If you haven't heard someone echo the words of the late American broadcaster Keith Jackson, who died on January 12, 2018, then you haven't been listening. Known for his intelligent yet folksy coverage of college football, Jackson contributed "Whoa! Nellie" and "Hold the phone!" to the cadence of sports talk. His passing, not unlike Stuart Scott's from stomach cancer in 2015, made me pause to consider the language I love to speak: sports.
I am sure that someone, somewhere has a list of the great terms, cliches, metaphors, and expressions used by athletes, coaches, broadcasters, and fans. I dare say, their words extend beyond hyperbole and alliteration. These expressions add color to the commentary and endear us even more to a certain team or sport. And the signing of Andrew McCutchen, one of my favorite athletes, from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the San Francisco Giants, reminded me of one of my favorite sayings. If I ever make it into the broadcast booth—though I can't take full credit, I hope I will gain some for this ingenious phrase.
Vince Tringali, a long time football coach at St. Ignatius High School was the first person I heard say "gift of the magi!" in the context of sports. In recent weeks, I have thought him and his words as I prepared my seniors for the second contest in the Bruce Mahoney rivalry, Through an NFL Film about Tringali's tenure of excellence in football, my students came to see that Tringali was a great many things—tough, demanding, and old school, and yet personally he was whimsical and witty.
Tringali coached the Wildcats to a 19-game winning streak from 1962-1963 seasons, earning a number one national ranking in the 1962 Imperial Sports Syndicate Poll. He captured four league championships, one of which was in no small part because of a student transfer from Marin Catholic High School. This future NFL Hall of Fame player wanted to live with his father, who resided on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge. He enrolled at St. Ignatius as a junior and the Wildcats benefitted. After Tringali said his name: Dan Fouts, he added "Gift of the Magi."
And with that comment, one of my favorite expressions was born.
"The Gift of the Magi" is a wonderful phrase for reasons that resonate with both sports and spirituality. The Feast of the Epiphany, traditionally on January 6, This Christian feast day celebrates the "manifestation" of God in Christ Jesus. In the west, the Epiphany commemorates the visit of the Magi—the wise men—to the Christ child, and thus Jesus' Incarnation to the Gentiles. Now celebrated on the second Sunday after Christmas, I wish this feast day was remembered and revered as it once was. Wise men from the East traveled a great distance...following a star to bring gifts to Emmanuel. We don't know what the Holy Family did with the gifts they were given, but we know what they were: gold, frankincense, and myrrh and we know who gave them: Balthasar of Arabia, Melchior of Persia and Gaspar of India. Their gifts were unexpected. They were gratuitous, They were regal and they were royal.
Life today isn't always that different. We too receive gifts from near and from far. Some of my favorite gifts have been totally unexpected. They come without a price and have been given freely, They are often given in celebration and others are worth celebrating.
So, it makes sense that those same words: Gift of the Magi would characterize my response when I heard the Giants acquired outfielder Andrew McCutchen in the final year of his contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. I have written about the Bucks' #22 three times and have always delighted in his success, even though he does not play for "my team." Though I had heard rumors for some time, I wasn't sure that we would land this former NL MVP. Confirmation of this move was unexpected....a true gift from the East. His skill set is varied; it is rich and it is regal. No need to look for a star in the night sky, Cutch offers his own vibrancy and shines brightly. Giants fans welcome him—this gift—with open arms.
So next time you receive a gift from the East....something unexpected....one worth talking about, you know what to say. And while you're at it, keep listening for other expressions. The sports world is full of good ones.
Cutch Postings
Three Things You Might Not Know....
My Social Experiment: Andrew McCutchen, NL MVP
What MLB is Wearing Around Its Neck
Photo Credits
22
Magi
What do I get from teaching? What do I get from coaching? The easy answer to the first question as this time of the
year is “summer vacation.” But as
I say “thank you” and bid farewell to the young men and women—students and
athletes who have grown, learned, challenged themselves, excelled in the
classroom and on the field this past year, I realize what I walk away with is something
very simple, but profound. I get a
relationship.
I would like to thank Vince Tringali the late, legendary St
Ignatius football coach for teaching me this valuable truth. He said:
What you get from coaching is a relationship. And for some it only lasts a
season. Still others ask or need more of you and it extends beyond. And with
some, the relationship lasts a lifetime. One that does not end, even with this
life.
A relationship is a gift. It is born out of opportunity and circumstance. It’s
cultivated over time. It requires trust, care, concern, honesty, and more
give/less take.
The fruit of a relationship with a student or athlete is
unique. It cannot be prescribed,
only described. Ultimately,
relationships are what give life meaning. And that simple truth should be of little surprise because God seeks a
personal relationship with each and every human being.
Jesus came as one of us so we could understand what a personal relationship
with God means. He built relationships with
unsuspecting people. He had them in the most basic, fundamental way--He was son, a cousin and nephew. He was a teacher and many of his students became His
disciples. I also think He may
have been a baller, but that’s for another entry.
