I have said this before, John, and I am right every time: today’s column was one of your best. You see Big League Heart in others because that is who you are. Thanks for this one. What a story! What a family!! It is beyond “Hoosiers.”
Another great human interest story from JC. I have another. I love HS sports in general and girls sports specifically because of the joy the ladies have doing their thing. The boys usually have a little attitude and don't express outward joy or emotion as much as do the girls. I keep track of my high school girls (and boys) teams as a fan of sports. We should note that the West Albany HS girls beat Springfield HS last night in the state 5A championships. It was the first state championship for girls basketball in WAHS school history (going back to the mid 70s). This WAHS team has only two seniors and the core group are juniors and sophomores. They will be back next year trying to repeat. I read the post-game stories and have to admit my eyes teared up with joy for the girls. Such grace and humility. They played for each other and by their own words, the team is "tight" and has zero drama. Refreshing
Wow. A wise father who reminds his daughters to not forget where they've been and where they want to go. Helps to make sure they leave nothing on the floor, and have no regrets. I am really glad they won--they deserved it!
Adversity brings out the BEST in most people ; having a Mentor , like you , with providing emotional support by your Bio’s of the individuals you write about, makes a huge difference !
You make the World around us, John, so much better . I encourage you to PUBLISH a book about all these wonderful stories !
Remember one of your stories about Bill Walton and how he overcame serious stuttering is just one story that should be in your book about “Adversity” , and becoming a Champion because of it ! … the hidden Determination factor to success !
Athletics, and girls' athletics in particular, takes grit. Especially basketball which can be a physical knock-around game - even for girls. When I was hiring, athletics participation was a resume builder especially for the women. Grit, determination, teamwork, acceptance of criticism, learning from defeats, commitment to work outside comfortable hours, and so on.
A few decades ago when small town teams in the Midwest would play double-headers: girls games first followed by the boys games on the same night vs the same opponent, it was not uncommon for a good portion of fans to get up and leave when the girls concluded. For some, it was to get to bed and some sleep before farm chores the next morning. But, for many, it was because the kids who demonstrated the best teamwork and passion had concluded their game before the second one started.
BORING! A single tear rolls down my cheek. These "stories" are getting old. You have two teams in the state kicking some ass in running up wins playing college baseball, the Beavers and the ducks (yes, even the team/school I dislike is playing good). Beavers hired a new head basketball coach, the sound of crickets from Canzano, while the writers at Oregonlive have spoken more than a few times about it. I'm sure duck fans are wondering why no stories about the ducks? Did Canzano piss someone off there again and they're cutting his access off. Good thing I have a subscription paid for by my brother-in-law.......
Whoa, Todd, have a heart! Did Oregonlive or other publications write about what this family has endured? Glad your brother-in-law is so generous otherwise you might miss some wonderful stories of grit, determination, kindness, and yes, even love that John so often shares with us.
Oregonlive writes many articles about human interest stories which I'll read. Maybe Canzano should change his focus and provide the feel good stories like this. Looks like it's gone over well based on all the positive comments I'm seeing posted here. I'm being sarcastic. Usually well over 100 people will post a comment on one of his stories, today, as of right now we're at 34, WOW!
Your behavior is described as passive-destructive responding. I thought you'd like to know, in case you are thinking of seeing a therapist.
Please take a quick survey and choose your main symptom:
1. Low Self-Esteem: They may feel threatened by others' success or happiness, using negativity as a defense mechanism to level the playing field.
2. Depressive Realism: Some individuals believe they are simply being "realistic" and feel a duty to "protect" others from future disappointment.
3. Control/Validation: By pointing out the flaw in a positive story, they regain control of the conversation and shift the focus to their own perspective.
4. Trait Cynicism: A general distrust of others' motives or the idea that good things happen without a "catch."
I'm more than happy to get you a Bible and pick out some amazing verses for your perusal:
Proverbs 11:12: "Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent."
Ephesians 4:29: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
Proverbs 17:5: "...whoever gloats over calamity will not go unpunished." While this often refers to bad news, the same heart condition (a lack of compassion) often causes a person to reject another’s good news to make themselves feel better.
All of us will be praying for you. Don't forget--Jesus still loves you!!
Mark, you're overthinking it. I don't agree with Todd but he just showed a different view. He doesn't need therapy or extensive Bible readings. He's just putting out a different view. Because people disagree with him doesn't mean he needs serious help. Good grief. In his defense, I'm shocked that John Canzano hasn't touched the Oregon State basketball hire yet.
