Sports editor Jim Rossow has picked 12 of his favorite stories from 2009. The list includes Loren Tate's Valentine's Day massacre:

Valentine's week should be a time of forgiveness. So let's bury the hatchet, and not in our backs. I have just enough stamps for 15 valentine cards, with chocolates to follow.

Coach Bob Redman —Sending speedster Justin Green from Louisville makes up for your wayward son, Chris. Eager to see you again.

Dr.Tom Davis —The Deon Thomas case came during your watch when an imperfect Bruce Pearl morphed into a cow pie. Congrats on son Keno.

Bill Self — Your reasons for leaving were understandable. It should have been a clean split with no regrets either way. Good luck.

Rashard Mendenhall —‚ Let your actions speak, not your words. No need for bitterness. Rack 'em up with the champ Steelers.

Nancy Cantor —May the former dancer, now Syracuse's Diversity Queen, enjoy more support than she received at UI. Here's a big hug.

Refs Ed Corbett, John Cahill and Verne Harris —Shame on you for letting Sean May overrun the Illini in 2005. Smooches in return.

Eric Gordon — If there are 2.4 million marriages per year and 1.2 million divorces, is it surprising a teenager changes his mind?

Emil Jones — Thankfully you're gone so you can't do any more legislative damage to the UI. You were bad but here's the other cheek.

Theresa Grentz —Strong wills sometimes collide in midair. Pretend this is a bouquet of red roses for all the past slights.

Billy Packer — Your TV rants criticizing Frank Williams misled folks about one of the UI's all-time greats. Happy retirement.

Gary Moeller — Your departure could have been more neat and professional. But that was a long time ago. Happy Valentine's Day.

Neale Stoner — You most of all. An idea man with great vision, he somehow got sidetracked. A lot of pluses in retrospect.

Professor Stephen Kaufman — Everyone should have a cause. You're forgiven for being misguided on the honorable Chief Illiniwek.

Jon Scheyer — How can I choose to criticize one defector out of dozens? Good luck the rest of the way with Vitale's Dookies.

Digger and Bobby — With you two such sweethearts, you don't need anything special. Especially fake affection from long distance.