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11 :. U.S. TRANSPLANT GAMES Aspecialathleticcompetitionis comingtotheStateofWisconsin thissummer.

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ISSUE NINEJULY/AUGUST 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTSFEATURES EDITORIAL CONTENT

4 :. FROM THE COMMISH

The“MentalGame,”asCoachMcKay,LaCrosseLoggers,likestocallit,isthedifferenceathletesneedtohavetoseparatethemselvesfromthe

competitionwhenphysicalabilitiesarematched.

DirectorandPublisherBrianMeeter.

Brett Jackson-BrettJacksonspentonlythesummerof2007inLaCrosse,buttheformerLoggers’starandcur-rentChicagoCubsoutfieldprospectwillalways

consideritaturningpoint.

13 :. WHERE ARE THEY NOWHolzinger’s Lodge Trail at Bluffside Park isa multi-use trail system accommodating theneedsofhikers,mountainbikers,walkersandbirdwatchers.

10 :. COACH’S CORNER

WWW.LACROSSESPORTSCOMMISSION.COM | ISSUE NINE | 3

Growing up in theMidwest, the Big Ten Conferencewas amajor partofourcollegesportsscene. Welovedthebattlesbetweenstateborders(MichiganvsOhioState)andwithin(Northwesternvs Illinois). By thetimethisstoryispublished,majorshiftsintheBigTenandotherconfer-enceswillhavetakenplace.Howmuchshouldtraditionplayaroleinthedecision-making?GrowingupinIowa,wealwayslovedtocheeragainsttheBigEight(nowBigTwelve)conferenceschools,especiallyNebraska.IlovedtoseeNebraskalose(sorryneighbors).NowImightfeelobligatedtorootfortheminabowlgame.Shouldthisbepartoftheequationwhendecidingtoswitchconferences?Newtraditionswillbecreated,butwilloldones, outstandingly viscous rivalries, be abandoned? TheonenearanddeartomyheartistheintrastatebattlebetweenIowaandIowaState,whichmightendiftheschedulesarefullwithconference-onlyopponents.

Howmuchistoomuch?SincetheBigTenNetworklaunchedin2007,ithasannuallypaidoutrevenuesinexcessof$6milliontoeachconfer-enceschool.AtUW-Madison,thesefundshavehelpedtokeeptheirath-leticsdepartmentcompetitive,aidinthegrowthofcampuslibraries,andfundneed-basedscholarships,allpositivesfortheBadgers.AddingnewschoolstotheBigTenmayincreasetheappealoftheconferencetopo-tentialsponsors,resultinginincreasedrevenue.Whatisthecost?Whatabouttheotherconferencewithstoriedhistories? TheBigTwelvecon-sistentlyhasseveralschoolscompetingattheelitelevelinallthemajorsports,andtheycouldpotentiallybedevastatedifseveralschools leave.SincethecreationoftheBCSinfootball,traditionshavebeendestroyed,soshouldwereallycare?

Sincerely,Brian MeeterExecutive DirectorLa Crosse Area Sports Commission

Welcome to the NINth edItIoN ofthe Greater la crosse sports coNNectIoN (Glsc)

PerhapsIamalittleoldschool,toonearsightedtoseethefuture. IamOKwiththeBigTenConferencenotgettingasmuchrecognitionasothermajorconferencebytheexpertsatthemajorsportsnetworks.IlikethefactthattheBigTenisviewedasanunderdogduringMarchMadness.Ibelievethat itgivesthoseteamsanedge. Inthebowlgamesthetelevi-sionanalystsclaimedthespeedoftheotherteamwoulddestroytheBigTenteamsandthenIowagoesontodefeatGeorgiaTechandWisconsindefeatsMiami.

Nomatterwhathappens,I’llstillrootformyHawkeyesandmyadoptedBadgers.Theonlycertaintyischange.That’showtheBigEightbecametheBigTwelve.Iguessifit’sgoingtobethatway,whydon’twefindwaysto lureFlorida,Tennessee,orevenAuburnorAlabama? Wemightnothavemuchincommonwiththoseschools,butatleasttheyareinaniceplacetotravel!And,we’dhavea“LambeauField”typeofadvantagewhentheytravelednorthinNovember.

