TC athletics spared from cuts...wisely?

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Tuesday, 12 May 2009 13:45

In spite of all the government bailouts, 2009 may well be remembered as the year of widespread layoffs and cutbacks. Few businesses, including area colleges, are recession proof.

Cutting positions is never easy; nor should it be. Being an administrator is challenging under the best of circumstances, but when the economy goes in the tank, it becomes especially difficult.

I can’t speak with certainty to the wisdom or lack thereof concerning the recent budget decisions at Tabor College, but I know it has resulted in a renewed debate about the balance of academics and athletics. From what I know, athletics was largely spared from deep cuts. Other areas were not as fortunate. Following those administrative decisions, emotions ran high for...

Read more: TC athletics spared from cuts...wisely?

Ask not for whom the beep tolls; it tolls for these

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Tuesday, 28 April 2009 14:04

The standard answering machine message says, “You’ve reached Joe Blow. I’m sorry I can’t come to the phone right now, but if you leave your name, telephone number and a brief message, I'll get back to you.”

Over the years, people have devised interesting, humorous and/or obnoxious messages. Assuming we had phone numbers for celebrities and sports icons, wouldn’t it be interesting to hear their voices on some of the following messages?

I think these are messages we’d love to hear.

n President Barack Obama: “Hello. You’ve reached President Barack Obama, president of the United States. I’m sorry I can’t take your call right now. It’s not easy taking calls while raising children and running a country, but I’m...

Read more: Ask not for whom the beep tolls; it tolls for these

Beyond Belief: the Josh Hamilton story

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Tuesday, 14 April 2009 14:07

Josh Hamilton might be Major League Baseball’s version of the Bible’s prodigal son.

Hamilton, a rising star since grade school, became the top pick in the 1999 MLB draft after graduating from high school. He signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for $3.96 million, a record amount at the time for a top draft pick.

Playing minor league baseball, Hamilton appeared to be on the fast track to stardom. But after living a straight-arrow life, something happened. His body began to look like a walking advertisement for tattoo parlors, and he made surprisingly bad choices, leaving his body full of drugs.

Instead of a great future, his life spun out of control. He became a crack addict. If there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, it’s...

Read more: Beyond Belief: the Josh Hamilton story

Sidd Finch near the top of sports' April Fools' Day superstars

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Tuesday, 31 March 2009 14:56

Be honest. Have you ever fallen for something that sounded too good to be true? If so, you’re probably in the majority.

Does the name Sidd Finch mean anything to you? I’ll have more on that shortly.

Most of us have been victimized by a bogus offer or a practical joke. I'll bet even those with a relatively high IQ have been humbled on occasion. But why are we so susceptible to being fooled around April Fools’ Day?

Twenty-four years ago on April 1, Sports Illustrated pulled off one of the great April Fools jokes of all time. Then-managing editor Mark Mulvoy noticed the cover date of the magazine would fall on April 1. He asked George Plimpton to write an article on April Fools jokes in sports.

Plimpton’s creation became the...

Read more: Sidd Finch near the top of sports' April Fools' Day superstars