A Link, and some final thoughts on The Gate Keeper Premier/Elden Kellar Scholarship Fundraiser

The Link:  Hope you enjoy!

The Gate Keeper: The Story of a Corporate “Con” gone wrong!

The Final Thoughts:

1.  THANKS:   to all who came out to the Gate Keeper Premier/Elden Kellar Scholarship fundraiser.  It was one of the scariest/most enjoyable evenings I’ve personally had in a long time.   Thanks to your generosity, we raised just under $1000.00.  What a night!

2.  TAKES A VILLAGE:  I’m sure that you could create, shoot, edit a movie all by your little lonesome in your home…but why.  As I look back at the process, some of the most joyful moments have come from working on the project with others.  From working out the details with UniCorp properties to use the Lobby of one of their buildings, to working with the Law firm of Sather, Byerly & Holloway who graciously let us use their offices and conference room, to working with my friends, who doubled as our cast, and who were so gracious with their time and their talents.  And while only a couple of you have ever been in front of a camera or have ever acted more than a day in your life, you are all the best in my book and made this so much fun. (see the out takes at the end of the credits for sampling of fun).  And finally, working with Denzil Scheller and his staff, who donated the best venue ever to hold a premier/fundraiser, thank you again Denzil.

3.  JUST DO IT:  I recall watching an interview that Ed Burns gave when he shared the thrill and agony of putting together a film.  Just the sheer joy and pain of creating, filming, editing this little film AND THEN, inviting a few friends over to sit on the couch and watch your little baby.

Well, I can’t even begin to describe for you what the 48 hours building up to the premier was like.  My mind was filled with re-editing thoughts (in fact, I was making editing changes 8 hours before the premier).  My mind was also filled with the thought of “was this film really good enough?”  Really, people are going to spend some of their valuable time to watch this movie, I certainly didn’t want it to be a waste for them.  Fortunately, I have a close friend that I could share this fear that I had with.  He was kind enough to put his arm around me, pause, and with a most serious tone in his voice….”Bass, no one is coming because of your film, in fact, your little film could win an academy award, OR, it could be a dog, it doesn’t matter.  Folks are coming to support the Kellar Scholarship…pure and simple”.  Everyone should have friends like mine.  Not only was he right, the fact of the matter is that no one attending was a film critic, they were all friends who couldn’t have been more supportive.

My point to all you budding film makers…just do it.  Write it, film it, edit it, and learn from it.

4.  STORYTELLING AND FILMING:  I view myself first and foremost as a storyteller.  And while I have great strides to make in that area, I have a universe to learn about the technical side of filming.  I shoot with a Canon T2i.  It is what my budget allows me at this stage of my life.  There was a period when I lamented not having the T3i, or the 5D, or 7D, or this or that, if you get my drift.  But I have seen what guys like Luke Neumann (youtube, Neumann Films) can do with a T2i.  And yes I know he currently shoots with a 5D (see his latest short, “Copelandia”), and while I’ve never had the pleasure of having a conversation with Luke, I feel very safe in sharing that I know that he gets the shots he does for 2 reasons…He is very talented and he works very hard at it.  So until I put in a fraction of the time that he undoubtedly does learning his craft and gain a fraction of the talent, I will never again lament about shooting with my T2i.   I choose to view it as a sign of growth when you can admit to yourself that it really isn’t so much about the equipment, but how well you know it, and what you do with it.

Whatever you are currently lamenting over that you don’t have, get over it and do the very, very best with what has presently been gifted to you.

Whatever it is you have a passion to do…my advice…do it…and for heaven’s sake…..have fun….Fred

How two of my lifelong paths merge!

The Elden Kellar Scholarship fundraiser/Gate Keeper premier is a just a few days away.  Amongst the last minute edits and the anxious feelings over publicly sharing my “baby”, here is the revelation of where these two separate paths I’ve been on actually came to me.

