BYU BBall Reunion

Mom and I enjoyed a fun filled weekend in Provo, UT at the first annual gathering of former BYU Basketball Players. We had been invited back for a renunion for the 1980-81 team but never has there been an invitation extended to all former players and coaches. It was great to see former teammates and coaches. I have attached a photo of Timo Saarelainen, my freshman roomate and Coach Frank Arnold, who recruited me to play for the Cougs. Others that were fun to see were Andy Toolson, Marty Haws, Devin Durrant, Jim Usevitch, Bob Cochran, Coaches Ingersoll and Andersen. Frankly, I was surprised that that there were not more players from my era in attendance, but it was great nevertheless. We watched the first practice of this season (team looks to be very good!) and enjoyed a great banquet and wonderful speech from Coach Dave Rose. He talked about his experiences over the summer of having been diagonsed with cancer and how much he has learned to appreciate each and every day since. He also spoke of taking a few players and family members on a tour of some third world countries this past summer, prior to the onset of cancer. He stated that while those people (members of the church) live in abject poverty, they were some of the happiest people he had ever met. He added that we should all learn to "want less and give more". A statement that really resonated with me. Saturday we golfed together which was a whole lot of fun to have Timo, Marty and Jim for four hours on the course. Seven under didn't win it, but we were competitive. I can't wait until we get to do it again next year!