St. Louis Sports Magazine May 2012 by Jennie

100+ HD CHANNELS

GET READY TO CELEBRATE It’s hard not to cheer. With 28 new HD channels — FREE for Charter HD customers, there’s more heart-pounding HD excitement waiting to be explored than ever before. From sports to music to kids’ shows to action to romance, Charter customers now have 100+ top-rated HD channels and 1,000+ HD movies and shows On Demand at their fingertips.

1-888-GET-CHARTER | charter.com/morehd

©2012 Charter Communications. A Charter HD receiver is required for HD service; customer’s TV must be HD capable. HD programming varies by service level. Standard rates apply for Charter HD. Trademarks belong to their respective owners. Services not available in all areas. Other restrictions may apply.

Products and services offered through Edward D. Jones & Co, L.P. ÂŠ 2012, Member SIPC

Actually demands his financial advisor look him in the eye when the topic is his money. Is it crazy to expect your financial advisor to pay you the same attention he gives your money? Not to Edward Jones. For 88 years, in over 10,000 neighborhood offices, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve worked the only way we know how: eye to eye. Join the nearly 7 million investors who know. Face time and think time make sense. www.edwardjones.com

May 2012

Andy, Bliss and Brock

Contents FEATU RE S

DEPA RT MEN T S 10 SCOT T ’S SHOT S 16 BEING F RANK St. Louis’ First Couple of Hockey

23 S I U E Men’s and Women’s Basketball Receive Honors by Joe Pott

18 OLD / NEW SCHOOL 20 TAILGAT ING

26 B A S E B A L L

with JoeSportsFan.com

The Benes Family — The Call to Adopt by Rob Rains

22 HEALT H & F IT NESS

30 Pa r aly m pic s Kerri Morgan — Overcoming Odds by Brittney French

34 B A SE B A L L Sauer Finds His Calling in Florida by Rob Rains

with Matt Pirtle, MA CSCS

40 HIGH SCHOOL SPOT LIGHT Holst Brings Winning Ways Back to Parkway South Baseball by Jim Powers

42 ASK D R. RICK with Dr. Rick Lehman

44 SCOT T ROVAK’S CLOSING S H O T *Pictured on the cover: Bliss, Jennifer, Andy and Brock Benes

46 T HE KILCOYNE OPINION A Salute to Sport-Loving Women

kfns.com

grand slam sports

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER Do chicks dig the long ball? I don’t think so. I believe chicks dig hockey players. In fact, it’s not really an opinion; it is more of a fact. Have you ever been to a Blues game without seeing hundreds of extremely attractive women? Not only are they there and really hot, they all have jerseys on! We used to go the hockey games for the sport — for the ugliness of a Blues vs. Blackhawks game at “The Old Barn.” (Picture Brian Sutter with no teeth). Nowadays, we go because we love the Blues and because there are almost as many hotties in the house as there is at one of the 75 country shows at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of women love the Cardinals and have jerseys, but they always have. The Blues phenomenon is a recent trend, one that has come about in the past 10 years. I have no explanation for it except to tell you that it is happening; it’s a revolution. Every time I go to a hockey game, there are more and more vixens than before. Having a promotional event and want attractive 18- to 34-year-old women there? Invite a Blues player to come out, and they will follow. “Chicks dig slapshots” is more like it. If you asked every girl in sight if they would rather go out with Matt Holliday (who makes $17 million per season) or T.J. Oshie ( who makes less than $2.5 million per season), I bet their responses would be overwhelmingly in favor of “Osh.” The love doesn’t stop with the star players. We had a woman in our office (who shall remain nameless) who was in love with Vladimir Sobotka. VLADIMIR SOBOTKA?! No offense to the little fella, but it’s the equivalent of a Cardinals groupie going for Aaron Miles. I had to sit next to her at a recent Blues game, and each time Sobotka touched the puck, she would yell, “C’mon my little playmaker!” I almost threw up my $9 beer. Vladimir Sobotka? This must be proof that women just want a hockey player and don’t seem to care how small of a head he has or even if he speaks English. Well, whatever keeps them coming to the games is fine with me, I suppose. So let this be a shout-out to all those attractive females with the Blues jerseys: Let’s go Blues! Oh, and by the way — Vladimir, if you happen to read this, her name is Candice Walton ... and she is no longer nameless. Oh well, enjoy!

Publisher Grand Slam Sports, LLC Executive Management David Greene James Oelklaus Katy Pavelonis Creative Director Jennifer Burkemper Director of Photography Scott Rovak *All photos by Scott Rovak unless otherwise noted.

Associate Editor Audrey Hanes Contributing Writers Josh Bacott Frank Cusumano Brittney French Martin Kilcoyne Matt Pirtle MA, CSCS Joe Pott Jim Powers Rob Rains Jay Randolph Jay Randolph Jr. Matt Sebek Marketing Specialists Michael Elbe Michael Calvin Doug Lehman Dave Rapp

David Greene

8045 Big Bend Boulevard, Suite 200 St. Louis, MO 63119 Tel. 314.962.0590 Fax. 314.962.7576 www.kfns.com For a mail subscription of St. Louis Sports Magazine, contact ctaff@kfns.com 8

kfns.com

grand slam sports

scottâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shot

ne of the fun challenges of covering playoff hockey is using remote cameras. Setting up and triggering remotes allows me to cover many angles at one time; I just have to be careful that I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worry too much about my remotes and miss something right in front of me with the camera in my hand. For Game 5 against the Sharks, I set up two cameras on the catwalk, one over the goal the Blues defended twice and one aimed at the Bluesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; bench. My third remote was set up over the Zamboni entrance and was shooting at the goal at the opposite end. I had two cameras at my position, one 70-200mm zoom lens and one fisheye lens. This allowed me to pretty much cover all areas of the ice. Setting up the remotes took about two hours and allowed me to fire the cameras independently, as well as trigger all of the remotes at once. Scott Rovak, Director of Photography, St. Louis Sports Magazine

kfns.com

grand slam sports

18 th Annual

Andy Benes B E N E F I T I N G W E S T M I N S T E R C H R I S T I A N AC A D E M Y

G O L F TO U R N A M E N T

MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2012 | The Country Club of St. Albans

All funds raised are used to grow financial aid and for teacher innovation. Visit www.wcastl.org/golf to learn more about playing golf, becoming a sponsor or to purchase baseballs signed by Hall of Fame Cardinals.

GRAND SLAM

Sports LOOKI NG FOR AN I NTERNSHIP? AVAILABLE INTERNSHIPS Programming // Marketing // Promotions // Podcasting // Graphic Design // Creative Writing // Videographers As a Grand Slam Sports intern you will be introduced to all aspects of radio. You may be interested in one area more than the other and we will work with you the best that we can. REQUIREMENTS – 15-25 hours a week – College credit is preferred not required – Must be punctual – Must be dependable – Must take initiative If you are interested in an internship please contact Casey Davison cdavison@kfns.com. www.kfns.com

m ay 2012

GALLERY: Were You There?

kfns.com

grand slam sports

Grand Slam Sports/ Cardinals Opening Day Tailgate Party (pg. 12) Grand Slam Sports and Ram Trucks hosted an opening day tailgate 99 steps from Busch Stadium prior to the Cardinals vs. Cubs game on April 14. Prime 1000 catered the VIP tent. photos by grand slam sports staff

Grand Slam Sports Great Golf Goveaway (pg. 13) Grand Slam Sports partnered with LOHR and Hooters for its first ever Great Golf Giveaway. The grand prize winners were drawn and the beautiful Hooters girls helped award a trip for two to The Ryder Cup, golf for a year and a brand new set of Taylor Made golf clubs. photos by grand slam sports staff

m ay 2012

100+ HD CHANNELS

kfns.com

grand slam sports

TUCCI & FRESTA’S Trattoria and Bar the art of Italy

15 N. Central • Clayton, MO www.tucciandfrestas.com For Reservations call 314-725-6588

Gourmet Italian Dining Lunch, Monday thru Friday • Dinner, Monday thru Saturday Sunday, Brunch & Dinner “All Day” • Piano Bar, Friday & Saturday

Aged Steaks • Chops • Seafood • Italian Specialties • Pasta

We’re Your one Stop for tireS and auto Service. Locally owned and operated for almost 30 years — we specialize in family car care along with fleet and industrial service.

