There’s a pretty good chance you have already heard by now what took place earlier this month in a basketball game between two Mid Western high schools. If you did not you are about to learn about a true example of sportsmanship not the often forced kind which lacks sincerity and feeling.
Milwaukee Madison of Wisconsin and DeKalb of Illinois have built a nice out of state rivalry in which after the game the teams share a pizza dinner. On the day the teams were to play the mother of Madison senior co-captain Johntell Franklin died and at the hospital his coach suggested the team forfeit the game. Franklin said “no” he wanted the game to go on as scheduled so while his teammates left he remained at the hospital to say his final goodbyes to his 38-year old mother.
Early in the second quarter of a close game who should show up but Johntell Franklin. The gym erupted as fans and both teams cheered the sudden arrival and many left the court and stands to welcome the distraught teenager who was moved to tears. After order was restored Franklin told his coach he wanted to play and Aaron Womack put him in the game even though he knew it would result in a technical foul and two free throws for the other team. That’s because the lineup has to be entered in the book before the game and who thought Franklin would show up…never mind play. However DeKalb coach Dave Rohlman and his team did not want the free throws…they wanted the referees to let this one slide by but after a discussion they insisted the rule had to be enforced. Rohlman then gathered his team and clearly sent the message that you know what has to be done. So junior Darius McNeal volunteered to take the free throws and went to the line where he intentionally missed both….sort of just throwing them a few feet. Remember this was a 2-point game at the time and McNeal, the visiting player, received a standing ovation from the crowd. Turns out the two points would not have mattered because DeKalb ended up losing by 15. That was not the point and McNeal said afterwards “I did it for the guy who lost his mom; it was the right thing to do.” Franklin by the way scored 10 points in the victory.
Womack, his coach was so impressed by the act of sportsmanship that he wrote a letter to the editor in which he said that if he could not coach is own son in the future he would move to DeKalb and let him learn from Coach Rohlman. DeKalb is even collecting donations at their home game tonight to help Franklin and his family and they will be honored for their actions by the Milwaukee Bucks over the weekend.
Some people just talk sportsmanship but in this case athletes learned it and experienced it first hand. You can be sure they and everyone else at that game will never forget an act of kindness and compassion.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Compassion On The Court
There’s a pretty good chance you have already heard by now what took place earlier this month in a basketball game between two Mid Western high schools. If you did not you are about to learn about a true example of sportsmanship not the often forced kind which lacks sincerity and feeling.
Milwaukee Madison of Wisconsin and DeKalb of Illinois have built a nice out of state rivalry in which after the game the teams share a pizza dinner. On the day the teams were to play the mother of Madison senior co-captain Johntell Franklin died and at the hospital his coach suggested the team forfeit the game. Franklin said “no” he wanted the game to go on as scheduled so while his teammates left he remained at the hospital to say his final goodbyes to his 38-year old mother.
Early in the second quarter of a close game who should show up but Johntell Franklin. The gym erupted as fans and both teams cheered the sudden arrival and many left the court and stands to welcome the distraught teenager who was moved to tears. After order was restored Franklin told his coach he wanted to play and Aaron Womack put him in the game even though he knew it would result in a technical foul and two free throws for the other team. That’s because the lineup has to be entered in the book before the game and who thought Franklin would show up…never mind play. However DeKalb coach Dave Rohlman and his team did not want the free throws…they wanted the referees to let this one slide by but after a discussion they insisted the rule had to be enforced. Rohlman then gathered his team and clearly sent the message that you know what has to be done. So junior Darius McNeal volunteered to take the free throws and went to the line where he intentionally missed both….sort of just throwing them a few feet. Remember this was a 2-point game at the time and McNeal, the visiting player, received a standing ovation from the crowd. Turns out the two points would not have mattered because DeKalb ended up losing by 15. That was not the point and McNeal said afterwards “I did it for the guy who lost his mom; it was the right thing to do.” Franklin by the way scored 10 points in the victory.
Womack, his coach was so impressed by the act of sportsmanship that he wrote a letter to the editor in which he said that if he could not coach is own son in the future he would move to DeKalb and let him learn from Coach Rohlman. DeKalb is even collecting donations at their home game tonight to help Franklin and his family and they will be honored for their actions by the Milwaukee Bucks over the weekend.
