Personally, I view Thanksgiving two ways: It is a special day when family and love ones can gather to celebrate the bountiful blessings from our Lord God, Creator of goodness and Grace.
Secondly, I pause with acknowledgment that this Thanksgiving tradition also signifies the historical time when a bunch of 'refugees' DID begin to annihilate a native group.
Thank God those Indians did not build a wall or vote to put us back on the Mayflower.
Happy Thanksgiving, may God bless.
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
The Way We Were
My East St. Louis youth Thanksgiving recollections date back to the 1940's and 1950's. It was a tradition-rich predictable day. Please note that those years did not offer high school football State Playoffs. Therefore, the East St. Louis high school 'Flyers' and Belleville-West Township high school 'Maroons' met for a season-ending contest. This football match up often decided the Southwestern Conference Title.
Naturally, the games was hosted by one of the two rivals. No matter where, a crowd in excess of 10,000 fans crammed together, regardless of weather, to cheer their respective teams. The Wednesday before this Thanksgiving football contest was a special school rally day for each school. The Belleville students called the rally, 'Hobo Day.' The East Side kids referred to that rally as 'Pep Day.'
Automobiles, not floats were decorated in school colors and paraded ceremoniously up and down the Belleville 'hill' near Edgemont...a border area between the two cities. Sometimes those parades became a tad bit continuous.
Before the East Side students headed out for parade activities,,we assembled in the school auditorium for a 'talent show.' Let me state unequivocally, East Side had some incredible singers, dancers and musicians. They all showed their stuff!
After the game, which East usually won. My family congregated at Grandma Roustio's house deep in the Washington Park area. Great food, especially pies. When I was very young, we wait later into the evening to hear a traditional broadcast from the North Pole where Santa Clause was telling us about his impending trip. When I was a high school age teen, I prepared for the annual Football Formal Dance. We are 'talking' FORMAL. The 'Football Queen' coronation was held and we danced till midnight at the Shriners' Ainad Temple.
As Archie said, "Those was the days!"
Naturally, the games was hosted by one of the two rivals. No matter where, a crowd in excess of 10,000 fans crammed together, regardless of weather, to cheer their respective teams. The Wednesday before this Thanksgiving football contest was a special school rally day for each school. The Belleville students called the rally, 'Hobo Day.' The East Side kids referred to that rally as 'Pep Day.'
Automobiles, not floats were decorated in school colors and paraded ceremoniously up and down the Belleville 'hill' near Edgemont...a border area between the two cities. Sometimes those parades became a tad bit continuous.
Before the East Side students headed out for parade activities,,we assembled in the school auditorium for a 'talent show.' Let me state unequivocally, East Side had some incredible singers, dancers and musicians. They all showed their stuff!
After the game, which East usually won. My family congregated at Grandma Roustio's house deep in the Washington Park area. Great food, especially pies. When I was very young, we wait later into the evening to hear a traditional broadcast from the North Pole where Santa Clause was telling us about his impending trip. When I was a high school age teen, I prepared for the annual Football Formal Dance. We are 'talking' FORMAL. The 'Football Queen' coronation was held and we danced till midnight at the Shriners' Ainad Temple.
As Archie said, "Those was the days!"
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
This Girl Lived That Life
The last season Bill Self was coaching the Fighting Illini basketball team, he was attending the Decatur Turkey Tournament, which was held on the Millikin University campus at the Griswold Center. This particular year, Self was hot on the trail of Shaun Livingston who was playing for Peoria High. I was coordinating the tournament and sitting at press row (Courtside) with Self and my wife (Gerry) during the Saturday night title contest.
The gymnasium was packed and all attending were being entertained by the nip n' tuck game between Peoria and Bartonville Limestone high school. With approximately three minutes remaining in a tied game, my wife, Gerry leaned around Self to tell me she was leaving and she'd see me when I got home. A startled Bill Self looked at me then turned and addressed Gerry, "You're kidding! Surely, you are going to stay and see how this thing (game) turns out?" Calmly and matter-of-factly Gerry spoke to Self, "Bill, I've seen hundreds of these games and I know how it's going to turn out. One coach's wife is going to have a fun relaxing Sunday and another coach's wife is in for a miserable Sunday!"
When Self stopped laughing, he said, "Lady that may be the best line I've ever heard from a coach's wife."
