Sport competition has dramatically impacted my life. As a ten year old boy beginning a fifty-one year competitive sport journey, I have witnessed great moments in sport competition and likewise some ugly moments.
In 1988, eventual IHSA State Basketball Champions, East St. Louis Lincoln played Jacksonville high school in a Shoot-Out at the JHS Bowl in mid-January. The game featured future Division I standouts, Andy Kaufmann (Jacksonville) and LaPhonso Ellis and Cuonzo Martin (Lincoln). Before the sold out contest began, I noticed young and old basketball fans clamor to get autographs from the soon to be college standouts. The game was a hotly contested battle. As the two teams entered the court to begin the final quarter, it was pointed out by an assistant coach that 3,300 fans came to their feet in a standing ovation. They appreciated the spirited and talented show. It ranks as the best moment in sport competition I ever experienced. That same season, I saw two disgusting and ugly sport competition moments. Both of these incidences occurred in Quincy, Illinois. At Norte Dame high school a OND player punched Kaufmann in the stomach and a fight broke out between players and several Norte Dame fans came from the stands to engage in the melee. In another incident at Quincy high school a Blue Devils' player spit in Kaufmann's face on three different ocassions before refereees spotted and ejected the player for unsportsmanlike behavior.
As a sport participant is basketball and baseball during my high school and college days, I never engaged in trash talking, bantering or even friendly conversation with opponents. I fraternized one time and one time only with an opposing player and that player was SIUC baseball player Richard 'Itchy' Jones. We met for dinner during a weekend baseball series at Illinois State at a mutual friend's home. My philosophy regarding opponents when playing remained the same during my coaching career: I did not dislike my opponent but let's face it, my opponent wants to beat me and I want to beat him and that gets confusing in friendships. 'Respect All; Fear None.'
I often thought that highly anticipated games between my mid-1960's, Mason City teams with San Jose and Havana high schools would have been more fun without fans. Likewise, I felt the same way about those Edwardsville vs. Collinsville games and my Crimsons' squads vs. the Blue Devils. Players of all stripes play best when they shut out all exterior noises and find themselves in a talent-game-flow...easier to do without fans.
I thought about this the other night watching St. Louis Cardinals' pitcher Adam Wainwright celebrate his 39th Birthday pitching a complete game victory regeristing 9- strike outs and allowing only four hits. Like all games during this abbreviated 2020 Covid baseball season it was played before an empty stadium. When the game ended, the opposing team (Cleveland) stood in their dugout until Wainwright noticed them at which time they tipped their hats in an acknowledgement of his performance...a true sportsmanship gesture in...The Purity of Sport Competition.
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
Thursday, August 27, 2020
Catch, Dunk, Homer, Win Gold But Keep Your Mouth Shut!
The first Black slaves were brought to America in 1619. As slavery developed and took a socio-econimic foothold in the new country so did mythical beliefs of White's perceptions of Blacks. Don't forget the fact that for 244 years Whites 'owned' Blacks and therefore generations of Whites grew up with the misconception that Blacks were endowed with greater physical strength but at the same time had lesser capacity in intellect when compared to Whites.
Long after the emancipation of Blacks the obstacles for them to achieve were difficult if not nearly impossible. In track and field White America applauded a Black guy named Jessie Owens who stuck it in Adolf Hitler's ass during the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Before that Boxing Champion, Jack Johnson caught America's eyes. It was in the late 1940's that Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby endured the slings, arrows and race baiting ugliness of White baseball fans and other White players. Even as the Black man proved his worthiness on the sports' stage it wasn't good enough to earn him a place at the table, same restrooms or any bus seat with Whites. Nothing illustrates this better than when a 22 year old Cassius Clay dethroned Sonny Liston to claim the World Boxing Championship but later realizing he would be denied service at a lunch counter back in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. Then Whites vilified a Muhammad Ali for refusing to serve in a USA military.
As some laws demanded equality, i.e., civil rights, voting rights and federal laws prohibiting job discrimination, White people still get pissed off if a person of color dares to speak his political opinion or protest against or for a cause. An NFL player kneeling during the National Anthem sets off the anger of a President who lied about a his own physical disability to avoid military service for that country. Fox News anchor, Laura Ingraham probably epitomized that 'White' superior attitude when after NBA player LaBron James spoke out about politics. Ingraham said, "I'm not interested in the political advice from someone who gets paid 100 million dollars a year to bounce a ball...shut up and dribble." Ingraham also took the opportunity to make light of James' language skills saying his speech was "Barely intelligible and ungrammatical." She could have added what many Whites have said for centuries, 'Those people need to know their place.' Perhaps Trump said it another way when on the heels of the NBA boycotting games after a police killing of a Black man, Trump suggested The NBA is a political organization. In short a group largely comprised of Blacks should not have an opinion.
I am a privileged White American. Thank God I was not born Black in this country. I cannot imagine the hardships facing my brothers and sisters of color. Make no mistake this imbedded sin of bigotry and racism in our beloved America is coming to a sociological crescendo with the 2020 Presidential election. This election is all about COLORS: It's about Green, White & Black; not Red, White & Blue.
Long after the emancipation of Blacks the obstacles for them to achieve were difficult if not nearly impossible. In track and field White America applauded a Black guy named Jessie Owens who stuck it in Adolf Hitler's ass during the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Before that Boxing Champion, Jack Johnson caught America's eyes. It was in the late 1940's that Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby endured the slings, arrows and race baiting ugliness of White baseball fans and other White players. Even as the Black man proved his worthiness on the sports' stage it wasn't good enough to earn him a place at the table, same restrooms or any bus seat with Whites. Nothing illustrates this better than when a 22 year old Cassius Clay dethroned Sonny Liston to claim the World Boxing Championship but later realizing he would be denied service at a lunch counter back in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. Then Whites vilified a Muhammad Ali for refusing to serve in a USA military.
As some laws demanded equality, i.e., civil rights, voting rights and federal laws prohibiting job discrimination, White people still get pissed off if a person of color dares to speak his political opinion or protest against or for a cause. An NFL player kneeling during the National Anthem sets off the anger of a President who lied about a his own physical disability to avoid military service for that country. Fox News anchor, Laura Ingraham probably epitomized that 'White' superior attitude when after NBA player LaBron James spoke out about politics. Ingraham said, "I'm not interested in the political advice from someone who gets paid 100 million dollars a year to bounce a ball...shut up and dribble." Ingraham also took the opportunity to make light of James' language skills saying his speech was "Barely intelligible and ungrammatical." She could have added what many Whites have said for centuries, 'Those people need to know their place.' Perhaps Trump said it another way when on the heels of the NBA boycotting games after a police killing of a Black man, Trump suggested The NBA is a political organization. In short a group largely comprised of Blacks should not have an opinion.
I am a privileged White American. Thank God I was not born Black in this country. I cannot imagine the hardships facing my brothers and sisters of color. Make no mistake this imbedded sin of bigotry and racism in our beloved America is coming to a sociological crescendo with the 2020 Presidential election. This election is all about COLORS: It's about Green, White & Black; not Red, White & Blue.
Saturday, August 15, 2020
'Us Against Them' Sadly Within
I cannot say that I predicted what has become apparent in this year 2020, but in hindsight and based upon my experiences it sadly makes perfect sense. No, I'm not talking about the coronavirus pandemic. Only few could have imagined that nightmare. I am talking about making openly known that which has always existed, America's 'Bigotry' and Racism.' The catalyst or vehicle bringing this issue into the light of day has been the speech act of one President Donald J. Trump. It began with veiled subtleties, innuendos and coded language.
To best connect the dots, I would offer my formative experiences of the 1940's and 1950's. I was raised by hardworking, God worshiping parents and an extended family in multicultural/diversified East St. Louis, a city of some 80,000 people who understood the unspoken boundaries of forced and unforced separation. Many second generation immigrants continued to intentionally settle in geographical pockets, which afforded the desired comforts of practiced language and customs similarities. I don't recall shared fears that folks from Poland, Italy, Ireland, Checloslavia, France, etc. would move into your neighborhood but woe betide should the 'Colored' people from the 'Southend' move in. Oh, it was okay if Black women came into those White neighborhoods to do domestic work but they best be on a City bus headed to their 'own' area come four o'clock. Those folks best 'know their place.' The Blacks of that period were denied many good paying union jobs and forced to live in slums. Whites could then point to them in a condescending tone suggesting 'laziness.' However if a black man looked to be energetic and bent on upward mobility, White folks could label him as an 'uppity ni*#er.' I heard it over and over.
I can't speak for other cities but I can for St. Louis and East St. Louis when I state that ignorant prejudices unsubstantiated by facts were muted and consealed in those times but nevertheless existed. I heard those conversation that promoted those 'white-man' fears and negative attitudes towards people of color. It was confusing. Most in my neighborhood were Church going people. Following the teachings of Christ but sure the hell not living those teachings. (And Christians today weigh-in on abortion and gay-lesbian rights while ignoring racism as obvious as brown children locked in cages separated from parents).
In the past three and one half years our President, propped-up a complicit Republican Party has gone from negative racially charged coded hate language, ie, "Drug dealers, Thugs and rapist," to the less subtle fear mongering about safety in the suburbs should he (Trump) not be re-elected..."Your home will go down in value." Trump sells the fear of Blacks coming into your neighborhood would cause crime to go up while home values and safety decreases.
America's hate filled divisiveness nurtured by a President who wishes to play upon fears promotes racial intolerance and rippens the field for conflict, which may soon culminate with horrible sights in our streets. I fear circumstances following our 2020, Presidential election. The most powerful nation in the world can defeat all outside enemies but cannot protect from within.
"A house divided against itself cannot stand." Abraham Lincoln
To best connect the dots, I would offer my formative experiences of the 1940's and 1950's. I was raised by hardworking, God worshiping parents and an extended family in multicultural/diversified East St. Louis, a city of some 80,000 people who understood the unspoken boundaries of forced and unforced separation. Many second generation immigrants continued to intentionally settle in geographical pockets, which afforded the desired comforts of practiced language and customs similarities. I don't recall shared fears that folks from Poland, Italy, Ireland, Checloslavia, France, etc. would move into your neighborhood but woe betide should the 'Colored' people from the 'Southend' move in. Oh, it was okay if Black women came into those White neighborhoods to do domestic work but they best be on a City bus headed to their 'own' area come four o'clock. Those folks best 'know their place.' The Blacks of that period were denied many good paying union jobs and forced to live in slums. Whites could then point to them in a condescending tone suggesting 'laziness.' However if a black man looked to be energetic and bent on upward mobility, White folks could label him as an 'uppity ni*#er.' I heard it over and over.
I can't speak for other cities but I can for St. Louis and East St. Louis when I state that ignorant prejudices unsubstantiated by facts were muted and consealed in those times but nevertheless existed. I heard those conversation that promoted those 'white-man' fears and negative attitudes towards people of color. It was confusing. Most in my neighborhood were Church going people. Following the teachings of Christ but sure the hell not living those teachings. (And Christians today weigh-in on abortion and gay-lesbian rights while ignoring racism as obvious as brown children locked in cages separated from parents).
In the past three and one half years our President, propped-up a complicit Republican Party has gone from negative racially charged coded hate language, ie, "Drug dealers, Thugs and rapist," to the less subtle fear mongering about safety in the suburbs should he (Trump) not be re-elected..."Your home will go down in value." Trump sells the fear of Blacks coming into your neighborhood would cause crime to go up while home values and safety decreases.
America's hate filled divisiveness nurtured by a President who wishes to play upon fears promotes racial intolerance and rippens the field for conflict, which may soon culminate with horrible sights in our streets. I fear circumstances following our 2020, Presidential election. The most powerful nation in the world can defeat all outside enemies but cannot protect from within.
"A house divided against itself cannot stand." Abraham Lincoln
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
Time To Sell...Sellers Market.
We Americans have little control if any control over the events governing our nation. I once thought that our voting exercise was powerful but between the foreign influence from Russia and the fraud laced mail-in voting reported by our current President, it (voting) is 'smoke n' mirrors.' If reasonable minded countrymen (a fast dwindling number) would step back and clear their heads they would see all kinds of indications suggesting the time is ripe to cut a deal and sell America. Relax! Don't work yourself into a dither or tell me to "Love America or Leave it." I love this country but I've been paying attention to the obvious things that support this notion to 'sell.' Hear me out...
It's been a terrific run. Starting with the Pilgrims, the Westward expansion, the industrialization and high technology, we did ourselves proud notwithstanding a few moral missteps along the way, i.e., cheating and massacring Native Americans, enslaving Black people, operating Japanese Internment Camps and turning away Hispanic immigrants while they support our economy with the cheap wages given to those illegals we ignore. We got filled with ourselves and got cocky. Bob Hope and Bing Crosby made all those 'Road Movies' back in the 1940' & '50's and it pissed off the Arab nations who slowly starting getting even with us. The Mexicans never got over their war lost to America and the land we stole from them and now the descendants of Santa Ana keep sneaking into our country screwing up the economy, our schools and the health care system, however they do keep our lawns looking good. If you have been paying attention foreign countries have been buying up American land.
Today, we got a pandemic that soon will kill over 200,000 Americans and obviously our leaders cannot make intentional and intelligent decisions to arrest the plague. We need to 'sell' America to the highest bidder and that's not an irrational statement. An irrational statement is when somebody says, "The Spanish Flu of 1917 caused a lot of soldiers to get sick and probably ended World War II."
America has already allowed foreign countries to control and manage our Port Terminals, as well as selling off United States' tollways and bridges to foreign countries. If we check into an American hotel or motel these days or visit a 7/11 Store, we are frequently greeted by a Middle Eastern person whose grandfather owns the property.
I'm convinced we can get a good price for the country along with some important desirable perks. Consider: 1) Give us reservations just like the Indians have but make sure it's gated so we don't have to live next to people who don't look like us. 2) Make sure we can get cheap gas for our SUV and plenty of beer and brats for our tailgating parties. 3) No restrictions on hunting game with semi-automatics. 4) Television access for porn movies, preacher programs, game shows, reality shows and sports. Since the national passtime will become Camel racing, we should be guaranteed revenue off one Camel race track ownership. (Note: We would give the profits to our educational system).
It's been a terrific run. Starting with the Pilgrims, the Westward expansion, the industrialization and high technology, we did ourselves proud notwithstanding a few moral missteps along the way, i.e., cheating and massacring Native Americans, enslaving Black people, operating Japanese Internment Camps and turning away Hispanic immigrants while they support our economy with the cheap wages given to those illegals we ignore. We got filled with ourselves and got cocky. Bob Hope and Bing Crosby made all those 'Road Movies' back in the 1940' & '50's and it pissed off the Arab nations who slowly starting getting even with us. The Mexicans never got over their war lost to America and the land we stole from them and now the descendants of Santa Ana keep sneaking into our country screwing up the economy, our schools and the health care system, however they do keep our lawns looking good. If you have been paying attention foreign countries have been buying up American land.
Today, we got a pandemic that soon will kill over 200,000 Americans and obviously our leaders cannot make intentional and intelligent decisions to arrest the plague. We need to 'sell' America to the highest bidder and that's not an irrational statement. An irrational statement is when somebody says, "The Spanish Flu of 1917 caused a lot of soldiers to get sick and probably ended World War II."
America has already allowed foreign countries to control and manage our Port Terminals, as well as selling off United States' tollways and bridges to foreign countries. If we check into an American hotel or motel these days or visit a 7/11 Store, we are frequently greeted by a Middle Eastern person whose grandfather owns the property.
I'm convinced we can get a good price for the country along with some important desirable perks. Consider: 1) Give us reservations just like the Indians have but make sure it's gated so we don't have to live next to people who don't look like us. 2) Make sure we can get cheap gas for our SUV and plenty of beer and brats for our tailgating parties. 3) No restrictions on hunting game with semi-automatics. 4) Television access for porn movies, preacher programs, game shows, reality shows and sports. Since the national passtime will become Camel racing, we should be guaranteed revenue off one Camel race track ownership. (Note: We would give the profits to our educational system).
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Beholden to Lou
Word came a few days ago that former University of Illinois basketball coach Lou Henson died at age 88. Without question, Lou Henson was a true gentleman in every manner. He was also somebody that helped my basketball program immensely. Let me explain. At the close of the 1984-85 basketball season, Andy Kaufmann had completed his freshmen basketball year at Jacksonville Routt Catholic high school where he led the team in scoring. The summer before his sophomore season, Kaufman attended an Illini basketball camp where he impressed the entire coaching staff and namely, Head Coach Lou Henson. Henson suggested to Andy and his father, Bill that Andy would benefit playing a larger school schedule than Routt's. The rest as the say is history. Andy enrolled at Jacksonville high school where he would lead the state in scoring three consecutive years and catapult the Crimsons to a Sweet 16 birth in 1988.
