Penalties, Personal Fouls and Pass Interference: Off the Gridiron

Given my family background, I should be a referee. My grandfather and two uncles served middle school, high school and collegiate athletics through officiating for most of their adult lives. Through refereeing, they have made an impact on their local communities snd the lives of many young people. I'm proud of my heritage. However, I gave to sports in my own way. I coached high school sports for 20 years and worked in the athletic office for two. Those days might be over, but this entire mix is in my blood. And from time to time, I find myself wishing I were a football referee. As much as I admire Sarah Thomas, it's not that I want the zebra suit. I want those yellow flags. That's right I want to call personal fouls and assess penalties. Not on the field but any and everywhere off the gridiron. Allow me to explain....

Although Jerry Seinfeld didn't create Festivus—a secular holiday celebrated on December 23, his show certainly popularized it. At Festivus, people come together to pass the unadorned aluminum pole and air their grievances. Throwing the penalty flag isn't much different. Sure it's not exactly bringing holiday cheer, but all is fair in love and sports. 

So if you have wanted to call a penalty on a friend, family member or even yourself read on and let me know what you think.

Penalty: Ball has been illegally touched, kicked or batted
A friend posted on social media "Congratulations to Michigan on an undefeated season!" Always one to give a person a wide berth when it comes to supporting their alma mater, said individual is not a Wolverine. While their spouse is a graduate, I still find this to be a penalty and loss of a first down. Why? I find it hard to support a program so egregious in cheating, led by a coach who doesn't care. Perhaps they feel targeted, but honor and integrity went out the door on this one. Whether Michigan fans feel wronged or not, I think a public proclamation and celebration of their 12-0 record is a penalty. No loss of 15 yards. No personal foul. In this case the ball was illegally touched, kicked or batted.

Personal Foul: Roughing the Passer
On September 30, Notre Dame barely beat Duke, 21-14. Even though a win is a win, is a win, Irish fans were not feeling good about this one. Two days later, a friend who has no allegiance to any college football team and is indifferent to Notre Dame football started questioning me— hard—about the vitality of the Irish. "Geez. Notre Dame. WHAT WAS THAT? I mean really?!" I replied by saying, "It wasn't pretty but we got the win." To my surprise, the inquisition did not end. "It's going to be a very long season if you continue to look like that." I replied "well, the Irish were 4-1 coming into the game and are now 5-1. I'll take that any day. Duke has a strong quarterback and it's tough to win on the road." She kept going....

In that moment, I wanted to throw the flag. It's one thing to razz your friend who you know is a huge fan of a certain team. And it's another to push, judge and make assumptions when you're largely agnostic. Personal Foul: Roughing the Passer. Loss of 15 yards. Automatic first down. 

Illegal Forward Pass
This might be a stretch, but I'm going to call this on Sports Illustrated for naming Deion Sanders Sportsperson of the Year. While it was exciting to follow Neon Deion once again, really? SOTY?? Coach Prime finished the season 4-8. Yes, it's an improvement over 1-11 from the year before, but he also brought in 86 new players. Guys on the 2022 team was strongly encouraged to pursue playing opportunities elsewhere.  

This is an illegal forward pass, loss of a down. I am all for advancing exposure and opportunities for those who are part of an HBCU. I will admit the hype around Coach Saunders was electric. He is nothing short of charismatic and engaging but to get to be the Sportsman of the Year given what so many other athletes accomplished and achieved in 2023 in not right.

Penalizing myself
If I were to throw the flag at myself, I would most likely getting called for running pass interference. I've run my own illegal substitution at work. Hopefully, I would never been penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct but I've certainly been offsides.

Conclusion
The truth of the matter is we need more officials. There isn't a high school sport out there not looking for more help. If you want to contribute to the game or help out in other ways—keeping book, running a clock, or posting to social media, opportunities await. In the meantime, I invite you to think about the rules of the sport you play and how those extend beyond the game. Makes life a little more colorful!

Photo Credits
Harbaugh
Flag
Deoin

Announcing Rev. Bob Dowd, C.S.C, the University of Notre Dame's 18th President:

At an alumni event during the Stanford vs. Notre Dame game weekend, a friend asked me who the next University president would be. Alumni and friends have been asking this question for years—only now it's a legitimate one. And that is because on October 13, 2023 Rev. John Jenkins, C.S.C. announced he will step down at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 school year to return to teaching and ministry at ND. Father Jenkins has served in the role since 2005. I said to my classmate, "I have a few ideas in mind, but I know that I really do not know." Today, however, is a different story. I know. You (now) know upon the annoucment that Father Bob Dowd, C.S.C.  has been named the University's 18th president. 