HOmE Of tHE • most makes • Walk-Ins Welcome • Inclued 12 point check • No Coupon Needed • Exclusive Synthetic Oil

$15.95 OIL CHANGE

Call us: 797.6711 // 3718 Hwy. 111 // Granite City, illinois m ay 2012

St. Louis’ First Couple of Hockey By Frank Cusumano

He is a 60-year-old hockey genius with snowy white hair and a resume thicker than Albert Pujols’ checkbook. She is a 38-year-old former golfer with blond hair. Together, Ken Hitchcock and his wife, Corina Kelepouris, are the first couple of hockey in St. Louis. As we celebrate women in sports in our town in this special edition of St. Louis Sports Magazine, Kelepouris’ story is worthy to be told. Kelepouris was once one of the top junior golfers in Canada. She didn’t miss many fairways. She became a pro and shot 66 once; she was in the zone and was five under par after seven holes. She never quite became a fixture on the LPGA, but she won six times as a professional. Although she retired three years ago, she has fond memories of the people and players she met along the way. “I was working with Hank Haney for a while, so I go to Dallas for a tune-up,” she said. “I walk upstairs to the video room, (and) there was Tiger Woods and Hank at one of the video stations. I thought to myself, ‘Oh my goodness, Tiger Woods,’ but I was cool about it. Tiger told Hank he wanted to see my swing on video. He gave me a few teaching thoughts.” During another day on Haney’s range, Kelepouris met a different famous sports figure who would change her life. “I was getting a lesson from Hank and I was struggling,” she said. “Hitch overheard us talking. He heard my Canadian accent, and we started talking. I took an immediate interest in what he did — putting a team together and making it work. He was just so friendly. He gave me his number and said, ‘If ever I can help you, let me know.’” Kelepouris lived in San Diego and Hitchcock was coaching a game against the Ducks. He asked her to go to the game, and they met for dinner afterwards. The relationship started to grow from there. “He is shockingly smart,” said Kelepouris. “He is constantly reading. He is constantly learning. He doesn’t just watch a game, he observes it. He watches as if he can pick up something from that game to apply to his team.” However, being married to Hitchcock does come with a negative: he is as locked in on his sport as any coach in any profession. He once told me he misses three exits a week because he is not concentrating on driving and is instead thinking about a hockey idea. The man even writes down hockey plays on Starbucks plastic cups and restaurant napkins. “He’s even always thinking about his team; he says he isn’t, but he is,” said Kelepouris. “He is looking at his iPad every few minutes. He eats, sleeps, drinks and breathes hockey. Now, he has plenty of other interests not in season, like he’s a Civil War buff,

Five Things That Come To Mind: 1. There are bad officials in sports, and then there is the NHL. It’s insane. A guy can punch David Backes right in the face and not spend a second in the penalty box. No one knows what a penalty is or isn’t; it’s crazy. 2. Being a Major League Baseball manager is a bit like being a talk show host. It would be nice if you paid your dues and learned the craft, but it’s really not necessary. Mike Matheny is living proof of that. He knows the game, and he can communicate; he will be great. 3. Missouri is becoming “Transfer University” in college basketball. Next season, four of the school’s top six players will have started their careers at other colleges. Frank Haith’s likeable personality is the reason. Guys who are unhappy with their present coaches will want to play for a player’s coach like Haith. 4. Here’s my new rule in sports: from this moment on, everyone should only have one fantasy football team and they should

kfns.com

grand slam sports

but during the season, he’s really dialed in. I sometimes ask, ‘Can you just pay attention; can you be here right now?’ ” That’s why the time period from Feb. 3, 2010, to Nov. 6, 2011, was such a rough time for Hitchcock. He was a coach without a team, which is like being a chef without a kitchen. Before then, he had a team every year in the NHL since 1995. He had coached 10 years of the midget AAA Sherwood Park Chain Gang in the Edmonton area. In his spare time, he even taught hockey fundamentals to girls at a local hockey school. Coaching hockey is what he does. Then, one Sunday, the phone rang. Doug Armstrong was calling to offer Hitchcock the job of coaching the Blues. “When he doesn’t have a team, he is a lost guy,” said Kelepouris. “He deserves to be in the league. He didn’t actually know Doug was offering the job after the first phone call that morning. After the second phone call, he knew he had the job. It was such a relief. He didn’t show much emotion; he hung up the phone and started packing.” Despite their high-profile athletic backgrounds, Kelepouris says she and Hitchcock enjoy a relatively quiet life. “We both enjoy being at home,” she said. “I traveled for 10 years, 50,000 miles per year. I really like being at home. So does Hitch. A perfect day is taking the dogs to the park, then we come home and I love to cook. And we watch a little television.” More than likely, if the season is still going on, they can probably be found watching a hockey game.v Frank Cusumano is a sportscaster for KSDK and can be heard weekdays (10am-1pm) on 590 The Fan KFNS

only fill out one bracket for the NCAA tournament. Take your best shot with one team and one prediction. If you fill out seven sheets and you win the poll, does that really show you know what you are doing? 5. I hope Gregg Williams has a good life from here on out. I also hope Gregg Williams doesn’t coach in the NFL again. Final Thought: Confession: I love the sport of boxing. I love the courage. I love the drama. Still, I wonder why anybody would ever want to get in to the ring. Aren’t all of these horror stories from other athletes who have had concussion issues enough proof that it’s just a horrible idea to get hit in the head? How many ex-boxers actually end up with a job at the bank, a white picket fence and a functioning brain? Did you see Ali on opening day in Florida? Have you heard an interview with Evander Holyfield lately? I know some have to do it for financial reasons, but it’s just not worth it. It really isn’t.

m ay 2012

Old School vs. New School Jay Randolph

Q& A

Jay Randolph Jr.

In five years, who will have accomplished more: Matheny, Hitchcock or Fisher and why? Sr.: Matheny — the Cardinals, with their vastly improved scouting system, are in for a long and successful era. Jr.: Tough, but I’m going with Matheny. I think the guy was made to manage, and the Cards are clearly the healthiest of the three money- wise. Hitch would be second. If you had to use a stage name, what would it be? Sr.: Randolph Jennings Jr.: Whitman Mayo Who is your favorite rap artist of all-time? Sr.: Like John Londoff Jr. says, “Are you kidding me?” I have no clue, as I have never listened to rap. Jr.: Run-D.M.C. What do you think of Mizzou’s new unis? Sr.: I like them. This time, change is for the good. Jr.: I am not a big uni guy. They’re OK, I guess. The big thing is if the recruits like them! Will Bubba Watson be a one-hit wonder or a multiple major champion? Sr.: I believe Bubba has the game to win another major. Jr.: He’ll be a multiple guy. He might get another Masters in the next three years, and he can win a PGA for sure. Stanley Cup Champs, NBA Champs, who you got? Sr.: Stanley Cup: Philadelphia Flyers. NBA: Miami Heat, as if I care. Jr.: Stanley Cup: Why not the Blues? NBA Champs: I have absolutely no clue; I have not watched a game this season. Who do you like at The Players? Sr.: Adam Scott. He plays well there, and I believe he will still be a superstar. Jr.: Rory McIlroy. Weather reporters are _______________? Sr.: The only people I know who can be wrong 70 percent of the time and keep their jobs. Jr.: Lucky. In your opinion, who are the three best position players in MLB? Sr.: Yadier Molina, Matt Kemp and Troy Tulowitzki. Jr.: Yadier Molina, Matt Kemp and Robinson Cano.

