What the NFL Draft Costs and Asks of Us

The NFL Draft is a three-day event where the 32 teams of the National Football League select the best college players to build their futures. It asks nothing of us. And yet, what it is—and what it has cost—is worth serious consideration.

The 2026 NFL draft took place in Pittsburgh, PA. The commissioner Roger Goodell told fans that the Iron City set a new attendance record. Around 320,000 people showed up for the first night alone, and hundreds of thousands more attended across multiple days. Over 700,000 people were expected to descend upon this great sports town—which is home to roughly 300,000 people. In light of such logistics, Pittsburgh public schools moved from in person to remote learning Wednesday—Friday April 22-24. In short, this increasingly popular football festival is redirecting the path and process of American education. I would also like to call into question what this reveals about us as fans and as a society.

I’m a football fan, but I have no interest in attending the NFL Draft. While you may feel part of a “moment,” the experience is largely the same sequence repeated: a pick is announced, a player embraces family, walks the stage, and puts on a new team’s hat or jersey. You might see highlights, but not performance. And you’ll see this play out again and again over seven rounds.

This is very different from the live events we covet. At a concert or a game, something unfolds in real time—unpredictable, unscripted, alive. At the draft, there is no play, no competition, no moment of athletic brilliance. We’re not watching something happen; we’re watching a decision about what might happen.

I understand the appeal—the crowd, the shared anticipation, the hope for a team’s future. But as a live event, it leaves me cold. It celebrates projection over performance—and notably, it centers only male athletes, with no comparable stage for women’s professional talent.

While the NFL Draft asks nothing of us, it quietly rearranges quite a bit. Schools adjust. Cities bend. Resources shift. I understand the logistical challenges students might face getting to school given the crowds, but the deeper question remains: What is more important?

When I presented this story to my seniors, several admitted what many already know but rarely say out loud—that their education, what they actually learn and retain, is not the same when they are remote as when they are physically present. One student noted that the social interaction of school is ssential to both his learning and his well-being. School is not simply the transmission of information—it is formation, relationship, and more.

We already pause regularly: for holidays, for rest, for professional development. Those interruptions serve a purpose. But redirecting education to accommodate the NFL Draft however popular, signals something different. It suggests that what is foundational can be made flexible, even secondary, in the face of spectacle.

And that should give us pause and consider: an important question. The text book for Sports and Spirituality, On the Eighth Day: Toward a Catholic Theology of Sport—the required text for Sports and Spirituality posits two essential questions for readers and students to consider. 

First, with the combined occurrences of a global pandemic, ongoing wars, gun violence, and an unsettledness in Western society, should we even be playing sport, let alone writing books about it? Amidst the martyrdom of unprecedented numbers of Christians in the twentieth and twenty-first century world, is sport not too frivolous for Christians to really care about? Johnston sums up this critical introspection about the value of sport with his first question: “What the hell are they doing?” That is, should we be affording so much time to sport, especially when it does not always support human communities?  

In theological terms, we can speak about sport as sinful in many ways, or as a part of our fallen world. Whereas Catholics have often critiqued the sin of sport in its bodily injuries, over-commercialization, and physical violence, sport sociology analyzes more specifically deeper problems of sport. Forms of discrimination (e.g., race and gender), systemic issues (tied to globalization, sport systems, labor migration), and the use of human performance drugs are topics that require careful research and cry out for justice and righteousness. These issues cause Johnston to question, “What the hell are they doing?”

I know I am a teacher so I have my bias. I think education is not to be undervalued. Ever. I think it can and should be made a priority for all. Sadly, I think Johnston's question is relevant. And for what it's worth, I'd like to add one: Why can't the draft be on Saturday or Sunday?!

If you would like to talk more about this topic, consider the following:

1. Last year's host city, Green Bay cancelled class entirely. My students do want to know if those days were added on as snow days.
2. Many times, the men drafted do not become the athletes they were projected to be. Sometimes, the draft is dead wrong—Niners know this as much as any team.
3. How much does the average attendee at the draft spend to be part of the event?
4. My students and I talked about how hosting the draft and taking time off of school is similar and different to when our school was not open on the day of the San Francisco Giants' victory parade. NB: many teachers are still upset about that...

Photo Credits
Mendoza Moment
32 picks
Draft City

Remembering and Celebrating, Sister Kathy Lang, CSJ and Her Crown Jewel

On April 18, 2026, I returned to my alma mater for the Celebration of Life of Sister Kathy Lang, CSJ. A Sister of Saint Joseph of Carondelet for 70 years, she served 26 of those years as principal and as the first president of Carondelet High School in Concord, California. It was a gift to gather for Mass, a shared meal, and a storytelling session honoring such an extraordinary leader. I sat with classmates, former teachers, alumnae, and parents representing five different decades.

As I reflected on Sister Kathy’s life and legacy, two words stayed with me—words that captured what she believed Carondelet to be and what we, as alumnae, were made to feel: crown and jewel. Let me explain...

When my friends and classmates got word of Sister Kathy's passing on January 25, 2026, we shared a slew of text messages —each one echoing the same sense of loss, gratitude, and appreciation for her many gifts. More importantly, the messages were consistent. "She was a caring and strong presence" and "She set a great example as a female leader." One friend wrote, "It's impressive how she knew something about every student and knew them by name." Sister Kathy's qualities then and now were never taken for granted. Her memory is indeed a blessing.

