Sports 2008

I posted it for my cousin John, but liked it so much I decided to share it with everyone. I don't care if you think it's dorky, if you do, you probably haven't played with a great group of friends and teammates.


Good luck at all your games. If I can give you a little coaches advice . . . as many of you know, I have played for a couple of years (25+), I was a captain in high school as well as in college. Being a captain is a delicate balance of leading and nurturing your teammates. Leading comes in many forms, the most convincing form is by your 'actions'. You don't need to be the best player on the field (I wasn't), but I will tell you, my teammates respected me. I played hard, I never quit on any play, if I got beat, I got back up and did what I could do to get the ball back. Never quit on any play, play until the last whistle. The game is never over until the officials say it is. I've seen a lot of crazy wins from teams that should have been counted out. Remember to build up your teammates; your mood and actions can spread through out the team. Always try to convey 'hope' and be 'positive' even in the most difficult times. Everyone out there has many different skill levels, help those with weaker skills find they're strengths. Be there for the perfect pass from the skilled players or look for the rebound on their shots. I've scored more 'trash' goals than 'pretty' ones, but at the end of day, they all count the same. Remember that.


Even if you are not the captain of your team, other will still look up to you. Play hard and trust me they will listen.


Give your teammates an opportunities to succeed, let them have the chance to excel or fail. If the fail, build them up for the next time. If the succeed, give them all the credit, but continue to give them chances.


Sorry to sound a little cheesy here, but this game has been my life for a lot of years. I've played with some great players, I've played in some great arenas, and at the end of the day I could have walked off the field alone, but it always felt better to jog off with my brothers. Grab every opportunity and don't let it slip.


Remember that 95% of the guys you are playing against are right footed. Play them to their left. They'll cough the ball up.


GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF MY BOYS ! ! ! EVEN IF YOU ARE PLAYING TENNIS (Greg, we miss ya, we really do) OR FOOTBALL (Tick Tock & Justin). I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST THIS SEASON AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT TRY OUTS IN THE FALL AND ON THE FIELD IN THE SPRING.


Call with any questions and I look forward to kicking around with you anytime you want.

1:42 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Safty First Generation Rant
Current mood: infuriated
Category: Sports

6:19 AM - 5 Comments - 7 Kudos - Add Comment

Dedication: I Coached My Last Game . . .
Current mood: crushed
Category: Life

10:13 AM - 4 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Washed up soccer player . . .
Current mood: annoyed
Category: Sports

Basically this is just a vent session to some teammates and opponents that I play soccer with and against and just don't get it . . . and never will. Some of you that will read this will appreciate my words. Others . . . not so much.

The way I play . . . I have played soccer for nearly 26 years. I'm old, I'm tired, I've put my body through hell. If you could have a conversation with my body with out my mind knowing, it would simply say . . . "I hate him, I hate him for everything he has put me through." When given the chance my mind would reply . . . "Good".  I look at my body and know I have played this sport in a reckless way. I've had it all, black eyes, scratches, cuts, torn muscles, torn ligaments, shattered bones, and I have the screws, pins and scars to prove most of them. But do I care . . . No. I played this game for the team around me, I sacrificed everything for those 90 minutes, and so our team had a shot at a win. Because at the end of every game, I wanted to know that my teammates would answer "Yes" to a simple question . . . Did he give it everything he had?

Now older, I play rec-leagues now, where contact is frowned upon. Where mediocre, never weres, think they are Gods, the smart mouth guppies talk their shit knowing you can't lay a finger on them, the washed up running their mouth giving half ass, no true game knowledge advice to people just trying to learn the game, where no one has your back when it comes shaking time, where team mates don't know what it's really like to be on a "team". Where is this going you ask? It's just me frustrated in my own changing of the seasons, I'm older, and at one time my style of play was appreciated and respected, and now it just comes off like I'm an asshole. I've watched this game that I love change from intensity, competitiveness and sportsmanship, to being filled with whiners, complainers and pussies. I've always been intense, loud and distracting, an instigator if you will, if the other team was more worried about me and what I was doing or the next thing that was going to come out my mouth, they couldn't focus on their game play. Thus we get the advantage on the mental front. Sorry, this is just one switch I can't shut off. I wasn't big, I had to be smarter. But when that whistle blows at the end I am and was, usually the first person in line to shake hands and wish a good game, no matter the out come. I've played this way my whole life, and now I am in an arena where this style is . . . well . . . not accepted. I can't shut off the way I have played for over 25 years, this is who I am, I don't put up with bullshit on the field, whether you are on my team or if I'm playing against you. If you are going to talk the talk, you better be able to walk the walk. I don't try to change you, so don't f*ck with my style.

