9/11: The day my world changed

As published in the Hillsdale Daily News on Sept. 11, 2009

Sept. 11, 2001 was the day evil became real to my heart and the day I came to better understand my own worldly mortality.

I remember sitting in my 11th-grade government class that day wondering how an empire such as ours could be so vulnerable to such a sickening reality, one that kept playing over and over on the television screen.

Until that day, history lessons on Pearl Harbor and the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and test questions about Nazis and gas chambers were completely black and white to me, simply text and pictures that failed to evoke much of a response.

On that day, and in the weeks that followed, I started to understand the history of our country and of the world in a much more vivid, tempestuous way.

More importantly for my own well being though I learned to find hope in the words of my Bible, because I realized no human understanding of the tragic events would be enough to satisfy the longing my soul had for immediate answers.

Only God could understand the motives of religious extremists who plotted against innocent people and only His promise that things will one day be different in a New Jerusalem, in a wonderful heaven, made any sense to me.

I genuinely believe there is a reason church attendance skyrocketed in the two years following the attack on the World Trade Center — and the logic behind the increase is the realization that we all hope there is something better than the agony and indignation this world throws at us sometimes.

Bodies scattered in the midst of ashes and two mammoth structures crumbling to the  ground seemed to tear off our invincibility cloaks and it allowed our nation to see its own distorted worldview.

The unforgettable images of the devastating blitz on U.S. soil and the prayers I was a part of changed some of my focus.

Sure I still played video games, yeah I still whined about doing chores and other petty nuances (and I still do both) but the suffering of many caused me to think about how I could help my fellow brother and sister on a daily basis; through my time, through a listening ear and through my service.

There are defining moments that shake, make or break the human character and spirit.

It’s during those times we must decide whether to be strong or weak, to be a help or a hindrance, to be a victim or a survivor.

9/11 changed the course of U.S. history, it left hundreds of thousands of people mourning and it left me searching for hope.

I found it, but I also found out the real world will never totally satisfy my soul.

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Column: Listen here, 6th is just fine

I love fans of all types, but have a special place in my heart for those who drink so much of their team's Kool-Aid that they are constantly buzzing about how they are the greatest program on earth, even if they haven't won a conference championship in two decades.

They are the fan who brings up an undefeated team from 50 years ago to try and prove a point, they are the kind of individual who grades referees based on two certain numbers on the scoreboard.

You can find these fans most everywhere (if you don't count Ford Field on an NFL game day) and as I am finding out, Hillsdale is no exception.

Just because the college is full of quick-witted, perceptive people doesn't mean they are immune to some of the common effects of being fans who talk with the hearts instead of their minds.

In fact, it is such a tight-knit community with steadfast views and biases that it's almost harder to find the casual fan amongst the several hundred current diehards and thousands of alums who drool at the mention of anything Hillsdale.

For the most recent exhibit of this irrational, scatterbrained behavior I should thank the contingent of GLIAC football coaches.

Within hours of a press release coming out announcing the Chargers had been picked as the sixth best team in the conference I saw several examples of foolhardy fandom.
Andy Losik, a former Charger who has a Rudy-like story to tell, has a blog at Chargerblue.com, a place that has become known as a place for Hillsdale College faithful to gather.

He couldn't help but go crazy about a middle-of-the-pack pick for his old team.

He posted a story titled "Different year, same crappy pick by the GLIAC coaches" which begins with this: "Once again I post what I consider one of the most useless pieces of annual information, the GLIAC Pre-Season coaches' poll."

Wait a second? So worthless that you found it newsworthy, took the time to rant about it and are trying to convince me it's wrong?

If it means nothing then show me so with careful analysis from previous preseason polls and the final standings that says so. If it means nothing than explain to me why the Chargers lost to four of the five teams ahead of them last season.

The ex-player turned blogger is not alone though.

Just an hour after I saw that post I ran into someone who has worked at the college for more than a decade — and mind you, they don't work in the athletic department.

I asked them what they thought about the team being picked sixth. Their response? A dropped jaw and vindictive eyes.

When I pointed out they lost to Ashland, Michigan Tech, Wayne State and Grand Valley the pundit explained that three of them were road losses and the only one that was decided prior to the final minutes was against the conference champs.

Ok, so what happens if they beat a few of those teams this year at home and lose to other teams away from home? Is every loss away from home and by less than 10 points not really a loss? Moral victories are fraudulent, just ask every coach who's every lost his job.

Needless to say, that five minute conversation decided nothing, it only proved that true fans see the cup three-quarters full when it's really half empty.

What I have decided in the past 24 hours though is that being picked sixth isn't a slam, it isn't something to burn your GLIAC media guides over. Sixth is where the Chargers finished last year, and the Chargers have only finished in the top five of the conference once since the turn of the century.

In four sentences that let the past have a voice and give the future a reason I can understand why conference coaches put the Chargers where they did.

Grand Valley and Ashland are ranked in the top 10 nationally — enough said.

Michigan Tech was picked third and returns 19 starters from an 8-3 team that nearly made the D-II playoffs and Wayne State was fourth and they return a veteran offensive line and senior running back Joique Bell, who owns the school career records for rushing yards (4,644), rushing touchdowns (59), points (384) and all-purpose yards (5,663).

Saginaw Valley State is one slot above the Chargers and could pull a few surprises after finishing last season by winning five of its last six games and they return D-II's leading tackler (John Jacobs) and an experienced QB who threw for over 2,000 yards.

Thus, the Chargers, who lost their two most devastating weapons, Tom Korte and Aaron Waldie, and have a starting quarterback who is known to be a bit fragile, are put right below a handful of exceptional teams, nothing to get too worked up about.

I have my opinions about the coaches poll as well, but I will not write off the wisdom of the guys calling the shots and game-planning against the teams they voted for.

The truth is we will all know if the coaches were right or wrong by Oct. 10 after the Chargers host Grand Valley. Then they will have played Michigan Tech, Ashland and the Lakers and the results will speak for themselves.

Then I will consider listening to what blue-and-white crazies have to say, but for now I'll wait for official practices to begin, I'll see what the conference standings look like and I won't put too much stock into what I hear, only what I see.

I enjoy a good debate, but I don't like it when people cry over spilt milk whenever they haven't even been served.

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What the public puts in they will certainly get out

Not exactly a SPORTS piece, but recreation is close. Just a quick editorial that ran in the HDN on July 24, urging the public to do something themselves if they want improved facilities and opportunities.

The five-year joint recreation plan the city of Hillsdale and Hillsdale Township are embarking on together is more than just a chance to take inventory of what we have and what the future holds in terms of parks and recreation.

It is an opportunity to work together as a community for the common good and make a lasting impact on the appearance and value of our area.

We all know that local budgets are as tight as Saran wrap and massive overhauls are but a laughable proposition, but that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to have a voice, be positive during a time of too many negatives, and try to do something other than play the blame game.

Some of the local parks are beginning to look like antique yards, many people complain there’s not enough variety in the recreation offerings around here and we get asked questions about sports complexes and the possibility of a skate park all the time.

Our response to that banter?

Call the city or township, fill out the public surveys they are handing out in regards to the joint recreation plan and show up when they host a public forum.

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Foul call needs plenty of review: Sandy Koufax League spat gets uglier than needed

A column of mine that recently ran in the HDN and garnered several strong reactions.

There were three undefeated teams, two district bids available, and only one man to make the decision.

When you factor in the presence of parents and coaches of 13- and 14-year old baseball players and understand that a volunteer of a local rec league had few blueprints or rules to guide him through the decision-making process, you can understand how things could get messy.

Aaron Blair and Kevin Butters, a pair of baseball coaches for the undefeated Homer team in Hillsdale's Sandy Koufax League, have gone public with their cry of injustice — a cry that revolves around their opinion they were snubbed from postseason play without due cause.

They cannot fathom that their group of boys was passed over for two other teams with spotless records, without so much as a phone call or chance to state their case.

And they certainly don't understand why there is no "forfeit rule," when a team no-shows because they can't field a full squad. Instead of being held responsible and taking a loss, the team that cancels is off the hook as if the game was never set to happen.