My memories of Sister Kathy are many—and blessed. She had the most piercing, beautiful blue eyes. She listened with them and was ever present on campus. She also had a lovely speaking voice, and I give her great credit for never raising it—even when she needed to. Perhaps that was her superpower: when things got heated, Sister Kathy remained calm. Temperatures might rise, but her voice stayed low. I graduated in 1992, long before chemical peels or Hydrafacials were commonplace. Otherwise, you might have thought she indulged—her skin was that radiant. She smiled often. But Sister Kathy was firm and she also kept a professional distance. She was not one to be fooled. 

Her obituary states that "Being a San Franciscan was an important piece of her identity." In her poignant eulogy tribute, former CHS teacher, Elizabeth Clemente-House recalled how much Sister Kathy loved to tell people she was from "The City." She was a proud graduate of St. Cecilia's and Star of the Sea Academy.

I have always held onto that detail because my mom is no different. A San Francisco native, she, too, attended “Star”—a connection they both recognized in one another. There was an unspoken understanding between them, rooted in a shared formation in the same sacred place. Both my mom and Sister Kathy carried a deep love for Stella Maris.

I have no doubt this is a key reason my mom enjoyed her tenure as the Parent's Guild president. In that role she worked with Sister Kathy and my mom was the one to tell me then and in the years since how much Sister Kathy loved Carondelet. "Anne, she believes it is the crown jewel of all their schools." I never forgot those words. 

Toward the end of  my senior year, my parents invited Sister Kathy and her great friend, Sister Eleanor to our home for dinner. My Dad, whom Sister E always called "Stan the Man," attended public school and was not as familiar with religious sisters. I know at the conclusion of that evening he was a little surprised by these deeply progressive female leaders. Meanwhile, my mom loved every minute of it.

Sister Kathy and Sister Eleanor who never wore the habit made a habit of walking after school. Together, they would get outside, exercise and converse with others in the community. Thinking about that now, I am certain it was part of their ministry. They met others where they were. It sounds a whole lot like Pope Francis' Theology of Encounter to me. I'd like to think Sister Eleanor and Sister Kathy walked with God—and God with them. 

The Celebration of Life for Sister Kathy made me aware of her great gift for fundraising. On some level, I wasn't surprised to hear that confirmation. Today, Carondelet—ever a beautiful campus—has new and outstanding facilities. But as someone whose athletic interests were given great opportunity at CHS, I see the as the Carondelet Athletics Complex crown jewel of her fundraising efforts. 

It is a six-acre, modern sports facility located in nearby Walnut Creek that serves as the primary home for many of the school’s outdoor athletic programs. It was developed to give Carondelet student-athletes a true “home field,” replacing decades of off-site practices and competitions.

Acquired in 2015, Carondelet was forward thinking in securing this place and space. Though she was retired, this sports gem would have never been possible without Sister Kathy's vision, foundation and prior success in fundraising.

I have taught at St. Ignatius College Preparatory in “The City” for 20 years now. When I interviewed for the position, the school’s president, Father Tony Sauer, SJ, asked where I had gone to high school. When I told him “Carondelet,” he smiled.“Ah.Then you know Sister Kathy Lang.”

“She was my principal,” I replied.

He laughed, then added, “I took her to a dance her first year of college. She left for the convent after that. My loss was the Sisters’ gain.”

I’ve never forgotten that story. Both Sister Kathy and Father Tony gave their lives in service to countless young men and women in Catholic education. They both had great social capital, power and poise. Still, there is a distinction in their styles that I’ve come to appreciate.

So many graduates of S.I. speak of it as the crown jewel of Bay Area schools—I know Tony felt that way. I’m genuinely glad they do, and I’m often amused by how eager they are to make sure others know it. People frequently ask if I went to St. Ignatius as well.

I never have to hesitate. I didn’t—and I’ve never felt badly about that. Why? Because I went to Carondelet High School. Under Sister Kathy’s leadership, and guided by her conviction, I came to understand that I was already part of something extraordinary. Like her, it wasn’t flashy or bold. It was a quiet confidence.

I have also always felt connected to De La Salle High School, even when others don’t fully understand the relationship between the two schools. Sister Kathy’s leadership extended beyond 800 young women; she collaborated with the Christian Brothers and helped shape a shared vision that included nearly 900 young men as well. Two jewels for the price of one. Lucky Cougars, lucky Spartans.

I remain deeply proud that my diploma, my yearbooks, and my experience all trace back to 1133 Winton Drive. Thank you, Sister Kathy for your commitment to Carondelet. The love and vision you shared as principal and president lives on. It shines so brightly.

Photo Credits
Principals
purple
Memorial Service

From "You Suck" to "Thank You"—How We Fans Show Signs of Respect

There’s a telling line in the documentary Nine Innings from Ground Zero. Curt Schilling, reflecting on pitching in Yankee Stadium during the 2001 World Series, said: “If they boo you as a visiting player, that just means you don’t suck.”

In other words, to be jeered by New York fans is, in its own way, a sign of respect. You matter. You’re dangerous. You’re worth the noise.

Sometimes we show respect in strange ways. And two recent events in baseball have given me pause to think a little more about how we show respect and why it matters. 

In Major League Baseball, April 15 is Jackie Robinson Day. It's not just tax day, it's a day to honor Robinson's 1947 debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers. 4/15 is a day when MLB's color barrier was broken. However, it's worth noting that Robinson's career was not always marked by signs of respect. He endured hostility in the form of racist remarks, derogatory slurs and taunting. The abuse he endured was, tragically, a backhanded acknowledgment of his impact. He is an American hero—a man that children still learn about and study in school and beyond. 

