Kendra will be missed; Katey we can't forget

BY TIM DEVANEY
Your Sports editor

Kendra Ross left more than one fingerprint on the Cornerstone community when she died in a car accident a year ago.

Handfuls of her fingerprints have poured down all around campus even after her death, and it was never more evident than on the one year anniversary of her death when the community flooded into the gymnasium for a chapel in her memory on Friday, Jan. 23.

This time it wasn’t about the chapel credit, or waking up early to get there. It wasn’t about the music, or the special speaker. It was about Kendra. It was about a young woman who left a greater impact on the Cornerstone family than she ever would have imagined.

It’s been a long time since the CU community has fully gathered together so vibrantly. The crowd was completely mesmerized, and each face was awestruck.

But the sad thing is that it shouldn’t take a death to bring us together. We shouldn’t wait for something tragic to happen to embrace what we have. We should celebrate life while we still have a chance with each breath God gives us.

This semester we mourn a terrible death. But we also witness a miracle.

Kendra Ross wasn’t alone in the car accident. Katey Kingsbury was sitting right next to her with just as little a chance to survive. The two track teammates had run their last race as far as doctors were concerned, and even as Kingsbury amazingly pulled through, few expected her to make a return to the team.

But here she is. And on the anniversary of the accident she made one of the most amazing comebacks in Cornerstone sports history when she competed in the 800-meter race at the Robert Eubanks Open at Grand Valley State University.

"It feels awesome to be back,” Kingsbury said. “I’m so glad to be back in school and with my track girls. I hoped and prayed that I would race again. That’s been my goal since therapy in Mary Free Bed. Apparently in the schedule they gave me I wrote ‘Track Starts’ in the March calendar. The dream of getting back to track really kept me going through physical therapy and rehab. I’ve always wanted to run college track, and I love the girls I run with.”

Her goal was to finish the race in three minutes, but she surpassed that time with a finish of 2:50.05 on the first race back. And during her second race eight days later she ran 2:54.49.

While Kingsbury has outrun the accident, she hasn’t out run the loss of a teammate.

“The emotional struggles of grieving and running without Kendra on the team [has been the most difficult part],” she said. “It was, and still is, really hard to show up to practice every day without her there.”

The courage Kingsbury has shown, not only physically recovering to run again, but in returning to a sport that is undoubtedly full of memories of Ross is touching.

And with unmatched determination you can expect to see her among the leaders on the Golden Eagle track team for years to come.

“The journey hasn’t ended yet, even though I’m able to compete, I’m still not at the level I want to be at yet,” Kingsbury said.

We will never forget Kendra Ross, but we cannot forget to celebrate the miracle God has blessed our campus with in Katey Kingsbury.

This column was published in The Herald during the spring of 2009.

Bob Becker showers with Joe Namath (my $1,000 scholarship column)

It was really steamy in the locker room when Bob Becker waddled through the shower and sat down next to Joe Namath.

By the way, Bob was naked.

But that was the only way he could get the story.

Namath, a Hall of Fame quarterback, was devastated after a big loss, so he sat weeping in the shower for hours after the game. Bob waited until everyone else left, stripped and went in.

He could have been fired, maybe even jailed.

“What the (heck) are you doing here?” Namath barked at Bob when he saw him pop a squat on the floor.

Bob explained, and fortunately, they both laughed it off. Then they chatted for a while, and Bob got the story.

Not many reporters would have the guts to do that today. But then again, not many reporters have the courage Bob had during his nearly 30 years as sports editor at The Grand Rapids Press.

I’ve learned a thing or two from Bob about courage. I don’t plan to strip naked and take a shower with Joe Namath next time I cover a football game, but I do plan to pave my own path with Bob’s footprints.

Footprints that taught me to do whatever it takes to get the story. Footprints that taught me to be bold. Footprints that taught me to trust myself more than the consensus opinion. And footprints that taught me the best move isn’t always the popular move.

