5 Years and Counting

I just realized that the “SK Blog” has celebrated its 5th year anniversary this school year. I have had the opportunity to Blog over 500 SK biased posts in those 5 years covering a wide array of Pioneer and Independence related activities. There have been over 50,000 visitors to the Blog viewing 75,000 pages. During this Christmas season when we pause to thank those who have done something nice for us, I want to take today’s post to pass on some acknowledgements of my own.

I appreciate everyone who takes the time to check out my babblings and pictures. I really appreciate those who let me know when they see something they like. It really isn’t much fun to take the time to do “this” if nobody is reading. I especially appreciate the VIP readers; the service personnel stationed around the world who are able to keep up with their kid’s sports through the Blog. Your emails and comments have made me feel like what I do here is really important.

I appreciate AD Jeff Marksberry’s assistance to make sure that I get in positions to cover the Pioneer events. It certainly isn’t always easy to get into BOK Arena, Diddle Arena, Cardinal Stadium, Nippert Field, Winchester Gymnasium, etc. but Coach Marksberry always makes sure I’m there.

Although I enjoy covering all the SK sports but the neatest thing I’ve been able to do is sit under the baskets at Diddle Arena shooting pictures of my daughters playing in the KHSAA Sweet 16 Tournaments. I still don’t know how I kept my mouth shut when Lyndsay was slammed to the ground for her 5th foul in a losing effort to Casey County that could have put them in the Final 4. I also had to bite my tongue from cheering as Caitlyn played an outstanding game despite a back injury that had sidelined for the District and Regional tournaments at the end of her junior season. I’m looking forward to covering my youngest daughter Rachael during the next 4 years and hope that her experiences academically and athletically at SK are as good as her sisters.

It is hard to pick my favorite “non-family” events. The football team’s run in 2008 to the state finals was the season long event that jumps to mind immediately. Every playoff game seemed colder than the previous week’s game but 1,000’s of Neer fans from Indy continued to come out every week and outnumber the fans sitting in the opposite stands. Putting on multiple layers of clothing in the parking lot got to be hilarious at times as the Neer faithful put on enough garb that would have kept them warm in the coldest of deer hunting tree stands. Seeing the support of the community was probably the best thing about that improbable playoff run. I’ll forever remember the image of Mr. Pioneer, Randall Wagner, wrapping his arm around David Simpson and heading out to the middle of the field with the team and community to celebrate the win against Boone County. Kevin Carrico’s appearance in the last home football game was very special and a real perspective builder for us all. The little post I did that night was the most read entry post in the 5 years as local media outlets picked up the story.

A couple of things that meant a lot to me personally; first was the girls’ soccer regional win and their first appearance in a state game in 2007. I had coached the majority of those girls and I was proud of them not just because they were winners but they were great kids off the field as well. The other thing was seeing the Fieldhouse named the Cook Wagner Fieldhouse after Junior and Betty Sue Cook and Randall and Patsy Wagner. If you don’t know these folks personally, please do me a favor and introduce yourself to them this basketball season. You can find them in the top row at center court at every single home game. They define what community support means.

Finally, I also want to share a huge thanks to all of the SK coaches. I’ve posted a lot of” interesting” pictures with roasting types of captions. Every one of you has been great sports about these posts but please remember, the camera is always watching.

To all of the athletes, thank you for your efforts in and out of the classroom. Sports should not define your entire high school experience but should be a teacher of life and a positive outlet for your energies and gifts. Once you are finished with your career at SK, always remember, Once a Pioneer, Always A Pioneer. Your SK experience can help you in your future to achieve you hopes and dreams in life.

Thank you for reading!

Marc
Class of 1982

NOTE: As always, please feel free to shoot me an email with your thoughts and comments; I can be reached at figsphotos@fuse.net