A GRIP ON SPORTS: Reflections and Christmas Wishes

The Legacy of a Newspaper Man • My father dedicated his life to the newspaper industry, ensuring that every written word and printed issue made its way to customers’ doorsteps before dawn broke each day. The work was demanding and often stressful, with hours that stretched far into the night, but it provided us with a comfortable living. The sacrifices he made were not in vain; his commitment to excellence in the newsroom became the backbone of our family’s income.

A Small Business Owner’s Journey • My dad wasn’t just an employee; he owned his own distribution business. This was the standard practice back in the day for those aligned with the L.A. Times and other similar outlets. By purchasing newspapers from the Times, he worked tirelessly throughout the night to ensure they reached the driveways of our community. His hard work allowed him to support three children through college, all while managing the complexities of business ownership. However, in the late 1970s, a shift occurred when a federal court deemed this distribution structure incompatible with antitrust laws, altering how my father and his contemporaries operated. Suddenly, he couldn’t set his own subscription prices; that power was stripped away, with the Times determining costs. This regulatory change ultimately dismantled the system that had sustained his livelihood.

Christmas Work Ethos

As a small business owner, my father consistently worked every single day of the year. This included Christmas Day, a hardship many would find absurd. With around a dozen carriers on his team, he couldn’t rely on everyone to show up for the holiday shift. Consequently, my father filled in the gaps, and I often joined him once I was old enough—about 12 years old or so. This led to a notable family tradition: Christmas mornings were seldom filled with the joy of unwrapping presents. Instead, we often found ourselves celebrating Christmas Eve with early gift exchanges and an occasional midnight mass. This pattern of managing holiday expectations undoubtedly shaped my perception of work ethic during festive seasons, emphasizing the importance of responsibility over personal enjoyment.

And now, as a modern-day gift-giver, I aim to share a little Christmas magic—albeit in a metaphorical sense.

Special Gifts for 2023

• To Washington State’s Athletic Director, Anne McCoy: No, I won’t be gifting you a winning MegaMillions lottery ticket—though that would certainly bolster your department’s budget! Instead, I present the ideal football coach for WSU. A coach who truly loves Pullman, embraces the Cougar spirit, and thrives on challenges, ready to commit to the program for at least the next two decades. While the name remains a secret (to preserve the element of surprise), you’ll have to shake the present and make your guesses!

• To Jed Collins, my favorite fullback from my Coug days who is now co-chairman of the Cougar Collective: I wish for you visits from the spirits of Christmas past, present, and future—but not for you, Jed! This one’s for Jody Allen. Each ghost will carry an urgent message: Invest in WSU’s athletic collective, contributing an additional $1 million per year, standing out against Phil Knight’s generosity towards Oregon. Doing so could elevate WSU into a powerhouse in collegiate athletics, perhaps even leading to a building dedication honoring Jody, her brother Paul, and any other names she wishes to celebrate.

• To Mark Few: I wish you the perfect motivational speech to deliver to your Gonzaga team before Saturday’s game versus UCLA at Steve Ballmer’s new facility in Los Angeles. This powerful pre-game address will inspire the Zags to come together as a cohesive unit, propelling them toward an unprecedented season and hopefully culminating in Mark’s long-awaited NCAA championship victory.

• To all the Mariners fans I know: Here’s a gift to redirect the focus of Steve Ballmer—not specifically him, but his attention—towards the Mariners. I hope he gives John Stanton and his team an offer they can’t ignore: outright purchasing the team and investing in its success rather than prioritizing profits.

• To John Schneider: My hope for you is to secure the New York Giants’ first pick in the 2025 draft. This would be part of a trade involving DK Metcalf and a total of seven picks, setting you up for a brighter future. Just a little reminder: please don’t use it to draft Travis Hunter—a quarterback would be the cherry on top!

• To Whitworth University: I wish for Rod Sandberg’s signature on an unbreakable ten-year contract. He’s proving himself to be the right person to lead the Pirates in their football endeavors, deserving the chance to build a winning program that will more than occasionally shine in the NCAA playoffs.

• To Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould: An email from Jonathan Levin at the start of the new year, revealing that Stanford’s new president has unearthed a loophole in the school’s agreement with the ACC. Stanford could potentially return to Gould’s reformed conference under one condition: a commitment to never add Berkeley to the fold.

• To everyone who reads this column: I wish you whatever your heart yearns for—after all, you’ve earned it! Also, please accept my eternal gratitude for your support.

Looking Ahead: WSU and Beyond

WSU: What are your plans this Friday night? For us, it will involve watching numerous players in Washington State uniforms face off against No. 22 Syracuse in the Holiday Bowl. Although this team isn’t the one that started their season with an impressive record of 8-1, nor the same group that finished with an 8-4 record, they still represent our university proudly—no matter who is playing or coaching. Greg Woods will be analyzing the game. Speaking of recruits, unfortunately, we recently lost a quarterback to Wake Forest. In relation to the current, former, and prospective members of the Pac-12, Jon Wilner has shared his evaluations in his “Best of the West” men’s basketball rankings, placing UCLA as the top team, closely followed by Gonzaga. Exciting happenings are unfolding in college sports, and it’s a rapidly evolving landscape.

Gonzaga: The Associated Press men’s basketball poll showcased changes early Monday. Despite two decisive victories last week, the Zags dropped to 14th place, overtaken by Oklahoma. Jim Meehan provides further insight into this shift.

EWU and Idaho: Within the Big Sky Conference, Montana State is gearing up for another FCS title game early next month. As they reflect on their history, the Bozeman press is examining the three previous championships, starting with the 1976 season. Additionally, the 2025 schedule for Montana is generating buzz among fans. In college basketball, the Northern Arizona men’s team secured a victory over Southern Utah, further illustrating the competitiveness of the league.

A Seahawks Update

Seahawks: For the Seahawks to keep their playoff hopes alive, they must secure two victories while hoping for favorable outcomes in other games, primarily from Arizona against the Rams on Saturday night. In recent discussions, critics have harshly assessed the loyalty of Seahawks fans. Mike Macdonald stands firmly in support of Geno Smith—for the time being. The question on everyone’s mind: Who will carry the ball this week?

Mariners and Kraken Improvements

Mariners: With the notable free-agent first basemen now signed, the Mariners face a crucial decision. If the future lies with Ty France and the hope that Dan Wilson and Edgar Martinez can revive his past potential, we might start to lose faith.

Kraken: Coach Dan Bylsma has an extensive collection of self-help literature and is eager to share his learnings with his team. I can’t help but wonder if one of these books holds the secret to breaking our persistent losing streak.

For Your legal Needs: The Role of AI legalese decoder

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As a friendly reminder: no column will be published tomorrow. Enjoy your Christmas celebrations! We’ll return on Thursday with more insights. Until then…