Paying Attention As Prayer: Sunsets and The Shema

Simone Weil once wrote that “attention, taken to its highest degree, is the same thing as prayer.” This week, I saw a sky so beautiful I couldn’t help but stop and notice. It felt as if God were trying to get my attention. That moment reminded me that one of the simplest prayers we can offer requires only a pause—and the choice to pay attention.

I was at school for an evening show and stepped out onto the piazza overlooking Ocean Beach. On too many days, the view is swallowed by fog. But when the sky is clear, it is downright magical. That evening, I realized we were experiencing one of those rare late-Fall sunsets—San Francisco’s version of summer magic. I captured the moment on film, hoping to invite my students to see sunsets like this not only as moments to notice, but as an invitation to pray.

I have written about paying attention as a spiritual discipline before. It resonates with people because it's  not overly pious. It's not difficult and it requires little time and no money. Anyone can pray this prayer. I have found that being outside and gazing at nature is an ideal environment and queue for this prayer.

I first came to this realization when I was playing golf with my good friend Charlie on the Ocean Course at the Half Moon Ritz Carlton. Our 1:00 p.m. tee time meant that we were on the 17th tee box as the sun was setting. Though the majority of hotel guests were walking the grounds to take in the view—an infinite horizon against the Pacific Ocean, I easily could have kept my sights on finishing our round in a timely manner. Not Charlie. He told me that he wanted to take in what his eyes could behold. I said "Charlie, let's bring it in. I'm good." He didn't listen to me; I'm so glad. Instead, he paused, looked from north to south at the western sky and kept silent. He let the sunset speak for itself. 

Ever since that day, I have made a point of taking a prayerful pause when I golf and see a beautiful sight. Honestly, I make an effort to behold a majestic tree, a clear sky, a rising moon or a setting sun. Yes, golfers spend a good chunk of time outside so interactions with nature and opportunities to pay attention to it abound, but I invite other athletes to do the same. The requirement is no different: pay attention.

For example, I attended the WCAL III XC meet at Crystal Springs. Rain had passed through earlier, and by the time the athletes lined up for the 2.95-mile course, the sky had opened—revealing vistas so breathtaking that everyone there, runners and spectators alike, couldn’t help but look up, out, and beyond to savor the moment. I know they did—because I told more than a few of them to do just that.

The purpose of this post however, is to offer a call to action that goes beyond simply paying attention. To borrow from Eric Liddell, the Scottish gold medalist and subject of Chariots of Fire: “I want you to do more than just watch a race.” I want you to pray. How might we do that?

When beauty catches your attention, pause and say, “Thank you, God.” As Anne Lamott might put it, simply say “thanks” and “wow.” Offer those words, too. How often does the Creator get credit for what has been created? I suspect the answer is “never enough.”

Since early October, I have been teaching RS201, Christology. Sophomores are learning about the Jesus of History, the Christ of Faith. In reading the Gospel we learn that before his public ministry began, Jesus was baptized and He was tempted in the desert. Richard Rohr writes

Jesus is the master of spiritual discernment here, which is always much more subtle and particular than mere obedience to external laws. Note that Jesus quotes no moral commandments here, but only wisdom texts from Deuteronomy.

The book of Deuteronomy contains the Shema, a central declaration of faith, meant to anchor daily life in awareness of God. Jews are called to offer this prayer twice daily, in the morning and evening. I absolutely love this prayer practice. It is foundational and formative. It is easy to pray.

As a faithful Jew, we can assume Jesus offered this prayer every morning and evening. While we don't know if he prayed the Shema when he was tempted by the devil, we do know that he called on the wisdom teaching of His faith to keep him strong. Time and again in his life, he called upon the Father—God—for help. We are always invited to do the same.

Our prayers to God need not always be in supplication.We can pay attention and when we do, we can give thanks. We can praise God. We can show appreciation and send our love. 

Mary Pipher has written "attention is the purest form of love." God who is love, pays attention to us. As a way to show our love to God, let us pay attention to  beauty, creation and one another. Amen.

Photo Credits
Shema
Eric Liddell

Post World Series Petty Party: Baseball Fans are Invited

I'm hosting a party. Giants and Blue Jays fans are welcome. Phillies fans? please join us. What's the occasion? Is there are theme? At what time will it end? And what should I wear?! If you're a Dodger fan you're not invited. Here's why.

When Blue Jay's catcher, Alejandro Kirk. hit into a double play for the final two outs of the 2025 World Series, I got up in disgust and walked out of my parents' family room. The Dodgers came from behind to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in 11 innings. In that moment I was debating who I hate more: Dodgers or USC Trojans. Regardless, my disdain doesn't change the outcome. The text messages started pouring in. Why? I was hosting a petty party. 

In one conversation I stated "I'm so mad at the Blue Jays right now. They couldn't get it done, and now we live with the outcome." My friend responded "I can't." No further words were necessary. 

To another I said "Thank God I didn't bet on the Jays, I would be losing my mind right now." to which my friend said "it's impossible to bet against the Dodgers. They're animals." I asked him to leave the party. 

I found a way to swallow my bitterness and I congratulated my friend Scott, the biggest Dodger fan I know—and yes, we are real friends. Ever gracious, he did not gloat. He did however quote Fox Sports announcer, Alex Rodriguez who said, "you can make the argument that Toronto played better in every way. But the Dodgers found a way to win." This prompted me to respond. "I never believe what A-Rod has to say." At this point, my petty party was raging.

Before Game 7, the theme was "Beat LA" And a t-shirt with that logo was fitting attire. Now, it's nothing with Dodger Blue. We won't play Randy Newman's "I Love L.A." either. The petty party will carry into next season, as the Giants battle it out for the NL West. And as petty as this petty party sounds (and is) there's one problem with it: for baseball and sports fans, this October classic featured great baseball. And for that, I must thank not only the Toronto Blue Jays but yes. the Los Angeles Dodgers (there, I said it).

