Oh, and what you do matters, John: It brings people joy and excitement. You connect with your readers. You keep them informed about subjects they're interested in and passionate about. If you need to point to something to say, "I did that," you've got a pile of awards and stories you've written, some of which have made people "glassy-eyed," as you're fond of putting it. All of those things are not nothing.
I never cared for basketball, even less for women's basketball.
Scott Rueck made me enjoy women's basketball, and I am starting to warm to men's basketball.
Ruecks teams are really why we watch sports. Talent is great, facilities are great, but it is the human factor that draws us in everyday. It's not just to watch, but be a part, because life loves to drag us down, and watching the human spirit survive against all odds gives us personal motivation within our own lives. It's not living vicariously through athletics, rather the realization we are all connected in struggle, loses and wins.
As a recipient of a donated subscription I can't thank those who donate enough. It keeps us old folks "in the game." This column hits home as my father was a construction worker in the Eugene area who worked on the original Autzen, Lane County Courthouse, Eugene Library, Eugene City Hall and many other notable large structures in the area. I took pride in the work my father produced. Me? I wrote software for airplanes for a living. I only get to admire my work as it flies overhead or is at an airport and I can recognize the plane as having the special software I help create. The key here is I knew I was not cut out to follow in my father's footsteps so I sought out where I could apply my talents just as each of us draws on our innate talents to find where we belong in the world. If we all had the same talents nothing would be accomplished as we each need to fill our niche to be a robust society.
John, you are able to connect all your readers with the Ruecks, the Graves and other coaches as well as the college and professional administrators and players. No easy task. And you do it while enjoying your family. Wherever you drive you are going by those who recognize and appreciate what you do.
Not all creations are tangible, John. What you have been creating all these years is thought. It can't be seen or touched, but it has a lasting impact on those who read your columns and listen to your shows. You make people think. You provide a vehicle for people to express and exchange ideas. Us birds thank you for this birdhouse of ideas you have created. We can't see it, but it's there, nevertheless. And just as important as all the tangible things we can see.
John, you comped me last year in my first year of retirement and I was thrilled. Then bumped into you at the Beaver game that my oldest son had bought for me. I have not been a custom in recieving such gifts. At 68 I don't do sports anymore with a body that shows scars of the past competitions. So your work here and on the radio has become my new standard. I feel part of something. I know this other gentlemen does, too.
I enjoy reading your columns and truly appreciate the work that goes into them. I joined your group, not as a fan of Oregon State, Washington State or Oregon (I'm a proud Husky, class of 1981) but as a fan of thoughtful prose and insightful topics.
I love the neighborhood book exchanges, little weatherproof boxes posted anonymously in a neighborhood where people can leave and take books. Very utopian.
John - I'm glad you build a birdhouse every day for all your followers. You really have no idea how your work affects so many people in different ways. For instance, the column today sent me to the dictionary for meaning of "ether". Kidding aside, many of us look to you for a reason to continue loving sports at the college level during these changing times.
I think the day of the Woody Hayes, Len Casanova and Bobby Knights are sadly over. Their names became synonymous
With the schools they coached out.
I am sure many coaches are coaching with an eye on where they would like go next. And to move up, you gotta win where you are at.
Sadly, such an approach to their existing job , deprives them of what just might be the most satisfying aspect of coaching, ie. coaching not necessarily to win but to impact lives. The happiest coaches are probably those that understand their #1 job is not to win but to change lives.
Thanks John, another touching article. For me your writing connects me to the sports world and more importantly the human touch ‘behind the scenes’. Keep connecting with the many people that offer a story that needs to be shared!
John you are a writing genius who brings me joy, tears and emotions all over the map. I quote you in social settings and sometimes sound like a genius myself. When I told a group of my high school buddies that “we need a commissioner for college football”, the men paused and agreed. I got them thinking just like you do with your readers. Thank you for all you do for us!
Don't ever underestimate your talent for writing insightful articles, John. You are my only go-to for sports columns. My wife and I especially love your human interest and family stories. You are valued in our household.
Oh, and what you do matters, John: It brings people joy and excitement. You connect with your readers. You keep them informed about subjects they're interested in and passionate about. If you need to point to something to say, "I did that," you've got a pile of awards and stories you've written, some of which have made people "glassy-eyed," as you're fond of putting it. All of those things are not nothing.
Thank you Ray. It means so much to me that the readers are here.
