Connecting is part of sports. Basketball players connect from the field and the free-throw line to score. They connect with each other by passing the ball and playing help defense.
As most of you know, I don’t relish being on social media but it does help you connect with people. A tweet caught my eye earlier this week.
It was about former Iowa State basketball player Paul Shirley promoting his new book. Shirley is a Kansas native, growing up in the small Kansas community of Meriden.
My connection with Shirley came in 2010 when he was part of a program called Iola Family Reading Festival in Iola, Kan., where I worked. His first book, “Can I Keep My Jersey?” was on the list of books for the community to read.
Shirley’s book was a look at his professional basketball career with 11 teams in five countries over four years. “Can I Keep My Jersey?” grew out of Shirley’s first year of pro basketball spent on a team in Greece.
“Playing in Greece, my Internet access time was limited. I found myself writing updates to send to family and friends. I just kept writing while I worked and people kept reading it,” Shirley told me.
“Reading is key to good writing. It’s important to read to explore words, sentences and ideas.”
Shirley graduated from Jefferson West High in 1996. When he played for Iowa State, he led the Cyclones in rebounds in 2001.
Shirley is in Ames on Saturday with is second book, “Stories I Tell On Dates,” which was released on Oct. 17.
The world is smaller than we know.
When you or your family participates in a sport, you make a connection. I never met Trevor Schwager, a senior at Dowling Catholic High school. He was a wrestler.
Schwager died in a one-vehicle accident on Monday. According to a news report, Schwager was remembered for his positive spirit and leadership, the high school’s president, Dan Ryan, said in a message to parents. Schwager loved the outdoors, especially fishing and hunting, Ryan said.
Dowling wrestling coach Kevin Stanley said Schwager was a three-year starter for the Maroons and described the 160-pounder as a popular and personable student who was always smiling.
As a member of a wrestling family, I have a connection with Schwager and his family. The news sadden me.
I’ve made many connections in my lifetime. I’m connected to all those young athletes I’ve covered throughout my 38-plus journalism career.
Many stay in touch with me. I covered children of some of them as they went through young sports, middle school and high school sports.
Never underestimate a connection with teammates and coaches. Don’t let those connections go to waste.
I have a strong connection to Kansas State University and all of its sports. I’m looking forward to watching my Wildcats play against UCLA in the Cactus Bowl on Dec. 26 in Phoenix.
I’ve struggled a bit this week knowing there aren’t many college football games. The Army-Navy game is one I try to watch every year and that’s Saturday.
Did you know there are 39 college football bowl games? The feast begins on Dec. 16 and runs through Jan. 27. Mixed in there are the College Football Championship semifinal and final.
I’ll be making a connection with my family during a lot of these games over the Christmas holidays. Do the same with family and friends.
Contact Jocelyn Sheets
at jsheets@newtondailynews.com