I realized this early in the series. On Monday, October 27, I went to bed after 13 innings of baseball. I woke up exhausted from too little sleep. After my alarm went off, I rolled over and hit refresh on Safari. The score changed from 5‑5, Blue Jays vs. Dodgers, to 5‑6: Dodgers win. I zoomed in to see the box score. Eighteen innings?! I have no dog in this fight, and yet that was the first thing I wanted to know.

I have not become a Canadian baseball fan; I do root against the most things LA. I can't say what Governor Newsom said in his friendly bet with the Premiere of Ontario. Ever. So what gives? Why watch a game that I have little to no investment in? Fortunately local sports talk radio host, Brian Murphy gave me an answer. He said "we hate the Dodgers here on KNBR, but we love great baseball." That's what we saw. Yahoo Sports offered this summary:

The Dodgers outlasted the Blue Jays, 6-5, in an 18-inning marathon that was tied for the longest game in World Series history (by innings). When the dust finally settled, 609 pitches had been thrown by 19 different pitchers, 37 runners had been left on base, 25 position players had been used, and nearly seven hours had passed (6:39).

The hero: Reigning World Series MVP Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off solo blast to make him the first player in history with multiple World Series walk-off home runs. And he did it in back-to-back years.

Multiple friends texted me about what we were all witnessing during that game (and others). Even my students took notice. One senior stopped by my office to ask if I’d watched the game; another admitted he hadn’t done his homework because he couldn’t stop watching. I took an informal poll in class: “Raise your hand if you watched last night’s game.” Half the class did. Then I asked, “Who stayed up until the end?” I wasn’t prepared to see a critical mass of hands in the air. 

From 2010 to 2015, it was very easy to speak baseball in Sports and Spirituality class. In recent years, that conversation hasn't gotten much traction. However, last nights Sports Equinox contest weighed in and had me believing what I read is true. David Long of Yahoo Sports writes

Baseball is booming: MLB's total attendance this season (71.4 million fans) increased for the third consecutive year, which hadn't happened since 2005-07. That growing popularity could be seen over the airwaves and other digital channels, too. 

Viewership: Postseason games drew an average of 4.33 million viewers through the Division Series, a 30% increase over last year and the highest in 15 years. Similar high-water marks were seen during the regular season, where TBS (highest viewership since 2011), ESPN (2013) and Fox (2022) all drew big numbers, too.

Streaming: A record 19.39 billion minutes were watched on MLB.TV, which saw seven of its 10 most-watched games ever take place this year.

Digital: MLB's social media pages garnered a record 17.8 billion views this year and the MLB app had its most-trafficked season ever.

Concerned that betting is a primary factor for increased interest, he speaks to what's driving this: 

A variety of factors are at play, but the discussion has to begin with the implementation of the pitch clock, which may go down as one of the best decisions in MLB history.

Games, which used to routinely last well over three hours, averaged just 2:38 this season — the third year in a row under 2:40 since the pitch clock arrived in 2023. Just three 9-inning games this season lasted longer than 3:30. In 2021, there were 391 such games.

The impact of this cannot be overstated. Fans at home can watch games without it taking over their entire evening, and fans going to the ballpark can reasonably expect to be home before 10pm most nights — a pipe dream in the not-so distant past.

Other new rules like larger bases, limiting pickoffs and banning the shift have also led to more steals, more balls in play and a generally more exciting game. It's not rocket science: A better product with a smaller time commitment has yielded a surge in popularity.

Then there's the star power: The sport's two best players — one of whom is an international superstar — playing in the league's two biggest markets is a boon of epic proportions. And Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani aren't just MLB's current best players; they've spent the last few years carving out their places as all-time greats.

The big picture: Baseball's boom seems to be having a trickle-down effect, with youth participation up to a record 8.49 million. Plus, the last three College World Series were the most-watched since 2011.

It may sound odd, but I read this information and I felt joy. I love baseball and I want the game to grow. I love the feeling of watching a great game and sharing that excitement with others. To me, rivalry is revelry. I enjoy the struggle and the strife, facing the enemy and rooting against him. I love it when my team succeeds—it's as if all of San Francisco lights up. Each season spawns a new narrative—never easy, never predictable, exciting and heartbreaking. Some end in a parade others in a pity party.

In the end, my petty party isn’t really about the Dodgers—it’s about devotion. To care this much is to risk disappointment; it’s also to be fully alive in the company of others who care too. That’s the strange grace of fandom. The rivalry fuels our passion, but the game itself restores our faith—in competition, in community, in the beauty of the long season. Baseball gives us something to root for, to rally against, and to remember. And if that means I’m still mad at the Dodgers come spring training, so be it. Hope—and maybe even humility—will show up again on Opening Day. And if I'm at Oracle for that game, I'll be in my Beat L.A. t-shirt. Go Giants!

Photo Credits
Beat LA
Hug
Roberts
Freeman
Max

Shohei Ohtani and the Art of Not Ruining Baseball

After the Los Angeles Dodgers swept the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the 2025 National League Championship Series (NLCS), Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts addressed the crowd and media. He remarked:

Before this season started, they said the Dodgers are ruining baseball. Let’s get four more wins and really ruin baseball!

Roberts’ comment wasn’t just trash talk after a win. It was a strategic public statement: He acknowledged critics blaming the Dodgers for “ruining baseball" and this Giants fan could not agree more. They have the second highest payroll in MLB. They have won the NL West eleven of the last twelve years. I used to believe what the orange and black meme reported: the West can't be bought, it must be won. I guess we were wrong, but so are the critics. How? Why? 

