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Basketball With the Kids

February 26, 2007 in Family, Sports with 0 Comments

We just finished up the Upward basketball season for Luke and Emma. I have really enjoyed coaching and being with the kids. Upward is a good program and it was sponsored locally by Cliffview Church here in Galax. It was a great way to introduce people to a church and teach the kids some basic beliefs about following Christ. Coaching is my one chance to act completely crazy and silly (I was coaching 1st-3rd grade) and share about my faith at the same time. I also enjoy the emphasis on teamwork, basic skills, and sportsmanship. I like the fact that we can take the emphasis off of competition and put it on being Christ-like.

And while I’m talking about basketball, I have to mention that us guys at church had our first basketball practice yesterday. We will be playing in a local church rec league. I’m just a little sore. Well actually, a whole lot sore. I have always enjoyed playing basketball and it feels great to get out and run. My lungs were burning and my legs were feeling like jelly, but it felt great. I did realize how out of shape I am. I can really relate to the chapter in Mark Driscoll’s book titled “Why am I getting meaner and fatter?” I tend to do good in the summer when I can get outside and bike and run, but I struggle keeping in shape during the winter months. That’s pretty lame considering there is a full gym right outside my office.

And one more basketball surprise. I get to coach Luke in the local rec league starting tomorrow night. It’s a league for K-2nd grade. That should be interesting. A bunch of wild and crazy boys with an attention span less than their age. It will be a good chance to model sportsmanship and character to these young men. I can’t wait.

Super Bowl Nonsense

February 1, 2007 in Crazy Stuff, Sports with 0 Comments

Okay, what lame brained marketing genius came up with the cease and desist idea for churches having super bowl parties. Of all the bad publicity the NFL has gotten this year (see Cincinnati’s familiarity with the local police as one example, Michael Vick as another), do they really want to make a statement that churches can’t get together and watch the game, although its alright if in a sport’s bar? I had a bunch of teenagers in my basement watching on a 8 foot screen with a projector when Janet Jackson decided to flash the world. They should be thankful that churches are giving them another chance and giving them free publicity by encouraging people to watch the game. What frustrates me even more is that in this year’s Super Bowl, there are 2 head coaches who are committed Christians. Do companies actually lose sight of their customer base? I hope they change this decision soon. Absolutely Crazy

Baptist Press Article and Sports Illustrated Article

My First New Year’s Resolution

December 30, 2006 in Sports with 0 Comments

I just decided what my first New Year’s Resolution needs to be. Here it is: I need to calm down and not get so dang mad when Virginia Tech loses! Tonight they blew a 18 point lead in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl and lost to Georgia. Our QB just tightened up and lost his confidence in the 2nd half. Oh well, at least we have quite a few people returning next year.

And anyway, I don’t really believe in New Year’s Resolutions. Let our yes be yes and our no be no.

Basketball Time Again

December 22, 2006 in Family, Sports with 0 Comments

It’s time for the kids to start basketball again. I’m coaching Emma’s 1st-3rd grade team. The league is sponsored by Cliffview Church of God and is based on the nationwide Upward Organization. I have coached both boys and girls at this age before and I have noticed an incredible difference between the two.

I watched Luke’s practice earlier this week and the coach spent half of his time telling the boys to quit rolling around on the floor, to quit climbing on the basket, and to quit running around like wild men. Watching 1st to 3rd grade boys is like watching stand-up comics on speed. Everything they do is for laughs. Their attention span is about a minute long, so you have to talk quick.

But with the girls, it is completely different. They will actually do what you ask, they listen politely, and they sometimes giggle and laugh when you act stupid. If you act stupid in front of the boys, then they act stupid in return trying to one-up you. But both the girls and boys have loads of fun, just in their unique way. And it is important to keep it fun while teaching them fundamentals about the game.

