At the restaurant dad, Megan and I sat together and Cole was with the gang from school. Dad and I asked for coffee and Megan ordered a soft drink. As soon as we were alone Megan asked, so Mike what did you think about this morning? Megan if you mean what the results of all this will be, that was pre determined. There will be changes how many changes? That will be what it becomes. Or you mean the shit show 2 were unprepared and are in the PAAA pocket, one helped me walk back a mistake and the other has issues with the PAAA and was supportive. This afternoon Representative Lee will have met with the PAAA and have real questions. The Senator will want details on how I would implement all that and that will help him as it will give him other options. Sandwiches were ordered and dad asked Mike, why was the football team there? Dad, I have no idea but I'm betting the administration wasn't given a choice. I would bet that they were simply ONED. At that point Megan started to laugh. I asked Megan what's is funny? Mike, these guys are so out of it that they underestimated you, how dos that keep happening? Well Megan they are not from Allegheny County and they don't pay attention to much outside their district, I'm guessing. Mike, that Leiper guy was from Beaver County. I laughed and said, you mean Eastern Ohio, well they are more rural and small townish. Mike, they are in the same league as you. Megan, that's true but they are all in smaller classification. Then dad said Mike, no more mistakes, you won't get to walk another one back.
When we got back to the hearing room I was amazed as it was every bit as full as it was in the morning. The team was back as was all the media and I knew that I would have a hard time getting out of there without talking to them. Right on time the Committee was called to order and the Chairman said Representative Lee you have 10 minutes, are you ready. Mr. Lee looked at me and asked, what are some of the items that would make the PAAA access their reserves? Well, there could be many things but most would involve legal issues and fees. Mike, I have to wonder how you are aware of that? There was no question there so I sat quietly. Finally Representative asked if I had a comment on that? Sir, I have no comment on your wondering but I'll answer a question. There was some laughter at that. Mr. Lee stared at me and asked, were you involved in a Federal Civil case against the PAAA last year? Sir, I was not but so you don't run out of time I will tell you my family was and specifically my stepmom and my stepbrother was. So why was that a federal case. Look for some reason the PAAA declared Cole ineligible to play high school golf and they kept appealing losses in state court in an attempt to run out the clock. Apparently, he was too good to play but eligible in every way. So Megan filed a federal civil case and it got put on the fast track for time reasons. Mike the fact that the person filing the case was a Federal Judge didn't hurt. Ok, Mr. Lee I'm done answering these questions as those people are here and can be sworn in and will answer questions. You however need to know that questioning the ethics, with no proof, of a Federal Judge isn't very smart. Also, if being too good eliminates a person from participation as the highest rated high school linebacker, I would have viewed my self ineligible. Just then the Chairman said, Mr. Lee you are out of time and your staff should consider starting an apology letter to Judge Simmons.
There was a conference with the Senator and his staff and Tim turned off my microphone and whispered you are either going to be canonized or be declared a heretic. The Chairman said, I followed Mike's opening remarks as he delivered them and was amazed that he never referred to his notes. In the middle he went off script for a sentence and otherwise he could have been reading it. I was disappointed that he needed to go back 20 years to be able to say something positive about those guys over there. Mike, concentrating on the non-profit status of the PAAA is very much overlooked. Every non-profit has a reserve to weather bad times but they are not intended to pay for stupid mistakes. I have been aware of that lawsuit Representative Lee mentioned and it could have bankrupted the PAAA and led to the demise of high school sports. Judge Simmons simply asked that court costs and legal fees be paid. That is one of the reasons we are here today. Setting aside the financial situation, for now, I would like to talk with Mike about his primary concerns. Accountability, openness and representation.
Mike, how would these new members be selected? Senator, each of the groups have a state wide organization. For example School Boards have a state group known as PASADA. They could simply elect a representative. Oh and I would term limit them to two years and then sit out at least one term. The Senator asked, with your proposal we would be almost doubling the size of the current board and it would turn over every 2 years. Is that a good idea? Well Senator, that works for the State House of Representatives. Everyone laughed and the Senator said Mike, does it? I laughed and said well then the terms for half the new members could be 1 or 3 years and the other half 2 years. Mike, thanks for those thoughts. Switching to finances, what are your issues there? Well there should be no company cars. A simple pool of 3 cars they could sign out as needed or be reimbursed for the documented use of personal transportation. Every team who qualifies for the State Tournament should be compensated fully. Yes that should include marching bands and cheerleaders. Senator, I have a special concern about expenses for golf as the individual schools are charged green fees for qualified student athletes to participate in the finals usually held at York Country Club.
