~ From the Braintrust ~
Disclaimer: This column is powered by emotion, respect and fond memories. Any thoughts and emotions by readers should be anticipated, welcomed and appreciated.
Death of family members isn’t easy to deal with, no matter how much experience a person has with the passing of loved ones. It’s not exactly the kind of experience one ever wishes for, and I consider myself to have a fairly full resume of experience.
Things I Think I Know: The Braintrust Wraps up the 2023-24 Winter Sports Season
Just the other day, our family received word that my wife’s uncle had passed after a courageous battle with cancer. Even though I only had the opportunity to know Uncle Jerry over the last several years, it’s his fondness of sports that stick with me.
From the Braintrust: High School Sports Postseason: A Time for Fans to Demonstrate Class and Respect
Jerry took multiple trips from Arizona to Wisconsin and was able to see his great nieces and nephew complete in multiple sports. Jerry didn’t just sortof like watching and cheering them on, he was visibly proud of seeing them play and following their accomplishments. With avenues like OnFocus and previously, Central Wisconsin sports.com, Uncle Jerry was able to keep close tabs on them all and always beamed with pride learning of their success.
From the Braintrust: Sports Matter, Further Evidence
You see, sports mattered to him, but it wasn’t about the sport, it was about supporting them and enjoying the moments. Sports are like a life drug that is more powerful than any narcotic. The memories from sports last forever, and allow us all to escape, reflect and celebrate.
From the Braintrust: WIAA Proposal for Addition of Basketball Shot Clock Full of Flaws
Memories of my parents, Billy and Laurene, helping to pay for our elementary baseball team to have A&W Root Beer if we won, will last forever. As kids, we worked extra hard for that root beer treat, for sure. In looking back, however, it was the smiles, the pride of Mom and Dad that mattered most.
From the Braintrust: Father’s Day Never Gets Old, Appreciate your Education
The sport of fishing allowed my dad and I to connect and spend time relaxing, a way for my dad to get away from the work stress of construction and managing projects. A task masker at work, Dad became cool, calm and collected(most of the time) while on the water. In learning how to fish, he didn’t get frazzled much when I had lines caught in the weeds, had poles tangled up or I became restless. Sports allowed us to share memories.
Sports are more than just something we do to escape, to watch, or to follow teams or athletes.
Sports provide memories, they give us ways to connect with family and friends, and they teach us lessons that last forever.
- Have a sports memory or story you would like to share? Have some fond sports memories that you would like others to be aware of?
Reach out to [email protected] with your interest in sharing a sports memory. All you need is the memory, I’ll help you share your story.
Bring on the memories.
***********************************************************************
Know some top athletic performances? Seeing some great teams in action?
We can use your help, and it’s simple. Witness some great performances? Hear about top athletes and top teams in our area?
Athlete of the Week and Team of the Week:
Nominate an athlete or team: HERE
**********************************************
Pancakes or Waffles! We feature top area athletes with our world-renowned feature. Send us your nominations for who you’d like us to interview HERE
College Athlete Roundup! We want to recognize student-athletes from the area who are competing at the college level. Send us information on college athletes from the area with our simple form HERE
Where are they Now? We feature athletes and difference makers from the past, standouts in sports who excelled over the years and have moved on. Know of a former athlete, coach or difference maker who we should feature? Know of a former standout competitor whose journey beyond central Wisconsin sports is one we should share? Send us information on athletes and difference makers of the past with our simple form HERE
Baked or Fried! We also feature difference makers throughout central Wisconsin: coaches, booster club leaders, adminstration, volunteers, you name it. Send us your nominations for who you’d like us to interview HERE
We welcome your stories! Contact us at [email protected]!
Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