My Elden Kellar path:

If you look far enough back in my blogs, you will see that I attended a local catholic parochial school here in Hillsboro called St. Matthews.  My years there were filled, mainly due to the many wonderful dads who volunteered their time as coaches, with a plethora of after school sports.  There was the long-standing tradition of flag football in the fall, basketball in the winter, and baseball in the spring.  During my 5^th grade year, one of my classmates, and truth be told, easily the best all around athlete in our class, decided that we should have a track team.  I wasn’t sure what “track & field” was, but if Bill says it’s the thing to do, I was in.  So, one fine spring day, about 10 of us jumped on our sting ray bicycles after school, rode them across town to Hare Field and met Bill’s dad, who had volunteered to be our coach, AND, just happened to be the local high school’s head track coach.  This marks the beginning of my 40 plus year friendship with one of the finest human beings on this planet, Elden Kellar.

My Path of Good Story Telling:

It was also during my 5^th grade year at St. Matt’s that our teacher gave us one of the most creative assignments I have ever had.  We were learning about the Revolutionary War as a part of out American History curriculum.  In English class, we were working on the basic elements of writing a letter.  As an assignment, our teacher merged both classes by having us choose a character from the revolutionary war and from the perspective of that person, write a letter to someone.

I chose to create a character that had survived the battle at Bunker Hill and found himself in a make-shift field hospital in the middle of nowhere.  I then wrote a letter from his perspective to his mother back home.  I became that character. I shared with her my injury, the battle, the friends I had lost, the friends that had survived, that I looked forward to returning to fight for all our freedoms, but most, I looked forward to returning home.

The day that our teacher returned our assignments, without acknowledging who the author was, she decided to share one of the letters.  Most likely due to my bad habit of daydreaming, it took her reading a few sentences into the letter before I realized it was my letter she was sharing.  It was one of the scariest and yet most thrilling times of my young life.

And it’s really only now, looking back, that I realize it was that moment that my passion and love for storytelling first revealed itself to me.

And now, after all these years, I have the thrill of merging these two paths at one event.  My premiere of The Gatekeeper, a short film that I wrote and filmed, as a fundraiser for the Elden Kellar Scholarship.

Come join us on April 11^th, 7:30 pm, at the Venetian Theatre, and for heaven’s sake…..Have fun……Fred!

 

My Reflections on being a Wedding Officiant:

Let's all feel this way about someone we love!

More years ago than I care to admit, I had the honor of serving on a local church staff.  One of the “perks” as I saw it at that time, was having the legal requirements to be able to officiate a wedding here in the state of Oregon.  As time passed, and life changed, and I left my position at the church, therefore, the ability to officiate a wedding.

As life would have it, a few years later I was asked by a couple whose daughter was recently engaged if I might be able to officiate the wedding ceremony.  I was pretty sure I wasn’t going to be able to help them, but I would check the current regulations with the State, County and City offices.  Long story short, turned out, just as life does, things had changed and jumping through a few legal hoops allowed me to perform the ceremony.  Then, not long after, I received another call from other friends in similar need, and yes, the next chapter began.  I’ve probably now officiated in the neighborhood of some 30 wonderful couples beginning their new stage of life together.  It is a privilege and an honor, it is all the things you might think it would be.   Filled with some deep emotional moments and typically a little humor along the way.  I get to know some people in ways I would never otherwise get to.  I’ve been referred to as “Pastor”, “Father”, “Rabbi” (not sure why that one), “Reverend”, but as most of you know, I’m most comfortable being Fred.  I’ve officiated in churches,  on beaches, at lakesides, on mountain tops, golf courses, and at homes.   But one of my goals in the process is to always keep the focus on the who, never about the where.

A little side note (as I’m prone to do):  Far too often the bride will share with me after the ceremony, “Wow, it all happened, I can’t even remember being there!”  To any couple walking through the process of a marriage ceremony, don’t let all the planning, prepping, scheduling, decision-making steal the joy of your ceremony together.  Give yourself time to breathe, to relax, to “smell the moment”, you’ll never, ever repeat this exact moment again, don’t let it slip away.  Nuff said!

Over the years, a soft voice would periodically speak from the back of my mind, “I wonder why I continue to do this?”  While it is indeed a privilege, it is at the same time a little anxiety filled, wanting to find the right words, to meet and get to know the couple, their stories, (in filmmaking vernacular, the back story).   Wanting to create a ceremony that is just theirs.  It never really dawned on me that each of  these times it was prepping me for one of the greatest days of my life, January 26, 2012, to officiate over my son and daughter-in-law’s wedding.   From the moment Aaron & Marie asked if I would officiate, I was so thankful for all the others who had asked before.  So thankful for all the times I had considered it being my last one, that I kept saying yes as it prepared me so well for this moment.