Senator, I don't want to get into Championship sites but I have the two best golf courses in the Commonwealth ready and willing to host that event. They will alternate years. Mike, will Oakmont and Marion be too tough for the high school kids. Senator, I haven't played Marion but there are multiple Oakmont courses. Oakmont easy, medium, hard and impossible. I'm sure it the same at Marion. More than likely we could do that in many sports. Again at no cost for those facilities. Senator, the sites should be decided by the PAAA Board of Directors and some oversight by your committee. Senator as I said in my statement non-profits need to be transparent, inclusive and vested in their stake holders. All of them, all of the time. Mike, thank you.
Senator, may I please have a few minutes, I would like to thank my teammates for making the trip. Back before training camp we would get together and to unite together and thanks to some summer reading I came up with the One For All thing and it got us through a lot. We will have that with us forever and today was very, very special for me and I hope for them as well. Thanks guys! Then the Chairman said, before we hear from the PAAA we are in recess for 15 minutes.
I stood up to stretch and was about to head to the restroom when Dr. Johnson came up to me and said that he was taking the troops out. This was interesting and I'm sure educational. Mike, on Monday would you stop in the office we have an issue with the basketball team and we need your special kind of help. I said sure and safe travels. I made it to the rest room and when I got back the ESPN people were waiting for me. They said that they were having trouble wrapping up the program on the out team and my last statement, cleaned up, was perfect. They would get to me next week in school. I sat down and Tim looked at me smiled and said you are in for a thrashing. I laughed and said grin and bear it as I'm right and they know it.
Once back in session it was the PAAA's turn and it started with their usual report which droned on for 35 minutes. Then Dr. Lombo simply sat down apparently ignoring the discussion so far. The Chairman looked at him and asked is that all? The reply of yes that's all we have, brought a collective gasp from the room. Well Dr. Lombo I for one would like you thoughts on Mr. Simmons opening statement. Senator it was a heinous and odious attack on this organization and me by an arrogant, ungrateful individual who has benefit greatly from the program that he finds repugnant. Who has a scarcity of expertise or even a basic understanding of the working of our organization or the concept of a non-profit that he basis his premise on. The Chairman looked at me and I nodded slightly and he said well, I think I will let mine respond to that. I smiled and said thank you Senator. What I object to is the Executive Directors domineering, arbitrary and autocratic way the organization is managed and deals with it's members and the student athletes. As for my understanding of a non-profit I stipulate that if is fundamental but I wish my companies had that big of an untaxed reserve sitting in the bank. So now that we have both demonstrated our expansive vocabularies isn't it time to simply get into the weeds, act like normal adults and find a way to get the people your non-provides services a say in the how that is done. One more thing Dr. Lombo you take too much credit for what I have accomplished as a student athlete as in my 4 year playing varsity football, I have played in exactly 2 PAAA football tournament games. For the record I committed to VT long before participating in those games. Thank you Mr. Chairman.
Dr. Lombo said, Mr. Chairman if that pretentious young man wants a street fight we can do that but adding all those people to the board would be unwieldy and make for long drawn out Board meetings. We would need more time to evaluate what we could realistically deal with. We should discuss that at our next quarterly meeting. Just then Representative Lee said, Mr. Chairman I would like to reply to that. I am amazed that the Executive Director is unprepared for this discussion as all of us have heard these complaints for a while. I am left to assume that Dr. Lombo has chose to ignore them, as I have for a while now, no longer. Mr. Chairman, I respectfully ask that this hearing be reconvened at 9:00 AM, Monday. I would ask that our witness be available by phone as he and the Musketeers should be in school. That motion was immediately seconded and the vote was 4 - 1. Dr. Lombo immediately objected saying, that won't wok for us as we have a previously schedule Board meeting? The Chairman laughed and replied, that's fine as we will come to you and attend your Board meeting. You might also consider being proactive and order a larger Board table and additional chairs. We are adjourned.
I started to get up and Tim said Mike, just sit as the Major is trying to buy you some time and the press really want to talk with you. I laughed and said well, I just want out of here. Well the media will be waiting for you as soon as you step outside this hearing room. Mike, except for old and white you did an outstanding job, don't blow it and gently deal with the vocabulary contest you had with that fool. As soon as I stepped outside the earring room I was blinded by flashes of light from the cameras and everyone was asking a question. As soon as I could see I put up both hands and said, you can't all ask a question at the same time. With that I said ok as he is the home team the reporter from the PATRIOT - NEWS gets the first question. Mike, how expansive is your vocabulary? I laughed and said well it was substantial enough for today and I didn't need a copy of Webster's dictionary to keep up. How about I give you a second chance to ask a more developed and important question. Ok Mike, what did you accomplish today? Actually a lot. The PAAA does a lot of good things in a very old school, heavy handed way. I thought I made that very clear in my opening statement and answers to the questions. The most important thing is that we started with a 2-2 Committee and the Chairman breaking every tie. We left this afternoon with a 3-1 Committee and a Chairman with all the support he needs to make substantial change. Monday's continuation of the hearing will be very interesting.
