If you bash a local Muppet, the matrix comes back to bite

Muppet Matrix - “Muppets don’t bash other muppets,” that is the code at Sesame Street by the Sea. And that is a world I created. Feel free to create your own and cut me out. Twenty-five years ago, girls’ basketball coach Ralph Bayko coached Cape to eight 20-win seasons and four semifinal appearances. Ralph then went to St. Thomas More and coached two 18-win seasons that resulted in two consecutive state tournament appearances. After Ralph left Cape, I remember writing, “Coach Bayko has so many holes in his back, when he drinks water, flowers grow at his feet.” Fans are better now. They are not as many wantonly obnoxious experts, because it’s just not cool. My personal code, as a former coach turned sports reporter, is to never take down a coach in the public arena. I’m not that noble and sometimes I had jokes that went unappreciated by a struggling coach. I spoke with coach Tom Finnegan, who replaced Bayko in 2006, on the phone last week. We picked where we left off. Tom had a backcourt of Shaquana Cannon and Tia Felton, a pair of 1,000-point scorers. I have verified Tia’s thousand points but don’t remember her getting a lettered ball to commemorate the milestone. That will happen this season before a game, as I rock the muppet theme, “Remembering people at their best.” 

Blockbuster F Bomb - I am driving a hybrid solo in the sports carpool lane trying not to conflate politicians and coaches. We know Bobby Knight dropped F bombs in public press conferences, but the sports media didn't go on air and repeat what he said word for word. I have told coaches, “Don’t say things that can’t withstand the test of context, like saying the same thing to a mom in a school conference room that you say to a player on the field.” Donald Trump threw a White House lawn dart before stepping onto Marine One saying, "Israel and Iran don’t know what the F they are doing.” I later heard the exact quote read on air several times – a first as I remember – figuring if the president can say it, then so can we. Bounce back to coaches, “If you speak to your team using vulgarities, there’s a good chance they will speak to each other that same way, modeling the behavior.” And maybe that is what is meant by boys to men?      

Hubris - Excessive confidence and exaggerated pride – sometimes with politicians and sports personalities – motivates a person to stay too long rather than step off when skills start to erode. We all get it and find it relatable at some level – go away, Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson, what up LeBron? But it’s harder to comprehend if those who leave an A game on the field and call it a career with money and fame still there for the taking. Phillies ace pitcher Zack Wheeler, 35, recently said, “One more year and I’m going to retire.” Barry Sanders retired from the NFL at 30 and left $20 million on the table. Pitchers and running backs: When you get tired of getting hit, it's time to go. 

Bossman Bruce - Cape goalie coach Bruce Leibu, along with Leigh Rupar and Lindsey Underwood, were first-year assistants to PJ Kesmodel during his last season in 2016. Since then, the trio has been at the helm of seven state championship teams. Bruce recently said from the practice field, “Next year is my last. I am retiring from teaching, and my wife and I are moving to Florida. It’s unlikely I’ll continue coaching. I know I’ll never duplicate the incredible experience I’ve had here at Cape.” Bruce-coached goalies who stepped between the pipes for Division I programs include Iizzy Cryne, Mercer; Makaylah Lindsey, Winthrop; and Anna Lopez, William and Mary. Other goalies protecting the cage for state championship teams were Vienna Iacona, Destiny Kusen and Abbey Schaeffer. 

Snippets - Jordan Baerga played lacrosse at Ursuline her senior year after transferring from the Peddie School. Jordan then played at Liberty and the Puerto Rican national team. Her mom, Elyse Baerga, is the newly named principal of the Fred Thomas School. Kathleen Sheehan, principal of Beacon, is a former lacrosse Division II Player of the Year at West Chester. Both principals replaced Dave Frederick, a father of three Division I lacrosse players. I could go on with degrees of separation – Moose Mohr played football at Peddie School for my high school quarterback, Billy Creedon, who was in Cowboys camp with Roger Staubach – but it's time to stop before I drop Bill Cosby’s name. Go on now, git!