They're guys out there that can beat me, I'm not great . . . but I'm solid, I can hold my own, so don't think I'm being cocky here and making it sound like there isn't anyone out there that can hold a candle to me. God knows, there is and they can blow my candle out as they go by.

So what I'm trying to say is this . . . If you are my team and you have some advice for me, I'm all ears, I'll listen, that's what being part of a team is all about, but don't you belittle me or talk down to me because I made a bad pass, didn't pick you as my passing option, or shot wide. I know what I want to do with the ball before I get it, my mind is going 1000 mph, I've evaluated 98% of all my options in less than a second. I know my options and my capabilities, and also know when I f*ck up, or when there is a slight hesitation in my thought process.  I'm not afraid to ditch the play and move on to the next thing. I believe in this philosophy . . . you hesitate, you die. So I move on to the next smart play quickly to try to keep the ball in our position versus a stupid turn over that could result in a goal. Selfishness has no place on the field, know yourself and suck up your pride and be a team player.

Now let's slide to other side of the field. To all you guys that think you are great, and want to talk shit, first and foremost . . . when it comes down to a battle of wits, you will starve. I don't take anything personally, talking shit and getting you fired up makes the game fun for me, because when I talk, I know I can walk. I don't have to beat you with a fancy move or speed, I'm smarter than that . . . I'll just make the pass to the guy you weren't paying attention to. Quit bitching about getting touched and bumped, soccer is a contact sport, and when given the chance on a 50/50 ball I will STILL go through you. So get up, dust off and keep playing, quit crying. I love contact, hit me if it makes you feel better. Come at me dirty, go ahead, I don't care, I've seen most of it, and unfortunately there was a time I've done it as a common piece of my portfolio. Just know this . . . if you do get me (and this is a big IF) be ready, because you will have one long ass game ahead of you.

I've played this game for a lot of years, and have played with and against a ton of players that I didn't like. But I will tell you this, I respected every single one of them and I truly believe that they respected me. I guess that is what this whole "vent" is really about . . . it's about respect, and with respect comes, good team work and trust, good competition and most of all good sportsmanship. It's sad to see how the game is today in the area. To the one may be two teammates that don't respect me, guess what, respect is a two way street. But I want you to think about this . . . do I still get you the ball when you have opportunities? You know the answer to this, to bad you can't return the favor now and then. That's the difference between a team player and well a . . . player. Let it go and grow up, your not helping the team.

Thanks for the read,

The 32 year old, unselfish, pins and screws riddled, washed up, 3 goals, 9 assists in 8 games, I vent even though we are in first place, because this is all I have to play for, rec-league soccer player.

BTW - Chan, see I do agree with you!

3:53 PM - 3 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Nice guys finish last . . . Hmmmmm
Current mood: optimistic
Category: Life

I put this together based on a couple things that I have read from a couple of friend's blogs. The promises of their writings are the "Good guys always finish last." Or "Why do women go for the assholes and are so blind to see that there is something good right in front of them?" Hmmmmm . . . how do I respond to this?

That's bullshit! We nice guys always end up on top. Why? From every girl that just uses us for a listening ear, we gain knowledge, for every girl that dumps on us (you know what I mean here), we gain internal strength. A REAL WOMEN that understands and knows what she wants out of life and a relationship will see our resilience and strength and will be intrigued or interested in us. They will be understanding and straight with us just as much as we are understanding and straight with them. Both of you will not be afraid to say or do anything because of a mutual respect for each other. There is no one side relationship, as many of us may have encountered. The days of feeling played or used will be over, a REAL WOMEN won't do these things to ya. Girls play games, because that's all they know how to do, a women with her own free will and direction in life don't have the desire to play these games.