The gymnasium was packed and all attending were being entertained by the nip n' tuck game between Peoria and Bartonville Limestone high school. With approximately three minutes remaining in a tied game, my wife, Gerry leaned around Self to tell me she was leaving and she'd see me when I got home. A startled Bill Self looked at me then turned and addressed Gerry, "You're kidding! Surely, you are going to stay and see how this thing (game) turns out?" Calmly and matter-of-factly Gerry spoke to Self, "Bill, I've seen hundreds of these games and I know how it's going to turn out. One coach's wife is going to have a fun relaxing Sunday and another coach's wife is in for a miserable Sunday!"
When Self stopped laughing, he said, "Lady that may be the best line I've ever heard from a coach's wife."
Monday, November 23, 2015
Great Game Inspite of ...
The IHSA boys' basketball season begins this week. Across the State, small towns and city schools will begin the five month grind. These kids will play 28-30 games while completing nearly 100 practice sessions.
There are prime time players, reserves who play significant roles and a few bench guys who see little action. All have ownership to the team. Sitting in the stands are a variety of folks. You will find the old time basketball buff, the parents and relatives of band members, cheerleaders and Pom teams and of course, many parents and some grandparents of players.
I am reminded of the military mother who was present at her son's parade-review. Her son is out of step as his squad passes the review stand and the mother notices something differently, "I wish the rest of those boys would get into step with my boy."
I am reminded of a parent of one of my players who would yell at games, "Roustio, put your first team in!" That parents first team was HIS kid and any four others to my liking.
The coach will be criticized for playing the wrong kids, using the wrong offense or defense, playing too fast or too deliberate. From the top of the bleachers the coaching job looks easy. It's always easy doing a job for which you are NOT held accountable. However, if that coach is successful teaching his guys to play to their strengths, teaching players to believe in each other and trust the coach, the team will likely play to its potential and have an enjoyable experience.
One common denominator is shared by every high school basketball coach. After every game at about 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning the coach will roll over in bed a briefly wake up. He will quickly recall a win or loss...never fails.
There are prime time players, reserves who play significant roles and a few bench guys who see little action. All have ownership to the team. Sitting in the stands are a variety of folks. You will find the old time basketball buff, the parents and relatives of band members, cheerleaders and Pom teams and of course, many parents and some grandparents of players.
I am reminded of the military mother who was present at her son's parade-review. Her son is out of step as his squad passes the review stand and the mother notices something differently, "I wish the rest of those boys would get into step with my boy."
I am reminded of a parent of one of my players who would yell at games, "Roustio, put your first team in!" That parents first team was HIS kid and any four others to my liking.
The coach will be criticized for playing the wrong kids, using the wrong offense or defense, playing too fast or too deliberate. From the top of the bleachers the coaching job looks easy. It's always easy doing a job for which you are NOT held accountable. However, if that coach is successful teaching his guys to play to their strengths, teaching players to believe in each other and trust the coach, the team will likely play to its potential and have an enjoyable experience.
One common denominator is shared by every high school basketball coach. After every game at about 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning the coach will roll over in bed a briefly wake up. He will quickly recall a win or loss...never fails.
Friday, November 20, 2015
Growing Up...not always fun
Today, my wife and I will travel to the Chicago Northwest Suburbs. We have made this jaunt dozens of times over many years. Always enjoy that trip because we see grandchildren, our daughter, Dawn and her husband, Shawn. Their home offers a busy schedule with seven of our 15 grandchildren holding court.
Today will be a much more somber occasion. Our son-in law's eighty-six year old mother's wake visitation brings our family together. LaLa, as the kids call her lived nearby and has always been a fixture at those gatherings. It will be a sad day; a particularly sad day for grandkids.
We all become so comfortable enjoying warm relationships. We give little thought to this end of life experience. We wish our love relationships could last forever but life longs for itself and begs the question.
The most difficult aspect of today's gathering will be the 'coming of age death experience' for young grandchildren. Harsh reality rules the day. Disney World and ball games seem far away.
Today will be a much more somber occasion. Our son-in law's eighty-six year old mother's wake visitation brings our family together. LaLa, as the kids call her lived nearby and has always been a fixture at those gatherings. It will be a sad day; a particularly sad day for grandkids.