I’ve been following Bob’s footprints to the “X” that marks the spot for two years, picking up pieces of treasured wisdom along the way.

And you won’t find anyone as passionate about sports writing as me. God touched my heart with a joy for writing I can’t explain, and I only hope you can taste my enthusiasm.

I live for this.

I live to break news. I live to paint features. I live to inject passion into my columns. And I live to be the best.

God’s given me the energy to sprint this marathon and I plan to win.

This determination is wedged inside my soul and it’s driving my efforts each day. It pushes me to go the extra mile, dare deadlines, discover ground-breaking stories and write emotional columns and jaw-dropping features.

I’m just now unwrapping God’s gift, and I haven’t fully discovered what’s inside yet. But I have a hunch it involves newspapers, and I’m excited to see how it plays out.

I’d love to write for USA Today or ESPN.com within the next 10 years and become a leading voice for sports writers in America. And it would also be exciting to write for a newspaper with regional significance to me, such as the Detroit Free Press or Boston Globe.

Journalism is still important in this nation. I believe people still want good reading, and as long as we keep it fresh, they’ll continue to read.

The newspaper is the friend people wake up with at the breakfast table. We’re the friend who delivers the bad news and comforts them while they cry. And we’re the friend who offers hope and sprinkles a little fun into each day.

We can make people laugh. What’s better than that? I love it when people start laughing so hard they can’t stop. In difficult economic times like these people need to let loose sometimes. And that’s what I provided in my “Need a side-bump?” story.

We can also share joy. That’s what I attempted in my “Katey Kingsbury Returns” column. The car accident tore apart the campus and the community felt it all – grief, shock, fear. And upon her return, I hoped to add joy to that list of emotions and spark campus-wide celebration.

I’m only one person, one journalist, one sports writer. But I’ll do everything in my power to be the best I can be for Christ’s Kingdom. And I believe He’s blessed me with the talents to do just that.

This column was written for the Elijah Parish Lovejoy column writing scholarship in the spring of 2009 and was published in The Herald on Friday, May 1, 2009.

Summer freeze brings big decisions to make

BY TIM DEVANEY
Your Sports editor

The summer’s approaching and I’m freezing up, stuck in neutral with no idea what to do. I have multiple job options, but this is more than just a case of picking the best route. This is a battle between taking advantage and not missing out.

Recently, a representative from the Pistons organization contacted me about a summer internship and I have an interview soon. The job’s not in the bag by any means, but I’m already weighing the possibilities. I’m excited that I could get a chance to work with the Pistons, but I’m not even sure I want it, and if I’m not sold on the position, how can they be sold on me? This internship seems unbelievable, but there are more important things than one’s career, and that’s making me doubt the position.

I want to spend the summer with my family in Maine, and if the internship works out, that won’t happen. I only have a couple summers left as a college student. Then it’s off to the real world, where I may work summers. So what kind of family time will that leave me?

My little sister is growing up, and I don’t want to miss it. I remember not too long ago when she was born. And now she’s almost 10 years old. Years ago, it seemed like she was my whole world and I would spend all day playing with her. Not that I enjoyed the same things she did, but I loved her, and if that meant giving her piggyback rides, playing Barbies – I know you’re paying attention now – or taking her to the park, then I would. Whatever it took. I just wanted to take advantage of the time I had with her. She misses me very much while I’m at school and every time I talk to her she asks when I’m coming home. We’re looking forward to seeing each other during the summer, but it may not be that way for many more years, and I don’t want to miss any of the time I have left.

My brother and I haven’t always gotten along very well, but we still care about each other. I’m proud of the steps he’s taken to lose 60 pounds over the past two years. But he’s growing up, and while I can still remember his toddler years, he’ll be an adult soon enough.

My dad, who taught me his love for baseball, struggles to play catch anymore. And my mom is developing severe arthritis. Then there’s my dog, Sam. Not that a dog will make up my mind, but man, I love him, and I want to chase him around the backyard some more, before it’s too late.