As a man and from these experiences you will know what you will and will not put up with in a relationship. What you will and will not accept in a relationship. I was married for over 8 years, with her for over 13 years. We did not have kids, and there were a lot of good times in our marriage, and yes there were some pretty tough times as well. Now if you're looking for me to slam on my ex-wife that is not going to happen. We had our differences, we grew apart. As some of you may not know, my wife (now ex) and I separated in March of 2006. I felt like I wanted to die, I fought like hell to save my marriage, did counseling and the whole nine yards. We tried to reconcile, but it just wasn't going to happen. I was burned pretty badly over the whole thing, and really didn't think I would want to "date" for a long, long time. Now I'm not placing all of the blame on her, it is a two way street. But at the end of the day I still felt like . . . wow, good guys do always finish last. Why the hell would I want to go through this again? Hell, I'm a good guy, sure I make mistakes, I'm not perfect, I don't claim to be either, but there is no way I am going to put myself through this again. Well here I am . . . I'm on the other side now, I knocked the dirt off, and stood up, placed one foot in front of the other, and decided I am willing to take the risk again. Is getting hurt again worth it? The question I put to you is . . . is never taking the chance to get hurt again worth it? I would rather feel happiness, love, sorrow and pain than feel nothing at all.

One of the points made in both blogs that I read, basically said . . . Why do women go for the assholes and are so blind to see that there is something good right in front of them?

Let me explain why I believe this is true. Now this part may seem like a slam on women, if you know me than you know this is not my intention. I will make my case and you will see why guys are just as guilty.  I view it as simple psychology, a learned behavior . . . women/men don't know any different. We mimic what we see or what we were taught. From our own household, we are taught from a very young age how to respect or show respect to women/men (or not). Some households taught these lessons very well. The husband was there for the wife (and vise versa), through all the good times and bad times, and set a good example before the children. While other parents were never home, argued when they were together, treated each other like shit, or were a single parent and children over heard disrespectful conversations of there other parent on the phone and/or saw the revolving door of "dates". As cheesy as it sounds, television, movies and marketing aren't helping at all . . . look at all the shows we watch, look at the adultry, lies, etc. and the arrogant asshole always gets the hot girl, the nice guy fixes the sink and quietly dreams of treating this women right. Will he ever get the chance? Screw that! You don't want the chance; put more value on yourself than that, if she/he can't see it for themselves, than they don't deserve to be with you to begin with. Move on . . . Next.

Long story short . . . Think for yourselves, be patient, be self assured, know what you want out of woman/man and life. Do you want to be in a destructive relationship or healthy one? Do want to argue and be disappointed all the time or do you want to encouraged and embraced by your significant other? Step back for a while, if it's meant to be, it will come back around. But don't be afraid to walk away and live life as a single for a little while. It's better to live alone and happy than with someone and miserable. Break the chain, you can wake up in the morning and mimic what you see or you can set the example of what you want to be!

Nice guys don't finish last . . . we do end up on top and our top is much higher than the assholes (hmmm, that just sound funny), the right person for you will see it in time, and they will be everything you ever wanted. Be patient, it's worth the wait. Be willing to take the chance when it comes around.

Will I find the right person? Who knows. Will the right person find me? Who knows. Live life the best way you know how and the pieces will fall into place in due time.

We always want what we can't have . . .

10:07 AM - 9 Comments - 9 Kudos - Add Comment

The darkside for once . . .
Current mood: touched
Category: Life

As many of you know I write material that is typically positive in nature, a real pick me up, but today I decided to toy with the dark side. I found myself laying in bed wondering what it would be like to be at my funeral. I know it's a weird thought, but I it got me thinking about my own life. If this bothers you, then quit reading and move on to the other pieces that I have written. I just wanted to see how it would feel to write and post something more along the lines of something Edgar Allen Poe would write. Many may read this and wonder why I would write something like this, wonder if I am depressed, wonder if I am sending a message, is it a cry for help. The answer is simply, I am fine, I am happy, I just wanted to see how it felt to write something, based on my own death, I want to see what emotions and feelings it would pull out of me. To push my thought process and see if there is anything I could do more to make sure my life is worth every second. I want to make sure I am living my life right. I will respond in a few days, maybe after a get a few responses, but I just want to let this sink in a little. With that being said, let's begin . . . or end.

******

I see you all have come to see me today, which is weird because, I didn't plan anything for today. But yet you have all come to be with me. Why? I ask. Why in the world would you want to spend these hours, minutes and seconds with me. I'm sure there are far more important things you could be doing. You could be vacationing, spending time with your family, reading a good book or something more exciting than being here.  But yet again you have come. What is it about me that drew you away from your lives to share your time with me?

