Greetings to the Spartan Nation!!!!
It has been quite a while since I last "dropped in", so I have some things to cover!!
First off, a special "THANKS" goes out to the staff at Lakeview, and in particular my P.E. partners Miss Nyhlen and Mr. Dvorak. In my absence, they did a great job filling my substitutes in on every phase of our P.E. program. It sounds like P.E. rolled along with Mr. Stahoviak, Mrs. Mlyniec, and Mrs. Daly filling in. Mrs. Daly was my sub the day I dropped in to visit before Thanksgiving and my return, so I never had the opportunity to say good bye to Scott. He is currently filling a maternity leave along the north shore.
Bowling has come and gone, as well as the unit ALL the Lakeview students LOVE!!!!!!.......DANCING!!!!!! And once again this year, it was outstanding, culminated by the 8th grade ball-room dance the 17th of December! My special "THANKS" go out to Mrs. Garvey for once again doing an outstanding job as the 8th grade instructor!! As well, to all the parents who donated treats and attended "the gala event"!!!
Rollerblading started today, and it seems like everyone got off to a great start!!!!!! Stay on your feet and don't fall down!!!!!!!
My Freshmen Football Mustangs finished a strong season by going 6-3, with Mr. Zach Tomanovich (DGS '09) taking over my play calling, and winning four straight games. Brian Kukulski (Ide P.E.) assumed much of the Freshmen load in my absence.......Thanks Brian!
I know that a huge group of 66 parents, students, etc. followed my recovery on the CaringBridge. I was overwhelmed by the outpouring from all of these great people!!!!!! This only encouraged me to work hard during my recovery and rehab!!!!
My cardiovascular surgeon would not allow me to return to school until an 8 week period elapsed following my surgery. Sooooooooooooo, I took this time at home to prepare much paperwork for the 2011 football season. I am ready to go!!!!!!!
During the end of the 2010 football season, I had the opportunity to accompany some friends to see some great football. I accompanied Coach Slayden north to the University of Minnesota to see the Golden Gophers upset the Iowa Hawkeyes. Steven Slayden (LV -'04....DGS-'08) was asked to return to the at U of M cheerleading squad after a tragic car accident took the lives of two U of M members!! The Iowa / Minnesota game was a "barnburner" that came down to the last series before a Gopher win!! GOPHERS---27 HAWKEYES---20
The weekend before Thanksgiving, the opportunity came along to attend the Air Force-U.N.L.V. football game. While others went to explore the "fun" this trip allowed, I had the opportunity to visit the coaches at U.N.L.V., as well as catch up on old times with former D.G.S. head varsity coach Tim Mash. What a great day recalling old times, and even his mention of how tough Mr. Dvorak was playing offensive line when he was many times outweighed!! At the game, our traveling party secured pre-game field passes, at which time I had the surprise and distinct pleasure of meeting the United States Air Force THUNDERBIRDS, commanded by Lt. Col. Case Cunningham. This was a photo opp that I will never forget!!!!!!! AFA---35 UNLV---20
Following a GREAT and PEACEFUL Christmas with my family, I had the pleasure of being invited to attend the 2010 INDEPENDENCE BOWL in Shreveport, La.. Former Spartan and Mustang Zack Bell and the United States Air Force Academy Falcons were pitted against the Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech on December 27th. Following a great flight to Dallas, and a leisurely drive while listening to the Bears beat the Jets, I was afforded the opportunity of spending three days in a true football environment with Zack, Mr. and Mrs. Bell, as well as the players and coaches of the Falcons!! WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!!!!!!!!! Everything about these guys is FIRST CLASS!!!!! Manners on the elevator, holding the doors for females, pants pulled up with no boxers showing, on-time for meetings, "Yes Sir.....No Sir", and the list goes on and on!!!! Being around these guys make one know that our country is in safe hands.
As a bit of background information, Zack is in the middle of his fourth year at the academy. During his first two seasons, Zack served as the backup placekicker to an All-American, Ryan Harrison. Between his second and third year, Zack was asked to be an instructor at "Jack's Valley", the indoctronation point for all incoming cadets in July. Upon return from this three week period, Zack went immediately to the practice field, at which time he seriously hurt his leg. This wiped out his potential starting spot, and allowed another kicker to step in. It was not until the eleventh game of his senior year that the coaches finally figured out that, even though the regular kicker did well in practice, he just wasn't a "gamer". After going 5/10 in field goals, the coaches gave Zack a chance, and it paid off in the final regular season game and the Independence Bowl. In the regular season finale, Zack hit all six extra points, as well as two 40 yard field goals in Shreveport at the bowl. WHAT A WAY TO END A FOOTBALL CAREER!!!!!! AFA---14 Georgia Tech---7
A "kicker" to all this is the fact that Zack's grades are at a level where he will have the choice of picking what field he would like to be in upon graduation from the academy May 25th!!!!!! I told Zack I expected an F-22 "fly-over" at a Mustang football game in 2017!!!!!!!!!! Zack also has an interest in becoming a History instructor at the academy. Nice choices to have!!!!
WELL....................................Thanks for letting me catchup on my life......It has been quite a run since Sept. 28th!!!!!!!!
Drop me an e-mail and let me know what is happening with you!!!!!!! tdodd@ccsd66.org
ROLL SPARTANS!!!!!!! PLAY HARD!!!!!!!!!!!
Tom Dodd