So where does that leave me? I want the internship, but I don’t want to lose this summer, away from my family. The cost has never been too high before, but this time it just might be. I know I have to grow up, but that doesn’t mean I have to neglect these years. Where’s the balance?

I’ve planned on getting the best internship possible this summer, but I feel an urgency to not waste these last few summers away from my family. Not that the Pistons would be a waste – just the opposite, in fact – but being away from my family seems like a mistake. Ultimately, God will guide me to the right place, and I need to accept His plan.

The pieces seem to be falling into place, but I’m stuck at a fork in the road, because each choice is a good, and each choice is bad. No matter what I chose, it seems that I’ll lose, but I’ll also win. So I’m stuck in neutral until something happens, praying for answers. I’m sure God will work something out. I just need to listen.

This award-winning column was published in The Herald during the spring of 2008. It won first place for sports columns in the Michigan Press Association's college contest.

NEWS FLASH: Cornerstone has a basketball team

BY TIM DEVANEY
Your Sports editor

Most Cornerstone students know where the library is. But if you asked them where the gymnasium is, they might have to think twice.

Have you seen how empty the stands are at basketball games?

Oh wait, I forgot: you probably don’t go.

The student section is growing, but it’s not nearly enough. The stands used to be swarming with students covered in blue-and-gold face paint. The arena erupted with excitement and was packed every game. Everyone wanted to be part of it.

“The gym was rocking,” said former CU athletic director Bob Fortosis, who is now the athletic director at Eckerd College in Florida. “In those days the basketball program was a tremendous source of pride on campus.”

But not lately.

Cornerstone’s Mol Arena is one of the finest in the WHAC, but the stands are nearly empty. The student section is contained to a few rows in one section of the huge arena. Granted, those students make their presence known, but why don’t we fill the whole arena with students? Why let those students steal all the fun?

The athletic department sets the tone for basketball games and fans follow. They can make or break the atmosphere, and they chipped the first crack years ago by letting the cheerleaders slip away. And what did the music department expect when it disbanded the pep band before last season? The student section has unraveled since.

Even as the administration is rebuilding the student section it’s a bit ironic, because Cornerstone prides itself on leadership, and the music department can’t even find one person to lead the pep band?

President Joe Stowell says he’s behind the effort to improve the student section 100 percent. So let’s do it. The idea’s there, we just need to speed it up.

Athletic Director Dave Grube is making an effort to promote and spice up the games with more entertainment, and CUSG helped advertise the WHAC-MCC Challenge, offering free pizza and Coldstone ice cream to draw fans in. They also supplied signs, jewelry and body paint for fans before the game.

It was a strong effort, but the key is staying committed to it throughout the season no matter what. So why not repeat that effort each game? We could also offer create-your-own T-shirts for free, and sell customized merchandise of Cornerstone players.

Small steps in the right direction are good. But we need big steps.

The basketball players themselves could take a big step toward increasing fan support by simply reaching out. The 1999 championship team embraced the student body and the players were the good guys (not just the cool guys) on campus. Fans couldn’t help but want to support the team.

Unfortunately, the current teams have lost that connection with the student body. There are many quality individuals on both teams, but the student body wouldn’t know because they’re never around to meet. Community involvement with regular students needs to be a higher priority if they expect those same students to support their games. If the Cornerstone team that did win a championship could interact with students, so can the players who are still trying to win one.

The student body has failed to do its part, as well.

Cornerstone’s enrollment this fall was 2,657, but only 75 students attend basketball games on a regular basis, according to Grube. If the student-athletes alone committed to cheering at one another’s games it would more than triple the student section.

There are many good excuses to miss games – small groups, homework, jobs – but if you always make excuses is it really that important to you? I’m not saying a basketball game is more important than studying the Bible or earning a pay check, but it’s not just about the game. It’s about supporting our community and being part of something greater than yourself. God calls for Christian fellowship and rejoicing in what we have been given. If we continually neglect basketball games for whatever reason, isn’t that ignoring one of our calls as Christians?

