When You Think About It, Its Not That Bad

There has been a significant talk around the Hardin-Simmons community about our recent pairings in the NCAA Division III football playoffs. We have a history of playing Mary Hardin-Baylor in the first or second round of the playoffs because of what the NCAA refers to as geographic proximity. While some could argue it is an unfair way to start the playoffs- having to play a conference opponent right out of the gate- I think it is something that we have to realize is the reality of intercollegiate athletics at the Division III level.

And I think we all have to keep things in perspective about what should bother us and what we should be able to deal with. I hope that you understand that the competitive desire for me to see our athletic programs do well has not waned over the years. I share the goals and dreams that our coaching staff have in regards to not only excelling at the conference level, but performing well on the national stage. I just think that sometimes we all need help in refocusing our vision on what is truly important.

And I bring this up after my recent trip to California for the women’s soccer playoff game at Redlands University. As my flight began its descent into the Santa Anna airport, you could see the smoke rising from the earth from the recent fires. After landing and picking up my rental vehicle, I drove thru smoke and high winds on Highway 91, a road that would be later closed because of bad conditions.

When I got to Redlands, I heard several stories about families who had felt the impact of the day’s events. A college soccer coach from the area and father of five lost his home on Saturday morning. A retirement center burned down with no casualties, but everything in the center was destroyed. How do you start over at retirement age with no home, no belongings and no step by step list on how to begin your life again?

On Sunday, when I left the hotel to drive to the airport, I once again had to deal with the fires and their devastation. Several roads and interstates were closed, which meant I had to take an alternate (and longer) route to the airport. The trip was surreal as for five minutes you would see a beautiful southern California morning and then five minutes later, you would be driving thru white smoke and you could observe where the ground was charred. I heard on the radio that because of the poor breathing conditions caused by the fire, they had cancelled the Pasadena marathon. When I eventually arrived at the airport my clothes smelled as though I had been outside all morning in the smoke. Fortunately my flight was not delayed and I was able to make my way back to the everyday normalcy that so many times I take for granted.

Is it appropriate for us to be disappointed that our football team is playing a familiar opponent, which might make this feel like it is not a playoff game? Sure. However anything stronger than disappointment should be reserved for those issues that truly deserve it.

Cowboy Up,

JN