To stand with Aaron & Marie, their families and friends at the edge of the Pacific Ocean, to share the highlights of their childhoods, their high school days, their college days, their ventures out into their careers, and the very special day of November 2^nd, 2007, when their eyes met each other for the first time.  How over the next few weeks, Aaron convinced others to share some closely guarded information as how to contact her.   How he found the 20 seconds of insane courage to ask her out, the moment that changed their lives forever.  To share the story of the night they chose to venture their next steps, their next years, their lives together as husband and wife.  To share the words with them as they faced each other, with such pure light in their eyes, pure love in their hearts,  and spoke their vows to each other.  To have the honor to introduce them, for the first time, to the world as Mr. & Mrs. Aaron & Marie Bass.   Well, words will never convey what I felt, what I feel in my heart for them both.

Aaron, Marie, I will never be able to thank you enough.  I am humbled by you both.  I so look forward to lifetime of memories and magical moments to come.   I send my greatest gift, a father’s love, to you!!!!

I don’t know what you all are doing today….but for heaven’s sake….have fun…fred!!!

My Birthday Blog, 2011

I’ve just discovered that one of the consistent things I have accomplished since I started this blog is that I actually write a blog on about my Birthday.  So, as not to break the one consistent thing, here is my un-edited (because I’m just currently fatigued by editing) Birthday Blog!

It may not be true, but it seems that I’ve been asked more than usual this year what I would like to have or do on my birthday.  I either have more friends, or I’m approaching that age where people are worried I might forget that it’s my birthday.  I’m choosing to believe I have SO many more friends.  In any case, it got me to thinking, what would I like….?

My Short List: (trust me, you don’t want to see the long one)

1. Films:  While part of me dares to dream that Ron Howard is going to call any day now and ask me to work on a film with him, my wish is to simply finish my current short “The Gate Keeper” with some sort of sanity.  Have to tell you, editing, it just hard work.  Who would have guessed.
2. Work:  I am so grateful to have work, but on this day, my birthday, my wish is for it to get a little easier.  Actually, that I would choose an easier way, maybe a better way, or maybe even a new way to make a living.  Just throwin’ that out there.
3. Nia & life:  So happy to have had the experience to have taken the Black Belt intensive training with Debbie Rosas and Ann Christiansen this last year.  Challenging and inspiring.  One of the things my Nia practice has gifted me is the awareness of the energy of grief.  The physical energy of grief.  My sense is that as a society we address the emotional , mental and even spiritual realms of grief, but leave the physical realm of grief un-attended.  It is my wish to share a workshop that’s been in my mind, my body, my spirit for the last 3 years on how to move…just move with the physical pain, the physical energy of grief that resides in us.  Releasing us then to dance through life, and I do mean dance, with a greater fullness of who each of us are.
4. Faith, Family & Friends:
   1. Faith:  Whatever faith you adhere to, or don’t adhere to, I have to believe that most of us could agree on “loving your brother…” as a good thing.  My wish is that I could just show it, and share it a little more.  Not change the world kind of thing, just to my neighbors, my co-workers, my aquaintences, the person passing by at the mall (ok, you’ll never at the mall, so let’s just say on the street).  My wish, that I might make a more conscious effort to share a little more love.
   2. Family:  Jessie called about an hour ago, she’s just outside Bakersfield CA., she and Shaun are on there way to visit family and friends in L.A. over the holidays.  Aaron and Marie and busy getting ready for not just the holidays but for the wedding in January.  Jaime and Joel continue to shower me with their love from above.  I have 10 siblings that I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.  I have a mother here on earth that at 88 still drives like a maniac and a father that shares special space above with Jaime, Joel and my big sis, Paula.  My wish is simply that I get to spend a little more time with you all this next year and that you would somehow just know how much you truly mean to me.
   3. Friends:  Hah, with a family my size, who really needs friends.  (in the writing world we call that a tension release, it is for me anyway.)  For reasons beyond my understanding and far more that I could ever deserve, I have been blessed with many, many special friends.   I love each and everyone of you.  My wish is that I might somehow return to you, the friendship that you have extended to me.