Jay Randolph Sr. hosts the Randolph Report Wednesday, 6pm-7pm on 590 The Fan KFNS Jay Randolph Jr. can be heard on The One To Three Show and Fairways and Greens on 590 The Fan KFNS

kfns.com

grand slam sports

listen live Visit www.kfns.com to hear whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening now on 590 kfns or SportsRadio 1380.

mobile listen anywhere using your free mobile app. visit your iphone, blackberry or android app store to download today.

social media check out 590 kfns and sportsradio 1380 on facebook and twitter for exclusive contests, updates, station event info and more!

k l a T e t Tailga

BY JOESPORTSFAN

Thoughts From Twitter:

Alex Oriakhi Edition M o re t ha n any of i t s prof essi on al co un te r par ts , co lle ge s po r ts te n d to e lic it th e m os t p assi ona t e (read: i r ratio n al) o pin io n s fro m f an s . B e caus e o f th is , if yo u ha p p en t o be t he ki d ser v i n g as th e ce n te r pie ce o f a h o t to pic, we m ig h t su gges t t h a t you st ay of f Twi t t e r f o r a day o r s o. E x a m p l e: When f or m er Connecticu t ce n te r A lex Or iak h i an n o un ced la s t m o nt h t ha t he woul d be t ra nsf er r in g to Miz zo u f o r h is f in al s e as o n , s p u r n e d f ans fro m U Conn, Kent ucky a nd No r th Caro lin a we re a bit … we ’ll jus t s ay “u p s et ” a t Or i akhi . T he f ol l owi n g T witte r s h o ts we re f ire d at th e big m a n :

kk ff nn ss . c. coommx xggrraannddssl laammssppoorrt tss

BREAKING NEWZ: >> Allen Craig’s tortoise pissed that he wasn’t included on World Series ring >> SLU announces it still does not have new football uniforms to unveil >> Blues playoff beards a hit with St. Louis homeless population >> Rams remain confident they can blow draft picks obtained from trade with Redskins >> Tony Softli spends two weeks evaluating scouting tapes before purchasing new lawnmower >> Angels fans already bored with this Pujols guy; need Thunder Sticks to enjoy baseball

Blues Fan Base E xpands with Playoffs If you’re anything like us, you’ve been wonder ing f or awhile what the hell a giant kung-fu rabbit is doing across the street from the Scottrade Center. We’ve wondered it f or years, but frankly, the bronze cottontail is growing on us . It’s become a f abr ic of St. Louis Blues society; a place where f ans meet bef ore and after games. It’s also a place that challenges your athletic prowess at slaloming through sleeping hobos to reach a desired destination. Well, Mr. Kung-Fu bunny got an enhancement when the NHL season came to an end: he scored himself a St. Louis Blues sweater.

Five-Years to Reach Collectible Status With last month’s five-year anniversary edition of St. Louis Sports Magazine hitting newsstands, it was only a matter of time before they’d become valued additions to a memorabilia collection.

As we all know, the magazine is free to readers, but at least one entrepreneur is banking on this edition becoming a quick financial boon via everyone’s favorite internet pawn shop:

One look at the sleeves and we can tell that this wasn’t a dr unken Bluesier slapping a unif orm over its head to win a bet. T hat’s a custom tailor ing job.

It could be because the seller knows Mike Matheny’s mug on the cover will bring in coin from the ladies. But we’re telling ourselves that it’s the hilarious Tailgate section serving as the primary selling point.

m ay m ay 2012 2012

21 21

HEALTH AND FITNESS

EMERGING FITNESS:

The 13- Year Race By Matt Pirtle MA, CSCS

1999, Jackie Pirtle-Hall was a junior at Francis Howell North High School. At that point, she had been a standout runner and had already set several local course records in high school cross country and track. By November of that year, she had already put behind her a cross country season in which she won every race she competed in. As the state meet in Jefferson City approached, she found herself a solid favorite to win the race. Jackie was riding a wave. She had found a nice groove.

I was in Texas at the time attending graduate school at the University of Texas-Austin. Knowing how closely I followed Jackie’s career, my parents paid for the plane trip home that weekend in November to be a witness to Jackie’s state cross country meet. I was excited to watch the culmination of an amazing season and running career in the form of a state title. No pressure. All she had to do was what she had done the entire season. This was going to be just another win. Jackie seemed calm and collected before the race. The pressure must have been immense, but she didn’t show it. I guess she thought we all expected her to win, and winners are confident. The race began with a literal bang of a gunshot, and Jackie was off in front with the leaders. The course was a winding, meandering trail around a park, so at any point, I was able to move my position strategically just a bit to catch up to where Jackie was running. She had a crowd of supporters shouting encouragements to her. It wasn’t long before Jackie had established a lead. A strong lead. I started to breath easier at this point but continued to cheer her on with shouts of “domination” to her as she ran. The race was unfolding better than was planned. The expected winner was winning in a commanding fashion. With only a half mile left, I decided it was time to position myself at the finish line to witness the victory. I was just around the corner from where I last saw her, waiting to celebrate. Time went by. Too much time. Finally, a runner rounded that final corner. It was not Jackie. Then another. And another. No Jackie. After 10 runners had passed, I spotted my sister. Walking slowly, arms limp at her side, she shuffled down the stretch. After 10 feet, she fell, got up and went the wrong way for a few steps before falling again. I watched this happen with pain inside. I wanted to run and grab her and help her up. Instead, I watched for the next five minutes as she slowly crawled towards and across the finish line. She wasn’t first, or even 20th, but she finished. Jackie was immediately attended to and sent by ambulance to a local hospital to be treated for dehydration. To this day, I have never seen a more courageous life-moment than the one I witnessed that day in Jefferson City. Sheer will brought her across that line when her body failed her. Fast forward 13 years. Jackie ran for The University of Missouri, Columbia and Lindenwood University in the meantime, experiencing modest success. Following college, she took some time off to figure out what she wanted to do next. Knowing that running was an integral part of who she was, Jackie began running a couple of years later. She began with a few marathons; she got better

kfns.com

grand slam sports

and better, eventually qualifying for and running in the U.S. Olympic Trials in Houston in January 2012. It was the biggest moment of her career to date, and she finished with a personal record time. So, on Sunday, April 15, 2012, Jackie Pirtle-Hall lined up once again a favorite to win a big race. This time it was her hometown marathon, the GO! St. Louis. Once again, Jackie looked calm and collected, and I couldn’t help but see the parallels with the race I watched 13 years ago. Here we were again. I wasn’t able to catch up with Jackie as much this time, as the course spanned too much total area, so I perched myself at the finish line and waited. Waiting is terrible. Action feels better, but there was no alternative. I stood there glancing nervously at my watch, then the race clock. Back and forth. Minute by minute. The last time I remember looking at my watch, I looked up to see a familiar figure running away from me and across the finish line. Sprinting would be more accurate. She flew across the finish line, smashing the course record by more than nine minutes and winning the race. To see her face, victorious and happy, was another moment I’ll never forget. Jackie persevered and overcame in a huge way. I’ll always remember the first race 13 years ago because it was an amazing display of human spirit, but the joy, celebration and justified reward of a lifetime of hard work was even more inspiring. The return came after 13 years. That’s a long time to wait, work and persevere. In athletics and in life in general, the big payoffs often don’t happen immediately. Sometimes they take 13 years. The reward and the feeling of accomplishment makes the moment worth it. v

Jackie Pirtle-Hall trains at Emerge Fitness Training with Matt Pirtle For more information on her performance specific workouts, go to emergefitnesstraining.com

Men’s and Women’s Basketball Receive Honors By Joe Pott

photos courtesy of siue athletics

“It’s an honor to be recognized by the Conference and our fellow members,” said SIUE Head Women’s Basketball coach Amanda Levens. “The award is a reflection of the university and the program as a whole. We’re lucky to have the support staff that we have at SIUE. Our marketing department, event staff and administration work hard to create a first-class environment for the fans and also our fellow student-athletes. It has paid off.”

New Website Debuts

ollowing the conclusion of the college basketball season, the Ohio Valley Conference announced Southern Illinois University Edwardsville as the recipient of the 2011-12 Team Sportsmanship Award for both men’s and women’s basketball. Voted on by the student-athletes and coaches of the respective sports, the team awards are bestowed upon the conference squads deemed to have best exhibited the standards of sportsmanship and ethical behavior as outlined by the OVC and NCAA. Included in the areas for evaluation are the conduct of student-athletes, coaches, staff, administration and fans. “Without sportsmanship, there are truly no meaningful victories,” said OVC Commissioner Beth DeBauche. “The recipients of the OVC Team Sportsmanship Awards should accept this award with great pride, for their fellow competitors have made it clear their teams exemplify the best in intercollegiate athletics. In receiving this prestigious honor, other competitors are saying these student-athletes compete with class, respect their opponents and value fair play. That is quite a compliment, as those are all traits that will lead to true victories throughout the course of life.” The 2011-12 school year marks the seventh year the team sportsmanship honors have been awarded and is the first award for either SIUE basketball program. The Cougar men finished their first season of OVC competition with a 6-10 record in OVC play. “It’s an honor to receive this award,” said SIUE Head Men’s Basketball Coach Lennox Forrester. “It is a credit to our players, our fans and our administration. This recognizes the quality in the way things are done and that we are part of a first-class organization.” In their first full season of OVC play, the SIUE women finished third in the standings with a 12-4 overall record. The team hosted a game in the Women’s Basketball Invitational following the season and capped the year with 18 total victories.