Blair and Butters' team was ready to take on the Hillsdale and Jonesville boys, but struck out looking when both teams cancelled the scheduled contests.

Interestingly enough though, Jonesville and Hillsdale had plenty of guys in gear for July 8 when they happily accepted their district invites, without once having to take the field against Homer.

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Tickets for tokens: The quest for a summer of Midwest sports for $100 or less

Cuts are being made all over the place.

In offices and factories, with budgets and loans, and to the hearts of many Americans who are struggling to pay their utility bills, let alone find extra cash to have some fun.

This is a juncture in our country's history where resourcefulness is at a premium and people are looking for cheap pick-me-ups more than ever.

Lucky for area sports fans, I've found a summer solution that is easy on the pocketbook, full of adventure and requires only an Internet connection.

I decided to budget myself $100 to go to professional and college sporting events from now until the middle of September, while going no further than Columbus or Indianapolis.

With online resources such as StubHub.com, StubSearch.com, Ebay and Craigslist it's basically a "Google-me-a-ticket" world, where the nimble fingered take charge.

With this I want to prove that having a good time doesn't always mean sending your savings account to Haddes  and I also want to remind you of just how many great sporting venues we have within a three-and-a-half hour ride.

Here is my itinerary for a fantastically sportarific summer. Feel free to hop on board.

July 7: Louisville Bats at Toledo Mudhens Price: $9
Location: Lower level behind bullpen
Source: Mudhen’s box office
There's no better way to keep tabs on up-and-coming Tigers than to hit up gorgeous Fifth Third Field in downtown Toledo. And the way things are going this year you may even get a chance to see the likes of a Dontrelle Willis, Clete Thomas or Marcus Thames. Although the way things are going, watching Willis pitch is kind of like watching your dog get hit by a a car.

July 11: Cleveland Indians at Detroit Tigers
Price: $10 for two
Location: Right field grandstand
Source: StubHub
This is possibly the steal of the bunch. At just five bucks a pop for lower level tickets close to concessions and restrooms you can't go wrong. That's why I'm grabbing two of these. My wife isn't a sports fan, although I'm working on it. But she loves getting a good tan and likes hanging out with me, or at least she pretends to.

July 18: Real Salt Lake at Columbus Crew (MLS soccer)
Price: $10 for two
Location: Upper sidelines
Source: Ebay
The Americans beat Spain, oh my word! American soccer is soaring to new heights.....wrong. There's a reason you can get a pair of tickets to the best soccer in America for the same price as a medium pizza. I personally appreciate some quality fútbol though, and I'll take my grandpa in Columbus with me to guarantee a good time.

July 19: Syracuse Chiefs at Columbus Clippers
Price: $10
Location: Lower level, third base
Source: Clippers’ box office
If I'm going to travel to Columbus, why do a hit-and-run? Instead I'll check out some more Triple-A action, with the Yankees farm team playing host. Plus I am a Brighton High School alum and still fondly remember Drew Henson striking out three times a game for this club.

August 7: Charlotte Knights at Indianapolis Indians
Price: $10 for two
Location: Box seats
Source: Craigslist
After taking a few weeks off and resigning to my couch and big-screen for my sports fix I'm back on the road.
More International League Triple-A ball is my fancy. I was able to find a season ticket holder on Craigslist who apparently could find better things to do with his money than watch baseball. I can't. That's why I'm taking my old college roomy who lives in Indianapolis out for a night on the town.

August 15: Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions (Preseason)
Price: $8
Location: Lower level end zone
Source: StubSearch.com
I know it's the preseason, and believe me, I know it's the Detroit Dandelions, but still it's NFL football for $8 with a good view to boot. I'm headed here to get a first-person perspective on the QB battle and to get autographs before the players start getting hated on and return the favor to the so-called "fans."

August 19: Seattle Mariners at Detroit Tigers
Price: $8
Location: Lower level bleachers
Source: StubHub
Seeing Ken Griffey Jr. and his tantalizingly beautiful follow-through at the plate is worth the price of admission by itself. Plus in the middle of August Ichiro may appear more as a mirage than a person on the base paths and in centerfield in the smoldering heat. One Tigers game a summer is the equivalent of watching only the first in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Once you've got a taste you surely must go back for more. Thus, here I come Comerica.

September 5: Toledo at Purdue football
Price: $6
Location: Home end zone
Source: StubHub
Marching bands, tailgating, warpaint and Big Ten action all for the cost of doing a load at the local laundromat? Toledo took advantage of a Wolverine tailspin in 2008 to pull a major stunner, and the Boilermakers are a team who graduated its starting quarterback, top two receivers and all-purpose yardage leader from a year ago. I'm not predicting anything, but for six bucks I'll take a chance that Toledo could provide a wild and crazy time in West Lafayette.

September 12: Central Michigan at Michigan State football
Price: $18
Location: Visitors end zone
Source: StubHub
With $29 still to spare I decided to splurge. For less than $20 I'm treating myself to a more intriguing contest then most people realize. The Chippewas are lead by Hesiman trophy candidate Dan Lefevour at QB and like it or not Wolverine fans, the Spartans are the state's most talented team in 2009. Given that I'm an NMU alum maybe I'll even give Tom Izzo a call and trade stories about jumping off dorm roofs into the snow.

There you have it, $89 for nine sporting events, three with friends. With the extra $11 I can buy a foam finger, splurge on the super ultimate supremely stale ballpark nachos, complete with discolored olives, or just stash it away for next summer.

To keep costs at a bare minimum I recommend eating ramen noodles or hitting up bagel shops just before close, driving a friend's Smart Car or hitchhiking, and finding family members or even friends of friends to stay with.

Obviously my having your best interests at heart stopped with the ticket recommendations, but you get the point — a little legwork can go a long ways, and if you lay off the $10 brewskies and aren't a prima-donna who requires luxury suites stocked with 12 types of sausage, you can do a lot of living without a lot of spending.

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2009 All Area Softball Team: More to come from this group full of fun-to-watch underclassmen

As beloved broadcaster Dick Vitale would say, “The Diaper Dandies are super scintillating sensational” this year.

In English, what I’m trying to say is the young talent around here is good — really good.

Area softball teams didn’t fully impress in 2009 as far as team achievements go, save a memorable run from the Jonesville girls and another SCAA and district title from Camden-Frontier — but the local pot is boiling over with potential.

For starters, only three All Area players graduated and four of them have reached just the midway point of their careers.

The SCAA is loaded with girls who are only going to get better and the finest example of this is Camden-Frontier’s duo of Morgan Warfield and Megan Schwartzengraber.

As much as people around here have heard Lantis and Gabriele on the baseball side of things for three years, they might hear about these hotshots even more.

Warfield hit .473 with 28 RBIs and her .95  ERA with 175  strikeouts in 94 1/3 innings on the mound is downright nasty.

The only player who really compares in both categories is, you guessed it, the girl with the really long last name that is hard to spell and even harder to forget.

Schwartzengraber had a miniscule 1.09 ERA this year, with 153 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings and she drove in a team-high 35 runs to go with her .429 average.

Being partners in crime can only help their cause as they push each other to the next level in what they hope can be a regional championship team in the near future.

Taking a bit of a back seat to them as a freshman, but bursting onto the scene this year was Waldron sophomore Kelsy White.

She hit an eye-popping .555 with an on-base percentage of .659 and 28 RBIs. She is also an extremely good defensive catcher for being so young and only time will tell what types of ridiculous career numbers she could end up with.

In Hillsdale they have a super sophomore of their own in Tiki Malone.

She’s the kind of athlete you’d want to have in a fox hole with you, as she has no regard for her body and she expects the same pedal-to-the-metal effort from her teammates.

She continues to improve at the plate and is the kind of leader that could help turn the Hornets program around.

Several area juniors will be difference making seniors next year, most of them as ace pitchers.

Jenna Crawford had trouble filling Bree Harmon’s shoes off the bat, but the Hillsdale junior grew exponentially over the course of the year and she went toe-to-toe with Jonesville senior Kelsey Aemisegger in the district semifinals this year.

Similarly, Pittsford’s Nicole Culbert had many a fine outing on the mound and when she was on, it gave her teammates something to feed off of.