Baseball—the American pastime—has made meaningful efforts to reckon with its past. For example, statistics from the Negro Leagues are now officially included in the Major League Baseball historical record and recognized by the Baseball Hall of Fame. On Jackie Robinson Day, all players, coaches, and on-field staff wear Robinson’s number, 42—the only number permanently retired across MLB. The result is a powerful, league-wide visual tribute in every stadium at once. Optics matter. At the ballpark, fans watch video tributes and hear stories that highlight Robinson’s impact and enduring example. These efforts help ensure that Jackie Robinson Day is not just commemorated, but truly honored. To me, respect never goes out of style.

But what got me thinking about respect was a comment from one of my seniors. His “Sports in the News” presentation featured the Tigers’ closer, Kenley Jansen, who recorded his 479th career save on April 14. Jonah walked into class and said, “I should have featured Jackie Robinson on Jackie Robinson Day.” I assured him it wasn’t a problem; I had created a slide honoring Rachel Robinson, Jackie’s wife, who is 103 years old.

Then I added, “And for what it’s worth, I hate Kenley Jansen.”

My student looked at me quizzically.

“He played for the Dodgers, right? Put a whole lot of hurt on the Giants.”

He smiled.

“My hatred,” I added, “is a sign of respect.”

He understood.

Congratulations are certainly in order for Jansen—he is now number three on the all-time save list, behind Mariano Rivera (the last #42 in MLB)  and Trevor Hoffman. But this Giants fan can't forget who benefitted from this milestone: those pesky Dodgers! Hey! loyalty and fandom don’t go out of style either.

Regular readers of this blog know that an important part of my summer is my annual pilgrimage to South Lake Tahoe for the American Century Championship golf tournament. It features athletes, actors, news anchors, and musicians—perhaps they should add a “C” for “celebrity” to their official billing.

One time, I was sitting beside a green when former Phillie and National outfielder Jayson Werth walked by. We made eye contact.

“I hated you when you were with the Phillies,” I told him.

“You a Mets fan?” he asked.

“No—I’m a Giants fan. You always put the hurt on.”

“Thank you,” he said. “I appreciate the hatred.”

We both laughed. The respect was obvious.

Respect doesn’t always arrive as celebration. Sometimes it comes as resistance, as noise, even as rejection. But underneath it is recognition.

And maybe the question worth asking is this: Are we paying attention to the ways respect shows up—even when it doesn’t look the way we expect?

Photo Credits
Jansen
42
Boo

Jo Adell: Living in the Fifth Dimension of Sport

After reading "Rowing for the Lives" (America Magazine) and "How the Sports Stadium Went Luxe" (The New Yorker) my seniors in Sports and Spirituality my seniors in Sports and Spirituality were asked to answer the question: What are sports for? Is sport a pathway to meaning or a product to sell?

Upon reading these, they made convincing arguments on both sides. Some argued that athletics exist for the formation of character and the creation of opportunity for all. Others leaned toward a more public reality: today, sports are a business, and games are primarily a form of entertainment.

Both claims hold weight. But I wonder if they are incomplete. Because every so often, something happens in sport that doesn’t quite fit either category. It’s not reducible to character formation, and it’s not captured fully by entertainment value. It interrupts the game. It lingers. It feels—if only for a moment, like something more.

Angels outfielder Jo Adell added that kind of variable to our conversation—and it’s not just what he did, but how he did it.

According to Yahoo! sports, Adell "etched his name in the history books on Saturday night in Anaheim, robbing three home runs in a 1-0 win over the Mariners" 

This one man had three robberies. Check them out. for yourself: 

1. Top of the first, off the bat of Cal Raleigh.
2. Top of the eighth, off the bat of Josh Naylor.
3. Top of the ninth, off the bat of J.P. Crawford.

Kendall Baker writes,

There have been over 70,000 MLB games played in the wild card era (since 1995), and this was the first to feature three total home run robberies, much less three by the same player.  

While the first two robberies were spectacular in their own right, the third is the one everybody's talking about because this is where Adell ended up after making the grab… 

Adell's ninth-inning leap into the right field corner took him all the way over the fence into the stands. The Mariners challenged to see if it might still count as a home run, but the call was confirmed because he made the catch before falling out of play. That's in accordance with MLB's rules (page 148), but should it be? If you fail to keep the ball from going over the fence, did you really rob the home run? What do you think?"

What do I think? His spectacular defense is not simply about character formation, the cultivation of virtue, or creating community. Yes, Adell jerseys may increase and the Angels’ social media is lighting up—but something more is happening here. This moment resists our categories. It is more than an either/or proposition, and even more than a both/and.

Perhaps it is akin to the “fifth dimension” described in A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle.

In the novel, a tesseract allows a person to move from one place to another not by traveling the distance in between, but by folding space itself. What seems far apart suddenly touches. The impossible becomes immediate. But here’s the deeper truth: the characters cannot access this kind of movement through knowledge or power alone—it is love that makes the journey possible.

Adell’s performance feels something like that. In three separate moments, he collapses what should have been inevitable into something altogether different. He bends expectation. He interrupts outcome. He brings together what should not meet: the certainty of the ball leaving the park and the sudden, almost disorienting reality of an out recorded.

For a moment, the game is no longer just business or formation. It becomes something that pulls us out of the ordinary experience of sport and reminds us why we watch in the first place. Not just to be entertained, and not only to be formed, but to witness moments that feel, however briefly, like they transcend the limits of the game itself. And, it's so good, it's something I have to share. I told my Dad to watch it on YouTube. I texted it to my friend Anthony. I said to my friends Bob and Mike—long time Angels fans, "I hope one of you will wear an Adell jersey soon." Connection.

