Why I’ll continue to root for Coach Mike London.
Class.
Mike London exudes class. He teaches his players to go to class, play with class and treat people with dignity and respect. That’s his motto. He talks the talk but walks the walk. I met Coach London when I was covering Syracuse at UVA for Homecomings this past Saturday. Yes, homecomings as in plural. It’s a Virginia thing. AnyHOO, they were sitting at 1-4 and desperately needing a W for more reasons than one.
I emceed a luncheon for the Women’s Giving Circle this past spring. My brother in law is on the board for the Boys and Girls Club of Dekalb County and thought it would be a good fit. It was through that introduction I was led to an incredible opportunity to serve as a mentor for the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta’s Youth of the Year.
My love letter to North Point…
I remember conversations when Michael and I made the transition back to Atlanta full time. Where would we go to church? Small? Big? Would we go to a smaller church where people would know our name? Or would we stick with the big church? A place we’ve already known? But how do we meet people? Will we get lost? No really… the building is so big. Ultimately we weighed the pros and cons of each option and couldn’t get away from the main principle: we love Andy Stanley’s purpose and message.
As a sideline reporter we prep each week with enthusiasm to find unique stories to draw human interest and add depth of content to our broadcast. We read a plethora of articles, reach out to schools’ respective SID’s, schedule conference calls and talk to players as they’re usually coming off the practice field. We prepare with stories a plenty in hopes to insert them into our broadcast as it correlates to the narrative of the physical story unfolding before our eyes. Unfortunately, a lot of those notable conversations or little “nuggets” if you will never make it on air. I figured this would be a pretty cool place to get some of those unique stories “out there” because you wouldn’t hear them from anywhere else.
It doesn’t take many years in the biz to learn this golden nugget, but the sports industry isn’t a job, it’s a lifestyle.
I have a group of sweet and driven aspiring young broadcasters whom I mentor. It wasn’t a hard decision for me to take them in, because I would’ve given anything to have a woman in the field I was able to personally and professionally look up to. The direct access would’ve been clutch during all of those moments where I felt like I wanted to cry and give up. I eventually met those women, but I found them once I was in the business and now I consider them some of my closest friends, because they “get it.” They “get” the job, and they “get” the lifestyle.
If you want to make millions, move to Silicon Valley and create a life-changing app. If you can create an app capable of folding laundry, I want in on the investment, and we’ll go straight to da bank! #CashMoney. But really, expect long [and obviously not normal] hours… oh, and a short paycheck. You’ll say #ByeFelicia to your nights, weekends, and holidays. Enjoy the ride with those “little” jobs, because it’s within those positions, that’ll test your [thick] skin and willingness to pursue the career even further. Don’t be afraid or act “too good” to hold cables on the sideline. Oh, and own that “ugly” vest and wear cute and comfortable shoes ☺ And smile! You never know who’s watching.
Ladies, you first! Admit it… we are complicated creatures, right? I can barely make a decision, even when the decision is directly in front of me, and already answered.
Men (well, most men, anyway) are able to take emotion out of just about every situation, which riles us up even more. I mean please tell me, I’m not alone in this?
My husband recently retired from the NFL, and thus, we retired from our one bedroom apartment full of rented furniture and silverware. Cort furniture is pretty common among NFL’ers [well not big wigs… I’m talking about the 75% of guys on the team who make minimum, and whose jobs aren’t necessarily guaranteed year after year, no matter what the contract reads] Anyway, the ones who know what I’m talking about, know all about those white Tupperware bowls with the blue lids. I kind of wish I had them in my kitchen now, solely for nostalgic reasons.
I’m going to be honest, I’m nervous about this post. I’m not really sure why, but probably because I’m not an invasive person. I don’t like to stir the pot. I also loathe making others feel uncomfortable because I consequently feel awkward and typically begin to sweat. *heads off to change a shirt, maybe grab water or a snack to finish this post*
I am a Christian. Yes, I have a belief in a God most high that created the earth we live on and the body I live in. For those of you who really know me or follow me on the instawebs, you may or may not have picked up on that fun fact.
![[THANKFUL]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/555a2271e4b03ef2fe2d8cfa/1448465691122-LI68D73PP42S39UB3Z0C/image-asset.jpeg)
![[untold] sideline stories: Houston's first class](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/555a2271e4b03ef2fe2d8cfa/1442794730711-J5C50965JD103YQ0VTL4/image-asset.jpeg)
