Health & Fitness
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
With all due respect to the other 364 days of the calendar year, the third Monday in August is the most wonderful time of the year.
With all due respect to the other 364 days of the calendar year, the third Monday in August holds a particular soft spot in my heart.
You might ask yourself what significance a random day during the "dog days" of August could possibly have?
Well, my fellow sports loving fans, it means high school sports have started. It also means my life (or lack thereof) as it is known takes a quick turn and the eight-hour days somehow become 12. Don't feel bad for me, by the way, I seem to get by.
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This fall, we embark on our fourth season at FOXPreps.com. I will fully admit, even though we travel the state, my favorite place to be is right here in my own backyard.
I love covering Maple Grove Senior High school and sometimes feel like I am being too much of a homer...que sera, sera. If Sid Hartman is a homer, I guess it's good enough for this guy.
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I spent Monday afternoon in the "Grove" as new football coach Matt Lombardi has deemed it. One of the best parts of fall, and the first official day of practice, is seeing all the kids that go out for fall sports. Over 500 of our finest take to the fields and courts trying to represent our community.
One of the best parts of what I do is thinking you have an idea about a story or feature piece and walking out with something totally different. Such was the case on Monday, as I was reminded once again why I cover high school sports.
I was chatting with seniors Meghan Gallagher and Megan Collins, co-captains of the Maple Grove Senior High girls soccer team, when Gallagher began talking about how she was so grateful to be playing this season. She suffered a severe concussion in the Crimson's 2-1 section win over Spring Lake Park. Memory loss and headaches followed, forcing her in to half-days of school. Meghan stayed clear of physical activity, including club soccer in the summer, and was finally cleared to play her senior season.
I walked away amazed at Meghan's passion and dedication to her team, school and community. Her story is the perfect example of why I love what I do.
Everyone has a story to tell that is unique and one of a kind - what's yours?
