Letter to the Editor

Your view: Nobody asked me either

Monday, October 9, 2006

Chris Moore does a fabulous job with his column when he writes, "Nobody asked me but--" He always brings some interesting insights to local and regional sports.

Well, nobody asked me either, but --

* Sikeston's new track and the renovations to the football stadium make it a second-to-none facility in this area. It's also good that Sikeston keeps the stadium open so community members can walk or jog on the track.

* Although Charleston dropped to a 2-2 record on the season with a 14-8 loss at Hayti, the Blue Jays still have the speed, size, and athleticism to win on any given Friday night. That's no secret to area coaches.

* And speaking of football, Southeast Missouri can take pride in the fact that several area high school teams are formidable this year: Caruthersville, Charleston, Dexter, Hayti, Jackson, Malden, New Madrid County Central -- Are we leaving anyone out?

* Although many southeast Missourians enjoy high school football and follow their team faithfully, Missouri is not really a football state when compared with Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, or Oklahoma. Many of us enjoy Friday night action, but it doesn't match the intensity level of Friday nights in many towns in Texas. Even in the neighboring state of Arkansas, Friday night football has a much greater following in most communities.

* And if we are going to talk football and mention Arkansas and Missouri in the same breath, let's acknowledge that an annual game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Missouri Tigers would be an excellent regional rivalry. In recent years, both teams have been fairly evenly matched, and the distance between Fayetteville, Ark., and Columbia is not far to travel for dedicated fans. No doubt about it. A match-up like that every year would generate a lot of interest.

* Although I like sports, I know that the vast majority of our high school student-athletes are not going to be earning a living by playing sports. High school athletics is extremely important, promotes school pride, generates community support, and helps kids learn valuable lessons. But when we get right down to it, teenagers are going to be prepared for the real world of life and work based upon how good they do in the classroom. So I would advise any student to enjoy athletics and put everything they have in to it, but don't forget to hit the books.

* And finally, nobody asked me either but-- I have always enjoyed hearing the one-liners and valuable lessons articulated by Coach Lou Holtz (who had college football head coaching jobs at William and Mary, North Carolina State, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame and South Carolina). Holtz once said, "Winners and losers aren't born; they are the products of how they think. You never hear about mothers giving birth to lawyers, doctors, scientists, ministers, or bank presidents. They give birth to sons and daughters. What those individuals become is a matter of the choices they make. You ultimately decide whether you succeed or not."

David Wilson