And my final wish on the birthday, is that “The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo” is just half as good as I hope it to be.  I’ll let you know.

My Best Wishes to YOU ALL!!!!

While I don’t know what is in store for you the rest of this day, my birthday, For Heaven’s Sake…Have Fun….Fred!!!!

The Making of “The Gate Keeper”-Part II: The Blank Page!

 

Aaron Bass & Jim Smith in character on the set of "The Gate Keeper"

Before we get to “The Blank Page” a little side note.   For those of you who follow my snippets on facebook, you know that the filming is ”In The Can”.  We finished shooting with a rather marathon day two Sundays ago.   All that to say, while I write about the process of making this little film, the process is indeed “still in process”.  (say that 3 times…fast).

I have as of today completed the very tedious process of downloading and cataloging each clip.  And while tedious, it’s also here that I get to enjoy all the funny outtakes.  Although, I am wondering what we’ll do if we end up with more outtakes than keeptakes?  Is keeptakes a word?  Ah, making up words, a possible sign of the fatigue one encounters while making a film and attempting to hold some normalcy of life.  A gentleman that was in the office area that we were shooting was busy with his work, but after a few hours had to come down and ask if we were making a comedy, for there was just way too much laughing going on to be anything but?

Well, ok, it’s not intentionally a comedy, but it does speak to the possible humor of the outtakes.

THE BLANK PAGE:  To restate the obvious, this is indeed my process, not advocating you would ever want to duplicate this.

I started by gathering all my jottings, my outline, my crazy ideas and I sat myself down at my computer with my “MovieMagic Screenwriter” software and began hammering out the script.  BTW, nice software, but turns out if there is to ever be any magic, it still has to come from within.  Damn!  Taken in again by the lure of lovely, promising advertising words of “MovieMagic”.   Speaking of writing,

I had the occasion to hear Mike Rich (great screenwriter and an even greater human being) speak to a group where he shared what he said would be his best advice to any would be writers… WRITE, just write.

Now, I have to confess, with my notes, my outline, my thoughts having perculated on the back burner for sometime, I find that the first drafts come pretty easy for me.  I write.   I don’t self-edit.   I just trudge through until I write the words “fade out”.

However, and this is where I learned why my first drafts were so easy.  When I completed my first screenplay, well,  I was just so pleased with myself.  WOW!!!  I was at page 126 and just finished my first screenplay.  Mike was right…just write.  Back then, I had (for the record, still have)  two good friends that will not only support my whim of writing, but I know will also be honest with me about my writing.  I asked each of them if they would read this newly written “Casablanca” and I couldn’t wait to hear just how crazy over the top they would be over my genius.

To their credit, each, independently, graciously, shared with me that they didn’t get it, couldn’t follow it.  Just “what” they wanted to know, was the story.  Well, that little hurt on my ego inspired me to go back and read (for the first time I might note) my completed screenplay.   Lesson # 2—re-writes.  To go back and read what I had written was one of the most painful exercises I have ever partaken.   Heck, I wrote the story and I couldn’t follow it.  So, I re- wrote, re-read, re-wrote, re-read…long story short, I have since put that particular screenplay on the shelf, for now, anyway.

But I have discovered that the rewards of a good story come in the bone grinding hard work all the re-writes.  In the hammering, pounding and flushing out the details of each scene and character.   In asking the tough questions like why is this scene even here?  Will this be missed if it’s not here? How does this scene move the story forward, heck, just what is the story?  It was this very difficult process that lead me to attempt cutting my teeth on short films.  A 20 page screenplay is a little less ominous for my little mind than a 120 pager.

With the Gate Keeper, I wrote the first draft over a weekend, some 27 pages.   Second draft over the next several weeks and cut down to some 21 pages.   I have found that with re-writes, removing the clutter, the unnecessary scenes, the number of pages gets smaller.  Then life got busy and it was a few months before I had the time for the next re-write.  But it was during those months, one of the more frequent stories in the news was the Bernie Madhoff scandal.  The thought occurred to me, what if that type of scandal, or more precise, character showed up in this story.  Someone who intentionally rips people out of their hard earned money, and does it under the guise of being a gifted, confident businessman.  What kind of justice would he get?  Should he get?  Or, would he even get caught?  Thus, re-write No. 8 at that point but with a new twist.

