Well, 2006 is almost over. I still have to get some wrestling results from the weekend tournament in Illinois in my hands and on the web site, but my next sporting event will involve a bank of televisions, a boat-load of bowl games, and my friends and I relaxing in my basement at our traditional "Bowl-o-rama" on New Year's Day!

But as I write for the final time in 2006, I wonder what 2007 holds in store for Wabash from a sports standpoint. One of the fun, yet sometimes frustrating parts of my job comes in planning season overviews for various publications and web sites. Some are easy to guess. While no one on the basketball team (trust me, I've seen the reactions from the players and coaches) is happy with the the losses suffered early this season, we all felt the first part of the season would be a time for a young group to come together and learn how to play as a unit. I can see that happening with this team. The comeback effort against Lakeland, coupled with the way the Little Giants battled against Franklin, have already shown me this will be a fun team to watch in 2007! Will they win every game --- probably not. But will they be competitive and show some flashes of what Wabash fans can watch in the coming years --- I've no doubt we'll see that!

The wrestling team will rely on their experience to carry them through the later portion of the season. A group of hardy seniors, led by 2006 national qualifier Garrett Pino, hopes to send several wrestlers to the nationals this year.

Keep an eye on Peter Casares' swim team at the conference meet this February. A talented group of freshmen have meshed with some superb leadership shown by the upperclassmen --- a talented group in its own right --- to develop into a top-notch team already.

It won't be long until the spring sports hit the practice fields, and although it's hard to believe, fall seasons begin in just eight short months. But there will be plenty of time to talk about those teams as we progress into the early portion of 2007.

On behalf of all of the student-athletes and coaches at Wabash, thanks for your support of Wabash College athletics, whether you've been close to program for years or just joined us this season. I hope your 2006 was a safe, prosperous, and happy one and that 2007 holds great things ahead for all of us.

Posted by Brent Harris at 12:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's the holiday season and everyone is getting gifts prepared for family and loved ones (and I actually have all of my holiday shopping done this year!).

Part of the fun of the season is getting a gift that will surprise the recipient. I know every year I put a little bit of extra effort into a couple of gifts to make certain there is some personal connection --- that the gift will truly mean something special for the person I selected to receive it.

Some youngsters in the surrounding area will certainly be surprised on Christmas morning. That's because they weren't planning on having any gifts for Christmas.

Each year the Wabash community supports the Reindeer program. Families who might not be able to provide gifts for their children can submit names and gift lists to the program. Individual sponsors can then select a child and purchase those gifts, bringing them to the Knowling Fieldhouse where they are distributed.

This year there was an initial list of about 41 children. Yesterday morning our head athletic trainer, Mark Colston, sent out an email letting the Wabash community know that there were an additional 26 names on the Reindeer list that didn't have sponsor.

Here's what didn't surprise. When I ran into Mark later that afternoon, he told me that within an hour all 26 names had been sponsored by someone at Wabash. In fact, he was trying to gather additional names, because so many people came forward to help, but there were no more names on the program list.

Time and time again the Wabash community rallies to help others --- whether it's supporting the Co-motion project during the week of the Monon Bell game, the Reindeer program, or whatever else might be happening on campus to support the surrounding community.

I know I'll have a few surprise in store over the holdiay season (sorry, Sarah and Michelle, I already know what you've gotten me for a holiday gift!). But I'm never surprised to see the true meaning of the season shown once again by the fine people here at Wabash College.

Posted by Brent Harris at 08:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Rob Tomey wasn't a Wabash graduate. In fact, Rob would keep tabs on Purdue football games each and every Saturday afternoon.

But only during breaks of the Wabash home football games.

For at least the last 15 years, Rob has been a fixture on the home football game clock. During my eight years as SID, Rob would pop into the press box about an hour before the game, catch up on what was happening with my staff, and get ready to watch the Little Giants pick up another victory.

A couple of years ago Rob was diagnosed with colon cancer. He continued to man his duties as the game clock operator right up to the very end.

You see, Rob passed away last weekend, losing the battle he fought so well the past few years.

How important was working at the Wabash football games for Rob? At the calling yesterday at the funeral home, his game management credentials from the Monon Bell games he worked were on display as part of a tribute to his life. That included the credential from this year's contest, a game that featured Rob in a new roll — honorary coach. Rob's commitment to the football program was recognized by the players and coaches he served so well.

Wabash opens the 2007 football season against Franklin College in September. I'm looking forward to watching the Little Giants take the field in an attempt to earn their third consecutive North Coast Athletic Conference crown. But I'll miss my friend, Rob Tomey. There will be a new clock operator, but Rob will always be a part of game day. Those of us who worked with Rob will still think fondly of him before that Saturday afternoon kickoff.

Posted by Brent Harris at 04:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)