Reflecting on Three Decades

Well, today's the day. I have, indeed, turned the big 3-0. Three decades. That's a long time! Thinking of this milestone has caused me to reflect on some of the biggest events of these first three decades. Things that come to mind, in chronological order:

In 1989, my mom and I became members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I don't think I fully appreciated the significance of that milestone until I got older. To say it's been a tremendous blessing and had a wonderful impact on shaping the person I am would be a huge understatement.

In May of 1997, I graduated from South Greene High School, the co-valedictorian of my class, no less. I say that not to brag so much as to prove that, if I can do it, anyone can with some effort and determination. I was nowhere near the smartest kid in my class, but I'd guess I put in more work than the other kids.

In August 1997, I began my adventures at the University of Tennessee. I can safely say those were the best years of my life to date. It was also at this time that I met Carrie, my roommate, who shockingly enough, is STILL my roommate! She's been a great friend and confidant, and we've shared some good laughs over a decade. Kelly and Jenny were also part of the good times back in those days, but alas, through it all, the original roommates are still roommates. It would be impossible to list all the memories from those years in one blog.

In May 2001, our fun times in Knoxville came to an end, as we graduated from the College of Communications. Seven years later, I still find myself longing for football Saturdays and having all my meals available at the swipe of a card. I don't, however, miss the busy work and writing research papers! Somehow I managed to be the top graduate in the College of Communications in the Spring 2001 commencement. I'll refer back to my comments about high school graduation to explain that feat. I'm telling you, if I can do it, anyone can!

Just a few days after our graduation, we hit the road to move to Orlando. This was no small move since most everyone who grows up in Greeneville, Tennessee, STAYS in Greeneville, Tennessee! I've missed my family every day since then, but it's proved to be a great decision. I've matured a lot living so far away, and I'm proud of the self-reliance it has fostered. And hey, let's be honest, if you're going to move away from home, Orlando's a pretty cool place to be. :-)

Of course there are a million other things that have happened over the course of three decades, but those are the biggies. Certainly along the way I've met some wonderful people who have been tremendous friends and mentors and played a significant part in my life. I'm grateful for each and every one of you!

I've been remarkably blessed in these first 30 years. God has truly been good to me and my family. Here's hoping my "next 30 years" (as the great philosopher Tim McGraw sings) will go just as well, if not better. I've experienced much, but there's MUCH more to come. I look forward to the journey!

"Free Soccer" Abounds

Growing up in the South, I'm not much of a soccer fan, and I've never made any secret of that fact. However, I have to say, I saw some exciting soccer this weekend at our conference's women's soccer tournament.

A total of five matches comprised the tournament, and all five went into overtime. Four of the five went to double-overtime, with three of those ending in penalty kick shootouts. Kudos to Saint Leo's senior goalkeeper, Lauren Hudson, who not only held her own TWICE against the firing squad, but also converted one of the PKs herself in Sunday's final. That would be the equivalent of sending your pitcher out to take bats in the home run derby. Unreal!

In addition to the thrillers, we were treated to spectacular weather for this weekend's tournament. Beautiful blue skies and sunshine were the backdrop for some exciting games. So, even though I had to watch three soccer matches in two days, and even though the last of those three kept me out of church, all-in-all, I'd say we had a pretty good event.

Election Night Thoughts

As I sit here watching Barack Obama and his "blue states" dominate the election coverage, a number of thoughts come to mind. I shall pose a number of questions, some of them at the risk of coming across as a racist:

1.) Does anyone else find it comical that we have a live remote from Kenya when, in reality, Obama's Kenyan father had essentially no role in his upbringing?

2.) Does it require a math major to figure out that Obama is the same percentage white as he is black?

3.) If you're the McCain campaign, and you know you're fighting a losing battle, why would you not feel compelled to match the phone campaign of Obama's party?

4.) How did we survive before these high tech, touch screen, color coded maps?

5.) How can Charlie Gibson and the ABC crew call a state for either candidate when the writing at the bottom of the screen indicates that only one percent of the ballots have be counted?

The Deed is Done

Well, my pink slip proved to be prophetic when I posted it on Saturday night. I will admit, though, that I didn’t expect an announcement – if there were one – to come until after the season.