SIUE Athletics has entered into a partnership with Prestosports to provide a new-look for siuecougars.com. The new website, which debuted on May 1, has all of the features Cougar fans have come to expect online, including game stories, schedules, statistics, photos and more, in a new layout and design. The site also includes links to all of SIUE’s social media outlets and the online store, shopsiuecougars.com. “We are excited to debut the new siuecougars.com,” said SIUE Sports Information Director Eric Hessa. “We believe the redesign, with the help of Prestosports, gives us a look and feel that better serves our student-athletes, potential student-athletes, fans and friends of the program. We have new areas on the website designed to interact with friends and a new live stats platform for more sports.” v

* Awards sited from the Ohio Valley Conference release

m ay 2012

The Benes Family

by Rob Rains

The Call to Adopt

kfns.com

grand slam sports

Back Row L to R: Bailey, Drew and wife Taylor, Shane, Brynn Front Row: Andy with Bliss, Jennifer with Brock

ith four kids around, the home of Andy and Jennifer Benes was always a busy place. As their children transitioned to high school age and beyond, however, the couple began to wonder what the second half of their lives was going to be like. When Drew, the oldest Benes child, left for college a few years ago, Andy and Jennifer — like all parents — took time to reflect.

m ay 2012

“We just kind of looked at things and said ‘Gosh that went by fast,’ ” said Jennifer. “We talked about what we did right that we wanted to continue with our next three kids. There was a five-year age difference between Drew and our second oldest, our daughter Brynn. What would we change or do differently? “We both feel like there is a reason why God has blessed us so greatly, not just monetarily, but with a good marriage, good kids (and) a wonderful home. Why? What are we supposed to do with it? What’s the second half of our life going to look like? We wanted to live it with a purpose to help those who don’t have what we’ve been given.” Added Andy, “We were in a stage where it was pretty comfortable around here. The kids were all selfsufficient; everybody was kind of on cruise control. We didn’t feel God was calling us just to be content, but asking, ‘What are you going to do for me? How are you going to live your life? Is it going to be about you or about others?’ The Bible talks a lot about orphans and widows.” It was about this time, in the fall of 2007, that Jennifer began to hear God talking to her through prayer. The message was always the same; God wanted her to help take care of orphans. At first, she thought that meant sending money to help feed hungry children in Africa, so the family did just that. She soon realized that was not exactly what God meant, however. The wife of the former Cardinals pitcher slowly began to realize God was telling her that she and her husband — who at the time had been married 21 years and had four kids ranging in age from 19 to 13 — should adopt one or more children. It time for her to come to grips with that reality before she mentioned it to her husband. “At first, we thought, ‘We’re just one family. What can we really do to make a difference?’ ” said Jennifer. “But we believe one child at a time makes all

kfns.com

grand slam sports

the difference in the world to them, and if we can encourage other people to do the same, then it does start to make a difference.” The couple did their research and decided to work with Bethany Christian Services. They began the process of adopting a young child from an orphanage in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, which is in central Siberia. They made an initial trip there as part of the adoption process and endured temperatures of minus 40 degrees. “When you opened up the hotel window, it was like opening the door of a freezer,” said Andy. “The air was frozen.” It was during their second trip in June 2009, when they going to pick up a 2-and-a-half-year-old boy and bring him back to St. Louis, that the Benes’ had an experience they will never forget. Jennifer began feeling ill, and they soon realized she needed to go to the hospital. There, doctors determined her appendix had ruptured and she needed immediate surgery. If that was not scary enough, Jennifer saw mold on the bed, and she knew the hospital was using dirty needles. “We took pictures because we knew people were not going to believe what this is really like,” said Jennifer. “It was horrific.”

The hospital did not have private bathrooms, and as another example of the poor conditions, each patient was expected to bring his or her own toilet paper. There were times during her five days in the Siberian hospital that they did not know if she would live. As they prayed, however, they sensed the power of God and that He would take care of her. “We knew God was calling us to do it, and He prepared us to go over there,” said Andy. “We felt we were going to make it home as a family and not minus mom, but it was scary. We found out it was pretty routine surgery because a high percentage of Russians have their appendix removed, but they are just about 50 years behind where we are medically.” Luckily, Jennifer was able to leave the hospital the day the couple went to the orphanage to pick up their son, whom they named Brock. After crying for almost all of the first two hours he spent with the couple on their first visit, Brock was much more willing to be with his new parents the second time. They had left a photo album with Brock on their previous visit, and when he saw Jennifer and realized it was the same woman in the photo, he pointed to her and to the photo and said “Ma-ma.” The Benes’ knew that Brock was born with a cleft palate and lip, which he has undergone surgery for. He is currently going through some dental procedures to fix his teeth, and then he will need another operation on his lip. As soon as they saw him, they knew he was meant to be their son. Brock was one of approximately 200 children in the orphanage; the children range in age from a few months to 4 years old. “As the kids get older, their chances of being adopted are really low,” said Andy. “It’s really sad. There is a huge need. One of the gifts we took our caregiver was some little Angel figurines, and on one of the wings was

the word ‘hope.’ Our caregiver asked us what hope meant. “Because of communism and the way things have been over there, they have the view that yesterday was better than today and today is better than tomorrow. It’s kind of a gradual decline. We tried to explain to them, ‘Tomorrow, things can be better.’ They have a very pessimistic mindset over there.” The Benes’ know that being able to get Brock, who is now 5, and their daughter Bliss, who was 16 months old when they adopted her in 2011 and is now 2, out of their orphanage and back to their home in west St. Louis County has at least given hope to these two small children. “It’s one thing in your mind to know that there are orphans living in the world who don’t have a mom and dad,” said Jennifer. “But when you look into the eyes of one of those children, it changes your life forever. I still see faces of the children over there. I know they are still there, and it’s horrible. “It changes your perspective on what our life is here and what we have and what we are blessed with. It’s so easy for us to take that for granted because it’s normal for us; we don’t know anything different. But when you see different, it can’t help but change you.” Added Andy, “You want to back up a truck and pile them in and take them home with you.” Andy and Jennifer cannot begin to describe how their lives have changed since returning from Russia with the two children. Both said they can’t begin to imagine what their lives would be like if they were not around, watching cartoons, getting dressed for kindergarten or crawling on the kitchen table. “They have brought so much joy and happiness into our home,” said Andy. “Our house already is fun with a lot of kids around, but they are older now. We had kind of grown out of that toddler stage, and we’re into the high school age. They’ve brought a lot. We’re at the house more; we’re together as a family more.” Said Jennifer, “Our older kids

adore them. They have embraced this wholeheartedly, better than I think we even could have imagined. Our kids realize (we) don’t just live our lives for ourselves; we have a purpose in our lives and we are supposed to help others and look after others and their needs – the less fortunate. “They’ve seen the benefits. The benefit comes to the people you are helping, but also to you in the midst of it in a way that is life changing.” One of the changes that adding Brock and Bliss to their family has produced is a desire to spend more time together as a family. “I think we spent too much time running to and from various activities and not enough time at home as a family,” said Jennifer of raising their older children. “Now, we eat dinner together as a family and the older kids are here, too. We like that.” Andy, who is still active with the Cardinals and speaks to school groups, is also the head softball coach and assistant baseball coach at Westminster Christian Academy. He earned his college degree last December from Saint Louis University, 26 years and four months after he started college at the University of Evansville. He tells that story during his school appearances, emphasizing the importance of finishing what you start. Andy enjoys spending time with the players on his softball and baseball team, which currently include two of his older children. He also coached his oldest son, Drew, before he went to college; Drew moved to become a pitcher in the Cardinals’ farm system and is currently at Class A Palm Beach. Andy views those teams as extensions of his own family, giving him even more youth to mentor. “I really look at both of those teams as kind of my ministry to be around the kids and encourage them,” said Andy. “I get on them when it’s needed, I laugh with them when things are going well, and sit and cry with them when things are tough. I want them to know that I am somebody they can come to as