Are you here for the stories? God knows there are plenty of them to be told. Are you here to tell me something, was there something that you wanted to say, something so important it just couldn't wait any longer? Than what is it, let me hear it. To be honest you didn't have to come hear to tell me. What is it that you wanted to see? Did you want see me in person? Well, I hope what you see nothing like you thought, or maybe I hope you don't see anything at all. As you know now that decision has been taken from me, and that decision was left up to all of you.

What do you want me to say, was there something that we never cleared up? Is there some unfinished business that needs tending to? Well, say it, I'm listening. I'll answer you back when you are done, but listen closely, you may not hear what I am saying.  Your heart will hear it, you eye will never see it, but if you know me, you can probably guess what I would say. Do you regret waiting until now to say what you wanted to say? I've tried to live my life with out regret, but I'm sure I have regret now. I regret holding back, not saying what I thought needed to be said, not letting you know how I really felt about you, each of you.

I wish I could tell you that I loved you, I'm proud of you, I'm a better person for knowing you, I wish could have done this or that more often, your kids are great, your parents were the kindest I've met, and to be honest I've envied your life a little. You had things I wanted, if I couldn't get it myself, you shared what you had. I've taken all the good thoughts and words you have given me and stored them inside my soul. Like a full suitcase, I carry these memories with me where ever I go. Through the worn out zipper on the suitcase, the sad times slip out and are left behind.

It's weird seeing my mom and dad together today; to be honest I didn't think I would see that for sometime. But here we are all three of us, we all get along, we all smile and it feels good. I think this is the first day in years that my brother and I have really and truly gotten along. Why did it take so long? What was it that makes today so easy to stand side by side versus the days past?

Wow, all my family is here! What an awesome site, you guys really know how to make me smile. I love hanging out with you, family reunions, to days on the lake, graduations, weddings, soccer, hockey or whatever the occasion was that brought us together. I hope you all have smiled as much as I have.

What is this a tubing party? I never thought we get this many people to go down the Muskegon at one time! How did we pull this off? If we were going tubing, don't you think you are a little over dressed? I like to hear my name, but today it seems like everyone is talking about me. To be honest, I like it a lot, I like that fact that I have given you all something to talk about. Hopefully it is all good, I'm sure there is a few bad in the mix, but hey, I'm not perfect.

I know I'm gone . . . I just want to be remembered for the good times, hope that the ugly times weren't as bad as I thought. Today I have walked amongst all of the great people I have ever known. I'm gone, but I leave here a rich man, maybe I didn't have all the glamour and glitz, but I had true friends, loyal family members and life I can hang a hat on. There are a few questions I have left . . . How did I get here? Was it a disease? Car accident? Or did I do something stupid and this was the end result? How old am I? Did I do everything I wanted to do? Did I say everything I wanted to say? Did I take all the chances that needed to be taken? Is there unresolved issues? Now, can you forgive me? Know that I am sorry, I really didn't mean to hurt any of you, but I'm sure I have made some of you cry at some point. I ask you to forget those days and remember the brighter times. It's those days that will sing louder than the darken murmurs of mistaken times.

I leave you all now to share your thoughts, tears, smiles and stories. Celebrate my friends and family, that is what I would want. I'm off to fly with the angels and hopefully soar above the serpants, but that choice is no longer mine. Celebrate my life, and our times, smile every day knowing you have made a difference in someone's life. That someone's life was mine.

9:42 AM - 6 Comments - 7 Kudos - Add Comment

Kentwood Falcons - Winning at the game of life
Current mood: optimistic
Category: Life

COMMENTS REALLY ENCOURAGED . . .

Well here it is . . . everyone is wondering how the boys did this weekend. Let me put it too like this. Our story is a great one, the success even greater and by the end of this blog I think you will agree.

As everyone knows I was part of two tournaments this weekend. The first tournament that I was a part of was the hockey tournament that I promoted and played in. The other was the Portage tourney my boys (Kentwood Soccer) played in.