During this Easter season, we know the disciples felt lost
and confused by His death and His reappearance over 40 days. They were unsure how to relate to Jesus
in this new way. Jesus responded
in sending an Advocate, the Holy Spirit. He said to his beloved And
remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew
28:19-20).
I met Jesus at a young age; I hope this is a relationship that lasts a lifetime. I take comfort in knowing my relationship with Christ and
with many others does not end, even with this life. Even more, I am humbled by what I "get" from teaching and coaching. The best part about it however is that what I "get" is also given....
Photo Credits
WCAL III
In anticipation of Saturday’s Division III CCS football championship game between longtime San Francisco rivals St. Ignatius and Sacred Heart Cathedral at AT&T, I decided it was time to share with my students the story of legendary SI coach, Vince Tringali. My students, the football players and fans in particular left class sharing with me that they were even more pumped for the big rematch. I can’t imagine why they wouldn’t be. The story of Vince Tringali exemplifies the rich tradition and strong sense of community that is SI.
Tradition. To watch this NFL film one learns that SI has a tradition of excellence. During Tringali’s tenure, the Wildcats held a 19-game winning streak from 1962-63, a number one national ranking in the 1962 Imperial Sports Syndicate Poll and four league championships. He succeeded in both the AAA and WCAL Leagues, preparing his players for the transition and making a mark in both.
He knew talent. He saw O.J. Simpson play at Galileo High School and was instrumental in getting him to USC. And, he had talent. When a young Dan Fouts transferred from Marin Catholic after his sophomore year, Tringali said "talk about the gift of the Magi.” Also, several of the young men he coached went on to become coaches in the NFL, like Gil Haskell and Bill Laveroni of the Seattle Seahawks. Tringali’s influence on athletes and coaches extended beyond St. Ignatius and is greatly missed; he died in April 2010. His mark on the tradition of SI stands strong. Today there are two scholarships in his honor. Former players and students support a lunch in honor of the man and his passion.
Community. One of the more unique components of Vince was a relationship he built with a young man who did not even play football in high school. Al Saunders, offensive coordinator of the Oakland Raiders was an All-American swimmer for the Wildcats. Vince knew of his competitive nature and athletic excellence; he called him “fish” whenever he passed him in the hallway. A connection was made.
While Saunders’ father discouraged him from playing football, Tringali didn’t. Eventually, Saunders would play defensive back and wide receiver for the Spartans of San Jose State from 1966–1968 where he was a three-year starter, team captain, and an Academic All-American. Tringali said “I’ll take credit for that! He’s one of my own.”
To an outsider, his remarks may seem strange and yet it reveals something about the community that is Saint Ignatius. Every year, my fellow cross-country coaches and I scout the soccer fields in particular for potential runners. We have had to come to terms with the idea that perhaps the best runners at SI are not even on our team. And yet, I love to see these athletes succeed. Every year, I hope I will convince just one of them to try our sport. I will forever tease Cornell lacrosse player and former SI soccer captain Kelly Lang that I have yet to forgive her for not coming out to run cross country her senior year. Three sports are demanding and so are academics; I understand. I still hope to see her run competitively in the years to come! Tringali did the same. He saw the defensive end of the Miami Dolphins Igor Olshansky at a game. When he realized Olshansky wasn’t a parent but a student, he asked him why he wasn’t playing football. The sophomore replied, "I am a basketball player." The ever-blunt Tringali said, “someone lied to you.” Tringali didn’t. Igor went on to play for three years at the University of Oregon before the San Diego Chargers drafted him. In a community, people take notice. Tringali did that and the lives of many young men have never been the same.
He said “what you get from coaching is a relationship. And for some, it only lasts a season. Still others, ask or need more of you and it extends beyond. And with some, the relationship lasts a lifetime. One that does not end in even with this life.”
Whether he knew it or not, Tringali’s outlook was deeply Catholic. He was speaking of the Communion of saints. Catholics recognize that the living and the dead, those on earth, in heaven, are part of the mystical body of Christ. Because Christ rose from the dead we remain in spiritual union with one another beyond this life. We intercede for one another, we communicate through prayer and we believe our relationship has not ended, only changed. He added to the tradition of St. Ignatius, one that was over 100 years in the making when he arrived. He sustained a community that appreciates this tradition, its blessings and more.
Vince Tringali’s concluding remarks in the 2006 NFL film are “in victory, I salute you.” I hope as the Wildcats exit ATT Park on Saturday night that I can say the same. It is my hope that same tradition that Tringali furthered and the community he shaped continues and thrives. And who knows, I hope he is praying in heaven for the success of young men, some of whom may be the sons of men he coached.
Photo Credits
Communion of Saints
Coach Tringali
Tringali SI Community
