Grand opening

Hello Long Island!

Here is my first report from my first-ever Empire State Games. If you saw my story in Thursday's Newsday, you'll know I was impressed by the scope of the Opening Ceremonies.

One interesting leftover: I had a chat with Long Island's regional director, the venerable Bob Kenney, 75 and still going strong. He wasn't overly optimistic about Long Island's chances of hosting the Games again. They were on L.I. in 1999 and Kenney said, "We put on a great show -- mostly at Hofstra and Stony Brook."

But economic times have changed, Kenney acknowledged, and he also noted, "Tolf takes up so much attention on the Island. There's only a certain time it [ESG] can fit into the schedule. There's too much doing on Long Island."

He said, "I'd love to see it come back in my lifetime," but added, "It's a real if."

I don't know enough about the logistics, economics and politics of bringing the ESG to Long Island -- especially in a tough economy -- but from a sports fan/journalism perspective, it sure would be fun!