Some people just talk sportsmanship but in this case athletes learned it and experienced it first hand. You can be sure they and everyone else at that game will never forget an act of kindness and compassion.
Milwaukee Madison of Wisconsin and DeKalb of Illinois have built a nice out of state rivalry in which after the game the teams share a pizza dinner. On the day the teams were to play the mother of Madison senior co-captain Johntell Franklin died and at the hospital his coach suggested the team forfeit the game. Franklin said “no” he wanted the game to go on as scheduled so while his teammates left he remained at the hospital to say his final goodbyes to his 38-year old mother.
Early in the second quarter of a close game who should show up but Johntell Franklin. The gym erupted as fans and both teams cheered the sudden arrival and many left the court and stands to welcome the distraught teenager who was moved to tears. After order was restored Franklin told his coach he wanted to play and Aaron Womack put him in the game even though he knew it would result in a technical foul and two free throws for the other team. That’s because the lineup has to be entered in the book before the game and who thought Franklin would show up…never mind play. However DeKalb coach Dave Rohlman and his team did not want the free throws…they wanted the referees to let this one slide by but after a discussion they insisted the rule had to be enforced. Rohlman then gathered his team and clearly sent the message that you know what has to be done. So junior Darius McNeal volunteered to take the free throws and went to the line where he intentionally missed both….sort of just throwing them a few feet. Remember this was a 2-point game at the time and McNeal, the visiting player, received a standing ovation from the crowd. Turns out the two points would not have mattered because DeKalb ended up losing by 15. That was not the point and McNeal said afterwards “I did it for the guy who lost his mom; it was the right thing to do.” Franklin by the way scored 10 points in the victory.
Womack, his coach was so impressed by the act of sportsmanship that he wrote a letter to the editor in which he said that if he could not coach is own son in the future he would move to DeKalb and let him learn from Coach Rohlman. DeKalb is even collecting donations at their home game tonight to help Franklin and his family and they will be honored for their actions by the Milwaukee Bucks over the weekend.
Some people just talk sportsmanship but in this case athletes learned it and experienced it first hand. You can be sure they and everyone else at that game will never forget an act of kindness and compassion.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Kevin Joins Facebook
Facebook is a social networking website that was launched five years ago by a then Harvard University student and quickly caught on with colleges around the country. It was a way for students and friends to stay in touch and it spread to high schools and eventually anyone over the age of 13. It’s believed that more than 175 million people use Facebook and I just discovered it within the last two weeks at the recommendation of a consultant for our radio group.
The website is free and you usually join networks based on where you went to high school and or college where you work and live and others. While I was certainly aware of Facebook because of my children I had no idea what I was getting into when I registered. I started by just putting up some brief information about myself and later added a picture and some more details and all of a sudden I heard from people I have not had contact with for more than 30 years. How far you want to go with this is up to each individual and frankly I don’t completely get this entire thing yet. I still haven’t figured out the need for people to tell others that they are going food shopping or taking a walk but to each his own. What I’ve been able to do is meet up with old friends and catch up on what you’ve missed for decades and it’s just a pretty neat way to network. There are restrictions you can put on your involvement and while there’s always security concerns it seems to be fairly harmless although I am very happy Facebook did not exist during my young and stupid days. I can only imagine the pictures that could have made their way onto the site for too many to see.
What is especially interesting is because I’m new subscriber each day brings new contacts who come into your life. Some are those you want to network with while others you may choose to ignore. Regardless I have to admit that I’m hooked and I’ll look forward to seeing some of you on Facebook.
The website is free and you usually join networks based on where you went to high school and or college where you work and live and others. While I was certainly aware of Facebook because of my children I had no idea what I was getting into when I registered. I started by just putting up some brief information about myself and later added a picture and some more details and all of a sudden I heard from people I have not had contact with for more than 30 years. How far you want to go with this is up to each individual and frankly I don’t completely get this entire thing yet. I still haven’t figured out the need for people to tell others that they are going food shopping or taking a walk but to each his own. What I’ve been able to do is meet up with old friends and catch up on what you’ve missed for decades and it’s just a pretty neat way to network. There are restrictions you can put on your involvement and while there’s always security concerns it seems to be fairly harmless although I am very happy Facebook did not exist during my young and stupid days. I can only imagine the pictures that could have made their way onto the site for too many to see.
