🤷🏽‍♂️Talk about “irony” or “Schicksal” .. it was July 4th 2022 that I declared my Independence Day … the day I decided to discontinue Treatment… and…
“I’m still standing!”😈

“Sit-Rep” .. No.30
“Fall down 7 Times…Get up 8”

That phrase was written on a card that was given to me by “Emily Hill”. She was a player I recruited to play for me at UNC Asheville. Now that I am working for NCSA and trying to help young high school athletes and their families navigate the recruiting landscape it seems ironic that Emily comes to mind.
I’m telling families that getting started early and developing relationships with college coaches can be beneficial when national signing day comes.
For me, as a college coach, the relationship with the players and families was the cornerstone in the entire process.

I have repeated Emily’s words to me many times since the days at UNCA. I have stumbled and fallen a number of times, but (quoting Lou Rawls)… I get up each time, brush myself off and get back in the race. … and so it is now.

After an outstanding trip to Germany (Berlin, Bonn, Quakenbrück, Fulda, Würzburg), and hanging out, closing restaurants and eating Spaghetti-Eis with so many former players who have become friends, I now see that I really have “been there, done that and got the T-Shirts” and .. I feel great because of I can literally see the fruits of my labor.

I will write more about that in the (soon to be written 🤦🏽‍♂️) Bucket-Trip Updates.

Since returning, I have had Lab Tests and Scans and VA Appointments with my Doctors as well as discussions with my Hospice Care Team.
I have “passed” on having a Bone Biopsy on my ribs. I have added two more medications 💊 to my collection and charted my course.

The new job has given me a much needed energy boost and (quoting Frankie Beverly and Maze) “Back in Stride Again”

Thanks Emily and that entire UNCA team especially Jess, Brew, Cary+Cathy, Vicki and Marion.
Next stop … The 11th ACR Reunion and Regimental Ball

😉You can stay up to date and get some insights about the “good old days” by going to www.ritzbball.net

👋🏽P.S. If you want the backstory to all of this…
‼️ Get yourself a copy of “It’s the Coach’s Fault”‼️
“It’s the Coach’s Fault” …

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👉🏽👉🏽👉🏽 www.ritzbball.net

‼️If you have, or know someone who has, a young student-athlete that needs help navigating the recruiting process, call me or drop me a line.‼️