I never cared for basketball, even less for women's basketball.
Scott Rueck made me enjoy women's basketball, and I am starting to warm to men's basketball.
Ruecks teams are really why we watch sports. Talent is great, facilities are great, but it is the human factor that draws us in everyday. It's not just to watch, but be a part, because life loves to drag us down, and watching the human spirit survive against all odds gives us personal motivation within our own lives. It's not living vicariously through athletics, rather the realization we are all connected in struggle, loses and wins.
Rueck is a great coach.
As a recipient of a donated subscription I can't thank those who donate enough. It keeps us old folks "in the game." This column hits home as my father was a construction worker in the Eugene area who worked on the original Autzen, Lane County Courthouse, Eugene Library, Eugene City Hall and many other notable large structures in the area. I took pride in the work my father produced. Me? I wrote software for airplanes for a living. I only get to admire my work as it flies overhead or is at an airport and I can recognize the plane as having the special software I help create. The key here is I knew I was not cut out to follow in my father's footsteps so I sought out where I could apply my talents just as each of us draws on our innate talents to find where we belong in the world. If we all had the same talents nothing would be accomplished as we each need to fill our niche to be a robust society.
Thanks Patrick.
Love THIS story!! Thank you for sharing these thoughts and memories Patrick!!!
You’re a good guy John Canzano.
Thank you Dave.
You John are a jewel
John, you are able to connect all your readers with the Ruecks, the Graves and other coaches as well as the college and professional administrators and players. No easy task. And you do it while enjoying your family. Wherever you drive you are going by those who recognize and appreciate what you do.
Thanks
We have some great characters in our ecosystem.
We are quite fortunate
Not all creations are tangible, John. What you have been creating all these years is thought. It can't be seen or touched, but it has a lasting impact on those who read your columns and listen to your shows. You make people think. You provide a vehicle for people to express and exchange ideas. Us birds thank you for this birdhouse of ideas you have created. We can't see it, but it's there, nevertheless. And just as important as all the tangible things we can see.
"this birdhouse of ideas", nice phrase!
Thanks Larry.
John, you comped me last year in my first year of retirement and I was thrilled. Then bumped into you at the Beaver game that my oldest son had bought for me. I have not been a custom in recieving such gifts. At 68 I don't do sports anymore with a body that shows scars of the past competitions. So your work here and on the radio has become my new standard. I feel part of something. I know this other gentlemen does, too.
Thanks for all of this.
Thanks Mark. Means to much to me that you are sharing this with your son.
John,
I enjoy reading your columns and truly appreciate the work that goes into them. I joined your group, not as a fan of Oregon State, Washington State or Oregon (I'm a proud Husky, class of 1981) but as a fan of thoughtful prose and insightful topics.
Keep up the great work.
Craig Cameron
Thanks Craig. This means so much to me.
2nd that! It's the writing and the thoughts behind it.
I love the neighborhood book exchanges, little weatherproof boxes posted anonymously in a neighborhood where people can leave and take books. Very utopian.
John - I'm glad you build a birdhouse every day for all your followers. You really have no idea how your work affects so many people in different ways. For instance, the column today sent me to the dictionary for meaning of "ether". Kidding aside, many of us look to you for a reason to continue loving sports at the college level during these changing times.
Thank you Cheryl. Means a lot to me.
I think the day of the Woody Hayes, Len Casanova and Bobby Knights are sadly over. Their names became synonymous
With the schools they coached out.
I am sure many coaches are coaching with an eye on where they would like go next. And to move up, you gotta win where you are at.
Sadly, such an approach to their existing job , deprives them of what just might be the most satisfying aspect of coaching, ie. coaching not necessarily to win but to impact lives. The happiest coaches are probably those that understand their #1 job is not to win but to change lives.
Thanks John, another touching article. For me your writing connects me to the sports world and more importantly the human touch ‘behind the scenes’. Keep connecting with the many people that offer a story that needs to be shared!
The human stuff matters most...
John you are a writing genius who brings me joy, tears and emotions all over the map. I quote you in social settings and sometimes sound like a genius myself. When I told a group of my high school buddies that “we need a commissioner for college football”, the men paused and agreed. I got them thinking just like you do with your readers. Thank you for all you do for us!
Don't ever underestimate your talent for writing insightful articles, John. You are my only go-to for sports columns. My wife and I especially love your human interest and family stories. You are valued in our household.
A win for Jon and John.