A Golden CelebrAtion

4 | ISSUE NINE | WWW.LACROSSESPORTSCOMMISSION.COM

Tony Christnovich is well known in our community as a physical education instructor and coach. He spent several years as a defensive coach at UW-La Crosse, was an assistant and head coach at Central High School, and taught P.E. at both the elemen-tary and high school levels for the La Crosse School District.

Tony grew up in Franklin, Wisconsin, and attended Oak CreekHighSchool.Asafarmer’sson,Tonyhadtocarryouthischoresandcouldonlyplaysportsthatdidn’t interferewithhis farmre-sponsibilities. Heplayedonlyoneyearof football,butrantrackand field for four years. In the off-season, Tony and his familyspenttheirtimehuntingandfishing.

Football brought Tony to UW-La Crosse, where he was an out-standingoffensivelinemanfortheEagles.Graduatingin1970withadegreeinBiology,hewasdraftedinthe12throundbytheWash-ingtonRedskins.JoiningTonyinWashingtonwereformerUW-LaCrossestandoutsDeweyStendahl(punter)andGregMattison(of-fensiveline).TheNFLdreamwasshort-livedwhenanACLinjuryprematurelyendedhiscareer.Armedwiththemotto“letyourpas-sionleadyourway”,hetookhisownadviceandearnedaMaster’sdegreeinPhysicalEducation.FocusedandreadytoreturntoLaCrosse,TonytookhisfirstteachingandcoachingjobinLaCrossein1980.

From 1980-2002, Tony taught P.E. and coached atbothUW-LaCrosseandCentralHighSchool.Duringhis tenure, theywon national and conference cham-pionships,butwhatTonyenjoyedthemostwasbeingpartofateamandseeingmembersofhisteamshavesuccess.“Iwasneveronetoworryaboutindividualac-complishmentsorhonors,Iwasmoreconcernedwithour team having success,” said Christnovich. Aboutyoungpeople,Tonyfeelstheirimpacttothisday.“Alotofpeoplesaycoacheshelpmoldandformthelivesofyoungpeople,Ifeltitwastheotherwayaround,theywerehelpingtoformourlives.”

Interestingly,hehasbeenonetoshape lives. Tony’sfather,Jack,hadbeeninjuredinanindustrialaccidentandstillwantedtohuntandfish.Tonyandhisbroth-erswouldthrowhimovertheirshouldersanddrophim

inadeerstand,orhelphimintoaboatsohecouldstillenjoyhispassionfortheoutdoors.WiththehelpofDr.CarlPetersonandphysicallychallengedsportsmenMikeDerpinhaus,TonyformedagoodwillorganizationcalledtheNorthAmericanSquirrelAssocia-tion(NASA).Mikelovedtohuntandfishandwaslookingforawaytogetbackintotheoutdoors,andDr.PetersonandTonywantedtohelp.Itstartedwithasquirrelhuntandhasblossomedintohelp-inghundredsofphysicallychallengedsportsmenandathletesdowhatthelovebest.Activitiesincludefishing,boating,skiing,golf-ing,andhunting,tonameafew.MoreinformationaboutNASAcanbefoundat:http://www.nasasquirrel.org/

Tonyhas been retired from coaching since 2004, but is still in-volved in our community as the co-owner of Schafer’sBoat andBaitonLakeOnalaska. HeandhiswifeNancybought theshopfromRedEdmundsandhavefalleninlovewithit.Theyplannedonowningtheshopforabout3years,andthatwas6yearsago.Originally purchased to save the shop from condo development(andassuringadockingfacilityfortheNASApontoon),theirbusi-nessventurehasbecomealifestyle.

Tony andNancy enjoy traveling and spending timewith their 3children,Cari,Kati,andAJ. Troutfishingtrips toMontanaandcoaching/fishing trips to Alaska are yearly highlights for theChristnovich’s. Tony still coaches thedefenseat theAll-AlaskaFootball Camp inAnchorage and sneaks offwith guys for a fewdaysofhalibutandsalmonfishing.Whenaskedaboutretirement,theysay“Thisisretirementwithabonus.”Theystillgettofishandtravel,andsincebuyingSchafer’s,theyhavemetalotofgreatandinterestingpeople.

