Chip Timmons - Ever heard of the concept of "Six Degrees of Separation?"  It suggests that all of us are connected to each other through fewer that six mutual acquaintances.  We also have "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" where any actors can be connected to Kevin Bacon through their roles in films to Kevin Bacon. If you're curious, here's a web site devoted to that subject. (warning: the site's theme music is rather annoying)

That's how my week on the road felt as I traveled to high schools in Hamilton and Johnson County.  I visited six high schools this week and in every instance I ran into someone, who knew someone connected to me.  This phenomenon usually happens with alumni.  Someone at the school knows someone of a similar Wabash vintage of my own, but we went beyond it this week.

My first stop was Sheridan High School, home of the Blackhawks. Sheridan has produced good crops of Wabash men the past two years, but the school is most well-known for it's football tradition.  Seven state-titles under legendary coach Bud Wright. Bud Wright's son, Kevin, won a few state titles of his own at Warren Central in Indianapolis.  Kevin's first head coaching job was at Frankfort High School in 1991. His starting strong safety, yours truly.

After stops at Fishers High School and Hamilton Southeastern, where less-fascinating connections were made, I returned to campus to prepare for my trip to Indian Creek High School on Wednesday. The visit at Indian Creek went very well. I met with a young man who's older brother is a junior at Wabash and during that visit we had a visitor.  The Indian Creek Athletic Director stopped by to say hello. His name is Tim Robison, who got his start coaching football at Frankfort High School  The year was 1991 and the position he coached, defensive backs. Getting chills yet?

I'm sure I'll be able to keep playing this game as I hit the road next week looking for "a few good men."  In fact, I'm visiting Franklin High School where I'll meet with a student whose father is the pastor of the church where my maternal grandmother attends and my brother and his wife were married.  Must be something in "the air up there".

Update - 10/6/06: This morning, I had breakfast with some of our guests from the National Guidance Counselor Symposium.  At one point, I was asked where I attended high school.  I replied, "Frankfort High School". Another guest, Rick Swaim from Warsaw High School, says "Me, too.  I graduated from there in 1970.  So you're a Hot Dog, too" That's right, our mascot is the Hot Dog.  Rick knows my dad who graduated in 1968 and his sister-in-law ran the bookstore at Frankfort High School while I was student.