One of the lessons I have I learned from a friend who teaches Improv is the importance of "Yes, and..." This rule-of-thumb in improvisational comedy suggests that a participant should accept what another has stated ("yes") and then expand on that line of thinking ("and"). "Yes, and..." asks a person to be open, to work with what you have been given and to add your own input, ideas and flair. And, it's a response I gave to a friend in February 2020; I'm so glad I did.
Jimmy always has good playing partners.
I have attended the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am many times in my life. In fact, I treasure so many of the memories I have made at this golf tournament characterized by great weather, horrific weather...quite often—both, against a magnificent setting!
In 2019, my friend Don organized a fun group of friends to watch and cheer for his classmate—one of the amateurs— the much beloved Jimmy Dunne. We had such a great time that we didn't feel an urgent need to return in 2020. The locals among us realized the 2020 crew was different. The weather was waning. We all said "next year, for sure."
This photo is classic Jimmy and friends
After watching the Pro-Am all week and thinking back to 2019, Don called me late Friday/early Saturday and said "what do you think about going down on Sunday to watch Jimmy D?" Without hesitation, I said "yes, and I have been considering the same thing. Let's do it."
A number of regular fans stayed home that Sunday because the winds were expected to be mighty and strong. Others were still recovering from over eating/over drinking the Sunday prior, during Superbowl LIV. The Niner Faithful should have come to the Monterey Peninsula to lift their spirits after the close loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. I am so, so, so glad we did.
The wind wasn't that bad. The golf was great. The sparser crowd meant that we had more time to walk and talk with Jimmy, and his caddie, Lenny. I hope they come back in 2021, even though we won't be able to. The tournament announced this past week they will not host spectators.
The 2020 Pebble Beach ProAm is the only professional sporting event I attended in this past year. The fact that this is newsworthy speaks to my privilege. Yes, I am a massive sports fan and I am blessed. But in naming number 2 on my 20 for 20, I realize: I am thankful for friendships that invite us to say "yes." I am grateful for the "and" I can offer. I aim to be a person who says "yes" and I hope you do.... too.
In recent months, it hasn't been easy to write this blog. The world of sports is __________. I'll let you fill in the blank. And yet, with just under 18 days remaining in what many people have deemed the most challenging year of their lives, I would like to conclude on a positive note. In fact, I will offer 20 for 2020. Here's to those people, places, events and episodes that brought some joy to a world desperately in need of it.
Number One: #12 Ian Book
Is it the hair cut? The high socks? Every time I look at University of Notre Dame's starting quarterback Ian Book I wonder, Is he really from this era? If you heard him speak, you might think the same thing. In a recent interview with Dan Patrick he answered questions "yes, sir" or "no, sir." Ian Book is a man without a nickname. Even that seems downright impossible in today's day and age (although he did share that one coach tried to call him I-Book....I like it...I guess no one else did). Is Ian Book a throwback? No. There's more to it and then again there's not....which is just one reason, among many that he is my first profile for 2020.
If Ian Book walked into a room, he would intimidate.... no one. Standing what he claims to be a "true 6'0" you would never guess this young man from the El Dorado Hills is not only the starting QB of the #2 team in the country but the winningest of all time. Looks are often deceiving.
With the Irish's 45-21 win over Syracuse, Book made Irish Football history in recording his 30th win, surpassing Irish legends Brady Quinn, Ron Powlus and Tommy Clements who each had 29. Although the students were not on campus for the final home game of the 2020 season—senior day— they were for the double overtime upset over the number one team in the country, Clemson. In what is largely considered ND's greatest win since the "Game of the Century," Book completed 22 passes for 310 yards and a touchdown, with zero interceptions and 14 rushes for 67 yards AND he was awarded the game ball. I love that tradition!
I met Ian Book on the field inside of Notre Dame Stadium in the summer of 2018 at Football 101—a fundraiser organized by Paqui Kelly and the Kelly Cares Foundation. Irish faithful had high hopes for an athletically gifted quarterback—Brandon Wimbush, who was promised the starting job. I remember Wimbush had quite a presence—a positive one, a strong one. He spent a lot of time talking to fans, helping us out, posing for a whole lot of selfies and serving as a warm and welcoming face of the program. But he wasn't the only athlete at the quarterbacks' station. Coach Tom Reis, Ian Book and a few other offensive players were on hand and ready to help us throw the pigskin a little better—with a little more accuracy and zip. We were encouraged to throw the football into several targets and the guys had as much fun as we did when we converted the pass.
Knowing that Book, who had gotten some playing time in the 2017 season was from Northern California, I asked him if he went to Jesuit High School in Sacramento. He told me where he went and I replied by telling him that I teach and coach at St. Ignatius College Prep in San Francisco. He immediately said he was familiar with SI because he played lacrosse. I have always been able to see the lacrosse player in Book on the field. When asked by Dan Patrick, "Are you a runner or a scrambler?" Ian said "scrambler." I would say "lacrosse player."