I got the update from my Uncle Jay and good friend, Mike. I gave an audible gasp upon reading what my Uncle Jay sent: a screen shot of a tweet from "The Observer."

I wasn't expecting this announcement...not right now, nor about Father Bob. My colleague, a fellow Religious Studies teacher asked if everything was okay. "Yes! Notre Dame has a new president," I said. He asked, "Does that person have to be a Holy Cross priest?" "Yes," I said. "That's too bad, he replied." "Not in this case. It's great news," I added. I meant it.

Father Bob Dowd was one of two Holy Cross priests on rotation for weekday/weeknight Masses in Farley Hall. While our Sunday liturgies were well attended at 10:00 p.m., the Monday and Thursday masses gathered a smaller crowd. Consequently, we got to all know one another—through a welcome presence (we sat on the floor), casual conversation and personal intentions. Each of us knew Father Bob was happy to be there. He smiled naturally and remembered our names. I was always impressed with his voice—it's clear, but not deep. Safe to say he has always been youthful—in appearance, energy and demeanor. In what *may* have been an effort to look like he had gone through puberty, sometime that first year he grew a mustache. The women in Farley wondered how he did that.

The other message was a screen shot of a tweet from ND Football beat writer, Mike Berardino. It complied "Father Bob facts" They are: 

• Ordained in 1994
• Political science PhD from UCLA
• BA in economics from #NotreDame ('87)
• Author of "Christianity, Islam, and Liberal Democracy: Lessons from Sub-Saharan Africa"
• Research interests include religion, development, and political culture.

My list is different. I would like this post to serve as a testimony of my own "Father Bob facts." These are off the cuff and what I came to know as a student.

• Humble Heart
• Servant Leader
• Good friend of Bishop Pat Neary, CSC. 
• Committed to the work of the Alliance for Catholic Education (the ACE teaching program) and the Center for Social Concerns (CSC)
• Assigned to East Africa

While you can (and should read) about his academic research, accomplishments and administrative experience, I can speak to his priesthood. I believe those attributes are well suited for the presidency.

• Jesus was the servant of the servants. And, Christian discipleship is predicated on the willingness to lead by serving one another. A humble heart helps make that all work. Jesus' entire life modeled humility and servant leadership; it's what I have seen in Father Bob. 
  
  
• They say you can judge a person by the company they keep. I always knew Father Pat and Father Bob were close. Contemporaries in the Congregation of Holy Cross, both men are ND alums and were ordained not too long after graduation. Father Pat was the other priest on that Farley Hall rotation—lucky us! He was recently named a Bishop for the Diocese of Saint Cloud. In short: see earlier paragraph about servant leadership and humble heart and put a check by the names of these Church leaders. 
  
  
  
• I love that so much of Father Bob's academic research and own experience is tied to Africa. He will bring a global perspective to the question and concern of Catholic identity to Notre Dame. The Church is alive—it is thriving and growing in Africa. It is diverse and dynamic, both rich and poor. It is essential that the Catholic Church's outreach and commitment to Africa be known, shaped, broadened and appreciated. 
  
  
• On the domestic front, Father Bob gave of his time and talent to serve the Alliance for Catholic Education. He sees teaching as ministry (he himself is an associate professor of political science) and an essential arm of the Church in the US. He conspired with us on many a retreat. Grateful for those memories.

The University has had only three presidents in the last 70 years. Father Bob will follow other servant leaders, each with their own pastoral gifts and administrative assets. I hope in this time of waiting and preparation, both Father Bob and the leadership of the University can help one another to live out the words of Father Basil Moreau, CSC: "Make God Known, Loved and Served." AND, I hope he really likes football.....