While I believe there are strong argument for spending, competitive fairness, and what teams who flex a strong financial muscle do to the equation there's an individual—a highly paid, strongly coveted one—who is doing anything but ruining the game. He's illuminating it and it's magic. His name is Shohei Ohtani.

For those of you who have only heard his name until now, as I like to say—no, he's not Irish. Ohtani, Shohei as he is known when he goes to bat in Japan (surname is always first) was born on July 5, 1994 in Mizusawa (now part of Ōshū), a city in Iwate Prefecture, located in the Tōhoku region of northern Japan. If I were to offer a comparison to a city in the U.S., Bangor, Maine might suffice.

He is a hitting slugger and a slugging hitter. He bats left and throws right—quite often in the same game. His swing is violent but elegant and at times he makes hitting the curve look laughably easy. Although the term "unicorn" is often overused, in this instance it's fitting. He's not a myth, he's a man and will be a legend. He's worth watching in the 2025 World Series, despite the fact he wears Dodger Blue. 

I've written about him before (ISO Creativity...Thank you Shohei Ohtani and The Virtues of Video Games by way of Shohei Ohtani), but he's worth highlighting here and now because this postseason offers a chance to see history and beauty, wonder and awe in action. It's not too late.  

For those who are unaware, on Friday, October 17, 2025, Ohtani pitched six-plus scoreless innings and struck out 10. He also had the 13th three-homer game in postseason history — the first, it goes without saying, that included walking off the pitcher’s mound to a standing ovation. Chelsea James of the Washington Post writes, 

Certainly, by the time he hit his third homer in the seventh inning and sent many of his teammates’ heads into their hands in disbelief, everyone in the ballpark knew they were watching the greatest game any player had ever played.

This is Beethoven at a piano. This is Shakespeare with a quill. This is Michael Jordan in the Finals. This is Tiger Woods in Sunday red.

Yes, nights such as Friday’s are Ohtani’s job. But perhaps more than for any other player in recent years, it is clear they are also his calling. Ohtani is what happens when someone awarded a unique dose of genius follows its lead and ends up where they both belong. He is that rare baseball talent so gifted that no slump ever feels more than a few swings away from ending. His confidence is so durable, it is as if he believes success is fated by now.

Unlike Bob Dylan, Ohtani was not "A Complete Unknown." As featured in the "60 Minutes" interview from 2017, "Shotime" was widely considered a once-in-a-generation talent." During the 13-minute feature, Jon Wertheim reveals that at the age of 18, Ohtani held a press conference to announce his Major League intentions. He went so far as to tell Japanese teams not to draft him. The Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters drafted him anyway (first round, 2012), and successfully convinced him to stay in Japan by promising he could be both a pitcher and a hitter. This decision made headlines across Japan as no other professional team made that offer. To say in "a star was born" is short-sighted. Rather, a star shone in the East before it went West.

What might be the most interesting part of this profile is the way that Shohei was coached as a Fighter. The manager Hideki Kuriyama was short on praise. Shohei said "last year when we won the championship, that was the first time he gave me a compliment. He said, 'that was great pitching'." Incredulous, Wertheim repeats, "Never complimented you before that?" Ohtani pauses, shakes his head and retorts, "not once. He always says, you've got to get better." While this style of managing may not ruin baseball or a baseball player—it is certainly interesting and worth further consideration. It worked.

Kuriyama explained his rationale. He said "I truly believed he's a lot better than where he's at right now." Dodger fans—heck any baseball can thank him. Kuriyama was right.

Under no certain terms, would I ever purchase or wear a Dodger jersey. However, if I were to consider that plight, I wouldn't think long or hard. I would purchase #17 in honor of Shoehei Ohtani. He has not ruined baseball, he's only made it more interesting, exciting, and beautiful.  

Photo Credits
Pitching
Hitting
Microphone

From the Field to Faith: Three Ways to Inspire, Teach and Reach Students

Good teachers are forever seeking to make connections to everyday life, to what helps students learn and remember and what takes ahold of their hearts and minds. They know their students and their interests, so I'm never surprised when I get asked from teachers, administrators, and catechists how to incorporate sports and spirituality into the curriculum. There's no secret sauce, but here are three simple and practical ways. Let's go!

1. Humor
What parishioner doesn’t enjoy a homily that begins with a good joke? It immediately puts the congregation at ease and prepares us to receive the message. Humor is an important pedagogical tool for it helps us to open our ears and ideally our hearts. 

I'm not sure we use humor enough in the classroom. One of my colleagues made it her PEERS teaching goal to laugh more with her students. We wondered if this were a lofty goal. It's certainly a worthy one. 

One of the joys of sports is the way it invites and invokes humor. Rivalries, the culture of professional, collegiate and local teams, the personalities of athletes let alone their names offer a treasure trove of creative ideas, possible pundits, jokes and more. Because sports are dynamic—showcasing humanity at its best and its worst—it’s not surprise that is serves as a stage where the absurd and the inspiring coexist. We laugh at the blunders as much as we marvel at brilliance. We have to.

I woke up this morning jacked from the 34-24 Notre Dame win over our rival, USC. I read this post by my friend Jim and I laughed out loud. 

A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.   

Love is patient, love is kind. Love ran for 228 yards against the Trojans.

The word of the Lord.

☘️ Credit to SoCaliDomer @ndnation.com 

Christians are quite familiar with this passage from St.Paul. And ND fans are very familiar with the success of Irish running back Jeremiyah Love. 

Thanks for posting that quote, JC. I always enjoy what you write!

In class, we are studying the Church's historical engagement with sport. The text states, "Jesus offers no explicit commentary on sport in the four canonical Gospels. However, Saint Paul on multiple occasions invokes the motif of running as a metaphor of discipleship, most commonly in his repeated injunction to not running in vain. (p 15)" Having fun with scripture keeps it lively...and Paul was right to write...

