My father-in-law likes to say about those rare, yet special days where everything just seems perfect, 'I wish this day would never end." For me, one of those days was Tuesday, February 15, 2011. Both personally and professionally I wish God would just let the day go on or at least give more days like it. It started at 6:00 am with a shoot around with our men's basketball team. It's been a tough year but our young team has showed up everyday with a good attitude and worked to get better. If they had any character flaws they would come out at 6:00 am but instead they show a resiliency that strengthens me through this ordeal. After the shoot around I got to eat breakfast with the three most awesome kids in the world (yeh, I'm biased) and then run five miles with the girl who was my Valentine the day before. Rarely can I convince Maggie Peeler to run with me, so this was a treat.
The rest of the day proved to be an athletic director's dream day for home events. Our baseball team got it started with a 6-0 blasting of archrival Anderson. On a beautiful February afternoon the Fleet pitching was stellar for Kevin Nichols' #17 nationally ranked squad. The softball team took full advantage of the warm weather by sweeping two games from North Greenville, including a no-hitter from sophomore Heather Richey (also a Peeler family babysitter, okay my bias comes out a lot) in one of the games. The women's basketball team took care of business against Converse behind the play of all-conference point guard Porsha Morgan to continue the victories. The finishing touch came as the men's basketball team defeated Allen for an inspiring win. Five home games, five wins for the Fleet. We don't get that experience very often so it is a day to relish.
The first two people to congratulate me on the day were Aramark General Manager Randy Moore and former Erskine president Randy Ruble. They are two of the most faithful Fleet fans and two people I am lucky to call friends, so that made the day even more special. At 9:30 pm I headed on foot for home with my nine-year-old son by my side. He couldn't care less about our five wins but instead updated me on his adventures at school. By 10:30, I was finally getting to eat dinner, a fried chicken salad, courtesy of Snappers, and a warm, toasted biscuit and my favorite oreo ice-cream dessert, both courtesy of my wife, while she and I watched our favorite show, "The Biggest Loser." We have basketball practice at 5:30 am but after a day like this you feel like the adrenaline just may be able to carry you through.
So, yes, Van Young (father-in-law), I wish this day would never end. It has been a great day in the land of the Fleet. Let's do it again soon.