As I recall the recruiting process of Kaufmann, I cannot help but think of Henson's style and demeanor. Lou was kind, smooth and always ready to compliment the high school mentor. I suppose many college coaches think that their targeted recruit is going to listen to their high school coach when deciding which college they would attend. That may be true in many cases but not in this coach's case. I never did attempt to influence my players in their college choice because I knew very well they'd have good days and bad days at whichever college they attended and therefore it was important that college choice was the student-athletes and not their high school coach. That said, the buttering up of the high school coach remains a factor. From 1986 to 1987, Henson and assistant, Dick Nagy became fixtures in Jacksonville. Henson would attend some JHS home games and during warm ups he'd come down to courtside to visit with me and the opposing coach...visual, very visual for fans and community. Lou and Nagy once asked what time of the school day did Andy eat lunch. After sharing that information within a couple of days Henson and Nagy ate lunch with me in the school cafeteria...visual, very visual for Andy and his JHS school mates. At the end of Andy's sophomore season, Coach Henson asked me to be on a Coaches Panel at his Illini Coaches Clinic. Chicago King's Coach Sonny Cox was the only other panelist. Sonny and I answered one question about the high school coach's approach handling communications to their players. I was paid $500.00 for that answer. I told Henson that I thought Kaufmann would make a choice between Illinois and Iowa. Before Andy made that choice, I warned Lou that he might have issues with Andy at the college level that I did not have. I suggested, "Lou, Andy never met a shot he didn't like. I can at times control his passion for offense by posting him. At the college level you cannot post a 6'5" player so easily." Lou simply shrugged off the notion. It's fair to say that Lou at times was frustrated with Andy but needed his incredible scoring ability on the floor. Andy ranks 11th on the all-time individual scoring list. Enough said! During Andy's Illini pre-season, Coach Henson brought his Illinois team to The Bowl (JHS) where they played an intra-squad game before a packed house at $5.00 per ticket. The proceeds went to the Jacksonville Crimsons' basketball program. As I said, Lou Henson was a true gentleman in every manner. May he Rest In Peace. I feel blessed that our paths intertwined during our respective journeys.
As I recall the recruiting process of Kaufmann, I cannot help but think of Henson's style and demeanor. Lou was kind, smooth and always ready to compliment the high school mentor. I suppose many college coaches think that their targeted recruit is going to listen to their high school coach when deciding which college they would attend. That may be true in many cases but not in this coach's case. I never did attempt to influence my players in their college choice because I knew very well they'd have good days and bad days at whichever college they attended and therefore it was important that college choice was the student-athletes and not their high school coach. That said, the buttering up of the high school coach remains a factor. From 1986 to 1987, Henson and assistant, Dick Nagy became fixtures in Jacksonville. Henson would attend some JHS home games and during warm ups he'd come down to courtside to visit with me and the opposing coach...visual, very visual for fans and community. Lou and Nagy once asked what time of the school day did Andy eat lunch. After sharing that information within a couple of days Henson and Nagy ate lunch with me in the school cafeteria...visual, very visual for Andy and his JHS school mates. At the end of Andy's sophomore season, Coach Henson asked me to be on a Coaches Panel at his Illini Coaches Clinic. Chicago King's Coach Sonny Cox was the only other panelist. Sonny and I answered one question about the high school coach's approach handling communications to their players. I was paid $500.00 for that answer. I told Henson that I thought Kaufmann would make a choice between Illinois and Iowa. Before Andy made that choice, I warned Lou that he might have issues with Andy at the college level that I did not have. I suggested, "Lou, Andy never met a shot he didn't like. I can at times control his passion for offense by posting him. At the college level you cannot post a 6'5" player so easily." Lou simply shrugged off the notion. It's fair to say that Lou at times was frustrated with Andy but needed his incredible scoring ability on the floor. Andy ranks 11th on the all-time individual scoring list. Enough said! During Andy's Illini pre-season, Coach Henson brought his Illinois team to The Bowl (JHS) where they played an intra-squad game before a packed house at $5.00 per ticket. The proceeds went to the Jacksonville Crimsons' basketball program. As I said, Lou Henson was a true gentleman in every manner. May he Rest In Peace. I feel blessed that our paths intertwined during our respective journeys.
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Slip Sliding Solidarity
"USA, USA, USA!" We all feel that patriotism, togetherness and solidarity when the USA Women's Gymnastic Team garners Gold. We feel a warm union and affinity belonging to a country that ranks above all other countries in Olympic medal count. Times as these are uplifting as we are reassured through sports that We're Number One. I'm sure you as I get a similar boastful love of country when seeing military reviews or hearing our National Anthem.
These days our country tops another leader board, which hardly elevates joyous pride and feelings of ethonocentrism. The United States of America is number one in total coronavirus cases during this world wide pandemic and it is certainly not causing celebratory nationalistic chants. To the contrary, America's response to this deadly virus has become fractured at the least and building towards deadly chaos in our streets.
Americans have a documented history of meaningful and essential solidarity when facing nature's tragedies and attacks of foes. Despite differences our people came together facing two world wars, a President's assassination, earthquakes, hurricanes and terrorists attacks.
Unfortunately, America has slowly but surely developed enemies within. We seem to quickly view things from a perspective of self-interest and 'us' versus 'them.' A nation which once embraced immigrants is now in a free fall fight about accepting the traveler. We are a people who debate the scientific realities of global warming and a killer virus. We have a large population segment that claim constitutional freedoms and thus refuse to do things for the good of the order.
Recently, I learned of a central Illinois school district that offered to pay the internet service for students to facilitate online education. Several of the internet providers rejected some families in the process because they have outstanding delinquent payments. Really? During a nation wide pandemic!
It has been said through the centuries that difficult and challenging times make great men. I would add it also makes for great women. For that greatest to come forth somebody must demonstrate courage and intentional unifying leadership. We need that now becausemour solidarity is quickly
slip sliding away.
These days our country tops another leader board, which hardly elevates joyous pride and feelings of ethonocentrism. The United States of America is number one in total coronavirus cases during this world wide pandemic and it is certainly not causing celebratory nationalistic chants. To the contrary, America's response to this deadly virus has become fractured at the least and building towards deadly chaos in our streets.
Americans have a documented history of meaningful and essential solidarity when facing nature's tragedies and attacks of foes. Despite differences our people came together facing two world wars, a President's assassination, earthquakes, hurricanes and terrorists attacks.
Unfortunately, America has slowly but surely developed enemies within. We seem to quickly view things from a perspective of self-interest and 'us' versus 'them.' A nation which once embraced immigrants is now in a free fall fight about accepting the traveler. We are a people who debate the scientific realities of global warming and a killer virus. We have a large population segment that claim constitutional freedoms and thus refuse to do things for the good of the order.
Recently, I learned of a central Illinois school district that offered to pay the internet service for students to facilitate online education. Several of the internet providers rejected some families in the process because they have outstanding delinquent payments. Really? During a nation wide pandemic!
It has been said through the centuries that difficult and challenging times make great men. I would add it also makes for great women. For that greatest to come forth somebody must demonstrate courage and intentional unifying leadership. We need that now becausemour solidarity is quickly
slip sliding away.
Sunday, July 26, 2020
Change So Subtle, But Change Indeed.
Certainly considering the current backdrop of Americana, the news was not tragic but it saddened me
nonetheless. The opening sentence in the Decatur Herald-Review letter read: "Beginning August 17, 2020 the Herald-Review will transition from printing seven days a week to five days a week (Tuesday through Saturday)." Obviously, it is a business decision driven by a profit-loss reality. Slowly but surely another indicator of cultural change or more likely defined by generational cultural erosion.
From my East St. Louis growing-up days of the 1940's and 1950's, I recall the hawk-call of the early evening when a paper boy meandered the neighborhood streets calling out: "PAPER, Morning Globe!" And later the next day, you could peruse another St. Louis paper, the Post Dispatch or the East St. Louis Journal. No wonder why the Boy Scouts had an annual Paper Drive, we had papers!
I understand the instantaneous internet and cable television news availability and perhaps it's convenience, yet I also wonder about the greater incidence of today's stress, anxiety and the 35% increase of suicides in the United States over the past twenty years. No, I don't suggest that America's decline in newspaper circulation causes these aforementioned maladies, however it may be reflective of a society's larger decline, the loss of innocence, which gives way to cable news wrapped with angry agendas. Today's informational news is more often cloaked in a political philosophy begging one to view the events as how it affects 'Us' and 'Them' and suggests who's winning.
Old habits die hard and I'm an old guy with habits. Several years ago, the late sports writer, Jim Barnhart wrote a piece for the Bloomington Pantagraph promoting a book I had penned. During our conversation, I shared with Jim that I was not a big Internet news gleaner, but I still enjoyed turning the printed pages at my own leisurely pace and noticing ink left on my fingers.
A simpler place-in-time to which there is no return. The old man must get with it or get off the train.
nonetheless. The opening sentence in the Decatur Herald-Review letter read: "Beginning August 17, 2020 the Herald-Review will transition from printing seven days a week to five days a week (Tuesday through Saturday)." Obviously, it is a business decision driven by a profit-loss reality. Slowly but surely another indicator of cultural change or more likely defined by generational cultural erosion.
From my East St. Louis growing-up days of the 1940's and 1950's, I recall the hawk-call of the early evening when a paper boy meandered the neighborhood streets calling out: "PAPER, Morning Globe!" And later the next day, you could peruse another St. Louis paper, the Post Dispatch or the East St. Louis Journal. No wonder why the Boy Scouts had an annual Paper Drive, we had papers!
I understand the instantaneous internet and cable television news availability and perhaps it's convenience, yet I also wonder about the greater incidence of today's stress, anxiety and the 35% increase of suicides in the United States over the past twenty years. No, I don't suggest that America's decline in newspaper circulation causes these aforementioned maladies, however it may be reflective of a society's larger decline, the loss of innocence, which gives way to cable news wrapped with angry agendas. Today's informational news is more often cloaked in a political philosophy begging one to view the events as how it affects 'Us' and 'Them' and suggests who's winning.
Old habits die hard and I'm an old guy with habits. Several years ago, the late sports writer, Jim Barnhart wrote a piece for the Bloomington Pantagraph promoting a book I had penned. During our conversation, I shared with Jim that I was not a big Internet news gleaner, but I still enjoyed turning the printed pages at my own leisurely pace and noticing ink left on my fingers.
A simpler place-in-time to which there is no return. The old man must get with it or get off the train.
Saturday, July 25, 2020
I am Cornered; A Captive.
A few days ago, I had a estimate on a privacy fence and the fella doing the measurements told me that their company was two months behind completing jobs. He told me that it's the busiest his company had been in the 17-years he's been with them. He theorized that people have been in their homes more due to the pandemic and they look around at things and decide on changes and/or improvements. I believe the gent is correct and his thought even supported by my own behavior.
My wife and I returned from Florida on March 9, just about the time the 'coronavirus-hit-the-fan.' Since then, I have filled the auto with gasoline only two times; we don't go as in normal times. We don't eat out in restaraunts. We don't take day trips or weekend jaunts to visit our children. We are stuck at home.
Since I'm not spending monies on the aforementioned activities, I rationalize expenditures on the following: (1) Wild bird seeds and exotic feeders for Finches, Song Birds and Hummingbirds. (2) I am on first name basis with Wayfair agents after buying three patio umbrellas and two yard fountains. (3) this year's flower planting cost set a personal record and now I look to create a 'compound' with a six foot high privacy fence. Some say, "You're losing it." Kinder folks opine, "He's eccentric."
The unfortunate reality of this backyard fantasy escape will end with falling leaves and winter snows. It is then that the emotional frustration and anxiety will set in. I will be 'inside' the house instead of outside. I will be answering the endless soliciting telephone calls from every charity under the sun. I will get frequent reminders about an auto warranty expiration on a vehicle, which was totaled in an accident nine years ago. I will turned down numerous freebies from cruise company's, casinos, resort hotels and United Healthcare's 'Home Nurse Visit Program.' I will also hear from Rachael regarding my credit card and hear from Social Security that somebody in Southwest Texas is engaged in suspicious financial activities using my Social Security number. (I hate it when that crap happens).
If I buy half of what's offered from telephone solicitors and commit to the plethora of $19 per month television pitches, i.e., St. Jude's (my wife already commits), ASPCA, Shriners, Wounded Warriors, local police fund, State Police Association, Sheriff's Association and humane society, I will deplete my monies for going South for the winter if and when this virus evaporates. And I've learned that when packing to go South for the winter, I should take 'half' the clothes and 'twice' the money.
My wife and I returned from Florida on March 9, just about the time the 'coronavirus-hit-the-fan.' Since then, I have filled the auto with gasoline only two times; we don't go as in normal times. We don't eat out in restaraunts. We don't take day trips or weekend jaunts to visit our children. We are stuck at home.
Since I'm not spending monies on the aforementioned activities, I rationalize expenditures on the following: (1) Wild bird seeds and exotic feeders for Finches, Song Birds and Hummingbirds. (2) I am on first name basis with Wayfair agents after buying three patio umbrellas and two yard fountains. (3) this year's flower planting cost set a personal record and now I look to create a 'compound' with a six foot high privacy fence. Some say, "You're losing it." Kinder folks opine, "He's eccentric."
The unfortunate reality of this backyard fantasy escape will end with falling leaves and winter snows. It is then that the emotional frustration and anxiety will set in. I will be 'inside' the house instead of outside. I will be answering the endless soliciting telephone calls from every charity under the sun. I will get frequent reminders about an auto warranty expiration on a vehicle, which was totaled in an accident nine years ago. I will turned down numerous freebies from cruise company's, casinos, resort hotels and United Healthcare's 'Home Nurse Visit Program.' I will also hear from Rachael regarding my credit card and hear from Social Security that somebody in Southwest Texas is engaged in suspicious financial activities using my Social Security number. (I hate it when that crap happens).
If I buy half of what's offered from telephone solicitors and commit to the plethora of $19 per month television pitches, i.e., St. Jude's (my wife already commits), ASPCA, Shriners, Wounded Warriors, local police fund, State Police Association, Sheriff's Association and humane society, I will deplete my monies for going South for the winter if and when this virus evaporates. And I've learned that when packing to go South for the winter, I should take 'half' the clothes and 'twice' the money.
Thursday, July 23, 2020
Words From Great Presidents
Following are a few meaningful and telling quotes from American Presidents:
Harry S. Truman (33rd President)..."The Buck Stops Here."
Franklin D. Roosevelt (32nd President)..."The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
John F. Kennedy (35th President)..."Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do
for your country."
Donald J. Trump (45th President)..."Person-Woman-Man-Camera-T.V." / "I Aced It."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Molly McGee (wife of Fibber McGee)... "T'aint funny McGee!"
Chester A. Riley..."What a revoltin' development this is!"
Harry S. Truman (33rd President)..."The Buck Stops Here."
Franklin D. Roosevelt (32nd President)..."The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
John F. Kennedy (35th President)..."Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do
for your country."
Donald J. Trump (45th President)..."Person-Woman-Man-Camera-T.V." / "I Aced It."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Molly McGee (wife of Fibber McGee)... "T'aint funny McGee!"
Chester A. Riley..."What a revoltin' development this is!"
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
Can't Decide
I am often times intrigued by the apparent desire of folks to have brief summations regarding people and events. There seems to be an appetite for information as long as it will not require much of our time. We've all heard the interviewer near the close of a conversation with a celebrity ask the question: "How would you like to be remembered?" We've heard the plea, "What one word best describes you?" From a personal perspective, I try not to self-grade because it can lead to self-aggrandizing, which leads to my father's ire and even though he's gone from this earthly journey...I still wish not to anger him on the good chance we shall meet again.
As most good Christians, I do enjoy 'judging others,' therefore I shall attempt to find that one word that best describes my wife of 60-years. There is a problem. I am conflicted choosing one of two words both of which come to mind. Gerry is deeply and sincerely 'CARING' and without question, Gerry is a 'TERRIER.' Let me advance a few examples supporting each word.
If I gave readers a list of family and friends' to contact and those readers asked the question, "Tell me something about Gerry Roustio," they would quickly say, "I have received all types of greeting cards from Gerry over the years, i.e., birthday, Anniversary, sympathy or simply Thinking About You cards, she is indeed most thoughtful and caring." New neighbors soon meet Gerry who offers a kind greeting word, shares endless information and a plate of 'Brownies.' Over the years, Gerry has nurtured children, grandchildren and great grandchildren while volunteering for various church service groups. She epitomizes 'CARING.' But wait-a-minute...
Gerry could be the poster woman for eagerness and tenacity. That creature that refuses to 'Let it Go!'
She often demonstrates a Terrier mentality...relentless in a mission. If you will, consider: Every grandchild will tell you that if Nana (Gerry) offers that second food helping your best to say "yes" on the first overture because it is non-negotiable. Should Gerry converse with family or friends and asks "How are you?" >You best be prepared to give elaborate and detailed follow-up answers because the rapid-fire questions are coming similar to those asked by a New Jersey prosecuting attorney.
Just last week, I suggested a light supper of eggs over-easy, bacon and toast and Gerry obliged. As we sat down to eat, Gerry noticed one of my eggs was perhaps more over-hard than over-easy and she asked, "You want some of my yolk?" I responded, "No, I'm fine." Within moments, she again pleaded, "Take some of my egg yolk." Again I said, "I don't want any of your egg yolk." Almost immediately after her third offer and my third rejection, I saw out of the corner of my eye a teaspoon of yellow egg yolk being dropped on my plate accompanied by a deep-throated, command-like, directive-voice, "Here take this egg yolk!" If that ain't TERRIER, "Then grits ain't groceries, eggs Ain't poultry and Mona Lisa was a man," to quote Little Milton.
Well, there you are folks...I can't decide that one word that best defines my wife: Caring or Terrier?
As most good Christians, I do enjoy 'judging others,' therefore I shall attempt to find that one word that best describes my wife of 60-years. There is a problem. I am conflicted choosing one of two words both of which come to mind. Gerry is deeply and sincerely 'CARING' and without question, Gerry is a 'TERRIER.' Let me advance a few examples supporting each word.