Photo Credits
Research
CSC Shot

Steph and SmartLess: Endlessly Fascinating

Always eager for a new show or bio-pic, I decided to take on Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich. I thought I should know the back story. This mini-series released on Netflix in 2020, offered testimonies from survivors—revealing the manipulation, abuse and emotional scars suffered at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The stories expose a sex trafficking ring of powerful enablers leading up to his 2019 arrest. I started to watch the first episode: Hunting Grounds and I felt supremely uncomfortable.  The longer I watched the sadder and angrier I felt. I asked myself how much more I could stomach. And then I asked: Should I?  It's important not to be naive; I believe it's good to know how and why evil works, but I couldn't bare to spend three hours and 47 minutes focusing on the anti-hero. And I wasn't able to change my mind.

They say "we are what we eat." Fruits, vegetables, a diet high in fiber and rich in nutrients are good for our comprehensive health and well-being. Our intake of media just isn't that different. While some might find it hard to turn away from Epstein's story—in the sense it's just so bad it's good...even though it's not good. I said "enough." I wasn't going to waste my time. I haven't looked back.

If there were any doubt about this decision however, here's a counterpoint: The podcast Smartless featuring Stephen Curry. Shared with me on Thanksgiving Day by my dear friend Jimmy—a long time Celtics fan, recent Nuggets fan and certifiable Steph fan, I have listened to it three times. Not once, not twice...yes, thrice. It's that good

For those not familiar with its format, "SmartLess," hosted by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett, it "is a podcast that connects and unites people from all walks of life to learn about shared experiences through thoughtful dialogue and organic hilarity. A nice surprise: in each episode of SmartLess, one of the hosts reveals his mystery guest to the other two. What ensues is a genuinely improvised and authentic conversation filled with laughter and newfound knowledge to feed the SmartLess mind." Securing Stephen Curry was a big get. The session description said, "It’s all-net this week: sleep secrets, tall guys, and maybe even a BLT on white bread. You need not worry… we’ve got Stephen Curry." Indeed: Nothing But Net.

I found myself eager to talk to anyone I could about the show and about Steph. The two words I used to describe him are: endlessly fascinating—in the best way possible. 

The into says it all: He is equally successful in personal accomplishments as he is in teamwork. He is as rich as he is philanthropic. He is as famous as he is soft-spoken. This man was the first to have been voted MVP unanimously in NBA history. He has nine NBA All-Star selections. He had four NBA championships. He is the first player to hit 100 3-pointers in the NBA finals. He is widely regarded as the best shooter in NBA history and he's not a bad golfer, either. Wardell Stephen Curry

What a life! If it's not plays to a +2 in golf, it's winning the American Century Classic Celebrity Tourney in Tahoe on the same day he had a hole in one. Who does that??!  When asked if there's a sport he is not good at, Steph admits, "maybe lacrosse. I picked up a stick once." His tennis game however is solid. Pickle ball? He's even stronger. He believes he is playing better basketball now, at the age of 35, than he ever has. Listening to his stories, learning more about his family, career and approach to athletics is supremely up lifting. He laughs a lot—at himself and with others. No wonder he led the Dubs' Silly Fines Kitty.

Stephen Curry should be the subject of a podcast. He has a healthy perspective about his upbringing, is honest about the demands of his career and that he gets the best sleep on the road. Thanks to Steph, I found an appreciation for the NBA in-season tournament that started this year. He loves it—I had no idea! While I regret looking up the worst fight he ever got into (shown on YouTube....it's just so much better to leave it to your imagination), I appreciate the swing thought/what he seeks to maintain for the perfect shot...in basketball and in golf: balance!

I could go on and on and on...and I'd be happy to do that in a conversation with you, but I'll let Stephen, Jason, Sean and Will do that instead. Give this a listen. You'll be uplifted. Your cortisol levels will decrease, your serotonin and dopamine levels will rise and if you're like me, you might begin to wonder and imagine how you too, can be endlessly fascinating.. in the best way possible.

Photo Credits
SmartLess
Steph
Golf

A Case for Kangaroo Court

Reading and writing about the Golden State Warriors "Silly Fines Committee" got me thinking. It's time for the faculty and staff of Saint Ignatius College Prep (and many other high schools for that matter) to implement our own. We need to laugh and laugh at ourselves. I truly believe humor is an important ingredient for creating community and boosting morale. Believe you me, I take myself as a teacher too seriously. Yet great teaching is both an art and a science, and both demand quite a bit, especially laughter. All the more reason for self deprecation, embracing our humanity, celebrating our falls and foibles. 