2. The Analog
In the St. Vincent de Paul parish newsletter, my pastor, Father Arturo, shared a message that beautifully connects athletics with the spiritual life. He draws an analogy between what athletes require to succeed and what faith calls forth in us. He writes:

Many athletes can tell us how important stamina is to their success. In the closing minutes of a game, it can often come down to who still has the energy to do their best. Persistence in their will power and athletic talent can often determine the winner. Saint Paul said: "I have competed well. I have finished the race; I have kept the faith."

Often, our faith requires stamina as well. Beaten down by tragedies, failures and disappointments, is our faith strong enough to enable us to persist living God and loving our neighbor? Is our faith strong enough to pursue justice and peace? Is our faith strong enough to persevere in prayer even though our prayers can seem unanswered? Remember: "Sometimes, God shuts the door to us but He opens the window."

As we celebrate the Jubilee Year, may hope sustain our stamina to the end of our days.

With a Prayer, 
Father Arturo Albano, Pastor

Theology is faith seeking understanding. Metaphors like the one Father Arturo and Saint Paul offer are more than helpful tools. They invite and enable the faithful to reflect upon their own experiences to understand God in a new and personal way.

Catholic spirituality is characterized as a both/and proposition. It is not dialectical; it does not embrace an either/or way of seeing the world. God is both in Church and in sport. This point of view underscores how and why a "theology of sport" is valuable and worthy of further study.

3. God Speaks to Every Element...|
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a French Jesuit priest, philosopher, and paleontologist wrote, “God speaks to every element in the language it can understand” Amen.

God is always seeking to connect with us, reach us and find us. God speaks our language—we need not speak God's. For me, that language is sports. I grew up in a home that embraced sport. We watch sports, participate in them, have coached and refereed sports. But not everyone speaks sports. And, among those of us who do, we may speak a common language but there are dialects and accents. 

However, many of us speak several languages. I would love to teach Spirituality and Rock n Roll. I think my mom could teach a class called Spirituality and Gardening. To me, the analog is so obvious and invitational. And, that's my point. As a teacher, you might not find metaphors between Sports and Spirituality easy to create but you might have a few one goods for Spirituality and Cooking or Spirituality and Art. In short, don't let sports get in the way of spirituality—find what resonates with you and run with it (pun intended).

In Conclusion
I love talking Sports and Spirituality. I am always looking for new ideas, lesson plans and ways to connect with my seniors. No semester is the same because sports is always changing—and so are the spiritual lives of the young people in my class and mine, too.

Teaching is demanding and rewarding. It is challenging but fun. Keeping laughter, creativity and connection in the classroom make it that much better. I'm grateful to teach this language and way of connecting to God. 

Photo Credits
J-Love
Sports Theology
The Fit

Reminding and Inviting Players to Pray for Coaches

Prayer is a priority in Sports and Spirituality. I am always considering best practices around teaching It. On a regular basis I re-examine how to pray, why it matters, and who we pray for. It’s a task that is both challenging and exciting, rewarding and revelatory. 

Prayer is our effort to reach out to God, and I continue to be amazed at the many ways God reaches us—quietly, kindly, and lovingly. There is always a surprise, and this week was no exception: an insight came from an unexpected person in an unexpected place. A comment from sports pundit Stephen A. Smith—about Arizona Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon striking one of his players—led me to genuine, searching questions about prayer. God continues to write straight on crooked lines. Here’s the story.

The bell rings, students are in their desk and before I reach the agenda, we have time for prayer and a sports thought of the day. I hope this daily ritual offers students a sacred pause—a meaningful moment in their day. For the first three weeks, I lead and model different forms of prayer, introducing a variety of styles and practices that students might later choose to use when it’s their turn to lead.

I resist the idea of “evaluating” prayer; instead, I see my role as guiding and supporting students in this shared practice. Each semester, I look for ways to deepen and improve the experience—for them and for our community as a whole. At times the responsibility of leading prayer can be uncomfortable and impersonal. On other occasions it is beautiful, joyful and inspiring. It is always dynamic— a privilege, an opportunity, and an invitation to encounter the Lord.

An important part of leading prayer is talking about prayer and why its important. Our text book "On the Eighth Day: A Catholic Theology of Sport" speaks of prayer as an important routine and ritual for coaches and athletes. 

Prayer is more than simply asking God for things. According to Ward, prayer is an open stance to and experience of God. It is an act of faith, where one maintains a fundamental disposition of reception because “God gives continually, without abatement.” Instead of being concerned with whether God will give the gift we ask for, a more authentic stance focuses on opening ourselves to God by asking for assistance. At a fundamental level, humans have been gifted with life from the Creator; in prayer, we are willing to receive other gifts as a sign of our acceptance of this original gift.

I love the framing of prayer as a stance—ideally an open one! 

The text also takes on the question of praying for the win. We discussed why we do this, even when we know we ought to pray not for the outcome of a game, but rather that we play our best, stay healthy and have fun.

I asked students to reflect on their own experiences of praying with their teammates and coaches. I asked them if they think their coaches pray for them. I don't think they had ever considered this question before. I didn't get a lot of responses so I asked my class, "Do you pray for your coaches?" Again, silence. I followed up with another question. I asked, "Why do you think it might be important that you do pray for them?"

Rather than return to the notion of alignment or a disposition of reception, I said "well the events in Arizona with Coach Jonathan Gannon certainly speak to why you might." While a few students knew the reference, most did not. I said "this is a good reason for ChatGPT, but I can explain this fairly quickly."

During a game against the Tennessee Titans,Cardinals WR Demercado appeared to drop the football before crossing the goal line on what would have been a 72-yard touchdown. The play was ruled a fumble/touchback instead. This proved to be a costly error in a game the Cardinals ultimately lost 22-21. 