If I gave readers a list of family and friends' to contact and those readers asked the question, "Tell me something about Gerry Roustio," they would quickly say, "I have received all types of greeting cards from Gerry over the years, i.e., birthday, Anniversary, sympathy or simply Thinking About You cards, she is indeed most thoughtful and caring." New neighbors soon meet Gerry who offers a kind greeting word, shares endless information and a plate of 'Brownies.' Over the years, Gerry has nurtured children, grandchildren and great grandchildren while volunteering for various church service groups. She epitomizes 'CARING.' But wait-a-minute...
Gerry could be the poster woman for eagerness and tenacity. That creature that refuses to 'Let it Go!'
She often demonstrates a Terrier mentality...relentless in a mission. If you will, consider: Every grandchild will tell you that if Nana (Gerry) offers that second food helping your best to say "yes" on the first overture because it is non-negotiable. Should Gerry converse with family or friends and asks "How are you?" >You best be prepared to give elaborate and detailed follow-up answers because the rapid-fire questions are coming similar to those asked by a New Jersey prosecuting attorney.
Just last week, I suggested a light supper of eggs over-easy, bacon and toast and Gerry obliged. As we sat down to eat, Gerry noticed one of my eggs was perhaps more over-hard than over-easy and she asked, "You want some of my yolk?" I responded, "No, I'm fine." Within moments, she again pleaded, "Take some of my egg yolk." Again I said, "I don't want any of your egg yolk." Almost immediately after her third offer and my third rejection, I saw out of the corner of my eye a teaspoon of yellow egg yolk being dropped on my plate accompanied by a deep-throated, command-like, directive-voice, "Here take this egg yolk!" If that ain't TERRIER, "Then grits ain't groceries, eggs Ain't poultry and Mona Lisa was a man," to quote Little Milton.
Well, there you are folks...I can't decide that one word that best defines my wife: Caring or Terrier?
Monday, July 20, 2020
Who Wants to Be President?
We likely know of the basic qualifications to become the United States President: Born in the United States, 35-years of age and a resident of the United States for the previous 14-years. As children, we were told by adults that we could "grow up to be President." Personally, I always thought that was far-fetched and a bit of 'pie-in-the-sky' thinking. I suppose that's why we laughed about various folks over time who were suggested as Presidential candidates. I'm starting to believe what we were told as kids is true...anybody, I mean anybody can become President.
Back in the 1950's and 1960's, Alfred E. Neuman, the fictitious lovable poster boy for Mad Magazine was touted by the magazine and followers as a viable candidate for the Oval Office. You all recall those political posters, "Alfred E. Neuman For President." And then there was the Smothers Brothers promotion of deadpan comedian, Patrick Paulsen who repeatedly offered his vision as President.
Fast forward to the 2016, Presidential campaign and the perfect storm developed, which would catapult an unlikely character into the Commander-in Chief of the United States. Never mind that he was a known fraud, a vulgar self-admitted sexual predator and profoundly lacking in areas of education and political experiences, i.e., governing, foreign affairs, Constitution knowledge and compromising leadership skills. He was the antithesis of the 'Black Man' who held the office before him. He was appealing to bigots, big business and underachieving people who needed scapegoats. His legacy? The most divided United States since the Civil War.
Now, we have a new budding Presidential wannabe who just might make the grade someday and be our 47the American President...Kanye Omari West. Hells Bells, Why Not? What rapper wouldn't make a great President? Oh, and about the coming storm? That storm is developing and should hit around 2045.
Back in the 1950's and 1960's, Alfred E. Neuman, the fictitious lovable poster boy for Mad Magazine was touted by the magazine and followers as a viable candidate for the Oval Office. You all recall those political posters, "Alfred E. Neuman For President." And then there was the Smothers Brothers promotion of deadpan comedian, Patrick Paulsen who repeatedly offered his vision as President.
Fast forward to the 2016, Presidential campaign and the perfect storm developed, which would catapult an unlikely character into the Commander-in Chief of the United States. Never mind that he was a known fraud, a vulgar self-admitted sexual predator and profoundly lacking in areas of education and political experiences, i.e., governing, foreign affairs, Constitution knowledge and compromising leadership skills. He was the antithesis of the 'Black Man' who held the office before him. He was appealing to bigots, big business and underachieving people who needed scapegoats. His legacy? The most divided United States since the Civil War.
Now, we have a new budding Presidential wannabe who just might make the grade someday and be our 47the American President...Kanye Omari West. Hells Bells, Why Not? What rapper wouldn't make a great President? Oh, and about the coming storm? That storm is developing and should hit around 2045.
Tell Me How You 'Really' Feel
I was the second person to walk through the Decatur Target Store yesterday (Sunday) morning. When I left 35-minutes later, I was perhaps one of a total 6-shoppers in the entire store; appears to be a good time to shop Target.
After putting away groceries, I watered the garden and brought a few tomatoes and Zucchini's in for supper. Due to the stifling heat/humidity, I passed on yard work and walking. Got on the treadmill instead. I later joined my wife in the family room where she was already immersed in a Hallmark Christmas movies marathon event. I withheld my usual snide remarks and began reading the newspaper.
After my reading, I watched the movie for about 10-minutes, which took it to the conclusion, I guess. Here's what happened, I bent over to pick up Toy Poodle, Yodie and when I straightened up I think another movie had begun with one of the central characters from the previous movie. I said to my wife, "Hallmark should blow a siren between movies so you know when one movie ends and another begins." Whoa, Buddy, the girl was loaded and laying-in-wait as she quickly snapped, "At least I don't have to watch a boring back and forth parade of a free throw shooting contest at the end of my Hallmark movie or the endless changing of pitchers before a four-hour baseball game's conclusion!"
Like Ray Charles sang, "Everybody's got to their own opinion and you know, I SURE got mine..."
After putting away groceries, I watered the garden and brought a few tomatoes and Zucchini's in for supper. Due to the stifling heat/humidity, I passed on yard work and walking. Got on the treadmill instead. I later joined my wife in the family room where she was already immersed in a Hallmark Christmas movies marathon event. I withheld my usual snide remarks and began reading the newspaper.
After my reading, I watched the movie for about 10-minutes, which took it to the conclusion, I guess. Here's what happened, I bent over to pick up Toy Poodle, Yodie and when I straightened up I think another movie had begun with one of the central characters from the previous movie. I said to my wife, "Hallmark should blow a siren between movies so you know when one movie ends and another begins." Whoa, Buddy, the girl was loaded and laying-in-wait as she quickly snapped, "At least I don't have to watch a boring back and forth parade of a free throw shooting contest at the end of my Hallmark movie or the endless changing of pitchers before a four-hour baseball game's conclusion!"
Like Ray Charles sang, "Everybody's got to their own opinion and you know, I SURE got mine..."
Sunday, July 19, 2020
Learning From a Pandemic
If one pays attention it should be obvious to them that they are being 'taken-to-school' by this Covid-19 virus. Let me tell you, I've learned a number of things in recent months and continue to be enlightened: The coronavirus pandemic has taught me that>>>
1) Haircuts are overrated.
2) I'm fortunate to be married to the right person.
3) Dogs really are your best bet for friendship.
4) Angry people make bad decisions, especially at the voting polls.
5) Sports watching is truly a needed tranquilizer for a nation of wannabes.
6) There appears to be a correlation between the elimination of the military draft and the American
people's ability to make sacrifices for the survival of a country.
7) If I make a notation of the best thing that happened to me today, tomorrow seems to go better.
8) The core reason for adult disagreements is often anchored in childish attitudes.
9) Television movie channels could do better.
10) First responders and teachers' talents are more critical to a society than professional athletes and
entertainers' talents AND their compensation should reflect that reality.
11) The lack of leadership and a universal plan to defeat this pandemic will cause the catastrophic
demise of our great nation if State and local leadership fails to step forward a fill the void.
1) Haircuts are overrated.
2) I'm fortunate to be married to the right person.
3) Dogs really are your best bet for friendship.
4) Angry people make bad decisions, especially at the voting polls.
5) Sports watching is truly a needed tranquilizer for a nation of wannabes.
6) There appears to be a correlation between the elimination of the military draft and the American
people's ability to make sacrifices for the survival of a country.
7) If I make a notation of the best thing that happened to me today, tomorrow seems to go better.
8) The core reason for adult disagreements is often anchored in childish attitudes.
9) Television movie channels could do better.
10) First responders and teachers' talents are more critical to a society than professional athletes and
entertainers' talents AND their compensation should reflect that reality.
11) The lack of leadership and a universal plan to defeat this pandemic will cause the catastrophic
demise of our great nation if State and local leadership fails to step forward a fill the void.
Saturday, July 18, 2020
Pause and Weigh Responses
In this journey-experience called 'life,' I've come to appreciate that many things are both complicated and simple. The key to resolve is understanding that basic truths are found in the most complicated. Unfortunately, too many people don't seek truths in life but instead they seek other people who agree with their preconceived perceptions, thus manufacturing their own truths. Sound familiar?
Our saving grace is that circumstances, good or bad will not last forever. As much as we are often uncomfortable with change be thankful it comes...adjust and adapt and find joy.
Our saving grace is that circumstances, good or bad will not last forever. As much as we are often uncomfortable with change be thankful it comes...adjust and adapt and find joy.
Friday, July 17, 2020
And That's All I'll Say About That
Mixed messages can be a bummer and certainly frustrating. Take these somewhat conflicting Supreme Court rulings. In 2015, The U. S. Supreme Court ruled that 'Gays' could marry nationwide. Three years later the U. S. Supreme Court put a damper of the Gay couples wedding reception as it ruled that the local baker had legal (religious) rights to refuse baking the Gays a Wedding Cake.
This reminds me of 1964, when I was in my second year coaching and teaching in Assumption, Illinois. Gerry and I had been married three and a half years and had a two and a half year old son. Assumption is a small rural community with conflicting population figures. Entering the town from different directions you will see two different population numbers. When we lived there you could count one grocery store, one drug store, one hardware store one laundromat, one lumber store, one bank, three churches and I don't know how many saloons because back then locals bought beer for faculty.
Anyway, one Saturday morning, I went into Hafner's Drugs and asked Mr. Hafner for condoms. To my surprise, I got a lecture from the old gent that I should not interfere with God's plan for how many children I should have and he went on to give a heartfelt testimony for his Catholic beliefs. At that moment, I wanted to tell Mr. Hafner to get on the school board and see if he could do something about my yearly salary of $4,850.00 for teaching six classes and coaching three sports. Later, I mentioned my Hafner Drug Store experience to a neighbor who happened to be Catholic and he said, "I should've warned you about old man Hafner, I go to Taylorville to get my condoms."
Recently the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Trump administration for employers to opt out of insurance coverage for contraceptives on religious moral grounds. I'll bet Mr. Hafner is smiling wherever he may be; Heaven, Hell or Purgatory.
Of course, in this 2020-year with a Pandemic up America's ass, we have some hardheaded religious fanatics that raise Hell about mandatory mask-wearing, even though it is proven that masks slow the spread of a killer virus. You hear the idiotic claim, "It's our Constitutional right to not wear a mask, blah, blah, blah," or "I'm covered in the blood of Jesus, therefore I don't need no mask." Aside from rejecting science and not being a team player for humanity, whatever happened to the baker's right not to serve the Gays or Mr. Hafner's religious convictions to not sell birth-control protection? Recently, have seen several confrontations in stores and other businesses over the mask debate. Listen folks, businesses have the right to refuse your entrance...'No Shirt, No Shoes, No Mask...NO SERVICE!' Hit the road, Jack!
For the purpose of transparency and recorded history: Assumption had a terrible snowstorm in January 1964 and I couldn't make it over to Taylorville...in October of that year, Mason City, Illinois Doctor Jack Means assisted in the delivery of a little girl for Gerry and me. I wanted to name the baby, 'Haffie' but my wife won out and named her Dawn.
This reminds me of 1964, when I was in my second year coaching and teaching in Assumption, Illinois. Gerry and I had been married three and a half years and had a two and a half year old son. Assumption is a small rural community with conflicting population figures. Entering the town from different directions you will see two different population numbers. When we lived there you could count one grocery store, one drug store, one hardware store one laundromat, one lumber store, one bank, three churches and I don't know how many saloons because back then locals bought beer for faculty.
Anyway, one Saturday morning, I went into Hafner's Drugs and asked Mr. Hafner for condoms. To my surprise, I got a lecture from the old gent that I should not interfere with God's plan for how many children I should have and he went on to give a heartfelt testimony for his Catholic beliefs. At that moment, I wanted to tell Mr. Hafner to get on the school board and see if he could do something about my yearly salary of $4,850.00 for teaching six classes and coaching three sports. Later, I mentioned my Hafner Drug Store experience to a neighbor who happened to be Catholic and he said, "I should've warned you about old man Hafner, I go to Taylorville to get my condoms."
Recently the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Trump administration for employers to opt out of insurance coverage for contraceptives on religious moral grounds. I'll bet Mr. Hafner is smiling wherever he may be; Heaven, Hell or Purgatory.
Of course, in this 2020-year with a Pandemic up America's ass, we have some hardheaded religious fanatics that raise Hell about mandatory mask-wearing, even though it is proven that masks slow the spread of a killer virus. You hear the idiotic claim, "It's our Constitutional right to not wear a mask, blah, blah, blah," or "I'm covered in the blood of Jesus, therefore I don't need no mask." Aside from rejecting science and not being a team player for humanity, whatever happened to the baker's right not to serve the Gays or Mr. Hafner's religious convictions to not sell birth-control protection? Recently, have seen several confrontations in stores and other businesses over the mask debate. Listen folks, businesses have the right to refuse your entrance...'No Shirt, No Shoes, No Mask...NO SERVICE!' Hit the road, Jack!
For the purpose of transparency and recorded history: Assumption had a terrible snowstorm in January 1964 and I couldn't make it over to Taylorville...in October of that year, Mason City, Illinois Doctor Jack Means assisted in the delivery of a little girl for Gerry and me. I wanted to name the baby, 'Haffie' but my wife won out and named her Dawn.
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
"I See a Bad Moon Rising."
For many years now and even in recent blog writings I have advocated for more female leadership in the United States. I truly believe that if the United States House of Representatives and Senate saw women in the majority, we would notice significant changes in governing philosophy reflected in governing policies.
There is little doubt that America would be less hawkish, more focused on protecting our environment and show more concern for health care and education. Before you question my premise ask yourself who in your lifetime has demonstrated NURTURING?!!!
I could go on attempting to convince the naysayers who are eager to disagree and attack but let me simply suggest that you hold off and just watch what happens with the current growing debate about 'to open or not to open our schools this fall during this escalating pandemic.' Fasten your seatbelt Americans and observe politicians fall like a house of cards when mothers start speaking their collective voices of concern for the safety of their children. Show me a mother who believes a man has casually dismissed the safety and importance of her child's wellbeing and I'll soon show you an emasculated man.
There is little doubt that America would be less hawkish, more focused on protecting our environment and show more concern for health care and education. Before you question my premise ask yourself who in your lifetime has demonstrated NURTURING?!!!
I could go on attempting to convince the naysayers who are eager to disagree and attack but let me simply suggest that you hold off and just watch what happens with the current growing debate about 'to open or not to open our schools this fall during this escalating pandemic.' Fasten your seatbelt Americans and observe politicians fall like a house of cards when mothers start speaking their collective voices of concern for the safety of their children. Show me a mother who believes a man has casually dismissed the safety and importance of her child's wellbeing and I'll soon show you an emasculated man.
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
Heartless Leadership
If you have doubted the depth of Donald Trump's cold-hearted lack of empathy then mull over his most recent display of hardheartedness regarding the potential life and death dangers facing America's school children and their teachers should schools re-open while our country is falling behind in its fight to arrest the fast spreading and deadly coronavirus.
Trump's Republican puppet Governors rushed to re-open their States before meeting the criteria established by Trump's hand picked infectious diesease experts and now those States are pulling back because of the virus resurgence. In the midst of all this chaos, Trump is now pushing States to re-open schools and threatening States by withholding funding if they fail to re-open.
Question: When the hell did our children become pawns in a pandemic pilot program?
Trump's Republican puppet Governors rushed to re-open their States before meeting the criteria established by Trump's hand picked infectious diesease experts and now those States are pulling back because of the virus resurgence. In the midst of all this chaos, Trump is now pushing States to re-open schools and threatening States by withholding funding if they fail to re-open.
Question: When the hell did our children become pawns in a pandemic pilot program?
Monday, July 13, 2020
Trump Keeps Dividing Americans
A few facts about people's comments regarding the Coronavirus, which has to date killed over 135,000 Americans with a projection to eventually kill over 200,000.
Before continuing, let me share the definition of 'science:' "The intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. A systematically organized body of knowledge on a particular subject."
During a February 28, 2020'campaign rally, Trump said of the coronavirus, "This is the Democrats new hoax."
Other Trump comments about the coronavirus:
1) we do have a plan.
2) The United States appreciates China's efforts and transparency.
3) we are on top of this 24/7.
4) we could be at 1-or-2 people with the virus very soon.
5) it will just go away when the weather warms in April.
This President is a lying buffoon but he's not the only buffoon. When it was discovered early in the coronavirus pandemic that the most vulnerable and likely to die was the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. Texas LT. Governor Dan Patrick said that he thought we should shorten the 'lockdown' with the belief that "Seniors (grandparents will be willing to die to save the economy for their grandchildren." Are you Trumpers paying attention? Better yet, did you offer up your parents, grandparents or yourself to die for the Stock Market?
