Wimpy and Cheeseburger are part of local muppet matrix

Burger Kings - Opening day at the Fred Thomas gym, the Freds hosted the Georgetown Middle Golden Knights, a girls’ game followed by the boys. I snagged a photo of Randy “Wimpy” Brittingham with his son “Young Randy,” who is the Georgetown coach. I asked Wimpy, a playground legend from the courts of Rehoboth, about Kha’Nihya Johnson, who had 24 points in a Fred Thomas victory. “Cheeseburger is her uncle,” Wimpy said. Thomas “Djcheese” White is a legendary local muppet just like Wimpy. He was uncoachable in high school because he just wouldn't go out for the team. Middle school basketball is matinee mayhem, producing more turnovers than a Danish bakery and referees struggling to call obvious infractions while letting the little things go. My time is your time, and if I’m looking at you, then you must be local. 

Athletes as ambassadors - Athletes are the most recognizable students in the community; there is an entire sports section dedicated to their journeys. Not saying this emphasis is correct or that their value is greater than any other student, but it's a fact that their exploits are tracked and celebrated. The academic/athletic component is easy to analyze, from honor rolls to GPAs, but more valid is to research a team six years past graduation and see what the players are doing. I selected one hockey team from 2017-18, because I know most of them, and found six years later all 28 were college graduates, even the managers. I think that is notable. This applies to all high schools, not just Cape, although that is my wheelhouse. Why do colleges and universities spend money emphasizing non-revenue-generating sports? I think it is because of the character of the people who play these sports, which in turn elevates the entire university. Now I’m late for my Science Deniers 101 class.

Pregaming - I look at football crowds, from college to professional sports, and wonder how many people get drunk before walking into a football stadium. The social scientists call it pregaming, and the genteel alumni call it tailgating. I once stood outside Ravens Stadium after a loss to the Steelers, and hundreds of people were downright scary in looks and behavior, a few screaming in my face, just because to them – whatever team they bonded with – I looked like someone who plays for the other team, to coin an expression.  

Accolades and grenades - All celebrated athletes earning postseason honors are heading for a team for which they will not make the cut. Sports will eventually blow up in your face. I'm reminded of a quote from the movie “Cool Runnings,” where coach John Candy says to a disappointed-at-not-winning Jamaican bobsled team, “If you feel that you were nothing without it, then you would be nothing with it.” And by the way, take your Coach of the Year plaque and put it in a cardboard box in the garage. Its meaning only flattens over time. 

Star-studded - An athlete goes off to college and faces the challenges of dorm life, which includes a closeup look on how weird and quirky some people roll. There is a schedule of classes and practices with new teammates, all of whom are at least as good as you. If you pop out the other side with a degree and manage to play a college sport all four years – or six if you include pandemics and redshirts – then consider your character developed. I track local athletes into college sports because I’m interested. The only question that really matters is, “How are you doing academically?” because if you are below the waterline, then you have been wasting your time. I checked out Maurki James, star running back at Cape, a redshirted freshman at Old Dominion. Twice he was chosen by the coaches as Scout Team Player of the Week. That speaks to his character and toughness. A nice person by nature, Maurki is projected to do well. 

Snippets - “Hey, Fredman, you know what you should do?” “Yes, not listen to any of your suggestions.” I had an idea that Cape’s state championship field hockey team – 14 total since 1979 and 12 since 2011 – should have a float in the Christmas parade. That is obviously a great idea and somebody should do it, but not me. I'm not a tractor and flatbed trailer guy. Screaming Stephen A. Smith is negotiating a contract with ESPN for $20 million a year. From news to politics to sports, most of us are on the listening end of millionaires telling us what’s up. Talk about a disconnect. Go on now, git!