The San Francisco Giants hosted MLB's Opening Night on Wednesday March 25. Opening Day was two days later on Friday, March 27 (yes dividing them up is a shrewd business opportunity).For those students not at the ballpark, I shared this picture. 

St. Louis Cardinals player Nathan Church makes a spectacular leaping catch at the
wall to rob a home run during a game at Busch Stadium on March 26, 2026. 

I said how excited I was for a new season of baseball because it always brings promise and possibility. I told them that last year, I saw one of the greatest catches of all time. I hit play and shared Denzel' Clarke's amazing feat. I reminded them of the language of baseball. I said that's one incredible "web gem." And then I asked the question "What will this season bring?"

I wasn't sure what we saw last year could be outdone. Just when we think inspiration or amazement is in short supply, I'm proven wrong. This is what it means to live in the Fifth Dimension. This is what we love baseball, and basketball, a golf, and music and so much more.
A whole lot in this life is scripted, but Jo Adell reminded me—convincingly—that it's not nor should it be.

Photo Credits
Jo Adell
STL

No Secret Handshake, Just a Headset—Thoughts on the NFL Head Coaches Group Photo

Membership has its privileges—but none of these men carry a common card. There’s no secret handshake, no initiation ceremony, no shared letters stitched across a jacket. They don’t wear the same colors to work, yet to do their job, they all don the same headset.

They are beloved and belittled, celebrated and second-guessed. Many are household names and hometown heroes. In fact, you might know more about them than your state senator, your local congressperson, or even your governor. You could likely pick them out of a crowd—and gladly would.

Who makes up this coveted crew? The 32 head coaches of the NFL for the 2026–2027 season and I love the annual tradition of their group photo.

The “class photo” began informally—just a group of coaches gathering during their annual meetings. But the image reveals something deeper. These men know one another. They’ve crossed paths for years—playing, coaching, competing, collaborating across the league’s 32 organizations. The circle is small, and it changes quickly. After all, the NFL can just as easily stand for “Not For Long.” This year alone, new faces have already stepped into the frame. And that’s part of what makes the photo meaningful.

For a brief moment, rivals stand shoulder to shoulder. Competitors pause. The noise quiets. And the role they share matters more than the differences that divide them. You get the sense that each one knows just how rare—and how fragile—his place is. Again, it’s a simple photo. But it offers a subtle lesson and begs us to consider: What if our communities did the same

What if we made space, even briefly, to recognize those who lead—imperfectly, publicly, and under constant scrutiny? Not to ignore disagreements, but to remember the weight of responsibility they carry. Not to erase differences, but to acknowledge a shared commitment to something larger than themselves.

I encourage organizations and institutions to do the same. Make the effort to take a group photo. Help people understand they are part of something much bigger. In making this an annual tradition, others begin to notice both the pillars and the newcomers—the ones just finding their footing and the ones who have carried the weight for years. Some arrive young; others grow old in the work. It’s special. It’s meaningful. And yes, it can even be fun.

LOVED this class: RS 300

And by fun, what I mean is the analysis and sheer color commentary that this photo sparks. I've probably watched at least 10 Instagram reels on this topic. Sports talk pundits take no mercy on the strong personalities, their size and shape, the fitness and facial expressions of this group. From Kubiak's calf muscle, to John Harbaugh's cut off white socks inside his loafers, not to mention Mike Vrabel taking over both arm rests, I laughed and looked again. Yes, Kyle Shanahan does look as though he is dressed to be in the south of France. And this year, the group includes two sets of brothers: John and Jim Harbaugh as well as Matt and Mike LaFleur. The newest sibling, Mike LaFleur, the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals is 6'1".  However, according to Pat MacAfee, Mike makes the coach to his right— John Brady look 6'9." (They love his Rolex, too). Very true.

If you count closely, you’ll notice only 30 men standing and smiling. Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken is missing—he was getting a haircut. Ironically, it was for the photo, but it was taken 20 minutes early, and he missed it. He later “joked he has plenty of incentive for not going one-and-done, so he can make his first appearance in the photo next year.”

I love this photo for multiple reasons. My Grandmother sent us Easter outfits so my mom scheduled a photo shoot. I decided to cut my sister's bangs to help her get ready.
I love that my mom decided to keep the photo shoot.

Whether it's this year, next year or ten years from now, a simple snapshot becomes something more. It tells a story of belonging and change, of continuity and calling. Faces come and go, but the mission endures and the goal for these men remains the same. #Lombardi

My favorite movie is "Dead Poets Society." In one scene Robin Williams, Mr. Keating their English teacher and an alum of the school takes his class into the hallway to look at the photographs that litter the walls of Welton Academy. The images—they're black and white. Many are faded. They are familiar and yet they are different. 

Keating zooms in and begs his students to do the same. He says, 

They're not that different from you, are they? Same haircuts. Full of hormones, just like you. Invincible, just like you feel. The world is their oyster. They believe they're destined for great things, just like many of you. Their eyes are full of hope, just like you. Did they wait until it was too late to make from their lives even one iota of what they were capable? Because you see, gentlemen, these boys are now fertilizing daffodils. But if you listen real close, you can hear them whisper their legacy to you. Go on, lean in. Listen. You hear it?... Carpe... Hear it?... Carpe. Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.

I think this is the role of a coach, of a teacher, a school administrator—most leaders! make your life and especially of those you serve: extraordinary.