Trump appointed a Coronavirus Task Force Team headed by V. P. Pence along with notable medical doctors, namely a world renown infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Trump panicked and went against his own predetermined re-opening phases based on specific criteria as he encouraged and coerced Republican Governors to open their States before meeting those criteria. The expected has happened the virus found new life and today America is headed for a health catastrophe never before imagined.
More recently, Trump has insisted that schools reopen with the same recklessness as the economy; with no plan. Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos said just yesterday, "Only 2% of kids are likely to die when they go back to school." That would be approximately 14,700 dead children. Of course, Franklin Graham and other Evangelical leaders are silent on the matter. I suppose the fetus is more precious than my six year old great granddaughter...shameless, absolutely shameless are these men of God. But Jesus said, "Suffer little children and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14
And on the heels of all this impotent leadership, the White House yesterday raised questions about Dr. Fauci for openly disagreeing with the President in FAVOR OF SCIENCE. Okay, you folks who were placed in shop classes Trump knows how you feel about those nerds who took advanced chemistry and physics.
Trump told Americans early in his presidency, "We have alternative facts...that's fake news."
Simply stated the real is NOT real, the truth is NOT the truth. In Trumps world there are three desirables in life's journey: money, lust and power and the fight is between 'THEM & US.'
Let's dismiss Dr. Fauci's scientific facts regarding the coronavirus and embrace Donald Trump's suggestion to drink bleach to rid your body of the virus. Let's free the likes of Roger Stone and indict Anthony Fauci.
Before continuing, let me share the definition of 'science:' "The intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. A systematically organized body of knowledge on a particular subject."
During a February 28, 2020'campaign rally, Trump said of the coronavirus, "This is the Democrats new hoax."
Other Trump comments about the coronavirus:
1) we do have a plan.
2) The United States appreciates China's efforts and transparency.
3) we are on top of this 24/7.
4) we could be at 1-or-2 people with the virus very soon.
5) it will just go away when the weather warms in April.
This President is a lying buffoon but he's not the only buffoon. When it was discovered early in the coronavirus pandemic that the most vulnerable and likely to die was the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. Texas LT. Governor Dan Patrick said that he thought we should shorten the 'lockdown' with the belief that "Seniors (grandparents will be willing to die to save the economy for their grandchildren." Are you Trumpers paying attention? Better yet, did you offer up your parents, grandparents or yourself to die for the Stock Market?
Trump appointed a Coronavirus Task Force Team headed by V. P. Pence along with notable medical doctors, namely a world renown infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Trump panicked and went against his own predetermined re-opening phases based on specific criteria as he encouraged and coerced Republican Governors to open their States before meeting those criteria. The expected has happened the virus found new life and today America is headed for a health catastrophe never before imagined.
More recently, Trump has insisted that schools reopen with the same recklessness as the economy; with no plan. Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos said just yesterday, "Only 2% of kids are likely to die when they go back to school." That would be approximately 14,700 dead children. Of course, Franklin Graham and other Evangelical leaders are silent on the matter. I suppose the fetus is more precious than my six year old great granddaughter...shameless, absolutely shameless are these men of God. But Jesus said, "Suffer little children and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14
And on the heels of all this impotent leadership, the White House yesterday raised questions about Dr. Fauci for openly disagreeing with the President in FAVOR OF SCIENCE. Okay, you folks who were placed in shop classes Trump knows how you feel about those nerds who took advanced chemistry and physics.
Trump told Americans early in his presidency, "We have alternative facts...that's fake news."
Simply stated the real is NOT real, the truth is NOT the truth. In Trumps world there are three desirables in life's journey: money, lust and power and the fight is between 'THEM & US.'
Let's dismiss Dr. Fauci's scientific facts regarding the coronavirus and embrace Donald Trump's suggestion to drink bleach to rid your body of the virus. Let's free the likes of Roger Stone and indict Anthony Fauci.
Sunday, July 12, 2020
What's The Rules Today?
Someone many years ago gave me excellent advice regarding coaching: "If you're going to prepare then don't worry, but if you wish to worry then don't prepare; choose ONLY ONE."
Actually, my approach was always to anticipate everything that could come at you in a contest then prepare a counter move. I'd like to say that I never worried but then I would be lying. Funny thing, the only time I never worried about sport competition was when I was pitching, whether Little League, high school or college. Think about it!
I tend to see the positives but always anticipate the potential for negatives. We've all heard those uplifting slogans: 1) Hope springs eternal, 2) The glass is half full, 3) However long the night, the Dawn will break, 4) Every cloud has a silver lining. There's two other slogans I've thought of lately: 1) Fish or cut bait and 2) you crap your friends, I'll crap mine but let's not crap one another. (Folks, I cleaned that up a bit).
The Illinois High School Association causes me to doubt their 'Intentional Leadership' during this pandemic. I understand the profound delimma facing America's schools. Should they reopen? Can they reopen safely or should they teach online and embrace virtual classroom education until the winter semester and then make new assessments? These are monumental decisions for States and local School Boards. What is not a difficult decision is answering the question, should we have fall and winter sports? The answer to that question is found in the answers to these questions: Can sport competitors wear masks, social distance and keep their hands clean? If the answer to these questions is 'NO' then the IHSA leadership needs to stop dangling false hope before student-athletes and coaches.
I can't wait to see my first football game with the rules: 1) 'Players may not touch one another.' and 2) If after a contest an official or player tests positive for COVID-19, all other players and officials must quarantine for 14-days.' There's a re-scheduling nightmare Mr./Ms. Athletics Director.
These times call for purposeful and deliberate leadership and a stoppage of offering guidelines for participation on Monday and then revoking those guidelines on Thursday. And even though there are obvious efforts in stated guidelines for the IHSA and local districts to 'Pass-the-buck' hoping to avoid liabilities...lawyers will have a field day.
Please know that I have long been and continue to be a strong advocate for the Illinois High School Associstion. As the result of serving on IHSA advisory boards, the legislative commission and as a national liaison for its coaching certification education program, I have witnessed close up the effectiveness of its mission. A few years ago when Illinois lawmakers were sticking their noses into the IHSA business claiming a lack of transparency, I was on the telephone with my representatives reminding them of Illinois' unprecedented political leadership failure. That said, I am not seeking to dismiss the great value in the IHSA.
I tout the educational value and growth development found in interscholastic sport and extra-curricular offerings but the ultimate concern of the Illinois High School Association must be the health and well being of young student-athletes, mentors and their families during the apex of a pandemic.
Actually, my approach was always to anticipate everything that could come at you in a contest then prepare a counter move. I'd like to say that I never worried but then I would be lying. Funny thing, the only time I never worried about sport competition was when I was pitching, whether Little League, high school or college. Think about it!
I tend to see the positives but always anticipate the potential for negatives. We've all heard those uplifting slogans: 1) Hope springs eternal, 2) The glass is half full, 3) However long the night, the Dawn will break, 4) Every cloud has a silver lining. There's two other slogans I've thought of lately: 1) Fish or cut bait and 2) you crap your friends, I'll crap mine but let's not crap one another. (Folks, I cleaned that up a bit).
The Illinois High School Association causes me to doubt their 'Intentional Leadership' during this pandemic. I understand the profound delimma facing America's schools. Should they reopen? Can they reopen safely or should they teach online and embrace virtual classroom education until the winter semester and then make new assessments? These are monumental decisions for States and local School Boards. What is not a difficult decision is answering the question, should we have fall and winter sports? The answer to that question is found in the answers to these questions: Can sport competitors wear masks, social distance and keep their hands clean? If the answer to these questions is 'NO' then the IHSA leadership needs to stop dangling false hope before student-athletes and coaches.
I can't wait to see my first football game with the rules: 1) 'Players may not touch one another.' and 2) If after a contest an official or player tests positive for COVID-19, all other players and officials must quarantine for 14-days.' There's a re-scheduling nightmare Mr./Ms. Athletics Director.
These times call for purposeful and deliberate leadership and a stoppage of offering guidelines for participation on Monday and then revoking those guidelines on Thursday. And even though there are obvious efforts in stated guidelines for the IHSA and local districts to 'Pass-the-buck' hoping to avoid liabilities...lawyers will have a field day.
Please know that I have long been and continue to be a strong advocate for the Illinois High School Associstion. As the result of serving on IHSA advisory boards, the legislative commission and as a national liaison for its coaching certification education program, I have witnessed close up the effectiveness of its mission. A few years ago when Illinois lawmakers were sticking their noses into the IHSA business claiming a lack of transparency, I was on the telephone with my representatives reminding them of Illinois' unprecedented political leadership failure. That said, I am not seeking to dismiss the great value in the IHSA.
I tout the educational value and growth development found in interscholastic sport and extra-curricular offerings but the ultimate concern of the Illinois High School Association must be the health and well being of young student-athletes, mentors and their families during the apex of a pandemic.
Saturday, July 11, 2020
The Most Inept Leadership In American History
Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis just might be a bigger buffoon than President Donald Trump. DeSantis made the analogy that if a State can permit the re-opening of of retail stores, i.e., Walmart and Home Depot during a pandemic, which has killed nearly 135,000 Americans then it's reasonable to re-open schools.
At best when I shop Walmart, I may be negotiating their aisles for some 30-to-40 minutes. A first or second grade six/seven year old child is going to be in a self-contained classroom for approximately six hours with some twenty other children speaking directly into the mouth of fellow students because they've yet to understand you hear with your ears. Speaking of ears, their junior high counterparts cannot and will not keep their hands off one another while their high school siblings are going to scoff at mask wearing as they dismiss directives to take those damn ear-buds out of the head.
Could we get a head count? Would the politically elected 'grown-ups' please raise your hand or better yet take the throttle of this freaking run-away train headed towards disaster?! I'd just like to hear a statement more intellectually anchored than, "I hope I look good in a mask," or "We opened Walmart so let's open our schools." Folks, we are Ass deep in a 'Twilight Zone' episode.
At best when I shop Walmart, I may be negotiating their aisles for some 30-to-40 minutes. A first or second grade six/seven year old child is going to be in a self-contained classroom for approximately six hours with some twenty other children speaking directly into the mouth of fellow students because they've yet to understand you hear with your ears. Speaking of ears, their junior high counterparts cannot and will not keep their hands off one another while their high school siblings are going to scoff at mask wearing as they dismiss directives to take those damn ear-buds out of the head.
Could we get a head count? Would the politically elected 'grown-ups' please raise your hand or better yet take the throttle of this freaking run-away train headed towards disaster?! I'd just like to hear a statement more intellectually anchored than, "I hope I look good in a mask," or "We opened Walmart so let's open our schools." Folks, we are Ass deep in a 'Twilight Zone' episode.
Erotic Sick Self-Interest
I cannot recall in recent times one day, as this day, which offers such a mixed-bag of emotional anticipation. If you are like most Americans, you find yourself vascillating between sure confidence and trepid consternation.
This day, July 11, 2020, our President Donald J. Trump will travel to Walter Reed Hospital and to the State of Florida where the coronavirus is surging out of control due to a Governor who followed Trump's bidding to re-open businesses too soon. Trump, a critic of this "hoax-virus" and one who expresses open disdain for 'mask-wearing' has hinted that he (Trump) will wear a mask today.
Trump, when asked by a reporter about wearing a face mask said, "I will probably wear one today, I hope I look good in it."
My Dear Fellow Americans: Can we all whisper a prayer in behalf of "The Chosen One" to look good wearing a face mask? And just by chance should he look goofy, at least have people tell him that they've never seen a mask look better on any person. PLEASE. This crap's important for a stable genius.
This day, July 11, 2020, our President Donald J. Trump will travel to Walter Reed Hospital and to the State of Florida where the coronavirus is surging out of control due to a Governor who followed Trump's bidding to re-open businesses too soon. Trump, a critic of this "hoax-virus" and one who expresses open disdain for 'mask-wearing' has hinted that he (Trump) will wear a mask today.
Trump, when asked by a reporter about wearing a face mask said, "I will probably wear one today, I hope I look good in it."
My Dear Fellow Americans: Can we all whisper a prayer in behalf of "The Chosen One" to look good wearing a face mask? And just by chance should he look goofy, at least have people tell him that they've never seen a mask look better on any person. PLEASE. This crap's important for a stable genius.
Friday, July 10, 2020
A Pandemic Cost A Child Could Bear
It should be obvious to all that both the Global and United States economies are going to take a massive, unimaginable and devastating 'hit' as the result of the Coronavirus pandemic. Currently, we are told that the United States alone will realize a nearly 8-trillion dollar setback and that does not factor in the unpredictable time of the pandemic's end.
There is another untold catastrophe playing out amid these unprecedented times and that is the mental and emotional cost to human life. Depression and anxiety are reported extremely high and fear of an increase in suicides worry health officials. On a personal note, I wonder about the negative or perhaps at minimum the compromised personality development, the altered self-worth assurance and the underdevelopment of interpersonal empathy in our very young. I watch the faces of my great grandchildren ages six and two who see not smiling, encouraging faces of adults, which aides in the aforementioned desirable traits but instead they see 'masked' faces and hear muffled sounds. As a young boy, I felt and saw love throughout my journey. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and neighbors exuded smiling and assuring expressions, which anchored a warm feeling of belonging, security and love. Today's health crisis with uncertain social interaction and the obvious sensed tension and anxiety exhibited in modeling-adults manifests in to subliminal negative messages to be processed by the developing child from which the consequential impact is yet to be determined.
Today, if families gather at all they practice masking and social distancing. The grandchild on the knee of grandpa is a no-no. The sit down 'tea party' with Nana and a great granddaughter is not happening. The once many healthy social interactions of our lifetime are put on hold...but at what cost to the developing child?
If I've learned anything, I've learned that 'LOVE' is the most powerful and essential emotional feeling and expression that stabilizes an other wise unstable world. It is said that time heals all hurt, pain and loss. I maintain that it is not time but 'LOVE' that heals. It must be modeled without parameters.
There is another untold catastrophe playing out amid these unprecedented times and that is the mental and emotional cost to human life. Depression and anxiety are reported extremely high and fear of an increase in suicides worry health officials. On a personal note, I wonder about the negative or perhaps at minimum the compromised personality development, the altered self-worth assurance and the underdevelopment of interpersonal empathy in our very young. I watch the faces of my great grandchildren ages six and two who see not smiling, encouraging faces of adults, which aides in the aforementioned desirable traits but instead they see 'masked' faces and hear muffled sounds. As a young boy, I felt and saw love throughout my journey. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and neighbors exuded smiling and assuring expressions, which anchored a warm feeling of belonging, security and love. Today's health crisis with uncertain social interaction and the obvious sensed tension and anxiety exhibited in modeling-adults manifests in to subliminal negative messages to be processed by the developing child from which the consequential impact is yet to be determined.
Today, if families gather at all they practice masking and social distancing. The grandchild on the knee of grandpa is a no-no. The sit down 'tea party' with Nana and a great granddaughter is not happening. The once many healthy social interactions of our lifetime are put on hold...but at what cost to the developing child?
If I've learned anything, I've learned that 'LOVE' is the most powerful and essential emotional feeling and expression that stabilizes an other wise unstable world. It is said that time heals all hurt, pain and loss. I maintain that it is not time but 'LOVE' that heals. It must be modeled without parameters.
Thursday, July 9, 2020
Tiresomely Repititive
Yesterday, Vice President Pence was sent before the press and American public as President Trump's puppet-boy in disguise as the Coronavirus Task Force Leader to reiterate Trump's insistence that all schools reopen in the fall. Pence was shored up by Dr. Deborah Birx and others. Conspicuously absent from the Task Force briefings was Dr. Anthony Fauci, who is considered one of the world's most renown experts on infectious diseases. Dr. Fauci has lost the favor of Trump due to Fauci's unwillingness to validate Trump's ongoing lies regarding the seriousness of the pandemic. Trump and his supporters just hate science; you know that knowledge that explains global warming, that gave us pasteurization, the polio vaccine, medical imaging, antibiotics, the Internet and DNA. Well, you can't trust scientist like Dr. Fauci because he feels a moral obligation to reject lying and instead offers the scientific facts about a deadly virus.
From the start the Task Force briefing was transparent and extremely boring with its repetitive 'theme,' "we must open schools." Hearing this school phrase over and over, I thought>> had a classroom teacher presented a lesson plan to her class before an administrator for teaching evaluation in the manner Pence and Birx presented, that teacher would be put on probation or likely fired. They talked in circles, slides did not work or appear when called for and factual substantive information was not evident. For example, Pence stated that Governors in Arizona, Texas and Florida are starting to "see the curve flatten." That is a bold face lie. Those States are seeing their highest number of daily infection rates. Teachers cannot present non-factual information to their students. All hell would break loose!
The untruths told by Trump and his administration to deceive the public for their personal political gain is appalling if not immoral. Trump established a Coronavirus Task Force, which established guidelines for States to mitigate and eventually re-open then ignored those guidelines telling States and encouraging States to open too soon resulting in frieghtening infectious increases. Recently, Trump insisted that the Director of the CDC ease up on guidelines to re-open schools, which means millions of children and hundreds of thounds of teachers will be placed in greater danger of infection.
Trump has demonstrated time and again that he is detached from reality. May our God protect us.