It's hard to understand how Demercado let this happen. I can't and won't answer that. However, for the purpose of this post, it's important to know that in response to what occurred, Gannon went onto the sideline, confronted Demercado, and made physical contact (a swing at his arm) during the confrontation. He snapped in a big way. In short, he hit his own player. 

The next day, Gannon apologized in a team meeting and in a press conference. He admitted that he “let the moment get the better of me,” and said the behavior did not reflect who he wants to be as a leader. 

The Cardinals internal review led them to fine Gannon $100,000. The NFL decided not to impose any additional discipline. 

Demercado accepted responsibility for his mistake, stating there was “no excuse” for letting go of the ball. 

Although football is an emotional game and a physical one—confrontation in this way is not acceptable or to be tolerated. It is also rare. 

Sports talk radio and TV were asked their opinion on this event. I personally heard Stephen A. Smith's take. He made it VERY clear that Coach Gannon was wrong in taking physical action. Very clear. But he noted, this speaks to the pressure that these coaches are under. You lose but three games and you are fired. I asked my students if they think their coaches feel pressure to win. They nodded in understanding. I said "pray for them." They got it. We got it. I get it. 

Through prayer, I learn more about my students and about God and even myself. And this past week, I came to realize that it's important to remind one another to pray, to pray for each other and to know that others are praying for us. Through prayer, God can help us grow in love, empathy and compassion. Prayer, after all, is a privilege, an opportunity, and an invitation to encounter the Lord.

There is much more to write about prayer...

1. Why I have shied away from asking students for petitions (sad)
2. What my students have learned through our study of the Supreme Court Case of Kennedy vs. Bremerton (2022). 
3. One best practice in prayer: A.C.T.S (learned a lot through this one!)
   
4. Why we continue to pray for the win. Go Irish ;-) 
5. Why there's no better goal than helping students to pray and yet, why it's so tough.

Photo Credits

A Case for Showing Up: Congrats to Paul Toboni, President of Operations, Washington Nationals

I hear it from every panel of students. You won’t find an exit interview that doesn’t address its value and importance. At our in-service on Thursday, I expect to hear reminders from administrators and wise colleagues: faculty and staff can—and should—attend their students’ games, concerts, and performances. Showing up for kids makes a world of difference.

The truth is, it is increasingly challenging to get teachers and administrators to stay after school. American life is busy. Please don’t get me wrong—so many of my colleagues are incredibly generous with their time: preparing fantastic lessons, holding study sessions, and coming early or staying late for office hours. Teaching and counseling demand a lot from a person. The easy thing is to go home and stay there. And yet, the hiring of Paul Toboni as the President of Baseball Operations for the Washington Nationals affirmed for me why it is more than worth it to go.

On September 24, the assistant athletic director saw me in the hallway and couldn't wait to share some excited news with me. He handed me his phone and I read the following tweet from ESPN baseball writer, Jeff Passan.

BREAKING: The Washington Nationals are finalizing a deal to name Paul Toboni their new head of baseball operations, sources tell ESPN. Toboni, 35, rose rapidly to become assistant GM for the Boston Red Sox and is widely regarded as one of the best young executives in MLB.

I put it down; we both smiled and I said "WOW!!! That's incredible. Thanks so much for sharing that with me, Rob." He replied, "I knew you would appreciate it."

Paul Toboni graduated from St. Ignatius College Prep in 2008. The SI community is tireless in its efforts to share and celebrate the success of students and alumni—near or far, young or old. When the news is about a student you have taught or an athlete you have coached, it feels that much more special. You feel joy, pride, and a connection. Sometimes you tell anyone who will listen. And to be very clear, this is super special. We have 50 people in the US Senate. There are only 30 GMs, or as they are now called—presidents of operation. Paul and Buster Posey are peers! 

To my friends and family who love baseball or live in the DC Metroplex, I passed along the update about Paul. The irony, however, is that I never even taught him. Yet, the pride I felt was real, a reminder that the SI network and spirit extend far beyond the classroom.

Even though I taught a required Religious Studies course, Paul was not my student. His older sister, Gianna, was in my Foundations of Ethics: Morality and Justice her junior year. She was always an engaged and willing participant—greeting me as her teacher and thanking me at the conclusion of every class. In fact, I can recall that she was in my first-period class, and that means I got those students at 8:00 a.m. on a Monday morning. Even though that could be rough, Gianna consistently set a positive tone with her presence, her smile, and her thoughtful questions.

During his introductory presser in DC, Paul said "I would like to thank my family who is here today. My folks and my siblings. I like to say that I hit the lottery at birth, I had no control over the circumstance that I was born into but they all struck a great balance of loving me but challenging me and I'm forever indebted to all of you." I loved his remarks and I wasn't surprised to hear him say what he said. To teach Gianna was to know about her two older brothers, her young sister Jacqueline and her younger brother, Paul, too.

I also taught Paul's wife, Danielle. I think back to Danielle's contributions and participation in Sports and Spirituality with a smile that rivals hers (which is epic). Danielle missed class early in the semester because she was traveling for the US Women's (under 17/18) national soccer team. This meant that we collaborated before or after class to make it all work. She was nothing but responsible, diligent and a bright light. She laughs easily and memories of her in that class still make me smile. Paul added "to my wife Danielle and our four boys—all of you make life so fun. It can be crazy at times but I'm lucky to have all of you." I can only imagine.

So why celebrate? Why write about a student you never taught? Consider this.

Although I did not teach Paul, I did know him—because that’s what happens when you watch a student-athlete over the course of three years. Paul made the varsity squad as a sophomore, and I had the opportunity to watch him develop, improve, and lead with each passing season. I attended so many SI varsity basketball games that I gained a strong sense of who he was as an athlete, a teammate, and a person. I wasn’t alone—sitting alongside me were a sizable number of other teachers, faculty, staff, and the families of the players, all behind the SI bench. I’ve always loved that perch in the bleachers above, where you can watch athletes sit, get called in to play, take a time out, and gather in the huddle. 