An interview with tony ChristnoviChCareers in Sports

WWW.LACROSSESPORTSCOMMISSION.COM | ISSUE NINE | 5

Len Schley is an avid local sports fan and enjoys volunteering his time as a volunteer and mentor to young athletes. David Johnson is the Sports Information Director at UW-La Crosse

AttheconclusionoftheUniversityofWisconsin-LaCrossegymnasticsdualvictoryoverUW-EauClaireJanuary 29, 2010, inMitchellHall, a surprise cer-emony took place for Eagles’ head coach BarbaraGibson. TocelebrateherdedicationtothesportofgymnasticsandUW-LaCrosse,theBarbaraGibsonEndowmentFundforUW-LGymnasticswasestab-lishedinherhonor.

Theendowmentprovides thebestavenue forUW-LaCrosse to con-tinuetobealeaderinasportthathasservedUW-Lwell,andhascon-tinuallyrankedamongthenationsbest.

Gibson completed her 25th season as gymnastics coach at UW-LaCrossein2010,leadingtheEaglesto14NationalCollegiateGymnas-ticsAssociation(NCGA)championships(1986,1988,1995,1997,1999,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2008,2009,2010)and17Wis-consinIntercollegiateAthleticConference(WIAC)titles(1988,1990,1994,1995,1997,1998,1999,2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2007,2008,2009).

Theprocessofdeveloping theendowmentwasstarted inSeptember2009.“Afewofus(alumni,coaches,teammembers)realizeditwasBarbara’s25thyearofcoaching,”saidassistantgymnasticscoachKas-eyCrawford.“Wedidn’tknowwhatwewantedtodobutwewantedittobesomethingextraspecial.”

Crawford,aformergymnastatUW-L,saidthegroupaskedthemselves,“WhatwouldBarbreallywant?”

“WerealizedBarbarawouldwantsomethingthatwillultimatelyben-efitthegymnasticsprogramthatshehasworkedsohardwith.”

After UW-L’s assistant coachesmet with Gibson’s family to discusswhattheycoulddotohonorher,theyconcludedthatsomethingGib-sonwantedherentirecareerwasanendowmentfundforthegymnas-ticsprogram.“Sothat’swhatwecreated,”saidCrawford.“WewenttothefoundationinOctober,establishedtheendowmentfund,createdalettertosupporters,madeabrochureandbegancontactinggymnasticsalumniandparents.”

She said the responsewasoverwhelmingasGibson’s family, the as-sistantcoaches,alumniandpresentteammembersallhadaroleintheprocess.AsofJune2010,theBarbGibsonEndowmentFundforUW-LGymnasticshadraisedover$23,000.

CrawfordsaysGibsonhasdoneeverythingfor theUW-Lgymnasticsprogram. “She has built a championship program, produced well-roundedstudent-athleteswhocareabout theirsport,university,andservicetotheircommunity.” TheEagleshavebeensuccessful intheclassroomand gym. AndGibson’s success had continued in the LaCrossecommunitywiththehighlyregardedJuniorEaglesGymnasticsProgramservingchildreninthearea.

“Sheisatrueprofessionalinherfield,takingDivisionIIIgymnasticsto its highest level,” addedCrawford. “Other programs strive to belikeUW-L.Sheisalwayslookingforimprovementandgrowth,sheisatruevisionary,whichiswhyIadmirehersomuch.”

“She has touched hundreds of young women’s lives, empoweringthem, teaching themandbuilding theirconfidence toa levelwheretheycanmakeanimpactonthelivesofothers.”

The 1975 Wisconsin Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Conference(WWIAC)championonthebalancebeamforUW-LaCrosse,Gibsonwasalsotheconferencechampioninthefloorexercisein1978.

Shehas beennamed theWIACCoachof theYear six times (1988,1990,1993,1995,1997,2005)andselected theNCGACoachof theYearonfivedifferentoccasions(1989,2001,2005,2008).

GibsonalsobeenrecognizedwiththeYMCA’sOutstandingAchieve-mentAwardinSportsin1989.Amongherteam’saccomplishments,Gibson has had 14WIAC Scholar-Athletes, five CoSIDA AcademicAll-Americans, 47NCGAAcademic All-America selections and 162athleticAll-Americahonors.UW-Lhasalsohad56WIACchampionsunderGibson.

An active member in the governance of gymnastics at the confer-enceandnational levels, shehas servedas theWIACChair,NCGAVice-PresidentoftheWestRegionandanNCAADivisionIIIrepre-sentative.Gibsonreceivedabachelor’sdegreeinphysicalandhealtheducation fromUW-L in 1978, and earned amaster’s degree fromSouthernIllinoisUniversity-Carbondalein1981.