a confidante.” Andy and Jennifer met in an algebra class in high school and were married four years later, when he was a sophomore and she was a junior. His baseball career, which included five years with the Cardinals, took the family around the country before they settled in St. Louis, where they will now raise their two youngest children as Drew, Brynn, Bailey and Shane move on with their lives. “Is it a sacrifice?” asked Jennifer. “Yes, but I’m so glad we said yes and did it. Our lives would look very differently right now if we had not done it. Would it have been bad? No. But I’m just so glad that we took that step of faith because are lives are so much more enriched.” Andy agrees: “We don’t go down the ‘When they are in high school, we’re going to be ‘X’ years old.’ We don’t do the math. I’m not worried about it. If I show up for a parent-teacher conference and they think I’m grandpa, I’m OK with that. We’ll probably be going to grandparents’ day, too.” The Benes’ have made a DVD of their story and share it with friends and church groups. One of the couple’s close friends, a 50-year-old heart surgeon, and his wife are waiting for a referral to adopt a child as their two older children go off to college. Whether they decide to adopt additional children or not, Jennifer and Andy will continue to be advocates and tell anyone who asks what it has meant to them. “God has a huge plan for their lives,” said Jennifer of Brock and Bliss. “He basically plucked them out of where they were in central Siberia, in Russia, and put them here. There’s a reason for that. I don’t know what all the reasons are, but I know there are reasons. “Why God called us, I don’t know, but we are very thankful that He did.” v Rob Rains is the co-host of The Sports Zone from 1–3 p.m. Monday through Friday on SportsRadio 1380

m ay 2012

By Brittney French

Kerri Morgan

Overcoming ODDS

rowing up, Kerri Morgan wanted to play sports and be an athlete. As a child, she always wondered what it would be like to compete on a team with other kids her age, but she never really had the opportunity — until she discovered wheelchair rugby.

kfns.com

grand slam sports

When Morgan was one year old, she contracted Transverse Myelitis, a debilitating neurological disorder that attacked her spinal cord and caused permanent impairment. The virus left Morgan with a lack of sensation and movement from her chest down and resulted in some hand, abdominal and leg weakness, forcing her to use a wheelchair. “I’m not really sure how I contracted the virus,” said Morgan. “It just happened, and there wasn’t any way to stop it from developing.” Despite being in a wheelchair her entire life, the 38-year-old St. Louis native grew up to become the athlete she always aspired to be. For the last four years, Morgan has been on the U.S. Paralympic track and field team, but this accomplishment is something that she really never planned. She didn’t anticipate trying out for the U.S. Paralympic track and field team, and she certainly didn’t plan on making the team and going on to compete at such a high level; she had her heart set on playing wheelchair rugby for the U.S. Paralympics instead. Morgan’s love for sports started at a young age, when her brother manipulated neighborhood games like football and hockey and forced her to join. Her brother adapted the games so Morgan could be a stationary version of a football quarterback or hockey goalie. While playing along, Morgan would often get hit with footballs and pelted with pucks because she wasn’t able to quickly move like the other players. She would cry and want to quit playing, but her brother would never let her give up. Through her brother’s help and motivation to get out there and play sports, regardless of her disability, Morgan eventually found her passion for wheelchair rugby, also known as “Murderball.” Wheelchair rugby is a team sport for male and female athletes with quadriplegia. It is a combination of football, hockey and basketball, with full contact possible at any time. The object of the game is to cross an end line

with a ball and score points. Those who play are classified based on the level of their disability. The sport is rough, ruthless and exciting, but Morgan, who has played wheelchair rugby for the last eight years with the St. Louis Rugby Rams and is now the team’s captain, describes it a bit differently. She says it’s like “wheelchair bumper cars in which everyone is basically bashing into each other.” Morgan began playing Murderball in her 20s. She started playing the sport out of a want because it is highly competitive and there is not a large female presence. “The sport always interested me,” she said. “I told myself ‘I’m doing this,’ because I always wanted to play the sport. My family is super competitive; it must be in our blood. They wanted me to get out there and do anything I could, and I used this as this as motivation to play.” Although the odds were stacked against her from the beginning, Morgan was determined to get better at wheelchair rugby. She had enough skill to play the sport, but she lacked the speed necessary to take on more competitive players, especially if she wanted to fulfill her dream of becoming the only female to make the U.S. Paralympic rugby team. During the rugby off-season in 2007, Morgan sought track and field as a way to cross train so she could try out the following year for the U.S. Paralympic rugby team. She wanted to develop better hand speed and build endurance and strength. To get faster, Morgan needed to push a chair designed for track competitions. She bought a new chair, started getting up at 5 a.m. for grueling training sessions and followed a strict diet — all while working as an occupational therapist and faculty clinical instructor at the Washington University Program in Occupational Therapy. For months, she trained harder than ever, and when she finally tried out for the 2008 U.S. Paralympic rugby team, she didn’t make it. Instead, Morgan was invited to compete for the U.S.

Paralympic track and field team. “I quickly converted to track,” she said. “It’s totally different from rugby, and this change was difficult. It’s not a team sport. It’s very sprint-related and not endurance-related like rugby. Everything is different. The equipment, atmosphere, training, everything. It was all a major mind shift, training shift and mental focus shift.” Within 10 months, Morgan made the switch from rugby to track and field with the help of local coach Steve Bunn. “I first met Kerri at an exhibition in St. Louis,” said Bunn. “She didn’t know I was going to be there. I had heard through people that she wanted to play rugby for the U.S. Paralympics, so I went because I wanted to watch her compete. Once I saw her out there, I was blown away. I even remember thinking to myself that the best athlete out there is a 90-pound girl. “After watching her match, I knew she would be able to compete at any level. I told her that I would train her if she was willing to be trained. I knew if she worked with me, we would be successful because she’s a rare individual who puts her heart into everything.” Morgan and Bunn immediately began training together. They would work at a small gym in Illinois and race on local tracks at area schools to prepare for the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China. Before Beijing, Morgan had only raced in local and national track and field events: she placed first in the Wheelchair division of the Lake St. Louis Triathlon in 2005; she won a gold medal in the 200-meter race and a silver medal in the 100-meter race at the U.S. Nationals in 2007; and she took first place in the 200-meter race and second place in the 100-meter race at the U.S. Paralympic Trials-Track and Field at Tempe, Ariz. in 2008. Morgan, who was used to competing in front of 20 to 30 people, would find her next event in China a bit different; there, 91,000 people filled the Bird’s Nest in Beijing to watch her race in the 2008 Paralympic Games.

m ay 2012

“For my first race, I rolled out on the track and saw the stands filled to the brim,” said Morgan. “It was a sold-out event, so it was different than any of the other races I had been in. The whole experience was overwhelming, and I’m not sure if I was mentally prepared for that moment because I was still thinking that I should be playing rugby. “The one thing that brought the race in Beijing a bit closer to home was seeing my family in the stands. I remember rolling up to the start line in a U.S. uniform and hearing people chanting my name. I looked around and saw my parents, friends and coach holding the American Flag, and it was like my own little fan club traveled all this way to see me race for 20 seconds. It was a cool moment that I won’t forget.” Morgan took fifth place in the 100-meter and 200-meter races at the 2008 Paralympic Games. After Beijing, Morgan traveled back home and had to decide whether she wanted to race in track and field or play rugby. She made the decision to give rugby one last chance, and all of her hard work finally paid off. In 2009, she became the first and only female to play in the Paralympic Games for the U.S. quad rugby team, which took home a gold medal. Morgan did not make the Paralympic Rugby team again in 2010, so she decided to move into track and field full-time. Morgan and Bunn immediately began training again. Morgan continued to race in local and national track and field events, taking second place in the 100-meter, 200-meter, 400-meter and 800-meter races at the 2010 U.S. Paralympics Track and Field National Championships in Miramar, Fla. Her following race, which took place at the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand, was similar to Beijing. Morgan would compete in front of a large audience and against the same athletes, including Michelle Stillwell, a Canadian track and field sprinter who consistently beat her in races.

