December 24, 2001
Another sackful of sports gifts
By TOM WILLIAMS
Sports Columnist
It is that time of year. We have all been thinking about what we want to give to others and this is the week
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. Some are in fun, others
quite serious. A few are even repeat gifts from previous lists that have not yet been given. We hope you
enjoy them.
KARL GEISINGER: a quick recovery for Emily Wolfe.
JIM HANDSHAW: a Whiffle ball.
WALT TUCKER: an elevator into his new two-story press box.
JOE FUSSNER: dinner with Meg Ryan while he is in California with the Ospreys.
JOHN BRUNO: a new gymnasium (on back-order).
GENE BARBER: a get-acquainted party before each winter season.
WHITEY HAAK: a spot in the Senior Open.
PAUL RODIO: see Gene Barber, above.
BILL HUF: a guru for his multi-plex.
JIM SCHAFER: a story in Good Housekeeping about his Linwood estate.
BUD RINCK: to shoot his age before he’s 90.
DAVE TALARICO: a World Series for Baltimore.
MIKE NAPLES: a relaxing retirement in sleepy Georgia.
DAVE TROIANO: a championship season for Pittsburgh (any team from Pittsburgh!).
TOM FERACO: a 6-8 transfer from New Zealand.
STEVE PARKER: a bird-watching kit.
JOHN HUFF: Jason Giambi as World Series MVP.
DAN HEYMAN: a vacation home in Holmdel Park.
LAURIE CARTER: success as a coach like she had as a player.
TOM GETZKE: the Drive for 2005.
NUNCIE SACCO: a fishing trip with Tom Jorgenson.
BILL BECKER: a guest shot on The Simpsons.
ROB SEITZINGER: two weeks off over the holidays.
WAYNE COLMAN: somebody else to put away the lifeboats.
CHAD SEVERS: three more great years at Penn State.
TERRY BRADWAY: a green sweater – he can wear it at work and home.
BRIAN CUNNIFF: success with his new book, “The Idiot’s Guide to Ordering a Sub”.
MATT LeFEVER: a shot at being the next Kurt Warner.
MIKE O’BRIEN: a separate microphone for Shaune McLaughlin.
ROLAND WATSON: an enjoyable retirement and many more rides on the magic bus.
MONICA JOHNSON: one final trip to Elizabeth.
DENNIS SMITH: a helicopter to get back and forth from Absecon to Cherry Hill.
JACK BOYD: Eagles season tickets – at a reasonable price.
CHELSEA BRUNO: no more red Mainland shirts.
LARRY DiGIOVANNI: a warning from the Surgeon General – Marlboro may be dangerous to your health.
RICK TRAVERS: his own post office.
FRANK BASILE: tickets to the Super Bowl.
SCOTT LIPFORD: a shot at the NFL.
JOE FAGAN & JERRY BEEBE: Little League championships.
DAVE LEWIS: a dynasty.
DAVE PFEIFER: a new, all-weather track.
JODY ALLESANDRINE: no more “school board issues” to take up his time.
GREG LeFEVER: a high draft pick.
SCOTT WAHL: an Oakland Raiders cheerleader calendar.
DR. GERRY FRANCE: Good luck in the Tri-County Conference (which could now be called the
Quint-County Conference).
WILLIAM GREEN: another All-American year at Boston College.
GEORGE McNALLY: a Hallmark-like holiday in New Hampshire.
BILL NICKLES: extra help from the ghosts of the high school gym.
TOM PARK: a Raider ball.
AMY MASON: a map to Graceland.
GARY DEGENHARDT: Lou Paludi, Jim Horner and Bill Manlove come out of retirement to join his staff.
JIM GINN: everything live on the Internet.
JEFF WUNDER: an impressive return to the National Conference.
PAT DOUGHERTY: the light at the end of the tunnel.
STERLING DUNCAN: a great finish to his outstanding high school career.
PAUL McLAUGHLIN: LaSalle season tickets through 2006.
MIKE GILL: a spot on the road crew for Nickleback.
ROSEMARY O’DOWD: a leisurely retirement.
TRISH LeFEVER: a banquet of Chinese food after her next state title.
GARY HEGH: more twin pitchers.
BUTCH GLEASON: season tickets to Texas Tech.
BRUCE BEAVER: a zebra.
BOB WEISS: that extra power point he has needed the last two years to get into the football playoffs.
PAUL LeFEVER: one more football game.
TO THE REST OF YOU: a very happy holiday and the chance to see the kind of exciting high school
sports in 2002 that we did during the past year.
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