At last year's faculty retreat, I shared a Doppleganger slide show. My colleagues and I loved it. We talked about the dead ringers, indirect matches, and quirky connections for weeks. What some people came up with was surprising. Among others, it was a stretch to see the similarity!  Quite a few were nothing short of hilarious. I stared thinking about what we could do this year and the Dubs' came to mind. I realized the only way this comes to fruition is from the buy in, support and participation from a colleague or two. There's no way I could do this alone.

I turned to my co-worker—a veteran teacher, a man with an outstanding sense of humor who others trust and revere and shared the idea. "Ah Kangaroo Court" he cried. He added, "I love it. We could never do it--are you kidding me? People have thin skin today? I'm sure I would lose my job."

He wouldn't, but he's right—a thick skin is rare these days. And that's a shame. Here's why

For those unfamiliar with the term, Kangaroo court an unofficial court held by a group of people in order to try someone regarded, especially without good evidence, as guilty of a crime or misdemeanor. It's best when it organically grows from within a community, self regulates and is an equal opportunity offender. Similar to the "silly fines committee" people are assessed a penalty based on the degree of misconduct. And, by misconduct the court calls out an act that elicits an eye roll, points to a person's shortcomings in a silly way, and speaks the truth about who we are good, bad or otherwise. Fines are arbitrary and that is part of the fun.

Kangaroo Court in its many iterations and is not uncommon among sports teams. It's not surprising to me that those communities come together in this way or that we hear their stories. But "Intangibles: Unlocking the Science and Soul of Team Chemistry

" shares how something like Kangaroo Court can help new comers and outsiders feel included—not excluded. Joan Ryan writes,

“Kevin Mitchell (“ Mitch”) was not your average American ballplayer.” He spent five uneven, sometimes tumultuous years in the minors before landing in the big leagues during the Mets’ run to the 1986 World Series. Mets star Gary Carter nicknamed him “World” because he could play six different positions. Mitch had never felt anything like the joy and love in the clubhouse the night the Mets beat the Red Sox in Game 7. He and his teammates wrapped their arms around each other like brothers. He thought he’d be with them forever. A couple of months later, however, he was traded to the Padres. And then to the Giants.”

Mitch’s head still churned with plans to quit baseball when he arrived at the visitors’ clubhouse at Wrigley Field. He watched his Padres teammates throw their arms around Giants players they knew from previous teams. Mitch knew no one. He didn’t want to be there in any case. As Mitch hunted for his locker, Craig summoned the new player into his office. Of course, Mitch thought. The manager had just lost his All-Star third baseman for a twice-traded reject with a bad rep. Not wasting any time to grill me. Craig rose from his desk and grasped Mitch’s hand with his big paw.

“Glad you’re here,” the manager said. “I know you can play the game. That’s why we got you. Just go out there and play and have fun. Enjoy what we got going on here. We got us a great bunch of guys.” 

Mitch emerged to find Krukow waiting for him. “Glad I don’t have to see your mug at the plate anymore,” Kruke said, smiling. Mitch undressed and pulled his new Giants jersey off the hanger. No name on the back. He looked over at Dravecky and Lefferts. Their jerseys had their names. See? he thought. I don’t matter. 

One day, after the team returned to San Francisco, Mitchell noticed Krukow and other veterans shooing reporters out of the clubhouse. “Kangaroo court!” someone yelled. Players pulled their stools together to face a panel of judges that included Krukow. Bob Brenly served as the keeper of the infractions book, in which any player could register charges”against any other player—or coach, clubbie, or trainer. Back then, most teams had kangaroo courts. In some clubhouses, judges wore mops as wigs like clownish barristers. The best courts were both hilarious and merciless. It was open season on complainers, who drew the most outrageous charges and biggest fines. The message was clear: either stop whining or continue to be mocked and fined. 

Brenly opened the notebook and began reading the charges. No court could operate without Jesters, and Brenly and Krukow were among the funniest in baseball. 

A player might get fined simply for not getting fined in the previous court. Mitch watched from the back of the clubhouse and found himself giggling despite understanding almost none of the inside jokes. Then he heard his name. He’d been with the team barely a week. How could he have landed in the book already? Brenly read off the infractions: 

• No name on his jersey. 
• Showing off by hitting two home runs in his first game as a Giant.
• Having a bulletproof tooth. 
• Putting fourteen animals on the endangered-species list with one outfit.

