Much awaited Caleb Pics

New pictures have been uploaded to our online photo album. Simply click on the album to the left to see them. BTW, even if the picture you see isn't new to you, there still may be new ones posted. The pictures scroll through with each log on, so keep checking to see new pics. Enjoy!!!

Competitive Balance

We've seen this before, in that coaches get grilled for running up the score or a overly competitive parent fights with someone, but this just may be too far:

Michigan district ends season for 0-4 football team

The district used the rationale of players getting hurt because they couldn't compete physically. Who can argue with this? The problem is, is this really the case. It doesn't say but injuries from previous games weren't mentioned, and the players didn't feel in danger (given, how many 16-18 year old males do). But, I do wonder about this move.

Heck, we wouldn't have movies like Hoosiers, or Remember the Titans, or the Rookie if this were the mindset in the past. Losing builds character more often than does winning, and yes it is o.k. to be uncomfortable for a time. 0-4, heck how do they know that they can't come back and be 4-4 by the end? Thus the premise of Facing the Giants .

Is this just another way we are "Helmetizing our Youth"? (for lack of a better term, see Feb. 20th, 2006 on this blog) If the injury issue is true then I commend them, but this just doesn't sit right with me. Winning isn't the only outcome of sports, particularly when you're younger than 18. It is a large part, but what about hard work, effort, team work, pride, winning and losing gracefully, etc? For those kids, they had those lessons cut short this season.

What would the sporting world look like if all 0-4 teams quit? Sounds like the rich getting richer to me...well we do live in a capitalistic society!

My Blogging Sabbatical Is Over

Sorry all. It has been a long time. I feel badly for not posting here is a while. As my previous post noted, I took a new job and with that came an August of epic proportions. August typically is the craziest month in my area of student life, so being in a new job only compounds that. I finally feel that I am back up to speed, which gives me time to make this a living blog again!

I hope to start posting weekly updates/pics of Caleb again. He is doing so well right now and is days from crawling (which scares mom and dad greatly :) I hope to put new pics on the album tonight, so check back soon.

The new job is going great, as is the commute. Given there are growing pains, or change pains that are typical, but for the most part I am very happy with the transition. APU is a great place and the people/students make it that.

For now this will have to suffice as I must go, but I know I will be better at updating this. Stay tuned...