Shewas inducted into theUW-LWallofFame in2007and theLaCrosseAreaSportsHallofFamein2010.

By David Johnson

A PerPetuAl BACk hAndsPring

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UNIVERSITY AVE.

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WWW.LACROSSESPORTSCOMMISSION.COM | ISSUE NINE | 9

Coach’s Corner

Coach Andy McKay, field manager for the La Crosse Loggers, hassomethingonhismind,andhelikestoshareitwithhisathletes.The“MentalGame,”asMcKaylikestocallit,isthedifferenceathletesneedtohave toseparate themselves fromthecompetitionwhenphysicalabilitiesarematched.“Mostprogramsdon’tteachthementalgame,ordon’tspendalotoftimeonthementalgame.That’swhatmakesmyprogramunique.”Whocandebate,sincetakingtwoyearsagoastheLoggersHeadCoach,theLoggershavegone80-56(notincluding2010),winningmorethananyprogramintheNorthwoodsLeague.

Mostoftheplayershavejustgonethroughatransitionalfreshmanseasonorsophomoreseason,andtheyneedatune-up,amentaltune-up.TheirtimeinLaCrosseisrelativelyshort,butvisibleresultsshouldbenoticeablebytheendoftheseason.Duringlastseason’scampaign,McKayfelttheteamwas5thor6thbestintheleague,athleticallyspeaking.Duringthesecondhalf,theygelledtogether,improvingmentallyandovercomingsomedifficultchallenges,suchasthedismissalof3playersforoff-the-fieldissues.“Lastyearourteamdidagreatjobof‘stayingpresent’byfocusingonthetasksathand,andnotworryingaboutpastorfutureissues,”hereports.Beingmentallystrongallowedtheteamtomakeday-to-dayphysicalimprovements.“Youneedtoworkonyourmentalgametoseparateyourselvesfromotherteams.Ifyouwaituntilthere’saproblem,it’stoolate”,saidMcKay.

Inathletics,McKayfeelsyoumustusefearasamotivator,letitmakeyouangry,andusethatangertoovercomeyourfears.Inacompetition,youhaveafearoffailure,thefearthatyouropponentwillbeatyou,takeyourposition,sendyoutothebullpen,andgetyoudemoted.Turningthisintoahealthyangerallowsyoutoovercomeyourfear,butifyouareangryafterwards,it’stoolate,nowyou’relivinginthepast.McKayinsiststhattobesuccessful,“Angermustovercomefear,andtheathletemustbevestedinthefeartobeabletoovercomeit,suchasfearofnotbeingdrafted.”

CoachMcKaystaysintouchwithalotofhisformerathletes,onesthathavebenefitedfromhismentalgameteachings,suchasCoryVaughn,RobBrantly,andChrisSale.Eventhoughhewasnamedtothe2008Northwood’sLeagueAll-StarGame,Chrishadatoughseasonwiththeloggers,buthismentalgamemadesomedrasticimprovementsoverthatseason.Thissummer,theChicagoWhiteSoxdraft-edChrisinthefirstround.McKaysaid“thementalgameplayedabigroleinChris’improvement.”McKayseeslocalstandoutTonyMuellerasthemostgiftedathletehehascoachedatanylevel,butthementalgamehasbeenthedifferenceinhisgameoverthepast2seasonswiththeLoggers.“TonyisagreatMLBtalent,hisabilitytofocusoneachsituation,understandit,andhavetheconfidenceinhimselftodoitwillgethimtothenextlevel.”CoachMcKaysuggestforyoungathletestoembracethementalgameearlyon.

“Athleteswillget to thepointwhere theirphysicalabilitiesaren’tenough tobeat theopponent,orstandouttoscoutsandcoaches.Workingonthementalgamebeforethishappenswillgivethemanedge.Forsome,physicaltalentwillceasetobeanadvantagebyage15,forothersitmaybeage35.MichaelJordanwasworkingonhismentalgamethroughretirement,trickinghimselfintobelievingheneededanedge,neededachiponhisshoulder.Workedforhim.”McKayinsistsitcanworkforyou!IinterviewedCoachMcKayatCopelandParkduringanAmericanLegionbaseballgame.Hejoinedmeintheboothwiththehometeamdownseven,inthebottomofthe7thinning.Withtwoouts,thehometeamralliedandwonthegame.Icouldseethewheelsinhisheadturningastheshouldersofthelosingteamdropped,andthejubilationofthewinningteamechoedthroughoutthepark.Thementalgamenodoubtplayedaroleforboththewinnersandlosers.Forfurtherreading,McKaysuggestsauthorsKenRavizzaandBobRotella,whoarebothexpertsinthementalgameofgolfandbaseball,respectively.

