Times change. People change. And I think I've come to the crossroads.
So, almost in George Plimpton-eqsue fashion, I have put myself on the front line of the action, somewhat. What you're about to read is the first in a series I have affectionately named, "Bob McDonald: Sporting Fool."
For years, I have always been incredibly interested in participating in sports. but, for one reason or another, I have always been the observer and not the participant. That changed in late January when I signed up for indoor soccer. Hey, it's not much, but it's a start.
From what I'm told, most of the teams in the league have been together for a while, so I knew that the team I was on would be up against some stiff competition. Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention which team I'm on.
We called our team Deez. I'd reather not mention where we derived the name, as I'd risk myself into trouble. Let me just say that if you have a copy og Dr. Dre's album, "The Chronic" readily available, just look on the song list and then you'll understand completely.
Our captain, Student Government Treasurer Davie Morway, brought together a group og guys, some os whom have never played soccer before in their lives. So, needless to say, this opening season would be a trial by fire.
Since I haven't played organized soccer myself for about eight years, I had a feeling that I was going to be a little rusty, and in our first game against the team from Tau Kappa Epsilon, I was right.
But, amazingly enough, I finally realized that the adive my parents gave me many years ago would hold true. You see, my sister played high school soccer, and my brother just finished his high school career as a first-team, all-conference goalie, and my parents told them the same thing they told me: We have to play aggressively.
No truer was this the case than in our first game. And for the first time in all the years I've been playing, the advice from my parents finally sank in. I also found out that along with my play, I trash-talk a lot. Go figure.
But out inexperience showed, and the end result was a 7-1 loss. I figured it wasn't too bad considering we'd never played together before.
I received a bit of a scare the next game against PARS when, late in the second half, I was going after a pass. I ended up going in one direction, but my knee stayed put. As a result, a burst of pain soon followed.
When I hurt my knee, I immediately thought of the worst-case scenario. For all I knew, I could have blown out my anterior-cruciate ligament and been done for the rest of the season.
Just as unfortunate were the knee problems that felled one of my teammates, Mike McNeeley, in the same game. Unlike my situation, his problems forced him out on a long-term basis.
I was determined to get back in the action the next week against Soon, and, with a little rest, I bounced back.
The next game, however, turned our team into a MASH unit in the second half. My Cauldron cohort and starting goalie Josh Donald went down with a knee problem, and Dave was hampered with a foot injury.
Still, we played on. and, for the second game in a row, I found myself again writhing in pain. This time, I was defending one of the Soon players who was going after a shot.
The good news was that I blocked the shot. The bad news was I blocked the shot in the last place I really want to block a shot. As soon as the ball hit me, I hit the ground.
Fortunately, it looked like no permanent damage was done. But for about two minuytes, I could have gotten an audition as a soprano for the Vienna Boys Choir.
In our most recent game against the Muslim Student Association, we found ourselves, once again, down a a few players. We found out before the game that Josh came down with food poisoning, so we were short a goalie. It might have made the difference in our loss, but I really can't say.
I guess for the most part, it's been a real issue for our team that we are inexperienced. It also seems to me that things come up, and sometimes we can't avoid them.
But, on a positive note, at least we can get some exercise. True, we haven't won a game yet, but you never know what's on the horizon. With a full, healthy team, we have a lot of potential.
Whatever the case may be, we'll always be ready for the next game to some capacity. and, with some more experience under our belts, we'll be able to win one.
By the way, if you happen to be around on Thursday nights from around 6 to 9, stop by the Intramural Sports Dome and catch a game. Some of them are rather interesting. If not, come down and see us and give us some moral support. We could use it right about now.