From the start the Task Force briefing was transparent and extremely boring with its repetitive 'theme,' "we must open schools." Hearing this school phrase over and over, I thought>> had a classroom teacher presented a lesson plan to her class before an administrator for teaching evaluation in the manner Pence and Birx presented, that teacher would be put on probation or likely fired. They talked in circles, slides did not work or appear when called for and factual substantive information was not evident. For example, Pence stated that Governors in Arizona, Texas and Florida are starting to "see the curve flatten." That is a bold face lie. Those States are seeing their highest number of daily infection rates. Teachers cannot present non-factual information to their students. All hell would break loose!
The untruths told by Trump and his administration to deceive the public for their personal political gain is appalling if not immoral. Trump established a Coronavirus Task Force, which established guidelines for States to mitigate and eventually re-open then ignored those guidelines telling States and encouraging States to open too soon resulting in frieghtening infectious increases. Recently, Trump insisted that the Director of the CDC ease up on guidelines to re-open schools, which means millions of children and hundreds of thounds of teachers will be placed in greater danger of infection.
Trump has demonstrated time and again that he is detached from reality. May our God protect us.
Ps. We don't need to rush to re-open schools. When test time comes just pay a smarter kid to take the test for you!
Wednesday, July 8, 2020
"It's Not the Heat, It's the Humidity."
A good Decatur friend of ours has contracted a swimming pool company to erect an above ground pool. She messaged my wife this morning indicating that at noon yesterday the pool-crew told the lady they would not be working in the afternoon because the heat index would be too high. I was not shocked with such a comment but I still caught myself shaking my head in disbelief. The heat index yesterday broke the 100-degrees mark.
The 'heat-index' marker was introduced in the early 1980's, and replaced the Temperature-Humidity-Index, which was calculated by adding the air temp and humidity. If the (THI) totaled 150+ then the weatherman told you that you were uncomfortable. I just love how easy my personal thinking has become. I have a meteorologist telling me if I'm too hot (heat index) or too cold (wind chill) and the 24/7 cable news networks telling me how to interpret events and television preachers i.e., Pat Robertson / Kenneth Copeland telling me what God told them to tell me and thus how I should vote.
Back to this "too hot to work" mentality. Central air-conditioning became popular in the 1970's, thus I'm guessing the median age of those pool workers is around 30, which means they grew up without knowing the comfort of a 'bed-pallet' by a screened door on a 1950's mid-August night in the muggy Mississippi River valley city of East St. Louis. Also, I'm guessing those fellas never watched a black & white picture-tube television set that pulled in a total of three channels if situated correctly with just the right amount of tinfoil on the rabbit ears antenna. I'm guessing those fellas never drove across country with a family of five in a non-air- conditioned auto. The middle spot in the backseat of that 1950 Bel Air Chevy was brutal!
Personally, I love the heat. Not crazy about humidity but so be it. My generation was conditioned to 'grin-'n-bare-it.' I recall as a 16-year old boy working in summer time St. Louis factories. Once a month a train box car was dropped off beside our factory. Three workers spent two-hours unloading hundreds of 90lbs. lead bricks, which were later to be melted for lead pipe extrusion. The mid-afternoon temperature in that box car topped 128-degrees. Damn! Never thought about telling the foreman that I was going to 'knock off' because of the 'heat index.'
Why goodness, as an 11 & 12 year old baseball Little Leaguer I played in 90+ degrees temperatures wearing a wool uniform...my generation was conditioned and I suppose that's why this 81-year old could take his 30-minute walk yesterday at 2:00PM with the heat index at 97. It felt good afterwards cooling off on the backyard swing.
Hang tough youngins, hang tough.
Ps. I made another 'heat-related' connection back in those 1950's hotter-than-blazes, non-airconditioning days. I recall one Sunday morning listening to the preacher talk about sin and the fires of hell for the unforgiven. There, I was a lad of 10, sitting in that stifling mid-July heat with a cardboard hand-fan. I looked down at the advertisement printed on that fan and Whoa! Lo' and Behold, "Kurrus Funeral Home."
The 'heat-index' marker was introduced in the early 1980's, and replaced the Temperature-Humidity-Index, which was calculated by adding the air temp and humidity. If the (THI) totaled 150+ then the weatherman told you that you were uncomfortable. I just love how easy my personal thinking has become. I have a meteorologist telling me if I'm too hot (heat index) or too cold (wind chill) and the 24/7 cable news networks telling me how to interpret events and television preachers i.e., Pat Robertson / Kenneth Copeland telling me what God told them to tell me and thus how I should vote.
Back to this "too hot to work" mentality. Central air-conditioning became popular in the 1970's, thus I'm guessing the median age of those pool workers is around 30, which means they grew up without knowing the comfort of a 'bed-pallet' by a screened door on a 1950's mid-August night in the muggy Mississippi River valley city of East St. Louis. Also, I'm guessing those fellas never watched a black & white picture-tube television set that pulled in a total of three channels if situated correctly with just the right amount of tinfoil on the rabbit ears antenna. I'm guessing those fellas never drove across country with a family of five in a non-air- conditioned auto. The middle spot in the backseat of that 1950 Bel Air Chevy was brutal!
Personally, I love the heat. Not crazy about humidity but so be it. My generation was conditioned to 'grin-'n-bare-it.' I recall as a 16-year old boy working in summer time St. Louis factories. Once a month a train box car was dropped off beside our factory. Three workers spent two-hours unloading hundreds of 90lbs. lead bricks, which were later to be melted for lead pipe extrusion. The mid-afternoon temperature in that box car topped 128-degrees. Damn! Never thought about telling the foreman that I was going to 'knock off' because of the 'heat index.'
Why goodness, as an 11 & 12 year old baseball Little Leaguer I played in 90+ degrees temperatures wearing a wool uniform...my generation was conditioned and I suppose that's why this 81-year old could take his 30-minute walk yesterday at 2:00PM with the heat index at 97. It felt good afterwards cooling off on the backyard swing.
Hang tough youngins, hang tough.
Ps. I made another 'heat-related' connection back in those 1950's hotter-than-blazes, non-airconditioning days. I recall one Sunday morning listening to the preacher talk about sin and the fires of hell for the unforgiven. There, I was a lad of 10, sitting in that stifling mid-July heat with a cardboard hand-fan. I looked down at the advertisement printed on that fan and Whoa! Lo' and Behold, "Kurrus Funeral Home."
Tuesday, July 7, 2020
A Rainy Day Flashback
I've learned that a daily 30-minute walk helps me physically, mentally and emotionally. I'm addicted to the routine especially in these unprecedented times. Yesterday, I found myself in the home stretch of my walk when suddenly a thunderstorm blew up and caught me in a temperature cooling rain the final ten minutes. I had left the house with the thermometer reading 91-degrees and by the time I returned home, toweled-off and changed T-shirts, I was sitting on the front porch enjoying rain drops midst a mild 78-degrees.
As I sat there stroking Toy Poodle Yodie's head, I had a flashback in time when I was eleven years old...why, I'm not sure except on such a summer stormy day in 1950, I'd find a spot on the screened back porch and do that homemade spinner baseball game, flipping those bubble-gum baseball cards, which had been arranged in a batting order. It may not have been the best of times during my journey but it was indeed the most worry-free of times.
From age eleven until thirteen, if I wasn't throwing a tennis ball against the front steps, playing side-street softball or Cards & Browns (Indian BaseBall) at St. Martin's Catholic Church lot, I was engaged in the East St. Louis Jaycee (Youth) League baseball. When the sun finally abandoned me, I switched on the backyard flood lights and shot baskets until the nine o'clock whistle blew or the Washington Park police stopped by to tell me they got a complaint from motorist that our flood lights blinded them. Didn't happen often but enough!
At age 14 & 15, I had expanded the competitive geographical territory as high school sports held scheduled demands and free time placed me in open gym competition...always seeking the next game. Things changed somewhat when I became 16, because back in the day a sixteen year old boy got a summer job. Now, I had to get those basketball shots up between 6PM to 9PM...thank goodness I had a girlfriend who understood and even on ocassion, she'd 'rebound!'
As the song lyrics proclaim:
"Once upon a time the world was sweeter than we knew,
Everything was ours, so happy we were then;
But once upon a time, never comes again."
Yep, yesterday as the stormy, rainy winds blew across my front yard, I sat on the porch and thought, 'You were one lucky guy, Mel Roustio.' Got to do what you wanted to do throughout your journey and blessed along the way.'
I hope you flashbacks are equally pleasing to visit.
As I sat there stroking Toy Poodle Yodie's head, I had a flashback in time when I was eleven years old...why, I'm not sure except on such a summer stormy day in 1950, I'd find a spot on the screened back porch and do that homemade spinner baseball game, flipping those bubble-gum baseball cards, which had been arranged in a batting order. It may not have been the best of times during my journey but it was indeed the most worry-free of times.
From age eleven until thirteen, if I wasn't throwing a tennis ball against the front steps, playing side-street softball or Cards & Browns (Indian BaseBall) at St. Martin's Catholic Church lot, I was engaged in the East St. Louis Jaycee (Youth) League baseball. When the sun finally abandoned me, I switched on the backyard flood lights and shot baskets until the nine o'clock whistle blew or the Washington Park police stopped by to tell me they got a complaint from motorist that our flood lights blinded them. Didn't happen often but enough!
At age 14 & 15, I had expanded the competitive geographical territory as high school sports held scheduled demands and free time placed me in open gym competition...always seeking the next game. Things changed somewhat when I became 16, because back in the day a sixteen year old boy got a summer job. Now, I had to get those basketball shots up between 6PM to 9PM...thank goodness I had a girlfriend who understood and even on ocassion, she'd 'rebound!'
As the song lyrics proclaim:
"Once upon a time the world was sweeter than we knew,
Everything was ours, so happy we were then;
But once upon a time, never comes again."
Yep, yesterday as the stormy, rainy winds blew across my front yard, I sat on the porch and thought, 'You were one lucky guy, Mel Roustio.' Got to do what you wanted to do throughout your journey and blessed along the way.'
I hope you flashbacks are equally pleasing to visit.
Monday, July 6, 2020
It's Good Growing Old
Of course, we know the alternative to growing old is not desirable but nonetheless folks who grow long in the tooth can easily fall into that cynical state of finding the downside of lingering. Not this writer. I rebuff the aches, pains and diminished abilities that come along with aging.
Recently, I was pondering some true advantages found in the latter stages of this old man's journey:
1. I believe I make my grandkids 'feel' good programming all my electronic devices. Sure!
2. Some of my clothes are coming back into style...Tie-Dye t-shirts, handkerchiefs and underwear.
3. My kids no longer accuse me of being a hypochondriac.
4. Growing forgetfulness permits me to enjoy old movies and television re-runs more.
5. I've started believing that I look good because so many people tell me so.
6. I have less pressure regarding social events. Can't recall the last time I made New Year's midnight.
7. Elevator music is beginning to remind me of my high school days.
8. No more dance recitals appear on my calendar. (I feared falling asleep and falling out of my seat).
9. My cheekbones appear higher as my jowls keep sagging more. I'll soon look like a Basset Hound.
10. In the year 2020, more people seem awed that I was born in the 1930's.
11. There is a greater probability that I'll be sitting at the next high school class reunion dinner table
with total strangers. (Think about it).
Recently, I was pondering some true advantages found in the latter stages of this old man's journey:
1. I believe I make my grandkids 'feel' good programming all my electronic devices. Sure!
2. Some of my clothes are coming back into style...Tie-Dye t-shirts, handkerchiefs and underwear.
3. My kids no longer accuse me of being a hypochondriac.
4. Growing forgetfulness permits me to enjoy old movies and television re-runs more.
5. I've started believing that I look good because so many people tell me so.
6. I have less pressure regarding social events. Can't recall the last time I made New Year's midnight.
7. Elevator music is beginning to remind me of my high school days.
8. No more dance recitals appear on my calendar. (I feared falling asleep and falling out of my seat).
9. My cheekbones appear higher as my jowls keep sagging more. I'll soon look like a Basset Hound.
10. In the year 2020, more people seem awed that I was born in the 1930's.
11. There is a greater probability that I'll be sitting at the next high school class reunion dinner table
with total strangers. (Think about it).
Sunday, July 5, 2020
Help Me Cipher
Desi often asked Lucy, "Lucy, S'plain it to me!" I have frequently told readers that I am one of slightly above average intelligence although my adversaries will challenge such a self-proclaimed high opinion. Aside from that debate, I would like somebody to 'square' the following comparison scenario:
You, as I have recently seen videos of folks appearing before various community council meetings and before T. V. cameras to vociferously bitch about any cities or States mandating the wearing of face masks to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. Most of those folks have come emotionally unhinged as they pontificate their constitutional rights "to breath naturally" as God intended them to do." (I love when folks assume God is on 'their' side). If these non-mask wearing Christians feel so strongly about their Constitutional INDIVIDUAL rights over those of some elderly gent with a heart condition or a adolescent in treatment for leukemia, then how can these same people deny the INDIVIDUAL rights of a woman to have an abortion, which is her Constituonal right.
Please explain this conundrum to an 81-year old intellectually compromised fella. Now don't start out talking about "baby killing." After all, if the two year old child fighting leukemia dies from your unprotected mouth producing coronavirus droplets, you are likewise a baby killer!
You, as I have recently seen videos of folks appearing before various community council meetings and before T. V. cameras to vociferously bitch about any cities or States mandating the wearing of face masks to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. Most of those folks have come emotionally unhinged as they pontificate their constitutional rights "to breath naturally" as God intended them to do." (I love when folks assume God is on 'their' side). If these non-mask wearing Christians feel so strongly about their Constitutional INDIVIDUAL rights over those of some elderly gent with a heart condition or a adolescent in treatment for leukemia, then how can these same people deny the INDIVIDUAL rights of a woman to have an abortion, which is her Constituonal right.
Please explain this conundrum to an 81-year old intellectually compromised fella. Now don't start out talking about "baby killing." After all, if the two year old child fighting leukemia dies from your unprotected mouth producing coronavirus droplets, you are likewise a baby killer!
Saturday, June 27, 2020
Let The Games Begin
Before you read further, please pause for a moment and consider the discombobulated disconnect of our Nation's approach, guidelines and agreeable methods for dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. The President appointed a medical team task force to study scientific evidence regarding this virus and then ultimately establish protocols for mitigating its spread. The task force did that, the President momentarily joined in concert with the game plan and then suddenly did a 180-degree turn because of the economy ills. Point: The American President called the coronavirus a hoax but has attendees at his rallies sign a waiver exonerating the President should they get infected by a phantom-virus.
Okay, let's fast forward...we are opening our schools if for no other reason but to have a babysitting place to secure kids under adult superivion so mom and dad can go to work. We got all kinds of return to classroom educational learning scenarios. Now when it comes to high school sports, we find everybody scrambling to cover their 'susable asses.' The IHSA recently sent guideline forms to state high schools outlining coaches' responsibilities to monitor and keep student-athletes safe from contracting the virus. Coaches are to check all athletes before all practices and before all games for 'symptoms.' If a athlete has just one symptom they are disqualified from participation and must see their healthcare provider.
Here is that check list: (Athletes are to answer Yes or No)
1) fever/cough/chills/muscle aches
2) sore throat/runny nose/loss taste or smell
3) nausea/vomiting/diarrhea
4) shortness breath/headache
5) close contact w/Covid Person
6) Temperature over 100.4 degrees
Teens will not answer those questions honestly. Does not make teens evil, it makes them teens who see no harm and believe that they are invincible. While coaching basketball at Edwardsville high school in the 1970's, I had a star player breakout with 'Chicken Pox' the morning of a game. He and a friend used talcum powder over exposed body parts to cover up the rash. He played the entire game, took a shower and walked into my office bare-chested showing an unbelievable rash.
So, Illinois is going to attempt opening schools in the fall amidst the pandemic. Lots of luck getting young people who have difficulty understanding the word 'No' to wear a face mask and social distance. They already refuse to put away cell phones during class, take ears buds out or take their cap off in the building.
Two Questions for the high school sport enthusiasts: Can it be rationalized that students wear masks and social distance in classrooms but it will be okay for football players, volleyball players and basketball players discordthe mask and be in extremely close contact? How many parents are going the sign that waiver card during a pandemic?
Okay, let's fast forward...we are opening our schools if for no other reason but to have a babysitting place to secure kids under adult superivion so mom and dad can go to work. We got all kinds of return to classroom educational learning scenarios. Now when it comes to high school sports, we find everybody scrambling to cover their 'susable asses.' The IHSA recently sent guideline forms to state high schools outlining coaches' responsibilities to monitor and keep student-athletes safe from contracting the virus. Coaches are to check all athletes before all practices and before all games for 'symptoms.' If a athlete has just one symptom they are disqualified from participation and must see their healthcare provider.
Here is that check list: (Athletes are to answer Yes or No)
1) fever/cough/chills/muscle aches
2) sore throat/runny nose/loss taste or smell
3) nausea/vomiting/diarrhea
4) shortness breath/headache
5) close contact w/Covid Person
6) Temperature over 100.4 degrees
Teens will not answer those questions honestly. Does not make teens evil, it makes them teens who see no harm and believe that they are invincible. While coaching basketball at Edwardsville high school in the 1970's, I had a star player breakout with 'Chicken Pox' the morning of a game. He and a friend used talcum powder over exposed body parts to cover up the rash. He played the entire game, took a shower and walked into my office bare-chested showing an unbelievable rash.