By Brian Meeter

whAt’s on your Mind?

Brian Meeter is a huge fan of baseball and the mental game

10 | ISSUE NINE | WWW.LACROSSESPORTSCOMMISSION.COM

There are numerous national and state or-ganizations that are sponsoring the games.ThankstothevisionandcollaborationoftheWisconsinorganizations,Madisonwascho-sentobethe2010host.Thisisasignificantnodtoourcapitolcity,asthepreviouscitiestohostwerePittsburgh,Pennsylvania, (2008) andLouisville,Kentucky,(2006).BothlocalLaCrosseareahealthcareinstitutions,Fran-ciscanSkempandGundersenLutheran,aresendingvolunteerstotheGames.TheGamesopenonJune30,2010andcloseAugust4,2010.VolunteersmaysignupthroughtheNationalKidneyFoun-dationWebsiteortheYesIWillWisconsinwebsite.Ascheduleofeventsisalsoavailableonbothwebsites.A5KRaceforOrgan,Eye&TissueDonationAwareness(Run/Walk)isavailableforpartici-pationbythepublic,withregistrationavailableonline.

For more information, please visit ::http://www.kidney.org/news/tgames2010/index.cfm

Leanne Johnson is a self-described sports nut, a designated organ donor, and volunteer for the U. S. Transplant Games

A special athletic competition is coming to the State ofWisconsinthis summer. It combines a celebration of lifewithOlympic-stylecompetitiondesignedtobringtogetherpeoplefromallwalksoflife.TheNationalKidneyFoundation’sU.STransplantGamesisabien-nialeventwhosehomein2010isMadison,Wisconsin.TheNationalKidneyFoundationhaspresentedthegamessince1990.Theathletesareunique: theyhave receivedkidney, liver,heart, lung,pancreas,andbonemarrowtransplants.Thetwelveathleticcompetitionsaretrackandfield,swimming,tennis,basketball,cycling,golf,bowling,racquetball,volleyball,5KRoadRace,Badminton,andtabletennis.Thisyear’sdemonstrationsportisballroomdancing.

TheNationalKidneyFoundationwebsitehighlightsthepurposeandspiritofthegameswiththeirgoals:

By Leanne Johnson

u. s. trAnsPlAnt gAMes CoMe to wisConsin

Photo above (left to right) Dr. Thomas E. Starzl, FOX News correspondent Catherine Herridge, who donated a piece of her liver to her son Peter (right). Catherine and her son participated in the 2008 U.S. Transplant Games in Pittsburgh, and will participate this year as well.Photo credits :: U.S. Transplant Games.

Showcase the success of transplantation while calling attention

to the critical need for more organ donors in the U.S.

Recognize and pay tribute to the more than 4,000 American

families who donate the organs and tissues of their family

members each year.

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through the use of athletics.

Establish a commitment to patient wellness, increasing longev-

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Q&A2010-2011 NFL SEASON

MATT SKRADIE vS. NEIL KLOS

Q:How do you see tHe NFL seasoN eNdiNg? wHo is goiNg to be oN-top aNd wHo do you tHiNk wiLL struggLe?

Q:wHicH NFL team got tHe best pLayer out oF tHe draFt aNd How do you see tHembeNeFittiNg tHeir team?

Q:wHat do you expect to see out oF tHe VikiNgs aNd/or packers tHis seasoN?

Q: it is earLy, but aNy predictioNs as to wHo wiLL be iN tHis year’ssuperbowL? aNd wHo wiLL wiN it?

Neil: Nottobeahomer,butItrulybelievein“onemoreyear”andthePackershavethat.IpickthemtorepresenttheNFCintheSuperbowl.(Greatdraft,3-4defense,topratedPasser,bestre-ceivercorpinthegame.)AsfortheAFC,watchoutfortheRavens(Defense,Flacco,Boldin,Rice)!Struggle?Houston-sexypickforfantasy,buttheircoachingstaffisquestionable.SamefortheVikings-youcanargueFavre,butBradChildresscanalwayslosethem4-5games.

