Another Great Year!

Where did those hot and humid late summer days and nights go?  How about those nights when you got that familiar smell in the air or the nights that didn't really begin until around 8 o'clock or so?  When did the anticipation of success and great accomplishments give way to the hard fought realities of the cold Winter days of November.  Fourteen weeks of football seem to blend together into an ongoing tapestry without seams.  Where did it go? 

Well, another Stark County football season is over except for the two days we invite the rest of the State into our backyard to cheer, celebrate, cry and enjoy the last weekend of high school football.  No Stark County teams will partake so we will graciously host.  Many gave it a great run however.  Cudos to Lousiville, Hoover, Glen Oak, Massillon, McKinley, Tuslaw, Malvern and Canton South for great years and playoff appearences.  Congrats also to all of the coaches and players of all the Stark County teams for allowing us to share in your victories and defeats, your great efforts and the emotional roller coasters you have gone through.  My hats off to the administrators of each high school who hosted us so graciously during our broadcasts and to the parents of each player and coach who celebrated and suffered each victory and defeat as much as the men on the field. 

I would also like to thank WHBC for the tremendous job it does every year in making the season come alive via the TV and radio.  There is no other radio station that covers sports like WHBC.   Thanks to Larry Gawthrop, the GM and to Pam Cook, the Program Director , and to Stephanie Jackson and the sales staff for making the broadcasts possible.  These people make it all happen.  My thanks to Brian Novak who brings it all together and to Dale and Jason, our on-site engineers who suffer through rain, cold, and some unbeliveably trying situations to allow us to get on the air and stay on.  They are truly geniuses.  To Frank, Dave and John who are major parts of our crew, I take my hats off to you.  Frank Cilona, who is on the sidelines for every game no matter rain, sleet or snow letting everyone know what is going on down on the field.  Dave Albert, who is truly a consumate professional, working the stats often better with a pencil than the computers do, and who provides great insight into the game, and gives those stats real meaning in how they relate to the game. It is an honor to work with you three.  And finally, my admiration and thanks to Sammy, whom we are all very fortunate to have as the voice of Stark County Sports.  What an unbelievable job he does day in and day out providing us all with a real insight into Stark County sports.  Sam makes it very easy for those around him to do their best, because he is truly the best.

Well, it is my time to go into hibernation for about 8 months.  The main reason being that I stopped understanding basketball when they gave positions numbers instead of names.  The minute they label offensive linemen 1,2,3, I quit that too.  Thanks again to all for making the last 4 months so very fun.  Look forward to talking with you all again when the grass is green, the anticipation runs high and the footballs once again fill the air. 

Happy Holidays!