After meeting Jen Flynn Oldenburg…you get the impressions that things are looking up with Buckeyes volleyball. But they’re also looking up at a VERY TOUGH conference schedule. (Press Pros Feature Photos)
Like someone turned on the tap, the sports year starts with a steady flow of reader comments…on college volleyball…injuries in high school football…the Friday Night ‘Picks’…and Hal McCoy’s pivot to writing about horse racing.
The early returns would seem to point to another interesting year of readers finding Press Pros for the first time, and the opportunity to share a thought on Press Pros posts. We welcome those who took the time to let us know they’re watching, and reading.
On college volleyball in the Big Ten Conference….
The Minster Bank proudly sponsor area sports coverage on Press Pros Magazine.com.
“Enjoyed the recent story of August 24 on Ohio State coach Jen Flynn Oldenburg. I grew up in Pittsburgh and remember her as an amateur. I will share the following thoughts about volleyball in the Big Ten. The reason schools like Penn State, Nebraska, and Wisconsin (mentioned in the story) have become successful in volleyball is, in part, at the expense of what they’ve become in football. Proof? When was the last time that Nebraska and Wisconsin were actually relevant in football? And no one really fears Penn State anymore. They’re imaginative about volleyball at those schools, they get the players, and they’re making the most on a unique investment. Bottom line, they promote the sport. Regrettably for Oldenburg, I don’t know if that will happen at Ohio State because football is the one and only story that gets promoted. I was surprised to find even this story on Facebook.” … James Tallant
“Press Pros, thanks for writing about Ohio State volleyball. I love it when you cover the other sports. It’s interesting, and I hope that more follow your lead.” … Carissa Morrow
On another season of Friday Night predictions for high school football on Press Pros….
“Nonsense. You have no idea, and your Week 1 picks prove that you have no idea.” … K-Dog
(Ed. Note: Dear Dog, meet me at the courthouse with your birth certificate and your mother. I want her to look me in the eye and explain why she hung that awful name on you. When she could have had a boy named ‘Sue.’)
“You picked Piqua to beat Lima Senior? You picked Harvest Prep to beat Versailles? You picked Tipp to beat Bellbrook?” … Doug Deeters
(Ed. Note: Ah, but why did you quit so soon, Doug. Coldwater did beat Valley View…Urbana did beat Northeastern…and all the worries about Marion Local being down proved to be just another tank top with a laptop. Actually we missed four of ten and a couple by three points – St. Henry and London. London turned the ball over and St. Henry scored 35 points and lost. And I’m usually cynical about Lima Senior because of their schedule.)
“I’m writing because I enjoy the Friday predictions. I now live out of the area and it’s good way of keeping up on football at home. You frequently write that opening night is the hardest week of the season to pick. I would think it would be the easiest because the more experienced teams should have the advantage. Explain, and thanks.” … Larry Young (West Palm Beach)
(Ed. Note: Larry, the reason it’s so hard is you have so many first-time players at the varsity level. And frankly, the pre-season scrimmages are worthless. They tell you little or nothing about how they’re going to perform on opening night of ‘real’ football. In addition, there are always injuries that go unmentioned, because people don’t like that information to get out. Last year’s stats aren’t all that helpful because there are so many changes, one year to the next. Kids graduate. And opponents from out of the area are tough to connect with. By week 3 you have a better idea on lineups and consistency. It takes a while and once you see it live there aren’t that many surprises. Let me add that the ‘Picks’ page was always about entertaining and not something you take to your bookie. It’s just another way of profiling teams and kids who play in the area. And, it’s the single-most read feature on Press Pros…every year!)
On the unfortunate injury to Celina’s quarterback, is it time to change football to something safer….
It’s unfortunate, but players and coaches alike know that injuries are the risk that comes with hitting in football…or any contact sport.
“I know I speak for others who welcome the news that the quarterback from Celina [Parker Lynk] is recovering [from a spinal injury]. But, if we all enjoy touchdowns, field goals, and Friday night lights, is it time that we do it without the threat of being paralyzed, or a life-threatening injury? Is it any less thrilling to watch touchdowns and field goals in ‘flag’ football? And when it happens to your son (or daughter, for girls who insist on playing football), will we then acknowledge that the worry and misery could have been avoided?” … Norene Seely
(Ed. Note: Norene, you’re a first to advocate for flag football. But to your point, telling teenage boys that they can’t play rough and bang into each other is like trying to outlaw Cowboys and Indians. What’s surprising over the years is hearing the number of players and coaches actually confess that they played football expressly to hit someone. Former Lehman coach Dick Roll used to tell me “I enjoy the hitting.” It’s unfortunate, but they all know what sometimes comes with the hitting. It’s like going to a NASCAR race. The racing, itself, gets boring after so many laps. And then you want to see someone crash.)
On those digging Hal McCoy’s transition to writing harness racing….
“Oh my God, Hal. I never would have believed it. Giving up the Reds for horses? I love it. Well done.” … Dick Lessenmyer
He seemed to like this filly when we recently did the Shelby County Fair.
“Does he like the fillies, or the old nags?” … Doug Blankenship
“Hal, I trust you’ve switched from the Reds to horse racing to write about something that has a chance to win.” … Tom Killilea
“After reading him for all these years, I can say that his writing about racing is racing’s gain.” … Bob Schneider
“Hal, I can’t thank you enough. Always enjoy reading about Ohio horse racing. Keep up the good work.” … Steve Partington
“Hal McCoy should have switched to writing about the horses around about 1990, the last year the Reds last appeared in a World Series. At least he has a few good stretch runs to cover now.” … Craig Courtney
“Does Hal really like horse racing, or is it something you just brow-beat him into doing? LOL.” … Pat Montgomery
(Ed. Note: Pat, he tells me he loves doing it. And I guess I believe him because when I go to pick him up he’s always standing in the driveway, full harness, and with a bit in his mouth (I thought it was a cigar). And he doesn’t need blinders.)
Dave Arbogast, in Troy, Ohio, is the official transportation resource for Press Pros Magazine.com.