The Original Game » made the decision to hire full-time assistant coaches

Neil Putnam had been getting ready for spring practice at Lafayette College in 1973 when one of his quarterbacks came into the head varsity football coachs office with news of a difficult decision. Cheap Shoes Black Friday .Fresh off a strong season running the Leopards freshman football team, this budding two-sport star had decided to pass on a possible career on the gridiron, instead choosing to focus solely on baseball.Of course, my heart went down to my shoes, Putnam said, 43 years later. Im behind the desk, and Joes looking at me. I said, Joe, have you thought this over? And then I tried to obviously do a little bit of a sell job: Were looking forward to you coming into the varsity, and, Great hopes for the future of the program and all the things a head coach would do.But in the end what I said was what I meant: If youve made a decision and you thought it out, then you go with your decision and with my blessing. You become the best baseball player possible and do it right; however, if you decide to come back, doors always open.Joe was Joe Maddon, the brainiac manager whose Chicago Cubs will open the World Series on Tuesday against the Cleveland Indians. But before Maddon took the North Siders to their first Fall Classic in 71 years, before he legitimized the Tampa Bay Rays, before he spent three decades in the Los Angeles Angels organization, the kid from West Hazleton, Pennsylvania, was something of a football star. And few bore witness to those pigskin exploits outside of Maddons alma mater, Lafayette, a 2,500-student liberal arts school some 80 minutes southeast of Maddons hometown.There, in the land of the FCS, every regular season ends with The Rivalry, pitting Lafayette against nearby nemesis Lehigh in what is the nations most-played football series. Maddon had a memorable debut in that matchup in the 1972 freshman game, completing 14 of 17 passes for four touchdowns in a Lafayette win.It would mark the last game of Maddons football career.He wore No. 12, a memory that resurfaced around campus last month when, during one of the eccentric skippers many themed road trips with the Cubs, Maddon wore a black and red Lafayette jersey that was given to him by current Leopards football coach Frank Tavani.As a signal-caller, Maddon demonstrated tremendous field vision, Putnam recalled. Steve Schnall, who was in charge of Lafayettes freshman team at the time, said in retrospect, the 5-foot-11 Maddon reminded him of a taller, slightly less mobile version of Doug Flutie, who won the 1984 Heisman Trophy before embarking on a 21-year professional career.Schnall lauded Maddons IQ, saying he trusted his quarterback enough to put auto-calls in to him rather than strictly designed plays, which gave him a freedom at the line of scrimmage that was unusual more than four decades ago.Just by accident we were running RPOs [run-pass options], Schnall said. We didnt call it RPO in those days but we were checking from calling a pass to running the ball or calling a run and then he would check to a pass, things like that that nobody was doing, including the pros. This guy was way ahead of his time in terms of intellect and ability and great judgment. Great instincts in everything he did.Schnall recruited Maddon out of Hazleton High. He remembered a blue-collar family, with his mother working at the Third-Base Luncheonette -- where she still works today -- and his father working as a plumber. Lafayette had no qualms about allowing Maddon to play both football and baseball.Schnall sees some of Maddons mottos now -- be it try not to suck or do simple better -- and is reminded of their shared philosophies. Maddon has spoken publicly about Schnalls own mantra -- zero defects -- and how it has helped influence his managing style.ZD, as Schnall called it, is about doing everything right the first time and creating a culture that strives to be mistake-free in everything from the neatness of the locker room to the way meals are served.[Maddon] is a special person, and it aint a fluke what hes done at Tampa Bay and Chicago, Schnall said. This guys got the ability to relate to players, but he also relates to the janitor just as well as the players and also relates to the owner just as well as he does to the janitor. Hes got a special knack of relationship relevancy. Hes an amazing guy and [his success is] well-deserved.Schnall, who went on to have a long coaching career in both the college and NFL ranks, still exchanges emails with Maddon but has yet to visit him in Chicago, although he was once the managers spring training guest with the Rays.Putnam, the coach who had left that football door ajar for Maddon, heard from his former pupil in 2014, when they arranged to reconnect at Yankee Stadium, the site of the 150th Lafayette-Lehigh football game -- 41 years after they had last seen each other.Reunions being what they are, the two never crossed paths in the Bronx. Putnam drove back to his Vermont home and, a day later, received a call from an apologetic Maddon, who had gotten caught up saying hello to too many other old faces.He felt like he had done something wrong to make me want to retire back in the day, Maddon recalled. I said, Coach, you did nothing wrong. ... I wanted to play baseball; I didnt want to just keep getting hit anymore. You had nothing to do with it. ... He felt so badly about that, so we talked about that and we just talked about all the coaches that we had.The newly-minted Chicago manager invited Putnam and his family to a game of their choice, and the party made a day out of it last July, first visiting Putnams son -- who was stationed in Illinois as the commander of the states National Guards 2nd Battalion -- before heading to Wrigley Field for a night game.Putnam and his wife, their