With the aforementioned Aemisegger calling it a career, the Comets will count on Kelly White more than ever next season.

As a junior she won five games pitching, with a 4.30 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 83 innings. She also hit .323 and had 20 RBIs.

The final junior pitcher to watch as a senior is Kasie Owens of Reading.

As Owens went so went the Rangers. She was a workhorse who continues to improve her control and Kelly Mulnix will need all she can get from her next year if Reading wants to take the next step.

The final junior on the All Area squad is Quincy’s Brogan Veysey-White, who hit .424, had an on-base percentage of .600 and melded perfectly with Bree Harmon.

Harmon was one of three seniors on the team, all of who made profound differences at their schools.

Going back to the school she started at, Harmon went 25-3 and broke the Orioles’ career strikeout record in 2009.

Another unfailing force in the area was Aemiesegger. The Comets rode her all the way to a regional semifinals appearance and she will be dearly missed.

She drove in 25 runs and struck out 104 batters in 113 innings.

Last but not least is C-F senior leader Kara Bryner. Melissa Warfield said she has no clue how she’ll replace her and rightfully so. She made teammates laugh, made them work harder and was the quintessential first-rate high school athlete. It doesn’t hurt either that she hit .367 with 27 RBIs.

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2009 All Area Baseball Team: County will have a tough time replacing some its most lovable seniors

In a matter of innings and with just a few poorly located pitches and errant swings the curtain closed.

Two weekends ago marked the final high school contests for many extraordinary county stars — and they will not be forgotten, and possibly not even replaced.

This year of baseball in Hillsdale County was full of surprises, good and bad, and while no team survived past the first game of regionals there was plenty of excitement.

The Jonesville Comets revived their program under Dale Steward; Reading’s Rick Bailey took his lumps early and taught his team how to win down the stretch en route to another district championship; Camden-Frontier rose from the ashes to win an SCAA East Division crown and nearly knocked the Rangers out of the postseason; Pittsford showed life and exceptional character under the leadership of Chris Hodos, Quincy continued to be one of the most consistent programs in all the area, and Hillsdale was Hillsdale — breathtaking at times and hard to figure out at others.
What I will remember most though is not the games or the scores or the stats — hands down it’s all about the seniors who we will never have a chance to appreciate again.

For starters, Scott Lantis and Mitchell Gabriele are Hillsdale Hornets no longer. It sounds weird, it is weird and losing them is kind of like taking the explosions and guns out of action movies.

Some area residents might be tired of hearing their names and seeing their faces plastered all over the sports section, but they have earned every bit of attention they have received.

There is good reason Gabriele will be playing football and basketball at Adrian and Lantis will be suiting up as a Hillsdale College Charger.

Lantis was his usual self pitching this year, going 9-1, but if was his defense as a shortstop and leadership that trump everything else.

Gabriele’s desire to ruthlessly dominate made him the best defensive catcher in the area once again and during the postseason he was locked and loaded at the plate, as if to say the only fitting end to his career would be another state championship.

Teammate Dillon Dirth benefited from Gabriele’s great game-calling abilities, tying a school record with nine pitching victories.

He only played for Chris Adams for two years after transferring, but his progress was a treat to watch and he was easily one of the most pin-point accurate pitchers in the county.

While he could blow through opposing lineups, teammate Tyler Vandeberghe could sprint around the basepaths and his feistiness and athleticism reminded me of a young Ricky Henderson. Not bad for a middle of the order guy.

Keeping the senior theme going, the Big Eight had a darn good local trio of its own.
Jonesville’s Ben Stemen kept his temper in tact in ’09 and drove in a school-record 52 RBIs on his way to being named league MVP.

Quincy senior Brandon Stempien went 8-2 on the hill, with a no-hitter tossed in and hit .438 with 36 RBIs to boot.

Probably my favorite of all the Big Eight stars who are now graduates is a Reading Ranger though.

Ryan “Bulldog” Dillon was in essence the perfect point guard in every sport he played. He connected with Rick Bailey to the point that he was basically another coach and motivator for his teammates.

He may not have been blessed with the same raw skills as some kids around here, but he was blessed with a true understanding of how to come through in the clutch, how to treat people and how to make high school athletic fans proud.

I truly hope someone fills the cleats of these seniors because they were phenomenal to cover, and there a few juniors well on their way.

Kurtis Tyler and Jake Jividen of C-F are example 1A. Tyler throws fireballs from the mound like he’s Super Mario and Jividen has a nice mix of power and patience at the plate.

In Jonesville, John Sigler hit an astonishing .481 this season and also proved he’s more than just a knuckleballer in going 9-1.

Eric Stetler of Quincy hit .340 and won seven games as the No. 2 pitcher and Pittsford junior Seth Weber is a bit unassuming at times, but he’s a grinder on the hill and has better pop at the plate than you would expect from a guy his size.

As long as I live I’ll be interested in the paths some of these youngsters take, but based on the determination and results I saw from them on the diamond I’m sure there are plenty more proud moments on the way.

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If I were in charge of the GLIAC...

I'm going from small-town sports know-it-all (yeah right, more like know-it-kinda-sorta) to GLIAC commissioner for a day.

That's right, from pushing across stories about college sports from my keyboard to pushing buttons that dictate one of Division II's most powerful, competitive athletic conferences.

[caption id="attachment_771" align="alignright" width="150" caption="No, not really, but only if."][/caption]

Before you chuckle, or put down the paper for that matter, hear me out.

I am a Northern Michigan Wildcat for life, with student debt to prove it, a bunch of my buddies either did attend or still do attend Grand Valley State and I'm trying to making a living covering your beloved Chargers.

Not a bad resumé right?

Kidding aside, I have a better chance of becoming a Detroit Lions practice squad player than I do of being the next commish, but I do have plenty of well-thought postulations the GLIAC should consider.

For example, yesterday the conference announced that it has provisionally accepted Ohio Dominican and Lake Erie College (Ohio) as its 13th and 14th members.

[caption id="attachment_772" align="alignright" width="150" caption="St. Francis (Ind.)"][/caption]

GLIAC Director of Media Relations Jeff Ligney has said time and again that ideally the league will house 16 teams and have two distinct divisions for as many sports as possible.

Well lucky for him, I have two more schools to add to the roster. All I'm waiting on is a signature from a pair of university presidents, some top-notch presentations, a handful of successful votes and full cooperation of the NCAA. That's not to much to ask for, is it?

I think not, and that's why if I were GLIAC Commissioner Dell Robinson for a day I would take the executive authority to offer an open invitation to the University of Saint Francis (Ind.) and Central State University (Ohio).

That would give the conference eight private schools and eight public schools and a fairly straightforward way to divide up the conference.

The South Division could include the following schools: Ashland, Findlay, Hillsdale, Lake Erie, Northwood, Ohio Dominican, St. Francis and Tiffin. And the North would be comprised of the subsequent programs: Central State, Ferris State, Grand Valley State, Lake Superior State, Michigan Tech, Northern Michigan, Saginaw Valley State and Wayne State.

[caption id="attachment_773" align="alignright" width="96" caption="Central State (Ohio)"][/caption]

That would put all of the private schools in one division and all of the public institutions in another.

The only real complaints would likely come from Wayne State and Central State as far as travel costs and time away from the classroom are concerned.

But as the commissioner, here's my response to them.

The Warriors have the largest enrollment of any GLIAC school and they should be playing the major D-II universities in the state no matter what. If they want to be like Grand Valley they should have to beat them — regularly.

And for Central State, league membership would be an honor, not a right, and to go from NAIA to D-II provisional status to the GLIAC would likely cause an enrollment boost and a chance to go from 0 to 60 in a matter of years.

Plus, they would have non-divisional conference match-ups all over their backyard with four more Ohio schools and programs in Indiana and Pennsylvania.

As far as meeting membership requirements St. Francis is a shoe-in.

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An open book on 8-man football in Hillsdale County

If there’s any predominant local sentiment about eight-man football since it was approved as an MHSAA sanctioned sport for 2009 a little less than a month ago — it’s definitely a wait-and-see approach.