Our first game was Saturday morning. The boys came out hot and won their first game 7 - 4. I knew I had to get back to GR for my tourney so the boys made a deal with me, that they would win the second game, which they did 5 - 0. I returned Sunday morning and I watched my boys absolutely dominate a team and win 7 - 0 or something like that. I then was going to head back to GR for my own tourney once again. Now before I left, I knew if these boys lost, I just coached my last game with them. So we made a deal again, and they guaranteed a victory in there forth game of the weekend.  My tourney wrapped up and I immediately got on the phone to find out my boys were doing.

I come to find out that the they were playing a man down (due to a red card), which meant we only had one sub also. The game was tied 2 - 2. They went to over time and I listened to the game over the phone. It sounded really intense. Overtime ended in a tie, and they were going to a shootout. With one shooter going at a time they buried the ball in the back of the net, scoring 100% of there shots and locked in a championship game at 5pm! I jumped in my car and made my to Portage to coach the championship game which was only 45 minutes away. That's not a lot of time to get there and not a lot of time for the boys to rehydrate and rest.

I got there just as the game begun, it was a good game, back and forth for most of the first. Now we were down by a score of 1 - 0 at half time. These kids look beat, the their tanks were on empty, I didn't think they had anything left to give, but they did and everything that was going against them wasn't going to stop them from playing with everything they had.

Let me stop there. Let me ask you a question. Have you ever been truly inspired, insperation to the point you are weak in the knees, maybe a tear or two running down your face. I can tell you this, and maybe you have been, but not any where close to the level that I was this weekend. You gave it everything you had, you showed the world with our actions, and some with your words that no matter what the score was, we were the best team on that field!

I saw kids fighting for every inch of earth, never quitting, never saying it's over, never hanging their heads. A couple great moments came out shortly after half time, but there is not enough room here to even start typing them out. I saw kids playing with sportsmanship, leadership, intensity, sacrifice, passion, and heart and they did it with everything they had inside them. What you did and said over the last two games is our story, and unless you lived it, you wouldn't totally understand what I saw, heard and lived on Sunday.

I've watched these kids all year long, giving up personal goals for the over all success of team and today wasn't going to be any different. I've seen injured players ask for playing time, so team mates can get a break, I saw kids playing their possible last games ever, and one thing was for sure that this was going to be the last 35 minutes this group was ever going to play together . . . the point being . . . they were going to do it for each other, not for themselves.

The game came to a close, the boys made their way to me on the sideline, we shook hands with the winning and made our way to the hill where I saw 13 boys collapse from mental, physical and emotional drain. I called the parents over, because I needed time to compose myself, and I knew what I wanted to say, but I didn't know how it would come out. I was looking at the best group of kids in the world, I was looking at OUR TEAM. I could hardly talk with out my voice cracking, what I said is part of our story, you don't need to know the details, just know there wasn't one kid there that hasn't given me something to remember over the past three years and that Sunday will be in my heart for a long time.

The score to the game isn't important, and don't get me wrong, I wanted to see them win, but they came up just a little short. But overall, I think losing was the best thing for us, not because losing is fun and I needed to make a point, but winning that game would have over shadowed the friendships and the bonding that made this team what it was. Losing this game gave us time to look back over the past 3 years and reflect. I know some of you if not all were thinking back on the past years and I couldn't help but do the same thing. These boys are going to high school in the fall, and some will never play soccer again, other's will, but at different schools, one thing for sure though, this team would never be together like we were this year and at the end of that game.

The tears were real, my heart ached as I knew this chapter was coming to a close between some of us. All I can say is this boys . . . you won this weekend and you won it all, you won the biggest game there was to be played this weekend . . . this little game we call . . . life.

You changed me just as much as I may have changed you, and I thank each and everyone of you for that. Walk tall, stand proud, you all have something to give! Good luck in high school, if I never get a chance to coach you again, know that I didn't consider myself your coach, but your friend. Play for your new coaches with the same level of intensity, passion, sportsmanship and heart that you gave me and I will give you my guarantee. When it as all said and done, you will have won more than you lost! I think you know what I am getting at!

Thanks boys! Tick Tock, Alec, AJ, Tarwo, Titus, Abe, Mac, Tyler, Dino, Zach, Brandon, Justin and last but not least Greg.

In closing let me just give you boys this . . .

Falcons on 3, 1 . . . 2 . . . 3 . . . FALCONS!!!!!!!!!