kfns.com

grand slam sports

“I hate to lose,” said Kerri Morgan Morgan. “I had been chasing this woman in every race and had always seen the back of her. It finally changed in New Zealand. Something about that competition put fire in me, and I beat her.” In New Zealand, Morgan beat Stillwell by 1.5 seconds in the 800-meter race and won her first gold medal. “It was nice to have my moment,” she said. “I would always get a little closer to her in races, and I was stunned I was able to pull it off.” The experience in New Zealand made Morgan a more seasoned track and field athlete who is more prepared for all aspects for future Paralympic events. Another of Kerri’s passions is her work for Paraquad, a local, private, notfor-profit with a mission to empower people with disabilities to increase their independence through choice and opportunity. Founded in 1970, Paraquad is one of the oldest non-residential Centers for Independent Living in the country. With over 40 services, Paraquad addresses the needs of individuals with all types of disabilities. Some of the programs include Assistive Technology, College for Living, Employment, and Public Policy. Last year, Paraquad served over 4,000 people with disabilities. A Paraquad board member, Kerri has been a Paraquad participant, collaborator and also a peer mentor to others. “Kerri’s strength is more than just physical, pushing her racing chair or crashing into an opponent on the rugby court,” said Lindsey Bean, Paraquad’s Director of Assistive Technology Center. “She is dedicated to creating a more accessible St. Louis area, educating others on disability and breaking down barriers. Her strong desire is contagious. She is an extraordinary, one of a kind

and steve bunn

example that having a disability does not have to be disabling. Being a part of Paraquad lets her share this with more people and in different avenues.” This summer, Morgan is hoping to race in the 2012 Paralympics in London. She and Bunn have been training for this event since coming back from New Zealand and will find out if Morgan made the team in the next few months. “I have been working super hard in hopes of making the team,” said Morgan. “I am a much more mature track athlete, and I look forward to taking that maturity out to my races this time. Things have all lined up right for me after New Zealand, and I feel like the whole package is now there. I didn’t realize this going in, but the only way to succeed is through a ton of support from work, coaching, family, friends and my sponsors at Emerson Electric. I am super fortunate to have all of those things line up just right for me, and I can’t wait to get out there and see what I can do in London. “Throughout all of this, I’ve realized that having a disability doesn’t mean life is over. I learned that with the proper accessibility equipment and right attitude, anything is possible. I can do anything.” v

Sauer Finds His Calling in Florida

By Rob Rains

kfns.com

grand slam sports

is tailored, three-piece suits have been replaced by a Nike T-shirt, jeans and flip-flops. Instead of sitting behind a desk and dealing with the owners of professional sports teams and millionaire athletes, these days, Mark Sauer is more concerned about the future of minority students in South Florida. Inside room 306 at the Village Academy, a three-story building constructed of white cinder blocks just minutes off bustling Interstate 95 in Delray Beach, Sauer spends his time teaching kids who sometimes donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know where they will spend the evening, kids who might have one or both parents either in jail or dead, kids who could very easily become statistics if not for the work of Sauer and other dedicated teachers and volunteers. It is a world away from the life Sauer knew in St. Louis and Pittsburgh, where he spent nearly 20 years working as the president, CEO, executive vice president or chief operating officer of several professional sports teams, first for the Cardinals, then for the Pirates and finally for the St. Louis Blues. Sauer walked away from that world in 2006 at the age of 59 and soon found himself handing out protein bars to hungry teenagers, trying to explain to them how much it costs to buy a used car or why a package of Doritos costs less at Walmart than it does the local Publix grocery store.

football head coach donald hanna, son Donald Jr. and Mark Sauer m ay 2012

“I am so lucky,” Sauer says of his new life. “I knew I would like it, but I am crazy about it.” Sauer didn’t know for certain what his future held on June 30, 2006, the day he completed the sale of the Blues to the group led by Dave Checketts. In nearly 20 years of working in professional sports, he had helped orchestrate the sale of three franchises, first the Pirates and twice the Blues, first to a group led by Bill Laurie and then to Checketts’ group. That was all in addition to the many day-to-day challenges that being in such a position presented. He had gotten divorced a year earlier, and Sauer was tired of the business, tired of too much losing, disillusioned by much of what he saw in professional sports and, as the television commercial for a popular airline suggests, he really did want to get away. “I was very fortunate in St. Louis and Pittsburgh, and not one second ever passed when I complained,” said Sauer. “I knew every second of the day that I was fortunate to have those jobs. They were fun, they were important and they were challenging. I had given it a lot of thought, and part of my game plan was to retire in Florida. The time was right.” One day after completing the sale of the Blues to the Checketts group, Sauer was in Florida, still unsure of anything about his life except that he loved the water, wanted to do something meaningful and that he wanted to work with kids. He soon found himself in the community of Delray Beach, a small village between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. Delray Beach is a town that truly magnifies the stark contrast that exists all over Florida, especially in the larger communities. The area near Village Academy on Southwest 12th Ave. consists of small run-down houses and is obviously home to people struggling simply to survive until the following day. Just blocks away is a bustling street filled with shops, cute restaurants, coffee shops, nighttime entertainment and the fancy townhomes and condos that line the street adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean. “It’s tricky in Florida, because there really is no middle class,” said Sauer. “There is not a lot of tradition here. They have a very shallow economy and have a lot of shallow people here. I think a lot of the minority issues sort of get swept under the rug because of that. On the other hand, there are a lot of good people working hard for better public schools and a better future for minority kids. These kids need a lot of help.” When Sauer learned about Village Academy, a small public school that was just beginning to add a high school to its existing kindergarten through middle school programs, he knew it was where he was meant to be. He knew it was a place where he could help make a difference, where he could apply everything he had learned in the world of corporate business and sports to maybe help some kids who definitely needed it. Sauer started working at the school in 2007 as a volunteer and a reading tutor. He went back to school himself to earn a teaching certificate, adding to his college degree from Illinois and his master’s from Columbia University. He first became a

kfns.com

grand slam sports

Mark Sauer with the football coaching staff part-time substitute teacher then went on to become a full-time substitute teacher. At the same time, he was helping set up an athletic program, both coaching and running the program, as well as a city-wide basketball program for kids. Sauer became the school’s athletic director, hired a football and basketball coach and began to see a light go on in the eyes and minds of some of the students he was teaching every day. Sauer has helped the kids in more ways than he cares to discuss, but admits he bought the weights for the school’s weight room. “I knew a guy who knew a guy,” he said. He helps pay enrollment fees for an unknown number of kids in the city-wide programs if they can’t afford it, and he covers the costs of physical exams necessary before those kids can play. He also bought the uniforms for the school’s basketball team. “I have become very attached to some of the teachers and to the kids and their families,” said Sauer. “The coaches are almost like an extension of my family. What I did in the past is not part of these kids’ world. Frankly, they are surrounded with very tough living circumstances, a lot of poverty and a lot of challenges. What a 65-year-old man who happens to be their teacher did 10 or 20 years ago is not relevant, and I don’t want to make it relevant.”

Sauer currently teaches three classes; one is basically a physical education class, but the other two are particularly special to him. He runs a personal finance class, and he also teaches a jobs class in which he has helped nine students get part-time after school jobs at three local McDonald’s and a local Target store. His personal finance class includes real-world applications of unemployment rates and the difference a person can expect to earn in salary with a college education versus only a high school degree. He teaches them valuable lessons in which he uses worksheets to illustrate everyday examples of how important math and reading comprehension can be to success outside of the classroom, as well as inside the room. He organizes pizza parties for students with the best grades and runs fantasy football leagues — with a salary cap — to help students learn how important a budget can be. Sauer plans to give up the teaching assignment this May so he can become a volunteer again and concentrate on a new notfor-profit corporation he has set up called Delray Students First. The corporation, which Sauer hopes will allow him to expand the after-school jobs program, is something he sees as vital to these kids being able to escape their current circumstances. Sauer often drives the students from school to their jobs. In class, he helps them understand their paychecks and works with

