Sports, Friends, Connections, Heroes

College Softball: I am sitting in the 107 degree heat in Tucson watching the U of A girls softball team (on TV) playing UCLA (Boo-Hiss) for the world series of college softball. I love the coach Mike Candrea - he has such a visible respect for his players and they respond well to him. No nonsense discipline and solid coaching help these young ladies succeed in softball as well as life. He (and the other college coaches) should probably hire a fitness coach to ward off big butts, bellies and other signs of unhealthy physical profiles. Seems I remember when my girls played softball, they were in much better physical shape with bodies that looked as good in prom gowns as in sports uniforms.

NFL Hockey: I admit it. I love John Mc Donough. My husband is aware of this affair. We both loved John when he was with the Chicago Sting (soccer) and I was the Marketing Director at Pioneer Bank. We have a picture of our daughter Kelly with Pato Majetic in the bank lobby. We watched the S L O W games at the old Cominsky Park and the amazingly fast ones at the Chicago Stadium (indoors). We discovered WeissBier at the Weinkeller after those games.

We loved what he did with the Chicago Cubs and how he made Wrigley Field even more of a destination than it already was. He remained a modest gentleman. I was sad when he left the Cubs to go to the Black Hawks = but Ohhhhh =- what a success story. Butts in the seats is what it's all about and John does that best. He delivered . He addressed our U of A alumni association in Chicago and I was proud to be one if his friends and to be there with him.He's a real class act. I hope Rocky Wirtz gives him a lifetime contract. He deserves it. AND - try and find some "dirt" on him. It doesn't appear to exist. Love you, John.

Back to the Chicago Black Hawks. We have grandsons who are in love with hockey and who will watch the finals with great interest. Back in the day when we were NY Rangers fans, the games ended in April . There were only 6 teams and we breathed it all. Now, I'm glad my kids' kids have adapted to the longer season. I don't breathe it, but I am rooting for the Hawks, the Lady Wildcats and the decent people in sports, like John Mc Donough and Mike Candrea.

As a finale. I want to salute the young father who spent most of his day off today teaching his 6 year old to swim our lap pool. He encouraged, he demonstrated, he asked his son to respect those of us at the pool who were reading. He is a professor at the U of A and the son-in law of one of our neighbors. He was teaching his son swimming, familial loyalty, community manners and social graces. I love him as well. Mas abrazos amigo. We need more heroes like these guys.

FIND YOURSELF SOME HEROES.