(Read my other Kentwood blog to really get a feel for how great these kids are)

1:59 PM - 11 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Kentwood Soccer - I am so proud.
Current mood: happy

Everyone should read this, and please read it to the end. I know it is long and also know you don't know these kids, but they mean a lot to me. There is a blog on my site, I would like it if you posted some responses, I know they would like it, but I also believe these kids deserve it. Wish them good luck in the Portage Tourney next weekend!

I just want to brag about the boys I coach. I have had many of these kids for over 3 years now. I have watched them change and grow right before my eyes. I've watched these "boys" become young "men".

Now I don't have children of my own and this is one of the main reasons why I got into coaching. I love soccer, I have been around the game for a lot of years. Though I have the title of "coach" I am no more than just a "player". Quite honestly, I don't think I'm a very good coach at all. But these kids and the way they play, can make me look like a genius, and I need to thank them for that.

Words really can't explain to you how proud I am of each and every one of them. Looking back at the last three years, I think I have learned more from them, then I thought I was teaching them.

In my own personal life, and I am talking about the past not now, I have had a rough two years. Things are good now and always getting better. But I was down, I wanted to hide, I wanted to quit, but there was one thing that really kept me focused, and one thing that has really gave me joy and happiness in my life. It's these kids. They have seen me at my good times, they have witnessed some pretty bad times, but they always stood by me. I felt like they always believed in me.

I just want to give these kids the credit they deserve. I think I tell them all the time, I try to show it, but I just want to make sure they know it. I hope this doesn't embarrass you boys to much!

Alec: I don't think I have ever heard you complain once. You always do what I need you to do, play forward, play defense, play midfield, shadow a player or what ever the case may be . . . and without question you do it. You're a solid overall player and I know I can count on you any where. You listen to everything I say and respond with intensity and heart. What more can any coach ask for. Thank you.

AJ: What can say, I have seen change as a player and a person. I love to hear your voice on the field, you do everything I ask, and you don't just give 99%, but every single time you are on the field it get 100%! Your voice has become a big part of the defense; you've become quite a leader. You're not afraid to ask questions and I love it, you just want to know the game at all levels, and like a sponge you have absorbed it all up. Then display it on the field.

Tick Tock: Yes, the only kid on the team with a nick name. You're a body bagger; It's been a long time since I have seen a kid play with your level of intensity. Fouls are part of the game, and you do get a couple of them during the game, but on the overall scale of things, their good timed fouls which you know I will never come down on you for that and some of your "body bagging" hits have been some of the cleanest around! Thanks for some of the talks we have had.

Tarwo: I love the fact that you will do what ever it takes to make sure the ball never hits the ground . . . you really do play with heart. Your love for the game follows you like a cape. You play with passion and intensity; you are one of the guys I can count on. I know you would rather play offense or midfield, but your sacrifice has made this team strong. Remember offense wins games, defense wins championships. Bones heal . . . and you are well on your way!

Mac: I believe you are the youngest kids on the team, but you have proven over and over again that age doesn't mean anything. Your game has jumped leaps and bounds; your left foot is the "golden" boot that has set up a number of plays if not goals. Though you don't get the points in your stat book, your play has made a difference on the overall score of the game. Thank for being there over the last year, you're a great kid.

Zach: Great stuff, I can tell you are having some fun out there and it really shows in the way you play. You have consistently help dominate the midfield, you do it with headers, your little one touch moves to get around someone and your strength and persistence has rewarded you with a few well deserved goals. Keep it up, I have no complaints on this end. I love the way you play.

Abe: Just give you the ball and let you go! You're dependable, I can count on you to help on defense, you control the mid field, and you force play deep on the offense end, and you finish! You are a true midfielder and any coach would kill to have you be on their team. I also want to add, Abe did receive a red card, and I did make him come to our game and watch while he missed another game that he could have played in. It killed me to know I took away playing time from someone that really loves the game. I hope you understand, I didn't do it because I was mad at ya.

Greg: I have nothing to say . . . because you usually beat me to it. I have nothing but respect for you. You are a lot like me (sorry, I'm sure that is not what you wanted to hear). Your not the biggest kid in the world, but you wouldn't know that because the size of your heart! You never quit, you even scored a goal and broke your wrist on the same play! I will embarrass Greg a little . . . I hope your ready . . . when I first got you as a player, I was like what the hell am I going to do with this kid? I can't get him to shut up . . . so I gave you a job, you run all the practice and pre-game warm ups. You stepped you with out a question, then your voice is heard on the field, you have leadership qualities. I also love your intensity and passion when you play, you hate to lose, but I have watched you put your emotion in check and you have grown not only as a player but as a person.