What is especially interesting is because I’m new subscriber each day brings new contacts who come into your life. Some are those you want to network with while others you may choose to ignore. Regardless I have to admit that I’m hooked and I’ll look forward to seeing some of you on Facebook.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Ocean County Fundraising Events
(There was no Hometown View on Tuesday, 2/24/09)
The 4th Annual Phil Citta Memorial Fundraiser at the Office Lounge & Restaurant last week was the most successful one yet and resulted in a $21,000 donation for cancer research at Community Medical Center. The all-day event in the name of the former Office Lounge owner has become an annual fundraiser with money coming from restaurant profits, tee shirt sales, auctions and more. Citta died in 2004 from pancreatic cancer and his family’s commitment to fighting the war against the disease led to the establishment of the J. Phillip Citta Regional Cancer Center at Community Medical Center. The four Office Lounge events have raised over $70,000 and next year’s is scheduled for February 17th which just happens to be Phil’s birthday.
This Friday the Ocean County Sherriff’s Department, PBA Local #379 Civic Association will sponsor a fundraiser at the Beachcomber Restaurant in Seaside Heights to help the family of 14-year old Connor Ryan whose father is a Lieutenant with the Department. Connor was diagnosed at birth with a genetic disorder that causes tubers and tumors to grown in his brain, heart and other major organs and results in him suffering some 5-15 seizures each day. He has undergone several surgeries and while there is no cure for the disease the family continues to seek the best possible treatment and they have incurred a large amount of debt. Friday’s event from 5-10pm will feature fun, food, drinks, raffles, auctions and more. Those interested in supporting Friday’s fundraiser or wanting to make a donation to the Ryan Family can contact Detective Scott Frey at (732) 600-8102.
The freshman class at Toms River High School South will sponsor a benefit basketball game tonight at Toms River Intermediate South featuring the zany antics of the Harlem Superstars. Their opponents will be what’s called a “South Dream Team” and the game tips off tonight at 7pm. Tickets will be sold at the door for $10.00.
Also tonight is the semifinals of the Shore Conference Boys Basketball Tournament at the Ritacco Center. CBA faces Freehold in the 6pm opening followed by Neptune and Monmouth Regional. Both games will be broadcast on our Shore Sports Network, including 1160 WOBM AM.
The 4th Annual Phil Citta Memorial Fundraiser at the Office Lounge & Restaurant last week was the most successful one yet and resulted in a $21,000 donation for cancer research at Community Medical Center. The all-day event in the name of the former Office Lounge owner has become an annual fundraiser with money coming from restaurant profits, tee shirt sales, auctions and more. Citta died in 2004 from pancreatic cancer and his family’s commitment to fighting the war against the disease led to the establishment of the J. Phillip Citta Regional Cancer Center at Community Medical Center. The four Office Lounge events have raised over $70,000 and next year’s is scheduled for February 17th which just happens to be Phil’s birthday.
This Friday the Ocean County Sherriff’s Department, PBA Local #379 Civic Association will sponsor a fundraiser at the Beachcomber Restaurant in Seaside Heights to help the family of 14-year old Connor Ryan whose father is a Lieutenant with the Department. Connor was diagnosed at birth with a genetic disorder that causes tubers and tumors to grown in his brain, heart and other major organs and results in him suffering some 5-15 seizures each day. He has undergone several surgeries and while there is no cure for the disease the family continues to seek the best possible treatment and they have incurred a large amount of debt. Friday’s event from 5-10pm will feature fun, food, drinks, raffles, auctions and more. Those interested in supporting Friday’s fundraiser or wanting to make a donation to the Ryan Family can contact Detective Scott Frey at (732) 600-8102.
The freshman class at Toms River High School South will sponsor a benefit basketball game tonight at Toms River Intermediate South featuring the zany antics of the Harlem Superstars. Their opponents will be what’s called a “South Dream Team” and the game tips off tonight at 7pm. Tickets will be sold at the door for $10.00.
