LITTLE ROCK — For coach, it’s about priorities
Patty Gasso was supposed to be the center of attention Saturday evening at the National Fastpitch Coaches Association in Orlando, Fla.
The University of Oklahoma softball coach was supposed to be inducted into the association’s Hall of Fame - a huge honor for a coach who helped the Sooners win a national championship in 2000 and had compiled an 871-279 record during 18 seasons at the school.
This was Gasso’s night to be honored for her tireless dedication to the sport. But instead of making the trip to be honored by her peers, the coach decided to pass on the ceremony and attend her son’s Class 6A state championship football game instead.
Gasso was hoping the game between Norman (Okla.) North High School, her son’s school, and Jenks High would be played ona Saturday, allowing her to make the Friday night ceremony and fly back in time for the game. When the game was confirmed for Friday, Gasso knew she had to skip the Hall of Fame induction for her son’s final high school football game.
Gasso was there, front and center Friday night for the championship game between the two Oklahoma powerhouses. Jenks prevailed 55-20 in front of an estimated crowd of 15,000 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla.
Nice endorsement
Who is the greatest Los Angeles Laker of all time?
Jerry West says it’s Kobe Bryant.
“What he has accomplished with this team, I don’t think there’s any question in my mind at this point in time - because of him being with this team for his whole career - that he has been the greatest Laker player,” said West, who made it to the NBA Finals nine times and was a 14-time All-Star. “I do think he’s the greatest Laker player we’ve ever seen.
“He has an incredible desire to win and excel, and his work ethic and his skill level are what places him among the truly great, great players we’ve ever had in this league.” A near miss
Emma Span of SportsOnEarth.com, on the Steinbrenners’ austerity plan for the New York Yankees: “The phrase ‘the Yankees on a budget’ sounds downright oxymoronic. Jumbo shrimp! Deafening silence! Business ethics !”Headlines
From the satirical sports website sportspickle.com:
“Failed Suns, Knicks coach not leading Lakers to greatness”
“LeBron James wins Sportsman of the Year for achievements in grouse hunting”
“Baseball’s winter meetings start as GMs swap holiday cookie recipes”
Quote of the day
“When God’s favor is on you, it’s on you, and his favor has been with this football team.” UAPB Coach Monte Coleman after the Golden Lions’ 24-21 overtime victory over Jackson State in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Game
Sports, Pages 22 on 12/09/2012