The tradition of a group photo captures more than a moment in time. It’s a reminder that no one stands alone, and that every role, however brief, is part of something lasting.

Photo Credits
Insta Photo of Head Coaches
Classic Photo

Two Assists for One Goal

My sister is great at telling jokes. She has a penchant for remembering them (half the battle!). She can reference a good one easily. Her delivery is outstanding and her timing is impeccable. As a primary school educator, it's a handy tool in the tool box. My gift? This should not come as a surprise: finding a good metaphor for sports and spirituality.

Most of my analogies are straightforward and speak for themselves. One need not be a devoted sports fan or deeply spiritual to understand and appreciate them. Others are more specialized, shaped for a particular audience. Some come easily, but not all. From time to time, I have to let a metaphor cook—or bake—churning it over until something settles into place. The core ingredient is there, but something is still missing. Such is the case with the assist—but in this instance, I mean the assist in hockey.

I have written about the assist and its significance. As written in Remembering Fr. Ted Hesburgh for A Lifelong Assist

An assist is credited to a player who makes a pass or play that directly leads to a goal or basket. It is a vital component of many team sports, including basketball, soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey. It shows how teamwork—not just scoring—helps a team succeed. 

The assist is one of the more selfless stats in all of sports. You have to think of your teammates and have a wider vision of who they are and where they are in order to get one. The assist makes scoring and winning happen; without one you have a lot of "I"s in that team. As a way of teaching its importance, UNC's Hall of Fame coach, Dean Smith "drummed into his players that, after scoring, each should point at the teammate who made the basket possible." 

I started to think of how the world might be different if we all recognized the person who gives us an assist. Too often, assists go unnoticed (which is why Coach Smith's innovation is so thoughtful and poignant).

However, in hockey, an assist is a bit more generous and structured than in other sports.  Up to two players can get assists on a single goal. In fact, a goal can have: a primary assist (last player to pass the puck) and a secondary assist (the player who passed it before that). The hockey assist depends on continuous team possession. Ultimately it rewards build-up play, not just the final pass! Talk about a wider vision.

I have let this facet of hockey marinate in my mind for some time. And I'm glad I did as I found a meaningful analog.

My mom has been in a skilled nursing facility since February 6, 2026. Since her diagnosis with ovarian cancer she has struggled in the hospital and at home. She lost so much strength and is in need of daily physical therapy and greater medical care than we could provide at home. The drawback is that the days and nights can get long and lonely.

It has been humbling to see how family and friends have reached out—with phone calls, text messages, cards, gift cards, and so many acts of service and love. Although my mom hasn’t been very active, visitors seem to restore her energy. Just last week, I reached out to a beloved neighbor, Josie from my parents’ old neighborhood, and her visit lifted my mom’s spirits in a beautiful way. She brought with her another neighbor, Jackie. The three of them had lunch together just one year earlier!

Two days later, another former neighbor, Marie, came to see my mom. She stayed for over an hour. My mom was deeply touched. "We laughed so much! We had so much to talk about. We share great memories from those days in Walnut Creek."

Marie was my brother's confirmation sponsor. When I got my acceptance letter into Notre Dame she came to our house with flowers. It made me sad that we had lost touch over the years but grateful for all we have shared.

I sent a text message to Josie thanking her for reaching out to Marie. She said "I can't take credit for that. Jackie is in better contact with Marie. She notified her." 

And there you have it: two assists for one goal. Josie brought Jackie and Jackie brought Marie. All get credit for showing up, but one is not necessarily independent of the other.

I take heart in this metaphor. All is connected. None of us stand alone. It’s important to recognize those who make the assist—the quiet contributors whose presence makes something greater possible. Whether in basketball or hockey, may we celebrate the good that comes from a wider vision and a deep commitment to one another.

And please continue to pray for my mom, her caregivers and her visitors!

Photo Credits
The Assist

A Coach, an Oscar, and the Children We Must Remember—Thank you Steve Kerr

I remember when Oscar parties rivaled the very best Super Bowl gatherings. Friends would dress up as their favorite actors, and the food went far beyond the usual party fare. Drinks and dishes were cleverly inspired by the nominees for Best Picture, Best Director, and more. In fact, my colleagues and I often used the Academy Awards as a cultural touchstone in the classroom—a shared experience that connected students to the broader world of film and storytelling. Times have changed.

I asked my class if anyone tuned in and all of two seniors raised their hands. I admitted that I too missed out. I didn't see most of the movies and I didn't even know much about who or what was up for best of anything. That is until I found out that Steve Kerr, the head coach of the Golden State Warriors won an Oscar.

As written on ESPN,

Kerr was one of the executive producers for "All the Empty Rooms," which won the Oscar for documentary short.

The 35-minute film chronicles how broadcast journalist Steve Hartman and photographer Lou Bopp told the stories of families who have memorialized the bedrooms of children killed in mass shootings. Kerr -- whose father, then the president of American University in Beirut, was shot and killed in 1984 -- has long spoken out about a need for common-sense gun regulation.

"I didn't have anything to do with the making of the film," Kerr said Monday. "But I am very proud to be associated with it."

"They called me about a year ago and asked if I would like to be an executive producer, which meant basically put my name on it and help promote it," Kerr said. And then after watching the film, I was just blown away by how beautiful it was and poignant it was. It was an easy decision."

I don't know if I would have heard about this film if it were not for sports and my love of Coach Kerr, but I am grateful I did.

I told my students about the short film and how I came to find out about it. Thank you, to KNBR—my morning sports talk radio station. I admitted that I didn't know if I was going to watch "All the Empty Rooms." I didn't know if I could. I wish had for I would have shared some of why I think it's important for them and for all of America to see. 

