Entry #2 - 10/26/03

This is one of my favorite times of the year. The semester is winding down, our players are wrapping up our winter workouts and everywhere you look you are reminded of the holiday season. I want to start by talking about our new recruits which signed a National Letter of Intent to come to ETSU during the early signing period. We were very fortunate to sign three quality young men. All of these young men will make an immediate contribution to our success.

Chuck Hargis is a shortstop from Powell, TN. Chuck is a hard-nosed aggressive player who seems to get better and better every season. He is the best junior college shortstop in Tennessee this year. He had a remarkable freshman season and it will be fun to watch him this spring. He is fabulous defensively and he is the type of offensive player who is always making something happen.

Robbie Campbell is a RHP from Lothian, MD. Robbie is one of the top right-handed pitchers in the entire state of Maryland. He goes to DeMatha High School which is one of the top high schools academically and athletically in the United States. He has already had an unbelievable high school career and his team this year may be one of the best in the entire country. Robbie has already pitched in many big games and has a great presence on the mound. We are counting on Robbie to be a big time contributor next year in our program.

Bubba Herbold is a switch hitting catcher from Knoxville, TN. Bubba is simply a baseball player's baseball player. I can't even get him on the phone because he is always working out or hitting. Bubba is the type of player you want in your foxhole when things are getting tough. He was an all state performer as a junior and is preparing himself to have the best baseball year of his life. ETSU fans will enjoy coming to the park and watching Bubba Herbold play.

All three of these young men are extremely talented but the best part about them is that they are great kids. This has been a trend in our last few recruiting classes and it is really beginning to show up in our program. These new players will fit right in with next year's ball club. It is such an exciting time to be coming to ETSU to play baseball because our program is improving at such a rapid pace. We are excited that we are able to attract such high quality young men. As a coach it sure makes my job more enjoyable when you have good, solid individuals in your program.

Besides opening day, the holiday season is my favorite time of the year. My parents always made the holidays special and important when I was growing up. This Thanksgiving will be no different. My Mom and sister (Robyn) will prepare a huge feast and I will do everything humanly possible to eat myself to death. The anticipation for this meal began about a month ago. I make no bones about it, I like to eat and this is my favorite meal of the year. My jaws will be sore from chewing this weekend.

The best part about the holidays though is being around my family. Getting the opportunity to spend time with my parents and siblings is something that I cherish dearly. Watching my sons play with their cousins and love on their grandparents, aunts and uncles is priceless. The laughter and joy will be in abundance this weekend at my parent's home. The most difficult part of being home is that I always have to leave. Saying good-bye is always tough, when you don't live near your loved ones. Good-byes have never been my strong point. I am very emotional and it hurts to leave my loved ones. Thanksgiving is not so bad because I will be home again for Christmas, but it is still difficult. Recently I came across a story which I would like to share with you. It is about saying good bye and I really could relate to it. It contains a little "wish" which I think is very special. I have this "wish" on my refrigerator at home. I hope you enjoy it.

I Wish You Enough!

I never really thought that I'd spend as much time in airports as I do. I don't know why. I always wanted to be famous and that would mean lots of travel. But I'm not famous, yet I do see more than my share of airports.

I love them and I hate them. I love them because of the people I get to watch. But they are also the same reason why I hate airports. It all comes down to "hello" and "good-bye."

I have great difficulties with saying good-bye. Even as I write this I am experiencing that pounding sensation in my heart. If I am watching such a scene in a movie I am affected so much that I need to sit up and take a few deep breaths. So when faced with a challenge in my life I have been known to go to our local airport and watch people say good-bye. I figure nothing that is happening to me at the time could be as bad as having to say good-bye.

Watching people cling to each other, crying, and holding each other in that last embrace makes me appreciate what I have even more. Seeing them finally pull apart, extending their arms until the tips of their fingers are the last to let go, is an image that stays forefront in my mind throughout the day.

On one of my recent business trips, when I arrived at the counter to check in, the woman said, "How are you today?" I replied, "I am missing my wife already and I haven't even said good-bye."

She then looked at my ticket and began to ask, "How long will you... Oh, my God. You will only be gone three days!" We all laughed. My problem was I still had to say good-bye.

But I learn from good-bye moments, too.

Recently I overheard a father and daughter in their last moments together. They had announced her departure and standing near the security gate, they hugged and said, "I love you. I wish you enough." She in turn said, "Daddy, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Daddy."

They kissed and she left. He walked over toward the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?"

"Yes, I have," I replied. Saying that brought back memories I had of expressing my love and appreciation for all my Dad had done for me. Recognizing that his days were limited, I took the time to tell him face to face how much he meant to me.

So I knew what this man was experiencing.

"Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?" I asked.

"I am old and she lives much too far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is, the next trip back would be for my funeral," he said.

"When you were saying good-bye I heard you say, "I wish you enough." May I ask what that means?"

He began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone." He paused for a moment and looking up as if trying to remember it in detail, he smiled even more. "When we said 'I wish you enough,' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them," he continued and then turning toward me he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory.

"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Good-bye."

He then began to sob and walked away.

Happy Thanksgiving to all. I wish you enough, my friends. Until next time...

Coach Skole