In that class, I have to admit....I did sit next to Chase Claypool. The fangirl in me isn't ashamed to admit it
A year later, I attended a class taught by a friend in the Mendoza College of Business on Sports Ethics. As a teacher of a Sports and Spirituality class, I am often asked about the profile of my class. Thus, I asked the professor the same question. He said "a number of athletes," but he didn't mention any names. He cited a few teams and concluded by adding "not enough female students." I get it. And much to my delight Ian Book walked in a five minutes early for class. The alumna in me was happy and impressed that our student athletes are in class, on time—on a Friday morning....the day before the home opener! This year, as a non-degree seeking fifth year student Book took three Irish Studies courses. He told Dan Patrick that he wanted to learn more about the culture and history of Ireland since the team was scheduled to play in Dublin in August 2020.
I would like Ian to know he has written a chapter in a different book of Irish history....and grateful for it. Best of luck in the ACC Championship game and the post-season. Thank you for the joy Notre Dame football has provided in a year like no other.
One of the more common questions I ask in Sports and Spirituality is for students to determine if a given activity is a sport. Is competitive eating a sport? Esports—yes or no? Is breaking dancing? And of equal importance, are they spiritual?
Several students knew why I was asking this question. On December 7, 2020 the IOC announced that "breaking," the official name for competitive breakdancing, will become an Olympic sport for the first time at the 2024 Paris. Surfing, skateboarding and sport climbing have also been approved, but those three events will also be a part of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
One of my students admitted, "it’s always been something I’ve wanted to try. It’s definitely a sport though, it requires so much strength and coordination to be able to do some of the tricks they do!"
I asked the class how our school might be different if we offered breaking as a varsity sport. For once, the Zoom gallery revealed every student's face. The all too frequent site of a ceiling fan or screen to black was gone. They wanted to weigh in. Some responded to this question by sharing the sports' history, who it attracts and why. Diversity among the sports we offer emerged as a shared value.
There was little debate as to whether or not breaking is spiritual. Many noted that the passion of b-boys and b-girls channeled through dance is a spiritual exercise. The testimony from Nimoy Vaidya, profiled on #GrottoStories suggests that if breakdancing isn't spiritual, what is?
As written by Grotto Network,
Breakdancing is more than a hobby for Nimoy Vaidya. It’s a way for him to be fully himself, a path toward healing, and a source of joy. Born in Kathmandu, Nepal, Nimoy moved to the U.S. for school in 2015. While struggling through his parents’ divorce and being bullied at school, he found an outlet in the “b-boy” culture.
“Yeah, I have tough days, but usually, a little bit of music and a little bit of dancing fixes that,” he shares. “That’s why I do it — because it just brings me joy immediately.”
Vaidya's story affirms that "joy begets joy." His delight, his talent, his enthusiasm inspires others. You have to watch this video!
My students "like that he was able to use it as a way to heal." They are aware that every person needs his or her "outlet." They value that breaking has been used for "self expression." One young woman said, "I appreciate how he didn’t let society pressure him into something that didn’t make him happy. He found breaking or did breaking find him?"
The IOC has noted that breaking will attract young people who may not follow some of the traditional sports. And its inclusion isn't without controversy.
Allison Durkee of Forbes writes, "Some dancers believe the Olympics could cause the sport to lose some of its authenticity, or devalue aspects of breaking routines that are harder to judge, like originality and passion."
It's important that we preserve the essence and the culture, and that it doesn’t get lost in the competitive grind as we continue to progress and make steps into the Olympics.”
These are worthy considerations. As is this stat: The 2024 games will be fully gender equal, with 50% female and male participation, as compared with 48.8% female participation in the Tokyo games. The Paris Olympics will also have 28 gender-equal sports, out of 32 total, and 22 mixed events, as compared with 18 in Tokyo.
One of the great joys of playing golf with my girlfriends comes in the form of an unexpected exchange that takes place on the first tee. This gift is never a given; it is truly a surprise. It is delightful and comes in handy half way through the round—if I can wait! It is a homemade treat, a baked good. And it always tastes better because of one ingredient. Here's more.
Playing golf with friends is already a treat—the time together, the friendly competition and witty banter, the beauty of the great outdoors, the exercise, the game. But, the seasonal pumpkin bread, a slice of banana chocolate chip loaf, a six pack of Blondies or even a bag of homemade mixed nuts is something I savor.
A dear friend of mine is known for her two specialities: oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and cinnamon rolls. Her athletes and students, those lucky recipients of these creations, note that her treats are "the bomb!" It's true. When she at long last revealed to me why they are so good, I took note.
Haley bakes with with love. It makes "the" difference...in her goodies and in the gifts I receive from my golf girlfriends. Next time you get cooking, give it a shot and consider a group that might benefit from such fortified food.
I found one as I read the most recent issue of Catholic San Francisco, The Calendar posted an opportunity of Service and Action, inviting people to "support the Restorative Justice Ministry's holiday activities for the nearly 800 people housed in SF County Jail. Donate cards for inmates to send to their families or treats personally or by offering financial support."
These are my brothers and sisters in Christ, people we are called to love. Though the reality of being imprisoned and separated from loved ones is heavy, reading about this call for cards and baked goods for the incarcerated isn't. I realized this was not only something I could do, it is something I want to do. And most importantly, I want to include that key ingredient: love. In fact this is something we can all do—whether its for our parents and siblings at a family dinner, in making a batch of chocolate cookies for friends, colleagues and teammates, a to-go treat for your next foursome, to feed the hungry or in extending care to those in prison.