I really like Upward because of the potential to reach outside of your church. People will come into the league that have never been in church, and you have an opportunity to really provide something special for the community. Upward has a great system for preparing coaches and referees by using both a manual and a dvd. They also stress the importance of respecting authority, which is too often overlooked in sports leagues. And finally you get to learn Bible verses and share devotions each week with the players (and parents at the games) It’s going to be very interesting the next few weeks. But I love it because I get to combine my love of basketball with telling others about Christ, and I get to do it while spending some special time with my kids.

What’s Going on at Virginia Tech

October 19, 2006 in Sports with 0 Comments

I have to admit it, I’m a college football addict. But when you look at the on-field and off-field problems at many of the major universities, you have to wonder where we have gone wrong. College athletics has turned into big business, and character means nothing as long as you are winning. Two recent examples.

Virginia Tech – This is my school, my team, but it gets to a point where you are beyond frustrated with the players and coaching staff. From the Marcus Vick saga to the suspensions this year to the BC game last week with the players fighting and turning on each other, you just sense that the team has a serious lack of character. This blog post has some good info about the recent events. And it’s not just the players, it the fans as well. The picture in the previous link says it all. What a sad commentary on intercollegiate athletics. Coach Beamer has said he is cracking down on the attitude problems, but only time will tell what actually happens.


Miami - Check out this webpage. Miami had a special day to encourage kids to join a team, not a gang. They brought 700 kids to watch the Miami-FIU game and the kids got to witness a huge riot on the field. Great example guys! And for your part in the fight, you get to skip the Duke game. If you did that on the street, you would be pulling time. I don’t know about you, but the suspensions for Miami are laughable. Until the NCAA really starts providing adequate consequences for these on-field riots, I’m afraid we will see more and more.

The Miami Dade Police Department kicked off their annual “Join-a-Team, Not-a-Gang program on Tuesday, October 10th. This Saturday, the Miami Dade Police Department will bring about 700 children to the Miami vs. FIU football game as part of the program.

The Biggest Loser

September 21, 2006 in Sports, Technology with 0 Comments

I watched part of The Biggest Loser last night on NBC. I really haven’t watched it more than a few minutes before last night. It’s a neat show, it’s amazing how much weight these guys are losing, but there was something really cool about the show. It’s sponsored by 24 Hour Fitness and the company I work for does a ton of business with them. Several of the weight lifting machines that I have designed were on the show last night. It’s a weird feeling when you see something on tv that you have spent months designing and building. It’s satisfying to know that all the computer time and shop time actually is helping someone make a positive change in their lifestyle.

However, I do struggle sometimes with wondering if all this work is making an eternal difference. I know Colossians 3:17, that whatever we do, we should do in the name of Jesus, but that doesn’t excuse not reaching out to others. I am probably too hard on myself at times, but I do want to remember that my main focus in life should be growing closer to Christ in order to bring Him Glory and reach others in His Name.

What’s up with the ACC

September 19, 2006 in Sports with 0 Comments

It’s college football time again. And the great Hokies are 3 and 0 so far. But the real question is what is going on with the ACC this year. Miami has already lost to Florida State and they got shelled by Louisville. Florida State got beat by Clemson. UVA can’t even beat Western Michigan, although as a tech fan, I actually enjoy watching them struggle. NC State barely beat a I-AA team and has lost to 2 others. The ACC was supposed to be strong this year, but the teams look horrible. I think Amato at NC State will be looking for a new job soon as well as Groh at UVA, although he has a big contract to consider.

I really don’t know how good Tech is. I predict their defense will finish in the top 5 by the end of the year. They are tough this year, but the offense is a different story. They still have a lot of room for improvement. Saturdays are pretty much shot due to college football for me. But at least there’s TiVo
I also caught the Monday night football game last night for the first time this year. I must say that I was not impressed. The chemistry just isn’t there in the announcing booth. Kornheiser just seems uncomfortable, and when he starts quoting Cosell, then you know it’s going downhill. And although I grew up a huge Theismann fan, he just annoys me being too hyper. However, Sunday night football has been great so far. I just wish it didn’t come on the same time as Extreme Home Makeover, which is my kids favorite show.
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