them to establish bank accounts while stressing the necessity to learn to save part of each paycheck. “I am very worried that if we don’t arm our college-bound seniors with part-time jobs, they will not have the financial wherewithal to make it; they just won’t,” said Sauer. “They have no family money. We’re just talking about having enough money to put gas in the car, to buy lunch and to pay for a minimal public college and books.” Of the 29 students who made up the first high school graduation class at Village Academy last May, 20 of them went on to college. About 40 kids are scheduled to graduate this May, and Sauer expects most of them will go on to college. With more students advancing through the younger grades, the number of graduates will be increasing in upcoming years. “Everything is still a work in progress with these young people, but our pipeline has many future college graduates, which will be the ultimate barometer of our collective efforts at Village Academy,” said Sauer. What would have happened to those same students without a school such as Village Academy and without the dedication of people like Sauer and the other teachers and coaches? No one can say for certain, but Sauer has a pretty good idea. “I’ve got coaches who dwarf what I do,” Sauer says modestly. “There are volunteers and teachers here who dwarf what I do. It makes it impossible for me to feel that I am beleaguered. I can find other adults who are doing more than me. All I have to do is look down the hall and look around the gym. I am in pretty good company. I am surrounded by a lot of people doing a lot of good things.” What Sauer and the other teachers, coaches and volunteers at Village Academy do is basically give kids hope — hope that they can escape their current situations, hope for a better life, hope that they can live past their 18th birthday. It is not unusual for Sauer’s telephone to ring at 10 p.m. or later; often, it’s one of his students asking for help of some kind, such as a ride the following morning, help in getting something to eat or a myriad of other simple requests. Sauer tries to accommodate all of them as best he can. His reward can be found in the success of students such as Devontae Robinson, a 3.0 student and a wide receiver on the school’s football team. A senior, Robinson signed a letter of intent to play football next year at West Virginia. In addition to Robinson, there are other athletes coming up through the school who Sauer is convinced will play either Division I football or basketball. “We have one kid, a sophomore who I have helped, that if we can get him through, he will play college football; but, he is coming from the most impoverished situation you can imagine,” said Sauer. “It remains to be seen if he can navigate through it. “There are a lot of awful stories. We have one young man, (who) I don’t know if he can overcome everything because he just has so many obstacles. ... When I was coaching the freshman basketball team, I had all of them put down their names

a p r i l 2012

and phone numbers. One kid put down six or seven phone numbers — his home was a moving target, and he never knew where he was going to be spending the night. He was in the graduating class but ended up getting arrested over the summer on drug charges. That was a failure. There will be others. “The successes will offset them. We have a handful of kids who I think will play college football or basketball. The trajectory is very promising.” Sauer believes stepping out of the classroom and returning to his status as a volunteer will help give him more time to develop the after-school jobs program — the primary focus of his efforts at the school, along with helping out the basketball and football teams in a variety of capacities. He runs the clock at all of the basketball games and walks the sideline at the football games, keeping the statistics. When he says he would rather be doing that than sitting in a box seat at any professional sporting event, it is easy to believe him. “He is a great person and has a great rapport with the kids,” said Willie Gibson, the school’s current athletic director and basketball coach. “To be a teacher or coach, you have to have a love for kids, and he really enjoys it. It comes from his heart. He enjoys what he is doing because he is helping kids. He does a lot that he doesn’t want people to know about because he doesn’t broadcast it.”

kfns.com

grand slam sports

Sauer knows he has been lucky to be able to spend the last six years in this capacity. He admits he was rewarded financially for his roles in selling the Pirates and in selling the Blues twice, giving him the freedom to not have to worry about money. Although he knows not everyone enjoys that same luxury, he would like to see more people nearing retirement age get involved with younger people in need, even just as a volunteer if they cannot get involved financially. He believes the work is one of the reasons he feels younger than his 65 years. When he is not helping his students, Sauer has time to walk from his townhouse to the beach, where he goes paddleboarding, surfs or does a variety of other activities. He also spends a lot of time riding his bicycle along the beach road. Still, his mind never strays far from wondering what more he could be doing to help the kids at Village Academy or in the city-wide youth basketball league. “These are kids who are on the brink of disappearing,” said Sauer, who does not want to see that happen. Have there been any overwhelming success stories since Sauer arrived at the school? “Not yet, but they’re coming,” he said. v Rob Rains is the co-host of The Sports Zone from 1–3 p.m. Monday through Friday on SportsRadio 1380

m ay 2012

HIGH SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

Holst Brings Winning Ways Back to Parkway South Baseball photos courtesy of paul kopsky/stltoday.com

By Jim Powers

Da n n y H ol st Parkway South has always had great athletic teams and great players who have played on those teams. One of those great teams is the Patriots baseball team, which has enjoyed success both in the past and in the last two years, especially under the leadership of Danny Holst. Holst, a senior pitcher and starting center fielder, took Head Coach Adam Stahl’s Patriots to a Suburban West championship last year and has them in contention for another title this year. But, a title is just one of the team goals that Holst and his teammates have for this season. “Winning the conference title last year was huge, but losing in the district semi was not the way we wanted to end last year,” said Holst. “This year, we are working hard and we hope to win the conference again, but we know that we need to get better every day and get ready for the district, where it is one and done. We will see some of the teams that we faced in the regular season, so it will not be easy.” Holst has been a key force in the Patriots’ lineup this season with a .476 batting average and three home runs. Holst is not a power hitter; he is smart at the plate, makes great contact and gets on base. That is evident in the fact that he has only struck out four times this season. He has great speed, with seven stolen bases so far this season and a knack for getting home when he can. Holst’s main position is center field, but he has also added depth to the Patriots’ pitching staff by going 3-0 with a 5.67 ERA. He has also thrown 21 innings this season to keep the pitching staff fresh. One of the most noticeable things about the Patriots is that the seniors are a very close-knit group both on and off the ball field.

kfns.com

grand slam sports

“We have known each other for many years,” said Holst. “A lot of us have played together starting back when we were 8 years old; others of us have played against each other in summer or fall ball. We are very close all year round, not only in the spring. We talk often about how we – as a team – can get better, and we work out together, as well.” Holst has played summer ball for the Rawlings Prospects and will compete this summer in the Metro Collegiate League that plays all over the metro area. Playing in this league will prepare Holst for what lies ahead for him at the next level. Holst has committed to Texas A&M and is excited about the opportunity to play in the SEC next year as an outfielder. “Coach Stahl and my hitting coach, Craig Reigne, both know an assistant from A&M,” said Holst. “I had the chance to talk to their assistant and felt that it was the right fit for me after I had a chance to go there and tour their campus and see the facilities. After talking to my family, I knew that I wanted to be an Aggie.” During his time at Parkway South, Holst has made a huge impact on the Patriot baseball program. “Danny has been the only four-year starter on the varsity level that I have had in 22 years of coaching High School baseball,” said Stahl. “He is a pure hitter. When his mother brought him into this world, he already had his bat in his hands. He has worked every day the past four years to continue to grow as a hitter. “As good a player Danny is, he is an even better teammate. He is one of the most humble players you will ever meet and is always helping others with their game. This is why Danny Holst is loved by his teammates. Danny could go 0-4 with four strikeouts and he is OK as long as the team won.” In the near future, Holst will make a splash in the SEC for the Aggies, but until then, he knows that his team has some unfinished business this spring.

SATURDAYS 9AM - 11AM

Author, Inspirational Speaker & Emcee Mid Rivers News Magazine Readers, voted “Best of 2011 Radio Personality!”

Laugh, Learn, and Listen It’s like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get, but it’s always delicious. Don’t forget to say,

“I’M DELICIOUS” when you call into Kelley’s Deliciously Alive Show! For more information on Advertising, Guest Appearances & Speaking Engagements, Contact Kelley Lamm phone 636.219.7931 | fax 636.244.2383 | email kelley@kelleylamm.com www.bedeliciouslyalive.com

m ay 2012

ASK DR. RICK

U.S. Center for Sports Medicine 333 South Kirkwood Road x Saint Louis, Missouri 63122 PH: 314.909.1666 x FX: 314.909.6513

