FIFTY SHADES OF HONESTY

On , 1-8-2004, 1-8-2004 By ethomasparhamIn Wilson, RaceLeave a comment

My teams played in 28 national small college tennis tournaments. Most were in the NAIA (The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics). The first I attended was in 1970. The Coaches Orientation Meeting began very early and I was a little late, thus seated in the last seat of a long row of tables and coaches.
As the tournament guidelines were presented and discussed, another latecomer settled in, right across the table from me. Nice old, rotund fellow. Smoking a cigar. I wondered who this guy coached? Not only that it wasn’t long that I noticed him drifting toward sleep, although the cigar stayed in his mouth. As the meeting grew longer so did the cigar ash, the sound of a low snore emerged from across the table. And then, as if impeccably timed, the jolly man farted,jarring the substantial ash downward to his shirt and tie. Eyes opening caught me staring at him. Then a wink, as being introduced as Mr.Al Duer, Executive Director of the NAIA. He walked to the podium and gave the same speech about the true value of, and outstanding thing about tennis, that he had given every year before–I was told. And the same as every year we qualified and he was CEO.
Mr. Duer lauded tennis for its ability to self officiate its own matches. Honesty no other sport attempted.
Certainly there were officials later on, but at that time we depended on each player to call lines on his side. To hire officials wasn’t affordable. And there were some stellar examples of honesty witnessed down through years. I seem to remember these more vividly as time passes.
None impressed me more than the behavior of Roland Thornqvist. In order to revisit this, go to BLOG 22 (Thornqvist and Sportsmanship). A call against yourself that could cost you the National Championship?
Memory is vague about a pro doubles tournament championship match that was similar. Essentially the question on a crucial point was did the ball touch the shirt of one of the players before sailing out? Those guys never said. I don’t remember their names. I remember Roland. Among other reason, he is the head coach of the Florida Gators Women’s tennis team. Success has followed him. Several National Titles under his belt. Maybe this years highly ranked team too. I witnessed a few. I have overheard this statement several times: “Thornqvist is the best college tennis coach in America.’

Being a North Carolinian and basketball fan, I felt a great pride and respect for Duke’s championship. And, no doubt the circumstances were quite different in the championship game, I couldn’t help thinking about Roland. And Mr. Duer’s speech.

Thus this hypothetical: As the referees replay the tape, over and over, Justice Winslow confides to Coach K,”…Coach, I barely touched the ball. But I did touch it.”

OLD MOVIES

On , 1-8-2004, 1-8-2004 By ethomasparhamIn Wilson, Race1 Comment

Not much on TV. Stumbled on TWO JAKES with Jack Nicholson. Made me wonder about college athletics in America: Is it just UNC-CHAPEL HILL?
Or, “…I’m just the leper with the most fingers.” (Jake Gettis) ???

VASECTOMY

On , 1-8-2004, 1-8-2004 By ethomasparhamIn Wilson, RaceLeave a comment

Colonel Ray Springfield, a friend and golfing buddy, told me a personal tale. He and his Wife had their fourth child. She said “enough”. Ray agreed to a vasectomy. A career Marine, he not only knew where this surgery was done, but played golf with one of the surgeons. The day was rainy and Ray was about the eighth potential patient to sit down in the waiting room. About three or four more joined the “first come, first served” (no pun intended) before the nurse appeared at the operation room door and asked “…Okay, who’s first”? Stone silence. No one moved. Ray volunteered.

Upon entry Ray saw his friend was the surgeon on call. Ray said there were a lot of scared faces out in the waiting room. Couldn’t resist! And his Doctor friend was eager to go along. Ray gave it a minute, then screamed at the top of his lungs. Then he cried, begged “STOP, STOP, STOP!!!” Then THUD! Like someone hitting the floor.

He and the Doctor friend sneaked a peek into waiting room.

Ray said two things were obvious: “…first, the rain had stopped and sun shone through the windows, and there wasn’t anyone in the waiting room.”

The Doctor concluded, “…what the hell, Ray, we can go play golf!”

CAROLINA ATHLETICS

On , 1-8-2004, 1-8-2004 By ethomasparhamIn Wilson, RaceLeave a comment

“FANTOSH”: “When the crap hits the fan.” Recently there has been a lot of discussion about UNC-CHAPEL HILL athletics. I’m not sure everyone is totally up on the issues. Coach Roy William’s situation was brought up in our local golf group’s pre-round gathering. One local geezer concluded: “If he ain’t got em where they can shoot free throws better this year, by God we’ll fire his ass.’
How big a deal are sports in America? As a youngster I remember a local farmer that sports were “…that stuff that comes on TV after the weather.”
It is going to be interesting how sports in American society change in this “rubicon” moment.

PS. Kevin Bumgarner (Madison’s Dad) was amazed the New York reporter found his secluded home in Caldwell county (NC): Mr.Bumgarner asked him,”…have you ever seen so much of nothing”? That reminded me of Wilbur (of Wilbur’s BBQ in Goldsboro,NC): “Our house was so far out in the country it was the last one between the end of the world and the road.”

HALL OF FAME BARBEQUE

On , 1-8-2004, 1-8-2004 By ethomasparhamIn Wilson, Race2 Comments

The 42nd George Whitfield Sports Hall of Fame and baseball clinic were held in Goldsboro, N.C. this weekend. George is a BASEBALL ANGEL and beloved in eastern North Carolina and beyond. Asked who was the “selection committee”, George replied, “…I am.” He made 22 selections this year. One rather unique pick was Wilbur’s Barbeque in Goldsboro. Wilbur and I share a rare willingness in eastern N.C, as we both admit being anti-repulblican. George read a letter from Wilbur Friday night that said he had only voted for one republican in his life. That was when he was on a jury that tried a republican and Wilbur said he voted FOR convicting him. This reminded me of a tale from the HOI TIDERS (high tiders), or the people from way down east in N.C. The story goes that during the post depression days some locals kidnapped a rare republican’s mule, shaved his side and painted REPUBLICAN on his flank. They then marched the poor mule in the local parade. Story goes that the mule died a week later. Asked the cause of death, the vet suspected “…pure shame.”

P.S. Wilbur said he “… was from so far out in the woods that the end of the world was between his house and the road”.

Coaching the Green Jays

On , 1-8-2004, 1-8-2004 By DanIn Wilson, RaceLeave a comment

On a recent trip to visit my son, his wife and our only grandchild, Andre, I was fortunate to see the “Green Jays” soccer team play 3 times. While there is a Texas bird, a beautiful one much like our Painted Bunting, I heard two other reasons for the name selection. One kid said, “There have never been Green Jays before.” Another said, “They give us green shirts.”

Six year olds are tough to coach. You can count on two things:

1. If hurt, they will run to their mothers
2. Concentration vacillates.

My friend, Randy Campbell, has advised me, “You can buy grandchildren!” Or stated another way, “Money won’t buy everything, but it will keep the family closer.” My grandson concentrates currently on quarters. Quarters beget dollars and dollars beget Legos.

He also likes to play goalie After 40 years of coaching I have learned to put the variables together:
1. Memorize “tip”—Yields 1 quarter
2. Memorize tip 2—Yields 1 quarter plus 2 more if you can repeat tip 1 and tip 2
3. Memorize tip 3—Yields 1 quarter plus 3 more if you can recite tips 1, 2 and 3
4. Memorize tip 4—Yields 1 quarter plus 4 more if you can recite 1, 2, 3 & 4
5. Memorize tip 5—Yields 1 quarter plus 5 more if you can recite 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5

Here were the tips:

1. “The first part of quick is ready.”

2. “Kick it hard, and run fast.”

3. “Never, ever, quit.”

4. “Don’t be scared. Don’t get mad.”

5. “Have fun but learn something every practice and game.”

Andre did very well. Cost me $5.75 in quarters. I have to admit, I’d sneak other suggestions in on him. Example for #1: Remember to, as goalie, “Keep your hands up and bend your knees, and keep your feet moving.” Got to be subtle with corollary suggestions or he/she will want more quarters.

Not all are given to coaching much at age 6. I was struck by the reaction of one youngster when a parent shouted, “Kick it!” at her. Her face clearly stated she had no intention of kicking anything. Don’t know about Boulder’s people…There wasn’t a Romney sticker in town, but if she lives in North Carolina in 2027, she’ll be a debutante.

PS: Another Boulder highlight was Sophie’s birthday party…One father brought his two goats. I asked their names. “The female is Tallulah. The male is Vincent Van Goat.”

COVER–PLAY IS WHERE LIFE IS

On , 1-8-2004, 1-8-2004 By ethomasparhamIn Wilson, RaceLeave a comment

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TOP TEN RANKED AMERICAN MEN TENNIS PLAYERS — 1960-2013

On , 1-8-2004, 1-8-2004 By ethomasparhamIn D. INTERNATIONALS, Wilson, Race1 Comment

TOP 10 U.S. MEN’S RANKINGS

1960
1. Barry MacKay
2. Bernard Bartzen
3. Earl Buchholz Jr.
4. Charles McKinley
5. R. Dennis Ralston
6. Jon Douglas
7. Ronald Holmberg
8. Whitney Reed
9. Donald Dell
10. Chris Crawford

1961
1. Whitney Reed
2. Charles McKinley
3. Bernard Bartzen
4. Jon Douglas
5. Donald Dell
6. Frank Froehling III
7. Ronald Holmberg
8. Allen Fox
9. Jack Frost
10. William Bond

1962
1. Charles R. McKinley
2. Frank Froehling III
3. Hamilton Richardson
4. Allen Fox
5. Jon Douglas
6. Whitney R. Reed
7. Donald Dell
8. Eugene Scott
9. Martin Riessen
10. Charles Pasarell

1963
1. Charles R. McKinley
2. R. Dennis Ralston
3. Frank Froehling III
4. Eugene Scott
5. Martin Riessen
6. Arthur Ashe Jr.
7. Hamilton Richardson
8. Allen Fox
9. Tom Edlefsen
10. Charles Pasarell

1964
1. R. Dennis Ralston
2. Charles R. McKinley
3. Arthur Ashe Jr.
4. Frank Froehling III
5. Eugene Scott
6. Ronald Holmberg
7. Hamilton Richardson
8. Allen Fox
9. Clark Graebner
10. Martin Riessen

1965
1. R. Dennis Ralston
2. Arthur Ashe Jr.
3. Cliff Richey
4. Charles R. McKinley
5. Charles Pasarell
6. Hamilton Richardson
7. Mike Belkin
8. Martin Riessen
9. Ronald Holmberg
10. Tom Edlefsen

1966
1. R. Dennis Ralston
2. Arthur Ashe Jr.
3. Clark Graebner
4. Charles Pasarell
5. Cliff Richey
6. Ronald Holmberg
7. Martin Riessen
8. Frank Froehling III
9. E. Victor Seixas Jr.
10. Charles R. McKinley

1967
1. Charles Pasarell
2. Arthur Ashe Jr.
3. Cliff Richey
4. Clark Graebner
5. Martin Riessen
6. Ronald Holmberg
7. Stan Smith
8. Allen Fox
9. Eugene Scott
10. Bob Lutz

1968
1. Arthur Ashe Jr.
2. Clark Graebner
3. Stan Smith
4. Cliff Richey
5. Bob Lutz
6. Ronald Holmberg
7. Charles Pasarell
8. James Osborne
9. James McManus
10. Eugene Scott

1969
1. Stan Smith
2. Arthur Ashe Jr.
3. Cliff Richey
4. Clark Graebner
5. Charles Pasarell
6. Bob Lutz
7. Thomas Edlefsen
8. Roy Barth
9. Jim Osborne
10. Jim McManus

1970
1. Cliff Richey
2. Stan Smith
3. Arthur Ashe Jr.
4. Clark Graebner
5. Bob Lutz
6. Tom Gorman
7. Jim Osborne
8. Jim McManus
9. Barry MacKay
10. Charles Pasarell

