Doing right isn’t brain surgery, it’s heart surgery

April 8, 2013

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." - Proverbs 4:23So, when is the next college scandal?It's going to come.Who would have thought that last week would be full of Rutgers basketball, PAC 12 basketball officiating and, at the end of the week, an alleged Auburn academic scandal.Mike Rice was fired at Rutgers not because of his actions, but because of the national reaction to the video which seemingly was found anywhere at any time.And, because of what transpired, his three-year tenure at the head coach at Robert Morris will now be scrutinized.Rice ...

The Masters is unofficial open to local golf year

April 15, 2013

Augusta National begs drama like no other golf tournament.As many of us sat somewhere watching the final 11 holes unfold, many more got the itch to get back on the golf course.Every year, the Masters is the unofficial opening to the local golf season.And, once again, a major championship showed gazillions of golfers how to act.Junior golfers, especially, really need to watch Adam Scott and how he handles himself.He was just as classy after winning at Augusta Sunday as he was blowing The Open Championship last July.After reeling off nine pars in a row from holes 4 through 12, Scott ...

Hard work, being humble

April 22, 2013

"A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit." - Proverbs 29:23Connor Arlia just didn't see it coming.No, not a linebacker on a crossing pattern.Prior to Saturday's Gold-Blue Game at West Virginia University, it was announced the 2011 Weirton Madonna graduate was honored with the Nickolich Award, given to a walk-on team member who has distinguished himself through his attitude and work ethic.That means he is no longer a walk-on with the Mountaineers.He is a scholarship athlete.Also, Arlia, Will Clarke and Isaiah Bruce received the Iron Mountaineer ...

Unfortunately, not everyone is thankful for mom

May 13, 2013

(Editor's note: I received such positive feedback that, one year later, some of this column is the same. Names have not been changed to protect the innocent - which was never me).I was a 24-year-old sports editor of the Santa Maria Times, my dream job, so to speak.I had done my senior internship there before graduating from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo.I was handed the job based on two recommendations.I had taken a list of my works to that job interview and I remember the boss saying when he didn't care about those articles already published, "I don't care what you have done. I care what you ...

Some things I will never understand, this is one

May 20, 2013

The fact that there was talk of Mike Collopy not being back as the Edison baseball coach next year is unacceptable.The fact that, from what I was told, more than 100 people showed up at the Edison school board meeting last week to back Collopy is highly acceptable.Dear Edison school board, you have a lot of tough decisions on your collective hands to ensure the future of that district. Since a levy hasn't been passed since what seems like Noah started on the ark, your fiduciary responsibility is enough to keep you busy.To even entertain any thought for one second of not renewing Collopy ...

Thank you for your service; freedom is not free

May 27, 2013

Thank you to all who have served, are serving and will serve - allowing this great country to be what it is.We can all lament about what it is becoming, or what we all think might be around the corner, but we are privileged to be citizens of the United States of America.Nineteen of us returned Saturday evening from the Jefferson County Christian School sophomore class trip to Washington D.C.What a time we all had.Not only were all 16 kids a testimony to God, their families, school and communities (as were the three chaperones) during three long days and short sleeps, but, in one way or ...