The Best Of The Best

I was fortunate to be a part of the last coach to beat legendary coach John Wooden. It was in 1975 when Marv Harshman's Huskies knocked off UCLA 103-81 in Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Up in the rafters I was sitting behind a post. It didn't matter, I was experiencing history and loving every minute of it.

We lost the best of the best. There's nobody better and never will be. John Wooden taught the fundamentals of life and basketball better than anyone. There was a reason why he made his players use the backboard. There was a reason why he taught them the right way to put on their socks. There's a reason why he won so many games.

But the one game he excelled in more than anything was the game of life. And what's more important than that.

2010 Tri-Cities Cougar Golf Classic Shines Bright

Now that the dust has settled on the 25Th Annual Tri-Cities Cougar Golf Classic, it's time to reflect on what a special day it was. With presenting sponsors Sterling Savings and Sun West Sportswear, the tournament returned to its roots at beautiful Meadow Springs Country Club in Richland. The die-hards of old turned out in forces playing golf and waiting to get a sneak peek of what to expect in the coming years. New Athletic Director Bill Moos was the featured guest and he didn't disappoint. As usual, Moos had a few stories to tell and kept the sellout crowd in stitches. Those in attendance included legendary quarterback Jack Thompson, who was accompanied by his son Tony, a former tight end for the Cougars. His main target in college, current receivers coach Mike Levenseller was also there, as well as longtime Tri-City Americans' coach Don Nachbauer (pictured above second from left).

It's a new era in Cougar athletics. Moos reminded the Cougar faithful that he only had two losing seasons in football in 17 years as an athletic director at Montana and Oregon. He increased fund raising tremendously at both schools and set the tone for what they are today. He plans to do the same at WSU. And given the way he worked the room and turned some heads, it won't take long.

Cougar fans haven't seen many standing ovations of late, but they got plenty at Meadow Springs. Hats off to Tournament Chair Tammy Mulholland, who put on a very successful event in its first year back at Meadow Springs, and she accomplished what the tournament was set out to do; raise money for the athletic department, generate enthusiasm, and make sure everyone had a good time.

Like Bill Moos, she didn't disappoint either.

A Saturday Reunion

It was a reunion of sorts at Willows Run Golf Course on Saturday. I was back together with old friends at a familiar place, the golf course. I've never played very well in the spring, and this year is no exception. It was the typical spring round for me, missed greens, missed putts, and missed opportunities. But this day wasn't about golf, or score. It was about spending time with old friends. I spent five hours with a guy who was a fixture in Seattle sports for a long time. Donald "Slick" Watts hasn't changed a bit. He still has that huge smile, and he's still in remarkable shape. Although he has given up the game of basketball for tennis, he still finds plenty of time to knock the rock around from time to time.

We talked about Tiger Woods, we talked about Butler's run in March Madness--we even talked about NBA salaries and how they've sky rocketed. It's hard to fathom the kind of money LaBron James is making, or Kobe Bryant for that matter. We didn't talk about his days as a Seattle Supersonic. He's not like most former professional athletes, who still feel the need to live in the past and their glory days. He still runs basketball camps with his son Donald Jr., the head basketball coach at West Seattle High School. In July, Slick will turn 59 years young.

It's hard to believe it was that long ago he was running up and down the court in that trademark headband. Few people will forget Donald "Slick" Watts. After Saturday, I know I won't.

No Place Like Home

He is probably the most celebrated Husky receiver ever. He could single handily take over a game. And he's back in Seattle. Reggie Williams got the break he needed when the Seahawks decided to give him a try out with new coach Pete Carroll. Carroll obviously sees the value in this kid, still only 26 years old with a four month old son. He is also engaged and has promised to turn his life around. He is a former number one draft pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he admits it just wasn't "a good fit". I agree. Who wants to be a receiver for a team that mostly relied on ball control, defense, and the kicking game. The Jags grind it out with the running game, which doesn't give you many chances as a wide receiver, so you better take advantage of the opportunities when they arise.