I wouldn’t say the athletic directors I’ve talked to would call eight-man football the newest four letter word, but to say they are even lukewarm about considering it for their own programs would be like telling you I work for a large metropolitan paper.

Coaches and ADs seemed open to the idea last year when conversations about eight-man football were swirling around meetings and in MHSAA press releases, but now that it’s officially going to be an option all I keep hearing is that the idea in general is good for small schools, "but maybe not ours".

The truth is I’m still forming an opinion about the viability of the sport in Class D schools throughout the county, but to have an informed conversation or debate about a different variation of Friday Night Lights, everyone needs to be enlightened about what this rising sport is all about and who it’s really for.

First and foremost, the name is self explanatory. Eight-man football takes three players off the field on each side of the ball, traditionally two offensive linemen and a skill player on offense and two defensive backs and a defensive linemen on the other side of the ball.

Fields are still 100 yards in length, but trimmed from 53 1/3 yards to 40 yards in width, to compensate for less players covering the open space.

Coaches from states like Nebraska and Texas, which continue to expand their eight-man football membership pools, say the game is very fast-paced and agility and acceleration often trump weight and sheer strength.

For the 2009-10 academic year only Class D schools will be eligible to implement eight-man football, meaning schools of less than 223 students according to the 2008-09 standards.

[caption id="attachment_760" align="alignright" width="300" caption="An example of what a play might look like in the 8-man game."][/caption]

In Hillsdale County that means that Waldron (131 students), Litchfield (132), North Adams-Jerome (149) and Camden-Frontier (155) would qualify, while Pittsford (224) was one student over this past school year.

While some schools in the state, especially a handful in the "thumb" and Upper Peninsula,  already have eight-man contests scheduled for the upcoming season, MHSAA playoffs for the sport won’t take flight until 2010.

The MHSAA has indicated that if 20-39 schools take up the sport it will hold a 16-team playoff and if 40-64 eight-man teams pop up then a 32-team playoff will take place.

With the basics outlined, there are dozens of questions already filtering through my mind. Questions that I will seek to find answers to over the next few months and questions that area schools must proactively consider.

My initial reaction is that county residents are often resistant to any sort of change from the status quo and 11-man football is all they know. Most fans grew up playing it, it has always been the style of the beloved pro and college games and "if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it."

I understand that, but lets consider a few things.

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Hillsdale College's stringent standards for athletes worthy of praise

An editorial that ran in the Hillsdale Daily News

Hillsdale College is competitive in a majority of GLIAC sports, and they continue to do that without lowering their academic standards.

In big-time college athletics the likes of Notre Dame, and Stanford among others, have always stood for excellence on and off the playing field, and the Charger program is building a reputation that mirrors that, albeit at a much smaller level.

The incoming class in fall 2008 had an average high school GPA of 3.73 and a composite ACT score of 28. There are only a little over 1,200 students on a liberal arts campus that is known for intense classwork and a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1.

Yet still, with academics as the top priority, which fits right in line with the NCAA Division II mission statement, they continue to have no trouble keeping up in sports with much bigger institutions, which have much different academic mindsets and track records.

There is a great measuring stick in Hillsdale's conference, Grand Valley State, who has won five straight U.S. Sports Academy Directors' Cups in Division II, the award presented annually by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), United States Sports Academy and USA Today to the best overall collegiate athletics programs in the country.

They have just under 24,000 students enrolled as of January 2009, and the middle 50 percent of incoming freshmen from 2008 had ACT scores between 21 and 26 and GPAs ranging from 3.3-3.8. Not bad at all, but certainly not on par with Hillsdale.

Hillsdale's head basketball coach John Tharp said recently that a 25 on the ACT is basically required for a kid to get one foot in the door for a visit, as long as it's accompanied by something close to that 3.73 GPA average of the 2008 class.

Tharp went as far as to say that if those requirements aren't met that it is the athletic department's duty, as part of their relationship with the admissions department, to essentially turn away those possible recruits.

So not only are Charger teams dealing with a select group of prospective students who agree with the college's philosophy and understand the commitment it takes to be a successful student, they are stringently weeding out possible blue-chips, instead of making concessions for them like many, if not most schools.

And in spite of that the Charger women's basketball team won a GLIAC crown in 2009, the men's hoops team beat Grand Valley at home this season, and Chris Gravel's volleyball team is one of the most well-recognized annually on a national level.

Plus Bill Lundberg's men and women are constantly adding podium finishes and All-American honors to the rich history of track and field and cross country.

They continue to rise to the occasion without the aid of hardly any D-I transfers compared to other GLIAC schools, and all while turning away 36 percent of the students and student-athletes that apply (as of 2007).

Some community members scoff at the idea of the college being so selective because it keeps some star local athletes from pursuing a playing career as a Charger, but here at the Daily News we applaud the college for having standards and sticking to them.

No matter if a high-schooler is a drama club fanatic, choir boy or all-state linebacker the same standards apply. The college is highly committed to winning and turning out successful student-athletes, but they are even more committed to one philosophy and one mission.

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Upon further inspection, Korte feels just like a Steelers' kind of guy

[caption id="attachment_452" align="aligncenter" width="510" caption="Just maybe, this will be a place Hillsdale's Tom Korte can call home for a while. Only time and the judgment of Steelers' personnel will tell."][/caption]

By RJ Walters / Daily News Sports Editor

As it will be published in the Hillsdale Daily News on April 29, 2009

Eds note: I never publish stories or columns on here before they go to print in the HDN, but I felt compelled to do that tonight because I felt it was right given some special circumstances. Yesterday's blog post on Tom Korte mirrors all of the feelings I had on his situation after an introductory glance at what was going on and what obstacles he faced. What I didn't have a chance to consider though was the people who know Korte best, and what Korte had been told by the organization himself. I also did not know the Steelers were planning on releasing Larry Foote, which totally gives life to how interested Pittsburgh may just be in bringing in one or two young LBs. Anyways, after a day to ponder, investigate more and make some necessary calls here are my reconstructed feelings on the situation.

All Tuesday afternoon I was trying to figure out reasons Tom Korte would not make the Pittsburgh Steelers. I was trying not to let emotion, and my biased observations throw me overboard, en route to a somewhat spotty opinion.

Then, after writing an entire column full of indecisiveness based on numbers and "expert opinions", I was let off the hook — the Steelers released seven-year veteran inside linebacker Larry Foote, and hours later I spoke with Korte at length.

What I've concluded is that Korte really is everything Keith Otterbein has built him up to be, he is a young man who has been convinced since a young age he'd be lining up to play on Sunday and the Pittsburgh Steelers just might be the perfect opportunity at the perfect time.

Bear in mind, he already has a contract, the Steelers are already investing their time and money in him, something Mark Nicolet was only chasing heading into rookie mini-camp for the Lions last May. He is set to officially sign a two-year deal this weekend when he travels to the Steel City for the first time, and even if things don't go quite as Korte wants and he ends up a practice squad player early on, he is still guaranteed at least $88,400 over the 17-week regular season, aside from the bonus he is set to receive.

That dollar figure might not blow some people away, I'm not one of those for the record, but the sheer fact they have already promised to give Korte a long, hard look is something that cannot be overstated. That means one rough day is not grounds for a "thanks, but no thanks," because in essence Korte is already a Steeler, someone the organization is ready to bring into training camp come August.

On top of that, the Steelers are an organization that has a history of turning undrafted free agents into starters on contenders and even Super Bowl winning teams. Just ask current Steelers Arnold Harrison, last year's team rookie of the year Patrick Bailey or even star linebacker James Harrison who just inked a $51.75 million contract in the offseason.

The fact is the Steelers have always been lauded as an organization who has an eye for finding and developing under-appreciated talent, something Korte knows a little about. It was just a few months ago that he was passed over as a selection for the Division II All-Star game, the Cactus Bowl, for which a committee selected who they thought to be the 10 best linebackers in D-II. Korte brushed off that slight as "just a bunch of politics", saying he was happy just to have pro scouts show interest throughout his senior year, and ultimately come to his pro days prior to the draft.