Maybe Todd is a jokester like eSECpn dude. My parents raised me to respectful of other people's opinions, and agree to disagree. Todd deserves that, but when the tone is of disrespect, that's going too far. I've said my peace. I don't need to communicate with him in the future.
I usually disagree with Todd and I don't understand why he subscribes here. I guess it's a gift subscription. He doesn't ever seem happy about the coverage. That said, Canzano can handle it and when he was at The Oregonian he was one of the most tough columnistss in the country. He would take on anybody and pull no punches. He softened his approach here. Personally, I actually loved his Oregonian stuff. I like his stuff here too, it's great. But I think John can handle any criticism that comes his way. Believe it or not, I'm starting to get a little tired of the Hallmark moments, too. Like I said earlier, the Oregon State men's Basketball higher hasn't been touched by John yet and it's been a week since the hire. We shouldn't have to wait for the press conference, which are schmaltzfests, anyway, to get more information
So true about the basketball hire....and what about Beaver and duck baseball? Both teams having great seasons so far. Maybe if Canzano would dig a little bit he could come up some great human interest story about someone on either team while highlighting how great both teams are doing.
Good to see that you know how to use AI to write a good "response" to my comment. I invest in various AI companies and initiatives and good to see people utilizing it. Keep it up!
oh Todd, ya need to give it a rest. it was a great story of grit, determination, kindness, compassion. life is too short and getting shorter for some of us. if you don't like JC's columns (which you clearly do not), unsubscribe. or maybe you secretly like his columns and just feel the need to be pissy?
I read alot of things that I disagree with, left wing, right wing, and the big debate about music, is country better than western (or the other way around).
Great story John as always - agree with others, one of your best, thanks for sharing. Just wanted to bring your attention to another one in the state of Washington, Colfax High School. They won the 2B State Championship this year, after losing their coach, Reece Jenkins to Pancreatic Cancer the week before State, and in the championship game, his son, Akrin, scored 33 and had 12 rebounds. You can check it out in the Spokesman and/or LMT.
Adversity doesn't build your character, it defines your character, always two ways to go, up or down. Like Denzel Washington always says, fall forwards (upwards in life), for failure is part of the process if you choose to view it that way. Today, kids are afraid to fail because educators do not allow them to fail. You can't grow without the fall - always fall forwards and upwards!
Believe me educators will allow them to fail, parents will not. I heard more excuses from parents about why their child should not fail than I ever heard from the kids. Especially the last twenty years of my thirty eight year career.
I work in education in this statement just isn't true. If a kid gets a C grade parents are banging on the door, talking to the principal, will take it to the superintendent, and will litigate if possible. A lot of nice but pretty ordinary kids are considered "special" by their parents. I was a pretty ordinary kid academically and athletically and I'm glad my parents let me be who I was and didn't consider me some unreal person who I wasn't. They didn't degrade me but they didn't give me unrealistic expectations either.
I spent 32 in Education, I've seen enough where both is true, but you can't hide the fact that kids are graduating who can barely read or score 600 on an SAT. Works both ways.
Absolutely, I've often said to graduate doesn't mean to be educated. However, the difference over my four decades was not teachers suddenly decided to pass everyone. What did happen was pressure from parents and leadership to get graduation rates to whatever the target goal was. No one EVER talked about learning or mastering the material...only about graduating. I'd love to find one person who is a teacher who assigned an F to a student who had failed to pass the class and had a parent or principal come by and ask what the student needed to do better the next time they took the class in order to pass. And to have that be the only question. I heard that from about 1985-2005 to ish. I wouldn't change grades because I think it enfeebles the student, they will feel better about themselves and what they truly accomplish once they master the material. It's like participation trophies, once kids get a bit older they know the difference between actually winning vs. getting a shiny medal for simply showing up.
This is a great story. They are a wonderful family. I was able to celebrate with the team after the win. The girl’s great great grandfather was our TV repair person back in the day.
I have said this before, John, and I am right every time: today’s column was one of your best. You see Big League Heart in others because that is who you are. Thanks for this one. What a story! What a family!! It is beyond “Hoosiers.”
Si
Another great human interest story from JC. I have another. I love HS sports in general and girls sports specifically because of the joy the ladies have doing their thing. The boys usually have a little attitude and don't express outward joy or emotion as much as do the girls. I keep track of my high school girls (and boys) teams as a fan of sports. We should note that the West Albany HS girls beat Springfield HS last night in the state 5A championships. It was the first state championship for girls basketball in WAHS school history (going back to the mid 70s). This WAHS team has only two seniors and the core group are juniors and sophomores. They will be back next year trying to repeat. I read the post-game stories and have to admit my eyes teared up with joy for the girls. Such grace and humility. They played for each other and by their own words, the team is "tight" and has zero drama. Refreshing
Congratulations... to the Buse family for its talent, determination, and prioritizing its values, and the writer who never lets his readers down.