son, daughter-in-law and grandkids got to meet with Maddon and explore his office before the Cubs faced the Cardinals. Maddon was a gracious host, Putnam said, one who had not changed one iota from the teenager he remembers coaching. The group laughed about Lafayette and old times, with Maddon even saying that he planned to throw the party to end all parties back at a fraternity house upon his next campus return.Putnam, the old coach, warned him not to get kids in trouble -- but Maddon, who says the party is on for next month, invited Putnam. You know, to make sure things dont get out of hand.Putnam says hes not a superstitious man, but the old coach in him cant shake certain routines, be it wearing the same hat when things are going well or greeting folks the same way every day.And so it is that he has yet to make contact with Maddon during this charmed campaign, for he couldnt bear the thought of being the reason the Cubs dont close the deal and snap their 108-year streak without a World Series title.Theres no way after the beginning of the year I was going to get back to him in-season, Putnam quipped. I cant wait for him to win this thing so I can break the silence and get back to him. Fake Shoes Black Friday . -- There were so many positives from the Orlando Magics first victory of the season that it was hard for coach Jacque Vaughn to stop praising his players. Wholesale Shoes Black Friday . Now, correct me if Im wrong but I saw one official distinctly pointing at the net indicating a good goal but after an inconclusive review they overturned the goal. Shouldnt the ruling on the ice (good goal) stand after an inconclusive review? Why was this overturned? James Veaudry Pembroke, ON -- Hey Kerry, Youll get a lot of these, but why was the Montreal goal against Nashville Saturday night overturned? Eller puts the puck on net and the on ice ruling from the ref behind the net is a Montreal goal. https://www.cheapshoesblackfriday.com/ . -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was fined $15,570 by the NFL on Wednesday for his hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees last Sunday.TORONTO (CIS) – Sports reporter Richard Boutin, football coach Sonny Wolfe and long-time administrator Bob Philip will be honoured by Canadian Interuniversity Sport on Wednesday night in Toronto. The awards reception will be held at the Mattamy Athletic Centre as part of CIS annual general meeting. Boutin will receive the Fred Sgambati Media Award, presented annually to a member of media in recognition of major contributions to the development and growth of Canadian university sport. Wolfe merits the Jean-Marie De Koninck Coaching Excellence Award, presented since 2007 to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to university sport as demonstrated by long-term commitment and leadership as a coach at the local, provincial, national and/or international levels. Philip will be presented with the Austin-Matthews Award, which honours an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to interuniversity sport, as demonstrated by long-term commitment and leadership as a coach, director, chairperson and/or executive committee member at the local, provincial and/or national levels. “On behalf of the entire CIS family, in particular our 11,000 student-athletes and 700 coaches, I wish to congratulate our three award recipients and also thank them for their remarkable contribution to Canadian university sport,” said Pierre Lafontaine, chief executive officer of CIS. “Richard, Sonny and Bob are all passionate about CIS and its important that we take time to celebrate and show our sincere appreciation to such outstanding individuals.” FRED SGAMBATI MEDIA AWARD A graduate of Laval University in journalism, Richard Boutin started his career at Le Journal de Québec – one of Quebec Citys two major daily newspapers – in 1992 and, since 1998, has been the Journals main football beat writer, including the high school, CEGEP, university and professional levels. Over the past 15 years, in addition to his daily coverage of the Laval Rouge et Or program, Boutin has attended 10 Vanier Cup finals, five East West Bowl prospect games, every CFL Combines camp since 2003, countless CFL training camps across the country, as well as all but one Rouge et Or spring camps in Florida since 2002. He has also reported from three Grey Cup finals, one Super Bowl and one world junior championship. While passionate about football, Boutin also writes regularly about other activities from the Rouge et Or and Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ). This past year alone, he covered the CIS mens soccer and mens volleyball championships hosted by Laval, as well as numerous regular season and playoff events in soccer, basketball, volleyball, swimming, track & field, cross-country running and other sports. Boutins resume also includes innumerable international competitions, including world championships in snowboarding and alpine skiing, World Cup events in cross-country skiing, snowboarding and mountain biking, the Olympic trials in swimming, World Baseball Classic, Volleyball World League, Skate Canada (figure skating) and Tour de Beauce (cycling). Not surprisingly, the tireless worker did not travel from Quebec City to Toronto only to receive the Sgambati Award. He was in Hamilton from Monday until Wednesday morning to follow the progress of former Rouge et Or and RSEQ football standouts at the Tiger-Cats training camp and will make the short trip to Mississauga on Thursday morning to attend the Toronto Argonauts camp. “Richard is an undeniable media ally in Quebec City and its surroundings. Always on the lookout for the latest developments in university sports, he is passionate and offers unparalleled visibility to our student-athletes and our teams,” said Benoit Doloreux, director of