Dear Coach Shanahan: Easy Fix...

Dear Coach Shanahan,

Thank you for an incredible season. The  2021-2022 season is one I look back upon with gratitude and deep appreciation. I didn't need Jimmy G to remind us "we were 3-5 and people wrote us off and we kept fighting. I’ve got no regrets from this year." I completely agree. And yet, there is one thing, I want to ask of you as the head coach of a storied franchise and the leader of the Forty Niner faithful. Please take off your hat in post-game conferences.

Though it is a handsome lid, wearing a hat prevents the media and your fans from seeing you and hearing your message. It is hard to make eye contact with a person standing behind a flat bill. Win or lose, you have nothing from which to hide. To me, this gesture compromises your presence. I believe the head coach should always make a mark for the good, not the questionable.

Before the NFC Championship match up, I was able to play golf. My foursome included my friend, another woman and her 73 year-old father-in-law. Based on the game, I left after 14 holes but not before I fist bumped and thanked my playing partners, only to see the lone gentleman in our group, take his cap off and bid adieu. I absolutely love this gesture in golf. Taking off one's hat to acknowledge another isn't difficult. It takes but a moment. It is a wonderful sign of respect and a positive, personal discipline. 

Conversely, I believe people who do not remove their hats in certain places and spaces, ought to be reminded to do so. On a regular basis I remind my students to remove their hoodie, beanie or hat from their head when we are inside the classroom. About 90% of the time, this cue is non-verbal. I have never been met with an unwilling student; they understand.

much better. 

This Christmas, I noticed a 14 year old boy was wearing a baseball cap throughout Mass. Though I was glad he came (and if you are judging me for judging, so be it). I wish his parents, the usher or even an elder in the community had reminded this young man that when Catholic Christians stand in a sacred place. we remove our caps. To be honest, I wish he had known and thought to do so.

Coach, as a positive role model and a well respected leader, I simply ask that you model what we ask of others—especially young people. Perhaps you see things differently. If so, I would like to learn more.

Thank you for all you have done for what has been an exceptional team and season. I tip my cap to you and look forward to all that is to come, especially in future press conferences.

Respectfully submitted,

Anne Stricherz
San Francisco resident, fan and daughter of the biggest Niner fan around

What Type of Sports Fan Are You?

Barry Bonds. Lance Armstrong. Tiger Woods. Aaron Rodgers.

Dustin Johnson. Tom Brady. Alex Rodriguez. Aaron Rodgers.

Michael Vick. Pete Rose. Justin Turner. O.J. Simpson. Aaron Rodgers.

The San Francisco 49ers 13-10 defeat of the Green Bay Packers united Twitter for the first time in it's (near) 15-year life span. How? Why? Because as the Niners who head to the NFC championship game in Los Angeles, kept the Pack and its leader—Aaron Rodgers— home. 

After the 38-year old quarterback made "comments that some people feel are misleading" (how own words) about his vaccination status, millions of football fans turned on the likely 2021 MVP. Others have long despised Rodgers. According to PTI cohost Tony Kornheiser, many fans are "sick of his need for attention. They're sick of the fact he always makes it about him and he blames Green Bay Packers management for everything that went wrong." While one Super Bowl to his name lessens his credibility on the all-time great list, whether you like him or not is irrelevant. Rodgers is an incredible quarterback and future Hall of Fame inductee.

My profession of faith in his athletic ability has already sent some people's blood pressure sky high. Sorry. Not sorry. His numbers—during the regular season—speak for themselves. And yet, I have come to realize just how many camps there are among us sports fans. Therefore, it's time I ask: Where do you stand?

1. Athletes, not activists
In the day that followed the that Rodgers was not immunized against COVID....nor vaccinated, the former Cal Bear said "I am an athlete, not an activist."

Many fans enjoy sports for the purpose of entertainment. The notion of an athlete using his or her platform to invoke social change is not necessary. Let athletes be athletes. 

2. An Athlete's personal is life is personal.
Many people can separate what an athlete does on the field from what they do off of it. The words "it's none of your business" though seldom heard today, is the modus operandi.

Gambling, womanizing, domestic violence, drug and alcohol usage, promiscuity, and a host of other moral issues are their own doings. In the words of Pope Francis "Who am I to judge?" Oh wait, let's not take that out of context once again....Whether they donate 90% of their salary to a needy cause, spend the off season doing service work and/or love their spouse is irrelevant. (but is it??!) These sports fans find heroism in the feats on the field, not what happens off of it—for better or for worse.