You see Korte isn't an athlete who needs negative emotions to drive him to positive reactions, he is simply an extremely driven, high IQ football player who believes he is good enough to "be a starter in the NFL, and hopefully one day for a Super Bowl champion". He is the kind of guy who thanks his coaches, teammates and family just for putting him in this spot, even though deep down he's the only one who knows how many hours he's spent in the gym, and the number of evenings he's spent studying film instead of hitting parties.

Korte plays like he talks — smooth, purposefully, and with an obvious passion.

It must be stated that the Steelers did also sign Andy Schantz, an undrafted rookie out of FCS school Portland State, after the draft, and two of his teammates have already caught on as linebackers in the NFL, for the Colts and Buccaneers. Plus he was under the tutelage of former NFL head coach Jerry Glanville for two seasons, in a defensive scheme eerily similar to "Blitzburgh's" 4-3. But you know what, Korte couldn't even remember Schantz's first name Tuesday, not because he's arrogant, but because he's just another player to him, just the latest hurdle to clear after scouting services all over the Internet pinned Korte as low as the 50th best ILB in the draft.

You see, I learned from the e-mails I received Tuesday from fans of Grand Rapids Catholic Central, where Korte played high school ball, from numerous conversations with Otterbein, and ultimately from talking to Korte's teammates that to bet against Tom Korte is to admit you're willing to be called stupid, because he's too good a football player and even more so a person to doubt him. So anything I've read about Korte being too short or not able to jump as high as his linebacking counterparts is a moot point.

The facts are Korte just agreed to sign an NFL contract, he was a three-time First-Team selection in one of D-II's toughest conference, and he's handled the last two days as well as possible, all while finishing a final research paper and presentation at a college that demands commitment around the clock.

Those sheer truths, coupled with the knack Dick Labeau has for developing talent and the breaking news of Larry Foote being released have made me pause. I can't think of one good reason to look at Tom Korte as just another talented D-II guy, a man who was a good story in college and is destined to be an even better dentist (which is another possible career for him).

In fact I would be willing to bet that he's every ounce the player he proclaims to be, and maybe he's just the next big project for an organization who thrives in mining talent others seem to have missed.

Even if I am admitting my bias now, and letting some feel-good sentiment affect me, at least it's in regards to a player who has yet to find a challenge too big to take down.

Ultimately though, I'll let the NFL be the final judge and just appreciate what he has done for the Charger community in the meantime.

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Spring is in the air: Chargers' spring game offers a look at QB prospects

[caption id="attachment_426" align="aligncenter" width="510" caption="Troy Weatherhead looked every bit the starter who tossed 21 TDs in 2008 on Sunday afternoon. Photo courtesy of Hillsdale College."][/caption]

By RJ Walters / Daily News Sports Editor

As published in the Hillsdale Daily News on April 20, 2009

All eyes are on the man under center.

Even though the quarter­back lines up with 10 guys who make his mission possible and he is constantly battling another unit of 11 bruisers, no position in sports may be more revered, or more openly criticized for that matter.

While Sunday’s Hillsdale College spring football game did nothing to convince spectators that Michigan weather can be anything but plain miserable this time of year, it was a perfect rainy day to take stock of four Charger QBs as head coach Keith Otterbein tries to guide his team to the top of the GLIAC. If Sunday was any indication, junior to-be Troy Weatherhead is working hard to overcome injury problems and cement his spot as one of the GLIAC’s most reliable gunslingers, while redshirt freshman Anthony Mifsud is already a physical specimen to be reckoned with.

It’s always a luxury to have more than one good option at QB, but the way things are shaping up the Charger coaching staff has plenty of difficult decisions on the near horizon.

Weatherhead and Mifsud, along with the coaches’ son, Brad Otterbein, who will be a junior, and sophomore-to-be Matt Bryan all controlled the snaps for three series Sunday afternoon, just enough of a glimpse to draw some insightful conclusions at the end of Chargers’ spring ball.

With 132 days to go before the team’s road opener at St. Joseph’s College on August 29, here is what Charger fans should know about their favorite gunslingers based on Sunday's performances.

Troy Weatherhead
Waves of anxiety must have swept through the athletic de­partment earlier this semester when Weatherhead broke his leg in an intramural basket­ball game, fresh off a successful first season in the starting role. It appears everyone can take a deep breath for now though, granted he stays healthy.

Other than a few shaky long balls early on, Weatherhead looked just I like remember him last fall — unshakeable, fairly mobile and blessed with touch that allows him to make almost every throw a QB needs to.

He led the offense to two touchdowns and was only sacked once Sunday, by a Charger front-line that was quick to put pressure on him; and although he nearly threw a pick on a fade route in the back of the end zone, the plays that made you say ‘wow’ easily outweighed the ones that make you shake your head.

He made a pair of beautiful throws into double coverage deep downfield, resulting in 27 and 35 yards bombs to slot­man A.J. Kegg and lanky, speedster Andre Holmes.

He was excellent at sustaining drives, his spirals were tight and he looked right at home barking out plays and communicating with teammates.

He completed six of 10 passes in 21 plays Sunday and gave the crowd every reason to believe his 21 TDs against 10 interceptions in 2008 was no fluke.

If he’s not the clear-cut starter come August I expect a bum knee is the only thing holding him back.

Matt Bryan
Bryan has thrown just three passes so far in his college career, so he is largely an unknown among Charger faithful, but an unknown who coach Otterbein says has a great shot at being the team’s backup.

He started out sharp Sunday, but ultimately came up with an “Incomplete” grade.

He showcased an ability to be effective out of a short-drop, utilizing his extremely quick release, but he didn’t get a chance to air it out at all.

He also got trapped going through progressions a few times, getting sacked twice and Cody Henderson intercepted one of his throws toward the sidelines, the only turnover of the spring game.

His ability to escape the pocket might be a question as well, but a dozen snaps on a wet field isn’t a tell-all test.

Overall his spirals were tight and his throwing motion seemed structurally sound and consistent.

He failed to lead his group on a scoring drive and was two of six passing on the afternoon.

Brad Otterbein
His heart and athleticism cannot and should not be questioned, but the former Hillsdale High School grad still has plenty of things working against him with so much competition at his position.

On Sunday he proved he is a quick decision maker who is a threat with his feet, but he is also still developing as a pocket passer and he isn’t a naturally gifted thrower like his teammates.

Last season he played in seven games, going 10-for-23 for 77 yards and two interceptions and his spring game performance didn’t do a whole lot to explain those numbers one way or another.

On several occasions he went right up the middle of a seam for sizeable gains on the ground, but his one for six passing performance, with two passes deflected, show he has plenty of room to grow.

He threw a couple of wobbly spirals and his release point was inconsistent, but on the run and with his feet firmly planted he was equally effective.

Being the coaches’ kid always brings plenty of undue pressure and Otterbein is no different. He is a great athlete, from a phenomenal local family, but his exact role on this team is still hard to figure out.

Anthony Mifsud
The only Charger QB yet to throw a pass in a college football game, may in fact be the most intriguing one on the roster.

The 6-4, former First-Team All-State selection by the De­troit Free Press, looked like he has put on some muscle since coming in as a 183-pound freshman, and he carried himself like a man on a mission.

He threw only six passes, of which he completed just two, thanks in part to two drops, but the way he did so got me excited.

On his first snap in his first spring game he rolled out and delivered a picture-perfect 25- yard strike to Nathan Smith.

He seemed to command the huddle well, and driving his team to a touchdown on his first drive was tangible proof of his success.

He did come up short on one of his throws, but his throwing motion seemed almost effortless and his arm strength appears to be an asset that helped draw attention from Division I FBS schools like Villanova and Richmond a year ago.

He demonstrated a great pocket-presence and had no problem stepping off defenders en route to finding an open receiver.

His size, demeanor and physical skills seem almost too good to be true, but the intangibles and experience Weatherhead offers mean Mifsud may have to use “garbage time” situations next season to prove whether he’s worthy of being more than a two-year starter in his time here.

On paper Mifsud and in­coming running back recruit Joe Glendening seem to be the future of the blue-and-white, but knowing Keith Otterbein, he is going to make players earn their spots by competing for jobs in practice, and Otterbein is also loyal to upperclassmen who have levied through countless hours of workouts and drills.