We all become so comfortable enjoying warm relationships. We give little thought to this end of life experience. We wish our love relationships could last forever but life longs for itself and begs the question.
The most difficult aspect of today's gathering will be the 'coming of age death experience' for young grandchildren. Harsh reality rules the day. Disney World and ball games seem far away.
Thursday, November 19, 2015
...the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Shame on us. Shame on our non-acceptance of refugees. More than two dozen Republican Governors have said they shall refuse refugees. This attitude exposes two things about our Nation: (1) We purport to be a Christian Nation but fail to walk the walk of Jesus Christ and (2) We have some shamefully sad leaders.
I simply make this point asking the question: Do those state Governors who wish to ban refugees think for a moment that refugees in a neighboring state might find it easy going from state to state in our 'free' society? Of course, never mind that in the first place those sad-ass Governors DO NOT have the power or authority to impose such bans. OMG...how stupid!
It appears that a few GOP folks favor allowing 'Syrian-Christian' refugees into America but not non-Christians. This GOP continues to cloak itself in racist rhetoric. Just give it some time and these same cold-hearted souls will be talking about protecting the unborn.
I simply make this point asking the question: Do those state Governors who wish to ban refugees think for a moment that refugees in a neighboring state might find it easy going from state to state in our 'free' society? Of course, never mind that in the first place those sad-ass Governors DO NOT have the power or authority to impose such bans. OMG...how stupid!
It appears that a few GOP folks favor allowing 'Syrian-Christian' refugees into America but not non-Christians. This GOP continues to cloak itself in racist rhetoric. Just give it some time and these same cold-hearted souls will be talking about protecting the unborn.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
America's Greed Prevails
In most sports, the total package of the athlete combines both the measurable and immeasurable factors impacting sports' performance. Those measurable factors would include size (height/weight), fast twitch muscle explosiveness (speed/quickness/vertical), agility, flexibility, lung capacity and nutritional relationship to performance objectives.
Of course, we could present a litany of immeasurable elements playing some role in sports' performance. For the sake of typing space, I wish to offer one significant immeasurable sports performance factor and then make my point, therefore you can get on with important life issues.
Immeasurable, as used here, means too extreme to measure. My immeasurable athletic factor is 'game intelligence.' Smart execution of game plans can and often do negate the differential of 'team talents.' College coaches can recruit the physical and/or mental factors they value. High school coaches must play the DNA talent from their school boundaries. That said, I assessed my talent yearly and then embraced the mental/game smartness as I sold that approach to my players.
The frustrating thing about being a sport purest today is the rules makers keep changing rules to please the novice fan and create television revenue payoffs. Most recently, the college basketball rules makers have again shortened the shot clock-time to create a faster pace game with higher scores. Therefore, if you are a University of Wisconsin basketball fan, you might want to attend more movies this winter. If you are the parent of a fat-butt, slow-moving high school player, hoping your kid is going to receive an athletic scholarship, you may wish to check out a nearby Junior College.
The good news is even if your kid is dumb as a sack of rocks your boy/girl still gets a free ride as long as the kid runs like the wind and has bunny hops.
Of course, we could present a litany of immeasurable elements playing some role in sports' performance. For the sake of typing space, I wish to offer one significant immeasurable sports performance factor and then make my point, therefore you can get on with important life issues.
Immeasurable, as used here, means too extreme to measure. My immeasurable athletic factor is 'game intelligence.' Smart execution of game plans can and often do negate the differential of 'team talents.' College coaches can recruit the physical and/or mental factors they value. High school coaches must play the DNA talent from their school boundaries. That said, I assessed my talent yearly and then embraced the mental/game smartness as I sold that approach to my players.
The frustrating thing about being a sport purest today is the rules makers keep changing rules to please the novice fan and create television revenue payoffs. Most recently, the college basketball rules makers have again shortened the shot clock-time to create a faster pace game with higher scores. Therefore, if you are a University of Wisconsin basketball fan, you might want to attend more movies this winter. If you are the parent of a fat-butt, slow-moving high school player, hoping your kid is going to receive an athletic scholarship, you may wish to check out a nearby Junior College.
The good news is even if your kid is dumb as a sack of rocks your boy/girl still gets a free ride as long as the kid runs like the wind and has bunny hops.
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