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My shopping is done. The gifts are wrapped.
It's time once again to play the role of Santa Shawn.
I've made my list and checked it twice.
My shopping is done. The gifts are wrapped.
It's time once again to play the role of Santa Shawn.
I've made my list and checked it twice.
Merced Sun-Star - Chowchilla head football coach John Henson has put many a sports writer on the disabled list with his vise-like handshakes. The "Grip Strengthener" would be an ideal holiday gift to help keep Henson on top of his game.
Shawn Jansen
It's time to dip into my bag of goodies and hand out gifts to some of our area sports figures.
Craig Chavez
The Golden Valley principal would unwrap his gift to find a Magic 8-Ball.
Why?
Because Chavez is going to need all the help he can get as he continues his search for a new football coach.
I'd also slip in the cell phone number of former Golden Valley coach Dennis Stubbs.
I'm not sure Stubbs is interested in returning to Golden Valley. After leading Los Banos to two straight playoff appearances, including a trip to the semifinals this year, Stubbs is enjoying his time in LB.
However, Stubbs has said he'd at least listen to Golden Valley if they contacted him about the job.
Isn't that a call you have to make?
What's the Magic 8-Ball say?
"Signs point to yes."
Jon Betschart
Betschart's gift would be a second chance.
It didn't work out at Golden Valley, but I've heard a lot of people talk about how Betschart is a great guy and they rave about his work ethic. Even his critics talk about how hard he worked.
Hopefully his first head coaching job was a learning experience and he'll get another shot soon.
Dusty Ryan
There's no need to wrap Ryan's gift. It's kind of hard to disguise a surfboard.
The former Golden Valley and Merced College catcher was traded this week from the Detroit Tigers to San Diego Padres.
Are you kidding me?
Detroit vs. San Diego -- it seems Christmas came early for Ryan if he can work his way onto the Major League club.
John Henson
The Chowchilla coach's firm handshake has been a long running joke here in the office.
Just imagine trying to shake hands with a Grizzly Bear.
Henson has even sent e-mails to us saying how he looked around after games for a Sun-Star reporter so he could give a good, firm handshake.
Henson's gift would be "The Grip Strengthener." For those that don't remember, it's the black-handled device you squeeze with your hands.
Think Thighmaster for your hands.
After not making the playoffs this year, I'm afraid Henson's handshakes will be as strong as ever next year.
Bob Perez
The Le Grand middle linebacker/fullback needs a year supply of Pedialyte and Gatorade.
Perez makes a mixture of the two drinks to help avoid cramps. The concoction worked all year up until the section title game when Perez cramped up against Capital Christian.
Charlie Pikas
I'll supply the box of whistles. The only problem is Pikas doesn't know who he'll hand them out to just yet.
The Los Banos softball coach will be the athletic director when Pacheco High opens next fall.
Pikas will be scrambling to find coaches in a pool of teachers already hired at the school.
Clayton Schneider
The Merced wrestling coach could definitely use a Tempor-Pedic pillow.
Sleep will be hard to come by for Schneider and his wife, Rena, who welcomed daughter, Olivia Grace, into their lives on Wednesday night.
Congratulations to the Schneiders and happy holidays to all.
Shawn Jansen is a Sun-Star sports reporter. He can be reached at 385-2462 or via e-mail at sjansen@mercedsun-star.com.