university programs at the RSEQ. “He doesnt hesitate to go the extra mile, especially in the fall during the football season, to cover all Rouge et Or activities.” JEAN-MARIE DE KONINCK COACHING EXCELLENCE AWARD Sonny Wolfe completed his 24th and final season as a CIS head football coach in 2011, with stints at Acadia (19 years) and McGill (5). He has also served 15 years as an assistant coach at various CIS institutions, including Sir George Williams (3), McGill (8), StFX (1) and Montreal (3). His 24 years as a sideline boss ties him with the legendary Gino Fracas for the seventh highest career total in CIS football history. He owns a career 83-94 coaching record in CIS regular-season competition and has developed 20 players who went on to pro football careers in the CFL. Fluently bilingual in English and French, the 69-year-old native of Montreal was raised in the Cote des Neiges district. Wolfe began his coaching career in 1968 as a defensive line mentor with the NDG Maple Leafs, followed by three seasons as a defensive coach at Sir George Williams University (1969-71) and four years as a defensive coordinator at Vanier College (1972-75). Discount Shoes Black Friday. He played briefly with the Redmen and graduated from McGill with a physical education degree in 1976, then served as a full-time assistant coach and recruiter at McGill for eight seasons under Charlie Baillie from 1976 to 1983. Wolfe, who holds his level IV coaching certification, left McGill in 1984 for Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S., where he served through the 2002 season. He guided the Axemen to 16 post-season appearances in 19 years, reaching the Atlantic conference final 12 times. He led Acadia to three league championships (1986, 1995 and 1998) and won AUS coach of the year honours twice (1986 and 1995).In 2003, Wolfe moved on to St. Francis Xavier University, where he served as offensive coordinator under Dennis McPhee and helped guide the X-Men to the AUS final. In 2004, he returned to Montreal and joined the Université de Montréal Carabins for three seasons as a defensive coordinator under head coach Jacques Dussault. He also served as an interim head coach for nine months when Dussault took a leave of absence and was the teams offensive coordinator for one year under Marc Santerre.In 2007, he was appointed head coach and offensive coordinator at McGill and served in that capacity for five years before stepping down in 2011. “Sonnys four decades of coaching made a mark not just on the Canadian university game, but on a generation of young men,” said Drew Love, executive director of athletics and recreation at McGill. “That type of dedication and longevity is rare and a testament to his love and knowledge of the game. Were proud that Sonny both started and finished his full-time coaching career at McGill, a place where football traditions are honoured and cherished.” AUSTIN-MATTHEWS AWARD Bob Philip retired as director of athletics and recreation at the University of British Columbia in 2012 after occupying the position for 20 years. Before moving to Vancouver, the native of Montreal served for 21 years at Concordia University (and its predecessor Sir George Williams) in administrative positions, including athletic director and mens hockey coach. He was President of CIS (then CIAU) from 1992 to 1995. During his 20-year reign at UBC, Philip oversaw one of the most successful periods in Canadian sports history, at any level. The Thunderbirds won 54 CIS championships between 1992 and 2012 to overtake Toronto for most national titles all-time. UBC currently sits at 85.Over the last two decades, UBC has been represented 79 times at the Olympics by either current student-athletes or Thunderbird alumni. Most recently, former T-Bird Brent Hayden won a bronze medal in swimming at the London Games. But the success of UBCs teams is just a part of the impact Philip has made on the BC sports scene.Under his watch, scholarship endowments at the school, collected through events like the TELUS Millennium Breakfast, have grown tremendously, recently topping $10 million. That has allowed the very best BC athletes to stay home and reach their dreams in front of friends and family for almost a generation. Philip has helped various sports flourish in BC. He has led the charge in building new world-class athletics facilities, such as the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre, Thunderbird Park and the John M.S. Lecky UBC Boathouse, giving local athletes and coaches the means necessary to succeed on the national and international stage.He has also been instrumental in the International University Sports Federation movement, volunteering his time as Canadas delegate to the FISU Games and overseeing ice sports for the Winter Universiade. Under his leadership, UBC has subsidized the cost of sending hundreds of athletes to both the summer and winter world university games. Finally, Philips impact can be felt in the coaching aspect of Canadian sports. After becoming athletic director at UBC, he made the decision to hire full-time assistant coaches for many varsity teams. This gave improved prospects for young coaches starting their careers, allowing them to continue teaching athletes instead of moving on to other careers. “Bobs greatest strengths have always been his vision and his attitude. He is an extraordinary visionary with the ability to see things through; and his attitude of we can always be better – better for student-athletes and better for coaches is what I believe to be his greatest legacy,” said Theresa Hanson, associate director, intercollegiate and high performance sport at UBC. “On behalf of the UBC Thunderbirds, both past and present, I wish to genuinely thank Bob for his vision, his attitude of making us better and his passion for university sport.&rdquo ' ' '