Each year at Christmastime I write a wish list of good things to happen for friends and others in the sports world and the community. In the past, Santa has been very generous.
I wish for another great season for Coach Tony Vitello and the Tennessee BaseVols....Perhaps another national championship.
And speaking of national titles, how about one for Vols' Mens' Basketball Coach Rick Barnes? He's been more than deserving for years and has been one of the all-time great coaches.
I wish Boyd-Buchanan head football coach Gary Rankin all the best as we pray for him and his battle with cancer.
He has 499 career wins placing him in the top four in the nation to go along with seventeen state championships.
I wish the powers that be in Chattanooga and Hamilton County would soon realize the importance of a huge multi-sport youth complex for baseball and softball teams. The economic impact would be tremendous.
I wish that after 44 years, UTC would bring back baseball as a collegiate sport. I'm not the only one who wants it but the University ignores the possibility no matter who brings it up.
I wish college football would put some sort of regulations on the Transfer Portal. The transferring from school to school is getting completely out of hand.
I wish the University of Tennessee would make a great choice as to the Vol's next broadcast voice. Here's hoping my good friends Mike Keith and John Wilkerson are being considered. In the last seventy-six years, Tennessee has had four in football, (Lindsey Nelson, George Mooney, John Ward and Bob Kesling.) The Vols have had three for basketball, (Lowell Blanchard, John Ward and Bob Kesling.)
I wish that my good friend Bob Kesling will enjoy his retirement after twenty-five years as the "Voice of the Vols."
I wish the TSSAA would pass some sort of legislation that would take away the huge advantage that Baylor and McCallie have by boarding athletes from out of state and even out of the country.
I also wish the TSSAA would not try to force other schools to play them in football.
I wish the best for UTC Softball Coach Frank Reed who has passed 1200 career wins as a college coach. He's a great one.
I wish that fewer parents would push their kids towards playing select or travel baseball and softball. Most kids simply aren't good enough to play at that level, and it's destroying the rec leagues. Let 'em play to have fun!
Speaking of travel ball and parents, I wish some of them would just sit back and enjoy watching their kid play. Don't try to coach them during a game and also stay off the umpires and other parents. You give the sport a bad name.
I also wish parents, especially moms would refrain from posting this on Facebook after getting home from a tournament, "Well, it didn't turn out the way we wanted but little Johnny played great this weekend."
There should be a salary cap placed on Name, Image and Likeness money for collegiate athletes. There are back up quarterbacks in the SEC who have been paid three million dollars for riding the bench.
I wish more people would adopt a dog from the shelters. A dog who needs a loving home makes the best pet and trust me I know!
I wish more billionaires would give some of their fortune to help feed the hungry and take care of the poor and homeless. I believe we could wipe out world hunger in a matter of months. Remember....Mathew 19: 23-26.
And finally, I wish each and everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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