Skradie: WiththeparodyoftheNFLitiskindofhardtopredict.IthinktheBearswillbemuchimproved,PackersandVikingswillbearoundthesamelevelastheywerelastseason,andtheLionsstillstruggle.

Neil: 48thover-allJimmyClausen-willstartforthePanthersandmaketheiroffenseadualthreat.

Skradie: TheLionsgotthebestplayerwithNdamukongSuh.Ithinkhewilldojustfinethisseason,buttheLionsarestillalongwaysaway.

Neil: Referto#1-Packers11-5,Vikings9-7

Skradie: Ithinkaboutthesameaslastseason,kindof another un-eventful boring off-season. The Vi-kingshavemadeasplashthepastfewoff-seasonsbutthisyear,thestarsoftheNFCNorththisoff-seasonhandsdownhasbeentheBears.

Neil: Referto#1-PackersVs.Ravens

Skradie: Giants/Ravens...........Ravenswinit.

Q:aNy tHougHts oN brett FaVre pLayiNgaNotHer seasoN?

Neil: Yes,hewillplaythefirstweek,andbelostfortheseasonbyinjuryafterthepoundingthesaintsputonhim.

Skradie: Hehadthesurgery,hewillbeback.Lovehimorhatehim,FavreisGREATfortheNFL.

Q:wHo do you expect to see oN top oF tHe big teN? aNd wHicH teams wiLL struggLe?

Neil: AgainnottobeaHomer,butTheBadgersarealotlikethePack-onemoreyear.#1QBintheBIGTEN(passingstats).Greatwideouts/TE,theirO-linehas3seniors.TheirDefenseisanotheryearalongfeaturingtheBestD-endinCollegeinJJWatt.

Skradie: Ilikethe“Usuals”ontopagain:OSU,Wisconsinamongthem.IthinkMichiganwillstillstruggle,butbebetterthisseasonthanlast.

aasdf!~BONUS QUESTION !

2010-2011 BIG TEN SEASON

(L)Matt Skradie is the host of “The Sports Exchange, WKTB Radio 580(R)Neil Klos is the Director of News and Sports for the La Crosse Radio Group

12 | ISSUE NINE | WWW.LACROSSESPORTSCOMMISSION.COM

BrettJacksonspentonlythesummerof2007inLaCrosse,buttheformerLoggers’starandcurrentChicagoCubsoutfieldprospectwillalwaysconsideritaturningpoint.

“Wehadtalentonthatteam,despitewhatourrecordendedupas,”21-year-oldJacksonsaid. “Itwasa closeknitgroup. I stillkeepintouchwithJustinToole,ColeWhite,andothersfromthatteam.”

Jackson’sperformanceontheLoggersalsosenthimbacktoUC-Berkeleywithalotofconfidence.Heperformedwellincol-lege,playedasummerintheCapeCodLeague,andgotonthebigleagueradarscreen,tothepointwheretheCubstookhimastheirNo.1pickinthe2009draft.

“Ihadcomeoffa rough freshmanseasonatBerkeley,”Jacksonsaid.“But,playingintheNorthwoodsLeague,withthewoodbats,andplaying every day, and the travel, helpedme getmy confi-denceandgetabetterfeelforwhattheminorswouldbelike.TheCapehelpedtoo,butthatsummerintheNorthwoodsLeaguewasaturningpointformeandhelpedmeperformtowhereIcouldgetnoticedanddrafted.”

Jacksonbatted.303with91runsscored,25doubles,11triples,12homersand85rbiinthreeseasonsatBerkeley. Heestablishedhimselfasafleet,goodfieldingoutfielder.

TheCubstookhimNo.1,andheaveraged.318in53gamessplitamongMesaintheRookieLeague,BoiseinSingleAandPeoriainSingleA.Hefinishedthe2009seasonwithanine-gamehittingstreak. BaseballAmericanamedhimthe thirdbestprospect intheNorthwestLeagueafterthe2009season.ThatsamepublicationnamedhimthesecondbestCubs’prospect,behindonlyshortstopStarlinCastro,tostartthe2010season.

