Goodbye August Hello September

Dan and I went back to school this week. For those of you who don't know - I have been battling two bulging disks in my lower back. For the last three weeks I have been ordered to take it easy and when resting not to lay on my back. Let me tell you - lying on one's stomach for an extended period is not as easy as one might think. Luckily my medical treatments have been working and I was able to start school pain free.

This weekend was the opening of football season. Dan's team traveled to Flat Rock, and soundly defeated their opponent 54-0. I did not go. My girlfriend, Gloria, and I listened to it on the radio. We turned the game on at about 7:06 (just 6 minutes after kickoff) and the score was already 14-0. Let's just say the bleeding never stopped. Next week the Hornets take on Muskegon Catholic Central (Sr. Ann was principal here in the 70's). This will be a much tougher game than the one on Friday night.

At around 10:00 on Friday Nate called me. He wanted to know all about the game and fill me in on his upcoming game. I asked if he was ready and his response was, "I'm drinking water with electrolyte tablets, peeing clear, good to go." For those who worry about athletes in the heat - clear pee is a good thing.


Busia and Papa drove out on Saturday to watch Nate's first college football experience. We had an awesome tailgate before the game. Since we are "locals" we know lots of people. Dan went to the lot at around 11:00 to get up. We were definitely the place to be.


Before the game college baseball players were soliciting for the 50/50 drawing. You could get a forearm's worth of tickets for $3.00, an arms-lenght's worth for $5.00 or a vehicle-lenth's worth for $20.00. Well, Busia saw a 40ft RV in the lot and asked if that vehicle counted. The boys said yes and we proceeded to get $40.00 worth of tickets. You would think that we have great odds - well, we did not win and a St. Joe fan ended up winning.




Nate had a great game. He started at the Will Linebacker and ended up with one solo tackle and 3 assists. He didn't get much playing time. The final score of the game was 49-6 (see stats). Next week the Chargers travel to the UP to play Michigan Tech. Dan and I won't be making the trip. We will be traveling to Columbus to watch Matt play in his season opener.

Adrian College Media Guide

Since I posted a link to the Hillsdale College Media Guide - it's only fair that I post the link to the Adrian College Media Guide. Matt's bio is on page 23.

Well summer vacation is over. Dan and I go back to work on Tuesday. On Friday The Hornets play their first game against Flat Rock, on Saturday Hillsdale College is home. Adrian has a bye week and will open the following weekend.Goodbye summer, hello fall.

Football Season is Back

According to the calendar it still may be summer, but in the Engish household it is officially football season. Yesterday Nathan reported to camp, Matt finished his last day of work today and starts taking his stuff tomorrow, and Dan goes to football camp on Sunday night.

Nate called with his first testing result: His hang clean was 345 (I guess that's really good).

I have attached a link to the Hillsdale College Media Guide. Nate is on page 23.

GO HORNETS!!! GO CHARGERS!!! GO BULLDOGS!!!

Joe and Alecia's Wedding

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Happy Anniversary

Yesterday, August 2, was our anniversary. Dan and I have been married 22 years. I have now been married longer than I was single. We had a great weekend. Matt was in a wedding on Saturday; his friend Joe got married. On Friday night, Matt called Dan and asked if a couple of the groomsmen could spend the night, since they weren't from the area. Of course Dan said yes. Well, when they got to the house, it was a bit more than a few of the groomsmen. It was the entire wedding party (including the groom) plus college friends. On the fly Nate and I found beds for 9 people to sleep in.

At first Dan and I were a bit nervous because Joe was there. We thought he should be at home with his mother. But in talking with him, his mom's house was full of UP family, and as Joe put it, "My mom can't stop crying" What fun. They stayed up until about 1:00 sitting by the campfire and swimming in the pool.

On Saturday, the all sat on the front porch and talked football with Dan while I got a big breakfast together. I was a little nervous. I couldn't figure how 9 guys plus Dan, Nate and me could get showered. Dan had a great idea - the wedding party went to the high school and showered in the locker room.

I kept thinking how proud my mother would be. As most know she is prepared for anything and could feed an army without notice. I learned from the best. No one had to sleep on the floor, everyone had a pillow, and no one went away hungry.

When they all started getting ready, fear overcame Joe. Dan and I could feel for him. It reminded Dan of our wedding and how nervous he got just before the big moment. The wedding was lovely. It was a bit bitter-sweet though. Joe and Alecia left today to begin their new life in New Mexico. Joe accepted a teaching job working on an Indian Reservation, and Alecia got a position working in the admissions office of the school (it's a boarding school) Joe's first day of word is Tuesday August 5. Not only will he be teaching he will be coaching six man football.

Dan and I feel very honored that Matt's friends are comfortable enough around us to want us a part of one of the most important days of their life. Joe's mom did tell me though that when Matt gets married he has to spent the night at her house:)