This holiday, we are all looking to bring some light to our world. That might be a good ingredient to include too...
If you are in SF, send or deliver cards, checks or cash to Julio Escobar, coordinator One Peter Yorke Way. San Francisco, CA 94019
And special thanks to Brook, Karen, Monica and Haley for the love!!
Pope Francis' Twitter handle— @Pontifex—is Latin for "bridge builder." As evidenced in a recent meeting with five NBA players, the Holy Father continues to exemplify what this name implies. Professional basketball captures the attention of millions of Americans—young and old, religious, spiritual and nowhere in between! His invitation is but another example of the “culture of encounter,” which I find to be a great model for spiritual leadership. That being said, I also wish the audience included five WNBA players. Here's more.
According to The New York Times, "In June, Pope Francis said he had watched the social unrest enveloping the United States with 'great concern.' In his October encyclical, titled “Brothers All,” a reflection on fraternity and social friendship, the pope wrote that “a readiness to discard others finds expression in vicious attitudes that we thought long past, such as racism, which retreats underground only to keep re-emerging. Instances of racism continue to shame us, for they show that our supposed social progress is not as real or definitive as we think.” And in November, he extended an invitation to the NBA players' union to learn more about their efforts toward addressing social justice and economic inequality. Pope Francis spoke to the power of sport both on and off the court. They met for a half hour in Rome on the Monday of Thanksgiving week—November 22, 2020.
Pope Francis has preached, taught and written about the “culture of encounter” time and again. In short the "culture of encounter" means that I have something good to give to another person, and the other has something good to give me. Those gifts are simple—our presence, our smile, a willingness to listen, ask questions, and affirm one's talents, efforts and ministry are but a few examples of what we can give and receive.
The five male players — Marco Belinelli, Sterling Brown, Jonathan Isaac, Kyle Korver and Anthony Tolliver — were joined in the delegation by NBA players' union executive director Michele Roberts and two other union executives, Sherrie Deans and Matteo Zuretti. The group "presented the pope with a commemorative basketball, a union-produced book highlighting efforts players have taken and an Orlando Magic jersey."
Listening to what they brought prompted me to consider what I might give the Holy Father. And what would I receive? I have thought about a message I might like to share with the pope. I can only imagine what he might want to say to me....about Sports and Spirituality, teaching theology, hosting a podcast or writing a blog.
I love the word "encounter." To me, it implies invitation and openness. There is an element of surprise and wonder when this type of connection occurs. And yet, I have rarely had a meaningful encounter with another person that was totally sufficient. Quite often, I wish I had shared a certain story or asked a follow up question. I can't help but revisit something I said...or didn't say. I have often hoped that one encounter will lead to another!
As meaningful as this encounter is and was, I do wish the invitation had been extended to the WNBA as well. (I also think it's fair to wonder why he didn't wear a mask, nor did the players at an indoor event—NB: all were tested on site). I would like to know why Pope Francis and/or his staff didn't think of including these female athletes as well for they have long been doing what the NBA is lauded for doing.
The NBA's voice is urgently needed in this fight, but with all due respect, it's the WNBA that has been at this for a long time. As early as 2017, as President Trump was castigating NFL players for kneeling during the anthem, entire WNBA teams were taking a knee or even walking off the court while "The Star-Spangled Banner" played. The year before, three teams were fined for wearing Black Lives Matter shirts, then fought those fines until they were dropped, raising public awareness in the process.
WNBA teams have hosted town halls on race and spoke with civil rights leaders like the late Rep. John Lewis. And all of that was before this season, which the league dedicated to racial justice and the #SayHerName movement following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor at the hands of police. Some players even opted to sit out the season altogether to further this work. And let's not forget that, according to WNBA Players' Association (WNBAPA) President Nneka Ogwumike, WNBA players stand to lose more financially, relative their NBA counterparts, by skipping these games.
The WNBA was one of, if not the first, league to show this kind of collective, meaningful action for racial justice, and these players have paved the way for the movement we're seeing today in men's pro sports. All of these voices are needed in this fight, but credit where credit is due: WNBA players have been leaders for years. As WNBA All-Star and WNBAPA Vice President Chiney Ogwumike has said, "it's in our DNA."
The WNBA is certainly a group that is building bridges. And, I'm pleased to report they aren't going unnoticed on or off the court. In fact, their post-season ratings were up by 14%. This is an impressive stat when sports fans realize the viewing of the NBA, NHL and MLB post-season games were down, significantly.
I don't want that point to overshadow the greater good that this encounter brought for the players, their fans and the Church. For some people, it might. I have wondered if some would like the Holy Father to step down from his leadership position for not wearing a mask in an indoor setting. I do want to know—if we are to build bridges...if we are to promote a culture of encounter, how much must we "get right?" Thoughts?
My Prayer: God and gracious God. Let us continue to build bridges with one another—near and far. Help us to promote and engage in a culture of encounter. There is so much good to give...and receive.