Wow. A wise father who reminds his daughters to not forget where they've been and where they want to go. Helps to make sure they leave nothing on the floor, and have no regrets. I am really glad they won--they deserved it!
Adversity brings out the BEST in most people ; having a Mentor , like you , with providing emotional support by your Bio’s of the individuals you write about, makes a huge difference !
You make the World around us, John, so much better . I encourage you to PUBLISH a book about all these wonderful stories !
Remember one of your stories about Bill Walton and how he overcame serious stuttering is just one story that should be in your book about “Adversity” , and becoming a Champion because of it ! … the hidden Determination factor to success !
Yes
How far have you come? How far to go?
Three very close friends of ours lost their homes in the Pacific Palisades fire. Two of them are in their 80's, one in his 90's.
They have come about as far as they might and they aren't going much farther.
Some stories have happy endings and some don't.
Great story John. You are the Babe Ruth, Barry Bonds, Blue Moon Odom, of writers.
I am guessing every team has a story like this in some way. We don't get through life without some sort of scars and adversity.
Short wait John for another truly outstanding story. The joy your stories bring can't be measured.
Senor Canzano esta enfuego! Verdad.
Home run article that links sports and the life lessons sports teaches us.
Athletics, and girls' athletics in particular, takes grit. Especially basketball which can be a physical knock-around game - even for girls. When I was hiring, athletics participation was a resume builder especially for the women. Grit, determination, teamwork, acceptance of criticism, learning from defeats, commitment to work outside comfortable hours, and so on.
A few decades ago when small town teams in the Midwest would play double-headers: girls games first followed by the boys games on the same night vs the same opponent, it was not uncommon for a good portion of fans to get up and leave when the girls concluded. For some, it was to get to bed and some sleep before farm chores the next morning. But, for many, it was because the kids who demonstrated the best teamwork and passion had concluded their game before the second one started.
BORING! A single tear rolls down my cheek. These "stories" are getting old. You have two teams in the state kicking some ass in running up wins playing college baseball, the Beavers and the ducks (yes, even the team/school I dislike is playing good). Beavers hired a new head basketball coach, the sound of crickets from Canzano, while the writers at Oregonlive have spoken more than a few times about it. I'm sure duck fans are wondering why no stories about the ducks? Did Canzano piss someone off there again and they're cutting his access off. Good thing I have a subscription paid for by my brother-in-law.......
Whoa, Todd, have a heart! Did Oregonlive or other publications write about what this family has endured? Glad your brother-in-law is so generous otherwise you might miss some wonderful stories of grit, determination, kindness, and yes, even love that John so often shares with us.
Oregonlive writes many articles about human interest stories which I'll read. Maybe Canzano should change his focus and provide the feel good stories like this. Looks like it's gone over well based on all the positive comments I'm seeing posted here. I'm being sarcastic. Usually well over 100 people will post a comment on one of his stories, today, as of right now we're at 34, WOW!
Todd,
Your behavior is described as passive-destructive responding. I thought you'd like to know, in case you are thinking of seeing a therapist.
Please take a quick survey and choose your main symptom:
1. Low Self-Esteem: They may feel threatened by others' success or happiness, using negativity as a defense mechanism to level the playing field.
2. Depressive Realism: Some individuals believe they are simply being "realistic" and feel a duty to "protect" others from future disappointment.
3. Control/Validation: By pointing out the flaw in a positive story, they regain control of the conversation and shift the focus to their own perspective.
4. Trait Cynicism: A general distrust of others' motives or the idea that good things happen without a "catch."
I'm more than happy to get you a Bible and pick out some amazing verses for your perusal:
Proverbs 11:12: "Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent."
Ephesians 4:29: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
Proverbs 17:5: "...whoever gloats over calamity will not go unpunished." While this often refers to bad news, the same heart condition (a lack of compassion) often causes a person to reject another’s good news to make themselves feel better.
All of us will be praying for you. Don't forget--Jesus still loves you!!
Have a nice day!!!
Mark, you're overthinking it. I don't agree with Todd but he just showed a different view. He doesn't need therapy or extensive Bible readings. He's just putting out a different view. Because people disagree with him doesn't mean he needs serious help. Good grief. In his defense, I'm shocked that John Canzano hasn't touched the Oregon State basketball hire yet.