I’ve been very vocal in my discontent with Phil Fulmer and the direction of the Tennessee football team this season. I’ll stand by that. Nevertheless, it’s a sad day for Tennessee athletics. It’s sad that a man who has cemented his status in Volunteer football lore had to go out on such a bitter note.

However, it’s also sad that Fulmer couldn’t adjust his strategies to the current environment of college football. It’s further sad that his teams have shown a gross lack of discipline, both on the field and off, for at least five years.

Anyone who has followed Tennessee athletics over the years has come to associate Fulmer and Pat Summitt with the Big Orange. The difference between the two is that Pat has been smart enough to adjust her approach and her schemes as women’s basketball has evolved. She recruits a different type of player now than she did when she won her first title in 1987.

Unfortunately, Fulmer didn’t display that same adaptability. He kept recruiting the same type of player and calling the same plays that succeeded when the Vols won the national title 10 years ago. The problem is, the rest of the college football world has moved on to a different style of play and differently skilled athletes. So when Tennessee took the field against the Floridas and Alabamas of the world, they were at a glaring disadvantage before the coin was even flipped.

I can understand why Fulmer’s players were upset that their coach was being dismissed. I sure would have like to have seen that same fire before now, though. Where was all that bottled up passion before yesterday’s press conference? Maybe if these guys had taken the field with that same level of energy and determination, things never would have come to this point.

I could go on and on, but the bottom line is, I think the decision was the right one. I’m not necessarily a fan of UT AD Mike Hamilton. But I think he got this one right. When you reach a point where you’re always saying, “Well, next year…,” there comes a time when you have to stop and assess why “next year” keeps getting pushed back yet again.

Is it scary to think Tennessee football could join the frustrated ranks of Nebraska and Michigan, who are stuck in mediocrity since making tough coaching changes? Absolutely. The Big Orange faithful can only hope we don’t find ourselves in the same mess. However, we’ll never know what may lie ahead until we count our losses and move forward.

I recall another not-so-distant controversial decision by Hamilton to fire men’s basketball coach Buzz Peterson. The Vols weren’t bad under Peterson. In fact, they were quite decent by Tennessee men’s basketball standards at that time. My how those standards have changed since a guy named Bruce Pearl rolled into town. No one with a fragment of a brain would dispute the rejuvenation that new coach brought.

Here’s hoping yesterday’s move is the first step toward a Pearlesque revival for Tennessee football. Only time will tell.

Nuff Said

SEC Beatdowns Continue

What in the world do we have to do to get an exciting SEC showdown these days?! Every Saturday, we get excited over a match-up that has the makings of a great game, only to see it evolve into a lopsided blowout.

Georgia pounded Alabama. Georgia stomped LSU. Florida whooped LSU. Florida whipped Georgia.

I'd be all for an exciting game once in a while. I mean, I'm out of shape, but I think my heart can take it.

Speaking of blowouts, as I type this post, South Carolina is up 14-0 on Phil Fulmer's hapless Vols. That's encouraging. If Tennessee's pitiful offense can overcome a 14-point deficit, I'll be beyond shocked.

Just Pat Being Pat

My admiration for Pat Summitt is well chronicled, and Friday, I read something in a write-up that perfectly proved why.

It is true I grew up idolizing the Lady Vols. And it is true that Pat Summitt is the winningest coach in all of collegiate basketball. But alas, those aren't the only reasons for my admiration. I have always had the utmost respect for Pat as a person...someone who has tremendous character.

The following story, written by my ABSOLUTE favorite Lady Vol beat write, Maria M. Cornelius, illustrates this point perfectly:

Summitt was a tad late to practice Thursday, but it was for good reason.

When arriving for a scheduled appointment she noticed a senior citizen in the four-story parking garage. After leaving her appointment shortly thereafter she saw the same woman. The layout of the garage was such that it was confusing if the person forgot the parking level or got off on the wrong floor.

Summitt stopped her car, introduced herself and offered to help find the woman’s car. The woman, grateful for the help, told Summitt that she knew who she was and got in the passenger seat.

“I didn’t want her to be afraid if she didn’t recognize me,” Summitt said. “She’d be afraid to get in the car. She was walking up and down inside the garage. She reminded me of my mother.”
Summitt drove through the garage until they found the vehicle, and then the coach scooted to practice.

Folks, this woman is not only one of the best coaches to ever hold the title. She's a tremendous human being who has always remained true to her modest Tennessee upbringing.