Worst Seat In The House: It's good to pay attention

I made the trek to Roos Field with my good buddy Kenny G on Saturday. Ken has access to special opportunities with his ticket package and Saturday it was a meet and greet with school president Mary Cullinan and Athletic Director Lynn Hickey.

When we got to the Reese Court we visited with some folks that are definitely in the PR world which is something I can appreciate. Then we got to meet with Mary. She is a very nice lady and someone that Ken has gotten to know the last couple of years. I met AD Hickey about three weeks earlier at a tailgate and she seems to know what’s going on. She was busy visiting with people and I wasn’t about to interrupt.

We grabbed some food and went out onto the concourse that overlooks Reese Court and got to see some of the Eagle basketball players and I watched one of the player’s shooting routines and was quite impressed with his accuracy, patience and work ethic. This kid knows what it takes to be a great player and he wasn’t taking any short cuts.

When it was time we made the trek up the hill to get into the stadium to watch EWU take on Northern Arizona. Both teams have had their struggles this year and it is on the road where it shows up most. Fortunately for Eagle fans Eastern was at home.

The Lumberjacks started out hot and appeared to be unstoppable. They scored TDs on their first to drives. EWU answered with two of their own but would only get a field goal after the second time they were on offense. So NAU led 14-10 before either defense forced a punt. The first half seemed to last forever. But the Eagles would prevail in this wild game 66-38.

The college game is fun to watch and if you like offense Saturday’s game was a must see. I’ve said it before but it bears repeating I watch the game from beginning to end and I don’t miss the scores that happen at the beginning of the first and second halves or the ones that take place with two minutes left in the first half. Not everyone can say that. The kickoff to begin the first and second halves are what get me going. No game has been won because of the tailgate party but for some fans it is where game plans are created.

At halftime Ken and I went under the press box area where food is provided, another perk Ken has and we visit with folks about the game and sometimes about when we attended Eastern. I was about ten feet away when one guy asked Ken if he remembered Professor Donley. Ken said that he didn’t have him as a teacher. The guy introduced Ken to Donley’s wife.

I was listening and I walked over to this sweet lady and I said, “I took several classes from Professor Donley, I really liked him as a teacher.” She said, “I need to go get him.” A couple of minutes later I shook hands with my old professor and we had a great conversation.

He told me that I looked familiar but at the age of 85 names aren’t always recognizable. I understood. After we talked a bit and I told him I was from Ritzville he said, “I was your advisor!”

After we talked for a couple of minutes I told him that a summer school class I took was one I would always remember. It was the history of baseball. It triggered something and he told me how much he enjoyed teaching that class and how important baseball is to the history of America. His wife chimed in saying, “I think you need to teach that class again.”

We spent a few more minutes reminiscing and I told him how great it was to see him again and how much I appreciated his help and mentoring. He told me that coming to Eastern was the best thing that could have ever happened to him.

When I see people with ear buds or headphones I think about how much they are missing around them. I overheard a conversation and it allowed me to revisit with a real fine professor and a great guy. Those moments are important to me and should be to everyone.