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Raffle tickets are only $10 each and
are available at local Prairie State Bank and Bank of Springfield
locations. The value of the pro-am spot is $1,600. Play will be
Wednesday, Aug. 28, and the winner will be chosen and notified on
Wednesday, Aug. 14.
To purchase
your ticket today, stop by any Prairie State Bank or Bank of
Springfield location or call UCP at (217) 525-6522. UCP Land of
Lincoln is the largest provider of services to children with
disabilities in downstate Illinois and serves over a thousand
children and adults each year in central Illinois. |
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CONGRATULATIONS to
Olympia’s Mike Manahan. Manahan was recently recognized by the
National High School Athletic Coaches Association as the National
Wrestling Coach of the Year! My understanding is that he has been
coaching for something like 35 years and is the only coach Oly has
ever had, taking the position when the school officially opened its
doors back in 1972. Way to go, coach! If anyone knows this guy would
you please invite him to be a guest on the Taylor-Mayfield sports
showcase this fall?
Where would the
Cardinals be without Jason Simontacci?
No Americans were on
the front page of the leader board at Muirfield. When was the last
time that happened?
No word yet on how
the Railers did this past weekend in their annual voyage south to
Tennessee or Kentucky or wherever it is. Word on the street is that
Lincoln has been very good so far this summer. Hopefully good enough
to surprise a lot of people on the way to a state berth!
Rumor has it that the
hoopsters will have to succeed without the expert tutelage of
longtime Railer assistant coach Donnie Aeilts. Sources close to the
program told the LDN that Donnie has returned to his old junior high
post vacated by the departure of Darrick Reiley. Great for the
Trojans, not as great for the Railsplitters. However, you know that
coach Alexander will come up with yet another winning combination!
Congratulations to
Mount Pulaski’s Jim Jumper, who was recently named the new head
coach for boys basketball. And thanks to Bill Rucks for the many
years of outstanding dedication he has given to the Mount Pulaski
program. I will always respect and like the Mount Pulaski athletes.
They always hustle and they always play hard. They must have a lot
of great coaches over there!
Also thanks to
longtime junior high coach Bob Gasaway who retired after decades
with the program. Many kids who learned the fundamentals of the game
and to always give your best effort have him to thank for their
skills. I tip my cap to all three of these guys!
Where would the
Cardinals be without Eli Marrero?
In talking with
Michelle McFadden, she seemed to indicate that Railer volleyball
will once again be very exciting this season. Since she didn’t know
I was grilling her for info, I won’t quote her directly. But, I have
enough respect for her knowledge of the game to tell all you fans
that this looks like another great year to be a Railer fan!
 [to top of second column in
this article]
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LCC’s team continues
to reload and then reload some more. I wonder if coach Crawford has
been reading all of those coach K books?
I expect that LC’s
team will take another big step up this year as well.
From my vantage
point, one key is to follow the rule of real estate: Location,
location and location… good players, good players and good players.
Speaking only for myself, I somehow seemed to be a better coach when
I had outstanding players. They must have risen above the coaching
level… That’s the only thing I can figure.
Where would the
Cardinals be without Albert Pujols?
For some reason I
have a funny feeling that LCHS football will take a step up this
year. I sure wish I was going to be about a sophomore or a junior
myself. Not that I could start or anything. I just always liked to
play for teams where fans and experts thought that we weren’t going
anywhere. I love stunned looks on people and the joy you get by
being one of the only ones who believes.
Speaking of stunned
looks. Did you see the one on Ernie Els face when he won the British
Open? How about the display of sportsmanship by Thomas Lovet? I
thought it was moving and is one of the things that can make sports
great.
If you see any
outstanding displays of sportsmanship, please let me know and I’ll
immediately include them in this column. Just because it’s a dying
breed doesn’t mean that it still isn’t one of the most important
aspects of being a competitor.
After Sunday’s stage,
America’s Lance Armstrong was leading the Tour de France by 4:21. He
is nothing short of amazing. Did you see some of those roads those
guys have to pedal on? I think I’ll stick to pedaling my son up and
down Lincoln Avenue!
I like the Reds move
of picking up Kenny Rogers… Wish the Cards could have gotten him.
Not sure about the
Finley deal just yet.
It’s too hot; so, that’s all for now.
Have a great week by making it a great week for everyone you come in
contact with!
[Jeff
Mayfield]
[July 16 Mutterings: "Lincoln loses one of its
finest"] |