Other HC spring game notes:
• Halfback Vinnie Panizzi scored two rushing touchdowns, including one where he leaped over a wall of line­man into end zone.

• Redshirt freshman tailback Brad Spencer showed off his quick cutback ability and good outside speed with several memorable runs, including a 15-yard touchdown

• Defensive lineman Drew Berube, who will be a senior next season, looked even stronger and faster than last season, something all GLIAC offensive lineman should be scared about.

• Freshman defensive end Kyle Caulkins, a former Hillsdale Hornet like Berube, saw plenty of action and did a good job accelerating through seams in the middle to get to the QB.

• Mark Petro (a senior next year) missed a 45-yard field goal on the only special teams game of the play

• Sophomore tailback Vincent Alentado suffered a “bad break” in the ankle / foot region on the final play of the scrimmage according to several assistant coaches. He got tangled in a pile up and was left on the turf with bones in his right foot drastically fractured. No further information on the injury was yet available.

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Rainouts bite, but so does eating chalk

By RJ Walters / Daily News Sports Editor

This column was published in the Hillsdale Daily News on April 15, 2009

Sure May flowers are splendid, especially in the second cloudiest state in the nation (I will never move to Washington, mark my words) but at what expense?

As it looks right now, at the expense of all athletic directors, teenage athletes and media outlets covering high school sports.

Singing "rain, rain go away, so all the area's sport stars can play," in the shower every morning for the past week seems to have done little, other than convince me that "sleepless sports journalist" was indeed a better career choice than "underground, indie rock star wannabe."

Rainout after rainout to start the spring schedule has had plenty of real implications though. Just ask Kathy Bondsteel or Pete Beck or any one of your local ADs. They are forced to try and play Jenga with their schedules prior to the season, only to see a small headwind knock a few blocks down, blocks that may never get put back into place.

ADs are generally under-appreciated as a rule, and a few extra hours on the phone without an extra dime coming on their next paycheck is all part of it.

As for high school athletes, cancellations are the worst. For one, it gives coaches another two hours to play drill sergeant and it also means parents can do even more nagging about homework because their kids don't have something taking up four hours of their time after school. Rainouts are the equivalent of giving up ice cream for lent only to find out worldwide production of ice cream was halted a day before Easter.

And parents might not admit it, but watching their local team while eating a hotdog from the concession stands totally beats making dinner, doing the dishes and catching up on office work that just begs to be done. Plus it doesn't help that many fans organize their schedules around high school sports teams and another stinkin' storm might mean they are out of town for the make-up date.

For me, someone who still can't believe he gets paid to roll out a lawn chair, take stats and sip on a nice cold Coke from time to time, mushy fields mean staying glued to my chair, damaging my vision by staring into a certain 24-inch wonder world and writing columns that try to fill the void of game-winning home runs and record-breaking long jumps. As fun as it is, rain days are a definite low on the continual up-and-down histogram of everything sports.

Sure enough though, it can get plenty worse in the unpredictable, often comical sports universe. Here are a few things to remember when you groan about the next rain date (which could be today!).

Rainouts are better than:

Being a battling bather
That's right, the Mt. Clemens High School mascot is just that. I always feel sorry for players who are on teams that will get more recognition for their ridiculous nicknames than for their achievements. Also in Michigan the Zeeland East High School teams are nicknamed the Chix, yes with an X, while their Zeeland West counterparts are the Dux. No guy wants to buckle up his chin strap for the purpose of being called a girl and I can only imagine how much quacking opposing fans do when Zeeland West players step to the charity stripe. Even worse though is the Detroit Pershing Doughboys. Offensive linemen might have some fun with that, but what 17-year old volleyball star wants "Doughgirl" slapped across her chest? The teams names around here might seem boring at times, but as you see, maybe that's not a bad thing.

Eating chalk
Just trust me on this one. And no it wasn't some stupid dare from my childhood I'm bringing up. It was a wild-nutso enthralling sports moment — gone terribly wrong. I was about 16, I was practicing on the high bar for an upcoming high school gymnastics meet; I was working on a combination that included a few "giants", no not the type you see in nightmares, just a rotating, twisting thingy. I don't want to bore you, so here's the climactic moment — I went flying off the high bar, saw cement and my future flash before me and instead of someone having to call the ambulance, I plummeted head first in a metal chalk bin. White power erupted all over, the bin broke my fall and I hit my knees, the only real scuffs from a potentially serious injury. The only problem with trying to sound all manly when I tell this story is the fact I was wearing a unitard and short shorts. And FYI, chalk tastes bad — for like the next week.

Shooting on the wrong basket
I was actually better at gymnastics than I was at basketball, but this story is about a teammate. A teammate who boxed out his opponent on a free-throw, grabbed the ball with both hands and went back up with it. Picture perfect execution, other than the fact he almost scored for the other team. It might be the only missed shot of his career he's happy to have clanked. It was also one of the last meaningful plays of his high school hoops career as friends and fans came to find out.

The University of Alaska Anchorage hockey team's road schedule
In 2008-09 the Sea Wolves (wouldn't Polar Bears suffice?) had it about as bad it gets for D-I college sports. The 20 road contests isn't too out of the ordinary, but the distances they had to travel to go to places that look like they should be used for backdrops in small-town horror movies is almost terrifying in itself. The Sea Wolves had to make three trips to Minnesota, the state of 10,000 lakes (and several hundred rinky-dink towns), one to North Dakota, another to Wisconsin and one to Michigan's Upper Peninsula. If you love a sport you love it, and my guess is the Sea Wolves would play hockey in the middle of the Northwest Territories if they had to. But still, I'd much rather play sports for the University of Santa Barbara and travel the West Coast

Going 0-for-a-career
If you think rainouts are unbearable, try a blackout — on winning of all things. Savanna High School in Illinois lost 63 straight varsity football contests before finally winning a game. That means somewhere between six and seven graduating classes never won a single game in their entire careers. There's something to be said for coming together through tough times, but there's also something to be said for a losing streak that stretched through the greater part of two presidential terms. Being dubbed a lovable loser though has no greater appeal than in the world of sports, part of its endearing charm. Rick Reilly of Sports Illustrated (at the time) took a trip to watch them play the No. 2 team in the state for a story he was doing. Savanna got absolutely creamed, but the consolation prize was Reilly hopped on their bus after the game and treated them to pizza, and eventually SI published an article on them.

Only in sports are crazy things like this normal and only in sports does an inch of rain matter so much.

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One Wildcat on another and loyalty that speaks

[caption id="attachment_337" align="alignright" width="200" caption="Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat. Picture taken by Northern Michigan University."][/caption]

By RJ Walters / Daily News Sports Editor

A column published in the Hillsdale Daily News on April 1, 2009

I guess you could say Tom Izzo and I are basically the same person, I'm just a little younger.

We both went to Northern Michigan for college, we are both elated to see the Spartans headed to the Final Four in D-eee-troit and we'll both "play anybody, anyplace, anytime. It doesn’t matter, morning, noon or night, and it doesn’t matter who it is.“

The only real difference is that he's talking about his tremendous big-time college basketball team and I'm talking about NCAA Basketball 09 for Xbox 360 or a game of laser tag.

Yeah, I realize I may seem just like everyone else with a big screen and brackets filled out (by the way mine is an atrocity, but gold compared to that of News Editor Thomas Marcetti), but the truth is being a Northern alumni, as well as a three-year attendee of Izzo's hoops camp in East Lansing has given me several insights.

First of all Izzo is even shorter in person than on TV, especially when you're standing right next to him, and I'm amazed that he demands the attention of big hefties like Aloysius Anagonye and Zach Randolph so well. But I guess if I grew up as the tiny white point guard from Da Yoop I'd probably have learned how to gain respect too.

The thing that really gets me about the former Wildcat (when you can put yourself in the same club as this guy you purposely refer to him this way as much as possible) though is his loyalty. Loyalty as in if you are willing to listen to him and buy in to what he's selling, he will return the favor.

