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December 20, 2010

The 2010 holiday shopping list

By TOM WILLIAMS
Sports Columnist


It is upon us again, that time of year when additional effort is given to thinking about gifts and giving. And this is the month that most of those gifts are distributed.

The sports community, despite being busy with tournaments and bowl games, is no exception. Therefore, let us take a few moments of your time to offer this wish list.

These are the gifts that we would give – if we could – during this holiday season. Most are in fun, others quite serious. A few are even repeat gifts from previous lists that we may keep offering until they materialize.

And, even though they are offered as enjoyment, some of them actually work out. For example, recently we wished Tony Blum would get Eli in the Super Bowl, Gary Degenhardt a dinner with Butch, Greg Goodwin a four-peat, Joe Fagan another World Series in Philadelphia, Roy Wright success in his final season, Paul Baruffi a win in the South Jersey final, Matt Szczur an All-American selection, Tom Feraco his 600th win, the Howell family a gym named after Dixie, a sportswriting award for Brian Cunniff and a spot on the Rutgers basketball team for Matt Schiff.

They all happened.
Wonder which ones will come true this year. Regardless, we hope you enjoy them.

CORY TERRY: many more seasons like her first as head coach.
CHARLIE WOOD: A healthy retirement…and a best seller!
THE COURIER-POST: A new masthead. The one they’re using now says “South Jersey’s Newspaper”. But they decided not to cover sports teams from about 25 percent of South Jersey’s schools. How silly was their decision? On Dec. 4 the paper’s only reference to the Holy Spirit championship win at Rutgers was the final score. Not one word more.
MIKE GRAY & THE OCEAN CITY PBA: The thanks of the basketball community for their involvement in the Ocean City PBA Tipoff Weekend.
JOE FAGAN: an elevator at Carey Stadium.
DON & GLENN WIESENTHAL: are you kidding! They got their gift last week when Cliff Lee decided to sign with the Phillies because his wife told him to.
BRUCE BEAVER: A Notre Dame win over Kentucky.
DANIELLE BARBER: a WNBA contract.
MIKE LENHARDT: a turf field for Carey Stadium.
MIKE PELLEGRINO: no more construction.
BUTCH GLEASON: a run on ice packs.
JIM SCHAFER: Phillies Spring Training credentials.
DAVE TROIANO: tickets to see the Pirates in the World Series.
GINNY & SHAWNA MULFORD: more Red & White Weekends.
PETE THOMPSON: why stop at three when four is so much more.
MARK IMPAGLIAZZO: a turf field at Carey Stadium.
JOE SARNESE: great success at Villanova and continuing to make his father proud.
JOHN HUFF: baseball championships for the Raiders and the Yankees in 2011.
YOUNG JOE FUSSNER: every other weekend off.
JOHN BRUNO: number 278.
LEON HART: a brand new Hummer.
BUDDY TARBOTTON: better press box security.
CHRIS CURRAN: a starting spot with the Bears in 2011.
AL EMENHEISER: indoor pumps.
YOGI HILTNER: an NFL Challenge showdown with his son, Doug.
DAVE TALARICO: his own cable network.
WALT TUCKER: an annual retirement lunch.
BILL BECKER: lots more Irish Christmas parties.
BOB DERBYSHIRE: frozen donuts.
A.J. HARRIS: an NFL career.
CHUCK SMITH: a turf field in Mays Landing.
TOM JORGENSEN: a front row seat at the Boardwalk Basketball Classic.
MATT PURDUE & TRISH HENRY: dynasties.
PAT HOLDEN: an enjoyable winter watching his younger brother.
DENNY DiORIO: more parking.
JAY GILLIAN: The thanks of the basketball community for continued involvement in the Ocean City PBA Tipoff Weekend.
GARY DEGENHARDT: more trips to Kentucky.
GEORGE McNALLY: another Barrus or two.
PAUL BARUFFI: a win in the state final.
FRANK BASILE: legalized sports betting in Atlantic City (it could be coming!).
MILES SCHOEDLER: four great years in the Big East.
TONY BLUM: no inheritance taxes.
MIKE LOMBARDI SR.: his own brick oven.
DAVE DeWEESE: no more injuries.
SKIP ANGELO: a new and improved knee.
MATT SZCZUR: what do you give the guy who seems to have it all.
MATT BOSCH: 1,000 points.
SCOTT WAHL: tickets to see the Packers in the Super Bowl.
FRANK CAMPO: a relaxing 2011.
KEN MOSCA: clam dip.
TIM KELLY: a best seller.
OLD JOE FUSSNER: a cell phone (they’re doing away with pay phones!).
MATT JAMISON: continued success at his alma mater.
GARY HEGH: a kettle of soup at every game.
CHRIS TURNER: a dunk.
BUD RINCK: a healthy year for his entire family.
PAUL LeFEVER: hit them straight, and not too often.
TOM BALLEZZI: continued accuracy from behind the arc.
DENNIS SMITH: a year’s supply of Butterscotch Krimpets.
BRIAN CUNNIFF: a Tony Luke’s around the corner.
TOM HEIST: The thanks of the basketball community for involvement in the Ocean City PBA Tipoff Weekend.
DAVE PFEIFER: his own indoor track in Absecon.
JACK BOYD: the chance to watch his grandson, Jonathan, play high school basketball.
TOM GETZKE: a healthy 2011 for his entire family.
JULIA DUGGAN: a dunk.
BOB RIDGWAY: a pre-game sedative.
MIKE LOMBARDI JR.: a cell phone that works in Delaware.
JIM GINN: his own cable network.
BOB DeLUCE: a quick recovery.
AARON BOGUSHEFSKY: a turf field at Carey Stadium.
ERNIE TROIANO: a relaxing week of basketball.
TO THE REST OF YOU: have a very happy holiday season and a 2011 full of great sports moments.


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