Mike, Paul Schofield from the ERIE TIMES - NEWS, how did you get so much support today from your classmates. Well Paul, it was substantially the football team but there was the also the Principle, Superintendent and AthleticDirector. The ONE FOR ALL - ALL FOR ONE this is very important. People went to DC to support my stepbrother, Cole. We have supported others and it has made for a very tight student body. We are expected to excel land we expect the same from our teachers, coaches and administrators.
Hi Mike, Chris from THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, why do all this, as you are done and will not be involved in High School sports. Well Chris, I promised my best bud that I would run track with him in two relay events. I'm looking for 4 more metals. Besides the District Championships are at my school. A treat for the home fans. Mike as a follow up you said the districts mean more than a State Championship. Would an ACC championship mean more than a NCAA Championship? No it wouldn't. Why is that? I don't know but it is what it is.
There were questions for another 15 minutes and when my answer ( three times in a row) was that's covered in my opening statement The Major said thanks guys, flying private in and out of an international airport isn't easy and we actually have a schedule to keep. I hope you local guys remember Wednesday at 1:00 for our news conference dealing with the buildings. With that I was hustled out to a waiting taxi and we were off to the airport.
It was not a short trip to the airport and we were pretty quiet until Jim said Mike, I hope you realize that you are not flying home. You are simply too emotionally drained and getting out of that airport requires some crews or we will be in line for an hour. Mike, you need to relax this weekend. Major, I need to workout and do some CMU shit. Normally I would just get up early take the jet to VT and deal with that drama but it's not in me right now. Mike, I didn't say this but you should get a good nights rest get up work out and get plastered, I'm sure JJ remember how to do that. Then get up watch the Steelers and do nothing but recover. I laughed and said Major, you know something, I have never done anything like that and I'm not going to as my mother would do that and it killed her. Jim, you can fly but I'm sitting in the right seat, I need that.
At the Executive Terminal there was a small but comfortable waiting area and a place to order food. Mom, dad Cole and the others were waiting for us but all I wanted was food. At the counter I asked for the quickest sandwich they could make and an iced tea. I was handed a pre made ham and cheese sandwich with lettuce and tomato, a bag of chips and an iced tea. I sat down tore open the sandwich and took a big bite. JJ sat beside me and asked, did dad tell you that you weren't flying? As I had a mouthful of food I nodded. Then JJ asked if he handed me that bull shit that it's tough getting in and out of an international airport. I said yup and I simply let that pass as I know better and I'm tired arguing with old white men. JJ almost fell out of his seat laughing. When he recovered he said, well that's a good description and I laughed. I finished eating and JJ and I just talked and all of a sudden his dad appeared and said wheels up in 30 and get on the plane in 15 and no luggage in the cabin. Then he said Jim, I need help with the pre-check. I didn't realize that it wanted JJ.
I chatted with Megan and dad and sooner than needed I went outside and stood beside the plane. There was something special about the atmosphere and the smell. It was disgusting and dangerous but pleasurable and exciting at the same time, I simply loved it. I got on board and sat in the right seat buckled in and put on the head phones and simply looked out the window. Soon enough the Major clipped in and once secure with headphones on he check the field wind and weather and ran through the check list and when he completed the last item I simply said right engine clear and he started the right engine. When it was fully operational and rpm's were optimal and oil pressure holding, he looked and started the left engine. He contacted the tower and identified us and asked for permission to taxi with ATIS. We were cleared as requested and once at the runway head the Major asked to be cleared for takeoff. We were second in line and rather quickly were cleared for takeoff. We headed due east and once cleared we made a slow turn and headed due west.
I was very content to sit there and look out the window. This was fantastic I was totally relaxed and just loved being up here and having no responsibilities made it even better. It was a quick flight and it was a tad before 7:00 when we landed. The Major said Mike, grab your bag and get out of here I have this covered. I started home then remembered that the basketball team had its section opener at home tonight so I changed course and drove to school. The parking lot was full and by the time I found a spot and walked to the gym the first half was ending. The parent selling tickets waved me by and smiled. I was still in the suit and white shirt I had put on at 7:30 this morning but the tie had been removed hours ago. I was standing in the corner opposite the student section feeling out of place as I was the only one with a suit on. All of a sudden I heard Mike, we have a seat for you and it got louder as a few of the students had spotted me. I left the gym walked down the hall and joined the troops in the student section. I finally looked at the score and we were down 23-24. That was unusual as the team we were playing had not won all preseason.