Steve Hartman was first assigned to report on a school shooting in 1997. Since he began, school shootings have increased from 17 to 132 per year. 

In the 33 minute film (available on Netflix), he said,  

for years I had been doing essays at the end of every school shooting week. Maybe it was a hero or the country coming together. Whatever it was, they were looking for some kind of positive message.  

I did so many of these essays that I felt like I was repeating myself. In fact, I was using the same lines in the stories. And I saw that America was moving on from each school shooting"quicker and quicker every time. 

I recalled  some of the tropes I have heard in times of tragedy. "Everything happens for a reason" or thinking back to law of attraction as promised by "The Secret" According to that best seller, your thoughts attract corresponding outcomes—positive thoughts supposedly bring positive experiences, while negative thoughts attract negative ones. Those ring hollow. I recommend "The Book of Job" instead.

I burst into tears in under one minute of viewing this film. I listened in total awe of the parents recalling memories of their children. I looked is sadness as they welcomed Hartman and Bopp into the sacred space of their late son or daughter's room. Hartman and Bopp navigate that journey with utter grace. 

Hartman caught my attention when he suggested that the media may bear some of the responsibility. He said, "I feel like the media is to blame a little bit for some of this. Or, at least its worth exploring. In the beginning, especially, it was just so overdone. And, the shooters were mentioned way too much. What we need to talk about is the child who is not here anymore." And there you have it. The name of this short film and the reason why it's so moving.

He said, "I wish we could transport all Americans to stand in one of those bedrooms for just a few minutes. We'd be a different America." 

Hartman speaks about solidarity. So does Greg Boyle, SJ—the founder of Homeboy Industries. Father Boyle has said that "nothing stops a bullet like a job." He's right. And maybe a bedroom could too.

His concludes with the message: 

I want the project to remind people that these were our children.

I want the project to remind people that these were your children.

These could be your children.

Thank you Steve Hartman and Lou Bopp. And thank you Steve Kerr, for your support of "All the Empty Rooms." That was your father. I don't need to see his room—or rather, his classroom. It is one you have already shown us. 

Photo Credits
Hair Ties

The Sports and Spirituality Camino: Remembering Coach Lou Holtz

During the deep dark throes of COVID I found comfort in routine. I walked in the morning. I volunteered at the San Francisco Food Bank on Wednesdays I played golf on Saturdays and every night, I sat down to write at a desk in my hallway. A manuscript was born. 

The summer before the start of the pandemic, I was on campus at the University of Notre Dame and I had a vision—a near mystical experience. Standing at the statue of the Holy Family, I saw much more than Mary, Joseph and the child Jesus in the sculpture before me. I saw an invitation. I found an opportunity and an awakening. What took root in that moment was the idea of pilgrimage.

I realized I had come to this place before—to pray, to gaze, and to wonder. In that moment I understood myself as a pilgrim. I had come to this place at a particular moment in time, and those standing around me were pilgrims, too.

I started to take a mental inventory of the various statues scattered throughout campus. Many were familiar, others were new. The University was intentional in its messaging—placing a statue of The Visitation near the Eck Visitors Center at the entry of campus, the unassuming statue of Father Edward Sorin, C.S.C., the founder of Notre Dame toward the front and center of campus. Our Lady as she stands on the Dome.

I started to organize these statues by themes: saints, Holy Cross priests, images of Christ, tributes to Mary and coaches! Go Irish. I decided that I could create and dedicate a specific path of pilgrimage—caminos—as a way to engage with the art and pray. Caminos on Campus: Five Paths of Pilgrimage at the University of Notre Dame needed to be written! COVID afforded me the time to do that and I'm excited to share that this Spring Break is dedicated to finding an a publisher and way to get this text into print. 

When I got the news that Coach Lou Holtz had died, I couldn't help but wonder if people would make an act of pilgrimage to the statue of him outside of Notre Dame Stadium. Those who place flowers and personal mementos at his feet are pilgrims. That journey to a specific place for a prayerful purpose is pilgrimage.

For those who will make this journey in the days, weeks, and months to come, I would like to share something I wrote in my book for those who undertake the Sports and Spirituality Camino. Each path brings the pilgrim to five to ten different sites. At each statue, the pilgrim can read a short reflection I have written to provide context. After learning a little about the sculpture, the pilgrim is then invited to pray.

I am including both components here as a way to honor Coach Lou Holtz and to invite you into this same space. One does not need to stand before the actual statue to enter into a spiritual pilgrimage.

My hope is that this moment may be meaningful and memorable—a small invitation to see, reflect, and pray at the University of Notre Dame. According to Lou, “Those who know Notre Dame, no explanation’s necessary. Those who don’t, no explanation will suffice.” Maybe this pilgrimage will help.

Sports and Spirituality Pilgrimage
Travel to the southwest corner of Notre Dame Stadium. The D Gate also known as the Holtz gate features the statue you see here.

Coach Lou Holtz
In November 1985, Lou Holtz became the twenty-fifth head coach in Notre Dame football history. Holtz is the fourth to win a national championship in his third year at the helm, leading the Irish—in 1988— to a perfect record of 12-0. Known as a master motivator and a strict disciplinarian, Coach Holtz credits his Catholic faith as the source of such outstanding qualities. Moreover, his vision and philosophy resonate with his belief. 