I don't need to overthink disrespect!!
Maybe Todd is a jokester like eSECpn dude. My parents raised me to respectful of other people's opinions, and agree to disagree. Todd deserves that, but when the tone is of disrespect, that's going too far. I've said my peace. I don't need to communicate with him in the future.
I usually disagree with Todd and I don't understand why he subscribes here. I guess it's a gift subscription. He doesn't ever seem happy about the coverage. That said, Canzano can handle it and when he was at The Oregonian he was one of the most tough columnistss in the country. He would take on anybody and pull no punches. He softened his approach here. Personally, I actually loved his Oregonian stuff. I like his stuff here too, it's great. But I think John can handle any criticism that comes his way. Believe it or not, I'm starting to get a little tired of the Hallmark moments, too. Like I said earlier, the Oregon State men's Basketball higher hasn't been touched by John yet and it's been a week since the hire. We shouldn't have to wait for the press conference, which are schmaltzfests, anyway, to get more information
So true about the basketball hire....and what about Beaver and duck baseball? Both teams having great seasons so far. Maybe if Canzano would dig a little bit he could come up some great human interest story about someone on either team while highlighting how great both teams are doing.
Good to see that you know how to use AI to write a good "response" to my comment. I invest in various AI companies and initiatives and good to see people utilizing it. Keep it up!
You forgot be kidding me, Geez!
Come on bro, why the insults? The writer (JC) gets to pick the narrative. That’s the way it is. There is always the Oregonian, like you said…
I think John Canzano has thick enough skin to take only one person in the comment section disagreeing with him.
I’m sure where to start with you sir. You neither possess any insight into life or have failed miserably at it simultaneously.
Don't be a cock.
Or a “dick”? From what the ladies say, I’m a big one. Or is what they’re saying is that I have a big one? Not sure.
oh Todd, ya need to give it a rest. it was a great story of grit, determination, kindness, compassion. life is too short and getting shorter for some of us. if you don't like JC's columns (which you clearly do not), unsubscribe. or maybe you secretly like his columns and just feel the need to be pissy?
I read alot of things that I disagree with, left wing, right wing, and the big debate about music, is country better than western (or the other way around).
Great story John as always - agree with others, one of your best, thanks for sharing. Just wanted to bring your attention to another one in the state of Washington, Colfax High School. They won the 2B State Championship this year, after losing their coach, Reece Jenkins to Pancreatic Cancer the week before State, and in the championship game, his son, Akrin, scored 33 and had 12 rebounds. You can check it out in the Spokesman and/or LMT.
Wow!
Adversity doesn't build your character, it defines your character, always two ways to go, up or down. Like Denzel Washington always says, fall forwards (upwards in life), for failure is part of the process if you choose to view it that way. Today, kids are afraid to fail because educators do not allow them to fail. You can't grow without the fall - always fall forwards and upwards!
Believe me educators will allow them to fail, parents will not. I heard more excuses from parents about why their child should not fail than I ever heard from the kids. Especially the last twenty years of my thirty eight year career.
I work in education in this statement just isn't true. If a kid gets a C grade parents are banging on the door, talking to the principal, will take it to the superintendent, and will litigate if possible. A lot of nice but pretty ordinary kids are considered "special" by their parents. I was a pretty ordinary kid academically and athletically and I'm glad my parents let me be who I was and didn't consider me some unreal person who I wasn't. They didn't degrade me but they didn't give me unrealistic expectations either.
I spent 32 in Education, I've seen enough where both is true, but you can't hide the fact that kids are graduating who can barely read or score 600 on an SAT. Works both ways.
Absolutely, I've often said to graduate doesn't mean to be educated. However, the difference over my four decades was not teachers suddenly decided to pass everyone. What did happen was pressure from parents and leadership to get graduation rates to whatever the target goal was. No one EVER talked about learning or mastering the material...only about graduating. I'd love to find one person who is a teacher who assigned an F to a student who had failed to pass the class and had a parent or principal come by and ask what the student needed to do better the next time they took the class in order to pass. And to have that be the only question. I heard that from about 1985-2005 to ish. I wouldn't change grades because I think it enfeebles the student, they will feel better about themselves and what they truly accomplish once they master the material. It's like participation trophies, once kids get a bit older they know the difference between actually winning vs. getting a shiny medal for simply showing up.
This is a great story. They are a wonderful family. I was able to celebrate with the team after the win. The girl’s great great grandfather was our TV repair person back in the day.
Beautiful John! Beautiful!