Mitch laughed harder with each charge until he was stomping his feet. “We buried him,” Krukow recalled later, “and he loved it.”

It worked because someone took notice and wrote it down/passed it on. Someone paid attention to details—quirky, unique, personal and real of teammates new and old. All were subject to the friendly fire and the mystery fines associated with it. The result? Community. Identity. Understanding. Humanity.

I'm still working on what a faculty Kangaroo Court will look like. If you have one that works in your community in this day and age, please share. The in meantime, just enjoy thinking of what you can charge others...and what might get you convicted.

Photo Credits
Kangaroo Court
Kevin Mitchell
Giants Dugout

— Intangibles: Unlocking the Science and Soul of Team Chemistry by Joan Ryan

Icon, Legend and a Land Line: Remembering Leo LaRocca

The world bid farewell to a living legend, a icon of the St. Ignatius community—Leo LaRocca '53. The black and white photo posted front and center of a tribute email from SI President, Father Eddie Reese says it all. Sitting with a phone in hand—a secure land line if you will—Leo gifted SI with his presence and the ability to "make things happen." This sentiment is confirmed in Spiritus Magis—a chronicle of the first 150 years of St. Ignatius College Preparatory.

Paul Totah writes,

Leo La Rocca, who served as SI’s Athletic Director for 34 years, first came to SI as a teacher in 1965 and quickly became known as “The Godfather.” It’s not just because this towering man’s grandparents came from Sicily. Leo is the least threatening man you could meet. He was, however, the man to go to if you wanted a favor done. He gained a reputation as someone who could provide help with just one phone call, whether it was finding a donor for a scholarship for a senior whose father had just died or finding a job around campus for a freshman who had a hard time fitting in.

Although I never officially worked with Leo—I came to SI two year after he retired—I got to know him because of that gift of presence. He never missed the end of the year coaching banquets at the House of Prime Rib. Why should he? He hired so many of the men and women in that room. He attended his granddaughter's regattas at Lake Merced and did not fail to greet me: "Good morning Coach." I loved that he was in attendance throughout the winter break basketball tourney named in his honor: The Leo LaRocca Sand Dune Classic. He was forever respectful in his acknowledgment of me as a teacher and coach of his alma mater. Thank you, Leo.

I will never forget sitting one row behind him for a varsity boys' basketball game. We were both watching one of my favorite high school players, #22 Paul Toboni 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.

I know there are many, but my favorite Leo LaRocca story took place at a crab feed on campus for faculty and staff. This San Francisco tradition was gifted to us by A. LaRocca Seaford, founded by Leo's grandparents in 1906. The crab feast took place in the faculty dining room on a Friday—because back in the day, we ended school at 1:10 p.m. TGIF! 

Teachers were sitting at tables with their bibs on tight, buckets for crab shells were out and filling up. The sourdough was plentiful and the volume in the room was getting louder by the minute. I turned to see Leo walk in. He pointed two fingers to someone on the kitchen staff and the next thing I know, a bottle of red found its way to every table. No words were exchanged. He did put some teacher/coach into a headlock hug before he sat down to eat. I felt like I was living  what I had seen in "A Bronx Tale." Amazing.

Long before John Lynch made things happen for the Niners, Leo was doing that for SI. And reading that he was the fourth AD, and SI has only had six to this day—makes me think SI:WCAL :: the Pittsburgh Steelers: NFL (they have had four head coaches). The biggest difference however is the bottom line Leo chose to meet. Spiritus Magis says.

LaRocca never judged his success by whether his teams won or lost. “Driving home after a basketball game, I couldn’t tell you the final score. I get the most satisfaction not from watching a team win, but from watching kids play as hard as they could, win or lose. Championships are nice, but it’s far more gratifying watching kids grow into men and women, have families, be happy and do well professionally. I only hope that I’ve been a little part of their success.”

I am certain the tributes to will be plentiful—Jim Dekker's citation in Genesis is a must read. In remembering Leo, celebrating his life and sharing stories, I can only hope we will reflect on Leo's legacy and model his values, dedication and service. 

I would like his family to know how grateful for what I learned from their father/ grandfather/etc from his presence and sure example. When we meet again, I expect him to point two fingers. Can we get a bottle of white the heavenly banquet? Please and thank you.

Eternal rest grant unto him oh Lord—and may perpetual light shine upon him.

Photo Credits
A. LaRocca Seafood