In The Notre Dame Book of Prayer, Holtz wrote 

The sisters of Notre Dame preached to me when I was in grade school that God is everywhere. No place is that more evident to me than at the University of Notre Dame. God’s presence permeates the campus. I am not referring just to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart or the Grotto, but to the football stadium as well.  

I often felt, during a critical stage of a close football game, that more people in the stadium were praying to God than in most church on Sunday morning, even though they were praying to God for different reasons. 

I felt, and still do, that the stadium is a sacred place. Our players would go from our team Mass at Sacred Heart directly to the stadium. After warm-up we would pray the Our Father and the Hail Mary led by our team priest, Jim Riehle, C.S.C. We often asked our football players to conduct their activities both on and off the field according to the Book of Proverbs. 

God is always with us wherever we go, and that includes the football field. 

It also says in the Bible that when two or more come together to pray, God will be among them. The sisters were right.

Perhaps you too have felt God’s presence inside of Notre Dame stadium. Maybe you have offered your own prayers of gratitude for moments and memories inside the House that Rockne built. Has gazing at The Word of Life Mural ever called you to give praise to Jesus? or reflect further upon His message? Coach Holtz has reminded us that our workplaces or venues we return to every fall can serve as sacred places. Blessed be!

Prayer: Proverbs 3 1-12
Coach Holtz always wrote a line from this passage on his game plan.

My child, do not forget my teaching, take to heart my commands;

For many days, and years of life, and peace, will they bring you.

Do not let love and fidelity forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.

Then will you win favor and esteem before God and human beings.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely

In all your ways be mindful of Him, and He will make straight your paths.

Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the LORD and turn away from evil;

This will mean health for your flesh and vigor for your bones.

Honor the LORD with your wealth, with first fruits of all your produce;

Then will your barns be filled with plenty, with new wine your vats will overflow.

The discipline of the LORD, my child, do not spurn do not disdain his reproof;

For whom the LORD loves he reproves, as a father, the son he favors.

Amen

Photo Credits
Statue: Thank you to a beloved former student Thomas for taking the photo of the statue!
Holtz statue
Fleur de Lis

Hello Friends—A Story and a Prayer

Perhaps you’ve seen the ads. The Masters—it’s coming. The indelible rite of spring is just over a month away. Jim Nantz calls it “a tradition unlike any other.” In the collective sense, that claim is absolutely true. But the tournament is also host to many traditions—small rituals that, in their own way, are unlike any others. And Nantz is responsible for one of them. It’s his simple opening line: “Hello, friends.”

The story of how that greeting came to be resurfaced this past week on the Vanity Index podcast, and I loved hearing it. Not only was the story new to me, but so was the way it unexpectedly found its way into my Lenten journey. Here are both stories.

Story:
As written by Yahoo sports

In 2002—seven years after his father suffered a mini stroke at Colonial that was later diagnosed as the early stages of Alzheimer’s—Jim Nantz found himself at his dad’s bedside before leaving for the PGA Championship at Hazeltine.

Before he walked out the door, he made a promise.

“When I come on the air, I’m going to look into that camera and I’m going to say, ‘Hello, friends.’ And that’s for you, dad, ’cause you have nothing but friends," Nantz said. "That’s going to be my little trigger line to let you know that in that very moment, I’m thinking of you.”

At the time, Nantz believed it would be a one-and-done—a private signal wrapped inside a public broadcast. A single moment shared between father and son.

But after the telecast, a colleague at CBS Sports, having learned the backstory, told him he should keep it. So Nantz opened the final round the same way.

He hasn’t stopped since.

I love this story for multiple reasons. 

For one, I love the greeting. It's simple but it's so personal. I truly feel as though I’ve been invited into something special—which I have. I get the sense that I’ll be spending the next few hours with a friend.

Second, one would not expect something so public to be so private. In sharing the story, Nantz described it as “a private signal wrapped inside a public broadcast.” Millions may be watching, but when the red light goes on, he intended to speak to all but one—his dad.

Third, I never met Nantz’s father, but I can’t help imagining what kind of man he must have been. To say he had “nothing but friends” suggests to me he was someone special — kind, generous, deeply attentive to others and more. It’s a simple phrase, but it carries weight.

Fourth, isn’t it ironic that it took a friend of Nantz’s to point out the power and poignancy of the greeting? Eli Spielman — a friend and co-author of "Always By My Side" with Jim Nantz— is the one who took pause and noticed. Had he not asked what "that phrase" was all about, we might not have that tradition with The Masters today. 

Fifth, the phrase "Hello Friends" is a personal ritual that serves as a point of connection for Jim and his late father. He says "it has a calming effect" and "I channel him." He added, "For a moment "I feel like I am talking to him." To me, that sounds a whole like prayer.

a recent photo of golf with great friends

Prayer
Prayer is our way of talking to God. It has a calming effect. And through prayer we can channel God—God's mercy and compassion. 

All relationships thrive on good communication. And prayer is our way of communicating with God — not as a transaction, not as a performance, but as a relationship.  It is how we show up. It is how we listen. It is how we make ourselves available to be changed. Just as trust grows when we speak honestly and listen attentively to one another, our relationship with God deepens when we take the time to pray—not just to ask, but to notice, to reflect, and to receive. In prayer, we are reminded that we are not alone, and that mercy and compassion are but a few of the gifts we are meant to carry into the world.

Yes it can be both public or private, formal or informal,  and it can be spoken or written. Though my prayer is often spontaneous, this Lent, I decided that I wanted to write a prayer a day. I figured this would be a meaningful personal discipline.

