Why I'm Not Talking Smack to Ohio State Fans

Over the weekend I happened to notice in a couple media sources that Ohio State's football coach had reigned. By now we all know why and saw this moment coming over the past few weeks. He joins a (unfortunately) growing line of "cheaters" or people aware of serious infractions of NCAA rules. However as much as I don't root for Ohio State, I'm not very happy about this.

One report I saw showed the 5 or 6 coaches who have made the most BCS appearances. I don't remember the exact list and I'm too lazy to Google it but the names I remember were Jim Tressel, Bobby Bowden, Bob Stoops, Pete Carroll and Frank Beamer. Each of these coaches has been wildly successful and if my memory serves me well, has all been accused of some level of NCAA violations and rule bending. Here's what I'm getting at, the old adage "If you ain't cheating, you ain't trying" no longer covers the problems. Winning is now everything and winning at all costs drives men to poor decisions too often. Do I think the coaches on that list are crooks. Uh, do I have to answer that? Actually though, no I don't. There are a couple I wouldn't let my son play for but there are some that I think are great leaders and for the most part run great programs. And for some of them the issues aren't things they initiated. Sometimes great leaders still have poor decision makers around them.

Here's why all this bothers me though, because my 8 year old son is learning more about sports than I'd like from all this. Our beloved Oregon Ducks played for the National Title last year (against a team that has had at least one question raised about them) and I don't believe for a second we didn't find some way to "interpret the system" to make it that far. Sure our uniforms are amazing. Sure Oregon is the finest State in America. But kids don't show up in Eugene because Autzen Stadium is the best ever and they care more about the offensive system than the campuses proximity to the beach. Heck, we already got busted for overpaying a "recruiter" in Texas in the off season.

So one reason I'm throwing no rocks at OSU fans right now is because they'd be lobbing them back at me once we find out it's not just Chip Kelly's amazing offense that landed us in the title game.

What I wrestle with though is what to teach Carter. Don't get me wrong, I know what to teach him. What I mean is how do I handle it once we fall from grace? What deeper lessons is he learning about cheating and competition? I don't think the response is block all 45 ESPN channels we have. I don't think it's to deny it or mock those that fall. But am I the only one that is bothered that the old adage "cheaters never prosper" isn't entirely true anymore. Sure, coaches give up National Titles or lose their jobs but you can't tell me their bank accounts are hurting. Sure, they lose face for a time period but its funny how eventually most of them end up coaching again or become a talking head the next season for ESPN.

So I have no solution for this. Yet. But I know that even though he's 8 I'd be a fool to not start a simple conversation with him about all this. Why? Because he has already put together that since that Bautista character in Toronto is hitting so many home runs "He must be on steroids like Sosa and McGwire." That by the way was his direct quote. Maybe my kid is just a bit crazy about sports (I blame his mom) but he's already drawing some conclusions I'm not comfortable with.

And by the way, I was joking about his mom. Just want to make sure we are clear on that.

Will Know Sweat Run Weeks in Joplin This Summer

It has been a few days since the tornado and even as we wait for more storms to potentially arrive tonight, it is still hard to wrap my mind around the destruction. It's hard to know how hard places all over have been hit and even as I write this there are new tornado's hitting our neighboring state of Oklahoma. Overall, it's been moving to see the response to help and I'm impressed with how quickly things have mobilized.

I've also heard from dozens of great friends who want to know how to help. At the risk of sounding like one more person adding to the twitter feeds, let me share my perspective and answer questions about if Know Sweat will run weeks here this summer.

The reality is, there is work that will need to be done in Joplin for months and months. We certainly will need people to come and help, especially once the initial rush of workers comes. Right now, there is lots that could be done but little that can be done. As they lock down neighborhoods and continue to look at what damage has been done there is not a lot of hands on work that can be accomplished.

We are blessed with some amazing local churches who are working together to mobilize groups. There is a lot of conversations happening about opening doors to groups this summer etc. There are good people wrestling through how to do this in a way that not only helps those from out of town serve but also allows them to do work that actually matters and can really be a blessing.

Right now the best resources coming in are the truckloads of supplies being delivered that allow people to have food, water, clothing and supplies that they need. Those with the financial abilities to give are also blessing the churches and ministries here with finances that will continue to provide the needed resources in the future.

As I have looked around the last couple days I am moved at all the cities I am seeing that have sent workers and it is incredible to realize that each of those vehicles represents men and women giving up vacation days to come to the city to serve. What I have witnessed is that they are able to stay busy and work randomly at different locations when they are able to navigate through the security roadblocks.

So you didn't ask but here's what I would suggest to you. Send supplies and money as you can. In regards to sending workers can you wait a few weeks? Can you know that you will send a group but can you give the emergency workers time to sort through the wreckage and decipher what big plan will be put in motion. Once that plan is in place, trust me, there will be plenty of opportunities to come to Joplin and serve. I'm confident there will be opportunities to serve even next summer.  But right now send supplies as you can. Pray all the time and continue to think about those that have lost so much. It's hard to imagine but basic communication is difficult. Cell phones are spotty, email is down for much of the city so give the men and women the time they need to build a plan and once that is in place, let's talk about mobilizing teams.