ThomasDenton

No problem...actually, I think I'm the one who really started it, lol.

I'm on a laptop too (brand new) and can't.

It won't let me do that either.

For some reason, the site won't let me quote people......or maybe it's just not showing up on my computer. Anyone else having this problem? My last post was supposed to quote UVAObserver.

It really was. The last president before Dr. Phillips (can't remember his name even.....which is bad) was almost never seen on campus and was never at school events, like games and such. His solution to fixing VI's money problems was to cut everything (tennis and soccer teams went out the window along with some academic programs) and when he saw that it would take more than that, he bailed and took some of our top people with him. We were lucky to get the president VI has now and the people she brought in. She was ALWAYS seen on campus and attended pretty much everything. She and her board brought in a lot of money for the school, got a lot of renovations done that were desperately needed, and brought life back to the campus. However, years of extremely poor management doomed the school and with all her efforts it just wasn't enough. There's still some hope for a last second miracle, but if this is really the end then at least the last few years were great for the students and staff.

I really wish the merger would have gone through and it's really annoying everyone that they won't give any details as to why the merger failed (after the school had been so transparent on all the SACS processes). With this merger, as I understood, VI would keep it's name and pretty much still be VI. They would get to piggyback the FL school's accreditation as well. This school also merged with a school in NC (I think) that was very similar to VI (small private college strong in teacher studies, equine studies, art and photography) and that school is doing well. The FL school believes that all small private schools should join together in one way or another to keep their doors open and keep their identities. Sad that this fell through. The governor, Kilgore, the mayor and some others in local and state government said they'll look into what they can do for VI, but I believe it'll be too little too late. Teachers, staff, and students have either already jumped ship or are preparing the lifeboats.

If you haven't heard, it's pretty much a done deal that Virginia Intermont College of Bristol, VA (my alma mater) will be closing down soon. This is likely the final semester (and maybe a short summer semester) for the school. VIC has been in trouble for years now and more recently lost accreditation, but tried to merge with a school in Florida to stay open. However, that deal fell through for unknown reasons. VI has also announced that this is the final athletics season. This is really sad for any VIC alumni and for the fact that the athletic teams (which were terrible a while back) are pretty good now and getting better...not to mention a yearly nationally ranked equestrian program. The school is currently trying to find new homes for its students and athletes and the AAC has waived the transfer rules so VI's athletes don't have to sit out if they transfer. Some faculty have turned in their resignation as well. There's always the hope for a last minute miracle, but the merger would have been just that...and it fell through. Sad to see the school go. I just wonder what'll happen to everyone there and to the school itself. Also, there's a lot of articles on tricities.com about the situation if anyone wants more info (for some reason I can't paste links on here anymore). Nil Sine Numine: Nothing Without Guidance,.

If he's really retiring in TN, who's to say he just wants to retire in VA too and will only be there a few years? If this happens, it could get things going for AHS, but that'd mean another new coach in a short time.

I hate to think about it, but it really could have been caused by steroids. He was in his mid/upper 50's and hadn't made an appearance like that in years, so he could have taken steroids or something to get him through all that....and he couldn't take it. Just a thought. He'll definitely be missed though. One of the greatest of wrestling.

From how I take it, he's still teaching and coaching track and field, so at least he'll still be around for that.

Saw on Twitter today that AHS might not make a decision (or at least announce anything official) until April 22.

Personally, I think it might be retirement. There's drama wherever you go and he knows that, so I can't see him leaving for that reason and with the type of person he is, I can't see him leaving because of a drop in talent (which I don't believe anyway because we've got some good young players coming up who've been at it in the weight room all offseason). I really hope it isn't anything health related. He's been coaching a long time and he might just be retiring. The timing isn't too bad, especially if the school/school board get on the ball and start looking for someone right away. There's still time for the kids to adjust before next season really gets into gear. But, assuming this is all true given that there's not been any official news yet, I wish Coach Wright the best whatever his reasons.

I know it's baseball season, but if you need to feed that football craving and are in the Bristol area, then come on down to Gene Malcolm Stadium in Bristol, VA (VA High's home field) tomorrow, April 5th. The season for the World Class Football League (a semi pro football league in the region) has started and Bristol's local team, the Twin City Thunder, will take on the East TN Pirates. Kickoff is at 7:30pm. More info on the Twin City Thunder can be found on their website at www.twincitythunder.com.

If this is all true, then I hope they at least keep the current coaching staff (and possibly make one of them the new HC). At least the team could adjust quickly that way.

I REALLY hope not. Haven't heard anything about it (though I'm not as in touch with the football program as I used to be).

From what I understand, the Jets were wanting a good veteran QB to back up Geno Smith and to teach and guide (as well as push) him. Vick will get playing time, but they are betting it all on Geno and looking for Vick to push him to be a better QB. It won't be so much as competing for the starting job. I also like this move. Sanchez needed to go and since they put so much into Geno, they might as well try some things out to make him better. If he really doesn't work out, they still have Vick to play until they can figure something else out.

http://www.wimp.com/schoolrunner/

If Briscoe went to AHS to be the head coach, it would be great for them. He's a really good coach. Though, he is coaching at Battle now and I'd really hate to lose him, lol.

Also, why are there so many drivers in Russia with dashcams? There are hundreds of these videos.

I'm surprised at how calm these drivers are in the videos with sound.....like it's just a normal day in Russia.

I read an article that said counties (and cities I assume) don't have to allow home-schoolers to play if they don't want too.

I haven't posted anything on my brother for a good while (things have been crazy over the last few months since I got a new job), but he was interviewed by Allen Gregory of BHC yesterday for a follow-up article on his current condition which came out in today's paper and on the TriCities website. http://www.tricities.com/sports/article_ae7086fc-78eb-11e3-9574-001a4bcf6878.html (I'd copy and paste the whole thing here, but my computer has about had it and is giving me a fit, lol). Just a quick update from me: Jeremiah has been doing great lately. He still has a few issues to work on, like some short term memory issues and foresight issues, before he can go back to work or drive. He's been driving us crazy about driving and working again about every day, lol. Hopefully the doctors will release him soon so he can do all that. It's been a wait and see deal for now. But please continue to pray for his recovery. He'll be the first to tell you that the prayers have helped more than anything.

I didn't attend any 8th grade or JV games this year, but I had heard early in the season that the JV team was running a pistol offense. Maybe they're planning to experiment with that next year?

A point I tried making to a few people the other day when they were complaining about how bad the VA team got beat is that TN has a much larger pool of athletes to choose from than VA does. The kids not playing this game due to basketball hurts the VA team a lot more because we can't replace them as easily as TN can theirs. I think the idea of SWVA vs NETN is great and all, but as someone else mentioned, I would love to see a SWVA vs SWV game or SWVA vs EKY game. The numbers wouldn't be so lopsided. For the SWVA/NETN game, might want to consider expanding the number of schools included on the VA team as well to help make up the difference. Stretch the territory all the way to Roanoke if you have to.

Burton plays defense?! JK. A lot of people have said the last few years that Burton would just let other teams score so they could get back to scoring themselves, lol.