AllthatearnedhimaninvitationtotheCubs’bigleaguecampthisspring.Hewon’tstickthere,andheknowsit.But,atthetimeoftheinterviewforthisstory,hewashitting1.000withonehitandasluggingpercentageof3.000.

“The kid inme was a little overwhelmed when I first reported,”Jacksonsaid.“JusttobeinthesameclubhouseandonthesamefieldwithDerrekLee,Soto,Dempsterandtheseotherguys.Astimegoesonthough,yougettoknowthemmoreasteammatesandregu-larpeople.

“It’sagreatopportunitytolearnfromtheseguys,howtheygoabouttheirbusinessandhandletheoverallthingsthatcomewithbeingabigleaguer.IjustwanttolearnasmuchasIcanandworkashardasIcanhere,andwhereverIgofortheseason.”

InadditiontorememberingLaCrosseasaplacewhereheboostedhisbaseballcareer,Jacksonrecalls the friendlinessand loyaltyoftheLoggers’fansandareapeopleingeneral.

“ThecrowdsinLaCrosseweregreat,”hesaid.“IstillrememberaraindelaywhereweledthecrowdintotheYMCAandslidonthetarp.Itwasafunsummer,whereIalsolearnedalot.”

Len Schley is an avid local sports fan and enjoys volunteering his time as a volunteer and mentor to young athletes.

By Gregg Hoffmann

CuBBies CAll on A logger

Gregg Hoffmann is a veteran journalism who publishes www.midwestdiamondreport.com, www.oldschoolcollectibles.com and www.driftlessimagesinpixelsandprose.com.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW

Hey! Hey! Hey!

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~4thAnnualHerbWunschMemorialTournament(14U,18U)HolmenParkandRec

~StarsofTomorrowBaseballTournament~FridayNightStreetDrags-LaCrosseFairgroundsSpeedway

~YMCADahlAutomotiveKidsTriathlon8:00am-YMCANorth~NASCARRacing-LaCrosseFairgroundsSpeedway

~RiverCityWaterSkiShow-AirportBeach

~Shelby12&UnderBaseballTournament-ShelbyHillviewBBComplex

~2ndAnnualViroquaTriathlon~NASCARRacing-LaCrosseFairgroundsSpeedway

~EcoParkSurvivor-MyrickHixonEcoPark,8:30-12:00pm

~RiverCityWaterSkiShow-AirportBeach

~StarsofTomorrowBaseballTournament

~Grandad’sPancakeFestivalGrassVolleyballTournament-CopelandPark~YouthOutdoorFest-PettibonePark~NASCARRacing-LaCrosseFairgroundsSpeedway

~LaCrescentWieserStepvsLaCrosseYouthBlackRiverMemorial~10andUnderYouthBaseballGame:MillerPark,Milwaukee

~EcoPark’sAmazingRace-MyrickHixonEcoPark,8:30-12:00pm

~RiverCityWaterSkiShow-AirportBeach

~Shelby10&UnderBaseballTournament-ShelbyHillviewBBComplex~CouleeKennelClubDogShow-LaCrosseCenter

~NASCARRacing-LaCrosseFairgroundsSpeedway

AUGUST EVENT4

7-8

8

8-11

11

13

14

18

20

21

20-22

28

29

~RiverCityWaterSkiShow-AirportBeach ~NASCARRacing-LaCrosseFairgroundsSpeedway ~RegionCatClubAnnualShow-OmniCenter

~YMCABronstonChiropracticKidsMarathon-YMCANorth ~CoachZHoopCamp-TheLaCrosseCenter ~RiverCityWaterSkiShow-AirportBeach ~FridayNightStreetDrags-LaCrosseFairgroundsSpeedway ~TrailFest-HumanPoweredTrails ~NASCARRacing-LaCrosseFairgroundsSpeedway ~RiverCityWaterSkiShow-AirportBeach ~BigBrothersBigSistersGolfScramble-FoxHollow

~NASCARRacing-LaCrosseFairgroundsSpeedway

~KornfestSoftballTournament-Holmen

~FrenchIslandLionsClub5KRun/Walk-FrenchIslandCommunityCenter~BlufflandsEpicEnduroBikeRace-HumanPoweredTrails~NASCARRacing-LaCrosseFairgroundsSpeedway

~KashforKlunkingSuperDBikeRace-HumanPoweredTrails

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