The Genz

Magic acts seem to be in order when late February and March roll around. Every year, the public is treated to remarkable performances in basketball. It fits into the "March Madness" theme that defines hoops in late winter and early spring. As we talk about dancing and who gets invited to the big show, a little "Saturday Night Fever" has magically struck the land of the Dakotas. In the storied history of men's basketball at The University of South Dakota, no player had made 10 three-point field goals in a single game. Now in less than a week, on consecutive Saturdays, both Jake Thomas and Louie Krogman of USD have knocked down 10 shots from beyond the arc. On February 27 at USD's DakotaDome, Jake Thomas delivered for Dave Boots' Coyotes. In a 105-86 pounding of Chicago State, Thomas scored 40 points, including a school record 10 three-point baskets (16 attempts). He had seven in the first half on his way to breaking his own record set in 2009-10. His 40 p...

Coffee smells like freshly ground heaven, said writer Jessi Lane Adams. I think she is right. And, might I add, paradise is regularly experienced at Coffea in Soux Falls, S.D. From the best "coffee" anywhere, to the welcoming atmosphere of staff, to the comfortable black chairs near its fireplace, everything about Coffea is inviting, homey if you will. Regardless of weather, I traverse through snow and rain to get there every morning. Coffea is my escape; but coffee lovers everywhere have their own place that becomes their second home. Grabbing a coffee at that place is a rite of routine every morning. With its largest paintings and unique lighting, Coffea is "cool" and warm. And, how many coffee houses do you know shares its space with a wine business? It is there, you melt to the sweet aroma of the coffee and a welcoming environment to do business or perhaps relax and socialize. As you walk in, you stroll up to the front counter to order a latte, au lait or whatev...

"History is a symphony of echoes heard and unheard. It is a poem with events as verses." -- Charles Angoff, Journalist/Author Every now and then I think about my own poem, those life moments that comprise my own history. Many recollections are vivid and colorful and fresh in my mind as if they happened yesterday. There are also those times that are not so memorable and are tucked away deep into my subconscious. Angoff, a protege of H.L. Mencken, suggests that each of us recite our poems in verses of our own interpretation. Some of those moments are grand and often the fodder during discussions with family and friends during a meal, over coffee or at holiday time. As we talk, we visualize those moments as if they just happened and make them bigger and maybe less believable over time. It is nostalgic and prideful, to orate those live-intensive moments with people we know and love. Recently I started to reflect on my own history after being asked why I had an appreciation for sp...

As the football world readies for the Super Bowl on Sunday night, a former South Dakota athlete and coach are linked to the first-ever NFL championship team. In 1920, long before the Super Bowl was even a dream, the late Frank McCormick (died March 20, 1976), helped lead the Akron Professionals to the first American Professional Football Association (APFA) title. The APFA became the NFL in 1923. In addition, A.H. Whittemore, who has been inducted into the Coyote Sports Hall of Fame (University of South Dakota) and died in 1938, played an indirect role in Akron's championship. McCormick, originally of Genoa, Neb., moved with his family to Wagner, S.D., in 1905. A 5'11, 190 pound running back, McCormick received his high school degree from Wagner and then starred at The University of South Dakota in baseball and football from 1912-16. Fresh out of law school, McCormick (B.A. degree in 1917, LLB, 1920, USD), joined Akron as a rookie fullback. During Akron's title run, McCormic...