3. Just Win, Baby!
This might be a hybrid of #1 and #2. There are those sports fans—to call them primal, might not be far off—who want an athlete to do whatever it takes to win. These gamesmen and gameswomen, I mean fans, expect that a number of personal fouls ought to occur without the penalty. For an athlete to compromise their long term physical and mental health in the name of winning, can be justified. And so can Bountygate. 

4. Lines and Sand
Athletes are people too, right? Like the rest of us, many athletes make good choices and not so good ones. While the ones I make are most likely not promulgated for social media to share, when an athletes does, we read, tweet, and blog about it. 

I know a number of people who get behind certain athletes who others deem controversial. Inevitably, they will excuse their player's behavior/choices by way of compare and contrast. "At least she did not do x." Or "I was okay with y, but then z made that difficult."

The line in the proverbial sand always makes this conversation interesting.

5. Passion Play
I know a number of sports fans who cannot separate the personal and the professional. These fans cannot and will not cheer for an athlete because of past transgressions, political stances or personal beliefs. Said fans cannot cheer in good faith for an athlete who has crossed much more than a line in the sand. Their public platform can unite or divide fans. Indeed, passion is part of professional play.

Benjamin Franklin said "If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins." I do not try to persuade passionate fans to consider otherwise. However, a few good reins never hurt anyone.

6. I'm Only Human
I will put my cards on the table: I see athletes as...human beings. They are heroic, inspiring, and they are flawed, even mysterious. I appreciate that many athletes use their voice, and stand behind their causes, follow their passions and formulate their foundations. Go for it.

But I always remind myself—whether I cheer and jeer for a person—I don't really know them. I look for passion in how they play, I seek the beauty they bring to the game. I want an athlete to be who they really are. The world doesn't need another Simone Biles or Michael Jordan. We need each man or woman as him or herself. 

I have forgiven athletes for mistakes they have made and held grudges against others. I am a human being too. I appreciate their passion and I seek those reins (the investigation behind Justin Turner on the field after the 2020 World Series was fascinating to me). I am only too glad that sports provides a platform for me to consider, question, discuss and debate so much more than what a scoreboard reveals.

And as for Aaron Rodgers. What does the future hold? Start asking his fans.... or not!

Photo Credits
Rodgers departure: @knbrmurph
Turner
Woods
Kap

Notre Dame Magazine: Winter 2020-2021 Sports and Spirituality Review: Going Back in Time

When I reached for the Winter 2020-2021 issue of Notre Dame Magazine, I wasn't sure if I read all of  it. I never throw out—err, recycle—this alumni publication until I have completed my Sports and Spirituality review. Part of me thought I held onto it because the back cover features "Amy Coney Barrett '97 JC, associate justice of the United States Supreme Court (See the story on page 46)." I love that the photo of this woman I respect and admire features her in the classroom, teaching. In the background is a crucifix and a student taking notes? fact checking the lecture?!? I took a quick look though the publication only to see that I had not given my review and though it is one year later, still worth doing. Why? I want to point the way to the following pieces rich in both sport and spirituality. Enjoy!

A Most Unusual Semester.
I don't know about you, but I have a hard time reading articles about living through COVID. Is it because while some things have changed, others have not? Are we not still too close to it? 

Margaret Fosmoe '85, captures how the pandemic affected the 2020 football season "as a temporary member of the Atlantic Coast Conference.  Attendance at games was limited to no more than 20% of stadium capacity which amounted to about 15, 525 fans per game—students, faculty and staff." 

Many will remember the highlight of the 2020 home season, played before a mostly student crowd of 11,011. When the Irish won the game 47-40 in double overtime, thousands rushed the field, a celebration broadcast live on national television. What others might not remember is that students with tickets to the game were required to take COVID-19 tests, and those who didn't show up for testing had their tickets canceled." 

Ah COVID, we aren't done with you yet, are we? The title of this article can be used yet again.

Becoming a Notre Dame Man
I never heard the term "Notre Dame man" or "Notre Dame woman" as an undergraduate. However, I remember the first time I heard it. In a speech to the alumni club of the San Francisco Bay Area, Frank Allocco shared how he became a Notre Dame man and referred to some of his mentors, teammates and coaches who embodied what it means.

