I'm going to write this in Carolina blue in honor of the coolest 2-year-old on the planet. Last weekend, I went up to the Monroes in Little Rock to hang out and watch some hoops. During the festivities, some UNC faithful joined us and James bedrudgingly taught us the North Carolina fight song. OK, so maybe he was singing it for Marisa and for Jeanie, but I learned it from him.
March has been a whirlwind of traveling and growth for me. It started with a trip to Atlanta for Nascone's bachelor party and will wrap up with a phone on my ear most likely at the office. Seriously, I'm not sure where all the days went. I'll try to offer a recap of each weekend and its adventures. Without further ado...
March 6-8: I went to Atlanta for the aforementioned bachelor party for Matt Nascone, a good friend of mine from Auburn who survived the rigors of the Journalism program. We met up and were under the direction of his best man and another good friend of mine, Carten Cordell, in the neighborhood of the Virginia Highlands. Things we learned: Everybody's Pizza is excellent, as is food from Taco Mac. Never, ever, ever stay at the Highland Inn. I'm definitely not in college any more, and recovery time from a night out is much, much longer than it was before.
March 12-15: Josh and Katie got married, woopity-doo. We went down to Seaside (a.k.a. Manassass) Beach for the festivities. I forgot how much fun go-karts and putt-putt can be, especially when you bring in great company. The condo was awesome, and we learned that if you throw a Nerf football in the air, it WILL get stuck in the frongs of a palm tree. Ways to get said football out of the tree do not include: throwing full water bottles at said football, throwing mostly full water bottles at said football or trying to throw a broom at said football. These things will also stick to the tree. Ways to get said items out of a palm tree: have Amber climb the tree. Those who know me best know that I'm not a beach person. A weekend at Manassass will change anyone's perspective. Did I mention Josh and Katie got married?
March 20-22: Ah, yes...Little Rock. The home away from home. I know we talk about this amongst ourselves, but it's amazing when I think about the generosity and hospitality that the Monroes display to our ragtag group of misfits (OK, so I just wanted to say "ragtag" and "misfits"). Jeanie is up there for a rotation at Baptist, so I got Robert to hitch a ride with me and we made the journey. Saturday was a day filled with basketball, laughs and Mr. Carl's homemade pizza (my favorite Monroe specialty). My little sister...I could hardly recognize her personality when I got in the living room and was greeted with smack talk over the MARCH MADNESS pick 'em the Monroes run. Yep, she's one of them now (which is not an insult but the highest of compliments). Its always a great time going to church with them, and I'm moved by the fellowship their church family displays. One of the coolest things I've ever experienced was seeing all the LR folks at Andrew and Taylor's wedding...in Auburn. I can only wish for something like that here in Tupelo.
Speaking of...I've started going to a church with a good friend from high school and his wife up here that has a lot to offer. The messages from the three sermons I've heard are gripping and there seems to be a healthy Auburn contingent amongst the members. I'm hoping that I can delve myself into this place because it certainly has felt welcoming. Now that little league has started back, I'll be in town more weekends - which will help me to learn more - and grow in the process.
This past weekend, the previous three finally caught up to me as I slowed down and rested. I tried to configure the home theater a little more, but everything I tried was unsuccessful. That's OK - it was nice to sit and rest a little. After all, practice starts back up this week and I'm in Montgomery this upcoming weekend. Bring on April.
As always, thanks for reading.
(Prayer requests: my boss, Roger, learned this morning that his mother-in-law was in a bad car wreck. She's doing better, but I pray that she gets a speedy recovery and that Roger and his family can help in that process. Also, more travels are on the docket this month and another wedding - Matt and Adrienne. Several friends are dealing with unspecified crises, and I'm wanting to get some wind for my sailbot - will explain later.)
Sorry if this post is a little choppy and hard to read. I've been a bit scatterbrained with my writing lately.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Coach of the Year
I do my very best to do as little bragging on myself as possible, and if I come across as arrogant to anyone in a given situation, it is not by design. However, I'm going to take a step out of my normal anxieties and do a little pumping up of Chris Rushing for a few sentences.
Thursday night, I was awarded a plate at the Tupelo Sports Council's Circle of Champions awards ceremony. Engraved on this plate is "2008 Coach of the Year - Chris Rushing - TYBA"...Very few honors in my life can rival how proud that silver plate makes me.
When I told people I had been nominated for an award like this, everyone's first question was, "Do you have to give a speech?" Luckily, I didn't have to say anything up on stage - just go up, shake hands and try not to get blinded by the light from the podium. That being said, there are several people who made this award possible that cannot go without mention. So, I'll take some time and space out here on the interweb and give them their props.
