Robservations: A look into the future of sports
As you can see within these pages, 2003 was an eventful year in the world of sports.
Coaching changes, record-setting performances, coaching changes, state tourney trips, coaching changes, top rankings and coaching changes dominated the local sports headlines throughout the year.
Oh. Did I mention coaching changes?
But as we look back, at some of the highlights of the 2003 sports year, we also pause to take our annual look forward, into the friendly neighborhood crystal ball, and get a peek at what the future may have in store.
• Former WWF Superstar Mike “Duke the Dumpster” Droese’s hire as Warren County Middle School’s wrestling coach begins a trend within the school system, but with mixed results.
While “The Fabulous Moolah” takes the reins of a district champion WCMS girls soccer program, and “Bam Bam Bigelow” does wonders with the Pioneer varsity football team’s offensive line, new Dibrell coach “Nature Boy” Ric Flair puts a damper on the county league basketball tournament, when he nails referee Tim Reed with a folding chair during the closing moments of the championship game.
• Elsewhere on the hardwood, the perimeter scoring prowess of Leanne Pelham, Leah Cunningham and Whitney Pelham becomes feared throughout the midstate, while the Lady Pioneers continue a historic turnaround and advance all the way to region tournament play.
School officials are distressed, however, when fans of the Pelham-Cunningham-Pelham combo begin bringing “We Love P.C.P.” signs to Lady Pioneer games.
• The Pioneer basketball team enters the 04-05 season with renewed excitement, thanks to a new transfer student.
However, the Charlie Dalton Gym ceiling — and the school’s maintenance budget — take a pair of huge hits, when it’s discovered the squad’s newest player literally can “jump out of the gym.”
• Spring begins with the WCHS soccer squad winning its first six matches, including a pair of nail-biting district tilts.
Shortly after spring break, school officials announce plans to officially name a new Pioneer coach before the season’s end.
• Summer vacations and traveling team commitments push the city’s little leagues to the limit, when youth baseball and softball seasons are compressed to a two-week span in early May.
We’ve got to get those seasons completed before the Fourth of July, you know!
• Pioneer fans eagerly anticipate the newest era of WCHS football, with Chris Madewell taking over as the squad’s new head coach.
Only one voice of dissent is heard: That of Madewell’s father, Manuel, when he realizes he’ll now continue to serve on the team’s “chain gang” for an indefinite period of time.
• And finally, as the holiday season approaches, local basketball fans taking in the 2004 Warren Lodge Christmas Tournament duck for cover as a stumbling Joe Namath, mistletoe in hand and reeking of egg nog, careens his way through the Dalton Gym yelling, “Come on! I still want to kiss you!”