Besides, most times we don’t even have good excuses to miss games. Raise your hand if you played Halo this week? How much time do you spend aimlessly surfing the Internet? Basketball games only take two hours.

“It’s a community issue,” Grube said, “[An issue] of people wanting to support their university. Wanting to create campus pride.”

It’s not about you or me. It’s about each other. We’re a community at Cornerstone and we need to support one another. You don’t have to be a basketball fan to enjoy the game. It’s about the whole atmosphere. Being surrounded with friends and meeting new people, all cheering wildly in unison.

The fading student section is a campus-wide problem and we can’t keep deflecting the blame. I constantly hear, “That’s a good point. We should go.” But I rarely see action. If we take a deeper look at the student section and commit to full-heartedly improving it, big things could happen. We need to stop thinking next year, and start thinking this year.

This column was published in The Herald during the fall of 2008.

Plewes driving Golden Eagles to nationals

BY TIM DEVANEY
Your Sports editor

When Jenna Plewes steps on the basketball court, everyone knows where she is. You can’t miss her. The Golden Eagle senior captain speeds up and down the court so much that everyone’s attention is naturally drawn to her aggressive play.

Cornerstone basketball fans have grown accustomed to hearing plenty of thuds and clunks each time they see her play.

Plewes plunges into defenses to draw fouls, tussles in the paint for rebounds and pesters opposing guards for feisty steals.

Sometimes she wobbles off the court after a collision, and other times she jumps right back up. Yet, tumble after tumble, Plewes hangs in, and then comes back for more.

“I hate to lose,” Plewes said. “I go out there every game knowing we can win if we play our hardest. Hustle takes a lot of heart and work. You got to work hard to chase after all the loose balls and never give up. That’s just been my style of play forever.”

It is the same style of play that has given her a reputation as one of the fiercest players in the WHAC.

“It’s a good thing she wears knee pads,” assistant coach Mike Riemersma said. “She goes after anything. She doesn’t care about her body and wants to hustle after everything. That’s how she’s wired. So if there’s a loose ball, she’s going to dive after it and do what it takes to get it.”

Plewes’s passion for basketball drives the team. She is the key that revs up the Golden Eagles’ engine each game, each practice, each moment.

“Jenna gives us that driving force,” head coach Carla Fles said. “Everyone knows she loves to drive. She gets it done.”

In a nutshell, she is all a coach could ask for.

“She gives you everything, all the time,” Riemersma said. “When she goes out, whether it’s a practice or a game, she’s going to hustle and work as hard as she can all the time. That type of personality and competitiveness is rare. People can feed off of that type of energy. And you can see how that type of personality can be infectious to others.”

The infectiousness — if that is what it is called — has become more of an epidemic on her team.

“When you see her do all her hustle plays it motivates you, because she’s just working her heart out,” teammate Tami Thelen said. “She’s a great teammate, encourager, hard worker, hustle player.”

She is the type of player Cornerstone would love to clone.

“She’s just one of those people you wish you could have a few more of on your team,” Fles said. “It’s kind of like, what doesn’t she contribute? She just contributes heart and hustle. She just likes to out-work everyone.”

Fortunately for the Golden Eagles, she has done just that for nearly four seasons. Unfortunately for the Golden Eagles, her ride is about to come to an end. But it is not over yet. Cornerstone is about to enter the national tournament and is only five wins away from a national championship. And you can bet anything that Plewes and the rest of the seniors will do everything in their power each game to make sure their ride does not end.

“It’s the seniors not wanting it to be their last game,” Fles said. “They play with a sense of urgency.”

It is a tall task, but with Plewes pushing the pedal to the metal, you never know what could happen. And that is exactly what scares opponents.

This column was published in The Herald during the spring of 2009.