or events, and the like are all a wonderful way to support the program. If you have anything you can share, either email me or let me know in the comments.

If you can play, we'll have a special prize for all Voodoo readers that participate.  So ship us a sweet raffle prize, or meet us out there, and have a blast while supporting a team where you can really make a difference.

Full disclosure: As we've noted here before, we cannot rationally discuss USF Volleyball with any sense of integrity or impartiality. That's because we are complete and shameless shills for this program. They could be caught on video beating up old people for their change purses, and we would still be at the next match yelling our undying support. However, we really do believe everything we're writing below.

After two weekends, it looks like USF Volleyball might be on to something. The Bulls have played a monster schedule over the opening two weekends that will certainly help in the RPI, taking on four teams that played in the NCAA Tournament last year in their first five matches. They come out of that gauntlet at 2-3, including a heartbreaking 5 set loss to #16 Kentucky in Lexington. But with such a young squad, Coach Claire Lessinger and her team now have a much better sense of who they are and what it will take to be successful in BIG EAST play.

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