Tyler: The second smallest player on the team . . . but as the other player before you wouldn't know it by watching the way he plays. I have watched you change over this time and I am so happy that you got cut or let go from the team under me that first year. With a phone call you joined us and we a blessed, they have NO CLUE what kind of diamond in the rough you were. With that being said, I honestly believe if you made that team you would not be the player you are today. Small, solid, like a little stick of dynamite! You can play for me anytime.

Justin: One of the best role players on the team. I know there are other positions you want to play, but week after week you play your position with out question, with out complaint. You don't know how important you are to the team. Your position can make or break us. Over the last seasons you have been consistently solid and always improving as a player. Just remember let the little things be little and when the time is right you make the big plays when it matters.

Dino: BOSNIA! I have loved having you on the team. I am so happy that you decided to join us. Your confidence in yourself makes you a leader. You lead by example, quitting has never been an option with you. No matter what the score, you step up and take on the challenge. I need a goal, and every time you say you will get me one, you come through with a goal. I love your creativity (especially with Abe), you are a creator and you make things happen. I have enjoyed getting to know you and have loved you style of play.

Brandon: I really hate looking up to you! I need a foot stool to talk to ya. You are also the son of my assistant coach and you have handled it as a real man. I know how hard it can be playing with your parent as a coach and I will say I respect the way you go about it. You have one of the best left foots I have seen in a long time. You play with passion and a lot of force! I want you to know; I have truly enjoyed coaching you and have enjoyed many of the conversation about soccer and life over the past couple of years. I truly thank you.

Titus: I have put you last for one reason. We didn't get along at first, I don't think, and I think you would agree. We bumped heads a little. I kept putting you in net and I know you hated it. We've talked and instead of shutting down, you accepted the challenge. In my opinion, you have sacrificed the most on the team. I'm not saying that others haven't given of themselves, but I just know what you have given up for the team. I know you want to play out, I want you to play out as well, but week after week, when I need a goalie, you set your pride aside and accept challenge. I respect you for that more than you will ever know, you really do define a "team player". You understood what it takes to be a true winner, and not just related to soccer, but in life.

Dave (Assistant Coach): I have loved how you have handle and worked with the kids. You are a great coach, your technical and you know the little things that can make a huge difference. As I said before, I'm a player first, I have a heard time explaining, I just try to show the kids based on my experience. You can break that down and make it ton more understandable. You compliment me very much, our styles are different, but they do over lap. I know I have been a little scattered brained over the last two years but you have consistently been a friend and quite understandable. You don't know how much I appreciate that. I thank you very much! I love yelling at your kid . . . sorry Brandon.

Now as a coach I will get a little cheesy here, not like I wasn't before. Like I said before, I am someone without kids, but I consider each of you one of my own. I also know I keep calling you boys or kids, but that is hardly the case, you are young MEN. You've made this season and the past season worth every practice, every game, and every day worth getting up for! I wish you all the success you get in life, you all make me proud, and I am a better person today for knowing each one of you.

Here is one of the things that should show you (my boys) and the readers of this bulletin/blog that we are a team.

My kids fill the field in their positions . . . I yell out . . .

50/50 ball, who's is it? A team of one speaks . . . "OUR BALL"

Ball is in the air, who's is it? A second battle cry rings out . . . "OUR BALL"

I ask one more question . . . Who's field is it? . . . the individual voices come together and let the world know that it is . . . "OUR FIELD"

. . . and this is OUR TEAM.

Thanks boys, you mean a lot to me. Let's take Portage!

12:34 PM - 10 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

I almost died and it was some of the funniest shit.
Current mood: chipper

I almost died and it was some of the funniest shit. It happened to me last night, I must share.

I'm in my office, listening to the Wings game (damn it) and working all night.  I hear Kira (My 100lb. German Shepard) barking at about 1:30am.  For you dog owners, you know their barks, and you can tell when something is up.  I started to shit my pants! Is someone in my house? So I'm feeling like it's go time, I grabbed a pair of scissors (because that's a man's weapon) I'm thinking what the hell is going on here. If it was going to end tonight . . . I was going to take the son of bitch with me!