Finally, I come to a point that I am comfortable enough to know that I have the story.  I know these characters and their motives.  I’ve seen the scenes in my head and now on paper 1000 times.   And with Gate Keeper, I’m now at 17 pages.  I also know, and leave room, for some small, subtle changes.   Remember, it is a work in progress.  And there will be others,  my two friends who still are my best critics,  the actors, and the crew, that will all have ideas or thoughts on scenes and characters.  And I know that they will have some awesome ideas.  Ideas that will make the story better, Ah!  A work in progress.

Now we’ve come to the point of recruiting cast, crew and finding locations.  And I wonder how these elements will change my little Gate Keeper story?

Till Next Time!  And for heaven’s sake….have fun…Fred!

 

 

The Making of “The Gate Keeper”,

In my continuing exploration to learn, and my acknowledgment that I learn best by doing, I have ventured into the making of my second short film.  A friend, more kind than interested, thought I should share my process on my blog.  While she may never read the blog, it struck a note of inspiration, and distraction, for me.  I am dedicating the next several blogs to:

THE MAKING OF “THE GATE KEEPER”:  If you should venture through the musings below, please keep in mind, it’s a learning process, and this is my process.  Not always the best process (thus the learning) but it is my process, in the making.

Step 1, “THE GENSIS”:  Possibly my favorite phase of the whole process.  The birth of an idea for a story: the Brainstorming, the dreaming, the seeing scenes in my head.   I get to open my mind and my heart to all that is out there.   I get to open my ears and soul to listening.  I get to listen or watch the news with an attitude of “wonder if there is a story here”.  I get to read newspapers and magazines and listen to conversation at a coffee shop or in line at Winco.  (yes, Winco),  knowing, that there will come a thought, a notion, an idea that will resonate with me.  That will inspire me as a storyteller.

This particular story came mostly from the news.  Who hasn’t read or heard stories on our economy over the last few years:  the housing mess, WallStreet, the jobs, or lack of them.  But, in particular, the unemployed of the older generation, my generation.  The 50+ year olds that have been lost in the downsize and have spent almost every moment of the last two years of the lives networking, hitting the pavement, sharing resumes, filing unemployment, filling out job applications and not only to no avail, but seemingly no hope.  A particular segment of 60 Minutes solidified it for me.  What kind of story can be told that takes in the backdrop of our economy, the older generation in the workplace?

One of the first ideas that started percolating with me was about a couple of younger, hotshot workers pushing an older worker out of his job.  And what would the reaction of the older gentleman be?  Desperation?  Revenge? And with that thought, I started working on the story.

My way of starting on a story is jotting:  jottting down thoughts, scenes, characters, place and allowing myself complete free-flowing.  There is no wrong or bad ideas at this phase.  Although, truth be told, some of my ideas are soooo outtt there, I just can’t help but have a little self-editing during this phase.  I find that the thoughts come anytime of day and anywhere, so make sure you have a way to remember.  I.e. post-its, a dedicated file in a word document…whatever can work for you.

After a couple of months of this phase, yes, a couple months at least, after all, it’s not like I’m getting paid for this, AND, this is my favorite phase, so why hurry?  But at some point, I have a loose beginning, an end, and more ideas for the middle than I can possibly use, so time to head off into phase two:  actual writing.

NEXT TIME:  Phase 2, the blank page, and how Bernie Madoof changed my movie.

REFLECTIONS ON MY 44 YEAR LOVE WITH TRACK & FIELD

(cue the music)

Just after coaching Hillary, my last athlete's race, at state!

I attended my last event as a track coach this last week.  It was our year end banquet.  And it got me thinking about my life with and my love for track and field.

My very first exposure to track and field came in 1967.  I was a fifth grader at SMU (that’s how many of us lovingly referred to St. Matthews Elementary).   One of my classmates, Bill Kellar, wanted to put together a track team to compete with the local public elementary schools.   It turned out his dad was the head track coach for the local high school.  Coach Elden Kellar, my one day coach, mentor and friend, would let us come and practice with the high school athletes.  I have to tell you, as a 5^th grader, that was pretty darn cool.