I was given a list of scripture passages that relate to sports. I wanted to see where this might lead me and I was curious to find out if this might be an exercise I could offer to my students in the future. 

The goal is to write an original prayer from the ideas that come to you in reading (and praying with) the passage of Scripture. I felt drawn to this method because it produces a tangible product. In order to write, I had to familiarize myself with the Word. To produce a prayer, I must open myself up to the message and let it speak to me.  My response is the prayer.

Given this practice, I have noticed that when I encounter a passage of scripture, I make a stronger effort to read what it says. My friend Kelly sent me a card that included a several Bible verses as well as this quote. 

The Lord comes to us in our friends. What we do and are to them is an expression of what we are to Him. —Lloyd John Ogilvie

Though religious in nature, you won't find Ogilvie's words in the Bible. I decided that wasn't the point of this Lenten commitment. The commitment to prayer was and is.

In my writing my prayer that night, I couldn't help but think of Jim Nantz's story and how many friends I have made through golf. I have so many friends with whom I have watched
"the tradition unlike any other." Among others, it is one of my favorite topics of conversations. I thought about my own parents and their friends. I have seen how the Lord has come to all of us through these men and women. What more is there to do but give thanks and praise for this gift. So here is what I wrote...

As a coach, I always hope my players will become good friends.

Prayer for Friends
Gracious and Ever Loving God,

It is an awesome and challenging truth that You come to us in our friends.
In their laughter and loyalty, in their wounds and their wonder —You are there.

Help us to remember that what we do and are for them is an expression of what we are to You.
When we are patient, may it be patience offered to You.
When we listen, may it be You we are honoring.
When we forgive, may it reveal Your mercy.
And when we fail —call us back to love and to think like You.

Thank you for the gift of our friends—both the new and the old, those from our childhood and those who walk with us for a lifetime. 
Amen

What We Cannot Do — and What We Witness: Thank you, Alysa Liu

If you haven't seen it already, read no more. Stop and hit play on Alysa Liu's gold medal performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics. If you have, I'd love to hear your reaction —and I'd like to share mine...

I first learned of Alysa Liu’s fabulous feat thanks to my dad. He asked if I had seen the Bay Area’s own Olympic gold medalist. I love that an 85-year-old man — a diehard Niners fan who finds a way to watch football in the preseason, regular season, and postseason — was completely taken by figure skating. He even affirmed her musical choice, noting that he has always thought Donna Summer had an incredible voice. That song underscored the performance of a lifetime. 

The first time I saw it, I had to process all that I had heard with what was unfolding on the ice. I was aware of Liu's remarkable comeback; she all but left the sport in 2022 after a sixth place finish in the Beijing Winter Olympics. Without the physical and mental demands of competitive ice skating, Liu found joy and energy, contentment and restorative laughter through time with her brother, playing video games and singing karaoke. Enrolling at UCLA, she was loving Bruin life. And then the passion was reignited.

I never feel as though I give women's' sports enough air time in Sports and Spirituality. Thankfully, the Olympic Games — both summer and winter — provide a natural opportunity to highlight the stories of extraordinary female athletes. Consequently, we celebrated the accomplishments of the women’s (and men’s) hockey team and studied the profiles of the Blade Angels. We debated whether Lindsey Vonn was inspirational or reckless and, together, explored the excitement and support that surrounded Alysa Liu’s performance.

I knew how I wanted to introduce her story. As a Bay Area native, I couldn't help but celebrate our own. Liu grew up in Richmond and went to high school in Oakland. My seniors added chapters and verse,  but my commentary stayed the same. Yes, I got a little choked up—that happens to me when I watch incredible sports moments. Yes, I said "Wow. amazing" and shook my head in disbelief. And, I concluded my remarks with one of my favorite comments. I said, "So that's an example of things I can say with complete confidence that I will never do in my lifetime." My seniors understood.

There are things we choose not to do in this lifetime. I can safely say I have chosen not to climb Mt. Everest, snort cocaine, cheer for USC, or engage certain topics in polite conversation.

But there are other things that — given the right circumstances, ability, and resources — I would love to do… and simply can’t. I will never tour with the E Street Band (welcome back, Tom Morello!), SCUBA dive in the Blue Hole, run the Boston Marathon, or play Augusta National (hope springs eternal, but I’ve done the math on that one).

Alysa Liu represents both kinds of limits — the ones we accept and the ones we transcend.

Physically, I cannot do what she does on the ice. As much as I might love to land a triple axel, it simply isn’t going to happen. And given that I can barely touch my toes, the idea of lifting my leg over my head and holding the blade with grace is downright unthinkable. It is however, simply marvelous. 

One can only marvel at her talent, energy, athleticism and even her enthusiasm. But in light of her story, it's important to know that what we saw was the fruit of a recess from the sport. We were all witnesses to an athlete who had been to the other side and came back. She skated with a joy and a freedom that spoke for itself. 

My friend Alex said it best, 

Most impressive to me is her sport is teeming with pressure. I sometimes marvel at their mental strength as much as any physical acts. Yet she wore that as confidently as her unique hairstyle. But it wasn’t youthful naivety. It was the result of walking away from the sport, dealing with her mental health, and then not returning until she was confident she had done so. THAT is the biggest thing I hope everyone, athletes and non-athletes alike, take from her. 

Some things in this life are chosen. Many are unchosen. Liu was endowed with the ability to skate on ice in a way that awakens awe. For a time, she chose not to — and we understand why. But it is hard not to give thanks — as an American, as a sports fan, and as someone who believes gifts are meant to be shared — that she returned.

Photo Credits
Jumping