I stepped out of my office and a frickin' BAT dive bombs me, with my cat like reflexes and a pair of scissors, I ninja rolled out of the way of the attack . . . I lived, but the war was on.  I didn't want to kill the thing, but it was frickin' huge . . . at least 2 feet long (4") with a wing span of 7 feet (a good 8"). Teeth like Dracula himself!

This little f*cker was going from room to room, I had to stay low because I didn't want it to get caught in my hair (you should be giggling, if you know what I look like). I grabbed a t-shirt off from the railing . . . it was time to stand my ground.  It came around the corner and down the hall way like a Mig-28 it was locked on . . . talk to me Goose . . . I know he had a radar lock on me, but my training at Top Gun or the Tron Academy was no match for his third world training!   Too close for missiles, switching to guns and I whipped that shirt at him . . . DIRECT HIT!

I celebrated only shortly . . . these little guys are hardy warriors.

The shirt slid into the kitchen, Kira was all about going in for the kill which was cool . . . but than I remembered a movie I once saw . . . CUJO . . . with the speed of Rickey Henderson I ran full tilt down the hall way and slid across the floor, missing the tag (my shirt with a bat crawling on it) and collided with the catcher (Kira). With myself, the dog and a kitchen chair all in a pile under the table, I had to make my next move . . . tooooo late, he was off and flying again!

I ran like a little girl, I think I may have screamed at one point!  I opened the garage doors, then like Bruce Willis in Pulp Fiction I needed a weapon to go back inside with . . . a bat (hockey stick), chain saw (shovel), or a sword (rake) . . . the rake it was!  I scampered  (yes, I said scampered) to the other side of the house and opened the other door . . . the vampire had options now . . . I entered the Thunder Doom . . . I heard chants of "Two men enter, one man leaves" . . . I see him, he sees me . . . he came at me with everything he had . . . I stared the devil right in the eyes and wasn't going to back down this time.  At the last minute he took a hard left and was out of my house!

I think I cheered, danced and even clapped. God those things make my skin crawl . . . the end.

PS - I think you can tell I like movies!  I have three things that I hate now!

1. Panthers ~ Kitties eat me dead!
2. Big Black Crickets ~ They go for the neck.
3. Bats ~ Because . . . well they're bats, ever see these things close up, I'll tell you this . . . they don't make good house pets!

6:46 AM - 3 Comments - 3 Kudos - Add Comment

It's just a frisbee, or is it?
Current mood: impressed

I had the sweetest thing happen today.  Kira (my German Shepard), is a big fan of frisbees, but with her jaw strength she goes through them pretty quick.  She has had this one frisbee for about 2 years, and trust me it looks pretty bad, words can not even describe this mangled piece of plastic.

She's (Kira) always in the front yard or back yard playing with it or playing keep away from all the kids that come over to see her.  One of these kids showed up today.  In the back of my mind, I was thinking, "What are you selling now? Cookies, pizzas, subs or candy. How much is this going to cost me?"

I answered her gentle knock on the door, and she said I'm just stopping by to give Kira a new frisbee.  I noticed how bad the other one was and I went to Meijer today and thought I would get her a new one.

This girl is only 12 or 13 years old, and I was just floored by her kindness.  What a little sweetheart.  Asked her how much did it cost, heck I was going to give her a few bucks for it. She quietly said, don't worry about, I wanted to buy it for her.  Now, she didn't mention it, but I saw she had a few more frisbees in her bag.  She's doesn't have any siblings that are able to play frisbee, so who is she going to play frisbee with? I know she had to spend at least $10 in frisbees.  This girl knows how fest Kira goes through them and I have a feeling Kira will get a few more surprises this summer.

I can't tell you how many times I told her thank you, and how sweet she was for doing this. Her small jesture of the frisbee has really made my day. I feel like I should do something for someone, pay it forward a little (which is a great movie, a must see).

Kira hasn't let it get out of her site for almost two hours now, and as a matter fact, she is laying on it right now! It's just a frisbee right? Or is it? I think you will agree it is a lot more than that. She (the young girl) gave of herself, gave out of the kindness of her heart, she didn't expect anything back in return. It was so refreshing to see a child do something small that really made someone else feel great!

Thanks for the frisbee, you can come over anytime to play with Kira!

9:33 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment