Thanks

Another year is rapidly coming to an end. Thanksgiving will be followed by Christmas specials with bowl games coming up sooner than we would like to think.

For me personally, I’m thankful for a lot of things. I’m very thankful for my wife who takes good care of me. I don’t think I say that nearly enough. But after 36 years together I may be taking it for granted but since I still make her laugh maybe I’m worthy!

I’m thankful for a great job at a great company. 15 years has gone by rather quickly but I still get up in the morning happily to see what new challenge I’ll be facing that particular day.

I feel sorry for those people who go to work each day unhappy, thinking they are wasting their time. All I can say is find a purpose and believe that you are making a difference and smile while you do it. It can’t hurt.

In the sports world I’ve been a very lucky fan and I’m also thankful for that. I know a lot of people that rate their favorite teams starting at the professional level first, college level second and local high school team third. I believe this is the wrong type of thinking.

First of all, I think the local high school team is my favorite. I have the opportunity to know the coaches and the players. I can watch them practice and seem them play each week either on the road or at home.

As a member of the chain gang I do have a pretty good viewing area which helps a bunch but still having a personal knowledge of the team is important to me.

I also know some history of the players and their families and getting to coach at the middle school has helped with this aspect of it. I made a decision a long time ago that I would always support our local team.

A couple of years ago when the Eastern Eagles were in the NCAA FCS football playoffs I went to the LRS Bronco playoff games because I knew those kids and how hard they worked. And when they were victorious at the state championship game they were very thankful for the support this community gave them.

My second favorite is the EWU Eagles. I’ve had the opportunity to meet Coach Baldwin and play golf with him and several of his assistants.

As an EWU alum it has been fun to watch the Eags win a NCAA National Championship.

Their playoff runs have been impressive. They’ve recruited some great talent and the kids work hard. This year was a tough one because the victories were difficult and it seems that the Big Sky have caught up to the Eagles talent wise.

I don’t know any of the players on this year’s team and haven’t since Jake Kragt played for them a few years ago but I did meet the parents of one of the redshirts this year and I’m looking forward to seeing them again next season. I hope to meet their son someday as well.

Eastern is young in a lot of areas and hopefully they can get back to the playoff caliber team they were last year.

On senior day last Saturday, it was interesting how many seniors were in street clothes because of season ending injuries. When a senior is injured it means a younger player is filling that position and gaining valuable experience. It is still tough to fill those older player’s shoes.

Three years as the Big Sky conference champions is going to be a tough act to follow but maybe next year’s team will be able to get the Eagles back on track.

Finally the Seattle Seahawks are my third favorite.

Sure I get to see them play each week and they are bigger than life. They have all of these high profile players that everyone is excited about. We love Coach Pete Carroll and we just know that the Hawks will turn it around and get back to a third straight Super Bowl. Maybe Sunday’s game will be the catalyst.

That would be pretty cool but I would have much rather had a chance to see the Broncos play on.

Last Friday after a very tough loss to the Okanogan Bulldogs there were some real emotions coming out of these fine young men.

We’ve been fortunate these past four years; 49-2 is an amazing record. Four consecutive league titles two state championships and a semifinal finish.

As a member of this community I’m very proud of these Bronco football players and their coaches. For most if not all of the seniors on this team, they may have played their last football game.

I want to say thanks for all of your hard work. You make me proud to say, “It’s great to be a Bronco fan.”