Harrison Barnes' Mom doesn't like Marty Tirrell

Don't take my word for it ... read the release yourself from Mrs. Barnes, Shirley:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Marty Tirrell, Mouth of the Midwest at it again


Ames, Iowa - Marty Tirrell of Mouth of the Midwest and Calling All Sports, acting apparently on his desire to be in the know, is again making inaccurate and uninformed statements about former Ames High student and current University of North Carolina freshman, Harrison Barnes.

Early Monday on Calling All Sports.com Tirrell reported that Barnes had made a decision about his collegiate future and would make those plans known on April 5th. Tirrell also made several tweets on the subject:

Harrison Barnes returning to Chapel Hill for sophomore years..."unfinished business " and cites desire to win a championship

2:38 PM Mar 29th via Mobile Web from Des Moines, IA

Harrison Barnes to make it official Tuesday.... Back to Heels-

about 19 hours ago via Mobile Web from Charlotte, NC

Harrison Barnes prattle 10a east at callingallsports.com Monday

about 16 hours ago via Mobile Web from Augusta, GA

Harrison Barnes commits to "work left to be done" at NC Tells family and friends wants and feel Heels can move forward and " win a title "

about 12 hours ago via Mobile Web from Georgia, US

In 2009 as Ames High was preparing for their first state tournament appearance in 18 years, Tirrell, who worked for KXNO Radio at the time, reported that then-junior Harrison Barnes would attend Oak Hill Academy, a college preparatory school in Virginia known for its basketball prowess, in the fall of 2009. 

This major distraction for the school and the team resulted in Barnes' family responding with a press release stating the report had no merit and was solely generated by those reporting it. 

Again, Terrill's statements have no merit and are solely speculation by the reporter.

Terrill has not spoken to the Barnes family or to anyone in their inner circle. His actions are irresponsible and amount to harassment. As a result, the family is fielding calls to rectify inaccurate reporting.

Harrison Barnes and members of his family will not field further questions on the subject of his future until a decision has been made.


EDIT: Ken Miller of KXnO contacted Shirley Barnes to make sure the press release did come from her. There were some saying that the release was a fake:

Ken,

Thank you for checking. Yes, the release did come from me and sorry for spelling Mr. Tirrell's name incorrectly in the closing paragraph.

Sadly Mr. Tirrell gave his opinion as fact which included a decision date.  What should be a low key private family decision has turned into a media circus.

-Shirley

Pretty Cool Birthday Gift

It's been a crazy few weeks for me and I haven't had much time to write about the opportunities that have been flying at me or how great it has been to be back in New England but with tomorrow being my birthday (April 4th) and the Red Sox about to get swept to start the year, I've found a few moments to write.

First, the new show on WGAM, The Hometeam, has gotten off to a tremendous start. Justin Bastinelli and myself have gelled quickly and our chemistry on air is easily heard. I hope you will check out the show from M-F 4 to 6 pm est either on air or stream it. We are really enjoying ourselves and I think it's a good show. I've know Justin since I was 16 years old and to host a radio program with someone who you have that kind of history with is extremely rare. It's been a lot of fun and we start our 4th week on the air tomorrow. The first month has FLOWN by, which is great.

The other angle of my job in New Hampshire is that I've returned to selling ads on my own show. This was something I did for 6 years earlier in my career in Virginia and Alabama. While it can a frustrating at times and tough given the economy, I've always enjoyed the business side of radio and frankly, I missed it. My mind has always been geared towards radio promotions and marketing and getting to have control over my own show in that capacity again has been refreshing. I'm working for a locally owned company again which has give me the flexibility to use my full arsenal of ideas.

That's job 1. Most of you know that I run a Creighton Bluejay website which is job 2. The latest job is the one that will get me the most exposure.

This past Saturday, my new show on the WEEI Sports Radio Network debuted as 'Sports Saturday' with myself along with Rob Bradford and Kirk Minihane of WEEI.com hit the airwaves to talk about the Red Sox.  The show will be on every Saturday from 9 a to 1 pm.

I was so pumped up after the first show that I crashed my car in the parking garage across the street from the station. Not good, but it was just cosmetic damage, nothing major.

For the past 8 years, I've been telling Jason Wolfe, the PD of WEEI, that I was going to work for him one day. While hosting a Saturday show is not the end of my career climb in Boston, I am very proud that I was able to finally land a position with WEEI. Next week, I'll cross off another career bucket list item as I'll get to host a radio show live from Fenway Park before the Red Sox and Yankees play that afternoon!!

To say that I'm over the moon for that show would be a dramatic understatement and with tomorrow being my birthday - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME.

As I turn 34 tomorrow, it hasn't been lost on me that I'm finally able to relax about my career.  Gone is that ticking clock in my head that kept me awake at night countless times. I'm covering the teams I've always wanted to cover and while still working to get up to speed on everything that has happened in New England over the past 10 years, I'm where I'm supposed to be.

I've been able to spend time with my family in a way that I haven't been able to for over a decade. While I'm still not moved into my own place and won't be for a few more days, being home is as great as I thought it would be. I'm needed here.

It hasn't been all good news as my past caught up with me here in New England like I thought it might and a cool opportunity was taken away from me because of something that happened years ago but for the most part, this is has been a dream come true.

I'm not sure I'm fully aware of how much fun I'm having yet but as soon as I get my own place set up, I'm sure I'll be letting you all know!