Truth be told, I was a fan of many of those kids—I can still name at least two starting lineups. But Paul stood out. For one, he wore 22—my lucky number, my favorite number in honor of Will Clark. Hard not to cheer for that! His fundamentals were rock-solid. Any basketball purist would take pride in his hustle, mechanics, and grit. In fact I can still recall talking to Leo LaRocca, the former AD and an iconic SI leader about Paul.

I was sitting one row behind him for a varsity boys' basketball game and we were both watching Paul warm up. A great shooter, I said to Leo, "as they say, practice makes perfect." He remained quiet. He nodded and said "no, perfect practice makes perfect." I took note.

In light of his basketball IQ, work ethic and temperament I figured Paul must have made him a joy to coach. I decided to reach out to his coach, Tim Reardon for an answer. Truth be told, I expected a four sentence response. Instead, I got four paragraphs. I savored each story, recalling those memories. He wrote,

Paul was a two-time first team all-league basketball player, and it wasn't even his best sport. He was also an all-league baseball player. and before his senior year, the football team was trying to get him to come out for the team and play quarterback! It's true. He actually played some spring ball. I watched him throwing dimes out there on JB Murphy field and assumed we would get him a month late for basketball, but he changed his mind. I think football wanted him not only because he had a great arm but also, and more importantly, because he's a winner and a fantastic teammate.

In 2007, we lost the NorCal semi-final game by one point to a really good O'Dowd team. When we got in the locker room, Paul said to the team, "That one's on me, fellas." He'd had a mediocre shooting night and didn't want any of the seniors to take the blame. But Alex Brown immediately replied, "We never would have gotten here if you didn't win the CCS championship game for us." And, of course, Alex was right. We'd gotten down in that 16-4 in the first quarter, and Paul had a crazy game to bring us back for the win.

My dad was a big Paul Toboni fan, and my dad's favorite PT moment occurred in a CCS semi-final game in 2008. The game had been settled. There were 5 seconds left, and we were down by seven. We were resigned to the fact that the game was over. Our guys were already shaking hands with the SHC players as the clock ticked down. But then SHC's star player started to dribble hard toward the basket. He was going to dunk on us to end our season. Paul was at half court and saw what was happening. He took off like he'd been shot out of a cannon, and just as the SHC player was about to begin his jump, Paul caught him and laid him out. It wasn't a cheap shot. But it was an extremely hard foul. The SHC guy would have to settle for free throws instead of getting to humiliate our team at the end of a pretty good year. My dad walked over to Paul after the game and thanked him for that.

Paul and I keep in touch. He's a great family man. He's smart as hell and quietly competitive. During our last home game against a highly ranked Mitty team, their coach came up to me and said Paul should get player of the year. "I have a couple of players who are probably better than Paul," he said. "But I'd take him over any of them. He's good for the league. He plays the right way."

I'm really proud of him. Glad you're writing about him!

Thank you, Tim for taking the time to respond and put in writing what so many of us saw and want to remember. And as standard protocol—if there's a Notre Dame connection, it needs to be made. Tim added that when Paul was enrolled in the Mendoza College of Business at ND, he competed in Bengal Bouts—a program meant to "develop men who are rooted in charity to become the best boxers they can be, and raise money for the Holy Cross Missions in Bangladesh." I bet he was an excellent boxer.

I start every class with prayer and a Sports Thought of the Day. It was fun to begin class with this update about an SI alum—a man who once sat in the very same rooms as them and where life has taken him. It was especially joyful to note that he married a woman from SI who is every bit as bright (smart) and bright (glowing) as he is. They both remind me that our students are worth showing up for—in the classroom and far beyond. 

Photo Credits
Dugout
Quote

I Blame Me: Reflections on My Sports Ethic

I’m disappointed in myself. The only person I can blame is me. That sports ethic I’ve always held as a point of pride, the one I’ve written about and shared with my students as my way of proceeding, I compromised. I told myself I’d make an exception, that this time I’d go with what seemed like the better bet. I was wrong. I did not survive. I will not advance. I have been ousted from the Winner's Pool that I joined in August because I bet against my own team: the San Francisco 49ers. Here are a few lessons I learned.

Why?
The local sports talk radio spewed vitriol against our own team as they had their first loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars 26-21. If the SF Giants hadn't fired Bob Melvin—the team manager, unpacking the loss and menacing plight of this team would have had more air time. 

Yes, the Niners have the weakest schedule in the league but the "faith" in Forty-Niner Faithful was A.W.O.L. In thinking about this game, one friend asked me if Shanahan should bench Christian McCaffrey—the Niners' star running back. Like so many others, he came to a foregone conclusion that the Rams would prevail. he said "why put C-Mac's health at risk?" While I understood the sentiment. we agreed that it was too early in the season to take such rash gestures.

C-Mac had one things to say after last night's win: "Gritty."

When it came time to make my pick, I chose the Rams without delay. In short, I listened to the haters. Were they the wrong voices? Yes and no.

No—because a "smart bet" looks at the money line and determines how one team matches up against another. The Niners continue to be plagued by injury. One has to wonder if they should put who remains active in bubble wrap. I could go on and on and on about why this was the "smart bet" and the easy one. I won't. 

Yes—because negativity speaks loud and clear. I heard those voices and added to the conversation. That's really not my style. In sports, it's not hard to see what goes wrong, when and where. Furthermore, it can be a real challenge to be objective about your own team. You know them the best and yes, your vision is clouded. This is just one reason why my ethic forbids me for betting for or against my own team. But, this is also the entire point of having an ethic in the first place.

Didn't know this existed...

Is a Win a Loss? Is a Loss a Win?
IF the Rams had won, would I reflect on my sports ethic? Would I write about it?  This question reminds me of a comment from WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. 

