Entry #54 - September 13, 2005

Things are definitely in full swing as sometimes there just does not seem to be enough minutes in the day. With our fall practice in high gear and recruiting in full swing, work days are often of the 16 hour variety. I have been surprisingly pleased with our players work on the field. Our execution and ability to do the routine things is much improved. We still have to improve in many areas, but at this stage I think we are ahead of where we have been in the past. I am looking forward to the rest of our fall season. I anticipate our scrimmages to be highly competitive. We have a lot of competition for spots in our rotation and lineup.

Today is a very special day. My father, Tom Skole turned 73 today. Wow! As I look back on my life and especially the years I spent under my parent’s roof, the memories of my childhood and times I spent with my father fill my heart with warmth and joy. I can’t even begin to count all the lessons, teachings and guidance my dad has bestowed on me. Not a single day goes by that I don’t reflect on something he instilled in me. This is especially true on the days when things are tough. Maybe when things don’t seem to be going my way, or for some reason a form of adversity has appeared in my life. These are the times when my Dad comes up huge for me. I can always go back to his words of wisdom and this always begins to turn everything around. Many times his words are not what I would like to hear; because he definitely doesn’t always see things as I see things as I see them. But he tells it like it is, whether I like it or not, and although sometimes I don’t want to admit it, he is almost always right.

My father is a very proud man and throughout his life has sacrificed much for his family. Family has always come first for him and that is one of the things I admire the most about him. As we all look back on our own life, what is going to be the true measure of if we’ve led a life that we can be proud of, a life of fulfillment? It definitely is not going to be how many championships or trophies we’ve won, or how much money we’ve made. I believe the things that are going to matter most are the relationships you have with the people closest to you in your life. Your family, your pals, your teachers, your mentors and all the people you are in contact with on a daily basis. Your relationships with these people are going to be the deciding factor. The journey with the people we love is all that really matters. This is such a simple truth but it sure can be easily forgotten.

My father has given his family so much. But of all the things he has given and provided, from advice to discipline to food and shelter, the greatest lesson he gave to his children is the gift of love. Through his daily actions, my father taught us how to love and how to be loved. He has showed us this through over 50 years of marriage with my mother.

So as this day goes on, just like every day, Dad you are thought of many times. Thanks. Until Next Time.....

COACH SKOLE