METABOLIC SYNDROME Metabolic syndrome is a recently described disease process that is becoming more common in the United States. The causes of metabolic syndrome are related to obesity, and the two most important risk factors for metabolic syndrome are extra weight around the middle and upper parts of the body, often called central obesity and insulin resistance. Body habitus has been termed apple-shaped or reverse pear-shaped. Insulin resistance is a process in which the body cannot use insulin effectively. Essentially, insulin is needed to control the amount of sugar in the body. As insulin is released, sugar is utilized. As blood sugar levels and fat levels rise, if insulin is not effective, increases in blood sugar and fat levels will create an increase in obesity. Lesser risk factors include aging, genetics, hormonal changes and a lack of exercise. People who have metabolic syndrome have other problems that can either cause the condition or exacerbate the condition, and these include excess blood clotting and low levels of inflammation throughout the body. Symptoms include central obesity and abdominal obesity. The incidence of metabolic syndrome is on the rise, and metabolic syndrome is thought to be present if a patient has three or more of the following signs: 1) Blood pressure equal to or higher than 130/85 2) A fasting blood sugar equal to or higher than 100 3) A large waist circumference: Men greater than 40 inches and woman greater than 35 inches 4) Low HDL cholesterol: Men under 40 mg/dl and women under 50 mg/dl 5) Triglycerides of equal to or higher than 150 mg/dl Tests used to diagnose metabolic syndrome include blood pressure measurements, measurement of blood sugar, measurement of HDL cholesterol levels and measurement of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides levels. At this time, the treatment of metabolic syndrome is to reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Recommendations include changes in lifestyle and medications to reduce blood pressure, LDL cholesterol and blood sugar. Losing weight is the cornerstone of treatment for metabolic syndrome. The goal is to lose between seven and 10 percent of a patient’s current body weight and to maintain a BMI of 25 or less. Caloric restrictions necessary to maintain this weight may be severe and less than 1,200 calories per day. Recommendations include 30 minutes of intense exercise five to seven days per week (increase intensity of exercise follows increased levels of fitness), lowering cholesterol via weight loss, exercise and statin-type medications and lowering blood pressure. Taking low-dose aspirin and cessation of smoking are cornerstones for treatment of metabolic syndrome, as well. One of the reasons appropriate treatment for metabolic syndrome is so important is that patients with metabolic syndrome have an increased long-term risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes. Complications of metabolic syndrome include atherosclerosis, heart attack, kidney disease, liver disease, peripheral artery disease and stroke. This syndrome continues to evolve, and as America becomes progressively more obese, increased numbers of Americans and other nationalities will have metabolic syndrome. It is important to note that metabolic syndrome is not simply being overweight; metabolic syndrome has to do with obesity leading to insulin resistance, increased abdominal girth, increased risk of kidney disease, heart attacks, peripheral artery disease and early death. Please see your doctor and get tested.

ASK THE DOCTOR Dear Dr. Rick: I talked to my doctor about possibly switching from oral medication to topical medication, and I question whether the topical medication can be as effective. What do you think? — Cindy B., O’Fallon, Mo. Cindy, topical medications are applicable for treating any disease processes including arthritis, inflammation of joints, muscle overload and neuropathic pain. We are currently using many compound medications through a pharmacy called Trilogy, and they have been very efficient in allowing us to replace daily oral medications with topical medications. Your physician should be able to answer questions about topical medications and if they will be effective. Thank you very much for your question.

Dr. Rick, I have been having an increase in sinus symptoms, and the medication I am currently taking no longer seems to be helping. Do you have any thoughts? — Lavonne, East St. Louis, Ill. This is a very, very good question, Lavonne. Many people who have allergies or sinusitis and take medications will have increases in their symptoms during the allergic or allergy season and the medications they have been on will no longer be beneficial. It will be important to try and change your medication. An example would be if you were taking Claritin for long periods of time, you may want to switch to Allegra. Changes in the medications may help resolve your symptoms throughout the allergy season. Please consult your doctor. Again, this is a great question!

Correction: As incorrectly stated in the February 2012 issue, all compounding pharmacies are not regulated by the PCAB (Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board). All pharmacies are regulated by their respective State Board of Pharmacies. Trilogy Pharmacy, a compounding pharmacy, provides me the opportunity to tailor medication for each of my patient’s unique situational needs. I trust Trilogy’s use of pure ingredients of the highest quality and consistency in following very strict standards

Do you have a question for Dr. Rick? Please email it to rlehman@kfns.com.

kfns.com

grand slam sports

Scott Rovakâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Closing Shot The St. Louis Blues celebrate after defeating the San Jose Sharks in Game 5 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

kfns.com

grand slam sports

The Kilcoyne Opinion

A Salute to Sports-Loving Women

his issue of the magazine salutes women, so I thought I would use my column to salute the women of my life. Now, if I were Tiger Woods, this column could be really salacious. If I were Wilt Chamberlain, well, we might need more than the back page. For the record, I never played in the NBA, and I’ve never “dated” a Perkins waitress. The truth is, we should feature women and their athletic accomplishments more often. They tend to represent their particular sport better and carry themselves with more class than men. Does anyone really want to debate this point? Think Jackie Joyner-Kersee vs. Ron Artest. Of course, we occasionally get someone like Marge Schott, who reminds us that boys will be boys even if the birth certificate reads female. The problem with men is that we don’t really care about women’s sports unless it involves Suzy Favor or Gabrielle Reece. We’re just rotten people. In my family, sports always played a prominent role, even if I wasn’t prominent in playing a sport. It was my mom, Georgeanne, who further fueled that passion. In the summer of 1978, we lived in Milwaukee and I loved the Brewers. I would venture a guess that we went to between 20 and 25 games that summer; we never lost hope that Ben Oglivie or Gorman Thomas would hit one to us. We always sat in the bleachers. A few years later, while living in St. Louis, it was mom who suggested we

Martin Kilcoyne is the Sports Director at Fox 2

kfns.com

grand slam sports

go down to the Brewers’ hotel as they were getting set to meet the Cardinals in the World Series. I remember how friendly Don Sutton was. I also remember how unfriendly Rollie Fingers was. I still loved the Brewers, but I had started to switch allegiance to the Cardinals. After going to Game 7 at Busch, Mom took us all to JoJo’s in Crestwood to celebrate. I’m starting to wonder if I ever did any homework. Mom’s passion for sports continues. She’ll come over to the house to babysit young Carson Kilcoyne, but before we leave, she always makes sure to find out what channel the Blues will be on. Even though Tiger has been exposed as a bit of a cheetah, Mom is still glued to the set when Eldrick is in contention on Sundays. The Kilcoyne family has always shared an enthusiasm for the big game. Well, other than my sister Paula. One Christmas Eve, a certain football game became the focus of the evening. Instead of opening gifts, my brother Pat, my Mom and I spent much of the evening yelling at the television. When it finally ended, she asked if that was it; could we get on with our lives and, I don’t know, maybe celebrate the birth of Christ? I said yes, but we first needed to check and see if the Bears lost. She screamed in disgust, and with some resignation said, “There’s always another game.” So true, Paula, and thank God for that. My wife, Kim, loves sports. She just likes to participate. She’s a terrific athlete. If there’s ever a chance to go biking, hiking, swimming or running, she’s in. But if you ask her to sit in front of the television and consume 12 hours of college basketball and 3,000 calories, no thanks; not her thing. My bucket list includes watching a game at Cameron Indoor. Hers includes jumping out the door of an airplane at 5,000 feet. I’ve tried to convince her that rooting for the Cubs would be another way of experiencing a leap of faith, and it would be potentially less painful. I took Kim to her first game at Wrigley Field and have dragged her to several Marquette basketball games. She enjoys the games, but she isn’t a fanatic – which is perfect for me. When you cover sports all day, you don’t really want to come home at night and have your wife ask you what’s up with Waino’s cutter or why didn’t Hitch use Backes on the PK more? No thanks. That said, Kim loves going to Cardinals games. She grew up rooting for Ozzie. One night, we were with The Wizard at a charity event, and I actually saw my wife morph into Kim the fan. She suggested we get a picture. I thought it was a great idea until I realized she meant a picture of Ozzie and her, not of the three of us. Men tend to nerd-out on stats, while women don’t need the box score to know what’s really going on with a specific player. After a simple interview clip is played, Kim will say, “He seems troubled.” My response is something along the lines of, “You would be, too, if you were making $7 million and hitting .220.” Women’s intuition might actually be more helpful than consulting lefty-righty splits. As we celebrate Mother’s Day, it’s a great time to salute all the women in our lives. I know I’m extremely grateful for my awesome mother and my beautiful wife. The truth is, you really have to be a good sport to put up with me. v

eeee

Saturday, May 26th – at 4:30pm –

Kiener Plaza, St. Louis, MO

winner ee ee moves on to the finals in new York City! Great Beer & Drink Specials!

ÂŠ2012 Porsche Cars North America, Inc. Porsche recommends seat belt usage and observance of all traffic laws at all times.

877-505-4531 PlazaAudi.com

11830 Olive Blvd. Creve Coeur, MO 63141

877-398-1862

PlazaLandRover.com 11830 Olive Blvd. Creve Coeur, MO 63141

877-631-6866

CadillacofStLouis.com 11830 Olive Blvd. Creve Coeur, MO 63141