Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose--Metro Spirit 6-9

Heavy is the head that wears the crown. Or is it?

In concluding a championship run that has proven to be even more improbable than last years, the Augusta State golf team has completely outdone themselves in defending their title and not letting their crown grace the head of some imposter. This is in no way, shape or form discrediting what the Jaguars did last year; they have the hardware to prove that 2010 was theirs. And that's just my point. The year after a team wins a National Championship is arguably the hardest. I can speak on this as I have been a part of two teams that were coming off of National Championship seasons in football (Georgia Military College- '01 champs, '02 runner-up, Valdosta State University-'04) These teams were similar to ASU in that we returned a large chunk of our production-- in ASU's case, they returned everyone-- and each were the school's first National Championship teams in their respected sports.

And how exactly did we fare with the target on our backs?

A disastrous 5-5 record at GMC, and an underwhelming 9-3 season at VSU. Needless to say we were still hung over from the kudos and ticker-tape parades in the worst kind of way. Our championship chalice still overflowing with ego and stories of "how perfect last year was."

While Head Coach Josh Gregory can look and feel dumbfounded about what just happened, his eye for a certain kind of player--not just talent--is what delivered this championship season. A team of gamers able to shield the blinding, adoring light in a game that is sometimes ripe with entitlement and privilege.

By now we know who each player is and how he got here. Each story leading in a roundabout way to Augusta, Ga. On the outside, it looks like an impressive turn of luck. Like an elementary class fortunate to somehow have enough puzzle pieces still in the box to make a portrait after the high schoolers riffled through and took what they wanted. But they never had to be perfect, they just had to be themselves.

College golf is a sport that is mainly stroke play all year that leads into an ultra-competitive match play tournament to decide it all. Which plays right into ASU's team full of undertakers disguised as golfers. Over the past two years, against the Jaguars is where the nation's best have come to expire. Staring at the trophy ahead of them in wonderment, with a season worth of expectations weighing them down, it only tightened the noose before Coach Gregory's boys kicked the stool out from underneath and left them for all to see. Match play with the Jaguars has evolved into an event where the future stars of the PGA tour come out looking flawed and exposed.

So many memories and accomplishments this group created with their bare hands over the past two years, with wedges and woods as their tools of trade. Each member important in his own right. Whether it was the fire in the belly of Mitch Krywulycz, the work ethic of Henrik Norlander, or Patrick Reed's competitiveness, they each maximized their talent with the help of chief architect, Josh Gregory, to build this once in a lifetime team.

" I don't know what just happened. We just won back-to-back National Championships somehow." --Josh Gregory.

Oh I think you have a pretty good idea, coach.

Metro Spirit 5-19

Matthews 2.0

After providing the area with the early favorite for 2011’s Inside Railroad Job of the Year award—a category they’ve dominated for some time now-- Lakeside High School has found their man to fill the baseball coaching vacancy. They didn’t have to thumb through their evaporating Rolodex long to find a name very familiar to the program.

The last time we heard from Jay Matthews on the high school level, he was leaving as Lakeside’s Head Baseball coach and moving over to Riverside Middle School. It was a move that had more to deal with the full-time commitment expected of a high school head coach than wins and losses. You can only slice the pie so many ways before you run out of it, and as much as he enjoyed the day-to-day with the players, increased attention was necessary at home for the time being.

"It's an opportunity to continue to coach and work with kids, but in the same sense, you don't have the 12-month commitment it takes for the high-school program," said Matthews. "It's something, when my kids get a little bit older, I may give another shot."
You can get a formidable read on a coach by listening to what his fiercest competitors have to say about him. And at the time of his resignation for Matthews, that sample size was vast.

“Jay’s a competitor.” said Evans Coach Ricky Beale,” It will be different going over there and not seeing him in a Lakeside uniform.”

Even the iconic Jimmie Lewis of Harlem had something to say on the prospect of Matthews not returning to coach on the high-school level, "If he don't, it will be a travesty. He needs to be in the high-school ranks somewhere, because he's a dang good coach."

Well there you have it. A former player and coach from the school who is well respected and liked by his peers as well as his competitors. An amiable guy who is finally back in a position where he can log the hours necessary of a head coach. Let me speak for this local high school baseball fan in saying good luck, but as you know, beware.


While cheers from the stands during games might sound a lot like, “Let’s go Lakeside!” or “Big bats this inning, Panthers!” You already know what you’re actually hearing is, “Tread softly or reap the booster’s club big stick, coach!”

Augusta State Athletics Provides Excitement Year Round

With the Jaguars baseball team making their recent push to the conference championship game, they’ve shined a light on what an impressive year it’s already been for ASU. And the success doesn’t even include what the golf team, ranked 6th nationally, has done because they play as an independent. That means they basically play the entire regular season with a huge target on their back. But more on them in a minute.

Including the Jaguars appearance in the Peach Belt championship baseball game, they became the fourth ASU team in 2010-11 to advance to the league’s championship game, joining men’s basketball, softball and men’s tennis.

And while I have Joey Warren, ASU’s indefatigable Athletic Media Relations Director, to thank for reminding me of that last stat, I also must pass great thanks to the members of the baseball team who gave us an endearing story whether we were ready for it or not.

Now it’s onto the NCAA Regional for Head Coach Josh Gregory and Co., as they begin defending their title in Ocala, Fla., as the No. 2 seed in the three-day 54-hole regional. They must finish in the top five to advance to the NCAA Championships. Best of luck to the Jags.

ASU Golf Schedule

Note: All rounds take place at Golden Ocala Golf Club, Ocala, Fla., All Day

Thursday, May 19 NCAA Florida Regional—First Round

Friday, May 20 NCAA Florida Regional—Second Round

Saturday, May 21 NCAA Florida Regional—Third Round

• Live scoring available at www.golfstat.com


Quick Hitters

--While Ashton Kutcher should fit well into his new role on “Two and a Half Men,” Rob Lowe would have been a home run.

--Hey, Carlos Santana. There is a better way to go about doing things. Shut up and just play the guitar.

--Book Recommendation: “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand. Do it.