Also tonight is the semifinals of the Shore Conference Boys Basketball Tournament at the Ritacco Center. CBA faces Freehold in the 6pm opening followed by Neptune and Monmouth Regional. Both games will be broadcast on our Shore Sports Network, including 1160 WOBM AM.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Slumdog Millionaire Wins 8 Oscars
I will pay the price today for staying up until midnight and watching the Academy Awards Sunday night and I honestly can’t explain why I find myself glued to this show each year. I’m certainly not into the celebrity thing, could care less about the fashion angle and find the motion picture industry filled with more than their share of self-righteous egomaniacs who have been put on too big a pedestal. With that said I like many of you have my favorites and like to see if those movies and actors are rewarded for their efforts. It’s obviously important to win and I really don’t buy into that “I’m just happy to be nominated” garbage because winning an Oscar stays with you for the rest of your life and beyond. In death those that have won a statue or two are always identified as Academy Award winners as they don’t write in an obituary that you were nominated once. It’s kind of like being elected to the Hall of Fame in baseball or football as you are forever known as Hall of Famer which carries with it a certain stature that goes far beyond being al All-Star or the like.
Movie stars often seem larger than life but when they are on that stage clutching that first-ever Oscar they are as close to everyday people as they might ever be again. They may make their living from acting but when their name is announced as a winner their emotions sometimes get the best of them as they realize a dream they’ve had for years has been fulfilled. At that moment you can almost relate to what they are feeling and frankly it doesn’t matter if they make millions for a film or live in a mansion overlooking the beach.
To me last night’s highlight was the success of the movie “Slumdog Millionaire” which my wife and I both loved. The film sort of came out of nowhere to be one of the feel good stories of the year and there must have been about 50 members of the cast and crew in attendance enjoying every single moment of the evening as they kept raking in Oscars, including the big one for Best Picture. The movie itself was about overcoming odds and believing in your dreams and Hollywood, for all its faults, does deliver us some great stories which we need now more than ever.
Movie stars often seem larger than life but when they are on that stage clutching that first-ever Oscar they are as close to everyday people as they might ever be again. They may make their living from acting but when their name is announced as a winner their emotions sometimes get the best of them as they realize a dream they’ve had for years has been fulfilled. At that moment you can almost relate to what they are feeling and frankly it doesn’t matter if they make millions for a film or live in a mansion overlooking the beach.
To me last night’s highlight was the success of the movie “Slumdog Millionaire” which my wife and I both loved. The film sort of came out of nowhere to be one of the feel good stories of the year and there must have been about 50 members of the cast and crew in attendance enjoying every single moment of the evening as they kept raking in Oscars, including the big one for Best Picture. The movie itself was about overcoming odds and believing in your dreams and Hollywood, for all its faults, does deliver us some great stories which we need now more than ever.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Big Sports Weekend On The Shore
It’s a big weekend for basketball and wrestling around the shore:
The District Wrestling Championships begin tonight with most of the Ocean County schools gathering at Toms River East, the site of District 24.
Southern Regional is aiming for it’s 8th consecutive team title and among the top individuals on display will be the Rams Glenn Carson and defending state champions Vinnie DelleFave of Toms River East and Jimmy Lawson of Manchester.
Long Branch and Brick Memorial both won NJSIAA Group Championships last weekend and now they will compete for the District 23 team title at the home of the Green Wave. The Mustangs are the three-time defending District champions but rate the role of the underdog this time around.
Jackson Memorial looks to continue its dominance in District 21 at Manalapan High School. The Jaguars have won the team championship 11 straight years. This is the first step on the road to Atlantic City for the best wrestlers in New Jersey.
The Shore Conference Basketball Tournament will be down to just four teams after this weekend. The Boys Round of 16 is tonight and among the pairings, Brick Memorial will host Keyport, Point Boro is at Asbury Park, Toms River East visits Neptune and Lakewood travels to Monmouth Regional. Top-seeded CBA hosts Colts Neck. Tonight’s winners move into the quarterfinals on Sunday at Brookdale Community College.
The Girls have reached the quarterfinal round where Manchester will now face top-seeded St. John Vianney tomorrow at Brookdale. Other matchups have Southern facing Rumson, Colts Neck meeting St. Rose and Middletown South playing Neptune.
The semifinals and finals for both the Boys & Girls will be next week at the Ritacco Center and all those games will be broadcast on the Shore Sports Network, including 1160 WOBM AM.
The District Wrestling Championships begin tonight with most of the Ocean County schools gathering at Toms River East, the site of District 24.
Southern Regional is aiming for it’s 8th consecutive team title and among the top individuals on display will be the Rams Glenn Carson and defending state champions Vinnie DelleFave of Toms River East and Jimmy Lawson of Manchester.
