What legacy will you leave, grads?

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Tuesday, 18 May 2010 19:11

Graduating student-athletes, parents and friends: It’s a privilege to address you as you receive your high school or college diplomas. Congratula­tions on reaching this milestone. Although not all of you have experienced the same degree of success athletically, you’re to be commended for your time and effort while pursuing and completing your classroom education.

As student-athletes, some of you won individual championships. Others of you helped lead your team to a championship. Still others were good enough to have won a championship, but came up short. And, let’s face it, some of you weren’t overly talented and never had much chance of winning anything, but you improved your game and did the best you could.

But enough with...

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Basketball success and education? Surely not

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Tuesday, 04 May 2010 19:53

The following story is likely fatuous and inane, but still funny. It’s been making the rounds on the Internet, so I’m sharing this creative take on the latest shocking athletics scandal with my Sideline Slants readers.

• AP — Butler’s run in the NCAA National Championship Game may be tarnished after reports surfaced today that all 13 players on the roster are being given good educations in an effort to help them find good jobs after they leave the school.

“It’s important to remember that right now these are only allegations—allegations that we are looking into,” said NCAA president James Isch. “But, obviously, if true, this would be very disappointing. The NCAA has certain expectations and standards. It’s not fair...

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Are you upset with upsets?

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Tuesday, 20 April 2010 19:05

Upsets aren’t what they used to be. They used to be rare, something special, something out of the ordinary. When you watch TV or read a newspaper today, they’re a dime a dozen.

Maybe it’s just a pet peeve of mine, maybe its semantics, but it seems that every time the favored team loses, sports reporters are quick to call it an upset. If I had a dollar for every time reporters used the word, I could retire early.

There are definitely times when players, coaches and fans get carried away with trying to attach more cosmic significance to a win than is warranted.

According to one dictionary, an upset is an unexpected victory or defeat. Does that mean when a No. 9 seed beats a No. 8 seed in the NCAA Basketball Tournament, it is...

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‘Slick’ thoughts on budget dilemma facing school district

Written by Joe Kleinsasser Tuesday, 06 April 2010 18:57

Some people know they don’t have answers to complex problems. Others like to think they do. Still others are trying to figure out what the questions are.

My opinionated agent, I.M Slick, called recently to offer his perspective on the perplexing issue of the budget crisis facing schools and possible cuts to athletic programs.

Slick: Did I hear that Hillsboro schools might eliminate up to five sports to meet the current budget crisis?

Joe: You heard right. Things are looking bleak.

Slick: And I assume you haven’t offered any solutions?

Joe: Well, no. I don’t have any great solutions.

Slick: Why does the Free Press pay you to write a column? Don’t you know by now that no one looks to you for answers? You only need to offer...

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