First, all of my players and their parents. I can honestly say that there hasn't been but a couple of players that I didn't see eye-to-eye with and only a couple of "unruly" parents. This would not have been possible without the parents trusting that I was just wanting to make their kids better players and be the best role model I could be in the process.
Second, I'd like to thank the Tupelo Youth Baseball Association, namely Suzanne McCormick, for giving me the opportunities to coach the past two summers and for another one this upcoming season. Its easy to just pick a few of the dads, but they've given me a social life in a town where I haven't had too many friends outside of work.
Third, my employers for their understanding when I need to leave work early to get to the ball fields and for their sponsorship monies. Its because of BancorpSouth that the Bomber attitude was enstilled early on with my players last season as we raced towards an undefeated campaign. Plus, the bank bought our trophies at the end of the year.
Fourth, my own awesome parents. Whether its spotting me a little cash to buy the team Gatorades or just listening to me when I try to get through a couple of tough spots (especially last year with the all-star selection crisis), they have been above and beyond in supportive and encouraging love and behavior.
Fifth, I go on and on about the teams that I coach, and several people get to hear me bragging on their individual and whole accomplishments. However, there's been one friend in particular who was on the phone with me prior to every game and after every game - hearing all the details (good and bad). I don't want to name them in an effort of singling them out, but I'd like to think they know who they are. And for all that listening, I want to say "Thank you very much."
Finally, to all those who have been brave enough to coach with me...those are the ones who have truly made this possible. Leonard, Mark, David, Lee and Jerry - talk about those who go above and beyond. While it's easy for me to get carried away, none of them hesitated at the thoughts of practices, tournament locations or team parties. They also helped to give a dad's perspective to everything we worked towards - something I'm incapable of at this time.
I know I have undoubtedly left out people, but it was accidental. I hope this doesn't seem too arrogant, but I'm pretty excited about this.
One last thing, I'd like to thank Katy for going to the banquet with me and helping me to look good.
Until next time, War Eagle.
Thursday night, I was awarded a plate at the Tupelo Sports Council's Circle of Champions awards ceremony. Engraved on this plate is "2008 Coach of the Year - Chris Rushing - TYBA"...Very few honors in my life can rival how proud that silver plate makes me.
When I told people I had been nominated for an award like this, everyone's first question was, "Do you have to give a speech?" Luckily, I didn't have to say anything up on stage - just go up, shake hands and try not to get blinded by the light from the podium. That being said, there are several people who made this award possible that cannot go without mention. So, I'll take some time and space out here on the interweb and give them their props.
First, all of my players and their parents. I can honestly say that there hasn't been but a couple of players that I didn't see eye-to-eye with and only a couple of "unruly" parents. This would not have been possible without the parents trusting that I was just wanting to make their kids better players and be the best role model I could be in the process.
Second, I'd like to thank the Tupelo Youth Baseball Association, namely Suzanne McCormick, for giving me the opportunities to coach the past two summers and for another one this upcoming season. Its easy to just pick a few of the dads, but they've given me a social life in a town where I haven't had too many friends outside of work.
Third, my employers for their understanding when I need to leave work early to get to the ball fields and for their sponsorship monies. Its because of BancorpSouth that the Bomber attitude was enstilled early on with my players last season as we raced towards an undefeated campaign. Plus, the bank bought our trophies at the end of the year.
Fourth, my own awesome parents. Whether its spotting me a little cash to buy the team Gatorades or just listening to me when I try to get through a couple of tough spots (especially last year with the all-star selection crisis), they have been above and beyond in supportive and encouraging love and behavior.
Fifth, I go on and on about the teams that I coach, and several people get to hear me bragging on their individual and whole accomplishments. However, there's been one friend in particular who was on the phone with me prior to every game and after every game - hearing all the details (good and bad). I don't want to name them in an effort of singling them out, but I'd like to think they know who they are. And for all that listening, I want to say "Thank you very much."
Finally, to all those who have been brave enough to coach with me...those are the ones who have truly made this possible. Leonard, Mark, David, Lee and Jerry - talk about those who go above and beyond. While it's easy for me to get carried away, none of them hesitated at the thoughts of practices, tournament locations or team parties. They also helped to give a dad's perspective to everything we worked towards - something I'm incapable of at this time.
I know I have undoubtedly left out people, but it was accidental. I hope this doesn't seem too arrogant, but I'm pretty excited about this.
One last thing, I'd like to thank Katy for going to the banquet with me and helping me to look good.
Until next time, War Eagle.
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