I had no idea which event I should be in, let alone all the events there were in track and field.  Bill, being the only expert I knew in this sport, suggested I run the 660.  Point of clarification, back in the day we ran in yards, ie: 660 yards.  In today’s track lingo, think 600m.  Little did I know it was the longest race in our meets.

They ran all the athletes from all the schools in one race.  Two 6^th graders from Mooberry Elementary got 1^st and 2^nd, and I got 3^rd.  The guy who won it came up to me and congratulated me on a nice race, and sincerely replied that he thought I might actually run a little faster next time if I didn’t run in my high top, green suede hush puppies.   I did. In fact, next time I ran barefoot and got 2^nd.

I was hooked.  I fell in love with, now hear me, not running, but simply seeing how fast and how far I could run.  I loved the competition the moment we stepped to the starting line and the friendship the minute we crossed the finish line.  I loved the work/reward relationship.  I love the individual and the team aspect to it.  I love the lifelong friends I still have from those early days of track & field.

I know how much trouble one risks by sharing names, for I can in no way build a comprehensive list of all that I would like to thank.  But as I sit here, there are names of teammates, coaches, athletes that jump into my mind and I feel compelled to share with you.

TEAMMATES:  To Bill Kellar, for introducing me to a sport that I have loved for my life.  To Slavkoski, who my first day of my freshman year of high school at Mt. Angel Seminary, invited me to join the cross country team, little did I know that he and I would be the complete team.  Slav, I will always remember your enthusiasm and joy for running.  My junior and senior years of high school were at Hillsboro High School, where I became a part of a new brotherhood of runners.   Dave Babcock, for welcoming me to a new environment with such welcome heart.   Dave Brandt—teaching me that you can juggle more than one sport at a time (only person I know that lettered in golf & track).  Tom McDonnell—your having transferred to a new high school too, we were kindred spirits from the get-go.  Gary Morlock—for always, always having an open home.  Matt Holgate, for being full of surprises.   Jim Ney—underclassmen can be brothers in arms.   Bob Ulrich—for a kid from Illinois, you are not just a great runner, you are a great friend.   Aaron Madsen—You are the only sophomore that I know that could do what you did.

To all my runningmates, named and unnamed.  Thank you for sharing the miles, the battles, the competition, the blood, sweat and tears, the joy, the brotherhood, the friendships.  I am in awe of you all and thank you for helping me on my journey.

COACHES AND COACHING:

In 1979, I was given the opportunity to be part of a coaching staff.   I am forever grateful to Bill Chapman for allowing me to learn from him and begin my humble coaching career.  I have been so blessed with many coaches to learn from and become friends with along the way.  My forever mentor and first coach, Coach Elden Kellar.   For more things than I can possibly list, but foremost, that it’s about more than running, it’s about people, thank you.  Larry Binkerd, for teaching me about the longevity of coaching, for the kids, for the #Luv of a sport.  Mark Ferris, for showing me “It ain’t rocket science – there is a direct relationship between hard work and reward”.   Jim Smith, for giving me a second go around to coaching, who sees and believes in people before and after anyone else.   Jen Kully, who was the best help as an assistant that I could ever ask for.   Megan Jossy, for reminding me that track & field is for all ages.   Will Drissen, for all the laughs and your never say die attitude.   Frazier, for being one of the first coaches on the track and one of the last ones to leave.   Adam Guenther, for being as enthusiastic and over the top about track than most anyone could be for track athletes, especially for a football coach.   A couple of special ones, in that I was once their coach, and now have had the chance to coach with them, Dusty Harrah, Dennis Rice.   And to Tom Millbrooke, who was a part of the coaching staff my senior year of high school and is today one of the most successful high school coaches I know, but more to me, has been a mentor and a friend, thank you!

To all the coaches, named and unnamed, I am forever grateful.