Long Branch and Brick Memorial both won NJSIAA Group Championships last weekend and now they will compete for the District 23 team title at the home of the Green Wave. The Mustangs are the three-time defending District champions but rate the role of the underdog this time around.
Jackson Memorial looks to continue its dominance in District 21 at Manalapan High School. The Jaguars have won the team championship 11 straight years. This is the first step on the road to Atlantic City for the best wrestlers in New Jersey.
The Shore Conference Basketball Tournament will be down to just four teams after this weekend. The Boys Round of 16 is tonight and among the pairings, Brick Memorial will host Keyport, Point Boro is at Asbury Park, Toms River East visits Neptune and Lakewood travels to Monmouth Regional. Top-seeded CBA hosts Colts Neck. Tonight’s winners move into the quarterfinals on Sunday at Brookdale Community College.
The Girls have reached the quarterfinal round where Manchester will now face top-seeded St. John Vianney tomorrow at Brookdale. Other matchups have Southern facing Rumson, Colts Neck meeting St. Rose and Middletown South playing Neptune.
The semifinals and finals for both the Boys & Girls will be next week at the Ritacco Center and all those games will be broadcast on the Shore Sports Network, including 1160 WOBM AM.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Home Runs For Heroes
There is nothing like the excitement of going to a baseball game and watching your team hit a home run and this season there will be an added reason to root for the long ball at FirstEnergy Park, home of the Lakewood BlueClaws. That’s because the BlueClaws and the OceanFirst Foundation
have announced plans to team up on a program called “Home Runs for Heroes” which will help military-based charities.
Throughout the 2009 season each time a BlueClaws player hits a home run during a home game at FirstEnergy Park the OceanFirst Foundation will donate $1000 to a charity that provides emergency financial help to local soldiers, active and retired and their dependents. Charities that are interested in being consider for this program must agree to use all the donations to provide support to veterans and members of the military and their families that live within the service area of OceanFirst, which is Ocean and Monmouth counties. The grants must be used for basic emergency needs.
The plan is to select 9 charities and match them with a particular position in the BlueClaws lineup. Each time a player hits a home run at FirstEnergy Park, the charity tied in with that position gets a $1000 donation from the OceanFirst Foundation. Charities that want to apply for consideration must do so by Saturday, February 28th. You can call the BlueClaws at (732) 901-7000 and they will direct you to the website for this program application.
The OceanFirst Foundation was established in 1996 and has contributed approximately $20 million to over 600 local charities in their service area.
The priorities of the foundation are Housing, Health and Wellness, Improving the Quality of Life and Youth Development. Last year alone they donated more than $1.6 million to community projects.
Executive Director Kathy Durante said they are “proud to partner with the BlueClaws and provide much needed support to organizations that help local soldiers and their families overcome financial and other unique challenges due to their service or deployment.”
“Home Runs for Heroes” sounds like a grand slam and it will make attending a game this season even more exciting.
have announced plans to team up on a program called “Home Runs for Heroes” which will help military-based charities.
Throughout the 2009 season each time a BlueClaws player hits a home run during a home game at FirstEnergy Park the OceanFirst Foundation will donate $1000 to a charity that provides emergency financial help to local soldiers, active and retired and their dependents. Charities that are interested in being consider for this program must agree to use all the donations to provide support to veterans and members of the military and their families that live within the service area of OceanFirst, which is Ocean and Monmouth counties. The grants must be used for basic emergency needs.
The plan is to select 9 charities and match them with a particular position in the BlueClaws lineup. Each time a player hits a home run at FirstEnergy Park, the charity tied in with that position gets a $1000 donation from the OceanFirst Foundation. Charities that want to apply for consideration must do so by Saturday, February 28th. You can call the BlueClaws at (732) 901-7000 and they will direct you to the website for this program application.
The OceanFirst Foundation was established in 1996 and has contributed approximately $20 million to over 600 local charities in their service area.
The priorities of the foundation are Housing, Health and Wellness, Improving the Quality of Life and Youth Development. Last year alone they donated more than $1.6 million to community projects.
Executive Director Kathy Durante said they are “proud to partner with the BlueClaws and provide much needed support to organizations that help local soldiers and their families overcome financial and other unique challenges due to their service or deployment.”
“Home Runs for Heroes” sounds like a grand slam and it will make attending a game this season even more exciting.
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