All underdogs suffer from proverbial 'lack of respect'

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Wednesday, 19 March 2008 08:14

The odds are stacked against them, but some underdogs overcome the odds.

Perhaps they catch lightning in a bottle, or the more talented opponent has an off day, or a combination of both, but upsets happen.

Upsets are synonymous with March Madness, but the favorites usually win for a reason: They’re better. The beauty of sports is that any team can win on any given day. And while underdogs may win a game or two or even three, it’s nearly impossible for an underdog to win six consecutive games and a national championship.

What’s interesting is how many teams latch on to the underdog role, and why not? There’s no shame if you lose to a better and more talented team, while there is some embarrassment and more disappointment if you...

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Last thing a coach wants to hear somebody say is 'outcoached'

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Wednesday, 05 March 2008 15:48

There are a number of words or terms that coaches probably never want to hear. Chief among them might be “loser,” “overrated” and “can’t win the big one.”

But I have a hunch the word that irritates coaches more than anything is the accusation that he or she was outcoached.

Think about it. A coach can live with a team that overachieves, but comes up short because of talent limitations. And a coach knows his team won’t always bring its “A” game to the court or field every night. But dare we suggest that he or she was outcoached? Those are fighting words.

On the surface it seems innocent enough. If players are outplayed, can’t coaches be outcoached? Coaches know when they’ve been outcoached, but it’s not an...

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Open letter to Don Brubacher

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Wednesday, 13 February 2008 11:14

Dear Don,

You may have seen it coming, but I didn’t. I thought you’d completeyour long career at Tabor as athletic director before riding off intoretirement. But I didn’t know someone in administration wanted you out.And I know that you know that even if 99 percent of the people thinkyou’re doing a good job, one higher-ranking administrator trumpseverything.

Of course, you aren’t the first, and probably won’t be the last, to be reassigned to other duties at Tabor College. However, I believe you’re the first to be reassigned after serving with distinction, commitment, sacrifice and success at Tabor for more than 30 years.

Many faculty and staff have come and gone, usually looking for greener pastures and more pay, but you...

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Brubacher's TC tenure turns oddly

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Wednesday, 06 February 2008 17:28

On the surface, all that was left to complete the storied history of Don Brubacher’s tenure at Tabor College was the final chapter. Considering that Don and Janette recently finished building a new home, it was generally assumed they would start and finish their careers in Hillsboro.

All bets are off. Now that Brubacher’s duties have been reassigned and he is athletic director in name only, the final chapter is yet to be written.

Here’s what we know. Brubacher gave his heart and soul to Tabor College for the past 32 years, most notably as a teacher, men’s basketball coach and more recently as athletic director.

His men’s basketball teams won the KCAC title 10 times and two tournament championships. On five occasions his...

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