In this short excerpt from "Telling Stories that Matter: Memoirs and Essays" by Father Marvin O'Connell, a long time professor and chair of the University's history department, I learned Notre Dame does not have a fight song—it's a "Victory March."  I now know that Paul Hourning was the only member of a losing team to win a Heisman Trophy and that "the boldness of cheering for our players when they had no chance to win, and its effect on them proved to be" more than a rite of passage. It's what it means to be a Notre Dame man... 

May I Have Your Attention, Please?
This tribute is in loving memory of Tim McCarthy, Indiana State Police safety education sergeant, who delivered safety messages laced with one-liners at Notre Dame football games for 55 years. He died October 1, 2020 at age 89. 

As written by Kristy Katzmann '00, "One of his new responsibilities was to make an announcement at Notre Dame home football games reminding people to drive safely on the way home, but after two games he knew people weren’t paying attention. He decided to change that by adding something to the message"

The result? Notre Dame Stadium fell silent in eager anticipation during the fourth quarter for a reminder to drive carefully and courteously on the way home, punctuated by an often groan-inducing play on words. This article includes his Top 10 favorite. Mine is 
    7. No one relishes a pickled driver.

Traditions big and small, like what Officer McCarthy shared inside of Notre Dame stadium are but one example of what makes game day so special.

LepreConal: First native Irishman dons the mascot's green suit.
Pregame festivities for the Fiesta Bowl included Mass at the Biltmore Hotel and a reception right after. I walked in to this event only to see the ND mascot, also known as "LepreConal." Thanks to this article, introduced myself to Conal Fagan as only a fangirl can...and does. 

The native of Derry, Ireland is known for "fun, crazy energy." He said "I would always start the cheers before the cheerleaders, and they got really annoyed at me." Irish and energetic, athletic and aware—job description: filled!

The Education of Amy Coney Barrett
I loved learning about what the title of this article suggests: Coney Barrett's education. I delight in knowing that she too, has gained important life lessons from sports.

John Nagy '00 recalled this insight. Thanks athletics!

When she was 10 years old, the oldest child in a growing Catholic family in the New Orleans suburb of Metairie, Louisiana, Amy Coney competed in her first track meet.

She lost her event. Seeing her disappointment, an uncle consoled her. “Honey,” he said, “do you know how many times you looked to see where the other runners were? Every time you look to the right or the left, you lose a half-step. Next time, look straight ahead and run your best.”

She told this story 34 years later to students who voted her professor of the year. That afternoon in May 2016, Professor Barrett’s theme wasn’t winning but the danger of comparison. She quoted Teddy Roosevelt: “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Then she shared her uncle’s kindly advice that’s helped her keep perspective along life’s way. It was characteristic of Barrett, regarded by colleagues and students as an exemplary mentor, to use a parting moment to counsel bright young minds on what makes for happiness as they enter a notoriously unhappy profession.

ACB was #13 on my 20 people, places, events and episodes that brought some joy to year that needed it: 202o. I hope to meet her and when I do, I will thank her for professing our shared beliefs.

The day I finished reading this 2020-2021 edition, the 2021-2022 arrived in the mail. Serendipity! My Seagrass Basket Zero remains a challenge...albeit a very good one.

Photo Credits
All are from ND Magazine except for 
Frank Allocco: Peacock documentary on Joe Montana

Friendships From Sports: Another Jewel of Life

The words of  Jessie Owens resonate with my life's story. The four-time 1936 Olympic champion said, "Friendships born on the field of athletic strife are the real gold of competition. Awards become corroded, friends gather no dust." 

I met two of my closest friends on the Carondelet High School tennis team. One was my favorite doubles partner and the other came back from a 7-0 deficit to beat me during freshman year tryouts, 9-7 in the 8-game pro-set. I haven't played tennis with or against either of these women in over 25 years, and yet their friendship means more to me than ever.

I continue to make friends—new ones, good ones, even wild ones through sports. The game of golf has introduced me to women and men, young and old from a variety of backgrounds, careers and much more. Truly, my life is so much richer because of the time we spend together playing what is much more than "just a game."  Indeed, through the shared pursuit of something challenging, competitive. and fun that those relationships are strengthened and sustained. Sport really is the gift that keeps on giving.

I love the fact professional sports celebrates the friendships that are born from being teammates. For example, the long waited return of Klay Thompson (941 days to be exact) wasn't the only story that caught the media's attention. Prior to tip-off, this Splash Brother was greeted with a hug by his little league teammate, Kevin Love. As written on SFGate

The intertwining paths of Klay Thompson and Kevin Love trace back to a baseball field in a Portland, Ore., suburb.

