alex isn't retiring and other parting thoughts
Some parting thoughts as the 2011-2012 school year comes to a close.
First, let’s set the record straight.
Alex Smith, Collegiate’s vice-president for development for the better part of four decades, isn’t retiring.
He’s simply stepping back, slowing the pace, and turning over some of his professional responsibilities to the loyal protégés whom he’s mentored for years.
Come July 1, Smith will work on a half-time basis in the area of major gifts.
My guess, though, is that he’ll still be around plenty providing guidance, wisdom, and a voice of reason to those who seek his counsel.
Sure, one day he might retire. That day just isn’t now.
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Remember two years ago when VCU’s men’s basketball team was a surprise pick for the NCAA tournament?
Many “experts” blasted the selection committee’s choice because the Rams played in a mid-major conference and supposedly weren’t all that good anyway.
In the ensuing weeks, Shaka Smart’s crew used the criticism as fuel, knocked off one big dog after another, and reached the Final Four.
Reminds me of the respect accorded ’07 Collegiate graduate Russell Wilson by numerous television talking heads, especially draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.
Wilson, who stands a shade under 5-11, racked up huge numbers playing quarterback for N.C. State and Wisconsin and elevated both programs to a level of excellence they wouldn’t have reached otherwise.
Still, his rap sheet reads “too short,” “can’t throw deep,” “not ready for prime time.”
The Seattle Seahawks recognized that Wilson is the real deal and
drafted him in the third round. At his first minicamp he quickly earned the admiration of coaches and teammates and the promise that he’ll compete for the starting job.
I make no predictions about Wilson’s chances for success in the NFL.
When dinner is served, though, I just hope there’s enough crow to go around.
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Buried in the agate type of the Richmond Times-Dispatch recently was the announcement that US Lacrosse voted Andrew Stanley Piedmont Region man-of-the-year.
The honor goes to that individual “whose dedication, commitment, and support of the game and its ideals extend beyond his specific team.”
“A lot of people do a lot of work to grow and improve the game,” said Stanley, Collegiate’s head boys’ lacrosse coach who over the years has been integrally involved with the Geronimo program and a wide variety of camps and clinics.
“It’s certainly nice to be acknowledged for your effort.”
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Two of the feel-good stories from this spring were the peak-at-the-right-moment finishes by the golf and girls’ soccer squads.
With no seniors among the top six, Coach Chris Williams’ golfers placed second in the Prep League.
A week later, they defeated all comers over 18 holes to win their first-ever VISAA championship.
“I thought early in the year we had a chance,” Williams said. “Then, we struggled and never seemed to put four good (scoring) rounds together.
“We played well at Preps. That’s when I thought, One day. Anything can happen.
“I didn’t know we’d won until the final putt went in, didn’t believe it until the trophy was actually in our hands.
“To see the kids’ faces…that was the best feeling.”
Winners of 15 straight League of Independent School titles, the soccer team went 12-8-1, lost in the LIS semis, and missed the final T-D Top 10 for the first time in memory.
Nevertheless, the Cougars kept the faith.
Embracing the moment and happy to make the VISAA playoffs, they upset two higher seeds before falling 2-0 to St. Anne’s-Belfield in the championship game.
“We knew, when things didn’t always break our way early in the season, that if we kept working hard, maybe we’d have a little bit of the fortune that we didn’t have early on,” said coach Bill Rider.
“These kids have been on the field enough times to know we’d be strong, and they were willing to stick to their guns and trust each other.”