At every one of the camps I attended he focused on the mantra "learn to listen, listen to learn." It wasn't just some nice catch-phrase though, because despite there being more than 300 campers he would allow each teenager to come up to him and actually chat with him and ask questions about the game before their experience was over — which is invaluable to kids and says a lot about Izzo's character when he could've simply "said cheese" and used a Sharpie to move campers along.

It should be no surprise however that Izzo, who grew up in Iron Mountain, Mich., population 7,800 — unless you count the couple thousand deer and touring snowmobilers — is the way he is, because he learned to stay loyal to his roots a long time ago.

After four years as a Wildcat assistant Izzo was hired as a graduate assistant for MSU in 1983, which paid a mere $7,200. Even though the paycheck was paltry Izzo took the job in a heartbeat and it was a major victory for the small-town 20-something, especially considering he had interviewed for an assistant position with the Spartans in 1982, only to get turned down.

Now 26 years later, after 12 seasons as an understudy, and 14 as the "little engine who could" on the sidelines Izzo is still "90 percent sure" Michigan State is the place he wants to be for the remainder of his career as long as he can continue to “have success while doing things the right way” as he put it in a radio interview with Dan Patrick Tuesday afternoon.

The NBA’s Atlanta Hawks tried their best to sway him to the pro game several years ago and Izzo’s name is constantly in the rumor mill when major college programs go on hiring searches and many many dollar signs are attached to the speculation. Yet he is entrenched in the Spartan way, just as he is still the greatest example of the Wildcat tradition.

He helped fund the Izzo Marriucci Academic Center in Marquette, which is used for communications courses and he is constantly providing help in securing funds for the university where he once taught an archery class during his assistant coaching days. Likewise, both he and Steve Marriccui have hosted an annual golf tournament in Iron Mountain for years, raising funds for the community and a fitness center for their old high school.

And as ESPN.com’s Pat Forde wrote in a column earlier this year, despite being seven hours away from his childhood stomping grounds, Izzo is always quick to honor his fellow Yoopers.

“What he does have is an abiding loyalty to the (U.P.) Every season, he invites a busload of locals — Yoopers, as they’re affectionately known — to a Michigan State home game, providing them with tickets and even entertaining them at his house. The trip is so popular that there’s a waiting list to get on the bus," Forde wrote. And now, as Izzo prepares for his fifth Final Four as Spartans' head coach the cerebral 54-year-old should be the state’s most popular spokesman, even with Wolverine fans.

Izzo remains active with Coaches Vs. Cancer, Sparrow Hospital and the Catholic Social Services/St. Vincent Home for Children in Lansing. At the same time he remains loyal to his players, promising each of them he will do everything in his power to give them the opportunity to play in a Final Four, a pledge he has been able to honor for every player who has donned the green-and-white since 1995.
Quite frankly Tom Izzo is just like so many of the blue-collar workers in our state, in Detroit, where his team will try to help him win another national championship, and even here in Hillsdale County.

I am no more like Tom Izzo than millions of Michigan citizens, other than the same NMU employees call us asking for donations once a month.

We should all take this opportunity to show how we are dedicated to what’s best for the state, even it means rooting for a school that half of Michigan would rather see get thumped most of the time.

All I’ve got to say is go Wildcats, I mean Spartans.

Tom Izzo isn’t just a guy who is a media brown-noser so people will like him, he is an example of steadfast devotion to everything that has shaped who he is.

Everyone, even Michigan Tech Husky graduates and University of Michigan season-ticket holders can applaud that.

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Failure may be fruitful for Hornets

By RJ Walters / Daily News Sports Editor

A column published in the Hillsdale Daily News on March 11, 2009

Call me a loser, because in fact I like losing.

I was a starter on a JV basketball team that lost 16 times in 20 tries my sophomore year, I lost out on a $10,000 college scholarship by .04 of a grade-point and I've lost myself numerous times, only to have God bring me out a better man.

From my experiences you can either let losing eat you alive and turn you into a spiteful, regretful person or you can lose admirably and try hard to learn from failure.

On Monday night I saw the Hillsdale Hornets boys basketball team lose, but during and after the disheartening 60-32 district defeat at the hands of Coldwater I saw kids maturing and how losing can truly impart wisdom on individuals.

Take senior star Mitchell Gabriele for example. He is arguably one of the finest scorers in the greater-Jackson area, but he also has a tendency to let his über-competitive personality take over for the worse at times.

Getting thrown out of the first contest this season and sometimes taking poor shots out of frustration much to the dismay of his coaches are just two examples.

But if Monday night is any indication, he has matured the past few months and winning is still what drives him, but not what controls him.

In the midst of the worst shooting performance of his career, a 2-for-22 outing, Gabriele remained poised and just kept willing himself to get open and try to lead the troops back.

When he could’ve barked at the refs for not calling obvious contact he remained tight-lipped and prepared to go to work on defense; when his outside shot continued to rim out he started posting up and trying to get even better looks, instead of just hoisting up bad shots because the game was already decided.

"Yeah I was getting contact, but they were letting us play on both sides of the ball,” he said. "It is frustrating... anytime you shoot that bad when you're averaging as many points as I am. When they're not falling and they should be falling, and you're trying to get your team back on top and trying to get the 'W' it's very frustrating and it hurts."

Yes losing hurts but no one should let it define who they are, and to his credit Gabriele quickly found the positive in the darkest of moments last night, something that’s not always easy after failing to meet expectations and letting down a rather passionate fan base.

“Toward the end of the season we had two back-to-back losses and this one kind of sticks a dagger to your heart. But you know, we played well the whole season and there are no regrets, we don't regret anything, but it's too bad we couldn't pull out a 'W' tonight," he said. "Like coach said earlier on, he was talking to people in the community and they were like 'I think it would be good if you guys won five games' and then we came out and won (14), so it feels good."

Sometimes effort doesn’t equal results every time out in life, whether at work, in relationships or in striving for goals and the Hornets now know that all too well.
Head coach Brad Felix said the team executed his game plan to a near tee and he had no reason to yell at them, because missing shots, shooting 21.8 percent from the floor, was not a result of being undisciplined or ill prepared, it kind of just happened.

It is a reminder that we aren’t always in control of everything no matter how hard we try to and there are always unknown variables involved — such as Coldwater point guard Cameron Holicki (26 points, five assists) in Hillsdale’s case. Or just tough-luck rims or mounting pressure, pick your poison.

Senior Scott Lantis said it would've been nice to have gone out playing better and it wouldn't have stung so much if they could have shot decent, but instead of looking at it as an end all he still gave credit to Felix for having them prepared and told it as it was without sugar-coating it.

"We've got some athletes here, we've got some players and if we would've gone out and shot well and they beat us, I think we'd have a little better taste in our mouths," he said. "We had the looks, the game-plan was there, but you can't coach shooting and like coach said, we weren't trying to miss. The game-plan was perfect, coach had us ready, we just couldn't finish."

In the wake of one of their most difficult nights as high school athletes Gabriele and Lantis were good enough to take the time to be honest with me and try to put it all in perspective. No excuses, just heavy hearts, but hearts that were thankful for the opportunities they've been given. I wouldn't say they were joyful in defeat, but they were at least respectful and reflective.

Lantis talked about how he felt their senior class had stayed loyal to the Hornet tradition and Gabriele said he was proud to have gone to battle with his fellow seniors, even though they'll never win a district title.

It would do us all some good to remember that Michael Jordan was cut from his JV basketball team, the apostle Paul was once a Pharisee and we all fall short, but can choose how we act and react in the face of failure.

Being a proponent of failing for your own good once in a while, I was impressed with how Hornet players handled themselves at a most vulnerable time.

Lantis' last words to me after the game were "God bless you" — and no, I didn't sneeze.

A fitting ending to another life experience that everyone involved will remember, and a hopeful look at how very special some of our area teenagers really are.

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Three predictions to count on regarding Hillsdale County sports

[caption id="attachment_177" align="alignright" width="213" caption="I will go all in and tell you right now that the Charger men will finally win a GLIAC Tournament game this season. Photo courtesy of Hillsdale College."][/caption]

By RJ Walters / Daily News Sports Editor

A column that was published in the Hillsdale Daily News on Feb. 19, 2009

I sometimes like to pretend I know more than I really do.