When the team came out for warmups there were 3 guys in sweats. I asked a couple of people about that and most didn't know and then someone said they were suspended but no one knew or would say why. It remained close the entire game and there was a young guy on our team who was busting his ass and he scored the last 9 points of the game in what was a 6 point win for us. What amazed me was that 2 or 3 boos came from our section if the kid did anything wrong. That was so disheartening I couldn't believe it. After the game I hung around and Dr. Johnson saw me and came over. He smiled and said Mike, I'm betting you wish you would have gone home? I just shook my head agreeing.
Mike that kid, Nick Wilson is a freshman and could be starting and coach has been working him in and increasing his playing time. The upperclassman don't like that. There has been some hazing but the other night after practice while he was showering they took his clothes and left leaving him naked. Some of the JV players helped him out and collectively they got him dressed. When his dad picked him up he lost lost it and I got a call. Chuck and I met individually with each player and 2 juniors and a senior were suspended. Mike, the senior is 18 and it could get really ugly. Would you talk with Mr. Wilson, please.
Just then Coach Weston appeared with a very fit guy in his late 30's or early 40's. Coach said Nick I would like you to meat Mike Simmons. Nick looked at me and asked, how in the heck are you here as I saw you on TV live at 4:00? I smiled and said corporate plane. Mr. Wilson, I understand Nick is having some issues, would you please let me take him for a bite to eat and I promise I'll have him home early. Mike Nicky would love that and please call me Nick. Just then I saw Rob and he said I guess you heard. Yup and now I'm involved so could you please ask everyone not to go to Eat N Park. He laughed and said well we are two groups a number of us have dates and some go to the Tavern. The rest have a party at Paul's house. I said thanks and went back to coach and Doc. I saw Nicky and asked Nick to give us a few minutes and he should talk with his son. Once the three of us were alone I said guys there is a team party at Paul Shirley's place, why don't you guys stop by in about an hour. They laughed and said absolutely. Coach, do they practice tomorrow? Mike they practice at 1:00. Doc. Would it be ok if I brought JJ and the Prince of Wales along and said the coach if we could have 30 minutes alone with them. Mike, consider it done.
I went over to where Nick and his son were standing and looked at Mr. Wilson and asked are you ok with us getting a bite to eat and I'll have him home around 11:00. Nicky looked at me and asked, are we really going to get something to eat? When I said yup. He said, that's fucking awesome. His dad started to say something and I slightly shook my head indicating I got this. As we walked to the Wrangler I told Nicky that when he was around adults and that included me he needed to use his adult vocabulary and then when with his friends he could use other words. He looked at me and asked Mike, are you mad? I said Nick, not this time. At Eat N Park we were quickly seated I ordered iced tea and Nick said, I'll have what he is having. I asked Nick, what do you usually drink and he said Sprite. I looked at the waitress and she said Sprite, it is. Nicky ordered a Big Boy hamburger and fries and I ordered a club sandwich and coleslaw. We talked about school and his classes and that he played soccer and basketball and was much better in hoops. How was taking all the classes that indicated he was smart and he said his grades were A's with an occasional B. Once we were done eating I asked about the team and he said well it's 2 groups. There are the 4 starters and a Sophomore and me. Lately I'm the first guard in. Which group is giving you a hard time? Well Rob has the group I told you about under control it's the other. They are having a party tonight and tomorrow at practice I'll pay the price for not going. Mike, there is some hazing, you know get the balls, clean up the locker room then it became a slap on the ass with a wet towel and finally them taking my clothes and today it was that the kids who helped me would be next. I paid the check and thankfully he lived close on Prospect Road, a nice section of Whitehall. I pulled in the driveway and we went inside I was introduced to Carmen Wilson and she said Nicky your dad and I need to talk with Mike for a few minutes. How about getting ready for bed? The the kid said thanks Mike and went upstairs.
I asked about classes and grades and they simply confirmed what I was told by their son. I told them about the party and said that I hoped it was soft drinks but doubted it. There would be a visit from the principal and AD and I would bet that the party had ended early. I told them that the football captains would be attending practice tomorrow and have a meeting without coaches. Then I said I would ask Wyatt the freshman QB1 to reach out to Nick and that he was a good kid and should help Nick adjust to the pressure. I told them that I would call after the meeting tomorrow and that if JJ, Josh, Wyatt and I had to we would be at every game and every practice. Then I smiled and said, it won't get to that point. Good Night.
At my place I called Wyatt, Josh, Jim and finally JJ. Everyone was on board with meeting at my place and Chad was unavailable because of work. With that, I stripped, threw my suit in the closet as it needed cleaned and jumped into bed.
I was reminded the other day that it was 3 tears ago I started this story, thinking it would be a couple of chapters. It turned out to be a couple of chapters a week for 3 years. Thanks for the many comments and for staying with the story.
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