By Lee DavisGood eyesight has played a major role in careers of famous athletes.Baseball legend Babe Ruth’s vision allegedly was so good that he could read the label of a 78 RPM record while it was revolving on a phonograph player. Ted Williams, the last major leaguer to complete a regular season with a batting average higher than .400, claimed that he could follow the … [Read more...]
Smylie Face: Ex-Rebel Golfer Makes Impression on Web, PGA Tours
By Lee DavisSmylie Kaufman is no stranger to the winner’s circle in athletics.As a basketball point guard in 2009, Kaufman helped the Vestavia Hills Rebels win the Class 6A championship. By 2011, Kaufman had traded in his basketball, but he still was winning. While a varsity golfer at LSU, he won the 2011 Alabama Amateur as his father, Jeff – a former LSU golfer himself … [Read more...]
McMillan and Life: Spartan Coach Makes Big Splash Again
By Lee DavisLeave it to Bucky McMillan to be in the center of a big high school basketball story in the normally slow month of July.McMillan, the ultra-successful coach of the Mountain Brook boys basketball team, learned that a new weapon will be added to his arsenal when the season begins later this year. Trendon Watford, a 6-foot-7-inch forward who led Shades Valley … [Read more...]
Voice Trek: Layton Always Gave Them a Reason to Smile
By Lee DavisLots of young boys want to grow up to be policemen, firemen, cowboys or professional baseball players.I wanted to be a radio broadcaster – or actually, one radio broadcaster in particular.Every adult I knew listened to him in the morning as they were preparing for their day. I listened too and while some of the jokes went over my head, he was funny, … [Read more...]
Rush Job: Pizitz Coach Always Puts Players First
By Lee DavisJohn Rush has coached football at Pizitz Middle School for 29 years. He’s led the Pirates to many victories and numerous league championships but doesn’t know exactly how many.Really.For Rush, winning is important, but it’s not why he chose coaching as a profession.“Not every kid is going to be a big star or even a starter,” Rush said during a break … [Read more...]