Napheesa Collier, a star player for the Minnesota Lynx, said "At Unrivaled this past February, I sat across from Cathy and asked how she planned to address the officiating issues in our league. Her response was, 'Well, only the losers complain about the refs' (CBS Sports)."

I have read enough to know that Engelbert's comment was not taken out of context. I find it dismissive and an unfair. I also find some truth in it. When a person or a team loses, it's only natural to closely examine what went wrong. Many times, the officials are an easy target; fact is referees have an do impact the outcome of games. 

Failure invites us to determine What we could have done differently? and How can we get better? This is one of the spiritual gifts of failure. Losing a game invites us to ask what might have been done better. In this way, failure carries with it a kind of spiritual gift. Of course, athletes and teams also reflect on what went right in order to succeed. Still, the old saying, “hindsight is 20/20,” rings true for a reason.

Had the Rams won and my survivor status remained in tact, I think I would revisit and reflect upon my ethic. How? Why? I live with myself. I know how I felt DURING the game hoping that the Rams might pull ahead. I didn't pray, but I felt like praying for a tie when both teams reached overtime.

So What? 
This experience only reminded me of why we have an ethic in the first place. A personal ethic offers a person a place to stand and a way to proceed. It is formed over time and from lived experiences. It reflects values and can help a person live a good life. To follow one's ethic is to live with purpose and principle.

In this instance, I am reminded that a personal ethic isn't always easy to follow. We make decisions that we think are right. We aim to get an edge, an advantage or one up. This is natural, even understandable—especially for competitive people!

A personal ethic and abiding by it suggest that regardless of the outcome, winning and victory is not always external—there is much to be said for what comes from within. And hey, as my friend Haley said, "Glad it was the Niners who knocked me out of Survivor's Pool." Great perspective.

FWIW: This what I have written and shared with my students in regard to my personal sports ethic.

1. I don’t wear shirts, gear or swag of other teams. From time to time I wish I could.
1. Love Josh Allen; would love a #17 Red and Blue Bills Tee.
2. I don’t bet FOR or AGAINST my team. 
1. Most people are willing to be FOR their team. Nope. The love is pure.
3. I will not bet on my team’s rival to WIN.
1. Bet on Dodgers to win the World Series in 2024. This meant I had to cheer for them. It felt dirty.

Photo Credits
Hates Guide
Pointing
Ethics

Stay Different Irish

In his new book, Shot Ready, Steph Curry opens up about an important self realization. "I'm different," he says. In fact, Curry sees his difference as a “superpower.” As he shares this understanding, it’s clear that being different is not pejorative. It it not something one ought to be ashamed of or seek to change. 

He said, "I was always different in the way I looked and played on the court and so embracing that differences as a superpower as opposed to a boundary or a speed bump I need to get over. That is really how I see the game—knowing that I have a flair and a creativity—embracing it, working on it."

Steph Curry IS different and fans love him for that. The game itself isn't the same because the ways he has exhibited and implemented that flair and creativity. The way he addresses, owns and celebrates his difference got me thinking about people and places who are different too. The University of Notre Dame came to mind. 

In many ways, Notre Dame has been slow to change. The University is ever mindful of its traditions and prides itself on keeping them and passing them on. Participation in game day rituals, dorm life activities, practices of the Catholic faith, and a strong ethos make it stand up and apart from the others. Among alumni and friends, change at Notre Dame isn't always a welcome thing, especially when it comes to football. For example, many fans hated the move to turf, the addition of the electronic scoreboard and even the addition to the stadium. Others are crying out for more change. But I have come to realize these traditions and customs are what make us different—and my time on campus for the Purdue game reminded me how important it is to be different and stay different. After all, we are ND.

The purpose of this post is to name those differences—both those that I appreciate and those I wish we would reconsider. For long time Irish football fans, our differences will ring familiar and true. I am hoping the others will get you thinking. I welcome your feedback. 

We're Different: Example 1—Sign Value
My dad and my uncle want names on the back of football player's jerseys. They understand the rationale for keeping them off: football is a team sport and the emphasis on the only name a player represents is that which they wear on the front of the jersey. I do like following players and while I know many names, the learning curve involves 100+ individuals. Therefore, I have my roster out for a good bit of the game. It's cumbersome, and yes over time I need it less and less. But, I recognize the sign value of not having names—I have written about this before. I am also sympathetic to their request. 

How's this for Sign Value?!

We're Different: Example 2—What you won't find inside ND Stadium
You won’t see any advertising inside Notre Dame Stadium. It’s striking to enter an athletic venue completely free of corporate logos, posters, or ribbon boards. Each end zone features just nine slash marks at a 42-degree angle—a nod to 1842, the year the University was founded. 

This is a striking contrast to Oracle Park in San Francisco, and many other sporting venues. Every year, the Giants' electronic scoreboard grows larger. It’s a shame that corporate logos stake a large amount of real estate on that screen, limiting views of the San Francisco Bay. In contrast, Notre Dame remains refreshingly simple and pure.

We're Different: Example 3—What you will find inside ND Stadium
The flag pole is in the south end zone of Notre Dame Stadium. I'm not sure I would have realized just how special and how different that is if my dear friend and former roommate Erin hadn't called it to my attention. 

Most flags fly at the main entrance or plaza of the stadium, above or near the press box or even in an end zone or above a screen board. But the placement of the flag pole at ND allows for a distinguished individual to present the flag and for fans to pause and take notice of this important ritual. As part of the celebration of 50 years of women's' athletics at Notre Dame, Ruth Riley Hunter presented the flag on behalf of every woman who’s worn the Irish jersey. Go Irish!

