The Genz

Life is fleeting. We were reminded of how short life can be on Monday night when former University of South Dakota and Kentucky star Desmond Allison, 31, was shot and killed outside an apartment complex in Columbus, Ohio. http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/story/2011-07-26/former-uk-basketball-player-desmond-allison-shot-killed I did not really know Desmond Allison, except for the relationship that a (former) Sports Information Director has with athletes competing at The University of South Dakota. In my association with him in 2005-07, I  liked the soft-spoken Allison as I worked with the coaches (and Dez) to set up interviews with the media. What I remember about him - other than being a remarkable athlete - was how considerate he was and how glowingly teammates talked about him as a teammate. As I looked over Google for stories about Allison, I began recalling from my time at USD how some Coyote athletes died too young ...

As a Detroit Tigers fan, I am finding it perplexing that I keep writing about things other than concerning the Motor City kiddies. Yet, here I go again. I write a note about Red Sox skipper Terry Francona and post my second "notes" section about someone from the Minnesota Twins organization. Oh well, both Francona and Bert Blyleven are definitely worthy of a little "Genz" penmanship. Aberdeen, S.D., native Terry Francona has now won 1,000 games as a manager, becoming just the second Red Sox manager (Joe Cronin) to accomplish that feat.  He reached the milestone with Boston's win over Seattle on Saturday. Francona was born in Aberdeen and moved with his family to Beaver County, PA. His father, John “Tito” Francona is a former major leaguer from 1956-70. Remember this Red Sox faithful, Francona served as the Tigers’ third-base coach in 1996 - not a great season in Detroit land. The Tigers finished 53-109, and in last place. Francona is a former major league pl...

I am starting to feel it. With all of this NFL lockout talk coming to a head, college previews hitting the Internet and magazine racks, and high school football in the conversation, I am antsy for the start of football. Believe me, I have a great passion for baseball as the races heat up. I also became a bit involved in women's soccer during the World Cup. All of that aside, football is the game that captures my deepest passion. It was a while ago when I was one of those teenagers heading down to the Gettysburg (SD) Park to do a bit of off-season football training. A few sprints,a lot of kicking and throwing the football, and then across the street to the High School gum for late afternoons weight sessions, all in preparation for the fall football season. I probably did too much of the throwing and kicking and not enough of the weight room. Still, those days seem as if they were yesterday. It is interesting how the football focus gets real...

In full disclosure, I am not a die-hard soccer fan. Not even close. I love football (both college and NFL) and baseball with a little college hoops mixed in. I have lost my passion for the NBA. I will watch the women's softball World Series and occasionally turn on tennis when the U.S. Open or Wimbledon are underway. It is rare that I will watch a soccer match at all. But, a revelation here, I have now watched both of the USA's heart-thumping wins in the 2011 Women's FIFA World Cup. It wasn't planned. Being kind of a sports nut, I was watching ESPN when the highlights of the USA's loss to Sweden a few days ago flashed across the TV. So, I decided maybe I would watch the quarterfinals with Brazil. Then, I thought, if I am asked a question about women's soccer, at least I can say, "yes, it was exciting but the USA's doesn't have it anymore." Yep, I was one of those naysayers. I know, I know, where's your USA spirit. Well, I must con...

I love to laugh. Some of my friends may think I imbibe in nitrous oxide a bit too much. Folks, that is who I am. I like the funny side of things. Every week I pick up the New Yorker at Barnes and Noble for the cartoons. OK, I read the articles, too, like Larry David's humorous piece, "Fore." "I’ll never be good. It’s just not something I’m suited for. That’s O.K. I’m good at other things. What those are I have no idea. But I’m sure there are some. Flossing and dish washing come to mind. Getting people I can’t stand to like me is another. But golf ? No. I will never stand over the ball without considering the disaster about to befall me. I’ll never line up a putt and think I’ll make it. Never face a chip without fearing the decal. And yet I’ll continue to play, because I do hit some good shots, especially when I’m on the driving range. I actually hit some great range shots. What the hell is that? I’ve had swing compliments on the range. 'I love your tempo,...

( Note - this blog is the first in a "Pride of the Prairie" series, that will feature all-time greats from South Dakota and the Midwest ). For writers, finding a few gems of knowledge, particularly new jewels that have been hidden for some time, is like a kid enjoying a twist ice cream cone on a hot Sunday afternoon. You get excited and imbibe in a treat that is refreshing but leaves you wanting more. Recently, I found out that the legendary University of Southern California baseball and basketball coach Justin "Sam" Barry was born in Aberdeen, S.D. After reading about his life, I learned that he along with George "Sparky" Anderson of Bridgewater, S.D., and Frank Leahy of Winner, S.D., had connections including being born or growing up as youth in South Dakota. Barry, along with Cincinnati and Detroit baseball manager Anderson, and Notre Dame coaching legend Leahy had careers that left an imprint on the national sports scene. All three men have been ...