It is the morning of January 1, 2009.  As I wait for the bowl games to start, here are some of the sports-related things I wish for in the new year.

     I wish:

     ESPN would concentrate its coverage on the games and not on the people watching the games.  Example:   the highly competitive and very enjoyable Missouri-Northwestern Alamo Bowl was spoiled by repeated shots (maybe 25 or more) of Chase Daniels' parents.  Were there no Northwestern parents at this game?   If you are going to do it - and I wish you wouldn't - at least even it up.

     Certain coaches would sit down and shut up - stop yelling constantly at their players and the officials.  Fans come to watch teams compete - not hyper hysterical sideline stuff from those who are supposed to be role models.

     Coaches would quit making critical comments about their players .   If a coach has a problem with a player - and all do - settle up in practice and/or in private conversations - not in public and certainly not in press conferences or on radio talk shows.   Coaches talk about creating what they like to call a "family atmosphere."   Well, that's okay, but would you blab about your family in public?  I don't think so.

     People who buy tickets to Illini games at the Assembly Hall would either use the tickets or make sure someone else fills in for them.   Unsold tickets are one thing - but sold tickets not used can and should be fixed.

     Every once in awhile - maybe for a big conference or nationally televised game - the DIA would find a Nathan Gunn or Todd Payne type to thrill and chill us with the Star Spangled Banner.  Remember Bill Olson?

     More people would come watch and cheer our so-called minor-sports or olympic sports athletes!!  Some of my greatest thrills in 2008 were watching tennis and volleyball.

     Young athletes - and young non-athletes - would go home at a reasonable hour after partying.  Law enforcement folks can recite stats that show more bad things happen after midnight than before.   And, the later it gets - the more likely there will be a fight, a DUI, a shooting, a stabbing,  a car wreck.  Don't they ever learn - especially from their own teammates mistakes?

     But, most of all, I wish for our athletes to compete, win, have fun, get a degree, become productive citizens, and always bleed orange and blue.   If they don't know it now - they will someday - the University of Illinois is a very special place.

     Happy 2009!!!!!