If you follow the Indiana Pacers then surely you are following Mark Boyle, the radio voice of the team, on Twitter. Throughout this 2014-15 NBA season, Boyle has tweeted a countdown each night, an unusual countdown that is still mysterious to many.
100 down, 99 to go.
— Mark Joseph Boyle (@Mark_J_Boyle) January 7, 2015
153 down, 46 to go.
— Mark Joseph Boyle (@Mark_J_Boyle) March 1, 2015
Here’s his latest one:
198 down, 86,400 seconds to go
— Mark Joseph Boyle (@Mark_J_Boyle) April 15, 2015
The challenge: Go from training camp to the end of the regular season (September 29 to April 15) without an alcoholic drink. 199 days in all.
Mark Boyle is wrapping up his 27th season as the team’s radio play-by-play man.
Challenges of all sizes intrigue Boyle. For example, he’s spent previous offseasons announcing minor league baseball games, walking 500 miles across Indiana, and working as a barista.
So why this challenge? Two reasons. 1) It’s another test, and 2) He felt that he was drinking too much
In his own words from Nov. 25:
“You’re wondering why I decided to do this, correct? Am I a raging alcoholic? No. Was my drinking preventing me from doing my job, or in any other way affecting me in a negative manner? No, not really. But my body has always processed alcohol in a manner that I gather is unusual. Copious consumption may result in me channelling my inner Dean Martin, but I have never had a hangover. And I literally mean never. Plus, I can grab a stool at 9 PM, shut the bar down, and be up and about (sans alarm), totally refreshed and ready to go at 7:30 the next morning. In addition, there is a history of alcoholism in my family that’s always in the back of my mind when it comes to making choices in this area, so periodic reassessment strikes me as a responsible decision.”
Earlier this year, Mark lost his younger brother, Scott, to liver cancer. (Probably the best thing Mark’s ever written: Family, Loss, and Regret)
Today is the final day of Boyle’s countdown, but he may abstain from alcohol should the Pacers qualify for the postseason. (They’re in with a win tonight in Memphis, or a Brooklyn loss.) That would add at least another seven to 10 days.
With the countdown soon to expire, Boyle said on Sunday that he does not have any big plans for the first drink.
Who else wants to be with @Mark_J_Boyle when the countdown hits zero?
— Austin Croshere (@AustinCroshere) March 26, 2015
Croshere’s right, who wouldn’t want to be there celebrating with him? It’s an impressive feat that could not have been easy, especially with the temptation on the team’s charter flights and while on the road.
It also serves as a quality reminder for all of us to step out of our comfort zone and take on new challenges each week.
(If you want a suggestion just in case you run into him at a local establishment, Knob Creek or a 7 and 7 would be a fine choice.)