For Release: December 9th, 1999

Here goes my final high school sports column of the 20th century. Sounds like I'm setting myself up for a journalistic masterpiece doesn't it? Well, sorry to disappoint you but ...

Times like these do tend to make one look to the past and ponder on past trials, tribulations and yes even those rare successes (I'm resisting a temptation to type in some lines from Frank Sinatra's "My Way").

To be sure, there is much to be proud of in Sudbury's line-up of high school sports. The diversity, the rivalries, the history, it's all there for local Senior elementary students to just come in and grab. It's hard not to repeat oneself in writing these reviews but there is one thing I'm careful to repeat over and over: no other District in Northern Ontario and very few in Ontario offer even close to the amount of inter-school athletic programming that the Sudbury District offers. All you "minor niners" have to do is come in and sign up.

But let's be clear; it'll probably take a little work. Conditioning is a bear and try-outs can be nerve wracking but the friendships, the lifelong lessons, the camaraderies ... well it's all worth it in the end.

"Okay Dave, enough with the membership drive we get the idea" - 'nough said.

Now to the real point in this year's final, this century's denouement, weekly news column. Everyone, I mean everyone, has a memory from their high school years that they cherish above virtually all else in life. The memory could be about that special someone you met as a teen, that exam you aced, that teacher you emulated, that hilarious stunt you pulled, or that big game that you played.

That big game that you played ... Now we're on to something.

For somewhere close to two hundred Sudbury high school athletes (it's hard to know exactly how many at this point), that big game will take the form of a locally-hosted O.F.S.A.A. championship early in the millennium. Our Nordic Skiers, our boys' senior hockey players, our badminton players and our girls' "AAA" soccer players will be "hard at it", trying their best against the rest of the Province to represent the region, our region, the best that they can.

My wish during the closing moments of 1999 will be that these student-athletes be allowed to perform in front of huge, enthusiastic and supportive crowds, so that they can carry forward their memories of "that big game that they played" well into the 21st century; and know that they were appreciated for their efforts.

Or maybe I'll get a brand new puppy!

Just kidding! Seriously though, please try to get out to the O.F.S.A.A. events in March to June of 2000, our student-athletes can only benefit from your support.

Congratulations to the organizers of the annual Senior Girls' Basketball All-Star game last night at the "Lancerdome". Spectators were treated to what turned out to be a close finish, but what was evident for us all was that all the girls seemed to be having a great time. I was having fun just watching!

As I mentioned at the start of the game, congratulations to all those girls whom were selected to represent their teams and their schools at this game. You certainly showed us why Sudbury schools claimed two out of three N.O.S.S.A. championships in senior girls' competition this year!

To all you devoted high school sports fans out there, all the best for a safe and enjoyable holiday season, and I'll speak to you again next century!

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