Long before the NBA All-Stars faced each other on their current sport’s biggest stage, they shared a Little League team. Thompson was the speedy leadoff hitter, Love the hard-throwing pitcher. Even then, while playing a sport that won’t figure in their legacy, the preteens recognized in one another the potential for greatness.

But a few hours earlier, the highest profile position for the Rams was working to secure another victory for a Los Angeles team. Matt Stafford, the team's quarterback grew up with a man who knows what those expectations and that pressure feels like. The Dodgers long time ace, Clayton Kershaw has called Stafford a teammate and friend since they were six years old.

Stafford watches Kershaw pitch at Dodger Stadium. #support

In fact, as written in The Bleacher Report

They played on the same youth soccer, baseball, football and basketball teams together. They played freshmen football and two years of varsity baseball together and both graduated from Highland Park High School in 2006 after dominant final seasons. Kershaw compiled a 13-0 record with an ERA of 0.77. In a five-inning mercy-rule game, he struck out all 15 batters.

These two examples, on one of the more exciting sports Sundays, got me thinking about other friendships born from youth or high school sports. I know that many collegiate and professional athletes consider their teammates to be like friends and in some cases, like family. But what of those born from those formative years. 

Andy Roddick and Drew Brees both are long time friends and former teammates. As written by the 2003 US Open Champion:

“Yes Drew Brees beat me in tennis when I was 9 and he was 11. Twice,” Roddick wrote on Twitter back in 2014. “I finally beat him and he quit tennis. You’re welcome football.”

What other former teammates/friends come to mind?

Reflecting upon these types of connections, got me thinking. Can you name two women that became friends through sport? I could not.  The first example that came to mind was Venus and Serena Williams. I gave myself a half point of credit, as they siblings. However, I genuinely think the two sisters—born just 15 months apart—have an affection for one another that is akin to the best of friends. Please share names of female athletes if you know any. They ought to be publicized too!

And while we are at it—what about male and female friendships. I knew that Jerian Grant and Jewell Lloyd became friends at the University of Notre Dame thanks to shared space. In the time between the men's and women's practices, the two would shoot around and engage in a friendly, yet competitive game of H.O.R.S.E.  All-Americans, Player of the year candidates, and now...friends. Go IRISH.

I believe every person should have a number of quotes, prayers and mottos memorized by heart. One of mine is by the late author and activist, Elie Wiesel. He wrote "friends are the jewel of life." Thank you sports, for bringing many jewels, many colors, shapes and sizes. Shine brightly.

Photo Credits
Drew and Andy
Venus and Serena
Klay and Love
Matt Stafford

The Open Letter: Thank you Alec Ingold of the Las Vegas Raiders

The open letter. Have you ever written one? Have you wanted to but thought otherwise? In 23 years of teaching, I can recall but one addressed to the school community where I have taught. This student’s message was hard to read; it was both challenging and inspiring. The author, however, did not use his real name. Did writing behind a pseudonym compromise the integrity of an open letter? Let’s discuss.

I believe students and faculty ought to sign their name when they complete the evaluation of a teacher or administrators. I challenge myself to live by this principle; it hasn’t always been easy. I understand why people are reluctant to evaluate a superior without anonymity. And yet, I think standing behind your word is critically important. An open letter allows for an individual to do just that...or at least it should!

Therefore when a friend sent An open letter to fans from Raiders captain Alec Ingold, I couldn't help but take a moment and pause. What was the injured fullback possibly going to say or rationalize. Fans know the drudgery, death and drama of the Silver and Black this year. This missive shared the team's response, reconciliation and rewards. The result? It was impossible not to cheer for his team: the Las Vegas Raiders.

Their 35-32 win over the Los Angeles Chargers in overtime might be one of the most exciting games I have ever watched. I didn't know a non-playoff game could be more exciting than the one I witnessed but a few hours earlier, when the San Francisco 49ers beat the Rams of Los Angeles 27-24, also in overtime.

Ingold's open letter prompted me as a coach to consider What would my team leadership write? What might their message be? I tried to imagine What would they want the Saint Francis community to know about their season? 

Coaches, here is an invitation to do the same. Encourage your athletes to put their names on evaluations both in class and at the end of the season. And, if given the chance, share the story of their own season in an Open Letter. 

Photo Credits
Crosby
Ingold: From the Open Letter