So, Illinois is going to attempt opening schools in the fall amidst the pandemic. Lots of luck getting young people who have difficulty understanding the word 'No' to wear a face mask and social distance. They already refuse to put away cell phones during class, take ears buds out or take their cap off in the building.
Two Questions for the high school sport enthusiasts: Can it be rationalized that students wear masks and social distance in classrooms but it will be okay for football players, volleyball players and basketball players discordthe mask and be in extremely close contact? How many parents are going the sign that waiver card during a pandemic?
Friday, June 26, 2020
The Turkey Tourney
I assure you readers that should you mention three words, 'The Turkey Tourney' to a Decaturite, they immediately can relate and give you some information about one of the most prestigious Illinois annual invitational prep basketball events. As all Americans, we wait with hope that the coronavirus, which has crippled nationwide sporting events will be negated thus allowing the 51st Annual 8-team roundball throwdown. The Turkey Tourney has produced over 85, Division I basketball players along with NBA notables, Shaun Livingston and Andre' Iguodala. There has also been a plethora of State Championship teams from the likes of Decatur High, Peoria High, Champaign Central, East St. Louis High, Springfield Lanphier, Harvey-Thornton and state contenders, i.e.,. Bolingbrook, Springfield Southeast and soon to be added Peoria Manual.
The week long Turkey Tourney is attended by some 11,000 fans enjoying a 'Homecoming' atmosphere. The event transcends high school basketball as yearly recognitions of Grand Marshals, Volunteers, Decatur Heroes is laced into games, shooting contests and halftime entertainment.
As Tournament Coordinator the past nineteen years, I personally have come to know and admire the goodness of so many corporate and business supporters. I recall the first time I met with our own Decatur administrators and sponsors when I asked them what kind of tournament they wished to have. The said, "The most competitive in the State." We've pushed for that yearly. When I met with Decatur School District's maintenance and custodial staffs I gave them ownership to the event and they spit-shine and put our best foot forward. Decatur Public Schools do the City proud!
I began this blog Series speaking about having a race conversation. I shall close by pointing to the cooperative efforts of our local law enforcement and a Decatur Volunteer group known as 'The Caring Black Men' who join efforts in mentoring and monitoring student-fan interaction and youth behavior during our Tournament Classic.
I can attest to the fact that when people of any and all stripes come together in a shared committed cause, 'they get it right,' and it's always more important to do right and get it right than to be right! If people come together for conversation with such a mindset then true productive conversation will yield significant and meaningful change Good for our America.
The week long Turkey Tourney is attended by some 11,000 fans enjoying a 'Homecoming' atmosphere. The event transcends high school basketball as yearly recognitions of Grand Marshals, Volunteers, Decatur Heroes is laced into games, shooting contests and halftime entertainment.
As Tournament Coordinator the past nineteen years, I personally have come to know and admire the goodness of so many corporate and business supporters. I recall the first time I met with our own Decatur administrators and sponsors when I asked them what kind of tournament they wished to have. The said, "The most competitive in the State." We've pushed for that yearly. When I met with Decatur School District's maintenance and custodial staffs I gave them ownership to the event and they spit-shine and put our best foot forward. Decatur Public Schools do the City proud!
I began this blog Series speaking about having a race conversation. I shall close by pointing to the cooperative efforts of our local law enforcement and a Decatur Volunteer group known as 'The Caring Black Men' who join efforts in mentoring and monitoring student-fan interaction and youth behavior during our Tournament Classic.
I can attest to the fact that when people of any and all stripes come together in a shared committed cause, 'they get it right,' and it's always more important to do right and get it right than to be right! If people come together for conversation with such a mindset then true productive conversation will yield significant and meaningful change Good for our America.
Thursday, June 25, 2020
Leaving Coaching But Not The Game
When I accepted the Stephen Decatur High School basketball position in 1998, I did so amongst rumors that one of the three remaining high schools would close due to declining enrollments. I was told that the city's namesake school would certainly not be closed. It was announced that Stephen Decatur High would close. Why? Local Politics, my Dear Watson, local politics.
I was ready to walk away from the coaching sidelines. When I expressed these intentions to District Administrator, Elmer McPherson, he asked in a sincere and well serving manner that I stay on during the transitional year to avoid turmoil that would come in recruiting wars between MacArthur high school and Eisenhower high school seeking to entice Stephen Decatur High School players. The request was simple, I was to protect Decatur High players returning that were to attend Eisenhower thus avoiding a talent load-up with all going to MacArthur High. I agreed. That first and final year coaching Eisenhower was rather uneventful. I do recall being told that the Annual Decatur Turkey Tournament would be canceled the next year so I telephoned Lincoln Coach Neil Alexander and got the Eisenhower Panthers in their Thanksgiving Tournament for my successor the next year. Within days, I was informed that Decatur garnered enough financial help to save the Tourney one more year. I called Coach Alexander to thank him for offering to 'take us in' but looks like the Decatur folks are okay for one more year. I thought, 'Whatever!'
At the close of the 2000-2001 season, I tendered my resignation letter putting a period behind a thirty-nine year coaching career. It was a wonderful journey and one I would do over in a heartbeat. I was fortunate to have my motivational speaking engagements still viable and my wife, Gerry and I looked forward to that State and National travel. I also conducted three or four IHSA coaching certification clinics annually and that kept me engaged with the coaching profession. Leaving the gym would be fine...so I thought.
It was sometime that late spring when Superintendent Elmer McPherson telephoned asking me to come to his office for a chat. When I arrived at McPherson's office, I was surprised to see School Board Member DR Roberts was also in the mix. Get ready for the 'double-team.' The 'chat' centered around a proposal for me to assume a never before role of Decatur Turkey Tourney Coordinator. The charge? Get eight teams every year and raise local monies to cover tournament cost. My initial answer, "No Thank You." Of course, they asked me to think it over and talk to my wife and I said I would.
I told my wife about the proposal and much to my surprise she said, "Do it. But do it with your conditions." I thought about her comment. 'May conditions?' Umm, money stays in Turkey Tourney account and is spent on boys and girls basketball needs in the School District. We try to help high school coaches with additional revenues. So, I'm suggesting to the school administration that 'if I create a situation, which produces profit, I get to control the expenditures. I had a follow up meeting, offered my proposal and it was met with smiles and agreed upon. Perhaps they believed they were smiling at a fool who thought money could be made off a high school tournament.
Next: Goal: A Prestigious Tourney With Homecoming Atmosphere...19-years Running!
I was ready to walk away from the coaching sidelines. When I expressed these intentions to District Administrator, Elmer McPherson, he asked in a sincere and well serving manner that I stay on during the transitional year to avoid turmoil that would come in recruiting wars between MacArthur high school and Eisenhower high school seeking to entice Stephen Decatur High School players. The request was simple, I was to protect Decatur High players returning that were to attend Eisenhower thus avoiding a talent load-up with all going to MacArthur High. I agreed. That first and final year coaching Eisenhower was rather uneventful. I do recall being told that the Annual Decatur Turkey Tournament would be canceled the next year so I telephoned Lincoln Coach Neil Alexander and got the Eisenhower Panthers in their Thanksgiving Tournament for my successor the next year. Within days, I was informed that Decatur garnered enough financial help to save the Tourney one more year. I called Coach Alexander to thank him for offering to 'take us in' but looks like the Decatur folks are okay for one more year. I thought, 'Whatever!'
At the close of the 2000-2001 season, I tendered my resignation letter putting a period behind a thirty-nine year coaching career. It was a wonderful journey and one I would do over in a heartbeat. I was fortunate to have my motivational speaking engagements still viable and my wife, Gerry and I looked forward to that State and National travel. I also conducted three or four IHSA coaching certification clinics annually and that kept me engaged with the coaching profession. Leaving the gym would be fine...so I thought.
It was sometime that late spring when Superintendent Elmer McPherson telephoned asking me to come to his office for a chat. When I arrived at McPherson's office, I was surprised to see School Board Member DR Roberts was also in the mix. Get ready for the 'double-team.' The 'chat' centered around a proposal for me to assume a never before role of Decatur Turkey Tourney Coordinator. The charge? Get eight teams every year and raise local monies to cover tournament cost. My initial answer, "No Thank You." Of course, they asked me to think it over and talk to my wife and I said I would.
I told my wife about the proposal and much to my surprise she said, "Do it. But do it with your conditions." I thought about her comment. 'May conditions?' Umm, money stays in Turkey Tourney account and is spent on boys and girls basketball needs in the School District. We try to help high school coaches with additional revenues. So, I'm suggesting to the school administration that 'if I create a situation, which produces profit, I get to control the expenditures. I had a follow up meeting, offered my proposal and it was met with smiles and agreed upon. Perhaps they believed they were smiling at a fool who thought money could be made off a high school tournament.
Next: Goal: A Prestigious Tourney With Homecoming Atmosphere...19-years Running!
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Player Suspended Racial Tension High
The 1999 summer basketball play of my second Stephen Decatur squad showed great promise. We returned most of the squad from the year before and players' familiarity the coach's system was finding the much needed comfort zone. We handledvsome better Illinois teams that summer including a highly regard Rock Island squad. Things would take an unfortunate turn at a September 17, 1999 Decatur Inter-City fooltball game. No it wasn't an injury but of all things a fight in the stands...not a very good fight at that. I saw a hellava lot better fights at Parsons Field East St. Louis in 1956. However, when a bunch (seven) Black teenage boys run around amongst White fans throwing wild punches and kicking at each other folks get upset and rightly so. Had the fight taken place in the parking lot it would have been a non-issue.
The punitive fall out was devasting to our basketball fortunes. We (Stephen Decatur High) lost one of our better senior players. Actually, had the player been a junior he would have missed two years because the expulsion for the fighters was two years. Rev. Jessie Jackson seized the moment as he often did to get involve. Jessie was coming to town bringing a bus load of protesters to make a point about excessive penalties. At that time our basketball team under IHSA rules had started practice. The Decatur school administration made a wise choice 'locking-down' high school campuses during Jackson's visit. STOP and put yourself in a coach's shoes. I have a group of Black players who are picking up pieces after losing one of their teammates to a suspension. You got a known prolific hell raiser in Rev. Jackson coming to town. Emotionsvwould be running high and I was not going to let my guys go withoutbsome upfront cautionary mentoring comments. I broke the rules. I called a practice for 6:00 AM during the lock down. Actually, we didn't practice. I had no intention of practicing. Instead I sat my guys down in the bleachers and painted a picture that would soon be in living color that afternoon and evening. I told my players that I understood if they wanted to go to the rally and listen to what was expressed. BUT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should they lose control of their emotions and do something foolish that could compromise their personal academic and athletic standing. These kids needed guidance during this highly emotionally charged moment. Well, I got called out by the administration for 'ignoring' the lockdown edict. How do you plead, Coach? Guilty, Guilty & Guilty, your honor. And sometimes it feels rght to be guilty when those in need benefit.
At the end of the month, I was touring the East Coast with a couple of speaking engagements. I recall an administrator at Thayer Academy in Braintree, Massachusetts asking me if it was commononplace for Illinois schools to suspend students for two-years? I answered, "I can't say, but I hope not."
Next: Close the City's Namesake School, Protect Eisenhower & Turn the Page.
The punitive fall out was devasting to our basketball fortunes. We (Stephen Decatur High) lost one of our better senior players. Actually, had the player been a junior he would have missed two years because the expulsion for the fighters was two years. Rev. Jessie Jackson seized the moment as he often did to get involve. Jessie was coming to town bringing a bus load of protesters to make a point about excessive penalties. At that time our basketball team under IHSA rules had started practice. The Decatur school administration made a wise choice 'locking-down' high school campuses during Jackson's visit. STOP and put yourself in a coach's shoes. I have a group of Black players who are picking up pieces after losing one of their teammates to a suspension. You got a known prolific hell raiser in Rev. Jackson coming to town. Emotionsvwould be running high and I was not going to let my guys go withoutbsome upfront cautionary mentoring comments. I broke the rules. I called a practice for 6:00 AM during the lock down. Actually, we didn't practice. I had no intention of practicing. Instead I sat my guys down in the bleachers and painted a picture that would soon be in living color that afternoon and evening. I told my players that I understood if they wanted to go to the rally and listen to what was expressed. BUT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should they lose control of their emotions and do something foolish that could compromise their personal academic and athletic standing. These kids needed guidance during this highly emotionally charged moment. Well, I got called out by the administration for 'ignoring' the lockdown edict. How do you plead, Coach? Guilty, Guilty & Guilty, your honor. And sometimes it feels rght to be guilty when those in need benefit.
At the end of the month, I was touring the East Coast with a couple of speaking engagements. I recall an administrator at Thayer Academy in Braintree, Massachusetts asking me if it was commononplace for Illinois schools to suspend students for two-years? I answered, "I can't say, but I hope not."
Next: Close the City's Namesake School, Protect Eisenhower & Turn the Page.
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Control Your Response and Mentor
I did not enter the initial year as Decatur High's basketball coach with my head in the sand. I was born at night but it wasn't last night. The year is 1998. I had introductory contact with my team during the summer before the fall semester. Our guys played twice a week in the Lincoln Summer League. As mentioned, my team was comprised of all Black ball players. Their coach is a 58-year old totally whiteheaded White guy. I sensed during early contact that I would be tested...I could not wait. It was a fun honeymoon during the summer but things soon changed as a rigid highly intense formal practice routine began. That's when the first opportunity to establish parameters and non-negotiable expectations.
At no time in my coaching career did allow my players to run-off at the mouth in practice. I've always believed you will play as you practice and I'm convinced there will be game-slippage so keep your damn mouth shut and play hard or leave and take your trash-talking bullshit elsewhere. It took one lecture and several suicide-runs to stop the calling one another "nigger." I spell out that word once and once only because I want you to look at it and see it for what it is. I'll explain my belief: The two greatest forces in the world yesterday and today remain the same, they are Hate and Love. Not money, not power. Nothing is so strong as Hate and Love. That said, I truly believe the "N" word is one of the words, which profoundly expresses hate. My players were never permitted to use the "N" word in my presence. I find it self-loathing and used by people with low self-esteem. I don't buy it that the use of the 'N' word between Blacks is 'just their thing.' Bullshit. It's disgusting and perpetuates self-loathing and hate. It needs to be eradicated.
The Stephen Decatur High School floor plan was perfect with the secured foyer adjacent to the gym. Athletes could wait after practice in the area for rides home out of any inclement weather. For whatever reason, those athletes were told to avoid that area and leave the building after practice via the South end. During the fall sports seasons, I observed this rule loosely enforced if enforced at all. Come winter time, I got repeated administrative notes that my players were NOT to wait in the galleria-gym foyer. I got tired of the obvious call out of my guys after seeing what took place in the fall and asked the administration if there were also certain water fountains and restrooms my guys were not to use? The administration got my message and stopped puting notes in my mailbox about my players exiting the school after practice from the foyer.
That first season, we lost a one point game on the road against an all white school. The three game officials were white. As I entered our locker room after the game, I noticed one of my players beating the locker and screaming in anger. I approached him and spoke. He was complaining that our team was cheated because of 'color.' I would not argue the fact that close calls went the other way but I was concerned with how my player was processing. I sat him down and reviewed the game stats pointing out various missed opportunities that could have changed the outcome. Opportunities 'in our control.' I told him that regardless of racial factors when you play on the road you are looking at a six point deficit at the start. I admonished him for reaching for that 'color-crutch.' It's too easy, too convenient and too crippling. Don't do it.
Next: Heartbreak loss of a player to suspension and mentoring my players to cope with emotional racial issues.
At no time in my coaching career did allow my players to run-off at the mouth in practice. I've always believed you will play as you practice and I'm convinced there will be game-slippage so keep your damn mouth shut and play hard or leave and take your trash-talking bullshit elsewhere. It took one lecture and several suicide-runs to stop the calling one another "nigger." I spell out that word once and once only because I want you to look at it and see it for what it is. I'll explain my belief: The two greatest forces in the world yesterday and today remain the same, they are Hate and Love. Not money, not power. Nothing is so strong as Hate and Love. That said, I truly believe the "N" word is one of the words, which profoundly expresses hate. My players were never permitted to use the "N" word in my presence. I find it self-loathing and used by people with low self-esteem. I don't buy it that the use of the 'N' word between Blacks is 'just their thing.' Bullshit. It's disgusting and perpetuates self-loathing and hate. It needs to be eradicated.
The Stephen Decatur High School floor plan was perfect with the secured foyer adjacent to the gym. Athletes could wait after practice in the area for rides home out of any inclement weather. For whatever reason, those athletes were told to avoid that area and leave the building after practice via the South end. During the fall sports seasons, I observed this rule loosely enforced if enforced at all. Come winter time, I got repeated administrative notes that my players were NOT to wait in the galleria-gym foyer. I got tired of the obvious call out of my guys after seeing what took place in the fall and asked the administration if there were also certain water fountains and restrooms my guys were not to use? The administration got my message and stopped puting notes in my mailbox about my players exiting the school after practice from the foyer.
That first season, we lost a one point game on the road against an all white school. The three game officials were white. As I entered our locker room after the game, I noticed one of my players beating the locker and screaming in anger. I approached him and spoke. He was complaining that our team was cheated because of 'color.' I would not argue the fact that close calls went the other way but I was concerned with how my player was processing. I sat him down and reviewed the game stats pointing out various missed opportunities that could have changed the outcome. Opportunities 'in our control.' I told him that regardless of racial factors when you play on the road you are looking at a six point deficit at the start. I admonished him for reaching for that 'color-crutch.' It's too easy, too convenient and too crippling. Don't do it.