I don't think I'm alone in this and in fact I think it is somewhat a requirement of this profession.

Remember just last year when Sports Illustrated anointed the Detroit Tigers World Series champs, only to see them finish dead-last in the Central behind even The Boys in Blue from Kansas City?

Sports are so polarizing because you can analyze numbers and splits until you are indigo in the face, a shade past blue, and sit right behind a team's bench all season long and still be left feeling like a complete idiot when all of your so-called "expertise" turns in what I like to I call "expertless".

That said, sometimes I can still count on certain energies and trends to help me make a reasonable prediction of how something might play out and right now there are three things regarding local sports that I'd bet tomorrow's lunch on, but probably not my Gordie Howe autographed puck.

I've talked to area coaches enough to know their collective opinions and seen enough with my own eyes to tell you this is exactly how several athletic scenarios are going to play out in the next few weeks. And I'll even take you out to lunch if I'm wrong — but only if you can prove that you have never been wrong with an educated prediction in your entire life.

Without further adieu:

The Waldron Spartans girls basketball team will win the SCAA East
The Spartans hold a one-game edge on Hillsdale Academy and the Colts host Waldron in a make-or-break contest Saturday. I know Waldron still has to go to Camden-Frontier and the Colts have only Litchfield and Burr Oak left, but two things give me confidence in the pick — experience and depth. I can't deny that Colts' senior Connaught Blood has a competitive drive and will to win that compares with anyone in the county, but sometimes it is easy to put too much pressure on yourself whenever you have youthful teammates who are fragile at times. Waldron has seniors like Abbe Wines, Ashley Jagielski and Courtney Whitehead among others to rely on and even when their shots aren't falling they know how to keep their heads up and make the necessary plays in other ways. As far as depth goes, the Spartans can go 10 deep no problem, with little to no fall off, while the Colts bench is mainly freshmen and sophomores, who are impressive in their own right, but not quite at the level of some of the Academy starters. It also doesn't help that Laura Wonders is still hobbled by a foot injury and is day-to-day and key players Heather Lantis and Emily Pewe have been battling sicknesses down the stretch of the season. Even if the Spartans falter at Camden-Frontier I feel they have the necessary components to bounce back and bring home their first league title since 1974.

The Pittsford Wildcats boys basketball team will finish the regular season a perfect 20-0
Just take a look at what they've done so far and what they've got left and I think most of you will agree with this statement. They passed a major road test last week at Jackson Christian and have already taken down Waldron twice this year. Four of their final six games are at home and Tekonsha and Battle Creek St. Phil are road games that should be competitive, but close wins if the Wildcats continue to play how they have all season. The only thing that could possibly get in their way is the fact they have three games the final week of the season, with back-to-back home contests against North Adams-Jerome and Hudson to close out the year. They need to build a sizable lead against the Rams on March 5 so they can rest their top players for their battle with the Tigers, who aren't the strongest team this year, but can be dangerous when they get on one of their runs and build confidence.

The Hillsdale College men's basketball team will win at least one game in the GLIAC tournament
The Charger program turned a corner with its win over Grand Valley State a few weeks ago and Tony Gugino is finishing out his senior year strong. The team could easily lose a game when they travel to the U.P. this weekend for bouts with Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech, but I'd be surprised if Hillsdale didn't win three of its final four contests. If that holds true it should put them in position to host a first-round conference tourney game, probably against Ferris State. They beat the Bulldogs twice this season and although the two teams are extremely similar, I think Hillsdale has improved more over the last month than Ferris has from talking to league insiders. It would be exciting to see the men's program take the next step and I'm betting on it coming true.

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A journey that deserved a little magic

[caption id="attachment_137" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Charger fans rushed the court following Saturday's victory over Grand Valley — and rightfully so."][/caption]

By RJ Walters / Daily News Sports Editor (A column from the Feb. 9 HDN)

All that was missing was a trophy, freshly printed hats and T­shirts and maybe a little, well, let's just call it sparkling spumante.

There was a true championship feeling in Phillips Arena early Saturday evening. Charger players were vindicated, coaches were elated, the pep band played long and strong and students rushed the court in jubilation following Hillsdale's upset of Grand Valley.

The only thing absent, was well, a championship — the tangible, historically recordable type at least.

Not like it mattered in the least though, because as head coach John Tharp said, these are the kind of wins programs are built on and senior guard Keith MacKenzie, who played Division I ball at Oakland for two years, said it's the best feeling he's had since high school hoops.

A championship vibe was in the fans voices, in the music bumping and blaring from the Hillsdale locker room post game and in the goofy smiles of young men that went perfectly with the honking horns and random “wooo-hooos” outside the sports complex. I could feel it and it was something no real sports fan could just shake off.

Some coaches, Tharp being one of them, say, “success is a journey” and the road is paved with lessons and disappointments, and that's exactly what made Saturday's thrilling victory so meaningful.

When Tharp arrived on campus in 2007 he had a mere three players left on the roster but that was hardly a deterrent from his vision. And sure, it helped that Tony Gugino and Tim Homan were two-thirds of the leftovers and guard Keith MacKenzie chose to transfer to the D-II level after two seasons at Division I Oakland University.

Early on it was a feel good story as the Chargers began the 2007-­08 season 10-5 and fair or not, expectations started to be placed on the team.

Just in time to see the Chargers lose six of eight, all in conference play. Just in time to see them plummet back into the middle of mediocrity.

They would play great basketball for 30 minutes, but not 40. And Tony Gugino and Tim Homan provided ample scoring, but too few rebounds and too many turnovers combined for an unpleasant number of 80-something to 70-something losses.

The Chargers ended the sea­son a respectable 14-14, but went only 7-10 in the GLIAC and lost to Findlay and Grand Valley a combined four times by an average of almost 19 points.

It was only year one of Tharp's vision, but when it was up it was really up and when it was down, it was plain hard to swallow.

Fast forward to October 2008 and Tharp was raring to go, with a stockpile of promising recruits, including point guard Tyler Gerber and forward Brad Guinane, two guys who looked like they could contribute immediately.

And they did just that and all was right in Charger nation.

Tony G was showcasing his improved defensive skills, Luke Laser was bringing a boost off the bench after transferring in from Saginaw Valley State and Hillsdale jumped out to a 5-1 start, including a win over Lewis who was a tournament qualifier in 2008.

Then it took just 20 minutes in a home game against Findlay on Dec. 18 to bring the program back to earth.

The No. 1 Findlay Oilers shredded the Charger defense and ran and dunked their way to a 40-21 halftime lead in a game they went on to win 70­56.

It was just one game, but it the beginning of a disheartening trend. Just like the season before the Chargers started having trouble putting together complete games, instead only showing flashes of brilliance.

Two days later Grand Valley smoked Hillsdale by 22 in Allendale and two weeks after that Findlay routed them by 23 in Ohio.

To make matters worse the Chargers then lost leads and eventually games in overtime to Northwood and Wayne State, games they needed to win if they were going to flex their muscles in the conference.

It got to the point in the middle of January that Gugino was so fed up with things that he let his emotions take control and lashed out at teammates during a timeout in a very public, visible man­ner in the Chargers' home loss to Michigan Tech.

Tharp benched Gugino to start the next contest, a lesson learned and point well taken. So now, to have won five out of six games and just beaten one of the finest programs in all of Division II athletics in front of a wildly enthusiastic home crowd was a decisive step in the planned direction.

It gave the players and coaches something to tell the world about, and it reminded me that sometimes the most triumphant moments in life are preceded with less than perfect ones.

The players were embracing their head coach with words of thanks and congratulations and months upon months of frustration all exploded with proclamations of victory, all because the journey toward success made the already sweet moment even sweeter.

Tharp summed it up best when describing what Saturday's win meant to the program.

“It's a great day to be a Charger, it's a great day to go toe-to-toe with one of the giants, with a team who has won who knows how many trophies. And here, at little Hillsdale College, we went out there and did this and I'm proud to be a part of this.”

I was just proud to take it all in — as a certain championship feeling swept through my body and soul.

For complete audio interviews with head coach John Tharp and guard Keith MacKenzie and Tyler Gerber click here.

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