We're Different: Example 4—Victory Walk
Much to the delight of Irish fans, Coach Marcus Freeman reinstated the Notre Dame “Victory Walk” tradition: a pre-game procession from the Basilica of the Sacred Heart—where players attend Mass—into Notre Dame Stadium. The practice had been discontinued under Coach Kelly, who moved team Masses to Friday, rather than on the day of the game. 

This was one of the very first changes Coach Freeman brought to the program—and he was clear about why it mattered to him. I agree wholeheartedly. To me, this tradition speaks volumes: Notre Dame is a Catholic institution, and moving from spirituality to sport in this way underscores who we are and what we stand for.

And yet, we're no different....
Notre Dame has and DOES change. For each of the four differences I described, there are changes that make me think we are just like everyone else. Maybe you will find those changes to be a "force for good." I'm not against change, but I am pointing to the differences I question.

We're Not Different #1: Player Promotion
As mentioned, the only type of advertising on the scoreboard is for campus programs and university highlights. Fans can turn to the scoreboard for replays of the game and in review of calls from the ref. The only individuals featured on the screen by name are those receiving academic awards, other sports teams—men's track and field, women's soccer, etc. and special guests. 

For the first time however, I saw highlight reels showcasing individual athletes. After a touchdown by Jeremiyah Love, I saw what he just accomplished followed by past plays and his famous heart hand gesture from other games. As much as I love Love—and he wasn't the only athlete singled out— I was surprised by this change. I imagine the reality of N.I.L. sparked this shift but I am disappointed that an important way Notre Dame football communicates its team first mentality is a thing of the past.

We're Not Different #2: Turn Down for What
One of the greatest sounds associated with college football is the cadence, beat and rhythms of a marching band. I love hearing the Band of the Fighting Irish as they enter the stadium and take the field. Their music is far from limited to just pregame/postgame and halftime. The drums and songs that punctuate first downs, time outs, the end of the third quarter color my memories of my time as a student at ND.

Today the University allows for popular music in addition to the band. I arrived inside Notre Dame Stadium excited to teach my cousin's daughter Addison all of the moves and dance drills associated with the little ditties of the ND Band. Unfortunately, far too much of their music was drowned out by the likes of Ozzy Ozbourne's "Crazy Train" and a jock-rock favorite: "Turn Down for What." I'm not sure how many more times I can or should hear the "Price is Right" theme song.

Any school and any stadium can press play on hard rock or hip hop. Not every place offers melodies from the best band in college football. Fighting Irish Media, PLEASE reconsider.

We're Not Different #3: Speaking of music...
My friend Bill and I caught the procession of players and coaches close to the Hesburgh library. I loved seeing them in dress ware—a uniform navy blazer and dress shirt. A few wore ties; all carry their own backpacks.

I realize they are moving from a place of introspection and prayer to a public space that is loud and demands a lot from them. I get that they want to be "in the zone," but I wish they would remove their head phones/ take out their ear buds. To me, silencing the cheers and potential jeers creates a barrier. For example, when I saw Cooper Flanagan, I yelled out "Go Spartans!" I wanted to make a connection to his high school alma mater, De La Salle high school. Those AirPods prevent any sort of communique.

These athletes are modeling what we see every week in the NFL and among their peer group. Am I asking too much in requesting that they be open and stay open to family, friends and fans who call their name and cheer for Old Notre Dame?!

We're Not Different #4: Kegs in the Dorm is a No, Beer inside the Stadium is a Yes...
Maybe it's because we are Irish, but Notre Dame has always had a interesting, dynamic and complicated relationship with alcohol. We are anything but a dry campus. Kegs were forbidden but students still host parties in their dorm rooms—offering booze that has been "snuck in." The tailgating culture has certainly increased and many students at ND do what others do on Game Day: throw back a few, play drinking games, take Jell-o shots and more. others binge drink.

Critiquing culture around alcohol isn't a bad thing, and so it is with that spirit that I raise a question about the sale of it during games. Now, we match the practices of most other Power Five conference schools that have been selling alcohol for years. The powers that be made the change to  provide a more modern fan experience, generate revenue, and align with other major college and professional sports venues.

I asked students if they bought beer or wine during the game. About half said it was too pricey and others said "of course." I thought the editorial, Notre Dame’s approval rating skyrockets after allowing sale of alcohol in stadium from The Observer, the student run paper was hilarious. While ND's policy has changed, it's good to see that student responses have not. Witty. Snarky. Funny. No different.

No Family is the Same
Amidst our practices and pathways, I think it's always good to evaluate who we are and what we do. As I wrote this post, I was able to call attention to what makes Notre Dame distinct, unique and different. What is our flair? In what ways are the Irish creative? 

I think our greatest superpower can be found in the fact that we pride ourselves on being a Notre Dame Family—and no family is the same. Each one is different. We grow up. We grow old and pass our values and traditions from one generation to the next. Let's continue to do this, to add and subtract, review and respect our family name.

This was one of my favorite visits back to campus for a game because
I got to share the ND family with my own family and friends who are like family.

I carried these observations home with me—grateful, happy and with a full heart. My students asked if we stayed for the entire game. I said "how could we not? Making the pilgrimage to Notre Dame for a game runs on kairotic time. Time is not chronological." I was able to share the entire weekend with special family members—My Uncle Jay, Aunt Wendy, my cousin Jodi, her husband C.W. and their awesome four children: Regan, Harrison, Quinn and Addison. They visited me when I was a student and it was a treat to reconnect on campus once again and make new memories. I shared game day with friends who are like family—my former colleague Bill, the ACE IV cohort and the Shiogis. We celebrated 50 years of women's sports at Notre Dame. I sang the Alma Mater after a win and at the dedication of the Main Circle to the women of Notre Dame.

I'm different because of my time at Notre Dame and in the many years since I have graduated. That's a good thing.

Photo Credits
Player Walk
Ruth Riley Hunter
Jeremiyah Love