Next: Heartbreak loss of a player to suspension and mentoring my players to cope with emotional racial issues.
Monday, June 22, 2020
Shifting Gears..Same Challenges
Twenty-one coaching years at Jacksonville was an incredible 'run.' I was blessed with a perfect alignment of stars: a wonderful supportive administration, loyal assistants, dedicated/talented/trusting players and a community that loved its basketball. I had peripheral opportunities such as serving the athletic director, serving the IHSA as Television analyst for the State Basketball Tournament, serving as the IHSA as National Liason for the ASEP Coach Certification Program and hosting WLDS Radio programs all of which, promoted the Jacksonville community, Jacksonville high school and myself. Did I say, I was blessed?!
In 1998, I believed it was time to retire from the coaching sidelines. My wife, Gerry and I were looking to re-locate in a city environment, which felt like home, 1950's, East St. Louis. You ask why not East St. Louis? Simple. I can't go home. It's no longer safe for anybody. The National Council for Home Safety ranks East St. Louis as America's most dangerous city. The last time I drove through my old neighborhood and down my memory lanes, I was greeted with looks of hate and contempt. Sure it pissed me off. Nobody there knows my story. But nobody there cares because to them I represent 'White Flight' and just as so many 'Whites' racially profile Blacks, I was also being racially profiled. I was being looked at as something I am not. And so it is that some things 'cut both ways.'
The Blacks that occupy East St. Louis today and my generation that inhabited the city years past are both victims of East St. Louis being the bastard child of St. Louis as deemed so by East Coast money men who built St. Louis but designed the East Side city for its dirty factories, stockyards, railroads, race tracks, gambling parlors and whore houses. Our town was the sin city for St. Louis.
In 1998, I was doing many speaking presentations in State and nation wide. My wife and I liked the interstate connection choices in either Springfield or Decatur, which still kept us at reasonable travel distances from our three married children and grandkids. I was contacted by a Decatur school administrator and asked to visit about a basketball vacancy at Stephen Decatur High. Obviously, it triggered an interest so I interviewed. Driving into Decatur, I noticed a sign at the city limits, which read "Racism>Not Here." I pointed it out to my wife and said, "Decatur has racial issues." She replied, "Well, don't most cities?" The Decatur position had opened under unfortunate circumstances, which created more racial tensions, at least within the school district. Sure the hell intrigued me...find a place to call home. We did just that and 22-years later, we still call Decatur home.
I knew immediately that there would be interesting coaching challenges that first Stephen Decatur basketball season when I placed in the school announcements that our first week of practice would be
held at 5:30 AM all week. My assistant coach told me that SOME faculty members were making fun of me saying "those"'kids won't show up at 5:30 in the morning. I immediately called two mothers of Black players and shared the perspective. The mothers' response, "What time you want the boys there, Coach? "5:30AM." 13-players (1-White & 12-Black) were on the floor five straight days at 5:30AM. I sure do like facing challenges, bridging gaps and callin' out crap.
Next: equality of scrutinization.
In 1998, I believed it was time to retire from the coaching sidelines. My wife, Gerry and I were looking to re-locate in a city environment, which felt like home, 1950's, East St. Louis. You ask why not East St. Louis? Simple. I can't go home. It's no longer safe for anybody. The National Council for Home Safety ranks East St. Louis as America's most dangerous city. The last time I drove through my old neighborhood and down my memory lanes, I was greeted with looks of hate and contempt. Sure it pissed me off. Nobody there knows my story. But nobody there cares because to them I represent 'White Flight' and just as so many 'Whites' racially profile Blacks, I was also being racially profiled. I was being looked at as something I am not. And so it is that some things 'cut both ways.'
The Blacks that occupy East St. Louis today and my generation that inhabited the city years past are both victims of East St. Louis being the bastard child of St. Louis as deemed so by East Coast money men who built St. Louis but designed the East Side city for its dirty factories, stockyards, railroads, race tracks, gambling parlors and whore houses. Our town was the sin city for St. Louis.
In 1998, I was doing many speaking presentations in State and nation wide. My wife and I liked the interstate connection choices in either Springfield or Decatur, which still kept us at reasonable travel distances from our three married children and grandkids. I was contacted by a Decatur school administrator and asked to visit about a basketball vacancy at Stephen Decatur High. Obviously, it triggered an interest so I interviewed. Driving into Decatur, I noticed a sign at the city limits, which read "Racism>Not Here." I pointed it out to my wife and said, "Decatur has racial issues." She replied, "Well, don't most cities?" The Decatur position had opened under unfortunate circumstances, which created more racial tensions, at least within the school district. Sure the hell intrigued me...find a place to call home. We did just that and 22-years later, we still call Decatur home.
I knew immediately that there would be interesting coaching challenges that first Stephen Decatur basketball season when I placed in the school announcements that our first week of practice would be
held at 5:30 AM all week. My assistant coach told me that SOME faculty members were making fun of me saying "those"'kids won't show up at 5:30 in the morning. I immediately called two mothers of Black players and shared the perspective. The mothers' response, "What time you want the boys there, Coach? "5:30AM." 13-players (1-White & 12-Black) were on the floor five straight days at 5:30AM. I sure do like facing challenges, bridging gaps and callin' out crap.
Next: equality of scrutinization.
Saturday, June 20, 2020
Dispelling Street Myths
I think it is reasonable that a racial minority individual representing less than 6% of a community population of 20, 000 people just might be subjected to a defeatist, 'what's the use,' attitude. An attitude supported by some real events from the past and mythical unsubstantiated beliefs whispered over the fence and perpetuated by crutch-passing-out street talk.
Regardless of race, ethnicity or religious beliefs, adults are wise to warn their children/young people about cultural and social realities. However, often times those warnings are distorted over time because of the embellishment of unsubstantiated beliefs. Let me share two examples, which came to light during my Jacksonville coaching tenure: A young adult Black man who had played basketball years before at Jacksonville high school became comfortable with our friendship and one day surprise me with a question. "Coach, he asked, I'm going to ask you a question and I hope it doesn't offend you. Do some White parents offer Jacksonville coaches money or perks to play their son?" Pause and consider the fact that this notion of 'pay-to-play' from White parents had to be a street perpetuated message yet how the hell can one automatically dismiss it as never happening. I don't know the real history of any school's coaching-parent relationships. And furthermore just the social closeness parents and coaches might have certainly could present a picture of suspicion. On a personal note this is the very reason I refused house party invitations during the basketball season except from my coaching staff members, administrators or the team support professionals, i.e., medical personnel. Why? Because I am everybody's coach in a community and I wanted not to give the impression that some people had greater access to me than others.
I can support my belief that Street talk can be a hurdle for a minority to negotiate with the following: Jamie Berkeley and Randall McGee were two Black players who were nurtured through our elementary program into the high school arena. They were traveling with me to a summer basketball event when Jamie said to Randall, "Doc, I'm gunna tell coach want we were talkin'' about earlier." Doc (Randall) said, "Go ahead, he should know." Then Jamie spoke, "Coach, as a Black boy growing up in Jacksonville it takes to about your junior year to find out that the White coach ain't gunna do you wrong." A sad reality readers...a very sad reality. My response to Jamie and Randall,
"I wish everytime that statement was made to a young boy by an older person that the person making that claim had hard proof along with a playing background." I was glad to have this kind of input from my players because it helped me in future communications.
Let me dismiss an old coaching myth: 'I treat all my players the same.' No, I didn't! Make no mistake I had the SAME expectations and rules for all my players but I purposely got to know their individual background so I could better engage each player. I suppose conducting nearly 4,000 practices, I've taped over 10,000 ankles. Each time I had that taping moment with a player I asked questions; not basketball questions but inquiries about family; mother, father, siblings and grandparents. Those answers gave me insight and a blueprint for individual engagement. Not every family goes on vacations, own automobiles or live in big houses. Some households are in turmoil and I needed that information to better understand my guys and communicate with them.
As a faculty member, I was called out once by an assistant principal as the instructor who has not written a student referral in three years. I did not feel the need to defend my record because I was comfortable with my philosophy. Most student rules-offenders are borderline academic students and really don't want to be in school. Whether the student was White or Black if I caught them offending, I called their parent or guardian rather than write a referral, which would lead to a suspension. Sure, you take a chance that some parent will be defensive but I was loaded for that push-back...never happend. My approach, 'keep'em in school and make do right!'
My great good fortune in Jacksonville was the administration and the media. I envisioned from day one in Jacksonville to see four things become a school staple: 1) The establishment of a All Sport JHS Hall--of-Fame Induction, 2) A Hall-of-Fame Room at the JHS Bowl, 3) A West-Central Illinois All-Star Annual Basketball Charity Game and 4) A West Central Illinois Student-Athlete Scholar Awards Program. As I shared these ideas with administrators and enlisted the support of media all was accomplished and stand today as Annual staples. Each event brings folks together to celebrate our shared goodness. Talk about winning!
Ps. During my twenty-one year-tenure in a community of approximately 6% Black, some 41% of Jacksonville varsity basketball teams was comprised of Black players.
Next: Going to Decatur Like Going Home ..."Racism? Not Here! Yeah, Right!"
Regardless of race, ethnicity or religious beliefs, adults are wise to warn their children/young people about cultural and social realities. However, often times those warnings are distorted over time because of the embellishment of unsubstantiated beliefs. Let me share two examples, which came to light during my Jacksonville coaching tenure: A young adult Black man who had played basketball years before at Jacksonville high school became comfortable with our friendship and one day surprise me with a question. "Coach, he asked, I'm going to ask you a question and I hope it doesn't offend you. Do some White parents offer Jacksonville coaches money or perks to play their son?" Pause and consider the fact that this notion of 'pay-to-play' from White parents had to be a street perpetuated message yet how the hell can one automatically dismiss it as never happening. I don't know the real history of any school's coaching-parent relationships. And furthermore just the social closeness parents and coaches might have certainly could present a picture of suspicion. On a personal note this is the very reason I refused house party invitations during the basketball season except from my coaching staff members, administrators or the team support professionals, i.e., medical personnel. Why? Because I am everybody's coach in a community and I wanted not to give the impression that some people had greater access to me than others.
I can support my belief that Street talk can be a hurdle for a minority to negotiate with the following: Jamie Berkeley and Randall McGee were two Black players who were nurtured through our elementary program into the high school arena. They were traveling with me to a summer basketball event when Jamie said to Randall, "Doc, I'm gunna tell coach want we were talkin'' about earlier." Doc (Randall) said, "Go ahead, he should know." Then Jamie spoke, "Coach, as a Black boy growing up in Jacksonville it takes to about your junior year to find out that the White coach ain't gunna do you wrong." A sad reality readers...a very sad reality. My response to Jamie and Randall,
"I wish everytime that statement was made to a young boy by an older person that the person making that claim had hard proof along with a playing background." I was glad to have this kind of input from my players because it helped me in future communications.
Let me dismiss an old coaching myth: 'I treat all my players the same.' No, I didn't! Make no mistake I had the SAME expectations and rules for all my players but I purposely got to know their individual background so I could better engage each player. I suppose conducting nearly 4,000 practices, I've taped over 10,000 ankles. Each time I had that taping moment with a player I asked questions; not basketball questions but inquiries about family; mother, father, siblings and grandparents. Those answers gave me insight and a blueprint for individual engagement. Not every family goes on vacations, own automobiles or live in big houses. Some households are in turmoil and I needed that information to better understand my guys and communicate with them.
As a faculty member, I was called out once by an assistant principal as the instructor who has not written a student referral in three years. I did not feel the need to defend my record because I was comfortable with my philosophy. Most student rules-offenders are borderline academic students and really don't want to be in school. Whether the student was White or Black if I caught them offending, I called their parent or guardian rather than write a referral, which would lead to a suspension. Sure, you take a chance that some parent will be defensive but I was loaded for that push-back...never happend. My approach, 'keep'em in school and make do right!'
My great good fortune in Jacksonville was the administration and the media. I envisioned from day one in Jacksonville to see four things become a school staple: 1) The establishment of a All Sport JHS Hall--of-Fame Induction, 2) A Hall-of-Fame Room at the JHS Bowl, 3) A West-Central Illinois All-Star Annual Basketball Charity Game and 4) A West Central Illinois Student-Athlete Scholar Awards Program. As I shared these ideas with administrators and enlisted the support of media all was accomplished and stand today as Annual staples. Each event brings folks together to celebrate our shared goodness. Talk about winning!
Ps. During my twenty-one year-tenure in a community of approximately 6% Black, some 41% of Jacksonville varsity basketball teams was comprised of Black players.
Next: Going to Decatur Like Going Home ..."Racism? Not Here! Yeah, Right!"
Friday, June 19, 2020
'Moose's' Charge Put to the Test
Resigning from the Edwardsville basketball job after seven seasons was easy for one reason, I was constantly presented hurdles. The District charged me $200.00 a week to conduct summer "Tiger Pride Basketball Camps." The District took away coaches gym keys, which I never understood. The back-biting continued and it was obvious that I needed to step away.
The Jacksonville basketball position suddenly came open and the rest was history as they say. I was very familiar with Jacksonville and their administration was likewise familiar with me. My Edwardsville teams were a fixture in the Crimsons' Mid-Winter Tournament, a tournament our Edwardsville teams won five out of seven years.
The Jacksonville interview was done on 'the fly' one Friday afternoon on my way to umpire a weekend Western Illinois University baseball series. I visited at length with the athletic director and assistant superintendent for instruction, met the assistant superintendent for finance and the superintendent. All were cordial and the spoken and subliminal message was clear, 'What do you need to build a competitive basketball program?' I had struck Gold: summer camp programs> Go! Elementary basketball league> Go! I could bring in three hand-picked assistants>Go! There were some added incentives and as I stood to leave the interview, the assistant superintendent said, "By the way, we will give you keys to the gym." How 'bout that sports' fans?!
The 1977 Jacksonville high school enrollment was approximately 1250 students with an African- American number of less than 200 students. Jacksonville, however always had some outstanding Black athletes. I recall names like Ike Wright, Crest Whitacre, Merritt Norvell and Ken Norton. I rented an apartment the summer of 1977 while my wife remained in our Collinsville home before our family mover to Jacksonville. Aside from conducting a camp, I spent time surveying the socio-economic layout of the community. I wanted to come to understand and appreciate the peripheral towns feeding the school district i.e., Murrayville and Woodson and I wanted to get an overview of South Jacksonville, Jacksonville and the Northeast part of the community, which was primarily a Black housing area. I immediately knew what had to be done.
Once the family was settled into our South Jacksonville home, my sophomore son, Steve began making personal contacts with the roster names of returning players and he made a daily visit to Minnie Barr Park in the Northeast section where Blacks hooped nightly. My only advise to Steve, "Keep your mouth shut and let your game and hard play talk."
The school district administration supported my concept to have every one of the eight elementary feeder schools host fall league basketball games. I wanted young 5th and 6th grade boys (white and black) 'to 'see' all parts of their community. You gotta start 'coming together' sometime, someplace. In time our high school basketball program began reaping the fruits of the elementary League. I would also in time convince Bruce Surratt, Jacksonville Park Superintendent to see if we could construct a nice basketball court at Community Park which is in the center of town. I envisioned a racial mixture of youth playing on such a court. It happend when Bruce got the Pilot Club to sponsor the $8,000.00 project.
Phase one completed, I turned attention to other program builders to benefit more than basketball youngsters...all the while meeting the racial issues head on! I was on the mission I always dreamed.
Ps. I was in a wonderful position taking the Jacksonville head basketball job because I was permitted to bring three assistant coaches on board. Along with Ken Hickman, whom I brought from Edwardsville, I brought in a former Mason City player of mine, John Conklin and a SIUE basketball graduate, Sam Holmes. I had watched Holmes as a player and his personal mannerisms. I liked what I saw. Oh, by the way, Sam Holmes was the first Black man on a Jacksonville staff to my knowledge. It was time...the strong not-so-subtle messages had been sent to all.
Finally, I had the chance my ISU athletic director, 'Moose' Hancock said, "Make your job bigger than ever and your successor will have big shoes to fill meeting new standards. In education that means kids are the benefactors." If you address the racial factors then the entire community benefits.
Next: Dispelling Racial Street Myths
The Jacksonville basketball position suddenly came open and the rest was history as they say. I was very familiar with Jacksonville and their administration was likewise familiar with me. My Edwardsville teams were a fixture in the Crimsons' Mid-Winter Tournament, a tournament our Edwardsville teams won five out of seven years.
The Jacksonville interview was done on 'the fly' one Friday afternoon on my way to umpire a weekend Western Illinois University baseball series. I visited at length with the athletic director and assistant superintendent for instruction, met the assistant superintendent for finance and the superintendent. All were cordial and the spoken and subliminal message was clear, 'What do you need to build a competitive basketball program?' I had struck Gold: summer camp programs> Go! Elementary basketball league> Go! I could bring in three hand-picked assistants>Go! There were some added incentives and as I stood to leave the interview, the assistant superintendent said, "By the way, we will give you keys to the gym." How 'bout that sports' fans?!