1971
1. Stan Smith
2. Cliff Richey
3. Clark Graebner
4. Tom Gorman
5. Jimmy Connors
6. Erik van Dillen
7. Frank Froehling III
8. Roscoe Tanner
9. Alex Olmedo
10. Harold Solomon

1972
1. Stan Smith
2. Tom Gorman
3. Jimmy Connors
4. Richard Stockton
5. Roscoe Tanner
6. Harold Solomon
7. Erik van Dillen
8. Clark Graebner
9. Richard Gonzalez
10. Brian Gottfried

1973
1. Jimmy Connors
1. Stan Smith
3. Arthur Ashe Jr.
4. Tom Gorman
5. Cliff Richey
6. Charles Pasarell
7. Marty Riessen
8. Erik van Dillen
9. Brian Gottfried
10. Bob Lutz

1974
1. Jimmy Connors
2. Stan Smith
3. Marty Riessen
4. Roscoe Tanner
5. Arthur Ashe Jr.
6. Tom Gorman
7. Dick Stockton
8. Harold Solomon
9. Charles Pasarell
10. Jeff Borowiak

1975
1. Arthur Ashe Jr.
2. Jimmy Connors
3. Roscoe Tanner
4. Vitas Gerulaitis
5. Eddie Dibbs
6. Brian Gottfried
7. Harold Solomon
8. Bob Lutz
9. Cliff Richey
10. Dick Stockton

1976
1. Jimmy Connors
2. Eddie Dibbs
3. Arthur Ashe Jr.
4. Harold Solomon
5. Brian Gottfried
6. Roscoe Tanner
7. Dick Stockton
8. Stan Smith
9. Vitas Gerulaitis
10. Bob Lutz

1977
1. Jimmy Connors
2. Brian Gottfried
3. Vitas Gerulaitis
4. Eddie Dibbs
5. Dick Stockton
6. Harold Solomon
7. Stan Smith
8. Roscoe Tanner
9. Bob Lutz
10. John McEnroe

1978
1. Jimmy Connors
2. Vitas Gerulaitis
3. Brian Gottfried
4. Eddie Dibbs
5. John McEnroe
6. Alex Mayer
7. Roscoe Tanner
8. Harold Solomon
9. Arthur Ashe Jr.
10. Dick Stockton

1979
1. John McEnroe
2. Jimmy Connors
3. Roscoe Tanner
4. Vitas Gerulaitis
5. Arthur Ashe Jr.
6. Eddie Dibbs
7. Harold Solomon
8. Peter Fleming
9. Gene Mayer
10. Brian Gottfried

1. John McEnroe
2. Jimmy Connors
3. Gene Mayer
4. Vitas Gerulaitis
5. Harold Solomon
6. Brian Gottfried
7. Eddie Dibbs
8. Roscoe Tanner
9. Eliot Teltscher
10. Stan Smith

1981
1. John McEnroe
2. Jimmy Connors
3. Gene Mayer
4. Brian Teacher
5. Vitas Gerulaitis
6. Eliot Teltscher
7. Roscoe Tanner
8. Brian Gottfried
9. Bill Scanlon
10. Mel Purcell

1982
1. Jimmy Connors
2. John McEnroe
3. Vitas Gerulaitis
4. Gene Mayer
5. Alex Mayer
6. Johan Kriek
7. Eliot Teltscher
8. Brian Teacher
9. Steve Denton
10. Brian Gottfried

1983
1. John McEnroe
2. Jimmy Connors
3. Jimmy Arias
4. Gene Mayer
5. Bill Scanlon
6. Eliot Teltscher
7. Johan Kriek
8. Sandy Mayer
9. Brian Teacher
10. Brian Gottfried

1984
1. John McEnroe
2. Jimmy Connors
3. Johan Kriek
4. Eliot Teltscher
5. Jimmy Arias
6. Aaron Krickstein
7. Vitas Gerulaitis
8. Gene Mayer
9. Brad Gilbert
10. Mark Dickson

1985
1. John McEnroe
2. Jimmy Connors
3. Kevin Curren
4. Tim Mayotte
5. Johan Kriek
6. Paul Annacone
7. Brad Gilbert
8. Eliot Teltscher
9. Scott Davis
10. Greg Holmes