Well, that opportunity is here for the former Husky star. Reggie Williams is relishing it. And there's no place like home.

An Unfortunate Couples Retreat

The 74Th Masters was well represented with players from the Northwest making some noise, in one of the most exciting weekends you will ever see at the Masters. And once again Seattle's own Fred Couples excited the crowd with some remarkable play. It might have been nerves that shattered his chances for another green jacket but we can't downplay the gutsy performance by Phil Mickelson. Lefty picked up his third green jacket, joining an exclusive group that includes Gary Player and Nick Faldo to name a few. Faldo has said on numerous occasions that nobody swings it better than Freddy, a swing that hasn't changed since his glory days at O'Dea High School. Couples got off to a great start with birdies on two of the first three holes, but it was an unfortunate double bogey 5 on number 12 that started his fall on the leaderboard. This shot found the water in Rae's Creek, he wasn't as lucky as he was when he won his first green jacket when the ball was hit in the same place but managed to stay up. It was the third iron shot in a row that Couples missed to the right, ending his chances of a second green jacket at 50 years of age.

Another Seattle native, Ryan Moore, dazzled the crowd with a hole-in-one on number 16 to finish in the top 16 and earn another trip to the Masters next year. The top 16 and ties earn invites for the following year. Ryan might have received an invite anyway, showing his respect for the game by sporting a tie. Moore closed with a final round 68, two shots better than Couples' final round 70.

I have a sneaking hunch we haven't heard the last of Fred Couples at the Masters. There's a reason why people call him "Boom Boom".

My First Spring Training

It only took 50 years but the wait was worth it. I was able to spend my first spring training in the valley of the sun. My good friend Jeff Parker was a great host, but even better tour guide. He definitely knows where the hot spots are, and he found us the cheap beers too. A 24 oz. Corona for only six dollars and change, now that's a bargain.

The biggest thing I got out of this was the acquisition of Milton Bradley by the Mariners. Or was it an acquisition? The dude definitely sports an attitude. He was a big gamble in a lot of people's eyes, and this game proved the point. The attitude reared it's ugly head. He had a terrible error in this game resulting in two runs scored and two other runners left in scoring position. Now when you go to spring training with a guy who hangs out there every day you learn the tricks of the trade. You spend the first three innings or so on the third baseline. And the boys around us were getting their money's worth with the taunting of Milton Bradley. As the beer kicked in it got worse. Some of these spring training fans are relentless. Bradley had enough after a couple innings and made a less than desirable gesture toward the fans on his way off the field. They start practice early at around 8:00 am and then play a game at 1:00. By the time the six or seventh inning comes around the veterans start to file out after a long day at the office. That is when our tour guide Jeff informed us it's time to move to the first baseline to watch the veterans leave. Bradley left by himself two innings earlier. It was a tough day all around for Milton. As Ken Griffey Jr. was filing out with his wide smile my friend Jeff asked him why Milton wasn't hanging around with his teammates. Griffey covered the side of his mouth and snickered, "dentist appointment".

My first spring training, and definitely not my last.

A Hump Day To Remember

You know the beers will be flowing in Pullman come late Wednesday afternoon. The local bars will be rocking because a good ole' boy is coming home. Bill Moos will be formally introduced as the new athletic director at Washington State, his Alma mater. It only took WSU president Elson Floyd 10 days to replace Jim Sterk, who left to take the same job at San Diego State. Sterk saw the writing on the wall and bolted south. Moos was hired as a consultant and Sterk knew it was a matter of time when the pressure would be just too much. WSU will get exactly what they bargained for, a man who knows how to raise money, something I believe was lacking under Sterk. Moos also brings charisma back to WAZZU, something that has disappeared since Mike Price left for Alabama. WSU has the smallest athletic budget in the conference and when you lack in funds and resources, you better make up for it with someone who can work a room and get it done.

Give props to Elson Floyd. He found his man.