Looking out for No. 1

Posted on July 6, 2020 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

On the TunneySide of Sports July 6, 2020 #803 Up next… Looking out for No. 1

After further review… The 10–part Michael Jordan review of his life that aired on ESPN during the months of April and May 2020 was a huge success. It is reported to have drawn 5.6 million viewers of which I was one. That number of viewers made it the most-watched documentary in ESPN’s history. I thoroughly enjoyed that telecast.

As a kid growing-up with always a basketball in my hands or at least in my box of athletic gear, I could always be found on our local school playground just shooting baskets, with only a rim, no net, and finding others to play. And of course, only until dark.

When I was a senior in high school our T*E*A*M, tied for the league championship. Matriculating to Occidental College I played four years. After graduating I played in an Industrial league as well as beginning to officiate basketball for the next 30 years at the high school and college levels. I also coached high school basketball for four years. My purpose in describing this was to explain how involved I was in the game.

Although MJ stood out, it was and always will or should be a T*E*A*M (Together Everyone Accomplishes More). Michael’s journey and superb athletic abilities was second-to-none. He definitely made those around him play better. Yet, he was a tough taskmaster with his teammates as he expected them to work as hard as he did and always give their best effort. Once they did, he knew that team could be a winner.

With the 1995-96 season being the best of all-time at 72 & 10, the Bulls complemented Michael with Scotty Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Jack Haley, John Salley, and little-used guard named Steve Kerr. Kerr has quite a basketball history: minimally recruited out of Pacific Palisades High (LA) Kerr was twice All-Conference (Pac-12) guard at Arizona, drafted in the second round (1988) by Phoenix, then traded to Cleveland, then to Orlando, he signed with the Bulls in 1993.

During his time with the Bulls and with M.J, he was assigned to guard #23 in team scrimmages. M.J. proceeded to play “rough” with Kerr his defender. Kerr didn’t back down, but instead stood-up to this legend. M.J. at 6’6” hauled-off and punched Kerr, who was 6’3” (on a clear day).  Kerr fought back. One doesn’t do that to a legend. M.J. said he felt bad punching a littler guy but gained respect for Kerr for standing up to him. Their relationship blossomed after that. Kerr has been successful as a player, team administrator and head coach of the Golden State Warriors with multiple NBA Championships.

Will you stand-up when the time and situation calls for it?

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To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com or email jim@jimtunney.com.

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See the above website for details.

Thank You!

Jim Tunney Store

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Crossing That Bridge

Posted on June 29, 2020 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

Health and safety of student athletes

On the TunneySide of Sports June 29, 2020 #802 Up next… Crossing That Bridge

After further review… We all have heard of and perhaps have used the expression, “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.” It has usually meant “not to worry about a future problem” or “we’ll deal with it when it happens.” Let’s hope that high school and college athletic administrators are not taking that approach when deciding the future eligibility of student-athletes. Further, let’s hope they are ensuring health and safety with the pandemic looming.

With COVID-19 still a worrisome virus and with a concern about the 150,000-plus US deaths in just four months, how can we plan to bring athletes back to campuses and organize team sports and curtail this dreaded disease? Many questions need answering before we resume normal activities. First and foremost, normal activities will not be normal. School administrators need to plan now and not wait to cross that bridge later.

The zillions of fans waiting at home — sheltered in place — want their sports now and are not concerned about how it is done. Yes, the sports public becomes greedy when you take away what has kept them happy. But first and foremost, we must all stay the course to ensure player and student safety. We’re all in this together! You’ve heard that for the last four months.

More importantly, what a pandemic can teach us is to not wait for happiness that comes with the sports and social events we enjoy. Find it in everyday moments. Appreciate the preciousness of a child’s laugh, the dedication of health care providers and first responders, the empathy of a community, and especially the shared love of family and friends. Once you do, no matter amid the best or worst of your days, you will understand the love that lies within.

The lesson we take from this lack of control is to cherish every moment, even the little ones. We don’t have to wait for “play ball” or the referee’s whistle to start the game. Let’s do whatever we can to make our lives, and those around us, better each day. I pray you will be free from the grip of COVID-19. You must believe there will be a day again when you can fully live, not merely survive; and where there is room and a need to enjoy your favorite sport.

Will you make the most of your time during this pandemic to be positive and productive?

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Jim Tunney Store

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The Underserved

Posted on June 22, 2020 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

COVID19 and college students

On the TunneySide of Sports June 22, 2020 #801 Up next… The Underserved!

After further review… There may be several definitions of “underserved.” The Human Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) defines its MUA Fund as too few primary care providers with such items as inadequate mental and dental health, etc. The discussion here has to do with another inadequacy that was caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

College, high school, and kindergarten students were denied their final semester and an opportunity to graduate in their normal commencement ceremonies. (Yes, today’s kindergarteners, in some places, do have graduations. Darn, they didn’t have that for me!)

We have a grandson, Gavin, who faced this misfortune. However, with the help of his family, he handled his virtual high school graduation with class! The underserved need support.

Since this column is about sports, my question is about those high school and college athletes who missed out on their spring semester’s competition. Is that fair to them? Do we just follow the tried and true: “Life isn’t fair so just deal with it.” As adults we have learned we must “play the hand we’re dealt.”  Many young people are learning that the hard way!

Is it at all feasible that we could keep those high school seniors who were so affected for another year and give them that missed opportunity to compete as a “5th-year high school senior? As a former high school administrator, I would be confident in saying the national and/or state high school federations that govern such regulations would deny that senior a  5th year. Only a few might suffer that missed opportunity to qualify for a college scholarship.

How about those 4th-year seniors in college that might need that missed spring semester to help them be accepted into the professional level in their sport? Do they qualify as being underserved? There is a legitimate term for a 5th-year senior called “Super Senior.” It is now in place but only for those who have a year’s left of eligibility. Would a senior track athlete, male or female, who has been denied their final year of competition qualify as a Super Senior?

In a recent survey by the (Leon) Panetta Institute, a large majority of college students indicated that they are longing to return to campus saying that distant learning is less meaningful than in-class learning. Some colleges have already opened and some will start today with their football T*E*A*M starting practice. Hopefully, we can provide college athletes their full athletic opportunities.

Will you log-in your thoughts about student-athlete opportunities?

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Jim Tunney Store

Posted in Current Affairs, Tunney Side of Sports Columns | Tagged | 1 Comment