1986
1. Jimmy Connors
2. John McEnroe
3. Brad Gilbert
4. Tim Mayotte
5. Kevin Curren
6. Robert Seguso
7. Aaron Krickstein
8. Johan Kriek
9. David Pate
10. Tim Wilkison

1987
1. Jimmy Connors
2. John McEnroe
3. Tim Mayotte
4. Brad Gilbert
5. David Pate
6. Eliot Teltscher
7. Paul Annacone
8. Jimmy Arias
9. Kevin Curren
10. Andre Agassi

1988
1. Andre Agassi
2. Jimmy Connors
3. John McEnroe
4. Tim Mayotte
5. Aaron Krickstein
6. Kevin Curren
7. Brad Gilbert
8. Michael Chang
9. Robert Seguso
10. Dan Goldie

1989
1. John McEnroe
2. Brad Gilbert
3. Michael Chang
4. Andre Agassi
5. Aaron Krickstein
6. Tim Mayotte
7. Jay Berger
8. Jimmy Connors
9. Kevin Curren
10. Jim Courier

1990
1. Andre Agassi
2. Pete Sampras
3. Brad Gilbert
4. John McEnroe
5. Jay Berger
6. Michael Chang
7. Jim Courier
8. David Wheaton
9. Aaron Krickstein
10. Richey Reneberg

1991
1. Jim Courier
2. Pete Sampras
3. Andre Agassi
4. Michael Chang
5. David Wheaton
6. Derrick Rostagno
7. Jimmy Connors
8. Brad Gilbert
9. John McEnroe
10. Richey Reneberg

1992
1. Jim Courier
2. Pete Sampras
3. Michael Chang
4. Andre Agassi
5. Ivan Lendl
6. John McEnroe
7. Aaron Krickstein
8. MaliVai Washington
9. David Wheaton
10. Richey Reneberg

1993
1. Pete Sampras
2. Jim Courier
3. Andre Agassi
4. Michael Chang
5. Todd Martin
6. MaliVai Washington
7. Ivan Lendl
8. Richey Reneberg
9. Brad Gilbert
10. Aaron Krickstein

1994
1. Pete Sampras
2. Andre Agassi
3. Todd Martin
4. Jim Courier
5. Michael Chang
6. MaliVai Washington
7. Ivan Lendl
8. Richey Reneberg
9. David Wheaton
10. Aaron Krickstein

1995
1. Pete Sampras
2. Andre Agassi
3. Michael Chang
4. Jim Courier
5. Todd Martin
6. MaliVai Washington
7. Patrick McEnroe
8. Richey Reneberg
9. David Wheaton
10. Aaron Krickstein

1996
1. Pete Sampras
2. Michael Chang
3. Andre Agassi
4. Todd Martin
5. MaliVai Washington
6. Jim Courier
7. Richey Reneberg
8. Alex O’Brien
9. Chris Woodruff
10. Vincent Spadea

1997
1. Pete Sampras
2. Michael Chang
3. Jim Courier
4. Chris Woodruff
5. Jeff Tarango
6. Richey Reneberg
7. Todd Martin
8. Vincent Spadea
9. Jonathan Stark
10. Alex O’Brien

1998
1. Pete Sampras
2. Andre Agassi
3. Todd Martin
4. Michael Chang
5. Jan-Michael Gambill
6. Vincent Spadea
7. Jeff Tarango
8. Jim Courier
9. Justin Gimelstob
10. Steve Campbell

1999
1. Andre Agassi
2. Pete Sampras
3. Todd Martin
4. Vincent Spadea
5. Jim Courier
6. Michael Chang
7. Chris Woodruff
8. Jeff Tarango
9. Jan-Michael Gambill
10. Justin Gimelstob

2. Bernard Bartzen
3. Earl Buchholz Jr.
4. Charles McKinley
5. R. Dennis Ralston
6. Jon Douglas
7. Ronald Holmberg
8. Whitney Reed
9. Donald Dell
10. Chris Crawford