The 1977 Jacksonville high school enrollment was approximately 1250 students with an African- American number of less than 200 students. Jacksonville, however always had some outstanding Black athletes. I recall names like Ike Wright, Crest Whitacre, Merritt Norvell and Ken Norton. I rented an apartment the summer of 1977 while my wife remained in our Collinsville home before our family mover to Jacksonville. Aside from conducting a camp, I spent time surveying the socio-economic layout of the community. I wanted to come to understand and appreciate the peripheral towns feeding the school district i.e., Murrayville and Woodson and I wanted to get an overview of South Jacksonville, Jacksonville and the Northeast part of the community, which was primarily a Black housing area. I immediately knew what had to be done.
Once the family was settled into our South Jacksonville home, my sophomore son, Steve began making personal contacts with the roster names of returning players and he made a daily visit to Minnie Barr Park in the Northeast section where Blacks hooped nightly. My only advise to Steve, "Keep your mouth shut and let your game and hard play talk."
The school district administration supported my concept to have every one of the eight elementary feeder schools host fall league basketball games. I wanted young 5th and 6th grade boys (white and black) 'to 'see' all parts of their community. You gotta start 'coming together' sometime, someplace. In time our high school basketball program began reaping the fruits of the elementary League. I would also in time convince Bruce Surratt, Jacksonville Park Superintendent to see if we could construct a nice basketball court at Community Park which is in the center of town. I envisioned a racial mixture of youth playing on such a court. It happend when Bruce got the Pilot Club to sponsor the $8,000.00 project.
Phase one completed, I turned attention to other program builders to benefit more than basketball youngsters...all the while meeting the racial issues head on! I was on the mission I always dreamed.
Ps. I was in a wonderful position taking the Jacksonville head basketball job because I was permitted to bring three assistant coaches on board. Along with Ken Hickman, whom I brought from Edwardsville, I brought in a former Mason City player of mine, John Conklin and a SIUE basketball graduate, Sam Holmes. I had watched Holmes as a player and his personal mannerisms. I liked what I saw. Oh, by the way, Sam Holmes was the first Black man on a Jacksonville staff to my knowledge. It was time...the strong not-so-subtle messages had been sent to all.
Finally, I had the chance my ISU athletic director, 'Moose' Hancock said, "Make your job bigger than ever and your successor will have big shoes to fill meeting new standards. In education that means kids are the benefactors." If you address the racial factors then the entire community benefits.
Next: Dispelling Racial Street Myths
Thursday, June 18, 2020
Whites Also Play 'The Race Card.'
Please pay attention to the first two-paragraphs. You might wish to read them twice.
High school sports brings with it athletes' parents and in the main that's a wonderful thing. School extra-curricular programs need supportive parents who communicate to School Board Members the need for financial and facilities support. However, make no mistake, you and I have never met a mother who gave birth to 'failure' or a father whose procreative loin-powers were substandard. That said, many parents who think their child is not treated fairly by the coach might decide to embrace a mission from hell to vent anger or 'Get the Coach.'
There are two kinds of sports' programs: 1) Individual and 2) Team. The individual sports' competition, ie, wrestling, tennis, cross country, track and swimming are examples of the individual proving to be worthy to represent the team based on better times, scores or one-on-one victories over teammates., which removes the coach's subjective evaluations. The team sports, ie., baseball, football, basketball and volleyball beg the mentor (coach) to make subjective evaluations to determine who 'makes' the team and who 'plays' in the contests. I recall one player's father yelling at me from the stands, "Roustio, Put in your First Five!" This dad's 'first five' was his son and any other four players. KEEP THESE ABSOLUTE FACTORS IN MIND READING FORWARD.
In my thirty-nine years coaching, I have been dissed and demeaned by some Black parents and family members who would claim that I'm unfair and perhaps prejudice. However, more frequently, I've had some White parents play those 'cloak 'n dagger' attack games towards me using the 'race- favoritism-card' to stir the unrest and discord. The latter happened frequently during my seven-year Edwardsville coaching tenure. At first, it was disheartening and frustrating, however in a short period of time the attacks stirred my competitive juices. I was determine to protect our basketball program and my players. I took the gloves off and called out every bogus claim with the messenger and administration.
My first season at Edwardsville 1970-71, we finished 13-14. We were lead by a 6'2" freshman whose brother the year before moved from Edwardsville to Collinsville. I thought it was prudent to keep this young, shy freshman kid on the junior varsity team to remove undue fan scrutinization, which would certainly come at the varsity level. I had no choice but to elevate the youngster to the varsity starting lineup after he scored 20-points per the first three JV games. This day, June 2020, the youngster remains Edwardsville' individual all-time leading scorer withover 1,800 points.
It could have been jealousy, anger over his brother's move the year before or simply bigotry that caused late night anonymous telephone calls and a voice calling me a "Ni^*er Lover." It could have been a parent pissed off that their kid did not play ahead of others or did not play at all. Your guess is as good as mine. I would also have my athletic director stop by practice ocassionally in a rather bad mood saying that the principal had a telephone call from a school board member who had a telephone call from a parent stating "Roustio's Black players are not going to practice." The athletic director was told to check it out . On another occasion, my principal entered a practice and was livid. He wanted me to know that a school board member got a telephone call from a parent who said, "One of Roustio's top players (and he called him by name; another minority player) had drugs in his locker." The principal said he told the board member that if he wanted to accompany him to inspect 1,800 student lockers he would but he would not be checking out one basketball players locker. This type of cheap allegations went on for some time. I kept my assistants informed of these harassment tactics but never hinted such issues with players. This all happened in year one. Finally, I called the Administration out. My surpeiors would never disclose names of the people who called school board members; always maintaining "those were confidential communications." You know, you can take crap for so long and then call an end to it. Mid season that first year, I called my principal one morning and told him that I was resigning immediately. He was shocked and said, "I will have a substitute teacher for your morning classes and meet you and the Superintendent and School Board President at Central Office in one hour." I called my assistant and informed him to join the meeting. I actually had no intention of resigning but these anonymous ambush tactics were going to end. As the meeting began, I asked one question: I want the names of people calling school board members with these untrue accusations. The school board President said, "We can't give those names." Sliding my school keys across the table towards the Superintendent, I said, "Here's my keys, Collinsville comes in Friday night andvyoull need a new head coach. I'm going to the newspapers in the Metro-East and telling them I resigned because I've been accused constantly of showing favoritism to my Black players." The Superintendent knew what the fallout would be and turned to the Board President and said, "Time to name names!" I got the names, grabbed my keys, stood to leave and said, "See you fellas at the game Friday."
Ps...For the record...Seven Year Edwardsville tenure:
Basketball> Wins-108 Loses>83
7-Invitational Titles
Sweet 16 Finalist 1976, which broke a 20-year drought
Cross Country> 28-consecutive dual meet victories (school record)
2-State Final Appearances
1-SWC Title
A wealth of material from experiences to Pen a book (99-Answers for the Sport Parent), which was endorsed by IESAand the IHSA. Later developed into speaking presentations for school districts' athletic-family consisting of coaches-parents-student athletes.
High school sports brings with it athletes' parents and in the main that's a wonderful thing. School extra-curricular programs need supportive parents who communicate to School Board Members the need for financial and facilities support. However, make no mistake, you and I have never met a mother who gave birth to 'failure' or a father whose procreative loin-powers were substandard. That said, many parents who think their child is not treated fairly by the coach might decide to embrace a mission from hell to vent anger or 'Get the Coach.'
There are two kinds of sports' programs: 1) Individual and 2) Team. The individual sports' competition, ie, wrestling, tennis, cross country, track and swimming are examples of the individual proving to be worthy to represent the team based on better times, scores or one-on-one victories over teammates., which removes the coach's subjective evaluations. The team sports, ie., baseball, football, basketball and volleyball beg the mentor (coach) to make subjective evaluations to determine who 'makes' the team and who 'plays' in the contests. I recall one player's father yelling at me from the stands, "Roustio, Put in your First Five!" This dad's 'first five' was his son and any other four players. KEEP THESE ABSOLUTE FACTORS IN MIND READING FORWARD.
In my thirty-nine years coaching, I have been dissed and demeaned by some Black parents and family members who would claim that I'm unfair and perhaps prejudice. However, more frequently, I've had some White parents play those 'cloak 'n dagger' attack games towards me using the 'race- favoritism-card' to stir the unrest and discord. The latter happened frequently during my seven-year Edwardsville coaching tenure. At first, it was disheartening and frustrating, however in a short period of time the attacks stirred my competitive juices. I was determine to protect our basketball program and my players. I took the gloves off and called out every bogus claim with the messenger and administration.
My first season at Edwardsville 1970-71, we finished 13-14. We were lead by a 6'2" freshman whose brother the year before moved from Edwardsville to Collinsville. I thought it was prudent to keep this young, shy freshman kid on the junior varsity team to remove undue fan scrutinization, which would certainly come at the varsity level. I had no choice but to elevate the youngster to the varsity starting lineup after he scored 20-points per the first three JV games. This day, June 2020, the youngster remains Edwardsville' individual all-time leading scorer withover 1,800 points.
It could have been jealousy, anger over his brother's move the year before or simply bigotry that caused late night anonymous telephone calls and a voice calling me a "Ni^*er Lover." It could have been a parent pissed off that their kid did not play ahead of others or did not play at all. Your guess is as good as mine. I would also have my athletic director stop by practice ocassionally in a rather bad mood saying that the principal had a telephone call from a school board member who had a telephone call from a parent stating "Roustio's Black players are not going to practice." The athletic director was told to check it out . On another occasion, my principal entered a practice and was livid. He wanted me to know that a school board member got a telephone call from a parent who said, "One of Roustio's top players (and he called him by name; another minority player) had drugs in his locker." The principal said he told the board member that if he wanted to accompany him to inspect 1,800 student lockers he would but he would not be checking out one basketball players locker. This type of cheap allegations went on for some time. I kept my assistants informed of these harassment tactics but never hinted such issues with players. This all happened in year one. Finally, I called the Administration out. My surpeiors would never disclose names of the people who called school board members; always maintaining "those were confidential communications." You know, you can take crap for so long and then call an end to it. Mid season that first year, I called my principal one morning and told him that I was resigning immediately. He was shocked and said, "I will have a substitute teacher for your morning classes and meet you and the Superintendent and School Board President at Central Office in one hour." I called my assistant and informed him to join the meeting. I actually had no intention of resigning but these anonymous ambush tactics were going to end. As the meeting began, I asked one question: I want the names of people calling school board members with these untrue accusations. The school board President said, "We can't give those names." Sliding my school keys across the table towards the Superintendent, I said, "Here's my keys, Collinsville comes in Friday night andvyoull need a new head coach. I'm going to the newspapers in the Metro-East and telling them I resigned because I've been accused constantly of showing favoritism to my Black players." The Superintendent knew what the fallout would be and turned to the Board President and said, "Time to name names!" I got the names, grabbed my keys, stood to leave and said, "See you fellas at the game Friday."
Ps...For the record...Seven Year Edwardsville tenure:
Basketball> Wins-108 Loses>83
7-Invitational Titles
Sweet 16 Finalist 1976, which broke a 20-year drought
Cross Country> 28-consecutive dual meet victories (school record)
2-State Final Appearances
1-SWC Title
A wealth of material from experiences to Pen a book (99-Answers for the Sport Parent), which was endorsed by IESAand the IHSA. Later developed into speaking presentations for school districts' athletic-family consisting of coaches-parents-student athletes.
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Coaching 'Colors.'
The first twenty-two years of my life was spent living in East St. Louis, attending college in Bloomington, Illinois and working summers and June 1961-to-June 1962 in St. Louis, Missouri.
Without question, that heterogeneous life exposed me to a broad multi-cultural experience of facts, fiction, realities, myths, misconceptions and a whole helluva lot of suspicious attitudes. I discovered that everybody holds preconceived notions (attitudes) about any and all folks who look, think and behave differently than them and theirs. It's all anchored in 'ethonocentrisim,' which is a belief that my culture is better than your culture. That said, everybody held prejudice attitudes, to some degree about their groups. The only way to breakdown and overcome these attitudes was having an open-mind and interacting with others. But as the old football coach told his team, "You gotta wanna!"
My first five years coaching placed me in rural communities of Assumption and Mason City, Illinois. In such communities, you don't hear or see racial interactions except for ocassional comments. During my three head basketball coaching seasons at Mason City, I was blessed with committed and talented players. Obviously, I wanted them to be challenged playing better competition. Many larger school coaches i.e., Quincy's Sherrill Hanks rejected my invitation to schedule a game insisting, "Mel, Quincy has everything to lose playing a smaller Mason City." Finally, I convinced long-time East St. Louis Lincoln Coach Earl 'Tree' Harris to bring his all-black Tigers' team to all white Mason City. As a kid growing up in East St. Louis, I played against Coach Harris' Lincoln High teams and later in my coaching career, I would coach both Tree's sons, Dean and Hank. The contest between Mason City and EstL. . was a barn-burner before a packed house of white-faces. A significant 1966 social moment in time for inner-city black teens and rural white kids. Both Coaches got what they wanted from the night and it was more than a basketball game.
Following two years at Assumption and three years at Mason City, my next coaching stop was that larger school opportunity in Washington, Illinois, which is an upper middle class white populated bedroom community to the greater Peoria area. You guessed it, no black student-athletes but frequent competition versus the racially-mixed inner-city schools across the Illinois river. After a three year Washington high school stint the Edwardsville high school basketball / cross country positions came available. And the stars were aligned. The basketball coaching success at Mason City coupled with the Washington large school experience and known by Edwardsville assistant superintendent, former Coach, Joe Lucco placed me at the head of the applicant list. Now the racial factor would enter this coach's journey for the next thirty-one years.
I accepted Edwardsville's coaching offer for the 1970-71 school year. It was rumored that my predecessor had a few racial issues. Obviously, I was told stories but never concerned myself pursuing authenticity. I did verify that an outstanding Black player the year before had left the Edwardsville's program moving to nearby rival school Collinsville. Perhaps that culminated in the coaching vacancy. I do know that on the evening of my Edwardsville interview with three school board members and the assistant superintendent, I was asked by one board member, "Do you think you can coach the black player?" My first thought was 'are you shittin' me?' I answered, "Well, let me say, I will coach anybody from any racial, religious or socio-economic background; it makes no diffence just as long as the youngster commits to the program expectations." Another follow up question came from another board member, "How would you summarize those program commitments?" I said, "Be on time, pay attention and play hard...and I'm talking PRACTICE."
The questions asked during that interview suggested there might be some truth to the rumor about racial issues the year before.
Next: I would discover how white parents can 'play-the-race-card' against the Coach.
Without question, that heterogeneous life exposed me to a broad multi-cultural experience of facts, fiction, realities, myths, misconceptions and a whole helluva lot of suspicious attitudes. I discovered that everybody holds preconceived notions (attitudes) about any and all folks who look, think and behave differently than them and theirs. It's all anchored in 'ethonocentrisim,' which is a belief that my culture is better than your culture. That said, everybody held prejudice attitudes, to some degree about their groups. The only way to breakdown and overcome these attitudes was having an open-mind and interacting with others. But as the old football coach told his team, "You gotta wanna!"
My first five years coaching placed me in rural communities of Assumption and Mason City, Illinois. In such communities, you don't hear or see racial interactions except for ocassional comments. During my three head basketball coaching seasons at Mason City, I was blessed with committed and talented players. Obviously, I wanted them to be challenged playing better competition. Many larger school coaches i.e., Quincy's Sherrill Hanks rejected my invitation to schedule a game insisting, "Mel, Quincy has everything to lose playing a smaller Mason City." Finally, I convinced long-time East St. Louis Lincoln Coach Earl 'Tree' Harris to bring his all-black Tigers' team to all white Mason City. As a kid growing up in East St. Louis, I played against Coach Harris' Lincoln High teams and later in my coaching career, I would coach both Tree's sons, Dean and Hank. The contest between Mason City and EstL. . was a barn-burner before a packed house of white-faces. A significant 1966 social moment in time for inner-city black teens and rural white kids. Both Coaches got what they wanted from the night and it was more than a basketball game.
Following two years at Assumption and three years at Mason City, my next coaching stop was that larger school opportunity in Washington, Illinois, which is an upper middle class white populated bedroom community to the greater Peoria area. You guessed it, no black student-athletes but frequent competition versus the racially-mixed inner-city schools across the Illinois river. After a three year Washington high school stint the Edwardsville high school basketball / cross country positions came available. And the stars were aligned. The basketball coaching success at Mason City coupled with the Washington large school experience and known by Edwardsville assistant superintendent, former Coach, Joe Lucco placed me at the head of the applicant list. Now the racial factor would enter this coach's journey for the next thirty-one years.
I accepted Edwardsville's coaching offer for the 1970-71 school year. It was rumored that my predecessor had a few racial issues. Obviously, I was told stories but never concerned myself pursuing authenticity. I did verify that an outstanding Black player the year before had left the Edwardsville's program moving to nearby rival school Collinsville. Perhaps that culminated in the coaching vacancy. I do know that on the evening of my Edwardsville interview with three school board members and the assistant superintendent, I was asked by one board member, "Do you think you can coach the black player?" My first thought was 'are you shittin' me?' I answered, "Well, let me say, I will coach anybody from any racial, religious or socio-economic background; it makes no diffence just as long as the youngster commits to the program expectations." Another follow up question came from another board member, "How would you summarize those program commitments?" I said, "Be on time, pay attention and play hard...and I'm talking PRACTICE."
The questions asked during that interview suggested there might be some truth to the rumor about racial issues the year before.
Next: I would discover how white parents can 'play-the-race-card' against the Coach.
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