A FEW OF THE ATHLETES:  Phil Alfieri—For teaching me the importance of an athlete believing in themselves.  Lori Campbell—There IS joy in just running.   Kelly Kaiser—Sometimes you do choose team over the individual event, but to this day, I would have loved to see you in the 800.  The Rogers girls—making it look so easy and fun.   Dave Erickson—I still say you could have been a heck of an 800 meter guy, but you were indeed a joy to watch at so many different events.  Andy Hardy, for teaching me that you can take 3^rd in an event at the district meet 3 years in a row, just missing out of going to state and still hold your head high.  Kristen Mellum—the first female athlete I coached that went to State in my favorite event, the 800m.  Hard work does have its rewards.  I will never forget the shine in your eye after that 800 at the district meet.  Nicole Jones—“Jonsie”, such a hard worker, on and off the track.  Ksenina Andrukhiv (Everton)—reminding me of the fine line between fun and work, team and individual.   Johnson gals—for your hard work, your dedication, your commitment and leadership to a sport when a new coach really needed it, thank you.  Emily Ferris, you are maybe the hardest working, dedicated athlete I’ve ever coached and you taught me a world about overcoming a bad day at the track.  Julia Dissen & Andrea Stratten—For proving to me you can wear sunglasses while you pole vault.  Julia you were the first athlete I coached that set a school record.  I remember when you first came out to pole vault and I was so worried you were just going to flat out hurt yourself.  In 4 years, you willed and worked yourself into a top athtlete and young woman.  I remember you clearing 10’6 as if it were yesterday.  Kelsey Unger—to this day, you crack me up.  You can be good, talented, committed to a sport, and have fun.  Thank you for all the laughs.   Ben Miramontes, “the dude”, talent will get you just so far, but your hard work paid off to being one of the all time best runners in our school history.  Alex Douvris—balancing two sports with such a sense of ease and putting teammates above self.   Aaron Rogers—for just your pure luv for running.  Cori Bianchinni—One of the more mature young women I’ve met, juggling two sports, and really, for the sole benefit of the others.  Kaytlin Fischer—you are so gifted and such a committed runner and person.  You are 2^nd school record holder I’ve had the pleasure of coaching.   What a night and at my favorite meet, the Kellar.   Hillary Harris—for helping me decide that one more year coaching would be a good thing, and so it was ~ you were my 3^rd school record holder, breaking  a 27 year old record in the 800m, and done with a smile as big as the sun.

The difficult part of this is where do I stop? I could talk about Sanelle, Knox, Hart, Barnett, Carmen, Wendall, Hughes, Brockway, Widdicombe, Misar, Chand… see what I mean.  But stop I must.  To all the athletes I ever had the privilege of sharing space with.  I am forever indebted to you.

COMMENTARY, AND FAVORITE ONE-LINERS:

-       I am continually amazed at the struggles that athletes have today, and still come out.  Pay to play for example, but don’t get me started.

-       I’ve had the true honor of being around some physically challenged athletes, who continually inspire us all.

-       The joy on the face of an athlete who just set a personal record in an event, regardless of what place they got.

-       The light in the eyes of an athlete that you can give a pair of shoes to who can’t afford them.

-       Once in awhile, I’ve had a runner lose count in the 3000m and run one lap short, and I have also had a few go an extra lap.  But they never did it twice.

-       I’ve had athletes get to the starting line, start to pull off the sweats and realize they don’t have a uniform on.

-       An athlete watching others get nervous and throw up their lunch before a race, turning to me…”Do I have to do that?”

-       Luv the athlete who asks; “If I can find someone to take my place, can I NOT run the 4x400relay?”  Why, are you hurt?   “What if I say I just want to give the opportunity to someone else.”

-       I put a runner in an event, they won the race, set a personal record and her comment was….”Coach, please don’t ever make me do that again?”

-       The first time an athlete ran an all out 400 meter race, and came to me, put his arms around me to hold him up and said…”Coach, I can’t feel my ass!!!”

In our current media society today, it seems there is no shortage of stories about what’s wrong with our youth.    If you ever want to see the opposite of those stories, I f you ever want to personally witness some of the best our youth has to offer today, go to a local track team and spend time with them.  While I’m sure you can find it in most any sport, I can only share with you what I have had the honor of witnessing year in and year out.  I am often in awe of what they do, what they talk about, the dreams they have, the effort they put in to becoming better athletes, to becoming better human beings.  I know that I have become a better person by simply being around them.

Luv to you all.

AND…Whatever you do today…for heaven’s sake…have fun….Fred!